Archive for December, 2008
December 29th, 2008
A lifestyle change can benefit you from the time you start and should continue to be valuable through the rest of your life. An ideal lifestyle change is something you can start at any level and continue to improve on and adapt to. For instance, eating more raw foods like fruits and vegetables, especially green leafy vegetables. When you incorporate more raw foods into your diet, it doesn’t need to be an all or nothing deal. A small percentage of people eat 100% raw and it isn’t practical for most of us. Eating even 50-75% raw foods can improve health and vitality. The main point is to increase the percentage of fresh fruits and vegetables in the diet. As with any changes in your diet, there may be an adjustment period. Some people believe their system can not handle too many raw fruits & vegetables as they are high in fiber. Fruits are easy to digest and eating moderate amounts and on an empty stomach is ideal. For vegetables, you may want to emphasize the easy-to-digest greens and vegetables at first, such as lettuce, celery, cucumbers, tomatoes, summer squash, red bell peppers, and green, leafy sprouts. Dark greens and cruciferous vegetables, such as kale, collards, cabbage, and broccoli are very nutritious (rich in protein and minerals), but can be harder to digest. For easier digestion you can incorporate them into smoothies or soups which only take minutes to prepare. You will find the more raw fruits & vegetables you eat the better you will feel in many aspects of your life. Many experience a noticeable difference in energy and how one feels eating a meal full of raw foods verses other foods. The benefits are plentiful and include but not limited to: more energy, natural cravings for healthier foods, obtaining or maintaining an ideal weight, faster muscle recovery from working out, preventing, stopping or reversing degenerative diseases, illness’ or needs for prescription drugs. These changes can benefit you now and lead you to an ideal lifestyle for your years to come. Experiencing the change yourself is one of the best educations you can learn from. Want to learn more? Attend a FREE “Why Raw” talk on January 6th OR 7th. Pre-registration is required by January 4th to provide seating for all. Call 815-543-1207 OR Email: myrawenergy@yahoo.com . Submit name, city, telephone & email address
December 22nd, 2008
Even though the economy is tough we still need to let ourselves feel good. Everyone enjoys being pampered. Facials are a great way to do this. They de-stress your body and mind. They relax your muscles, clear your head and make you feel good. Who wouldn’t want to feel good right now? Typically after your facial you will feel the effects for up to a week! Now that’s therapy.
You don’t always have to get the most “de-aging” facial on the menu. It is okay to just simply get pampered and get your spas signature facial. Your aesthetician is always happy to see you.
Remember everything is cyclical. If you don’t take care of your skin now it will come back to you. Please take the time to relax and take care of your skin.
See you at the Spa…..
December 19th, 2008
Eating more fruits & vegetables, (especially fresh greens), is a great way to achieve optimal health, energy and weight. It also naturally provides you with the opportunity to stop repeating those negative eating patterns and avoid the foods linked to degenerative diseases and weight gain, including bad carbs and bad fats, such as saturated & trans-fats. You will naturally start to crave healthy foods. Raw fruits, vegetables & good fats include the vitamins, minerals, phytonutrients, enzymes and fiber your body needs and craves. Better nutrition helps prevent, stop and/or reverse degenerative disease and weight issues while also slowing down the aging process and increases your energy. How’s that thought for a New Year’s resolution? Learn how cooking your food destroys most if not all of the nutrients in your food. Attend a FREE “Why Raw” talk. Pre-registration is required by January 4th to provide seating for all. Call 815-543-1207 OR Email: myrawenergy@yahoo.com . Submit name, city, telephone & email address. Upcoming “Why Raw” talks are as follows:
January 6th: 6:30pm Rivers Edge Rec. Ctr, 1151 W. Locust,
Belvidere, IL (free)January 6th, 12noon Womanspace,
3333 Maria Linden Dr.,Rockford
($10)January 7th, 6:30pm Vitamins N More, 1627 N Alpine,
Rockford (free)
December 16th, 2008
Everyone knows it’s healthy to eat fruits & vegetables, that’s not a new concept. The raw food diet simply suggests this should be most of what we eat. Anyone can experienced improved health & vitality by eating at least 50% raw food. To clear up any confustion, when I say raw foods, I am not talking raw meat. The main food groups in the raw food diet are fruits, vegetables and natural fats. So where do you get your protein and calcium you ask? Many are surprised to find how much is found in the raw food diet and how it is more than enough to supply your needs. The more raw foods you incorporate into your diet the easier it is to surpass unhealthy choices because your tastes change and you naturally start to crave healthier foods. The raw food diet is more than plain pieces of fruit and vegetable sticks. How does chocolate mousse, enchiladas, and lasagna sound? Yes, you can create gourmet raw versions in place of your favorite standard American diet cuisine and the best part is, it’s not cooked so you get the maximum nutrition available in your food without destroying it through cooking. Call 815-543-1207 to register for a FREE Why Raw talk to learn more.
