Let’s Share the Health!!

Of all the tremendously amazing developments that have come about for Imani Wellness in this awesome new year ( and we apologize for not posting all of them yet , partnering with The Vitamin Shoppe to be an advocate for Total Wellness Living has been one of the most exciting!  After their awesome presence at Imani Wellness’ very first LiveWell Expo this past Jan, I was absolutely over the moon when they asked us to participate in their National Wellness event at our Potomac Yard Vitamin Shoppe location. This promises to be an incredible event!!

Enjoy free samples, education and activities!  The first 50 customers receive a Gift Bag (while supplies last).

Gift bag will include:
- 3rd party product samples
- Amazing Wellness Magazine
- Muscle & Performance Magazine
- Renew You booklet
- Weight Management Support booklet

Product Samples From:
1. Nutrex
2. Nordic Naturals
3. Boiron
4. Aubrey

Now, you all know what a boundless bundle of positivity and fun we are so come on out and add your energy to the fun at the Potomac Yard store between 11a and 2p this Sat, March 2nd.  Tons of fun, games, and wellness education by Yours Truly and many other wonderful wellness providers available to you here in NoVa. And we may even have a foot race or push-up contest – so dress athletically!

Looking forward to seeing you all there!!

LiveWell!

TB

Be a Superior You…

Short and sweet blog today. A great deal is on my mind but the most glaring topic is the level of nutritional education retained by my awesome clients. I came across this wonderful list of easy to eat Superfoods and couldn’t wait to share it with you all.

Here is a list of the top Superfoods that you should be consuming daily… for creative suggestions on how to incorporate these items into your meal plan reach out to me and we can get you set up with a custom nutrition plan that is chock full of the good foods.

So here they are, the Top Nutritious Superfoods

Acai Berry This berry is thought to have a significant impact on heart health, and on the health of the cardiovascular system. Apples Apples are loaded with phytochemicals like quercetin, which may help prevent Parkinson’s and Alzheimer’s diseases. Blueberries Blueberries are rich in powerful antioxidants called anthocyanins (which are responsible for the blue color). Anthocyanins help to protect against heart disease, cancer, cataracts and glaucoma. Blueberries are also rich in other protective antioxidants as well as vitamin C, manganese and fiber. Sun Chlorella The mother of all superfoods, Sun Chlorella has a higher concentration of nutrients than any of the other top superfoods and provides many of their combined benefits into one whole food supplement. Goji Berries These shriveled red berries that look like red raisins are rich in antioxidants, particularly carotenoids such as beta-carotene and zeaxanthin. Lentils Because they contain so many disease-fighting phytochemicals, research has shown that lentils may help protect against heart disease, cancer, infections and osteoporosis. Pomegranates Also rich in antioxidants, one of pomegranates major benefits is to lower cholesterol. Spirulina Maintains healthy levels of cholesterol and improve the balance of good and bad cholesterol and supports an overall good cardiovascular function.

Want to learn more? Just look them up. Discover the best amount for an effective response in your body and enjoy the results!.

Live Well,

TB

Ain’t No Free Lunch…

With all the scuttle around the web lately about the Southern Fried Diva – Paula Deen its been hard to hold my tongue.   I chimed in with a few scathing Facebook  & Twitter posts that conveyed my disgust. For some serious insight check out Charlene Prucker on her blog ‘The Wandering Vegan’ she, very rightly, chides Deen’s decision-making ability in eloquent fashion. With the recent announcement that Deen’s long time publicist resigned months before Deen’s revelation because she didn’t believe Deen was doing the right thing – I couldn’t hold it any longer.

First, not only has Ms. Deen attempted to remove all accountability for her actions by insisting that she has always stressed moderate consumption of her Southern delicacies. Then she very irresponsibly (and insultingly in my opinion) endorses to the American public that it’s ok to abuse and destroy the natural order of your body.  Eat what you want, then, take this pill, which I’m being paid to promote to you, and it will fix it.

As my Great – Granny Ms. Elizabeth Harris always said “Precious, I don’t care what nobody tell you, ain’t no free lunch.”

The body absolutely cannot thrive, let alone function properly, when it’s constantly processing muck.  Dear friends, there is absolutely no way around hard work and the rewards it yields.  You may have a boost in growth in performance but it is only an advance of rewards to be paid on the work that you are putting in.  If you don’t continue the work necessary to sustain your success it will revert back to null.

If you don’t already recognize we’re not just talking about your nutrition and fitness choices friends. This adage holds true for every aspect of our lives.  You will never get something for nothing; no matter how good the deal may be in your favor you are still giving something for it.

I have, during my off seasons, given in to the decadent desserts and lavish dinners that my strict fitness competitor diet restricted me from during a training season. These indulgences were very immediately followed by the type of bloating and cramping that bring to mind the pain and torture of a New Year’s Eve hangover  - which elicits the life saving cry to God “ if you rescue me from this, I will never             (insert promise)            again!”  Those symptoms are instant, and do resolve in a few days but they are still the consequence for over-indulgent behavior.

Type 2- Diabetes has been deemed by some to be the life altering consequence for over –indulgent behavior according to NIH.

“Type 2 diabetes usually occurs slowly over time. Most people with the disease are overweight when they are diagnosed. Increased fat makes it harder for your body to use insulin the correct way.  Type 2 diabetes can also develop in people who are thin. This is more common in the elderly.  Family history and genes play a large role in Type 2 diabetes. Low activity level, poor diet, and excess body weight around the waist increase your risk. “

While I will be the first to applaud the success of anyone who changes his or her health and life for the better, we should never allow a preventable disease like Type 2 diabetes to be our motivator to achieve better health.

If diabetes has already entered your life, it may not be too late and you may not need to subscribe to the “Paula -Deen-cure –for- the -Paula -Deen –lifestyle.” An individually customized diet and exercise program can bring about significant improvements in blood flow, blood pressure and even increase the body’s energy levels. In many cases these lifestyle changes can make medications unnecessary or removable from one’s treatment program.

We can save ourselves! Choose a diet that will work with your body and your wellness goals (that of course would first require you to truly know what’s good for YOUR body – visit a functional doc or dietician for that – blog coming soon). Second, choose a fitness program that develops your body and improves your daily functioning as well as your outward appeal (don’t just look good, feel good and move … good). Lastly, set the example for those who surround you and show them that wellness success (or rejuvenation – if necessary) IS possible!