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How to Ignite Your Fat-Burning Systems

4/27/2015

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As a Certified Health Coach, I have many of my clients come to me in desperation because they are trying to lose weight and are frustrated because many diets and programs they've tried don't work. The biggest reason for failure is because they are only focusing on Weight Loss Myth #1: Calories In vs. Calories Out.  

The truth is, is that many people often overlook the BIG PICTURE.  In order to achieve your optimal weight, your body and organs must be functioning well, especially the liver, without the impact of inflammation and toxic load that so many of us have. So, one of the first things you need to do when having trouble losing weight is to address the health of this vital organ.  

The liver is the body’s second largest organ after our skin. It sits just behind your right rib cage. Its primary role is detoxification.  While detoxification is a process that goes on inside us, all day every day, toxicity can influence how efficiently the liver is able to do its job.

A well-functioning liver works as our body's fat-burning organ, and converts nutrients from the food we eat into essential blood components, storing vitamins and minerals, and producing proteins and enzymes to maintain hormone balances in our bodies. Our livers also help our immune system fight infections, remove bacteria from the blood and make bile, which is essential for digesting our meals. 


Did you know that the liver filters approximately 2 quarts of your blood every minute?

Unfortunately, our livers can become sluggish and function poorly from being overloaded with toxins, chemicals, and other harmful substances.  Imagine a fish tank with a motorized water filter. If the filter is clogged with toxins from the tank, the entire tank becomes filled with the same contaminants. In our system, the filter is the liver, the tank is the body, and the fish that has to live in it is you.

Signs of a toxic liver
How do you know if you have a toxic liver? According to health experts, if you suffer from any of the following on a regular basis, your liver may have a toxic burden: 

  • Mood swings
  • Depression
  • Hormonal imbalance
  • Skin problems (such as acne, moles, skin tags)
  • Fatigue
  • Digestive issues
  • Bloating after a meal
  • Inability to lose weight
  • Hot flashes
  • Cysts on Ovaries
  • Menopausal problems (such as heavy, clotty, or irregular periods)

Top 10 suggestions for supporting your liver and reducing its workload: 

  1. Eliminate the toxic load of what you ingest through food and drink. Try to eat organic when possible. Keep alcohol consumption moderate.
  2. Reduce toxins in your home by choosing natural beauty products and cleaning products when possible.
  3. Consume warm water and lemon every morning upon rising.
  4. Stay hydrated by drinking half your body weight in ounces of water daily. 
  5. Practice food combining during your meals.
  6. Support a healthy colon by making sure you're getting enough fiber. Fiber is vital for removing toxic wastes from the colon.
  7. Eat foods that naturally cleanse the liver (apples, lemons, limes, and bitter greens are excellent).
  8. Have a green juice or green smoothie every day. Liquefied nutrients make them easier to digest and assimilate.
  9. Close the kitchen three hours before bedtime. Sleep is when the liver begins to clean the body of wastes.
  10. Do skin brushing every day to help support the body’s natural detoxification pathways.


Try this liver supporting recipe from my Spring Detox program:

Lemon Roasted Brussels Sprouts
serves 2

1 pound of Brussels sprouts
2 tablespoons olive oil
1 tablespoon lemon zest
1 lemon, juiced
Salt and pepper
2-3 cloves minced garlic (optional)
 
Preheat oven to 450°. Cut off the bottom ends of the Brussels sprouts and discard, cut remaining parts in half and place in a large bowl. Drizzle with olive oil, salt and pepper and mix. Add garlic (optional).
 
Place Brussels sprouts on a baking sheet and roast for 30 minutes making sure to toss them at 15 minutes. During the last five minutes, top the sprouts with lemon juice. Finally remove sprouts from the oven, place in a bowl and top with lemon zest. 

Add a large salad and a healthy protein, and (drum roll please).....You have a delicious detox meal!

Enjoy!





