Showing posts with label Nutrition Corner. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Nutrition Corner. Show all posts

Friday, January 25, 2013

7 Nutritional Sugesstions for Overall Wellbeing

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Nutrition is the most important element in any wellness program.  The more you know about Proteins, Carbohydrates (Starch and Complex) and Fats (Saturated and Unsaturated) the better off you will be.  Nutrition is discussed in Tru Essencia's Heart to Heart Consultations before we start any programs with our clients.  Our services are integrated to teach our clients the benefits of connecting Mind, Body, Heart, Soul and Spirit; it's who we are.  It's challenging to only focus on one or two parts of us when the sum of it's parts is what creates overall wellbeing and happiness.  Everything is Energy.  The energy of what you consume in your body is ultimately what you become.  I find one of the common mistakes is portion control.

One of The best rules of thumb to remember: 
Eat Breakfast like a King/Queen, Lunch like a Prince/Princess And Dinner like a Servant

We need to clarify that each person has very specific needs for his or her own health.  One of the main concepts of this methodology is recognizing your bio-individuality. No perfect way of eating works for everybody. Most food that is perfect for your unique body, age and lifestyle may make another person gain weight and feel lethargic. Similarly, no perfect way of eating will work for you all the time. You may notice you eat different foods on days when you are working eight hours than on a relaxing day spent reading at home.  Foods you ate as a child may not agree with you as an adult. What you crave in the winter is completely different than what you crave in the summer.
Another critical part of postmodern nutrition is bridging the gap between nutrition and personal growth and development. These two entities are absolutely linked; you can’t look at one without the other. People really want to be better. They crave growth. But very few experts in the realm of personal growth and development address the importance of nutrition. Likewise, traditionally trained nutritionists will give you a list of foods to eat and not to eat, but their advice will not work until you start to identify what in your life is keeping you from making healthy choices. Look at it this way: a person stuck in a bad relationship can eat all the broccoli in the world, but it won’t change their relationship. !is bad relationship will cause their health and well-being to suffer. Similarly, if your career is opposed to your spiritual values, you will have a hard time making big breakthroughs with a health concern.  The energy spent at a draining job will ultimately outweigh the benefits of eating healthy food.

Being healthy is really not that complicated. Our body knows what to eat.  It’s the brain that makes mistakes. Maybe you heard about a diet that sounded great in theory, but after a week of eating that way, you started to feel weak and bloated. You don’t have to read nutrition books to know what to eat. Instead, you can foster a deep relationship with your body in which it naturally tells you what it needs to function at its highest potential. This postmodern approach will help you cultivate the ability to eat intuitively, trusting your body—not some book, chef or research study—to guide you to the foods that best support you and allow your body and mind to operate at their fullest potential.


Compliments of Integrated Nutrition in NYC

Basic Rules of Thumb for building the perfect Nutritional Plans that work for you:

Always Eat Breakfast: People who eat breakfast are much more successful at keeping weight off. When you skip meals, you become calorie deficient and usually end up binging later in the day. Snack throughout the day. You know the saying, “Don’t go shopping when you’re hungry?” Try it. Snacking can actually help some people eat less. By eating between meals, you can help reduce hunger pains and binging later in the day.

Drink More Water: By replacing soda, alcohol or coffee with water, you can cut a significant amount of calories from your daily routine. Many people can effortlessly lose 10 pounds by simply replacing soda with water throughout the day. Be aware of alcoholic drinks as well—a jumbo margarita can have up to 700 calories. Also try drinking water before your meal. The water will help break down the food more effectively. Prepare Your Own Meals: Restaurant food generally has more salt, more fat and more calories and is served in larger portions than food cooked at home. When you make your own meals, you can control the amount of salt and oil, as well as the portion size. If you have to eat out, try splitting one dish between two people or ask for half the meal to be wrapped up before it comes to the table.

