One of the perks of having your own business is that you get to choose (to some extent) the people who you surround yourself with on a daily basis.  I am continually inspired by spending time with my colleagues, who I am lucky to also call friends.  I have asked some of these great women who work with me at Nutritious Life to take a moment to reflect on Mother’s Day.  Their answers speak to some of the pillars that are the foundation of a Nutritious Life. I hope these words inspire you as you recognize and honor the women and mothers in your life, this Mother’s Day.

Tiffany: Eat Empowered

As a mom of a preschooler, people ask me if my daughter eats healthy because I’m a nutritionist.  The truth is, she’s a typical kid who loves her sweets and struggles to get in green vegetables.  When I was in grad school studying nutrition I had very strong ideas about how I would feed my child when I became a mother…and then I actually had a child.  She is her own person and has her own likes and dislikes.  She does like a lot of healthy foods, but it is a daily, ongoing attempt to get her to try new foods.  I just try to expose her to these wonderfully healthy foods as much as possible, so at the very least she recognizes them (she can identify kale and avocado even if she hasn’t quite yet learned to like them).  She helps me assemble my salads, we go to the farmers’ market together, and she knows all about vitamins A, B and C and how they make her body healthy.  I keep telling myself that I was picky as a kid and grew up to love vegetables, so there’s hope for her, too. So, on Mother’s Day we will enjoy one of our favorite weekend activities together…cooking whole wheat pancakes.  She gets on the step stool and helps me measure and mix the batter, and we occasionally add some fruit to bump up the nutrition.  But let’s be honest, for my daughter it’s not about the whole grain goodness; it’s really all about the syrup.

 Amanda: Stress Less

Growing up, my mom always taught me to STRESS LESS. I’ve always had a tendency to stress about things that were out of my control or that really weren’t worth stressing about. My mom has a saying: “Is this tragic or merely inconvenient?” Putting the problem into perspective and knowing that I can deal with the “inconvenient”, and helping me come up with a plan always helped me stress less, and is a phrase I often repeat to myself today when something arises. To return the favor, my mom and I spend Mother’s Day indulging in a relaxing spa day each year.

Lara: Sleep Deep

As the mother of two little girls, almost 4 and 20 months, sleeping in doesn’t happen often. Since our eldest child was born, my husband makes Mother’s Day a special day for me beginning with a lazy morning in bed. It’s amazing what a little extra sleep can do for my overall mood and energy. It sets me up for an amazing day with my family. In fact, just the idea of knowing I can stay in bed is enough for me. On Mother’s Day, like most days, I just want snuggle with my girls and get lots of hugs and kisses. Being a mother is the greatest gift in the world. And a little extra sleep doesn’t hurt!

Michelle: Pamper Thyself

Mother’s day is a traditional day in my family where for as long as I can remember, the day is all about embracing, valuing, and pampering my mom, grandmothers, aunts, and all mothers in the family alike. For brunch, my dad’s side of the family would gather around my grandmother over an abundance of middle eastern Persian cuisine and tell jokes, past time stories, and sing happy mother’s day songs in Persian, Hebrew, and English. My cousins and I would create small gifts of hearts and poems to distribute to our mothers, giving them hugs, kisses, and unforgettable keepsakes. Then for dinner, we would do the same exact thing with my mother’s side of the family. As I grew older, my gifts became more sophisticated from a scribble of love to a spa date. It is a big day of appreciation and acknowledgement for all mothers do – so do a little something extra to pamper all the mothers out there, including yourself! No matter how old you get mom still loves the hand written heart shaped poems – a keepsake that she can always turn to for happiness and smiles. This Mother’s Day pamper mom with written love whether that is a beautiful poem, note, engraved poetry art, or a handmade scrapbook/collage, it will be sure to keep her smiling and feel loved and appreciated for more than just one day!

