Posts Tagged ‘wellness’

Eating the South Beach Diet Way Part II

Tuesday, June 1st, 2010

Eating the South Beach Diet Way for the past three months has been fantastic and here’s why.

Number one is because I have lost 12 pounds.  Secondly I have stopped eating all flour products.  Thirdly, I have gained a new respect for my body and fourth I have gained a plan for eating the foods that my body needs every single day, and fifth is that it is fairly simple.

I will touch on these aspects briefly in hopes of helping someone else out there who is looking to lose unwanted “fat”.

The SB diet is a lifestyle, it is not a diet (abstinence from food) otherwise I wouldn’t be doing it.  I’ve never had to diet in my life.  I started gaining weight after having children in my mid thirties into my 40’s, yes in my 40’s and therefore never quite kept it off.  Even if it has been 20 lbs, 20 lbs of fat is not healthy.  Have you ever lifted a sack of 5 lbs of sugar? Well quadruple that and imagine if your body had to carry the 20 extra pounds or more if you have more to lose.  This plan is a way of life that once you get the hang of it is simple.  I’ve lost 12 pounds of fat.  Woo Hoo is all I can say.  Those 12 pounds of fat has given me a lighter step in my walk and a lighter burden on my heart.

Fat gives off toxins to the body, which is a big topic for another time, therefore the goal is to lose the bad fat.  People say to themselves “I need to lose weight”, frankly that doesn’t say it with enough emphasis in my mind.  It is “fat” that we are losing, too much extra fat that may cause disease.  We need to do it once and for all.  Some people get on these roller coaster diets which are very unhealthy for your body.  Make a decision today for the rest of your life, you will be happy you did.

Deciding to stop eating flour products didn’t just happen over night.  Years ago I knew that yeast and flour were probably not the best items to put into my diet. Then I found out that I am actually allergic to them, that is why I have a new found appreciation for my body, not giving it the items that it is allergic to.  Which has caused unwanted weight, unwanted inflammation etc.  Growing up and into adulthood I ate bread, and pasta these were foods that I loved and ate them frequently.  I even ate them at the same meal.

Learning more about my body has given me more respect for it.  I don’t eat any flour products.  I just say no and the other phrase I tell my mind is that “I don’t eat that anymore”.  It isn’t a struggle just a friendly reminder to old habits, the old way of thinking that I’m changing.

The other food if it is really a food….is sugar.  I’ve eliminated added sugar. Before I purchase a food I look to see if it has added sugar if it does I don’t buy it.  Even organic and healthy foods have added sugar, so beware.  Instead,  on most days I have agave, 75 to 100 calories per day is my limit, this is my personal sweet treat added to Greek yogurt with fresh berries and nuts.  I eat low glycemic fruits such as berries, green apples and sometimes grapefruit or pears.  I don’t feel deprived one bit.   On the SB plan there are lists of fruits to enjoy, personally these are the only ones I’ve chosen to have.

In studying foods and what are in the foods we eat I’ve learned that low sodium most of the time if not always means more added sugar, or low fat is also more added sugar.  So all the years of the low fat food rage meant more sugar, higher glucose in the diet.  Is that why low fat really didn’t help us lose the weight that we thought we would lose by switching to low fat foods?

The South Beach Diet Phase I is where you don’t eat any starch or sugar for 14 days.  It may sound scary but it is so worth it.  The hardest part is the thought of not having these items before you even start the diet.  Once you decide to do it, go for it you will be so happy you did.  You will lose all your cravings and you will also lose weight.

The next Phase, Phase II  is where you will stay until you lose your desired weight. There are lists of foods, meal plans with recipes from Phase I that you will eat for the first two weeks and there are lists of foods, meal plans and recipes that you will be adding in to Phase II for the remainder of Phase II in other words until you lose your desired weight.

Remember this is a new way of eating, a new lifestyle.  You could call it a new beginning.  I love new beginnings.  They give me a new energy, a newness of life.  Life can get stale, which means old, decayed, overused, out-of-date yes these are the meanings of this word so adding a newness to your everyday life can spark creativity, it can spark a new passion, it can spark a new zeal for the fullness of life that you can have for the rest of your life.

Phase II of the SB Diet is adding certain foods back in at a very slow pace, the foods that you have eliminated for the first two weeks.  The key here is huge, you watch for cravings after you eat a fruit or a starch.  If you feel a craving you switch that particular food to a different meal next time and again watch for cravings.  For instance if you have oatmeal for breakfast and you have a craving soon afterwards, the next time you have your starch have it later in the day.

