Stop the Pop!

10 Feb

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Hey guys, sorry it’s been so quiet on the diva front this week!  I’d like to say I’ve been busy doing interesting things like dining out or catching up with gal pals, but that would be a lie.  Instead I’ve been going to the dentist…

Now this story started out innocent enough, but took an unexpected turn.  On Monday I went in to get a cavity filled.  It wasn’t a deep one or anything, just something small that needed attention.  Everything seemed fine until the anesthetic wore off…then BOOM! I was hit with this overwhelming pain! Thinking it would ease up I took a few ibuprofen and soldiered on.  Next day it got worse.  So bad in fact that I was in tears.

Wednesday came around and I was back in the dentist’s office again.  He evened out the filling thinking that maybe the surface was a bit high and affecting my bite.  The pain temporarily subsided and I was glad.  The dentist advised he wanted to check everything on Friday, but that all should be well now.

I went on my merry way thinking the ordeal was over, but to no avail.  By the time Friday came around I was beside myself.  Pain killers weren’t making a lick of difference (excuse the pun) and the whole right side of my face throbbed in pain.  A simple routine filling had turned into a nightmare, and I just wanted the pain to stop.

My dental appointment was scheduled for the afternoon so I persevered as best I could in the meantime.  I like to think I have a high pain tolerance, but when I finally got into the dentist’s chair I completely lost all composure.  I sat there and balled my eyes out!  I tried to explain the pain as best I could through sobs and sniffles.

My dentist was also visibly distraught by the whole event.  He has never had this happen to any of his patients.  Trust me to be the enigma!  He explained that the nerve must be inflamed and that the filling would need to be redone.  If this didn’t work then I’d need a root canal to relieve the pressure.

Shocked by the news I simply nodded my head and we got underway with redoing the filling.  It’s been a few hours now, and I am happy to report that the pain has subsided.  I am hoping that this has fixed the problem and I won’t have to have a root canal.  Only time will tell.

Sorry to inundate you with my sob story, but I felt the need to vent.  But I also believe every story can teach us something.  So the moral of this story is – Take care of your teeth!  More specifically FLOSS!!! I’m one of those genetically gifted people who has ‘deep grooves’ (thanks mom!) so I learned flossing is even more important for me.

You only get one set for the rest of your life so it is important to take care of them.  One of the easiest and best ways to prevent tooth decay is to limit the amount of sweet drinks you consume, soda in particular.  Research has shown soda is a major contributor to tooth decay, which can lead to cavities.

However the health impacts of soda extend far beyond your teeth.  Just check out the picture below and you will see almost every part of the body is affected in some way by drinking soda.

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I’m not saying you should never drink soda, just limit your intake.  If you stop for a pop daily, maybe it’s time to rethink your drink.  Here are a few suggestions which are figure friendly as well as kind to your insides:

  • Herbal teas such as peppermint, chamomile, or lemongrass and ginger
  • Fruit & Veggie Spritzer: 1/2 cup all natural fruit and veggie juice diluted with 1/2 cup sparkling water
  • Spa water: Add slices of cucumber, lemon, lime or orange to a jug of water and let infuse for several hours
Have you ever had something simple turn into a nightmare?
What is your favourite healthy drink?

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  • Tags: Fitness, Food, healthy, diet, 2012, pain, dentist, personal story, cavity, tooth pain, root canal, dental filling, fill a cavity, stop soda, impact of soda on health, high fructose corn syrup, soda and tooth decay, healthy drink ideas, floss, take care of teeth, going to the dentist, gal pals, bite the pain, pain tolerance, dental appointment, pain killers

    • Comments 4 Comments
    • Categories Get Healthy

    Organic Activated Almonds Giveaway!

    7 Feb

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    During a lazy saturday afternoon perusing the isles at About Life Bondi junction, I ran into Lee, the author of Supercharged Foods, who introduced me to these amazing almonds.  I was hooked at first bite.  As an avid snacker I am always on the lookout for new and interesting products to tantalise my taste buds, but also be beneficial for my body.  With an intense crunch, hint of sea salt and splash of apple cider vinegar, these almonds are the perfect pick me-up snack.

    Aside from the taste, these activated almonds also pack a nutritional punch.  Lee from Supercharged Foods explains how these almonds are a notch above the rest:

    How are they made? 

    Almonds are soaked for 12 hours in filtered water. This deactivates enzyme inhibitors, which interfere with the absorption of proteins and nutrients and cause digestive distress for many people.  Soaking nuts allows enzymes to neutralize phytic acid and break down complex starch, making them easy to digest. Nuts are then dehydrated at 49°C for 6 hours resulting in a nutrient-dense, enzyme-rich, raw snack. 

