Friday, November 23, 2012

Increasing Your Chance Of Living Longer [Guest Post]

Increasing Your Chance Of Living Longer  

Every health guru seems to have the secret to living a longer life. Some say that you need to eat chocolate; others say that it takes a glass of red wine every evening, and other experts say that they will not tell you their secrets until you have purchased their newest book or video. These tips and many others may provide the clues that you need to increase your chance of living a longer life, but you can increase your chances of living longer without any secret remedy. Simply by being healthy and exercising, you will increase your chances of living longer.   

The first thing that you need to do is break your worst habits. If you smoke, you need to quit. Most smokers are simply lying to themselves about the risks associated with smoking. They may even make jokes about how something has to kill them so it might as well be cigarettes. Jokes aside, no one wants to die a painful death from lung cancer. Once you quit smoking, your body will start to repair itself immediately, and by the first anniversary of the day you quit smoking, your risk of dying of a sudden cardiac arrest will be the same as a nonsmoker. If you drink too much, you need to put the bottle down. If your worst habit is that you eat too much fast food, you need to cut down on that as well.  

Eating healthier foods is actually one of the most important keys to living a long and healthy life. Eating healthy does not have to be painful. Ideally, you should cut down on processed foods. The preservatives and nitrates that are common in most packaged foods have been linked to all kinds of issues from autism to Parkinson disease, and by reducing the amount of preservatives you eat, you increase your chance of living longer. This means cutting out canned soup, fast food, and junk food. The healthiest foods are those that are the least processed.  

By making simple choices, you will be healthier. For instance, if you are buying ice cream, you should look for the brands that are made with cream, sugar, eggs, and a small amount of flavoring. You should avoid the brands that contain preservatives like carrageenan and sweeteners like corn syrup. If you are buying potato chips, you should buy the plain variety that contain potatoes, oil, and salt. You should avoid the brands that include flavor enhancers like MSG. When you need fat, you should use butter instead of processed vegetable spreads. Contrary to popular belief, it is always better to eat natural foods even if they are fatty than it is to eat processed foods even if they claim to be low-fat.  

Once your body is used to a healthy diet, it will direct you. Once you have broken the addiction to preservatives and processed flavor enhancers, your cravings will be in tune with your body's natural needs. After a few months of making healthy choices, your body will guide you in the right direction.    

The final key in living a longer life is exercise. Exercise will tone your muscles, boost your metabolism, and make you feel better. When you exercise, your body releases serotonin, which is the happiness amino-acid in your brain. You will feel happier, and you will actually find it easier to break bad habits.  

It is important to live a well balanced life that is full of natural foods and moderate exercise. In most cases, a healthy life will be a long life.  

However, a healthy diet can still contain sugar and fat. 

About the Author: Joyce G. is a professional health blogger and writer.  She currently partners with Nordictrack.com in raising awareness about the importance of health and fitness. NordicTrack has come to symbolize the means for serious athletes and fitness-buffs alike to “get ready for adventure,” whatever that may be. Click here to Visit our website to look for the best elliptical machines.  

Tuesday, July 3, 2012

Quinoa

I have recently found myself having a LARGE addiction to Quinoa and I am not shy in sharing why.  There are so many amazing reasons to eat Quinoa that I had to take the time to share them with you and get all of you really addicted to it as well!! 
  • Quinoa is a great source of vitamins, minerals and is a complete protein!  It has nine essential amino acids, has a super high iron content (important in pregnancy), not to mention full of magnesium, calcium, fiber, manganese, folate, vitamin B6 and phosphorous.  Truly something that HAS to be in your house!! 
  • You can put Quinoa in just about anything and everything from salads to desserts making it a really easy go to ingredient to add that little extra balance to your daily diet!
  • Quinoa is actually gluten and wheat flour FREE something that I know a few people in my life are concerned about not just waistline wise but allergy wise!  This again is a GREAT option and again adds more to your balanced diet than say rice would.  
  • Believe it or not Quinoa is actually known to even prevent the clogging of arteries and veins, in turn preventing un-needed stress on your heart, something to consider for many of you ESPECIALLY women and it can also lower your cholesterol! 
  • Lastly it is really good on your wallet and it is SUPER easy to cook, both GREAT things for a busy family needing help getting all they need out of each meal. 
So the next time that you are grocery shopping I highly suggest adding this to your list.  It tastes GREAT, there are a million different things you can do with it, and there is no way you can't completely fall in love with it with the amount of health benefits it has.  

