 So, why am I talking about hormones? Well.....my passion as a health coach is really to help people prevent Chronic disease. Sure, weight-loss, and more energy are part of that, but what I see as a huge influence on disease are hormones. Hormones are influenced by many things, toxins, and stress to name a few. And, they are responsible for so many more things, so many bodily transactions and chemical reactions. If they are not working correctly, that makes so many other things out of whack, such as weignt losss, energy, emotions, stress, sleep. Really it is all interconnected, and hormones play a huge part. If you regularly feel like something is just not right with your body, that you are just not yourself more often than not, you may be suffering from a hormone imbalance. Here are a few signs and symptoms to help you determine if your hormones may be out of whack: 1. You feel tired all the time.Consistent fatigue may be the cause of an imbalance in our stress hormones that are produced when your body releases cortisol. Your body tends to release excessive cortisol in response to a bad or unhealthy diet, especially one with excessive daily consumption of sugar. This fatigue may even make you feel a little depressed and lethargic and cause brain fog or brain fatigue, a temporary condition in which your brain is simply exhausted and cannot perform the simplest task. 2. You are unable to lose weight.The stress hormone cortisol not only makes you feel tired but can also hinder your body's ability to maintain or lose weight. Your hormones control your metabolism. An imbalance in your hormones can result in a slowed or inefficient metabolism. Furthermore, hormonal imbalances promote fat storage that can lead to weight gain. 3. You suffer from insatiable cravings.An increase in cortisol can cause you to have crazy and insatiable cravings for sugary foods. You may feel ravenous and get abnormally cranky if you are unable to satisfy those cravings. 4. You feel as if you are on an emotional roller coaster.When your hormones are out of whack, you may feel as if you are on an emotional roller coaster. One minute you are happy and having the time of your life and in the next, you may feel incredibly depressed. Hormonal imbalances can cause you to experience extreme, inexplicable highs and lows in your emotions. 5. You have digestive problems.Hormonal imbalances can also contribute to digestive problems like abdominal spasms, diarrhea, constipation, bloating, excessive flatulence and burping, nausea and discomfort. 6. You sweat excessively.Your hormones can cause you to sweat excessively when they are out of whack. This is due to a swing of hypothyroidism and hyperthyroidism, which are caused by hormonal imbalances in your body. This symptom is usually overlooked but should be discussed with your doctor in the event your excessive sweating leads to axillary hyperhidrosis, which is profuse sweating over your entire body and underarms. If you would like to learn more about my balancing hormones naturally program starting in 2021, or any of my other programs to help you lose weight, have more energy, and have an amazing, long, healthy life, just click here Yours in health and wellness, Theresa
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 What are adrenal glands and where are they located? Your adrenal glands play a very important role in maintaining your health. They are incredibly small, about the size and weight of a coin. They are located above your kidneys, just below the muscle tissue of your lower back. What do adrenal glands do? Our adrenal glands are responsible for many things that assist in regulating our body and hormones, including thyroid and reproductive hormones. They are also responsible for managing stress, the amount of inflammation in our body, our immune system, our blood sugar levels and the electrolytes in our blood. They influence all the physiological functions processes of the body and help stave off physical fatigue. Signs your adrenal health is bad When there is something wrong with our body, it will start to signal us that something needs to be addressed. Here is how your adrenal glands will signal you that something is wrong.
How to improve your adrenal health If you suspect your adrenal glands may need some care and attention, try some of the following tips.
2.Daily exercise: Set aside at least 30 minutes a day for exercise, no matter how busy or tired you may be. 3.Add these to your diet: To improve your adrenal health, add proteins, healthy carbs, zinc, calcium, and amins (especially C and D) to your diet. Also increase foods like coconuts, avocados, olives, chia seeds, bone broth, nuts, vegetables and fish, but make sure you do all of this in moderation. If you would like to learn more about just click here. Yours in health and wellness, Theresa  Or do you believe that as we get older, our quality of life needs to go downhill?
