Filed under: health, natural, nutrition, wellness | Tags: diet, eating for health, energy, gluten, health, nutrition, protein, sprouted food
I call sprouted foods one of the best kept secrets. They really aren’t; the Chinese recognized their immense nutritional value thousands of years ago. But many people in the U.S. are so used to processed, nutritionally-sparse convenience foods, they just don’t know the benefits *living foods* have to offer.
What are these living foods? They are also known as *sprouted foods*. Sprouted breads contain no flour, using instead dough that is made in small batches from grains that have sprouted, creating a high-energy, nutrient-rich food.
Sprouted bread products are not gluten-free–they still are derived from wheat. But the activated enzymes from the sprouting process breaks the gluten down, making it more tolerable for those who have just a sensitivity to gluten. Compared to other breads, sprouted breads contain more natural fiber and bran, resulting in increased vitamin and mineral content.
There are other foods that can come sprouted: sprouted almonds are a great low-carb, high protein snack. They have a softer texture and taste slightly sweeter than conventional almonds, and are also higher in protein, lower in calories, carbs and fats. They are a great source of energy.
Other sprouted food faves are mung beans, wheat grass and flax seeds. Look for such items in your local health or natural food store. Some mainstream groceries are beginning to carry some sprouted bread products like Food For Life’s Ezekiel 4:9 Sprouted Breads. Trader Joe’s has their own brand of sprouted bread that is quite good, too.
Filed under: Shaklee, health, natural, nutrition, wellness | Tags: bowels, cancer, constipation, diabetes, digestion, digestive health, enzymes, fiber, health, heart health, intestines, microflora, obesity, prebiotics, probiotics, supplements, wellness
When working towards optimal health, the digestive system is part of the body that often gets overlooked. Not only is a healthy digestive system important for comfort (who enjoys gas and bloating, after all?), but it also affects immunity and one’s overall health.
A fiber-rich diet is essential. Whole grains, fruits & vegetables can deliver a healthy dose to encourage regularity. A diet high in fiber also reduces the risks to some cancers, type II diabetes, obesity and heart disease. The FDA recommends daily intake of 25g of fiber, but most Americans don’t even consume half of that amount. A good fiber supplement can be very beneficial, and there are many different forms, like tablets derived from whole food sources, unflavored powder mix-ins or crunchy toppings. Look for a supplement that delivers both soluble and insoluble fiber.
Digestive enzymes can also alleviate digestion issues like gas and bloating. Many store-bought digestive aids use animal-based enzymes. Others utilize plant-based enzymes that facilitate digestion of all food groups, including foods less easily processed like dairy, beans, and cruciferous vegetables (broccoli). Folks who steer clear of a particular food group because of digestive issues may find relief by using such a dietary supplement, and can enjoy a wider variety of foods as a result.
Probiotics have become the buzzword in health and wellness lately. Foods such as cheeses and yogurt now have varieties with higher content of this beneficial bacteria. What the brands don’t want you to figure out is that the amounts contained in a single serving are often negligible and insignificant. Two of the most beneficial bacteria that live and work in the colon are bifidus and acidophilus. A probiotic capsule contains live flora, but if it is encapsulated in an inferior structure, it cannot be guaranteed to be delivered live to the intestine (which is the only way it will be effective).
Prebiotics work well in tandem with probiotics; they essentially *feed* this friendly bacteria, encouraging them to grow and multiply, creating an abundant and balanced population of intestinal microflora.
Despite good dietary habits, adequate water intake and an exercise regimen, one may experience irregularity or constipation from time to time. Although there are many drugstore aids available, there are also safe and effective herbal aids. A gentle, natural laxative supplement containing senna leaf can alleviate an irregular bowel. Herbs such as peppermint and ginger can relieve an upset stomach, and can also soothe a stomach suffering from motion sickness, mild nausea and acid indigestion. Some herbal stomach aids can also be crushed and made into a calming tea.
By eating a diet rich in good fiber, drinking lots of clean, pure water, getting significant exercise and supplementing where needed, one can maintain optimal digestive health, contributing to overall wellness.
