Tag / Health support

by tessbrennan

Tomorrow is 2015 – What is in YOUR Fridge?

In May of last year a reporter came to my home to report “What’s in My Fridge.”  She wanted to know what she would find in a health coach’s refrigerator.  It was an excellent opportunity to evaluate if I was actually LIVING what I teach/coach/preach.

Today, as you are preparing for the NEW YEAR, think about what is in YOUR fridge?

Is your resolution, or goal, for 2015 to become healthier, to lose weight, to improve your health statistics?  If you are setting realistic goals, You NEED to set yourself up for success. If it isn’t in your refrigerator or pantry, you are less likely to eat it.

Tips:

  1. Eliminate Soda and sweet drinks. Ramp down slowly, if you are used to drinking multiple sodas (or the gallon jug per day from the gas station) to keep from having caffeine withdrawal. You can reduce your caffeinated beverage by a cup a day until you have weened yourself off.  I switched to a natural soda for a while until I was ready to cut it out almost entirely.  (Izze)
  2. Switch to whole foods. Eliminate low fat/no fat.  Eliminate artificial sweeteners.  Look to fresh whole foods for high fiber, nutritive choices… apples, strawberries, grapes are sweet…  carrots, celery, and cherry tomatoes are crunchy… a sprinkle of Himalayan sea salt and they are great!
    Stock your Fridge 1 Health Grease Monkey Stock your Fridge 2 Healthy Grease Monkey
  3. Throw out the processed foods. Our media and advertisers have done an exceptional job of making us believe that we can’t do it all and eat too unless they do it for us!  LIE!  Bald faced LIE!  It is just a matter of learning new habits.  I have done it, it is possible, and you will LOVE the difference!  I enjoy showing people ways to create tasty treats and to make sure you have healthy foods, even when time is short!  When you stock up on the Whole Foods, you should immediately eliminate all the processed to make room for the healthier options.
  4. Gluten FREE does NOT equal HEALTHY. Many companies have jumped on the “Gluten Free” band wagon.  I have news for you… Processed food is Processed food whether it has Gluten or NOT.  😉  (Also, Fat free, sugar free, or any other “FREE” does not equal healthy.)
  5. ASK FOR HELP. Not sure where to begin. Ask for help.  JUST ASK.  I enjoy helping others and assisting them in learning to live healthier lives.

You don’t need to make the change all at once!  Even One Change Counts! I have videos to help you learn, blog articles, coaching, classes, and many friends who all work to share the good news. That healthier can be done.

Happy New Year!  Make 2015 HAPPY, HEALTHY, AND PROSPEROUS!

New Year Wishes

by tessbrennan

My Confession – and commitment!

Join me… Stretch and get up and move!!!

50 squats done!!! (A magical exercise that can be done anywhere!)

Hip stretches done!!!

How to find time to workout.

Everyday movement DOES count!

6 tips to make time for health.

Even a brisk walk counts!

by tessbrennan

Why You Don’t Need Vitamins

I have a girlfriend who doesn’t need vitamins.  She meets all of the criteria needed to avoid the need for supplementation due to her chosen lifestyle and how she chooses to eat every day. 

Like you, I have NO stress, I only breathe clean air, no one in my family has ever had any kind of breast cancer, lung cancer, brain cancer, arthritis, I never eat processed foods or junk foods, and I always get plenty of fresh fruits and veggies in my daily diet.

WHAT>???   YOU DON’T MEET ALL THE CRITERIA???

Who don't need vitamins

Okay, lets get real.  No one, or very few people in the US, meet all of these criteria to be sure they are not stressing their bodies, their health, their cellular make-up.

So what do you do to make up for the deficiencies from household cleaners, the toxic body care products, the processed and junk food consumption, the STRESS???

The main reasons for needing supplementation are:

4 Reasons 2 supplement

Yet, when someone suggests we actually invest in better health we tend to balk and think… Whhhhaaaaattt?

PicsArt_1406664909153

I’ve been investing in my personal health for over 8 years now. Purposefully spending money on health promoting foods, supplements and products.  What do I have to show for it?

