Whole Food And More

Fresh Eggs Banned in Wisconsin

2017-03-26T20:13:00.000-05:00

Wisconsin Regulators Deny Consumers Choice to Purchase Soy-free Eggs on the Market for Past 7 Years

Would you like to pick up your eggs from the farm and transport them to your home without refrigeration? Wisconsin says "NO" – shuts down egg operation.

People with allergies to soy protein now have one less source for purchasing soy-free eggs. Two small-scale farmers in Wisconsin have been informed by the Wisconsin Department of Agriculture that they must stop selling their soy-free and GMO-tested eggs to consumers until they meet state government regulations for shipping eggs that they allege the farmers are violating. They have been shipping their eggs directly to the homes of customers throughout the United States since the beginning of 2010.
In letters dated, March 13, 2017, the State of Wisconsin sent two farmers who are part of the Wisconsin Pasturelands Cooperative a Cease and Desist order regarding their eggs. The two farmers were informed that they were selling eggs and shipping them to consumers without proper refrigeration during shipping. They were specifically instructed that until this situation is corrected, "you shall not hold, process, package or sell the eggs for human consumption from your home or any other location." (Source.)

One of the farms in the Wisconsin Pasturelands Cooperative that was producing eggs. The white structure on the left with fencing around it was home to one of the flocks of chickens producing eggs.

The farmer cooperative run by Amish in rural Wisconsin since 2010 has been working together with an Internet business, Tropical Traditions (now Healthy Traditions), to market their eggs from cage-free chickens fed a specially developed feed that contains no soy, no corn, and ingredients that are tested to be free from GMOs and the herbicide glyphosate.
They are believed to be one of the first ones in the U.S. to offer eggs from chickens on a soy-free diet. The eggs were marketed under the Grass-fed Traditions brand, which is now part of the Healthy Traditions product line offering alternatives to commodity food. Healthy Traditions tests their products for the presence of GMOs and the herbicide glyphosate.
While the State of Wisconsin is claiming that the farmers are violating regulations for the refrigerated transportation of eggs, there is no indication that these regulations apply to consumers transporting their own eggs, whether they are transporting the eggs themselves directly from the farm, or paying someone else to ship them on their behalf.

Do Eggs Purchased by Consumers Need to be Shipped Refrigerated After Purchase?

When the Wisconsin Pasturelands Cooperative began producing their soy-free eggs in 2009, they consulted with local officials working with the USDA. They were told that there were no regulations in place directing consumers to transport their eggs refrigerated, and that current regulations for transporting eggs were in place for large commercial egg operations for transporting their eggs to retail establishments. The Wisconsin Amish farmers constructed insulated ice houses to ensure that the eggs were always stored in temperatures below 45 degrees prior to shipping them to the consumers, in compliance with state regulations.
When Tropical Traditions offered the eggs online, they offered the consumers a choice of shipping options to have the farmers ship the eggs directly to them from the farm, including overnight shipment. They were informed before purchasing that the eggs were shipped unrefrigerated:

These eggs are not graded and will vary in size. They are shipped to you directly from the farm. The farmers are part of Wisconsin Pastureland. Tropical Traditions provides the payment service for you to purchase these eggs directly from the farmer, and delivery is provided to you via a national transportation company such as FedEx or UPS which you will choose at check out. Eggs are shipped unrefrigerated. Contact us for alternative delivery options if you need refrigerated shipping.

It has been well-documented that if eggs are not produced in "factory farms" where chickens are kept in small cages, that there is no need to refrigerate them. The U.S. is one of the few countries in the world that requires eggs to be sold refrigerated. Most of Europe, in contrast, sells eggs at room temperature.
Dr. Mercola writes:

If you’re an American, you probably store eggs in the refrigerator – and wouldn’t think of doing it any other way.
Yet, the US is one of the only countries where chicken eggs are kept refrigerated. In much of Europe, for instance, eggs are often stored right on the counter, at room temperature.
But then, US eggs would be illegal in Europe due to an egg-washing process that may actually make them more susceptible to contamination with bacteria like Salmonella.
When you have eggs from tens of thousands of chickens – or more — all under one roof, there’s a good chance they’re going to get feces and other contaminants on them. The US solution, rather than reducing the size of the flocks and ensuring better sanitation and access to the outdoors, is to wash the eggs. But this isn’t as innocuous as it sounds.
As the eggs are scrubbed, rinsed, dried, and spritzed with a chlorine mist, its protective cuticle may be compromised. This is a natural barrier that comes from the mother hen that lays the egg, and it acts as a shield against bacteria.
It even contains antimicrobial properties. US egg-washing strips this natural protectant from the egg, which may actually make it more likely to become contaminated. According to European Union (EU) guidelines:
"Such damage may favor trans-shell contamination with bacteria and moisture loss and thereby increase the risk to consumers, particularly if subsequent drying and storage conditions are not optimal."
Industrial egg washing, by the way, is banned in much of Europe, not only because of potential damage to the eggs’ cuticles but also because it might allow for more "sloppy" egg-producing practices. The chief executive of Britain’s Egg Industry Council told Forbes:
"In Europe, the understanding is that [prohibiting the washing and cleaning of eggs] actually encourages good husbandry on farms. It’s in the farmers’ best interests then to produce the cleanest eggs possible, as no one is going to buy their eggs if they’re dirty." (See: Americans – Why Do You Keep Refrigerating Your Eggs?)

The farmers in Wisconsin Pasturelands Cooperative have very small flocks that are free range, and they did not wash the eggs prior to storage. Just before shipping the eggs to the consumer, they used a coconut water vinegar solution to wash the eggs, and then coated them with coconut oil just prior to shipment.

Is California Department of Food and Agriculture Behind Demands to Stop Selling Wisconsin Eggs to Protect the Commercial California Egg Industry?

In 2012 "Egg Safety Quality Management Central District Supervisor" John Ramos of the California Department of Food and Agriculture (CDFA) attempted to stop the shipment of eggs from the Wisconsin Pasturelands Cooperative into California.
CDFA had somehow obtained a box of eggs from a FedEx facility that was being shipped to a Tropical Traditions customer.
Mr. Ramos sent a letter to Tropical Traditions demanding that they immediately stop selling eggs in California, stating that the package they found in the FedEx facility was not refrigerated properly. It should be noted that this action was taken after seizing a package in a FedEx facility in route to a customer, not because of any customer complaint about the eggs. He stated:

I received informaion (sic) from one of our Stanislaus County Inspector who was at a Fed-Express office. He noticed a package being delivered from your company. The pictures he sent me where that of the egg carton you are using to package your eggs. There are several violations on the container:
1. No Plant number
2. No sell by date
3. No size or grade "not graded" is not acceptable.
In addition you are not allowed to ship non refrigerated eggs to consumers. (45 degrees F)

In his correspondence Mr. Ramos asked:

Are you a registered egg handler?
Where are the eggs being packed?
How long have you been selling eggs?
Also is there a physical address for the Springville, CA location?
I will be in the Springville area tomorrow doing some inspections.

Tropical Traditions simply maintains a Springville California address for handling mail orders. So when Mr. Ramos showed up at the local post office in Springville, he reportedly flashed his badge and intimidated postal workers into giving him the personal residence address of one of Tropical Traditions managers.
He allegedly showed up at the manager’s personal residence, and demanded to see the egg operation. Seeing that there was obviously no egg farm on his property, the manager reportedly informed the inspector that the egg operation was in Wisconsin, and that Tropical Traditions never took possession of the egg inventory – they simply provided an online service whereby consumers could purchase the eggs directly from the consumer. The farmers in Wisconsin were in complete compliance with regulations of selling eggs directly to the consumer from their farms, according to local authorities in Wisconsin.
It would seem that perhaps CDFA learned their lesson from the 2012 incident, where they had no jurisdiction over farmers in Wisconsin. When Wisconin Inspector Michael Pederson delivered the Cease and Desist letters this month (March 2017) from Michelle J. Krisher, Regulatory Specialist – Senior with the DIVISION OF FOOD & RECREATIONAL SAFETY of Wisconsin, the farmers asked who had complained about their eggs. The reply alleged given by Mr. Pederson was simply that it "came from California."
Since Wisconsin would have no jurisdiction over customer complaints from California, and given the past history of CDFA in trying to stop the Wisconsin eggs from being shipped into California, it is reasonable to suspect that once again this complaint came from CDFA in California.
California has a history of trying to protect its commercial egg operations from eggs imported from other states. In 2014 a new law went into effect in California requiring caged chickens to have more room in their cages, instantly excluding many commercial egg operations from selling in California. NPR reported:

[O]n Jan. 1, all eggs sold in California will have to come from chickens that live in more spacious quarters — almost twice as spacious, in fact, as the cages that have been the industry standard.
It’s been a shock to the egg industry, and to grocery stores.
Proposition 2, as it’s called, required eggs in California to come from chickens that have enough room to fully extend their limbs and turn around freely. It was a direct challenge to the egg industry, because most egg-laying chickens can’t do that in standard henhouses, where they live in small cages, five or 10 birds to a cage.
In the end, they decided that each chicken is legally entitled to at least 116 square inches of floor space.
As a result, as of Jan. 1, most egg producers in the U.S. cannot sell eggs in California.

California gave egg producers inside the state several years to comply with the new law, but did not extend that exemption to producers in other states. As a result, several states have sued California over the law, but so far they have been unsuccessful. (See: Eggs lawsuit by Iowa, other states is rejected)

Are the Farmers Violating any Laws in Shipping Eggs to Consumers Unrefigerated?

