A Family Vacation Highlight!

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One of our favorite family activities on this little vacation of ours has been the “dune hike” in Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore in Michigan.

It’s the first year we’ve taken the kids – the first year they have a real chance of pulling it off, to be more accurate!

When we entered the park, we thought we were just going to climb up a dune, check things out, look at gorgeous Lake Michigan, play at the beach bit, and come back. Simple.

But, the young man at the park entrance spoiled our plan with a wee dose of reality!

He informed us that it was actually just a little over 1.75 miles to GET to the lake! He said we’d be climbing 8-12 dunes, depending on our route. .

My husband and I were both thinking, “Ohhhhhhh… well *that’s* not really what we had been planning on!”

But then, Mr. Wise-Guy park attendant said just the *right* thing to change our plans.

He said, “It takes most people 3 or more hours to complete it. It’s pretty challenging.”

My husband and I are both twisted people… because what we each heard him say was more like, “Na-na-na-na-na-naaaa… you can’t do this!”, sung in a very childish tune!

So off we went… to the lake!

Yes, there were a few whiny-pants moments from the 5-year old as his legs burned with fatigue… but, eventually he rose to the occasion after I talked about him being a strong “athlete” and a powerful member of our family!  He liked that! I love seeing my kids feel pride in themselves. : )

The lake was gorgeous and refreshing, once we finally made it. We played at the beach… jumped waves and skipped stones.

All-in-all we ran up many hills, raced down like a bunch of wild lunatics… laughing and screaming! And, we only suffered one deeply exfoliating face-plant… and it wasn’t ’til the second dune from the end. Not bad!

What a great, spontaneous family adventure! The kids were proud of themselves… and we were very proud of them. Not only did they complete the hike, but they completed it with tenacity and power! (More words to keep ‘em moving on the hike!)

We weren’t ‘racing’ per say, but we were certainly clipping along. On our way back we began to really push ourselves to see what we were capable of as a ‘team’. Our sweaty, sandy, tuckered out bodies were back at the car in well under two hours. Well.

The twisted parents promptly decided that we could easily beat that time next year! Lol!

(No worries – we still stop to smell plenty of roses along the way! Or sand, as the case may be!)

A Really Great Day!

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Some days, things just all “click”.

The other day was one of those days. (Thank goodness… because I really needed a day like that!)

The kids and I have been ‘casually’ home schooling all summer. I’ve been testing the waters again, so to speak, seeing if I could handle home school along with my other full time commitments!

The jury is still out on how well I’ll actually “handle it”… but we sure have had some fun with it this summer.

On this particular day, we started our day together out on the dock, reviewing our plan and doing our morning disciplines together. We read some books – I read, then the kids took turns reading… and laughing… and reading… and feeding the swans… and then a few math drills… and some more laughing!

Their teacher is VERY funny… and witty… and clever… and obviously quite humble! ; )

We had a nice big bowl of mixed fruit together and I surprised the kids by telling them I was taking them out for breakfast. Screams of glee followed! They are NOT used to mom wanting to go out for breakfast – I think it offers the least healthy menu options at restaurants, so I’d prefer to just stay home and make my own.

This time, I chose to go to a restaurant since we still had no power due to a major storm the night before. Hubby was off playing golf with a friend of ours… it was hot, sticky and I was needing to get outta’ the house!

First, we needed to tidy up the house – we didn’t do our usual nightly “put everything away” routine due to the storm the night before. The kids helped right away… no complaining! Whoa! They did a great job, and they did it quickly! God was smiling on me, apparently.

The kids and I had a lovely brunch at an outdoor cafe. I chose a restaurant with healthIER options on the menu… but I already knew I was going to let the kids choose “tasty toxins” on this little outing. They each wanted buttermilk pancakes… but they begged me for free-range eggs first… “so the protein would offset some of the toxicity from the pancakes”!

Yes, we actually *do* have conversations like this at the table! They crack me up!


#1 Identity Theft Protection

After breakfast, we went for a little hike along a nearby trail… investigating the creek and having several impromptu home school science lessons! Birds, bugs, worms, trees, flowers, the water cycle, cloud formations, sound vibrations… very cool. Oh, and more giggling and belly laughs!

Next, we visited the library in this particular town that is ginormous compared to the one in our home town. I had to drag them out of there after 1/2 hour or so… I did NOT want to be inside on a bright, sunny day!

We hit the trail again and found a pretty little park with various statues and monuments for the kids to investigate.

OK, it was time to get back to “the plan” for the day!

We headed to Whole Foods Market. I only had my ankle run into ONCE by my kids pushing a mini shopping cart too quickly behind me! That’s a record! (I’ve come close to launching one of those little carts across the produce section before… MAN does that hurt! Come to think of it, that might be how my Achilles tendon injury started in the first place! lol!)

We went on a little road trip after leaving Whole Foods. We headed along “Millionaire Mile” and ‘ooohed and aaahed’ at all the BIG homes, then we took a drive over to the town where our practice is to investigate the storm damage from the night before.

More science discussions, of course, as we talked about storms and tornadoes.

When we finally got back to the house, the kids joined up with our neighbor kids and played, played, played for hours! We all swam together later in the afternoon… enjoying a ‘forced’ day off from computer work!

I had just finished barbecuing the chicken for our chicken tostada salads, and doing my best to steam the green beans on the side burner of the barbeque, when the power came back on! Woo hoo! It was nice to have a fan on!

We ended the day together out on the dock again, admiring the sunset and dusk. The kids hit the sack a bit earlier than usual… and I was right behind them! It felt SO good to get to bed early… I think I’m getting old! After they were in bed, I also realized that they didn’t fight, argue or bicker ALL day long!!! I think I went to sleep with a big smile on my face!

It also felt really good to just BE with my kids today – no work, no expectations – just enjoying a spontaneous day full of adventure and some cool learning opportunities!  : )

The Innate Lifestyle Program ~ A Testimonial from “S”

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If you’re a “regular” here, then you’ve probably read a thing or two about The Innate Lifestyle Program that we offer in our practice.

Tonight, our first group in the program is finishing up their last workshop for the year! They are such an incredible group of people – really, some of my most favorite people on the planet! I’m SO proud of them!

They own the knowledge and the skills to create better health for the rest of their lives AND to prevent ALL diseases of lifestyle (cancer, heart disease, diabetes, obesity, arthritis, etc.).

This is powerful stuff.

I wanted to share the testimonial of one of these individuals. She is a remarkable young lady, wife and mommy. The world is a better place because of her! Here’s what she had to say about the ILP:

“Health has taken on a whole new meaning since meeting Dr. Colleen and Dr. Marc followed by going through the Innate Lifestyle Program. Last summer I had finally decided to seek help for an ongoing lower back pain that I had had for years, enough that my back hurt every time I hugged my husband. What I didn’t realize was that little pain had been a catalyst of change for a healthier life for my family and myself. Through the Innate Lifestyle Program, I have learned to eat much better, move more and think about what’s going on inside my head. Since last August when I began this program with my husband, I have had a complete paradigm shift in how food, exercising and my thoughts directly relate to my overall health, energy and vitality.

