A better way to start your day

So now that Christmas is over, its time to think of resolutions and what you are going to do to keep them.  A common one is eating better yet I can't count the number of times I've heard patients say how hard it is to eat healthy, or that they just don't know where to start.

So I thought we'd start with where we start our days: with our breakfast.  Despite all the commercials to the contrary, eating carbs and milk is not a healthy way to start your day.

But giving up eating cereal is not a habit that people are inclined to give up easily, especially since its a habit that was instilled in childhood and one that is supposed to be good for you.  So rather than saying don't eat it at all, I've come up with a list of easy-to-do things that will make your breakfast healthier, and make taking that first step towards a healthier, happier you that much easier.

1) Cut out the colour -artificial colours are just that--artificial.  They do nothing for the nutritional value of the cereal and many of us are either allergic to them or are unable to digest them.

2) Cut out the sugar - a cereal that is so tasteless that you can't eat it without sugar is a cereal that you shouldn't waste your time on.  And healthy foods have so much flavour that you don't need to have sugar to taste them.

3) Cut out the instant cereals - They are full of colour and sugar and are very expensive for what you get.

4) Add nuts - unsalted, preferrably raw nuts are an excellent source of protein. Having protein in the morning  balances your blood sugar and helps prevent that mid-afternoon crash and/or sugar cravings.

5) Add an egg -  crack an egg into hot cereals shortly before they are fully cooked and you get a great natural source of protein, vitamins and minerals.

6) Add seeds - sesame seeds are a greater source of calcium than milk is, and most ground seeds are an excellent source of Omega 6.

7) Add fruit - you can use fresh or frozen.  Berries are full of anti-oxidants and bananas are full of potassium.  Applesauce goes nicely in a hot cereal. 

8) Use organic milk - Organic milk, grains, fruits, meats are always your best choice.

9) Use yogurt instead of milk -a yogurt with live bacterial cultures is great for your digestion and immunity.

10) Try milk alternatives - such as almond milk, rice milk  or even an organic non-gmo soy milk (though the soy shouldn't be consumed more than 2-3 x per week)

11) Change up the cereal - use cooked grains such as quinoa, millet, kamut, etc

Keep it simple, switch it up often and you won't get bored!

Introduction

I've been thinking about writing a blog for long time, I mean I enjoy writing, and if you ask anyone who knows me I ALWAYS have lots to say!  So why haven't I done it before this?  That's a great question, and its one I don't have good answer for other than to say "I've finally started!"

What I can do for sure, is offer a HUGE thank you to my friend Steve at Greenleaf Wood Studio http://greenleafwoodstudio.blogspot.com/  for giving me that kick in the behind push I needed to move forward.  Thanks my friend!

So just who am I to be taking up your time?  Well, my name is Whitney Collins and I am a Homeopathic Doctor, a partner to a fantastic man, a good talker, an occasional kids soccer coach, a good talker and most importantly a mother to two amazing children. 

I am a big believer in informed health care choices, giving people information or pointing them in the direction of the information and then letting them make their own choice on how to proceed.  I don't take sole responsibility for healing my patients, they heal much more completely when they are making the choice to be involved.  I merely have the honour of assisting them find part of what they need on their own journey.  Being a healer is an amazing job and I have learned something new from each and every person I have worked with.

I also believe that we should all be doing the best that we can for our families, and we can decide what works for each of our families not what is based on someone else's choices.

I used to own Durham Homeopathy and Family Wellness Centre, but found that being owner, receptionist, accountant, business manager, advertiser and hand-holder took way too much time away from my patients and the work that I love, so I made some drastic changes and have moved in and joined the amazing team at Whitby Chiropractic Centre. www.pawsandpeoplechiro.com

You can find me there some days, and other days I get to be the mom who volunteers for field trips.  I love every minute of it, and hope you'll enjoy what I share here.

W.