Archive for the 'Nutrition Portal' Category

Our Rant on Ordering Cookies on the Internet

Cheryl & Co can warm the hearts of your friends and family with delicious cookies. They offer a super choice of baked goods and you can send these to any address in the US. Each and every one of their fantastic boxes, hampers, and brilliantly colored tins is exquisitely packaged and is shipped fresh right to the recipient’s address. What better means to delight your friends, as well as your co-workers?

The first bakehouse was opened in Ohio in the early 1980s. Indeed, merely seven years after opening, they had developed the business to include various puddings and other gourmet gifts. It wasn’t long until the company was promoting its goods in carefully chosen stores, and then introduced a section devoted to helping business customers buy the ideal gifts. Their internet site proved an exceptional success story and nowadays they have joined the 1800Flowers.com brand family, who provide all kinds of floral and edible gift options across the world. Preserving the standards of their old fashioned recipes is the company’s main priority. The bakery put a lot of effort into making sure their baked items always arrive in excellent condition and ready to be consumed.

Every item is baked using only natural ingredients. Chocolate chocolate chip, peanut butter, raisin, and frosted varieties are for sale as well as a range of specialty flavor combinations, like mocha white chip. The hardest task is going to be not to order their entire inventory in one fell swoop.

We strongly recommend you check out this excellent resource for cookies ideas.

The choice is not only limited to cookies either, brownies and the finest chocolate are available as well. You can view hampers full of carefully chosen types of cookies. Or else, simply choose a gift box or tin and then pick out the delicacies you think your loved one will like. The delightful brownies are available in buttercream iced, fruit and sugar free varieties, and also in bite-sized sampler assortments. Choose brownies, and much more in classy boxes or tins to thank a special customer or business contact. Alternatively, tell a friend you are missing them and are thinking about them by delivering gourmet goodies in a fun hamper. Expectably, when it comes to holidays and special events, they provide beautifully made goodies with an appropriate theme.

When you look at the fantastic range of bakery items on offer not to mention the vast variety of boxes and tins for your choice of delicious goodies, you’re certain to find something spectacular for everybody.

written by adminPermalinkComments OffLeave a Comment »

Lose Weight and Detoxify Your Body with Fresh Fruits

Scheduling a body detox program a few times a year is one of the smartest health care choices we can make. Purifying our body has hardly been more obligatory than the last twenty years. We endure an unprecedented and horrific amount of toxins in our air, water, and in the food we eat. A tri-annual body detoxification program, by itself, is usually not sufficient to clear our body of toxins, specially if our every day diet and lifestyle are less than ideal. Hence the second best health care practices we can set about is to implement a few new good habits into daily life. There are hundreds of good habits you can choose, one of which is increase the fresh fruit to your diet. Fruit is a natural detoxifier, particularly the acid fruits, like pineapple, lemons, limes, grapefruit, for example. If you set up the habit of eating 2 or 3 pieces of fruit a day, you will create a mild, simplistic detox maintenance program for your body.

Here are some guideposts for finding the biggest benefit from eating fruit:

It is advisable to eat fruit by itself because it metabolizes so promptly in the digestive track. Don’t eat fruit after a big meal or when you eat meat. You will bring about a putrefication reaction in your intestines that will create gas, indigestion or bloating. The best time to have fruit is first thing in the morning.

Another acceptable time to eat fruit is in the afternoon. Have a low glycemic fruit such as apple or pineapple if blood sugar may be a problem. Don’t have too much fruit. Fruit is made of natural sugars and too much fruit at once can raise your blood sugar levels like a candy bar.

written by adminPermalinkComments OffLeave a Comment »

Tips for Boosting Your Metabolic Rate

Boosting your metabolic rate is a key factor of long term weight loss. Following these suggestions will improve your metabolic rate and support your weight loss, including rapid weight loss.

