To have Refined Carbohydrates or Not to Have???

Refined Carbs to have or not to have???

There are basically two types of Carbohydrates, un refined (complex) or refined (simple). The simple explanation is that refined carbs are those that get processed and altered with artificial chemicals and sugars, and therefore the nutrients are stripped, meaning either reduced or completely eliminated. Un Refined Carbs are those that are full of fiber, proteins, fats, they are left in their natural state, and beneficial to the body.

Refined carbs include sugary sweetened beverages, fruit juices, pastries, white bread, white pasta, cereals, cakes, sweets period, biscuits, white rice and others. Numerous studies show that refined carbohydrate consumption is associated with health problems like obesity, heart disease, and diabetes. With artificial sweeteners this type of carb is addictive and full of empty calories. What do you mean empty, Meaning that refined carbs have little to no nutritional value and are known to be detrimental to the health of your body. They tend to cause major spikes in blood sugar levels, which leads to a crash that can trigger hunger and cravings for more high carb foods, hence the addiction. Which is where we get the “blood sugar roller coaster” that many people are familiar with.
Un Refined Carbohydrates are the ones you want to eat to have production of energy, these also help by maintaining blood sugar levels, so there is no spiking or crashing. This type of Carb also helps by slowing absorption meaning it helps to control your appetite. For this kind of carb you should be eating brown rice, beans, oatmeal, wheat, vegetables, lean meat, barley, lentils, whole grain products.

So if you are like me and crave those carbs, make sure you are making healthy smart choices that will be beneficial to your body. Ask yourself why you are craving this type of food? Is it b/c you have been bingeing lately on junk and your system is trying to tell you there is an addiction forming or are you running low on fuel and need a boost of some good protein, oatmeal or veggies. What ever the reason just be smart and take it one day at a time. 😀

Temper Tantrum Techniques for the Busy and Stressed Parent

Temper Tantrum Techniques

As we are so excited to become parents and share our lives with these little bodies, we also have to learn with some difficult situations. When newborn I have had it both ways, one cried and screamed over everything, and being a baby she could not tell me what was wrong. Lesson Learned about colic and Airways (adenoids and tonsils). Or you can have the perfect little one who sleeps through the night early and is content just watching and observing. I have 3, and the first one was a picky eater from his first breath of life, we had what they called sundowning (he cried the same time of day, daily, in the evening). All and all I learned something new with all of them and I still am. Temper Tantrums are very intense and can be long and drawn out. Many of the experts I have read all comment on how keeping your cool works to defuse the situation.

When tempers flare as a person it can be hard to control your own temper, but as a parent it is vital that you learn to set a good example. Experts all agree that to handle a temper tantrum Time Out is a good tool to use. Removing the child from the stressful situation give them time to think about how they acted and what happen. We, as parents, may also need to take a time out. When your voice gets raised and you feel that anger boil it is best to say I am really upset right now and need a time out myself. Go into another room and take a break, this too will also help diffuse the situation and allow your child to see a good example of how to behave.

Another common tip was to take a breath, step back out of the situation and breathe! Teaching your child to recognize those situations and their own emotions can stop the tantrum before it starts. Talk to them about feelings, what they mean and how it is ok to react when they are mad, sad, scared, etc. As for a parent taking a breath allows us to get our ducks in a row, and calms our fight or flight response. Instead of getting upset and yelling, we can take a breath and decide the best action for the situation.

In teaching your child how to pick up on their emotion you have to teach them how to talk about what they are feeling too. For a little one that can be hard, hard to calm down, and hard to find the right words to make us understand what they are feeling and what they want. One thing I have found that works wonders with my 3 year old is to say “I know you are mad at mommy, I know you did not want to share that toy, but when we go visit them at their home, she shares her toys with you, so when they are here, we share with her.” (for example) I can see his face change as in ok, mom understands. For us parents, when used on occasion, using words can really change the moment. “OK guys Mommy is very upset, I need a moment.” This allows us to validate how we are feeling and gives us a brief break. (again the time out thing).

If you are having trouble understanding your child and have no idea what is going on, try letting them draw it out. Let them tell the story on paper with crayons and they can have a moment, distracts from the situation, and gives them an outlet for their frustration. You on the other hand may want to listen to loud music, go for a run, or even blog about what you have been dealing with. Get creative for both you and your child in how to express your feeling and what is going on in your lives.