“The goal and intention of the Innate Lifestyle Program is to role model, educate, coach, inspire and empower you to implement healthy changes that you will choose to sustain for the rest of your life.”

I have learned so much from Dr. Colleen and Dr. Marc, coaching and teaching me how to implement changes into my family’s life. I have learned the effects of food on my body, both positive and negative. Prior to the Innate Lifestyle Program, I had been interested in learning about food and cooking meals. However, I had a lot of inaccurate information. I thought I was doing a lot of good things for myself and my family, and I was, but not what I am today after being educated about what our cells need to express health.

The problem is that there is a plethora of information that is inaccurate based upon wealthy companies that are highly commercialized placing big money into advertising of toxic foods. Or, that people, including myself, have no idea what toxic food does to our bodies. That’s why I felt like I wanted to begin the Innate Lifestyle Program. I wanted to learn step by step how to change my knowledge and attitude about consuming food. It’s very freeing to choose to eat fruits, vegetables, proteins, water and (the right) supplements when we know that’s really all the food that our cells require to reflect health.

The most amazing part of changing our paradigm about food is that our 3-year-old daughter has learned right along with us. What a blessing it is for her to begin at such a young with a good foundation of foods in the Circle of Health as compared to what I did growing up.

The second component of the Innate Lifestyle Program is learning how to MOVE WELL. I have learned to gradually change my activity habits to reflect my understanding of what my cells requiring daily movement. I have learned to create at least two times in my day to stretch and get my movement into my spine. I will be honest and say that at the beginning of the program I wasn’t a very “athletic” person by doing things like running or using weights, but little by little I have learned how to work out and enjoy what I feel like afterwards. I have learned how exercise not only helps by body look physically better, but I have an increase in energy, I have a much better night’s sleep and have a combatant towards stress each day. The program helped me keep track of my daily movement and Dr. Colleen and Dr. Marc guided me more on my individual progress. To be honest again, I have struggled in this area, but I have learned a lot that I feel will help me to be a better version of myself than I was beginning this program.

Finally, the THINK WELL part of the Innate Lifestyle program was the most surprising to me. Surprising in that I had never realized how much my thought process really affected my overall health. I have learned to begin each day with quiet time to keep myself centered and filled up with positives about myself. I have learned how my positive and negative self-talk effects my behaviors on a daily basis. I have learned strategies to focus on the sources of my emotions and behaviors.

My belief systems and self-talk have changed greatly towards the better. My favorite part of THINK WELL is learning to love myself more and by doing this I can love my husband, daughter, family and friends better. It’s stopping to reflect on the positives in my life and choosing to make the best of each moment. Thinking well is not always easy, and I have as Dr. Colleen calls “Stinkin’ Thinkin’” days, but I am a different person today because of participating the Innate Lifestyle Program.

The first time Dr. Marc mentioned the Innate Lifestyle Program to my husband and I, I was a skeptical of spending the money and had doubts about starting a year-long program. However, I realized that this was a great opportunity and a great way to change my family tree. I wanted a fresh start. I wanted to be healthier. I wanted to move better. I wanted to think better. I wanted to make better choices for my family and I. I felt like I would regret not doing the Innate Lifestyle Program a year from when I started if I didn’t. My husband and I both wanted to make a change in our family.

Having my husband doing the program along side me was vitally important. We have grown so much together over the past year, supported each other when business got the better of us, and encouraged each other when we needed it. As a family, we’ve come away with a greater purpose for being the family God intended us to be, a love for eating healthy food, a desire to include movement into our everyday life, positive thinking and gratefulness for our many blessings.

Thank you Dr. Colleen and Dr. Marc for being amazing coaches and mentors! The Innate Lifestyle Program needs people like you to be understanding, kind, educated and living the Innate Life as your family does. Thank you for sharing all your gifts throughout this program.

“S”

What’s YOUR Strategy for a Healthy Future? What if it’s the WRONG Strategy?

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America on DrugsI went out for a bike ride this afternoon… and my thoughts were laser-focused on the opportunity we have tomorrow.

Tomorrow is the annual summer ‘festival’ in our town – a BIG shin dig with hundreds and hundreds of people strolling through the streets. We’re having an Open House in our practice, with a major focus being the introduction of The Innate Lifestyle Program to the many new folks we’ll meet.

I’ve spent the last month or so venting to my dearest hubby about how frustrating it is to KNOW that you’re holding the key in your hand… the key that could literally save someone’s life… save MANY lives… yet to have people just pass it by. Too many people are doing NOTHING … or equally, if not more, dangerous, they’re doing the WRONG things… following the wrong advice so commonly given in the wrong paradigm.

We see people taking SO much more medication than ever before… being diagnosed with SO much more “stuff” than ever before… doing absolutely CRAZY forms of ‘doctor-recommended’ treatments. It’s just totally insane.

Yet they think WE’RE the loopy ones. I seriously don’t get it.

Evidence-based science fully supports the fact that our environments (internal and external) will determine our gene expression… will determine whether we’re healthy or sick. What shapes your internal environment? Your lifestyle choices.

Doing “nothing” is not an option. Health doesn’t just happen if you wish for it hard enough.

It’s not enough to ‘just’ work out… or to ‘just’ eat healthy… or to ‘just’ manage your stress. You need to tie it ALL together… consistently, for an extended period of time. THAT’S how you’ll create health and avoid illness. It’s not rocket science.

Anyhow, back to the bike ride.

As soon as I walked into the house, I sat down at the computer and typed out some of the thoughts I’d been having on the ride… trying to get them in some logical order. Trying to see if they might finally make sense to someone ELSE other than my husband and I and our current Innate Lifestyle Program members!!

Here’s the string of thoughts…

Unless you’ve been hiding under a rock, you can clearly see that we’ve got BIG problems with our health. Statistics don’t lie. Just look at your own family and friends… we’re not getting any healthier.

What we’re doing clearly isn’t working.

Health doesn’t just ‘happen’. It requires deliberate action.

Are you taking action? Or are you just waiting for a diagnosis of some illness before you get off your duff and DO something? How do you think that’s going to work out for you?

What is your strategy for a healthy future? (Do you have a strategy?) What is your strategy for avoiding chronic illness?

What if your strategy is the WRONG one? What if it’s the same one that’s allowing so many people to get sick NOW?

What are you doing each and every day that is BUILDING your health… and decreasing ALL your risk factors for disease? Does treating the symptoms and popping pills BUILD better health and make you stronger for the future? By the way, do those drug commercials sound remotely SAFE or SANE to you??? Try “watching” them with your EYES CLOSED… just LISTEN… ignore the actors paid to look happy, healthy, and ‘healed’. LISTEN.

Do you think you need to do something BIG and extravagant and difficult in order to achieve better health or to regain the health you’ve already lost?

Guess what? It’s the simple steps… the RIGHT steps… made consistently over time that will create the massive transformation you need to secure your healthy future.

The right steps – based on scientific evidence, not marketing hype. Real people are getting real results… real transformation. They’re figuring out how to keep on building health and avoid sickness for LIFE. They OWN that now – they have the right strategy and the right plan of action.

This is the plan for getting your health back – for getting your LIFE back.

