Monthly Archives: January 2018

January 31, 2018

SP Apparel Spotlight

Kimono Wraps Have Arrived!

SALE $175 Now $150

http://apparel.sleekphysique.com/kimono-wrap-sale/

January 31, 2018

More Than A Diet

Steer Clear of Self Sabotage (focusing on healthy ways to handle stress instead of stress eating, etc)

Stress eating word cloud concept

If you’re reading this newsletter we’re assuming you are trying to change your life for the better. People who choose to make changes in their life sometimes revert back to their old ways when things get tough because it’s easier for them. Reverting back to their old ways usually leads to self-sabotaging any progress they made to begin with. Although it’s mostly known for personality traits it is possible to self-sabotage when it comes to your health. Giving up on your health goals is one thing, but subconsciously working against it is another. Stress is one of the main issues that can cause this.

In the last issue, we talked about how to balance a busy life with a healthy one. If you are overstressed in one aspect of your life the other aspects of your life can suffer. Stress eating isn’t a myth, in order to calm yourself down and avoid thinking about the things that are stressing you, you may eat more to provide comfort. If you’re constantly thinking about what you need to do that you haven’t done and how you’re going to add working out on top of that, it can really cause tension and stress.

The moral of this month’s column is to tell you guys to chill out! Your life is already hard enough as it is, no need to bite off more than you can chew. Here are some tips to reduce stress and stop yourself from self-sabotaging:

  • Take a personal day.

Spend a whole da ding things that make your happy. Pay attention to the things that you’ve been neglecting. Treat yo self.

  • Schedule your days.

Instead of worrying about the ten things you have to do in a day and what you might be forgetting. Plan out your days. It might seem strenuous and it’s difficult to stick with it but can help keep you organized and less stressed out.

  • Eat certain foods.

Yes it is easier to indulge in junk food when you’re stressed out but it definitely isn’t better for you. Focus on foods that can help lower your stress level like: berries, avocados, tree nuts, and even chocolate!

& of course.. Work out!

We wouldn’t be an all around fitness company if we didn’t tell you to work out. Working out helps with the feeling of stress and promotes endorphins. Need to get out some pent up aggression? Take a boxing class! Need to feel more relaxed? Take a yoga class. The possibilities are endless.

Take some time out of your day to identify what you’re stressing out about, and then to think about the things you could do to stop stressing. Whether it’s solving the issue, working out, or treating yourself, there are things that can be done to help your situation instead of hindering it.

January 31, 2018

Get Moving

Pilates (focus on different ways to do pilates such as mat, reformer, trapeze,)

Have you ever completed a really difficult workout, and thought to yourself after, “Man, it’s amazing what my body can do.”  Our bodies are incredible, and capable of so much more than we think.  When we do exercises like pilates, we’re constantly twisting and turning our bodies into weird shapes, as well as building up endurance in our core so we can be the powerhouse that our parents and personal trainers would be proud of.  If we want to push the body just a little bit further, then why limit ourselves to just one type of pilates workout?  

There are so many different ways to take advantage of what Pilates has to offer, so you can get amazing results that make you proud of your own body.  An excellent type of Pilates workout is the reformer.  The reformer is a Pilates machine that encourages you to do one thing: Just keep moving.  You would make all of your normal pilates poses, but with the assistance of straps, and a rolling platform, you can push yourself further, and work with more resistance to tone your core and lower body.  The results are highly beneficial, making you more flexible on a day to day basis, as well as improving your posture, helping you appear taller and more well-balanced.

 

 

Looking for something a little less demanding?  How about mat pilates?  Unlike reformer, it’s equipment free, and it’s meant to work with your body at your own pace while cushioning you for more support.  It’s safe for pregnant women to do, and it’s a good way to build yourself up to something more challenging, because the poses slowly increase in difficulty as it moves on.  

The last type of pilates I’ll be talking about is not for those who have a fear of heights.  That is trapeze pilates.  Yeah, you heard me right.  Looking like an extension of the reformer machine, trapeze pilates allows you to take your workout to the sky (or just about six feet above the ground.)  It’s excellent for men and women, with features like the “push bar” to allow you to hang and pose for stability purposes.  The table under you does not move, so if heights make you a little woozy, then it will be comforting to know that you have plenty of support if you have trouble hanging on.  

All forms of pilates work the same way essentially, but everyone has a different difficulty setting, so choose what you think will be right for you and your body.  Whether you want to stick to the ground or hang from a pole, your Pilates workout should be fun, satisfying, and it should make you want to say, “my body is capable of amazing things.”

