Eat the Rainbow Challenge

June 29, 2022

I am currently taking a course for professional development from the Institute of Integrative Nutrition (IIN) called ‘Detoxing Your Life’. The course covers various ways that we can lower our toxic load through nutrition, beauty product choices, our home environment and our mindset. When it comes to the nutrition piece of the puzzle, detoxing is more about adding foods into your diet that will help your body more efficiently and effectively lower your toxic load. It is definitely not about doing a detox diet fad, taking a ‘cleanse’ or overhauling your entire nutritional outlook. A big focus is on ‘eating the rainbow’.

We’ve all heard that phrase before, but what does it really mean? Simply put, eating the rainbow involves eating fruits and vegetables of different colors every day. Plants contain different pigments, or phytonutrients, which give them their color. Different-colored plants are linked to higher levels of specific nutrients and health benefits.

Below is an infographic from IIN that lays out exactly what plant sources give what benefits:

 

I found there are a few colors for my personal health goals that I want to ensure are a priority. For instance, the blue/purple and red are high on my list of priorities for my health, so want to ensure I get those in as often as I can. I also know the tremendous benefits to having loads of greens every day, so another one I want to ensure is a priority. And although not mentioned in this infographic, mushrooms are a huge one for me. I use tinctures and powders daily to get the various benefits from cooked Asian mushrooms in. If this is something you are interested in, I would highly recommend Annanda Chaga. By following that link you will get $10 off your next purchase.

While this information is great to know, getting in all of the colours can be a struggle. So, I have created the ‘Eat the Rainbow Challenge’. I tried this myself to see what areas I was filling easily and what areas were consistently low. As it was a really eye-opening Challenge for me to do personally, I wanted to extend the Challenge to my readers…and have a prize. Here is how it works:

Use the below chart for one full week. Every time you eat a fruit or vegetable serving, write it into the appropriate day and color code. When the week is up, send a photo or e-copy of your completed chart my way. Everyone who fills in this chart – even if it’s not the full rainbow – will receive $100 off any of my one-on-one coaching programs.

 

Day of the Week

Red

Orange/Yellow

Green

Blue/Purple

White/Tan
Monday
Tuesday
Wednesday
Thursday
Friday
Saturday
Sunday

 

Remember to be honest – this will only help you! Once you see it written down about what colors are a slam dunk and what colors you are missing again and again, you can then adjust your nutrition habits accordingly.

The goal for fruits and vegetables is 7 – 9 servings per day, and 10+ for longevity. This chart will also help you determine if you are getting the right amount of servings every day to live a long and healthy life.

Remember, I am always here to help! If you have any questions that you would like to run by me, I am always open for a chat. Find me here!

 

Eating for Energy

March 9, 2022

How’s your sleep?

It’s a question I ask every client when we first start working on their nutrition goals. It’s a funny one to ask because almost everyone answers it like this ‘Good! I think…well I’m not sure.’ My follow-up question is then ‘Do you wake up feeling rested?’ and 99% of the time the answer is no.

Seven to nine hours of sleep per night is what is recommended for your health. But the important piece that is missing from that statement is how rested you feel upon waking up, and how is your energy throughout the day. In this week’s blog I will tackle the much needed topic of eating for energy.

There are two main pieces to the puzzle when discussing eating for energy. The first is getting our insulin levels in check and the second is eating specific foods to help fight off fatigue and increase our energy. Let’s start with insulin.

Insulin is an anabolic hormone, meaning it likes to build things. And not great things like muscle, rather it likes to build things like belly fat and cancer. Getting our insulin balanced is key to ensure we do not become insulin resistant. If that happens, excess glucose in the blood reduces the ability of our cells to absorb and use blood sugar for energy.

If left untreated, insulin resistance can lead to a host of chronic diseases including Type 2 diabetes, strokes, obesity, chronic heart disease, breast and colon cancer, depression and dementia just to name a few. When we balance our insulin, we avoid blood sugar level highs and crashes, in turn leveling out our energy as well.

Secondly, there are various foods that we should include in our nutrition regimen to help keep our energy on point. Caffeine and naps shouldn’t be what keeps you going. And in fact, shouldn’t be needed at all if you are getting adequate, quality sleep and are eating the right foods.

