Wellness Posts

Dating? Guess Who's Watching!

support@wellness.com — Wed, 17 Jun 2015 07:00:00 Z

Wellness.com - Dating? Guess Who's Watching! by Lisa Jander

Oh, yes, they're watching! Teens may not always seem interested in what their parents are doing but when it comes to dating and love, they are watching every move. Here are some tips on how you can model healthy dating and help the next generation steer clear of some tough situations in their own relationships. Money Matters:- Dinner and drinks can add up to over a hundred dollars in no time. Finding fun, healthy activities that are free or low cost will show teens that quality time getting to know someone does not have to mean you go broke in the process. Go for a bike ride, take a walk or just sit on the front porch talking. Dating does not have to be expensive; every moment does not have to include a limo and a bottle of champagne. Mental Math:- Leading with logic is the best way to keep from making unhealthy choices. By demonstrating that you are keeping your head engaged and not letting your heart run wild, you will influence how your teen views relationships. Make your list of "deal breakers" before you begin dating and keep your children's needs in mind. Tip: location, location, location. Most teens don't want to move. Dating someone who is geographically undesirable will typically cause unnecessary stress for everyone. Physical Fitness: -Personal touch and closeness is every teen's love language. When they see (or hear) that adults are keeping healthy physical boundaries, it makes it easier for them to embrace the idea of personal respect when they begin dating. Talk with them about what to expect in terms of affection and always consider their perspective. One rule that should not be overlooked: never have someone from last night's date sitting at the breakfast table the next morning! - Emotional Energy:- Dating can be an emotional rollercoaster if not kept in check. Be honest and open about your feelings while keeping the drama in neutral. Encourage your teen to express their feelings about the process and their perceptions and carefully respect their views. Slow and steady is the best example to model healthy dating. If you need to break off a relationship, do not involve your teenager. Spiritually Savvy:- While each person has their own set of values, morals and beliefs, be careful not to compromise in areas you have raised your teen to view as sacred. This can send a mixed message that will probably backfire when they begin to date. Be clear about your beliefs up front with the person you date and don't settle for something that will undermine the family framework. Even slight variations in this area can cause big problems down the road. Finding love in this culture is not easy. Dating, with kids that live at home, is a big commitment but with a few simple practices in place, the journey will be far less bumpy. During the teen years, parents have the amazing privilege and the responsibility to show their kids how they will navigate relationships, dating, love and even marriage. The caution is that teens today live in a world of entitlement and speed - both of which cause accidents. Teaching teens about healthy love is one of the greatest gifts a parent can give them.

Telling the Absolute Complete Truth

support@wellness.com — Wed, 17 Jun 2015 07:00:00 Z

Wellness.com - Telling the Absolute Complete Truth by Pennie Quaile-Pearce

Everything you would like to experience in Life is just beyond F.E.A.R. F-alse -E-vidence -A-ppearing -R-eal. In my last post-, I started to mention the tool of -T.A.C.T - T-elling the -A-bsolute -C-omplete -T-ruth. So TACT is a tool with which we remind ourselves about levels of truth and how we use them. Using TACT in your life does not give you permission to be hurtful, disrespectful or rude, however it encourages you to tell the whole truth and nothing but the truth when stating your needs, telling your story, dealing with situations or expressing your feelings. What happens when you don’t tell the truth? - Not telling the truth in a relationship (any relationship) is like not watering a plant- you end up killing something that was once alive and growing. The inevitable result of holding back the truth from someone you care for is that you end up holding back the love as well. After some time in a relationship where the truth is not expressed you will look back and wonder ‘What happened to that juicy feeling? Where did the magic go?’ The answer is that the love and magic are buried under piles of uncommunicated emotions. You simply cannot suppress your negative (low vibrational) feelings (anger, fear, hurt, guilt) and expect the positive (high vibrational) emotions to remain lively. When you numb yourself to your undesirable emotions, you are numbing your ability to feel positive emotions as well. The long-term effect of not telling the truth to yourself or others and of pushing down your feelings is that you lose your ability to feel positive emotions like joy, excitement and passion. The dictionary defines passion as "an intense feeling." Every time you suppress a feeling you don’t want to deal with you are systematically destroying your -ability to feel, and step by step you are killing the passion in all your relationships and everything else you do. I have found when using TACT in all areas of my life that another quality is very useful... and that’s -grace. In our next article, we will start to discuss the 4 R’s - R-epression (& Suppression), -R-ejection, -R-esentment and -R-esistance in more detail and how they affect our daily life. Taken from How to do Life – the secrets to modern living, By Pennie Quaile Pearce. Pennie is the CEO of Acorn to Oak, an expert in energetics and energetic medicine, a Life Coach, author and workshop facilitator.