I am passionate about this I am going to share with you a step-by-step process for changing your life in the next few blogs......stay tuned. Food plays an essential role in everybody’s life. It feeds body cells so your organs can work properly. Food and exercise are also critical factors in the process of aging. They can either accelerate it or delay it. If your objective in life is to live a quality life for a long span of time, then you need to know what to eat and the right exercises. I have been so inspired by my clients and my own journey to turn back time. I feel passionate about my health and self-care. I want to share this love and passion with you too. Close your eyes and imagine: Jumping out of bed in the morning without hitting the snooze button Maintaining your energy and enthusiasm throughout the day, so you’re not even tempted to hit Starbucks or the vending machine Finding yourself smiling and having deep belly laughs, thanks to more balanced moods Having clear, radiant skin, leading people to wonder what you’ve done to look younger Let's start with food. There are a few helpful foods in the previous blog, but here are a few more What to eat to slow down the process of aging:
Tomato Tomatoes are abundant in lycopene, an antioxidant that produces the red color in vegetables and fruits and helps protect your skin from cancer and sun damage. Avocado Avocados are good for your heart because their healthy fats help lower the level of bad cholesterol. They also contain Vitamin E, making them a perfect food for healthy skin.
It would be my honor to work with you. Feel free to set up a strategy session and let’s talk about your health and wellness goals. If you would like to learn more about Theresa  Is aging of concern to you?
What is your biggest concern about aging? Lack of energy? Pain? Stiffness? Wrinkles? Cancer? Forgetfulness? Something else? Best Foods for Anti-Aging.......These of course, are just a few. Early aging has a lot to do with your diet and your lifestyle. Our body is like a machine—good input leads to good output. What you ingest and put in your body has a huge impact on your biological system and your long-term health. A natural lifestyle does not have instant effects, but the long-term benefits are invaluable. Staying active and eating a nutrient-packed balanced diet can help slow the aging process and even prevent numerous diseases. Here are a few foods that can help you live a long and healthy life with great skin and a great body. 1.Olive Oil Olive oil has many anti-aging benefits. The monounsaturated fats in olive oil are can have a huge impact on the prevention or delay of heart disease and cancer. Olive oil also has polyphenols, which are powerful antioxidants that may help prevent age-related diseases. It is also rich in omega-3 fatty acids and the protein, minerals, and vitamins you need for healthy skin and hair. It has vitamins B and D to prevent the appearance of wrinkles and oleic acid and polyphenols to help smooth skin. 2.Pomegranate Packed with vitamin C, pomegranates are great for softening skin and guarding it against sun damage. The juice in pomegranate seeds contains punicalagin and ellagic acid, which is a polyphenol compound that combats damage from free radicals. Punicalagin is a super nutrient that improves your body’s ability to preserve collagen, a subdermal connective tissue that makes skin look smooth and plump. 3.Yogurt Yogurt is rich in calcium, which plays a huge role in staving off osteoporosis, and contains good bacteria that help in the maintenance of gut health. Yogurt contains live bacterial cultures, such as Lactobacillus acidophilus, that fight the growth of harmful intestinal bacteria and help restore balance in the intestine. These probiotics result in better health and can help prevent age-related illnesses. 4.Blueberries Blueberries contain more antioxidants than almost any other food. These give your skin an extra defense against skin-damaging free radicals that result from exposure to sun, over-exercise, and even emotional stress. Half a cup of blueberries every day can help in the prevention of the cell-structure damage that can lead to fine lines, wrinkles, and loss of firmness. Anthocyanin is also found in blueberries and functions just like an anti-inflammatory and can help maintain healthy brain function. 5.Fish Fish is an abundant source of omega-3 fats, which helps prevent cholesterol buildup in the arteries and provides protection against abnormal heart rhythms. Fish oil and fish proteins are used in the beauty industry worldwide. They promote healthy looking skin and the omegas found in fish are essential for regulating blood clotting, body temperature, body pressure and the immune system. If you would like to learn more about my anti-aging programs click here, or 5 Day detox , Click here. Curious about products that could help you out? Yours in health and wellness, Theresa  Did You Know?