Skipping Meals. The frequency and timing of when you eat throughout the day affects weight loss and metabolism. A study published by the American Journal of Epidemiology revealed that skipping meals can effect in weight gain. People who eat four or more times a day are 45 percent less apt to gain weight than those who eat less than three times per day. It’s potent to understand that not eating breakfast is joined to a bigger chance of overweight and obesity.

Large Meals. When we eat a lot at once, our body is deluged and our body systems slows down. The super size mindset of American culture is one of the chief reasons we are so obese. Smaller more frequent meals regulate blood sugar and sustain your metabolic rate solid and active.

Insufficient Exercise. Exercise is a crucial factor to lifting metabolic activity. Muscle mass is tied to higher calorie burning rates. The more muscle you have, the more calories you will burn, even when you’re dormant. In fact, for every pound of muscle you carry, your body will burn up 50 additional calories a day, everything else being equal.

written by adminPermalinkComments OffLeave a Comment »

Kona Coffee Berry

Coffee Fruit is stuffed with phenolic acids and healthy plant nutrients. These phenolic acids are brilliant antioxidants. Coffee Berry begins it?s wholesome goodness along the inclines of high altitude mountain side with rich organic soil. Nourished by mineral-rich soil and warmed by intense tropical sunlight, coffee plants produce a profusion of wonderful bright red fruit, known as Kona Berry.
Coffee Berryis so exceptionally rich in anti oxidants because it grows in high altitude, low-latitude regions where the sun?s rays are strongest. As the plants mature, they develop these powerful anti oxidants to protect them from damage caused by high doses of the sun?s radiation and the natural byproducts of photosynthesis.
You might be asking what the difference is between a Coffee Berry and a Kona Bean. Coffee berries are the outer layer of the coffee fruit and are a rich source of anti-oxidants. Research reports that 400 mg of concentrate has a radical scavenging activity equal to 9.6 grams of fresh blueberries, 6.2 grams of strawberries, or 4.9 grams of raspberries.
This potent anti-radical power has not been commercially available previously because the fruit rapidly perishes, which is why only the bitter seed has been commercially exploited.
“We have discovered a means of growing, harvesting and processing the whole coffee fruit so that we arrest the development of mycotoxins and thereby render the coffee fruit for human consumption.
Because no one until now has figured out how to do this in a cost effective manner, whole coffee fruit has simply not been available.”
Coffee Berry contains five of eight rare and essential sugars called monosaccharides, with research indicating that these are essential for the proper functioning of various biological systems.
Almost half of the dry weight of the concentrate is made up of polysaccharides, such as mannans and arabinoglactan. Conventional roasting destroys these nutrients, so they are not found in traditional brewed coffee.

Kona Coffee Berry is now available in a new energy drink called XOWii.

written by adminPermalinkComments OffLeave a Comment »

Nutrition For Natural Stress Relief

We’ve all had stress at one point in our life or another. There are some types of stress that are healthy and beneficial to life. Unfortunately, the majority of the stress we encounter in today’s world is destructive and may even help to shorten our lives.

According to a study done at Duke University’s Medical center and reported to the American Journal of Cardiology, a link can be found between an “aggressive” personality and the likelihood of death in people younger than age 61 who currently have heart disease. If you can’t find a way of managing stress properly, it will help to kill you.

There are several tools available nutritionally for stress management. Some vitamin supplements give natural stress relief and bring body balance when stress saps your energy. Some natural sources for managing stress are foods, herbs, and some from nutritional supplements.

Stress Management with Food

When thinking of managing stress in the body and food sources, the key is maintaining a balance between the many chemicals within the body that control mood.

Serotonin is a chemical released within the body that works to control mood.

Overall, when stressed, depending on what your activity level it can be a good idea to eat a diet rich in complex carbohydrates. These help to release serotonin into the body and elevate mood. Some good food sources of complex carbohydrates include broccoli, potatoes, squash, and brown rice.

In addition, you should likely look to increase your consumption of B vitamins in food as the B vitamins are essential in stress management. Foods high in B vitamins include asparagus, beets, soybeans and spinach.

