Event Description: This informal workshop is designed to educate women affected by or at the risk of developing diabetes. This workshop will teach you about diabetes prevention, management and care for a healthier lifestyle. Participants will receive refreshments, TTC tokens and a FREE pass to the Yoga Show (March 22-24) at the Metro Toronto Convention Centre.

Where: Women’s Health in Women’s Hands Community Health Centre - 2 Carlton Street, Suite 500, Toronto ON, M5B 1J3

Click here to REGISTER TODAY! Limited spots available!

1. Avocado – try adding this to your smoothie for a really creamy treat. This healthy fat simply makes you feel good.

2. Water – when we’re dehydrated everything slows down, way down.  Can’t stand the taste of water?  Try adding some fruit or a splash of food grade peppermint oil into your water for a pick me up.

3. Lemons – studies show that when you smell a lemon, your mood improves.  Try adding some lemon to your water or salad dressing.

4. Asparagus – one of the top plant-based sources of tryptophan.  Tryptophan is the basis for the creation of serotonin, one of the brain’s primary mood-regulating neurotransmitters.

5. Sun – You know that great feeling you get from being in the sun?  That’s where we get vitamin D.  No sun?  Try supplementing with Vitamin D – which should always be taken with a fat so look for vitamin D mixed with your Omega 3s or Vitamin D drops emulsified in an oil.

Have you noticed that a piece of dark chocolate can hit the spot?  Why is that? It’s not because of the sugar and caffeine but because of the magnesium. Magnesium relaxes us and helps us deal with stress.

Our brains need nutrients and fuel to make us feel good and that includes healthy fats. After all, more than 60% of our brain is made up of fat.   Include avocados, nuts and seeds or supplement with a great Omega 3.

What else can you do to boost your mood? Eat regularly.  Keeping your blood sugar levels balanced will also help to keep you in a good mood.  So go ahead and have a snack.  Need a quick pick me up?  Skip the coffee and enjoy some peppermint tea…and don’t forget to make some time to exercise and get those endorphins flowing.

How about you? Share your ideas with me. I love getting feedback! And don’t forget to leave a link back to your own blog as well if you have one, via the commentluv feature here on the site.

Until next time,

Andria

Some foods are extremely high in antioxidants. Here’s a great poster explaining the foods that you can consume on a regular basis to reverse the signs of aging and lower the risk of chronic diseases such as cancer, heart disease, and diabetes.

Photo source: http://weheartit.com/entry/13866978#

Food can either have a positive or negative effect on your blood sugar.

Foods with a positive effect on your blood sugar are:

• Healthy fats,
• Flax,
• Chia,
• Oats,
• Quinoa, and
• Kale

Foods with a negative effect on blood sugar include:

• Refined sugar,
• Processed foods,
• Juice

Here are a few recommendations:

• Eat small, frequent meals
• Include Omega 3s
• Eat your veggies and berries
• Use cinnamon
• Increase fiber intake
• Exercise regularly

My Grandmother passed away last year due to complications of Type 2 Diabetes. These complications may include heart disease, kidney failure, blindness and may even lead to amputation. Type 2 Diabetes is a lifestyle disease.  I know that diet and exercise can have a positive impact on your blood sugars  as I’ve seen it over and over again working with my clients.

My Grandmother loved to eat sweet potatoes and coconuts so I put the two together and created a snack in her honour and to help raise money for Diabetes Awareness.  I have partnered up with Jennifer Lippa to raise money and awareness about this chronic disease.  Please take a look at this short video and if you have any questions or need any nutrition advice, please contact me.

Do you have a favourite diabetic recipe to share? I’d love to hear from you. And don’t forget to leave a link back to your own blog if you have one via the commentluv feature here on the site.

Until next time,

Andria

I will be live on BlogTalkRadio with Green Minutes Canada tomorrow at 6pm EST discussion management of relationships and stress! Tune in tomorrow at 6, free! All you have to is come to this link at 6pm sharp, and listen Here’s the link:

http://www.blogtalkradio.com/greenminutes/2012/08/28/relationship-and-stress-talk-and-twittercall-in-questions

Whether it’s sensible meal planning, tips in the kitchen or almost anything else related to food, I can help! Please have a look through the site and drop me a line, I look forward to working with you.

My Food Philosophy

• No fake sugars
• Only use sea salt
• No “instant” anything e.g. instant soup, instant coffee
• Eat fruit, instead of drinking fruit juice
• If I wouldn’t eat it, I probably shouldn’t put it on my skin
• No “diet” food, fake food or “lite” food
• No artificial colours or flavours
• If I can’t pronounce it, I don’t want to eat it
• Use lots of seasonings and spices to jazz up the meal
• Be suspicious of anything screaming a label claim on the front of the package – When was the last time an Avocado screamed at you?
• No MSG
• Avoid “Fat –Free” foods .  Our brain is made up of fat and we need Essential Fatty Acids
• Limit fried foods, instead bake, boil, steam and especially eat RAW
• Avoid/Limit using canned foods – most contain BPA
• Avoid processed  foods – white pasta, rice, flour or sugar
• If you eat meat, try free range, hormone free and wild
• If you eat fish – aim for wild and sustainably caught
• Eat colourful foods – always
• Half of the plate should be covered in veggies
• Eat Raw foods
• Soak your beans and soak your nuts
• Coconuts – in every way – all the time (sugar, flour, milk, aminos, syrup, butter)
• Eat while sitting down & that includes while drinking smoothies – what’s the rush?
• Eating local should be your first choice – try to support local farmers and Farmer Markets
• Omega 3s – every day.  I love NutraSea Fish Oil.
• Embrace healthy fats – olive oil, avocado, coconut oil, hemp, flax
• No, No GMO
• And most important, if my grandmother didn’t eat it, I’m going to think twice about eating it too

What’s your Food Philosophy?  Feel free to drop me a line to let me know info@AndriaBarrett.com