Filed under: Uncategorized | Tags: cloned animals, FDA, food safety, GMOs, health, organic
The FDA on Tuesday declared that food products from cloned animals is safe and will be allowed for sale in the U.S. Despite a lack of data to support these findings, particularly concerning long-term effects, the offspring of cloned livestock may already be making its way to the American dinner table.
Despite an overwhelming majority of consumers opposed to the practice, the agency came to the decision to allow such products to be sold. This begs the question of whether the decision is in the best interest of the consumer or the industry.
Adding insult to injury, there are no plans to require labeling of such food products at this time. If it is supposedly so “safe”, then why not let consumers decide for themselves whether or not they want to consume these products?
Ironically, of the animals approved for cloning and breeding in food production, sheep are not one of them, as additional studies have to be done to ensure their safety. The first cloned animal in 1996 was Dolly, a sheep.
Thankfully, there is legislation that has been introduced to require labeling. You can take action by sending a message to your congressperson and senators asking them to support the Cloned Food Labeling Act. Visit the Center For Food Safety to send the message that you support this proposed legislation.
In the meantime, there is one way to know for certain that the animal products you’re consuming do not come from cloned animals or contain GMOs: choose organic.
Filed under: Shaklee, nutrition | Tags: allergies, arthritis, asthma, cancer, chronic fatigue, depression, energy, health, heart health, immunity, migraines, pregnancy, stress, supplements, vegetarian, vitamin B, vitamins, wellness
Vitamin B plays an incredibly important role in the functioning of the human body. There are 8 water-soluble vitamins identified as B’s, which work synergistically, meaning they are much more useful when combined than alone. Vitamin B is rapidly depleted in our systems and needs to be constantly replaced; it also does not store well in the body. For that reason, a quality and complete B Complex supplement is beneficial for just about anyone.
Because our levels of vitamin B get used up quickly, lack of it often results in fatigue, stress, or lack of energy. B Complex boosts metabolism, strengthens the immune system, assists in maintaining a healthy nervous system, and encourages cell growth as well as healthy skin and muscles. Although they work together, they have different functions which work in tandem with each other.
Vitamin B1 is also known as thiamine. It can help improve mood, and is also good for heart health and the metabolism of carbohydrates.
Vitamin B2 goes by the name of riboflavin. It can protect against cancer, and can prevent migraines and cataracts.
Vitamin B3 is called niacin. Its role is to aid in the release of energy from nutrients. It plays a role in lowering cholesterol, easing depression, and relieving arthritis.
Vitamin B5, known as panthothenic acid, is found to some degree in almost every food. It can promote a healthy nervous system and aids in metabolism. People who can benefit from this vitamin are those suffering from alleries, chronic fatigue and migraines.
Vitamin B6 is referred to as pyridoxene. It aids in red blood cell production, and can alleviate symptoms of asthma and PMS.
Vitamin B7 is biotin. It assists in the release of energy from carbohydrates. It is also essential for hair and nail health.
Vitamin B9 is called folic acid. This is a very important vitamin for pregnant women, as it helps in the normal development of the fetus. Folic acid facilitates the formation of hemoglobin and is often used to treat anemia.
Vitamin B12 is essential for a healthy nervous system and assists in red blood cell formation. It is only present in animal sources such as meat, fish, milk and eggs, and therefore supplementation is strongly recommended among vegetarians.
Choosing a supplement goes far beyond looking at the front of the label. The ingredient list can reveal harmful preservatives and fillers. Beware of toxic solvents that have the prefixes propyl-, ethyl-, or methyl-. Also avoid supplements that use aluminum as a base.
It’s also crucial to examine the percentage of the RDA present in a supplement. Many poor-quality supplements will load up on the cheaper B vitamins, like thiamine & riboflavin . We do not need much of these vitamins, and besides, they are often present in the foods we eat already. A good quality B Complex will have a high content of the more expensive Bs like B3, B5 and B12.
Learning about the role your supplements will help you understand why you should be taking them, and will empower you to be proactive in your health. Optimal wellness should be a priority for each and every one of us, to live a long and prosperous life.
