by Dr. Ilona | Feb 7, 2020 | WELLNESS
Have holidays left you feeling run-down and depleted? Maybe you gained a few pounds and it seems you can’t lose them. Your energy is on the back burner and you are still not feeling “back in the grove”…
It’s no secret we live in an extremely toxic world from the food we eat to the products we apply to the air we breathe – our bodies are flooded with toxins. At any given moment, tens of thousands of toxins are making their way into the body and wreaking havoc on cells and systems. Holidays are notorious in regard to how much extra junk especially sugar being consumed. Did you notice you feel worse during the holiday season (the extra stress will do its part as well)?
I used to get sick every January. Wonder why?
My immune system was weakened with the extra sugar I would eat (cookies). I will confess it now (don’t judge me, please) I used to be a sugar addict. I would gain a few pounds during the holidays and couldn’t understand why I was unable to lose “my holiday weight”.
After many trials and errors, I found a way that works like magic and it is the cleanse.
When we support our organs of elimination, especially the liver our body feels safe to release the accumulated toxins and excess weight.
Toxic buildup can cause, besides unexplained weight gain:
- Bad breath
- Exhaustion
- Loose or infrequent bowel movements
- Stomach pain
- Gas
- Bloating
- Headaches
- Poor mental state
- Sore joints
- Leaky gut
- Mood swing
- Lack of concentration
- Difficulty sleeping
- Food allergies
- Auto-immune disorders
As you can see a myriad of health problems can be caused by accumulated toxins.
Imagine your kitchen. When your pipes are clogged, nothing works, right? The same situation is with our bodies. When our bodies are in toxic overload, nothing works properly.
Can my body eliminate these toxins on its own?
The answer to this question is yes, in moderation, our bodies were designed to detoxify and self-cleanse. However, because there are so many toxins in our micro and macro environment and because most of us don’t fuel our body with the proper nutrition, our bodies cannot cleanse as they were originally designed to. Therefore, our bodies rely on support to renew and restore.
Don’t let your cells suffocate in toxins!!!
Help them with a good cleanse!!
Speaking of that I would like to invite you to join our Total Body Cleanse. Let’s regain our health and vitality. It might be your first step toward healing that you are desperately seeking.
This is a simple program where we will use food as medicine, literally. What is also great this time I am offering a lot of support. Usually, I offer this program as a DIY. Since we had our amazing sugar detox challenge, I am committing my time to provide deeper support for everyone who will sign up.
We will start on Monday, February 10th.
Hope to see you there.
Link to join: https://bit.ly/TBCleanse
The recipe is from our cleanse program. Just to see how wonderful our food is going to be during the cleanse. There is a misconception out there that detox means starvation or eating some weird food.
Enjoy the recipe!!
RECIPE
Coconut Yogurt with Strawberries
Makes 6 Servings
Ingredients
2 TBLSPs Extra Virgin Olive Oil
1 Yellow Onion (diced)
1 stalks Celery (diced)
2Carrot (medium, peeled and diced)
4 Garlic (cloves, minced)
1 head Cauliflower (chopped into florets)
4 cups Kale Leaves (chopped)
6 cups Organic Vegetable Broth Lentils (cooked)
Sea Salt & Black Pepper (to taste)
Directions
Heat the olive oil in a large pot. Add the onion, celery, and carrots. Cook for about 10 minutes, or until veggies are softened. Add the garlic and cook for 2-3 more minutes.
Add the cauliflower, kale, and vegetable broth. Bring to a boil then reduce heat to a simmer. Let simmer for 20 minutes.
Stir in the cooked lentils and season to taste with sea salt and black pepper. Divide between bowls. Enjoy!
Notes
Leftovers: Refrigerate in a covered container for up to 4 days. Freeze up to 6 months.
Serving Size: One serving is equal to approximately 2 cups of soup.
To your radiant health, with love
Dr. Ilona
by Dr. Ilona | Jan 21, 2020 | WELLNESS
So many times, I promised myself I would eat only one chocolate chip cookie. An hour later I ate the whole package feeling sick to my stomach. I would start criticizing myself, how could I do that??!! I couldn’t understand what was wrong with me. I would be so good with my healthy eating, watching my portion sizes but when I was around sugar, I was helpless. Needless to say, I couldn’t have it in my home because I would binge on it.
Especially “dangerous times” were holidays, when cookies, candies, and chocolates are everywhere. So every holiday season I became a statistic and gained weight. Usually, it took me a month or so to lose the “holiday weight”. Once I hit menopause that time became longer and longer, and more and more stressful and painful.
I didn’t know I was addicted to sugar. Now, everything makes sense. My behavior was the same as the behavior of a drug addict. I would eat cookies or ice cream hiding, in a trance. I would never eat them in public!!
Once I understood what was at the core of my problem everything changed for me.
Can you relate?
I learned how to manage my cravings and how to make peace with sugar.
I would like to share my experiences with you in our FREE 5-day challenge. I am personally inviting you to join us. We are starting on January 27th.
Just click on the link to join us.
http://bit.ly/5DNSchallenge
- You will learn how to recognize hidden forms of sugar?
