Remember to check out the Health Revolution Petition!

Click here http://www.healthrevolutionpetition.org/index.html?ID=8150

Or to the right. Or visit my website...truly folks, this is an important issue.

Happy Friday, again! ~j

16 Tips From Your Grocer!

Good tips here. Happy Friday. Eat fit. Live Fit. ~j

Also in this article:

• 13 Things Your Grocer Won't Tell You

1. "Don't buy anything with more than five ingredients (too processed), with ingredients you can’t pronounce (too processed), with anything artificial (tastes bad), with a cartoon on it (direct marketing to children), or with a health claim (misleading)," says Nestle.

Photos.com/Jupiterimages

2. Paper? Plastic? We don't really care. But asking us to double-bag…that's just wasteful.

3. Dig and reach for the freshest produce. Older merchandise gets pushed to the front of the bin and spread across the top to encourage customers to take it first.

4. This isn't a social service agency. "The purpose of grocery stores is to get you to buy more food, not less," says Marion Nestle, author of What to Eat (North Point Press). Only 14% of consumers overall stick to just the items on their shopping list.

5. Very few people really like the "loyalty card" program, and it's expensive for us to run.

6. Attention, shoppers: Don't start your shopping just as we're closing. We just want to leave. It's been a long day.

7. Watch out for gimmicks. They are intended to get you into a store more frequently and to keep you away from competitors.

8. The person who supervises it all has a tough job; they're just a big babysitter.

9. Thanksgiving is our least favorite holiday.

10. Bring back your recyclable cans and bottles, but please rinse them out first. Leaving soda inside is unsanitary and we find it disgusting.

11. Signs of a store in trouble: Stocking fewer perishable items, storing non-perishables in refrigerated cases to make them look full, and "dummying up" shelves with empty boxes. If we were offering the best prices and highest quality, wouldn't there be more people shopping here?

12. I'm not getting rich here. After-tax net profit for the grocery industry is less than 2 percent, and by the end of 2013, the Food Marketing Institute, an industry group, predicts annual average wages will be just $18,000.

13. If you get in the 10 items or less line with 25 items, don't be surprised if you are asked to leave. If you have 12 items, not many people will care.

14. Watch those shopping-cart handles. They're covered in bacteria, says food-safety consultant Jeff Nelken. Use a sanitary wipe if the store provides them. Finicky shoppers can even patronize supermarkets that send their carts through a cart wash.

15. Skip the center aisles. That's where you'll find the junk food, like sodas and snack foods.

16. Check sizes. "Manufacturers are constantly trying to repackage things to make them sound like a better deal," says David Livingston, a supermarket industry consultant. "Some new peanut butter containers may look the same, but look closely and you'll see they actually have less peanut butter inside. Ninety-five percent of customers don't watch this kind of stuff."

From Reader's Digest - March 2009

Anyone in the local area?? Feel free to pop on by! ~j

Lecture Schedule and Announcements

During these trying times it is more important than ever to maintain you health and learn more effective ways to intervene before a problme arises. Beginning this March, Dr. Hugh Smith will be having his once a month seminars at Dr. Dette's office (Pacific Family Chiropractic) in Visa and will be joied by ThermoMed Digital Thermograph, and me! Janelle Deeds Nutritionist. We encourage you to come and bring a friend.

There will be discount coupons available for each attendee Dr Smith is extending a $25 discount for your next visit with him. Special discounts for attendees may be available from Dr. Dette, ThermoMed and or Janelle. Discount coupons will only be given to those that attend the lecture!

Next Lecture: Saturday March 7, 2009
2:00PM-3:20PM

Questions & Answers
3:20PM - ?

Where?
Pacific Family Chiropractic
123 Main Street
Vista, CA 92084

Please RSVP at 760-613-8645

speakers

2:00PM - 2:40PM
Dr. Hugh Smith
Demonstration of Biocytonics (listen to audio)

Break:
2:40PM - 2:50PM

Dr. Kevin Dette
Chiropractic care and your health
2:50PM - 3:00PM

Janelle Deeds
Nutrition and your health
3:00M - 3:10PM

ThermoMed
What is Digital Infrared Thermal Imaging?
3:10PM - 3:20PM

Hey there faithful readers...here is a link to a very informative blog post for today.

I love it, people paying attention! Click by and give her a visit. Thanks fertilehealthy :-)

Recipe for Health

Key key points here folks. This is the basis of how I work with my clients. Please find following a great recipe for health. Don't be overwhelmed, a lot of this is mainstream now, but you'll hear me say it again. Take it one step at a time. Do the best that you can, get out of your own way from time to time and keep an open mind! ~j

Side note: The health of your brain is a significant factor and really the 'top of the heap' so to speak. For today I want to focus on

The basics of functional wellness
Environmental factors like toxins, allergens, infections, stress and poor diet interact with your genes to create nearly all illnesses. Your vulnerability to a particular illness depends on how your genes interact with specific triggers.

