Portion Distortion

When did you last think about how much food was on your plate? How has your portion sizes changed in the past five years? In addition to reading this week’s article, you may be interested in our featured item this week, Eat This Not That! Americans spend more than $400 billion a year eating out, and behind each burger, turkey sandwich, and ice cream sundae is a simple decision that could help you control your weight—and your life. The problem is, restaurant chains and food producers aren’t interested in helping you make healthy choices. This book puts the entire food industry under the spotlight, and arms you with the savvy tricks and insider information it takes to eat well no matter where you are.

Our featured author this week is Sharon Graham, R.N. of Nutrition777. Sharon shares her knowledge of correct portion sizes and eating for health.

PORTION DISTORTION by Sharon Graham, R.N.

For those of you who are old enough to remember back even twenty years ago, think about how much food was served in a restaurant then. If you have any older dishes in your cupboards, look at the size of the plates compared to plates one buys today. Or remember juice glasses? They were little glasses that held about 4 ounces of (usually) freshly squeezed juice.

Most everyone has noticed that food portions in restaurants have gotten larger. Some portions are called “super size,” while others have simply grown in size and provide enough food for at least two people. Along with this growth in portion sizes have come increases in waistlines and body weight.

Some interesting tidbits to ponder are that twenty years ago a regular bagel was about three inches in diameter and had about 140 calories. Today, you’re more likely to find a six-inch bagel with about 350 calories. A turkey sandwich on regular bread at a typical diner twenty years ago had about 320 calories. Today, you’re more likely to find a 10-inch turkey submarine sandwich with all the trimmings — and a whopping 820 calories.

Here are some further statistics from a study of how food portion sizes have increased ten-fold over the past 30 years. Pasta is almost 500% larger, the average muffin 333% larger, hamburgers 112%, steaks 224%, bagels 195% and chocolate chip cookies 700% larger! Did you have any idea? A second study revealed that portion sizes ballooned with an increase in calories by as much as 133 per serving between 1977 and 1996, mirroring the country’s rise in obesity rates. The average number of calories in a cheeseburger increased from 397 calories in 1977 to 533 in 1996.

Okay, so what can you do to offset what seems like a conspiracy to make you fat? Begin by looking at your portion sizes at home. Use a smaller plate and make a choice to not go for seconds. Eat slowly, putting your fork down between bites. A healthful portion of meat is about the size of a deck of cards or the size of your palm. Three ounces of grilled or baked fish is about the size of a checkbook.

I look at many facets of health when working with clients. If someone is consistently exercising (and working up a sweat), drinking adequate water, eating low glycemic and God-foods, and taking the correct supplementation, yet still having challenges shedding excess pounds, then we take a serious look at portion sizes. Often times that is the key in getting over the hurdle.

To see how much you know about portion sizes, take this quiz.

(To comment on this entry, please click on the “Comments” link below.)

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Wellness Gardens is dedicated to researching and bringing to you the finest in alternative therapies and products to enhance your health and spiritual lives and the lives of your pets. As part of that, you will find the cutting edge assortment in books, CD’s, DVD’s, naturopathic and homeopathic products such as GlycoNutrients as well as electronic equipment and other products for the optimization of your diet and fitness, exercise, health, wellness and longevity.

About The Author: Sharon Graham of Nutrition777 is a nutritional consultant and coach who worked in the traditional medical field as a Registered Nurse for a number of years. She has over twenty-five years of experience in the natural health field as well. She works with several nutritional companies and is certified by the American Nutraceutical Association. Sharon brings a wealth of proven, practical information and methods so that you can achieve your own personal health goals.

Certified Organic Tote Bags

Wellness Gardens is featuring this week our very first custom-made, all-natural certified organic tote bag!

Jennifer Church of EverSewEnglish, LLC makes these beautiful bags and we are proud to share them with you. Please click here to see Wellness Gardens’ All-Natural Organic EverSewEnglish Tote Bags.

Behold … our first custom-made product featuring the beautifully embroidered Wellness Gardens logo!

This all-natural, organic tote bag is hand-crafted by EverSewEnglish’s proprietor, Jennifer Church. Jen lives in Virginia and sells these beautiful hand-sewn tote bags and accessories through “Tote Gathering” home parties, her website and craft shows.

