Love Yourself, Love Your Body

Don't compromise yourself.  You are all that you've got. 
- Janis Joplin

Beautiful Body Types

Almost all of us have a distorted image of our body, often due to the importance our culture places on outward appearance and the onslaught of media images of airbrushed models and celebrities.  (Dove is doing a great job on trying to change that with their 'Campaign for Real Beauty' initiative).  On a daily basis, we talk to ourselves in ways we would never speak to another. Imagine speaking to a child the way you speak to yourself about your body.  It would devastate and squelch a child.  It affects you similarly, causing stress and emotional pain in your body, which can make improving your health or losing weight even more difficult.   

The Power of Exercise!

Think about all of the intelligence, creativity, and time you spend on improving, altering, and judging your appearance.  Who would you be and what would you accomplish if your valuable resources weren't used this way?   Constant emphasis on the external makes us discount the great presence and intelligence that is housed by the body.  It makes us forget the magic of our internal rhythms and fail to acknowledge the beautiful bodies we have.

The body you have right now is incredible!  It never misses a heartbeat, it maintains homeostasis and miraculously digests whatever you put in it.  It is your instrument for expressing your creativity, intelligence, and love.  By focusing on the 1% you don't like or wish were different, you may be ignoring the remaining 99% about your body that is beautiful, unique, and delightful.

What would your life be like if you were simply at peace with the body that you have?  You may wish to make your body healthier and stronger, which is great, but could you do that out of love and respect for your body rather than the opposite? Could you begin to treat yourself with kindness, to limit the negative self-talk, and to reconnect with your inner wisdom?  Take a minute to imagine what that would be like.  It would mean celebrating your body rather than punishing it.  It would mean nourishing your body rather than depriving it.  It would mean a chance to watch your body flourish when treated with care and respect.

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Food Focus: Sweet Potatoes

Sweet potatoes seem to be on everyone's minds this season (at least they are on mine!)  They go hand-in-hand with the holidays along with pumpkin and other sweet vegetables.  Fortunately, eating these and other sweet vegetables needn't be limited to this time of year.  Cravings for sweets can be greatly reduced by adding sweet vegetables, such as sweet potatoes, yams, beets, carrots, parsnips, squash, turnips, and rutabagas to your daily diet.  Sweet potatoes elevate blood sugar gently rather than with the jolt delivered by simple refined carbohydrates, so there is no energy crash after you eat them.  Much higher in nutrients than white potatoes and especially rich in Vitamin A, sweet potatoes offer a creamy consistency that is satisfying and soothing.  They are healing to the stomach, spleen, pancreas, and reproductive organs and help remove toxins from the body.  They can increase the quantity of milk in lactating women and can lessen cramps and premenstrual symptoms.  If you don't have any sweet potatoes in your kitchen, go out and buy some (local and organic if possible) and make the recipe below:

Sweet Potato - A Holiday Favorite

Recipe of the Month: Sweet Potatoes with Lime and Cilantro
This recipe is an eye-opener for those who find sweet potatoes too sweet or those who are tired of eating them smothered in marshmallows and brown sugar.  Japanese sweet potatoes, with their pale flesh and delicate flavor, are a treat if yo can find them.

Prep time: 10 minutes
Cook time: 30-40 minutes

Yield: 4 servings

Put the Lime in the Coconut! (sweet potato)

Ingredients:
4 sweet potatoes
1/2 bunch of chopped cilantro (1/4 bunch if you find them too strong)

2-3 limes
butter, ghee, or olive oil
sea salt

 Directions:

1. Wash sweet potatoes and bake them whole, in their skins, at 375 for about 30-40 minutes or until fork tender.
2. Wash and chop cilantro leaves.
3. When sweet potatoes are done, split open the skin and place on serving plate.  Season with sea salt and dots of butter or ghee, or drizzle with olive oil.  Squeeze fresh lime juice all over and sprinkle with cilantro leaves.
4. Serve over grains and greens.

Be well,

Janelle

Interested in learning more?  Please visit my website.

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3 Unique and Easy Gift Ideas Using Essential Oils

Winter Scene

Why Essential Oils?

What is old is new again!  Essential oils have been used throughout history - are even cited in the Bible (gifts of Frankincense and Myrhh) - as having powerful beneficial properties.  Essential oils originally go back as far as ancient Greek and Egyptian cultures. A high quality essential oil has so many applications; it can be ingested for numerous health benefits, applied topically for therapeutic effects, diffused aromatically to improve both air quality and breathing, and some also can be used as a natural cleaner.


What Exactly ARE Essential Oils??

Essential oils are natural aromatic compounds found in the seeds, bark, stems, roots, flowers and other parts of plants.  They are beautifully and powerfully fragrant; can lift a mood, calm the senses, and elicit powerful responses. In addition to their fragrant appeal, essential oils contain medicinal and therapeutic properties. They are naturally anti-microbial and pass directly through the skin for immediate response to topical application.  They are naturally safe and powerfully concentrated, but DO need to be used with care.  The key to using essential oils is to make sure that they are 100% pure.  My preferred brand of essential oil is doTERRA as doTERRA is free of any contaminants, such as pesticides and chemical residues.  They contain no fillers, no dyes or perfumes, and is one of the safest and most beneficial oils available in the world today. WORD OF CAUTION:  Never ingest an essential oil that is NOT 100% pure!



This Holiday Season, How About Giving the Gift of Health?

Lavender Fields

3 UNIQUE AND SIMPLE IDEAS FOR THE LOVED ONES IN YOUR LIFE:

1.  For Your Best Girl Friend:

BUBBLE BATH, LOTION, AND LAVENDER ESSENTIAL OIL

Nothing says "calm" like a beautiful spa package, complete with the most versatile and relaxing essential oil. Apply a few drops to a bath and your senses will instantly become transformed. Can also be applied topically behind ears for a restful night's sleep.  Add a few drops to a spray bottle and spray down bed linens and pillows for an extra relaxed state.


2.  For Your Colleague:

HOT COCOA (OR CACAO) WITH PEPPERMINT ESSENTIAL OIL

Hot Chocolate with Fresh Peppermint

Alongside your favorite brand of hot cocoa mix, include a bottle of peppermint oil in a little gift basket.  Add 1-2 drops of the peppermint for a refreshing cup of holiday cheer. Peppermint oil calms the digestive tract and eases tummy trouble; turn your hot cocoa treat into a health drink!  (peppermint can also be added to other chocolate concoctions such as this vegan chocolate pudding found HERE).  As a bonus, peppermint oil can be applied to the forehead and back of neck to calm a headache (which we sometimes get with too much holiday cheer!).


3.  For The Baker:

A WHISKING SET WITH LEMON ESSENTIAL OIL

Baking with Lemon Oil

Lemon is one of the most versatile oils.  Not only can it lift a mood, but it can freshen a kitchen, clean pots, improve your health, and add zip to your baking dishes.  Lemon also helps to alkalize your body and is especially beneficial to start the day with 2 drops of lemon essential oil in water.  For baking, here is a great recipe to try with a few drops of lemon essential oil:  http://www.mygutsy.com/gaps-lemon-bars/

To learn more about doTerra Essential Oils, click HERE.

What do you have planned this holiday season?

Be well,

Janelle

Interested in learning more?  Please visit my website.

7 Surprising Health Benefits of Lemons

Health Benefits of Lemons

While you wouldn't grab a lemon and eat it whole as a snack, lemons are powerhouses for enhancing other foods, both in flavor, and in health benefits. Scientifically known as Citrus limon, this is the fruit most associated with happiness, sunshine, and hot summer days. It's commonly known that lemons are rich in Vitamin C, but there are other health benefits that are not so well-known.  

1. Lemons May Help Prevent Cancer - The human body is designed to be slightly alkaline at a pH of 7.4. (A pH of 7.0 is neutral).  Most foods consumed by Americans are very acidic which upsets our ideal pH balance. Lemons are one of the most alkalizing foods we can consume.  Although acidic outside of the body, once consumed the human body converts it to an alkalizing state.  Cancer cannot survive in an alkaline environment.   Eating more alkaline foods increases oxygen to our cells which starves off cancer.  Drinking filtered water with lemon daily is a great way to ensure we are getting that extra boost of protection in a toxic world.

2.  Reduces Inflammation - Fruits rich in Vitamin C help to reduce inflammation in two or more joints, as presented in the Annals of the Rheumatic Diseases.  Low-level inflammation is the underlying cause of disease.  Adding lemon juice to your daily diet decreases the acidity in your body which is where disease states occur.  It reduces uric acid in the joints, therefore can help reduce and prevent certain forms of arthritis among other illnesses.

3.  Helps Improve and Eliminate Varicose Veins - Lemon oil has vessel-strengthening properties that help reduce both varicose veins and spider veins.  This can be applied topically with a pure essential oil as well as ingested.  For vessel-rejuvenating, the lemon oil can be applied to a warm bath.

4.  Reduces Hypertension - In addition to garlic and onions, lemons, being high in potassium, also add a powerful punch in reducing hypertension. Lemon juice acts as a blood thinner and prevents thinning of the capillaries, along with increasing levels of HDL (good cholesterol).

5. Can Fix Bad Breath - No one wants to be walking around with halitosis. Lemons can help freshen breath by ensuring that the salivation levels remain constant.  This can be done by either chewing on a lemon slice after every meal or rinsing several times a day with lemon juice and warm water.

6. Can Stimulate Digestion - Typically used in Ayurvedic medicine, lemon juice has been used to stimulate digestion and clear toxins that were accumulated and stored in the digestive tract overnight.  The flavonols in this citrus fruit is what stimulates this response, and can help improve the stomach's hydrochloric-acid strength, which assists in breaking down food more efficiently.   Being an anti-bacterial, it helps your stomach and intestines fight off infections and assists with elimination.  A bonus benefit is it helps to reduce symptoms of indigestion including gas and bloating.

7. Can Help Break a Fever - Lemons can help break a fever by increasing perspiration.  It's anti-fungal, anti-bacterial, and anti-viral properties help move along the natural course of the fever more quickly.

Lemon Water

The easiest way to ensure you are getting enough lemon is to start your day by drinking a glass of lemon water.  A pure essential oil works just as well if not better as the oil is cold-pressed from the lemon rind itself (which actually has more vitamins and nutrients than the lemon juice).  Drinking a glass of lemon water daily is one of the most simple, effective, and sustainable changes you can make for a healthy lifestyle.  Keeping a stocked pantry of lemons for your food is then just icing on the cake!  

For more health benefits, check out this site:  http://www.care2.com/greenliving/16-health-benefits-of-lemons.html

What is your favorite  way to use lemons?

Be well,

Janelle

Interested in learning more?  Please visit my website.

5 Practical Tips for a Healthy "Trick or Treat"!

Jack-O-Lantern

I have two girls, ages 4 and 6.  I would love to say that they both prefer fruits and vegetables over candy but I'm here to tell you, that is not the case!  In fact, in this overly-sugared American society and with exposure to so many treats, they have developed their own love of sweets.  In our home we limit the types of desserts we buy; we opt for dark chocolate over milk and choose confections made with whole ingredients over processed. Therefore, in some respects, Halloween takes on an even bigger meaning for them.  They are very much looking forward to all aspects of Halloween; the costumes, the hanging with friends, the going out at night, and, of course, the candy.

That said, I do have some practical tips that could help ensure our children don't overindulge this holiday. I've learned (so far) as a parent that the best thing we can do is teach good habits and behaviors.  Ultimately, they make their own choices.  As long as we teach and educate, we are doing what we can.  That goes for Halloween candy, too!!


5 Ideas To Try This Halloween:

1. Prepare and Fill Up on a Big, Nutritious Meal - Prior to going out trick or treating, make sure you and your loved ones have a big, nutritious meal.  Get all of those nutrients in their systems so they can have a little leeway for snacks coming later that evening!  
2. Buy Non-GMO Candy:  Big food manufacturers like Mars and Hershey produce cheap candy made with GMO ingredients.  There ARE other options out there.  Annie's makes a delicious gummy snack made with real fruit, and Whole Foods offers organic lollipops made with fruit.  It's still delicious from a child's point of view, and you can feel good about offering something more sustainable.  Food Babe has a great article listing some delicious alternatives:  http://foodbabe.com/2012/10/10/does-your-favorite-candy-have-gmos/.
3. Limit the Number of Candies Eaten:  As a rule of thumb I usually have a rule of two pieces of candy that night.  They can go through their loot and decide which two they want to eat, like, NOW!  Then the rest of the candy has an expiration date.  A week after Halloween, the candy goes "bad".  The key is not to let the candy linger. After a couple of days, my kids tend to forget about it anyway as the novelty has worn off.
4. Give out Non-Food Items:  Although a little non-traditional, try offering toys and trinkets like tatoos and pencils and glow sticks.  Still kid-friendly and fun!
5. Relax and Let Go: Sometimes, it's okay to be "bad".  There is nothing wrong with children seeing this is the exception rather than the rule.  This is a special occasion and is to be treated as such.  Heck, maybe a glass of wine is in order for us, too!! Relax, indulge, enjoy, and move on. 

