Hello my lovelies! Happy autumn! What have you been up to in the past weeks? I've been wonderfully busy with my health and wellness business, Get This Glow! Health & Wellness. That's definitely a good thing...yet, I've learned that even though I absolutely love what I do, running a business on your own is not easy! Dare I say...hard? I guess that's relative. For me, slaving for hours for someone else weeks, months, years on end...that's hard. Depending on how bad you want something, the definition of "hard" is ironically flexible. I pass the same things I learn from running a business on to my clients when they tell me eating healthy and exercising is hard. Here's what I share:
1. What's the alternative?
When decided to become self employed because after 18 years of the nursing rat race, I knew there was more In store for me, I had to face the facts that I'd have to be more disciplined. No more mindless getting dressed, driving to work, putting in 12-13 hours of what I normally did, and then going back home. I had to be my own boss which meant setting up my own schedule and routine, and being the only one held accountable if I didn't reach my weekly goals. Couldn't blame my boss, coworkers, or even my patients! The alternative was to continue to be unhappy in a no longer fulfilling career.
So you have to cook a couple of meals at home, and choose a baked potato over fries when you dine out. You choose a physical activity that's fun for you, do it at least 3 times per week for 30-40 minutes, and mix it up when you get bored. Flood your body with endorphins while slaying toxin-laden fat cells.
It's really not that hard when you look at the big picture. You decided you needed a change for a reason. Weight loss, less stress, lowered blood pressure, no more diabetes medication...whatever it is that you're fed up with, that's your alternative. Make a few small changes a bit at a time and be held accountable, or go back to your unhealthy and unhappy lifestyle.
2. It's not all work and no play.
Yes, you have to put in the work to get the desired results, but it's all good! Hard work=great payoff. People start to notice. You feel good about yourself and what you're doing. When it is time to relax, you don't have to worry about things falling apart because you've built up a great system and you now know what works.
See clients, do the financial paperwork and multiple other behind the scenes stuff 3-4 days per week, and then you can have the remaining days for yourself. You know things are in order.
Same as with your new healthy lifestyle routine. Eat well and exercise 5-6 days per week, and then take a day or so to relax and enjoy with friends and family. You'll be in a better frame of mind when it's time to hit it hard again, and you'll actually look forward to it! This is not punishment, nor is it a race. Welcome to your new and wonderful life!
Me vacationing with the fam on Tybee Island beach, Georgia
3. You don't have to know it all or do it all by yourself.
Come on...we're human. As much as some of us would like to think we're superheroes, we're kinda not. Sure, we can handle 19 things at once on 4 hours worth of sleep, but what does that get us in the long run? Tired. Cranky. Nowhere. Instead, I like to turn to my mentors and fellow industry connections when I need help with an idea or project. In turn, they reach out to me. We're learning new things every day, and nobody needs to do be on this entrepreneurial journey alone.
Likewise, when you're learning what the newest superfood is, or how to choose salmon, or even how much exercise you need to do in a week, GET SOME SUPPORT! Emotionally, any major life change is difficult. Going from fast food daily to cooking your meals is a major life change. Don't you dare try to do this on your own. Your health coach is there for you, your physical trainer, your therapist, dietician, and even your supportive friends and family. One day at a time, lovely!
There you have it. Transforming your life in any aspect is not easy. However, when you consider the unhappiness that you want to be free from, it's not entirely that hard either! What other tips do you have to get through the rough patches? Share below!
Until next time,
Love & Happiness,
Nikki
Nikki Thomas, RN, CPN, CHHC, AADP is a lover of life, health, and truth. I strive to help you find your balance and sanity in this occasionally insane world. I am a registered nurse, a board certified holistic health practitioner, life and health coach. Let's talk about health & wellness, fashion, beauty, and food!
Hello again, my lovelies! It's officially summer and I know you guys have some amazing plans for these couple of months. I'm excited to say that my practice has been keeping me busy! I'm manifesting plans for upcoming sugar detox teleseminars and classes, as well as some other surprises. Be sure to follow the Get This Glow! Health &Wellness Facebook page for details in the next few weeks.
