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Showing posts with label juices. Show all posts
Showing posts with label juices. Show all posts
7.01.2013
Put your game face on and level up!
When I was a wee little one, i used to love to come home from school, get me some milk ‘n cookies and sit down to diligently do my homework right away!
....
False. I rushed home to play hours upon hours of NINTENDO. I was obsessed. With Super Mario Brothers in particular. There was something exhilarating about becoming an expert in various levels, knowing the lay of the land and anticipating every Goomba or Koopa Troopa that lurked in the shadows. I could care less about the Princess (sorry sister). So, then what was the point of it all?
LEVELING UP, BABY.
For me, it was all about the journey and optimizing my new found skills and awareness to take it to the next level. Was I going to beat the game my first time playing? Of course not. It took curiosity, persistence and learning new skills and tricks to get there.
For me, it was all about the journey and optimizing my new found skills and awareness to take it to the next level. Was I going to beat the game my first time playing? Of course not. It took curiosity, persistence and learning new skills and tricks to get there.
Are you seeing the metaphor here?
Much like in real life, it takes curiosity, persistence and experience to take things to the next level. This applies to our healthy habits too! Does one go from Taco Bell Queen to Green Juice Goddess in a single day? Nope. Moving along at our own unique pace will lead to the most sustainable changes. And even the smallest changes can lead to big differences - every move matters.
✓ Read the label
✓ Less ingredients, the better
✓ It’s ok to be confused. There’s a lot of misinformation out there - so ask! Ask the staff at the store, ask a friend who’s healthy or go the distance and seek support from a pro like a health coach or doctor.
Remember, too, that it’s OK to fall back sometimes - we all have our bad days. You are the CEO of your life - no one can fire you for eating that Domino’s pizza the other night. In fact, if you do choose to drop down a level and nosh on some junk, do it with gusto and acceptance. Enjoy every minute of it, then level back up because life is about the journey. Don’t forget to enjoy the ride.
If you’re ready to LEVEL UP your health game, then sign up for the Summer Sizzle Detox and join others who are on the path to feeling awesome in their skin this summer! Click HERE to get started.
Much like in real life, it takes curiosity, persistence and experience to take things to the next level. This applies to our healthy habits too! Does one go from Taco Bell Queen to Green Juice Goddess in a single day? Nope. Moving along at our own unique pace will lead to the most sustainable changes. And even the smallest changes can lead to big differences - every move matters.
That’s why I'm giving you some tips on leveling up in your health journey, no matter what level you’re on. Check out this lil' chart I put together to pinpoint wether you're a novice, gamer or pro in 4 areas I get asked about often, and see how you can level up (or down).
Juice
You wanna make sure you're getting real juice - as in 100% real juice. The best kinds are organic, non pasteurized and not from concentrate.
Wanna go pro? Fresh pressed is king, so make your own! The lower in sugar (= less fruit), the better.
Bread/Flour
Here's where "white" really is devil. Try to stay away from highly processed refined breads and flours. Can you squish that bread loaf into a ball easily? Then it's highly processed and not "real" food at this point. Go for organic whole grain varieties, which have more nutrients and fiber (and are tastier in my opinion).
Go pro: try sprouted grain breads! Brands like Food for Life and Manna can be found in the freezer section at your local health food store.
*If you're gluten sensitive, then stay away from glutenous grains all together - opt for gluten free flours like almond or brown rice*
Snack Bar
Are there a hundred ingredients you can't pronounce in that bar? Then ditch it. Again, organic is good but doesn't always mean better... with snack bars, you really want to watch out for the sugar content. Sadly, some organic snack bars are no better than a candy bar! I would try to save snack bars for "emergency" moments (like when traveling or when you can't access food easily) - not as a meal replacement or daily snack.
Pro tips: make sure your bar has a lower sugar count and is higher in protein. Try making your own - it's actually fun and you have control of what goes in it!
Cleaning Products
Man oh man, talk about toxicity. There are so many chemicals that go into cleaning products and they absolutely have an effect on our health! Definitely check out Environmental Working Group (EWG) and their guide to healthy cleaning. It takes the guess work out of choosing cleaning products and exposes the worst offenders.
