The cardiovascular system consists of the heart and blood vessels and is responsible for carrying nutrients and oxygen to the tissues and removing carbon dioxide and other waste from them. Diseases affecting the cardiovascular system include arteriosclerosis, coronary artery disease, heart valve disease, arrhythmia, heart failure, hypertension, orthostatic hypotension, shock, endocarditis, diseases of the aorta and its branches, disorders of the peripheral vascular system, and congenital heart disease. February is the American Heart Association’s Heart Health Awareness Month, emphasizing the importance of cardiovascular health and the dangers of cardiovascular disease.

Cardiovascular disease is the leading health threat with heart disease and stroke topping the list of the first and second leading causes of death worldwide. One out of every two men and one out of every three women will develop heart disease sometime in their life. Despite dramatic medical advances over the past fifty years, heart disease remains a leading cause of death globally and the number one cause of death in the United States. Cardiovascular disease is not just a man’s disease, in women, the condition is responsible for about 29% of deaths, reports the CDC. Although more men die of heart disease than women, females tend to be under diagnosed, often to the point that it’s too late to help them once the condition is discovered.

By integrating acupuncture and Oriental medicine into your heart healthy lifestyle, you can reduce your risk of cardiovascular disease by as much as 80%. Steps to prevention include managing high blood pressure and cholesterol, quitting smoking, eating healthy, maintaining a healthy weight, physical activity, reducing stress and improved sleep – all of which can be helped with acupuncture and Oriental medicine.

5 Steps to a Healthy Heart with Acupuncture

1. Manage High Blood Pressure

High blood pressure makes the heart work harder, increasing its oxygen demands and contributing to angina. This excessive pressure can lead to an enlarged heart (cardiomegaly), as well as damage to blood vessels in the kidneys and brain. It increases the risk of heart attacks, stroke and kidney disease.

Acupuncture has been found to be particularly helpful in lowering blood pressure. By applying acupuncture needles at specific sites along the wrist, inside the forearm or in the leg, researchers at the Susan Samueli Center for Integrative Medicine at the University of California, Irvine, were able to stimulate the release of opioids, which decreases the heart’s activity and thus its need for oxygen. This, in turn, lowers blood pressure.

2. Quit Smoking

Most people associate cigarette smoking with breathing problems and lung cancer. But did you know that smoking is also a major cause of coronary artery disease? In fact, about 20% of all deaths from heart disease are directly related to cigarette smoking.

Acupuncture has shown to be an effective treatment for smoking. Acupuncture treatments for smoking cessation focus on jitters, cravings, irritability, and restlessness – symptoms that people commonly complain about when they quit. It also aids in relaxation and detoxification.

3. Maintain a Healthy Weight

Obesity is associated with diabetes, high blood pressure and coronary artery disease, all of which increase the risk of developing heart disease, but studies have shown that excess body weight itself (and not just the associated medical conditions) can also lead to heart failure. Even if you are entirely healthy otherwise, being overweight still places you at a greater risk of developing heart failure.

Acupuncture and Oriental medicine are an excellent adjunctive tool when it comes to losing weight. They can help to energize the body, maximize the absorption of nutrients, regulate elimination, control overeating, suppress the appetite, and reduce anxiety.

4. Reduce Stress

Stress is a normal part of life, but if left unmanaged, stress can lead to emotional, psychological, and even physical problems, including heart disease, high blood pressure, chest pains, or irregular heart beats. Medical researchers aren’t exactly sure how stress increases the risk of heart disease. Stress itself might be a risk factor, or it could be that high levels of stress make other risk factors worse. For example, if you are under stress, your blood pressure goes up, you may overeat, you may exercise less, and you may be more likely to smoke.

Numerous studies have demonstrated the substantial benefits of acupuncture in the treatment of stress, anxiety and mental health. In addition to acupuncture, Oriental medicine offers a whole gamut of tools and techniques that can be integrated into your life to keep stress in check. These tools include Tui Na, Qi Gong exercises, herbal medicine, dietary therapy, meditations and acupressure that you can administer at home.

5. Improve Sleep

Poor sleep has been linked with high blood pressure, atherosclerosis, heart failure, heart attacks, stroke, diabetes, and obesity. Researchers have shown that getting at least eight hours of sleep is needed for good heart health and getting less than eight hours of sleep can put you at a greater risk for developing heart disease.

Acupuncture has shown great success treating a wide array of sleep problems without any of the side effects of prescription or over-the-counter sleep aids. The acupuncture treatments for problems sleeping focus on the root disharmony within the body that is causing the insomnia. Therefore, those who use acupuncture for insomnia achieve not only better sleep, but also an overall improvement of physical and mental health.

Many women (and men!) want to look younger but feel hesitant about taking drastic measures. Traditional facelifts often come with complications or an unnatural, “plastic-y” look. And many people are concerned about Botox being toxic or limiting facial expressions.

But there’s another option! For a fraction of the cost of a facelift, you can get an acupuncture facelift, which has little to no side effects and enhances what you already have, creating beautiful, natural-looking results.

