Hastings Healthy Living August 2010 Newsletter (with VIDEO!): Sugar Cravings Hi everyone! I hope you are having a great summer! When I sat down to write this newsletter I thought about the most common issues my clients come to see me for..... and those are to reduce cravings for sugar and increase energy! In the article below I will offer simple tips that you can apply TODAY to help balance your body and keep your hand out of the cookie jar! But first let's take a look at what's in this months newsletter and what classes are coming up in September: Newsletter Content: 1. UPCOMING EVENTS 2. ARTICLE: "The #1 Food That Can Increase Your Energy and Decrease Your Sugar Cravings" 3. RECIPE and VIDEO: Chocolate Strawberry Smoothie __________________________________________________________________ UPCOMING EVENTS Here's what's coming up: Click Here For Details On All Classes Thursday September 16, 2010 Fall Detox Workshop Time: 7:30 pm-8:45 pm Location Heartsong Yoga 263 North Main St East Longmeadow Ma 01028 Cost: $20 Did you know it is just as important to do a detox/cleanse in the Fall as it is in the Spring! This class is perfect fro those who have NEVER done a detox before. We will explore the benefits of detoxing and how to use whole foods and simple yoga poses to achieve great results! Click here to REGISTER __________________________________________________________________ Saturday September 26, 2010 Fall Detox and Yoga Flow Workshop Time: 11:30 am-1:30 pm Location Heartsong Yoga 263 North Main St East Longmeadow Ma 01028 Cost: TBA Learn how you can easily do a 3 day detox/cleanse in the Fall to prepare for the cold winter months ahead. You will understand the details of what goes on internally and externally during a detox/cleanse and explore how to use a specific combination of whole foods and yoga to cleanse and strengthen your body! Click here to REGISTER _________________________________________________________________ Thursday September 30, 2010 Detox Cooking Class Time: 7-9 pm Location Melwood Ave East Longmeadow Ma 01028 Cost: $35/person It's proven a detox can increase your energy, clear toxins from your body and clear up skin problems. During this cooking class will discuss the importance of detox/cleansing and you will receive a generous tasting and copies of whole foods recipes that can carry you through a 3-5 day detox! Get glowing!! Click Here For Full MENU and Details! ___________________________________________________________________ Article: Could Your Energy Level Use a Boost?..... Want To Know The #1 Food That Can Increase Energy AND Satisfy Your Sweet Tooth?! Hint: It's NOT a vegetable..... The focus of this month's newsletter article is SUGAR and ENERGY, and there is no doubt these two topics go hand in hand! We are a country addicted to processed sugar, we depend on it to give use energy and to soothe our emotions (it's true).... Sugar Facts: 1. The average American consumes 28-32 teaspoons of sugar a day!!! (there is NOT a recommended daily allowance for sugar, but most professionals recommend no more than 10 teaspoons a day) 2. There are 16 teaspoons of sugar in a 20 oz coke 3. Refined sugar can suppress your immune system for up to 4 hours!! 4. Sugar can cause headaches and bloating 5.Eating excess refined sugar can cause a nutrient imbalance. This is because sugar is stripped of vitamins and minerals, our body has to go into it's reserves of vitamins and minerals (in our bones) to digest it! Boy, oh boy, after just those 5 facts about sugar why would you want to even eat touch the stuff?!... Because it tastes good and makes us feel good (for a minute or two) Sugar has a physical effect on our brain, when we eat it feel good hormones are released, we may also have a pleasant emotional connection from childhood (grandma's homemade cookies....) So what can you do about it if you are looking to get a natural boost of energy without the crash and addiction? Try a few of the following tips and see what works best in your body. It may take a while, but your body will adjust, trust me I've been there!!! Sugar Solutions 1. Eat sweet veggies (in the summer these veggies are squashes, onions, peppers, carrots and beets) 2. Eat leafy greens (lettuces, kale, collards and swiss chard balance sweet cravings) 3.Eat good quality carbohydrates (whole wheat, quinoa, brown rice and millet provide constant energy) 4. Water! Start by replacing one beverage a day with water and increase from there 5. Use natural sweeteners like honey, brown rice syrup and stevia and agave (sparingly) and replace a sugar snack with seasonal fruit (in the summer melons, berries and peaches are best) 6. Try the #1 food that is NOT a vegetable or whole grain, but can still help your energy and cravings: Raw Chocolate (Cacao)! Cacao is the raw chocolate (cacao) bean, it's the base that all chocolate is made from, but it is raw and unprocessed so it contains vitamins and minerals! It's one of the best "super foods" and can do wonders for your energy and sugar cravings! Try the RECIPE below! _________________________________________________________ Recipe of the Month (VIDEO Included!) CLICK HERE TO WATCH VIDEO Chocolate Strawberry Smoothie 1 cup frozen or fresh organic strawberries 2 Tablespoons Cacao Powder (available at health food stores) 1 Tablespoon natural peanut butter (or any nut butter) 1 cup unsweetened almond milk 1 banana 1 Tablespoon flaxseed meal Ice (optional) Combine all ingredients in a blender and blend until thick and smooth, adding ice to increase thickness. ___________________________________________________________________ Contact Me Thank you for taking the time to read my newsletter! I hope you enjoyed it! The time is here to make a positive change in your health, I am available for health history consultations, just click here for more information about health counseling or to schedule an appointment. To your health and happiness, Renee Hastings, HCC