You know how fruits and vegetables operate on a timeline — from unripe to ripe to overripe to spoiled? The symptoms of spoiled are apparent, right? It’ll have a bad color or odor.
Some people go to great lengths to store their food so it stays fresh longer. Most of us separate what needs to be refrigerated from what can sit at room temperature (always store your tomatoes at room temp. There is a gene which actually turns off flavor when tomatoes are refrigerated!) I know some people who use special bags. Sometimes people can or dehydrate or ferment foods to keep them longer. These are all preventive means to keep food in the best condition for the longest period of time.
How many of you do that for your body? No, I’m not talking about eating preservatives or getting mummified! But I am talking about considering longevity rather than momentary pleasure.
Think about your body right now. Might you describe it as ripe – the best shape possible? Or overripe? Or spoiled? What would each phase look like? What would it FEEL like?
We’re lucky because human bodies can move between phases. If you’re spoiled or overripe, you CAN become ripe again. That’s what I’m doing. It’s a joy! And work. But the work is nothing compared to knowing that my body is stronger and feels better than any other time in my life.
We know that fruits and vegetables will eventually spoil. But our expectations about our bodies and our health are learned. They are not what nature created. Look at the late Jack LaLanne. Look at elders in indigenous populations. They are healthy and strong.
What if you expected to look better and feel better as you got older?
Really let yourself imagine that. See what it looks like. Notice where in your body you feel it.
Picture yourself a decade older than you are today AND looking/feeling a decade younger. When this vision is solid it’s easier to commit to a healthier lifestyle and to make healthier food choices.
Leave a Reply