Live Life in Crescendo!

I recently heard this quote, and I am sorry, I do not know who to attribute it to.  It is this....

"Live Life in Crescendo!"
 

What a great thought.  How often have you met a 60 or 70 year old who is trudging through life, bored, waiting to die.  Or a young gen Y who is sliding along, not paying attention to what is important to him or her, rather bored with the whole thing called life.

It gets my dander up, I'll tell you!  Life is for living!  It is about choices!  It is about the present moment!  Why choose boredom?  Why not choose adventure?  Why not take a risk? 

I recently heard a doctor talking about Type 2 Diabetes.  HE said, it is a choice.  Did you know that Type 2 diabetes was called Adult Onset Diabetes not long ago?  Why did they change the name???  Because so many children are now getting diabetes that it was no longer just an adult disease.  And why are more children getting it???  BECAUSE  THEIR PARENTS ARE CHOOSING TO REMAIN IGNORANT ABOUT HEALTHY FOOD CHOICES.  BECAUSE THEIR PARENTS ARE CHOOSING TO GO THE FAST ROUTE FOR FEEDING THEIR CHILDREN AND NOT THE HEALTHY ROUTE!

Every time you choose MacDonalds over a healthy meal, you are choosing Type 2 diabetes.  Every time you choose high carb, high sugar meals, you are choosing type 2 diabetes.  Your choice.

But I am not just talking about health here--although, if you know me, you know it is one of my passions!  I am also talking about your job, your daily activities, where you live... everything!  When I chose to retire from Montessori and move to the NYC area... that was pretty risky!  It has certainly been challenging at times, but I have grown from it.  I have not been bored, I can tell you that!  And, I am different because of it.  Better I hope, but definitely different.

Choosing to be an Entrpeneur--that is challenging--and growth inspiring! Moving from a definite paycheck each week to a residual income that is entirely dependent on my daily actions--well that is anything but boring.  And, coupled with physically moving from rural to Metropolitan, which has been uniquely difficult for me, really mixes things up.  So here I am, a year later, honking horns with the best of them!  Yes, it has forced me to grow and to change.  Yes, it keeps me in the present moment.  Alive.  Aware. Engaged.  

So--my new motto is definitely,

"Live Life in Crescendo!"

 

No boredom allowed around here--there is too much to do! Too much to see.  Too much to experience.  Go ahead, take a chance on something different.  It doesn't have to be huge--it could be a new hobby.  It could be trying out ballroom dancing-- canoeing-- painting.  Just remember--we all have choices in life.  We all can choose to stay engaged in life.

Gotta run--there are things to do and places to go!

 

Me? Deny my humble,farm girl upbringing???

Recently I had some house guests. We were getting ready to eat --grilled burgers, salad, etc. When I pulled out the cloth napkins, along with plates, silver wear and glasses to set the table. One of my guests asked me if I didn't have paper plates and napkins.... Actually, I didn't.  I do use them on occasion, when I am not home, but at home, I prefer 'the real deal', so to speak. Am I putting on airs? Am I too good to use paper products? Am I denying my humble, farm girl upbringing?

Not one bit.  But do I like to eat at a well set table?  You bet.  Do I like my home to feel beautiful and well-kept?  Uh-huh.  Why?  And what does this have to do with health anyway?  Well, initially, I was just thinking about why I prefer "real" table settings.  For one thing, ecologically, it is a better choice.  I have to remind myself of that as I wash, dry and fold the 40th napkin of the week... but yes, I believe it is the right choice.  But as I thought about it, I realized there was another reason. 

It feels better.  It feels special.  It feels fancy.  It feels luxurious.  And I deserve to feel all of that.  I deserve to feel good--to feel pampered--even by myself and my choices. 

So what about health again?  This is a health blog after all. OK, here is the connection--the ah-ha moment.  I think when we get to the point of valuing ourselves, of loving ourselves -we take better care of ourselves.  We eat better.  We exercise.  We choose healthy food.  We take vitamins.  We drink water.  We get the right amount of sleep.  Because it feels good.  Because we deserve it.  Because it feels special--fancy--luxurious.  We care about our bodies to the degree that we feel worthy.  Of what?  Of existing.  Of taking up space.  Of being loved. 

