Friday, October 30, 2009

Cold vs. Influenza

How can we tell the difference between these?

Many cold and influenza symptoms are similar. Both common colds and influenza are caused by viruses. There are some differences with the flu. Symptoms of the flu often hit suddenly and cause you to become weaker and weaker. The dry cough and fatigue of influenza can last two to three weeks.

Signs that influenza is getting worse:

  • Symptoms become worse
  • High fever
  • Shaking chills
  • Shortness of breath
Since I can remember I have always had bronchitis. When I was a little girl I had my tonsils out but still always had lung problems. Two years ago I started ingesting 17 fruits and vegetables every day and guess what? I don't have bronchitis anymore, for two years now. I will still get a little cold, only lasts a few days and the symptoms aren't so bad. Good nutrition is the key. But, are we willing to purchase organic fruits and vegetables and include them in our diet everyday? I think not. It is expensive, inconvenient and time consuming. I found a way with Juice Plus+.
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Tuesday, September 22, 2009

Body for Life Day 2

Yesterday I did a class at the gym for 50 minutes. It combined some cardio and weight training. I thought it would keep me motivated with other people doing the same thing. And yes, today I have sore muscles. Need to do cardio and it is now noon. The clock is ticking.

I took Bella Luna to the vet and her pneumonia cleared up. I am so grateful.

Sunday, September 20, 2009

Body for life

I am getting ready today for my big day of change tomorrow. I know how to get fit and slim, my only obstacle is me. I just have to do it. Just do It! makes a lot of sense. Don't think, do. With proper health techniques, whole food nutrition, Juice Plus, exercise, determination, courage and focus I can do anything I want.

Saturday, September 19, 2009

Lose "The lose" in my vocabulary

I wish to start a new craze. Why don't we stop losing things and start gaining what we want. I want to gain, wellness, vitality, muscle mass, energy, happiness, love.

For years, I have been complaining about my weight. I had many stories why I haven't exercised, blah, blah blah. I have three closets full of clothes that don't fit and if I keep on doing what I am doing, they will go out of style by the time they fit me again. I have decided to start the Body for Life Program 9/21/09, my birthday. I am declaring it to the world and I want everyone to hold me accountable. I have made a workout schedule for the week and I am going to keep it.

I know I will be eating healthier food, all the food I eat is healthy. I want to figure out how to keep the marinera sauce in my diet. I will replace the pasta with something healthy. Any suggestions will be much appreciated. So this weekend I will eat and drink what I want and Monday morning the fun begins.

I will remember how great eating healthy feels. The last time I did this program I had incredible results. I gained a lot of muscle, my B. F. was 11%. Can you believe that!!!! WOW. I want WOW results. My WOW results. I will keep you posted.

Monday, April 20, 2009

Worst Drive Thru Food

I was just on MSN and found this interesting list of the worst foods to eat at Fast Food Joints.

WORST DRIVE-THROUGH KIDS' MEAL

Burger King Kids Double Cheeseburger and Kids' Fries with small Coke

  • 950 calories
  • 42 g fat (17 g saturated fat, 4.5 g trans fats)
  • 1,410 mg sodium

BK's dubious double burger earns the distinction of being the fattiest meal for an on-the-go kid, with nearly a day's worth of saturated fat for the average 8-year-old.

Eat This Instead:

4-piece Chicken Tenders with strawberry-flavored applesauce and water

  • 280 calories
  • 11 g fat (3 g saturated fat)
  • 440 mg sodium

WORST CHICKEN STRIPS

Dairy Queen 6-Piece Chicken Strip Basket

  • 1,270 calories
  • 67 g fat (11 g saturated fat)
  • 2,910 mg sodium

The strips deliver more grams of fat than four DQ Homestyle Burgers, and nearly 300 more calories than a Large Strawberry CheeseQuake Blizzard.

Eat This Instead:

Grilled Chicken Salad with fat-free Italian dressing

  • 280 calories
  • 11 g fat (5 g saturated)
  • 1,550 mg sodium

WORST DRIVE-THROUGH BREAKFAST SANDWICH

Jack in the Box Sausage, Egg & Cheese Biscuit

  • 740 calories
  • 55 g fat (17 g saturated fat)
  • 1,430 mg sodium

Skip biscuits at all costs. This one contains nearly a full day’s worth of saturated fat (check out the 8 worst restaurant breakfasts). Instead try the Bacon Breakfast Jack—16 grams of protein makes it a surprisingly good way to start your day.

