5 Tips to recover from a Christmas Coma

Oh I over did it this weekend!

It all started with the Nettle's Sausage and French Toast I made for my family on Christmas Eve morning. It was fantastic!  Since we've been married, my husband and I have celebrated a psuedo-Christmas morning with our blended family. Our youngest daughter Rachel, the twins and their babies either spend the night or come over in the wee early hours of the morning on Christmas Eve and we pretend its Christmas day.  It gives us the opportunity to share in the magic of Christmas morning and not deprive them of having their own Christmas morning traditions at home.

At our house, I want that breakfast to be something remembered and my family loves my french toast. For Christmas, it comes with extra powdered sugar and Pampered Chef Sweet Cinnamon Sprinkles! Oh its delightful and it warms my heart for the kiddies to come back for seconds!

That was just the beginning of my poor nutritional choices, complete with homemade M&M cookies, homemade cinnamon rolls, a full southern Christmas lunch and movie theater popcorn!  Needless to say, I went to bed last night feeling rather miserable, with a headache and bloated belly.

This morning I slept in and woke up with recovery in mind.  I've shared these tips for Halloween and Thanksgiving and they are my go-to holiday recovery!

These five easy steps will get you back on target in no time:

1. Remove - If you have high-carb, sugary, fatty leftovers in the fridge, remove them immediately.  Either freeze them or trash them now. (I think I ate everything here, so no need for me to worry about this one;))

2. Re-hydrate - Flush out the excess acid, fats, etc. Drink extra water over the next few days to replenish lost fluids and to aid in digestion. Focus on drinking at least half of your body weight in ounces. For example if you weigh 150 pounds, drink at least 75 ounces of water each day. We also recommend SPN Rehydration to re-hydrate.  It's an all natural sports drink with very little sugar and only 40 calories. (I've got my 20 oz. water bottle loaded and ready.  If you have one with a straw, you'll drink even more water without realizing it).

3. Refuel - If you're diet over the last few days has been typical of most Christmas indulgences, your digestive system has been in overdrive! Focus on getting as many raw fruits and veggies as possible this week. Remember, sugar weakens the immune system so the more fruits and veggies you can get over the next few days, the better.  An easy and convenient way to get a balanced meal with added nutrients from nutritious veggies is with a meal enhancement shake and super green supplement.  A shake like the Body FX from FirstFitness Nutrition gives you the vitamins and minerals of a complete meal and is easily digested to get you back on the right track super fast.  Adding the Vital Green adds important antioxidants to strengthen the immune system and help fend off winter colds. (Made my yummy shake in my new Magic Bullet that I got for Christmas from my sweet hubby!)

4. Recommit - Often times guilt follows our over-indulgence and that's understandable.  However, it does not move us forward, it only ties us to our mistakes.  Get over it, move on and recommit to your healthy eating habits starting today! Get out and take a walk, get back in the gym.  It'll give you more energy to get geared up for the New Year!

5. Rest - Drink a full glass of water before bed, take your vitamins, have a cup of tea and relax. Rejuvenate your body with at least 7 hours of sleep each night. (Fortunately, I'm off today and have vowed not to get out of my PJs!)


If your ready to take control of your health and make a lasting transformation, be sure to take advantage of our Life by Design!  Order it this week and get a FREE Trimbolic as my personal gift to you! 

4 Tips to Bounce Back from Thanksgiving

I hope you all had a wonderful Thanksgiving.  We had a great time with family and lots of food, shopping, and candy-making. Needless to say, we ate way too much, but its okay. Today we get back on the track, eating right and focusing on our goals.


These four easy steps will get you back on target in no time:


1. Remove - If you have high-carb, sugary, fatty leftovers in the fridge, remove them immediately.  Either freeze them or trash them now. Don't let them linger and tempt you. I personally threw out 2 slices of my mom's homemade pumpkin pie last night. 

2. Re-hydrate - Flush out the excess acid, fats, etc. Drink extra water over the next few days to replenish lost fluids and to aid in digestion. Focus on drinking at least half of your body weight in ounces. For example if you weigh 150 pounds, drink at least 75 ounces of water each day. We also recommend SPN Rehydration to re-hydrate.  It's an all natural sports drink with very little sugar and only 40 calories.

