The Battle Against Negativity

We've all been there. You know it. "God, school sucks! I hate my life." "Uhhh I'm working 3 days in a row! Why does this always happen to me?" or even "I missed the Drake tickets again this time! I hate everything!" Don't worry. It's not you. It's everyone. Our society is becoming chronically negative. 

I had to write this post now because just like you guys, I suffer from chronic negativeness too. Lately I've found myself cursing my existence (and everyone in it) due to problems that occur naturally in life. What are my triggers? Let's see...

• School
• Work
• My parents
• Money
• My siblings
• School
• Work
• My parents
• School again
• Did I mention work?

I'd like to ask you all a question. When we are complaining about our jobs, our relationships, our family, our homework or whatever else there is....do we ever stop and think...Shit. What am I doing? I'm complaining that I have to get up and go to work every day where I make MONEY to pay my BILLS to afford my HOUSE to support my FAMILY to spend on my PLEASURE to put towards my HEALTH CARE and the list goes on and on. Let's go back to my first point. MONEY! You go to work to make MONEY! Majority of the world does not see the amount of money that most of us in the West make in a single day. Do you realize how lucky we are? My second point - to pay my BILLS. Bills may not seem like a blessing but when you realize the things you are paying for (water, electricity, phones, internet, hydro) are not even offered or available to some people, you, well, you shut up. *snapping my fingers* Third point- afford my HOUSE. You have a house, damn it! You could have been a bum, sitting on the side of the road, begging like the others. But you are not. You have a house to go home to. You have a roof over your head. End of discussion. I can go on and on, but you do get the point here right? In yo face!

We are a chronically negative and depressed society and it makes absolutely no sense. Yet, we are all guilty of it. Could it mean that we are actually chronically spoiled as opposed to negative? That would make a whole lot more sense. 

My point here is to offer tips on how to deal with the negativity in your life. It does not necessarily mean the negativity comes only from you. It can be a family member or partner or friend. Here are my tips on how to deal with this new epidemic (as I like to call it).

1. Instead of focusing on the negative, focus on the positive. Have you heard that saying, instead of bashing what you hate, promote what you love? The next time life gets you down, focus on all of the good things in life instead of the bad. In my case - Uhh I effin hate school! - whereas, I could be thinking, School really sucks but I cannot wait for the exciting career opportunities that will lie ahead of me when I graduate!

2. Meditate. Do not scoff at me. It works! Meditation is a natural stress reliever and is good for the soul. It is known to improve our creative thinking, our energy, our success and decrease our stress levels. Start off with meditating for one minute each day, gradually increasing a minute as you go. You will thank me brother. You will thank me!

3. Let go of Expectations. Oh man, this one is a killer and is also the biggest cause of negativity. Let go of expectations! We are disappointed the most when we expect more. Stop expecting and just enjoy what you receive. When we hold on to expectations, the only one that loses is you. 

4. Keep a thought journal. This may sound corny, but it is very helpful. Jot down your emotions for each day. At the end of the week, review your journal and see if you can see a pattern. Is there a certain person or place that triggers your negative emotions?

5. Diet and Exercise. Your emotions could just be a reaction to the food you are eating. Remember, you are what you eat. Certain foods may trigger negative thinking. Be mindful of what you put in your mouth! Eat your fruits and vegetables, your whole grains and lean proteins and feel yourself heal. Exercise, as we all know, is a great mood booster. Next time you want to punch a wall, go for a run instead. You will not regret that endorphin rush.

6. Smile. Lastly, remember to smile every day. Even if you are not in the mood, just do it. Studies have shown that a smile itself is enough to boost your mood. The smile does not even have to come from you. This may sound funny, but practice it with yourself. Smile to yourself a few times a day. It works.

I hope you guys have enjoyed this post! Let us kick negativity to the curb and embrace what our spoiled western life style offers us.

Cheers.

Inform2Inspire

How To Start a Fitness Regime and Stick to It

     Starting a new fitness regime can be exciting. It can either be your first visit to a gym or you can be working on a new fitness goal. Whatever the cause may be, it is fun and refreshing when you first begin.......and then it may slow down after some time. Starting a fitness routine is not easy, nor is sticking to one. Some of us may have never entered a gym in our lives while some of us may be seasoned athletes. One of the most common statements I've heard about new members at a gym are: "I have no idea what I'm doing. I feel like everyone's staring at me." And that's okay and it's normal! How could you be expected to know how to perform a perfect squat or how to set up the levers on a leg extension machine? You are not expected to know these things. But you know what you could do? .................................................

