Healthy food doesn’t have to be bland and Bindu Grandhi proves it in Spice Up Your Life: The Flexitarian Way. If you’re still looking for the perfect gift for your health nut or to add an incredible item to your wish list, this recipe book might be it!

You may be wondering, like myself, what’s a flexitarian?

High in nutrition and fiber, and low in saturated fat, a flexitarian dietary approach focuses primarily on plant-based foods composed of grains, nuts, legumes, vegetables and fruits, and occasionally includes protein from lean meat, fish, poultry or dairy.

Ms. Grandhi points out in the introduction that the health benefits of this diet are unrivaled: studies show that people using this approach generally weigh less and reduce their risk of hypertension, heart disease, diabetes, and prostate and breast cancer. (Primary source: CNN)

So far I’ve tried 6 out of more than 100 healthy, tasty recipes in Spice Up Your Life. Every one of them has been absolutely delectable!

I LOVE spice, however, my Honey is a little sensitive to the burn. But he’s always willing to try new meals and he went absolutely ga-ga over Bindu’s sweet and zingy (his words) “Sauteed Plantains”!

Indian-inspired, these are unusual recipes (for me, at least) and extremely flavourful. Among the others we’ve tried:

• Seasoned Kale
• Bell Pepper and Potatoes (fried and very yummy)
• Broccoli Soup (made with garlic, ginger & jalapeno peppers)
• Rice Pilaf with Red Lentils
• Salmon with Cashew Red Pepper Sauce (this nutty, sweet sauce is to die for!)
• Mango Swirl Smoothie (lovely and light)

By the way, if you have an aversion to green chilies or dried red chili peppers (or red chili pepper) because of sensitivities or health reasons, the author says you can omit them and promises that the finished dish will still be delicious.

I will try creating some of these recipes without the spice later and report back to you but for now, I love spicing up our lives!

With Spice Up Your Life, you’ll always have an interesting recipe for any occasion:

1. Appetizers
2. Side dishes
3. Chutneys, sauces, dips and raitas
4. Breads
5. Vegetarian dishes
6. Chicken dishes
7. Seafood dishes
8. Drinks
9. Desserts

The complimentary chapters are a bonus! In “Tips, Tools, and Techniques,” Bindu explains how to select fresh ingredients and provides lists for spices and kitchen companions. My favourite, as well as Mama Granhi’s, is the chapter on “What’s Good For You” which promotes the health benefits of the ingredients found in the book.

I especially love that Ms. Grandhi uses a variety of fresh herbs and Indian spices throughout as a basis for most of the recipes. This means, if you have the other fresh ingredients on hand, you can change your mind last minute and try another recipe that’s caught your eye!

At a very affordable price of less than $15, Spice Up Your Life is available online or  in stores like Barnes and Noble, Borders and other independent bookstores.

What do you think, Readers? Are you ready to Spice Up Your Life (or the life of your favourite health nut)?

Have you ever been impulsive? The emotions surge and we make a snap decision. Sometimes it works out but most times… not so much. This post was inspired by our lovely holiday Bowflex tree and the lessons I reflected on while decorating it.

Now, as much as I appreciate the beauty of our Bowflex tree, I understand that there’s something (maybe a few things) desperately wrong with this picture.

Lesson #1: Try Before You Buy (especially big ticket items)

We’ve had our Bowflex machine for over 2 years now and it’s been used about a dozen times between myself and my hubby.

1st issue: Lack of space. (Hence, a Bowflex tree and not a Christmas tree). This machine is much larger than it looked on The Shopping Channel.

2nd issue: Does not suit our taste or needs. I tried. I really did. I watched the DVD that came with it. I installed and used it’s progress tracking software. Even had a routine but none of it stuck.

Now, the hot Bowflex granny says it worked for her so it may also for you (that’s what I was hoping when we ordered it).  But if our Bowflex taught us just one lesson, it’s to make sure your purchase suits you before investing a chunk of money into it.

By the way, what DID work for me was old-fashioned, accessible (and highly economical) floor work and easy-to-store free weights!

Lesson #2: Beware of Unbelievable Deals

The Home Shopping Network is notorious for it’s remarkable deals. Our Bowflex came with loads of extras, including believable and inspiring testimonials and sharp-talking sales reps.

