HeyMonicaB

Whoa! Once again I was reading my favorite Ayurvedic book, Absolute Beauty by Dr. Pratima Raichur, and once again my mind went spinning into inspirational delight. It’s a timely read just after Independence Day in America, where abundance in food, material things, and freedoms flow easily. But are we independent enough in our thinking and right-choice making in order to keep ourselves healthy? After I read the paragraph below I was like, “RIGHT ON!” Yep, that loud. Then I doodled a bunch of stars in the margin.

Ironically, most Americans have plenty to eat, but few eat well. We not only eat the wrong kinds of foods, but we often eat for the wrong reasons. Influenced by advertisers who promise us sexier, happier, more sociable, and exciting lives if we buy their brands or serve their products, we eat to look good, feel good, have a party, soothe our hurts and loneliness, or distract ourselves from the problems of life. Many times we eat just to get it over with and get on to the next appointment on our busy schedules. Rarely do we eat consciously for the one reason we must eat; to supply nutrients to our cells. It seems that the more privileged we are, the less mindful we become of the gift of life contained in every morsel of food. In so doing, we starve the body and the spirit, no matter how many calories we actually consume. -Pratima Raichur

Whattaya think? True hey? My friends, read it again. I’ve mentioned eating well before, but this really makes me want to jump up and down with a cowbell. Millions of people search from the outsides to fill what is missing on the insides. But the truth is that everything comes from the inside out. I hope we learn how to become conscious participants of our own health. THAT is the best independence we can have!!

Happy Independence Day, America! It’s a great day to practice being Independently HEALTHY! bit.ly/LPqkHl

— HeyMonicaB (@HeyMonicaB) July 4, 2012