Sexy, Fit and Fabulous for 2014

How many times have you said to yourself, “I have to lose weight”, “I have to go to the gym more often”, “I have to eat healthier”, I want to look sexy, fit and fabulous.

We tend to do the same resolutions every year, but nothing happens because we are simply not ready. We know that at some point we will have to decide what we really want. We want to look sexy, fit and fabulous!

What we think, believe and do is a reflection of our internal balance and harmony with ourselves. When we become conscious of that it becomes easier to make proper food choices.

The approach to healthy eating is a slow transition.

1.            LOVE YOURSELF

Find a quiet, peaceful moment in your busy schedule. Create a personal space using candles, incense, flowers and stones in your favourite room. 

Think about all the good things that happened to you lately – especially when you feel down or caught in negative feelings. Be grateful for everything you have: health, people that you love and that love you, your parents, your spouse, friends etc. Write down your affirmations. Visualize what you would like to create in your life and sense it as if it is happening right now (health, sexy, fit and fabulous slender body, happiness, harmony), and practice love, peace and compassion.

2.            LOVE YOUR FOOD

Listen to your Body. How do you feel emotionally, physically and spiritually after ingesting certain foods?  What are your cravings? Incorporate one food at a time and experiment with it. Prepare your food with love, as it will aid in digestion. Create your own recipes in order to develop a relationship with food.

3.            LET IT GO

Our body needs natural food, rich in nutrients and enzymes without pesticides, herbicides, fungicides, and that has not been irradiated, packaged, processed and genetically modified. Eliminate them!  Remember what you put in your body is what you become. If you put junk in your body, your body becomes a junk yard, and if you put superfoods in your body you become healthy, happy,sexy, fit and fabulous in body, mind and spirit. A work of art! 

 

 4.            EAT SUPERFOODS

Superfoods will detoxify your body and nourish and rejuvenate the cells. These life-force foods include fruits, vegetables, and raw or sprouted seeds and nuts. Think about live, organic food taken from the garden and solar-powered with the sun’s energy. When we eat this food, this energy is transferred into our body and gives us energy, youthfulness, and well-being.

SEA VEGETABLES: Eat spirulina, dulse, wakame, arame, kombu, or chlorella on a daily basis. They are packed with trace minerals, and they remove toxic chemicals and metals from the body. Toss them on salads or use in soups.

VEGETABLES: Make your own salad with radicchio, green leafy lettuce, arugula, and dandelion. You can add beans or radishes and sprinkle on some ground flaxseeds, pumpkin seeds, or dulse.

WHOLE GRAINS: Eat fibre such as basmati brown rice, amaranth hemp seeds, kamut breads and Quinoa. They are important for digestive health and efficient bowel movements.

GOJI BERRIES: Packed with nutrients and fiber, eat this fruit at least ½ hour before your meal. Have a bowl of fruit in the morning. Mix apples, papayas, mangoes, pineapples, bananas, pears and sprinkle with Goji berries.

SEEDS AND NUTS: Eat almonds, sunflower seeds, pumpkin seeds, and brazil nuts. For better digestion soak seeds and nuts over night.

SMOOTHIES: Mix hemp or rice protein with almond milk in a blender.  Add some maca and/or bee pollen, as well as frozen bananas. It is so yummy and filling.

WATER: Drink water that has gone through reverse osmosis.  Make sure that you get at least two litres of water a day to help your body remove toxic waste, especially if you drink coffee and alcohol, which are diuretics and promote fluid loss.

GREEN TEA: Drink this instead of coffee. It is a potent antioxidant, contains flavonoids, helps regulate blood sugar, and is anti-inflammatory.

LEAN PROTEIN:  Fish, eggs, and chicken are very good for non-vegetarians.

 

5.            EXERCISE

There is no weight loss and fit body without exercise. Adding 30 to 45 minutes of gentle physical exercise such as walking, cycling, and dancing will promote cleansing of the blood by stimulating circulation and perspiration. It will increase strength and well-being, and reduce stress. Be around people that exercise regularly and eat healthy!

Treat your body, your temple, the house of your soul with care and respect. You want to make the best choices for your body; you want to eat the best food available on the planet and we want to be sexy, fit and fabulous.

