Thursday, 29 March 2012

Exercise & Cancer

Below is a great article I was asked to post by fellow blogger David (http://www.mesothelioma.com/blog)
I agree wholeheartedly and have seen this first-hand.  Although often difficult to exercise during some forms of cancer treatments, the benefits can not be ignored or under appreciated.  Combining proper nutrition and exercise can greatly increase the likelihood of beating the disease! 

Cancer Fitness and the free wonder drug  By David Haas
When it comes to cancer and fitness, patients are amazed to see the enormous impact exercise can have. It has been proven and documented, the more you contribute to support normal cell routines, the more you will move yourself towards good health.
In a study performed, by the National Cancer Institute, it was found that physical activity reduces the risk of cancer re-occurrence and mortality, whether one is diagnosed with mesothelioma or colon cancer. Individuals who are inactive lose muscle strength, thus becoming more fatigued. This inactivity ultimately leads to more muscle weakness.

Thirty minutes of exercise, every day, can cut the risk of breast cancer by 75 percent. An active lifestyle not only lowers your risk of getting cancer, it also reduces the risk of cancer returning. Exercise is that free wonder drug that can improve the body’s normal functions.
Most people never reflect upon the importance of movement. Consider bedridden people and how much sicker they become. Moving facilitates the delivery of nutrients and the removal of toxins. In addition to helping deliver nutrients all over the body, exercise balances hormones, reduces inflammation and improves immune function. Cancer patients should get as much exercise as they possibly can.
The common stress of living in a fast-paced, high-pressure world can make one feel fatigued just thinking about it. For people facing cancer and treatments, fatigue can take on a new meaning; a very different meaning. While this level of fatigue is difficult, there are ways to manage it, so that exercise can be incorporated into the day.
Low impact cancer fitness
Cancer patients can run out of steam easily and not be able to accomplish as much as before. Slow, low impact exercises, such as walking, yoga, tai chi and light weight lifting, are easier on the body. The best way to begin is by managing your routine.
Low impact exercise also has an immediate effect on stress. Exercise can help the body become stronger by enhancing the transport of oxygen into the cells. In fact, it is thought that low impact exercises are best for the immune system.
Boosting immunity with lifestyle changes
A healthy lifestyle will improve the quality of life by balancing each day. Who says our lives must be crammed full of “must-do” items? Our lifestyles can either enhance or impair cancer treatments. Balancing and prioritizing life is critical.
Schedule your days. Plan and schedule your activities during your high-energy periods. Schedule the exercise sessions and alternate these activities with rest periods. This will help to use your energy wisely while managing your time.
Be more efficient. Make a list before heading out the door. Prioritize what needs to be done, rather than a handful of unnecessary tasks that sap your energy.
Stay motivated and recognize the importance of fitness.

Wednesday, 28 March 2012

Fitness....For Everybody!

Thanks to Deb for sending me this neat picture.  I thought I'd share it with you all :)  For those of you who have never trained on one - the apparatus the man is using is a TRX suspension trainer (we use them in the gym and you can also use them outdoors or at home, anywhere really!).

It reminds me that fitness is important and accessible to everyone, not just those of us with gym memberships.  We shouldn't let logistics interfere with our health.  There are always choices.  Check out the previous posts for the 14 day challenge to see 3 short workouts that require NO equipment whatsoever - and then try one to see how challenging and effective they can be!  I often prescribe and design workouts like this for clients that will be traveling away from home for work often, or if they want to train on an extended vacation (contact me if you are interested in one for yourself ;)

I'm looking forward to posting more interesting and innovative workouts for you right here on the blog in the future to help you all get/stay fit with no excuses. This TRX guy rocks!

