Issue 152

10 Tips For Surviving The Silly Season: by The Natural Way?

This time of year is a lot of fun with Christmas celebrations in full swing. However, the effect it can have on your health (and waistline) can be disastrous! The Natural Way would like to offer you some simple advice for keeping healthy during this very challenging time.

1. Keep Healthy Foods Available.

Ensure that you always carry some healthy snacks whilst out. If you suddenly realise that you haven't eaten for ages - this can happen if you become too wrapped up in Christmas shopping - then you don't have to rush to the closest fast food outlet to satisfy your hunger.

2. Avoid Losing Weight - Aim for Maintenance.

Trying to lose weight during the festive season can leave you feeling deprived and may even lead you to 'binge' eat the very foods that you have been trying to avoid. Concentrate on not gaining any more weight over this time, rather than losing it - then any kilograms lost during this time is then an added bonus.

3. Focus On The Healthier Options.

When faced large amounts of festive food at a Christmas party, fill up on the foods that you know are good, and have only a small amount (or none) of the others.

4. Be Choosy.

You need to evaluate the food on offer & make conscious choices before filling your plate. Only pick foods that you really want and ensure you do not overeat.

5. Choose Fresh Foods.

If faced with a large range of food choices remember that fresh, whole foods are often always better than processed ones. The same goes for homemade foods over shop-bought ones.

6. Whatever You Do, Don't Go Hungry.

Ensure you continue to eat regularly throughout the day, rather than "saving it all up" for one big meal. It is a good idea to eat a small healthy snack before going out, as it will prevent you from over-eating at the social function you are attending.

7. Stop Eating When You're Full.

Although this is obvious, sometimes you can eat until you feel positively uncomfortable. Make sure you only eat until you are satisfied, not totally over-stuffed - and if you get hungry later, they can always snack on any healthy leftovers.

8. Limit Your Alcohol Consumption.

Not only are alcoholic drinks full of 'empty' calories, they also impair judgement and if you overindulge, you will be more likely to eat more of the foods that you are trying to limit.

9. Keep on The Move.

Make sure you keep exercising to counteract any effects of straying from your normal eating patterns. Indulge in long family walks after big meals or at when at parties, get dancing!

10. Enjoy. After all it is the holiday season!!

The Natural Way can show you how to improve your health & well-being - isn't that the BEST Christmas present you can give yourself? Call 1300SLIMMER (754663) today and make an OBLIGATION-FREE appointment to find out more about The Natural Way programme.

www.thenaturalway.com.au

 

Using Your Mind To Take Control of Your Weight: by Peter McMahon!

For weight control to be permanent and satisfying, it ultimately needs to be automatic and something which come as a natural response without having to rely on will-power.

You know, it doesn't really matter how motivated you are to lose weight or to achieve a certain weight. After all is said and done you will do just what you really want to do. If you haven't changed what you want to eat, you will eventually end up eating what you have always eaten (IE. return to your old eating habits).

It is because of this simple fact that the focus of any effective weight control program should be on changing the internal perceptions of the different foods and also the emotions associated with those foods.

We as animals have a deep natural tendency to move away from pain and towards pleasure; even if the end result is not what we want. This tendency is hard-wired and pretty well impossible to override. So it makes sense to me to use this very deep and powerful drive to achieve the end result we want. In order to do this we need to set the scene along the pain ---> pleasure spectrum, so we naturally move towards the behaviour we want (healthy eating habits) with an unstoppable (and pleasurable) force of nature.

Hypnosis gives us the access needed to set the scene and bring these changes into effect. So you can enjoy reaching your ideal weight naturally and easily. People are amazed at how easy it is to harness this powerful and natural drive, and use it to get the body they want and and to keep it.

Changing your internal perceptions of different foods sounds great and easy enough; and it is. But for the changes to be efective and permanent, there needs to be a deliberate structure to the program. I have fine-tuned this process over the years of working with thousnads of people. So you lose weight easily and permanently.

Apart from doing this deep change work, there are a few very simple things you can do to start taking more control right now. 1. ALWAYS leave some food on your plate. 2. ALWAYS eat slowly. 3. ALWAYS sit down to eat. 4. NEVER read while eating. 5. NEVER watch television while eating.

