I Believe, I Believe!

Remember when Tinker Bell and Peter Pan flew high in the sky and anything was possible?  It was because they BELIEVED they could fly; they believed that anything was possible.

Here's Your Healthy Tip of the Day:  Believe in yourself.  Believe you can be healthy and happy.  Believe that, if you try, you can achieve greatness - no matter how large or small the endeavor.  When you believe in yourself, you become an inspiration to others - they will believe in themselves because they believe you.  BE your WORD.  If you say you will exercise, then do it.  If you say you are the possibility of fitness and health and will eat accordingly, then DO IT.  No excuses...those are for losers.  You don't want to be one of those, do you?

Make A Bet To Achieve Your Goals

The best way to achieve a fitness goal is to make a bet with a friend, colleague or significant other.  This lends to accountability.  You can embark on a 90 day fitness challenge and bet a day at the spa, weekend vacation, theater ticket....the prize doesn't matter - what counts is your total immersion into your challenge.

Here's Your Healthy Tip of the Day:  Make a bet today that in 90 days (when the warm weather is here), you will have achieved a reasonable and attainable fitness goal.  Making a wager with another person will hold you accountable to your goals and if you win....there could be great tickets to a ball game, a day at the driving range or fabulous golf club, a day at the spa, a weekend getaway or a gift certificate to a great clothing store for that smaller size you'll be able to fit into!  Here's a caveat - acupuncture on a weekly basis can really help you achieve that goal weight faster.

My AARP Card

Well, it finally came in the mail yesterday....my very own AARP card.  I have mixed feelings about this card.  Great discounts, no doubt, come with the membership.  On the other hand, it reminds me that I'm not 25 years old (and forget that '50 is the new 30' crap!).  So, here's my advice for all you 'goldens' out there today:

Here's Your Healthy Tip of the Day:  Have you just received your very own AARP card in the mail like I have?  Well, if you haven't gotten onto the wellness wagon yet, I suggest that there's no better time than the present!  I'm still kicking a heavy bag, doing serious cardio, riding a motorcycle, and doing everything in life that comes my way...and ,in most cases, better, faseter and harder than most 25 year olds out there.  So, don't be a loser in life - hop onto my wellness wagon and you'll have the ride of your life!

Be Whoever Your Want To Be In Life

It's October and it's time to think about what we want to be for Halloween.  Halloween is my favorite holiday; no stress of whose relatives you don't want to see, no bad food you are obliged to eat....it's just a fun day to dress up and be whoever you want to be and go to parties.  In reflecting on who I am going to 'be' this Halloween, I thought about how many people go through life wishing they 'could have been' this or 'could have done' that.  Life is full of possiblities and YOUR life is a blank canvas.  It can be whatever you want it to be; YOU can be WHOEVER you want to be.  Of course, there are certain limitations....not all of us are smart enough to be rocket scientists, but we can be aeronautic mechanics.

Here's Your Healthy Tip of the Day:  Today, sit down and think to yourself and write this down..." I am the Possibility of Being.............".   You fill in the blank.  Will you be the possibility of being Kind, A Good Person, A Banker, An Artist, Compassion?  Once you have written down WHO you are as a Possibility, then commit to BEING that person.  I have always committed myself to being the possibility of Greatness.  Whenver I have decided to do something, I make a plan, stick by it, and achieve major results.  Defeat is never in the game plan.  What will you commit to today?

Your Hips Grow As You Age

Here it is.....The Journal of Orthopaedic Research (5.3.2011) just published a finding that the pelvis widens by 1 inch from the ages of 20 to 80.  The width of the 4th lumbar vertebra increases with age as well.  This occurred in both men and women.

Here's Your Healthy Tip of the Day:  It's inevitable...the dreaded spread!!!! So, do something today to help keep your waist and hips as slim as possible, so when that 1 inch naturally comes on, it won't be as devastating!  Try P90X today; it's made a difference in my life, so why not make a difference in yours?
here's the site: https://extranet.securefreedom.com/MillionDollarBody/csShopping/ShoppingCart_Detail.asp?PriceID=93429&Cat=Fitness%20ProgramBest%20Sellers&AddToCart=
 

Good Health is Like a Garden

This is a photo of my little herb garden.  When I dug out the space, I found rocks, sand, debris...you name it, it was there in the soil.  Not very hearty and healthy soil for planting, but I was convinced this little space had plenty of potential.  Partial sunlight, protection from trees and other wildly growning shrubs that also create a nice breeze when working in the space surrounded and protected the garden from too much sun.  The right type of plant food, a few fat juciy worms, some weeding, and loving care all have made a pretty crummy space on the planet into a nice herbal garden that has been yielding a bounty of wonderfully scented organic additions to each and every meal made this summer.