This seems to be the heart of the matter. Is it really the responsibility of the State of Wisconsin to tell me how I must have my eggs delivered?
Let’s consider this example. I go to an small farm on a warm day in summer and buy a dozen eggs. I put them on the back seat of my car and then head back home. Along the way, I decide to stop and buy gas. While filling my tank I meet an old friend who invites me to have coffee with him. So, I leave my car and my eggs and spend a relaxing hour in conversation. Finally, I return home and put my eggs in the fridge. Now, it was my choice to keep the eggs in an unrefrigerated car for several hours. I had this choice, because I owned the eggs and could do whatever I wanted to do with them. It was my choice to delay refrigeration or to bring my own cooler for keeping them cold.
Now let’s say I live 150 miles from the farm and don’t want to make a 300-mile round trip to buy eggs. So, I get out my credit card and buy the eggs online. During the checkout process I need to choose whether I want 1-day, 2-day, or standard ground delivery. Again, the choice is mine and the responsibility is mine, because I am buying the eggs and I own them. If I want overnight delivery, then I pay for it. If I want ground delivery, then that is my choice. I get to choose how long I want my eggs to be unrefrigerated. Since I know that unrefrigerated eggs will stay fresh for weeks, I don’t worry about them being in shipping for a couple days.
If I want ground delivery in a standard uninsulated box, then I should be allowed to make that choice. It seems to me that they are stretching the egg handling regulations to include the shipping of personal internet purchases, when the regulations do not discuss such matters.
One must wonder why they are doing this. One must wonder if there is an ulterior motive somewhere behind all of this. One must wonder why exceptions to the regulations could not have been provided.

One of the Healthiest Eggs on the Market for the Past 7 Years is Now Lost

Grass-fed Traditions soy-free and GMO-tested eggs can no longer be purchased by consumers.

When the Grass-fed Traditions soy-free eggs appeared on the market in 2010, it was the culmination of about 2 years of research and development to develop a layer ration that was free from soybeans. Such a poultry layer ration was not commercially available at the time.
Why was it important to develop a poultry feed ration free from soy? As Grass-fed Traditions explains on their website:

Soy has become a big part of the human diet post World War II, with the result that there are many people with soy allergies today, and many people today are trying to reduce or eliminate soy protein from their diet.
Soy is the cheapest protein available today, and it is a major component of most animal feeds. Cheap soy protein allows chickens to grow the fastest, and produce the maximum amount of eggs during their peak laying cycles. If you believe you are allergic to eggs, it could be that you are in fact allergic to soy protein that researchers have now found to be present in egg yolks.
Almost all commercial eggs, including those that are organic or marketed as "Omega 3" eggs, are from chickens fed high concentrations of soy.
So if eggs are a part of your diet today, so is soy protein, whether you realize it or not. Tropical Traditions wanted to offer a soy-free egg from chickens that eat NO SOY. Tropical Traditions soy-free eggs have been tested to be soy-free!

Professor M. Monica Giusti of The Ohio State University has done research on soy isoflavones appearing in commercial egg yolks. In 2009 one of her graduate students conducted some research on soy protein in egg yolks for a thesis, and Tropical Traditions supplied some of their soy-free poultry feed for the study. Their research found:

"Egg yolks of hens provided with the soy free diet, showed a rapid decrease of isoflavone concentration. From an initial isoflavone content of 52µg ± 0.73/100g it quickly diminished until at day 7, the concentration reached individual aglycone undetectable levels."

The chickens that were fed the soy-free feed were laying hens, and had been raised on a traditional soy-based chicken feed. Their results showed that laying hens that were fed the soy-free feed, even when raised on soy-based diet, quickly lose soy protein in egg yolks once they start eating the soy-free ration. After 7 days there were "undetectable levels" of soy protein in the egg yolks.

In recent years, it was found that the organic corn being purchased from local feed mills still had high amounts of GMOs and glyphosate present, so corn was also eliminated from the ration.

The regulations that these two small farming operations are being asked to meet were designed for industrial egg operations that have tens of thousands of birds. In this case, one of the farmers has 200 hens and the other has 600 hens. When they started producing these eggs and shipping them to consumers back in 2010, they were told they were compliant with all regulations to sell eggs direct to the consumer.

New Wisconsin state licensing came about in 2014 when requirements were established that any layer operation with more than 150 hens had to be licensed. Wisconsin now requires farmers who have more than 150 hens to meet state license requirements, which cover hundreds of criteria that only make sense to huge egg operations. [1,2]

Currently, the farmer with 200 laying hens is planning to get out of the egg business if he must meet the state licensing requirements. It does not make business sense for him to build an egg processing room and reconstruct his icehouse, in order to sell a small amount of eggs. Even if he did invest in these changes, he would still have to meet the refrigerated shipping requirement, which remains the major obstacle.
The other farmer with 600 hens was initially willing to obtain a state license, but is now also wondering if this still makes business sense for him. But even if he obtained a state handling license, the cost of shipping eggs refrigerated would put the cost of the eggs out of reach for most consumers.

What is the Future of Small-scale Family Farming in the U.S.?

It is a sad day when the nutritional needs of people are sacrificed by a system of regulation that works against the existence of small businesses who are trying to provide high quality food. It seems as soon as small business owners start exercising independent creativity and ingenuity to produce products that help people become healthier and to stay healthy, there will be an effort to close them down.
These farmers in Wisconsin producing perhaps 50 dozen eggs per day during the sunny months of the year are hardly a threat to anyone. Yet, their egg business is being destroyed for the sake of uniformity and standardization, which only benefits Big Ag.
It seems that every time agriculture regulations are rewritten, they become more and more restrictive and burdensome for small farm businesses. So, congratulations to the State of Wisconsin for setting in motion a plan, which is about to destroy small farm enterprises.
There really is no reason that Wisconsin regulators could not have made an exemption for these farmers, since the number of hens involved here (200 and 600) is not significantly higher than the 150 hens, which is the cut off point for unlicensed egg producers. The size of their egg production is still in keeping with the concept of a small family farm business. These are the same size farms that once dominated the rural landscape throughout America. These farmers do not have dozens of employees and do not produce hundreds of thousands of eggs per day.
But with this Cease and Desist letter, delivered without any prior warning or opportunity to allow the farmers to become compliant before killing their operation, the farmers now face huge economic loss with flocks of chickens that need to be fed expensive chicken feed every day, and no opportunity to sell the eggs while they try to respond to the state’s demands. Their families are suffering from the economic impact of this sudden decision.
Due to the small size of this operation, funding is simply not available to challenge the state in court.

Make Your Voice Heard!

Please call Michelle Krisher and politely ask her to make an exception for Wisconsin Pasturelands Cooperative farmers selling their Grass-fed Traditions eggs. At the very least, they should allow the farmers to use up their remaining feed and have an opportunity to sell their chickens to avoid huge financial losses that might put them out of business.
The letter head she used in her Cease and Desist letter to the farmers boasts "Agriculture generates $88 billion for Wisconsin." So how are a couple of family farmers providing a premium product for over 7 years from just a few hens such a concern for their department, especially given the fact that this product is consumer driven, and that there are apparently no consumer complaints that are initiating this decision?
Michelle J. Krisher
Regulatory Specialist – Senior
DIVISION OF FOOD & RECREATIONAL SAFETY
608-224-4675 / Office; 608-469-8940 / Cell
608-224-4710 / Fax; michelle.krisher@wisconsin.gov
Here are some of the Wisconsin State Representatives serving in the districts of farmers with the Wisconsin Pasturelands Cooperative:
State Representative: Edward Brooks
Office Phone: 608-266-8531 or 877-947-0050
Email: Rep.Brooks@legis.wisconsin.gov
Homepage: http://docs.legis.wisconsin.gov/2017/legislators/assembly/1544
State Representative: Travis Tranel
Office Phone: 608-266-1170, 888-872-0049
Email: Rep.Tranel@legis.wisconsin.gov
Homepage: http://legis.wisconsin.gov/assembly/49/tranel
The Governor of Wisconsin is Scott Walker:
Governor Scott Walker, 115 East, State Capitol, Madison, WI 53702.
Tel: 608-266-1212
Email. Facebook.

About the Author
John P. Thomas is a health writer for Health Impact News. He holds a B.A. in Psychology from the University of Michigan, and a Master of Science in Public Health (M.S.P.H.) from the School of Public Health, Department of Health Administration, at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill.
References
[1] ] "DATCP Home Egg Sales & Licensing," Retrieved 3/20/2017. https://datcp.wi.gov/Pages/Programs_Services/FSEggs.aspx
[2] ] "Wisconsin Legislature: ATCP 88.18," Retrieved 3/20/2017. http://docs.legis.wisconsin.gov/code/admin_code/atcp/055/88/IV/18

Disclaimer: Brian Shilhavy is the editor of Health Impact News and the founder of Tropical Traditions/Healthy Traditions.
Permission granted to republish.

Licorice Root Superfood Spotlight

2017-03-26T17:46:00.000-05:00

Superfood Licorice Root

Licorice root is considered a harmonizer, an herb that brings the properties of other herbs together in a formula. “In ancient Greek glukos means ‘sweet’ and riza means ‘root.” It is an herb that is considered supportive for individuals who have low cortisol. It can be helpful for:

Adapting to stress
Learning and memory
Balancing hormones
Immune support
Weight Loss

“For hundreds of years, the extract from the root of the licorice plant (which is known for the flavoring in candies) has been used in traditional medicine, and continues to be used today. ”
It's almost hard to believe just how many positive health effects licorice can have -- from battling heartburn, combatting eczema, aiding in digestion, and even fighting certain types of cancer!

Licorice root can be found in the Mind Superfood.

#HBnaturals #healingtrilogy #mind #superfoodswithbenefits #licorice #licoriceroot

Natural Treatments For Vasculitis

2017-03-26T14:37:00.003-05:00

Are There Natural Treatments For Vasculitis?

Patients with vasculitis learn that making the diagnosis is sometimes quite difficult. Many endure numerous doctors’ visits, tests, and hospitalizations before the pieces of the puzzle are assembled. The diagnosis of vasculitis usually requires a biopsy of an involved organ (skin, kidney, lung, nerve, temporal artery). This allows us to ‘see’ the vasculitis by looking under a microscope to see the inflammatory immune cells in the wall of the blood vessel.

Now are there any natural treatments for Vasculitis? Yes, there are. Sometimes it's a change in diet or adding superfood supplements.

Read what happened to Ben here. http://hbnaturals.com/pdf/HBN-BensStory.pdf

Ben started taking the Soul product along with some of the ingredients found in the other two products, specifically the Beet Juice and Hawthorn Berry, within 2 weeks. He would do a shot in the morning and again in the afternoon. By January of 2017, his C-reactive protein level was back to normal with absolutely no other treatment.

Now these are amazing results .... Will it happen like this with you or someone you know? We don't know for sure but what if it does? How cool would that be? Very Cool Indeed!

If you want to learn more, order a sample of The Healing Trilogy of Mind, Body & Soul or get on the products right away, contact us or go to Heart & Body Naturals now.

