Make Sure Food is REALLY Good for You July 28, 2009

I am pretty sure you are safer eating the dirt real carrots are grown in.

The following is information from a farmer who grows and packages carrots for IGA, METRO, LOBLAWS, etc The small cocktail (baby) carrots you buy in small plastic bags are made using the
larger crooked or deformed carrots which are put through a machine which
cuts and shapes them into cocktail carrots – most people probably know
this already. What you may not know and should know is the following:

Once the carrots are cut and
shaped into cocktail carrots they are dipped in a solution of water and
chlorine in order to preserve them. (this is the same chlorine used in
your pool). Since they do not have their skin or natural protective covering, they give them a higher dose of chlorine. You will notice that once you keep these carrots in your refrigerator for a few days, a white
covering will form on the carrots. This is the chlorine which resurfaces. At what cost do we put our health at risk to have esthetically pleasing vegetables?

Chlorine is a very well-known carcinogen, which causes Cancer.. I thought this was worth
passing on. Pass it on to as many people as possible in hopes of informing them where these carrots come from and how they are processed.
I used to buy those baby carrots for vegetable dips. Not any more…
Confirmed by
Snopes

We are Exempt July 23, 2009

I would ordinarily not do this but, I think our healthcare is our business and so is the Government. Please take a moment and comment your thoughts.     

I believe that our three branches of Government are required to do whatever they ask us to do; otherwise why do WE pay them? They are no longer leaders, but dictators.

FINALLY…THE $50,000 QUESTION WAS ASKED!!!!!…..YESTERDAY ON THE
>      \”ABC..OBAMA SPECIAL ON HEALTH CARE”…….OBAMA WAS ASKED, “MR.
>      PRESIDENT WILL YOU AND YOUR FAMILY GIVE UP YOUR CURRENT HEALTH CARE
>      PROGRAM AND JOIN THE NEW “UNIVERSAL HEALTH CARE PROGRAM” THAT THE
>      REST OF US WILL BE ON ????…..OBAMA IGNORED THE QUESTION AND DIDN’T
>      ANSWER IT!!!…..A NUMBER OF SENATORS WERE ASKED THE SAME QUESTION
>      AND THEIR RESPONSE WAS…WE WILL THINK ABOUT IT!!!!
>        IT WAS ALSO ANNOUNCED TODAY ON THE NEWS THAT THE “KENNEDY HEALTH
>      CARE BILL”….HAS WRITTEN INTO IT THAT CONGRESS WILL BE (FROM THIS
>      GREAT HEALTH CARE PLAN)… .EXEMPT!!!!!
>        HOW ABOUT THOSE APPLES…..NOT GOOD ENOUGH FOR OBAMA OR
>      CONGRESS……BUT “OK” FOR THE REST OF US????????
>  WE….THE AMERICANS NEED TO STOP THIS …ASAP!!!!….AND REVOLT…THIS IS
> WRONG!!!!!
>        IF YOU AGREE PLEASE PASS THIS ON….AND “REVOLT”!!! IF NOT PLAN TO
>      SUFFER (WITH THE OBAMA HEALTH CARE PLAN) WHILE OUR POLITICIANS TAKE
>      CARE OF THEMSELVES……………….
>

Ten Main Causes of Disease and Dysfunction July 21, 2009

By Dr. Ben Kim on June 01, 2008 Natural Health Solutions

During and after an intense, full body cleanse, you can expect to feel refreshed, like your body has become younger and lighter. To experience the greatest possible benefits during your intense cleanse, it’s important that you minimize your exposure to endogenous and exogenous toxins.

Minimizing your exposure to endogenous toxins is relatively simple – you just need to follow the full body cleanse diet, chew your foods well, and do your best not to overeat. This combination of actions will minimize production of toxins in your digestive tract and within your cells.

What follows is a list of suggestions on how to minimize your exposure to exogenous toxins:

Minimize use of cosmetics – it’s best to use none at all during an intense cleansing period. It’s most important to avoid use of cosmetics around your mouth to prevent accidental ingestion of chemicals found in many cosmetic products.

Minimize use of moisturizer and chapstick / lip balm. If you must use something on your skin and lips, consider using a small amount of coconut oil.

Try not to use deodorants, antiperspirants, or perfumes/colognes.