There are specific foods that are important when talking about eating for energy. Here are my top ten for you to definitely include:

  1. Whole foods – we want to stick with whole and avoid overly processed foods as these will slow you down with the trans fats, additives, sodium, and preservatives
  2. Fresh fruit and veggies – so nutrient dense and great for energy overall
  3. Non-caffeine bevvies – caffeine gives an up and down energy vibe
  4. Lean proteins or veg-based proteins – added saturated fats in meats slows down the digestive process giving you less energy for other bodily functions
  5. Whole grains and complex carbs – these will give your body the energy to fulfill all functions – not just physical activity but things like your heart pumping and brain working
  6. Nuts and seeds – best thing for fatigue! Variety is key and raw and unsalted is best
  7. Water – this helps facilitate the energetic processes of the body in turn boosting energy
  8. Bananas – potassium, fiber, and vitamins pack a punch for lots of natural energy boosting needs
  9. Oats – filling fiber and protein help regulate insulin levels
  10. Chia seeds – give prolonged energy due to carb content, healthy fats and fiber

It is important to remember that decisions that we make throughout the day affect our health not only short term but long term as well. When we consciously choose foods that are going to positively affect our bodies, create nighttime habits and routines that positively affect our sleep, and choose activity that positively affects our minds and bodies, we will do much better not only today, but for many years to come. There is no quick fix when it comes to your health. Your health is in the daily decisions that you make. Choose wisely.

Interested in learning more? Check out Andrea’s Nutrition Coaching Programs here! 

Our Best Health Tips for 2022

December 29, 2021

 

Another new year is upon us. While neither of us are big fans of ‘new year’s resolutions’ per say, it is a great time to reflect on how your previous 365 days went. Looking at what goals you achieved and the time to lay out a strong foundation of positivity, health and happiness for the next trip around the sun.

While you are looking at the year ahead, we encourage you to make room for yourself and your health. Often people don’t make their health a priority until they have a shake up or a scare about their personal health and wellness. By then, it can often be too little, too late. So, to help you on your path to personal health, we have created our top ten tips for a healthier you in 2022.

  1. Make sleep a priority – sleep plays an integral role in your physical and mental health. When you sleep, it gives your body a chance to relax and heal your cells, including your heart and blood vessels. It also gives your brain a chance to reboot and help improve concentration and productivity.
  2. Take care of your brain – our brain takes up 5% of our body weight but uses 20% of our energy. Sounds like a ‘no brainer’ to take care of your brain, but what do you consciously do daily to ensure brain health is a priority? Playing brain games every day such a Luminosity, a game of cards or chess, or playing an instrument will all help exercise your brain. The foods we eat can also really make a difference. Blueberries, green tea, dark chocolate, avocados, pumpkin seed, eggs, walnuts, broccoli and oily fish are all great brain foods.
  3. Be active on some level every day – Dan Buettner studies the ‘Blue Zones’ around the world, which are areas in which there are a higher than average number of people living into their 100’s. The commonalities between the people living there is what he studies. Time and time again, people who are active every day live a longer, healthier life. That doesn’t mean you have to go hard at the gym two hours every day. That means getting out for a walk every day, taking the stairs instead of the elevator, walking to the store instead of driving, puttering around your veggie garden in the summer sun. Get moving and enjoy it!
  4. Increase your fruit and veggie intake to 7 – 9 servings per day – the anti-inflammatory diet is one that we absolutely recommend. This way of eating calls for a significant amount of daily fruit and vegetables. One serving is approximately the size of your palm. The goal is 7 – 9 per day. If you’re just starting out and one is where you are at, take things slowly. Gradually work your way to that goal. Fruits and veggies are imperative to a long, healthy life.
  5. Decrease your meat intake – we’re not here to make everyone a vegetarian or vegan. That is a personal decision only you can make. But what we can say is that by reducing your meat intake, you will be healthier, and so will our planet. To be clear, ‘meat’ is defined as any animal that used to live – chicken too! People often ask ‘does that mean chicken too?’. Yes! Replace your meat intake with fish and seafood, beans and lentils, tofu and soy products. Meat will slow down your digestive system, in turn slowing down your immune system. It has also been shown to cause chronic inflammation, heart disease and cancer.
  6. Eat beans every day – yes, we said it! Beans and lentils might be the one thing that most people don’t eat on the daily, but really should. From chickpeas to black beans to kidney beans – they are all great. A terrific source of protein, great for the digestive system and repairing your gut health, beans should be included in your day, every day. Hummus and veggies, black bean soup, or a mixed bean salad are some of our favorite ways to sneak it all in.
  7. Eat more fish – aim for 2 – 6 times per week. Again, with the anti-inflammatory diet, this is one that we highly recommend. Fish is great for your digestive system, heart, brain, blood – everything! Eating more fish will get your health and wellness on track. Be sure to not deep fry or soak it in sauce…fish is best baked or grilled for optimal health benefits.
  8. Laugh more – seriously. This one is so important. Let’s be honest, we have had a lot of reasons to not laugh in the last two years. Depression and mental health issues are truly at an all-time high. But laughing really is good for your health. From lowing your blood pressure to boosting your T-cells, laughing really is the best medicine.
  9. Make time for friends, family and connections – as we age, our brains begin to shrink just like every other muscle in our body. To help combat this, social connection is imperative. The studies of the Blue Zones also note the importance of friendships and social connection. Whether you are meeting friends through church, volunteering, work or your neighbourhood, having time carved out for a social element is really important. Friends can help us lower our stress, have a laugh, feel connected. It is easy to let this not be a priority – be sure to make it one.
  10. Know your numbers – most people know how tall they are and how much they weigh, but the really important numbers they are left not knowing. Numbers that are really important for you to know, and ensure they are at a good place, include your blood pressure, resting heart rate, blood sugar and hormone levels. You should be going to see your doctor annually for a check-up (yes, EVERY year!) and ensure that you get blood work done to check these numbers as well as to ensure your vitamin and mineral numbers are all up to snuff. Sometimes the simplest of things can cause us to feel energy depleted or be getting sleepless nights. Know your numbers.