Understanding Mental Wellness: Battling Stigmas

support@wellness.com — Wed, 17 Jun 2015 07:00:00 Z

Wellness.com - Understanding Mental Wellness: Battling Stigmas by Robert Parmer

America, the beautiful, has some not-so-beautiful ways of perceiving health problems that surround us. Our country doesn’t have the best track record when it comes to shaming behaviors and that is, to put it lightly, disappointing. Judgemental attitudes, stereotyping, and other negativity can be prominent in certain subcultures. It is extremely important to view both mental health and physical health as intertwined. One cannot be truly healthy if they are facing issues with either. Taking the steps to understanding and relating to what a person is going through when they are dealing with cognitive health illness is something that everyone should take into consideration. The simple fact is that people from every age group, from all walks of life, can be challenged by these illnesses. Still our country is filled with some social, physical, and mental health stigmas. About 8 million Americans suffer from a severe mental illness and it is estimated that -almost half of those cases go untreated. There is headway to be made here, and groups everywhere are trying to reverse these unfortunate socially derogatory behaviors. For example, community oriented websites such as -Stigma Fighters- help create a comfortable environment for people with mental health illnesses and offer structured support. Anyone can help support these websites through means of contribution and investments, whether that is through donations or creative input. It is also important to note that social stigmas exist -all over the world. In India for example, there is a very different type of negative connotation towards mental disorders. It is a common belief among some demographics that mental disorders are a result of evil spirits or curses. This is a fairly outlandish claim, but goes to show that stigmas exist everywhere. Indian citizens' overall health may be at stake if they are pressured into believing that their mental health issues are due to supernatural forces. There are many variables to achieving happiness in the equation of life. Mental health stigmas hinder the solutions we all want. Advocate change in a manner that supports those with mental health illnesses. The world of cognitive instability is often misunderstood and perceived poorly by outsiders who refuse to try to understand. When American citizens think of who is responsible for crimes in society, they often attribute them to people with mental "problems." This is a huge misconception, and adds to the backwards stigmas that exist. The vast majority of these people are not dangerous. They are patients mistaken for prisoners. It’s easy for people that are cognitively healthy to look right past these issues and continue to take a judgmental and incriminating approach. This is an all around flawed perspective to take. A social experiment that was set in motion on the streets of Baltimore aimed to answer some questions associated with mental health stigmas. The organization I Am Not Crazy posted this short -social experiment video- on YouTube. The results may surprise you. Some food for thought: - Are people with a mental illness more prone to violence than those without one? - What is the public perception and what are the actual statistics on the relationship between mental illness and violence? - What percentage of violent crimes do you think are committed by the mentally ill? - This social experiment shows that in general there is a skewed opinion on the ideologies of crime and negativity towards those with mental health illnesses. It is vitally important to not follow this trend. But what can we do? - Simply put, we can advocate change. Recognize situations where those with mental health illnesses are being unfairly treated. Reverse the stigmas. Don’t allow yourself to think those negative thoughts, because when it comes down to it, this issue is bigger than you might think. Joking about these situations is harmful, and comparisons to criminals are not justifiable. More than anything, realize that stigmas hold zero validity in our society and we can all individually help take a stand against these stigmas. After all, the gateway to true wellness lies within balancing a healthy mind and a healthy body.

Does Being Married Keep You Well?

support@wellness.com — Mon, 15 Jun 2015 21:00:00 Z

Wellness.com - Does Being Married Keep You Well? by Mary Jayne Rogers

Every year, we see more and more couples choosing not to marry. Many choose to cohabitate. Many do not want even that level of commitment. The Atlantic reported that these couples are not afraid of marriage per se, but instead are afraid they will be unable to stay married. In other words, what they fear is divorce; which is understandable considering the emotional and financial ramifications of dissolving a marriage.

Certainly there are cases to be made for marriage. Aside from the romantic and social expectations associated with marriage, it is generally accepted among a wide spectrum of research that marriage has significant health benefits. People who are married tend to live longer, and more healthfully than people who are single, divorced, widowed or even couples who cohabitate. A person who is married tends to get sick less frequently and is also more likely to recover from severe illness than those who are not married. Note: This of course would not be true in a marriage that is harmful or abusive.

The question that looms in my mind is WHY?

Initially there was some thought to the idea that simply "being married" was the magic pill that would lead us to a longer more healthful life. Of course that is an oversimplification. But what is it that occurs in a healthy marriage that keeps us well - or at least more well than our single counterparts?

From a pragmatic perspective, one might say that married couples have an advantage economically. They may tend to share resources more readily and may have better access to health care.

From a sociological perspective, perhaps married couples are more inclined to be involved in like-minded and supportive social groups such as church or charity involvement.

From a legal perspective, people who are married have a vested interest in the health of their partner. The consequences of facing a long-term illness or catastrophic event could result in financial devastation. Helping one another eat healthy foods, exercise regularly, and wear seat belts and sunscreen, may be and act of love or even construed as "nagging." But there is certainly risk to one party when the other maintains reckless behavior. Therefore it is in our best interested to keep our spouses healthy!