Finally, including tryptophan in the diet is important in maintaining a balance of serotonin levels in the body and stress management. Foods rich in tryptophan include poultry (chicken, turkey, etc.), eggs and nuts

For more information on foods rich in stress reduction properties, visit the food and stress page at http://www.wholehealthmd.com/hk/remedies/disp/1,1459,516,00.html - Whole Health MD.com

Natural Stress Relief with herbs

One of the biggest “stars” of the herb world relative to stress management has become St. John’s Wort. St. John’s Wort has been shown to be effective in treating mild to moderate depression in clinical trials conducted in Europe.

St. John’s Wort acts much the same as some medicinal serotonin inhibitors such as Prozac. St. John’s Wort helps to balance serotonin levels in the body. This leads to an overall elevation in mood.

The biggest concern about St. John’s Wort is its possible interaction with other drugs and/or supplements. The use of St. John’s Wort should be discussed with a physician or health professional before beginning a course of stress management therapy.

Another herbal remedy for natural stress relief is chamomile. Chamomile has a sweet apple-like fragrance-in fact, it’s name comes from the Greek kamai melon which translates to “ground apple”. Chamomile can be taken as a supplement but is likely a better tool for natural stress relief as a hot tea.

While the herb “kava-kava” has been promoted as a possible herbal remedy for natural stress relief, the U.S. FDA has issued a warning about the possible effects of this herb on the liver. Please read the article http://www.cfsan.fda.gov/~dms/addskava.html here.

Stress Reduction with natural supplements

When choosing natural supplements for managing stress, it’s a good idea to look at those natural supplements which directly combat stress.

The B-Complex of vitamins is a great place to start. All of the B-Complex of vitamins are important in managing stress and elevating mood. While you can take them individually for a variety of issues, for managing stress, it’s beneficial to take a B-Complex tablet which includes all of the vitamins in the B-Complex.

In general, natural stress relief is possible in many ways by the foods we eat, by herbal remedies and even by natural supplements. By learning how to properly incorporate natural stress relief elements into our diet, we can achieve stress reduction and live a happier life.

This has been a short overview of a few methods to use for managing stress naturally and nutritionally. For more information, please visit the reference sources listed below.

References

Chamomile: Herb Profile and Information - http://botanical.com/botanical/mgmh/c/chammo49.html

UK Health And Nutrition Information - Depression
http://www.healthandnutrition.co.uk/articles/depression.htm

St. Johns Wort (Hypericum perforatum) and the Treatment of Depression
http://nccam.nih.gov/health/stjohnswort/

Stress Management, Diet, Food and Stress-Controlling Stress by Diet, Food, Nutrition
http://www.holistic-online.com/stress/stress_diet.htm

Hostility may speed death from heart disease
http://www.somersetmedicalcenter.com/115569.cfm

Ben Douglas is the webmaster for VitaminFan.com. VitaminFan.com is an internet portal with independant information and resources on vitamins, nutrition and overall health. VitaminFan.com is a site by vitamin “laypeople” specifically geared to the needs of nutrition consumers. Please visit VitaminFan.com at http://www.vitaminfan.com.

written by adminPermalinkComments OffLeave a Comment »

Wobenzym - Why use it?

Enzymes are intriguing in their ability to help elevate the level of human health and wellbeing. Enzymes are proteins that are an essential part of the environment. Life itself, without enzymes would be impossible. Enzymes are required for all chemical processes that enable life to be possible. There are no vitamins, hormones or minerals that can exercise their valuable effects within the body while the participation of enzymes is lacking. Notwithstanding their essential role in all physical functions, it is recently become fully appreciated what the complete significance of enzymes in human physical condition and ailments is. The MUCOS Pharma Company has been a pioneer in the area of systemic enzyme treatment. They have been an example to others for the last half century by having smoothed the path to clarify the utility of enzymes, and their uses as an oral systemic treatment.