We truly hope your 2022 is your best year yet. If you are looking to take your nutrition to the next level, you should join Andrea from our team for the Best You Nutrition Reset starting on January 9. For more information and to register, see here.

Best You Nutrition Reset

November 10, 2021

Without our health, what do we really have? It’s a question I have been pondering a lot lately. I recently spoke to a group of national team managers for a large Canadian company about what “healthy” means to them. To each individual, it really means something different. And that can definitely change as we age. What healthy means to you in your 30s is probably not the same in your 40s, 50s and 60s. The changes in our life go hand and glove with our priorities, and that includes the priority of health.

For this reason, I have developed an excellent program about the key pillars of health. This online and live program is launching in January of 2022, and I honestly can’t wait to deliver it. The four week Best Your Nutrition Reset will teach you how to modify your eating and lifestyle habits to supercharge your health. While teaching you how to have a healthy relationship with food, additional benefits you can expect include weight loss, increased energy, better sleep, feeling healthy again and much more. The time is NOW to reset, renourish and reclaim your health!

Details:
Dates: Sundays in January – January 9, 16, 23 and 30, 2022.
Time: 12pm CST
Where: Zoom!
Cost: $159 for ALL FOUR SESSIONS!
Tickets: Purchase on Eventbrite here

I have carefully chosen four topics that I know are the most important for a long, healthy and happy life. Topics include:

     1. Digestive Health
     2. Weight Loss
     3. Hormone Balancing
     4. Immunity Health

But it is more than just four group sessions. I am truly dedicated to help you achieve your health and nutrition goals for 2022. I will work along side you, in the trenches, smashing those goals and feeling great again. I will do that by also including:

     • 25 minute one-on-one coaching call with me
     • Weekly Emails including Session Notes, Weekly Tasks, Recipes, Recommended Readings and More
     • The BYN Food & Mood Journal, an effective tool to help track your journey to greater health

Wondering what this is really all about? Here are more details about each session to help you decide if this is the program you have been waiting for.

Session 1 – Digestive Health
The two keys to a long, healthy life are a clean digestive system and a strong immune system. Our digestive system is in charge of providing all of the nutrients that we eat to our cells, organs, muscles and more. It needs to be an absolute priority when talking about your health. This session will teach you how the digestive system works, how it affects your stress levels and mental health, and leave you with tactical ways to repair your gut lining so that bloating, gas, digestive upset and all the rest of it is a thing of the past.

Session 2 – Weight Loss
News flash! The idea that all you need to do is eat less and workout more DOES NOT WORK for weight loss! This old-age way of thinking has been myth busted. This session will teach you what really DOES work, how our bodies’ weight gain and loss system works in conjunction with our insulin levels, how stress affects our weight, and how to turn your body into a fat burner instead of a sugar burner. This session is truly a game changer!

Session 3 – Hormone Balancing
Hormone imbalance symptoms can include unexplained weight gain, acne breakouts, fatigue, changes in sex drive, depression, joint pain, and irritability. Ensuring women are understanding what role nutrition plays in the balancing of their hormones is key. But when was the last time a healthcare professional talked to you about your hormones? The time is now to understand what role your hormones play in your physical and mental wellness and how food can help balance it all.

Session 4 – Immunity Health
Our immune system is our body’s natural defense system against foreign invaders such as colds, flus, viruses and disease. A strong immune system is key to both short term and long term health. Is yours in check? This session will teach you about the best (and worst!) food and lifestyle choices you can make to strengthen your immunity. Don’t we all want to live a long, happy and healthy life? This session can help you do it.

The passion I have for my clients and the nutrition work that I do really makes me feel connected to the world. I am on a really terrific path of health and happiness  and I want YOU to join me. If you think you’re ready to do it, please join me for the Best You Nutrition Reset and book your spot today here.

Your Healthy Liver and Why It is SO Important

July 11, 2021

Your liver. You need it to live…but do you know why? The main purpose of your liver is to clean your blood, digest your food and rid your body of toxic substances. We want our liver to get rid of things as quickly as possible, but how quickly that happens can largely depend on your lifestyle choices.

Here is how your liver works: Raise your arm and have your palm facing you. From your elbow to your palm is the ‘stuff’ your body wants to get rid of, and is the vessel to take it to your liver. Your liver is your palm of your hand. Ideally, your liver will detoxify the waste and excrete it out your fingers. But sometimes there are blockages in your liver that stop things from leaving so quickly. And when the liver can’t get rid of things quickly enough and is being overworked, it will slow down and recycle things into the blood. The items that are recycled into the blood are estrogen and cholesterol. If this is happening often or for a long period of time, hormone imbalance and high blood pressure can be the result.