Want to bring out the best in your genes and remove the irritants that encourage them to misbehave? Start living clean and healthy, and put vitality-supporting priorities like these at the very top of your “must have” list.

• Whole, real, fresh foods
• Nutrients (vitamins, minerals, etc.)
• Oxygen
• Water
• Light
• Sleep
• Healthy life rhythms
• Deep relaxation and rest
• Connection, community, love
• Meaning and purpose

The 7 Keys to UltraWellness - Dr Mark Hyman
Simply put, when your core systems are out of balance, they make fertile ground for the roots of illness. When they are in balance, they become the keys to creating wellness and vitality:

1.Environmental Inputs (diet, lifestyle, toxins, stress and trauma)
2.Inflammation and Immune Balance (the hidden fire within)
3.Hormone and Neurotransmitter Balance (insulin, thyroid, adrenal balance, sex hormones and mood chemicals)
4.Gut and Digestive Health (digestion, absorption, assimilation, intestinal ecosystem and the gut-immune system)
5.Detoxification Imbalances and Function (getting rid of wastes and dealing with toxins)
6.Creating Energy (the source of life energy and metabolism — antioxidant balance)
7.Mind-Body/Body-Mind Connection (change your mind, change your body; change your body, change your mind)

Freedom, Get Your Health Freedom Here!

NaturalNews Insider Alert (www.NaturalNews.com) newsletter

Dear NaturalNews readers,

This may be the most important email I've ever sent you.

Today, we've launched the much-anticipated Health Revolution Petition at www.HealthRevolutionPetition.org

This petition is a groundbreaking new petition that calls for real, revolutionary health freedom reforms in America! If its provisions are enacted, it would:

* End FDA tyranny and oppression of natural product companies
* End the persecution of alternative medicine and healing arts practitioners
* Ban GMOs in the food supply and require honest labeling of irradiated foods
* Protect America from CODEX "harmonization"
* Allow full income tax deductions for ALL health-related expenditures (herbs, supplements, gym memberships, etc.)
* Provide $350 a month in health care credits to each U.S. resident, allowing them to spend it on the health-enhancing products and services of their choice
* End mandatory vaccination policies across America
* Restore honest science to the FDA's review of drugs
* Require the open publication of all drug trials
* End Big Pharma's bribery of doctors
* Hold drug company CEO's criminally liable for the harm caused by drugs they advertise to consumers
* Restrict the advertising of junk foods and soda pop to children
* Ban man-made, non-natural chemicals in personal care products
* Invest in disease prevention and consumer education about nutrition
* Protect the environment from dangerous drugs that pollute the water supply

... and more. If you believe in these things, and you are a resident or citizen of the USA, then please sign this petition right now at www.HealthRevolutionPetition.org

We are gathering 100,000 signatures, then delivering this petition to every member of Congress (both House and Senate), plus President Obama and members of his administration. The costs for all this are being funded by the non-profit Consumer Wellness Center (www.ConsumerWellness.org) where I serve as the volunteer executive director.

This is the health freedom petition you've been waiting for!

It's time that we stood together as free citizens and demanded the kind of revolutionary changes necessary to end the "sick care" system operating in America today. It's time to set natural healers free to practice medicine, to end the censorship of free speech about nutritional supplements, and to reel in the out-of-control FDA and FTC, both of which pursue an agenda of destroying health care alternatives such as natural anti-cancer remedies.

Listen to my powerful audio message about Activism!
http://www.naturalnews.com/podcasts/ActivismCall.mp3
(15 minutes, MP3 audio)

Send this email to everyone you know who deserves a brighter future, a better health care system and improved health. Standing up and demanding these changes is the ONLY way that We The People are ever going to overcome the highly destructive, FDA-enforced medical monopoly that kills more Americans each year than all the world's terrorists events combined!

We need 100,000 signatures to get this petition noticed in Washington. Anything less than 100,000 is likely to be ignored. Please help us achieve these 100,000 or more signatures by forwarding this email, signing the petition and sharing your unique petition sign-up link with others.


Endorsed by the top health freedom organizations

The Health Revolution Petition is endorsed by:

* The Organic Consumers Association (www.OrganicConsumers.org)
* Life Extension (www.LEF.org)
* American Association for Health Freedom (www.HealthFreedom.net)
* Citizens for Health (www.Citizens.org)
* Consumer Wellness Center (www.ConsumerWellness.org)
* and NaturalNews, of course!

