I like to move it…move it!

4:57 PM Jenniferlyn 0 Comments

You need to exercise.  I need to exercise.  Death taxes, and the need to keep physically and mentally active.  These are the truths in life. 
I moved ahead to write this post because I have a struggle with myself when I am working on too many exciting things, and that is to leave time for exercise and fitness.  The problem is, once you quit moving so do our endorphins and it gets a little depressing.  It creates a cycle. 



#1 Make time…no matter how busy…make the time!

We think we don’t have time but actually we do.  I have found in my experience, the more time I make to move my body the more time I have in the day.  Funny how that works! I think it is because I have more energy and I am sure that endorphins have something to do with it as well.  The truth is, the more you move, the more active you become!

#2 Find something you love to do!

You need to do something you love.  It doesn't really matter what it is as long as you do it.  I love to strength train and I love to ride my bike.  I know it sounds funny, but I get a thrill being able to lift those weights and I love how it makes me look.
You may love yoga. I have not learned to love it though it looks very romantic and I know it isn't that easy I just don’t enjoy it.  It is very good for you.  Walking may be your thing!  There is nothing like getting out and getting a little fresh air and moving your limbs.  I like walking in my neighborhood where I can wave at the mailman and the neighbors and feel connected that is like getting a double whammy of healthy!

#3 Pair it with something you love!

You can even do things you don’t love to do.  However, these are the hardest.  That is why you need to pair it up with something you do love to do.  I know some of you who are reading this know what I mean.  The thing that I am trying to say, is that if you choose something you don’t like to do and have a higher purpose you reach new heights of satisfaction you would never have known otherwise.

Experiment and find what is right for you.  Some people like to play.  If that is you then join a basketball team or perhaps a volleyball team.  Sometimes if you pair it with being social then it doesn't feel like exercise.  Dance is exercise too! Pair it with romance!

#4 Clarify what you want to achieve.

Do you want to lose weight, de-stress, build strength, improve your golf game, rebuild your knees?  If you need to get to the grocery store, you have 3 choices, walk, ride your bike or drive.  If you want to rebuild your knees, you are not going to pick lunges well that just doesn’t make sense.  If you can’t figure it out, don’t be afraid to hire a professional trainer.  They have been taught to know the things that you do not.  They know what you can do that will best achieve your goals.  You can hire them for one visit to make a plan or you can hire them for a few to show you how or long term to build on your success.

#5 Make an appointment with yourself for exercise.

Schedule it into your day.  The reason I say this is because, if you show up you will do it.

#6 Get more out of a shorter amount of time.

That is the principle of high intensity interval training (HIIT).  The idea is that you start out slowly and build up to intense bursts of effort.  You do this about 10 times and you have a really good workout.  
Bill Phillips recommends you do a 5/25 - you go 2 minutes walking, 2 minutes jogging and then run as fast and hard as you can for 1 minute.  Repeat this 5 times.  When you get bored with that then you can do 1 minute pedaling slowly, 1 minute pedaling your heart out for about 15 times.  You can vary it any way you want.  Tests have shown that this works for reducing body fat levels.  If you have no fat to spare…this workout is not for you.  You should stay with more endurance type exercises. You can also do the same with weight training workouts.  Start out lower weight and build up.  You can vary the muscle movement so you don’t have to take one minute breaks. 

#7 Do your homework and know why you are moving it and shaking it!

It helps to know that if you don’t work out on a regular basis that you are going to be sick.  Exercise prevents heart disease, diabetes, cancer, depression, osteoporosis and arthritis (just to name a few).  Exercise makes you smarter (proven), leaner and healthier.  If that isn’t enough exercise gives you energy!

#8 Make sure your children are shaking their booty!

Studies show that children perform better academically if they get regular exercise.  Not just a little bit, but significantly!  (read Spark: The Revolutionary New Science of Exercise and the Brain” by John Ratey, M.D.)  The kids stay fit and smart!

#9 Look for a mentor!

There are tons of people out there who have done it.  Those are the people you want to find.  They are also very willing to show you how to do it.   The secret is to find someone who is doing what you want to do and learn from them.  You don’t have to do the same thing over and over because you can learn new things and add it in to your old routines.  You can diversify.

#10 Exercise just like food, changes everything.