Reduce Your Stress Levels:  Many people eat more when they feel stress; the stuffed feeling makes them feel comfortable and helps them relax. Try other ways of relaxing, like a hot bath or a walk around the block. Also try slowing down, breathing and enjoying each meal. Say a prayer beforehand or take a moment to be grateful for the food you are eating. Get Enough Sleep Each Night:  Growing evidence supports that missing out on sleep can increase your appetite. Most people need about 7-8 hours of sleep each night.

Keep Moving:   Start with small changes like getting off one stop earlier on a train and walking the rest of the way or parking in the back of a parking lot. Take the stairs whenever possible. Instead of meeting a friend for coffee, meet for a walk, or a bike ride or take a dance class together. Keep Track: Whether you keep a food journal or weigh yourself on a regular basis, find a method that will keep you motivated and help you track your progress.

Be A Food Detective:   Read food labels and don’t eat anything you can’t pronounce. Stick to simple, whole foods that will nourish your body. Identify Your Temptation Foods: You know whether they are salty or sweet, fried or creamy, and you know that if they are within reach, you will want them. Do not keep these foods in your home or office and get support from your family and friends with these foods.

Take A Multi-Vitamin:   Everyone can benefit from well-rounded nutrients. Some evidence suggests that by adding specific high-quality nutrients to a well-balanced diet, you can improve your metabolism and many enzyme processes for greater vitality and health.

Eat more foods that grow on trees and plants and eat less foods that are manufactured in Plants.  If you want to lose weight fast, you don’t have to go on a fad diet.  Just switch from simple to complex carbohydrates and eat lots of vegetables. You’ll lose weight and improve your health. Plant foods are so low in calories that they force the body to burn its own fat. Nobody gets fat on a nutrition that’s made up largely of green vegetables, sweet vegetables, whole grains and small amounts of high-quality animal protein and non-animal protein. But throw in a bunch of cookies, white bread, French fries and a few quarter-pounders, and you’ve got yourself a serious weight problem.  When people make the connection that healthy, whole foods really make you feel better, the weight becomes a secondary issue.


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Herbs for Health and Wellbeing


Aromatherapy and Smudging                                                                                                         SAGE

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Aromatherapy

Aromatherapy is a form of alternative medicine that uses volatile plant materials - essential oils - and other aromatic compounds for the purpose of altering one's mind, mood, health or cognitive function. Some essential oils, such as tea tree oil, have demonstrated anti-microbial effects.

Some of the materials used in Aromatherapy include:
Absolutes - Fragrant oils, such as rose absolute, extracted primarily from flowers or delicate plant tissues through solvent or super-critical fluid extraction.Carrier Oils - Usually oily plant based triglycerides, such
as sweet almond oil, that dilute essential oils for use on the skin.Essential Oils - Fragrant oils extracted from plants primarily through steam distillation or expression.Hydro-sols or Herbal Distillates - the aqueous by-products, such as rosewater, of the distillation process.

Infusions - Aqueous extracts, such as infusion of chamomile, of various plant material
Some caveats. As with any bio-active substance, essential oils may pose hazards for pregnant and lactating women. Oils - both ingested and applied to the skin -  potentially can negatively interact with conventional medicines. Because essential oils are highly concentrated and can irritate the skin when undiluted, a carrier oil should be used for topical application.

Smudging
Smudging is a way of using the smoke from burning herbs as a way to cleanse the body, an object or an area of negative influences. A smudge stick is a bundle of dried herbs, most commonly White Sage (Salvia apiana). Often other herbs or botanicals are added, and the leaves are bound with string in a small bundle and dried.

Other herbs that may be used with or in place of white sage include common sage, rosemary, juniper, cilantro, cedar, lavender, sweetgrass and mugwort. Smudging sticks may be used in Stillness or meditation practices as psychologically and spiritually cleansing, and as a means of clearing negative energy, focusing your thoughts and relaxing your emotions.

You can smudge yourself or others by lighting a smudge herb bundle and, with your hand or a feather, fanning the smoke in the appropriate direction. Smudge your home for purification, and to repel and cleanse dark/evil influences.

