We are excited to share that “FITTER FASTER” will be released in the Spring of 2017!!!
A huge thank you to my friend Dr Robert Davis, our wonderful publisher American Management Association, our proof readers and editors, Mandy Malool for bearing with me through countless long days, nights, and weekends, and the many others involved in helping make this dream a reality. Thank you, thank you!
Brad Kolowich Jr
By Dr. Mercola
While multiple companies manufacture and market “new and improved” FMCGs — fast- moving consumer goods — that we use every day, such as soap, toothpaste, deodorant and body lotion, one of the best and most natural products has been right under our noses, so to speak.
Coconut oil has a pleasant scent, and besides being very economical, it’s an amazingly versatile and therapeutic substance. Since the mid-1990s, roughly, coconut oil for a number of applications, such as cleansing, deodorizing and healing, has been growing on the larger population.
Questions like “Where does coconut oil actually come from?” and “What does it smell like?” are apropos. Coconut oil, like butter, is a solid substance, melting to a liquid form when it reaches about 76 degrees.
Insoluble at room temperature, it takes on a creamy consistency when blended with water using a whisk. If not treated to processes such as bleaching, refining or deodorizing, coconut oil exudes the mild fragrance you would expect — like coconut.
The relatively recent interest in the many uses of coconut oil also elicits questions regarding its production. There are two basic types: Commercial-grade and virgin coconut oil.
Commercial grade coconut oil — This product is made from copra, which is the dried meat of the coconut. It’s usually smoke-, sun- or kiln-dried or a combination of the three. But when standard copra is used to make coconut oil, it’s not sterile and therefore unsuitable for human consumption.
It’s “purified” or refined through a process known as RBD — refined, bleached and deodorized. According to Coconutdiet.com:1
“High heat is used to deodorize the oil, and the oil is typically filtered through (bleaching) clays to remove impurities. Sodium hydroxide is generally used to remove free fatty acids and prolong shelf life.
This is the most common way to mass-produce coconut oil. The older way of producing refined coconut oil was through physical/mechanical refining. More modern methods also use chemical solvents to extract all the oil from the copra for higher yields.”
Virgin coconut oil — In comparison, like olive oil, coconut oil is best when “first-pressed” and “virgin.” Like pressing a teabag that’s been steeping in boiled water a few minutes, the first water released will contain the most actual extracts.
The second time it’s pressed, as in the teabag analogy, the result isn’t as concentrated. Coconutdiet.com continues:
“Virgin Coconut Oil can only be achieved by using fresh coconut meat or what is called non-copra. Chemicals and high heating are not used in further refining, since the natural, pure coconut oil is very stable with a shelf life of several years.
There are currently two main processes of manufacturing Virgin Coconut Oil:
The oil is then further separated from the water. Methods which can be used to separate the oil from the water include boiling, fermentation, refrigeration, enzymes and mechanical centrifuge.”
Raw, organic coconut oil, besides being good enough to eat (which we’ll discuss in a minute) has a plethora of benefits apart from actual ingestion. Here’s a list of 15 benefits of coconut oil, in no particular order:
1. Smooth shave — If you’ve been plagued by red, irritated and razor-burned skin after shaving, coconut oil is both soothing and antibacterial.
2. Rash recovery — Other rash problems from diaper rash to mild allergic reactions can be remedied using coconut oil. Propylene glycol is one chemical found in commercial moisturizers that can cause skin irritation and dermatitis.
3. Lip balm — Use coconut oil to moisturize, nourish and hydrate chapped lips without inadvertently eating endocrine disruptors.
A study on the metal content in lip balm revealed lead, aluminum, cadmium, chromium and manganese in high concentrations, some associated with reproductive, developmental or other adverse health effects.2
4. Facial cleanser — Effective as a face wash, mixing equal parts coconut oil and castor oil is known as oil cleansing. Massage it into your skin and remove gently with a warm washcloth.
Ninety percent of the body washes and cleansers you buy contain harmful chemicals such as sodium lauryl sulfate or sodium laureth sulfate, which, in combination with other chemicals, can form cancer-causing nitrosamines.3Coconut oil can even improve acne.
5. Makeup remover — Not only can you cleanse your face, you can remove use it as a natural makeup remover — even stubborn mascara and eyeliner.