This is the part that you could either sink or swim.  The first time around, 2 plus years ago I lost the weight but didn’t get this part of it.  I didn’t watch for cravings and I eventually added back in too many starches and sugars which only made me gain back the weight I had lost.  Even though these foods were organic or natural I still gained it all back.

So this time around I have a new appreciation for the plan and the guidance that I’ve gleaned from others who have succeeded.  Therefore I have taken their advise and now I’m staying focused to reach my goal.

One of the suggestions was to stay with one fruit and one starch for the first two weeks of Phase II.  Then I added another fruit and starch for another 2 to 3 weeks and so forth.  Knowing myself and my habitual eating of extra starches this was necessary for me.  This part is very personal.  Some people who start on the SB plan are vegan or partial vegans.  You make the plan work for you and you can even have a South Beach nutritionalist help you out for a while if you need the extra help which I did.  I had so many questions that got answered which helped me stay on track.

On the South Beach Diet Plan there is no counting calories except for your sweet treat calories and really a very small amount of measuring.  I measure my starches and I keep track of the fruit and nuts but that’s it.  I know the amounts of food that I need to eat daily, so eating is a pleasure and  I can accomplish this now with ease and planning.  It definitely takes planning.

One very important key to losing weight that I’ve noticed is that if you eat too much or you eat too little you will not lose weight.  Interesting isn’t it?

I continued to learn so many key points being part of the SB  on line community that when I got to Phase II I knew exactly when I would add these foods back in.  I had my one serving of fruit at around 3 pm with a few nuts and my starch 1/2 cup of rice or another grain at dinnertime.  I did this for 3 weeks.

After the first 3 weeks I added another fruit and another starch to the plan and so forth.  I’ve kept losing weight.  It has been steady although once or twice I’ve been at the same weight for 3 weeks but I haven’t given up or lost sight of my goal.  Remembering that it is a new way of life a new respect for the way my body works best.  One person who has really encouraged me has lost over 100 pounds and she continues to help those on the SB plan to stay focused and to stick with the plan.  You need to stick with the plan.

Rewarding yourself after you have lost weight or have done well for a week, two weeks two months and so forth doesn’t mean you get a cheat meal, reward yourself with something else, a massage, a new item of clothing, or just the satisfaction that you have reached another milestone.

This healthy lifestyle consists of a protein, and a healthy fat, and veggies for breakfast; 2 oz of protein, 1 cup of veggies and a healthy fat, which in my case I like avocados.

My sample Breakfast Menu:  Eggs, turkey bacon, one 6 oz glass of organic carrot juice or 1/2 cup of oatmeal, soy sausage, 6 oz of carrot juice, or one egg, 1/2 cup of sweet potato (the only potato that is SB legal), and carrot juice, or a veggie omelet with soy sausage and carrot juice.

Lunch and Dinner consists of 2 tbsp of good fat ( from EVOO) 2 cups of veggies and 3 oz of protein.  (you may add a starch at these meals)

The SB Phase II plan is to eventually add back in 3 fruits and 3 starches per day.

My starches consist of ( 1/2 cup is a serving) Basmati rice, oatmeal, millet, or quinoa.  Those eating wheat can add in 100% whole wheat breads and pasta items.

Extras items for my daily consumption are 15 almonds or 15 walnuts or 30 pistachios.  Dairy is 2 to 3 cups of low fat, fat free milk or low fat or non fat yogurt a day and it addition is 3 fruits a day.  One ounce of low fat cheese; such as string cheese, plus beans and legumes, 1/2 cup daily.  The variety of protein and veggies in this plan is huge.

There is such an abundance of knowledge to learn from the SB plan for a healthy lifestyle and in turn healthy aging that it is exhilarating.  Why you might say, it’s invigorating because you change your body, your body no longer has more fat that muscle.  Your body image changes, you look in the mirror and see the “new you”, the healthier you.

Fat takes up more room in the body than muscle so when you start to lose the fat you actually see the muscle coming through.  This is inspiring, it adds a fire to your soul to keep you moving forward for the rest of your life.

It is a bit more complex than this so you will need to check out the full plan but I’ve tried to make it brief to show you the basics.

I love Phase II, for me it is the perfect place to be, and I’ve just shared most of the basics.

If you are interested in a trial run of this way of eating you can go on line to southbeachdiet.com, there is a SB book and cookbooks available as well.

One of my mottos is to eat to live not live to eat.  A motto I hope I have helped you decide on as well.

