Exciting Cyber Monday Offer from Healthy Healing Habits

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Cyber Monday SALE Save 50% This Monday I hope you had a wonderful Thanksgiving and now that the insanity of Black Friday is over enjoy your week! I am offering a 50% discount on certain services for Cyber Monday only!! You have until noon on Tuesday to buy at this special price!! Melissa Binkley 50% Off 3 DAY DETOX $20  your price $10  6 DAY DETOX Package $50  your price $25  Healthy Shopping Tour $100  your price $50  Private Cooking Class $100 your price $50  Offer Expires: Noon 11/27/12        Healthy Healing Habits  Blog

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Sleeping like a baby and other benefits

So I finished the 21 Day Ultimate Reset and am very please with the results!  The Ultimate Reset helps your body reclaim its natural balance and release years of built up harmful materials to restore your system to maximal health!  There were three phases that the body went through each seven days long.  I never felt hungry on the completely plant-based diet and having to take enzymes and probiotics thirty minutes BEFORE I could eat made me mindful of my eating habits and mindless snacking.  My breakfast for many days was just a simple bowl of fruit and it was fun to go shopping and pick out new fruits to try!  I even made a bowl of my cantaloupe one day to make it fun.  I love sushi too and the vegetarian sushi rolls wrapped in Nori sheets were great and similar to the ones I make!

The crux of the program for me was not working out for 21 days.  I can't remember the last time I went 21 days without going to they gym, running, or doing some form  of physical exercise.  The Ultimate Reset recommends walking, yoga, and meditation.  It focuses on allowing the body to regenerate and not over stressing it so that you can gently release years of abuse.  So ok I GET it, but how was it?  Well to be honest the first week I did go to they gym once and run once besides doing yoga.  I felt weak at the gym and my run wasn't so great!  So for the three weeks I stuck to  yoga at least three times a week and lots of walking and guess what it was NICE! This break worked too!  The first time I ran again I had my best time ever in two miles by almost 3 minutes!  Three minutes is HUGE for only two miles!  I actually feel stronger and my energy levels are sky rocketing!  This was a benefit I never expected. I mean I always preach to people that you make your best gains during rest instead of always training and breaking down the body but I didn't expect that taking off this much time would really benefit me.  I look forward to training hard now to get ready for the Tough Mudder, Spartan, Crossfit, and the Ragnar Relay!  Woo hoo.... here I go!

Other benefits from this detoxification are more subtle but even more important!  I have been sleeping better than I have slept in a long time.  I have had sleeping problems for years because of competing and anxiety.  My brain races and wakes me up and I would sweat profusely.  All issues from adrenal fatigue also.  These symptoms had gotten better since I started healing myself holistically with food and nutrition, but I still was perfect.  Now I sleep through the night, wake up dry and have dreams every night!  I haven't dreamed (that I can remember) like this EVER!  I also lost ten pounds.  I have major issues retaining water and I usually feel "Heavy", but I'm not sweating as much during the day and I feel lighter. An example of this before when I would eat something "bad" (my bad is probably better than most people's good!) I would gain 4 to 5 lbs over night of water and weight gain it was frustrating and a mind F***.  Well I had some fun food for my daughter's birthday and guess what I didn't gain that weight!  For me this is the best benefit I have found I call it BALANCE!  I can have something little and not beat myself up for it!  You get six wonderful supplements with the Reset, detailed step-by-step instructions for the 21 days,  3 week eating plan with recipes, 2 DVD's for the reset including a cooking class, online support, and support from me!  This is a great program to start your journey to a healthier life.  I recommend it in conjunction with my Health Coaching Program which will help you achieve your goals and dreams for a healthier life!  For a free consultation contact me at FitChicMelissa@gmail.com or call 561-578-9492  Melissa Binkley 

Having It Your Way

On April 25th I finished the Spring Green Clean.  This was a 10 day raw plant-based detox program I developed that you can have your way with amazing green smoothies and juicing.  The program included high levels of nutrition including only organic farm fresh fruits and vegetables, superfoods, cleansing herbs and spices, and relaxation techniques.   Objectives for this cleanse was to rejuvenate the body, break caffeine and sugar addictions, rid the body of toxins and chemicals and clear the skin.   This is the perfect spring renewal program that boosts your energy, revives your taste buds, and energizes your spirit and mind.

