Continue reading »]]> Is our medical system safe? Can we trust our doctors to make the correct decisions and do the right things for our health? Are we truly getting the medical attention we need or are we just carelessly getting dosed with expensive and sometimes dangerous prescription drugs? Our medical system has become an extremely large, complex and frightening entity. It can be confusing and costly, still, at the first sign of any kind of symptom we run straight to our doctor and blindly do or take whatever it is they prescribe. Once again I ask; are we truly getting the medical attention we need? An even better question might be; is the treatment that you are receiving safe or even needed?

“The American Medical System Is The Leading Cause Of Death And Injury In The United States.” This is the title of a collaborative article written by five prominent medical professionals. (Click here to read the article). The article is the outcome and findings of their study into the safety of our medical system. Their findings show that there are over 783,000 deaths annually attributed to the medical system. It also shows that there are 7.5 million unnecessary medical and surgical procedures performed annually as well as 8.9 million people unnecessarily hospitalized annually. The article also points out the fact that only 5% to 20 % of all medical errors get reported. If non reported errors are taken into consideration the number of deaths, injuries and unnecessary procedures would be increased dramatically. There is also another article in the JAMA (Journal American Medical Association) showing that ADR (Adverse Drug Reactions) alone ranks as the #4 killer in America. (Click here to read the article). ADR’s are properly prescribed and administered pharmaceuticals. As with the other study, because of poor reporting habits, the number of ADR related deaths are potentially a lot higher and could be the #1 killer in America.

I am not trying to scare you into not going to your doctor but, with all of the risk involved in today’s medical system we need to be more proactive in our health care. We need to be knowledgeable of our treatment options and take more control of our treatment programs. A lot of us these days seem to go to the doctor unnecessarily for minor symptoms such as the common cold. We need to stop relying so heavily on doctors for everything and take advantage of other options. There are many different options available to us for our health and wellness that don’t consist of going to the doctor such as CAM (Complimentary Alternative Medicine). However, if you are truly ill and need a doctor, go.

If you do need to go to a doctor remember to quiz them, after all it is your health. Ask them about their diagnosis and what it means. Ask them about their prescribed treatments and pharmaceuticals, especially about possible side effects and reactions. Most importantly, ask your doctor about alternative treatments. Once you have quizzed your doctor, research for yourselves any treatment and prescriptions you might have been given. This is very important.

At the beginning of 2009 I was diagnosed with high cholesterol. My doctor prescribed a statin drug to lower my cholesterol level. With all the hype about high cholesterol, and its devastating and potentially deadly potential, I immediately went out and bought the statin drug. Thankfully, my wife talked to me and advised me to research high cholesterol and the drug before I took them. With just a little research I found out several things. The first was that my cholesterol level was not really that high and I did not need to be on statins. Simple diet change would have been sufficient enough to lower my cholesterol to an acceptable level. The second thing I discovered was that statin drugs commonly cause a lot of adverse conditions such as liver damage and muscle deterioration which my doctor did not mention. I soon realized that, for me, the risk potential of taking the medication far outweighed the risk potential of having an elevated cholesterol level. After a little more research I also found a lot of information and several studies by doctors that show there is no evidence that high cholesterol lead to heart problems like that of Cardiovascular and Thoracic Surgeon, Dr. Dwight Lundell and his book “The Great Cholesterol Lie.” According to his research high cholesterol levels leading to heart risk is a lie based on faulty facts.

The main thing is that we need to make smart educated choices for our own health care. Complimentary Alternative Medicine is a smart choice. The different modalities available to us give us the benefit of living healthy lifestyles while cutting down on our excessive use of doctors and medication. There are a wide range of CAM modalities for us to utilize as part of our health care. Services range from Reflexology and Acupressure to Herbalism and Energy Healing. They are all services that are designed to keep us healthy as opposed to traditional medical services which treat us after we become ill. Although these services are best if used as preventive measures they are also very effective at helping to cure ailments after we become ill.

Wellness is our safest choice for a healthy lifestyle. Complimentary Alternative Medicine, along with proper diet and exercise can do that. It is far easier and less costly to stay healthy than it is to seek help after you become sick.

