The Well-Nourished Body
The Well-Nourished Body: Healthy Tips During Divorce
In November 2019, I was invited to write an article for Gabrielle Hartley, Esq., “Better Apart Blog.” Gabrielle is a New York-based positive divorce movement attorney, mediator, coach and published author. Her book, Better Apart; The Radically Positive Way to Separate, is a NY Times best seller. Below is a reprint of the article I wrote for Gabrielle’s site. Please share it with anyone you feel could benefit. And, know - we don’t have to be going through a divorce to use it or share it - we can all use a little extra wellness in our lives, especially during the holidays.
With love, Marlyn xo
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The simple steps we take each day create the life we crave. But let's face it, a life-changing event such as divorce can be messy and our best intentions for good nutrition and self-care, fly right out the window. How we take care of ourselves and move through this experience can make all the difference in how we look, feel, sleep and think.
As a nutritionist, and professional wellness coach (and someone who is moving through a divorce myself) I get that this new season of life comes with a whole new set of emotions and adjustments. Even if you're the one who initiated the change, chances are you're going to experience some form of grief, loss, anger or regret. And these powerful (often unwanted) emotions have a way of creeping up and sneaking into our everyday lives. They can even overtake our eating habits, lifestyle routines and sleep patterns, if we let them.
When you're feeling sad or lonely, you may find you want to soothe your soul with a plate of crispy fries and a glass of wine or dig into a creamy big bowl of chocolate chip ice cream or bury yourself in a slice of decadent chocolate cake. Sure, these sugar bombs and liquid loves might bring you a super amazing "hormonal high" and allow you to forget your heartache and pain in the moment, but there will always be the crash and let down on the other side. And here's the thing too - "Food is meant to nourish our bodies not solve our problems."
I'm here today to share a better way. One of self-care, self-respect, and clarity. That doesn't mean you can't have your favorite dessert or glass of Cabernet, too. It's about the way you are taking care of yourself in the big picture that matters most. Self-care equals success. The way to set yourself up for success is to include nourishing daily rituals that lead to a healthier, happier YOU. When you feel better, you show up better. You do life better. And that can translate into more joy and less stress.
3 Ways to Nourish Your Body and Build the Best YOU!
1. Eat a Rainbow.
When you eat a rainbow, you are engaging in the daily act of eating a variety of colorful fruits and vegetables. Colorful fruits and vegetables contain powerful antioxidants and phytonutrients that can help protect your energy and support your cellular health. Eating a variety of colors throughout your day adds to a pleasurable visual effect plus the empowerment of knowing that each color will give you an array of health benefits. Think of eating a rainbow of colors as an insurance policy for your greater health and wellness. Every color in the vegetable kingdom (dare I say queendom?) represents a different family of healing compounds. The more you eat, the more you get. Colorful fruits and vegetables like red from strawberries, orange from carrots, purple from eggplant, and green from lettuce are loaded with potent antioxidants and phytonutrients like vit C for radiant skin and carotenoids for immunity - the greatest medicine for your health.
2. READ LABELS.
The MOST important thing I teach my clients is to READ LABELS. Sounds simple, though you'd be surprised how many people never read a label. It’s imperative to begin to know what you are putting in (and on) your body. Many companies have a way of labeling that is confusing to the consumer. Be aware that many added ingredients can be affecting your health. Carrageenan, Maltodextrin, Natural Flavors, MSG, Sucralose - are a few of the more common ingredients that can cause headaches, gut and digestive problems, and contribute to on-going cravings. Also, be aware of added sugars. Did you know there are over fifty names for sugar? Some of the more well-known ones are fructose, sucrose, dextrose, corn syrup and barley malt. Be mindful of packaged food. If sugar is one of the first three ingredients my recommendation is to put that food down and make a healthier selection. All these hidden sugars add up and can make a difference in your overall health and emotional well-being. Remember, you get to decide what you put into your body - and every ingredient matters.
3. Mind Your Minerals.
What are minerals anyway? Minerals are elements that make up the earth, everything on it, and YOU. Your body is made up of minerals. Every electrical process in your body requires a balance of minerals. Iron for your blood, calcium for your bones, magnesium for your heart, and sulfur for your muscles to name a few. It is important to constantly replenish your body with the minerals it expends on a daily basis. One of the easiest ways to get more minerals is to eat vegetables - both land and sea. Think leafy greens, broccoli, cucumber, celery, carrots, onions and seaweed. Sea salt is another way to replenish your body with minerals. One of the best forms of salt is Celtic salt. This is a grey salt harvested from the ocean and is very healing (and tasty too.) You can use Celtic salt on your food and in your cooking or put a small pinch into your water before drinking. Adding a mineral supplement to your daily routine can also prove to be especially beneficial. Personally, I love taking a magnesium supplement each night before bed for a deeper more restful sleep. There are many forms of magnesium. My favorite form of magnesium, and the one I take, is magnesium glycinate, which supports lowered stress and also helps the nervous system to relax.
With each passing day, the most powerful decision you can make is what you put on the end of your fork. Food has a direct effect on your blood, brain, energy, sleep, and sex life. Every bite of food you eat adds to your health or depletes it. So fill your plate with colorful, whole, real, nutrient-dense, mineral-rich foods and let yourself SHINE. Because YOU and your new life are worth it!