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Spice up your cooking life! 10 spice combinations to add flavor to your meals without the guilt.

8:40 AM Jenniferlyn 0 Comments

One thing that I have learned to do when it comes to the foods that I eat, is to really dissect why I love the foods that I do.

I have realized that I enjoy the seasonings more than the actual foods. For instance - I eat french fries only for the ketchup. Chips only for the hot sauce and salsa. In fact I find that I eat a lot of foods for the sauces and condiments.

I used to LOVE Italian sausage. When I went vegetarian, and then vegan, I still found myself smelling it at restaurants and thinking... oh man I miss that.

What I missed were the seasonings, that flavor of fennel seed, red pepper, and herbs - not the sausage itself. I started to think about what other seasonings make up some of my favorite less healthy things to see if I could replicate the flavor without the fat and calories, or meat.

I wanted to share some seasoning mix ideas with all of you so that if you decide to clean up your eating, you can still get all of the flavors and tastes you love!


*10 Spice Shortcuts To Make Healthy Foods Taste Great*

Fresh lime, cilantro and red pepper flakes for Mexican-inspired meats, soups, fish and vegetables
Lemon, olive oil and fresh garlic for Mediterranean-style fish or salads
Mustard, olive oil and lemon for grilled vegetables, salads and chicken; you can give this a little kick by using spicy mustard instead of yellow
Cilantro, Avocado, and lemon puree, which adds a crisp flair to vegetables and salads.
Cumin, turmeric and ginger for a Middle-Eastern, Indian-inspired mix to chicken, beans and meat.
Curry powder or Muchi Curry (available at Whole Foods) for Indian flavors.
Ginger, garlic and red onion, which is great for all meats. This is the base used for Chicken Tikka.
Oregano, basil, and thyme for Italian-inspired meals great for vegetables, chicken and fish.
Wasabi, lemon and ginger for Japanese-inspired fish, and vegetables like asparagus and broccoli.
Coconut milk (canned, low-fat), red pepper flakes, lime and onions for Thai-inspired dishes, and great for meats, vegetables and fish.


You can also use these spices to make easy salad dressings - just mix in a little oil if you like and shake until you get the consistency you like. 

Enjoy and feel free to post up some of your favorite spice mixes here, to share!

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7 Ways Plastics Damage the Body, and What We Can Rid our Bodies of Overexposure

9:57 AM Jenniferlyn 0 Comments

This month, I have decided to focus on a health topic that is related to all of our health and wellness goals - toxin exposure.  Specifically the exposure of toxins from plastics in our foods and in our environment. 

Adipose tissue - the fat we carry on our bodies - is distinguished as two types: WAT, white adipose tissue, and BAT, brown adipose tissue.  The excess white fat we store on our bodies acts as a hormone producing, toxin storing organ.  It really is the evil tri-fecta of health. 

Your body’s ability to process toxins through your system is a large factor in your ability to lose weight and to reach a healthy goal weight.  Struggling with this issue activates backup strategies for dealing with toxic overload, which include expanding the number of fat cells and stuffing them with toxins as well as fat. This means weight gain and storage of toxins!  

This is likely done to get the toxic trash out of your circulation and away from key organs. It causes easy weight gain and complicates weight loss because your body does not easily give up the toxic fat it has stored.  We cannot lose weight until we are free of toxins, as the body is hard pressed to release the toxin containing fat cells, and will not do so in an inflamed or aggravated/toxin overloaded system. 


This week's article is about the 7 most common ways plastics damage our bodies, and ways to detox from a clinical point of view, and from a holistic point of view.   Every single person (and animal)  you know has been overexposed to plastics and plasticizers that are creating a whole host of health issues.  The great news is that we can help mitigate it and be more mindful of the presence of plastics!  

Plastics (phthalates) are now considered the number one pollutant in the human body. 


Plastics make products flexible and durable, and these chemicals are also in items you would not even think that they would be, such as pesticides, detergents, cosmetics, medications, even your shampoo. 

Plastics are found everywhere so it is difficult to completely avoid them.  You can live in the most pristine place on planet earth and still find animals polluted with plastics. 


It is an interesting fact that plasticizers are over 10,000 to 1,000,000 times higher in our bodies than any other toxins that have been found in EPA studies.   Unfortunately once in the body, these plastics do enormous damage.