Try a Superfood Shot Now

2017-03-25T15:52:00.003-05:00

There's a new supplement using Whole Superfoods! Get your sample now and see for yourself how it makes you feel!

Sample of the new Superfood Shot from Heart & Body Naturals.

Mexican Chocolate Banana Shake With Superfoods

2016-03-26T10:00:00.000-05:00

“Mexican Chocolate Banana” Shake

8 oz. water
Ice
2 scoops your favorite Chocolate Whey Protein Powder
One scoop Body, Mind or Soul Superfood
½ banana
1 tsp. ground nutmeg
1 1/2 tsp. ground cinnamon
1/4 tsp. ground clove
Pinch of cayenne pepper
1 tbsp. honey

Blend and serve....

Products For Freckles and Stretch Marks

2013-09-15T09:58:00.002-05:00

I'm a native Texan so that means I have years of sun damage to my skin! I have a lot of freckles on my face and across my shoulders, being a natural red head doesn't help!

I'm testing/researching this new product and so far I like it, a lot!

Here's a little bit of what their website says: Remove Those Freckles With SkinBright! Developed through years of research, Skinbright's exclusive formula combines nature's most effective lightening ingredients into one powerful solution, for both men and women, that will remove the appearance of all types of freckles. SkinBright is also a potent overall skin brightener that will bring your skin a light healthy glow, and a more radiant and even tone. SkinBright will begin to remove the appearance of freckling, in some cases, in as little as 2 weeks!

I'm not going to tell you that this product is going to give dramatic skin changes, I'll let you discover that for yourself. Remove freckles with SkinBright!

Let us know how it worked for your freckles :)

Another problem area is stretch marks for women after having babies. This product is another one I'm checking out! What they say on their site:

Are you suffering from stretch marks due to pregnancy, or weight changes? Have they made you feel self conscious and uncomfortable about your appearance? Perhaps you are pregnant and afraid you may develop stretch marks during pregnancy. If so we have the solution. Through extensive research and development, StriaFade was specifically formulated to prevent stretch marks and reduce the appearance of existing stretch marks in both men and women. Whether your stretch marks are due to pregnancy, weight loss, or body building, StriaFade is the answer. StriaFade will begin to reduce the appearance of existing stretch marks, in some cases, in as little as one month!

Diet and Lifestyle Changes Can Help IBS, Lactose Intolerance and More Stomach Problems

2013-08-25T14:03:00.000-05:00

Living with a gastrointestinal (GI) disorder has its challenges in a world of fast food, carbonated and sugary beverages, and high-stress living, and the most important step for a person to take is to consult a doctor who can diagnose the condition and recommend the appropriate treatment – from diet therapy to more specialized care from a gastroenterologist or colorectal surgeon.

Among the most common disorders, which affect about one in four people in North America, are lactose intolerance, irritable bowel syndrome, hemorrhoids, chronic constipation, inflammatory bowel disease, and diverticulitis.

The good news is that each of these common GI conditions can usually benefit through simple changes to diet and lifestyle.

Lactose Intolerance
Lactose intolerance is a condition when a person is unable to produce enough of a digestive enzyme known as lactase to break down a milk sugar known as lactose—a disaccharide (double sugar), consisting of galactose and glucose.
People who are lactose intolerant are not able to fully digest dairy products. When people who are lactose intolerant do try to ingest dairy, the condition’s symptoms can range from mild to severe and can include diarrhea, abdominal cramps, gas, bloating and nausea.
As we age, the risk of developing lactose intolerance can increase because lactase production decreases. Ethnicity can also be a risk factor: those of African, Asian, Native American or Latin American descent are at higher risk for lactose intolerance. In addition, premature birth or existence of other GI disorders can result in lactose intolerance.
When suffering from lactose intolerance, here are some things people can do to support their GI health:

Take a lactase supplement when consuming dairy products. Many people with lactose intolerance could avoid common symptoms simply by taking a quality digestive enzyme supplement.
If extremely sensitive, avoid milk products, but don’t forget your calcium. For some people, even a minimal amount of lactose is not tolerable. They are unable to use products that contain any milk-derived components. For these people, getting calcium by other means, such as through supplementation, is necessary for bone health.
Try probiotics and prebiotics. Probiotics are friendly bacteria that reside naturally in the intestines, helping to promote a healthy digestive system, and may help with digestion of lactose. Prebiotics support the growth of intestinal flora. Great sources of prebiotics and probiotics are fruit, legumes, whole grains, and yogurt.

Acid Reflux
Gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), or acid reflux, is a condition that occurs when gastric acid backs up into the esophagus. The most common symptom is heartburn or regurgitation, which results when the lower esophageal sphincter cannot relax properly to allow food and liquid to flow down into the stomach; the acid then flows back up into the esophagus, causing a burning pain in the chest.
When a person has a history of acid reflux, here are some things they can do support their GI health:

Eat smaller meals. Consumption of a large meal, especially one high in fat, can increase the likelihood of having acid reflux.
Avoid late-night eating. Lying down after eating, or bending over, can worsen the condition. It is important to keep your head elevated for at least 2 to 3 hours after meals.
Avoid heartburn triggers. These include fatty or fried foods, caffeine, chocolate, alcohol, and acidic or spicy foods.
Maintain a healthy weight. Excess weight puts pressure on the abdomen, which can cause acid reflux.
Elevate the head of your bed, using supports under the legs or a wedge under the head portion of the mattress. This helps gravity work for you instead of against you.
Avoid stress. A busy schedule can often lead to poor eating habits such as relying mainly on fatty foods, and may affect stomach function.

Irritable Bowel Syndrome
Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) is a condition in which the large intestine does not function properly. In some cases, food is forced through the intestines too quickly, causing abdominal cramps, gas, bloating, and diarrhea. In other cases, food passes very slowly, causing stools to become dry and hard, leading to constipation. People who are most at risk for IBS includes the elderly, women and having a family history of IBS. Medications should not be modified without discussion with the person’s physician.
When a person is managing IBS, here are some things that they can do to support their GI health:

Optimize fiber intake. Getting enough fiber in the diet, especially soluble fiber, from fruits and vegetables, can provide support for GI health, leading to better management of IBS.
Avoid trigger foods. IBS flare-ups can vary from person to person. Response depends to some extent on whether the person has food intolerances (such as lactose) or food allergies.
Eat small, frequent meals and consume plenty of water.
Exercise regularly. Increased physical activity can support GI health.
Try prebiotics and probiotics. Increasing your consumption of probiotics can help promote healthy gut flora and may ease symptoms, but should be used after consultation with a doctor. Great sources of prebiotics and probiotics are fruit, legumes and whole grains, and yogurt, respectively.

Diverticulosis and Diverticulitis
The presence of diverticuli in the colon is a condition known as diverticulosis. The diverticuli are small pouches caused by protrusion of the inner lining of the colon. People who have diverticulosis may be asymptomatic or may have cramping, bloating, and constipation.
When a diverticulum in the digestive system becomes inflamed, perforated, or infected, the condition is referred to as diverticulitis. People with diverticulitis often suffer from symptoms such as abdominal pain, fever, nausea, vomiting, and changes in bowel habits such as diarrhea and constipation.
When a person has diverticulosis or diverticulitis, here are some things they may consider (after consultation with a doctor) to support GI health:

Exercise regularly and lose weight. Obesity and lack of physical activity are both high risk factors for someone with a history of diverticulitis. By adopting a quality weight management and exercise program (as recommended by your doctor), you can help achieve goals of improving your GI health.
Optimize fiber intake. One of the main causes of diverticular disease is following a low-fiber diet. Making dietary changes to ensure you consume enough fiber daily can be one of the principal ways to avoid having a flare-up, and can be easily achieved by eating plenty of whole fruits and vegetables, and whole grains. If you are not used to having fiber in your diet, start slowly—add a small amount (about 4 grams) to your diet at a time and build up (to about 5 to 6 grams) per serving.
Drink water throughout the day. Increasing water intake and spacing water intake periodically can help normalize bowel movements. Fiber is very absorbent, and will draw water from your intestinal lining, leading to constipation, unless you consume enough water.
Magnesium. Getting enough magnesium in your diet such as from leafy green vegetables can be important for helping to attract water into your colon for normalized bowel movements.

Inflammatory Bowel Disease (Crohn’s or ulcerative colitis)
Crohn’s and ulcerative colitis are inflammatory bowel diseases (IBD) with a major auto-immune component that requires consultation with a medical doctor and proper medical treatment. They both cause inflammation in the digestive tract. Crohn’s can affect any part of the digestive tract from the mouth to the anus, usually in patches, whereas ulcerative colitis affects only the lining of the colon.
People with IBD may suffer from symptoms that range from mild to severe that include abdominal pain, diarrhea, blood in stool, low-grade fever, loss of appetite, and weight loss. Those at highest risk are those with a family history of IBD, cigarette smoking, and, possibly, environmental factors.
When a person has had a history of IBD, here are some things they can do to support GI health:

Try prebiotics and probiotics. Studies where people incorporated probiotics and prebiotics into their diets have shown potential advantages in GI health. Great sources of prebiotics and probiotics are fruit, legumes and whole grains, and yogurt, respectively.
Consume fish oil. Fish oil contains long-chain omega-3 fatty acids that have been shown in studies to support GI health.

Hemorrhoids
Hemorrhoids are collections of arteries and veins under the anal lining that can become swollen, painful, and bleed. They affect about 5 percent of the population in North America. Often they can be managed with diet, but if they do not improve, it is important to see a colorectal surgeon, as not all anal discomfort is from hemorrhoids, and, even if you are suffering from hemorrhoids, other treatments may be indicated.
When a person suffers from swollen hemorrhoids, here are some things they can consider doing to manage symptoms:

Optimize fiber and water. Consume plenty of fiber (25 to 30 grams of fiber) and water (at least 8 glasses) throughout each day to aid bowel function and regularity, reducing risk of constipation and decreasing stress in the anal area.
Avoid sitting for long periods or turning the bathroom into a library. Sitting too long puts pressure where it doesn’t need to be – in the veins of the anus.
Avoid strain on the toilet. Relax and let your natural function work.

