Saturday, July 25, 2009

Nutritional or Un-Nutritional Supplements

Unlike Canada and Australia, the United States does not regulate supplements. According to the FDA, supplements are considered a food-grade product and are held to the same health department standards as restaurants. The facility has to be clean and maintained, and the ingredients can't be harmful. But that is it!
But what really blows me away is that what is on the label of a supplement does not have to be in the bottle!! In a recent study, researchers found that over half of supplements do not even properly disintegrate. So if it isn't disintegrating, then it isn't dissolving, then how are the needed nutrients getting into your system to be used? I have heard nurses say that they call a certain well-known over the counter multi-vitamin "bed pan bullets" because you can still read the name on the tablet when it is passed through the body. We literally flushed thousands of dollars down the toilet.

Proper disintegration is just one factor!! Another study showed that when tablets were tested, two tablets in the same bottle could have a different amount of nutrients. This is why taking a pharmaceutical-grade supplement is so important! Pharm-grade products have very stringent regulations and inspections and their potency has to be guaranteed. Call your product manufacturer and ask if you can get a potency guarantee in writing. If they don't give a written guarantee I know one company that does!

Saturday, July 18, 2009

Rest Your Way to Health

I can't say enough good things about napping. Especially since I just took one and no longer want to disown my family. 20-30 minutes of afternoon rest can sharpen your mind and dull your temper. Winston Churchill lay down for 20 minutes everyday and Elizabeth Sundet also shut down each afternoon. Most of Central and South America shut their doors and pulls down the blinds after lunch. North Americans need to follow their southern sisters wise example. Siesta's for all would be a great campaine slogan for the next presidental election.

Friday, July 17, 2009

You can change your health

Spent last night introducing a group of health seekers to the concept of HOPE. We can change our lives and regain our health. Releasing weight is such a minor thing when you realize how many awful degenerative diseases you can avoid by simply
1) Eat every 2 - 3 1/2 hours
2) Drink water - 80 oz.
3) Exercise 45 minutes or 10,000 steps (get a pedometer)
4) Eat 6 super foods each day. These are basically whole foods
5) Take high quality vitamins (look for pharmaceutical grade)

The Hope comes from following a program, something to give you support, guidance and a way to get in touch with the programs or self-defeating thoughts that caused us all to fail in the past.

Saturday, July 11, 2009

Why You Should Drink Water

http://video.yahoo.com/network/100000089?v=5481508&l=100022574

Video of what water can really do for you - very fun

Friday, July 10, 2009

Are Your Really Ready to Get Serious About Your Health?

When somebody asks me what I do I reply with a question of my own. Are you really ready to get serious about your health? If the answer is no they won't be very interested in what I have to say. I have yet to get a negative answer. I have heard alot of "I can't afford it" or "I don't have the time."

So what does serious mean? How about really ready? Are you serious and really ready when it doesn't inconvenience you or make you uncomfortable looking at your feelings associated with your eating behavior? I think I am very serious about my health. I am a coach. I spend hours each day guiding people through the Healthyedge program. But am I really? What do my actions really say?

Today I took my puppy to the vet. He has a quarter size bald spot on his back. It isn't inflamed or seem to bother him. But I am serious about the puppy's health so I got the first available appointment. I willing spent money and drove through afternoon traffic to get him to the vet. In fact, I substituted my exercise time to take him to the vet. hmmmmm... What other personal things have I dropped?

I've had something going on with one of my teeth for about 2 months but I "can't afford" to go to the dentist. My knee's really want me to get new running shoes but they are so "expensive". I am willing to spend money to get real pharmaceutical grade vitamins. But that is really because I don't want to waste my money buying questionable pills. Do I take the "time" to stretch after exercising? Do I take the "time" to sleep a full eight hours? Do I take the "time" to drink water? Am I really serious about my health?

My favorite lawyer, Alva Long, once told me to follow the money. I think we were talking about the government but it applies here too. Where do you spend your money? Where do you spend your time? To find out what you're REALLY SERIOUS about follow your money, follow your time. Remember another cliche - Actions speak louder than words.

Healthy mind - Healthy body. Isn't it fun!!

Thursday, July 9, 2009

Natural Sleeping and Natural Rhythms

Summer time and the alarms are off. Our lives falls into their own natural rhythms. One little person gets up everyday at 7am. She wakes up chatty, hungry and ready to have some fun. On the other hand, the youngest one stays up till 10pm sleeps till 10 am and only wants a breakfast of fruit or berries.

Freed from the regiment of school they eat every 2 to 3 hours. What do you know? One of the 5 Rules to the Healthyedge Lifestyle program is eating every 2 to 3 hours.

The kids are always bugging me for water too! A large portion does end up on the ground or on each other but they do like to drink. Guess what? Another Healthyedge rule; Drink Water - 80 oz. per day.

Of course they want to be outside. This week the game involves a long wooden plank which alternates between a see-saw, balance beam and slide. Surprise again - another rule. Exercise 45 minutes or 10,000 steps each day.

Our adult lives, based on our intellect, have taken us away from what our hearts and bodies know to be true. No wonder so many of us are depressed, irritable, tired and sick. The Healthyedge program gives us guide lines to re-learn the lessons of childhood. I am so greatful to be a Healthyedge certified coach (#101061). Living the life and sharing it with others.

Wednesday, July 8, 2009

Water - the Fountain of Youth

Drink Water!! Go for 80 oz. per day. Sounds like alot? 80 oz. is ten 8 oz. glasses. Break it down - 2 glasses 5 times. Set your watch alarm - 1 glass every hour for ten hours. Do you really want good health? Your actions always show your real intention.

1. Drink Water - Release Weight.
Water is an essential nutrient. In fact in adult men, about 60% of their bodies are water. In adult women, fat makes up more of the body than men, so they have about 55% of their bodies made of water. Water is needed to flush out the by-products of fat breakdown. When there isn’t enough water to dilute the body’s waste products, kidney stones may form. When the kidneys aren’t working to their full potential, the liver must step in and help. Once this happens the liver can’t optimally perform its other important functions. As a result, burning fat has to wait.


2. Drink Water - Feel better
In many cases, fatigue, headaches and back pain may be caused by dehydration. If you suffer from an afternoon nod off, try drinking more water at lunch. If your children complain of tummy aches and poor digestion the amount of water they’re drinking could be responsible. Muscle spasms can also be caused by not being adequately hydrated.

3. Drinking Water - Reduce Hunger
Experts say that hunger pangs are often misinterpreted cravings for water. Try drinking water before your regular meals and see if it helps you cut down on the amount of food you eat. It really works as an effective appetite suppressant. Avoid counting tea, coffee, sodas and juices in your fluid intake. Coffee and tea contain caffeine which has a diuretic effect and makes you lose water. Sodas and juices are too sweet—because the body must dilute them, they cause more dehydration.

4. Drink Water - Look Younger
When the skin is properly hydrated, it looks plump and more radiant. Water will keep the toxins flushed out and help you to cool off through perspiration. Muscles need to have enough water to make them look full too. Deprive yourself of water and you’ll see the difference in the mirror.

Test it Yourself - Bottom's Up. Let me know the results.