Staying Motivated- Gym Workout on a Snow Day

Archives for November 2016

Here's what to do on those days when you just can't seem to find the motivation to get moving. I always feel this way when the snow starts falling.

Temptation to stay snuggled up in bed with a good book kicks in but I know better than to give in to that.

I KNOW I'll feel better if I do exactly the things that I'll share with you in this video today. Give it a try, your body, mind and soul will respond!

Yours in Health,

Danette

P.S. Please share this video and I always love to read your comments below.

It's the MOST wonderful time of the year…to drink Superfood Hot Cocoa!

I'll share 2 different recipes today. One that your littles will love and the adult version of this recipe that both your body and your taste buds will adore!

I hope you and your family enjoy this delicious soul soothing drink as much as I do.

Yours in health,

Danette

P.S. Please share this yummy recipe with your Hot Cocoa loving friends. Don't forget to leave me a comment below!

Had a great time visiting my in-laws for the Thanksgiving holiday! We enjoyed a great big traditional turkey dinner with all the fixings and savored the food along with our many blessings.

I get a ton of questions about what I eat when I'm traveling so I wanted to share this short video and bring you along to see for yourself.

Yours in health,

Danette

P.S. Please share this with your friends who like to stay healthy when they travel too and I welcome your comments below!

Thanks for coming along on our Thanksgiving adventures here in North Carolina.

We ran the turkey trot, we ate, we gave thanks, and we even carried on a tradition from Great Grandma and ate the turkey neck.

In this video you will find a 90 second trick you can do after any cheat “free meal” that will help burn up the extra sugars so they are less likely to turn in to fat. You can do this any time you have consumed too many white or wheat flours or sugars.

The trick is to do it within 30 minutes of consuming a high sugar meal. Thanks for watching and I hope you all had a great Thanksgiving!

Yours in Health,

Danette

P.S. Please share this 90 second trick with your friends and I invite you to leave your comments below.

In this short video, I want to give you a mantra you can use to get grounded and find your peace during your holiday time with family and friends.

Yours in health,

Danette

P.S. Please share this inspiration with your loved ones and don't forget to leave me a comment below.

At my Pura Vida Costa Rica Retreat, working with game changers and world leaders to help them strip layers to their true potential. In this video, my co-leader and retreat partner, Lindsay talks about how to step more fully in to your wild woman and pure bliss.

Want to come to my All Women's “IT'S YOUR TIME TO SHINE” Retreat?

Please secure your spot here–> danettemayretreat.com

Yours in health,

Danette

P.S. Please share this with your friends and I love to hear from you in the comments below!

It’s possible to be allergic to just about anything that you eat or drink. But there are 8 foods that are more likely than any others to cause a reaction.

8 foods cause 90% of all food allergic reactions:

1. Dairy
2. Egg
3. Wheat
4. Soy
5. Peanuts
6. Tree nuts
7. Fish
8. Shellfish

I recommend for everyone to avoid wheat because it causes inflammation in the body. Soy wreaks havoc on hormonal balance so eliminate both of those today even if you don't have food allergies.

People with severe allergies are at risk and have to be careful all the time.

If you have a food allergy: Do you know how to make sure that you’re safe? What if you just have an intolerance? Do you know how to eat healthy despite it?

Start by reading labels.

U.S. law makes food manufacturers state if a food contains any of these 8 foods. Reading labels can save you a lot of time and trouble.

In the U.S., food labels list all allergens in plain English next to any ingredient that contains them.

Many labels also list allergens at the end of their ingredient list as an extra precaution.

Of course, that does not protect against raw ingredients that you are allergic to. And there is always a risk that your food may be touched by something that you will react to.

Cooking for someone with a food allergy?

You need to keep the allergen from touching any food that the person will eat. You also need to keep it off of cooking surfaces.

Every spoon, knife and cooking tool needs to be cleaned after touching an allergen. You also need to wash your hands thoroughly after handling it.

Allergy VS Intolernace

A food allergy is caused by your immune system reacting to food. A food intolerance is something else. It can make you feel bad, but isn’t as dangerous.

