Inner Icon Health Tips

Nutrition Review Intro Part 2

 

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Nutrition Review Part 1 Preview

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Table Top of Life

David discusses balance and the four main pillars of your life as it relates to your health.
Check out the full length video on our client portal. Go to www.innericonfitness.com and login, you will see Life as a Table under the 'My exercise plans' heading.

Primally Delicious Seminar Series Clip #2

Join us for part 3 this Sat (9th) @ 12pm to learn about the science behind fat and lifestyle.

Primally Delicious Seminar Series Clip

Next part is March 5th at 12pm!
Listen to coach David discussing contradictions and mis-information in the food realm.  Come educate yourself to separate fact from fiction.
 

Keep Learning

Want to age well?  Might I suggest, that we continue to keep learning new things?!  Definitely.  Keeping physically active has been shown numerous times to increase mental acuteness and actually can cause the brain to create new nuerons.  Sleep also plays a big role in aging, along with 2 other big factors; nutrition and stress.  So let's say we've got most of these under control.  We're sleeping well and enough most of the time.  We're eating really well and have dialed in to what our body needs.  We've reduced our stress level to a minimum and we're exercising regularly.  What else can we do to improve? 

Learn. 

If you're still in school, you've got plenty to learn.  But what if you're not?  Many of us are not in school any more, but that doesn't mean that we shouldn't learn anymore.  In fact, I would argue that when you are done with school is an excellent time to learn.  Why?  You can learn whatever you want!  What are you interested in?  What are you passionate about?  Learning is MUCH more enjoyable when it's something you actually care about.  Read a book or blog,  watch a movie, play an instrument, learn a new sport, write down your thoughts, and discuss it with someone.  There are tons of different things out there to try and experience.  Who knows, you might come across something that excites you!  (I do all the time)  It's never too late to start.  The more you do it, the more you'll want to, and the easier it gets.

Speaking of reading, check out Robb Wolf's new book: The Paleo Solution

Buy Organic

Foods that were once thought to be very good for your health, are still good for your health. BUT, many of them also have added problems and dangers associated with them that they never had before.

There are some more commonly known problems such as the use of pesticides, toxins and other dangerous chemicals that now exist in non-organic foods. These can lead to various health problems and conditions. Just do a search for "side effects of pesticides" and see what you come up with.

But aside from these issues, there is a very big problem even worse than pesticides; Genetically Modified Foods. The US does NOT require labeling of GMO foods. Fruits and vegetables are some of the most commonly modified foods. They are created in labs and then patented as something the said company owns. There are no laws about the safety of these foods being put into distribution. They are only required to have a patent. Some foods that are VERY likely genetically modified are soy, corn and it's products (canola oil, high fructose corn syrup, etc.) and wheat.

So just by eating the way our pre-agricultural ancestors ate, we can avoid some of our present day dangers all together. We already know that grainfed animals are the "protein equivilant of cardboard." We also now know that there are some potentially dangerous effects of the other foods we are eating as well. So if we are trying to live as healthy and disease-free as possible, let's think more carefully about what we put in our bodies. Buying organic, grassfed, local products is good for the local community, good for your health, and good for future generations.

"A plant, fruit, or animal grown without the administration of artificial pesticides, herbicides, or insecticides, chemical fertilizers, antibiotics or growth hormones (in the case of animal products), most closely replicates wild or untampered-with growing conditions" - Mark Sisson

“The doctor of the future will no longer treat the human frame with drugs, but rather will cure and prevent disease with nutrition.” ~ Thomas Edison

 

Interview with World Class Volleyball Player - Courtney Thompson

I had the incredible opportunity to talk with my friend and incredible athlete, Courtney Thompson. She took time out of her busy schedule while playing in Puerto Rico to talk about sport, fitness, and the mental aspect of it all. Courtney has gotten to where she is by good old fashioned hard work. She talks about things that can be applied to whatever stage of life you're at. I learned some good stuff while talking to her, and I hope you will too!

Go here to listen: Courtney Interview

Interview with Susie

Check out this interview with Susie! Through education and dedication she has made some radical improvements to her health and well being.  In the interview she talks about where she was at a year ago and just how important the addition of exercise and proper nutrition can be.  She also discusses the mental aspects and how the rest of her life is affected.

To listen and for more details click on the link below:
http://innericonfitness.com/content/interview-susie

 

Buy Local

Support your favorite local business! There are some really good resources here in the Seattle area. Not only are you helping to support your local economy but you're probably getting higher quality, fresh stuff!