Monday, 19 March 2012

Leaving a Legacy - as simple as the Butterfly Effect

That word sounds so serious - legacy.  And I'm not entirely sure what made me think about this today, but I thought I'd share some personal thoughts as they stream right now...  Maybe I'm feeling a little mortal and vulnerable as well as crazy excited about our Heli-Ski trip to Valdez, Alaska this weekend - not that I don't plan on returning home safely (don't worry mom!:)  

I'm a big preacher of living life the fullest and each day to it's full potential - and I guess sometimes with that comes some element of risk.  This in turn goes hand in hand with how you'll be remembered - whether it's tomorrow or 80 years from now.  What story will your legacy tell?

I don't think it has to be as intense as it sounds, but it can have a profound effect on the world non-the-less.  I feel extremely blessed to have the opportunity to have a positive impact in someones life each day that I go to work - whether through a healthy lifestyle change that has a ripple effect through their overall quality of life or simply through some positive encouragement and feedback - and I do take that quite seriously.  It's not only a responsibility of my job, but a perk too :)   I know not everyone has that chance directly through their career, but I think we all have a chance to leave a little bit of our positive legacy with every person we connect with (even briefly) on a daily basis.  We can all remember the really bad day we were having when a friend or even a complete stranger did something so simple yet kind for us, that it really changed the direction of our day (a smile, a genuine complement, a helping hand...).  Are you aware of how many interactions you have with others in a day that give you the opportunity to be remembered in a positive and maybe even profound way?  It's the butterfly effect - never underestimate the importance of who you are and what you mean to the world.  Every moment is a new chance to leave something positive behind - you're legacy :)  

Thursday, 15 March 2012

Stuff I Love... Paraben Free Mineral Makeup

I get asked a lot about the makeup, soap, lotion and cosmetics I use.  While I've blogged about my favourite soap, lotion and toothpaste, I'm no expert when it comes to cosmetics - I don't use them much!  My philosophy is less is more in this case.  I occasionally try to put on the standard female routine of eyeliner, eyeshadow, etc for a night out, but end up feeling very conspicuous, unauthentic and uncomfortable.  I also struggle since I refuse to use any products with parabens and other chemicals - so finding products is tough!  The one thing I do like to for a polished look for date night is a light coverage mineral powder makeup.  I have searched high and low and these are my two favourites:

* Physicians Formula Organic Mineral Powder

* SmashBox Mineral Veil Powder

They are both paraben free and quite safe for your body.  I prefer the airbrushed smooth look of the Physicians Formula the most (and that it's also talc free), but the SmashBox has a nice feature were you turn the outside and it grinds just a tiny bit fresh each time.  This makes for less waste and mess.  But both are great!

Overall - if you want your face and skin to look their best follow these tips:

* Stay well hydrated - drink lots of pure H2O!
* Exercise! Sweating is great for your skin and high intensity intervals can increase your growth hormone production which is like our "youth juice" - it helps renew all tissues in the body.
* Don't over dry your skin with harsh cleansers (refer to my post about Rocky Mountain Soap)
* Eat healthy clean foods.  Avoid sugar and carbs which are inflammatory and cause free radical damage.
* Eat lots of veggies!  These have antioxidant powers :)
* Eat sufficient healthy fats.  I eat a lot of avocado, nuts, coconut oil and milk, and take a Krill oil supplement.  Many of my clients see a nice difference in the "glow" of their skin with increased fat intake.
* Smile!  A happy face is so pretty :) 

Love it!

Tuesday, 13 March 2012

Congrats Ladies!

Amber Pitura and Kristen Odland
tied in the ladies group challenge yesterday!

After a gruelling leg workout, they both completed 45 step back lunges
with 50lbs of weight in 90 seconds!  Way to go ladies!

Sunday, 11 March 2012

What Challenges you?


Gary -  Photo by Graham McKerrell
He also does professional portraits etc.
 Contact me for his info!

Hey All!  Hope you had a wonderful weekend.  We skied (as usual :) but just on Saturday.  I decided my body was asking for a day off - it's easy for me to ignore it when it asks nicely, but it was starting to yell!