Every tote is hand sewn using fashionable fabrics or novelty prints. You can express your individuality by carrying an “EverSewEnglish” Tote bag. Her line includes summer, fall, holiday, novelty, classy, pink ribbon, little miss and many more. She also makes other essentials like tissue holders, eyeglass cases & checkbook covers too.

Totes make very thoughtful gifts, and are perfect for your family, friends, and special occasions. They also make a great gift to you! Jennifer has access to thousands of fabrics and endless ideas and will fill custom orders.

This particular tote was made especially for Wellness Gardens. The solid color fabric used is organic cotton twill fabrics, which are an exciting and environmentally-conscious development in the fabric industry. Twill is a heavier weight cotton fabric that is both durable and very versatile. Organic twills are certified organic from seed to shelf. They are grown without the use of herbicides or pesticides and are dyed with environmentally-friendly, certified dyes. The lavender-print fabric is 100% cotton and the button used is made from clay.

We have several style options available. Click here to order your all-natural, certfied organic quality tote bag made especially by EverSewEnglish.

(To comment on this entry, please click on the “Comments” link below.)

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Wellness Gardens is dedicated to researching and bringing to you the finest in alternative therapies and products to enhance your health and spiritual lives and the lives of your pets. As part of that, you will find the cutting edge assortment in books, CD’s, DVD’s, naturopathic and homeopathic products such as GlycoNutrients as well as electronic equipment and other products for the optimization of your diet and fitness, exercise, health, wellness and longevity.

Move Over Juices, Hello Smoothies!

Have you enjoyed a smoothie today? With the summer season approaching us, there is an abundance of fruits that make some terrific smoothies … and, in order to make a terrific smoothie, you must have a terrific blender. Check out Wellness Gardens’ Farberware FBL500SS Millennium Stainless-Steel 3-Speed Blender for the unbelievable low price of $39.99.

Our featured author this week is Sharon Graham, R.N. of Nutrition777. In her article below, Sharon shares how to make truly healthy smoothies using whole fruits and starting with a healthy base ingredient. As an added bonus, Sharon shares a fabulous recipe for Pineapple Coconut Smoothie.

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MOVE OVER JUICES, HELLO SMOOTHIES! by Sharon Graham, R.N.

I know smoothies are all the rage now. According to Wikipedia, a smoothie is “a blended, chilled, sweet beverage made from fresh fruit. In addition to fruit, many smoothies include crushed ice, frozen fruit, or frozen yogurt.” I began making smoothies for us before I ever heard of the various franchises or of the variety of “foods” being included in a smoothie. I was rather appalled when I began reading recipes available on the Internet for smoothies finding ingredients such as chocolate syrup, chocolate pudding mix, ice cream and peanut butter!

However, our smoothies have also had various “faces” throughout the years. I’ve tried many different ingredients in attempts to make them “healthy.” I’ve used various protein powders, soy products, different oils, and numberous fruits. A couple of years ago, I decided I wanted to make them from God-made foods exclusively without added powders and juices.

This won’t be a treatise on juices, and I know that many juices are made from all fruit and some are even organic. However, juices are still concentrated and can elevate the blood sugar. It’s always better to consume the whole fruit rather than the juice.

I used to always use frozen bananas in our smoothies. They do make them taste yummy. And today’s recipe does use half of a frozen banana. However, for the most part, I stopped including bananas a few years ago after learning about the glycemic index of foods. Bananas are high glycemic, meaning they elevate the blood sugar and they are NOT a friend to anyone with blood sugar issues or to someone wanting to decrease their body fat.

We usually enjoy smoothies for breakfast, and I have a basic way of making them. But I do vary ingredients depending on what I have on hand. However, I’ve decided to use this month to offer different recipe suggestions for how you can make your smoothies according to your own tastes. None of the ingredients or measurements are critical so feel free to experiment.

I use a base of either coconut milk, organic plain whole milk yogurt (not low fat), or kefir. Then I’ll add some fresh fruit such as an apple, pear, or pineapple chunks. Next, I’ll add frozen fruit. Using frozen fruit will make the smoothie thick and luscious. Today’s recipe will get you started and I’ll change the various ingredients as the month progresses. Watch for Triple Berry Smoothie and Raspberry Yogurt Smoothie in the coming weeks.