Palm of Hand Before Cleanse

Ankle Before Cleanse

One of the problems that has plagued me for about 8 years now is a skin condition that psoriasis and eczema that has gotten better over the years but still causes me issues.  I am trying once and for all to completely rid my body of this horrible affliction.  As my diet has become more natural and plant-centered I have noticed great improvements but unfortunately I still have some flare ups.  At the beginning of this cleanse I was in a typical flare up these pictures where taken on day 1 of the cleanse and show how my hand and ankle look during a typical day. The following pictures show the results on day ten 

Palm of Hand After Cleanse

Ankle After Cleanse

of the cleanse.  This is a great improvement and I know that for others with severe cases of  skin problems that prolonging the treatment would produce even more results.  My ankle still slightly itches but I'm not sure if that will ever go away unless I completely remove the tattoo.  Besides these amazing results for my skin, a wonderful side benefit for those looking to shed a few pounds of weight the average weight loss was anywhere from five to eleven pounds on the program.  I was not hungry due to the nutrient density of the foods being consumed.  I used some supplements while cleansing, some I have discussed in earlier blogs those that I have yet to mention include Ashwagandha and Neem, both ayurvedic herbs, Tumeric, Himilayan Salt, and Lemon Juice.  If you would like more information on my 10 day detox program, my one month Break Your Addiction Program, or 6 month Healthy for Life Program please visit my website Holistic Health Counseling, email me at fitchicmelissa@gmail.com or call 561-578-9492 to schedule your FREE consultation.

Hump Day: It's all done hill from here!

OM

I made it!  I'm halfway through my 10 day cleanse and I'm feeling great.  I may be the only one that feels this way though!  "Hungry, Tired, and Cranky" seem to be just a few of the words being used to describe feelings of the last few days.  I'm keeping up with my workouts and even did yoga for the second day in a row. I love yoga because it not only helps me feel balanced mentally, but also alleviates the feelings of wear and tear from Insanity: The Asylum.  It is my time to put my intentions to the universe to center my thoughts and work out my frustrations.  My favorite yoga place in Fort Lauderdale is this amazing little studio off Oakland Park Blvd. call The Bombay Room.  I found it by accident last year when I bought a living social deal and it has been my home ever since.

The uphill battle is over, the hardest part is done.  Usually by Day 5 one's addictions to caffeine, sugar, alcohol, or other things starts to subside.  The withdrawal symptoms lessen and the energy will start coming back.  So it's all downhill from here!  Smooth going now is when the real work starts the body starts releasing the toxins and chemicals that have been holding it hostage for years.  My skin is already 75% better than it was five days ago!  I took pictures at the beginning and I will again at the end to compare.  My skin is glowing too.

Today I am cover another amazing spice that has so many health benefits that it is almost unbelievable. Its reputation is growing amount medical researchers and alternative health people such as myself. Cayenne pepper has been show to kill cancer cells, stop heart attacks in 30 seconds, increase metabolism, and help adjust blood pressure to normal levels.  These are just a few of the amazing benefits but even more importantly it cleans the arteries and helps rid the body of bad LDL cholesterol and triglycerides.  Cayenne aids in digestion from assimilation to elimination and will even help rebuild flesh and the tissue in the stomach facilitating healing of intestinal ulcers.  This is why I have added it to many of my green smoothie recipes in the past 5 days!

Some more good news I have now lost a total of ten pounds myself, with others following behind with anywhere from 3 to 8!  Again the weight loss is just a positive side affect of this amazing cleanse!  Want more information on how I can guide you to a life of health an wellness?  Visit my website at www.FitChicMelissa.com  and follow along on twitter @FitChicMelissa and @PlantBasedAthle

ARE YOU AN ADDICT?

What is 4x more addictive than cocaine and heroin?

 Has an opiate effect like heroin?  

Causes loss of control?  

Addicts will continue use despite adverse consequence? 

 Has a 97% relapse rate (higher than any other drug)!! 

 Certain types will cause liver damage equal to that of alcohol? 