In one of my early blogs I wrote about getting naked in front of a mirror and learning to love yourself--every naked pound, saggy butt, and ounce of cellulite.  I think this is connected to that.  I think that we have to accept and love our physical body--and I think we have to emotionally and spiritually accept and love ourselves.  Then we will be motivated to take the first step on the path of health and wellness. 

So stop 'saving' the good china, pull out the cloth napkins and use the family silver!  You deserve it!  Regardless of the lack of love or acceptance growing up... at this very moment you can choose to love and accept your self.  You are worthy of a cloth napkin, the best china and a healthy body!  You are loved.

Mirror, Mirror On The Wall...

Recently I did one of my well practiced 'bait and switch' tactics...

Do you know the children's book, "If You Give A Moose A Cookie?"  (If you give a moose a cookie, he is going to want a glass of milk to go with that cookie.  And if you give a moose a glass of milk with his cookie, he is going to want you to read him a story while he eats his cookie and drinks his milk...) Well, when you start a house project it sort of follows that kind of plan.  Here's the story...

Joe and I had bought a new vanity mirror for over the sink before the holidays last year.  I suggested we put it in now as we have had it for quite a few months, but kept putting it off because the holidays got in the way and we just hadn't gotten back to it.  So... Joe pulled the old mirror out and before he had a chance to put the new one back in I said... "It makes sense to repaint while the mirror is out, and it won't take much to take this old wallpaper off."   Then while we were at the store choosing new paint... we looked at lights, because, well... lets face it, the old light was looking pretty ratty now that the mirror was out of the way.  That store didn't have anything we liked so we stopped at a lighting store and found the perfect vanity light--its beautiful!  Ok, now we have a new mirror, new paint, new light... and then I said... "well, you know we really should rewire before we paint and put the new mirror back in because we need another outlet in the bathroom..." and the next thing you know, my brother is helping us to rewire the bathroom!  Ok.... it is sounding pretty good isn't it?   The whole thing is now back together and looking pretty good.  We went to Bed, Bath and Beyond to get a new shower rod because that was now looking old and worn and I suggested we look at makeup mirrors that attach to the wall--to buy later of course, I just wanted to price them.  Well, as I had a coupon for 10% off and a store credit for $8... it was going to be pretty cheap, so we walked out with a new 8x magnifying make-up mirror!  Wow!  I have to tell you my bathroom looks 100% better!  All from a little suggestion that we just shove in the new vanity mirror... (It will only take a few minutes honey!)

(Looking pretty good, don't you think? 

Wish I had a 'before' photo to show you!)

Alright, so what does any of this have to do with health???  I am getting to it!  It was that pesky little last purchase.  That make-up mirror.  The one that magnifies 8x.... You see, I am not getting older, but evidently my eyes are.  And, I do NOT want to be one of those old ladies with lipstick around their mouth totally missing their lips and looking like a clown--hence the need for a magnifying mirror.  Doesn't it make sense?  Except... when I looked into that mirror, with new lights in the bathroom (you can actually SEE in there now!) I was SHOCKED!  Absolutely SHOCKED!!!  I had gotten lines in my face I never knew I had!  I LOOKED LIKE MY MOTHER!!! AHHHHH....

(Me and my mom--1973, and yes,

that is my Senior Prom night! 

--Mom must have been about 50 in this photo.)

After a few days I recovered from the shock of what a 56 year old face really looked like.  I had been seeing a 30 year old face for the past 26 years!  And then I realized that the reality is I AM 56... closer to 60 than I like to think about and of course my face has been changing.  It reminded me of the importance of skin care--an easy thing to put off... to think that it doesn't matter now, I'll take care of it later.  And of course my nutritional health as well, because we all know skin care is impacted by what we put into our bodies as well. 

So... my next purchase???  A full length floor mirror!  I might as well get over the shock of what the rest of my body looks like now before it gets any older!

A Scientific Thought for the Month of Hearts, Flowers, Chocolate and Love...

This article appeared in my inbox from Usana Health Sciences... now you all know I sell their products.  You all know I am a true believer!  Amen!

  But... I am not just a "believer," I like to have some data to back up the healthy lifestyle I choose!  Read on... and if you want supplements that make a difference, click on "shop online" to the right.  For the best grape seed/vitamin c supplement, you can order "Proflavanol" right from here!

