Pesticides-Cleanest and Dirtiest Foods

Nutri-Living Solutions Blog

June 22, 2009

Pesticides-Cleanest and Dirtiest Foods

This list of low- and high-pesticide foods will help you decide what to buy organic, and what not.

Give it away to friends and family, print it, and take it to the store.

This list is from extensive data obtained from 2000-2007.

Click Here for a Printable Version.

147 Ways Sugar Can Ruin Your Health

Nutri-Living Solutions Blog

May 16, 2009

147 Ways Sugar Can Ruin Your Health

In addition to throwing off the body’s homeostasis, excess sugar may result in a number of other significant consequences. The following is a listing of some of sugar’s metabolic consequences from a variety of medical journals and other scientific publications.

147 Reasons Why
Sugar Is Ruining Your Health

By Nancy Appleton, Ph.D. Author of LICK THE SUGAR HABIT and
LICK THE SUGAR HABIT SUGAR COUNTER.

1. Sugar can suppress the immune system.
2. Sugar upsets the mineral relationships in the body.
3. Sugar can cause hyperactivity, anxiety, difficulty concentrating, and crankiness in children.
4. Sugar can produce a significant rise in triglycerides.
5. Sugar contributes to the reduction in defense against bacterial infection (infectious diseases).
6. Sugar causes a loss of tissue elasticity and function, the more sugar you eat the more elasticity and function you loose.
7. Sugar reduces high density lipoproteins.
8. Sugar leads to chromium deficiency.
9. Sugar leads to cancer of the ovaries.
10. Sugar can increase fasting levels of glucose.
11. Sugar causes copper deficiency.
12. Sugar interferes with absorption of calcium and magnesium.
13. Sugar can weaken eyesight.
14. Sugar raises the level of neurotransmitters: dopamine, serotonin, and norepinephrine.
15. Sugar can cause hypoglycemia.
16. Sugar can produce an acidic digestive tract.
17. Sugar can cause a rapid rise of adrenaline levels in children.
18. Sugar malabsorption is frequent in patients with functional bowel disease.
19. Sugar can cause premature aging.
20. Sugar can lead to alcoholism.
21. Sugar can cause tooth decay.
22. Sugar contributes to obesity
23. High intake of sugar increases the risk of Crohn’s disease, and ulcerative colitis.
24. Sugar can cause changes frequently found in person with gastric or duodenal ulcers.
25. Sugar can cause arthritis.
26. Sugar can cause asthma.
27. Sugar greatly assists the uncontrolled growth of Candida Albicans (yeast infections).
28. Sugar can cause gallstones.
29. Sugar can cause heart disease.
30. Sugar can cause appendicitis.
31. Sugar can cause multiple sclerosis.
32. Sugar can cause hemorrhoids.
33. Sugar can cause varicose veins.
34. Sugar can elevate glucose and insulin responses in ora
l contraceptive users.
35. Sugar can lead to periodontal disease.
36. Sugar can contribute to osteoporosis.
37. Sugar contributes to saliva acidity.
38. Sugar can cause a decrease in insulin sensitivity.
39. Sugar can lower the amount of Vitamin E (alpha-Tocopherol in the blood.
40. Sugar can decrease growth hormone.
41. Sugar can increase cholesterol.
42. Sugar can increase the systolic blood pressure.
43. Sugar can cause drowsiness and decreased activity in children.
44. High sugar intake increases advanced glycation end products (AGEs)(Sugar bound non-enzymatically to protein)
45. Sugar can interfere with the absorption of protein.
46. Sugar causes food allergies.
47. Sugar can contribute to diabetes.
48. Sugar can cause toxemia during pregnancy.
49. Sugar can contribute to eczema in children.
50. Sugar can cause cardiovascular disease.
51. Sugar can impair the structure of DNA
52. Sugar can change the structure of protein.
53. Sugar can make our skin age by changing the structure of collagen.
54. Sugar can cause cataracts.
55. Sugar can cause emphysema.
56. Sugar can cause atherosclerosis.
57. Sugar can promote an elevation of low density lipoproteins (LDL).
58. High sugar intake can impair the physiological homeostasis of many systems in the body.
59. Sugar lowers the enzymes ability to function.
60. Sugar intake is higher in people with Parkinson’s disease.
61. Sugar can cause a permanent altering the way the proteins act in the body.
62. Sugar can increase the size of the liver by making the liver cells divide.
63. Sugar can increase the amount of liver fat.
64. Sugar can increase kidney size and produce pathologica
l changes in the kidney.
65. Sugar can damage the pancreas.
66. Sugar can increase the body’s fluid retention.
67. Sugar is enemy #1 of the bowel movement.
68. Sugar can cause myopia (nearsightedness).
69. Sugar can compromise the lining of the capillaries.
70. Sugar can make the tendons more brittle.
71. Sugar can cause headaches, including migraine.
72. Sugar plays a role in pancreatic cancer in women.
73. Sugar can adversely affect schoo
l children’s grades and cause learning disorders..
74. Sugar can cause an increase in delta, alpha, and theta brain waves.
75. Sugar can cause depression.
76. Sugar increases the risk of gastric cancer.
77. Sugar and cause dyspepsia (indigestion).
78. Sugar can increase your risk of getting gout.
79. Sugar can increase the levels of glucose in an oral glucose tolerance test over the ingestion of complex carbohydrates.
80. Sugar can increase the insulin responses in humans consuming high-sugar diets compared to low sugar diets.
81 High refined sugar diets reduce learning capacity.
82. Sugar can cause less effective functioning of two blood proteins, albumin, and lipoproteins, which may reduce the body’s ability to handle fat and cholesterol.
83. Sugar can contribute to Alzheimer’s disease.
84. Sugar can cause platelet adhesiveness.
85. Sugar can cause hormonal imbalance; some hormones become underactive and others become overactive.
86. Sugar can lead to the formation of kidney stones.
87. Sugar can lead to the hypothalamus to become highly sensitive to a large variety of stimuli.
88. Sugar can lead to dizziness.
89. Diets high in sugar can cause free radicals and oxidative stress.
90. High sucrose diets of subjects with peripheral vascular disease significantly increase platelet adhesion.
91. High sugar diet can lead to biliary tract cancer.
92. Sugar feeds cancer.
93. High sugar consumption of pregnant adolescents is associated with a twofold increased risk for delivering a small-for-gestational-age (SGA) infant.
94. High sugar consumption can lead to substantial decrease in gestation duration among adolescents.
95. Sugar slows food’s travel time through the gastrointestinal tract.
96. Sugar increases the concentration of bile acids in stools and bacterial enzymes in the colon. This can modify bile to produce cancer-causing compounds and colon cancer.
97. Sugar increases estradiol (the most potent form of naturally occurring estrogen) in men.
98. Sugar combines and destroys phosphatase, an enzyme, which makes the process of digestion more difficult.
99. Sugar can be a risk factor of gallbladder cancer.
100. Sugar is an addictive substance.
101. Sugar can be intoxicating, similar to alcohol.
102. Sugar can exacerbate PMS.
103. Sugar given to premature babies can affect the amount of carbon dioxide they produce.
104. Decrease in sugar intake can increase emotional stability.
105. The body changes sugar into 2 to 5 times more fat in the bloodstream than it does starch.
106. The rapid absorption of sugar promotes excessive food intake in obese subjects.
107. Sugar can worsen the symptoms of children with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD).
108. Sugar adversely affects urinary electrolyte composition.
109. Sugar can slow down the ability of the adrenal glands to function.
110. Sugar has the potential of inducing abnormal metabolic processes in a normal healthy individual and to promote chronic degenerative diseases.
111.. I.Vs (intravenous feedings) of sugar water can cut off oxygen to the brain.
112. High sucrose intake could be an important risk factor in lung cancer.
113. Sugar increases the risk of polio.
114. High sugar intake can cause epileptic seizures.
115. Sugar causes high blood pressure in obese people.
116. In Intensive Care Units, limiting sugar saves lives.
117. Sugar may induce cell death.
118. Sugar can increase the amount of food that you eat.
119. In juvenile rehabilitation camps, when children were put on a low sugar diet, there was a 44% drop in antisocial behavior.
120. Sugar can lead to prostate cancer.
121. Sugar dehydrates newborns.
122. Sugar increases the estradiol in young men.
123. Sugar can cause low birth weight babies.
124. Greater consumption of refined sugar is associated with a worse outcome of schizophrenia
125. Sugar can raise Homocystein levels in the blood stream.
126. Sweet food items increase the risk of breast cancer.
127. Sugar is a risk factor in cancer of the small intestine.
128. Sugar may cause laryngea
l cancer.
129. Sugar induces salt and water retention.
130. Sugar may contribute to mild memory loss.
131. As sugar increases in the diet of 10 years olds, there is a linear decrease in the intake of many essential nutrients.
132. Sugar can increase the total amount of food consumed.
133. Exposing a newborn to sugar results in a heightened preference for sucrose relative to water at 6 months and 2 years of age.
134. Sugar causes constipation.
135. Sugar causes varicous veins.
136. Sugar can cause brain decay in prediabetic and diabetic women.
137. Sugar can increase the risk of stomach cancer.
138. Sugar can cause metabolic syndrome.
139. Sugar ingestion by pregnant women increases neural tube defects in embryos.
140. Sugar can be a factor in asthma.
141. The higher the sugar consumption the more chances of getting irritable bowel syndrome.
142. Sugar could affect central reward systems.
143. Sugar can cause cancer of the rectum.
144. Sugar can cause endometria
l cancer.
145. Sugar can cause renal (kidney) cel
l carcinoma.
146. Sugar can cause liver tumors.
147. The more soft drinks, fruit juice and sugary snacks a person eats, the lower the high density lipoproteins (HDL).

