It is essential to understand that the old adage, “You are what you eat” is really a true statement. Are you aware that the majority of commercially manufactured food items are laden with toxic chemicals that become ‘stuck‘in our bodies creating fatigue, weight gain and dis-ease in our bodies? Or, are you eating Miracle Rich Foods that restore your body’s natural function, increase your energy and allow you to have the body you have always dreamed of? Do you feel alive with vitality and energy or are you fatigued and feeling sick?

Enjoy Health in an Unhealthy World

Words ImageDo you ever wish you were immune to the different types of dis-ease in the world today? Between the growing prominence of cancer, the Ebola scare, and the spike of Enterovirus D68 it is understandable to feel concern for your health.  Thankfully knowledge is Power.  Knowledge gives you the power of choice. (A formula I refer to as Knowledge=Power=Choice.) When you understand how things truly work you are able to make informed decisions that allow you the opportunity to make and create choices that support your health. In this week’s article let’s look at some simple solutions that give you the knowledge necessary to empower you to make the best choices for you to create home, health and happiness!

In today’s world the toxins that are part of daily living inundate us. We often don’t realize how prevalent they are! A few days ago I went out for my daily run to release physiological and psychological toxins from my body. I enjoy this time each day taking in the blue sky, beautiful foliage and the smell of the sea air.   Unfortunately, it happened to be a day where there were an inordinate amount of trucks, buses and even industrial lawn mowers on the road.  I was left gasping for clean air! (I tend to hold my breath when I run by billowing black fumes puffing out behind big heavy trucks.) Unfortunately many of the toxins we come in contact with are not so obvious. It is critical to gain an understanding of where they are and how they impact your health and wellbeing.

Toxins can be found in most household items that are synthetic. These synthetics disrupt hormones, can cause allergies, are linked to cancer, and basically create havoc in the body. They lower your immune system, and deplete your body’s ability to fend off things like the common cold.  Becoming aware of what items are made of before they enter your home is the first line of defense. Swapping out synthetic items for healthier natural items is the next step. Choose the items you bring into your home carefully because you are your best safeguard.

When we begin this journey of healthy living it is sometimes hard to believe that the outdoor environment with its trucks billowing puffs of black exhaust could be less harmful than the air inside your home. Unfortunately that is the stark reality. For good reason, our focus has been on creating energy efficient homes.  However, this has exacerbated the problem of indoor air quality. When windows, doors, and cracks are sealed it is great for our heating & cooling bills and it is also energy efficient. But, without those air leaks your home is sealed up tight without the ability to breathe. It traps the air inside your home that is filled with the off-gasses from the myriad of products you have chosen. It is critical to throw open windows to ventilate the space. And, of course, make healthful choices when determining which items to bring through your door.

As I mentioned earlier, I take my daily run to release physiological and psychological toxins from my mind and body. It is a scientific fact that the toxins from our world become trapped in the body if you do not take action to release them. When they become stuck in your body, dis-ease is created. For those spelling bee fans you are probably wondering why I say dis-ease instead of disease. Well, our natural state is a state of ease and grace. When your body or mind is out of alignment it throws that natural process off and creates dis-ease in the body or mind. One way to bring your body back into alignment from too many toxins is to make a habit of sweating them out! Sweat is one of the most effective ways to release toxins. It helps to naturally balance your physiological state and with all of those happy hormones pumping it boosts your immune system and your mood!

Toxins are a fact of daily living in the modern world. Gaining an understanding of toxins and how they impact you will empower you to make choices to enjoy health, vitality and ease in an unhealthy world.

If you want help discovering the patterns that create overwhelm, frustration and disharmony in your life click here and schedule your Free Success Strategy Session.

Ps… I am so excited that the Home in Harmony Hay House radio show is just days away! The Premier airs on Monday, Oct 27, 6pm EST/3pm PST.

Pss…  And last but not least, the count down has begun for the release of Home in Harmony: Designing an Inspired Life! It is almost time for you to get your copy! We will let you know how to get your copy with special goodies on Nov 4th! Or, you can pre-order now.

Happy Soaring!

