Archive for health – Page 3

Ready for Skinny School?

09/04/13 Monika Comments (0)

Now’s the time to get serious again – isn’t it?  After all you’ve just spent the last 2 months having a good time and throwing anything that remotely resembled restriction or discipline out the window.  You realize this can’t go on – you must make some changes and get back to healthy again.  Well here are 5 clues about how to do just that.

Here are 5 Tips of Getting Back to Skinny School:

Tip # 1   Don’t hold your breath.  By that I mean don’t take too long to decide to turn things around. It’s easier to make changes now before your doctor tells you have no other choice. Initiate small doable steps now.

 

Tip # 2  Don’t forget your crayons.  Journaling is always a great way to help you track your food, exercise, self care and sleep habits.  If you don’t measure you can’t really make changes last.  Pick an attractive book and start writing (or even drawing) beginning with where you are now and where you want to go.

Tip #3  Get your school supplies.  Those supplies consist of a fridge full or healthy proteins, lots of fresh vegetables and refreshing fruit in your fruit bowl. Add some unsalted nuts and seeds to that and you’re good to go. Throw out, donate or give your neighbors all the snack foods still hidden in your pantry immediately. Let go of all and any temptation.

Tip # 4  Buy some New Clothes.  That’s right – buy a few new items, it’ll make you feel good and that’s an ideal place to start.  Don’t spend too much especially if you’re planning to lose a few lbs.  This exercise is designed to increase your self worth from the start.  Treat yourself first and then take care of yourself next.

Tip # 5    Rest Up.  Make sure you make getting enough sleep a priority – always. It’s a must if you want to be productive and effective with your weight management and healthy living goals. Get at least 8 hours.

Have Fun at School!

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Categories : Self Improvement, Skinny Jeans, Wellness
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Stay Skinny This Summer… Even While Traveling

07/24/13 Monika Comments (0)

It’s not impossible to eat well while vacationing. Your vacation state of mind can include light eating and better choices or it can run amok.  Here are a few ways to help you stay on track.

Here are 5 Healthy Tips while Traveling:

Tip # 1  Choose Light.  It’s not just about eating a lot of fresh fruit during the summer.  Even though juicy and refreshing, don’t overdo the fruit.  Chances are you are most likely choosing sweeter fruits. One or two fruits should be it for the day. Stick with most of your plant foods being vegetables.  There is an overabundance of fresh vegetable produce to pick from this time of year. 

 

Tip # 2  Go outside:  Take advantage of the wonderful weather.  If it’s too hot, aim for starting your outdoor adventure early in the morning before it gets too hot.  Take that early morning walk, run or hike.  Forego outdoor activities midday when the sun is at its peak.  And remember to always bring water with you.  I remember several years back going on a hike in the local Santa Monica mountains.  I was a rather inexperienced hiker and so I was not well equipped with the necessities.  I found myself feeling faint as we neared the peak and I almost passed out.  Something I’ll never forget – I now know to always have water and a snack with me even if it’s only a brief 30 minute walk around the neighborhood.

Tip #3  Pick Salads Instead of Burgers: I’m not opposed to burgers. Should you decide to have one, make sure you limit all or most of the bun. Also, french fries are usually part of the equation, so ask for a side of salad instead.  Main course salads are always a good pick. They are crisp and nutritious, however watch all the extras like highly caloric dressings, croutons, excessive amounts of ingredients like avocado, bacon, cheese. Although all of these are healthy, there just might be too much of it for one serving size.  While traveling, it’s not very easy to use a doggy bag, unless of course you have a fridge back in your hotel room or bed and breakfast.  If you don’t have any refrigeration order a small size or split a large size with your travel partner.

Tip # 4  Good Stuff Available Everywhere:  Believe it or not there is healthy food available everywhere you travel. Many foreign countries eat better than we do here.  Most cultures pride themselves on fresh fare and healthy portion sizes, as in enough to satisfy your hunger and not feeling overstuffed. Even if your host country offers greasy, large entrees you can still opt for something else.  Even though Mexico has now officially surpassed the U.S. as being the most obese country in the world (I would suspect it has a lot to do with processed foods having become more prevalent there) there is still plenty of excellent, healthy foods to choose from while visiting there.

