How to manage constipation.
SMART(ER) Goal for the New Year
Each year you get an opportunity to pause, reflect, and consider the next step you will take. As you reflect on this past year, take some time to think about your health. Your health is one of the most valuable resources you have. When your health is challenged, everything else seems to take a lower priority. So how would you answer these questions:
What progress or decline have you observed in the past 12 months?
What one thing would you most like to change about your health in the next year?
What are some key contributors to your current health experience?
As you consider the answers to these questions, you will begin to see some potential items to focus on the the new year.
What health goals come to mind for you? Perhaps:
Lose some weight, or maintain a healthy weight
Get blood sugar under control
Eliminate joint pain without medication
Eliminate acid reflux without medication
Learn 12 new healthy recipes for me and my family
Reduce gluten foods from diet
One way to evaluate setting goals is to identify a SMART(ER) goal, which is described as follows:
Specific - define a goal that is very specific and that will clearly describe what you mean.
Measurable - understand the specific measure that will be used to establish the start and end.
Attainable - what is reasonable to accomplish? Perhaps step one toward a bigger goal.
Relevant - Will accomplishing this goal be important to you and to the bigger picture?
Time Specific - What is the time frame needed to accomplish this goal? (12 months or less?)
Exciting - Do you get excited about the idea of attaining this goal? Are you motivated?
Risky - Does this goal really challenge you? This should be balanced with “attainable.”
When you set a SMARTER goal, you have taken time to evaluate and consider the effort and value of this goal. You are identifying what will be most important and will provide the best value when accomplished.
Example: For my SMARTER goal in 2021, I will plan to complete 2 hours a week of Pi-yo exercise by the end of July.
Accountability is another important component with a SMARTER goal. When you can share your goal with a friend, or family member, you are giving them permission to assist, support, and to watch your progress. Eventually, you will include them in celebrating your accomplishment.
I invite you to join me in the My Health Goal ‘21 club and state your specific goal for the New Year. There is no cost to join the club. You are asked to submit your SMARTER goal at the beginning of the year, and you will be supported and encourage throughout the year with regular email encouragements, healthy recipes, and support from Nutrition Proportion. As extra motivation, participants in the My Health Goal ‘21 will be given the chance to win prizes when they attain their goal. Additional services and opportunities that may assist you in reaching your goal will also be made available.
We all appreciate a fresh start. The New Year is a good way to give yourself a fresh start. Let’s team up together and make this year a year of accomplishment.
Send me an email with the link below, and become a member of the My Health Goal ‘21 group today.
Presidential Protocol
There are no special “get out of jail free” cards when we talk about coronavirus. Many leaders around the world have become infected and walked the road to recovery. Now President Trump has the virus and has moved to Walter Reed Memorial Hospital for treatment. So what protocol is used to help the current leader of the United States of America recover as quickly as possible?
The protocol given to the President includes Vitamin D and zinc. When you observe that these are among the first items administered by doctors to the President of the United States, how important do you think these would be for you to effectively build up your immune system?
Vitamin D
Vitamin D is one of only 2 vitamins able to activate the nucleus of your cell to turn on the effective chemistry to help the cell survive and thrive. Blood measures of Vitamin D are typically lower in elderly, Black, and Hispanic individuals, which have also been the most effected by this virus.
In research out of Germany, a direct association between Vitamin D levels and death rate was observed. Death from coronavirus was significantly lowered where Vitamin D levels were above 30 ng/ml.
Ask your doctor for a Vitamin D check or go to Grassroots Health to get a personal test kit delivered to your door.
Zinc
Zinc is an essential mineral for the immune system and a common mineral for Americans to be deficient. Zinc combines with proteins to form special “zinc fingers” which enable the white blood cells to complete the job of “hand to hand” combat with the virus.
Foods rich in zinc include red meat, beans, and pumpkin seeds. Supplements containing zinc that absorb most effectively include zinc orotate, zinc gluconate, and zinc acetate. Best absorption will also happen when you take zinc between meals.
Coronavirus Protocol
My recommendations for supporting your immune system during this season, which includes the presidential treatment, can reviewed by clicking this button.
Learn more about this protocol by visiting my earlier blog post, “What Will You Choose?”
For additional, personalized support for living a healthy, vibrant life in these challenging days, please contact me at Nutrition Proportion.
Superfoods
Very few of us can claim whole food training when we were growing up. We know some foods are good for us, but a consistent lifestyle seems to be getting more difficult all the time. Even when we make nutritious meals a priority, life events can generate imbalances that can slowly take over our health.
In my personal journey, I grew up with many healthy foods on the family farm. Whole foods were regularly on the table and the family enjoyed good health for many years. As I grew up and lived on my own, convenience and a faster pace of life brought in more packaged food and quick meals. I was slowly beginning to gain weight and lose energy.
When I got married, my wife and I began to build a life together, which included cooking meals together, but I did not know how many nutrients we were missing out on. Then a health crisis brought our attention to the significant impact quality food sources have on our health. These sources changed our family forever.
SuperFood Plus
This product was one of the first supplement sources for vitamin and mineral support that was recommended to my wife and I when we began our nutrition journey.
This product continues to be a regular resource in our lifestyle. When life gets stressful and we are not getting the nutrient intake that keeps everything going, then SuperFood by Dr. Schulze is a great product.
Available in powder form or in tablet form. My personal choice is the powder form mixed in a little vegetable broth. The hot drink is like a quick cup of vegetable soup to get the day going.
All vegan, organic sources for all the nutrients.
Check out all that is available from Dr. Schulze with the button below.
Weston Price Foundation
This organization helps identify quality whole food sources in your area through a grassroots network of chapters throughout the world.
Weston Price completed research in the 1930s showing the health benefits of whole foods including quality fat sources and raw milk.
While each individual will have different nutrient requirements, everyone needs to find more of those whole foods that will work best for them. There were many quality foods that our grandparents grew up eating that we know nothing about or have forgotten. This foundation helps individuals to rediscover health through quality foods.
During this last week in August, you can join as a member of the foundation at a 25% discounted rate. Check out the website and see all the resources available. https://www.westonaprice.org/
Savory Blueberry Sauce
The season for blueberries offers the opportunity to add variety to your meat dishes. Try this recipe in your kitchen. This recipe is great for those individuals with blueberries listed in their personalized Metabolic Balance plan.
Savory Blueberry Balsamic Sauce
Ingredients:
2 Tablespoons Ghee
2 Tablespoons Olive oil
1/4 cup minced shallots
2 teaspoons minced garlic
2 Tablespoons minced fresh rosemary
1/2 cup balsamic vinegar
2 cups fresh blueberries
1/4 teaspoon salt
1/2 teaspoon pepper
Directions:
1) In a large pan melt one Tablespoon of Ghee with the olive oil. Add the shallots, garlic, and rosemary, sauté for 2 minutes.
2) Add the salt, pepper and blueberries. Stir in the balsamic vinegar. Reduce heat to low and simmer for 5 minutes or until blueberries begin to soften and the sauce begins to reduce.
3) Add the remaining 1 Tablespoon of Ghee and cook for another 3 minutes.
4) Serve hot over chicken or pork.
Nutrients of this recipe:
This sauce has no added sugar and is a great addition to chicken, pork, or beef for a savory addition. The ingredients provide a rich source of Vitamin C, Vitamin E, and Vitamin K alongwith phytonutrients of Lutein, Zeaxanthin, and Beta-carotene. Manganese is the most abundant mineral in this recipe.