No matter where you are – currently ‘healthy’ or currently sick – you’ve got to keep BUILDING HEALTH in order to create a healthy future. Make sense? Even the ‘sickest’ person has only ONE way back to health – BUILD more health! Make more healthy choices. Do whatever else you feel you need to do… but the ONLY WAY OUT for good is to BUILD health! It’s so simple… but the so-called experts are missing it! Build health – or you don’t get to HAVE health!

Every day that you do NOTHING or do the WRONG thing is another day you’re moving in the WRONG direction.

Maybe you just didn’t know… nobody told you. We’re telling you. Are you listening? Are you ready?

Why on EARTH would you wait any longer?

Your solution is here. Right now. It’s not hard. It’s time. It’s YOUR time.

The Innate Lifestyle Program – give us 12 months – we’ll give you a Lifetime of Better Health!

(If you’re “local”, we’ve got two upcoming free seminars to fill you in… to set you on the right path. Whether you join the program or not, you’ll never see your health the same again. Join us on Thursday August 12th at 6 pm or Tuesday September 14th at 6 pm)

See… my BRAIN gets a work out when I exercise, too!! ; )

Have Faith in the Powerful Immune System of Kids

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My kids amaze me on many levels. They’re smart, funny, silly, adventurous, cuddly, creative, generous, thoughtful, faithful, loyal, athletic, wild and strong.

They’re also healthy little people. They’ve had less time and less opportunity to be exposed to toxicity – they *should* be healthy, darnit!

Last night and this morning, our daughter amazed me again with her display of Innate Intelligence at work. Her immune system put on quite a powerful, efficient show.

When I left for work in the afternoon, she was “fine”. Playing outside, running, swimming, sunning and so on.

When we met up 5 hours later at her brother’s swim class, I saw the color – or lack thereof – of her face and mouth and wondered if she was ok. It wasn’t 10 minutes later when she turned to me and said, “Mommy, can you hold me? I don’t feel very well all of a sudden.”

When I picked her up, she was a hot, sticky little thing. Her body temperature felt sky high – her skin was burning hot. She asked me to take her to the bathroom because she felt like she needed to toss her cookies or pass out. I felt her body go limp in my arms. Uh-oh. I walked faster!!

Once we got to the bathroom, she faced the toilet… asked me to hold her up… and after a couple moments just turned to me and said, “I can’t… I just need to lie down.”

This kid really knows her body after 8 years! I picked her up, walked her out to the car and drove her and her little brother home. She fell asleep as soon as her bum hit the booster seat! She asked to lie down as soon as we got home. Her body temperature was already coming down. No dinner – lots of water – lots of sleep.

She woke up this morning with a song in her voice and a skip in her step! Totally fine, totally happy. Wild! She asked if it would be OK to pass on track practice this morning, just to make sure her body stayed on the “right path” to getting better. Smart kid. (Gets it from her mother! hee hee!)

I LOVE how the immune system can be SO quick and efficient in identifying a problem, dealing with it, and moving on.

Then again, when you consistently provide the raw materials for health – good nutrition, good movement, good mindset, good environment – your immune system has a better chance of doing what it’s supposed to do, when it’s supposed to do it!

Am I “Sick”? Or Am I Just Expressing Health?

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For the past couple of days, I’ve been feeling like a mack truck surely must have hit me!

I’m experiencing that lovely sensation of my cranium splitting apart due to pressure from deep within the recesses of my sinuses… and quite possibly my brain as well! Add to that the stuffiness, the off & on fever, and the achy joints and ta-daaaa… I’m the perfect picture of health right now!

Actually, that’s rather accurate.

My body is responding perfectly to the environment I’ve created and exposed it to in the days leading up to this immune response known by most folks as “sickness”.

I’m not sick. I’m adapting to the environment – my cells are adapting to the environment they’ve been exposed to internally and externally. I’m expressing health!

Why am I a stickler for accurate terminology here? Because we’ll make completely different choices dependent upon how we talk about certain ‘conditions’ and ‘expressions’ of the body. If we think something is abnormal and negative, we’ll treat it accordingly. On the other hand, if we think something is normal and natural, albeit uncomfortable and inconvenient, we’ll choose differently.

It still stinks to feel wiped out like this… but I know it’s only health showing me what happens in response to excess toxicity or deficiency. Simple. I’ve had a string of days with not enough sleep, more than the usual amount of tasty toxins, and more stress than usual. (More accurately, I’ve handled the ‘stress’ less gracefully than I normally do!)

Couple that with my first round of “having to” have the air conditioner on for extended periods of time this summer, and BAM! My immune system said, “ENOUGH!” Apparently, coming in and out of the synthetically cooled air from the extreme heat outside, multiple times each day, sent me over the top! Blech.

Many times in the last couple of days I’ve thought about what a “normal” person might do if they felt like this. (Yes, I long ago accepted that I am NOT normal! I’m good with that!) Many people would have turned to some sort of over-the-counter remedy or prescribed drug to help alleviate the symptoms.

I have recollections of days long ago (long before I was on this path of more natural wellness), when I used to take drugs for symptoms. I remember the daze, the haze, the fog, the grogginess and all the other annoying and strange side effects of even the “mildest” concoctions. I strongly dislike that. Much more so than experiencing the symptoms of whatever my body is dealing with in the first place.

Unless something is going to safely and effectively move me toward improved function, homeostasis, healing and repair, I’d rather just let my Innate Intelligence handle it… the way it was designed to do. Besides, I can’t think of a drug on the planet that meets the aforementioned criteria for success!

Now, I’m not saying that we need to ignore all symptoms and ride it out… unless that’s what floats your boat! What I am saying is that I don’t agree with adding additional toxicity to my already over-burdened immune system. Why would I add garbage to my body when I’m already feeling lousy? Then my body would have to deal with the *new* issue of toxicity as well as the original issue.

As an adult I’ve learned that our body (and mind) has a FAR better chance of healing masterfully when we stay the heck out of its way! I try to do things that assist the body, not interfere.

(Yes, yes… there’s a time and a place for drug intervention. For example, life threatening issues or in cases where you just need to temporarily alter certain physiology and chemistry in a way that allows the individual to move on from that point, making appropriate lifestyle decisions in order to REALLY get healthy.)

Drugs don’t create health.

So, what do I do when the mack truck attacks? I think about what my body needs in order to function properly and do my best to provide it. I also think about what toxicity might be present, and do my best to remove it or reduce it.

In this particular case, I know I’ve been sleep deprived for a long time. This is where stress effects me the most – I tend to wake up at night, thinking about everything I need to do in upcoming days and weeks! Yes, I use lots of planning, scheduling and prioritizing tools… I just tend to bite off more than I should! Apparently, it’s a character flaw I’ll need to live with on some level!

I’ve made a concerted effort to go to bed earlier and have *attempted* to take a few afternoon power naps here and there. Going to bed earlier definitely helps. Once I’m up, I’m up… so it’s nice to get a few quality hours under my belt before that happens!

I’ve been getting adjusted a lot more, too. Stress and lack of quality sleep tend to cause major dysfunction (subluxation) in my upper cervical spine… which is directly related to my immune system, of course. The adjustment I received yesterday felt like the Hoover Dam breaking free! What an amazing feeling to feel that surge of powerful healing released! Ahhh… I love my Chiropractor! (So I married him!) I immediately felt about an 80% improvement across the board after that adjustment.

