Our bodies are fantastic machines that are finely tuned for splendid results across the board. We can run, jump, sing (badly in my case), breathe, eat, communicate, process thought and generally make an awful lot of mischief. But what happens when our body is out of balance?
Our main elimination organs are the lungs, skin, bowel and the kidneys. These organs expel by-products from natural bodily processes and also deal with the chemical load of anything we take into our system.
When we talk about 'toxins' in nutritional therapy, we refer to the substances that exist in the body that are treated as toxic and disarmed and eliminated through the excretory organs. These organs silently do their jobs so religiously throughout the day that we are barely aware they exist.
Everything we breathe in, put on our skin or ingest is dealt with by these organs. All substances we need are utilised and everything we don't need is excreted; a finely tuned system we rely on for good health.
The problem is that as we breathe in pollution, eat chemically loaded foods, lather our bodies with chemically laden cosmetics at the same time as naturally creating chemical by-products from our bodies own functions, our elimination organs start to tire. When one organ tires the others take on the load and we end up in a constant state of toxicity with little chance of processing it all.
Our intestines and colons are loaded with undigested rubbish due to low fibre, low water diets. The waste sits in our bodies and putrefies whilst the new food we eat passes by it slowly and gets expelled at a sluggish rate. Instead of only absorbing the new fresh food, we are also constantly absorbing the putrefied matter and it is sent directly to our liver for processing all the time. This continual process is called auto-intoxication and it leaves us feeling rubbish!
Symptoms of toxic overload:
Fatigue
Bags or dark circles under the eyes
Low energy
Skin/complexion problems
Digestive disorders
Frequent illness
Bloating
Weak hair and nails
Bad breath/body odour
Shallow breathing
Eventually remaining in a toxic condition can lead to other more serious illnesses so addressing diet, lifestyle and doing a good detox is preventative medicine that we should all be putting into practice to remain fit and happy.
Start today by drinking more water and eating as much fresh fruit and vegetables as you can. The road to good health is one step at a time and this seems like an easy first move to make... be kind to your liver :)
Josie
Tuesday, January 24, 2012
Saturday, January 21, 2012
Sugar: More addictive than cocaine?
Most of us are unaware of how much sugar is in our diet everyday. If we think about sugar in our foods we generally think about added sugar that we sprinkle on to things, or eating lots of desserts and chocolate bars. The truth is that sugar is hidden in loads of foods that we would never think could contain it.
Look on labels for these names which all represent sugar in a product:
Look on labels for these names which all represent sugar in a product:
Wednesday, January 11, 2012
What is intuition?
A crossroad in life is always a fantastic opportunity to grow and flourish and generally get to know ourselves more completely. But how do we know which way to go?
When people have told me in the past to go with my gut, I have always found it vague and dismissive. My gut? Is this not the end of my digestive tract? A space full of waste? I hardly think I should trust it to make major life decisions. It is bound to be as confused as I am.
But as time has gone by I have started to trust myself. I realise that my 'gut' or my 'intuition' (my general inside feeling about the situation) is the one that I should rely on.
The trouble is it can take a really long time before we are honest with ourselves. Sometimes we try to force ourselves down a track which seems more appealing or safe. Our inner voice gets left in the dark, it is far too hard to listen to sometimes as it means making painful change or facing our fears.
I have typed similar blogs before about decision making and paths being fluid, changing and interlinked. But this time I want us to focus on the intuition or inner knowing that we have within us. The voice inside that knows it is right.
We are not our thoughts. Our thoughts can be manipulated and changed based on feelings or intention. Feelings are not real, as they can be created and manipulated by our thoughts. But deep behind the tricky layers of the personality is a space where we simply know what we should be doing. I think we all know that voice, we can bury it, ignore it and pretend it is not there, but it will always find a way to resurface.
We change, we are fluid in our essence, we don't need to be what we believe we are. There are no limits to the person you are. We are not our past or our future. We are all so keen to box and compartmentalise our personalities and our lives. 'I am like this. I am like that. I like that kind of person. I always behave like this'. Let's stop defining ourselves and making decisions based on who we have been. It is limiting and confusing and ultimately impossible.
