May 19, 2012

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Travel Safely with A Pet

March 31, 2012 By Leave a Comment

Pet Travel Tips – How to best travel with a dog or cat.

The travel season is approaching and most of us wish Fido or Fluffy could come along on our vacation. Besides, kennels can get expensive! Traveling with your pet can be safe, if you take the proper precautions, says Robert L. Ridgway, DVM.

Remember these three rules to traveling with a pet: Prepare, start without treatment, treat as needed along the way.

1.  Prepare your pet for travel by starting with short trips in the car so the animal gets used to the movement.

Many pets will tolerate trips in a car or a plane just fine. Help your pet prepare for your travel well ahead of time by letting him in the car with you (properly restrained for your safety and his) on short trips around the neighborhood or to the drive-thru bank teller or ATM.

Just remember:...


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Filed Under: Natural Pet Health, April 2012, Slideshow, Special Feature Tagged With: , , , ,

Life After Detox

September 1, 2011 By Leave a Comment

So, you have just been through detoxification program. The first few days were tough. Maybe you even had headaches and stomach pangs, but you stuck it out. Then your body began to adjust and you found yourself feeling more alert, more energetic and you probably lost some weight.

You felt really good about your ability to stay the course.  As you moved toward the end of the program, you not only recommended a detox to your friends and family, but you also grew confident that you could change what you eat, how you eat and how much you eat.

Then, life’s daily pressures and responsibilities began to interfere and you found yourself returning to the same old ways. You started consuming lots of the foods that harm – the processed simple carbohydrates and added sugars, the bad fats and excessive amounts of protein – without enjoying enough of the vegetables, fruits and whole grains that deliver the thousands of micronutrients that support human health.

Why Detox?

Detoxification proponents assert that a short-term, very restricted, very low calorie diet eliminates the toxins that build up in your system over time. Clear out the toxins, so the theory goes, and you will find that all your biologic systems function better. Unfortunately, the science supporting any long terms benefits of a detoxification is mixed, at best.

Other programs, however, view the detoxification as the bridge to a healthier lifestyle. People moving through a detoxification program may break their cravings for sugar and fats. Others find their taste for salt is altered and use significantly less salt for the same taste satisfaction.  A detox may also build a liking for high nutrient vegetables and fruits — raw, juiced or cooked.

Here is where the science is absolutely clear....


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Filed Under: Detoxification, September 2011, Slideshow, Special Feature, The 7 Rungs of the Health & Wellness Ladder Tagged With: , , , , , ,

It’s Time to Learn the Difference

July 1, 2011 By Leave a Comment

IT’S 2002 ALL OVER AGAIN, and women are being warned against taking hormone replacement therapy (HRT) because of its link to breast cancer. Why is history repeating itself? Because we haven’t learned an important lesson. Synthetic progestins are not the same as progesterone, and reporting on them as if they confer the same risks and benefits is absurd.

A study in the New England Journal of Medicine dated February 5, 2009, concluded that hormone therapy doubles the risk of breast cancer. Specifically, women past menopause who take both estrogen and progestin (such as in the form of Prempro) for five years or more have twice the risk of developing breast cancer. When these same women stopped their combination hormone formula, the number of breast cancer incidents dropped by about 28 percent within the first year.

This study is a follow-up to the landmark Women’s Health Initiative that studied more than 15,000 women between the ages of 50 and 79 who were taking HRT. In 2002, the study was stopped when researchers concluded that Prempro caused higher incidents of heart problems and breast cancer. Interestingly, the number of breast cancer cases dropped significantly since 2003. Dr. Rowan Chlebowski, a medical oncologist at Los Angeles Biomedical Research Institute at Harbor-UCLA Medical Center, wanted to know why. So he assembled a team of researchers to determine if it was due to women halting their HRT or to more vigilant mammography practices.

It’s related to HRT use; getting regular mammograms didn’t affect the numbers at all. But it’s not related to all hormone therapy! The women who took only estrogen (usually in the form of Premarin) without the progestin were no more likely to develop breast cancer than women who took no hormones at all. (Progesterone lowers the risk of uterine cancer. Women without a uterus aren’t typically given a progestin.) This means the synthetic progestin is the likely culprit.