HERB BROCCOLI SALAD

2 cups broccoli, chopped in florets

1 yellow red bell pepper, cubed

2 tbsp capers, sundried

1 lemon, freshly squeezed

2 tbsp olive oil

1 tsp garlic, minced

½ tsp marjoram, dry

½ tsp sage, dry

Celtic salt to taste

Sunflower seeds

 

Combine broccoli, red bell pepper, capers, lemon, olive oil, garlic, marjoram, sage and salt in a salad bowl

Marinate the mixture for ½ hour

Sprinkle with sunflower seeds

 

                           

  Holiday Food Cravings: When and How to Indulge

Simona Stepancic BSc, RHN, ROHP, Registered Holistic Nutritionist, Orthomolecular practitioner, Raw Food Coach

 

Holidays are the hardest time for to stick with sensible eating habits. You are invited to parties and celebrations where you get tempted with rich traditional treats, sweets and goodies. But you don’t need to worry as long as you mentally accept and understand the importance of healthy eating habits. It is ok to indulge during the holiday season, but don’t feel guilty afterwards. Feel every bite with joy and love and you will experience a well-being of body, mind and spirit. And that is what counts.
 

PLAN AHEAD:  This will give you confidence and security

• Drink warm water with freshly squeezed lemon first thing in the morning to alkalize your body.  Let this become your every day routine.
• Have some ginger tea before the party; it will help digest food better, and prevent bloating and flatulence.
• Take digestive enzymes with you just in case you mix different foods and make poor food choices.
• Eat some protein before you go to the party; you will not be so hungry, seeking unhealthy treats.
• Bring your own special munchies and treats if possible; at least you know that they are without preservatives, additives and ingredients that you are allergic to.

 

AT THE PARTY:  Enjoy yourself

• Enjoy holiday party foods, but be selective.
• Try not to mix a lot of different foods; your tummy will thank you.
• For every glass of wine drink two glasses of water…you will prevent dehydration and a hangover.

 

THE DAY AFTER:  Replenish and detoxify

• Probiotics are essential for intestinal health, especially if you suffer from stomach aches, cramps, and bloating. They will replenish good bacteria and facilitate elimination.
• Detox your body with fresh homemade juices made of dandelion, beets, apples and carrots. They are easy to digest, will detox your liver, and flush out alcohol. And if you think that your body requires more food, then try only easy digestible foods such as quinoa, brown rice etc.

Remember, you don’t go to the party to only eat, but to visit your family and friends.  It is a celebration of life and friendship, and a time of giving and joyful reunions.

ENJOY and HAPPY HOLIDAYS to you and your family.

BODY DETOX

with

Nutrient-rich foods: Seeds, Seaweeds and Blue-Green Algae

Simona Stepancic BSc, RHN, ROHP, Registered Holistic Nutritionist, Orthomolecular practitioner, Raw Food Coach

SEEDS:

 

Flaxseeds:

Flaxseeds are rich in omega-3 and omega-6 fatty acids. Flaxseed is a potent laxative, and is beneficial for intestinal tract and cardiovascular system.

 

Quinoa:

Quinoa (pronounced keen-wah) is an ancient grain-like seed. Quinoa has been cultivated in Andes, South America for more then 5.000 years.

Quinoa is high in insoluble fiber which helps prevent formation of gallstones, constipation, colon cancers, and heart disease. It also balances your blood sugar levels, which is very important during a detox when you may be eating less than your body is used to. Quinoa is a highly nutritious food packed with complete protein, iron, and high levels of potassium, B vitamins, magnesium, zinc, copper and manganese. Quinoa has a delicate taste and a nutty flavour when cooked. Have a bowl of quinoa every day.

 

 

SEAWEED:

 

Seaweeds are superfoods with remarkable health benefits. They are abundant in minerals and antioxidants such as beta-carotene, calcium, iron, magnesium, selenium, iodine and zinc.

Sea vegetables also contain alginic acid which binds in the intestines with heavy metals and then eliminates them through the stools.

 

WHEATGRASS:

 

Wheatgrass is a superfood with a good source of minerals, beta-carotene, B’s, vitamin C, E, calcium, magnesium, zinc, sulfur, chlorophyll, and amino acids.

Wheatgrass is anti-viral, anti-bacterial and a potent anti-oxidant. It detoxifies and alkalizes the blood, cleanses the gastrointestinal tract and liver, eliminates heavy metals and improves digestion.

 

SPIRULINA:

 

Spirulina is a green superfood rich in chlorophyll; it contains complete protein, minerals, carotenoids, all B-complex including high amount of B 12, and essential fatty acids. Spirulina is also a powerful antioxidant; it works on the lymphatic system, boosts the immune system and increases energy. Energize your mornings with a green spirulina drink.

 

Simona Stepancic BSc, RHN, ROHP, Registered Holistic Nutitionist, Raw Food Coach