Want to Lose your Belly? Sleep More!

crissimone — Mon, 06 Sep 2010 12:48:20 +0000

You eat healthy and exercise well but the scales refuse to budge? Sleep deprivation could be the reason! Medical research has established a strong link between sleep patterns and weight management. Turns out that improper and inadequate sleep can send your hormones and metabolism in a tizzy causing you to feel hungrier than usual and keeping your body from burning fat reserves.

Here’s how a lack of sleep will affect your weight loss efforts:

1.- More cravings
Physical and emotional stress is directly associated with higher levels of cortisol (also called the ’stress hormone’) in the blood. This hormone interferes with the satiety center in the brain and makes you feel hungry even after you’ve had a meal. So the next time you reach out for some comfort food, you know what to blame.

2.- Slow metabolism
Fewer hours of deep sleep can also result in lower levels of the growth hormone – the one that develops muscle mass and metabolizes fatty tissue. It doesn’t take a nuclear scientist to figure out where that will take you. Also, a tired body is ill-equipped to metabolize carbohydrates and tends to store them as fats. Slow metabolism increases blood sugar which may lead to insulin resistance, cardiovascular disease, hypertension and diabetes.

3.- Low energy levels
Lack of sleep can restrict your performance and productivity in all areas of life. A fatigued body responds dully to fitness plans and makes you less alert, focused and sharp. Doesn’t that give you enough reasons to grab some zzzz ?

Here are some of my favorite essential oils with natural sedative properties:

Marjoram

Chamomile, Roman

If you have been dealing with a sleep disorder or just plain old stress, here are some aromatherapy solutions that can help you get some sweet slumber. For best results use a combination of 2 or more of the above mentioned oils:

1)      Put a drop or 3 drops of essential oil on a tissue and tuck it under your pillow case.
2)      Add 10 drops of essential oils to a ¼ cup of Epsom salts and mix it in your bath water. Think relaxing thoughts and feel all your worries just melt away.
3)      Mix 1 oz of Carrier Oil with a total 15 drops of sedative essential oils. Take ¼ teaspoon of this body oil blend and massage onto your solar plexus area, the area where all your worries and negative feelings reside. As you massage that area, you will free yourself from all stress and negative emotions.

Good night and sleep tight!

Aromandina recommends: Sereno Sleep Time products, a perfect combination of sedative oils: Lavender, Mandarin, Marjoram, Petitgrain, Sandalwood and Palo Santo.

© AROMANDINA – All rights reserved
This information on this blog is based on traditional use of aromatherapy and it does not intend to diagnose or treat any condition. This information should not be used as a substitute for medical counseling with a health care professional. No part of this blog may be reproduced in whole or in part without the explicit written permission of Aromandina.

Cocoa: Weight Loss Wonder?

crissimone — Thu, 02 Sep 2010 17:18:02 +0000

When you think of healthy weight loss, you probably conjure up words like appetite control, self-discipline and abstinence. These are definitely important parts of any healthy weight loss regimen. Unfortunately, some food cravings are too powerful for the average person to handle. The craving for sugar and refined carbohydrates is especially tough for some people. The craving for chocolate is well known as especially difficult to resist.

These cravings are often purely psychological in nature. When you experience mood changes and start to feel depressed or apprehensive, your body begins to yearn for carbohydrates. That’s because carbohydrates help release phenylethylamine (PEA) and serotonin, important “feel-good” brain chemicals. Eventually the levels of these chemicals recede and cravings return, leading us to eat more. This cycle leads to chronic overeating… CLICK HERE TO READ MORE

Get The Real Skinny on Chocolate! Guilt-Free!

crissimone — Wed, 01 Sep 2010 12:58:41 +0000

In a recent 80-day Swedish study, volunteers who took probiotics were less than half as likely to require sick days for respiratory or gastrointestinal illness as those who were taking placebos. A study of children in day-care settings showed a similar benefit. And in another study in Japan, researchers found that participants in the probiotic group experienced a 1.4 percent drop in body weight, along with a 1.8 and 1.5 percent reduction in hip and waist circumference, respectively, over 12 weeks. No changes were observed in the placebo group.

A major component of cocoa is theobromine, widely regarded as the “feel good” ingredient in chocolate. Boasting both diuretic and stimulant properties, in clinical studies, theobromine has been found to reduce food intake while fighting the common emotional drawbacks of dieting. While it shares some of the same attributes as caffeine, it doesn’t have the same “surge and crash” effect on the body. Theobromine’s effect is slower, smoother and longer lasting with only a mild influence on the central nervous system versus caffeine’s high impact. This could explain the so called “addiction” to chocolate that many people feel they have. If you eat something and it makes you feel good, then it’s natural to want more. In addition to the previously mentioned health benefits, what makes Youngevity Triple Treat Chocolate different is the “guilt-free” factor.

