Saturday- frequently asked questions

I've had a lot of people ask me a million questions about being gluten free so here are the answers to frequently asked questions: 

1. What is gluten?

- gluten is a protein found in certain grains including wheat, barely, rye, and oats. 

2. What is a gluten free diet?

- you do not eat any of the above listed grains. So anything with wheat flour is not allowed, and most beer is not allowed. Corn flour amongst others flours are allowed. 

3. Why do people go on gluten free diets?

- people can go on gluten free diets because they have an allergy, are intolerant, or have celiac disease. People who do not have a medical reason for going on the diet, do so to get healthier. Enriched white wheat flour is harmful for most people. Also, not eating pizza, burgers, beer, and cake obviously helps you lose weight and get healthier. 

4. What is celiac disease?

- Celiac disease is an immune reaction to eating gluten, a protein found in wheat, barley and rye. If you have celiac disease, eating gluten triggers an immune response in your small intestine. Over time, this reaction produces inflammation that damages the small intestine's lining and prevents absorption of some nutrients (mayo clinic.com). 

That is just a basic list of questions I get frequently. If you have anymore questions I will answer them every Saturday. My email is coh12@yahoo.com or you can comment below!

(Link to a Jimmy Kimmel video about gluten)

http://m.youtube.com/watch?v=AdJFE1sp4Fw

Until next time!

Carrah

Friday- thoughts from Chandler

Chandler here!
So... People always ask me how I got my bangin hot bod. I'm proud to say I'm not much of a gym rat. I prefer to be outside working up a sweat. Besides, my heaving breathing and red face looks a lot better in the natural sunlight. I much rather the general public see me at my very best. 
This brings me to kayaking. Though the nature of kayaking originates from our Eskimo friends up north, we Floridians and all warm weather folk alike have enjoyed the sport for centuries. What's so great about yakin is the fantastic upper body workout it provides. Definitely a step up from pumping hand weights in front of a mirror, though I miss the mirror a bit. I typically feel the work in my arms, chest, upper back, and (if I sit up straight enough) abdominals. 
So you've got two options when it comes to yakin: 

-closed- river yak and open- sea yak
I prefer the sea yak, mostly because I live in Florida and am terrified of snakes and gators. Either way you'll get to enjoy the great outdoors and a quality workout at the same time.
Some Tips:
- watch the current. It could be smooth sailing paddling one way, but not so much trying to get back.
- protect yoself. Hat, cover up, sunscreen, whatever floats your boat. Though I'm a huge advocate for a healthy tan, I know there's some poor souls out there who just can't handle the sun.
- snacks. Food isn't exactly necessary but it helps. Also bring water, that salty air and the hot sun can dry a sista out.
- friends. Yak with yo friends. If your feeling particularly lazy that day, saddle up in a double yak. All the fun, and half of the work. If you don't have friends I highly recommend a water proof speaker case for your phone. 

Pictured below: me yakin with my friend 

Catch you next Friday!

Chandler 

Thursday- dinner ideas

Eating clean does not have to be boring or difficult. This post will teach you how to make a delicious gluten free meal!

Tools:

-Crock pot or pictured above is a lecreset pot. 

Ingredients:

(I purchased all of these ingredients from Whole Foods) 

1 whole chicken

1 bag of small red potatoes

Thyme stems

Rosemary stems

Raw carrots

Onions 

1 apple

Olive oil 

Salt and pepper

2.5 cups of Vegetable broth

Steps:

1. Make sure to de-thaw the small chicken. 

2. Set the oven for bake on 350

3. Cut the apple and onion into small chunks and plane them in the opening of the chicken between the legs. Also place 4-5 stems of rosemary and thyme.

4. In your pot drizzle olive oil and then place in chicken. 

5. Clean potatoes and then cut in haves. Place them into the pot

6. Salt and pepper your chicken and potatoes. Then drizzle additional olive oil on top and rub pieces of thyme over the entire dish

7. Pour in the 2.5 cups of vegetable broth. Remember to check for a brand that is gluten free

8. Feel free to add in your own spices such as bay leaves or something else if you want too

9. Put the top on your pot and stick in the oven. Cook for 1 hour- 1.5 hours 

10. Take out and cut into the chicken to make sure that there is no pink meat

Once done, put on your choice of serving plate and cut chicken. Serves 3-4 people

I hope you enjoy the recipe! Tune in tomorrow to check out our next post!

Till next time,

Carrah

Yoga for beginners

In the pursuit of being healthy, you cannot just workout your body. The mind is equally important in maintaining a healthy lifestyle and feeling good. Stress can make you put on weight, have high anxiety, feel awful, and in general is something to avoid. But realistically avoiding stressful situations is impossible, so you have to find ways to balance your mind and not allow stress to ruin your life.

That is where yoga comes in.

Yoga is well known for its spiritual components, but apart from the spiritual goals, the physical postures of yoga are used to alleviate health problems, reduce stress and make the spine supple in contemporary times. Yoga is also used as a complete exercise program and physical therapy routine. I go to a local gym three times a week and take a yoga class, but you can just as easily follow a dvd routine or youtube video at home. You need a yoga mat, water, and comfortable clothes. You can bring a towel or anything else to help you stretch out.


I am just going to list you some basic moves that you can try at home. If you like them, feel free to join a class or download videos on how learn more moves.