Flashback to 2002. Women around the world stopped HRT cold turkey, causing many to feel unhealthy. Why? Because many healthcare providers and researchers didn’t know or appreciate the difference between a synthetic progestin and progesterone, which is a bioidentical hormone. (For more information on bioidentical hormones, read “The ABCs of HRT” in the Women’s Wisdom Circle.) Progesterone matches a woman’s body exactly and has been shown to ease mood, sleep, and cycle-related issues. Progesterone supplementation has another unique advantage—it can be converted to other hormones, such as testosterone and DHEA, if needed. Synthetic progestin is an altogether different substance known to actually exacerbate perimenopausal and post-menopausal symptoms—in addition to increasing your risk of breast cancer, heart disease, and stroke.

It’s hard to believe that seven years have passed and yet the difference between synthetic progestins and progesterone is not widely understood. Dr. Northrup has been doing her best to educate women across the U.S. and the world and has recently appeared on TV, radio, and webcasts to share her knowledge. (To learn more click here.) She encourages all women to learn about all the options for hormone therapy available today, particularly those involving bioidentical hormones. Dr. Northrup also hopes that all women will look with a critical eye at mainstream news about HRT, especially the news that’s sensationalized. As is the case with the study described above, there’s more to the story than meets the eye.

 

Christiane Northrup, M.D. is a visionary pioneer and beloved authority in the field of women’s health and wellness. A board-certified OB/GYN physician, Dr. Northrup was also an assistant clinical professor for 20 years. Recognizing the unity of body, mind, and spirit, Dr. Northrup helps empower women to tune in to their innate inner wisdom to transform their health and truly flourish. Dr. Northrup is the author of Women’s Bodies, Women’s Wisdom, The Wisdom of Menopause and The Secret Pleasures of Menopause. She has also hosted six highly successfully public television specials. Her work has been featured on the Oprah Winfrey Show, the Today Show, NBC Nightly News, The View, the Rachael Ray Show, Good Morning America, and ABC’s 20/20.  Visit http://www.drnorthrup.com/ for more details.

 

 

Filed Under: Menopause, July 2011, Special Feature Tagged With: , , , , , ,

Managing Heart Risk After Menopause

July 1, 2011 By Leave a Comment

The Heart Risk Challenge to Women

Heart attacks are sometimes thought of as man’s disease. Nothing could be further from the truth. Women are equally at risk: heart attacks remain the leading cause of death among American women. Over 300,000 women will die of heart disease this year.

This is just the beginning of the challenge.

Most heart attacks are the result of cardiovascular diseases that affect the heath of the arteries. Diseased arteries are the cause of strokes — over 100,000 American women will die of stroke this year. It also is the cause of congestive heart failure, peripheral arteries disease and vascular dementia.   The restricted flow of blood also has been associated with weaker bones as we age.

So, why is heart disease still thought of as a man’s disease?

Menopause “Changes”

Perhaps it is because heart attacks strike more men earlier in life. The female hormone, in fact, protects the arteries delaying the onset of heart disease. After menopause, women find themselves at increasing risk for cardiovascular disease.  Moving through their sixties, women and men of the same age are about at equal risk for a heart attack or stroke.

Researchers are not sure as to how the female hormones protect the heart. One thing is clear: high-density lipoproteins, the good cholesterol, drop after menopause. Similarly, low-density lipoproteins – the artery damaging cholesterol – have been found to rise through menopause.

As the good cholesterol falls and the bad cholesterol rises, doctors will to seek to address the growing risk for heart disease. You may already know the recommendations – eat healthier, exercise more, loss some weight, stop smoking and if these measure fail to bring your blood cholesterol numbers to acceptable levels, you will likely be prescribed a cholesterol lowering medications.

But, should you be wait until your cholesterol level rises after menopause to act? Absolutely not!

New Cholesterol Equation for Success

While the risk of a heart attack or a stroke rises quickly after menopause, the underlying health of your arteries is partially defined earlier in life. Women who are concerned about their bone health know this story. After menopause, bone density drops. To prevent the weakening of the bone to the extent that it causes osteoporosis, younger women are encouraged to build bone density. Bone density is built throughout the teen years into their twenties. After that, women are encouraged to preserve this density through the right diet and the right types of exercise.

The same thinking should apply to arterial health. Cholesterol can start to do its damage in early adolescence and sometimes during childhood. By our fifties and sixties, we simply have given the process enough time to reach concerning levels.

Mayo-clinic trained cardiologist, Dr Richard Collins suggests that to prevent heart disease, your total cholesterol needs to be “100 plus your age.” Think about this. Dr Collins is suggesting a stricter standard for cholesterol when you are younger. Many doctors and most patients think differently. They are looking reduce target cholesterol levels as a woman ages.

