Tip of the Week
Don’t Fear Fasting:
People seem to think that going without certain foods (or having no food at all) will do serious damage to your body. But, it simply isn’t the case. Short-term fasting from all food – drinking water or even 100% juice being just fine of course – is a great detox. Or taking out known toxic foods and fasting from them is a proven energy booster, body cleanser, weight loss tool and even de-stresser. So… don’t listen to the fearful or those who haven’t tried it. It really can kick you in the pants in all the right ways.
Fasting Is Good For You
People seem to think that going without certain foods (or having no food at all) will do serious damage to your body. But, it simply isn’t the case. Short-term fasting from all food – drinking water or even 100% juice being just fine of course – is a great detox. Or taking out known toxic foods and fasting from them is a proven energy booster, body cleanser, weight loss tool and even de-stresser. So… don’t listen to the fearful or those who haven’t tried it. It really can kick you in the pants in all the right ways.
Dip Veggies, Not Chips
Who doesn’t love a good chip and dip combo? But, if you switch those chips out for veggies, you’ll be surprised how easy it is to add in your micro-nutrient fix! Use organic root veggies like carrots (much sweeter when organic!) or even sliced peppers with your ranch. Put some almond butter on that celery! Before you know it, you’ll have satisfied your munchies AND worked in 1-2 servings of live foods into your day!
Think: Hydrate First, Eat Second
The funny thing about the human body is that it really does need it’s 60% of water to maintain good health. In fact, the urge to eat often comes as a last resort when a body is dehydrated (and for busy mamas prone to indulging in drinks that are diuretics -like tea, coffee, or sodas- this is more often than not the state of our bodies). We go along in our busy days not drinking enough water and we discover that we are often wanting to snack or nosh our way through the day. There’s the connection!
The feeling of “hunger” (that… “Huh, I think I’m hungry” feeling) is often your body crying out for water; it will tell you it’s thirty, then ask for food if that cry goes ignored. In essence, your body is hoping that the food you eat will have water in it to quench it’s thirst. So, remember to drink lots of water throughout the day – more than you think you need. Doing this will help your body function at it’s best, brightening your skin, energizing your cells, and staving off “false hunger”!
Watch A Documentary, Get Mad
Even after almost a decade of learning, adjusting, and changing my eating and exercise habits I had not fully understood the connection between what “food” is offered us on the shelf and the government which allows such “food”. (I did, clearly, learn on my own how real food and non-food affect my own nutrition, mood, and weight). But the two documentaries that took me from self-informed and self-educated on food to just plain mad about the whole food industry in this country are: Food, Inc. and King Corn. Check them out. Get mad… for all the right reasons.
Make Your Chores Count
When you have kids, that the list of chores we all have keeps growing by the minute. But, if you take a moment to consider that you can sweep your way into a caloric burn, you might be more motivated to handle a broom. When approaching your chores, think of them as mini exercise routines. Scrub with passion. Sweep with “umph”. Vacuum like there’s no turning back! It’s little, but you can motivate your muscles to work in everyday ways and burn some extra calories while you do!
Make One Change A Day
If getting healthy seems overwhelming, try breaking it down into one decision at a time. If you make one decision a day (or a week!) you will incorporate between 52 and 365 healthy adjustments to your life which will change your entire body in a year. So, start today… with this one: Learn What is in Your Food. Read the ingredient labels and make sure your food is REAL food. No more chemicals, preservatives, or “food-like” substances. Eat real only. Your body will work more efficiently and more effectively.
Know What Is in Your Vitamins
It seems like “a vitamin is a vitamin” but if you knew how many vitamins, coated in synthetics, are simply passed through bodies year after year it may astound you. Our bodies can not break down synthetics, much less absorb them. In addition, most vitamins use minerals found in the ground – meaning rocks – instead of plant-based minerals (the kind humans absorb) as a short cut. So, you eat synthetic materials and rocks instead of actual food… thus the non-absorption. Therefore, know what’s in your vitamin! Is it plant-based? Does it use synthetics? (Chemicals like petroleum- !!) If so, you aren’t absorbing it and you are wasting your money and your healthy habit on some pretty pricey poo.
Top 12 Most Pesticided Fruits and Veggies – Steer Clear!
If you don’t want to pay for an all-organic diet (which no one WANTS to but many of us see its value) at least avoid the “Deadly Dozen“. These are the most chemically treated fruits and veggies out there. (DO go organic on these!) They are, in order: apples, celery, strawberries, peaches, spinach, nectarines, grapes, sweet bell peppers (red, orange, yellow), potatoes, blueberries, lettuce, kale (and collard greens)
Bananas = perfect food
If you are in a hurry and need a meal on the go, a banana is the perfect snack. It has an amazing amount of nutrients, fiber, and tastes good to boot. So, save money on the spendy pre-packaged snacks and eat a piece of “nature’s candy” for your next portable edible.
Half Caf for Better Health
It’s crazy to think of a world without coffee (at least for me) but a great way to start is by cutting your caffeine intact in half. Mix decaf and full-caf together to lessen your caffeine. You still get a bit of a perk, the delicious taste of roasted beans and lessen the amount of caffeine you take in each day. Your energy will remain peppy and your skin will look better (and you’ll probably have to pee less, too).