- How to manage cravings?
- How eating excess sugar affects our body and mind?
- How to make peace with sugar?
- What are the healthy substitutes?
See you in the challenge!!
RECIPE
Coconut Yogurt with Strawberries
Makes 1 Serving
Ingredients
1/2 cup Unsweetened Coconut Yogurt
1 tsp Cinnamon
1/4 cup Strawberries (chopped)
Directions
Place the coconut yogurt in a bowl. Top with cinnamon and strawberries. Enjoy!
Notes
Leftovers: Refrigerate in an airtight container for up to two days.
Additional Toppings: Add nuts and seeds.
To your radiant health, with love
Dr. Ilona
by Dr. Ilona | Jan 10, 2020 | WELLNESS
Are you one of the 92% of the population who sets New Year’s resolution and fails? Do you have the same goal year after year on the top of your list? If so, do you wonder why?
So many of us struggle with our goals. I remember when I had my goal to lose that last 10 lbs. for years.
I would be so enthusiastic at the beginning of January, hopeful, committed, and confident that I would finally lose those last ten pounds. I would start my new diet, work out more, and kept hoping that this time will be different. Sooner or later, I would hit some resistance (which back then I didn’t know it was a resistance) and start the vicious cycle all over again. I would lose my focus and motivation and cave.
Little did I knew then that loss of motivation and focus was a form of resistance. Through my journey of becoming a healer, I learned how to recognize the resistance and how to make it work for me.
Another essential fact to consider is our belief system. Did you know we create as much happiness, fulfillment, and health as much we believe we deserve?
Let sink this question in for a minute.
Learning this principle was a hard awakening for me. It changed everything.
Focus on your big goal, your soul desire. What is one thing that you try to achieve year after year? Keep that one goal in your mind while answering the questions.
If you have multiple goals, you have to do the whole process all over for every one of them. I would suggest working on one goal per day.
- List five specific things you are doing or not doing to sabotage yourself
Observe your behavior.
Our intention here is to overcome self-sabotage and become our best self.
Keep asking yourself these questions. It may take some time to receive the answers, remember, you are communicating with your subconscious mind. Sometimes answers sound “weird,” however, trust the process and do it anyway.
- Where do I feel off track in my life?
- Where do I make little progress toward my goal/goals?
- What are the limiting thoughts that are diminishing my ability to move forward?
- What negative expectations do I hold?
- What sabotaging behaviors am I engaged in?
- What will happen if not achieving my soul desire? (stuck, victim, giving up my power)
Remember, we create as much love, happiness, success, wealth, health…as we feel worthy of having it.
It’s crucial to identify how self-sabotage operates in our lives.
LET’S MAKE CHANGES IN 2020!!!
YOU HAVE THE POWER TO MAKE A DECISION. ARE YOU GOING TO KEEP GOING JUST THE WAY THINGS ARE OR DECIDE TO MAKE CHANGES????
THE CHOICE IS YOURS!!
If you completed the “homework” as my thank you for wanting to change, I am gifting you 30 minutes free consultation to help you create action steps to get unstuck and achieve your goal. Click on the link to schedule it.
https://my.timetrade.com/book/6ZDTG
Let’s rock 2020!!!
Are you ready???
RECIPE
Zucchini Breakfast Boats
Makes 1 Serving
Ingredients
1 Zucchini (large, sliced in half lengthwise)
1/2 Red Bell Pepper (chopped)
1/4 Yellow Onion (chopped)
4 White Button Mushrooms (chopped)
2 Egg
1/8 tsp Sea Salt
2 tbsp Parsley (chopped)
1 tsp Nutritional Yeast (optional, for topping)
Directions
Preheat the oven to 375ºF (191ºC). Scoop out the middle flesh of the zucchini and place flesh side up, in an oven-safe dish. Bake for 15 minutes.
Meanwhile, heat a skillet over medium heat and add the bell pepper, onion, and mushrooms. Cook for 5 to 7 minutes, until cooked through. Whisk the eggs in a small bowl and add to the vegetables along with the sea salt. Cook for 3 to 4 minutes, until cooked through.
Transfer the egg and vegetable mixture to the scooped out part of the zucchini and place it in the oven to cook for 5 more minutes. Remove and top with parsley and nutritional yeast, if using. Serve and enjoy!
Notes
Leftovers: Refrigerate in an airtight container for up to three days. For best results, reheat in the oven.
Serving Size: One serving size is equal to two zucchini boats.
More Flavor: Add additional seasonings and herbs.
To your radiant health at any age, with love
Dr. Ilona
by Dr. Ilona | Jan 2, 2020 | WELLNESS
How was 2019 for you?
Do you look back and reflect on what was happening in your life in 2019? I like to reflect, to see where I am. I set intentions and goals for every new year. Did I accomplish all of them? Heck no!!! But it helps me to keep me accountable to myself. For every goal I accomplished, I celebrate, give credit to myself. We need positive feedback since we are wired for negativity. Criticizing ourselves for goals not achieved (maybe we set unrealistic ones) for things that didn’t work out the way we were hoping for, etc. For every unaccomplished goal, I analyze the situation and learn from it. Why didn’t I achieve it? What was stopping me? What could I learn from it?
