I had my first ‘protein style burger’ today! For those of you that don't know, a 'protein style burger' is a burger with all the fixins wrapped in lettuce rather than a bun. It was so tasty and fresh- I didn’t feel like I was missing out at all! I am feeling great this week- light, energetic and clear-headed. I am having the most regular bowel movements I have ever had. I love being gluten free.

WIN A 3 PACK OF COLONICS!!!
PURE Colonics wants you to try a mini-version of what I did! Try a gluten-free diet for just one week, keep a journal of how your feeling, changes you noticed, and so forth and submit it to the PURE Colonics' Facebook page. At the end of October there will be a drawing from all of the names of people who submitted their journal entries. If your name is picked, you win 3 colonics ($405 value)!

As I was out of town all weekend I have absolutely no food in my apartment! So, after scavenging through my kitchen cabinets this morning I decided to grab some almonds, soft boil two eggs and whip up a can of tuna for lunch. Considering my lunch was pure protein, I was not snacky at all and felt full all day. I grabbed a glass of wine in the evening (almost got a beer then realized that was off limits!) and a small dinner before turning in for the night… with a smile on my face knowing I lasted a whole week gluten free and it wasn’t as tough as I expected!

WIN A 3 PACK OF COLONICS!!!
PURE Colonics wants you to try a mini-version of what I did! Try a gluten-free diet for just one week, keep a journal of how your feeling, changes you noticed, and so forth and submit it to the PURE Colonics' Facebook page. At the end of October there will be a drawing from all of the names of people who submitted their journal entries. If your name is picked, you win 3 colonics ($405 value)!!

This past weekend was the most challenging since I decided to go gluten-free. I went to the Hamptons with a big group of friends and was surrounded in delicious, gluten-laden food all weekend- from lobster rolls to pizza for dinner and bagels and sandwiches for breakfast. I was put to the test the entire trip and am happy / proud to say that I didn’t cave!! I ate the cheese off of the top of the pizza and got salads instead of sandwiches. While everyone snacked on chips, I pulled out some almonds and dried fruit. Not only am I happy (mentally) to have not given in but my body feels good- today doesn’t have that guilty undertow that many Mondays following weekends away usually do! Another exciting little detail- I actually see a difference in my waist- my stomach looks flatter!

WIN A 3 PACK OF COLONICS!!!
PURE Colonics wants you to try a mini-version of what I did! Try a gluten-free diet for just one week, keep a journal of how your feeling, changes you noticed, and so forth and submit it to the PURE Colonics' Facebook page. At the end of October there will be a drawing from all of the names of people who submitted their journal entries. If your name is picked, you win 3 colonics ($405 value)!!

Even after having a few cocktails last night I did not crave carbs this morning! Usually I wake up after a night out, I immediately think about eating anything that is heavy and full of carbs to ‘soak up the damage I did the night before’. Today I woke up, made two soft-boiled eggs and some strawberries and didn’t miss the English muffin or bagle sandwich.  After my lunch of a veggie stir-fry and quinoa, I got crampy and was a bit uncomfortable but it passed- I’m guessing it was just my body adjusting. Basically the entire day I felt great- full of energy, lighter than I did a week ago and without any desire to eat gluten-loaded products. I noticed that these last two days I've been craving protein so for dinner I made myself pork tenderloin and a strawberry coconut milk smoothie for dessert.

WIN A 3 PACK OF COLONICS!!!
PURE Colonics wants you to try a mini-version of what I did! Try a gluten-free diet for just one week, keep a journal of how your feeling, changes you noticed, and so forth and submit it to the PURE Colonics' Facebook page. At the end of October there will be a drawing from all of the names of people who submitted their journal entries. If your name is picked, you win 3 colonics ($405 value)!

