Janice Taylor Living » Healthy Living

Rise and Grind Wednesday: Caffeine and Sugar Improve Memory?

jtaylor — Thu, 10 Mar 2011 17:01:24 +0000

Dig it! Scientists recently found that sweetened, caffeinated coffee not only gives you an energy boost to prepare you for your busy day, but it can also help you to remember by boosting cognitive performance.

The golden, sugary, yum delicious nugget of this research showed that when caffeine and sugar are taken together, they help boost the brain’s performance, as compared when they are ingested separately.

The research was conducted at the University of Barcelona, Spain, and it included conducting brain scans of 40 volunteers. The volunteers were tested after they consumed coffee with sugar, coffee without sugar, just plain sugar and just plain water.

The findings showed that when these two substances – caffeine and sugar – when taken together, improved brain performance. The combo increased the efficiency of two regions of the brain; regions that are responsible for sustained attention and working memory.

(Source: journal of Human Psycho-pharmacology: Clinical and Experimental)

While this may be exciting for us caffeine and sugar lovers, remember – there are 16 calories per teaspoon of sugar. This ‘news’ by no means gives license to over-indulging and creating a sugar high.

Nevertheless, I am going to purposefully enjoy my teaspoon of sugar soaked in coffee this morning.

More Coffee News:
Coffee and Aspirin Cure
Fast Weight Loss and Coffee!!!

Spread the word … NOT the icing,

Janice Taylor
wise * fun * utterly useful
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For the best in wellness and weight loss wisdom, visit Janice:
Our Lady of Weight Loss
join the Kick in the Tush Club
Virtual Shoulder

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Does Daylight Savings Time Make YOU Fat???

jtaylor — Thu, 10 Mar 2011 16:59:20 +0000

With the exception of the State of Arizona and parts of Indiana, on this Sunday, March 13th at 2:00 am, we set our clocks ahead to enjoy an additional hour of daylight.

How will you utilize your extra hour; the hour that you will have ‘gained’ this weekend?

Will you shake off your tale feathers and take a long walk in the ‘light?’ Will you spend an extra hour decluttering, giving your spring cleaning plan a kick in the tush?

Will you allow the ‘light’ to shine bright or will you set your dials to dim?

How will you ’spend’ your extra hour? Will you kick start Spring by springing into action, sending your ‘upward spiral’ into motion? How will you fuel your inner fire? Those parts of you that are hibernating?

1. Gardening? There is magic in ‘dirt.’
2. Taking a long walk around the park?
3. Sitting on a mountain top?
4. Calling old friends?
5. Chanting Om?
6. Contemplating your navel?
7. Sitting on the porch, rocking back n’ forth?
8. Cleaning out the fridge?
9. Sleeping In or stretching it out?
10. Jumping high or laying low?

How will you set your ‘upward spiral’ in motion?
Please ‘weigh-in’ below!

Spread the word … NOT the icing,

Follow Janice Taylor on Twitter: www.twitter.com/OurLady
Facebook: www.facebook.com/OurLadyofWeightLoss

11 Eating Styles: What does yours say about you?

jtaylor — Mon, 30 Aug 2010 19:54:51 +0000

According to Our Lady of Weight Loss, the patron saint of permanent fat removal, she who has devoted a great deal of time to examining the way in which people eat, there are 10 basic eating styles – from Gulp n’ Go to Totally Beige to the Food Architect.

What’s your eating style? What does your eating ’style’ say about you? Perhaps it’s time to take a look at our methodology and make some adjustments!!!

Our Lady of Weight Loss’s Top 11 Eating Styles – yes, I did say that there are 10, but here, today, Our Lady of Weight Loss, the patron saint of permanent fat removal is suggesting an 11th!

1. The Unconscious Eater: If you find yourself covered in cookie crumbs, and do not have any memory of eating cookies, you are an UNCONSCIOUS EATER. WAKE UP! Be in the here and now.

2. Gulp n’ Go: Are you always on the run, doing the ole’ GULP n’ GO? Sit down and take a moment. Please.

3. Food Architect: You are a FOOD ARCHITECT if you sculpt mountains of mashed potatoes, arrange broccoli in and around them like trees, and layer slices of meat until you’ve created a high-rise apartment building. While I admire your creativity, play with Legos instead!

4. Assembly-Line Eater: You are an ASSEMBLY-LINE EATER if you load-up another fork full while still chewing. Put the fork down in between bites.