~Eschelle

Sources:

Sunday, June 17, 2012

Guest Post from Burn 60®


AN AMAZING SPORTS PERFORMANCE SUMMER CAMP TO IMPROVE STRENGTH & CONDITIONING!
Fitness Leader Burn 60® Presents A Two-Week Camp That Uses Proven Sports Performance Techniques to Benefit the Athleticism and Physical Health of Kids.

Burn 60®, a leader in interval fitness training, is providing its highly requested, unique two-week performance camp for 11-15 year olds in Southern California. Burn 60's Sports Performance Summer Camp program creates an unmatched, positive athletic training environment where kids—whether or not they are athletes—not only become stronger, faster, and more flexible, but where they also gain confidence and self-esteem. The camp occurs in three sessions: June 18-29, July 16-27, and August 13-24. Each session features classes, which will be held outdoors (location tbd), from 9:30am to 11:00am on Monday, Wednesday, and Friday; the cost is $125 per person per two-week session. 

The summer camp, which is being directed by youth fitness specialist, Anna Renderer and assisted by professional trainer, athlete, and Olympian Malachi Davis (who is currently training for the 2012 Olympics), is for any youth who wants to improve athletic skills and conditioning. All athletes require the same fundamental skills that make them faster, stronger, and more conditioned. Whether it’s volleyball, football, baseball, track, or tennis, this camp will enhance a child’s ability to perform better and teach the tools that help develop the best possible fitness in every child. 
 
The program will include strength training that builds a strong foundation for the body and helps prevent injuries. Injury prevention requires working both left and right mobility patterns, joint integrity, balance, and developing equal strength on both left and right sides of the body. Examples include single legged balance touches, hip circuits, rotator cuff strengthening, body planks, crab walks, lateral resistance training, monster walks, and much more.
 
Other elements of the camp will feature training techniques for speed, agility, and quickness (SAQ's). Performance drills that improve SAQ's include ladder drills for coordination and quickness (Ali Shuffle, quick step, foot fires, high knees, toe taps) as well as multidirectional foot drills for speed and agility (4 Cone agility course, partner tag, mirror drill).  
 
“Summer is the perfect time for kids to get into shape and increase their athletic aptitude,” noted Janet Crown, owner of Burn 60®. “What’s more, as kids go through our unique exercise program, they not only get stronger and healthier, they become more confident. We feel there is no better way to spend the summer months,” she added.

Anna Renderer, director of the Burn 60® Sports Performance Summer Camp, says, “The camp is a wonderful way for young athletes to stay in shape and prevent injuries. The skills and exercises they learn here can benefit them for a lifetime.”

For more information about this special summer camp or the fitness programs of Burn 60®, please visit www.burn60.com!

About Burn 60 
Burn 60® is a Total Fitness Solution for men and women that provides an unparalleled fitness experience in 60 fast-paced minutes, regardless of fitness level. The systematic workout is based on a premier interval-training program and proven science, which delivers increased results as the intensity of a workout progresses. Burn 60® also incorporates specialty classes including Mat-Pilates, Power Yoga, and Kids classes to provide a balanced fitness program. With the instruction of the most experienced and elite personal trainers, each class is designed to maximize calorie burn (between 600-900 calories per class) and increase strength and stamina while sculpting your body like no other workout. Regardless of fitness level or age, Burn 60® will make you better, stronger, leaner, faster, and more flexible—guaranteed. For more information, please visit www.burn60.com.

