Thursday 13 - Things you could give up and feel healthier

1. White sugar - brown sugar is better and honey is just as good, if not better when used as a sweetener.
2. Franken foods - foods that are supposed to resemble the real thing but are just a freak chemical mixture that is just barely mocking the real thing.
3. White flour - whole wheat is so much better for you and does not cause your blood sugar to crash and spike like white refined flour does.
4. Fast Food - Well the bad fast food anyway. There are healthy options at fast food restaurants, you just need to physically make the choice to eat them.
5. Soda of any kind - the phosphoric acid in regular soda is bad for your bones, the sugar is bad for you all the way around, caffeine is a drug, and diet soda is just another franken food loaded with chemicals. (Even I still struggle with this one!)
6. Your tv - yes this may seem strange but it's very easy to veg out in front of the tv. It's been proven that people eat more while watching television and are less likely to be physically active. Besides, tv is not only bad for you physically it's bad for you mentally and spiritually. Is there really anything on television that's worth your total well being?
7. Processed and prepackaged foods - There are so many chemicals and preservatives in these foods that it's no wonder we are unhealthy and overweight. We don't even know what we are putting into our own bodies! Not only does homecooked food taste way better but it's much healthier for you and you know exactly what you're eating plus there's an added bonus - it's much cheaper!
8. Stress - stop worrying over the little things. It's a proven fact that stress causes more health problems especially heart related problems. Try to let the little things go and save the stress and worry for the really major things in life. Worrying and arguing over a sock on the floor, or a cabinet door left open is not worth elevating your blood pressure and increasing your chances for heart attack or stroke.
9. Exchange your artificial house plants and flowers for the real thing. I'm not saying to get rid of your decorations - I have some too - but I am saying to add some real plants too. The fake ones are just dust collectors which is bad for your lungs - and allergies - and real plants and flowers actually help to cleanse the air in your home.
10. Negative attitude - A cheerful mind and outlook on life helps to relieve stress. Happy people are usually healthier and live longer!
11. Laziness - Get up and move! It's hard to get started but trust me - you will feel awesome once those endorphins kick in!
12. Noise pollution - if you leave your tv or stereo on for background noise then maybe you should try turning them off. Find some quiet time - if you can - sit down with a good book (or the good book), write in a journal or even pray. We can all use some wind down time especially before bed and more rest = better health!
13. Anything that keeps you from achieving your goals or feeling good about yourself and this includes negative people. Surround yourself with people who support you and take away all the things that hinder you. If you have a successful environment then you will be successful!