Driving through town the other day a rainbow appeared in the sky before me. It was so magnificent it took my breath away. I immediately went from being lost in thought to found in my body. The color opened me up to the present moment reminding me to see and, more importantly feel, just how alive our world and our bodies are.

It’s no accident some of the most nourishing foods available are colorful. Plant pigments act as powerful antioxidents which protect cells from damage caused by various forms of stress. Since we are constantly exposed to stress colorful foods are a great way to counteract that damage. Add to this the pleasure principle and stress does’nt stand a chance!  Fresh, colorful foods are visually appealing and taste amazing. 

This week practice adding color anywhere you can. Allow the color element of your food to increase mindfulness in eating. Practice feeling the color of the foods as you eat them and imagine every cell in your body lighting up as the are nourished. Here are some fun, easy ways to cultivate color on your plate.

Reds:
*strawberries and pomegranate seeds in smoothies, salads, yogurt
*dried cranberries in trail mix and oatmeal
*salsa on eggs, beans and baked potatoes

Orange/Yellow:
*dried apricots, papaya and pineapple in trail mixes or alone
*bell peppers plain, in salads, in stir-fry
*mix canned pumpkin into oatmeal with some cinnamon and maple syrup
*winter squash or sweet potatoes as a side dish

Greens:
*greens in salads, smoothies, omelets, wraps, sandwiches
*melon in fruit salad
*kiwi or green grapes in yogurt
*avocado as guac or as a spread on sandwiches and wraps

Blue/Purple
*blue and blackberries in yogurt, oatmeal or dry cereal
*raisins in rice, rice pudding, trail mix and granola
*eggplant in veggie lasagna

The possibilities are endless. Create with color and enjoy your vibrant health!

Julie Norman, nicknamed "The Body Image Guru" by clients, guides women to live authentically healthy lives through peaceful body image, intuitive eating and mindful movement. She blends professional nutrition guidance with the wisdom of yoga to help women transform the ways in which they care for and experience their bodies. She maintains a private practice, REAL Nutrition, LLC, and is the creator of Body Karma Healing, a yoga-based program intended to help women transform body image from painful to peaceful. Julie believes healing individual body image pain helps us heal the world! Get started with her guiding DVD.