    Why so healthy? 

    Activated Almonds are infused with sea salt and ACV, making them a natural snack to boost metabolism and support immune system function. Sea salt contains 84 minerals, is vital for balancing sugar levels in the blood. ACV alkalinizes the body and is a natural bacteria-fighting agent. Almonds are a vitamin & mineral rich anti-inflammatory & help lower LDL cholesterol. For more info visit the website: 

    For more information about the almonds, as well as healthy tasty recipes, visit the website: www.superchargedfood.com 

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    A great cookbook featuring recipes that are gluten, wheat, dairy, yeast and sugar-free!

    I personally live on nuts as a snack.  If you opened my cupboard it would look like a squirrel was preparing for hibernation.  But this squirrel also loves to share!  I am happy to announce that Lee from Supercharged Foods was kind enough to send me a few packs of Activated Almonds to giveaway to my lovely readers.

    The Giveaway

    • Enter for a chance to win 1 of 3 packs of Organic Activated Almonds.
    • 3 separate winners will be selected
    • Giveaway is restricted to residents of Australia only

    How to enter

    Receive up to 4 entries by:

    1. Facebook: subscribe to Lee Supercharged and share this post
    2. Subscribe: Sign up for Lee’s monthly newsletter
    3. Twitter: Follow Lee on twitter and tweet something like: I’ve entered to win 1 or 3 packs of activated almonds @LeeSupercharged @healthydivablog -> the-healthy-diva.com/2012/02/07/organic-activated-almonds-giveaway/
    4. Comment: What is your favourite kind of nut?

    Please leave a *separate comment* for each entry!

    The giveaway will be open until midnight Sunday February 12 with the winners announced on Monday February 13

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  • Tags: Fitness, Food, healthy, freebies, gluten free, dairy free, diet, 2012, paleo, healthy fats, low carb, giveaway, sydney, australia, high protein, protein, apple cider vinegar, healthy snack, free prize, enter to win, free packs, free activated almonds, free organic activated almonds, Lee Holmes, Supercharged Food, Supercharge your life, organic activated almonds, soaked, dehydrated, sea salt, crunch, About Life Bondi Junction, dehydrated nuts, breakdown enzymes, easy to digest, 49 degrees dehydration, Lee Supercharged, Lee Supercharged Foods, almonds lower cholesterol, almonds fight inflammation, sea salt and apple cider vinegar almonds, how to enter, how to enter giveaway, natural snack, nutritional punch, bondi junction, natural bacteria, immune system function, absorption of proteins

    • Comments 20 Comments
    • Categories Get Healthy

    Motivational Monday: Countdown to health in 10

    6 Feb

    Sometimes a simple reminder is all we need to get back on track with our health and fitness goals.  Use this simple countdown and then download the free checklist to keep yourself healthy and well all week long!

    10

    Number of minutes of daily stretching and relaxation you should do.  Helps relieve stress, correct posture, and improve flexibility.  More on the benefits of stretching here.

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    9

    Calories in one gram of fat.  Make sure you get 2 – 3 servings of healthy fats in your diet each day.  Good examples include avocados, nuts and seeds, as well as olive oil.  Read more about the benefits of fats to your health here.

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    Meal Idea: add 1/4 of an avocado to your salad for lunch

    8

    Glasses of water each day.  Our body is made up of 60% water, and good hydration assists in eliminating toxins, improves energy levels, and can even aid in weight loss.

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    Herbal teas or hot water with lemon & ginger also count towards your water intake

     

    7

    Hours of sleep each night.  Getting sufficient sleep allows for optimal brain function, hormone regulation, and even reduces the risk of cardiovascular disease.

    6

    Small meals per day.  That equates to 3 meals and 3 smaller snacks.  Eating frequently helps to stabilize blood sugar, revs up the metabolism, and can aid in weight loss.

    5

    Serves of vegetables every day.  Packed with vitamin, minerals, phytochemicals and fibre, vegetables lower the risk of heart disease, several major cancers, and type 2 diabetes.  A good rule of thumb is to fill half your plate with vegetables at your main meals.

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    Fill half your plate with vegetables

    4

    Ounces of lean protein at your main meals.  4 ounces or about 110g of raw meat equates to approximately 20 – 25 grams of protein.  Protein helps you feel satisfied, promotes muscle building, and can also aid in weight loss.  Make sure to eat some protein with breakfast, lunch and dinner.  Examples of lean sources include skinless chicken breast, white fish, and trimmed red meat.

