febfast

I have decided to participate in febfast this year, and maybe every year from now on in. I think it is a great idea, it brings alcohol awareness to our society, it gives your liver a rest, it's a great cause for people receiving and those doing. Bring it on I say. If my donations can help someone in need I am happy to promote myself and this cause to try and get as many donations as possible. As some of you may know, I have a new baby so I am not drinking everyday but nor do I when I don't have a newborn, so it may not seem like a great challenge for me but it is a great cause. 

Once upon a time I did drink everyday and with that I spent a lot of money on drinks, so I ask you to donate the amount of a drink that you would buy me. Be it $8 for a glass of pinot, $7.50 for an Asahi, $3.50 for a pot. C'mon buy me a drink and support those affected by alcohol or drug problems.

If you don't know what febfast is, it is abstaining from alcohol for one month and raising funds for people with drug and alcohol related problems. Some of the charities where your donations will go are 

• YSAS in Vic
• Mater Health Services in Qld
• The Ted Noffs Foundation in NSW and ACT
• Bushmob in the NT 
• Mission Australia in SA and Tassie
• Holyoake in WA and 
• The Australian Drug Foundation nationwide

Donate to febfast Fiona Hogan Team

If you are also participating in febfast, here are some tips for making it easy:

• Consider taking a herbal support such as St Mary’s thistle, it's a great liver restorative.
• Take a quality vitamin B complex daily.
• Drink at least two litres of water a day and assist flushing those toxins.
• Drink chlorophyll everyday, it's another great cleanser.
• Try black Dandelion root tea, it will help your liver detox.
• Walk or move for at least 20 mins a day.
• Hide all the alcohol in your house.
• Meet friends and walk, a bike ride or do a movie instead of meeting at the bar.
• Take a good anti-oxidant which may include Vitamins A, C & E and Minerals zinc, selenium, calcium and magnesium.
• Enlist the help of a trained practitioner to support you and prescribe therapeutic doses.

A perfect snack -Day #2 blog writing challenge

Image Pintrest

• Almonds are full of minerals including Magnesium and Calcium, which are needed for strong bones
• Also they are loaded with Zinc, which is needed for a healthy immune system
• A handful of Almonds are high in protein and fibre and will keep the afternoon munchies at bay
• Almonds are rich in antioxidants, eat them with their skins on and double the antioxidant intake
• They are rich in healthy unsaturated healthy fats and Vitamin E both are beneficial in protecting against Cardiovascular disease.

Magnesium an elemental mineral - what's it good for?

Magnesium in our community is an underrated mineral. I have just had a client tell me that she thinks it has changed her life! I also love Magnesium. And seemingly everyone else should – I remember one of my university lecturers saying the food with the most amount of magnesium in our trolley is usually in the block of chocolate!

Most of us know that magnesium is specific for our Musclo-skeletal system, it helps our muscles relax, and restores and repairs them after we work out, it helps ease our aches and pains. We use magnesium to prevent muscle spasms, twitches, convulsions and tremors.

The secondary action of Magnesium and I feel it’s most important – it works on our nervous system. It helps maintain healthy nerve function; aids nerve transmission, and ultimately helps our brain function properly. It helps us deal with stress and is involved in aiding cellular energy production.

It is very difficult to get the recommended daily intake of magnesium from our foods, various reasons being - the content of magnesium in our soil is often low, processing and milling removes 60% of magnesium stores and cooking in water also causes leaching.

Food sources that include Magnesium are:

• Leafy greens; Spinach
• Nuts: Almonds, cashews
• Soyabeans: non GM is best
• Whole grains, oatmeal, bran
• Milk and dairy; Natural yoghurt

Symptoms magnesium can treat:

• Muscle cramps, aches and pains
• Fibromyalgia
• Chronic Fatigue
• Depression
• Anxiety
•  Irritability
• Sleep disturbances and Insomnia
• Stress
• PMS and period pain
• Pregnancy; prematurity and prevent intrauterine growth retardation
• Cardio-vascular health

One third of Australians over 18 years do not get their recommended daily intake of magnesium and a deficiency may be exacerbated by stress, strenuous exercise and poor absorption. It is best to use a practitioner range of magnesium because it is formulated properly and will prevent you from having gastro-intestinal cramps and loose stools. 

INFO TO MAKE YOU THINK!

