60-Day Wellness Bootcamp!

I am so excited about this! Beginning in March, Go Fit Mom will hold it's first ever 60-Day Wellness Bootcamp! Since baby, I've been very limited in how many sessions I can do and I've been getting interest in training and nutrition advice, sooooo I thought this would be the perfect way to coach you through your journey no matter where you live or what your schedule is like!

Who is this Wellness Bootcamp for? Women who....

·         Want to get control of their eating habits

·         Want to lose weight the right way and keep it off

·         Don’t want to go on a fad diet

·         Want to eat REAL food and not starve

·         Fall off track with every diet they’ve tried

·         Want more energy

·         Need accountability and support to lose weight

·         Want to learn how about proper nutrition and fitness

·         Don’t want to spend a lot of money on getting in shape

·         Want to look and feel sexy this spring and summer!

 

What will you get with the 60-Day Bootcamp?

·         Daily Nutrition Logs

·         Weekly Meal Planners

·         3-5 day Detox Plan

·         Plenty of Fast, Easy, and Healthy recipes

·         Sample Meal Plans

·         Personalized Fitness Plan and Sample Workouts

·         Your own Personal Fitness and Nutrition Coach

·         Weekly E-mail tracking and reviews

·         Bi-Weekly phone sessions

·         Initial Phone Consultation and Goal Setting Session

·         Recommended Grocery List

·         Fitness and Nutrition Educational Materials

·         Accountability to keep you on track!

With this program you are NOT following a DIET. You are finding what works for you and eating right for your body and your needs. You will lose weight the right way and keep it off. You will learn to hold yourself accountable and learn what works for you and your family!

If this program sounds right for you and you'd like more information, email me! gofitmomstl@gmail.com

Program will begin March 1st!

 

 

 

 



Avoiding the Flu!

This is an old post from last year, but a good one for this time of year. Especially for us and family as we are trying to stay well around our new baby!

http://www.gofitmomstl.com/2012/01/steps-to-avoid-flu.html

Stay well!

New Year Goal Setting!

It's my favorite time of the year! Yes, Christmas, but also goal setting time! I'm such a dreamer and a planner that I love having my whole year in goals outlined before the year begins. I use these worksheets each year with my clients and ask them to complete them and make 2 copies...one for me and one for them to share with a friend or family member who will hold them accountable!  For some reason just sharing your goals with someone else really makes it real and makes you want to follow through. As the year goes it feels great to check things off the list! I love setting goals in all areas of your life, not just fitness or nutrition. Please feel free to share these with your friends!


http://www.scribd.com/doc/117251604/Year-End-Reflection-Worksheet-11


http://www.scribd.com/doc/117251671/Setting-Goals-for-the-New-Year-Edited

Merry Christmas!!

Buying and Selling Breastmilk!?

I knew that women donated their breast milk, but the concept of buying and selling breastmilk through classified ads is something I have been hearing more about recently and I honestly was a little surprised by! Really....you just go on craigslist and buy some random woman's breastmilk to feed your baby?? I don't know why this seems somewhat strange to me! Anyone else?

I only found one posting locally on craigslist for breastmilk, but I did a search and there are plenty of sites out there where you can buy and sell breastmilk only!
Here are a couple:
http://www.onlythebreast.com/
http://www.sellingbreastmilk.com/

You can also donate to a milk bank. Milk banks use the donated milk to sell to hospitals for ill or premature babies in the NICU (something I didn't know...hmmm). They also use the milk to produce their own nutritional formulations that the hospitals will use.

So who can donate?

Almost any nursing mother can donate. If you are healthy with a good medical history, you are a likely candidate. You will need to complete a medical survey, get medical confirmation from your doctor and your baby's pediatrician, have your blood tested for diseases and give a cheek cell sample, all at no cost to you. You will be informed of any test results that would indicate a health problem so that you can follow up with your doctor. If all of your results are fine, you can begin to donate breast milk.