5. Never Say, “No, Thank You.”: Do you have a NEVER SAY, “NO, THANK YOU” policy in place? Afraid you might offend someone? Time for a re-write.

6. If It’s FREE, It’s for ME: Do you exclaim, “IF IT’S FREE, IT’S FOR ME!” when you see free food tastings and samplings at the supermarket? Eat before food shopping and recommit to your goals before you head out.

7. Closet Eater: You are a CLOSET EATER if you keep a mini-fridge in your coat closet and visit it nightly. Come on out of the closet and join the rest of us. It’s safe out here.

8. Speed Eater: If your friends suggest that you challenge the Japanese world speed-eating champion who swallowed a total of 53 1/2 hot dogs, and their accompanying buns, in just 12 minutes, then you are a SPEED EATER. I’m gagging just thinking about it.

9. Beige-Eater: If potatoes, pasta and mac and cheese are your main stay, then you are a BEIGE-eater. Add red peppers, strawberries, green beans, and bright blueberries to your palate . . . NOW.

10. Fried: You are FRIED if you think ‘fried’ is a food group. Now you know better!

And now, on behalf of Our Lady of Weight Loss, I would like to introduce an 11th Style of Eating, coming to you at the 11th hour, so to speak.

11. Healthy, Plain n’ Simple: Just for a moment try on ‘Healthy’ as your eating style! How does it fit? Most people do not ingest enough vitamins, minerals, and phytochemicals on a daily basis. Because our nutrient needs are not met, we lose control and cravings kick in.

Healthy isn’t complicated. In fact, it’s simple. All you need to do is eat more – more fruits and vegetables – more colorful plants. Not only will you lose weight; your health will also dramatically improve.

Here’s some food for thought!

2/3 of Americans are overweight
1/3 of Americans are classified as morbidly obese
50 percent of Americans die of heart attacks and strokes
28 million Americans suffer from the crippling pain of osteoarthritis
35 million Americans suffer from chronic headaches (source: Joel Fuhrman, M.D., author of Eat for Health)

Take one step toward health. Try on ‘healthy’. Eat more! Fruits and vegetables.
Slim down while you live it up!

Spread the healthy word … NOT the icing!
Janice

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For the best Life, Wellness and Weight Loss information
visit: Our Lady of Weight Loss
Join the KICK in the TUSH CLUB!!!

Is your Mouth of Chi blessed or blocked?

jtaylor — Thu, 19 Aug 2010 15:31:03 +0000

The Mouth of Chi* is a term used in Feng Shui*. It references your front door, the primary point of entry into your home (or office or cubicle), whether you favor that door or another. The Mouth of Chi is much like our physical mouth.

Both The Mouth of Chi and your physical mouth are points of entry; both serve as boundaries between “inner” and “outer” worlds. The Mouth of Chi is where energy, people and opportunity enter your home. Your physical mouth takes in food, air, and energy (chi).

If your Mouth of Chi is blocked, cluttered or just plain messy, it can block you from moving forward in life. It can have a negative effect. If it is bright, well lit, cheery and full of positive energy, your life is more likely to flow in a positive way. Good fortune, blessings and opportunities will be yours.

When you fill your physical mouth with unhealthy foods, too much food, or bad air, it will block your energy and have a negative effect on your body. In addition, if you don’t take care of all that is in your mouth (gums, teeth, tongue, et al.), or if your words are peppered with negativity, another type of block will form, and yes – your energy and life flow will be compromised.

Prior to learning about the Mouth of Chi, I confess that I hadn’t give much thought to the importance of ‘point of entry,’ nor had I even considered my physical mouth an entry point or boundary between the ‘inner’ and the ‘outer.’ Now, however, having a different level of awareness, I can’t help but to be mindful and give more thought and meaning to what I put in my mouth and what comes out of it. And you?

Speak right. Eat right. Smile.
Keep your points of entry clean and well lit.

Evolve. Don’t just improve …
Janice

Chilean Quake Shifts Earth’s Axis – Shorter Days Ahead

jtaylor — Wed, 03 Mar 2010 15:54:23 +0000

Just yesterday while discussing global warming, the end of winter, and the beginning of spring, I was remembering “Midnight Sun,” one of my favorite Twilight Zone episodes.

The Plot: A woman (Lois Nettleton) tries to survive as the earth hurtles toward the sun. Needless to say, it was a chilling episode, and its end twist even more disturbing!