A big sign about how well your liver is working is through a fatty liver test with your doctor. If you liver enzymes are high. Elevated liver enzymes often indicate inflammation or damage to cells in the liver.

Another important thing to keep note of is your bowel movements. You should be having well formed, easy to pass bowel movements one to two times per day.

Signs that you liver might need some extra love include: fluid retention, skin breakouts, sore/red/stingy eyes, waking up between 2am – 4am and being extra hot, lumpy breasts that swell around your period, PMS, always being really hungry, not hungry for breakfast and always craving coffee in the morning, digestive issues, increased body fat and cellulite in ‘new’ places, poor energy, more short tempered than usual.

Now that we understand the basics of the liver, what can you do to make it function optimally for your body? Here are a few things that can negatively affect your liver:

  • Alcohol
  • Caffeine
  • Over-the-counter medications
  • Over prescribed medications
  • Pesticides
  • Cosmetics
  • Trans Fats
  • Refined sugar
  • Viruses
  • Cholesterol
  • Estrogen

From a nutritional point of view, there are lots of things we can add to our diet to help. Nutrient dense food is really important for liver health. Salmons, berries, beets, spinach and quinoa just to name a few. Here is a list of specific foods we should be adding to our days for optimal liver health:

  • Beets
  • Beetroot juice
  • Phytoestrogens like flaxseed and whole organic soy
  • Dandelion tea
  • Nettle tea
  • Lemon
  • Coffee (in balance)
  • Grapefruit
  • Blueberries
  • Cranberries
  • Grapes
  • Broccoli
  • Brussel sprouts
  • Fatty fish such as salmon
  • Olive oil
  • Nuts
  • Turmeric
  • Ginger
  • Supplements to include:
    • Chlorella
    • Vitamin E
    • Milk thistle supplement

So there you have it. Like with any nutrition changes you are taking on, it is always a good idea to speak with your doctor or health care practitioner to ensure it is right for you!

Interested in learning more? Check out some of my nutrition programs here!

 

What’s Your Health IQ?

April 26, 2021

You may not a be health expert, but you do have some idea about what “healthy” is, right? Or do you? Health information can be tricky – there are so many conflicting opinions, new information shared, “diets” or ways of eating, recommendations from government and other professionals or experts. How do you know what is right and what is just smoke? This True or False Quiz will have you answer some basic questions about health. Not trends or specific personalized recommendations but general things about health that everyone should know.

1) Vegans tend to be deficient in protein and iron as they do not consume any animal products.
2) Carbs, like rice and potatoes, make you fat.
3) Everyone should take a multivitamin.
4) Eating potatoes are healthy – regardless of how they are cooked.
5) Stress can stop you from losing weight.
6) Red wine is healthy.
7) Hormones are only important as they relate to women and menopause.
8) Adults need 6 hours of sleep per night to be healthy.
9) Sugar is sugar. It is all the same.
10) Meditation is a complicated practice that requires a minimum of 60 minutes per day to be effective as a way to reduce stress.
11) If you have been overweight and sedentary your whole life, getting healthy now will not improve your longevity.
12) Drinking water and staying hydrated is only good for your skin and weight loss.

Here are the answers!

1) FALSE: Although arguable more difficult or inconvenient for those following a vegan diet, vegans have to be vigilant in ensuring they choose foods rich in iron and protein such as dried beans and legumes, dark green leafy vegetables, dried fruits, nuts and seeds, and wholegrain cereals and breads. The key is to ensure there is some present at every meal and snack.

2) FALSE: This has been an ongoing misconception for years. Carbohydrates are actually one of the three main building blocks (macronutrients) that make up all food. Protein and fat are the other two. These macronutrients are essential for the body to function. What is important when you are choosing carbohydrates is what nutrients they have in them – to ensure they are providing the most benefit to yours body.

3) TRUE and FALSE – This one is tricky. It mostly depends on what your diet is like. If you are able to get all of the necessary vitamins and minerals your body needs through food, then you probably don’t need one. However, most people tend not to be as “perfect” in their food intake – let alone have the time to cook all of that food – necessary to check off all of the vitamins and minerals on a daily checklist.

4) FALSE: This one should be easy to answer. HOW food is cooked or prepared is just as important as the type of food you eat. For example, with potatoes, a baked potato (without all of the “fixins” like butter, sour cream, bacon) is much healthier than French fries which are deep-fried and full of saturated fat and sodium.

5) TRUE: Stress can lead to unhealthy stressed induced behaviors such as overeating, exercising less, emotional eating and sleeping less. When our bodies are in chronic stress response, meaning we are stressed about 70% of the time, our cortisol levels are in a constant heightened state. When this happens, are cells are inflamed leading to chronic inflammation. Our body holds onto things, like fat cells, when we are chronically stressed and chronically inflamed. This makes it next to impossible to lose weight when we are chronically stressed out.

