How Mindful Eating Can Lead to Weight Loss

Did you know that the less awareness you bring to the table, the more you’ll need to eat and the greater your weight gain will be?

How often do you eat your meals in front of the computer, checking emails and shoveling food in at the same time, or mindlessly watching TV, and going back for seconds on that bowl of ice cream before you realize that you didn’t even taste the first bowl?

I’m sure you’ve heard that old saying: “Where attention goes, energy flows.” If you concentrate on your food – what you are eating – you will absorb and assimilate the actual nutrients in it. How do we know this to be true?

Well, there are two specific examples I’d like to share that will explain how lack of awareness of what we are eating leads to weight gain. The opposite effect of course, the positive side of this, is that the more awareness you bring to the actual consumption of food, the easier it is to lose weight. Continue reading “How Mindful Eating Can Lead to Weight Loss”

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A New Test Can Help You Sleep Again

You lay your head down on the pillow. Its 10:00 pm. Your body is tired but your mind races. 11:00 pm rolls around. The thoughts in your mind continue to keep you awake. And now anxiety sets in. “If I don’t fall asleep soon, I’m going to be tired all day…”

Sound familiar?

You are not alone. In fact, the National Sleep Foundation reports that 64% of individuals surveyed experience a sleep disruption more than once per week. Over 40% report sleep disruption on a nightly basis. What keeps us from getting good sleep?

Sleep is an extremely complex process that is influenced by many factors in our external and internal environments. Our brains are ultimately responsible for processing the external and internal information and transitioning the mind and body into sleep. To make the transition, our brains use chemical messengers, called neurotransmitters and hormones, to “shut off” brain pathways that keep us awake. Continue reading “A New Test Can Help You Sleep Again”

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What Would it Take For Your “Garden” to Grow?

Last weekend I drove by a nursery and noticed many people excited to get everything they need to grow a perfect garden. While some held plants, some held flowers, some held seeds and others held gardening tools, these people all shared the same intention, to plant and grow a beautiful garden. Well, that got me thinking…

What does it take for a garden to flourish and thrive? Seemed to me that in order for plants or flowers to thrive, they need many of the same things we do.

Think about it. When planting flowers, we want to plant them on moist, nutrient rich soil, water them frequently, plant them where they’ll receive sunlight, adequate space and in an area that encourages their growth. Now take a look at us. What conditions do we need to grow, thrive and be our best? The moist, nutrient rich soil can be compared to eating healthy food. Are you eating a colorful, nutrient rich, healthy diet filled with fresh fruits, vegetables, lean protein, healthy fats and plenty of water? Just as the garden grows best when it has quality nutrients it can absorb, our bodies perform better when we eat quality foods packed with healthy ingredients while hydrating ourselves with enough water. Continue reading “What Would it Take For Your “Garden” to Grow?”

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Too Many Treats

Do your kids constantly ask for treats? Does it seem like cookies and candy, juice boxes and fast food meals are all they’re willing to eat? You’re not alone-many kids are attracted to things that aren’t the best nutritional choices. Maybe you are thinking, “They’re kids, it can’t be THAT bad for them.”

Let me share some frightening statistics from the International Journal of Pediatric Obesity (a problem so large that it has its own Journal!)

  • Childhood obesity is the greatest health risk our kids face today
  • By 2010 it is expected that 50% of all children will be overweight
  • This is the first generation where kids have a lower life expectancy than their parents

We’re spending billions of dollars on healthcare and our kids are unhealthier than ever. What’s going on here? Continue reading “Too Many Treats”

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Stress Reduction Increased Longevity of Women with Cancer

We all have heard how detrimental stress can be to our health. Well, research done at Ohio State University has discovered that women with stage II and III cancers lived longer and had better quality of life when they were given sessions with a psychologist to learn how to reduce stress.

227 women with newly diagnosed stage II or III breast cancer were randomly assigned to an assessment-only group or an intervention group where they received psychological therapy that aimed to help them understand more about cancer and stress, learn practical ways to reduce stress and improve quality of life, and how to stick to a plan to change behavior. The therapy also covered how to improve communication with their medical team, increase their wellbeing during treatment, speed up recovery and improve their overall health. The analysis showed that after recurrence, the women who had previously received the psychological therapy had a 59 per cent lower risk of dying of breast cancer.

Margo, our herbalist, has written a great blog to help with stress.  If you would like nutritional guidance, contact us for a consultation.

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Our Bloggers

  • Paula Gallagher
    Paula Gallagher
    Paula is a highly qualified and experienced nutrition counselor on the staff at Village Green.
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  • Margo Gladding
    Margo Gladding
    Margo's impressive knowledge base is the result of a unique blend of educational and professional experience.
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  • Dr. Neal Barnard
    Dr. Neal Barnard
    Dr. Barnard leads programs advocating for preventive medicine, good nutrition, and higher ethical standards in research.
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  • Joseph Pizzorno
    Dr. Joseph Pizzorno
    Dr. Joseph Pizzorno, ND is a pioneer of integrative medicine and a leading authority on science-based natural medicine.
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  • Debi Silber
    Debi Silber
    Debi is a registered dietitian with a master’s degree in nutrition, a personal trainer, and whole health coach.
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  • Teri Cochrane
    Teri Cochrane
    Teri is a is a Certified Coach Practitioner with extensive certifications and experience in holistic medicinal practices.
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  • Dr. Rav Ivker
    Dr. Rav Ivker
    Dr. Rav Ivker is a holistic family physician, health educator, and best-selling author.
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  • Susan Levin
    Susan Levin
    Susan writes about the connection between plant-based diets and a reduced risk of chronic diseases.
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  • Rob Brown
    Dr. Rob Brown
    Dr. Brown's blended perspective of healthcare includes a deeply rooted passion for wellness and spiritual exploration.
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