Articles by Colleen Trombley-VanHoogstraat on ArticleSnatch.com

Soccer Mom and Nutrition Police!

Mon, 25 Oct 2010 21:50:59 -0400

As fall soccer season winds down, it's interesting to reflect on some observations from the sidelines! We've experienced very different coaching dynamics on the different teams, and two very different teams as a result. This soccer season has also been about great friends, old and new. I think it's a great social skill to see kids learn to work together as a team and support each other in a group effort while still pushing themselves to excel on a personal level. There was much excitement and laughter throughout the season. All-in-all, it was a very positive experience for the kids. Unfortunately, the dark cloud that loomed over the soccer games was the issue of snacks for the kids. It never ceased to amaze me what would pass as 'fuel' for these little athletes-in-the-making. Also, the frequency and timing of the 'fuelings' seemed ridiculous. Games were an hour long, yet parents were expected to provide half-time snacks and drinks and post-game snacks and drinks. Many of the games ended at 7:15 at night! Yet, we were expected to provide a 'snack' for the team. I thought that particular snack was called "dinner"! **End Summary** Topics: nutrition]]> childhood obesity]]> children's health]]> childhood nutrition]]> healthy foods]]> soccer]]> healthy snacks]]> toxic food]]> ]]>]]> About the Author: ]]> Dr. Colleen Trombley-VanHoogstraat ("Dr Mom Online") is a leading expert in Natural Health & Wellness. Her unique perspective and scientific understanding of Wellness, as well as her popular and engaging approach, provides simple solutions and transformational results for families seeking better overall health.

The "Secret" to a Long and Healthy Life

Mon, 11 Oct 2010 11:51:10 -0400

A couple of days ago I had a booth set up for the day at our community's Women's Expo. Each year that I attend this event, I have a day full of some of the most interesting conversations. Some are very sad, some are perplexing, and others are just plain maddening! Very rarely do I have the opportunity to meet someone who shares my viewpoint regarding health and well being. This year, not only did I meet a lovely lady who shares many of my thoughts and principles regarding health, she has been living these principles for decades! Let me share with you just why this lady felt like such such a breath of fresh air... After spending several hours at my booth, talking to many women about their health concerns, I was truly feeling overwhelmed by the magnitude of chronic health problems. Their stories really got to me. I met many women who are currently going through cancer treatments, which is troubling enough. But no one is talking to them about creating rock-solid health simultaneously. In fact, most were told nothing about lifestyle, or were told that they didn't have to change anything. **End Summary** Topics: healthy lifestyle]]> weight loss]]> chronic illness]]> cancer]]> nutrition]]> lifestyle choices]]> exercise]]> diet]]> health]]>]]> About the Author: ]]> Dr. Colleen Trombley-VanHoogstraat ("Dr Mom Online") is a leading expert in Natural Health & Wellness. Her unique perspective and scientific understanding of Wellness, as well as her popular engaging approach, provides simple solutions and transformational results for families seeking better overall health.

Back-to-School Nutrition Tips - Building a Healthier Sandwich

Wed, 01 Sep 2010 22:27:39 -0400

Sandwiches are a staple in many school lunches. Day in and day out, kids are chowing down on this star of the school lunch box! Especially since this is such a consistent part of our children's nutrition, it would benefit them greatly if we could make the sandwich healthier, yes? Too often, the usual sandwich ingredients consist of preserved, toxic meats, processed cheeses, processed refined breads, and condiments loaded with high fructose corn syrup, sugar, artificial colors, and polyunsaturated oils and trans fats. Ick. Let's talk about bread. It was the introduction of baker's yeast that propelled the modern sandwich to its current level of popularity. As compared to "old style" breads like sourdough and slow-rise that are generally pretty hard for sandwiches, the baker's yeast makes bread softer, the way we've grown accustomed to. We'd have a lot of broken teeth otherwise! As usual, there's a blessing and a curse with our so-called 'advances' in nutrition. The baker's yeast allows for a a quick-rise bread that's ready faster. That's nice. But, this quickness results in the phytates in the whole grains not being neutralized properly. **End Summary** Topics: nutrition]]> school lunch]]> healthy breakfast]]> healthy lunch]]> children's nutrition]]> diet]]> healthy food]]> back to school]]>]]> About the Author: ]]> Dr. Colleen Trombley-VanHoogstraat ("Dr Mom Online") is a leading expert in Natural Health & Wellness. Her unique perspective and scientific understanding of Wellness, as well as her popular and engaging approach, provides simple solutions and transformational results for families seeking better overall health.

