Tag: positivity

Changing your Perspective

“Changing your perspective changes your experience.”

Close your eyes and imagine yourself flying over the city of Paris at night. Imagine seeing the city below, its shape, the lights, and making out a glimpse of the famous landmarks that seem so teeny in such a large landscape. Now imagine being on the ground and standing directly under the structure of the Eiffel Tower. You break your neck just to take in the entirety of its glory and quickly realize just how small you are standing beneath it. In both of these scenarios, the sights offer different perspectives, yet the city remains the same. Each view is equally amazing as the other, yet they yield different experiences.

Life very much parallels this sentiment. Challenges, hardships, anxiety, relationships, jobs, personal life, etc. can look very different depending on what angle we view them from. We can choose to always look at our lives from one single lens, or we can practice seeing the same exact things from a different view. Perhaps there is in fact a flicker of positivity when we look at a hardship from the outside in. Maybe a relationship that seems perfect actually is not when we step out of it for a bit. Maybe eating that piece of cake over the weekend seemed devastating to your health goals in the moment, but actually was worth the joy you experienced with every bite.

No matter what it is that you are going through, this week challenge yourself to look at scenarios with a new perspective. You may be surprised by the different feelings you experience as a result of changing your perception.
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When Life Gives You Lemons

We have all heard the old adage, “when life gives you lemons, make lemonade.” Life is challenging and with that, we can experience misfortune and adversity. However, trying to take a sour experience and turn it into something sweet can have a profound effect on many areas of our lives, including our health.

Starting a nutrition-counseling program can be a scary and difficult step for many. The first word that appears in peoples’ minds when they think of a “Registered Dietitian” is “diet.” They are worried they will be told to restrict, eliminate, and give up the foods they enjoy; while also being told to eat more foods they dislike. Worst of all, they are fearful that they will not be able to experience life to the fullest because they have to alter their eating habits.

 

What if I told you could have a glass of lemonade every day? What if I told you the sour taste of lemons does not match their sweet nutritional value? While metaphorical lemons are obstacles that bring us down both mentally and physically, real life lemons are nutritious and offer several health benefits.

Lemons are low in calorie but high in Vitamin C and fiber. They can be used in multiple ways including: flavoring beverages, flavoring meat such as chicken and fish, flavoring baked goods or bars, and used as salad dressing. Lemons help lower cholesterol, reduce risk of heart disease, help absorb iron, help keep skin looking vibrant, help slow the digestion of sugars and starches, and help improve digestive health. Even though lemonade does contain high amounts of sugar, an 8-ounce glass can easily fit into an overall healthy diet. Try preparing the lemon juice with a more natural sweetener such as honey instead of table sugar. If you need a sugar substitute, use stevia and prepare the recipe using less than half the amount.

Part of my mission as a Registered Dietitian Nutritionist & Certified Personal Trainer is to help people enhance their current diet rather than hit a total reset button. Through a non-judgmental yet effective approach, you can create a more balanced life full of moderations rather than eliminations. By helping you shift your belief system and attitudes towards eating in a more affirmative light, you can create a more symbiotic relationship with healthy food.

 

Now I challenge you to shake that lemon tree, grab those lemons from the ground with confidence, and make some sweet lemonade. Don’t let life’s obstacles or nutrition challenges get in the way towards a healthier you. Cheers to a new, positive mindset and a higher quality of life