Health Nut Shortcuts

More Industrial Food Facts Revealed ~ Food, Inc

sue@healyourbest.com (Sue H) — Sun, 26 Jul 2009 15:56:00 +0000

A while back I wrote about the movie, King Corn, in which the two guys from the big city leased an acre in Iowa to grow corn. They wanted to know all about where our food actually comes from and be part of the process.

Kim Klaver, part owner of Whole Food Nation, just shared in her blog the following movie clip which shows how food has been so industrialized that it isn't actually food as we know it. Check it out...

So if you watched that and are as intrigued as I am, you can visit the official FoodIncMovie.com site, then Google it for local theater times. It's playing near me, think I'll go this weekend to get out of this heat.

HealthNutShortcuts is looking for easy ways to eat the right things while trying to avoid food-like substances that aren't really even food.

Antioxidants ~ Nature's Age Avengers

sue@healyourbest.com (Sue H) — Sat, 18 Jul 2009 07:42:00 +0000

Everyone wants to grow old gracefully. Some go under the knife to get that youthful look while others opt for a more natural way to maintain that healthful glow. The way to make peace with age can be found in the types of foods that we eat and the miracle ingredient they contain.

This hidden “miracle” is called antioxidants. They have graced the pages of magazines, medical journals and every product from hand cream to supplement pills. But what are antioxidants and what can they do to keep you looking your best?

Antioxidants are substances that fight the aging process that goes on in your body. They are not produced by the body so to get the benefit of these power-packed substances you must ingest them. A variety of foods contain antioxidants.

Let’s go back to the beginning. The body continually replenishes its cells. Through a process called cellular metabolism, the body produces energy, more cells and repairs any damage. One by-product of cellular metabolism is unstable molecules called free radicals.

Free radicals are molecules that damage your body. They are unstable because they are missing an electron. To get another one and become stable, free radicals will steal electrons from cells. That theft damages the cells in a variety of ways.

The results are visible and invisible changes to our bodies. The development of diseases like cancer, diabetes, arthritis and neurological deficiencies may begin to affect you as you age. Also, thinner skin wrinkles and brittle bones are a problem. Free radicals enter our body from outside sources as well: cigarette smoke, radiation and the sun’s UV rays. The more free radicals we encounter, the greater the damage that can be done.

Antioxidants have been shown to be of great help in the free radical problem. Antioxidant substances combine with free radicals and neutralize them. Once they are neutralized, they can no longer do any damage. Scientists don’t have any idea of a recommended daily dose of antioxidants to correct free radical damage and the diseases that come with age, but they do know that eating foods rich in antioxidants makes a huge difference in how we live.

Where do you find antioxidants? They are all around us. Look no further than your local farmer’s market or produce aisle in the grocery store. Fruits and vegetables contain the principle sources of antioxidants.

Examples of antioxidants include:
* Vitamin C
* Vitamin A
* Vitamin E
* Lutein
* Lycopene
* Beta-carotene

Certain minerals like zinc and selenium also function in the body. They are not antioxidants but they boost the immune system to fight against free radical damage.

Antioxidants are also found in nuts, legumes, cold water fish, seafood and red meat. So, eating a varied diet of fruits, vegetables and the foods just named will increase the amount of antioxidants in your system and help reduce the incidence of disease. Eating fruits and vegetables in their natural form instead of juices brings the benefit of other nutrients found in the foods. Juices also contain a lot of sugar that is not needed by your body.

While you might find your local pharmacy and supermarket shelves lined with bottles of vitamin pills which claim to contain antioxidants, it is not just the alphabetical list of ingredients that we need to keep us feeling and looking youthful. We need the whole food, not just the isolated vitamins and minerals, to get the greatest benefits. That is why the daily supplements we take need to be carefully chosen. Lab created vitamins often lack the phytonutrients and other substances found in the original source, so look for a daily supplement that is made from whole foods, not synthetic lab-goo.

HealthNutShortcuts is on the lookout for easy ways to eat things that help us look and feel younger, longer.

Check out The Pops, little capsules filled with dried whole foods (minus the fiber and water), if you are looking for daily antioxidant supplements.

10 Affirmations for Making Healthy Food Choices

sue@healyourbest.com (Sue H) — Thu, 09 Jul 2009 14:32:00 +0000

When you have "convenience" food bombarding you from every direction, it can be difficult to choose options that give your body the nourishment it needs. However, if you have daily reminders and effective tools at your disposal, you just may find that eating the right foods and feeding your body the best fuels becomes a lot easier. Of course, there will always be temptation, but when you equip yourself with anti-temptation tools, you will be able to quickly re-focus your mind on your greater goal of getting healthy!

Using Affirmations to Make the Healthy Food and Nutrition Choices

When everyone around you at the office is indulging in burgers, fries, and sugary drinks, it's awfully tempting to join in, isn't it? But what if you could stop that temptation in its tracks and actually choose to make a healthy choice? You don't need me to tell you that fatty and sugary choices are not the kinds of food that your body needs - you need to tell yourself!

It can be hard in moments of temptation to make the right choice, but with the help of positive affirmations, you can re-train your brain to replace the desire for junk food with healthy choices. Affirmations can help you stick to your diet, say no to temptation, and eat nourishing and satisfying foods. How? By replacing the negative spiral of thoughts in your mind with powerful, positive ones.

But first you have to believe that it is possible to gain control over your thirsts, desires, and cravings. The first step in making a lasting change in your life is to make the commitment to success. Are you committed? Do you believe that you can overcome your cravings? Once you've set your commitment in stone, you're ready to learn the top 10 affirmations to get you through moments of weakness.

