Informed decisions not media frenzy
Posted by: unikeone on: October 25, 2009
There is much talk about it in the media…the swine flu…the swine flu vaccine…the reasons you should/should not get immunized…etc. As a health care advocate, I have my own personal opinion but it is not for me to influence what your decision should be for you and your family…that not my place.
As I listen on what seems like daily to the media’s frenzy, I am troubled by the information being thrown at people. My only personal suggestion would be GET YOUR FACTS AND ADVICE from your primary care practitioner that you have trusted over the years. Ask him/her to share with you the pros/cons of both to immunize/not to immunize…then pray…and make up your own mind.
In the meantime…there are things which everyone can do to help boost their immune system naturally. Herbs and essential oils have for years been an excellent choice for alternative/complimentary medicine. I am not claiming that any essential oils/herbs can totally prevent and definitely will not cure the flu but the proper use of them can assist you. One essential oil that I personally cannot live without is tea tree. One herb that is helpful is the star anise which contains the extract Shikimic Acid which is one of the chief ingredients in the antiviral medication Tamiflu, which is prescribed by physicians for people suspected of having the flu. This herb can be found in some cough medications.
If you would like more information on boosting your immune system with the use of therapeutic essential oils and/or herbs…contact me . Be sure to include the words essential oils/herbs in the subject line.
Remember…an informed decision between you and your primary practitioner is the best way to decide what will be the best decision for your and your loved one.
I pray that you remain well in mind, body and spirit during this season.
Working together for change to live a healthier lifestyle
The Better To See You
Posted by: unikeone on: September 21, 2009
Annually more than 600,000 sports related eye injuries occur. 42,000 of that number require emergency treatment and 13,5000 result in permanent loss of vision. With these sort of statistics it is clear that making sure that your child’s eyes are properly protected during events
The degree of injury risk varies from sport to sport. Sports carrying a moderate to high risk are football, basketball, baseball, volleyball, cricket, lacrosse, field hockey, ice hockey, squash, racquetball, fencing, contact martial arts, boxing, wrestling, badminton, fishing, water polo, soccer, and golf. Baseball accounts for the largest number of injuries in the age group 5 -1 4 years (21%) and basketball in the age group of 15-24 years (28%). A newer sport, paint ball is associated with some very devastating eye injuries and blindness. The more common supports related eye injuries are from abrasions/contusions, detached retinas, corneal lacerations, cataracts, hemorrhages to the more serious of loss of an eye or blindness. Sports eye injuries is the leading cause of blindness in school aged children. Along with the physical and emotional life long effect a serious injury can have the financial impact is significant ranging from an estimated $175 to $200 million annually.
Studies have indicated that up to 90% of sports related eye injuries can be prevented through the use of proper protective eye wear. Parents should consult their eye care professional when shopping for what eye protection is best for the sport their child will be participating in. The lens should be made of polycarbonate, which is ten times more impact resistant, and meet the standards set by the American Society of Testing Materials.
Although not mandatory, the education of parents, coaches and children will greatly reduce the number of injuries. Visit Prevent Blindness America to obtain a copy of “Children’s Eye Safety Brochure” and join their discussion forum. Prevent Blindness America has designated September as Sports & Eye Health and Safety Awareness month. Don’t let your child be a statistic…be sure they understand the importance of protecting their eyes and set the example for them.
Working 2gether 4 change 2 live a healthier lifestyle
Is it a snack or a treat
Posted by: unikeone on: September 18, 2009
The earlier you begin to teach healthier lifestyle choices to children the better they will be able to differentiate between a treat and a snack. Snacks should be viewed as part of healthy nutrition and include such things as nuts, low fat cheese, whole grain bread and a host of other delicious ones to choose from. One key to getting a kid to like a healthier choice is to devise ways to make it inviting and fun. Kids like to dip..so when giving a snack like baby carrots, celery sticks, or sugar snap peas have some low fat ranch dressing or organic humus as a dip. The fresh fruit snacks can be partnered with all natural applesauce, fruit yogurt or a sweeter dip made from low fat sour cream & honey. Presentation is also a way to make snacks more appealing. Make melon balls with the melon fruits using colorful toothpicks for picking them up. Since frozen treats like ice cream are always a favorite…make it a snack experience by freezing grapes or a frozen banana rolled in carob powder and nuts. You can even make certain cookies healthier by adjusting the recipe and substituting the unhealthier ingredients with things such as honey, brown sugar, whole wheat flour, oats, nuts and fruits.
