FOODS we Should AVOID! ;) Little by Little we Get There

• Dairy Products: Milk (lets replace it with Almond, rice or coconut Milk) 
• Fast Food - A hamburger here, a bucket of fried chicken there, and fast food rapidly turns into a habit. Unfortunately, the health consequences of regular fast food consumption are significant. Becoming overweight or obese is the most obvious risk, but being fat isn't just a cosmetic concern. Overweight and obesity put you at risk for a host of other problems including diabetes, heart disease, cancer, stroke and infertility. Additionally, scientists suspect there may be a correlation between fast food and mental health. To protect yourself, consider packing a lunch instead of eating out. If you are concerned about the damage a fast food diet may have done to your body, ask your physician for a full physical and talk to him about changing your lifestyle.

• Yogurt: Replace it with Almond Milk or Cottage Cheese for lower Cholesterol 

• Artificial Sweeteners: Lets use the most Natural flavor of things, or Brown sugar for recipes. Agave for Cold Tea? Any Fruit to add to sweeten our recipes

• Nuts have heart-healthy fats, but they’re also high in calories: 1 handful (about 1 ounce) of oil-roasted mixed nuts has 175 calories; 3 handfuls have 525. Cut out nuts altogether and save more than 500 calories. Can’t resist ’em? Eat pistachios: 2 handfuls are just 159 calories

• Alcohol, Tequila? Whiskey? Too many calories, too much Sugar and your body doesn't really digest it well. Plus no beneficial for Heart conditions. Instead RUN IT OFF! Or drink just a Glass or 2 of RED WINE for Women to prevent Cancer. Men, look for hard liquor low in calories, just one zip per day. 
• Limit salad toppings-A big salad might seem healthy, but all those goodies on top can make it more calorie-laden than lasagna or fettuccine Alfredo. 
• Eat Less Pasta- One cup of pasta is just 220 calories. But typical dinner portions at restaurants can be as much as 480% larger than that 1 cup, according to New York University research.
• Ask to have your food cooked with a little stock instead of oil, or order steamed or poached entrées: you’ll save 124 calories per tablespoon of oil.

OTHER TIPS! Ways to Cut 500 Calories a Day

• Your skinnier friends are probably fidgeters, who burn up to 350 calories a day just by tapping their feet or being restless.

Try it for a few days. Walk around while you’re on the phone, or tap out a tune with your hands or feet (in the privacy of your own office, of course).In fact, do a couple of swaps a day and you can drop 10 pounds in 5 weeks! 

• Dont Eat in Front of the TV. Instead, eat at the table, and trade 1 hour of TV for a casual walk. Together, that’s 527 calories burned.
• GET ENOUGH SLEEP- Burn 500 Calories by sleeping more than 7 hours everyday.

SOURCES: http://www.health.com/health/gallery/0,,20454528_5,00.html

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School Years for Kids Info

Universal design for learning (UDL) is a framework to improve and optimize teaching and learning for all people based on scientific insights into how humans learn. Watch the video below to get an overview of UDL.

Engagement

For purposeful, motivated learners, stimulate interest and motivation for learning

Representation

For resourceful, knowledgeable learners, present information and content in different ways.

Action & Expression

For strategic, goal-directed learners, differentiate the ways that students can express what they know.

http://www.cast.org/our-work/about-udl.html#.Vj5DDrerTIU

TURMERIC In your DIET

Turmeric’s power comes from a compound called curcumin, which is a potent antioxidant proven to reduce inflammation and prevent illness. 

Here are five science-backed reasons to add turmeric to your diet: 

1. Counter heart disease: Some studies show that turmeric may prevent the buildup of plaque that can block arteries (atherosclerosis) and in animal studies, turmeric extract kept LDL cholesterol from building up in blood vessels. Turmeric also stops platelets from clumping together, so it could help prevent blood clots from building up on artery walls. All in all, that’s a win for cardiovascular health. 

2. Prevent cancer: Preliminary research shows that curcumin may help prevent or even treat prostate cancer, breast cancer, skin cancer, and colon cancer. This is likely due to turmeric’s antioxidant properties, which protects cells from damage and abnormalities. 

3. Fight Parkinson’s and Alzheimer’s disease: Turmeric may help prevent and even treat neurodegenerative diseases including Alzheimer’s, Parkinson’s, multiple sclerosis, and other conditions. This is again likely due to its anti-inflammatory and circulative effects. Elderly villagers in India have one of the world’s lowest rates of Alzheimer’s! 

4. Combat stomachaches: One double-blind study found that turmeric reduced symptoms of bloating and gas. This may be because curcumin stimulates the production of bile in the gallbladder, which may improve digestion. Even more significantly, another study showed that people with ulcerative colitis who eat turmeric stay in remission longer than those who took a placebo. 

5. Relieve osteoarthritis pain: A study found that people taking an Ayurvedic formula that contained turmeric experienced less pain and disability. This is likely due to its powerful anti-inflammatory effects. The theme here is that turmeric is powerfully anti-inflammatory, and inflammation is ultimately the root of almost all chronic disease, whether it’s asthma, diabetes, or stroke. You can reduce systemic inflammation both by cutting out unhealthy foods – for example, trans fats and sugar are highly inflammatory – and eating more anti-inflammatory foods. 

