News:

There is a lot of controversy in regards to soy and health, so to simplify the many articles and research available out there, I conducted my own research and posted up my findings on my blog - 11^th August 2008. To be very honest, I found the whole experience very interesting! You can read it here.

Also, feel free to checkout my other weekly blogs!

September Birthday Celebrations:

• 9th Nini Nicholls
• 11th Rob Nicholls
• 22nd Corinna Hamilton
• 28th Teresa Vella

Shine Fast Facts: Eating Low GI for reduced risk in Diabetes and Cancer

• Opt for whole fruit and plenty of green leafy vegetables rather than fruit and vegetable juices
• An increase of 3 servings a day of whole fruit was associated with an 18% reduced risk of type 2 diabetes
• An increase of 1 serve of green leafy vegetables a day was associated with a 9% reduced risk of diabetes.
• Replace refined grains and white potatoes with fruits and vegetables

Spring is here so get out and Shine!

With the cooler months and shorter days, it is easy to drop into a hibernation mode. The reason this happens to many people is because that is what nature intended. Like animals that do hibernate, our bodies are programmed to be more energetic and to require less sleep during the longer, warmer days of the year, while requiring more rest during the cooler, shorter days of the year. However, nature probably didn’t intend for us to live sedentary lifestyles and work at a desk, so, exercise is still an important component of your daily lifestyle.

While it may not be warm enough just yet to consider hitting the beach, the beginning of spring is an excellent time to re-energise your body and mind. Exercising goes far beyond health and fitness; it is excellent stimulation for the mind. By beginning to exercise now whether indoors or outside on a sunny day, you will begin to defrost from hibernation mode and warm up!

If you haven’t done any exercise these last couple of months, begin by getting outside for a walk and look for opportunities to refresh your mind while you are exercising. Enjoy the sunshine and if you can, the clean fresh air filling your lungs. If you are exercising indoors, choose a place with a great view or inspirational atmosphere rather than being in front of a T.V. with Ken and Barbie demonstrating another ‘quick fix’ ab machine.

Regardless of your fitness level, it often helps to start exercising with a buddy. Choose someone who is motivated and accountable, someone who will encourage you and not opt for the café’s instead. Make sure to hold them accountable too!

To avoid confusion regarding what exercise and nutritional plan will best suit you, it really does help to hire a professional. They can guide you, motivate you, keep you accountable and most of all help you achieve your goals.

Remember to reward yourself! Not with chocolate cake of course, but set mini goals on the way to your big ones, with little rewards each time you achieve them. Eg, one reward might be to treat yourself to a movie night or a manicure.

If you start getting active now, you will be shining come summer!

Nutrition: Behind the clown named Ronald.

I must admit, a drive through restaurant with toilet facilities and a kids play area is really convenient. With the kids nagging to head to McDonalds for the latest toy available in a Mc Happy Meal, a Mc Café, Lighter meals and the Heart Foundation tick, heading to McDonald’s does seem like a safe option, right?

Really, there is something very wrong behind their representative Ronald McDonald and personally, I wouldn’t trust my health or nutrition to a clown! So does McDonald’s ‘nutritious’ food really measure up to their claims?

These are some of the claims McDonalds makes about their ‘nutritious’ foods:

• Lighter Choices menu - less than 10grams of fat
• First Restaurant chain to introduce nutritional information on packaging and to be approved for the heart foundation tick.
• 100% Australian Beef
• Happy Meals containing past - designed with the aid of dieticians

I have always thought McDonalds to have an excellent marketing team; they are always a step ahead of the rest when it comes to trends in the market place. Their word choices for marketing are very clever! Yes, their beef is 100% Australian, yes, there is less than 10g of fat in their lighter choice menus and yes, some meals have been approved for the Heart Foundation’s Tick, so what! While their statements are true, they have nothing to do with making a food source healthy.

Unfortunately the real underlying problems to our increasing rates of degenerative diseases come from a much deeper level than the fat content. While many meals have reduced fat, the real nasties lie in the sugar, refined carbohydrates, wheat/gluten, preservatives/chemicals/additives, quality of the foods source and the process it undergoes before reaching your mouth.

While the heart tick does account for a lower level of saturated fats and salt, it does not take these other important factors into consideration. The meat on your Big Mac may well be 100% Australian Beef, however, once again that does not mean it is healthy. From my agricultural background and connections within the industry, I know for a fact that besides McDonald’s meat being 100% Australian Beef, it is also sourced from the scrapes that everyone else rejects. What is also worth noting is that the majority of the beef on the market today is full of the chemicals and hormones accountable for the decline in Australian’s health. This is why I am very passionate about people making the switch to organic foods.

While it may be easy to point the finger at McDonalds, the scary part is that our supermarkets are just as bad. I think most people would be quite alarmed to learn what the ‘legal’ definitions actually are on the many ‘healthy’ terms used on food packaging.

While it might be easy to avoid McDonalds and other fast food chains, I am very aware of how difficult grocery shopping has become with all these fancy marketing words promoting health. To help make this easier I am currently working through a series of weekly blog posts discussing this topic, but for more details you can contact me directly with your questions and concerns - Lauren@shinewellbeing.com.au

Shine On!

Quote:

“The strongest single factor in prosperity consciousness is self-esteem: Believing you can do it, believing you deserve it, believing you will get it.”

- Jerry Gillies”

Septembers Featured Business:

FaceFaxx

Face faxx body + skin care haven prides itself on offering a memorable and unique experience every time, within a very private and tranquil space. The salon is proudly owner operated by a fully qualified Therapist and Make Up Artist, ensuring a professional and personalised service throughout every treatment. Face faxx promises to nurture every client’s individual needs.

“The credibility of my business depends upon the service I provide to you. Indulge yourself in a well earned treatment.”

Till the end of September, enjoy a well earned treatment of an express facial, eyebrow design and eye lash tint for only $50.00! Take some time out for yourself and arrange an appointment now. 

02 9545 6885       

www.facefaxx.com.au/

info@facefaxx.com.au