Use the smallest amount of shampoo possible, and if your life circumstances permit, use a brand made with natural ingredients – there are plenty of such brands at most department stores these days.

Here are some additional suggestions on how to conserve energy and allow your body to devote the bulk of its resources to cleansing and detoxification:

Minimize use of soap – warm or hot water is sufficient for cleaning.

In looking to get as much physical rest as possible, don’t neglect resting your eyes. Even while awake, you can enhance physical rest by closing your eyes for a minute or more at a time.

As your circumstances permit, take a break from activities that tend to promote emotional distress. For example, taking a week-long break from watching the evening news, or even taking a two-day break from surfing the internet and checking your e-mail may give your nervous system much needed rest.

Get plenty of fresh air. Your lungs are constantly expelling carbon dioxide into the air around you, and your cleansing mechanisms are best served by a steady stream of fresh, oxygen-rich air. If you live in a relatively unpolluted environment, sleep with your window cracked open.

Get sunlight exposure on your skin without getting burned, but be careful not to get so much sun that you become exhausted – about 15 minutes of direct sunlight exposure each day while at rest is optimal for many people; this doesn’t include exposure while going about your daily activities.

Engage in light stretching, walking, and even mild sports activities, but don’t participate in strenuous exercise during your intense cleanse. The goal is to keep your body moving and your blood circulation strong, but to conserve as much energy as possible for your cleansing mechanisms.

Clearly, the suggestions provided above can be beneficial to your health after you complete an intense period of cleansing. As you experience the intense, full body cleanse described in this series of articles, perhaps you can make it a goal to adopt some or many of these dietary and lifestyle suggestions into your everyday routine for the long term.

If you’re serious about using an intense period of detoxification to greatly improve your health, I encourage you to try this program with a close friend or family member. Having a partner to experience this with can make a huge difference in your commitment level, and in the results that you obtain.

Please notice that this program doesn’t call for fancy and expensive foods or equipment. It mainly calls for fresh vegetables and fruits, water, and adherence to some basic principles that promote good digestion and physical and emotional rest – it really is that simple.

If you have any questions about cleansing and detoxification, please feel free to submit them via our contact form. I’ll aim to compile an FAQ section for full body cleansing in another blog entry.

I’ll also create a special recipe section on our Web site that provides recipes that are well suited to the full body cleanse diet. If you aren’t subscribed to my natural health newsletter, be sure to sign up below, as I’ll provide updates on this program, including links to recipes, through my newsletter.

Please also feel free to post your ongoing thoughts, comments, and questions in the comments section of any article in this series. I hope to hear from some of you soon!

To a healthy summer and beyond,

Ben Kim

10 TIPS TO FOSTER HEART-HEALING LOVE July 20, 2009

Like most people I struggle to not be self centered. My previous post was the email I received from my friend when her Father died. And today I have had two very trying conversations with people I love dearly.

I sat down at the computer and viola’ here is the following in my email…steps (not easy) to love and happiness.

 

1. Learn to love yourself. This may take time and practice. As I tell my clients who are clearly struggling with self-love (and, who isn’t?) write down 10 things you love about yourself every day. Be creative. Here, I’ll help you get started, “I love how I try to improve my health by reading health blogs.” Now, you only have nine left for today.

2. Let down your guard. Protecting your heart from pain only serves to build walls around it and makes it more vulnerable to heart disease. Reach out to others.

3. Forgive yourself. Easier said than done. It takes practice. Reciting affirmations like “I forgive myself” may help.

4. Forgive others. Holding onto grudges only serves to hurt you. Write out your grievances and destroy the paper. Alternatively, paint, sculpt, or draw to express your feelings so you can be free from them.

5. Nurture a spiritual practice. Recognizing yourself as a spiritual being having a human existence can help you to feel more connected to the planet and other people. It can also help you to establish greater meaning in your life.

6. Find things to appreciate in your life. I once met a wonderful woman at class who told me afterward that she wrote daily in her “gratitude journal” about all the things she was grateful for. She shared with me that day’s entry about being grateful for meeting me. Not only was she approaching her own life with a positive attitude, but she also put a smile on my face too.

7. Stop to smell the roses. Life can be harried. Slow down. Yes, it really is possible. It usually requires effort but it can be done. I have so many clients who make their work their first priority…and it shows in their health. Flip things around, put your health up top and make time to enjoy the simple things in life like flowers, friendships, beautiful music, or a bubble bath.