You know how much I love bringing you all helpful and exciting new information that keep you healthy and sexy. So...I have a treat right now that I know you'll appreciate. I met this amazing woman Lizzie May (owner of Lizzie May Wellness) while in nutrition school at the Institute for Integrative Nutrition last year. She is a fellow holistic health care practitioner, as well as an ACE certified personal trainer. Her positive energy and love for a healthy lifestyle is super contagious, and she makes you feel like you're friends after your first conversation. Recently, she expanded her brand to include Ancient Balance bamboo extract. I love bamboo extract for what it does for my hair, skin, and nails...so when I found out I could get it from a peer I admired, I jumped on it! Her story is extremely inspirational. Here's a peek into her world.
Get This Glow! Health & Wellness: Lizzie May! Thank you so much for taking the time out of your busy schedule to talk to me and my readers. Can you share a bit about yourself and your passion for health and wellness?
Lizzie May: Sure! I live in the beautiful Pacific Northwest, after spending 10 years in Southern California. I have a bachelors in psychology from Occidental College and I am an ACE certified personal trainer and board certified holistic health coach.
My main passions center around eating and supplementation for glowing skin, energy, and longevity.
Even though I'm currently quite healthy and I eat a nutritious diet, this wasn't always the case. I actually "stumbled" into my passions for health and wellness when I was in my 20's. Back then, I was working 80 hours a week, living on energy drinks and processed foods, and my health was beyond terrible. Keep in mind that prior to the decline in my health, I had always been a very fit athlete, competing in cross-country and track all through college. However, after 3 years of burning the candle at both ends in the corporate world, I could barely run a mile, was chronically exhausted, and most upsetting to me, my skin was a mess!
I first decided to turn my nutrition and lifestyle habits around for the purpose of clearing up my skin, but I found that once I cleaned up my diet and cleared my skin, I felt way too good to ever return to my old, unhealthy ways.
The skin is truly a reflection of our internal health: when our skin glows (without wearing luminizer) it reveals that our bodies are truly being nourished from the inside.
I am currently writing an eBook that includes diet tips, recipes, and more in-depth food, supplement, and lifestyle recommendations for clear, radiant skin. It will be sold on my website later this year.
GTG:What a great journey! We'll be looking forward to your eBook for sure. I mentioned our common love for bamboo extract earlier. What exactly is bamboo extract, and why should people incorporate it into their lifestyles?
LM:Bamboo extract is a medicinal food concentrate made from the leaves and stems of the Moso Bamboo grass, an edible grass that has been used medicinally for centuries in China, India, and Tibet. This extract is widely consumed in these areas to promote youthful appearance, energy, and mental clarity.
In addition to these energizing benefits, bamboo, which is anti-bacterial in nature, has been used traditionally to ward off disease, balance hormones, detoxify the body, strengthen bones and teeth, smooth the skin, and avoid infection. It is a true superfood that nourishes the body and reduces the need for stimulants like coffee and energy drinks.
When taken consistently, bamboo extract promotes a feeling of balanced, jitter-free energy. I think everyone I meet these days could use more energy; hence it is a great supplement to incorporate into one’s daily lifestyle.
To expand on the anti-aging properties of bamboo (my favorite part), it contains over 70% organic silica and is 10 times more potent than horsetail silica. If our bodies are deficient in silica, our skin’s elasticity will become impaired, leaving us much more susceptible to wrinkles and sagging skin.
Unfortunately, as we age, the body retains less and less silica, leaving us much more prone to wrinkling and sagging skin. Silica prevents and reverses wrinkling of the skin by supporting collagen production. Bamboo extract, due to its high silica content, is such an amazing skin rejuvenator and that’s why I love it so much.
When taken internally, bamboo extract not only revitalizes the skin, but other cellular functions within the body, so you’re really achieving smooth, glowing skin from the inside out.
