Turmeric: sounds cool, but what even is it? And why is everyone calling it a superfood? Turmeric is that bright yellow powder that comes from the roots of the ginger family. You might see it on roasted vegetables, chicken, or rice, and it gives foods that delicious-looking yellow tint. Its nutritious properties stem from the fact that it contains curcumin, an antioxidant that helps with decreasing inflammation, cancer, skin problems, and immune system problems. Remember in my "Antioxidants - Eat the Rainbow!" post when I said antioxidants remove free radicals from the bloodstream? That's another way of saying they help to reduce inflammation in the body. And inflammation is the root problem of most chronic diseases today. SO, add turmeric to any food or drink (just start with a pinch until you acquire a taste for it). A sample smoothie includes: almond milk, turmeric, carrots, banana, and pineapple. Quinoa is another popular place to sneak the superfood in. Combine quinoa, lemon, salt, turmeric, and coconut oil. Give it a try, and see how your body feels with less free radicals and inflammation!
Antioxidants - Eat the Rainbow!
When you hear someone say, "eat the rainbow" I bet your mind goes straight to those colorful candy-coated Skittles. But, eating the rainbow can mean so much more than that! Antioxidants are what give color to foods, so the more colorful foods you eat, the more antioxidants your body receives. And when I say foods, I mean real foods like apples, carrots, blueberries, spinach, and sweet potatoes, not chemically-engineered candy with food coloring. Here are just a few benefits of eating higher levels of antioxidants: they neutralize and remove free radicals from the bloodstream (which come from pollutants, medicines, and the breakdown of sugar), they protect the skin, enhance the immune system, protect DNA from mutation, and they protect against heart problems, eye problems, memory loss, and mood disorders. If that doesn't motivate you to eat more colorful foods, I don't know what does! Aim to eat 7-10 servings of fruits and vegetables per DAY - your body will thank you.
One Size Does NOT Fit All
Just like one size does not fit all, one diet does not fit all either. Through the Institute of Integrative Nutrition, I've learned the importance of a concept called bio-individuality. This concept basically means every person is different, and what works for one person will not necessarily work for another person. Some people tolerate dairy perfectly, while other people become bloated after eating dairy. Some people are energized after eating animal protein, while other people feel lethargic after eating animal protein. Whatever the current fad diet is, do not become convinced that it will work for you just because it worked for other people. Sure, you can give it a try just to see how your body reacts to a different eating pattern, but don't expect the same results as everyone else. There is no such thing as a miracle diet, a miracle pill, or a "trick" to losing weight or becoming healthier. Eat what makes YOUR body feel best, and don't worry about what everyone else is doing. If you feel your best, that's all that matters!
Inside Out Wellness
Why "Inside Out" Wellness? Because to look and feel good on the outside, you have to start by addressing the inside. No amount of burpees or push-ups will get you the body of your dreams. To reach your health and fitness goals, you must re-evaluate what you're putting into your body as well as how you treat it outside of the gym. Wellness is about incorporating various aspects of your health, not just eating enough fruits and vegetables and making it to the gym 3 times per week. Areas such as sleep, proper hydration, and stress are equally as important. Once you have the "inside" figured out, then you can address the "outside." With Inside Out Wellness, my mission is to help people tackle these different areas and pull everything together to ultimately get them to a place of health and happiness that they never even imagined.