Mood and Food

How much does your mood affect how your body reacts to food? I’ve thought about this for some time and there can be different ways of looking at it. Simply put, anytime you over indulge the probability of it badly affecting you is likely. For example, eating too many sweets like chocolate can cause a stomachache. But besides some of the obvious, I’ve noticed that when I am in a really good mood I can eat almost anything and still feel fine (specific allergies excluded). Where on some days things like dairy doesn’t sit well with me, but on others (usually good mood days) it’s completely ok. I am no scientist and I am sure there is more to this than my “coincidences,” but what if your body knows quicker than your mind can think it that it will accept foods happily because it itself is happy.

 I can think of occasions where I eat food at a party or on a date where it was going really well and my body didn’t react negatively to it, on the contrary I think I enjoyed the food more. There’s a connection we are not consciously aware of that our body and our mind have. Realizing it and gaining control of what and how much goes in your mouth at what time is the hard part.  Maybe that explains why on most of my enjoyed vacations I ate food with no issues (even a few things I am mildly allergic to).  Dang, I need good vacation soon!

3-Day Juice Fest

I started off on Monday morning with high hopes and a stomach full of juice. The next two days were still filled with juice and only juice. Healthy, you ask? Well as I had come to hear from people most of the results were positive and uplifting. So there I was with a fridge loaded of three days worth (six juices a day) of liquids as my only meals from Ritual Cleanse.

Day 1: Thoughts filled of adventure!
Excitement and whoo-haa surrounded my every gulp. After a morning gym session I was pumped for juice. It didn't hurt that the juices were tasty too, but right around my 4th and 5th drink I began to frown when it was time to take some sips. However I was so glad for my #6 juice that tasted like orchata. Besides that I knew it wasn't going to be easy.

Day 2: I can relate to a fish..
Morning is the easiest. Noon time a bit harder. But nothing like the late afternoon when you're craving all the wrong things like burgers, pizza, sushi, desserts, you name it. But you've come this far, you're not going to give in. Did Rocky mix in pancakes with those raw eggs during his training? No! So neither was I.

Day 3: My thoughts: "Solid food is only a day away"
By this time I can see results: clearer skin, increased creativity, late evening headaches, an overload of dreams, times of having a blank mind, a flatter tummy, and times of stomach aches. The worst of it was when it came time to drink #5 and it was missing. I felt sick with a stomach ache, headache, and trouble sleeping. I could not wait for my day four of actual solid nourishing food.

The day after (day 4) was a relief that it was over and I felt better after eating small bits of food. The experience of a three day juice cleanse was challenging. Every person might react differently to it and as I was going through this with my sister I can tell you that her experience was far more positive with some effects opposite of me. I'm glad and I don't discourage people from trying it, however be aware of all the possible effects. If you can, I think it's best that you cleanse on your days off and stay at home where you can take it easy have access to the bathroom close by.

Cheers (with a juice in hand) to a cleansed new year!

A look into Turmeric Curcuminoids

HOLA chicos! Wanting to document and share my “testing trials,” I have this new product from Dr. Perricone called Super Sun Kissed Tinted Moisturizer. I was originally going for the No Foundation Foundation but some lovely sales assistants convinced me to try this one instead since it has turmeric curcuminoids. Apparently turmeric is very powerful and has been used for different purposes in India: one being in culinary used with curry or in clay form in weddings, but it also has numerous beneficial health properties of anti-inflammatory/antiseptic usage. In this tinted moisturizer turmeric offers UV protection that gives a skin glow plus the curcumin provides those lovely antioxidants we're all craving. With so many positives, not to mention the “super clean” and “super green” elements, why not give it a whirl! 

Super-Duper Food!

Not only do superfoods come from the Amazon like acai, but superfoods are those you can find in any grocery store that offer super health protection. According to WebMD superfoods are powerful enough to help fight off big health issues such as heart disease and cancer. You may be asking which are these superfoods then? A few are: blueberries (duh!), oranges, salmon, spinach, oats, green tea, tomatoes, and goji berries. The list goes on, but if you can incorporate these simple ones in your daily diet then you will be making your body stronger on the inside which I believe will show on the outside too.

A simple way to add them for on the go consumption is to make a juice smoothie in the morning. I like to mix spinach, carrots, blueberries, papaya, flax, banana, grapefruit and orange juice. Then I blend away and go on with my day feeling satisfied until lunch. You can incorporate any foods to your desire like acai or other fruits/greens. If you like acai I’d recommend this smoothie mix called Sambazon smoothie packs. They’re easy, yummy, and good for ya! Also don’t forget to get some protein in your meals. An egg perhaps or soy or beans or any meat. It will help you feel full without eating too much and help those achy muscles you’ve just worked out. Because we all pump iron right?! 

Eye of the Tiger!

ALRIGHT!

It’s transformation time. Getting on the healthy boat is often easier said than done and when it comes to food and working out people tend to prefer working on one over the other, but as any contender knows it takes effort in both to receive full results. So I intend to make healthy choices and show you what I do and eat along the way. Also with me is Nancy Jane- my amiga in action! She will be getting married next May and is totally on board in creating a healthier life so she’ll be making some appearances J. I am researching and talking to people who can offer pearls of wisdom and take note that as much as I am inspired to live healthy and strong so can you. Baby steps or BIG steps, what ever you are more comfortable with start living consciously.

You’re only here once and like my good gal pal (Liz Gudino) once told me “you cannot take back a blink” so don’t have regrets and live in the now. NOW you can take conscious actions to exchange that third coffee drink for tea/water, re-write your dinner choice or up the alarm for an early workout tomorrow. Just do it! No, wait… Just lug it! Ha! Meaning what ever you want it to mean. You choose your motto, inspirational quote, or hot athlete to post on your wall. If it works- great! A friend of mine (Juan Benitez) spoke some truth about change to me earlier. He said “I have found that people need to want to be inspired to make the change,” and how true it is. You cannot make someone change, they must will it to and have a goal they are dedicated to reach. Look for something that speaks to you... check back here too, who knows where you will find an inspiration. 

Good then, enough talk, I gotta go chug some water because I’m parched… tootles!  

Geeky/Chic Fall '11 Love

Shiny blue, mustard, nude, and geeky all rapped up here. I dig it J.Crew! AND every time I say mustard I think of a hot dog, then ketchup, then my mouth waters... ah my dilemmas!

Morning Beat!

Quantic- An Announcement to Answer... ooohh yeeeeah!