Dopamine; Why We Are Fat

Nature designed fruits, nuts, legumes, whole grains, vegetables, and seeds for us to eat.  “We have a natural relationship with the pleasure centers of the mind when we consume these foods.” But the popular processed foods are what bang the pleasure centers of the brain, tricking us into thinking that all our survival problems are “being solved.” Caloric density makes our bodies think that we have hit the jackpot. Dopamine. Dopamine. Dopamine. The S.A.D. does nothing but give us that happiness high. What is chocolate? Calorically dense fat and sugar. Fat is “4,000 calories a pound” and sugar is “1,800 calories a pound.” Burgers? Fat and salt. Cheese, which is designed for a baby cow, is fat and salt. French fries are fat and salt. Mother Nature wants us to seek out calorically dense foods, but the kind that are found in nature, not created in a lab by food scientists and manufacturers trying to trip those Motivational Triad wires. Keeping us addicted is a very profitable business, not just for the food industry, but for the medical industry—sickness is a multi-billion-dollar business. There’s no money to be made off of healthy people.

We are designed to consume natural, calorically dense foods, with fiber, in lower concentrations. The processed stuff rings the dopamine circuits of the mind too hard and makes them scream that you are doing the right thing—all your “getting enough” survival problems are being solved. This couldn’t be more wrong.

Lets Go Skiing!

I maybe a little early to strap on the boards but it's not to early to dream!
Next week the ski sales start at the dome in Rochester and the tent sales in Ellicottville.

Looking for other like minded skiers?
Check out WNY Ski Club!
Click here for the meet up website.




See you on the snow!

What's Wrong With Milk?

http://www.dairydocumentary.com/watch/

Stop eating Dairy!

Success Stories Blog

Have you made some improvements in your health of lifestyle here's the place to write about it!
Or maybe you are thinking about making some healthier life choices, this the place to get some advice and motivation.
http://wholeplantpower.blogspot.com/

The Big Picture

    I like the term mindful eating, it's a pretty simple idea, but it takes practice to apply.

Pay attention to what your eating and how much. Ask is this food I am eating good for my body? Is the way it's produced good for the environment.  Am I eating it just because I think it tastes good or because it is nourishing too.
    I was out hiking with my dog this morning and I was thinking about foods I used to love that I know are not good for me.  I imagined taking a great big handful of cold M&M's and popping them into my mouth, yum.  Then I suddenly remembered what I felt like a few minutes after I ate them. Fat, bloated, disgusted with myself and my teeth felt like they had sweaters on them.
    When you are constantly eating for instant gratification do you ever think about the big picture.  If you are not healthy now can you imagine what you are going to be like in 20 or 30 years from now? Do you want to be healthy and active in your senior years or do you want to have chronic pain, immobility and disease?
    What about your kids? What are you teaching them? Are you going to be a long term burden on them for health care? Or are you going to be healthy and vibrant and be the fun grandma/pa?
    Think before you eat.  Be proud of eating healthy, you never know how you will effect someone in a positive way.

  

I am Not a Vegan

I am 100% Plant Powered!
There is a difference between vegan and whole plant based lifestyles.
A vegan does not eat any animal products: no meat, no dairy.
A true vegan doesn't wear any animal products either.

There are such things as junk food vegans and vegetarians. These are people who want to think that they are healthy but eat high fat and high sugar intake. Coca Cola and potato chips are vegan.
A whole plant based lifestyle is the true health nut.  This is usually the person that realizes their true health potential in nutrient dense foods.  We eat vegetables, fruits, grains, and legumes.
We don't eat animal products, processed food, chemically altered or chemical added food like substances.  We eat low sugar and extremely low fat intake.  We consume more food and less calories then vegan and vegetarians.
Whole plant based nutrition is what reverses disease and permanently keeps the weight off.  The down side (if this is one) is having to re-learn how to cook!  It is simpler to cook plant based and clean up is a breeze!
Become 100% Plant Powered!
www.nundanutrition.com

Watch Out for Comfort Foods

    I love Fall, it's my favorite season. I wish ski season was in the Fall.
The air is cool and the colours are remarkable.  I love getting out my Fall clothes and enjoying my new Fall boots! I'm so fashionable! Search Amazon.com for tall boots women

    The one problem with Fall is that with the colder weather our appetite increases to fatten ourselves up for winter. Out comes the comfort foods! If you are 100% Plant Powered gaining weight isn't an issue for you anymore. But if you are not, watch out!  As the daylight hours get shorter and the air gets colder we tend to not exercise as much.  Now is the time to get on the treadmill, join a gym or get the dvd's churning.
As far as food goes there's a lot more stewin' & bakin' goin' on!  If you don't want to gain weight stay away from the unhealthy baked goods and stay away the excess comfort food fat. Stay away from all fat except from nuts and seeds, remember the fat you eat is the fat you wear.  Stick to veggies fresh and frozen, same with fruit, beans, lentils and grains!  If you do this you can eat a lot, feel great, lose weight and be the envy of all your friends!
www.nundanutrition.com

Rtowne Fitness and Wellness Club Review

I am currently working with the owner of Rtowne helping to develop their nutritional education classes.  I am very excited about this!  Rtown is located in Lakeville on the North end of Coneseus lake.  It's a beautiful facility that is fully staffed, has all new equipment, a large room for exercise classes and is very clean. I great place to workout and get healthy!
www.rtownefitness.com