Posts Tagged ‘weight loss’

Are You Eating The Right Food? Take The Metabolism Test!

Thursday, April 26th, 2012

We’ve all heard about the importance of having a healthy metabolism, which is responsible for turning the food you eat into energy. This chain of chemical reactions is also involved in

therm

breathing, circulating blood, contracting muscles, eliminating waste and the function of your brain and nerves. As you can see it’s a pretty powerful system, and one that needs to be working optimally to keep you healthy.

If your body’s metabolism is altered, it will affect all other systems in your body. Difficulty with weight loss, thyroid issues, respiratory issues, getting sick frequently, PMS, headaches, depression, and so many others can be connected to a sub-optimal metaboilsm.

Did you that any form of stress can alter your cell metabolism, or put in another way how your cells breathe and use energy? These stressors can be emotional, environmental in the form of toxins (as Lori said in our last newsletter–think organic!), too much cardio, not eating the right amount of proteins, fats, and carbohydrates, or not eating enough times during the day…to name a few! What’s even more alarming is that the very food you are eating could be making the problem worse, even if the food you eating is considered “healthy”. We always say that health is not  ”one-size-fits-all”, so it’s vital to know what you personally need to keep your body working at it’s best.

Take the Metabolism Test:

Your body temperature is a way to test the health of your metabolism. Under “stress” your body pulls blood from the periphery (arms, legs) to support your vital organs which causes your body temperature to drop. (A cold nose is also an indicator). So, if your body temperature is below 98.1-98.6 which is considered “normal”, you could have a slowed metabolism. This handy test can also help you see if the food you are eating is slowing your metabolism even further and if the exercise you are doing is helping or harming you!
1. Take your body temperature as soon as you wake up, before getting out of bed. Record this number.
A number below 98.1 can indicate a slow metabolism.

2. Take your body temperature 20 minutes after a meal.
If it goes below the body temperature you had when you first woke up, the food you are eating is not right for your metabolism.

3. Take your body temperature 30 minutes after exercising.
If it drops below the number you had in the morning, the exercise you are doing is not right for your metabolism.

If you would like more information about healing your metabolism or would like to one on one coaching, please contact us for more information.

In Health,

Dorothy and Lori

5 Quick Money Saving Tips For a Healthy New Year

Sunday, January 1st, 2012

New Year’s resolutions!  Yep, it’s that time of the year, now we don’t know if any money-piggy-bankyou have set out to make a resolution or even what they might be but, we thought we might help get you started with discussing a few easy tips to getting healthy and in turn just might help put some extra cash back into your wallets.  So here you go!

1.     Get to bed early- not only does sleep help to rejuvenate your body but if you get to bed early, you can get up earlier & more easily.  Therefore, having time to make yourself a healthy breakfast and instead not have to spend money on grabbing breakfast on the go.

2.     Stop or cut back on drinking caffeine – caffeine stresses the adrenal glands and in turn can make loosing weight difficult.  Cut back or if you’re brave enough stop caffeine all together.  See how much moola you save from ordering those triple venti latte’s.

3.     Plan your weekly menu- when planning your weekly menu you not only eat healthier during the week you also save an incredible amount of money.  I have found that when I don’t plan my menu I can spend anywhere from $30.00-$180.00 extra a week.

4.     Drink water- if there is only one health change you make for the better, let it be to drink more water.  It’s an easy and cheap way to detoxify the body.  So instead of grabbing that afternoon coke from the vending machine, pocket that change and drink out of that water bottle you brought from home.

5.     Exercise- if exercise is one of those things that is hard for you to fit into your schedule, then do it over your lunch.  The point is that you just need to get your body moving! Rather than spending money on lunch and gas spend that time more wisely and use it to exercise and bring leftovers from last night’s dinner.  Ask a friend to join you and get healthy together.

We hope these quick 5 tips help you start your New Year off right!  If you would like a health plan designed specifically for you please give our offices a call to set up your consultation!

