Tuesday Tip - Relaxing After Christmas

Happy New Year!!

Ahhh...Christmas is over, and New Years is here.  I now feel a big sense of relief.  Since there's less going on right now, I have time to reflect on what my goals are for 2011... health, wealth, relationships, family....what can I do to improve myself, and what can I do to help others.  Here are a few ideas I thought I would pass on to you.

1.  Make time for YOU.  Yep, you've done it all for everyone else, but in order to relax and reconnoiter, you need to spend a little quality time with yourself to reflect.  Take a trip to the local cafe, curl up on the couch, or find a little out of the way place just to relax.

2. Keep a journal.  Well this isnt something Im not used to doing, but Im finding that if I do learn to be consistent and write in my journal, Ill find more time in my brain for other things.  Write down your thoughts, ideas, goals, hopes, dreams.  Reflect over the past year.  Think about regrets, hopes, joys, events that impacted your life.Write about what you would like 2011 to be like...dont make promises, just include what you would like to happen.

3. Choose health.  For some, New Years resolutions come with a way to better their health - lose weight, tone up, lower bp...for example.  For me, I would like to tone up my middle and lose about 10 lbs, so I am scheduling my workout every day at a convenient time.  Im going to plan on eating healthier - adding more FRESH fruits and veggies (raw) to my diet. Im also going to start thinking more along a positive manner because I know that negative emotions effect health in a negative way.  Also, choose to stay healthy during New Years - where so many times we are tempted to drink or eat too much, which can effect our health for the future in a negative way.  Make your New Year beginnings  healthy and happy ones.

4.  Reach out to others.  Theres a saying I always liked.....People will forget what you said, people will forget what you did, but they will never forget how you made them feel.  How true!  Keep in touch, call a friend just to say hi, touch base with customers with no strings attached, add some community service.  Reaching out to others makes us feel really good about ourselves.  Also takes the focus off of me, and puts it on giving and gratitude.

To Your Health!

Robin

8 Steps to Keep Off Holiday Pounds*

What a beautiful time of year with the fall colors, holiday gatherings, shopping and love. The days are crisp, the evenings cool - a great time to sip that cup of tea under an extra blanket.

The funny thing is, we just spent many months killing ourselves to fit into our bathing suit for summer, but now it seems we have a more relaxed attitude and have geared ourselves back towards eating again. Well, it IS the holidays...and since I have on all those extra clothes anyway, nobody is going to pay attention to a few extra pounds. And I can just plan a New Years Resolution, right?

Wrong. According to a study at Sweden's Linkoping University, those couple of months of celebrating can actually lead to long term weight gain.

The researchers took a group of young people, increased their caloric intake by 70% and lowered their exercise levels. They also had a group they didnt alter. At 4 weeks, the test grop had gained an average of 14 lbs. After 6 months, and no longer on the special diet, only 1/3 of these had returned to their original weight. After one year, these members were each still averaging 4 lbs heavier. After 2 yrs, this same gluttonous group continued to gain, while the non altered group still maintained a stable weight.

Most of us dont increase our food intake that much for 30 days straight...there is Thanksgiving (well you can start at Halloween), Thanksgiving leftovers, Hanukkah, Christmas parties at work and around, Christmas eve, Christmas Day, Boxing Day, New Years Eve, New Years Day...add in those extra sweets, cocktails, etc. So whats the big deal anyway?

The problem is a year later most people have not removed their excess 'baggage' from the holidays (which may only be one pound). Continuing this pattern for 30-40 holiday seasons and the problem becomes "huge".

So here are some tips that might help you get thru the holidays so you can still fit into that same bathing suit in the summer, and not have to hide under all those clothes in the winter.

1. Buy clothes that fit NOW: This is a great motivation in keeping off weight. That new piece or two of clothing can be all the motivation you need to keep that summer body around awhile. Imagine buying that beautiful holiday dress or slacks, and then find you cant zip it...thanks to those sugar cookies. Before you being festivities, go buy yourself something perfect to wear at your parties and hang it somewhere that you will see it all the time - as a reminder.

