Don’t Fry Day May 25 :Sun Safety Awareness

Don’t Fry Day May 25 :Sun Safety Awareness

 May 24th, 2012

 National Don’t Fry Day May 25

As Memorial Day weekend approaches remember to apply sunscreen and reapply  often if you are out in the sun.

One of the most successful health campaigns in Australia’s history was launched by Cancer Council Australia in 1980. Sid the seagull, wearing board shorts, t-shirt and a hat, tap-danced his way across the TV screens singing a catchy jingle to remind everyone of the  three easy ways of protecting against skin cancer.

Slip, Slop, Slap!
It sounds like a breeze when you say it like that
Slip, Slop, Slap!
In the sun we always say “Slip Slop Slap!”
Slip, Slop, Slap!
Slip on a shirt, slop on sunscreen and slap on a hat,
Slip, Slop, Slap!
You can stop skin cancer – say: “Slip, Slop, Slap!”

Each year there are more new cases of skin cancer than the combined incidence of cancers of the breast, prostate, lung and colon according to the NCSCP .

Natural remedies for migraines suffers

 May 23rd, 2012 

Great foods for migraines
Eat Foods like:
Omega 3 fatty acids like tuna, salmon, sardines, cod, and flaxseed
Since Omega 3 fatty acids are anti inflammatory they help open blood vessels .

Avoid foods like chocolate, aged cheese, red wine, sour cream, and fermented sausage. These foods are not well metabolized and can cause blood vessels to constrict and trigger a migraine.

The Mayo clinic recomends

• Acupuncture. In this treatment, a practitioner inserts many thin, disposable needles into several areas of your skin at defined points. Clinical trials have found that acupuncture may be helpful for headache pain.
• Biofeedback. Biofeedback appears to be especially effective in relieving migraine pain. This relaxation technique uses special equipment to teach you how to monitor and control certain physical responses related to stress, such as muscle tension.
• Manual therapy. Massage and chiropractic treatments may help reduce the frequency of migraines. And it can improve the quality of your sleep, which can, in turn, help prevent migraine attacks.
• Herbs, vitamins and minerals. There is some evidence that the herbs feverfew and butterbur may prevent migraines or reduce their severity. A high dose of riboflavin (vitamin B-2) also may prevent migraines by correcting tiny deficiencies in the brain cells. Coenzyme Q10 supplements may decrease the frequency of migraines, but they have little effect on the severity of the headache. Due to low magnesium levels in some people with migraines, magnesium supplements have been used, but with mixed results. Ask your doctor if these treatments are right for you. Don’t use feverfew or butterbur if you’re pregnant.

Pregnancy

 May 22nd, 2012 

The average age for a first time mother is 25-29.

Exercising may not be something that you feel like doing much of the time especially if you feel nauseous or tired while you are pregnant. It is safe and encouraged for most women to exercise while pregnant, but check with your doctor first. Together, you can decide what’s best for you and your baby. Focus on low-impact activities, which will get your blood pumping but won’t put excess strain on your body. The best exercises are ones that do not require your body to bear extra weight, like swimming or stationary cycling.

Avoid activities that increase your risk of falls or injury, such as contact sports or vigorous sports.  After the first 3 months of pregnancy, it’s best to avoid exercising while lying on your back, since the weight of the baby may interfere with blood circulation.

Eggs provide the highest quality protein available along with 13 vitamins and minerals in varying amounts. Eggs are also an excellent source of choline, a nutrient that has been shown to help with brain and memory development in developing infants. Be sure eggs are thoroughly cooked (the yolk and white should both be firm).

Foods to avoid during pregnancy

•  packaged or processed foods, fried foods and fast foods
• Unpasteurized milk and juice.
• Raw or undercooked animal-based foods such as meat, poultry, fish and eggs.
• Unpasteurized brie, feta, blue cheese and all soft cheeses.
• Unwashed fruits and vegetables.

Normal weight gain  for a pregnancy

Underweight person  should gain  28 to 40 pounds
Normal Weight 25 to 35 pounds
Overweight 15 to 25 pounds
Obese At least 15 pounds

If you’re carrying twins or triplets, you’ll need to gain more weight – often 35 to 45 pounds. Talk to your doctor about the weight-gain range that is right for you.  The number of  multiple births has quadrupled over the past 20 years.  The average woman’s uterus expands up to five hundred times its normal size during pregnancy. It only takes 6-8 weeks for it to return to its original size.

10% of births are inductions.

What if you could boost your energy, reduce pain and have reduced recovery while improving your overall health?
What if you could do all this without any stimulants, dyes, high fructose corn syrup or artificial ingredients? Now that is HYPERFORMANCE!
Are you looking for an all natural sports energy drink?  Check out this sports drink. I used it before my 5 K obstacle course and felt great after. No muscle fatigue and quick recovery. 

