<![CDATA[Infinite Health & Wellness, Wellness Center, Hanover, MA

<![CDATA[Infinite Health & Wellness, Wellness Center, Hanover, MA - Blog]]>Fri, 18 May 2012 01:08:01 -0800Weebly<![CDATA[21 Day Detox Complete!]]>Mon, 14 May 2012 18:46:07 -0800http://www.yourinfinitewellness.com/1/post/2012/05/21-day-detox-complete.html

21 days ago I started a detox. It's the longest I've gone where detoxes are concerned. Quite honestly, I wasn't sure I could do it. Not because it looked too difficult, but because there's a lot of emotion around food. Especially when you're denying yourself things you've had on a regular basis for a very long time. If you've ever committed to a diet, you know what I'm talking about.

Here's what I learned, what I liked and what was a bit of a hurdle for me:

I liked the structure. It's nice when you know ahead of time what to eat and when to eat it.
What was challenging was cooking meals that I hadn't had before. The directions were simple enough, but to create something new nearly every day took time. I grumbled the first few days at how long it took me to make a meal. It reminded me of how much time my mom spends every holiday cooking and preparing only to have the meal devoured in less than 20 minutes.
After the grumbling subsided, I realized how much I enjoyed cooking for myself. It had been a long time since I'd thoughtfully prepared a meal and then relished it like I was at a 5 star restaurant.
The meals were delicious. I can honestly say I've never eaten better at any restaurant I've ever been to ~ and I'm not a cheap date. I also liked how some of them repeated so I could cook once and eat twice.
My energy level was off the chart. Without caffeine, sugar or cheap carbs I had tons of energy with plenty to spare.
It was tough getting used to drinking 16 ounces of water every two to three hours. But I know that's where a lot of the extra energy came from. For the first time in a long time I was truly hydrated. Amazing how something as simple as drinking water can make such a big impact. Even though the detox ended Sunday, I've been starting my mornings off with 16 ounces of water. That's one habit I intend to keep.
I missed going out to eat. Not so much the food, but the social side of it. I did go out for lunch a few times to places where I knew I could get a healthy salad, but that's when the emotional side of things kicked in. While everyone else was eating burgers, fries, mac & cheese and pizza, I was eating a salad. The weird part was I didn't really want to eat those things, but emotionally I felt deprived. Like I said, it's like being on a diet when no one else is and they're not even aware that what they're eating is causing an inner struggle for you.
The biggest change came in the form of stress release. I had been piecing it together before the detox, and this solidified it for me. Eating junk food stresses us out. We think it's making us feel better which is why we call it comfort food. But actually sugar and processed foods jangle our nerves. It makes us anxious and can cause depression. It seems so harmless, especially since our fondest childhood memories are linked to candy. But it's not harmless. Studies have shown that sugar is as much an addiction as heroine. Not a pleasant thought. And I have to admit, it's the one thing I'm wary about reintroducing into my diet.

There were way more ups than downs with the Ultimate Reset. I highly recommend it if you're looking to do something for yourself that will take you outside your comfort zone. It's a leap of faith, but from where I'm standing, well worth the jump.

]]><![CDATA[Are You New To Detoxing?]]>Mon, 30 Apr 2012 10:13:55 -0800http://www.yourinfinitewellness.com/1/post/2012/04/are-you-new-to-detoxing.html

As a health counselor, I've been offering detox programs to my clients for over five years. I usually run them right after the holidays, Spring and Fall. Most of the programs are between 5 and 10 days. The Ultimate Reset is really changing my mindset about what a cleanse should look like. At first I thought 21 days would be too long. Most of us have a very short attention span. I know I do. Plus we want a quick fix. But as we all know, a quick fix doesn't have staying power. If it did we'd all be fit & fabulous, and we could stop searching for answers.

What I love about the Ultimate Reset is the step by step instructions. It really lays things out. And it's made me realize just how little time I spend on myself. I'm a small business owner, wife, mom and grandmother. That keeps me pretty busy. And as a woman, I think we naturally step into the roll of taking care of everyone and everything. I'm on Day 8 of the Reset and for the first time in a long time, I'm focused on me. I'm not neglecting my friends, family or clients. But I am nurturing myself. I feel like I'm in a bit of unchartered territory, but it's not uncomfortable. Quite the opposite. It feels good to feel good.