If you have a food intolerance, your reaction to eating a food will be less severe. Food intolerance may be caused by the body having a tough time breaking a food down. It may be caused by a molecule in the food, or an additive.

A lot of times sensitivities don’t show up right after eating a food. You may react 2 days later.

If you're suffering from bloating, rashes, joint pain, fatigue or asthma, it may be caused by what you’re eating.

How to Identify an Allergy or Intolerance

Doctors suggest that you keep a list of your symptoms and track your food in a food journal. Remove any food you think might be causing you to feel sick.

They also say to eat more low allergy foods, such as pears, apples, and vegetables. Brown rice is a great addition to an allergy avoidance diet.

Once you figure out the foods that are making you feel sick, you need to avoid them.

If it's eggs and dairy you're sensitive to try these tips.

Boost Your Immune System

To make sure you are eating healthy and decreasing exposure to chemical allergens, add more organic foods.

Many food sensitivities are caused by additives, pesticides and preservatives.

You should also do what you can to support your digestive system. It's responsible for 80% of your immune system and when you have food sensitivities, boosting it can help.

Eating more fresh pineapple or papaya can boost the enzymes that grow in your gut naturally. And get plenty of good probiotics from foods like kefir and Greek yogurt.

Finally, stay away from anything that can weaken your digestive tract. Start by cutting out alcohol and anti-inflammatories like aspirin.

Learn to focus on the foods your body does love and it will thank you.

Yours in health,

Danette

P.S. Please share this with your loved ones and I love hearing from you in the comments below.

Don’t eat this. Do eat that. We hear so much about what’s good for us or bad for us that it’s hard to know what to believe.

Even if you do the research to see what’s true, there are probably some food myths that you’ve held on to through the years.

Whether you heard a diet expert on TV or it’s what your mom told you when you were a kid, there’s a lot of bad information out there about the foods we eat.

Top 6 “Bad” Food Myths (and the truth)

1. Eggs

Have you ever craved eggs but decided against them due to fears about cholesterol?

The truth is that eggs are one of the healthiest foods you can eat.

When you skip them you rob yourself of more than 6 grams of high quality protein and 13 vitamins and minerals.

The myth that eggs are unhealthy came from the fact that their yolks have 211 mg of cholesterol. But it turns out that cholesterol in food isn’t what’s bad for our hearts – it’s trans fats.

2. Carbs

How many people do you know who say they’ve sworn off carbs? The idea comes from low carb diets that were popular in the 70s. But cutting out all carbs means missing out on a lot of fruits and vegetables, plus heart healthy legumes.

Yes, it’s a good idea to cut out refined and processed high sugar carbs, or “bad carbs.” Those don't do your body any favors.

But you want to eat the “good carbs or you'll cut a vital source of fuel and fiber.

3. Red Meat

As is true with eggs, red meat has gotten a bad rap as being bad for the heart.

Eating lean beef is a great way to boost protein levels. It can increase muscle mass and strength and provides a great source of easily absorbed iron.

If you're going to eat red meat, stick to organic grass-fed, pasture raised beef. It has more vitamins and higher levels of omega-3 fatty acids (the good fats).

Also, if you’re going to grill beef, don’t char it. Doing so has been linked to higher risks for cancer. Opt for rare or medium rare grilled meats instead.

4. Canned and Frozen Vegetables

We all love fresh fruits and vegetables, but if you think canned vegetables have fewer nutrients, then you’ve been taken in by a myth.

When fruits and vegetables are canned or frozen, they hold on to most of their vitamins. By contrast, keeping fresh produce in the refrigerator for too long can lead to nutrient loss.

Of course, boiling can also take away nutrients so steamed or raw fresh organic vegetables are always the best choice.

If you have a condition that has you on a sodium restricted diet opt for frozen over canned or look for low sodium labels on cans. And speaking of salt…

5. Salt

Do you avoid the salt shaker because you think sodium will boost your blood pressure? Unless you suffer from a specific health condition, you need salt to maintain your fluid balance.

Sodium is an electrolyte, and without enough of it you can actually increase your risk of heart attack or stroke.

I like to use Himalayan Pink Sea Salt because it has more trace minerals that increase hydration. It's a purer salt and you'll love it's powerful flavor.

