LivingBetter Online Magazine

13 tax deductions

2011-12-06T19:54:00.000-08:00

13 legitimate tax deductions that you can use to reduce your tax liability.

1. Make charitable donations to a organization ro cause that you have a commitment to.

2. Buy an automobile. You can borrow money to buy the autombile. The deuction in 2011 is $3000 for a small vehicle. A vehcile over 6000 pounds can be bought under section 179 and has greater deductions.

3. Use up flexible spending accounts like health savings accounts.

4. Purchase equipment for your business.

5. Deduct gambling losses from winnings. Gains are offset by losses.

6. Buy business assets like toner, supplies to reduce any income.

7. Open up and fund an IRA. You have until April 15, 2012.

8. Hire family members a reasonable salary to do work for the corporation. If they are on your board of directors, you can pay for them to come to a board meeting.

9. Pay discretionary business expenses early such as pre-paying insurance.

10. Pay mortgage early so January and February mortgage is deductible in December.

11. Offset capital gains with losses. Sell stocks that are losing money.

12. Utilize residential energy tax credits for windows and insulation.

13. Prepay state income taxes in December.

91-year-old sets Guinness record

2011-11-20T09:41:00.000-08:00

If you’ve ever wondered about the benefits of yoga you need to look no further than astoundingly fit 91-year-young Bernice Bates. Bernie – as her students call her - has taught yoga for 50 years and continues to do so even today in her retirement community making her the Guinness World Records certified Oldest Yoga Instructor in the world. Amazingly, Bernie is nearly as flexible as she was in her 40’s and has absolutely no medical issues.

Her record was announced on Guinness World Records Day, which resulted in over 300,000 people participating in record breaking events around the world!

A whole foods approach to eating

2011-11-02T06:26:00.000-07:00

BOSTON—Debate about what constitutes a heart-healthy diet has been simplified, thanks to three nutrition experts whose advice is summarized in the November 2011 issue of the Harvard Heart Letter. The focus is on foods you should eat, not nutrients you shouldn't.

"For most people, getting more of what's missing will have a larger benefit than limiting certain nutrients," says Dr. Dariush Mozaffarian, a cardiologist at Harvard-affiliated Brigham and Women's Hospital and associate professor at the Harvard School of Public Health.

The "shoulds," according to Dr. Mozaffarian and the two other nutrition experts, include the following:

4 to 5 daily servings each of fruits and vegetables
3-plus daily servings of whole, unrefined grain products
2 to 3 daily servings of low- or nonfat dairy products
2 to 6 daily servings of vegetable oils
2 or more weekly servings of fish or shellfish
4 to 5 weekly servings of nuts and seeds

A handy table in this month's Heart Letter specifies how much a serving of each food type really is and gives specific grocery-store examples.

On the no-eat list is any food containing partially hydrogenated vegetable oil. The eat-less-of list consists of processed meats, sugary beverages, sweets, and baked goods made with refined grains.

Another useful tip: you can distinguish between healthy and not-so-healthy carbohydrates, most people's major source of calories, by dividing the grams of carbohydrates per serving by the grams of fiber. An answer less than 10 is good for bread or pastry; aim for less than 5 for cereals.

Read the full-length article: "Latest thinking on a "cardioprotective" diet"

Also in this issue:

The hidden hazards of high blood pressure
Can a hospital stay make you anemic?
Paying attention to the signs of worsening heart failure
Should you stop taking aspirin and/or Plavix before having a tooth pulled?

The Harvard Heart Letter is available from Harvard Health Publications, the publishing division of Harvard Medical School, for $29 per year. Subscribe at www.health.harvard.edu/heart or by calling 877-649-9457 (toll-free).

XXX

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Washington University to Pay Civil Penalty and Replace Windows for Failure to Disclose Lead Paint

2011-09-30T09:31:00.000-07:00

(Kansas City, Kan., August 31, 2011) – Washington University of St. Louis, Mo., has agreed to pay a $2,778 civil penalty to the United States and spend at least $24,998 to replace old windows in its married student housing units to settle allegations that it failed to disclose the presence of lead-based paint or lead-based paint hazards to tenants prior to the leasing of some of its other housing units.

According to a civil consent agreement filed by EPA Region 7 in Kansas City, Kan., Washington University leased three apartments at 6012 McPherson Avenue and 6048 McPherson Avenue, northeast of its Danforth Campus, to student tenants in 2008, 2009 and 2010, without disclosing to them that the City of St. Louis Health Department had previously cited the university for lead-based paint violations at those properties in 2000 and 2006.

