Empowering Fitness

09/02/2013

For those of you that enjoy Yoga, this is a fantastic article to raise awareness and practice with educated wisdom:
http://blog.corewalking.com/ten-reasons-yoga-might-be-bad-for-you/

Ten reasons yoga might be bad for you isn’t a list of reasons not to do yoga. It is intended to encourage people to do yoga consciously.

07/26/2013

Things that marketing doesn't tell you...nor want you to know!
http://topinfopost.com/2013/07/10/10-american-foods-that-are-banned-in-other-countries

Americans are slowly waking up to the sad fact that much of the food sold in the US is far inferior to the same foods sold in other nations. In fact, many of the foods you eat are BANNED in ...

04/08/2013

What’s right for YOU?

Scientific studies have proven the many benefits of each of the innumerable “ways of eating”. These “ways of eating” offer a wide range of high this, low that, no this, more that. Some of these “ways of eating” include the following: Veganism, supported from data gathered and examined from The China Study (also covered in the documentary, Forks and Knives); Dr. Joseph Mercola’s No-Grain Diet; Dr. Adkins’ New Diet Revolution (low-carb); the 1980’s low-fat method; and The Zone 40-30-30. All of these “ways of eating” supply a list of promises and benefits, along with a description of what to eliminate, why it’s important, and what can happen if you don’t. Benefits typically include things such as improved blood levels, weight loss, reduced chance of disease or heart attack, energy improvement, reduction in medication needs, heightened vitality, etc. Conversely, scientific studies have also proven how deadly each one of these “ways of eating” can be as well. So what is one to eat? With one diet saying no grain, another one no meat protein or dairy, yet another one little to no fruit and carbohydrates, and still the next saying no fat …. what in the world is left to eat?!

Putting yourself in any of these diet “boxes”—whichever one you choose—usually (eventually) plays against you in some way. No body is exactly the same. No body functions optimally on the same food. This is why it is so important to take each “way of eating” and see what works for your individual body, and not become a slave to what a book, documentary, or scientific study concludes…regardless of how impressive the data and presentation may appear.

Perhaps it’s time to really see what your body has need of to function at it’s best, reach and maintain natural weight, and move about with freedom and vitality.

Stop dieting, and get to the bottom of what your body is calling for.

Carole Griggs, Ph.D/c

03/23/2013

Something to be aware of about the future of your food..

http://action.fooddemocracynow.org/sign/stop_the_monsanto_protection_act_seize_congress/

We regret to inform you, but today Congress succeeded in passing Section 735, aka the Monsanto Protection Act, in the Continuing Resolution spending bill. Once again, Monsanto and the biotech industry have used their lobbying power to undermine your basic rights.

02/20/2013

Unhealthy Gut, Unhappy You
By Carole Griggs, Ph.D/c

When your stomach isn’t healthy and happy, it’s almost a given that you too won’t be very happy. The GI (gastrointestinal) tract is one of the most important systems in the body – it’s like the core engine of your ‘house’. Consuming proper amount and types of food for your particular body and incorporating adequate exercise is generally a great start to the improvement of body composition and one’s overall health and wellness. However, this in and of itself isn’t enough, it doesn’t always work to the degree we’d prefer in terms of reaching our goals. Given that the GI tract is one of the most important systems in the body, problems with the gut can cause a series of (what might appear as) ‘random’ issues or odd symptoms, making it nearly impossible to achieve optimal weight and health despite valiant efforts. Food intolerances, intestinal inflammation, poor digestion (constipation, gas, bloating), inability to absorb nutrients, low back pain, depression, and exhaustion are just a few signals and signs of GI issues, all of which can wreck havoc in your system. Although a very general list, below are a few ways in which you can start to bring your gut back to health and into balance:

- Omit foods causing inflammation
- Add proper digestive enzymes
- Re-balance ph
- Introduce the right kind of probiotics

How healthy is your gut?

02/14/2013

Good info!

http://authoritynutrition.com/11-biggest-lies-of-mainstream-nutrition/

There is a lot of misinformation out there about nutrition, even among authority figures. Here are the top 11 biggest lies, myths and misconceptions.

01/15/2013

The Vicious Cycle of Adrenal Stress
By Carole Griggs, Ph.D/c

Human beings are not built to live in a state of constant stress. When we are in constant stress mode, our adrenal glands kick in high gear to give us the push we need to live through the situation. The problem with this is that our adrenals are meant to give us an energetic boost only when a stressful situation arises, with a release soon there-after, like being chased by a bear and then finding a safe place to rest. The difference between being chased by a bear back in the days, and the types of stress we encounter in the 21st century, is the unrelenting state of constant chase that doesn’t let up. There’s not much release in the common lifestyle of this western world, and with this comes the vicious cycle of mental, physical, and emotional challenges that tend to snowball from one thing to another.

