Guest Authors

March 25, 2013 By Laura Baylor Leave a Comment

Reviving Motivation

January’s excitement is gone, the weather is hit and miss, or maybe life just feels too busy.

All of these different factors create the perfect storm to lose momentum with our New Year’s goals. How can we revive our exercise motivation?

Take a few minutes and revisit the last goal you set. Consider, is this a worthy goal for me? Is this something I really want to commit to right now? If it is, recommit remind yourself of why this goal is important to you. If the goal isn’t really something you want to do, figure out a new plan for your fitness routine.
What needs to change for the goal to happen? Do you need a different attitude? Do you need more sleep? Do you need to stop doing something else? Do you need to reduce the amount of time you watch tv or are on the internet? Do you need to get up early and do it first thing in the morning so nothing else interferes? Chances are there is something that you need to do differently to get back on track.
Change the routine: If what you are doing now isn’t inspiring try something new. Go outside for a run or walk, try a new class (aerobics, zumba, cycling, yoga, water jogging, etc…), sign up for an upcoming race, try a circuit workout, or set up a fitness date with a friend.
Read up on the health benefits of what you are doing and remind yourself of the big picture benefits of a regular, consistent fitness routine.
Break your goal down into small steps. My overall desire for this year was to get my left hip as strong as my right and get back to high intensity exercise.

To get there I have three different goals that build on each other.

Goal number one was to run for 30 minutes (accomplished).
Goal number two is to complete a 5k (working on that for April).
Goal Number 3 is to complete a sprint triathlon.

Currently, 5 days a week I do a 30-60 minute workout that is moving me in the direction of the goal. If you are new to exercising your first step might be to walk for 10 minutes three times this week and then gradually increase the time and frequency until you reach your goal. Whatever your goal is break it down into manageable steps that move your forward.

What do you do to maintain your fitness motivation? Leave us a comment…

Filed Under: Guest Authors, Laura Baylor Articles, Motivation Tagged With: goals

March 21, 2013 By Jaime Saginor Leave a Comment

SPRING CLEAN YOUR LIVER!

Our liver is the main organ responsible for processing and eliminating all the toxins we accumulate in our body,

from the foods we eat, to the air we breathe, and even the stress and anger we produce internally. This is a huge job for one mighty organ; doesn’t it deserve a break once in a while?

During the Spring, our liver naturally does some Spring Cleaning. However, we can greatly assist this natural cleansing and healing process by giving our liver a rest. If we stop eating foods that are hard for the liver to process while simultaneously eating foods that assist detoxification, our liver will have a chance to release any stored toxins. My housemate Chad and I have an annual tradition of eating only fruits and veggies for four days in April; it feels truly amazing. But if you’re not interested in doing a full fruit and veggie cleanse, here are a few quick tips you can use to assist your liver in Spring Cleaning:

Avoid foods for a few days that require your liver to work extra hard: alcohol, sugar, processed and high fat foods like fried and fast food (anything with hydrogenated oil), animal protein, and anything toxic (i.e. pesticides and chemical sweeteners etc).

Anyone notice that they are craving vegetables all of a sudden? If not, eat them anyway! Try to get in as many cruciferous vegetables and leafy greens as you can (broccoli, cauliflower, brusell sprouts, cabbage, arugula, spinach, kale, collard greens, dandelion greens etc). Greens help purify your blood, improve liver, gall bladder and kidney function, and are crammed full of vitamins and minerals, fiber, folic acid, chlorophyll, and many other micronutrients and phytochemicals.

Drink plenty of water and get exercise to assist in flushing out the toxins released in your body. This would also be a great time to sit in a sauna or go visit a hot springs if you should be so lucky to live near one. Also, get plenty of rest to allow your liver to do any healing and repair it needs to do. *As your liver cleanses, be aware that feelings of anger may surface. Know that this is a sign of healing and please be gentle with yourself and others during this process.

Further help your liver detox by drinking roasted dandelion root tea. If you’re adventurous, you can harvest and roast your own; or you can simply buy it in the store like me (my favorite is by Traditional Medicinals).

It’s Spring- your liver is going to cleanse itself anyway; why not lend a helping hand? It’s the least you can do for such a hard-working organ!

Happy Spring!