XOXO

Christa O'Leary

 

 

Image: http://www.pesconsulting.co.uk

 

 

Mood and Food

Mood and Food ImageAt Home in Harmony Headquarters we are always excited to share ways to help you live your best life! In some articles we focus on the many different ways to design an inspired home, sometimes we focus on building a strong, healthy body, we may look at ways to find calm in the midst of chaos or we find inspiration around passion & purpose.  Each of these areas or ‘pillars’ is critical in helping you design your inspired life. In this 2nd article, in the two part series on food, color, mood and energy we will look at the role food has on your overall sense of well-being.  This subject makes me wonder, if you knew you could change your mood with food, would you choose different options on your plate? Let’s take a look at the relationship between your mood, the food you consume and simple solutions to help you find great health and happiness!

Have you ever noticed feeling tired, irritable and melancholy after your midday snack? Maybe you went to the vending machine, coffee shop or snack drawer to nibble on something sweet or salty to help stave off hunger until dinner or give you a little sugar boost to get you through the rest of the day.  But, after thirty minutes you find yourself irritable and wishing you could take a nap.  Or, after a super-size meal you are ready to go put your feet up and sleep it off.  This sharply contrasts the experience of sipping on a green smoothie or nurturing your body with fruits and vegetables.  Well, come to find out, there is science behind your experience and it shows that food plays a major role on your mood!

Skip the Sugar

It has been proven that simple carbohydrates like sugar, found in candy, sugary drinks, and cookies, bring your mood down. To elevate your mood try some complex carbohydrates that are high in fiber. These can be found in the tan shades of the whole grains.  Your body will convert these feel good complex carbohydrates into serotonin that calms your state of mind and decreases your appetite.

Omega 3’s

It amazes me that food can help change our moods. Research shows that low levels of Omega 3 is linked to depression, pessimism and impulsivity.  Add a little pink to your diet with some wild salmon that is loaded with this beneficial nutrient.

Iron & Thiamine

Research has shown that a lack of iron can create depression and fatigue. According to the Dartmouth Undergraduate Journal of Science, getting to little thiamine can create inactivity, fatigue, a decrease in self-confidence and overall wellbeing. Include the dark green color of kale to help increase your iron and thiamin.

Fat

Consuming products that are high in saturated fats have long-term ramifications.  The extended impact has been linked to dementia and depression. The immediate effect is that it leaves you feeling sluggish and worn out. It is no wonder that after my chocolate peanut butter cup on Mother’s Day I was ready for a nap!

When you begin to look at food as something that can nourish and nurture you OR deplete and depress you it is easier to make healthy choices that support your life and well-being in every way! So, again I ask… If you knew you could change your mood with food, would you choose different options on your plate?

If you would like guidance to begin living your Inspired Life feel free to connect with me for a FREE 20 Minute Home in Harmony Lifestyle Private Call by clicking here!

Happy Soaring!

XOXO

Christa O'Leary

 

 

What is the Color of Your Food?

Food Color ImageThis week’s blog is one in a two part series on food, color, mood and energy!

Part 1:  The Color of Food

Have you ever noticed the color of the food you are eating? I mean, overall? If you had to take an average day, let’s say yesterday, what was the main color? What were the spectrum of colors you included in your food fuel yesterday?  I ask because our food affects our moods, energy level and overall vitality.  In our family, we did a lot of celebrating this weekend. On Saturday we celebrated with an extravagant lunch overlooking the Atlantic Ocean on the south coast of Boston with the great grandma (age 93) and the grandmas (they’d prefer I didn’t mention their ages). On Sunday, my crew treated me to a bountiful brunch, tennis with one of my girls and golf with my son followed by a meal cooked with love by my husband and son. My son also picked up chocolate peanut butter cups to share after our round of golf. Needless to say, the colors on my plate over the weekend were more of the deep chocolate brown variety. It was all decadent, delicious and fun but the festivities and the colors I chose left me feeling tired and foggy. Have you ever felt that way? These were not colors that nourished my mind, body and spirit (although the people and surroundings were!).

It is important to choose fuel for your body that creates optimum vitality, which creates vibrant living!  This weekend was a catalyst for me to want to renew, revitalize and refresh my body, mind and spirit. I’m doing my bi-annual wellness and detox cleanse. It always helps me feel energized, enthusiastic and passionate about life after doing a cleanse!  Experts recommend doing a cleanse at least two times a year. Some of my clients have shared with me after implementing the cleanse steps I recommend that “I feel great. I have more energy, feel less tired in the am and my clothes are baggy!” These are the natural results of cleansing and clearing out the debris that bogs your system down. Similar to taking time to clear out the clutter in other areas of your life, it is important to take care of your body and remove unwanted toxins accumulated from the chemicals in our environment and food.  Creating a colorful spectrum of food on your plate can increase your energy, lower your risk of cancer and give you vibrant health! Choosing foods based on color can be an additional strategy to help bring your body, mind and spirit into harmonious balance. Just beginning to notice what colors make up your daily plate is the first step to designing your inspired life!  It is amazing how fast and dramatic the results you can have when making small changes to the fuel you decide to put in your body.