The settlement alleges that Washington University stated in lead warning statements attached to those property leases that it had no knowledge of the presence of lead-based paint or lead-based paint hazards in the units. The university also failed to provide tenants with records and reports of the city's citations of the units.

Those actions were in violation of the Residential Lead-Based Paint Hazard Reduction Act of 1992, and the Toxic Substances Control Act, which require landlords and sellers of properties built before 1978 to disclose certain types of information about lead-based paint hazards to tenants and buyers prior to a lease or sale.

The federal government banned lead-based paint from housing in 1978. Lead that remains in pre-1978 housing can pose serious health risks to children when old paint chips or cracks away or turns to dust. High levels of lead in children can cause permanent damage to the brain and nervous system and other widespread health problems, such as reduced intelligence and attention span, hearing loss, stunted growth, reading and learning problems, and behavioral difficulties.

As part of its settlement with EPA, Washington University has agreed to perform a supplemental environmental project that will involve the replacement of approximately 103 old windows in married student housing units located at 6317 Cates Avenue, just west of its North Campus. Lead-based paint on surfaces subjected to regular friction, such as windows and door jams, commonly results in the deterioration of the paint and the increase of lead paint dust in a residence. This project, which will eliminate that particular source of lead-based paint dust in these residences, is expected to cost between $24,998 and $31,000.

# # #

Learn about legal requirements for landlords and property sellers to disclose lead-based paint hazards:

http://www.epa.gov/lead/pubs/leadbase.htm

Swim in the Great Salt lake

2011-09-26T10:00:00.000-07:00

Antelope Island is a great location to see Utah's Salt Lake and to get
your feet wet. Bring your swim suit and water shoes or flip flops.
You'll be able to lie down in the water and feel how it buoys you up.
Also, on the island are various forms of wildlife and plantlife.
Buffalo roam the meadows. Exit 332 west on I-15 highway in Utah.

Disease control among plants

2011-05-28T11:53:00.000-07:00

According to Derek Fell (2010, p. 84), the very best protection against the spread of diseases among plants, or against a disease reappearing in the next season, is to thoroughly clean up the garden in fall and winter. After the first fall frost put dead stems in the compost pile or burn them. Many disease organisms will overwinter in leaf litter. Turn over the soil and put down a thick layer of compost so beneficial bacteria can feed on diseased colonies.

Derek Fell. (2010). I'll make you a gardening wizard overnight! Lipenwald Publishers.

CDC to Pull Plug on Meningitis Vaccine

2011-05-28T11:37:00.000-07:00

In the wake of dropping meningitis rates in the U.S., the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and its Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP) appear to be reconsidering their cost-effectiveness analysis of meningitis vaccines. The CDC historically never has chosen to not recommend a vaccine for children that has been approved by the FDA. In this case ACIP seems to be hesitating to recommend the vaccine because of cost.

The CDC in its 2010 Recommended Immunization Schedule suggests 38 doses of vaccine before a child reaches 18 months. According to Dr. Mayer Eisenstein, the schedule is so crowded that doctors sometimes give babies up to eight vaccines at once.

Make an Informed Vaccine Decision for the Health of Your Child, a parent's guide Mayer Eisenstein, MD, is available at Amazon.

Wash for Fresh Produce

2011-05-28T11:01:00.000-07:00

Chiquita Brands International (NYSE: CQB) and its subsidiary, Fresh Express Incorporated, announced that Fresh Express salads sold nationwide are now manufactured using a produce wash, Fresh Rinse™. Tests of Fresh Rinse™ show the rinse dramatically reduces certain bacteria while at the same time continuing to provide high levels of freshness, taste and quality. Fresh Express sells more than 60 varieties of pre-packaged ready-to-eat salads in more than 24,000 retail stores in the United States.

http://DigitalNewsRelease.com/?q=FreshRinse_Launch

Women, Salaries and Obesity

2011-05-28T10:56:00.000-07:00

Are Women Being Penalized At Work For Being Overweight?

A New Study Says YES! "Packing a few extra pounds can hurt a woman's salary and even her ability to get a job, mounting research shows. Yet while women tend to get penalized by the pound, men don't, and perhaps they even gain from girth," writes MSNBC reporters about a study published in the March issue of Elsevier's Economics and Human Biology journal.

•   Why are women punished for being overweight but men practically rewarded for it?

•   Why the double standard?

•   What can women do about it?

News Link

Top Peforming Sunscreens

2011-05-28T10:46:00.000-07:00

      YONKERS, NY — In tests of 22 sprays, creams and lotions, Consumer Reports Health identifies nine products that provide excellent protection against the UVB rays that cause sunburn and very good protection against UVA rays, even after immersion in water.

