January 31, 2008

Foods Loaded with Amenities
An amenity is a feature that increases attractiveness or value, usually associated with real estate or luxury items. In this case, I'd like you to expand your perception of an amenity to include foods. Foods that are fresh, alive, vibrant, colorful, nutrient-dense, full of anti-oxidants, fiber, vitamins and minerals – foods that add value to your diet and your life! Why not eat foods that provide the "biggest nutritional bang for your buck", says Chris Carmichael (no relation), founder of Carmichael Training Systems, Inc. (CTS), and coached Lance Armstrong through seven consecutive Tour de France victories.

In Carmichael's book, Food for Fitness, he breaks down food into three categories: quality carriers (a yacht), empty carriers (rowboat), and pollutant carriers (a garbage barge). You immediately get the picture of what vessel is loaded with amenities. If you're lacking energy, and eating foods that are essentially dead – you're not fueling your body for optimum performance. I realize that you're probably not training to ride in the Tour de France, but you might want to take a ride around the park with your child, or be at your best in your life's work.

What are quality-carrier foods loaded with amenities?

Easy, foods that allow your body to absorb the most nutrients that any body needs. Foods that are fresh, organic and natural; foods like fresh fruits, vegetables, nuts, whole grains, fish and lean cuts of meat and chicken. Avoid pollutant- or empty-carrier foods like dead, processed, prepackaged, microwaved, convenience-type foods that are high in saturated fat, sodium, sugar, preservatives or additives. You want to eliminate foods like pretzels, cookies, snack food, candy, sodas, dough nuts (all are not really food), and foods cooked in saturated fat, processed, microwaved or full of preservatives.

How do you find out what foods you're eating are more like a yacht or a garbage barge?

Simply, track the foods you're eating, read labels, and look closely at the nutrition facts. If the food is full of saturated fat, sodium and sugar, you know it's not the best choice for you. I challenge you to take a look at what's not working in your diet, figure out what you'd like your food to do for you (i.e., provide more energy), and set a course for making positive changes. Consider making one small change that will lead to making more changes. For instance, if you eat fried chicken, set a goal to bake your chicken instead. Small changes bring about huge results in the long run when you stick to making the changes happen. Eating healthy takes practice!

Now, the next two questions are very important before you embark on a new voyage.
  1. What (if anything), are you willing to do to change your eating? You need to be ready – ready to steer your yacht. If you're not ready or willing to make changes, then read no more. If the answer is yes, read on.

  2. And, are you open to receiving information about fine-tuning your diet to include foods loaded with amenities? Most of us know what foods are quality-carriers, yet continue to take the route of the rowboat or garbage barge. If the answer is yes, read on.
Congratulations, you're still reading!

When you're ready to explore a variety of foods that are loaded with amenities, and need some help, contact me for a free sample coaching session. During the 45-minute telephone session, we focus on your healthy eating challenges. Or if you decide that you need more of a boost, check out the Yacht Food Coaching program below. My main goal as your coach would be to support you in making effective, responsible choices in your life. Please know, that you choose the program direction, and are ultimately responsible for your own progress.

Now, call or email me to schedule your free sample session or register for the special offer.

Yacht Food Coaching – $199!
Offer ends 3/31/08
This offer includes:
  • Three 45-minute telephone coaching sessions
  • Write short-term and long-term nutrition goals
  • Focus on your environmental clean-up
  • Figure out what you want your food to do for you
  • Build a diet around foods loaded with amenities
  • Discover solutions to your food challenges
  • Zoom in on present and future successes
  • Set a course for making changes that last
It's up to you to take the next step in steering your yacht. Your voyage to eating foods that are fresh, alive, vibrant, colorful, nutrient-dense, full of anti-oxidants, fiber, vitamins and minreals – foods loaded with amenities starts here!

To you and your voyage,
Belen Carmichael, NLC
Life Coach
belen.coach@gmail.com
303.437.3806

Resources:
Food for Fitness by Chris Carmichael, with Jim Rutberg and Kathy Zawadzki
Nourishing Traditions Cookbook by Sally Fallon and Mary G. Enig, PhD
Stop Your Cravings by Jennifer Workman, M.S., R.D.
How to Eat, Move and Be Healthy! by Paul Chek

Copyright 2008, INNERGY Coaching, LLC - Belen Carmichael
All rights in all media reserved.
The content of Wellness Within may be forwarded in full without special permission provided it is used for nonprofit purposes and full attribution and copyright notice are given.
For other purposes, please contact Belen Carmichael.
Wellness Within is published monthly by Belen Carmichael of INNERGY Coaching, providing life coaching, nutrition and lifestyle coaching and personal training to women business owners.
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