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Posted in Diet, Health, Success Secrets, healthy aging, longevity | 5 Comments »

The Healing Benefits of Essential Oils

Sunday, April 4th, 2010
The Healing Benefits of Essential Oils Are Numerable
Aromatherapy has given me solid health benefits in a number of ways ever since the first day I started using them.
I will continue to use them every single day because of their healing benefits. I use them as my perfume, no more synthetic fragrance for me; I want the natural fragrance that will give both a wonderful scent and the healing balm my body deserves.
1.  A health benefit: they are healing after a burn. Tremendous is the word that comes to mind here,  if used immediately no blisters form. E.O’s help with scrapes and cuts too because they heal quicker when used right after the injury.
2. A health benefit: menopause symptoms; anxiety, hot flashes, sleep disturbances, coping with stress, and weight gain.
These aren’t just words, the symptoms that go along with menopause can be detrimental to a women’s health.
For instance waking every night at 3 am wide awake and then having to function the next day, and this happens day after day.
Next the feeling of intense anxiety, all of a sudden, you feel a surge of anxiety even in a relaxed state which lasts anywhere from 5 minutes to 15 minutes, several times a day.
Some women have to get a prescription for tranquilizers to help them cope.
This would be a form of illness in my opinion.  And on top of that what is the chemical from the drug doing to your body.  Wouldn’t it make perfect sense to use nature as your healing balm like therapeutic essential oils instead.
On top of this another symptom of menopause is waking in the morning with such an intense feeling of anxiety as if you had just worked a 16 hour day; this was one of the worst symptoms for me personally.
The anxiety causes many women hundreds of dollars trying to figure out why. But I used essential oils the minute the feeling would come on and it would vanish.
My only regret is that I wish I had known about them when my symptoms first started.  I had a couple of years without them so when I did find them they were a God send.
PMS:  Essential oils help women of all ages with this monthly issue.  Use essential oils on the body after your bath, and during your day as often as you can.  I have found that using them in a diffuser during these difficult days can without a doubt help with these monthly symptoms.
3. A health benefit: Using essential oils during the cold and flu season helped my family; I have three children and using them in a diffuser that will go off every 15 to 30 minutes per hour gives your home a wonderful scent as well as the healing benefits because the oils used get rid of bacteria and virus in the air.
The second benefit here is that the virus or bacteria doesn’t take out the entire family for a day or more and having them miss work or school.
So why spend so much money on commercial products when you can get the healing benefits from cleaning with essential oils, there perks are numerable.  Using them in the home for cleaning removes bacteria, virus and cleans the air.
4.  A health benefit:  Ginger in particular helps with nausea from car sickness and cruise sickness, nausea during pregnancy, high altitude sickness and migraines, it is also an anti-inflammatory.  These are health issues that people seek help from their physicians for and receive medicine  because the symptoms are so extreme.  But nature at its best can do what medicine can’t do, I would call that healing.
5. Essential oils have multiple cross over properties as I’ve mentioned above about ginger.  Lavender also has more than one benefit, it is a pain killer, healing balm to burns and it is an antihistamine to name a few.
When a simple solution would be to frequently use essential oils to heal your body of these disturbing symptoms why not?
Essential oils are healing balms.
How many women go through this; I would definitely say without hesitation that even though menopause is not considered a sickness; the symptoms we get as women can affect us as if they were.
I’m not leaving out men, essential oils have benefits for you too.
For further instructions on the benefits of essential oils buy Dr. James Geiger’s book, “The Sweet Smell of Success” to learn more about the health benefits of essential oils.

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Posted in Diet, Health, Success Secrets, healthy aging | 2 Comments »

Eating the South Beach Diet Way

Monday, March 1st, 2010

A couple of years back I wanted to lose the weight I hadn’t been able to lose since I had my last child, so I decided to check out the South Beach Diet.

The First Phase of this diet is to stop cravings, it is fourteen days without bad carbs, bad fats, baked goods, alcohol, fruit or sugar.  The purpose again is to stop cravings.

The Second Phase you gradually add some foods back in, SB has daily meal plans to help you.  They also have lists of foods that you can enjoy on each phase and foods to avoid.

Phase III is designed for maintenance, and designed to last the rest of your life.   It worked for me.  Unfortunately over a two year period the weight crept back up.  It’s because I was unaware of a few food allergies that I had and adding these foods back in brought the weight back up.  I could probably live with this extra weight for the rest of my life but a few pounds off will definitely be better for healthy aging.