            Consumer Reports Health identifies three "CR Best Buys:" Up Sport SPF 30 (Target), No-Ad with Aloe and Vitamin E SPF 45, and Equate Baby SPF 50.   Up is a spray while the other two products are lotions. On UVB protection, all three products provide "Excellent" protection, while providing "Very Good" protection against UVA radiation, which penetrates deeper than UVB, and can cause tanning and aging the skin.   But consumers shouldn't rely on sunscreen alone, notes the report. "Sunscreens can be very effective but you should combine them with other good options for protecting your skin such as broad-brimmed hats, tightly woven clothing, and umbrellas. You can be creative—consider bringing a small tent to the beach for your kids to crawl into," said Jamie Hirsh, senior associate editor, Consumer Reports Health.

            Almost every sunscreen tested by Consumer Reports Health contains some ingredients associated with adverse health effects in animal studies. Oxybenzone and other endocrine disruptors may interfere with hormones in the body, and nanoscale zinc oxide and titanium oxide are linked to problems such as potential reproductive and developmental effects. Retinyl palmitate (listed among inactive ingredients), a type of topical vitamin A, is an antioxidant that animal studies have linked to increased risk of skin cancers. In skin, it converts readily to retinoids, which have been associated with a risk of birth defects in people using acne medications that contain them. As a precaution, pregnant women may want to avoid sunscreens with retinyl palmitate. Some examples of top performing sunscreens that do not contain retinyl palmitate include Up & Up Sport SPF 30 and Equate Baby SPF 50. More research is needed, but as of now, the proven benefits of sunscreen outweigh any potential risks.

            Consumer Reports Health also details the smell and feel of each of the 22 sunscreens.      Many sunscreens have a floral and/or citrus scent. Some feel draggy, meaning that the skin "pulled" when a panelist rubbed a hand across an arm. Some even made testers want to wash them off after applying them. "Sunscreen needs to be applied generously to protect exposed areas of your body, so you want to know how it's going to feel and what it will smell like.   If you want to smell like coconut, that's your prerogative, or you can go for the classic citrus scent, available in many top performing brands," said Hirsh.   The report also notes that all of the more effective sunscreens tended to stain cloth.

            Consumer Reports Health offers these tips for using sunscreens:

Don't rely on sunscreen alone. Wear protective clothing and limit time in the sun.

Choose a sunscreen that is water resistant with an SPF of at least 30. Above 30, there's not much more protection.

Reapply your sunscreen every 2 hours and after swimming or sweating.

Use 2 to 3 tablespoons of a lotion on most of your body, or "spray as much as can be evenly rubbed in and then go back over every area and spray completely once again," advises Jessica Krant, M.D., a board-certified dermatologist.

Don't pay too much. La Roche-Posay costs $18.82 per ounce and scored lower overall than No-Ad at 59 cents an ounce.

Tool to measure depression

2011-05-28T10:20:00.000-07:00

Primary care doctors have long been on the front lines of depression treatment. Depression is listed as a diagnosis for 1 in 10 office visits and primary care doctors prescribe more than half of all antidepressants.

Now doctors at the University of Michigan Health System have developed a new tool that may help family physicians better evaluate the extent to which a patient's depression has improved.

The issue, the researchers explain, is that the official definition of when a patient's symptoms are in remission doesn't always match up with what doctors see in a real-world practice, especially for patients with mild to moderate symptoms. The study will be published in the upcoming May/June issue of General Hospital Psychiatry.

“Rather than simply going down a list and checking off a patient’s lack of individual symptoms, we believe there are also positive signs that are important – a patient’s feeling that they are returning to ‘normal,’ their sense of well-being, their satisfaction with life and their ability to cope with life’s ups and downs,” says lead author Donald E. Nease Jr., M.D., who was an associate professor of family medicine at the U-M Medical School and member of the U-M Depression Center at the time of the research.

Nease and his colleagues developed a series of five questions – such as, “Over the last two weeks, did you feel in control of your emotions?” – that they hope will help doctors better understand a patient’s inner landscape.

Read the full release at:
http://www.uofmhealth.org/News/remit-familymedicine-0500

Learn About Tofu

2011-05-28T09:52:00.000-07:00

You don’t have to be a vegetarian or vegan to experiment with tofu. Also known as “bean curd,” tofu is an excellent source of soy-based protein and iron and it lends itself to a variety of delicious, healthy dishes. Tofu can be found in a number of different forms: Silken tofu (or Japanese-style tofu) is softer, smoother, and generally better for creamier dishes, while regular tofu (or Chinese-style tofu) is firmer and more granular in texture, and it works especially well in stir-fries, stews, soups, salads, and more. You can enjoy a 1/2 cup serving of all varieties of tofu on all phases of a low glycemic diet.

