Challenge #15: Juice

Your challenge this week is to experience the benefits of fresh juice!

This is a very simple challenge that can be as easy or as elaborate as you care to make it.

Challenge Summary: Each day you should juice some fresh veggies/fruits in place of a meal or snack.

Notes about Juice: When you drink bottled or canned juice, you are consuming a lot os things besides fruits and veggies - namely, sugar!! This challenge requires either a juicer or a juice bar.

One Last Brain Challenge

Try to answer as many as possible correctly!
http://brainteasers.org/

Finally, here is one more site to work your mind out:
http://www.braingle.com/mind/index.php

Take a Break and Read This Article

The New York Times recently published this article about how exercise affects brain function - habits and addictions. Very interesting stuff!


http://well.blogs.nytimes.com/2012/04/11/how-exercise-can-prime-the-brain-for-addiction/

But just for fun - try this puzzle out!
http://www.brainbashers.com/network.asp

How Well Does Your Memory Work?

Time to test your memory! These tests and exercises will require you to concentrate and use areas of your brain you may not use often enough - have fun!

 Test 1: http://www.brainmetrix.com/memory-test/  

Game 1: http://www.brainmetrix.com/memory-game/

Exercise 1: http://www.lumosity.com/

Exercise - Brain Reflection

This test/exercise helps to exercise your reflectionn ability - the ability to learn and grow in our surroundings. Sounds cheesy? Try it!!!
My first time as .35 - I'm still trying to get to .20 --- I'm ready to blame it on my mouse!

http://www.brainmetrix.com/brain-reflection/

Challenge #14 - Brain Exercises

Have you made some headway into your new and improved lifestyle? This week we will focus on exercising our brain in fun and engaging ways.

Challenge Summary: To increase awareness and cognition through brain exercises

Notes About the Brain: Exercising your brain can be as fun as working a number or crossword puzzle or as complex as trying to solve a timed, intense logic problem. And really.... everything in between. I will provide some reading links and "exercise" links this week to help you on this path.

Something to Try Later

Later this year, I will be challenging you to try a 7 day vegetable juice fast. Don't freak out - watch the documentary Fat, Sick, and Nearly Dead - very informative and inspiring!

For now, keep inserting green vegetables in each meal. If you need a personalized suggestion for a green drink, email me. I am happy to help!

Green on the Go!

I always laugh when a busy mom tells me that she feeds her family from the fast food window because she doesn't have time to cook. Being a busy mom myself, I understand this problem.

Greens to the rescue!! This is the perfect backdrop to insert fresh veggies in your family's diet! There is no fast food faster than running into the grocery to pick up a bag of salad, a cucumber or other veggie and a roasted chicken. If you are eating in the car, just have the veggie or fruit (green apple, cut up melons, etc) in the car and finish the meal later when you get home. Who says we need to have all our courses served at once?

I made my daughters actually time this one day when we were not rushed. The grocery is definitely faster, by about 4 minutes! I refuse to listen to complaints about having to park and get out of the car. That is indicative of a lazy mindset and weak will. Another issue for another day....

It Is Easy To Be Green at Breakfast

As you may remember from previous posts, green veggies offer lots of vitamins and minerals. It can be quite natural to include them with your breakfast.

What? You don't eat breakfast?! Start today!! A few stalks of celery, or some spinach mixed in with your eggs....

Or try a green drink in the morning. You can purchase a ready-to-mix drink such as Nano-Greens, Amazing Grass, and others. Simply mix with water and enjoy.

You could also make a nice salad with fruit and fresh leafy greens. Top with some fresh lemon juice and viola! Breakfast is served.

Just don't overthink this process - food can be fast and simple - eaten raw, you get more nutrition!

Challenge #13: Be Green This Week

Wait! I'm not asking you to skip flushing the toilet or compost your leftovers - Keep reading!!

Challenge Summary: To consume a green vegetable at EVERY meal this week.

Notes about the Challenge: Don't get stuck on salad in this challenge. This doesn't requre a recipe, you can throw them in with scrambled eggs, stir-fry them with fish, or juice them.
There are so many great green veggies to try! Here are just a few choices:
cucumbers
asparagus
green peppers
kohlrabi
broccolini
brussel sprouts
collard greens
green beans
tomatillos
cabbage
beet greens
endive
sugar snap peas (eat the pod too)
snow peas
celery