Vibrant Horizons

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2010-10-22T12:06:00.000-07:00

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Awareness of Your Body is Key

2010-05-07T11:58:00.000-07:00

One of the most reliable guides to happiness is your body. The body is designed to support the mind, and working together they create the state known as happiness. When you’re deciding whether or not to act, ask your body, “How do you feel about this?” If your body sends back a signal of physical or emotional distress, reconsider the action.

If your body sends a signal of comfort and eagerness, proceed. Together, the mind and body form a single field. It is artificial to separate them as we usually do. Every experience has a physical component. If you’re hungry, the mind and stomach are hungry together. If you have an incredible spiritual experience, all your cells share in it. You cannot have a single thought, sensation, or feeling without your body responding in some way.

The first key to happiness tells us that by being aware of your body, you are connecting to the underlying field of infinite possibilities. Why do mind, body, and spirit feel separate when they are not? Because of lack of awareness.

Awareness has tremendous power. It tunes into every cell. It regulates the body’s countless interactions. Awareness is the invisible, silent agent that lets your body know what your mind is thinking, and at the same time it sends feedback from the body so that the mind feels supported and understood.

Ideally, when you experience being loved, your mind will grasp that you are loved, your cells will be nourished by that love, and your soul will rejoice that you have reached deep enough to find the source of love. Every good thing in life saturates your whole being. Remember how great it feels to fall in love?

Signs of the absence of harmony are discomfort, pain, depression, anxiety, and illness in general. When mind, body, and spirit are in harmony, happiness is the natural result.

Each day, try to bring awareness to your body, its sensations, and how you feel. This is a key that unlocks the path to health and happiness.

Adapted from: The Ultimate Happiness Prescription by Deepak Chopra; Harmony Books, 2009.

Characteristics of Traditional Diets

2010-03-31T21:07:00.000-07:00

Wondering how your diet compares to that of a traditional diet? This list is important for you to consider since 99% of our genes were formed before agriculture.

The diets of healthy primitive and non-industrialized peoples:

contain no refined foods such as refined sugar or high fructose corn syrup; white flour; canned foods; pasteurized, homogenized, skim or low-fat milk; refined or hydrogenated vegetable oils; artificial vitamins or toxic additives and colorings.

consume some sort of animal protein and fat from fish and other seafood; water and land fowl; land animals; eggs; milk and milk products.

contain at least four times the calcium and other minerals and TEN times the fat soluble vitamins from animal fats (vitamin A, vitamin D and K2) than the average American diet.

eat some animal products raw.

have a high food-enzyme content from raw dairy products, raw meat and fish; raw honey; tropical fruits; cold-pressed oils; and naturally preserved, lacto-fermented vegetables, fruits, beverages, meats and condiments.

soak, sprout, ferment or naturally leaven seeds, grains and nuts in order to neutralize naturally occurring anti-nutrients, such as phytic acid, enzyme inhibitors, tannins and complex carbohydrates.

total fat content varies from 30% to 80% but only about 4% of calories come from polyunsaturated oils naturally occurring in grains, nuts, fish, animal fats and vegetables. The balance of fat calories is in the form of saturated and monounsaturated fatty acids.

contain nearly equal amounts of omega-6 and omega-3 essential fatty acids.

contain some salt.

consume animal bones, usually in the form of gelatin-rich bone broths.

provide special nutrient-rich foods for parents-to-be, pregnant women and growing children; teach the principles of right diet to the young.

Source:
http://www.westonaprice.org/Characteristics-of-Traditional-Diets.html

10 Simple Tips to Get More Done in Your Day

2010-03-29T17:07:00.000-07:00

Looking for a few tools to help you cross more items off your “to do” list every day? Consider incorporating these tips into your daily work day.

You probably use a “to do” list to stay organized at your work or office. You may even have two separate lists – one for your work and one for your personal life. In order to prioritize tasks, we mark an “A” next to those items we have to get done today, a “B” for those that are less urgent, but still important, and a “C” for those that can wait until tomorrow.

What if you had a few tools that could help you more efficiently complete your “A” tasks and cross more of those “B’s” and “C’s” off each day? Consider incorporating the following 10 tools to improve your energy levels, mental clarity, and organization. You can even add a few to your “to do” list so you remember to do them!