What are some of your tips for a healthy and happy Halloween?

Be well,

Janelle

Interested in learning more?  Please visit my website.

A Salad to Transcend Seasons

New England Foliage

Today is late October and a gorgeous day in New England.  The foliage is at its peak. The temperature is in the mid-50's. The air is crisp yet still warm. In my opinion, it is a perfect day.

Such a vibrant day is filling me with so much energy, and urges me to be creative with my food.  I'm inspired to make my favorite salad that transcends all seasons, my Apple Chicken Sausage Spinach Salad!  It transcends all seasons as it uses spinach, which is not identifiable with Fall, but yet is one of the world's most healthiest vegetables, so in my opinion, should be used at any time during the year.

What Are The Health Benefits of Spinach?

• Anti-Inflammatory and Anti-Cancer Properties
• Antioxidant Properties
• Rich in Vitamin K, Calcium, and Magnesium - Important for Bone Health

For more information on the health benefits of spinach, please refer to this article by Dr. John Douillard HERE.

What does SCREAM Fall is what goes in the salad.  Home made chicken apple sausage complete with caramelized onions!

Chicken-Apple Sausage

Ingredients:
- 1 pound organic ground chicken
- 2 teaspoons avocado or coconut oil
- 1 small onion, diced
- 1 medium sweet apple (I use Gala, but Honeycrisp works) peeled and diced
- 1 tablespoon finely chopped fresh sage
- 1 teaspoon raw honey
- Salt and pepper to taste

Directions:
 - Heat the oil in a pan over a medium flame.
- Add onion and cook, stirring until the onions begin to soften (about 2 minutes)
- Add apples and cook, stirring for 2 more minutes
- Transfer to a large bowl and let cool
- Clean pan
- Add chicken, sage, and spices to the bowl with the apples and onions.  Gently mix and fold to combine
- Add in honey
- Add more oil to the pan and heat over medium flame
- Portion out mixture into either patties (makes 4) or small bites (makes about 12).
- Cook until the patties or small bites are browned and thoroughly cooked through, approximately 3 minutes on each side

Now you're done!  All that is left is to grab a large salad bowl, wash and rinse your organic spinach (I use baby), place the patty or bites of chicken-apple sausage on top, and fold gently.  I like to add in extra apple chunks and onions for garnish.

Do you have a favorite Fall salad?  I'd love to hear!  Please feel free to leave a comment below.

Be well,

Janelle

Interested in learning more?  Please visit my website.

6 Steps for Breast Health

All of us have been affected by cancer in some form.  Whether it is a loved one who battled and overcame, a friend who didn't, or an acquaintance who's just been diagnosed, the reality is, it's running rampant.  The sad reality is, with all of the technological advances in our modern day, the numbers are still exceedingly high since President Richard Nixon first announced the "war on cancer" in 1971.

I am not a doctor nor am I an expert on cancer, but I do know that there is something very wrong  with our environment; an environment that is filled with pollution and toxins. We can experience toxic overload.  Some things we can't control. Some things, we CAN. Let's focus on what we CAN do.

Regarding breast cancer, here's the thing.  Early detection is important.  We know that.  It has saved countless lives. But......and here's the very important but.....early detection is still..... cancer! It's cancer that is detected early. What I want us to focus on is a shift in mindset. PREVENTION is the only TRUE prevention!  Early detection practices are very important to protect ourselves on all sides, but I want to encourage everyone to start familiarizing themselves with natural protection practices too.