To your health,
- Mike Adams, the Health Ranger
Editor of NaturalNews.com

Against The Grain
A little OM

Today a rebellious outlook on life can inspire you to explore ideas and beliefs that others deem subversive. Even as you contemplate how drastically your life would change if you were to integrate these bold concepts into your day-to-day experiences, you may feel a growing sense of pride. You are likely eager to resist the path of conformity, and you may find that you are no longer subject to the pressure others put upon you to play by the rules. Today can be the perfect day to devote yourself to a path of learning that includes both traditional philosophy and those outlandish notions you have previously been unwilling to entertain.

We discover a whole new world of avenues of belief and behavior that are open to us when we choose to explore the regions that lie outside the status quo. Our defiance may anger or irritate those who wish us to follow a more traditional path, but the lessons we learn while investigating alternative viewpoints will almost always outweigh the inherent potential for conflict. This rebellion need not be aggressive in nature, but it will almost always require us to challenge ourselves and our established beliefs. Going against the grain can be a painful process. When we accept this possibility and move forward anyway, we make certain that we will leave no reasonable opportunity unexplored over the course of our life’s journey. As you boldly buck the system today, you will find yourself immersed in a wide range of possibilities you might never have entertained.

You don't have to control your thoughts; you just have to stop letting them control you.

- Dan Millman

Recovery Nutrition

Image: 1 2 3

What are the priorities for recovery nutrition?

Recovery is a challenge for athletes who are undertaking two or more sessions each day, training for prolonged periods, or competing in a program that involves multiple events. Between each work-out, the body needs to adapt to the physiological stress. In the training situation, with correct planning of the workload and the recovery time, adaptation allows the body to become fitter, stronger and faster. In the competition scenario, however, there may be less control over the work-to-recovery ration. A simpler but more realistic goal may be to start all events in the best shape possible. Recovery encompasses a complex range of process that include:

• restoring the muscles and liver with expended fuel
• replacing the fluid and electrolytes lost in sweat
• allowing the immune system to handle the damage and challenges causes by the exercise bout
• manufacturing new muscle protein, red blood cells and other cellular components as part of the repair and adaptation process

The importance of each of these goals varies according to the workout - for example, how much fuel was utilised? Was muscle damage caused? Did the athlete lose much sweat? Was a stimulus presented to increase muscle protein? A proactive recovery means providing the body with all the nutrients it needs, in a speedy and practical manner, to optimise the desired processes following each session. State-of-the-art guidelines for each of the following issues are presented below:

• Refueling
  The muscle can restore its fuel (glycogen) levels by about 5 per cent per hour, provided that enough carbohydrate is eaten. Depending on the fuel cost of the training schedule and the need to fuel up to race, a serious athlete may need to consume 6-10 g of carbohydrate per kg body weight each day (300-700 g per day). If the time between prolonged training sessions is less than 8 hrs, it makes sense to use all of this period for effective refueling. To kick-start this process an intake of at least 1 g/kg of carbohydrate - 50-100g for most athletes - is needed. This has lead to the advice that athletes should consume carbohydrate - either their next meal, or at least a snack - as soon as possible after an exhausting workout, to prepare for the next.

• Rehydration
  Most athletes finish training or competition sessions with some level of fluid deficit. In hot conditions or after strenuous sessions, fluid losses are usually large and require a focused effort to rehydrate after the workout. In this case, comparing pre- and post-session measurements of body weight can provide an approximation of the overall fluid deficit. Athletes may need to replace 150 per cent of the fluid deficit to get back to baseline - for example, if you are 2 kg lighter (2 litres lighter) at the end of the session, you will need to drink 3 litres of fluid over the next hours to fully replace the existing and ongoing fluid losses.

• Immune System
  In general, the immune system is suppressed by intensive training, with many parameters being reduced or disturbed during the hours following a work-out. This may place athletes at risk of succumbing to an infectious illness during this time. Many nutrients or dietary factors have been proposed as an aid to the immune system - for example, vitamins C and E, glutamine, zinc and echinacea - but none of these have proved to provide universal protection. The most recent evidence points to carbohydrate as one of the most promising nutritional immune protectors. Consuming carbohydrate during and/or after a prolonged or high-intensity work-out has been shown to reduce the disturbance to immune system markers. Carbohydrate intake may be beneficial for a number of reasons. For example, it reduces the stress hormone response to exercise thus minimising its effect on the immune system. It also supplies glucose to fuel the activity of many of the immune system white cells.