I just read an article from Real Age and just a mere 4 pounds can have huge benefits.

This new study “showed that dropping a mere 4 pounds could cut hypertension risk by 8 percent in middle-aged people and by 11 percent in the 50-plus set.”

“Of course, bigger weight loss had even better blood pressure benefits in the 8-year study. For example, losing 15 pounds reduced high blood pressure risk by 21 percent in the middle-aged folks. Better yet, people 50 to 65 who were 15 pounds thinner enjoyed an even more impressive 29 percent risk reduction. And isn’t it great to know that a realistic mini goal of 4 pounds will still bring big health benefits on the road to 15 lbs.”

I’ve never had to diet so thinking of a diet kinda spooked me, a week without fruit or bread, potatoes, rice and pasta?  As if the world would come crashing down after 14 days without these foods.  It is crazy the way we think isn’t it?

Healthy Aging is my theme here on the Ideal Scents Blog and I have come to the conclusion after starting this new way of eating again that it is truly a great way of eating.  I once heard this and totally agree; eat to live, not live to eat.  Makes perfect sense to me.  Since I eat mostly natural and organic foods anyway it may seem strange that those of us who do eat very healthy may still need to lose weight but we do.  We can still eat too many natural grains or sugar, even if it is honey or organic sugar.  It still adds pounds.

In the South Beach Diet Book it talks about emotional eating, this is a whole other topic but one that is crucial in our thinking if we are going to succeed, so I highly recommend reading the book if you are planning on starting this new phase of your life.

So I started this new plan again 8 days ago and it is remarkable what I have discovered for myself.  I have discovered that the fiber in the vegetables is what fills me up, plus the protein I eat at each meal.  The sweet treats that you can have with this first phase are also new for me.  For the past couple of months I had decided to make my after meal sweet treats fruit, low glycemic fruit, so I’m looking forward to phase two so I can add those back in.

What definitely has helped this time around is the on line support from the South Beach community.  It is fantastic to be able to ask questions and get answers within hours of asking.  You get support from those who have lost any where from 5, 10 or even  100+ pounds.  They help you stay on track with encouragement, experience and great ideas.  It’s a win win situation.

So is the South Beach Diet a diet or a new way of living?  It is definitely a new way to eat.  Eating this way keeps the balance that we need without over doing it.

It has been so successful because people lose weight, stop cravings and learn the healthy way to eat,  live healthy food.

Ideal Scents has always taught that we need to eat properly to live a long healthy life and this support from the South Beach Diet, I guarantee can change your life.

Adding exercise to this program can get you on track for a new you, a brand new life with a healthy outlook.  Free from the diseases that being overweight can bring.

I would consider this a preventative medicine lifestyle.

In his book James Geiger MD, The oilMD discusses Worldwide Wellness, he speaks about obesity.

I like this quote that he mentions in the beginning of chapter three.

“The art of healing comes from nature and not from the physician.  Therefore, the physician must start from nature with an open mind.” Paracelsus

There are many diets out there, the problem I see with some of those diets is that you are eating pre-packaged food, its processed. We need live healthy fresh food daily.

Even with these good fresh foods we still need to use supplements because of the depletion of nutrients in our soil, so it is crucial for preventative living that we eat sensible, not just for satisfaction. Eating for satisfaction will just keep us over weight and in risk of disease. Remember our goal is healthy aging.  Imagine at 80+ enjoying your life with friends and family.

Here’s to healthy aging, a new way of living for more energy, feeling good in your clothes, and the satisfaction that you are in control of your life.

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Ideal Scents talks about Aroma “therapy”

Saturday, February 13th, 2010

Therapy is a noun that connotes action, healing action.  Mixed with “aroma” you get therapeutic essential oil healing action.

Healing comes to us for any number of reasons and symptoms.

My intention here is to discuss only the value of having a therapeutic essential oil treatment given to you or that you give to yourself.

Let’s talk about Lavender, there are different types of lavender that can be used for massage. Lavandula angustifolia is for healing the skin after a burn, it is also a wonderful addition to your daily routine of moisturizing the body after you shower. Just add a few drops to your lotion, and you will be putting a healing balm onto your skin and at the same time lavender will be calming your senses.

Lavender is a balancing oil which is why it is good for women.  It is also an anti-viral and anti-inflammatory and can be used as an antiseptic.  It has been used extensively for sleep.  Because it is a balancing oil and has a calming effect it can be massaged into your skin right before bedtime to get the best sleep. If you would prefer to have it diffused into the air, you can use a diffuser in your bedroom which would gradually supply a wonderful healing scent into the air that you are breathing throughout the night.