6. Chocolate

Did your mom ever tell you that chocolate would make you break out? Hopefully you didn’t listen. Not only is that a myth, but chocolate has important health benefits.

It contains flavanols, powerful antioxidants that help insulin sensitivity, improve artery function and even reduce stress. Just make sure it's at least 80% cacao to reap the benefits. I recommend Cacao Bliss! Enjoy real chocolate packed with health benefits like no other!

Yours in health,

Danette

P.S. Please share this with your friends and I'd love to hear from you in the comments below.

Have you wondered about the characteristic aroma of curry powder? It's because of the spice, fenugreek!

Curry powder is a mix of many spices but it's the fenugreek which gives curry that special flavor.

Fenugreek has a long history in Mediterranean and Asian cuisine. The seeds and leaves give a pungent aroma and have a slight bitter taste. Ayurveda (a ancient study of holistic lifestyle), has long valued the medicinal value of fenugreek and attributes this to its bitterness.

5 Ways Fenugreek Boosts Health

1. Healthy blood sugar

Fenugreek contains the aminoacid, 4- hydroxyisoleucine which improves insulin action. Also the fiber, galactomannan slows the sugar uptake in the blood.

A two month study on type 2 diabetes patients showed a drop in blood sugar levels. Researchers also reported better insulin sensitivity, a favorable factor in those suffering with diabetes.

2. Lowers cholesterol levels

Fenugreek works in 2 ways to reduce cholesterol.

It's high in fiber and also contains saponin, a phytochemical. Saponins work by preventing absorption of cholesterol from foods.

Plus, the fiber forms a viscous liquid which binds to bile acids and removes them. This causes the liver to use body's cholesterol reserves to make more bile acids.

 A tablespoon of fenugreek seeds gives about 3 grams of fiber about 11% of the daily value.

3. Anti-cancer

Use a teaspoon of fenugreek in the form of powder or seeds in your cooking everyday. This helps to fight off cancerous cells in your body.

A laboratory study showed that extracts of fenugreek prevent growth of cancer cells. Fenugreek was effective in pancreatic, breast, and prostate cancer cell lines in particular. The same study also showed that fenugreek was effective against human colon cancer cells.

4. Promotes healthy weight

It is rich in nutrients and high in fiber. It's a natural fat burner, helps digestion, improves satiety of food. These 3 factors are key for maintaining a healthy weight.

Besides, fenugreek is esteemed for it's help with maintain blood sugar levels as mentioned above. This is crucial for maintaining a healthy body weight.

5. Soothes your tummy

If you have stomach ulcers or indigestion problems, fenugreek is something you want to stock up on right away.

The seeds reduce gas, and the mucilage (sap-like substance in the seed) fights heartburn, gastritis, and constipation. It lowers the inflammation of the intestinal lining and treats stomach ulcers.

Is it safe to eat fenugreek everyday?

Fenugreek seeds and leaves are safe to eat everyday.

In fact, pregnant and lactating mothers often know about fenugreek for its positive effects. It's the go-to holistic remedy to boost a low milk supply for nursing moms.

Fenugreek leaves and sprouts are great micro-greens to add to most salad.

The leaves are great for making tortillas too. Add chopped leaves to the tortilla dough, knead well and make tortillas like usual. It's nutritious and tastes great.

Fenugreek seeds are perfect for soups, stir fry, sauces and marinades. Fenugreek is most often known for it's use in curry recipes.

Keep in mind that fenugreek does have a bitter taste and you won't want to use huge quantities of the powdered form.

A few tips to reduce fenugreek's bitterness

Roast: Roasting fenugreek seeds brings down its bitterness
Saute: Saute leaves in ghee, this makes it smell amazing and also reduces its bitterness
Sprout: Sprouted fenugreek seeds are less bitter than regular seeds. Sprouts are best add ons to salads. Fenugreek leaves are less bitter when compared to the seeds.
Combine: Fenugreek seeds in combination with other spices, makes a great medley of flavor. Curry dishes are the most popular use.

Yours in health,

Danette

P.S. Please spread the word about fenugreek and remember to leave me a comment below.