Before we get started, the answer is no, I'm not starting a book club, but people ask me where I learn some of the things I do. It's a mix of many different sources and mentors, but this book is one of my favorites, so I thought I'd spread the knowledge around so everyone can benefit from it!
 

The Tao of Nutrition by Maoshing Ni and Cathy McNease is a book that focuses on the importance of nutrition and its connection to overall health. It explores the concept of Tao, the ancient Chinese philosophy of living in harmony with nature, and how it relates to nutrition. The authors emphasize the importance of eating natural and whole foods, avoiding processed foods, and understanding the body’s needs for balanced nutrition. They also emphasize the importance of listening to the body's signals and creating a diet that is tailored to individual needs. Additionally, the book discusses the importance of lifestyle factors such as exercise, rest, and stress management in order to achieve overall health and wellbeing. The authors also discuss the benefits of herbal remedies and acupuncture as complementary treatments. The most important concepts that the authors want readers to take away from this book is that the path to optimal health starts with understanding the body’s needs and creating a diet that works in harmony with the natural cycles of life. Furthermore, the authors emphasize the importance of a holistic lifestyle that includes exercise, rest, and stress management. Finally, they discuss the benefits of using herbal remedies and acupuncture as complementary treatments. 

The best strategy to listen to the body's signals and create a diet tailored to individual needs is to pay close attention to how the body responds to different foods. This can include tracking energy levels, digestion, mood, and cravings. Additionally, it can be helpful to keep a food journal to track the types of foods eaten, how the body responds, and any changes in symptoms. It is also important to be mindful of eating habits and to be aware of any emotional triggers that may lead to unhealthy eating.

Starting now, you can use this easy strategy one of my mentors showed me to help people build their awareness of the foods they eat: forget the "mausoleum" of boxed processed foods and head straight to the outside aisles of the grocery store — where the living, breathing food is!
 

Okay, finally the simple strategy: red-light (RL), green-light (GL), and yellow-light (YL) foods. Food should make you feel euphoric, the same way you feel after a night of partying or scoring a winning goal—you can and should have an endorphin response to the foods you eat! RL food is something that slows you down, makes you feel heavy, makes you bloated, or you may just describe it as "I feel like I'm dragging my feet," "heart burn," "burping every time you eat it," etc. GL foods are giving you euphoria and a feeling of strength; you eat, digest, and have energy seemingly instantly, like you just downed a triple espresso! Your overall well-being is supported because you feel it, not because you ate broccoli, which is good for me because Dr. Bergman said so. Wrong, wrong, wrong! Feel it instead, people, please! Listen to what your body is letting you know. Lastly, YL foods are foods you could eat, but they are pretty neutral. They don't cause a reaction either way; think of them as the food equivalent of a boring office party—nothing too exciting, but you can still make it through.

I hope this helps you become more aware of what you are eating. The mission, if you choose to accept it? Take a week and play the light game with your food. Good luck, and please understand that this message will not self-destruct; it is simply not cool enough yet! 

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