• Muscle Repair and Building
  Prolonged and high-intensity exercise causes a substantial breakdown of muscle protein. During the recovery phase there is a reduction in catabolic (breakdown) processes and a gradual increase in anabolic (building) processes. Recent research has shown that early intake of essential amino acids from good quality protein foods helps to promote the increase in protein rebuilding. In fact, protein consumed immediately after, or in the case of resistance training work-outs, immediately before the session, is taken up more effectively by the muscle into rebuilding processes, than protein consumed in the hours afterwards. However, the protein needs to be consumed with carbohydrate foods to maximise this effect. Carbohydrate intake stimulates an insulin response, which potentiates the increase in protein uptake and rebuilding.

How does recovery eating fit into the big picture of nutrition goals?

For the athlete who is undertaking two or more training sessions each day, eating for recovery plays a substantial role in the daily food schedule and in total nutrient uptake. Either meals (which generally supply all the nutrients needed for recovery) must be timetabled so that they can be eaten straight after the work-out, or special recovery snacks must be slotted in to cover nutrient needs until the next meal can be eaten. These recovery snacks then need to be counted towards total daily intake.

For athletes who have high-energy needs, these snacks add a useful contribution towards the total day's kilojoule needs. When there is a large kilojoule budget to play with, it may not matter too much if the snacks only look after the key recovery nutrients - for example carbohydrate - or contain extra kilojoules from fat. On the other hand, for the athlete whose skinfold goals require a careful attitude to kilojoule intake, recovery snacks may need to be low in fat, and count towards meeting daily needs for vitamins, minerals and other nutrients. Snacks that can supply special needs for calcium, iron or other nutrients may double up as recovery snacks and good overall choices.

What are the practical considerations for recovery eating?

Some athletes finish sessions with a good appetite, so most foods are appealing to eat. On the other hand, a fatigued athlete may only feel like eating something that is compact and easy to chew. When snacks need to be kept or eaten at the training venue itself, foods and drinks that require minimal storage and preparation are useful. At other times, valuable features of recovery foods include being portable and able to travel interstate or overseas without penalties from customs officials, being individually packaged and sealed for the benefit of lengthy nights of drug testing, or being labeled with nutritional information so that the athlete can check how much they need to consume to meet their recovery goals. Situations and challenges in sport change from day to day, and between athletes - so recovery snacks need to be carefully chosen to meet these needs.

I am not a huge fan of the carbo recommendations in this article, but the article is very comprehensive and contains information that should be taken into consideration.

Thank you Australian Institute of Sport, Louise Burke!

Recovery, replenish, do it! ~j

Swiss Stuffed Celery Grate 2 cups raw Swiss cheese. Mix with 1/3 cup mayonnaise (made from healthy oil - not soy!) Add 1/4 cup chopped, freshly shelled, raw walnuts, 1 teaspoon *Worcestershire sauce and 1/2 teaspoon French Dijon type mustard. When mixed well, stuff into the groove of organic celery. Top with more grated cheese and/or toasted sesame seeds. Source: Pat Connolly, PPNF Curator * Read the label. Be sure it does not have sugar or high fructose corn syrup.

I can't believe that I have been blogging since 2006! Okay well, I was browsing through some old posts and just felt like this one from February 2007, two years ago, was right on target with my thoughts for today.

Things have changed a lot for me since then, but this just hit the spot. We can be in very different places, but still words of wisdom from the past are still valid, present and applicable to the future.

Still breathing! ~j

...choose to take a deep breath and surrender to life's plan. ~

Do you ever hava a day, week or month when you think..."yikes! Things are not going the way that I planned!"

Well, I remember a joke from my old days in sunday school...God is laughing while we are making our own plans. It seems I am in the mood for contemplation this weekend. I am also reminded from Dan Millman's book, Way of the Peaceful Warrior...life is exactly as it is suppose to be. All of it. That is actually a comforting thought when I stand in the midst of the chaos of today's world and feel overwhelmed.

I am not suppose to fix it. I am suppose to acknowledge all that is. Live with intention, passionately for what I know is true in my heart and not with blinders as a distraction (there are sooo many of these). I certainly don't have to take the freeway when the scenic route is far more enjoyable and rewarding. I love to smell the 'roses' and in many ways am reminded to find my favorites.

One drop in the water creates a ripple. I don't have the grand divine plan all worked out in my head today and I don't have to. Whew! We are all here for a reason and we are intricately woven together as our paths cross, if only for a moment in time. Do you remember those people, those events in time that stands still as if it were only yesterday. Do you remember the impact of those moments on your life? If for nothing else than a reflection...a seed planted for the future, a message to get you through, a deja vu, a bridge from the past to the future, a puzzle to ponder...a lesson for living in the present.

Hmmmm...when it all washes in front of you in what seems to be the same moment...here is that deep breath...and the significant word, surrender.