I am definitely a fan of breastfeeding! I did it with both of my children, but only lasted about 4 months with each. It seemed that as soon as I went back to work and started pumping I stopped making milk. I also have a theory that women with small breasts simply don't make as much! :) I even tried a prescription last time because I really really wanted to last longer, but I was only getting 1 oz every time I pumped! It didn't help much. After having the bottle and having to work so hard to get anything from me, my daughter didn't want anything to do with me!

I still am not sure I would buy someone else's milk?? I really can't fully wrap my brain around it. How do you feel about it? I'm curious if others would buy? I think I would sell my milk in a heartbeat! I totally get it...free money...why not? The ABC piece I watched (link below) said that a woman can make $20,000 a year selling her breast milk! Are you kidding?? You've got to watch this! I also don't mean to judge, but I think these women prove my theory. These women all look to have huge breasts! Not fair!
http://abcnews.go.com/US/moms-sell-excess-breast-milk-cash-internet/story?id=13768179

Another article...
http://www.breastfeed.com/news/selling-breast-milk

Alternatives to Halloween candy?

Are there equally as fun alternatives to halloween candy, or are you just being no fun if you don't give candy??? I know I hate when my kids bring home all that candy that I'm just going to throw away 2 days later, but I'm probably not the norm! I don't want to give out apples or anything, but every year I go through this..."what can I give that will be fun, but isn't candy?"

Here are some of my suggestions. Take em or leave em, but I do think some kids (especially the little ones) will go for some of this fun stuff instead of the candy!

Stickers
Halloween pencils
Temporary tattoos
Fruit snacks
Microwave popcorn
Spider rings
Glow braclets
Erasers
Pretzels
Juice boxes
Playdoh
Hot Chocolate (depending on weather)
Bubbles
Coins (fake or real!)
Silly Bands
Sidewalk Chalk
Crayons
Bouncy Balls

Have other suggestions? Leave your comments!!

Paleo for Kids?

Is eating Paleo safe for kids and babies? Allow me to answer a question with a better question: Is eating a Western diet safe for kids? No, it’s not. And yes, eating Paleo is.

Why Wouldn’t It Be?
The top reasons I’m assuming people think eating Paleo might be dangerous for their child or baby are these:

• Not enough nutrients
• Too much meat
• Not enough dairy (in other words, not enough calcium)
• Too much meat
• Not enough sugary snack foods?

continue reading this article here: http://www.paleoplan.com/2012/09-06/is-paleo-safe-for-kids/

Bottom line.... Yes, Paleo is safe for your kids and babies!!

I made it to 15 weeks!

me at 12 weeks!

I finally made it to the 2nd trimester! Yay. Now maybe my energy will re-appear! I can't complain too much about my pregancy so far. I haven't been throwing up each morning and the baby seems to be healthy, but what I will complain about for just a minute is my lack of energy! Noon hits and I'm lethargic. I feel like my head could hit the ground while I'm walking. Don't remember too much of this in previous pregnancies? I hope its coming to an end because I really feel lazy and I hate that! My only other complaint...ITS HOT!! I've always been able to keep up with my workouts like normal in my pregancies, but now most of it is done outside and its just too stinking hot to go out there. Maybe that could be contributing to the tiredness too?? huh? I have been managing to still run a couple miles at a time and did a 5K a few weekends ago in under 30 minutes, so I guess I'm still keeping in decent shape. I haven't been facing the scale though. I actually never really owned a scale and have always gone by the way my clothes feel and how I look in the mirror, so I'm going to just keep going with that!
I've been playing a little game with guessing the sex of the baby and quizing friends about their expiences in pregancies and gender. I have been quite certain all along that I'm having another girl just because I have 2 already and I'm just not sure we are capable of making boys! Recently though, I realized my cravings with this baby are very different from my last two, so that got me thinking!? I can't say I have strong cravings. I've never made my husband run out for chinese food at 10pm or anything, but I just remember with both of my girls eating a LOT of fruit and cheese and I had ice cream nightly. This time around I'm really going for anything carbs (cereal, rice, cous cous) and spicy stuff like buffalo sauce on anything and virgin bloody marys with extra olives! I've been eating a lot of homegrown tomatoes from my garden, but don't have much interest in my fruit or other veggies :( I know thats terrible coming from me! So, does that have anything to do with gender? My facebook followers all predicted a boy...every single one of them, but I'm not convinced until I see it for myself!!
My goal next week while beaching it in Florida is to get out there and run/walk each morning, or do a few bike rides. Of course I always travel with my bands for strength and yoga/stretching is a nightly routine. Doing my best in this summer heat to stay in shape! Oh, and my shape...its changing! My belly is showing a lot sooner this time around! That could just be because its number three, or maybe its all those carbs!! :)