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UNDERSTANDING DETOXIFICATION

Nutri-Living Solutions Blog

May 2, 2009

UNDERSTANDING DETOXIFICATION

What is detoxification?

  • Our bodies naturally do it everyday.

  • Detoxification is a normal body process of eliminating or neutralizing toxins through the colon, liver, kidneys, lungs, lymph and skin. In fact, internal detoxification is one of our body’s most basic automatic functions. Just as our hearts beat non-stop and our lungs breathe continuously, so our metabolic processes continuously dispose of accumulated toxic matter.

  • But in our world today, body systems and organs that were once capable of cleaning out unwanted substances are now completely overloaded; thus many unwanted substances stay in our tissues. Our bodies try to protect us from dangerous material by setting it aside, surrounding it with mucous or fat so it won’t cause imbalance or trigger an immune reaction. (Your body stores foreign substances in its fatty deposits – a significant reason to keep your diet and body fat low. Some people carry around up to 15 extra pounds of mucous that harbors this waste!)

Ideally, we should live in a pollution-free environment, eat untainted foods and drink pure water. But, since humans are born with a “self-cleaning system,” we know this has probably never been possible. Today, it isn’t even practical, so the next best thing is to keep pollutants to a minimum and to periodically get rid of them through a detoxification program.

If our bodies can’t cleanse us anymore, can we do it through a detox program?

Do you need to detox? Ask yourself these questions:

  • Do you feel congested from too much food or the wrong kinds of food?

  • Do you feel lethargic, like you need a good spring cleaning?

  • Do you need to eliminate drug residues? Or normalize after illness or hospital stay?

  • Do you need a jump start for a healing program?

  • Do you need a specific detox program for a serious health problem?

  • Do you want to streamline your body processes for more energy?

  • Do you need to remove toxins causing a health problem?

  • Do you want to prevent disease? Or rest and rejuvenate your whole body?

  • Do you want to assist weight loss? Do you want to clear up your skin?

  • Do you want to slow aging and improve body flexibility?

  • Do you want to improve fertility?

Note: Laboratory tests like stool, urine, blood or liver function, and hair analysis can also shed light on the need for detoxification.

Body signs can tell you that you need to detoxify.

We all have different “toxic tolerance” levels. Listen to your body when it starts giving you those “cellular phone calls.” If you can keep the amount of toxins in your system below your toxic level, your body can usually adapt and rid itself of them.

Do You Have:

  • Frequent, unexplained headaches or back or joint pain, or arthritis?

  • Chronic respiratory problems, sinus problems or asthma?

  • Abnormal body odor, bad breath or coated tongue?

  • Food allergies, poor digestion or chronic constipation with intestinal bloating or gas?

  • Brittle nails and hair, psoriasis, adult acne, or unexplained weight gain over 10 pounds?

  • Unusually poor memory, chronic insomnia, depression, irritability, chronic fatigue?

  • Environmental sensitivities, especially to odors?

What benefits can you expect from a good detox?

A detox cleans out body waste deposits, so you aren’t running with a dirty engine or driving with the brakes on. After a cleanse, the body starts rebalancing, energy levels rise physically, psychologically and sexually, and creativity begins to expand. You start feeling like a different person – because you are. Your outlook and attitude change, because through cleansing and improved diet, your actual cell make-up has changed.

1. Your digestive tract is cleansed of accumulated waste and fermenting bacteria.

2. Excess mucous and congestion is cleared from the body.

3. Liver, kidney and blood are purified, impossible under ordinary eating patterns.

4. Mental clarity is enhanced, impossible under chemical overload.

5. Dependency on habit-formers like sugar, caffeine, nicotine, alcohol or drugs is less.

6. Bad eating habits are often turned around; the stomach has a chance to reduce to normal size for weight control.

7. Cleansing also releases hormone secretions that coupled with essential fatty acids (EFA’s), from fresh plant sources stimulate and strengthen the immune system.

What are the steps in a good detox program?

You’ve decided your body needs a cleanse. How long can you give out of your busy life-style to focus on a cleansing program so that all the processes can be completed? 24 hours, 2 or 3 days, or up to 10 days? The time factor is important – you’ll want to allot your time ahead of time, and prepare both your mind and your body for the experience ahead.

A good detox program is in 3 steps – cleansing, rebuilding and maintaining.

