7 Steps to Thrive

Brenden Brazier is a professioanl Ironman triathelete, bestselling author and creator of the line of nutritional whole food supplements Vega. He is the man!

7 STEPS TO THRIVE

BY BRENDAN BRAZIER

The beauty of a good diet is that the right foods will not only help us overcome nutritional stress, but also other negative stressors, like pollution and environmental toxins. Plus, we’ll be able to better perform during positive demands like exercise and educational activities. My recommended action plan consists of seven easy steps.

Step One. Examine your current diet. What things are you eating that might be reducing your energy or aren’t supporting your health and fitness goals?

Step Two. Prepare for success by researching and listing foods that are conducive to thriving.

Step Three. Graze throughout the day. Eating several small meals helps maintain energy levels, eases digestive strain and spreads nutrients to sustain us all day.

Step Four. Drink a nutritious smoothie each day—it delivers whole food nutrition that’s easy on the digestive system and provides lasting energy. Here is a go-to favorite.

Mango Cashew Smoothie

½ cup powdered hemp protein
1 cup mango, fresh, frozen or pulp
½ cup soaked raw cashews
½ tsp vanilla extract
1 Tbsp maple syrup (or agave nectar)
1½ cups purified water
½ cup ice

Purée all ingredients in a blender until smooth.

Step Five. Eat a big, green salad every day; these are a staple when eating to thrive.

Step Six. Eat a raw energy bar every day; it’s an easy way to pack nutrition into a convenient, easy-tocarry form.

Step Seven. Eat a substantial, balanced afternoon snack to head off hunger and overeating at evening meals. Consider healthy snacks—such as a handful of almonds, macadamia nuts or walnuts; a serving of organic carrots, celery or zucchini sticks; or an organic apple, pear or orange—instead of processed convenience foods.