Top 10 Food and Nutrition Affirmations

Before reading the list below, you should know that affirmations are most successful when you internalize the saying and repeat it frequently. Whether you're having a good or bad day, you need to be constantly repeating these positive statements in your mind. Temptation will strike when you least expect it, so it's better to be prepared!

1. I can neutralize bad habits with good food, exercise, and healthy living.

2. I am proud to reach out to my support network instead of leaning on food for comfort.

3. I am losing weight for me because I love me.

4. I set aside time just for me.

5. My good health and productivity are the rewards for the nourishing foods I eat.

6. Weight gain happens over time, so my weight loss equally requires time, patience, and lifestyle changes.

7. I use self-care, not self-control.

8. The more I take care of myself, the better I feel.

9. I am firmly committed to staying active and healthy.
10. I deserve a healthy body and mind.

When you look at these food and nutrition affirmations, they may seem like ideals - behaviors and thoughts that you only wish you could have - but each time you reaffirm them by saying them aloud, you're slowly changing your mindset. Over time, these ideals will become a reality through your thoughts and actions.

But remember, you must first believe you can change. Once you make the commitment to your success, you will change your attitudes about food and you'll be thankful you did!

HealthNutShortcuts is looking for easy ways to eat the right things, and trying to figure out what the right things are.

Pops ~ 77 Ingredients

sue@healyourbest.com (Sue H) — Sun, 28 Jun 2009 03:56:00 +0000

The Pops are daily whole food multi supplements (capsules) which are made from 77 whole fruits, veggies (minus the water and fiber) and other healthful ingredients. They are not made from synthetic vitamin chemicals. They come in two versions: The Purples which are filled with fruits, veggies, and herbs that are more energizing; and the Greens which are filled with fruits, veggies, and herbs which are more calming.

I like to take two Purples in the morning and two Greens in the evening. That way I know I am getting some of my 5-9's everyday, along with enzymes so I digest my food better, and probiotics to keep my immune system in peak performance.

Here's a list of those 77 ingredients and why they are included in the Pops.

Wondering if your vitamins are safe? Free report here.

Health Nut Shortcuts looks for easy ways to put good things into our bodies.

Purple and Green Pops

Big B Stabilized Rice Bran

Jimmy Moore interviews Dr. Heidi - Atkins on Steroids?

sue@healyourbest.com (Sue H) — Thu, 18 Jun 2009 18:57:00 +0000

Jimmy Moore of Livin La Vida Low-Carb lost nearly 200 lbs with Atkins, and has kept it off. He's been telling his story ever since.

When he heard about Dr. Heidi he was quite surprised by her take on Atkins and low-carb eating, so he decided to interview her for his popular website. Dr. Heidi teaches about shifting your fat-burning engine into high gear by eating REAL food, no processed stuff, no fake food: Grass-fed meat, pastured chickens and eggs, safe raw milk, real kefir - as close to natural as possible, which is not easy to find these days.

CLICK HERE to listen to the audio...

Health Nut Shortcuts is all about looking for easy ways to eat the right things - and trying to figure out what the right things are.

Whole Food Nation - damage control for a fast food nation.
Little Spa - alternative food cycling, no rabbit food required.
Affordable Mineral Makeup - pure, radiant, mineral makeup at affordable prices.

Big B Stabilized Rice Bran is finally here!

sue@healyourbest.com (Sue H) — Fri, 05 Jun 2009 19:39:00 +0000

Big B is an extraordinary superfood in powder form, with a wonderful sweet taste. Most people use it to make smoothies. The three company owners also eat it by the spoonful as a treat or a quick snack. They’ve used it almost everyday for seven years.

The only ingredient in Big B is stabilized rice bran, one of the richest sources of B complex vitamins (see Supplement Facts). B vitamins are a natural source of energy. They help reduce stress and support your adrenals. They help sex drive and fertility.

Big B rice bran also naturally contains essential amino acids, essential fatty acids omega 6 and 3; the minerals calcium, magnesium and potassium; the super enzymes glutathione peroxidase, methionine reductase, and super oxide dismutase; phytosterols including gamma oryzanol, plus over 100 antioxidants.

Common rice bran turns rancid very quickly. Stabilizing it allows the bran to stay fresh about a year or more after manufacturing and 60 days after opening. Big B rice bran is stabilized without chemicals or preservatives.

Whole Food Nation - damage control for a fast food nation.

ER Fat Burn - Is It For You?

sue@healyourbest.com (Sue H) — Sun, 01 Mar 2009 18:21:00 +0000

Should you or shouldn't you?

Hear Dr. Heidi walk you through the ER Fat Burn program, the most talked about fat burning program since Atkins. Well, it is in my mind. Right HERE.

Only Dr. Heidi's program is health-giving AND fat burning.

You get immediate access to the ER Fat Burn member site the moment you complete your registration.

Only 13 Live spots available. (Where you get the weekly consultations with Dr. Heidi.)

Multi-Media memberships ready for the do-it-yourselfers.

The video alone is an eye opening experience.

What Dieting Mistakes Have You Made?

sue@healyourbest.com (Sue H) — Thu, 26 Feb 2009 18:54:00 +0000

If you feel like everything you've tried in order to lose weight has done nothing but kept you on the up and down diet rollercoaster, you're not alone. This nutrition professor tells the one secret that leads all dieters to the yo-yo effect. Do you know what it is?

Prepare to be surprised.

This video is pure content about how this one mistake keeps dieters on the yo-yo cycle - and how to change it.

Health Nut Wannabe is tired of making the same mistakes over and over again. You?

Vitamin D for Colds and Flu? Looks That Way...

sue@healyourbest.com (Sue H) — Wed, 25 Feb 2009 18:10:00 +0000

Vitamin D is also known as the "sunshine vitamin." But did you know it isn't really a vitamin at all? It's actually a hormone that our bodies manufacture when sunshine hits our skin and converts cholesterol into what we call Vitamin D. So what happens when we stay out of the sun, cover up from head to toe, don't see the sun in the winter, or slather our skin with SPF? Nothing - in the way of manufacturing Vitamin D, that is.