Several years of experience with detoxification have convinced me that if you have a serious health problem, a brief 3 to 7 day juice cleanse is the best way to release toxins from the system. Shorter cleanses can’t get to the root of a chronic problem. Longer cleanses upset body equilibrium more than most people are ready to deal with except in a controlled, clinical environment. A 3 to 7 day cleanse can “clean your pipes” of systemic sludge – excess mucous, old fecal matter, trapped cellular and non-food wastes, or inorganic mineral deposits that are part of arthritis.

An all-liquid diet is traditionally called a fast. It’s not absolutely necessary to take only liquids, but a few days without solid food can be an enlightening experience about your lifestyle. Juice-fasting increases awareness and energy availability for elimination. Fresh juices literally pick up dead matter from the body and carry it away. Your body becomes easier to “hear”, telling you what foods and diet are right for your needs via cravings – a desire for protein foods, or B vitamins or minerals, for example. This is natural biofeedback.

Fasting works by self-digestion. During a cleanse, the body decomposes and burns only the substances and tissues that are damaged, diseases or unneeded, such as abscesses, tumors, excess fat deposits, and congestive wastes. Even a relatively short fast accelerates elimination, often causing dramatic changes as masses of accumulated waste are expelled.

You will know your body is Detoxing if you experience the short period of headaches, fatigue, body odor, bad breath, diarrhea or mouth sores that commonly accompany accelerated elimination. However, digestion usually improves right away as do many gland and nerve functions. Cleansing also helps release hormone secretions that stimulate immune response and encourages a disease-preventing environment.

100 Healthy Habits That Can Save Your Life, Your Money, and Your Planet

Nutri-Living Solutions Blog

April 21, 2009

100 Healthy Habits That Can Save Your Life, Your Money, and Your Planet

Making healthy lifestyle changes can affect more than just your longevity. Many changes, even small ones, can have a big impact on your wallet and the world around you. With so much to gain, why wait to make some key changes in your life that can have you feeling better, richer and more environmentally friendly. The following are just a few ideas to help you get started on developing some beneficial healthy habits.

General

These habits are important to keep your overall health good, and have some other great benefits as well.

  1. Get enough sleep. Not getting enough sleep can shorten your life expectancy, make you cranky, make it harder to concentrate and even cause you to put on weight, so make sure to get enough every night to help you wake up feeling refreshed.
  2. Keep your teeth squeaky clean. Many people may not realize what a role oral health can play in life expectancy. Scientists estimate that regular brushing and flossing can add up to six years to your life, keeping you healthier and saving you money on dental and health care.
  3. Wear sunscreen. Protecting your skin won’t just prevent potentially fatal conditions like cancer but can also help keep you looking younger longer.
  4. Stop smoking. Smoking not only hurts your health but can wreck havoc on your wallet as well, not to mention all the waste it creates through cigarette butts. Cut out the smoking and you’ll help yourself in a myriad of ways.
  5. Stay a healthy weight. There is no magic number for a healthy weight, and only your doctor can tell you what’s right for you, but working to keep yourself slim and trim can prevent a wide range of potentially costly healthy problems.
  6. Get regular medical exams. Paying a little bit more up front to get some routine tests and physicals done can pay off big time in the long run, especially if you catch a problem in the early stages.
  7. Put yourself first. With busy lives it can be hard to make time to spend just on yourself, but staying healthy inside and out requires a little me-time now and again.
  8. Keep it in moderation. Whether you love to indulge in cocktails or spending on expensive gadgets, moderation is key. Give yourself the occasional indulgence but make sure it doesn’t get out of hand. You’ll get better health out of it and a little extra money in your wallet.
  9. Don’t ignore symptoms. Unexplained weight loss, shortness of breath, severe headaches and fevers are just some of the symptoms that you should never ignore. Protect your health and head to the doctor if you’re feeling less than normal.
  10. Go outside. Even in the dead of winter, getting outside for a little bit each day can make you feel better. Take a walk, enjoy the fresh air, connect with nature and enjoy the simple (and free) pleasure of getting outside.
  11. Take vitamins. Vitamins can be pricey, but they are a small investment in your health, as many can help prevent problems like osteoporosis that can affect you as you age.
  12. Encourage healthy lifestyles in others. Getting healthy can be great for you but what about those who are close to you? Encourage your spouse, family members and children to get out there and get moving along with you. It’ll not only help them but will also encourage you to stay with your healthy habits as well.
  13. Find a passion. Taking the time to figure out where your real passions lie in life, whether they’re in playing a sport, caring for your family, following a career or making the world a better place, will help keep you healthy and active long into old age.
  14. Get physical. Whether you decide to run five miles every morning or enjoy a romp under the sheets with your spouse, getting your body moving is one of the best ways to stay healthy and one that benefits your mental and physical well-being.

Mental

Make sure you’re taking care of your mental health as well by following these healthy habits.

  1. Take time to relax. Stress can take a big toll on the health of anyone, both mentally and physically. Make sure you’re taking time out of your life to relax and unwind whether it’s by taking a long walk or enjoying a movie night with a friend or partner.
  2. Laugh about it. Sometimes unexpected things happen in life. Learning to laugh about them, and not take everything as a serious setback can be a big part of staying healthy and keeping stress from dragging you down.
  3. Get help. You don’t have to go through tough times alone. If you’re feeling depressed reach out to friends and loved ones. If you don’t feel comfortable talking to them talk to a counselor or psychiatric professional in your area.
  4. Find new interests. Keep your brain in shape by seeking out new interests and knowledge. You may even find a new passion or a new group of friends.
  5. Get involved. Getting involved in your community is a great way to connect emotionally, help the environment and get healthy by getting active.
  6. Build your self esteem. When you’re healthy and in shape you feel good about yourself. Find ways in your every day life to build up self worth whether its through enjoying a hobby, playing a sport or any other activity that you love.
  7. Embrace the spiritual. Being spiritual doesn’t have to mean being part of an organized religion. For some, it can simply mean connecting with a deeper, more meaningful part of life. why is this important? Taking quiet time to meditate or pray can help you relax, focus and find out what’s really important in your life, leading to a happier, healthier you.
  8. Work out your brain. Just because your brain doesn’t have any muscles doesn’t mean you shouldn’t be working it out. Ensuring that your brain stays healthy will help you stay active, happy and sharp into old age.
  9. Look on the bright side. Studies have shown that those with an optimistic outlook on life actually live longer, healthier lives so try to see the silver lining.
  10. Find friends with common interests. Having a close group of friends who share your values is essential to maintaining mental health and will likely ensure you’re happier no matter your age.
  11. Spend time with those you love. Making connections with others is key to staying balanced and happy. Spending time with a loved one promotes better health, shared interests and as an added bonus doesn’t have to cost you a thing.

At Work

Feel like your job is draining your health? You may want to make some adjustments with these suggestions.