Let’s take a look at the spectrum of color you can choose to put on your plate…

Green

We all know how important it is to include greens on our plates. Sometimes it can be challenging if you are looking for something other than a salad for lunch and dinner. I have begun to include as many green veggies and fruits as possible in the first meal of my day. That way I know that I am putting fuel in my body that will sustain me for the rest of the day. It also helps me be confident in knowing I will get in the many servings of green I hope to achieve.  My day usually begins with a green smoothie or juice along with a chunky mix of avocado & egg. This power packed punch is a nutrient dense breakfast that will stave off hunger, elevate my mood and increase my energy. (Green Smoothie recipe: 1 organic cucumber, 1 green pear, 3 large romaine leaves, large slice of lemon & coconut water, ice, blend well)

Orange

I love carrots, orange peppers and pumpkin! These orange foods are high in beta-carotene and vitamin c that supports vision, healthy skin and a strong immune system. Including orange on your plate can make you feel healthy, see better and look good… why wouldn’t you chose the color orange for your plate?

Red

The red foods contain something called phytochemicals, like lycopene, that aid in heart health and reduce the risk of cancer.  Take advantage of the summer season and the bounty of red ripe tomatoes and radishes!

Purple-Blue

The purple and blue family of foods is rich in antioxidants and phytochemicals.  That means they diminish the risk of cancer, support mental clarity and contain chemicals that have an anti-aging effect. I always share with my detox participants that blueberries collagen promoting which means they help to decrease wrinkles! I sprinkle blueberries on and in everything!

Nature amazes me each and every day! The fact that we have fruits and vegetables available to us that can nourish, nurture, heal, harmonize and energize you and I is incredible. Begin to use the colors on your plate to bring you great health, happiness and harmony!

If you would like guidance to begin living your Inspired Life feel free to connect with me for a FREE 20 Minute Home in Harmony Lifestyle Private Call by clicking here!

Happy Soaring!

XOXO

Christa O'Leary

 

 

Secrets to Health, Home, & Happiness

HiHMC Banner 230x192-2I hope the first day of April has you feeling energized with a spring in your step! It is exhilarating to hear birds chirping, see the buds starting to push their way towards the sky and feel the chill begin to thaw as the sun warms the earth.  It is a time of new beginnings, rebirth and renewal! Do you feel the energy? I am excited to share that we have caught spring fever at Home in Harmony Headquarters! A seed was planted in the Fall and the fruit of this labor of love is about to be revealed! I hope you will join me in discovering vibrant energy, clarity and inspiration! So let’s look at the keys of health, home, and happiness to help you create the life of your dreams!

Let me explain…

In the October I began to think about ways to share the secrets of health, home, and happiness in a bigger way.  I was also curious to understand what some of the biggest gurus in the industries of home, body, mind and passion & purpose had to say about creating inspired and vibrant living. What were their secrets? Did they know something that would be worth sharing? What if we could tap into their knowledge and experience? I realized I could combine these two things; my enthusiasm to share home, health & happiness in a big way with the secrets of leading experts! That was when the inspiration for the Home in Harmony Master Class was created!

Initially I thought to myself, how am I going to do this? How will I pull it off? How could I bring content to you that is worthy of your time? Well, the creative side of my brain began to spin and do cartwheels!  The concept of the Home in Harmony Master Class began to take form and as is true of inspired ideas began to take on a life of it’s own…

For the past six months I have been collaborating with prominent authorities in home, body, mind and spirit.  I have interviewed these gurus to learn their secrets of health, home, and happiness!  When this idea initially came to me I knew I wanted to bring you only the best! So, I connected with HGTV superstars and BRAVO celebrities to chat about everything Home.  I discussed optimum health & vibrant bodies with authorities that have been featured on Dr. Oz, CNN and in Health & Fitness. I listened to the core elements of finding calm in the midst of daily chaos from best selling authors featured on Oprah. I shared amazing conversations with individuals who inspire millions around the globe to find their passion & purpose. Now, I can’t wait to share these incredible luminaries with you!

