Cheat Days As A Vacation Sign

Jarrod 0:00

And I think of cheat days almost like being a vape. Vacation and not an exact analogy, because vacations are enjoyable. They're necessary, but think about your regular life is so miserable that you live for that vacation. Well, is that what you're doing with the way that you eat, with the way that you live on a day-to-day basis with your food choices?

Anita 0:18

I love you talking about it like a vacation. 'cause it reminds me of exactly why we moved to Florida, right?

Jarrod 0:23

Absolutely. We came down here, fell in love with it. We purposed in our minds and our heart to then move down here because we wanted every day to be like, we're on vacation. We didn't wanna live a life that we needed a vacation from.

Anita 0:36

Escape from, and you don't wanna build your healthy lifestyle that way either.

Make Healthy Choices Feel Joyful

Anita 1:44

What if making the healthy choices didn't require having to willpower through, but with something you genuinely look forward to every single day? That's exactly what we're talking about in today's episode, and I want you to really let what we discuss today, sink in as we go through this together because this is one of the most important conversations we can have when it comes to lasting health. Here's what we've discovered after years of living whole food plant-based, the sustainable way and helping others do the same. A huge factor in making a truly healthy lifestyle. Sustainable is making it enjoyable, Not just tolerable, having to keep encouraging yourself to push through it. We're after creating genuine, natural joy. So let me ask you something, what brings you joy? because that is a question that matters more to your health Than most ever realize.

Low Level Versus Pro Level Living

Anita 2:34

So there are two levels of living healthy. The first level is low entry, where you plot through methods you don't really enjoy because you feel like you have to, if you wanna finally feel good, this is where you keep white knuckling it, finding yourself doing things like counting down to the weekend or dreaming about cheat days. Have you ever lived like that? I know I have. And then. There's the other level, the pro level. This is the up-leveled way to living healthy that is so enjoyable, so woven into the life you love that you would never think of leaving it. You don't need cheat days because nothing about your life feels like a punishment you dream of escaping from. Can you see how going pro in this way would make getting and staying healthy and energized so much simpler? What would become possible for you if you actually loved living a really healthy lifestyle that much?

Jarrod 3:26

And I think of cheat days almost like being a vape. Vacation and not an exact analogy, because vacations are enjoyable. They're necessary, but think about your regular life is so miserable that you live for that vacation. Well, is that what you're doing with the way that you eat, with the way that you live on a day-to-day basis with your food choices? Are they so miserable that you have to have that cheat day once a week, a weekend, a month, whatever it is?

Anita 3:50

I love you talking about it like a vacation. 'cause it reminds me of exactly why we moved to Florida, right?

Jarrod 3:54

Absolutely. We came down here, fell in love with it. We thought, oh my goodness, I had no idea something like this existed in the United States. And so then we purposed in our minds and our heart to then move down here because we wanted every day to be like, we're on vacation. We didn't wanna live a life that we needed a vacation from.

Anita 4:12

Escape from, and you don't wanna build your healthy lifestyle that way either. So when you're eating whole food plant-based, you don't wanna do it In the way that's going to be miserable and not bring you joy. We see people struggle with this all the time. They try to eat a whole food plant-based, they don't have a system, they don't have steps, and they end up absolutely hating it because what they're doing is applying their old ways of living to this new, incredible way of living because they don't know another way.

Jarrod 4:39

And really, I want you to slow down and take a moment and hear what Anita is saying. This way can and should be enjoyable. You probably have never thought about health getting healthy, our food being enjoyable except the standard American diet. Oh, that's what I enjoy. I don't enjoy this other stuff and that's why I need the cheat day so I can go and at least have a little bit of enjoyment this way should be and will be enjoyable when you follow the right way.

Anita 5:09

So we are all about naturally helping you set yourself up for the exciting, lasting results you deserve. When you know the pro level steps, cheat days, quickly lose their appeal. Not because you somehow raised your willpower, but because you're loving the premium way you eat so much, you genuinely cannot imagine trading the life you have built for anything less. this is how Jarrod and I live every single day, and how our family lives and how our clients live too.

Jarrod 5:38

And in the beginning you might even feel a little bit guilty 'cause you're thinking, wait a minute, but I love what I'm eating. But I'm still getting results. The weight's coming off, the energy's going up. Aches and pain go away. That list of diagnoses slowly fading away. You might feel a little bit guilty because you're so used to all these other methods and all that hard work, but when you align yourself with the way God set it up. It becomes so much easier. You'll see other people around you, and I'm thinking of this from the guilt standpoint. You'll see other people around struggling doing manmade ways, whereas you're just walking through doing the enjoyable thing, getting the results, and thinking, I love what I'm doing.