So what’s the best way to enjoy the anti-inflammatory benefits of turmeric? You can get incredibly creative in the kitchen whipping up a delicious curry, but to start, we recommend trying this incredibly simple healthy turmeric tea recipe as well as to TURMERIC in your fruit shakes! they are great! It takes only hot water, ground turmeric, and honey and/or lemon to taste. Easy as that! 

Do you incorporate turmeric into your diet already? What are your favorite ways to enjoy it? Let us know in the comments section below! 

Credit to:http://www.integrativenutrition.com/blog/2015/08/5-reasons-you-should-be-eating-turmeric?mkt_tok=3RkMMJWWfF9wsRokvqjLcu%2FhmjTEU5z14%2B4lWaW1h4kz2EFye%2BLIHETpodcMTsRjNrnYDBceEJhqyQJxPr3MK9AN2dJkRhjnCA%3D%3D

BACK TO ROUTINE! LETS BEGIN IT WITH THE RIGHT FOOT.. Back to School tips for better Routine

Instead of pushing the snooze button three times before finally rolling out of bed, why not try something new tomorrow morning? Just one (or all!) of these tips will amp up your morning routine and set you up for a fabulous day.

1. Get in enough cuddle time

Your outlook will be infinitely brighter if you take a few minutes to snuggle and hold onto something or someone you love in the morning. Be that a child, dog, cat, teddy bear, or significant other, studies show that the act of cuddling is very calming, boosts your immune system, reduces stress, and will help you wake up at the right speed. So lets hug for 2 Mins! 

2. Drink your Lemon with Water then Tea

This practice is a game changer. By drinking water with lemon early in the morning, will help detoxify as well as to clean your liver, to absorb better the nutrients and have your organs work as optimum as they can. Hot water with lemon is a nice alternative that won’t tax your adrenals. It is said to flush toxins out of your system and stimulate good digestion. Plus, it’s so darn good!

3. Write out morning pages

IIN visiting teacher Julia Cameron encourages everyone to handwrite morning pages – three pages of free-flow stream of consciousness first thing in the morning. They will help you get ready for your day by getting all your thoughts on paper and put you in touch with your subconscious feelings so they can inform you on how to prioritize your day. Multi-tasking tip: you can write your morning pages while you’re drinking your Water!

4. Drink your Tea and Shake!

Do you usually start your day by reaching for a cup of coffee? Then another just so you can get out of bed? Try by taking your tea.. take a Shower then in 2 mins your shake will be ready. More than 21 Vitamins and Minerals packed with the Protein = Perfect Breakfast; ready to go and will make you start a day in the perfect balance to keep going. Follow it with your meal plan. Any goal you setup, look at it everyday and ENJOY it!

5. Practice sun salutations- 15 Minutes of intense Exercise or RUN

Sun salutations in yoga are extremely energizing and uplifting; they awaken both the body and mind. They’re also a great way to experience a sense of gratitude – after all, you’re literally saluting the sun! Plus they get your blood pumping and lymphatic system moving. Read through this Yoga Journal article to learn the how’s and why’s of Surya Namaskar. Or go RUN before you are wide awake and able to say NO within your inner voice that tells you that you can't. REMEMBER TO DO EXERCISE WITHOUT EVEN DOUBTING 

6. Meditate

Five minutes of sitting and observing your breath can do wonders for your mental state! Meditation calms your mind and nervous system and boosts your immune system – a total win-win! When you first start meditating, sit in a comfortable cross-legged position with your back against the wall so you don’t slouch. Set a timer, close your eyes and observe your breath.  

7. Get organized the night before

Making your lunch, packing your bag, and laying out your clothes at night will save you time and decrease your morning stress. Just think – no more running around trying to find your keys, changing your outfit three times and driving fast to make it in time! Plan your agenda for the next day, the week.. it will decrease anxiety as well as will give you the 15-30 mins of exercise!

8. Get enough sleep to begin with!

We know this is the hard part! But not sleeping enough contributes to hormonal imbalances, weight issues, headaches, memory, and cognitive impairment.  Yikes! Make it a priority to get in bed earlier and you’ll wake up feeling well rested, instead of cranky and exhausted.

Wake up just half an hour earlier to try any or all of these steps – you might be amazed by the results. Here’s to a productive, happy morning that will set the tone for your whole day!

What’s your favorite morning routine? Did we miss any here? Share them with us in the comments section below this post.

credit:http://www.integrativenutrition.com/blog/2015/08/amp-up-your-morning-routine-in-7-simple-steps?mkt_tok=3RkMMJWWfF9wsRokvqjLcu%2FhmjTEU5z14%2B4lWaW1h4kz2EFye%2BLIHETpodcMTsRjNrnYDBceEJhqyQJxPr3MK9AN2dJkRhjnCA%3D%3D