The question has been posed: Why does Wobenzym work so effectively? The answer resides in the realization of the type of enzymes that Wobenzym is made from. The enzymes are called proteolytic enzymes; these are enzymes which cuts other proteins around it. When the body is in its normal physiological state, these proteolytic enzymes sustain homeostasis within the healthy body; in addition they break down abnormal proteins that can occur during a variety of diseases. Therefore, in fundamental research and numerous clinical trials that have been performed over the course of many years under the patronage of MUCOS Pharma, Wobenzym has been discovered to cause the degradation of detrimental and atypical immune complexes which can precipitate a range of autoimmune diseases. In addition, immune complexes can also clot the blood, which can possibly activate an assortment of diseases. These studies are a matter of public domain, and may be readily retrieved.

As researchers continue to gain knowledge of the correlation between enzymes and good health, larger numbers of physicians are recommending Wobenzym for a variety of ailments. It’s a straightforward piece of information that systemic enzymes are necessary to our health. Systemic enzymes are utterly indispensable in order to keep your body in good health and as an aide to an active lifestyle. Your body utilizes systemic enzymes to realign the inflammatory system reaction and modify repair processes to help your body to recuperate from injury and sickness. You are fortunate because you are able to restock your supply with the enzymes that occur naturally which are ingredients of Wobenzym.

The areas in which Wobenzym is recommended are: for healthy joints, to improve mobility, to make circulation more robust, to increase the healthy aging process, utilized to normalize inflammation and to help with recuperation from sports injuries. Unlike other medicinal items that are available, such as non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) which proffer rapid but momentary solutions, Wobenzym enables your body to restore itself to health. Of all the products that are currently available Wobenzym is the most meticulously researched systemic enzyme supplement in order to ensure the continuation of your good health.

All wobenzym information has been researched and written by Juliette Pickup
Wobenzym

written by adminPermalinkComments OffLeave a Comment »

5 Nutritional Tips to Burn Fat

I’m going to give you 5 practical tips to turn your body into a fat-burning machine - information that you can take with you and implement on a daily basis, both in and out of the gym or workout environment. Rather than quantify specific amounts, I’ll be giving you some simple ideas. Let’s get right to it:

Eat Fiber
A high-fiber diet decreases fat and cholesterol absorption in your intestine (preventing fat storage), slows glucose absorption in the bloodstream (meaning more sugar gets burnt as energy, less gets stored as fat), stabilizes insulin levels and delays stomach emptying (both of which decrease your appetite), and makes you full faster (so you eat less). Research has shown that a low-fat, high-fiber diet results in nearly three times more weight loss than a low-fat, low-fiber diet. So how do you get your fiber? Here’s how I get mine: 1 fully loaded salad, 1 bowl of oatmeal, and 2-3 raw fruits every day (fruit bonus: vitamin C in citrus fruit can also help burn fat).

Eat Calcium
Research shows that three or four daily servings of low-fat dairy products can help reduce body fat. Higher levels of calcium stored in the fat cells may help enhance fat breakdown, as well as induce an increase in thermogenesis (the body’s core temperature). The best calcium should come from dairy products like low-fat milk, yogurt and cottage cheese (and not from a calcium supplement). Other good sources, especially for those who are lactose intolerant, include dark leafy vegetables, salmon, almonds, and oats (notice the extra fiber bonus).

Eat Breakfast
Breakfast is the most important meal of the day. Studies have shown that people who include a large and healthy breakfast in their diet lose significantly greater amounts of fat than those who avoid breakfast. Skipping breakfast will not help you shed extra pounds, but may instead result in muscle loss and metabolism decreases, both of which hinder your fat-burning ability. A great breakfast example is a large glass of water with a bowl of oatmeal, fresh fruit and nuts. Just remember: breakfast can also work against you if it’s not healthy…fried meats, sweet muffins and croissants, sugar loaded cereals, or processed packages do not count as a healthy breakfast!