While all of these perspectives may have validity and contribute to the wellness benefit of marriage, I am not certain they truly get to the "heart" of the matter. In his book "Secret Teaching of Plants," Buhner describes how we communicate via our heart center and details how all of our body systems resonate to the electromagnetic energy of the heart. Simple gestures such as understanding touch or taking a loved one's hand can send healing energy throughout the body.

While this speaks to understanding the healing nature love relationships, it does not necessarily speak to the unique situation of marriage. Could it be that it is the commitment itself to another person to honor, respect, and consider their needs as greatly as we consider our own?

What does it really mean to make that commitment to the union of marriage? Ironically, it is about validating who we are as individuals. While all quality relationships can have healing qualities, the deeper the level of commitment in a relationship, the greater the wellness benefit.

Psychotherapist, Janice Badal M.S. writes, "'If a tree falls in a forest and no one is there to hear it, did it make a sound?" Why do you think we find this philosophical question so tantalizing? ... This question has great meaning to us all. If we speak and no one hears, if we act and no one sees, if we feel and no one responds - do we exist? We all want to believe that we are important to somebody, that who we are has meaning"

Marriage represents the deepest level of commitment that we offer in our society. Like the tree that falls in the forest, we need to be heard, seen, validated, and acknowledged. Marriage is a witness to our value on this earth and to our actual existence. It may be the greatest gift one person can give another. In doing so, we respond with wholeness at the cellular level and even the very essence of our being blossoms.

Dr. Mary Jayne Rogers is an Exercise Physiologist specializing in whole-person wellness and fitness education and instruction. As an educator, Mary Jayne brings multi-dimensional wellness and fitness experiences along with a welcoming and genuine teaching style to inspire students and wellness enthusiasts of all ages.

Double Your Weight Loss with this One Strategy

support@wellness.com — Mon, 15 Jun 2015 07:00:00 Z

Wellness.com - Double Your Weight Loss with this One Strategy by JJ Virgin

When I worked one-on-one with clients, I had one rule: Write everything down or you’re fired. Harsh though it sounds, tracking everything from food intake to body measurements ensured fat loss success, created accountability, and eliminated potential weight loss resistance barriers. Researchers validate my rule. One study from The Center for Health Research (CHR) involving nearly 1,700 participants and published in the -American Journal of Preventive Medicine-, found people who wrote everything down -lost -twice -as much weight as those who didn’t. You read that correctly. “The more food records people kept, the more weight they lost,” says Jack Hollis, PhD, lead author of the study. If a supplement or superfood made that claim, you would line up around the block to buy it, right? - Journaling works because you can only change what you can measure. You won’t have any idea where you’ve ended up if you don’t know where you started. Maybe you’re doing everything correctly yet your weekly measurements don’t reveal progress. You can go back and say, “Hey, am I eating sneaky sugars? Is gluten or other food intolerances slipping into my meals? Am I eating too much?” - Journaling can provide a harsh reality check. “I can’t believe I ate -that- much,” clients confessed. Others would only want to show me the good days. “You don’t want to see Wednesday,” one said, “It started off well, and then…” Nope, I want to see the good -and- bad days. A few said, “Oh, I just keep my intake in my head. I don’t have time to write everything down.” - Again, -no. If you tried to play a speed round of what you had for meals over the last week and a half, how do you think you’d do? Not a chance of remembering, right? That’s how we get ourselves in trouble. We don’t see the big picture, and how meal after meal, day after day, sneaky sugar, food intolerances, and other problem foods creep in. But glance at that little journal, and there’s no missing that you haven’t eaten enough today (that’s why I don’t have any energy!), you went too long between meals (that’s why I have a headache!), or you didn’t drink enough water and you were hungrier than ever. You zero in and eliminate the culprit. Food is information. Your fork is  the most powerful way to  impact your weight, your mood, your energy, your joint pain, and the rate you age. A journal simplifies connecting the dots between  what you eat and how you feel. How you track becomes up to you. Some people like smartphone or laptop apps, but a pen and paper will work just fine. Dive deep here beyond food intake and write down your sleep, stress levels, supplement intake, meal timing, and whatever factors tracking will help you improve. The more effort you invest, the more rewarding your journey will become. If you’ve kept a journal, did you find tracking food intake and other measures initially difficult? Ultimately, did you find journaling helped you better reach your goals? Share your story below or my -Facebook page.