IT WORKS Body Wraps and Supplements

After seeing numerous before and after pictures that really blew me away and a lot of research on the products and ingredients I chose to start a business with IT WORKS! If you have never heard of it before, start asking around or do an internet search. I was very skeptical myself at first. As soon as I hear the word "wrap" I just think water weight! It took some time and research to learn what actually happens during an IT WORKS body wrap and why it is different. In 45 minutes the botonicals in the sticky wrap absorb into your body. Some results will show immediatly, but the ingredients must fully absorb to start detoxing the fat cells and after drinking plenty of water will show results over the next 72 hours! How long does it last? One wrap will last 4-6 weeks, but you may wrap up to several days apart to get quicker resulst for an event or trip. The wraps in conjunction with a healthy diet, the IT WORKS Greens alkalizing drinks, and possibly the defining gel or It's Vital supplements can result in perminant weight loss! Every person I spoke to who tried the wraps said the same thing..."It Works!"

In line of work its amazing how many women I see work their butts off (literally:), but still have unwanted skin, cellulite, or that little pooch they just can't seem to get rid of no matter how much they exercise! They will do just about anything to get rid of those last inches and I think IT WORKS is the answer! I can't wait to get started wrapping! I'm offering introductory wraps for $25 each! If you are interested in a single wrap, or you would like to host a Wrap Party please contact me! Host a party and your wrap is FREE!

You may visit my website by clicking on the IT WORKS link on the right or email me at gofitmomstl@gmail.com

Oh, what else is missing in this interesting picture? Personal Training! If you haven't tried tried personal training, its much cheaper than lipo!! Give me a call!

Truth about Artificial Sweeteners!

The reason artificial sweeteners don’t have any calories is because the body doesn’t recognize them as food, and therefore can’t digest them. The issue here is that because they’re not digested, they become lodged in your digestive system and, in some cases, circulate through your body wreaking havoc on what they come in contact with.

Numerous health issues, including headaches, nausea, hearing loss, skin conditions, dizziness, fatigue and chest pains have been associated with the consumption of artificial sweeteners1. Newer studies even indicate that artificial sweeteners can kill the good bacteria in your digestive system, depressing your immune system and making you more susceptible to illness.
Let's take a closer look at the six FDA-approved non-nutritive sugar substitutes.

Acesulfame-Potassium (Acesulfame-K) goes by the brand names Ace-K, Sunett and Sweet One. It is a combination of organic acid and potassium that is often blended with other sugar substitutes.
• 200 times sweeter than sugar
• 0 calories per gram
• Heat stable (can be used in cooking and baking)
• Produces no glycemic response

Aspartame goes by the brand names Equal and NutraSweet. It is composed of two amino acids (proteins), aspartic acid and phenylalanine. Aspartame is one of the most thoroughly tested food additives, according to the FDA. People with the rare heredity disease phenylketonuria (PKU) should not consume aspartame.
• 160-220 times sweeter than sugar
• 4 calories per gram (metabolized as a protein), but because such a small amount is needed to sweeten foods and beverages, the calories provided by aspartame are considered negligable.
• Not heat stable (cannot be used in cooking or baking)
• Produces a limited glycemic response

Neotame is one of the newest artificial sweeteners approved for use in packaged foods and beverages.
• 7,000-13,000 times sweeter than sugar
• 0 calories per gram
• Heat stable (can be used in cooking and baking)
• Produces no glycemic response

