Pharmacology

I didn’t even know what Pharmacology was until this past weekend. I attended a leadership retreat with other Penn grad students and had a chance to mingle with people from all the different graduate schools. I ended up hanging out a lot with the scientists, some who were getting their Ph.Ds in Pharmacology. These were amazing and incredible women doing really interesting work – and lots of it.

It was really interesting to be around them. They look at life very differently from me. Not better or worse, just different. We had great discussions around health, the body, nutrition and why I don’t think drinking milk is healthy with a Veterinarian/Pharmacology Ph.D who didn’t agree. The weekend definitely kept me on my toes!

What was the most interesting to me was talking to the two Pharmacology Ph.D’s. These people study drugs for a living. Both of them told me they won’t take prescription drugs after reading all of the side-effects and what really goes on in the body. This was shocking to me. I know I try to avoid medication the best I can but I also know I’m looking at this through my life experiences and education. I found it fascinating that people who were interested and passionate in this subject enough to get a Ph.D also felt the same way.

We arrived at it probably from different thought processes – mine being experiential and intuitive and theirs in large part based on clinical lab work and intricate knowledge of drug interactions with the body. But regardless, it was the same conclusion.

I still believe everyone has to personally choose what healing route they prefer. That’s the one I believe has the most likely chance of working. But I also wish there was more public knowledge about the ramifications of relying on pharmaceuticals and there was more awareness around drugs never enabling you to feel as wonderful as eating well, exercising and having fun.

Maybe if there was,whole foods, clean water and exercise would have more of a level playing field and be the first line of defense for colds, high lab numbers and depression. At the very least, we’d all have more confidence in our intuition.

Simple Solutions for Radical Times

Last weekend I was up in New York City for a nutrition conference. It was sponsored by Metagenics, an amazing company that uses non-toxic (aka natural ingredients) to help the body regain its balance.

Not only did I love that the lunch was all gluten, dairy and sugar-free, but I learned what a quality company Metagenics is. And I have to admit, when I first came into contact with the company a couple of years ago, I thought, oh, another supplement company.

But after hearing the Metagenics President speak, who demonstrated a deep understanding of the human body, mind and spirit, the importance of living in harmony with the environment and the high standards of quality they have for every aspect of their business, I decided this company might be up to something really cool – so I better pay attention and take great notes.
Which I did!

The details are interesting and neat, especially for someone like me who never ceases to be fascinated with the human body. But more profound was how after all the molecular biology, the new information on obesity and type II diabetes (which is not what you think), the cutting-edge research and new protocols for treating autoimmune and toxicity, it all came back to eating whole foods that work for the individual and stress management. And that means living a life with purpose, feeling connected and moving!

Whole Foods + Exercise + Stress Management = Radiant Health.

For a big picture person like me, Eureka! Life is complicated enough. When it comes to our health, simple solutions work in these radical times.

So how can you simplify a challenging area of your health? Can you add one more vegetable in per day? Can you set-aside three minutes to breathe deeply? Again, start small. The body likes slow and gradual change.

I may sound like a broken record here but every conference, article or person dedicated to radiant health has the same message: Keep it simple!

Should the FDA stand for Fraudulant Devilish Acts?

Sometimes when I hear myself talking to clients or am prepping for a workshop, I feel like a hybrid of Debbie Downer and a conspiracy theorist. You see, we are all actresses in a really bad science fiction thriller called SAD (the Standard American Diet). More and more, people are realizing how scary processed food is but when you first start to uncover the truth, it can be terrifying and paralyzing.

See Exhibit A here

The news about mercury in high-fructose corn syrup is familiar to me. But for how long the FDA knew about this and did nothing shocks my humanitarian soul. With a solid background in food politics, I should know by now what you can get away with when you are well-connected.

Food companies and the industrial agriculture system get away with more than murder. They also get paid quite nicely for inhumane animal treatment, polluting our environment, weakening international economies and being the main driver in the average American’s decreasing quantity and quality of life.

But I hate focusing on the negative. It gets you no where. So I’m going to focus on what I can control: buying local and organic, writing to my legislators and calling food companies about my displeasure with them (yes, I’ve done it before and will do it again.) And of course, continue educating my clients and workshop participants on how to be smart and savvy foodies.

Now this is where I start to sound like a Public Service Announcement (and not one sponsored by the USDA or the FDA): You can change the ending to this movie. We have control over our health. When we make healthy food, exercise and stress management choices, we don’t have to go down with the ship (and even if it’s sinking, you’ll have the stamina and strength to swim to shore).

What break-out role can you have to give your part, and those you care about in this movie a happy ending? If your not sure where to start, I strongly suggest reading anything by Micheal Pollan. Omnivore’s Dilemma or In Defense of Food are awesome books. He’s also a contributor to the New York Times. Or pick one food in your pantry. Take the ingredient list and find out what your eating. I’d love to hear about your discoveries.