.........................

................................

..............ask.

     You enter a LA Fitness and see those men and women walking around in their black pants and black staff shirts? They are there to help you. Assist you with your form, answer any exercise related question you may have and yes, show you how to use the equipment. Being a personal trainer myself, I am expected to know everything there is when it comes to gyms, but even I get confused sometimes. It happens. You live, you learn, you practice, you perfect. However, I would still like to share some of my tips with you:

TIPS

Group Fitness Classes                                   

Group fitness classes are available in many types and for all levels, especially beginners. When I first began going to the gym, all I did was attend the classes. These helped because a) I had no idea what I was doing, b) working out in a group environment was less daunting than out there on my own and c) they taught me different exercises and routines that I later began to do on my own time. Had it not been for the group fitness classes, I might still be that scared girl in the corner doing 100 push ups and sit ups on a mat and calling it a day because I didn't know what to do. Group fitness will also help you stick to a regime by dedicating yourself to your classes. 

Hire a Personal Trainer

A few months into my new fitness regime, I began to hit a plateau. I was doing the same exercises over and over and stopped noticing a difference in my physique. I decided I needed that extra push so I hired a personal trainer (BEST DECISION OF MY LIFE). Working with a trainer not only pushed my to max potential but it also gave me results I never expected. Losing 30 pounds in less than a year was the best accomplishment of my life and I owe it all to my very first trainer, Sharon. Hiring a trainer also kept me motivated to stick to my fitness regime as I was excited to see how much I could do each session and had already committed to a contact, which I was paying for. And before you start going ham about how "expensive" personal training is, I always say, you can never put a price on your health. So you might have to cut one trip to Zara or a few restaurant meals a month, but it is worth it my friend!   

Goals and Incentives  

Remember how your parents would always give you what you wanted if you either cleaned your room, did your homework, watered the grass, etc.? Well, if you were like me, you damn well did everything they asked to get that reward in the end! It always works. My suggestion is to set small goals for yourself, either weekly, biweekly or monthly and reward yourself. It can be as simple as: "I will attend four Zumba classes this week" and you can reward yourself with a new workout top or headband. Or maybe you want to set an even bigger goal for a bigger reward? "If I do not lose ten pounds in two months, I will not book that Miami trip with the girls." Make it work in your favour. Goals are also a helpful way to keep the motivation going and keeping your spirits up. Exercise routines can be get boring or you may reach plateaus, at which point you can set new goals for yourself to push yourself even further!

Surround yourself with Positivity

Haters are always going to hate. I'm not asking you to drop all your friends and make new ones. I'm asking you to carefully observe your surroundings. Is everyone in your life really there for you? Are your friends and family supporting your new fitness regime? Don't hang around with negative people because it is these people who will eventually bring you down. If your friends are there for you and happy for you, they will support you on this new journey. If they complain, or try to deter you from the gym, well, you know the answer to that. Choose your friends wisely. Let nothing stand in the way of your true potential.

Well, there you have it people. My tips. Read them over and over. And stick to it! It gets hard. There may be days you just want to give up or days you skip your workout or days you eat 2 entire bags of Lays Salt and Vinegar chips (sooo damn good), but it's okay. You'll get back up and you'll start again. You'll come back to read my blog and get motivated ;) 

As always, thanks for coming out!

Inform2Inspire

My Everyday Essentials Smoothie

Hey guys! Long time, no see. Sorry, I've been slacking a bit but I just went through a week of writing midterms and assignments and all I want to do is SLEEEP for a month straight. But anywho, enough of my pity party, I am here to share my Everyday Essentials Smoothie recipe with you! I love this smoothie because it is so easy to make and it tastes great while giving you a vast variety of nutrients for the day! There are many variations of this recipe and there are some ingredients that you might replace with others and I won't be offended. (I swear). So here goes.

Ingredients:

1 cup unsweetened chocolate almond milk (you may use whatever kind of milk you like, I prefer almond but I also recommend coconut or any kind of nut milk)

1 cup kale

1 banana (nice and ripe, the more spots, the better and sweeter it is!)

