DO YOU KNOW WHAT REALLY CAUSES HEART DISEASE?

Statistics from the American Heart Association show that 75 million Americans currently suffer from heart disease, 20 million have diabetes, and 57 million have pre-diabetes.

To get to the root of these problems we need to look at the chronic inflammation that happens when we are exposed on a daily basis to toxins, foods that we should not be eating. Highly processed carbohydrates, with sugar, flour, and omega 6 oils. When we eat these foods regularly we create small inflammation that turn into more inflammation, which becomes chronic. The body responds to this. The body’s response to inflammation works well when the inflammation is acute and ends, however with chronic inflammation the defenses become overloaded and break down.

Eating processed food packed with sugar starts a chain reaction of increased blood sugar, overworked pancreas, confused insulin results, and glucose ends up either stored as fat or in the blood vessels causing inflammation.

Processed foods that are loaded with, and/or soaked in omega 6 oils have a similar effect. They throw the omega 6/3 ratio out of balance, excessive cytokines are formed which adds to the inflammatory process going on in the body.

Cholesterol is just one of the bodies defense mechanisms against this inflammation in the vessels. It is sent in to smooth over the injured sites.

When these structures continue to be inflamed the cholesterol builds up in defense.

Therefore getting rid of the chronic inflammation as a start, is a better place to focus our attention rather than lowering the amount cholesterol.

The answer is to return to a more natural whole foods diet. Foods without labels, Complex carbohydrates like vegetables and fruits, protein from legumes nuts and seeds and healthy animals. Healthy fats like olive oil and coconut oil.

If you need help sorting these types of health issues out I can help you. 

No one style of eating is right for everyone. 

I coach clients in making healthy choices about their food and lifestyles.

Feel free to contact me for a free initial consultation heidicolella.com

ARE YOU ADDICTED TO SUGAR??

Do you get cravings for "a little something sweet after meals?"
 We Americans are conditioned to crave sugar because of the amounts of processed foods that we are exposed to. Sugar is hidden in many products. This craving is not only bad for your weight, it also has many health repercussions, from type 2 diabetes, heart disease, to dementia. Sugar is also known to feed certain types of cancers.

So how much is too much? The Heart Association suggests no more than 6 teaspoons of sugar/day for women and 9 teaspoons for men. Studies show that we are actually consuming on average 22 teaspoons/day! To convert that to grams, which are often found on labels, there are 4 grams of sugar per teaspoon.

Sugar has addictive properties similar to drugs like cocaine and heroin. It actually changes the chemistry in the brain to want more and more.

So how do you know if you have a problem with sugar?
- Do you constantly feel tired and turn to sugar for energy?
- Do you constantly crave "a little something sweet"
- Anxiety can also be a sign of sugar addiction.

How can you treat this problem?
- Start drinking more water.
- Eat a more balanced diet with an emphasis on vegetables and fruits.
- Get enough sleep.
- If stress is your trigger eliminate or manage your stress.

As a health coach I can help you through the process of changes that will set you on the path of a healthier relationship with sugar, before it becomes detrimental to your health.

Contact me for a free consultation at heidicolella@gmail.com
Also like my face-book page https://www.facebook.com/HeidiColellaHealthCoach for my
 healthy postings.
* photo credit FreeDigitalPhotos.net Aopsan

HEALTHY PASTA SALAD

This is a perfect spring or summer lunch or dinner!


Pasta Salad With Shrimp or Scallops, Feta, Arugula and Cherry Tomatoes

Makes 6 servings.
( I use scallops as that is my preference)

 8 oz whole wheat fusilli
4 tbsp olive oil
1 lb of raw shrimp or "dry" scallops*
1/2 cup frozen, shelled edamame, thawed
1 cup grape or cherry tomatoes halved
3 scallions chopped
1 cup arugula chopped
1/2 cup feta cheese crumbled (I really like the goat cheese)
1/4 tsp crushed red pepper flakes
freshly ground pepper
the zest and juice of one lime.

