The Zone is too good a secret to keep to yourself. Making it your mission to share the Zone with friends, family and even strangers is a win/win.
The Zone is too good a secret to keep to yourself! Making it your mission to share the Zone with friends, family and even strangers is a win/win. Not only does it open them up to a whole new world, that of anti-inflammatory living, but it also has perks for you. Sharing good news makes a person feel good. Feeling good brings with it an almost immediate cascade of positive physiological changes. Whatever your motivation for relating your story, you'll be super excited as you tell about your new-found energy and increased wellness. Your enthusiasm will be contagious. Your focus on helping others will make it much less likely that you'll succumb to the holiday eating temptations that surround you.
Gifts of food are a subtle way to share and can make great conversation openers. Everyone likes a basket containing Zone Fusilli, a jar of tomato-based pasta sauce and some artisan olive oil. If you want to wow your host and hostess at your next dinner invitation, add a bottle of wine to the mix. For a brunch invitation make up a basket or a colander filled with a box of Zone Cereal and some fresh strawberries. For a potluck bring a Zone-friendly dish, such as fresh-cut veggies and a yogurt feta dip, berries and cheese, or a Zone Pasta and veggie salad.
This year I'm going to revamp my cousin’s noodle kugel recipe, a family favorite containing pineapple and cottage cheese, by using Zone fusilli, cinnamon and few other tricks. If that turns out well, it will really open a few eyes to the Zone.
I've been known to give the gift of a case of OmegaRx fish oil to expectant family members. A good start in life is a gift that lasts a lifetime for the new little one.
Speaking of family, get the kids in on the act as you prepare meals. Talk about which foods are proteins and which are carbohydrates. Kids love this, and they soak it up like little sponges. Even the youngest are curious about the idea of mixing and matching proteins, fats and carbohydrates. One of my little grandsons calls them "carmohydrates", with an "m", but he gets the general idea. We mix and match pieces of cheese, cucumbers, peppers, oh, yes, and peanuts. The whole peanuts are called "Thomas" and the broken halves are "Percy", both characters in the "Thomas the Tank Train" series. Cute! If their little sister had her way, they would be called "Elsa" and "Anna" from Frozen. Whatever the age and whatever the level of understanding, most people have a curiosity about healthy eating.
There are endless other ways to spread the news, and you don't need to be a Zone expert to do it. We're living in a time when wellness, diet and food are on just about everyone's mind, whether it be the "cronut" (combination of a croissant and a donut) or your friends talking about their recent attempt at a raw fruitarian diet, the topic is bound to come up. And there you have it, another opening to share your Zone story.
Don't be shy. The more you begin to share your experiences, the easier it gets. Reach out to the friend who's hinted at wanting to know more about how you lost the weight, how you stay so slim, have all that energy, etc. That person next to you on the plane, strike up a conversation. People really start to listen when you share your personal story. You never know where it might take you. A couple of years ago I happened to start a conversation with the person sitting across the aisle from me on flight to Baltimore. We ended up leaning across the aisle talking for most of the flight. As it turned out, she was a recipe contributor to Dr. Sears' book "The Soy Zone". What a small world! Just as the Zone Diet and lifestyle have changed my life for the better in countless ways, so have the people I've shared my experiences with. My online diet and lifestyle conversations with a fellow "Zoner" in Italy not only helped her many years ago but have resulted in a lifelong friendship and a trip to her wedding on a mountainside in northern Italy.
Last of all, dare to be brave. Nix the cookies and pies and try an all-Zone-friendly holiday party. Let go of the idea you "have to" provide cookies and pastries because everyone expects it. If this gives you pause, just think for a minute. How many gatherings have you been to where the hosts made sure there were plenty of delicious Zone choices for you? Enough said. No one will remember they didn't have a cookie at your open house. But I'll bet they won't soon forget your awesome Mediterranean buffet with pasta (Zone Pasta, of course,) assorted vegetable antipasto, a few good cheeses, some olive oil, an assortment of wines and a bit of fresh fruit. Keep it easy and buy the antipasto in jars or from the deli bar at your local market.
As you've probably figured out, there's no need to limit it to the holidays. When the New Year rolls around, you can make it your resolution to keep sharing the good news about the Zone all year long!
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