As practioners of yoga, many of us try to eat healthy. This is a daily effort that requires thought, planning, focus, and in the end a strong will, given all the American infrastructure that creates unhealthy eating opportunities around many corners, not to mention the lack of exercise! Hey, in Spain I walked 5 miles every day just to get to work, that is a great longevity builder! Unhealthy food at social functions and work, "fast" food looming on every street, busy schedules that don't allow a great deal of time for cooking all contribute to making healthy choices a little tough. Not to mention all the conflicting data about what actually is healthy!
Well, one major thing we can consciously do for ourselves is consider trying to add some omega 3- fatty acids to our diet. What is it? Fat? Yikes! Yes it's fat, but it's the good kind, and we need some so lets go for the good stuff! It is found in various fish as well as a few different nut and plant oils. According to Mayo Clinic, "Fish oil contains both docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) and eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA), while some nuts (e.g., English walnuts) and vegetable oils (e.g., canola, soybean, flaxseed/linseed, and olive oil) contain alpha-linolenic acid (ALA). Basically, various types of Omega 3 fats are there for us to take in if we should choose. What are the benefits? Based on numerous studies, it can lower trigylcerides, slow plaque buildup on arteries, and reduce risk of death, heart attack, dangerous abnormal heart rhythms and strokes in people with known heart disease. There is no time like the present! We are what we eat, this I truly believe. Try olive oil in those cookies instead of butter, I do and it is delicious! Consider salmon on Sundays, it's easy to bake with a little lemon juice and a few herbs and tastes wonderful. Pack a few walnuts as a snack, or sprinkle them on a salad for added flavor (oh, and throw a few in the brownies with that olive oil ;) ). And above all, we can continue to practice ahimsa towards our own selves, by seeking foods that help our system strengthen, we avoid harm.
Namaste,
Kat
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