Rachelle Wood

Sharing my Story @ IHN - May 29-30

(Rachelle) — Sun, 27 May 2012 18:45:00 -0500

Institute of Holistic Nutrition Guest Speaker

Rachelle Wood, RHN – The SeeResults Story
Changing the Way Canadians Eat Online

Toronto Campus – May 29th
Mississauga Campus- May30th

Developing Your Business Story –
An Inspirational Chat from Someone Like You

Rachelle Wood operates the busiest Nutritional Consulting practice in the Maritimes which specializes in obesity. She has helped her province lose over 100 000 pounds, which has inspired her to tackle the nations obesity epidemic.

Rachelle has authored a 52 week customizable holistic weight loss program based on the success her Island clients. In 2009, SeeResults was launched to be used in office and online by Nutritionists coast to coast. Rachelle and her team are indeed changing the way Canadians eat!

Rachelle Will Teach You
-    Tips to Develop YOUR Story/Brand
-    Ways to Increase YOUR Profitability
-    From Think I Can to DONE
-    How to KEEP Clients for Life

Each Attendee Will Receive a PEI Treat Bag loaded with some cool Island keepsakes. As an added bonus ALL attendees will receive a coupon code to try SeeResults FREE (as a client) for 7 days.

Bio

Rachelle Wood, RHN, C Irid, is a multi award winning practitioner living in Charlottetown PEI. It was her own obesity struggle that lead Rachelle to study Natural Nutrition. In high school she suffered with binge eating while working in the fast food industry. She has lost 100 pounds and her weight loss approach was written while doing so.

She has dedicated her career to helping others. Over 7 years she’s helped her province lose over 100,000 pounds with her 52 week Holistic Weight Loss program. Her approach, SeeResults, is being used by Nutritionists nationwide.

In 2012 Rachelle celebrates 10 years as an RHN. She has worked many jobs in the industry including: Weight Loss Consultant, Health Food Store Manager, CSNN Instructor (Business Mastery) and Loblaws Nutritionist. Prior to that she was employed (mostly management) by Delta Hotels, Rodd Hotels, McDonald’s Restaurants, and IGA. In 2011 Rachelle was awarded the prestigious BDC Young Entrepreneur Award for PEI at the National ceremony in Saskatoon.

Reward Yourself Right

(Rachelle) — Thu, 24 May 2012 07:34:00 -0500

Losing weight successfully is a great accomplishment and you should be proud of your success! Giving yourself a treat for reaching smaller weight loss goal increments or even a big reward after reaching your ultimate weight loss goal is a great way to keep you motivated and pat yourself on the back. One issue that people have when they lose weight is they don’t know how to celebrate their loss. As kids, most of us were rewarded for our good grades or winning a baseball game by stopping by the local dairy bar on the way home and ordering whatever our hearts desired. Now that we’re adults, a double-dipped cone is never a good way to treat yourself especially when losing weight is the cause for your personal reward.

So today’s blog is a big list of great ideas on how to reward yourself when you make it to your weight-loss goals!

- Go shopping – Get yourself some new clothes or sexy lingerie to show off that new body. Keep in mind though, don’t get too many in case you're not at your goal weight yet!

- Get a massage - Proper relaxation and reducing your stress is key to promoting and maintaining your weight loss.

- Re-vamp your hair - A new haircut will make you feel fresh and new. A new haircut is such a confidence booster.

- Get a facial - You'll glow and feel fresh

- Go on a weekend trip - Make it an adventure by traveling somewhere to do a mountain trek or do a weekend at TreeGo in Moncton!

- Night out with the girls (or boys!) – This doesn’t mean you have to go out and drink and eat until you’re stuffed. A night out could be sharing some wine and healthy snacks with a group of close friends doing home facials and pedicures. For men, this could be getting a group of friends together to play a round of golf or go paintballing.

- Buy yourself new gym gear – You want to feel good when working out, whether it be at the gym or at home, so some new yoga pants or running shoes will pump you up to stay active!

- Shop for new cooking equipment – Aim to get equipment that will help you make healthy recipes, such as a new blender for smoothies, a juicer to make fresh juices or a stove-top grill for low-fat grilled meals.

- Hit the book store – Pick up something that will inspire you to relax and stay motivated, such as a new healthy cookbook, or a motivational self-help read or get lost in a fictional romance or suspenseful thriller.

- Hire a maid for a day – Take a day to go and visit friends and family and enjoy knowing that your home is being cleaned while you’re away.