Pro Moves For Water And Meals

Anita 6:18

Yes, simplicity. Excitement and joy is the goal here. So today we are gonna share with you some of the specific things that we know have made a real difference in bringing us joy around our meals. So you can start doing the same. We're gonna start with something so simple, it almost seems too small dimension, but I promise you it's not small at all. Do you have a water glass that you absolutely love? Not just any glass, but the one that makes you want to pick it up. It makes you feel good just looking at it, sitting on your counter. Here's why this matters. When you love the glass you're drinking from, you are going to sip from it more. It's a fact you will actually drink more water throughout the day, even without thinking about it. This is a pro move. in every way possible, because what you're doing here is making the healthy choice, the effortless choice. This is what going pro looks like, not having more discipline, but having more real joy.

Jarrod 7:12

A water bottle that I enjoy. I mean, what does that even look like? Well, I know Anita's most recent favorite one. It's beautiful. It's clear glass, but it has a print on it. When she looks at it inside, it makes her happy.

Anita 7:25

It reminds

Jarrod 7:26

it even gives her a little bit of a smile when she holds it in her hand. It's a natural fit. It's not too big, it's not too small. It's easy to carry. So again, it goes back to what you were saying, Anita, about it being effortless. You have it, you keep it around because it's pretty, you keep it out. It looks attractive on your desk. It's a joy to use. And like Anita said, it's a small step, but don't discount that. Yeah,

Anita 7:48

No, because these are the things that you think don't really matter. But they actually do, and once you try it, you're going to see it's the truth, because I'm picking up that beautiful water bottle and not dreading drinking water, but actually seeing more water checked off on my daily planner. and that brings me to a bonus tip, keeping a running list throughout the day of how much water you have had right inside your planner. Now I'm talking about one planner, not 10 of them, because I know some of us have a planner thing and we like having a lot of planners for a lot of different things. But here's what I know. Having one planner where you keep everything organized is going to bring so much simplicity to your life and with it more joy. And that's what we're after. So you don't need a separate health planner or sticky notes everywhere. One planner, one system, bringing you results in one life, working together seamlessly.

Jarrod 8:38

And if you have too many planners, you're going to need a planner for your planners. You're gonna have to have a list of, well, my health goals is in this planner, my business goals are in this other planner. It just becomes too complex and when that happens, you won't do it.

Anita 8:52

Now, for step two, let's say you've taken the time to learn, and I promise it's not difficult. How to make the most delicious, creamy, macha latte. You have this simple process down and it tastes incredible, and then you pour it into a random cup. But what if instead you poured it into a beautiful wine glass? I have a feeling you probably have a wine glass somewhere around your house or a gorgeous water glass. I'm talking about a glass that makes you feel like the moment actually matters, like you matter. do you feel the difference? Just thinking about that this is another pro move. Now I know a lot of you have dishes high up in a cabinet that you're saving for a special occasion. This is the special occasion because you are the special occasion. Say that, put your hand on your chest right now and tap yourself and say, I am the special occasion. cause you are. Upleveled, but simple presentation of your food and drinks matters, so make it beautiful, not complicated, because you are worthy to experience beautiful things. Keep in mind, this is not about impressing anyone else, but creating the experience for yourself every single day that tells you this lifestyle is worth showing up for, and I am worth this. Step three. Are you eating out of the same dishes you've been using for years? Maybe you think it doesn't bother you, but do you look at them and see scratches at the bottom of the bowls, worn out, spots on the plate, things like that? you may not even think an upgrade will make that big of a difference. But take it from me, your sister in health who's made the upgrade. It will, and listen, it doesn't have to cost an arm and a leg, but it can if you want it to. There's some absolutely beautiful options out there the key is finding the dishes that light you up. What speaks to your style? What makes you think yes, that's mine. Start looking because this shift is so worth it.

Jarrod 10:38

A moment ago you said that dishes that you've been using for years, I think what you really meant to say was years.

Anita 10:46

We've

Jarrod 10:46

many years. Yeah. We've had those where we thought, wait a minute, didn't we get these dishes back when we were married 20 years ago?

Anita 10:53

oh my goodness.

Jarrod 10:53

may be exaggerating. I don't remember, but I know we've had some dishes that we've had a super long time, and you get used to it and you think utilitarian, but it's really important to take that extra step, invest a little extra and get these nice things because you are worth it and it makes you feel like that. It makes you feel special, and why wouldn't you want to?

Anita 11:14

Your plant-based meals will look so much better in those dishes, I promise

Jarrod 11:17

And you're a child of the most high King, you deserve this.