Filed Under: Good Foods, Guest Authors, Healthy Eating, Jaime Saginor Articles, Sugar, Supplements

January 19, 2013 By Laura Baylor Leave a Comment

When Motivation Wanes: Overwhelmed Moms

My sister and I have weekly phone calls to discuss our Mindful Makeover for Mom projects. During one chat last month, it was clear that my motivation was low.

I was feeling the effects of two children and a busy schedule.

Frustration, tiredness, and any other excuse one could imagine was present.

Martha gave me an assignment, to read our book, Mindful Makeover for Moms, and come up with my own top ten list on building motivation.

To be honest, it took me several days to get started. After all, I wrote that book and spent hours proofing and editing. What on earth could I learn from something I knew so well? When I started reading my first thought was, Wow! This book has some great tips, it is really good!

Fast forward a few weeks and I am still busy and tired. However, I have shifted my attitude and am working on the different areas where I want to see progress. I am working on Mindful Makeover projects 3-4 times a week for 30 minutes. I am exercising 5-6 days a week. I am counting calories most days. But most importantly I have had an attitude adjustment and have changed the self-talk patterns in my head. I am satisfied with the amounts of time I can devote to these items because most of my free time is spent caring for my family.

I know there are lots of busied, frenzied, overwhelmed Moms out there, who have something they want to do, but can’t find the motivation to get started. You might really not have time and need to make some adjustments in your schedule, or it could be a case like mine where an attitude adjustment is needed.

Here is my top 10 list from the book. I have been incorporating most of these into my day. Start small, just pick one or two that apply to you. Remind yourself of these items and perhaps you too can find some motivation.

Change the self-talk patterns in my head.
Make sure my goals are something I really desire to do. Complete buy in.
Create quiet moments.
Ask myself, why do I eat?
The collective power of small steps.
Learn something new.
Step away from the tv/phone/internet.
Go off duty
Love, forgive, and celebrate yourself.
Hold myself accountable (make a plan and share it with someone).

As you start the New Year remember that you are a work in progress. Sometimes we need to completely change everything, but other times we need to take it slow, evaluate and make changes that we can maintain and that lead to a healthier life. We all need reminders about how to get back on track.

To help you get started check out our book and workbook, Mindful Makeover for Moms, available on our website and on Amazon.

Live Well,

Laura

Filed Under: Guest Authors, Laura Baylor Articles, Mindful Eating, Motivation Tagged With: Exhaustion, fatigue, motivation, new moms, overwhelmed, staying on track, sticking to healthy diet

January 5, 2013 By Simran Sofia Love Leave a Comment

A NEW LIFE – A NEW DAWNING – MAKE IT GREAT!

In the spirit of this new, exciting year of 2013, I am inspired (In Spirit) to write about your Greatness! That’s right! I truly and deeply believe that:

You can BE, DO, HAVE anything you desire

Now, if you do not share this inner knowing with me, you may think that I am joking. I can assure you that I am not! Let me give you a little background from a health perspective:

Most people are programmed to believe that their genes decide what kind of body and health they currently have and will have in the future. There is now scientific evidence that genes are not what primarily determine your health, but rather your emotional response and thoughts are.

The esteemed Cellular Biologist Bruce Lipton says that perception, how you perceive things, controls biology rather than genes. This means that just because your mother had breast-cancer, weight-issues or any other ailment, you do not have to have it also. You are in fact free to create your own blueprint of health when you are conceived and what you have unconsciously created thus far is mostly based on programming from the people around you. The learned thinking-patterns and behaviors are simply practiced vibration.

Taking Charge

So what can you do to turn any negative perceptions of yourself and the world into positive ones? First of all, you need to believe in your greatness at a creator of your own life.

The universe is governed by a law called “The Law of Attraction”. This law states that you are an infinite being and without limitations. You are so much more than your body. This means that you can BE, DO, HAVE anything you desire. ANYTHING! So the next step to take charge of your perceptions is to BE CONSCIOUS! You are nobody’s victim – you are in charge of your own life.