So for all of those who love happy endings, it’s show time!

Gentle Ways to Detox Your Body

I was a guest on the NBC 10! Show again last Thursday. Here’s a clip from the show that discusses gentle ways to detox your body.

Come Spring time, I’ll be doing an in-depth teleclass on the ins and outs of detoxing. Stay tuned for details!

Also, if you like this kind of information in the mainstream media, please post a comment letting them know. The more we can get the truth about food and health out there, the healthier and happier we will all be.

That and a Steeler Super Bowl win on Sunday!!!

View clip here

We are ONE

This was the name of the concert that HBO pulled together for the inauguration last week. What a show! I found it moving on so many levels. I spend a lot of time in my head but found that this past week, I was in my body feeling inspired and overwhelmed with emotion. I am so proud of our country (even the people who didn’t vote for Barack Obama allowed a peaceful transition which doesn’t happen in many parts of the world) .

I think the reason Obama is such a phenomenon is because he reminds us of our greatness, the wholeness in all of us. Believe it or not, many of us are afraid of our power. And for the past eight years, our country has been operating out of fear versus the hope, ambition and optimism that founded this country and the democracy concept in the first place. But we learned that playing small doesn’t work very well. Let’s move on – and fast!

It’s clearly time to step into our individual power and call upon our strengths. It’s a great way to be a Patriot! In Obama’s inauguration speech, he clearly explained that it’s not just about him – it’s about us too. And we have a lot of work to do.

So I ask you, where are you playing small in your life? Where can you make better choices so you feel whole, confident and ready to change your part of the world?

To get started, I suggest looking at what we in health counseling call your primary foods. Primary foods are what feeds your soul: Career, relationships, spirituality and physical activity. These are equally important as what you feed your body. When these things are balanced in your life, you feel that oneness, that wholeness that we crave more than chocolate.

So just start with ONE change. Maybe it is your diet. That will definitely aid in your confidence, energy and mental clarity. Or maybe it’s being a better friend or trying that yoga class you always thought about.

I know for me, once I got my nutrition right, I gained the energy and chutzpah to jump off the corporate ship and hang out my own shingle doing something I passionately believe in. I’ve never felt more alive in my life. I never knew such small changes would add up so big.

So whatever changes sounds exciting to you, go for it. And instead of thinking “What do I have to lose?” think “What do I have to gain?”. It will be a new era for you and our country.

And if you need some inspiration, check out U2 at the ONE concert:

Spring Clean Your WHOLEself Workshop for Women

It be hard to imagine with the wind, the layers and the downright chill, but sun dresses and inspiration for change are just around the corner when Spring brings its long awaited sunny and warmer days.

Be ready! It’s time to dust off the cob webs inside your body and outside your life! Fast track getting your WHOLEself in shape for 2009 and beyond with the “Spring Clean Your WHOLEself” workshop. It’s time to stop putting your life off and jump in!

Come join Certified Health Counselor Ali Shapiro, Psychologist Dr. Nicole Lipkin and like minded women for this workshop designed to balance your Mind, Body and Spirit.

During this four week boot camp, you’ll benefit by walking away with:

• What foods work best for your unique body
• The real equation to permanent weight loss, including identifying certain food and attitudes that keep on the pounds (hint: it’s not about fat and calories)
• Strategies for managing and eliminating cravings
• A healthier relationship with food and exercise
• The savvy to fit healthy eating and a balanced mindset into your busy life
• Cutting-edge exercise science to show you how to get more out of your work-outs in less time
• Understanding how to eliminate self-sabotaging behavior and keep your priorities straight
• A detox workbook and action plan to support you in doing a spring detox designed for your body and life
• Development of a healthy mind, food and spirit action plan to keep you motivated throughout the year

Come connect with other women while getting incredible support to help you make the changes you desire in your life. Each session is from 6-8 p.m and will include healthy snacks and recipes.

March 11: Finding the Best Foods and Mindset for Your Body and Your Life
March 18: The Best Way to Exercise Your Body and Strengths to achieve a body and life you love (with special guest and Philadelphia premier trainer Brandon Mentore)
March 25: Detoxing Your Body and Life for Spring
April 1: Making Healthy Habits Last

You will have the combined expertise of well known Philadelphia professionals who have been helping individuals accomplish their goals and preferred lives for years.

Investment for this workshop, which will provide you with strategies for sustained life change, is only $349 per person and payable by credit card or check. Bring a friend and you each come for $299. Payment is due upon RSVP (deadline for sign-up is March 1) as space is limited. Contact Ali Shapiro at alishapiro@pyournutrition.com or 215.279.7491 for questions or to RSVP.

Location: 525 S. 4th Street, Suite 471, Philadelphia, PA, 19147