Morning meditation was a calming way to start the day. The instructor gave a bit of background about the practice of meditation-informing us that it could bring patience, compassion, and gratitude into our lives. She then let us know that our experience would not be a guided meditation. Then, she added that all the feelings and thoughts we might experience were perfectly normal and suggested how we might redirect thoughts through breathing. It’s reassuring that there’s no right way to meditate.
After that, Chloe and I headed to Transitioning to Plant-Based Nutrition, a class taught by Registered Dietician Nutritionist Alison Ozgur, MAT, MHS, RDN. This knowledgeable, well-spoken presenter shared that although this way of thinking about nutrition was not intuitive to her as a dietician-she came to find scientific evidence and personal experience pointing her in this direction 11 years ago.
Her first experience with plant-based nutrition was transformational. Although she did not need to lose weight, she found that she recovered more quickly after her runs, and many aches and pains she’d been experiencing had disappeared. She felt more energetic. For those Whole30ers reading this, Alison had a plethora of non-scale victories! She has found through the years that she has been able to sustain this way of eating and has shared her knowledge and tools with many clients and physicians. What all are experiencing with even 80% adherence to plant-based nutrition is not merely the absence of disease but a state of physical, social, and mental well-being.
Additional takeaways from Alison’s class are:
- If you change only one thing, to begin with, stop eating ULTRAprocessed foods (think: ingredients you can’t pronounce or you’re not familiar with). 63% of American foods come from this category. These foods are linked to obesity (⅓ of Americans are clinically obese) and depression.
- Three power nutrients for improved gut health and immune system
- Fiber
- Antioxidants
- Phytonutrients: every color of vegetable has different phytonutrients
- Good food habits include:
- Variety is the spice of life!
- Eat the rainbow.
- Don’t be a creature of habit. Eat a variety of protein, carbs, and good fats.
- What’s suitable for the people who live in the Blue Zones is good for us. Residents of the five cities worldwide have the following in common.
- Right tribe
- Primarily plant-based
- Move naturally
- Right outlook
- Don’t eat ultra-processed foods.
Our third experience of the day was eating lunch with Alison. It was an exciting Chat and Chew session where we continued to learn from her and each other.
After lunch, I went for an Abhyanga massage. It is an ancient, healing, meditative massage in which warm, herb-infused oils soak into your skin with soothing friction strokes. Speaking from someone who has no pain tolerance, I would not have this massage again. My massage therapist altered her practice after I self-advocated for a little less friction and pulling.LOL
Chloe and I then headed to the pool and were treated with frozen fruit! A delicious dinner rounded out the day.
I’ve enjoyed sharing another day with you. ‘Til tomorrow, Namaste.
Val
