Health Tips 0510

Liz's Weekly Health Tips
April 2010

04/25/10
Falling Out in Class?
It might not be from the umpteenth rep of the pretzel, it might be you’re low on fuel. Forget the Starbucks latte loaded with thigh-sticking empty calories, zero nutrition, and a sugar-induced caffeine high that drops you like a rock in the middle of barre work. Look for a hit of protein and natural sugars to sustain your energy and keep your blood sugar on an even keel. My go-to pre-workout snack is high protein yogurt mixed with berries (Siggi’s is a good choice – low in sugar high in protein). Yogurt is easy on the tummy and actually aids in digestion while the berries bring a hit of antioxidants and nutrients. Or grab a banana, smear some organic peanut butter or almond butter for some added protein and natural boost. Bananas are loaded with nutrients like vitamin A, iron and potassium and have natural sugars for energy. Fill up with fiber by crunching on a stalk with celery slathered with organic peanut butter and a few raisins. We all remember “ants on a log” – still tasty and still good for you!

Being properly fueled for your workout will rev up your metabolism, make you feel better and bring you faster results!

04/18/10
Natural Allergy Remedies
Although we are all elated to see Charlotte’s trees green again from once icy limbs, several of us are suffering from congestion, sore throats, headaches, sinus pressure and itchy, watery eyes. I also realize this info may be day late and a dollar short! Had I the foresight of such an allergy season, you would have received this email six weeks ago. That said, here are some natural remedies that will hopefully offer some relief:

To relieve itchy, watery eyes, brew some Stinging Nettle tea or pop a capsule made from freeze-dried leaves. Stinging nettle is a common weed containing several compounds, including quercetin, that have an anti-inflamatory effect.

To break up congestion, get moving! Although you may feel lethargic from your allergies, getting up and moving a bit helps break up congestion and boosts energy levels.

Year-round, choose local, raw honey. A teaspoon or two a day may act as a low-cost, pain-free series of allergy immunology injections. Honey from your area contains bits of pollen from your area and may increase your immunity to local allergens. For more, visit http://www.pioneerthinking.com/to_honey2009.html

And for next year (or if you get autumn allergies), begin building up your quercetin levels six weeks before allergy season. Quercetin is a phytochemical acting as natural antihistamine. Found in apples, red onions and black tea, quercetin stabilizes histamine-releasing cells so they won’t trigger symptoms when allergens such as pollen are present. Take three tablets daily for six weeks to build up your level to an effective one.

As with all of our health tips, please consult a doctor for serious issues, this is just our two cents based on others’ research and life experience.

04/11/10
HMS your way to a Sharper Brain: The Science of Mind-Body Strength
Dr. John Ratey of Harvard Medical School presented findings that exercises incorporating complex motor movements create a sharper, more efficient brain. His research shows that as you challenge your body to perform complex physical movements, your brain releases growth factors that create new pathways between cells. Specifically, moves that challenge your balance (leg lifts with shoulder presses) or put you in out-of-the-ordinary positions (pretzel), activate these neurochemicals. Furthermore, these movements not only strengthen existing cells but trigger new cell growth. So the result? Better memory and attention skills, a rockin’ bod, and cancellation of all that Kardashian nonsense you’ve been watching.

04/04/10
Kale Chips
Ok, so Kale chips don’t scream Easter. But they are green, healthy and the same color as the grass in your Easter basket. Mostly they are delish and much healthier than those day glow pink Peeps that keep showing up this time of year.

I was inspired by a Smitten Kitchen post on kale chips, so I gave them a try this week and they are delish! Tear up your kale, removing the center stem, coat with good olive oil, salt and pepper and bake in the oven—Aubrey-approved delish! See the full article here: http://smittenkitchen.com/2010/03/baked-kale-chips/.

Kale is loaded with organosulfur compounds that fight cancer, and the phytonutrients in kale may help the liver neutralize potentially cancerous substances in the body. Kale is rich in vitamin C, vitamin A, manganese, calcium, iron and potassium.

Archives:
April 2010
March 2010
February 2010
January 2010
December 2009
November 2009
October 2009
September 2009
August 2009

*The nutritional information contained herein is based upon information Hilliard Studio Method reasonably believes to be accurate. We are not responsible for any adverse effects related to following this information.