The Human Species

The human species has sustained themselves for millions of years eating meat, fish, fowl and the leaves, roots and fruits of many plants. Hunters and gathers spent a full day of life and activities directly related to getting that days food. Most of the food gathered, however, was very low in calories, so when hunters would successfully encounter a rich catch that was packed with nutrients and fat, they were naturally programmed to eat as much as they could due to the fact that it was so rare. In the last seven or so decades, we have gone from having little to eat to being able to go out and eat with only a few dollars in our purse; everywhere you go there is food. Many old timers that I spoke with remember a day when you would go to the gas station for the sole purpose of purchasing gas. Today, gas stations are also convenient stores where one can get a quick sugar fix and stock up on those complex carbs while they drive to their next destination. Bookstores are no longer just bookstores, rather a place to sit and relax while reading a book and sipping on a cappuccino and eating a pastry. It's no secret that our food environment has changed; from our ancestors celebrating the catch of a rare of nutritional game to living in a very toxic environment. Who would have imagined thousands of years, that we today would be saying, "Lay off the fat, it's killing you"? The awareness of the value of nutritional food elements and the importance of a healthy lifestyle is slowly emerging into a new subculture; from gluten free and raw food diets to organic and low glycemic foods, many are making dramatic lifestyle changes. While there are those who still think that eating healthy isn't important if you're not fat, there are just as many who recognize that being healthy is the main ingredient in the recipe of COMPLETE WELLNESS.

Disease and elderly illnesses are steadily increasing. Making a conscious decision to choose foods that feed the body the essential nutrition that it craves will not only assist in healing many health ailments, but will also improve the quality of just about everything else in one's life including increased energy, more confidence and better self-esteem, My interview with a women who is very close to me is living proof that "You Are What You Eat". In 2007 at the young age of 44, my mother was at her peek weight of 316 lbs. She had Type II diabetes and was on several medications for other health related issues. My mother battled her weight problem for years losing 20, 30 even 40 lbs. only to gain in right back. In 2010, she finally had an epiphany and realized that it wasn't even about the weight anymore, rather it was about getting healthy; having complete wellness. In my interview with her, she said, "I know that I was sick inside, but I can guaranteed that even the lean Jean down the street is probably just as sick. Have you seen what she eats?" In other words, not only overweight people are unhealthy. "What you eat is what you are", she said. Since March of 2010, my now 47-year-old mother has dropped over 150 lbs weighing in at a beautiful 162 lbs. All of this was accomplished by making a conscious decision to choose foods that fed her body the essential nutrition that it was craving. For her it was all of the above; Low glycemic, gluten free, organic produce as much as possible and about 75% raw foods. Oh and exercise of course! No fad diets, but a complete change in her overall lifestyle with no desire of ever going back. She, along with so many others, is this new subculture.

In Puna, on the Big Island of Hawaii, this new subculture is evident. There are hundreds of people who have taken their lives in their own hands and have made the decision to live a healthy lifestyle. When you walk into the local natural food store, there is never a day in which there are no lines. As I observe the many people that come in and out of the store, I find that they all have many commonalities, again, many reaching for the locally grown organic produce and gluten free products. Even the local farmers market is always jammed packed with people of all types carrying their own environmentally safe grocery bags anxious to get the freshest produce for that week. Today there are so many varieties of healthy foods to choose from and not so surprising, readily available, and as well as having wealth of information via technology, the number of healthy people is definitely increasing.

As I mentioned earlier, getting healthy in not just for the overweight. There are many who suffer from illnesses that are not caused by being fat. Lyla Usglui-Mendoza is a prime example. Unlike my mother who definitely had a weight problem, Lyla is a 36 year old, small framed, 120 lbs beauty. At age 16, Lyla decided to become a vegetarian thinking that not eating meat would make her healthier. She did this without any other change in her diet. Then in her mid-twenties, she began experiencing major health problems. She learned that she had a condition called Candida, a yeast like, parasitic fungus, so when she ate certain foods, she would experience allergic reactions. In short, because of her health issues, Lyla is now and has been for the past 7 years, a raw-vegan who also pays close attention to the low glycemic index, eats only non-GMO products, and lives in the light of YOGA, which she says gives her balance and goes hand in hand with her life changes. "When I asked Lyla if she had any advice for those looking to get healthier, she said "Stay away from wheat, rice, pasta, corn, and soy, all hydrogenized stuff and even evaporated cane sugar which isn't all that healthy for you. Eat quinoa and anything and everything coconut. I live on coconut oil, which is loaded with good fats; it's so healthy for you. Coconut sugar is a great sweetener and coconut water is so yummy, just stay away from the sugar coated shredded coconut, eat raw organic. Read your labels because there are so many hidden ingredients, and try and go with non-GMO products because we just don't know what the genetically modified garbage is doing to our bodies. Remember, just because it says its healthy doesn't mean it really is." Lyla gave me some really good insight. I'll definitely be more conscious about reading labels. In closing the interview, she wanted me to mention that all of the tips she suggested are not for only those who may have Candida, but it should be a way of life for everyone. She said, "It's not easy to change eating habits but if you decide to, it shouldn't be a temporary change, it should be a life change."

One woman who shares that same thought is Mama Cheoke. I met Mama Cheoke at the local public charter school. She is radiant in outer and inner presences. Mama Cheoke is an organic farmer meaning she uses no chemicals