Tip # 5   Alcohol Not Necessary:  Choose a Skinny drink – not necessarily a Skinny Girl Margarita. I like the “Skinny Girl” brand concept, but not so happy about the aspartame found in these drinks.  Aspartame, an unhealthy artificial sweetener, is known to be toxic to the brain. If you are choosing a cocktail you can make your own skinny version by replacing soda with mineral water instead.  Remember alcohol can cause you to overeat and crave certain foods like more sugar in the form of dessert.  So taste a little not a lot and save your waistline this summer.

Happy Trails!

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Are You on the Heavier Side of Light?

07/19/13 Monika Comments (0)

Every week I have clients come into my office who inspire me.  Often in our sessions amazing ideas come to me for article topics.  Last week one of my clients was claiming that her summer clothes were tighter this year.  Even though she had maintained most of her  initial weight loss from when we first started working together – she had gained 4 lbs in the last 4 months.  It may not seem like a lot, but because she’s tiny to begin with – it was enough to put her into another size – up.

So I ask – are you also on the Heavier Side of Light right now?  Almost sounds like a movie title – doesn’t it?  Like the Unbearable Lightness of Being, for example?  But what I’m asking here is have you lost weight and now some of it has crept back on?  You aren’t feeling that far behind the eight ball, but just enough to have your new smaller sized clothes feeling a little snug.

You must admit you are lighter than you were before – maybe by a lot or maybe just a little.  But you’d like to get back to the smaller size, but maybe you’ve lost the motivation to do just that.  Maybe you don’t want to feel like you have to deprive yourself of sandwiches or desert or that glass of wine at dinner.  Maybe you just don’t want to live that way and the extra 2-12 lbs (or whatever the number is for you) is not worth being upset about.

If you are at that cross roads in maintaining your healthy lifestyle – you may want to ask yourself the following questions to determine if you are willing to do what it takes or simply accept where you are right now. 

Here are your Questions:

Question #1  Do you Like your Body Today?  Perhaps you’ve reached a point where you actually approve and love your body just as it right now.  You realize you will never be perfect or look like a movie star and finally you’re actually OK about that.  You still like what you see in the mirror.  Most of your clothes fit you just fine.  It’s not like it was.  You did dispense with all your “big clothes” long ago or you had your favorites taken in – that’s always a good thing.  So stay proud of how far you have come and the progress you’ve made.  Think of all the things you continue to learn and admire about yourself today.

Question #2  Do you plan to yoyo?  If you feel like you just may end going up and down & up and down for the rest of your life, ask yourself if you’d like to live with these planned fluctuations?  I don’t really advise planning to yoyo – it’s hard on your body, mind and spirit.  Normal fluctuations are common due to water retention, menstrual cycles, or exercise levels.  Eating larger portions than you’re used to or having foods you don’t normally eat are all  part of the “fluctuation dance”.  Watch for  incrementally continuous rises in weight – stopping this pattern as soon as it starts is essential for helping stay in your healthy weight range.

Question #3  Does your new weight require less effort to maintain?  If your new “heavier side of light” weight requires less effort you may want to consider that this is your new normal and stick with it.  You may want to enjoy more of this or that and find that the cost benefit is worth it to you.  Just make sure you stick with your healthy food choices 80-85% of the time.  

Question #4  Are you trying to maintain some fantasy? If you’re trying to maintain an unrealistic weight – a weight you may have been when you were 16, but not at 40 or 50.  This unrealistic weight may become impossible to maintain and will only set you up for further frustration.  Your hormonal balance is so much different now than when you were a teenager.  You most likely got away with a lot when you were younger; but now these indiscretions count – both on the scale and in how you actually feel.  Whether you are getting into your Skinny Jeans or not, you must make sure your weight goal is attainable – long term.

Questions #5   Do you just want to have fun?  You want to forget about constant control – you just want to be free from the scale, calorie counting and “weighing in” – is that right? You just want to let loose and enjoy your life – don’t you – after all isn’t that what life is all about?