The only thing that could be better than learning the secrets to health, home, and happiness from leading experts is to have this rare opportunity be FREE and have access to it within your own home at your convenience! I am thrilled to be able to give you, the Home in Harmony Community, this gift to help you design your inspired life!

You can get your All Access Pass here!

I hope the Home in Harmony Master Class will give you the key to vibrant and inspired living!

Happy Soaring!

XOXO

Christa O'Leary

 

 

Do You Have Cancer Anxiety?

It's A New Year

It's A New YearIn this blog I want to touch on a somber reality that affects so many of us.  It is my hope that amidst the anxiety and stress I can bring knowledge and hope that can lead you out of the darkness and into an empowered state of being.

Unfortunately the statistics on cancer rates are staggering.  The reality is that 1 in 4 deaths in the US are due to cancer.  Along with this sobering truth, the average person holds more than 700 contaminants that become stuck in their bodies wreaking havoc, literally causing disease and other glitches that affect the system.  The good news is that we are beginning to truly understand why and how this is happening, which empowers you and I!  We can take action to support ourselves in creating optimum health.   The following blog will share 5 simple solutions to help you create vibrant health!

I had a friend, Sam call me today in a state of panic because he had just gone to visit a dear friend who had recently been diagnosed with cancer.  His friend was a strong, fit and seemingly healthy individual who lived a lifestyle that incorporated health conscious choices much better than the average American.  The new found diagnosis was perplexing and frightening on so many levels. Typical to many individuals who learn that someone they know or love has become sick, there were questions and anxiety associated with how Sam was living his own life, the concern for the foods he was eating and an extreme fear of getting sick. Sam actually said, “I am afraid to eat and I don’t know what foods are going to be ok.” This is a common fear and understandable in today’s day and age. We all know people who have been impacted by cancer or other diseases. We now have a greater understanding for the toxins in our environment and our food that are wreaking havoc on our bodies. It is important to gain an awareness of the affect of these toxic substances, what they are, where they are, and how they become stuck in our bodies. You need simple solutions to help not only eliminate these toxins, but to eliminate the fear. There are things that you can do to empower you and help you live a healthy and vibrant life. Let’s look at five simple solutions that will help you be proactive in creating great and optimum health.

1. Toxic Reality

The first step is to gain an understanding and appreciation for toxins. In my Fresh Start Wellness and Healthy Home Programs I call it the what, where and how. First, become aware of what toxins are. Second, understand where toxins are lurking in your life.  Unfortunately they are in the food we eat, the water we drink and the air we breathe. When you begin to understand this reality you can then take action on how to remove the toxins that are in your life and inadvertently in your body.

2. Deep Breath

The second simple solution is to take a deep breath. Know that just by becoming aware of where toxins are lurking in your life, you automatically will make healthier selections. Your awareness will allow you to begin making choices that can create better health and well-being. It is in the small steps that we are able to transform our lives. Each day choosing to acknowledge your awareness and make healthy choices based on reality gives you the ability to design your inspired life. An inspired life is about being empowered, open to the truth and welcoming new insight into our lives. This new knowledge gives you the power of choice. The power of choice helps you make daily decisions that affect the big picture of your life.

3. Course Correct

Even when we are making healthy choices on a consistent basis there are going to be times in everyone’s life when we might choose to go out for a meal in a restaurant or imbibe at a party- this is natural. Don’t beat yourself up about making a few unhealthy choices as long as you’re able to course correct and make more healthy decisions than unhealthy ones.

4. Eliminate Toxic Blocks

Lastly it’s really important to make sure that your digestive system is functioning optimally. Our digestive system is the highway that allows the toxins that are in our bodies to move on out!  It is essential to make sure that there are no blocks on this highway and that any toxins that we may breathe in or ingest can be eliminated naturally.

5. Sweat

Eliminating toxins in other ways can be exceptionally beneficial as well. If you go out for a night and enjoy a few cocktails or some standard American food you might want to go to the gym the next day and make sure that you get in a vigorous exercise where you’re able to sweat profusely. This also helps to flush out toxins from your system.

Take the time to understand the what, where and how toxins are lurking in your life.  This knowledge will empower you to make the best choices to help you live a long, vibrant and healthy life!

Join me on January 9th, 2014 for the Fresh Start Wellness and Detox Program to learn the what, where & how of toxins that impact your body.  Join me on January 30th, 2014 for the Creating Your Healthy Home Program to learn ways eliminate toxins from you home so that you can breathe easy.

Wishing you blessings of amazing health and harmony!

Christa O'Leary