2. Write it down. Have you ever thought about keeping a journal on everything you eat. This is something I always suggest to those I try to help lose weight. If you write it down, and do the math, you can help lessen the damage. It may help to compensate for a few slip ups. By seeing what we have eaten, can help us correct the balance. We know we are going to indulge in things we dont usually eat during the rest of the year - so by writing it down, may help us to see, so we can cut back in another area to compensate.So lets say you had that delectable chocolate brownie during a break at work, which is carbs and fat. Eat one less portion of carbs an done less portion of fat for dinner. Not the best, but it definately will help!

3. Keep Exercising!!!: Its a proven fact that the time between Thanksgiving and New years is the slowest point of the year for exercising.People may schedule time at the gym, but only cancel them because of Christmas parties and other gatherings. One of the greatest gifts you can give yourself is to stay focused on an exercise plan and goal. Its hard to stay balanced when there is so much to do this time of year. If shopping is getting in the way, then try to do all you can online. Too many parties - show up later, thus cutting down on high calorie cocktails anyway. You'll still enjoy the company without the hangover in the morning. Stay consistent, even if its not convenient.

4. Get the junk out!: How much additional junk to you have around this holiday season - extra baking, candy canes,...well, you know what I mean. Ever have those late 12:30am, nights after a full day, there are those few cookies you can throw down before bed to help you 'feel better' about your rotten day. The secret is to get those enticements out of the house...bring them to work, regift them to your 100 lb friend with perfect metabolism, give them to the ladies at the salon...or throw em in the trash if necessary. Box up leftovers and send them home with your guests. Do all you can to get all the less healthy temptations out of your reach.

5. Eat BEFORE parties: Most holiday parties have foods that are less than healthy so unless you are organizing the event, the best damage control is to show up with a full belly (of good things). Eat your healthy meals and snacks thru the day and if you are going straight from work, plan a healthy snack before hitting the party. You will be iess likely to eat much of the dips, pigs in a blanket, cakes and other high calorie foods if you already have eaten.

6. Offer to prepare some healthy alternatives: This may not be well received by those who would rather spend Thanksgiving sitting around watching football and working in the kitchen but if you do some of the cooking, you have control. The way the turkey and stuffing are prepared, cranberry sauce full of sugar, veggies with heavy cream and countless other things can make or break the healthiness of a meal. There are tons of cookbooks out there and recipes online that can help with healtier meal planning for the holidays. And remember you can always workout later with the Beachbody fitness programs!

7. Chose wisely: Only during the holidays do we feel like we have to sample everything - kind of like a Las Vegas Buffet. We feel like those foods will never exist again, and that this is our last meal on Earth. Why not try to just pick your favorites and keep the portions to the size of your palm. If you are still hungry, try to fill up more on veggies - preferably the ones that arent soaked in butter or cream. If you want dessert (who wouldnt!) lean towards smaller slices of pumpkin as apposed to pecan, and leave out the hydrogenated non dairy whipped topping. Try to stay away from the high calorie rum based egg nogs as well. Just a few wise choices will save you a ton of calories and a significant amount of heartburn too.

8. Dont beat yourself up: This is the worst thing you can do during the Holidays. It does stink to gain those extra pouinds after you worked so hard to get them off. But sometimes its not so bad as having to deal with an irate hostess (like your mom) because you wouldnt eat her pies and potato pancakes. We can only do our very best. Mentally beating ourselves up will only make you feel worse and that never helps anyone get back into their fitness program and routine. If you happen to gain a few extra lbs this season, be part of the rare group that actually follows thru with their New Years Resolution and manages to get rid of them again. A week of hard work and a slight calorie decrease will do the trick.

Enjoy your holidays!

