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Immune Boosting Strategy

Rommy Kirby — Tue, 21 Oct 2014 21:17:55 +0000

Who needs scary movies anymore?

I know I don’t, as a recovered Germaphobe, all I have to do is turn on the news and BAM…niggling little fears of real life, creepy, crawly unseen threats start gnawing on my ‘oM shanti’ state of mind.

While it can get really scary out there, there is a lot we can personally do to boost our immune system and support our body’s natural “Threat Protection” troops as our first line of defense.

We may still catch a few bugs, but our resiliency to them and our ability to recover will dramatically increase.

This is what I do when I feel that tell-tale tickle in the throat, general achey-ness or fatigue…

Become Aware ~ First I notice that I am not feeling well. I might notice that I’m getting tired faster, feel grumpy, stiff, or stuffy and congested. Because I know that my body never ever lies, it’s a great source of information.

So the next time you tune in and notice something is not just right, celebrate. Yep, listening to your body is one of the strongest things you can do for your health and happiness. You know your body better than anyone, even your doctor, so pay attention to it and treat it right.

Think Positive ~ Then I consciously choose to stay well . Do you remember that tag line, “a mind is a terrible thing to waste”? Well, it even more true when it comes to the state of health you want to enjoy. When our body speaks to us through sensations or symptoms we either a see this as a choice to stay as well as possible or we make a choice for the status quo.

Be Proactive ~ Then I take action. When my I feel something coming on, I start the day lots of H2O-bviously Better Skin (water), even more than usual, and follow that with a power breakfast of greens and protein. I get my essential oils out, the Lemon and a synergistic essential oil Protective Blend. I use the Lemon throughout the day for it’s natural detoxifying quality and I drop a few drops of Protective Blend in the back of my throat every 2 hours because it’s super high in anti-oxidants..

I eat only foods that I know would support my body and stay away from the white dietary devils, sugar, flour, and processed dairy. Bone broth is one of my favorite healing foods because it’s soothing, nourishing, warm and hydrating.

I also go into active-inaction. I rest and allow myself to be quiet and still. I take a nourishing bath with Essential Oils and Dead Sea Salts. I keep warm and don’t allow myself to get chilled feet or hands. I don’t rush to do anything, even if it takes all day, that is okay by me cause I am T-I-R-E-D. It takes a lot of energy to for the body to heal and even more to ward off microbial treats. If at all possible, I spend time cuddling with my hubby. (bonus hint here – cuddling boosts your immunity).

When you know that life is going to be more stressful…like that upcoming wedding, adult kids move back or parents in need of parenting, a sick spouse, lots of travel, moving house or a job change…be sure that you tune in to what your body is saying. Yes, it’s a balancing act and balance is dynamic.

Balance is fluid, supple, agile and it shifts in response to the circumstance…stiff, static and rigid balance, sweet one, there really is no such a thing.

Tell me…

Have you been ‘too busy’ and ignored your body only to end up sick? Do you have a Super Self Care tip to share with me? Comment below, you just might inspire someone!

Email me to learn about the resources I use and recommend.

resources

http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/21078173

The post Immune Boosting Strategy first appeared on Manage Stress | Increase Energy |Simple Solutions | Rommy Kirby, Holistic Health Coach, Yoga Personal Trainer, Essential Oil Educator.

Quick easy, smell good, non-toxic sun protection

Rommy Kirby — Fri, 05 Sep 2014 19:57:46 +0000

It was Labor Day weekend, we were in Beverly Hills celebrating a milestone with friends.

I was so excited to be in one of the most beautiful and glamorous zip codes, the land of swimming pools and movie stars, but hubby was lamenting missing the first game of the University of Tennessee football season. He is HUGE college football fan!

Then one of our friends popped up with AMAZING seats to the USC game; Field Suite seats!

But I had not packed football stadium attire or, yikes, sunscreen. Luckily though, I had put my favorite, beauty and anti-aging essential oil blend in my purse for the flight out.

That’s the really spectacular thing about essential oils, they are so versatile.

This particular blend is loaded with luscious skin loving oils like Frankincense, Sandalwood, Lavender, Myrrh, Helichrysum, and Rose.

Fun on the sidelines, I added some peppermint essential oil to the complementary pink water sprayer to cool everyone!