“Cholesterol is a challenge associated not with growing old,” says Dr Collins, “It is a problem of living long with elevated levels. We need to be more mindful of bringing these levels into line earlier before we give them the time to do their damage.”

If you are already have gone through menopause, there is still much you can do.  Researchers like Dr. Collins, Dr. Dean Ornish of Preventive Medicine Research Institute and Dr. Caldwell Esselstyn of the Cleveland Clinic have shown how a structured plant-based diet can reverse the damage done to the arteries.

Studies on the Mediterranean diet and Asian diets also have shown how delicious styles of eating can support significant and measurable improvements in not only cholesterol levels, but also in blood pressure, blood sugar and inflammatory levels, especially in menopausal women.

Start acting now. To learn more about delicious, heart healthy nutrition read Dr. Collins, latest book, The Kardea Gourmet: Smart & Delicious Eating for a Healthy Heart.

 

 

Filed Under: Menopause, July 2011, Special Feature Tagged With: , , , , , , , ,

Osteoporosis: Breaking Your Chances

June 1, 2011 By 1 Comment

Fractures by Flickr nicolemalena88

Osteoporosis is becoming nothing short of an epidemic.  Nearly 10 million Americans have osteoporosis and another 18 million are at high risk of developing it.  Here’s a scary statistic: Women over the age of 50 have a one in two chance of an osteoporosis related fracture! These numbers are expected to continue to climb unless we really begin to actively treat and prevent bone loss.

Big Pharma is taking in major profits from osteoporosis.  Drugs like Fosamax and Boniva are recommended for treatment.  The problem is that these drugs don’t truly help, but rather increase your risk of a fracture.  They also have a whole list of other bad side effects.  Some Fosamax and Boniva users are dealing with gastrointestinal issues including esophageal cancer, skin rashes and even joint pain.  These drugs work by killing cells in your bone.  Although the result of using these drugs is denser, bigger bone, it is not stronger bone.  Because the bones are still weak, fractures, including hip fractures, have been occurring among those using these supposed bone-building drugs.

Two Kinds of Osteoporosis

Osteoporosis is a debilitating condition in which bone density decreases to the point that it causes weak, porous, and fragile bones.  People who have osteoporosis have a high risk of bone breaks and fractures.  Although most people are familiar with osteoporosis, they may not realize that there are two forms.

The two types of Osteoporosis are:

  • Type I or Primary Osteoporosis
    This type comes on very suddenly in postmenopausal women because of the rapid drop in estrogen levels.  This lack of estrogen causes calcium depletion in the bone.  Type I largely affects the bone inside the vertebrae.
  • Type II or Secondary Osteoporosis
    This type is age related and occurs in everyone to some degree.  As we age, there can become an imbalance in the two bone-recycling processes resulting in weaker more fragile bone.  Type II can affect nearly any bone in the body.  It can also have several other causes including:
  1. Diseases of the endocrine system like hyperthyroidism
  2. Digestive diseases like Crohn’s
  3. Vitamin D deficiency
  4. Poor nutrition
  5. Use of corticosteroids like Prednisone

Healthy Eating for Bone Building

I always say the prevention is the best treatment.  Thankfully, osteoporosis has many natural options for prevention and treatment.  The first and most important is good nutrition.  Most people focus on the consumption of dairy for calcium.  Although there is some truth to this, there are many other minerals and components that contribute to the formation of bone.

  • Amino Acids: Amino Acids are an integral part of bone density and important part of the bone matrix.  The best source of amino acids is quality protein like organic or free range chicken and eggs, pasture raised beef and whey protein powder.
  • Magnesium: Magnesium is extremely important in the formation of bone.  Without adequate magnesium, calcium won’t be incorporated into your bones.  This leads to excess calcium in your soft tissues instead of your bones. Raw almonds are a great source of magnesium to incorporate into your diet.
  • Phosphorus: Phosphorus shares space with calcium in your bones and is important for bone strength.  Some great foods for phosphorus are quality meats, raw nuts, legumes and organic peanut butter.
  • Trace Minerals: Your bones are comprised of over 12 minerals.  A great source of trace minerals is Himalayan Sea Salt.  It is pink in color and packed with trace minerals including natural sodium, which is also needed by our bones.  This type of salt does not affect blood pressure.

