Thursday, December 2, 2010

Top 5 Holiday Eating Myths



1.  Eat less throughout the day so you can splurge at parties.

This top myth sets you up for a binge that even Homer Simpson would envy.  Regulating your blood sugar throughout the day by eating a snack every 1 ½ to 2 hours and eating the correct personalized ratio of carbs to proteins, will allow you to show up to holiday parties much more composed and in a position to make better choices.

2.  Most people gain between 5 – 7 pounds during the holiday season.

We have all heard this one over the years.  According to the National Institutes of Health average holiday weight gain is closer to 1 pound.  But
those single pounds don't magically melt away after the New Year and instead start adding up.  So if you gain 1 pound per year during the holidays at the ripe age of 30, by the time you are 50 you will have 20 pounds of extra Holiday Cheer weighing you down.
 
3.  If you overeat at one meal today, you may as well eat whatever you want tomorrow.

“I totally blew it last night so I’m going to eat everything I want today”.  Sound familiar?  It’s never too late to start over.  Each day presents a new opportunity and the holidays are filled with opportunities.  Allow yourself to indulge, wisely, and hit the Daily Juice in Austin, TX to begin the next day with one of their serious Green Smoothies like the Kale-i-Brator!  It is perfectly portioned with protein, greens and fiber and is a great way to start afresh after a night of excess. If you live outside of Austin you can visit your favorite local juice spot or make your own Green Smoothie at home!

4.  Wine is the healthiest alcoholic beverage choice.

Many of us have been told that due to the antioxidant benefits wine is the healthiest spirit. However up to 40% of our clients discover during The Love Cleanse program, that wine is creating major symptoms of inflammation.  Some of the most common ways this manifests is in disturbed sleep, cravings, allergies, headaches and weight gain.  This inflammation would over-ride any benefits gained.  If wine is non-inflammatory for you it may indeed be the best beverage of choice.  Otherwise, reach for a potato based vodka and soda spritzer.   Or choose wisely enjoying it on special occasions when you are willing to suffer the toll the next day but know how to get yourself back on track afterward.

5.  Eat a small amount of each party food.
  

Instead of grabbing everything in sight and nibbling away, consider opting for more nutrient dense offerings and avoiding your personal trigger foods.  Everyone has unique trigger foods and discovering yours can go a long way towards allowing you to make conscious choices that will keep you feeling your best while still allowing you to have fun.  We call this personalized lifestyle empowerment!

Or opt for the less processed options.  Veering away from bread and dairy is an excellent beginning.

Wednesday, December 1, 2010

Client Testimonial


CLIENT:  Leigh Perry Zielinski, Apple Computer

INTOLERANCES DISCOVERED:
  • Citrus: Interrupted sleep
  • Nightshades: Inflammation/increased weight 
  • Chicken: causes fatigue
  • Soy: Inflammation/Increased weight
  • Gluten: Not completely intolerant but slight weight gain and digestive issues

TESTIMONIAL:

"Participating in the Love Cleanse is one of the best things I have done for myself. Prior to starting the cleanse, I was battling constant hunger, fatigue, a weight that would not budge, and frustration. I was consumed with the negative. Thinking that I could potentially have a thyroid issue, I started Internet investigating. It was during my Nancy Drew moment that I came across The Love Cleanse.

After meeting with Kim, I was inspired, motivated, and dedicated to her program. Within the first week I started to see several improvements from weight loss to increased energy. These were the results that I needed to persevere. Over a course of several weeks, I was becoming more in touch with my body and learning how the various food groups that were being tested played into my nutrition routine. The testing was exciting and revealed intolerances that I would have never recognized on my own.

In summary, through The Love Cleanse, I have:
  • Found a daily diet that works for me
  • Lost weight
  • Increased my energy level
  • Found that I do not have a thyroid issue
  • Become a happier person (improved mood)

I am a big advocate of the program. Kim is absolutely wonderful to work with and the daily interaction with her kept me positive.

The time, preparation, and dedication needed for The Love Cleanse is extremely rewarding!"

Sweet Potato Chili


The recent brisk weather has us craving a bowl of something warm and comforting and this vegetarian chili elegantly fits the bill. The relatively short ingredient list and easy preparation is deceptive as the final product is rich, layered with smoky flavors and tastes as if it were simmered all day on the stove. Served alone or over a bowl of your favorite grains, this Sweet Potato chili is a deliciously hearty meal. 