Cook pasta according to package directions, but omit salt. Drain reserving 1/2 cup of the liquid.
Heat a skillet over medium high heat. Add 2 tbsp oil and cook shrimp or scallops til done. Add liquid as necessary to keep from sticking to pan.
Place all ingredients in a large serving bowl with the rest of the oil and lime zest and juice. Toss gently.
Add extra pasta water if more liquid is desired.
May be served warm or cold!

*dry scallops have not been soaked in a chemical that plumps them up to add weight, better for you and tastier.

NON-PHARMACEUTICAL WAYS TO LOWER YOUR BLOOD PRESSURE (PART 0NE)

                                   DO YOU KNOW YOUR NUMBERS?

The vast majority of U.S. adults consume too much salt and too little potassium. 

This is particularly critical to the increasing number of individuals with high blood pressure. These individuals fighting HBP have many non-pharmaceutical ways of controlling their pressure, including weight loss, exercise, stress management, as well as decreasing dietary sodium. 

Research shows that a diet with adequate potassium can lower blood pressure. 

Potassium causes the kidneys to excrete excess sodium from the body, thereby lowering blood pressure. A healthy American should consume 4,700 milligrams of potassium daily. Most do not. We are more likely in the 2,500-3,000 milligram range. So the hunt is on to add the nutritious foods that are potassium rich.

The list is large with veggies, fruits and beans at the top.

Check this list out as you make up your daily meal plan.

Potassium rich foods

As a Holistic Health Coach I love helping clients find the delicious whole foods that will bring them a healthy balance, and avoid the chronic diseases that are so common today.

If you would like to learn more about how I can help you, sign up for a free consultation www.heidi-colella.com. 

Also you can like my face book page for inspiring facts and recipes. http://www.facebook.com/HeidiColellaHealthCoach

I would love to hear how you add some of these foods to your life, So leave a comment!

Get free tips for the healthy life you were meant to live!

HEIDI'S HEART HEALTHY & SLIMMING MINESTRONE SOUP

EASY BEANS AND GREENS!


Beans, or legumes, including peas and lentils, are an excellent source of plant-based protein. Beans are found in most traditional cultures as a staple food, offering grounding and strengthening properties that enhance endurance. They offer a highly usable, highly absorbable source of calcium for the body. A very inexpensive source of high nutrition, beans can be rich, delicious and satisfying,

Lack of sexual energy is often due to overtaxed adrenal glands and kidneys. Beans are known for strengthening these organs (ever noticed the shape of a bean?) and can help restore vital energy as well as sexual energy.

Beans have a reputation for causing digestive distress, but this is usually because they have been undercooked or improperly prepared. To help reduce gas-forming properties, soak beans overnight prior to cooking, increase cooking time, add spices like bay leaf, oregano or cumin, or add kombu (a sea vegetable) when cooking.

Soul Food

Think for a moment of a food from your past, one that makes you feel great after you eat it for no specific reason. Maybe it is macaroni and cheese, slow-simmered tomato sauce, ice cream cones or potato pancakes. Eating comfort foods (every now and then) can be incredibly healing, even though your rational brain might not consider it highly nutritious.

Food has the power to impact us on a level deeper than just our physical well-being. What we eat can reconnect us to precious memories, like childhood playtimes, first dates, holidays, our grandmother’s cooking or our country of ancestry. Our bodies remember foods from the past on an emotional and cellular level. Eating this food connects us to our roots and has nurturing effects that go far beyond the food’s biochemical make-up.

Acknowledging what different foods mean to us is an important part of cultivating a good relationship with food. It ’s important to notice that we each have a relationship with food—and that this relationship is often far from loving. Many of us restrict food, attempting to control our weight. We often abuse food, substituting it for emotional well-being. Others ignore food, swallowing it whole before we’ve even tasted it.

What would your life be like if you treated food and your body as you would treat your beloved – with gentleness, playfulness, communication, honesty, respect and love? The next time you eat your soul food, do so with awareness and without guilt, and enjoy all the healing and nourishment it brings you.