Furthermore, to be a conscious creator it is extremely helpful to know that there are five steps to manifesting your desires;

Be clear on what you desire (remember; limitless, infinite being)
Ask the Universe (God, Source, Universe, whichever works for you) for your desire to come into your life, while vibrating from a place of abundance. This is done by feeling as if you already have your desire in your life. Think from the end result. Know that it is yours.
Let go and let God! Once you have asked, hand it over to the Source.
Allow! Open up to receiving.
Be grateful! The Universe loves gratitude – the more you feel it, the more will you have to be grateful for.

PS! You get what you focus on, so focus on what you desire!

HAPPY NEW YEAR! I CELEBRATE YOUR GREATNESS! BLISS YOU!

Filed Under: Gratitude, Gratitude and thankfulness, Guest Authors, Laws of Attraction, Life Force Energy, Simran Sophia Love Articles

December 17, 2012 By Laura Baylor Leave a Comment

Happy Holidays! Get Moving!

Holiday parties, shopping, decorating, baking,

writing cards, seeing friends, traveling, cooking, cleaning, the list of activities this time of year goes on and on.

When your to do list is long it is easy to convince yourself that there isn’t enough time to exercise, there are so many more important things to do, right?

WRONG!

When we are busy exercise can be the most effective treatment available!

Changing your mindset to one of making exercise a priority

can go a long way in sticking with your exercise during the holiday season. Exercise has numerous benefits, but these relate closely to the holiday season:

Exercise helps to relieve stress. It clears out our stress hormones and calms us down so we can make clear decisions and deal with the increased demands of the holidays.
Exercise helps us sleep better. When you sleep better you get more done and are usually more patient and positive.
Exercise burns calories. This helps us maintain our weight during the holiday season.
Exercise boosts your mood. Many people struggle with depression and dark moods during the winter season. Exercise can help!
Exercise increases energy. Regular exercise makes your heart and lungs work more efficiently giving you more energy to tackle your holiday to do list.
Exercise can be social. Want to catch up with a friend during this busy time of year? Suggest a hike, walk, or gym date to get in exercise and social time.

I think the key to getting in exercise during the holidays is to have a plan.

Just take 5 minutes the each evening to organize your day and plan when you will exercise and what you will do. Nothing fancy, but if you take the time to plan you are more likely to get it done. Then, tell your family and friends the plans so they help to hold you accountable, who knows they may even follow your example and join you.

Instead of saying there are more important things to do than exercise, change your thought pattern to “Exercising for at least 30 minutes per day is a priority today!” Skip a holiday task and give yourself a gift. Don’t wait until the New Year to start or resume your exercise routine. Get started today and feel great heading into 2013. Your mind and body will thank you.

Happy Holidays and Happy Exercising!

Live Well,
Laura

Filed Under: Exercise, Guest Authors, Laura Baylor Articles

December 8, 2012 By Simran Sofia Love Leave a Comment

Want More Love? Carry An Attitude Of Gratitude!

Forgiveness and Gratitude Bring More Love

Alongside forgiveness, gratitude is a key ingredient to experience unconditional love in life. When you hold on to a grudge, anger, hatred or blame, you are not getting your point across – you are victimizing and dis-empowering yourself. Refusing to let go of low vibration feelings really is like drinking poison and expecting it to hurt someone else.

Remember, when you forgive, you do not condone what someone has done, you release the negative feelings attached to what has happened. This frees you up to be in the present moment, to love more and to be who you really are: An infinite being of infinite possibilities. You really are that powerful!

Forgiveness also frees you up to be more grateful. It is impossible to feel hate and be grateful at the same time, as these feelings have completely different vibrations.

So which do you identify with? Victim? Or empowered, infinite being?

Carrying an attitude of gratitude is a way of life: You need to water and nurture it, but once you’ve practiced it for a while, there’s no turning back! All attitudes, and all illness, are practiced vibration.

This is why in one of my programs, I recommend an exercise where you start the day by writing down five things that you are grateful for. This is a great way to practice the vibration of gratitude. After only 28 days, you have 140 things listed! Talk about wonderful programming!

Then, if you’re having a bad day, all you have to do is review your list and be receptive. You see, your receptivity to something is determined from within: YOU hold the key!

Another way to practice a beneficial and positive vibration is to eat truly nutritious foods. The Blessed and Thankful Living Bread contains nutrients that stimulate happiness, energy, gratitude, creativity, and more. We always love eating this bread at my house and I hope you will too.