- Splurge for the new trendy fitness craze in town, such as a new fitness class, or try out personal training sessions with a trainer.

- Pick out a new iPod for your workout tunes.

- Sign up for dancing lessons – Whether you do it with your partner or a friend, dancing lessons will boost your mood and get your body moving!

Have fun, be creative and reward yourself with what you love! Keep up the great work!

Continuing 6-Week Group Weight Loss

(Rachelle) — Thu, 17 May 2012 09:05:00 -0500

We graduated a total of four 6-week weight loss groups the past 2 weeks (yep, it's been a busy 6 weeks)! After several requests from some of you and since so many of you graduated all at once, I decided that it would be a great time to put together a continuation 6-Week Weight Loss Group Program for any of you who wish to continue being accountable for your weight loss journey! Many of you graduates lost 10 or more pounds so it's very understandable that you want to keep going and continue dropping the weight while increasing your confidence and knowledge about creating lifelong healthy eating habits.

The weight loss group will begin this Tuesday May 22nd at 12:00-1pm in my office at 38 University Avenue. Just like in weeks 1-6, weeks 7-12 will have weekly handouts, weights and measurements, recipes, weekly lecture and lots of motivation. The cost will once again be $180 and insurance receipts will be issued at at the end of week #12. Space is limited so if you're interested and want to sign up, call the office at 892-SLIM(7546) to reserve your spot today.

And we're finally able to take on more Workplace Weight Loss Challenges! If you're interested in hosting a 6-week Weight Loss Challenge in your workplace, Rachelle would love to come to your office building and work with your staff. Call the office to reserve your own personal nutritonist today!

Becoming Fit- Squatting Strong

(Rachelle) — Tue, 08 May 2012 06:56:00 -0500

When I think about being physically strong, squatting comes to mind. It’s an intensive all over body work out which challenges the body and mind. Its rhythmic movements tighten and tone every inch of our bodies. Yes it was love at first try.

Just over 2 months ago I set a fitness challenge to squat 125 pounds. In the beginning we focused on technique. My Eli Sport trainer Gina Lisi preached, “Push your ribs up and keep your knees slightly bent”. Over the past 2 months Gina and I worked from the ground up, literally, and each of my 2 Eli Sport classes (per week) included 2 sets of squatting (increasing weight 2nd set). I started with a bare bar (40 pounds) working all the way up to 125.

To tone my body for the challenge I incorporated; free weights for strength, hot yoga for mental clarity, pilates for a strong core and spin for powerful legs. It’s a winning combination and today I achieved the fitness goal! My butt is rounder, stomach slimmer and endurance higher. Nothing wrong with being a strong lady!

Just wanted to say hey to the inspiring ladies I work out every Monday and Friday morning. They are some of the fittest women in Charlottetown and it’s so encouraging to exercise with them. Eli Sport Small group training produces amazing results. Our trainer Gina creates a new exercise class every time incorporating a variety of movements and techniques. We’ve been known to lift free weights, run stairs, core mat work, bosu ball exercises and so much more.

I believe in the power of goal setting and have worked my way through some very memorable classes over the past year and a half with Dynamic Fitness. It’s the staff that keeps me coming back for more. They know how to push me out of my comfort zone each and every class. The schedule had loads of variety and sometimes I even enjoy 2 classes a day.

On the road to fitness dedication produces results. At Dynamic Fitness they say if you have a body you’re an athlete. My success story proves it. The only thing I’ve gained in the last year and a half is a new love for fitness. But I can see this in each member, united for the mutual love of developing body awareness.

SO what should my next Dynamic Fitness goal be? Don’t forget to post your comments below.

PS- I’ll keep the squatting up and post a video soon~!

May is National Asparagus Month

(Rachelle) — Fri, 04 May 2012 12:43:00 -0500

May is National Asparagus Month! May is prime asparagus growing season in PEI so this is the perfect time to indulge in this fresh and delicious vegetable. Not only can this delicate veggie be tossed into nearly any culinary dish you create, it is packed full of nutritious reasons to get to the farmer’s market every week and buy a bunch.