Treats are just that “a treat” which are usually higher in sugar, fat and calories and should be consumed very sparingly. An example of a treat would be what many call breakfast, donuts or pastry…which is never a healthier choice for breakfast.
If parents set the tone and lead by their example children will grow up enjoying snacks and become accustomed to reserving treats for a special occasions as a birthday celebration.
My Pearls of Health
BE SURE THAT RECORD IS WHO IT SAYS YOU ARE
Posted by: unikeone on: September 13, 2009
Generally my post are around some tips or tools to help you move toward living a healthier lifestyle and as a health advocate I feel it is important that I share with my readers something I myself had not even heard about until a couple weeks ago…Health Care Identity Theft.
This is a real thriving crime where your medical information is stolen and sold…yes sold on the black market. According to a 2006 report published by the World Privacy Forum, a privacy rights group, most identity theft begins at a place you would least expect…your providers office. Dishonest employees in the providers office exchange your information for cash. A medical record has more street value than a social security number…the medical record goes for generally $50 while the social security number only one or two dollars. Once your record is in the hands of a black marketer your information can than be used to obtain medical services by someone else in your name.
Now you can imagine the financial implications of this but just think about the other problems this can cause. Once your record is used by someone else their medical history becomes intertwined with yours. Your record nowcould reflect surgeries and treatments you never had. Now imagine you show up at a hospital where this same person who used your record was treated…this could have disastrous consequence leading to wrong diagnosis, wrong treatments and even death (say you were brought into the ER unconscious and the hospital relied on the information in their system).
It is important that you begin to manage your own personal health records so it can reflect what actually has occurred in your medical history and treatments. If for no other reason…you should consider having an electronic PHR device to begin to keep track of yours and your loved ones health record. Don’t leave something so important in the hands of someone else. Be sure you have a voice to speak for you in the event that you cannot speak…even if that hospital had totally wrong information…your PHR device loaded into their computer reflects only what is true about you.
Working 2gether 4 change to live a healthier lifestyle
To Much of A Good Thing
Posted by: unikeone on: September 10, 2009
Health practitioners advise us to eat fruits and vegetables as part of a healthy diet. Me, if I didn’t know better…I would try to eat a whole watermelon…especially if it were as good as the couple I got this summer from the watermelon patch in North Carolina. But somehow I knew…too much of even a good thing may just hurt you. I’m sure as far as the watermelon, I probably would have had a belly ache or a restless night sleep from frequent trips to the bathroom:-).
But on a more serious note..take for instance fruitarians whose diet is consist of mainly fruits. Fruitarians can experience health challenges such as dental decay, decreased bone density leading to osteoporosis, muscle tissue wasting, be under weight, have skin conditions, thinning of the hair, brittle nails and irritability. These problems can be linked to nutritional deficiencies of certain vitamins and minerals.
A major problem associated with too much fruit is the hormonal imbalance of insulin, glucagon and growth hormone which help regulate your blood glucose levels. These imbalance can lead to the development of diabetes and/or cardiovascular disease.
When eating fruit you need to be careful about the sugar content. Many of the fruits produced commercially are sweeter than those in their natural environment. When choosing fruits, when possible stick with organically grown…they will not have the heavy pesticide coating that commercially grown fruits will have. Good choices are berries, avocados, figs, pomegranates, and apples. If you are eating fruits higher in sugar content like bananas, grapes, oranges, etc…to help alleviate some of the negative affects they have on insulin levels eat them along with dark green lettuce or celery.
As that old saying goes…”do all things in moderation because even too much of anything can be bad for you”.
