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A Life of Health

Runner 

Image by jonny_w via Flickr

In this sometimes crazy world of desk jobs, processed foods, family obligations, and life in the fast lane, it is easy to forget that the one who holds the ultimate responsibility for your health and wellbeing is…..you.

In fact, until you actually take on the responsibility for your own health and fitness, healthy living can be elusive.

So, how does one actually walk a healthy path, while juggling modern life’s plethora of unhealthy habits?

Some ideas:

Physical

Taking care of oneself physically seems pretty obvious. Still this area must have ongoing attention, especially in:

  • Nutrition; you are what you eat. Study this area closely; learn what real nutrition is and how to increase health through proper eating.
  • Vitamins & Herbs; When foods become depleted of natural vitamins, it is absolutely essential to know what vitamins and herbs will help maintain health for you as an individual.
  • Exercise; sometimes this seems the hardest to fit into a busy life, but proper exercise is absolutely essential to balancing not only a healthy body, but also a healthy mind.

Mental

Mental health can be maintained with a thirst for continually learning. Always being the student and being eager to learn is a sure path to both mental clarity & physical health.

Emotional

Some say that emotional wellbeing is the key to good health. Improving in this area means developing an “Attitude of Gratitude”. Learn to accept yourself, as you are.

As you travel the path toward the ultimate in health and fitness, a good attitude will not only help you to attain your goals but it will also insure that the trip will be a joy!

Filed Under: Exercise, Fitness, Vitamins Tagged With: , ,

ANTIBIOTICS – HEALTH RISKS & HEALTHY LIVING

A plate culture of Enterobacter sakazakii perf... 

Image via Wikipedia

Antibiotic resistance is considered by the CDC to be one of its top concerns.  Sick animals are treated on farms to offset the negative effects of overcrowding and poor sanitation.  It is well-known that tThe use of antibiotics accelerates growth.

Recent figures show that 70% of all antibiotics sold in the United States are given to otherwise healthy farm animals to spur growth.  What can we do about this?  We need to urge farmers to limit routine use of antibiotics that are essential to human health – unless these animals are diseased or otherwise compromised.

The use of low doses of antibiotics being fed to farm animals dates back to the 1950′s. It is now a standard practice, and is well recognized as a growth promoter for poultry farmers.  Thousands upon thousands of chickens are retained indoors with antibiotics suppressing latent diseases in otherwise unsanitary environments. One famous chicken producer even went so far as to state that they were willing to compromise and would modify their labelling to stress “Chicken raised without antibiotics that impact antibiotic resistance in humans>”

Just a note:  Denmark and Sweden have long-ago banned the non-therapeutic use of antibiotics in raising farm animals. The United States is far, far behind.  Hopefully, we can begin to prohibit the misuse of important antibiotics to preserve human health as well as animal welfare.

 

 

 

Filed Under: Health, Vitamins Tagged With: , , ,

ENDING ANXIETY WITH VITAMINS, EXERCISE AND FIT LIVING

tai chi chuan 

Image by samandel.com via Flickr

First of all, KNOW YOUR VITAMINS.  The internet, vitamin “bibles” and first-hand information from your doctor, friends, and your co-workers can be vital to prevention of future illnesses, and guide you on your path to healthy living.

Vitamins are essential to life, and to our body’s sense of general well-being.  Vitamins cannot and DO NOT replace food.  They COMPLEMENT your diet, and what your body is taking in.  The “B” vitamins are key to our bodies ‘nervous systems.  So is Magnesium –also known as the anti-stress mineral.

Nutrients, on the other hand, are necessary for the function of your vital organs, as well as cell growth.  They work through the digestive process.

Some of the best choices when trying to alleviate the negative effects of stress are walking, yoga, meditation, “Tai Chi”, massage, aromatherapy, chamomile tea, and LAUGHING!  Social ties and support are fantastic stress relievers.  Call a friend if the going gets tough.  Pet your pet, and bond with your pet.  Stroking that fur (or scales….) calms you and reduces your blood pressure.  Believe it or not, the results are in.  It is a fact – those animals do indeed relieve tension.

Say “no” to unrealistic requests and demands, learn to delegate tasks and responsibilities, and consider volunteering your free time to those in need.  These activities provide immense satisfaction, a sense of freedom, and adjust your perspective on life.

Walk, exercise, join a club, dance – do whatever makes you happy.  More important, DO WHAT MAKES YOU MOVE. Don’t just sit there.  The human body was not created to sit in a chair eight hours a day, day after day.  Get busy, in a stress-free way.   Move your body, stretch your muscles.  No excuses – There are exercises programs available on television, on DVD, whatever.  Just make sure you DO SOMETHING.

Fitness and health are ongoing lifestyle ways and adjust

Filed Under: Fitness, Nutrition, Vitamins Tagged With: , ,