Buying and Storing Tofu
Both silken and regular tofu can be purchased at an Asian market or health food store and many supermarkets now carry both types as well. Each type comes in varying degrees of firmness: soft, firm, and extra-firm. Light silken tofu is also available. There are also ready-to-eat baked and marinated versions of regular tofu available in a variety of flavors, from Italian to Asian. Regular tofu is always packed in water and sold refrigerated. Silken tofu is usually sold in vacuumed-packed containers that do not need to be refrigerated and can last for years on the shelf unopened.

Cooking With Tofu
Silken tofu is ideal for puddings, smoothies, dips, soups, salad dressings, sauces, pie fillings, and other creamy desserts (even cheesecake!). Regular tofu is an excellent meat replacement and delicious marinated for stir-frying, sautéing, or grilling. It’s also great in baked tofu dishes or in any dish in which you want the tofu to retain its shape. Try it crumbled and scrambled as well.

See more South Beach Diet Tips.

Low vitamin D levels linked to prediabetes and prehypertension

2011-05-28T09:45:00.000-07:00

Prediabetes and prehypertension have been associated with low vitamin D levels. In a recent issue of the journal Diabetes Care, scientists report a correlation between reduced vitamin D levels and prediabetes and prehypertension in adults. Both prediabetes and prehypertension are estimated to exist in at least one-fourth of disease-free adults.

Researchers analyzed data from 898 men and 813 women who participated in the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES), 2001-2006. Blood pressure measurements were obtained during examinations conducted upon enrollment, and blood samples were evaluated for glucose, serum 25-hydroxyvitamin D and other factors.

Prediabetes was defined as having a fasting serum glucose of between 100 and 125 milligrams per deciliter, and prehypertension was defined as systolic blood pressure of 120 to 139 mmHg and/or diastolic blood pressure between 80 and 89 mmHg. Prediabetes was 33 percent higher among those with vitamin D levels of 76.3 nmol/l (30.5 ng/ml) or less compared to those with higher levels. Prehypertension was evident in 61 percent of those with the lower vitamin D levels. Participants with undiagnosed diabetes and untreated hypertension had even lower vitamin D levels on average. Serum vitamin D levels tended to decline with increasing age and body mass.

When the risk of having both conditions was considered, those with low vitamin D levels had 2.4 times the risk of that experienced by subjects with higher vitamin D levels.

It is reasonable that among those with prediabetes or prehypertension, vitamin D supplementation resulting in increased serum vitamin D levels may help reverse subtle changes in fasting serum glucose and resting blood pressure that may lead to more advanced disease states.

Alok K. Gupta, MD, Meghan M. Brashear, MPH and William D. Johnson, PHD. Prediabetes and Prehypertension in Healthy Adults Are Associated With Low Vitamin D Levels. Diabetes Care March 2011 vol. 34 no. 3 658-660.

FromUSANA Health Sciences usana@updates.usana.com

New Jonny Bowden Cookbook Offers "Fountain of Youth"

2011-05-28T08:59:00.000-07:00

The Most Effective Ways to Live Longer Cookbook: The Surprising, Unbiased Truth about Great-Tasting Food that Prevents Disease and Gives You Optimal Health and Longevity

In The Most Effective Ways to Live Longer Cookbook, nutritionist Jonny Bowden and chef Jeannette Bessinger, reveal the science behind food and longevity, and offer recipes to lengthen your life and keep you strong, healthy, energetic, and active.

Each of the 150 recipes has been specifically engineered to combat and reverse the effects of aging.

The recipes are designed to:

Combat oxidative damage caused by free radicals from the environment and your own body, wearing you down from the inside out
Fight inflammation, the “silent killer” that is a factor in just about every degenerative disease
Avoid glycation, a process that is implicated in many of the diseases of aging
Reduce stress, which can cause more damage to your overall well-being than you think
Prevent damage to the organs that are most vulnerable to aging such as the brain, heart, and bones are also included.

About Jonny Bowden

Dr. Jonny Bowden, C.N.S is on a mission to help people look and feel better. In his nutritional healing newsletter, In Step with Jonny, best-selling books and blog posts, he teaches about nutritional healing, effective weight loss tips and longevity secrets.