INGREDIENTS:
Makes 1 large serving or 2 small servings. Easily doubled.
  • 1 Tbsp olive oil
  • ¼ cup chopped yellow onion
  • ¼ cup chopped red bell pepper***
  • 1 clove garlic, minced
  • ½ medium sweet potato, peeled & chopped
  • 7 oz organic canned black beans, drained & rinsed
  • 7 oz organic fire roasted diced tomatoes (such as Muir Glen brand)***
  • 1 cup vegetable stock
  • ½ tsp crushed red pepper***
  • ½ tsp ancho chili powder***
  • ¼ tsp cumin
  • 1 scallion, chopped
  • 1 tablespoon cilantro, chopped

INSTRUCTIONS:
Heat olive oil in a soup pot over medium heat.  Add onion, pepper & garlic. Saute about 5 minutes.  Add beans vegetable stock, tomatoes & sweet potato. Stir in red pepper, chili powder & cumin.  Bring to a boil, reduce heat to simmer & cook uncovered about 30 minutes until potato is tender.  Remove from heat, stir in scallion & cilantro. 

If you cannot find a vegetable stock with approved ingredients, you can substitute water.

*** Omit red pepper, tomatoes, pepper flakes & chili powder if nightshades are your personal other.  You can substitute chopped zucchini for the red pepper.

From our Clients....

"The Love Cleanse has improved my quality of life.

I have tried countless other programs related to nutrition and fitness with only temporary success. This is because all of these programs addressed the symptoms of being overweight, but never the root causes.

With the Love Cleanse I found out what foods to avoid, and how those foods impact me at every level. That information now forms the basis of how I live each day.

I look better, I sleep better, my mood is better, I feel better - in short I am better - because of the Love Cleanse."

Dan Young
Vida Capital Executive and Father of 2
Read more about Dan's experience throughout the Cleanse here.

----------------------------------

"I actually did this cleanse in support of my fiance. He was feeling low energy and was having a hard time focusing and suspected a food allergy. I thought to myself, why not do the cleanse with him. I'm so glad that I did. As it turned out, I had more sensitivities then he did! I had just learned to live with these sensitivities (rosacea, moodiness, etc.). 

During the cleanse, my energy soared and my skin looked better then ever. I also lost 20 pounds. My mood was better then ever, except when I integrated citrus. That was a hard couple of days, due to rotten mood and anxiety. But the good new is that I learned what citrus does to me. I've eliminated it from my diet and feel better then ever. 

I honestly wish that everyone I knew would do this cleanse. It feels good to be healthy!"
 
Kelley Huston
Voiceover Talent
----------------------------------

"Committing to the Love Cleanse is the best gift to give yourself.  I can’t think of a viable excuse not to fully commit to the transformation it delivers.  My new ‘normal’ is ‘vibrant’, and best of all, whenever I feel a bit off, I now know exactly what to do to get back to feeling incredible."

Emily Villanueva
Vice President – Marketing, Catapult Systems
Mom of two under 5, and a distance runner
(Both after the kiddos and for herself
)

----------------------------------

"I have always suspected that my overall health could be regulated with simple choices in my diet but never quite knew how to make those choices that were right for me, specifically. The Love Cleanse renewed my hope (and proved my suspicions correct) almost instantly. 

For over ten years I have struggled with a thyroid disorder and resented taking a pill each day to reach a "normal" level of energy. During my cleanse time, I experienced the highest level of energy that I had almost forgotten existed...and all this energy was coming from my food, not coffee or a thyroid supplement!"


Devon Haire
Greenling Organics

---------------------------------- 

"I entered this program a little skeptical after trying many other types of "fad" diets. After talking with Kat and Kim, I decided to take the plunge and give it my all. I struggled the 1st week with all of the perfectly time shakes, tease, rice for breakfast, no meat, but I endeared. I was actually feeling fantastic after only the 1st three days on the program. More energy, sleeping better, and a better outlook on life. 

I could not tolerate the Dosha tea at all, so it was dumped from the program, minimal loss in my opinion. The train kept on moving. After beginning to reintegrate foods one at a time, obviously all meat groups 1st so that I could start getting back my read meat. I was surprised to find that many of the side items I enjoyed adding to my meals, eggs, onions, dairy were not doing my system any good. After keeping in touch with Kat throughout the tough times, we were able to narrow down what was working as expected and what to move past. Over the 1st two weeks I lost 15 lbs as a side effect! Everyone was asking what I was doing and then couldn't believe that I was able to follow such a program.

These days, I do my part to shop right so that I am more apt to choose the right foods in my house and continue down this path Kim and Kat have created for me. This is a lifelong change for me and I will continue to call on these girls for support as circumstances change.

Thanks Kim And Kat for starting a revolution in nutrition knowledge!"

Jimmy Studzinsk
Dental Sales Professional


---------------------------------- 

"The Love Cleanse proved to be an ongoing useful experience in my everyday eating habits. I was able to get some real insight into what was causing some of my cravings, mood swings, and down spiraling energy levels. I was also able to identify those foods which added some weight gain over the years. I'm now able to identify those foods which intensified my cravings, irritability, allergies, and what lowered my overall energy levels. 

With this new found knowledge I know which foods work best and those that work against me. And last but not least, the cleanse provided some weight loss that I've continued to keep off!"

Christi Corbitt
Pure Austin Trainer