Take a good, whole-food-based (or pharmaceutical grade) “multi,” and be sure to supplement and support any weakened body systems (GI tract, blood sugar levels, heart health, hormones, thyroid, etc.) Boosting the immune system and decreasing inflammation is also essential. With today’s nutrient-depleted soils and our busy lifestyles, it is difficult to fully meet the body’s nutritional needs from food alone.
12 Secrets to Living Your Healthiest Year Yet: Week 3
Re-frame. Perspective. (hmm…stop and think on that a moment.) Could your Perspective change your Health? So many times what we see, feel or even experience in life is not a true reality. So often we look at life through colored glasses of our past, life experiences, family and cultural backgrounds, and many others. All of these lenses tend to shade, color and (quite often) distort our view. BUT, when we change our point of view, our perspective, it becomes a whole new ballgame.
As a formerly Type AAA person (I’m changing!!), it’s been easy for me to get incredibly task-focused, overly driven and onto the performance treadmill, missing the fun and enjoyment of the journey and daily life. BUT, as I slow down to breathe :), re-focus on what’s REALLY important to me, remember who I really am and just BE myself, pressure lifts, I can laugh at the perceived pressures, hamster wheel and even myself! Then, I’m free to enjoy the moment, seize the adventure and just have fun…and it’s a WHOLE lot less stress on the body!
Even exercise, re-framed, can really be FUN! I LOVE to be active, be outside and enjoy fresh air, but when the perception or talk of exercise, a gym, weightlifting or running 5 miles comes up, I cringe! Mention hiking, walking in outdoor beauty or playing tennis and for me, it’s no longer exercise but play! Funny, so often it’s all about perspective!
SO, with that in mind, here’s Week 3’s 12 Secrets to Living Your Healthiest Year Yet. Maybe all it takes for you will be a change of glasses to make these a reality and for your body to enjoy these benefits (and results!). Plus, YOU get to have a lot more fun in the process!
6. Laugh!
It affects the entire body, making it an essential and one of the most FUN components of wellness. Laughter strengthens the immune system, relieves depression, brings hope, boosts energy, oxygenates and detoxes body, reduces pain, offers benefits comparable to exercise, builds relationships, makes you more beautiful with a smile….and it’s free! A joyful heart really is good medicine. Lighten up. Don’t take life too seriously!
7. Be
Often, women especially, feel we must measure up…to standards of culture, Hollywood, social media, a career and more. That somehow we must constantly pe
rform, compete and look and act a certain way, keeping us on an exhausting hamster wheel. Know you are OK just the way you are! Believe it and live from that place of actually liking yourself. It can be uncomfortable at first, but SO freeing! Just Be. Be free to be yourself. Not everyone will “get” you. That’s ok. That doesn’t change your unique, marvelous Divine Design, inside and out!
8. Exercise – errr Go Out and PLAY!
The “E” word … with endless benefits: boosts the immune system, increases metabolism, relieves stress, improves moods, gives energy, strengthens bones, slows aging, removes toxins, promotes better sleep and regulates blood sugars – just to name a few. Find something you really like to do … make it fun … and get moving!
Your turn! How can you Laugh, Play and BE this week? What 3 changes will you make?
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And be sure to share these tips that have helped you with a friend!
Modern Spaghetti
Oh so DELICIOUS!
Spaghetti squash, baked and seeded
Ground turkey breast (white/lean), browned
Sautéed mushrooms and onions
Marinara sauce or sun dried tomatoes in olive oil
Parmesan cheese, grated*
Bake squash (and poke with a knife, like baking a potato) for about 1 hr at 350°, until tender. Slice open and “seed” (like a pumpkin). With a fork, separate out spaghetti squash “noodles.” Top with turkey, mushrooms, onions, heated tomatoes/marinara, and sprinkle with cheese. YUMMY!
*Omit for Dairy Free (DF).
I’ve missed you!!!
It’s been waaaaay too long!
Whether I met you one-on-one, at a class, a dessert tasting or while you were enjoying a slice of Innocent Indulgence, it’s GREAT to reconnect with you.
Much has happened as I’ve transitioned out of the kitchen and dessert production (yes, I miss eating them too!), into a super refreshing sabbatical, 3 weeks in Alaska, 5 months in Florida and road trips with friends including stops in VA, NC, TN, CA, TX, AL and LA. Now, I’m about to launch into the next Phase of Innocent Indulgence…with a whole NEW name and a whole NEW look coming VERY soon.
My passions have stayed the same: “inspiring you to radiant living” and “who knew healthy could taste so…guilty?!” I want your health to be at its absolute best, so you can fully live out your destiny and LOVE your life. BUT, the new focus will give you so many more resources to keep you walking towards your health goals and a fulfilling life. I’ll be sharing more of my story facing health challenges and transitioning into true health and all the tips I’ve learned from those times and my professional career, so you too can experience the wellness, benefits…and simplify (and shortcut!) the process.
Be looking for:
- Simple and quick tips that will bring you results
- Recipes
- eBooks and other educational resources—easy to read and easy to do
- Meal ideas
- One-on-one coaching sessions (via phone, Facetime or Skype to keep it convenient so distance is never an issue!)
- Classes – live and video
- Basic, essential supplements
- Cleanses and detoxes
- Kitchen and pantry revamping
- Beauty and household lifestyle tips
- Food sensitivity testing, reports and personalized tools
- Corporate and group wellness sessions
- Tips for balancing emotional and spiritual aspects of life affecting health
- And so much more
AND you’ll still be able to indulge in your favorite Innocent Indulgence desserts, as I’ll be publishing some dessert recipes in the very near future!