  • Increased energy levels
  • I’m 55+ pounds lighter
  • I get carded to buy beer at age 43
  • I no longer need 6 pharmaceuticals
  • No more migraines
  • I get rebate checks from my health insurance company ANNUALLY
  • I don’t need many sick visits to my doctor
  • Oh, and my hubby thinks I’m sexy. Smile

Enough of what I think. How about some clinically based research? How about a study done by UC Berkley on long term supplement usage, specifically using the brand I choose?  Here are some images from the study’s findings.

Landmark_Study_2Landmark_study_5Landmark_Study_4Landmark_Study_GraphLandmark_Study3

Personally, I use the Shaklee Lean & Healthy Kit daily. This allows me to begin with a sound, solid foundation as I provide the daily nutrition necessary to allow healthy cells to continue multiplying and my body to provide sick cells what they need to recover.

For more information, feel free to contact me or visit my product website at http://healthygreasemonkey.myshaklee.com.

I am happy to work with you to guide you in what could be the best fit for your needs!

I’ll repeat something Jenni Oates and many others have said, which makes perfect sense…your cells are made up of Vitamins, Minerals, and Proteins…it needs those three things to be healthy and function properly, not short-term remedies/drugs that temporarily take care of the symptoms… disease has one cause, malfunctioning cells. ~Suni Ferrer

* These statements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. These products are not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease.

Resources used for this piece:

“Build a Better You” by Dr. Richard Brouse
“Why Do I Feel This Way?” by Christine Graber, RHN & Charlene Day, RDC
“Treasures of Health Nutrition Manual” by Annette Reeder & Dr. Richard Couey
“The Landmark Study” http://landmarkstudy.com
“The Landmark Study by Dr. Stephen Chaney”  http://betterhealthin31days.com/healthygreasemonkey/vp/LandmarkStudy-DrStephenChaney

by tessbrennan

I HAD a WART on my face! Cheap, easy, safe, GONE!

My hubby has always had issues with warts.  He’s tried most everything, but basically just continues on with them… On his feet, one on his leg and one on his hand… 

Three months ago, I had a blemish on my face, it didn’t go away, and I am ashamed to say, I am a picker.  I would brush it during the day, while I was out and before I knew it I would have scratched the top off of it.  It would heal over and get bigger.

Last month I realized it was a wart. A big, ugly, witchy looking wart… right on my face!

Here is the wart on my face on May 25, 2014. Wart Before

So, what did I do? Very simple.  Apple Cider Vinegar, a tiny piece of paper towel and a circle band aid.  I soaked the small square of paper towel (4 layers thick) in ACV and then placed it over the wart with a circle band aid and went to sleep.  Wart Killer

8 hours later I woke up, took the little band aid off and it was all white and puffy, so I put another band aid over the wart to go to church.  (I envisioned people staring and making comments similar to a movie about a shark and a laser) Smile

After church, in the car on the way home, I took the band aid off so it could breathe and air out.  When I took off the band aid… it all but fell off!  See below.Wart After collage

The top right photo is what it looked like when I took the band aid off.  Then, the whole thing just fell off into my hand.  The lower right photo is of the wart (dead and removed) on my index finger.

The left photo is what is left.  It is healing very well, just after 1 day.  I will use my Enfuselle C&E Repair cream on it to assist in the healing process.  And will update as it heals.

When my daughter had a wart removed by the Dr. it cost us $200 and was VERY painful for her.  This method was used ON MY FACE and there was NO PAIN.

I did feel some tingling when I first applied the ACV, but no pain.

Inexpensive, easy, pain free, and done at home with no co-pay!

Hope this helps… I will also post some before and afters of my hubby’s feet as we use this method on those nasty beasts!

Make it a GREAT day!

by tessbrennan

Take a walk, and kick it up a notch.

Last night, in our Feel Good Fast support group meeting, one of our community brought in this article that she had found in the Fort Myers News Press on Tuesday, March 26th.

It was really, very interesting in that Camille and I used to walk several times a week, usually about 6 miles, and I pushed a stroller at the time. (We’ve since fallen away from this habit since our schedules don’t match and are currently working to schedule more time together.) 

Camille’s comment was that, during all that time we were walking, we didn’t see a dramatic change in our appearance while we were walking what seemed to be a significant distance.  Here is the explanation.

Walking News Article

This article discusses remembering FIT while walking. 

