CHP Magazines Summer 2020-17 | Page 68

Find Your Glow Why ‘Find Your Glow’? No one just wants to ‘be slim’ or ‘feel healthy’ or ‘have great skin’ or ‘lose the aches’ or ‘have more energy’. We instinctively know that when someone is glowing, all those things are already present. And with summer upon us, getting more of our bodies out into the sunshine and being more active, we’re automatically thinking more about what we look like - are we glowing or not? Fortunately, being able to glow is not determined by age. We all know elderly people who glow, and young people who don’t. When we ‘Find Our Glow!’ it’s based on solid, complete, optimal health! And this kind of health also supports a healthy brain and crystal clear thinking. Who doesn’t want that? We know that ‘life is not a dress rehearsal’ but we often forget this fact. Unless you’re actively engaged in finding ways to improve your health, and associating with positive people who are supportive of your growth, as well as working towards meaningful goals, you may be treading water. If you are waiting for something outside of yourself to change before you do, you may never make the change required to live your best life. And you will miss out on glowing with health, energy and passion. Part 1 discusses what foods lead to glowing health, which supports us feeling energized, enthusiastic and engaged. Part 2 explores the role that sunshine and sleep play in keeping us energized and glowing. Part 3 considers how movement (or the lack of it) as well as stress, can impact our ‘glowability,’ and Part 4, the final installment, will help you scrutinize your life to see if 68 Complete Health you’re really engaged and enthusiastic about the life you’re living right now. These articles are short and to the point, with actionable steps, because we’re busy and overwhelmed with information. However, they’ll give you some ‘food for thought’ and help you ‘find your glow!’ Let’s jump into Part One! Let’s examine some ways you can increase your ‘glow-ability’ via energizing, nutrient dense foods. We have to start with this step because everything depends on your brain and body getting the right nutrients to support you to feel energetic, enthusiastic and engaged with life. • Membranes are fatty, flexible little covers that surround every one of our 40–60 trillion cells. They are very sophisticated, complex layers of fat and protein that are responsible for how healthy your cells are, and in turn how healthy you are. Cell membranes need a specific type of fat to allow efficient functioning. If this fat is provided in your diet, the membrane is nice and fluid, and permeable, which means that it allows nutrients into the cell, and toxins out. The right fats and oils also make sure that the structure of your brain works optimally, which lays the foundation for optimal communication between neurons which positively impacts memory, learning and mood. A sluggish metabolism, cracked heels, dry skin and hair, moodiness, depression and poor immunity are signs of a lack of the right fats. Choose an organic, cold pressed essential fatty acid (EFA) blend, stored in a glass bottle, that contains both omega 3, 6 and 9 oils, as an excellent omega oil supplement. [My personal choice is Udo’s 369 Oil blend because it ticks all these boxes!] Only use cold pressed vegetable and olive oils, and organic butter and coconut oils in dressings and as spreads. Only use butter or coconut oil for cooking because they are saturated fats and are damaged less by heat than are the delicate polyunsaturated fats. • All your cells need energy, which carbohydrates provide. Unprocessed carbohydrates provide stable energy to cells and keep your blood glucose levels stable too. This lays the foundation – with the right fats – for optimal energy, memory, learning and mood. And of course when your blood glucose is stable you don’t have food cravings and your thinking is clear. As your brain uses up to half of the carbohydrates that you eat, any blood glucose insufficiency