Eat Frequently
You’ve heard it a million times before: 5-6 small meals a day is better than 3 large meals. I’d like to step that up a bit: as high as 10 times a day or more may be necessary, depending on your energy consumption and needs. Here’s an example (from my personal nutrition log): 1) banana 7am; 2) oatmeal w/ raisins 9am; 3) handful almonds 10:30am; 4) three turkey slices 12pm; 5) one yogurt 1 pm; 6) apple 2pm; 7) large salad 4:30pm; 8) one protein bar 7:00pm; 9) handful raisins 8:15pm; 10) 1 scramble egg with spinach 9pm (bed at 11pm). The philosophy behind eating frequently is that the physical act of digestion has a metabolic cost, and by continually feeding, you are maintaining a higher metabolic rate. As long as your grazing is healthy, this results in more calories burnt throughout the day. On the flipside, eating too infrequently causes your body go into starvation mode and conserve energy, which results in increased fat storage and lower digestive and overall metabolism.

Eat Water

Your body constantly uses water to create energy, build muscle, and burn fat, and without adequate water, studies have shown that the muscles are less active, the metabolism drops, and your body burns fat less efficiently. This slight decrease in metabolism can add up to over 10 pounds of fat a year! Water also assists in suppressing the appetite and giving you a “full feeling”. So drink several glasses of water each day, drink a glass of water at least 30 minutes before your workout, sip water regularly at the gym, and drink a glass of water after your workout (speeds up recovery too!). Many naturally occurring foods, such as fruits and vegetables, are also high in water content (as well as fiber, vitamins, minerals, phytonutrients, etc.), so this is another great way to get your H2O.

If you have more questions about nutrition, or simply want to see how your diet measures up, you may be interested in a dietary analysis. After you sign-up for personal training with Pacific Elite Fitness at www.pacificfit.net, you receive a complete dietary analysis, complete with grocery list and food substitution suggestions, and monthly tools to track your progress, caloric intake, and macronutrient percentage. At pacificfit.net, you can also sign-up for a weekly newsletter jam packed with helpful tips and articles.

Head trainer Ben Greenfield runs the online training website Pacific Elite Fitness, and holds Bachelor’s and Master’s degrees in Sport Science and Exercise Physiology, as well as certifications from the National Strength and Conditioning Association as a Personal Trainer and Strength and Conditioning Coach (NSCA-CPT & CSCS). For over 6 years, Ben has coached and trained professional, collegiate, and recreational athletes, and helped hundreds of individuals achieve their personal fitness goals. For more information on online personal training and fitness, contact Ben at elite@pacificfit.net.

written by adminPermalinkComments OffLeave a Comment »

Ionic Silver Compared to Colloidal Silver

These 2 supplement preparations became popular about five years ago, when a tape of a lecture entitled “Dead Doctors Don’t Lie” given by a veterinarian/naturopath was circulating. It touted the benefits of a colloidal mineral potion based on a discovery of a Utah rancher some 75 years ago. As the story goes, the rancher found an Indian spring that supposedly had healing powers. He extracted minerals formed as humic shale (plant remains originating from a prehistoric rain forest) and gave them out in a liquid form. From this concept, supplement manufacturers developed colloidal mineral solutions and capsules (they don’t contain any vitamins). Each manufacturer claims theirs is the real thing. The marketers of colloidal minerals state that you only absorb a small amount of minerals from other types of (non-colloidal) supplements. And what about from food? They claim the soil in which food is grown is depleted of minerals. Manufacturers of colloidal minerals assert that their products are absorbed almost 100 percent because they have a “natural negative electrical charge,” allowing them to enter cells more easily.

So, is there any truth to this concept? First, for those of us who slept through science class, here’s a little review… A colloid is simply a particle suspended in a liquid or a gas. Milk is an example of a colloid (it’s a protein suspended in liquid). Most minerals occur in nature as ions, meaning they are negatively or positively charged particles.

Ionic minerals, on the other hand, supposedly are dissolved in water or in a water-soluble form (as opposed to a colloid, which is a suspension). Ionic mineral manufacturers say that their product is assimilated more quickly and efficiently into the body than colloidal minerals, which they claim aren’t absorbed as well as touted. Many of these ionic minerals are available in individual mineral solutions. Some of the ones on the market are not vital for human life, such as platinum, gold, and silver better to wear these minerals than ingest them.