GTG: I love it! It has so many healing properties, and makes us feel AND look good! What is the main mistake you see people making when it comes to eating healthier?
LM: Hmm, that’s a tough one! I would say that the main mistake I see in people who are trying to start “eating healthier” is that they go for the quick fix, and make drastic, unsustainable changes to their diet. That quick fix approach really doesn’t promote long-term results and sometimes does more harm than good.
For example, I know so many people who eat processed junk food for the majority of the year, and then do a very restrictive cleanse or diet that leaves them so weak and famished that they’re barely able to walk or talk when swimsuit season comes around. That’s not sustainable and while doing a restrictive cleanse may be a good “jumpstart” for some people, unless you’re really taking a long term approach to healthy eating, you’re not going to maintain the results you achieved on a 500 calorie a day diet.
Also, I see a lot of people who have really damaged their metabolisms with restrictive and yo-yo dieting: it's no fun to gain weight on 1500 calories a day because of a damaged metabolism!
Simple sustainable changes could include something like drinking a large glass of water before your dinner every night for a week, or adding in green vegetables to your lunch for two weeks. When you make simple, doable changes like that, you start to feel more energized without being overwhelmed with a very restrictive diet. Then, it's easier to maintain that healthy momentum and build in more simple, sustainable changes. As the former queen of crash diets, it took me many years to learn this!
GTG: I think you hit the nail on the head with that one. My clients come to me because they've tried everything...every "quick fix" pill, powder and potion without lasting results. Balance, and sustainable changes are key to a successful healthy journey. Let's switch gears for a second. As entrepreneurs, we tend to forget to take a break sometimes! What do you like to do for fun? Any exciting plans for the summer?
LM: Yes, it's so important to take breaks! This is something that I have really had to learn, as I used to view relaxation and fun as "a waste of time" which is totally ridiculous and couldn't be farther from the truth.
I use a daily planner and many times I actually schedule my "fun days" and "fun hours" because they are so important to my physical and mental well-being. I also turn my phone off or on airplane mode quite frequently: sometimes a "fun hour" is just an hour without any technology or cell phone. My family didn't like me being so inaccessible when I first started turning off my phone, but when they saw how much happier and relaxed I was when I didn’t have my phone on, they got on board.
I realize that turning your phone off isn’t an option for everybody, especially if you have children or a job that requires you to be accessible at all times, but for me, I really cherish my “no phone” times and they really help me to truly relax.
As for fun activities, I love running, hiking, and I really love photography.
I do have exciting plans this summer: I'm going to France! My best friend's family has a chateau in the French countryside, and so I'm going to get some much-needed R&R there while I catch up with old college friends.
GTG: We should all take a page out of your book and schedule "fun hours"! Awesome idea. Lizzie May, it's been great spending time with you, and getting to know you better. Thanks for adding knowledge and insight on how we can all live healthier lives! You have to come back again. Oh, and have a TON of fun in France!! Before you go, can you tell everyone how they can get Ancient Balance bamboo extract in their lives?
We post bamboo extract smoothie recipes and health tips on our facebook page and we love connecting with our customers! Thank you so much and I would love to come back again!
*all photos and video except for Get This Glow! Health & Wellness logo in this post are courtesy of @LizzieMayWellness*
There you have it, lovelies. If that doesn't inspire you to get your Glow! on, I'm not sure what will. This was a lot of fun. So now...what are your plans for the summer again? =)
It's been a harsh winter so far, and that sometimes equates to dull hair and skin. Using natural oils is a great way to bring back the healthy shine and glow to both! Some oils have other body benefits as well. Let's take a look.