6. Night cream — While you may not want to use coconut oil under makeup, applying it lightly before bed will hydrate your skin because its fatty acids form a natural emollient. If the skin around your nails is hard and peeling, treat your cuticles to a soothing coconut oil rub to keep them soft.
7. Deodorant — A tiny dab of coconut mixed, if you desire, with an essential oil such as lavender is very effective — so much better than the antiperspirants containing aluminum, which is linked to Alzheimer’s.
Another deodorant recipe combines 3 tablespoons each of coconut oil, arrowroot powder (or cornstarch) and baking soda.
8. Foot fungus fighter — Because it’s antimicrobial and antibacterial, coconut is very effective in combating athlete’s foot. Rub it on the bottoms of your feet after every shower.
Antiviral, antibacterial and antifungal compounds in coconut oil have been shown to inactivate microorganisms such as bacteria, yeast and fungi.4
9. Soothing bath — As an alternative to bubble baths that may induce urinary tract infections, especially in children, drop a dollop of coconut oil in your bath with a few essential oils. It’s both moisturizing and helps kill bacteria.
10. Body scrub — Combining equal parts coconut oil with sea salt, sugar or baking soda to make a homemade scrub softens, smoothes and moisturizes your skin.
11. Body lotion — Moisturizers you buy at the store typically contain harmful chemicals such as aluminum, phthalates, parabens, formaldehyde and propylene glycol.5 Coconut is a fragrant, moisturizing alternative containing none of these.
12. Toothpaste — To combat tooth decay and even whiten teeth, make a DIY coconut oil toothpaste by mixing 1 teaspoon with 1/2 teaspoon baking soda and 2 drops of peppermint essential oil. Just brush as usual.
13. Oil pulling — An oral rinse works much like a mouthwash, only you shouldn’t gargle with it. As you swish vigorously for five to 15 minutes, it penetrates the soft tissue between your gums and “pulls out” bacteria that causes cavities, plaque and bad breath.
14. When applied to infected cuts or wounds, coconut oil develops a layer of naturally protective chemicals that also keep out dust, fungi, bacteria and viruses. Applied to bruises, it speeds up the healing process in damaged tissues.
15. Frizz fighter — People with hair that tends to frizz often turn to silicone- or alcohol-based gels and mousses, which coat the hair, prevent it from absorbing moisture and dries out the hair shaft. Just a few drops of coconut oil are all you need for a natural hair conditioner for smooth, silky shine.
Virgin coconut oil has been described as having a “haunting, nutty, vanilla flavor (and) even milder and richer-tasting than butter.” A New York Times article noted that coconut oil, while once demonized by the “all saturated fats are bad for you” camp, has now become accepted:
“The main saturated fat in coconut oil is lauric acid, a medium-chain fatty acid. Lauric acid increases levels of good HDL, or high-density lipoprotein, and bad LDL, or low-density lipoprotein, in the blood, but is not thought to negatively affect the overall ratio of the two.
… Any number of health claims have been made for lauric acid. According to proponents, it’s a wonder substance with possible antibacterial, antimicrobial, antiviral properties that could also, in theory, combat H.I.V., clear up acne and speed up your metabolism.”6
Even applied topically, coconut oil has healing properties. One interesting factoid is that while antiperspirants containing aluminum are associated with Alzheimer’s, coconut oil actually prevents it because of the medium-chain fatty acids (MCFA) that are easily absorbed and metabolized by the liver and can convert to ketones. One study noted:
“Ketone bodies are an important alternative energy source in the brain, and may be beneficial to people developing or already with memory impairment, as in Alzheimer’s disease (AD) … (It may also) be beneficial in the treatment of obesity, dyslipidaemia, elevated LDL, insulin resistance and hypertension — these are the risk factors for (heart disease) and type 2 diabetes, and also for AD.”7
Alzheimer’s is projected to affect 1 in 4 Americans in the next generation, rivaling obesity and diabetes, but evidence suggests that ketone bodies in coconut oil may help restore and renew neurons and nerve function in your brain, even after damage has set in.
Regarding coconut oil in the kitchen, even as a household cleaner, there are a few points to consider:
• Virgin coconut oil has a smoke point of 350 degrees, so for cooking, it’s best used at lower temperatures. Olive oil overcooks even as low as 250 degrees, which may cause oxidization, doing your body more harm than good.
