Thrive in 30 is a series of 12 video lessons over the course of 30 days, with vegan Ironman triathlete, Vega formulator and best-selling author, Brendan Brazier. Brendan reveals the commonly held myths about plant-based nutrition, and offers tools to harness plant-based whole foods toward total body health. It provides tips as well as action steps, that you can easily apply to your own routine. Even a small change like adding a clean, green smoothie with plant-based protein to your diet, can help you achieve real benefits.
I along with several other bloggers have signed up to take this 30 day program and I’ll be keeping you posted as I progress. Today I just want to touch on Lesson 1 which deals with Stress and Diet. Brendan talks about how small dietary changes bring about stress relief. It never occured t me that in addition to outside stressors – work, family, etc that food can cause stress internally. I knew that processed and junk food aren’t good for me, but I never thought about the stress caused on the body from eating foods that are not whole. Food plays a huge part in determining our health levels. I was surprised when Brendan referred to exercise as stress. He said that mentally exercise relives stress, but it causes physical stress to your body. I had my light bulb moment. This kind of made sense with my love/hate relationship with exercise.
Another aspect that was touched on was that person that goes to the gym and is constantly working out, but never loses any weight. He suggests taking a break from the exercise and focusing on your nutrition and then going back to exercise. I have long thought this to be true. I have many friends that workout like crazy only to enjoy lots of soda, fries and burgers and can’t understand why they can’t lose weight!
So besides being interested in converting to an all plant diet, I also signed up for this challenge to try to focus on my nutrtion and eat better.
Here are the tips to follow from lesson 1:
1. add more veggies and fruits to your diet. ( my husband and I have been doing green smoothies and it’s a great way to incorporate more veggies in your diet)
2. have a salad everyday
3.Try 1 or 2 of your favorite veggies raw this week ( will do)
4. reduce convenience and processed foods and replace them with fruits and veggies.
Suggestions:
A handful of almonds, macadamia nuts or walnuts
A serving of organic carrots, celery or zucchini sticks
An organic apple, pear or orange
A raw food energy bar
5. reduce stimulating beverages and foods ( get rid of that coffee and cut the sugar you use in half or replace it with agave nectar)
I will keep you posted on my journey. I want to thank Vega for allowing me to be part of this program. I will also be reviewing Vega’s Sport Performance Protein drink in my next post.
Let me know what you think. Do you follow a plant based diet? Are you looking to improve your health?
Leave me a comment!
Mal says
I really like the concept. Great work
Mal says
I really like the concept. Keep up the good work
Jennifer P says
This sounds like a great challenge!
Walter says
Good point about food causing stress. I know I wasn’t supposed to drink any alcohol late at night, but the other day a Japanese friend of mine bought over some delicious Organic unfiltered Sake and it went down so easy and then it kept me up most of the night! I just couldn’t sleep and I never have this problem. So the next day I was a bit stressed when I couldn’t keep up with my daily chores due to lack of sleep. So I guess this is another way that food can cause stress even indirectly. I blame myself of course. The next time I will enjoy that delicious sake in moderation and earlier in the evening!
Clare says
This all makes so much sense. I am plagued with guilt over not eating enough fruits and veggies. I should just get on and eat them and I would have less stress about not eating them, but, some how a chocolate bar or cookie always seems more appealing. I’m not sure that I could leap straight into a plant based diet but I could start by having plant based lunches and go from there. Good luck. I look forward to hearing about your progress.
Christina says
This is very interesting! I have been trying to eat better because of my health and to lose weight. I just got a new b vitamin supplement because that’s supposed to give you energy and improve your mood.
Jessyca says
Hi I am a new follower coming from the Pink Dandy Sunday Blog Hop. This sounds like a great challenge.
http://jessycaspage.blogspot.com/
Nancy says
Stressful food, kids, and husband, I am forever doomed!!!!!!!! Good luck to you and we;re making the kids try 3 new vegetable dishes a week this month, you inspired us!!!
Francotouristo says
Coffee and alcohol is tough. Cutting out sugar and eating more green leaf produce is a major point for myself. I have the feeling that green juice will change my like forever. They are like a salad on steriods.