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Posts by tessbrennan

I've felt the pain, the frustration and the depression. I've fought the feelings of hopelessness and despair and have come out on the other side. Now, I help others do the same. Through diet and lifestyle choices I have improved my health, increased my energy levels, and eliminated the need for prescription meds. I've been over 200 pounds. I've lost over 60 and maintained it for over 8 years. I've also lost 6 prescription meds, depression, asthma, and frequent colds & bronchitis. Today, I help others to regain better health and exciting quality of life. I coach those interested in committing to a lifestyle of fabulous food, fun times, and healthier choices. I teach classes, group coaching sessions, one-on-one, and via teleconference. Contact me for additional information.

Could your Gut be making you fat or sick?

Do I think your “gut” could be making you fat and sick?  Fat –Possibly? Sick – Very Possibly.

Obese couple

 

Our bodies are miraculous functioning gifts.  They are complex machines that need many things in balance to keep functioning properly. Our bodies were created by God (Genesis 1:27).  They were created to function as a whole entity, complete and perfect.  Our bodies were created with mechanisms to keep us warm, cool us off, fight off disease, heal from injuries, and in the case of our skin and bones, regenerate when broken.

The problem: Our digestive system is under attack from many different directions!

Our “gut” or digestive system is very, VERY important.  We get all of our nutrition (fuel) through the digestive system but it isn’t just a transport system, it also includes our immune system, and everything else.

Today, everything we see advertised on the television is meant to KILL germs and bacteria. The soap most use has the antibacterial component Triclosan along with many of the items we buy.

When we get sick, they give us anti-biotics to kill all the bacteria in our body. Unfortunately it kills the bad AND the good bacteria in our bodies.

The foods many choose to consume on a large scale, feed the bad bacteria which then can overtake the good bacteria and begin to cause havoc on our system as well. (2)

In the news today, they mentioned the fact that the microbiota in your system could even contribute to obesity.  (The key here is contribute – there are many facets to consider when looking at obesity.)  (1)

A solution: Add a quality probiotic to your daily routine/diet.  Remember that your stomach acids can kill 85-95% of the good bacteria moving through, so eat your probiotics with a good sized meal, (like dinner) to improve its chances of making it safely through OR choose a probiotic supplement from a trusted source.

ALSO, avoid excessive sugar intake. This includes refined flours, sugars, sugar substitutes, and highly processed foods and juices. 

Eat a balanced diet INCLUDING LOTS of Fruits and Vegetables. A recent study showed that those who ate a diet HIGH in Meat & Dairy caused the microflora in the digestive tract to change rapidly, and not necessarily for the good! (2)

Veggies - LifeInBonitaSprings

You always want to be sure that the supplements you choose are from a company that guarantees their product, that what it says it contains is REALLY what is in there and that nothing unwanted will be in the supplement as well!

There is a LOT of research going on right now involving the gut and the microbiome in our bodies. The hope is to understand more and to be able to help more people stay healthier to start with. (3)

For more information in regard to digestion and how it can affect our health here are some links.  An audio recording of Digestion Is the Key to Health by Dr. Frank Painter (43 minutes long)  and a video presentation entitled Protecting The Most Important Organ in Your Body. (40 minutes long)

For more information on healthy eating, healthy weight loss, and improving your health, contact me!

(1) http://www.cbsnews.com/videos/predicting-2014s-top-medical-innovations/ (beginning at 1:55)

(2) http://www.npr.org/blogs/thesalt/2013/12/10/250007042/chowing-down-on-meat-and-dairy-alters-gut-bacteria-a-lot-and-quickly

(3) http://hereandnow.wbur.org/2013/03/12/microbiome-health-blaser

Photo of vegetables courtesy of Chris Griffith, LifeinBonitaSprings.com.

Happy New Year from the Healthy Grease Monkey

Happy New Year! 

Like most others, I have been focusing on the new year, my goals and plans for the year, and strategies for making it all work together.

I was drawn to scripture, this morning, regarding new beginnings.  I began to think about how everything in the United States seems to focus on the New Year as sort of a baptism into better choices.

Many of you know that I look upon 1 Cor 3:16-17 as my inspiration for life, food, and activity choices.