Dr. Marina, who has been performing acupuncture facelifts for years, says it is a very old technique–in the Asian culture, it’s very important to take care of your skin.

How does it work? Quite simply, the acupuncture needles increase the flow of collagen and elastin to the skin’s surface. They immediately begin to lessen wrinkles and lines. In fact, you’ll likely see improvements after the very first session!

Most people need an initial 6-8 sessions to achieve full results. Then, you can enter maintenance and only have sessions a few times a year!

Check out Dr. Marina on FOX Carolina explaining the benefits of the acupuncture facelift and performing one on camera!

Worried that it will hurt? No worries. You’ll barely feel a thing, we promise!

Please give the video player a minute to load.

Want to learn more? Email us at info@greenvillenaturalhealth.com for more information or to schedule a free consultation. We can also be reached at (864) 370-1140.

Welcome to the first installment of Readers Talk Back!

Readers Talk Back is a series we’ll sometimes do on Wednesdays. Basically, we’ll ask YOU, the readers, a question on Facebook and Twitter, and combine the responses into a blog post that shows what the readers think about different topics.

Check our Facebook Page and Twitter feed regularly to be included in future posts! 

Here’s this week’s question:

“What supplements do you take? Or, if you don’t take any, why not?”

Read on for some of the answers we received:

From Facebook

• Vicy Wilkinson (Life Coaching Institute): “I take several Standard Process supplements daily: Cataplex, Catalyn, Trace Minerals (which I consider my “daily multi-vitamins”) on the recommendation from both Dr. Marina and my chiropractor (which has helped regain proper curvature in my neck and upper spine – goodbye scoliosis!). Recently, I have added a digestive enzyme (also a Standard Process supp.) to help aid digestion and nutrient absorption. Beyond that, I take L-Tyrosine and 5HTP supplements (not every day – as I feel like I need) to help mitigate some ADHD symptoms that still bother me in spite of all the other things I do to keep them in check. I also “take” about a teaspoon (little less) of organic unsulphured molasses 2-3 times a week (usually before sprint training), which is full of awesome stuff like iron, potassium and magnesium, to name a few.”
• Greg Spindler (Carolina Structural Energetic Therapy): “As a Soft Tissue practioner, I see many people under nourished with magnesium. Getting it through food sources first, then supplementation if needed, is critical for relaxation of muscles so they can repair/store themselves during rehab.”
• John Tyler Smith: “Creatine monohydrate, men’s multi-vitamin, protein/carb powder. Sometimes branched chain amino acids and HMB depending on my training. Those supplements also aid in strength and power gaining phases. I don’t buy any thermogenics during a weight loss phase due to an unrelated heart issue I had in the past.”
• Amanda Lynch Morris (The Spark): “I take vitamin E to help keep a fibrous cyst in check, flush-free niacin to help with slightly high cholesterol, blue-green algae because it’s a superfood, a multivitamin for women because I need the extra boost, and fish oil because it is good for your heart.”
• Kelly Jackson: “I take prenatal vitamins and straight folic acid tablets. I mix them up; take a prenatal Mon, folic tues, etc. Helps my kidneys and anemia. I also drink organic DHA milk. The DHA comes from plant sources.”
• Brandon Cabaniss: “I take fish oil and a whole food multi.”
• Crystal Farque Corr: “I take the Standard Process Endurance (Ligaplex II, Cataplex B, Cardio Plus and Catalyn) supplements and Nordic Naturals ProOmega with Vit. D3 in them. That covers all my bases on a normal day… then on days after a run, bike or swim, I add Standard Process Magnesium Lactate.”
• Katie Mullinax (Powered by Hummus): “I take Digest made by Transformation Enzyme Corp. (got it at Greenville Natural Health Center upon Dr. Ponton’s recommendation), which has enzymes to improve digestion. I take it because my body is sensitive to certain things I eat, such as salty, gluten-y or highly-acidic foods. It’s really helping! I also take probiotics and a sublingual B12 supplement and sometimes use hemp protein powder and flax mill.”

From Twitter

• Ellen Cornutt (@efcornutt): “I take a B-12 vitamin for metabolism and energy and gummy multi-vitamins because I’m basically a kid.”
• Kelly Meerbott (@KellyAMeerbott): “I take Vitamin D & Pre-Natal Packs (no, I’m not pregnant) from Biotics Research. Cayenne Pepper & Glucosamine from Standard Process.”

Didn’t get to respond to this week’s question? No problem! In the comments below, tell us what supplements YOU take. Or, if you don’t take any, why not?

Executive Speech Coach Deb Sofield

“First impressions last forever.”

“It only takes a few seconds for someone to make up their mind about you.”

We’ve all heard–and experienced–these statements. We know that first impressions count. They count on job interviews, first dates, dinner parties, meeting the in-laws and, really, anywhere.

So how can we make good–and lasting–first impressions?