I felt great all day today- really, really great. I got on the scale after work and was 4 pounds lighter than 3 days ago!! I am having much more regular bowel movements (which has never happened for me). Though I don’t think I LOOK 4 pounds lighter, I feel better inside- like I had a weight lifted off of my stomach. I am surprised to not have any carb cravings. Dinner was a bit challenging as it was my first time going out to eat; some friends and I met for drinks and appetizers at a Mexican food restaurant. I didn’t touch the quesadillas or crostini, I ate the meat off of the top and had some shrimp cocktail instead. I left feeling perfectly satisfied rather than bogged down by greasy, heavy appetizers, which was nice for a change!

WIN A 3 PACK OF COLONICS!!!
PURE Colonics wants you to try a mini-version of what I did! Try a gluten-free diet for just one week, keep a journal of how your feeling, changes you noticed, and so forth and submit it to the PURE Colonics' Facebook page. At the end of October there will be a drawing from all of the names of people who submitted their journal entries. If your name is picked, you win 3 colonics ($405 value)!!

Well, it didn't take as long as I expected to get the urge to eat a big bowl of pasta or grab a granola bar. I didn’t feel completely satisfied after lunch- not that I felt hungry, I just wanted to pick. I had a veggie stir fry and avocado for lunch with some rice crackers for a snack. Though I was sluggish towards the end of the workday, I ran 5 miles when I got home and felt great again. I stocked up on fruits, veggies, and gluten free snacks such as seaweed, edamame crackers and almonds and gave away all of my gluten-full food! Feeling good and ready to get going on day number three!

WIN A 3 PACK OF COLONICS!!!
PURE Colonics wants you to try a mini-version of what I did! Try a gluten-free diet for just one week, keep a journal of how your feeling, changes you noticed, and so forth and submit it to the PURE Colonics' Facebook page. At the end of October there will be a drawing from all of the names of people who submitted their journal entries. If your name is picked, you win 3 colonics ($405 value)!!

And the journey begins...
Making such a drastic lifestyle change has me learning a lot these days. I am busy reading all about what foods contain gluten and how to identify it on packaging and ingredient lists. I didn’t realize that even things like spices, soy sauce, lunch meat and salad dressing are gluten-ridden. I have decided to cut out all ‘heavy’ gluten – i.e. bread, chips, beer, flour tortillas, wheat pasta, and so forth. I am not going to worry about the bits of gluten in my spices or soy sauce though many people do; I am focusing on the big stuff. I felt really good this first day. I cook a lot and have always made fresh veggies the center of my meals so it’s not too tough for me to eat vegetable based meals. I ate a big salad for lunch at work and for dinner I made a big shrimp and kale stir fry that was delicious and completely satisfying. Every time I decide to make some change in my habits, I find that the first three days aren't as tough as I am excited to get going on my 'new lifestyle' so I'm expecting this to get harder after the first few days without a crunchy baguette!

WIN A 3 PACK OF COLONICS!!!
PURE Colonics wants you to try a mini-version of what I did! Try a gluten-free diet for just one week, keep a journal of how your feeling, changes you noticed, and so forth and submit it to the PURE Colonics' Facebook page. At the end of October there will be a drawing from all of the names of people who submitted their journal entries. If your name is picked, you win 3 colonics ($405 value)!!

Kick-starting your summer with a healthy makeover from the inside out! Here are some tips to get your body feeling refreshed and ready for this skin-baring season!

Drink Up!
Challenge yourself to drinking two liters of water a day. Small changes will make it possible, i.e. start the morning out with a glass of water before getting your cup of joe and drink a glass between each glass of wine while at happy hour. This will not only get things moving inside but you'll notice a difference in your skin as well. 

Stretch It Out 
Start feeling more agile and limber by stretching your muscles on a daily basis. Rather than sitting on the couch during your favorite show, grab a spot on the floor and loosen that tension. Who knows, you may even be motivated to get out of the house all together and go for a quick jog or walk around the block!  

Find A New Activity 
The change in weather is the perfect opportunity to change up your usual activities. Challenge your body in new ways such as taking a yoga or salsa dancing class. The city is full of fun, free, activities outdoors throughout the next couple of months- we even listed some on the calendar that seem particularly fun. For more ideas, check out the Hudson River Park Events Calendar.  

