Go Nuts…and Never Count Calories Again!

One of my favorite things about my pescetarian, nutritional cleansing lifestyle is the fact that I never have to count calories. NEVER. I never count calories, fat, carbs, sugars, or proteins. I never even read the nutritional labels! This practice has become obsolete in my world. If you are open to a world free of all this counting, then be sure to keep reading this & future blogs to learn how I liberated myself from so many rules everyone follows, only finding limited, temporarily benefits at best.

When consuming fresh, whole foods, the amount of benefits generally out weigh any potential undesired effects. Time and time again, when people find out how I eat, many are concerned about my protein sources. I do supplement a portion of my protein with undenatured whey based meal replacement shake, however I also enjoy many vegetarian sources of protein. Actually, meat is one of the least efficient ways to take in protein. The proteins found in animal sources are not easily broken down by our bodies. Nuts, beans, legumes (foods that grow in pods such as peanuts, peas, and edamame), and vegetables—yes, even vegetables have protein—are much more accessible. The majority of whole foods are lower in calories, sugars, fats, and non-serving carbohydrates, and the type of sugars, fats, and carbs these foods contain are natural, allowing our bodies to easily process them. So, if this makes up the majority of your diet, even if you eat more than your share of calories in nuts and seeds, you’ve still eaten a great number of beneficial nutrients, as well.

Over and again, people voice concerns to me about the amount of fat found in nuts. In my experience, this concern is unnecessary. The health benefits found in raw nuts and seeds are essential and some of the best sources fatty acids, vitamins, and oils that promote a healthier, happier life. The brain is made up of about two-thirds fat. Essential fatty acids are required in order to feed our brains properly. We do not create this type of fat on our own. We must consume ideal sources of these fats in order to ensure proper brain health. I don’t know about you, however I want my brain happy, healthy and functioning as efficient as possible! Yes, nuts are higher in calories and fats, however the body cannot count calories. The body counts nutrition. In fact, you can thrive on a diet much lower in calories then standard recommendations when given highly accessible, high-quality nutrients.

When choosing nuts and seeds, along with any packaged food, I pay more attention to the ingredient label than the nutrition label. In fact, look at whole, natural foods…they have NO label! Once I gained a basic understand of calories, sugars, fats, etc, in whole foods, its simple of portion out this fabulous foods. I cannot stress enough, when you by anything packaged, READ THE INGREDIENT LABEL. Many packaged foods will appear to be simple, natural, and “fresh.” However, many contain preservatives, oils, salts, sugars, and other less than healthy and ideal ingredients that are far from natural or fresh. Whenever possible, I chose local, fresh, raw, organic nuts, seeds, and dry fruits, adding only olive oil, sea salt, and natural spices, if anything.

One of my favorite snack recipes, and a staple munchie in my home, is what I fondly refer to as Nut Snack. I grew up in Girl Scouts eating gorp, and many view trail mix as a healthier snack. Majority of commercial trail mix blends have added ingredients I prefer to avoid, and those that do not, I find can often be out of my preferred food shopping budget allowance. As an alternative, I buy the ingredients individually and as close to their true nature as possible, and take a few extra minutes to create my own snack mix. This allows me the freedom to decide what makes up my mix, have more control over the ingredients, and get more bang for my buck both in quantity and nutrition.

As with all of my recipes, choose your favorite ingredients and make substitutions wherever you see fit. The importance is that you choose ingredients as fresh and clean as available to you. The goal is to become more aware of the food choices you are making and how simple transitions can serve you in the long run. I prefer pecans and walnuts, and many sources site raw almonds as one of the most nutritionally balanced and beneficial foods available. I like to very the nutty bulkiness of nuts with a blend of seeds—unsalted, organic sunflower seeds is one of my favorites, along with a dried fruit, usually cherries, for a touch of sweetness, without over powering the hardy protein.

My Nut Snack mix is easily 80% nuts/seeds, 10% dried fruit for sweetness, and 10% treat such as rice crackers or wasabi peas. Whatever sugars added from the fruits, or preservatives of the processed crackers or peas, the nutritional benefits of the nuts and seeds, along with the crunch and sweetness of the blend, ensures this snack satisfies beyond the flavor senses. I often tell others I feel I eat very decadent. Nut snack is definitely contributes to this view.    

By adopting my nutritional cleansing lifestyle, utilizing the products offered by the world’s leader in nutritional cleansing and replenishing, Isagenix, 80% percent of my diet is made up of the most nutrient dense, highly absorbed foods on the planet. Every product is perfectly balanced carbs – proteins – fats – sugars taking the guess work, and math, out of balancing your life. Add primarily fresh, whole food ingredients on top of Isagenix, and I find a beautiful, delicious balance of happiness, peace of mind, and vitality—truly a winning combination.

Along with the benefits I’ve already listed for you, Nut Snack fulfills a couple more areas of non-negotiable for my healthy, balanced lifestyle of ease and peace. One of my tools I’ve developed for staying on track with serving eating habits is to keep myself surround by serving choices. Often you’ll find me with a container of the blend in my bag or car. If I get hungry on the go, I am not tempted to pick up something quick and nutritionally void on the fly. Lastly, if it’s not simple, it’s not for me. I want simple ingredients, simple prep, and simple clean up. From start to finish, mixing up my Nut Snack takes less than 10 minutes, leaving only a couple dishes for clean up.

Remember:

  • Read the Ingredient label instead of the Nutritional label
  •  Feed you brain and your peace of mind with fresh, whole foods
  • Your body runs on Nutrition, not calories

I appreciate you taking the time to read my posting & I’ll be posting great new information, tips & tools weekly. If you have a recipe you’d like for me to try out & review, topics you’d like to hear about, or any other comments, feedback, or suggestions, kindly send me a message to AskCrissy@gmail.com and I will address the matter in a future blog posting. Be sure to subscribe to my Blog & YouTube Channel, visit my website regularly, and follow me on Facebook & Twitter, to stay plugged in to all of my offerings. As always, I wish you infinite love, blessings, peace, and joy as we take this journey together. I am blessed & honored to share my path with you.

Crissy

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One thought on “Go Nuts…and Never Count Calories Again!

  1. I was in GS & ate gorp too! (LOL) I’ll share my nutsnack of the day: raw almonds, raw walnuts, raw cashews, organic cranberries, raw sunflower seeds, raw cacao nibs, golden flax seeds, & rice millet cereal. mmmmmm xoxo

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