1. Eat breakfast
Breakfast is the most important meal of the day. It sets the pace for your entire day. When you take the time to eat a nourishing meal to break your nightly fast, you are giving your body important tools that will help you achieve the goals you set for yourself. Taking an extra 10-15 minutes in the morning will serve you well to boost your metabolism and sustain your energy for the day.

2. Stay organized
Keep a “to do” list and consider trying the “ABC” method to prioritize your task list for the day (if you do not already do this). Keep your working space clean and organized. Have a “home” for your folders and important paperwork; clearly label files and folders. Have a system to keep ingoing and outgoing mail and paperwork organized.

3. Consciously breathe
When we are under stress our breath tends to become shallow. When the breath becomes shallow, our circulation is compromised and our cells do not get the oxygen they require. Practicing focused breathing (especially in times of stress) will make a significant difference in helping to clear your mind and feel more focused. Take a few slow deep breaths the next time you are feeling overwhelmed or need to improve your mental clarity.

4. Drink water
Most of us do not drink enough water each day. Between the quality of water and the amount of coffee and sugary beverages we consume, it is no wonder that we are dehydrated. Every time I ask a client how much water they drink, I almost always hear, "Not enough". Generally, the target amount to drink daily is half your body weight in ounces of water. So if you weigh 180 pounds, seek to drink around 90 ounces a day. Being hydrated can help you feel more alert and focused.

5. Move
If you sit most of your day, you are probably not moving your body enough. Moving your body through walking, running, movement exercises, going to the gym, doing yoga, etc. improves your circulation which supplies oxygen and nutrition to your cells. These activities generally can enhance your mood and mental clarity, which can help you to cross more of those items off your “to do” list.

6. Meditate
Stress, in its many forms, can do a lot of damage to the body. Meditation is a way to clear your mind of negative or overactive thinking. Many people are intimidated by the word “meditation”. When I teach classes and work with clients, I like to keep things as uncomplicated as I can. Meditation can be as simple as focusing on your breathing or doing “count breathing”. Try this: inhale through your nose as you count to 8, then exhale through your nose as you count to 8, and continue. Doing this just a minute a day can make a profound difference for you.

7. Stretch
Stretching and lengthening your body helps to prevent tightening of muscles that can become compromised from stress or sitting for long periods of time. I think most of us have noticed how stress manifests itself as pain in the neck and upper back. When we experience discomfort, we become distracted and are not as productive and focused on the task at hand. Take time each workday to stretch your body, especially areas where you tend to notice discomfort or pain the most.

8. Snack healthfully
Snacking on nutritious foods between meals will help you sustain your energy levels throughout your day and assist in maintaining your mental focus. To prevent being tempted by the vending machine, the office candy jar, or latte cart, prepare healthy snacks at home to take with you to the office. If you work from home, prepare your snacks before your workday begins so you do not find yourself munching on the typical unhealthy snack foods.

9. Get enough sleep
When you sleep your body is repairing and healing itself. It is important to allow yourself enough time to regenerate during the night. After a good night’s sleep you will wake up with plenty of energy to complete the tasks on your “to do” list. Soon you will have extra energy for additional activities you have wanted to try, like a new class or activity.

10. Have fun
When you have fun and do things you enjoy, your thoughts and general well-being improve. With improved thoughts and experiences, your energy naturally improves. When you have more energy, you can get more things done during the day.

Eating Right for Your Metabolism

2010-02-26T20:49:00.000-08:00

The way the human body converts food into energy—known as metabolism—varies among individuals. Most “fad diets” offer a single solution for diverse dietary needs.

“Standardized diets and nutritional diets fail to recognize that, for genetic reasons, people are all different on a biochemical level or metabolic level. In other words, we’re all different in the way that our bodies process foods and utilize nutrients.”

-William Wolcott and Trish Fahey, authors of The Metabolic Typing Diet

Consider seeking out foods that best support your metabolic type. The more you learn about your body, the better you can nourish it. Diet means habitual nourishment, after all.

The rate at which food is broken down varies among individuals. Heredity can determine the rate of your metabolism. Analyzing the variation in how individuals metabolize food is known as metabolic typing.