Castor Oil
This oil is a thick, golden colored oil obtained from the seeds of the castor plant. It had been used thousands of years ago by Egyptians as a way to fight skin infections and cultivate healthy hair. Castor oil is known for its antimicrobial properties, and therefore used for athlete's foot and yeast infections. In India (and in my house growing up!), it was also used as a laxative. For your hair, castor oil has been shown to correct dryness and brittleness, and repair it by providing the necessary nutrients and vitamins to the scalp. Jamaican Black Castor Oil has been heralded by many women suffering from hair loss and thinning. The black castor oil is obtained by roasting the castor bean, which makes it darker and gives a stronger smell. It apparently works by stimulating the production of keratin, and producing shiny hair after a few months of use. Massage into scalp and wash out after 15-30 minutes. It's very thick, so remember you don't need a lot! See more here.
Coconut Oil
Coconut oil is a very popular oil, used both internally and externally. It is one of my favorite oils to use on my skin and hair, and also to cook with. There are 2 types available: refined and virgin. The refined oil is processed under less than hygienic conditions, so it must be bleached and deodorized to remove the impurities and because of this, it appears colorless and odorless. Virgin coconut oil is produced by extracting the oil from the coconut "meat" manually, resulting in a pure form of coconut oil. It retains its brown-yellowish color and scent. It is made up of 90% saturated fatty acids, most of which are lauric acid, which is regarded as healthy. I use the Spectrum organic virgin brand, or the Whole Foods 365 unrefined brand. It is solid at room temperature, so it must be warmed or rubbed in your palms for easier application to hair and skin.
When used in your hair, it provides proteins and other nutrients to increase strength and growth. It also has an antifungal effect when applied to the scalp, creating a healthy environment. Dandruff, sebhorroehic dermatitis, and other flaky scalp issues can be managed with the application of coconut oil.
For the skin, it provides great moisturization and softening due to its high mineral content. Antioxidants present also help with signs of aging of the skin, such as fine lines and sagging.
Cooking with unrefined coconut oil lends a sweet, nutty flavor to foods. It can withstand high heat temps due to its saturated fat content. Since this saturated fat is in the form of lauric acid, it is thought to raise the "good" cholesterol blood levels (HDL's), therefore being heart friendly. Moreover, research has also shown that the medium chain fatty acids found in coconut oil contributes to weight loss by being quickly broken down by the liver to provide energy and increasing your metabolism.
Avocado Oil
Most women at some point or other have mashed an avocado and massaged into their hair as a conditioner. Or bought a conditioner with avocado oil in it. Why? Because avocado is a great moisturizer! If you have brittle or damaged hair from coloring, extensive heat use, or other chemicals, the nourishing amino acids and vitamins A, B6, D, and E can help restore health to your tresses. Vitamin E is an antioxidant that can protect your hair from free radicals, and as a humectant will help lock in moisture. The fatty acids will lend shine and softness. For a good hot oil treatment, mix 2 tablespoons of avocado oil with 2 tablespoons of extra virgin olive oil (increase or decrease amount depending on your hair length), heat in saucepan to a comfortable temperature and massage into clean scalp and hair. Apply a plastic cap and sit under hooded dryer or simply wrap with a warm towel for 15-20 minutes. Wash out as normal and enjoy softer, healthier hair!
As for eating, you can cook with avocado oil (at high temps up to 520!), or use in salad dressings and other dishes. It is high in monounsaturated fats, which again is heart healthy because it can improve your cholesterol counts.
Sweet Almond Oil
There are 2 types of almond oil: sweet and bitter. The bitter type is extracted from the bitter almond plant and should not be used internally or topically. Sweet almond oil is extracted from sweet almond seeds and has a ton of health and beauty benefits. Its composition has been found to be closest to the oil found in a baby's skin. I routinely use sweet almond oil on my face after cleansing at night. It's a very light oil that absorbs easily, so there's no heavy, greasy feel on my face. It's good for helping with dark circles under eyes, improving complexion and glow (thanks to its zinc content), and locking in moisture. If you have eczema, dry skin, psoriasis, or other skin inflammation, I recommend trying this oil because of its high source of vitamins A, B, & E. It is also known to help with hair breakage, excessive hair fall, and split ends. It can also be used in place of store bought leave-in conditioners to bring shine to your hair. Use with an old mascara wand and apply to lashes just as you would mascara to see longer lashes! Massage some of the warmed oil to a sore area or joint for pain relief. See a few more internal benefits here.