Don’t misinterpret the use here, it will not put you to sleep if you use it during any part of your day, it will give you a sense of calm.

“An odor can have a tremendous impact on feelings.  Certain scents evoke a deep sense of inner peace and well-being.” says the oilMD.

Essential oils are subtle, and noticeable.  Lavender is used as a perfume for those who prefer a more organic approach to adding a scent to their skin.

Dr. James L. Geiger, the oilMD says in his book “The Sweet Smell of Success” that,

“The art of aromatherapy is a holistic treatment using the essence of a plant’s essential oils to alleviate common symptoms such as pain, tension, and fatigue, as well as to care for the skin and invigorate the whole body.”

He also mentions in his book “While some scents can take you back to a time recalling youthful events, others can actually restore and heal your body, mind and spirit.”

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You and You Digestive System Part II

Friday, February 12th, 2010
Digestive Health is important at any age but I have found it to be true that the older we get the harder it is to digest foods, so     I’ve come to the conclusion that we may need to add enzymes, probiotics and prebiotics to our diets.
In studying the intestines we learn that we have bacteria that lives in the gut. The ones I want to discuss here are the ones that are the friendly bacteria.  The friendly bacteria keep away the overgrowth of yeast and keep the bad bacteria restrained.
Having a healthy digestive system is having the good bacteria working to keep your immune system strong.
Keep your body happy by keeping your dietary choices smart, as I mentioned in Part I, a recommended diet of free range chicken, turkey, wild fish and lots of vegetables, fruits with some grains and legumes is another way to eat your way to healthy aging.
Something I’ve done in the past 3 years is that I add to my diet ACAI and Mangosteen, these two super fruits are rich in so many nutrients.  In this day and time our soil is depleted so we do need to supplement our diets in my opinion.
The function of our digestive system is simply this; to break down the food we eat and provide nutrients that can be absorbed.
Our goal is healthy aging and one way this is possible is through a healthy immune system.   A healthy digestive system ensures that the body has the ability to absorb the nutrients from the foods we eat.
What is Dysbiosis?
It is when yeast becomes overgrown in our intestinal tract as well as bad bacteria.
When this happens our doctors may tell us that we have a yeast infection, or a syndrome called irritable bowel and even arthritis.
Many people who use antibiotics on a regular basis can conclude that killing an infection also kills good bacteria in your digestive tract, that is why you will be encouraged to eat yogurt while on an antibiotic to keep the good bacteria alive.
What causes Dysbiosis?
Many situations may cause Dysbiosis.  Our daily dietary habits, stress, and prescription drugs.
Obesity and Dysbiosis
Have you ever heard that malnutrition can be  linked to obesity?  Malnutrition can be defined as having an inadequate or unbalanced diet, problems with digestion or absorption, and some medical conditions.
“Undernutrition occurs when one or more vital nutrients are not present in the quantity that is needed for the body to develop and function normally. This may be due to insufficient intake, increased loss, increased demand, or a condition or disease that decreases the body’s ability to digest and absorb nutrients from available food. While the need for adequate nutrition is a constant, the demands of the body will vary, both on a daily and yearly basis.”
When this happens you aren’t satisfied with the meals you are eating because your body is being depleted of the essential
nutrients for healing and growing.  Therefore you keep eating thinking that this will help the body to be satisfied.
The importance for a diet rich in nutrients is vital to a healthy body.  In contrast to this a body that is malnourished will
take longer to heal if you get sick or in and of itself (malnutrition) may cause disease.

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You and Your Digestive System Part I

Friday, February 12th, 2010

Eating Healthy For Your Digestive System

A study that I read said “Although it is counter intuitive to what some people think, vegetarian digestion time is actually longer – significantly longer – than that of meat eaters. The reason is simple. Plants require a lot more work by your digestive system than do meats. Most of the food we eat is digested in the intestines rather than the stomach, and scientists believe the length of our intestines was determined by the fact that humans have always tended to eat a combination of meat and plant based foods in their diet. The reason is simple. “Plants require a lot more work by your digestive system than do meats. If your diet is made up largely of processed foods, then the digestion time is sped up significantly.”

Does it really matter?

Yes and here’s why these benefits are undeniable, but in the long run, most experts agree that the difference in digestion time for vegetarians is really not that important. Most people who are vegetarian by choice live in a place where food is not hard to come by, and they have access to a wide variety of food choices. In real terms, slow digestion may protect from some minor annoyances, but there are not significant health benefits to slower digestion.

