It is finally here!  Spring...

Spring is a time of renewal – a time that the world around us blooms and sprouts in bounty – and there’s an innate desire within us to do the same.  The heaviness of Winter is still lingering, but when the sun starts shining a little warmer, we desire to go into major spring cleaning mode.   
 
This could mean our homes, closets, eating habits, relationships, and maybe even a social media detox -- who can’t use that every once in awhile!?  Needless to say, we are thirsting to feel a little lighter, in more ways than one, when Spring finds us.   
 
 
Here are a few ways you can feel lighter this Spring… 
 
1.  Simplify.  Simplify your meals and you’ll feel like a brand new person.  Meal planning, grocery shopping, having to think of what’s for dinner each night… it’s exhausting.  Try eating very simply for the next week and see how things shift for you.  Eat whole foods, with few ingredients and low prep time.  Think mason jar salads or roasted broccoli and a small piece of grilled salmon.  Simplicity.   
 
2.  When life gives you lemons.  It may sound incredibly simple, but that’s what we’re doing here!  Simple, beneficial changes that don’t overwhelm.  Add a squeeze of lemon into your water in the morning (and throughout the day, if you wish) and enjoy the alkalizing, naturally detoxification benefits.  Your digestive system will thank you and you’ll enjoy a nice boost of natural energy. 
 
3.  Start small.  Make a list of what you’d like to declutter in your home.  Start small, and make a list of which tasks have priority.  Can you not even remember the last time you’ve worn one whole half of your closet?  Start there.  Start with whatever is the biggest burden on you.  The state of your surroundings has a huge impact on your overall wellbeing.  
 
4.  Improvements.  What have you been hoping to add to your life to give it more value?  Have you been meaning to start painting again?  Have you been promising yourself for months that you were finally going to start working out, or reading more?  What instantly pops in your head when you read this?  Start by adding one thing in the next week that will improve the quality of your life.  Perhaps that’s a new, relaxing evening ritual or a commitment to get bi-weekly massages for stress relief.  Pick one thing, and go for it!  
 
Baby steps coupled with consistent, daily action will get you there in no time, without overwhelm.  I’d love to hear what you pick.  Hit reply and let me know what new thing you’re going to start next week to add more quality to your days, and I’ll let you know what I picked!  

A few weeks ago I started to put some intention in my eating as well as focusing on the content of my food choices and the timing that I was eating them. I am happy to report that as of today I am down a pant size and my energy is really through the roof all thanks to switching from eating to fueling and supporting my body's natural bioelimination and biotransformation processes! 

In health, 

If you're like most people, you might believe that eating healthy requires a lot of work.  From planning out meals to grocery shopping to buying quality ingredients – it can seem like a mass effort sometimes.  That’s not to say the effort’s not worth it -- but a big effort that sometimes seems easier to simply avoid, right?  
 
We all know that eating the right foods, especially vegetables, is essential to better health. But what if you're not a huge fan of shopping, chopping, and prepping?  As it usually goes, the things that are the best at keeping us healthy and nourished aren't always the easiest path to take.  It takes some practice and trial and error to find your sweet spot for infusing health into your day on a daily basis – and one great place to start is finding some simple ways to add more veggies into your day. 
 
Here are my 4 favorite ways that you can add veggies into your day...
 
1. Use Veggies to Kick Off Your Day
Vegetables are not just for lunch and dinner.  Kick off every morning with veggies on your plate.  Throw a handful of kale into your morning smoothie or use last night's leftover veggies to whip up an omelet.  There are numerous ways to add veggies to your morning meal, and getting them in early means you’re well on your way to eating your daily servings of veggies by dinner time.  I include at least 1 cup of greens at every meal, breakfast included.  Get creative on how you start to use them!
 
