Appreciation

I'm often asked to teach classes on nutrition, fitness or just general health. And believe me, I LOVE it. I love teaching and empowering people, and helping them realize small changes do make huge differences, and that they can become better. I love seeing people make the changes and realize just how much better they feel when they take a little extra care of their bodies and minds.

That being said, spending time in this industry also leads to hearing a lot of negative self talk and frustration and anger. People get an idea of what is the perfect body and that is what they want. And while losing weight and maintaining a healthy weight is important...our bodies are much more than that. And when I teach, I hope that is what comes across. That our bodies are miraculous - and appreciating them could get us much farther than just spending hours on the treadmill.

Our bodies have...
...206 sturdy bones
...more than 650 dynamic muscles
...12 perfectly synchronized organ systems
...over 10,000,000,000,000 life-giving human cells.

Every day...
...your heart beats over 103,000 times
...your respiratory system powers 25,920 breaths,
...your body produces a consistent 98.6 degrees of heat
...your body produces almost 200 billion new blood cells each day

All day every day your mind, body and spirit are working together to make you who you are...to let you do the things you need to do like work and exercise, move and take care of family, go to church and spend time with friends. This body that does so much deserves more appreciate. It deserves whole foods that nourish it. It deserves time each day to move and get stronger and stretch and breath.

So today, make a choice. Make a choice to appreciate what you have, and use what you have, to better your own life. You won't regret it.

Food as Nourishment

We often read and hear about (and focus on) what food can do for your body by slimming it down and making you feel good. While those things are important and great, eating the correct nutrients can also make your skin glow, hair shine and nails stronger. Here are the top 8 nutrient-rich foods that make you radiant!

- Berries & Melon:
Both are low sugar fruits and help to make skin firm and taut. It's important to avoid high-sugar foods, including high sugar fruits like pineapple and banana. Sugar prompts a cycle that, among other things, promotes unhealthy skin. Here's what generally happens: high-sugar foods spike your blood sugar, which triggers the release of insulin. This sets off a chain of hormonal reactions, which in turn conditions your body to retain water and increase inflammation, both of which contribute to puffy and tired-looking skin. The point? For healthier skin, be mindful of sugar content and the amount you take in each day.

- Nuts & Wheat Germ:
The magic ingredient is Biotin, and both are chock-full of Biotin, a nutrient known for making hair and nails strong and resilient. For a healthy snack between meals, eat a handful of mixed nuts.

- Avocado, Flaxseed & Salmon:
Each contain omega-3 fatty acids, compounds that help reduce inflammation in the body. That reduction in inflammation helps combat problems like puffy eyes, pronounced fine lines, and sagging skin. The best fatty acids in salmon generally come from wild, not farmed, salmon. Grind your flaxseeds before sprinkling them on yogurt or cereal for the most benefit.

- The drink: Water:
It's true that drinking a steady stream of water throughout your day will help your skin look its prettiest. Water helps your skin by flushing by-products out of your body. Drinking lots of water helps your kidneys function better, which in turn helps skin avoid a pallid, drowsy look.

So do yourself a favor and eat for more than just slimming down!