For cleansing your home, first offer the smoke to each of the rooms, them go through each room, making sure the smoke penetrates every nook and cranny. Then light a white candle to - literally - light up your home.  Always perform smudging with care and reverence, and in an attitude of love. Honor the plants in the smudge bundle, and they will keep you well and free from disease and negative energy.

Sage is a native to Northern Mediterranean coastal areas of Europe. In many Native American traditions, Sage is considered a sacred herb and burning it is believed to release a purifying energy that can cleanse a space of negative energy, thoughts and feelings.  We all know this herb to be known for its wonderful fragrance and taste. There’s more to this herb then meets the eye.
In the 1800’s Americans thought this herb cured warts. They also claimed Sage cured epilepsy, insomnia, measles, seasickness, and worms.  This powerful herb can fight a variety of infections, killing bacteria as well as viruses, and fighting inflammation along the way.   In this day and age Sage is an herb than can be used for many different things… it can be used for cooking, aromatherapy, and for medical purposes. Some of the attributed medical properties go as follows:  
The oils in Sage contain antiseptic, astringent, and irritant properties.  Treating such ailments as sore throats, mouth irritations like canker sores, possibly cuts and bruises to heal.
In 1939 an experiment was conducted and showed Sage had estrogenic properties which may have some connection to the herb’s ability to dry tip milk?
The research also showed set herb to be very helpful in lowering blood sugar in diabetics.
Sage is great for easing the mind during a time when feeling mentally exhausted, soothing nerves, and strengthening concentration. Using this herb in lotion form is a good thing to do when treating sores, or skin eruptions.
Here are a few more helpful tips when using Sage:
*Tea – Great for all stomach troubles, diarrhea, gas, flu and colds.
*Mouth or Sore Throat – Chewing fresh Sage leaves helps to soothe sore mouth, and sore throat.
*In Combination with Sage – Peppermint, rosemary, and wood betony provide helpful remedies for headaches, regulating menstrual cycle.
*Essential Oil – in oil form Sage is great for aromatherapy to cleanse and purify the air.
*Cooking – Some people find the pungency of Sage to be overpowering, its astringent, “grease cutting” attributes make it a perfect accompaniment when preparing fatty food, and meats.  Sage goes well with foods like carbohydrates, butter beans, and vegetable soup.
So the next time you are putting to together your grocery list. Add Sage to the list not only is it good for you, it’s good in helping you heal and has a wonderful fragrance.

Share your feedback;-)

Herb Ready Nutritional Program

Food For Fuel Not Emotion.

Thursday, November 18, 2010

Hip Hop Dance Related Injuries: Knee Strength

Mind, Body, Heart, Soul, Spirit

This is a very familiar topic for dancers of any genre. The injuries.. and if you are lucky and you have health insurance.. God Bless you, but many in the arts are not so lucky and use other means to heal in time for the next gig or job or opportunity.

I am no stranger to injuries related to dance from knees to back pain and spasms. I learned through experience what NOT to do. Starting with:

Improper Warm-Up
I injured my knee while performing a move I was not properly warmed up for. Not a smart move and I paid for it the following morning and there after. I was aware of the importance of warming up, but I was young/naive and took that for granted. My excuse for not warming up thoroughly.. Laziness...

Attention to Time Frame

I waited too long before I actively did anything to properly heal my knee. I did see a doctor for an MRI so I was aware of the damage. The doctor encouraged me to continue with my strength training and rehab it instead of surgery. I knew has a good chance to build my knee strength with proper training. So I focused on building muscle to be better and stronger.

Wear and Tear Over Load

As I trained, my legs were stronger and my knees felt better. But then i craved more and more weight in my training sessions. I would challenge myself by testing my strength squatting 270lbs, Leg Press 720lbs, benching 180lbs.. I would give myself a target and work on reaching it. It was a necessary phase in my workout strategy. My next step was to get on stage and compete. The wear and tear with the weight over load.. intense leg workouts combined with restricted calories and lack of hydration was enough. I went in for orthoscopic surgery shortly after my competition in 2005.