8. Do something nice to nurture your relationships. Call someone just to say “I love you,” take some homemade soup to someone who hasn’t been feeling well, invite a neighbor over for an herbal tea, give an unexpected card…the list of possibilities is endless.

9. Let people know how you feel about them. Sure, your husband, wife, child, parents or friends may know you care, but I’m sure hearing about it would do wonders. Muster some courage and express your loving thoughts and feelings. It gets easier with time.

10. Love your body by treating it well. Unhealthy habits and attitudes demonstrate a lack of love for oneself. If you love your body feed it food that nourishes it, exercise, practice meditation or deep breathing. If you don’t love your body or aren’t sure if you do, return to Tip Number 1.

PEOPLE THAT MAKE A DIFFERENCE July 13, 2009

I just received this email and I wanted to share it. I love my friend Regina; even when her Father has just died she is thinking of other. I am blessed to know such a loving person and grateful she is my friend.

(letter enclosed)

 

Hi everyone,

 

After 4 days of watchful and prayerful moments daddy passed so, so, so peacefully this afternoon with mama, myself, Marla & my long time friend Linda by his side.  We are so thankful that he is now pain free and long last at peace.  The staff said they could only wish for their other patients the love, devotion and dedication that our family showed to daddy.  They had such admiration for the hands on, full time care mama provided for her love of 56 years and for the example she set.  Hopefully now she can rest herself.  Thank you for your love and prayerful support for our family.  As I stated way back at the beginning, if you’re ever in doubt on how you can make a difference in the world, go to a nursing home and give some lovin & kissin to those blessed, lonely, starved for any attention folks and you will truly be blessed.  It’s so sad to see a great percentage who never see a family member or friend.  They are like children and say the darndest things to make you laugh. 

 

With love,

Regina

Dr. Amy’s 7 Habits of Healthy Skin July 13, 2009

I have been thinking alot about the health of skin. Living in Florida I see a lot of Lovely golden baked skin patched with bandages from earlier dermatologist scrapings. Here are some suggestions from Real Age about Lifestyle.

Go to Skin beauty building recipes

http://gonaturalrecipes.wordpress.com/

 

Wondering what you can do to nurture healthy, vibrant skin from the inside out? Tackle stress! Make Dr. Amy’s seven habits — which are the heart and soul of her book, The Mind-Beauty Connection — part of your life. Then, watch every inch of you — but especially your face — start to look younger, less stressed, more alive. Each step chips away at the nonstop pressure and tension that can age you 6 years or more. Use the 9-Day Renewal Plan to get the stress wrecking-ball rolling.

1. Practice Deep Breathing
   Shift your body’s balance of oxygen versus carbon dioxide in favor of energizing, stress-squashing oxygen by doing slow, controlled breathing exercises. Here are three good ones.

How often? Aim for twice a day.

Why do it? When you focus on your breathing, you’re not focusing on anything else (your to-do list or the late babysitter). That mental shift helps remove stressors, bringing you to a deeper level of consciousness, a place where you can put things into perspective.

Get Active
Release the repressed anxiety trapped inside you by putting your body in motion for 30 minutes or more.

How often? Do something — anything — every day, because exercise only tames stress for a maximum of 24 hours. So to reap the most benefits, you need to do it daily. If you prefer, tuck 10-minute pockets of activity into your day — at lunch, after dinner, right after you get up and the house is still quiet. Find ways to sneak fitness into your schedule.

Why do it? Staying active boosts circulation, which delivers more nutrients to cells and skin. It also increases lung capacity, so you can take in more oxygen; lifts your spirits and sense of well-being; and fights age-related diseases. Plus, for many, it’s the ultimate stress reducer.

Beat the Foods That Beat You
Reduce the allure of sugary, fatty foods — which are as bad for your skin as they are for the rest of you — by eating more lean protein: fish, eggs, poultry, low-fat dairy foods, and even walnuts. Also, try to be more aware of what you reach for — and how much you consume — when you’re stressed. Get some pointers on mindful eating.

How often? All day, but especially early on — morning protein helps curb afternoon cravings.

Why do it? Protein is key to avoiding mood swings and energy dips. It helps you maintain a healthy blood sugar balance, which in turn keeps certain hormones (including insulin) in check. Bumping up your protein intake also gives you more energy and fights hunger pangs, which can play games with your moods.