Dr. Nicole Kafka

Nicole J Kafka, MD, is a board-certified general and colon and rectal surgeon with a private practice in New York City. She received her medical degree from Cornell University and her undergraduate degree, with honors, from Harvard University. She is also a published author in her field, has been interviewed for print publications, and has appeared on radio and television. By night, Dr. Kafka is also an accomplished “Renaissance woman,” entertaining as a trained classical singer in venues ranging from New Jersey bars to Carnegie Hall.

Tips to Slow Aging and Feel Great

2013-08-23T13:13:00.000-05:00

I read a lot of health magazines and have seen more and more ads for products to make you look younger. Sure a lot of these are natural products but it's still like putting a band-aid on instead of going from the inside out.

We are all going to age and even grow old if we are lucky! Wouldn't you prefer to age with great health, vitality, energy and looking younger than your age? It starts from the inside out.

Exercise is key for feeling and looking great. Strength training helps build bone mass. It helps build muscle mass, boosts metabolism, helps with balance and keeps us limber. Aerobic helps circulation, strengthens the heart and lungs and helps digestion.

The move you move the the better off your body will be and the sharper your mind will be.

You are what you eat! Eat a diet rich in fresh vegetables and fruits. Eat fish, flax seeds, cod liver oil (lemon flavor is the best!) for the important Omega 3 fatty acids. Cut down on the sugary and salty snacks. Eat organic as often as possible. Find grass-fed meats and eggs from chickens raised on grass for best nutrition. If breakfast is not possible make a smoothie using a good protein powder and add a superfood. Drink filtered water and green tea.

Get enough sleep! If you get less than 6 hours of sleep a night you could have an increased risk for viral infections, heart disease, obesity and stroke. I struggled with sleep for years. I would fall asleep quickly but wake up in the middle of the night and toss and turn for hours. This superfood helps me sleep.

If you are still smoking, STOP now. I know it's hard (I quit cold turkey during a juice fast) but it's not impossible to quit. Keep trying, it's worth it and you can do it.

Keep your smile healthy. Studies have shown that gum disease can cause heart and lung problems.. Brush twice a day and see your dentist for professional cleanings.

Protect your skin and eyes from over exposure of sun. You need vitamin D from the sun so get at least 15 min of sun on exposed skin everyday if possible. And/or take a Vitamin D supplement.

Keep your brain sharp! Keep it young with word games, puzzles, reading, going to movies, concerts and hanging out with friends.

I'm determined to slow down the aging from the inside out. I'm not looking for a fountain of youth but close. I've used a supplement for the last 3 months with pretty incredible results. My hair isn't graying as much, I have energy to hike with the family and dogs again, the lines around my eyes are reduced, belly fat is shrinking :) and I simply feel younger.

What are you doing for anti-aging?

Studies show that cognitive decline begins in your thirties. The earlier you support brain health, the better. - See more at: http://robinplan.isagenix.com/us/en/brainsleepsystem.html#sthash.liCAztrA.dpuf

You Can't Exercise Out Bad Food Choices

2013-07-25T07:00:00.000-05:00

Have you heard that Abs are made in the kitchen not the gym? Well I don't believe that exactly. I do think it's more like 80% happens in kitchen and 20% in the gym. Why? Because you have to burn the fat to see the abs, working out isn't going to burn fat like eating a great diet will.

Know someone who works out often, but can’t seem to lose any weight? Many Americans are having the same problem: a new study from the University of Washington has found that while more people are exercising, the rate of obesity is climbing too.

The findings imply that many people are ramping up their exercise routine with hopes of dropping weight quickly; only they’re finding out that weight loss is more about what you put in your mouth rather than the time you put in at the gym.

“Americans are not doing enough to control what they eat,” said the study’s senior author Ali Mokdad in a press release. “They still consume more energy than they burn off through exercise.”

The nine-year study included data from two U.S. health surveys and found that, from 2001 to 2009, the amount of adults who met recommendations for physical activity increased in most U.S. counties. Those recommendations are 150 minutes of moderate exercise or 75 minutes of vigorous exercise each week.

People exercising more is always a good thing, since exercise boosts health in multiple ways—keeping bones and muscles strong, supporting brain function, revving up energy levels, and reducing overall risk of chronic disease. But on the other hand, the corresponding rise in obesity raises concerns.

Unfortunately, the fact is that physical activity can rarely compensate for overeating a poor diet. Consider that an average 150-pound person would have to run more than 5 miles just to work off the calories found in a fast food milk shake or a quarter pounder (~600 kcals). Exercising off excess calories daily is not always easy when you are continuously tempted by high-calorie foods.

Sticking with a weight-loss or weight-maintenance program is easier with Isagenix products. The company provides clinically supported nutritional products and systems along with program guides that offer an easy and efficient way to get thinner, or maintain that thin, without risking your nutritional needs.

When compared against a doctor-prescribed heart-healthy diet, a clinical research study (see details here) found that the Isagenix system resulted in more weight loss, more fat loss–including twice as much loss of deadly visceral fat–and more improvements to overall health markers. The subjects on the Isagenix system also reported better compliance and more predictable weight loss. Not to mention, they didn’t want to stop taking the IsaLean Shakes.

Exercise should always be encouraged; however, Isagenix exists to help people get their diet under control and keep it that way, which is the larger part of the equation for weight control. With delicious products based on the latest findings in nutritional science and systems that are clinically studied and easy to follow, what Isagenix offers is perfectly primed to help reverse the trend of increasing waistlines—exercise included or not.

Reference: Dwyer-Lindgren L, Freedman G, Engell RE et al. Prevalence of physical activity and obesity in US counties, 2001–2011: a road map for action. Popul Health Metr 2013;11:7.

Six Healthy Foods That are High Calorie

2013-07-21T16:17:00.001-05:00

High Calorie Doesn't Make All Food Unhealthy

Did you know there are healthy foods that are high in calories? For sure some of the most health giving foods are also higher in calories. What are some of the best foods for health that also give us more calories?

Quinoa Salad

There are a lot of healthy foods that are high(er) calorie. I'm going to share some of the ones I eat most often.

Bananas and mangoes are so good for you but happen to be higher calories. A med size banana will have about 110 calories. Mangoes have about 210 for one fruit. Both have so many health benefits so I eat them often!

One of my favorite foods with higher calories is Quinoa. This is a grain that gives a great source of protein. One 1/4 cup serving is about 170 calories.

Avocado is another favorite of mine! At about 230 calories for one cup it is one of the eat in moderation foods. But it is also packed with heart healthy fats. Pair avocado with a healthy protein and you are good to go!

My Home-Made Trail Mix

Peanut Butter has 188 calories for 2 tablespoons. That's a lot of calories for 2 spoonfuls but it also gives you 8 g of protein. Eat with fresh veggies or a slice of sprouted bread, yum! Tip: buy raw peanuts from your health food co-op store and make your own peanut butter in a Vita Mix. I add a tsp of virgin coconut oil and store in my fridge.

Bananas are so healthy!

Nuts are a wonderful go to snack but make sure you measure them out since they are high calorie. Go with walnuts, hazelnuts, almonds, pistachios or peanuts. Mayo Clinic has a good resource for nuts. Average calories will be from 160- 175 for a one ounce serving. Very good protein too!

More help and food details here: High calorie foods that are good for your health.

Why Use Whey Protein From Grass-Fed Cows

2013-02-20T11:57:00.001-06:00

Not everyone wants or needs to lose weight. My BMI actually shows I'm underweight, but I have the belly fat so what gives??? Age slows metabolism, age makes muscle waste away if you don't keep up a fitness plan, foods we eat might be causing our body to store fat instead of using it for energy. The list goes on and on.

What to do to burn the belly fat? I can't answer for everyone but for me I added whey protein from happy cows.

What are happy cows? Cows raised on organic grass in New Zealand. No pesticides, no growth hormones given to cows, no nasty feed lots, no corn fed to cows, just a 100% natural diet of grass.

Why does it matter if the whey is from grass-fed cows or cows raised in feed lots?
If the old saying, “you are what you eat,” is right, you will rethink consuming products from grain-fed cows. A new study shows that cows fed high-grain diets have a higher incidence of metabolic disorders related to the build-up of several toxic and inflammatory compounds as well as changes in amino acid profiles in their digestive fluids compared to cows on low-grain diets. Having these metabolic complications (and the need for antibiotic use) negatively affects the quality of dairy products produced, including the whey protein found in milk.

Most cartons of milk in the supermarket show a picture of cows contentedly grazing on grass. In reality, 85 to 95 percent of the cows in the United States are now being raised in confinement, not on pasture. The grass they eat comes in the form of hay, and the ground that they stand on is a blend of dirt and manure.

The reason for confining cows in feedlots and feeding them grain rather than grass is that they produce far more milk under these unnatural conditions. If you also inject them with bi-weekly hormones, standard practice in the dairy industry, they produce even more. Milk them three times a day instead of two and you have the tried and true formula for today’s Super Producers. On average, cows raised in confinement produce more than three times as much milk as the family cow of days gone by and 15 times the amount required to raise a healthy calf.

Check this article by Jo Robinson on Eat Wild

The anatomy of cows was built to live off a diet of grass and shrubbery. However, due to high market demands, farmers have turned to grains such as corn for feed because of convenience and money. It is a lot more economically sound to confine cows to feedlots and feed them grain, which can be digested faster allowing them to “fatten up” quickly. In the eyes of a businessman, this is advantageous; however, science is showing that high-grain diets promote the development of disease and illness because cows are not built to digest grains.

Dairy cows have been turned into machines with the goal of pumping out large amounts of milk at the expense of their health, and consequently, the quality of dairy products. You can trust that Isagenix is not one to choose convenience over quality. Isagenix uses an undenatured whey protein blend sourced exclusively from grass-fed dairy cows raised on the pristine pastures of New Zealand.

See for yourself "Which Whey Protein is Right For You?"

More great information about animals raised on grass and the health benefits

When People and Animals Stop Eating GMO, Their Health Improves

2013-02-04T14:43:00.001-06:00

Shocking. Life-Changing.

You won’t look at food the same way again.

Genetic Roulette exposes the dirt behind Big-Biotech’s Big failed experiment.

Are you and your family on the wrong side of a bet?

When the US government ignored repeated warnings by its own scientists and allowed untested genetically modified (GM) crops into our environment and food supply, it was a gamble of unprecedented proportions. The health of all living things and all future generations were put at risk by an infant technology.