Wednesday, June 6, 2012

Going Vegetarian

I have gone back to being a vegetarian.  And though I may be no stranger to this, it seems a heck of a lot harder this time around than when I was a head strong teen apparently.  Maybe it is just living with carnivores that is doing this to me this time, I only had to deal with one before.  Despite my challenges and large cravings I have been doing this the last two weeks.

I can say one thing... I am tired.  I need to clearly make sure I am getting more creative with my meals to incorporate even more outside proteins as what I thought was enough clearly isn't.  I am tired.  Do you want to know what my shopping lists have been looking like??

I have been leaving the meat section up to hubby and sales....
this was what my last list looked like, I think the most fresh veggies I have ever had on my list. 
I am going to assume that this will only grow, I have already discovered that my local Safeway doesn't carry Tahini.  I have looked EVERYWHERE and asked every pimple faced teen and none of us can come up with anything what so ever.  I am have yet to remember to check when I am in the health food store, I keep forgetting. 

What kinds of diet changes have you made?? I am not talking "diets" here, I am talking life changes!

Sunday, May 20, 2012

Back to my old ways...

I have made a couple new decisions for myself.  I was recently nominated for the top 30 Vancouver mom blogs by Vancouvermom.com (for my blog www.mumfection.com, which you should check out if you haven't) and I am looking forward to alot more influence in the blogging world.  Which could lead to even more amazing opportunities, which also means I want to get my act back together here.  So I have decided to make some INTENSE changes to help spark it.  To get the ball running and everything going for once.  I need this.

So I have decided to become a vegetarian again.  Which means there isn't much to eat in my house right now considering this fact AND I need to start reviewing my shopping list again for new items.  I am excited don't get me wrong but I know I will find it harder than I did as a teen.  Especially with hubby being a complete carnivore but as long as I have cut back I will consider it a win and only a matter of time till I have made the full transition.  It will be a bit nicer on our meat budget as well come to think of it. 

Another great change I will be making is teaming back up with our other contributor that has been as busy and stressed out as myself.  I will be doing weekly morning workouts with her hopefully.  I have yet to figure out how I will set that up but I will ensure to get that all sorted out tonight hopefully.  I don't know how my house set up and computer setup will work for the dual workout we hope to do together but I can figure something out.  I was thinking perhaps downloading the workout we pick online, then putting that on my USB for my TV letting me workout to the TV.  Then I will have to point my web cam out towards the living room and see if that will give her a chance to see what I am doing.  Then I will be praying she can hear me and vice versa without waking up the kids.  It might be a silent thing considering I will be trying to do this EARLY in the morning.

I have spoken before about how I have wanted to try morning workouts, but I sincerely doubt my abilities to follow threw on that.  I go to bed late waiting for hubby or working that I can't ever get out of bed in the morning.  I am constantly dragging myself.  But with my diet change I have made, a little hope, Emergen-C, and a prayer and I should be able to do it once in a while to really help rev up my metabolism.  After all I need to look good for my pro head-shot they'll be doing for all the top 30 Mom Bloggers!  I have to be looking my best.  Saying that I am going to get up off my butt right now and I get myself a tall glass of water and plug in my knock off radio receiving Ipod in and see if I can't get my butt outside in the rain for a walk.  Hubby is playing COD and swearing up a storm driving me nuts anyways so I might as well get out in the fresh muggy rainy air right?? 


So here is hoping that I make theses changes, that I follow through.  That I keep on trucking, after all I just want to feel good inside and out without any doubt.   I want to be fully HEALTHY!

~Eschelle

Monday, May 14, 2012

Can Fruits and Vegetables Help Prevent Oral Cancer?


Can Fruits and Vegetables Help Prevent Oral Cancer?