  1. Find an alternate mode of transport. Whether you bike to work or take a ride with some coworkers, you’ll be helping the environment and getting the benefits of working out or socializing with others.
  2. Bring lunch. Bringing your lunch rather than going out ensures that you’ll know just what is going into every meal and will save you big bucks over the course of the year.
  3. Allow yourself breaks. Working the whole day through without ever getting away from your desk may be great for your boss’ bottom line but it isn’t doing your health any favors. Make sure to take a few short breaks throughout the day to relax, stretch your legs and take your mind off stressful matters.
  4. Take the stairs. If you work in a building where this is feasible, taking the stairs can be a great way to burn some extra calories throughout the work week.
  5. Reduce your stress. Jobs can often be the most stressful part of a person’s life. Do your best to reduce the stress of your job by not taking on more than you can handle and not letting work dominate your life.
  6. Connect with coworkers. Most people are happier and less stressed in a workplace where they feel connected to their coworkers. So make an effort to get to know the others working around you.
  7. Get ergonomic. Don’t let your desk be a painful place to be. Instead, work on improving the ergonomics of your working environment a stretching out when you can.
  8. Bring your own. From snacks to coffee mugs, bringing things from home will enable you to be healthier and save money at work. Plus you won’t be creating extra waste with disposable cups.
  9. Take your vacation. You may not think getting away from work will help you get more done but it just might. Studies have shown that taking a break from work, even if you don’t go anywhere, can help you reduce stress and be more productive when you’re back on the job.
  10. Keep clean. Workplaces are full of germs, so keeping you hands washed and your desk clean can help prevent picking up any workplace illnesses that might be floating around.
  11. Get up, get moving. Sitting in one place all day isn’t good for your body, and likely isn’t doing much for your mind either. Make sure to take time to get up and walk around, even if it’s just to go to the water fountain.
  12. Don’t take on too much. It’s easy to let work pile up and to take on more than is really possible for you to finish. Learn how to say no and when enough is enough to fight stress at work.
  13. Stay away from sick coworkers. Colds can move around the office with lightening speed. If you know a coworker is sick, try avoid contact with them as much as possible and keep anti-bacterial agents on hand to help prevent getting sick.
  14. Do what you love. There is no reason a job should have to be a horrible trial everyday. If you do what you’re passionate about it can be a labor of love. Not in a job you enjoy now? Start doing small things to make your dream happen.
  15. Make a change. If you’re unhappy at your job, why linger, causing undo stress and unhappiness? Make a change to something else even if it’s a scary leap.

Around the House

Here are a few simple things you can do around the house to boost your health and that of anyone living with you.

  1. Make your own cleaning supplies. Store-bought cleaning supplies can be full of all kinds of chemicals that can be harmful to you, your family and household pets. It’s simple to make your own cleaning supplies and you can find numerous recipes online and in books.
  2. Cook at home instead of going out. While the occasional meal out won’t hurt you, eating at home helps you to know just what is going into every dish and will help you save money if times are tight.
  3. Find a great hobby. Having a hobby can help keep your mind in shape and help get you up off the couch and doing something productive.
  4. Turn off the TV. Many people spend several hours a day watching TV, being completely sedentary when they could be active. Turn off the TV for a few hours and take a walk, talk to a spouse or loved ones or read a book.
  5. Plant a garden. Planting a garden will get you moving physically and provide you with fresh veggies and herbs to eat, making it an all-around healthy endeavor.
  6. Pick up the pace of chores. Want to get a little bit extra out of doing those chores? Pick up the pace and get your heart rate up as you move around the house. You can even make a game out of how long it will take you to sweep or dust a room.
  7. Hang laundry on the line. One other way to make housework more active is by hanging laundry out to dry rather than throwing it in the dryer. You’ll not only get to do a bit of exercise but you’ll save money and pitch in to be a little greener.
  8. Shorten your showers. Taking shorter showers won’t just help cut your water bills and conserve water, it will also help keep your skin from drying out and help you look younger and healthier.
  9. Have first aid supplies. Make sure you keep a range of first aid and emergency supplies around your house. Hopefully you’ll never need them, but if you do, you’ll have what you need on hand to ensure you emerge healthier from any kind of household accident.
  10. Clean out the clutter. Having clutter around the house can stress you out, forcing you to rummage through things trying to locate items or tripping over things that don’t have a home. Cleaning out your garage, basement and closets can rid you of much of this clutter and may even make you some money if you have a garage sale.
  11. Start a compost pile. If you have the room in your backyard, start a compost pile. You can use it to fertilize veggies and other edible plants and you’ll keep some waste from going to a landfill.
  12. Get organized. Getting organized can save you time and money as well as preventing waste and generally reducing your stress level.
  13. Eat together. Eating meals with someone else can help you to slow down, enjoy what you’re eating and spend some time socializing and connecting with others. All things that are beneficial to your health.
  14. Properly store and dispose of materials. Most of us wouldn’t leave a can of gasoline stored in our bedrooms, but many other potentially harmful materials are often stored in places that can be just as dangerous. Learn how to properly store and dispose of the harmful materials around your home and think about replacing them with more eco-friendly options.
  15. Love what you have. The reality is that most of us don’t need all the things we already own and certainly would do just fine without all the things we want. Try to spend more time appreciating what you do have and less time wanting what you don’t.

Exercise and Fitness

One of the key elements to staying healthy is to work out and get fit. Here are some great ways to do it while having fun, saving money and even getting greener.

  1. Take a walk. Getting out and walking, even if it’s just around the block, is a great way to get some exercise and see what’s going on in your area.
  2. Ride a bike. Whether you’re trying to get somewhere fast or just take the scenic route, biking is an earth-friendly way to get fit and feel good.
  3. Play a sport. Many sports require little equipment and all are a great way to get in shape and have fun while doing so. Even better, you’ll get to make some great social connections and feel good about your mental and physical health.
  4. Bring the kids. Don’t make fitness a lonely endeavor. Bring your children or spouse along and get the whole family fit at once.
  5. Work out while waiting. Bored during a commercial break? Try doing some yoga moves or stretching out. The few minutes you spend doing this will add up over a couple hours watching television.
  6. Play with pets. Your pet needs attention and you need exercise so why not actively engage in both by playing with your pet?
  7. Wear protective gear. If you do play a sport or even work out vigorously, make sure you’re wearing the right kind of equipment to protect you from injury.
  8. Explore your neighborhood. On foot, roller blade, bikes or at a jog, your neighborhood is full of things just waiting to be discovered.
  9. Go off the beaten track. Nature trails can be a great way to get exercise and remain entertained all afternoon long as you see wildlife and great scenery.
  10. Use your own body. You don’t have to spend a fortune on a gym membership to get in shape. You can use your own body to do many workouts and still reap the benefits.
  11. Volunteer. From organizing recycling to planting trees, there are many volunteering opportunities that will fill your heart, get you moving and help the environment.
  12. Make it social. Workouts don’t have to be alone if you don’t want them to be, and often they’re more productive when you bring others along.
  13. Get in a routine. Making exercise part of your daily life is key to making a healthy lifestyle change. Get in the habit of working out and you’ll be able to stop fighting the urge to just veg out.
  14. Try new things. There are a million different ways to get active and chances are good there are many you haven’t tried that you might love. Be open to trying out new ways to get fit and you might just discover a new hobby.