What drug could offer those kinds of results, by the way? What drug could offer that without all the toxic side effects?! What drug could make me feel better while simultaneously help me function better? It’s good stuff, I’m telling you! I can’t imagine NOT having a regular chiropractic adjustments as part of your healthy lifestyle. “Health” seems incomplete without it.

I’ve increased the amount of fish oil I consume and have continued to take my full-spectrum probiotics, organic multi-vitamin/mineral/antioxidant, and butter oil. The only nutritional supplement I’ve added during this time is vitamin D3, even though it’s the middle of summer and I get plenty of safe, unfiltered sun. For a few days, I’ll add some more since it plays such a significant role in immune function.

Then, I’ve added simple things like gargling with sea salt or hydrogen peroxide, when my throat was bothering me initially, and I’ve used hydrogen peroxide drops in my ears. I also drink 1/2 teaspoon of baking soda mixed in 4 ounces of pure water. According to protocol, I should do this every 2 hours… but I tend to forget! I’ve ended up doing it 4 or 5 times per day.

Not only do I stay away from toxic food when my body is adapting like this, but I actually feel an aversion to it. At the same time, I actually crave even more veggies . Especially the dark green ones. Could be part educated brain… could be all instinct. I don’t know, nor do I care! My body has become smarter over the years as I’ve taken better care of it, so I’m becoming a better listener!

For comfort, I’ve been taking extra long hot showers and drinking lots of hot tea… even though we’ve been in the middle of a heat wave! It just makes me feel better on some level! I don’t use sweetener of any sort in tea when my body is going through something like this. That’s too much for the immune system to deal with as well.

One thing I haven’t done yet, which is really silly on my part, is to take daily saunas. We have a far infrared sauna that is SO beneficial in helping the body detoxify, and it just feels so good. I guess I’ve just had some sort of mental block when it comes to walking outside to the workshop where we keep the sauna, through the 94 degree heat and humidity… in order to sit in a hot box!!

I’ll do it today!

As far as exercise is concerned, I play it by ear. I definitely haven’t done any super intense work outs for the last couple days – I’ve kept it pretty low-key. I feel it’s important to find a balance with maintaining some form of movement (because motion stimulates proprioception which stimulates healing and repair) and forcing yourself to get some extra rest (because rest is also the time when the body repairs and heals itself).

An important point to add to this conversation is that, as important as this topic is for adults, I find this to be even more important when it comes to the developing immune systems of children. When we consistently provide our kids with the raw materials for health, allowing them to go through a ‘healing crisis’ without toxic interference will actually strengthen their immune response for life. Each time we step in and interfere with toxicity, we decrease their potential for lifelong healing and protection.

I know – it’s easier said than done, when you’re watching your child suffer. No parent wants to let their child go through discomfort. Once we more clearly understand the long term consequences (good or bad) of the choices we make on behalf of our children, it might be easier to let them develop their immune systems naturally… knowing that it will massively benefit them in the long run.

Anyhow, through all this, I’m once again reminded that our bodies know exactly how to be healthy… and how to return to health. We just need to provide the right ingredients, and then stop interfering with foreign, toxic concoctions and get outta’ the way!! I intend to be back to full function before you know it!

(Oh yeah… intention is another key piece of the puzzle! Energy flows where our thoughts go!!) : )

Health & Nutrition News You MUST Know ~ From The Weston A. Price Foundation

This was emailed to me last week. It’s TOO important not to share.

USDA has issued draft Dietary Guidelines for 2010.  Rather than correct its anti-saturated fat and anti-cholesterol position, which
has led to an epidemic of disease in this country, the new Guidelines are worse than ever, with more stringent restriction of saturated fat (7 percent of total calories, down from 10 percent) and cholesterol consumption of less than 300 mg per day (less than
200 mg for those with risk factors for heart disease or diabetes– one egg contains about 245 mg cholesterol), and reduction of salt
intake from 2.3 grams to 1.5 grams (about one-fourth teaspoon).

The guidelines sweep the dangers of trans fat under the rug by lumping them with saturated fats, using the term “solid fats” for
both, promote an increase in difficult-to-digest whole grains, and recommend lean meats and lowfat dairy products.  Cheese is
specifically singled out for avoidance because of its high “solid fat” content. Since, as the Committee admits, no one follows earlier
versions of the Guidelines, it is recommending a focus on “actions needed to successfully implement” key recommendations, in other
words on how to force people to eat in this highly deficient and grossly unsatisfying way.

ACTIONS TO TAKE
1. Please take time during this week to post a comment at the USDA website. Go to www.dietaryguidelines.gov and scroll down to “SUBMIT Written Comments.”  It is particularly important to describe any adverse health effects you or family members have suffered by
following earlier versions of the Guidelines. You may also want to use any of the talking points listed below.

2. Please also EMAIL your comments to your Senators and Representative in Congress.  Let them know that USDA’s formulation of dietary guidelines is a complete waste of taxpayer money and has resulted in a health crisis of epidemic proportions, especially in
our children. It would be good also to PHONE your elected officials as well. For congressional contact information, go to www.house.gov
and www.senate.gov.

3. If you live near Washington, DC, consider attending the public hearings at USDA on July 8.  You can sign up to give an oral
presentation (as I will do) or simply attend to show support.  To sign up for attending the meeting, go to www.dietaryguidelines.gov
and scroll down to “Meeting Registration/Oral Testimony.”

4. Please send out the Press Release below to your local newspaper and radio shows.  You may add your own contact information to that
of our publicist Kimberly Hartke.  In addition, you may add a paragraph to the press release about how the USDA dietary guidelines
adversely affected your own health and that of your family.

5.Please broadcast this action alert to other groups. Let’s create a tidal wave of outrage!

TALKING POINTS

1. The proposed 2010 Dietary Guidelines perpetuate the mistakes of previous guidelines in demonizing saturated fats and animal foods
rich in saturated fatty acids such as egg yolks, butter, whole milk, cheese, fatty meats like bacon and animal fats for cooking. The
current obesity epidemic emerged as vegetable oils and refined carbohydrates replaced these healthy, nutrient-dense traditional
fats. Animal fats supply many essential nutrients that are difficult to obtain from other sources.

2. When a healthy food like cheese is singled out as a food to be avoided, there must be something wrong with the premises on which
the guidelines are based.

3. Basic biochemistry shows that the human body has a very high requirement for saturated fats in all cell membranes; if we do not
eat saturated fats, the body will simply make them from carbohydrates.  But excess carbohydrate increases blood levels of
triglyceride and small, dense LDL, and compromises blood vessel function.  Moreover, high-carbohydrate diets do not satisfy the
appetite as well as diets rich in traditional fats, leading to higher caloric intakes and often to bingeing and splurging on empty
foods, resulting in rapid weight gain and chronic disease.

4. The proposed guidelines will perpetuate existing nutrient deficiencies present in all American population groups, including
deficiencies in vitamins A and D found in animal fats, vitamins B12 and B6 found in animal foods, as well as minerals like calcium and
phosphorus, which require vitamins A and D for assimilation. Moreover, low intakes of vitamin K2, are associated with increased
risk of heart disease and cancer. The main sources of vitamin K2 available to Americans are egg yolks and full-fat cheese.