My healing process was challenging, but rewarding.. and it was work. Not only physical work, but mental and spiritual. Stress, lack of proper nutrition, Sleep, mind and body connection to recognize the body signals are signs to look for. Solution, injury prevention through strength, cardio and flexibility training, energizing nutrition, plenty of restful sleep, proper hydration to name a few. Injuries are also self inflicted sometimes without knowing. Everyday we do damage on a cellular level when our spirit is not being nourished. Instead we feed our bodies with negative, judgmental thoughts that causes a reaction that can later produce harmful effects from depression to disease. Developing a strong positive structure in the mind, body, spirit and environment will lead to a longer, happier life.

Easier said than done in many cases.. Start small.. Find a quite peaceful place, even if for just 10mins a day and meditate on the life you want for yourself. Not sure how to meditate? There are plenty of guides online that can help you.

Hip Hop Dance Knee Strengthening
I developed a passion for building muscle at an early age but did not think it was attainable. Now my training sessions are moderate intensity, enough of a challenge for my cardio and strength endurance with less pressure on my joints with heavy loading.

I love leg training days. They are the most challenging for me and requires my focus on form and load. Even as a personal trainer I enjoy workouts with other trainers. I need that extra push of motivation as well. Especially when I am preparing for a competition.

A typical leg workout for me consist of:
A circuit of each element available at most gyms; Machines, Free Weights, Cables and Functional Calisthenics.

Leg Extension, Leg Curls, Free Squats, Leg Press, Deadlifts, Walking Lunges and cable work. I train with weights and without to keep the balance. Calisthenics are just as important. In my opinion it's better to keep the variety and not just one and be consistent. It's fine if you need to take some time off from strength training, a week to a month. But very important to return to maintain your overall well being.

Comment Below;-)

Friday, November 20, 2009

Overcoming Emotional Eating by SnapShot

I was watching the Janet Jackson interview on Wednesday Evening and she talked about her challenges with her weight and her bouts with emotional eating. It's a very serious topic for many people, including myself. Maybe you can relate to those boring, lonely, late nights with leftovers and snacks before you go to bed to deal with the void, hurt, depression. Well you are NOT alone and here are a few tips on recognizing the pattern. First, you have to recognize the unhealthy behavior.

Know your triggers. You have to know which moods send you to the cookie jar before you can do anything about it. Once you know your triggers, have a list of alternate things to do when the mood strikes. For example, read a book, go for a walk or find an online support group.

Quiz yourself. Determine if you're really hungry or eating for other reasons. "I'll ask myself 'Do you really need this, or is it something else, like boredom?" About 80% of the time it's not hunger.

Call a friend. Talking about what's bothering you can keep you from eating.

Challenge the power of food. Ice cream is a poor companion if you're lonely. "If I eat the whole bag of chocolate chip cookies, am I going to be any happier?

Take an emotional inventory. Ask yourself: "What do you feel? anger? resent? fear? regret? What are you upset about?" Talk to the person involved, talk to others, or write a letter-even if you don't send it. Do you Struggle with Food Battles?

Tell Us About it?

Friday, June 27, 2008

Healthy Eating Tips by SnapShot

Healthy Eating Tips

Everyone knows that we have to eat healthily in order to stay healthy. Yet many people find it hard to do so. One useful way to get you into the habit of eating healthily is by applying a few principles to the way you eat. I've outlined 7 of them below.

I. Eat small portions of food for each meal.

II. Eat frequently. Most adults get hungry about 4 hours after their last meal.Aim to eat at least 5 small sized meals each day. This keeps your metabolic rate high.

III. Eat foods that you enjoy eating, making sure that each meal contains all the essential nutrients (protein, carbohydrates, fats, minerals and vitamins).

IV. Eat only when you’re hungry.

V. Stop eating as soon as you feel full: practice pushing away your plate with food still on it when you’ve had enough. Don’t aim to wipe the plate clean, and don’t eat until you feel stuffed. Eat until you’re comfortably satisfied.