If you would like to learn how to better support your body, lose weight, and improve your energy with food, I invite you to schedule a 
FREE strategy session with me today!




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Migraines: How I Struggled with this HORRIBLE Health Problem

4/27/2015

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How often do you hear the saying, "...well, as long as I have my health..." OR, "...if you don't have your health, you don't have anything..." 

If you have a health concern that you are struggling with, you'll agree that good health is priceless!  I used to really struggle with severe migraines for years.  They would strike without warning and present themselves as excruciating pain along with what the doctors called "visual aura". The pounding in my head was bad enough to deal with, but the aura was like a bright lightening bolt in front of my eyes and would slowly take over my vision to the point where I was nearly blind.  Even when I closed my eyes it would not go away.  There was no escaping it. Sometimes it would last for 10 minutes, and other times it would last for hours. It was horrifying and really scary. 

A CT scan revealed that there were no apparent underlying causes (which was great news), so the doctor just gave me pain killers to take whenever I got a headache.  BUT, nothing changed.  I continued to get migraines and they affected my entire life. 

It wasn't until I started cleaning up my diet and lifestyle that I noticed I was getting them less and less.  The more I cut out processed foods and junk, and started taking care of myself, the better I felt (imagine that....).  

Now, I NEVER get migraines or headaches anymore.  

You see, back then I didn't make the connection between what I ate and how it affected my body but now I know that there is definitely a direct connection. 

If you are struggling with symptoms such as headaches, bloating, fatigue, insomnia, aches and pains, or weight gain, I urge you to take charge of your body.  Many ailments can be corrected through healthy eating, reducing toxins in your body, and adopting a healthy lifestyle.  I know because I've done it for myself and many of my clients are experiencing improved health too!
What You Can Do 

One small step you can take (but with BIG results), is to reduce your toxic load, eliminate foods that are causing inflammation in your body, and eat whole, delicious foods that NOURISH YOU.

I urge you to make some healthy changes and invest in yourself - you're worth it.  The rewards are limitless, and really, can you afford not to?  Think of all the things you spend your hard earned money on. Which of those things really make a difference in your life? 

Eating healthy can be a rewarding and delicious experience and does not have to mean deprivation.  Tantalize your taste buds with a SNEAK PEEK sample detox snack recipe that I, my clients, friends, and family absolutely LOVE:

Coconut Protein Balls
Makes 4 balls
2 tablespoons coconut oil
3 tablespoons ground hemp seeds
1 tablespoon sunflower seed butter
3 tablespoons coconut milk
1 tablespoon maple syrup
2 tablespoons ground flax seed meal
1/2 teaspoon vanilla
1 teaspoon cinnamon
1/2 cup unsweetened shredded coconut 


Combine all ingredients in a bowl -- EXCLUDING the unsweetened shredded coconut. Line a tray with wax paper. Form the ingredients into little balls. Roll each ball in the unsweetened shredded coconut. Add the balls to the tray, then put into the freezer for 30 minutes to form. Enjoy!


If you would like to learn more about eating clean, schedule a free strategy session with me today!
Free Strategy Session
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Detoxing During the Spring Season

4/20/2015

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Eating with the seasons supports your body's natural detoxification. While winter is a time for conserving energy and turning inward, spring brings with it a feeling of renewal, new life, and expansive energy. In Chinese medicine, in which each organ is associated with a season, the spring is about the liver and the gallbladder.

The liver is the body’s second largest organ after our skin. It sits just behind your right rib cage. Its primary role is detoxification.  While detoxification is a process that goes on inside us, all day every day, toxicity can influence how efficiently the liver is able to do its job.

A functioning liver works as our body's fat-burning organ, and converts nutrients from the food we eat into essential blood components, storing vitamins and minerals, and producing proteins and enzymes to maintain hormone balances in our bodies. Our livers also help our immune system fight infections, remove bacteria from the blood and make bile, which is essential for digesting our meals.