While many people I know are waking up this morning wishing the sun wasn’t so bright, the dogs didn’t bark quite so loud, and wondering where the bottle of asprin is, I woke up refreshed, ready to greet the new year and make a difference, due to the choices I made.

This morning, I thought how fitting Romans 6:1-6 is to the whole “theory” of New Year’s in our country.

Romans 6:1-6

6 1-3 So what do we do? Keep on sinning so God can keep on forgiving? I should hope not! If we’ve left the country where sin is sovereign, how can we still live in our old house there? Or didn’t you realize we packed up and left there for good? That is what happened in baptism. When we went under the water, we left the old country of sin behind; when we came up out of the water, we entered into the new country of grace—a new life in a new land!

3-5 That’s what baptism into the life of Jesus means. When we are lowered into the water, it is like the burial of Jesus; when we are raised up out of the water, it is like the resurrection of Jesus. Each of us is raised into a light-filled world by our Father so that we can see where we’re going in our new grace-sovereign country.

I’ve been baptized twice in my life.  The first time was when I was 13 or 14. My friends and cousin were all doing it and I didn’t want to be left out.  I took the classes, understood what it all meant, but didn’t really accept Him into my heart.  Didn’t make choices to support Him.

In 2006, while teaching kids at Church Camp, I came to the realization that I DO ACCEPT Jesus as my Lord and Savior.  I DO want to be HIS hands and feet. My father baptized me in the lake at the camp, and I accepted Him as I should, because I wanted Him in my heart, rather than doing because everyone else was.

Five years ago, I also realized my desire to listen to His calling for me and to reach out and help others who also are ready to listen to his call.

Many of my goals for 2014 involve reaching more people and assisting them in learning to care for their Temple.  Just as I knew all about the process of baptism and what was involved, I wasn’t ready to accept it and follow His path until a later realization. 

Many of clients feel the same way about their failing health. They KNOW, or they think they know, what needs to be done to improve their health, yet when they have tried to “implement” the steps in the past, they found they weren’t ready or something caused them to stumble.

Today, we work together, to get over and past the road blocks, to understand our thought processes, the correct steps for each person, the love for yourself and Him, and it all begins to fall into place.

Thank you, to all my current and past clients!

To those of you ready to begin your own journey to a Temple with a stronger foundation that allows you the opportunity and even desire to be His hands and feet, I am here, ready to serve, guide, coach, and celebrate your successes with you!

HAPPY NEW YEAR – Make the choice, Make the change, Be the difference!

New Year's Eve 2013

~Tess

For more information on Estero Weight Loss, Bonita Springs Weight Loss, Fort Myers Weight Loss, or Simple steps to improve  your health and quality of life, contact me here!

Do you take a Prescription? a supplement? or 10? Is that Weird?

Many people ask me why I take so many different supplements.  I wanted to answer that question as well as why I no longer take any prescriptions. My Rx for health is different these days.

Years ago, I took SIX prescriptions a day which accounted for 11 dosage pills a day AND an inhalation 2-3 times a day to control asthma.

Prescription_bottles

I thought nothing of the fact that I was taking this many meds until I stopped to think about the fact that ONE of those prescriptions was to counteract the side effects of the others. Overall, I was miserable with no energy and I kept gaining weight.

These “helper” drugs had horrible side effects, in fact, I had to have blood tests regularly to monitor my liver functions because one of them could kill my liver.  None of them were “curing” any of my issues, they just covered them up and caused me to need more meds.  I was on track to be like my grandparents with cabinets full of prescription meds.

TODAY, I take many supplements a day, to fill in for what I miss in my diet and have found can help me with my specific issues.  I know that my system has holes and issues that can cause symptoms to pop up and as long as I keep those holes filled my body will function properly.

I begin with a solid foundation, a “Rx for Life” type attitude.

 

Explanation of the Rx for Life program and how it works.

 

  • I begin my day with a protein smoothee that allows my energy levels to be maintained throughout the day by providing my body a jump start for the day. 
  • I take a Vitalizer strip that provides the basic nutrition needed daily, right to the place where it is needed so my body can absorb it and use it as it is needed through the day.
  • A Nutriferon to keep my immune system healthy and strong.
  • Vivix assists in my body’s work to keep me young at heart and at the cellular level.

I also take a few other supplements & made a couple other changes to target issues I know my body deals with on occasion.

