Hello!

It has been far too long and I will spare you my diatribe about why I haven't been writing as I often as I think about writing ;)

If you subscribe to my newsletter, thank you! If not, what are you waiting for?! Fill out this little sidebar to your right and don't miss another Feel-Good Guide! As I was saying, if you receive my newsletter, you would have seen that February featured a book recommendation, "Grain Brain". I have received a lot of inquiry from readers to share more of my thoughts on this, so here it goes!

I have an ever expanding library, and a never-ending Wish List on Amazon of books to read. I find the task enjoyable, as I am a total nerd for all things food, health, and well-being related (and it makes productive use of my commute). With that said, I am still an eager consumer, fascinated by marketing (it was my undergrad choice of study) and I found myself totally wrapped up in all that it, and the incredible Dr. Perlmutter has to say.

I do believe it is an important book to read, as it touches on many important factors in the on-going health crisis in this country. I really appreciated the voice of authority, especially coming from his prestigious place in Western Medicine and found his language to be very empowering- just what many people need to take responsibility of their own health and well-being. However, I have been able to take a step back and know that there is never a right or a wrong, no cure-all way of eating and living that works for us all, all of the time.

What led me to choose the Institute for Integrative Nutrition in the first place is founder Joshua Rosenthal's idea of bio-individuality; that each of us requires our own formula of Primary and Secondary foods to thrive. At any given time, this changes, and what lifestyle choices work for me, may cause you harm, and vice versa. "One person's poison is another person's panacea".

With that said, do I think it is important to pay close attention to our diets and limit our intake of processed foods? ABSOLUTELY! Do I think everyone can benefit from eating more whole foods, like fruits, vegetables, legumes, nuts, seeds, and alternative grains? YOU BETCHA! But do I feel in my heart of hearts for me (and many people) that the solution is an Atkin's* or Paleo** like diet that focuses heavily on animal foods? Not so much.

I have been cutting out gluten much more often than ever, and I can honestly say that I (and my fiancee) have noticed a difference. I did opt for comfort food this past week and made an awesome baked "Mac Daddy" from Veganomicon, and we only had traditional pasta on hand. I found I was quite sleepy after consuming each serving. (And I have a cold this week, hrmm). With this experimentation, I am finding it easier to say no to bread (shocking, I know. I am still pushing through the denial).  At Le Pan Quotidien yesterday I enjoyed a soup (Carrot Cardamom) and my favorite salad (The Quinoa Taboule- incredible!) sans bread. I have realized it allows me to enjoy the other foods I am eating so much more, and I am not over-stuffed after a meal with the empty (although fluffy and delicious) calories. I will continue to limit my consumption of gluten to special occasions, or times when I am out to eat and the onlyoption is gluten versus meat. As with most foods that you crave, although you know that they do not serve you, you realize the temporary joy from eating them is no match from the long-term feelings of greatness you have when you skip them.

As with all choices concerning your well-being and lifestyle, you must choose what is best for YOU! That is why I love this journey, why I love being a Health Coach, and why I love to read about emerging research and dietary theories. Something positive can be taken from it all. But at the end of the day, we know all that we need to know. Our ancestors, heck even our great-grandparents, didn't have diets, meal plans, cleanses, books, tv shows, etc to guide their eating habits. We are the ones who decide and who vote with our dollar. I challenge you to tap into your intuition and do that thing that feels a little scary, or a little unfamiliar. Skip the white bread just this one time. Opt for the vegetarian sandwich over the chicken club. Leave the cheese off of the burrito. You just may be surprised with how great you feel and how little you miss what you don't have (on your plate).

I would love to hear from you on what your intuition tells you! Are you more of a seasonal eater? Do you crave certain foods at certain times of the day? Do you recognize patterns in your eating that are tied to certain habits or feelings?

And, because I love to share, here is a fun bonus for you!

Let me know your thoughts and I will gladly share more guides :)

* The actual Atkin's diet is a great idea for certain people. The true diet, not what sold millions of copies or what was advertised at Applebee's, is comprehensive and could be a wonderful gateway to healthier eating. You can visit their website here.

** I do think the Paleo, like many other diets, is a wonderful choice for certain people. Anything that puts people in the kitchen, has them eating whole foods, and focuses on organic and grass-fed options is something I can totally get behind. There is a Paleo restaurant in NYC, Hu Kitchen, that I try to support when ever I am in the neighborhood, as their message is " It's time to get back to the way humans ate before industry ruined food."  AMEN!

Again, I am a purist, and we have to recognize that we are constantly being sold something! I truly belive that a whole foods diet, paired with exercise, loving work and relationships are the key to a long, high-quality life.