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Tag / lifestyle choice
Well POOP!
It certainly doesn’t conjure up pretty thoughts, does it?
My husband’s friends have many colorful metaphors for it. Movies make fun of it. It’s the first thing that seems to come to mind when things go wrong. (I know, I’ve heard many a person use the metaphor when things have gone wrong. – okay, I’ve used it too.)
The problem is, we don’t talk about it. Poop just isn’t discussed, it is almost taboo. Yet, our poop can tell us a lot! (I’m NOT saying I want you to email me photos of your poop! – have a friend who does this to his wife) What I AM saying is, “When we look at our poop, it can tell us a LOT about our health.” – Current health and even FUTURE health!
Why look at poop?
- Americans are suffering from colon problems that are affecting over 90% of the population!
- 79% of our immune systems are located near our colon & digestive tracts.
- Most colon ‘diseases’ come directly from impaction, miscellaneous debris, or toxic materials that are formed in the colon and generate toxins throughout the rest of the body – a direct cause of many diseases
What GOOD poop looks like. (Yes, I AM going THERE)
- Medium brown
- Prolonged periods of a different color could indicate issues that need investigated
- 1/2 inch in diameter
- The size of a healthy, clean colon
- ~24 inches per day (about 2 pounds)
- NO, you don’t need to measure – just guestimate
- Little to no odor
- Doesn’t leave a mess behind
- Does it sink or swim?
- It should gently and easily “dive” into the pool (toilet)
- It should settle in the water
- Diver – too little fiber in your diet
- Floater – too much undigested fat
- 2-3 times per day (YES, PER DAY)
- Big meal in SHOULD = Big meal out (A healthy bowel moves after every significant meal.
- Big meal in SHOULD = Big meal out (A healthy bowel moves after every significant meal.
What to do when things “don’t look good.”
- Hydrate – constipation is often caused by dehydration. DRINK MORE WATER
- Drink water 30 minutes before your meal and 2 hours after your meal to increase the effectiveness of digestion enzymes
- Technically, you should avoid drinking during a meal to prevent the dilution of those important digestion enzymes
- Supplement with Calcium/Magnesium or VitalMag – magnesium is a gentle mineral that brings water into the colon among many other things
- 7-9 servings of fruits and vegetables per day
- FIBER IS KEY
- Eat nutrient dense foods – not processed crap
- Flax seed is a great way to add fiber
- Lubrication (NOT THAT WAY)
- Exercise – get things a movin’ and a shakin’
Why NOT OTC laxatives?
- Laxatives come with side effects that are detrimental to your health and they don’t FIX IT.
- Mineral Oil is BAD
- the body does not absorb it
- it prevents digestive juices from getting to the food you eat
- it prevents the lining of the intestine wall from absorbing the good nutrients you need
- Herbal formulas increase the peristaltic action of the colon and help it function better
Herbs to move constipation on out…
- Senna leaf
- Alfalfa LEAF (note alfalfa LEAF – not the rest of the plant)
- Anise seed
- Blue malva flower
- Buckthorn rood
- Culver’s root (not their burgers)
- Fennel seed
- Licorice root
- Rhubarb root (NOT their leaves)
When we can say, “That’s some good poop!” we know our immune system and our bodies are in good health, making healthy cells.
For more information on achieving “perfect poop” feel free to contact me. Would love to discuss your health and how we could move it along! 
sources:
Treasures of Health Nutrition Manual, Annette Reeder & Dr. Richard Couey
Why Do I Feel This Way?, Christine Gaber, RHN & Charlene Day, RDC
What is Causing us to “Be Sick?”–Our Products at home?
Last night, in my Temple Maintenance class we were discussing choices. All the choices we make, how many times a day we are voting with our dollars and our actions.
Our overall health is determined by our overall LIFESTYLE. The choices we make profoundly effect our health on a daily, weekly, and monthly basis!
What choices am I talking about? Simple choices made every day.
- —What to eat
- —What to drink
- —What to think
- —How & when to move
- —Products we put on our skin
- —Products we use in our homes
Why are the last two choices on this list? Let me show you. Doris Rapp is a board-certified environmental medical specialist and pediatric allergist. She has done extensive research on the effects of allergens and CHEMICAL exposures.
The photos I am sharing are in regard to studies done with children. As adults, we must realize that if our children are effected, then we certainly are too! These are some of the examples from the above book.
We have so many children being labeled as ADHD these days. We have them sitting in classrooms for 6-8 hours a day with NO recess, surrounded by toxic cleaners that are inhibiting their brains ability to function at its optimum potential.
In class last night I referenced this piece, below, and the reaction the girl had to Choline bleach exposure – through the ductwork of the home. Mom was in the basement laundry room and the girl was in her bedroom. What effect is that bleach having on the person who is actually acutely exposed? (We don’t use bleach in our household – we use the Get Clean line of cleaning products.)
Below, the Teacher is commenting on the change in the student’s writing pattern. An outsider, with no knowledge of what was going on, noticed the difference in the before and after.
Finally, here is an example with Pinesol. This parent changed to the Get Clean line of cleaners for a week, didn’t believe that it could have that big an impact on her child, so went back to the Pinesol to test her hypothesis.