Robin

*Excerpts taken from an article by Stephanie Saunders

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PRODUCT SPOTLIGHT - SHAKEOLOGY

[caption id="attachment_140" align="alignleft" width="150" caption="70+ whole food nutrients in one glass!"][/caption]

Picture this scenario: Its Monday - kids need to get out the door to school, you need to get out the door to work, or get hubby out the door. You have a busy day planned and nobody has time to make breakfast nor let alone eat it! So you grab your coffee and donut, and send the kids out the door with a pop tart..and you're off! Obviously the kids cant concentrate in school, and you get that 10am sluggishness. Everyone is grumpy and tired by mid morning.
That's where Shakeology helps!!!!
Fist - take a look at this video and see what 100 doctors are saying about this product! More and more are actually using it for their patients!!


Let's look at some of the ingredients and benefits of Shakeology (side note...I have tried many different nutritional 'shake' products, but this one has no powdery taste and does taste just like a milk shake - in other words, its the best I've ever tasted!!!) Shakeology contains over 70 ultra high-quality ingredients conveniently located in one glass, to deliver nearly all the nutrients you need to maintaina healthy diet.
It’s good for you—and good for everyone—because everyone’s diet is deficient in some of the key
nutrient groups packed into just one Shakeology serving!

Amaranth, Camu-Camu, Goji berry, Sacha Inchi,
sprouted quinoa, whey protein: Help the body build lean muscle, heal wounds, improve skin
and hair. Support optimal brain function, mental clarity, improved mood, and reduced cravings.

Antioxidants - “Red Super Foods”
Açai berry, Acerola cherry, bilberry, Camu‑Camu,
Goji berry, grape seed extract, green tea, Maca
root, pomegranate: Help reduce oxidative damage in the body caused by free radicals.
Oxidative damage is a major cause for degenerative (aging) conditions such as heart disease,
high blood pressure (which can lead to stroke), dementia, and arthritis.

Phytonutrients - “Green Super Foods”
Barley grass, blue-green algae, Chia seeds,
Chlorella, flax, grape seed extract, Hydrilla, spinach, Spirulina, sprouted quinoa, wheat grass:
Boost immunity, help fight diseases, can slow down the agingprocess, detoxify the body,
and have alkalizing properties.

Adaptogens - Ashwagandha, Astragalus, Cordyceps, holy basil leaf, Maca root, Reishi mushroom,
Schisandra, Suma root: Plant derived agents help to adapt the body or protect it from
stress. Adaptogenic herbs are unique from other substancesin their ability to balance endocrine
hormones and the immune system.

Prebiotics - Pea fiber, yacon root: Promote better intestinal health. Stimulate growth of
friendly bacteria for better digestion.

Digestive Enzymes - Amylase, bromelain from pineapple, cellulose, lactase, lipase, papain from papaya, protease: Help the body break down foods and increase absorptionof nutrients.

Shakeology is an effective way to help you lose weight, increase your energy and be the healthiest
you can possibly be. In an independent 90-day study*, participants who replaced at least one meal
per day experienced some amazing health benefits.
Shakeology can help you::
- Lose weight
- Reduce cravings
- Increase energy and stamina
- Promote healthy digestion and regularity
Proven results!
As part of the recommended Shakeology program of replacing a meal with one shake
per day, along with regular exercise and a balanced diet, participants experienced
even more remarkable health improvements. The study also showed that participants
were able to:
- Reduce total cholesterol by 30% on average
- Reduce LDL (“bad”) cholesterol by 38% on average
- Reduce cardiovascular risk ratio by 24% on average
- Reduce oxidative damage caused by free radicals on average by
45%, which can help decrease the risk for developing degenerative
conditions like heart disease,dementia, and arthritis

It is part of my daily regimen to have a healthier lifestyle...it can be yours too!
NOW you can save 25% on all your purchases, and not pay a dime to enroll! But its only for a limited time...so get on the ball and get with the program. You wont regret it!
www.shakeology.com/robinbrostovski or email me at robinbrostovski@beachbodycoach.com for more information.
To your health!
Robin Brostovski, NH, CBHC

Sugar Blues

Trick or Treat....its that time of year when all the little ghosts and goblins go door to door to collect a barrel full of candy. Did you know that most people get sick from now until February? Why? Because their immune systems are depleted. Why? Because this time of year is the SWEETEST time of year..starting with candy at Halloween, then into Thanksgiving pies, and Christmas goodies! Don't get me wrong, its a wonderful time of year....but don't be tricked by all those treats. Sugar is probably one of the worst so called 'foods' on the planet. Here are some sugar facts, that just might get you thinking about giving your little goblins something else...or even just skipping the door to door idea this year.

