Moms We Love: Stacy Sarnoff

Moms We Love: Stacy Sarnoff: Stacy Sarnoff is a mom of 2 and a health lover who gives new meaning to "50 is the new 30." After having her second child at 46, Stacy continues her health journey staying energized and fit with the kids while trying not to eat all their snacks. 

Follow her at @are_donuts_fattening on Instagram for health tips, struggles, and inspiration. 

Website coming soon with custom-designed meal plan options from this former television marketing professional turned SAHM and health coach.

5 Wellness Reminders

It’s a few weeks into the new year and good time for a check point on your wellness goals.  It’s also a good time to think about what wellness means to you, such as “when your body and mind function in harmony.” Or how about simply “when you feel good.” And that’s the key takeaway, when YOU feel good. Everyone’s formula or “puzzle,” as I like to call it, for feeling their best is unique, but there are also commonalities for all.

Let’s start with honoring yourself.

1. Figure out what works for you.

It’s great to get health advice and find out what’s working for other people, but some tips might be exactly that: working for other people. Remember that everyone’s body, metabolism and preferences are individual. A lot of “rules” or methods you’ve heard might yield results for others but aren’t necessarily right for you. That’s why it’s important to monitor not only what’s working for you, but what’s not. Maybe instead of no carbs, you need better quality carbs, or maybe instead of no breakfast, filling up works best for you, perhaps you need something sweet each day, but need to lessen the portion or frequency or instead of coffee you’ll thrive on tea. Stay in tune to what is and isn’t working and don’t be afraid to switch things around and mix it up. Trust your instincts and your gut (literally) about what your body and mind need and have had enough of.

2. Eat more veggies, and a wider variety

The next top priority is something everyone can agree on, whether subscribing to vegan, paleo, keto, gluten-free, dairy free, grain free or no eating style. Eat more veggies, and a wider variety. Striving for three veggie portions daily consistently is a good baseline. The trick is to keep them on hand and be creative, starting with breakfast and then pacing them out through the day. A few thought starters: add veggies to eggs in the morning, nosh on non-lettuce salads, such as a fennel, beet and orange with avocado oil and lemon, stuffed zucchinis, adding steamed veggies to rice, or an artichoke as a snack instead of chips. You can go savory instead of sweet with yogurt or cottage cheese by adding cucumbers and radishes instead of fruit and honey. Your body functions better on a cellular level when you feed it vitamins and minerals, so why not start early and keep it up throughout the day, which also takes the place of less nutritional, processed food. Be creative and think beyond salads and steamed broccoli.

3. Eat more fiber.

When you focus on eating more veggies, you’ll already be well on your way to eating more fiber. You’ve probably always heard to eat fiber, but what is it exactly?  Fiber is the part of plants and carbohydrates that the body does not digest, but uses it for a host of other benefits, such as slowing digestion, making you feel full, assisting in absorbing nutrients and feeding friendly gut bacteria. Fiber basically cleans out your system, absorbing toxins like a sponge, then sweeps them out of your body like a broom. Women should strive for 25 grams per day. Raspberries and blackberries are a great source and healthy snack since they’re low in calories and high in fiber. A few other good options are pears, avocados, broccoli, lentils, beans, almonds and oatmeal. Oatmeal is like a blank canvas that you can decorate with fresh berries, nuts, cinnamon, and flax seeds. Or you can go savory with a teaspoon of coconut oil and sprinkle of sea salt.

4. Do something spiritual

Do something spiritual, such as Reiki, Aura Cleansing, Reflexology, or Kundalini Yoga. There’s also plenty of Covid-minded practices such as Manifestation, taking an Enneagram or Chakra Test on electricengergies.com and Meditation.  I like doing these kinds of things as monthly maintenance, so your energy doesn’t get stuck - physically or mentally. Anything can get stale: food, clothes, thoughts and energy. Make sure you’re moving yours around to stay fresh. 

5. Watch what you drink

Watch what you drink, and I don’t mean alcohol. Let’s forget about what we should be taking out, like soda and juice, in an effort to concentrate on what to put it. Lots of water, of course, and load up on herbal and antioxidant teas and homemade ginger “tea.” It’s amazing how a day can get so busy that we forget to drink water. We put our kids and everything else before ourselves. Start off when you wake by having warm water and lemon to clear out your system, then hold yourself accountable by filling up a large water bottle and replenishing it until you drink enough. A good guideline is drinking your body weight divided by two in ounces. I’ve been promoting ginger tea (recipe below) for years and I’m glad it’s finally getting the attention it deserves. Maybe I’ve seen too many Disney movies, but I think of it as an elixir to combat all evil. It’s a powerhouse immunity booster and a delightful drink hot or cold. A few other favorite teas are: chamomile to soothe your tummy, green tea for antioxidants and medium amount of caffeine, dandelion tea to detoxify, and black tea flavored with fresh blackberry for a caffeine boost and to keep your metabolism up.