For more reading here is a wonderful article on Homeopathy at healthy living basics.

http://healthylivingbasics.org/2011/03/what-is-homeopathy/#comment-77

Continue reading »]]>            Whether it is from changing weather patterns or some other unknown catalyst, we have seen a rise in both size and intensity of natural disasters. Hurricane Katrina, the Indonesian Tsunami the earthquake in Haiti and most recently the earthquakes and tsunami in Japan; these are just a few of the terrible disasters that have left us saddened and heavy of heart. It has been more than natural disaster though; we have also endured the terrorist attacks of 9-11 and two wars in Iraq and Afghanistan. One of which still goes on today. Now we seem to have gotten ourselves involved in a third one in Sirya.

This past decade has been hard on all of us in one form or another. Even now we are just coming out of the worst recession the U.S. has seen since the Great Depression, although for many of us it still seems like we are right in the middle of it. This economic meltdown has wreaked havoc on our finances and livelihood for over three years now. Countless people have lost their jobs and their homes. Even if you happen to be one of the lucky few who have not been hit hard by this recession, you probably know at least a few people that haven’t been so lucky.

My wife and I were not among those lucky few. Throughout this recession we have suffered through five layoffs between the two of us. We also lost our house, both of our cars, used up our retirement savings and filed bankruptcy. Going through things like this it is easy to fall into a state of sadness and depression. Once you start down that road it is easy for everything to spiral out of control. Sadness and depression turns into feelings of helplessness and uselessness. Finally, an overwhelming sense of defeat sets in. At this point in the game it is all but over unless you find a way to turn it around and doing so at this point is not easy.

All is not lost though. There is a way out of it. There is a way of picking yourself back up or keeping yourself from getting there if you haven’t already. Positive thought! Positive thought is a very powerful yet simple tool, a tool that most of us don’t use very well. For most of us, when things are going bad we tend to focus on that bad thing and ultimately make things worse. It is simply the law of attraction. You bring back to yourself what you project out into the world.

When my wife and I were going through our time of hardship it was very stressful. To witness everything you have been working for being stripped away and disappear can leave you with a hollow, empty feeling. We soon started to realize though that despite all that we had lost we still had the most important things. We had our family and friends and we had each other. We had love. It was a glimmer of hope and positive thought that everything would be alright.

With that one first seed of positive thought, everything else grows. The darkness and gloom starts fading away and your days start to feel better and brighter. That feeling of helplessness starts to disappear and you start allowing yourself to be happy. The power of positive thought is a true miracle. It is what all the good things in your life come from. At that point the law of attraction is working in your favor. Like a chain reaction one positive thought leads to something good happening, which in turn fosters more positive thoughts.

But how do you start it up when events have in your life have become so bleak? Positive thought comes from your inner Self, way down deep in your spiritual core. Everyone has their own way of accessing their spiritual self. For some it may be with meditation. For others it might come from a walk in the woods or a stroll down the beach. Whatever method you find that accesses your spirituality, do it and do it often. Focus on your spiritual self and positive thought for your future. Keep your loved ones close and enjoy the life you have. The material objects you collect, grow old and decay. The job you do for a living doesn’t define your true Self. When life seems dark, reach into your spiritual Self and let positive thought illuminate your path to a brighter future.

Whether it is from changing weather patterns or some other unknown catalyst, we have seen a rise in both size and intensity of natural disasters. Hurricane Katrina, the Indonesian Tsunami the earthquake in Haiti and most recently the earthquakes and tsunami in Japan; these are just a few of the terrible disasters that have left us saddened and heavy of heart. It has been more than natural disaster though; we have also endured the terrorist attacks of 9-11 and two wars in Iraq and Afghanistan. One of which still goes on today. Now we seem to have gotten ourselves involved in a third one in Sirya.

            This past decade has been hard on all of us in one form or another. Even now we are just coming out of the worst recession the U.S. has seen since the Great Depression, although for many of us it still seems like we are right in the middle of it. This economic meltdown has wreaked havoc on our finances and livelihood for over three years now. Countless people have lost their jobs and their homes. Even if you happen to be one of the lucky few who have not been hit hard by this recession, you probably know at least a few people that haven’t been so lucky.

