More ENERGY naturally instantly

We are used to see all the energy pills, drinks, coffees, teas, bars....anything you want promising you to rocket off the planet and become invincible.  Nobody mentions the post-effects of crash and burn :)

Is there an alternative?  What can make us high, energized, alert, vital and well?

Water.  Drink lots of water.  Daily, 2-4 liters.

How much water are you drinking?
Are you drinking enough?

Water can miraculously increase energy, reduce stress, detox, assimilate...  SO many things that WILL improve your life overall.  Being well-hydrated can shift you to a higher, and better place in your life, where you will naturally strive.

Cheers!!!!

www.monikakovacs.com

Loyalty is a Choice

The most destructive of weapons is not the spear or the siege cannon, which can wound a body and demolish a wall.
The most terrible of all weapons is the word, which can ruin a life without leaving a trace of blood, and whose wounds never heal.

Let us, then, be the masters of our tongue and not the slaves of our words.
Even if words are used against us, let us not enter a battle that cannot be won.
The moment we place ourselves on the same level as some vile adversary, we will be fighting in the dark, and the only winner will be the Lord of Darkness.

Loyalty is a pearl among grains of sand, and only those who really understand its meaning can see it.

Thus the Sower of Discord can pass the same spot a thousand times and never see the little jewel that keeps together those who need to remain united.

Loyalty can never be imposed by force, fear, insecurity or intimidation.
It is a choice that only strong spirits have the courage to make.

And because it is a choice, it will never tolerate betrayal, but will always be generous with mistakes.
And because it is a choice, it withstands time and passing conflicts.

 taken from Manuscript Found in Accra  |  Paulo Coelho http://bit.ly/maccra

Day 57/90 Mission 'YOUR 2011 Christmas Six-Pack'

57/90  of the Mission 'YOUR 2011 Christmas Six-Pack'

Only 33 days to go, there must be some BIG anticipation built up and even more hunger to finish strong.  Do you want to know the secret to fitness success?  Here it goes.
Those people who look great, carry themselves with strength, grace, and ease, all know the secret.  Those, who seem to 'own the room' as they enter, they are alert, they always seem to have energy, use better language, better word choices etc. share one thing in common: they care about themselves.  They know they need to fuel their days, their performance the right way: through movement.  
The most successful people are likely to exercise first thing in the morning.  They get a strong start, they energize and focus first thing in the morning, while the majority is still snoozing.  The winners are already up paving the way to the success of the given day--no matter what.  They have trained themselves, their minds, their bodies to wake up earlier, work out with intensity, and get out there to seize the day. 


Are you one of them?  If not, start today.  Check out TRUESTAR Health for all your needs to get you up and on with a customized plan for you.  Also, while there, check out TRUESTAR's award winning vitamins and organic supplements to really tweak your performance. 


Winning!

Day 26/90 Mission 'YOUR 2011 Christmas Six-Pack'

26/90 of the Mission, 'YOUR 2011 Christmas Six-Pack'

Wealth starts within....so does Health....  
Together they are SO powerful....
Only together are they TRULY powerful...


What are you doing TODAY, to make progress in those two areas? 
Ask me for ideas.....
xo
Monika

Day 25/90 Mission 'YOUR 2011 Christmas Six-Pack'

25/90 of the Mission, 'YOUR 2011 Christmas Six-Pack'


I have met with some amazing very successful people recently. One key thing I immediately registered in my heart and mind, was something they all had in common.  That is, when they set out to something, anything, great, they NEVER go in, to 'see how things would go.'  Rather, they always, ALWAYS, go FULL-IN.  Is THIS how you approach this challenge?  What about the rest of your life? 


Commit to your success FULL-IN!  Visit  TRUESTAR for the highest level supplements available in North America, to create the right action plan FOR you!!!!  Use code 551066 to qualify for an immediate discount from your ENTIRE purchase.  If you need assistance, please contact me to assist in finding your perfect match.  I am here to help as always.  


xo
Monika
monkovacs@gmail.com

Today: P O W E R

Power start your day with a delicious smoothie:

* 2 'grabs' of fresh baby spinach

*1 cup fresh or frozen berries. 