Eat This Instead:

Bacon Breakfast Jack

  • 300 calories
  • 14 g fat (5 g saturated fat)
  • 730 mg sodium

WORST SIDE DISH

Arby’s Large Mozzarella Sticks

  • 849 calories
  • 56 g fat (26 g saturated fat)
  • 2,730 mg sodium

Anything with as much saturated fat as a Triple Whopper should not be called a side dish. If it’s cheese you crave, order the French Dip ‘N Swiss or Hot Ham and Cheese Sandwich instead to save more than 500 calories.

Eat This Instead:

Martha’s Vineyard Salad with light buttermilk Ranch dressing

  • 389 calories
  • 14 g fat (5 g saturated)
  • 923 mg sodium

WORST MEXICAN ENTRÉE

Taco Bell Grilled Stuft Beef Burrito

  • 680 calories
  • 30 g fat (10 g saturated fat)
  • 2,120 mg sodium

Ditch this and order two grilled steak soft tacos (or any menu item) "fresco" style and the Bell boys will replace cheese and sauces with a chunky tomato salsa, helping to cut calories in half and fat by at least 25 percent.

Eat This Instead:

Two Grilled Steak Soft Tacos, Fresco Style

  • 320 calories
  • 9 g fat (3 g saturated fat)
  • 1,100 mg sodium

WORST HOT SANDWICH

Sonic Chicken Club Toaster Sandwich

  • 742 calories
  • 46 g fat (11 g saturated, 0.5 g trans)
  • 1,742 mg sodium

How can a chicken sandwich pack so much fat? Start with a fried chicken breast, add bacon, cheese, and mayo, and you're there. Add to that the sodium equivalent of 53 saltine crackers, and you’re looking at a serious dietary disaster. Ditch the chicken for beef and save 10 grams of fat.

Eat This Instead:

Sonic Burger with Mustard

  • 540 calories
  • 25 g fat (9 g saturated fat)
  • 730 mg sodium

WORST CRISPY CHICKEN SANDWICH

Hardee’s Big Chicken Filet Sandwich

  • 800 calories
  • 37 g fat (6 g saturated fat)
  • 1,890 mg sodium

A general rule: Avoid sandwiches with words like “big” and “monster” in the name. Hardee’s Monster Thickburger is another example—it comes in at 1,420 calories, 108 grams of fat, and more saturated fat than you want in two days.

Eat This Instead!:

Charbroiled BBQ Chicken Sandwich

  • 415 calories
  • 5 g fat (1 g saturated fat)
  • 1,175 mg sodium

WORST ROAST BEEF SANDWICH

Arby’s Roast Beef and Swiss Market Fresh Sandwich

  • 810 calories
  • 42 g fat (13 g saturated fat)
  • 1,780 mg sodium

The combination of mayo, Italian sub sauce, and processed Swiss cheese make this sandwich the clear loser in the battle of the beef. The Super Roast Beef replaces mayo with a low-cal spicy pepper sauce and totals 370 fewer calories.

Eat This Instead:

Super Roast Beef

  • 440 calories
  • 19 g fat (7 g saturated fat)
  • 1,061 mg sodium
No one can tell you not to eat at these fast food restaurants. You know that this food is not supporting you. I do have a solution, however. Knowing that you are eating at these places and this food everyday, you need some good nutrition.

FACT: U. S. government has spent bilions trying to find a cure for heart disease, cancer and other diseases.

There conclusion: Disease is easier to prevent than it is to cure.

Their recommendation: Eat 9-13 servings of fresh raw fruits and vegetables every day.

The Problem: Almost no one does

THE SOLUTION: Juice Plus+® Provides whole food nutrition from 17 fruits and vegetables and grains in convenient capsule, chewable or gummy form. To start your journey to great health go to www.ilovejuiceplus2.com.

Wednesday, January 2, 2008

Berry Good Juicy Tips

What is aging?

People tend to think that aging is only associated with the elderly. However, it's truer to say that aging begins from birth. Adopting anti-ageing measures can never start too early.

The rate of aging is due to a combination of factors: influences from our genes as well as influences from our lifestyle and the environment. We cannot change our genes, but we can change our lifestyle by looking at what we eat and what activities we do. For instance, antioxidants, including those we get from our diet, play an important role in slowing down the aging process.

The earliest signs of aging include wrinkles and grey hair. Later on, tissues, organs and systems in the body, such as the heart and brain, stop working as well as they used to. When the brain starts to age, we develop a poorer memory and have less control over our body movement.

How might fruit help the aging process?