Sugar Can (and will):

Suppress the immune system (the very system that is used to fight off sickness and disease)
Upset the body's mineral balance.
Contributes to hyperactivity, anxiety, depression, concentration issues and crankiness in children. (Forget the drugs, get them off sugar!)
Causes elevation in harmful cholesterol
Causes cirrhosis of the liver
Causes kidney damage
Leads to chromium and copper deficiency
Increases risk of coronary heart disease
Interferes with absorption of calcium and magnesium
Promotes tooth decay (but we already knew that, right?)
Leads to periodontal disease
Speeds aging process
Contributes to weight gain (empty calories!)
Increases blood pressure
Contributes to osteoporosis.
Cases free radical formation in the bloodstream
Overstresses the pancreas, causing damage
Produces pathological changes in the kidneys
Increases body fluid retention
Causes hormonal balance
Causes headaches, including migraines
Alters the mind's ability to think clearly (you know, that fuzzy feeling?)
Increases risk of blood clots and strokes
Increases bacterial fermentation in the colon
Whew!

With all that to think about...maybe its time to think about how much sugar you are consuming. Remember, there are 8 - 10 tsps of sugar in a 12 oz coke or soda. And a lot of the sugars are hidden sugars. The average person consumes over 100 lbs of sugar....and most dont even know it! Learn how to read labels and look for hidden sugar, corn syrup, brown sugar, sucrose, dextrose, high fructose corn syrup, ect.

So what about the sugar free stuff? Chemicals that cause tumors and strokes in rats, and have been proven to cause seizures in children - labeled nutrisweet, aspartame, splenda, sucralose....I think not!

Do yourself and your family a favor, and start assessing where you are with sugar consumption. It just may be the link to all those colds and flues in the winter, and a lot of what I just listed above.

Your health is wealth! Wishing you a hauntingly good holiday season!

Robin Brostovski
Health and Fitness coach
www.befitandwellnow.com

BEACHBODY ROCKS!!!

As a health and fitness coach I am always looking for things to offer my clients that will help them with their health and wellness goals. Now I'm not one to use my blog for exposure to business, or product, but Beachbody is offering some fantastic health and wellness DVD's and products now! And you can enroll FREE as a customer and get 25% discount OR as a coach and earn some extra money.

If you are looking to better your health, then I would love to suggest some great exercise DVD programs - these are just a couple...we have tons of them!

Body Gospel is a great way to combine praise and worship with a full blown exercise program. Donna sets the mood with prayer and inspirational talks and then takes you through everything from stretching to all out aerobics. You dont want to miss it!

Turbo Fire is a little more intense (although any of our exercise programs can be tailored to every skill level!). Get down with the crew as you dance, kickbox and exercise to awesome tunes.

Shawn T's Fit Kids - yep...we have programs for kids too! Shawn T takes it to a fun level for kids from about 6 and up...adults cant sit still and want to join in the fun too. Better than a WII fit anyday!
Anything from low impact to insanity...whatever your fit, we have the program for you.



Having a busy day and cant have a great breakfast? Shakeology is your answer! A great tasting, whole food, nutritious shake is great for the whole family. Lose weight by replacing one meal a day with Shakeology. Add nutrition for the kids and the rest of the family by adding it to their day, or by sending them out with a shake under their belt! Listen to what 100 doctors are saying about Shakeology!
http://beachbodycoach.com/esuite/home/RobinBrostovski?bctid=82906800001

If you are serious about building better health, or even building a better financial future, contact me at coachrobin@befitandwellnow for more information, or just go to www.befitandwellnow.com and join as a coach or a preferred customer.
You and I can fight the trend of obesity and disease by making easy diet and lifestyle changes. Get in on the fight for health now! There's no better time like the present, especially when its FREE!