Focus on the Good Things
Pick up a notebook you particularly like, and at the end of each day, make a list of things for which you are truly grateful. Or write down three things that went well, and why.

How often? Nightly, as part of your winding-down routine.

Why do it? Keeping a journal that records the good things in life helps shift your focus to what you’re doing right, and that can put a brake on the stressful, negative chatter that often goes on in your head.

Stretch Out Your Sleep
Make it a goal to sleep as many hours as you need to feel alive and productive the next day — all day.

How often? Every night.

Why do it? Sleep is free cosmetic medicine, pure and simple. When you ask Dr. Amy what single thing makes the biggest improvement in how a stressed-out person looks, she says, “Sleep.” Nothing exacerbates stress and etches in lines like exhaustion.

Take a Time-Out
For most of us, life is so hyperscheduled and speedy that we never do absolutely nothing. It’s rare to set aside time to simply be — no agenda, no demands, no plan. (Just like a real vacation. See if you’re due for one.) Find a comfortable, quiet spot to sit for 10 to 15 minutes every day, stop all your hustling and bustling . . . and simply, by yourself, be still.

How often? Try for once a day.

Why do it? Slowing down for a little while helps create a sense of spaciousness in your life, a break in the nonstop whirl that can open the door to new perceptions, new solutions, new possibilities. It gives your brain, your psyche, your whole being a break. Like one long, peaceful sigh.

Cuddle or Have Sex
Enjoy a little intimacy.

How often? At least once a week.

Why do it? All kinds of age-defying, beauty-promoting events happen during sex as three seductive hormones spill out of the brain: endorphin, a natural opiate, which contributes to that delicious high; prolactin, which gives you that relaxing, tension-zapping “ahhhhhhh”; and soothing oxytocin, which promotes feelings of affection and triggers a nurturing instinct.

 

10 health habits that will help you live to 100 May 20, 2009

Deborah Kotz | U.S. News & World Report

May 18, 2009

The biggest factor that determines how well you age is not your genes but how well you live. Not convinced? A new study published in the British Medical Journal of 20,000 British folks shows that you can cut your risk of having a stroke in half by doing the following four things: being active for 30 minutes a day, eating five daily servings of fruit and vegetables, and avoiding cigarettes and excess alcohol.

While those are some of the obvious steps you can take to age well, researchers have discovered that centenarians tend to share certain traits in how they eat, move about, and deal with stress–the sorts of things we can emulate to improve our own aging process. Of course, getting to age 100 is enormously more likely if your parents did. But, if your parents and grandparents were heavy smokers, they might have died prematurely without ever reaching their true potential lifespan, so go ahead and shoot for those triple digits.

1. Don’t retire.

The Chianti region of Italy, which has a high percentage of centenarians, has a different take on leisure time. “After people retire from their jobs, they spend most of the day working on their little farm, cultivating grapes or vegetables,” says Luigi Ferrucci, director of the Baltimore Longitudinal Study of Aging. Farming isn’t for you? Volunteer as a docent at your local art museum or join the Experience Corps , a program offered in 19 cities that places senior volunteers in urban public elementary schools for about 15 hours a week.

2. Floss every day.

That may help keep your arteries healthy. A 2008 New York University study showed that daily flossing reduced the amount of gum-disease-causing bacteria in the mouth. This bacteria is thought to enter the bloodstream and trigger inflammation in the arteries, a major risk factor for heart disease. Other research has shown that those who have high amounts of bacteria in their mouth are more likely to have thickening in their arteries, another sign of heart disease.

3. Move around.

Study after study has documented the benefits of exercise to improve your mood, mental acuity, balance, muscle mass, and bones. Don’t worry if you’re not a gym rat. Those who see the biggest payoffs are the ones who go from doing nothing to simply walking around the neighborhood or local mall for about 30 minutes a day. Building muscle with resistance training is also ideal, but yoga classes can give you similar strength-training effects if you’re not into weight lifting.

4. Eat a fiber-rich cereal for breakfast.

Getting a serving of whole-grains, especially in the morning, appears to help older folks maintain stable blood sugar levels throughout the day, according to a recent study conducted by Ferrucci and his colleagues.

