A rainbow of colours from the farmers’ markets across Ontario in 2011. Looks good but you still need leafy greens and sulfur rich foods to feed your mitochondria.

Hey there challenge chasers,

I really hope you took in the video from Dr. Terry Wahls.  She speaks about her 9 cups of veggie/fruit program, along with the other food she ate.  I bet you are asking yourself “How will I get 9 cups of veggies and fruit into my day?”

Here is what she consumed to feed her mitochondria.

• 9 cups of veggies and fruit.
  • 3 cups of leafy greens – think leaf lettuce, romaine, spinach, parsley, kale
  • 3 cups of sulfur rich foods – broccoli, cabbage, onions, garlic, turnips, leeks, avocados, sweet potatoes, Brussel sprouts, cauliflower, asparagus, watermelon, bananas, coconut, pineapple, mushrooms, kale
  • 3 cups of bright colours – eat a rainbow – enjoy beets, carrots, peppers, peaches, oranges, strawberries, blueberries, raspberries, red cabbage
• Wild fish – salmon and herring
• Grass fed meats
• Organ meat
• Seaweed

Here are my thoughts on the 9 cups of veggies and fruit she eats daily.  First, I thought that seems like a crazy amount.  Second, I thought it will take forever to eat.  And that there will be no room left on my plate to eat other items.  Well, that is actually the plan.

The Canadian Food Guide recommends that you consume daily 7-8 servings of fruits and veggies for women 19-50 and 8-10 servings for men 19-50.  Once over 50 it is reduced to 7 servings for both sexes.  Think about the last time you actually ate 7 servings?  In the reading, I have done most of the wellness experts recommend 10-15 servings per day with the majority of the servings being veggies and less fruit.  I look at 9 cups as a manageable solution that keeps me challenged daily to get to 9 cups.

When I first started eating 9 cups of veggies and fruits I was surprised by the effort but was impressed with how I felt.  My hubby and I enjoyed amazing salads for lunch and dinner.  We also had fruits for snacks and had fruit at breakfast.  Your plate is full with fresh veggies, and it does take longer to eat.  The results are you eat slower, eat less crap (as there is no room on your plate for it) and it allows you to feed your mitochondria.

For me, I have been doing a green juice program for 10 weeks now as a new way to get the veggies in.  The juicer was hauled out of the basement and now sits on the counter ready to juice up my daily dose of 6 cups of veggies.  Then we enjoy salads at lunch and supper.   And fruit for snacks.  I am closer to eating 11 servings a day but drop to 9 on some days.  9 cups is the minimum I eat.

One note – you will want to consider eating organic veggies and fruit.  They taste better, have more nutrients and have a lot fewer chemicals on them.  So the goodness you add to your body is all good!

Will today be the day you start the 9CupChallenge?  Let me know how you make out.

Cheers to your new goal!

Jo-Ann Blondin