This can be a beneficial strategy for some, however for most people too much letting go and having fun may set you off in the wrong direction completely. You may end up several weeks or months later, after having caused more damage and feeling worse, having to start over from scratch.  Now who wants to do that?  You don’t want all weight that you’ve worked so hard to lose. Consider all the time, energy, and money you’ve spent to accomplish a healthier and leaner life and now it’s all gone. So go ahead and have a little fun and know that discipline is not such a bad thing when it comes to your overall sense of wellbeing, pride and respect for yourself.

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Hoping For a Miracle to Your Weight Loss Challenge?

07/17/13 Monika Comments (0)

It can be daunting. You’ve tried everything.  You lose, you gain, you lose, you gain. It’s a nightmare –right?  But it doesn’t have to be that way. Keeping yourself in the zone of let’s call it “Weight Awareness” doesn’t need to be a full time job. However, only thinking about making changes and never actually taking the first step will keep you more in “Weight Denial” Zone for awhile than anything else. So how can you become more aware and realistic and less frightened or paralyzed?

Here are 5 “Miracles” for You to Consider:

Miracle # 1  There are no Miracles.  It’s as simple as that.   Real change requires effort, commitment and trust in the process and in yourself. You may not see results right away, but when you put one foot in front of the other and do what it takes on a daily basis, the results of all your effort is bound to show.  However, I must add, that if you’ve been at it for awhile trying to lose weight and are not making headway, it’s time to consult a professional.

Miracle # 2  Realistic Dreaming is Good for You:  Yes go ahead and imagine being healthy, lean and fit.  Studies show the powerful effects of visualization in   achieving any goal.  In your mind’s eye you can see yourself energetic, fit and wearing clothes you love and dream of putting on someday.  Just like Olympic athletes – you can train your brain to think positive thoughts and allow yourself to emotionally experience a New You.

 

Miracle # 3  Think Opportunity Not Challenge: Your weight loss and healthy eating program can be a wonderful adventure into self realization.  Most people enter a “diet” with trepidation and not excitement.  Try and change your thinking, suspend all judgment and just go for it.  Whatever you are doing is better than doing zero, unless of course it’s downright unhealthy, unsound and unproven.

Miracle # 4  One Small Step:  No leaps required.  The slower and more aware you are in your Weight Loss Journey the better.  Don’t think of this as “oh in a few weeks or months I’ll weigh such and such”.  Think more long term – how will I feel and look in a year or two. Think one meal at a time if you need to.

Miracle # 5   Being Healthy is Never Done:  It is a practice of being healthy, not a one time event.  So keep at it – there are no failures. You are never done – this is a lifelong process – so enjoy it – there’s no hurry!

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Are You Afraid to Eat That?

06/26/13 Monika Comments (0)

You may have gotten to the point where you just don’t know what the best thing for you to eat really is.  There are so many food philosophies; yes I call them philosophies, out there that you’re just not sure where to turn for the best advice.

Well, if you aren’t working with a professional right at the moment, figuring it out on your own could be a challenge.  You wonder “how much protein is actually healthy for me?”  You ask: “Doesn’t high protein and especially saturated fat cause heart disease?”  “Wouldn’t a vegetarian or even a vegan diet a la “Forks over Knives” method work the best for me?” you inquire. “How about all the genetically modified stuff out there – how do I know if my family’s safe?” you ask. And if you’re gluten free you want to know “What can I have instead of gluten?” So many questions and so paths to entertain.

Everyone is unique.  My husband has Kidney Disease and can’t eat greens, nuts, cheese, most fruits, potatoes and several other seemingly healthy foods, but for him those foods aren’t healthy ones.  They elevate his potassium and phosphorous which can have extreme consequences for him.  But if you’re relatively healthy, these kinds of foods are excellent to help maintain good health.

But let’s face it – it’s all very confusing.  Being too rigid is not a solution. There is a condition called Orthorexia, like anorexia it is a serious eating disorder. Orthorexics are so rigid with their healthy eating regimen that they become overly obsessed to an extreme. Unlike anorexia, those with orthorexia do eat but are so fanatically focused on only eating healthy that no food considered unhealthy passes their lips. Even though this is a serious illness, recovery is possible.

So how can you be OK with what’s available and what you put on your plate?

