Saying Good-bye to S.A.D.

Why the typo you ask? No typo, however pun intended. See this girl on the left, well that was me. yup... me! Notice I said WAS because I am no longer that sad girl on S.A.D. What is S.A.D. well it's the standard American diet. Humm... you know the one. Golden Arches and toys for the kids, cheese in the crust, ingredients you can't pronounce let know what they are, from the box, in the freezer, You mean french fries used to be potatoes? Wow. So if you see, this is where I say pun intended, because the smile is really just a farce of a scared and insecure woman, and certainly not indicative of a happy person. After years of hard work, exercise and eating healthy foods(you know the ones, the kind you pull right off the plants) Not only have I said good-bye to S.A.D. but I have also said good-bye to being sad! I have found for me that there is such a correlation to, caffeine, sugar, processed foods and depression, cravings and generally feeling tired, bloated and miserable. After several years of giving up fast food, refined food, boxed food and focusing on healthy homemade foods, I have to say that I am thrilled to say a big adios to the diet that has taken over America. I have a choice, if I want health and inner peace, if I want to be energetic, or tired, if I want to sleep well, be well and have a generally balanced life. I have given up instant gratification from food, for a deep and nourishing peace. For the energy to actually walk to the park with my children, even though I had gone for a long hard run that morning. I enjoy making my food,creating nourishing meals, and sitting at the table with my family to enjoy the blessing of health and share about our day. Food is fuel, so I finally realize that sometimes you get what your pay for. Sure organic locally grown food may be a little more costly, but I care to think about it like this. How many co pays am I going to save, because I am healthy and not going to the doctors, humm... how much does it cost for a week long vacation in the hospital after triple bi pass surgery? Missing work, and missing the biggest blessing in life being with my family... So I have to ask. Next time you pull up the the clown face with a speaker box, ask yourself, where do you really want to be in your life? How would you like your body to feel? Would you like more energy? How about not saying you hate to exercise because inside you know you can't do it? So I challenge you, to make one good choice for yourself, getting away from the S.A.D. and slow down enough to enjoy life and what it has to offer. I would love to hear about your choices and share in mine. I am always up for new recipes and new things to do to improve health. The Lady on the right, that's me too.. and my daughter. It's proof that healthy choices, exercise and positive attitude go a long way to a good life. For today I am going to pick, slowing down and enjoying each moment. No more S.A.D. for me.....or being sad!