Now, fast forward to this morning’s headlines:
NASA scientists reported that the massive earthquake that hit Chile (magnitude 8.8) on Saturday, appears to have shifted the Earth’s axis, thus shortening our days. According to early calculations, 1.26 microseconds shorter.

Earthquakes shift massive amounts of rock and therefore, alter the distribution of mass on the planet, thus changing the planet’s rotation rate. The rotation rate determines the length of the day.

A microsecond is one-millionth of a second. Clearly, a 1.26 microsecond shift is not the end of the world, but still – rather disconcerting – no? And for us nighttime eaters, every microsecond counts!

For more on nighttime eating! …
10 Ways to Curb, Control & Conquer Your Nighttime Eating
Mindless eating occurs primarily at night, after dinner, when – after a long, sometimes difficult day – you sit down and relax. What to do? Understand it and plan for it!

Here, Janice Taylor, Weight Loss Coach and Our Lady of Weight Loss, the patron saint of permanent fat removal (she who guides her), give you:

10 Ways to Curb, Conquer and Control Nighttime Eating

1. Awareness First. Nighttime is often a vulnerable time of day. You might be tired. You may have said, “No, thank you,” numerous times throughout your day, and you’re worn down. It could be, more likely than not, that this is the first time that you are able to focus on your personal life and it’s bringing up anxiety. Know that you are not alone. We could all (me especially) blow a day of healthful eating within 10 minutes of nighttime snacking! Just knowing what to expect is helpful. … READ ON!

Join with me at Omega:
Our Lady of Weight Loss EnLIGHTens; Health, Happiness & Well-Being

Janice Taylor, a 55-pound big-time-loser, wants to forever change the way we experience health, wellness, dieting, food, and ourself. She has a mission: to make health and weight loss fun and create balance and harmony in our life. … READ ON!

Spread the word … NOT the icing!
Janice

Celebrity Weight: Pierce Brosnan’s Wife Gets Fit for Her Man

jtaylor — Thu, 21 Jan 2010 16:19:26 +0000

Give me a break! While perusing the headlines this morning, I stumbled upon an ‘after and before’ (thin to heavy) photo of Keely Shaye Smith, Pierce Brosnan’s wife, with the aforementioned headline on x17online.com.

It’s not that Pierce Brosnan isn’t swell. But really!! If Keely Shaye Smith wants to get in shape or lose weight, I sure hope she’s doing it for herself, first and foremost.

If you are thinking that you might want to lose a pound or two or even twenty of fifty (or more), before you jump on the weight loss bandwagon, you might want to get clear on why you want to lose weight.

Here are 6 powerful ‘coach yourself thin’ questions from your Weight Loss Coach, Janice Taylor!

Are you losing weight for you, or someone else?

What will losing weight give you that you wouldn’t otherwise have?

What does your body have to say about your choices?

What have you learned from past weight loss attempts?

What takes you off-course?

How will you celebrate yourself one year from now?Hungry for more fat-melting questions?
Why are you keeping your fat clothes?
Depressed, Stressed, Overweight?

Spread the word … NOT the icing!
Janice

Celebrity Weight: Victoria Beckham’s Thighs, Heart Disease and Premature Death

jtaylor — Tue, 19 Jan 2010 17:00:33 +0000

Just yesterday, I was sharing with a friend that my greatest accomplishment in life (yes, all of life) – aside from having children (got to say that, right?) – is that I permanently removed over 50 pounds and there is a space between my thighs! That’s right!!!

I no longer house economy-sized bottles of baby powder to rub between my thighs before a summer-time walk! I no longer suffer from thigh ‘chafing!’

Amazing accomplishment, no? Something you can relate to, yes?

Well then, you can imagine my upset when I read this morning that a study conducted by the British Medical Journey of approximately 3,000 men and women between the ages of 35 to 65 indicated that those with a thigh circumference of less than 23.6 inches “greatly increased” their risk of developing heart disease and dying prematurely!

The people at the greatest risk of developing heart and circulation problems and dying prematurely are people whose thigh circumference measures less than 18 inches! And, further – just so you know – there is no benefit from having thighs that are larger than 23.6 inches!

So to those who have 23.6 inch thighs, mazel tov! You’re perfect. To those who measure less than 18 inches, presumably like Victoria Beckham, take heed! As for me, I’m still thrilled with the space between my thighs, and I will continue to exercise, eat healthfully, think happy thoughts and monitor my blood pressure!