Withdrawal symptoms include:

HEADACHES

TIREDNESS

FLU-LIKE SYMPTOMS

CRABBINESS

MOODINESS

AND IS SOLD ON EVERY STREET CORNER IN THE USA?

SUGAR

Sugar comes hidden in many forms:

Brown sugar 91% to 96% sucrose.  Confectioner’s sugar, or powdered sugar.  Corn syrups Three major producers’ contain 42%, 55% and 90% fructose. Dextrose comprises most of the remainder.  Dextrose, or glucose, is also known as corn sugar.  High-fructose corn syrup (HFCS) twice as sweet as sucrose, twice as addictive and can damage the liver like alcohol  Honey. Invert sugar.  Lactose, or milk sugar. Levulose, or fructose, is a commercial sugar much sweeter than sucrose. Its sweetness actually depends on its physical form and how it’s used in cooking. Fructose, known as a fruit sugar, occurs naturally in many fruits.  Raw sugar consists of coarse, granulated crystals formed from the evaporation of sugar cane juice. Raw sugar contains impurities and cannot be sold in grocery stores due to FDA regulations.  Sorbitol, mannitol, malitol and xylitol are sugar alcohols or polyols. They occur naturally in fruits and are produced commercially from such sources as dextrose. Xylitol is a sugar alcohol made from a part of birch trees. Sorbitol, mannitol and malitol are about half as sweet as sucrose. Xylitol has a sweetness equal to sucrose.  Sucrose, or table sugar, from sugar cane or sugar beets consists of two simple sugars, glucose and fructose. It is about 99.9% pure and sold in either granulated or powdered form.  Turbinado sugar.  Breads, muffins, crackers, cereals, bars, protein shakes, yogurt, milk, canned foods, sodas, sports drinks, health drinks, energy drinks all contain added sugar.  There is virtually no processed product that does not contain added sugar anymore!

Starches, Sugars, Processed Chocolate, Gluten and casein containing foods all have the same effect and were are high calorie drugs manufactured for addiction.  Julia Ross talks candidly about the sugar-drug addiction and it's impact on the world in The Diet Cure.

In 2006 The World Health Organization stated "Our only recommendation for ending the world-wide physical and mental health crisis is to cut all sweetened foods to below 10% of calories (less than 250 calories per day)." 35 million people have degenerative diseases linked to sugar consumption. Every year this substance KILLS more people than TOBACCO and ALCOHOL combined!

So what causes this addiction?  Dr. Fuhrman explains:

The science on food addiction has now established that highly palatable foods (low-nutrient, high-calorie, intensely sweet, salty, and/or fatty foods - those that make up the majority of the Standard American Diet) produces the exact biochemical effects in the brain that are characteristic of substance abuse.

Junk food is ubiquitously available, legal, cheap, and socially accepted; therefore, it becomes the drug of choice for many of us.

The following are some characteristics of addiction to a substance or behavior:¹ 

• Compulsive use of the substance despite negative health and social consequences
• Tolerance - over time, progressively greater amounts of the substance are needed to reach and maintain the “high”
• Withdrawal symptoms (link toxic hunger) when the substance is discontinued
• Activation of reward pathways (including the dopamine system) in the brain

Many of us have had the experience of tasting a junk food or dessert, and then feeling the intense demand from our brain: “MORE!” We feel a complete lack of control, and our commitment to excellent health all of a sudden doesn’t matter. These feelings originate from the dopamine reward system – dopamine is a neurochemical that regulates motivation, pleasure, and reinforcement related to certain stimuli – such as food. The amount of pleasure we derive from eating a food correlates with the amount of dopamine released in the brain.²

Recent research suggests that overeating and obesity create greater desire for palatable food, but reduce the pleasure derived from consuming these foods – resulting in a progressively worsening addiction.

Need help with your sugar or food addiction?  My Health Coaching programs will support you in finding freedom from food and living a balanced and healthy life.  

Health Coaching

References¹Taylor VH, Curtis CM, Davis C: The obesity epidemic: the role of addiction. CMAJ 2010;182:327-328.
²Small DM, Jones-Gotman M, Dagher A: Feeding-induced dopamine release in dorsal striatum correlates with meal pleasantness ratings in healthy human volunteers. Neuroimage 2003;19:1709-1715.