Neck and Shoulder Pain

Common causes of neck pain are all related to a forward head posture. Office work, hobbies, sleep, and the brain all have the potential to create muscle asymmetry leading to neck pain.

Strength Training and Memory

Georgia Tech researchers say a 20 minute resistance workout may improve your memory. People who performed exercises with weighted legs could recall more images on a test two days later than those who hadn't worked out. Strength training releases cortisol and epinephrine, hormones that stimulate activity in a part of the brain that processes memories. Hey, sounds good to me.

KNEE PAIN

Yes, there are a few ways to keep your knees healthy.
Strengthen Your Hips. Try half squats. (if you don't know how to do squats correctly check in with a trainer or a physical therapist)
Extra weight is your knee's worst enemy. Losing a little as 11 pounds can reduce your risk of knee osteoarthritis by more than 50%. The combination of weight control and strength is the best way to avoid arthritis.
High Heels? Over 3.5" puts extra stress on your knees. High heels can load more force onto the knee joint. Walk to and from work in comfortable shoes. Your hips, knees and feet will thank you for this.

Apple Cider Vinegar and Fresh Lemon Juice

Every morning I try to drink fresh squeezed lemon juice (1 lemon) mixed with a tablespoon of apple cider vinegar and a cup of water. It's supposed to help with belly fat... we'll see. Has anyone else tried this?

It's the Holidays...again.

Pitfall: Financial concerns often become more evident during this time of the year as you try to balance travel, gifts and entertaining on top of what may be an already stretched budget.

Stress-less solution: Make sure to set a budget for your holiday shopping and stay within it! It can be very inviting to buy that one extra present or take that holiday you've always wanted, but make sure that you can afford it both in the short- and long-term. Planning is key to making sure that your holiday dollars stretch far enough, without piling up big debts.

Turkey Day Delight

That big Thanksgiving dinner might make you want to head for the coach, but research shows it probably makes you happy, too. Tryptophan—an amino acid found in turkey—is a natural serotonin booster and has been found to reduce anxiety, improve mood, even relieve depression. Want more ways to make your Thanksgiving even better? Going for a walk and volunteering are also proven mood enhancers.

the diet cleanse

Green Detox Juice

Ok ... so I tried it. It wasn't horrible but I lasted three days. I have a house full of people which makes it difficult to stay focused. But I also have a frig full of veggies so I'm determined not to let them go to waste. Here's the cleansing recipe: Let me know how you like it or tell me what works for you.

2 large cucumbers, peeled

4-5 stalks kale

4-5 romaine lettuce leaves

4 stalks celery

1-2 broccoli stems

1 1-inch piece of ginger root, peeled

(for sweetness add pear, green apple, carrots, beets or red peppers, which contain natural sugars)

Drink this in the  mornings for a week first. Toss out the caffeine, and alcohol (the coffee is a problem for me) dairy, gluten, animal products, processed sugars and refined carbs.  If I can make it through a week, then I will try another one, then the final week (3 weeks total). This 21 day detox is a full -on call to action.  It's not so much the detox drink, its the caffeine, and animal products. I have a hard time not eating protein and cheese. But in the end I should feel great and full of energy. I'll let you  know!