His work has been endorsed by a virtual who’s who in the world of integrative medicine and nutrition including Dr. Christiane Northrup, Dr. Mehmet Oz, Dr. Barry Sears (who calls him “one of the best”) and Dr. Ann Louise Gittleman, (who calls him “the personal health coach I would want in my corner no matter what”).

He has been featured in or contributed material to The New York Times, The New York Post, Bottom Line Health, Chicago Sun Times, Chicago Tribune, Time Magazine, GQ, Muscle and Fitness, Cosmopolitan, Oxygen, Seventeen, MSNBC Online, MSN Online, The National Star, Self, Fitness, Family Circle, Marie Claire, Allure, Men’s Health, Ladies Home Journal, Walking, Prevention, Total Health, Woman’s World, Weight Watchers, In Style, Shape and the National Enquirer and has appeared on Fox News, CNN, MSNBC, ABC, NBC and CBS as an expert on nutrition, weight loss and fitness.

Dr. Bowden writes the monthly “Healthy Solutions” column for Better Nutrition Magazine, is a regular contributor to America Online, and a contributing editor for both Clean Eating magazine and Total Health Magazine.

Dr. Bowden has a Master’s Degree in psychology and counseling and a PhD in nutrition, and has earned six national certifications in personal training and exercise. He is board certified by the American College of Nutrition. He is adjunct faculty at Clayton College for Natural Health, and a much in-demand speaker at conferences and events across the country.

THE MOST EFFECTIVE WAYS TO LIVE LONGER COOKBOOK
The Surprising, Unbiased Truth about Great-Tasting Food that Prevents Disease and Gives You Optimal Health and Longevity
by Jonny Bowden and Jeannette Bessinger
Fair Winds Press
May 2011
$24.99 US/$27.99 CAN
Trade Paperback Original
ISBN-13: 978-1-59233-445-2

Midway to Heaven

2011-05-28T08:54:00.000-07:00

Midway to Heaven is a movie that reinforces good Christian values. Beautiful shots of Utah in the autumn. Directed by Michael Flynn, based on a book by Dean Hughes. 3 of 5 stars

Barbecue Buying Tips

2011-05-28T08:48:00.000-07:00

Grilling is a healthy and fun way to prepare some of your favorite foods. Whether its hamburgers, chicken kebabs, pork tenderloin, sirloin steak, seafood, or vegetables, a grill is especially handy for cooking up delicious warm-weather fare. If you haven’t purchased a grill yet, now’s the time — in fact, they may even be on sale this Memorial Day. But the question of whether to invest in a gas model or buy one that uses charcoal often perplexes homeowners. Both have their advantages and disadvantages, but whichever you choose, you’ll love the variety of delicious grilled foods you can add to your cooking repertoire. Before you buy, consider the pros and cons listed here.

The Tourist

2011-05-28T08:38:00.000-07:00

The Tourist, starring Angelina Jolie and Johnny Depp, is a thriller with an interesting ending twist. 4 of 5 stars

Hate aches and pains due to long trips? “Pain Free at Work” can ease your journey.

2011-05-28T08:15:00.000-07:00

The holidays are approaching, which means a lot of people are traveling and spending countless hours on the road. The problem is, many of us experience back and neck pain en route to our destination, which can turn a short trip into a long nightmare. Physical therapist and Pilates instructor, Chantal Donnelly, explains "Being in pain can lead to an unhealthy cycle that affects cholesterol, blood pressure, body fat ratio, etc."

Chantal has developed simple exercises that can help prevent and alleviate pain associated with being sedentary for long periods of time. Her DVD, "Pain Free at Work," provides people with the proper way to sit in their chairs at work or while on the road, strengthen the body as well as easy and releasing stretches for a pain-free workday or getaway.

For more information, please visit www.bodyinsight.com.

Here are five tips to reduce back pain from Chantal's web page.

Be Neutral
Keeping a "neutral spine position" means maintaining the natural arch in the small of your back. Sitting, standing or performing activities out of the neutral zone means not only having bad posture, but also placing increased stress on the spine as well.

Walk With a Big Stick
Imagine you have a long pole glued to your back, from your tailbone to the top of your head. This means you can only hinge at your hips rather than flexing your spine to bend over (such as when you brush your teeth, pick something up off the floor etc).
This little trick keeps your back in the "neutral spine position" and decreases the everyday wear and tear to your vertebral column.

Get Deep
Research shows that drawing in the belly button towards your spine strengthens your deep abdominal muscles and forms a corset of support around the lower back. You can pull in the abdominals while checking your e-mail, standing in line at the bank or while doing the dishes. Practice tightening your abdominals as often as possible and you will be 9 times less likely to have another episode of back pain.