6) TRUE: YES! (thank goodness given the past year!) Research suggests that drinking an occasional glass of red wine is good for you. It provides antioxidants, may promote longevity, and can help protect against heart disease and harmful inflammation, among other benefits. Just remember though that this is limited to red wine (not all alcohol) and a glass of wine (5 oz) – not half or full bottle – per day!

7) FALSE: Hormones are so much more that something teenagers are full of and menopausal women wish didn’t exist (ha ha!). Hormones are your body’s chemical messengers. They travel in your bloodstream to tissues and organs to help them do their work. They affect growth and development, metabolism, sexual function and mood. When they are out of balance, they can lead to weak bones, diabetes, weight gain and a list of other problems.

8) FALSE: Sleep is SO important to be healthy. It is recommended that adults need between 7 and 9 hours of sleep per night. Babies, young children, and teens need even more sleep to enable their growth and development. People over 65 should also get 7 to 8 hours per night.

9) FALSE: The biggest different between sugars are “natural sugar” – those found in foods such as fruits and veggies and “added sugar” – those that are added to a food during the manufacturing or cooking process. Natural sugars have fewer calories and less sodium with a higher water and nutrient content than added sugars. Added sugar on the other hand, does not contain protein or fiber, which causes your body to digest them even faster and spike your blood glucose levels which are linked to major health issues.

10) FALSE: A huge stress reducer, meditation is often misunderstood. Meditating doesn’t mean you have to be a hippie or a yogi or a zen master! In fact, the process of meditating is straightforward and easy: simply sit and practice. You can do it anywhere and it can be as quick as 5 minutes. There are many apps such as ‘Calm’ and videos on YouTube that can help you get started. You will be glad you did!

11) FALSE: Don’t let your past define you. It is never too late to make a change to be healthy. Anytime is the best time to make YOU a priority and put your health at the forefront. Be brave. Ask for help. You got this!

12) FALSE: Although drinking plenty of water can help improve skin appearance and weight loss, it does so much more than that. Your body depends on water to survive. Every cell, tissue and organ in your body needs water to work. It is essential to the healthy function of every system in your body, including your heart, brain, and muscles.

 

So? How did you do? If you got all answers correct – amazing! You are well aware of what your body needs for optimum health. If you didn’t get all correct but got most – good job! Keep educating yourself on what you can do to take your health to the next level. If you didn’t answer any correctly or just a few – don’t worry!! The fact that you took this quiz is evidence that you are aware of your own health – which is better than most people. Now you just need to learn more and perhaps get some additional help to get you where you want to go.

No matter where you scored on this quiz, remember no one is perfect. Everyone is at a different stage in their health journey. Congratulations on taking steps like doing this quiz, reading our blog and newsletter and choosing YOU!

If you ever need some more personalized, detailed assistance in your nutrition and healthy lifestyle, contact Andrea at Best You Nutrition.

Keeping Sport Safe – Safe Sport Speaker Series

April 8, 2021

The Canadian Sport Centre Manitoba and FIT Women and Girls are proud to bring together speakers from across Canada for the Keeping Sport Safe – Safe Sport Speaker Series. From May 10 – 20, 2021 you will hear from experts across the country on the issues facing sport in Canada with respect to Safe Sport initiatives. As part of sport administrators and coaches responsibilities for training with respect to Safe Sport in our great country, we have put together the following virtual Speaker Series:

TOPICS & DATES:

UNDERSTANDING THE UNIVERSAL CODE OF CONDUCT TO PREVENT AND ADDRESS MALTREATMENT IN SPORT
What is the Universal Code of Conduct to Prevent and Address Maltreatment in Sport (UCCMS)? What is its purpose? How will it affect you in your role in sport? In this session you will learn the answers to these questions and much more. It will include reviewing and understanding difficult grey areas such as “what is illegal vs. legal but harmful?” Whether you have never heard of the UCC before or are well-versed, this session will be informative and thought provoking.

May 10, 2021 @ 7PM CST

Presented by: TBA

REPORTING
Reporting inappropriate activity is a very sensitive and complex action that requires many processes to be in place. This session will cover questions such as who to report to? What records to keep? What and when to report? Who to disclose to? Where should reports be kept? Come away from this session with tactical steps and best practices to ensure your organization is well prepared in the event of incident reporting. Not only to protect your organization but also to support the athlete or coach reporting.

May 11 @ 12PM CST

Presented by: TBA

BOARD ROLES
This session takes a look at the impact of Safe Sport on Boards. What is the Board’s responsibility? In reporting issues? In policy? What training does your Board need around Safe Sport? What training does your staff need? Come away with this session with a checklist of things you and your organization can do to fall in line with best practices for Safe Sport.