Here's Your Healthy Tip of the Day:  Your body is like a garden.  It needs good nutrition, exercise, an occassional weeding out of mental garbage, love and affection.  If you take all these factors seriously into your lifestyle, you too, will be beautiful (inside and outside), have vibrant enery and stand out in the crowd of poorly maintained bodies.  Get with the Wellness Program today and be healthy and beautiful!

Let Go Of Poor Habits

All of us love to hold onto something that makes our lives difficult...whether it is a conscious or subconscious choice.  It could be that last mile you think you cannot finish, that 2nd roll you just don't think you live without, or those silly communications gadgets you can't seem to turn off.  This week, challenge yourselves to look inside and find just one habit you stubbornly hold onto and let it go.  Transform the thought of "I can't" to "I sure can!"  We are now in the month of Leo, the only astrological sign that is ruled by the Sun.  The energy of this month is monumental and powerful.  Anyone you know who is a Leo is a natural born leader and their presence is felt before they enter a room.

Here's Your Healthy Tip of the Day:  Harness the Sun's energy and be Leonine in character!  Transform the negatives into positives.  Be steadfast and persevere on your journey to well being.  If you just don't think you can do it on your own, contact my office and together, we will compose a wellness program that will fit your lifestyle and help you shake off those poor habits and develop new, healthy and fun choices for life!

Be Guiltless About Your Workouts

So, now that you've been engaged in your exercise and wellness program and looking fabulous, have you noticed that some of your 'friends' are annoyed with your new lifestyle?  Do you often hear, 'why don't you skip the gym and come out drinking with us' or 'you're always on a diet or working out' or 'you're getting too skinny'?  Hmmm....sounds like your 'fat friends' don't like the idea that you're not part of the club anymore.  These people are not your friends, they're roadblocks to your success.

Here's Your Healthy Tip of the Day:  Keep your eyes on the prize.  Keep the vision of what you'd like to become very close in sight.  To the 'fat friends' and the people out there who would sabbotage your success, just be kind and tell them that your interests have changed and you are leading a different path in life.  Real friends are happy for your successes; lose the deadbeats who would hold you back.  Flush the negativity down the toilet and empty the trash out to the curb.  Your life will be cleaner, lighter and without bad karma.

Where Are You NOW?

It's week 5 of P90X; this morning, I asked my workout partner if it would be o.k. if I just stayed in bed and watched him workout...not as many calories burned, but at least I'd burn 5.  Less than 1 minute later, I was out of bed and getting ready to do our biceps/back/abs day.  90 minutes later, I was glad I got out of bed, really happy to have a motivated partner for the days when I just don't feel like getting out of bed to exercise, and even happier when my clients and neighbors comment on how good I'm looking lately.

Here's Your Healthy Tip of the Day:  Wherever you might be in your wellness/exercise program, you're bound to have days when you just don't feel like doing it...motivate yourself or make certain your workout buddy will push you to do the right thing.  You'll feel better  and look better in the long run.  If you aren't enrolled in a wellness program yet....what are you waiting for?  Life is short, spring and summer here in Manhattan is even shorter.  Get going today!  Call or email my office and find out how YOU can look and feel your best!

Why Some of Us Should Not Eat Soy

Some of us are meat eaters, some of us are vegetarians/vegans and any variation of diet that's out there today.  But, why can't some of us tolerate soy?  Here are some facts on soy that you may not know about.  As always, everything in moderation is fine in the diet and soy should be viewed in the same manner by which one would moderate alcohols, fats, meats, etc.  Here we go:  
"...

• Soy is the second-most genetically modified crop in the United States.  Only corn beats soy in this arena.
• Soy never neutralizes its 'anti-nutrients' (phytates, protease inhibitors, lectins and saponins).  These 'anti-nutrients' are the elements that are contained in the soy to protect the seed and plant and this is a huge reason why many of us cannot digest soy (usually the same folks who cannot digest corn as well). 
• For most of us, having soy in moderation in our diet is not a problem, but too much soy can lead to damage of the stomach lining and some other digestive ailments.
• If we ate fermented soy, there would be fewer digestive problems involved with the ingestion of this protein.  Most Americans ingest soy through soy milk, tofu, additive to other foods or as a textured vegetable protein (TVP).
• Feeding soy milk to babies may not be the best idea.  Soy milk has been linked to autoimmune thyroid and pediatric problems, aluminum toxicity and early puberty (because of its high estrogen content).  It affects protein digestion and pancreatic function.  It lacks vitamin D and reduces the bioavailability of zinc, iron and lacks cholesterol (necessary for nerves, hormones and brain development).  Soy is a huge comoponent of baby formula...another 'health' food on the market for the second largest crop..."
• For the breast cancer patient...if your cancer cell is estrogen/progesterone receptive and you eat soy; you are feeding the cancer cells!