1 handful strawberries

1 handful blueberries 

1 heaping tbsp of ground flax seed (available at any health food store or your grocery store's organic aisle)

1 tbsp Vitamineral Green powder (I freaking love this stuff!! order online right here: http://www.rawnutrition.ca/en/supplements/green-foods/healthforce_vitamineral_green_500gr_hfvg500 - it seems pricey but it will last you a good 6 to 8 months or longer!)

1 tbsp Salba (you can substitute with chia seeds)

1 packet stevia (to taste)

Additional Ingredients (if you'd like...)

1 scoop protein powder (I use Vega, but I also recommend hemp or rice protein or Sun Warrior protein powder)

1 tbsp glutamine (most common amino acid found in your muscles, over 61% of skeletal muscle is glutamine! - also known to boost immune system)

1 tsp maca powder (for maca benefits, visit http://www.vegkitchen.com/nutrition/7-top-health-benefits-of-maca/)

Directions

Deposit all ingredients as listed into your blender and blend until mixture comes to a smooth consistency. Pour into a glass and enjoy, peeps!

Tips

*If you wash and prep your produce before the week begins, it is much easier for you during the week! I wash and cut my kale and pre-wash my berries so all I have to do in the morning is throw everything into the blender and go! It's that easy. ;)

As always, thanks for coming out!

Inform2Inspire

My Simple Green Juice Recipe

Alright guys, I'm letting you in on a huge secret today. This is the key to everything. It's the holy grail! It's the answer to all your prayers, it's everything you've ever needed! It's------okay, I'm exaggerating a bit. It's my staple green juice that I drink on a weekly basis and I'd like to share the recipe with all of you. The best part about this juice is that it is so easy to prep and make! Like everyone else, I don't have all the time in the world to wash, cut and prep fifty different fruits and vegetables. This is why I created THIS recipe and stuck to it! So, here you have it folks, my simple green juice recipe! (People pay for this stuff you know?) 

(That was  a joke)

........Hi.

Ingredients:

1 head of celery

1 english cucumber

2 green apples (I use Gala, but you can use whichever you like)

2 oranges (I use Valencia, but again, whatever you like)

2 lemons

1 1-2 inch piece of ginger

Makes 1.5 L of juice (or more, depends on your juicer)

Wash and cut all fruits and vegetables. Run them through the juicer. Strain and stir your juice when you are done and voila! Your juice is ready bro. Best practice is to drink your juice as soon as possible. Remember, the fresher the better! However, if you'd like, you can store the juice for up to 2 - 3 days. Mason jars are the best to use or any glass container with a tight seal.

Notes:

If you want more of a kick to your juice, feel free to add some pineapple. Also, you can add spinach or any leafy green vegetable to the juice as well. I've just tried to simplify the recipe as much as I can. For an extra kick, stir in a tablespoon of turmeric for some more anti-inflammatory power! 

Health Benefits:

Celery - anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, digestive tract + cardiovascular support, cancer prevention

Cucumber - antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, anti-cancer benefits

Apple - regulates blood sugar, antioxidant, cardiovascular benefits, anti-cancer, anti-asthma

Orange - contains healing phytonutrients, antioxidant, immune support, cardiovascular benefits, promotes optimal health, cholesterol lowering benefits, good source of fiber, prevents kidney stones, prevents ulcers and reduces risk for stomach cancer, protects respiratory health, protects against rheumatoid arthritis

Lemon - antioxidant, natural antibiotic, supports optimal health, protects against rheumatoid arthritis

Ginger - anti-inflammatory, gastrointestinal relief, nausea and vomiting relief during pregnancy, protects against colorectal cancer, induces cell death in ovarian cells, immune boosting

Happy juicing brothers!

As always, thanks for coming out :)

inform2inspire

  

Why I decided to go Vegan

I don't want this post to be some anti-animal cruelty/PETA-ish type of jargon. I'd just really like to tell you why I decided to stop eating meat or rather, any animal product and how I've felt since. 