Move Over Coconut Oil—The Wonders of Pumpkin Seed Oil

support@wellness.com — Mon, 08 Jun 2015 07:00:00 Z

Wellness.com - Move Over Coconut Oil—The Wonders of Pumpkin Seed Oil by Michelle Pellizzon

Photo credit: Paul Delmont, -Thrive Market - Coconut oil may be the reigning queen of oils—and for -a ton of good reasons-—but -pumpkin seed oil- is worthy of a royal title of its own when it comes to beauty. The iconic orange fruit pops up in everything during the fall months, including spiced lattes and rich, creamy pies, but it tends to falls off the map after Thanksgiving dinner ends. And that's a shame, because pumpkins—particularly the pumpkin seeds—are packed full of vitamins, fatty acids, and omega-3s that can boost your beauty naturally. How? Let us count the ways. That Gorgeous Glow - The amount of antioxidants and fatty acids found in pumpkin seed oil help your skin retain moisture, while the vitamins A and E helps improve your skin's texture and tone. The zinc also works to fight free radicals, meaning it'll give you a youthful glow. And—like coconut oil—pumpkin seed oil is a carrier, meaning you don't have to mix it with anything else before slathering it on your skin. (Though you can mix it with essential oils if you want the aroma.) Simply rub it onto clean skin, or add equal parts of -tea tree oil -or -witch hazel- to create an anti-acne toner that will keep your skin balanced all summer long. Tresses That Rival Rapunzel's - All of the vitamins and fatty acids that make pumpkin seed oil so great for your skin makes it great for your hair, too. Pumpkin seeds are rich in vitamin K, a vital nutrient needed for strong and shiny hair. The zinc also helps with scalp health. Sold? Create a simple deep conditioner by combining one tablespoon of -shea butter- to one tablespoon of pumpkin seed oil. Add the mixture to freshly washed hair and leave on for 20 minutes before rinsing. Goodbye, Hair Breakage - Can this oil really stop your hair from falling out? Recent research says yes. According to a 2014 study from a group of Korean researchers, pumpkin seed oil -inhibits 5-alpha reductase-, an enzyme that is said to produce DHT from testosterone. Translation: It won't make new hair grow, but it could help strengthen the hair and keep more of it from falling out. A Key Player in the Kitchen - Yes, you can cook with pumpkin seed oil, but don't assume you can use it exactly like you do olive or coconut oil. The dark, nutty flavor works well in marinades or dressings, but it has a low smoke point, meaning it loses its nutrition when heated. You can also drink it straight to absorb its antioxidant benefits, which lets the oil do its magic from the inside out. So give it whirl. Pumpkin seed oil- may never take the place of coconut oil in your life, but if you want healthy skin and strong, shiny hair, it definitely deserves a spot in your pantry. You Might Also Like: - 16 Unexpected Ways To Use Coconut Oil-
-How Peppermint Oil Repels Insects-
- Coconut Oil: Which Kind to Buy and Why

The Only Exercise You’ll Ever Need?

support@wellness.com — Thu, 04 Jun 2015 07:00:00 Z

Wellness.com - The Only Exercise You’ll Ever Need? by Brian McDermott

It’s called the -Tabata Sprint-, named after a Japanese Researcher Dr. Izumi Tabata. It takes a fraction of the time of the usual gym workout. It works your body aerobically and anaerobically, meaning it increases both your endurance and strength. It raises testosterone to help build muscle. It requires no equipment and can be done anywhere. Some claim it’s one of the best fat burning exercise around. Better yet, for something that sounds too good to be true, there is very compelling science behind it. In a ground breaking 1996 study done by Dr. Tabata and his colleagues, what we now call "Tabata" sprints (high intensity interval training done in bursts of 20 seconds followed by 10 seconds of rest) lead to a significant increase in both aerobic and anaerobic capacity. This six week study was inspired by the Japanese Olympic Speed Skating team who had great success with interval training. A more recent study at the University of Wisconsin confirmed the potential of Tabata training. In this study the Tabata routines elevated Aerobic and Anaerobic markers to those consistent with exercises that have proven effective at building endurance and strength. The exciting part was that the Tabata training achieved this double positive effect in only 20 minutes of training – a very efficient way to exercise. In short, you get the best of both worlds, aerobic exercise and strength training, in one relatively brief training routine. How To Incorporate Tabata Training into Your Routine - First, always check with a physician to make sure you are ready for an intense interval training routine. To make Tabata sprints work you have to train very hard over short periods of time. Because of this intensity, many personal trainers recommend easing into it. Start with fewer rounds or fewer reps for the first weeks and work up to 8 rounds of a single exercise like sprinting. Even though they’re called Tabata “sprints,” other non-running exercises can be substituted. But running is an excellent way to start. You can do this in a park or at your local high school track. The idea is to exercise at near full capacity for that 20 seconds. Then rest completely for ten seconds. As you get stronger you can eventually work up to four different rounds of 8 Tabata reps using different exercises while resting one minute in between each full round. This takes a total of 20 minutes. Sample Tabata Sprint Routine - 5 Minute warm up (jumping jacks or a mild jog etc.) - Round One - Sprint hard for 20 seconds. Rest for 10 seconds. Repeat 8 times. Rest for one minute - Round Two - Push ups, as many as you can do in 20 seconds. Rest for 10 seconds. Repeat 8 times. Rest for one minute - Round Three - Burpees-, as many as you can do in 20 seconds. Rest for 10 seconds. Repeat 8 times. Rest for one minute - Round Four - Lunges, as many as you can do in 20 seconds. Rest for 10 seconds. Repeat 8 times. Do this routine 3 times a week with at least one rest day in between each session. Again, start small and work your way up to this. When done right Tabata Sprints are very taxing, which is why they work so well! - Over time, you might want to change up the exercises for each sequence of 8. Try substituting new exercises like jumping rope, riding a bike or -Russian Twists. Switching things up can keep it more interesting and make sure you don’t over train specific muscle groups. Body weight exercises are usually good choices. Some critique the enthusiasm over Tabata sprints as being misleading because many who try Tabata sprints don’t train as hard as is necessary to reap the full benefits. While this may be a legitimate concern for some, the science has shown that Tabata Sprints have very real benefits that few exercise protocols can achieve as efficiently. If you had to choose only one simple, inexpensive, brief workout that builds endurance, strength and muscle Tabata Sprints would be an excellent choice.

