Secrets of Super Healthy People

This is an article from WEB MD.....

Some people never seem to get sick. What are they doing that the rest of us aren't to keep illness at bay?
By Jennifer Soong
WebMD Feature
Reviewed by Louise Chang, MD

Are you secretly envious of your co-workers and friends who, like superheroes, never seem to get sick? You know, the ones glowing with good health while everyone around them is sneezing, sniffling, and coughing like villains.
Don't hate the healthy people. Instead, steal the secrets of people who manage to stay above the sickroom fray and take steps to boost your body's immunity.

Training for the Body
Jennifer Cassetta, a martial arts instructor in New York City, claims she never gets sick, and neither do her father and grandmother, who also teach martial arts. "I believe it is the holistic approach to exercise that calms the mind and relieves stress," she says. "And the cardio, strengthening, and conditioning help boost the immune system."

Cassetta says her health has changed dramatically after she picked up martial arts eight years ago. Before then, she was a smoking, take-out-every-night, espresso-drinking girl in her 20s.

"As I started to train, I started to change my habits drastically," she says. "I cleaned up my diet, trained more, and quit smoking. Now in my 30s, I have more energy, I look better, and am stronger than I ever have been."

One bout of vigorous exercise can increase circulation, says Christiane Northrup, MD, author of Women's Bodies, Women's Wisdom. "Whenever circulation is increased, you get far more white blood cells," she says, "so they check for foreign germs and are far more apt to be able to gobble them up."

Click the link to read the rest of the article.

Keeping Healthy Through the Holidays

The holidays are upon us as are the parties, the stress and the co-workers with colds. This year brings an added pressure to some with economic trouble looming in the forecast. So how do we keep our heads above water and our immune systems from plummeting?

1. Most importantly, mental health and sanity through this season is key. Stress breaks down the immune system and makes our bodies more vulnerable to foreign invaders like the flu. Remember that the holidays don't have to be about expensive gifts and pretty wrapping paper. If money is a concern suggest a "Secret Santa" plan with friends and family. Perhaps instead of spending money, spend your time and volunteer at an organization that needs help. This year especially charities are hurting and can use our time and resources. If you don't have time or money to give, do a massive house cleaning and donate old clothes, blankets, and gadgets. This will also help you manage your spiritual health as well by feeling good by being of service as well as purging things that no longer serve you to let in newness for the new year.

2. Boosting your immune system from the inside out is another key to remember this season. Load up on foods that are high in antioxidants like pomegranite seeds, green tea, blueberries, and even spices like cinnamon and oregano. Vitamin C rich foods like papaya, kale, kiwi, broccoli and of course ,citrus fruits, are also great to add to your arsenal. Don't put your fitness routine on hold, now is when your body needs it the most. Remember the healthier you are the more immune you are to "catching" a cold. If your immune system is tough it will fight off those invaders that keep us from enjoying our holiday season.

Enjoy your holidays, stay well and start preparing for the New Year! God Bless, Jennifer.

Sweet Lou's Fennel, Pomegranate and Blood Orange Salad

2 large fennel bulbs, trimmed
Juice of 1 lemon
4 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil
4 large blood oranges, peeled and segmented
1 cup fresh pomegranate seeds
Salt and pepper
6-ounce piece of hard pecorino (sardo or Tuscan) cheese

Slice the fennel as thin as possible. Place the fennel slices in a bowl and toss with the lemon juice and olive oil. Add the blood orange segments and pomegranate seeds, season to taste with salt and pepper; and toss gently to mix. Shave the pecorino in long shards over the top and serve.

January Health and the City Detox

Toxins, toxins, everywhere. NYC living, chemicals in our food and stress can lead to a build up of toxins in our body. This build up, or what I like to call "sludge", can lead to a depressed immune system leaving us vulnerable to many disorders and weight gain.

There isn't a better time of year to participate in a nutritional detox than right after the holidays. January is a great time to start removing that "sludge" and kick off a new health and fitness routine in a more efficient body.

Health and the City's detox is more of a gentle cleansing diet than a harsh shock to your body. Benefits of the detox include:
- increased energy
- train your body to burn fat as fuel by hormonal control
- prevent the top 4 killers: heart disease, stroke, cancer and diabetes
- decrease inflammation and pain in the body
- increase awareness around food patterns
- clear up skin irritations
- increased clarity of mind


The Health and the City Detox Program includes:

- Group initial consultation/seminar
- Seven day meal plan
- Shopping list
- Unlimited email support
- Follow up consultation/seminar


New Year Price: $175 (Value $350)
$50 discount for Health and the City newsletter subscribers.

Group sessions will be held at World Martial Arts Center located at:
69 w. 14th street, 4th floor
Corner of 6th Ave.

Two group sessions to choose from:

Session 1: Saturday, Jan. 10th, 11am
Saturday, January 17th, 11am

Session 2: Saturday, Jan. 17th, 1pm
Saturday, Jan. 24th, 1pm

RSVP with Session number to jennifer@healthandthecity.net.

Holiday Gift Ideas!

Holiday Gifts

Each gift will come with a package to give your loved one and can be picked up at World Martial Arts Center or hand delivered anywhere in Manhattan for a nominal fee.

12 Week Urban Warrior Challenge:

includes:
- boxing gloves,
- Health and the City t-shirt,
- 3 months of Urban Warrior kickboxing classes
- personalized nutrition consultation!

Only: $365

Private Training Starter Pack

- 4 private training sessions to kick start your workout routine, get some new moves, and your very own martial arts uniform to boot!

Only: $295 (normally $360 plus uniform)

One Month of Urban Warrior Kickboxing Classes
- 8 Kickboxing Classes
- Health and the City t-shirt
- Boxing gloves

Only: $140 (Value: $220)