You’ve heard me talk a lot about sugars and metabolic syndrome, but I want to share the one secret to turn your life around – reduce sugar.

Technorati Tags: metabolic syndrome, Sugar, sugar and cancer

I love being a nutritional leader. And as such I feel like you need to know about anything new on the market – that may or may not be in something you are thinking about drinking or eating. I told you all about Fibersol syrup and Fibersol-2 (just corn people … but a new brand of it) Now let me teach you a new ingredient: They say it’s more affordable… but do you know what’s in it? “SolaGrain”. Do you want to know what that is? It’s mostly a filler, and full of corn and soy. SolaGrain is:
Soya protein extract (soy)
Soya protein extract (soy)
Oat fiber
Soya fiber (soy)
Psyllium
Maltodextrin (corn)
Linseed fiber
Beet fiber
Linseed protein
Cellulose
Thickening agent: guar
Emulsifier: Lecithin (soy)

I saw this as a main ingredient in a new protein shake called ProFit by ItWorks. That same drink also contained Sustain-It… again more soy. Do you realize that soy is in everything these days, and it’s changing your body because it’s like estrogen. And the plastics in your environment are like estrogen. Do you really want to save a couple dollars by buying a cheaper product and raise your cancer risk? And soy is very bad for men. Men’s Health says ” The unassuming soybean has silently infiltrated the American diet as what might just be the perfect protein source: It’s cheap and vegetarian, and could even unclog our hearts. But there may be a hidden dark side to soy, one that has the power to undermine everything it means to be male/ Read more at Men’s Health: http://www.menshealth.com/nutrition/soys-negative-effects#ixzz1qKozNLds

I love the ItWorks wraps, but I think that you can’t compare broccoli to oranges. One of these shakes has much more dense super nutrition than the other. The proof is in the ingredients and the fact that even Discovery and Oprah have talked about the amazing superfoods and the extent that Beachbody goes to to get these ingredients for you – well again you can’t compare them. Shakeology is just a better product, and better for you. Make sure you keep these things in mind when shopping. Don’t let yourself buy something that is the pink slime of the protein shake world. My daughter drinks Shakeology (1/2 a scoop) every morning. I HAVE to be okay with what she is putting into her little body. It’s a healthful choice for me, not a monetary one. Drink Shakeology – Health Simplified!

So when you see someone posted the ad below… remember the real comparison and what it means for your health. Be educated.

Read the ingredient lists on any product that you will eat or even just put on your body. Where do the sugars and carbs come from? Are they mostly from a natural fruits? DO you care if you have no sugars, but also get none of the super antioxidant protection for your body at a celular level? One of the reasons I loved the ItWorks wraps was the quality of ingredients. Just like with Beachbody I don’t love every supplement they put out – and I won’t promote every product of theirs because of it. Read, think, buy only the best products for your body. YOU are the key and YOU are what matters. Take care of YOU will you?

Technorati Tags: Health Protein Shakes, ItWorks ProFit, shakeology, Solagrain

If there is one nutrient that you need to support your training and recovery, protein would be it! All the exercise in the world won’t help you build muscle or get lean if it is not supported with proper nutrition, which should always include a good dose of some high-quality protein or high quality protein powder.

Many people argue the merits of whether you should have protein before you workout or after, when in reality the best time is both! The purpose of having protein before you exercise is to prevent muscle protein breakdown and to promote muscle protein synthesis. This is fancy talk for preserving the muscle you already have, and helping to promote the growth of new muscle tissue.

In addition to consuming some quality protein before you exercise, you should also consume some after as your muscles are highly receptive to incoming nutrients after a training session. The purpose of protein after training is to simply continue the benefits of pre-training protein, to preserve the muscle you already have and help create new muscle tissue.

That’s the big picture anyway, but let’s dig a little deeper and see more ways in which protein around our training can improve our results!

Protein Before You Train

Recent research has shown that consuming protein before exercise can decrease, or at least prevent the increase of, markers of muscle damage (myoglobin, creatine kinase and myofibrillar protein degradation) more than groups who consumed just carbohydrates or placebo.

This is one of the key reasons to have protein before you train, as reducing the damage to the muscles can improve recovery time and cause better adaptations to training over the long-term.

In addition, protein consumed before training will also flood your blood stream with amino acids as your body needs them, beginning the process of creating new muscle while you are training!

Aim to consume about 15-40 grams of protein within 30-90 minutes before training, depending on your size and needs. This can be consumed either in a shake or a mixed meal, again depending on what best fits your needs.

