25 healthy words to live by:

have you ever had a health question and instead of calling up a reliable source you decided to check the world wide web!? of course. we all have. the internet is a fantastic resource if you're trying to find a healthier way to make your mommas comfort food recipe...but if you're looking for something a little more complex, you might not find THE answer, but twelve different answers. everybody has an opinion. and it just so happens that opinion can become public knowledge given the simplicity of online publishing (take this blog, for example). 

think of any number of controversial health issues and you'll find advocates for both sides of the equation: to drink milk or to avoid dairy? will going gluten-free help me lose weight or put on pounds? are carbohydrates off limits or should I eat whole grains? the list goes on and on. it gets confusing!! 

the Huffington Post recently published an article after asking 25 health professionals the following question: if you could share one piece of health advice, what would it be?

here they are, 25 healthy words to live by:

1. Do More - eat well. live well. move more. love more. 

2. Enjoy Your Breakfast - and make sure protein is a part of that meal. 

3. Take It Easy - ride the waves of gratitude and grace. 

4. Go Vegetarian Once a Week - pick a day and go veggie! it's good for you and the environment. 

5. Eat More Bacteria - like yogurt, pickles and sauerkraut. 

6. Take Charge - be in control of your body. 

7. Eat More Plants - preventing heart disease, obesity, many types of cancer and Type 2 diabetes.

8. Have Fun - healthy people have more fun!!

9. Make Your Own Rules - find what works for you. there is no universal answer to health. 

10. Food Is The Most Important Medicine -Each bite of food sends messages directly to every cell in your body, changing your hormones, your immune system and your brain chemistry, controlling which genes get turned on or off -- health or disease genes.

11. Prioritise Sleep - it's healing.

12. Be Active Every Day - you don't need a gym membership, just get up and move. 

13. Eat Protein -protein should be a vital component to every meal. 

14. Accept Yourself - stress bleeds all life force. 

15. Sleep and Hydrate - these are two of the biggest determinants of health. 

16. Seize the Day - small changes can produce massive results. 

17. Eliminate the White Stuff - flour, sugar, rice and pasta. avoid it. 

18. Get Plenty of Rest - and regulate your sleep pattern. 

19. Believe in Yourself - you are worth it. 

20. Avoid Products with BPA - limit your exposure to toxic chemicals. 

21. Breathe - learn breathing exercises to reduce stress, improve mood and energise. 

22. Exercise Daily - 30 minutes of daily cardio or weight-bearing exercise can reduce your risk for obesity, osteoporosis heart disease and certain kinds of cancer.

23. Get Omega-3's - eat oily fish 2 times a week or take a fish oil supplement. 

24. Sit Less - sedentary lifestyles kill. move like your life depends on it. 

25. Quit Smoking - now. and if you don't smoke, plan to never start.