5. Get at least six hours of shut-eye.

Instead of skimping on sleep to add more hours to your day, get more to add years to your life. Those who reach the century mark make sleep a top priority.

6. Consume whole foods, not supplements.

Strong evidence suggests that people who have high blood levels of certain nutrients–selenium, beta-carotene, vitamins C and E–age much better and have a slower rate of cognitive decline. Unfortunately, there’s no evidence that taking pills with these nutrients provides those antiaging benefits. Avoid nutrient-lacking white foods (breads, flour, sugar) and go for all those colorful fruits and vegetables and dark whole-grain breads and cereals with their host of hidden nutrients.

7. Be less neurotic.

It may work for Woody Allen, who infuses his worries with a healthy dose of humor, but the rest of us neurotics may want to find a new way to deal with stress. If this inborn trait is hard to overcome, find better ways to manage when you’re stressed: Yoga, exercise, meditation, tai chi, or just deep breathing for a few moments are all good. Ruminating, eating chips in front of the TV, binge drinking? Bad, very bad.

8. Live like a Seventh Day Adventist.

Americans who define themselves as Seventh Day Adventists have an average life expectancy of 89, about a decade longer than the average American. One of the basic tenets of the religion is that it’s important to cherish the body that’s on loan from God, which means no smoking, alcohol abuse, or overindulging in sweets. Followers typically stick to a vegetarian diet based on fruits, vegetables, beans, and nuts, and get plenty of exercise. They’re also very focused on family and community.

9. Be a creature of habit.

Centenarians tend to live by strict routines, says Olshansky, eating the same kind of diet and doing the same kinds of activities their whole lives. Going to bed and waking up at the same time each day is another good habit to keep your body in the steady equilibrium that can be easily disrupted as you get on in years.

10. Stay connected.

Having regular social contacts with friends and loved ones is key to avoiding depression, which can lead to premature death, something that’s particularly prevalent in elderly widows and widowers. Some psychologists even think that one of the biggest benefits elderly folks get from exercise the strong social interactions that come from walking with a buddy or taking a group exercise class. Having a daily connection with a close friend or family member gives older folks the added benefit of having someone watch their back.

(c) 2009 U.S. News & World Report

Bicycles and New Smyrna BEach April 21, 2009

My main mode of transportation is a bicycle. It is amazing how good you feel outdoors, peddling, soaking up sunshine.

Living in New Smyrna Beach I am blessed with the opportunity to live the lifestyle I desire. Outdoors in natural in a culture that appreciates the simple side of life. It is a real community full of all the positives and negatives of a small town with a 1 degree of separation. Everyone knows someone that you know.

I appreciate the fact that NSB desires to “Keep the Charm” part of that charm is young or old (and I have not quite figured out what that number is here) people are outdoors, visiting with friends and neighbors, attending festivals, planning events that gather big crowds in a small place, and laugh.

A friend of mine recently reflected that NSB operates like a family in the truest sense. Caring and disfunctional, but always there and part of you. People watching is not a pastime here it is a sport. Siitng on the porch at Flagler Tavern http://www.myspace.com/flaglertavern, or the Coffeehouse on Flagler Ave. you can watch beach goers and locals enjoying life. http://www.myspace.com/partyonflagler

Orginal and authentic Mahoney’s Oyster Bar is one of only 8 steam kettle restaurants left in the United States. Jim (the owner) is true to his commitment for quality and community.

147 Canal St
New Smyrna Beach, FL 32168
(386) 424-1312

If you want to experience a great joy join NSB for it annual bike and bar tour, where every year over 300 people bicycle the span of bars in New Smyrna Beach.

 

17th ANNUAL
BIKE AND BAR TOUR 
June 20st, 2009
Starting at  JB’S Fishcamp
Be there at 11:00am we will leave at 11:30
Stops will include but not limited to:
JB’s*Moe’s*Chase’s*
Sea Vista*PJ’s*
Beachside Tavern*Clancy’s*Flagler Tavern*Breakers*Peanuts*
Merk’s (if you dare)
Not necessarily in that order!!
We are adding a new stop- Flip Flops
There is no cost to ride just show up at JB’s or join us along the way.

 

Bicycles

Posted on July 24, 2008
by Jenn A.

Bicycles will save us all!