After two decades, physicians and scientists have uncovered a grave trend. The same serious health problems found in lab animals, livestock, and pets that have been fed GM foods are now on the rise in the US population. And when people and animals stop eating genetically modified organisms (GMOs), their health improves.

This seminal documentary provides compelling evidence to help explain the deteriorating health of Americans, especially among children, and offers a recipe for protecting ourselves and our future.

Awarded Solari Best Film of the Year, 2012, Genetic Roulette has an opportunity to receive the AwareGuide Top Transformational Film, 2012! IRT is offering a free screening of GRM so you can watch and understand why this film certainly deserves the awarded for most transformational film, 2012!

Take some time to watch the following movie about GMO's and what's happening with the health of our nation. It's 1 hour and 24 minutes.

Very educational and will drive home why you want to buy organic produce, meats and Isagenix. Isagenix is non-GMO and supports the body with life giving essential nutrients as well as supports the natural cleansing pathways within the body.

http://www.responsibletechnology.org/posts/genetic-roulette-free-screening-vote-today/

Is Isagenix non-GMO?- http://www.isagenixhealth.net/blog/2011/04/26/are-isagenix-products-free-of-gm-ingredients-answer-yes/

Rise in Obesity-
http://www.isagenixhealth.net/blog/2011/10/05/sab-chair-message-rising-obesity-and-its-consequences/

Why cleanse?-
http://www.isagenixhealth.net/blog/2012/04/11/could-routine-cleanse-days-help-you-live-longer/

http://www.isagenixhealth.net/blog/2011/08/17/isagenix-for-life-shake-days-and-cleanse-days/

http://www.isagenixhealth.net/blog/2011/11/22/cleanse-days-combat-weight-gain-and-oxidative-stress/

http://www.isagenixhealth.net/blog/2010/07/09/study-–-fasting-causes-enzyme-to-switch-off-production-of-fat-cholesterol/

http://www.isagenixhealth.net/blog/2011/08/27/eating-fewer-calories-on-isagenix-for-a-longer-life/

What doctors are saying about Isagenix- http://www.isagenixhealth.net/blog/2013/01/28/medical-doctor-commends-recent-isagenix-clinical-trial/

Diet Does Help to Preserve Muscle - Here are Four Ways....

2013-01-25T13:47:00.000-06:00

Four Ways That Diet Helps Preserve Muscle

Those toned abs, pecs, and quads didn’t come easy. You put hard work into them week in and week out at the gym—all those sets of crunches, presses, and painful squats! Now you’re getting older and you might be noticing that it’s tough to hold on to that hard-fought muscle.

You might also know that preserving muscle is critical to maintain your health. Muscle doesn’t just look good, but plays a large role in maintaining the strength of your bones, keeping your immune system functioning optimally, and supporting your cardiovascular health.

When should you start worrying about age-related muscle loss, or sarcopenia? For most people, muscle mass peaks sometime around age 30. From age 30 to 60, the average adult may lose about half a pound of muscle per year while simultaneously gaining about one pound of fat. This lack of muscle strength combined with an accumulation of body fat comes with increased risk of chronic disease, as well as an increased risk of frailty, fracture, injury, and even death.

What can you do to make the most of your effort in the gym? Nutrition is essential to preserving muscle with age, according to a new scientific review published by the International Osteoporosis Foundation Working Group (IOF). The group incorporated evidence from studies around the world and identified the following four ways that dietary components can assist both older and younger adults to help slow muscle loss with age:

Protein: Apart from resistance exercise, protein in the diet may be the most important way to preserve muscle. But, according to the authors, the protein amounts typically recommended may not be enough to optimize muscle and bone health. The type of protein matters, too—whey protein has consistently shown to be best for young and old adults who want to hang on to muscle.
Vitamin D: Mounting evidence suggests vitamin D plays a role in the development and maintenance of muscle mass and function. Getting adequate amounts can depend on regular exposure to the sun’s UVB rays—difficult during the winter months in North America— and through supplementation. Elderly adults are especially at risk of getting insufficient amounts of vitamin D for bone and muscle health.
Vitamin B12 and/or folic acid: Emerging data are showing that these two nutrients play a critical part in improving muscle function and strength.
Eat enough fruits and vegetables while avoiding processed meats and cereal grains: The high dietary intake of processed meats and cereal grains and a low intake of fruits and vegetables can contribute to a greater dietary acid load, which can produce a negative effect on bone metabolism.

How to make preserving muscle easier? Look to Isagenix for keeping you covered on meeting the evidence-based recommendations mentioned in the review.

Reference: Mithal A, Bonjour JP, Boonen S et al. Impact of nutrition on muscle mass, strength, and performance in older adults. Osteoporos Int 2012.

Quick Tasty Snack With Hemp Seeds

2013-01-17T12:59:00.001-06:00

Carrot Apple Crunch Roll Ups

1 sprouted-wheat tortilla*
¼ cup low-fat hummus*
2 tsp IsaCrunch® (hulled hemp seeds)
¼ cup julienned carrots
½ red apple, sliced
½ cup arugula leaves

Warm the tortilla, so it’s pliable. Spread the hummus over the tortilla. Sprinkle
IsaCrunch on the hummus. Layer with carrots, apples, and arugula. Roll tightly
together and refrigerate.

*Nutrition info may change based on actual tortilla and hummus used.

Serves: 1
One serving: 420 calories, 14.4g protein, 14.4g fat, 58.6g carbs, 5.0g fiber

Foods and Herbs to Help Prevent Colds and Flu

2013-01-13T15:13:00.002-06:00

What to do if you don't want the flu shot, like me but want some protection? Well, there are some foods and herbs to help keep a cold and the flu away.

The following is a list of foods and herbs that help promote a healthy immune system and digestive tract and prevents/eliminates mucus from forming in the body(a condition called catarrh), thereby helping to prevent colds and the flu as well.

Cayenne pepper and mustard: both of which stimulate digestion and enhances absorption
Apples: have significant antiviral properties; they contain polyphenols that have anti-cancer properties,and the pectin is able to bind to toxic metals; have laxative effect to help bulk out stools, but apple can also help diarrhea
Carrot, potato peel and onion broth base for soups provides the necessary electrolytes for the eliminative processes. Add herbs such as parsley, sage, thyme and rosemary for added flavor and nutrients.
Cabbage: stimulates the immune system and antibody production and, taken as a soup or tea, is a wonderful way to ward off infections such as colds, coughs, and flu. Its sulphur compounds may confer its antiseptic action in the respiratory system
Garlic, onions and leeks: anti microbial properties and helps detoxify the body.
Turnips: root and tops are high in glucosinolates which may block the development of cancer; bactericidal effect, particularly in the respiratory system; turnip juice given by teaspoonful throughout the day is an effective decongestant, especially for children's colds, coughs and phlegm
Echinacea and goldenseal: both stimulate the immune system. Echinacea is antibacterial and antiviral; goldenseal is an antibacterial noted for healing irritated mucous membranes.
Foods or herbs high in Vitamin A, C (+ the bioflavonoids), E, calcium and zinc also help boost the immune system. Natural supplements should be taken when the diet is lacking in Vitamin C complex and zinc.
Eat a fresh green leafy salad before every evening meal. Add shredded cabbage, turnip and carrots, then toss. This salad adds extra fiber, digestive enzymes, vitamins and minerals to help your body utilize the nutrients from the main meal.
Sprouted seeds and grains, and soaked nuts are a wonderful addition to the diet and provide an energy rich source of live enzymes and nutrients. Great to eat when really fresh vegetables are hard to find and you need an energy boost. Add some sprouts to the salad above.
Drink plenty of filtered water every day. Try adding a tablespoon of apple cider vinegar or lemon to "charge" every quart of water you drink. This will add the necessary electrolytes for improved elimination of toxins and waste matter. If it's too sour, add a little honey or maple syrup. Fluids may also be taken in the form of teas, which is a great way to add nutritional and cleansing herbs to your diet. Raspberry leaf tea is very palatable, loaded with nutritional benefits, and blends well with berry juices or extracts.

Herbal combinations:

black cohosh, blessed thistle, pleurisy root, scullcap

Other Useful Herbs:

Vitamins:

fresh air

exercise every

I Was a "Skinny Fat" Girl

2013-01-11T10:00:00.000-06:00

What It Means and Looks Like to Be “Skinny Fat”

I used to be someone who could eat whatever I wanted without ever gaining an ounce. My friends were envious but not anymore, because science says body composition—the ratio of fat to lean body mass—is a greater sign of health than just plain body weight.

Normal-weight obesity, also known as “skinny fat,” is a growing problem in the United States. These terms describe a person’s body composition that is high in fatty tissue in comparison to lean tissue, while still within normal limits of the body mass index (BMI). Those who are considered to be “skinny fat” don't seem to be overweight, but they have a high percent body fat, especially visceral fat—the fat that surrounds vital organs.

I've gained weight, about 23 pounds since having my son (14 years ago!!!)... It was mostly around my belly. I still looked thin except for the "pot belly". So I do know about fatty organs...

A major problem for these people is that they often are misclassified as healthy when they actually could be at high risk for chronic disease. The fact is that “skinny” is not the same as “fit and healthy”. In the same manner that muscular athletes can still have optimal body composition while technically being in the overweight BMI category, people who appear to be thin can actually have high levels of body fat. Think of sumo wrestlers who can weigh upwards of 300 pounds—it is possible that they are more fit and healthy than the thin spectators who have a higher fat-to-muscle ratio.

A recent study showed that percent body fat was inversely related to cardiorespiratory fitness (CRF)—a strong predictor of cardiovascular disease and premature death (1). Subjects that had larger amounts of body fat were found to be less fit, independent of body weight or stature.

Numerous studies show similar trends between body fat and risk of chronic disease and mortality. While much focus has been on how increased body weight can lead to a greater risk of disease, little emphasis has been on the health risks associated with being underweight and unfit.

In a study that reviewed the relationship between cancer mortality and various adiposity (obesity) measures as well as fitness (quantified as the duration of maximal treadmill exercise test), researchers found that unfit, underweight subjects were at a higher risk of mortality than the obese, fit subjects (2). These results suggest that, in addition to weight management, physical activity should be emphasized as a critical part of a healthy lifestyle and disease prevention.

