Archive for March, 2010

If Beauty Is Only Skin Deep, Why Do We Spend So Much On Cosmetics?

Wednesday, March 24th, 2010
By Wilma Young
 
Over the weekend I was reading a popular magazine that I really love. It has a wonderful balance of emotional, spiritual and practical advice and is very uplifting. I do find real inspiration every month but I was struck by something this time. In the middle there was a section for asking questions on cosmetics. How to apply foundation to cover skin imperfections, dark circles and the like. How to control oily skin and what new products were a must for a modern woman. It doesn’t just happen in this magazine either. There are commercials on TV that are selling harsh products to control acne and when you are at the end of your rope you’ll sell your own children to get your perceived imperfection fixed. There was something that saddens me about all of these products. They never address the underlying issue. Beauty IS skin deep but true health radiates from a deeper place. Our outside reflects our insides. The way we process foods, sugars, al cohol and fats can come screaming through to your skin and it can be disheartening . If you have acne,  try eliminating dairy products and add a probiotic to your regiment. If you have dark circles, this is a sign of an overworked liver. Try reducing fatty foods, increase sweating to rid the body of toxins and milk thistle is a great supplement for liver support. Nutritional deficiencies can also be the culprit. Cold sores and chapped lips are usually a B vitamin deficiency and red spots on the arms (that look like acne) are usually a sign of vitamin A deficiency. Seeing a nutritionist to do a visual inspection or better yet have a nutritional counseling appointment would be a fantastic investment in your beauty and your health! I guess my point is that if you get the internal system working correctly your beauty will become natural and you will radiate health. The alternative is to cover up the things that are signaling you that your body needs attention. The old adage that you are what you eat is absolutely true. Consider that the best cosmetic is the one that comes from within…that is self confidence, natural energy and a glow that says you fuel yourself with the right nutrition and it SHOWS!!
 
 

Tags:
Posted in Nutrition, Supplements, motivation | 5 Comments »

Clean Your Meat Before You Eat?

Wednesday, March 10th, 2010

By Wilma Young

With all the toxins in our environment it is important to eat the best quality meat, poultry and fish you can get your hands on but it is not always easy or affordable. We have found a GREAT way to clean your meat before you cook it and not only does it remove parasites, worms, bacteria and fungus it also makes the meat taste much, much better. It is a 60 second “wash’ that will take all of these unseemly hindrances out of your protein, remove heavy metals and neutralizes chemicals and pesticides.The new product is called Natures Marinade, retails for $19.50 and is currently 20% off for the month off March!

Posted in Nutrition | 1 Comment »

Is Your Body Chemically Confused? Well the Easter Bunny Isn’t Going to Help!

Tuesday, March 9th, 2010

By Wilma Young
Walking through the drugstore yesterday I saw the infamous sugar “peeps” that come in multiple shapes and colors for the Easter season. I flipped the package over and the listed ingredients started with sugar then corn syrup (another sugar), 4 different dye colors and carnuba wax. Not only is this awful and nutritionally bankrupt but here was the kicker, in pretty highlighted writing it said ” A Fat Free Candy” and then “Gluten Free”. I was so appalled knowing that the average person trying to manage their weight and increase their health could easily be persuaded that this item was a good choice for them to satisfy their sweet tooth. I know that these “peeps” are not the only land minds in our grocery isles and that navigating through the store can be difficult. But the gluten free aspect of this product (plus many products that use similar marketing techniques) would never make up for the nutriti onal deficiency and chemical bombardment of dyes that your body would have to process. In addition your insulin would spike, your brain would be put into overdrive, your belly would become inflamed and the crash of energy would be abrupt and uncomfortable. This makes this type of product distasteful and disastrous.

The majority of our population doesn’t even know thy are sensitive to chemicals, gluten and excess sugar but have fatigue, gastrointestinal discomfort, migraine headaches, chrohns disease, poor quality sleep , irritability and so on and so on and so on. Add to this the chemical confusion of all the dyes and unorthodox ingredients and the brain and the body are going to short circuit and be set up for a major crash. After multiple assaults of this nature the body will eventually be unable to re-boot itself and will start to degenerate at a pace that none of us would want. . The body is an incredible machine. Feed it the right fuel and it will take you for miles and miles. Put too much sugar or chemical into it and you’ll be pulling over at every service station (aka, dr’s office or health practitioner) to get a diagnosis! I am asking you to really keep your radar on high gear, scrutinize these little poison packages disguise d in your Easter basket and realize that your body will pay the price of being a toxic dumping ground. A treat once in a while is definitely okay but choose 70% dark chocolate or at least a dessert made with REAL ingredients that you can pronounce. So when the Easter Bunny shows up at your house this year makes sure he has read the label and has your heart and health in mind. You never know, maybe he’ll smarten up and get you movie tickets or a massage instead!!