Here's Your Healthy Tip of the Day:  be smart!  Read more about soy online and educate yourselves about this food as you would read up on any other food source.  Just because  you hear 'it's good for you' on the television, doesn't mean it's good for you in particular! 
Today's material was provided to you via the hard work and research of Dr. Marlene Merritt, DOM, LAc, Can and the complete article 'Food Myths:  Bamboozled By The Soy Hype', can be found at www.acupuncturetoday.com January 2011, volume 12, Number 1.

I'm Back with More Healthy Tips

After a few days of much needed R&R, I'm back and loaded with rocket fuel for the New Year!  So, what's your story going to be this year?  Buying another $3,000 gym membership that you'll never use after the first 3 weeks?  Going to join Weight Watchers only to find yourself dizzy and dumb with the intricate and silly point system....it doesn't teach you how to live healthy, it teaches you how to add and subtract 3rd grade math.  I'll bet many of you ran out to Barnes & Noble or Borders and spent 2 hours looking at all the latest diet books, only to be so hungry after reading through them, you ran out to the local deli for a supersub sandwich.

Here's Your Healthy Tip of the Day:  CALM DOWN AND DON'T PANIC!!!!  Rome wasn't built in a day, that 15 pounds you're lugging around didn't suddenly appear in a day and you're not going to transform into a superhero in a day.....so, we're going to take it ONE DAY AT A TIME, ONE STEP AT A TIME.  That means, TODAY, you're going to focus on improving one meal of your day, and focus on exercising 30 minutes per day.  You're going to stick with this plan for the next two weeks, when it becomes comfortable for you, then we're going to add to the overall plan.  After two weeks of changing just one meal per day and being active 30 minutes per day, you're going to see a change....I promise you.  You'll sleep better, have more energy, and not feel like such a loser every time you look in the mirror.
If this sounds like a plan that can work for you, go to the link listed below.  Take the free questionaire and sign yourself up for a free 15 minute wellness consultation.  Take the first of many baby steps on your road to a better YOU!
http://www.kmondesire.com/wellnessprogram.html

Vegetarianism and You- Your Daily Intake

We wrapping it up today with your daily dose of nutrients:

fats                          2 servings
fruits                        2 servings
vegetables               4 servings
legumes, nuts
& other protein
 rich foods               5 servings
grains                      6 servings
Courtesty:  The Mayo Clinic

Here's Your Healthy Tip of the Day:  If you're just not sure what to eat and want to get with a program, contact me at the link listed below.  Complete the brief wellness questionaire and you'll be eligible for a free initial wellness consultation!
http://www.kmondesire.com/wellnessprogram.html
I'll be taking a few days off from blogging next week, but stayed tuned...I'll be back with more Healthy Tips on Friday January 7th!  Happy and Healthy New Days going forward....remember, it's one day at a time!!

Salmon...Great for the Joints

Here's a holiday hors d'ouvres recette that's low fat, easy to put together and good for your joints, bones, and hormones because of salmon's fatty omega-3's!

From EatingWell: Fall 2004
Salmon Classic
16 servings
Active Time: 10 minutes
Total Time: 10 minutes

Nutrition Profile
Diabetes appropriate
Low carbohydrate

Ingredients
16 slices “party size” pumpernickel bread
1/2 cup horseradish cream
16 slices smoked salmon
Dill sprigs, for garnish

Preparation
Top each pumpernickel slice with 1 1/2 teaspoons horseradish cream and 1 slice salmon. Garnish with a sprig of dill.

NutritionPer serving: 48 calories; 1 g fat (0 g sat, 1 g mono); 4 mg cholesterol; 5 g carbohydrates; 0 g added sugars; 4 g protein; 1 g fiber; 171 mg sodium; 28 mg potassium.
Nutrition Bonus: Protein, omega-3s, niacin, vitamin B6.
Exchanges: 1/2 starch, 1/2 lean meat

Let's Go Nuts For Nuts!

Traditionally, folks munched on nuts during the winter months because they provided for hunger because of their high fat content when other food sources were scarce.  Before you dip your grip into a bowl of holiday nuts, know before you go:
Almonds:  1 ounce serving (23 nuts, 162 calories) has 37% of your daily vitamin E quota.  They also contain calcium, fiber and folate.Pecans:  (19 halves, 193 calories per serving) are bountiful in antioxidants - more than any other nut out there!Pistachios:  1 ounce serving (49 nuts, 157 calories) are rich in lutein and zeaxanthin which are important for healthy vision.
Walnuts:  1 ounce serving (14 halves, 185 calories) contain a boatload of the omega-3 fat alpha-linolenic acid (ALA).  Anti-inflammatory properties stave off plaque build up in arteries.

Here's Your Healthy Tip of the Day:  You can go nuts for nuts, 'cause they're good for you, but just don't crazy!

