Archives for July 2013

Is a Boot-Camp Mentality the Answer to Good Health?

Easy HardIn a word, the answer to that question is NO!

But it’s always the first thing my clients want to know.

As a gluten-free Health Coach, I could certainly make it my job to crack the whip.

In reality, though, I prefer a gentler approach.

Besides, when you try to force things, chances are they will back-fire.

Don’t believe me?

Go ahead and try it!

Choose something – anything – and see how successful you are when your efforts feel forced and contrived, or worse yet, you constantly feel deprived.

Such a feat is rarely sustainable.

(That’s why diets so often fail).

Of course, here at Design a Healthy Life, the emphasis isn’t on weight loss.

Rather, it’s about learning to live with Celiac Disease and Food Sensitivities – so you can get past overwhelm and start making make smart, informed decisions about your diet and your health.

With that said, here are some of the most common myths about this so-called “Boot Camp Mentality.”

 

Do Everything MY Way – Or Else

Maybe you just want to learn how to eat gluten-free and that’s it.

That’s perfectly OK!

The goal of a coach, is to meet you where you’re at.

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For The Love of Pizza

PizzaNote:  This article is one more in a series of the many awesome things you can make with Garbanzo Flour!)

 

When my son was growing up, Fridays were always Pizza Night.

It’s a tradition that has remained to this day – although I have to admit, I often forgo a gluten-free pizza in lieu of a healthier option.

(Besides, gluten-free pizza isn’t always that easy to come by on a moment’s notice, unless you have a supply of gluten-free pizza crusts in your freezer at all times).

Just saying.

Which is why, on a recent Friday, I was suddenly inspired to cook up a storm.

My plan was to make several things, including vegetarian Beet Burgers from an enticing recipe I’d recently come across, and a homemade Broccoli Soup.

While I was at it, I also planned to roast some Sweet Potatoes to have on hand for a snack or side dish.

Mid-afternoon, I met a friend for coffee, for what I expected to be a one hour visit – tops.

But we hadn’t seen each other in awhile, and before we knew it one hour had turned into three!

By the time I got home, I was feeling a bit less inspired.

Have you ever had days like that?

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How To Travel Green

TravelAh, the joys of travel.

Not only do we have to deal with the hassles of flying, but our normally healthy habits as far as diet and exercise often fly out the window, adding to our level of frustration and fatigue.

When you add a gluten-free, allergen-free diet to the mix, it gets even more interesting!

Here’s another thing I know to be true:

If you’re an eco-friendly sort of person, it can be very hard to maintain your eco-friendly ways while on the road.

After all, when we’re tired and hungry, and far from home it’s much easier to opt for convenience – especially when crunched for time.

Still, it is possible, and needn’t take too much effort.

So here are my tips on How to Travel Green.

 

Stay Hydrated

While it’s definitely important to stay hydrated while traveling, I think it’s equally important to consider the type of bottle you’re drinking out of.

Yet, how does one maintain proper fluid intake without going through gallons of water packaged in plastic bottles?

My method isn’t foolproof, but here it is:  I travel with a stainless steel water bottle.

I empty it prior to passing through airport security, then promptly request a refill at the nearest Starbucks.

A friend of mine gave me this tip a few years ago, and it really works!

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The Dopamine Effect

PastrieslHave you heard of Dopamine?

Naturally present in the human body, it’s often referred to as the “feel good” chemical – acting as both a neurotransmitter and a hormone.

It’s a good one to know about!

In fact, any time you feel a burst of excitement, pleasure, alertness or general euphoria – that’s dopamine at work!

Life would be pretty sad without it, don’t you think?

Well, here’s another fact about dopamine – it’s also activated by Sugar.

(Perhaps this is what’s really going on when we talk about a “sugar high”).

As it turns out, there’s a link between dopamine and highly processed foods – things like chips and other snack foods, fast food (think French fries), and all those frozen meals in the freezer section of your local market.

That’s because dopamine also plays a major role in addiction!

(Gluten-free or not, it makes no difference).

So, when food manufacturers inject our food with oodles of fat, sugar and salt – guess what happens?

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