Healthy Life Lessons

Well well, how is your 2016 shaping up so far? I apologize for the dearth of posts lately, things have just been super busy.  I have a list of meaty posts I have been wanting to write but haven't had the time.  But I promise I will get to it! Looking back, was 2015 a good one for you? It was a great one for me actually...especially compared to 2014.  The year I turned 40 was one that was full of existential angst.  I went through some hard times asking myself hard questions that most of us find ourselves asking from time to time: Am I enough?  Should I____ What if____? Most of it revolved around my professional self.  I grew up in a home where academic achievement was everything.  There was great pressure to excel in intellectual endeavors and financial stability was highly valued.  Its ironic then, or perhaps its the result of, that both my brother and I dabbled in well paid, stable jobs and ran the other way screaming and, instead,...

  Even though every Torontonian knew the green, mild weather wouldn't last, the snow storm this week still feels like a shock to the system. Really, we are still doing well relative to most years at this time.  We seriously only got our first snow this week, at the end of December, about a month later than usual.  And its still pretty mild, with temps above freezing. What gets me though is the greyness and bleakness of the landscape.  I am going to try my mood light again this winter, but I don't hold much hope it will make me feel any sunnier.  For me I don't think it is an actual physiological need for sunlight that gets me down so much as just needing a nicer view. You know how there are television stations that just broadcast a fireplace or fish tank to help people relax? Well, I am sure there must be something like that with beautiful landscapes.  At one place where I used to go for massages they have a big television in the waiting room...

  Friday we are throwing our annual New Year's Day party. For the last time. I realized that for the past few years I hate hosting it.  Actually, I have grown to hate hosting parties period. I love other people's parties though.  You see, I can leave whenever I want.  The problem with hosting is you can't tell people to get out. I am an extroverted introvert.  This means that I adore socializing until I don't.  I hit a limit with how much interaction (especially large group interaction) I can handle and then I need solitude.  I think having children has increased this tendency in me because, as any parent knows, you rarely get solitude, even in your own home, when you have kids. Adam is even more of an introvert and basically hates parties.  So when we finally admitted to each other how much we were dreading the event this year, we happily agreed this would be the last one. I also hate all the work involved, so I've switched to a ...

Good morning, I hope you have had happy holidays so far! We were in Florida last week at my in-law's place near Orlando and had a wonderful, relaxing stay. It was way too hot and humid for me - caused a few killer headaches - but it was great for the girls who spent a lot of timing swimming with their cousins and having a blast. I will miss the view from our condo though... Sitting out on the screened in porch was lovely, even with the heat. I will miss the sunshine too.  Toronto is still uncharacteristically mild for this time of year, but it is so grey and blah. Adam and I both feel refreshed, having eaten well, exercised and slept a lot.  I made it to one of the resort gyms 3 times to lift weights, and did some of my Tae Bo videos.  Of course, I brought along Essentrics, because doing my stretching is a must! Eating nutritious food is easy because we stay in a spacious condo with a full kitchen and cook most of our meals.  I made us gigantic egg w...

Too often when we travel, whether its for business or pleasure, we derail our healthy lifestyle with all or nothing thinking.  Because we can't stick to our exact eating and/or exercise plan, we throw in the towel completely and make poor choices. Most of the time it is very doable to stay on track, even if you have to adopt a new and different routine from your usual. Perhaps you won't get in as much cardio as you normally would, or you'll have to pack some resistance bands rather than using free weights, but as long as you get in as much activity as you can, you're good.  Maybe you can't drink your daily green smoothie for breakfast, but no doubt you can find an alternative to eat that is yummy and nutritious.  Just because you can't be perfect, doesn't mean you need to stop trying.  Its all about doing your best in every situation. You can't ask any more of yourself! Planning ahead is key.  Pack healthy snacks for the plane/train/car.  Don't...

  One of the hottest trends right now is health tracker devices.  It seems even barely health conscious people have gotten hooked on tracking their daily steps, sleep patterns, calorie intake, etc. Apparently this type of quantitative feedback can help motivate some people to stick to their health goals.  Personally, I've never been interested, but maybe that's because the one area where I never lack motivation is my health, especially in terms of nutrition, exercise and sleep. One frequently overlooked but critical aspect of personal health care is oral hygiene.  Keeping your teeth and gums healthy is not just a matter of keeping your pearly whites beautiful and preventing bad breath.  Gum disease has been linked to cardiovascular disease and other systemic inflammatory responses.  If you need a bit of a kick in the pants about your oral hygiene and love gadgets, you will want to check out Oral B's new Smartseries electric toothbrushes with Bluet...