The Solution? (pun intended)
Switch out the toxic cleaners in your home for cheaper, concentrated options. Vinegar and baking soda are one option. Here is the option I choose!
Price is something that concerns many of us. Not me, I’m saving SO much on my cleaning products, its amazing!!! And they WORK! Just ask my skeptical husband. 
These products are available piece by piece if you choose to finish what you have on hand first, OR – as a kit to swap it all out at once, as I did, or even in mini kits for the different areas of your home!
Begin voting today with your dollars, not as many dollars as you have been using. Tell the toxic industry, we are no longer interested in what they have to sell. We do not wish to pay them to poison ourselves or our families.
For exhausted, busy moms… They can clean all day and we know they are safe. (So are our pets if they decide to wash them too!)
8 Tips for eating healthy with picky kids and husband.
My win over obesity wasn’t overnight. My husband didn’t just “magically” give up his “lifestyle choices” because I wanted to be healthier and weigh less. The quest to improve my health happened gradually and includes many of the “sneaky” ways I incorporate better health into my family’s diet.
- If they don’t like it, shred it! (These veggies cook down to opaque or nearly invisible in red sauces) I include these veggies in refried beans, chili, veggie chili, soups, spaghetti sauce, and many other dishes.
- Carrots
- Zucchini
- Summer Squash
- If they don’t like it, mince it! (When they can’t see it, many times they don’t even realize it is in there) I include these in Cream of Anything casseroles & soups, chilies, omelets, tacos, and others.
- Onions
- Mushrooms
- Spinach
- Peppers
- Smoothee’s in Opaque Glass with a Lid and Colored Straw. (I can feed many healthy things to my 7 year old, disguised as a smoothee) When you mix banana, oj, pineapple, strawberry, and other sweet fruits you can get away with a lot!
- Ground up supplements (b complex to help her focus in school, Nutriferon to help build her immune system, others as needed)
- Spinach – never even realizes its in there
- Protein powder – I don’t need to sneak this one, but it is an added bonus.
- Also, can freeze these into smoothee pops!
- Color is FUN! and healthy! (even when the color is blended into other meals)
- Fruit salad with a touch of homemade whipped cream is a favorite of my daughter. Lots of colors = lots of nutrition! (I’m not talking skittles or starburst here)
- Its your only option. (Many times, I simply tell my husband and daughter, its your only option, this is what I made for dinner.) IT works. OR… I tell my daughter, you have to try it and eat ## bites before you can have something else.
- Frozen fruit pops/ smoothee pops/ organic freezer pops await when you finish your meal. (This doesn’t work so much with my hubby, but it does with my daughter.)
- Try new recipes: I LOVE Spinach chocolate treats (brownies) We call them by different names though, so we don’t get the answer, “this doesn’t taste like ####”
- Finally, Garbanzo beans are a GREAT meat substitute in chili – hubby didn’t realize there wasn’t any “beef” in the chili until he’s eaten it 6 times for 6 different meals and I TOLD him. LOL (Wondering where else I can sneak these in.)
In many other countries, there are no issues with your children not “wanting” what is fixed for dinner, they eat what everyone else is eating.
Warning: Graphic conversation I actually have with my 7 year old.
I still have issues with my 7 yr old, but we implement numbers 5-6 and we discuss A LOT how #4 is important for nutrition and health. She is expected to take responsibility for her own health. (ie: having trouble pooping? How many fruits and veggies did you eat yesterday? How much water did you drink yesterday?)
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. 
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. 
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) 
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.
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!
###-FREE does NOT == HEALTHY!
SUGAR-FREE, FAT-FREE, GLUTEN-FREE, BANANA-FREE…
Marketing experts have figured out that the typical American will purchase anything with the word “FREE” on it. And as consumers, most of us have proven them right.
Besides the fact that we are already programmed to pick up any package that says “NATURAL” on it and assume it is and it will be healthy… the marketers have turned other word combinations against us as well!
Sugar-Free
This leads us to believe a sweet utopian experience is on the horizon. Yet, our body is about to be assaulted if we consume such toxic poisons!
It is VERY well known, in many circles, that Aspartame, Saccharine, & Splenda can cause serious side effects. They are chemicals with side effects.
In fact, studies are showing that people who consume Diet Soda’s actually WEIGH MORE than those who drink regular sodas. (do NOT imply that I am condoning soda pop!) 
In my book it is raw, organic sugar, honey, or fruit to sweeten whatever it is!
Fat-Free
“The problem is that sometimes “fat free” is also, well, taste free. And to make up for that lack of taste, food manufacturers tend to pour other ingredients — especially sugar, flour, thickeners and salt — into the products. That may boost the calorie content.
“Plus, if the foods aren’t that appealing, they may lead to overeating to make up for the lack of satisfaction.” (WebMD)
INSTEAD: Think GOOD FATS and NOT fat free! Our brains actually NEED good fats to function properly…
Gluten-Free
Manufacturers have figured out that “Gluten-FREE” is the latest buzz word! Heck, they are even labeling things that NEVER HAD GLUTEN… as gluten free! Many people are jumping on the gluten free band wagon. Many people DO have a gluten intolerance and eliminating it can eliminate symptoms and pain.