5. By restricting healthy animal fats in school lunches and diets for pregnant women and growing children, the Guidelines will
perpetuate the tragic epidemic of learning and behavior disorders. The nutrients found most abundantly in animal fats and organ meats-
including choline, cholesterol and arachidonic acid-are critical for the development of the brain and the function of receptors that
modulate thinking and behavior.  Studies show that choline helps the brain make critical connections and protects against neurotoxins;
animal studies suggest that if choline is abundant during developmental years, the individual is protected for life from
developmental decline.

6. The National Academy of Sciences recommends 375 mg of choline per day for children nine through thirteen years of age, 450 mg for
pregnant women and 550 mg for lactating women and men aged fourteen and older. These amounts are provided by four or five egg yolks per day-but that would entail consuming 800-1000 mg cholesterol, a crime by USDA standards. The committee referred to this as the “choline problem.” Pregnant women and growing children especially need to eat as many egg yolks as possible-yet the Guidelines demonize this nutrient-dense food.

7. The Guidelines lump trans fats together with saturated fats- calling them Solid Fats-thereby hiding the difference between
unhealthy industrial trans fats and healthy traditional saturated fats.  Trans fats contribute to inflammation, depress the immune
system, interfere with hormone production, and set up pathological conditions leading to cancer and heart disease, whereas saturated
fats fight inflammation, support the immune system, support hormone production and protect against cancer and heart disease.

8. The vitamins and fatty acids carried uniquely in saturated animal fats are critical to reproduction.  The 2010 Guidelines will
increase infertility in this country, already at tragically high rates.

9. The Guidelines are not based on science but are designed to promote the products of commodity agriculture and-through the back
door-encourage the consumption of processed foods.

10. The Guidelines promote the consumption of whole grains, which can contribute to digestive disorders unless properly prepared.

11. The Guidelines completely avoid mentioning blood sugar problems caused by a diet high in carbohydrates and low in fat; the diet is
particularly dangerous for those suffering from diabetes or hypoglycemia, since fats help regulate blood sugar levels. Many
people have difficulty concentrating or can even suffer from seizures on a diet too low in fat.

12. The Guidelines urge salt restriction, which will lead to an increased use of artificial flavors like MSG in processed foods.

13. The Guidelines should be scrapped and the committee members should be replaced with individuals who have no ties to the food
processing industry or to universities that accept funding from the food processing industry.

PRESS RELEASE

PROPOSED 2010 USDA DIETARY GUIDELINES –A RECIPE FOR CHRONIC DISEASE
Weston A. Price Foundation Proposes a Return to Four Basic Groups of Nutrient-Dense Foods

WASHINGTON, DC, June 21, 2010: The proposed 2010 USDA Dietary Guidelines are a recipe for infertility, learning problems in
children and increased chronic disease in all age groups according to Sally Fallon Morell, president of the Weston A. Price Foundation.

“The proposed 2010 Dietary Guidelines perpetuate the mistakes of previous guidelines in demonizing saturated fats and animal foods
rich in saturated fatty acids such as egg yolks, butter, whole milk, cheese, fatty meats like bacon and animal fats for cooking. The
current obesity epidemic emerged as vegetable oils and refined carbohydrates replaced these healthy, nutrient-dense traditional
fats. Animal fats supply many essential nutrients that are difficult to obtain from other sources,” explains Fallon Morell.

“The revised Guidelines recommend even more stringent reductions in animal fats and cholesterol than previous versions,” says Fallon
Morell, “and are tantamount to rearranging the deck chairs on the Titanic. While the ship of state sinks under the weight of a
crippling health care burden, the Committee members are giving us more of the same disastrous advice.  These are unscientific and
grossly deficient dietary recommendations.”

The Weston A. Price Foundation is a non-profit nutrition education foundation with no ties to the government or food processing
industries.  Named for Dr. Weston A. Price, whose  pioneering research discovered the vital importance of animal fats in human
diets, the Foundation has warned against the dangers of lowfat and plant-based diets.

“Basic biochemistry shows that the human body has a very high requirement for saturated fats in all cell membranes; if we do not
eat saturated fats, the body will simply make them from carbohydrates, but excess carbohydrate increases blood levels of
triglyceride and small, dense LDL, and compromises blood vessel function,” says Fallon Morell.  “Moreover, high-carbohydrate diets
do not satisfy the appetite as well as diets rich in traditional fats, leading to higher caloric intakes and often to bingeing and
splurging on empty foods, resulting in rapid weight gain and chronic disease.”

The proposed guidelines will perpetuate existing nutrient deficiencies present in all American population groups, including
deficiencies in vitamins A and D found in animal fats, vitamins B12 and B6 found in animal foods, as well as minerals like calcium and
phosphorus, which require vitamins A and D for assimilation. Moreover, low intakes of vitamin K2, are associated with increased
risk of heart disease and cancer. The main sources of vitamin K2 available to Americans are egg yolks and full-fat cheese.
Incredibly, the Guidelines single out cheese as an unhealthy food!

Fallon Morell notes that by restricting healthy animal fats in school lunches and diets for pregnant women and growing children,
the Guidelines will accelerate the tragic epidemic of learning and behavior disorders.  The nutrients found most abundantly in animal
fats and organ meats-including choline, cholesterol and arachidonic acid-are critical for the development of the brain and the function
of receptors that modulate thinking and behavior.  Studies show that choline helps the brain make critical connections and protects
against neurotoxins; animal studies suggest that if choline is abundant during developmental years, the individual is protected for
life from developmental decline.

The National Academy of Sciences recommends 375 mg per day for children nine through thirteen years of age, 450 mg for pregnant women and 550 mg for lactating women and men aged fourteen and older. These amounts are provided by four or five egg yolks per day-but that would entail consuming 800-1000 mg cholesterol, a crime by USDA standards. In their deliberations, the committee referred to this as the “choline problem.” Pregnant women and growing children especially need to eat as many egg yolks as possible-yet the Guidelines demonize this nutrient-dense food.

The Guidelines lump trans fats together with saturated fats-calling them Solid Fats-thereby hiding the difference between unhealthy
industrial trans fats and healthy traditional saturated fats.  Trans fats contribute to inflammation, depress the immune system,
interfere with hormone production, and set up pathological conditions leading to cancer and heart disease, whereas saturated
fats fight inflammation, support the immune system, support hormone production and protect against cancer and heart disease.

The vitamins and fatty acids carried uniquely in saturated animal fats are critical to reproduction.  The Weston A. Price Foundation
warns that the 2010 Guidelines will increase infertility in this country, already at tragically high rates.

“The 2010 proposed Guidelines represent a national scandal, the triumph of industry clout over good science and common sense,” says
Fallon Morell. “It must be emphasized that the Guidelines are not based on science but are designed to promote the products of
commodity agriculture and-through the back door-encourage the consumption of processed foods. For while the USDA food police pay
lip service to reducing our intake of refined sweeteners, trans fats, white flour and salt, this puritanical low-fat prescription
ultimately leads to cravings for chips, sweets, sodas, breads, desserts and other empty food-and-beverage-like products just loaded
with refined sweeteners, trans fats, white flour and salt.”