45 Ways Soda Pop Can Hurt You

support@wellness.com — Mon, 01 Jun 2015 07:00:00 Z

Wellness.com - 45 Ways Soda Pop Can Hurt You by Fred Fletcher

How many chemicals, drugs or food substances can you think of that have been scientifically tied to at least 45 different medical ailments, symptoms and diseases? This is especially troubling when you consider that we are talking about a beverage found in 99% of public eating establishments; it is even more troubling when you consider how many people on earth consume this stuff, usually without knowledge of what they innocently imbibe. Perhaps only water is consumed in higher quantity than carbonated drinks. In developed countries especially, in fact, soda pop has replaced water as the preferred fluid to consume. Consider males between 12 and 29 years, for example. They, reportedly, drink about -160 gallons of the fizzy stuff annually - or, roughly, about 2 quarts daily! - Very popular still among adults, soda is very aggressively now marketed to the young - with excellent results (in terms of profit) for the soda pop cartels. This includes, sadly, putting vending machines in many public and private schools. This pimping relationship brings in millions to cash-strapped school systems, but at what shameful cost? - Soda pop, unfortunately, carries a very heavy medical and public health cost, while, at the same time, delivering no nutritional benefit whatsoever. Most people have heard how soda damages teeth and promotes other sugar-related injuries but the problem goes much deeper than that, both quantitatively and qualitatively. In fact, here are 45 medical problems (not that this is a complete list!) that have been scientifically tied to carbonated and sports drinks: - 1. Cancer. Soda is suspected of causing, promoting or being tied to several types of -cancer. Most recently, -4-methylimidazole -or 4-MEI, a chemical found in the caramel coloring that gives soda its brown color, has been identified as a carcinogen (i.e., liver and lung cancer) in some studies. Additionally, the high caffeine in drinks have been connected to bladder and stomach cancer; aspartame and high fructose corn syrup (HFCS) have been connected to -leukemia-; brominated vegetable oil (BVO) and Acesulfame K (AceK) are also suspected carcinogens; and, finally, the high acidity in soda may force cells to become malignant (ironically, as a way to escape the toxicity of high acidity). 2. Chronic kidney disease. Believe it or not, sodas are suspected of being responsible for -kidney stones-, as well as of long-term damage to the kidneys. 3. Neurotoxicity. Especially attributed to the very toxic "-aspartame-" (NutraSweet), soda is thought to be responsible for several forms of nerve disorders; the BVO in some sodas is also thought to have neurotoxic qualities. Actually, aspartame has been tied to about 92 nasty health problems/complications. 4. Liver cirrhosis. The high amounts of -high fructose corn syrup -(which has to be metabolized in the liver) is thought to put such a nasty burden on the liver as to actually produce the same damage seen in people who drink too much alcohol. 5. Osteoporosis. This is perhaps one of the best established (in other words, it's no longer a mere "suspicion") ailments inflicted by soda. The phosphoric acid in soda lowers bone density by forcing the body to use its stored calcium deposits (mostly in the bones) to counter the horrible effects of the high acidity. This leads to weak bones, especially as people age - potentially leading to life-threatening broken and misshapen bones. 6. Gastrointestinal distress. Sodas increase the acid in the stomach, sometimes leading to stomach lining erosion, and the discomfort/potential complications (including cancer, ulcers, GERD, etc.) that may accompany such. 7. Exacerbated symptoms of ADD and ADHD. The sodium benzoate in soda, for example, can lead to hyperactivity, as can artificial flavors in most sodas. These can be made worse by the caffeine, excessive sugar and BVO (which has been tied to irrational behavior promotion). 8. Violent, irrational behavior. Especially attributable to -BVO-, these behavioral problems, in fact, have led to the banning of some energy/sports drinks (e.g., Powerade) in Asia and some European countries. 9. Rotting & falling-out teeth. The acids (including phosphoric acid) destroys teeth enamel, leading to teeth degradation and periodontal disease; this is exacerbated by loss of calcium. 10. Diabetes mellitus. The high HFCS and sugar in soda puts great pressure on the pancreas - perhaps too much pressure, especially for those genetically predisposed to the disease. 11. Migraines. The culprits are caffeine, BVO, aspartame, and acidic blood. 12. Memory loss. Blame BVO and aspartame. 13. Emotional disorders. Blame, again, aspartame. 14. Blurred vision. Can you say "aspartame?" - 15. Heart palpitations. "Aspartame!" - 16. Shortness of breath. "Aspartame!" - 17. Ringing of the ears. "Aspartame!" - 18. Cardiovascular disease. Inorganic sodium -(in some sodas) hardens arteries; HFCS, caffeine & aspartame all put unnecessary stress on the heart and may worsen high blood pressure (HBP). 