We have all heard many times that we need Vitamin D to build strong bones and teeth, right? But what has been coming to light recently is that it plays many other important roles in our overall health. In fact, it has been found that people who live farther north of the equator seem to have more illnesses than those who live closer to it. Is it a coincidence that we get more colds and flu bugs in the winter months than other times of year when the sun is brighter and we spend more time outdoors? Apparently not....

"Forget the apple. The largest study of its kind to date shows that vitamin D each and every day is what will keep the doctor away when it comes to the common cold or the flu.

The finding is based on an assessment of vitamin D levels, nutritional habits and respiratory infection rates among nearly 19,000 American men and women.

'We don't want to jump ahead of ourselves,' said study author Dr. Adit Ginde, an assistant professor of surgery in the division of emergency medicine at the University of Colorado Denver School of Medicine. 'But our study provides support that lower levels of vitamin D are associated with an increased risk for respiratory infections, such as the common cold and the flu. And people who have pre-existing respiratory disease -- like asthma an emphysema -- appear to be at an increased risk for this association.'"

When our Vitamin D levels are lower than optimal, not only are we at increased risk for colds and flu but may also be less protected from things like colon cancer, COPD, and Multiple Sclerosis. Not only that...

"And in December, a review of studies conducted by researchers at the Mid-America Heart Institute in Kansas City suggested that those with vitamin D deficiency -- a designation estimated to include about half of American adults and nearly one in three children -- might face an increased risk for heart attack and stroke."

YIKES!

Vitamin D is found in fatty fish like tuna, beef (grass fed), eggs (pasture fed), and some fortified dairy and juice products. If you are looking to supplement, use only Vitamin D3 which is the form that can be easily converted by the body. But the absolute best way, if possible, is to expose a good amount of skin to about 15-20 minutes of mid-day sun every day. No sunscreen, that defeats the purpose. If you stay out only for that short a period you will not likely be at risk for skin cancer (but check with your healthcare provider if you are predisposed).

Read the rest of the report here. Source: US News.com

Health Nut Wannabe is interested in ways to stay healthy without spending a fortune on medications, but instead by eating foods with medicinal properties.

Do healthy foods keep you fat? www.tinyurl.com/burnfoodwithfat

150 lb Weightloss Surprise

sue@healyourbest.com (Sue H) — Wed, 25 Feb 2009 17:05:00 +0000

Does everyone have it wrong about how a really big person got that way and stays that way?

Whether you have 150 lbs to lose, or only 5, the mechanism to burn fat is the same. Sometimes our fat burning mechanism quits working for a variety of reasons - and the fat just won't budge. Wondering why? Check this out...

Five minute delightful video where Dr. Heidi tells you a surprise about some of the big folks.

P.S. There's a little no cost "How to Eat" Guide from Dr. Heidi if you ask for it.

Some Good Foods are Bad for Fat Loss

sue@healyourbest.com (Sue H) — Thu, 19 Feb 2009 16:24:00 +0000

Like many of you, I have become more aware of the effects of food on my body. I know that eating fast food like fries and burgers are not the healthiest choices and that fresh fruits and veggies are better for me than chips and cookies. I've made the switch from white bread, pasta, and rice to whole grains which is a bonus for my digestive tract. And I choose grass fed and free range meats whenever possible. All of these are nutritious choices that I'm sure will help me feel better and stay healthy for years to come.

But what I had not considered until recently was the effect that these very nutritious choices have had on my weightloss efforts. It seemed reasonable that leaving behind deep fried and sugary snacks would help me shed some pounds, but I never thought that eating whole grains and fruit could sabotage my ability to finally get rid of the extra fat I've accumulated over the years.

If you don't need to lose any fat then this probably won't interest you. But if you do, and you have been trying to eat right and yet still struggle to get those fat cells to budge, this new video from Dr. Heidi might just be the thing you needed to move forward. In case you don't know Dr. Heidi, she is a Harvard grad who teaches Nutrition to graduate level university students in Berkeley, the creator of the Extreme Regime Fat Burn Formula, and designer of the Pops (whole food multi vitamins).

Watch this astonishing video to learn how "good" foods are making you fat.

HealthNutWannabe is looking for easy ways to eat the right things and understanding when to eat them.

ER Fat Burn Formula is Open for Biz

sue@healyourbest.com (Sue H) — Tue, 27 Jan 2009 03:22:00 +0000

The Extreme Regime Fat Burn Formula is now open for that determined dieter who's ready for a new bod.

Because this ER Fat Burn Cycle starts officially on Jan 31 with Dr. Heidi's live kickoff call.
There are two Live spots left right now (NOW CLOSED).

Or you can still go for the less pricey Multi Media option. It includes everything for the five weeks except the private weekly consultations with Dr. Heidi. Plus you go at your own pace.

All calls are recorded for anytime listening. Plus they're edited and transcribed so you can study those things you really want to dig into.

The forums are filled with active grads and newbies doing and asking and doing and getting slinkier and more energized.

OK enough already. If you want in just go register, but don't wait too long or you'll miss it.

Big Fat Surprise ~ About Fat

sue@healyourbest.com (Sue H) — Sat, 24 Jan 2009 01:47:00 +0000

This coming Monday that new Extreme Regime Fat Burn Formula program is opening, the one I've been talking about. It's for someone who has tried diets, and is about ready to give up. But not quite. Do you know anyone like that?

Here's a blog post by Kim, one of the owners of Whole Food Nation and Extreme Regime, describing why most people are still overweight, especially the health conscious ones.