Someone who metabolizes food slowly will do better with less fat than someone who is a fast metabolizer. Fat, for someone who has a slow metabolism, can slow down their metabolism even further and interfere with the body’s ability to product energy efficiently. But for a fast metabolizer, fat is an important component of a healthful diet.

Personally, I have a fast metabolism. When I eat a meal or snack high in carbs and low in fat, I find myself feeling unsatisfied and hungry shortly thereafter. After I began adding more protein and fat into my diet, I found my energy levels were sustained longer without the need to snack and I generally felt better.

Find out for yourself which type you are! I encourage you to take Metabolic Typing test to gain a new understanding of foods that can better support your health. Even with this tool, be sure to consider that nutritional needs are heavily influenced by our environment and lifestyle. Our needs change from season to season, day to day, hour by hour…

Metabolic Typing offers a more individualized look into foods to seek out. Use it as a tool to get to know your body a little better. There are many roads to take along your journey; use this as a map as you travel along your path.

Here’s a link to take the questionnaire. (Note: There are 65 questions, so it will take a few minutes.) Once completed, it will walk you through determining which type you are and will offer suggestions and guidelines for your type. Enjoy! Feel free to post any questions or comments on my facebook page.

Metabolic Typing Quiz: http://www.lowcarbnz.co.nz/Story/metabolic_type.htm

A Different Look at Becoming More Productive

2010-02-12T14:45:00.000-08:00

Looking to improve your productivity? Let’s look inward to discover the source of our productivity levels.

Productivity is a powerful word. It represents efficiency, speed, and accuracy. We all seek it. We all look for it. We take energy drinks in the hope that it might help us. We pop pills for improved mental clarity in the hope they might make us more productive. We drink coffee in the morning for a pick-me-up and again in the afternoon. Is all of this really necessary?

Let’s, for a moment, think of the body as a machine. If your machine requires diesel fuel, then unleaded fuel will not work so well. If your machine needs its nuts and bolts oiled every week to stay productive, it’s a good idea to oil them each week.

How can we expect a machine to run with any sort of efficiency or speed, if we don’t give it the proper fuel? The nutrients in food are what your body converts into your fuel. Improving upon your personal productivity is a simple formula of “output” as a direct response to your input (what you’re putting into your body). Simply put, what are you feeding your body?

For example, imagine eating pancakes with syrup, orange juice, and a coffee with sugar for breakfast. This meal puts extremely high amounts of blood sugar (glucose) into the bloodstream. What does the body do to reduce high levels of glucose? The pancreas releases insulin to reduce the high glucose levels and restore balance. The body’s ability to adapt to its environment is unparalleled. There is an innate wisdom that encourages continual balance within the body, and the body does whatever it can to maintain that balance. Scientists call this homeostasis.

What most people don’t realize is that what they eat for breakfast has a direct correlation with how they feel throughout the day. The high blood sugar levels after breakfast can result in a later “crash” that is often experienced mid-morning. This includes feeling of fatigue, foggy head, lethargy, etc. This happens because the pancreas often overshoots its mark to reduce high blood sugar levels and blood sugar levels fall too far. This, dare I say, is when that second dose of coffee or a sugary treat is needed for more energy.

Thus, when we consider our productivity, it is valuable to review the quality of fuel we intake. Many individuals and companies fail to consider diet and personal health when working to improve productivity. As a culture, we tend to look outward – more training, more education, more effective use of time, etc. Corporate wellness programs have only recently begun to teach the ideal that food is the fuel of human productivity.

I’m here to ask you to consider the various elements that affect your personal energy, productivity, and health. Review the following questions to obtain a greater understanding of the cause/effect relationship of food and your productivity:

Do I drink enough water?
Do I eat when I’m relaxed?How am I feeling when I eat?
Do I eat away from my computer or TV?
Do I eat a variety of foods?
Do I eat enough vegetables?
How often do I use the microwave?
Do I eat enough raw foods?
How do I feel about what I’m eating?
What percentage of my meals is prepared at home?
Do I allow enough time in my day for meal preparation and consumption?

As you consider these questions, allow for an understanding of the relationship between your fuel and your quality of life. As dynamic as our bodies are in adapting and maintaining balance, so too is life…where simply changing one part of your life (food) can create a shift that allows for positive change in many other areas from business to personal. Explore this concept for yourself and experience the benefits it can bring.