What are some of your favorite smoothie recipes?  Please share them with us.

(To comment on this entry, please click on the “Comments” link below.)

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Wellness Gardens is dedicated to researching and bringing to you the finest in alternative therapies and products to enhance your health and spiritual lives and the lives of your pets. As part of that, you will find the cutting edge assortment in books, CD’s, DVD’s, naturopathic and homeopathic products such as GlycoNutrients as well as electronic equipment and other products for the optimization of your diet and fitness, exercise, health, wellness and longevity.

About The Author: Sharon Graham of Nutrition777 is a nutritional consultant and coach who worked in the traditional medical field as a Registered Nurse for a number of years. She has over twenty-five years of experience in the natural health field as well. She works with several nutritional companies and is certified by the American Nutraceutical Association. Sharon brings a wealth of proven, practical information and methods so that you can achieve your own personal health goals.

Posture – Why Should I Care?

Our featured author this week is Gloria Hansen of Living Better and Better. Gloria shares with us the importance of keeping physically fit in order to promote good posture.

Visit Wellness Gardens’ line of fitness equipment that will aid you in your favorite fitness regimen.

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POSTURE – WHY SHOULD I CARE? by Gloria Hansen

Good posture makes everybody look 150 percent better. You look thinner – taller – and your clothes hang better. It is probably the most consistent connective thread running through every man and woman of style.

There is a certain magnetism, self-confidence, and to-the-manor-born charisma about a strong, graceful carriage. It is a body language that works.

But there is much more to good posture than your mother might have told you. It is during a state of ideal posture that the muscles will work most efficiently. Poor posture not only takes away from aesthetics, it compromises how we were designed to function, eventually leading to pain and/or injury.

Old, unconscious habits of misalignment, never detected and thus never corrected, directly cause muscle and joint pain, fatigue and general bodily difficulty. Most of us do not realize this crucial connection, much less know what to do about it.

Whenever we get injured, we experience pain. The body will seek avoidance of pain even if it means moving in ways we would consider as poor posture. That wrong way of moving may well become an unconscious habit by the time healing is completed.

Some therapists seem to believe that the absence of pain equals recovery … it does not! The body must be retrained to use muscles correctly. Continued misuse may well lead to serious problems later in life.

Extended sitting is one of the primary causes of poor posture. Not only do people sit most of the time they are at home, eating or watching TV, the seated workplace is the most common in the world today. Some people sit almost every minute of their waking day, aside from walking to the bathroom.

The modern environment is not favorable to good posture. It is practically impossible to sit both correctly and comfortably in a chair. Most chairs are so constructed that maintaining correct alignment while sitting is out of the question.

They are the wrong size, the wrong shape, and the wrong degree of firmness. The seats of many chairs are too long from front to back for anyone under five foot four inches or so. Place as many pillows as you need behind your back so that you can relax a little and still be held upright.

A big part of improving ones posture is to become active. However, most of us need guidance to understand where our alignment is wrong and how to correct it-and finding that guidance may take some effort.

Weak muscles tend to get weaker and strong muscles tend to get stronger when standard gymnasium exercises are poorly supervised. It is human nature to enjoy doing the things we are “good” at and avoid those where we feel clumsy or that hurt.

Simply looking and studying correct posture charts does not help much. It takes a trained observer to discover the flaws and problems in how we stand, sit and move. It may include assessment of our home and work environments.

There are a few excellent bodywork methods that are wonderful for improving alignment and helping you move with more fluidity. Some have been popular with dancers and athletes for years. They include yoga, Tai Chi, Chi Gong, Pilates, Alexander technique and Feldenkrais method.

The emphasis is on doing and being. Your mind is directed toward your body, concentrating on what is happening as it happens. Learning, growth and integration are brought about by the activity itself. Exercise is more pleasant when your mind is totally engaged with your body.

It is well worth experimenting to find the method that appeals to you. You will come to look forward to the stimulation it will provide. As time passes you will find that without conscious effort you are walking and sitting straighter, moving more gracefully.

Your muscles will become firmer and sleeker, better shaped, stronger without being large and bulky. And you will be calmer and more relaxed, with a new sense of control and inner harmony. These effects are subtle at first, and it takes time for them to develop, but they are real.