Aparagus is:
- Very low in calories!
- High in vitamin K (for healthy bones), vitamin C (for strong immunity and tissue repair) and vitamin A (for strong eyes and healthy immune function).
- High in folate. Folate is very important for reproductive health as well as fighting against depression and diseases such as cancer, heart disease and stroke.
- Full of strong anti-oxidants. Anti-oxidants are compounds that fight against harmful free radicals which can cause viral infections and cancer.
- An excellent source of iron
- A good source of dietary fibre which attributes to good intestinal health, reduces constipation and promotes healthy and regular bowel movements. The fiber content also works as an effective detoxifier since it helps to draw toxins and wastes from the body.
- Very helpful for reducing menstrual cramps due to its low sodium and high potassium content, as well as the presence of the enzyme asparagines.
- A great way to help prevent kidney stones and urinary tract infections by detoxing the kidneys.

When shopping for fresh asparagus, look for stalks that are firm and not too thick in diameter, with closed tips that are dark green or a bit purplish. If you aren’t using it right away, store it in the refrigerator either with the ends wrapped in wet paper towel or store it upright in a jug of water. The healthiest ways to prepare this nutritious vegetable without major vitamin loss is to toss it in the end of a stir-fry or lightly steamed.

Asparagus, we salute you! You definitely deserve this recognition.

Asparagus with Mushrooms, Shallots and Peas
- 2 teaspoons coconut oil
- 5 shallots, halved and thinly sliced
- 8 ounces shiitake or button mushrooms, stems removed
- Coarse salt
- Ground pepper
- 1 1/2 teaspoons grated lemon zest
- 1 1/2 teaspoons chopped fresh tarragon
- 2 bunches of asparagus, tough ends removed, cut on diagonal into 2-inch lengths (2 pounds total)
- 1 cup frozen peas
- 2 teaspoon fresh lemon juice

1) In a large nonstick skillet, heat oil over medium. Add shallots and cook until they begin to color, about 3 minutes. Add mushrooms, season with salt and pepper and cook until mushrooms and shallots are tender, 3 to 5 minutes. Transfer to a bowl. Add lemon zest and tarragon; toss to combine.

2) In the same skillet, bring 2 inches of water to a boil. Add asparagus, cover, and cook until asparagus is bright green and tender, 3 to 4 minutes. Add peas to skillet, and then drain. Transfer to bowl with the shallots and mushrooms, add lemon juice, and toss to combine.

Spiced Tilapia with Lemony Asparagus
- 2 pounds asparagus, tough ends trimmed, cut into 1-inch pieces
- 2 tablespoons chili powder
- 1/2 teaspoon garlic, powder
- 1/4 teaspoon salt, divided
- 1 pound tilapia, Pacific sole or other firm white fish fillets
- 1 tablespoon extra-virgin olive oil
- 3 tablespoons lemon juice

1) Bring 1 inch of water to a boil in a large saucepan. Put asparagus in a steamer basket, place in the pan, cover and steam until tender-crisp, about 4 minutes. Transfer to a large plate, spreading out to cool.

2) Combine chili powder, garlic powder and salt on a plate. Dredge fillets in the spice mixture to coat. Heat oil in a large nonstick skillet over medium-high heat. Add the fish and cook until just opaque in the center, gently turning halfway, 5-7 minutes total. Divide among 4 plates. Immediately add lemon juice and asparagus to the pan and cook, stirring constantly, until the asparagus is coated and heated through, about 2 minutes. Serve the asparagus with the fish.

No Nightshade Diet

(Rachelle) — Mon, 30 Apr 2012 12:52:00 -0500

Painful inflammation is a problem for so many people, especially those with arthritis or other forms of chronic pain. Every so often I will recommend a suffering patient to try a No-Nightshade Diet for about 6-12 weeks to alleviate or eliminate the pain. A No-Nightshade Diet is a diet specifically designed to eliminate certain foods that contain alkaloid compounds that can build up in our tissues and alter our metabolism in a negative way.

Foods known as Nightshades that contain these toxic alkaloids are:
Vegetatables
- Bell peppers (green, red, yellow and orange peppers)
- Chili peppers (jalapeno, anaheim, fresno, pimento, ancho, chipotle, hapenaro…etc)
- Eggplant
- Potatoes (all types but not including sweet potatoes)
- Tomatoes
- Tomatillos
Spices – typical in ethnic cuisines such as Mexican, Spanish, Caribbean, African, Indian, and East Asian.
- Cayenne
- Chili powder
- Curry powder
- Paprika
Fruits
- Cape gooseberry
- Goji berry
- Pepino
- Tamarillo
Other
- Tobacco

There are four mains tricks for success in this diet. The first is to be true to the diet because some people are highly sensitive to these foods and even just a tiny bit (sneaking a French fry off of your friend’s plate) can trigger pain.