Emerging research by Dr Ghosh and colleagues at Horticulture and Food Research Institute of New Zealand into the protective effect of food components on nerve cells found that the phenolic components found in blackcurrant out-performed the corresponding compounds found in other fruit such as blueberry and boysenberry. Dr Ghosh’s studies suggest that the antioxidant ability of blackcurrant is such that the anthocyanins and the other components such as the procyanidins not only protected the nerve cells (neurons) from oxidative stress but also helped to regenerate the bodies own defense systems.

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Strawberries, blueberries, cranberries, raspberries, blackberries—they're all packed with powerful antioxidants and phytochemicals that can ward off disease and premature aging. Berries also supply your body with a host of other essential nutrients including potassium, vitamin C, iron, B vitamins such as niacin (which releases energy from food and protects against heart disease) and folate.

Raspberries and strawberries are one of the richest food sources of a phytochemical compound called
ellagic acid, which has been shown in studies to be a powerful cancer blocker.

Strawberries-protect against viruses and cancer, protect against DNA damage, protets against herpes simplex, virus, skin disorders and acne. Strawberries contain high amounts of Vit. C and have more fiber than a slice of whole grain bread. High in potassium and certain poythenols, good antioxidants. Strawberries can block the transformation of nitrosamine, a powerful cancer causing substance. The viruses that strawberries can destroy in the body are retro-viruses and herpes viruses.

Cranberries and blueberries contain antibiotic-like compounds that help prevent bladder and urinary tract infection. And all berries contain high amounts of pectin, a soluble fiber that has been shown to be effective at lowering blood cholesterol levels by binding with cholesterol and eliminating it from the body.

Cranberries
are actually a type of acidic berries that are rich in vitamin C and believed to contain excellent infection fighting properties


Benefits of Cranberries

  1. Improve the body's circulatory system.
  2. A daily glass of cranberry juice will treat diseases like cystitis.
  3. Provide relief for asthma patients.
  4. Condensed tannins in cranberries can inhibit the oxidation of bad cholesterol and as a result protects body against atheroscelrosis.
  5. Tannins are also considered an important contributor to a healthy heart.
  6. Acts as bactericide and affects the acidity of the urine. In effect, it disrupts the development of kidney stone formation.
The Uses of Cranberries
  1. Asthma Attack
    To overcome an asthma attack, cranberries can be used. Crush the berries, boil it in distilled water and skin. This is effective relief from an attack since the berries contain active ingredients similar to drugs prescribed by your doctors to control asthma.
  2. Urinary Tract Infection
    As known, the juice has been long known to treat this disease. This is because the juice reduce the number of bacteria adhering to the body's urinary tract lining. A study among elderly patients suggested a 50% reduction of infection among patients who drank 300 ml of cranberry juice everyday for over 6 months. A daily portion of cranberries would also help in treating the disease.
  3. Reduces Cholesterol
    Laboratory results have also shown that cranberry extract reduces the oxidation of "bad cholesterol". This helps promote healthy heart.
  4. Prevent Ulcers
    New studies have shown the ability of this fruit has the ability to prevent peptic ulcer by inhibiting the adhesion of bacteria to certain parts of the stomach.
  5. Anti-Aging
    An exciting new research has shown that cranberries could help protect the brain from neurological damage.


Red Currants has a healing property to heal arthiritis, are a laxative, diuretic, eases inflammation of the digestive tract, mild fever and liver problems. High in A,B,C, iron, phosphorous, potassium.

Elderberries-
Recent research done in Europe found that elderberries are concentrated sources of anthocyanins, potent purple pigments that appear to benefit health in several ways. Ongoing research in Europe is focusing on these anthocyanins.

Blueberries is a remedy for hypoglycemia, tinnitus (ringing in the ears) and rejuvenates the pancreas. High in manganese and Vit. A, also contains potassium, silicon and iron, an excellent source of fiber. The high amounts of manganese make this very good for many disorders. The blue pigment may be a powerful liver protector, also found in bilberry herb.

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Blackberries-
-
Rubus Fruticosus, which is the Latin name for Blackberry, is widely used to treat sore throat, upset stomach and diarrhea.

Among the components of the Blackberry fruit are the following: malic and citric acids, albumen, vitamin C, pectin, sugars, niacin, flavonoids, anthocyanins. Desiccated in a hot oven and reduced to powder, it forms potent cure for dysentery. The tannins present in the herb condition its astringent and diuretic abilities. They also make possible the blood vessel constricting effect, which in its turn inhibits bleeding. Root bark decoction proves highly efficient in counteracting diarrhea and treating whooping cough in the spasmodic stage. Blackberry leaves in the form of tea is a preparation very beneficial for children, whereas tincture is good for adults. The leaves of Blackberry can even be chewed to cure mouth sores and sore throat. They also make an excellent and powerful poultice for quick healing of insect bites and various wounds.

