Chicago Fitness Guru Mysti Cobb Inspires Us To Get Movin'

BeWell
by Mysti Cobb

 Mysti Cobb, Personal Trainer & LMT

"I love to exercise!"

Monday is a spinning class and an hour of Pilates. Tuesday is the Insanity Workout dvd. Wednesday is an hour and a half of yoga. Thursday is weight training with my workout buddy Cheryl. Friday is an hour and a half of African dance. And Saturday is my rest day. Then on Sunday I start the rotation all over again by hitting the gym for an hour.

Exercise has always provided me with a way to relieve stress, get a good sweat and feel good about myself.

Happy Juicing

A juicing discussion got underway on Facebook this morning. A friend of mine was looking for something to add to her spinach and kale mixture. A few folks offered their suggestions, as well as myself ... um, one suggested she add oatmeal, celery, oranges, lemon, peanut butter or frozen berries. Another shared her fave recipe of spinach, 3 carrots, 1 Honey Crisp apple, 1 red beet and 1 med cucumber. Another friend offered a "Green Lemonade" recipe. She said to add lemon or lime and ginger. I suggested that she add broccoli (including the stem) and an apple to sweetened it.

There were so many great suggestions, but most of all it was wonderful learning of everyone's interesting juice concoctions. I can't wait to experiment with them. I have really come to love juicing, but will admit that there are mornings where the time slips away from me and I don't do it. But, that conversation just inspired me so that I am making a commitment to put aside a few minutes each day for juicing. It doesn't have to be in the morning, though it's when I am most accustomed to doing it. In fact, I am determined to have fresh juice at least twice a day from here on out.

Why?

Because the benefits are amazing.  Here are 3 main reasons why juicing is beneficial:

1. The juice requires hardly any digestion, so all its nutritional goodness gets rapidly into your system.
2. When you juice, you use more fruits and vegetables than you could actually eat. As a result, you are drinking a densely packed amount of vitamins, minerals and other plant-based nutrients.
   
3. Liver detoxification.

As a result you have more energy; can think better; are less likely to catch colds or the flu; and best of all you will have the most gorgeous hair, nails and skin! Yep, it's that simple.

Juicer's are not that expensive. They come in a variety of styles and price ranges. Jack Lalanne's (R.I.P) power juicers are available for extremely reasonable prices online. In fact he has a current web special, buy one get one free. It's true ... see it here www.powerjuicer.com

Read more about the benefits of juicing at www.juicerrecipesnow.com

If you're looking for good simple recipes or ideas check out www.living-foods.com

Do you have any juicing recipes or stories that you'd like to share. If so, please do. We would love to hear them.

Happy Juicing!

Relax, Renew, Release

Studio Within Salon and Spa in Lakeview
www.studiowithin.net

Looking for ways to improve your quality of life? Here's an idea, try visiting a spa. It doesn't matter if it's your local neighborhood spa, which will likely offer more cost-friendly services, or a high-end spa on the Gold Coast. Spas offer services that can help heal the body and nourish the soul. "Yes, yes ... that sounds great, but it's a luxury that you just can't afford." Oh, I hear you. Well, think of it this way, the health benefits that you get from going to the spa every once in a while is something that you can no longer afford to lose.


While we may think of facials, massage, and mani-pedi's as frivolous luxury, they are actually ancient forms of healing that connects us to an even deeper more meaningful human experience. There is healing power in touch. When we set aside time for ourselves to engage in one of those services, our bodies and minds benefit tenfold. Whether it's from a therapist or a loved one, a simple massage helps our minds and bodies stimulate their own restorative nature. Touch promotes healthy blood circulation, can help reduce high cholesterol, and relieve stress. You will be better able to move and think more freely. After experiencing any one of those services your muscles will feel relaxed and your skin will glow.


So forgo that Cafe Mocha from Starbucks for a week or take a pass on those new shoes that will have your feet crying for mercy after wearing them for an hour. Set aside some time and a few bucks a month to nurture your wellbeing. Isn't that just as important?

What's In Season?

The produce aisle at Wholefoods always look so beautiful. It's my favorite place to go (besides the local farmer's market) to find the most colorful selection of organic fruits and veggies. And, since I recently discovered the joys of making fresh fruit preserves, I have been on the hunt for the sweetest berries that I can find. But on my last trip to the store, as I found myself standing in front of this vast array of kinda sad-looking raspberries (on sale); a thought crossed my mine, "wait, are these still in season?" I hadn't a clue.

You see, in order to get the most benefit out of your food it is important to eat what's in season. Of course, what's in season will vary in different regions of the world or even in one country. This is how your local grocery store is able to obtain some of its inventory when certain food is out of season in your area. Fruits and vegetables can be imported from as far as New Zealand. The problem with that is by the time the food reaches your market and sits on its shelf a spell, the nutrients may be weak or depleted.

Here are a few things to remember:

• The most nourishing foods are seasonal and local.
• The variations in growing conditions from season to season is key for balancing the earth's resources and its inhabitants.
• Foods that are in season (and local) have the most flavor; have the highest nutritional value; and are usually more affordable.  

Eat Well ... Live Well

Here is a list of food that is in season for the Fall:

Fruit

• Apples
• Bananas
• Clementines
• Cranberries
• Grapes
• Grapefruit
• Kiwi
• Kumquat
• Oranges
• Pears
• Persimmons
• Pomegranates
• Quinces
• Satsuma
• Mandarin Oranges
• Tangerines

Vegetables

• Avocados
• Beans
• Beets
• Bok Choy
• Broccoli
• Broccoli Rabe
• Brussels
• Sprouts
• Cabbage
• Carrots
• Cauliflower
• Celery Root
• Chestnuts
• Collards
• Garlic
• Jerusalem Artichokes
• Kale
• Leeks
• Lettuce
• Parsnips
• Pumpkin
• Rutabaga
• Salsify
• Snow Peas
• Spinach
• Squash (Winter)
• Sweet Potatoes
• Swiss Chard
• Turnips Watercress

sources: whfoods.com; foodfit.com

Commentary: Make the Better Choice

I consider myself a fairly savvy consumer when it comes to choosing the best meals for my family. The overall wellbeing of our skin depends on what's happening within our bodies. Therefore, I spend a great deal of time seeking out healthy food options as well as learning about ways to effectively manage stress. And though, nine times out of ten I succeed in making better choices, there are moments when I, too, slip up.

WebMD recently posted an essay entitled, "Food Mistakes That Can Get In The Way of Healthy Eating" by Elaine Magee. In it, Magee lists five "common nutrition blunders" that I for one have made. Take a minute to read the full article. This is information that you should know.

Five Healthy Eating Mistakes:
1: Buying Fresh Produce for the Entire Week
2: Buying Too Much Processed Food
3: Eating Out or Ordering Takeout More Often Than Not
4: Not Taking Advantage of Food Synergy (i.e. Peeling apples robs us of nutrients only found in the skin.)
5: Avoiding High-Fat Plant Foods (i.e. avocados, olives, and nuts)

Commentary: Change your thinking. Change your life.

I come across some of the most intriguing articles about health and wellness that I would like to share with you from time to time.

Recently, I read this article "7 Thoughts That Are Bad For You" on LiveScience.com. One thing is for sure, you are what you "think" you are. According to the findings of studies mentioned in that article, if you're not careful, what you "think" can greatly impact your health.

"I think I can, I think I can, I think I can ..." -The Little Red Engine That Could.