SUPPLEMENTS

NOT A SUPPLEMENT – I switched to the Get Clean line of household cleaners. Eliminating all the toxins, especially phthalates, made a huge impact on my asthma.  I haven’t needed an inhalant in years.

Get_Clean_comparison

How_to_get_good_supplements_-_Dr._Chaney

I choose this particular brand of supplement, because they have NEVER had a negative market incident (recall) and I know the testing involved for quality control.  I AM PICKY, and I use specific criteria to choose what supplements and other products my family use.

Have a GREAT day!

 

Why I Feel Like I’m getting old (actually sedentary?)

I’m 43. I’m proud of it, I feel better now than I ever did in my 30’s and I am loving life.  I’ve earned all 43 years.

HealthyGreaseMonkey19HealthyGreaseMonkey43

This year, I’ve begun having more aches and pains… knee pain, hip pain (as discussed in my last blog) and this morning shoulder and neck pain.

However, I KNOW it is NOT because I am “old.”  When I look at and analyze what has been going on for the last month and a half, (or not going on) it is easy to see why I hurt.

Poor diet choices.  While we were traveling for 11 days, in. the. car…  We ate mostly good food, but it wasn’t the normal attention to all the healthy good foods.

Sitting on my butt, for hours and hours and 3,000 miles, was not conducive to keeping my muscles in shape.  We were so busy running from hospital to care center to homes, to different cities that when we did stop it was to eat, spend a bit of time with family, and sleep.

Playing games on my phone, for hours while my hubby did the driving was NOT conducive to proper posture, body angle, and lends itself to muscle fatigue and aches and pains. Think about it… both thumbs on the phone for optimum game playing, texting, and Facebooking is HORRIBLE posture.

So many of us lead such busy lives. Children, spouses, church, work, etc.   We are SO busy we are getting sedentary. We drive everywhere, sit through recitals and children’s sports, work at a desk all day, when we do find time, we just want to sit and be still.

So, why do MY neck and shoulders hurt?

I work at a desk every day.  I sit at a desk with my mouse up at the wrong angle and my keyboard at less than optimal height, this leads to back, neck and shoulder issues.

I have allowed my recent habit to be “very busy” other than taking the time to stretch, exercise, and move.  My muscles have begun atrophying, much like my father-in-law’s had after a long bout with Sepsis, where he was flat in bed for weeks.

If we DON’T take the time to MOVE, to be ACTIVE, to be as God made us to be, our body cannot take it.  Perhaps this is why the statistic about those who “truly retire” typically die within 5 years.

Genesis 2:15

The Lord God took the man and put him in the Garden of Eden to work it and take care of it.

I know, that when I begin to ache or my muscles start to hurt… it’s NOT because I am “old”… it is because of my choices and my NOT moving and working. 

We were put on this earth to move, when we stop moving our bodies begin to die. Sad smile

My solutions to my pain:

  1. I begin stretching and moving more. 

    I begin with range of motion stretches for my neck. My friend, Zoltan, put these together for those of us on the 3-day, but I use them for all kinds of things.

    Neck&Shoulder_Stretches

  2. I go to see my Chiropractor, Dr. Green.  I know that I’ve been sitting in a poor position for days, and that lends to my back not being in optimum alignment, so a trip to the good doc is in order.
  3. I schedule a massage with my LMT Heather Lloyd with Serenity Healing Studio.  I know it will most likely hurt a bit as she works on me, but I also know when she is finished, I will feel amazing!
  4. I eat “clean” for several days.  A few days with no junk, lots of water, fruit, and veggies can help my body eliminate the nasties that have built up and help my body to heal itself.
  5. I will set an alarm, if I have to, so that I can stretch and move about every 30-40 minutes at work. Sitting for hours at the same posture is not good so I make the effort to move around.

Hope this helps.  Don’t LET your body get old!  For more information on healthy choices, please feel free to contact me!

Keep on keepin’ on!

~ Zig Ziglar

MY COUCH IS SATAN!

So, I’ve done one training walk since Tampa… The couch Is not my friend… I stepped on the scale last night and I am up 7 pounds (not that that is the end all be all, but I’ve done nothing…)…and this morning was the Jingle Jog…not my typical cushy 5k… This was a true cross country race, and my first ever.