19. Birth defects. These may be blamed on excessive caffeine; -BVO- in some drinks (-Mountain Dew-, etc.) is highly suspected in this regard. 20. Sore muscles. This can occur because of the depletion of potassium and calcium, especially if drinking soda and power drinks after workouts. As diuretics, these drinks drain the body, rather than replenish any nutrients! - 21. Weakened immune systems. These drinks, by raising the acidity in your blood, create inflammation, which has been tied to disease, including immunosuppression. 22. Carbon dioxide poisoning. True, most of the CO2 in soda dissipates before ingestion but, even if just small amounts get through, you will suffer bad consequences. CO2 is a poison we flush out of our bodies - does it make any sense, then, to put it in anything going back into our bodies? - 23. Asthma. Sodium benzoate or -benzoic acid-, a popular preservative in soda, is suspected of being tied to asthma. 24. Rashes. A number of chemicals in soda have been tied to skin lesions & rashes, including: Tartrazine (orange/yellowish drink coloring), sodium benzoate, sulfur dioxide, etc. 25. Fainting spells. Sulfur dioxide (a color preserver) is a suspected culprit. 26. Tightening of the chest. Again, blame sulfur dioxide. 27. Shock. "Sulfur dioxide exposure!" (in high amounts) - 28. Coma. "Sulfur dioxide exposure!" (in excessive, raw quantity!). 29. Swelling. Tartrazine -(which has been banned in Finland & Norway) can be blamed. It can also promote allergic reactions, excessive mucus and bloodshot eyes. Reactions may also spring from Carmoisine (a reddish drink coloring) - this is one of the very few toxic things in this list banned in the US! - 30. Stroke. The main culprit suspected is inorganic sodium, fortunately found only in some sodas. 31. High blood pressure. The main three culprits are HFCS, caffeine, and inorganic sodium. 32. Infertility & reproductive issues. The main culprits are BVO & 4-MEI. 33. Thyroid dysfunction. Again, 4-MEI is the -suspected substance-; some people want to ban it from all sodas but soda companies, as stubborn as selfish mules, insist it is safe, in spite of mounting scientific data to the contrary. It is officially banned in California. 34. Fluoride poisoning. Since soda companies use municipal water in their bottling facilities, you will ingest a great deal of -toxic fluoride -if you drink carbonated drinks. This type of gradual, slow poisoning, unfortunately, usually results in unseen, difficult to detect, and long-term chronic conditions (e.g., cancer, etc.) - which is why its danger is so difficult to prove to the public. 35. High cholesterol. This has been shown to be the result of consuming excessive sugar, as well as caffeine. 36. Obesity & weight gain. Can you see why excessive HFCS and sugar can bring this about? - 37. Premature aging. Again, blame sugar. 38. Seizures. There is that nasty "aspartame" again! - 39. Breast lumps- (possibly confused for cancer, thereby exposing you to dangerous procedures & expense). Blame -caffeine- for this! - 40. Hypothyroidism. Brominated vegetable oil (BVO) is, again, to blame. Thyroid problems were left as a separate problem (#33) because BVO is not in every soda and another chemical (4-MEI) is to blame for the other medical ailment (albeit pertaining to the same organ). 41. Autoimmune disorders. BVO is the suspect. 42. Growth development problems. "BVO, again." - 43. Schizophrenia. Folks, don't give anyone susceptible to this mental illness (or -psychosis-) anything -containing bromine-, as is the case with BVO. 44. Hearing loss. "BVO, again." - 45. Loss of muscle coordination. "Lastly, BVO." - Conclusion - As has already been said, this is not a complete list of the medical ailments, symptoms and diseases attributed to carbonated and power/sports drinks. Simply put, these beverages, in spite of being so well-marketed (most flagrantly, to children), so openly-blessed by the government & medical organizations, and so easily accessible to the masses (to the point of truly being almost "ubiquitous"), are not suitable for human consumption. They may taste incredibly good (at least until you find out what they are doing to your insides), appeal to the senses, help communities to make up for financial shortfalls in public schools, and even become highly addictive (on the surface, not posing much danger) - but is the price we are paying, both medically and public health-wise worth it all? - Clearly, each of us will have to answer that question individually, though we are all paying for their rampant, irresponsible use as a society. Some experts believe that these beverages will in the future be made illegal but only time will tell. In the mean time, do you care what you put in your body? Even if 75% of what's in this article is wrong, you have still been given ample reason to stop drinking soda pop - if you know what's good for you! - Copyright, 2015. Fred Fletcher. All rights reserved. References & Resources - (see embedded links)

