Pampering with the PEAK

In our constant search for betterment, a new market has erupted targeting just that, our wellbeing. This sector of business thrives by offering a chance to find balance in an otherwise disorganized world. As we continue to achieve on higher scales without relent, we also require more powerful measures to de-stress and detox. Indeed, detox is the name of the game of the recent health trend, cleansing. Although we cannot control how much work our boss is going to slap on our desk from day-to-day, we can control what we put into our bodies.

The notion behind cleanses is that we are exposed to a variety of toxins on a daily basis. Unwanted chemicals that weaken our mental and physical immune systems are prevalent in the air we breathe and the food we consume. By switching to a diet based off of juices made from organic fruits and vegetables, our bodies are freed from the task of breaking down solid foods, making it easier to release the toxins in our systems. Our very own Ashley Russo is quite the fan of cleansing herself! Here is what she said about the health fad, “I own a Vitamix blender myself and I try to cleanse roughly once a quarter. I don’t eliminate food while cleansing, just sugars, glutens and alcohol. I also make sure that I am drinking lots of water and getting extra rest while I am cleansing. I typically do it around bigger holidays or in preparation for big events to bring my body back into balance. It’s important to treat your body well in order to feel good on a daily basis”.

Feeling a little uneasy about your body after the holidays? Find your PEAK of health with us at The PEAK!

Try some our favorite juicing recipes! For more recipes, visit http://www.thecultureist.com/2013/06/24/10-healthy-juicing-recipes-for-detox-cleanse/

Green Juice

1 bunch celery

4-5 kale leaves (preferably lacinato)

1 green apple

one big handful of flat leaf parsley leaves


1 lime


1 lemon

1 inch of fresh ginger

Beet, Apple, and Blackberry Juice

3 small beets

2-3 apples


8 oz. blackberries


1/2 inch fresh ginger

Recently cleansed and want to feel even better? Stay tuned as we cover American Hairlines’ full-service salon, day spa and fitness center on The PEAK – This Sunday at 6:30 PM, on WFMZ-Channel 69.

*Special Thanks to our guest blogger and awesome intern, Lainie!

The Juice is Worth the Squeeze - By: Gina Consalvo

The Juice is Worth the Squeeze

 By: Gina Consalvo

While juicing has become quite the craze, don't jump on the bandwagon without first knowing the facts.  Juicing is the process of extracting juice from fresh fruits and vegetables.  While juicing can add variety to your diet and help you easily meet your daily recommendations of two whole fruits and three to four vegetables, it should not be your sole source.  Unless you are using a triturating juicer which presses produce, retaining more nutrients, or a masticating juicer which chews produce, the juicing process actually results in the consumption of fewer vitamins and minerals since the nutrient-rich skin and fibrous pulp is left behind. 

Will juicing improve my health?

Eating a plant-based diet is linked to a lowered risk of heart disease and cancer.  Vitamins and minerals can help boost immunity, while phytonutrients, like flavonoids and anthocyanins, guard against oxidative cellular damage.  Juice also provides an abundance of water, which is needed to hydrate the body.

Does juicing help with weight loss?

Eliminating entire food groups is not recommended as part of a healthy diet.  When participating in a juice cleanse or diet, you will likely begin craving other foods since you have placed certain items in a restricted, or off-limits, category.  It’s important to remember that strict juice diets do not provide enough protein or fat, putting you at risk for a loss in muscle mass.  Since inadequate nutrients are consumed during juice diets, the body's metabolism slows down, meaning you do not burn as many calories throughout the day.  To keep your organs functioning at peak performance, a balanced diet consisting of minimally processed, nutrient-dense foods is necessary. 

What about food safety?

When juicing, wash your hands before touching the fruits and vegetables and thoroughly clean the produce prior to juicing.  If you have to hand wash your juicer or blender, use hot, soapy water. Also, to prevent bacterial growth, make sure to let all parts completely dry before reassembling and putting away.  Another helpful tip is to only juice what you plan to drink.   Juice that isn’t consumed right away can harbor bacteria and cause food poisoning. Exposure of the drink to air, bacteria and other pathogens might not only make you sick but will also threaten the nutritional value of the juice.

So what's the bottom line?

Juicing is a great way to boost your intake of fruits and vegetables and an excellent supplement to an overall plant-based, whole foods diet rich in phytochemicals.  If you don't enjoy eating fresh fruits and vegetables, juicing may be a fun way to add them to your diet.  It’s also a good way to try fruits and vegetables you normally wouldn't eat.  When juicing, be creative.  Try different combinations and remember you can always add leftover fiber-rich pulp back into the juice.  You can also use this pulp in cooking, by adding it to soups, stews, grain dishes, pasta sauces, muffins and quick breads.

To learn more about Gina, please visit her website, http://www.eatwellwithgina.com/

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Gina Consalvo, MA, RD, LDN, NCC is a registered dietitian and national certified counselor. Gina is actively involved in various food and nutrition communities. She has counseled and assessed a wide range of patients and has experience in outpatient, inpatient, and consulting. Gina has experience providing nutrition counseling to adolescents, adults, and older adults. Areas of specialization include eating disorders, mindful/intuitive eating, weight management, and wellness nutrition. Gina integrates behavior modification to influence lasting, positive health outcomes.

Best Cycling Gear By: Selene Yeager

Featured This Sunday, June 23rd, 2013 on The PEAK...

Take a ride with Bicycling magazine’s Selene Yeager.  Aptly named the “Fit Chick,” Selene assists The PEAK's co-host, Mike Mittman, in navigating the ever-expanding world of cycling as a great form of exercise and support of a healthy lifestyle. 

Best Cycling Gear

Your Complete Cycling Guide

By: Selene Yeager

Gear Up and Go

Will you be a city rider or an off-road explorer? Choose your bicycle based on the type of terrain you plan on touring – and then dress accordingly. Plus, three stunning bike trips you’d be crazy not to take!

To Read More of Selene's Article in Prevention Magazine, please click on the following link: http://www.prevention.com/fitness/fitness-tips/best-cycling-gear

Follow Selene on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/selene.yeager?fref=ts

Follow Selene on Twitter:  http://www.twitter.com/fitchick3

Visit Selene's Official Blog in Bicycling Magazine here:http://bicycling.com/blogs/fitchick/