Happy Living – Eat Simply                                     

I have often pondered what the secret of a happy life is; is it merely a matter of choice, as we are often told, or is it to have abundant resources at one’s disposal or could it be the way we choose to live irrespective of how much or how little we have in materialistic wealth. As I grew and observed and met many wise and happy people I realized that just like anything else in nature, the most obvious answer is also the simplest, in fact it is the very word ‘simple’. Simplicity is one of the main keys to happiness and a full life.

What is Simplicity? Is it to give up everything that is complex or is it to give up the complex way of living? Can we adopt simple living no matter who we are or what we do or aspire to be!

Is more, more or less is more? I believe the best way to simplicity is to achieve much more with much less. If you are puzzled as how this can be achieved then please read along. I would discuss this approach to life over three key aspects in three different posts; for this post we would focus on simplifying our diet and food habits. We are what we eat as say the wise men of Greece.

Applying the Simplicity rule in our everyday life, in any kind of field, we can achieve a life less stressful since the choices would become easier and less complex. Our life is stressful since we have so many choices and our mind is not able to settle on one for long happily. I will begin with the diet and food habits that I applied Simplicity rule to that helped me to enhance the overall quality of my life as compared to what I already had; and I already had a fantastic life to begin with.

Diet and Food Habits

The “simplicity” rule I always apply to my diet: eat as far as possible what Mother Earth has provided in its natural state; with minimum human interference. What it basically means is to opt for ‘alive’ food and avoid processed products. Alive foods are the ones that occur naturally in nature. They grow on trees or in the ground and they provide us with the nutrients to function optimally.

On the other hand ‘dead’ food is artificially colored, packaged and processed, pasteurized. Generally when food is heated over 116 degrees all the enzymes and many essential nutrients are destroyed.

For example, have you ever seen an orange tree with colorful bottles full of orange juice hanging from its branches? I don't think so. So every time you want to have an orange juice, always squeeze fresh oranges and drink it directly. Keeping this idea in mind makes it easier for you to remember and realize which products are good for your health. The less process a product undergoes more nutritious it is. Before reaching out to buy a product from a store rack, always ask yourself: if I Can find it in nature, in natural state? If not, avoid it and you will never lose. Initially you might find this rule too stringent that eliminates too much of your everyday eating choices. You will also realize that super markets provide little of ‘alive’ food. You will realize how many garbage food industries provide us, without caring about the damage they cause us. So do make an effort to take care of yourself; after all who will, if we don’t!

Following the simplicity rule will not only make your choices easier (since it reduces the number of choices) but also will contribute to your overall state of health and your longevity. Natural products, like fresh fruits and vegetables, have all the nutritious and appropriate elements needed for body’s best function. Of course, when I talk about food I only refer to organic foods.  I will elaborate more about organic food in a separate post.

Processed food due to the very processing that they undergo to increase shelf life and introduce unnecessary artificially induced ‘healthy ingredients’ that most of its nutritious vitamins, minerals and enzymes are destroyed. This makes it more difficult to digest, offering minimum benefits of which they had promised us. Please never believe the advertisements featuring all healthy family stereotypes. 

If it sounds too difficult for you apply 100% that rule in your diet, try to do it step by step. That will make it easier. Replace everyday one useless, dead food with a non-processed one. Don't do it by once. Making small changes every day, you will be able to change your diet all together one day.

Also, try to consume food as raw as you can. In the beginning try to keep just one meal cooked and all the other snacks and meals during daytime, try to substitute with raw fresh fruits, vegetables and nuts. As I said before can we find cooked food in nature? No. But there are lots of fruits, vegetables and nuts supplied by Mother Earth. Our digestive system is tuned for ‘alive’ and healthy food. 

Fresh salad with spinach, red lettuce, buckwheat & quinoa germ, avocados
lemon juice, walnut &olive oil 

Imagine you have a wonderful brand new red Ferrari and instead of the best petrol you supply it with adulterated petrol. Will it ever go at its maximum speed? I don't think so. Exactly the same happens with our body. The more nutritious “energy” you supply it the more efficient it functions. Your health will thrive, you will start feel more energetic, rejuvenated, your skin will glow making you look more fresh and bright and of course the body will work at its best. 

Offer a gift to yourself and apply the “simplicity” rule in your diet. We all deserve a happy and full life. And simplicity is the one of the main keys to happiness. Start from today. Never put off till tomorrow what you can do today.And always remember my friends…keep it simple.

Healthy , easy and nutritious snack