Saccharin goes by the brand names Necta Sweet, Sugar Twin and Sweet 'N Low.
• 200-700 times sweeter than sugar
• 0 calories per gram
• Heat stable (can be used in cooking and baking)
• Produces no glycemic response

Stevia (Rebaudioside A) goes by the names PureVia, Sun Crystals and Truvia. It is a steviol glycoside, one component of the stevia plant that provides sweetness. Click here for SparkPeople's in-depth article on stevia.
• 250-300 times sweeter than sugar
• 0 calories and 0 carbohydrates per gram
• Metabolized by the body into steviol, which is not absorbed in the blood and therefore leaves the body unchanged

Sucralose goes by the brand name Splenda.
• 600 times sweeter than sugar
• 0 calories per gram
• Heat stable (can be used in cooking and baking)
• Produces no glycemic response
• ADI: 5mg/kg body weight per day
• Poorly absorbed and excreted unchanged

Bottom line....if you must sweeten, go with raw sugar or pure stevia leaf or drops. Agave nectar and honey are also natural choices to sweeten teas, coffee, oatmeals, etc.
Stay away from any form of artificial sweeteners!!

Superfoods: Nutrient Density

How nutrient dense are the foods you eat on a regular basis? Meaning, how many vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants are you getting from the common foods you eat? Today we tend to look more at the calories of foods than we do their nutrition content. Nutritious food leaves you feeling more full and gives you more energy, supports your immune system, and other bodily functions.
Here is a list of the top 30 superfoods!

*Dr.Fuhrman’s Nutrient
Top 30 Super Foods Score
1. Collard, mustard, & turnip greens 1000
2. Kale 1000
3. Watercress 1000
4. Bok choy 824
5. Spinach 739
6. Brussels sprouts 672
7. Swiss chard 670
8. Arugula 559
9. Radish 554
10. Cabbage 481
11. Bean sprouts 444
12. Red peppers 420
13. Romaine lettuce 389
14. Broccoli 376
15. Carrot juice 344
16. Tomatoes & tomato products 190-300
17. Cauliflower 295
18. Strawberries 212
19. Pomegranate juice 193
20. Blackberries 178
21. Plums 157
22. Raspberries 145
23. Blueberries 130
24. Papaya 118
25. Brazil nuts 116
26. Oranges 109
27. Tofu 86
28. Beans (all varieties) 55-70
29. Seeds: flaxseed, sunflower, sesame 45
30. Walnuts 29

read more here: http://www.happyhealthylonglife.com/happy_healthy_long_life/andi-scale-aggregate-nutrient-density-index.html

Integrative Nutrition

I just started reading my new book "Integrative Nutrition" by Joshua Rosenthal, founder/director for the Institute for Integrative Nutrition in New York. I know several Holistic Health Couselor's who have gone through this nutrition program and I have learned so much about nutrition from them. More than I ever learned in school or through fitness certifications. I have to share this paragraph from the 1st chapter because it give you a pretty good understanding of what our problem is in America....

We are witnessing a health crisis in America today. In 2004, 66% of Americans were overweight or obese. That number has greatly increased in the past few years. Every day, 2,500 Americans die from cardiovascular disease, such as coronary heart disease, heart attacks and stroke. Why are American's so unhealthy and overweight? Why do we suffer in increasing numbers from chronic health concerns, such as diabetes, heart disease, obesity, reproductive issues and depression? Why do we need so much medical attention and medication?
The answers to these questions lies in the regrettable fact that in America, medicine has become a profit-driven mega-business. Origingally, the medical establishment's aim was to promote healing, but it increasingly rlies on a pro-business model instead of a pro-health model at the expense of Americans. The goal has become to increase profit, decrease expense and let the chips fall away where they will. This healthcare system is failing us... We get more prescriptions and less guidance on how to create long-term health.
We can do better. We must recognize the fundamental relationship between poor nutrtion, expensive healthcare and the lamentable state of the public's health. What we eat makes a huge difference; yet very few doctors, corporations or politicians stand up for this truth.