Finally my favorite tip I have come across for dealing with temper tantrums is to change the mood. Instead of increasing the tense mood by you getting upset b/c you don’t like they way they are acting or understand why they are throwing a tantrum, change it. Continuing on that path will only exacerbate the situation, instead lighten the mood. I like to go “OH NO, Mommys tickle bugs are coming out, OH NO, here they come.” Distraction, Laughter, is truly the best medicine. When you hear your child laugh, it immediately changes your mood and it lightens your heart. For your child to laugh, they are no longer stuck on what was going on but are focusing on the fun of the moment.

I hope these tips help you out and as always please share and check out my Re-New You Health page on Facebook promoting Health, Happiness, Faith, Family, and Fitness.

Amanda Tiberghien FB

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Ways to Tackle the Stress in your Life

STRESS, stress is part of life and we all have it, wanted or not…. Some feed from stress and can operate at a higher level when in stress situations. And the rest of us just want to eat stress away, which does nothing but cause us more stress later. What life all boils down to is how you handle stress/life. You can train your body/mind to deal with stress in a practical manner, but it is not going to be easy but rather a test of how committed you are to living an easier going life.
First you need to train your mind and body how to relax and take stress a little at a time. I know you have heard “Don’t Sweat The Small Stuff” I actually have the book, but reading it and applying it in your life is two different things. Stress is a part of life so we might as well figure out our way to dealing or handling it. What works for me may not work for you, but here are a few tips I would give you.
Surround yourself with family and friends, people who truly know you, you secrets and deep fears. Surround yourself with positive people, caring, loving people, this atmosphere is contagious and can settle your stress down. At the moment a situation can feel so Overwhelming or seem Important, but after a cool down period with a good friend or chat with a family member the whole situation, your thought process will change. Avoid Alcohol though that will only intensify your attitude and can make it all worse once you are at a state of sobriety.
One of my favorite ways to release some stress is to WORKOUT, yep get in a sweaty, hard workout. Fitness is a good way to relieve some stress, exercise helps you to release happy hormones. Go for a walk, jog, play basketball with some friends or like I do put in Shaun T dvd and push play. Insanity, T25 and Insanity Max 30 are my go to workouts when I am stressing, I then feel so much better after and can calmly address the issue that is stressing me.
Emotional Eating is another way people deal with stress, and if I let myself I am one of them. However this is not a healthy way to deal with stress. Once you are done gorging on chocolate or your favorite treat, then you are just mad at yourself b/c of all that crap you just shoved into your body. This way of relieving stress is self-destructive and Does Not Work…. So when you are HANGRY!!! Don’t rush to McDonalds or to the Chocolate Bin go for something healthy and give your body the nutrients it needs to deal with the stress. During stress your immune system can become weakened, so I go for my Shakeology. Why, well it is healthy, benefits my body, mind, immune system, and fitness soul.
Stress is constant, taking care of my family, dinner, diapers, business, family fueds, on and on. Yes I would get stressed daily and I try to do plenty to take care of myself (workout, eat right, family time) but one thing I do wrong is SLEEP. Rest is so important to our bodies, muscles, brain. So take the time to get in atleast 6-8 hours of sleep a night, rest, recover and do yourself some good. So tomorrow you can deal with the stress that comes your way. Listen to your body and take care of yourself, this body is the only one you get.
Stress is Life but you don’t have to Live you Life all Stressed Out. “Be grateful for all the obstacles in your life. They have strenghtened you as you continue with your journey.” I hope this has helped someone and I wish you all well. God Bless

stressed daily and I try to do plenty to take care of myself (workout, eat right, family time) but one thing I do wrong is SLEEP. Rest is so important to our bodies, muscles, brain. So take the time to get in atleast 6-8 hours of sleep a night, rest, recover and do yourself some good. So tomorrow you can deal with the stress that comes your way. Listen to your body and take care of yourself, this body is the only one you get.
Stress is Life but you don’t have to Live you Life all Stressed Out. “Be grateful for all the obstacles in your life. They have strenghtened you as you continue with your journey.” I hope this has helped someone and I wish you all well. God Bless