Breathing today ~j

"If you don't know where you're going, any road will get you there." ~ Ancient Chinese Proverb

Challenge is a dragon with a gift in its mouth...
Tame the dragon and the gift is yours.

-Noela Evans

Pleasure in Privacy
A little OM

A quiet mood can inspire you today to indulge yourself with creature comforts such as good food, the company of your loved ones, and pleasant entertainment. If your obligations require leaving your home behind, you may find yourself longing for its comforting serenity and endeavoring to fulfill your responsibilities with haste. This can be a wonderful time to take a personal day and to engage in those activities that help you realize your inner bliss. You can nurture feelings of relaxation and composure today by surrounding yourself with only those individuals who inspire you and empower you to be the best person you can be. As time passes, you will likely find you feel rejuvenated and ready to face the world.

The delight we feel while spending time in our homes and with our loved ones often is greater than that which we feel when out on the town, because it is only in private that we are comfortable enough to simply be ourselves. Our personal space offers a refuge in which we can put aside the masks we wear while playing our outer-world roles. We can freely engage in those pursuits that bring us pleasure, whether or not these activities are what society at large would deem to be acceptable. The pressure to conform, with which we are typically burdened, disappears. Consequently, attaining a relaxed state is easy because we do not feel pressed to regulate our feelings and thoughts to please others. You can freely express your quiet mood today while enjoying the serenity of your personal space.

Heart Healthy Foods - Yum!

Thanks WebMD for a compilation of delicious options for foods that nourish and heal. Disclaimer that a few edits have been made...I am not a believer in soy, so enjoy this comprehensive list! Remember, healthy food is not about eating cardboard, but vibrant, mouth watering morsels that provide life giving nutrients. ~j

Salmon
Omega-3 fatty acids.
Grill salmon with a yummy rub or marinade. Save a chunk to chop for a salad later on.

Flaxseed (ground)
Omega-3 fatty acids; fiber, phytoestrogens.
Ground flaxseed hides easily in all sorts of foods -- yogurt parfaits, morning cereal, homemade muffins, or cookies.

Black or Kidney Beans
B-complex vitamins; niacin; folate; magnesium; omega-3 fatty acids; calcium; soluble fiber.
Give soup or salad a nutrient boost -- stir in some beans.

Almonds
Plant omega-3 fatty acids; vitamin E; magnesium; fiber; heart-favorable mono- and polyunsaturated fats; phytosterols.
Mix a few almonds (and berries) into low-fat yogurt, trail mix, or fruit salads.

Walnuts
Plant omega-3 fatty acids; vitamin E; magnesium; folate; fiber; heart-favorable mono- and polyunsaturated fats; phytosterols.

Red wine
Catechins and reservatrol (flavonoids).
Toast your good health! A glass of red wine could improve "good" HDL cholesterol.

Tuna
Omega-3 fatty acids; folate; niacin.
Here's lunch: Salad greens, fresh fruit, canned tuna. Keep "Salad Spritzer" - a light dressing -- in your office fridge.

Brown rice
B-complex vitamins; fiber; niacin; magnesium, fiber.

Blueberries
Beta-carotene and lutein (carotenoids); anthocyanin (a flavonoid); ellagic acid (a polyphenol); vitamin C; folate; calcium, magnesium; potassium; fiber.
Cranberries, strawberries, raspberries are potent, too -- for trail mixes, muffins, salads!

Carrots
Alpha-carotene (a carotenoid); fiber.
Baby carrots are sweet for lunch. Sneak shredded carrots into spaghetti sauce or muffin batter.

Spinach
Lutein (a carotenoid); B-complex vitamins; folate; magnesium; potassium; calcium; fiber.
Pick spinach (not lettuce) for nutrient-packed salads and sandwiches.

Broccoli
Beta-carotene (a carotenoid); Vitamins C and E; potassium; folate; calcium; fiber.
Chop fresh broccoli into store-bought soup. For a veggie dip, try hummus (chickpeas).

Sweet potato
Beta-carotene (a carotenoid); vitamins A, C, E; fiber.

Red bell peppers
Beta-carotene and lutein (carotenoids); B-complex vitamins; folate; potassium; fiber.
Rub with olive oil, and grill or oven-roast until tender. Delicious in wraps, salads, sandwiches.

Asparagus
Beta-carotene and lutein (carotenoids); B-complex vitamins; folate; fiber.
Grill or steam slightly, then dress with olive oil and lemon. It's a pretty side dish.

Oranges
Beta-cryptoxanthin, beta- and alpha-carotene, lutein (carotenoids) and flavones (flavonoids); vitamin C; potassium; folate; fiber.

Tomatoes
Beta- and alpha-carotene, lycopene, lutein (carotenoids); vitamin C; potassium; folate; fiber.