May 12 @ 7PM CST

Presented by: TBA

HIRING PRACTICES
Keeping sport safe requires much more than a clear criminal record check. In this session, you will learn key steps and measures to put in place when looking to hire. From the job description, posting location, hiring committee and screening interview questions, you will be given the tools to equip you to hire the best candidate who will be great fit for your organization.

May 13 @ 12PM CST

Presented by: TBA

TECHNOLOGY & SOCIAL MEDIA
This session delves into the latest trends in dangers of social media and technology. From social media to chat rooms, texts and email, learn what is appropriate, what is not and what may seem like grey areas. Come away with tactical measures to put in place in order to protect yourself as a coach, your athletes and your organization. Also learn how to navigate “healthy touch” and how to use technology and social media as a catalyst to build positive and healthy coach-athlete relationships.

May 17 @ 12PM CST

Presented by: Winnipeg Police Services

GREY AREA BEHAVIOURS
Sometimes things may not be as clearly laid out as “appropriate” or “inappropriate” when it comes to safe sport. These “grey area” behaviours and circumstances are the ones with which we need the most help to navigate through. Using concrete examples and case studies, learn how to deal with these situations as a coach, athlete, parent and organization.

May 18 @ 7pm CST

Presented by: TBA

DIVERSITY, EQUITY & INCLUSION
Most sport organizations would say that they support diversity, equality and inclusion. However, is it just words? Learn what practical actions and steps you can take to be seen as an organization that welcomes and wants all people. That having a diverse and inclusive sport isn’t just about having a variety of people from different backgrounds, cultures and lifestyles for the sake of it. Believing that diversity and inclusion are what will enhance and grow the organization. Learn what you can do to make your sport or club more welcoming to different groups, not only for athletes and parents but for Board members and staff as well. Leave with a checklist to see where your organization is in terms of DEI and what you can do to improve it.

May 19 @ 12pm CST

Presented by: TBA

SAFE SPORT BEYOND POLICY
Once you have all of your boxes checked off and best practices in place, what else can you do to promote Safe Sport? What type of culture do you need to ensure a safe sport environment? How do you create this culture? How do we get more people to understand what the issues are that face sport in this arena and why is it important? As a parent, what should you look for when choosing a sport or activity for your child? What can administrators and coaches do to discourage “predators” from seeking out their sport/organization? This session tackles these questions and you will feel empowered with the knowledge to make changes to ensure sport is safe for all.

May 20 @ 7PM CST

Presented by: Jeff Powell & Sandi Kirby

All sessions for the Keeping Sport Safe – Safe Sport Speaker Series will be held virtually through Zoom. By attending 3 session, you are eligible to receive 3 NCCP points.

Each session will be approximately 45 minutes in length, followed by a Zoom question and answer and discussion period for approximately 20 – 30 minutes with the speaker and those attending through Zoom.

For ticket prices and to register, please click here!

Three Key Tips to a Healthy YOU

February 14, 2021

Nutrition is perhaps the only science that can have conflicting information about the same topic from source to source. It is constantly evolving and changing. One year everyone is swearing off eggs, the next they’re good for you. Remember when margarine was good for you?! Wow. There’s a new fad diet out every year that promises to be ‘the one’. There seems to be a new shake, pill or wrap every few months that has huge promises and the only consistent thing about them is that they over promise and under deliver every single time. It’s hard to navigate, know what is what, and not totally just throw your hands up in the air and say F it to all of it.

But hey, I’m here to give you some light at the end of the nutrition dark tunnel. Here’s the thing – there isn’t a quick fix. It’s never going to happen that way, so please stop trying to find it. #SorryNotSorry. It takes time to put the weight on, have unhealthy habits that create issues in your body, and for your energy to be depleted. In turn, it takes time to reverse these not-so-great things and get your weight where you want it, your health in check and your energy on high drive.

All that said, there is so much information out there, where do you even start? What should you be concentrating on when it comes to health? There are three main areas that I stress with all of my nutrition clients:

Digestive Health

Immunity Health

Anti-inflammatory Health

You digestive system is key to health and longevity. It is how your system brings in nutrients to your body, delivers them to your cells and organs, and ensures you are nourished from head to toe. If it is not working in tip top shape, you will experience a host of issues including gas, bloating, constipation, upset stomach, diarrhea, feeling full and sluggish after eating, etc. Long term, this can result in chronic pain and disease. A healthy digestive system has you feeling light, pain free and a non-bloated or a flat(ish) stomach.

There is much you can do to improve your digestive health, but overall, my top three tips are:

  1. Remove – Pay attention to your body. Notice what foods are causing you digestive issues and remove those items. An elimination diet to determine this is something I always recommend to clients when working on nutrition habits.
  2. Replace – replace those items you have removed from your diet with foods that are high in probiotics and prebiotics. Supplementing with a good quality probiotic and digestive enzymes is also really important.
  3. Repair – it’s all about repairing your gut health. With the right foods and supplements specific to you and your system, you are on your way to a clean and productive digestive system.

