Why My Dad Is the Richest Man I Know
Hard to believe, but my father looks as young today – at 60 – as he did at 40. And though he may argue that he’s lost a bit more hair than he’d like, his face, his spirit, and his health seem to have been frozen in time.
While I’d like to think that I got his “good genes,” we all know genetics is only a small part of the equation. He passed on something even more valuable: an understanding of natural health.
I remember asking, when I was about eight years old, “Dad, why don’t we ever have white bread in the house?” Always a man of few words, he replied, “The whiter the bread, the quicker you’re dead.”
When I asked “why,” he explained: “White bread has been stripped of the good stuff. It’s just bad for you.”
As I ate my whole-wheat peanut butter sandwich and apple and drank my carton of whole milk, I watched my friends chow down on marshmallow fluff sandwiches on soft white bread accompanied by cheesy-flavored chips and sodas. And I watched them “grow” much faster than I did – horizontally, not vertically.
My father is no scientist. He can probably tell you a little bit about vitamin C and vitamin E. He loves blueberries (and knows they’re full of antioxidants). And he never overeats.
When I would come home ravenously hungry after skating or biking or dancing ballet for hours and head for the refrigerator, he would say, “Slow down. Your stomach needs time to catch up. If you’re still hungry in 20 minutes, you can eat more then.” I doubt he had any idea that what he was telling me was an ancient Japanese principle called Hara Hachi Bu – meaning “Eat until you’re 80 percent full. Then stop.”
My dad is proof that you don’t need to be a personal trainer or a doctor… nor do you need to have a nutritionist at your beck and call. Simply adhere to a few easy-to-follow guidelines when it comes to what you eat and how you exercise, and you can live a long, full life feeling (and looking!) younger than your years.
My father taught me that health is the ultimate wealth. I hope you will take his lessons to heart and make your own life better… starting today.
[Ed. Note: Ready to start feeling better and living healthier? You can get easy-to-follow guidelines for staying fit, eating better, and taking advantage of the latest breakthroughs. Just sign up for ETR's FREE natural health newsletter right here.
Staying healthy doesn't mean giving up the things you love - like dessert. Kelley Herring has put together a collection of recipes for dozens of delicious and guilt-free desserts. Pick up your copy today.]
Boy, am I flattered to be the father in your article. I feel much younger just reading it.
Bravo! Keep up the good work!
Love, Dad