ENJOY EXTREME HEALTH

Sometimes forget the importance of self-care. We can enhance our well-being by taking ownership of our health by eating well and by taking care of our immune systems. The following tips are some of my favorite ways to enjoy extreme health:

1. Breathe: When you wake up in the morning, sit on the edge of your bed and take in nine deep breaths. Before you go to a holiday party, take a few moments to breathe.
2. Chew your food: You will be less likely to over-eat at a party or family get-together if you chew each bite with awareness of what is in your mouth. If decide to try more than one dessert on the buffet table, really chew it and experience all the flavors.
3. Stop eating when you are satisfied: The “finish everything on your plate” rule does not apply to holiday eating! Eating food with a higher nutrient content will fill you up quicker and provide sustained satiation. Nutrient dense foods include vegetables, whole grains, beans and some fruits. Eating food with empty calories will leave you wanting more and set you up for cravings and imbalanced blood sugar. Such foods include white pasta and breads, sugary foods, and sodas and juice. If you choose to eat empty calorie foods, eat them slowly and with awareness.
4. Eat more whole foods: Processed foods destroy your immune system and cause your digestive system to work extra hard. Whole foods, such as mentioned above enhance your immune system. If you start to feel sick, especially stay away from sugar and drink extra water. A common mistake is to drink orange juice for Vitamin C. Orange juice contains too much sugar and does not aid in boosting your immune system. If you want Vitamin C, eat the whole orange or some carrots or blueberries. Green tea is also a great source of Vitamin C.
5. Play outside: Your immune system loves the fresh air of being outside! Treadmills at the gym are great, but can never take the place of being in the sunshine and breathing in clean air. Your body needs the Vitamin D from the sun. Products enriched with Vitamin D do not contain the same version; your body can only assimilate the form of Vitamin D that comes from the sun, so get outside even if it is only for fifteen minutes!

This information provided is for education purposes only. It is not meant to treat or diagnose.