Let's do our very best to help ourselves with the things we CAN control.  If more people knew about these points below, I truly believe that more people would start implementing these practices into their daily lives.

Natural breast cancer protection

1. REDUCE YOUR SUGAR INTAKE - It's a scientific fact, cancer needs fructose to SURVIVE. Without it, the tumor(s) cannot continue to grow.  For more information, please reference this article from mercola.
2. EAT YOUR MUSHROOMS! - If more women only knew that they could help reduce their risk of breast cancer by simply incorporating mushrooms into their daily diet, don't you think they would?  Mushrooms and green vegetables are the most potent anti-cancer foods.  From Dr. Fuhrman's site, "Mushrooms block tumor growth and have anti-estrogenic activity - regular consumption of mushrooms - as little as one mushroom per day - has been shown to decrease breast cancer risk by up to 60-70%".  http://www.drfuhrman.com/library/prevent_breast_cancer.aspx  
3. TAKE FOLATE NOT FOLIC ACID - Ensure your whole food multi-vitamin contains folate.  Do NOT take a synthetic multi that contains folic acid. A major risk in the excessive intake of folic acid is cancer. http://chriskresser.com/folate-vs-folic-acid
4. REGULAR LYMPHATIC BREAST MASSAGE - I'm a big fan of these. The majority of our lymph nodes are found in our breasts.  Toxins can build up in our lymphs.  Regular lymph massage can help circulate those toxins out of the breasts and help improve circulation.  The body will then naturally release the toxins.
5. CHANGE YOUR DEODORANT - If your deodorant contains aluminum, parabens, or phthalates, dump it now.  There are many  natural deodorants on the market that do not contain these ingredients. Granted, they may not work as well, but isn't applying a couple of times a day worth it??  http://www.naturalnews.com/033364_deodorants_chemical_ingredients.html
6. GO "WIRELESS" - Although not conclusive, there is some thought that wearing underwire bras prevents lymph circulation.  It is best to wear wireless, and nothing at all when you have no plans.  Freedom, baby!

   

   Going wireless

There are many other things you can do to protect yourself from the enemy, such as no processed foods, lots of purified water, eating cruciferous vegetables and lots of leafy greens. The points I mention above I don't feel are widely known but should be for all women.

For more reading on the topic, please view:

http://butterbeliever.com/i-will-not-be-pinkwashed-why-i-do-not-support-susan-g-komen-for-the-cure/

Be well,

Janelle

Interested in learning more?  Please visit my website.

What The Heck is Ghee?

I grew up in a family that is half holistic, and half the far other extreme.  Ghee is a common noun in part of my family's vocabulary, but I didn't really know much about it until just recently.  Boy was I missing out!!

What is Ghee?

Pronounced "gee" with a hard g, ghee is clarified butter used for cooking.  Mainly used in Indian cooking, ghee is butter with the milk solids, proteins and water removed, thus making it clarified.  What remains in ghee from regular butter is the clear oil. Ghee has been around for thousands of years and stems from ayurveda, the ancient Indian science of medicine.  

Why Should I Care?

Ghee is a very stable cooking oil and can be heated to high temperatures without going rancid.  Olive oil, which is extremely healthy and a great source of omega-3s, is actually an UNSTABLE cooking oil and when heated to medium-high heat, can break down and become carcinogenic.  The absolute opposite of what well-intended healthy people are trying to achieve!!  Ghee is a great alternative to cooking and provides amazing nourishment. Save the olive oil for salads and dips.

What are Some Other Benefits of Ghee?

• Supports digestion
• Adds a healthy glow to the skin
• Provides mental clarity
• Can use even if intolerant to milk, as milk proteins are removed
• Has a higher smoke point than butter
• Rich in antioxidants and aids in the absorption of vitamins and minerals from other foods
• Lacks hydrogenated oils
• Strengthens the immune system

Organic, grass-fed ghee is the best quality, naturally.

I am very lucky that my uncle prepares his own ghee and is generous enough to share.  I use it for all of my roasting  and high-heat cooking needs, including this ripe for Autumn butternut squash recipe.

As with other saturated fats, you should use sparingly and only what you need for cooking.  

Have you tried ghee?  Leave a comment and let me know what you think!

Be well,

Janelle

Interested in learning more?  Please visit my website.