As we sat enjoying the action on the field…

okay, I was really checking out the celebrities around us, I started thinking about what the harsh LA sun was doing to our skin. We didn’t bring sunscreen and while sunscreen was graciously provided to each suite, it was the typical toxic stuff I don’t want to put on the largest organ of our bodies.

That’s when I remembered that I had carried my favorite blend in my purse for our flight. I took it out and started applying to my skin, my shoulders, nose, ears and decollete. Then on my fair skinned, red headed hubby.

Guess what…

In spite of the sun beating straight down onto our faces, our skin looked and felt amazing!

This little bottle of oily goodness really takes care of the skin. It’s formulated to nourish and promote a healthy response in the skin. Supporting skin health at the cellular level, these essential oils sustain smoother, more radiant and youthful skin.

Reduces the appearance of fine lines & wrinkles
Helps sustain smoother, more radiant, and youthful-looking skin.
Supports skin at the cellular level

I was so happy that I was able to use my Anti-aging blend to keep my skin healthy.

If you want to know more about essential oils, drop me an email.

The post Quick easy, smell good, non-toxic sun protection first appeared on Manage Stress | Increase Energy |Simple Solutions | Rommy Kirby, Holistic Health Coach, Yoga Personal Trainer, Essential Oil Educator.

Easy Summer Sides – Zucchini Carrot Soup

Rommy Kirby — Fri, 11 Jul 2014 17:54:50 +0000

Add this simple summer soup to your slim down menu!

It’s detox friendly, gluten free, dairy free, and vegan.

Zucchini Carrot Soup

1 large onion- chopped
2 large carrots- sliced
2 large zucchini- sliced
2 stalks of celery- sliced
2 tbsp minced fresh parsley
1 handful of spinach
1 tsp sea salt
1/8 tsp red pepper
4 cups distilled water or vegetable broth (must be yeast free & organic)

Put all of the ingredients into a pot and bring to a boil. Reduce heat and simmer until all veggies are cooked thoroughly, about 20 minutes.
Puree with an immersion blender, Vitamix, or blender. (Serves 4)

Vitamix Quick Tip

Put all ingredients into blender
Secure cover.
Blend on high for 5-7 minutes.

The Vitamix blends at such a high speed that it will actually do the cooking for you!

Did you like this? If so, please share it, tweet it or pin it. Thanks!

The post Easy Summer Sides – Zucchini Carrot Soup first appeared on Manage Stress | Increase Energy |Simple Solutions | Rommy Kirby, Holistic Health Coach, Yoga Personal Trainer, Essential Oil Educator.

Meditation made easy for regular people

Rommy Kirby — Sat, 10 May 2014 22:21:59 +0000

The breath is the easiest thing to meditate on because as long as we are living it is always present. You can do this meditation anywhere and anytime.

Simple Meditation for Beginners

Image courtesy of tiverylucky / FreeDigitalPhotos.net

Step 1 – hear the breath in your ears

Step 2 – feel the breath in your body

Step 3 – through the nose, match the inhale to the exhale

Step 4 – say the words ‘I am’ with each inhale and the word ‘here’ with each exhale

Step 5 – repeat 5 – 30 times.

Want to download one of my favorite breath meditations?

http://RommyKirby.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/05/Breath-Centering-Meditation-Tool.mp3

Did you like this? This is part of one of my paid programs, if you download it, please help me out, click one of the buttons below to share it. Thanks!

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Bone Broth Made Easy

Rommy Kirby — Sat, 23 Nov 2013 15:57:11 +0000

“Good broth will resurrect the dead”…

In my quest for optimal health and vibrant radiance I learned about traditional healing foods. I kept hearing about ‘bone stock’.

Frankly, because it sounded like work I wasn’t truly intrigued until…friends took me to a Neiman Marcus restaurant.

We were in Chicago, it was cold, it was windy. I was chilled and travel weary. Sitting in the oh so posh restaurant was a welcome treat.

Once we placed our orders, the server brought each of us the most delicious cup of golden broth. It was warm, full of flavor and just what I needed to make it through the day. In that moment I understood the restorative power of bone broth.

I would have loved a quart that blustery yet sunny day! It revived me and gave me the stamina I needed to have fun and enjoy myself even though it was so very cold.

Then in my New Master Healers classes with my teacher Andrea Beaman, I learned that bone stocks are full of nourishing goodness.

A good stock is loaded with easily absorbable vitamins, minerals and collagen that can repair and heal the digestive tract, especially the lining of the small intestine. Vanity bonus is that it will also improve skin tone, strengthen nails and grow long lustrous hair.

