Change What?

At a time in our nation when the word “change” seems to be a part of everyone’s vocabulary, I pose a different word. The word is “what.” I ask everyone change what? Some might substitute this word with “everything.” But, that my friends, is a daunting and impossible task for any one person to attempt. Pick and choose your battles. Which issue sets your heart on fire? Real change starts from within, from within you and me.

I recently spent six weeks backpacking through Europe. It was in Italy where I found my “what.” A friend I met there was very into his food. He had just spent a month at the University of Gastronomy in Bra, Italy and was steaming with culinary knowledge. He only used the best ingredients and made it a point to eat things locally produced or produced in a good, clean, and fair way. He talked adamantly about the Slow Food Movement and proceeded to tell me all about it. I was reminded just how big a role food plays in our daily lives. That old saying, “You are what you eat” should be taken literally.

My studies of Health and Fitness in college have taught me that every cell in the body feeds off of the nutrients in the food we consume. Carbohydrates are our cells immediate source of fuel. The proteins that make up our hair, skin, nails, and muscles are made from the breakdown of the proteins we eat everyday. And the brain, most importantly, is composed mostly from the fats we eat. So let me ask you this, would you ever put low-grade fuel in your BMW? So why on Earth do you put it in your body, your temple, the only real machine you are given in this life.

It’s about quality. The genetically modified corn, tomatoes, meat, soy, etc. we buy at the supermarkets are only going to turn us into genetically modified human beings prone to disease and cancers. It is time we all got back to basics with our food. Start asking when, what, and how it was produced. Do the research. By building relationships with your farmers you are building relationships with your food. And, as in any good relationship, if you take the time to nurture it, it will give back far more than ever expected.

So change what? Change Food. Change the way we consume. Say no to mass food production and this Thanksgiving give thanks to your local farmers.

-Julia King

ACSM Health/Fitness Specialist

ACE Personal Trainer