Only when your body is in balanced alignment, each part working in harmony with every other part, can you experience the power, lightness and ease intended by nature.

(To comment on this entry, please click on the “Comments” link below.)

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Wellness Gardens is dedicated to researching and bringing to you the finest in alternative therapies and products to enhance your health and spiritual lives and the lives of your pets. As part of that, you will find the cutting edge assortment in books, CD’s, DVD’s, naturopathic and homeopathic products such as GlycoNutrients as well as electronic equipment and other products for the optimization of your diet and fitness, exercise, health, wellness and longevity.

About The Author:Gloria Hansen has a degree in Foods and Nutrition from Iowa State University. Her career includes research, recipe development, food photography, writing and distributing educational materials for food manufacturers and their associations. Sign up for a free Becoming-Your-Best Newsletter at http://www.LivingBetterAndBetter.com – The newsletter features lifestyle changes for optimum health, living life in abundance, feeling and looking great, changing your mind to change your world and other resources for self improvement.

Part 3: More on Cookware: The Perils of PFOA

This week, Sharon Graham, R.N. continues to share her expert opinion on healthy cookware – specifically non-stick cookware.

Sharon explains why non-stick coating is so unhealthy for us. Click here to see this week’s featured appliance, the Heuck Porcelain Enamel Cast Iron 3-Piece Skillet Set for only $39.99.

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PART 3: MORE ON COOKWARE: THE PERILS OF PFOA by Sharon Graham, R.N.

So, what is PFOA? No, it’s not a new rock group or the latest blog out there. PFOA is the abbreviation for the chemical named Perflurooctanoic Acid. Perflurooctanoic Acid is used in the production of Teflon and other non-stick surfaces.

According to Health Ranger, Mike Adams of NaturalNews.com, the chemical company that manufactures PFOA has stated that it is only used in the manufacturing process and should not be found in the final products. However, it must be noted that this chemical is found in the bloodstream of 95% of American men, women, and children! It seems that no one is quite sure how the chemical residue has made it into the bloodstream of such a large number of people if it is not located in the final product.

Research has shown that PFOA was still present in the blood for approximately four years after exposure, and levels were only reduced by half. PFOA has been implicated in causing increased instances of cancer of the pancreas, liver, testicles, and mammary glands. Also increased were instances of miscarriage, thyroid problems, weaker immune systems, and low birth weights in newborns.

Heating non-stick cookware to high temperatures releases the PFOA into the air, and according to many sources, into your food — especially if there is a scratch in your non-stick cookware.

On a personal note, years ago when my health was nearly destroyed from various other chemicals, I was extremely sensitive to nearly everything. Not knowing then about the dangers of Teflon, Jerry bought a new non-stick skillet. The first time we used it, I could immediately smell a strong, chemical smell. Then very quickly my face turned very hot and bright red. Within a short time, I developed a headache and felt “foggy” in my thinking. We returned the pan and have never bought another Teflon coated “anything.”

So, what can I use for cookware, you might ask? I’ve used Stainless Steel for many years, although I’m reading that that isn’t necessarily the best as it is still a metal. Enamel coated cast iron is good. I also use regular cast iron skillets. Glass and stoneware are the best for baking. If you can find glass saucepans, grab them as they are very good to use and hard to come by. (I also store my food in glass containers rather than plastic. But that’s another day’s story!)

(To comment on this entry, please click on the “Comments” link below.)

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Wellness Gardens is dedicated to researching and bringing to you the finest in alternative therapies and products to enhance your health and spiritual lives and the lives of your pets. As part of that, you will find the cutting edge assortment in books, CD’s, DVD’s, naturopathic and homeopathic products such as GlycoNutrients as well as electronic equipment and other products for the optimization of your diet and fitness, exercise, health, wellness and longevity.

About The Author: Sharon Graham of Nutrition777 is a nutritional consultant and coach who worked in the traditional medical field as a Registered Nurse for a number of years. She has over twenty-five years of experience in the natural health field as well. She works with several nutritional companies and is certified by the American Nutraceutical Association. Sharon brings a wealth of proven, practical information and methods so that you can achieve your own personal health goals.