And she talks about the mistakes we have all made about fats and why the ER Fat Burn is different. It's kind of a weird program though, you might be surprised by the list of foods that are ok to eat- it's not just rabbit food.

There's also a place to get on the mailing list and be one of the first to receive the announcement when the doors open for the ER Fat Burn. Not to worry, there is NO obligation to buy anything if you get on this list, just a chance to be first in line.

Here are two more 3-minute vids from people we know who already did it:

Diabetic Dan

Desperate Deb

If you know anyone who'd like to know about this, please send them these links, ok? They can also sign up to be first on the list to get the announcement when the doors open on Monday, January 26th. at NOON PST (3PM EST).

See you there?

http://www.norabbitfoodrequired.com/

Are Women Wired to Eat More?

sue@healyourbest.com (Sue H) — Tue, 20 Jan 2009 16:17:00 +0000

It's now confirmed... I have sexist tendancies. I would have bet that men have a harder time resisting the temptation of their favorite foods, but I would have lost that bet.

The results of a study published this week seem to show that when it comes to being tempted by food, women have a harder time saying no than men. Both men and women were asked for a list of their favorite foods, then given a tool to try and trick the brain scan into showing they were not hungry - by simply thinking their way out of feeling hungry. Then they fasted until the test the next day. So when face to face with the foods they love, their brain scans proved that while both the men and women were able to talk themselves into feeling less hungry, the women's brains weren't falling for it. That means women are more likely to give in to their cravings than men. So even though we're told it's our hips that don't lie, it's our brains that are giving us away. Here's a snippet of the article...

In the study, 13 women and 10 men were quizzed about their favorite foods, which ranged from pizza to cinnamon buns and burgers to chocolate cake, and then were asked to fast overnight.
The next day they underwent brain scans while being presented with their favorite foods. In addition, they used a technique called cognitive inhibition, which they had been taught, to suppress thoughts of hunger and eating.

While both men and women said the inhibition technique decreased their hunger, the brain scans showed that men's brain activity actually decreased, while the part of women's brains that responds to food remained active.

"Even though the women said they were less hungry when trying to inhibit their response to the food, their brains were still firing away in the regions that control the drive to eat," Wang, the study's lead author, said in a telephone interview.

Read the rest of the story here. Yet another reason to give yourself a break and realize that it's probably not your fault if you've tried to lose weight and you've failed, maybe even over and over again (to find out why check out this free report).

Is there a way to lose weight without having to lie to yourself? What if I could help you find a way to eat until you feel satisfied (but not stuffed) and still lose weight, would you be interested? Stay tuned, Monday January 26th (changed from 1/21) is opening day of the Extreme Regime Fat Burn Formula.

Top 10 Troublesome Ingredients in Food

sue@healyourbest.com (Sue H) — Sat, 10 Jan 2009 01:53:00 +0000

Reading food labels requires a college degree these days. Seems like the more that food labels are regulated, the more ways manufacturers find to wiggle around the regulations. Here's a list of ingredients that are sometimes caught wearing a disguise on package labels...

Top 10 Troublesome Ingredients

By Sandy Tuin

1. Natural Flavors
Listed as natural flavors.

Found in baked foods, frozen dinners, candy and more.

What's the big deal?

Natural flavors include a number of naturally occurring (non-chemical, non-artificial) substances approved for use in food by the FDA. These flavors often come from allergy-inducing ingredients such as nuts and wheat.

How to avoid it?

If you are prone to food allergies call the food manufacturer to learn the source of the natural flavor.

2. Artificial Colorings

Listed as yellow #6, blue #2, green #3, red #3, and more.

Found in candy, soda, gelatin, and more.

What's the big deal?

Some studies link artificial colorings to a range of health problems including cancer, hyperactivity, thyroid and allergic reactions. They have no nutritional value.

How to avoid it?

Steer clear of artificially colored foods. Opt instead for naturally colorful edibles like fresh fruits and dark leafy greens.

3. Chemical Cocktails

Not listed.

Found in non-organic products.

What's the big deal?

Conventional farmers spray their produce with chemical fertilizers, insecticides and herbicides to keep insects and weeds at bay. Residues of these toxic chemicals end up on your food, and some studies have linked them to cancer and birth defects.

How to avoid it?

Wash your produce thoroughly with a mixture of 1 tsp mild dishwashing detergent and 4 liters of water. Buy organic or shop at the farmers market.

4. Sodium Nitrite
Listed as Sodium Nitrite.

Found in processed meats including bacon, ham, hot dogs, lunch meats, and corned beef.

What's the big deal?

This preservative can mix with chemicals in the stomach to form nitrosamines, a carcinogenic substance linked to cancers ofthe pancreas, bladder and brain.

How to avoid it?

Replace processed meats with fresh meats or purchase nitrite-free lunchmeats. Meat found in canned soups and frozen dinners commonly contains sodium nitrite, so check labels carefully.

5. High Fructose Corn Syrup

Listed as High fructose corn syrup, corn sweetener, corn syrup, corn syrup solids.

Found in frozen foods, sweets, breads, spaghetti sauce, ketchup, many canned vegetables, cereals, juices, sodas, breads, and much more.

What's the big deal?

High fructose corn syrup increases your risk for diabetes. It also encourages overeating because its chemical structure tricks your brain into thinking your body is hungry. And it can raise triglyceride levels in the bloodstream, which increases risk of heart disease. Also contributes to high cholesterol and insulin resistance. Has no enzymes, vitamins or minerals and leaches micronutrients from your body.

How to avoid it?

Limit your intake of added sugar to less than 10% of your total daily calories. And/or buy alternative foods that do not contain it!!

6. rBGH

Listed as rBGH

Found in dairy products, including milk and cheese.

