Before the long weekend, some non-food advice

I am not overly horoscopy. I do, however, identify with being a Virgo. If you’re less horoscopy than I am, Virgo is the sign that runs (do signs “run”) or spans August 23^rd (yup my bday kicks it off) to September 22^nd. Those in the know say I’m “on the cusp” of Leo and Virgo but since I’m a VIRGO, that doesn’t’ work for me, too wishy washy.

An email I received, from ABC Home of all places, gave this Virgo rundown:

Strengths: loyal, analytical, kind, hardworking

Weaknesses: worry, overly critical of self and others, all work and no play.

I don’t entirely agree with that last, harsh descriptor. However, even when I “play” it’s planned and organized, so there you go.

Now, the advice part. This week, I had a thought provoking, informative and overall amazing conversation with an integrative MD. I am sure I will, with her permission, write more about her at a later date. By most doctor’s standards, I’m in great health. But I do have migraines, some GI stuff and the “worry” mentioned above in the horoscope. I was telling the doctor that I’ve been dabbling in meditation, biking on my new Peloton, going to my IR sauna place, the list continued. The doctor looked at me and said, “maybe your self-care shouldn’t involve so much doing.”  OMG. It was, what Oprah would call, an aha moment. I physically felt it. It was completely true. It may not sound like a big deal but it resonated with me.

I know there are people who should do more. If you’re stagnating some more exercise or meditation or a sauna are good options. For me, and perhaps my Virgo cohort, I need to do less. I’ve been aware of this socially. I actually prefer having fewer social plans. But not being social doesn’t mean I’m relaxing, right?

Give yourself what you need this weekend. If you’re been a little bit of a hermit, get out and maybe try something new or see someone you haven’t. I will be, with my kids, at my mom’s house. My husband, who doesn’t sit and relax often either, will be golfing. I’ll skip my golf-related comment and let you know I’ll be reading, hanging out with my easy going mother and consciously doing less.

People would rather talk sex (and STDs!) versus poop

I look thrilled

Last week, I spent the better part of a day talking about IBS. IBS stands for Irritable Bowel Syndrome and there are two types IBS-C and IBS-D. C and D stand for constipation and diarrhea lest you think my work is glamorous. The panel I was on had a GI doctor (who developed the IBS survey yielding the info in the title), a psychologist and me. Oh, and Wendy Williams was the host and moderator.

I’m going to digress for a minute to note that Wendy Williams has lost a lot of weight, like 50 or 75 pounds so I was a little taken aback when she walked into our rehearsal. She made the discussion livelier and played video of people on the Santa Monica pier being interviewed about their bowel habits. 

My big head

Some salient suggestions for GI problems:

Keep a food journal- I know it’s almost required as a nutritionist for me to suggest this. It's imperative with GI issues in order to determine your personal food triggers.

Some common IBS triggers are fried foods, gluten, sweeteners, chocolate, carbonation and caffeine. However, this is very individual.

Eat fermented foods- not only do these foods (yogurt, fermented cottage cheese, kombucha, kimchi) contain probiotics which can reduce gas and bloating BUT fermentation makes foods more bioavailable and nutritious. Yes, nutrients are produced in the fermentation process.

You should eat fermented foods even if you take a probiotic supplement.

Take vitamin D- there are so many reasons to take vitamin D3 but 82% of people with IBS don’t get enough D.

Beware of your basics- many people come to me with questions about obscure supplements. For constipation, for example, start with getting enough fluids (warm fluids best if binded) and doing vigorous, standing exercise such as running or rebounding. Make sure you're doing the basic, easy behaviors before getting fancy.

Talk to someone on your healthcare team about GI issues especially if they are impacting your social or work life.

On a personal  "GI" note, I’m a big fan of magnesium, kiwis, cocochia and adore my squatty potty, see- it’s easy to share. Any "pressing" digestion questions?

Top 5 Healthy Shots with the Daily Shot and a bonus

I had no success with a screen shot, clearly oh well.

“I look good, I look good, I look exactly the way you wish you could.” Do you think I’ve lost my mind with this sudden burst of confidence? Sorry, I just can’t get the music from The Daily Shot out of my head and if you watch their segments you will know exactly what I mean.  Clients and friends have been asking, “are you having fun with the book stuff? While I will go to all ends of the earth for LBT (I mean I went to Jericho, Long Island in the rain this past weekend) but fun? It’s work except for this segment on healthyshots.

I really think shots are the new vitamins. Rather than mindlessly downing a handful of pills, I favor more of an a la carte, issue specific, approach.Ali Wentworth was so funny during the segment but before we started she was welcoming and sweet. When we arrived she was curled up in the green room reading the book. Her greeting was perfect “I have a ton of questions for you but I really want to ask only the ones that pertain to me”. Don’t we all?

I couldn’t name names for the 5 shots during the segment but here’s more information:

Sea Buckthorn- we used Sibu, sea buckthorn puree. I’vediscussed sea buckthorn before but I am thrilled with this unsweetened versionSibu now has (11 calories an oz., 1 g sugar).

Astragalus- I like a brand called Fushi. A little worried I handed my bottle over to my publicist when her daughter was sick, a winter necessity.

Aloe- if you’ve tried aloe and have been repulsed by the taste, try George’s brand. Part of me worries that without the taste it’s not working but this does.

Turmeric- we used a shot from one of my favorite, juice shops Organic Avenue. I’m also fond of the Turmeric Elixirs.

E3Live- we go way back with E3, an energy boosting necessity you’ll find it in the frozen section of health food stores.

At the end of this segment Ali asks about something for nausea. She was kidding but Snack Queen and I had these with our lunch yesterday. Ginger + probiotic.

Are you more vitamin or shot oriented? If you’re vitamin averse would you be more inclined to do a shot? Are we immature (or Tulanians) or is there not something fun about pulling out the shot glasses during the day?