    3

    Hours between meals.  This goes hand in hand with number 6. Three hours between meals will help prevent cravings that may otherwise lead to poor food choices.  Keep healthy snacks on hand, such as raw unsalted nuts, to have between meals.

    2

    Serves of low to moderate GI fruit.  Fruit is high in fibre, complex carbohydrates, as well as vitamins and minerals.  The carbohydrates in low to moderate GI fruits breaks down slowly and helps to keep blood sugar stable.  Good examples include apples, berries, cherries, oranges and banana.

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    Oranges and cranberries are a great low GI option

    1

    Hour of exercise most days of the week.  The benefits of exercise are extensive and include better cardiovascular health, improved cognitive function, weight loss, and improved mood.  Make sure to include strength training and aerobic activities for best results.  Strength training helps to build muscle, improve bone density, and can reduce risk of falling in older age.  Also by increasing your lean muscle mass through exercise you will burn more calories at rest, helping to maintain your weight!

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    Great core exercise: Plank with leg lift

    BONUS Click here to download the checklist: Countdown to Health in 10 Checklist

    Question:

    • How will you improve your health this week?

    P.S. Giveaway coming this week…stay tuned!!!

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  • Tags: 1 hour of exercise, 1 hour of exercise to prevent weight gain, 10 minutes of stretching and relaxation daily, 10 minutes of stretching daily, 2 serves of fruit, 2 to 3 servings of healthy fats, 2012, 3 hours between meals, 3 small meals and 3 snacks per day, 4 ounces is one serve of meat, 4 ounces of lean meat, 5 serves of vegetables per day, 6 small meals per day for weight loss, 7 hours of sleep each night, 8 glasses of water, 8 glasses of water per day, 9 calories in one gram of fat, aerobic activity, apples, banana, berries, body is 60% water, cherries, correct posture, diet, download checklist, download health checklist, downloads, fiber, fibre, Fitness, Food, free download, freebies, frequent meals stabilise blood sugar, go for 2 and 5, gofor2&5, healthy, healthy fats, herbal teas, hormone regulation, inspiration, lean meat, lean meat choices, lean protein, low GI foods, low GI fruit, low glycaemic index foods, minerals, moderate GI fruit, motivation, motivational monday, non-starchy vegetables, orange, phytochemicals, prevent cancer, prevent cravings, prevent heart disease, prevent obesity, prevent type 2 diabetes, prevent weight gain, rev up metabolism, serving size of meat, simple reminder, skinless chicken breast, sleep and hormone regulation, sleep and optimal brain function, sleep reduces risk of cardiovascular disease, stabilise blood sugar, strength training burns more calories, strength training to build muscle, strength training to improve bone density, vitamin minerals, vitamins, white fish

    Weekend Link Love

    4 Feb

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    Hey everyone, how’s you week been?  If it’s been as busy as mine, why not relax and catch up on some reading.  Here is another great collection of posts and articles from around the web and blogosphere:

    1.  What do you get when cross a pancake with a cookie?  A cancake?  Kris from iheartwell.com shares her grain free banana pancake cookies.  Another allergy friendly and sugar free recipe.

    2.  Janetha G from Meals and Moves gives traditional cheesecake a healthy twist.  Check out her yummy protein packed individual cheesecakes!  While your there you might also want to read her review of Jamie Eason’s LiveFit Trainer.  I’m doing this program at the moment and absolutely loving it!

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    Photo provided courtesy of mealsandmovesblog.com

    3.  The benefits of working out extend past the physical, as Matt from The Athlete’s Plate explains in his post running is good for the mind.

    4.  Valeria Khoo from the Sydney Writers Centre gives us the low down on How to Live and Work Anywhere.

    5.  The superbowl is on this weekend in America and the party food ideas are insane!!! Here are a few of my favs:

    Chocolate Covered Chocolate Chip Peanut Butter Cookie Dough Footballs from Mama Pea of Peas and Thank You

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    Photo from peasandthankyou.com

     

    Black Bean Chili Dip by Angela from Oh She Glows 

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    Photo provided courtesy of ohsheglows.com

    6.  Do you suffer from skin problems like acne?  Find out how changing your diet can help heal you skin.  A great post by Lori and Michelle from pure2raw.

    7.  If you are new to the blogging world check out Averie’s Blogging 101 series over at Loves Veggies and Yoga.  Very helpful and sound advice!

    8.  Sugar is a hot topic these days.  A recent review has suggested that the government regulate added sugar in products. Your thoughts? I say everything in moderation!  If you’d like more info alternative sweeteners then head over to the

    Related searches:
    healthy activated prevent health giveaway
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