8 Tips to Boost Your Metabolism

2010-02-11T15:10:00.001-08:00

Here's a list of 8 considerations if you're looking to boost your metabolism:

1. How often are you eating?
There are a lot of philosophies on how often to eat and how much. For improving your metabolism, the goal is to eat small, frequent meals.

2. How often are you moving your body?
Moving your body through walking, running, exercises, yoga, etc. helps to kick your metabolism into gear. Not only that, these activities can help build muscle mass.

3. Do you have a strength training program?
Weight training is important for building muscle mass. Muscle helps to improve your metabolism and burns more calories than fat.

4. Do you eat breakfast?
It is important to eat breakfast since it pretty much sets the pace for your entire day. Taking an extra 10-15 minutes in the morning will serve you well to boost your metabolism and sustain your energy for the day.

5. How much sugar and refined carbohydrates do you eat?
The average American eats over 150 pounds of sugar a year! Sugar is stored as fat and triglycerides. Whole grains and protein are much better options.

6. How much water do you drink?
Every time I ask a client that question I hear "Not enough". The target amount is half your body weight in ounces of water. So if you weigh 180 pounds, seek to drink around 90 ounces a day.

7. Do you get enough rest?
When you sleep your body is repairing and healing itself. It's important to allow yourself enough time to regenerate during the night. This way, when you wake up in the morning you'll have plenty of energy and be able do activities like walking, working out, and making breakfast.

8. Do you practice stress reduction techniques?
Stress, in its many forms, does the body quite a lot of damage. Simply doing some focused breathing will make a significant difference. When we're under stress, our breath tends to become shallow. So the next time you are feeling overwhelmed or stressed, take a few slow deep breaths.

Looking for a Valentine's Day Treat?

2010-02-05T14:22:00.000-08:00

Simple, No-Bake Chocolate Coconut Cookies

1/2 cup coconut butter
1 tablespoon cocoa powder
1/2 cup of coconut flakes
2 heaping teaspoons honey (preferably raw) or maple syrup
2 tablespoons coconut oil, melted
1 tsp. almond extract

Blend everything except the coconut flakes in a food processor or blender until combined. Place mixture into a bowel and stir in coconut flakes. Drop spoonfuls onto parchment paper. (If this is a Valentine’s present, try shaping them into hearts!) “Bake” in the freezer for 10 minutes until firm. Store in the refrigerator.

Recipe adapted from The Nourishing Gourment

The Ancient Wisdom Within

2010-02-02T11:47:00.000-08:00

Using the body’s intelligence to understand the foods we eat

“Eat this, not that.”
“You should try…”
“My friend told me…”
“He said…”
“She said…”

How often do we hear statements like these about food or regarding a supplement? It always seems to be an external source telling us this is good for you or that is bad for you. But, how often do we hear “I feel like this is good for my body...” or “I feel like my body needs…”

Feel. What a powerful word. Eating and making food decisions has become an external decision. We learn and hear about that latest and the greatest on TV, and from the news, magazines, friends, etc. Most of the time, they conflict. This can get very confusing and may cause more harm than good.

Our hunter and gatherer ancestors relied on instinct to identify nourishment. Generations upon generation later, we still have the same guiding tool. Today, we call it Neuro-Lingual Testing (NLT).

The tongue connects to our central nervous system and acts like an extension of the brain. When we place something in our mouth that is harmful or stressful in some way, the body elicits a physical response, such as an increase in heart rate. The hunter and gatherers used this technique to choose foods that supported and sustained their lives.

Today, we walk into a grocery store and assume everything in it is edible. Do you think that is really the case? Certainly not. Over the years, 75,000+ chemicals have been added into our food supply. Food dyes, artificial flavoring, natural flavoring (which is not so natural, by the way), pesticides, preservatives, denatured fats, genetic modification, the list goes on and on…

We can use NLT to identify foods that create a negative or stressful reaction. It is a simple technique that you can try with any food, beverage or supplement.

