In his book, Clean: The Revolutionary Program to Restore the Body’s Natural Ability to Heal Itself, Alejandro Junger, M.D. states: “The source of chemical exposure that we have the most intimate contact with is our food. Food is one of the most important commodities to any living organism, but humans take it to a whole different level than any other organism. Our lives revolve around food. We celebrate with food, we mourn with food.… At the most basic, obvious, and literal level, we are what we eat” (page 51).
Proper nutrition fuels a proper mindset. The enhancement in life performance cannot go unnoticed when one participates in good nutrition. It improves thought processes and organizational skills, sustains a healthy exercise routine, and encourages a welcome calmness that supports a stronger spiritual relationship with God.
Feeding the Mind
A great sense of mental alertness and acuity takes form when an individual is properly fueled. When I practice good nutrition, I am less scattered in my thinking. Before I recognized the connection between good nutrition and health, I was impatient and consistently frustrated in many areas of my life, but now I am more focused and organized in my thinking. This allows a more productive day to unfold, and helps me communicate more effectively. I have a unique patience and energy about me.
Feeding the Body
It takes discipline to live a life such as this. It is a life that is far away from the “eat, drink, and be merry” way of life. If you want to feel the exhilarating benefits associated with fueling your body with healthy foods, then you must choose to step away from the regular evenings spent at a restaurant being loud, drinking merrily, and eating as much as you possible can. You will not look at food in the same way as you once did, so participating in the merry lifestyle will not be as entertaining.
Nutrition also feeds us the necessary motivation to perform physically in the gym. When we are dialed in, eating right as well as being hydrated, we have an energy about us that promotes physical activity and creates this euphoric feeling of energy.
All humans crave more energy. Many take pills so that they can have such energy. Yet, the problem with pill or other forms of counterfeit energy is that it is coupled with a crashing low thus creating an addiction cycle. We want more so that we can recapture that false energy high. By contrast, the way of nutrition energy does no such thing. It acts as a slow-burning energy that sustains you on an even pace. Not too high, not too low. It burns slowly and progressively, spreading the energy throughout the day.
The clean eating way of life could also be looked upon as the simple way of life. If you are disciplined in what you choose to put into your body, then you can practice that same discipline in putting off the ways of your addiction. It becomes a matter of perspective. One no longer lives to eat, you eat to live. Food becomes a sustenance rather than empty pleasure. We feel better about the choices we are making and turn our attention to the positive things in life that make us happy.
Feeding the Soul
With the mood enhancement based on nutritional balance comes a feeling of spiritual calmness, as well. It’s a beautiful thing when you start tying your spiritual day with your newfound nutritional routine. It’s a beautiful thing when you’re both hydrated and fueled properly when going on an intense hike into the beautiful mountains where at the top you enjoy further nutrition and hydration, coupled with prayer and scripture study.
Embedded within my mind is the knowledge that I have been perfect in what I have allowed into my body, therefore, I’m now confident in the way I present myself. When adversity invades my peace, I have an energy about me that is real and lasting that enables me to remain sharp and even poised when the frustrations of life strike.
Through nourishing our bodies, we nourish our mind, body, and soul. This fluent harmonization is so incredible, for no worldly “high” can match it. Yet, this harmonization is not an easy thing to obtain. It takes work and requires putting off the ways of the world. It means putting together a nutritional game plan, slowing down your day, then setting time aside to work on your relationship with the God.
In Sum
Most addicts always need something to look forward to, which, in part, explains our addiction. However, we can look forward to what good nutrition offers us. We will know that we have a good mental feeling as well as a physical change to look forward to. We know that if we can just get nutritionally in tune, we will be more patient with those around us, less scattered in our mind, and we will have the ability to maintain a balanced character; one that will be full of real energy.
God’s ways are the clean ways. The further I come towards understanding his ways, the clearer I see the importance of living a clean life: nutritionally, physically, and spiritually. If we remain cautious about what we put into our bodies, we are bound to experience an exceptional sense of clarity and peace. If we are physically active on a consistent basis, we are bound to be energetic, fun loving, and even happy. If we are spiritually in tune to the best of our abilities, we are bound to experience a life full of help and assistance from a God who wants nothing more than for us to be happy. When we experience the harmonization of all three components, where they’re actively working together in unison – this is when the greatest of all “highs” can be achieved.
