Use your head...

(preferably not in the way this image depicts)!

The agents and I talk often and at length about food. A lot of our conversations revolve around avoiding the unnatural and processed varieties. I don't profess to be an expert of any particular diet or nutrition protocol. Instead, I promote logic. When I first began my own transformation, that became my mantra. If it didn't make sense logically, I generally dismissed whatever it was as simply not true.

Now, I should point out that the agents and those I work with are more "enlightened" than most I know. Some of them were already making good nutritional choices, others knew what choices the should be making; and some are in the process of changing their thought processes all together.

Regardless of where they (or you) are, I will always promote making sensible and logical choices.

I continue to research, learn and in general glean as much knowledge as I can soak up on the topic. However, the more I learn, the more I understand...the more disturbed I become. About what? I'll tell you...

It starts with me looking at my own kids and thinking about our efforts to raise them to "think" or use their heads when it comes to what they put in their mouths. This can be challenging at times. Particularly in the society we live in. Below is an excerpt from a wellness related website on a government campaign intended to combat the ever increasing child obesity epidemic...

You might remember the public service ads paid for by the U.S. Department of Health where Shrek tells kids to, "Get up and play an hour a day." But that's not the only promotional work Shrek was doing that year... You could also see his lovable ugly mug on packages of Snickers, Skittles, Froot Loops, Pop-Tarts and M&Ms. McDonald's put his image on their restaurant windows and food bags. Cheetos made a snack that would turn your mouth green. And the Shrek version of Twinkies had a bright green filling.

Are you kidding me! Nope it's true...and we wonder why there is a problem with childhood obesity. Further adding fuel to my frustration, someone recently told me about a very prominent outdoor magazine listing the "best" workout recovery smoothie. This recipe contained of all things, Nesquik powder....I swear. I wonder how many people read that recipe and actually thought it might be healthful? I'll bet a lot of them. In true agent mode, I just had to find the ingredients of "Nesquik" (which strangely aren't listed on the Nestle website...hmmm)

Here are some of them (taken from The Delicious Truth Blog)

"I was not surprised by the sugar and cocoa, and a couple chemistry lab remnants (tricalcium phosphate and potassium sorbate) caused me no shock. However, I was a little intrigued by the presence of the petroleum-based artificial colorants red 40, blue 1 and yellow 6".

C'mon people...chocolate powder/syrup with red 40, blue 1 and yellow 6...oh yeah get me some!

I could obviously go on and on. Without appearing to be a natural/organic food evangelist, I'll leave you with this. There are a lot of choices when it comes to diet and nutrition. From low carb to high carb, vegetarian, vegan, raw, raw vegan and the list goes on. Those who are close to me, know that today I may be a bit more extreme when it comes to my own nutrition. But, I also understand that what I do (which is a very "clean" diet overall), isn't necessarily reasonable to most.

My suggestion...make logical choices. Think about what makes sense, especially with what you put into yourself. One thing I DO know a lot about is change. It doesn't always come easily, and often it comes over time. Just start making them. One at a time, one after the other. The more you make, the easier they do become.

Josh