Acorn squash
Beta-carotene and lutein (carotenoids); B-complex and C vitamins; folate; calcium; magnesium; potassium; fiber.
Baked squash is comfort food on a chilly day. Serve with sautéed spinach, pine nuts, raisins.

Cantaloupe
Alpha- and beta-carotene and lutein (carotenoids); B-complex and C vitamins; folate; potassium; fiber.
A fragrant ripe cantaloupe is perfect for breakfast, lunch, potluck dinners. Simply cut and enjoy!

Papaya
Beta-carotene, beta-cryptoxanthin, lutein (carotenoids); Vitamins C and E; folate; calcium; magnesium; potassium.
Serve papaya salsa with salmon: Mix papaya, pineapple, scallions, garlic, fresh lime juice, salt and black pepper.

Dark chocolate
Reservatrol and cocoa phenols (flavonoids). Choose 70% or higher cocoa content.

Tea
Catechins and flavonols (flavonoids).
Make sun tea: Combine a clear glass jar, several tea bags, and hours of sunshine.

“A friend is always good to have, but

a lover's kiss is better than angels raining down on me.”

~Dave Matthews Band

Hope you had a fantastic Valentine's weekend. Suited perfectly for you and those you love most!

Always ~j

Love: The Most Powerful Emotion of All~

Found this great excerpt and wanted to share! So many thoughts on love with Valentines' Day upon us. But this really hit the spot outside of the hopeless romantic notions and sentiment (which I also deeply enjoy btw).

There is a depth that spans the mind, body, spirit and resonates throughout the experience of 'being' and healing. From my heart to yours. ~j

“Extraordinary Healing” by Art Brownstein, MD

The following excerpt comes from a Chapter 6: The Power of Your Mind and Your Healing System

Love is the most powerful and important emotion in the world. It is the greatest source of nourishment, strength, and energy for your healing system. Love can be awakened by outside forces, but its true origins emanate from the mysterious depths of your own heart. Love is connected to the creative forces of the universe, and for this reason it can exist beyond the borders of your mind and body, and extend to every human heart. Where there is love, there is healing, even in the face of devastating disease and life’s most horrendous trials, tribulations, and suffering.

Since the dawn of civilization, wise men and sages, mystics and philosophers, poets, artists, and healers have all declared that love is the most powerful healing force in the world. Thanks to new medical research, scientists and doctors are now beginning to acknowledge the accuracy of this view. Studies now show that people who report having more love in their lives, even if that love is coming from their pet dog or cat, live longer and suffer from fewer diseases. In the words of Dr. Bernie Siegal, “Love is the most powerful known stimulant of the human immune system.” In the words of the American Holistic Medical Association’s charter declaration, “Love is the most powerful medicine in the world!”

Love is stronger than fear. In fact, love overcomes all fears and doubts. Whenever fears and doubts get the better of you, immediately shift your attention to loving thoughts. Start entertaining thoughts of love for yourself, your family and friends, your pets, and that which you love. If you can’t find anything, it’s time to get out your emotional shovel and start digging through the layers of garbage that may be covering up your heart. Keep digging until you reach it. There you will find love as it has always been: ever comforting, ever healing, powerful, generous, timeless, and eternal.

Love is the essential nature of your soul. When you are in pain and feeling bad, either in body, mind, or spirit, remember this. If you have tried everything else and nothing has helped you so far, try love.”

Shine bright!

It's time to check in ladies. Whether you think you are in tip top shape or not, this in a pretty comprehensive quiz. Illness and disease seem to be lurking around every corner these days. Yet we find ourselves surprised and caught off guard when something isn't quite right.

If there are questions on here that you do not know the answer to...you should find out.

Knowledge is power! Know yourself. ~j

Women's Heart Disease Risk Quiz

"How beautiful it is to do nothing, and to rest afterward."
~Spanish Proverb

"Be who you are and say what you feel,
because those who mind don't matter and those who matter don't mind."
~Dr. Seuss

http://www.stopthethyroidmadness.com/

Thyroid is a MAJOR topic for both men and women. This site, blog and book are spot on for hypothyroidism. There are over 40 pathways that impact the thyroid and most of us have managed to deplete, imbalance or otherwise, disrupt the natural pattern. We just don't know it until there are significant symptoms.

I had really not intended to discuss anything but matters of the heart this month, but this is an ongoing issue that rarely gets attention. The fact that I stumbled upon Janie's blog was a thing of divine orchestration.

Seriously gang. All of the 'simple' thing that I discuss like hydration, nourishment, stress reduction, all play a part in the re balancing of our glands. These organs are pivotal to quality of life.