To your health!
Robin

Osteoporosis

The plague of women and modern society seems to be Osteoporosis. The common scenario - a woman walks into the doctors office for a routine checkup and possibly a bone density check added in. The doctor comes back in and says she has Osteoporosis. And then panic sets in, because she believes that if she so much as sneezes, she will fracture a bone.

Approximately 15-20 million people in the US afflicted with Ostoeporosis - most are postmenopausal women, however men are not exempt but because they normally have greater bone density, it's not as common.

The main cause of Osteoporosis is high proein diets followed by zinc/calcium imbalances, poor diet, lack of exercise, smoking, alcohol, coffee, soda (phosphates leach calcium from the bones), some prescription drugs and oral contraceptives, lack of sunlight (the body's natural Vit D, sedentary lifestyles, long term use of antacids.

Our bones are constantly changing. Vertical bone growth ends at 18, but bone continues to increase in mass for 10-15 more years until about age 35 when peak bone mass is reached. After that age related bone loss starts to occur slowly at first, but faster after menopause - an average of 1% bone loss occcurs from age 35 resulting in about 20% bone loss by age 55. The larger the bone, the less risk of developing Osteoporosis.

Osteoporosis can also be a doctor induced disease resulting from certain drugs such as corticosteroids, thyroid hormone supplements, antibiotics - especially tetracycline and deriviatives, mind altering drugs, tranquilizers and ainti-depressants. Estrogen is often prescribed for menopausal women, but there are problems with this. Synthetic estrogen can cause breast cancer, endometriosis, blood clotting disease and increased risk of heart disease. Bone building qualities of estrogen are minimal and short lived. After 15 months on the drug, bone density may actually decrease.

So....since I want to keep my bones strong, I need to amp up on my calcium supplements, right? Well, research has proven that supplementing calcium beyond what the body needs does nothing to promote bone growth. Calcium carbonate (as found in Tums for example) actually depresses bone grown, and new studies reveal that it can also clog arteries with plaque. Dairy products are high in protein, salt, fat and phosphates and may actually interfere with the body storing calcium and can actually cause more calcium to be lost than saved when used in the amounts suggested by the American Dairy Association. Remember I mentioned high protein diets cause osteoporosis? Baby cows were meant to have all that added protein and fat to grow big and strong very fast. High levels of protein create an acid condition in the blood, tax the organs and trigger the loss of calcium from the bones.

Harmful eating habits in our Western society certainly contributes to Osteoporosis: refined foods, meat, dairy, sugan, alcohol, coffee - does not supply our vitamin and mineral needs. A high protein diet makes it almost impossible to create a positive calcium balance regardless of the calcium taken in. Osteoporosis is in a great degree a dietary problem, not merely a calcium problem. A plant based diet in many cases will help to reverse bone loss.

Foods such as dark greens like Kale and mustard, as well as broccoli, cauliflower, brussels sprouts, celery, carrots, peas, oatmeal, cashews, almonds, lentils, lima beans, soy products all have the kinds of calcium (and other vitamins) that the body readily assimilates. Remember, most of the over the counter calcium supplements cant be used by the body and either congregate in your arteries or just pass out of your body (unless they are whole food based). One glass of fresh squeezed carrot juice gives you a daily requirement of calcium. A 1/2 lemon squeezed in water not only gives you vitamin C, and cleanses your digestive tract and liver, but also adds excellent calcium.

Exercise is crutial from the cradle to the grave to build bone density. Weight bearing exercise is best such as walking, biking, hiking, aerobics. Stretching is good for muscles and bones and helps prevent humpback. Rebounding is an excellent way to build bone mass as well. With the blessings of internet and TV, we have become a sedentary statistic...dont let it happen to you..and move your body. Think about all the joints and hinges you have - they arent put there for nothing!

