Thrive in 30 - things to try this week

Increase the raw vegetables and fruits you eat every day by 15 percent this week.  Here are some ideas to get you started:

• Remember the five habits in our introductory lesson’s action points? Build on them and up your veggie quotient at the same time:

• Eat a big salad of leafy greens and sprouts every day for lunch

• Take your fruit and veggies to go by incorporating them into a quick, delicious smoothie

• Tour your produce section: pick one or two of your favorite vegetables which you usually eat cooked and try them raw

Reduce the number of processed, convenience foods you eat this week and replace them with raw vegetables and fruits. Here are some easy-to-carry snacking alternatives you can reach for instead:

• A handful of almonds, macadamia nuts or walnuts
• A serving of organic carrots, celery or zucchini sticks
• An organic apple, pear or orange
• A raw food energy bar

Reduce the number of stimulating foods and beverages you choose this week:

• Gradually cut your caffeine intake—switch to decaf coffee or herbal tea for at least part of your daily caffeine habit
• If you sweeten your food or drinks regularly with sugar, use half the sugar you usually would, or try an unrefined, low glycemic sweetener like agave nectar