Directions to determine if any food substance causes a stressful response in your body:
* Sit down in a kitchen chair, relax and take a deep breath.
* Take your pulse for one full minute and record that number. (This is your baseline pulse.)
* Place the “test” food in your mouth. Hold it on your tongue and be sure not to swallow it. Keep it there for at least 30 seconds. (It is more effective to test a single item versus one that has several ingredients.)
* Retest your pulse keeping the “test” item in your mouth and record it.
* Discard the “test” item and be sure not to swallow it after recording your pulse.
* An increase from your baseline pulse of three to four beats per minute is a sign that your body responded to the “test” item as stressful.
* If you responded stressfully to an item, rinse your mouth out with purified water and spit it out.
* Wait at least two minutes until your pulse rate returns back to the baseline number.
* Begin with your second “test” item and repeat the directions.

It is a good practice to seek out foods that do not cause the body stress or harm and begin to understand why your body responds stressfully to any specific food item. Note: Test results may be invalid if you are taking a drug that controls heart rate.

Food cravings, overeating, the need for sugar or other stimulants like coffee, are examples of your body communicating with you. Our bodies are far more sophisticated than we give them credit for. They are working 24 hours a day, seven days a week to maintain balance. All we have to do is learn to listen and respond appropriately.

Begin to notice how your body feels, what foods you crave, and how your body responds to what you eat. The foods we choose to eat can be driven by the body’s desire to maintain balance. Start to unravel the language of your body. Neuro-lingual testing is one way to enhance the communication process. Another way is to simply observe and notice.

When we bring our consciousness to something, doors open. Have you ever been apartment hunting? You searched online and traveled around the city looking. Did you notice “for rent” signs even after you found your new abode? Consciousness is energy directed toward something.

When we slow down just a little and pay attention to what our bodies need for balance, we make conscious choices. Eating then becomes an empowered decision – one that contributes to health, well-being, and a deeper connection to Spirit.

If you are interested in learning more about your body and how it responds and communicates with you, open the door to listening…to observing…to feeling. The answer has been part of you all along.

Originally published in New Spirit Journal: http://issuu.com/newspiritjournal/docs/newspirit_journaljan10?mode=embed&layout=http%3A//www.newspiritjournal.com/issuu/white/layout.xml&showFlipBtn=true

New Class Offering

2009-09-25T09:04:00.000-07:00

Personal Sovereignty, Personal Freedom: Take Back the Ownership of Your Health

Let us talk of Care of Health, instead of healthcare.

Jenelle Strine and Robert Lester for a weekend of insight and wisdom that comes from around the globe and across time. Tap into the vitality that belongs to you, making you sovereign, giving you the ownership and empowerment of your health.

This workshop teaches ancient tools of traditional diet, nutrition, and movement for vitality and depth of experience. A traditional talking circle is the framework for the deep instructional material, and participants are directed to internal elements of exploration and discovery.

When we really examine our true health care, we are seeing our individual attempt to maintain personal well-being and sovereignty. There is no other workshop like this. This is not thought provoking, but life promoting.

In this class you will learn and experience:
Ancient understanding of movement and vitality
Traditional diets and food preparation methods
Vitality of Food
Self-healing Techniques
Personal and Internal Discovery
Group Exploration
Yoga
Qi Gong

When:
Saturday, October 24: 10am – 6pm
Sunday, October 25: 10am – 6pm

A follow-up meeting will be held on Saturday, December 5 from 2 – 6pm.

Where:
Seattle (location TBD based on attendance)

Cost:
$199

To register, visit http://www.vibranthorizons.com/.

Make Your Own Chemical-Free Lotions

2009-09-02T16:48:00.000-07:00

Making your own lotions is not only fun, but will prevent you from absorbing harmful chemicals often found in products found at the store. The skin is your largest organ and can absorb everything you put on it.

Chemicals that are often used in store-bought products include: parabens (mimic estrogen, preservative), triethanolamine (preservative), artificial fragrances, synthetic colors, and phthalates.

Fatty tissue can store these chemicals and may cause health problems when exposed to them over time. In the short term, the chemicals can cause allergic reactions like skin irritation, joint discomfort and headaches.

Here are two simple recipes for making your own products. They are easy to store in used glass jars or you can buy your own at a supply store. They make great gifts too!