Working 2gether 4 Change 2 Live a Healthier Lifestyle
Breakfast Is Still Champion
Posted by: unikeone on: September 2, 2009
Skipping out on breakfast? Wondering why mid-morning you begin to feel restless, tired and sometimes just plain old out of sorts? These feelings are more than likely caused by your depriving your body of fuel for more than 12 hours. Just like a car needs gas to make it go…we need food.
Reasons that people skip the most important meal of the day include “I just don’t feel hungry in the morning”, I’m trying to take off a few pounds” or “I don’t have time for breakfast” none being acceptable.
Research at Michigan State University compared the link between breakfast and body mass index and concluded that individuals who eat a balance breakfast are able to manage their weight better. Eating breakfast should be your heaviest meal (filled with healthy choices) with smaller meals/snacks throughout the day. In Europe they have a substantial morning meals and have lower rates of obesity in comparison to Americans.
Depriving your body of food for long periods of time suppresses your appetite but when you do get the signal for food it is often in overdrive…you eat to excess pouring all those calories into the body at one time. This can set off having a reactive hypoglycemic event where 2-4 hours after eating a meal full of carbs you suddenly will feel dizzy, light-headed, nervous, and even faint. This reaction can be quickly counteracted by the intake of a small carbohydrate food source (juice/milk). NB..be sure to consult your medical practitioner if these episodes persist.
Even with a busy schedule you shouldn’t skip breakfast…don’t always think in terms of the traditional breakfast food. There are many alternatives for a on the go healthy breakfast (whole grain sandwich thins with peanut butter with some fresh fruit) which can be made the night before. Although it is better if when you eat you take time to sit and eat…but if you have to rush out and eat on the run…something is better than nothing. It may take some additional effort to plan ahead of time but well worth it to be sure you break your fast (break fast) shortly after you arise in the morning.
Remember we eat to provide our body nourishment of the vital nutrients needed to keep our complex machine operating at maximum capacity. It won’t hurt to add some good supplements but they will and never should be a replacement.
Yes…breakfast is still champion…if you don’t believe me…try eating a balance breakfast for two weeks and let me know how you feel.
Working 2gether 4 change 2 live a healthier lifestyle
WHAT YOU SEE???
Posted by: unikeone on: August 31, 2009
I want to first start off that I am not hating on anyone that has or intend to in the future purchase/sell the latest craze in “weight loss” product… ”Body Magic”. I like many of you have been approached by lots of people who are excited, and reason to understand why, about losing instantly 2-3 dress sizes. From what I can see from the before and after pictures, those claims are 100% true. I would even go as far to say that the product could be an aide for proper body posture and thus help someone who has back pain.
What my concern as an advocate for overall lifestyle change is still that instant gradification mindset of wanting results instantly with little or no effort to achieve them. This does not set the stage for a lifetime change in poor health eating choices and lack of exercise which would take care of both the weight and the back pain as well as some the other health challenges of overweight people .
Why would I strive to attain and maintain a healthier weight if could continue to eat 1500 – 2000 calories or more a day, jump into a garment that is going to squeeze…or I’m sorry, reshape me into the APPEARANCE of being two to three times smaller. What example is this we are really setting for the children we have been made stewards over…do we want to send the message that it is OK to be overweight/obese as long as you can make it look as if you are not. Even most of the online advertisement I see about the product focus on how you look.
Now I really can’t make comment on the statement concerning lipo redistribution…as the only time I have heard any reference to this previously was additional fat deposits in HIV positive patients taking certain medications. Body Magic says the garmet ”transfers the fatty tissues from thighs and abdomen to the breast and buttocks. It reduces protruding bellies, firms up the abdomen, reduces waist size, gives a good spinal support and holds up the buttocks.” Some of the representatives say “with constant, your body will reshape to it”. I am going to be honest…I am not sure that I would want to wear a garmet that has been said to take ten minutes to get on for any period longer than to get into an outfit that I couldn’t fit…and only while I was making healthier choices for a change along my pathway to a healthier lifestyle…and at the cost of over $160 I think I would rather take a water aerobics classes instead.
