This year has gone by so quickly & I was very much caught unprepared when my eldest son told me he has only nine days left of school before he goes on study break before his year end exams.

Watching the final episode of Downsize Me tonight, took me back to the journey that this programme has allowed us all to be part of. After 4 years of people being exposed both in their dietary misdemeanors and some very personal aspects of their lives, I think most people have taken aspects of this and grown in knowledge on how we can make the necessary changes and commitment to living much fuller and healthier lives. The final message that Downsize Me left us with, is that it is a journey and lifestyle with some dedication required, only to enhance the true qualities of whom we really are. But we must start today!

At this time of the year as we count down the weeks till Christmas it is easy to lose sight of goals that we may have made earlier in the year, or for some (including myself) only weeks ago, due to the amount we may have to fit in presently. As with any goals we need to find ways to strategically make it happen. If food is your weakness then make sure you have someone to be accountable to, or if it is the exercise that is being skipped then find a buddy to commit to. One of the tidbits that we tell the clients that commit to the Slim Down Shape Up programme, if you do what is recommended 100% of the time you will get 100% of your desired results. Remember to laugh often, play fair, exercise with no limits, dream big, eat to thrive and live well.

The topic for this month’s newsletter is allergies and it is noticeable how many people are suffering from the increase in airborne pollens and allergens currently. A strong and balanced immune system is essential for reducing the aggressive response to these elements and we have some lovely retail products that you may find helpful if this is a problem for you. Check out the yummy food ideas and the recipe of the month, as we are always keen to motivate healthy kitchen activities. If you have some favourite recipes don’t hesitate to share them with us as we are always looking to grow this resource for our client base.

I wish you all a very safe and stress free November and don’t forget to support anyone you know who is bringing back the Mo for Movember… all for a very good cause in the education and prevention of prostate cancer and male related depression.

Kindest regards


Jen

Seasonal Allergies:

Change of season not only brings the warmth of summer sun, the increase in outdoor exercise, heightened moods but unfortunately for some it also brings seasonal allergies.

An allergy occurs when your immune system mistakes something that is normally harmless as being a threat to you (for example, pollen). Because your immune system thinks this “thing” is dangerous, it responds by trying to destroy it, causing much inflammation in the process. People can be allergic to many different things, and you may even be allergic to more than one thing. There are many different types of allergic reactions and the symptoms that you have will often be related to the way you come into contact with your allergen. For example, you may have red and itching skin or hives if you touch something you are allergic to; hay fever or asthma if you breathe in something you are allergic to; tummy pains, vomiting, diarrhoea, itchy skin or hives if you are allergic to a food you have eaten; or you may have a very severe type of allergy called anaphylaxis that affects your whole body.

To assist in reducing the severity of allergies it is important to ensure that the immune system is supported and balanced. The key factors to achieving this is by eating a balanced diet, preferably following blood type suitable foods to further reduce possible inflammatory responses, eliminating sugar, reducing stress levels, regular exercise to manage stress levels and enhance immunity and quality sleep to ensure our body is repairing, detoxifying and regenerating adequately.

Another important factor to immunity is digestive function. If there has been recurrent use of anti biotics in the past, gastro intestinal infection or irritation there is a high chance of the gut being in a state of dysbiosis. Dysbiosis indicates the level of healthy bacteria in our gut (which is essential for adequate immune function) is outweighed by bad bacteria. This can be rectified by a gut restoration program which your naturopath can assist you with. The benefits of this protocol are much more than just improving immune function but assisting with energy, digestive function, weight, and detoxification.

Whilst changing the inner state of your health and immune function with nutrition and lifestyle there are many things that your naturopath can help you with to reduce the severity of your allergies this season. There are supplements which act in a similar way to anti histamines without the potential side effects, at the same time acting to balance the immune function. There is also our new tea which is a big hit, “No sneeze”, just 3 cups of this a day will act to reduce severity and responsiveness to allergies, as well as Kiwi Herbs de-stuff to decongest those sinuses in acute situations.

Tea of the month:

No Sneeze

Herbal teas can be an effective way to control the symptoms of hay fever. Our ‘No Sneeze’ herbalist blend is a specially formulated blend of 3 herbs that all have a specific action on the upper respiratory tract, helping to tone the sinus cavity and reducing the body’s allergic response. Together the herbs in this blend will help to relieve the severity and duration of the symptoms of hay fever and allergic reactions. It is also useful to reduce sinus conditions by reducing congestion and can also help with the symptoms of colds and flus.
 

Retail product for the month:

De Stuff

De-Stuff is a certified organic sinus formula containing Elderflower, Echinacea root, Peppermint and Ribwort. These herbs help promote clear airways, and healthy mucous membranes of the nasal passages and sinuses.

Recipe of the month:

Pineapple Salsa

Ingredients:
1 cup finely chopped fresh pineapple
2 tablespoons finely chopped purple onion
2 tablespoons finely chopped green onion
1 tablespoon finely chopped red bell pepper, optional
1 tablespoon finely chopped fresh cilantro
1 tablespoon honey
dash ground red pepper, cayenne or chipotle
2 teaspoons finely minced jalapeno pepper, optional
juice of 1 fresh lime, about 1 1/2 to 2 tablespoons
1/4 teaspoon black pepper

Preparation:
Combine all ingredients; cover and refrigerate for an hour or more to blend flavors. Serve with grilled or broiled fish, chicken, or pork. Makes about 1 1/3 cups.

This month’s favourite food:

Pineapple

High in Bromelain an enzyme responsible for assisting and improving digestion and reducing inflammation, also high in Vitamin C to reduce free radical damage to our cardiovascular system, bowel health but also to balance our immune system reducing severity and recurrence of sinus infections, ear infections etc.

Also being high in Manganese and B vitamins Pineapple helps to increase energy output from our cells and to increase antioxidant protection for our body. For the highest antioxidant amount choose fully ripened pineapple – but avoiding bruised or darkened fruit.

• Get in shape for Christmas?
• Obtain the results you desire in a short time period?
• Pay as you go to keep your weight loss journey more affordable?
• Continue your weight loss past the Christmas season to start your New Year with great habits?