Here are 5 Tips to Help You Be Unafraid of Your Food Choices: 

Tip #1  Relax:  No need to get upset if you happen to eat something that is less than healthy every once in awhile.  Everyone faces this dilemma and we’re often tempted more that we’d like to admit. If you can make healthy food choices 70-80% of the time you’ll be in good shape.  Remember this is never about being perfect but about being healthy.

Tip #2  There is no BAD Food:  Labeling food good or bad can pose a problem.  As I mentioned my husband can’t have greens yet greens are something I recommend all the time to my clients and readers. It’s not good for him but for nearly everyone else greens are good.  Using the word BAD to describe a food can make it emotionally charged and a huge negative punch to your psyche. This association leaves you feeling guilty, miserable and more susceptible to reaching for those types of commonly considered “bad” foods over and over again, especially when things go wrong in your life. A better categorization for food might be: those that nourish and give energy and those that make you not feel good, create symptoms and deplete you of vitality.

Tip #3  Check the Labels:  Even though I encourage you to primarily choose real, whole, fresh foods without labels, sometimes you can’t avoid it.  Make sure the packaged foods you are choosing are GMO free and don’t contain highly modified corn or soy ingredients.  Stay away from unhealthy syrups and sweeteners as well, they are first off  artificial or secondly toxic and you wouldn’t want either in your tummy.

Tip #4  Ask your waiter/waitress or grocer:  If you have any doubt about what’s in the dish you’re ordering tonight for dinner – ask. No need to feel embarrassed or feel like you’re  causing a scene. You don’t need to have a food allergy in order to gain permission for a query. Most restaurants nowadays have become quite used to the more educated consumer wanting to know more about what they are putting into their mouths.

Restaurants have become quite adept at answering most questions the diner has.  Even your grocer is there to help. If you’re uncertain about something, do ask. Also, if your local grocery store doesn’t carry some of your favorite healthy foods, ask them to either stock it or special order it for you.  They’ll be happy to do so and keep you as their loyal customer.

Tip #5 Drop the Jitters: No need to go overboard about the food you eat.  Every food you consume does not have to be gluten, dairy or whatever “free”. Remain calm and do your best to enjoy your meals, savor every morsel and if you don’t like it don’t eat it. Unless you, of course, are more accustomed to eating only junk food, greasy burgers and fries – your palate then needs to be trained for healthier fare. Food should taste good all on its own without the need for sauces, dressings or extra salt.  Whole, fresh food has so much inherent flavor and goodness in it.  Give yourself time to experience the true JOY OF EATING!

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Eating Light

05/29/13 Monika Comments (0)

The Sun Season is upon us. Here in Southern California where early March or mid December can also bring balmy 90 degree weather; it is sometimes hard to distinguish summer from any other season.  We therefore need to be even more diligent on how to take care of ourselves with heat and sun beating down upon us throughout the year.    Summer is definitely a time to shed clothes, and for some also shedding some pounds as well. This bathing suit season prompts us to get our bodies in tip top shape which means eating right and exercising appropriately.  Many come to see me for my successful weight loss programs throughout the year but I especially have a surge this time of year.  Getting into those shorts, skirts and bathing suits can certainly be a big motivator to lose those extra 5 or 10 or more.

Eating Light 

There are so many fresh great foods that you can enjoy at this time of year.  Fresh fruits and vegetables are chockfull of nutrients.  Here in Southern California, we are very lucky to be able to pick so many fresh fruits and vegetables from the vine, tree or ground – some all year round.  Daily fresh salads are  a big favorite summer fare for many.  Fill your salad with a wide array of fresh garden vegetables not just lettuce – add some fresh tomatoes, fresh herbs, cucumber or radishes.  One of my all time favorites in Greek Salad with tomatoes, cucumber, red onions and kalamata olives.  I even like to top it off with walnuts for an extra crunch and add an olive oil and apple cider vinegar or balsamic dressing.  This salad is so refreshing – just the thing for a hot summer day or evening.

