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We all know berries are healthy, but do you know why? Blueberries, strawberries, raspberries and blackberries are all coming into season. These tiny fruits pack a huge health punch! Loaded with antioxidants (think cancer fighting), low glycemic (think good for blood sugar) and aiding cognitive function (think, well just think!) these pretty colored fruits help you avoid a myriad of health conditions.
In addition to fighting cancer, gently supporting blood sugar and helping your brain, these little gems also have fiber - raspberries and blackberries having the highest. In short, fiber is super important in your daily diet. Fiber slows down your system for better nutrient absorption, helps keep your colon healthy (who doesn’t want that?!), aids in fighting cancer and fills you up so you eat less calories.
Berries also help fight inflammation. This is so important for avoiding many diseases/conditions such as type II diabetes, heart disease, obesity, arthritis, eczema, migraines.
So, eat your berries and get your health on!
In good health,
Jackie
Photo by Aaron Burden on Unsplash
Spring has arrived! If you live in the north you are also saying, finally! I once heard someone say that we have fake spring, second winter and real spring. That was our April for sure!
Every spring, I go through a metamorphosis. It’s as if nature says ‘this is your do-over’. If you are a gardener that is an easy concept to understand. But I feel that with my whole self… Now that I can be outside, how do I want to spend my time? Now that fresh foods are available, what diet changes do I want to make? Shall I stop binge watching Netflix? Should I clean my house? LOL kidding. Well, kind of!
We have all had quite a crazy year, full of changes. For some, that means anxiety or depression, perhaps lack of socialization. For others it means we’ve gained a lot of weight and need to hit the reset button. And for others, we are trying to figure out the world and how we fit into the changes which are occurring. This season, I am choosing to focus on self-care.
Self-care is best defined as the actions individuals take for themselves (their children, their families and others) to stay fit and maintain good physical and mental health. When is the last time you had a massage? Read a book? Cleared your space from clutter? Blocked time on your work calendar to ‘breathe’? Went alcohol free for a month? Stuck with a workout plan?
I challenge you to use this season change to look at your life and decide what needs a do-over. As for me, this year is about finding life-balance. Not working too much, stressing too much or drinking too much! If you need help finding your reset button, contact me and we will work on it together!
In good health,
Jackie
#reset #renew #balance #springishere
Photo by Farhad Ibrahimzade on Unsplash
The word diet originated from the Greek word diaita, meaning “way of life”. Somewhere along the way, we morphed it from they way we live, something to me which sounds positive and life-affirming…into what we give up which sounds negative and something of a punishment. In the newer definition, it also has a beginning and an end. No one goes on a diet ‘forever’ although it probably feels that way.
The reason so many of us struggle with diets is because we are forcing ourselves to be deprived of things we enjoy. We give ourselves a start and stop date based on ambiguous goals. ‘I’ll start Monday (usually so I can binge over the weekend).’ ‘I’ll stop after I lose 10 pounds.’. ‘I want to fit into my wedding dress.’.
The reason this does not work for most people is complicated – yet simple. Complicated because we all have unique factors for what makes us tick, (read more about bio-individuality on my website). Some people love a challenge and will see it through. Some of us do not have that intensity, and when we fail, we eat more and like ourselves less. Some of us need an accountability partner, while some keep their journey quiet. Some of us eat because of trauma, or anger, or depression. Or just because we love Krispy Kreme (ok, I lived in the south for a long time!). From a basic science standpoint, diets start out working because we have changed a habit. You are eating new things and your body is adjusting. So you see success up front, then it usually goes downhill because you are not finding satisfaction, it’s too difficult, you don’t have support, or you run out of energy.
I challenge you to go back to the origin of the word: WAY OF LIFE. Figure out what works for you, how you feel your best, look your best, have energy, joy and satisfaction – and go from there - for life. Not for 10 days, or 6 months, but for good. Make small important changes and let them become part of your daily habits. Eventually you will enjoy that change and you can add a new one. Before you know it, you will be losing weight without dwelling on it. Now that is a good way to live!
If you need help with these changes, reach out to me. I can help you find your way of life!
In good health,
Jackie
#whydietsdon’twork #wayoflife #findjoy #eat
Photo by Artur Rutkowski on Unsplash
Did you know that nearly 70% of the non-organic fresh produce sold in the US contains residues of potentially harmful chemical pesticides*. The US allows approximately 10,000 chemicals to be used in and on our food, many of these approved long ago, before we had evidence about long term exposure.
Folks, we do not know what’s on our food and you need to be your own advocate! I realize that organic fruits & vegetables cost more; however, you do not need to buy everything organic (kind of my utopia lol). There are lists which are updated annually of the ‘dirty dozen’ , the 12 most pesticide ridden produce. Please consider this list when shopping for produce your family will consume.
Pesticides are thought to be linked to so many health conditions such as cancer, birth defects, cognitive disorders, skin conditions, endocrine disruptors and many more. We should absolutely be eating as many fruits & vegetables as possible (you will get tired of hearing me say that!) but pay a little more to minimize the consumption of these potentially toxic carcinogens.
Another recommendation is to use Fit. This is an organic produce wash which is all natural and claims to remove up to 98% of the chemicals and wax on the surface of the produce. Keep in mind though, any chemicals applied during the growing process are in the food. So buying organic is still the best way to avoid unnecessary consumption.
I realize this can seem like a daunting task, but just like anything, make small changes and you will continue to move in the right direction. If you need some moral support, shopping guidance, menu help or further data, reach out to me!
In good health,
Jackie
@orgeontilth @drweil #washyourveggies #dirtydozen #eatorganic
*according to the group ewg.org