By Chia Chia Cheng, L.Ac.
The truth is healthy living is a full-time position. Even when I’m on vacation or at someone’s house for a meal. I deviate little. At my age it takes me too much effort to turn things back to the 80/20 rule.
Patients will sometimes tell me “I’m on vacation. I’m going to enjoy myself and eat or drink whatever I want.” It’s the reward mentality. Working with people for two decades has taught me this: for 90% of the population it takes them 3 months or longer to get back on track.
How do you get back on track after a long detour? Instead of thinking about all the things you have to give up, focus on adding one thing. Vegetables.
My challenge was adding salad into my diet.
I didn’t grow up eating salads. The majority of the vegetables I ate was grown in my dad’s garden. All the veggies were stir fried. In TCM raw foods are considered cold in nature and difficult to digest for most people. It took me many years to start eating salad when I ate at home.
In fact I just started eating salads in January of this year, after finishing the 21 Day Purification Program. I make a large bowl 4-5 times a week as a meal. With the convenience of pre-rinsed baby greens, prepping a salad is a cinch. Here are 6 things I add to enhance the flavor:
- Fresh, coarsely chopped garlic (2 cloves)
- chopped dried dates
- fresh dill, cilantro or green onion
- Brewer’s yeast
- lemon or orange zest
- black sesame seeds (raw)
- Celtic sea salt
For Independence Day, add quarter strawberries, sliced jicama, and blueberries to your salad.
Summer is here. There is a general anxiety of “Let’s all do our part and wear masks to keep the state open.”
I’m here to remind you that eating vegetables is a way to build your immune system. By feeding the gut flora daily with vegetable fiber, you are keeping the beneficial bacteria that boost immunity alive and well.
Changing what you put into your body is one thing that you have the ability to influence post SIP. Why not start here so you can feel empowered to live the life you want? Your mind and body will thank you.
Be well. Stay connected.