What's the big deal?

rBGH stands for recombinant (genetically modified) bovine (cow) growth hormone. Dairy farmers inject cows with it to stimulate milk production, and it ends up in the milk sold in grocery stores. Research has tied it to prostate, colon and breast cancers.

How to avoid it?

Look for milk that says "no rBGH" on the label. Switch to organic milk or raw milk.

7. Monosodium Glutamate (MSG)

Listed as yeast extract, gelatin, textured and hydrolyzed proteins, calcium caseinate, sodium caseinate, and more.

Found in a wide range of foods including chips, canned soups, salad dressings, fast food, and frozen dinners.

What's the big deal?

MSG can affect the nervous system and make you feel hungrier than you really are. It may also trigger migraines.

How to avoid it?

Read food labels carefully. Even packages that say "no MSG" or "no MSG added" can sneak the substance in disguised as any of the ingredients above.

8. Sodium

Listed as salt, monosodium glutamate (MSG), baking soda.

Found in meat, eggs and dairy products. Also found in processed foods like canned soups and frozen dinners.

What's the big deal?

Your sodium count should not exceed 2400 milligrams a day, but some studies show Americans average intake is 3300 mgs a day. Excess sodium can raise blood pressure, which puts extra strain on your heart.

How to avoid it?

Use herbs and spices rather than salt to flavor your food. Go easy on the salt shaker.

9. Omega-6 fatty acid

Listed as linoleic acid, sunflower, sesame, corn and soybean oils.

Found in frozen and processed foods.

What's the big deal?

Ideally you should eat three omega-6 fatty acids for every omega-3 fatty acid you eat. But the ratio in most Western diets is between 10:1 and 20:1. Excess intake of omega-6 can raise blood pressure and increase your risk of heart disease.

How to avoid it?

Eat fewer processed foods. Eat Omega 3 rich foods likewalnuts, fish.

10. Trans Fat

Listed as partially hydrogenated oil.

Found in commercial baked goods like crackers and cookies, shortening, and margarine.

What's the big deal?

Trans fats temporarily raise bad cholesterol and lower good cholesterol.

How to avoid it?

Even foods that claim 0 grams of trans fat on the label can contain it because food manufacturers don't have to list amounts under 0.5 grams. But eating more than one serving of a food can easily double or triple that half a gram. Read the label to be sure there are no partially hydrogenated oils hiding in the ingredient list.

WHEW! Want more help finding foods that are real and not filled with secrets? Check out the next Extreme Regime Fat Burn Formula starting on January 21, 2009.

www.NoRabbitFoodRequired.com

Dieting Doesn't Work~Told Ya So!

sue@healyourbest.com (Sue H) — Sat, 03 Jan 2009 18:20:00 +0000

I stumbled across the following article that is perfectly timed for the upcoming ER Fat Burn Formula mentioned in a previous couple of posts. The author spells out how making that resolution to lose weight can actually end up sabotaging our weightloss efforts.

Most of us have heard all our lives that eating less, basically starving ourselves, is the fastest way to lose weight. And most of us have good intentions when we start out. We buy a fridge full of veggies for all those yummy salads we plan to make for dinner, pack apples instead of chips in our lunch bag, and vow to eat rice cakes instead of birthday cake.

Problem is... it sets us up to fail because as soon as we lose the motivation (and energy) to keep depriving ourselves, we go back to eating like we usually do (or eat everything in sight to feel full again) and gain it all back - and then some. But is there a better way if yo-yo dieting doesn't work? Let's find out...

Dieting now makes you gain weight. How'd we get here?

If it's January, then it must be time to diet, right? You've spent the past month at the buffet trough. Now every time you turn on the TV news you're seeing that same person with a three-story midsection jiggling past, head discreetly out of the picture, an illustration of that same statistic: 63 percent of us reside in the fatosphere.

But maybe we're getting the wrong message here. Perhaps 2009 should be the Year of the Un-Diet. What if we finally settled what one researcher calls "the war with our bodies"?

"Dieting is the worst thing people can do if they're interested in weight control," said Linda Bacon, a nutrition professor and clinical psychotherapist in the East Bay whose book, "Health at Every Size," was published in November (BenBella Books). "Dieting seems the fastest way to gain weight."

Research has shown that dieting accomplishes the opposite of what you want, she said. It trains your body to conserve energy. If you starve yourself, your metabolism slows down and decreases the level of leptin, a hormone produced in the fat cells that is key to appetite control. With less leptin, you're hungrier. "It goads you to eat more," Bacon said.

Bodies have a "set weight" where they hover when people eat in response to normal hunger cues, she said. Eat more at one meal and your body will crave less at another. Dieting disrupts this. Bacon's book and research have been embraced by the fat acceptance movement and those who work - as she does - with people who have eating disorders. But it's also reaching beyond.

"It's an easy message for people to get behind," she said. "It transcends what your weight is, transcends the size spectrum. People are desperate. They're tired of self-denial and feeling bad about themselves. They are fed up with the diet industry and the pain of watching their weight all the time."

The subject is deeply personal to Bacon, who struggled with weight and self-image growing up. Like lots of young women, she thought she was too heavy. She lost weight only to gain it back. "At one point it was too painful to me," she said. "I'm academically oriented, so the easiest way for me to tackle my problems was through studying."

After earning a master's degree in psychology she still thought about dieting. "I wanted to understand why I weighed what I weighed," she said. "I wanted to be a better dieter." It was further study, a doctorate in physiology from UC Davis, that changed her perspective. She realized, she said, that everything she'd learned earlier was "not science."

She now has "a culturally acceptable body," but that's irrelevant, she said. The message is "lighten up and trust yourself" when you eat. Eat what you enjoy ("eat what's delicious" and stop when it's "only good"), learn about hunger (people eat less when they're moderately hungry than when they're starved) and don't make certain food off-limits. Above all, she advises, don't diet.