VI. Drink a lot of water. Scientists recommend that we drink roughly 8 (250mls) glasses of water each day. Water helps you stay full, and if you’re eating only when you’re hungry, it means you’ll eat less without feeling like you’re depriving yourself. It also helps you flush out toxins from your body which otherwise could interfere with your body’s normal metabolism.

VII. Eating should be a pleasure, not a pain. For any food plan to work, it has to be practical, enjoyable, flexible and nutritious. Any plan that's based on depriving you of some food or other is almost certainly doomed to fail in the long term.

Try incorporating the above tips into the way you eat. BABYSTEPS! Start with one of them, practice it for a week (or until you're used to it), then start on another one. If you make changes in small steps, you won't be overwhelmed and easily discouraged by your progress. So make a small change each time; celebrate (or reward yourself) for each success, no matter how small you think it is. Remember, every baby step is bringing you closer to your desired goal of being a healthy eater. With persistence, you will find that eating healthily is not only possible, but it's fun.

So go for it!

Tuesday, June 24, 2008

Tips for Allergy Season By WandeePOP

This month we are featuring two naturalpathic remedies in our Nutritional program and the utilization of Earth's natural resources.

For the past year I’ve been researching different foods (snacks), herbs (plants) and I’ve come across interesting findings with these two in particular; Sunflower Seeds and the Eucalyptus plant… So for six months I decided to add Sunflower seeds to my meals along with placing the eucalyptus plant in my home and office.

Let me start by telling you how helpful and effective the seeds can be. Sunflowers Seeds have five key components that are super in helping with Energy, relief from seasonal Allergies, lowering bad Cholesterol, and ladies studies also showed sunflowers to be extremely helpful in healing Cramps.

Why you may ask? Sunflower Seeds are known to be one of the highest forms and sources of vitamin E and is an excellent choice for daily snacking. Snacking on ¼ cup
Of set seed will deliver 55 percent of the daily dosage recommended of thiamine. This seed is also rich in Folate and Pantothenic acid which are known as good B-complex! vitamins and play key roles in converting carbohydrates into energy, glucose and yes in-turn will provide up to four hours of energy.

Sunflowers Seeds are helpful in curing seasonal Allergies: Because they are so high in vitamin-E! the vitamin has been known to alleviate the symptoms in five days. That’s because antioxidants neutralizes inflammatory which will free radicals through out your body, dampening susceptibility to any allergic reaction.

Sunflower Seeds help with lowering “BAD” Cholesterol: Because it is such a powerhouse of a seed that contains Phytosterols and has a plant compound that displaces LDL cholesterol particles in the intestines speeding through your body lowering the LDL count.

Sunflower Seeds helping to ease Cramps: If you eat at least ½ cup of the seeds it will provide 413mg of Tryptophan and 255mg of Magnesium this can be help to heal the discomfort of Cramps, PMS. The amino acid in the Tryptophan can prevent cravings by revving production of your appetite and because the seed contains Magnesium which is known to reduce muscle cramps. Plus it help’s to raise levels of the mood balancing the body’s chemicals.

At this point and time I decided to incorporate my sense of smell… and my continued mission to alleviate my on going battle with Allergies and Sinus problems. Placing the pretty Eucalyptus Plant in my immediate space was most important and helpful after reading and researching how it effective it can be in clearing congestion I took the chance and placed the plant in my home (living room, and bedroom) and at work. As I researched more about the plant I came to love and understand how helpful the plant truly is. The Eucalyptus plant is known as a prime defense against Spring Colds!


The plant contains great chemicals that when are inhaled raise the level of Healthy periciliary fluid in the body’s airways, and breathing the wonderful scent of this plant can raise the fluid levels in the respiratory tract thinning and loosening any, and all Phlegm.

By the end of the six month time period I was looking and feeling better!!
No congestions (nose, chest) ,or fuzzy hay fever feeling, natural sneezing not that on going allergy sneeze or running nose, and best of all no eye irritation.

This is the best medicine ever! I was feeling great then and still am till this day.
All I did was allow Earth's natural resources to help me.

Who would’ve thought that one simple plant and seed could be so POWERFUL.