Health & Happiness in 2012

Lori


picture by:  http://www.targetwoman.com/image/money-saving-tips.jpg

Drinking water at certain times of your day 
can maximize the effectiveness on the body

Sunday, October 30th, 2011

office-water-cooler

Did you know that drinking water at certain times of the day can have a dramatic effect on the body?    It is true, every day I start my morning off with a large glass of room temperature water to awaken my internal organs and get “things” moving.  Water is a necessity for the body, it helps to regulate blood pressure, helps with digestion and can help avoid stroke and heart attack. Below is information that was written by a cardiologist and was an email sent to us from one of our clients explaining the best times of the day and how much water to drink so that risk of illness may be avoided.

- 2 glasses of water upon awaking will activate internal organs

- 1 glass of water before a meal will help with digestion

- 1 glass of water 30 minutes before a bath can help lower blood pressure

- 1 glass of water before going to bed avoids risk of heart attack, stroke and/or leg cramps.

Depending on what literature you read our bodies are made up 75%-90% of water.  Every organ, muscle and cell in your body uses the water you drink to help keep your body working every single day.  Dehydration can be a serious issue and by the time you’re thirsty your way behind in your water intake.  Here are some signs that you may be dehydrated before you even become thirsty.

- Hunger ( if you notice you’re hungry after eating a good sized meal – drink water before putting more food in your mouth, your thirsty, not hungry)

- Foggy thinking

- Tired

- Dizzy

If you would like more information about how much water you should be drinking daily or have health information you’d like to share with us please feel free to contact us.

To Your Health,

Dorothy and Lori

Inflammation – redness, swelling and pain

Saturday, September 10th, 2011

inflammation

What is inflammation?  By definition it is …Pathology. Redness, swelling, pain, tenderness, heat, and disturbed function of an area of the body, esp. as a reaction of tissues to injurious agents.

Typically when one thinks of inflammation one thinks of a cut or a sprain that may become red and swell and this is the extent of what one thinks of when it comes to inflammation.  We are here to tell you that inflammation is more than just a cut or a sprain.  Just as the definition above states it is a disturbed function of an area of the body do to injurious agents.  For the purpose of this newsletter we will be discussing areas of the body that are susceptible to inflammation and what exactly are injurious agents.

First of all, any part of the human body can become inflamed.  That means that muscles, nerves, organs and skin are all vulnerable to inflammation.  Becoming inflamed does not just happen from being injured from an accident.  Becoming inflamed as stated above in the definition comes from injurious agents.  What we need all of you to understand is that an injurious agent can come from the food you eat, the beverages you drink, lack of sleep, emotional and physical stress, etc.  Each of these agents can affect your body in different ways but all can end up causing inflammation.

We see so many people that come into our offices not feeling well, feeling tired, knowing that something is wrong with them but yet nothing is found by their healthcare professionals.   More times than not these individuals bodies are trying to fight inflammation and our job is to find the source. We do this by running gut, hormone, liver or food sensitivity testing. Typically what is given to treat inflammation are anti-inflammatory drugs and at times this is necessary but what we want all of you to know and understand is that if the injurious agent is not removed then you are only treating the symptoms and not the problem.

If you would like more information about our in-home test kits or would like more information about injurious agents please feel free to contact us at www.replenishingsoul.com

Being Skinny Doesn’t Mean You’re Healthy

Monday, July 11th, 2011

lunge-with-weight-over-head

We are trained to believe that if you’re skinny then you’re healthy.  Why is this?  Just because someone is skinny doesn’t mean that they are physically strong, have healthy hormones, blood pressure or even cholesterol etc.. Believe it or not those skinny people you see walking around may actually be carrying excess weight on them because of their high body fat to low muscle ratio.  We classify these types as skinny fats. Having a body with excess weight on it is just one small part of the equation to getting healthy.

In this month’s newsletter we wanted to touch upon the importance of physical strength, which is important for everyone.  Physical strength is necessary for many reasons:  It helps to increase muscle mass, prevents osteoporosis, prevents/reduces injury, corrects muscle imbalances and reduces pain just to name a few.

Take The Strength Test
Below is a list of exercises for you to perform to see how strong you are.  If you can do all the exercise with the correct form and for the designated amount of time listed then congratulations you are strong and keep it up.  If you can’t we suggest giving us a call or finding someone in your area to help get you started on a strength exercise program.