Calcium - How to Build Strong Bones

Building strong bones

When you think of strong bones, what's the first
thing that comes to mind?
Probably milk as a natural bone builder, right?
And you probably think of the myriad of
supplements to help you build strong bodies
12 ways. But did you know that a lot of the
supplements out there can cause some pretty
serious health problems?

First of all, I need to rant! Humans are the only species
on the planet that drink milk after they are weaned.
Cow's milk isn't made for humans, but meant for baby
cows. It is designed to help them grow at a very fast rate -
something humans don't need to do. Unfortunately,
with all the extreme amount of production they
have to meet, dairy farmers are adding growth
hormones to make the cows grow even faster,
antibiotics because of disease, and more. there is
disease amongst the animal kingdom more than ever
before. Unfortunately the antibiotics and the
growth hormones and other chemicals given to
the cows do not totally disappear with
pasteurization. Growth hormones affect the human body
in abnormal ways - for example, girls should begin their
monthly cycle at a somewhere between
12-14 yrs old.  Its is occurring now in girls as young
as seven years old.

Cow's milk is very high in protein (what baby cows need),
and high protein diets, especially in high concentrations
like milk, actually cause osteoporosis. We do need protein,
but not in high concentrated forms nor large amounts.
With all the hype of high protein diets out there, people are
unaware of the damage they can do to their organs. High
protein diets do not word towards strong bone building.

So you want to cut down on fat, so you choose
the 2% milk variety? Studies show that 2% milk still
contains a large amount of saturated fat, and you are still
getting the high concentration of protein.

Dairy is the number one allergen in children, and is the
major cause of those pesky ear infections, which then
leads to the typical ear tube surgery and round after
round of antibiotics. Also, Most doctors will not tell you that
dairy allergies cause ADHD.

So then, what about supplements?  After all, I do
want strong bones!

The most common calcium supplements
are made of calcium carbonate (uh, same stuff
as plaster of Paris), citrate, dolomite, di-calcium
phosphate, tri-calcium phosphate, coral,
oyster shell or bone meal. While they may
have different names, they all have one thing
in common - they are inorganic.

Large quantities of these calcium supplements
can have some very serious health problems.
The excess calcium not usable by the body is
deposited in the soft tissues - blood vessels,
skin, eyes, joints and internal organs. This can
lead to plaque and hardening of the arteries
which can trigger heart problems and stroke.

Organic calcium is found in foods, and is the
most efficiently used form of calcium by the
body. Plants absorb and incorporate inorganic
calcium and other minerals from the soil.
They are  then transformed from inorganic minerals
into organic minerals making them suitable
for human absorption.

The best source of organic calcium is found in
everyday foods such as broccoli, collard greens,
soy, and almonds. And of course, they carry no
health risks or side effects whatsoever! Instead of
clogging up your arteries, they work to cleanse
and rebuild.

Think about it...there really is no way your body can
absorb and assimilate ground oyster shells, bone
meal and plaster of Paris. You can not digest them.
Because of that, the body just either accumulates
that type of calcium in parts of the body such as I
mentioned above,or just eliminates it through the
urine and feces. (Wanna know what yours is made
of? Read the label!)

Food is your best bet to get the usable calcium your
body needs. If you must or desire to take supplements,
use a more natural source. Green drinks, whole food
supplements, herbs such as alfalfa, parsley, kelp,
nettles, dandelion and horsetail are all calcium rich and
bone building. Listen, just one glass of fresh squeezed
carrot juice gives you the daily supply of calcium, as well
as beta carotene - a powerful cancer fighter!  Amazing!

Caution - you should consume no more than
1200 MG of calcium per day.  More than 2500 MG is not
recommended. More is not better!

Sunshine and exercise also help to build
bone density....but more about that next
month when we discuss osteoporosis!
Stay tuned!

The 3 C's - Caffeine, Coffee and Chocolate

What is Caffeine and is it safe?


About 80 percent of the adult population in the US consume caffeine.

