Someone asked me an interesting question today: “When was the last time you were truly inspired by someone?” It made me stop and think for a few minutes – when was the last time? I get excited or interested or intrigued by a lot of people I meet, but to be truly inspired is a different story. To me, inspiration means affecting change – so who has done that for me lately? Then I thought about food and a book I was reading and it became crystal clear: Jillian Michaels.
Some of you may know Michaels as the uber-tough trainer on The Biggest Loser, the popular TV show in which she helps overweight men and women change their lives through extreme exercise, sensible eating and a lot of mental/emotional support. But she’s also a best-selling author who has written a book entitled Master Your Metabolism. Michaels – and her book – have changed the way I think about food and, in turn, inspired me to change the way I eat.
Through Master Your Metabolism, Michaels illustrates (in great but accessible detail) the undeniable links between foods, hormones and your health. She uses her own story of struggling with weight and medical conditions like hypo-thyroid to illustrate how changes in your diet can help you regulate the hormones that are pulling your body out-of-whack (Michaels conquered both her weight and thyroid through diet and exercise). According to Michaels – and the many, many scientific and medical resources she sites – our constant ingestion of chemicals, preservatives and “man-made” food have taken our bodies so far from what they’re designed to do (aka process real food) that we’ve caused our hormones to be in a constant state of flux when they should be in a state of homeostasis (balance).
The book is too detailed for me to try to encapsulate in one post, but suffice it to say that Jillian’s own story along with her very logical and passionate arguments, have been enough to persuade me to try it her way. That means removing processed foods, artificial sweeteners, sugar, and a slew of hidden evils like high fructose corn syrup and replacing them with organic meats, dairy and “whole foods” like legumes, fruits, veggies, nuts, and whole grains. And while it hasn’t always been easy (lord knows it’s more convenient to grab a “100 Calorie” pack of crackers, cookies, etc. then it is to plan out my snacks, meals, etc.), the benefits have been worth it.
Not only am I starting to lose weight again (I had plateaued for several months), but my taste buds are awakened. Without all the artificial stuff clogging my system, I notice that I’m really taste my food . . . meats are richer, vegetables and fruits are sweeter, and spices are stronger and more vibrant. And I’m becoming a better cook. I’m getting more creative – using natural seasonings and cooking techniques to bring out the maximum flavor in my food.
Normally, my inspirations in the kitchen are master chefs like Julia Child, Todd English or Giada DeLaurentis. But when it comes to food, in general, I don’t think anyone will have a bigger impact on me than Jillian Michaels. This feisty, fearless, and highly Spirited Woman has shown me a new way of looking at things, and that I find really inspiring. Who inspires you these days -- especially when it comes to food? I’d love to hear!
- Sharen Santoski, www.SignalRockCommunications.com
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P.S. – I wanted to share one of my favorite recipes from Jillian’s book – Lemon Garlic Shrimp with Veggies – but couldn’t find it online . . . so for anyone interested, please email me and I’ll send it your way!
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