Start doing these few simple things, and you will lose weight.

Enjoy your new healthy body.

I help people lose weight in my clinic at Montserrat Day Hospital and also in group sessions online.

Sincerely,

Peter McMahon Adhp, Michp, Maha Hypno-Analyst / Psychotherapist

Montserrat Day Hospital Level 2, 35 Astor Tce, Spring Hill, Q. 4000

P: (07) 3833 6735 M: 0404 136 553 E: [email protected] W: www.hypnotherapyqueensland.com

 

The Industrialization of Food - Hidden Dangers You Must Know for You and Your Damily:by Narelle Stegehuis - Mass Attack!

 

Industrial civilization first invented the machine and then took it as its life model. In the name of productivity; our health, environment and our landscape is threatened.

We are enslaved by speed and have succumbed to the fast life, which disrupts our habits, pervades the privacy of our home and forces us to eat fast foods.

Discretionary time has shrunk, so there's less time to be active & less time to spend sourcing & preparing fresh food.

Along with this, is the emergence of "ready to go" meals lining our supermarket shelves. With continuing drought threatening our food chain - it is becoming increasingly difficult to purchase reasonably priced vegetables & produce. Often consumers are forced to purchase poor grade, highly manufactured products due to financial constraints. However, finding a bit of wiggle-room in the household budget to challenge the industrial diet certainly proves beneficial to health.

A hundred years ago people ate around 100 different species of food. Now our diet is made up of at most ten or twelve species.

Other environmental issues such as the possibility to run or walk safely after dark are also posing challenging for some women. Do we live in an "obesogenic" environment - a world where it's hard to move, but easy to eat? Have we become complacent - have programs like 'The Worlds Biggest Loser' moved the goalposts? Rather than us thinking 10kg is overweight, we now think overweight means 30kg. Finding your self 5kg overweight is when the alarm bells used to go off, so what's changed?

Our environment has changed - the super market is a minefield, constructed to lead us into temptation, full of highly processed foods engineered by food technologists to deliver maximum profits and often negligible nutritional values. There is way too much food available, with too many companies fighting for a share of a market that already provides twice what anyone needs. The fact that fruit and vegetables generate typically lower profits may be part of the problem.

The default environment for food is cheap junk food in large amounts - what we need is to make healthy food the norm with junk food the outsider. The strength is to educate the population to see how their environment influences the food choices they make. The food industry certainly contributes, but it is hard to know whether the industry is responding to demand from consumers, or is reshaping food preferences.

Improving the quality of junk food is not the solution - vitamin enriched or not, soft drinks are still soft drinks. Trans - fat free snack foods are still rapidly absorbable carbohydrates.

With trans fatty acids (TFA's) becoming such a main stream component of our food chain, (margarines, biscuits, fried foods & processed foods) the prevalence of medical conditions such as diabetes, obesity, heart disease, and cancer are increasing. Over the long term, they interfere with your body's ability to ingest and utilize the good fats & promote fatty body tissue to synthesize small amounts of testosterone and related hormones. These play roles in fuelling hormonal imbalances such as Polycystic Ovarian Disorder, Fibroids, Endometriosis, PMT, Menopausal symptoms & low libido.

The Australian government is encouraging the manufacturers of products to clearly list TFA's on labels. The Australian Medical Association is calling for a ban on TFA's, in line with that enforced in Denmark. Here, foods containing more than 2% are outlawed. Unfortunately current Australian legislation states that Trans fat need only be listed when a product is marketed as low in cholesterol or saturated fat.

What many people don't realise is that Trans Fats are almost as bad for you as smoking!

So how is the harm done?

Picture it like this. The TFA's stop the essential fatty acids (derived from fish & good nuts - important for balancing sex hormones) from getting into the cell wall. So they have to find some where else to go. Over time, more and more TFA's block more cells - so new fat cells have to be built to keep them in - so you get fatter.

Trans Fats affect Insulin and Growth Hormone

Trans Fatty Acids impede insulin's potential to bind with the cell, causing it to stay circulating in the blood.