Cleansing Oil / Dry Skin Oil
2 tbs. extra-virgin olive oil
2 small capsules vitamin E
20 drops lavender oil

Combine ingredients and shake well to blend. Keeps for 6 months; no refrigeration necessary.

Simple Creamy Lotion
10-14 tbs. olive oil
2 tbs. beeswax
2 tbs. coconut oil
1 tbs. cocoa butter
20 drops essential oil (optional)

In a saucepan over low heat, melt coconut oil, cocoa butter, and beeswax together. Add olive oil and stir to combine. (You may want to add more olive oil depending on the time of year and climate where you live; the cooler the temperature, the harder the lotion will be. Remove from heat and pour in storage containers. Add essential oil to each and stir. Let cool at room temperature. No refrigeration necessary. (Note: Once cooled, if it is too firm or soft, simply reheat and add more oil or beeswax.)

Nutty Zucchihi Bread

2009-08-29T14:24:00.000-07:00

3 eggs
1/2 c. rapadura (dehydrated cane sugar juice)
1 c. coconut oil
2 c. grated, unpeeled zucchini (packed)
2 3/4 c. sprouted grain flour
1/2 tsp. baking powder
1/2 tsp. making soda
1 tsp. salt
1 T. cinnamon
1/2 tsp. nutmeg
1/2 c. pecans (or other nut of your choice)

Cream first 4 ingredients. Stir in zucchini, the add dry ingredients and mix well. Bake in 2 loaf pans or 1 large cake pan at 350 degrees for 1 hour.

Recipe adapted from: Wholesome Home Cooking; Stoltzfus; 2008

High Fructose Corn Syrup: Friend or Foe?

2009-08-28T14:05:00.000-07:00

High Fructose Corn Syrup (HFCS) has dominated the news recently. Have you seen articles or news stories about the health threat posed by HFCS? TV commercials contend that high fructose corn syrup can be a safe and healthy alternative to sugar. Food manufacturers note that their products are made with sugar and not HFCS.

What are the facts? Health and nutrition experts often send conflicting messages. Vibrant Horizons is on your side to find and share the facts so you can decide for yourself.

HFCS is made by changing the sugar in corn starch (known as glucose) to fructose. This helps extend the shelf life of products and is a cheaper alternative to sugar. It is heavily processed and is often found in equally processed and de-natured foods. HFCS is metabolized into fat more rapidly than any other sugar and has been linked to obesity and type-2 diabetes.

Most of the corn used to make HFCS has been genetically modified, which is suggested to produce long-term side effects and potential allergic reactions. Additionally, at least one of the enzymes used to convert corn starch into fructose is genetically modified. A recent study published in Environmental Health stated that nearly half of commercial HFCS tested contained mercury, which has been linked to a number of nervous system disorders.

The important thing to know is that HFCS is found in many products including yogurt, soda, bread, crackers, muffins, etc. Because of this, many people are consuming a large amount of HFCS without realizing it. Per capita consumption of HFCS increased from less than one pound per person per capita to over 60 pounds from 1970 to 2000 annually. (USDA Economic Research Service)

Don’t be deceived by headlines on the front of packages. “Natural Whole Wheat Bread” may contain HFCS so be sure to check your food labels before buying any products.

Regardless what the media or anyone else tells us, the bottom line is: know your body. Consider what you consume and its effect on your health.

What is health-promoting for one person could be deadly for another. Pay attention to your body when you eat something. A tell tale sign of an allergy or reaction is an increased heart beat. If you have some sort of adverse reaction, it could very well be a signal to back off or away completely.

Begin to listen and pay attention to your body’s signals, and you will come to a new way of knowing what is truly “right” for you.

3 Simple Tips to Preparing and Storing Food Naturally

2009-08-21T16:59:00.000-07:00

1. Use a Toaster Oven in Place of Your Microwave

* Microwaves cause the molecules in food to vibrate at high speeds, creating friction and heat that destroys healthy vitamins and enzymes.
* Microwaves reduce the nutritional value of all foods/beverages heated inside.
* The chemical alterations may cause lymphatic malfunctions, which affect the body’s immune response.
* Microwaves may form free radicals which are atoms or molecules with unpaired electrons. They become highly reactive and are associated with oxidative damage (aging and cell damage), which is why antioxidants are so important to health and healing.
* People ingesting microwaved food show a higher-than-normal percentage of cancer cells in their blood.
* Studies have shown that humans, animals, and plants that are located within a 500-meter radius of an operational microwave show a decreased function in vital energy.