Marula Oil
Marula oil is hand harvested from the marula fruit found in South Africa and Madagascar. The oil is extracted from the nut inside the fruit by the local women. It is pale, golden brown color and light textured with a sweet fragrance. It boasts high levels of antioxidants (vitamins C & E, flavonoids) and amino acids that help with fighting the aging effects of the environment. Omega 6 and 9 essential fatty acids provide increased skin elasticity and hydration. Antimicrobial properties make it a good fit for those with acne blemishes and scarring. Marula oil is also said to be ideal for stretch marks, sun damaged, and dry & irritated skin. Find out more.
These statements have not been evaluated by the United States Food & Drug Administration, and are not intended to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent disease. If you are pregnant or nursing, or have any allergies to nuts, please consult your physician before trying any of these recommendations!
Some other great oils for you to research are argan, grapeseed, and black currant. What's your favorite health and beauty oil?
I'm willing to bet that you ate something with sugar today. Even if it was an apple, it contained natural sugars (fructose). The fact is, our bodies need sugar to function. It breaks down the foods we eat into glucose for energy.
The problem arises when we consume unhealthy, refined sugars (sucrose, high fructose corn syrup, refined fructose). This leads to a whole list of problems such as a weakened immune system, obesity, diabetes, and allergies among other health issues. Sugar feeds bacteria, yeast, fungus, and parasites. It depletes the body of needed minerals and affects our brain function (brain fog, anyone?). In this excerpt from the book Sugar Blues by William Dufty, Dr. William Coda Martin classified sugar as a poison since when ingested, it causes or may cause disease.
While the healthiest foods are whole foods, you can still opt for alternatives to refined sugar in your diet. Note that even some of them on this list may not be a good fit for you if you already have certain food allergies or sensitivities, or yeast overgrowth. Do your research, check with your health advisor, and then use in moderation if applicable. I didn't include the very popular agave nectar in this list because of the light shed on the amount of fructose it contains-higher than high fructose corn syrup! It's lower on the glycemic index, and extracted from the blue agave plant causing its widely promoted healthy status. Check out this article by Dr. Andrew Weil. Again, do your own investigating and make informed decisions!
Stevia Extract
Stevia comes from the leaf of the stevia plant native to South America, and is not actually a sugar. It is 200-300 times sweeter than sugar. It has an aftertaste similar to licorice, and some find it bitter. It has a glycemic index of less than 1, so it doesn't adversely affect your blood sugar level. It also doesn't feed yeast. Be sure to buy pure stevia extract, and not some of the artificial stuff like Truvia or Stevia in the Raw. Instead, try SweetLeaf or Now brands, which contain pure stevia extract.
Blackstrap Molasses
Ironically, molasses is the by product from processing sugar cane or beet into table sugar, so you have all the nutrition left behind. Blackstrap molasses is obtained from the 3rd boiling. Be sure to use an organic, unsulphured brand. Molasses provides iron, calcium, copper, magnesium, phosphorus, potassium and zinc, and is alkalizing to the body. It is dark and thick, and has a very distinctive flavor you may have to get used to, but before processed white sugar came along, it was commonly used as a sweetener. If used in baking instead of white or brown sugar, you'll need to make the correct adjustment to account for the liquid.
Coconut Sugar
Coconut (or coconut palm sugar) was originally made from the sugary sap of the Palmyra palm. It’s also made from the sap of coconut palms. The sap is placed under heat until the liquid has evaporated. Reportedly, it retains iron, zinc, calcium and potassium during this process, but it also is high in calories. Use it sparingly. It has a relatively low glycemic index, because of the level of the fiber inulin. Note that some coconut palm sugar is mixed with cane sugar...please avoid those!