Summer is also a very social time of year – more family get-togethers and vacations.  You may run the risk of putting on some weight if you over indulge – so stick with lighter meals. Visit your local farmers markets where you will find all the vegetables you can imagine.  Or even better still plant a garden filled with vegetables and herbs and you are set for many months to come. Even though the U.S. government’s 2005 dietary guidelines indicate four-and-a-half cups of fruits and vegetables each day, I recommend you increase it to 6-8 ½ cups each day.   Add some vegetables to every meal they will give you even more anti-oxidant and phyto-nutrient “Omph” throughout your day.   All fruits and vegetables are good sources of antioxidants, vitamins and fiber.

Here are some examples

Oh those Yummy Tomatoes and Peppers Who can resist a juicy summer tomato – loaded with Vitamin A, C and Lycopene.  Lypcopene from cooked tomatoes has shown to help with prostate health.  Recent research indicates that lycopene also reduces the LDL “bad” cholesterol therefore making it a heart healthy nutrient.  All peppers contain the antioxidant beta carotene which is powerful immune booster.  Both tomatoes and pepper are high in vitamin C.

Those Little Bundles of Goodness – Berries!

We hear so much about the importance of berries these days – blueberries, raspberries, cherries, blackberries, boysenberries and the list goes on.  They satisfy your sweet tooth and are rich in nutritional bonuses, such as vitamin C.  In fact, strawberries have the highest amount of vitamin C of the berry family.  Berries by their very nature have skins that protect the vulnerable fruit inside from damage, sun radiation and infection.  This gives them incredible antioxidant protection for those who consume them.  With their high fiber content, berries also very helpful in lowering cholesterol.

Smoothies for Everyone!

To eliminate the need to overindulge in ice cream when it’s too hot – how about something less caloric and very nutritious.  Try a smoothie – add some yogurt, ¼ banana, some berries and a couple of scoops of high quality protein powder and – Voila – a wonderfully rich, creamy, fruity and cold beverage to satisfy your summertime cravings.  You can even add a few nuts or nut butter i.e. almond or peanut butter to give additional flavor, a little crunch and some added nutrient value.  Make sure you use a plain yogurt without additional fruit on the bottom which usually contains more sugar than you need.  Of course a good yogurt will also give you those extra good bugs that help your immune system stay healthy.

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No Fooling Yourself… The 5 Myths Behind Think and Grow Thin

05/27/13 Monika Comments (0)

Nice idea  – wouldn’t it be great to just think yourself thin?  I don’t think we are that evolved yet to actually manifest this – we need to take action – so many of us don’t know what to do or maybe we actually do know what to do but simply can’t do it for one reason or another.

Myth #1 – you really can be thin and healthy without exercise or how about the opposite – you can be thin and healthy only with exercise and get away with eating whatever you want. Wrong – both matter when it comes to sustaining health – long term.

Myth #2 – Eat small portions. That’s half right – but if you are only eating carbohydrates in those small portions – well that can be a problem. If that is what you are doing then you will never be able to maintain your weight loss as you have lost muscle and not actual fat.  You want to lose weight in the form of fat loss.

Myth #3 – My husband or wife likes me just the way I am and if I change they will feel uncomfortable.  This is often a true hard fact that those close don’t really want us to change because they will have to change as well – or so they think.  However, this is no reason to refrain from going after what you want – ever.

Myth #4 – At social functions in order not to insult the host I must eat what they serve – everything and all of it!  They may not invite me back or what will they think of me?  Fear of loss of a friendship or family relationship can be an interesting motivator to do the wrong thing for yourself.  If your loved ones are thinking this –maybe your relationship might need a little improvement in honest communication.

Myth #5 – I need to eat packaged foods because I’m not a cook.  You don’t need to be Julia Child – you can eat clean, wholesome and fresh very easily – and I do mean easily.   Here’s an idea – some chicken or fish with steamed broccoli and carrots and a small green salad with pine nuts and red peppers – easy – right?

Many myths to be busted …stay tuned for more…

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Can Your Kitchen Be Your Pharmacy?

05/22/13 Monika Comments (0)

I have written in the past about Hippocrates the Father of Medicine’s famous words “Let Your Food Be Your Medicine”, but I want to take it even further and make such a bold declaration practical for you.