  • Calcium: We all know that calcium is important for healthy bones, but without the other minerals, it isn’t properly utilized.  It is important to make sure we get the other nutrients we need with our calcium.  Raw and organic milk products are a great source, as well as green vegetables such as kale and broccoli.

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The best sources of vitamin K2 is found in fermented foods like sauerkraut, fermented cheeses and dairy foods like grass fed butter, and organ meats.

  • Vitamin K2: Vitamin K plays an important role in bone metabolism and healthy bone growth.  K2 has been found to be connected more to bone formation than K1.  K2 is found in curded dairy like cottage cheese.

Which Calcium Should I Take?

Having worked in natural health industry for years, I’ve constantly heard the question, “Which calcium should I take?”  This is indeed a very important question because there are many forms of calcium on the market today.  Each form of calcium absorbs differently.  I’ll go over three common forms, including my favorite.

  • Calcium Carbonate: This is the most common and cheapest form of calcium.  It has a large percentage of elemental calcium, but it is very hard to absorb.  This form of calcium is in over the counter antacids.  I do not recommend calcium carbonate for bone building.
  • Calcium Citrate: This form of calcium is very easy to absorb, but has a lower amounts of elemental calcium. Calcium Citrate is my second choice and is a great option for vegetarians.
  • Calcium Hydroxyapatite: This calcium comes from young bovine bone that is not processed with heat or chemicals.  It naturally contains calcium and phosphorus in the exact ratios formed by our body’s bone.  It is one of the most absorbable forms of calcium and also naturally contains Potassium, Magnesium, Boron, Zinc, Silica, and Chromium.

Calcium Hydroxyapatite, or MCHC, is in my opinion, the superior source of calcium for bone loss treatment and fracture prevention.  It has become quite popular and is in many formulas including my favorite, Bone Up by Jarrow Formulas.

Also, I want to mention stomach acid plays an important role in calcium absorption.  As we age our stomach acid begins to decline.  Without adequate stomach acid, the calcium supplement cannot be broken down and absorbed correctly.  Taking an enzyme formula containing Betaine Hydrochloride can help increase stomach acid, aiding in digestion and therefore the absorption of your calcium supplement.

Beyond Just Calcium

Strong bones need much more than just calcium.  There are many other important vitamins and minerals that contribute to healthy bone formation. Sometimes, no matter how hard we try to eat correctly, we still may be lacking the nutrients we need.  This is when we want to consider supplementing.  Supplements should never take the place of eating healthy, but should be added to a healthy diet. Fat-soluble vitamins like vitamin K2 and vitamin D are harder to incorporate into our diet, so supplementation may be necessary.

  • Vitamin D is crucial in calcium absorption.  Although we can get all the free vitamin D we want from sunshine, most of us aren’t able to do this year round.  5,000-6,000 IU a day is what doctors are beginning to recommend to healthy adults who aren’t getting adequate sun exposure.  Most calcium supplements only contain 400 IU of  vitamin D, so one may need additional supplementation.
  • Vitamin K2 acts like the glue for plugging calcium into the bone.  It is much harder to get K2 in food as it is only present in a couple food sources like cottage cheese and natto.  Supplementing vitamin K2 is very important.
  • Magnesium is the most important mineral involved in calcium uptake.  We have sadly become a magnesium deficient society.  Its richest source, almonds, have been avoided because of their fat content.  Nutritionists and doctors are now recommending at least 1000 mg a day to build back up your magnesium stores.  Some even recommend a 2:1 ratio of magnesium to calcium for one month and then back down to a 1:1 ration of magnesium to calcium for maintenance.  Adding additional magnesium can also help with muscle spasms, tachycardia, edginess, constipation and menopausal symptoms.

    Magnesium Rich Nuts and Vegetables for Osteoporosis

  • Strontium has amazing bone building properties.  This trace mineral works so well it is actually prescribed and treated as a drug in Europe.  Strontium has shown in studies to reduce fractures by 49% and increase bone density formation by 142%!  This incredible supplement is a secret weapon for those who have severe bone loss.  340 mg a day is recommended for those with minimal bone loss, but those with severe bone loss can supplement 680 mg a day.  It is very important to take this at least an hour after calcium because strontium will compete for absorption.
  • Silica is an essential trace mineral found in our bones, skin, hair and nails.  This mineral is used widely used for bone less throughout Europe, as well.  Silica is a major building block of collagen and has been found to increase calcium absorption by an average of 50%!  It promotes more flexible ligaments and tendons and increases the natural cushioning in our joints. Silica also decreases wrinkles, which is always a plus. The most absorbable from of silica extracted from the herb Horsetail.