Our friend Graham took some more really great shots of us at Lake Louise that I wanted to share with you.  I love this one of Gary!  He did push hard and take a few pretty hard wipe outs before and after this shot - but he was challenging himself - and it paid off!  What challenges you?

Do you try chin ups in your workout even though you have never completed a full one? - Great Challenge!

Do you accept an invite to do something you have never done before with a new friend (rock climbing, x-country skiing, skating, etc.) - Awesome!





Me @ Lake Louise this weekend
Photo by Graham McKerrell

Do you put yourself out side of your comfort zone every now and then?  In my experience, these are the things that have become the most significant standout events in my life.  I'm not saying you have to do something dangerous to challenge yourself - it can be something as easy as agreeing to speak in front of a group of colleagues when public speaking makes your heart want to beat out of your chest, or trying to bike up that huge hill you usually get off and walk up, or staying in a hostel instead of a fancy hotel and meeting some amazing interesting new people...  One of my favourite "out of the box experiences" is when Gary and I borrowed some mules in the Chilean Andes for 3 days and 2 nights and set off with a backpack, a tent and our skis to go find and ski a mountain peak that had never been skied before.  It was a challenge!  I know about horses, but these mules? - Nope...  Did we know exactly where we were going? - Nope... Were there a lot of unknowns? - Yup!  That was the challenge!


I like to challenge myself weekly with a tough workout or skiing something that scares me a little or working on developing greater communication and trust with my "energetic" horse Sara...  The message here - 

Comfortable gets boring!  How are you going to challenge yourself this week? 

Friday, 9 March 2012

Meal Plan #5

What I ate today:

5:45 am:  Chicken Spolumbos Sausage, Black Organic Coffee

9 am:  Chicken Garam Masala and sweet potatoes (the last of it! - too bad - it was so yummy...)

11:30 am:  Turkey Loaf and salsa, raw veggies

3 pm "ish":  Will probably finish off the turkey loaf with salsa and a spinach salad

Around 6:30-7 pm:  Not sure...Gary and I are thinking of going out for dinner :)  I feel like a nice steak or piece of fish.  Or if we go to a more casual restaurant I sometimes get a burger without the bun if I know they have a yummy burger patty with some interesting toppings like guacamole or jalapenos, etc....

Alternate Meal Plan:

Meal 1:  Egg muffins with spinach and bacon pieces (mix up cooked bacon broken into pieces with the veggies and eggs.  Put them into a greased muffin pan and bake until they puff up.)  An easy on the go breaky on those hurried mornings if you make a few before hand...

Meal 2:  15 berries, 15 nuts, coffee or tea

Meal 3:  1/2 steak cut in strips on a spinach and veggie salad with vinegar and oil dressing (I make my own in a glass bottle with balsamic vinegar, olive oil and MSG/salt free Mrs. Dash Garlic and Herb seasoning - the little longer its in there the more the spices flavour it and its really easy and tasty:)

Meal 4:  Cold veggie and chicken salad  (I mix 1/2 cut up chicken breast with all colours of peppers, cucumbers, 1/4 green apple, sprinkle of cilantro and dress it with lemon/lime juice and olive oil)

Meal 5:  Salmon and roasted veggies

I hope this week of meal plans has helped give you an idea of what a day of intake should look like and how it can be quite easy to prepare and eat this way.  Your body (and jeans!) will thank you for it.  Your energy should skyrocket and you will avoid those 3 pm energy crashes.  remember to drink lots of H2O - I drink 3-4 L per day.  Keep checking in for more healthy and delicious recipes and tips.  Have a great weekend!