  For her annual Hannukah party, my mother-in-law asked me to make a quinoa salad.  I instantly decided I wanted to come up with a new recipe...something really unique.  Something kind of special.  I think this fit the bill, and it was definitely a hit. Not only is this salad delicious, its full of superfoods to keep you feeling fabulous.  If you want to make it a main course salad, just throw in some chickpeas for protein.  Its very quick and easy to make too, which I am sure you will appreciate for the busy holiday season.  If you're entertaining, this salad will look lovely on your table and impress your guests. Salad 1 cup uncooked quinoa 1 bunch black kale (lacinato kale), finely chopped 1 persimmon, diced 1/2 cup pomegranate seeds 1/2 cup roasted, sliced almonds 1/4 cup dried cranberries Cook quinoa according to package instructions and let cool.  Transfer to serving bowl, along with the rest of salad ingredients. Orang...

  Whew, normally I feel great Monday mornings, but I'm bagged today.  It was a crazy busy weekend of holiday parties and working and visiting with family.  This week is also packed work-wise, so there won't be any reprieve until next Sunday when the winter holidays begin.  It will be nice for us all to have some time off together. Anyways... A few weeks ago I got some disappointing news in the mail. I have been receiving the Canadian Nutrition Action Healthletter for many years now.  I love it because it is unbiased information about health and nutrition that is evidence based.  This means no misinterpreted research reporting to get a headline, or fraudulent claims about products made by companies or representatives just trying to make a buck. Unfortunately, they are discontinuing the Canadian edition.  Apparently the costs are too high for this non-profit publication from the Centre for Science in the Public Interest in Washington, D.C. I...

  Between American Thanksgiving, which just passed, and New Year's, there are almost 6 weeks when North Americans tend to overindulge and let their healthful habits fall to the wayside. It doesn't have to be this way!  You can still enjoy the holidays without remorse or negative health consequences come January 1st. Here are some tips: Avoid all or nothing thinking - Most people decide that if they can't adhere perfectly to their usual routine, they might as well just let it all go completely.  Hogwash!  Do the best you can and that's all you can ask of yourself. Do something active every day - You don't have to get to the gym, but try and move your body for at least 15 minutes every day.  Make it a challenge and enlist the participation of coworkers or loved ones.  Exercise is critical, not only for health and fitness, but for mental health and stress management. Don't drink your calories - The easiest way to gain excess fat is by consumin...

Do you pray to the coconut gods? I am being sarcastic, of course, but there are a lot of folks out there that think coconut is the supreme wonder food that will cure everything that ails you.  That's bull.  Its definitely not bad for you, but whether it is really a miracle fruit...or nut, or whatever it actually is, has not yet been proven. That being said, I do love the taste.  I love sauces made with coconut milk, or coconut in baked goods or curries.  I think coconut sugar is the bomb...YUM! Unlike most folks, however, I am not a huge fan of coconut oil because its super heavy, and its a big pain in the arse to use in winter when it hardens so much, trying to chip any out to cook with is incredibly frustrating. Coconut water tastes gross to me and is pointless.  Unless you are an endurance athlete, don't drink your calories.  Stick with regular water. In this house, it is Big A and I who are the coconut lovers.  Adam is neutr...

  Hello and good morning! Today I am excited to share a podcast I did with journalist and writer, Brandie Weikle as part of her The New Family blog about all things parenting and family related. I am very passionate about my work as an infertility counsellor, so I hope you will give it a listen: Podcast Episode 25: The Secret World of Infertility

  Is it Friday again already? Is it really December?? Why is it that time goes faster and faster the older you get? I swear, sometimes I feel like someone pressed fast-forward on my life.  In some ways its good, I think its because I love my work and have lots of awesome stuff that keeps me busy and my mind occupied.  When I'm bored, I am totally miserable and because I am so impatient and get bored easily, the fact that I feel like life is so full is just what I need.  But sometimes I worry I'm missing something, you know?  Like I'm forgetting to do something and I'll only remember on my death bed. Ha!   Of course, when you have kids, it seems like they grow and change so quickly.  I try to remind myself, when getting annoyed by the constant, "Mommy, mommy..." requests, that one day the kids won't need me at all and that will be a very bittersweet day. We are already beginning the first week of December and if there is one month that fli...

A few weeks ago Adam started freaking out because he felt himself coming down with something. It was one of his busiest times at work and not a good time to be getting sick.  Fortunately, Nature's Way recently sent us a box of their Umcka ColdCare to try.  Adam starting taking it immediately to try and stop his symptoms from worsening.  In his case, it seems to have worked to have at least prevented him from developing a more serious illness, though he's still coughing a bit.  It comes in little packets that you mix with hot water and drink like tea. It contains a homeopathic compound that supposedly shortens the duration and reduce the severity of cough, congestion, sore throat, nasal and bronchial irritations. If truth be told, I have read almost nothing that supports the efficacy and validity of homeopathy, however, I did find a number of studies that have found some evidence that it's active ingredient (EPs 7630), an extract of extract of Pelargonium si...