Help for Sugar and Junk Food Cravings

Wed, 01 Sep 2010 22:26:52 -0400

Do you often crave sugar, sweets, chocolate, or even fatty foods? The first thing to consider is that your body might be trapped in the physiological stress response. The stress response results from chronic stress due to toxicity and/or deficiency in our innate genetic requirements for health: that means toxicity &/or deficiency in nutrition, movement or mindset (emotions). One of the resulting effects of chronic toxicity and deficiency is that stress hormones are produced in excess - stress hormones like cortisol, insulin and others. While these hormones are essential for health and normal function, like so many other things in the body, they should remain in a state of balance and proper ratio so as not to cause harm. That's not the case if the stress, toxicity or deficiency is chronic. If the cause of the stress response isn't addressed, the body will continue to pump out more and more stress hormones... thus creating more and more negative health consequences. Guess what? Two of the substrates (ingredients) of stress hormones are SUGAR and FAT. **End Summary** Topics: nutrition]]> stress]]> hormones]]> hormonal balance]]> fat]]> fat loss]]> toxicity]]> healthy food]]> detoxification]]> ]]> About the Author: ]]> Dr. Colleen Trombley-VanHoogstraat ("Dr Mom Online") is a leading expert in Natural Health & Wellness. Her unique perspective and scientific understanding of Wellness, as well as her popular and engaging approach, provides simple solutions and transformational results for families seeking better overall health.

Back-to-School Nutrition Basics

Wed, 01 Sep 2010 22:18:18 -0400

Lately, I've been talking a lot about children's nutrition in our practice as families are heading Back-to-School. Parents are concerned about providing the best foods for their kids, and avoiding the worst ones, in an effort to maximize health and performance. Easier said than done, right? There are some common challenges I consistently hear from parents: 1) They're not really sure which foods are healthy! Marketing hype tends to cloud the issue. 2) Their kids (and oftentimes, their spouse) are not on board with this mission to get healthy. 3) They're concerned that it's too expensive to 'eat healthy'. 4) They're struggling for ideas to add variety to their family's meals. 5) They already feel like they're short on time, and don't know how they can devote any MORE time to food preparation. So, what's the solution? Just give up? Give in and feed our kids the easiest, cheapest, most convenient foods that cause no fuss or resistance from our children? Sorry, Charlie. I understand the financial and time constraints that many families face, but I've got to focus on HEALTH here. I'll let the savvy marketers and conventional food manufacturers take care of the "cheap, easy, convenient" elements! **End Summary** Topics: nutrition]]> school lunch]]> healthy food]]> healthy recipes]]> childhood obesity]]> children's health]]> healthy breakfast]]> meal planning]]> diet]]>]]> About the Author: ]]> Dr. Colleen Trombley-VanHoogstraat ("Dr Mom Online") is a leading expert in Natural Health & Wellness. Her unique perspective and scientific understanding of Wellness, as well as her popular and engaging approach, provides simple solutions and transformational results for families seeking better overall health.

Back-to-School Nutrition Tips for a Healthy Breakfast

Wed, 01 Sep 2010 22:17:44 -0400

The thought of providing a variety of health-promoting, kid-approved foods throughout the school year can certainly feel overwhelming! There's breakfast to consider, then snacks, lunch, more snacks, dinner, maybe another snack. Those kids can seem like bottomless pits at times!! I'd like to chunk this subject of kids' school days nutrition down into simple tips and strategies so we can feel less overwhelmed. Let's consider breakfast. The average North American breakfast typically revolves around some type of refined, processed grain - like cereal, toast or bread, bagels, quick-cooked oatmeal, and a variety of pastries. If we were to discuss the negative consequences of this single food choice alone, this would be a very lengthy article! Suffice it to say, there is an ever-increasing number of health professionals who agree that grains are not a requirement for optimal function. That's right. According to experts who study our healthier ancestors and our genetic connections, we do not 'need' grains. Especially cereal-type grains. Amongst other physiological ramifications of consuming grains, inflammation is one of the biggest problems that results. The more refined, the worse it is. It's a horrible way to start the day! So, what's a parent to do? **End Summary** Topics: nutrition]]> diet]]> school lunch]]> healthy breakfast]]> healthy foods]]> healthy recipes]]> nutritious food]]> learning]]> health]]>]]> About the Author: ]]> Dr. Colleen Trombley-VanHoogstraat ("Dr Mom Online") is a leading expert in Natural Health & Wellness. Her unique perspective and scientific understanding of Wellness, as well as her popular and engaging approach, provides simple solutions and transformational results for families seeking better overall health.