Squat: This is the most challenging for everyone because typically it is done with incorrect form.  To perform correctly, squat down as if you are sitting in a chair.  Your head and chest need to be facing forward and your thighs need to be parallel to the floor.  You should feel most of your weight in your heals and should be able to lift your toes off the floor; your knees should not go past your toes.  Perform this up and down motion for 12 times.  If you are unable to perform for 12 times or lose your form along the way then you have failed the squat portion of the test.

Lunge: In a standing position place your right foot out in front of you and your left foot behind you-stay up on your toes of your left foot, bend your left knee towards the floor then rise back up, this completes one full lunge.  Perform for 12 times then switch sides and perform 12 again.  If you are able to perform 12 lunges on each side you have passed the test, if not you have failed this portion.

Standing on one leg: Raise your left leg up by bringing your knee up towards your chest while standing on your right leg.  Hold this position for 10 seconds.  Then switch sides.  If you are able to stand on each leg for 10 seconds you have passed the test, if not then you have failed.

Push-ups: come down to the floor on your hands and knees.  Placing your hands on the floor and lifting your knees up so that you are up on your toes lower your chest to the floor and rise back up.  Perform for 12 times.   Modification for females is to place your hands on the floor keeping your knees on the floor and cross your feet at your ankles.  Now try to lower your chest to the floor for 12 times.  If you are able to perform 12 you have passed the test if not you have failed.

Sit-ups: place your feet under something sturdy or have someone hold your ankles.  Cross your arms across your chest and pull your chest up towards your legs for 12 times.  If you can perform 12 then you have passed if not you have failed.

We hope that by taking this test it gave you some insight on what it means to be healthy and strong regardless if you are thin or carrying a few extra pounds.  If you have any questions, concerns or would like to set up a strength training appointment please feel free to give us a call.

To strong & healthy bones…

Seared Ahi Tuna & Edamame

Tuesday, June 21st, 2011

seared-tunaSummer is here and so is the hot weather.  Cooking heavy meals and heating up the kitchen are typically items we try to avoid this time of year.   Hopefully you will find this recipe quick, easy & healthy.  This recipe comes from me, Lori, and by no means do I claim to be a chef.  I’m just another working woman who is always playing around in the kitchen to find quick, healthy and easy clean up meals not just for myself but also my clients.  I hope you find this recipe to be one of your favorites.   Let me know how you like.  If you have a quick, easy  and healthy recipe you’d like to share please email it to me at lori@replenishingsoul.com and I will gladly post it on our blog.

What you will need:

  • 1lb. Ahi Tuna Steak (feeds 2 adults)
  • Dark Sesame Oil
  • Sesame seeds
  • 5 Scallions
  • Soy Sauce
  • Ginger
  • Wasabi
  • Edamame (1 package)

How to prepare Ahi:

  • Cut tuna into thin slices or to thickness of your desire – place off to side once all sliced
  • Clean and cut scallions into thin slices including the greens – place off to side
  • Place pan on stove top- drizzle sesame oil all over the bottom of the pan
  • Turn stove top on medium heat and let pan get hot
  • Taking Tuna one slice at a time place in pan and heat for 5-10 seconds on one side then flip. Cook longer if you want less pink to show
  • Place cooked Tuna on a separate plate
  • Once Tuna is all cooked drizzle lightly with soy sauce, sesame seeds and garnish with scallions.
  • Serve with ginger, soy sauce & wasabi

How to prepare Edamame:

  • Bring pot of water to a boil
  • Place edamame in boiling water cook for designated time on package, drain, rinse with cool water and serve with sea salt

Healthy Eating!

Lori

pic by: http://northendfish.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/06/seared-tuna.jpg

In-home screening test for Candida

Wednesday, April 27th, 2011

candida_micro1

Do you have Candida?  Find out with this quick in-home screening.

Candida is a type of yeast that is naturally found throughout the body.  It can be found in the regular flora of the skin, mouth, intestinal track, rectum and vagina.  Although Candida is found naturally throughout the body, it can cause problems if there is an overgrowth.  Antibiotic use and not properly replenishing the gut afterwards, poor diet, stress and poor digestion can cause an overgrowth of yeast.