If you look at any one of the many Web sites promoting these products, it can be easy to see how their assertions can seem so tempting. However, who or which side can you believe or trust? MANY of the claims of either colloidal or ionic minerals are not backed by valid scientific research. They don’t solve all of the medical problems they claim they do. For one, the manufacturers say that the soil used to grow plants is depleted of minerals, so even people eating healthfully are deficient in most nutrients. This is completely untrue because a plant cannot grow without sufficient minerals in the soil. Some minerals, such as calcium and iron, are abundant in animal foods. The soil issue is irrelevant in these cases.

Another frequent claim is that the charge of the mineral determines how readily the body will absorb it. However, many minerals exist in nature with a positive charge, and are absorbed adequately in that state. As a matter of fact, numerous factors affect absorption, which varies from mineral to mineral, regardless of a mineral’s charge. With some minerals, a person with low levels of them will absorb a greater percentage than someone with adequate stores. With other minerals, that’s not the case, and high levels can be harmful. Absorption can also be enhanced or inhibited by certain factors, foods, and nutrients. A good example of this is iron. Heme iron, the form of iron found in animals or animal sources, is more readily absorbed than non-heme iron, which is of plant origin. Phytates, a substance in some plants, bind iron, reducing its availability in our digestive tract. Vitamin C, however, increases our absorption of non-heme iron. As you can see, many factors come into play with nutrient absorption, whether a mineral has a positive or a negative charge. (By the way, iron has a positive charge.)

Some of these manufacturers also erroneously state that minerals are absorbed instantaneously through the lining of the stomach. This is untrue almost all minerals are absorbed in the small intestine. It takes some time for food to travel to the small intestine, depending on what and how much has been eaten.

In addition, colloidal minerals may contain toxins from organic compounds, especially if they are “natural” and minimally processed. Both colloidal and ionic minerals are also expensive.

But in the end … Ionic silver is the way to go, for one main reason ….. The particles are smaller and are spread out farther into the body. Our next article will cover some interesting stories of people andthe use of ionic silver and what really happens when it is used properly and made in a proper envrionment.

Eric Robichaud - Advanced Silver Technologies Ltd.
http://www.advancedsilver.com

written by adminPermalinkComments OffLeave a Comment »

Can a Child Thrive on a Vegan Diet? YES!

Can a child thrive on a vegan diet? The answer is yes! Far more studies show that a
typical ‘Western Diet’ has deleterious effects on health compared to the risks of a
vegan diet. In fact, vegetarian diets are associated with disease resistance and even
higher I.Q.’s in children. (1-5)

With proper planning and a bit of self-education, parents should feel confident in
giving their child a diet free of animal products.

Healthy food choices include the following:

Protein dense foods: beans, soy, whole grains, nuts, etc.

Calcium sources: beans, leafy greens, figs, blackstrap molasses, fortified beverages,
etc.

Iron sources: grains, dried fruit, coconut milk, blackstrap molasses, soybeans,
beans, etc.

Zinc sources: nuts, seeds, grains, chickpeas, soybeans, etc.

Avoid wheat and nuts until after one year of age, to avoid possible food sensitivities.

Supplementation may be necessary for children who are picky eaters, but most
nutritional needs can be met through diet. Vitamins D and B12 may be the
exception, and parents should ensure an optimal supply through fortified foods or
supplements.

Finding community support can be very important in helping your child maintain
healthy eating habits, as vegan diets are often misunderstood and even feared by
well-meaning family members, neighbours, and teachers. Many excellent resources
exist that can help educate those in your child’s life who have concerns, and
possibly alleviate any misconceptions they may have.

Raising a child on a vegan diet can be challenging in today’s world of hot-dogs and
ice cream, but parents should be assured that research is on their side.