It gives me awareness about my actions. It helps me to create clarity for the future and not to repeat the same mistakes.
This way, I feel empowered because I know ME, and only ME can change my circumstances. I know with a proper mindset and aligned actions, I can create different outcomes. I am not a victim of my circumstances.
If you don’t set goals, aka New Year’s resolutions, I challenge you to do so. Find some quiet time, take out your journal, and start with reflections of this year and write out what you would like to accomplish in 2020.
Here are a few ideas to consider:
- Health
- Relationships
- Fitness
- Finances
- Contributions/Community services/volunteer work
What are the areas that you are happy with?
Where do you need to make changes?
What do you need to let go of, that doesn’t serve you?
What is your vision for 2020?
Having goals for ourselves serves as a GPS. It gives us directions so that we won’t wonder on our path.
Would you like to share your resolutions with me? Just comment below.
Do you need help with making better choices to create changes? I opened a few spots in my calendar as my New Year’s gift to you. Just click here, and let’s connect: https://my.timetrade.com/book/6ZDTG.
I wish you good health, happiness, and joy in the New Year!!!
RECIPE
BROWNIE PROTEIN PANCAKE
Makes 2 Servings
Ingredients 
2 tbsp Ground Flax Seed
1/3 cup Water
1/2 cup Chickpea Flour
1/2 cup Chocolate Protein Powder
1 tbsp Cocoa Powder
1 tbsp Baking Powder
1 cup Unsweetened Almond Milk (or water)
1/4 cup Organic Dark Chocolate Chips
1 1/2 tbsp Coconut Oil
Directions
Combine the ground flax and water in a small bowl. Whisk and set aside to thicken for about 5 minutes.
In a medium-sized bowl, combine the chickpea flour, protein powder, cocoa powder, and baking powder. Add the almond milk and flax mixture to dry ingredients. Mix well until a smooth batter forms. Fold in the chocolate chips.
Heat coconut oil in a nonstick skillet over medium heat. Spoon the batter into the pan in 1/4 cup portions. Cook pancakes for about 3 to 4 minutes per side. Plate the pancakes and enjoy!
Notes
Protein Powder: This recipe was developed and tested using a plant-based protein powder. If using another type of protein powder, results may vary.
Save Time: Make the pancake batter in a blender.
Toppings: Maple syrup, honey, fresh fruit, granola, seeds or nuts.
Leftovers: Store in a sealed container in the fridge for up to 3 days. Reheat in the oven, toaster oven or in a skillet.
No Chickpea Flour: Try oat flour instead. Results may vary.
To your radiant health, with love
Dr. Ilona
by Dr. Ilona | Dec 18, 2019 | WELLNESS
The holiday season is upon us, and I can feel the tension in the air. People are rushing to the nearby malls with an endless list of items to purchase. Everyone is searching for “the perfect gift.”
So many times, we get caught up in the holiday frenzy, and we forget the real meaning, what really matters. It’s so easy to get, “pulled in.” Colorful flyers with “greatest deals of the season,” exciting commercials have one purpose, to sell. Excessive shopping can be extra stress not only on our health but on our budget as well.
What if instead of a frantic search for the best gift, we shift our focus this holiday season. Let’s focus on creating meaningful experiences. Things come and go, but experiences last for a lifetime. It’s much healthier and less stressful. You know stress will cause premature aging. It will increase inflammation in your body.
So, creating experiences will make you feel good, reduces the stress level on your body and valet.
Let me share a brief story.
During the civil war in my country of origin to keep my sanity (it was very scary listening to aircrafts above my head while the house was shaking because of the detonations), I would recall my trips. I used to travel a lot before the war. Every night I would recall a trip with all the memories. Looking at the pictures I was taken, reading the books I bought, remembering friends I met, etc. It was so great to escape the painful reality of the civil war.
What kind of experiences can you create this holiday season? Going out to hike with your spouse or grandkids? Maybe a fun day at the Zoo? Or organize a super fun cookie baking activity?
Let’s make this holiday season a little bit different.
Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays!!!
RECIPE
GINGERBREAD COOKIES
Ingredients 
6 cups flour (I use 5 ½ cup almond flour + ½ cup coconut flour) In case of nut allergies use brown rice flour
1 tsp baking soda
½ tsp baking powder
1 cup butter (2 sticks) grass-fed, organic
1 cup monk fruit
1 cup coconut palm sugar
4 tsp ginger (powder)
4 tsp cinnamon
1 ½ tsp ground cloves
1 tsp black pepper
1 ½ tsp salt
2 large eggs (substitute with chia gel if egg-free)
1 cup molasses
Directions
Cream butter, sugar, add eggs and rest of the ingredients. Wrap in a plastic wrap and refrigerate for at least one hour. Cut gingerbread men and refrigerate again for 15 min. Bake at 350ºF for 15 min.
Notes
Chia gel…to substitute one egg use 1 tablespoon of chia seeds mixed with 3 tablespoons of water. Let sit for at least an hour; best overnight.
To your radiant health, with love
Dr. Ilona
