I don't know what I would do without my friends. My Gluten-Free Club is filled with videos from my expert business gal friends. They are generous with information, warm with feeling and filled with laughter.
I recently filmed a segment with Scarlett. She is an image consultant and a wardrobe stylist. She has a successful business and is loving every moment of it. When I asked her if she would do a video with me that would play as a lifestyle issue for my members about some simple fashion ideas she easily said yes. that's Scarlett, always ready to help you. Always with a bright smile and a exuberant personality. I am amazed and at her generosity. I grew up with guys, had jobs that mainly employed guys and most of my friends in the first 45 year of my life have been guys. Wow was I missing out. I now have some of the best friends of my life and they are all women. Smart, fun and caring business women. There is just something about the way we can all relate. We are willing to jump in and help without any ego. That alone makes me proud to be a woman. I have really dedicated my business to helping women get healthy. I address the problems that are unique to our gender and do so in a manner that is conversational and supportive. It has been an honor to know some of my clients. Go Woman Power!
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Do you think the other veggies know that they can't even begin to compare in nutritional value to leafy greens? Do they lay awake at night in their little garden plots knowing that the neighboring kale is full of calcium that parsley is one of the most nutrient dense foods you can get and that arugula is one of the most nutritious salad greens? I think they know.
So why is it that when I speak to groups about greens, most people only eat iceberg lettuce. Jeeze! Here's what you have to know about the most under eaten but most important part of a healthy diet.... Greens help build your internal rainforest and strengthen the blood and respiratory system. Green is associated with spring, the time of renewal, refreshment and vital energy. In Asian medicine, greens are related to the liver, emotional stability and creativity. Nutritionally, greens are very high in calcium, magnesium, iron, potassium, phosphorous, zinc and vitamins A, C, E and K. They are crammed with fiber, folic acid, chlorophyll and many other micronutrients and phytochemicals. Whenever possible, choose organic. But eating non-organic greens is much better than not eating any greens at all! Some of the benefits of eating dark leafy greens are: - Blood purification - Cancer prevention - Improved circulation - Strengthened immune system - Promotion of healthy intestinal flora - Promotion of subtle, light and flexible energy - Lifted spirit and elimination of depression - Improved liver, gall bladder and kidney function - Cleared congestion, especially in lungs by reducing mucus There are so many greens to choose from. Find greens that you love and eat them often. When you get bored with your favorites, be adventurous and try greens that you’ve never heard of before. Broccoli is very popular among adults and children. Each stem is like a tree trunk, giving you strong, grounding energy. Rotate between bok choy, napa cabbage, kale, collards, watercress, mustard greens, broccoli rabe, dandelion and other leafy greens. Green cabbage is great cooked or raw, or in the form of sauerkraut. Arugula, endive, chicory, lettuce, mesclun and wild greens are generally eaten raw, but can be consumed in any creative way you enjoy. Spinach, Swiss chard and beet greens are best eaten in moderation because they are high in oxalic acid, which depletes calcium from bones and teeth, and may lead to osteoporosis. Cook these vegetables with something rich like tofu, seeds, nuts, beans, butter, animal products or oil. This will help balance the effect of the oxalic acid. I recommend to all my clients to eat a salad for lunch everyday. Add some protein, top with tons of your favorite veggies, squirt on some apple cider vinegar and flaxseed oil and you are sure to be more alert in the afternoon, slimmer in no time flat and have a digestion that runs well. All this from some leafy greens! It couldn't be any easier! You deserve to be Healthy! Each of us is a science experiment. We are all unique and are affected in different ways by all the things that we eat and do. Some people can eat junk food and it never seems to affect them. Some never exercise but they appear to be in good shape. For most of us, what we eat matters. When we really start to pay attention we realize that the connection between what we eat and how we feel, look, and think is huge. Do you feel groggy and lazy after lunch? Do you snap or feel irritable with your coworkers or family when you haven’t eaten in a while?
Food changes your mood. Look at caffeine and alcohol. They are the ultimate mood changers. The typical person eats a diet that is high in sugar and processed food and that leaves them in a bad mood. Julia Ross, author of The Mood Cure states that “junk moods come from junk foods”. All those foods that are so easily accessible – french fries, chips, candy bars and ice cream are loaded with salt and sugar and preservatives. Some can make you feel high for a while, but then you drop like a brick as your blood sugar plummets. Ever notice how you crave different foods at different times? When we are down, we sooth ourselves with a bowl of chicken soup – comfort food. We crave protein when we are looking to be focused. We crave food that enhances romance, like spicy food, avocados, chocolate, and chilies when we are on a date. Neurotransmitters are the chemical messengers that relay thoughts and actions to the brain. Serotonin can make us feel relaxed. Dopamine makes us feel stimulated. When we eat, food breaks down in our digestive track and creates changes in our system that send messages to our brain via these neurotransmitters. Pasta releases serotonin and thus we feel relaxed after a spaghetti dinner. Eat too much pasta and chances are you will be dozing on the couch. Eating protein releases dopamine and nor-epinephrine in the brain and helps us to be alert. Too much protein and we get short tempered and irritable. When you eat fruits, starchy vegetables, and whole grains throughout the day, you keep your body fueled and your blood sugar level on an even keel. You also are getting vitamins, minerals, antioxidants and phytonutrients. Combining carbohydrates and proteins enhances the availability of serotonin in your brain. Serotonin is a neurotransmitter said to have a calming effect and to play a role in sleep. So if you're wondering just how food affects you, keep a food journal for a week or two. Write down what you eat, how you feel, your stress level and how your body feels after the meal. This is the first step that I take with each of my clients. It is very illuminating for them to see, what they are eating and how it affects their everyday lives. Once you see what you normally eat and how it affects you then, start to add in foods that will give you more energy, help you to lose weight, and look better. This will keep your moods on an even keel and keep you alert and awake throughout the day. So what can you do to boost your mood? Exercise. You don't have to sweat it out at the gym to make a difference. Go for a walk. Get some fresh air. Get organized! Sometimes clutter can make one feel overwhelmed and mildly depressed. Getting things in place can ease your mind and bring a smile to your face too! Laugh . The simple act of laughter releases endorphins and is shown to improve your mood. Even smiling will have that effect. Listen to music . Put on your favorite tunes and rock the blues away. Perhaps you enjoy soothing classical music. Dance around if you can. Set small, achievable goals . Oftentimes, if our busy lives are broken down into more manageable tasks, we can feel happiness at minor accomplishments. Volunteer . You may think that you do not have time in your busy life, but I'll bet you can find 2-3 hours a month to make a big difference in a few peoples' lives. That is a sure-fire way to feel great! |
AuthorI am a digestive health coach. I help my clients have more energy and a eliminate digestive problems by eating food they love! Archives
September 2013
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