What really cinched the deal for us was the promise of weight-loss and fit, healthy bodies. The advertising tickled our emotions and desires. We thought that if it worked for these people, it would work for us.

Besides, if we were investing this much money into equipment, surely it would motivate us towards a healthy routine! (We didn’t know at the time that change comes from within, not in `things’ outside ourselves.)

Lesson #3: Respect the Energy of Money

The energy of money is like the energy of food. For health, we want the most nutritious calories because it’s the empty (and less satisfying) calories that adds to our weight and drains us of long-lasting energy.

The same holds true for money. When we exchange our hard-earned money for something we truly value and appreciate, we respect ourselves and the energy of money. When we do this, we invite more quality and money into our lives.

In this case, exercise equipment has fulfilled it’s purpose and added real benefit to our lives when we use it on a regular basis to gain muscle and health. Not as an $1,100 pseudo-Christmas tree.

Moral of the Story

While it’s always recommended to make the most out of every situation (see photo), it’s in our best interest to perform due diligence before purchasing and avoid emotion-based impulses so that we use our resources wisely and consciously.

Have you ever used an impulse buy for something it wasn’t meant to be used for just to appease your guilt for being impulsive? I’d really like to hear your stories so our Bowflex tree doesn’t seem so lame! 

By the way, if you’re in the Toronto area and you think a Bowflex machine will suit you, contact me (stephanie [at] livelighter [dot] ca) and we’ll talk shop.

Feeling a bit off or even a lot off? it’s most likely your hormones! Everyone’s got them and they are fascinating, intricate chemicals that require balance or you’ll feel it. Dr. Natasha Turner demystifies hormones, how their imbalances affect our health and teaches us how to regain control of them in The Hormone Diet.

Warning! Before you read further, I feel that it’s my obligation to warn you that between the personable style in which The Hormone Diet is written AND my incredible Hormone Diet results, Dr. Turner has won me over! This may influence the following critique.

Why listen to the author? From her bio:

“Dr. Natasha Turner is one of Canada’s leading naturopathic doctors and natural health consultants. She is Clinic Director and Founder of Clear Medicine – a wellness boutique in Toronto. As an expert in nutrition and natural health, she is regularly featured in print and on television. [I saw her on Breakfast Television!] Her experience has contributed to the design and development of two commercial weight loss programs, which have helped to transform an abundance of lives. She also frequently lectures to both the public and health care providers on topics related to healthy hormonal balance.”

What does the book promise?

The book promises a “6 week health fix” and a “proven method for weight loss”. Dr. Turner has used her approach outlined in The Hormone Diet to “successfully treat thousands of patients with a broad spectrum of health goals.” She has helped people gain much-needed muscle, get healthier skin, cure headaches, improve sleep, ease digestive issues, gain more energy, improve fertility and/or sharpen memory.

Are there are questionable ideas or suggestions in the book?

Read the rest of this entry

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Would you take nutritional supplements made by pizza makers? Probably not. But you might trust scientists who could manufacture penicillin, IF they weren’t so busy in health, nutrition and preventative care!

In part 2 of my 1st USANA product review, Annabeth asked about scientific studies on USANA products by notable Universities. No luck here but I did discover a slew of interesting USANA facts to consider when comparing supplements and supplement companies.

Here are a few of them:

1. Besides the third party confirmation from Consumerlab.com, the NutriSearch Comparative Guide to Nutritional Supplements™ continues to rank USANA #1 compared with 1500+ other nutritional supplements on the market. The latest edition (4th) even awarded USANA with it’s first Editor’s Choice Award!
2. Several USANA products are listed in the Physicians’ Desk Reference (PDR).
3. Voluntarily meets pharmaceutical grade manufacturing standards. This is the difference between pizza and penicillin, an analogy a USANA scientist used to explain the quality of their supplements. Better reiterated in another post, let’s just say that USANA voluntarily exceeds the current supplement industry standards.
4. Athlete approved! Dozens of trained professional athletes (who have to worry about barred substances) have felt the health enhancements from nutritional supplements and trust USANA to provide them. And why not, USANA offers athlete and tour guarantees (millions of dollars!) for assurance that products comply with strict anti-doping standards.
6. Founder’s scientific background which is the basis for the USANA difference in quality, safety, potency, purity and efficacy. Pioneer in the development of human cell culture technology and winner of the Albert Einstein Award for outstanding achievement in the Life Sciences, Dr. Myron Wentz is also a published author and scientist. Here are a few of his selected citations. Read the rest of this entry

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It’s been awhile since I  first mentioned The Hormone Diet in “Are We All Just Hormonal?“. But after 10 weeks and completing the 3rd step in Dr. Natasha Turner’s health program, the time has come to review my results and the diet itself!