I hope you'll join me on this journey. I'm happy to support you. To learn more, visit the Ultimate Reset.

]]><![CDATA[21 Day Cleanse - Day 6]]>Sat, 28 Apr 2012 19:07:23 -0800http://www.yourinfinitewellness.com/1/post/2012/04/21-day-cleanse-day-5.html

So today I had a little glitch. I decided I would go out to lunch with my husband, our daughter, her husband and their two girls. I checked the menu ahead of time to make sure they had an organic salad which they did. I brought my own dressing: balsamic vinaigrette (3 Tbs. olive oil and 1 Tbs. balsamic vinegar shaken).

When the salad came, it was appetizer size. The waitress said that's the only way it was prepared. I could have sworn they had an entree size, but by then the menus were gone so I didn't bother checking. I was annoyed, and it brought up some emotional eating issues. Especially since everyone else was eating pizza, mac & cheese, hamburgers, french fries and turkey clubs. Oh, and did I mention a brownie sundae for dessert?

It's not unusual for emotions to detox while doing a cleanse. We're so attached to our day to day habits and comfort foods that when we're denied them it's like breaking up with your boyfriend before prom. Fortunately I didn't suffer a major meltdown. I went home, found something on the list to eat and finished my lunch.

Note to self: no dining out in the middle of a cleanse!

]]><![CDATA[Is Your Child Overweight?]]>Fri, 27 Apr 2012 07:14:12 -0800http://www.yourinfinitewellness.com/1/post/2012/04/is-your-child-overweight.html

Let's face it, America runs on Junkin.' Our job as parents is to protect our kids, yet many people are unknowingly poisoning their children. Chips, soda, candy, cookies, fast food and even coffee are becoming the normal daily diet for children in America.

Eating a steady diet of processed foods not only ruins our children's physical health, it eats away at their mental health. I spoke with a woman from Georgia yesterday and she said the problem is rampant in her area. It's become such an issue that they've posted billboards with an obese child on it saying, "don't make fun of me because I'm fat."

A child's self-esteem is fragile when they're in their formative years. They look to us to guide them through the maze of growing up. It's our job to set an example of what it looks like to live a normal, healthy and happy life. Junk food erodes that opportunity. It causes mood swings, lack of focus, low energy from eating foods with no nutrients, addiction and behavioral problems at home and in school.

If your kids are sliding down this slippery slope and you want to correct your course, try these simple tips. Choose one or two to start and stay with it for at least 21 days before trying something new.

Create a unified front. Talk to other parents and get them on board too. Children compare what they have with what their friends have. They don't want to stand out, it's all about blending in. Make it easier for them by having everyone doing the same thing.
Transition rather than take away. If your kids love Doritos, switch to a corn chip that has three ingredients: corn, oil and sea salt. You'll be eliminating toxic preservatives. And give them the recommended serving size rather than a bottom of the bag approach.
Sweets should be a treat, not a staple. Once a week not every night. Read labels. It should have five ingredients or less and you should know what they are.
If your child craves sweets, increase fruits and sweet vegetables (carrots, sweet potatoes, corn). If they crave salt, they may be mineral deficient (check with your pediatrician). Make sure they're getting enough protein (nuts, beans, eggs, greek style yogurt, chicken, meat and fish) in their diet. Too little protein can trigger cravings because the body is looking for quick energy.
Make it fun. Find a couple of healthier choices in any given food group and let them pick which one they want.
Limit "gaming" time. Get them out in the fresh air playing. This will stimulate a healthy appetite.
Start with a good breakfast. Throw out sugary cereals. Companies like Kashi offer a cinnamon cereal that tastes great, includes whole grains and has much less sugar.

Small steps create big results. There may be pushback, but remember you're the parent.

]]><![CDATA[21 Day Cleanse - Day 1]]>Tue, 24 Apr 2012 18:01:05 -0800http://www.yourinfinitewellness.com/1/post/2012/04/21-day-cleanse-day-1.html

Just wanted to chime in and let you know how my 21 day detox is going. Yesterday was Day 1. I had 2 eggs scrambled (no milk), 2 pieces of whole grain toast and spinach for breakfast. I don't usually have spinach for breakfast, but I have to admit it wasn't bad. Lunch was an organic greens salad with almonds and dinner was grilled salmon, new potatoes (boiled) and asparagus. I also had an afternoon snack of plain greek yogurt with a little honey.

There are supplements in between that are taken with 12 to 16 ounces of water. So far I feel pretty good. The hardest part is making sure I'm prepared when it's time to eat, but that's the hardest part of any new habit. Today I had oatmeal with blueberries and yogurt with honey for breakfast. Lunch was a greek style salad (no cheese) with grilled chicken and dinner is a vegetarian version of tacos. Does this sound like any detox you've ever done? I'm loving the food. There are recipes so everything is pretty straight forward. I like how I don't have to think about what to eat and when. It's all carefully laid out in a handy booklet.

I haven't had any stomach upset and no emotional issues over foods I'm not allowed to eat which is a nice surprise. If I just plan my meals and keep busy with my day to day tasks, it all seems fairly simple. Will keep you posted as the days go by. Thanks for checking in.

]]><![CDATA[Save Money on Grocery Shopping]]>Mon, 23 Apr 2012 07:57:24 -0800http://www.yourinfinitewellness.com/1/post/2012/04/save-money-on-grocery-shopping.html

Did you know that supermarkets hire strategists to figure out how to use every square inch of a grocery store to get the most profit out of it? They spend tons of money on trying to figure out how we behave. It's competitive intelligence of the highest caliber. From music to the font on the sale sign. Nothing is left to chance.

If you're like me, you probably thought the reason supermarkets are cold is to keep the food fresh. Wrong. Cold triggers hunger. The hungrier you are, the more food you'll buy. And why is produce at the beginning of the market? Because it's tactile. We get to touch everything. That and the beautiful colors get you in the mood to shop. Ever notice milk and cereal are miles apart from each other? This is to slow you down. The longer you spend in the maze, the more likely you'll buy something on impulse. We tend to buy things that are at eye level. The same goes for food that appeals to children. That's why the colorful princess cereal box (probably loaded with sugar and preservatives) is at their eye level and not ours.

So what's a shopper to do? Here's a few tips to help you save big on food:

The #1 way to cut your grocery bill is don't waste food. Most people think food costs too much, but in reality they're buying more than they need and wasting a lot of it. Instead of buying 6 apples, buy 3. If you run out you can always buy more. If you have fruit that's about to spoil, cut it up and freeze it for cooking or smoothies. Same with vegetables.
Don't buy perishable food in bulk. Period. Most of it spoils before you get a chance to use it.
Dress warmly. Now that we know cold triggers hunger, bring a sweater when you shop.
Plan your meals. I know you're busy. I'm busy too. But planning meals cuts costs. Pick a day (I do it on Sunday) and figure out 4 to 6 meals for the week.
Cook once, eat twice. Make enough to have another day.
There's nothing wrong with eating things routinely. If you want to try a new recipe pick one, and use it until it becomes familiar. This cuts back on time spent learning to prepare it.
Buy produce in season. It's less expensive than food that comes from a distance.

For more interesting tips on food, check out Kathleen Flinn's book The Kitchen Counter Cooking School. Bon Appetit!

]]><![CDATA[Sugar Consumption: How Much Are You Eating?]]>Fri, 06 Apr 2012 18:24:41 -0800http://www.yourinfinitewellness.com/1/post/2012/04/sugar-consumption-how-much-are-you-eating.html

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!

]]><![CDATA[Food as Medicine]]>Wed, 28 Mar 2012 17:54:47 -0800http://www.yourinfinitewellness.com/1/post/2012/03/food-as-medicine.html

Let food be thy medicine, thy medicine shall be thy food.
~ Hippocrates

Hippocrates lived from 460 BC - 370 BC. He was considered the founder of Western medicine and established medicine as a legitimate profession. Prior to that, it was lumped in with philosophy and theurgy (evoking the presence of the gods).

I'm intrigued by how long Hippocrates lived and wonder if it's because he practiced what he preached. And I'm even more curious about how we've gotten so far off track. Is it our "I want it now" mentality where a pill seems like a better option than an apple? In the past, at the first sign of a sniffle I would have reached for ibuprofen or a capful of atomic green, nasty tasting cold medicine.