I want to add--and this is not particularly scientific, but definitely my experience--as I have seen people dropping like flies from colds and the flu over the winter season, I have increased my grape seed/ vitamin C intake and stayed healthy... I'm just sayin'...

A Scientific Approach to Heart Health

USANA scientists recently conducted a study in conjunction with a research team at the Boston University School of Medicine. The study showed that grape-seed extract and vitamin C may be beneficial for people who already have a form of cardiovascular disease called coronary artery disease (CAD).

Here’s a little bit of background: Oxidative stress may impact the heart’s ability to effectively pump blood. Over time, this impaired function has been shown to be an important factor in the progression of CAD.

Grape-seed extract and vitamin C have been shown to significantly protect against oxidative stress, as well as to have positive effects on blood flow. The USANA/BU team suspected that the powerful antioxidants could support healthy blood flow through supplementation of these two key nutrients together.

Researchers gave study participants, who were already diagnosed with CAD, either a placebo or 450 mg of grape-seed extract and 1500 mg of vitamin C. Blood samples were taken four hours after receiving the first dose, then again four weeks after taking the same dosage every day.

Those in the treatment group showed improved antioxidant levels. Blood flow response also showed significant improvement following the 28-day treatment relative to the placebo group.

These results suggest that grape-seed extract and vitamin C, working together, may help improve vascular function in people with CAD, even in tiny peripheral blood vessels.

The results of this study were so impressive they were shared at an event sponsored by the American Heart Association.

I Am Living to be 125 years old!

Many of you have heard me say this.  I used to state I was living to be 100 years old--but let's face it, every Tom, Dick and Harry is living to be 100 these days.  So... I upped the ante!  I figure medical science will stay ahead of me so I have a pretty good chance!

But, I am not just relying on medical science to keep me going. (though the Bionic Man did look pretty good!)  There is a lot of reliable research out there giving good information on what I can do to increase my chances of a long and healthy life.  For instance, I usually think in terms of needing an hour a day to exercise.  And yes, that would be wonderful and best.  But in a study of 416,175 Taiwanese adults published Aug. 16, 2011 in the Lancet, exercising for 15 minutes a day is linked to a longer life.  Whoopee!  That means instead of searching for a way to insert an extra hour for exercise into my day, I can squeeze in 15 minutes on those busy days and I will still be increasing my chances for 125 years of healthy living. 

What the researchers found was that those who exercised 15 minutes a day lived three years longer on average than those who exercised less.  And... that more was better--every additional 15 minutes cut the risk of dying over eight years by 4%. 

So, I guess I better stick to finding an hour... but still, during the busy holidays... 15 minutes (and three extra years!) are better than nothing by a long shot.  Gotta go...have to fit in that 15 minute walk and then wrap some more presents!

More on Vitamin D...

Obesity is on the rise in our children. With a fast food restaurant on every corner and with our fast paced lifestyles-- where there is rarely time to sit down together for a home cooked dinner and some schools are not providing enough PE time... it is not surprising that our children are heavier than ever.  There is one easy thing you can do to help...

A 2007 study in "Obesity: A Research Journal" involving pre-adolescent African-American children found that 57 percent of obese children were vitamin D-deficient. The children were given vitamin D-3 supplements of 400 IU each day for a month, but the amount was not enough to raise the children's blood levels to adequate amounts of vitamin D, greater than 30 ng/ml. The study recommended an increase of vitamin D-3 to 1,000 IU per day to raise and maintain serum vitamin D levels. In 2010, the recommended dietary allowance was raised to 600 IU per day for children.

Make sure you are giving your children a high quality multi-vitamin and mineral, along with plenty of outdoor playtime and healthy snacks like carrots and hummus instead of chips and ranch dip to help your children achieve a healthy weight.

Adults too suffer from vitamin D deficiency and it impacts our weight as well...

Many factors that might influence vitamin D blood levels include age, amount of exposure to sun, skin pigmentation, and vitamin D intake in food and supplements. "The Journal of Clinical Endocrinology Metabolism" printed a 2007 study that followed 410 women between the ages of 20 and 80 who ranged in body mass from 17 to 30 kg/m2. After analyzing vitamin D levels and body fat levels, it concluded that healthy women who were overweight were insufficient in vitamin D.

If you live in the northeast... you will not be getting enough vitamin D from sunshine (don't you know it!) and you need to supplement! The connection between weight and vitamin D is only one aspect of vitamin D deficiency.    