Hormone Therapy for Osteoporosis

Although some doctors are still using Hormone Replacement Therapy (HRT) for osteoporosis prevention, I find it much too risky.  These HRT drugs are synthetic hormones and have been linked to cancer, primarily breast cancer.  There are natural alternatives becoming more readily available.

Some doctors and nurse practioners are now offering Bio-Identical Hormone Replacement Therapy.  These are not synthetic hormones and are much safer than regular HRT drugs.  Look for a Natural Practitioner or Compound Pharmacy in your area for more information on Bio-Identical Hormones.

Some people have begun supplementing with DHEA for hormone balance.  It is still important to have your hormones closely monitored when taking this supplement.  I usually recommend Pregnenolone at a very small dose of only 5-10 mg a day instead of DHEA.  It has the same benefits of DHEA with fewer side effects.

Exercise for Strong Bones

Healthy bones make for a healthy future and building healthy bones can be as simple as exercise!  Exercising is the number one way to build and maintain bone density. Doing some sort of weight bearing exercise at least 3 times a week builds bone density.

Weight bearing exercises cause your body to work against gravity.   Weight lifting, stair climbing, hiking, and walking are all great examples.  The force of muscles pulling on the bone stimulates bone formation.  Start out slowing using low weight like 1-5lbs dumbbells and always remember to stretch before and after your workout to prevent injury.  Using a personal trainer is a great way to motivate yourself and to learn how to exercise safely and correctly.

Not only is exercising virtually cost free, you are also strengthening your cardiovascular system, create strong bones, building lean muscle, and burning fat!

Cracking the Osteoporosis Code

Although the numbers may seem stacked against you, there are always natural ways to avoid becoming a statistic of bone loss. Healthy eating, exercise, and the right supplements can be the very combination you need to unlock your body’s potential to prevent and reverse osteoporosis.

Amanda Box is a Doctor of Naturopathy and a graduate of Clayton College of Natural Health. She’s been in the health and wellness industry for over 10 years and currently has a Naturopathic consulting practice in Sioux Falls, SD.  Her passion is helping others achieve wellness of the whole person – mind, body, and spirit. If you don’t have a good local naturopathic doctor to turn to for your personal needs, Dr. Amanda does phone consultations! She can help you with weight loss, detox/cleansing, acute and chronic illnesses, skin and body care, grocery shopping, pantry overhauls, and more! Visit her blog “My Life in a Healthnut Shell” at http://amandabox.blogspot.com/ for contact info.

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Filed Under: Osteoporosis, June 2011, Slideshow, Special Feature Tagged With: , , , , , , , , , , , ,

Healthy Holiday Eating

December 1, 2010 By Leave a Comment

During this Holiday season we decided to put together some eating tips for alternating recipes and ways to avoid the calorie laden dishes served at every holiday party or meal. These tips should not only get you through the rest of the Holiday season, but they will also serve you well at any social event or dinner party into next year.

Gratefully, there are some very easy ways to revamp your recipes and dinner party strategies so you can make better eating habits.

Healthy Holiday Eating Recipe Tips

  1. Use the lower, healthier fat versions of cream cheese and sour cream.
  2. Instead of half-and-half, use 1% or skim milk and plain, fat-free yogurt can take the place of a whipped topping on a dessert.
    Note about yogurt: some fat-free versions have more added sugar to make up the taste, so read labels.
  3. A tip for baking: Use puréed fruits instead of oil for cakes, muffins or cookies. For example, if a cake recipe requires ½ cup of vegetable oil, use ½ cup of applesauce instead.  You’d be surprised that you get the same flavor, moisture and texture.  For those watching their cholesterol, two egg whites or ¼ cup of egg substitute can replace one whole egg.

Healthy Eating Tips for Holiday Cooking

It’s estimated that the average holiday “meal” contains 3,000 calories – more than most people should eat in an entire day. So, how can you enjoy a tasty tradition without ending up in a calorie coma?

Follow these guidelines:...