Part 2: More on Equipping Your Kitchen the Healthy Way

This week, we continue Sharon Graham’s article on how to equip your kitchen for healthy eating. Our Wellness Gardens website is full of ideas for eating and preparing healthy foods and staying healthy. Click here to see this week’s featured appliance, the Cuisinart Chef’s Classic Stainless 10-Piece Cookware Set for only $149.00.

Our featured author this week is Sharon Graham, R.N. of Nutrition777. In Part 2 of her 3-part article, Sharon shares her knowledge and preferences for the appliances that are important to her in preparing healthy meals.

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MORE ON EQUIPPING YOUR KITCHEN THE HEALTHY WAY by Sharon Graham, R.N.

Last week, I talked about various kitchen machines and utensils that are helpful when equipping your kitchen for health and success. Today, we’ll look at some more fun ways to make food preparation easy and palatable. A salad spinner is another must for our kitchen. Since we eat a salad almost every day, washing lettuce (NOT Iceberg) is made much easier with a salad spinner. It spins the lettuce until dry and crisp.

Good, sharp knives are also a must for a highly functioning kitchen — as opposed to a dysfunctional kitchen <grin>. My best knives are Henckels that Jerry bought me when we were first married. And after twenty-five years, they are still my most favorite knives. A huge key is in keeping them sharp. Dull knives are much more dangerous than sharp ones. Going hand-in-hand with knives are cutting boards. I have a ceramic one that I use for cutting meats and poultry. It can easily be washed with hot, soapy water. I cut vegetables and fruits on a wooden butcher block.

Kitchen scissors are also a wonderful kitchen tool. Use scissors to open food packages, rather than your good, sharp knives. Knives are used for food … not for plastic or paper. A garlic press is another must for a healthful kitchen. Fresh garlic can make all the difference in a recipe.

A portable mixer is another nice addition. I use mine mainly for whipping cream or beating egg whites. A hand-held blender or whizzer is also nice. I use this right in a pot or pan to puree soup or vegetables.

Various sizes of stainless steel mesh strainers are also a must in a well-stocked kitchen, along with stainless steel or enamel-coated colanders.

Finally (for today anyway), most of my cookware is either stainless steel or cast iron. Enamel-coated cast iron is some of the nicest and healthiest cookware available now. A vegetable steamer is also a must. They are readily available. Always look for stainless steel — NEVER buy any aluminum cookware.

So, now that your kitchen is all stocked with the finest of kitchen aids, how about stepping out and preparing a healthy meal? Let me know how it turns out … and don’t forget to send me an invitation to dinner … have fun!

(To comment on this entry, please click on the “Comments” link below.)

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Wellness Gardens is dedicated to researching and bringing to you the finest in alternative therapies and products to enhance your health and spiritual lives and the lives of your pets. As part of that, you will find the cutting edge assortment in books, CD’s, DVD’s, naturopathic and homeopathic products such as GlycoNutrients as well as electronic equipment and other products for the optimization of your diet and fitness, exercise, health, wellness and longevity.

About The Author: Sharon Graham of Nutrition777 is a nutritional consultant and coach who worked in the traditional medical field as a Registered Nurse for a number of years. She has over twenty-five years of experience in the natural health field as well. She works with several nutritional companies and is certified by the American Nutraceutical Association. Sharon brings a wealth of proven, practical information and methods so that you can achieve your own personal health goals.

Part 1: Equipping Your Kitchen the Healthy Way

How well-equipped is your kitchen for preparing healthy food? Our Wellness Gardens website is full of ideas for eating and preparing healthy foods and staying healthy. Click here to see this week’s featured appliance, the Deni Convection Oven for only $69.99.

Our featured author this week is Sharon Graham, R.N. of Nutrition777. In Part 1 of her 3-part article, Sharon shares her knowledge and preferences for the appliances that are important to her in preparing healthy meals.

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EQUIPPING YOUR KITCHEN THE HEALTHY WAY by Sharon Graham, R.N.

Last evening I walked around the kitchen looking at the various appliances, cookware, and kitchen gadgets that I use on a regular basis. I began making a list of what I use most often. This certainly won’t be an exhaustive list, nor will I be able to share everything I use in this posting, but it’s a start.