Aside from pre-ambulatory years, there has not been a year of my life when I have not owned a bicycle, though there have been many years when I have not owned a car. Bicycles are awesome — they are the most energy efficient and dependable form of mechanical transportation I know.

Here are my Top Ten reasons for owning and using a bicycle:

1. Inexpensive to own and maintain (you can even do most repairs yourself)
2. No fossil fuels required!
3. Contributes to increased health.
4. Facilitates a greater knowledge of the world around you – roads, neighborhoods, traffic patterns.
5. Meet people!
6. Find cool stuff on the side of the road (I’ve found lots of cash, tools & books)
7. Parking is much easier!
8. No Traffic! I still have a local time/distance reality distortion because it is so much quicker to get across San Francisco on bike than by car.
9. Cyclists have sexier legs and backsides. Er, pants. Nicer pants.
10. Rescue stray dogs! I have caught and returned many stray dogs from traffic to their homes while on a bike — not so easy to do if you are driving past.

Just do me a favor:

1. ALWAYS wear a helmet – even if it is only for a few blocks.
2. Ride with traffic – none of this riding against traffic down a 1-way because you’re lazy or getting on a sidewalk for two blocks. You *are* traffic – respect the laws.
3. Use signals.
4. Pay attention – don’t count on drivers seeing you or your signals.
5. Wear lights & light clothing at night — and don’t get bent out of shape if people don’t see you. It’s YOUR job, not theirs.
6. Wear a helmet.
7. Wear a helmet.
8. Wear a helmet.
9. Wear a helmet.
10. Wear a helmet.

ANGER Put to USE April 3, 2009

I came across an article that examines the negative and potentially positve parts of anger. Initially when I hear or feel anger, I recoil, after all who would qualify anger as FUN? But then, I read on:

“In the “Nicomachean Ethics,” Aristotle wrote, “The man who is angry at the right things and with the right people, and further, as he ought, when he ought, and as long as he ought, is praised.” Extending this logic into the present day, we would be well suited to cultivate our anger into rational tangible change, at both the micro and macro levels. Instead of lambasting our friends and loved ones with fire-tongued invectives, we could approach the anger as propulsion toward change, positive change. This will give us the incentive, not to criticize and belittle, but to put into motion significant advancement in the inter-personal realm. This is anger at work on the micro level, and on the macro level would be something like the Equal Rights movement, the Civil Rights movement, and the Environmental movement, all of which had their roots in outrage as much as concern. Possibly, if we channel our anger appropriately and constructively, we might even be able to fix our ailing economy?”

The key to this working to your advantage froma health perspective is recgonizing that YOU can change what is going on and how you feel. SO, in a nutsell if you feel it…DEAL with it and let it go.

TWO great quotes:

Anger dwells only in the bosom of fools. ~Albert Einstein

Holding on to anger is like grasping a hot coal with the intent of throwing it at someone else; you are the one who gets burned. ~Buddha

That Time of the Year SPRING and Weightloss March 30, 2009

As April approaches the days begin to get longer and warmer. You see signs of new life everywhere.

Bathing suit weather is just around the corner. Here are a couple of tips for slimming down and toning up.

Drink Green Tea:

Fat-Busting Brew
In a study, overweight adults who engaged in an exercise program for 12 weeks lost more belly fat if they also drank green tea daily. The green tea seemed to boost overall weight loss and triglyceride control in the study group, too. The magic amount of tea needed for the effect? Enough to get about 625 milligrams of catechins plus a little caffeine every day (roughly 7 cups daily). Start drinking green tea and use our free online Waistline Tracker to chart your progress.

The Power of Green
Researchers think that catechins in green tea might blast tummy fat by acting on enzymes that influence the body’s calorie- and fat-burning mechanisms. And catechins and caffeine together may boost the body’s metabolism. Brew up a pot of tea the next time friends visit and you can all enjoy these extra benefits as well:

• More energy. Green tea is one of four key energy-upping nutrients. Find out what the other three are.
• Healthier joints. Sore? Find out why green tea is great for creaky knees.
• Stronger heart. It doesn’t take much to cut your heart disease risk. Here’s how much tea you’ll need in order to help your heart.

Constant Comment “green tea” makes delicious ice tea that you keep in your refrigerator. Just brew and add a little raw sugar or juice and refrigerate. The hint of orange, cinnamon, and clove makes it the perfect refreshment.