Organic Local Produce it is!!

I'm so pumped! I've done some research and found that Zephyr Organics is a great value, delivers to York Region and is priced really well. The Deliveries start the week of June 15 and run through November. On their website they have the seasonal growing chart so you can see what months each veggie/fruit grows in, We are going to order the Weekly Half Share which includes;

"Receive 10 certified organic, fresh and locally grown vegetable (and occasional fruit and herb) items each week for 20 weeks, delivered right to your doorstep. An example of the quantity of each item is 3 zucchini, a head of cabbage or a bunch of broccoli. The weekly half share is an excellent choice for families of 3 or 4 who would prefer to receive mostly traditional North American staples such as lettuce and carrots with a smaller quantity of ethnic and novelty items like kale, baby bok choy and okra."

The produce is delivered to your door each week for 20weeks and is all organic and grown in Zephyr, Ontario. The farm also recommends you come visit the farm at some point and take a look at how they grow their produce and they even say you can help if you want! They have a local produce "Store" at the farm as well. The pricing was awesome in my opinion; we will pay $28.50/wk and still have money left in the budget for the fruit/veggies that may not come in the basket that week but we want!
There is an open house happening this Saturday June 2nd. Check out www.zephyrorganics.com for more details.

As far at meat goes, the jury is still out. I have been recommended a few local suppliers of organic meat, which also supply to Nature's Emporium but I would assume the price would be a little cheaper buying straight from the farm. They sell packages, samplers or huge orders. They will deliver if your order if you'd like which i LOVE.
Here are two options for local organic meat that I had recommended to me;
www.brookersmeat.com - Brooker's Meat in Schomberg
www.berettaorganics.com - Beretta Organics in Etobicoke
I'd love to know of any others that you may know of.

What Fruits & Veggies Should we Buy Organic and What is "OK" to buy regular? Below is a post from Jenn Pike's blog (Holistic Nutritionist):
http://jennpike.wordpress.com/2012/01/15/the-dirty-dirts-and-the-clean-squad-for-a-healthier-bod/
The list she has compiled is also the same list i received from my Naturopath Lisa Bloomer. Talk a look and Shop right.
Thank-you to Lisa Bloomer, N.D & Jenn Pike, Holistic Nutritionist
Jenn Pike- www.symplicityyoga.ca
Lisa Bloomer- http://www.yourfamilychiro.com/dr-lisa-bloomer-doctor-of-naturopathic-medicine/

Stay tuned for more info!

Paula

Should we go 100% organic??

So i am debating the importance of organic fruits and veggies vs. non-organic. Is it important to have all veggies/fruit organic or only specific ones? I have heard so many differing opinions and which ones to get organic. Why would certain foods be better organic than others? I need to do more research on it, but bottom line is, I don't want pesticides in my or my families bodies.
I love the idea of buying local produce first of all, support our local businesses and farmers but sometimes that does mean going out of my way to get them. Thankfully we have stores like Nature's Emporium that supply all organic fruit and veggies but not necessarily local.
I've been recommended a few local farms that deliver to your door in-season fruits and veggies. Its like a farm share program where they grow it for you then drop it off to your house. A very cool idea! But there is also the consideration, what if its not all the produce you want then you have to go buy more on top of the cost for the delivery... so much to consider.
Then there is the cost; is it THAT much more expensive to buy organic? If you don't eat your produce before it goes bad then yes, that's a lot of money down the drain for sure BUT if you use all you buy then i guess the real question is "How much is your body worth?" What price would you put on proper body function, absorption of good mineral & vitamins, minimal toxins in your system, less chance of cancers...and SO MUCH MORE.
I'm still weighing in on the whole thing and haven't made my decision yet but i do realise that it is important and I need to choose better for my family. Any feedback would be greatly appreciated. I plan on asking my Holistic Nutritionist friends and my Naturopath for their feedback and I'll keep you posted for sure.

KidsFit @ Performance Fitness

Welcome to the newest program at Performance Fitness:

KidsFit
This program is designed to teach kids the importance of activity in their lives but also just to learn some new skills such as balance, hand/eye coordination, sharing, taking turns, team work. They will also get positive affirmation and encouragement to help build self esteem. Join Paula Man, mother of 3 young girls for a fun, 4weeks of this one-of-a-kind kids program.