Anita 11:21

Now. Let's pause here for a second because I wanna make sure you're catching what's happening across these first few points. A water glass. You love a wine glass for your favorite new whole food, plant-based drink and dishes that light you up. What do you think the theme is here? If you said presentation, you're absolutely right, and I know you may be thinking, Does this really matter that much? So I wanna answer that directly. If you do not want optimizing your health to be a short-term win, and I know you want the long-term win, so that's why you're here with us, then you absolutely must find the things that make Whole Food plant-based, exciting and enjoyable to you. Presentation plays a crucial part in this. The environment you create around your meals tells your brain a story about what this lifestyle means to you. It also tells you a bit about how you view yourself. So let's write a story of beauty, care, and intention, one that you actually wanna keep showing up for. Next, let's talk about how you plate your food. And I promise you, You do not need culinary school for this. Think about the difference between eating at a restaurant that takes pride in their presentation versus one that just slides a pile of food right onto your plate. It can literally be the exact same ingredients, Result in a completely different experience When food is plated with even a small amount of care and intention, it transforms from required fuel. Into an experience you genuinely love. You have the power to give yourself the beautiful version every single day. And trust me, I get it. Like sometimes we get in a hurry and seriously, like I'll plate up something and it'll be in the totally opposite order. And I'll look across the table where Kate, my daughter, has played plated hers up. Exact same ingredients, but a different order. So sometimes the order of how you plate things can make such a difference, and it didn't take her any longer to make it. It's just that hers looks so much better. I've shared this with our members inside our community they always have a chuckle because it's amazing when you just look at it and you think, oh my goodness, you know, I really need to stop and take the time to do this for myself. Because in reality, it doesn't take you any more time. It's just something you have to be intentional about doing. That's it.

Jarrod 13:26

Do you want to go to a five star restaurant or do you want to eat at Huddle House? Now? Huddle House, it'll get the job done if you, you know, assuming you're not eating the eggs and the bacon and all this stuff, if you're just eating hash brown and maybe whatever else they serve. But the point being they're just gonna throw it on a plate. We eat with our eyes first before it ever goes on our tongue or in our mouths, and that actually starts the digestion process. When we see the food, it starts to get our body ready for digestion. It's a very important part in the enjoyment of the food.

Upgrade Your Kitchen For Daily Joy

Anita 13:58

Absolutely a hundred percent. And for this next point, I have a story to share with you about a getaway I will never forget. I was at a Christian women's conference, my notebook nearing full, taking in everything. And one speaker stepped up to talk about creating an inviting home. And then she started talking about it, dish towels. and my first thought was that really? Is this what she's talking about? And then I started thinking in my mind, it's been a really long time since I had even thought about changing my dish towels. And so I went home and I made the dish towel upgrade, and I was so surprised by what happened. I started experiencing more joy in the kitchen and in the simple daily routines. It was such a small thing that turned out not to be small at all. This is what I want you to always remember. Your environment shapes your experience. When your kitchen feels inviting and fresh, you will enjoy being there. So much more now. Thankfully, when you're eating the power on plants way, you will be spending way less time in the kitchen than you once did. now, if you wanted to spend hours in there, you could, but what I'm saying is you won't have to. How would that feel for you?

Jarrod 15:05

Now if you're dish. Looks like a tie dyed shirt that's 20 years old with very shades of brown and other colors. It's probably time to change it. I'm, I'm just

Anita 15:14

do it before that. Please don't wait that long. and maybe they don't look that bad. Maybe they just don't bring you joy anymore. It's time to pass them on. Don't underestimate the impact small upgrades can have in regards to increased energy, maximizing your productivity, and getting lasting

Pick One Change And Start Today

Anita 15:32

help. Now, there are so many more things Jarrod and I could share with you here and inside Accelerator. We love sharing the transformative system for all the things together. As we build the healthy lifestyle, you'll genuinely love living. but here's what's most important for you to do right now. Just choose one of the things we've talked about today. Just one. It could be as simple as choosing to pour your new favorite healthy, drink your creamy power on plant's, maa latte, or peanut butter shake or chocolate, frosty into a beautiful glass you love. Now, I know some of you're already thinking Anita. I don't even know a healthy drink. I could enjoy that much. Then go right now to power on plants.com/cookbook. We have you covered. You can grab the cookbooks that will simplify your life and bring you joy there@poweronplants.com slash cookbook. Now, here is what's important to see about what we are doing together. The low level approach to healthy eating says eat the right things and just suffer through. But At the pro level, we build the environment, the routine, the lifestyle that makes the right choices actually feel like the best choice. Every time without even needing to think about it. When you operate at pro level, there's no need for white knuckling it. You won't find yourself dreaming of cheat days or just tolerating your food. You'll be intentionally creating the life of optimal health, maximize energy and productivity that you genuinely love living. This is how the top diseases of our time are prevented and even reversed. Think about that. Prevented and even reverse is the facts. By simply eating the real life-giving whole plant foods in the way you thoroughly enjoy your body is your greatest kingdom asset, and treating it well should feel like something you love doing. This is what going pro looks like, and you're absolutely capable of doing it, feeling powerfully energized and getting more done is not only possible for you, it is probable when you have the right framework and if you know that you're ready for someone to walk you through it step by step.

Next Steps Reviews And Closing

Anita 17:33

You are going to love Accelerator. You can learn more at Power on plants.com/accelerator. That's power on plants.com/accelerator. And before we go, take a moment and let us know how this podcast is helping you by leaving a written review on your favorite podcast app. Jarrod and I read every single one, and it keeps us bringing more life-changing episodes your way. Until next time, remember. You are loved, you are prayed for, and we look forward to seeing you very soon.