What does all of this exposure to plastic mean for our health and well being?

7 Ways Plastics Damage the BodyRonald Grisanti D.C., D.A.B.C.O., D.A.C.B.N., M.S.Reprinted with permission from the Functional Medicine University


1: Phthalates damage the chemistry of fatty acids most importantly, the fatty acid DHA (docosahexaenoic acid).   This is the fundamental chemistry necessary for making every cell lining or membrane. These fatty acids are the foundation for brain health including memory and recall.


2: Phthalates can create a zinc deficiency which will compromise the metabolism of vitamins A and B-6. In turn this could lead to conditions such as indigestion, depression, heart disease, cancer, diabetes, and accelerated aging. 
As a quick side note - the combination of low zinc and low DHA can lead to chronic inflammation. Medical literature has clearly identified chronic inflammation as one of the most common underlying pathologies of most diseases leading to auto-immune diseases (rheumatoid arthritis, MS) to cancer and heart disease.


3: Phthalates has been found to be responsible for damaging the pancreas leading to diabetes, insulin resistance and metabolic syndrome X. 


4: Phthalates has been found to lower sulfation.  This means that you are no longer able to effectively detoxify like you should. This in turn can lead to a whole host of health challenges.


5: Phthalates damage hormone function, especially thyroid and testosterone  


6: Phthalates can poison the peroxisomes needed for the control of the chemistry of cholesterol. They can cause high cholesterol while at the same time keep cholesterol from forming the “happy hormones” (neurotransmitters) of the brain. 


7: Phthalates can damage the body's ability to make catalaseCatalase is absolutely essential for devouring up the hydrogen peroxide that cancer cells make to allow them to metastasize or wildly spread throughout the body. Lack of catalase is a reason why many cancers briefly seem to be in remission after treatments, only to resurface months or years later with lethal consequences.

It is quite clear that overexposure to plasticizers and plastics in general are no good for our health long term; however do you know all of the sources you are coming into contact with plastics?

Where are we getting exposure to plastic outside of the obvious containers we have sitting in our cupboards and inside our refrigerators?

Unfortunately, our first line of immunity - our skin - is also the first line of exposure to chemicals. According to Dr. Grisanti, exposure to plasticizers can come from skin absorption of cosmetics, body lotions, hair gels, shampoos, and deodorants. 

You can ingest them from water that has traveled through PVC (water) pipes, as well from detergents and foods. 

We also can inhale them from airborne adhesives and glues, building materials, school/business supplies, furnishings, auto interiors, solvents, plastics, lubricants, insect repellents, vinyl flooring, carpet tiles, vinyl wallpaper, body toiletries, artificial leather, adhesives, dyes, and toys.  

Don't forget that plastics coat every wire in the electrical systems of our homes, offices, appliances and computers. As the wires heat, the plastic coating out-gases into the air. 


Plastics are everywhere and, to be quite honest, they are difficult to avoid.  The best most people can do is to be certain they are doing everything they can to effectively and efficiently eliminate any build-up of plastics in the body.


From a clinical stand-point, according to Dr. Grisanti we need to first identify the accumulation level you have in your system.   For some people they are fast metabolizers and quickly eliminate any exposure to plastics or for that matter most environmental toxins.  

On the other hand, there are many people who have a poorly functioning detoxification system and will unfortunately accumulate plastics as well as other environmental toxins.

The best way to determine your exact level of accumulation or toxic burden is to get tested. The recommended lab test is called Phthalates & Parabens Profile (www.metametrix.com)

Phthalates & Parabens Profile
Phthalates & Parabens Profile


How Do We Get Rid of Them? 


Dr. Grisanti prescribes a 3 step prototcol for detoxing from plastic overexposure. 

1: Since they are detoxified through glucuronidation, take IndolPlex and Calcium D-Glucarate each 2 twice a day. 


2: Having 2 or more servings of Brassica or cruciferous vegetables a day revs up the detoxification of plastics. These include cabbage, broccoli, brussels sprouts, cauliflower, radishes, mizuna, watercress, arugula, turnips, collard greens, kale, rutabaga, and more. Keep in mind that if you have a thyroid issue, then consuming lots of raw cruciferious vegetables may pose an issue. 