Why Snacking Can Stall Weight Loss

support@wellness.com — Sun, 31 May 2015 21:00:00 Z

Wellness.com - Why Snacking Can Stall Weight Loss by JJ Virgin

“I wasn’t even hungry,” my friend confessed recently. “I had a stressful morning, my coworker brought in hot cinnamon buns, and their waft become too hard to resist.” - Hunger rarely provides motivation to snack. Like my friend, you’re stressed, bored, emotionally unfulfilled, or otherwise want to drown your feelings in a bag of chips or a blondie brownie. While some experts argue snacking or “mini-meals” can help you lose weight, I’ve found the opposite among three decades working with clients: Snacking can stall fat loss and create weight loss resistance. Among its problems, snacking: - Spikes insulin. Whenever you eat, your body secretes insulin, which delivers sugar from your bloodstream to your cells, then to your liver and muscle for storage. These storage units only take what they need. If you've still got sugar hanging out in your blood, your liver repackages that sugar as triglycerides, which insulin stores as fat. Every time you snack, you crank up insulin levels, bolting your fat-cell doors and stalling fast, lasting fat loss. Increases calories.- While hormones matter more, calories still count, and eating too much of even a healthy snack becomes unhealthy. Studies show people who eat even a healthy snack subsequently- ate the same amount at dinner. Often becomes habitual. You hear your coworker open a bag of cookie, and even though you just had lunch two hours before, you suddenly gravitate towards the vending machine. Snacking often becomes nothing more than a bad, potentially unhealthy habit. Frequently occurs at night.- Dietary catastrophes often occur at night, when a momentary lapse of judgment or maybe a super-stressful day leads you to that half-eaten pint of butter pecan. Studies indicate that -nighttime snacking stores more fat. Thirst often comes disguised as hunger. A study at the University of Washington found everyone who drank just eight ounces of water before bed curbed their hunger completely. How to Break the Snacking Habit - The easiest way to curb snacking is to do meals correctly. Start with a filling -protein shake- for breakfast and then eat every four to six hours. Make your meals lean protein, healthy fats, lots of leafy and cruciferous veggies, and slow-release high-fiber carbs. Many former frequent snackers discover once they eat enough at meals and stabilize blood sugar, they no longer hanker for a mid-afternoon snack. Despite eating healthy at meals, you’ll probably occasionally snack. Maybe lunch didn't satisfy you or you'll need something healthy to resist hot buttery movie popcorn. If you’re legitimately hungry and not habitually snacking, smart options include: - Celery with almond butter - Kale chips with guacamole - Slow roasted or dehydrated nuts and seeds - Non-dairy, non-soy protein shake with berries, kale, and unsweetened coconut or almond milk - Hummus with crudité - Sliced natural turkey with avocado - If you snack, do you notice a pattern where it becomes habitual during a particular time of day? Share yours below. References: - Arble DM, et al. Circadian Timing of Food Intake Contributes to Weight Gain. Obesity (2009) 17 11, 2100-2102. doi:10.1038/oby.2009.264. Bachman JL, et al. Eating Frequency Is Higher in Weight Loss Maintainers and Normal-Weight Individuals than in Overweight Individuals. Journal of the American Dietetic Association (November 2011) 111:11, 1730-1734. Hatori M, et al. Time-restricted feeding without reducing caloric intake prevents metabolic diseases in mice fed a high-fat diet. Cell Metab. 2012 Jun 6;15(6):848-60. doi: 10.1016/j.cmet.2012.04.019. Epub 2012 May 17. Hibi M, et al. Nighttime snacking reduces whole body fat oxidation and increases LDL cholesterol in healthy young women. Am J Physiol Regul Integr Comp Physiol. 2013 Jan 15;304(2):R94-R101. doi: 10.1152/ajpregu.00115.2012. Epub 2012 Nov 21. Kong A, et al. Associations between snacking and weight loss and nutrient intake among postmenopausal overweight to obese women in a dietary weight-loss intervention. J Am Diet Assoc. 2011 Dec;111(12):1898-903. doi: 10.1016/j.jada.2011.09.012. Maffeis C, et al. Could the savory taste of snacks be a further risk factor for overweight in children? J Pediatr Gastroenterol Nutr. 2008 Apr;46(4):429-37. doi: 10.1097/MPG.0b013e318163b850. Marmonier C, et al. Snacks consumed in a nonhungry state have poor satiating efficiency: influence of snack composition on substrate utilization and hunger. Am J Clin Nutr. 2002 Sep;76(3):518-28. Ovaskainen ML, et al. Snacks as an element of energy intake and food consumption. Eur J Clin Nutr. 2006 Apr;60(4):494-501. Zizza C, et al. Significant increase in young adults' snacking between 1977-1978 and 1994-1996 represents a cause for concern! Prev Med. 2001 Apr;32(4):303-10. University of Washington Study. 2002. Reported in Integrated and Alternative Medicine Clinical Highlights. 4:1(16).