Don't Smoke
People who smoke are 2.7 times more likely to develop low back pain. Nicotine causes a thickening of the blood vessel walls which, in turn, decreases blood flow and oxygen to muscles, bones and ligaments.

Stretch
Tight hip flexor and hamstring muscles will pull on the spine and pelvis and prevent you from being able to maintain a comfortable neutral spine position. Check out the BACK STRETCHES pages on this site for pictures and instructions on how to stretch these two important muscles.

A Fresh Approach to Summer Fitness

2011-05-25T15:10:00.000-07:00

With a new season comes new opportunities for a fresh start in every aspect of life.

"The change of season is an excellent opportunity to make a change in a fitness routine," says Amy Goldwater, M.S., educator, former body building champion, and physical fitness expert for TOPS. "No single exercise can universally meet the needs of all people. We all have various levels of skill, motivation, and fitness. It's important to choose activities that fit your interest and capabilities."

Goldwater notes that fitness practices don't always have to be organized activities. A day at the beach offers a wide variety of exercise opportunities that participants might not have considered. For example, shoveling sand to make a sand castle can be great exercise.

"Picking up rocks and shells will work the lower back, hamstrings, and quadriceps," Goldwater says. "A carefree game of keep-away or tag is ideal to increase the heart rate. Simply walking or running on the sand can give the body a work out as the unstable nature of this surface means the body has to work hard to balance – resulting in more calories burned and a great work out for core muscles. Sand workouts are also easier on the joints, making them less prone to injury or strain."

Other suggestions for waterside activities that require little or no previous training include:
• Beach football - a great workout for the legs and buttocks.
• Frisbee - burns calories, works the upper back and arm muscles, and provides good cardiovascular conditioning if running is involved.
• Volleyball - ideal for arms, legs, and core muscles.
• Water walking or jogging - a great warm up or work out. Walk or jog along the edge of the water with the water level between ankle and knee height. The water adds resistance and makes the activity more challenging. You could even walk near the water and challenge yourself not to get your feet wet!

There are a variety of other indoor and outdoor activities to consider when refreshing a fitness plan. Activities like bench stepping and water exercise (in the pool) provide cardio and resistance workouts without creating excessive wear and tear on joints and muscles.
Bench stepping involves stepping on and off a low bench (four to eight inches high) and combines the cardio intensity of running with the gentleness of walking. Moving the arms will increase the intensity. The force of the impact from bench stepping is about the same as the impact from walking.
Aquatic exercise, including swimming, water walking, or running, can be suitable for all people, regardless of their level of swimming skill. Water exercise can improve aerobic capacity, muscular strength, and flexibility. These activities can provide an excellent training stimulus, and place much less stress on the joints and muscles than similar activities performed out of the water.

Goldwater notes that where exercise is concerned, people often forget that it's okay to be creative. Many physical activities not only lead to increased fitness but also allow for individual expression. "Even though there seem to be fewer ways to catch a pass or hit a tennis ball than there are ways to dance or move to music, the opportunity for creativity exists in all activities," she says. "Exercise and staying in shape can develop more then just your muscles!"

3 healthy lunch-on-the-go suggestions

2011-05-25T09:58:00.000-07:00

When you’re trying to stick to a healthy eating plan, brown-bagging it to work can sometimes be a challenge. But with a little forethought, you can purchase and/or prepare South Beach Diet-friendly foods that will travel well, taste great, and keep you on track at lunchtime. Try these tasty suggestions for on-the-go lunches:

Enjoy a healthy sandwich. Look for nutritious breads that will hold up well when used for Phase 2 traveling sandwiches: 100 percent whole-wheat or whole-grain sliced bread, whole-wheat pitas, and whole-grain tortillas are terrific options. If you’re on Phase 1, forgo the sandwich bread and opt for a roll-up with lettuce. Be sure to choose lean deli meats like turkey breast, chicken breast, roast beef, and ham. Make sure you select varieties without added sugars (for instance, avoid honey-baked ham) and serve deli meats with South Beach Diet-friendly condiments like Dijon mustard or sugar-free salsa.
South Beach Diet tip: Make a meatless sandwich using sliced veggies, reduced-fat cheese, and/or hummus. If you’re on Phase 1 shred the veggies and cheese and roll up in a lettuce leaf.
Prepare a salad. Make a hearty Cobb or chef salad for one or more using dark, leafy greens, tomatoes, cucumbers, avocado, reduced-fat cheese, turkey bacon, and/or lean deli meats. Divvy it up into separate containers for any family member on the go. Put the dressing in a separate small container to add just before eating.
South Beach Diet tip: Select a salad dressing with fewer than 3 grams of sugar per 2-tablespoon serving, or create your own dressing using extra-virgin olive oil, Dijon mustard, balsamic vinegar or lemon or lime juice, garlic, and fresh herbs.
Consider soup. Lentil, split pea, and black bean soups are nutrient-dense, fiber-rich, satisfying choices, as are cold soups made from cauliflower or broccoli. Gazpacho is also an excellent choice for a hot-weather lunch. The great thing about soup is that you can prepare a big pot on a Sunday and it will last you a few days into the week. Hot soups can be packed in a microwavable container; cold soups in a thermos.
South Beach Diet tip: Opt for broth-based soups over cream-based soups, which are high in saturated fat. On Phase 2, pass over soups that contain refined carbs (like white rice or white pasta) and concoct a homemade version using brown rice or whole-wheat pasta instead.

