February 2012 ~ Heart Month

February 1, 2013 by
heart month

Stores and advertisements are full of reminders of this month’s dedication to Valentine’s Day around the world.  As love from the heart fills the air, we are focusing on the physical organ during American Heart Month.  According to the Center for Disease Control, heart disease is the number one cause of death in the United States.  http://www.cdc.gov/features/heartmonth/  Research continues to highlight the impact of nutrition and exercise on the heart.  We encourage you to join us in putting that knowledge to action with small steps towards a healthy lifestyle to prevent health issues, … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Couples Connection, Healthy Holidays, Healthy Singles, Mental Wellness

How Dangerous is a Cold Sore?

January 23, 2013 by
cold-sore

As I come of age and start to put more focus on starting a family, I have a growing concern for the affects my experience with meningitis will have on my family. 90% of the population is living with either HSV 1 or 2. Many are living with both.  Herpes is still a delicate matter although it has become a "common" virus within our culture. It is still a matter we would rather whisper about than face head on. There is no good or bad herpes, there is just herpes and as commonplace as herpes is today, it can be dangerous. How dangerous is a cold sore? Herpes has been around for a long time and … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Healthy Skin, Physical Health, Physical Illness

Andrea’s Blog…after a winter flu…

January 20, 2013 by

Some of our readers may be wondering, “where’s Andrea?!” Well, Andrea, like millions of others in our country, experienced the proverbial seasonal flu virus. Fortunately, a flu that was not terribly severe, but severe enough to ‘keep a good woman’ down for over a week! One can imagine, and perhaps some of you have already, the start of a new year and beginning a new “you”—one that joins a gym and or starts a diet in an attempt to get fit, get healthier and gain strength and confidence….then WHAM – the flu! How frustrating and inconvenient is THAT?! Yes, most of us have been there… So within 4 … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Take Control

Welcome Marisa!

January 9, 2013 by

Well….here we are with – shall I say – contestant #2! Meet Marissa  – she, along with Andrea, will be going through a 12 week “Take Control” journey – of their health, their bodies and their lives! Similarly to Andrea, Marissa is a competitive person…and also preparing to compete in a pageant – the Mrs. Texas United States Pageant – this will also be her FIRST! Like Andrea, she feels this will give her a “goal” an event to motivate throughout her journey and keep her focused. Based on my humble experience, as well experience with my clients, this is what I have to say to that…the desire to … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Take Control

Welcome Andrea!

January 7, 2013 by
Andrea "before"

Well…not only do I have another brave soul for the “Take Control” campaign for 2013 – I have two…perhaps this is to compensate for the fact I worked overtime with the amazing Kelly last year! The wonderful thing about having these 2 beautiful souls step up – is the fact that they share similar goals and are striving to get in shape before their next beauty pageant…’yes’, a world that focuses on inner beauty – and overall health & FITNESS as well! I started working with Andrea in early Dec., so I’ll post her intro blog first and then provide Marisa’s tomorrow….here we go…..let’s make 2013 a … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Take Control

Healthy New Year

January 1, 2013 by
new year

Hello!  As we bid farewell to another year, we embrace new beginnings in 2013.  January is always an exciting month as we set intentions for the next twelve months.  According to a study completed by the University of Scranton, published in the Journal of Clinical Psychology, 45% of Americans usually make New Year's Resolutions and only 8% are successful in achieving them.  The #1 resolution for 2012 unsuprisingly was to lose weight.  http://www.statisticbrain.com/new-years-resolution-statistics/ We invite you to join us in setting healthy resolutions for 2013.  Here are some quick tips in … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Healthy Holidays, Inspiration, Motivation

Kelly’s Final Blog…’finally.’

December 17, 2012 by

Well, well, well, we’re baaaack! After a hiatus of downtime and a holiday (and now staring at yet another) it is without surprise and with great delay that I officially have bid adieu to Ms. Kelly and her amazing 16 week journey earlier this year! I chose to have Kelly go beyond the standard 12 week transformation period to honor her friendship and, one of the greatest feats on Earth—turning 40 years “young”! :) She officially closed our chapter in mid-October and I look forward to having her update us next month on her holiday experience and fitness goals for 2013! Kelly, like other … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Take Control

Healthy Holidays

December 3, 2012 by
Family Pulling Party Favors During Christmas Dinner

Yes, it's that time of year.  Shopping, holiday events, family, food, and STRESS!  Join us in celebrating HEALTHY holidays this season!  It's never too early to start your New Resolutions...if you'd live more healthy consciously 2013, reconsider the portions of your family meals this month, and incorporate exercise into the mad holiday rush! :) Looking for more tips to manage stress in a healthy way during the holidays?  Consider the following: —Mindfulness...Practice the skill of being in the moment every single moment.  All too often, we get lost in dwelling on the past or worrying … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Healthy Holidays, Integrative Wellness, Mental Wellness, Mindful Parents, Stress/Anxiety

Healthy Holiday Nutrition

December 1, 2012 by
iStock_000004402124XSmall

The holiday season is a challenge when you are trying to live a healthier lifestyle. This is the time of year from Thanksgiving to New Years when we have tempting goodies and foods we normally don’t eat. Not only are we making choices we would normally not, but we are also eating more than the norm. So how can we make it through the holiday season without too much weight gain and maintain some healthy choices? These ten tips for Healthy Holiday Nutrition will help: Don’t skip meals. Think of the holiday season as you would any other day of the year. Each day should begin with a … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Adult Nutrition, Family Nutrition, Healthy Holidays, Nutrition Tagged With: , , , , ,

Eliminate Fast Food

November 1, 2012 by
Fast Food

Our fast paced world is sometimes a challenge when it comes to meal planning. Busy parents often spend their evenings driving children to practices, school functions and study groups. This makes getting a healthy home cooked meal a challenge and many parents and busy professionals turn to fast food as the answer. It’s easy to just dash through the drive through or call the pizza delivery guy but that’s not best for our health! So how can we eliminate fast food? Seems impossible to many, but here are some ideas to help: Plan ahead. When you have a game plan or in this case meal plan … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Healthy Eating, Nutrition Tagged With: , , , ,