What my family and I are doing to foster wellness – Our first blog!

Welcome to our inaugural blog post!

We’re thrilled that you’re embarking on this journey with us. Our family has been passionately committed to wellness for years, and we can’t wait to share the strategies that have served us well.

First, allow me to introduce my 12-year-old son, Matthew. The year 2020 marked a significant milestone for him as he entered year 7, a transition he’s embraced with enthusiasm despite the extraordinary challenges posed by the pandemic. From a young age, I’ve made it a point to educate Matthew about the remarkable power of his body in combating unseen threats or ‘baddies’. Through engaging storytelling, I’ve instilled in him an understanding of his body’s innate defence mechanism – his immune system.

Matthew recognizes that his body, much like yours, is equipped with an immune system that resists diseases, fights off infections and repairs damaged cells. This system is designed not to negotiate with invaders but to obliterate them! If an invader manages to breach his defences, such as a bacteria or virus, Matthew can immediately sense this change in his usual state of health and well-being. In response, he knows just how to rally his troops.

Reaching for our prepared Chinese herbal formula tailored for children exhibiting cold and flu symptoms, and the C Max, our preferred mixed ascorbate (Vitamin C) powder, Matthew takes proactive steps to support his immune system. He also increases his vegetable intake and understands the importance of rest. These strategies strengthen his immune system, helping it vanquish the invading enemy.

Ultimately, maintaining robust immune, digestive, hormonal, and nervous systems is our strongest line of defence against any infection or disease. Armed with this knowledge, Matthew is ready to face whatever comes his way.

Introducing Our Family’s First Strategy

In our inaugural blog post, titled “Fostering Wellness: A Family’s Journey,” we are excited to share one of the strategies that has become second nature to Matthew. When asked about his favorite food, Matthew’s immediate response is “Choy!” For those unfamiliar with the term, “Choy” refers to a specific type of Chinese vegetable. Cooking this dish for him, particularly when prepared by my wife Joana, brings him immense joy. Speaking of Joana, she hails from Macau, a former Portuguese colony where we first crossed paths in 1987. Joana’s Macau Chinese heritage, much like my Greek roots, has instilled in us a deep appreciation for cooking dark green leafy vegetables.

Allow me to share a lesser-known fact about myself: I take it upon myself to prepare Matthew’s breakfast each morning. Gone are the days of store-bought cereals devoid of nutrition. Instead, I craft wholesome morning meals that are a treat for both the palate and the body. One of Matthew’s favorites is a toasted breakfast roll generously filled with sautéed carrots, mushrooms, tomatoes, and zucchini, all neatly wrapped in a light, organic mountain bread. To accompany this delicious creation, I serve thinly sliced zucchini on the side, a delightful addition that Matthew simply adores.

It comes as no surprise to me that Matthew shares a strong affinity for vegetables, much like his Mum, Dad, and Chinese and Greek grandparents. He particularly enjoys the green ones with a slightly bitter taste. Believe it or not, you can witness Matthew’s remarkable journey in the home video clip below, showcasing his dexterity with chopsticks. I couldn’t contain my excitement when I captured this moment on film. However, upon revisiting the video recently, my attention was drawn to more than just his chopstick skills. I couldn’t help but notice the sheer joy he experienced with every bite.

Why choose this strategy initially?

There are two compelling reasons for starting our healthy living journey with my family’s love of vegetables.

Firstly, Dr Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, Director-General of the World Health Organisation (WHO), emphasizes the importance of a healthy and nutritious diet as the primary step towards improving health and well-being during this crisis. Including vegetables as a significant part of such a diet is only natural!

Secondly, a recent report by the Australian Institute of Health and Welfare (AIHW) in 2019 uncovered something fascinating! But before I reveal their findings, let me ask you a question that I often pose to my clients seeking dietary advice:

“How many servings of vegetables do you include in your healthy and nutritious daily diet?”

To answer this, you must first understand what a serving of vegetables looks like. If you’re unfamiliar, let me explain that roughly 1 cup of cooked vegetables or 1 cup of salad constitutes a single serving. Armed with this essential knowledge, how many servings of vegetables do you consume each day?

If your response is 5 servings or more, congratulations! You belong to the esteemed 8% of Australians who meet the recommended vegetable intake, as reported by the AIHW (2019). Shockingly, the AIHW found that, based on self-reported data from the Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS) 2017–18 National Health Survey (NHS), a staggering 92% of individuals over the age of 18 fail to consume the recommended 5–6 servings of vegetables!

Takeaway message:

The Dellas family’s main takeaway in this inaugural blog is for you to seriously consider incorporating 5 to 6 servings of vegetables into your daily routine! Remember to diversify with various colored vegetables throughout the day since it’s impractical to consume them all in one sitting. That’s precisely why I include vegetables in our breakfast options.

If you’ve already used my unique In Focus personalized food intake wellness plan, please revisit it, especially if the stressors of living got in the way. Now, more than ever, it’s crucial to prioritize your dietary habits as we previously discussed. However, if you can’t locate your personalized plan, please reach out to me immediately, and I’ll gladly resend it, free of charge!

And for those of you who wish to create your own personalized In Focus food intake wellness plan, I welcome you to get in touch with me.