Have you ever wondered why your grandmother gave you chicken soup when you were sick?

Briefly, there are two reasons.

First, traditionally, chicken soup is made by boiling the left over bones of Sunday’s roasted chicken. Remember, the entire animal was used and nothing went to waste. The bones are not only flavorful, they contain life giving marrow and trace minerals. The joints are loaded with collagen, the building block of protein.

The second reason is that chickens are an energetic animal. Because they are generally always on the move, they have a high metabolism. So energetically, chicken is what you want to eat when you feel the need for more energy. Chicken soup is loaded with vitamins and skin luscious minerals to give your body the energy it needs to heal and recover faster.

One of my favorite and fun Facebook status updates is ‘It’s a bone boiling kind of day’. Hubby likes to joke to his friends that if he ever disappears they should look in the soup.

Today, I am sharing with you my basic recipe for boiling beef bones. Use this recipe as a guide, make it yours by simply changing up the ingredients a bit. You can use it with chicken bones, fish bones or pork bone stock.

You can even saved bones in the freezer until I have enough…which, come to think about it, makes me a bone collector.

So why not just use the broth or stock that come in a can, jar or the tetra box at the grocer?

Because they are just not as nourishing. They are ‘from concentrate’ which means they are diluted with water. Most of the time there are added sugars, MSG and way too much salt to flavor it. And it is just so easy to make your own. (when you do need to resort to store bought, by the best you can and look for the USDA Certified Organic, that’s what I do)

Over the last 12 months, I have been experimenting with different bone brews…I mean recipes. I’ve finally found a base recipe that works.

Basic Bone Stock Recipe

2 Pounds of Bones – the highest quality available to you
1 Large Onion
1 Garlic Bulb
4-6 Stalks Celery
2-3 Carrots
2 Bay Leafs

Other spices I use…

Peppercorns
Cloves
Cardamon Pods

7 Simple Steps

Step 1 – If bones are raw, roast in a 400 degree oven for 1 hour. I like to salt and pepper them. I will even, time permitting, roast the onion (quartered) and garlic (whole) at the same time but it is not necessary.

Step 2 – Place bones, vegetables and spices in 6 quart stainless steel pot.

Step 3 – Cover with fresh clean water to within 2 inches of rim.

Step 4 – Bring to a soft boil over medium high heat, then lower heat to low gently rolling simmer uncovered for 4-24 hours.

Step 5 – Remove from heat, allow to cool. Using tongs remove bones and large vegetables.

Step 6 – Carefully strain into large glass bowl. Cover and place in refrigerator until fat solidifies. About 4-6 hours.

Step 7 – Using a ladle, carefully place your golden elixir into glass jars or even ice cube trays for easy measuring. (I’ve recently found out that you can freeze glass jars as long as you leave room for expansion at the top.)

How to use your liquid gold…

Warm it in a sauce pan and drink it from your favorite mug.

Use it as a soup base.

Add it to stir fry, saute or sauce.

My Number 1 use and favorite quick meal…

Simple Egg Drop Soup

Notes…

You know you have made a truly magical brew if your bone broth congeals. It’s the gelatin that grows strong healthy nails, radiant skin and lustrous hair and heals the digestive system. That’s why hospitals serve jello, though, what they serve has no resemblance to life giving gelatin given to patients in the old days.

I’ve tried using vinegar to pull the collagen from the bones, but have not had success and my broth has been to brightly flavored. I use the French method of per-roasting and long simmers.

You can experiment with your vegetables.

Be open to experimenting with your vegetables and spices. Remember that cooking, unlike baking, is as much art as science. Have fun!

Add additional water as necessary throughout your simmering process.

Every good and thorough detox or cleanse program has a component to rebuild the digestive tract.

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Simple Roasted Butternut Squash with Apples – Detox Decadently

Rommy Kirby — Fri, 25 Oct 2013 20:57:41 +0000

Did you have strange aversions to foods when you were a kid?

I sure did, weird ones.

Take Squash for instance…

I didn’t like it simply because of the name. Seriously, my kid brain reasoned, “you squash bugs, so why would you eat something called squash? eeeewwww, gross!”

My mother would coat it and fry it, but it seemed mushy and slimy in my mouth.