Thursday, 8 March 2012

Meal Plan #4

What I will eat today:

8 am:  I just had 4 pieces of bacon and some pecans and almonds  :)

9:30 am:  Black Organic Coffee

11:30 am:  Chicken Masala with sweet potatoes

3 pm:  Turkey Loaf with organic salsa, raw veggies

6 pm:  Turkey Loaf with organic salsa, raw veggies

Alternate meal plan:

Meal 1:  Paleo pancake (almond flour, flax meal, eggs + one of: 1/2 banana or 8 berries
or all-natural apple sauce), black coffee or tea

Meal 2:  Raw veggies + guacamole for dipping

Meal 3:  Lettuce wraps (chicken breast chunks cut up small, leftover stir fried veggies also small, small amount of dressing - I like: olive oil, stone ground mustard, garlic, drop of honey OR just whatever spices/sauce already on the stir fried veggies).  Mix it all together with the chicken and veg, wrap it in the lettuce.

Meal 4:  1/2 steak, spiced and cut up into narrow strips (kind of like beef jerky!)

Meal 5:  Pork chop and veggies    

Wednesday, 7 March 2012

Meal Plan #3

What I ate today:

I was feeling a bit "off" this morning - not much appetite, sore tummy :(

5:30 am:  Green Monster shake (same ingredients as yesterday)

8 am:  Chicken Spolumbos, Black Organic Coffee

12 pm: Chicken Garam Masala with sweet potatoes

4 pm:  4 large organic carrots, 2 pieces dark chocolate

8:30 pm:  Maybe just a cup of tea when I get home...Maybe some soup if I have some.

Alternate Meal Plan:

Meal 1:  Veggie Omelette, tea or coffee

Meal 2:  10 nuts, 1/2 chicken sausage, 1/2 apple

Meal 3:  Burger (beef or chicken) without the bun,
with veggies, and a salad with oil and vinegar dressing

Meal 4:  Raw veggies

Meal 5:  White fish (Haddock, Tilapia, Cod, etc...) with steamed or roasted veggies
  

Tuesday, 6 March 2012

Meal Plan #2

What I will eat today:  Ski Day!

Supplements: 2 krill oil capsules, 1 capsule CoQ10, 5000 IU VitD3 liquid

6:30 am: Green Monster Shake.  In the blender today - 1 brussel sprout, 5 green beans, 1/2 broccoli stalk, 8 blueberries, 1/3 banana, 1 handful kale, 2 handfuls fresh spinach, 1/4 avocado, 1/5 cucumber, 1/2 large carrot, ice, water.
Plus 1 Chicken Spolumbos Sausage.
8 am: Black Coffee

Between 9 am and 4 pm on the ski hill (no stopping on a powder day!): 
* Paleo Ski Bars (recipe in prior blog). Ingredients: almond flour, flax meal, pecans, eggs, Vega chocolate protein powder, stevia, dark chocolate chips.
* MSG/Nitrate free beef jerky
* Nuts
* Steak strips

4:30 pm: Black Coffee (usually don't drink coffee this late in the day but it's a ski ritual to warm up with one the way home :)

6:30 pm: Dinner will be either Chicken Masala or Steak or Fish (salmon fillet) with veggies and a big cup of tea (Rooibos is my favourite:) 

Another Sample Meal Plan:

Meal 1:  Steak plus 10 nuts, Black Coffee or Tea

Meal 2:  Celery, Carrots, Peppers with guacamole

Meal 3:  Chicken breast on a spinach salad with balsamic vinegar/olive oil dressing 

Meal 4:  Turkey/Veggie Chili

Meal 5:  Chicken Stir Fry

Monday, 5 March 2012

Meal Plan #1

What I will eat today:

Supplements: 2 krill oil capsules, 1 capsule CoQ10, 5000 IU VitD3 liquid

5:30 am: Green Monster Shake.  In the blender today - 1 brussel sprout, 5 green beans, 1/2 broccoli stalk, 8 blueberries, 1/3 banana, 1 handful kale, 2 handfuls fresh spinach, 1/4 avocado, 1/5 cucumber, 1/2 large carrot, ice, water.
Plus I had 1 Chicken Spolumbos Sausage.