When asked the hypothetical question of what one thing I could not live without if stranded on a desert island, I’m quick to say, “My Cuisinart!” I’ve used a food processor since they first came on the scene in the 1970’s. There is no faster way to slice, chop, dice, grate or mix than by using a food processor. They truly are a cook’s best friend. If you don’t have one, begin saving for one or consider asking for one for an upcoming gift-giving occasion.

Probably the next most used appliance in our household is the blender. I make smoothies at least five times a week using it. I also use it for pureeing soups and sauces. I also use a large kitchen mixer for the occasions of making bread, other types of dough, cheesecake batter or cookies.

To equip your kitchen in a truly healthy manner, a juicer is a must. Fresh vegetable and fruit juices have tremendous nutrient value.

A crock pot is also a must. I have two; a newer one that is large and oblong in shape and a very old one that still works great. This past Sunday I slow cooked a venison roast with barbecue sauce in the newer one. I cooked some sweet potatoes in the older one at the same time. When we came home from church, the kitchen smelled wonderful. All I had to do was make coleslaw (using my Cuisinart) and dinner was ready!

The last appliance I’ll mention for now is the convection oven. Today’s link will tell you more about it. I don’t have, nor do I recommend using- a microwave oven. I know that may seem extreme to many of our readers … but love me anyway! Perhaps I’ll do a Daily Gram on the dangers of microwave cooking. NOT a popular subject to be sure.

I’ll continue my “kitchen gadget” dialogue next week.

(To comment on this entry, please click on the “Comments” link below.)

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Wellness Gardens is dedicated to researching and bringing to you the finest in alternative therapies and products to enhance your health and spiritual lives and the lives of your pets. As part of that, you will find the cutting edge assortment in books, CD’s, DVD’s, naturopathic and homeopathic products such as GlycoNutrients as well as electronic equipment and other products for the optimization of your diet and fitness, exercise, health, wellness and longevity.

About The Author: Sharon Graham of Nutrition777 is a nutritional consultant and coach who worked in the traditional medical field as a Registered Nurse for a number of years. She has over twenty-five years of experience in the natural health field as well. She works with several nutritional companies and is certified by the American Nutraceutical Association. Sharon brings a wealth of proven, practical information and methods so that you can achieve your own personal health goals.

Five Key Elements for a Healthy Body

As we are enjoying the spring months, this article is a good reminder of how we need to be implementing FIVE simple steps in order to enjoy a healthy body. This is not a new revelation – just a reminder that we can do simple things for good health.

Visit Wellness Gardens’ superior line of pharmaceutical-grade supplements called Ambrotose® – supplements designed to help boost your body’s ability to stay healthy. Inspired by aloe vera saccharide research and the exploding field of glycobiology, the manufacturer developed the first glyconutritional dietary supplement, Ambrotose® complex, in 1996.

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FIVE KEY ELEMENTS FOR A HEALTHY BODY by Marie Watson

With so many different obstacles in our way today it’s essential to do the things that are necessary to keep our bodies in top condition. Between diseases and pollution in our air and water, we must stay tuned into the needs of our bodies in order to assure a long and healthy life. Making the right choices in these areas will allow us to remain happy and productive many years past retirement.

1. Get plenty of sleep

Being well-rested is one of the most important elements in maintaining a healthy body. Sleep deprivation whether purposely or the result of insomnia can cause your body to become tired, fatigued, and run down. This lends its way to an invasion of many infections because of a compromised immune system. Sleep is the body’s best defence, so you need to make sure you obtain what your body needs. Each person requires on average between six and eight hours of sleep nightly, although some may function on as little as five hours while others need up to ten hours.

2. Exercise regularly

Besides having the ability to boost the metabolism, exercise also helps the body sleep most restfully. Whether you do a complete workout or just take a walk several times during the day, you will feel much better by participating in some kind of exercise. That doesn’t mean you have to do something boring—you can swim, bicycle, play tennis, ski, water ski, or do any other type of activity that you enjoy. The important thing is to make sure you do it regularly.

3. Eat healthy foods

In order to maintain a body that is healthy and active all of your life, you need to learn how to eat foods that are good for you. Certainly that high fat, high calorie burger from the local fast food place tastes good, but it is not good for you. You need to develop the habit of eating lean protein, steamed or raw vegetables, fresh fruits, and carbohydrates containing a low glycemic index such as whole grain cereals, brown rice, and wheat bread and pasta. That doesn’t mean you have to give up sweet desserts and snacks for good, but you need to learn to eat them in moderation.

