Plant-based Foods Archives - Pursue Wellness

Reclaim Your Health With Whole Foods

January 9, 2024/in Diet, Healthy Eating, Plant-based Foods/by Kelly Lutman

The month of January tends to bring a focus on reclaiming health. Perhaps the holidays introduced a variety of tempting foods, or there were added occasions for consuming alcohol.

There may also have been more on the schedule which crowded out the focus on movement or exercise. A great place to start is to reclaim your health with whole foods.

A “whole foods” (or real food) diet centers around consuming foods in their most natural and unprocessed form. It’s a lifestyle choice gaining traction for its numerous health benefits and relative simplicity.

Your Gut Is Essential For Your Health

December 26, 2023/in Digestion, Healthy Eating, Holidays, Plant-based Foods/by Kelly Lutman

The holidays can be a time when we indulge in more than we normally would. More food, most likely more alcohol, more activities, and less sleep. All of these can contribute to feeling behind the curve as we enter the new year. Do you know what’s at the root of this feeling? It’s your gut. Your gut is essential for your health.

There are many things that influence your gut health. These are primarily related to what you put in your mouth – whether solid or liquid – as Dana learned recently when she reached out for my help.

Dana, a young wife and mother to a 4-year-old daughter, realized she was spiraling downward and knew she needed help. She reported that she wasn’t doing well even before the holidays, but since Thanksgiving had been feeling like it was all getting worse.

Her gut was not happy – indigestion was a common experience – so she often avoided food. She also wasn’t sleeping well, which made her groggy throughout the day. All the added Christmas festivities were making things worse, so she picked up her phone to send an SOS to me.

What Is In Your Food?

May 30, 2023/in Healthy Eating, Nutrients, Plant-based Foods, Supplements/by Kelly Lutman

is in your food? The nutrients in our food fall into two categories – macronutrients and micronutrients. Macronutrients are what we need in large amounts, mainly protein, carbohydrates (vegetables, fruit, grains), and fats.

Micronutrients are vitamins, minerals, and other compounds the body requires in small amounts for normal function.

Choose Snacks That Sustain You Between Meals

May 4, 2021/in Digestion, Food Swaps, Healthy Eating, Plant-based Foods/by Kelly Lutman

Do you snack in between meals? It’s not unusual to need a small snack between your three larger meals to keep you sustained throughout the day. This helps your blood sugar stay balanced, which also helps with mood and energy. But take a stroll down the snack aisle at your local grocery store, and you’ll find a lot of packaged foods that aren’t beneficial to your health. How do you choose snacks that sustain you between meals?

There’s an equation you can use to make sure you are snacking in a way benefits you the most. After all, you’re less likely to overeat or crash during the day when your body has a steady stream of nutrients to fuel it. Here are some essential snacking tips to help keep you sustained throughout the day. Read more

Spring Cleaning For Your Body

March 23, 2021/in Detox/Cleanse, Digestion, Healthy habits, Plant-based Foods/by Kelly Lutman

As signs of spring appear, many are beginning the process of spring cleaning in their homes. Have you ever considered spring cleaning for your body? It’s a valuable practice that helps to “clear the sludge” that collects through winter months … or perhaps life changes related to a pandemic.

As we see in nature, winter’s cold weather causes us to naturally slow down and become more sedentary. This can lead to accumulation of added waste in the body. Spring’s biorhythm provides an ideal setting for a focused housecleaning, allowing the body to release this accumulated waste.

Living in the western world by default exposes us daily to a toxic “soup” of chemicals. This exposure comes from plastics, pesticides, flame retardants, personal hygiene products, and heavy metals from foods and our environment. Read more

Eating Nutrient-Dense Food?

May 12, 2020/in Diet, Food Swaps, Healthy Eating, Nutrients, Plant-based Foods/by Kelly Lutman

How has your life changed in the last weeks since we have been pressed to shelter at home? Have board games or puzzles provided a renewed source of entertainment? Are you cooking more meals yourself and eating nutrient-dense food?

During COVID-19 and beyond, eating a healthful diet is more important than ever. When you anticipate a battle, you want to be sure your army is up for the fight. That would be your immune system. Michael Pollan has said that cooking and preparing our food is more than half the battle when it comes to eating well. Read more

Cooling Concoctions For Your Hot Summer Days

July 17, 2018/in Beverages, Healthy Eating, Plant-based Foods/by Kelly Lutman

In the heat of the summer, we don’t want to be far from refreshing beverages to beat the heat. Pure water is, of course, the best choice to protect against dehydration, and adding a squeeze of fresh lemon helps you pack even more of a beneficial punch.

But there are occasions when you may want a little something extra, or you’re looking for the perfect summer beverage to serve at your weekend gathering. There are some delightfully refreshing options to choose from. Whether you choose the adult version or leave them kid-friendly, these drink options are sure to please and are easy to make. Read more

Update Your Outdoor Menu For Fun and Wellness

July 3, 2018/in Diet, Healthy Eating, Holidays, Plant-based Foods/by Kelly Lutman

One of the best aspects of summer is gathering outside with your friends and family to enjoy delicious food and conversation. Warm (or hot) weather and longer days are the perfect equation for a gathering. Cookouts are a staple of summer, but if you’re trying to eat for better health, you may be left munching on the veggie tray as everyone else fills their plate with hotdogs and baked beans.

You don’t have to be stuck with just the veggie tray. There are numerous healthful options to choose from during the summer cookout months, so there’s no need to be left out of the fun or go home hungry. Read more

Healthful Snacks That Fuel and Satisfy

June 5, 2018/in Diet, Food Swaps, Healthy Eating, Plant-based Foods/by Kelly Lutman

Summer produce boasts various delicious fruits and vegetables that we (okay, I) wait all year to enjoy. Watermelon, juicy cantaloupe and berries bursting with flavor and nutrients are just a few of my favorite summer treats. The summer months are often filled with outdoor activities and travel in addition to our normal commitments which leave your schedule jam-packed. Read more

Eating an Apple a Day?

October 24, 2017/in Food Swaps, Healthy Eating, Plant-based Foods/by Kelly Lutman

Did your grandma tell you that eating an apple a day would keep the doctor away? I can’t remember when I first heard the phrase, but I can remember looking at an apple in my hand and wondering how it would help. Did you wonder the same thing?

Could something as simple make a significant difference? Yes. I believe it can.

While the phrase has been traced back to 1922, it was likely based on observation. Chinese Medicine (also observational) has long taught that apples strengthen the heart, quench thirst, lubricate the lungs, decrease mucus and increase body fluids. Read more