2. Go for Frozen
Fresh veggies are typically the better option, but chopping and preparing vegetables from scratch isn't always practical for many of us.  So, stock up on frozen veggies on your next supermarket run.  Freezing vegetables is considered minimal processing, as many of the veggies will still retain a lot of their nutritional value.  Having frozen vegetables on hand at all times leaves you no room for excuses when you’re in a time pinch.  My favorite frozens?  Chopped onions, finely diced celery, carrot and onion mix, and roasted peppers with onions.  I use tehse to whip up quick and easy fajitas, sausage and peppers, and and toppings on pizzas, 


3. Double Up
When you're preparing salads, soups, pasta sauce, or a healthy casserole, double the amount of vegetables that the recipe calls for.   Stir extra veggies into your soups or put an extra portion into your sauce.  You’ll only enhance the flavor and nutritional value, so it’s a win-win!  Choose veggies that you ENJOY, do not try to force yourself to eat something you cannot stand, it will only result in wasted food.  With that said, do not be afraid to be a little adventurous is what veggies you add to foods.  Making homemade mac and cheese?  Add in pureed butternut squash or pumpkin.  Making chili? Add in peppers, onions, carrots and some greens.  Making soup?  It just calls for veggies!  


4. Join the Meatless Monday Movement
If you’re a meat eater, have you started going meatless on Mondays yet?  This is an excellent way to get more veggies onto your plate every week, and it's simple.  Just cut out meat on Mondays and dedicate your plate to more fruits and vegetables.  If Monday is not convenient, pick another day that works for you.  Not only will you be lowering your grocery bill and getting more nutrients by eating more veggies, but you're also trying something new, and variety is the spice of life!  Be careful of meat like substitutes.  These may be not-meat based, but often are also not plant based, packed with preservatives, sodium, and lacking in nutrients. 
 
Vegetables are a fabulous source of many beneficial nutrients for your body.  When you cut back on processed foods and "sneak" more vegetables into your day - you're making better choices that set you up for a lifetime of healthy habits.
 
So, what are a few ideas that have sparked?  What’s on the plate next week for Meatless Monday?  I’d love to hear your ideas, so hit reply and let me know what you plan on cooking up!
 
 
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​In health, 

This week in the March Whole Detox by Deana Minnich, PhD, we are in the Love system, the system tied to heart health, blood, upper lung and back function, and of course our self and outward ability to love. 

Exercise is key to heart health, this is known, however is there a type of exercise that maybe providing us more bang for the buck time wise?  Research indicates that yes, possibly so.  
 

Our blood pressure is measured in terms of Systolic blood pressure over Diastolic blood pressure. The heart beats in 2 parts, the systolic part - where blood is moved from the ventricle to the artery, and the diastolic - where blood is allowed to enter the ventricle, refilling it for the next beat. 

• Systolic blood pressure (the upper number) — indicates how much pressure your blood is exerting against your artery walls when the heart beats.
  
  
• Diastolic blood pressure (the lower number) — indicates how much pressure your blood is exerting against your artery walls while the heart is resting between beats.

In people with heart failure, high blood pressure, and other health concerns need to strengthen the heart and increase it's functioning.  Exercise is typically included in a treatment for heart and overall health conditions, and is always recommended to the healthy population for keeping their hearts healthy and functioning at optimal levels for not only health but for our true ability to thrive. 

Clinical trials have been done to see the effects of HIIT training (such as Tabata training, interval training, on/off max rep training, etc.) vs. moderate constant-state exercise (such as jogging, swimming, etc.) and the results indicate that HIIT improves peak oxygen uptake and left ventricle diastolic dysfunction better than the moderate constant state exercise.  

So how do we put this into practice for ourselves?

1. Mix it up!
​
If you are a constant state exerciser, such as runner, cyclist, swimmer, elliptical fanatic - mix it up!  Add in faster and slower intervals into your workouts.  In the middle of a long steady paced run, add in a few wind sprints to wake the mind and keep the body on it's toes. 

Increasing your Vo2 Max also helps with overall sports performance, so if you are trying to get faster or go longer in your preferred activity, HIIT are key to doing so. 

2. There's an app for that

Download a Tabata or Interval app for your phone so that you can throw in a HIIT session at any time!  Click here for a listing of some top recommended apps for your interval needs.  