We decided to pick Deb Sofield’s brain for the answers. Deb is an executive life coach based out of Greenville, and she’s basically an institution.

She is president of her own executive speech and presentations coaching company and has won a slew of awards, including the Order of the Palmetto, the state of South Carolina’s highest honor, and the prestigious Toastmasters District 58 Communication and Leadership Award for the state of South Carolina. Additionally, she’s been on the faculty at Harvard, Yale, Loyola, USC, Clemson and Furman, and she’s been actively involved in local government.

Clearly, Deb is highly qualified to give us advice! Read on to learn how to make a positive and lasting first impression:

GNHC: When we meet someone new for the first time, how are we judged by that person?

DS: Typically, you are judged based on three “surface” impressions. First, they’ll have an overall immediate visual impression–how you look. Second, you are judged by how you sound–the tone and tenor of your voice. And finally you are judged by what you say–the words you use. These three clues–the visual, the vocal, and the verbal–communicate much about you and for good or bad, and people will make a “first impression” based on those three impressions.

GNHC: What parts of a first impression can we control, and which can’t we control?

DS: You can control every aspect of yourself. Your smile, warm handshake and friendly demeanor tell a lot about you… remember people “see” more than what they “hear.” So let them “see” your smile and easy going manner. Don’t get tangled in your sad self esteem issues. Get up and shake yourself off and be the best you can be and the person we always hoped you would be. Don’t fall in the trap of you can’t control it. Get off the couch, push back from the dinner table, take care of yourself inside and out. Don’t you deserve it? I say YES!

GNHC: Which matters more in a first impression: looks or actions?

DS: I’m going to go with actions. Kindness is the number one issue I look for in someone. If you’re not kind, I’m not interested. You can be great looking, but if your actions aren’t pretty on the inside, then no amount of plastic surgery, perfume or makeup can change your outside. It’s bound to show through. I do the interview work in the pageant business, and I always ask my Miss SC contestants, how will the judge know you’re pretty on the inside? And it always comes down to actions. Because they really do speak louder than words.

GNHC: What can a shy or nervous person do to make sure the other person doesn’t take control of a meeting?

DS: I remind my audiences that for most of them, they have been invited to the meeting. So show up. All of your being needs to be in the present, in the moment and comfortable in your skin. So, let’s think about this. If you were invited to the meeting, then someone thinks you have something to say… out loud (not a whisper). So let your voice be heard. Let me give you some ideas to be heard… not easy mind you, but necessary. If you’re being cut off by someone else from your conversation, here is what you do:

1. Increase the volume of your voice as you continue talking. Gently be a little louder so they know you’re not done yet…
2. Hold up your index finger sort of like a yield sign to the clueless. And if that does not work…simply say–
3. Out loud Hold it…let me finish this thought.

Not easy to do, but since you have the right to speak and be heard, I strongly encourage you to do so!

GNHC: What are your top tips for making not just a positive impression but a lasting one, as well?

DS: Mark Twain said it best: “Kindness is a language, which the deaf can hear and the blind can see.”

I know I keep going to kindness, but in this world that is so angry and mean and hostile, the only way to defuse the uproar is to quiet the spirit and soul. As a national speaker and trainer in my sessions, I can see that people are searching for a word, a nugget of wisdom, or a new line of thought to bolster their confidence, settle their soul and allow them to breath… deeply.

A positive impression is nice… but a lasting impression is unforgettable. Think about people you’ve met one time and can still remember how they made you feel (not what they said) how they made YOU feel. I can guess that they made you feel important, like you’re the only one that mattered and that they seemed to care. And years later–you remember that.

GNHC: Do you think it’s normally better to take the other person’s lead or to be the leader?

DS: You’re kidding me right?

Be the leader. In this world where so many people are looking for leadership, let it be you that sets the course to run the race to finish with success. Now more than ever we need to set an example for others to follow. And we set that course by using our God-given gifts and talents to be the very best we can be.

GNHC: What role can coaching play in making the best impression possible?

DS: Coaching gives you another perspective that you can’t see. You’re probably better than you think you are (especially my female clients). A coach can wake you up and help you get on the path you were meant to walk. Executive speech coaching is not for everyone, but if you want to make your next presentation something to remember you probably need some help in crafting your message. You should speak to be repeated and remembered… otherwise you’re just chattering in the wind.

When asked what I do–I simply say–I help people find their voice and learn to use it. And when you speak and people really listen–that is best impression possible.

Thanks for having me–have me back anytime.

Deb Sofield is a dynamic keynote speaker and corporate presentations coach who trains women and men for success in speaking, presentation skills and message development in the U.S. and abroad. She can be reached at www.debsofield.com.

Actively involved in her community, Sofield represents the City of Greenville as Chairman for the Commission of Public Works for the Water System and is the first woman to hold this position since its inception in 1918. Sofield was formerly a member of Greenville City Council, where she holds one of the highest vote victories in a district City election by overwhelmingly winning every precinct.