Blessed and Thankful Bread Recipe

Blessed and Thankful Living Bread Recipe

1 cup Golden Flaxseeds, grinded
½ cup Brazil nuts, soaked 4 hours
2 tbsp Shelled Hempseeds
3 dried Figs, soaked for 20 minutes
½ cup Raisins
2 tbsp Purple Corn Extract
½ cup raw Carob
2 tbsp Maca
½ cup of Coconut water
½ cup Gojiberries

Blend all ingredients except the gojis in a high-speed blender until you have a smooth batter. Place in a bowl with the gojis and mix well with your hands. Make several heart-shaped, flat breads and place on a lined dehydrator tray. Bless the bread. Dehydrate on 115 degrees F. for 12 hours. This is soooo delicious with raw honey.

Share and be thankful!

Filed Under: Forgiveness, Gratitude, Gratitude and thankfulness, Guest Authors, Life Force Energy, Mindful Eating, Simran Sophia Love Articles

December 1, 2012 By Jaime Saginor Leave a Comment

DON’T TRY TO LOSE WEIGHT IN DECEMBER, BUT DO TRY TO ENJOY THE HOLIDAYS WITHOUT GAINING ADDITIONAL WEIGHT

Thanksgiving is over, but the holiday season has just begun.

You may be wondering how you will ever survive the party-packed, sugar cookie crazed, eggnog induced haze that is December. Not to fear, Jaime, Certified Health Coach, is here!

Tips to get through the month of December:

Don’t Try to Lose Weight in December

That’s not to say it isn’t possible, but if you expect to lose weight and start to slide off your plan, the tendency is to just go all the way, and really slide- all the way into January. Let’s set the more realistic goal of not gaining weight during the holidays. Here are my top tips to enjoy the holidays without gaining weight:

Keep Moving!

Let whatever exercise routine you’ve created for yourself carry you until the end of December. If you don’t have one, come coach with me! When it’s time for travel and family gatherings, incorporate moving into holiday plans. Get the whole family to:

go on a walk before or after dinner
or ice-skating, skiing or sledding.
If you have a yoga practice, teach a yoga class to family members or invite them to go to a local class with you.
For those of you who find family time stressful, let the need for some alone time motivate you to go for a walk or a yoga class on your own
Just keep moving

Bring healthy food to holiday parties and gatherings

so you know there will be at least one healthy thing to eat. Make sure to eat something before a holiday party as well- hunger can capsize the best of intentions. You can also bring sparkling juices like apple cider or pomegranate. They feel festive and will satisfy your sweet tooth. Some tasty examples include:

Carrots and hummus
a fruit salad (see featured recipe)
roasted veggies
or a dessert made with sugar and flour alternatives

Portions, Portions, Portions

You will likely be faced with endless buffets of food choices at parties and dinners this month. Take a deep breath before you fill your plate and take the time to look at all the food in front of you. Carefully choose the items you really want. For instance, I’m a big chocolate fan, but most other desserts I can take or leave. My advice is to leave whatever you don’t really really want off of your plate, and serve yourself small portions of the other foods. You might be satisfied with just a small taste of some dishes. Eat slowly and fully enjoy the foods you choose.

Primary Foods

Primary Foods nourish and fill us, even though we don’t put them in our mouths. Be conscious of how affection, laughter and human connection feeds you this December. You will likely be seeing friends and family over the holidays- let the love, joy, and celebration fill you up! Give and receive as many hugs as possible. Exchange massages. Watch funny movies. If you can’t be with your family during the holidays, reach out to friends or volunteer, but get your fill of holiday love.

Stay hydrated!

People tend to forget to drink water when they’re busy and the weather is cold. Make it a point to drink a big glass of water when you wake up in the morning before you get lost in the events of your day.

Take it easy.

Although a beautiful time of year, it can also be very stressful for many- obligations, shopping, traveling. Remember to schedule down time for yourself. Get enough sleep. Breathe. And try to enjoy the present moment, because in a few short weeks, it will be a whole New Year.

Happy Holidays! Enjoy…

Susan’s Famous Fruit Salad

Ingredients:

Bananas
Kiwi
Red grapes
Apples
Oranges
Pineapple
One Lime
Unsweetened shredded coconut
Optional: Pears, Mangoes, other winter fruits.

