by urban-acupuncture | Dec 19, 2017 | Diet
This topic never seems to go away. This week an article by Dr. Melina Jampolis was circulating on Facebook that had some good practical ideas of what contributes to not being able to lose weight. Weight loss is still incredibly challenging for most people, as evidenced by the growing global obesity epidemic. At Urban Acupuncture Center we see people come in seeking help with weight loss, and it is a problem that we can help you with. With acupuncture, we can help you with sugar cravings, stress eating, help stimulate metabolism, and improve digestion. Please contact us if you have any questions about how acupuncture can help you with weight loss. Below are a few points from the article ‘Why Am I Not Losing Weight.’
According to the latest Centers for Disease Control and Prevention statistics, more than two in three US adults are considered overweight (de?ned as a body-mass index over 25), and of those, 36.5% of US adults fall into the obese category.
According to a recent study in the Journal of the American Medical Association, approximately half of overweight and obese adults report that they are trying to lose weight.
You have calorie ‘amnesia’ Put simply, people often eat more calories than they realize.
Total calories consumed matters when it comes to weight loss, despite what some popular diets claim. People frequently forget about the little things during or between meals that add up calorically and can interfere signi?cantly with weight loss.
You relax your diet too much on weekends
This is another very common issue that is a bit more challenging to ?x, as weekends are generally much less structured and more social than weekdays. Three days (Friday, Saturday and Sunday) of more relaxed eating (and in many cases drinking) can easily erase four days of more focused effort.
Your medication is working against you
According to Dr. Caroline Apovian, president of the Obesity Society, frequently prescribed medications that may cause weight gain include Benadryl, Ambien, benzodiazepines, older antidepressant and antipsychotic medications, Paxil, beta-blockers (for high blood pressure), several diabetes medications including insulin, sulfonylureas and thialidazones, and some contraceptive methods, especially Depo-Provera.
You eat too much of a good thing
It is true that recommendations concerning dietary fat have changed in the past decade, and nutrition science has found that unsaturated fat, including nuts, seeds, avocado and olive oil, plays an important role in a healthy diet.
Why your diet should include more fat However, you can easily eat too much healthy fat along with other healthy foods, including whole grains. Fat has more than double the calories of carbohydrates or protein, so fat calories, even if they are healthy, add up more quickly. Whole grains have three times the number of carbohydrates as non-starchy vegetables per serving, so again, portion size matters.
Your body is resistant to insulin
Dr. Michael Rothkopf, president of the National Board of Physician Nutrition Specialists, con?rms is an often overlooked reason for weight loss failure. It may also require specialized testing to uncover. According to the CDC, approximately 30% of adults and nearly 70% of overweight adults have metabolic syndrome, a constellation of abnormalities strongly associated with insulin resistance and excess insulin production. Insulin suppresses the release of stored fat and promotes the formation of fat from sugar. The metabolism of a person who has insulin resistance or insulin excess will be shifted away from fat loss and toward fat storage. There are other potential reasons why the scale may not be budging: short sleep duration, excess sedentary behavior, overeating after workouts, stress eating and eating a highly in?ammatory diet ?lled with processed food and inadequate fruits and vegetables. But the above list should get you started ?guring out how to get the scale moving in the right direction.
by urban-acupuncture | Jun 13, 2017 | Diet
What’s an oxymel, you ask? It’s the original energy drink! Used by the Romans as they traveled by foot throughout Europe, it is a healthy combination of (organic, unfiltered, unpasteurized) apple cider vinegar and (raw, local, organic) honey. We infuse our oxymels with herbs for medicinal and nutritive value.
This Summer Cooler Oxymel is our seasonal summer tonic for 2017. It is infused with optimum cooling herbs that offer wonderful nutrition like Dandelion Greens, Chickweed, and Purslane.