The Weston A. Price Foundation proposes alternative Healthy 4 Life Dietary Guidelines, which harkens back to the traditional four basic
food groups, but with a renewed emphasis on quality through a return to pasture-based feeding and organic, pesticide-free production
methods:

Every day, eat high quality, whole foods to provide an abundance of nutrients, chosen from each of the following four groups:

ANIMAL FOODS: meat and organ meats, poultry, and eggs from pastured animals; fish and shellfish; whole raw cheese, milk and other dairy products from pastured animals; and broth made from animal bones.

GRAINS, LEGUMES AND NUTS: whole-grain baked goods, breakfast porridges, whole grain rice; beans and lentils; peanuts, cashews and
nuts, properly prepared to improve digestibility.

FRUITS AND VEGETABLES: preferably fresh or frozen, preferably locally grown, either raw, cooked or in soups and stews, and also as
lacto-fermented condiments.

FATS AND OILS: unrefined saturated and monounsaturated fats including butter, lard, tallow and other animal fats; palm oil and
coconut oil; olive oil; cod liver oil for vitamins A and D.

AVOID: foods containing refined sweeteners such as candies, sodas, cookies, cakes, etc.; white flour products such as pasta and white
bread; processed foods; modern soy foods; polyunsaturated and partially hydrogenated vegetable oils and fried foods.

* * * * * * * * *

The Weston A. Price Foundation is a 501C3 nutrition education foundation with the mission of disseminating accurate, science-based
information on diet and health. Named after nutrition pioneer Weston A. Price, DDS, author of Nutrition and Physical Degeneration, the
Washington, DC-based Foundation publishes a quarterly journal for its 13,000 members, supports 450 local chapters worldwide and hosts a yearly International conference. The Foundation headquarters phone number is (202) 363-4394, www.westonaprice.org, info@westonaprice.org.

CONTACT: Kimberly Hartke, Publicist
Home office 703-860-2711 cell 703-675-5557
press@westonaprice.org

The Obesity Epidemic ~ It’s Worse Than I Thought.

IMG00041-20100613-1144

IMG00041-20100613-1144

Last weekend, our family headed out across the state on a quick little adventure. Truth be known, it was a trip to reward our daughter’s Brownies troop for selling so many cookies earlier this year. While I’m proud of the entrepreneurial spirit such an effort requires, I can’t help but cringe about the product they’re selling! I’ve often wondered just how much these famous cookies have contributed to weight gain across America in recent years!

Don’t worry, for the most part, I keep my mouth shut about this to my daughter! I want her to reap the positive benefits of being part of this fantastic organization while I try to minimize the collateral damage!

Anyhow, last weekend was an eye-opener. Not a good one.

Let me start by saying that our town is not one that you’ve seen gracing the top of any “Healthiest Places to Live” list! Nope. When you stroll through town on a summer night, or head out to a restaurant, or shop in the town’s mega store, it’s clear that we’re falling short regarding our health… especially when it comes to body weight.

BUT, nothing could have prepared me for what I saw on our trip.

Although it was only 3 hours from where we live, I was shocked by the dramatic differences in body composition I witnessed in countless people that weekend. Time and time again – at the hotel, the restaurant, walking around town, at the swimming pool and at the amusement park – we saw multiple generations of families who were dangerously obese.

I’ve never seen anything like it.

One night, we took the kids swimming at the hotel pool before bedtime. The pool and pool deck quickly filled up with other guests who were apparently thinking the same thing! Before long, this tiny pool area had 25 or more people of all ages in it.

I watched. I witnessed. I didn’t say anything.

I’ve never, ever seen so much obesity in one place… ever. Maybe it was the fact that there was only one family there who wasn’t considered clinically or morbidly obese that made it seem so obvious and so overwhelming. Babies, children, teenagers, young adults, parents and grandparents…  ALL significantly obese.

Let me be perfectly clear: I don’t judge anyone because of their weight. I wasn’t looking ‘down’ upon these people in any way. I hope you know me better than that.  It simply made me incredibly sad and physically ill.  I wanted to cry. I wanted to throw up. I’ve never felt such a visceral reaction to someone else’s loss of health like this… with the exception of watching my mom die.

I realized how catastrophic our obesity epidemic really is. I realized, especially after witnessing what so many of these families were eating, that they really just don’t know. To a large extent, it’s not their fault. Toxic, garbage food is cheap, readily available, and artificially enhanced so that it tastes too good not to eat. Kids don’t argue about eating it… everyone’s happy. How can we stand a chance?! It’s ‘easier’ to make UNhealthy choices than to proactively make healthy ones. Commercials lead us to believe it’s all good… and that there are always drugs we can take if we get too sick or feel too many symptoms. Perfect.

I realized that I’ve got to work a LOT harder to help more people. I realized how enormous the battle against childhood obesity, adult obesity and chronic illness really is.

It was ironic, being there last weekend “celebrating” the fact that so many cookies were sold. Yes, we had a fantastic time as a family, and yes, the kids had a fantastic time with the other kids. But, it was certainly sobering as well.

It’s not just about our weight, by the way. Being overweight is an indication of a lack of health. That’s what worries me the MOST.

Thankfully, a healthier body weight is the natural by-product of making healthier choices overall. EVERY healthy choice we make adds up over time.  I talk about this extensively in my book and implementation program, “The 7 Essential Keys to Shedding Toxic Fat & Unwanted Pounds… The Last Weight Loss Solution You’ll Ever Need!”

I wish I had a few hundred copies to pass around last weekend. All the diets, work outs and weight loss gimmicks in the world won’t help if you don’t understand the core principles of achieving better health.

No matter how ‘bad’ things may seem right now with your health or your weight, the only way out of this mess is to build better health… one choice at a time! It’s the only hope we’ve got.

Less-Than-Healthy Choices

Clearly, I have mastered the art of self-sabotage!

In more stressful times, I can rival the best of ‘em out there with my ability to justify “sliding” a bit with my healthy choices. Thankfully, I don’t STOP doing many of the things that I know ADD to my health. I just allow myself to look beyond the consequences too much and end up choosing things that SUBTRACT from my health.

And I KNOW better!! Ugh.

To most people, my “straying” is barely noticeable – a little dessert here, an extra glass of wine there… you might know how that goes.

It’s noticeable to ME. Mostly in the mental/emotional sort of way since these less-than-healthy choices are incongruent with my deeper beliefs and understanding about how health (and sickness) are created.

These little toxic choices here and there add up. Sure, it adds up in “calories”, but that’s not the big problem – the consequences always go way beyond calories and pounds. It’s about toxicity. THAT’S what will sneak up and bite us in the bum if we get too lazy with our healthy choices!

Anyhow, just thought I’d share… I’ve never claimed to be perfect, remember? In fact, I like to say that “Better health isn’t about being perfect… it’s about making better (healthier) choices more often.”

I should listen to myself more often!

