We are what we eat....

We've all heard the saying "You are what you eat." Well.... there are some days I want to be a chocolate souffle with a huge dollop of whipped cream and slivers of curled chocolate.... (Thank me later if you are now drooling too.)

I was somewhat conscious of what I ate before my stroke. Now, I am overboard on how I am eating. (Not saying this is the way to go.) Before I tried to adhere as closely as possible to eating clean. This is a concept that you basically eliminate all refined sugars and flours from your diet and eat more lean meats and WAY more fruits and veggies. (Lots of 'ands' in that last sentence. Sorry.) Now, I may be going overboard in avoiding things I previously enjoyed, but I am trying to eat as healthy as possible in the hopes of helping to prevent another stroke. (I realize there are numerous factors that influence it, but eating is one I can control.)

I was beginning to think that I might be leaning toward OCD in regard to things I am avoiding, and then Coke and Pepsi announced they were both changing their recipes to eliminate a potential carcinogen from their products. Don't believe me? Check it out: http://gma.yahoo.com/video/health-26594251/coke-pepsi-change-recipe-to-remove-carcinogen-28561131.html

Seriously??? They know it is a potential carcinogen and left it in their product for how long? Then in the last few days, I see that "pink slime" is added to hamburger meat that is served in some schools and fast food restaurants. Geez... What else can they do to what nature provides us... http://abcnews.go.com/blogs/headlines/2012/03/is-pink-slime-in-the-beef-at-your-grocery-store/

Dang, as a farm girl, I am ready to get back to my roots and start raising a steer each year. Hubby is opposed to chickens, who thinks I could sneak a steer past him? I think I am going to try.

No matter what changes you are choosing to make in your pursuit of becoming a healthier you, it's always important to keep in mind that eating basics are better than eating man-made products. While basics may seem more expensive, refined products are typically empty calories your body stores as fat instead of receiving nutrition from them. So the more refined products tend to lead to weight gain, more doctor visits, and more prescriptions. For me, the benefits of eating basic outweigh the alternative of consuming refined products.

Also, I know the bandwagon fell apart when I was in the hospital, but I hope you stuck to it and continued to step on the scale to check your weight on Fridays. Plus, it has been long enough that taking pictures and measurements is a good idea.

Finally, I am looking forward to going for a run in the morning. (Yes, I really am that crazy.) It's been too wet or cold or lack of time has prevented me from doing so this week, but tomorrow morning I have no excuses. I hope you don't either.....