 There's been a lot of buzz about sugar lately. Especially since the expose on 60 Minutes last Sunday. The news has been spreading across social media like a wildfire searching for dead wood. I know about the ills of sugar, and so do you. But I learned something new during all the hype: how to convert grams of sugar into measurements that make more sense to me. Good old fashioned teaspoons and tablespoons. Manufacturers show the measurement of sugar in grams. So when you're reading the Nutrition Facts label, ice cream can be between nine and 28 grams of sugar per serving. I don't know about you, but that doesn't mean a whole lot to me. Here's an easier way to covert that into something more familiar: 4 grams = 1 teaspoon 12 grams = 1 tablespoon So take the pint of vanilla Haagen-Dazs in the picture. It has 21 grams of sugar per serving. (And that's if you can restrain yourself to eat just one serving.) Twenty-one grams equals almost 2 tablespoons of sugar. Picture yourself taking out your measuring spoons and filling the biggest one twice with sugar and then eating it. That's too sweet - even for me. I'm going to memorize that little equation so that the next time I'm at the supermarket I can figure out exactly how much sugar is in what I'm buying. Either that or I'll look up this blog as a quick reference : ) Stay healthy, my friends!
With summer just around the corner, my thoughts are on getting in shape for bathing suit season. But I know it's even more important to take care of myself to stay healthy.
Did you know waist size can be an indicator of health? Ideally your waist size should equal half your height. For example, if you're 5' 10", your waist should measure 35 inches or less.
Stomach fat squeezes your kidneys and increases your risk of diabetes. Here's another fun fact, sit-ups are the number one exercise. And best of all you can do them anywhere for free. So let's hit the mat!
Due to an oil spill in our house last year, my husband and I were evacuated to a hotel for 35 days. With our dog. It was the best of times, it was the worst of times. One thing I'll never forget is having such a limited wardrobe to pick from. All of our clothes were sent to the cleaners to remove the odor of oil.
I had 3 pairs of pants, 6 tops, a pair of sneakers, one pair of black shoes and one pair of brown. I'm a bit of a pack rat when it comes to clothes, so I thought it was going to be a nightmare having so little to choose from. It turned out to be quite liberating. It saved a lot of time too. I didn't have to stand in front of the closet wasting precious minutes wondering what to wear.
When we moved back into the house and the cleaner returned our clothes, the first thing I did was determine whether or not I really needed each item. I say "needed" and not wanted because the two are very different things.
Cleaning up your surroundings, whether it's your cache of clothes or your kitchen table (hope my husband isn't reading this because that's his pet peeve), is a huge stress buster. Whenever we see clutter, it causes us to feel anxious and stressed out. Our natural instincts want us to live in a harmonious, healthy environment. Spring cleaning clears out not only your physical environment, but your emotional one as well. So the next time your stuff starts piling up, call your local charitable pick up service and donate the things you don't need to someone who does.
 Tropical Strawberry Shakeology®—just the sound of it makes you want to enjoy a tall glass on a sandy beach. But there's so much more to it than just an enticing name. What's in it? What's the serving size? When can I get some?
Tropical launches on February 14th. Beachbody put together 10 sips of brilliance to learn everything there is to know about the newest kid on the block.
1) Take a walk on the light side. Tropical Strawberry Shakeology is a new, light, refreshing flavor
featuring strawberry, banana, pineapple, papaya, and coconut. And it's easy to customize with any of your favorite additions.
2) Savor the new flavor. In a coco-nutshell, Tropical has a taste and texture so delicious and
smooth, you won't believe it's vegan!
3) Tropicology 101. Just what the doc ordered—still the healthiest meal of the day
4) No animals allowed. Tropical is a completely plant-based formula with NO animal products.
This makes it very easily digested and assimilated by your body.
5) Share the love. Want a bunch of great new ways to share Tropical with the rest of civilization? How about a new recipe calendar with 60 fresh new recipes?
6) Blinding you with science. Beachbody's proprietary vegan protein blend contains all 9 essential amino acids. It also contains a protein blend featuring raw, sprouted, fermented brown rice protein, along with sacha inchi, chia, flax, quinoa, amaranth, and spirulina.
7) Superfoods to the rescue. Tropical also includes NEW superfoods, including coconut flower nectar, luo han huo, Himalayan salt, and konjac root. All of the key nutrients come from natural whole foods. There are no added vitamin or mineral isolates and no fortification.
8) Get your mac on this Valentine's Day. Maca, that is. Just like Chocolate and Greenberry, Tropical also contains maca powder (root), which carries strong libido-enhancing properties. Maca also helps increase stamina and energy levels, calms the nerves, and contributes to overall well being. Just
sayin'.
9) Try Tropical on for size. This delicious new Shakeology flavor is available in both 30-day bag
and single-serve packettes. What's more, you'll also find it available in Challenge Packs by the end of this month, too! With only 90 days til swimsuit season, this deal is a steal.
10) Weight no longer. Eager to try Tropical right away? Can't say we blame you. If you're already drinking Shakeology, you can switch your order now, so delicious Tropical Strawberry Shakeology will arrive to your door in your next shipment.
========
*All trademarks, products, and service names are the property of their respective owners. Content provided by Beachbody.