To read more: http://www.livestrong.com/article/448433-vitamin-d-and-higher-body-fat-levels/#ixzz1b8hSCVpL

Enzymes and Probiotics--What's all the Fuss About?

There is a lot of brouhaha in the media right now about enzymes and probiotics. I thought I would take a minute and talk about them as they are both critical to health!

There are three types of enzymes:
Digestive Enzymes are what our bodies use to break the molecules of food down into manageable sizes that can be used by our body for fuel.

Food Enzymes are present naturally in raw foods. When you cook vegetables you kill the enzymes. When you let the veggies sit in the refrigerator for 3 weeks, you kill the enzymes. But, when you eat fresh , raw food, you add enzymes to the store of enzymes in your body. Every time you eat highly processed food, or overcooked food, you use up some of your cash of enzymes, so that, by the time you are 35 years old or so... you may have used up all of your enzymes! Then when you eat food with no enzymes... where do they come from to help you digest your food? You need to eat very fresh raw food, or add some high quality enzymes to your diet.

Metabolic Enzymes aid in the production of energy in the body and are connected to every working organ within the human body and also aid in the repair of damaged and decaying tissues. Metabolic enzymes aid in:

• the purification of the blood
• assisting and strengthening of the immune system
• aiding the body in the breakdown of fats
• lowering cholesterol levels and triglyceride levels
• enhancing the digestive process
• aiding in the function of the endocrine system and glands.

Ok, that is your primer on enzymes. Now, what are probiotics?

Probiotics are beneficial bacteria that live in our small and large intestines. They are also called "microflora." These organisms do many things for us including:

• killing harmful bacteria
• killing fungus (candida)
• building B vitamins for the rest of our body to use.

They also help produce enzymes and many other functions too numerous to mention. When your body is low in beneficial bacteria, it can cause gas, bloating, bad breath, constipation, diarrhea, intestinal toxicity and poor absorption of nutrients! Now if that isn't reason enough to take in some extra probiotics... I don't know what is!

Ok, that is my pitch for anyone over 35 to start adding enzymes and probiotics to their diet! I have to tell you I have noticed a huge difference since I started taking them regularly! I was on the verge of giving up all of the "good food" I loved on the weekends! Chicken wings, fish fry, spicy food... it had become too uncomfortable to eat any of it--not that I am a proponent of it regularly, but I certainly like to splurge once in a while!!! Now I can!

Importance of Vitamin D

Have you been reading all the news articles about Vitamin D lately?

Optimal levels of Vitamin D (40-80 ng/ml) enhance the creation and functioning of healthy cells throughout the body. In addition to protecting the bones and boosting the immune system, studies show that Vitamin D helps prevent certain cancers, including breast, ovarian, prostate, and colorectal.

A study conducted by Cedric Garland and other prominent vitamin D researchers determined that women with vitamin D levels above 52 ng/ml have half the risk of developing breast cancer as those with 13 ng/ml! Garland (et al) estimates that 58,000 new cases of breast cancer in the U.S. could be prevented per year by raising vitamin D levels to 52 ng/ml. Imagine what the global impact could be!

A simple blood test is all that's needed to find out your vitamin D level.

Usana, as usual, was ahead of the game. Well before all of the hoopla in the media, they had increased the Vitamin D levels in their multi-vitamin packets to a whopping 2000 IU's as well as having an individual Vitamin D supplement. Usana, the world's leading supplement company!

Usana Supplements Manufactured Using Pharmaceutical Good Manufacturing Practices

USANA Health Sciences formulates exceptional, science-based nutritional and personal-care products. USANA manufactures its own nutritional supplements, and voluntarily meets pharmaceutical Good Manufacturing Practices (GMP).

Pharmaceutical GMP standards are far more stringent than the food GMP requirements set by the U.S. government for supplements. To adhere to the exacting standards of pharmaceutical GMP, and to ensure the quality of every product manufactured, USANA inspects all raw ingredients before they are mixed, tests the product during manufacturing, and performs a final analysis before any product is sent to the customer.

USANA's Quality Assurance team keeps track of every detail, from careful testing and evaluation of raw materials, to meticulous product shipping and storage. Visitors to USANA's corporate headquarters can take a self-guided tour to see USANA's manufacturing process firsthand.