Stacia: Sex Ed

I don’t really like to be the center of attention. It makes me nervous. I have tried repeatedly to make Mother’s Day about my mother or mother in law – pampering others is much more my style. But, with 3 amazing kids, I have no choice but to succumb to their doting. Really, it is like bizzaro day. Instead of making 5 breakfasts, lunches and dinners, cleaning up and managing the household, my family takes charge. Behind it all is my husband, who plans, orchestrates and organizes breakfast, my kiddie “rock concert” and barbecue or picnic. There is nothing sexier to me than watching the man I adore (after 12 years 6 moves, more than 10 jobs between us, sickness and health) make super-daddy-egg-sandwiches, and actually clean up. On Mother’s Day, it is not lost on me that the honor of being called mumma is really because of the man I love.

Cheers to another year of parenting! I hope you are honored, pampered and rested in celebration of all your hard work.

One of the perks of having your own business is that you get to choose (to some extent) the people who you surround yourself with on a daily basis.  I am continually inspired by spending time with my colleagues, who I am lucky to also call friends.  I have asked some of these great women who work with me at Nutritious Life to take a moment to reflect on Mother’s Day.  Their answers speak to some of the pillars that are the foundation of a Nutritious Life. I hope these words inspire you as you recognize and honor the women and mothers in your life, this Mother’s Day.

Tiffany: Eat Empowered

As a mom of a preschooler, people ask me if my daughter eats healthy because I’m a nutritionist.  The truth is, she’s a typical kid who loves her sweets and struggles to get in green vegetables.  When I was in grad school studying nutrition I had very strong ideas about how I would feed my child when I became a mother…and then I actually had a child.  She is her own person and has her own likes and dislikes.  She does like a lot of healthy foods, but it is a daily, ongoing attempt to get her to try new foods.  I just try to expose her to these wonderfully healthy foods as much as possible, so at the very least she recognizes them (she can identify kale and avocado even if she hasn’t quite yet learned to like them).  She helps me assemble my salads, we go to the farmers’ market together, and she knows all about vitamins A, B and C and how they make her body healthy.  I keep telling myself that I was picky as a kid and grew up to love vegetables, so there’s hope for her, too. So, on Mother’s Day we will enjoy one of our favorite weekend activities together…cooking whole wheat pancakes.  She gets on the step stool and helps me measure and mix the batter, and we occasionally add some fruit to bump up the nutrition.  But let’s be honest, for my daughter it’s not about the whole grain goodness; it’s really all about the syrup.

 Amanda: Stress Less

Growing up, my mom always taught me to STRESS LESS. I’ve always had a tendency to stress about things that were out of my control or that really weren’t worth stressing about. My mom has a saying: “Is this tragic or merely inconvenient?” Putting the problem into perspective and knowing that I can deal with the “inconvenient”, and helping me come up with a plan always helped me stress less, and is a phrase I often repeat to myself today when something arises. To return the favor, my mom and I spend Mother’s Day indulging in a relaxing spa day each year.

Lara: Sleep Deep

As the mother of two little girls, almost 4 and 20 months, sleeping in doesn’t happen often. Since our eldest child was born, my husband makes Mother’s Day a special day for me beginning with a lazy morning in bed. It’s amazing what a little extra sleep can do for my overall mood and energy. It sets me up for an amazing day with my family. In fact, just the idea of knowing I can stay in bed is enough for me. On Mother’s Day, like most days, I just want snuggle with my girls and get lots of hugs and kisses. Being a mother is the greatest gift in the world. And a little extra sleep doesn’t hurt!