As well as making your food be your medicine you can also make your Kitchen Your Pharmacy as well as your food be your medicine.  By giving the foods you choose to nourish your mind, body and spirit the utmost respect they deserve there’s a good chance you’ll maintain your health for a very long time.

I was inspired to write this article because of an unusual dish my husband created over the weekend – we called it “Watermelon Salad”.  I posted the concoction on Facebook and got some interesting responses.  Yes – a Watermelon Salad is a strange but delicious combination of delicate flavors (see recipe below).

So what’s in your Kitchen?  Is it filled with healing ingredients?  A good clue in answering that question would be asking yourself how comfortable you’d be if I were to come over for a Kitchen Inventory er… I mean a Visit…

If you’re shaking in your stilettos or adidas right now, there’s probably a good chance your kitchen isn’t quite up to snuff even by your standards.

So here are a few tips to help you in advance –
before I come over for that Kitchen “Visit”:

Tip #1  Is Your Crisper Empty?:  If its empty that’s a good sign that it’s time to go shopping.  Your crisper should be brimming full of fresh produce and not be a “science project” as a friend of mine used to call her aging vegetables supply.  Make sure you rotate your vegetables and try and use as many of them on a daily basis.  If you are lucky enough to have an extra fridge in your garage like we do – you can store some of you fruits there.  I store my extra grapefruits, apples and oranges there.  They last longer than vegetables usually, so I stock up on them and keep them separate. One of my favorite mottos is: Veggies are your Best Friends! I hope it becomes one of yours, too.

Tip # 2  Salt is not a Spice:  If you are needing to refill your salt shaker every week there’s definitely something wrong.  Salt should only be used when cooking to bring out the natural flavor of food not to cover it up.  NaCl (Sodium Chloride) or table salt is not a natural food item.  Even if you are using sea salt, remember to use it sparingly – a dash is all you need.

If you want added flavor start incorporating real spices and herbs into your cooking instead.  Fresh basil is wonderful and has a calming effect on the mind.  Cinnamon isn’t only added into desserts – it can be added to savory dishes as well.  It adds interest to a dish and it’s also beneficial for balancing blood sugar.  And for those brave souls – I am one of them – curry or turmeric is an excellent spice adding pungency and heat to a meal.  These 2 are known to help reduce inflammation in the body, clear up sinuses and aid digestion.  Experiment and start slowly when adding new spices and herbs to your food.

Tip #3  Ever Heard of Therapeutic Vinegar?  Well there are culinary vinegars like balsamic, red wine vinegar and a myriad of gourmet combinations.  But one hails as a therapeutic vinegar and that’s  Apple Cider Vinegar. When my clients work with me Apple Cider Vinegar is usually something I recommend they start using immediately and often on a daily basis.  They report that it has a sort of cleansing effect on them.  It is well researched that for most people it helps with their digestion.  Unless you are suffering from digestive inflammation due to an ulcer or gastritis Apple Cider Vinegar is safe, tasty and an effective digestive balancer.

Tip # 4  It’s Not Only the Food:  Not only is what you eat important, but how you eat is equally if not more important.  If you are eating your meals standing up, in a rush, washing your food down with liquids, in a heated conversation – all of these activities will have a serious effect on how well you break down the foods you are consuming.  The more stressful your environment, the less beneficial your meal.

Stress will increase cortisol, decrease proper digestive function and impair how important nutrients get absorbed. Without these nutrients you will not be feeling good for long.  Make your meal environment as stress free as possible.  Believe me, it matters. I have seen many of my clients suffering from all sorts of digestive discomfort, and by doing this simple fix they actually become more relaxed, healthier and happier.

Tip # 5   Overhaul the Bags and Boxes:  If you have a predominance of bags and boxes in your pantry or cupboards it’s time to haul them out and give them away.  Let’s face it, most of the foods found in these types of packages are usually not fresh or wholesome.  Unless they are nuts and seeds – which should probably be stored in your fridge not in your cupboards – they are most likely snack foods loaded with either sugar, gluten grains or some other synthetic ingredient which is not healthy for you or your family.

Not only should your Kitchen Be Your Pharmacy filled with healing foods and beverages, but your food should come from the garden, trees or vines –  from nature in general.  That’s the secret to making  Your Kitchen and Your Body Healthy for a long time.