Now there is an excess of insulin in the bloodstream. Result…ravenous hunger, low energy, light-headedness, mood swings and teariness. You then have to eat, and you have to eat carbs to satisfy your hunger.

The long-term effect is lots of carbs, lots of overeating, and a total inability to generate growth hormone (which is only released in the absence of insulin). Without growth hormone, less muscle is created, so there is less of an opportunity to burn the fat!

Your metabolism slows: Oils derived from soybeans etc slow down your Thyroid, which lowers your energy levels, makes you feel less like exercising, and generally makes you fatter!

Hormonal imbalances occur: Along with making us gain weight, TFA's can also interfere with the production of prostaglandins which may increase the severity and incidence of PMS, painful periods and endometriosis.

Weight gain and abdominal obesity are strongly associated with insulin resistance. Evidence suggests that hyperinsulinemia (excess insulin) increases ovarian androgen production and decreases serum SHBG (Sex hormone-binding globulin that binds to sex hormones, specifically Testosterone and Estradiol). Increased androgen production and reduced binding of androgens to SHBG contribute to Hyperandrogenism, resulting in a lack of ovulation & increased facial hair - imbalances found in women diagnosed with PCOS (poly cystic ovarian syndrome).

Your mood changes: In a recent study at the University of Guelph, Dr. Bruce Holub has demonstrated that the huge increase in TFA's in our diets over the last twenty years has been the main factor in the rise in the new generation of Attention Deficit Disorder (ADD) and Attention Deficit Hyperactive Disorder (ADHD) in children & could even contribute to mood changes in adults such as anxiety, depression, aggression and poor concentration.

His research has shown that TFA interferes with the absorption of Omega-3 fatty acids which are physiologically important for brain function.

It is important we remain aware of the hidden components in processed foods today and balance the desire for convenience and a 'treat' with real awareness of the long term health dangers. Fast foods and convenience foods are just that, convenient, they should not make up the majority of our diet and should be the exception rather than the rule if families are to remain healthy and disease free.

Narelle Stegehuis, CEO of MassAttack, is a practicing Naturopath specializing in the research and development of natural treatment programs for women with hormonal imbalances, which have contributed to such symptoms as weight gain, cravings, anxiety and mood swings. Uniquely for patient convenience her programs are also offered via the Internet. She is both an accomplished wrier and recent recipient of the Australian Naturopathic Excellence Award 2006. Visit her website at www.MassAttack.com.au or download your Free E-Book by Narelle Stegehuis "7 Secrets to Weightloss Revealed" Click Here

T: 1300 133 536

Corporate Massage: With Hands To The Rescue!



Hands to the Rescue is asking your business to look at the service we offer with an open mind. If you authorize the service in your premises - it is then up to individual staff to CHOOSE to take advantage of the service, that you generously allowed.

You may ask, "What proof does Hands to the Rescue have that this service gives results".

For years we have had regular clients, currently 2000 staff from all areas Corporate, Government and Small business use our service every week.

In most cases staff are paying the full amount themselves. I am sure you would agree that a person does not spend their own money if they are not receiving a benefit. In addition, staff tell our therapists every day"how important this 15 minute session is" to them.

The businesses advise us that they believe it is an integral part of their companies " Staff Wellness Program".

In fact, more and more businesses are now paying the total amount or subsidizing this service. Again, a business would not support this if they felt there is was no benefit to them.

We believe our massage combination is unique in Brisbane. A rebooking rate of 90% indicates that employees also agree that our service is important to them.

The details are proof enough of the benefits of our service to all individuals. I agree that this is not for everyone but in saying that, I also believe it is important for your employees to have a choice. WILL YOU GIVE YOUR STAFF A CHOICE??