Slice the fruit into bite-size pieces and put in a big bowl. Squeeze fresh lime juice over the fruit. Sprinkle in coconut. Gently mix together. Voila!

Filed Under: Guest Authors, Healthy Eating, Jaime Saginor Articles, Mindful Eating, Primary Foods, Superfoods

November 26, 2012 By Simran Sofia Love Leave a Comment

What Are You REALLY Craving?

Are You Overeating? What Are You Craving?

Did you know that all cravings are based on nutritional deficiencies?

The communication system in your body, your individual biochemistry, is completely dependent on that your brain receives proper nutrition. This is because neurons communicate via neurotransmitters, which are created by brain nutrients. So unless you get proper nutrition, your brain will not function properly.

Unfortunately, a typical western diet of processed starches and refined sugars often lead to malnourishment and cause overeating to reduce a sensation of physical and emotional emptiness.

Dealing with Physical Cravings

If you experience cravings, my best bet to release them is to rebuild nutritional balance with raw, living foods. High quality nutrition from organic greens and superfoods will upgrade you health for sure. Once you eat nutrients that are real and easily assimilated, your body gets what it needs physically.

This helps your body to let go of physical cravings for highly processed and addictive foods and stimulants, such as wheat, refined sugar and caffeine.

Your taste-buds literally change also, and then you will be able to tap into your innate knowing of what your body needs. Rest assured, your body does not need processed starches and refined sugars – there is no nutritional value in such foods.

Keep in mind that most cravings subside after 5 minutes. It is therefore a good idea to get busy and focus on something else until it passes.

The best tool to deal with a craving is in my experience to drink a fresh green juice. The chlorophyll in greens is extremely efficient, whatever the craving may be. As a consequence, rather than putting a food in your mouth, you get completely satisfied drinking.

Anything green with high water content will do to juice:

Cucumbers,
kale,
spinach,
herbs,
celery etc.
stir powdered superfoods into your juice too, or
make a smoothie as well to make sure you get those high vibes.

Dealing with Emotional Cravings

You probably know that emotional ties to food can manifest as cravings. But, did you know that emotional cravings really serve an important purpose, because they are telling you about your unfinished business? Unfinished business from the past actually keeps you from being in the present moment and causes clutter in your life.

Often cravings are a form of rebelling because of feelings of unworthiness that are caused by a lack of acknowledgement during childhood. If you have a craving for a food and feel into what the food represents, it may come out as ‘comfort’ or ‘acceptance’ or ‘control’.

So the ‘hunger’ for a food, the actual craving, is really a hunger for acceptance, comfort and/ or control. These feelings are usually tied up to a parent. I suggest you ask yourself internally if the feelings really come from you. It may actually be something you have picked up on from someone else and then just go away when you acknowledge it.

Eating raw makes your emotional eating-patterns rather transparent. You can then specifically deal with why the cravings are there and consciously break the pattern of numbing out your feelings with foods and other destructive habits that do not serve your purpose. Then you will not need the cravings anymore.

So, if you are overeating and wish to do something about it…

… then ask yourself: What am I really craving?

Physically, your body needs more nutrition. Guaranteed!

Emotionally, it all leads back to the need for more self-acceptance and self-love. Let us all be the change we wish to see in the world and love more.

What are your thoughts? Do you find that your cravings are emotionally based, physically based, or both perhaps?

Filed Under: Eating Organic, Food Cravings, Greens, Guest Authors, Juicing, Simran Sophia Love Articles, Superfoods Tagged With: emotional cravings, emotional eating, endocrinology and metabolism, healthy eating, overeating, physical cravings, Superfoods

November 24, 2012 By Jaime Saginor Leave a Comment

A Peskitarian Thanksgiving

I have realized the secret for myself over years of Thanksgiving celebrations, is to make a reasonably light Thanksgiving meal, so I can fully enjoy dessert and not feel sick for days, or as long as the leftovers last.

This Thanksgiving we decided to make mini banana chocolate chip muffins for dessert, using stone ground whole wheat flour, coconut palm sugar as sweetener, and grain-sweetened carob chips (I couldn’t find grain-sweetened chocolate chips, but the carob chips weren’t bad). We added crushed pecans and used olive oil instead of vegetable oil. They were amazing. In fact, I finished off the rest of them for breakfast this morning!

