Being Married to a Nutritional Therapist by Timothy Shea

I’m going to throw you in the back of my Delorean and gun it to 88mph. I started dating my wife in 2009 -- just after graduating college, playing ice hockey and living and eating as most guys my age did. Lots of beer, quick meals, cafeteria food, not really understanding what I was putting in my body and the negative effects it would have in the long run. I didn’t throw all caution to the wind, I would try to make some ‘healthy’ choices. You know, like, two burritos from Chipotle after a morning hockey practice.

When Ciara and I first fell head over heels in love, the idea of changing my diet was inconceivable. Why should I? I felt healthy. I looked like I was in good shape. I was on the ice 5-6 times a week, burning enough calories to counteract the tremendous load and strain I was putting on my system. Now, she wants to make me eat food that tastes like cardboard and  drink awful green smoothies? I’m good.

Because I’m a skeptic and generally have a hard time believing things, I began to research and educate myself on the foods I was eating. It was crazy. I quickly learned that our bodies need specific nutrients in order to perform at optimal levels. Not only do the foods our bodies need actually taste good, they taste even better than I could imagine. Foods prepared with healthy fats and nutrient-dense ingredients are so filling that I didn’t need two burritos to satisfy my hunger. Not to mention the way animals are raised has a huge effect on the human body. For example, pasture-raised, grass-fed beef is far superior to the grain-fed beef you’re likely eating. Did you know that the majority of beef consumed today is fed with wheat and corn? Did you also know this type of diet changes the molecular structure of the beef, along with its health benefits?*

What about butter and other healthy fats? I typically start my morning with coffee blended with grass-fed butter, coconut oil and collagen protein. In my teens and 20’s, the coffee I preferred was loaded with milk and sugar, and felt the need for multiple cups a day. Any health benefits of coffee, and there are, were lost. Today, one cup gets me through the whole day. The healthy fat content of the butter keeps me full and the medium chain triglycerides of coconut oil use energy from fat and helps digest food throughout the day.* Collagen is vital for our body and is the basic building blocks of our skin, hair, nails, bones, and joints.* Instead of starting my day on a blood sugar rollercoaster, this mix provides an immediate portion of the nutrients my body craves.

I could go on and on about the health benefits of the foods I eat, but I think you should do your own research. It’s truly the best way to become more comfortable with lifestyle changes.

At 31, I feel better than I did at 21. Although I am no longer on the ice 5-6 times a week, I still maintain an active lifestyle that incorporates hockey, golf, and kettlebell routines. I will save the benefits of kettlebells for another time, but a 10 minute cardio routine has had a tremendous effect on my health. Thanks Joe Rogan and Keith Weber! The idea here is to not ‘diet’ but educate yourselves on the foods you eat. Incorporating small changes to your daily routine can greatly benefit your health.

Living and working with a Certified Nutritional Therapist changed my life for the better. I sleep better, look better, and overall feel so incredibly healthy, I couldn’t even imagine where I would be without her. As we continue to learn and grow, our lifestyle also reflects. There are such amazing resources out there to assist you with making positive changes. Working with Ciara, or another professional, couldn’t hurt either!

*https://chriskresser.com/why-grass-fed-trumps-grain-fed/
*https://www.onnit.com/academy/coconut-oil-in-coffee-benefits/
*http://www.vitalproteins.com/why-collagen/