Michelle: Pamper Thyself

Mother’s day is a traditional day in my family where for as long as I can remember, the day is all about embracing, valuing, and pampering my mom, grandmothers, aunts, and all mothers in the family alike. For brunch, my dad’s side of the family would gather around my grandmother over an abundance of middle eastern Persian cuisine and tell jokes, past time stories, and sing happy mother’s day songs in Persian, Hebrew, and English. My cousins and I would create small gifts of hearts and poems to distribute to our mothers, giving them hugs, kisses, and unforgettable keepsakes. Then for dinner, we would do the same exact thing with my mother’s side of the family. As I grew older, my gifts became more sophisticated from a scribble of love to a spa date. It is a big day of appreciation and acknowledgement for all mothers do – so do a little something extra to pamper all the mothers out there, including yourself! No matter how old you get mom still loves the hand written heart shaped poems – a keepsake that she can always turn to for happiness and smiles. This Mother’s Day pamper mom with written love whether that is a beautiful poem, note, engraved poetry art, or a handmade scrapbook/collage, it will be sure to keep her smiling and feel loved and appreciated for more than just one day!

Stacia: Sex Ed

I don’t really like to be the center of attention. It makes me nervous. I have tried repeatedly to make Mother’s Day about my mother or mother in law – pampering others is much more my style. But, with 3 amazing kids, I have no choice but to succumb to their doting. Really, it is like bizzaro day. Instead of making 5 breakfasts, lunches and dinners, cleaning up and managing the household, my family takes charge. Behind it all is my husband, who plans, orchestrates and organizes breakfast, my kiddie “rock concert” and barbecue or picnic. There is nothing sexier to me than watching the man I adore (after 12 years 6 moves, more than 10 jobs between us, sickness and health) make super-daddy-egg-sandwiches, and actually clean up. On Mother’s Day, it is not lost on me that the honor of being called mumma is really because of the man I love.

Cheers to another year of parenting! I hope you are honored, pampered and rested in celebration of all your hard work.

I always get a little itch, right in the beginning of April. It is a kind of anticipatory nag to clean, clean-out and overhaul my home in preparation for spring. Usually, getting started is rather simple: I open my pantry. Tempted as I may be by pretty packaging and seductive scents, I am almost always disappointed in the new cleaning products I try. I sometimes even clean with a new product, only to re-clean with lemon, vinegar or baking soda! So, today, in honor of making my world a place I love to thrive in, I praise the merits of food once again – only this time for reasons above and beyond their nutritive properties!

Lemon – I always have lemons at home. I have a stash of sliced or wedged lemons in my refrigerator at all times to toss into a glass of water, or squeeze on my salad or fish. There is no denying that they are a staple in my world, and I love lemon for liver support, vitamin C burst, and fresh scent. In my home, I use lemons to clean, and I love this product to make my own cleaning solution. I squeeze a lemon into a spray bottle and wipe down my countertops. It works beautifully to remove grease without chemicals. It can also be used as a bleaching agent on clothing, so if I accidentally have a spill at a restaurant, I ask for a slice of lemon to treat a potential stain.

White Vinegar – I love all types of vinegar, but it is safe to say that I always have white vinegar in the pantry. I use it in cucumber and tomato salads (instead of mayonnaise), and love the role of all vinegars in my health and wellness. For no calories but tons of flavor, vinegar aids the digestive system; it contains potassium, magnesium, calcium, pectin and acetic acid. It improves the absorption and utilization of several essential nutrients. When I am in doubt about how to clean something, white vinegar is my usual go-to. I use it mixed with a little water (and sometimes a bit of castile soap) on my floors, windows, shower doors, toilets and as a drain cleaner. Though it may not be my favorite scent in the world, I’m always thrilled when I smell vinegar b/c I know my home is clean.

 Baking soda – An obvious choice, baking soda is not just a leavening agent, used to make your dough rise. Most of us have this baking staple all over our homes to absorb odors. I keep a box in the pantry, one in the fridge, one in the freezer and one in the closet with my kids’ sports equipment. While I often don’t change the boxes often enough (change every 30 days!), I am comforted to know they are there. There is not much nutritional benefit to baking soda, which is a source of sodium (1/2 your daily needs in a teaspoon) and little else. Still, baking soda is a cleaning powerhouse, and can be mixed with a little water to form a paste and clean between bathroom tiles, sterling silver, and stains on china and ceramics. Also, there is nothing better at removing red wine stains. Simply pour the baking soda over the stain (as soon as you can), let it dry, and all of the wine will transfer to the baking soda. Vacuum it up and no one will be the wiser!