20131207_080104

I am happy with my 39.45 finish in that it was under 40 minutes, but disappointed that I was so out of shape. At the end I was able to push through and finish strong. Even heard my dad yelling “kick it” at the end. 😉 I am excited that I did so well…

20131207_093913

Earlier this week I developed excruciating pain in my left hip. As I evaluated why I was hurting I discovered I was wearing horrible shoes and my hubby was kind enough to point out I’ve been spending WAY too much time on the couch. 😦

Picture0052

So, Wednesday I started “moving”and wearing good tennies.  I was really nervous about today’s event and the pain in that hip.

Then I started running. Other than being horribly winded and a lovely shade of crimson at the finish line I felt great! The hip pain is gone.

Thank you Bonita Banner

Thank you Bonita Banner

Dr. Green of Chiropractic Care & Rehab frequently talks about movement for healing, today is a testament to this concept. Long ago I would have babied that hip and wondered why it kept getting worse… Today, I know that if I begin moving and working those muscles with care they will loosen up and work better.

I am not advocating that you go out and over do it when you hurt, especially if you have done something to injure yourself. I AM saying if you’ve not done anything too injure yourself and you start hurting in a joint area… Get moving….

Remember… THE COUCH IS SATAN!

How does Santa do it all? (I Know)

There are only 22 days until Christmas; Santa is getting really busy. The hours are getting longer, the time before the holiday is getting shorter, and there’s more and more to do and more stress is on Santa. Santa knows that eating right can help him deal with all the stress and make it through the Christmas Season… Then he’ll head to the beaches of SW Florida for a much needed vacation!

Busy_Santa

The extra jobs that Santa picked up, to make it through the economic downturn, was taking its toll on Santa, then he discovered healthier choices and now he knows he’s going to make it through the season with “flying colors.”

Santa's_other_jobs

Santa knows that besides eating healthy and taking a daily supplement that there are some things he can do to help boost his energy levels during this holiday season. So, the Santa has turned to a well-known company that he trusts to provide himself with additional energy and stamina to make it through this holiday season. (Because Santa knows who’s been naughty or nice.)

Santas secret

(Here’s a little presentation about increase energy through nutritional choices. – 30 minute presentation)

Santa’s daily routine, throughout the year includes:

“When so many children count on you and rely on you to be there on time for Christmas it’s important to be on top of your game.” ~Santa Clause

So here we have some of the things Santa has added to his daily regimen as he’s attempting to stay alert and on top of things and make sure things are done right so that all the children of the world will be taken care of on Christmas night.

Santa’s special additions for Thanksgiving through Christmas (the busy season).

Should you need any information on these wonderful products that Santa is finding so useful, feel free to contact me or just check the links. Merry Christmas! 

Give yourself the gift of better health, just as Santa has!

Father_Christmas

All images, that are not my own, have been linked back to their source posting.  I love searching the internet for fun content… Hope you enjoy these pages as well as my post!

~Tess

Beach_Santa

Okay, maybe it isn’t Ft. Myers beach… But it IS Santa on a beach. ‘Winking smile

8 Tips to Keep the Turkey off your Hips!

Thanksgiving is a week away.  Many will spend hours in the car traveling to or between family gatherings, only to arrive at their destination and have mounds of food placed in front of them.

What is one to do? Working diligently to maintain healthy choices, avoid junk foods, and keep moving on a regular basis could be all for not after this one day??? NOT!  RELAX…

Our health and well being is the culmination of what we do on a daily, weekly, monthly, and annual basis.  Its really about the choices we make every day, so each day we make good choices, contributes to better health.  This is 1 day, (or maybe a week depending on how much you actually cook) and not the whole year.

So, with that, and all the Holiday parties to follow in the next month and a half… Here are some tips to keep that turkey off your hips!