So, who cares who digests food the slowest?

  • The slow and steady supply of energy that vegetarians get from a lengthy digestion process saves them from the peaks and crashes of energy that some meat eaters get. (Again, this counts for plant based food eaters. Processed foods will give vegetarians that late afternoon crash just like anyone else.) It is in fact rumored that vegans have the most energy of all.
  • Slow digestion speed makes you feel full for longer – debunking myths that vegetarians feel hungry all the time.

Whether you are a vegetarian or not,  having a healthy digestive system is important.

If you are not a vegetarian you can still benefit from this information as I have.

If your aren’t a vegetarian, a recommended diet of free range chicken, turkey, wild fish and lots of vegetables, fruits with some grains and legumes is another way to eat your way to healthy aging.

Are you noticing that digestion is not the same as when you were younger?

If you find that as you are aging and even if you eat healthy you are still bloated and notice that digesting food is becoming more difficult, this is because “we all make Digestive and Metabolic enzymes as needed, and it is a proven fact that as we age we make less with each passing year.” Study enzymes to learn about:

*Enhancing your blood

*Breaking down fats

*Shedding excess weight

*Enhancing your mental capacity

*Improving aging skin

Enzymes promote a healthy pH in your digestive tract.

I personally recommend the company Bio Essence, Full Spectrum Enzymes.

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What Can “We” Do To Prevent Disease?

Friday, February 12th, 2010

“Health Yourself in 15 days” by Natural News

http://www.naturalnews.com/028153_self_healing_disease.htmlI was reading the (NaturalNews)

I came across this article this morning and had to share it with all my blog followers.

As they mention ” lasting health simply means stop making disease”

The majority of people feel that all they need to do on a daily basis is eat three squares and perhaps take a multiple vitamin and that is it.  Natural News says ” people are “trained to believe disease strikes spontaneously,”  Why have we aloud ourselves to reach this level of ignorance?  The point being that we are taking our precious lives,  and placing in it someone else’s hands?

That no matter what we eat or how much exercise we don’t get it doesn’t matter because we will take what comes, because we are going to get disease anyway when it is our time.  What a lie!

” But the truth is very different: All the most common degenerative diseases — cancer, diabetes, heart disease, Alzheimer’s, etc. — take many years to grow and expand. A cancer tumor can take 10 years (or even more) before it grows to the size that will show up on a mammogram. That means the tumor has been “under construction” for a decade!”

“During that time, the patient has been “making cancer” on a daily basis.”

‘By the way, I’ve borrowed this concept from Dr. Thomas Lodi, a brilliant cancer doctor who has a presentation called “Stop Making Cancer.” You can check out his clinic in Arizona at http://www.anoasisofhealing.com or watch his speech for yourself on YouTube:http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QKH_…” says Natural News.

“How disease is manufactured”

by Dr Thomas Lodi

In reading this, the first question you might ask is, “How do I stop making disease?”To answer that question, though, you need to understand how disease is created in the first place. All disease begins with an imbalance in the mind or the body (it can originate in either place and then spread to the other).

Disease can be set off by a nutritional deficiency (not enough vitamin D, for example), or a dietary excess (too much homogenized milk). It can be caused by an emotional state such as anger or stress that then spreads to the tissues and begins to create dis-ease in the physical body.

Most disease that’s being “manufactured” in the bodies of people today is created through controllable factors: What people eat, what chemicals they expose themselves too, how much exercise they get (or not), their state of mind, what supplements they take (or don’t) and so on.

There’s a recipe for creating each disease. If you want to manufacture type-2 diabetes, for example, the recipe is very simple:

How to manufacture diabetes:

• Drink lots of liquid sugars and high-fructose corn syrup.
• Consume a huge number of empty calories (junk food).
• Avoid all exercise. Live a sedentary lifestyle.
• Live indoors. Avoid sunshine and the natural world.
• Maintain nutritional deficiencies in vitamin D, selenium, zinc and plant-based nutrients.

If you do this for long enough, you will begin manufacturing diabetes. And before long, you’ll be officially diagnosed with it by a doctor who will say something like, “You’re diabetic.” (Which isn’t really true. You are not defined by a disease. You’re just expressing a certain physiology that’s been named a disease.)

If you want to make cancer, there’s a different recipe:

How to make cancer:

• Expose yourself to radiation (mammograms, CT scans, X-rays, etc.).
• Eat cancer-causing foods like bacon, processed meats and foods with chemical preservatives.