Seventy percent of your immune system is located in your digestive system. It's True...... Therefore, poor gut health affects not only your gut but every organ in your body. It can affect the pancreas and result in blood sugar imbalances. It can affect the functioning of liver, which is responsible for detoxifying your body, and lead to malabsorption, poor nutrient assimilation, and reduced bile flow (key for breaking down fats and proteins). It can also cause intestinal dysbiosis, SIBO (small intestinal bacteria overgrowth), and many other issues like IBS (irritable bowel syndrome), colitis, Chron’s, leaky gut, etc. The health of your gut depends on a healthy 80/20 ratio of good bacteria versus bad bacteria. However, taking birth control pills regularly, taking an antibiotic even once, stress, pollution, and a diet high in sugar and processed foods will wreak havoc on your body’s healthy gut flora. Just a side note: Many times when we eat dairy, and meat with growth hormones and other things in them, or are eating pesticides on food, we are taking in antibiotics without even knowing. That is a huge reason for eating organic. One huge thing that I didn't realize was affecting my gut was wine. Did you know that 95% of conventional wines tested, tested positive for glyphosate, the main ingredient in the pesticide Roundup? Now if you are drinking that wine, even a few times a week, think of what you are doing to your gut......so, am I saying don't drink wine? Not necessarily, but what I am saying is find a better wine. Click here for a great option Without good bacteria in your gut, you could experience:
Probiotics - The Good Guys Consuming probiotics, either in supplement form or through probiotic-rich food and drinks, is an ideal way to restore the good bacteria in your gut. Let’s talk about probiotic supplements first. When choosing a probiotic, make sure it has at least eight billion live cultures. Personally, I prefer at least 10 or 15 billion. You also want it to have at least two different strains of bacteria. This is because our guts are home to many different strains of bacteria, so you want to nourish them all! An important factor to consider when choosing your probiotic is whether or not it needs to be refrigerated. As a general rule of thumb, if you bought it while it was in a fridge, you should store it in a fridge. If you travel, it is great to have a probiotic like Garden of Life Primal Defense, which does not need to be in the fridge. I actually believe non refrigerated are best. Think about it, your body is not refrigerated. Some of my favorites, which you can find on Amazon or at natural health stores, are:
You should also switch out your probiotic every three months. If you have significant gut issues or an autoimmune issue, you can follow a 3-day rotation schedule. This means you want to have three different probiotics on hand and rotate to a new one each day. This prevents your probiotic from becoming resistant to any antibiotics you are taking. If you have an overgrowth of candida or severe digestive issues, you should start off at a slow pace with probiotics. The changing gut ecology brought on by an “overdose” of probiotics is going to send your system topsy-turvy and can lead to many issues, including diarrhea or constipation, fatigue and/or brain fog, body aches, flu-like symptoms, rashes, and possibly a worsening of the symptoms you already have. This happens when probiotics start destroying the bad pathogens in your gut. As they are destroyed, they release toxins that cause unpleasant symptoms. You need to get through the symptoms to get to the other side. I am not saying it is easy. But do not be alarmed. It will pass. To Learn more about my Gut Healing Programs, products, or 1-1 Coaching, click here or for my upcoming Fall Detox Here To your Health Theresa  Inflammation is your body’s way of protecting you from harmful stimuli or potential injury. Inflammation can appear in many forms, including pain, heat, swelling, redness, and a slowing down or complete halt of an organ’s function Inflammation may be either acute or chronic. Acute inflammation is the initial protective response of your body tissues and is most likely to be transient. Chronic inflammation, on the other hand, is prolonged and can become severe. Inflammation may be caused due to an imbalance of fungi and healthy bacteria in your body see previous blog on Foods to Improve Gut Health. It can also happen as a result of food allergies, toxic environment, stress, and bad diet. Your diet pays a huge role in decreasing or increasing inflammation in your body. If you consume sugary foods, processed foods, or if you are regularly dehydrated, your body is more prone to inflammation while trying to heal itself. Here are some foods that may help reduce the chances of inflammation or relieve any existing symptoms.