Immunity health is a total buzz topic since Covid-19. To ensure a strong immune system, there is much you can do from a nutrition and lifestyle perspective. Staying active, having positive relationships, and getting seven to nine hours of sleep per night, are all great habits for your immune system. From a nutrition stand point, the same plan from above to Remove, Replace and Repair works here as well. I would also add to increase foods that are high in glutamine (think cabbage, beets, spinach) and add an ounce of raw organic apple cider vinegar to your morning water.

Lastly, eating an anti-inflammatory, also known as the Mediterranean Diet, is something I can’t stop talking about. Chronic, sustained inflammation is linked to an increased risk of diseases like diabetes, heart disease, depression, anxiety, cancer and obesity. An anti-inflammatory diet can not only help lower your risk to these chronic diseases, but can also help with improvement of symptoms of arthritis, inflammatory bowel syndrome, lupus, and other autoimmune disorders. And the great thing? It is a delicious way to eat. Interestingly, the foods you eat can significantly affect inflammation in your body.

The key elements eating this way are:

  1. 6 – 8 servings of fruits and vegetables every day.
  2. Replace animal protein with plant protein, beans and lentils, whole organic soy products every day.
  3. Increase your good fats every day, such as coconut or olive oil, avocados, nuts and seeds.
  4. Eat fish 2 – 6 times per week.
  5. A little bit of dark chocolate and red wine are great too!

The thing that I love to stress when working with nutrition clients is that it’s not about sacrificing all the things that you love nor restricting yourself when it comes to nutrition. It’s really about finding the foods that work best for your body and eating more of those. You don’t need to count every morsel of food, measure things constantly or use an app to simply have a meal. Eating nutrient dense food is key. Drinking lots of water is key. Eating foods that make you feel good is key. And having a sense of joy when you cook and eat is key. If you want to see long-term results in your health, it is imperative to understand what foods are best for you – the individual. What works for me might not work for you, so a cookie cutter approach or diet fad simply won’t work.

My advice? Pay attention to your body. Know what works and what doesn’t for you physical and mental health when it comes to food. And when you’re ready, talk to an expert about getting a plan that will get you and keep you on the right track.

If you’re interested in learning more about my nutrition programs, check out some of my current programs here!  Would love to help you get started on your journey to a healthier you.

Will Amateur Sports Recover After COVID?

January 11, 2021

Simply put, if a sport or activity was facing participation issues before the pandemic hit, recovering registration numbers will be a slow process. And with only 38% of girls participating in sport, female sports is going to be a slow comeback.

Currently, both in-school and after school sports are on hold in our province. Complete seasons have been cancelled in almost every sport, and could potentially face this for a second round in 2021. Kids are not only missing out on the exercise, fun and comradery that sports brings, but the high school level athlete is potentially missing out on scouting opportunities and scholarships for Fall 2021.

It has been said ‘we’re all in the same boat’ when talking about Covid. We’re perhaps in the same storm, but definitely not in the same boat. Same goes for sports. From a recreational and club level standpoint, sport has seen a decline of up to 97% in participation and membership in some sports. The physical and mental health benefits from sport to Canadian society cannot ever be underestimated.

Let’s look at Swimming for example. According to Swimming Canada, “With restricted access to pools, approximately only 30 per cent of all swimming clubs have reached their 2019-20 registration numbers. Slightly more than half the clubs have seen at least 75 per cent of their membership return. Swimming Canada membership numbers are at just under half of what is normally seen in October of each season (September and October are key months to swimming members returning to the sport).”

With 282,000 individual training sessions completed, there has not been any recorded or reported transmissions at a club or university swimming training session.

Recreational, club and university swimming are often likened to a feeder system for high-performance programming in sports. The younger swimmers are the future of the sport – they are the future Olympians and Paralympians for our country. If we miss two years of recreational sport now, does a 2024 or 2028 Olympic hopeful team exist? This is a critical issue for the future of sport and could impact Canada as a nation.

As we all know, the 2020 Olympic Games were postponed to Summer 2021. 2016 saw one of the most successful Olympics for the sport of Swimming our country has ever seen. Penny Oleksiak broke the Canadian record for most medals (4) won by a single Canadian athlete in any Summer Olympic Games and was the youngest ever Canadian gold medalist. The six medals won by Team Canada in swimming was the most since the 1984 Olympics. The sport was on a high…and for the 2021 Team Canada hopefuls, there is much in question about what will happen for not only the future of the sport, but for their own road to the Olympics.

Winnipeg’s own Kelsey Wog is currently ranked in the top two for swimming in Canada. Her races, 200 Breaststroke and 200 Individual Medley, have the chance of landing her a spot on the Canadian Olympic Team this Spring. She has been dreaming about this moment since 2016. For any high-performance athlete in any year, the dedication and work ethic needed to succeed is off the charts. During a world-wide pandemic, things have taken on a new set of issues.