2. Use Stainless Steel or Cast Iron Pans
* Aluminum and tephlon cookware has been connected with brain disorders such as dementia, Alzheimer's, behavior abnormality, poor memory and impaired motor/visual coordination.

3. Seek Out Alternatives to Plastic
* Use glass storage containers to store food, like Pyrex, that can go from your freezer directly to your oven.
* After purchasing food stored in plastic from the grocery store, remove and repackage in glass or ceramic that is lead free.
* Always recycle one-time plastic containers; don’t reuse.
* Use stainless steel or glass water bottles for every-day use.
* Store flour, sugar, and other pantry items in glass containers. (Try reusing finished containers of almond butter or pickles.)
* Use a wooden cutting board.
* Use a wooden spatula.

Fall Health and Wellness Classes

2009-08-17T21:24:00.000-07:00

Visit http://www.vibranthorizons.com/Events.html for the fall class schedule! Nutrition, wellness, and health promotion classes are in the line-up!

There's a wonderful new class called CONNECTIONS: Health through Mindfulness, Movement, and Nutrition that will be held four times a week at a couple different locations. There are a number of topics for each class like "Increase Your Energy", "Reduce Low Back Pain", and "Calm Your Mind" to name a few. Check them out!

Bee Pollen – One of Nature’s Superfoods!

2009-08-17T21:20:00.000-07:00

Bee pollen contains more than 5,000 enzymes and coenzymes. Enzymes are powerful and life-promoting. Enzyme-rich foods = energy!

Bee pollen also contains 22 amino acids including the eight essential ones. Amino acids are important to sustaining energy, building blocks of proteins, and aid in metabolism. Bee pollen also has 27 minerals and an array of vitamins, hormones and fatty acids.

Been pollen has been used successfully to treat a variety of ailments including allergies, asthma, low energy, arthritis, cancer, and menstrual irregularities.

How to take bee pollen:
Start with a small amount and slowly build up to one tablespoon or so a day. Bee pollen as detoxifying effects and may provoke an allergic reaction for those taking it for the first time, so it is good to start off taking a small amount.

You can mix bee pollen in with your cereal or smoothies or add it in with your honey and spread it on toast.

Note: Be sure the bee pollen has not been dried at temperatures higher than 130 degrees because high temperatures deactivate the live, active enzymes.

Understanding Genetically Modified Organisms (GMOs)

2009-08-17T20:39:00.000-07:00

What does Genetically Modified mean?
· GMOs are created when genes are taken from one species of plant, animal, or virus and inserted into another species in order to produce a desirable trait (disease resistant crop).
· The long term effects are not known
· 30 countries have banned or propose to ban GMO crops (Japan and European countries)

Examples include:
Veggies with built-in pesticides
Coffee beans with altered caffeine content
Produce manipulated to extend shelf life (corn, wheat, peppers, and fruits)

Some examples of how GMOs are used:
· Rat and human genes in trout
· Spider genes in goats
· Mouse and human genes in potatoes
· Fish genes in tomatoes

Genetically Modified Products: Benefits and Controversies

Benefits
· Enhanced taste and quality
· Increased nutrients and stress tolerance
· Improved resistance to disease
· More efficient processing
· Increased food security for growing populations

Controversies
· Potential human health impacts – allergens, transfer of antibiotic resistance, unknown effects
· Labeling not mandatory in the United States

Top 5 Most Genetically Modified Foods:
Canola
Corn
Cottonseed
Soy
Sugar from Sugar Beets

How do you avoid Genetically Modified Foods?
Buy organic!

A Powerful Tool: Your Own Breath

2009-08-17T20:33:00.000-07:00

Consider the following: Your mind follows your breath and your body follows your mind. If you can focus on deepening and expanding your breath in times of stress or tension, your body will soften into a state of relaxation and your mind will become clear.

To breathe and take air into your lungs is called inspiration. To inspire is to bring in spirit and vitality into your body. Everything can change with just one breath. It is one of the most powerful tools you have when used consciously. Take a moment and recognize the power and strength within your own breath.