There’s a chill in the air, sending off a clear signal that summer has come to an end, and fall is here.
 
Students of all ages are filing back into the classroom with the same mixed emotions we all have felt at one time or another. Part excitement. Part fear. Part optimism. Part sadness.
 
While my school days are long behind me, the fall still conjures up some of those same feelings. But mostly a strong to desire to hit the re-fresh button, organize my life, and tackle the things (both big and small) that I’ve been neglecting.

Perhaps you can relate. Maybe you’ve been delaying a job search or ignoring your finances. Or maybe you’ve been putting off doing a juice cleanse or joining a gym.

Whatever it is that you’ve been forgetting, delaying, or ignoring all together, the time is now to address it. Especially when it comes to your health.

With cancer and other illness on the rise, it’s never been more important to start making more informed decisions to not only rid our bodies of illness, but to PREVENT illness all together.

As Best selling-author, wellness activist, and cancer thriver Kris Carr says “Prevention doesn’t just mean avoiding your germy co-workers when the seasonal flu goes around or standing five feet away from the microwave. Prevention means delving into each aspect of our lives and examining where we can make better choices (emotionally, physically, even spiritually).”

While this may sound like a depressing, scary, or even boring topic, preventative medicine can actually be sexy and fun. (Not to mention life changing). All you need is a little background info, your own intuition, and a desire to feel your absolute best.

Personally, I can think of no better time than the start of the (school) year to reevaluate your own lifestyle and start making more informed decisions for you and your family.

Here are some ways to start:

1 – Eat more greens: Whether in a delicious green smoothie or chopped up in your salad, make sure to eat at least two generous servings of organic dark leafy greens daily.

2 – Eat heart healthy fats regularly: avocados, quality extra virgin olive oil, and wild caught salmon are all terrific sources.

3 – Go organic to avoid harmful chemicals and hormone disruptors: If buying all organic isn’t possible, do your best to purchase organic products off of the dirty dozen list, and go conventional with the rest.

4 – Go easy on the animal products: Conventional meat and dairy contain pesticides, environmental pollutants, and preservatives that can overload our system and cause illness. If and when you do consume animal products, make sure they are organic and grass fed. Note: More than 90% of the harmful pesticides Americans consume are found in the fat and tissue of conventional meat and dairy products.

5– Eat whole foods: For helpful ways to transition from a processed diet to a nutritious, whole foods diet, click here.

6 – Move every day: Can’t get to the gym? Take the stairs, walk to work, or jump on a trampoline. It doesn’t matter what you do. Just do it.

7 – Say no to sugar and white flour: Both cause inflammation in the body, which can lead to disease. Reduce your consumption and seek out natural sweeteners and whole grain alternatives.

8 – Surround yourselves with positive people who support and make you happy: people who bring us down create unnecessary tension and stress in our lives.

9 – Meditate: The health benefits are prolific. Don’t know where to start? Visit http://gabbyb.tv/ for simple guided meditations.

10 – Drink plenty of purified water: Not only does it keep us hydrated and rid the body of toxins, but it serves as a lubricant for digestion and just about all other bodily processes.

11 – Create a bedtime routine and prioritize sleep (I need to take my own advice on this one!)

12 – laugh every day, think positively, and be grateful: people who do are generally happier and healthier.

13 – Replace refined table salt with quality celtic sea salt: While refined salts contain harmful chemicals and other additives, celtic sea salt contains 82 trace minerals needed for optimal health and longevity.

14 – Be mindful of what you put ON your body: Many of the lotions and cosmetics we use regularly contain harmful chemicals that have been linked to cancer, birth defects, and other health-related issues. Read labels carefully and choose products containing the most natural ingredients. To find out how your products measure up? Click here.

15 – Get a health coach: With so much information out there, you may feel overwhelmed. A health coach helps you navigate the world of contradictory nutrition advice to determine what changes are necessary for you.

 

Want support to implement Stephanie’s ideas in your own life? Join Plaid for Women to connect with women who share similar goals and a commitment to success!