7. July 2010 by healthlady.

Seven Steps to a Food Revolution for the Family

You may have watched or heard of Jamie Oliver’s Food Revolution.  A new television program that features British Chef, Jamie Oliver and some of America’s most unhealthy citizens and towns.  His goal is to teach American school cafeteria workers and their captive audience, the children, how to prepare healthier foods and eat healthier in order to make wiser food choices that will have a positive impact in their lives.

The facts are clear, America is one of the sickest nations in the world although we spend the most on health care.  Our children are the first generation whose life expectancy is less than that of their parents.  As alarming as these facts are, we can all have a part in changing them.  We don’t want this for our children and so we must learn how to change the facts and have a meaningful impact.  Here are a some suggestions on how to bring a food revolution in to your family’s kitchen.

Admit that you can do better.  Acknowledging that there is a food challenge at home is the first step.  Once you’ve done this you can now move on to making healthier decisions for your families.
Learn what you can about preparing healthier meals and lunches for the family.  There are a few local places that have classes on healthy food preparation who can give you the knowledge you’ll need to begin making a difference in your families health.  By including the children in the classes, this will empower them to make healthier choices for themselves.  It also lets them know that we care about how they are feeling, physically and psychologically.
Now comes the challenging part.  Rid your home of the toxic foods that have been contributing to the alarming statistics of America’s health.  This includes highly processed foods, high saturated fat foods, and high sugar foods.  A few examples would be soda pop, chips, snack foods, fatty meats, high fat dairy, and many frozen/micro-wavable meals.
Now that you have so much room in the pantry and the fridge, you can go on a meaningful shopping trip to the grocery store.  The best place to shop is the perimeter of the store.  This is where you’ll find the fresh and frozen foods including fruits, vegetables, nuts, lean cuts of meats and low-fat dairy.  (My personal opinion is to keep the meat and dairy to a minimum because of the high acid content.  I won’t say anything more about that due to the highly controversial nature of the topic.)  The more fresh, live foods you include in the meals, the more energy you and your family will have.  Life begets life.
Wash and prepare your fresh foods when you get home and then store them in the smaller containers to create a convenient way for family members to grab and eat or grab and prepare healthy meals or snacks.  For instance, fruits and vegetables can be chopped, cut or diced ahead of time to put on an easy access platter or to use in simple recipes.  You’ll be amazed at how healthy the kids will eat if it’s convenient.  Give it a go!  You won’t regret it.
Make a plan for future meals and snacks.  The old saying goes, “If you fail to plan, you plan to fail.”  Ugh!  Not good news.  But, we CAN plan, it just takes a small effort on our part as parents.  Get the kids involved.  I bet they’d love to have an input on what’s for supper, or breakfast or lunch.  The great thing about including the children is that it will give you more quality time as a whole.  Who couldn’t use some of that, right?
Ahhh, lucky number 7.  This is where you all sit down as a family to eat at least one meal a day.  Sound like a time crunch?  I know, been there, done that, got the T-shirt.  Although I can tell you that after making these small changes, my family has  come together (a gradual process) to share mealtimes and we look forward to our time with each other.  Rome wasn’t built in a day and neither will this food revolution for your family be built in a day, or even a week or a month.  It WILL take time and effort on your part.  The great news is, though, that you all will reap rewards of increased energy, optimal health, and emotional clarity.  I’d have to say that’s worth it, wouldn’t you?

I hope these tips have been helpful for you and will take you one step closer to gaining a healthy balance in your family, both physically and emotionally.  So when would NOW be a good time to get started?  We can all do better and be healthier.  Let’s pull together and bring our nation and our world out of those staggering statistics and have fun doing it!

Health is a choice.  Either we’ll choose to make time to be healthy now or we’ll ultimately have to take time to be sick later.  The choice is clear.  Be well and live intentionally.

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24. January 2010 by healthlady.

God’s way to Vibrant Health:

Our body is the temple of the Holy Spirit.  It is sacred and we are to care for it accordingly.  Does that sound familiar?  What does it mean?  I had to do some serious sole searching and bible study to come up with an answer that I understood.

It says in Genesis 1:29 what we are to eat to nourish our living bodies.  Starting in I Cor. 3:16… it goes on to say that if we destroy the Temple, God will destroy us.  Yikes!  We don’t want that, yet most of us, 95%, do not follow God’s original plan for eating, although it was perfect for us.  When we do, we have vibrant, disease-free lives and can truly find the fruit of the Spirit; love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, gentleness, faithfulness, self-control.  And God’s word says that “they will know us by our fruits…”  “They” are unbelievers and “us” are Christians.