Shopping and Finances

Money can have a big impact on your personal health, whether you realize it or not. Here are some suggestions for spending and saving the healthy way.

  1. Bring your own bags. Reusable bags are great for the environment and may encourage you to buy less if you only have a few bags to use.
  2. Avoid heavily packaged items. There’s no need to send mounds of waste to a landfill for a simple item. Try to avoid purchasing items that are encased in more plastic than they’re made of if you can.
  3. Stay away from processed foods. Processed foods may be appealing because of their convenience and ready availability, but in the end you’ll be better off cooking from fresh items.
  4. Shop smart. Just because something is on sale doesn’t mean you need to buy it. Don’t be fooled by sales and bargains that might encourage you to buy more and ultimately waste more.
  5. Buy organic. While you don’t have to buy everything organic, some foods are important to get organic as you can see here. You’ll be taking in fewer chemicals and helping out the environment at the same time.
  6. Check labels. Many foods appear to be healthier than they really are and many products aren’t quite as advertised. Read the labels of foods you buy and carefully research any other purchases you make to ensure they are healthy, the best value and not harmful to the environment.
  7. Plan your meals. Planning meals ahead of time will help you eat right and not buy more than you need at the store, preventing waste and saving money.
  8. Buy local. Checking out a local farmer’s market can be a great place to find locally grown foods. You can get great deals on these items and you’ll get to each fresher, healthier foods that haven’t taken numerous resources to transport.
  9. Park further away. On your next shopping expedition, try parking further away. You’ll have your choice of parking spots and get a little bit of exercise on the way to the store.
  10. Live within your means. Not having enough money can put a ton of stress on anyone, often at the cost of health. Keep you spending within your means to give you one less thing to worry about.
  11. Keep your bills paid. While unexpected bills can catch you by surprise, keeping your regular month-to-month bills paid can be a great way to reduce your stress. If you can’t seem to remember, set up automatic payments online.
  12. Buy less. By simply cutting back on spending you’ll be doing your wallet and the planet a favor.
  13. Stop buying bottled water. This doesn’t mean that you should stop drinking water, but just stop buying pre-bottled water and instead fill up a reusable bottle that will stay out of a landfill for a long time to come.
  14. Get only what you need. With so much available to you at the grocery store, it can be easy to buy more than necessary. Bringing a list or planning ahead can help keep you from spending too much and getting food that might go to waste or cause you to overeat.
  15. Look for used. Not everything you need has to come to you brand spanking new. Try shopping on ebay, in thrift stores and other secondhand shops so you can save money and save old items from becoming waste.
  16. Be realistic. Save yourself a one way ticket to stress by having realistic expectations about what you want. If you’re never satisfied with the things you have or will likely be able to afford you’ll always be stressed, unhappy and ultimately unhealthy.

Diet and Nutrition

These habits can help you get on the right track to eating a healthier more balanced diet.

  1. Eat lower on the food chain. Not only are grains and vegetables better for the environment they’re also cheaper and better for your diet. Make meats the side dish at your meal instead of the main focus.
  2. Eat breakfast. Eating breakfast can improve your concentration, help you maintain your weight, and get your daily requirement of vitamins and minerals. So enjoy healthy, whole grain breakfast to start your day.
  3. Have some fish. Fish is full of omega-3 fatty acids, high in protein, and low in fat leading to a much healthier way to get your fix of meat.
  4. Drink plenty of water. Getting enough water can help you do everything from maintain concentration and digest food properly so make sure to get enough to keep your health afloat by bringing a water bottle with you everywhere you go.
  5. Switch to tea. Even if you do love coffee, drinking tea has some definite benefits health wise, helping you fight a range of illnesses. Tea may also be a cheaper alternative to coffee for those who need a caffeine fix.
  6. Practice portion control. Most people eat far bigger portions than they really should. Scale back on your portions and you’ll stay healthier and save money.
  7. Have a glass of wine. Drinking red wine in moderation has been shown to have some great heart healthy benefits so indulge in a glass with your dinner.
  8. Stop dieting. As most people can tell you, diets don’t work. Only long term changes to diet and lifestyle can ensure long-term weight loss and health. So make changes that you can stick to, rather than those that are designed to be quick fixes.
  9. Eat smaller, more frequent meals. For some people, eating smaller meals throughout the day can help avoid the ravenous hunger than can result from going too long between meals. Give it a try with several healthy meals or snacks throughout the day for an easy way to fight hunger and overeating.
  10. Have fresh foods. The vast majority of the time, fresher foods have more nutrients and are better for you than those that are processed or frozen. So eat as many fresh fruits and veggies as you can to reap the nutritional benefits. Fresh foods don’t have to cost you a pretty penny either, check out local farmer’s markets for deals.
  11. Embrace variety. Eating a variety of foods is essential to having a well-balanced diet. Check out the daily recommendations provided by the government or work on taking in the whole spectrum of options out there on your own terms.
  12. Limit junk foods. It goes without saying that most of us would be healthier if we cut back on our junk food intake. Not only are these foods high in fat and calories but they’re full of chemicals and often heavily packaged which isn’t friendly to the environment either.
  13. Slow down. Eating more slowly may help you actually eat less in the long run as you’ll give your stomach time to register that it’s full keeping you from overeating and giving you some leftovers to have tomorrow.
  14. Enjoy your meals. Part of slowing down is learning to savor your meals. Don’t just eat to get full, make eating an enjoyable experience for your mind and body.
  15. Make it easy to eat right. If you stock your house with fatty snacks and high calorie drinks you’re inevitably going to indulge, maybe more than you’d like. Instead, keep healthy snacks around the house, at your desk or anywhere you might be tempted.

LIST OF SYMPTOMS OF HYPOGLYCEMIA OR LOW BLOOD SUGAR

Nutri-Living Solutions Blog

March 15, 2009

LIST OF SYMPTOMS OF HYPOGLYCEMIA OR LOW BLOOD SUGAR

Experienced by over 90 percent of hypoglycemics:

Nervousness

Experienced by over 80 percent:

Irritability & mood swings (Dr. Jekyll & Mr. Hyde)

Exhaustion & unexplained tiredness

Faintness

Tremors

Dizziness

Cold sweats

Weak spells

Depression

Experienced by over 70 percent:

Vertigo

Drowsiness

Headaches

Experienced by over 60 percent:

Digestive disturbances

Forgetfulness

Insomnia

Constant worrying

Anxieties

Experienced by over 50 percent:

Mental confusion (“brain fog”)

Heart palpitations (tachycardia), rapid pulse

Obesity

Muscle pains

Indecisiveness

Numbness

Internal trembling

Experienced by over 40 percent:

Crying spells

Asthma

Unsocial, asocial, or antisocial behavior

Lack of sex drive (females)

Allergies

Respiratory problems (shallow breathing)

Lack of coordination

Leg cramps

Lack of concentration

Blurred vision

Twitching and jerking muscles

Experienced by over 30 percent:

