Healthy Living
45 Reasons to Get Healthy
The number one New Year’s Resolution: Lose weight and get healthy. But, it’s not going to happen without a plan. My first step is to figure out WHY I want to get healthy. Here are 45 reasons …
- I want to feel good.
- I want to smile when I look in the mirror.
- Because beauty starts on the inside.
- I want to prevent disease.
- I want a strong heart.
- Healthy is sexy.
- I want to be a good example to my family and friends.
- I have goals I want to reach.
- Staying healthy is cheaper than being sick.
- I’m ready to do a 180 and lose the fat forever.
- I want lean, stong muscles.
- It’s the only place I have to live.
- I want strong bones.
- I want to stay active.
- I want to maintain a healthy weight.
- I made a commitment to myself.
- I want to feel good in my clothes.
- I am not a quitter.
- I have a long bucket list to accomplish.
- I want a healthy brain.
- I want good eating habits.
- Life is worth living.
- Because I am in charge of my life.
- I want to wear my skinny jeans.
- Because not working out isn’t working out for me.
- I want to reduce the risk of Alzheimer’s and other dementia.
- If you rest, you rust.
- I want to keep my blood pressure low.
- I want to travel.
- Because vitamins are better than medication.
- I know healthy is the right thing to do.
- Eating healthy and controlling my weight prevents diabetes.
- I want to dance at my grandchild’s wedding.
- I want to live a long and healthy life.
- I want to feel happy.
- Because I’m worth it.
- I want to breathe easy.
- I want healthy, glowing skin.
- I want my family to be proud of me.
- I want to add years to my life.
- Because I am stronger than my excuses.
- Because mom would be proud.
- I want more energy.
- I want healthy lungs.
- Because I can.
Leave a comment with YOUR reasons to get healthy.
Download a printable list: 45 Reasons to Get Healthy
How We Age
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Aging is a complex but natural process that affects every cell, organ, and body function you have. It’s impacted by a number of factors, including genetics, nutritional habits, and other lifestyle aspects. But how exactly do we age? Well, scientists have been developing theories of aging for centuries, and more recently have invested billions of dollars into research in hopes of developing interventions to help alter or slow the aging process. To date, research suggests there are several key mechanisms involved: |
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DNA Damage Declines in Cell Energy Production Formation of AGEs Decreased Cellular Defenses Remember: Although the years of your life can’t be changed, scientists are researching ways to help slow the rate you age, and how well you can age with a healthy lifestyle.
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Vitamin Chart
Vitamins are essential to life. They help keep your cells healthy and working properly. However, a recent study determined that 90% of Americans are lacking key nutrients in their diets. The problem? Without adequate intake of a variety of nutrients, long-term health challenges may arise — from compromised immunity to poor cardiovascular function and more. Getting all the nutrients you need in the right amounts can be difficult — especially when busy schedules leave you with limited food options.
This Periodic Table of Vitamns illlustrates how many vitamins we need every day. It looks like a simple chart, but there’s lots of info here.
- The border color shows what that vitamin is good for (i.e. immunity, heart, beauty, mental, body or all.
- The top left corner lists the daily RDA (Recommended Daily Allowance), also known as DV (Daily Value).
- The letter in the upper right corner is for Antioxidant, Mineral or Vitamin.
- The name and abbreviation are in the middle of the box.
- The bottom row of images represent what types of food contain that antioxidant, mineral or vitamin.
So what can you do to make sure your body is getting all the nutrients it needs?
Choose your vitamis carefully. The best vitamins are:
Always Safe
The ingredients are tested and inspected, from raw ingredients to finished product, with no artificial flavors, sweeteners, or preservatives added.
Always Work
Based on clinical studies. Contain every vitamin plus minerals your body needs. Guaranteed to work or your money back.
Always Green
Recyclable packaging, free of bisphenol-A, phthalates, and toxic inks.
Don’t be okay with feeling just okay.