No plan, aside from God’s, is perfect.  But we can make wise choices and learn to discipline our flesh.  It has to start somewhere and some time.  So when would NOW be a great time to start?

I believe it’s time for us as Christians to step up and be the example of what Christ was like.  He was not a self-indulgent man, He lived a disciplined life, and He loved everyone.  It has to start with me (and you).  Let’s show the world what living a vibrant life with vibrant health looks like.

I am a Life and Health Coach as well as a Health Minister.  I love God and I love people, all people.  My job is to help those who want to be more, who want to do more, and just haven’t made it happen yet.  I lead them on a journey of self-discovery and self-improvement.  If you know of anyone like that, I’d love to work with them.

Choose to MAKE it a great day!  Live with passion and never quit!

Blessings to you and your business and family.

What priority have you put on your health?

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13. September 2009 by healthlady.

Friendlin:
An imaginary creature who encourages positive behavior(s) leading to forward actions.  The origin of our friendlin is from someone who cared for or loved you and encouraged you.

I want you to think back to a time in your life when your gremlin was a strong presence and you allowed it to control you.  How did it affect you?
Now think back to a time when your friendlin was in control.  When you KNEW you couldn’t fail and you reached for the stars!  No one could tell you that you couldn’t do something.  You were unstoppable!  It was going to happen and nothing on planet earth could have kept you from reaching your goal!  No one!

NOW…
Which one excited you more?  Which one gave you a feeling of security, of love, of sound mind, of success, exhilaration, joy, unexplainable jumping up and down?

Great news! YOU decide who to listen to every day.

Here’s the secret to your success:
You MUST be proactive!  You MUST take action in a positive way.  Some say that “knowledge is power”.  I say, “Don’t let them kid you.”  Knowledge is only potential power.  It only becomes powerful when you add the action steps to it.  And thoughts are actions.  Action simply means, “something done”.  You did something by making the decision to think a certain way, to not think a certain way.  In either case, you took action.  That is the key to success.
What are some things your friendlin might say?
I knew you could do it.
You’ve always been good at that.
You must be working out!
You look fabulous in that outfit.
Are you losing weight?
Getting up early feels sooo good!

Here are the benefits of listening to your friendlin and not your gremlin:

Your friendlin encourages change.
Your friendlin supports you in making difficult but good decisions
It is your personal cheerleader.
Just when you think you can’t, it says, “why not”!  Let’s go for it!
It will take you to places you’ve never known before.
You’ll soar higher than you ever thought possible.  It’s the one who says, so what if you shoot for the stars and only land on the moon.  You’re farther than you were before.
It’s the one who reminds you of the definition of insanity, doing the same thing over and over, expecting different results.

SO!
Which one will you listen to?
Which one will you choose to take along with you wherever you go?
The choices you make, even the tiniest ones, are what shapes your destiny.
Will you settle for the gremlin’s garbage or are you going to be perhaps the first one in your family to go to graduate from high school, to go to college, to have successful relationships, to get fit in spite of all that is against you.

Let me share some stories of how letting your friendlin lead you has helped others.

Remember the little train that could?  I think I can, I think I can.  And you know what?  He did!  He conquered that mountain and encouraged millions of people to think they could too.

And then there’s one of the most memorable times in Olympic history:  The US women were on the verge of an historic win in the team competition in Atlanta. Then the unthinkable happened: Dominique Moceanu, the youngest member of the team, fell on both of her vaults in the last event of the day.

With just a slim lead over the Russian team, it was essential that Kerri Strug, the final American gymnast to perform, nail her vault. But Strug fell too, injuring her ankle in the process. With just one more shot, Strug ignored her injury and ran down for another attempt, sticking her vault before crumpling to the floor in pain.

In doing so, she assured the Americans their first Olympic team gold, and instantly became one of the most recognizable faces of the 1996 Games.  Do you think she was listening to her gremlin or was it her friendlin who helped her get past unbearable pain and go for the gold against seemingly unbeatable odds?  Yes, her friendlin!  Do you think she could have done it any other way?  Absolutely not!

And how about Joni Ericson Tada, a young 17 year old girl who loved swimming.  Her tragic diving accident left her paralyzed and a quadrapolegic.  In a wheel chair for life.  Although her gremlin did it’s very best to keep her down and stop her from thinking she could ever do anything good again or ever help anyone, she, now in her 50’s or 60’s is a leading christian motivational speaker.  She raises money and seeks donations of new and used wheelchairs to help those who are not so fortunate to be able to afford one or even have access to one.  Most are crawling through life begging for their next bite to eat.  Which self-talk was she listening to?  You guessed it, her friendlin.  It was her way of saying, I am more than this wheelchair, I was created to do more than feel sorry for myself.  She found others who were even less fortunate than herself and she helped them!  What a great friendlin she has, and now inspires millions.  Was she any different than we are?  Well, that depends on you and who you choose to listen to.