This week, I am getting back on track – mentally – despite the insanity of the schedule! Feel free to hold me to it! : )

Related Blogs

Sleep Deprived? Chronic Aches & Pain? Overweight and Under-Fit? We Can Help!

the doctors

the doctors

Check out these two FREE seminars we’re presenting next week! If you’re anywhere near Oakland County, Michigan… this will be well worth your time!

http://innate-lifestyle.com/events/MayWorkshops2010.pdf

Call us this weekend to RSVP! (248) 628-4886

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Upcoming Wellness Workshops…

the doctors

the doctors

If you’re local (Metro Detroit-ish), please join us for our FREE Wellness Workshops in May!

The first one is titled “Fibromyalgia & Sleep ~ How You Can FINALLY Get a Great Night’s Rest!” on Tuesday May 25th at 6:30 pm.

The second one is called “Fat Loss Secrets for Permanent Weight Loss” on Thursday May 27th at 6:30 pm.

Click here to read more about them.

Both workshops are FREE to attend! Call (248) 628-4886 to reserve your seats… call early!!

If you’re not local, or can’t attend the workshops, they will be available to purchase and download a few days following the events.

*** If you know someone struggling with Fibromyalgia, loss of sleep or excess body weight, please let them know about our Community Education events!!

Here’s the Link to the Workshop Info

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Something to Consider in Creating a Healthy Pregnancy

In our practice, I’ve spent the past couple weeks reviewing and updating various forms, educational materials and pretty much every system, procedure and protocol we rely on to help us care for our practice members successfully.

This is a MAJOR spring cleaning!!

I’ve come across some pretty interesting things – articles we had written years ago, for example.

I just finished reading this one, and thought it might offer helpful insight to someone here. (If not, you can always press “delete”! Lol!) I wrote it back in late 2002 or early 2003, when our first child was approximately 6-8 months old, as I recall.

Here’s the article:

“A Lifetime of Wellness Begins With Pregnancy”

Anyone who has witnessed the quiet, phenomenal events of developing fetus followed by the birth of an exquisite bundle of joy must share our sense of profound awe at how perfectly designed mothers and babies are to perform this miraculous ‘dance’. There is no diagram or set of instructions for either. Our educated minds are forced to take a backseat to the wisdom of our instinctual, innate intelligence. Left alone to unfold according to nature’s grand design, all is well with mother and child.

It’s no foreign concept to many to have some form of a spiritual “guidebook” (the bible, for example) that they can base their life decisions upon. When it comes to the creation of optimal health and wellness, our guidebook is best expressed through the 33 Principles of Chiropractic. The Chiropractic principles are brilliant, yet simple. They are time-tested, rock-solid universal Truths. Personally, decisions regarding our family’s health and human potential are effortless and consistent because we base them upon this infrastructure of principled reasoning. Our belief system was put to the ultimate test with the creation of our first child!

The belief system passed with flying colors! (No surprise – it IS based on accurate science and unshakable truths, after all!)

Pregnancy and childbirth are truly miracles to behold! Under the direction of the Highest Power, life is magically created! We are born with a Divine intelligence, an inborn healer that no doctor or scientist on the planet can hold a candle to. This innate intelligence has one main highway of communication throughout the human body – the Nervous System. We affectionately refer to the Nervous System as the ‘Master System’ since it carries messages of life and intelligence to and from each and every cell, tissue, organ and gland of the body. When the pathway for the Nervous System is free of interference, perfect function is the result.  Interference to this flow is known as subluxation and robs us of our potential for optimal function and performance. Subluxation is most commonly caused by subtle shifts and a lack of healthy motion in spinal vertebrae, resulting in distorted communication along the life line between the brain and body. Enter Chiropractic! Chiropractic adjustments remove the blockage and introduce improved spinal motion thus restoring optimal flow of life and intelligence!

That being said, regular Chiropractic check-ups are the nucleus of prenatal care for many families living a Wellness lifestyle. Chiropractic places its faith where it belongs; in the aforementioned Divine intelligence, expressed as Innate Intelligence throughout our bodies. We understand that a clear path along the Nervous System allows the developing fetus to receive every ounce of intelligence it needs on its journey. Regular prenatal Chiropractic care has also resulted in easier, shorter births for mom and baby.

Pregnancy and childbirth are not diseases that require testing and treatment at every turn. Obviously, there’s a time and place for medical intervention, but when our inborn intelligence is properly guiding us along this masterful plan, who are we to interfere?!  This should be an empowering, enlightening time for a woman, not a time to be treated like an anonymous lab rat! We need to be reminded to have faith in the power within us, not to lose faith to those in positions of ‘power’ outside us!

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Solutions for Fibromyalgia Sufferers

This is an email we sent out to our Practice Members last week, introducing our new, highly successful fibromyalgia care protocol.

In case the information might help anyone here, I decided to share!

FACT: 90-95% of fibromyalgia sufferers are Women.

FACT: Fibromyalgia is not a medical condition and will not
respond to traditional prescription meds.

FACT: Pain Relievers, Muscle Relaxers, Tranquilizers or
Sleeping pills will not work, and may make matters worse.

FACT: Nearly 80% of fibromyalgia patients also have
Irritable Bowel Syndrome. Why??

FACT: Fibromalgia is real and you can get better!

We can show you how…

Read this article:

http://innate-lifestyle.com/downloads/FibromyalgiaSolution.pdf

If you know anyone who suffers with fibromyalgia, please
forward the link to them.

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Understanding “The Wellness Formula” Will Help You Achieve Your Fat Loss/Weight Loss Goals

combo-websmall

combo-websmall

In this article, I describe how powerful it can be to apply the simplicity and common sense of  The Wellness Formula to your fat loss and weight loss goals.

In fact, if you DON’T understand some of the core components of how this formula works – how health is created and how illness happens – chances are you’re sabotaging your weight loss efforts on a very regular basis.

Conventional thinking about food and nutrition will NOT get you where you need to be!

Check out the article by clicking on the link below… then share it with someone who’s trying to improve their body and their health!

http://ezinearticles.com/?Do-You-Know-the-Secret-Formula-For-Reaching-Your-Weight-Loss-Goals?&id=3884461

Enjoy!

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Another Example of High-Intensity Interval Training (or Play) for Maximum Fat Loss

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Here’s another example of what interval training might look like… bursts of speed (or panic, depending on your perspective!) followed by short rest periods.

This is THE best type of exercise to incorporate in order to shed maximum fat and drop excess pounds.

I always say that when we let kids play like kids and provide them with healthy nutritional fuel (and a whole lotta’ love, support, joy and a spiritual foundation, of course), they can’t help but be lean, fit little dynamos!

Works for grown-ups, too! : )

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HealthIER, Not Harder… Even on Vacation!

Before we left for our family vacation, a surprising number of people asked me some version of the same question: “You’re not STILL going to do all those healthy things while you’re on vacation… are you?!”

Each time I was asked, I had to laugh! What a funny thing to ask!

The more I’ve thought about that during our trip, I’ve realized some of the differences in the way people think about health… and why choosing healthy things doesn’t feel like a “sacrifice” for me. I don’t feel “deprived” when I choose asparagus over french fries!