So, next time you decide to bury that voice away, remind yourself that it is only a temporary fix, a saving grace, a pause, before your intuition pulls you back into alignment and you continue on the path that serves you best. There is always something to be learnt along the way even if we hide our intuition for a while, but let's not do it too long and repeat patterns that are stopping us from being the best version of ourselves.
We are all completely worthy of whatever it is we want to achieve, make sure that the only person standing in your way is willing to step aside once in a while and allow you to move forward (you).
Josie
When people have told me in the past to go with my gut, I have always found it vague and dismissive. My gut? Is this not the end of my digestive tract? A space full of waste? I hardly think I should trust it to make major life decisions. It is bound to be as confused as I am.
But as time has gone by I have started to trust myself. I realise that my 'gut' or my 'intuition' (my general inside feeling about the situation) is the one that I should rely on.
The trouble is it can take a really long time before we are honest with ourselves. Sometimes we try to force ourselves down a track which seems more appealing or safe. Our inner voice gets left in the dark, it is far too hard to listen to sometimes as it means making painful change or facing our fears.
I have typed similar blogs before about decision making and paths being fluid, changing and interlinked. But this time I want us to focus on the intuition or inner knowing that we have within us. The voice inside that knows it is right.
We are not our thoughts. Our thoughts can be manipulated and changed based on feelings or intention. Feelings are not real, as they can be created and manipulated by our thoughts. But deep behind the tricky layers of the personality is a space where we simply know what we should be doing. I think we all know that voice, we can bury it, ignore it and pretend it is not there, but it will always find a way to resurface.
We change, we are fluid in our essence, we don't need to be what we believe we are. There are no limits to the person you are. We are not our past or our future. We are all so keen to box and compartmentalise our personalities and our lives. 'I am like this. I am like that. I like that kind of person. I always behave like this'. Let's stop defining ourselves and making decisions based on who we have been. It is limiting and confusing and ultimately impossible.
So, next time you decide to bury that voice away, remind yourself that it is only a temporary fix, a saving grace, a pause, before your intuition pulls you back into alignment and you continue on the path that serves you best. There is always something to be learnt along the way even if we hide our intuition for a while, but let's not do it too long and repeat patterns that are stopping us from being the best version of ourselves.
We are all completely worthy of whatever it is we want to achieve, make sure that the only person standing in your way is willing to step aside once in a while and allow you to move forward (you).
Josie
Friday, January 6, 2012
Tasty salad Recipe...
I created a salad today that I thought I would share with you...
Yummy Salad
Main Salad
Two large Kale leaves
1/4 small cabbage
Handful of cooked brown rice
Dressing
4 tomatoes
1/2 small red onion
sprig of coriander
1 clove of garlic
pinch of salt
To Top off
Cayenne pepper
Dash of Cumin
Sunflower seeds
Pumpkin Seeds
I finely chopped the cabbage and kale and tossed them together with the brown rice to create a base.
I then added all the tomatoes, onion, garlic, coriander and salt into the blender to create a salsa like dressing.
I poured the salsa over the chopped base and massaged it all together. Finally I put a shake of cayenne, cumin on the top and sprinkled with pumpkin and sunflower seeds.
Enjoy :)
Yummy Salad
Main Salad
Two large Kale leaves
1/4 small cabbage
Handful of cooked brown rice
Dressing
4 tomatoes
1/2 small red onion
sprig of coriander
1 clove of garlic
pinch of salt
To Top off
Cayenne pepper
Dash of Cumin
Sunflower seeds
Pumpkin Seeds
I finely chopped the cabbage and kale and tossed them together with the brown rice to create a base.
I then added all the tomatoes, onion, garlic, coriander and salt into the blender to create a salsa like dressing.
I poured the salsa over the chopped base and massaged it all together. Finally I put a shake of cayenne, cumin on the top and sprinkled with pumpkin and sunflower seeds.