3: A third way to get the phthalates out is with an Infrared Sauna (specifically a Far Infared Sauna).  
Meanwhile, Dr. Grisanti suggests that considering the level of plastics we are exposed to on a daily basis it may be necessary for slow metabolizers and accumulators of plastics to regularly follow a detox protocol as listed above. 


Here at Shine we believe in another way - be a label sleuth and dig deep into what you are putting ONTO your body and INSIDE your home!  

Total health is not just about your physical body - it goes further into our environment.  

There is no need to go out and throw all of your plastics away.  Over time, as you can afford to and as items near the end of their usable life, make some swaps:
  • swap out plastic kitchen utensils for wooden or metal ones (depending on your cook ware), 
  • swap out plastic containers for glass ones as they are nearing end of their usable life,
  • replace artificially coated cook ware with stainless steel,
  • find naturally effective substitutes for chemical sprays - essential oils, water, vinegar, coconut oil, and baking soda are often all the tools you need to make a plethora of beauty and cleaning products that are very cost effective in addition to actually performing!
  • replace plastic bottles with glass or stainless steel versions (S'well is a great brand that keeps cold drinks cold for 24 hours and hot drinks hot for 12)

As in all things - we need to make the best choices when we have the opportunity to.  Replace as things need to be replaced and only do what you can afford to do.  Making small changes really do add up to big results over time.  

Here are some other ways to gradually move plastics out of our homes (click to see larger):




If you are interested in learning more about toxicity in your home, please feel free to contact me at jenniferlyn@shinetotalhealth.com and we can discuss the opportunity for a toxicity workshop, webinar, or one-on-one coaching program to help identify the hidden and not-so hidden toxins we are exposed to every day. 




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Introducing the launch of the new Shine Website and instagram / twitter accounts!

7:39 AM Jenniferlyn 0 Comments

We launched our new full service website this week at Shine Total Health!


On the website you will find more in-depth articles, recipes, wellness and fitness information as well as be able to purchase coaching and workshop packages.

This blog is integrated into the website so you can access it through www.shinetotalhealth.com or from blogger directly.

Check us out on any social media platform now!

Google+ - ShineFitnessPT
Instagram - ShoneTotalHealth
Twitter - Shine_Health
Facebook - ShineTotalHealth
Online - www.shinetotalhealth.com
email - ShineFitnesPT@gmail.com


0 comments:

Could it be... Candida?

11:35 AM Jenniferlyn 0 Comments

Do you experience any of the following symptoms?


  •      A white coating on the tongue?
  • Intestinal distress like constipation, bloating, or gas?
  • Mental/emotional aspects like depression and anxiety?
  • Mental fog you simply can’t shake?
  • Debilitating fatigue/exhaustion?
  • Intense sugar cravings?
  • Chronic sinus infections?
  • Excess mucous?
  • Nail fungus?
  • Persistent food or environmental allergies.?


If you have a combination of the above symptoms - you may have a candida overgrowth - essentially a systemic yeast infection.  

Candida is a form of yeast that exists in our intestinal tract and is key for proper digestive function however if the body is compromised, candida can overgrow and take over.   

If you have been on antibiotics as a child or adult, or eat non-organic meats (which have been treated with antibiotics, therefore exposing yourself further to their impact) chances are good that you can have a case of system candida overgrowth. 

There is a simple at home test that you can do to see if you have candida overgrowth, courtesy of Christa Orecchio as shown on the Dr. Oz show.  
For six days in a row, when you wake up in the morning, fill a glass halfway with room temperature water (before you brush your teeth or eat or drink anything). Next work up a dime-sized amount of saliva and spit it into the glass. Check it 3 times over the course of 45 minutes to see if your saliva sinks to the bottom, stays floating on top, or if it grows “legs.” If it sinks or grows legs, then you can suspect that yeast is overgrowing in your system. 



Don’t be alarmed if you see confirmation of candida overgrowth; it happens many of us and there are natural ways to cleanse your body of the overgrowth!
It requires dietary changes, addition of supplementation and identifying the root cause of which system is compromised allowing for the candida to overgrow.   This process can last from 6-10 weeks depending on how bad the overgrowth is, as well as how compliant one is to the prescribe protocol. 


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It's National Women's Health Week - Spotlight on Mesothelioma, it is not just a Man's Disease.

12:33 PM Jenniferlyn 0 Comments




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The 5 Minute Escape and other tips to recharge and rejuvenate yourself right now.