3. Know your zones 

Even if you are not interested in adding in HIIT specifically, knowing your HR zones can mean that you are at least spending the time in the right zone for your goals.  Endurance, fat burn, cardio fitness all happen in different zones.  If you are working out constantly and are not seeing results - you may be in the wrong zone. 

 A very basic and easy way to calculate your HR zones is using the following process. 

Max HR:  Subtract your age from 220. The result is an age-predicted maximum beats per minute.
Resting HR:  Take your pulse before you get out of bed in the morning. Do this for several days in a row to get consistent readings.
Heart Rate Reserve:  Subtract your heart's resting rate from your maximum rate.  This heart-rate reserve represents the cushion heartbeats available for exercise.

Using the guide above, then calculate out based on the heart rate reserve what your different zones are.  

If you are 40 years old with a resting HR of 80, your numbers would be as follows:
Max HR:  180
Resting HR:  80
Heart Rate Reserve: 100

Zone 1:
60% of 100 (HRR)= 60, and 70% of 100 = 70
Z1 range = 60 (60% of HRR) / 80 (resting HR) = lower   70 (70% of HRR) / 80 (resting HR) = upper Z1 limit. 
lower range = 130, upper range = 155. 

​Do this for every zone based on the %'s in the chart above.

You will want to find a training resource or plan on how to train with HR for your sport.  There are many books on Amazon for Heart Rate Training, and a good investment would be a HR monitor - Garmin, Polar and Fitbit all have wearables that monitor your HR while you workout so that you do not have to stop and measure with your fingers.   

4. 15 minutes is all you need - here is my 7 minutes in heaven workout!

If you are short on time, travel a lot, or are lacking the motivation for hou rlong workouts, do not let that be an excuse.  HIIT workouts can be 10-15 minutes long and provide more benefits than a steady state workout 4 times as long.  If you only have a few minutes, you can do my 7 minutes in heaven workout to keep you active when time is a premium. Rest for 30-60 seconds between each 1 minute set.  

1 - Knee ups (1 minute) Video here
2 - Inch Worms (1 minute) Video here
3 - Push Ups (1 minute) can modify if needed
4 - Front Lunges (clock lunges if you are advanced) ( 1 minute) Video here
5 - Jump squats (1 minute) Video here  alternatively you can do normal squats, Video Here
6 - Burpees (1 minute) Video Here  please modify if needed!
7 - Plank (1 minute) feel free to mix up your planks to engage other areas of your core!
Total time:  10 - 15 minutes depending on rest intervals


5. Join a Group

If you are interested in upping your health game and do not want to spend tons of time on it - then join in a local bootcamp or outdoor fitness group (such as Pursuit Detroit that will be launching this summer!)

To be kept up to date on the Launch of Pursuit, as well as to see what I am offering in the vitrual training space, please visit Pursuit Detroit and sign up to be kept in the loop!

In (heart) health, 
​

References
High-intensity interval training vs. moderate-intensity continuous exercise training in heart failure with preserved ejection fraction: a pilot study
Siddhartha S. Angadi, Farouk Mookadam, Chong D. Lee, Wesley J.Tucker, Mark J. Haykowsky, Glenn A. Gaesser
Journal of Applied Physiology Sep 2015, 119 (6) 753-758; DOI:10.1152/japplphysiol.00518.2014

It is 5am and your alarm goes off.  Do you hit snooze until you are running late for work, or do you spring out of bed and get in a quick workout, make some coffee, read the newspaper all before getting ready for your day?  Does the thought of a 5am alarm freak you out? 
 
Are you in a low-energy rut?  Sometimes it's lack of sleep that's the culprit, but other times – even if you're getting your Zzzzs – you can fall into a vicious low energy cycle.  And before you know it, you're making frequent stops at Starbucks to kickstart your day.  Make a few tweaks to increase your energy naturally without relying on caffeine or processed sugar.
 