Understanding Sugar and Junk Food Cravings in Order to Shed Excess Body Fat

Wed, 01 Sep 2010 19:29:02 -0400

Do you often crave sugar, sweets, chocolate, or even fatty foods? Don't beat yourself up too much about this. It might not be all your fault! The first thing to consider is that your body might be trapped in the physiological stress response. The stress response results from chronic stress due to toxicity and/or deficiency in our innate genetic requirements for health: that means toxicity &/or deficiency in nutrition, movement or mindset (emotions). One of the resulting effects of chronic toxicity and deficiency is that stress hormones are produced in excess - stress hormones like cortisol, insulin and others. While these hormones are essential for health and normal function, like so many other things in the body, they should remain in a state of balance and proper ratio so as not to cause harm. That's not the case if the stress, toxicity or deficiency is chronic. If the cause of the stress response isn't addressed, the body will continue to pump out more and more stress hormones... thus creating more and more negative health consequences. **End Summary** Topics: healthy weight loss]]> permanent weight loss]]> diet]]> stress hormones]]> cortisol]]> fat loss]]> healthy food]]>]]> About the Author: ]]> Dr. Colleen Trombley-VanHoogstraat ("Dr Mom Online") is a leading expert in Natural Health & Wellness. Her unique perspective and scientific understanding of Wellness, as well as her popular and engaging approach, provides simple solutions and transformational results for those struggling with stubborn weight loss and health issues.

Don't Forget About Snacks When You're Trying to Get Healthy and Lose Weight!

Thu, 15 Jul 2010 09:47:59 -0400

Snacks can be a dangerous thing. That is, if we forget or overlook the real purpose of food in the first place. When we remember, snacks can be a powerful 'tool' for maximizing your health and performance. Food is a source of FUEL. It provides energy and the raw materials for every function our bodies and minds need to perform. I believe that we should be snacking - or re-fueling - at regular intervals throughout the day. This keeps our tanks topped off, so to speak. Every 2-4 hours, depending on activity levels and several other factors, we should supply a high quality, balanced snack in order to maximize all physiologic, mental & emotional functions. Quality and quantity of fuel is of critical importance. The point of eating is not just to insert enough of a chewable substance in order to feel fullness in our bellies! "Filling up", with little concern for the source of the filler, is not our primary focus if Health is something we're interested in! Cruddy fuel equals cruddy performance... regardless of whether or not we can 'feel' this happening. It's basic physiology. Unfortunately, we seem to forget this, particularly when it comes to snacks. **End Summary** Topics: healthy weight loss]]> toxic foods]]> healthy snack foods]]> calorie count]]> fat content]]> stress hormones]]> nutrition]]>]]> About the Author: ]]> Dr. Colleen Trombley-VanHoogstraat ("Dr Mom Online") is a leading expert in Natural Health & Wellness. Her unique perspective and scientific understanding of Wellness, as well as her popular and engaging approach, provides simple solutions and transformational results for those struggling with stubborn weight loss and health issues.

Incorporating Fat-Burning Intensity and Variety to Exercise for Permanent Weight Loss Success

Thu, 10 Jun 2010 22:38:52 -0400

When it comes to exercise and movement, it seems there are two main reasons to do so. First, since we're human beings, we require it! A wide variety of motion stimulates and maximizes our brain function, and therefore every other function of the body and mind. Stimulation via motion is critical for learning and cognition, memory, attention, focus, mood regulation, hormonal balance, and immune function, and a sense of well being, to name a few of the major functions associated with movement neurology. These are fairly significant reasons to move! Clearly, movement isn't optional if we want optimal function. The good news here is, in the case of movement as a requirement for optimal health and function, our brains aren't overly picky! This movement can come from just about any type of activity. Activities that involve: endurance, speed, power, strength, balance, agility, flexibility, posture, proprioception, and so on. The second reason that many people actually choose to exercise, on the other hand, is for weight loss or some other reason associated with our external appearance. In this case, we view exercise as a means to an end. Fair enough! **End Summary** Topics: natural weight loss]]> permanent weight loss]]> lifestyle]]> work out]]> intensity]]> endurance]]> balance]]>]]> About the Author: ]]> Dr. Colleen Trombley-VanHoogstraat ("Dr Mom Online") is a leading expert in Natural Health & Wellness. Her unique perspective and scientific understanding of Wellness, as well as her popular and engaging approach, provides simple solutions and transformational results for those struggling with stubborn weight loss and health issues.