There’s a lot of information circulating about Wellness Coaches. Have you ever wondered what a Wellness Coach can do for you? Quite simply, I’m an advocate for you. Just like professional athletes need a coach to keep them on track, set and achieve goals, a wellness coach helps you envision and set your health goals while guiding you through the process of making healthier lifestyle choices so you can live a longer and happier life. This is done through a series of meetings/coaching sessions: New lifestyle choices are taught and explored, small achievable goals are set to move you forward in attaining your overall plan for wellness, and you are encouraged to challenge old habits that have inhibited your success and progress in the past. What do I Offer? Individual & Group Wellness Programs: Designed just for you, my Programs will specifically help you accomplish your wellness goals. Individual & Group Programs are available for either three or six month segments with coaching sessions twice per month. Wellness Assessments: This is one of the best things you can do for your health right now, and it only takes 60 minutes. Along with a questionnaire, a thorough discussion of your health (past and present) is discussed, and then a plan of action is determined. You will learn how a Wellness Program can help you achieve your goals. Detox Programs: Jump-start your weight loss and rid your body of all those toxins. Clean up your diet for a few days, and you'll be amazed by how you look & feel! We offer 3, 5 and 7 day cleanses as well as seasonal cleanses that help you prepare for changes in weather and seasonal foods. Grocery & Health Food Store Tours: Shopping does not have to be a chore or a mystery. Learn how to avoid the junk food aisles, read food labels, and recognize real, whole foods. Wellness Consultations: Is coaching for you? Are you ready to make a change? What is your main health goal? These are the kinds of questions we answer together at a Wellness Consultation. Contact me today to schedule a free 20-minute consultation! Click on the CONTACT to schedule an appointment or ask a question. I look forward to becoming partners in wellness with you!
This is the perfect time of year to clean things up. With New Year's just around the corner, you can get a jumpstart on your resolutions by applying a few of these detox tips.
Wake-Up Drink. First thing upon waking, and on an empty stomach, drink 1 cup of hot filtered or spring water with the juice from half of one lemon and two pinches of cayenne pepper. The lemon stimulates your digestion and the cayenne enhances circulation and blood flow.
Contrast Shower. Try your own at-home version of an old naturopathic hydrotherapy cure. Each time you take a hot shower, follow it by a cold rinse (60 seconds). The "contrast" stimulates circulation, your immune system, and your ability to detox via your skin. Your pores will tighten and you will feel invigorated and ready for the day. This will really wake you up on a cold December morn!
Shake It Up. Jump on a trampoline for 3-to-5 minutes at a time. If you don't own a trampoline, you can simulate the movement by jumping in place. Keep your shoulders loose. This stimulates your whole body and is particularly useful for stimulating your lymph drainage system. If you are prone to allergies or cysts, this will be very helpful.
Fever Baths. Take a warm bath in the evening and add one cup of Epsom salts to soothe, relax, and detox. You can increase the benefits of a fever bath by drinking 2-to-3 cups of hot tea while in the bath to work up a sweat. Try this recipe: Simmer some fresh ginger slices in water, tossing in one tablespoon of dried yarrow flowers. Steep for 15 minutes, strain, and drink. Yarrow and ginger have been shown to stimulate sweating, which helps the body release toxins.
Take a News Break. Observe a news fast for 3-to-7 days to limit toxic thoughts, which can undermine your health. Avoid news or other emotionally disturbing information from the Internet, magazines, movies, newspapers, radio, and television. Detoxing these "stressful" exposures and replacing them with deep breathing, relaxing activities like walking or yoga, or reading a book, can give your mind and body a much needed rest.
Spend Time in Nature. Take a break from your routine of being inside your home, office, or car, and venture out to your favorite place in nature or a new place you have always wanted to go. Bring a journal with you and start listening to your body, and record what it is telling you. Surrounding yourself with nature and all its negative ions (which act positively on your mood) will help you de-stress and encourage the inherent wisdom of your body to come forth.
Detox Tea. For at least one week, try limiting all of your beverages to just water and herbal teas. This will ease the stress on your kidneys, help flush retained fluids in your cells, and help filter your blood and liver. I recommend drinking 6-to-8 cups a day of the following tea to help "crowd-out" less healthy beverages, maintain a state of fullness, reduce your appetite, and cleanse your liver and kidneys. In a quart of water, combine 2 tablespoons of each of the following and gently simmer the tea: burdock root, yellow dock root, dandelion leaf and root, licorice root, fennel, and ginger. Multiply the recipe accordingly to make larger batches, and drink it throughout the day.
Change Your Food Routine. Many of us unknowingly consume foods that we have allergic reactions to or that increase toxins in our bodies, causing symptoms like arthritis, headaches, water retention, and fatigue. The most common culprits are gluten, dairy, eggs, soy, corn, and sugar. I suggest taking a break from all of these foods, or picking one that is predominant in your diet and taking a break from it. Often, if we simply eliminate foods that contain gluten (wheat, oats, rye, barley, spelt) and replace them with brown rice, millet, or quinoa products, we can change our eating habits and actually increase the variety of foods we eat.
Detox Your Dinner. For seven nights, prepare a simple meal of liver detoxifying steamed vegetables like carrots, broccoli, artichokes, beets, and onions, along with a 4-ounce portion of protein simply prepared with a little bit of olive oil. Consider wild fish, organic lean meats, or lentils for your protein sources.
Detox Your Surroundings. Decluttering and organizing your environment can help clear up your stagnant energy and free you physically and emotionally. Let go of papers, clothes, and boxes that you no longer use. This creates space and helps welcome new energy.
If each one of us becomes an example of good health and healthy habits, we can inspire others to make healthy choices. Just as we tune up our cars and recycle for the environment, we must also regularly cleanse our bodies. Our bodies and the environment are reflections, or mirrors, of each other. As we cleanse our bodies, we cleanse our environment. If we all took it upon ourselves to cleanse, the world would be a much cleaner place!
|
RSS Feed