Katherine Seligman is a frequent contributor to the magazine on health and psychology.

Source: SFGate.com

Dr. Heidi's Extreme Regime Fat Burn Videos

sue@healyourbest.com (Sue H) — Thu, 01 Jan 2009 22:44:00 +0000

Dr. Heidi, of Whole Food Nation and Little Spa, is gearing up to present another Extreme Regime Fat Burn program so I am gathering up some of her videos into one handy post. She teaches us how to scavenge for and prepare whole, real foods and the reasons why some choices are better than others when it comes to fat burning, but also for good health in general.

I have learned alot about specific foods like grass-fed dairy, pastured eggs, bone broth for calcium, and grinding whole flaxseed, among others, from sitting at the feet of this amazing teacher. Check out a few of her videos... sometimes it takes a few minutes for youtube to load so if you get frustrated like me, let it play all the way through while doing other things and then go back and replay it before closing the browser.

Facts on Raw Milk - Don't Blame Elsie

Chicken Bone Broth Part 1

Chicken Bone Broth Part 2

How to Make the Extreme Regime Fat Burning Toddy

How to Make the Fat Burning Toddy Mix (yeah it's different)

Taking ER on the Road-What's in Dr. Heidi's Travel Goody Bag? Part 1

ER Travel Goody Bag Part 2

The upcoming ER Fat Burn Formula is how I am planning to make some healthy changes for the new year. I'll keep you informed as more news is available. Meanwhile, listen to this...

Pastured vs Free Range Eggs

sue@healyourbest.com (Sue H) — Wed, 31 Dec 2008 22:18:00 +0000

Free-Range Eggs - are they worth it?

How do you know if paying the extra price for this "boutique" variety of eggs is worth it?

First, you have to understand just what the term free-range means, and that its definition can be a matter of perspective. Warning: It’s not all that simple. According to Mother Earth News, true free-range chickens eat a natural chicken’s diet that includes "all kinds of seeds, green plants, insects and worms, usually along with grain or laying mash."

True free-range chickens also spend time out of doors walking around and foragingsomething factory farm birds can’t do. In addition, factory farm birds are usually fed cheap mixtures of corn, soy, and cottonseed meals with additives.

Here’s the confusing part: The USDA defines free range as birds merely having access to the outdoors. Some manufacturers are taking advantage of this definition by leaving tiny doors open on huge sheds, which in turn leaves the door open for the manufacturers to label their eggs as "free range."

So what’s a consumer to do? Ancill says, "Know what you’re getting for your money". According to Mother Earth News-sponsored tests, free-range chickens produce eggs of superior nutritional value as compared to eggs from factory hens.

In addition, when compared to the official USDA nutrient data for commercial eggs, the eggs from free-range chickens contained up to:

*Two-thirds more vitamin A
*Double the omega-3 fatty acids
*Triple the vitamin E
*Seven times more beta-carotene
*One-third less cholesterol
*One-quarter less saturated fat

To find out the names of reliable sellers of eggs from pasture-raised hens in your area, check out http://www.eatwild.com/ or http://www.localharvest.org/. The Next Idea (http://www.thenextidea.net/) is a Retail Food and Restaurant Consultancy committed to improving the quality and Healthfulness of the products available to the US Consumer.

By The nextidea

Published: 3/28/2008

Is failing to plan really like planning to fail?

sue@healyourbest.com (Sue H) — Tue, 23 Dec 2008 03:08:00 +0000

Or do we somtimes plan and fail anyway? Does planning actually make any difference? It all depends on the plan...

In my experience, New Year's resolutions usually fail, making us feel worse than before we even made them. Of course we had the best intentions when we decided to make some changes, but after all the holiday hoopla is over, the decorations are tucked away until next year, and we find ourselves back in the daily grind, the list we spent time seriously pondering and creating seems to find its way to the bottom of the ever increasing pile of to-do's. Eventually we either lose it, toss it, or fret over our lack of resolve that the list only serves to remind us of.

What if you and I made plans ahead of time to live out just one of those resolutions right away and budget the time and money a month or so ahead - would that make it easier to actually pull off that resolution? I'm talking about the big one, the one that makes it to almost all of our lists, the one that we put on the list every year and, for a few weeks (maybe) we make a serious effort toward and often spend money we don't have in order to accomplish. You know the one... losing weight.

No, I'm not talking about joining a gym, buying a new exercise video, or stocking up on diet shakes and pills. I'm talking about setting up a 5-week plan to change the way we think about food, the way we feel about food, the way we are nurtured and nourished by food. With a plan of action designed by nutrition expert, Dr. Heidi Dulay, leading the way.

And... I'm not talking about trying to satisfy your appetite with a bowl full of rabbit greens sprinkled with nonfat dressing and rice cakes for dessert. I'm talking about learning to shop for, prepare, and actually enjoy eating tasty, satisfying, stick-to-your ribs, fill-you-up, feel-good, fat-burning, REAL food. And with your own personal tour guide and support system to help you all along the way.

I'm not talking about having to give up all your favorite foods forever, but maybe just a little while to kick-start the fat burning process. I'm talking about doing the Extreme Regime Fat-Burning Cycle which opens up on January 21st.

Want to learn more? Check out this cute little video, and be sure to turn off your mute button.

The ER Fat Burn can be done a couple of different ways. Either way you get a weekly group phone call, online group support, and emails from Dr. Heidi. Additionally, you can have personalized sessions with Dr. Heidi who can help you find just the right list of foods for your body. Or you can "do it yourself" by following along on the weekly group calls, the emails and online support group but without the one on one calls with Dr. Heidi. Both options are bound to get you off to a great start in the new year with one of those looming resolutions already well underway.