Give Your Insides A Break!
Take a break from your normal diet and try a cleanse or detox. Click here for a few that Philomena is a fan of!

Get a Colonic
The colon plays a huge role in throwing out toxins but when it's backed-up it can't do it's job properly. Visit us for a hydro-colonic to start your summer on a clean note.

As the nice weather has decided to stick around for the weekend, let's make the most of it and get outside! Taking advantage of these sunny days is not only good for your mind and your mood- it's the perfect opportunity to get moving. Physical activity is a key ingredient to keeping your system regular and there is no lack of activities to keep you from get moving (inside and out!) this Spring. Below is a list of fun activities to get you out of your stuffy apartment and under the sun! Enjoy!

Stretch Out In Socrates Sculpture Park
Bring a mat and stretch out in the fresh air with the sun warming your back! The open-air sculpture museum offers free yoga classes on the weekends (Sat 9:30–10:30am, 11am–noon; Sun 10–11am). They also offer tai chi classes on Sundays (11am–noon). (www.socratessculpturepark.org)

Skate The City
Meet dozens of skaters at 7:45pm at the south end of Union Square for a 2 hour skate around the city along a different route each week. All skill levels are welcome as long as you can stop and turn, and because you'll be rolling on the road, helmets and wrist guards are a must. Post-skate keep hanging with your new friends at Mumbles bar and restaurant! (www.unionsquarenyc.org)

Hang Out On The High Line
Stroll down the High Line and enjoy the the design-minded, elevated green space with snacks from an amazing lineup of local vendors. Tuesday night stargazing is a great after-dark activity and will start up again on May 7th. (www.thehighline.org)

Stop and Smell the... Cherry Blossoms
The Japanese have a term for appreciating cherry blossoms from bud and bloom to the blankets of fallen petals: 'hanami'. This cycle will be on full view as the Brooklyn Botanic Garden’s over 200 cherry trees show their colors. Tours of the collection—the largest of these trees outside of Japan—along with other Japanese plants on the grounds, take place at 1pm on Wednesdays and 11am on Saturdays during the show. (www.bbg.org)

Get On Two Wheels- It's Bike Month!
Check out  pedal-powered events such as Bike Expo New York (May 3, 4) and the TD Five Boro Bike Tour (May 5), plus a bunch of classes where you can learn to ride or improve your road skills and confidence. Locations and times vary. (www.bikemonthnyc.org)

Visit 5 Pointz
Beginning May 4 the Institute of Higher Burning hosts a full lineup of parties, scratch battles and live art. You can also explore the area and check out a spray-painting demo on a guided tour (www.sidetour.com)

Get A Colonic!
After your day in the sun, stop by to get your insides moving!

Ever looking forward to the sunny season ahead only to be run down by those obnoxious allergies? The good news is there are ways to avoid those itchy, runny noses and naturals ways to turn them around if the season's pollens get the best of you.
 
Control Your Environment
Pay extra attention to closing windows and doors in the mornings when most plants and flowers tend to pollinate.   
    
Keep Clean
We all know that nose hairs trap debris and dust particles from invading our bodies but we forget that the hair on our head is a trap as well! Washing your hair before hitting the pillow eliminates air-born pollens from spreading to your eyes and nose.  
 
Buy a Humidifier  
Breathing in moist air helps with congestion. If you have the sniffles, putting a humidifier in the rooms that you occupy the most may help with the irritation.   
 
Drink Up!
Water is always important but upping your water intake during allergy season will help thin the mucous and increase drainage.
 
Get a Colonic
When the body encounters allergies it wants to get rid of the toxins by and it does this by producing body fluids; hence the sneezing, watery eyes and noses during allergy season. The colon plays a role in throwing out toxins but if it is backed up allergy symptoms can intensify and affect the rest of body.