REVIVER The Reviver session is sure to re-energize you and leave you feeling refreshed. We have chosen a gentle yet rhythmic upbeat music style to compliment this unique massage session. For maximum effect, this massage is focused on the scalp, forehead, temples, eyebrows, ears, neck, shoulders, mid back and upper arms. from $10.00 per session

RELAXATION The Relaxation session takes your mind and body into a total relaxed state. The sounds of relaxation music will help you drift into total bliss whilst you receive a flowing massage of shoulders, mid back, neck, scalp, forehead and temples. from $10.00 per session

THERAPEUTIC DELUXE
The Relaxation session takes your mind and body into a total relaxed state. Using a specially designed headrest we give you a firmer, more therapeutic massage of shoulders, neck, mid back, lower back, arms and hands. For this session you can choose from either relaxation music or the more upbeat sounds from our world music collection. from $13.00 per session

General Points covering all 3 Massage types


" No clothing removed. " No massage table or oils used. " Appointments at 15-minute intervals. " Massage approx 10-13min in the 15-min " session.. " 30 minute sessions available. " Regular visits on a set day. " Correct cash payment on the day is appreciated. " Prices above are for a weekly service to your workplace.

T: 07 3278 8526 or click here for details

Introductory Offers: Day Spa & Fitness & Counselling!

Check out these great offers from South East Qld's finest health and beauty businesses! - simply click the link and fill out the contact form,

 

Sowelu Naturally Different Fitness(Paddington)
Take advantage of this months special, personal assessment and classes for a week for only $79! ! ( Please fill out the contact form on the page)

Beyond Beauty (Aspley)receive $10 off any service valued at $50 and over. One per customer. .( Please fill out the contact form on the page)

Brisbane Holistic Health Centre Purchase any day spa package and receive a self-application mud wrap absolutely FREE or Receive 10% off any products or services! !( Please fill out the contact form on the page)

more specials at www.myhealthspecials.com.au

Nourishedmagazine.com.au:How Much Chocolate is too much Chocolate?

by Joseph Mercola

How Much Chocolate is too much Chocolate?

Some simple rules to follow when indulging in the pleasure of chocolate heaven . . MORE...

 

Brought to you by www.nourishedmagazine.com.au

Short and Sweet:White & Green Bean Salad With Tuna!

Serves 4

300g green beans
1 large garlic clove, chopped finely
2 tbs lemon juice
1tbs olive oil
400g can cannellini beans, rinsed and drained
2 roasted red capsicums drained and finely chopped
½ small red onion, very finely chopped
1 can of tuna

Blanch green beans in boiling salted water for 3 minutes. Rinse in cold water. Drain.

Whisk garlic, lemon juice and oil in a large bowl. Add green beans and remaining ingredients, season, and then toss to combine.

Brought to you by www.massattack.com.au

Download our new FREE e-book 7 Secrets of Weight Loss Revealed

http://www.massattack.com.au/sevensecretssubscribe.html

Laughter is the best medicine!

Dog Rules

1. The dog is not allowed in the house.

2. Okay, the dog is allowed in the house, but only in certain rooms.

3. The dog is allowed in all rooms, but has to stay off the furniture.

4. The dog can get on the old furniture only.

5. Fine, the dog is allowed on all the furniture, but is not allowed to sleep with the humans on the bed.

6. Okay, the dog is allowed on the bed, but only by invitation.

7. The dog can sleep on the bed whenever he wants, but not under the covers.

8. The dog can sleep under the covers by invitation only

9. The dog can sleep under the covers every night.

10. Humans must ask permission to sleep under the covers with the dog.

Quote of the week!

"Necessity is the mother of taking chances. " -- Mark Twain, author

For a Good Cause: Why Support The Fred Hollows Foundation?

Our vision is for a world where no one is needlessly blind, and Indigenous Australians enjoy the same health and life expectancy as other Australians.

 

http://www.hollows.org.au/

 

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In the next issue of "Naturally Happy"

  • Xmas Gift Ideas!
  • Sylk Natural Lubricant?
  • Lemon Myrtle Essenitals
  • Fresh Skin + Spa!
  • nourished.com.au!
  • Short and sweet!
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My Health Specials provides this information for your personal education and enrichment. Information provided should not be used for diagnosing or treating a health problem or disease. Nor should the information replace the advice of your health care practitioner. Always seek professional advice if suffering an illness. My Health Specials Pty Ltd and all parties involved in the conception, production, ongoing maintenance and operation of Naturally Happy accept no liability and no responsibility for any damage whatsoever arising from or in connection to your use or operation of the website or information contained in this e-magazine.