Filed under: Uncategorized | Tags: business, cleaners, diet, dreams, environment, goals, green, home-based business, life, MLM, natural, network marketing, opportunitynutrition, supplements, WAHM, weight management, work at home
I have goals, and I want to succeed. Really, who doesn’t? It is human nature to want to accomplish something on one’s own, and be rewarded for it. When I started my own business, it was a first step to achieving my dreams.
The first thing to examine is what you want to get out of it. More money? Flexible hours? More time to spend with family or to get a little *me* time? A sense of self-worth, that you are making a difference in the world? Personal growth & development?
Next, map out a path to get there. How much time are you willing to put in? What can you invest, both financially and in labor (because time is money!)? How can you disseminate information and market your business?
There are a lot of at-home businesses available. Many are scams, others are legit. By researching companies, you will find the one that’s right for you.
Steer clear of gimmicky or niche businesses. Those are the kinds of businesses that sell a product to a select segment of the population, and the products are things that would be purchased one time or infrequently. Choose a company that you fully stand behind. If you are not truly *sold* on a company’s product, how do you expect to get others convinced?
Lastly, enjoy it. If you don’t love what you’re doing every day, then you really need to stop doing it. I am passionate about my business–I am making a difference in the lives of others, and the impact we have on the planet. The products’ quality is measured by the solid research and longevity of the company’s success–over 50 years and growing exponentially.
If you would like to learn more about the opportunities joining my team has to offer, visit my site. You can contact me using the *contact me* link in the upper right-hand corner of my web page. Whatever your journey, I wish you success!
Filed under: environment, geothermal, green | Tags: alternative energy, energy, environment, geothermal, green, homes, natural, power, solar
We recently purchased a lot on which we plan to build a house in the next couple of years. Although my husband & I had commented repeatedly in the pst that it would be nice to utilize some form of alternative energy source, it never went beyond *talk*. Now with this project ahead that we can plan any way we want, we’ve begun to research and seriously consider a couple of energy options in our future home.
We’re almost certainly going to implement geothermal heating. This method has been along since Roman times; it conducts the heat from deep down in the earth. It doesn’t produce heat, but rather transfers it.
Another method we’re seriously considering is solar power. There are several homes in our neighborhood with solar panels on the roof–it’s nice to see that some people are taking the initiative to find different ways to power their home. Solar power is expensive on the front end (at the time components are purchased and installed), but the savings over time pay for it many times over. Since this is going to be our last and final home (I call it our final resting place!), it is an investment that we’ll recover in cost savings.
Here in Chicago, the Museum of Science & Industry is building a *smart home* on its campus. It will be a fully functioning exhibit that people will be able to tour. The 2,500 sq. foot home will have water conservation features like a gray water system that will filter sink water and direct it to the toilets, and the toilets will have the 2-button flush system. One for #1, and a more powerful flush for *the other* one ;^)
Its energy sources will be solar and wind energy, and it will also feature cost-saving materials that are recycled and energy efficient: triple-pane windows, LED light fixtures, cement siding, and *smart* technologies compliments of Wired magazine.
It’s heartening to think that our attitudes concerning alternative energy is changing in this country, to one of acceptance and consideration. There is no doubt that we need to look to more creative ways to harness energy, in a way that will respect the planet and her resources.
Filed under: ADHD, health, kids, nutrition, wellness | Tags: A.D.D., behavior, children, health, learning disability, nutrition
Last year my oldest daughter was diagnosed ADHD, and with an unspecified learning disorder that deals with processing information. The diagnosis was a long time coming. As a former educator, I was quite familiar with the signs and symptoms and had long suspected she had such difficulties that went beyond normal issues of *just being a kid*. In first grade, the first round of testing (which is very subjective and not at all comprehensive) put her on the *borderline*. I researched my options on my own, and found a lot of links between food additives and nutrition, and the problems my daughter exhibited.
After reading several books, I created an elimination diet to find out if any additives were *trigger* foods for her behavior and concentration. The results were stunning! High fructose corn syrup, food dyes (particularly reds and blues), artificial flavor, and preservatives all had tangible effects.