• You can substitute coconut oil for butter or olive oil, and most definitely instead of so-called vegetable oils. Here’s why:
Multiple studies reveal coconut oil to impart amazing benefits when used in nutritional applications. One of the most dramatic changes you can make in your health will be to replace the so-called “healthy” vegetable, soy, corn and cottonseed oils such as canola when sautéing food or baking cake or cookies.
It’s interesting to note that Polynesian populations, who’ve been using full-fat coconut oil as a diet staple for untold generations, have no heart disease to speak of. Why? It’s a direct contradiction to what conventional medicine touted for a few decades, that saturated fats are bad for you, and will lead to obesity, high cholesterol levels, heart disease and Alzheimer’s.
The truth is, saturated fat like that of coconut oil and olive oil is natural, not the concocted substances created in a laboratory using methods like hydrogenation and partial hydrogenation that convert polyunsaturated fatty acids to trans fats. Vegetable and seed oils undergo the double whammy of hydrogen atoms and high heat, creating a cheaper oil with a long shelf life that’s very bad for your health.
Further, when vegetable oils are heated to a high temperature, the chemical compounds break down, get “stuck” in your cells, oxidize and create dangerous free radicals that lead to disease, including heart disease and cancer. Here’s a timeless article on the type of oil you should cook with.
Adapted from:
http://articles.mercola.com/sites/articles/archive/2016/09/26/coconut-oil-benefits.aspx
Live Life Fit
Client of the Month
Nicole Hogan
January/February 2014
We have a first ever three month streak for Client of the Month at Brad Kolowich Jr’s personal training studio. Nicole Hogan, 28, a full-time nurse at Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta and an O.R. Nurse at Atlanta Plastic Surgery Specialist has been working non-stop in pursuit of competing in her first ever NPC Bikini Competition. Through the holiday’s, Valentines, snow storms (and being stranded at the hospital), her birthday, illness and other special events, Nicole has let nothing be an excuse for reaching her goals she has set in place. Nicole stays consistent with her workouts in the studio and on her own. Since the start of the year, she has learned to take her nutrition to another level—prepping meals, counting her macronutrients more diligently, weighing and measuring everything to meet her ideal macronutrient make-up, and she even completed a trial run through of the dietary process to get stage ready! This vigorous two week process involves sodium loading, then sodium depleting, water loading and then water depleting, and finally carb depleting and carb loading—and Nicole tackled it flawlessly! A year after beginning her fitness journey, Nicole is in the best shape of her adult life. In the picture above she has photographed her abs in March 2013 and again in February 2014. She is a true testament to Richard G. Scott’s quote about consistency, “We become what we want to be by consistently being what we want to become each day.” Nicole will be competing March 21-22 in Pensacola, FL in the Panhandle Showdown Championships National Qualifier in hopes of receiving her national qualification to compete in other future National NPC Bikini events. We wish you the best of luck Nicole!
Brad Kolowich Jr. Personal Training Studio boast many special features that sets it in a class of it’s own in the arena of training studio’s in Atlanta. As mentioned in Atlanta’s 2012 August edition of Jezebel Magazine, one particularly unique quality at Brad’s studio is the inclusion of a line of healthy treats, :anyWhey Treats. Baking and cooking has always been a hobbie/passion of mine (just ask my parents who had to instate the rule, “you make it you eat it and clean it”). My combined passion for baking, health, nutrition and fitness birthed my new idea to create a treat that wouldn’t spoil your waistline, would satisfy cravings for sweet treats, provide the body with the necessary pre/post workout fuel to aid in recovery, boost metabolism and aid in the release of body fat while preserving muscle tissue. :anyWhey Treat’s menu changes frequently at Brad Kolowich Jr. Studio’s. Below is a sample menu.
: anyWhey treats
Featuring: all natural, healthy and energizing pre/post workout treats
Energy Boosting Protein Cake Pops, $2.00 each
for orders, contact Mandy Malool, mandy@bradkolowichjr.com
Nutrition (approximately per ball): Calories 57, Fat 2.75g, Carbohydrates 5g, Protein 6g
Protein Bars………$2.00 each
Peanut Butter Cheesecake
(Oats, Vanilla Protein, Peanut butter, Cheesecake flavoring)
Chocolate Almond Delight
(Oats, Chocolate Protein, Almond Butter, Coconut extract)
Lemon Bar
(Oats, Vanilla Protein, Almond Butter, Lemon Flavoring)
(Nutrition varies per bar) Approximately 100 Calories, 2g fat, 10 Carbs or less, 10g protein
“AB-Attack” Fit Camp
Coming September 2012
30 minutes of intense Ab-focused training.