Then in my 30’s someone brought a squash casserole to a potluck. My brain instantly thought…“squashed bugs with cheese. YUCK!“

Honestly, it wasn’t until I began training as a health coach and enrolled at the Institute of Integrated Nutrition that I decided to be more adventurous to give it another shot.

Boy, oh boy! Was I in for a sweet surprise…Bonus, you can use this 1 recipe 2 ways!

Roasted Butternut Squash with Apples

You will be amazed at the versatility of squash! Especially hard squashes, like Butternut.

This recipe is from my Cook Once, Eat Twice Collection. You can easily make 2 different dishes with this basic recipe.

This recipe is detox approved.

Simple Roasted Butternut Squash with Apples (Cook Once)

From the oven to the plate…

Serves 4 – can be easily doubled

Prep time – 20 minutes, it takes time to cut and peel a Butternut Squash.

Cook time – 30 – 40 depending on cut size of vegetables and desired tenderness
Ingredients

1 Butternut Squash (medium)
2 Granny Smith Apples
1 Red Onion
1-2 Garlic Cloves
1 Tablespoon Coconut Oil
3 -4 Fresh Thyme Sprigs (you can substitute dried, dried herbs have a stronger taste, so use less)

Optional Spices

Cinnamon
Nutmeg
Coriander
Rosemary
Ginger

Directions

Pre-heat over to 375 degrees
With a very sharp knife, cut Butternut Squash in half, then into long pieces for easier peeling. (retain peels for vegetable broth if desired)

Remove seeds (save them for soups or smoothies)
Cube Butternut Squash

Cut, core and cube Granny Smith apples (save for juicing if desired)
Slice Onion
Smash, peel and slice garlic

Add all ingredients to baking dish.
After 5 minutes, stir to distribute oil and seasonings.

Bake an additional 30 – 40 minutes to desired tenderness, stirring occasionally.

Remove from oven and enjoy!

One concept I learned in nutrition school that really fits my busy life and improves the lives of my clients is to cook once, eat twice. Try it.

You can easily enjoy more healthy meals and save valuable time!

Tell me…

Do you have a strange and weird aversion to a food? What is it?

Oh…here’s the other recipe

Roasted Butternut Squash Soup (Eat Twice) CLICK HERE FOR RECIPE

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The Smart Person’s Guide to Water – Stop The Every 20 Minute Pee Break Cycle

Rommy Kirby — Mon, 14 Oct 2013 14:43:44 +0000

Stop the “Every 20 Minute Pee Breaks”

courtesy of signicturesdotnet

You know irritating it is…

…you get ready to leave your house and you think ‘oops, what if traffic is bad’. So you stop, turn around and head to the toilet just to be sure.

…or how about when you’re on that deadline, and , you’ve been sipping water all day to keep you brain functioning at optimal…but…grrr…have to pee AGAIN!

…you’ve been on hold for 30 minutes and finally reached a real, live person…and bummer, you have to ring off to use the loo

…and most irritating…you’re just about to drop into the land of nod and, suddenly…‘no, surely not, no, I’ll make it through the night, oh yeah, I better get up and go pee’…you throw the covers back, leave your comfy spot and stumble to the toilet with half closed eyes hoping you will be able to fall back to sleep.

It happens to all of us. Especially, when we are focused on health, cleansing, weight release, optimal brain function or anti-aging.

All the experts tell us, drink water. Drink half your weight in ounces as a maintenance level. It’s so easy to give up on ever being well hydrated because all those pee breaks seem to eat away time.

Try this trick for staying optimally hydrated for optimal brain function, high productivity and H2-Obviously Better Skin.

Chunk It

Just like you chunk together errands and tasks, drink your water in chunks throughout the day.

Sipping water all day will make you need to pee every 20 – 30 minutes. Your hard working kidneys will feel like they are running a marathon every single day because they don’t get a chance to recover.

Instead, drink your room temp or warmer water in 16-24 ounce chunks 3-4 times a day.

Drink 16-24 ounces of water in 3 – 10 minutes for optimal results.

Benefits

kidneys will begin to flush out sediment
digestion will be stronger
increased productivity because of fewer pee breaks
better brain function because its easier to stay hydrated
boosts immunity
decreases inflammation
speeds recovery and healing

Optimal times to drink

Upon rising ~ Drink 24 ounces of water within 10 minutes of waking because your body is dehydrated when you wake up.
1 hour before meals ~ This will help to stimulate peristalsis in the digestive system without diluting precious digestive juices.
2 hours before bed ~ No one wants to wake up to pee. Take control and plan to avoid it and you will be able to process water through by bedtime.
1 hour before workout ~ Do this and you may not have to carry water or stop for that water break…unless you are over exercising…in that case, consider working with your body instead of against it.

