Stress Strategies

I know I've been missing in action for a while, but I'm back! I have completed my studies and am now officially practicing as a holistic health counselor. I have to admit that I got caught up in my high-stress corporate job and wasn't managing my stress as well as I could have been. But here are some things I learned that might help you: 1.Breathe 2.Smile 3.Get Hugs. It may seem simple, but these three things can really help, as can a good book, a cup of tea or your favorite healthy meal. So making time for these outlets is important, because when we get burnt out, we're no good to anyone else. Also, appreciate the good things in life, because focusing on the positive will in turn bring more positivity into our lives (Hey, didn't you read the Secret?)
In health and happiness...

Cloning Cows

Um, gross. Recently the FDA has moved to approve the cloning of cows for distribution to meat-eating Americans. If the thought of this alone isn't disturbing enough, there's more. Meat companies will not be required to label the cloned cow-meat as such. So, people won't be able to make an educated decision when shopping. Other than sending complaints to the FDA, what can we do? Eat organic. If you still need more convincing, just pick up the book "Fast Food Nation," or rent the film, and you'll see why organic meat is truly your best option.

Ice Cream to Get Pregnant?

Quoted from the Associated Press: "A diet rich in ice cream and other high-fat dairy foods may lower the risk of one type of infertility, a study suggests." Reality: The study this comes from, Harvards Nurses Study, inspects all factors in women's health over many years; it's not a scientific experiment where specific dietary factors are studied in isolation. It also only refers to ovulation, which is to blame for infertility only a small fraction of the time. There are plenty of studies that dairy actually contributes to infertility (especially those who are sensitive to lactose), and of course with ice cream comes loads of sugar, which will keep your blood sugar fluctuating and can cause acidification of the cervical mucus, which can become more hostile to sperm, therefore...you get it. No wonder the entire nation is confused- the media jumps on every passing bandwagon. My advice? Don't listen to the fads, the news, or even to me—listen to your body.

The Cure to the Common Cold

I'm nursing a cold right now, which means my body is telling me to slow down. Sometimes we have to get quiet and listen to what our bodies are telling us. Right now mine is saying: "You've been going, going, going and it's time to rest." The cure is easy: lots of sleep, lots of liquids, vitamins and healthy foods. One trick my own health counselor taught me is to take some slices of peeled ginger root, put it in a mug of hot water, cover and let steep for about 15 minutes, then drink it up and go back to bed...in health and wellness

Energy

It's a vicious cycle—You know exercising will give you energy, but you're too tired to get your butt moving. My answer? Just do it. Energy was my number one health concern when I started this journey, and I've done everything else possible—eat better, drink more water, take supplements—and they all help, but nothing compared to exercising. So, I realized that I was sabotaging myself by not moving my body, I had the key and was just hanging out outside the door. So, I figured out what was holding me back, and I came up with ways to get past those things. So I joined the gym, and I've gone three times this week. It's a start! I can empower you to do it too, just ask.

Carbophobic?

Let's talk about Carbs. There is no need to fear them. In fact, they can be really healthy, not to mention delicious, in the whole grain form. White or simple carbs (white bread, english muffins, pasta, white rice) have refined sugars that, when not used (and the amount we eat rarely is), are stored as fat, and eating them keeps our blood sugar in flux, making us tired and hungry more frequently. Complex carbs take a longer time to break down, allowing us to use the energy and stay satisfied for greater periods of time. Some great whole grain options are pastas made from kamut, quinoa, or brown rice (they taste like the real thing!), or quinoa in it's natural form- it is a really satisfying grain that resembles cous cous. And there are plenty more where those come from, but we'll get to that later...