Kurt's Corner 2009

Calories = Energy, how much?

Units of Energy, Part I:  Calories = Energy. How much is up to you.

Many ask me about my diet. Am I a vegetarian? Some days yes, and some days no.

My concern about my diet began when I noticed that my energy levels weren’t allowing me to do all the things I wanted to do. Much of the energy we have comes from the food we consume. There is a theory that all the earth’s energy comes from the sun. Since we cannot attain this energy directly from the sun (aside from vitamin D which is absorbed through the skin), we can either eat the plants that get their energy directly from the sun using chlorophyll or eat the things that eat the plants, like cows, chickens and such. The problem with eating the things that eat the plants is that they have used up some of that energy and have sometimes added carcinogens such as environmental poisons. The more direct the source, the more energy the source contains. It just makes sense.

I started to look at my food as energy sources, to identify them with what they do for me. The darker the green, the brighter the orange, I knew the more of the sun’s energy it processed for me. I believe in many ways this simple mind set has helped me to live a more energetic life, and I believe that the lack of this concept is where most dieters fail. If you don’t make this connection, then you may constantly desire things that are truly not very good for you. If you see chocolate cake as the greatest thing ever, then you will crave it. Fighting the craving might stress you out and result in an inner conflict. Then, when you eat that particular item you may find yourself beating yourself up over it. When you see the food for what it does for you, it might look very different. Now, that cake is dense calories that will end up making you tired. After the sugar buzz subsides, you will gain fat, lower your immune system, and finally, throw off some chemical balances in your digestive system that will help you gain weight and maybe give you a pimple or two. Some reward. Now I am not saying that you should give up everything that is not absolutely good for you. Simply open that yoga awareness up and know what you are doing. You may find yourself doing it less.

“But it tastes good!” Well, guess what, tastes do change! When I cut my salt intake to help control my blood pressure, I thought nothing would taste good again. Low and behold, now anchovies are a little too salty! The change may take time, but you are in control.

When I started to adjust my diet to include the high energy foods, I had never been disciplined about food intake (anyone who has seen me around Gummie Bears can attest to that). So, I did not cut foods out of my diet. I was disciplined about putting them into my diet. Since I knew I wasn’t getting enough energy in the form of fruits and vegetables, I bought a juicer. In the morning before I could run out and order my large coffee and two breakfast burritos, I would have to juice. I love fresh fruit juice in the morning. To me, there’s no better way to start the day. I grab a handful of assorted fruits like orange, pineapple, kiwi and blueberries, juice them, and it is like drinking a glass of sunshine, pure energy. In the afternoon, before I could think about a snack or dinner, I would complete my promise to myself and make my veggie juice which consists of a mix of carrot, celery and apples. This addition to my diet has served me well, and I continue it to this day.I continued to add foods that would add energy to my days. As I did, other items dropped off my menu. For example, I wanted to add oatmeal to my diet, so after the juice I would have oatmeal. If I wanted to then buy a couple of greasy breakfast burritos, I could, but most of the time I no longer felt like one. I have read that hot water and lemon in the morning is great for the digestion, metabolism and clears congestion, so I added it. Within a week, I woke craving it! My coffee is always an option, just now, it’s not a habit.

Now for the things that eat the plants that get the energy from the sun other wise known as meats. I was a vegetarian for a while for energetic reasons. I could not claim moral reasons and still walk around in my favorite leather bound Sambas. For some reason my diet without meat left me gaunt and a little lethargic. I know for many it works well, however I found when I added fish and occasionally some meat, my body performed better. By taking it in occasionally it gives my body time to properly digest without over-whelming it. The Dalai Lama went vegetarian out of his Buddhist compassion. After having some health problems he added some meat into his diet as well. According to one of his latest books, he is now a vegetarian half the year: he eats meat every other day!

There is another theory I find intriguing, and I find that it influences my diet as well. Many have walked into a room after some traumatic experience has occurred and felt the tension in the room. For a moment that room was imprinted with the energy of the event. Some believe that animals contain an emotional ‘imprint’ and that this can affect those who eat them. Think of how nervous a chicken is by nature. It’s a small, fairly defenseless animal that is always darting about. Then come the chicken’s final moments. What about the cow who barely moves? Some days content just to sit and watch TV, I mean, watch the grass grow? Have you seen any people with these influences? Just a thought.

OK, a couple of quick guidelines:

1) Always eat breakfast; it works to give you energy and to lose weight!
2) Add good things, this might replace some of the bad.
3) Drink lots of water, it will give you more energy and improve complexion.
4) Add whole grains and whole wheat to replace enriched flour products.
5) DO NOT skip meals. Instead, try eating multiple, smaller portioned meals.
6) Look for high energy foods, they are easy to spot. Try this, set some fresh spinach next to a carrot and then place a Twinkie beside them. Which ones look like they are vibrant with energy? It’s not rocket science.
7) Finally, I do take nutritional supplements. If you are curious let me know. I’ll have a little more information about which ones next month!

Happy eating,

~Kurt

p.s. Those with serious medical conditions should speak to someone much smarter than me :)