3. Refuel - If you're diet over the last few days has been typical of most Thanksgiving meals, your digestive system has been in overdrive! Focus on getting as many raw fruits and veggies as possible this week. Remember, sugar weakens the immune system so the more fruits and veggies you can get over the next few days, the better.  An easy and convenient way to get a balanced meal with added nutrients from nutritious veggies is with a meal enhancement shake and super green supplement.  A shake like the Body FX from FirstFitness Nutrition gives you the vitamins and minerals of a complete meal and is easily digested to get you back on the right track super fast.  Adding the Vital Green adds important antioxidants to strengthen the immune system and help fend off winter colds.

4. Recommit - Often times guilt follows our over-indulgence and that's understandable.  However, it does not move us forward, it only ties us to our mistakes.  Get over it, move on and recommit to your healthy eating habits starting today! Get out and take a walk, get back in the gym.  It'll give you more energy to get geared up for Christmas!


Here's a bonus tip:

5. Rest - Drink a full glass of water before bed, take your vitamins, have a cup of tea and relax. Rejuvenate your body with at least 7 hours of sleep each night.

Recover from your Halloween Hangover

Good morning! How are you feeling today?  Candy or cocktails got you rundown? Tired? Sluggish?  Too much Halloween fun?


Halloween seems to be a time when all of our inhibitions are thrown to the ghouls and we take on an "anything goes" mentality. As parents and grandparents, we permit staying up late and eating lots of candy for our kids and then sneak into their candy after they've gone to bed. I mean, every piece we eat is a piece they won't, right?  If you don't have children, maybe you dress up and party with your friends, pretending the sugar and cocktails aren't affecting you, but you're costumed character.


Either way, this morning you may have awaken to a Halloween Hangover. Whether it be sugar or alcohol induced, here are some tips for overcoming the monster within you today:


1. Remove - If you have leftover candy and sweet treats left laying around this morning, remove them immediately.  Either find a place to donate it or package it into individual snacks to be used through out the year.  If you keep the candy, put it in a place that is out of sight and hard to reach.


2. Rehydrate - Halloween comes with high sugar consumption and high activity levels.  Its easy to overlook your body's need for hydration.  Drink extra water over the next few days to replenish lost fluids and to aid in digestion. This is especially important if you had a few adult beverages last night. We also use SPN Rehydration to combat dehydration at our house.  It's an all natural sports drink with very little sugar and only 40 calories.


3. Refuel - If you're diet over the last few days has not been the most nutritiously balanced, load up on vitamins and minerals for the rest of the week.  Keep in mind that sugar weakens the immune system so the more fruits and veggies you can get over the next few days, the better.  An easy and convenient way to get a balanced meal with added nutrients from nutritious veggies is with the BodyFx Meal Replacement Shake and Vital Green.  That shake gives you the vitamins and minerals of a complete meal and is easily digested to get you back on the right track super fast.  Adding the Vital Green adds important antioxidants to combat the preservatives, colorings, and chemicals consumed through junk food and candy.


4. Recommit - Often times guilt follows our over-indulgence and that's understandable.  However, it does not move us forward, it only ties us to our mistakes.  Get over it, move on and recommit to your healthy eating habits starting today!


If you'd like more information on cleansing and detoxifying your body for increased healthy and weight loss, be sure to complete our life and body analysis and get a free consultation.

Q & A with Dr. Oz

I know it's been a while and I promise to update you all on the amazing happenings soon, but today I want to share a post with you from a Q&A with Dr. Oz. If this sounds even vaguely familiar for you, or describes someone you know, let's talk and find your\their joy!!

Q. ... I'm 5'1", 200 pounds, and eating is my only pleasure. I have bipolar disorder, fibromyalgia, diabetes, and high blood pressure. I am so unhappy with me. What can I do? -- Carmen, via e-mail

A. What struck us first about your letter was the phrase "eating is my only pleasure," so we're going to help you tackle that first. Some people will tell you that you can't squash your problems with chocolate or a bag of chips, but your brain chemistry would beg to differ. The only problem food really solves is hunger, but it does bring us pleasure. Eating sugary foods or carbohydrates helps us score the feel-good brain chemicals serotonin and dopamine. They boost your mood and make you forget for a moment that you're stressed, bored, angry, sad, or in pain. But of course, the second you're finished, the pain returns, and you need sugar again . . . causing a long-term problem from a very short-term gain.