Symptoms can range from:

  • Stomach pains
  • Digestive problems
  • Skin rashes (eczema, psoriasis & acne)
  • Foggy brain
  • Anxiety
  • OCD
  • Irritability
  • Headaches
  • Itchy skin
  • Cravings for sweets

Candida thrives in an acidic environment and therefore a diet that promotes an alkaline environment is best click here to read about foods to avoid on a Candida Diet.  You should also know that Candida typically is not seen alone, meaning that if one has Candida issues then parasites, food sensitivities, adrenal fatigue and liver toxicity are also problems and can be ruled out with our in-home test kits.

If you suspect or are curious that you might be suffering from a Candida issue here is a quick in-home screening process to check and see if this yeast might be infecting you.  Remember this is ONLY a screening and if you suspect that might have a yeast problem please call our offices to set up an appointment for more thorough testing.

In-home Candida Screening Test:

  • Perform this test first thing in the morning before you put anything else in your mouth.
  • Grab a clear glass and fill with water
  • Work up some saliva and then spit into the glass of water
  • Check the water after a moment or 2-3 minutes and then every 15 minutes up until 1 hour

Results of a positive screen:

  • Strings, like cloudy legs moving down into the water or
  • Cloudy saliva that will sink to the bottom of the glass
  • Call our offices for testing

Results of a negative screen:

  • Water is clear, no strings and saliva is sitting on top of the water

Candida thrives off of sugar and therefore needs to be eliminated from the diet in order to starve the yeast.  An alkaline environment also needs to be created so here are foods to avoid while on a Candida Diet.

  • Avoid all sweets & processed foods (any food that has a shelf life)
  • Avoid fruits (fresh or dried) & fruit juices
  • Avoid all grains & pasta
  • Avoid alcohol
  • Avoid all dairy products

Foods to consume:

  • Fruits allowed are all kinds of berries, grapefruit, pineapple and papaya and still should only make up 5% of diet
  • Proteins: only from organic sources- non-organic meats contain antibiotics
  • Vegetables – above ground are best because they contain less sugar
  • Best Vegetables to consume: broccoli, cabbage, kale, brussels sprouts, asparagus, onions, garlic & ginger

We hope you found this newsletter informative and we welcome any questions that you might have.

In Health & Happiness

Lori & Dorothy

Picture by:  http://overcomingcandida.com/images/candida_gallery/candida_micro.jpg

Forming new habits-why will power is not enough

Tuesday, March 1st, 2011

How many of you reading this months newsletter have tried using willpower to  break old habits and form new ones?  ”I can lose these last 5 lbs. if I just don’t eat dinner.” or “I will use willpower to stop smoking”. This usually doesn’t work and here’s why:

orbitofrontal

Willpower is controlled by a part in the brain called the orbital frontal cortex (part of the frontal lobe located in the front of the brain).  In order for the orbital frontal cortex to be turned on it requires an active focus.  So one may ask how is this a bad thing?  Let me explain…

If I say to you “Don’t think of a pink elephant.” what are you most likely to do? Think of a pink elephant. Therefore, each time you think to yourself “Don’t eat the chocolate chip cookies.” You’ll want to eat the chocolate cookies. Before you know it you’re giving into the chocolate chip cookies and thinking of yourself in a negative manner for not having the willpower to say “No”.

Instead what needs to happen is that new good habits need to be formed by changing your beliefs, values & expectations. This happens by improving your ability to identify a negative behavior, emotion or thought before it actually takes place.  If you are able to identify the bad habit before it take place then you are in a position for a new good habit to be formed.

Remember this…bad habits cause immediate benefit but long-term harm with repetition.  Good habits cause immediate benefit and long-term benefit.

Quick tips:

1.     Don’t deprive yourself.  Depriving yourself fits the model of “don’t think of the pink elephant” as described above.

2.     Start out small & be gentle with yourself.  Don’t expect things to change overnight.

3.     Recognize and honor that making new habits take time as  bad habits are engrained in your subconscious memory and take awhile before they are pulled to the conscious brain.

4.     Surround yourself with opportunities & people who share the same goals.  We tend to think, act and feel like those around us.

5.     Identify where your bad habits are coming from…overworked, lack of boundaries, emotional stress or a childhood issues etc…once you’ve identified where the bad habit is coming from it helps to make sense of why your doing your bad habit.

6.     Enrich your life, manage your stress and find yourself a support system.  Replenishing Soul & ABS Fitness are always here for you!