Enjoy :)
Thursday, December 15, 2011
Monday, December 12, 2011
Sunflower Seed Salad Dressing
Salad can seem boring and it never hurts to mix it up by adding a tasty new dressing idea. I often experiment with all sorts of concoctions which have good and bad results!
This one I like, so thought I would share the idea.
-Handful of Sunflower seeds
-One clove of garlic
-Two tablespoons of olive oil
-Pinch of Salt
-Sprinkling of cayenne pepper.
Your Salad of choice: green leaves chopped red onion, cherry tomatoes and kale is my favourite.
I have a small attachment to my blender so I just chuck all the ingredients together and whizz it up. If it is too thick I simply add a little water so it pours nicely. Sometimes I get involved and literally massage the salad with it so it is all covered. Finally I sprinkle with sunflower and black sesame seeds. YUM.
This one I like, so thought I would share the idea.
-Handful of Sunflower seeds
-One clove of garlic
-Two tablespoons of olive oil
-Pinch of Salt
-Sprinkling of cayenne pepper.
Your Salad of choice: green leaves chopped red onion, cherry tomatoes and kale is my favourite.
I have a small attachment to my blender so I just chuck all the ingredients together and whizz it up. If it is too thick I simply add a little water so it pours nicely. Sometimes I get involved and literally massage the salad with it so it is all covered. Finally I sprinkle with sunflower and black sesame seeds. YUM.
Monday, December 5, 2011
Frequently Asked Questions: Colonic Irrigation
I know you are interested, you are here after all! Putting a tube up your bum is not so bad, I can assure you that the benefits truly do outweigh all the fears before you do it.
I coach people daily through self administered colon therapy and I thought that for those of you who are considering doing a detox and were worried about the process a list of the questions I get asked the most would be useful...
1. Will it hurt?
No, the sensation can be uncomfortable at times and feels similar to when you have to go to the toilet in a hurry. This can be accompanied by that familiar cramping feeling you get when you have eaten something that does not agree with you. This lasts only a few seconds before you release the fluid. I would say there are moments of slight discomfort, but certainly not pain. All the guests here look relieved when they come down from their first session...no pain and feeling great!
2. Is it really necessary?
It would not be necessary in a perfect world as we would be eating healthy, home grown fruit vegetables and plenty of fibre (and meat occasionally, if we were fast enough to catch it!). However in most western diets our bodies are getting overloaded with the wrong foods that we cannot cope with, far too much red meat and lots of chemical additives. The stagnation that results can lead to fatigue, illness and eventually disease.
3. How often should I do it?
This is not something that should be part of your regular lifestyle. It is a technique used to eliminate built up waste and after a colonic session you should be aiming to achieve a diet that helps you eliminate naturally. It is not a quick fix, but part of a lifestyle change. It is best done as part of a fast or raw food diet with prior cleansing. Once or twice a year is a good idea for most people.
4. Are there any side-effects?
Mostly just feeling lighter, brighter and more energised. However sometimes people can feel a little tired afterwards and like to have a restful day or even a lie down. Most people report instant relief from headaches and fatigue. If done correctly with the correct guidance then there will be no negative side-effects from the process.
5. Is putting a tube up your bum going to damage it or your insides?
No, as long as you follow the advice of the practitioner or coach then you have no chance of doing any damage. You can safely insert 4 inches of tubing and the water flows in and out gently so there is no unnecessary force. If you have a condition related to your colon such as diverticulitis, crohn's disease or an inflammatory bowel conditions then you should avoid this treatment completely or seek advice.
I hope this helps those of you who are thinking of trying colon hydrotherapy and do feel free to ask more questions if you are interested!
For more information about how the process works, visit this link:
http://therealfoodcoach.blogspot.com/2011/11/introduction-to-colonic-irrigation.html
Josie. Was this useful? Like My facebook page... :)
I coach people daily through self administered colon therapy and I thought that for those of you who are considering doing a detox and were worried about the process a list of the questions I get asked the most would be useful...
