Seven Rules For Healthy Living

Hi Everyone, I would like to start off first with a question...What are we putting into our bodies? Our daily goal should be to consume the foods that will help serve maintaining our bodies and health at an optimum level. With this in mind there's seven rules for healthy living that I would like us to explore:

1. The First Rule For Healthy Living - Drink Water Before And After Your Meals, Not During. Drinking in advance of eating will fill you up, and stop you from overeating. In addition, refraining from drinking water will give you the chance to breather correctly, aiding in digestion. Have water 30 minutes before you eat and separate your meals from any liquid intake by at least 10 - ideally 30 - minutes.

2. The Second Rule For Healthy Living - Properly Combine Your Foods. In order to ensure the best digestion of nutrients, we must know how to effectively combine our foods. Choosing to not intelligently combine your foods will put a strain on your digestive system. Consequences include: Stunted Digestion. Food is stopped from being converted into nutrients, thus sacrificing the benefits of amino acids, vitamins, and minerals of what we consume. Harmful Toxins. These poisons tax the cells and tissues of our bodies and our organs of elimination. Food Allergies. People often misdiagnose discomfort after meals as food allergies, when what they are truly experiencing is the result of poor combining. More Serious Illnesses. Improper combining for a prolonged period of time could wear down the body and lead to graver issues.

3. The Third Rule For Healthy Living - Eat In a Relaxed State. Eliminate all distractions, including the television, cellphones (texting), and internet. Maintain a tranquil state since meals should be a calm time to enjoy and appreciate the food and company before you. Have everyone seated and comfortable while making sure the table is set with the proper plates and utensils. Chew your food slowly, taking in small bites.

4. The Fourth Rule for Healthy Living - Eat Comfortable Amounts Of Foods. Americans have a distorted sense of portion sizes. The typical serving size in a restaurant is not an appropriate amount - half the portion will usually do. Or if you cook too much for dinner, save the rest for lunch the next day.

5. The Fifth Rule For Healthy Living - Eat Organic Foods. Consistently ingest food that is free of modern pesticides, antibiotics or growth hormones. Products labeled "organic" have been approved by the USDA, which ensures that farms are meeting government standards (including promoting renewable resources). Though it may have been difficult in the past to buy organic products, they are now readily available in every local grocery store. Ideally you have a Whole foods, Henry's, Wild Oats, Trader Joe's, or other smaller organic chain near you.

6. The Sixth Rule For Healthy Living - Timing Is Everything: Eat Small Amounts Every 3 Hours.

7. The Seventh Rule For Healthy Living - Add Supplements To Your Diet As Needed.

Some Additional Things to Think About. According to the American Dietetic Association these are ideal serving sizes:

1. One cup of pasta is the size of a tennis ball.
2. One-half cup of vegetables is the size of a light bulb.
3. A small baked potato is the size of a computer mouse.

Proper digestion is corrupted by the use of condiments, vinegar, alcohol, tobacco, soft drinks, tea, coffee, and iced drinks.

I know the Seven Rules For Healthy Living may fall outside the beliefs many of us (including me) grew up with, but I challenge you to apply these rules for a healthier and richer life.