Assuming the winter weather holds off, tomorrow I’m off to Europe for a family vacation. Happy holidays everyone! See you in the New Year.
I was so excited a few months ago when Gena from Choosing Raw invited me to be interviewed for her blog, which I absolutely adore. For those of you who aren’t yet devotees, check it out–it’s filled with helpful advice for all eaters–not just people who are vegan or raw foodists.
It’s finally up! Check out my interview and learn more about why I became a health counselor, my personal philosophy around eating, and my favorite recipe of the moment.
Sample menus for each level detox are up on the Spark! blog — check them out!
We’ve had tremendous interest over the past 48 hours–so exciting! If you’re still interested in taking advantage of the $10 off special, contact us today. It’s going to be a great group of people detoxing at the same time and supporting one another through the 10 days.
Thanks to all who have responded so enthusiastically about the Spark Wellness + Choosing Raw January 2010 Detox!
We’ve put together a FAQ for people who have further questions about the detox. Check it out here. Of course, you can always contact us directly if you have a particular concern or question.
Shortly, we’ll also be posting a sample day from each of the three levels — check back for more details!
Stressed out? I totally am!
Join Spark! Wellness practitioner Veronica on Wednesday at 8pm for a FREE teleclass on simple ways to de-stress
More details and to sign up: http://bit.ly/4sl0Bc
As many of you know, every January I do a detox. I’m not talking about a crazy lemonade fast or cabbage soup diet. I’m talking about a gentle cleanse that gives my body a break, releases some of the toxicity I inevitable build up duirng the year (and especially over the holidays!), and helps me regain physical and mental balance.
This year, I’m pleased to invite YOU to join me.
The Spark! Wellness holistic health team has joined forces with clinical nutritionist and raw food coach Gena Hamshaw to develop a 10-day cleanse. We realize that our participants will have varying goals and habits, and so we’ve developed three unique levels for the program.
* Level 1 focuses on gently reducing inflammation in the body caused by hidden food allergies or sensitivities, as well as discovering what foods each person’s body does not tolerate well. By the end, participants will have more energy, feel lighter, and have a deeper understanding of how food affects their bodies. This cleanse is designed for detox newbies or who currently eat a diet high in meat, dairy, sugar, processed foods, and/or caffeine.
* Level 2 takes it one step further to help you reboot your metabolism by detoxing from common allergens and addictive foods, while adding several supplements along the way to help support your body for a deeper cleanse. Participants will boost energy levels and reduce toxic internal inflammation by taking a break from foods that are difficult for our systems to digest. This is a great cleanse for those who already eat moderately healthy and are ready to take their wellness, energy levels, and metabolism to the next level.
* Level 3 focuses on restoring the body’s alkalinity, in enhancing elimination and digestive health, and on awakening stored toxins with raw, plant based foods and vegetable juice. It will be a user-friendly introduction to raw foods and how to implement them. Participants can opt for either a high-raw or a semi-raw, all vegan protocol. This is a perfect cleanse for those who have some familiarity with an all plant-based diet, but who are seeking to enhance digestive health and break lingering addictions to processed foods and animal products. It’s also a perfect option for those who have dabbled in raw foods and juicing, but need some guidance in maintaining consistency into 2010.
Each level of the cleanse will be thoroughly outlined with meal plans, recipe suggestions, recommendations for supplementation, and tips for healthy detox. To ensure extra support, we’ll be offering support for all detox participants in the form of thirty minute conference calls and unlimited access to a group forum.
Are you ready to make 2010 your healthiest year yet?
We are hosting a free teleclass on the benefits of a cleanse, as well as details of the program, on January 6 at 8 pm. E-mail us to sign up.
Ready to commit? Here’s the best part: we’re offering a special discount for people who sign up before 12/31. Regular cost of participation is $60. Register today and only pay $50. Sign up with a friend or loved on, and you each get $5 off.
Outcomes of the 10-day cleanse include:
* Reset your body’s metabolism
* Get rid of toxins
* Reduce inflammation
* Lose ‘fluff’ weight
* Feel lighter & reducing bloating
* Learn about new and healthy foods you enjoy eating
* Improve digestion
* Clear up your skin
* Increase energy
* Give your body a chance to heal
* Get the detox ‘glow’
* Revitalize your diet and your life by breaking out of negative thinking and unhealthy patterns
I got a lot of feedback from readers of Melissa’s post, saying that they loved the idea of working out at home in the morning — but where to start?
Melissa’s top recommendations for workout DVDs that are 30 minutes or less:
Shape Bikini Body Workout Redefining
Results Fitness 10 Days to a Better Body
I admit it, I’ve been slacking off when it comes to exercising on a regular basis. I blame the holiday craziness, but really, I’m just allowing my life to get in the way. Luckily, my friend and fellow blogger Melissa has come to my rescue. She’s generously agreed to share with HadleyHolistic readers her top tips for fitting in movement during the holidays. Try a few of her tips to feel re-energized and feeling great this winter.
