I am in Chicago attending a seminar for a few days. I don’t have a ton of time however, I’ve got something really bugging me and I just have to get it off my chest.
I often speak to my athletes and adult clients about how nutritional smoothies are and most often their response is “I like them, but they take too long to make”. Come on people!
Every single morning (when I am not traveling) without fail I make a vegetable and fruit smoothie. It is simple to make and takes no time at all. I make a variety of smoothies and it takes my only 5 MINUTES. Yesterday morning my smoothie consisted of water, apples, spinach, carrots, strawberries, beets, celery, bananas and avocado. It was delicious! How difficult is it to take fruits and veggies out of the refrigerator, rinse them off and throw them in a blender? The bottom line is our society has gotten so lazy and unwilling to be responsible for our own health.
Take the time to make good nutritious meals every day. Don’t allow time to be a factor. If time is a factor, then prepare a head of time so you can have it ready to make.
My hope is that our society makes a huge revolt against the food industries, especially the companies who make junk foods, processed foods and sodas. We have to be responsible for our own action and we need to take action and stop the insanity. Did you read the article recently where a popular “junk” cereal claimed to boost the immune system of kids? Fortunately, this company is facing criticism and hopefully some type of action will be taken against them. Companies like this need to be held responsible for such foolish marketing.
It would tickle me to no end to see a dramatic change in our societies’ eating. I hate seeing kids and adults with type 2 diabetes and other nutritionally driven diseases. We have to take control of our own health and wellness.
Great post Lee. As a former school teacher, I was always appalled at what kids brought into eat for lunch and snacks. Nutrition was something we talked about on a daily basis either directly or indirectly. The kids often enjoyed when we played “What’s in David’s Cooler Today” where I would take everything out of my cooler and we would talk about each food item. It always took awhile as it was a big cooler, but in no time you could see the changes in what the children brought in for lunch,slowly but surely. In a lot of cases it was the child who enlightened their parents about what healthy nutrition looked like.
Teachers and parents have got to step up and start role modeling for their children what good nutrition is all about. Parents go to no end to ensure good health from the moment a child is conceived and what the child eats in the first few years, but then for some reason, it all goes to pot. I’m tired of parents making excuses all the time. It takes no more time to buy healthy, nutritious food then it does to buy lifeless crappy food that is just as easy and quick to prepare. It’s strange that parents don’t have time to do what’s best for their child’s health, but they somehow find the time to go see the doctor when their child is diagnosed with type II diabetes.
Now that I work with young athletes full time, I continue to give the parents quick and easy solutions to making nutritious food both for at home and on the go. But at the end of the day, it’s the parents responsibility to ensure their children learn and practice sound nutritional habits before it’s too late.
Thanks,
David Kittner
http://www.AthleticFoundations.com
Lee,
I completely agree with you. A few months ago you did an interview with Dr. Sam and he mentioned that he felt many of the youth injuries we see today have there beginnings with poor nutrition!
If this may be the case for children, imagine what it is doing to adults?
I listen to your interview with Dr. Sam on a regular basis. Thanks for this post and thanks for stressing more than simply exercise as a necessity for health.
Also, a quick plug for the “Low Box Training” DVD. Of my collection of over 12 info DVD’s, this one may be the best training DVD I have. It’s terrific and full of fun effective drills to teach the movement skills!!
Juicing is a fantastic way to strengthen the body. I also would recommend trying to use organic fruit and vegetables, if possible.
Another tip on the immune system: In doing basketball tours overseas I always do an “echinacea blast.” Use the week prior to travel to take this herbal immune booster three times a day (liquid is better than pills). It’s also good to do this during changes in season (like now), when our bodies are adjusting to dramatic differences in temperature and weather.
Great post, Lee, the healthiest athletes take care of themselves off the court & field, as well as outside the weight room. Get these kids to also pay attention to their “work” in the kitchen and you’ll raise smarter and healthier competitors as well.
No smoothies for me! I just eat the fruits and veggies in their raw natural state.
A raw food diet described as unprocessed and uncooked plant foods…Lee’s smoothies are raw. A person can increase their daily intake of veggies and fruits with a smoothie.
-Jenn Taft
Well done Lee! I agree that smoothies are an excellent, quick way to get in great nutrition.
Thanks for the great tips everyone. I appreciate the great coaches that respond and do such wonderful work for our kids. Keep it up everyone!
Lee
Add your Comment.