Simple changes to your daily diet could save your life
Your mom knew that eating fruits and vegetables was important, but new science shows that many fruits and vegetables actually contain compounds that fight oral cancer, which kills 7,000 Americans every year. Oral cancer is one of the most difficult cancers to eliminate by nonsurgical means—which means that oral cancer survivors are often left with serious disfigurements that can be expensive or even impossible to correct.
Many oral cancers are caused by free radicals—loose, unstable molecules that trigger destructive chain reactions that lead to mutation in healthy cells. Certain fruits and vegetables contain antioxidants, which bind to free radicals before they have a chance to damage cells, and can even stop chain reactions that are already in process, slowing damage and inhibiting the proliferation of mutated cells.
In particular, fruits and vegetables with dark skin or flesh are a good indicator of cancer-fighting properties; because their color is determined by phytonutrients—plant-specific antioxidant compounds that contribute to their color. Here are some examples of the foods that help, and how they work to inhibit oral cancer and prevent an expensive trip to your dentist.

1. Avocado
Avocados are rich in vitamin E and vitamin C, micronutrients with powerful antioxidant properties, as well as folate (which contributes to liver health) and dietary fiber (which can reduce the risk of digestive cancers). They are also a good source of unsaturated (healthy) fats. As a filling, healthy food, avocados can also help you avoid foods that contain empty calories and carcinogenic artificial colors and flavors.
2. Black Raspberries
The anthocyanin antioxidants contained in black raspberries are such a powerful anti-tumor agent that a gel based on freeze-dried black raspberries is now being used to prevent pre-cancerous lesions from becoming malignant; but the medicinal form isn’t nearly as tasty, so incorporating black raspberries into your diet is a great way to reduce your risk of oral cancer. Raspberries are also rich in vitamin C (50% of the recommended daily allowance per serving), which is also a powerful antioxidant and cancer-fighter.
3. Blueberries
Blueberries are also rich in anthocyanins and antioxidants, and studies in rats indicate that the compounds found in blueberries contribute to apoptosis (programmed cell death) in cancerous cells—meaning they may actually kill oral cancer cells as well as reducing the risk of malignant bodies forming. While they are not as rich in vitamin C as black raspberries, they contain a surprising amount of dietary fiber (14% of recommended daily allowance) which fights cancers of the digestive system.
4. Broccoli
Broccoli is rich in vitamin C, dietary fiber, and contains small amounts of selenium—an element with powerful antioxidant properties. It also contains a compound which the body metabolizes into sulforaphane, a compound which appears to shield the body from all sorts of carcinogens, including cigarette smoke, ultraviolet radiation, and pesticides. Cauliflower, cabbage, and Brussels sprouts also provide similar benefits, so eat whichever you find tastiest. A warning: make sure to eat your broccoli either steamed or raw—boiling denatures the phytonutrients that provide the health benefits, rendering them ineffective.
5. Citrus fruits
Citrus fruits, including oranges, lemons, limes, grapefruit, and tangerines, are among the most abundant sources of vitamin C; and studies in American men have shown that the consumption of citrus fruit dramatically decreases the occurrence of pre-cancerous lesions of the mouth, and the development of malignant oral tumors, even among individuals who participated in high-risk behaviors such as smoking, drinking alcohol, and chewing tobacco. While stopping high-risk behaviors is a much more effective way to reduce cancer risk, the study demonstrates the power of fruits and vegetables on inhibiting oral cancer.

About The Author
Carolyn is a former Dental Hygienist for a cosmetic dentist turned stay-at-home-mom. Carolyn is committed to raising a family in an organic, pesticide free home, and so when she can't buy organic, you will often find Carolyn rooting in her large garden for the ingredients to make her own soaps, cleaning supplies and nutritious, organic meals and remedies.

Thursday, May 10, 2012

5 Perfect Yoga Poses For Mom

5 Perfect Yoga Poses For Mom



By Danielle Mika Nagel


  1. Easy Seated Pose with “Success Breath”
Multitasking can easily become overwhelming. Try this simple posture for a few minutes to ground your thoughts and slow your heart rate down.
  • Sit in a comfortable position, either on the floor or a chair.
  • Rest your palms on your thighs or place your dominant hand on top of your non-dominant hand.
  • Close your eyes.
  • Take a couple of minutes to let go of what has happened prior to this moment and what is going to happen after this moment.
  • Relax your entire body, including your jaw, neck and shoulders.
  • Start to take a deeper inhalation through your nostrils as you constrict the throat muscles slightly. This will be an audible breath.
  • Exhale completely through your nostrils as you constrict your throat muscles again.
  • Keep your awareness at your breath as you continue to take these long, slow deep breaths through your nostrils.
  • Keep it gentle, relaxed and maintain the intention of letting go, each time you exhale.