“Good health is more than a BMI or a number on a scale. We know that people who choose a healthy lifestyle enjoy better health,” reported Keith Bachman, M.D., a weight-management specialist with Kaiser Permanente’s Care Management Institute, in a press release. Dr. Bachman emphasized a balanced diet, physical activity, and stress management as healthy lifestyle practices.

In addition to supporting weight loss and preventing weight gain, increasing your muscle mass contributes to overall health and prevention of disease.

Take skinny out of your vocabulary and focus more on healthy, strong, and fit. Get there by eating more protein, fresh produce and Omega-3 into your diet. I get 18 to 35 grams of protein with every meal or snack to promote and maintain muscle and strength. I love hemp seeds so add them to my shakes, salads and oatmeal.

References:

Lakoski SG, Barlow CE, Farrell SW, Berry JD, Morrow JR, Jr., Haskell WL. Impact of body mass index, physical activity, and other clinical factors on cardiorespiratory fitness (from the Cooper Center longitudinal study). Am J Cardiol 2011;108:34-9. doi: 10.1016/j.amjcard.2011.02.338
Farrell SW, Finley CE, McAuley PA, Frierson GM. Cardiorespiratory fitness, different measures of adiposity, and total cancer mortality in women. Obesity (Silver Spring) 2011;19:2261-7. doi: 10.1038/oby.2010.345

Three Tips For Making Eating Healthy a Habit

2013-01-10T11:30:00.000-06:00

Picking up from yesterday we are on track to eat healthy for 66 days so it becomes habit. It's all good in thought but not easy so here are some tips on what worked for me.

1. Eat Protein For Breakfast. A high protein breakfast enhances weight loss by curbing your appetite so you eat less later in the day. Muscle is metabolically active and burns more calories than other tissues such as fat. The number one excuse for skipping out on a balanced breakfast is lack of time. I start my morning (and I have to add my mornings start at 3am....) anyway, I start with 24 grams of protein in a vanilla shake.

2. Take Small Steps. Instead of swearing off ever eating a cookie again, take small steps to achieve your goals. Focus on the week ahead. What are your goals for the week? Maybe you want to try out the new Zumba class at the gym or commit to only going out to lunch on Friday with your colleagues. Then, challenge yourself even more the next week. Build momentum as the weeks progress, rather than lose it.

3. Beat Stress. Everyone deals with stress differently; however many people turn to food to suppress their feelings of anxiety or unhappiness. This form of emotional eating can have serious repercussions for your waistline and ultimately your health. There is no way you can completely avoid stress, but you can prime your body to manage stress in ways that are less harmful. In addition to incorporating stress managing habits such as mediation into your life. I like to add a combination of adaptogenic botanicals to my healthy foods habit and doing this is another way to help protect my body from the harmful effects of stress.

Reference
Lally et al. How are habits formed: Modeling habit formation in the real world. European Journal of Social Psychology 2009; 40:998-1009. Doi: 10.1002/ejsp.674

Resolve To Eat Healthy for 66 Days For Real Change

2013-01-09T15:41:00.000-06:00

We've all experienced it before. Your New Year’s Resolution to eat healthier starts off strong, but it’s not long before for a small “cheat day” here and there turns into every day being a cheat day. If you really want to make a change in your diet, weight and health, resolve to eat healthy for 66 days. Why 66 days? Science shows that is how long it takes to create a new habit.

A study published in the European Journal of Social Psychology investigated the key factors in creating and breaking habits and how we can set ourselves up for new patterns of behavior. The study included 96 subjects who chose an eating, drinking, or activity behavior to carry out daily for 12 weeks. During the study, subjects completed self-report surveys which indicated whether or not the behavior was carried out daily and level of difficulty to perform the new habit.

Using these data, the researchers were able to identify the average length of time it took for participants to complete the habit automatically, with ease and confidence. Although the range showed variation that may be due to different levels of difficulty in adopting or discontinuing the chosen habit, the average time it took for subjects to feel confident in their habit change was 66 days.

So if you are really looking to make a lifestyle change, make a commitment to really eat healthy for 66 days. By that time, you are more likely to feel confidence in your healthier eating habits and less tempted to indulge in the all-too-frequent “cheat day.”

Now, getting through those 66 days may still have its challenges.

Tomorrow learn some tips to turn your New Year’s resolution into a lifestyle solution....

Low Exercise + Low Protein = Sarcopenia

2012-11-06T11:05:00.000-06:00

You Can Prevent Sarcopenia Lifelong

By Michael Colgan, Ph.D.
Loss of skeletal muscle mass and function with aging is called sarcopenia. It is deadly. Sarcopenia includes loss of muscle quantity and quality, loss of motor neurons that enable muscles to contract, loss of strength and especially muscle power, and a steep decline in muscle repair and recovery. In addition, there is a progressive increase in oxidative stress, chronic inflammation, and pain.

Because muscles supply the immune system with the glutamine required to make immune cells, loss of muscle also causes a loss of immune function (1). By complex effects, including a decline of oxygen to the brain because of reduced muscle contraction, sarcopenia is also linked to death of brain cells and loss of cognition and memory with age (2). Frequently, being overweight masks the appearance of sarcopenia, and only adds to the problem.

Since 1989, when it was first measured accurately, sarcopenia has grown to epidemic proportions in the US and Canada (3-6). In otherwise healthy people over 40, it can be as high as one in every four tested. Researchers on aging generally agree that it is a self-inflicted outcome that is almost 100 percent preventable.

The Right Protein
Here are the two simple steps to prevent sarcopenia lifelong: First, you have to have sufficient high-quality protein in your diet to maintain lean muscle. Because muscle protein synthesis becomes less efficient with age, only first–class protein will do it. Numerous studies, the latest just published in the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition in May 2011, show that whey protein, similar to that found in IsaLean Shake, is the best (7). It stimulates muscle protein uptake better than other proteins common in shakes.

Research shows that for people over age 40, the Recommended Dietary Allowance for protein [0.8 grams per kilogram] may not be sufficient. A controlled study found muscle was not maintained in subjects fed the RDA (8). Following this type of research since the 1990s, the Colgan Institute has recommended increased protein, especially for those who exercise regularly (which we hope is everyone). Consequently, in addition to protein in meals, we generally recommend a minimum of two protein shakes per day. Each shake should contain 20 to 25 grams of whey protein, one taken upon rising in the morning, and one within 30 minutes after working out (these are the times when the body most needs it).

The Right Exercise
The second step to maintain your muscle power for life is the right type of exercise. Sorry to say that jogging or aerobics classes will not fill the bill. Numerous comparative studies now show that resistance exercise is the only effective way (9-11). But it has to be the right resistance exercise. Many gym programs use slow, restricted machine exercises to increase strength and muscle size. I suggest they do not work to prevent sarcopenia, because the major loss in sarcopenia is a neuromuscular loss of power. Power is strength multiplied by speed in free movements. Usual gym strength training does not increase power (12-15).

Balance exercise is a key component to preventing falls in old age.

The Colgan Power Program was developed specifically to train power in athletes, and we have since adapted it for general muscle training to inhibit the sarcopenia of aging(14). There are many factors involved, so I can mention only a couple of the most important here. To get a full explanation you can consult the book (14).

First, as you age, gravity gradually compresses your spine. Most back problems stem from that compression, not from disease. After age 30, you do not want to do a lot of resistance exercise that adds to that compression. So, our first rule for lifelong resistance training, is to do exercises that lengthen the spine while contracting the muscles. We have developed hundreds of these exercises, now used by many thousands of people worldwide.

Our program gets people into the habit of working out daily for 30 minutes, with two protein shakes, one in the morning, and one immediately after workout. Many people who have adopted this simple routine over the last two decades, are physically more robust than their peers, enjoy better health than their peers, and are measurably aging more slowly. For them sarcopenia is not an issue.

The second factor I will note is balance. As part of sarcopenia, kinaesthetic and proprioceptive senses decline, and balance and coordination decline with them. That is why the biggest risk for healthy older people is a fall. Their balance systems no longer register the falling until it is too late. With the right resistance training, with a balance component, you can prevent loss of balance lifelong (16).
References

Colgan M. Optimum Sports Nutrition. New York: Advanced Research Press, 1993.
Johnston AP, De Lisio M, Parise G. Resistance training, sarcopenia, and the mitochondrial theory of aging. Appl Physiol Nutr Metab. 2008;33(1):191–199.
Hughes VA, Frontera WR, Roubenoff R, Evans WJ, Singh MA. Longitudinal changes in body composition in older men and women: role of body weight change and physical activity. Am J Clin Nutr. 2002;76(2):473–481
Sehl ME, Yates FE. Kinetics of human aging: I. Rates of senescence between ages 30 and 70 years in healthy people. J Gerontol A Biol Sci Med Sci. 2001;56(5):B198–B208.
Roubenoff R. Sarcopenia and its implications for the elderly. Eur J Clin Nutr. 2000;54(Suppl 3):S40–S47.
Vandervoort AA. Aging of the human neuromuscular system. Muscle Nerve. 2002;25(1):17–25.
Pennings B, Boirie Y, Senden JM, Gijsen AP, Kuipers H, van Loon LJ.Whey protein stimulates postprandial muscle protein accretion more effectively than do casein and casein hydrolysate in older men. Am J Clin Nutr. 2011 May;93(5):997-1005.
Campbell WW, Trappe TA, Wolfe RR, Evans WJ The recommended dietary allowance for protein may not be adequate for older people to maintain skeletal muscle. J Gerontol A Biol Sci Med Sci. 2001 Jun;56(6):M373-M380.
de Vos NJ, Singh NA, Ross DA, Stavrinos TM, Orr R, Fiatarone Singh MA. Effect of power-training intensity on the contribution of force and velocity to peak power in older adults. J Aging Phys Act. 2008;16(4):393–407.
Peterson MD, Gordon PM.Resistance exercise for the aging adult: clinical implications and prescription guidelines. Am J Med. 2011 Mar;124(3):194-198.
Miszko TA, Cress ME, Slade JM, et al. Effect of strength and power training on physical function in community-dwelling older adults. J Gerontol A Biol Sci Med Sci. 2003;58(2):171–175.
Macaluso A, De Vito G. Muscle strength, power and adaptations to resistance training in older people. Eur J Appl Physiol. 2004;91(4):450–472.
Bottaro M, Machado SN, Nogueira W, Scales R, Veloso J. Effect of high versus low-velocity resistance training on muscular fitness and functional performance in older men. Eur J Appl Physiol. 2007;99(3):257–264.
Colgan M. The New Power Program. Vancouver: Apple Publishing, 2001.
Henwood TR, Riek S, Taaffe DR. Strength versus muscle power-specific resistance training in community-dwelling older adults. J Gerontol A Biol Sci Med Sci. 2008;63(1):83–91.]
Orr R, Raymond J, Fiatarone Singh M. Efficacy of progressive resistance training on balance performance in older adults: a systematic review of randomized controlled trials. Sports Med. 2008;38(4):317–343.