Protein After You Train

While most people know they should have some protein after they exercise, they often believe that they must have a shake or meal immediately after finishing their last set. The fact is if you consumed an adequate amount of quality protein within 30-90 minutes before you started exercising, then there is no need for immediate consumption. In reality as long as some quality protein is consumed within an hour after cessation of training, you are golden.

On the flip side of that, waiting too long can compromise the beneficial adaptations to training, and decrease your results. So while you don’t have to slam down a shake immediately after training, it wouldn’t be in your best interest to wait for 3 hours either.

A perfect example of the importance of having protein around your training was a recent 10 week trial where the researchers had subjects consume a protein/carbohydrate mixture before and after training, and another group consume that same mixture at the two points in the day furthest from the training.

The group that surrounded their training with the protein/carbohydrate mixture had greater gains in lean mass and strength, while also losing some body fat to boot (the other group actually gained some fat). This clearly indicates that surrounding your training with adequate amounts of high-quality protein (and carbohydrates) will maximize results, even if your total intake for the day is the same.

Aim to consume about 15-40 grams of protein within 60 minutes after training, again depending on your size and needs. Whether this is consumed as a shake or a solid meal is solely dependent on what best fits your needs.
The take home point is that it is a good idea to surround your training, both before and after, with high quality protein to maximize the benefits of exercise. This will minimize protein breakdown, and maximize your ability to build or maintain lean muscle mass.

The Shocking Truth About Your Workouts: Warning: Ignoring this science literally robs your body of the nutrients it so desperately needs to shed fat optimally. Please do NOT make the mistake of ignoring it. To learn more head on over to the website – and find out why I’m a big believer in whey (or if you are vegan I go for sprouted brown rice protein) and don’t want you using these soy products on the market.

Technorati Tags: healthy protein, protein after workout, protein before workout

It’s not a long amount of time… thirty days. If you think about it sometimes it can seem forever. My daughter thinks 30 days is forever. Myself, it seems to be something that you can accomplish. Just thirty days. For me, this next 30 days is going to be a change for more than you might think. So I’m giving myself 30 Days to redefine the purpose of my business, how I use my time, and even how I get my nutrients. So far I’ve been amazed at how just narrowing down to your true authentic YOU really makes a difference in where you are going.

Today I was working on the cardio mix for my summer training and this is the set I think I’m going with to start out with.

Borderline (Funk Beat Mix)
Groove Is In The Heart
Relax
Lucky Star
Heart Of Glass
One Thing Leads To Another
Pump Up The Jam
Twilight Zone
18 Strings
Red Alert
Erotic City
Shake Your Groove Thing
Talking In Your Sleep

It’s the real me, and it’s the me that I love. That music speaks to who I am. Where are you going to be in 30 Days?? Share what you want and let’s get there through this journey together.
Click on the box (above) SLC if you want to attend an event on Saturday the 7th. Saturday, April 7, 2012 @ Salt Lake City CrossFit and to get your 30 day program started.

Technorati Tags: 30 Days

Instantly Download The Eye-Opening FREE Special Report That Reveals…

Inside this 39 page shocker you’ll discover for the very first time…

• Why your workouts just might be a complete waste of your time
• A research proven ratio of nutrients your body craves as soon as you stop exercising
• How your body is literally being robbed of the results you are working so hard to attain
• The stone-cold truth about the consequences your body suffers through by fueling it incorrectly
• And, of course, exactly what to NEVER eat after you workout
• Plus much, much more…

Technorati Tags: post-workout foods

More than 1/3 of Americans are overweight, and another third are technically obese! It’s the truth, and it’s so sad. Despite trying to change your habits, there are more bad things out there for you to eat and cause toxins to take over your body – and invade your fat cells. It is impossible to burn fat cells, that just doesn’t happen. You are stuck with the fat cells you have, and no amount of exercise is going to “burn them off”. You are being driven to this lifestyle, driven to reach for that donut, driven to give up. The truth is, you need to reduce the size of your fat cells – and starving yourself, being stressed out and eating nothing but the latest fad diet will not help you do this. Watch the video below, and learn more then your doctor has ever told you about what your fat cells have to do with it.

More Bad News About Fat Cells

Technorati Tags: detox your fat cells, losing weight for good, toxic fat cells

The creation of a new paradigm in marketing will result into the next big thing in health & beauty industry. Join Minerva Rewards! ALL affiliate Marketers and Social Media marketers this is for you….http://barbarachristensen.minervarewards.com

What is the target demographic?
MinervaPlace.com is the kind of online destination that attracts the most lucrative buying market in the world, women 24-49, with captivating free articles and videos about weight loss, wellness, anti-aging, lifestyle and fashion – anything and everything you care about – rich content produced by America’s top journalists, renowned physicians, celebrities and Hollywood’s best filmmakers!
But Minerva offers something for everyone in our vast online community, women and men of all ages. MinervaPlace.com is all about “Living Smart. Living Beautiful.”