The following sources are particularly supportive of vegan diets for children:

The Vegetarian Society UK http://www.vegsoc.org

The Vegetarian Resource Group http://www.vrg.org

European Vegetarian Union http://www.ivu.org

Physician’s Committee For Responsible Medicine http://www.pcrm.org

Becoming Vegan Brenda Davis, R.D., and Vesanto Melina, M.S., R.D.

1. O’Connell JM, Dibley MJ, Sierra J et al: Growth of vegetarian children: The Farm
Study. Pediatrics 1989;84:475-481.

2. Fisher M, Levine PH, Weiner B, et al. The effects of vegetarian diets on plasma
lipid and platelet levels. Arch Inter Med 1986;146:1193-1197.

3. Chang-Claude J, Frentzel-Beyme R, Eilber U. Mortality pattern of German
vegetarians after 11 years of follow-up. Epidemiology 1992;3:395-401.

4. Thorogood M, Mann J, Appleby P, McPherson K. Risk of death from cancer and
ischaemic heart disease in meat and non-meat eaters. Brit Med J 1994;308:1667
-1670.

5. Dwyer JT, Miller LG, Arduino NL, et al. Mental age and I.Q. of predominately
vegetarian children. J Am Dietetic Assoc 1980;76:142-147.

Stacelynn Caughlan is a Clinical Nutritionist and Certified Herbalist who specializes
in pregnancy, birth and childhood. She is currently the editor of http://www.motherandchildhealth.com an online resource for women looking for
information on natural health and healing for themselves and their families.

written by adminPermalinkComments OffLeave a Comment »

Doors of Awareness to Optimal Health and Fitness(Part 1 of 2)

A door stands before you. The door may be a book on health and fitness, women’s health issues, diet and nutrition, health food, or a weight loss program. The door may be a motivational health public speaking event. The door may be a friend sharing her enthusiasm about her fast weight loss by just eating common sense healthy foods and exercising every day. The door may be a doctor’s recent diagnosis.

No matter which door it is, you take a deep breath and open it up, not knowing what lies beyond it. All you know is that you are ready for a change. You feel that if you do not do something, and do something now, your body, your health, and, therefore, your very life will spiral downward.

To your delight, you step over the threshold into a bright, new world. You discover what you are made of and what promotes your physical health and fitness. With determination and self-discipline, you gather the knowledge and change your thinking. With the change of thinking, you change your food habits.

Your daily diet now includes lots of whole, fresh fruits and vegetables, whole grains, raw nuts and seeds, and legumes. You gradually gravitated away from all animal and dairy products. You no longer crave or eat chocolate or sugar and white flour goodies. You lose your desire to eat processed foods, refined foods, fast foods, junk foods and all drinks with the exception of water and homemade fruit and vegetable juices.

You exercise every day. You get adequate sleep, rest, and relaxation. You avoid coffee, alcohol, and other toxins. You lose that extra weight. You take fewer, if any, pills. You have higher energy. Your days are filled with fun and purposeful activities of your choosing. You feel better than ever, and you glow with health and vibrancy.

You had no idea that walking through that first door would lead to a total transformation of your physical body. You also had no idea that the transformation of your physical body would lead you to a second door.

And now a second door stands before you, and you open it up. Because your physical health and fitness, the “what” part of your health, have reached an optimum level, you now have the emotional stability and mental clarity and self-insight to discover the “who” part of your health.

Because you are no longer bogged down with aches, pains, conditions, lack of mobility, extra weight, and loss of energy, you are able to explore who you are. What are your values? What are your priorities? What are your philosophies? Where is your life going? Who do you want to spend your time with? What is important to you? What is not important to you?

And as you explore the “who?” part of you, you come upon a third door.

“What could lie behind that third door?” you wonder.

Find out in Part 2 of this 2-part article: “Doors of Awareness to Optimal Health and Fitness”

Leslie Van Romer - EzineArticles Expert Author

Dr. Leslie Van Romer is a health motivational speaker, writer, and lifestyle coach. Visit http://www.DrLeslieVanRomer.com for more inspiration.

written by adminPermalinkComments OffLeave a Comment »

Next Page »