If you’re like nine out of 10 Americans, you don’t eat enough fruits and vegetables, which can really affect your health down the line. That’s a great reason to supplement what you eat. But the important question is, how do you feel today? Your answer should be nothing short of fantastic.
Click the image for more info.
Food Combining: A Way to Support Digestive Health
Guest post by Tara Alder, Internal Cleansing Specialist at Alder Brooke Healing Arts.
Most people understand that it is important to eat a healthy diet rich in fresh fruits, vegetables and a balance of proteins, carbohydrates and fats. What most people do not know is that it is just as important to consider proper food combining.
Consider that fruits and many green vegetables are high in water, fiber and enzymes. These foods move through the digestive tract more quickly than other foods. Most fruits will only be in the stomach 30 to 45 minutes before they move on to the small intestine for digestion and absorption of nutrients. Starchy carbohydrates however are less fiber and water rich and may take 2 to 3 hours before they move from the stomach to the small intestine. Proteins are the most complex foods taking the most amount of time in the stomach. Some proteins will be in the stomach for 5 to 8 hours before they move on to the small intestine to complete digestion.
With this knowledge it makes sense to combine our foods to support this natural process.
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Helpful Hints for Optimal Digestion
- Digestion is a complex process. By combining foods properly the body encourages this process to take place as efficiently as possible.
- There are three basic types of food: Concentrated foods (proteins and carbohydrates), high water content foods (fruits and vegetables) and fats. Proteins are the most complex (concentrated) food and require the most time and energy to digest and assimilate, where as fruit is the least complex (high water content) and takes the least amount of time and energy to digest and assimilate.
- In your digestive system, the process to break down proteins, carbohydrates and fruit are entirely different, requiring different secretions. Therefore, to insure the most efficient digestion possible, these three foods should not be consumed simultaneously.
- Do not eat fruit with any other food. If fruit is eaten alone and on an empty stomach, it will have the effect of washing and cleansing the digestive tract leaving it more capable of absorbing nutrition and eliminating waste.
- Proteins and starchy carbohydrates should not be combined. If a protein is eaten with a starchy carbohydrate, such as meat and a piece of bread or a potato, the different digestive juices in contact with each other will nullify each other’s effectiveness. The protein will putrefy and the carbohydrate will ferment. This causes bloating and gas.
- If a concentrated food (proteins or carbohydrate) is eaten with a sugar, such as nuts with raisins, it will putrefy, and the sugar will ferment. Again, more bloating and gas.
- Fermentation or putrefaction inhibits healthy cell structure and digestion. The gasses produced from fermentation and putrefaction is toxic to the body and can exhaust the other detox organs. (lungs, liver, kidneys, skin and lymphatic system)
- Add steamed vegetables or a mixed vegetable salad with all concentrated foods (proteins and carbohydrates) for optimum digestion. The enzymes in raw veggies help digest difficult food combinations.
- Drinking fluids along with or after a meal dilute many of the digestive juices from the stomach. This forces the body to secrete more digestive juices immediately, unnecessarily usurping energy.
- Dairy products are highly mucous forming and difficult to digest. They do not combine well with anything. If they are eaten, they should be accompanied with a salad.
- By adhering to proper food combining, the digestive system works much more efficiently, thereby conserving energy that can be utilized for cleansing the body of accumulated toxic waste.
- Feel great about your body and eating habits. Slow down and enjoy each meal. The better your digestion, the better the body’s absorption and metabolism. Your body will automatically adjust to your optimal weight and remain there.
For a handy reference see the Divine Way to Combine at www.alderbrooke.com
 Tara Alder is a nationally certified instructor with the International Association of Colon Hydrotherapy (I-ACT). She attends and teaches at health conferences and is an international speaker.Alder Brooke Healing Arts in Eugene, Oregon and Alder Brooke Healing Waves in Kona, Hawaii are beautiful garden spas, education and retreat centers designed to meet your special needs.
You are invited to experience the benefits of cleansing in our safe, comfortable and relaxed environment. We can be reached by email at taralyn@alderbrooke.com. |