Did you know that the liver filters approximately 2 quarts of your blood every minute? 

Unfortunately, our livers can become sluggish and function poorly from being overloaded with toxins, chemicals, and other harmful substances.  Imagine a fish tank with a motorized water filter. If the filter is clogged with toxins from the tank, the entire tank becomes filled with the same contaminants. In our system, the filter is the liver, the tank is the body, and the fish that has to live in it is you.

Some substances that can sabotage liver function:
  • Alcohol
  • Caffeine
  • Trans fats
  • Sugars, including fructose and sucrose
  • Synthetic substances, e.g. pesticides, medications, skin “care”
  • Infections e.g. viruses such as glandular fever (Epstein-Barr virus) 



“The proper functioning of the eyes, the heart, the brain, the gonads, the joints, and the kidneys, are all dependent on good liver activity… If the liver is impaired from constructing even one of the thousands of enzyme systems the body requires, there is an impairment in overall body function and a resultant greater metabolic stress on the individual.” 
-Dr. Karl Maret, M.D. 



Signs of a Toxic Liver

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How do you know if you have a toxic liver? According to health experts, if you suffer from any of the following on a regular basis, your liver may have a toxic burden:

  • Mood swings
  • Depression
  • Hormonal imbalance
  • Skin problems (such as acne, moles, skin tags)
  • Fatigue
  • Digestive issues
  • Bloating after a meal
  • Inability to lose weight
  • Hot flashes
  • Cysts on Ovaries
  • Menopausal problems (such as heavy, clotty, or irregular periods)

The liver and gallbladder work in harmony to support a strong immune system, balanced moods, and healthy digestion. The liver is responsible for filtering and neutralizing harmful substances in your body. It has 500 metabolic jobs, which it cannot perform optimally when overburdened with toxins. Chinese medicine also believes the liver to be responsible for the smooth flow of energy (Qi) throughout the body.  

Why is the gallbladder so important? Bile is produced in the liver and stored in the gallbladder. A toxic and overburdened liver leads to impaired release of bile from the gallbladder, which affects the breakdown of fats and overall digestion. 

As you rid your body of toxins, you will feel cleaner, lighter, more focused, and your mood will balance as well. Chinese medicine holds that each organ is associated with an emotion. The emotion associated with the liver is anger, and resentment is linked to the gallbladder. If you have found yourself feeling irritated or angry, this detox should help you release those blocked emotions and find a sense of peace.

Allowing emotional toxins to arise and release during the program is just as important as the physical side of the detox. If you find emotions coming up, give yourself the space to sit with them. Journal, take a bath, go for a run, or talk to a trusted friend. The spring is about letting go of the old and allowing a fresh start. You are giving yourself the best possible gift this season by detoxing the liver. By following a whole foods detox program, you are eating foods in season that naturally cleanse your liver and support a harmonious body. 

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If you would like help with a safe, effective detox program, email me at [email protected] or check out my 14-Day REAL FOOD Spring Detox program.

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    Jennifer Hale is a Certified Holistic Health Coach who specializes in detoxing, the Ketogenic diet, and anti-aging.  She provides premium online programs and private coaching to clients nationwide who want to lose weight, improve their health, and look and feel younger.

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Copyright © 2012 Jennifer Hale | Certified Holistic Health Coach | HEALTH4LIFE WELLNESS | [email protected]
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DISCLAIMER: I am not a medical doctor, dietitian, or nutritionist. I do not hold a degree in medicine, dietetics, or nutrition. I make no claims to any specialized medical training, nor do I dispense medical advice or prescriptions. This content is not intended to diagnose or treat any diseases. It is intended to be provided for informational, educational, and self-empowerment purposes ONLY. Please consult with your doctor or wellness team if you have any questions regarding my whole foods program, and then make your own well-informed decisions based upon what is best for your unique genetics, culture, conditions, and stage of life.  ​

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