Focus
Q: How many psychiatrists does it take to change a lightbulb?
A: One...but the lightbulb has to want to change.
I would go further and say that the lightbulb has to believe it can change.
We all have things we believe about ourselves and - like habits -these beliefs can sabotage our health. For years I believed that I hated brussels sprouts. I even have a story about violently vomiting all over my father when he tried to convince me otherwise. As a result, I can report several brussels sprouts free decades. Until last year, when I inadvertently ordered a dish that included raw shaved brussels sprouts. The horror! Only I discovered that I have been wrong all this time. I don't hate brussels sprouts.
Well said
"Those who cannot change their minds cannot change anything." George Bernard Shaw
Fact
80% of our daily thoughts are negative, 95% are the same thoughts as yesterday's. (National Science Foundation 2005)
Spotlight
Brussels sprouts are a cruciferous vegetable - along with broccoli, cabbage, cauliflower, kale, bok choy, amongst others. They are high in Vitamin C, a great source of soluble fiber and contain the compound sulforaphane. Honestly, it appears that there is nothing sulforaphane can't do for us - it is an antioxidant, antimicrobial, anticancer, anti-inflammatory, anti aging, neuroprotective, anti diabetic overachiever.
Practice This
A healthy habit is to eat at least 6 large handfuls of green leafy vegetables a day. The biggest obstacle to doing this is likely to be a preconception about yourself - "I don't like green leafy vegetables." Fortunately, human beings are extremely adaptive and capable of radical change. Envisage yourself as the healthy eater who enthusiastically consumes this amount of vegetables and more. This healthy eater is you. So go and grab those greens!
Recipe
Power bowls are a summer staple for me. I can eat them for lunch and dinner -https://www.pcrm.org/good-nutrition/plant-based-diets/recipes/kickstart-kale-and-grains-bowl
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