How do I kick that bad habit?

Mornings are my favorite part of the day; even when I don't drink coffee. As of late I have been trying to cut back on caffeine and coffee in particular because my skin has forced me to rid my diet of anything acidic. This has been quite a difficult task for me; you see I am a morning person and have enjoyed a hot cup of joe during the wee hours after waking to get me warmed up and on my way.  So now my beverage of choice is green tea. Still a warm choice since we're moving into winter and chocked full of antioxidants. I also love the natural fat fighting properties of Miss Green. Now don't let me mislead you- I haven't gone cold turkey and still enjoy a cup or two each week, but not every morning anymore. The thought of being addicted to caffeine really just doesn't sit well with me. So ask yourself, 'can I go a day or week without coffee?' I challenge you to try it. Now be careful trying to cut back, as those first few days can be foggy and make you feel tired without the usual stimulant. But if you slowly reduce your intake from say three cups to one and substitute with a hot tea I am sure you can successfully wean yourself off the drug... I mean drink ;)

Substitutes- I really believe they are the key to kicking habits. It's a lot easier to switch to a healthy alternative then for someone to abstain all together. When I stopped eating meat almost a year ago now, it was much easier to resist the urge to eat a hamburger when knowing instead I could have a veggie, bean or salmon burger. Finding something to fill that void is fundamental in changing a lifestyle. Whether it be smoking, shopping or speaking out of anger we have to first identify that which needs changing and then decide an action to replace the habit. For me it helps to also focus on the reasons I need to change. Why should I stop drinking so much coffee?  Well as I stated previously, I don't want to be addicted to caffeine, I also don't want to have brown teeth, cutting back will put some money in the grocery bank for other necessities, no ball and chain tying me to the coffee pot each morning, more energy and better sleep. 

I have also been reading about the psychology involved with making a major life change in my nutritional counseling textbook. How do I get people to change their diet and make better food choices?  There are so many factors that can be attributed to obesity and unhealthy eating habits; society and culture, income, education or lack thereof, geographical location, convenience and time, taste and preference.  Many folks don't realize that eating a plant based diet is actually much more affordable than eating meats and processed foods. Yes, it will take more time to grow that garden or prepare fresh veggies vice eating them from a can, but the benefits will not only add years to your life but will also afford you the opportunity to cultivate relationships. I mean life IS a garden. What better way to teach your kids about work ethic, nurturing, planning, preparation and growth than to plant and grow your own food? There are many life lessons to be learned from one of the simplest things in life; soil, water and seeds- even for us grownups. Imagine how much better you would feel after tilling your yard in the warm, summer Saturday sun and planting the seeds of your favorite fruits and vegetables. Fewer trips to the grocery store and more money in your pocket, better quality of food and quality time with your family while caring for your crop. 

How can you improve the way you and your family eat?  Less fried food, more fruits and veggies, ditch the soda and surplus sugar, meatless Monday, fiber supplements? I encourage you to make a change for the better. If you need some suggestions or advice, please don't hesitate to ask me. Time is our most valuable resource and we've got to make the most of what we have. So turn off that TV and rent a gardening book from the library; we've got to study up this winter and get ready for the planting season this spring!