For the full skinny on the study, visit:
Thigh circumference and risk of heart disease and premature death: prospective cohort study

More Celebrity Weight:
Kirstie Alley – Will she lose it and find it AGAIN?
Mo’Nique Loses it! 40 pounds.
Kelly Clarkson AirBrushed Away?

Spread the word … NOT the icing!
Janice

National Popcorn Day – Make a popcorn frame!

jtaylor — Mon, 18 Jan 2010 14:38:35 +0000

It’s National Popcorn Day and rather than celebrating it by hitting the streets in search of a super-sized bucket or two of buttered caramel popcorn, this Weight Loss Artist ™® thought it the perfect opportunity to make a piece of Weight Loss Art™® !

A Weight Loss Artist™® is someone who makes art about food instead of eating it and, in the process, loses weight. I permanently removed over 50 pounds. (For the full skinny on how to permanently remove fat, keep your hands covered in glitter and make weight loss fun, be sure to pick up a copy of Our Lady of Weight Loss!!!)

Weight loss art is any form of art and/or craft that keeps your hands and mind busy creating rather than eating and, at the same time, the activity grounds you to your healthy lifestyle goals!

Certainly, a popcorn frame meets the criteria! Are you ready to pop some kernels and glue ‘em, and not eat ‘em?

Straight from the Our Lady of Weight Loss’ Craft Room
Pious Project: Popcorn Frame

Supplies:
popcorn
glitter glue
frame (small is good, with a flat few inches to work on)

Instructions:
pop your popcorn
let it cool.
put glitter glue on the frame
place popcorn on top of glue artistically

Note: I use glitter glue because it’s colorful, fun and pretty. And when a piece of popcorn shifts and there’s a little bit of the frame showing through it – well … glitters!

More fun weight loss tips:
Can Your Anger! Literally! CAN IT!
Make an AFFIRMATION Container and CHANGE Your Life!

Spread the word … NOT the icing!
Janice

Thanksgiving Survival KIT: Pills, booze or meditation music?

jtaylor — Wed, 25 Nov 2009 12:49:29 +0000

In preparation for the Big Day – Thanksgiving – Janice Taylor, Weight Loss Artist, Author, Health & Wellness Coach and Our Lady of Weight Loss, the patron saint of permanent fat removal have together created:

21 Tips: The Thanksgiving Survival Guide
The Thanksgiving Calorie Guide
The Thanksgiving Prayer

And today, an extra added bonus!!!!

They bring you The Thanksgiving Survival Kit!
Janice shares, “It is our intent to prepare our fans to get through Thanksgiving, the big food day, the big family day, the big ‘mom’s gonna’ push my buttons’ day,’ fully prepared and armed!”

What will you bring to Thanksgiving that can help you navigate the screaming children? What will you bring that will keep you strong and able to say ‘no thank you’ to the heavily spiked Egg Nog when the slings and arrows of miss-communication are being sent your way? Seriously?!

If you think that I’m kidding, I am NOT! I have spend an entire week on the telephone talking to Weight Loss Coaching clients who are telling it like it is. The TRUTH! Concerned that they will go on a ‘food’ bender or worse! Some are unnerved by their controlling mother-in-laws (not my daughter-in-law – by the way), some by the screaming 4 and 5 year olds; some worried that comments will be made about the way they look – good or bad – IT IS charged! The anxiety is mounting and I say get ‘thy holiday survival kit’ together!

THE THANKSGIVING SURVIVAL KIT!

1. Meditation Music. Should you feel unnerved by anyone or anything, simply slip away, iPod in hand, to the bathroom. Lock yourself in and tune in to some meditation music! Take in a few deep breaths. Return to room when you are fully charged and returned to center!

2. Lights, Action, Camera. Taking photos will not only serve to record the day for future generations, but the camera acts as a butter – oops, Freudian slip … I mean BUFFER!!! It literally puts you in a place of observation. Note all with humor! Snap away happily.

3. Recorder. Last year, my 93 year-old mother, after 3 sips of Manichewitz, revealed some very hot details from her youth. Had I only had a recorder! A golden opportunity missed to record her in all her glory and in her voice!

4. Jigsaw Puzzle. Bring a puzzle and dump it on a table in the corner of the room. You have now created the official ‘drop in’ center. Drop in and play … drop out and return to bigger group.

5. Games n’ Puzzles for the Kids. Needless to say, if you’ve got a puzzle you’re working on, the little ones are going to want to play, too. So bring games n’ puzzles up the gazoo for the kids! Keep ‘em busy and happy.