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Cancer Fighting SuperFoods, By Rebecca Katz, MS

Saturday, December 19th, 2009

Cancer Fighting SuperFoods.. What to Eat Before, During and After Chemotherapy
By Rebecca Katz, MS  (Some  information added by Cheryle Geiger, V.P. oilMD)
Commonweal Cancer Help Program

Some people experience virtually no side effects from cancer chemotherapy, but this is rare. Most patients report at least some problems, including nausea, fatigue and diarrhea during the treatment.
Reason: The drugs that are used in chemotherapy are designed to kill fast-growing cancer cells. But they also damage fast-growing healthy cells, particularly in the mouth, digestive tract and hair follicles.
Good nutrition is critical if you’re undergoing chemotherapy. It’s estimated that up to 80% of cancer patients are malnourished. People who eat well before and during chemotherapy tend to have fewer side effects. They also are more likely to complete the full course of therapy than those who are poorly nourished and may feel too sick to continue.
What to do…
Load up on nutrient-rich foods.
In the weeks before chemotherapy, patients should emphasize nutrient-dense foods, such as whole grains, vegetables and legumes. The high nutrient load of a healthy diet helps strengthen healthy cells so that they’re better able to withstand and then recover from the effects of chemotherapy.
Good choices…
Dark leafy greens, such as spinach, kale and Swiss chard. They’re high in antioxidants, such as beta-carotene, lutein and other phytonutrients. These compounds help minimize the damaging effects of free radicals, tissue damaging molecules that are produced  in  large amounts during chemotherapy. Kale is particularly good because it contains indole-3-carbinol that has anticancer properties.
Olive Oil, like green vegetables, is high in antioxidants. It’s one of the best sources of oleic acid, an amega-9 fatty acid that strengthens cell membranes and improves the ability of the immune system to fight cancer cells. I like extra –virgin olive oil because it has been exposed to the least heat. (Found at a great price at Trader Joes)
Garlic, The National Cancer Institute reports that people who eat garlic regularly seem to have a lower risk for intestinal and other cancers, including breast cancer. The strong-tasting sulfur compounds in garlic, such as allicin, have strong antiviral and antibacterial effects important for chemotherapy patients because they’re susceptible to infection. Best way to prepare it is to smash it and let it sit for 10 minutes to allow the antiviral properties to become more accessible, then chop and cook.
Increase protein, It’s the main structural component of muscle and other tissues. People who undergo chemotherapy need large amounts of protein to repair tissue damage that occurs during the treatments.
Recommended: About 80 grams of protein daily. That’s nearly double the amount that healthy adults need. Cancer patients who increase their protein about a week before chemotherapy, and continue to get extra protein afterward, recover more quickly. They also will have more energy and less fatigue.
Try this: Two or more daily smoothies (made in a blender with juice or milk, a variety of fresh fruits and ice, if you like) that are supplemented with a scoop of whey powder. The protein in whey is easily absorbed by the intestine. And most people can enjoy a nutrient rich smoothie even when they have nausea or digestive problems related to chemotherapy.
Drink to reduce discomfort. Stay hydrated both before and after chemotherapy sessions to reduce nausea. Drink liquids until your urine runs clear if it has more than a hint of yellow, you need to drink more.
Helpful: Soups and broths provide water, as well as protein, minerals and vitamins. (Organic chicken or beef broth at Trader Joe’s)
Avoid your favorite foods two days before treatments. It’s common for chemotherapy patients to develop food aversions when they get nauseated from treatments and then to associate the nausea with certain foods. It’s sad when people develop aversions and can never again enjoy their favorite foods.
Eat lightly and frequently. People tend to experience more nausea when the stomach is empty. During and after “chemo days,” keep something in your stomach all the time but not too much. Patients do better when they have a light snack such as Sautéed vegetables or a bowl or broth, than when they go hungry or eat a lot at one sitting.
Treat with ginger. When your stomach is upset, steep three slices of fresh ginger in a cup of simmering water for 10 minutes,
Then drink the tea. Or grate fresh ginger with a very fine grater, such as a Microplane, and put the shavings under your tongue. Ginger alleviates nausea almost instantly. Also you can use the oilMD’s GingerMD roller ball frequently throughout the day.
Overcome “metal mouth.” The drugs used in chemotherapy can damage the nerves that control the taste buds. Some people complain about a metallic taste in their mouths after treatments
Others notice that foods taste “flat” or that their mouths are extremely sensitive to hot or cold.
These changes, known as transient taste changes, usually disappear a few weeks (or, in some cases, months) after treatments, but they can make it difficult for people to eat in the meantime.
Helpful: The FASS method. It stands for Fat, Acid, Salt and Sweet. Most people will find that it’s easier to enjoy their meals, and therefore ingest enough nutrients, when they combine one or more of these elements in every meal.
For fat, add more olive oil than usual to meals…lemons are a good source of acid…sea salt has less of a chemical aftertaste than regular salt…and maple syrup gives sweetness with more nutrients (including immune building manganese and zinc) than table sugar.
Try kudzu root. Used in a powder form to thicken sauces, puddings and other foods, it soothes the intestine and can help prevent diarrhea. You also can dissolve one teaspoon of kudzu root in one teaspoon of cold liquid and drink that. Drink after meals, as needed. Kudzu root is available in most health food stores.
Soothe mouth sores with soft, easy-to-eat foods, such as granitas (similar to “Italian ices”) or smoothies. The sores can be intensely painful, which makes it difficult to eat.
Recommended: Watermelon ice cubes. Puree watermelon,
And put it in a tray to freeze. Then suck on the cubes. The cold acts like a topical anesthetic you can numb the mouth before eating a regular meal. And the juice from the melon is just as hydrating as water but provides extra nutrients, including the antioxidant lycopene.