How does pre-enrollment work?

Very simply, the pre-enrollment process precedes our official market launch of MinervaPlace.com. The objective is to allow individuals to get a “jump start”, an opportunity to pre-position and pre-build for our official market launch. This period also provides you with an opportunity to evaluate our affiliate model and Cash Rewards earnings opportunity to see if it’s right for you.
As we prepare for the official market launch, scheduled for the 1st quarter of 2012, those who pre-enrolled will be given the opportunity to officially join Minerva as an Independent Affiliate. Each Independent Affiliate is eligible to earn commissions through our Minerva Rewards Affiliate compensation plan. So, your goal is to refer as many people as possible between now and the Minerva official market introduction. Be sure to visit you Share Center daily.

Tell me more about Minervaplace.com

Scheduled to go live in early 2012, MinervaPlace (MinervaPlace.com) is already poised to become the number one health and beauty destination on the web. Founded by some of America’s most successful business and marketing leaders, Minerva brings together renowned physicians and scientists in the fields of health and nutrition and supports them with the country’s most accomplished writers, graphic artists and film and video producers to provide visitors with smart content related to weight management, fitness and wellness, as well as beauty, style and fashion. The valuable content on MinervaPlace is free, but we encourage visitors to become community members so they may interact and share their knowledge and experience in the realms of health and wellness.

Community Members gain access to MinervaPlace.com premium content and support the Minerva Worldwide, Inc. mission, the fight against childhood obesity, fast becoming one of America’s most serious health issues. Membership is only $19.95 a year. The membership fee also entitles members to a valuable, light and healthy recipe book as well as other premiums.

I hope you will join me in this amazing company.. Im here to answer any questions,

Barbara Christensen Minerva Worldwide Founding Member http://barbarachristensen.minervarewards.com

Technorati Tags: Minerva Place Pre-Launch, MinervaPlace Free Launch

Hosted by Kathleen’s Blog Spot and Crafty Kate Going Crazy!

The month of March is about new life… The snow starts to melt… Trees start to bud… Flowers start to bloom…Spring is here! What would be the best way to celebrate Spring?? How about with the Ultimate Mommy and Baby Event! The entire month of March Kathleen’s Blog Spot will write about everything Mommy, Baby, Pregnancy and Parenting. There will be several giveaways through out the month. Including A Huge Mommy and Baby Giveaway from March 8th – 31st. Two winners will take home over $500.00 in prizes from various small businesses!!!!

Be sure to look for New Reviews of the latest baby items and pregnancy must haves from our favorite companies and small businesses, including Pinxav, Tomy, Bear Haven Boutique, Pink Bowtique and more. You will also find Guest Posts from some our favorite bloggers. The month is sure to be full of fun and excitement!

We are so excited to be a part of this giveaway! We are giving away the Les Mills Core DVD (what mommy doesn’t need to tighten the core muscles back up in just minutes a day??), a sample of Shakeology (who doesn’t want to eat the healthiest they can while losing weight after a baby) as well as an Introductory Essential Oil kit with the three top essential oils that every new mom needs to have. Stay tuned to learn more!

Technorati Tags: Baby, Kathleen's Blog Spot, Mommy, Mommy & Baby Giveaway, Parenting, Pregnancy

You need to learn to focus on the bodies ability to be supported in it’s daily cleansing ability and eliminate toxins. Learn more at LifeEssentially.com

Weightloss & Metabolism

I bet that you, or someone that you know has a body under toxic stress. There are three things you can do. Reduce the exposure you have to toxins like foods, cleaners, the environment.

Second, manage your stress with healthy choices and exercise. Do you feel like pulling your hair out? Once you workout you will find that your reactions and your stress are going to be completely different from what you felt like before.

Third, eat a healthy organic nutrients. You need healthy food choices, lots of great plant based organics and lots of water to help flush out these toxins we are talking about.

Technorati Tags: daily cleanse, healthy cleansing, supporting your body

4 scoops of Tropical Strawberry Shakeology

1 1/2 cups gluten-free oats

1 1/4 cup gluten-free granola (can do with almonds or without)

1 cup of coconut milk (or almond milk)

2 drops of cinnamon essential oil

1/2 tsp vanilla extract

1/2 cup of dried organic strawberries

Makes 9 Bars!! It’s the same amount of carbs (or lower) then something like one cup of yogurt…but loaded with nutrition. What would you rather have for a snack??

Technorati Tags: healthy granola bar, On the go energy bars, tropical shakeology recipes for bars