Dr. Colgan

Dr. Michael Colgan, a world-renowned research scientist and leading expert in the inhibition of aging, recently joined the Isagenix Scientific Advisory Board. Dr. Colgan has served as a consultant to the U.S. National Institute on Aging and is widely recognized for several best-selling books on health and nutrition, including Your Personal Vitamin Profile, (New York: William Morrow, 1982), a definitive guide for accurate, scientifically researched nutritional information that has been in continuous print for the last 28 years. He is also the author of numerous research papers in a wide range of journals including Science, The Journal of Experimental Psychology, New Zealand Medical Journal, The Olympic Scientific Congress, and Nutrition and Health. As director at his eponymous Colgan Institute, a consulting, educational and research facility concerned with the effects of nutrition and exercise on athletic performance, along with prevention of chronic degenerative disease, and prevention of degeneration of the brain, Dr. Colgan has provided nutrition, training and anti-aging programs to more than 11,000 athletes, including many Olympians.

More info here....
http://www.ars.usda.gov/is/ar/archive/may05/sarco0505.htm

Supplementing with Chlorella

2012-10-10T10:00:00.000-05:00

What You Should Know Before Supplementing with Chlorella

Organic chlorella is one of the most recommended nutritional supplements today. Chlorella is a blue-green alga that thrives in freshwater. It is known for its rich chlorophyll and protein content. Although chlorella benefits are still being researched, many people are now vouching for this supplement. In Japan, millions of people take chlorella on a daily basis.

If you’re used to taking supplements like vitamin E or C, chances are you’re still not familiar with chlorella. If you want to try this supplement, there are some important factors you need to consider. For example, what type of chlorella supplement are you going to take? There are two famous forms of chlorella available today: chlorella powder and chlorella tablets.

Which Form of Chlorella Suits You Better?

If you want to take a large dose of chlorella, you may find chlorella powder an ideal option. Since it is in powder form, you can easily ingest or mix this product with other foods and beverages, without needing to swallow large amounts of pills. What’s more, organic chlorella powder is more easily absorbed and digested by your body.

The problem with chlorella powder is that it can be too strong, especially when used copiously. To resolve this issue, try using small amounts of powder at first. Mix it in a strong-flavored veggie juice or protein smoothie, so there will only be a mild chlorella taste. Make sure you stir the powder well, so there will be no clumps. Gradually increase the amount of chlorella powder, until you become used to the unique flavor. Once you become accustomed to the flavor, try adding the chlorella to pure, clear water, add some ice, and drink up – it’s a refreshing drink that will surely quench your thirst!

If you do not want to take chlorella in large amounts, just take chlorella tablets or capsules. You may be surprised with the dosage, though – chlorella tablets are usually smaller than other pills, so you may need to ingest several pieces in one sitting. The best time to take these chlorella pills is during mealtimes.

Some experts also recommend taking both the chlorella powder and the tablets. No need to take them at the same time, though – for example, you can opt for the chlorella powder when you’re at home and if you have time to whip up a delicious smoothie. On the other hand, chlorella tablets are more compact, so they are ideal if you are eating out or if you’re in a rush.

Adding Chlorella to Your Family’s Diet: Try These Simple Tips

Some people find it easy to incorporate organic chlorella into their lifestyle. However, other people struggle with this task, most especially those who opt to take chlorella powder. If you want to easily incorporate chlorella into you and your family’s life, here are some easy tips you can follow:

Make sure your family members are familiar with chlorella. Because it is not as famous as established multivitamins or vitamin C supplements, chances are your family members are not familiar with chlorella. Make sure you discuss with them what this supplement does, as well as its potential side effects and dosage. Give them the assurance that supplementing with chlorella is easy and will not have any added burden on their lifestyle.
Never force any of your loved ones to take chlorella. Adults usually have no problem consuming chlorella, but some children may resist this supplement due to its unique flavor. Don’t force them to take this supplement. Forcing them to take chlorella will not only make them mistrust you, but also cause them to lose their appetite.
Mix chlorella in food. Does your family find chlorella unpalatable and weird-tasting? Try mixing this supplement in food. Choose recipes that have strong flavors, such as casseroles, chili, and soups.
Avoid subjecting chlorella to heat. Heating chlorella may dissolve some of its valuable properties and reduce its potency. Chlorella is best consumed in raw form. If you’re adding it to cooked foods, make sure you add it last, when the food has considerably cooled down.

Using chlorella is easy and should not be burdensome. Remember these easy pointers when supplementing with this unique alga.

About the Author

Elaine R. writes for Mercola.com. She is currently doing research about organic chlorella benefits, and how this supplement measures up to other famous nutritional supplements. Aside from supplements, she writes about other topics like exercise, weight management, and healthy eating.

Reaction to Slaughterhouse Scandal

2012-08-23T11:25:00.000-05:00

Nonprofits Certify Humane Treatment

By Robert Rodriguez - The Fresno Bee
Wednesday, Aug. 22, 2012 | 11:26 PM

Animal welfare advocate Adele Douglass cringed when she heard the news that another meat-processing plant was implicated in a video showing acts of animal cruelty.

As the founder of the Virginia-based Humane Animal Farm Care, Douglass has made it her life's mission to champion animal welfare issues.

Her nonprofit organization -- certifiedhumane.org -- provides a certification program for livestock producers who raise and slaughter animals using industry-accepted humane guidelines.

It's a program that grows every year, especially after animal cruelty videos surface. The latest case involves the Hanford-based Central Valley Meat Co., which is under investigation by the U.S. Department of Agriculture.

The USDA has suspended inspections at the plant while it looks into allegations that workers mistreated animals during the slaughtering process.

The USDA requires meat processors to follow food safety and animal humane guidelines, but organizations such as Douglass' provide an extra layer of assurance for skittish consumers.

"Although the USDA seal tells you that they are in compliance with federal guidelines, consumers still feel very strongly about this issue," said Janet Riley, spokeswoman for the American Meat Institute. "And they will buy products that reflect their values."

Humane Animal Farm Care and another Virginia-based group, Animal Welfare Approved, outline strict standards for raising and slaughtering animals. As part of their certification programs, both organizations also make routine inspections of the slaughtering process. Central Valley Meat is not one of their clients.

"Even though people eat animals, they still want to know that they have been raised and slaughtered humanely," Douglass said. "They want to know that the animal has lived a long life and has not been treated cruelly."

The number of animals that have been certified under the Humane Animal Farm Care guidelines has jumped from 143,000 in 2003 to 32.7 million last year.

"And it is because of consumers that we have had this growth," Douglass said.

Andrew Gunther, program director at Animal Welfare Approved --animalwelfareapproved.org -- said his organization works with more than 1,500 farms nationwide, including Sierra Lands Beef in Prather, Rabb Cattle Co. in Woodlake and Fouch Farms in Mariposa.

"What we have become are the eyes and ears of the conscientious consumer," Gunther said. "Farmers and slaughtering plants supply a service and a product to consumers, and consumers have a right to know if it is being produced correctly."

Locally, some businesses are making efforts to assure customers that animals are being treated humanely.

At Whole Foods stores, including in Fresno, the chain has a five-step animal welfare rating system that certifies everything from the environment the animal was raised in to the type of feed it ate.

Pitman Family Farms in Sanger, producers of Mary's Free Range Chickens, has invested $3 million on a method that uses gas, instead of a jolt of electricity, to knock chickens out before they are killed.

The Pitmans were the first poultry processors in California to adopt the method.

Link to the original article

Organic GMO-Free Corn - From WI Farms

2012-04-27T19:58:00.000-05:00

Organic Heirloom Cornmeal, Popcorn, and Whole Kernel corn from small-scale family farmers

Tropical Traditions Press Release
April 25, 2012
Springville, CA

Tropical Traditions announced today that they were offering a new line of organic heirloom corn grown by small-scale family farmers in western Wisconsin. These organic heirloom corn products include Pride of the North cornmeal, whole kernel corn, and Lady Finger popcorn.

Organic Corn that is Truly GMO-free

Pride of the North organic heirloom corn and Lady Finger open pollinated organic popcorn is grown on small family farms with buffer zones, ensuring that the places where the corn is planted is not downwind from any other conventional corn fields that may be using genetically modified seeds. Watch the video below from one of the farms to see an example of how this certified organic corn is grown, and how they ensure proper buffer zones are in place to prevent cross contamination from other farms. The extra care they take is far beyond what is required by current USDA organic standards. Current organic standards do not require any special buffer zones for the growing of organic corn, therefore much of the supply of certified organic corn in the U.S. could possibly be contaminated by GMO cross pollination.

The farmers in this area told Tropical Traditions owner and CEO Brian Shilhavy many stories about how their farm animals, such as chickens, prefer Pride of the North organic heirloom corn over other varieties. In addition, wild deer in the area will go right through neighboring corn fields without eating it in order to reach the farms growing Pride of the North organic heirloom corn and Ladyfinger open pollinated organic popcorn. Mr. Shilhavy visits these farms each year, as they provide Tropical Traditions with their organic pastured chickens, turkeys, and soy-free eggs. When the farmers told him these stories about their organic heirloom corn, he knew that he wanted to obtain some for his own family and the customers of Tropical Traditions, since the corn was not widely available outside the local area. These heirloom organic corn products are shipped directly from the farm, and the organic cornmeal is milled weekly to order and shipped fresh.

Organic corn shielded by a ridge and forest far from GM crops on other farms.