What HyPerformance^TM can provide you with:

• More Energy
• Greater Endurance
• Less Muscle Pain and Fatigue
• More Effective
• Enhanced Nutrition
• Faster Recovery

http://www.nph1.com/?Click=16

Flaxseed

 May 21st, 2012 

Most nutrition experts recommend ground flaxseed because your body is better able to digest it. Whole flaxseed may pass through your intestine undigested, which means you won’t get all the health benefits.

Flaxseed is high in fiber, omega-3 fatty acids. Flaxseed is commonly used as a laxative (to improve digestive health or relieve constipation). Both flaxseed and flaxseed oil can be used to help reduce total blood cholesterol and low-density lipoprotein (LDL, or “bad”) cholesterol levels and, as a result, may help reduce the risk of heart disease. The fiber  prevents the re absorption of cholesterol in the colon.  Although flaxseed oil also contains omega-3 fatty acids, it doesn’t have the beneficial fiber that the seeds have.

Whole seeds can be ground in a coffee grinder and then stored in an airtight container for several months. Refrigerating whole seeds may also extend their freshness.

Great for weight loss since it reduces hunger and lowers inflammation.  Eating 2 Tablespoons daily may also lower  women’s risk of breast cancer.  Take orally or apply topically to skin for eczema.

Great source of folate, B6, and magnesium that are important to heart health.  Also high in manganese and bone building phosphorus.

Flaxseed Salad Dressing

1 Tablespoon dijion mustard

1 clove of garlic crushed

1/2 cup olive oil or flaxseed oil or grapeseed oil

1/3 cup fresh lemon juice

4 Tablespoons ground Flaxseed

1 teaspoon turmeric

Mix in a blender for 2 minutes.  Use  immediately since the flaxseed will thicken as it sits.

Easy ways to  include flaxseed in your diet:

add  to your hot or cold breakfast cereal.

use in baked goods, mix ground flaxseed into cookies, muffins, breads and other baked goods.

sprinkle over peanut butter

add to a smothie or yogurt

add to cooked vegetables

add a teaspoon of ground flaxseed to mayonnaise or mustard when making a sandwich.

add to your favorite salad dressing or make your own

Great moisturizer for the skin.

Great Reasons to Eat Kale

 May 18th, 2012 

The garnish that is placed on your plate is a superstar of all vegetables that should not be overlooked. Don’t let the prickly cabbage like leafy powerhouse fool you.
Kale is number one in fighting cell damaging free radicals. This little antioxidant helps fight cancer. It has been found to help protect against breast, cervical, and colon cancer. It also is a detoxifier because of its high sulfur content. This triggers the liver to remove free radicals and other chemicals that may cause cell damage.
Kale is loaded with vitamins and minerals. It has 10 times as much lutein to help protect against macular degeneration. It also protects your eyes from cataracts  Two Cups gives you 4 grams of protein and 3 grams of fiber. It is loaded with calcium, iron, and vitamins A, C and K.
Kale is for recovery from heart disease and stroke and will help your vision. Kale should be apart of a healthy diet.

There are three varieties of kale.

Curly kale – most commonly found in the grocery store.  It has a bitter taste.  Curly kale in the winter months is sweeter and tender.

Lacinato kale  -  black cabbage, is slightly sweeter than curly kale

Ornamental kale  -  it has a mellower  flavor than curly kale

If you don’t like the bitter taste of kale try baby kale instead.  The young vegetable is more tender and less bitter since they have not fully developed yet.  Some nutritional value is lost because they it has not reached its full maturity.

Ways to get kale into your diet

Juicing

Smoothies

Salad

Topping for pizza

Steamed

Chop kale add apple and sprinkle with balsamic vinegar, drizzle with olive oil add chopped walnuts and feta cheese

Foods to Eat to lower your High Blood Pressure or Hypertension

 May 17th, 2012 

Foods high in calcium and magnesium and potassium help lower the blood pressure.  Leafy greens and coniferous vegetables like cabbage, broccoli and cauliflower.

Omega 3 fatty acids  cod, salmon, tuna, sardines, flaxseed, and chia seeds

Folic acid rich foods help reduce the risk of hypertension. Legumes ( lentils, soybeans, and kidney beans to name a few)

Celery helps lower blood pressure. It relaxes the artery wall and increases blood flow. It also lowers your stress

Whole grains and oats are associated with lowering your cholesterol.

Garlic and onions contain sulfur that may help lower blood pressure

Potatoes contain a bloods pressure lowering compound

Increase your vitamin C.  It is found in berries, kiwi fruit, broccoli, cabbage, peppers, guavas, kale, and acerola

Increase your magnesium. Great sources are Dark green leafy vegetables, nuts ( almonds and cashews) An Epson salt bath. Magnesium can be absorbed through the skin.

Avoid

Foods high in saturated fats-  Reduces the elasticity and healing of blood vessels

Alcohol-  Can damage arteries

Caffeine -   Can release hormones that rapidly increase your blood pressure through the bodies stress response

Sodium   Reduces potassium, is a common cause of high blood pressure

Refined sugar -   can decrease vitamin and minerals from the body that are important for controlling lipid levels and protecting blood vessels.