Since people don't like to talk about poop... how about read about it?! The following are a few things to pay attention to next time you sit on the toilet. Use your stool as a tool... to better your health! Lets start by checking out the 'Bristol Stool Chart' that illustrates just about every stool under the sun...

The following are a few common questions people have about their stool but may be too embarrassed to ask (so we'll ask and answer for you!):

• How often is normal? Normal bowel habits vary. When we talk about regularity, what we’re really talking about is what’s regular for you. Three bowel movements per day to three per week is considered the normal range.
• Is it normal for my stool to smell, a lot? If your stool has an extraordinarily bad odor, it should not be ignored. I am referring to an odor above and beyond the normally objectionable stool odor. Stinky stool can be associated with a number of health problems that should be looked into.
  
• How long does it take for food to be processed, start to finish? The average body takes between 18 and 72 hours to convert food into poop and pass it on out.
• What exactly is constipation? Constipation is defined as passing hard, dry stools that you have to strain to move, and it’s typically uncomfortable. 

Now that we've covered all of the basics, lets review some ways to improve your digestive regularity:

• Remove gluten from your diet (see previous blog posts and journals!)
• Eat a diet that includes whole foods, rich in fresh, organic vegetables and fruits that provide good nutrients and fiber
• Avoid artificial sweeteners, excess sugar, chemical additives, MSG, excessive amounts of caffeine, and processed foods
• Boost your intestinal flora by adding naturally fermented foods  into your diet, such as sauerkraut and pickles
  
• Make sure you stay well hydrated with pure water
• Get plenty of exercise on a daily basis
• Consider squatting  instead of sitting to move your bowels- squatting straightens your rectum, relaxes your puborectalis muscle and encourages the complete emptying of your bowel without straining, and has been scientifically shown to relieve constipation and hemorrhoids
• Get a colonic!
  

Time to bring those grilles back out and put them to good use! The following is a tasty chicken recipe shared with us from Closet Cooking.

Servings: 4
Prep Time: 10 minutes
Marinate Time: 20 minutes
Cook Time: 10 minutes
Total Time: 40 minutes

Ingredients

• 1 pound boneless-skinless chicken, cut into small pieces
• 2 tablespoons lemon juice (~1/2 lemon)
• 2 tablespoons olive oil
• 1 teaspoon paprika
• 1/2 teaspoon cumin, toasted and ground
• 1/8 teaspoon cinnamon
• 1/8 teaspoon ginger
• 1/4 teaspoon turmeric
• 1/4 teaspoon cayenne
• 1/4 teaspoon salt
• 1/4 teaspoon pepper
• 2 cloves garlic, chopped

Directions

1. Marinate the chicken in the mixture of the remaining ingredients for at least 20 minutes to overnight.
2. Skewer the chicken and grill over medium-high heat until cooked, about 4-5 minutes per side.

Feeling good today! Getting back to running and a veggie based diet. Now I need to get back on track with my water- every time that I come across a gluten craving, I chug a bottle of water!

WIN A 3 PACK OF COLONICS!!!
PURE Colonics wants you to try a mini-version of what I did! Try a gluten-free diet for just one week, keep a journal of how your feeling, changes you noticed, and so forth and submit it to the PURE Colonics' Facebook page. At the end of October there will be a drawing from all of the names of people who submitted their journal entries. If your name is picked, you win 3 colonics ($405 value)!!

As I was out of town all weekend I have absolutely no food in my apartment! So, after scavenging through my kitchen cabinets this morning I decided to grab some almonds, soft boil two eggs and whip up a can of tuna for lunch. Considering my lunch was pure protein, I was not snacky at all and felt full all day. I grabbed a glass of wine in the evening (almost got a beer then realized that was off limits!) and a small dinner before turning in for the night… with a smile on my face knowing I lasted a whole week gluten free and it wasn’t as tough as I expected!

WIN A 3 PACK OF COLONICS!!!
PURE Colonics wants you to try a mini-version of what I did! Try a gluten-free diet for just one week, keep a journal of how your feeling, changes you noticed, and so forth and submit it to the PURE Colonics' Facebook page. At the end of October there will be a drawing from all of the names of people who submitted their journal entries. If your name is picked, you win 3 colonics ($405 value)!!

Kick-starting your summer with a healthy makeover from the inside out! Here are some tips to get your body feeling refreshed and ready for this skin-baring season!

Drink Up!
Challenge yourself to drinking two liters of water a day. Small changes will make it possible, i.e. start the morning out with a glass of water before getting your cup of joe and drink a glass between each glass of wine while at happy hour. This will not only get things moving inside but you'll notice a difference in your skin as well. 