Pick cranberries, blueberries, or mix them all in

* dash of organic apple cider vinegar

* approx. a hazelnut size fresh ginger

* 6-8 ice cubes 

* 2 cups filtered water

Put all in a blender and blend to desired consistency.  

Antioxidants, Iron, fibre, and a boost of vitamins. 

What more can you ask for to start your day well?

 

 

Enjoy!!!!

xo

Monika

Exercise + Diet

Exercise + Diet = Happiness + Wellness

What if, you substituted the word Exercise for Movement, and Diet for Eating.  It feels so much more attainable, and doable, doesn't it?  It is our nature to do both.  Take the pressure off, daily commit to:

-Movement, and, get up daily, and do a little more than you think you should

-Eating, choose a little wiser than you KNOW you DO.

That is it.

We need to do both, it is our nature--with better quality choices !

52 weeks of bodily bliss, week 30: its a G thing

I love water. I love ice cold filtered water. I make ice cubes out of filtered water too. Hence it is an intrigue to make water interesting and even more healthy than it is...


One of my newest finds to spice up water,is ginger. It definitely is a new obsession :) The G-Goodness goes even further than to spice up water. 


Not only is ginger rich in potassium, magnesium, copper, manganese and vitamin B6. Ginger is also known to be a great GI remedy, a potent anti cancer and anti inflammatory aid, and a very powerful antioxidant.


A simple and delicious way to enjoy ginger: ginger tea. Buy fresh organic roots for this of course. After washing the roots, peel if preferred, slice them or cut them to large pieces. In a large pot of water bring to boil and allow for the tea to cool. Move the tea into a nice glass pitcher or other water container, place to the fridge over night. Enjoy in place of water, or as a replacement to lemonade on the hot summer days.

Cheers!

xo
Monika

52 weeks of bodily bliss, week 28: jUST wALK aWAY

A very simple tool to use to help gauge what goes into your body is through portion control. In North America, we have a very distorted idea of what a serving of starch, protein, not to mention fat would be. For example, when we hear a handful of almonds for snack, how big of a handful are we just talking about? Believe me, it is not a very big one ...


Eating is a numbers game:calories - beyond the taste and nutritional make up. Hence, it can be a varying learning curve, person to person, to get comfortable with it, and be able to use it 'for' us...not against.


My recommendation is to get a great book as a reference tool. Or, work with a professional over a few sessions of basic nutritional counseling, to build the proper foundation of nutrition, and build your castle of physical perfection, from there. For starters that anyone can adopt right now is getting used to walking away from our plates while there is still food on it. This way, it is a definite step towards scraping off excess calories, that would otherwise end up stored. And lets face it even the smartest SPANX designs cant hide the unwanted inches as well as not wearing them in the first place.
Walk away from your plate knowing you are doing that much more for you and celebrate your wellness all around.
xo
Monika

52 weeks of bodily bliss, week 26: quicky on salads

Most people believe that ALL salads are healthy meals.
NOT so fast !!!!

Use caution when choosing your salad.  Adding croutons, cheese, eggs, nuts, fried meat and high calorie/creamy/oily dressing will transform a salad from a healthy meal, to a high fat, high calorie, unhealthy, FAST-FOOD-like, meal.

52 weeks of bodily bliss: week 24: ICE ICE baby

ICEwater.

We all know we need to drink at least eight 8-ounce glasses of water every day to boost health, performance, and even weight-loss.  What you may not know the colder the water the more calories you burn.

I.e. if you drink ice water instead of room-temperature water, your body will burn up to an extra 9 calories per glass.  If, drinking room-temperature water can burn about 16 calories per glass, you would put yourself to 25 calories in deficit per glass for ice water drank.  Even if you stay at your minimum 8, you are about 70 calories daily for no effort only benefit, 350 calories a week. In 10 weeks only changing THIS factor you can lose one full pound of body fat. I am in!!!!!!