Tuesdays @ 4:30-5:15pm
June 5th-26th (4 weeks)
Ages: 4-7yrs old
Cost: $67.80 incl tax
Register ASAP as we will only be taking 6 kids

I'm SO excited about this program. Also keep your eyes peeled for our Parent & Child Classes starting soon too!

www.performancefitnesstraining.com
paula.performancefitness@gmail.com

Proper Plank Technique

I have had MANY clients over my 12+ yrs of training tell me they can't plank because it hurts their back too much or they can't push-up because of their lower back giving out before their arms do. The first thing i usually do is ask them to show me how they do the exercise and we'll assess technique. Approx 85% of the time the main issue is technique! They can plank or push-up BUT they have NO PELVIC TILT!
The Pelvic tilt is the #1 piece of the puzzle in order to perform most exercises properly and effectively. To perform a pelvic tilt you roll your hip bones up towards your ribs and tuck your tailbone under and HOLD! The hardest part for most people is to then hold it, it requires strength in the lower abs and the deep muscles in the pelvic floor. It is a practised movement so you may not get it 100% on your first few tries but don't give up. This movement is the key to being able to tighten that lower abdomen and flatten out under your belly button. It is also the key to releasing A LOT of lower back pain. Many times back pain is due to week core muscles, so by planking and doing it properly, you can reduce and even completely eliminate lower back pain. I had a client tell me last night that after seeing his chiropractor for 5 yrs because of constant back pain and he was told that things are out of alignment because of his job and some injuries he's had so its going to be like this for life; his back is like it belongs to a totally different person now! She told him she cannot believe the difference in just 6 weeks of regular working out and specifically core work (planks)! I was ecstatic! That is why i love my job people!
So happy planking and if you have any questions...ask away!! This is what I love and what I do so I'm hear to spread the wealth!

Hot Mama Workout- mommy & baby class

Our next session of "Hot Mama" will begin June 19. This program is based around Moms fitness goals but uses your baby in a carrier to increase the cardio workout and some strength moves. Babies get to play as well while moms use all the latest and most effective tools in the Performance Fitness studio to transform their body.
Come & join us for some baby bonding, laugh & kick you butt into shape!

June 19- July 12 (4 weeks)
Tuesdays & thursdays
11am-noon
$136.60 incl tax

Contact paula.performancefitness@gmail.com to register

The Ultimate Playlist

I need your help everyone, I want to know what song/music genre pumps you up. I tend to stick with the more current music but more and more I'm finding the older rock or pop that I never would have listened to before is awesome too!
I want to make a massive play list that has everyones favs on it so I can just crank the music when I'm making you do that extra 30sec or 5 reps when you think you are finished. You can get lost in that music and push through. I'm going to post the final play list on my blog for those of you needing some motivation for your workouts at the gym or home. I'll post a cardio play list as well for those runners and riders.
For those clients I spin with during our sessions...wicked songs with heavy beats are our friend! Send me some ideas and we'll push through the burn!
Comment below with one or LOTS of ideas.
Have a great day

Paula

My hotty Hubby is losing his wheat belly!

Ok so as many of you know, Nick and I embarked on our Wheat Freedom about 6wks ago now. We soon realised that Nick has a serious sensitivity to wheat, to the point when he in bend over in serious gut pain or in the bathroom right after eating it!
So now that we have realised that and he has come to accept the fact that whatever is in our modern day wheat is SO NOT GOOD for us, he has been incredible. Not to say he hasn't had some treats here and there, but he is eating tons of veggies, fish, lean meats, salads, fruit, cheese, nuts, yogurt, eggs, ect.
He was away for 3 days working on a cottage and when he came home i couldn't help but notice..his Wheat Belly is almost gone! He actually had 3 people ask him how much weight he had lost now...10lbs people!! He feels great and looks amazing, so if you think you cannot take wheat our of your diet cause you just love bread too much...look at my hubby! He is a carb monster, well he used to be, now he's a lean mean muscle machine! LOL
Way to go babe!