Laughter for Holiday Stress:) LOL!! 11/30/12

Good Friday Morning everyone!! I thought I would write about "Laughter". Since, the Holidays can bring upon stress, depression and many other ailments, one of the simpliest and holistic ways to treat these ailments is through laughter. Laughter, Laughter, Laughter:)

To Start, Here are a few Health benefits:

What can laughter do?:

• Lower blood pressure
• Increase vascular blood flow and oxygenation of the blood
• Give a workout to the diaphragm and abdominal, respiratory, facial, leg, and back muscles
• Reduce certain stress hormones such as cortisol and adrenaline
• Increase the response of tumor- and disease-killing cells such as Gamma-interferon and T-cells
• Defend against respiratory infections–even reducing the frequency of colds–by immunoglobulon in saliva.
• Increase memory and learning; in a study at Johns Hopkins University Medical School, humor during instruction led to increased test scores

• Improve alertness, creativity, and memory

Previous research has shown that more heart attacks occur during winter than any other season due to factors including an increased prevalence of respiratory infections, eating more fatty and salty foods, drinking more eggnog and alcoholic beverages, and holiday stress.

Specifically, the poll of 1,017 adults with high blood pressure found that between Thanksgiving and New Year's Day:

—62 percent of adults with hypertension eat more than usual.

—48 percent experience heightened stress levels.

—37 percent gain weight.

—29 percent exercise less or quit exercising altogether.

Read more: http://www.foxnews.com/story/0,2933,138194,00.html#ixzz2DhhFGUmW

According to Web MD, many more studies on laughter are being done across the country with amazing results. Laughing 100 (ha-ha-etc.) times a day gives the same cardiac workout as 10 minutes of aerobic exercise.
Maciej Buchowski, a researcher with Vanderbilt University, conducted a unique study and proved that 10-15 minutes of concentrated laughter burned 50 calories. Hmmm.

This is my favorite:)  Especially since we just had the largest lottery!!

Lottery Winner
Imagine you just won the 500 Million Dollar Lottery! Only ONE set of numbers hit, and they were YOURS! Laugh, howl, jump up and down, wave your arms, hug each other and celebrate. Try to keep it up for a minute each day, then two minutes the following week. This is truly energizing.

So, enjoy your friday and laugh today. Let me know how it goes. What made you laugh?

Taking a sick day! 11/28/12

This morning I am not feeling well. So, today I will try my hardest to rest...have my juicing drinks and lots of soup. I am taking my Vitamin C and Zinc. I have two clients in the morning and the rest of the day is rest.

No real workout for me. I plan to do a yoga stretch and opening up my sinuses but that's all for me.

Tonight is left over Black Bean burgers for the family. I will stick with soup.

Enjoy your Wednesday everyone!!

Question of the day? What's your favorite thing do when your are sick?

Cyber monday run 11/26/12

Good Monday morning!!! Started my day off with a great morning run. I just love having tech savvy teenagers....my teenager downloaded new music for me on my ipod!!! So, I had some motivation to run this morning. It feels so good to be back to my regular routine. Pilates class this morning.

Tonights menu is leftover Lentil soup from lastnight, homemade bread and hummus. Then, basketball season starts today. Let the winter sports begin:)

Enjoy your cyber monday!!!

20 Ways to stay healthy 11/25/12

I can't belive it's Sunday already. Preparing for the work week now:(  
My 9 year old son has made a list of 20 ways to stay healthy.

1. eat fruits / veggies
2. exersise
3. get plenty of rest
4. no stress
5. be happy
6. love your relatives
7. reuse, reduce, and recycle
8. don't smoke
9. brush your teeth
10. watch the Dr. Oz show and Dr. Phill
11. do nice things for others
12. respect others
13. go to church
14. take care of nature
15. love your brothers and sisters
16. go to www.Eatmorekale.com for recipes
17. own pets (mostly dogs)
18. don't hunt
19. watch less TV, play less games on Virtule consules (Wii, X-box, Ipad...)
20. drink Zevia soda.  Available at Hannafords.  Caution: contains Erythritol

By Luke and Stephanie Simon.
Wise words.LOL!!!  Started my day with a great yoga stretch. here are few stretches I did this am. This site is wonderful....   Hope you enjoy.

http://www.yogajournal.com/poses/2466

Benefits

• Calms the brain and helps relieve stress, anxiety and mild
• Stimulates the liver and kidneys
• Stretches the hamstrings and calves
• Strengthens the thighs
• Improves digestion
• Helps relieve the symptoms of menopause
• Helps relieve headache and insomnia

http://www.yogajournal.com/poses/494

Benefits

• Stretches and strengthens the thighs, knees, and ankles
• Stretches the hips, groins, hamstrings, and calves; shoulders, chest, and spine
• Stimulates the abdominal organs
• Helps relieve stress
• Improves digestion
• Helps relieve the symptoms of menopause
• Relieves backache, especially through second trimester of pregnancy
• Therapeutic for anxiety, flat feet, infertility, neck pain, osteoporosis, and sciatica

http://www.yogajournal.com/poses/2499  ***This is my favorite since it opens so much..

Calms the brain
Stimulates the liver and kidneys
Stretches the hamstrings, calves, and thighs
Strengthens the thighs, knees, and ankles
Stretches the back of the leg, the front thigh and groin

Thanksgiving 11/22/12

HAPPY THANKSGIVING!!!! It's here:)   I am so thankful for so much. I am blessed with so much.

I decided not to run this morning since I need my energy to stay awake later. Ok, We are off to enjoy our feast with Family today!!!

Can't wait to hear all about everyones Day!!

Enjoy!!

Healthy Thanksgiving Dinner ideas 11/20/12

Two days until Thanksgiving!!! I can't wait. We are celebrating my with my Brother and his family!!! It's early on this Tuesday morning....I'm waiting for my 6am client. Most everyone already has in mind what they are eating or bringing to their Thanksgiving Dinner. But, there are healthy alternatives to the traditional meal. Enjoy the feast but focus on family and friends and not so much on the food. Get a good workout done in the morning to help rev your metabolism and lower your insulin. Also, go for a walk after your meal. Wear form fitting clothes and not loose ones to remind you when you are full. Here are a few other ideas:

Go Vegetarian this Thanksgiving.
http://cathe.com/a-healthy-thanksgiving-dinner-for-vegetarians

I will be making a tofu pecan pie this year:)

Workouts: focus on slow and focused:
http://cathe.com/mindful-fitness-the-importance-of-focus

working a slow and mindful focus when doing strength training not only burns calories but helps to steady blood sugar!!!

Enjoy your Tuesday!!!

I'd love to hear any Thanksgiving Dinner healthy ideas???

11/18/12

Wow!!! It's been a whirlwind of a weekend!!! Just some great family time.

Yesterday was National Prematurity Day. In observence we wore Purple to help raise funds for support. Thanks Anna for sharing.

From the album: Timeline Photos

By Parents of Preemies Day

Help spread the word - November 17, Worldwide Prematurity Day.

One in ten births, an estimated 15 million babies, are born prematurely each year worldwide. Of those born before 37 weeks gestation, approximately one million die as a result of prematurity. Reducing premature birth starts with awareness.

 

Our Purple day outfits!!! Not the best pic but, hey it works:)

Today is a quiet day. A day full of housework and catching up and preparing for the upcoming week.

Todays workout is circuit. Which is a fast paced cardio, weights and core moves without rest time!!!

Tonights menu is Soup....Not sure which type yet??? Our Menu will be light over the next three days to prepare for our Thanksgiving feast!!! :)

Enjoy your Sunday everyone.

Heres a few pics from our Veteran's day hike.