2. Blueberries: Blueberries can significantly reduce inflammation if consumed on a daily basis. Blueberries are rich in flavonoids, polyphenol, resveratrol and Vitamin C, all of which are well known for reducing inflammation. Blueberries consist of anti-oxidants which can easily turn off and block all forms of body inflammations. 3. Ginger: Ginger is used in a variety of organic medicines because of its anti-disease, anti-bacterial and anti-inflammatory properties. You can add it as a spice in your foods, drink ginger juice, or blend it with honey and drink as a health shot. The most pleasant way to consume ginger, however, is a daily cup of hot ginger tea. 4. Dark Chocolate: Dark chocolate is one of the healthier varieties of chocolate. You can add some to your oats or combine it with fresh fruit to help reduce inflammation. 5. Turmeric: Turmeric is also widely used in organic and all natural medicines. You can add to food as a spice or stir in a pinch to your milk or smoothie. Turmeric helps slow the production of the two most inflammatory enzymes, 5-LOX and COX-2. There are a variety of foods you can add to your diet to help reduce or avoid inflammation. These are a few of the easiest and most accessible. If you are experiencing severe, chronic inflammation, however, be sure to consult a physician before making significant changes to your diet. If you would like to learn more about my Fall 5 Day Detox, to help you rid the toxins from your body, and help rid inflammation, just click here. Yours in health and wellness, Theresa  DID YOU KNOW THAT MOST ILLNESSES, INCLUDING ANXIETY AND DERESSION, LEAKY=GUT, ALLERGIES, AND WEIGHT GAIN CAN BE ATTRIBUTED TO POOR GUT HEALTH?
Most people don’t realize this; however, seventy percent of your immune system is located in your gut. Therefore, if your gut is unhealthy, your entire body will be out of whack. If your gut is healthy, your immune system will be unstoppable. The good news is that your body can easily regenerate itself when supported with the right foods and the right mindset. Yes, it really is that simple. 6 Foods to Improve Gut Health Probiotics may be one of the most important groups of nutrients that improve the function of your intestine and other organs. However, many people are not familiar with the significance of incorporating a healthy dose of probiotics into their diet. Here are a few foods and drinks that provide your body with the probiotics it needs to function properly. Yogurt Yogurt is enriched with healthy bacteria that help improve the performance of your gut and boost its overall function. Probiotics facilitate the growth of healthy bacteria in your body, which prepares your body to fight against gut inflammation. Yogurt is an inexpensive, plentiful source of probiotics, but be sure to choose the most beneficial varieties. Organic and Greek yogurts contain a higher level of probiotics as compared to their non-organic counterparts. Avoid purchasing yogurt that is actually labeled as “probiotic.” The companies that claim to offer probiotic-laden yogurts tend to add corn syrup, excessive sugar, artificial sweetener, and dyes in their products to expand its shelf life. Also, this type of yogurt is frequently pasteurized, which ends up killing the probiotics in the yogurt. Kefir Kefir is a yogurt substitute that provides high levels of probiotics to help treat inflamed or leaky gut. It is produced by combining rice, sheep, goat, cow, or coconut milk with a gelatinous grain and fermented. The fermentation process expedites the growth of healthy bacteria. Kefir contains approximately 10-34 types of probiotics that can quickly soothe the symptoms of a leaky intestine. Kombucha Kombucha is a type of drink enriched with high levels of probiotics and is often recommended to patients who have been diagnosed with an inflammatory and leaky gut. Kombucha’s high level of Symbiotic Colony of Bacteria and Yeast (SCOBY) plays a vital role in improving the performance and functions of your gut. It is prepared by combining SCOBY with sugar extracts to sweeten the juice and initiate the fermentation responsible for the probiotic content. When correctly prepared, kombucha provides a number of health benefits that that can help improve the condition of your digestive system, increase your metabolism and aid the