Bilberry
is one of the members of the herb world that is reemerging from the shadows because of recent discoveries that indicate the fruit has remarkable therapeutic properties for enhancement of visual.

It is safe and can be quite effective and as a rich source of anthocyanidins, bilberry has antioxidant properties that rival the proanthocyanidins found in grapeseed or pinebark extract. Moreover, bilberry has the unique ability to stabilize and even protect collagen stores and is also a key component in the treatment regimen of a number of visual problems.

Because of its rich anthocyanoside content that has exhibited the following healing properties: analgesic, antiarthritic, anticlotting, antiulcer, antiedemic, anti-inflammatory, antiosteotic, cyclooxygenase inhibitor, inhibits collagenase, inhibits elastase, lipoxygena, smooth muscle relaxant, lowers blood sugar and vasodilator.

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Grape seed extract is a nutrient derived from the seeds of grapes which belongs to the bioflavonoid family. The active ingredients contained in grape seed extract are called "proanthocyanidins". Proanthocyanidins are known to exhibit antioxidant properties. Proanthocyanidins are also called "procyanidolic oligomers", or PCOs for short - whew!

PCO bioflavonoids were first noticed in the laboratory because they have the remarkable ability to strengthen blood vessel walls within hours after taking them. The person responsible for the discovery of PCO bioflavonoids was a French scientist named Dr. Jacques Masquelier, who first tested bioflavonoid-containing peanuts on lab animals and discovered that their blood vessel walls would double in strength only hours after ingesting them. His discovery was made in 1948. In 1951, this same doctor extracted PCOs from pine bark.

Free radicals play a major role in the development of degenerative diseases, strokes, cardiovascular diseases and aging. Studies have shown that PCOs in grape seed extract are as much as 50 times more potent than those in Vitamin E and up to 20 times more potent than PCOs in Vitamin C.

Grape seed extract has also proven to be valuable in the treatment of inadequate blood flow in the capillaries and veins. Small studies have shown increased capillary strength using as little as 50 milligrams/day, and increased venous blood flow using 150 milligrams/day.

Black Currants-Thanks to the high levels of anthocyanins and Vitamin C, two types of important disease fighting antioxidants, blackcurrants have been suggested by scientific research to have many health benefits in promoting health and preventing diseases. Vitamin C is an essential nutrient required for the body's normal functions and the antioxidant polyphenols in blackcurrants (particularly anthocyanins) may help in maintaining cardiovascular health, ageing and brain health, urinary tract health and healthy vision. (Taken from the Blackcurrant Foundation). Antioxidants in blackcurrants are good for you because they help fight against free radicals entering the body.

Ginger Root-f you have ever reached for a glass of Ginger ale for an upset stomach, you are on the right track! Ginger is an ancient remedy for upset stomach, indigestion, motion sickness and cramps, and that's just the beginning. This wonderful food additive can also help reduce fevers, relieve pain, reduce inflammation and help remove toxins from the body. On the news front, important new research from the University of Michigan has indicated that Ginger has caused ovarian cancer cell death in laboratory tests.

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Green Tea may have health benefits which include preventing arthritis. Study results reported in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences indicate that antioxidants found in green tea, known as polyphenols, may effectively reduce the incidence and severity of rheumatoid arthritis.

Today, scientific research in both Asia and the west is providing hard evidence for the health benefits long associated with drinking green tea. For example, in 1994 the Journal of the National Cancer Institute published the results of an epidemiological study indicating that drinking green tea reduced the risk of esophageal cancer in Chinese men and women by nearly sixty percent. University of Purdue researchers recently concluded that a compound in green tea inhibits the growth of cancer cells. There is also research indicating that drinking green tea lowers total cholesterol levels, as well as improving the ratio of good (HDL) cholesterol to bad (LDL) cholesterol.

To sum up, here are just a few medical conditions in which drinking green tea is reputed to be helpful:

  • cancer
  • rheumatoid arthritis
  • high cholesterol levels
  • cariovascular disease
  • infection
  • impaired immune function

What makes green tea so special?

The secret of green tea lies in the fact it is rich in catechin polyphenols, particularly epigallocatechin gallate (EGCG). EGCG is a powerful anti-oxidant: besides inhibiting the growth of cancer cells, it kills cancer cells without harming healthy tissue. It has also been effective in lowering LDL cholesterol levels, and inhibiting the abnormal formation of blood clots. The latter takes on added importance when you consider that thrombosis (the formation of abnormal blood clots) is the leading cause of heart attacks and stroke.