Week 2: Weight Watchers

I am now on week 2 of my diet experiment. I must admit I am playing a little bit of catch up since I went to Vegas for the weekend and returned on Mon night! I'm still going to be very honest though with my points!

How the Program Works

The program is based on the use of regular grocery store food, optionally supplemented with Weight Watchers food items. The focus of this program is portion control and moderate, steady weight loss (average of 1-2lbs per week). No foods are "off limits", but you do account for everything you eat and assign a point value to it. The goal is to stay within a certain daily point level. While not a focus of the support group meetings or planning, exercise is encouraged.

The latest program offering is called TurnAround. TurnAround offers a choice of two food plans: the Flex Plan or the Core Plan. With the Flex Plan, you can enjoy the full range of food options and track their POINTS. This is the points-based approach that the company has used for many years. Similar versions of this plan in recent years have been known as Winning Points and Personal Choice. Like its predecessors, the TurnAround plan is the mainstay of the Weight Watchers program utilizing the points-based approach.

The objective of the Core Plan is to help you control calories by focusing on a core list of wholesome, nutritious foods without tracking points or counting calories. The list includes foods from the standard food groups defined by the USDA food pyramid – grains, vegetables, fruits, fats and oils, dairy, and meats and beans - to ensure that all nutritional requirements are met. To help you avoid feeling too restricted on the Core Plan, it allows you to have occasional treats in controlled portions.

Weight Watchers Online

More recently, the company has strengthened its online presence and offers a variety of resources, including an online journal, a points calculator, a customized Weight Tracker, 1500 recipes with points values, a database of over 31,000 foods to calculate daily points values, and restaurant guides. You can now take advantage of the TurnAround plan 24 hours a day, seven days a week, from anywhere with internet access.

Program Costs

The Weight Watchers program is affordable, flexible, and safe. Initial program registration varies from $12-30 (registration plus first week), plus a weekly meeting fee.  If you achieve your goal weight and maintain it for 6 weeks, you become a lifetime member and your ongoing weekly meeting fees are waived.

Conclusion

The main focus of the program is that every item of food from pizza to potatoes and cake to carrots has a point value based on its nutritional content. You may eat what you want as long as you stay within your allotment of points. This point system causes you to reduce your caloric intake and lose weight, but it doesn’t necessarily help you identify healthier eating choices. With the Core Plan, however, you focus more on a balanced nutritious menu and learn more about healthy nutrition and eating habits that you can incorporate into life-long behaviors.

This program is attractive to many people for its flexibility and affordability and can be effective. The Core Plan appears to be designed more for teaching life-long behaviors that may enable you to more effectively maintain your weight loss for the long-term compared to the more popular points-based Flex Plan option

Paleo Results & Review

Day 5 of the Paleo I felt amazing! Weight at the start was 121. Weight on day 5 was 119. I lost 2 pounds in not even a full week. Imagine what would happen over 2 weeks or a month?? I have to stress though that this diet really is a way of life diet. Not something you do to lose weight for a couple weeks. I think this diet is good for someone who enjoys eating meat and fish for sure. A perfect diet for someone with celiac disease or lactose intolerance. The lack of carbs, processed foods and dairy really eliminated any bloating that I normally experience after dinner or at night before bed. I will say that even though I broke the diet on friday, I really payed close attention to what I was eating and how it made me feel. I am definitely considering this way of eating on a regular basis. After a few days of no sweets, cheese, or bread I really didn't miss it! I think this diet is effective and very healthy. I would consider having whole grains now and then, but I think this is a very do-able way of life.

Rating...(1-10, 10 being best) I would give this diet a 10. After my experiment I may go back to it for good!

The Benefits of Group Training!

There is no question that everyone can benefit from a personal trainer! Even trainers use trainers! Whether for motivation, the extra push, or just letting someone else plan your workouts, a trainer can make your workouts more efficient, effective, and more fun. But what about group personal training? Can you still get the same results? If you are training for something very specific, you have special needs, or you are recovering from injury, working with a trainer one-on-one might be best for you. If you are looking for that appointment time each week, the extra push, or just a good kick-butt workout...group training is for you! Other benefits?

