HEALTH - RECIPES & FITNESS

I read a book that changed my relationship with food. It’s called “It Starts With Food” by Melissa Hartwig.

The program is simple. Eat real, whole foods: no sugar, alcohol, dairy, grains, or legumes, for 30 days and see how you feel. The closest diet to this eating style is called Paleo or “caveman” diet. 

When we eat healthy, we feel and look our best. “Food Freedom” is not about eating perfectly. It’s about making mindful food choices. The way this shows up for us is that we cook our own food, read the labels of the things that we buy and shop at the local farmers market for fresh produce weekly. 

On this page, I will share recipes, food philosophy and concepts for healthy eating. I'm an omnivore and I like to keep things simple. I buy grass-fed meats and organic produce when I can.

Our food philosophy and eating habits play a huge part on our journeys. I strive to treat my body like my temple. I don’t drink alcohol or take prescription medications. We overcome the symptoms of our mystery illnesses when we eat right and we believe our food is medicine.

I envision a future of small-scale organic farms that provide fresh food to their communities. There are many opportunities to support sustainable agricultural practices with each meal. So, if you haven’t started yet, I hope these recipes and articles will help to inspire you.

FITNESS is a MINDSET.

When I was in high school, I joined the wrestling team as a sophomore.

I had already been used to walking around almost everywhere. My Mom and I didn't have an operational car, so we relied on our legs and the public bus system.

I didn't know what to expect as far as wrestling workouts were concerned.

What I did know, was that no matter what, I would NEVER GIVE UP.

The first couple weeks of wrestling workouts were enlightening.

People who were considered "tough" by their peers, quit as my head coach turned up the heat (literally.. 90° in the cafeteria which doubled as our wrestling room for our workouts, while wearing sweatpants and hoodies to "cut weight").

Our coach was intentionally weeding out those that talked tough from those that were actually mentally, physically and emotionally tough enough, for our sport.

Did I lose? YES! a lot.. AND I kept trying.. NO MATTER WHAT.

My wrestling coaches recognized my PASSION and I was awarded "Most INSPIRATIONAL Wrestler" my first season.

Considering that I grew up without a father, was constantly moving from one apartment to another (18 times by the time I was 15, due to rent evictions), got a work permit, worked ~20 hours weekly; pushing shopping carts and bagging groceries as fast as I could (TAKE PRIDE IN YOUR WORK), financially helped my Mom and I settle into one location for the remaining years of high school and maintained a 3.2 GPA, 

I never missed a wrestling practice.. 

NEVER 

N-E-V-E-R

#NEVER

Weekend practices and/or tournaments? Friends hanging out? Holiday practices? High school events/dances? Prom night? I was either wrestling, working or studying/doing homework.

It all starts with DISCIPLINE - DEDICATION - PERSEVERANCE (DDP)

I'm writing all of this to INSPIRE you.

Walking across the United States from Washington D.C. to Los Angeles was challenging.

I had never tried anything remotely as physically demanding as spending 9 months, on the road; cities to towns, sidewalks to highway shoulders, forests to deserts, blazing heat to below-zero temperatures, while living out of a backpack, CARRYING A CROSS and stopping to speak with everyone that approached me about the message of UNITY.

DISCIPLINE got me up each morning to walk ~20 miles westward until I arrived home in Los Angeles.

DEDICATION to a cause greater than myself motivated me to harness my willpower.

PERSEVERANCE allowed me to take on any and all obstacles along the way, in stride.

You're alive for a reason.. You have a PURPOSE!

To fulfill your DESTINY, you must be HEALTHY.

My high school wrestling coach would give us tough love.

He reminded us that cutting corners meant that we were only CHEATING OURSELVES.

Whichever stage you're in, the process of SELF-IMPROVEMENT (Remember.. "MENT" means MIND. You're on a JOURNEY to upgrade your MIND) is all-encompassing.

You're not alone.

CONNECT with me and we'll discuss your goals as I aim to INSPIRE and MOTIVATE you into becoming a better version of yourself.

Respectfully,

James Anania