Online soul coach Kelly Canull

It’s no secret that meditation is calming and helps reduce stress, making you happier and healthier. But how does meditation work, and what’s the best way to do it? To get the answers, we invited online soul coach Kelly Canull of An Inward Journey to give the scoop on all things meditation.

Each and every one of us already possesses the power to radically transform our lives.

Exactly what is transformed depends on the yearnings of your very unique soul. How we begin to make that transformation, though, requires only that we be receptive to the change we wish to see in our lives. Through meditation, we gain access to the infinite spring that is our spirit, and with practice, we can embody its wisdom and love.

Meditation is incredibly beneficial. Among other things, it helps hone our power of concentration. By reducing stress, our health improves. We find that we gain perspective and learn to detach from the innumerable little problems that confound us and cause us anxiety. Most importantly, meditation helps us know ourselves – our true selves.

Meditation is a lifelong pursuit, but you can easily learn to do it. As with other things, its essence lies in its practice. There are many ways to meditate. With all of them, however, the goal is emptying the mind and opening up to the infinite inner spaces of the one cosmic consciousness. With yoga, the poses do not change – they only get deeper. The same is true with meditation. Learn the fundamentals first, and you’ll gradually go deeper.

How to meditate:

• Start by sitting comfortably, either cross-legged or in a chair. There is no one correct position as long as your back is straight and you are upright.
• It’s best to meditate in the quiet of the early morning.
• Heighten the atmosphere with a soft candle or incense, although this is not necessary.
• Begin to quiet your mind by focusing on only one thing. It may be the flame of the candle, a spot on the wall or motion of your natural breath. You may also recite a mantra – a word or phrase repeated over and over so that it becomes sacred to you. Whichever method you use, you are learning to concentrate your mind on precisely one thing.
• With practice, you’ll be able to maintain focus on one thing and – with more practice – empty your mind completely. This is the goal. Emptiness gives birth to insight, but it may not happen for a long time. Separate yourself from your thoughts and learn to throw them out of your mind when they arise.

Your thoughts are not the real you. They are a willing master, and until you learn that you are free already, you play the role of the willing slave.

Divine wisdom is not exclusive but available to each of us. Through meditation, we learn to empty our minds and experience the freedom that is our birthright.

Kelly Canull is an online soul coach based out of Boulder, CO. Learn more about the soul coaching benefits and how an inward journey could benefit you at her site, An Inward Journey.

Happy Cow Creamery in Pelzer, S.C. is aptly titled–the cows are indeed happy.  When we visited, a few cows were nuzzling their caretakers. Some lazily roamed in the pastures or napped, and others wandered up to the barn, got in line and patiently waited to be milked.

Also happy are the countless customers who drive in from surrounding cities–and even states–for Happy Cow’s wide selection of healthy milks, cheeses and other products.

Owner Tom Trantham (AKA “Farmer Tom”) says that’s because he stays focused on 3 things: quality products, fair prices and good service.

“Now think about how many stores there are where you can get all three,” he wonders aloud.

The quality of Happy Cow’s products is truly unique, and there’s quite a story behind it.

Trantham’s 12 Aprils Dairy

In 1986, Trantham saw the worst drought in over 100 years, and he was almost in foreclosure, considering bankruptcy, because his crops were down so much. In ’87, Trantham, who had been using conventional farming methods, went to the bank to borrow money in the hope of buying chemicals to salvage his then-struggling farm. However, he was denied the loan, and when his thin cows jumped the fence into an adjacent wild field, he thought he was finished.

To his great surprise, the cows thrived after eating the rich wild April forage. Milk production went up, and his cows were healthier than ever. So he let them out to graze again and noticed something interesting: The cows were only eating the top halves of the plants.

He later discovered that this is because the top halves contain cellulose, which has 22% protein, while the bottom halves contain lictin, which is only 6-8% protein. The cows only eat the part that is digestible and nutritious–the part containing cellulose. When eating hay before, they’d been eating the whole plant. Hay was not good for the cows.

Eating April forage, however, was the best nutrition they could get. Trantham says that the most beautiful grass and food grows in April, when the cows are thin from winter, pregnant and ready to calve. By late April and into early May, when the 75-100 pound calves were born, they got up and suckled their mothers who had produced great milk from the rich April forage. They were able to run with the herd in less than an hour.

One of Trantham's cows asking to be milked.

After that, Trantham decided he wanted to feed his cows organic April forage year-round, so he built 29 paddocks, planting different things all the time. He doesn’t till the fields and there are thousands of earthworms. It’s like April year-round in terms of plant growth. He rotates the cows through the paddocks, and by the time they cycle back to the first paddock, the forage has grown back.

The cows are not confined and enjoy natural shade and water in the paddocks. They’re not injected with growth hormones or fed antibiotics, and Trantham says he hasn’t used chemicals or chemical fertilizers in more than 20 years. The only fertilizer he uses comes from the cows!

He says his sustainable farming practices are why he has “the best milk in the country.”