  • If you are on vacation, this is the perfect time to practice that routine you would like to institute when you go back.  Take the time to walk or do a few squats between commercials.
  • Eat a healthy snack before you go, so you aren’t ravished and ready to eat a whole cow (or garden for our vegetarian friends) when you arrive.
  • Drink a BIG glass of water 20 minutes before you eat. (or 10 minutes or 5 minutes or right before you eat… just drink it!)
  • TAKE. YOUR. TIME. eating.  Allow your body to register what is in the belly and to tell you when it is full.
  • Remember the difference between “I don’t” (preferred) vs. “I can’t.” (to be avoided at all costs)  The difference between these two phrases can be success or failure!
  • Moderation is key – you can have a sliver of pie, just not the WHOLE pie.  Smile Pick a small piece of the desert that “completes” the meal for you.
  • Don’t forget the veggies.  At least half of your plate should be veggies. (NOT just green bean casserole – fresh veggies, whole veggies, even plain veggies)
  • Opt for whole foods you recognize as the source and just try a taste of things you know are refined, if you must.
  • BONUS: At half-time take everyone outside to play a game of pick-up football, a family 5K, or just wrestle with the young-ins… movement is what it is about!

Tis the season to remember all the things we are thankful for.  (I like to do this on a daily basis, but its nice to have a reminder day for it…)

Here are a few photos of our past Holiday gatherings. Smile

IMG-20111124-00413IMG-20111124-00415IMG-20111124-00417IMG-20111123-00406IMG-20111123-00408Bonita Springs-20111124-00427

First 3 photos are of the 5,000 meals campaign at Lamb of God church.  We delivered meals for the church to people out in the Buckingham area who needed meals to help celebrate the holiday.  Then my daughter and I work on a holiday treat for our friends who hosted us for Thanksgiving, the Ballo’s.  

 

Spicy Vegetarian Chili–Tricked my hubby

So, I was asked to make a veggie chili for the teachers’ appreciation luncheon.  I decided to embark on the adventure, so I looked up many recipes, then compiled my own with my own style.

Veggie Chili-HealthyGreaseMonkey

This recipe made a really thick, hearty chili that was a tad on the spicy side and delicious!

  • 1.5 cups dried black beans
  • 1 cup dried red beans
  • 1 cup dried pinto beans
  • 1 cup dried garbanzo beans
  • 28 oz can Italian peeled tomatoes (chopped)
  • 28 oz can Rotelle original tomato/chili pepper
  • 1 red onion chopped
  • 1 zucchini chopped or shredded
  • 1 yellow squash chopped or shredded
  • 1/4 cup chili powder
  • 1 tsp of Cumin
  • 1 bell pepper chopped
  • 1 box of baby bella mushrooms sliced
  • 1 cup of chopped cilantro
  • Dusting of Cayanne (may not even be needed)
  • 2 1/2 cups of water + 6-8 cups
  • 1 1/2 tsp of baking soda

In a LARGE bowl pour all the beans, the baking soda & 6-8 cups of water and let beans soak for 4 hours plus.  (Ideally, I will let them soak over night.)

After soaking, pour into a colander and rinse beans thoroughly.

Pour beans into crock pot and add everything else to crock pot and stir.

Let cook on low for 8-10 hours.  Garbanzo beans will still be a bit crunchy, but that is your “meat texture”.   My hubby never realized that it was a meatless chili!

Veggie Chili

WOO HOO – SCORE ONE FOR MOMMY AND MEATLESS MONDAYS!!!

 

Help the Philippine’s–Use Leverage to give more! Don’t get Taken

The tragic news of this Typhoon just keeps getting worse.  I want to reach out to all those people and hug them and tell them it will be okay and do something to help make it all okay!

When I look at helping a cause, I am very skeptical because I don’t want to give $100 to a cause, only to find out that $50 of it is going to something other than helping that person.  I am very picky about where I spend my philanthropic dollars. I strongly dislike donation scams!

I get REALLY ticked off when I find out that millions of people are “texting $10” to a cause, only to find out up to 50% of that donation can go to the carrier service – meaning you only gave half as much.

In some cases, up to 50% of a donation would go to the mobile service provider ~Wickipedia

Many of you know I support Susan G. Komen. I have seen their help first hand. This group assisted my mother in getting the services and treatments needed 12 years ago, so she is still here today to see and play with her grandbaby!

Becky & CLBMom&Dad

I also support Rotary International Foundation.  100% of the Money given to this organization GOES. TO. CHARITY.  ALL OF IT.  The foundation runs itself through interest and all the money comes back to help others.  I have proposed that my Rotary club, Rotary of Bonita Springs Noon, sponsor some Shelter Boxes to goto the people of the Philippine’s. We will be holding a HUGE fund raiser this weekend. The monies raised will go for all kinds of local philanthropies, food pantries, and some of it will go to send temporary housing and supplies to those effected by this tragedy. 