6. Hand Project. Crochet, knit, needlepoint, pen and pad … whatever! Hand projects not only keep your hands and mind away from food, but they are calming. Best anti-anxiety medicine ever!!!

7. Walking Shoes. Not only is it okay to head out for a spell and take a walk, it’s a good idea. If you need some alone time, be sure to head out alone!!! (I am giving you permission to take care of yourself!) And if you want to take the lead and invite others for a bit of fresh air, do so!

Think outside of the stuffed turkey!
What are you going to put into your Thanksgiving Survival Kit?! Pack NOW!

Spread the word … NOT the icing!
Janice

If YOU Want to WAKE UP THINNER? then go to THE HOLIDAY DIET for details on the e-book, community and more!
________________________________

Does your weight loss chart look like an EKG?
In need of a coach? Write Janice!

Follow Janice on Twitter and/or Facebook!

Visit: www.OurLadyofWeightLoss.com
www.JaniceTaylorLiving.com

The Holiday Diet: How to Wake Up THINNER!

jtaylor — Mon, 12 Oct 2009 14:00:32 +0000

The holiday season is fast approaching as evidenced by the displays of Halloween Candy on each and every counter top in America. As we all know all too well, the holidays present a multitude of stresses that together can create the perfect ‘fat’ storm. Of course, front and center, the main event of the season is the food! Ever-present platters of holiday cheer in one form or another, enticing, calling your name day-in, day-out, morning, noon and night from Halloween through the New Year.

I’m wondering? How are you going to make it through the Holiday Glaze? Might you wake up on New Year’s Day fatter than you are now? Seriously, folks! You might want to think about it now and actually ‘create’ these next few months so that they support you and your health and weight management goals. If you don’t take control now, the “Devil’s Food” will take you over!

Here, Our Lady of Weight Loss and Janice Taylor, 50 pound big-time-loser (that’s me!), share 9 tasty tips from their inspired new e-program!

“The Holiday Diet: How to WAKE UP on New Year’s Day THINNER than you are NOW!”

1. Manage your holiday expectations.
Remember … Holidays are essentially just like any other day in life. They are filled with ups, downs, glitches and unexpected happenings. Whatever your expectations might be for this holiday season, I invite you to of lower them!!! NOW! And remember … No one has read the script you’ve written for them. Nor – frankly – have you read the script they have written for you!

2. Be Yourself. Everyone else is already taken. ~ Oscar Wilde
Jot down a list of the qualities you like most about yourself and bring the list with to all holiday gatherings, in particular, family events! Read them early and often!

3. Don’t Regress. Your brother isn’t 13, and you’re not 9.
It doesn’t matter that he was bigger than you, elbowed you, teased you, took your favorite toy and smashed it! NO! It really is NOT relevant in the NOW. Let go of the past!

4. Do NOT Accept Delivery of the Family Fat Genes!
Just because your mother and your grandmother, your sisters and every female in your family (or male – if any men are out there) are fat, it doesn’t mean that you have to accept the family genes, does it?

5. Who wants to gain a pound today?
Did you know that the average Thanksgiving dinner ranges from 2,000 to 4,500 calories? Did you know that one pound equals 3,500 calories? Let’s get a grip and put calories into perspective.

6. Make Your Home Your Safe Haven.
Dump it! Sorry to shock you like that, but whatever and whenever there are leftovers, dump them immediately. Halloween candy? Dump it! Christmas cookies? Dump them!

7. Become a Foto-Food Journalist.
Bring a camera to events (again, family ones in particular!) and give yourself a journalistic assignment. Photograph the food before eating! Taking photos of the food creates an opportunity for you to pause and consider the food and your actions. Any time you can create a ‘moment to pause and reflect,’ you are practicing mindful eating. A good thing to do!

8. All or Nothing? Embrace the 80/20 plan.
Remember … No one is perfect. That’s why pencils have erasers!

9. Want Power!
There is no such thing as will power; only want power. You have to want to wake up thinner more than you want that slice of pumpkin pie! How will you exercise your want power muscle?

REMEMBER: Contrary to the agreed upon reality, you do NOT have to gain 6 or 7 pounds this holiday season. Create a new reality. Join with us as embark on The Holiday Diet! Let’s start a new tradition: WAKE UP THINNER on New Year’s Day!

Spread the Holiday Diet word … NOT the EggNog!
Janice

Laugh it up while you slim down!
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