Fit and Healthy Lifestyle

Gluten Pill Review

2010-02-23T11:39:00.000-08:00

First, I'd like to apologize for taking such a long break. I'm undergoing treatment that exhausts my system and have had some things come up in my personal life that took up the time I had. I can't promise frequent postings, but I will try to add to this blog periodically.

I have come across what (to me) looked like the holy grail for those with Celiac's disease/gluten intolerances. A pill that helps the body digest gluten by breaking it down into smaller pieces. There are many brands, but the one I bought to try was Gluten-Zyme by Country Life...here is my review:

Made for helping the body deal with gluten intake, I decided to give this supplement a hardcore test run, so I took the recommended two pills and gorged myself on gluten foods I'd been missing (burgers, pizza, breadsticks, cakes, etc.). After a couple days, I felt bloated and sore, but not quite to the degree of it had been before. I'm still recovering the effects of my binge.

That said and, in all fairness, a friend told me I should take it daily (not just before eating foods with gluten) and I am aware that the pills are geared more for accidental gluten ingestion (i.e. cross-contamination in food factories, etc.), which reviews have said it's great for. I believe if I took them properly, they would have worked properly. Even considering the intensive test run I gave them, they did reduce the symptoms enough to notice. All-in-all, I would recommend them to others with the warning to avoid binging on foods with gluten. :)

Simplest Route to Good Health?

2010-01-17T14:56:00.000-08:00

Is there a such thing? If you asked experts what they thought the simplest route to good health was, they'd probably say walking.

Walking is great for maintaining cardio health, as well as flexibility and general strength. It's fairly low-impact, compared to other exercise methods, and it can be varied depending on speed and intensity.

You can walk around your home, on your treadmill or through your neighborhood. The possibilities are endless.

Try strapping on your pedometer and challange yourself to strive for the recommended 10,000 steps per day...see how close you get!

Help Your Ab Routine With This Extra Move

2010-01-05T15:08:00.000-08:00

Next time you're working your abs, try to add some resistance with hand or ankle weights. This will add to the work the muscle does, maximizing your workout. Twisting moves will offer much of the same by working your obliques (love handle area)!

Another way to get the most out of your workout is to work your upper body. Studies have shown this automatically engages your core muscles and benefits those abs...not to mention the nice shoulders and triceps you'll gain!

By getting creative with your routine, you can maximize the results and earn yourself a gorgeous midsection in less time!

Holistic Anxiety Relief

2009-12-31T07:37:00.000-08:00

Anxiety and stress hits us in many ways, from irritability and tension to full-blown panic attacks, and treating it over the long-term is often more difficult than simply taking a pill. Drug treatment is generally a short-term solution. So what can be done to reduce symptoms without becoming reliant on medication?

One of the best ways to reduce anxious feelings is to exercise, particularly something involving a stretch, though a higher impact workout may work for some. This is one reason yoga and pilates has become so popular. People simply tend to feel more relaxed by the time they're done and generally feel better over time.

Other ways include a healthy diet and what I like to call 'cognitive self-therapy', which incorporates a mind-over-matter type of philosophy.

One of the best foods to eat for anxiety is tuna because it contains many B vitamins, such as Niacin, Thiamin and B6, which are good for nerve function. Sunflower seeds, spinach and beans are good also. If you do not like these foods, there is a wide variety of foods that contain B vitamins.

Herbs that help anxiety include passion flower, valerian root and skullcap. These induce feelings of relaxation due to their mild sedative-like and anti-convulsant properties.

Cognitive therapy involves changing the way you think, feel and believe about the things that bother you (in this case, what makes you anxious). It has a high success rate, but is very difficult for many, especially those starting out. Consulting a mental health professional may help with this process.

There are many ways to remain calm and it's always best to discover what works for you personally. Here's to a happier, calmer, you physically and mentally!

Gluten Free Flour That Tastes Like The Real Thing?

2009-12-29T10:09:00.000-08:00

As a celiac, I now find myself questioning everything I eat. Bread for toast and sandwiches, as well as rolls, have been the hardest thing to give up (I was huge on Pillsbury products). I've tried buying that expensive gluten free bread from the grocery, but just don't feel the taste was there (it only worked as toast and molded quickly).

I've also tried making my own rolls from some gluten free flour, but that required buying expensive flour and xanthan gum to hold it all together. Again, the taste just wasn't the same, but it was better than the bread (I had to adapt the recipe a bit to make it so). What's a celiac to do when they're used to 'normal' bread products, cakes and things?

Well, I came across a different brand of gluten free flour. It claims to taste exactly like Gold Medal and measure 1:1 in a recipe. I went to Jule's Gluten Free to see it for myself. The website says she's created the first (patent is pending) gluten free flour that's exactly like the regular stuff. After my experiementing, I was actually impressed by all the great press she's gotten, one of which was the Good Housekeeping Seal of Approval.

It's expensive compared to regular flour, yes (they all are), but there is also a sample package available to try it out. $10 gets you enough flour to bake a loaf of bread and a bread e-cookbook. So, I'm going to order some and give it a try. After I've done so, I'll post a review here. If it's everything that's advertised, it'll become my usual flour and I'll bake my own breads, cakes, brownies, etc.

