Stress, like much of our evolutionary software, served a practical purpose for our distant ancestors but now poses a significant health challenge in a modern context. Stress, at its most basic level, is a survival response. When we feel threatened or in danger, our body produces chemicals & hormones designed to help us fight or take flight.
In small doses, this response can save our lives. In large doses over a long time, however, we can suffer a number of consequences. Under stress, our bodies temporarily suspend the normal function of otherwise important systems—like immunity and digestion—much like Captain Kirk in Star Trek might divert all of his ship’s energy to forward shields in the heat of battle. Outside of battle, the rest of the ship needs to run normally if the crew is to function efficiently and productively.
According to the Mayo Clinic, stress can lead to a number of health complications, like anxiety, depression, heart disease, & memory impairment. Managing your stress can also be a key factor in reaching & maintaining a healthy weight in addition to getting healthy, restorative sleep.
As it is with nutrition, exercise, & sleep, failing to create a healthy mind will cripple the progress you have made in other areas of your life & may even undo the good work that you have done. The sooner you address the stress in your life, you can enjoy a peaceful, fulfilling life. You may discover that your stress comes from within, from your job,or from certain influences within your community. But I would be hard-pressed to believe that there is not some facet of your life—if not several—that is causing you stress.
According to the American Psychological Association, 22 percent of Americans report suffering from “extreme stress” & more than half (53 percent) of Americans reported that stress was the source of personal health problems. On top of that, in a survey conducted by Harris Interactive (on behalf of Everest College), 8 out of 10 people reported that they are stressed about their jobs.
We suspect these statistics don’t surprise you. The way stress affects us is generally pretty easy to see. At its core, stress is usually a combination of fear & unhappiness, two emotions that can rob you of your ability to make informed decisions about your health & can derail you from living a life that you feel is fulfilling.
{California Cobb Strawberry Salad}
PIN it! http://cleanfoodcrush.com/california-cobb/
There is literally a foot of snow on the ground here in Salt Lake City, al...l fresh within the past 36 hours...it's beautiful.
A Bright Salad is just as welcome at my house in December as it is in the Summer (especially with the name California!)
Ingredients for the salad:
Serves 4
8 cups Romaine lettuce, chopped (or spinach or lettuce of choice)
2 cups Strawberries, chopped
1/2 cup Feta cheese, crumbled (or blue cheese)
1/2 a medium red onion,
chopped
1 Large Avocado,cubed
Optional:
Sliced fresh cucumber
2 large Lemon Pepper Chicken Breasts , cooked and sliced
Arrange salad ingredients on plates.
.
.
Lemon Pepper Chicken Instructions:
2 large chicken breasts
Juice of 1 fresh lemon
1 Tbsp avocado or olive oil
Zest not rind of 1 fresh lemon
Sea salt to taste
Freshly ground black pepper to taste (I use a lot of pepper for these!)
Combine marinade ingredients, pour over chicken & coat well, either in a glass bowl or Ziploc.
Let marinate for 1-4 hours in the refrigerator.
Remove, let sit on counter for 20 minutes.
Sauté in about 1/2 Tbsp additional oil on med/high for about 4 minutes per side until cooked through. Wrap in foil to keep moisture in while arranging salad.
.
.
Avocado Ranch Dressing:
PIN it! http://cleanfoodcrush.com/california-cobb/
There is literally a foot of snow on the ground here in Salt Lake City, al...l fresh within the past 36 hours...it's beautiful.
A Bright Salad is just as welcome at my house in December as it is in the Summer (especially with the name California!)
Ingredients for the salad:
Serves 4
8 cups Romaine lettuce, chopped (or spinach or lettuce of choice)
2 cups Strawberries, chopped
1/2 cup Feta cheese, crumbled (or blue cheese)
1/2 a medium red onion,
chopped
1 Large Avocado,cubed
Optional:
Sliced fresh cucumber
2 large Lemon Pepper Chicken Breasts , cooked and sliced
Arrange salad ingredients on plates.
.
.
Lemon Pepper Chicken Instructions:
2 large chicken breasts
Juice of 1 fresh lemon
1 Tbsp avocado or olive oil
Zest not rind of 1 fresh lemon
Sea salt to taste
Freshly ground black pepper to taste (I use a lot of pepper for these!)
Combine marinade ingredients, pour over chicken & coat well, either in a glass bowl or Ziploc.
Let marinate for 1-4 hours in the refrigerator.
Remove, let sit on counter for 20 minutes.
Sauté in about 1/2 Tbsp additional oil on med/high for about 4 minutes per side until cooked through. Wrap in foil to keep moisture in while arranging salad.
.
.
Avocado Ranch Dressing:
1 cup plain Greek yogurt
1 medium avocado, peeled and cored
2 Tbsps fresh lime juice
1 clove garlic, minced
1 Tbsp chopped fresh parsley
2 tsp chopped fresh dill
2 tsp chopped fresh chives
1/2 tsp onion powder
Sea salt and freshly ground black pepper, to taste
4-6 Tbsps unsweetened milk, as needed
Add all dressing ingredients except for milk to a food processor. Pulse until blended, scraping sides often. Add in milk 1 Tbsp at a time to reach desired consistency. Store in refrigerator in an airtight container for up to 5 days.
💚-Rachel
PIN it! http://cleanfoodcrush.com/california-cobb/
1 medium avocado, peeled and cored
2 Tbsps fresh lime juice
1 clove garlic, minced
1 Tbsp chopped fresh parsley
2 tsp chopped fresh dill
2 tsp chopped fresh chives
1/2 tsp onion powder
Sea salt and freshly ground black pepper, to taste
4-6 Tbsps unsweetened milk, as needed
Add all dressing ingredients except for milk to a food processor. Pulse until blended, scraping sides often. Add in milk 1 Tbsp at a time to reach desired consistency. Store in refrigerator in an airtight container for up to 5 days.
💚-Rachel
PIN it! http://cleanfoodcrush.com/california-cobb/