Since I know myself and my sweet tooth, I made sure that the dinner we cooked for Thanksgiving was mostly vegetables, and I opted for no grains because of the large amount of muffins that I knew would be consumed!

I sauteed kale with red onion and garlic as a side dish, my friend made sea bass with ginger, asparagus, and mushrooms, and I made an experimental pot of pumpkin soup with coconut milk that turned out great!

While we were cooking, we snacked on dried cranberries (apple juice sweetened), and drank a nice glass of red wine with dinner. I felt so good after we ate- my body was completely satisfied but not too full, and my taste buds were extremely happy.

Furthermore, I was able to indulge in the muffins without consequence. With memories of past Thanksgivings ending in pain, discomfort, lethargy, and the beginning of a descent into the holiday season sugar coma, I had to smile and remember how grateful I am for my heath:)

Hope you enjoyed your Thanksgiving!

-Jaime

Filed Under: Good Foods, Gratitude, Gratitude and thankfulness, Guest Authors, Healthy Eating, Jaime Saginor Articles, Mindful Eating

November 22, 2012 By Ann White Leave a Comment

Every Day is a Day of Thanksgiving! Or, How Thanksgiving Can Make Us Thinner!

Today is Thanksgiving in the US

It is a “feastival” not just a festival. We celebrate by gathering together and eating until we are stuffed.

Gratitude doesn’t necessarily mean weight gain

But let’s pull back for a moment and think about giving thanks. Why limit it to national holidays? What would happen if we gave thanks each and every day? Maybe we would begin our day listing all of the things for which we have to be thankful? Or some people like to journal all of the blessings they received during the day just before they go to sleep.

How often do you make a list, either in writing or in your mind, of all of your blessings?

Me? I count my blessings when I feel about to be stressed. For example, if I am sitting in traffic – stuck – not moving and late for where I am going. The best tonic for me is to start counting all of the things for which I am grateful. It is hard to be stressed or angry or frustrated when your list of blessings gets longer and longer.

So how can being thankful make us thinner?

1. First, some of us overeat because we don’t like our bodies, so “what the heck?!” But what if we were to be thankful for our bodies?

What if we can bless them for serving us so well? Think of all of the wonderful tasks that our bodies do for us – miracles actually. Think of our breathing, and beating heart, and filtration system, and ability to move and bend and walk and wiggle. Our bodies, whatever size or shape are miraculous.

If we chose to love ourselves, whatever our size or shape, we have taken a step in feeling better about ourselves and most likely, wanting to treat our bodies better and healthier.

2. Second, and most important, how many of us eat in times of stress or upheaval? My hand is raised, is yours?

Stress is a major cause of the dreaded belly fat. And stress eating not only adds belly fat but extra weight and gets us into a negative and toxic cycle of gaining weight and feeling stressed about it and gaining more.

What if, whenever we feel stressed, we stop and count our blessings?

What are you grateful for? Start making your list now.

I know, some days it is difficult. Some days we have to stretch….I am grateful that I have eyelashes to keep the crap out of my eyes….I am grateful that I don’t have tarantulas living in my house….I am grateful that I am not adrift on the ocean on a plank of wood with sharks circling around me.

Okay. I know it’s not that bad, but there are certainly days we have to stretch ourselves to come up with blessings, but in doing so, we can all make a pretty healthy list of good things in our lives.

♥ And in making that list of good things in our lives, don’t we want to enjoy them and have long and healthy and vibrant lives?

♥ And knowing this, don’t we want to treat our beautiful and miraculous bodies, whatever size or shape they may be, with love and respect? YES! Of course we do.

♥ So anytime you feel down and out and think ol’ Ben and Jerry can come to the rescue, STOP…STOP and THINK, what are your blessings today? For what are you grateful? Let this be your day of thanksgiving!

Celebrate this day and give thanks. Each day is a gift for us to live to our fullest and healthiest and most vibrant ability.

♥ Happy Thanksgiving! ♥

Filed Under: Ann White Articles, Gratitude and thankfulness, Guest Authors, Healthy Eating, Mindful Eating Tagged With: being overweight, emotional eating, healthy eating, Holiday eating, weight gain