Going pro: DIY is not trendy - it's smart! AND CHEAP. So try lowering your toxic load and cleaning expenses by making your own cleaning products. I get tons of great ideas from Pinterest (warning: TIME SUCK).
BONUS: Here are some general ground rules to follow that will help guide you in your health game:
✓ Read the label
✓ Less ingredients, the better
✓ It’s ok to be confused. There’s a lot of misinformation out there - so ask! Ask the staff at the store, ask a friend who’s healthy or go the distance and seek support from a pro like a health coach or doctor.
Remember, too, that it’s OK to fall back sometimes - we all have our bad days. You are the CEO of your life - no one can fire you for eating that Domino’s pizza the other night. In fact, if you do choose to drop down a level and nosh on some junk, do it with gusto and acceptance. Enjoy every minute of it, then level back up because life is about the journey. Don’t forget to enjoy the ride.
If you’re ready to LEVEL UP your health game, then sign up for the Summer Sizzle Detox and join others who are on the path to feeling awesome in their skin this summer! Click HERE to get started.
5.30.2013
Avoid the Travel Trap: 6 tips for staying healthy on the road
It’s 3 am and you’re still packing, even though you have to be at the airport in 2 hours. You’re tired, stressed and starting to feel the overwhelm, and then, it hits you. Sh*t. There’s no hope for staying healthy on road. Good bye green juice and yoga. Hello continental breakfast bagel and bloody mary. And 5 lbs. Sigh. The travel trap.
We’ve all been there. Who wants to think about keeping up with vitamins when you’re planning adventure excursions or making dinner reservations at that 5 star restaurant you saw on TV? It seems fine for the time being, but as soon as your butt lands back at home - reality hits. And the guilt.
There is another way.
Don’t let traveling get you stuck in the vortex of airport Starbucks, hotel danishes or conference cookies! Living a healthy life is not a part time job.. and while it can be harder to keep up with our good routines on the road, it just takes some modification. Not sure about you, but I want to come back feeling just as good if not better than when I left! So here are 6 tips for keeping up with the healthy Joneses while hitting the road...
1. Use the Google.
So there’s this really awesome tool where you type in something like “healthy food in Soho” and out pops 5 results to check out!
Ok, in all seriousness, DO YOUR PRE-TRIP RESEARCH. While you’re checking out hotels and tours for your trip, do some quick searches for healthy food options nearby such as cafes or juice bars. Are there farmer’s markets or produce shops nearby where you could buy veggies and fruit to snack on? You’d be surprised at the amount of accessible healthy food if you just look for it. Here are a couple of sites to get you going:
yelp.com - this one may be obvious, but it’s a goodie. Plus their mobile app with mapping and filter functions make it super easy peasy. I’m obsessed.
http://www.happycow.net/ - an online healthy eating guide with listings across the globe.
2. SNAX: trail mix and raw bars
A killer trail mix is my favorite travel go-to... you gotta make it nutritient-packed AND tasty! My standard trail mix consist of raw almonds, cashews and macadamia (a splurge ;) along with superfoods like goji berries, golden berries and cacao nibs. Mmm mmm. The danger is you might finish the darn bag before your flight even takes off.
And then there are the raw bars. Now I’m really “meh” about bars since so many of them are chock full of sugar... but in a bind, they will make do. When you’re looking for a raw bar to munch on, make sure that there is some kind of balance between sugar in grams and protein amount so that your blood sugar doesn’t spike like crazy. I usually go for one of these three: Core Defender Raw Cashew & Cacao, GoRaw Spirulina Energy Bar, and Lara Bar Cashew Cookie.
3. Juice! Well, green juice powder, that is. And you thought you were off the hook...
When I can’t bring my own green juice or access a juice bar while traveling (or to be honest, when I’m just feeling lazy) I opt for an awesome green juice powder. There are tons to choose from, but I currently enjoy these travel size packs from Amazing Grass - and they come in a variety of flavors to switch it up. You can even make a quick smoothie with the powder and any produce you can find if you take along a mini blender like the Magic Bullet (I love that lil’ guy!) and save some dough on food while abroad!
Bonus: For those times when you’re feelin’ like something warm and cozy, opt for a good travel oatmeal pack. I like the Three Sisters brand (mmm chai...) or Nature’s Path Flax Plus.
