True health isn’t comprised of just the foods we eat, but also in the way we move our body, the thoughts we think and the information we consume on a daily basis. I am convinced that these pieces come together and shape our overall health and well-being.
FOOD - It is important to be intentional about the foods we are choosing to eat and when we eat them. I am convinced that eating seasonally and sourcing locally is essential. Eating seasonally allows your body to intuitively crave the foods needed to keep you healthy and nourished throughout the year. To make sourcing locally easier, I recommend building a relationship with your local farmers, bakers, and small businesses that support local vendors. This helps you know where your food comes from, who grew it, how they farmed it, and keeps your dollar within the community.
NUTRITION - Eating shouldn't be about logging your calories, tracking points, or checking things off from an outdated food pyramid. You should be enjoying every bite of nutrient-dense, delicious food at the end of your fork. Cooking and eating a meal should be an experience filled with love and enjoyment, not something to stress about nor rush through. I strongly suggest eating the rainbow, including a variety of textures as well as flavors at every meal. Placing different colors on your plate ensures a wide array of nutrients being ingested. I also recommend one fermented food with each meal as they keep your gut microbiome healthy. This could be pickles, kimchi, kombucha, sauerkraut, etc.
MOVEMENT - Movement is medicine. You can change your mood simply by moving your body. Exercise increases your heart rate, breath frequency, and releases endorphins. The movement doesn't have to be extreme nor lengthy; it can be stretching, going for a walk, moving through yoga poses, or running in the foothills. There are wonderful ways to move your body, and I make it a point to do so on a daily basis. If you do the same, you will be amazed at how good you feel both physically and mentally.
MINDFULNESS - Our minds are powerful. The thoughts and feelings we have every day create our environment in which we live and experience the world. My advice is to take time each day to sit in silence; you could meditate or just listen to your breath. This daily practice creates a space free from thought, outside noise, influence, or distraction. This simple act of being with yourself in silence will alter your reality, mindset, and ability to take on life. Make space for this sacred time for yourself.
ROUTINE - It is the habits that we make that create our lives, health, and total wellness. It is the small actions that we do daily that build our base and set us up to live a life we love; a life that fills us up and creates space for more goodness to come our way.
Editor's Note: To learn more about McKenzie Joyner, a private chef, holistic nutritionist, and yogi, you can find her on Instagram @sproutingvitality and FB @Sprouting-Vitality