The country agrees with him. He’s gained widespread acclaim for his 12 Aprils Dairy system and says soil scientists and agronomists have come from all over the country to study his soil, and Utah State University has studied the nutrition of his milk. Trantham was the national winner of the Patrick Madden Award for the Sustainable Farmer of the Year in ’02. Other farmers regularly visit Happy Cow so that they can map their practices after his, and his method has been studied in classrooms because of the high yield and quality it produces.

Udder-ly Nutritious

Happy Cow milk isn’t just more ethical and eco-friendly, it’s also more nutritious.

The milk, which has been tested by Utah State University, contains up to 4 times more CLAs (conjugated linoleic acids) than conventional milk. CLA, a cancer fighting agent, is an essential fatty acid (found in the butter fat of milk) and is not produced by the human body. Trantham says the higher CLA-levels occur because his cows are not confined and are not under stress. In other words, it’s because they’re happy.

Trantham in the pasteurizing room.

Trantham only sells whole milk because he says that 60% of the nutritional value of milk–like CLAs–are in milk cream.

Another healthy aspect of Happy Cow milk is that it’s not homogenized. Trantham explains that homogenizing, or ultra heating, destroys the purity of milk. “Homogenizing milk destroys cells; our bodies don’t even recognize it,” he explains.

While most major companies homogenize their milk to increase shelf life and, consequently revenue, Trantham says it’s not unnecessary. Unlike those companies, which transport unrefrigerated milk cross-country, Happy Cow milk only travels 48 feet, from the barn to the pasteurizing room, where it’s only heated to 145 degrees, preserving the milk’s natural good-for-you enzymes. After that, the milk is pumped downstairs to the jugs in the bottling room and then carried in crates to an adjacent walk-in freezer. So in addition to not being homogenized, the milk also leaves a much smaller carbon footprint.

His products also have more balanced levels of Omega 6 and Omega 3 and contain increased levels of beta-carotene and natural forms of Vitamins A and D. Additionally, the milk is guaranteed to be rGBH-free. Trantham claims that his milk reduces body fat and lowers cholesterol and that conventional milk does just the opposite.

Happy Cows Make Happy Customers

Trantham says his cows are handled carefully while being milked and that the cows’ health is more important than production because if the cows get sick it wouldn’t be good for the customers. So happy cows make happy customers!

Farmer Tom takes a break to pose with a young, satisfied customer visiting the farm.

He cites several anecdotes where his milk has made customers healthier. He says that one woman with breast cancer drank straight cream for nearly a month and her cancer went away. A family friend of his drank 3 gallons of Happy Cow milk a week and lost 47 pounds. Six years later, that friend still drinks a gallon a week and hasn’t gained the weight back and says he’d walk to get Happy Cow if that’s what it took.

Here are testimonials from two more satisfied customers:

“Since I started drinking only Happy Cow milk, my cholesterol has gone down. My doctor said, “Your blood work is like a teenager!” I’m 57. We drive 40 miles to buy this milk. But I pay nothing for the medicine I no longer need!” – Barbara in Greenwood

“Happy Cow gave me my taste buds back. Their milk and other products remind me of what dairy products used to taste like 45 years ago. What a difference in flavor! I used to suffer from acid reflux (for 20 years), but once I started drinking Happy Cow milk and eating the cheese and sour cream, I’ve had no acid reflux in a year and a half.” – Spence in Williamston

Happy Cow is one of the few places in the country that can boast such a good product. Mega farms are on the rise, and smaller productions like Trantham’s are on the decrease. He says that there were more than 500 dairies in South Carolina when he began farming in 1978. Now there are only 84 in the whole state with only 1 in Greenville and Pickens County: his.

More Than Milk

In the Happy Cow store, more than just whole milk is available. Lots more.

Trantham claims that the chocolate milk is to die for and proudly explains that the strawberry milk only contains pure strawberry extract, beet juice for color (no artificial dyes are used) and cane sugar–a sharp contrast to the lengthy ingredients lists found in the dairy sections of many grocery stores.

The ice cream has 4% more cream than the conventional variety (increasing the nutritional value), has no artificial flavors or coloring and, like the milk, isn’t homogenized.

Trantham’s butter is extremely popular. He says that he sells more at his store than any other store in the state of South Carolina and attributes his success to the good-for-you fats present in his products.

Cheese lovers, rejoice! The store has more than 70 varieties of cheese, including tomato-basil cheddar, Wisconsin and cream cheese. Trantham explains that the 13-year-old aged cheddar is especially good and contains no grade B milk like many products on the market do.

In addition to Happy Cow products, Trantham takes great pride in supporting other local farmers and businesses and boasts such offerings as no-sugar added jams, local honey (some from the hives on his farm), pure vintage popcorn and American Classic Tea (produced in Charleston), along with meats, seafood, grains, a variety of produce and many other staples. View the full list of products available at Happy Cow.