Camino Royale: Pilgrimage veteran releases ultimate guide

2011-05-25T08:39:00.000-07:00

New guidebook helps prepare inexperienced long-distance walkers

CAVAN, Ontario – As many as 60,000 people, attempt the Camino de Santiago each month, according to the Pilgrim Office in Santiago. But the rest of us are perplexed: What is it about the historical pilgrimage that attracts people to make such a long journey on foot?

Beverley Robson completed two Camino's, one in Spain and one in Portugal, in her early 60s. Staying physically fit is not a new hobby for Robson; as a runner and long-distance cyclist, she completed two mini-triathlons in her mid-50s.

In her new book, Planning Your Camino: Preparing "The Way,'" Robson gives suggestions and tips from an experienced long-distance walker to those who are interested in the pilgrimage. From addressing safety to treating blisters, Planning Your Camino is a comprehensive guidebook that aims to prevent any difficulties someone may have on their trip.

"During two long-distance walking vacations, I had heard so many people say 'I wish I had known about this or that before I set out,'" says Robson. "Similar information can be found on the Internet if you have the time and energy to search it out, but having these ideas all in one place when you need them is a great time saver."

Planning Your Camino: Preparing "The Way"
By Beverley A. Robson
Published by AuthorHouse
2011
Soft cover 6 x 9"
ISBN: 978-1-4567-3320-4
Retail price: $18.00
Purchase the book at Amazon.com or Barnesandnoble.com.

About the author
Beverley A. Robson is a retired management trainer who lives with her husband and 4 Labrador retrievers in Cavan, Ontario. For the last 30 years of her life, she has been a runner, long-distance cyclist, and weight trains regularly.

A $200 solar panel

2011-05-25T08:21:00.000-07:00

My name is Larry Gilley, and I'm a construction engineer from San Mateo, California.

In 2009 I went from being completely dependent on the electric company, to total energy freedom - all, in 3 short months.

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Lunch? Have a Large Fruit Salad Please!

2011-05-24T10:53:00.000-07:00

New York, NY --May 24, 2011 -- What do apples, blueberries and prunes have in common? If you guessed that they are all fruits you would be correct. However, that would only be scratching the surface. The fact is that studies consistently confirm the benefits of eating a variety of fruit daily. These benefits include better blood profiles, increased bone density and a strong defense against obesity.

Recently a study out of the Texas Women's University looked at whether blueberries with their high polyphenol content could help in fighting obesity. Blueberries after all have already been cited as having positive health effects on other conditions like cardiovascular disease and metabolic syndrome. The results were positive.

Co-authors Dian Griesel, Ph.D. and Tom Griesel, of the new book, TurboCharged: Accelerate Your Fat Burning Metabolism, Get Lean Fast and Leave Diet and Exercise Rules in the Dust (BSH, 2011) propose a significant amount of fruit in the diet. They even recommend sometimes days of just fruit. "Fruits which are so commonly restricted in most "weight-loss" diets and lacking in most everyday diets are essential for optimal health along with plenty of fresh vegetables, nuts, seeds, and animal proteins like meat, fish, eggs and cheese," say the Griesels. "The plethora of benefits delivered by fruit will continue to be proven in scientific studies."

Another current study on apples by Professor Bahram Arjmandi, PhD, a nutritionist at Florida State University showed how apple consumption lowered LDL cholesterol by an amazing 23% while raising HDL by about 4%. If this is not enough to reason to start your apple binge, consider this: The apple eating women in this study also ended up with lower levels of two other biomarkers linked to heart disease: hydroperoxide and C-reactive protein. The women were instructed to consume the dried apples in addition to their regular diet. Guess what? Not only did they not gain any weight from the extra 240 calories per day, they actually lost an average of 3.3 pounds. "Incredible changes in the apple-eating women happened by six months. I never expected apple consumption to reduce bad cholesterol (LDL) to this extent while increasing HDL," said professor Arjmandi.

