Heatlhy Tip # 108

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Welcome to the category of my blog simply called ‘Healthy Tips.’ Many times, when I write articles for various publications, I need to find sources for the story as seen in Yahoo Shine (click here) or PBS (click here) about staying healthy. I was looking for experts and non-experts to chime in and give their favorite ‘tips’ to help kids and adults lead a healthy lifestyle.

The feedback for various stories was amazing. The sources had some fantastic points of view that could not be ignored, and I thought their opinions should be viewed on the Your Health Journal web site.

So, enjoy my new series, with some ‘great’ insight from some ‘great’ people giving exceptional and educational points of view.

healthytip
Healthy Tip From Veria Living’s Health And Wellness Experts

Peggy Kotsopoulos: Registered Holistic Nutritionist, Host of “Peggy K’s Kitchen Cures” on Veria Living

Chase your holiday cocktails with a shot of coconut water! It is rich in electrolytes that replenish the minerals that were lost as a result of too much alcohol and dehydration. It hydrates you quickly and efficiently to battle that hangover-in-the-making.

The liver isn’t the only organ that takes abuse over the holiday season- too much eggnog and holiday cocktails affect your kidneys too! Give both a good cleanse by adding a tablespoon of apple cider vinegar to your water first thing every morning.

Dr. Holly Lucille: Licensed Naturopathic Doctor, Educator and Host of “Myth Defying with Dr. Holly” on Veria Living

Foods to add to your “must-have” list for 2013 to maintain a healthy liver: Garlic, grapefruit, green tea, green vegetables, Avocados, walnuts, and turmeric.

Your skin is the largest elimination organ we have and since detoxification is all about getting things OUT….. Using aloofa sponge all over the skin, 5 minutes a day brushing towards the heart is a wonderful way to facilitate detoxification!

Julieanna Hever: M.S., R.D., C.P.T. , (aka The Plant-Based Dietitian) and Host of healthy living talk show “What Would Julieanna Do?” on Veria Living

Mini-fast often. Give your body a rest from digestion and allow it to heal, recover, and rejuvenate. Stop eating at least 3-4 hours before bed and then bring on the meals slowly and gently in the morning. Start with some water (perhaps with a squeeze of some fresh citrus or herbs, like mint leaves). Then have some tea. Progress to a fresh-pressed juice (vegetables with a bit of fruit for sweetness) or a green smoothie once you begin to feel true physical hunger. Your first solid meal should be several hours since your last meal and, in that time between, your cells are detoxified and eager to start anew.

Eat mostly whole foods that come directly from nature and, ideally, are found without a label. Processed foods contain toxin-producing artificial sweeteners, colors, flavors, preservatives, sugars, oils, and animal products that are difficult for your body to breakdown and manage. Consider having a regular “REAL day” (perhaps several times a week) where you eat only ingredients you can easily recognize and pronounce; and base your diet on vegetables, fruits, whole grains, legumes (beans, peas, and lentils), nuts, and seeds.

Jai Sugrim: Certified Jivamukti Yoga teacher, and Host of returning TV series “Yoga Sutra with Jai”

Drink more water! All of the metabolic reactions inside of our bodies occur in water. So this means a properly hydrated human body will have a better chance to operate optimally in all areas of health, such as the digestion of food, assimilation of nutrients, and the removal of wastes. Your blood volume will increase; the blood delivers nutrients to cells and like the garbage bin of the body, in that it helps to remove wastes. Water also provides a nice moist environment for the eyes, ears, nose and throat. We cast a powerful, healthy, vibrant vibe when we are well hydrated. The right amount of water to drink varies from person to person. Lack of water in the body can lead to dehydration, making it difficult to carry out basic metabolic functions, and make you look tired and drained of energy. Minimally I recommend that men drink roughly 3 liters (about 13 cups) per day and for women 2.2 liters (about 9 cups.) If you are extremely active or do lots of athletic performance, bump it up a little!

Take up Regular Yoga practice. If you are new to yoga, try Jivamukti Yoga Basics. This is a great introduction to yoga, where the class size is small, and students are assured lots of individualized instruction which make the teaching sink in. Get familiar with the names of the poses, and the correct alignment plus breathing technique. Then graduate to the open level Vinyasa Yoga practice, where the twisting poses will literally “ring out your organs.” Alcohol, Sugar, Caffeine, and any other over-indulgence will literally sweat out of your pores, as the practice cleans you from the inside out. You will leave the yoga classroom feeling restored and renewed. The mind-body connection will also be an extra benefit, leaving you feeling centered and clear.