“All the uncertainty is the most difficult thing, not being able to know if I will have access to a pool or training facility tomorrow.  It has also been tough on (all) athletes because Olympic years’ are special and everyone puts everything into them, and now athletes are needing to put everything into this year again, yet it may not be possible to do because of Covid restrictions, so that is stressful and mentally draining.”

While continuing to train when she can, Wog has managed to trust the process and continue to strive towards her Team Canada goals. But it isn’t always easy.

“Having confidence and believing that you can do it while trusting the process, knowing you have given it your best effort and that you are prepared.  I have really struggled with confidence and believing in myself that I can do it, and this is something that I have worked on.  For me to me believe in myself, I needed to be confident in the work I had put into training, and trust that I have done everything that I possibly could to be ready for the race,” says Wog.

Wog is a huge proponent for girls in sport, and wants to see every young girl try the sports that excite them. Her support network, including her coaching team, family and friends, has been there for her every step of the way, which has helped her navigate this strange time as an athlete. The encouragement from her parents has been, what she feels, key to her success.

While there isn’t an easy answer as to how sport is to get through this time in history, it is important for us to understand that missing sports is a big issue for our country right now. We miss cheering on our Jets, watching the road to the Olympics for some of our hometown favorites, cheering our daughters on at their volleyball games. It is part of our culture and something that brings us together as a community. We need to ensure that we put in a valiant effort for the return to sport as a province and as a country, and do our best to keep ourselves and our kids active so the return to sport won’t be a question of if, but rather when.

5 Steps to Improve Your Digestive System and Strengthen Your Immunity

November 13, 2020

I must admit, as an Integrative Nutrition Coach, two things that I am a smidge obsessed with are digestive health and immunity health. The greatest part is that they totally go hand in hand. The reason is because 70% of our immune system is found IN our digestive system. In turn, if you want a stronger immune system, (and really, who doesn’t?) the key can be found in your gut.

Digestive health is something I am super passionate about working on with my nutrition clients. It affects the way we feel physically – think bloating, gas, indigestion, constipation, diarrhea; it affects the way we are feeling emotionally – anxiety, depression and mental health are all connected to our gut health; it affects our energy levels – always feeling tired, sluggish, low energy or just not in the mood for life. If these are issues that you are dealing with, I am hosting a Virtual Digestive Health Workshop and would love for you to join. See here for more info! 

When the microbiome in our gut is balanced with good bacteria, it boosts immunity, prevents disease, and supports emotional well-being. There is such a strong connection with our digestive health and our brain, including overall emotional and mental health. In this week’s blog I wanted to give you my five best actionable tips to get your digestive system on track, and help you on your way to a healthier life!

  1. Take a good quality probiotic. This will provide good bacteria to your tummy setting you up for success. Taken first thing in the morning with water on an empty stomach is what I would suggest. Probiotics can be taken by babies, kids, adults and seniors and I would encourage probiotics to be the taken at all ages and stages of life. My favorite? Pearls Acidophilus by Nature’s Way.
  2. Increase your intake of probiotic and prebiotic foods. I am a huge fan of the concept of ‘crowding out’ when it comes to our nutrition. By this I mean not thinking of all the things that you CAN’T have, but rather all the amazing foods you can add in. In turn, the good food fills your plate and your day and there is no room left for the not-so-good stuff. You crowd it out! For probiotic, think kimchi, yogurt, quinoa, kombucha and artichokes…lots of that ‘pickled’ kinda vibe foods. When it comes to prebiotics, we’re loading up on fiber, fruit and veggies. Some of the best are onions, garlic, bananas and blueberries.
  3. Take Digestive Enzymes. In the beginning, you will want to take one of these before every meal, but once your digestive enzymes are all caught up and working for you, you’ll only need them once in a while. Before a heavy meal or before you eat something you usually don’t – like a dinner out or something off the beaten path of what you usually eat.
  4. Drink up the Apple Cider Vinegar – this is one of my favorite items to really help with your digestive system. While it is definitely a flavour to get used to, diluted raw organic apple cider vinegar will have your tummy and your immune system happy as a clam. A little goes a long way, so about an ounce diluted in water first thing in the morning will really help you out.
  5. Increase your intake of foods with Glutamine. These foods include beets (which by the way, are pretty much the Earth’s gift to humans in my books!), spinach, cabbage and parsley.

You may notice I didn’t talk about what to REMOVE from your nutrition plate to help with your digestive system. There are a few obvious ones such as sugar, refined carbohydrates, and soda. But there might be quite a few other foods that you may need to remove to improve your digestion. We are all bio-individuals, meaning what works for me might not work for you. For example, eating Greek yogurt might be great for my digestive system, but wreak havoc on yours. With so much in nutrition we have to do what works and feels best to us as individuals.

Remember, if you want to learn more about getting your digestive system on your side with the help of food, join me at my upcoming virtual Digestive Health Workshop!