            My wife and I were not among those lucky few. Throughout this recession we have suffered through five layoffs between the two of us. We also lost our house, both of our cars, used up our retirement savings and filed bankruptcy. Going through things like this it is easy to fall into a state of sadness and depression. Once you start down that road it is easy for everything to spiral out of control. Sadness and depression turns into feelings of helplessness and uselessness. Finally, an overwhelming sense of defeat sets in. At this point in the game it is all but over unless you find a way to turn it around and doing so at this point is not easy.

            All is not lost though. There is a way out of it. There is a way of picking yourself back up or keeping yourself from getting there if you haven’t already. Positive thought! Positive thought is a very powerful yet simple tool, a tool that most of us don’t use very well. For most of us, when things are going bad we tend to focus on that bad thing and ultimately make things worse. It is simply the law of attraction. You bring back to yourself what you project out into the world.

            When my wife and I were going through our time of hardship it was very stressful. To witness everything you have been working for being stripped away and disappear can leave you with a hollow, empty feeling. We soon started to realize though that despite all that we had lost we still had the most important things. We had our family and friends and we had each other. We had love. It was a glimmer of hope and positive thought that everything would be alright.

            With that one first seed of positive thought, everything else grows. The darkness and gloom starts fading away and your days start to feel better and brighter. That feeling of helplessness starts to disappear and you start allowing yourself to be happy. The power of positive thought is a true miracle. It is what all the good things in your life come from. At that point the law of attraction is working in your favor. Like a chain reaction one positive thought leads to something good happening, which in turn fosters more positive thoughts.

            But how do you start it up when events have in your life have become so bleak? Positive thought comes from your inner Self, way down deep in your spiritual core. Everyone has their own way of accessing their spiritual self. For some it may be with meditation. For others it might come from a walk in the woods or a stroll down the beach. Whatever method you find that accesses your spirituality, do it and do it often. Focus on your spiritual self and positive thought for your future. Keep your loved ones close and enjoy the life you have. The material objects you collect, grow old and decay. The job you do for a living doesn’t define your true Self. When life seems dark, reach into your spiritual Self and let positive thought illuminate your path to a brighter future.

Continue reading »]]>

At the time I switched over I was a confirmed carnivore and couldn’t imagine life without meat on the dinner table. It was the way I grew up and the only way I knew how to eat. I had some health issues at the time. I was overweight and couldn’t lose it no matter what I did. If I lost weight I would just put it right back on. I had digestive issues, and was diagnosed with high cholesterol. I was already interested in natural healthcare being a certified reflexologist and determined that someday I would own my own wellness practice. I knew that vegetarianism was a healthy practice; I just didn’t know that much about it at the time. Curiosity, along with health issues, finally won over and I decided to get myself on the path to wellness. It was time to give vegetarianism a try.

An excellent source for vegan cooking.

Here I am close to a year later. I eat an almost complete vegan diet. Once in a while I will cheat and have real cheese (bad, I know it). My body feels better. I don’t have the host of health issues I used to have. I have lost 25 pounds putting myself at my target weight goal and I can keep it off without trying. Most important I know that my body, as well as my mental health, has greatly improved allowing me to enjoy my life to a much fuller extent.

There are many benefits to being a vegetarian aside from the host of health reasons, a vegetarian lifestyle helps cut down on the strain we put on our planet by lowering waste, water consumption, pollution and helps with land conservation. There is also the peace of mind you get by knowing that you are not contributing to the poor treatment and slaughter of animals that comes from factory farming.

For much more complete list of the benefits of a vegetarian lifestyle click here.

It is my belief that everyone can benefit from a vegetarian lifestyle. You get all the benefits of improved health without a downside. Let’s face it, your reading this article because you are interested. You have probably been asking yourself, why should I become a vegetarian? Maybe you should ask yourself, why shouldn’t I become a vegetarian?

Need more information on vegetarianism? Here is an excerpt from the “Journal of the American Dietetic Association”

From the Association

Position of the American Dietetic Association: Vegetarian Diets
Available online 24 June 2009.