4. Maintain a normal weight

Having excess weight puts a strain on both the heart and the back. In order to assure that you can stay active and do the things you enjoy, you need to make sure your weight is within normal range. If you are overweight but think you are still healthy, you need to review the things you are able to do compared to some of the things you used to be able to do. Certainly you are older which causes some difference, but your weight definitely has a detrimental effect on the level of activities in which you are able to participate.

5. Make sure you have an adequate supply of essential nutrients

No matter how many healthy foods we eat, it is likely we are not getting all of the nutrients we need. This is especially true of the Omega-3 Fatty Acids that help us maintain the health of our hearts. Although this nutrient is found in fish, few of us can eat enough fish to compensate, so we need to supplement this deficiency with fish oil supplements. The same holds true of many other nutrients such as Calcium, Iron, Folic Acid, and the B vitamins just to name a few.

A healthy lifestyle will help us keep our bodies healthy into our golden years, and following these tips will certainly help you in that process. You don’t need to give up your favourite foods to be healthy, but you do need to make sure you eat unhealthy foods in moderation. You also want to make sure to get enough sleep, exercise regularly, and supplement your diet with important vitamins and minerals.

(To comment on this entry, please click on the “Comments” link below.)

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Wellness Gardens is dedicated to researching and bringing to you the finest in alternative therapies and products to enhance your health and spiritual lives and the lives of your pets. As part of that, you will find the cutting edge assortment in books, CD’s, DVD’s, naturopathic and homeopathic products such as GlycoNutrients as well as electronic equipment and other products for the optimization of your diet and fitness, exercise, health, wellness and longevity.

About The Author: Marie Watson writes weight loss, diet plan, health, beauty and general well-being articles for the Slim Eazy website at http://www.slimeazy.com

Finding A Family-Friendly Degreaser Cleaner

In honor of earth month, this week’s article is educational in the importance of all-natural cleaners – specifically the citrus degreaser – which is non-toxic and powerful enough to clean your oven! Please be sure to see our citrus oven cleaner product in our Amazing Sales webpage.

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FINDING A FAMILY-FRIENDLY DEGREASER CLEANER by Vincent P. Platania

Super dirty, grimy, and filthy ovens complete with built-up slime and heavily encrusted gunk requires an intensive, heavy-duty cleaning device. The problem is that many oven degreasers contain poisonous and even toxic chemicals.

Moreover, most of these brutal chemicals do not, in fact, make a product’s cleaning power much better than those containing safer substances. Degreasers filled with harmful ingredients will not necessarily clean better than its less toxic counterpart, but they will make your home less safe, especially for small children.

Manufacturers of cleaning products include harsh chemicals in order to please consumers who have been lead to believe that those very materials are needed to clean powerfully and effectively. Unfortunately, many of these harsh chemicals produce several intolerable side effects.

Many of these toxic substances emit intense odors generating indoor air pollution.

For this reason, consumers need to ventilate their houses when cleaning as recommended on the products’ packages. Such pungent smells often leave consumers with such symptoms as headaches, dizziness, and nausea. Several studies have indicated that chemical inhalation can lead to serious, long-term health problems. Pregnant women should avoid using these poisonous products since these fumes may harm the fetus.

Such harsh chemicals are not only harmful to people, they are damaging to the environment. In fact, many toxic products include government-sanctioned instructions on how to dispose of them. Heaven forbid if these unused substances leaked into our soil and water. To use such products, you need to wear rubber gloves to avoid skin contact. Rubber gloves are not biodegradable, and languish in landfills when thrown out.

On an up note, citrus degreasers and other natural ingredients are just as effective cleaners as toxic chemicals, and do not have any harmful side effects. Safe, biodegradable, Degreaser cleaners are currently available.

While you must still take some obvious precautions like keeping the products out of the reach of children, citric cleaners are nevertheless much safer than their chemical-laden counterparts. And many of these natural cleaners are packaged in biodegradable and recycled packaging.