Raw Honey
Raw honey is honey that has not been heated, pasteurized or processed. Pasteurized, liquid honey is easily found on grocery store shelves. You would have to obtain raw honey from a local source. Raw honey is alkaline-forming and contains natural vitamins (vitamin C and most of the B vitamins), enzymes, powerful antioxidants and other nutrients. These nutrients would be destroyed during the heating and pasteurization process. Raw honey has anti-viral, anti-bacterial, and anti-fungal properties. Be aware of its high sugar content if this would pose a problem for you.
The bottom line is to avoid as much added sugar in your diet as you can for your optimal health. I continually preach to be aware and informed of what you put into your body. I know there's a lot of information out there and new research coming out seemingly everyday, but make it your priority to stay on top of your nutrition and health. I'll do my best to help you with that!
Happy New Year, my lovelies! We had an amazing Christmas and New Year, and hope you did also. I've got a feeling that 2014 is going to whip by even faster than 2013 did. I'll try my best to be prepared and make use of every single moment that I'm blessed with. I'm amped!
If you saw my latest YouTube vid, I talked a bit about my holistic health coaching business. I launched Get This Glow! Health & Wellness and I couldn't be more in love with what I'm doing. Living a happy and healthy life is everything to me. There is nothing like seeing a positive change in a client's physical, emotional, and spiritual state. Yet, so many people choose to live in an unhealthy way. Why? Because...
It's Easier
Let's face it. Change is hard. Yet so is being depressed, overweight, anxious, and resentful! At some point, we have to use our adult decision making capabilities and get out of the unhealthy rut. I found an article about the following study on about.com:
A study performed in 2005 by an epidemiologist at Michigan State University found that most Americans don't do everything they can to lead healthy lifestyles. The study published in journal Archives of Internal Medicine, looked at four basic characteristics that are part of a healthy lifestyle:
Being a non-smoker.
Exercising 30 minutes or more five days per week.
Eating five or more servings of fruits and vegetables every day.
The lead researcher was quite surprised with his findings: of 153,000 adults, only three percent followed all four steps for a healthy lifestyle.
Come on, America! Thankfully, we can change these findings by incorporating small edits to our routine daily. Drink more water. Go for a walk. Add one more fruit or veggie to your meals each day. Socialize, or get together with friends or family to help elevate your mood! Try cutting out fast food, processed foods, and excess sugar for 30 days and see how much better you feel.
Szechuan tofu w/broccoli and rice noodles. Cook it at home so you control the ingredients. Healthier and more delicious than any fast food meal out there!
I Can't Afford It
Yes you can! If you're spending $5-7 per day on lunch at a not-so-healthy restaurant, you've got up to $35 per week that you could be spending on healthier choices. Buy fruits and veggies that are in season so that they are less expensive. Check out your local farmer's market. You support your local economy and get fresher produce in the process. Or, start your own garden. You just need a small area in your backyard, or a medium sized planter to get started. Nothing beats eating food that you grew yourself!
Cut out soda and sugary drinks. Install a simple water filter on your kitchen faucet to save on bottled water and plastic waste, or invest like we do in a water dispenser unit. We refill our 5 gallon jugs at our local grocery store for $1.86 each. You read that right.
Cook more of your meals at home and take leftovers to work with you. If cooking is not your thing, then take a fun cooking class or invest in yourself by purchasing (or borrowing from the library) a few simple cookbooks. Start a healthy potluck day at work and swap recipes. Make sure you use brown rice and other good grains such as quinoa and wild rice, as well as pasta, potatoes, beans, and lentils in your cooking rotation. Not only are they good for you, but reasonably priced as well.
See? You can afford to eat healthy...and enjoy it!
source:yummly.com recipe: Martha Stewart
For the quick and easy roast veggie and arugula with pasta recipe shown above, go here.
I hope this post shed some insight on any blocks someone might have had to kick starting a healthy lifestyle. I feel a part two of this post coming on possibly in my near future =) In the meantime, check out my new site Get This Glow! Health & Wellness and tell me what you think!
Be well, lovelies.
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