Don’t forget, water is a MUST for all your bodily processes, including the ones that run your metabolism. If you're under hydrated, your body will underperform.  Not to mention when water flushes out fat deposits and toxins, it can up your energy levels…

Keep drinking and keep shrinking!!!!!   

52 weeks of bodily bliss... week 23: T I M E

Well, we are over the half way mark this year...I hope you are still ON track and are improving your fitness!!!!

I hear this all the time, I don’t have TIME to exercise because, of kids, work, work, studying, house, car…and what not.  I am the excuse buster and will always offer you a solution to find a way to get around things. The key to exercise, no matter if you like or not, you HAVE to CHOOSE to do it. Remember we always make time for what we WANT, what we value. Do you value YOU?  If not, what DO you value?


We all have lives and challenges, and if you think yours are bigger than mine, you are mistaken. Every person at every age has their challenges that are complimentary to their levels of life.

So the solution, no ‘not enough time’ is not-enough to NOT exercise. If you can only spare 10 minutes, give me the full 10 minutes of it.  But get creative and get honest, 10 minutes of skipping or light jog will be amazing. OR, I will challenge you to 10 madness circuits of burpies (yes yes my clients hate these and some even call them ‘the throw ups’).  Try 30 sec burpies fast, for numbers, with 30 sec rest. Alternate, no stopping for 10 full minutes. If you do this daily and keep with a sound eating- plan you WILL move things around and your bod will thank you! Try the same with 30 sec full out fast skipping, 30 sec rest, or 30 sec full out sprint, 30 sec walk. The choice is yours.


Try this as your new companion, an amazing gadget I use, the GYMBOSSSSS!!!!!!!


 


However when the tide does settle down you are to commit to a proper training regime that builds muscle, challenges the body and the brain, and keeps you progressing over time. 

Regardless of what life throws at you, get creative with your time.  Hire an expert to coach you and guide you through the challenges, you cant and should not expect yourself to know it all and do it all.  That is why we specialize in a certain aspect of life.  

Put you on your TO DO list so you can be proud of your  ‘TO HAVE DONE” list.  Because that is truly what life is all about the moments we stepped up and made it worth the fight ;)

Xoxo

Monika

52 weeks of bodily bliss... week 21: Better than ICE CREAM !!!!!!!

If you know me, you know, I LOVE ICE CREAM!!!!!  I mean I L O V E ice cream!!!!!  If I could, I would live on nothing BUT ice cream.  Unfortunately I can't, so the need for better alternatives has been tickling my curiosity, and this week I will share some fun ideas with you.

As the weather warms up and our hearts are more free and wanting to enjoy life's great fun and cool treats, ice cream moves way up the list.  Not so hard, at the grocery stores the freezer isles are displaying the latest indulgences, the TV reminds of the yummy, the streets have ice cream trucks circling playing the fun music, not to mention the beaches, where the fresh cones with scoops melting down the forearms are calling our taste buds for a party.

While this is all fine and dandy, if not kept in check, our waist lines soon will rebel against the indulgence of our taste buds, and we bulge out of the bikinis.  Where did all the hard work go at the gym all these weeks?????  Now what?

Fret not, there are some easy tricks to keep the cool cravings satisfied.  One of my favorite things to do is, freezing bite-sized watery fruits to snack on.  For example, pitted and diced plums, mangos, cantaloupes, grapes, or blueberries make for a cool and nutritious revive.  These are amazing alternatives for ice creams and even a little over indulgence will not do too much damage.

These fruits, and others you love, are loaded with nutrients and vitamins to even further boost your indulgences, and keep your waist line slim and tight:

1 cup plums have 76 cals, 19 g carbs, .5 g fat and about 2 g fibers

1 cup blueberries have 82 cals, 20 g carbs, under 5 g fat and about 4 g fibers
1 cup grapes have 104 cals, 27 g carbs, 0 g fat and about 2 g fibers
1 cup mangos have 107 cals, 28 g carbs, .5 g fat and about 3 g fibers
1 cup cantaloupes have 54 cals, 14 g carbs, .5 g fat and about 1.4 g fibers

So simple, so delisc, so good for you.