Happy Cow in Numbers

• Trantham has been dairying for 33 years, and has done it the all-natural way for more than 23.
• There are currently 88 cows, and Happy Cow tries to not exceed 90.
• The farm has 170 acres of pasture, 20 acres of woods and 10 acres reserved for ponds, wildlife and roads.
• The 5,700 feet of geo-textile roads are specially designed so that cows can easily walk on them, even when wet.

Where to Buy

You can visit Happy Cow’s store on 332 McKelvey Road in Pelzer on Mondays through Fridays from 9-7 and Saturdays from 9-5.

Don’t feel like driving to Pelzer? No worries! While most customers visit the Happy Cow store, there are more than 40 wholesalers who sell Happy Cow products, including several stores throughout the Upstate, such as Whole Foods Market, Fresh Market and Earth Fare. View the full list of stores carrying Happy Cow products, as well as restaurants using them (like Stella’s in Simpsonville).

Want to get in touch with Happy Cow? Visit Happy Cow’s website and join the more than 4,300 followers on the Happy Cow Facebook Page.

Tell Us

Have you ever tried Happy Cow products? If so, what’s your favorite product?

Today we’ve got a special guest poster! We invited Sharon Hadden, Managing Editor of Natural Awakenings Upstate, to give the scoop on how to use Natural Awakenings to get healthy. After you read this article, why not pick up the latest issue of Natural Awakenings in Greenville Natural Health Center’s lobby? It’s free!

As the New Year progresses, we’re all wondering how we’ll ever accomplish our 2012 healthy living resolutions with new jobs, new hobbies and new responsibilities. Of course, you want that beach body and a more positive outlook on life, but what are you supposed to do, skip lunch and meditate on your lunch break? Of course not! Instead, pick up a copy of Natural Awakenings magazine.

Here’s your lucky number seven on how to use it as your guide to healthy living and a healthy planet:

1. Read It, Then Live It.

Our articles are inspirational pieces. Read every last one of them, especially the health briefs They’re packed full of “do’s and don’ts” when it comes to living an eco-friendly lifestyle.

2. And the Winner Is…

Our community spotlight showcases a business or organization that is doing what it takes to help improve each individual’s overall quality of life. The services and products advertised in our magazine are the premier wellness providers and practitioners in our area. We give them the gold medal, so check them out and see what rewards they have for you and your family.

3. Subscribe.

The monthly newsletter is a great, hassle-free way to receive information about events in the Upstate and instant access to our online publications. Let us do the work for you. Visit our website, and get healthy today.

4. Connect.

“The Wave,” our Healthy Living, Healthy Planet awareness initiative, gives you round-the-clock access to our staff, resources and information through Facebook and Twitter. We use social media to educate you about what’s going on in the world, whether it’s a new natural therapy or an eco-friendly Living Social deal!

5. Find People Like You.

Imagine you’re going on a “no-buy” month, with the goal of decreasing your credit card debt, and all of your closest friends still want to partake in a Saturday morning shopping ritual. Natural Awakenings Healthy Living in the Upstate is a Meetup group that connects you with other individuals that are trying to achieve the same goal, healthy living.

6. iPhone? iPad? No Problem.

Natural Awakenings just launched an app that allows you to view magazines, articles, healthy living resources and more not only in your area, but nationally! So, the next time your on vacation and want to find a restaurant that supports your gluten-free diet, you won’t have to rely on Google’s reviews. You’ll have the Natural Awakenings seal of approval.

7. Still Lost?

The letter from the publisher is a good start to finding your way through the magazine. It always gives a preview of what we think will be most helpful to our readers.

Self-proclaimed “natural-preneur” Sharon Hadden is the Managing Editor of Natural Awakenings, Upstate Edition. She is a creative addition to their team with a passion for writing and  an artistic approach to communications. Her favorite thing about Natural Awakenings is the Calendar of Events. Connect with her on Twitter.

Alfred Olivetti of On On Tri

Greenville resident Alfred Olivetti is committed to fitness. Really, really committed.

His race history includes 4 ironmans, 10 marathons (2 Bostons) and countless triathlons. Alfred began his triathlon career in 1996 while earning a doctoral degree at West Virginia University. And that was it. He was hooked.

After graduation, he opened 2 triathlon stores in South Carolina, eventually selling one and keeping the other, On On Tri. On On Tri is a Greenville business dedicated to providing triathletes, runners and cyclists the equipment and knowledge they need to meet their athletic goals.

Alfred explains that his knowledge of products, training, injury prevention and all-things triathlon and running stems from his own training experiences, as well as his hands-on service to athletes through his business. He especially has a knack for fitting running shoes, bike-fit and positioning and leading triathlon camps and clinics.

He kindly shared his expertise with GNHC:

GNHC: With the new year, many people are resolving to finally get fit. What’s the best way for non-exercisers to get started with cycling?

AO: I suggest joining a local/neighborhood group ride that has some friends–or welcomes newcomers–so that it’s less intimidating and more of a good time. It’ll also give you the opportunity to learn some of the “rule of the road” for cycling.

Also, a great option is joining a spin class at a YMCA or other fitness facility. This will offer the opportunity to build strength and confidence before hitting the road for the real-time experience.