Stretch It Out 
Start feeling more agile and limber by stretching your muscles on a daily basis. Rather than sitting on the couch during your favorite show, grab a spot on the floor and loosen that tension. Who knows, you may even be motivated to get out of the house all together and go for a quick jog or walk around the block!  

Find A New Activity 
The change in weather is the perfect opportunity to change up your usual activities. Challenge your body in new ways such as taking a yoga or salsa dancing class. The city is full of fun, free, activities outdoors throughout the next couple of months- we even listed some on the calendar that seem particularly fun. For more ideas, check out the Hudson River Park Events Calendar.  

Give Your Insides A Break!
Take a break from your normal diet and try a cleanse or detox. Click here for a few that Philomena is a fan of!

Get a Colonic
The colon plays a huge role in throwing out toxins but when it's backed-up it can't do it's job properly. Visit us for a hydro-colonic to start your summer on a clean note.

As the nice weather has decided to stick around for the weekend, let's make the most of it and get outside! Taking advantage of these sunny days is not only good for your mind and your mood- it's the perfect opportunity to get moving. Physical activity is a key ingredient to keeping your system regular and there is no lack of activities to keep you from get moving (inside and out!) this Spring. Below is a list of fun activities to get you out of your stuffy apartment and under the sun! Enjoy!

Stretch Out In Socrates Sculpture Park
Bring a mat and stretch out in the fresh air with the sun warming your back! The open-air sculpture museum offers free yoga classes on the weekends (Sat 9:30–10:30am, 11am–noon; Sun 10–11am). They also offer tai chi classes on Sundays (11am–noon). (www.socratessculpturepark.org)

Skate The City
Meet dozens of skaters at 7:45pm at the south end of Union Square for a 2 hour skate around the city along a different route each week. All skill levels are welcome as long as you can stop and turn, and because you'll be rolling on the road, helmets and wrist guards are a must. Post-skate keep hanging with your new friends at Mumbles bar and restaurant! (www.unionsquarenyc.org)

Hang Out On The High Line
Stroll down the High Line and enjoy the the design-minded, elevated green space with snacks from an amazing lineup of local vendors. Tuesday night stargazing is a great after-dark activity and will start up again on May 7th. (www.thehighline.org)

Stop and Smell the... Cherry Blossoms
The Japanese have a term for appreciating cherry blossoms from bud and bloom to the blankets of fallen petals: 'hanami'. This cycle will be on full view as the Brooklyn Botanic Garden’s over 200 cherry trees show their colors. Tours of the collection—the largest of these trees outside of Japan—along with other Japanese plants on the grounds, take place at 1pm on Wednesdays and 11am on Saturdays during the show. (www.bbg.org)

Get On Two Wheels- It's Bike Month!
Check out  pedal-powered events such as Bike Expo New York (May 3, 4) and the TD Five Boro Bike Tour (May 5), plus a bunch of classes where you can learn to ride or improve your road skills and confidence. Locations and times vary. (www.bikemonthnyc.org)

Visit 5 Pointz
Beginning May 4 the Institute of Higher Burning hosts a full lineup of parties, scratch battles and live art. You can also explore the area and check out a spray-painting demo on a guided tour (www.sidetour.com)

Get A Colonic!
After your day in the sun, stop by to get your insides moving!

Ever looking forward to the sunny season ahead only to be run down by those obnoxious allergies? The good news is there are ways to avoid those itchy, runny noses and naturals ways to turn them around if the season's pollens get the best of you.
 
Control Your Environment
Pay extra attention to closing windows and doors in the mornings when most plants and flowers tend to pollinate.   
    
Keep Clean
We all know that nose hairs trap debris and dust particles from invading our bodies but we forget that the hair on our head is a trap as well! Washing your hair before hitting the pillow eliminates air-born pollens from spreading to your eyes and nose.  
 
Buy a Humidifier  
Breathing in moist air helps with congestion. If you have the sniffles, putting a humidifier in the rooms that you occupy the most may help with the irritation.   
 
Drink Up!
Water is always important but upping your water intake during allergy season will help thin the mucous and increase drainage.
 
Get a Colonic
When the body encounters allergies it wants to get rid of the toxins by and it does this by producing body fluids; hence the sneezing, watery eyes and noses during allergy season. The colon plays a role in throwing out toxins but if it is backed up allergy symptoms can intensify and affect the rest of body.
 

I always assumed that our skin must absorb chlorine from the water that we shower in, swim in and drink. This video demonstrates the staggering amount! Have you ever considered getting a water filter for your home?