1.  Child's pose-

1. Sit up comfortably on your heels.
2. Roll your torso forward, bringing your forehead to rest on the bed in front of you.
3. Lower your chest as close to your knees as you comfortably can, extending your arms in front of you.
4. Hold the pose and breathe.

2. Mountain pose-

1. Stand tall with feet together, shoulders relaxed, weight evenly distributed through your soles, arms at sides.
2. Take a deep breath and raise your hands overhead, palms facing each other with arms straight. Reach up toward the sky with your fingertips.

3. Upward facing dog/ Cobra-

1. Lie facedown on the floor with thumbs directly under shoulders, legs extended with the tops of your feet on the floor.
2. Tighten your pelvic floor, and tuck hips downward as you squeeze your glutes.
3. Press shoulders down and away from ears.
4. Push through your thumbs and index fingers as you raise your chest toward the wall in front of you.
5. Relax and repeat.

4.Downward facing dog-

1. Start on all fours with hands directly under shoulders, knees under hips.
2. Walk hands a few inches forward and spread fingers wide, pressing palms into mat.
3. Curl toes under and slowly press hips toward ceiling, bringing your body into an inverted V, pressing shoulders away from ears. Feet should be hip-width apart, knees slightly bent.
4. Hold for 3 full breaths. 

5. Bridge Pose-

1. Lie on floor with knees bent and directly over heels.
2. Place arms at sides, palms down. Exhale, then press feet into floor as you lift hips.
3. Clasp hands under lower back and press arms down, lifting hips until thighs are parallel to floor, bringing chest toward chin. Hold for 1 minute.
4. Make it easier: Place a stack of pillows underneath your tailbone.

Remember throughout each pose to keep your breathing steady and relax your mind. It can be challenging at first, but it is a great workout for both your mind and body!

Also, if you want more tips about eating right and exercising follow me on:

-Instagram: Waystolivehealthy

-Twitter: Striving for Healthy

Until next time!

Carrah

PS The girl pictured is one of my best friends, Chandler Russell. She just graduated from the University of Alabama, and is a yoga fanatic. She is wearing a lulu lemon top, and Adidas by Stella Mcartney pants. Look out for her post on friday!!

Bloggin love

I'm really excited about this blog! I've already got almost a thousand views and it's only been one day! So I decided to make a list of topics this blog will cover every week:


Monday- breakfast ideas
Tuesday- lifting tips
Wednesday- yoga/group class tips
Thursday- lunch, dinner, and snack ideas
Friday- Chandler~ guest writer
Saturday- question day~ send me fitness and health questions at coh12@yahoo.com and Ill answer them every Saturday
Sunday- my mom or another guest writer will give tips on how they maintain a healthy lifestyle

Thanks for all the support!
Carrah

Juicing

I always struggle to find a way to get in all my fruits and vegetables in one day, so I drink a lot of juices and smoothies.

I went out and bought a Vitamix to make my juices and smoothies. It works incredibly quickly, and has a great recipe book inside. I decided to try out some of my own juices and smoothies and these are my top 3 favorites:

1. Mango and Kale Blend

1 cup Mango Juice

1 cup water

A medium apple cut in quarters

1 cup of frozen mangos

1 cup of coarsely cut kale (with stem removed)

2. Berry Infusion

1 cup of blueberries

1 cup of strawberries

1 cup of mangos

1.5 cups of mango or pineapple juice

A scoop of protein powder (I use plant fusion from Earth Fare)

3. Pineapple and Kale

1 cup of frozen pineapple

2 medium apples cut in quarters

1 cup of coarsely chopper kale

1 cup of coarsely chopped spinach

With all of these recipes you can add protein powder to get an extra boost. Just remember to check to make sure it is gluten free and free of any other things you have a hard time digesting.

Juices are a great breakfast to start with of an afternoon snack. You can try out your own recipes and see which ones you like the best. They give you a buzz of energy and help make your digestive feel amazing! I normally drink one before I work out too!

Welcome to the site!

My name is Carrah Olive-Hall, and I am on a mission to become healthy.

I was diagnosed with Celiac when I was twenty years old. I had suffered from several health problems since high school, and the second semester of my sophomore year in college I went home because I was incredibly sick. I had my gallbladder removed, and found out I was allergic to every pain killer, antibiotic, and pretty much any drug imaginable. I then was diagnosed with acid reflux, low thryoid disease, neurocardio-syncope, lactose intolerance, hypoglicemia, low vitamin d, and long story short after several months in and out of the hospital one doctor finally recommended I get checked for Celiac. I remember a light going off in my head realizing that it made sense that it would have caused me so many problems. My great-grandmother had been diagnosed later on in life, and her and I had suffered similarly. Constant stomach aches, always having the flu, high levels if aniexty, its a recipe to drive you completely nuts.

It has been over two years since I was diagnosed with Celiac Disease. I was later diagnosed with gastroparesis, which means my digestive system is partially paralyzed too. By some miracle I managed to graduate on time, and now I am home to figure out how to become healthy once again.

In high school I played three varsity sports, and I am now trying to get back to that shape. This blog is dedicated to healthy recipes, exercises, and ways to cope with physical and mental aliments while trying to get in shape.

Sincerely,

        Carrah