GNHC: What’s the biggest mistake (or mistakes) that you see new fitness enthusiasts make?

AO: The biggest mistake is treating fitness as a destination and not a journey or process. Fitness is a lifestyle, not a goal to be discarded once achieved. Take the long road and don’t get pigeonholed into a single sport. Experience everything, and find out what you enjoy the most–this will ensure longevity.

“Fitness is a lifestyle, not a goal to be discarded once achieved.”

Another mistake is believing that there are absolutes in the world of fitness. There is no absolute way to gain fitness; everyone is different and requires a unique approach. Learn what works for you and make it a priority in your life.

GNHC: Having a goal in mind like a competitive event can be great training motivation. What kind of training is involved to get in good enough shape to participate in a triathlon?

AO: Triathlon training involves adequate time in the pool swimming and doing drills, cycling on the road or on a trainer and running. Training programs should be unique to the individual based on his or her strengths and weaknesses–and, upon the time available to train. Don’t think you have to be in your best shape to participate– just get to where you can avoid injury and enjoy the experience. Then, the triathlons will feed upon themselves, and you’ll find yourself doing more and more.

GNHC: What does Greenville offer to runners and cyclists that’s unique?

AO: Above all, Greenville facilitates a healthy lifestyle –whether through the Swamp Rabbit Trail system, the bike lanes, the countless sporting events, and the numerous group activities hosted by the retail outfits that cater to the athletes. It’s the attitude in Greenville that fitness is a priority that makes a difference. I hear it from visitors all the time–”Greenville just makes you want to exercise”–especially when you go out for a run or ride and see hundreds of others doing the same thing.

“I hear it from visitors all the time–”Greenville just makes you want to exercise”–especially when you go out for a run or ride and see hundreds of others doing the same thing.”

GNHC: If you had to recommend just one product for new runners and one for new cyclists, what must-have items would you recommend?

AO: For runners, the proper footwear is paramount. That’s why our niche of fitting people in proper running shoes is so valuable.

For cyclists, it can be something a simple as a good tune up on their bike so that it operates easier and makes for a more enjoyable ride–or, maybe a good pair of cycling shorts so their “tush has more cush.”

GNHC: I notice that your own fitness history is very impressive, filled with ironmans, triathlons and marathons! I’m so curious: What does your exercise schedule look like most weeks?

AO: My exercise schedule is very sporadic, which is my downfall. I wish it were more consistent. But with daughters of 5 months and 4 years, wife, business, events, etc. (you know the story), life gets in the way.

That said, in triathlon season I try to run 4 times per week, cycle 3-4 times per week and swim 2 times per week. In running season, I try to run 5 times per week and cycle 2 times per week. I sprinkle some strength workouts in when time allows.

About On On Tri

With leading brands and cutting-edge items you won’t find anywhere else, On On Tri is a leader in the multisport community, a one-stop-shop for triathletes, runners and cyclists. The store is located at 400 E McBee Ave., Ste. 104, Greenville.

Your Turn

What are your fave fitness-friendly spots in the beautiful Upstate?

Acufinder provides an extensive list of the conditions acupuncture can help, including infertility, chronic back pain, high blood pressure, depression and much more.

So shouldn’t this time-tested treatment be affordable and available to the majority?

We think so, and so does the American Association of Acupuncture and Oriental Medicine (AAAOM), which is trying to get acupuncture included in the Affordable Care Act as an Essential Health Benefit. From the AAAOM’s website:

“The Affordable Care Act, passed by Congress and signed into law by President Obama in March 2010, affords patients better access to care, insurance-covered options, a patient’s bill of rights, and much more. Following the adoption of this act, Department of Health and Human Services Secretary Kathleen Sebelius requested the support of the Institute of Medicine (IOM) in recommending which services should be considered “essential health benefits” for Americans.

 

AAAOM has inaugurated a task force comprised of board members, student organization members and legal counsel. It has also submitted a white paper to IOM identifying acupuncture as cost-effective, safe and effective and substantiating it as essential for inclusion in the recommendations made to Secretary Sebelius.

 

The efforts made by the AAAOM task force support this unique opportunity to be regarded as equal and essential as all other allopathic services currently available to patients nationwide. This is our call to the table, along with all other respected health care services in the United States health care system.

 

We believe your endorsement will help this innovative, time-tested form of treatment become an essential part of our ever-changing health care landscape and will allow Americans lead healthier and more fulfilled lives. Please help us in allowing every American to become healthy and productive citizens.”

Take Action Now

Will you take just a minute of your time to contact Health and Human Services Secretary Kathleen Sebelius to ask her to support acupuncture?

Simply go to this page on AAAOM’s site, tweak the form letter as you’d like, fill in a few details and send. Super easy!

Thank you for your support.

Tell Your Friends

Share this post using the social media buttons below so that your friends and family can also support this important cause.

Have you ever wondered what the supplements are for or what makes them better than the stuff you find on the grocery store shelves?