BONUS Daily Detox Tip
Add a drop of lemon essential oil for added detox support. If you’re using essential oils, be sure that you have the best quality. Send me an email and I’ll tell you the oils I trust.

Tell Me Beautiful…

How much water to you drink a day? What is your best hydration tip?

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Easy Massaged Kale Salad

Rommy Kirby — Mon, 07 Oct 2013 19:23:23 +0000

This salad is not only easy, it is delicious! It’s also my most requested recipe.

A delicious way to add this nutrient dense green into your diet.

It’s as good for parties and pot lucks as it is for weekday dinner.

Kale has gotten a lot of good press lately because of it is dense in nutrients. My

hubby even wears a t-shirt that says Kale University!

Prep Time: 10 – 15 Minutes

Serves: 4 – 6 People

Ingredients:

1 Bunch Kale (I prefer Lacinato Kale, but any Kale will be delicious)
1 Fresh Lemon
3 Large Cloves Garlic
4 Scallions (more to taste)
1 Avocado
1/2 tsp Sea Salt

Into a large mixing bowl:

Wash and dry 1 bunch of kale.
Remove thick center rib (save for juicing or soup stock).
Zest and juice lemon into large bowl.
Press or mince garlic cloves and add to lemon mixture.
Add Sea Salt
Peel avacado, remove seed and mash into lemon, garlic and sea salt.
Roll leaves tightly like a cigar and with sharp knife slice as thinly as possible.
Add to bowl with dressing.
Thinly slice scallions and place in bowl with kale and dressing.
With clean hands, massage dressing into kale until kale is completely coated.

Optional:

Add 1/2 TBSP Gomasio
Slice an additional Avocado for garnish

My Notes….

This salad is not only super easy, dense in nutrition and highly transportable. It is also a huge hit!

The first time I made this I took it to a ‘Girl’s Night’ party and didn’t have any to bring home.

Can serve up to 8.
You can easily double this recipe.
Add more garlic, lemon or avocado depending on your taste.
It will last in your refrigerator up to 5 days.
Prepare this recipe at least 1 hour to serving. The longer it marinates the better it tastes.
The thinner you slice the kale leaves the better marinates and digests.

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Delicious Dijon Corn Salad

Rommy Kirby — Sun, 25 Aug 2013 15:41:34 +0000

Dijon Corn Salad

Because of garden bounty, summer is a really great time to clean up our diets, but let’s face it…summer is also a time we want quick, easy and scrumptious food.

Did you know that you can have both?

You can easily impress your family and friends…and sneak in something really healthy.

Dijon Corn Salad

Ingredients

2 Cups Baby Arugula, Spinach or other tender leafy green of your choice
2 Cups Raw or Cooked Corn (I have done it both ways and prefer cooked)
1/2 Cup Organic Cherry or Grape Tomatoes (go ahead and dice your Heirloom Tomatoes if that is what you have)
2 Tablespoons Dijon Mustard
1 Teaspoon Local Honey
Juice of 1/2 Lemon
Sea Salt and Pepper to taste

Directions

Cut corn from the cob.
Cut cherry tomatoes in half.
Place corn and tomatoes in large mixing bowl.
Combine mustard, honey, and lemon juice in medium mixing bowl.
Pour over corn and tomatoes and gently fold until dressing is evenly distributed.
Place arugula in large bowl.
Layer corn and tomatoes on top.
Salt and pepper to taste.

Recipe notes…

Serves 2 as a main dish and serves many as a side dish and is best served room temperature. It can also be easily doubled.

I’ve shared this delightful dish at 1 cook out, 1 dinner party and 1 party I hosted myself in the last month. Each time, there were no left overs and no one, not one single person thought they were eating ‘healthy’ food.

I use local, organic corn from my CSA (Community Supported Agriculture). I don’t always have local, organic cherry tomatoes, but I can pick up organic at the grocery and I get the triple washed, organic baby arugula to make things even easier.

You will find this recipe in the transition phase of my Summer Detox. Being healthy isn’t about deprivation…it is more about decadence and giving your body delicious and nourishing foods!

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