Towards the end of 3rd grade, I took her to a renowned Institute that uses nutritional therapy in place of drugs to treat disorders like ADHD, autism, schizophrenia, post-partum depression, and other conditions. The work-up included testing of her nutrient levels via blood, hair & urine. When we received the results, she had prominent markers prevalent in children with ADD, ADHD & autism. The dr. devised a nutrient therapy of vitamin supplements for her to take in the a.m. & p.m. and at bedtime.
It was unfortunate the timing of our starting the therapy–it coincided with the beginning of summer, which made it difficult to see any impact or change in learning. However, she did go weekly to her 3rd grade teacher’s home for summer tutoring, and I told Mrs. D. nothing about the changes we made.
About a month into tutoring, Mrs. D. approached me after their session, seemingly incredulous. She said for the first time, my daughter comprehended a reading story they were working on and scored 100% on the selection test (both of which never occurred during school!) Then the first quarter report card of 4th grade arrived. Previous reports? Straight F’s, maybe a C and a couple of D’s. This one? Straight C’s, 1 D.
Taking a whole foods approach is a change that benefited our whole family. Read the labels of some of the foodstuffs in your pantry. You’ll be surprised at what they contain. Life cereal, which I always thought to be a pretty wholesome, healthy cereal, has yellow no. 5. Marshmallows, which are white, have blue dye. Partially hydrogenated oil and high fructose corn syrup is found in tons of food products. Nitrates and nitrites, which have been linked to cancer, are common preservatives in meat products.
There is something to be said for food that is so close to its natural state–unrefined, unprocessed, and pure. My supplements are derived from nature and sourced from pure ingredients, free from pesticides, GMO’s or other types of contamination. As I began to get involved with my Health By Nature company, I consulted with my daughter’s doctors and was able to replace her vitamins with our supplements. The drs. were familiar with the company and knew of their quality and efficacy. DHA, B-Complex, the children’s multi , calcium magnesium and the probiotic are some of the supplements that can have a great effect on ADD & ADHD children. And unlike drugs which mask or stifle symptoms, supplementation gets to the root of the problem and actually corrects an imbalance.
In case anyone wants to read further, some of the books I found invaluable on this topic are “The ADD Nutrition Solution” by Dr. Marcia Zimmerman
“The Feingold Cookbook For Hyperactive Children” by Dr. Ben F. Feingold (which goes far beyond a cookbook–not only does it have a wealth of recipes and meal plans to make an elimination diet easier, it also goes in depth into the role nutrition plays in learning and behavior).
“Helping Your ADD Child” by John F. Taylor, Ph.D.
Filed under: Uncategorized | Tags: environment, home-based business, MLM, profile, Shaklee, WAHM
Thank you for visiting my blog! I hope you’ll want to visit regularly and contribute to this site to share anything on your mind about health and the environment.
First, I’d like to introduce myself. My name is Lisa, and I live in a suburb of Chicago. Since childhood, my *pet cause* has always been the environment. In high school, I led a movement to eliminate styrofoam trays in the cafeteria, which were not recyclable, and replace them with eco-friendly cardboard ones. I participated in voluntary recycling programs. As an adult, I went on to become an educator and was able to incorporate eco-awareness into the curriculum.
Fast forward 9 years. I am now a SAHM to 3 lovely girls, ages, 9, 6 & 2. Heaven knows they keep me busy, and parenting is a job with rewards like no other. Despite that, I still had a restlessness to do something useful in another arena outside the home. Last spring, a fellow mom at my kids’ school introduced me to Get Clean. You may have seen these products on an Earth Day segment on Oprah (which was in re-runs this past week), or on her “Favorite Things” episode, or perhaps on BGTV. This mom loaned me some of the non-toxic, “green” cleaning products to take home over the weekend and try. On Monday, I ordered the whole set.
It wasn’t until October that I decided to try my hand at a home-based business. Never had I dreamed I would do anything remotely related to sales–it’s just never been my *gig*. But to me, it’s not about sales–it’s about making a difference, one home at a time, and improving the lives of others. I realized that this is my way to do something meaningful while maintaining my *stay-at-home* status and not sacrificing any time with my kids. What a win-win situation!
If you would like to learn more about my business, please visit my site here.