This is how I work with my clients. Get to the root, don't skimp over the necessity for a little labwork. Most people can't remember the last time that they felt good, so they are used to feeling like crap all the time. It has become the norm. That is a sad state. I recommend an annual check in. If all is good, leave well enough alone, if not, get a plan, use it. Otherwise, down the road somewhere you will wonder, how and when did this happen? Well, I am here to tell you...IT is happening now. Most disease can be prevented.

'It' can be prevented.
'It' may be the 1 in 2 people that will be dianosed with cancer, the cure IS PREVENTION.
'It' may be alzheimers or dimentia or any host of brain function that impacts joy in your life.
'It' may be muscle weakness, heart disease, maybe stroke runs in your family history.
'It' can be prevented.

Two roads diverged in a yellow wood,
And sorry I could not travel both
And be one traveler, long I stood
And looked down one as far as I could
To where it bent in the undergrowth;

Then took the other, as just as fair,
And having perhaps the better claim,
Because it was grassy and wanted wear;
Though as for that, the passing there
Had worn them really about the same,

And both that morning equally lay
In leaves no step had trodden black.
Oh, I kept the first for another day!
Yet knowing how way leads on to way,
I doubted if I should ever come back.

I shall be telling this with a sigh
Somewhere ages and ages hence:
Two roads diverged in a wood, and I -
I took the one less traveled by,
And that has made all the difference.

~Robert Frost

We never know the worth of water
till the well is dry.
~Thomas Fuller

Talk about getting wet!

We are experiencing an amazing rainstorm tonight...a rare occurrence here in sunny SD, but I am loving it! While others are scurrying for cover, we are jumping in the puddles and welcoming the refreshing downpour.

On other water notes...please consider the quality of the water that you are using indoors as well as the amount of water that you are using on a daily basis. The next two tidbits are pretty informative. Thanks IdealBite! Become a biter...idealbite.com, enjoying the guilty pleasures week! ~j

Coming off of a stressful week?

The Bite
Go deeper - underwater that is. If you're looking for all-out relaxation and a shower just won't cut it, treat yourself to a bath. Just do a few easy things - such as not filling it up all the way - to make your indulgence a little greener, and you won't get in over your head.

The Benefits

• Not-so-deep water bills. A typical shower uses 12 gallons of hot water, while a bath takes about 20, but if you fill your bath up an inch less than regular, you'll save up to 4.5 gallons.
• Eco-accessories for shallow wallets. Up the relaxation ante with inexpensive eco-trimmings such as bath salts.

Personally Speaking
Our favorite way to save water in the bath? Bathing with a friend, naturally (showering with a friend works too).

Wanna Try?

• Save baths for special occasions or stressy evenings.
• Put the plug in from the beginning to save water (the hot water should warm up the initial cold water).
• Fill up a couple inches below full.

Last, opt for eco-accoutrements:

• EO Rose Geranium & Citrus Bath Salts - soothes you with a blend of Epsom and seawater salts, with a flowery scent that refreshes ($10/21.5 ounces).
• Paris Presents Eco Tools Loofah - bath sponge made from a natural sea vegetable - not petroleum like most loofahs ($2).

What's in the shower with you?

Whoa! This is information you need to know but will likely wish you didn't hear.

Most people fail to realize that taking a typical shower can expose you to nearly ten times more chlorine than you would receive by drinking unfiltered tap water all day long.

• Mercola.com - a little long, but really, check it out. you'd be suprised what's in the shower with you, especially when it isn't another person!

Life is short:

Break the rules,
Forgive quickly,
Kiss slowly,
Love truly,
Laugh uncontrollably,
And never regret anything that made you smile.

To you and yours today. ~J

"The will to win is important,
but the will to prepare is vital."
~ Joe Paterno

Cruising down the road, hair flapping in the wind, sun on my face, radio turned up...I thought, life is good. Right now, right at this moment. Perfection.

But upon reflection, I realized that to get where I am today, it has been another journey. I didn't just stumble upon it. Decisions were made, work was done, tears spilled, friends made, family sacrifices, teamwork and the course has led me to today. Every so often I realize that the course of my life has changed, again. How did I get here this time? Was I paying attention? A little, yes, sort of.

If we are willing to prepare ourselves for the future we may be surprised at what lay ahead. It is when we keep the blinders on, bury ourselves in work or training or the neighborhood drama that we tend to get a little lost. One day you might look in the mirror and wonder who is staring back at you. Where did the time go? We will never be in a state of perfect balance, but we can have our eyes open and participate in this thing called life.