• A new support group- Meet new people and have a group to share stories, challenges, etc. And your new friends won't let you skip workouts as easily as you may have before!
• Reduced costs- One-on-one training can cost up to $90 per session! Usually small group training is 1/4 of that cost or less.
• A little competition- Not a lot...just a little! When you are in a group, it tends to push you more. You don't want to give up, or you want to do just a few more to prove you can...thats a good thing!
• More fun!- I always prefer training a group over one-on-one training. There's more energy, laughter, and motivation in a group. It makes working out way more enjoyable!

What's the difference between a group fitness class and group personal training?? I get this question a lot and I have many people compare the cost of a fitcamp to a class they take at the gym. These are VERY different! Many times the instructor you work with at the gym teaches only one class format. Maybe not, but they are going to teach the same type class each week and this class may not neccessarily be geared toward what your goals are. Is going to a class each week good? Yes, of course! But working with a personal trainer and the SAME group each week builds a support group and you will build upon what you have learned. Working with a trainer usually means having some sort of assesment done so that the trainer gets to know you and your goals, health history, etc. Most of the time the group will have common goals and the trainer will gear workouts specific to what the goals of the group are. You should have access to your trainer if you have questions about anything or need further advice, unlike taking a fitness class. And most importantly, you have made a commitment and have a set appointment to meet with your group unlike group fitness. It's nice to have a class convenient for you to drop into, but no one is going to ask where you are when you aren't at that class at the gym!
If you want more info on my groups and fitcamps, or if you have a group that is interested in training, contact me! gofitmomstl@gmail.com

I love my coffee!

Go buy some Coconut Oil!

I rarely watch TV during the day, but today I happened to flip to Dr. Oz and he was talking about Coconut Oil for your hair! I was so excited! Why? Because people think I'm crazy for using coconut oil on my hair while straightening it. It is all natural and works wonders! My husband also thinks its weird that I cook with it and then use it as body lotion. lol. I guess it looks kind of weird, but again, it works wonders! I used it all over my body especially my belly while pregnant with both kids and I don't have one stretch mark. Well, I found this website with 80 uses for coconut oil...you can read for yourself. For the full 80 visit this link. http://healthimpactnews.com/2011/80-uses-for-coconut-oil/ and then you can go out and get yours! I suggest getting cold pressed organic coconut oil. Sold at Whole Foods.

80 Uses for Coconut Oil


Personal Hygiene/Body
1. Moisturizer – simply scoop some out of the jar and apply all over your body, including neck and face.

2. Eye cream – apply under the eyes to reduce puffiness, bags, and wrinkles. Use on the lids in the evening.

3. Preshave – coconut oil will prep skin for the pending damage caused by shaving.

4. Aftershave – coconut oil will help heal your skin after shaving without clogging pores.

5. Deodorant – coconut oil alone can be used as a deodorant, but even more effective in combination with cornstarch/arrowroot powder and baking soda!

6. Hair Conditioner/Deep Treatment – use as a leave in hair conditioner by applying a teaspoon of coconut oil to your ends and then running your fingers through your hair to distribute the rest! For a deeper treatment, rub in a tablespoon of coconut oil onto your dry scalp and gently work through to the ends. Put a shower cap on to prevent transfer onto bed linens and leave on overnight.

7. Hair Gel/Defrizzer – rub a little between your palms and either scrunch into hair (for curly hair) or finger comb in through from scalp to ends (for wavy/straight hair).

8. Toothpaste – there are numerous recipes out there but I just mix coconut oil and baking soda and dab a little of the mix on my toothbrush.

9. Make up remover – use a cotton swab and a dab of coconut oil and you would be amazed at how well it works!

10. Chapstick – just rub a little into lips and it not only acts as a softening agent but it also has an SPF of about 4 so you get a little protection!