Caffeine is found in various beverages such as tea, coffee, cola-flavored and other carbonated beverages and in chocolate products, and is an ingredient in a number of non-prescription drugs such as headache, cold, allergy, pain relief, and stay awake pills.  Unfortunately now there are such things as red bull to pump you up...then just as quickly let you down.



Caffeine elevates blood glucose giving the allusion of an energy surge.


A 5 ounce cup of coffee contains between 60 and 150 mg of caffeine while a cup of tea has 35 to 60 mg. A soda typically contains 30-55 mg of caffeine per 12-oz. can. There are a lot of new caffeinated beverages on the market which contain 55-70 mg caffeine or more per 12 oz. can. Hot chocolate beverages contain about 5 mg caffeine per cup while chocolate candy may contain between 10 and 40 mg per 2 oz bar.


Caffeine is considered a psychoactive drug since it stimulates the central nervous system and alters mood and behavior. Physiological effects may be experienced in adults after as little as one cup of coffee or 2 cans of soda. The unnatural stimulation or high is usually followed by a depression or low.

Physiological effects of caffeine can be seen in adults at doses of only 100-200 mg. A child consuming one can of caffeinated soda receives a caffeine equivalent of 4 cups of coffee for an adult.


Caffeine is quickly absorbed by the body, with blood levels peaking about 30 minutes after ingestion.

Caffeine can produce many adverse effects including:

• elevated blood sugar (gives the feeling of an energy surge)


• elevated cholesterol levels


• increased blood pressure


• stimulated central nervous system


• irregular heart beat and palpitations, increased risk of cardiac arrhythmia & heart attack


• increased urinary calcium and magnesium losses (may impact on long-term bone health as it leaches calcium from the bones)


• increased stomach acid secretion (aggravates a stomach ulcer) , increased heartburn


• tremors, irritability, and nervousness


• insomnia and disruption of sleep patterns


• anxiety and depression


• heightened symptoms of premenstrual syndrome (PMS)


• increased risk of bladder and rectal cancer, as well as kidney, ovaries and bowel cancers


• increased urinary calcium losses - reducing both calcium absorption and increasing the calcium lost through the urine.


• high risk of low birth weight babies


• reduces iron absorption by 40 to 60 percent


• Breast Cancer - caffeine appears to enhance the frequency with which other carcinogens  create tumors.
  Caffeine and other methylxanthines (theophylline in tea and theobromine in chocolate) have been suggested as risk factors for breast cancer. Methylxanthines have been reported to increase the severity of fibrocystic breast disease, which may increase the risk of breast cancer. Some researchers suggest that if methylxanthines are removed from the diet symptoms will improve.   I had a fibroid anoma in my breast when I was 18 yrs old. I had it removed and biopsied.  They told me to quit anything with caffeine in it or else it would be cancer in 10 yrs.

Is caffeine addictive?

Remember, caffeine is a drug.  Many regular users are surprised by the difficulty they experience when they try to quit using caffeine. Dependence may occur after only 6-15 days or use.

Individuals who have become addicted to caffeine should expect withdrawal symptoms to begin 12-24 hours after stopping caffeine intake. Symptoms  of withdrawal usually include headache, fatigue, apathy, and possibly anxiety. Withdrawal symptoms usually peak at 36 hours and will be gone at the end of 1 week if they just hang in there!  Ever wonder why folks cant function till they have had that morning coffee?  Their bodies are going thru withdrawal. Once the caffeine is introduced, they become 'normal' again.



WELL then, what about Decaf?

A U.S. National Institute of Health study suggested that drinking decaffeinated coffee could increase your risk of heart disease. Research indicated that it could lead to a rise in harmful cholesterol levels. The U.S. study looked at 187 people, a third of whom drank three to six cups of caffeinated coffee a day, while a second group drank the same amount of decaffeinated coffee, and the rest had no coffee. Researchers measured the level of caffeine in people's blood, as well as a number of heart-health indicators, including blood pressure, heart rate and cholesterol levels over the course of the three-month study.

