Introduction

So maybe you, like us, have discovered that not all "Foods" are created equal. Seven years ago, we began changing our health by changing our food. We were adding some good foods in, but we needed to do more! I still had weight that I could not lose, and I still had general poor health, and I kept complaining that no matter what I tried to do, I was not getting the results I wanted. One night in our kitchen, Jamie staged what I could only describe as a food intervention. He lovingly confronted me and said, "Do you really want to be healthy? Ok, then do something about it!"

I was caught off guard, and I stood there silently, not sure what he meant. Then he opened the cupboard door to our pantry (the place where all of our 'goodies' were stored), and slid the garbage can underneath. After several moments of shock, I emptied the pantry of all the processed foods. Even though I had been raised that it was morally wrong to throw away good food, I knew that Jamie was right, this was NOT GOOD FOOD.

Letting Go

I realized in that moment that there was nothing good about poisoning myself with sugar! No matter what I did, the money was already spent on those opened 'food' items. Putting that kind of 'food' in my body would only COST ME MORE IN TERMS OF PAIN AND SUFFERING. It was better to just throw it away. In the past, I had tried just eating what was left of items, and not buying them again, but somehow those processed foods always found their way back into our house. (And before I get a scolding email, I did give any unopened items to the food pantry.)

THAT WAS A LIBERATING EXPERIENCE. Within days of reducing boxed and canned 'foods' my pain and fatigue began to dramatically diminish! Why had it taken me so long to kick those processed foods to the curb? Probably the strong emotional attachment we have to food. Can you relate? Super Hero Lesson: Anything processed or labeled is a 'food' that should probably be avoided.

Your Super Body's Weakness

Every super hero has a point of weakness, right? Your super body needs real food! Instead of telling you what to eat and what not to eat, Dr. Wright likes to teach you practical strategies to guide your THINKING. We understand that reducing and eliminating processed foods will take time. This week is about becoming AWARE of what you eat. Awareness is the first and best tool you can have to change your life.

You can build awareness by using Dr. Wright's 150 Year Rule, "If it wasn't around 150 years ago, you shouldn't eat it!" That means you can eat fruits, nuts, veggies, etc... (organic is best) as much as you like, and even some meats, eggs, etc... in smaller quantities. You should avoid processed foods! Pretty simple.

Let me say it again: anything that is fresh and natural can be eaten in almost whatever quantities you want. Anything coming from a drive-through window or with a cartoon character on it should DEFINITELY be avoided! The only 'fast food' you should indulge in is the all natural variety like fruits, veggies, nuts, and water.

What Is Processed Food?

Anything that comes from a box, a can, or a bag has been processed. If someone made if for you at a factory, it's processed! If it can sit on a shelf for months, or contains preservatives, it's processed! More than likely, it's also engineered to be highly palatable and habit forming. Processed foods can also come in the form of artificial sweeteners like Nutri-Sweet, Sweet 'N Low, etc... as well as processed drinks (anything that is not coffee, tea, or water). Sodas, sports drinks, diet drinks, energy drinks are all VERY HARMFUL to your body!

Your Super Body's Nemesis!

Every superhero has a villain to battle! Dr. Wright calls the worst processed foods 'The Frightening Four.' AKA: sugar, flour, fructose, and oil.

The Frightening Four are NOT actually foods, but they are essentially the energy (sugars) removed from whole plant foods. Usually these sugars are bagged or bottled. Think of the 5# bag of sugar or flour in your cupboard... this doesn't show up in Nature does it? Just like a Super Hero's nemesis, these food derivatives cause major havoc and destruction to Super You.

Ways You Can Change Your Diet Today:

• Drink only water, or unsweetened coffee & tea!
• Journal your foods and how they make you feel
• Increase whole foods- think GARDEN FOOD!
• Try at least one new healthy food a week!
• Reduce then eliminate fast food!