TOBLOGO2

Finally, I am so excited.  The company that I partner with and trust with my family and friends has a non-profit as well!  Shaklee Cares.

For the next 3 days every donation or purchase of a Shaklee Cares Package for the Philippine’s will be MATCHED DOLLAR FOR DOLLAR.  200% of what you give will go DIRECTLY to those in need!

This really excites me!  You can visit the website: http://shakleecares.org/  or you can contact me and order a nutrition package for someone in the Philippines!

Shaklee Cares Phillipines

Give back, but give smart!  Make the dollars helping others, stretch!

Try this NOT that… Why I am so picky

I am a health and wellness coach. I am a Certified, Master Life Coach.  I use many tools to assist others in reaching their healthy goals and attain improved quality of life.

The tools I use are many:

As a coach, I am frequently approached by others representing direct sales companies.  I am always excited to hear about others success in this industry as it provides them a means to make the income they need, make their own hours, and a way to save money on their products as well.  Besides, I offer products from a Direct Sales Company as well.

My problem shows its ugly head when I begin to read the labels on these products. when I see the ingredients used and sold to my friends and clients, from others, knowing the damage these products can do either in the short run or the long run.  I have protein mixes that we use on a daily basis, however, others try to sway me. Protein smoothie

1.  One “healthy shake” company touts weight loss and healthy options for meal replacements, yet when I read the label is FULL of artificial colors, flavors, and sweeteners. (All things I recommend my clients avoid.) When I asked my friend about this, her reply was,

Yes, they do contain those artificial ingredients, but it’s okay because they “WANT” to use the natural stuff”   Sad smile

2.  Another “shake” company claims that their shakes are meant to get you ready for the beach, however, it used to state, RIGHT ON THEIR LABEL, that you could test positive for drugs or doping if you used it.  Here is the actual verbage: 

 "Ecdysterone is a naturally occurring photo-chemical compound that could be erroneously detected and flagged in synthetic steroid screening tests. That unfortunate reality caused the NFL and WADA to add ecdysterone to the list of banned substances in 2010. Athletes and anyone subject to banned substances testing should consult with their physician and athletic organization."

Also: this report: the state of CA has warned XXX BRAND that the Chocolate Shake has unacceptable levels of Lead.”

I prefer to use products from a company that thoroughly tests it’s products and ALL of its ingredients to prevent anything like this from happening, rather than using it anyway and just slapping a warning on the product.  If it could be harmful, or illegal THEY WON’T USE IT!

3.  New to the scene is a new skin care product that claims to show drastic changes in wrinkles and aging.  I have a line of skin care that I use and trust to be safe for myself as well as if my child ever got into it.  Upon researching this “new product” I found startling information about it’s main ingredient.

Although used in many different landscape situations, all parts of the oleander plant contain the glycoside oleandrin, which makes the plant one of the most poisonous in the world. All parts of the plant are toxic. It should not be used where children play or in places where it may be ingested by pets.

Symptoms of oleander poisoning may include nausea, vomiting and severe abdominal pain. There may also be an increased heart rate, or the heart may even slow down. In some cases, victims may report a yellow halo effect in their vision. Severe poisoning can lead to cardiac arrest, and individuals should seek immediate emergency care if ingestion occurs ~Wise Geek

Of course we don’t ingest this, but 90 seconds after we rub something on our skin, it enters our blood stream.  Also, little ones tend to eat anything they get their hands on or at least play in it and roll around in it…  (and… everything goes in the mouths of our tiny ones)

DSC08960

4,  I have a friend who offers food products and “answers” for those in a hurry to make meals, but when I read the labels and ingredients, I determined it wasn’t for us.

It’s not that I don’t want to support my friends in their endeavors, its just that I am VERY picky about what I feed and surround my family with/in.  I want the products I spend my dollars on to support our health and not cause additional stresses on our bodies.  I want the same for my clients.

So, my answer isn’t that you cannot use these other products, my answer is, you need to determine for yourself and your family what you will accept and use and what artificial products are okay.  In our household, nothing artificial is okay. (Unless it’s my hubby’s Mt. Dew – I have no say in that issue.)  Smile

If you would like more information on products that always work, are always green, and that are ALWAYS SAFE. Contact me, I’m happy to talk with you!