God has given us a very precious gift in mind, body and spirit that is simply magnificent in so many ways.
Shouldn’t we cherish it and take care of it to the best of our ability?

Philosophy of nutrition: the body consists of muscles, bones, tissue, and organs. Various systems carry energy to those parts and dispose of waste. The two major systems that maintain the body are the nervous system and the immune system. Nutrition is the fuel that causes these systems to perform optimally. The first thing you must do is educate yourself as to what foods provide specific nutrients to support the operation of the various systems. Once you’ve accumulated basic knowledge, then you or a professional can begin to develop a nutrition plan that supports your fitness program. For example: a boxer will have a different nutrition plan than a swimmer, hiker, or a runner. Most of the ingredients are the same however, the quantities and overall balance will be different. When I’m boxing and weight training I eat slightly differently than when I’m running or hiking.

The belief system must be adjusted to realize that the first priority is the proper fuel to strengthen and cleanse your system. The second priority is that your food should smell and taste delicious! I believe food should smell, look, and taste fantastic in order to delight the senses.

The main food groups are: grains, fruit, vegetables, nuts, seeds, legumes. Whole Grains -- I use All-Bran, Kashi Go Lean (not fully whole grain), oatmeal, and various 7 grain breads. Please refer to pages 37, 121, 180, and 182 from Eat to Live by Joel Furham for more information on Whole Grains. The Food Revolution is a book that changed the way I view food. No longer was I swayed by commercial ads and cravings for processed foods. Fruit - In understanding the role of fruit as part of your nutrition plan, take time to learn the micro/macro nutrients of first, your favorite fruits and then, other fruits you may want to try. Learn what fruits have to offer in the way of fuel for your body. Refer to Eat to Live pages 53, 74, and 178 for more information on the benefits of including fruit in your diet. It is essential that you educate yourself to the nutritional value of individual types of fruit. Then, you can balance your diet with not only fruits that you like but also, fruit that provides you with the proper balance nutrition. Nutritiondata.com is a very helpful website to score your needs in the varying areas of protein, fiber, fats, etc.

READ the LABELS on all the foods you purchase and/or intend to ingest. Fresh fruit and vegetables are not currently labeled for nutritional value. You can learn more about these foods under my Reviews section.

Vegetables- Vegetables provide varied nutritional value in a healthy, unmolested environment. It is critical that we eat one and a half to two pounds of vegetables a day. Vegetables that are packed with micro/macro nutrients are spinach, broccoli, kale, watercress, and romaine lettuce. The secondary level of vegetables consists of corn, carrots, potato, cabbage, and also provides necessary micro/macro nutrients. In the future, this site will provide analyses of these vegetables. However, there are analyses currently available on many sites. Try Nutritiondata.com As stated before, it is essential that all individuals gain a thorough knowledge of the nutrients found in vegetables. Grains - Whole grains provide fiber, as well as many micro/macro nutrients necessary for a healthy body. Processed grains such as white flour and white rice, should be avoided. They hold little nutritional or dietary fiber value. Whole grains such as oats, whole wheat, oatmeal, buckwheat, and rye are excellent sources of dietary fiber and in some cases, anticarcinogens. Learn as much as you can about dietary fiber and the essential micro/macro nutrients of grains. Legumes - Beans are the source of clean and healthy protein. Peas and lentils are an excellent source of this protein. All legumes have protein as their main macro nutrient. Learn what beans have the proper micro/macro nutrients that are essential to your nutrition plan and be sure to incorporate them. Now, we have covered fruits, vegetables, grains, and legumes - the main ingredients in your nutrition plan.