One of our favorite local companies is called Sotto Voce. They have lots of really good olive oils and vinegars - all bottled here in Washington. These are a really good way to add variety and spice up your meals. For example, I like to add some spicy garlic or shitake herbed olive oil to my eggs. The best place to get some for yourself is at Pike Place Market. I have also seen some at Metropolitan Market.

What are YOUR favorite local businesses? Let us know!

Sotto Voce online:

http://www.sottovoce.com/default.aspx

 

Sleep is your best medicine

Are you getting enough sleep?
Chances are you're not and getting the right amount of sleep could be extremely beneficial to you. Sleeping a solid 9-plus hours a night can help you lose unwanted weight, eradicate depression, help in the reversal of Type 2 diabetes, help to minimize the risk of heart disease and help prevent cancer. Sound to good to be true? It isn't!

When you sleep, your body takes this time to repair and restore itself. You will die sooner from lack of sleep than you will from starvation! If you are struggling with weight loss or depression or you aren't seeing the gains in fitness that you would like, take a look at how you're sleeping.

Ideal sleep:
9+ hours
Pitch black room
Cool temperature
NO TV
Nothing digital

Yes, 9 hours of sleep is a lot! "Will this affect your social life? Yes, but so will obesity and cancer. Your immune system will thank you for it by keeping you alive" (Lights Out: Sleep, Sugar and Survival. T.S. Wiley with Brent Formby, Ph.D.)

The Amazing Coconut

The coconut is a wonderful fruit with countless benefits, uses and medicinal purposes. The meat of the coconut may be cultivated into coconut flakes, milk, cream concentrate and even flour. When pressed or when the cream is separated, coconut oil is created. The liquid within the fruit is coconut water and is rich in fiber, proteins, and antioxidants.

Health benefits of coconut oil:
Coconut oil has shown to improve skin conditions such as acne, eczema, psoriasis, dermatitis and other skin infections. It helps prevent premature aging and degenerative diseases. The oil contains lauric acid which is good for your heart. Coconut oil assists in weight loss, digestion, and immunity. It has many healing properties that make it effective against infections such as its antifungal, antiviral and antibacterial properties. The oil is also helpful in helping our bodies absorb other important vitamins and minerals such as Vitamin-D, calcium, magnesium and amino acids.

The rest of the coconut- Coconut oil and coconut milk are great for cooking and baking. The milk is a great ingredient for making smoothies, marinating chicken or steaks, making soups or curries and even non-dairy ice cream! The meat of the coconut can be processed into flakes which are great for baking, adding to salads and snacking and can even be made into flour and used in place of wheat flour for muffins or breads.

There are so many other benefits we can enjoy from the coconut, find more information in the links below and try it out for yourself!

http://www.coconutdiet.com/index.htm
http://www.organicfacts.net/organic-oils/organic-coconut-oil/health-benefits-of-coconut-oil.html

Take your fish oil

Why fish oil?  What about flaxseed oil?

Fish oil is extremely beneficial to your overall health.  It has been shown to:

  • lower bad cholesterol
  • lower blood pressure
  • reduce the risk of heart disease
  • prevent age related blindness
  • reduce the risk of blood clots
  • decrease inflammation
  • decrease triglycerides
  • contribute to the normal function of the heart, liver, brain, nervous system, eyes and kidneys

So why is fish oil better than flaxseed oil?  Fish oil contains EPA and DHA.  These are long chain omega-3's that your body can use immediately.  The type of omega 3 contained in flaxseed is a short chain omega 3 called ALA.  Your body can use this type of omega 3, but it must convert it to the long chain version first (EPA/DHA).  It has also been shown that this conversion can be inefficient.  So just make it easier on your body and take fish oil instead of flaxseed.

Afraid of fish oil burps?  Throw them in the freezer.

Important!  You must take your fish oil with other food.  Preferably other good fats.

 

 

Recipes

Cinnamon Muffins

These are a delicious alternative to cinnamon rolls for a quick addition at breakfast or part of brunch!

Ingredients:
Muffin mix-
2 1/2 cups almond flour
1 tablespoon coconut flour
1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
1/2 teaspoon baking soda
1/4 teaspoon salt
2 eggs
1/2 cup plus 1 tablespoon coconut milk
1/2 cup honey

Glaze-
2 tablespoons honey
1 tablespoon ground cinnamon
1 tablespoon melted butter

 

Directions:
Preheat oven to 325 degrees F. Mix together all the dry batter ingredients. Add the wet batter ingredients and mix well with a whisk. Pour batter evenly into twelve muffin cups.

Bake for 20-25 minutes or until golden brown.   
Mix all the topping ingredients in a separate bowl, and drizzle over the muffins.
 
*Recipe has been modified from original recipe from tropicaltraditions.com

Health Tips

Nutrition Review Intro Part 2

 

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