Desi Single’s Recipe for Health and Happiness
I love being in my 30’s. There is just something about my 30’s that speaks to me. I feel that I am at a point in my life where the hormonal and petty stuff is behind me. Spiritually, everything is falling into place. I have all this knowledge about myself and the world that I can just apply it.
Since being in my 30’s, I feel more comfortable with working. I am at the point where I have worked for approximately 11 years and know the system that I am working for. I am not the “New Kid on the Block” anymore. I have crossed the quarterly crisis phase where I was deciding if I was a good match for my profession ad current job. I have found a profession most satisfying to my soul and is paying my bills.
I have had my fair share of positive and negative dating experiences that have led me to become a secure woman. I am confident that I have trust and belief in myself that can take me distances. I am ready to move forward and experience the beauty of life. I feel that it is now, that I want to take complete control of my body and beauty. I want to be all that I can be and more. I am living my own life independently and freely and I don’t want to be held back or put down by insecure people who don’t have a leg to stand on.
At this point of my life, I feel that I am thinking about my body and what is good for it more and more. So many books have been released in the New Year to guide me through a healthier lifestyle, ultimately leading me to a fabulously fit body. I think now, all people should start thinking about their old age and how to prevent diseases and unhealthy lifestyle choices. I know everyone is busy with work, family and social relationships, however if you don’t have your health, then you won’t be able to enjoy all that you have.
A few of my favorite books that have just been released are Clean by Dr. Alejandro Junger; Reshaping it All by Candace Cameron Bure; The Mommy Diet by Alison Sweeney, Crazy Sexy Diet by Kris Carr; The 4 hour body: An Uncommon Guide to Rapid Fat loss, Incredible Sex and Becoming Super Human by Timothy Ferris; and The Lean Belly Prescription: The fast and failproof diet and weight- loss plan from America’s top urgent care doctor by Travis Stork.
All these books and more can put you on the fast track to a new and better you. I feel that we can learn so much from Doctors, Celebrities, Nutritionists, Weight loss Specialists, blogs, friends, relatives …to help us improve every day. With this new age internet generation we have become a small world and we are a click away from knowledge and expert advice. Why not use it, take advantage of it and develop from it? I am going to share a few tidbits from the books that have guided me to feeling great:
Clean by Dr. Alejandro Junger:
Always remember to drink your smoothies in the morning. Smoothies are a meal and not a side drink for a meal. They are so beneficial to the system as they fill the body with nutrients, vitamins, raw vegetables and fruit.
Below are a few of my favorite recipes:
Green Smoothie – The healthiest drink in the world. It is a combination of fruits and vegetables all blended together. It is generally recommended to use 40% of Greens and 60% of fruits.
Here is one recipe for the smoothie:
2 lemons- peel and pith removed
2 oranges- peel and pith removed
2 mandarins – peeled
ice blocks
water
Kale
Spinach
sweetener to taste (optional)
You can add whichever fruits and vegetables together that you feel comfortable. I usually put banana and peaches in my green smoothie. However, you should do what is right for you. Enjoy.
Mango and Coconut Milk Smoothie:
1 cup Mango Chunks
½ cup Pineapple Chunks
1½ cup coconut milk
1-2 teaspoons agaves syrup
½ cup ice
Blend together until smooth. I love this smoothie. It tastes soooo good!
Recipe for Basic Coconut Milk
Basic Coconut Milk
1 cup dried unsweetened coconut milk
4 cups of warm, pure water.
Blueberry, Carob and Almond Milk Smoothie
1 cup blueberries
1 ½ cup almond milk
1-2 teaspoons agave syrup
2teaspoons of raw cacao powder, carob powder or cocoa
½ cup ice
Blend together until Smooth. This is another good one. The intake of blueberries is so important.
The Mommy Diet by Alison Sweeney:
The intake of water is so important. Make sure you hydrate yourself daily. If you just aren’t feeling the taste of water, then don’t fret, there are packets of crystal light available. Simply empty the flavor of your choice in your water bottle and you are good to go. They come in many flavors including raspberry lemonade, regular lemonade, iced tea, green tea.
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Make sure you take walnuts and pistachios…they are good for fighting depression and keeping you mentally alert.
Consume plenty of iron, calcium and omega-3 fatty acids.
For iron, incorporate dark leafy greens, like spinach into your food repertoire.
For calcium, drink plenty of milk and eat yogurt. You could also have calcium supplements.
For Omega-3’s eat plenty of walnuts, avocados and fish. If it isn’t possible, then take some supplements.
Sample Menu:
Breakfast- Oatmeal or another whole grain cereal with berries or bananas.
Treat- Latte
Snack- Greek yogurt or fresh fruit
Lunch- Leafy green salad with chicken or turkey
Snack- Apple with peanut butter
Dinner- Simple roasted salmon with vegetables (For roasted salmon, heat the oven to 350 degrees F. Spray a roasted pan with cooking oil. Place a 4 oz fillet of salmon in the pan, drizzle it with ½ teaspoon of olive oil, season it with salt and pepper and roast for about 15 minutes).
Reshaping it All by Candace Cameron Bure:
I think that eating right, requires a lot of self discipline and faith and that is why it is important to have a relationship with god in order to have the right amount of self control. The four keys to success are Willpower, Belief, Decision, Action and the Combination of all four.
Willpower– holds the mindset that obstacles are merely opportunities that can be climbed over to reach better heights. If we decide to lose weight, then we can let circumstances dictate our choices or we can press on regardless of what stands in our way.
Belief- Belief in oneself can carry a man to the top of the mountain, whereas belief in god can move that mountain aside. We all fail and make mistakes and we all have done and said stupid things when we wish we hadn’t. If we let discouragement define our future, we are letting go of the reins we hold. When we stick to the program and believe in ourselves, we are able to grow from it and develop a stronger sense of who we are and what we are capable of.
Decision- We all have to make a decision- should we buy a can of soda or a bottle of water. When we resist temptation, it eventually leaves. I mean you aren’t still craving that Reeses peanut butter cup you wanted last month are you?
Action- If we don’t control our actions, then they will control us. God speaks to us, ready to inspire and lead in all areas of life. We just need to listen. Things that are important deserve nothing less than vigorous pursuit. All of these tips and strategies combined with the right exercise can keep you functioning at your best.
XOXO
Monica Marwah
( Monica Marwah is a 30-something school psychologist in Philadelphia. After wandering the singles scene for years, she learned invaluable lessons on life, dating and relationships. Now comfortably living life in her 30’s, she is sharing her own experiences on what it is like to break away from the traditional desi trend and live a life of your own. )
Art by Dipanjan Bose
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