How do you use an oxymel? We’re so glad you asked! They are so flexible- take a shot in the morning, add to shrubs (vinegar based sodas), smoothies, or cocktails, or use as the base of a salad dressing. Oxymels are delicious AND nutritious! (We like to think of you enjoying a cooling cocktail on your porch.)
Our Summer Cooler Oxymel comes in a 4 ounce bottle.
Ingredients: Apple Cider Vinegar*, Raw Local Honey*, Chickweed*, Purslane*, Dandelion* (*organic)
General Contraindications & Warnings:
Like all herbal medicine, our products work best when combined with a lifestyle that includes clean water, whole foods, gentle exercise, and plenty of self-love.
You could be allergic to a plant, a plant family, honey, or another ingredient in a formula just like you could be allergic to a food. Use standard commonsense precautions when trying new things. If any adverse reactions happen that coincide with the taking of this product, discontinue use and consult your herbalist, naturopath, or doctor.
Standard required disclaimer for the USA:
The statements made here have not been approved by the FDA. These statements are not intended to diagnose, prevent, treat, or cure any disease or replace advice from a health practitioner.
This notice is required by the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act for herbalists and people like me but not big pharma, who is in bed with the FDA. After umpteen million product recalls, birth defects and deaths, big pharma still doesn’t have to label like this- even though the ingredients in this product has been used safely for much longer than any pharmaceutical preparation has. Just sayin’.
Standard required disclaimer for Canada:
If condition worsens or persists, consult a health practitioner.
How to Take Herbal Supplements
Herbal remedies, supplements, and tonics are fundamentally different from pharmaceuticals (and we like it that way). They are designed to restore your body and its systems to homestasis gently- working with your body.
We print basic dosage guidelines on each package, but keep in mind if you have more body mass or a faster metabolism than the average bear, you may need to take a larger dose than indicated. If there are hard-and-fast limitations on how often you can take the product, it will be listed on the package. Most can be used up to six times daily without problems (but we doubt that you would need to do that).
Remember, there are no “magic bullets” in life, and any product (herbal, pharmaceutical, or otherwise) claiming 100% success without knowing you, your constitution, and your lifestyle is lying and trying to get into your wallet. Often, herbalists (and MDs) need to try several products before we find the one that works for your unique biochemistry.
Feel free to email us if the product didn’t quite do the job, we can recommend another that could do the trick. We are blessed with many plants that have the same action in the body- and often it’s just a matter of finding the right one for you.
by urban-acupuncture | Jun 13, 2017 | Diet
(Serves 4)
Watercress and daikon make this salad super cleansing and heart-healthy, and their bitter flavors and crisp textures are balanced perfectly by the smooth richness of avocado and mustard.
Ingredients:
1 large bunch watercress, chopped
1 large daikon, peeled and julienned
1 avocado, peeled and diced
½ cup toasted pumpkin seeds
Dressing:
1 T yellow mustard seeds
1 T lemon juice
1 tsp light miso
1 T brown rice syrup
1 T prepared mustard of choice
2 T extra virgin olive oil
Directions:
Combine watercress, daikon, avocado and pumpkin seeds in mixing bowl.
Over medium heat, roast mustard seeds in dry pan until they start to pop. Remove from heat and cool slightly.
In separate bowl, combine lemon juice, miso, rice syrup, prepared mustard and olive oil. Stir in mustard seeds, pour over vegetables and fold gently to coat evenly. Serve at room temperature.
Note: if you prefer salad chilled, place vegetables and dressing in refrigerator separately and toss together just before serving.
Recommend by Amy:
About Amy…
As a Transformational & Holistic Health Coach, Amy helps women feel and look great in their bodies so they can live a life full of vitality, confidence, and purpose. More specifically, she helps busy, stressed-out, on-the-go, super-hero women, moms and corporate professionals get off the diet roller-coaster once and for all. She works with her clients to boost their metabolism, shed the weight, double their energy in a way that is easy, fun, sustainable AND free from denial and deprivation. Amy coaches her clients to live “high vibe” in all areas of their life: relationships, career, exercise, nutrition and spirituality.
