Although I never thought the day would come, here I am, sitting on my back porch, drinking my freshly made vegetable juice, admitting that MOM WAS RIGHT!! I could probably blog for days on how wise our moms are, but this particular topic happens to speak to me (and hopefully you too) loud and clear...
Growing up, I was convinced we were missing out. Primarily because my brother and I NEVER made a visit to the pantry to find Oreos and Lucky Charms, but instead, dried apricots and sweet potato chips. Granola, goat's milk, and Bieler's Broth were staples in our diets, and we only drank water (with lemon, of course) 30 minutes after finishing a meal. Steamed monkfish, zucchini, and quinoa happened almost every night, and we meditated almost every morning.
Sometime after high school, I felt completely empowered knowing I could make my own choices. Bagels, burritos, and steak??? Yes please!! Even though I was already working in the fitness field, I enjoyed every last bite of the junk I put in my body. At 37, I look back on those years, and remember the cycles I went through with energy surges and falls, upper respiratory infections, irregular menstrual cycles, mood swings, and cravings.
Just a couple short years ago, I began competing in figure competitions. After hiring my (amazing) nutritionist, everything changed. What I had been tricking my mind into thinking was healthy, was the exact opposite. My body had been craving something better - I just didn't take the time to listen to it!! After only one week on my "new" diet, I noticed huge differences. I felt fantastic!! The sugar crashes ceased, my digestive system was more efficient, no illness, my complexion brightened, and I felt clean from the inside out! This began my journey into nutritional studies.
Let's take a quick look at the facts pertaining to unbalanced pH levels in the body:
- An excess of acidity in the body produces weak immune and digestive systems, which can lead to infection, including (but not limited to) fungal infection, yeast infection, viruses, kidney stones, bone disease, dental decay, and even some kinds of cancer.
- An unbalanced body typically experiences decreased energy levels, irritability, and sometimes anxiety and/or depression.
- Excess acids (toxins) are stored in the body's fat cells, eventually leading to obesity, visceral fat, and cellulite.
- Acidosis requires the body to steal minerals from the organs and bones, therefore depleting the natural supply the body is meant to use for other very necessary functions.
- Acidity causes inflammation and pain in the joints, muscles, and bones. ..Which brings me to my next point...
- Even during exercise, the body produces lactic acid, and although that acid is usually utilized for metabolic function, having a build-up in the body can cause cramping. And for us runners, we know how inconvenient a cramp can be in the middle of a great workout!!
So, how do we correct it? We think like my mom did.. About 80% of consumption should be from alkaline rich foods daily. If you are like me, and always on the go, it's not practical to steam your veggies for every meal. And, if we tried to eat all of the fruits and vegetables necessary to correct a high amount of acidity developed in the body through natural stress and toxins we breath in, we'd be eating all day long!! That's where juicing plays a big part in my life. All important vitamins and minerals are in the juice. I try to compost the pulp, or feed it to our pet bunny.
Alkaline rich fruits and veggies include broccoli, kale, chard, cucumbers, parsley, beets, asparagus, green beans, collard greens, sweet potatoes, okra, cabbage, limes (believe it or not), grapefruit, oranges, apples, garlic, mangos, nectarines, strawberries, papaya, blackberries, blueberries, avocado, and grapes.
Although all meats produce high amounts of acid, it's unrealistic to expect everyone out there to go vegetarian, so here are my suggestions: Sticking with salmon, tuna, cod, and chicken is the best bet, and do-able for most. I hear buffalo is also low producing, although I'm not a red meat lover...
Other foods include clarified butter, also known as ghee (my mom loves this stuff), egg whites, olive oil, coconut oil, flax oil, almonds, lentils, ginger, garlic, sea or Celtic salt, sesame seeds, and cinnamon.
High acid producing foods include beef and pork products, lobster (darn it), American cheese, white flour, red wine vinegar, sugar, corn syrup, coffee, wine, light beer (?), and soy milk.
So there you have it!!! Here's to hoping you choose a lifestyle including daily exercise and a diet rich in fresh fruits and veggies, allowing the body to eliminate the inevitable production of toxins (acids) from the soft tissue. Keeping the system balanced will, without a doubt, improve your life!!! THANKS MOM!!! :)
Here are a couple fantastic alkaline restoring recipes I love...
BIELER'S BROTH - A fantastic cleanse. Improves liver function and digestive health, restores pH, and increases energy.
- 1 bunch of fresh celery
- fresh green beans
- fresh zucchini
- purified water
- handful of flat leaf parsley
I use equal parts for first three ingredients. Steam celery, beans, and zucchini in purified water until cooked, but still crunchy. Transfer veggies to processor or blender and add water you used to steam with. Add about a handful of parsley, and blend to desired consistency. Some prefer to add pepper, sea salt and other spices to season, although I'm a purist with this one. ;)
MORNING JUICE ENERGIZER
- 1/2 beet
- 2 stalks celery
- 1/2 cucumber
- 1/2 large grapefruit
- handful fresh kale and/or spinach
- 3-4 large strawberries
HAPPY JUICING!!!!!
***A very special thanks to my Mom, who instilled these habits in us from the time we were born. Sometimes a girl's just got to take a few wrong turns to get back on the right path!! ;) Love you.
Tuesday, August 28, 2012
Tuesday, August 9, 2011
90 Day Challenge
It's been a little over a month on the Body by Vi 90 Day Challenge, and I think it's time to share my thoughts and experience with y'all...
