In today's world, it's easy to get distracted by a million things. From keeping up with social media to figuring out when your next meeting is, life can seem pretty all over the place and overwhelming. It's important during these tough times though that we remember that we ourselves are our own most important assets. We must first learn to craft a solid and stable foundation for our lives which I believe starts with protecting our shrines--our bodies.

Food is the most powerful tool our bodies use. It allows us to fuel our days, day after day, keeping our gears turning. I'm not talking about any kind of food here though. I'm talking about pure, clean and nourishing whole foods that forego any chemical processing or additives. These clean foods are the ones that are going to change your life, your habits, your physical and mental states, and most importantly, your attitude on life. Food is that powerful! (and trust me, eating healthier is not complicated nor expensive!)

What I'm saying here is that to live a better and fuller life, we must first give our bodies the best and purest ingredients and practices. Better habits and nutrition will spill over into other parts of your life, and make you feel more alive than ever before. I know we're not perfect and we all indulge at times, but that's okay. Just don't make a habit of it and realize the beauty in being more aware of what you put into your body. I've seen it happen time and time again, with friends and family, where the minute they make a change in their diet for the better, they immediately see results. What's more rewarding than that?!

If you want to find a place to start bettering your life, start here. Start with yourself. Here are three simple ways you can start protecting your shrine and live your best life:

Cook at home. There's no easier way to figure out what you're eating then by cooking it yourself. Now, I know there are a bunch of you out there saying "I can't cook!" or "Cooking takes too long!", but here's where you can stop believing in all of that nonsense. If you're in a place where you don't know where to start with cooking, hop on YouTube. Watch simple cooking videos that can get your technique level and speed up with practice. Get inspired by what you already have on hand in your fridge without the need to deal with the grocery store madness, and just go for it. The more time you give to your kitchen, the easier you'll find what foods are changing up your body and attitude. Plus, those dishes you create can earn you some bragging points wherever you go ;)
Wake up with positivity. Every single day, I wake up, turn on my phone, head over to YouTube, and watch a positive, uplifting video. It varies day to day on who the speaker is and what the video is about, but every video is filled with positivity. Putting your body in a positive mental state first thing in the morning will change the course of your day dramatically. By doing so, you're training your body to be more proactive and giving it the ultimate power to decide how your day will carry on. While listening, you can spend some time stretching or writing down your thoughts, allowing yourself to be completely focused on positive thoughts (avoid texting or answering e-mails--this time is sacred!) With these positive thoughts, you'll attract more positive decisions throughout your day like choosing healthier, energizing foods over ones that make you feel sluggish.
Drink water. And I mean a lot of it. With our bodies being comprised of 55-60% water, it's something we crave. Get in the habit of giving your body this simple necessity by always having some with you. While you're watching those positive videos, drink a cup of water. When you're headed to the gym, pack your water bottle. While you're walking your dog, bring some water for your pup and yourself! Wherever you go, just make sure you have some on hand. It'll help curb any unwanted food cravings and make your hunger feel satiated. This little tip will make your body very happy.

All you have to do now is start. Life isn't about making dramatic changes overnight and expecting to be living your dream world the next day. It's about taking these baby steps towards the better versions of ourselves. Take care of yourself each and every day, and remember that the core of each day's strength is found right within you.