Do you eat or drink when stressed? 3 Tips to stop...
WE all do it!!
We eat or drink -when we are feeling stressed!
What is your 'go-to' fix?
Chocolate? Brownies? Beer? Wine? Pizza?
This can get out of hand pretty quickly! It something that is ingrained in us when babies crying and our parents using food to soothe us. It's a natural oral fixation that as gripped many of us.
But this pattern, if left for too long, will destroy your health as well as relationships.
It really comes down to a heart issue and what or whom do you turn to, when you are feeling down, hurt, angry, or of course stressed.
In the book, "The Brillance of Emotional Eating" Dani Spies writes,
'Some emotion arises that makes us uncomfortable - - doesn't have to be bad, it could be excitement about an upcoming event, stress, anxiety, depression, or exhaustion; then we use food to soothe those feelings without ever dealing with the original emotion or feeling. We DO feel better TEMPORARILY!! But then afterward, we often have, regret, shame, disappointment, AND the original emotion, which hasn't been tended to yet! So now we've compounded the problem.'
So what to do about it?
Here are 3 steps to improve this unhealthy stress pattern:
- Ask yourself WHY am I eating the whole bag of chips right now? What is the emotion that pushes me towards this behavior? Don't be too critcal with yourself, give yourself grace. Just gather data, allow yourself to FEEL whatever it is.
- Ask yourself HOW can I nourish this NEED without food? Taking the time to learn this is a beautiful act of SELF CARE. Start simple to know yourself better, and learn to take care of yourself on the deepest level.
- SIGN for the TRANSFORM program - with Lisa Berryhill, facilitator and health coach. She does an awesome monthly program that works the root cause of emotional eating to break these unhealthy patterns! It is LIFE changing!!
Do you have an interest in this program? Does this resonate with you??
If so, please comment below, or email us info@charlottenaturalwellness.com and let us know!!
Hormonal imbalance? Thyroid issues? Digestive issues? Give us a call today for a FREE 15 minute phone consultation!!
To fast or to not fast? Intermittent Fasting the facts
Fasting. It was always something I would discourage my patients to do. "Breakfast is the most important meal of the day, " or you must be eating every 3 to 4 hours to keep your metabolism up.
So when intermittent fasting became something- it boggled my brain.
Hmm, so I figured I should do some research into it.
Here are the 7 Healthy facts that I found:
- Weight loss: As mentioned above, intermittent fasting can help you lose weight and belly fat, without having to consciously restrict calories (1, 13).
- Insulin resistance: Intermittent fasting can reduce insulin resistance, lowering blood sugar by 3-6% and fasting insulin levels by 20-31% (1). This should protect against type 2 diabetes.
- Inflammation: Some studies show reductions in markers of inflammation, a key driver of many chronic diseases (17, 18, 19).
- Heart health: Intermittent fasting may reduce LDL cholesterol, blood triglycerides, inflammatory markers, blood sugar and insulin resistance. These are all risk factors for heart disease (1, 20, 21).
- Cancer: Animal studies suggest that intermittent fasting may help prevent cancer (22, 23, 24, 25).
- Brain health: Intermittent fasting increases a brain hormone called BDNF, and may aid the growth of new nerve cells (26, 27, 28). It may also protect against Alzheimer's disease (29).
- Anti-aging: Intermittent fasting can extend lifespan in rats. Studies showed that fasted rats live as much as 36-83% longer (30, 31).
The above makes sense, just think about the hunters and gatherer time. There were times when food was plentiful, when there was a great feast after a wonderful hunt. But in that time, people did not necessarily eat 3 meals a day, 7 days a week.
This makes sense and is the reason why we accumulate fat. We accumulate the fat, so we have some storage for when meals are not plentiful.
The problem is these days, there is ALWAYS food available, or just around the corner. As Americans we eat TOO much, ALL the time. And for some- if they do miss a meal, watch out for the 'HANGRY' folk that get irritable when missing a meal!
When Intermittent Fasting is NOT a good idea.
Fasting is NOT a good idea for the following reasons:
Intermittent fasting is certainly not for everyone.
- If you are underweight already or have problems keeping weight on.
- If you have a history of eating disorders, then you should not do intermittent fasting without consulting with a health professional first.
- If you are trying to get pregnant or are pregnant, or breastfeeding.
- If your periods are irregular or skip.
- If you tend to have low blood pressure.
- If you have blood sugar issues that are not regulated.
- If you have an ongoing chronic condition that is not being supervised by a physician such as cancer, diabetes, high blood pressure, or if you are on any medication that can affect your blood sugars such as metformin, etc.