Twelve Ways of Fitness
1. Move it in the morning. It’s a no brainer that your time is more limited during the holidays. Lunch and post-work hours are taken up by shopping, social events, last minute invites, and gift-wrapping–all the fun stuff that you don’t want to miss just to hit the gym. But don’t let yourself off the hook! Very little comes up in the morning, so the AM is your best bet for sneaking in exercise! In fact, people who exercise in the morning are the most consistent. Once you are in the routine, you’ll realize it’s a great way to start your day stress-free, and you may even sleep better at night!
2. Shovel or scrub your love. Gifts aren’t the only way to show your love and appreciation. Helping your husband/parent/friend shovel the driveway or clean off the car will not only win you affection, but will help you burn major calories. Be the first to volunteer to do the dishes and your relatives will love you! Plus, instead of picking at the leftovers, the elbow grease in your efforts will be rewarded with sculpted arms.
3. Be the example. Who doesn’t love to show their love with an indulgent dessert or a creamy comfort food dish? This year look for new ways to nourish yourself and your family by bringing dark chocolate drizzled fruit for dessert or starting a midday winter walk tradition.
4. Make it a game. Find ways to make exercise fun and easy. Here is a fun abs game: take a deck of cards and pick on up as you crunch to the left and discard on your opposite side. When all the cards are done, repeat to the right.
5. Just a minute! Adding intervals will help you burn more calories in less time. Not only that, when you are focused on changing speeds, the time flies! Work just ten 1-minute bursts, going as fast as you can, into your normal routine, and you’ll torch nearly 20% more calories during a half-hour workout.
6. Make your TV/PC your personal trainer. When you are short a time, 40 minutes to get to the gym and back on top of your 45 minute workout is a big investment. During the holidays, save time and mix up your routine by checking out the free workouts on FitTV and ExerciseTV or revisiting your favorite workout DVDs.
7. Walk as much as possible. Walking is by far the best way to maintain your weight effortlessly. Sneak it in whenever you can, shopping, walking around the block while waiting for an appointment, taking a brisk pre-lunch stroll or just walking to the mailbox instead of pulling up to it in your car. It all counts!
8. Take a stand. Standing burns 100 more calories an hour than sitting. So if you have the option stand! For bonus points, pace!
9. Limit your TV/pc time! If you are watching TV or typing on your laptop, you aren’t burning many calories. This season, give up a show or blog read here or there and sneak in some exercise (or private dance parties) instead. If you have to watch TV, stick to a 10 minutes of exercise, 5 minutes rest rotation. 10 minutes of jumping jacks burns almost 100 calories and 10 minutes of ab work and you are on the road to a tighter tummy!
10. Lift a little. We all know that muscle helps you burn calories at rest all day long. And yet we still skimp! Start small and sustainable by adding just 5-10 minutes of weights work into your day (maybe while watching the news). A set of dumbbells is an affordable investment that will give you infinite quick workout options! If you don’t know what to do with weights, just open up any fitness magazine for workout ideas!
11. Pump the tunes. Studies show that listening to music can keep you motivated to exercise 20% longer and at a higher intensity. And it makes it 100% more enjoyable in my opinion.
12. Exercise for energy. It’s important to reflect on the way exercise makes you feel! Calm, strong, energized! It isn’t a very helpful mentality to exercise just for the extra serving on mashed potatoes. But that rosy glow in your cheeks and that post-sweat session feeling of invincibility? Now those are reasons to go back for more!
REALIZE YOUR RESOLUTIONS
Two-Part Program with Hadley Seward, Certified Holistic Health Counselor
Are you ready to transform your life?
Take action on your New Year’s resolutions this year with a two-part program that will help you work through your goals, no matter how big or small. Together, we’ll take a look at your life as it is today, discuss the changes you’d like to make, and explore strategies to work toward your goal. I’ll teach you how make changes toward your ideal life at a pace that’s comfortable for you.
Now is the time to break through the obstacles in your way. Book today to move forward in your life and make things happen in 2010.
This package includes two 50-minute sessions over the phone, easy-to-implement strategies, and e-mail support between sessions. EARLY BIRD SPECIAL: Book by 12/31, and it’s only $150. Regular price $200
Contact me to sign up today!
“I believe strongly and passionately that every American has a right to good health care that is effective, accessible, and affordable, that serves you from infancy through old age, that allows you to go to practitioners and facilities of your choosing, and that offers a broad range of therapeutic options. Your health-care system should also help you stay in optimum health, not just take care of you when you are sick or injured. You should expect and demand this of your country, whether you are rich or poor and whatever the circumstances in which you live. A free democratic society must guarantee basic health care to all its citizens–all of them–just as it guarantees them basic security and safety.”
–Dr. Andrew Weil, Why Our Health Matters
