On March 13, 2024, The IMAGE Center Wellness Series was Nutrition for Everyone (Read Transcript). Since March also acknowledges National Nutrition Month, the event featured two special guests: Denise Lichaa, a registered dietitian for over 20 years; and Wendy Messersmith, a certified independent Optavia health coach. Both of our guests talked about the importance of having a healthy lifestyle vs. trying to diet to lose weight or get healthy. A line that stood out to me was physical health starts with your mental health. I have always thought that a person’s mental health or mindset is half the battle. A positive outlook may seem small but in reality, it can set the tone for a great day. The energy you put out in the world is what you will get back.
For the past seven years, the most popular lifestyle is the Mediterranean diet. What is the Mediterranean diet? It was inspired by eating habits and traditional food typical of southern Spain, Southern Italy, and Crete formulated in early 1960. Research supports using the Mediterranean diet as a healthy eating pattern for preventing cardiovascular disease, increasing lifespan, and healthy aging. The typical Mediterranean diet foods, such as fish, nuts, plant oils, fruits, and vegetables, help lower inflammation in your body, improve blood vessel function, and reduce the risk of metabolic syndrome and diabetes.
We can’t forget the fitness part of this journey. Staying active is just as important as what you put in your body. It doesn’t matter if you go to the gym a few times a week or you work out in your home. At long as you have some type of fitness routine.
Wendy is a Certified Independent Optavia Health Coach. She helped her family lose a combined 282 pounds, with her losing 95 pounds. Wendy eats six small meals a day. She now helps people develop healthy physical and mental habits. You have to put the work in things will not change overnight.
For information on the Mediterranean diet use the links below:
- Mediterranean Diet Info Sheet
- America Heart Association: What is the Mediterranean Diet?
- Mediterranean Diet recipes from The Food Network
Hopefully you will find one recipe like I did and give it a try:
Grilled Lamp Chops
Ingredients
- 1/3 cup extra-virgin olive oil
- 1/2 cup packed fresh mint leaves, chopped, plus more for sprinkling
- 1/4 teaspoon red pepper flakes
- Sea salt
- 12 small rib lamb chops (about 2 1/3 pounds)
- 2 cloves garlic, smashed
Directions
- Preheat a grill to medium-high. Mix the olive oil, mint, red pepper flakes, and salt to taste in a bowl. Rub the lamb chops all over with the garlic. Transfer a few tablespoons of the mint oil to a small bowl and brush on the chops
- Grill the chops until charred, 3 to 4 minutes per side. (Press the middle of the chops with your finger: It should be slightly firm with a little give for medium-rare doneness.) Transfer to a platter and brush with some of the remaining mint oil. Sprinkle with mint and serve with more mint oil.