Happy Snacking !!!!!

xoxo
Monika

Reversing Diabetes

April 25th was Reversing Diabetes Action Day, the start of a week where health experts come together to spread accurate and effective  information on how to reverse diabetes.  In honor of this day the team behind the film  "Simply Raw: Reversing Diabetes in 30 Days" is giving away their film for an amazing 50% OFF the regular price.  If you haven't yet seen this film, which features the actor Woody Harrelson, peak performance coach Tony Robbins,  Rev. Michael Beckwith from "The Secret," Morgan Spurlock  from "Super Size Me," Dr. Gabriel Cousens and David Wolfe, then I highly recommend you see the trailer on the page below and pick up a copy today.  You can see the trailer and read about what the Simply Raw team is doing here: 

"Simply Raw: Reversing Diabetes in 30 Days"

Whether you're in perfect health or suffering with diabetes or any other health issue I highly recommend you watch this film. It's a powerful, emotional and educational film that is a must see for anyone who cares about their health. Along with offering "Simply Raw: Reversing Diabetes in 30 Days" for 50% OFF they're also offering the companion "Raw for Life" 2 disc DVD set for 50% OFF the regular price! It's all being done in an effort to raise awareness on how to reverse diabetes and other illnesses with raw and living foods. When you pick up a copy today you'll also get a laundry list of amazing bonuses. So take a minute to watch the trailer for this amazing film by visiting the site below.

"Simply Raw: Reversing Diabetes in 30Days"

And remember, diabetes is a pandemic situation with over 246 million people suffering worldwide. If you or anyone you know is dealing with diabetes make sure that they watch this film. It just may save their life… Monika P.S. - The 50% OFF is a ridiculously low price for the film. With the bonuses they've added on it's almost a no brainer. It shows how passionate they are about getting this information out to the public. Make sure to check it out:

"Simply Raw: Reversing Diabetes in 30 Days"

52 weeks of bodily bliss... week 17: Rejuvenating Foods for Springtime Part IIRejuvenating Foods for Springtime Part II

Last week we went over why some 'spring foods' do your body great'  This week, I will list a few I personally love, that also hold some amazing nutritional benefits for the body and well-being.

Asparagus: 

• great source of folate, whose deficiency is the most common vitamin deficiency in the world
• 1 cup of cooked asparagus (provides 67% of the daily value for folate)
• essential for heart health and the prevention of birth defects

Apricots: 

• help satisfy that sweet tooth
• rich supply of carotenoids, phytonutrients
• powerful antioxidant 
• rich in beta-carotene and lycopene (important in reducing the oxidation of LDL cholesterol, (the cause of plaque build up in arteries) and maintaining a healthy heart)

Green Peas: 

• rich source of B vitamins, including B1, B2, B3, B6 and folate (essential for the proper metabolism of fats, proteins and carbohydrates)
• rich in health-protective carotenoids (lutein and zeaxanthin), powerful antioxidants, that promote healthy vision and protect against age-related macular degeneration

Spinach: 

• rich in vitamin A, important for cardiovascular health
• rish in vitamin K, important vitamin for bone health
• at least 13 different flavonoid compounds, that function as powerful antioxidants and anti-cancer agents
• carotenoids, such as lutein, which are important for preventing age-related macular degeneration

Romaine Lettuce: 

• low calorie 
• vitamin C and beta-carotene content work together to prevent the oxidation of cholesterol
• helps prevent the formation of arterial plaques
• contains chromium, helps in maintaining healthy blood sugar levels

Green Beans: 

• vitamin A (through its concentration of beta-carotene) 
• vitamin C is part of the sine qua non for a healthy immune system. Beta-carotene and vitamin A are fat-soluble antioxidants, while vitamin C functions as an antioxidant in the water-soluble areas of the body. So, between their beta-carotene and vitamin C content, green beans help cover both of the body's internal environments against damage from oxygen free radicals.