Eating Out Without Overeating

During the holiday season, dining out can be extremely challenging; especially if you are salt sensitive like myself.  Here are some of the traps and pitfalls you might want to be conscious of when planning to attend all those holiday dinners and parties within the next 6 weeks:

Over-sized portions can really do you in.  Most restaurants' idea of an individual portion is actually enough food for three adults!  So, be smart and eat most of the green stuff on the plate and only 1/3 of the protein and white stuff.  Take a doggie bag home.  You can have a hot lunch for two days.  This will allow you to eat well and cheap!
Restaurant food seems to be tastier than what most folks cook at home. So, why not do what me and my companion do (for those fabulous places that do cook better than I can!)...split 2 appetizers between you and order one entree and share it.  You'd be surprised how full you are walking away from the table and you've tried 3 dishes to boot!
Being starving-hungry when you arrive to a restaurant is like the kiss of death. You'll order far more than you really need, you'll devour the bread basket and in my case, go for what is on the 'no no' salt list and suffer for it later on in the evening.  Even if you have to grab a quick piece of fruit or a smudge of peanutbutter on a cracker or rice cake, or a handful of nuts in your pocket for the cab ride before you go out for the evening...do it!  You won't be starved by the time you arrive to the restaurant and you will most likely make better food choices.
Once in a while, I'll just order a nice salad and stave off the entree order until I'm finished with my salad.  At times, I'll just order a lite appetizer instead of a main course.
Last but not least....the overweight people who love 'safety in numbers'.  These are the folks that pick and poke at their food during the first two courses and tell everyone at the table about their diets.  Then, when the dessert menu arrives, they try to talk everyone else at the table into ordering 'desserts to share', so they can have their extra 900 calories in sugar and fat.  Beware of these eaters...there's a reason why they never lose weight and cajoling you into group participation at dessert time only makes them fatter and kills all the planning and hard work you've done up to this point.

Here's Your Healthy Tip of the Day:  Hey...GIVE ME A TIP FOR ONCE!  What works for you?  Please share with all of us your own healthy tips when dining out!

What works for you?

Free Initial Wellness Consultation!

There's been quite a bit of buzz about why so many of my patients are looking good, feeling great, and simply much happier lately...It's The Wellness Program!

Here's Your Healthy Tip of the Day:
Pass this on to anyone you know or love. It's FREE and can make a difference in your lives! Simply fill out the e-questionaire at the site below, and we'll take it from there!
http://www.surveymonkey.com/s/H2927XR

It's Not Too Late To Register For My Lecture!

Here's Your Healthy Tip of the Day:  Click on this link http://www.facebook.com/event.php?eid=128512167180707 and register NOW for my lecture on Traditional Chinese Medicine and Your Everyday Well Being. 
It's this Saturday, so ACT NOW!

Caregivers Need To Take Care Of Themselves

This morning, as I am sitting in front of my computer thinking about what I can offer to you today, the thought occurred to me:  caregivers need to take care of themselves first.
Being a caregiver to a child, an elder person, a sick individual or in my cirucumstance, a sick dog...it takes a toll on your well-being.  This is why we, as caregivers, must take good care of ourselves first.  If we are not in good condition, how can we possibly care for another who needs us?
So here's Your Healthy Tip of the Day:  if you are a caregiver, to your best ability, create normalcy in your life.  Try to eat well, exercise as much as you can and above all, get enough rest.  You have more than your share of stress in your life and you need to do as much as you can to stay healthy by keeping up with your immune system.  To any of you out there who knows a caregiver...do something nice for them once in a while.  Whether it't doing an errand for them or treating them to a mani/pedi or even to 'sit in' for an hour or so and lend a hand to the caregiving - it's a blessing.  As I took a break from writing this blog today to calm my dog who has experienced a sudden seizure of wheezing due to her nasal tumor, I realized that more than ever, I've got to be on the top of my game.  If I'm not 150%, then I'm no good to her.  You can't slide with your Wellness Program when you have another life to take care of.  So, if you're healthy, then appreciate what you have and nuture it.

One Week To Go

One more week until my 37 days is up!  37 days to recover from knee surgery, 37 days to getting back into good physical fitness...it's Friday and time to plot and plan the weekend.
Two days ago, it was 12 rounds of boxing and Muay Thai.  So, now that I've got my fun out of the way, it's back to business:
This afternoon, it's going to be the mini trampolene and physical therapy...or, I might be ambitious and get onto the treadmill.  I'll see how the knee feels.  Tomorrow, maybe I will go back to yoga class.
Sunday will be more of the same and I'll hit some golf balls for a reward!

No matter what your goals are for fitness, make certain you throw some fun into the mix!  It'll make all the difference in your outlook of physical fitness, you'll de-stress and sleep better.  You'll look better and most likely become a happier person!
Happy Friday!