Kicking Those Bad Food Habits

It may come as a surprise to some of you, but Christmas is over!!

I know how sad this will be for some people because it is such a fabulous time of year with food and friendly drinks abundant that many people find it a challenge to stop "treating" themselves well into January. So, I am here to tell you that without having to start a major detox (even though it's a pretty good idea too) is not always essential to help you break those habits that are no longer working in your favour. What are some of those bad habits I hear you ask? Well, dipping the hand into the tin of roses because they're nearly gone and you'd like them finished before you start, the slice of Christmas cake or pud with cream or custard after dinner because you're used to having a dessert after a meal or what about the more sugary cereal that you bought in for Christmas because you love it, but you've just been shopping and bought it again! While many of my friends consider me a person with excellent will power, even I delve in at Christmas.

I mentioned on my Facebook Page that over the last few weeks I had taken a break from having my own  morning green drink, but I am certainly worse off for letting it slide and I wanted to share the effects with you.

The following is a list of some of the observations I encountered by allowing my daily, morning green drink slide.

1. I most definitely had a dip in my own natural energy.

2. I started needing a coffee or other caffeinated drink to give me that pep in my step, rather than for enjoyment.
3. Craving more sugar in any form..honey, chocolate, fruit, bread (which converts to glucose)
4. Not sleeping as well.
5. Change in my overall PH levels, which I measure regularly.
6. Feeling less motivated to exercise.
7. Have had a heavy cold for over the past two weeks...Weakened immune system.
8. Not as many trips to the ladies! If you get my drift.

While this list is not an exhaustive one, I thought I would mention the more obvious symptoms that I experienced. I have been back on my morning green drink over the past week, and already, my sleeping patterns are returning to normal (my normal) and there has been an improvement in my energy levels.

I know it can be challenging to find leafy greens at this time of the year, but at the very least, keep the cucumber, celery, limes, an apple or pear and some spinach going. We learn by repetition which is why once we undo a good habit, it is easy to forget all the good it was doing us.

I also suggest that if you can't get yourself into the kitchen in the morning, that you at least have a shot of wheatgrass whenever you see somewhere offering them or add some greens to your drinking water using any of the organic powdered drinks available in your local health food store. This will start the green process going again and you will find yourself asking for more salad to be added to your plate and alfalfa to your sandwich.

Thankfully, I am back on track now and I won't be giving breaking that good habit up again in a hurry but I certainly felt the negative effects of not eating greens and I did not like it.

Make 2012 your year to add a good habit in and be prepared for great change!

Best wishes,

Ruth.