4. Keep on movin’!
When we travel, it’s easy to put aside our exercise routine and go for the foodie tour. Or if you’re stuck in a conference, when the heck do you have the time, right? It’s important to make it EASY for yourself. Thanks to websites like DoYogaWithMe.com and apps like YOGAmazing or Daily Yoga, we can shake our asanas anywhere at anytime. Or sign up for some exciting excursions where you’ll get that body moving and heart rate going! Remember that exercising and moving your body boosts endorphins and gives you that ultimate high, in addition to revving up your metabolism and burning calories. And you thought you couldn’t feel any better on vacay...
5. Speaking of moving... keep that poop goin!
Yes I said it. Poop. Poop poop poop.
Now that we’re over that, let’s talk regularity. Traveling, especially on planes, can totally mess it up, leaving us with constipation, bloated bellies and poor digestion. NO THANK YOU. So how do you avoid getting poop train sidetracked? Magnesium my friends. Magnesium Citrate not only gets your system moving so that you can avoid any unplanned “stop-overs”, but it also calms your nerves and muscle tension so you can truly relax. CALM or Bluebonnet are good brands.
**Of course, please check with your doc before taking any supplements, y’all**
6. And lastly, because I’m such a fan of the ole’ neti... Neti Pot travel edition!
Ever notice how easy it is to get a cold or congested after traveling? The travel Neti Pot is gold for keeping those issues at bay. Stay clear of those airborne invaders circulating in the stale airplane air... gross. Another great thing to add is a DIY nasal steam - when you arrive at your destination, heat up some water in a bowl and toss in some mint tea or tea tree oil. After a long flight, breathing in that glorious moistness will be quite a relief :)
So the next time you’re cruisin’ across seas or jetting to NYC for a conference, try busting out these tricks and tools to keep your health on point and vibrancy dialed on HIGH ;)
5.14.2013
Sweet Eats: Protein Bar
How can I forget! A client of mine reminded me of Protein Bar the other day - one of my fave healthy "fast food" joints! Opened in 2009 by Matt Matros after struggling to find convenient places to eat that would support his new healthy lifestyle (after years of being overweight and unhealthy) - Matt spent his life-savings to start what is now a booming business. Currently they have multiple locations in the downtown Chicago area and as well as DC.
Protein Bar's mission is to change the way people eat on the go. They aim for active, urbanites that are looking to eat healthy without getting too fussy about it. "We do healthy...healthier" is their motto and they get a thumbs up from me :)
You can find salads, wraps, bowls, smoothies and fresh juices that satisfy anyone's cravings from vegan to carnivore. Check'em out!
You can find salads, wraps, bowls, smoothies and fresh juices that satisfy anyone's cravings from vegan to carnivore. Check'em out!
2.11.2013
Rrrrl Good Recipe: Heart Beets Juice
I
love me some fresh jugo, of all colors in the rainbow, but one of my
faves is a good ol' luscious RED juice. This one's got kick from ginger
that warms the heart in the cold winter months and stimulates
circulation. Not to mention beets bring in anti-inflammatory and
antioxidant powers.
Confession: it kinda makes me feel like I'm a
character in True Blood. And I like that. Don't judge.
Heart Beets Juice
- 2 beets
- 3 large carrots
- 1 large handful of spinach, parsley or another dark leafy green
- 3 stalks of celery
- 1 green apple
- 2 small cucumber
- 1 inch ginger
Prep and wash all produce. Juice and serve. Makes 16-20 oz.
1.14.2013
Sweet Eats: Earth's Healing Cafe
If you haven't been to Earth's Healing Cafe just yet, I suggest you RUN to this charming, super deelish & healthy cafe in the North Center/ Ravenswood area. They seriously have the best juices, smoothies, and raw bites to go... not to mention they offer cleanses at great prices!
My sister introduced me to this haven of plant-based foods and I AM SPRUNG. They use nutritious and organic ingredients, and are the nicest people you'll meet. Here's what they have to say about themselves on their site: Earth’s Healing Cafe is found on the principles of Ma’at. Our operation is strictly governed by: Love, Truth, Harmony, Balance, Integrity & Order. I mean... LOVE THEM.
Go check'em out! I'm a fan of Love & Light smoothie and State of Mind (break me off a piece of that pls).
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