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Filed Under: Healthy Recipes & Eating Ideas, Recipes, Shingles, December 2010, Slideshow, Special Feature Tagged With: , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

Holiday Eating Tips

November 1, 2010 By Leave a Comment

It’s that time of year again – holiday season! Here’s something to look forward to: between Turkey day and the New Year the average person will gain between 7 and 10 pounds. The good news is that you can avoid these additional pounds with a little know how.

For most of us the holiday pounds start with Thanksgiving dinner. Did you know that the average person consumes around 3,500 calories on this day alone? Yikes. That equals one pound in extra calories – not to mention the leftovers you will be eating days afterward. Take these tips and make Thanksgiving a guilt free day this year:

Tip #1: Take 2 steps to start your day right.

Step One: Eat breakfast. You see, most people skip breakfast on Turkey day in order to ‘save room’ for the feast – maybe you have done this yourself. When you eat a healthy breakfast that is high in both fiber and protein two great things happen.

Your metabolism is started early in the day, thus catapulting you into full fledged calorie burning mode. This will come in handy later in the day.

You won’t be famished when you sit down for dinner, so you will have less room to binge. (This means fewer calories land on your waist.)

Step Two: Exercise for 30-60 minutes. I know exercise is the last thing on your mind on a busy holiday, however it is worth your effort. You will negate some of the extra holiday calories and your metabolism will climb even higher.

Tip #2: Lighten the menu.

If you’re in charge of the menu this year then you are in luck. As chef you can make a few modifications to the meal that will drastically reduce the fat and calorie intake of each guest. Do the following to lighten your feast:

  • Instead of cream-based dip for your veggie platter, use dip made from nonfat yogurt or nonfat sour cream.
  • Replace traditional stuffing with an assortment of chopped vegetables. Fill your turkey with mushrooms, eggplant, onions and celery. Or, replace half of your traditional stuffing with chopped vegetables.
  • Flavor your mashed potatoes with roasted garlic instead of butter. Or serve baked sweet potatoes instead of butter laden mashed potatoes.
  • Roast vegetables without oil – use cooking spray instead and toss them with dill.
  • Use unsweetened apple sauce or pureed plums instead of butter or oil in dessert recipes.
  • Put out an assortment of fruit for dessert instead of pies.
  • Make the recipe for Low Fat Thanksgiving Green Bean Casserole below.

Tip #3: Use strategy.

Traditional Thanksgiving food items weren’t all created equal – nutritionally that is. Roasted white turkey meat (without skin) is a great source of lean protein. Vegetable dishes (without added fats) are also very healthy.

On the other hand, buttery mashed potatoes, white bread rolls, cream based dishes, and heavy gravy are all packed with fat and calories.

Fill your stomach with the healthy items first – white turkey meat and plenty of vegetables. Then simply ‘sample’ the less healthy items in small portions. This simple strategy will save you tons of extra calories and it won’t leave you feeling cheated.

Tip #4: Pace yourself.

Most people get into trouble at Thanksgiving dinner by eating full speed ahead until they finally realize that they are full (after their second and third helping). The trouble with this method is the lag time in communication between your stomach and brain.

You see, you may have satiated your hunger with the first helping, but it takes a little while for your stomach to communicate that message to your brain. And during that lag time you took the opportunity to your second and third plate of food.

This year sit calmly in your chair after that first plate and wait at least 20 minutes before getting seconds. You will be surprised to find that the thought of more food doesn’t sound good anymore – and you will have saved yourself unnecessary weight gain.

Well, there you have it: four tips that will get you off to a fit and healthy holiday season.  From breakfast to dessert recipes you can lighten your Thanksgiving feast with turkey protein and vegetables dishes to limit your calories.

Low Fat Green Bean Casserole Recipe

Ingredients:

One can (10-3/4 ounces) reduced-fat cream of mushroom soup
1/2 cup fat-free sour cream
1/4 cup fat-free milk
1-1/4 pounds green beans, cut into 1-1/2-inch pieces, cooked until crisp-tender
1/2 cup canned French-fried onions

Directions:
Mix soup, sour cream, and milk in 2-quart casserole; stir in beans. Bake, uncovered, at 350-degrees until mixture is bubbly, about 45 minutes. Sprinkle onions on top during last five minutes of baking time. Recipe makes six servings.