Abstract

It is the position of the American Dietetic Association that appropriately planned vegetarian diets, including total vegetarian or vegan diets, are healthful, nutritionally adequate, and may provide health benefits in the prevention and treatment of certain diseases. Well-planned vegetarian diets are appropriate for individuals during all stages of the life cycle, including pregnancy, lactation, infancy, childhood, and adolescence, and for athletes. A vegetarian diet is defined as one that does not include meat (including fowl) or seafood, or products containing those foods. This article reviews the current data related to key nutrients for vegetarians including protein, n-3 fatty acids, iron, zinc, iodine, calcium, and vitamins D and B-12. A vegetarian diet can meet current recommendations for all of these nutrients. In some cases, supplements or fortified foods can provide useful amounts of important nutrients. An evidence-based review showed that vegetarian diets can be nutritionally adequate in pregnancy and result in positive maternal and infant health outcomes. The results of an evidence-based review showed that a vegetarian diet is associated with a lower risk of death from ischemic heart disease. Vegetarians also appear to have lower low-density lipoprotein cholesterol levels, lower blood pressure, and lower rates of hypertension and type 2 diabetes than nonvegetarians. Furthermore, vegetarians tend to have a lower body mass index and lower overall cancer rates. Features of a vegetarian diet that may reduce risk of chronic disease include lower intakes of saturated fat and cholesterol and higher intakes of fruits, vegetables, whole grains, nuts, soy products, fiber, and phytochemicals. The variability of dietary practices among vegetarians makes individual assessment of dietary adequacy essential. In addition to assessing dietary adequacy, food and nutrition professionals can also play key roles in educating vegetarians about sources of specific nutrients, food purchase and preparation, and dietary modifications to meet their needs.

“Position of the American Dietetic Association: Vegetarian Diets,”
Journal of the American Dietetic Association, Volume 109, Issue 7, July 2009, pages 1266-1282

Health reading on veganism:

http://healthylivingbasics.org/

http://www.nursingdegree.net/blog/19/57-health-benefits-of-going-vegan/

http://veganlunchbox.blogspot.com/

http://veg.ca/content/view/139/110/

Continue reading »]]> Yoga! Although the time of its actual inception is unknown we do know the art and practice of yoga dates back several thousand years. It is mentioned in the Rig Veda which is one of the oldest texts known to man and dates back to approximately 1700 BC. There have also been statues found, from the Indus Valley civilization, of the meditating yogi which date back 6 to 7 thousand years ago. Still, oral tradition says it is a lot older with some lore dating it back as much as 26,000 years. We may never know when exactly Yoga first started but perhaps better questions to ask might be why did it start and what exactly is Yoga?

Learn more about the history of Yoga here.

Today, here in the western world, yoga is used mainly as a fitness and exercise tool much like Pilates. Although you can find more traditionally taught Yoga, most of what you find is instructions and classes which deal mainly with the poses (asanas) and the breathing (pranayama). Very little, if at all, is taught about the full discipline of Yoga. The benefits of the asanas and pranayama are a huge boost to your overall health but to truly get the full benefits of Yoga we need to understand that Yoga is a lifestyle and thought process not just a physical exercise.

Read more on the health benefits of Yoga here.

This does not mean you need to run out and align yourself with the Hindu religion or become a scholastic expert on the ancient Indian civilization and religious practices just to do yoga. However, having a full understanding of yoga and its intentions will allow you to get the most out of this beautiful practice and its many benefits.

Yoga is an ancient practice of bringing the mind and body together. Through it you begin to gain the knowledge that neither one is separate from the other but rather they are two facets of a whole. While practicing yoga you are also meditating, relaxing and relieving stress while exercising. You are not just strengthening and toning your body but your mind as well. As you exercise the two together they become stronger and healthier, both supporting each other. There is also a spiritual aspect to Yoga. By becoming more closely in tune with your own mind/body you will also become more aware of and in tune with the universal god or energy. Yoga, in the ancient practice, is intended to bring you closer to being one with that energy. In allowing yourself to align with that energy you not only add to your mind/body fitness you also open doorways which allow you to live more peacefully and stress free.

When practiced properly, and as a whole, the health benefits of Yoga are phenomenal. I would encourage anyone who is trying to live a healthy lifestyle to incorporate Yoga into their daily routine. I would also suggest, if you are just beginning your journey with Yoga, that you find an instructor who will teach you how to gain the full benefits of Yoga. Find an instructor who will help you learn more about Yoga’s history and its full practice. Yoga is a wonderful fitness tool but it is also much more.