11. Massage Oil – pretty simple; grab some and rub!

12. Lubricant – it is an all natural, perfectly safe personal lubricant. Not compatible with latex!

13. Sunscreen – see my post on natural sunscreen for more detailed information.

14. Stretch Mark Cream – coconut oil is great at nourishing damaged skin. It may not be the magic stretch mark cure but it will help.

15. Nipple Cream – works great to nourish cracked, sore, or dry nipples. Apply to a cotton ball and leave on your nipples between feedings.

16. Diaper salve – very comforting on a rashy bum with no harsh chemicals. Also safe for cloth diapers.

17. Cradle cap – having issues with dry skin on your baby’s scalp? Coconut oil will not only nourish your baby’s skin, it also helps eliminate cradle cap. Just rub a teaspoon onto scalp daily.

18. Body scrub – mix coconut oil and sugar together and rub all over! Rinse off and your skin will be super soft! You can add in essential oils if you would like a specific smell.

19. Healing – when applied on scrapes and cuts, coconut oil forms a thin, chemical layer which protects the wound from outside dust, bacteria and virus. Coconut oil speeds up the healing process of bruises by repairing damaged tissues. Plus, it smells a heck-of-a-lot better than anything from the pharmacy.

20. Bug Bites – when applied directly to a bug bite, coconut oil can stop the itching and burning sensation as well as hasten the healing process.

21. Skin problems – coconut oil relieves skin problems such as psoriasis, dermatitis, and eczema.

22. Swimmers Ear – mix garlic oil and coconut oil and put a few drops in affected ear for about 10 minutes. Do this 2-3 times a day and it usually works within one or two days.

General Health and Wellness
23. Stress Relief – relieve mental fatigue by applying coconut oil to the head in a circular, massaging motion. The natural aroma of coconuts is extremely soothing thus helping to lower your stress level.

24. Digestion – the saturated fats in coconut oil have anti-bacterial properties that help control, parasites, and fungi that cause indigestion and other digestion related problems such as irritable bowel syndrome. The fat in coconut oil also aids in the absorption of vitamins, minerals and amino acids, making you healthier all around.

25. Fitness – coconut oil has been proven to stimulate your metabolism, improve thyroid function, and escalate energy levels, all of which help decrease your unwanted fat, while increasing muscle.

26. Nose bleeds – coconut oil can prevent nose bleeding that is caused by sensitivity to weather such as extreme hotness and extreme coldness. This condition happens when the nasal passages become dry because of cold or dry air resulting to burns and cracks in the mucus membranes so bleeding happens. To prevent this just put coconut oil in you nostrils. Coat your finger with coconut oil and then lie down and coat your finger inside your nose. Doing this will strengthen and protect the capillaries in the nasal passages. A Vitamin C supplement will also help prevent nose bleeding.

27. For breastfeeding moms, consuming 3 ½ tablespoons of coconut oil daily will enrich your milk supply.

28. Helps with weight loss & controlling cravings.

29. Helps keep blood sugar levels stable and/or helps with cravings in those with diabetes.

Are Sports Drinks Good for You?

Just like a car, the body needs fuel to run off of. If you are running, playing a sport, or getting a long hard workout you will need to fuel your body before hand. Carbohydrates are great fuel for these workouts, however, as these carbs are depleted through your workout, you will need to keep fueling. If you workout is lasting less than one hour...chances are you will not need to re-fuel during the workout. If you are working longer than one hour or in intense heat...its a good idea to sip on a sports drink.

Sports drinks: With their mix of water and carbohydrates, sports drinks are an excellent on-the-run source of fuel. For exercise lasting anywhere from 60 minutes to several hours, they significantly boost your endurance compared with plain water. (but don't forget they also come with extra calories, so if its unnecessary, skip the sports drink)


Most sports drinks offer a blend of carbohydrates such as the sugars sucrose, glucose, and fructose. A few beverages also add maltodextrin, a complex carbohydrate made of several different glucose units. New research suggests that the body can absorb more carbohydrates from sports drinks that offer a blend than from drinks that contain a single carbohydrate source. The researchers believe this is because the various sugars combined in these drinks can be absorbed via different routes.