  1. Frequency – while we only need about 30 minutes of walking or exercising a day we need to be at 55-90 percent of our maximum heart rate during that time to get the best workout.
  2. Intensity – your speed, (compared to others) isn’t the issue, Intensity here is an individual pace set by your heart rate and ability.
  3. Time – in the beginning, you may find your self winded early on with only the capacity to move for 15 minutes, and that is OK! Keep at it and your 15 minutes will get easier and you will realize the progress you are making and be ready to add 5 more minutes.

Its about challenging yourself, and improving and increasing your personal stamina, one step at a time!     Happy walking!

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Here is a perfect example of a gentleman, pushing himself and doing what he can.  You may not be able to walk a marathon or even a 5K, but starting somewhere and sticking to it can make a big difference.

by tessbrennan

UPDATE: I’m a mom, I don’t have time for Cancer!

Its been a couple of weeks since I introduced you to my friend Franny, so I wanted to give you an update.

Franny_and_Family

I received a message from Franny yesterday, that made me smile and spurred me on, to keep on walking through the night at the Relay for Life.  I want to share this message with you.

So, I am not sure what has caused me to be "not me" but I took both kids with me to sign my son up for t-ball, go INSIDE the bank, and walk/shop around Wal-mart for a long time. I actually shopped for necessities like toothpaste and toothbrushes and nail polish remover….that means I have the energy to paint my own nails!!!!!!! For the past year or more, I have dreaded doing ANYTHING with two kids and I was too tired to browse while shopping. I just went in, got out, and then it took me the whole day just to put all the stuff away. Or I would make my hubby shop!!! Tess, I have put make up on the past two days!!!!!!

After my nap today, I had to ask Franny, what has changed to cause this increase in energy.  I am aware of her efforts to “move more” as she has started walking regularly, either outside or on a treadmill, so I asked her.

How many days have you been exercising? When did you begin supplementing your nutrition? When did you begin noticing these differences?

I started the vitamins on the night of 4/2/13 and the smoothie on 4/3/12. Well, I don’t know. I did walk the week before I started using but not as long or intense. But I definitely know for a fact that it was Wednesday when my husband was impressed with what I did around the house that day.

I am so happy Franny is feeling better!  I look forward to working with her and following her progress.

This is not the first time I have seen others respond to the food based supplements so quickly.  Results depend on the individual, their mindset, their attention to prevention, and their consistency.

If you would like more information on how this system can work for you or someone you know, contact me.

by tessbrennan

Improving Your Health–One Small Step at a Time.

I have many friends and clients who have decided it is time to improve their health, they are ready to make the commitment and work toward gaining more life in their years!

Many times, when people begin making a change for the better, they feel they need to change EVERYTHING all at once.  This sets anyone up for failure.  It is much better to move one solid step at a time.  While out taking a “Mindful Walk” this afternoon, I had some thoughts about this.

I know, that through my own actions, (and some I remember of my father in years passed) that I have been know to jump right into “changing” everything for the better, all at once.  Jumping into a vigorous exercise routine or running straight from my long stint of couch sitting (by long stint I mean months or years).  Finding that a day or two later I am so sore I can hardly move.

How about when we try changing everything in our diet all at once, only to find it “too difficult” to continue on the path we attempted to lay out in front of us.

Friends, learn from my mistakes!  Take this journey, ONE. SOLID. STEP. AT A TIME!  This is a journey for a lifetime! We are here to begin making healthier choices and working smarter toward our life so that we can see a MAINTAINED improvement over the long run, not just for a week or two. 

Take it easy, lets talk and work on a plan that works for and WITH you rather than against you.  Its what I do.

For more information contact me.  Make it a great day!

by tessbrennan

Interview with Franny–Making time for health.

I talked with Franny this week and asked her a few questions about what she is looking for in her quest to heal and gain better health. 

I was somewhat amazed that many of the things that stand in the way of her feeling better are very similar to things that try to stand in my way at times.  Showing me, we are all humans in the same mix, working to make things better.

Franny_Head_Shot

Here’s our interview:

What do you want to create in your life, health-wise? What is your goal?

I want to create a healthier me. I want to loose 70 lbs.

Great! Once accomplished, what will loosing 70 pounds and a healthier you do for you?

Live life more! Get more energy, reduce my risk risk of diabetes, bring back the spontaneous me!