function of the liver. Miso Miso is packed with probiotics that play a crucial role in improving the performance of your gut. Miso is prepared by combining fermented rye, barley, and beans with koji. It is often recommended by nutritionists and doctors for patients diagnosed with an inflamed gut. Natto Natto is prepared through the fermentation of soybeans. It has a strong flavor and a high presence of probiotics. Natto consists of Bacillus Subtilis, which plays a vital role in the improvement of your immune system, absorption of vitamin K2, and overall cardiovascular health. It also contains high quantities of nattokinase, which may help in cancer treatment. If you would like to learn more about my health coaching or detox programs, and how to take control of your health, just click here. Yours in health and wellness, Theresa  There are so many chronic illnesses on the rise lately. It seems like we have been blindsided. We see not only our elderly parents coming down with these illnesses, but people in mid life, and our children as well. I hear people question "WHY", all the time. It is as if it just came out of nowhere. But the truth is, illnesses do not just one day appear out of nowhere. We have signs, we just don't see them. For several reasons, most likely, we just don't know what to look for, and maybe we are just to busy with our lives, running around stressed to even notice. Or......we conveniently just go get a medication to make the symptoms go away.....after all, this is what we have been taught. There is pretty much a medication for every symptom, and although these medications have side effects, we really do not think those things will actually happen. And today, even if we are not thinking of running and getting medication, the ads on TV sure will get you thinking about it. But the thing is, our bodies are machines, that work really well. And they go and go for such a long time, even when they don't get what they need they go and go, and they give sign after sign, and then one day, it just all breaks down, like a car without oil, or a clogged oil filter. One of the issues is, we really do not know what it is exactly that our bodies need. And many people are worried about losing weight, but not necessarily about HEALTH. But if you are truly healthy, you will not be overweight. We are swayed by what we see on TV from companies that are promoting themselves as healthy, but are hiding things in their ingredients. There are so many ingredients, words that we have no idea what they mean or if they are safe, so we just trust what we are told. I feel that there are 6 main components of health or illness on the flip side: Nutrition, Stress, Sleep, Toxins, Exercise and the emotional component. The nutrition part actually starts with digestion. Which means that it really begins with how we prepare to eat. Rushing around, eating in the car, eating fast or while stressed, all contribute to not so great digestion. If our food doesn't get digested properly, then the nutrients do not go where they are supposed to go, and do not get broken down properly. It is the acid in our digestive system that breaks down our food. but for many reasons, such as stress, or eating fast, not chewing enough, we never make enough acid to properly break down our food. One key to this is slowing down, appreciating the food, thinking about it, this gets the digestive juices flowing and is the start for proper digestion. Of course that is just the first step, but it is Important! If we don't get the first step correct, what can we expect after that? Many people think that they have stomach issues because they have too much Stomach Acid. That is really, hardly ever the case. Our stomach acid serves a purpose, and many times the problem is actually the opposite, and we don't have enough. Slowing down the process from the beginning will help with this.
 Self-care is the cornerstone of great gut health. 70 % of our immune system lives in our gut. Caring for yourself, making your body feel beautiful, and pushing toxins out from your body is necessary for great health and a wonderful life. Self-care is also a way to connect with yourself, to fall back in love with yourself, and to cultivate health and joy within and spread it to everyone you touch! Here are some of my favorite tools.