Sports drinks also come with added electrolytes (the vital minerals we lose when we sweat). Sodium is the most important of these, as studies show that drinks with added sodium help maintain fluid balance in the body and also promote the uptake of fluid in your intestines. In plain English: You stay better hydrated when you drink beverages that contain sodium.

For optimum fueling: Stick with sports drinks that contain 13 to 19 grams of carbohydrate per 8 ounces. Drinks with higher carb concentrations hamper fluid absorption, and will give you that sloshing feeling in your stomach. Drinks with lower carb concentrations won't refuel your muscles fast enough.

Aim to drink 11/2 to 4 cups of sports drink per hour of exercise (the bigger you are and the faster you run, the more you need) to get both the fluid and carbohydrates required for endurance.

The amazing Cucumber!

WOW!!! WHAT A LITTLE GEM THE CUCUMBER IS. I DIDN'T KNOW A LOT OF THIS!
1. Cucumbers contain most of the vitamins you need every day, just one cucumber contains Vitamin B1,Vitamin B2, Vitamin B3, Vitamin B5, Vitamin B6, Folic Acid, Vitamin C, Calcium, Iron, Magnesium, Phosphorus, Potassium and Zinc.

2. Feeling tired in the afternoon, put down the caffeinated soda and pick up a cucumber. Cucumbers are a good source of B Vitamins and Carbohydrates that can provide that quick pick-me-up that can last for hours.

3. Tired of your bathroom mirror fogging up after a shower? Try rubbing a cucumber slice along the mirror, it will eliminate the fog and provide a soothing, spa-like fragrance.

4. Are grubs and slugs ruining your planting beds? Place a few slices in a small pie tin and your garden will
be free of pests all season long. The chemicals in the cucumber react with the aluminum to give off a scent undetectable to humans but drive garden pests crazy and make them flee the area.

5. Looking for a fast and easy way to remove cellulite before going out or to the pool? Try rubbing a slice or
two of cucumbers along your problem area for a few minutes, the phytochemicals in the cucumber cause the collagen in your skin to tighten, firming up the outer layer and reducing the visibility of cellulite. Works great on wrinkles too!!! GOTTA LOVE THIS ONE!

6. Want to avoid a hangover or terrible headache? Eat a few cucumber slices before going to bed and wake up refreshed and headache free. Cucumbers contain enough sugar, B vitamins and electrolytes to replenish essential nutrients the body lost, keeping everything in equilibrium, avoiding both a hangover and headache!! MUST ADMIT I AM LOVING THIS ONE TOO!

7. Looking to fight off that afternoon or evening snacking binge? Cucumbers have been used for centuries and often used by European trappers, traders and explores for quick meals to thwart off starvation.

8. Have an important meeting or job interview and you realize that you don't have enough time to polish your shoes? Rub a freshly cut cucumber over the shoe, its chemicals will provide a quick and durable shine that not only looks great but also repels water.

9. Out of WD 40 and need to fix a squeaky hinge? Take a cucumber slice and rub it along the problematic
hinge, and voila, the squeak is gone!

10. Stressed out and don't have time for a massage, facial or visit to the spa? Cut up an entire cucumber and place it in a boiling pot of water, the chemicals and nutrients from the cucumber will react with the boiling water and be released in the steam, creating a soothing, relaxing aroma that has been shown to reduce stress in new mothers and college students during final exams.

11. Just finish a business lunch and realize you don't have gum or mints? Take a slice of cucumber and press it to the roof of your mouth with your tongue for 30 seconds to eliminate bad breath, the phytochemcials will kill the bacteria in your mouth responsible for causing bad breath.

12. Looking for a 'green' way to clean your faucets, sinks or stainless steel? Take a slice of cucumber and rub it on the surface you want to clean, not only will it remove years of tarnish and bring back the shine, but is won't leave streaks and won't harm your fingers or fingernails while you clean.

13. Using a pen and made a mistake? Take the outside of the cucumber and slowly use it to erase the pen writing, also works great on crayons and markers that the kids have used to decorate the walls!!

Wow...new love for an good ole veggie!