Sunday, November 26, 2023

Seasonal Eating

 Instinctively I’ve always eaten seasonally. What is seasonal eating you might ask? It’s basically following the natural harvest of fruits and vegetables and eating the fruits and vegetables that are in season. Seasonal eating has become more popular along with “Farm to Table”. This is probably because more people are obtaining local fruits and vegetables instead of foods imported that travelled hundreds of miles to get to the grocery store. 

An example is during the summer, I would salads with cucumbers, lettuce, bell peppers, arugula with spring/summer vegetables and I tend to not eat salads during the winter unless it’s a warm kale salad. I can share my warm kale salad recipe later with brussels sprouts, cranberries which is delicious and is full of fall/winter vegetables. Salads are cold and eating a cold salad during the winter would just made me colder, which is a no, no. Eating seasonal is also better for your body because you are getting the nutrients necessary for that time of the year. For example, citrus fruits are seasonal during the colder months when your body needs the additional vitamin C. Eating more protein and fats during the colder months will help keep my body warmer. Finally, eating foods out of season can great an imbalance in your body and can make your susceptible to colds, flu and other illnesses. 

Saturday, June 3, 2017

Certified Holistic Nutritionist

I am proud to say that I received my diploma and I am now a Certified Holistic Nutritionist! I love reading and learning about nutrition, so it made absolute sense. I learned so much, but was also surprised by how much I already knew! Interestingly one of the courses with my best grade was in Nutrition- I must brag that I got an A. I didn't do as well with my Sports & Fitness Nutrition course but also did well in Vegetarian Nutrition! I actually think that I am more knowledgeable in Sports & Fitness Nutrition, maybe I didn't study as hard.
I am not sure yet if I will pursue Nutrition as a full-time career, but so many people come to me for Nutrition advice that it made sense and I truly enjoy helping people to live healthier lifestyles. I never expect anyone to eat like I do but if I can help people to eat better, lose weight or whatever their goals might be, I am here to help!

Sunday, April 3, 2011

Being Sick Sucks!

I've had the flu for the past week and as a result I have not worked out. It hit me so bad this time that I was actually said that I would consider getting a flu shot next year. Can you believe it! I can't but it was probably the cold medicine I was taking at the time (Theraflu) that caused me to utter those word. Unfortunately, I was too ill to go to the gym and I was unable to train for 8 days. That really sucked, I am training for a competition but I can't train. I am just looking forward to getting back to my routine!

Saturday, March 19, 2011

Things I Noticed at My Gym this Week

After my workout on Thursday, I was waiting for my husband to get out of the men's change room. The workout area at my health club is on the upper level and the change area is on the first level. A couple had recently walked out of the change room and they proceeded to take the elevator instead of the stairs. Who goes to the gym and takes the elevator up 1 flight of stairs? I thought that was unbelievable!

On Tuesday I was walking past the group execise area heading to the cage to do some lifting and one of the trainers says to me that I look like I want to join the room full of females doing some kind of dance cardio (not sure if it was Zumba or whatever). My comment to him was why are you suggesting that I join that group...because I am a female? There were 2 guys walking past and he didn't suggest that they join the females in that class shaking their booties. Hey, there is nothing wrong with those classes and people enjoy them, but they are not for me. Besides most of the women in there had lots of booty to shake! The only group class I would consider doing is a spin class. In addition, I am not a cardio bunny, no thank you!

Saturday, February 26, 2011

"In order to achieve something greater than the masses, you're going to have to be able to sacrifice more than they can"

Things you never hear people say..."I have a craving for spinach"!

Why is it that we always have craving to eat foods that is not good for us? Yesterday I had a craving for chocolate. Lucky for me, I now have a new acquired taste for dark chocolate and I don't really like milk chocolate anymore. I've never been a fan of those cheap chocolate bar you can get at convenience stores or at the front check out area of grocery stores. There is a CVS right next to my job and I went looking for chocolate. I was unable to find dark chocolate and just left without anything. Trader Joe's have some really delicious dark chocolate (including yummy chocolate truffles) and I thought I would stop on my way home to quench my craving. Guess what? I completely forgot, I guess by the end of the day, my craving was gone!

I read the following statement in an article recently: "Typically, urges to eat are often driven by our emotions, and in some instances, physiologically, by our brain chemicals".
I saw an interview with Janet Jackson recently and she spoke about being an "emotional eater" and how she has had to learn how to overcome those "emotional urges".
The next time you are about to stop at that fast food restaurant and before you bite into that cheese burger and french fries, stop to think if there is an emotional response to that urge!

Saturday, February 12, 2011

I want to grow up to be like Ernestine

Ernestine Shepherd is 74 years old and is the worlds most mature (notice that I didn't say old) bodybuilder and I want to grow up to be just like her! I saw Ernestine's picture in a magazine a few months ago and of course I was impressed. She looks amazing and looks like she can kick ass!
Last month I made the decision to compete in the Capital Tournament of Champions in Washington DC, and recently found out that Ernestine will be in the same competition. Lucky for me we will not be competiting in the same division or class so I won't have to be concerned about a 75 year young woman kicking my butt and putting me to shame! I can't wait to meet her!
You go girl!

Sunday, January 23, 2011

Never Listen When Someone Fat Talks to You About Nutrition

"Never listen when someone fat talks to you about nutrition". Those words were written in an article I read by Tim Henriques who is the Director of the National Personal Training Institute of VA. I thought it was funny. His thought is that this was common sense -  why follow those who don't have the passion to follow their own advice?
I would like to include "never listen when someone fat tells you that they are going to start working out". Chances are they are not going to start anything, or even if they do, they will not continue. Don't tell me what you are going to do, tell me what you have done! I work with this lady who for the last 3 years continues to say that she is going to join a gym or going to start walking and so far nothing. I just want to say to her, I've heard that before! There is always an excuse. People can always find excuses for not exercising but really there is no excuse. Just Do It!

Seasonal Eating

 Instinctively I’ve always eaten seasonally. What is seasonal eating you might ask? It’s basically following the natural harvest of fruits a...