Over the past few years, I have been on the search for the perfect protein shake. If I had a nickel for each time a client asked what supplements I use.. well, you know. SO! After many tubs of double chocolate, banana, almond, plain vanilla flavored soy, whey, and casein protein powders, I FOUND IT!!!!
The Tri-Sorb protein blend of Vi-Shape is the perfect balance of soy, whey isolate, and whey concentrate. The combination of three proteins ensures the highest absorption and leaves you with lasting energy to keep you going between meals.
Now lets talk about taste. I am one that has to take a shake and run. There are many times when I don't have time to blend, add ice, fruit, etc., so grabbing a shaker and downing my protein from one appointment to the next is very common. This shake is AMAZING for on-the-go. I pour in some almond milk or water, shake it up with 2 scoops of protein, and WOW! I'm not choking down little balls of powder, no chalk, and no funny smell. When I am at home, I blend with apple and cinnamon (and sometimes hide my spinach in there) and POOF! Instant apple pie. Add roasted almonds, and it's an apple crisp. DEEELISH.
In the past 35 days, I have lost 3% body fat and 5 pounds of fat -without upping my workouts or drastically changing diet! I take the AM and PM vitamins (Omegas, anti-oxidants, and multis included), and my energy levels have sky rocketed. I feel my body working more efficiently, and know my system is more balanced.
I cannot wait to see where I am after the 90 days is up :) Stop back to see weekly updates on my progress!
www.shelbymilford.myvi.net
Over the past few years, I have been on the search for the perfect protein shake. If I had a nickel for each time a client asked what supplements I use.. well, you know. SO! After many tubs of double chocolate, banana, almond, plain vanilla flavored soy, whey, and casein protein powders, I FOUND IT!!!!
The Tri-Sorb protein blend of Vi-Shape is the perfect balance of soy, whey isolate, and whey concentrate. The combination of three proteins ensures the highest absorption and leaves you with lasting energy to keep you going between meals.
Now lets talk about taste. I am one that has to take a shake and run. There are many times when I don't have time to blend, add ice, fruit, etc., so grabbing a shaker and downing my protein from one appointment to the next is very common. This shake is AMAZING for on-the-go. I pour in some almond milk or water, shake it up with 2 scoops of protein, and WOW! I'm not choking down little balls of powder, no chalk, and no funny smell. When I am at home, I blend with apple and cinnamon (and sometimes hide my spinach in there) and POOF! Instant apple pie. Add roasted almonds, and it's an apple crisp. DEEELISH.
In the past 35 days, I have lost 3% body fat and 5 pounds of fat -without upping my workouts or drastically changing diet! I take the AM and PM vitamins (Omegas, anti-oxidants, and multis included), and my energy levels have sky rocketed. I feel my body working more efficiently, and know my system is more balanced.
I cannot wait to see where I am after the 90 days is up :) Stop back to see weekly updates on my progress!
www.shelbymilford.myvi.net
Me!
Since I can remember, I was crazy active. Whether it was track, softball, or dance in high school, or or running on the beach in college, I was always moving. Some people are motivated by reading a good book, others by a dynamic career. I get my rush from a great workout... an even bigger sense of accomplishment by motivating others to feel what I feel while improving their fitness level.
I studied exercise science in college, and interned as an athletic trainer at both George Mason University and Florida International University. While traveling with the baseball, volleyball, track and soccer teams, I learned what commitment it took to be athlete. No matter the injury, circumstance, or personal extras going on, the expectation is to SHOW UP. Show up for life, no matter what. In this, character is built, and an athlete is formed. It's not about anything else.
Watching my athletes show up, day after day is what motivated me to start competing in runs and triathlons in Florida. Their impact on me motivated me to compete in an Olympic distance tri just 3 months after donating a kidney to my uncle 7 years ago. Their dedication showed me that I was the lucky one... because I could do things that some people (like my uncle) could not.
I have since competed in a couple half-marathons, a few more tris, and most recently, figure competitions. My drive is not to win it all, but to do my best each time, utilizing all the resources I have, and overcoming all the "barriers" that may be present at the time. I believe that God, my family, friends, and belief in myself make that possible.
My passion is to help others. To watch them transform from the inside out. Sometimes it takes someone else to believe in you before you believe in yourself. And that's what I love - believing before the change actually occurs. And change inevitably happens when you SHOW UP. .
I studied exercise science in college, and interned as an athletic trainer at both George Mason University and Florida International University. While traveling with the baseball, volleyball, track and soccer teams, I learned what commitment it took to be athlete. No matter the injury, circumstance, or personal extras going on, the expectation is to SHOW UP. Show up for life, no matter what. In this, character is built, and an athlete is formed. It's not about anything else.
Watching my athletes show up, day after day is what motivated me to start competing in runs and triathlons in Florida. Their impact on me motivated me to compete in an Olympic distance tri just 3 months after donating a kidney to my uncle 7 years ago. Their dedication showed me that I was the lucky one... because I could do things that some people (like my uncle) could not.
I have since competed in a couple half-marathons, a few more tris, and most recently, figure competitions. My drive is not to win it all, but to do my best each time, utilizing all the resources I have, and overcoming all the "barriers" that may be present at the time. I believe that God, my family, friends, and belief in myself make that possible.
My passion is to help others. To watch them transform from the inside out. Sometimes it takes someone else to believe in you before you believe in yourself. And that's what I love - believing before the change actually occurs. And change inevitably happens when you SHOW UP. .
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