Posted in Nutrition | 3 Comments »

Got Sugar Craving? Try Glutamine!

Friday, March 5th, 2010

By Wilma Young

Every morning I make my first shake of the day. I use Ultrameal protein and add a few ingredients to make the recipe more delicious (like cinnamon) and nutritious (Wholesome Fast Food, a good fats and flax blend) and the “mama” of all additions for me is glutamine. This powerful amino acid is vital to your health. I have used it for years for muscle repair and brain support but when it started to help with sugar cravings, I was a “lifer” as they say! Glutamine is a free form amino acid found in the muscles of the body. Glutamine optimizes nitrogen balance, speeds recovery, and helps maintain cell volume and hydration too.

It also helps prevent muscle wasting and is essential for mental activity and cerebral function. These two things alone should make us all believers but it also supports the treatment of arthritis, auto immune diseases, intestinal disorders, peptic ulcers and connective tissue diseases. It can also be used to help developmental disabilities, epilepsy, fatigue, impotence, depression, schizophrenia and senility. We can all relate to one of these disorders (and maybe a few of us can relate to MANY of them). And yes, many plant and animal substances have glutamine in them but cooking easily destroys them so a supplement is key. It will also help when recovering from any trauma sustained by the body like surgeries, car accidents and after intense work outs, which let’s be honest, can be traumatic to the body if you’re pushing yourself. When I am having an extra hard time with cravings I will increase my protein intake and take an extra dose of glutamine after dinner. Remember that cravings of sugar (or alcohol or simple carbohydrates) can represent the need for a quick energy fix which means we didn’t get ENOUGH of the right foods prior to the energy crash. Glutamine is a terrific addition to your shake or supplement routine especially if you work out, but please take heed. The cravings are your body’s signal that you need to ADD more food, the RIGHT food and at a CONSISTENT level. if you invest in supplying your body with sustainable energy from whole foods, fresh produce and lean meats you will have the energy to accomplish your day, the emotional balance to manage stress and the well being to sleep restfully at night! Now that is better than any craving could ever promise!

Tags: ,
Posted in Nutrition, Supplements | 2 Comments »

Getting Past Mental Roadblocks

Tuesday, March 2nd, 2010

By Angie Lustrick
As the second month of 2010 comes to a close, where do you stand with your resolutions?

Have you made progress or did your motivation sizzle out?

Most people wait around for motivation to strike them like a lightning bolt. Well, I’ve got news: motivation isn’t something that happens to you – it’s something that you create for yourself.

If you don’t feel motivated to achieve your goals, it is likely due to mental roadblocks that hold you hostage. Read the following 21 Mindset Tips and prepare your mind for success.
1)Success comes first in the mind, so visualize yourself accomplishing your goals.
2)Remember, you are the only person who can hold you back.
3)Forgive yourself and love yourself despite past failures.
4)Decide what is important in your life, and focus on that.
5)Conquer each negative thought the moment it enters your mind, when it is weakest.
6)Give up the idea that things won’t go right unless you worry about them.
7)If you bring the body of your dreams to the point of resolve, then you’ll soon be living in it.
8)Look towards your future, if you believe the best is yet to come then it will be.
9)You become what you think about most.
10)The margin between success and failure is very small and easily bridged by determination.
11)Start your day by accomplishing your hardest task first.
12)Set small attainable goals, rather than one monumental goal.
13)Convince yourself that exercise is fun, and it will be.
14)Know your big reason why.
15)Create a motivating play list of songs to use as the sound track to your workout sessions.
16)Every decision you make leads you either closer toward achieving your goal, or farther from it.
17)If you think you’re a fat person, then you’ll stay fat. If you think you’re fit, then you soon will be.
18)Once you’ve set your goal, your attitude either pushes you toward accomplishment or failure.
19)If you don’t know exactly where you want to go, you will likely end up someplace else.
20)You can have the body of your dreams, but first you must give up the belief that you can’t.
21)You can only have two things in life: excuses or results.

Posted in General Info, motivation | No Comments »