Interesting reading and info on Yoga

http://www.discover-yoga-online.com/history-of-yoga.html

http://www.webmd.com/balance/the-health-benefits-of-yoga

http://www.healthandyoga.com/html/yoga/Benefits.html

http://www.abc-of-yoga.com/beginnersguide/yogabenefits.asp

http://www.nursingdegree.net/blog/24/77-surprising-health-benefits-of-yoga/

http://yogawithsubhash.com/2010/12/03/origins-of-yoga-is-yoga-hindu/

http://www.thenagain.info/webchron/india/rigveda.html

http://bbu.pilates.com/instructor-training/what-is-pilates.html

Continue reading »]]> The path to a healthy lifestyle is not one you can walk in a day. It is a journey you traverse throughout your entire life. It is an adventure filled with heart pounding moments and breathtaking sceneries. It is the path that leads to a fulfilled life without regrets. Take the journey!

Getting started on the path to a healthy lifestyle can seem like a daunting task. With so much different, and sometimes conflicting, information out there it can get quite confusing. There are hundreds of fad diets you can choose from and weight loss centers everywhere you look. You have exercise and fitness “gurus” all over the media, each with their own “end all, beat all” exercise routine designed to whip you into shape. Let us not forget all the pills and supplements for weight loss, some touting that you can lose weight in your sleep if you just take their product. They sound a little more like Jack’s magic beans than a science to health. The options out there for you to choose from seem just about limitless.

With all these options and information being thrown at you it is easy to see why people have a hard time getting started. You begin thinking about starting up and lots of questions start popping into your head making the quagmire of endless options even worse. Should I join a gym? Do I need to start on a low carb diet? Do I need to lift weights or should I go out and buy an elliptical machine? Where and how do I begin? For many people this overload of information leads to hesitancy and for some it can stop them all together.

So where do you begin? The good news is you already have! You are here reading this page which says you have already taken that all important first step and made the choice to start living healthy. The path to a healthy lifestyle doesn’t start in a gym or on a treadmill. It starts inside you. Your journey began with your resolve and determination to change your life for the better.

So, where do you start once you have made the choice? A healthy lifestyle begins with proper nutrition. Notice I said proper nutrition and not diet. The word diet is used far too often to describe a temporary solution to an issue that needs a permanent one. Proper nutrition is something you will learn and do the rest of your new and healthy life. Your body’s performance and limitations depend greatly on what you put in it. The better your nutrition is the better your body’s health and performance will be. For me that choice is being a vegetarian. It is a lifestyle choice that I both support and promote as a way to a healthier life. (Read my post on Vegetarianism here)

What about all those options on exercise routines? Where do you start with that? Ultimately, the path you take from here depends largely on you. You need to first ask yourself what is your goal? What is it you are trying to achieve? Are you trying to attain that large, chiseled muscle, hard body look or are you trying to slenderize and attain a lean body. The exercise routine you do depends on what you are trying to achieve. One thing that doesn’t change is simply, you have to exercise regularly with a mix of both cardio and strength training. All too often people get in a groove and do just one or the other. It is a mix of both that will give you the best results for your overall health. I am a big fan of yoga. It is a wonderful way to help keep you in shape both physically and mentally. It is also a discipline that I believe should be worked into the daily routine of anyone serious about their health. (Read my post on Yoga here)

Another tool you may want on your journey to a healthy lifestyle is support. Start to surround yourself with people who have the same interests and goals as you. Join a yoga class and get to know the other students. Get your spouse or a friend to start exercising with you. Whatever it is don’t try to do it alone. At some point we all get tired or discouraged. That support will help pick you up and keep going. If for some reason you can’t find someone around you for support there are plenty of online groups specifically for health minded groups to meet, share and give support. Here are a few that I know of.

Health for Life: http://www.facebook.com/home.php?sk=2361831622#!/group.php?gid=138850349495253

Healthy Living: http://www.facebook.com/home.php?sk=2361831622#!/group.php?gid=319840717178

Everydayhealth.com: http://www.everydayhealth.com/forums/weight-loss-support-group

Although the path you take to a healthy lifestyle is your own, you don’t have to walk it alone. We are here to help you in making the right decisions for yourself. Through knowledge, information and inspiration we will be a guide to you on your path. A healthy lifestyle, it’s a wonderful adventure and a beautiful journey.

A Vegetarian/Vegan Lifestyle! Is it right for you?

Yoga! Much More Than Just a Fitness Tool.