It’s Self-care Saturday: Take the Defiantly Delightful Challenge

crissimone — Sat, 28 Aug 2010 22:40:45 +0000

In an effort to practice what we preach, today was a prime example of taking some time to center my mind and take a few moments to figuratively smell the roses.

My standing chiropractic appointment at Advanced Health Center with Dr. Lisa (who is phenomenal) – which is merely for wellness purposes, always leaves me relaxed, improves my posture and balance, and gives me 20-30 minutes to decompress from the week. It also felt so defiantly delightly because I purposefully deviated from the expected schedule of Saturday chores.

One may think, “A chiropractor? But, there’s nothing wrong with my back.” Instead of waiting for something to go wrong, chiropractic care helps to enhance the body’s mobility which is connection to digestion, emotional health, proper immune function, concentration and sleep.

So here’s the challenge: during the month of September, visit a recommended chiropractor (you’re welcome to see Dr. Lisa if she is in your area). Don’t just take my word for it, but enjoy the experience for yourself. Then blog about your experience and recommendations below.

Tips of the Week: Unglamorous Moments; Anti-Aging Serums; A Treat for Chocoholics; and more!

crissimone — Sat, 28 Aug 2010 17:23:52 +0000

Here is a recap of the beauty and health tips of the week:

1. Postnatal Weight Loss Method

2. Your UNglamorous Moments!

3. Anti-Aging Serums

4. A Good Night’s Sleep

5. Eat and Drink Your Way to Clear Skin

Bonus: A Treat for Chocoholics!

5 Reasons Why a Healthier Lifestyle is Socially Contagious

crissimone — Mon, 23 Aug 2010 14:27:49 +0000

5. When you lose weight and feel great, your positivity can inspire not only your friends, but your friends’ friends too.

4. Your health practices at home are being observed by your family members, whether you notice it or not. When you practice, and not preach, you set the example for them to follow.

3. When enough messages flood the media about living a healthy lifestyle (especially those images of Jennifer Hudson!), it shapes the norms and expectations of society.

2. Internet social networks can also create the viral effect of health and wellness, from tweeting weight loss goals to sharing dietary practices on facebook.

1. When you team up with a buddy who wants a healthier lifestyle, you can influence and motivate each other to eat properly and exercise. It definitely helps when you want to fit into that little black dress for a night on the town as a reward!

It’s Self-Care Saturday!

crissimone — Sat, 21 Aug 2010 15:00:41 +0000

Weekends are often filled with household to-do lists, grocery store trips, or cleaning. The mere thought of it may make you want to crawl back to bed and forgettaboutit. Well, the realities of life may not let you do that, BUT you can put a task on your to-do list or schedule that is all for you. You can:

Treat yourself to an herbal iced tea while running errands;

Reward yourself with one hour to go to a park and take in the sights, sounds and scents of nature, and perhaps call up a friend for a chat;

Turn off the news in the car and pump up some of your favorite tunes;

Keep a standing hair/nail appointment;

And of course when you’re going out and about, be sure to dress in an outfit that’s comfortable yet makes you feel beautiful. Hey, you never know who you may bump into.

Enjoy!

Words to Ponder

crissimone — Thu, 12 Aug 2010 14:34:07 +0000

Why must we master the art of living well? Because too many of us have normalized living less than our best.

It’s Self-Care Saturday!

crissimone — Sun, 25 Jul 2010 01:55:30 +0000

Take some time today to reflect on your meals for the week. Did it consist of donuts, burgers and fries, and pizza? Did you eat vegetables other than a piece of lettuce and tomato on a sandwich? Was water your beverage of choice, or was it soda or juice?

Use the weekend to regroup by drinking lots of water, and eating balanced meals of fruits, vegetables, whole grain and lean protein. It is also a great time to plan and track your meals for the week. It is no surprise that you will have to eat, so why not prepare yourself to enjoy healthy delicious foods everyday?

My Fitness Pal is a free and easy tool that logs your meals and remembers them for future entries. It also has a tool to track your exercise, allowing you to see how many calories you burned.

A proactive approach to your meals will save you money, help you to become more mindful about what you put in your body, and inspire someone to follow in your footsteps.

It’s Self-Care Saturday!

crissimone — Sat, 10 Jul 2010 13:00:39 +0000

Guided imagery utilizes mental images of the unconsious to influence the conscious mind. Scientifically accepted as a practice for relaxing the mind and body, it is used by health professionals and the public to relieve stress, reduce anxiety, lessen physical pain and resolve emotional conflicts.

How does it work?

We found this calming example that you can use daily:

http://tinyurl.com/2cobzxp

Tell us how guided imagery works for you.