What Your Sleeping Posture Says About Your Health

support@wellness.com — Sun, 31 May 2015 07:00:00 Z

Wellness.com - What Your Sleeping Posture Says About Your Health by Dr. Rubina Tahir, DC

Lights out! After a long day you meet your pillow for the usual sleep date. Unless you participate in a sleep study, you won’t have a specific idea of what you look like when you are sleeping. However you definitely have preferences, tendencies and sleeping habits! This means sleeping positions become repetitive, and you tend to adopt certain postures. What category do you fit into? The stomach sleeper, the side sleeper, the back sleeper, the 3 pillow sleeper, the diagonal sleeper, the toss and turn sleeper, or the insomniac. Sleeping position is all about body alignment. Here are the pros and cons combined with a sleep bootcamp tip to tackle bad habits! - The Stomach Sleeper: - Pros:- Has been linked to a decrease in snoring. Cons:- Awkward position for the neck and back, increasing strain on joints, ligaments and muscles. Stomach sleepers push the head and neck backwards increasing the “C” curvature of the spine. Sleep Bootcamp:- Start on your side, focus on deep breathing techniques to relax your body as you get used to this new starting position. Don’t get frustrated! New habits take 2 weeks of hard work to become automatic. The Back Sleeper - Pros: Supports the natural curves of the spine. Cons: Enhances snoring. Sleep Bootcamp: Place a pillow under your legs to relax muscles, nerves and joints of low back and legs. This will also prevent you from rolling over into a strained posture. The Side Sleeper - Pros: The best position for supporting the body. Cons: If you have shoulder pain this position can be tricky. Utilize an orthopedic pillow to give the shoulders a natural space. Sleep Bootcamp: Spray one side of your pillow with a lavender spray. When your head hits the pillow on that side, the scent is know for decreasing restlessness and promoting a deep sleep and thus may keep you in the side position. The 3 Pillow Sleeper - Pros: Good for 30 min of relaxational reading before bed, or to sip a chamomile tea. Cons: Aggressive awkward posture, jamming the joints of the neck together. It’s the fastest way to wake up with a stiff neck and jaw. Sleep Bootcamp: Use a water pillow or an orthopedic pillow with a “C” curve. Both can be used to provide the firm feeling of having many pillows. 2 week rule applies, start training! - The tosser-turner - Pros: Tossing and turning is not a sport and thus you are not going to win the sleeping game. Cons: Your body is not getting restorative sleep and you are functioning on a low tank of fuel for the next day. Sleep Bootcamp: This particular sleeper needs a lot of consistency. For two weeks wake up and go to bed at the same time everyday. In addition try 5 min of meditation or yoga, 30 min before bed to get the body and mind ready for sleep. The Diagonal Sleeper - Pros: Sense of control which is good for sleep habits. Cons: The angle puts strain on the low back - Sleep Bootcamp: Use a full body pillow, this will keep you aligned when sleeping, try putting your leg over the pillow for increased relaxation. The Insomniac: - Pros: When it comes to sleep, nothing. Cons: Increasing frustration, will lead to bad habits such as watching tv or late night eating. Sleep Bootcamp: Insomnia is stubborn and you must be willing to try a combination of sleepy time tactics to win. Here’s the list: herbal baths, herbal teas, 1 hour workout 2 hours before bed, melatonin, no electronics 1 hour before bed, meditation or reading fiction books. The average person should get between 6-9 hours of sleep each night. Pay attentions to the demands that you have. If life is hectic be sure to make sleep your priority! Goodnight. References - http://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/back-pain/multimedia/sleeping-positions/sls-20076452 -

- http://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/healthy_living/be_well/sleepinghealthy_spine_bewell1008 -

- http://www.amjoto.com/article/S0196-0709(85)80015-6/abstract?cc=y= -

- http://europepmc.org/abstract/med/8902664