December 16th, 2008
H-ealth: Make health a priority this year. It’s much more than the absence of disease- read on for ideas.
A-ttitude: A positive attitude may not cure a disease, but it can certainly help you deal with daily challenges, make the most of your situation, and simply enjoy life.
P-hysical activity: The latest guidelines for Americans, released earlier this year, advise that the greatest health benefits occur with at least 150 minutes a week of moderate activity, such as brisk walking. This translates to at least 30 minutes, 5 days per week. Additional benefits occur with more activity. Include both aerobic (endurance) and muscle-strengthening (resistance) activities.
P-eople: Social networks, whether formal or informal, actually help to protect your health. Be wary, however, of social groups that drain you through being too demanding or encouraging you to engage in harmful behaviors.
Y-our body: It’s your only body, so take care of it! Schedule physical check-ups as needed: eyes, teeth, skin, mammogram, prostate, colonscopy, general physical, etc.
N-o!: Instead of making a “to do” list, which may require a time management class to accomplish, consider starting a “don’t do” list. You may discover doing LESS can bring you MORE enjoyment. Especially if doing less means spending time doing more to contribute to the health and happiness of you and your loved ones.
E-at healthy: Smart food choices are the foods with the lowest amounts of solid fats and added sugars. To move to a healthier weight, enjoy a variety of these foods from each food group every day. It’s okay to balance your smart choices with occasional treats that provide more fat and sugar.
W-aist size: Your waistline may be telling you that you have a higher risk of developing weight-related health problems, such as diabetes, heart disease, and high blood pressure. A waist circumference of more than 40 inches for men and more than 35 inches for women means that you have excess abdominal fat that may harm your health.
Y-our hands: Keeping hands clean is one of the most important ways to prevent the spread of infection and illness.
E-nough sleep: Working too much and sleeping too little can take a serious toll on your professional and personal life. Cutting back on other activities rather than missing out on sleep will be more effective in enhancing your quality of life.
A-void portion distortion: One step toward eating healthier is to worry less about “what” you eat and think more about “how much” you eat. Downsize your portions by serving food on smaller plates and always eat from plates and bowls rather than packages and bags so you know how much you’re really eating.
R-ead and read more: Investigate the source before starting a drastic new diet or exercise plan. Beware of plans that promise quick and dramatic results with little effort, charge large fees for consultatations, supplements, and equipment, and rely solely on testimonials and statements from “professionals.”
Adapted from the Univerity of Nebraska-Lincoln Extension.
December 10th, 2008
Burrrrrr its so cold outside. With this weather it is easy to achieve a dull complexion. Skin care pros definitely have their work cut out for them. I always recommend a lactic peel to my clients during this time of year. Lactic acid is an ingredient derived from milk. It dissolves the protein bonds that hold dead skin cells to the surface of the skin. It actually “unglues” dead dry cells thus creating room for new cells to grow. This alpha-hydroxy acid is the calmer version of glycolic acid. Lactic acid is great for a more sophiscated skin. It adds nutrients and vitality to your skin.
Next time you visit your skin care pro ask “con leche please”. See you at the Spa……
December 8th, 2008
Just around the corner, without a blink of an eye, it can happen. The new year comes and you haven’t made a plan on how to reach that resolution. Perhaps implementing a plan that includes a step by step process will best suit you.
An all or nothing plan generally does not work however, gradual transitions are easier to adapt to. Need to stop repeating the same negative patterns?
Do you want to increase your energy and experience energy from the time you wake to the time you fall asleep?
Do you want to improve or regenerate your health & well being?
Have you reached a plateau or want to reach your fitness level faster?
You can do all this and more with the raw food diet. Accomplish your goals and become healthy & fit while saving time, eating nutritiously and RAWliciously. Want to learn more? Attend a FREE “Why Raw” talk. Pre-Registration required two days prior to event: Call 815-543-1207 or e-mail myrawenergy@yahoo.com. Include name and phone number.
Tuesday, January 6th, 12noon @ Womanspace, Rockford
Tuesday, January 6th, 6:30pm @ Rivers Edge Recreation Center,Belvidere
Wednesday, January 7th, 6:30pm @ Vitamins N More, Rockford
Thursday, January 8th, 7:00pm @ Peak Sports Club, 4401 Peak Drive, Rockford (for members of Peak only)
Want to jump start the new year? Read up on the importance of organic foods and where to find the best organic food and what is grown locally. Eating fresh seasonal foods that are local in your area will bring variety to your dinner table. Here is a wonderful Web site that will allow you to find local farms in your area. You may visit their Web site.