Down to the nitty gritty and what we all want to hear about…

The Results

This is very personal information but for you, dear Readers, I’m willing to share almost anything. One of the best aspects of Dr. Turner’s book is that she encourages us to assess our health before her program and after. So here they are for your review:

Hormone levels

Start date: cut off point for inflammation; low serotonin; low GABA; low dopamine; excess progesterone; cut off point for excess testosterone; low thyroid; and cut off point for low acetylcholine.

End of 10 weeks: I’m pleased to report that ALL my hormone levels are balanced!

Weight

Start date: 135.7 End of 6 weeks: 127.o End of 10 weeks: 131.2

Waist

Start date: 29″ End of 6 weeks: 26″ End of 10 weeks: 27″

Hips

Start date: 40″ End of 6 weeks: 36.5″ End of 10 weeks: 38″

Waist-to-hip ratio (ideal is <0.9 for men; <0.8 for women)

Start date: 0.73 End of 6 weeks: 0.71 End of 10 weeks: 0.71

Body fat percentage

Start date: 27.1 End of 6 weeks: 26.0 End of 10 weeks: 24.3

Body pH (ideal is 7.2 to 7.4)

Start date: 6.45 End of 6 weeks: 6.75 End of 10 weeks: 6.85

Dr. Turner suggests to also measure blood pressure, resting heart rate and a blood test from your doctor. However, I was too excited to start the diet and so failed to measure these health components at the beginning, so I felt no need to record them after 6 and 10 weeks.

Diet Review

Read the rest of this entry

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Does the life you want allude you? All you have to do is to consistently exercise your mind, says Bob Proctor, self-made millionaire and star of the hit movie, The Secret.

A philosopher, success coach and author, Bob Proctor has successfully used the Law of Attraction to create abundance in his life. He now uses this knowledge to teach others across the globe how to do the same.

For those of us who can’t afford one-on-one coaching from Mr. Proctor, he’s offering daily success mentoring through his 6 Minutes to Success program!

I’ve been listening to 6 Minutes every day (5 days a week) for 2 months now and I love it. It’s the first thing I do before starting my work day and it really helps me get into the right head space. He’s inspiring and motivating, and the lessons are fun, easy and require you to stop, think and feel, then take action!

The last 3 weeks, especially, I feel more confident, decisive, productive, effective and, surprisingly, more social. He challenges self-limiting beliefs and suggests other ways of thinking that have been shown to produce success. I feel the changes!

Personal development (and only 6 minutes of it daily) is the best way to start the  work day. If you want greater health, wealth and more meaningful relationships, click on the banner in this post or below in the sidebar and sign up for Bob Proctor’s 6 Minutes to Success!

To get a better understanding of what to expect from this program, view this 7 minute video, “What is 6 Minutes to Success”:

Eatertainment: “a combination of eating and entertainment, for example, a medieval banquet livened up by troubadours, dancers and acrobats.”

Sounds fun, doesn’t it? But what happens to our health when eatertainment takes on a Western spin so that fast food (high calories, low nutrient-density) becomes the source of the party and we just don’t want the party to end?

From the evolutionary advantage of storing fat to “conditioned hypereating” and corporate greed, Elizabeth Colbert’s article published in The New Yorker, “XXXL: Why are we so fat?“, is an amazingly brilliant article that examines the undeniable fact most of the world is becoming overfed and malnourished.

From The New Yorker:

A food scientist for Frito-Lay relates how the company is seeking to create “a lot of fun in your mouth” with products like Nacho Cheese Doritos, which meld “three different cheese notes” with lots of salt and oil. Another product-development expert talks about how she is trying to “unlock the code of craveability,” and a third about the effort to “cram as much hedonics as you can in one dish.”