At the end of the study, the group drinking decaffeinated coffee had experienced an 18% rise in their fatty acids in the blood, which can drive the production of bad 'LDL' cholesterol, leading to heart disease and diabetes. In addition, a protein linked to bad cholesterol went up 8% in the decaffeinated group.

Decafeinated beverages also contain some chemicals that regular caffeinated beverages do not

• Methylene Chloride:  is used to remove caffeine from coffee. This process leaves small amounts of this chemical in the beans. Methylene chloride is a proven carcinogenic that is toxic to lungs, the nervous system, liver, mucous membranes, Central Nervous System. Repeated or prolonged exposure to the substance can produce organ damage.


• Ethyl acetate is also one of the solvents used to extract caffeine. This solvent is commonly used to dissolve the pigments for nail polish, and is responsible for the solvent-effect of nail polish remover (acetone and acetonitrile are also used).


• Also decaf beverages contain phenylalimine which is a chemical that gives the same high as caffeine gives.  Phenylalanine is a neurotoxin which excites the neurons in the brain to the point of cellular death.

The best beverage of choice of course is water!

Hydrating your body with 6-8 glasses of water a day will boost your energy level, flush toxins, assist in elimination, keep your joints and muscles hydrated for better flexibility and less pain, thins the blood and so much more!  After all  you are 70% water, and lose it every day, even just while breathing.  Part of the reason for hip and knee replacements is because of dehydration - the synovial fluid dries up and bones scrape against bone.  Here are some tips:

1.  Start your morning with a large glass of room temp water with 1/2 lemon squeezed in...warm water helps digestion and elimination.  You will get a boost of energy that way, plus start detoxification, get a good dose of vit C and calcium and other health benefits.

2.  If you must have that warm beverage in the morning…why not try those cereal coffee substitutes such as Roma and Cafix or an herbal tea.

3.  Regardless of what you see in the news about how wonderful chocolate is for you..it isnt as I mentioned above.  BUT If chocolate and cocoa products are used, they should be used sparingly or used as flavorings. Carob is a useful, power packed  alternative for chocolate.

Moderation is key.  Do what's best for your body.

Health is Wealth,

Robin

Eat The Rainbow

Summertime....and the livin is easy....and the perfect time to eat right! Gardens are overflowing with fruits and veggies, farm markets have season picks in all colors and varieties.  Its time for feasting on the bounties of the earth! Eat the Rainbow - by loading your diet with a variety of colors! This is the way to insure you are getting the right nutrition in balance - red strawberries and tomatoes, green broccoli and asparagus, yellow cantaloupe and peaches, blue eggplant and plums....YUM!

According to the USDA, people who eat more fruits and veggies as part of a healthy diet are likely to have a reduced risk of developing the risk of stroke, type 2 Diabetes, coronary heart disease and other cardiovascular issues. Fruits and veggies also help protect against certain cancers. And eating fresh fruits and veggies, also help prevent obesity! Most fruits and veggies are natually low in sodium, fat and calories and contain no cholesterol.

By eating a variety of fruits, veggies, grains, legumes, you can be sure you will be getting the right nutrition, without the fat for a great summer fare - minus the calories!

Bon Appetite!

WELCOME

Hello!  Welcome to  Energized Lifestyle. I am so glad you decided to stop by.  I am a health and lifestyle coach, partnering with Beachbody for the exercise part of things.  My passion and desire is to help others regain their health by working with simple diet and lifestyle changes that have been proven to give optimum health.

Start checking back for some great articles on health and healing, tips and more! I'm working on my website and hopefully that will give you some great information as well.  Will post that when its done of course.

If you are sick and tired of being sick and tired...and would like some help, please contact me and we can set up an appointment for your personal agenda.  Meanwhile, if you live in south central Virginia, we are conducting a health seminar from now till the end of the month. Cant attend, but want more info? Please contact me by replying to this post and I can fill you in.

Newsletter goes out twice a month....add your name and email and I will add you in for the next issue!

Withing you abundant health for a lifetime!

Robin

Celebrating health, one body at a time.