Grab this free report that tells about the reasons why weight loss failure is probably NOT your fault.

Bare Bones Sale Pops are SOLD OUT

sue@healyourbest.com (Sue H) — Fri, 12 Dec 2008 16:23:00 +0000

Whole Food Nation has announced that the Bare Bones Sale is now over, all the allocated Pops are SOLD OUT. So sorry if you missed out on this opportunity.

This doesn't mean all the Pops are gone, just that the sale is over. To learn more about the Purples and Greens from Whole Food Nation, read more here.

The Pops on Sale for 5 Days Only!

sue@healyourbest.com (Sue H) — Thu, 11 Dec 2008 02:55:00 +0000

The Pops, voted Best MultiVitamin 2008 by KitchenTableMedicine.com, is having a Bare Bones Sale... less than HALF PRICE... but only today through Sunday, December 14 OR WHILE SUPPLIES LAST. Whole Food Nation has set aside a limited quantity for this sale, so act fast. If you have been wanting to try the Pops, either Greens or Purples, or even one of each, NOW is the time.

Wondering why we're doing this special sale?

1) To acknowledge the current economic hardship many folks are experiencing.
2) To express our gratitude that the Pops have started so many folks back on the road to their health.
3) To offer you the option of giving someone you care about - this year - the first step back to health. We'll ship them for you in U.S. with a personal card enclosed*.
4) To celebrate the selection of the Pops as the "Best Multivitamins of 2008."

Need to know more about the Pops before you decide? Check out the Whole Food Nation website for details about the ingredients of the Purples and Greens. Find out about the 3 Fanatic Friends who designed and market the Pops.

But... when you want to place your order for the bargain price of only $15.50 per box (a two month supply) + S&H, then come right back and click on THIS LINK here. This offer is good only in the US and Canada. The cost for shipping is $6.95 per address for up to 10 boxes.

For instructions on how to place your sale order visit this page first.

Here's what people are saying about their Pops experiences:

"I forgot to take my lunchtime Purple, so I got it around 3pm. I was working (as a floor nurse) and was feeling very run down. I could tell a big difference by about 4pm. My energy picked back up and I was good to go. I was even able to go on to church when I got off work."

Baumom R

"I am feeling great going into week 3. I have decided I will probably order the green pops and take them at night and continue with the purple pops in the mornings. I have had people sick with colds and flu all around me and have not caught a cold and my joint pains have diminished. Amazing. "

Winston S

"I am so impressed with the Green one that I have made my order for 2 boxes of each. And because they are blister-packed, the Care Center where my son is being rehabilitated after neck surgery will consent to giving them to him with his meds."

Mary N.

* To send the Pops as a gift with a personal note enclosed just email Gwen in the home office: gwen@maxout.com and put "Pops Special" in the subject line, then tell her who the gift is going to and what you want it to say.

Eat Junk ~ Lose Memories

sue@healyourbest.com (Sue H) — Tue, 02 Dec 2008 20:07:00 +0000

Yikes, this is not good news...if you eat like most Americans, that is...

LONDON (Reuters) - Mice fed junk food for nine months showed signs of developing the abnormal brain tangles strongly associated with Alzheimer's disease, a Swedish researcher said on Friday. The findings come from a series of published papers by a researcher at Sweden's Karolinska Institutet...

"On examining the brains of these mice, we found a chemical change not unlike that found in the Alzheimer brain," Susanne Akterin, a researcher at the Karolinska Institutet's Alzheimer's Disease Research Center, who led the study, said in a statement...

Alzheimer's disease is incurable and is the most common form of dementia among older people. It affects the regions of the brain involving thought, memory and language."
Read more here.

So if keeping my waistline in tact isn't enough motivation to avoid the drive-thru, maybe keeping my mind in tact will be? I find it far too easy to drive to the closest fast food place when I'm on the run. I need to think of a good way to remind myself that every french fry has the potential to zap memories and healthy thoughts from my twilight years. But it's not just the greasy fast food that'll get me...it's also the sweet stuff I have been known to sneak between meals.

Kim Klaver posted the other day that science journalist Gary Taubes hypothesizes that the excessive amounts of sugar and refined flour in American diets are contributing to Alzheimer's. He reports increases in the incidence of Alzheimer's in Japanese immigrants to the U.S. and in African Americans compared to rural Africans. Type 2 diabetics have about twice as much risk of contracting Alzheimer's disease as non-diabetics. And diabetics on insulin therapy have a fourfold increase in risk. (Taubes, 2007, Good Calories Bad Calories, pp 205-209).

HealthNutWannabe is looking for easy ways to eat the right things and not eat the wrong things.

Push-Button Whole Food Nutrition

sue@healyourbest.com (Sue H) — Thu, 16 Oct 2008 18:51:00 +0000

As you may know if you've visited my blog, I want to eat more fruits and veggies, but I don't like all the mess of peeling and cutting them up. I know, I know, it sounds like a really lame excuse not to eat them. Actually, if someone else prepares them for me then I'll eat them up, no problem. But when they are just sitting in my fridge all fresh and whole in their little baggies, I pretty much ignore them until they turn mushy and moldy and begin to mock me. So sad, really.

What's a wannabe health nut to do? I just read an article that says you can simply toss whole fruits and veggies in this special blender, washed of course, but still in their skins and with their seeds, push a button, and in moments you have a healthy juice, soup, smoothie, or sauce. What's interesting is that this contraption actually releases more of the nutrients found inside plant cells than we can get just from chewing.

