Soul Foods

In older times, soul foods were rich and hearty. They focused on what was not plentiful most other times, like meats, fats and fruits. You see, the typical diet of the average person about 100 years ago focused on vegetables. Hence, soul food was richer in nutrients and money.

Today, soul foods are the same, the rest of our diet isn't. That's why we have increased heart disease and other debilitating problems well over 1000-fold. We now eat a diet that is rich in heart damaging fats, excessive carbohydrates, too much poor quality protein and overall just too much. On the other hand, our foods are being depleted of nutrients and we have replaced fresh foods with pre-packaged crap that has had the nutrients removed to prevent spoiling.

Not very appetizing. But it appears cheap, unless you go to the farmer's market and discover the grocery stores are charging double and triple what a real fresh vegetable should cost. I guess that's all the extra cuts, pesticides and travel costs.

But sometimes these soul foods are needed. My grandmother made a lamb stew that was rich in vegetables and meats. It's rich in nutrients and when sick, it was wonderful. She made it from scratch, using fresh vegetables and meat purchased from a local butcher. She used herbs and spices, and not too much salt. Everything was healthy. When you are down, it's sometimes difficult to choose healthy foods over soul foods. I generally recommend skipping foods that were fried or have no vegetable component.

When you are down, you need more nutrients to combat the stress. It can also help the blues and depression that comes with troubling times. Studies show excessive sugar intake disrupts the serotonin balance in our brains. We become dependent on artificial highs and when the sugar drops, so does our mood. Since we are no longer in control of our moods, we switch from being happy to depressed. When this happens, no amount of medication will make us happy again.

A wonderful stew, slow cooked with lots of vegetables and spices can remind you of home and a simpler time. A rich chicken soup really does help to fight the common cold. This may be what is needed more for the body and the soul. Love your body and feed it nutritious foods that promote healing and life, rather than foods that take away your vitality.

Christina Major is the Naturopathic Doctor and Holistic Nutritionist of Crystal Holistic Health Consulting. Crystal Holistic Health helps people, especially women, who have Type II Diabetes, High Cholesterol and High Blood Pressure lower their numbers, get off medication and increase their energy so they can save money, take back control of their lives and improve the health and happiness of their families. You can get a free report on health at http://www.crystalholistichealth.com/

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