Happiest and healthiest hello, ciao, bonjour to all of you who have taken the time to visit my website and read what I have written here!
I want to come clean with a secret that I’ve been keeping for years. I have a tendency to procrastinate and postpone doing things that scare me!
Who can feel me?
I have thought about writing my FIRST BLOG POST for years! Yes, I know, I’m a bit behind the times. Better late than never, right?!
Well……here it is……
I thought it would be easier for me if I started with something that I’ve been practicing for over 12 years. I want to share what has helped me so that it might also be of benefit to you, your friends and loved ones!
First, let’s go back to the title of this blog post. I’d like to point out, of course, that there are numerous ways you can achieve health. The following tips are what I found to be most effective and manageable for myself and my clients.
No Quick Fixes Here!
When we choose to care for our health using traditional, safe and natural methods, we don’t always see the immediate results. Personally, I don’t want band-aid solutions or quick fixes because they usually come with negative side effects! It is a LIFESTYLE and JOURNEY that requires PATIENCE, DETERMINATION & QUALIFIED SUPPORT and EDUCATION. That is where I come in to help you. I’m a certified and insured holistic nutritionist, cook and yoga meditation teacher. The journey isn’t easy, but all things worth it are never easy! If and when you fall, get back up again and again and FORGIVE and LOVE YOURSELF always!
It has to be about the journey, not so much the destination!
My healthy journey has been filled with beautiful highs and super challenging lows. I have been experimenting with natural supplements, herbs, Ayurveda and food. When I started to listen to what my body was trying to tell me, I began to slow down and notice more. When you begin to put into practice these first tips, then I guarantee your health will change for the better and it does get easier as time goes on. Once you start making a habit out of positive health changes, your day to day routine will get easier and you will intuitively know what to do. The beginning is always most challenging, so hang in there and don’t give up. Take small, manageable and doable steps. I’m here beside you, to help guide you along your most vibrant, health lifestyle journey.
TIP #1
Eat more
organic, fresh veggies and fruit that are in-season, locally grown and more plant-based protein meals. Go for the rainbow colored gamma of veggies and fruits and don’t just stick to one or two favorites. Variety is the spice of life and key to getting all of those vitamins, minerals and antioxidants we need on a daily basis. If you eat eggs (choose organic, free range), dairy (choose organic, full-fat and sheep or goat is healthier and easier to digest), meat (choose hormone and antibiotic free, pasture raised and grazed) and fish (choose fresh water, small to medium sized fish has less toxins like mercury and lead).
TIP #2
Invest in a Berkey https://www.berkeyfilters.com/, Santevia https://www.santevia.com/or Reverse Osmosis water filtration system. Aim to drink about 2L/day, adding about 1L more if you exercise or perspire a lot or drink alcohol and caffeinated beverages. If you don’t like drinking water, try naturally flavoring it with thin slices of ginger, cucumber, berries, mint or some unpasteurized honey.
TIP #3
Work with a CERTIFIED, ACCREDITED and INSURED Holistic Nutritionist (like me 🙂 ). Someone who will generate a total health and nutritional body analysis and discuss your imbalances with you. Holistic nutritionists take into consideration your WHOLE lifestyle. They will meet you where you are at. Together, they will guide you in making informed and educated decisions about taking your health to the next level. In depth knowledge and access to the best supplements, herbal tinctures, essential oils, homeopathy, healthy food recipes and complimentary natural modalities allows nutritionists to serve your health first. The person you choose should be very resourceful and open to collaborating with other certified practitioners. Remember your journey to balanced preventative health is not a one size fits all. What might work for your friend or sister/brother or neighbor might not work for you. Hence, its important to get that individualized, one-on-one care that goes beyond the “in and out” doctor’s policy that we have within our conventional healthcare system.
TIP #4
Move your body and relax your mind! Dance, walk, jog, take up a sport, sign up for a challenge, join a gym, take up pilates, yoga and learn to meditate. I prefer this in cold winter months as during spring, summer and fall I’m outside most of the time. Movement does more than help you lose weight, it helps reduce stress, anxiety and depression. It tones our muscles, gives us stamina, more oxygen capacity so we can feel more energized, it detoxifies impurities from your body by allowing us to sweat and stimulates the lymphatic system. Whats more is that it boosts our self-confidence and that is HUGE! Ask a friend to join you or plan weekly family walks or play dates in the park to get you started.
TIP #5
Get your Zzzzzz’s! Sleep is often an under rated necessity yet it is the MOST IMPORTANT aspect of health. As adults, we need bare minimum 7 hours sleep but ideally should be getting 8-9 shut eye hours. Teenagers need to get 9-10 hours as they are in their full growth spurt period. Sleep allows our hard working organs like the liver, kidneys and stomach/digestion to rest. While we are sleeping our cells repair themselves and rejuvenate too! TV’s are not a good idea in the bedroom. My nonna used to tell me that bedrooms serve two purposes: to sleep and to be intimate with your partner. All electronical devices emit positive ions which contribute to depression, mood swings, inflammation, chronic pain and allergies. They disrupt our sleep and they keep us awake later at night – dido for cell phones so turn on airplane mode or just turn them off! Sleep in a quiet, dark room or wear a sleep mask. You could also try meditating, reading a book or drinking a small cup of chamomile, lemongrass or lavender herbal tea to help you get sleepy.