She offers In-Person and Phone Private Coaching, Cooking Classes, Health Food Store Tours, Women’s Wellness Parties, Women’s Coaching Group Programs and Corporate Wellness Lectures.
Contact Amy at:
email: amarzluff@yahoo.com | cell: 614.560.7497 |
websites: www.CravingYourPotential.com and www.FlyKakao.com
by urban-acupuncture | Jun 13, 2017 | Diet
[Serves 2]
INGREDIENTS
1 bunch thin asparagus, rough ends trimmed off
¼ cup extra virgin olive oil
Zest and juice from 1 lemon
½ bunch parsley, chopped
1 15oz can of Adzuki Beans, drained and rinsed (Eden Organics is great)
2 cups baby arugula
salt and pepper
Bring a pot of water to a boil. Blanch asparagus for 5-8 minutes until tender. Remove from water and pat dry with paper towels. Chop into 1-inch pieces. Whisk the olive oil, lemon and parsley together.
In a bowl add the beans, asparagus and arugula. Toss with the dressing and season with salt and pepper.
Recommend by Amy:
About Amy…
As a Transformational & Holistic Health Coach, Amy helps women feel and look great in their bodies so they can live a life full of vitality, confidence, and purpose. More specifically, she helps busy, stressed-out, on-the-go, super-hero women, moms and corporate professionals get off the diet roller-coaster once and for all. She works with her clients to boost their metabolism, shed the weight, double their energy in a way that is easy, fun, sustainable AND free from denial and deprivation. Amy coaches her clients to live “high vibe” in all areas of their life: relationships, career, exercise, nutrition and spirituality.
She offers In-Person and Phone Private Coaching, Cooking Classes, Health Food Store Tours, Women’s Wellness Parties, Women’s Coaching Group Programs and Corporate Wellness Lectures.
Contact Amy at:
email: amarzluff@yahoo.com | cell: 614.560.7497 |
websites: www.CravingYourPotential.com and www.FlyKakao.com
by urban-acupuncture | Jun 13, 2017 | Diet
Vegetable Rolls with Shredded Chicken & Nut Cream
From 10-Day Detox, by Mark Hyman, MD
Makes: 4 Servings
Prep time: 30 min
Cook time: 10 min
Vegetable Mixture
1 medium carrot, peeled and thinly sliced or shredded
3 medium zucchini, thinly sliced or shredded
1/2 Napa cabbage (or other white cabbage), shredded
1/2 red cabbage, shredded
1 cup fresh mint, julienned
1/2 cup scallions, sliced on the bias
Poached Chicken Breasts
4 cups water
1 sprig fresh thyme
1 sprig fresh rosemary
1 tsp sea salt
4 boneless, skinless chicken breasts (4-6 ounces each)
Nut Cream
1 cup pine nuts or raw cashews
1/2 cup fresh lemon juice
pinch of salt
optional: 1/4 tsp cayenne pepper
Collard Wraps
4 collard leaves, stems removed, halved lengthwise
2 cups boiling water
Prepare the Vegetable Roll Mixture
Combine all the ingredients in a large bowl.
Prepare the Chicken
In a large saucepan, bring the water to a boil. Add the thyme, rosemary, and salt. Turn the heat down to a simmer and carefully add the chicken breasts. Cover and simmer for about 10 minutes. When the breast are cool, shred with a fork or by hand.
Prepare the Nut Cream
Place all the ingredients in a blender and blend until smooth but thick, adding water if needed.
Assemble the Rolls
Lay the collard leaves on a baking tray and slowly pour the boiling water over them to soften the leaves; drain, let cool and pat dry. Combine the nut cream, shredded chicken, and vegetable mixture. Lay on collard leaf smooth side down and spoon about 1/2 cup of filling onto one end, then wrap tightly. Continue until all the rolls are made and serve two to a person.