January 31, 2018

Wellness Corner

Clary Sage

Common Primary Uses: Aneurysm, Breast Enlargement, Cholesterol, Convulsions, Cramps (Abdominal), Dysmenorrhea, Emotional Stress, Endometriosis, Epilepsy, Estrogen Balance, Frigidity, Hair (Fragile), Hormonal Balance, Hot Flashes, Impotence, Infection, Infertility, Insomnia (Older Children), Lactation (Start Milk Production for Mommy), Mood Swings, Muscle Fatigue, Parkinson’s Disease, PMS, Postpartum Depression, Pre-menopause, Seizure,

 

Clary Sage is known as one of the most relaxing, soothing and balancing essential oils.

As I mentioned in the previous article, I was in need of essential oils that would work on seizure patients and during my research, I was directed to Clary Sage due to its calming properties.

This essential oil was able to calm down the neurological system as well, and I was pleased to find that it was remarkably safe since I was in such a dire need of something that was going to alleviate my daughter’s seizures, and was going to be using it frequently when it was needed. But then I was pleased to find out that Clary Sage is wonderful for so many female problems and being that I am female and so is my daughter we have greatly benefitted from this essential oil as well. When its that time of the month and you are experiencing abdominal cramps rubbing a few drops of Clary Sage can take those pains away. If you are pre-menopausal and experiencing those hot flashes rubbing some Clary Sage on the pulse points of your wrist can alleviate those as well. Therefore this essential oil has more than proven its value and place in my medicine cabinet of essential oils.

 

January 31, 2018

Bon Appetit

Food Find: Tempeh

Looking to follow a more plant-based diet, but the thought of eating tofu day after day doesn’t quite sit well with you? Well, good news for you– there are plenty of alternatives that will encourage a healthier, plant-based diet for everyone! Tempeh is similar to tofu, as it’s high in protein, low in fat, can be used as a meat substitute, but has a nutty flavor and is full of texture!

Tempeh originates in Indonesia and is actually the product of fermented soybeans. The fermentation process actually makes Tempeh a probiotic food, meaning it’s very gut-friendly, encouraging digestion and growth of healthy gut bacteria. And great news for those who are worried about following a vegetarian diet and getting enough protein, tempeh has even more protein than it’s counterpart, tofu. Because of its hearty texture, it works perfectly in traditionally meat-based dishes (see our Recipe of the Month), that even the most stubborn carnivore will enjoy!

The best part about following a plant-based diet is that it’s very heart healthy (meaning a longer life!), and because tempeh has soy isoflavones– eating this food can counteract high cholesterol levels according to the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition. Eating tempeh is associated with reducing the risk of developing diabetes, cancer, and other inflammatory diseases.

Following a plant based diet may sound difficult, but the meat substitutes, especially like the whole food tempeh, are abundant and can easily be used in any traditional dish. It’s all about getting creative with what you’ve got! Tempeh can be found in your local health-foods store or  the health foods section in many grocery stores.

January 31, 2018

Au Naturale

Flawless Aloe Skin Mask

1 Tbsp Seaweed Powder

1 Tbsp Aloe Vera Gel
2 Tbsp Warm Water
1 Tbsp Honey
6 Drops of Melaleuca Oil

 

Mix all ingredients in a bowl. Apply seaweed mixture to a clean dry face.  Let sit and harden for 20 minutes.  Rinse with warm water.
Apply favorite moisturizer.

 

January 31, 2018

Recipe of the Month: Tempeh Chili

From Food52.com

Serves 4 to 6

  • 2tablespoons olive oil
  • 1medium yellow or white onion, diced
  • One8-ounce package tempeh, grated on the largest setting of a box grater, or crumbled finely
  • 1large green bell pepper, diced
  • 1large stalk celery, diced
  • 2cloves garlic
  • 1/2cup pureed tomato sauce
  • One15-ounce can kidney beans, drained (or 1 1/2 cups cooked)
  • One15-ounce can pinto beans, drained (or 1 1/2 cups cooked)
  • 1teaspoon cumin
  • 2teaspoons chili powder
  • 1/2 to 1teaspoons sea salt (to taste)
  • 1/2teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes
  • 1/2cup green onions or scallions, chopped
  1. Heat the olive oil in a large pot over medium heat. Add the onions, cook for a few minutes, and then add the tempeh. Cook till the tempeh begins to brown, 5 to 8 minutes. Add the green pepper and celery and cook till they’re tender, another 5 minutes. Add the garlic. Continue cooking another two minutes.
  2. Add all of the remaining ingredients, along with half a cup of water. Reduce heat to a simmer and cook until the chili is fragrant, warm, and the flavors have come together (25 to 30 minutes). Add more water as needed, if the chili becomes too thick. Serve, sprinkled with green onion or scallions.