9:30 am: Black Organic Kicking Horse Coffee
 plus pecans and almonds

11:30 am: Chicken Garam Masala with sweet potatoes

2:00 pm: Black coffee

3:30 pm:  Turkey Loaf with salsa plus raw veggies
 (broccoli, cauliflower, snap peas, carrots)

6:00 pm:  Raw veggies

7:30 pm:  Steak

* I will drink 3-4 L of fluoride/chlorine free water

Another Sample Meal Plan: 

Meal 1:  2-3 egg scrambler with spinach and peppers.  Black coffee or tea.

Meal 2:  1/2 apple sliced with 2 tbsp almond butter

Meal 3:  Chicken Breast stir fried with veggies in coconut milk with spices

Meal 4:  Raw veggies

Meal 5:  Salmon fillet with roasted asparagus

Sunday, 4 March 2012

Bulk Food Prep and Meal Planning

Those of you who have been following the blog for a while now (or are a current or former client), you know that I strongly encourage your take a day to prep food in bulk so you are ready for the week.  We cook A LOT on Sundays.  This is a pic and list of what we made today for this week:

* Chicken Garam Masala with sweet potatoes

* Steak

* Spolumbos Chicken Apple and Spicy Sausages

* Turkey Loaf  (I eat this with Neil Brothers Organic Salsa - yum!)

* We also cut up tons of veggies and put them in the large bin for the week.
(for salads, stirfys, and snacking).

We will use this all week for meals.  We also eat fish fresh one or two evenings a week (I just take it out to defrost in the morning and cook it when I get home from work).  We even take our own food to the mountains when we stay at the hostel to ski in Lake Louise.

Making short term goals is important in your long term plan.  What do you want your nutrition to look like this week, this month?  Take a moment to close your eyes and imagine how your body might look if you fuelled it with clean, nutritious food - how will you feel?  Your energy will skyrocket and so will your confidence :)  You must make the decision consciously - so life, friend/co-worker/family pressures don't interfere.  Just because everyone else is eating this or that and not making time for exercise or prioritizing active recreation doesn't mean it's not right for you.  Your choice is the most important - seek people and experiences that are supportive!

Check back all week for some meal plans with this prepped food and also for additional free meal plans as well :)

Thursday, 1 March 2012

Meal Planning

When you woke up, did you know what you were going to eat all day today?

If you are trying to lose weight or change to a healthier lifestyle - You should have! 
Sound like too much work or obsessing about food?  Trust me - it's so much easier than realizing you haven't eaten in 5 hours, becoming so ravenous due to a blood sugar drop that you feel like nothing but a burger can satisfy your extreme hunger, and finding yourself pulling into an awful fast food place to get one.  When your day is planned in advance, you never have to worry about when or what you are going to eat - less thought, not more, goes into meals.  You always have something ready and at hand - so you don't have to simply reach for what's close by.

This concept is imperative for those who want to change their health and body for the better.  Here are some tips on how to do this:

* When you are making breakfast or brewing the coffee - pull out some glass containers and pack leftover dinner and snacks for your day.  It will literally take you less than 5 mins to do this - well worth it!

* Look at what you have packed - Is it the appropriate amount of food for you for the day?  If yes, then make a decision right then and there that this is the ONLY food you will consume.  Don't deviate from the plan!  If no, pack more and determine when you will eat what (10am snack of 1/2 apple and 15 nuts, leftovers at lunch, 2:30 or 3pm snack of cucumbers and carrots with 1 oz guacamole).  If you allow yourself to think that you will just find something on the fly when your at work, it will be way harder to find the correct food to complement your goals.

* Also plan to have the correct amount of fluids with you for the day.  Have a water bottle on your desk and in the car.  Stay hydrated - it is so important for your health and also helps you feel fuller.

You are worth this small effort - and it will dramatically change the way you think about food and meals.  When you begin to fuel the body properly, you will begin to see the results you are looking for and feel more in control of your health.

I will be posting some more meal plans next week for you to try.  Have a great weekend!