For many years I suffered from severe IBS (Irritable Bowel Syndrome) always searching for remedies to ease my chronic pain and discomfort. 

I tried everything.  Even colonics - yep - I was that desperate.

So, in my attempts to feel better I experimented with cleanses and detoxes in hopes of relief!

I can remember doing one program in particular - an Elderberry Cleanse.  When I did this program, I was still living at home so I roped my poor parents into doing the program with me.  And because they are so supportive and loving - they obliged.

It was 10 days straight of fasting, no food at all.  All we were allowed to do was drink Elderberry Juice and water.  That’s it - seriously - for 10 days!  EXTREME!

Most people resolve to eat better, be healthy and workout more but those resolutions usually fade fast and are on the list again come the next year.  Here are 5 steps to make THIS YEAR, YOUR YEAR FOR SUCCESS!!

Step #1 - Focus on adding more good instead of cutting out the bad

I don’t know about you but whenever I tell myself that I’m not going to eat “blank” anymore.  All I can think about is “blank”.  It almost becomes obsessive!  Even if “blank” isn’t something I am passionate about like chocolate or wine, the thought of eliminating it makes me desire it even more!

I’m sure you’ve heard the saying “sitting is the new smoking”.  And perhaps, like me, you thought it doesn’t really apply to you because you exercise daily.  Well, guess again!

Research is showing that even if you work out daily, that is NOT enough!  YIKES!

How harmful is sitting anyways?  

The latest research shows that long periods of sitting is linked to an increase in:

I love our Canadian Thanksgiving Weekend!  I love the food, the festivities, the fall colours, and visiting with family and friends.  The hardest part of the weekend is not over-indulging in all the delicious food.  

Here are my 12 tips that will keep you from over-doing it but still allow you to enjoy the celebration!

If burning fat, having loads of energy and staying young are on your MUST-HAVE list then HIIT training is for you!!

I recently attended the World Fitness Expo in Toronto and had the opportunity to hear Dr. Len Kravitz, an exercise science professor and researcher at the University of New Mexico (who was recently inducted into the National Fitness Hall Of Fame!)

He spoke about the most current research on the health benefits of HIIT training and he shared some amazing studies about mitochondria and how HIIT can benefit our health in 3 ways:

Just two days left until school’s out and it’s summer vacation!!  Woot Woot!  I’ve got 2 kiddos home with me - one is 7 and the other 6.  We’ve discussed our summer plans and figured out what each of us wants to do.

There will be lots of cottage/family time and local day trips.  My kids have 3 weeks of swimming lessons along with some day camps.  We’ve got birthday parties and friends to visit and somewhere amongst all that my husband and I need to fit in actual work - lol!

Ok, it’s true.  I am addicted to wearing my Fitbit!  I feel naked without it.  There have been several times when I have been walking to school to pick up my kids and suddenly I realize I don’t have my Fitbit on.  I literally have an overwhelming feeling to sit down and stop walking.  It’s come to the point that it feels senseless to walk if I am not accumulating steps