The second is to prepare your own food to ensure that you know exactly what is going into your mouth. Nightshades can sneak into so many processed and store bought foods such as gravy, sauces, fish sauce, condiments, salad dressings, baked beans, nuts, seasonings, breads, baked goods, crackers, breadings, stuffings, and cola drinks. They may also be labeled as flavours, natural flavours, natural flavourings, spices, potato starch, food starch, vegetable starch or vegetable protein, so you have to think of all the little extras that you add to your food to ensure that total elimination happens in your food.

The third trick to success is to not be deprived and to know what you can have and what you can use to spice up your meals. If you love potatoes, try substituting into your diet turnips, sweet potatoes, fried plantains and artichokes. Use summer squashes and zucchini in place of tomatoes. Add lots of flavourful herbs and spice to your meals with garlic, cumin, basil, rosemary, oregano, turmeric, ginger, chives and onion.

The fourth and most important tip is to track everything you eat and write down your symptoms each day. Over time you will be able to track if and how long it took for the pain to subside. If your symptoms disappear while on the diet, you will know that nightshades are affecting your health and that their elimination will prove to be an effective long-term treatment for you. Plus, you can take the diet further and introduce one nightshade back at a time. For example, add just tomatoes back to the diet. If your pain gets worse again, take the tomatoes out and wait for the pain to subside. Then add green peppers back to your diet. Maybe they won’t bother you like the tomatoes did. Maybe they will. Each person reacts to these food items differently and some people may react to some foods but not others. Carefully tracking your food and symptoms is the key to knowing how your body responds to nightshades.

Butternut Squash Pasta Sauce
1 large butternut squash, peeled, deseeded, and cubed
1 onion, coarsely chopped
2 Tbsp cup of olive oil
3 garlic cloves, minced
1 1/2 teaspoon basil
black pepper
1 cup of sodium reduced chicken broth
A few dashes of white wine (optional)
Sprinkle of Romano cheese (optional)
- In a large saucepan, heat the oil until hot and add onions. Cook over med-high heat, for 5 minutes. Add the garlic and cook for 2 minutes (don’t brown it) If you are using the white wine, add at this point, then add the butternut squash, basil, chicken broth and lightly sprinkle with pepper. Cover, bring to a boil, lower heat, and simmer until the squash is tender - about 10 minutes depending on how big the pieces are.
- Next, put through your blender or food processor to make a smooth sauce (or blend it lightly for a chunky sauce). Pour over hot pasta or even just some lovely steamed vegetables, and top with optional 1-2 tsp of shredded Romano cheese. Enjoy!

Success in Souris

(Rachelle) — Thu, 26 Apr 2012 07:25:00 -0500

I am always amazed and inspired every time I launch a 6-week Group Weight Loss Challenge in Souris. Not only are the people so welcoming and supportive of me teaching in the community, they always work so hard to get staggering weight loss results.

I am proud to announce that after only 3 weeks of weigh-ins and measurements with my Souris group, they have now lost a total of 169lbs with an average individual weight loss of 12lbs per person! Please also note that one group member was unable to attend on Tuesdays weigh-in night so that number is actually higher!

Wow Souris. Wow!

Keep up the amazing work and I will see you all on Tuesday afternoon.

And a special thank-you to the Souris Save-Easy Market for being so accomodating and for letting us do our supermarket tour in your store. The group had a great time and learned a lot.

My next 6-Week Weight Loss Challenge starts on Monday, April 30th in Charlottetown. Call 892-SLIM (7546) to sign up today!

April 30th Group Weight Loss Challenge

(Rachelle) — Tue, 24 Apr 2012 11:05:00 -0500

Summer is fast approaching! If you've been avoiding trying on your summer clothes in fear of the teeny bikini or not being able to zip up that sundress, then maybe you should challenge your wardrobe with some extra confidence. Boost your confidence by signing up for my Weight Loss Group Challenge! If you're looking to shed some pounds to squeeze into your shorts and jump start your new slimmer summer body, this group is just what you need.

The Weight Loss Group Challenge is a 6-week program designed to help people like you get the information and motivation needed to make the right changes in your every day meal planning to better your digestion, promote weight loss and create long-lasting eating habits that will help to keep the weight off. The program promises no gimmicks, no shakes, no pills and no deprivation! You still get to eat delicious food!

The 6-week challenge includes:
- Private weigh-ins and measurements
- Meal plans
- Recipes that you and family will love
- Weekly themed education handouts
- Homework questions
- Group lectures
- Expert advice and knowledge
- Lots of motivation!