Nowhere else in the world is there such a large percentage of people who are gluten intolerant. Many other places in the world have outlawed the use of it. A study released this past month looks at the question of “Is it gluten or glyphosate?”
My main gripe about the whole gluten-free issue is that so many manufacturers are using the term “gluten-free” as a synonym to “healthy” and people are buying it. 
Highly processed food is Highly processed food! My rule of thumb is whole foods made in the home. Ideally, foods that come from sources/people I know and use farming practices that match my desires. We buy local and organic and I make all of our bread.
Banana-Free
Yeah, I just thought it sounded funny and would grab your attention! Did it work?
Take it easy, have a GREAT week! Enjoy your life, your family, your food, and take time to INVEST in your health.
For more information or to schedule a personal coaching session, contact me!
Hungry? Nutritious Tip — Try the Apple Test!
When attempting to make healthy choices, many times people feel challenged when they begin to feel hungry.
If you feel hungry:
- Drink an 8-16 ounce glass of water and wait 20 minutes.
- If you are still hungry after the 20 minutes, grab an apple.
- Look at the apple, study the apple… Do you want to eat the apple?
- If the answer is YES! GREAT eat the healthy, organic apple.
- If the answer is NO! You are not really hungry. Go back to what you were doing before your subconscious distracted you.
Many times, we mistake thirst for hunger.
Step 1 allows us to assess whether we are really hungry or if we were actually thirsty.
Step 2 then addresses the issue of mindless eating, that so many suffer from. When we take the time to look at the food, think about the food, assess our actual state of hunger…
I may find that I was not hungry at all, just had a rogue thought or a bad habit that was trying to rear its ugly head!
HEALTHY EATING!
For more information or helpful tips & personal coaching, feel free to contact me.
What You DON’T NEED to Get Healthy or Lose weight
Friends, our society has become very confused! We have been led to believe we must have the “latest gadget,” the “newest product,” or the “latest discovery” in order to get healthy, lose weight/inches, or both!
They LIE! You do NOT need:
- to starve yourself
- to run a marathon
- to deprive yourself
- to hurt for days
- to be exhausted all the time
- to beat yourself up
- to join a gym
- to go broke
- to eat nasty foods
- to take drugs
- to do it all at once (you can’t)
You just need to know where you are now, that it is NOT too late, commit and begin to make a difference.
Advertising today says “DO THIS” “TAKE THAT” and you will immediately be thinner/happier/healthier… Remember, it isn’t a race, there is no “destination” it is a journey.
When we begin with “Where you are now, and where you want to be, then the process can begin!
I am NOT saying DON’T join a gym, I AM saying there are alternatives to paying to use someone else’s exercise equipment or even buying your own gym!
When we set up a firm foundation, strong roots, then we begin to grow healthier and our energy increases. Simple steps taken one at a time can be easy, and begin to compound and make the journey very enjoyable.
Remember, this is NOT the end of the road. It is merely the beginning of a happy journey of healthy choices, directions, and new found joy and energy!
If you are in the Bonita Springs, Estero, Fort Myers area and are looking for a personal trainer who is interested in YOUR SUCCESS, who focuses on YOUR NEEDS, and designs a specific plan to assist you in moving that journey onto the path of improved health, increased quality of life and increased energy, contact me. I specialize in a holistic approach to better health and in decreasing your waist size!
THANK YOU!
I would like to give a special SHOUT OUT to my friend, Chris Griffith who took all of these amazing shots and allowed me to use them in my blog!
Perfect Sweet Potatoes–Quick and simple!
My friend, Chris Griffith of Life in Bonita Springs recently shared her recipe for the perfect potato. I fixed it for my family and WOW!
An easy, healthy recipe to not only make the tater tasty, but I EVEN ate the skins!
Typically, I will bake a sweet potato in the oven, then crack off and peel off the skin. (Skins have feelings, and nutrients too.) When I finished baking these, the skins were soft and supple and tasty, so… I ATE THEM!
You won’t believe how easy this is!
You will need:
- 2 TBLS coconut oil
- coarse sea salt
- sweet potatoes (works for russets and reds too)
- 1 gallon zip lock
- large piece of aluminum foil
Directions!
- Preheat oven to 375
- Wash potatoes with water and a scrub brush & strain to dry
- Place coconut oil in zip lock bag
- put potatoes in zip lock and move around to coat in the coconut oil
- Lay potatoes on rack to drip off extra coconut oil (OR…remove batteries from smoke detectors and turn vent fans on high prior to cooking)
- Season lightly with course sea salt
- Place on top rack in oven with strip of foil under potatoes to catch any additional drippings
- Cook 45 minutes, or until tender
- Cut into bite sized pieces and enjoy it all – skins taste amazing too!
Leftover potatoes (I make extra) can then be used to make a very tasty breakfast hash brown recipe.
Remember, Sweet Potatoes are VEGETABLES… NOT POTATOES!
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!
~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!