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Lose Weight With More Fiber and Protein In Your Diet

Wednesday, April 29th, 2009

A HIGH FIBER DIET is an essential part of a healthy diet for healthy aging.

I read an article that suggested we eat a salad for lunch everyday, why it recommended this is so that we keep our calories low, and to add more fiber to our diets.  There are so many varieties of salad you should not get bored with it either, so make yourself a delicious salad for lunch, or order one at one of your favorite restaurants.  It will also eliminate the question…what should I have for lunch?

The recommended daily requirement is 35 grams of fiber each day.

Eating a higher-fiber diet has been shown to lower blood cholesterol levels, improve and prevent constipation, and eating enough fiber will also slow the rate that foods pass through the digestive system.

A suggestion would be to double your intake of fiber from 15 grams per day to 35 grams. This will help reduce caloric intake, because when we eat enough fiber we feel satisfied after we finish a meal, so we don’t overeat.

Add Protein to Your Diet

Let’s add  protein to this salad meal as well.   Why? Because emerging research has hinted that protein may be able to satisfy hunger better than either fats or carbohydrates. Remember every morning when we wake we have the privilege to take care of our bodies so we can live healthy, vibrant lives.   One way to do this is to keep our weight at the recommended level for our height.   Obesity levels in the U.S. are rising higher at an alarming rate.  You ask how much protein should I be getting everyday?  For every 2 lbs that you weigh you should be getting .8 grams of protein.  Example if you weigh 100 lbs that is 45 kg, x .8  that equals 36 grams of protein needed that day.

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Longevity

Wednesday, January 21st, 2009

Although the findings seem obvious, the specialists hope that by showing the long-term results of healthy living, people will see that  lifestyle changes can reduce the risk of dying from diseases such as heart disease and cancer.

The findings suggest that the combination of lifestyle factors has a substantially larger impact on survival than any single factor.

It is important for women and men to understand the amount of control we have over our health. You are not a victim. You don’t age, go through mid-life,  become a sick old man or woman, and then die.  That’s not how it has to work. We have to understand that aging doesn’t have to be associated with illness.

Here’s a motto  for 2009  “make yourself  your number one priority every single day“

One lifestyle change is healthy eating.

Check out the New Anti inflammatory Food Pyramid…….

by Dr. Andrew Weil.

http://www.drweil.com/drw/u/ART02995/Dr-Weil-Anti-Inflammatory-Food-Pyramid.html

Next get plenty of exercise:  30 minutes on most days, make sure you break a sweat.  Strength training 2 to 3 times a week.

Stay stress free, pay attention to what you are feeding your mind.  What you feed your mind on will affect your body one way or another.  Stay positive, look at the glass 1/2 full not 1/2 empty.

Attitude is a little thing that makes a big difference.  ~Winston Churchill

Drink plenty of liquids, 8-10 glasses of water each day, which should include  3-5 cups of green tea.

These suggestions are very simple to follow.  There are no extremes here.

Following these suggestions can add years to your life.

Say you are well, or all is well with you,
And God shall hear your words and make them true.
~Ella Wheeler Wilcox

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