Nutrients per serving:
Calories: 81
Total fat: 2.9g
Cholesterol: 1.3mg
Sodium: 172mg
Carbohydrate: 11.6g
Protein: 3g
Diabetic Exchanges:  2 Vegetable, 1/2 Fat


Nordine Zouareg is a former Mr. Universe, an International Fitness Coach, Speaker and Author of the book Mind Over Body: The Key to Lasting Weight Loss is All in Your Head! He offers world-class advice on health and fitness, inner balance and stress management, and achieving one’s full potential the inner keys to extraordinary performance. An inspiring message of hope and achievement, based on his own extraordinary story. For more information, visit: www.NordineZ.com.
Filed Under: Alzheimer's Disease, November 2010, Special Feature, Weight Control, Exercise & Fitness Tips Tagged With: , , , , , , , , , , ,

The Natural Way to Melt Belly Fat

May 30, 2010 By 1 Comment

It seems like everywhere you look there are people making outrageous claims about some new miracle pill or dangerous diet that can help you fight the battle of the bulge.

If you are tired of all the gimmicks and are looking for an ”all natural” way to burn fat; then please read this whole message.

Most don’t work, and the ones that do get you results are usually dangerous.

Who wants to ingest a bunch of synthetic chemicals made in a lab anyway?

But, it sure would nice if there was something safe, natural and effective for melting off stubborn belly fat.

Well, recently, a quote from a very well known celebrity doctor caught my eye:

“…You’d lose up to 10 pounds in 4-6 weeks doing nothing but taking green tea. Green tea increases your daily fat burning rate by 43%.” ~ Dr. Nicholas Perricone, MD, FACN

Now, that sounds like something I could get behind: Replace my morning coffee with green tea and watch the pounds fall off and burn fat!

But, before you load up on green tea, there are a couple of things you should know.

First, there is actually another kind of tea that works better than green tea. In fact, it burns 220% more calories than green tea.* Not bad!

The name of this type of tea is called Oolong, and it had been used in China as a natural weight loss and health remedy for hundreds of years.

Now, before you go out and buy Oolong tea, you must know that all Oolong is not created equal.  In fact, far from it.

It turns out that there is a very special strand of Oolong called Wu-Long that is grown in the WuYi mountains at a very high altitude. Because of the high altitude, the yield is lower on the actual plants. But, what this does is concentrate the polyphenol content of the tea (the part that burns fat), so that…

Each cup of this special Oolong tea burns over 2.5 times more fat than any other strand of Oolong.

This means it would take 5 cups of any other type of Oolong to equal two cups of Wu-Long!!

This is why this is the only strand of Oolong considered “medical grade” in China.

There is only one way to get this tea outside of going to China yourself, and that is through a company called Okuma. They have exclusive marketing rights to sell this tea outside of China. So, anyone else claiming that they supply this tea is simply not being accurate with the truth.

They have been in business for a long time, and were actually mentioned by name by Bill Phillips of Body For Life Fame and on the Rachael Ray show.

Here’s how you can get some for yourself.

Recently, I made contact with Okuma because I wanted some of this stuff and I knew my readers would be as excited as I am.

They are pretty good folks. (They actually sent our office about 3 months worth and we are all pretty much off coffee now, except for on the days when it is absolutely necessary.)

Anyway, they have a bunch of different packages. It is up to you if you want to give it a try.

I think it is a no brainer.

http://bit.ly/ar7TwP

The other health benefits of this tea are too numerous to list. But, a big one is that it can dramatically increase the quality of your skin tone. Check out what this person had to say:

“I was really concerned that Wu-Long would not work for me because I was already a healthy weight. I have used Wu-Long for just 3 weeks now and have lost 10.5 lbs, 2 inches in my waist and 2 inches in my thighs and hips. Also, my skin has a nice glow that I haven’t seen in a while. I am completely satisfied with my results and would recommend the tea to anyone.” ~ Patricia Barnes

http://bit.ly/ar7TwP

*Komatsu T, Nakamori M, Komatsu K, Hosoda K, Okamura M, Toyama K, Ishikura Y, Sakai T,
 Kunii D, Yamamoto S (2003). Oolong tea increases energy metabolism in Japanese females.
The journal of medical investigation : JMI. 2003 Aug;50(3-4):170-5.
Filed Under: Product Review & Recommendation, Recommendation, Special Feature, Weight Loss, May 2010 Tagged With: , , , , ,

Hen-Pecking

May 17, 2010 By Leave a Comment

Join the locavore movement and respond to the demand for farm-fresh eggs.