Itching and crawling sensations on the skin

Gasping for breath

Smothering spells

Staggering

Sighing and yawning

Experienced by over 20 percent:

Impotence (males)

Night terrors, nightmares

Arthritis

Phobias

Fears

Skin conditions, neurodermatitis

Suicidal impulses

Unconsciousness

Rheumatoid arthritis

Experienced by 17 percent:

Nervous breakdown

Experienced by 2 percent:

Convulsions

A few of many other Hypoglycemic Ailments Often Cited (other sources):

Alcoholism

Bizarre behavior

Blackouts

Brittle hair and nails

Candidiasis (Candida Albicans)

Craving for sweets, salt, alcohol, and coffee)

Difficulties handling stress

Family history of diabetes or low blood sugar

Feeling of “going crazy”

Hot flashes

Hyperactivity in children

Immune system disorders

Join pain

Learning disabilities

Limited attention span

“Motor Mouth” (constant talking)

Negative thoughts and attitudes

Ringing in ears

Sensitivity to light or noise

Severe PMS and bad menstrual cramps

The shakes (when hungry)

Uncontrollable weight gain, abnormal weight (too high or low)

Waking up with a feeling like a “hangover”

To learn more about hypoglycemia visit the Hypoglycemia Support Foundation and take the Hypoglycemia Quiz: http://www.hypoglycemia.org/hypo_test.asp

Stephen Galand, M.D.

A Nutritional Approach to Depression

Nutri-Living Solutions Blog

March 10, 2009

A Nutritional Approach to Depression

A recent study showed that a number of anti-depressant drugs including Prozac and others were little more effective than a placebo for treating depression. Yet with more people than ever seeking help for depression - and current prescriptions for anti-depressants at record levels - is there any alternative?

In fact, much can be done nutritionally to tackle depression. The conventional approach is to give a drug that alters the body’s biochemistry - typically to increase levels of neurotransmitters such as serotonin, that helps keep us happy, or adrenalin/noradrenalin, that helps us stay motivated. However, brain health and neurotransmitter production can also be improved with nutrition:

Balance your blood sugar
There is a direct link between mood and blood sugar balance - your brain runs on glucose and the more uneven your blood sugar supply the more uneven your mood. For balanced blood sugar levels, avoid sugary foods and refined carbohydrates such as white rice, white bread and processed breakfast cereals. Eat whole foods such as whole grains (especially oats), lentils, nuts, seeds, fresh fruit and vegetables and combine protein foods with carbohydrates - for example, have fish with your pasta, or nuts and seeds with your cereal or fruit. In addition cut right back on stimulants such as tea, coffee, chocolate and cigarettes. These increase levels of the stress hormones adrenaline and cortisol, which in turn increase blood sugar levels.

Consider supplementing chromium
Chromium is vital for keeping your blood sugar level stable because insulin cannot work properly without it. Chromium is highly effective in relieving atypical depression characterized by sugar cravings, gaining weight and feeling tired all the time - in fact just taking proper levels of chromium can make a big difference to certain depressed people.

Ensure optimum levels of omega-3 fish oils
The higher your blood level of omega-3 fats, the higher your levels of serotonin are likely to be. This may be because omega 3s help to build your brain’s neuronal connections as well as the receptor sites for neurotransmitters; therefore, the more omega 3s in your blood, the more serotonin you are likely to make and the more responsive you become to its effects. A recent trial by Jazayeri et al published in the Australian and New Journal of Psychiatry (March 2008) showed EPA to be slightly more effective than the anti-depressant fluoxetine. The richest dietary source of omega 3 fats is from carnivorous cold-water fish, such as salmon, mackerel and herring. The best seeds are flax and pumpkin seeds. If supplementing omega 3 fish oils you are aiming for about 1000 mg of EPA a day for a mood boosting effect. That means supplementing a concentrated Omega 3 Fish Oil capsule providing 500mg, once or twice a day and eating a serving of fish three times a week.

Check your homocysteine level and get enough B vitamins
People with either low blood levels of the B-vitamin folic acid, or high blood levels of the protein homocysteine, (a sign that you are not getting enough B6, B12 or folic acid) are both more likely to be depressed and less likely to get a positive result from anti-depressant drugs. Eat foods rich in these nutrients such as whole foods, fruit, vegetables, seeds and nuts and supplement a good multivitamin.

Boost your serotonin with amino acids and consider supplementing 5-HTP
Serotonin is made in the body and brain from an amino acid 5-Hydroxy Tryptophan (5-HTP), which in turn is made from another amino acid called tryptophan which is found in the diet in many protein rich foods such as meat, fish, beans and eggs, while the richest source of 5-HTP is the African Griffonia bean. Just not getting enough tryptophan is likely to make you depressed so consider supplementing it if you are not getting enough in your diet. 27 studies have shown conclusively that 5-HTP is effective in treating depression. However, do not take 5-HTP without your doctor’s permission if you are currently taking anti-depressant tablets.

Depression is definitely linked with the nutrition and food you are eating (or not eating) and you can effect your biochemistry and your moods directly by what you eat.

Eat well and choose foods for optimum health value that not only nourish your brain and your body, but that will also maintain balanced moods and help keep you feeling good all of the time.

Wishing you the best of health

What’s In Your Milk? Genetically Engineered Milk - Dangers

Nutri-Living Solutions Blog

March 7, 2009

A new book by Samuel S. Epstein, M.D.

What’s In Your Milk?

An Exposé of Industry and Government Cover-Up on the DANGERS

of the Genetically Engineered (rBGH) Milk You’re Drinking

Introduction by Ben Cohen, Co-founder of Ben & Jerry’s Ice Cream

Foreword by Jeffrey M. Smith, author of the bestseller Seeds of Deception

A powerful exposé of the dangers of Monsanto’s genetically engineered (rBGH) milk, and its no-holds-barred conspiracy to suppress this information.

___________________________________________________________________

rBGH (recombinant Bovine Growth Hormone) is a genetically engineered, potent variant of the natural growth hormone produced by cows. Manufactured by Monsanto, it is sold to dairy farmers under the trade name POSILAC. Injection of this hormone forces cows to increase their milk production by about 10%.

Monsanto, supported by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA), insists that rBGH milk is indistinguishable from natural milk, and that it is safe for consumers. This is blatantly false:

  • rBGH makes cows sick.  Monsanto has been forced to admit to about 20 toxic effects, including mastitis, on its POSILAC label.
  • rBGH milk is contaminated by pus, due to the mastitis commonly induced by rBGH, and antibiotics used to treat the mastitis.
  • rBGH milk is chemically and nutritionally different than natural milk.
  • rBGH milk is contaminated with rBGH, traces of which are absorbed through the gut.
  • rBGH milk is supercharged with high levels of a natural growth factor (IGF-1), which is readily absorbed through the gut.
  • Excess levels of IGF-1 have been incriminated as a cause of breast, colon, and prostate cancers.
  • IGF-1 blocks natural defense mechanisms against early submicroscopic cancers.
  • rBGH factory farms pose a major threat to the viability of small dairy farms.
  • rBGH enriches Monsanto, while posing dangers, without any benefits, to consumers, especially in view of the current national surplus of milk.