Yikes! If the goal of processed food corporations is to concoct irresistible food combinations in the labratory, coupled with research on rats that prove animals’ brains react to sweet, fatty foods the same way that addicts’ respond to cocaine, it’s no wonder global obesity is on the rise!

One of the most interesting aspects of this article is the revelation of why supersizing has caught on in our society and who discovered it. It comes down to mindless eating where we’ve conditioned ourselves to rely on external cues (like portion sizes) rather than internal cues of satiation. As for the genius behind it? I want you to read the article but I’ll give you a hint: think of the last time you went to the theatre and ordered a `small’ popcorn and pop.

But eatertainment is a wonderful concept! Do you think it’s making us fat? And if you do, how can we preserve our health while enjoying the positive qualities of eatertainment? Please share your thoughts with us.

Yesterday’s post was a teaser and illustrated some amazing health results I’ve achieved in just a few weeks. This post is the second half of my first USANA products review and reveals exactly what I did to regain control of my life.

At the end of June, I started a supplementation regimen:

USANA’s HealthPak 100™ – More than a multivitamin

The HealthPak 100 delivers a full-body approach to supplementation, designed to provide a comprehensive balance of antioxidants, vitamins and minerals to support the function of various tissues and organ systems in the body.

One box contains a 4 week supply of 56 individually wrapped packets, 6 tablets in the morning and 6 at night:

• the full daily dose of the USANA Essentials™ (Mega Antioxidant plus Chelated Mineral)
• Active Calcium™, a core USANA Optimizer
• USANA’s unique AO Booster™ for added antioxidant protection (contains, among other bioflavinoids, a full daily dose of the grape-seed extract found in Proflavanol® 90).

I’ve researched USANA and trust they produce quality nutritional supplements. They are up-to-date in all the latest clinical studies on nutrition and take into account the bioavailability of their supplements. With a well-balanced, healthy diet, USANA’s HealthPak 100™ can help deliver essential nutrients missing  in even the most nutrition-conscious individuals.

After a week, I implemented USANA’s health program:

USANA’s RESET™

This 5-day, high-fiber cleanse program is designed to reset your metabolism and stabilize your blood sugar. It helps you kick your carb cravings, lose weight and guides you on a path to healthy eating. The kit includes: Read the rest of this entry

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This first USANA Health Sciences product review required me to step back and really evaluate how I’ve been feeling lately. I got a great bird’s eye view and what a surprise!

I’ve been rocking my world over the past 6 weeks and to give credit where credit is due, I’m convinced USANA has been a major contribution to this enhanced, effective state. This post will explain what lead me to try USANA and the positive results showing up in my life.

Background

We’ve been questioning the quality of our current food supply and wondering just how damaging our hectic lifestyles are in these Live Lighter posts:

• Are Nutritional Supplements Necessary?
• Processed O.J. v.s. Fresh-Squeezed
• I Vote For Nutritious Food!

Although I lead a healthy lifestyle (as much as I can at any given time) and am generally very healthy, since September of last year, life’s been harder than it was when I started Live Lighter. I’m imbalanced again. *sigh*

If you’ve been following Live Lighter, you’ll know that my imbalance has been showing up as health issues, including digestive trouble and addiction. Both of which negatively affect nutrition (further complicating the imbalance) and therefore hormones and mood.

A general list of health complaints

Although I still enjoyed good days, by the time June rolled around the not-so-good days were becoming more frequent. To give you an idea of how I was feeling at the time, here is a general list of my symptoms varying in severity and time: Read the rest of this entry

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Technology is supposed to make life easier. What it ends up doing is freeing our lives up for more stuff to enter, sort and manage. Although this creates endless opportunities, wouldn’t it be ideal if technology could help us relax?

Well, our friends over at the Ultrasound Technicians Schools have compiled a spectacular list of iphone applications that do this!

Customize your own yoga routine with the YOGA Instructor app, track and study the factors that effect your mood with the iMood Tracker or take the iAspirin which “manipulates brain waves to make you drowsy, relaxed, and free of pain.”

Really, these are too cool. And they’ve separated all the apps in categories:

• Exercises and Healing
• Visual and Simulation
• Audio
• Meditation and Sleep
• Mood
• and Health

Check out the entire list on their blog post, “50 Incredible iPhone Apps to Relax Your Mind and Body“.