Olive oil – A prince among oils, olive oil contains those wonderful monounsaturated fatty acids that are cardio-protective, it can improve cholesterol profiles when used in the place of other fats and provides delicious satiety. It is also used in my beauty routine as a moisturizer for my hair, nails and skin and my home care routine as a wood polish! Used to return shine to otherwise dull or untreated wood, simply combine three parts olive oil to one part vinegar or lemon juice.

Oh, how I look forward to my clean, green, delicious and sparkling spring home!

Trouble sleeping? We all know sex is good for our health, but did you know that getting lucky can actually help you fall asleep? Research shows that the tendency for a person to fall asleep right after sex is associated with a greater desire for bonding and cuddling with their partner. This study also found that women were more likely than men to be the first to fall asleep after intimacy. Get close to your partner and get some shut eye!

NLT: In We Were an Island: The Maine Life of Art & Nan Kellam, Peter Blanchard writes about a couple that kept their relationship wonderful while living alone together on an isolated island for 40 years. Of course, personal space and occasional solitude was essential for each of them nonetheless.

As part of a whole person and Nutritious LIFE approach to wellness and weight management, it is often important to look at what is happening between my clients’ sheets. Even though lots of clients raise their eyebrows when intimacy is inquired about, the dirty deets aren’t what I’m after. Scientists have linked feel good hormones with achieving and maintaining a healthy weight. We all have stressors and stress hormones that build up in our systems and act like toxins in our bodies. There are hormones that do exactly the opposite – they make us feel good. These hormones deserve just as much attention, which is why they are the focus of today.

Two hormones are worthy of special attention: oxytocin is well studied for its calming effects. It is released after orgasm and feel good moments; it floods the body with relaxation messages and lowers anxiety and the brain’s natural resistance responses. The other happy hormones worthy of focus are endorphins. Linked to feelings of well being, endorphins are naturally released during exercise and pleasurable moments and are responsible for lessening feelings of pain. Oxytocin and endorphins in the body stimulate a metabolic process to reduce the intake of calories, reduce hunger and slow the digestion of fat. To make it simple, the more one feels good, the greater the health, weight management and wellness benefit there is.

It is worth getting your feel good on. Try one of these:

 Oxytocin – is released from the pituitary during orgasm, hugging, touching, breast feeding and bonding. It is associated with increasing feelings of trust and generosity. Try some of these touch techniques to get your oxytocin release:

• Have sex
• Try acupuncture
• Get a massage
• Snuggle a baby
• Cuddle a puppy

Endorphins — are primarily released from the brain and spinal cord during exercise, physical activity, sex, positive thinking and emotional stimulus. Endorphins are associated with lessening feelings of pain and depression by triggering positive feelings and reducing feelings of stress. Try one of these techniques to stimulate your body’s endorphins:

• Eat capsaicin from chili powder or peppers
• Have a good cry
• Laugh
• Get in a good workout
• Use a steam room or sauna

You have nothing to lose and everything to gain by turning on your oxytocin and endorphins. Best of all, these suggestions work best when applied with a partner; you can use any of the above suggestions as an excuse to care for someone you love as you care for yourself!

I’ve never been a big fan of resolutions. I truly believe we should be working on improving ourselves daily, and that we don’t need a holiday date to begin self-improvement work. However, there is something to be said for taking a minute to reflect on the past year and take action moving forward. There are many “rules” to follow in life but looking ahead at a new year, there is one rule I would like to focus on: be responsible. It translates into your personal, professional and social life in a proactive and productive way. We don’t need a million guidelines. There shouldn’t be a hundred messages telling you how to govern yourself as you navigate the world. Moving through life with the mantra ‘be responsible’ should cover you in most situations. As we approach the New Year, it is a good time to revisit the simple message of being responsible.

Be responsible for your health — make choices that keep you accountable to your physical, mental and emotional health. Find a way to be responsible when you are indulging and enjoy yourself with a thoughtful recognition of your actions with food, exercise and well being. Make and keep your doctors’ appointments, schedule regular dental check-ups and be proactive in eating empowered by keeping your refrigerator and pantry responsibly stocked.

Be responsible in your environment — take a New Year’s minute to look at the space you spend the most time in. Do you love your home? Is your bedroom a sanctuary? Are you proud of the desk you keep and spot where you relax? No? Then take some action and make the spaces you live in spaces you love. Take ownership of improving your world you live in so that you can feel good about your choices.

Be responsible in your love – release some oxytocin, the love hormone that is responsible for managing your stress and negative feelings. Cuddle more puppies, hold more children’s hands, hug your loved ones and accept and receive affections. You deserve to have a year that is full of feelings of being loved, so take responsibility for it by incorporating a little love into each day.

What are your thoughts on New Year’s Resolutions?

Can you name the last five times you had sex with your partner? Sometimes it takes a special experience to reignite the passion in a relationship. Sex has been proven to relieve stress, boost immunity, burn calories, improve heart health, and help you sleep better.  You’ve cooked together, you’ve worked out together, you’ve danced together and maybe you even went skydiving together, but when was the last time you did nothing together? Sometimes it’s the “nothing” that leads to the “something” between the sheets…

NLT: Book a room in a rustic hotel… the more secluded the better! Grab your other half and head out of town for a sexy weekend away. Spend your time hiking, snuggling up together in front of the fire, hot tubbing, or doing NOTHING! Whatever you choose, it is sure to rekindle your sex life. What could be better than a steamy getaway?!

Ever heard the saying, “Couples who play together, stay together”? We believe it to be true, so let the games begin! According to the Co-Director of the University of Denver’s Center for Marital and Family studies, “The correlation between fun and marital happiness is high, and significant…The more you invest in fun and friendship…the happier the relationship will get over time.” Find time this month to have some good ole fashioned fun with your partner. Whether it’s taking a haunted hayride, carving pumpkins, or a fun game between the sheets, turn up the laughter a notch and channel your inner kid.

 NLT: You’re never too old to clown around! Why not grab your better half and take some circus classes? You can learn to juggle, take trapeze classes or even become a professional clown. Whatever calories you don’t burn by flying through the air, you will by laughing, guaranteed! Most major cities have acrobatic and circus training clubs that give group and private lessons. Rather sit back and watch? Find a sexy, adults-only circus venue in a city near you or spice up your night with a little circus cabaret show!

 What are some unique, fun activities you have done with your other half?

What’s the key to a long and lasting relationship? Turns out the answer may be as simple as cuddling! Researchers found that men who frequently kiss or cuddle with their partner are more likely to be happy in their relationship, and that taking time to cuddle and kiss can improve one’s sex life, too. Research suggests people with strong, intimate relationships tend to have fewer chronic diseases and to live longer. Snuggle up with that special someone and rev up your relationship!

NLT: Want to brush up on your cuddling skills or learn how to cuddle without your arm falling asleep? Check out the Cuddle Sutra! Yup – an entire book dedicated to the wonderful act of cuddling. With more than 50 different cuddle positions, this book is the perfect way to turn an ordinary night on the couch into an extraordinary night of super snuggling!

Want to feel sexier? Ditch the lingerie and lace up those sneakers, throw on that sports bra and hit the gym! Research shows that women who exercise not only have increased levels of body satisfaction but also have stronger sexual desires. The hormones released during exercise relieve stress and increase confidence, self-image, and mood, making you more likely to initiate intimate time with your sweetie. And believe us, your partner will notice too. Why? Because when you feel beautiful and sexy – you instantly become beautiful and sexy! Experts also believe that people who are mentally and physically fit are more likely to have good sex lives. So if you are looking to bring sexy back (into the bedroom), be sure to hit the gym before you hit the sheets.

NLT: Heat up the bedroom with one of this season’s hottest workouts – pole classes!  Think we are talking about the been-there, done-that pole classes on the bachelorette party circuit? Think again! From yoga pole to salsa pole to belly pole, these new pole-fusion trends are dancing their way into one major workout movement. These classes are sassy, calorie-torching workouts that benefit your body and mind. Check out Pole Fitness Association to find a studio in your state. You can also check with your local gyms as many offer introductory classes and series to build seduction skills and keep blood flowing.

Have you ever wondered what Nutritious Life really is?

“Nutritious Life” is a new way of looking at nutrition.  It reaches beyond a good diet and takes a whole person approach to health and wellness, both inside and out.  We teach people to listen to their bodies and empower them with the support and tools they need to create change towards an enriching and balanced life.

There are 8 pillars that make up a Nutritious Life, all equally important to personal well being. These pillars are as follows:

Drink Up

Our bodies are 50-75% water. The most common reason people are sluggish in the afternoon is due to dehydration. If we don’t drink enough water our bodies do not function properly, we become tired and do not metabolize food properly. It is a must to get your water in. Water also helps us feel clean, healthy and refreshed. The lemon in water helps detoxify our liver keeping it in greater health to metabolize the food we consume.  Begin every a.m. with water and a slice of squeezed lemon. Take a tea break for green, black, white or herbal mid-morning and mid-afternoon.

Eat Empowered

Feel empowered putting the most nutrient rich food in your body. It’s not “I can’t eat the dessert” – it is – “I can eat the blueberries!”  When you focus on how good you feel fueling yourself with the best foods you will continue to be motivated to eat these foods.  Then the benefits from skin health to weight loss, and all that’s in between, will follow.

Exercise Steady

Aside from burning calories, exercise is important because when you exercise your body releases endorphins which make you feel good and motivate you to eat well, do your job well and simply be happy! Weight bearing exercises increase muscle mass which in turn burns more calories even while you are sitting on the couch.  Interval training is also important to help rev your metabolism for hours after you have left the gym. Try 30 seconds at your max followed with 2 minutes at a more relaxed pace.

Pamper Thyself

Treating yourself to something special can have emotional and physical benefits. Simple small indulgences, like a manicure, massage, or bubble bath can make you look and feel great. The time that you spend caring for yourself physically can reap huge mental and physical rewards.

Sex Ed

Is there a link between low libido and weight? Absolutely! The good news is that not only does losing weight help your sex life, but having sex also helps with your weight loss.  First of all, while it’s not (usually!) as strenuous as an afternoon of tennis, sex does burn calories. Second, researchers know that oxytocin – a hormone released after orgasm in men and women, through cuddling, and even by simply holding hands – acts as a soothing antioxidant and may make it easier for people to stick to their healthy eating style.

Sleep Deep

When you are well rested you make better food choices, have more energy to go the gym, walk to work or take time for your favorite activities. When you are not well rested, your defenses are down and you are more likely to overeat and make poor food choices. One more thing… Ever heard of cortisol? Lack of sleep makes this hormone rise as well! You can improve your sleep by practicing a calm ritual before bed. Try dimming the lights in your bedroom and reduce stimulation by turning off the TV, computer, and yes even your Blackberry!

Stress Less

Stress increases the level of the hormone cortisol in our bodies, which in turn makes our bodies crave carbohydrates, specifically high sugar carbohydrates, and store fat around the mid-section. So, even if you don’t eat more due to stress you can still gain weight due to stress. To make matters worse, stress also causes an increase in appetite… We all know what that does! Make time in your day to unwind and reset. Take 5 minutes to sit quietly and practice deep breathing or go for a walk outside for a breath of fresh air.

Your World

The environment that surrounds us can impact both our mental and physical health.  There are some aspects of our environment that we can’t always control – like the traffic or the construction down the street. But there are plenty of factors that are within our reach and can make a big difference in our lifestyle and mood.  For example, make a clutter-free zone in your office or home or turn off the TV when you aren’t really watching.