Here are some of the ways that you can keep your energy level high all day.
 
1. Drink apple cider vinegar 
I call this my morning elixir... Apple Cider Vinegar (ACV) plus warm water, a squeeze of lemon, and some cinnamon.  I drink this daily for hydrate, to help kick start the inner fire before eating cooling foods, plus it tastes good!  ACV has been tied to many health benefits, but did you know that increasing energy is also one of them?  The amino acids contained in apple cider vinegar work to counter fatigue.  This also means that a switchel made from ACV< apple cider, ginger root and lemon makes for a wonderful pre-, during, and post-exercise drink!  Next time you're feeling worn out, add a teaspoon or tablespoon of apple cider vinegar to a glass of water or your smoothie and watch your energy level rise.
 
 
2. Fuel up with fiber
 
Starting your day off with a breakfast containing fiber can help boost your alertness throughout the day.  This is possibly because fiber takes longer to digest by slowing the absorption of food in the stomach, so blood sugar levels remain more steady for a longer period of time. Some great options are whole-grain toast or a bowl of oatmeal with ground flaxseed.
 
3. Pick a protein
 
While protein isn't going to give you the energy surge you would get from a macchiato, it's in it for the long haul giving you lasting energy for hours to come.  Include protein in your meals throughout the day for energy without the crashes. Additional bonus... it curbs that appetite and keeps blood sugar levels balanced. 
 
4. Have more frequent meals
 
Rather than having three meals a day, it may be beneficial to you to eat smaller meals more frequently throughout the day. This allows you you to maintain a higher, more stable blood sugar level throughout the day so you're not experiencing the sugar highs and lows. I have recently switched to 5 meals a day, each with nearly equal macro-nutrient ratios and my energy is consistent throughout the day.  
 
5. Go for a stroll
 
If you tend to get a mid-afternoon energy downturn, going for a short walk can invigorate the rest of your day.  The next time you feel a coffee run coming on, head outside for a walk instead.
 
These are just a few ways that you can increase your energy.  Start with one of these tips and over time you'll begin to reap the benefits of lasting energy -- all it takes is a few simple shifts in your habits.
What do you plan on implementing this week to try to maintain your energy throughout the day?  I’d love to hear, hit reply and let me know what you plan on doing!
 

If you are looking for more energy, I have just published my newest Guide - Refuel for Health - Eating for Endless Energy available for download for free to you as my thanks for being a part of the Shine community of wellness renegades!

In health, 

Grains – the food group that plays a big role in the eating habits of millions of kids around the world. Oatmeal, YUM! Crackers, YUM! Toast, YUM! Cereal, YUM!

Sure, most moms always tell us that we need to eat our veggies too, but most moms also always serve some sort of grain for or with breakfast, lunch, dinner and snacks as well – so grains have to be just as important as meats, fruits and veggies, right?

For some people this is wrong.

But grains make up a hefty spot on the food pyramid so they must be healthy! Well, just because the government says it’s healthy, doesn’t mean it is. I can name you 14 foods off the top of my head that are banned in other countries but served here.

But I need the fiber! Yes yo do however...  sorry…wrong source. You can get it elsewhere, like in a myriad of fruits, veggies, nuts and seeds – sources that don’t have all the other bad stuff in them like toxins.

So as you can see, the importance of grains in a diet is actually pretty much a tale spun by the American food industry and regurgitated by moms around the world. That’s a tough pill to swallow, isn’t it?

Health advocates around the world, especially those who follow a Paleo lifestyle, understand that grains can actually pose a great harm to your body, leading to illness, disease and even death. 

However, grains are so ingrained (cute, huh?) in our lifestyle, that my clients and so many others can say they want to ditch the grains, but find it so difficult to actually do it. So I want to share with you some of my tips for going grain-free.

1. Don’t go cold turkey and ditch the grains all at once. Some can do this, but most people will quit all at once and then sabotage their efforts a few days later with a binge. To gradually incorporate this new lifestyle, you can first begin by ditching the unhealthiest grains (sugary cereal, fruit bars, rice, etc.) and instead opt for healthier versions (quinoa, brown rice, etc.) Once you’ve done that, gradually cut done your portions of grains meal by meal until none exist in your diet.
   
2. Fill up on proteins, veggies and healthy fats. If you eat plenty of these items, you’re not going to crave the grains as much because your nutrient needs will be satisfied, and you’ll feel fuller longer. For example, eat lots of fish, clean meats and veggies like broccoli, cauliflower, peas, bell peppers, spinach, tomatoes, etc. Also, don’t forget to add the healthy fat to each meal – such as avocado, olive oil, coconut oil, nut butters, etc.  
3. Don’t keep the grains in your house. As they say – out of sight is out of mind. This holds true for the grains. If you don’t keep them in your house (after they’re gone for good), you’ll be more likely not to eat them.
   
4. Prepare meals in advance. This tip has saved me so much time, patience, and sanity when I decided to change my lifestyle. I always write a meal plan at the beginning of each week and then shop, and prepare the food all in the same day. Prepping meals once a week prevents you from binging on grains when you’re hungry. Purchase glass containers and mason jars to store your food in the freezer after cooking, and then all you’ll have to do is pop your food in the microwave. There will be no time to reach for the granola bars.  
5. Indulge in scrumptious Paleo recipes. Another nuisance that could prevent you from experiencing success with your new lifestyle choice is boredom. If you’re making the same chicken and broccoli every day, you’re going to get bored and revert back to your old lifestyle. Therefore, it’s so important to try out new recipes all the time. In my Paleo program for sale here [insert a link to sales page], I provide over 50 mouthwatering Paleo-approved recipes for my clients to enjoy. You can use print out these recipes and then when you’re making your meal plan for the week, you can include various recipes each week.

 
Want to learn more about living Grain Free?  Message me for more information and to see if going grain free is for you. 

In health, 

Did you know that studies show that this one thing can make you 25% happier? It boosts your immunity to anger, disappointment, and frustration.
It's even been shown to heal pain and illness in your body. It can certainly heal relationships, especially with your beautiful and miraculous body.
That one thing is GRATITUDE, and amazing things happen when you integrate it into your meditation practice.
 
Here's a fun exercise to try:
1. As you sit down to meditate, breathe in deeply and imagine your heart filling up with glowing, green light. Allow this energy to pulse and radiate to light you from within. As you deepen into the glowing, green energy in the center of your chest, begin to give thanks for your life. Give thanks for anything that pops into your head.  No filter, just give thanks for it and show it appreciation. 
 
2. Think about five things to be grateful for on this day. See these events as pictures. It may be the way your dog greets you or that nice person that let you have the parking space in the crowded lot. It could even be seeing the birds fly to their nests as darkness comes. Just let the images flow in and notice the feelings they give. If an unwanted image pops in, let it pass like a random car on the road. If it is important, you can think on it later.
 
3. Now, see the people behind the images you are grateful for and express thanks to each of them.
 
4. Remind yourself that whatever you focus on expands. When you focus on gratitude and positivity, you will get more of that in return.
 
What you appreciate, appreciates. 
 
Be mindful that you will attract more abundance, love, and health by being grateful for your current state in these areas. Your body, your health, and your relationships can only be improved by honoring where they are in this moment.  

In health,

The breath is one of the most useful tools we have to settle our mind and relieve stress.  This advanced breathing technique is really quite simple and accessible to anyone, anywhere, any time.
 
It's called Square Breath.  It's super easy to remember how to do because you do it just the way it sounds.
 
The beginning breath ratio is 4 x 4 x 4 x 4.  


Easy right?  Start with a really deep breath in and just release it.  
 
Then seal your lips and:

• breathe in through your nose for counts
• hold the inhale for counts
• exhale through your nose for counts
• hold the exhale of counts

That's one round. In as little as 5 rounds you can completely shift your mind towards more peaceful thoughts.  
 