The Best Strategy for Losing Stubborn Abdominal Fat

Tue, 01 Jun 2010 15:28:37 -0400

In the world of weight loss, diet, exercise and fitness, the topic of abdominal muscles is a popular one! When I talk about your abdominal muscles, I'm talking about your "abs", your midsection, your core. Lot's of nicknames that all point to the same area of our bodies - our torso. Did you realize that the best way to lose fat in your midsection and get flatter abs is NOT abs exercises? It's not crunches, sit-ups, or the multitude of abs machines and gimmicks on the market. In fact, these are actually the least effective methods for getting leaner, flatter abs! The best ways to have a nicer, healthier looking midsection are to: 1) decrease toxicity 2) burn more fat 3) and finally, add toning abs exercises for the 'icing effect' Reducing toxic choices in what you're eating (as well as how you're moving and how you're thinking) will give your brain less reason to initiate the physiologic stress response cycle. This means there's less reason for your body to pump out stress hormones, like cortisol. It's excess and imbalanced levels of cortisol that causes us to gain more fat in our midsection and have a difficult time shedding it. **End Summary** Topics: diet]]> weight loss]]> fat loss]]> toxic food]]> healthy food]]> abdominal muscles]]> abs exercises]]> core]]> torso]]>]]> About the Author: ]]> Dr. Colleen Trombley-VanHoogstraat ("Dr Mom Online") is a leading expert in Natural Health & Wellness. Her unique perspective and scientific understanding of Wellness, as well as her popular and engaging approach, provides simple solutions and transformational results for those struggling with stubborn weight loss and health issues.

Exercise and Movement for Better Health - Not Just For Weight Loss!

Tue, 01 Jun 2010 14:09:19 -0400

When it comes to exercise, some things are pretty simple. In order to be a healthy person, you've got to MOVE! Regular movement is a necessity for health, just like good nutrition and a balanced mindset. A healthy body is naturally inclined to maintain an ideal body weight and composition. Yes, there are definitely certain types of exercise and movement strategies that will help you burn fat and lose weight more effectively. Right now, I'm not talking about that! I'm talking about becoming a MOVER for life. This is how you become healthier for life. Once you're healthier, your body is healthier - and your outward appearance will support that fact! In other words, a healthy body looks better. Every single day, make it a goal to move. Even if it's just a 5 minute walk or a couple minutes' worth of squats (knee bends), or jumping jacks, or stretching, or bending and twisting, or sitting on an exercise ball, or balancing on one foot, or jumping rope, or dancing, or pretty much ANY type of movement... just move! Movement stimulates growth, repair, healing, immune function, learning, memory, and mood regulation, to name a few. **End Summary** Topics: exercise]]> fitness]]> weight loss]]> fat loss]]> burn fat]]> lifestyle]]> healthy living]]> movement]]>]]> About the Author: ]]> Dr. Colleen Trombley-VanHoogstraat ("Dr Mom Online") is a leading expert in Natural Health & Wellness. Her unique perspective and scientific understanding of Wellness, as well as her popular and engaging approach, provides simple solutions and transformational results for those struggling with stubborn weight loss and health issues.

Simple Cleansing and Detoxification Tips to Maximize Weight Loss

Wed, 12 May 2010 13:08:10 -0400

An often overlooked component of creating a healthy lifestyle (and losing excess weight) is cleansing & detoxification. I believe this is a mistake. Although we do have systems in our bodies designed for detoxification on various levels, unfortunately these systems are no match for the inundation of toxicity our modern lifestyles and environment have created. We could sure use some extra help! Toxic input triggers the stress response cycle - a myriad of chemical, neurological and hormonal events in the body in response to stress, toxicity and deficiency. Of interest to those attempting to lose weight is the fact that this causes us to get fatter and have a much harder time shedding that fat. It's a perfect physiological adaptation to the environment we've created. "Perfect adaptation" doesn't make it feel any better when it's YOU that is stuck in that cycle, though! So, what can you do to detoxify and cleanse in order to break that cycle and maximize your weight loss efforts? Well, if you strolled into a health food store, you would find a variety of cleansing products. That's certainly a good option, as long as you've confirmed that you're choosing the purest products. **End Summary** Topics: diet]]> weight loss]]> fat loss]]> cleansing]]> detoxification]]> detox]]> nutrition]]> wellness]]> healthy weight]]>]]> About the Author: ]]> Dr. Colleen Trombley-VanHoogstraat ("Dr Mom Online") is a leading expert in Natural Health & Wellness. Her unique perspective and scientific understanding of Wellness, as well as her popular and engaging approach, provides simple solutions and transformational results for those struggling with stubborn weight loss and health issues.

Why Do You Eat the Foods You Eat?

Mon, 10 May 2010 22:14:00 -0400

I have a question for you. Why do you eat what you eat? Have you ever really thought about that? Are you choosing certain foods because they are convenient or fast to prepare? Or because they cost less or you think you're getting a good 'value' for your money? Or is it simply because they taste really good? Not that these reasons are always or inherently bad, but I urge you to take a closer look at what's going on in your head when it comes to diet and nutrition choices. We've gotten caught up in a culture that demands its food to be ready in minutes, wants it ultra cheap, and craves it loaded with excessive flavors. It's understandable how we've ended up this way... we've been groomed since we were little kids! Think how many commercials, billboards, radio jingles, magazine ads, and product placements in movies we've been exposed to over the years! In order to create a better body that you get to keep and enjoy for the rest of your life, choosing foods for different reasons (dare I say, "better" reasons!) will dramatically simplify the journey for you, as well as massively improving your results. **End Summary** Topics: diet]]> nutrition]]> weight loss]]> fat loss]]> meal plan]]> healthy foods]]> eat healthy]]>]]> About the Author: ]]> Dr. Colleen Trombley-VanHoogstraat ("Dr Mom Online") is a leading expert in Natural Health & Wellness. Her unique perspective and scientific understanding of Wellness, as well as her popular and engaging approach, provides simple solutions and transformational results for those struggling with stubborn weight loss and health issues.

The "Eat Clean" Challenge for Maximum Weight Loss

Mon, 26 Apr 2010 13:48:36 -0400

Knowing the "right" way to eat or the "best" foods to choose in order to lose excess weight and body fat can be pretty confusing. Diet foods, sugar-free foods, low-calorie and low-fat foods line grocery store shelves, promising to help us in our weight loss efforts. I believe that when we shift the focus from short-term weight loss results to long-term health and wellness, we achieve success on levels that blow diets out of the water! A healthy body weight, body fat percentage and lean muscle mass are all natural by-products of living a healthy lifestyle and consistently making healthy choices. In the case of nutrition, it doesn't need to be as complicated as the diet industry and manufactured foods industry have made it. One of the most successful approaches to a healthier way of eating is to eat "clean" as often as possible. In fact, if you're attempting to lose some excess weight or body fat, I challenge you to eat as clean as you can for as many days as possible for one week. Then, see what happens. What does eating "clean" mean? **End Summary** Topics: weight loss]]> fat loss]]> nutrition]]> diet]]> eat clean]]> non-toxic food]]> healthy food]]>]]> About the Author: ]]> Dr. Colleen Trombley-VanHoogstraat ("Dr Mom Online") is a leading expert in Natural Health & Wellness. Her unique perspective and scientific understanding of Wellness, as well as her popular and engaging approach, provides simple solutions and transformational results for those struggling with stubborn weight loss and health issues.

Simplifying Weight Loss by Adding Good Nutrition First

Wed, 21 Apr 2010 20:12:49 -0400

An obvious component of shedding excess body weight and fat is proper nutrition and diet. Unfortunately, this is often the most misunderstood and confusing part of weight loss! It's not good enough to eat less food, or eat "diet" food. In fact, these common conventional approaches can be ineffective and even dangerous. As you move toward making healthier nutritional choices to maximize your body transformation efforts, remember to focus on the "simple" foundational components of nutrition. It's so easy to get caught up in overwhelming details of diets and nutrition. Some of these details are accurate, but most are not! The big picture that will lead you to weight loss and body transformation success revolves one very simple strategy: "Add the good stuff FIRST!" In other words, fill up with Health! Each day, make it a clear intention to provide your body with ample fuel for your success. You've got to eat enough food to provide the energy (the "fuel") for your body to perform at its best and burn fat for you effectively. More important, you've got to provide the right fuel. Filling up isn't enough. Fueling up is more accurate. Make your healthy choices at every opportunity. **End Summary** Topics: weight loss]]> diet]]> nutrition]]> healthy food]]> toxic food]]> fat loss]]>]]> About the Author: ]]> Dr. Colleen Trombley-VanHoogstraat ("Dr Mom Online") is a leading expert in Natural Health & Wellness. Her unique perspective and scientific understanding of Wellness, as well as her popular and engaging approach, provides simple solutions and transformational results for those struggling with stubborn weight loss and health issues.

The 3 Most Nutritionally Deficient and Toxic Dietary Approaches

Thu, 08 Apr 2010 11:28:42 -0400

When it comes to Nutrition and diet, we have some innate genetic requirements in order for our cells to express optimal health and function. Basically, they're the rules of the game, so to speak! When we consistently break the rules, or fall short of following them, we don't achieve optimal health and function. If we're failing to achieve health, we're also failing to achieve our ideal body composition (body weight, body fat percentage and lean muscle mass). Better health and a better body naturally go hand-in-hand. Nutritionally speaking, we need to add pure and sufficient raw materials (the "good stuff") in order for our cells, and our health, to flourish. Simultaneously, we need to reduce or avoid toxic and deficient choices (the "bad stuff") in our diet. What's "good"? There are only 5 main types of food found within "The Circle of Health" that we know build health. They are: protein, fats & oils, vegetables, fruit, and water. Pretty simple! Grains and dairy are highly controversial food groups, so they're not completely inside the circle. To maximize the nutritional benefit of these foods, we apply "The 4 Golden Rules of Nutrition" as often as possible: 1) Eat real foods. **End Summary** Topics: weight loss]]> diet]]> nutrition]]> healthy food]]> toxic food]]> fat-free]]> low-fat]]> sugar-free]]> low calorie]]>]]> About the Author: ]]> Dr. Colleen Trombley-VanHoogstraat ("Dr Mom Online") is a leading expert in Natural Health & Wellness. Her unique perspective and scientific understanding of Wellness, as well as her popular and engaging approach, provides simple solutions and transformational results for those struggling with stubborn weight loss and health issues. To discover her breakthrough approach to achieving better health AND a better body, go to healthy weight loss and fat loss

Trying to Permanently Lose Weight? Don't Ignore the Toxic Nutritional Truth!

Wed, 07 Apr 2010 21:48:39 -0400

Nutrition and Diet can be a confusing and overwhelming subject. The topic seems to get even more befuddled when we discuss how nutrition relates to weight loss! In order to achieve permanent weight loss and optimal health, the primary focus needs to be on adding the raw ingredients for health to our diets. Add the "good stuff" first, is how I like to describe it. When you provide your body with the essential ingredients for health (pure and sufficient ingredients), it will respond by creating the natural by-product of a healthier body composition. In other words, less excess body weight, less excess body fat and leaner muscle mass. Once you've gotten the hang of adding the positive raw ingredients, it's time to take a closer look at some of the nastiest, most dangerous toxins commonly found in the food you may be consuming. First, why is so important in your weight loss efforts to reduce your toxic intake? Toxins trigger the physiological stress response. One of the countless negative effects of a chronic stress response is the production of stress hormones, like cortisol, that make you fat and make it harder for you to shed that fat. It's pure physiology. **End Summary** Topics: weight loss]]> fat loss]]> burn fat]]> health]]> obesity]]> nutrition]]> diet]]> healthy lifestyle]]> toxic foods]]>]]> About the Author: ]]> Dr. Colleen Trombley-VanHoogstraat ("Dr Mom Online") is a leading expert in Natural Health & Wellness. Her unique perspective and scientific understanding of Wellness, as well as her popular and engaging approach, provides simple solutions and transformational results for those struggling with stubborn weight loss and health issues. To discover her breakthrough approach to achieving better health AND a better body, go to healthy weight loss and fat loss

Simplify Nutrition to Maximize Weight Loss

Wed, 07 Apr 2010 21:20:51 -0400

When it comes to Nutrition and Diet information, things can get pretty overwhelming and confusing. Every "expert" seems to have a slightly different opinion about what you should, and should not be eating! Being confused doesn't help you achieve your ideal body or better health. In fact, it can lead to a whole lot of unnecessary stress. That's why it's so important to keep it simple. A highly successful strategic approach to nutrition and weight loss is to focus on what we know builds better health. Better health naturally results in a better body. That's where our goal needs to be, on better health. If we're tunnel-vision focused on losing weight, we can inadvertently make choices that are actually dangerous to our health and sabotage our weight loss efforts. When it comes to Nutrition, The Wellness Formula TM shows us that we need to be adding "good stuff" (pure and sufficient choices) in order to move us toward optimal health and function... and a leaner, healthier body. These pure and sufficient choices are the ones that meet the innate requirements of our cells in order to express optimal health. **End Summary** Topics: lose weight]]> fat loss]]> diet]]> nutrition]]> healthy food]]> weight loss solution]]> healthy lifestyle]]>]]> About the Author: ]]> Dr. Colleen Trombley-VanHoogstraat ("Dr Mom Online") is a leading expert in Natural Health & Wellness. Her unique perspective and scientific understanding of Wellness, as well as her popular and engaging approach, provides simple solutions and transformational results for those struggling with stubborn weight loss and health issues. To discover her breakthrough approach to achieving better health AND a better body, go to healthy weight loss and fat loss

Adding a Dose of Health to Conventional Breakfast Cereal

Sun, 21 Mar 2010 15:37:58 -0400

Every few weeks, I "let" the kids talk me into having cereal for breakfast. I'm not a fan of breakfast cereal in general because of its lack of health-building components and the negative effect cereal grains have on our physiology. Grains in general create an insulin response - the more processed and refined the grains, the more severe the insulin response. These types of low quality grains also contribute to one of the most dangerous precursors to chronic illness - inflammation. Regularly eating breakfast cereal can also sabotage efforts to lose weight and shed fat, since lower quality toxic grain choices can send us into the physiological stress response. One of the off-shoots of this stress response is that our brains release extra stress hormones like cortisol. Excess cortisol causes us to hang on to adipose tissue (fat) and have a tough time shedding it. Grown-ups don't need that. And, with childhood obesity sky-rocketing, parents need to be aware of this effect on their children. As such, breakfast cereal only makes it to our table every few weeks or less. On the other hand, I am a fan of how easy and quick it is to prepare! **End Summary** Topics: healthy breakfast]]> cereal]]> weight loss]]> nutrition]]> kids' nutrition]]> fat foods]]> carbs]]>]]> About the Author: ]]> Dr. Colleen Trombley-VanHoogstraat ("Dr Mom Online") is a leading expert in Natural Health & Wellness. Her unique perspective and scientific understanding of Wellness, as well as her popular and engaging approach, provides simple solutions and transformational results for those struggling with stubborn weight loss and health issues.

Do You Know the "Secret Formula" for Reaching Your Weight Loss Goals?

Sat, 20 Mar 2010 02:12:57 -0400

The Wellness Formula serves as a simple, practical tool to help you address your weight loss goals in a different (more successful) way than most common approaches. The Wellness Formula is a simple explanation of how health and optimal function are created and how we move away from, or lose, our health. What does this have to do with weight loss, fat loss and achieving an optimal body composition? A more trim and lean body is the natural by-product of better health and function. The Wellness Formula features a sliding visual scale known as the Dynamic Scale of Health. It's "dynamic" because we are always moving along the scale, either toward health or away from it. At the far right end are optimal function and health, defined as consistent homeostatic cell function. At the far left end is lack of function or death. Just before the far left end of the scale is an area known as chronic illness. **End Summary** Topics: weight loss]]> fat loss]]> burn fat]]> diet]]> health]]> obesity]]> chronic illness]]>]]> About the Author: ]]> Dr. Colleen Trombley-VanHoogstraat ("Dr Mom Online") is a leading expert in Natural Health & Wellness. Her unique perspective and scientific understanding of Wellness, as well as her popular and engaging approach, provides simple solutions and transformational results for those struggling with stubborn weight loss and health issues. To discover her breakthrough approach to achieving better health AND a better body, go to healthy weight loss and fat loss

Knowing the Right Information to Look For on Food Labels Will Help You Lose Weight

Sat, 20 Mar 2010 02:12:19 -0400

In the quest to achieve a better body, whether it's losing weight, dropping sizes or toning up, our results are maximized once we shift our primary nutritional focus to building health. All too often, choices are made based on the calorie count of foods, or the fat grams, or some marketing hype that leads us to believe that this miracle food or supplement will result in us achieving a sleek physique in no time! Instead, based on the simple physiological principles explained by the Wellness Formula, I encourage you to make your nutrition choices based on the food's health-building quotient rather than misleading percentages and measurements on labels. In a nutshell, the Wellness Formula describes what it takes to create optimal health and function and what causes us to lose our health. Our health, or lack thereof, is the result of our environment - internal and external. Making nutrition, movement and mindset choices that meet the innate requirements of our cells will move us toward optimal health when the choices are pure and we supply adequate amounts (sufficient). On the other hand, toxic and deficient choices move us away from health. **End Summary** Topics: food labels]]> ingredients]]> weight loss]]> fat loss]]> diet]]> healthy food]]> burn fat]]> toxic food additives]]>]]> About the Author: ]]> Dr. Colleen Trombley-VanHoogstraat ("Dr Mom Online") is a leading expert in Natural Health & Wellness. Her unique perspective and scientific understanding of Wellness, as well as her popular and engaging approach, provides simple solutions and transformational results for those struggling with stubborn weight loss and health issues.

The "Right" Type of Exercise to Maximize Your Fat Loss and Weight Loss Efforts

Sat, 20 Mar 2010 02:10:11 -0400

People often ask me what the "best" type of exercise is to lose excess weight and burn fat. Before I divulge such spicy little secrets, I like to make certain they have a clear understanding of the importance of movement in general. We innately require motion in order for our cells to function at their optimal levels and express health. We need a variety of movement on a very regular basis - daily movement is ideal. What is often surprising to many people is that it's actually motion that "runs" the brain. Motion, especially of the spine and its surrounding tissues, sends massive proprioceptive input to the brain which serves as fuel for our brains. Whatever fuels our brains in turn builds our health. What types of motion serve as fuel for us? Motion that involves and of the following: endurance, speed, balance, strength, proprioception, agility, flexibility, power, isometric contraction, and so on. We would maximize our health by including some combination of these movements into our lifestyle on a regular basis. That doesn't mean we need to become marathon runners or fitness competitors! Just daily motion of some sort will build our health. **End Summary** Topics: weight loss]]> fat loss]]> diet]]> health]]> obesity]]> weight gain]]> lean muscle]]> work out]]> exercise]]> ]]> About the Author: ]]> Dr. Colleen Trombley-VanHoogstraat ("Dr Mom Online") is a leading expert in Natural Health & Wellness. Her unique perspective and scientific understanding of Wellness, as well as her popular and engaging approach, provides simple solutions and transformational results for those struggling with stubborn weight loss and health issues.

Making Healthy Food Choices is a Personal Thing

Wed, 09 Dec 2009 13:32:01 -0500

One of the biggest lessons I continue to teach our kids (and continue to remind myself of) is, just because something is 'there', doesn't necessarily affect us. It doesn't necessarily mean a thing. In our family, one of the most common areas this applies to is food. In this culture, we will always be exposed to toxic, less-than-healthy food choices. Always. Sometimes, it's a friend that offers to share something less healthy; sometimes it's a grown-up, a relative or an authority figure. There are tasty toxins (can't call them "treats" if they move you away from health) at parties, restaurants, special events, play dates, clubs, soccer games and other sporting events... we're surrounded by foods that quite clearly don't support our health. Just because a tasty toxin is available or offered to you doesn't mean you need to consume it! This is so challenging for little people who simply don't always understand why it's available if it's not OK. Or, why someone they love, trust or admire would offer them something that is detrimental to their health. **End Summary** Topics: healthy food]]> children's health]]> nutrition]]> junk food]]> childhood obesity]]> sweets]]> school lunch]]>]]> About the Author: ]]> Dr. Colleen Trombley ("Dr Mom Online") is a leading expert in Natural Health & Wellness. Discover why health-seekers turn to Dr. Mom for practical tips regarding healthy lifestyle, nutrition, exercise, weight loss, parenting, life balance and more. Check out the Healthy School Days Menu for great nutrition tips & ideas! nutrition and health

Finding The Time To Exercise - A Critical Task

Thu, 03 Dec 2009 13:26:35 -0500

On my way back from a run the other day, I saw several of my neighbors out in their yards getting some work done. I started thinking about my neighborhood and the people in it. We live on a street with a couple dozen homes on it. Most people are in their 40's, 50's and 60's. There's one couple in their 30's. Since I'm outside a lot dong various things (running, cycling, walking the dog, going on nature walks & adventures and playing with the kids, gardening, etc.) I've had many opportunities to chat with these lovely folks. Sadly, I've found out over the years that not many of them exercise at all, let alone with any regularity. One man in his early 60's jogs almost daily. The youngster in his 30's runs once or twice per week and goes to a gym a couple times a week. His significant other walks their dogs every day. Another lady in her 50's walks regularly. A lady in her 60's walks once in awhile, and usually with her grandkids... she's not breaking any speed records! (but she's very happy! **End Summary** Topics: exercise]]> weight loss]]> fitness]]> health]]> healthy lifestyle]]> active lifestyle]]> walking]]> running]]> cycle]]>]]> About the Author: ]]> Dr. Colleen Trombley ("Dr Mom Online") is a leading expert in Natural Health & Wellness. Discover why health-seekers turn to Dr. Mom for practical tips regarding healthy lifestyle, nutrition, exercise, weight loss, parenting, life balance and more. Check out the Healthy School Days Menu for great nutrition tips & ideas! nutrition and health

Simple Tips for Making a Healthy Breakfast

Tue, 01 Dec 2009 14:05:11 -0500

We've all heard that breakfast is the most important meal of the day. While I believe that all meals and snacks are important, since they will all move us either toward better health and function or away from it, breakfast certainly comes with some additional importance. What we put in our bodies at the start of our day will in large part determine our physiological, mental and emotional function for the rest of the day... or at least for the next few hours. Wow. No pressure! Isn't it odd then, that the most important meal of the day is typically the one so riddled with toxic foods, void of nutritional value? What are the most common breakfast foods in most North American homes? Cereal, breads, bagels, pastries and baked goods, breakfast bars, boxed waffles and a variety of other empty foods consisting primarily of toxic, processed refined grains. The focus seems to have shifted to filling up our bellies with the cheapest "food" available rather than "fueling up" our bodies with what we genetically require on order to create health and optimal function. What foods are required for optimal function? **End Summary** Topics: healthy breakfast]]> cereal]]> healthy recipes]]> healthy meals]]> blood sugar]]> nutrition]]> kids' nutrition]]>]]> About the Author: ]]> Dr. Colleen Trombley ("Dr Mom Online") is a leading expert in Natural Health & Wellness. Discover why health-seekers turn to Dr. Mom for practical tips regarding healthy lifestyle, nutrition, exercise, weight loss, parenting, life balance and more. Check out the Healthy School Days Menu for great nutrition tips & ideas! nutrition and health