Mindfulness is better. Why I no longer count calories:

I counted calories because it was a starting point for me to see the affect my food choices had on my weight. It took me a long time and a lot of mindfulness, but I was eventually able to eat again without thinking about the number of calories in every bite of food I was putting into my mouth. 


The obsessiveness of counting calories affected me in a negative way. The biggest problem was instead of satisfying my hunger, I was focusing on the math equation in my head that would get me to my goal weight.

Why you shouldn't over simplify calories:

• The calorie counts are usually drastically low - the one size fits all number they give in magazines isn't applicable to everyone. It's downright dangerous.

• Take one girl who is 5'8, medium build, and highly active. Take another who is 5'1, small build, and moderately active. 

• There is NO way they can both listen to the same calorie count given in the magazine to lose weight. 

• IFYM is better for calculating closer to your caloric needs, but it still promotes an unhealthy relationship with your food. 

• It's not very simple. It requires you to measure and/or weigh your food so that you eat only what is within your set caloric and macronutrients limit for the day. 

• It's tedious and mentally exhausting. 

Now, I understand that listening to your body seems really, really hard. I mean, it kind of feels like that is how you got here in the first place. But.. that's not completely true.
I'll show you listening to your body now versus listening to your body then is completely different.

The key is mindfulness:

• Eat when you're hungry, don't eat when you're not 
• Give up processed foods 
• Stay away from added sugar 
• Focus on nutrient dense, whole foods 
• Stay active and busy (keep yourself occupied so that all of your energy is not focused on your diet) 
• Join a whole food community: Try Whole 9 Life's Whole 30 program or go to Balanced Bites and join their 21 Day Sugar Detox - they're free! 
• Focus on the entire encompassment of a healthy lifestyle, not just the diet 

Treats are treats. But I thought it was paleo?!

Everyone has the tendency to put foods into the "health halo" because the ingredients fall under a certain category. 

But, just because a food is organic, non-GMO, vegan, grain-free, paleo, sugar-free, gluten-free, or dairy-free, it does not mean its good for you. 

We like to forget that a paleo treat is still a treat. Unfortunately, a "healthy label" does not give you a free pass to eat as much as you want, whenever you want.

Why Paleo Treats are Still Treats:

• Sugar is sugar. It essentially doesn't matter if you are eating coconut sugar or refined white sugar (The glucose-fructose ratio may be better between choices, and one is much more chemically processed, ewww, but it's still sugar and will take its toll on your body)

The Bee Food Philosophy

Start looking at the things you are putting in your mouth and ask yourself, "What is this doing for me?"

For a more specific list of "real foods" check out my posts here and here.

Just Eat Real Food

• What you eat should actually BEE food. It shouldn't resemble food, it shouldn't take the place of food, and surely shouldn't be a mystery as to what it is. 

• Stop looking at food as part of a "diet" and start looking at it as nutrition. As soon as you change the perspective of your dinner plate, the idea around your what you eat starts to change with it. 

• Food is fuel for your body (and I don't mean just by calorie). It's the vitamins and minerals - all the good micronutrients - along with the macronutrients you need to be strong and healthy. It's your life source. 

1. Eat the right amount of carbohydrates for your goals, activity level, and body type - 

• This does NOT imply you have to eat a low carb diet (although lowering your daily intake of  carbohydrates may result in weight loss)

• Replace as much of the refined carbohydrates in your diet as possible with better choices - Most refined carbohydrates like pastas, breads, and baked desserts are usually highly processed and/or contain added sugars

• My main sources of carbohydrate are starches, vegetables, fruit, and some sprouted breads and gluten free grains like quinoa

2. Eat your vegetables - 

• Vegetables fall into two primary categories: starchy and non-starchy 

• Eat as many leafy greens as you like, and be sure to add in plenty of other non-starchy veggies too! These are high in vitamins and add bulk to your diet. They help keep you full and add flavor, volume, and variety to your meals.

• Steam, sauté, bake or roast them - the options are endless!

3. Get enough protein - 

• Lean meat is a very important part of your diet. Chicken breast, turkey, lean beef, and seafood are great sources of protein. 

• Eggs and plain greek yogurt are also good sources of protein.

4. Load up on healthy fats - 

• Olive oil, coconut oil, ghee, nuts, egg yolks, grass-fed butter, avocado, and fats from wild-caught fatty fish and grass-fed animals

• This is not including fatty meats from grain fed animals, trans fats, and high omega 6 industrial oils (like canola, peanut, corn, etc.)

• Fat is important for the absorption of vitamins and minerals. 

• Fat is crucial in satiety (the things that makes you feel full). It keeps you satisfied and adds flavor to food.

• Remember: fat is important!! It is high in calories, but don't be  afraid of healthy fats because they are crucial to a healthy diet. 

5. Sugars - LIMIT AS MUCH AS POSSIBLE. This is key. 

• Sugar messes with weight loss and provides empty calories.

• It is highly inflammatory to the body.

• Alternatives for me are using ripened bananas to sweeten foods or to consume whole fruit since it has fiber along with its high fructose content. 

• Small amounts of raw honey or puremaple syrup are also good alternatives, but this should be as a treat.

• I do not drink soda.

6. Season your food - 

• Spices, vinegars, and herbs are always welcomed to add flavor! 

• Avoid condiments and sauces with added sugars and refined vegetable oils (find a better brand instead, or make you own!)

7. What I do NOT eat - 

• Highly processed cereal grains (white flours, whole wheat flour, boxed cereals, & most packaged breads, cookies, etc.)

• Processed soy (tofu, soy protein, etc.)

• Refined and high-fructose sugar (white sugar, agave, etc.)

• Industrial seed oils (canola, corn, safflower, peanut, etc.)

Reference: Check out an article written by Chris Kresser, a highly recognized and established functional medicine practitioner here called "Beyond Paleo: Don't Eat Toxins". 

Simply just eat real foods!

****** I am not certified in any health-related field. I am not giving medical advice, I am only sharing what worked for me!***********

Hi everyone!

You probably are all wondering what the heck a bee has to do with food. To me, everything! I am the bee. It's a nickname I've had from my boyfriend for years now. And if you know me, you would know how much I love to be upside down. I balance everything. My whole life is going in a million directions, and I know that most of us feel the same exact way! So I'm here to show you how I stay balanced. It's something I've learned from experimenting on myself with all kinds of different foods. This is what makes me feel good. I hope it makes you feel good too!