Dampness soaks through my boots as I traipse through thick, wet grass on my way to the laying hens at 6 am on Saturday morning. I lift the back flap to their mobile coop, which gives me direct rear-end access to their nests. An indignant Barred Rock sounds her shock and disapproval, leaping off her perch as though I’ve caught her with her skirts hitched high in an outhouse. An annoyed black Sexlink utters a low cackling warning growl as I reach under her, pull out the warm result of her morning effort, and dodge her pecks. I am there in violation of visiting hours. Egg gathering is a legal activity any time after 3pm, permissible in exchange for a little feed to be thrown down for the girls to peck and scratch while I visit each nest. A 6 am intrusion is just plain rude.

I have no choice. Crumpled in my back pocket is a list of advance egg orders that I am trying to fill for the morning farmers market. For many years, Bob and I have carried nine to twelve dozen eggs to the market every Saturday morning from mid-May through Mid-October. We have a little space at our booth where we have always displayed the boxes. Most days they would sell out by noon; occasionally they would linger until the end of the day, and we’d pass a leftover dozen on to the guy next to us who sells maple syrup. These days, that display space remains vacant. For a period of time, egg lovers would begin hitting our stall before the market even opened, pleading with us to make the sale before we’d finished setting up for business. They would be followed by the on-time crowd, some of who would be angry that we had served the folks who didn’t obey the market’s operating hours. Once we observed customers elbowing and pushing their way to the egg display, we switched to the pre-order system.

Each week, I send an email to about three hundred subscribing customers. It is like waving a checkered flag, signaling that I am ready to accept advance orders on our products. As each reply comes in I make a list, noting the date and time of every advance order, adopting a first-come, first serve policy. All eggs remain hidden in a cooler below our sale table, and they are handed out quietly to the lucky winners.

Our market manager carefully juries and monitors all the products sold by vendors in an effort to ensure ample diversity, high quality, and minimal replication. But, eggs have always been the exception. Any farmer who wants to bring his or her eggs to the market is welcome. Market-goers love them. The reasons are obvious.

Farm fresh eggs, especially from hens allowed to forage freely, are ablaze with color. The bright yolks stand erect and well-rounded, surrounded by a strong membrane that makes them...


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Filed Under: Inflammation, June 2010, Radical Homemakers, Special Feature Tagged With: , , ,

21st Century Diets: Why Yours Doesn't Work and What to Do About It

May 1, 2010 By Leave a Comment

Shrink Your Waistline, Look Better and Feel Younger the Natural Way

You’ve heard of Hydroxycut…the Acai Miracle…Sonoma Diet…Medifast…Green Tea Diet Pills – the list goes on and on. It’s probably not going to stop any time soon. In fact, you can bet that more and more of these 21st Century “miracle diets and diet pills” will continue to hit the market as time passes. Why?

Because as a nation, we’re obsessed with our weight. We all want to look good, feel good and have more energy. That’s what these diets promise and more. Of course, they do work for some dieters, but what happens when they fail to deliver for you? There are also the dangers of fad diets to consider, including malnutrition and possible harmful physical reactions to diet pills. Plus, what happens when you don’t see the results you’re after and move on to the next strategy, hoping for the near instant gratification they advertise? You may be tempted to give up altogether out of sheer frustration and turn to comfort foods for solace.

But, before you tear into a greasy, bun-soaking cheeseburger or chomp down on that fatty, chicken-fried steak, please consider a diet that really works.

You’re about to discover a healthy way to diet that actually works

Here, you won’t find Dan Marino pushing Nutrisystem…or Valerie Bertinelli telling you to spend $500.00 a month on “Jenny Food” (which doesn’t even include shipping, thank you very much).

Not at all. We at Home Cures That Work have a better solution; one that won’t drain your wallet and WILL leave you slimmer, energized, and feeling great about the way you look. This solution may not be what you expected, but stick with us. You’re about to find out how to finally win the diet game.

First, you know you need protein. Protein supplies us with the essential amino acids our bodies can’t produce alone. Protein is the building block of healthy skin, hair, nails, muscles, and fortifies a strong immune system. Anti-bodies made up of protein rush to our defense and fight disease.

The Atkins and South Beach diets are built upon weight loss from high animal protein and low carb intake. Unfortunately, many followers of these diets fail to realize the importance of eating vegetables.

The fact is you can get plenty of protein from eating healthy, live foods as opposed to...


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Filed Under: Special Feature, Weight Loss, May 2010 Tagged With: , , , , , , , ,
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