First of all, I was a meat eater my entire life. I've probably ate more meat than any one of you! Especially when I was going through my "get ripped body building yeahhhhh buddy" stage. My typical day would consist of egg whites and a protein shake for breakfast, chicken and veggies for lunch and then some sort of animal with veggies for dinner. I was big on that protein game. Gotta get my protein in, make sure I'm getting enough protein, eat eat eat. I later realized that yes, I was putting on plenty of lean muscle mass but was I actually getting any nutritional benefits from my diet? Eating a cooked dead animal carcass along with cooked and nutritionally depleted vegetables....there was no nutritional value in my meal whatsoever. And before you go all "don't knock the protein bro" on me, you need to realize that yes, I was getting protein from my chicken or turkey breast but...did I know where that animal was coming from? What it had been subjected to throughout its life? What it had been fed and how it had reached its end? No, I had no idea.

You need to realize that when you're eating that animal, you're eating everything that went along with that animal. What kind of nutritional benefits am I receiving from a chicken that was fed GMO corn its whole life and then injected with antibiotics, steroids, growth hormones and god knows what else throughout its lifetime to become that big and juicy piece of meat we have all come to yearn for? Nothing, but a small percentage of that protein you want.....which you can also get from a protein shake, or bar, or a cup of quinoa or some beans or kale or spinach or this super amazing sea vegetable that you have probably never heard of called spirulina (http://www.naturalnews.com/036101_spirulina_superfood_nutrients.html) 

So, after having that epiphany one fine day in February 2012, I decided to go vegan for one week. That's it. I was going to do it for one week, see what it was all about and then go back to my chicken and turkey breasts and egg whites and whey protein shakes. I replaced milk with almond milk, meat with beans, quinoa, green leafy vegetables, my whey protein shakes become my nutritional bombshell shakes (almond milk, ground flax seed, hemp protein, glutamine, chlorophyll, vitamineral green powder and maza - shazam!) and so on. 

During that week, I also decided to do research as I was going about my vegan journey. And that is when I decided it was going to stick. And it did. Almost a year and half a later, I'm still here and I'm still vegan and I'm still thriving. I still have muscle but now I also consume a LOT more fruits and veggies than the average Joe or Harpreet. It wasn't just the nutrition aspect that did it for me, it was also the many different ways in which we use animals from pets to experiments to entertainment to clothing. It's just disgusting and is extremely unnecessary. And if you know me well, you know I am an animal lover and I have the best dog in the world and his name is Gucci and he is the cutest. 

Going vegan does not mean deprivation. You can still enjoy all of the meals you love, but in a healthier and cruelty free way! You have to remember, there is a vegan alternative to everything. There's even vegan bacon! I'll be posting some of my favourite vegan recipes soon. But before I end this post, I urge all of you to do a bit of research of your own. If anything, you deserve to know what is going into food you're eating and feeding your family. 

Here are some great resources for you to check out:

Earthlings, full length documentary - This documentary explores the five different ways we use animals and this is the documentary that made me go vegan for life! http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ce4DJh-L7Ys&oref=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.youtube.com%2Fwatch%3Fv%3Dce4DJh-L7Ys&has_verified=1

Vegucated - A great doc on veganism: http://www.getvegucated.com/

Food Matters - You've got to watch this one! http://www.foodmatters.tv/

Hungry for Change - This one is more based on nutrition and lifestyle change but is still a great watch and one of my favourite documentaries ever http://www.hungryforchange.tv/

Peta - I know everyone loves to hate PETA but they still have some great info on going vegan plus tons of recipes and they'll send you a free guide! http://features.peta.org/how-to-go-vegan/

Skinny Bitch (and Skinny Bastard) -  Hands down, one of my favourite books on veganism. Rory and Kim make going vegan easy and have you laugh your ass off while you read http://www.amazon.ca/Skinny-Bitch-Kim-Barnouin/dp/0762424931/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1370482862&sr=8-1&keywords=skinny+bitch and http://www.amazon.ca/Skinny-Bastard-Kick---Ass-Getting/dp/0762435402/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1370482878&sr=1-1&keywords=skinny+bastard

Quantum Wellness Cleanse - a great 3 week cleanse for anyone looking to detox or ease their way into veganism - http://www.amazon.ca/Quantum-Wellness-Cleanse-Essential-Healing/dp/1602860912/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1370482925&sr=1-1&keywords=quantum+wellness+cleanse

Famous Vegan Quotes:

Mahatma Gandhi: "The greatness of a nation and its moral progress can be judged by the way its animals are treated." "To my mind, the life of a lamb is no less precious than that of a human being."