Most corporations manufacture citrus degreasers and other biodegradable degreaser cleaners not only because they help our health and the environment, but because they work extraordinarily well. Citrus cleaning products are usually made from corn with orange oils added for extra cleaning power and an agreeable scent. These ingredients enable the degreaser cleaner to lift and dissolve dirt and grime.

Because citrus degreaser cleaners are safe and biodegradable, they can be used to clean more than just ovens, barbeques, or engines. Such products can also clean carpets, counters, stovetops, etc. Yet, you must always first read the directions on the label.

Some of these instructions will tell you how to dilute the cleaner so that it works on bathtubs, showers, toilets, floors, grouts, tiles, and glass. The uses for degreaser cleaner are endless.

You can be assured that effective and environmentally friendly degreaser cleaners will be around for a long time.

(To comment on this entry, please click on the “Comments” link below.)

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Wellness Gardens is dedicated to researching and bringing to you the finest in alternative therapies and products to enhance your health and spiritual lives and the lives of your pets. As part of that, you will find the cutting edge assortment in books, CD’s, DVD’s, naturopathic and homeopathic products such as GlycoNutrients as well as electronic equipment and other products for the optimization of your diet and fitness, exercise, health, wellness and longevity.

About The Author: Vincent Platania represents the Stanley Home Products. Stanley Home Products has been in business since 1936, and offers high quality home and personal care products to keep your home and your body clean. Visit http://www.stanley-home-products.com

Eat This Not That!

In this book, you’ll find … Thousands of Simple Food Swaps That Can Save You 10, 20, 30 Pounds-or More! by David Zinczenko and Matt Goulding

Eat This Not That! is a must-have book that is best kept in the car for those times that you’re out and about and suddenly decide to stop and eat at a restaurant but you aren’t sure what you can eat that is healthy.

My friend and massage therapist, Marita, had originally told me about this book and what she had to say really got me excited:

“You flip through quickly for better food choices so it is kind of a quick reference guide … so many of us are on the go most of the time. This book is not saying these are the foods we can always eat but it’s giving us a quick reference to better choices when we’re put in a situation while we’re out on the road, or are out for dinner, etc.

It lists different restaurants, and on those individual menus, the book will guide you to choosing a better healthier meal. We all still have to live life and can’t just nibble on carrot sticks all the time … and love the fact it’s so easy.

It also gives you better adult drink choices. This book/guide educates how many calories are in a Margarita … and now since I have added exercise back into my life style, It takes a WHOLE LOT OF EXERCISE to burn that off !!!!! So now instead, with this quick guide, I can flip to the page of ‘drinks’, and it will compare drinks and IF you are going to have a drink, it tells which would be a better choice.

There is even a section on better choices at the grocery store. We have enjoyed this book so far, and shared it with so many friends. It is not a ‘diet book’ but instead it’s a guide that if you are out there occasionally – living life – and you HAVE to stop at McDonald’s (or any FF place), that there are some better choices than others; and you might be surprised at some of them.”

Amazon.com says:

“Americans spend more than $400 billion a year eating out, and behind each burger, turkey sandwich, and ice cream sundae is a simple decision that could help you control your weight-and your life. The problem is restaurant chains and food producers aren’t interested in helping you make healthy choices. In fact, they invest $30 billion a year on advertising, much of it aimed at confusing eaters and disguising the fat and calorie counts of their products. All of that has changed with EAT THIS, NOT THAT! This book puts the entire food industry under the spotlight, and arms you with the savvy tricks and insider information it takes to eat well no matter where you are. With EAT THIS, NOT THAT! you’re the expert in every eating situation, from the frozen food aisle to your favorite fast food joint to your local sports bar. You control your food universe – and lose the pounds you want – because, unlike every other customer, you’ll know the smart choices to make-instantly!”

You can purchase this book through our Wellness Gardens store at the incredibly low price of $7.97 used or $10.97 new.

(To comment on this entry, please click on the “Comments” link below.)

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Wellness Gardens is dedicated to researching and bringing to you the finest in alternative therapies and products to enhance your health and spiritual lives and the lives of your pets. As part of that, you will find the cutting edge assortment in books, CD’s, DVD’s, naturopathic and homeopathic products such as GlycoNutrients as well as electronic equipment and other products for the optimization of your diet and fitness, exercise, health, wellness and longevity.