Classes run from 6:00-7:30pm for 6 consecutive weeks, with the first class being Monday April 30th. The cost is $180 and due the first night. Insurance receipts are available and most private and group health insurance plans cover this service.

Call the office 892-SLIM or email adrienne@rachellewood.ca to discuss or reserve your seat.

You can even book Rachelle to visit your office over lunch hour and treat your staff to a 6 week group challenge. We have openings in the month of May and June over the noon hour! Call 892-SLIM (7546) for more information.

Veggie Burger Love

(Rachelle) — Thu, 19 Apr 2012 09:35:00 -0500

People keep asking me, “So Rachelle, what do you think about this PEI Burger Love?” As an Islander and farmers daughter, I fully embrace PEI’s motivation to promote local island beef by dreaming up and creating a competition for these beefed-up burgers. However, as a Holistic Nutritionist who focuses largely on how digestion impacts our health, I want to play it safe by saying that a burger every once in a while is fine for most of us, but I would not suggest going out and trying all 22 of the burgers on display this month.

But can I suggest a different kind of burger that I love and indulge in on a regular basis? Beanz Espresso Bar makes their own homemade veggie burger and I think that this is a great option for those who are trying to limit the amount of red meat going into their body but still looking for a satisfying burger with all the extras. This hearty and flavourful burger is made mostly of lentils, vegetables and seeds and you can have it on white, whole wheat or gluten-free bread, or even put it in a wrap to switch things up a bit. Plus you can top it with tons of fresh and crunchy vegetables and tasty sauces and dressings to switch up the flavours regularly. Lots of options, lots of flavours, lots of love!

What I also love about Beanz is that they cater to those who have food allergies and/or intolerances (like lactose intolerance). They have great options for those who are vegetarian, vegan or who have to avoid gluten or dairy. They are also the only Café in Charlottetown that offers Almond Milk for their customers which is one of my favourite products to recommend to my clients since it is 100% lactose and dairy free, low in calories and high in calcium and vitamin D.

What I don't understand is why PEI burger love has limited the contest to only the beef farmers of PEI when there are numerous farms on PEI that grow amazing organic crops such as soybeans, oats, grains and vegetables. All of these products are the main ingredients to creating veggie burgers and I think that it would be a great idea to give these farmers a chance to advertise their crops as well by allowing restaurants to use their foods to make a burger for those who are a bit more health conscious. Extravagant and delicious burgers should not be limited by the type of patty between the bun but instead by the flavour and the appreciation of the farmer who produced that meal for us. If you're interested in finding PEI Certified Organic Farmers located near you, check out this map locator on www.organicpei.com or for specific crops, click on Who Sells What.

Next time you want a tasty and fulfilling burger to love, check out what Beanz has to offer and order yourself their veggie burger. I love it, and I think you will too!

Back from Moncton

(Rachelle) — Mon, 16 Apr 2012 10:05:00 -0500

Well, we made it back safe and sound from our busy trip to the Moncton Wellness Expo! Rachelle Wood Nutrition and SeeResults would like to thank everyone who made it a big success and to those who stopped by the booth to ask questions or get an Iridology reading from Rachelle. The welcoming energy from everyone involved was warm and overwhelming and we look forward to making the trip over to Moncton next year to see everyone again!

Rachelle will be doing Iridology readings in Moncton in May, so for those who got a reading and want a more in-depth reading, or those who weren’t able to get on the sign-up list in time to get in to see her on the weekend, please contact the office to book an appointment to your eyes read. Email adrienne@rachellewood.ca to receive more information on the dates she will be available in Moncton. For those who were lucky enough to get to the Expo on the 1st day, you were likely one of the many who asked for the recipe of the Vegan Black Bean Brownies we were giving out. Here it is and enjoy!

Vegan Black Bean Brownies

1 can black beans, drained and rinsed
1 ½ ripe bananas
1/3 cup agave nectar (or syrup)
¼ cup unsweetened cocoa
2 tsp cinnamon
1 tsp vanilla extract
¼ cup quick oats

Pre-heat oven to 350°F. Line an 8x8 baking pan with parchment paper and set aside. Place everything in the food processor except for the quick oats. Blend on high until the mixture is smooth. Stir in the quick oats. Pour into the prepared pan and bake for 30 minutes or until a toothpick comes out clean. Allow to cool then slice and enjoy!
*Note- if you want a gluten-free version of this recipe, look for gluten-free oats. We recommend Only Oats or Bob’s Red Mill.