Recommend by Amy:
About Amy…
As a Transformational & Holistic Health Coach, Amy helps women feel and look great in their bodies so they can live a life full of vitality, confidence, and purpose. More specifically, she helps busy, stressed-out, on-the-go, super-hero women, moms and corporate professionals get off the diet roller-coaster once and for all. She works with her clients to boost their metabolism, shed the weight, double their energy in a way that is easy, fun, sustainable AND free from denial and deprivation. Amy coaches her clients to live “high vibe” in all areas of their life: relationships, career, exercise, nutrition and spirituality.
She offers In-Person and Phone Private Coaching, Cooking Classes, Health Food Store Tours, Women’s Wellness Parties, Women’s Coaching Group Programs and Corporate Wellness Lectures.
Contact Amy at:
email: amarzluff@yahoo.com | cell: 614.560.7497 |
websites: www.CravingYourPotential.com and www.FlyKakao.com
by urban-acupuncture | Dec 15, 2014 | Diet
Water
Water is a natural appetite suppressant. Drinking at least one litre a day of water will help boost the metabolism, and flush toxins out of the liver. Having a healthy liver will help with overall health and filtering toxins out of the body. You can add lemon or lime to boost the liver’s flushing function, but be careful not to add sugar and other flavourings, always try to keep it real with your water! (And everything else 🙂 )
Garlic & Onions
Garlic and onions have an extremely cleansing effect on the body and garlic in particular has a strong cleansing effect on the blood. Both garlic and onions lower blood pressure and cholesterol and promote the contraction of smooth muscles in the intestinal wall helping to move foods further along the digestive tract.
Green Tea
Green tea has long been touted for its antioxidants, or antioxidant polyphenols. It’s active ingredient catechin has been proven to improve fat oxidation and thermogenesis which is the heat produced by digestion. Green tea also protects lean muscle tissue and stabilizes blood sugar levels.
Omega 3 Fatty Acids
Salmon, herring and tuna are fish high in omega 3 fats, and omega 3 fats boost the metabolism. Omega 3s help to balance blood sugar and reduce inflammation, helping to regulate and stimulate the metabolism. They have also been shown to reduce resistance to the hormone leptin which is responsible in part to how the body burns fat.
Green Leafy Vegetables
Green leafy vegetables are full of antioxidants and fibre, both of which are very stimulating the the metabolism. Vegetables like kale, spinach, collard greens and turnip greens are rich in iron which helps red blood cells to transport nutrients throughout the body.
Nuts & Seeds
Stick to raw nuts and seeds to receive their maximum metabolism boosting effects, raw nuts and seeds boost your metabolism twice as much as when they are roasted. Nuts and seeds contain two fat burning nutrients, choline and inositol. They act to remove fat from the body so that it doesn’t get reabsorbed, in the places you don’t want it.
Eggs
Digesting protein takes up to seven times more energy than digesting fats or carbohydrates. Eggs are protein rich, packed with vitamins, easy to prepare and portable. 🙂
Grapefruit
Along with being a powerful metabolism booster, a one cup serving of grapefruit juice provides more than 100% of the recommended daily allowance of vitamin C. Grapefruit also reduce insulin levels which ultimately promotes weight loss.
Broccoli
Broccoli is also extremely high in vitamin C which the body needs to absorb calcium which promotes weight loss. Broccoli has high water and fibre content. This combination helps you to feel full and dramatically increases your body’s ability to burn fat.
Cayenne Peppers
Cayenne peppers speed up your metabolism and allow your body to burn more calories by releasing Capsaicin. Capsaicin is also found in bell peppers and jalapeños, which are part of the vegetable family Capsicum annuum. The body responds by releasing stress hormones that speed up your metabolism and help you to burn fat. Cayenne peppers also contribute to thermogenesis which is the heat produced by digestion which also increases metabolism.