The risks of cancer to consumers and particularly their children, especially those enrolled in the Public School Lunch Program, are undisputable.

The book is a unique resource on rBGH milk. It presents Dr. Epstein’s trailblazing scientific publications since 1989, which have played a major role in influencing other nations, including all of Europe, Canada, Australia, New Zealand, and Japan to ban rBGH milk.

The book also presents the author’s editorials and letters to major newspapers, and correspondence with the FDA, Congressman John Conyers, and other key members of Congress and the Senate. Epstein also details evidence of interlocking conflicts of interest between Monsanto and the White House, regulatory agencies, and the American Medical Association and American Cancer Society. He also details evidence of Monsanto’s white collar crime; the suppression and manipulation of information on the veterinary and public health dangers of rBGH milk; and evidence of Monsanto’s “Hit Squad,” which attempted to stifle and discredit him.

Of compelling interest is the story behind Fox Television’s firing of Jane Akre, a veteran journalist, following her in-depth interview on rBGH with Dr. Epstein, his subsequent day-long deposition by Monsanto on her behalf, her subsequent litigation against Fox, and Fox’s successful counter suit.

Monsanto’s corporate recklessness, compounded by FDA’s complicity and refusal to require labeling of rBGH milk, more than justify the rejection of any assurances of its safety. Of further interest is the critical relevance of this information to the ongoing growing concerns and debate on genetically engineered foods, including irrefutable evidence discrediting the “trust us”

safety assurances of Monsanto, and other industries.

The book also presents resource materials, including listings of national and international anti-biotech, public health, veterinary and animal rights activist groups. Also listed are rBGH-free U.S. dairy producers, such as Horizon Organic, and Swiss Valley Farms.

What’s In Your Milk’s critical message to consumers is

BOYCOTT rBGH HORMONAL MILK IN FAVOR OF CERTIFIED ORGANIC MILK.

The book is available  at www.trafford.com, or

888-232-4444 (Order Desk). Also available at amazon.com, and

subsequently at Borders and other main bookstores.

_________________________________________________________________________________

Dr. Epstein is professor emeritus of environmental medicine at the University of Illinois at Chicago School of Public Health, and Chairman of the international Cancer Prevention Coalition.

He is the author of 270 scientific publications, and author or co-author of 12 books. These include the prize winning 1978 The Politics of Cancer, the 1995 The Safe Shopper’s Bible , and the 2005 Cancer-Gate: How to Win the Losing Cancer War. He is recipient of multiple awards, including the 1998 Right Livelihood Award (the Alternative Nobel Prize) for “incomparable contributions to cancer prevention, and for his leadership role in warning of the dangers of rBGH milk;” the 2000 Project Censored Award (the Alternative Pulitzer Prize); and the 2005 Albert Schweitzer Golden Grand Medal “for Humanitarianism, and International Contributions to Cancer Prevention.”

Tips for Healthy Sleep

Nutri-Living Solutions Blog

March 1, 2009

Tips for Healthy Sleep

You should wake up refreshed in the morning without the use of an alarm clock and feel energetic all day. If not you may find some good tips below.

Sleep deprivation is a large proportion of the problem is due to the high paced lifestyle causing the lack of time to get the sleep we need. When we do not get the amount of sleep we need we accumulate a sleep debt. This sleep debt has to be paid back or sleepiness will continue to
worsen. Many people try to pay back the debt on the weekends resulting in the disruption of their circadian rhythm.

Here are some Tips that may help.

  • Sleep is as important as food and air. Quantity and quality are very important. Most adults need between 7.5 to 8.5 hours of uninterrupted sleep. If you press the snooze button on the alarm in the morning you are not getting enough sleep. This could be due to not enough time in bed, external disturbances, or a sleep disorder.
  • Keep regular hours. Try to go to bed at the same time and get up at the same time every day. Getting up at the same time is most important. Getting bright light, like the sun, when you get up will also help. Try to go to bed only when you are sleepy. Bright light in the morning at a regular time should help you feel sleepy at the same time every night.
  • Stay away from stimulants like caffeine. This will help you get deep sleep which is most refreshing. If you take any caffeine, take it in the morning. Avoid all stimulants in the evening, including chocolate, caffeinated sodas, and caffeinated teas. They will delay sleep and increase arousals during the night.
  • Use the bed for sleeping. Avoid watching TV or using laptop computers. Know that reading in bed can be a problem if the material is very stimulation and you read with a bright light. If it helps to read before sleep make sure you use a very small wattage bulb to read. A 15 watt bulb should be enough. Bright light from these activities may inhibit sleep.
  • Avoid bright light around the house before bed. Using dimmer switches in living rooms and bathrooms before bed can be helpful. (Dimmer switches can be set to maximum brightness for morning routines.)
  • Don’t stress if you feel you are not getting enough sleep. It will just make matters worse. Know you will sleep eventually.
  • Avoid exercise near bedtime. No exercise at least 3 hours before bed.
  • Don’t go to bed hungry. Have a light snack; avoid a heavy meal before bed.
  • Bedtime routines are helpful for good sleep. Keep routines on your normal schedule. A cup of herbal tea an hour before bed can begin a routine.
  • Avoid looking at the clock if you wake up in the middle of the night. It can cause anxiety. This is very difficult for most of us, so turn the clock away from your eyes so you would have to turn it to see the time. You may decide not to make the effort and go right back to sleep.
  • If you can’t get to sleep for over 30 minutes get out of bed and do something boring in dim light till you are sleepy.
  • Keep your bedroom at comfortable temperature. Not too warm and not too cold. Cooler is better than warmer.
  • If you have problems with noise in your environment you can use a white noise generator. An old fan will work or you can buy noise machines from many sources.
  • Know that the “night cap” has a price. Alcohol may help you to get to sleep but it will cause you to wake up throughout the night. You may not notice it. (It is worse if you have sleep apnea because the alcohol makes the apnea worse.) Sometimes people snore only if they have had some alcohol or may snore worse if they already snore.)
  • If you have a sleeping partner, ask them if they notice any snoring, leg movements and/or pauses in breathing. Take this information and try the sleep test. You may have a sleep disorder or you may just need to increase your awareness about your own sleep need. If you have any concerns see your doctor.

Enjoy sound sleep every single night and watch your health and energy levels soar!

Smoking…Get Over It! Are you ready to break-free?

Nutri-Living Solutions Blog

February 14, 2009

Smoking…Get Over It! Are you ready to break-free?

If you ask any current smoker why he or she continues to indulge in such a dangerous activity as smoking, you will normally hear a reply along the lines of, “Because I like smoking.” In truth, most smokers spend countless hours during their smoking careers trying to find a satisfactory answer to this perplexing question themselves. Typical answers they come up with are that they smoke because of all their stress, or because they are nervous, unhappy, bored, lonely, tired, or frustrated without their cigarettes. Other reasons often quoted are that cigarettes keep them thin, make them able to think, help them to stay awake or to sleep, or that they are more sociable while smoking. Many smoke to look sexy. None of these reasons, however satisfactorily explains why people continue smoking. The answer is, in fact, quite simple. Smokers smoke cigarettes because nicotine is an addictive drug. And, if you let it, it can be a serious killer.