Skin brushing Skin brushing is a must when it comes to eliminating toxins and restoring your gut health. Doing this supports your lymphatic system, kidneys and liver. Using a skin brush such as the one by Yerba Prima, brush your skin in the morning before showing and at night for maximum results. Always brush toward your heart with the flow of the lymphatic fluid. Start at the soles of your feet and then move up your legs, brushing in a circular motion. Brush your chest and shoulders toward your heart in long strokes, and then start at the fingertips and brush toward your body. Use small, circular strokes in your armpits. Move in a circular motion counterclockwise on your stomach to respect the direction of digestion. Tongue scraping Tongue scraping is one of my go-to tools to relieve my body of toxicity. This removes mucus and toxic buildup in your mouth. You can purchase a tongue scraper on Amazon or simply use a spoon. I use Dr. Tung’s Tongue Cleaner. In the morning and at night, reach to the back of your tongue with your scraper and pull forward, scraping off the white film and then repeating. Epsom salt baths Epsom salt, or magnesium sulfate, is wonderful for supplying your body with magnesium, boosting nutrient absorption, relieving stress, improving sleep, and reducing muscle cramps. Adding Epsom salts to your bath is a divine experience. To do this, add 1 cup of Epsom salts, ½ cup baking soda, ½ cup sea salt, and ¼ cup Bragg’s raw apple cider vinegar (optional) to a warm bath. You can also add a few drops of essential oils, such as lavender or another favorite essential oil. Advanced Tools Rebounding Rebounding is a great way to support lymphatic drainage. You can purchase a used rebounder on Craigslist or a new one on Amazon. I suggest rebounding for 15 minutes each day. Castor oil pack Castor oil packs are another way to efficiently remove toxins from the body. There are two ways to do a castor oil pack: Rub castor oil on your stomach, the right side of your liver and upper abdomen. Some people prefer to soak a cloth, towel or old shirt in the castor oil, wrap the pack in plastic wrap (BPA-free preferred) and then apply over the desired organ. You can lay a hot water bottle or a heating pad on the top of the pack and relax as you release toxins for about 45 minutes. OR Lay down on a towel and rub the castor oil on your stomach, the right side of your liver and upper abdomen. Then re-apply every 15 minutes until you've reached the 45-minute mark. Oil pulling Oil pulling is one of my favorite and most effective advanced tools because it cleanses the mouth of bacteria and yeast that can lead to infection and toxicity in the body. You should oil pull in the morning on an empty stomach, and follow up with tongue scraping (above).
 Gratitude may feel difficult and confusing in these times, but it does help our stress level, which in turn helps our health, by calming our stress, and therefore helping our immune system.
When many of us think of gratitude, we associate it with the act of simply saying “thank you” to someone for an act of kindness. However, gratitude is more than just a reaction or the feeling associated with feeling thankful for something. Instead, it is a positive emotion, and a deeper appreciation of someone or something. This deeper relationship with gratitude, of course, has a longer-lasting effect. Gratitude is a state of mind that we create when we affirm good in our lives that comes from outside of ourselves or from relishing in small pleasures. We all have those precious blessings in our lives that we are grateful for, but gratitude does not necessarily have to come from our own circumstances. Practicing gratitude means developing an awareness that allows you to be grateful for things like good health, a delicious meal, a child’s smile, the air that you breathe. It is a deeper appreciation of life in all its moments. This includes negative experiences as well because by practicing gratitude, you become aware and grateful that there is always something to be learned. You choose what to be grateful for and when. The benefits of practicing gratitude are plentiful. Here are some of them: Wellbeing Expressing your gratitude can improve your overall sense of wellbeing. Relationships Gratitude strengthens interpersonal relationships. Optimism A focus on gratitude can increase optimism by shifting your energy to more positive emotions. Happiness The pursuit of happiness is subjective, but the satisfaction that comes from practicing gratitude has a lasting positive effect. Therefore, the more we practice gratitude, the more positive we feel, thus the happier we are with our lives. So. how do you enter into this state of mind? Starting a gratitude journal is a wonderful way to get in touch with what makes you feel grateful. To do this, get yourself a journal that is only going to be used for your gratitude journal. This is important because you want this journal to be filled with positive, happy experiences and emotions. It is good to be able to express all of your emotions, so maybe have a secondary journal for all other expressions. The purpose of the journal is to reflect on your day or week to pull out at least five things you feel grateful for. Before you begin your journaling, make sure you feel sincere about what you are about to write about, and try to focus your energies on both people and intangibles. Besides highlighting the wonderful things you can be grateful for, this practice has been proven to increase sleep quality, decrease symptoms of sickness, and increase happiness and joy. Enjoy the journey! If you haven't already, grab my Destress Guide Here If you need help finding gratitude, and would like some one on one coaching, or to learn more about my coaching programs, click here Yours in wellness Theresa Sources: https://positivepsychologyprogram.com/gratitude-appreciation/ https://positivepsychologyprogram.com/gratitude-exercises/ |
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February 2022
Categories nutrition, healthy eating, clean eating, detox, kick the sugar, weightloss |
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