Collard Greens: 

• member of the cruciferous family of vegetables, with many unique health-promoting properties
• contain sulfur compounds, that decrease the occurrence of a wide variety of cancers, including breast and ovarian cancers
• concentrate lutein and zeaxanthin, two carotenoid phytonutrients important for protection against age-related macular degeneration

Avocados: 

• rich source of heart-healthy monounsaturated fats (can help lower cholesterol)
• 50% more potassium than bananas, compared in weight

Swiss Chard: 

• one of the most nutritious vegetables
• source of vitamin A and E, two fat soluble vitamins that act as powerful antioxidants, 
• many other vitamins, minerals, dietary fiber and protein
• source of carotenoids: beta-carotene, and flavonoids: anthocyanins, help protect cell structures (including DNA) from the damage that can be caused by free radicals

Basil: 

• source of vitamin A, basil contains a unique array of flavonoids that protect cell structures, as well as chromosomes, from radiation and oxygen-based damage

Use these spring goodness foods to enrich your already consciously chosen food items, not only to richen and add variety tot he taste, but also to increase your well-being and give your body and overall health a boost. 

Happy and Healthy Spring!!!!!!!

52 weeks of bodily bliss... week 16: Rejuvenating Foods for Springtime Part I

Springtime is always a new beginning.  We want to get outside, we want to move things around inside our homes, and many of us want to move our bodies as well.  This means not only physical exercise, but also to move our health around inside our bodies as well. 

Our beings yearn for renewal, rebuilding, growth and new life.  What better way to do that than, adding nutritious spring foods to our daily eating regime, and to promote new growth, and freshening things up.  A few tips:

Eat Green:

• more sun means more chlorophyll, key component in plants that allows them to harvest the sun's energy, boost vitality by adding more green to every meal
• collard greens, spinach, romaine lettuce, Swiss chard and others. 

Eat Light

• instead of the heavy comforting items we tend to choose during the cold dark winter months, Spring serves us the magnificent opportunity to revamp the habits.
• when choosing foods, aim for ‘light’  items, that energize, not make us sluggish
• eat more raw, or lightly cooked/sauteéd, lighter in calories, and
• avoid eating when you aren't hungry, rather take a brisk walk with your loved one, hold hands and laugh

Eat Young

• with spring there are tons of fresh, ‘baby,’ vegetables available, they are most tender and have their nutrients most readily available. 

Stay tuned for part II, where I will list a few of my newfound favorites you too can use in your eating regime to boost your health and renew your well-being this Spring.

Happy and healthy Spring!!!!!

52 weeks of bodily bliss... week 15: Persimmon is the 'new apple

1 persimmon a day will keep the doctor away.

I love fruits, all fruits. There are a few I take bias toward.

One of them is the ancient Japanese treasure: Persimmon. This delicious fruit is not only full of unique flavor, but rich in antioxidants, vitamins and twice the fiber of the same size apple. Check out the nutritional facts below (all courtesy of calorieking.com):

***for added antioxidant benefits, an amazing indulgence tip: dip slices of persimmons in melted dark chocolate....mmmmm

P.S. It is OK to lick the plate after :)
P.S. 2 It is also OK to share with someone special :)

Persimmons

Nutrition Facts

Calories 70 (293 kJ)

% DV 1

Total Fat 0.2g 0%

Sat. Fat 0g 0%

Cholesterol 0mg 0%

Sodium 1mg 0%

Total Carbs. 18.6g 6%

Dietary Fiber 3.6g 14%

Sugars 12.5g

Protein 0.6g

Calcium 8mg

Potassium 161mg

Apples

Nutrition Facts

Calories 48 (201 kJ)

% DV 1

Total Fat 0.1g 0%

Sat. Fat 0g 0%

Cholesterol 0mg 0%

Sodium 0mg 0%

Total Carbs. 12.8g 4%

Dietary Fiber 1.3g 5%

Sugars 10.1g

Protein 0.3g

Calcium 5mg

Potassium 90mg