But there are other more healthful foods that can turn on that "natural Prozac" faucet in your brain. Eating a couple of slices of low-fat turkey can ramp up serotonin levels because it contains the raw material -- tryptophan -- that your body uses to make it; it's also a protein that contains the amino acids your body uses to keep your dopamine levels healthy. But we're willing to bet that you actually get very little pleasure from food because you don't take the time to savor it. If you must have a candy bar, choose healthier dark chocolate, and make eating it last a good 10 minutes, during which you pay attention to the flavor and the pleasure you feel. Today, sit down and write a list of other things that make you feel good, from talking to friends to flying a kite, and whip it out whenever you have the urge to eat your way out of your problems. Time to learn that pleasure comes in many forms. That may solve one of your problems for a longer term.

Product Tasting @ Holiday Bazaar

...mark your calendars

I will be on-site at the Spirit of Christ Lutheran Church Holiday Bazaar on November 14, 2009 doing product tasting and information sessions.

Come learn more about our great weight loss and wellness products. You will have the opportunity to taste our delicious Body FX shakes, our cellulite-dissolving Trimbolic and our Amazon Miracle, Zavita.

Additionally, I will be offering a product special for Bazaar customers only!

Also appearing in person, Spa Girl Greene! She will have beautiful gift arrangements, perfect for that special someone that deserves a little pampering for Christmas!

Donna & Terry from Soaps by Design will be among the many other vendors, artists and crafters at the Bazaar!

Trust me, you do not want to miss out on this FABULOUS event!

Saturday, November 14th
9:00 am - 2:00 pm
Spirit of Christ Lutheran Church
145 SW Sweetbreeze Drive
Lake City, FL, 32024
Fellowship Hall

Need a few days off?

...Catch a Cold

Some people seem to expect a bout with a cold or the flu each year. If you haven’t had your quota yet, here are some things you can do:

Eat a poor diet. If you want to catch a cold, make sure your body lacks the vitamins and minerals it needs to keep itself in good repair. Eat lots of processed foods, stripped of their nutritional value.

Avoid adequate rest. Deprive yourself of adequate rest. Stay up late and reduce the time you sleep as much as possible. Use tobacco, coffee and other stimulants to fool yourself into thinking you have more than enough energy.

Stop exercising. Reduce the effectiveness of your immune and lymphatic systems. Unlike the circulatory system, your lymphatic system depends upon exercise and movement to circulate these germ-fighting fluids, so sit on the couch and stare at the TV.

Rarely wash your hands. Increase your chances of catching a cold by compromising your personal hygiene. Remember to use your dirty hands and fingers to rub your eyes, pick your nose or wipe your lips.

Think negative thoughts. Look for opportunities to visualize having a cold. Pay attention to news reports about outbreaks of the flu and pay close attention to advertising that sells medications for cold sufferers.

Invite stress. Stress yourself physically by experiencing extreme temperature and humidity changes. Stress yourself mentally with constant worry or fear.

Become dehydrated. Avoid drinking enough water. Reduce the effectiveness of your natural defense mechanisms and other bodily functions by carefully avoiding fluids.

Of course I'm joking! The only way to catch a cold or the flu is to make yourself a hospitable host to the millions of cold and flu germs around you every day.

Keep your immune system boosted with daily multi-vitamins, lots of green veggies, and high antioxidant herbal elixirs.

---
Healthy news and information from Dr. Ellan Duke. Published monthly by River Hills Chiropractic and Wellness Center.

Get Vital Green—and send the cold and flu bugs packing!

Arm your body’s natural defenses and boost your resistance with antioxidants from some of nature’s most powerful plant substances. Deliver super-green factors to every cell in your body . . . and fight off colds and flu this season!

Get your daily supply of fruits and green vegetables with Vital Green!

Even the healthiest among us need a little boost to keep from getting “whatever’s going around.” Vital Green is the world’s most potent and powerful, source of chlorophyll from the land and sea. It supplies over 50 fruits and vegetables, phytonutrients, powerful antioxidant enzymes, essential trace elements, vitamins, polypeptides, and pH alkalizers to naturally help build your immune system, increase your energy, detoxify poisons, chelate heavy metals and deactivate harmful “free radical” molecules.*

Contact me today at (386) 623-0476 to order or order online at www.firstfitness.com/amypolk

Get Vital Green—and send the cold and flu bugs packing!

*This statement has not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. This product is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any disease.