Links are being made between the effects of drinking green tea and the "French Paradox." For years, researchers were puzzled by the fact that, despite consuming a diet rich in fat, the French have a lower incidence of heart disease than Americans. The answer was found to lie in red wine, which contains resveratrol, a polyphenol that limits the negative effects of smoking and a fatty diet. In a 1997 study, researchers from the University of Kansas determined that EGCG is twice as powerful as resveratrol, which may explain why the rate of heart disease among Japanese men is quite low, even though approximately seventy-five percent are smokers.

Why don't other Chinese teas have similar health-giving properties? Green, oolong, and black teas all come from the leaves of the Camellia sinensis plant. What sets green tea apart is the way it is processed. Green tea leaves are steamed, which prevents the EGCG compound from being oxidized. By contrast, black and oolong tea leaves are made from fermented leaves, which results in the EGCG being converted into other compounds that are not nearly as effective in preventing and fighting various diseases.

Artichoke extract has been shown to improve digestion, liver function, and help lower high ldl cholesterol levels and prevent heart disease and artherosclerosis.**

Artichoke has been shown to be a natural remedy which improve various digestive health disorders, shown to significantly lowered blood ldl cholesterol levels, prevent heart disease and atherosclerosis - plaque problems, enhance detoxification reactions, as well as protect the liver from damage. This combination of benefits is very important to healthy liver function. During detoxification of the liver, the toxic substance is often initially converted to an even more toxic form. Without adequate protection, every time the liver neutralizes a toxin, it is damaged in this process. Artichoke extract has been shown to provide these valuable preventitative health benefits and protection.

**Artichoke Extract: Improves digestion, liver function, and cholesterol levels. By Dr. Michael T. Murray N.D.

Tannins are a broad class of compounds that are found in many of the foods and drinks that we consume, including chocolate (the cocoa in it), red wine, grapes, cranberries, even coffee (both regular and decaffeinated), and, most especially, tea. Tannins have such extraordinary qualities that are often misunderstood or ignored. Even the term 'tannins' throws off many medical experts as to its exact definition simply because these compounds are, again, of a wide variety. But tannins, in general, can actually protect us from many kinds of illnesses and health problems.

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Thursday, December 27, 2007

Juicy New Year Resolution 2008

Well, here I am again in December and wanting to make some resultions for the new year.

Last year, I was already on track with the weight and didn't need to make a resolution to lose weight. I like to refer to it as releasing excess fat. We humans don't like to lose anything! Right?

My resolutions are:
  1. To workout 5 days a week. Weight train 3 days and cardio two days a week.
  2. To wake up at 7 am during the week.
  3. To work very hard on my business. Make a business plan.
I bet that most of the population have exercise in their plan for 2008. How can we keep it up? What do we need to do everyday to achieve our goal? I am going to exercise with a workout buddy. Be accountable to someone, put yourself in a position that you will look foolish if you don't keep your commitment to yourself, tell everyone that you are working out 5 days a week and have them remind you of your goal.

Over 66 percent of adult Americans are considered overweight or obese so it is not surprising to find that weight loss is one of the most popular New Year's resolutions. Setting reasonable goals and staying focused are the two most important factors in sticking with a weight loss program, and the key to success for those millions of Americans who made a New Year's commitment to shed extra pounds.

  • Percent of adolescents age 12-19 years who are overweight: 17%. We are headed for disaster!

  • Percent of noninstitutionalized adults age 20 years and over who are overweight or obese: 66.3%

  • Percent of noninstitutionalized adults age 20 years and over who are obese: 32%

Healthy Weight

photo of feet on scaleUnderstanding the Energy Equation
Whether you want to lose weight or maintain a healthy weight, it’s important to understand the connection between the calories your body takes in (through the foods you eat and the beverages you drink) and the calories your body uses (through normal body functions, daily activities, and physical activity).

Getting the Most Nutrition out of Your Calories

There is a right number of calories for you to eat each day. This number depends on your age, activity level, and whether you are trying to gain, maintain, or lose weight. You could use up the entire amount on a few high-calorie foods, but chances are, you won’t get the full range of vitamins and nutrients your body needs to be healthy.

Choose the most nutritionally rich foods you can from each food group each day – those packed with vitamins, minerals, fiber, and other nutrients, but lower in calories. Pick foods like fruits, vegetables, whole grains, and fat-free or low-fat milk and milk products more often.