Here’s my husband’s “Watermelon Salad”… Ever thought that watermelon couldn’t be heated well think again…

Watermelon Salad

Grill ½ c onions

Add  2 cups fresh watermelon

Add ¼ cup dried cranberries

Add ¼ c. pine nuts

Cook for about 15 minutes

Add 1/2 c. cubed Feta Cheese

Cook for another 10 minutes

Let sit for a few minutes

Enjoy warm or cold

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4 Simple Healthy Steps to Saving Time

05/20/13 Monika Comments (0)

In these times everyone wants, and perhaps needs to, save time and money – right?  Well, eating the way we recommend at Coaching For Health not only ensures better health, leaner bodies and loads of compliments but guarantees that you’ll save money and time as well.  As Olivia, a client of mine, once said “I have been able to save so much money these past 2 months by simply bringing my lunch to work and by not picking up unhealthy afternoon snacks from the vending machine – that I’ve actually saved enough money to go on a weekend trip to Catalina with friends.”  Or how about Vicky’s comments: “My husband and I stopped going out to restaurants – instead of 3x- /week it’s maybe once or twice and sometimes not at all!  I saved enough money to go on a shopping spree so I can buy some new clothes. Since I have gone down 2 dress sizes, I am rewarding myself in very different ways now.”

You see – eating within a caloric “budget” can prevent overeating or choosing the wrong things to eat.  Eating fresh, clean, whole and green just makes good sense and makes you feel so good about yourself.  I encourage you to try as much as possible to stay away from foods that come in bags, boxes and any other types of packaging as they will cost your waistline and your pocketbook much more in the long run.  There’s not a lot of nutritional value in packaged foods, unfortunately, certainly nothing like the value you would find in real whole foods.  Eating out less and eating at home more let’s you have more control over what and how much you eat.  I often here clients mention they eat less when they go out to dinner and more when they are at home.  And I also hear the exact opposite from others.  The bottom line is to identify your trigger foods and environments and then manage them appropriately and you may need expert help with this piece of puzzle.

Here are 4 Simple and Healthy ways to Save…

#1   Be good to yourself.  Don’t beat yourself up if you are not behaving perfectly – you were not put on this earth to be a robot and to do everything by the book.  You are here to experience, learn and to get comfortable with yourself and your own skin.  Being hard on yourself can waste valuable time and energy.  Eating balanced and healthy meals can actually help improve your self confidence and self esteem.

#2  Eat your greens. By this I mean – eating fresh fruits and vegetables – any and all are good for you!  Natural enzymes are still intact when you eat fresh and from local growers.  Visiting your local Farmers Markets or growing your own is also more cost effective and you will be benefiting from the rich inherent nutrients in the foods themselves.  It helps to maintain good health when you are getting the most out of what you are eating.

#3  Create a calm, peaceful and nurturing environment when eating. This may be a difficult feat in our fast paced world but it’s essential to at least attempt to eliminate as many distractions as possible when eating.  Turn off the TV, play beautiful music in the background, respect your food and give thanks.  I know, I know – not a simple feat – but allow me to plant some seeds for your next meal.  A relaxed environment will create better digestion and save on possible problems like acid reflux, overeating (and thus weight gain) and bloating.

#4  What about Vitamin L?  Yes, Vitamin Love absolutely but let’s not forget about the other Vitamin L – Laughter! An often overlooked health habit laughter is just plain good medicine for the body and soul and needs to be incorporated into a healthy lifestyle.  Debilitating diseases have often been eliminated due to this one simple ingredient.  Yes, laughing or lack of it can be a habit.  Finding things to make you laugh, be light and happy – it can be as economical as watching a funny movie on TV versus an intense crime filled drama!

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It’s Ridiculous!

05/13/13 Monika Comments (0)

It’s ridiculous when you think about it!  All this time you may be thinking I don’t have any willpower, I’m a failure at eating properly, losing weight, staying away from the cookies, succumbing to my temptations – what’s wrong with me? You cry out!  Well, it may not be your entire fault.  Yes, that’s right.  Choosing the foods you do may seem like it’s always your choice.  But when you are experiencing some uncontrollable, addictive behavior, the foods that you are choosing may actually have a lot to do with your cravings.  You seem to start eating these forbidden foods and then you just can’t stop.