  1. Cobra Pose
Carrying your children, groceries, laptop, diaper bag, yoga bag, etc. can start to wear you down. Take a few of these gentle backbends to counteract the heavy lifting and back rounding we do each day.
  • Start lying down on your belly with your legs extended back, tops of the feet on the mat.
  • Root through the tops of the feet and legs and spider your fingertips off the mat onto the floor.
  • Lengthen your tailbone down towards the earth, inhale and slowly start to peel your chest off the floor.
  • Unclench your buttocks and your teeth and lift your heart.
  • Roll the shoulders back and down, keeping the shoulder blades hugging in towards one another.
  • Keep the back of your neck and forehead relaxed.
  • Exhale and slowly lower back down towards the earth.
  • Repeat 5 times.

  1. Standing Forward Bend
Let gravity support you as you lengthen out the backside of your body. Enjoy the benefits of an inversion with increased circulation and oxygen to the brain.
·         Stand with your feet about hip-bone distance and somewhat parallel apart.
·         Lift all your toes and fan them out.
·         Release your toes back down to the earth with space in between each toe. (make a mental note to yourself to make time to take care of your feet)
·         Root through all four corners of your feet.
·         Inhale and reach your arms overhead.
·         Exhale to forward fold, hinging at your hip crease, keeping the abdominals drawn in and your knees bent.
·         Bring your fingertips down to the earth. (bent knees are fine and good for supporting your lower back)
·         Let go of your head, neck and shoulders and keep your jaw relaxed.
·         Hold here for a few deep breaths, keeping the abdominals engaged to support the low back.
·         Put a slight bend in your knees, if you haven’t done so already, and slowly roll yourself up to standing, one vertebra at a time.
·         Engage your core center to lift you all the way back up.
·         Take a couple breaths in a standing position before moving back into activity.

  1. Supine Spinal Twist
Spinal twists promote flexibility in the spine while improving digestion. As mothers, we are always concerned about feeding our kids healthy snacks but we often forget about feeding ourselves!
  • Start laying down on the floor with your legs extended.
  • Take a moment to just relax and do nothing.
  • Hug your right knee in towards your chest and take your leg towards the left.
  • Keep your shoulder blades on the floor and extend your arms out into a “t” shape, palms up.
  • Gaze towards the right hand and close your eyes.
  • Take a few breaths here to lengthen out the right side of your waist and nourish the ascending colon.
  • Inhale to come back to center, using your abdominals and release the right leg down.
  • Take a moment to notice the difference between the right and left sides of your body.
  • Repeat on the other side.

  1. Legs Up the Wall (with or without the wall)
Try this restorative posture, especially if you have been on your feet all day. Use a block, bolster or pillow for support. This pose is a passive variation of Shoulderstand. (avoid during menstruation)
  • Start by laying down on the floor with your legs bent, feet on the floor.
  • Take your prop and place it underneath your sacrum. (make sure that it is comfortable there. If not, remove the prop and continue without it)
  • Hug one knee in towards your chest and then the other.
  • Extend your legs up towards the sky without engaging your abdominals, legs or toes.
  • Keep the back of your neck relaxed and avoid turning your neck.
  • Keep the gaze towards your toes and breath.
  • Stay for about 5 minutes.
  • Come out slowly by bending one leg, then the other and placing the feet back down to the earth.
  • Lift your hips and remove the prop.
For all these postures, make sure that they are comfortable and relaxing. They are here to support your busy life as a mommy!

About: Danielle Mika Nagel, is the studio director for the world’s first Chopra Yoga Center in Vancouver, BC. www.choprayoga.com She is a certified yoga teacher with more than a decade of teaching experience and a proud mom of two. For more information join the conversation on twitter.com/choprayoga or facebook/choprayogacenter.