# Thoughts on healthy eating

What is healthy eating?

I feel like I can't keep up these days with everything constantly changing. Do you ever have those thoughts? One article says apple cider vinegar is amazing and we should use on salads or if you're interested in detoxing. Now I'm hearing the exercise/nutrition experts say we should forget the acidic apple cider vinegar and focus on juicing. Then the gluten-free paranoia pretty much took over the world! Is there anything "safe" in the grocery stores these days? Dare I say my small obsession with healthy eating started early? Maybe that's a strong word, but I know that I paid attention to how things made me feel so I listened to my body.

I was nine years old when I chose to become a vegetarian. Yes, while we were on a family vacation my brother demanded we stop at a fast food place so he could indulge in a child's food paradise. My mother looked back and asked if I wanted anything and I just shrugged my shoulders. My nonchalance led her to order an identical meal. I did (still do) like french fries, and I ate them first. Then I grabbed the burger and pretty much began picking away at it, taking small bites. I knew within a few short minutes that would be the last time I ate beef. The experience was an eye-opener for me because I knew that I was starting to listen to my body. It was telling me that eating meat wasn't in the cards for me. Of course, the elaborate spreads during the holidays looked appealing and smelled delicious but I just knew I didn't have a desire to try anything (besides the vegetables).

Fast forward to today.

I found the answer that makes sense to me. Healthy eating is keeping a balance in what is consumed. That is my overall broad view. I used to be such a critic and really hard on myself if I ate those french fries I spoke about earlier or a piece of ciabatta bread. I do eat a plant-based diet and have for over twenty years. This works for me. I found that living a vegan lifestyle staves off all types of creepy things, like the common cold or this year's flu. Both of which lurk in our environment which waits to attach to someone's low immune system.

This topic is so interesting to me and I'll be reading and sharing, hoping to learn and get new recipes!