What has been your resistance to this point?

A) Being a mom. I am tired when I wake up (that is getting better since I started my thyroid replacement pill). 

B) Having a husband who is not home. So I do a lot of the housework, cooking, school stuff, animal duties, etc.

C) Spending 98% of my day in the kitchen (it is where the dishwasher, stove, computer/office, & laundry room are located). This causes me to eat mindlessly.

D) Health issues that would improve if I lost the weight.

If it wasn’t  for the cancer thing, being overweight would be my only health problem.

Why is it important to you to create this in your life?

Create a healthier me? Because I want to do things with my kids, look younger than my husband, weigh less than my husband (lol), fit into cute clothes!

I do nothing for me. That has to change.

What amazed me about our interview was the fact that it sounded so familiar.  How many other moms out there are facing similar issues?

We will continue to follow Franny on her journey to better health.  Our goal is to give others the encouragement to make the move to better health as well. 

If you would like information on sponsoring Franny and her recovery, getting healthy yourself, or assisting a friend in need, as we are with Franny, contact me.  (tess@healthygreasemonkey.com)

You can do it, we can help support you!

by tessbrennan

Good Nutrition? Where do I begin?

Something I typically take for granted was brought to my attention today.  What is good nutrition? Where do I begin?

Beforechoosing_foodsTess_after

I really take healthy choices for granted. I didn’t always. It wasn’t until after I had my daughter and decided I wanted to have the energy and the ability to play with her and participate in her life that I became conscious of what choices could improve my health. (Being an “older” mom can do that to ya.)

Today, I had a new dad ask me this question.  He wants to be healthier for many reasons, but one that stuck out in my mind and I could really relate to was – to be around for my child.

A good place to begin is by journaling, knocking out sweetened drinks, and avoiding refined carbohydrates. (sugar, white flour, breads, cookies, that sort of thing)

Eliminate Sweetened drinks and Artificial Sweeteners, a common source of the Average American’s 300 calories of overconsumption.

Drink Water! – Plenty of it.

Be sensible, walk a little, dance a little, HAVE FUN! I don’t believe you have to join a gym and “do the circuits” twice a day to improve your health. I lost all my weight & gained my better health and have maintained it for 6 years now, by walking and choosing healthier options to eat.

Find Support!  Find a friend, a family member, a support group, or a coach to work with to support you and help keep you on track.  Its always more fun when you aren’t doing it alone!

YOU DON’T HAVE TO CHANGE EVERYTHING all at once to gain health. Steady, gradual movements toward a healthier lifestyle, healthier, more beneficial choices can have TREMENDOUS benefits.

I love what I do, how I feel and the energy to support others. I am driven to help others find this same love! Contact me for more information.

by tessbrennan

Resolutions: A Healthy, Happy, New You!–January Calendar

It’s almost 2013 and time to begin making your New Year’s Resolutions. 

The Healthy Grease Monkey wants to be sure this is a resolution you can keep.  Here are a couple of excellent opportunities to kick start your Healthy New You in 2013.

 

Support Group Kick Off January 17, 2013 6:30-8:30

Feel Good Fast Walking Banner

Take the first step to a healthier happier you!
Join us for this healthy lifestyle presentation and make a plan for 2013.

Feel like you’ve been there before and given up?

What if…

  • This time you begin by telling yourself “I’m worth it” & “I can choose differently this time.”
  • You weren’t alone this time.
  • You had a team of supporters.
  • Little victories mattered. 

We are here to support you as part of the Feel Good Fast Movement.

This event kicks off our monthly support group meetings.
$5 donation to be paid at the door.

 

Walk for Health & a Cure January 26, 2013 10:00 AM

Moving_Towards_a_Cure_Banner

 

Literally, walk for your own health and the health of others.  My grandfather died days before my 13th birthday of his fourth brain tumor.  Here is an opportunity to improve my own life while raising funds to support others as well.

Join our Team, Feel Good Fast, just click on the photo for a link to the event information and details.

  • 1 mile walk or 5K walk/run
  • Entry groups for children
  • $20 entry fee increases after January 12 to $25
  • Walk with others who want to Feel Good Fast in the New Year!

I will keep my ear to the ground for more exciting opportunities to attain and maintain a Healthy, Happy New You.