Tom Griesel says, "As fruits are always lumped into the 'carb' category they get a very unfair rap and are too often eliminated from diets. This is convenient for manufacturers, but detrimental to our health and well being. A piece of fruit provides lots of nutrition, easy take-along packaging and natural water."

For 18 years, Dr. Arjmandi has studied how our bodies react to certain foods. In 2009 he released results from another study using prunes which showed that eating about 10 per day had a positive effect on bone mass. He said, "I have never seen anything this consistent that not only prevents bone loss but increases bone mass. It's a miracle food." He had previously looked at growth hormone, raisins, dates, blueberries and more for bone building capability but prunes out-performed all of them.

All this fruit information is not new. A landmark study published in the medical journal, Nutrition and Cancer (Nutr. Cancer 1992; 18:1-29), surveyed 156 cancer studies and found that of those studies, 128 showed a protective effect from eating fruits and vegetables.

"It may take awhile for fruit to regain its rightful position as a healthy, popular food, but its nutrition value cannot be denied," says Dian Griesel, Ph.D. "Our advice: Take control of your own health. Start eating fruit salad for breakfast, lunch and dinner along with fruit snacks in between! This simple step will help elevate moods, spirits, improve key biomarkers and certainly elevate absorbable nutrient intake."

To purchase a copy of TurboCharged, please visit: www.amazon.com/dp/1936705001

For more information about the book and authors Dian and Tom Griesel, please visit: www.turbocharged.us.com

Be Bedbug Smart This Summer

2011-05-24T10:44:00.000-07:00

It's that time of year again, no not Summer, Bedbug season. Are you ready for it? How well do you know these crawly critters?

Take the Logic Product Group Bedbug Myth or Fact quiz to see how well you would do against a bedbug infestations.

And for those who totally have their bedbug knowledge down pat, there will prizes for you!

Also, remember to pack BedbugLogic for you Summer travels with the convenient 2oz size.

CIRCLE ONE:

How many people in US have had or know someone who has had bedbugs?

1 in 5 1 in 25 1 in 50 1 in 100

Bedbugs are attracted to:

Dirty places Warm-blooded mammals Moldy surfaces

A house infested with bedbugs will smell like:

Sweet Raspberries Pine Needles Metallic

The recent increase in bedbugs is mostly due to

Pesticide resistance Increase in global travel The recession

Everyone has a reaction of some sort to a bedbug bite

Myth Fact

You cannot see bedbugs

Myth Fact

About Logic Product Group

The Clean, Green, Non-toxic Way To Help Prevent and Treat Bedbugs, Lice, and other Pests. All of Logic Product Group's products are formulated in an eco-friendly laboratory under strict FDA guidelines. Conceived by two parents trying to keep the planet a safe place for their children to grow up on, all products are biodegradable, non-toxic and are not tested on animals.

For further information, samples or to redeem your prize, please contact:

Style House PR

212.444.8177

Felissa Benjamin

felissa@stylehousepr.com

If you would rather not receive future communications from Style House Public Relations, let us know by clicking here.
Style House Public Relations, 200 East 21st Street Suite 1F, New York, NY 10010 United States

Spread protein across the day

2011-04-03T10:36:00.000-07:00

Often breakfast is a hot drink and pastry; lunch is vegetable soup or a green salad with garlic bread. Finally, at dinner we may have protein. Rick Gallop, author of "The GI Diet," writes that protein is brain food and should be eaten early in the day, if not at every meal and snack. Protein provides amino acids for neurotransmitters.

Protein is required to build and repair body tissue. It satisfies hunger better than carbohydrates or fats. Because it is harder to digest, it releases glucose more slowly and evens out sugar peaks.

One of the best proteins is beans. Nuts also are high in proteins. Choose low fat, lean meats, skinless chicken, seafood, and low fat dairy. However, don't use artificially sweetened dairy (which Gallop recommends). I like Greek style natural yogurt with fruit and instead our sour cream. The potential harm to heart and other organs is too great. (See http://ow.ly/4rTdu.)

Here is a day's food plan that incorporates protein.

Breakfast: Protein drink, with fruit and soy milk.
Snack: Raw almonds and fruit.
Lunch: Salad with garbanzo beans and vinegrette dressing.
Snack: Protein bar.
Dinner: Pesto chicken, frozen or fresh vegetables, quinoa, and fruit.