In these cases, it can be downright harmful.
How to start>?
A good place to start would be to pick a few days a week and skip breakfast and lunch that day. Be sure to plan your day and eat healthy the rest of the day. Healthy meaning, not stopping at a fast food place on for dinner, or gorging on a bag of chips when finishing up, which is quite easy if you are not planning everything.
Aim to fast about 16 hours, and leaving a span of 8 hours per day to get your food in.
STOP fasting if you are getting dizzy, can't do your daily work, or are having blood sugar issues.
I've recently tried it and have felt better, snacking less, and having more energy!
If you don't like the idea of fasting, then you can safely ignore all of this. Just continue to do what works for you.
At the end of the day, there is no one-size-fits-all solution in nutrition. The best diet for you is the one you can stick to in the long run.
Intermittent fasting is great for some people, not others. The only way to find out which group you belong to is to try it out.
If you feel good when fasting and find it to be a sustainable way of eating, then it can be a very powerful tool to lose weight and improve health.
Need more advice with your health? Feel free to call today for a FREE 15 min phone consultation 704-543-5540
Things are changing the more I learn in my practice - it's awesome!
KNOW this is probably NOT true.
Because -
Mom Guilt - ah it stinks!
Mom guilt sucks!
I feel guilty about working, but then guilty when not working.
Guilty when with my kids, and guilty when not with my kids.
It has to stop.
I know that I'm doing the best I can with the time I have.
Making the time count when I am with them.
Being OK with being away because I know I'm making a difference in lives.
It's just making sure I'm reminding myself of this and going on.
Here is a great article that was the encouragement and advise that I needed, I thought I would pass along to you my friend.
Oh and if you need some health support to help you along the way, feel free to call me!
3 Immune Boosting Tips for the Fall Season
3 Immune Boosting Tips
What do you do when you feel like you are coming down with something?
Happy 10 Years to us!!! :)
Wow, 10 years in practice!
2007- After graduating - I always told Eamon, my husband, that I would never open my own practice.
Never had the interest - too scary, too hard, too much pressure, not doing it. But things changed...
Children not only push you to your limits, but motivate and grow you to do things you thought you would never ever do.
For instance, the thought of catching vomit in my hands while my child got sick was never something I would have thought I would do. OR grabbing the floating poop in the bathtub to keep it away from my other children was another.
Never did I think I would say to my kid, "Don't lick the TV, Don't lick the toilet, Don't lick the table, etc."
Kids will change you and form you into stronger, more capable, more confident people.
But when she came into the world and my priorities became family even more - she was the motivation to drive me- to open my own practice.
I wanted more than anything to bring her to my practice and be with her (as some of you got to meet some of our kids early on years ago).
I wanted the ability to make time to go see their school activities and chaperone their events when possible. :)
It's what life is about - enjoying the good that God gives.
2017- 10 years past, bringing Eamon on board, 3 kids born, additional doctor, and now our recent expansion that has doubled our space - what a journey!
Wow - there have been ups and downs. It has not been easy but I have learned SO much and have enjoyed the process!!
Having a practice is like having a few more children, it takes alot of time and effort, sweat and tears - BUT if I were asked if I would do it again - YES is the answer! :)
My passion is working with parents and their family members to RESTORE their health - so they can do the best parenting and jobs they need to do, to make the world a better place.
Because everyone knows if you don't have your health, you really do not have anything!
We thank you all for your loyalty throughout the years and appreciate your support.
Be blessed today!
For those that are interested in RESTORING Their health Naturally - give us a call for a Free 15 minute consultation - we love to help you out. 704-543-5540
Yoga for Better Digestion
Yoga is something, once learned correctly can bring many benefits to the body.
I find myself doing yoga after waking up , 5 minutes here and there and boy does it make you feel better and more alert.
The breathing that goes with the movement, lowers stress hormones like cortisol, and brings peace and good feelings to the body.
I find that holding some poses are also beneficial for digestion along with moods.
Some people maybe cautious of yoga related activities fearing that it may interfere with their own beliefs. I do not feel that way - I feel and many times I pray while doing yoga or site my own scriptures during classes.
What you think upon is what you meditate on, so meditate on good things, pure, lovely, admirable and excellent, right?
Here is a great article I found helpful, it was written by Ali Washington, and educates on the 5 poses that aid in better digestion.
Know your genes, know what vitamins you need long term.
Genes, it is what you are made up of.
Did you know that you have genes for everything.
Genes that help you metabolize different vitamins.
Genes that help you feel calm, those that help you feel overwhelmed.
Genes that help with proper DNA and cell production.