• Hello AUTUMN, crisp cool mornings, beautiful days and fresh evenings all make you feel alive. But does your body feel at it's BEST? Come IN for an Autumn REFRESH - prepare YOURSELF for the winter to come.
• Want to get PREGNANT? Boost your ANTIOXIDANT intake that includes VITAMIN C, VITAMIN E, also ZINC, MAGNESIUM and FOLATE
• SHARE our PAGE with your friends and the 75 MEMBER will receive a FREE initial Naturopathic consultation.
• The ONE thing to do this week! Don't cross contaminate your ORGANIC food - remember to WASH your ECO-bags (regularly).
• Tomorrow is TOSS out Tuesday - CLEAR some clutter and make yourself feel LIGHTER. What will you toss out?
• Reuse. Remake. Recycle.
• Do you have a fussy eater? Nutrition Australia says you may need to try a food up to 8-9 times over a few weeks before they decide whether or not they like it. Persistence is the key.
• I love CHICKPEAS. They contain saponins, a group of SUPER-NUTRIENTS that act as ANTIOXIDANTS. Also, a good source of FIBRE - 42% of our daily intake in ONE CUP. Add them to your salad today.
• Only 20 members to go before you get a free treatment - share with your friends’
• Sending our love to those in JAPAN. For the rest of us it is a great time to appreciate our lives and remember not to take our life for granted. Be positive and smile everyday.
• Research has shown that when we are CRAVING a certain food that if we imagine the SMELL & VISUAL of EUCALYPTUS your food craving can GO! Try it and tell us if they are right next time you have a craving.
• Happy St Pat's Day. Celebrate with a glass of Stout - full of FLAVOR and VITAMINS - the Irish would have you believe!
• Congratulations Kappy Hay on winning the FREE initial Naturopathic Consult - you have received a message in your inbox. Well done.
• Beans beans beans - SOYA BEANS contain all of the essential amino acids making it a (near) complete PROTEIN. Also they contain ISOFLAVONES, which are good for BONE HEALTH.
• Save ENERGY and our ENVIRONMENT. Remember to turn off lights when not in the room! SWITCH OFF at the powerpoint when away for the weekend! Switch to ENERGY-SAVING GLOBES - emissions are 70% less with the SAME amount of LIGHT.
• Remember to BREATHE.....................
• Do you know anyone affected by Black Saturday. They are able to apply for health and wellness vouchers to see whatever type of practitioner they choose. Want a Naturopathic treatment you can come see me.
• ohhh - Friday night drinks may be on the cards for some of you - remember drink a glass of WATER on arrival so you don't scull your first drink for rehydration, this will help you enjoy your drink at the end of the week! WATER between drinks ladies and gentlemen. Enjoy your night!
• Earth Hour TONIGHT - make your environmental stand and turn out.
• Monday here it is - going with the environmental theme keep it MEATLESS!
• What a splendid SUNNY day - hope you Melbourne peps got out and about to soak up some VITAMIN D rays! If not eat the skin off of your CHICKEN & FISH, they can be a great source of Vitamin D.

Beans, Beans make you…………

Pulses and Legumes are an important part of a healthy diet for meat eaters and vegetarians. Here's some info about beans!

CHICKPEAS - contain saponins, a group of SUPER-NUTRIENTS that act as ANTIOXIDANTS. A good source of FIBRE - 42% of our daily intake in ONE CUP. Add them to your salad today.

GREEN PEAS – are a great source of VITAMIN C, 1 cup provides about 23mg. And this helps the IRON in the peas to be absorbed by our body.

LENTILS – are an excellent source of PROTEIN when combined with rice or wholegrains they are high in FIBRE, which makes them a good protector against bowel cancer. Lentils are an important source of B vitamins, especially B3, which is essential for both a healthy nervous system and digestive system. They are high in iron, zinc and calcium and are a good replacement for red meat. GO LENTILS.

RED KIDNEY BEANS - are a very good source of FOLATE, which assists our nervous system, they are also high in dietary FIBRE and manganese. Red kidney beans are a good source of protein, thiamin (vitamin B1), phosphorus, iron, copper, magnesium, potassium and vitamin K.

SOYA BEANS - contain all of the essential amino acids making it a (near) complete PROTEIN. Also they contain ISOFLAVONES, which are good for BONE HEALTH

Hints and Tips to make you think about your HEALTH

• Bad breath? Eat a small pot of Natural Yogurt, which contains 'good bacteria' such as lactobacilli for a 2 week period and it can neutralise the 'bad' bugs that give you bad breath!
• Hold on North Queensland thinking of you. Remember 'Rescue Remedy' will help calm your nerves and anxiousness. Keep safe.
• Have a cup of Organic Peppermint Tea, not only is it refreshing and uplifting to the senses but it will also settle any upset tummies or gastrointestinal complaints. To seek benefits the herb must be in fused for at least 10mins.
• Eat QUINOA - it has twice as much PROTEIN as brown rice and the MAGNESIUM can relax the blood vessels to ease potential migraines. What is your favourite grain?
• Magnesium is not only great to help aid tired and over sore muscles but will help support you nervous system, so if you have a lot on your plate and anxiety is coming into play bump up your magnesium load. Do you know what foods can you get magnesium from?
• Mosquito's? Try spraying Listerine (yes mouth wash) around the deck to protect you from being bitten. Have a good weekend.
• Have you drank your 8 glasses if water today?
• Time for a HAIR TREATMENT? Comb OLIVE OIL through your hair. Wrap a HOT wet towel around your head and let the warmth open up and moisturise the hair follicles, leave it for 20mins, wash with your favourite shampoo and conditioner. Tell us how beautiful and healthy your hair looks and feels.
• KISS the one you LOVE. It helps our brain produce oxytocin which promotes a sense of CALMNESS and increases WELLBEING. Happy Valentines Day.xx
• Feeling tired or run down, want advice on nutrition or even pregnancy? Book in for a health assessment or any underlying health problems. Come see me Lvl 1/99 Queen St City. 03 96709400 - 0408397298. Please tell your friends too.
• Need a good solid SLEEP, have a glass of WARM MILK - the tryptophan in it aids sleep - your grandmother was right! Sleep tight
• Have you had your exercise today? What was it? I had my circuit training and feel amazing for it!
• Did you know that a brisk walk burns about 21 kilojoules a minute and if you turn that into an hour it is the equivalent of a half an hour run! And better still is that walking is far kinder to your joints than running.
• For BEST results from EXERCISE - remember to EAT within the 30MIN window post exercise. Your MUSCLES will thank you and your ENERGY levels will be sustained through out the day.
• How sporty are you? I spent the weekend at a Sports Nutrition Seminar are you up to date on what FOODS and SUPPLEMENTS are best for you? Take advantage of my current up-to-date knowledge. Call me for a consult 03 9670 9400.
• We're getting bendy this weekend - a four day YOGA festival - what are your plans for exercise?