Anytime our adrenals feel there is a bear on our heels from the common daily stresses we take on, it forces our hormonal and neural system to go into a fight or flight state. Thank goodness our bodies have the innate capacity to fight or flight as necessary, however living in this prolonged state will keep you in this hormonal and neural cycle, which can also effect the way you think, your emotional state, your ability to get quality sleep, your creativity, and the clarity in which you make moment-to-moment choices. When in this flight or flight mode, cortisol levels also shift out of balance which can easily lead to weight gain - regardless of nutrient intake and exercise - as a the body holds onto present body fat in this state of survival.

When the adrenals are drained, it’s common to feel sluggish, irritable, emotional, and low on natural energy. This cycle easily leads to over-consumption, lack of exercise, muscle tension, low motivation, etc. It’s in this state that people often reach for stimulants such as caffeine, sugar, energy drinks, and the like to bring them back up to balance. However, as Isaac Newton says, “What goes up must come down”. It’s here that it takes that much more stimulant intake to bring the boy back to balance …and so the cycle goes – soon enough you’ll need mass amounts of coffee, sugar, or stimulant of choice simply to get out of bed and get you going. You can probably see how this pattern might effect your overall system over time. Many people in the western world fall prey to this mode of living …poor diet, lack of sleep, little exercise, not enough hours in the day, no time for rest and recovery, and little time for quiet reflection for overall balanced well-being. Perhaps it’s time to make the necessary changes in this new year, finding new ways to live a healthy life through releasing unnecessary stressors by new habits of eating nourishing foods, engaging in proper exercise, and getting enough rest so to allow the body and mind to live in a natural state of overall vitality.

Carole Griggs, Ph.D/c, 2013

01/11/2013

"Deeply trusting our bodies and circumstances allows us to be with whatever is there, without a specific result or outcome." - Gangaji

12/18/2012

Consumer Awareness - Deceptive Labeling
By Carole Griggs, Ph.D/c

It is really wonderful to see an increased awareness and interest in nutrition and wellness as it relates to one’s overall health and well-being. Consumers are becoming more and more conscious of the ingredients in the foods they put in their bodies, and the direct correlation it can have on one’s overall health. With this greater awareness, many food manufacturers have found ways to conceal ingredients with deceptive labeling, so to keep your dollars coming in.

Since the federal government has not clearly defined regulations for the use of the word “natural”, food companies are often abusing the use of this term and getting away with it. Unfortunately, consumers are the ones that pay the price for this mis-used term. Michele Simon, an author and food-policy expert, says "The word hasn't been defined well enough at all, so for years companies have been able to get away with basically defining it themselves". Despite numerous requests, the FDA has repeatedly declined defining the term “all natural”. So what might be the problem with this? Manufacturers are getting away with utilizing the term “natural”, all while using ingredients such as sodium benzoate (a preservative), genetically modified plants and organisms, and “a spectacular array of unnaturally processed and synthetic ingredients”. Bottom line, the word “natural” means absolutely nothing.

Buying USDA Certified Organic is one way to ensure all ingredients in the foods you are consuming are truly real food from nature, without all the bizarre additives, colors, preservatives, emulsifiers, thickeners, anti-caking or bulking agents, flavorings, or chemical names/words you can’t pronounce. So as you make your way down the isles, be an informed, wise shopper and be aware of the tricky ways in which manufacturers are altering your foods and trying to hide it through popular, fancy words that really don’t mean a whole lot.

12/13/2012

A 39 second video highlighting our "90 Days to Nourishment" program! Ready for a few changes? ..Check it out!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hJ5tNtXH2No

http://www.WaveHouseAthleticClub.com The Nutrition and Wellness Program at Wave House Athletic Club, located in San Diego California, is 90 Days to Nourishme...

11/05/2012

What holds you back from being fully present with the body and noticing all the powerful messages being delivered?

"Consider the possibility that our true and ultimate realization actually lies in and through matter, in and through the body, in and through the earth, and that, to discover, to attain our own enlightenment, we simply have to allow ourselves to be fully and completely embodied." - Reggie Ray

11/02/2012

"Physical fitness isn't just the most important key to a healthy body, it is the basis of dynamic and creative intellectual activity." -JFK

Chaos in the body often increases chaos in the mind and emotions. And, chaos in the mind and emotions often increases chaos in the body. Tending to the body with awareness and care supports the settlement and peace in all areas of our lives.