Organic Corn Grown on Small Bio-diverse farms Practicing Traditional and Sustainable Farming Methods

As the video below shows, Pride of the North organic heirloom corn and Lady Finger open pollinated organic popcorn is not grown in mono-crop fields, like the ones that are typically seen while driving through the Midwest section of the US where one can see rows and rows of nothing but corn. This organic heirloom corn is grown on bio-diverse farms that include other crops, along with farm animals that graze the fields, or pastured chickens that also provide Tropical Traditions’ soy-free eggs. Since this is organic heirloom open pollinated corn, the farmers save some corn from each harvest as seed stock for next year’s planting.

The area of Wisconsin where this organic heirloom corn grows is known as the “driftless” area. This is the same area where Tropical Traditions’ pastured poultry, grass-fed beef, and grass-fed lamb, originates from. It is called the “driftless” area because glaciers drifted around this area during the glacial period. As a result, this area is unique and consists of rolling hills and valleys that the early settlers of Wisconsin recognized as having rich soil for grass and crops. The harsh winters allow for the natural death of organic plant life that returns nutrient rich organic matter to the soil each year. Tropical Traditions offers a full line of organic seasonal produce from these farms that they ship to customers nationwide.

Tropical Traditions is America’s source for coconut oil. In addition to a full line of coconut oil and coconut products, they also offer organic foods, grass-fed meats, soy-free organic eggs, from small-scale family farms, and non-toxic household products. Bulk discounts are available through their online Healthy Buyer’s Club.

Organic Heirloom Whole Kernel Corn - 3 lb. bag

Organic Lady Finger Popcorn - 2lb. bag

Are You Eating Beyond Organic?

2011-09-26T16:34:00.001-05:00

Beyond Organic?

Many of you may know my good friend and natural health expert Jordan Rubin, CEO of Garden of Life, and author of The Maker's Diet.

Jordan is about to launch a new company called Beyond Organic, which will offer the world’s healthiest foods, including:

· Beyond Organic GreenFed Beef

· Beyond Organic raw cheese

· Beyond Organic 100% GreenFed cultured dairy beverage

· REIGN - mountain spring water with unsurpassed purity

· REIGN infused spring waters for enhanced performance in life

· Beyond Organic certified organic dark chocolate with probiotics and omega-3s

There are MANY significant features that set these foods and beverages apart from what you would find in health stores.

For example, we have all seen "organic" and “grass-fed” beef at Whole Foods. But did you know that organic beef requires that the cows consume 30% grass? Only 30%!

Jordan Rubin's new company is taking 8,000+ certified organic acres in Missouri and Georgia to raise cattle that are free roaming, Green-Fed, and genetically superior cows. (By the way, Green-Fed is a more correct description than grass-fed, and you will learn more about that in future newsletters). You can click HERE for several videos that describe the products.

One reason I am very excited about this company is rather than putting this food in health food stores; Beyond Organic will be skipping the middleman and will ship these foods directly from their farm to your family! It has always been a huge pain for me to try and get grass-fed beef, and especially raw dairy products. But now, with Beyond Organic, the foods and beverages come to me!

Another feature that sets this product line apart is the infusion of clinically studied probiotics. Probiotics are the naturally good flora that are so important to supporting digestive function and boosting immune system health.

Also, the dairy products are produced by cows with specialized genetics −producing milk that is highly tolerable and very digestible.

How to Live Beyond Organic

The really great news is you can literally be one of the first people in America to live Beyond Organic. Since Beyond Organic has not officially launched, from now until October you can become a Beyond Organic Insider. Anyone who is interested in learning more about these foods and beverages, or even the potential to get your Beyond Organic foods and beverages for free by sharing this message with others, can become an insider nearly four months before the rest of the world hears the good news about the new company.

There is NO fee to sign-up now through September and in that time, you will be educated on the Beyond Organic lifestyle, have the opportunity to try some of the products and discover how you can share the Beyond Organic message with friends, family, colleagues and for physicians, your patients.

All of you have recommended healthy eating options to others, and now you can share with those you know and love, how they can consume the healthiest foods and beverages available and be compensated for doing so.

Over a decade ago, Jordan started Garden of Life, one of the leading nutritional supplement companies in America in his parent's friend's garage with his dad's credit card and a dream. Now you can be part of Jordan's new vision! This is truly a ground floor opportunity, and I jumped at the chance to become a part of. And now, I am asking you to join me.

If you would like to get insider access to Beyond Organic at no cost, you can register here:

Beyond Organic

Once you hold your place by signing up, you can then invite your friends to do the same.

Starting in October, you can become involved with Beyond Organic in one of three ways.

1) You can purchase these foods retail

2) You can become a preferred customer and purchase Beyond Organic products at a 20% discount

3) You can become a Mission Marketer, share these foods and beverages with friends and family, and have the opportunity to get your Beyond Organic foods and beverages for free or even earn an income.

I have never been a huge fan of direct selling companies, which often produce inferior products at inflated prices. However, these are literally the best quality foods and beverages I have ever seen, and they will provide real value to everyone who purchases them.

An area of focus for Beyond Organic that aligns very well with my beliefs is their mission to help feed and clothe widows and orphans by partnering directly with ministries and other non-profit organizations. Their groundbreaking program called “Give a Meal, Get a Meal” is powerful, and once you get set up as an Insider you can watch all these amazing videos and see the vision for yourself!

Healthy Food that Tastes Amazing!

I ONLY advise my friends and family to eat what I eat, and these are the foods I will be eating every day. And now, I am inviting you to do the same.

Once you sign up as a Beyond Organic Insider you will receive your own enroller link and code. If you have friends and family who may also want access to these amazing healthy foods and beverages, please share this message with them on FACEBOOK or email your contact list.

To Learn More

Make sure once you sign up as an Insider, you go to the “back office” page to watch the video archives and get educated on Beyond Organic!

Increase Energy Without Caffeine

2011-09-01T09:42:00.000-05:00

We all need a pick-me-up from time to time. I used to grab a cup of coffee but found that just upset my stomach and really did nothing for giving me energy. The energy drinks are loaded with caffeine and SUGAR or HFCS so they are out!

For a pick-me-up that will last two or three hours food is the best fuel. I eat a snack with about 200-250 calories. Not just any snack. Go with a power snack of complex carbs for the added energy and protein for better brain function.

Complex carbs are healthy, not evil like the simple carbs.

Read the labels. If the label lists sugar, sucrose, fructose, corn syrup, white or “wheat” flour, they contain simple carbohydrates. If these ingredients are at the top of the list, they may contain mostly simple carbohydrates, and little else. They should be avoided.

Candies, table sugar, alcoholic beverages and sweetened soft drinks are simple sugar sources that provide calories, but no nutrients.

Complex carbohydrates are high-fiber foods, which improve your digestion. They help stabilize the blood sugar, keep your energy at an even level, and help you feel satisfied longer after your meal.

Simple carbohydrates, like sugar and corn syrup, are created in a factory – while complex carbohydrates in vegetables and whole grains are designed by nature, and help you maintain your health.

So I got in the habit of packing a small snack bag of seeds, nuts, berries, tubers and grains. I found a great tasting raw mix that uses hemp as a main ingredient. This works for me because I'm a flexitarian, rarely eat meat, and I need protein.

See if the Pulse gives you lasting energy. Visit Forever Green, click on your country, go to Shop, and Versativa on left side. Hemp Blueberry Pulse is my favorite but I eat all three varieties.

FYI....Hemp Cherry Bars
Ingredients: Dates, Raisins, Oats, Whole Cherries, Hemp Seeds, 11 Grain Mix (Barley Flour,Buckwheat Flour, Millet, Rice Flour, Teff, Flax Seeds, Amaranth, Quinoa, Sesame Seeds, Sunflower Seeds, Chia Seeds) Cashews, Almonds, Walnuts, Pecans, Hazelnuts, (Filberts), Prunes, Figs, Cherry Granules, Cherry Powder,

Protect Our Drinking Water From Fracking

2011-08-31T19:58:00.000-05:00

I got this important message today and wanted to make sure all my readers were aware of yet another way our water is being made unsafe!

From Environmental Working Group:

"The oil and gas industry says it's safe. Environmental Working Group wants more science. You have probably heard about it. It's called hydraulic fracturing or fracking -- whatever the name, let's make sure we can call it safe."

"The oil and gas industry claims that hydraulic fracturing has never contaminated drinking water wells. EWG's recent study, Cracks in the Façade, uncovered documents showing that in 1987, the Environmental Protection Agency concluded that fracking could -- and did -- contaminate a water well used by a West Virginia family."

"Still, industry insists that this controversial drilling technique is safe -- even though the EPA also concluded that the incident in West Virginia was representative of contamination from oil and gas drilling."

"Click here to stand with EWG and tell EPA officials they have a responsibility to look into fracking and make sure the oil and gas companies aren't harming our water supply -- and us."

"Fracking is escalating as drilling companies seek to exploit gas deposits trapped in untapped shale formations. But scientific understanding of the technology's hazards hasn't kept up with the expansion of drilling. We need the EPA to step up and protect our drinking water and land by intensifying its investigations of the potential risks to air, water and the environment."

"Fracking injects a mix of water, sand and chemicals into underground shale formations under high pressure to free embedded deposits of oil and gas. It has been associated with drinking water contamination and property damage across the nation, from Pennsylvania to Wyoming, but the industry has always denied that the process can contaminate groundwater."

"Yet EWG's investigation turned up a long-forgotten EPA report that said that in 1982, Kaiser Gas Co. drilled and hydraulically fractured a natural gas well on private property in Jackson County, W. Va. In a 1987 report to Congress, the EPA concluded that the process had contaminated the landowner's well. The EPA called this contamination "illustrative" of the types of pollution associated with natural gas and oil drilling. The EPA might have included other examples of groundwater pollution from fracking, but the agency's investigation was hampered by confidentiality agreements between industry and affected landowners."

"For almost 25 years neither the industry nor the EPA itself has mentioned this study or followed up with more research to determine how fracking fluid might seep into well water. That's too long to leave our drinking water at risk."

Click here to join EWG in demanding that the EPA conduct research into fracking's hazards. We must keep our water safe.

"Thank you for standing up for safe drinking water. Together, we can make sure that the EPA determines the true risks of fracking and protects our drinking water."

Sincerely,

Ken Cook
President, Environmental Working Group