1. Will it hurt?
No, the sensation can be uncomfortable at times and feels similar to when you have to go to the toilet in a hurry. This can be accompanied by that familiar cramping feeling you get when you have eaten something that does not agree with you. This lasts only a few seconds before you release the fluid. I would say there are moments of slight discomfort, but certainly not pain. All the guests here look relieved when they come down from their first session...no pain and feeling great!
2. Is it really necessary?
It would not be necessary in a perfect world as we would be eating healthy, home grown fruit vegetables and plenty of fibre (and meat occasionally, if we were fast enough to catch it!). However in most western diets our bodies are getting overloaded with the wrong foods that we cannot cope with, far too much red meat and lots of chemical additives. The stagnation that results can lead to fatigue, illness and eventually disease.
3. How often should I do it?
This is not something that should be part of your regular lifestyle. It is a technique used to eliminate built up waste and after a colonic session you should be aiming to achieve a diet that helps you eliminate naturally. It is not a quick fix, but part of a lifestyle change. It is best done as part of a fast or raw food diet with prior cleansing. Once or twice a year is a good idea for most people.
4. Are there any side-effects?
Mostly just feeling lighter, brighter and more energised. However sometimes people can feel a little tired afterwards and like to have a restful day or even a lie down. Most people report instant relief from headaches and fatigue. If done correctly with the correct guidance then there will be no negative side-effects from the process.
5. Is putting a tube up your bum going to damage it or your insides?
No, as long as you follow the advice of the practitioner or coach then you have no chance of doing any damage. You can safely insert 4 inches of tubing and the water flows in and out gently so there is no unnecessary force. If you have a condition related to your colon such as diverticulitis, crohn's disease or an inflammatory bowel conditions then you should avoid this treatment completely or seek advice.
I hope this helps those of you who are thinking of trying colon hydrotherapy and do feel free to ask more questions if you are interested!
For more information about how the process works, visit this link:
http://therealfoodcoach.blogspot.com/2011/11/introduction-to-colonic-irrigation.html
Josie. Was this useful? Like My facebook page... :)
Thursday, December 1, 2011
Sunday, November 27, 2011
Is MSG bad for you?
When you start to look at food additives and their effects it brings a whole new meaning to the slogan 'Once you pop, you can't stop.' MSG changes the way your body reacts neurologically to the food and makes you desperately want more of it.
What is MSG?
What is MSG?
MSG, or Monosodium Glutamate is a salt of the amino acid - Glutamic Acid (glutamate). A salt is the chemical name for a molecule held together by opposite charges. Basically one (mono) sodium atom is "stuck" to the amino acid glutamate.
It occurs naturally in some foods and is not harmful in this situation unless you are sensitive to it. The problem is the way it is concentrated and put into everything. This is when it may become unsafe and cause problems. It increases your appetite for the food you are eating and can make you overeat. Some people have severe reactions to food additives such as MSG.
To find out whether what you are eating contains MSG you need to be a detective. It can be hidden under labels such as:
Autolyzed Plant Protein
Autolyzed Yeast
Calcium Caseinate
Carrageenan
Gelatin
Glutamate
Glutamic Acid
Hydrolyzed Anything or Anything Hydrolyzed
Maltodextrin
Monopotassium glutamate
MSG
Monosodium glutamate
Senomyx
Sodium Caseinate
Textured Protein
Vegetable Protein Extract
Yeast Extract
Yeast food or nutrient
Be aware that if something says 'NO MSG' all over the label. It may have a similar additive that goes under a different name instead.
Choosing natural foods made from scratch is the safest way of knowing what you are putting in your body.
Josie.
http://www.msgtruth.org/avoid.htm
Autolyzed Plant Protein
Autolyzed Yeast
Calcium Caseinate
Carrageenan
Gelatin
Glutamate
Glutamic Acid
Hydrolyzed Anything or Anything Hydrolyzed
Maltodextrin
Monopotassium glutamate
MSG
Monosodium glutamate
Senomyx
Sodium Caseinate
Textured Protein
Vegetable Protein Extract
Yeast Extract
Yeast food or nutrient
Be aware that if something says 'NO MSG' all over the label. It may have a similar additive that goes under a different name instead.
