| One key to creating health is to listen to ourselves and | | | | mental fogginess. This can also be caused by not |
| our bodies. Being aware is a powerful tool, one that | | | | eating enough vegetables and a lack of antioxidants. |
| allows us to understand clues and symptoms of both | | | | Nuts and seeds are wonderful for vitamin E while |
| health and disease. These tips come in the form of | | | | leafy greens such as kale, spinach, and chard are |
| cravings, moods, or physical cues and can make the | | | | good sources of antioxidants and iron. |
| difference between losing weight and looking great or | | | | Craving Health-- They come in so many forms and |
| being frustrated with our health. Here are five quick | | | | can really spell torture for those of us trying to get |
| ways to tell how your health stacks up today: | | | | ourselves healthy. |
| Never Let 'Em See You Sweat-- Not true! Sweating | | | | * Craving carbs? You might not be eating enough |
| easily is a sign of physical conditioning and health. It | | | | calories. Not only are you slowing your metabolism but |
| removes toxins and too much sodium from the body | | | | you aren't getting enough vitamins for good health. |
| and helps regulate body temperature when you | | | | * Craving salty foods? Exhausted adrenals might be to |
| exercise. One of the goals of any fitness routine | | | | blame. Try drinking more water, sleeping more, and |
| should be to work up at least a light sweat. Sweat can | | | | relieving anxiety. |
| also give you clues into your health. A lack of sweat | | | | * Sugar getting to you? An overabundance of yeast |
| can mean you are dehydrated while night sweats can | | | | may be to blame. Chances are, if you cut sugar out of |
| mean trouble with your thyroid. | | | | your diet for a week or two those cravings will begin |
| Blue Mood-- You might not think that nutrition has much | | | | to disappear. Drinking water with lemon and avoiding |
| to do with fatigue, but think again. Ditto PMS, and | | | | white flour, vinegar, and mushrooms for a bit may also |
| mental fogginess' | | | | help. |
| * Many times, fatigue, especially in the middle of the | | | | A Sensitive Topic-- Not many of us like to look at, let |
| day or early evening, is directly related to not getting | | | | alone talk about our eliminations, but poo really does |
| enough complex carbohydrates, enough water, or | | | | show us how healthy we are. Healthy poo should |
| enough iron. | | | | have the size and shape of a banana, shouldn't smell, |
| * the bloating and moodiness associated with PMS | | | | should float, and should be golden brown in color. |
| can be caused by not getting enough calcium and | | | | Some common aberrations? |
| magnesium and by eating too much sugar. Taking a | | | | * Color--dark colored eliminations can mean you aren't |
| calcium supplement that also includes magnesium (for | | | | eating enough vegetables or are eating too much salt. |
| proper calcium absorption) and cutting back on sugar | | | | Greenish poo can mean too much sugar in the diet. |
| can really help ease the symptoms of PMS. | | | | * Frequency--going once to twice a day is ideal. Less |
| * Depression can also be exacerbated by poor | | | | means that toxins aren't leaving your body properly |
| nutrition, mainly not getting enough Omega 3 fatty | | | | and can mean you are allergic to dairy or wheat, aren't |
| acids, which is why many people on a low fat diet can | | | | eating enough vegetables, or are not drinking enough |
| experience sadness, anxiety and anger. Supplementing | | | | water. |
| with wild caught fish, nuts, and flax seed oil in dressings, | | | | * Consistency--your eliminations should be the |
| sauces, and soups is a great way to make sure you | | | | consistency of an unripe banana. Pebble like poo |
| are getting enough healthy fats. | | | | means you aren't getting enough fiber while more liquid |
| * A lack of vitamin E and/or iron is associated with | | | | stool can point to allergies or lactose intolerance. |