Here's an audio guide for you.  Go ahead and download it to your phone or computer and use it any time life seems to run away with you.

 In health,

I decided to make a grain-free Banana bread tonight to get rid of some bananas turned mush.

I am going to retool this recipe to be vegan and include some nutritional boosts, but for now here is the recipe as I made it tonight.  Please note that I did not bake in a bread pan, I actually baked it in a square, I guess you would call it brownie pan.  This makes 8 servings. 

Ingredients:

• cooking spray (I use avocado oil in a non-aerosol spray can)
• 3 eggs, beaten
• 1 tablespoon apple cider vinegar (I prefer Raw ACV, such as Braggs)
• 3 bananas, mashed
• 1/4 cup coconut oil, melted (Unrefined!)
• 1/4 cup honey  (raw preferred, local honey is best especially for those with allergies)
•  1 teaspoon vanilla extract (Don't skimp here!)
• 3 cups almond flour
• 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon (I really enjoy Vietnamese cinnamon, as it is highly flavored due to the higher oil content)
• 3/4 teaspoon baking powder
• 1/2 teaspoon ground nutmeg
• 1/2 teaspoon salt (I use pink Himilayan sea salt)
• OPTIONAL Grain-free granola to top (I topped half of the recipe with this as shown in the picture)

 
Directions

1. Preheat oven to 300 degrees F (150 degrees C). Prepare a bread pan with cooking spray.
2. Mix eggs and vinegar together in a bowl; add bananas, coconut oil, honey, and vanilla extract and stir until blended.
3. Sift flour, cinnamon, baking powder, nutmeg and salt together in a large bowl; stir into banana mixture until well blended. Pour batter into prepared bread / brownie pan.
4. OPTIONAL - cover with grain-free granola
5. Bake in the preheated oven until a knife inserted into the center comes out clean, about 1 hour. Cool in the pan for 10 minutes before removing to cool completely on a wire rack.

I hope that you enjoy this filling dish! This recipe makes for a great breakfast or post-workout refuel. Packed with over 19g of protein and 16.6g of healthy fat per 1 serving, this is a wonderul way to increase your protein intake and crush your cravings!

In health, 

It’s coming. You can feel it. You’re trying desperately to will it away, but, inevitably the clock strikes 3:00pm. Suddenly, you are exhausted. The thought of striking the letters on the computer keyboard seems like a daunting task, not to mention you can barely keep your eyes open.
 
‘Argh!’ you think to yourself. When this happened yesterday, you swore it wouldn’t happen again. As you walk to the café to get a cup of coffee, you wonder how to avoid this midday slump tomorrow. Here’s the good news:  there are steps you can take to energize your body throughout the day and avoid this desperate feeling.
 
The best place to start is with breakfast. Before we even talk about what to eat, let’s recognize that it’s important TO EAT breakfast. Your body has been in a state of rest, relaxation, and recharging for several hours. It needs fuel in the form of carbohydrates and protein to get going in the morning. Instead of processed cereal and milk, why not go for oatmeal with almonds and blueberries? Or prepare a couple of hardboiled eggs that you can grab-n-go in a hurry. Pair them with a brown rice cake with almond butter and jelly and you’re starting your day off on the right foot.

It’s also important to remember to drink water throughout the day. Dehydration is certain to cause sleepiness and fatigue. Imagine that a few glasses of water could be the difference between your 3pm exhaustion and vitality.
 
Don’t forget to put some thought into your snacks. You want to be sure to stay away from excess fats and sugars, which are in candy bars and most packaged food. The fatty foods will make you feel lethargic and the sugars will provide an initial spike, but then you’ll feel the afternoon slump as you come down from the sugar high. Take a few minutes at home to prepare trail mix with almonds, walnuts, pumpkin seeds, Goji berries, and Incan berries. For sweetness, you can add some cacao nibs or mini chocolate chips (I prefer Enjoy Life brand because their products are free of common allergens).
 
The midday madness doesn’t have to continue. You can control how your body feels by nourishing it with healthy food (and water) throughout the day.