Unfortunately, the very nature of these types of foods is what prevents you from stopping.    The high sugar, high fat and high salt contained within most foods you purchase in packages or even in restaurants are inherently damaging to any concept of self control.  Remember the movie “Super Size Me”?  Again, the very nature of the food business is to you keep you hooked – so you eat more and eat more of the wrong, unhealthy, addictive items.  The portions add up and so does the frequency.

Eating cleanly and healthfully requires commitment and making the firm decision that you need help and are willing to do whatever it takes to stop this madness.  Here are some simple tips to get you started into Eating Sobriety, so to speak.

#1  Portion Size.  I know, it’s easier said than done.  It requires diligence and awareness.  It also requires you to slow down and taste the food you are eating.  Savor it and appreciate what this food is giving you.  Ask yourself – is this food giving me the Gift of Life?  If not, why would you eat this much of it or any of it all?  A profound question to ask yourself, which is not often asked before, during of after your meals.  But I would urge you to consider what and how much you are eating rather than being oblivious to what’s on your plate and subsequently in your stomach. Also, by not eating meals throughout the day, you are much more susceptible to overeating at any one meal.  So balance your blood sugar and eat your 3 main meals everyday.

 #2  Eat your Greens. I pride myself as being “Green”.  For years of course, I’ve been saying eat your greens.  But that’s not all – eat your reds, yellows, purples, blues, etc – you get the idea.  A whole and natural food, unless it has food dye in it, has an amazing, vibrant color.  Real food looks Real.  If its too bright, too intense – maybe an additive has been added – so avoid it altogether.  What creates the enticing and healthy color of foods are the rich natural pigments and various nutrients like flavenoids for example.

#3   For now, stay away from ALL Packaged Foods. As you get started in your journey of healthy eating stay away from all foods in bags, boxes and cans.  Reading labels can be confusing so to begin with, to make it easier, stay away from packaged foods.  And to let you know anything in bags and boxes is never really a true friend anyway.  They are usually filled with excessive calories and artificial ingredients that you just don’t need.  Choose fresh, real foods most, if not all of the time.

#4   Forgive yourself. Beating yourself up or letting others do it for you does not work – ever!  You are a good and well meaning person and deserve to be treated with the utmost respect.  Eating well and staying on track is a clear way of respecting yourself.  If you wander off track and find yourself wrapped up in some unhealthy habits – forgive yourself and start again.  It’s like learning to walk – see that you are making progress one step at a time and know that you will fall down on your way to integrating your new habits – it’s part of your growth – remember baby steps…

#5  Don’t be fooled – Stay Aware.  Denying something is happening will not be the best strategy for you.  Overlooking things you seriously say you want to change and postponing them will only keep you stuck and keep you in a perpetual state of disappointment and frustration. You will never take ownership of your wants and dreams and they will remain in the wishful thinking category of life.  It’s actually a great way to stay stuck and not take responsibility for an area of your life that is not working for you.  We can fool ourselves often – trying to protect ourselves, usually unconsciously, from taking a real hard look at ourselves and the lives we say we want but don’t believe we can have.

#6  Get help.  If you really want to accomplish something it’s worth getting the expert help you need.  Trying to build a house on your own, unless you are a contractor, is ridiculous.  Building a solid foundation filled with healthy, stable and long lasting habits requires a blueprint and someone to help you.  I have seen many over the last year or so try to accomplish their health and weight loss goals on their own.  I’m sorry to say, they have been unable to and remain the same a year later still frustrated and considering desperate measures to gain control of their eating.

#7  Step away from the Table. If your eating environment caused you to overeat change it.  Shake it up a bit and find a new place or ritual to help stop your associations with overeating or eating the wrong foods.  Whether it’s a place in your home or at work or your favorite restaurant – keep your eyes open for a reflex  behavior.   Remember you are attempting to change your behavior which means eliminating potential triggers that take you down the wrong path Remove the exterior stimulants that cause poor eating decision making.

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