Guaranteed to help reshape your midsection!
Starting at $10/session*
September Fit Camp Schedule
1st Session begins September 11th @ 6:30pm
September 13th @ 6am and 7pm
September 18th @ 6am and 6:30pm
September 20th @ 6am and 7pm
September 25th @ 6:30pm
*5 session commitment rate September. $15/individual session purchase.
bradkolowichjr.com
Mahi Mahi Fish Tacos
2 Mahi Mahi Burgers from Trader Joe’s
4 Reduced Carb Whole Wheat TJ’s Tortillas (These are my favorite new find at TJ’s! Each one only has 45 calories and 3 net carbs, and 7g of fiber!)
1/2 cup frozen fire roasted pepper and onion blend
2 cups broccoli slaw
1/4 cup fat free ricotta cheese
1 Tbsp Chipotle Mustard (Silver Spring makes a great one!)
Saute the Mahi Mahi burgers about 6 min on each side. Once cooked add the broccoli slaw to the pan and season with spices as you wish (for an extra fat burning kick add some red pepper). Mix the burgers and slaw together. In a separate pan, spray with cooking spray and heat to medium heat. While heating, in a small bowl mix the ricotta cheese and mustard. In the heated pan add a tortilla and a put a dollop of the cheese mixture on the tortilla. Heat for about 1-2 minutes and add some of the Mahi Mahi and veggie mixture to the totilla shell. Enjoy while its hot!
Quick, easy and absolutely yummy! Guaranteed to impress your Dad with this one…(He’ll never know if came from a box)!
Recipe serves 2. Nutrition Facts (per serving, 2 tacos)
245 calories, 8g fat, 29g protein, 27g carbs, 16g fiber (this is more than half of your daily required intake!)
Mandy Malool
B.S.Ed, ISSA-CFT
Every year I ponder over ideas of what to do for my Dad for Father’s Day. My Dad is a simple and graciously giving man. He does so much for everyone (especially our family), all along expecting nothing in return. So every year when Father‘s Day comes around it is an agonizing battle in my mind to find that gift that seems grandiose enough for a man who has gives so effortlessly, yet his only wish is for others to be happy. As easy as it seems, for my Dad, like many others, nothing means more than the gift of spending quality time together. So this Father’s Day, think about spending some time doing something that will encourage the man that has cared so much for you to do the same for himself. Here is a list of ideas that will help to inspire your Dad to live a long and healthy life so you and your Dad have many more Father’s Day’s together!
1. Get him a massage–a massage is a great way to easy your mind, relax and relieve stress and sore muscles.
2. Men’s Health–give your Dad a 1 year subscription to Men’s Health or Clean Eating (if you Dad is the cook of the family, like mine).
3. Cook a Healthy Meal Together -According to the wisest man to ever live, Solomon, “…there is nothing better for people in this world than to eat, drink and enjoy life.” (Ecclesiastes 8:15) So this Father’s Day, plan a healthy meal and treat your Dad to some good food, drinks and enjoy it together. Check out the Father’s Day Recipe ideas at www.eatingwell.com/recipes_menus/collections/fathers_day.
4. Memory Box–Make a box of memories from your childhood. Have each family member add a special memory of Dad to the box. You could include pictures, foods, toys, funny memories, jokes, etc. Look through the box and share your fondest memories together. Sharing joy and laughter together relaxes your body, boosts your immune system, triggers the release of endorphins (the bodies natural feel good hormones) and laughter protects your heart by improving function of the blood vessels and increases blood flow (www.helpguide.org).
5. Plan a day hike, family tennis match, golf outing, participate in a walk/run such as a 5k for a charitable organization, go outside and “throw a few”…whatever you do, just get out and be active in whatever sport/exercise your dad is into and do it TOGETHER!
6. Surprise your Dad with a home visit or a visit to a personal trainer. A personal trainer can help show you and your Dad exercises and routines that will help you both to stay healthy for years to come! I know some good one’s if you need a recommendations 😉
Don’t waste another minute…Father’s Day is this Sunday, June 17th. So get a jump start and begin planning your healthy adventure with your Dad.