Just because someone is a celiac doesn't mean they have to give up all their favorite treats! It's just a matter of tweaking recipes and finding the ingredients they can stomach (literally).

Jump Your Way To Less Cellulite!

2009-12-24T03:20:00.000-08:00

I'm serious! Cellulite is a condition in which the skin takes on a dimpled look, known as 'cottage cheese' or 'orange peel'. It hits more women than men and shows itself more in the mid-section (abdomen, hips, butt and upper thighs).

The exact cause is unknown, but it is believed to be caused by a buildup of fluids in your body, generally by sitting too long or being less than active. It is also said to be aggravated by the hormone estrogen and a high stress lifestyle. This means anyone can develop cellulite!

One of the best ways to combat it is with massage, exercise and, yes...jumping. Jumping gets the lymphatic system moving better than anything (even walking) and helps shed the fat and fluids faster. This means less cellulite in less time and you'll even get some cardio out of the deal...sounds great to me!

What's Your Real Age?

2009-12-21T02:52:00.000-08:00

By now, I'm sure you've heard about Real Age. The website, created by Dr's Oz and Roisin, features a test that is designed to tell you how old your body thinks you are.

We all know our bodies can feel younger or older than we are, but this test puts it in concrete terms and puts us in control of how healthy (or unhealthy) we really are. There are tons of great advice on healthy foods for your body and skin, as well as things that are healthy for your mind.

For example, I am 29 and not in the shape I was before getting pregnant with my second child. For that matter, I don't eat right and sit long hours at the computer, ate up with stress. I took the test again last night (first time in a looong time) and my Real Age is 34. My body thinks I'm 5 years older than I am.

It's helping me to prepare my mind for a new regimen. I've already been eating more than usual, and healthier foods at that. Setting up an exercise plan that fits my schedule is next. Stress management is an ongoing thing I feel the first two will enhance.

Which leads me to you...how healthy are you? One way to finding out is to take the Real Age Test and then decide what to do with what you learn. Your health is important and well worth the challenge!

Exercise - getting enough

2009-12-15T04:26:00.000-08:00

There's always been a debate over how much exercise is enough, too much, too little, yada, yada. I think the one thing everybody basically agrees on is 1/2 hours worth of moderate each day being a good goal to strive for, if you're not there yet.

I'm no doctor or fitness expert by any means, but I feel a minimum of 1/2 hour is good. However, if you're doing more than that (say, an hour) and it leaves you feeling invigorated each day, rather than exhausted...keep doing it because your body's lovin it! People have different metabolic rates and some can handle more intense or longer workouts than others. Listen to your body...it will tell you. If you have any questions, and especially if you have any health problems, consult with your doctor before trying any workout.

The good news is that 1/2 hour is an attainable goal...in fact, it's easy to reach! Simply cleaning house, walking or chasing the kids around can give you that much exercise each day, since it keeps you in motion.

If you're looking for something specific in a workout (tight abs, shrunken bum, defined triceps, etc), than you'll want to customize your routine for working it in. Yes, I mean the ol' schedule, not just the workout itself. A small workout ball, hand weights or ankle weights are relatively inexpensive and can help you toward that goal as well.

I hope these tips are helpful...I'm half-asleep, so I need to go and start my day...perhaps with some exercise! More tips to come soon!

A Surprisingly Common Disorder

2009-12-11T04:34:00.000-08:00

Celiac disease is the body's reaction to ingested gluten., which is found in many foods and grains. It occurs when there is a sensitivity or allergy and reduces the body's ability to absorb nutrients from the food eaten. This occurs because the villia(?) in the small intestine shrinks, lessening the amount of nutrients it can take in.

The result is lethargy, IBS-like symptoms (bloating/gas, diarrhea, constipation, etc), mood swings and - in some cases - an annoying skin rash known as dermatitis herpetiformis (not related to herpes, but named for a similar looking breakout). Many sufferers also develop neurological symptoms, such as tingling and numbness in parts of the body or mental confusion. Over time (if left untreated) it can lead to overall ill health, liver damage and even malignant lymphoma, a dangerous cancer of the lymphatic system.

The scary thing is how common this genetic disorder actually is. It's no longer rare, as it was in the 60's, and is estimated that 97% of those with it don't even know it! When a person goes to a doctor with these symptoms, they are most often told it is IBS without a thorough examination. That's not due to malpractice, it is because the symptoms are so similar. There is a blood test available, but the results are skitzy at best. Many show a false positive or negative.

The only treatment for Celiac disease is to go on a gluten-free diet. Those who do swear they feel so much better, they'll never go back to their old diets again. Sure, it is a change that may be very difficult for a large number of people, but isn't it worth it to start feeling better again?

The easiest way to get started is to take into account what foods have gluten in it, a list of which can be found at The Gluten-Free Chef. Don't be intimidated by the long list of 'bad' foods...especially if they're some of your favorites. There are ways to eat your favorite foods, you just have to be a bit more careful how they are prepared. Remember: even an 1/8 of a teaspoon worth of gluten is enough to cause a reaction, so be very careful!

On that same site, you'll also find recipes to help make the switch easier. I found one for bread, pizza dough, etc and was happy to find that rice flour and cornmeal were allowed, as it can make a good substitute when baking. Take a look around and discover some healthier alternatives...you may be surprised by the results!