Nicotine is the psychoactive drug in tobacco products that produces dependence. Like any addictive drug, tolerance to nicotine usually develops over time and increasingly larger doses become necessary to achieve the same desired effects. Many smokers will freely admit to this phenomenon as their cigarette consumptions gradually increases from what started as possibly a sporadic, even socially occasional use, to a required consumption of one or more packs daily.

Nicotine activates the same reward pathways in the brain that other drugs of abuse such as cocaine or amphetamines do, although to a lesser degree. Research has shown that nicotine increases the level of dopamine in the brain, a neurotransmitter that is responsible for feelings of pleasure and well-being in addition to mental alertness and awareness. The acute effects of nicotine wear off within minutes, so people must continue dosing themselves frequently throughout the day to maintain the pleasurable effects of nicotine and to prevent withdrawal symptoms.

Smoking and Stress: What’s the Real Deal?

One of the biggest effects of nicotine on the body in relation to managing stress or anxiety is its impact on brain chemistry. When a person inhales cigarette smoke, the nicotine in the smoke is rapidly absorbed into the blood and starts affecting the brain within 10 seconds. The result is the release of adrenaline, the “fight or flight” hormone. Physically, adrenaline increases a person’s heart rate, blood pressure and restricts blood flow to the heart muscle. When this occurs, the smoker experiences rapid, shallow breathing and the feeling of a racing heartbeat. Adrenaline also instructs the body to dump excess glucose into the bloodstream. From a biochemistry standpoint, these are all typical stress reactions occurring within the body.

Scientists have discovered that smoking causes physical changes in the brain which stop it being flooded with the body’s natural stress-busting hormone, serotonin. That means smokers are deficient in serotonin and therefore less able to cope with the everyday pressures of life, and therefore are prone to suffering higher levels of stress than people who do not smoke. Serotonin is a neurotransmitter, which, when released, brings about feelings of calm, happiness, peace, and satisfaction. Low levels of serotonin are linked with depression and increased appetite, which makes it a very powerful mood enhancer and appetite regulator.

Powerful Ways of Dealing with Stress

Knowing that nicotine increases the level of the “feel good” neurotransmitter, dopamine, in the brain makes it easier to understand how smokers become addicted from their first puff. However, did you also know that carbohydrate-rich foods increase brain concentrations of an amino acid called tryptophan, which is the building block for serotonin? In other words, eating carbohydrates can often lead to feelings of calmness, peace and satisfaction by enhancing the production of serotonin in the brain. It is probably no coincidence that when you are stressed or blue you might turn to sweets, baked goods, desserts, and other sugary carbohydrates to help you out. Instant stress relief!

Some of the other ways you can help reduce stress is to include activities such as exercise (particularly aerobic forms such as brisk walking, swimming, jogging, etc.), listening to music, meditation, yoga, martial arts, dancing, laughing, and even being around animals or around your favorite pet, or any activity that is enjoyable, stimulating, or relaxing will do the trick. These activities help to raise endorphins, which are the “feel good” chemicals manufactured by the body whenever we are involved in pleasant or positive activities. For some, even activities such as shopping raises serotonin levels

Taking Charge of Your Life

Most smokers have already made the connection between smoking and the many ways it negatively affects their health. Let’s face it, the most precious thing you have in life is your health, and it is the primary reason for most people who make the choice not to smoke anymore. Every day more and more smokers are making one of their most important decisions in life – to stop smoking, and the desire to improve health is a major reason behind it.

Unlike ‘quitting’, which the dictionary defines as ‘to stop trying’, breaking-free, on the other hand, is clearly a dynamic action that shows your commitment to taking charge of your life in a positive rather than negative manner.

In her program, Get Over It! Break-free from Smoking and other unhealthy Habits, Deirdre Rawlings, PhD, ND, a board certified naturopathic doctor, certified nutritionist, author, and a licensed health and wellness coach, shows you the steps you can take to get over it and how you can take back the control. Her program will guide and strengthen you with powerful steps that lead to your lasting success.

Strategies that Work

This program does not bother with the scare tactics many smoking or addictions programs rely on. Instead, Deirdre Rawlings helps to demystify smoking, drinking, and other addictions, and the process of breaking free. She makes us conscious of just how long a craving lasts, introduces us to how different foods can reduce—or increase—cravings, and she gives us very specific things to do that work. Deirdre will show you how to manufacture endorphins using positive and natural ways rather than using smoking and alcohol. Endorphins are “feel-good” chemicals our brains produce naturally from time-to-time, to create warm feelings of well-being. You will also learn how eating certain foods, including which ones these are, serve to create powerful shifts in your biochemistry that reduce cravings and make it a cinch to get over it – permanently!

In this program you will:

  • Learn how to develop your willpower and tap into an incredible source of “Self-Power”.
  • Increase the acceleration and motivation without the feelings of deprivation; all while taking back your control.
  • Overcome your obstacles to Freedom and walk away with seven keys that work.

If cigarettes (or alcohol) have been in charge of your life for any length of time then it is time for you to enter into the process of taking back the power and control in your life and this is the program for you.

You can get over it!

It’s easy when you know what to do and this program shows you how to achieve success every step of the way. Whether your goal is to quit smoking or to rid yourself of other unwanted or unhealthy habits, Deirdre shows you how with sound advice, personal stories, audience interaction and a twist of humor.

Enjoy greater vitality, self-confidence, and freedom—these are the pleasurable rewards that await anyone who attends this program. Take the first step: You can get over it!

Contact today: www.Smoking-GetOverIt.com

Why Detox?

Nutri-Living Solutions Blog

February 5, 2009

Why Detox?

Our bodies naturally detoxify everyday as part of a normal body process. Detoxification is one of the body’s most basic automatic functions of eliminating and neutralizing toxins through the colon, liver, kidneys, lungs, lymph and skin. Unfortunately in this day and age, with the pollution found in the air, water and food we eat, our bodies have a hard time keeping up. Our chemicalized diet with too much animal protein, too much saturated and trans fats, too much caffeine and alcohol radically changes our internal ecosystem.

Body systems and organs that were once capable of cleaning out unwanted substances are now completely over-loaded to the point where toxic material remains inside our tissues. Our bodies try to protect us from dangerous substances by setting it aside, surrounding it with mucous and fat so that it will not cause an imbalance or trigger an immune response (some people carry up to 15 extra pounds of mucous that harbors this waste).

Detoxification through special cleansing diets and colonics is the best way to assist your body’s natural self-cleaning system. It is especially important for immune-compromised diseases like cancer, arthritis, diabetes and chronic fatigue. However, even if your diet is good, a spring cleanse can revitalize your system and rid your body of harmful bacteria, viruses and parasites. It is a simple three-step process.