January 26, 2013

Five Health Foods for Women

Most women out there are focused on the health and well being of their families and many times don’t make it a priority to take care of themselves.  I hear many excuses and women tend to say they are too busy working, or taking care of the house and the family to think about preventative maintenance of their health.  I am here to tell you that there are some simple powerful things you can do to protect yourself against illness, chronic disease and even the flu.

The month of January is Cervical Cancer Awarenss Month and a good time to raise awareness for women to be the examples for our families by taking charge of our own health and implement some new healthy habits in the year 2013.

A key to your body healing itself, is fueling up on a nutrient-rich, whole foods diet.  If you take a look at the picture, it’s amazing how these fruits and veggies have a similar shape to the female organs.  Coincidence? I think not.  There are many other examples of foods that are shaped like the organs they helps to support.  God knew what he was doing when he created each and every natural ingredient out there. Here are five foods that support female reproductive health.

1) Avocados offer powerful free radical fighting compounds in their oil. They can help fight against free-radical attacks at the cellular level.  Plus they are packed with a variety of different vitamins and minerals.

2) Eggplants are a rich source of phenolic compounds, including chlorogenic acid, which has antimutagenic (anti-cancer), antimicrobial, anti-LDL (bad cholesterol) and antiviral properties.

3) Pears can help lower insulin resistance and the risk of type 2 diabetes in women. The fiber in pears also helps bind with bile acids and reduce the risk of certain types of cancers.

4) White Vegetables have anti-viral, anti-fungal, and anti-inflammatory nutrients that boost the immune system. Examples of white veggies include garlic, onions, cauliflower, and daikon radish.

5) Omega-3 Fats are important to help fight inflammation. Some good sources of  Omega-3s are flax seed oil, chia seeds, walnuts, and oily fish such as wild caught salmon, sardines, mackerel, and anchovies.

If you can’t read the small print, one avacado each week helps to balance hormones, shed unwanted birthweight and prevents cervical cancers.  If you like guacomole, this is a GREAT way to boost your system with a healthy dose of vitamins and minerals.  It’s simple and easy to make at home.  All you need is Avacado, Garlic, Red Onion, Tomato and Lime.  Or try this healthy avacado dessert recipe below.  The chocolate masks the avacado, so your kids won’t even know the good stuff thats in it.

Here is a delicious healthy dessert treat – Chocolate Avacado Mouse 12 ounce bittersweet chocolate 2 teaspoons  cinnamon 1 teaspoon chili powder 1 large ripe Avacado (pitted and peeled) 3/4 cup light brown sugar 6 egg whites

Melt the chocolate with cinnamon and chili powder. Puree the avacado and brown sugar in food processor until smooth.  With machine running pour in chocolate. Using a stand mixer, beat the egg whites until they form a soft peak.  Fold the Chocolate mixture into the egg whies.  Pour the mouse into 6 small serving bowls and refrigerate.

ENJOY!!!

January 13, 2013

New Year – New Goal – Just One Word

Happy New Year to all.  As with every new year, we all have resolutions that we plan on achieving for the upcoming year.  When it comes to our health, many of us have goals to exercise more, start eating healthier, giving up soda, drinking more water, maybe even run a 5K , marathon or triatholon.  The list goes on and on.

I challenge you this year that before you create a long list of specific goals you want to accomplish, think about how you want to BE this year.  Many times we are wrapped up in DOING, that we forget how to BE.

Have you ever had a goal of changing how you were going to BE for the year?

I attended a seminar a couple years ago where I did the following exercise.  I outlined what I was DOING, who I was BEING and what I HAD.  At the end of the exercise, I learned if I continued BEING a certain way, there was an almost probably certain future, that I would probably DO the same types of actions and end up HAVING many of the same results.  We all know it takes at least 21 days to change a habit, but the secret to making successful change in our lives is to focus on who we are BEING.  This is the compass that drives us.

I came across this great site and wanted to share it with you.  The concept is to pick JUST ONE WORD and have that be your focus or goal for the year.  Take a look at the site, I find it inspiring. http://myoneword.org/resources/

MY ONE WORD this year is ENCOURAGING.  When I sat down to figure out my word, I had so many thoughts come to mind.  But when I found this word, I just new it was the right one for me.  I see so many things in both my personal and professional life where this word will become my rock and compass for 2013.  From the personal goals I want to acheive in my family to my passion for health topics and helping others; I can see so many things that I didn’t originally envision coming to light this next year by changing the focus of how I am BEING.

I encourage you to think about what your ONE WORD for the year is going to be.    I’d love for you to share your ONE WORD.  I think it would be fun to see what others are thinking.

One of the ways of being encouraging this year is to post a regular blog that can help you and your family focus on your overall health and well-being goals for the year. I am passionate about health and wellness and this April will receive my certification as a Holistic Health Coach.  If you like what you’ve read and haven’t already, sign up to receive my newsletter in your in box.  I will also be hosting some free kids and family health awareness seminars.  If you are interested check out my upcoming events.

Wishing you the best of health in 2013!