Fresh and New
Fresh and New: The Season to Begin Again
Most of us have our Christmas and holiday decor stored away for next year and are ready to put this new year into full motion. Have you thought about a pantry re-do? It’s likely there are a few unfinished packages of holiday foods, desserts or candies hiding there. It’s time to TOSS!
This is the season when gym memberships soar, diet books and work-out wear reach record sales. What’s your strategy to maintain or regain optimum health and vitality as you begin 2020?
My starting point begins with a nutritional check-up. This nutritional reboot is great for beginning a new year as it gets your body back on track after a lengthy holiday season.
Here are a few suggestions to get you started:
• Destress the adrenal glands: Holidays may be happy and hectic, putting an unusually high stress-load on the adrenals (and the thymus, spleen, stomach & immune system).
Include these foods to improve adrenal function:
Foods to AVOID while restoring your adrenals include:
White sugar & flour foods
Fried foods / fast foods / fake foods
Alcohol / soda / caffeine
Artificial sweeteners
Processed foods
Lean, organic meats
Leafy greens & colorful fruits & veggies
Fish (non-farmed)
Whole grains (non-GMO & organic)
Eggs
Healthy fats (olive, coconut, avocado oils)
Legumes
WATER! Adequate hydration is key
Nuts
Sea salt in moderation
Most of our holiday treats probably fall into that avoid-category, so now is the season to stop eating from this list!
If you feel like you need additional nutritional support, ask your wellness provider for appropriate vitamin-mineral-herbal supplementation that supports adrenal health. You’ll feel happier and healthier when your adrenal glands are healthy.
• Digestive Enzymes to the rescue: Scientific evidence is plentiful that the condition of our digestive system (gut) plays a huge role in brain health and function. Post holiday sluggishness (physical or mental) may be the aftereffect of a high-in-sugar-caffeine-alcohol-dehydration- active holiday season (since October for many of us).
• Probiotics for Gut Support: A strongly established gut flora is key to overall health and well- being. Science is showing that different probiotics serve different functions in different parts of the body. Adding pure Aloe Vera juice to your diet helps build a healthy probiotic population.
• Greens for Great Health: As more of our greens from the grocers are compromised from the growers-shippers-storage facilities, it may become necessary to supplement these nutrients. Greens provide fiber, vitamins, minerals and more that protect, cleanse, detoxify, alkalize and heal the entire body. Buy organic and fresh when possible.
• Put out the Fire of Inflammation: The inflammatory response is necessary for acute injuries. Most of the population, of all ages, live in a state of chronic inflammation. This chronic-state propels the symptomatic conditions that lead to degenerative conditions. That’s usually when we call our doctor. Include these inflammation-fighting foods in your preventive dietary choices: Green leafy veggies Nuts (walnuts & almonds) Fatty fish (salmon, tuna, sardines, mackerel) Fruits (berries, cherries, oranges) Olive oil Avocado Dry beans Sweet potatoes
• Don’t be Deficient in D3: This nutrient needs to be supplemented. Over 90% of Americans test deficient in D3. This deficiency may lead to muscle aches and twitching; hormone imbalance; poor calcium metabolism; osteomalacia; blood sugar imbalances or depression. Ask your wellness provider about taking D3 with K.