To many, eating clean means eating boring. Or too much time and preparation to be able to fit into our busy schedules. Well, this recipe is comparable to a favorite Chinese dish, Sweet and Spicy Chicken. The traditional recipe is loaded with sugar, fat and sodium. This healthy alternative is will not only satisfy your cravings for those classic Chinese takeout dishes, but it is also quick and easy to prepare. Brad and I prepared, cooked and ate this dish in less than 30 minutes yesterday! Try it out this weekend instead of ordering in!
Makes 2 servings
8-12 oz. of chicken breast
1 clove garlic
1 tsp red pepper flakes
1 red bell pepper
1 cup mushrooms
12 Asparagus Spears
1 Tablespoon of low-sugar ketchup
1 Tablespoon spicy brown mustard
1 Tablespoon of Sugar Free Orange Jelly
Sesame Seeds for topping
1. Cut the Chicken into bite sized pieces and season with garlic and red pepper.
2. Set a skillet on medium-high heat and spray with a bit of cooking oil. Add chicken and cook for about 6 to 8 minutes.
3. Slice red bell pepper and set aside. In a separate small bowl mix ketchup, mustard and jam. Once chicken is cooked, add the mushrooms, bell pepper, asparagus and sauce. Lower heat and continue to cook for 5 minutes. Sprinkle sesame seeds on top and serve!
You can eat this over brown rice or quinoa to add some healthy, low glycemic carbohydrate (great post workout option). I however ate mine over spinach! Delish and easy!
Mandy
Personal Trainer, Studio Manager
Introducing, Your Best Cardio Friend
Have you ever had a difficult time getting motivated to get out of the house to begin that workout or outdoor cardio? For us, there was a simple solution to this dilemma. Four and half years ago, Brad and I added a new member to our family. It was most definitely love at first sight, but little did we know how much exercise Rocky would require and that our days of procrastinating on cardio sessions would be brought to a demanding halt. When feeling a little less than energized, there is no better motivator to get our feet to hit the pavement than those “human-like” golden eyes and occasional nose bearing nudges to the groin pleading for some outdoor attention to get us up and moving.
The Department of Health and Human Services recommends that you should get at least 150 minutes of moderate aerobic activity each week. As a general guideline, aim for about 30 minutes of aerobic activity a day. With a dog, you can easily reach this goal by adding several 10 minute walks/jogs to your daily regimen.
If that didn’t convince you, here are five more reasons (according to Runner’s World) to get a new 4-legged running partner:
1 People don’t have tails that wag
On days you’re dragging, Sparky can remind you that running should be joyful. His relaxed stride and frisky vigor are contagious. Dogs even look like they’re smiling
2 It’s better than bonding over a bowl of kibble
You like to run. And dogs are natural runners. You might be surprised how much you get out of sharing this common interest. It’s even better if you both take a nap afterward.
3 They don’t worry about negative splits
Human partners can get caught up in how many calories they’ve burned and their GPSstats, but a dog will remind you that the best workouts are the ones where you run free.
4 They won’t accept your excuses
When that tail starts wagging, it’s hard to say no. One University of Missouri study showed that people who exercised with a dog were more likely to stick with it than those who go it alone or with a human partner.
5 A tired dog is a good dog
Get Fido sufficiently tired, and when you get home, he’s more apt to snooze at your feet than terrorize the postman—or chew up your new Nikes.
If your own dog is not a venture you’re ready to take on yet, Rocky has become a well received fixture at Brad Kolowich Jr. Personal Training Studio. He is continuing to help motivate Brad and his trainers clients through the toughest of workouts and would always love to join you on the pavement!
-Mandy
Personal Trainer, Studio Manager, Rocky’s Owner
Rocky, Studio Security
The first week at Brad Kolowich Jr. Personal Training Studio is approaching the finish line with a smashing success! All trainers, Brad, Andy, Tisch and myself put in some long hours from the early morning to late night ensuring all clients had nothing less than a perfect experience at our new location. A lot of sweat, a few tears and even more pounds were shed throughout our opening week. In response the their first impressions of the hottest training studio, the response was unanimously, “THIS IS AWESOME!”. Clients at the Brad Kolowich Jr. Personal Training studio receive top-notch services including, complementary tea, coffee, lemon infused water, towel service, custom designed t-shirts by Chris Hellman of Hellman Design and even the occasional home made post workout protein treats (complements of me, and anyWhey treats). Check out some of our pictures from the first week of insane workouts!
-Mandy Malool
Certified Personal Trainer, Studio Manager