There are two ways the economic crisis leads to packing on the extra pounds and declining health.

One: People are more depressed so they resort to comfort food which is often high in fat, sugar and calories. On an online Forbes.com article, they stated that in a survey of 1,000 Americans, 25% revealed “that they were more likely to eat high-calorie comfort food because of the economic downturn.”   A USA Today online article also talks about stress from the economy and how people are reaching for comfort food.

Two: People are trying to make their paychecks stretch, so they buy cheap food and usually from fast food restaurants. 

It’s a dangerous game – low nutrient cheap fast food and high sugar comfort food only serves to make you more depressed. And like an addiction, you will sadly reach for more of the same.

Diarmuid Crowley of Wild Orchard commented on the previous post here:  “…If the months ahead are going to be as tough as our government says then we all need to be in tip-top health in order to remain at our sharpest and most energetic.”

So true! What steps will you take to be in tip-top health? One way is to choose fresh fruit to snack on instead of a candy bar. Choose water or fruit / vegatable juices over sugar laden soft drinks.

In Victoria Boutenkos popular book “Green for Life” (I highly recommend) she shows how adding a daily green smoothie improves your health. If you don’t do anything else – just add one green smoothie to what you already eat everyday and your body will thank you.

My favorite green smoothie recipe: In Vitamix (or blender) blend 1 cup pure water, huge handful fresh spinach, half a ripe banana, 1 cup chopped papaya. Blend smooth and be happy!

Visit Victorias “Green Smoothie Revolution” site for more green smoothie information.

1. Stay ahead of the game – walk – it’s free. If you don’t exercise regularly, try walking around the block after work one night instead of sitting in front of the television. Try it once, you will feel a huge difference in your mood.   

2. Join a group (or start your own) for moral support or to get your mind off of woes – Check out the international Meetup.com and search for a group that interests you. You name it, there is probably a group about it – Search raw food, dancing, walking, fitness, or bring your dog play day!

3. Sign up for some volunteer work  – being of service is the secret to happiness. Check out VolunteerMatch.org for something in your area.

Don’t wait until you are so sick you can’t function and you moan about the costs of health care and expect a doctor to give you a pill, or cut on you, or fill you full of toxic chemicals to make you better. Your body is trying to do it’s job – listen to what it is telling you – help it – love it.

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