References:  Institute for Brain Potential

Pic by:  http://dericbownds.net/uploaded_images/orbitofrontal.gif

Minerals: Iodine

Monday, October 25th, 2010

Over the past few weeks we have been discussing minerals.  This week we continue with the mineral Iodine. Toseaweed-salad-inbowl recap let’s review the difference between a vitamin and mineral.  A vitamin is any compound that contains carbon and therefore is organic.  There are two classes of vitamins…fat soluble A, D, E and K or water soluble, B and C.

Minerals on the other hand do not contain carbon and are what we call inorganic.  There are macro- minerals and micro-minerals.  Macro-minerals are calcium, chloride, phosphorus, potassium, magnesium and sodium.  Micro-minerals are:  chromium, iron, copper, zinc, iodine, manganese, molybdenum, selenium and iron.

There are many factors that can decrease the absorption of vitamins and minerals which include:  alcohol, caffeine, antibiotics, stress, corticosteroids, aspirin, diuretics, oral contraceptives, sugar and tobacco.  Therefore if your lifestyle includes any of these factors and you are not well there could be a good chance that you are not absorbing your essential nutrients.  You will learn over the next few weeks the critical affect that each of the vitamins and mineral have over the health of your body.

This week we will be discussing Iodine

Iodine is primarily found in ocean foods such as sea vegetables and fish. It can be found in the thyroid gland, skin and bones.

What it Does:

  • Plays a role in growth and development through the thyroid hormones
  • Regulates basal metabolic rate through the thyroid hormones
  • Can be used for the treatment of hypothyroidism

Absorbing and Utilizing Iodine:

  • Iodine is easily absorbed

Found In: Seawead, cod, iodized salt, shrimp, baked potato

 

 

 

Picture by:  http://baylobsters.com/store/images/seaweed-salad-inbowl.gif

Resource:  The Power of Nutrient Dense Food by Patti Weller

Minerals: Copper

Wednesday, August 18th, 2010

raspberryOver the past few weeks we’ve been discussing the fat soluble and water soluble vitamins. This week, we’re going to shift gears and start discussing minerals.

To recap let’s review the difference between a vitamin and mineral.  A vitamin is any compound that contains carbon and therefore is organic.  There are two classes of vitamins…fat soluble A, D, E and K or water soluble, B and C.

Minerals on the other hand do not contain carbon and are what we call inorganic.  There are macro- minerals and micro-minerals.  Macro-minerals are calcium, chloride, phosphorus, potassium, magnesium and sodium.  Micro-minerals are:  chromium, iron, copper, zinc, iodine, manganese, molybdenum, selenium and iron.

There are many factors that can decrease the absorption of vitamins and minerals which include:  alcohol, caffeine, antibiotics, stress, corticosteroids, aspirin, diuretics, oral contraceptives, sugar and tobacco.  Therefore if your lifestyle includes any of these factors and you are not well there could be a good chance that you are not absorbing your essential nutrients.  You will learn over the next few weeks the critical affect that each of the vitamins and mineral have over the health of your body.

This week we will be discussing Copper

Copper is found throughout the body, particularly in the brain, liver and muscles.  Copper is used to help treat arthritis, carpal tunnel syndrome, fatigue, anemia and allergies.

What it Does: Copper performs many functions throughout the body we will be listing just a few examples

  • Needed to form hemoglobin which carries oxygen throughout the body
  • Helps with respiration
  • Helps to form collagen within the bones
  • Needed to convert the inactive thyroid hormone to the active form
  • Helps with inflammation by regulating histamine levels
  • Lowers cholesterol
  • Anti-diabetic
  • Needed to get iron out of the liver

Absorbing and Utilizing Copper:

  • An adequate intake of protein and fresh veggies is needed to help copper be absorbed in the body.
  • Access manganese and zinc will interfere with the absorption of copper

Found In: beets, pumpkin, flax seeds, green peas, raspberries, mangos, sweet potato, almonds

It’s important to mention that copper can produce toxicity in high doses.  Therefore, it is best not to supplement copper unless you know for sure that you have low levels based upon lab testing.

Another important point to state is that high fructose corn syrup which is found in many products that have a shelf life interferes with the absorption of copper.  Therefore, make sure to read your labels!

 

Resource:  The Power of Nutrient Dense Food by Pattie Weller, C.C.N

 

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