If you have come to the conclusion that you want to 'kick it up a notch' it will be an individual decision as to what that is for you. Have any dreams collecting cobwebs? Just make sure you take your what a step at a time. Be realistic. Push yourself a little though, you can handle it. Yes, you can. Last year, my mantra was...no excuses. And I found myself accomplishing things I never even imagined.

So, in light of the recent and awesome win by the Steelers (ROCK ON!) I thought it appropriate to share a little football quote. Winning is far more than a scoreboard and what you put into that impacts the outcome. A little preparation will make change happen in your life.

Sometimes you have to Slow Down. Look around, take inventory and do a little mini project management of your life. Maybe Stephen Covey would consider putting First Things First. Maybe you have found comfort in the Fly Lady and organization. Clear out the crap and let the light in to the deeper corners. There are many options and resources. I ask, "have you have found one that supports you?"

Are you prepared to win? Do you have the will?

Even if winning is spending more time with your family, improving your health, training for your first marathon, finding the warrior within, choosing an outreach program to support, visiting your grandmother.

'Slow down baby, you are going too fast, with your hands in the air and your feet on the gas!'

Thanks India Aire, you said it well! ~j

An Affair of the Heart

"Wherever you go, go with all your heart." ~Confucius

It's here, February is National Heart Health Month. ~ mwah!

So, whether you are protective of your physical heart or your emotional heart...it is a good time to check in on both. But let's start with the rhythmic pulse and electrical wonder that pumps over and over and over...and over

Each year, about 1.1 million Americans suffer a heart attack. When it is someone we know, we are usually first shocked, then worried, what about me? Maybe I'll get to the gym again or eat a few more vegetables. While these are good intentions, they may not last long if you don't have motivation to anchor it in. What about those you love?

About 460,000 of those heart attacks are fatal. About half of those deaths occur within 1 hour of the start of symptoms and before help can arrive.

Don't do it! Don't let it happen to your or someone that you love. We don't have to be in the dark on this. A simple serum blood test can help measure your markers. "What do those include," you say? Thought you'd never ask!

A basic profile would consist of:

• Diabetes - Glucose
• Lipid profile
  
• Kidney profile
• Liver profile
• Fluids & Electrolytes
• Mineral & Bone

It's called a CardioPlus panel and during the month of February can be ordered for $35.00. That's it?? $35.00 to see if you are at risk? To check in because it 'as been awhile! Anyone out there on medication for high blood pressure or high cholesterol? Anyone worried about their dad? Spouse? Grandmother?

Already at risk? want to add in C-Reactive Protien (CRP) and homocysteine? $119 a small price to pay if you are concerned about inflammatory conditions and the health of your heart.

These tests can be ordered by your doctor, but can range from $250 - $600. Hopefully you have great insurance. If not, you are prepared with an HSA. Otherwise, you can order them yourself from a company called DirectLabs.com. Did I mention that this month they are $35 for the basic?

Yep, that's it!

If your doctor will work with you, get in there. Get checked up :-) If you are not a doctor person, don't have coverage, worried about a loved one, no excuse you can order the tests yourself or through your choice of preventative practitioners like me. We can review the results with you and offer lifestyle solutions, when needed.

We don't want to preach. We just want you to be informed. No suprises are good when it comes to healthy bio-markers!

Glug glug...glug glug... ~j

Self-Body Scan
Blessing Our Bodies

As the living vehicles for our spirits, our bodies deserve loving attention and care. We can positively affect our health, prevent illness, and heal injuries by regularly focusing our mental and spiritual energy on the workings of our bodies. This can be done by performing a body scan on yourself.

Begin by lying in a comfortable position and taking three deep cleansing breaths. Imagine, if you will, a sunbeam entering the top of your head. Feel this light slowly scanning each part of your internal body. Allow it to scan every cell in your body and keep breathing. Every time you exhale, blow out negative energy you may feel. Notice any changes in your body. Sensations may vary from person to person. You may feel a shift in body temperature, see a color or flash of light, or hear a voice offering you guidance. If you feel a block in a certain area of your body, sit with that block and feel into it. Ask your body why that block is there and what you need to do to release it. Try not to judge or analyze the wisdom that comes to you. Often, we experience energy blocks in our body because our body is trying to tell us something. You may want to breathe into that area until you feel the block dissolving. When you have finished your scan, take one last deep breath and exhale any energetic residue that you are ready to release.

The body doesn’t lie, and it has much wisdom to share with us. Any injuries or blocks that exist in our bodies are there so that we can learn from having them in our bodies. An existing injury can teach us to slow down or help us recognize that something is out of balance in our bodies. The more you scan your body, the better you will become at it. If you sense that something is not right in your body, you may want to visit your health care practitioner and tell them about your experience.

When you have finished your scan, don’t forget to thank your wonderful, amazing body.

A great OM for today! ~j