Your brain does not know the difference between what you do and what you vividly imagine.  Your imagination is just self-talk.
The first time I walked on fire I was terrified.  My gremlin told me that I was going to burn my feet to a crisp.  I may never jump again, let alone walk normally.  I chose not to listen to it.  Instead, with a lot of direction and many conversations with my friendlin, I walked across coals that were almost 2000 degrees f!  I made it to the other side and I DID jump.  I jump up and down for joy!  I said, if I can do that, I can do anything!  I still believe that today.
What about you?  What do you believe?  Who are you listening to?
Make your friendlin, your best friendlin.  It can take you places you’ve never even dreamed of.

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20. January 2009 by healthlady.

Stress is one of the leading contributors to disease.  It is inevitable in today’s society.  If you don’t learn to manage it, it CAN kill.  As my friend Roberta says, “If we can’t afford prevention, then how will we afford disease?”

That’s why I am excited to invite you to our next Stress Management workshop.  It will be held on January 29, 2009 at 49 E. Isabella Rd., Midland, MI  48640 at 6:00 p.m.  to 8:00 p.m.

Ten Steps to Managing Stress:

Simple Ways to Gain Balance in Your Life

Cost is just $10 or $15 per couple (2 people).  If you don’t find the information exceptional, I’ll refund your entrance fee!  You can’t lose!!

 Make today and every day one you’ll never forget.

 To your Vibrant Health, Body & Life,

 Wendy

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11. December 2008 by healthlady.

Would you dare to say, “I look good today; I am successful; I am generous; I am healthy.”, etc.? The words we speak are like a prophesy of our futures. What does your future look like? Is it filled with encouraging dreams, goals, and plans or does it look bleak, sad, and dreary? I’ve heard it said that we get what we expect. In my life, there seems to be nothing but truth in that statement. I DO get what I expect. Not just sometimes, all the time. So what are you expecting? The choice is yours. Will you expect to be blessed in your future or cursed in your future?

Anthony Robbins says, “The choices we make are what determines our destiny.” And not making a conscious decision and just letting things happen is a choice. If you don’t control your thoughts and actions, who does?

I choose to say, “This is going to be a great day! I have God’s favor; He is directing my steps. What ever I do prospers and succeeds. I have vibrant health, a vibrant body and a vibrant life. My family is whole and healthy.”

Begin speaking victory and favor over your life. Choose blessings, not curses. You can do, and be, anything! I wish you health, happiness, and wholeness. Be blessed.

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26. November 2008 by healthlady.

Thanksgiving is a wonderful time to look back on the times, people, places, and memories that we’ve experienced throughout the past year and be reminded of all the many things to be thankful for. We live in a great country that offers MANY opportunities to dream and live out loud.

Here’s hoping you make great choices as your eyes are overwhelmed with a host of yummy food options.  (Just remember, we are what we eat.)   ThoughI have to admit, I do plan on indulging a bit.

I hope that you’ll be mindful of all the blessings surrounding you and live each and every moment on purpose and with passion. Enjoy your day!

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7. November 2008 by healthlady.

Hello all,

Last night I gave a presentation on dealing with dis-eases to a fine group of people at midMichigan’s Huntington’s Disease support group. Thank you to Ruth and Bob for inviting me.

I met many fine individuals who are taking proactive steps to dealing with the disorder. I hope to join them again some time. Perhaps even my stepfather, who has HD, will come along.

Nutrition plays a huge role in the lives of everyone, not just those dealing with a disease or disorder right now. Eventually, not eating properly will cause everyone to deal with a dis-ease or disorder. Take time NOW to make wiser choices for you and your family or you will ultimately take time later to be sick.

Fresh fruit and vegetable juices are a great source of nutrition and will provide your body with some great building blocks to repair damaged or weak cells.

If you have made any nutritional changes in your life and have seen benefits from them regarding HD or any other illnesses, I’d love to hear from you. The information could inspire another to take a proactive step up and could ultimately save a life.

God’s best to you all.

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22. October 2008 by healthlady.

Hello and welcome to our blog site.  We are happy you took time from your busy schedule to be here with us.  Enjoy and learn (or teach).

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