To read the article written by Robin of Whole Food and More Blog, just go here. She markets the Vita-Mix 5200, the blender (but not just an ordinary blender) that does all sorts really amazing jobs in the kitchen. I want one, and several of my friends have one, so it's on my wish list for a special occasion because it's not cheap by any means. But my friends all love theirs and would not live without it. When you are actually able to get more food from your food and waste less of it, I think it makes sense to spend some money up front to enjoy years of better nutrition for you and your family.

Health Nut Wannabe is looking for easy ways to eat the right things, even though easy doesn't necessarily mean prepackaged or cheap.

Better Cow Food Makes Better People Food

sue@healyourbest.com (Sue H) — Thu, 09 Oct 2008 17:26:00 +0000

We're shifting gears a bit today. I've been talking about how what we eat makes a difference in how we feel, how well our bodies are equipped to fight off disease, and how making better choices about food can improve our healing from injury, and even affect our mood. I've also mentioned that it is important to consider what our food is fed, meaning the animals that we get some of our food from. It's not only we who need to eat the right things, but our food needs to eat the right things. Remember the story of how corn is now in almost everything we find in our supermarket? Well, there's more to the story, as told by several credible writers*.

Nearly every young cow that eventually becomes our dinner graduates from their wide-open, grassy playground and is moved to a cramped, overcrowded, cattle university, a muddy feedlot that fills them to the brim with corn-based feed in order to get them fatter faster than simply grazing. Not only do they eat corn for breakfast, lunch, and dinner, they are also munching on antibiotics and hormones. Why?

Because cows aren't built to eat corn, they are designed to eat grass. So eating all that corn makes them sick. Living in tightly packed pens makes them sick. Standing around in their own waste makes them sick. Antibiotics are added to their food in order to fend off the bacteria that forms in their tummies from eating foods that aren't well-digested. Hormones force their malnourished bodies to grow in spite of all that corn. They are not happy cows, not even the ones from California.

But does it really matter to our tummies if cows eat grass or corn, I mean, does the meat come out any differently? According to Ulla from "The Grass-Fed Party" it does...

"There is a lot of anxiety that goes along with eating meat in America. There are ethical, health and environmental concerns not to mention of course food safety. With grass-fed meats we can address all these concerns and still enjoy meat! The health benefits of grass-fed beef is possibly the most exciting part of grass-fed farming.

We have been told to not eat red meat, or not eat meat at all but with grass-fed meats you can have your meat and eat it too! Grass-fed beef is leaner and healthier then store bought chicken breast. Not only is grass-fed beef leaner, and has far less calories(as much as 60% less calories then corn-fed beef!) the fat that it does have is extremely healthy--- filled with heart healthy Omega 3 fatty acids.

People who eat a diet rich in Omega-3s fatty acids are 50% less likely to have a heart attack. Omega-3s fatty acids are also essential for healthy brain function, and people who eat healthy amounts of Omega 3 fatty acids and can help prevent mental illnesses as diverse as depression to the more serious Alzheimer’s disease. Omega 3s fatty acids are also believed to reduce your risk of cancer and can help chemotherapy patients heal faster.

The health benefits of pasture-raised meats does not end there, CLA or conjugated linoleic acids are found in high concentration in pasture-raised meats, eggs and milk and they may be potent cancer fighters. There are a lot of exciting studies that are showing promising results for CLA’s potent cancer preventing properties. One study in Finland, showed that women who had the highest levels of CLA had a 60 percent lower risk of breast cancer than those with the lowest levels of CLA."

Sounds good to me. And it tastes good, too. A little different from what I'm used to, but that's not a bad thing. My family liked the ground beef better than the steaks, but we can get used to the difference if it means better health for us, and better circumstances for the cows who gave up their lives to feed us. I got mine from Grass Fed Traditions. Next I'll be ordering from LaCense Beef, just to compare.

*Michael Pollan, Heidi Dulay PhD, Jordan Rubin, Joe Salatin, Nina Planck, Eric Schlosser, Joseph Mercola MD, Sally Fallon, Mary Enig PhD, and many others.

Health Nut Wannabe is looking for easy ways to eat the right things, which isn't always easy.

Eat Dark Chocolate ~ Doctor's Orders

sue@healyourbest.com (Sue H) — Thu, 09 Oct 2008 15:33:00 +0000

I got the best news in my email box today! This issue of the e-newsletter from integrative medicine physician, Dr. Mercola , was telling me I need to eat a little bit of dark chocolate every day to protect my body from inflammation and oxidative stress. Apparently a recent study showed that some people in Italy who ate a particular amount of dark (not milk) chocolate several times a week showed lower C-reactive protein markers (an indicator of cardiovascular disease) than those who didn't. YAY!

The abstract (brief description) of this one study in October 2008's The Journal of Nutrition says (with all the technical lingo snipped):

"Dark chocolate contains high concentrations of flavonoids and may have antiinflammatory properties. We evaluated the association of dark chocolate intake with serum C-reactive protein (CRP)... . consumers of up to 1 serving (20 g) of dark chocolate every 3 [days] had serum CRP concentrations that were significantly lower than nonconsumers or higher consumers. Our findings suggest that regular consumption of small doses of dark chocolate may reduce inflammation."

An article in ScienceDaily.com boils it down so that regular folks can understand the findings and what they mean. A very specific quantity of dark chocolate produced the results, just 6.7 grams per day, which amounts to half a bar a week.

So that doesn't mean I have license to eat a whole chocolate bar every day, or even every week (rats!). Actually, that's fine, it will just cause me to savor every tiny bite, and look forward to tomorrow. Now, I'm off to search for sources. I already know that Trader Joe's has a line of dark chocolate bars that contain various percentages of cacao, the ingredient that does the magic. Know of any that aren't full of sugar, milk, and hydrogenated fats that you'd care to share with us?

Health Nut Wannabe is always interested in easy ways to eat the right things, especially when the right things are also really fun.