11:55 AM Jenniferlyn 0 Comments

Spring has sprung and with it our schedules are starting to fill as well.

I personally have found that I am very busy between Ironman training, work, obtaining my personal training certification as well as my CHHC, that I am starting to feel cumulative exhaustion.

You do not need to be in training for an Ironman to feel cumulative exhaustion, in fact I have felt this way before back when I was a student for my undergrad, then again for my MBA. It popped back up when I was buying a house with my husband, and again when we adopted our first dog.  Life events mean stress even if they are positive.

When we allow our daily stressors to build up, bit by bit, without recovery or taking time for SELF CARE we becoming tired and slowly start to teeter into that dark hole of exhaustion.

Prevention is the best medicine in this case, however even if you are finding yourself at exhaustion's doorstep here are some quick and easy self care tips to get you out of the hole, and to keep you from it to begin with.





GROUND YOURSELF

Walk outside barefoot - palms up to the sun, and soak it all in for a few minutes.  This helps restore Vitamin D as well as cleanse the mind.   Grounding, or Earthing, is a method by which you touch yourself against the Earth in order to restore electron balance in your body.  Interested in finding out more?  Here is an article explaining why grounding is a good for you thing to do. 






5-MINUTE ESCAPE

Take a 5-Minute Meditation/Breathing break.  The options are endless with the new applications for all types of devices.  Currently there are apps with guided meditations, guided yoga sequences, and useful breathing tools all focused on re-centering and allowing you to find your breath.  Taking even just 5 minutes to escape what is going on can have a huge return on investment.   Here is some information on what happens to the brain when you meditate. 

My favorite application right now is the GPS for your Soul app for iPhone and Android.






SMELL THE ROSES

See the above chart larger here.

Essential oils can be powerhouses of infusing energy, helping to calm a busy mind, and helping to clear the air of germs.  Finding the right oils for the right purposes (as well as understanding the correct usage) is a fun way to handle the days ups and downs, let alone manage your own personal energy crisis.  

Be careful to use therapeutic grade oils, and to always use a carrier oil if being used on the skin.  Unless working with a trained practitioner, it is best NOT to ingest the oils - and NEVER ingest non-therapeutic grade oils no matter what.

I personally have lavender oil on my nightstand for bedtime, as well as peppermint oil at my desk to help with headaches and as a mid-day pep me up.  I keep a lavender decorative pillow at work also to keep me calm when I start to stress out.  I use a type of "thieves" oil for germ fighting.  I prefer Plant Therapy brand oils.  They are a fraction of the price of other brands out there (such as the direct service oil company Young Naturals) but they are of the same quality!  I have used both and see no difference between them outside of  price.  You can find them online at Amazon here.


Some of my favorite pep me ups are to add a few drops of peppermint oil to my hair in the shower in the morning or to an unscented lotion for a mid-day pick up.  Mix a few drops of peppermint oil into a carrier such as coconut oil, unscented lotion, etc and rub on tired feet to re-awaken and refresh after a long day or workout. Also peppermint oil on tired legs is amazing!







UNPLUG AND RECHARGE

While not the best long-term solution, a quick nap can help dig you out of a sleep deficit short term.



Try picking one or two things and making them a apart of your daily ritual.  It takes 21 days to make something true habit, so do not feel bad if making even small changes seem difficult to stick with short term.  One day it will seem like second nature and you will be ready to SHINE!


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Spring clean your salad: Try a new dressing or completely change your idea of salad all around!

9:55 AM Jenniferlyn 0 Comments

Springtime means an awakening. The grass gets greened and our bodies, our homes, our hearts and our taste buds all need a good cleaning out this time of year.  

Sometimes the thought of yet another salad can be booooooorrrring.  However if we practice the art of seasonal eating, as the temperatures increase we want to decrease our body temperatures.  The easiest way to do this is to eat more cooling foods such as fruits and veggies.  

In times of missing inspiration on the green front. So when your salad dressing lacks gusto, make salad more exciting with this delicious new recipe and get even more ideas with this awesome guide from IIN!




Personally I say cut the oil out all together or if you just cannot fathom that, reduce it to 1/4 Cup or even 1/8 Cup and add in some water or your favorite cold broth to adjust the difference. 

Another thing to consider is making a leafless salad - try omitting your leafy greens and instead add in rough-chopped hearty raw veggies such as cauliflower, broccoli, carrots, tomatoes and cucumbers.  

You can go Italian with tomatoes, basil, cucumbers and onions or Greek with adding in black or Kalmata olives with some oregano to the mix. Try an Asian blend with carrots, onions, broccoli, pea pods, green beans, shredded cabbage and mushrooms.  

Take inspiration from your favorite dishes and turn them into lighter fare through reinvention as a salad!  



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RECIPE: Key Lime Pie Smoothie with Coconut Whipped Cream from the Vega Team

1:10 PM Jenniferlyn 0 Comments

It is spring!  although if you live by me in Michigan it may not seem so apparent with the rain and cool spells that still have not quite loosened their icy grip on the Mitten state.  It is sad though when 36* outside feels like 50*.  The arctic blasts we have been inundated with over the past few months have really messed with my perception of what is cold!

Today's recipe inspiration was delivered right to my inbox from Vega.  Thoughts of Key Lime Pie remind me of cooling breezes blowing off of the ocean, and right  now that is where I want to be.  If you are worried about refined sugar, no worries here - the sweet comes from dates and a banana as well as your protein powder if it is sweetened.  The green color of the shake comes from spinach, which is a great alternative to any food coloring or artificial dyes. 

In true Florida style, I would consider serving this with a drizzle of raspberry sauce and call it dessert, or at least one amazing breakfast/post-workout recovery drink.  

Enjoy!  

Key Lime Pie Smoothie with Coconut Whipped Cream

April 2, 2014 
Our Key Lime Pie Smoothie is topped with a delicious coconut whipped cream to kick off the official arrival of Spring and the beginning of Earth Month. We whipped up this pie-meets-smoothie creation in celebration of all the bounty and freshness of Spring. This lime smoothie is not only fresh and tart, but the added coconut whipped cream makes it decadent too. This is a perfect smoothie to sit back with, enjoy the sunshine, and contemplate the warmer months ahead.


Key Lime Pie Smoothie

Ingredients

  • 1 cup coconut milk
  • 1 serving French Vanilla Vega One or Viva Vanilla Protein Smoothie
  • 1 frozen banana
  • 1/2 cup spinach
  • 1 Tbsp key lime juice
  • Zest of 1 key lime
  • 1 Medjool date, pitted

Toppings

  • Crushed vegan, gluten-free gingersnaps or graham crackers
  • Optional: Vegan coconut whipped topping (see below)

Preparation

  1. Add all  key lime pie smoothie ingredients to blender.
  2. Blend until smooth.
  3. Top smoothie with coconut whipped cream and crushed gingersnaps or graham crackers.
  4. Enjoy!

Vegan Coconut Whipped Cream

Ingredients

  • 1 can full fat coconut milk

Preparation

  1. Place unopened can in the fridge overnight
  2. Open (without shaking)
  3. Remove the top, thick layer of coconut milk and place in a bowl (reserve the liquid on the bottom for another recipe)
  4. Whip until creamy

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The Digestive Detective: Chew on this!

6:09 PM Jenniferlyn 0 Comments


Digestion is critical for overall health.  Our immune system and our ability to absorb nutrients all depend on a top notch digestive system.

One of the easiest improvements you can make you can start immediately with the next bite that you take - chew your food!  Due to our fast paced lives we tend to spend little time chewing the foods we eat, instead we shovel the food in barely sensing its presence let alone think about what we are eating or listening to our body's response to it.

I am guilty of this myself and have been trying to focus on the second stage of digestion - chewing. (Later in the Digestion Detectives series I will go over the other stages, with the first being mental!)

Some quick tips to get you on the way to proper mastication are:

Chew 20 times per bite.  This gives us ability to enjoy food as well as to feel satiated without over eating (win win!)

Cover your plate with your hands in between bites.  This serves as a gentle reminder to chew. Another good practice is putting down your fork in between bites.

Slow down the pace of eating.  Even if you only have 5 minutes for a quick bite to eat,  throwing a combo #5 down your throat chased with a diet Coke may not be the best option.  For many reasons.
If you cannot taste or feel what you eating then you are eating too fast. Slow down you pace. If you are eating a hand-held item try eating it with a fork and knife, or putting it down completely in between bites. 


BONUS:

Eat your greens instead of drinking them
Drinking a mass volume of shredded greens ala the morning smoothie, while a good start on the path of adding more plants into the diet, has a draw back of digesting much quicker and tending to be higher in calories and sugars than we may realize.  Chewing you greens allows you to connect with the foods you are eating!



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Phyt Bit: Movement!

12:39 PM Jenniferlyn 0 Comments



Did you know that people who get in movement throughout the day are shown to be more likely to lose weight and keep it off than the person who runs 5 times a week? 

Do not think that this means to stop exercising, however in ADDITION to your exercise routine, incorporate these short and sweet bursts of movement throughout your day to help you achieve your goals!

  • Every hour get up and walk around for a few minutes
  • If able to incorporate some squats and lunges.
  • Take the stairs not the elevator - even if for 1 flight - it adds up!
  • Walk or ride your bike to places that you would otherwise drive to.
  • Go for a nice long walk every day to help clear your mind

The list goes on and on if you think about it. They key is to make it work FOR you not against you. 


ACTION: Think of 1-3 ways each day that you can add movement and start to incorporate them into your daily routine.

Post up your suggestions and what you have found that works for you in the comment section below.

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A Deeper Look into Integrated Healthcare: Naturopathy Practitioners and Doctors

12:13 PM Jenniferlyn 0 Comments

You are most likely familiar with the terms MD, RN, DDS, and multitudes of other medical professional designations, but are you familiar with the alternative, holistic practices?

In this series I will take a deeper look into alternative and holistic health care options that work IN CONJUNCTION with Allopathic Physicians.  These are health coaches, personal trainers, certified weight loss experts, Naturopath Practitioners and Naturopath Doctors, Holistic Nutritionists, etc. 


Today, let's take a look into Traditional Naturopathy.  We will discuss Naturopathic Physicians, which are medically licensed, in another post.

What is Traditional Naturopathy?

Naturopathy is a philosophy which encompasses a view of life, a model for living a full life. The word naturopathy is a Latin-Greek hybrid which can be defined as ‘being close to or benefiting from nature.’ — Stewart Mitchell, Naturopathy: Understanding the Healing Power of Nature
 
A Doctor of Traditional Naturopathy, ( designated as DTN, alternately titled ND - Naturopathic Doctor, or DNM - Doctor of Natural Medicine) is a doctor in the sense of a teacher, mentor, educator.  They are not medical professionals and as such cannot diagnose or treat medical conditions.  They can, however, work beside the doctors, chiropractors, and nurses to create a complete wellness program focusing on holistic ways of living a healthy life.
 
In their solo practices, Traditional Naturopaths guide and teach their client in natural health approaches such as fasting and detoxification, dietary improvements, the use of herbs, hot baths, aromatherapy, exercise, rest, sunshine, and many other natural health modalities.
 
 
Aside from Doctorate level Naturopaths, there are Naturopathic Counselors, (NC) and Naturopathic Practitioners (NP)
 
The Naturopathic Practitioner goes through much of the same training as the ND, however without the clinical and medical sciences.  The Naturopathic Counselor is the first step in understanding Naturopathic practices.
 
 
Why would I see a Naturopath?

People choose to see naturopaths for various reasons from the management of everyday issues such as headaches and stress to the treatment of debilitating autoimmune conditions.

Many Naturopathic Clients come to ND's, NP's, and NC's for the following reasons:

  • you may be very unwell and conventional medicine has been unable to help you
  • you don't feel 100% and know that you should and could be feeling a lot better or
  • you would simply like to have your general state of health and diet reviewed
 
 
Your initial consultation will always involve a thorough case history analysis enabling your naturopath to determine whether things such diet, lifestyle, family history, hormones and infection have contributed to the way that you are feeling today.

 
Your naturopath will listen to you and where relevant, explain possible reasons as to how you have come to feel the way that you do.  She will work through a dietary and lifestyle plan with you to ensure that you receive practical advice that is easy to follow.
 
 
If you want to see a medically listened allopathic physician (such as your traditional MD), but still want the holistic approaches of a Naturopathic practitioner, then you should seek out a Naturopathic Physician. 

 

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~DISCLAIMER~

The contents of this website are for informational purposes only and are not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified health provider with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition.