From an Eastern perspective, spring is associated with the Liver energy.  Not your physical liver organ, but the energy it has. The Liver is an amazing energy that is responsible for the smooth flow of Qi and blood in the body.  It is your body's motor so to speak.  Physiological symptoms resulting from an out of balance Liver include joint and tendon problems, muscle tightness/spasm, gynecological issues, PMS, blurred vision, headaches, and vomiting.  Because the Liver moves Qi, it also balances the emotions.  An imbalance in liver could present itself as depression, insomnia, or anger/frustration.

  

Many factors can affect the Liver.  Stress is a big one!  Stress, physical or emotional, causes the body to constrict.  This constriction leads to impaired movement of Qi and blood.  Thus, the Liver struggles to do it's job.  Exercise is helpful to nourish the Liver.  Most forms of exercise (i.e. Tai Chi, running, walking, yoga, circuit training) move the body in such a way that blood and Qi are stimulated and circulated.  Thereby getting the Liver back on track. 

  

Diet can also play a role to help nourish the Liver.  Damaging to the Liver are fried foods, fatty foods, alcohol, excessive caffeine and excessive dairy products.  These are dampening foods that cause Qi and blood to "goop up" and impair movement.  On the other hand, foods that help Liver function are oatmeal, Rye bread, green beans, cashews, zucchini, lemons/limes, and avocados. 

  

While spring means an awakening of life, this season is also the hardest to transition to from an energetic standpoint.  Thus, taking note of what you can do to nourish the Liver during this season makes the transition less traumatic and more welcoming.  Be nice to your Liver, eat clean and exercise.  

People tend to believe that a workout is only effective if it's a 60-minute class.  Typically, in a 60-minute class, half the time is spent NOT exercising.  Thus, you're not really doing an hour's worth of exercise, nor are you burning as many calories as you think.  There IS an effective alternative to the infamous 60-minute exercise session that burns more calories AND improves your health!  

  

Researchers have demonstrated that all you need is a 30-minute intense circuit training workout to get amazing results! So what exactly does this workout look like? Basically, you pick 5-10 exercises to perform, some variety of upper body, lower body, and core.  Then you perform the exercises one after the other - creating a circuit.  This circuit is then done multiple times. 

  

You can change the intensity, and the outcome, of the program by manipulating several variables.  For example: you can change the number of exercises in each circuit, you can change the speed at which you perform the exercises for more power, you can change the resistance used for more strength emphasis, or you can reduce the work to rest interval to gain more cardiovascular adaptations. Whatever your goal is, you can manipulate the circuit training program to accomplish it!

  

Significant changes in your health result from circuit training. The body is better able to reduce blood glucose levels such that it can help control Type II diabetes. Improvements in muscle strength and balance are evident, as well as an increase in cardiovascular capacity and reduction in body fat. Circuit training can also increase your good cholesterol (HDL) and reduce your bad cholesterol (LDL) and total cholesterol. You get all this from an intense whole-body circuit training program!  Because it is a whole body exercise program, the whole body makes changes! And because you are using the whole body, you need less time to exercise!

  

This is what Boot Camp is about - moving your body for 30 minutes of an intense circuit training program.  Don't let the name intimidate you! It's a fun and challenging workout! The group structure provides support and motivation while you are pushing your body and mind to make a change.  Challenge yourself - sign up for a 30-minute circuit training class and get ready to change your health! (The next NY Boot Camp starts May 23rd)

Raw milk from pastured cows has several notable health benefits.  In itself, it is a complete and balanced food.  Raw milk contains all of the 8 essential amino acids we need.  It boosts the immune system because it is high in antibodies and immunoglobulins (things that are typically destroyed by the pasteurization process). Lactose intolerant people can typically drink raw milk because it has natural lactose-digesting bacteria in it. Although high in saturated fat, raw milk contains the kind of fat that is linked to boosting immunity, improving metabolism, and lowering allergic reactions. Because raw milk has 60+ enzymes in it that aid in it's digestion, the body has to do less work to digest it.  Thus, taking the stress off of our pancreas.  AND, raw milk is packed with natural vitamins and minerals! 

  

If you're not a milk drinker, we're not trying to make you into one.  BUT if you are a milk drinker, we thought we'd give you some helpful information about another milk option with great nutritional content.