But as Maya Angelou says, "when I know better, I do better." For the past two years I've been experimenting with food and vitamins to cure my common ailments - from a sore throat to a sinus infection. What's surprising is not that it works, but how simple it is. And at this time of year, we're more susceptible to colds and flus as we transition from Winter to Spring. In case you were wondering, here's what I keep in my first aid kit:

Ginger Root: Wrapped in tinfoil to keep it fresh, ginger is a modern day healing elixir. Cut a few slices off the root and steep in hot water with a squeeze of lemon. Ginger settles the stomach and boosts our immune system. Sometimes I add a little local honey if I have a sore throat or just want something a little sweeter.
Vitamin C: 1,000 milligrams once or twice a day and Zinc lozenges (on a full stomach to avoid nausea) as directed. This will knock what ails you right out of you. I use buffered Vitamin C crystals to avoid stomach upset.
Greens: Fresh greens like spinach, kale, chard and romaine lettuce detoxify and cleanse the liver. Greens pack a powerful, immune boosting punch. Try them fresh, steamed, juiced with other anti-oxidant rich vegetables or added to smoothies and soups.
Eliminate processed foods: none, nada, zip. I don't touch so much as an organic blue corn chip. Just fresh fruits and vegetables. I usually skip meat too for at least 24 hours.

If our body doesn't have to expend extra energy digesting food, it can focus on healing. There's a great blog by the Beet Reporter where she talks about using food as her own personal health insurance plan. That's an insurance program I can relate to! Stay healthy my friends.

]]><![CDATA[Healthy, Sexy Foods]]>Sun, 25 Mar 2012 18:26:06 -0800http://www.yourinfinitewellness.com/1/post/2012/03/healthy-sexy-foods.html

For centuries, nutrition has played a vital role in love and lovemaking. A diet based on high quality foods has a great deal to do with the quality of our sex lives. When we're feeling energized we're more playful and less inhibited.

Check out these energy boosting, in the mood foods:

Almonds - the most nutritious nut, it's an excellent source of fiber, Vitamin E, zinc, selenium, copper, potassium, phosphorus, biotin, riboflavin, niacin and iron.
Basil - good for cardiovascular health and a good source of Vitamin A. Eat a raw leaf for fresh smelling breath.
Ginger - settles the stomach and boosts the immune system. It's also been known to increases blood flow in both men and women. - Is it getting hot in here or is it just me?
Kiwi - high in vitamins A, C, and E. Did you know Vitamin E is a natural Viagra? Time to stock up on almonds and kiwi!
Dark chocolate - One of my favorites. Dark chocolate contains phenethylamine, a substance released in the brain when people become infatuated or fall in love. Phenethylamine triggers the release of endorphins and activates dopamine, a neurochemical associated with sexual arousal and pleasure.
Wine - a glass of red or white wine raises good cholesterol (HDL) while lowering inhibitions. They don't call it the nectar of the gods for nothing!

Try adding some of these nutritious, libido boosting foods to revive sexual function and enhance overall health. You'll be glad you did.

]]><![CDATA[Natural Remedies For Sleep]]>Sun, 25 Mar 2012 13:17:27 -0800http://www.yourinfinitewellness.com/1/post/2012/03/natural-remedies-for-sleep.htmlIn a previous post, I mentioned the diseases that result from or are exacerbated by prolonged periods of sleep loss. Namely, heart disease, diabetes, obesity and even death. Short term affects include moodiness, anxiety, increased chances of having an accident and lack of focus.

So if counting sheep isn't working for you, you may want to try one of these natural remedies. It's best to try one at a time. That way you'll know which one is working.

Chelated Magnesium - acts as a natural muscle relaxer, 500 mgs/day
Wild lettuce (supplement) - calms restlessness, reduces anxiety, 30-120 mgs before bed
Hops (supplement) - the same hops found in beer, this supplement helps with anxiety and insomnia, 30-120 mgs
Aromatherapy - pure lavender spritzed on your pillow case before bed induces relaxation
Hot water bottle - placed at your feet draws the energy down out of your head to your feet
Melatonin - a natural hormone that controls sleep, low doses recommended to supplement at 0.3 - 0.5 mgs
Yoga-Meditation/Prayer - gentle stretches followed by meditation or prayer with deep, abdominal breathing
Suntheanine (supplement or food) - L-theanine is an amino acid found in green tea that increases energy during the day and a sense of calm at night, 50-200 mgs
Valerian - improves deep sleep and helps induce sleep, 200-800 mgs before bed. Valerian can have an energizing effect. If that happens, take in the morning rather than at night.

Questions? Leave a comment, email us at kat@YourInfiniteWellness.com or visit Health.com for more information. Sweet dreams!

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