Choosing natural foods made from scratch is the safest way of knowing what you are putting in your body.
Josie.
http://www.msgtruth.org/avoid.htm
Friday, November 25, 2011
How do I lose weight. Some advice and my 5 Top Tips.
This is a terribly common question we all ask ourselves once in a while. Some people ask it most days, some at the end of Christmas, some every six seconds.
Some don't ask themselves at all until suddenly they have a ring of fat around their middles in their forties that they are totally unfamiliar with and not entirely pleased to meet. This is often the hardest to lose as it is what we call 'visceral fat' and it lies deeper within the body, possibly caused by a fatty liver. This kind of fat can impair organ function and is often the onset of type 2 Diabetes.
Excess fat cells (adipose tissue) release 'cytokines' into the body which are pro inflammatory and disrupt the body's chemistry causing cells to mutate and degrade. Someone who is obese (and if you look at the charts, obese is actually not that big at all) will be at risk of developing a lot of nasty illnesses as the body is in a constant battle with itself (http://jasn.asnjournals.org/content/15/11/2792.abstract)
These alone are reasons to shift any excess weight before it thinks it is in charge, without even mentioning the lovely wardrobe of suits or skinny jeans people are hoarding in shame and desperate to get out. Imagine how those clothes feel? So abandoned.
But do not fret, your cast aways shall see the light of day again. Fat is one of those things that can be tackled easily with a few small steps.
Ok, so weight loss does differ depending on the individual but having a higher muscle mass is definately a good starting point to burning fat. So exercise is the first point of call. Some cardio, some resistance training. But definately about half an hour a day. Schedules are tough and it can be hard, so do what you can. Walking rather than taking the car or bus everywhere will make a massive difference.
We have an energy balance in the body which is relatively simple when you look at it crudely. We need to take out some calories and increase our activity to lose weight, it should be that simple. But some people have food addictions. Others have binge eating problems. Some have thyroid imbalances. Some people actually have slower metabolisms than others.
My advice for all of you is to start with a detox diet or full fast. This puts you on the right track by stripping your body of its cravings, giving you a head start in weight loss and giving you the positive boost you need to take that first step forward.
My Five Tips for Weight Loss with Food!
1. Keep your Sugar Levels Balanced to avoid cravings. Choose slow release carbohydrates like brown rice and other whole grains. Avoid white bread and rice and all refined pastries and snacks. They play havoc with your blood sugar and take away your control over what you eat with massive physical cravings. These foods use nutrients for your body to process without giving you any nutrients! This makes your body want more food to get nutrients into it.
2. Fresh Vegetables in salads or steamed can never do you any harm (as long as you wash them well). Use them in everything. Vegetable soup is a great weight loss tool, as are large abundant salads.
3. Green Smoothies with a good blend of greens and flax seed. The flax seed and greens slow the release of sugar from the drink and give you a good boost before the gym or mid morning.
4. Don't Avoid Fat. You need fat to transport hormones around the body. So your metabolism will be slowed down if you avoid all fat. Choose good fats in flax and other seeds, nuts, oily fish, avacado, olive and coconut oils.
5. Keep Active. Instead of flopping on the sofa try and do something active. Doing anything, however small, but staying active is still constantly burning calories. The TV is your worst enemy if you are trying to shift pounds, unless you are watching Mr Motivator on plasma widescreen (what a terrifying thought).
Be reassured that how ever long you have been battling a few extra pounds, you can definately make a difference with a few simple steps. Don't be too hard on yourself, you will get there, just take it one step at a time.
Here are some related posts that might interest you.