I want our resources and tips to be MOST helpful for you. So, let me know! What would be most helpful to you right now? Where do you find yourself getting stuck or “falling off the wagon?”
Either reply to this email/”contact me” with your thoughts…and let me know how you’re doing! I can’t wait to hear from you!
Have a wonderful week!
–Alisha
PS: Even though it’s July, it’s not too late to get back on track to hitting your goals for 2016. Find out how in next weeks’ 12 Secrets to Living Your Healthiest Year Yet.
Be sure to join us on social media with more frequent tips and updates!!
Sweet Secrets for Success #3: Go out to Play
What would happen if we could look at exercise as play? Loosen up and be child-like for a few minutes. Forget the drudgery we so often think about, shake off busy-ness and excuses, let your mind and body have a few minutes of fun, unwind… and love the benefits:
- boosts the immune system
- increases metabolism
- relieves stress
- improves moods
- gives energy
- strengthens bones
- slows aging
- removes toxins
- regulates blood sugars – and SO more!
Find something you really like to do …get your body moving…you just might have fun and want to make it a regular part of your routine!
Sweet Secrets for Success #2: Hydrate!
Not only is water essential to life since it makes up 75% of your body, it helps keep your entire body healthy, transporting nutrients into cells and clearing toxins out, keeping your organs functioning well and you thinking clearly.
Water and hydration are also keys to maintaining a healthy weight and keeping your appetite satisfied. Many times we confuse the body’s signals, thinking we’re hungry when actually, we’re thirsty . Try drinking water first. Many even drop some weight just by hydrating and allowing toxins to be flushed out.
How much should you drink daily?? Your weight divided by 2 = ounces needed daily. Add extra to compensate for exercise, warm temperatures and when drinking coffee, tea or soda, which can cause extra fluid loss.
image- Copyright (c) 123RF Stock Photos
Sweet Secrets for Success #1: Eat Real, Clean Food
Instead of the “doing without” Resolutions for 2016 (which usually are short-lived!), make this the year where “die-ting” stops and living starts. Make your focus about what your body needs to feel good physically, emotionally and spiritually. When these areas of life are in balance, you can truly enjoy and live your life to the fullest, experiencing radiant living. Get ready for 10 DO-ABLE whole-body health and nutrition tips to help you feel and look better in 2016 for your best year yet!
#1: Eat Real, Clean Food
Choose to give your body the building blocks it needs for life and health. Focus on ADDING IN nutrient dense foods in their natural, (unprocessed) state, to help build, strengthen, energize and heal the body. As you consistently ADD IN real food, it becomes a lifestyle, easily pushing out and eliminating the lifeless, empty-calorie foods that have little-to-no value (and even deplete the body’s immune and energy systems and add on ‘fluff”). This makes “die-ting” a thing of the past! You’ll feel better (and probably younger!), drop extra weight even have more energy…in as early as 2-3 days.* You’ll get to enjoy freedom with these new, delicious and healthier options and the beauty and satisfaction that only comes from flavor-packed foods in their real state … lots of fresh, green leafy, colorful veggies & fruit, nuts & seeds, good oils (omega 3s, coconut & olive oils, avocado), beans, whole grains, and even some lean, quality (antibiotic & hormone free) protein. ADD IN herbs and spices loaded with flavor and extra antioxidant and healing properties. The possibilities are truly endless! While the cost may be a little higher up front (in planning, prepping and $$ compared to packaged food), it’s easier to “maintain” health than to “regain” it. Don’t worry…it gets easier as you find and set your new routine. Make the investment now and enjoy good health for a lifetime! Check out Innocent Indulgence on Pinterest for a few ideas.
Need some 1:1 or group coaching to get started on a plan?
Check out our Nutrition Coaching Options to help you transform your health!
image- Copyright (c) 123RF Stock Photos
*individual results vary and are not guaranteed, but usually are noticeable in just a couple of days!
8 Reasons To Indulge in Pumpkin This Season
The little orange beauties are just bursting with possibilities to help you take care of your health! They are more than décor and seasonal desserts. They have the potential to change every meal into something not only delicious, but festive and loaded with benefits:
- Eyesight Support: Pumpkins contain over 200% of the RDA for Vitamin A, and can help with sight even in low lighting situations
- Weight Loss: The fiber (3-5grams/cup) in pumpkins keeps you from feeling hungry by slowing down the digestion of foods, controlling blood sugar levels, and making you feel full longer throughout the day
- Toxin Flush: High potassium content makes pumpkin a natural diuretic, helping flush out toxins and unwanted waste from your body
- Prostate Cancer Fighter: Pumpkin seeds contain phytosterols that can work by shrinking the prostate, preventing testosterone from transforming into the agent that causes it to enlarge
- Immune System Builder: Vitamins A, C, zinc and anti-oxidants work to fight cancers and boost the immune system
- Anti-Inflammatory: Beta Carotene in both the flesh and seeds can naturally protect against joint inflammation and arthritis
- Mood Boost: Pumpkin seeds also contain tryptophan, a natural mood booster
- Muscle Boost: Potassium and electrolytes aid in reducing soreness and refueling your muscles after a workout
Try some of these pumpkin meal ideas:
Breakfast: Pumpkin Breakfast Hash, Pumpkin Pancakes Pumpkin Muffins
Lunch: Pumpkin Pasta Sauce, Roasted Pumpkin Chili or Salad
Dinner: Pumpkin Soup, Pumpkin Ravioli, Stuffed Pumpkins
Written with Lauren, Arizona State University Nutrition Intern