I would love to feedback from medical practitioners who are not in the Ardyss business to share their thoughts on this topic. Whether your motivation is Bod Magic or whatever…I hope the ladies and men who wear them will understand that the true message here is “LIVE A HEALTHIER LIFESTYLE BY MAKING HEALTHIER CHOICES…be the example you want your children to follow and we all know that most good things in life come with work and perseverance.
BEYOND THE SEAT BELT
Posted by: unikeone on: August 28, 2009
There is no need to tell anyone that has been on planet earth about the dangers of smoking…the warning is right on the side of the box that some people are now paying over $10 per pack. I am not going to try to debate or pursuade anyone set on harming themselves about the reason they shouldn’t do that…that seems to be a topic for the mental health professionals…but I am going to address parents who continue to think it is safe to smoke around their children. Second hand smoke puts anyone exposed to it at risk for heart and respiratory problems just as if they were smoking themselves.
Now that children will be frequently passengers in vehicles to and from school and other events…besides making sure that they buckle up adults should also be aware of the danger waiting inside if they are exposed to a car that someone smokes in. In a study, the nictone concentrations were twice as high in a smokers car as in any other public place a child might be exposed to smoke in.
Now if the cost of a pack doesn’t give you incentive to quit…perhaps the health and wellness of your child will. Contact me if you are looking for some suggestions of natural aides to help you stop.
Working 2 gether 2 change 2 live a healthier lifestyle
THE COMPANY YOU KEEP
Posted by: unikeone on: August 24, 2009
There is a special bond between two females who share interest and enjoy each others company on a regular…but have you considered how the company you keep…you BFF might very well be having a big influence on your waist size. Eating is a very social activity and research has shown that women tend to eat more when they are in the company of their female counterparts. Women tend to met one another at places like the food court or at the all you can eat establishments…most having a variety of choices many stacked with calories.
So is there a way to help one another gain back the control so that you can continue to make healthier choices…yes…there are several strategies that you can use to help one another out. First..try to steer away from food courts and all you can eat establishments. My girlfriend and I order from the appetizer menu. We each will order one appetizer entree and then share with one another…we still get variety…and really limit the amount of food we will eat. If we find that the appetizer menu does not grab our taste delight, we will get two side orders (black beans and a vegetable medley) throw in an extra side of steamed shrimp and split among each other.. Sorry to say we also let them keep the basket of hot rolls. Alcohol has been replaced with water…that alone cuts anywhere between 200 to 500 calories per drink. As a rule, people who drink alcohol tend to stay longer at the table, consuming more food, thus adding on the calories. Dessert…if the restaurant does not offer a healthy version of “dessert”…BEWARE…reason being one of the well known restaurants average dessert packs 850 calories alone…so if you are not there to just have dessert that you are splitting…you need to discourage one another from indulging.
So with effort you can still enjoy the dining company of you BFF and watch each others waste line. Let me hear if you have any strategies to help shave the calories when you go out to eat with your girlfriends.
Working 2gether 4 change 2 live a healthier lifestyle.
BEYOND MILK
Posted by: unikeone on: August 20, 2009
Vitamin D, one time believed to be good for strong bones and teeth, is now one of the super hitters when it comes to overall health. In addition to the former know benefits it provided it is believed to play a role in the prevention of some cancers, infections, heart disease, cognitive decline, diabetes and several autoimmune diseases.
Vitamin D works like a hormonein the body by relaying messages for other processes to occur. For instance Vitamin D sends the signal to the intestines to absorb calcium from the foods we eat and regulates its uptake by the bone cells. Unlike other vitamins that are utilized immediately by the body, Vitamin D requires a series of steps to be processed (by the liver and kidneys) to the final product calcitriol, which travels to the receptors in almost every cell of the body.
In a recent report it was stated that more than 97% of African Americans in the US are deficient in Vitamin D. It must be understood we cannot obtain sufficient Vitamin D from food sources in our diet. To be sure you will ensure not be deficient look for a good Vitamin D supplement but be sure when selecting your supplement it is made with the D3 form (might also say cholecalciferol).