Detox with food:
http://therealfoodcoach.blogspot.com/2011/11/not-ready-for-full-detox-cleanse-your.html
Fasting Detox:
http://therealfoodcoach.blogspot.com/2011/05/detoxing-is-dangerous-necessary_15.html
Binge Eating:
http://therealfoodcoach.blogspot.com/2011/04/binge-eating-you-are-not-alone.html
Good Fat:
http://therealfoodcoach.blogspot.com/2010/10/fatit-not-all-bad.html
Good Luck.
Josie
Some don't ask themselves at all until suddenly they have a ring of fat around their middles in their forties that they are totally unfamiliar with and not entirely pleased to meet. This is often the hardest to lose as it is what we call 'visceral fat' and it lies deeper within the body, possibly caused by a fatty liver. This kind of fat can impair organ function and is often the onset of type 2 Diabetes.
Excess fat cells (adipose tissue) release 'cytokines' into the body which are pro inflammatory and disrupt the body's chemistry causing cells to mutate and degrade. Someone who is obese (and if you look at the charts, obese is actually not that big at all) will be at risk of developing a lot of nasty illnesses as the body is in a constant battle with itself (http://jasn.asnjournals.org/content/15/11/2792.abstract)
These alone are reasons to shift any excess weight before it thinks it is in charge, without even mentioning the lovely wardrobe of suits or skinny jeans people are hoarding in shame and desperate to get out. Imagine how those clothes feel? So abandoned.
But do not fret, your cast aways shall see the light of day again. Fat is one of those things that can be tackled easily with a few small steps.
Ok, so weight loss does differ depending on the individual but having a higher muscle mass is definately a good starting point to burning fat. So exercise is the first point of call. Some cardio, some resistance training. But definately about half an hour a day. Schedules are tough and it can be hard, so do what you can. Walking rather than taking the car or bus everywhere will make a massive difference.
We have an energy balance in the body which is relatively simple when you look at it crudely. We need to take out some calories and increase our activity to lose weight, it should be that simple. But some people have food addictions. Others have binge eating problems. Some have thyroid imbalances. Some people actually have slower metabolisms than others.
My advice for all of you is to start with a detox diet or full fast. This puts you on the right track by stripping your body of its cravings, giving you a head start in weight loss and giving you the positive boost you need to take that first step forward.
My Five Tips for Weight Loss with Food!
1. Keep your Sugar Levels Balanced to avoid cravings. Choose slow release carbohydrates like brown rice and other whole grains. Avoid white bread and rice and all refined pastries and snacks. They play havoc with your blood sugar and take away your control over what you eat with massive physical cravings. These foods use nutrients for your body to process without giving you any nutrients! This makes your body want more food to get nutrients into it.
2. Fresh Vegetables in salads or steamed can never do you any harm (as long as you wash them well). Use them in everything. Vegetable soup is a great weight loss tool, as are large abundant salads.
3. Green Smoothies with a good blend of greens and flax seed. The flax seed and greens slow the release of sugar from the drink and give you a good boost before the gym or mid morning.
4. Don't Avoid Fat. You need fat to transport hormones around the body. So your metabolism will be slowed down if you avoid all fat. Choose good fats in flax and other seeds, nuts, oily fish, avacado, olive and coconut oils.
5. Keep Active. Instead of flopping on the sofa try and do something active. Doing anything, however small, but staying active is still constantly burning calories. The TV is your worst enemy if you are trying to shift pounds, unless you are watching Mr Motivator on plasma widescreen (what a terrifying thought).
Be reassured that how ever long you have been battling a few extra pounds, you can definately make a difference with a few simple steps. Don't be too hard on yourself, you will get there, just take it one step at a time.
Here are some related posts that might interest you.
Detox with food:
http://therealfoodcoach.blogspot.com/2011/11/not-ready-for-full-detox-cleanse-your.html
Fasting Detox:
http://therealfoodcoach.blogspot.com/2011/05/detoxing-is-dangerous-necessary_15.html
Binge Eating:
http://therealfoodcoach.blogspot.com/2011/04/binge-eating-you-are-not-alone.html
Good Fat:
http://therealfoodcoach.blogspot.com/2010/10/fatit-not-all-bad.html
Good Luck.
Josie
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)