Thomas Edison: "Non-violence leads to the highest ethics, which is the goal of all evolution. Until we stop harming all other living beings, we are still savages."

Albert Einstein "Nothing will benefit human health and increase chances of survival for life on earth as much as the evolution to a vegetarian diet."

Thanks for coming out guys!

Inform2Inspire

The Benefits of Juicing

I love a nice full mason jar of juice. There's nothing quite like taking in an abundance of nutrients from a simple glass of juice. That's all it really is. You simply wash and cut a selection of fruits and vegetables, run them through a juicer and voila! You've got yourself a nutritional jackpot in a glass! 

Why should you juice?

• 95% of the vitamins and enzymes our bodies need are found in the juice of raw fruits and vegetables
• Juicing helps you absorb all of the nutrients from the F + V
• Juicing allows you to consume an optimal amount of vegetables in an efficient manner. 
• You can add a wider variety of F + V in your diet. 
• Weight loss
• Aids with digestion
• Aids with inflammation 
• Detoxifying
• Increases your immunity
• Increases energy levels
• Antioxidant
• Stronger bones
• And so MUCH MORE!

To receive optimal benefits from juicing, you should try to juice at least 3 to 4 times a week. A decent amount of juice per day is 500 ml.

So, to get started on your juice fest, you must purchase the following:

• A juicer (available at most Canadian Tires, kitchen ware stores or online - brands that I recommend are Huron, Breville or an Omega. If you're on a student budget like myself, a Jack Lalane will work just fine and is only $100) http://www.amazon.ca/Jack-Lalannes-Power-Juicer-Deluxe/dp/B004Z20GF8/ref=sr_1_1?s=kitchen&ie=UTF8&qid=1370052525&sr=1-1&keywords=jack+lalane+juicer
• Mason jars (Why mason jars? Well, anything poured from a glass container when compared to its plastic counterpart simply tastes better. Glass, unlike plastic, does not contain any harmful chemicals such as BPA, phthalates, PVC or polycarbonate. So, nothing can leach into what you're consuming from a glass bottle. Also, mason jars come with a special steel seal that locks in the nutrients of your food so it stays fresher, longer!) PS - You should only store juice for a max of 2 - 3 days before eventually, the nutrient content will go down. Remember, fresh is always best! You can purchase mason jars from your local Canadian tire for less than $1 a bottle. Score! http://www.canadiantire.ca/search/search_results.jsp?bmForm=form_endeca_search&bmFormID=1370052505523&bmUID=1370052505523&bmIsForm=true&bmPrevTemplate=%2Fsearch%2Fsearch_results.jsp&bmHidden=OMNITURE_FROM&OMNITURE_FROM=Search&bmHidden=event26&event26=true&bmText=quick_search_term&quick_search_term=mason+jar&bmSubmit=quick_search&quick_search=&bmHidden=FOLDER%3C%3Efolder_id&FOLDER%3C%3Efolder_id=1408474396672077
• Lastly, a large variety of your favourite fruits and veggies! (Preferably organic)

Alright peeps, you're ready to juice bro! What are you waiting for?

:)

Inform2Inspire

March against Monsanto

First of all, I'd like to express my DEEP regret at not having the chance to have been at the March against Monsanto! 

What is Monsanto?

'Monsanto Company is a publicly traded American multinational agricultural biotechnology corporation headquartered in Creve Coeur, Missouri. It is a leading producer of genetically engineered (GE) seed and of the herbicide glyphosate, which it markets under the Roundup brand' (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Monsanto)

Monsanto is the company that GENETICALLY MODIFIES our food, essentially killing the nutrients and causing illness.

GMO's: "A genetically modified organism (GMO) is an organism whose genetic material has been altered using genetic engineering techniques." (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Genetically_modified_organism)

The March against Monsanto took place on Saturday, May 25 2013 in over 300 cities all around the world. Millions of activists united together to spread the message of food freedom. 

This was such an amazing event and again, I am so sorry that I missed it! I'd like to share it all with you in these pictures.

Some great links:

https://www.facebook.com/MarchAgainstMonstanto 

http://www.naturalnews.com/037289_Monsanto_corporations_ethics.html

http://www.march-against-monsanto.com/p/press-release.html

Inform2Inspire