Beth Bunchman, MS, CHHC
303-956-8063
Sunday, September 28, 2014
Are You Toxic?
Did you
know your home may be one of the most toxic environments you and your kids ever
step foot in? Every day we surround ourselves with chemicals and other toxic
substances (oftentimes unknowingly). We eat them, “clean” our homes with them,
and cover our bodies with them…all without a moment’s hesitation. And, your
liver has to process every toxin you touch, consume and breathe. Oftentimes our
kids are more exposed and susceptible as their bodies are so small and are
still developing, and as parents we opt for plastic serve-ware, sunscreens, and
treated products – all in the name of safety or protection. Unfortunately, these
products contain toxins that lead to inflammation, cancers, hormonal
imbalances, immune disorders, skin irritations, and asthma; and yet many of us
are still unaware of this issue or know what to do about it. Scary, right?
Well, it doesn’t have to be.
Are
You Toxic?Symptoms of toxicity are numerous and
toxins affect each body differently; however, chances are, if you eat, breath, drink,
bathe, or participate in daily life on this planet, you are regularly exposed
to high levels of toxins. Unfortunately, the symptoms of toxin overload are
similar to many other ailments, making it difficult to diagnose. These symptoms
include: fatigue, depression, headaches, digestive distress, hormonal
imbalances, brain fog, and skin issues (to name a few). If left untreated,
toxin exposure will eventually lead to some form of inflammation in the body.
This inflammation may present as: allergies and asthma, blood sugar imbalances,
obesity, heart disease, fibromyalgia, fertility problems, cancer, auto-immune
diseases, and more.
But you are in luck! With proper
education and action, you may find you are able to clean up your act quite
easily and prevent ALL of these health problems and more. The top five sources
of toxins are: water, food, environmental, personal care products, and
stress/negative thinking. By addressing these five sources of toxins and
instead choosing to nourish your body, you can easily begin to experience
optimal health.
·
As we know from countless environmental movements over the years,
toxins are everywhere. While it is nearly impossible to control the toxins we
are exposed to outside the home, we can make a huge impact on our toxin intake,
just by cleaning up the home. Some common indoor toxins include: carpeting,
paint/stains/adhesives, BPA, Teflon, flame retardants, air
fresheners and cleaning solutions.
· You may be aware of the
growing controversy regarding organic foods
versus “conventionally” raised food and
food-like products. Conventionally grown produce is covered in herbicides and
pesticides; when processed, these “foods” often contain additional chemicals. No
matter how well we scrub, we still consume these toxins, so opt for the
cleanest food possible and learn more about the “Clean 15” and “Dirty Dozen” to
help you make informed decisions.
· With
over 140
contaminants in tap water, including pharmaceuticals (antibiotics, anti-depressants, birth control
pills, seizure medication, cancer treatments, pain killers, and tranquilizers),
it is also smart to choose filtered water whenever possible and avoid plastic
water bottles.
·
The products we use to look our best may actually be our biggest
source of aging and can also disrupt
our hormones and metabolism. Instead, choose personal care products that are
free of parabens, petrochemicals, chemical sunscreens, artificial colors and
fragrances, fomaldehyde, phthalates, triclosan, and aluminum.
· The Centers for Disease
Control and Prevention estimates that up to 90% of all illness and disease is
due to stress. Stress can kill the good bacteria that live in your
intestines to keep your immune and digestive systems strong. Manage your stress
with activities like meditation, yoga, prayer, journaling, exercise, meaningful
relationships, or essential oils.
The SolutionIn
addition to removing the various sources of toxins from your home, it can be
incredibly beneficial to help the body release the toxins it has stored. Lucky
for you (and your kiddos), there is no need for an intense detox regimen. The
body is designed to remove toxins from the body so all you need to do is let
the body heal itself, by itself by giving it the proper nutrition it needs to
work at optimal efficiency. Simply opt for a diet high in fruits and
vegetables, free of caffeine and sugar, and low in meat and dairy; get adequate
sleep; and promote the release of toxins by drinking more (filtered) water and
exercising. By making only a few
of the changes listed above, you will be on a path towards reduced toxicity and
will reap the many benefits associated with toxin-free living, such as: weight
loss, increased energy, reduced cravings, mental clarity, clear skin, better
immunity, and balanced hormones. Just think about how you would feel if you did
two or three of these things a day…and the future your kids would have if they
grew up with these behaviors as habit!
Saturday, July 26, 2014
Summer Sanity for Moms
Summer Sanity for Moms
I don’t know about you, but my world has gone topsy-turvy in
the last couple weeks. I think summertime can do that for many moms. Schedules
have changed and the days are longer – meaning kids get up earlier and insist
on staying up later because “it isn’t even dark yet.” Add to that, yard work,
overdue spring-cleaning, vacations, day camps, sports, weddings, et cetera, et
cetera. And you have a recipe for pure chaos, overwhelmed kiddos, and one
exhausted mommy. Lucky for you, I have a few tips for preventing the summer
blues and making the most of the season! (And if you’re already wishing for
fall, these tips can help restore your sanity too!)
My prescription for you is simple.
Yes, your mission this summer is to be “simple”…simplify your life. Go back to basics. Forget about the
fad diets, fitness classes, kids camps, here-there-and-everywhere living and
just do things out of pure simplicity and fun! Try this…
1)
Eat raw!
Forget about cooking and eat the food straight out of your garden or local
farmer’s market. I promise if you do this, you can eat AS MUCH as you can
possibly fit into your mouth in 24 hours and you will not have to worry about
diet plans, ingredients, or calories!
2)
Play with
your kids. Rather then sending them out to play, take your own advice and
join them! Ride bikes, jump rope, color with chalk, dig in the sandbox, play
hide-and-go-seek in the woods. I promise, at the end of the day, they’ll be
begging to go to sleep, it won’t have cost you a dime, and you will likely be
happier than you’ve been in ages! (This is fitness, spirituality, connection,
joy, and Vitamin D all rolled into one beautiful gift to yourself and your kids!)
3)
Forget
the expensive beach vacations with big tabs, shopping and packing hassles,
and body shaming. Instead, try camping. Unplug, nap in the hammock, roast
marshmallows, read a book, dig in the dirt, lay in the grass. No need to bring
a mirror, clean clothes, or your phone. How much simpler does it get?
4)
And about
those chores. Are they really necessary? If so quit procrastinating and get
them done. If not, let it go-o-o-o-o. Or make them fun (we have a weeding
competition at my house a few times a summer – whoever fills up the most bags,
wins a prize and we all celebrate with a fun outing).
Whatever your summer has in store for you this year, find a
way to make the most of it in ways that really matter. Let your neighbor’s keep
up with the Joneses this summer while you try the road less traveled. See who
has the better summer. You can always run the rat race next summer.
Friday, June 13, 2014
Green Thai Smoothie
Green Thai Smoothie
3-4 servings
2 cups spinach
½ bunch cilantro
½ garlic clove
½ red or orange bell pepper
2 tbsp. lemon or lime juice
3 tomatoes
1 packet stevia
1 avocado
1-2 cups water
Strawberry Mint Smoothie
Strawberry Mint Smoothie
2-4 servings
2 ripe mangoes
2 handfuls spinach
1 cup strawberries
2 sprigs fresh mint, stems removed
Tropical Hemp Smoothie
Tropical Hemp
Smoothie
3‐4 Servings
1banana
1/2 cup pineapple
4 leaves kale
2 tbsp hemp seeds
1/2 cup pineapple
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)