The Nova Challenge
Nicole Chatten • April 10, 2021
Have You Joined Yet?
About The Nova Challenge
Although summer is giving us some motivation, Covid can be draining it. Queue The Nova Challenge! Let’s put in the basic effort now and reap the benefits throughout the summer.
Wellness Habit Building
The Nova Challenge starts April 5th and ends June 30th. This three month app based wellness challenge is open to all members and their families. The challenge has been designed for everyone, with multiple wellness components such as fitness, nutrition, mental health, rest and recovery, nature and community. This free challenge is meant to encourage Nova members to try new things and step outside their comfort zones to reach heightened physical, mental and spiritual health.
Daily Challenges
The Nova Challenge will be completed using an app called Obii, here you will find all the challenges for each day. When you open the app, you will find a card at the front with rules and tips, following that you will see cards for each day that will present you the daily challenges. As you open each day there will be anywhere from 1-5 challenges for the day with each challenge having an accompanying number of points for completion. These challenges can be completed at any time, and you can always go back to missed challenges. However, you cannot go ahead. That being said each day will unlock new challenges giving you more opportunity to try new things for points. Each day has something for everyone. Here are some examples of challenges:
- Fitness: 10 Pushups.
- Nutrition: Cook a recipe with this secret ingredient.
- Rest & Recovery: Take a nap.
- Mental Health: Breathe
- Nature: Cloud Spotting
- Community: Call or visit and old friend
Monthly Focuses
The Nova Challenge is broken down into three separate months each with its own focus. April starts with a focus on exercise, May incorporates more nutrition, and finally June dives deeper into mental health. Although this is a three month challenge, you can join any time. Each month also will have some bigger bonus challenges that you can work on through the whole month like sleep or steps.
Community
Check the leaderboard at any time to see where you stand alongside the other members. While completing as many daily challenges as possible is the goal, do not stress yourself out about it. Focus on trying new things, doing your best, and having fun. Although some may take this challenge as a competition, the goal is to support each other along the way so we can all grow to become better versions of ourselves. If you ever have any words of encouragement for fellow participants just throw them into the chat.
How To Register
This challenge is for members and their families only. All members would have received an invite and registration link in their email. If you are not a member, not to worry we are creating a similar challenge that we can bring you into soon. If you have any questions or need assistance registering please contact
Nicole@NovaHealthClub.com.
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It's that time of year again where Halloween candy is everywhere - especially if you have children who are in the trick or treating age. We all know that candy is unhealthy and we are aware of sugar's detrimental effects on our health, from weight gain to cavities... But do you know the risks in eating Halloween candy that go beyond weight gain and cavities? While sugar is certainly a concern, other ingredients in many popular candies can chip away at your health and well-being. The Deceptive Allure of Halloween Treats While eating Halloween candy can be a nostalgic pleasure, the ingredients list tells a different story. I personally love Halloween but about 7 years ago I went clean and gave up Halloween candy for good because I learned it is much more than a sugar problem… Beyond sugar, are ingredients like hydrogenated oils, high-fructose corn syrup, artificial colors, titanium dioxide and common allergens like wheat, corn, dairy, and soy. These ingredients can wreak havoc on our bodies, leading to a host of negative health effects that most consumers overlook. Beware: 5 Ingredients in Halloween Candy With Negative Health Effects 1. Hydrogenated Oils: Hidden Fats Hydrogenated oils transform liquid oils into solid fats and enhance texture and shelf life. These trans fats are notorious for raising bad cholesterol levels, increasing the risk of heart disease and causing inflammation in the body. Look out for the word ‘Hydrogenated’ in candies like Skittles or Starburst 2. High-Fructose Corn Syrup (HFCS): A Sweet Sabotage HFCS is another frequent offender. It’s a cheap, sweet alternative to sugar that can lead to rapid spikes in blood sugar levels and cravings. Overconsumption of HFCS has been linked to obesity, insulin resistance and fatty liver disease. Many people consume HFCS without even realizing it. Candies like Oh Henry and other chocolate bars have HFCS. 3. Artificial Colors: A Rainbow of Risks The colors that make Halloween candy so visually appealing are often the result of artificial colorings like Red 40, Yellow 5 (Tartrazine), Yellow 6 (Sunset Yellow) and Blue 1. Studies have shown links between these artificial colors and hyperactivity in children, as well as allergic reactions as well. Here are some of your Halloween favorites with these colors: Skittles , Maynards , Sour Patch Kids , Jolly Rancher , Twizzlers , Starburst and M&M’s 4. Titanium Dioxide: The White Truth Titanium dioxide is used in many candies to enhance their whiteness and opacity. It is a detergent that damages your gut and decreases your gut microbiome. Any candy that has a white center, like Skittles is known to use this ingredient. 5. Allergens: Hidden Dangers for Sensitive Individuals Finally, we can’t forget the processed allergens like wheat, corn, dairy and soy in many candies like Mars or Snickers . Those who are highly allergic know to stay away from foods with these ingredients but what about the low grade allergic response that most people ignore? Hives, scratchy through, congestions, asthma, sneezing, itchy eyes and mild GI discomfort are all effects of these allergens. The Scary Reality Halloween is a fun time but we’ve really thrown in the towel when it comes to our health based on the things we are accepting as ok. We've created a society where we buy the cheapest, lowest quality candies to give to our children (and ourselves). Most, if not all of the mainstream candy companies produce products that are high in chemicals to preserve shelf life, to entice our eyeballs and to stimulate our brain to want more the moment it hits our palette. We've also bought into the idea that it's ok because it is just once a year... but the reality is that this food is everywhere all the time. If it was just one day on Oct 31 then sure - that could be ok, but most children are coming home with more than 10lbs of candy that they consume over the next 30 days. It’s no wonder why so many of us suffer with health issues including our children. Modern children are being diagnosed with more health problems than previous generations. Things like childhood depression/anxiety, food allergies, ADHD, autism, eczema and obesity are just some of the things we are seeing more of. Stay Vigilant and Read Labels Can we blame our poor health all on Halloween candy? Certainly not - it's more than just candy in October however the amount of candy with the above ingredients being consumed during Halloween and through the year is definitely a contributor. So when it comes to candy, watch out for the sugar but it’s time to wake up to the other ingredients that are damaging us. The best thing to do is read the labels and be aware of what you choose to consume. And hopefully in time we choose to buy 'treats' that are not filled with chemicals. Next year, choose to buy healthier options versus the mainstream candy we grew up with. Healthier Alternatives Here are some options to consider instead of the mainstream low quality garbage that we've been accustomed too: Chocolate Bars Unreal Coconut Bars : This company is on point with way healthier ingredients than the mainstream. They carry an assortment of candies beyond just the coconut bar (which is one of my faves). Granola Bars Made Good : You've probably seen this brand around in stores - specializing in gluten free healthier granola bars. Cookies Simple Mills : Making cookies and baked goods gluten free and with sweeteners that have a lower glycemic index than regular sugar (less of a blood sugar spike) Candies Smart Sweets : Candies without artificial colors and high sugar Lollipops & Jelly Beans YumEarth : W ithout artificial colors Water Enhancer (Vitamin C) Emergen-C : Something different from usual candy - Vitamin C drink crystals that are a much healthier option to candy and kids love em. There are more brands out there but you have to be on your toes when buying. Pay attention to brands, scrutinize the ingredient list and pay the extra money. Every dollar you spend is a vote - the more we vote for the better products for our health, the lower the cost will end up being in the future.