There can be many mutations to these genes, as we are all mutants in some way, but not in an X-man sort of way.
There is an explanation for everything.
MTHFR is one gene that helps make an enzyme that helps you absorb folate.
Folate is the backbone to your DNA.
DNA is needed to make any new cell in your body.
Cells that are needed to make new skin, hair, nails, or intestinal linings or heart cells.
Really any cells anywhere.
So if you have a mutation in this gene, you have a chance of not producing strong body cells to repair yourself with. Not a good thing.
So usually for most patients I recommend the 23andme.com gene testing. It really helps me to determine which nutrients or supplements are needed on a longer term basis.
For example, I myself, am a pretty good mutant, I'm just full of mutations or snps if you will. SNPS are (single nucleotide polymorphisms) - it's really just where your biochemistry is broken OR not working as well as it could.
So me being mutant and having the knowledge of where I am not working well (where my biochemistry is not supported)- I know that everyday I NEED- riboflavin or B2, P5p or B6, and digestive support. IF I do not get this support then, I DO NOT feel as great, and DO NOT function as well.
So where is your biochemistry broken ?
What nutrients do you need to feel better and make up for your mutations?
Want to find out?
If you are interested - go to 23andme.com and run your genetic panel - then plug in your results at geneticgenie.com or livewello.com.
Call me for a FREE 15 min phone consultation to answer any questions you may have about our services.
Then, make an appointment and we can go over the results - you willb e happy you did. My goal is to teach you what you need and when to take these supplements because with some snps you really do NOT need the nutrients ALL the time. Just as needed for different symptoms.
Oh and here's a cool video that will help answer some questions that you may have.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=U3EEmVfbKNs&feature=youtu.be
"Normal" labs but still feel bad?
Do you have "normal" labs but you still feel bad?
Do you know your body and something just isn't right?
Listen to this quick 16 minute video, it will shed light on what to look for and ask your PCP next time you are in.
Would you like a doctor that will listen to you, and run the tests needed to get you well?
Call today for a FREE 15 minute phone consultation, you won't regret it!!
Feeling down, slow, shortness of breath? Could be lack of this...
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More tired than normal? Down? Short of breath? Palpitations? It could be a lack of this....
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Recently I have had a number of patients coming in feeling low. Feeling down. Feeling short of breathe and palpitations.
These are all symptoms that can be related to low hemoglobin or iron in the blood.
So when someone mentions these symptoms I have their blood checked with a simple finger stick. It makes such a huge difference!
One women who came in, looked quite pale, just feeling so down, and in the dumps.
We checked her blood to see what the content of heme or iron was, and it was quite low.
When I told her what was causing her symptoms, she said, "Wow I had no idea that being low in iron could be the cause of depression."
During her 3 week follow up she looked like a different person. Less pale, good color, even her hair looked shiney and brighter. She said she felt SO much better. (Of course I didn't just give her iron support but also other supplements to help as well.)
But the really friend, you need to know that ANY symptom you are having THERE is a definite direct correlation to an imbalance or deficiency !!!
There is a REASON for ANY symptom, we just have to find it out.
Symptoms are a way of your body telling you, "hey something is wrong, imbalanced, and not right, help me out here!"
So if you are not feeling right OR-
If you are not feeling as good as you have been in the last few years.
Please give us a call and we can find out what you are deficient!
704-543-5540 or schedule online
"Oh but my doctor says that my blood work is - normal"
NORMAL Blood work is NOT Optimal!! **Also if you have had blood work and your doctor says - "everything is NORMAL, know it is not optimal and you can still do things to improve your levels to a more optimal level!!
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Giving back 10% to charity
GOD IS GOOD>
As a fellow consumer I'm always curious as to where money is going and how is it spent.
Know at Charlotte Natural Wellness we do our best at being good stewards to the funds that come into our clinic.
We are dedicated in giving 10% back to charity, it is not out of guilt but out of our love for God and glorifying Him in all we do and all we are about.
God placed a burning desire on my heart to work with Compassion International, which is an organization that works to help those in poverty and bring clean water around the world.
We are happy to say that for the last few years we have been sponsoring 2 children through compassion:
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2. Isabella Bezerra - Brazil
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Going back to school - Praying scriptures over your children helps!!
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May God bless you on this day, and fill you with peace, joy, and patience. We can all use some of that that's for sure!!
Be Blessed and thanks for visiting!!
If you are in need of some holistic natural health support -this is my callling and the reason why God put me here.
Give me a ring for a FREE 15 minute consultation - love to answer any questions and give you an idea on how I can be of assistance to you and bring you your full God given potential.
704-543-5540