Wanting to go straight to the source for the answers, I recently interviewed Dr. Bryan Muth, Wellness Chiropractor at Standard Process.

Dr. Muth treats nearly 150 patients a week in his chiropractic practice. What is unusual about his practice is its location. His office is in the corporate headquarters of whole food manufacturer Standard Process. Interesting, right?

Passionate about fitness and nutrition, he is also a personal trainer and part of the health and wellness team at Standard Process, which facilitates the company’s award-winning health and wellness program. The program focuses on prevention and education to empower Standard Process employees to make healthier lifestyle choices. Very cool.

As an experienced medical professional at Standard Process, as well as a self-proclaimed fitness buff and health food lover, Dr. Muth is the perfect person to give us the scoop on supplements:

GNHC: Balance is key to good health, so what role do you feel supplements should play in the average person’s life?

BM: Whole food supplements are exactly that; they should supplement what is lacking in your diet. If you eat a very clean and healthy diet full of organic fruits and vegetables and eat free-range, grass-fed meat, you should be fine. On the other hand, if you don’t eat vegetables, then you probably need to supplement for all the nutrition veggies give you. I think every person needs some sort of whole food supplement nowadays.

“If you eat a very clean and healthy diet full of organic fruits and vegetables and eat free-range, grass-fed meat, you should be fine. On the other hand, if you don’t eat vegetables, then you probably need to supplement for all the nutrition veggies give you. I think every person needs some sort of whole food supplement nowadays.”

I have a few gold standards I recommend to most people. They include a good quality multi-vitamin and trace mineral, Omega-3s and vitamin D. Some people also require a pre/probiotic for digestion or something to support their immune system. Because every person has their unique needs, I recommend they discuss their individual needs with their own health care provider.

GNHC: As a follow up, do you think it’s possible for an individual to meet every nutritional need without supplements?

BM: Fifty years ago, our diets were much different and many people grew what they were going to eat. Back then we didn’t have as many of the processed, empty calorie and nutritionally lacking foods as we do now. When was the last time the average person had liver for dinner?

We are eating more and more, but we are getting less and less out of our foods. Plus, in some cases, even when people are eating vegetables, agricultural practices have stripped the soil of the much-needed nutrition they once had. That’s why we grow many ingredients used in Standard Process supplements at our certified organic farm.

GNHC: What makes Standard Process different from other brands, such as those on the shelf at the grocery store or superstore?

BM: Our product is a whole food supplement which is grown on our certified organic farm in Wisconsin. I am personally at the farm with the employees, so I know the hard work that goes into growing and maintaining the crops.

On a daily basis, I work with employees of every department in the company. I have watched as beets that have been in the field are harvested, juiced and dried, then transported a mile from the farm to our facility where they are processed, mixed/milled, tableted/pressed, then packaged and shipped out to our customers.

Standard Process's organic farm in Wisconsin

We have several internal/external audits, and quality and control checks, and we follow all good manufacturing practices (GMP) guidelines established by the FDA for dietary supplements. Each tablet is checked up to six times before it leaves the factory. It is amazing when you see one supplement go from “seed to supplement.” Standard Process is truly as superior product. I’d recommend you come see the fields in May or June.

GNHC: I’d love to visit someday!

GNHC: If you had to recommend one of your products, which one would you pick and why?

BM: With so many great products, it would be hard to choose one. That being said, it is the time of the year when I leave the office for continuing education and seminars, so I am on the road a lot. Recently Standard Process introduced SP Complete single convenience packs. SP Complete is part of our Purification Program, but I like to use it for a daily shake for a snack or between meals.

On the go I add one pack of SP Complete and 8oz of water in a shaker mug and I’m set. If you require more protein, like me, add one SP Complete packet and one Whey Pro Complete packet with 10-12oz of water. This makes a great shake for pre/post workout or between meals packed with 25g of protein!

GNHC: Winter can be a tough time for many people health-wise. So what can we do to stay well when the weather turns cold?

BM: There are several whole food supplements that can help support your immune system for the cold season. Vitamin D is always a good place to start, and research shows garlic can also support your immune system. Standard Process has a few products that are my gold standard for my patients during the cold/flu season:

• Epimune is a new product which contains vitamin C, zinc, and maitake and turkey tail mushrooms, all of which help to support different aspects of the immune response and enhances the body’s immunity.
• Andrographis Complex is an herbal supplement containing echinacea, holy basil and andrographis, all 3 help to support healthy immune functions.
• For a sore throat, Herbal Throat Spray works wonderful! This spray helps support the respiratory tract tissues and soothes a sore throat. This spray is one of my staples through the winter season.

All three–Epimune, Andrographis Complex and Herbal Throat Spray–are from vegetarian sources and gluten free.

GNHC: It’s always fun to see what the professionals do at home! We’d love to know: What does your diet and supplement regimen look like?

BM: My diet can vary during the year to help me achieve my personal goals.

Here is my current typical diet at around 2,700 calories: