PART 2

Back in my natural foods retail days, one of my staffers would laughingly label my recommended products as carrying the “Neil Seal” of approval. While my personal tastes and values certainly influenced my selections, these past 30+ years have provided me a credible sample size of what works for me. Granted, there will never be a “one size fits all” solution; I share what works for me with the hope it will benefit others.

DISCLAIMER: Never having a weight problem in my 57 years, I have no first-hand experience with weight issues. However, that said, neither my weight nor waist size have fluctuated during the 30 years I’ve been vegan.

I refer to my dietary lifestyle as “clean vegan.” Accordingly, I never eat any animal products whatsoever, including beef, pork, fish, chicken, eggs, or dairy (milk, cheese, butter). The “clean” part of the equation is that I do not substitute animal products with empty calories – that is high caloric “foods” with zero nutritional value. These are the refined sugar and white flour products, such as cake, candy, cookies, chips and soda. I also avoid GMOs, wheat gluten, artificial preservatives, flavors, colors and sweeteners. These additives are highly toxic.

The response I usually get is, “What’s left to eat, then?” Well, there’s an endless variety of REAL food that could fill this page, but here’s a few suggestions: legumes (red kidney beans, lentils, garbanzos), all vegetables (especially leafy greens – Swiss chard, spinach, kale), all fruits (including berries, melons, avocados), raw nuts (walnuts, almonds) and seeds (sunflower, flax, pumpkin).

Several years ago I reluctantly concluded that red wine, contrary to enthusiastic marketing, is NOT a health food. Red grapes, packed with phytonutrients, are a powerful food — but not so much when swimming in alcohol. Sorry, alcohol, when ingested is a poison to the body. As much as I enjoyed a glass of really good wine with a meal, I don’t miss the “brain fog” the day after. One of the many benefits of a “clean” diet, is that the longer we stay away from the foods we are better off without, the more sensitive we are to their adverse effects. Being attuned to our bodies is an empowering, self-diagnostic tool.

Knowing what I’ve learned though years of study and practice, I have absolutely no interest in getting sick – and I used to get sick regularly (colds, flu, strep). I take neither prescription drugs nor any over-the-counter meds, including aspirin. No caffeine either. Of course, I would never refuse medical attention for a serious trauma or life-threating situation. I do avail myself of natural remedies and therapies, including supplements, essential oils, acupuncture, chiropractic, massage, EFT and other energy healing modalities.

A sometimes overlooked component of enjoying a healthy and happy life is having a generally positive mind-set. That doesn’t mean putting your head in the clouds and making believe nothing unpleasant is going on. Life, and stuff happens! But we can consciously choose to focus on the good we have in our lives, rather than lamenting our perceived lack. This alone, is a powerfully transformational tool.

Embracing the science of Epigenetics is a game-changer. Promoted by biologist Bruce Lipton and others, it tells us that our quality of life is not dictated by our genes; conversely, it is our lifestyle that determines the expression of our genes. Therefore, what we eat, drink, think and feel, will influence – positively or negatively – our overall condition. YOU are responsible for you! Sorry – I had to euthanize that scapegoat.

Some form of regular exercise is non-negotiable. Yoga, hiking in nature, light running, occasional bicycling, and playing organized, competitive baseball (played nearly 70 games last year) keeps me moving. No gyms or heavy workouts for me, although some styles of yoga are pretty demanding. Outdoor time in the sunshine, and any connection to nature you can find, is essential. A Spiritual practice, including meditation, can also augment one’s overall happiness and wellbeing. Meaningful relationships, and a deep connection to the natural world (including animals), help me to find my “happy” place.

This is but a brief overview of what works for me. If you desire a better you, you need to find out what works for you. It’s got to be a lot easier maintaining good health, than overhauling a broken-down body. Even so, as long as you’re breathing, it’s NEVER too late to make positive lifestyle changes. Yes, this takes some work, and it’s not easy at first. But relatively little effort now can save you money and years of misery. Ultimately, it comes down to whatever are your priorities.

Neil and Andrea

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