New Year Plan
Do you remember your last New Years Resolutions? You decided you wanted to change something, you were so excited... Then maybe after a week or 2 you'd already forgotten about it. Am I right?
Let's do it differently this year! First, you don't need to wait for anything to start on your goals. Maybe your goal is to no longer take medication, or to lose weight, or even to reverse your diabetes. Yes, you read that correctly - a recent scientific study showed that you CAN reverse your diabetes just by changing your eating habits!
We are living in paradise. I mean REALLY in paradise! We have everything we need - fresh food, friendly supporting ohana, sunshine, free open parks. You have no idea what you are missing!
Don't worry, I am not asking you to change your lifestyle. You can eat whatever you like. But did you ever think before why alternative medicine is called “alternative”? Actually, “alternative” medicine - healthy nutrition - is the natural way! Why don't we call modern (western) medicine “alternative”? Think of your grandmother, or great grandmother - for every ailment they had one plant or food to take. And it worked. Nowadays for every problem we have one pill… All we need to do is take care of the inside of our body with the correct nutrients, and our body will heal itself.
First of all, try using real food as your solution. Use food as your medicine. I'm certainly not telling you to stop taking your medications, or stop going to your doctor, but if you can find the root of your illness and clean your body just trough healthy eating then try it and see how you feel after.
For example taro is one of the best, most nutritious foods here on Molokai. 1 cup of cooked taro (104g) contains 28g carbs, 1.6g protein and has 4.3g of fiber - that's enough nutrients for one meal. It's also high in potassium and vitamin E and it's a great source for magnesium. So it's great for your heart. And it's a low glycemic index food so when you eat it you will feel full for longer and your blood sugar will rise slowly.
But wait before you eat lots of taro, you need to know how much. Make sure you measure your food before you eat - just for a few days, to learn what you're really eating. I strongly recommend that you buy one kitchen scale, they are not expensive, you can get one between $10 and $25.
So I suggest you start weighing your food and paying attention to the serving size. If you pay attention to what you are eating at each meal then you're already 50% on the way to your goal.
My second suggestion: with every meal add 1 or 2 servings of veggies. Any kind you like. And you don't need to change or remove anything else, just add a few vegetables.
The best diet in the world is the one you stick to! If you can see yourself eating the same diet in 2 years, 5 years, then it's the best one for you. Whatever you choose should be sustainable for you, so you don't fail.
My favorite taro recipe: take 1 medium sized taro root, slice or cut to fries/chips shape, add 2 tablespoons of olive oil and a bit of Molokai sea salt. Preheat the oven to 350 degrees and bake for 16-18 minutes. Enjoy your healthy meal!
I love Molokai and I love you all! I don't want to see any one of you in pain or sick. Please pay attention to what you are eating. I you need help just ASK me!
Have an awesome holiday season, Mele Kalikimaka everyone!