I truly enjoy choosing healthy foods – I like the way they make me feel, both physically and mentally. I feel energized when I eat real foods and keep things as “clean” as I can. It feels incredibly good to provide healthy food for my kids. Nope, it’s not always perfect… but it sure feels good when it’s close! I also love to move my body everyday. I’m no marathoner or fitness competitor… but I love to move what I’ve got on a very regular basis!

I crave real food, especially greens. I crave movement. For real! I just spoke these words to my hubby last night on our family walk: “I need a salad… or asparagus… or broccoli… I’ve gotta’ have some greens!” He thinks I’m strange, but he understands and loves me anyway!

I haven’t always been this way… not even close. I grew up with plenty of junk in my diet. Pop, chips, pizza, cookies, ice cream, candy, white flour, and lots of sugar. (Thank goodness I grew up in a small town that had NO fast food restaurants!! That wasn’t part of my life until my teens.)

My parents just didn’t know. Nobody told them how to BUILD health. They were only taught that when things aren’t feeling right, go to the doctor and get “something” for it! Sad. In hind sight, our family doctor knew nothing about “health”. He was a great drug trafficker, though!

I was always “FIT” because I was very active. But I was not healthy. You can’t eat toxic junk consistently, take drugs with any regularity whatsoever and be healthy. I had to GROW into that role of a “healthy person” as an adult! As such, I think differently.

It’s never, ever too late to become a healthier person.

On this vacation of ours, it’s pretty much the same deal as at home. We fill up – FUEL up – with health each day. We don’t ‘indulge’ in tasty toxins until we’ve given our bodies (and brains) an abundant quantity of the raw materials for health. The difference is, on vacation I can’t necessarily keep the purity levels of our food as high as I’m able to at home. Also, we enjoy getting caught up in the vacation ‘vibe’ and trying new foods and new flavors.

Not a big deal when you lay a solid foundation.

We are SO blessed to have accommodations that feature a full kitchen! We stocked up on nutrition essentials our first day here: fresh local eggs, “clean” chicken, grass-fed butter, raw nuts and nut butters, tons of fruit and veggies, wraps, whole milk organic yogurt, and fresh juice (not on the shopping list at home… but too tempting to pass up in the tropics!).

OK. We stocked up on a tad of local organic vino as well! Not exactly part of the health-building regime… just part of the vacation ‘vibe’ I alluded to!

Each day, we start everyone off with protein and fresh fiber (fruit) for breakfast; some nuts or nut butter and more fruit or veggies for a snack; and a healthy lunch and afternoon snack with more of the same. Then, we have some wiggle room for dinner! Funny, though… “wiggle room” isn’t all that different either. We still end up with a source of protein and veggies. Maybe there are just more tasty toxins in this meal than usual. Not too shabby though!

Yesterday, our highly enjoyable toxic choice was ice cream. Not a shred of remorse! It was dee-licious and we had filled up with healthy fuel several times throughout the day already. Plus, we ate it at the half way point of a 4-mile walk with the kids. Walking for 2 miles against high trade winds burned off any of the excess calories! (It’s still toxic… we just didn’t hang onto those calories!)

We move everyday, in one shape or form. We’re in the perfect location for all-day activity outside, so we’ve been doing lots of walking and swimming as a family. Hubby and I have continued with high-intensity interval work outs every other day.

It’s just part of normal life for us. It’s a lifestyle. That’s why it doesn’t feel weird, or like something we “have to do”, or a sacrifice… or any of those other things people said to me before we left! It’s just normal. We do healthy things because it feels good.

Again, that doesn’t mean we don’t do UNhealthy things from time to time! There are some really delectable tropical beverages that keep calling my name… I’ve answered a few times!

Anyhow, when making healthier choices is a fairly common occurrence in your “real” life, you tend to make those choices easily and without much of a second thought. It’s easy to carry this same line of thinking over to vacation as well. Each day includes healthy choices… not perfect, just healthIER.

Aloha!

Related Blogs

“10 Steps to Transform Your Health” Seminar is Now Available to Download!

Recently, we presented one of the most important seminars we’ve ever had in our practice. It was titled, “10 Steps to Transform Your Health in 2010″.

We know that not everyone could make it to the presentation that night, so we’re bringing the presentation to YOU…

Now, you can download your own copy of the seminar!
http://tinyurl.com/yfz2d3y

You can listen to over 2 hours of LIVE audio and follow along with the accompanying outline slide presentation that we used during the seminar. It’s the next best thing to actually being there with us… and you even get to “pause” us whenever you need a break!

This is rich content… it’s a loaded 2+ hours!

This is what’s missing in “health” care.

This is what you’re not hearing anyplace else.

This is what will make a difference.

http://tinyurl.com/yfz2d3y

This is priceless information.

Why was this such an important seminar?

1) The timing is perfect – critical, in fact. We are living in a time when chronic illness like cancer, diabetes, heart disease, obesity, arthritis, digestive disorders, depression & anxiety, learning & attention disorders, reproductive & fertility disorders and so on, are sky-rocketing.

The leading researchers affirm that these conditions are preventable the vast majority of the time. We can DO something to prevent going down the path of chronic illness. But, you’ve got to know how! You’ve got to do something different than what the masses have been doing.

You must have a different understanding, a different strategy, and different actions or else nothing will change.

2) The “10 Steps to Transform Your Health in 2010″ seminar was jam-packed with solutions! We provided the scientific basis for how health is created, and outlined 10 of the most powerful action steps you can begin taking TODAY in order to start shaping your healthier future right away.

This is transformational stuff! Even implementing a couple of the steps can result in a dramatic shift toward better health and a better future.

Download your own copy today!

http://tinyurl.com/yfz2d3y

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Hangin’ With The Boy on our Date Day

Tuesdays are sort of a “date day” for my 4-year old son and I. He doesn’t go to school on Tuesdays, but big sister does, and daddy’s at work… so it’s our special one-on-one time.

Some days it’s not overly “special” on the surface – errands, housework and “work” work can cloud the “fun-ness” of the day. But today, I vowed to give him undivided attention for a large portion of our time. I got a nice big chunk of work done before the kids got up this morning, so I’m off-the-hook for a few hours, anyway!

We’ve played dress-up, pirates, dragon warriors, we’ve read lots of books, we’ve fed the birds… we even went through a bunch of his sister’s toys that she never let’s him play with! Shhh…

One of my favorite things about our special days together – in addition to NOT having to hear siblings bicker over next-to-nothing – is our lunch date time. It’s our special day to eat the yummy, healthy things that the other members of our family don’t love the way WE do!

(Oh, I can ‘get’ his sister to eat some of these things… but I need an Academy Award for Best Actress in a Dramatic Role for her each time we go down that little road!!)

Today’s lunch:

Omelette with asparagus and broccoli

carrot slices

Brussels sprouts

We call each other “Brussels sprouts buddies” – we’re definitely on our own with that little tasty morsel!

It’s nice to have at least one meal where he’s not influenced by his big sister’s ever-changing taste buds.

Now, it’s on to word building and a bit of math, then we’ll do some Tae Bo together before heading back to school! Tuesdays rock!! : )

If I could just figure out how to clone myself and get a little more work done on these days, that’d be perfect! For now, the most important things have to come first. Work will wait – being four won’t!

Related Blogs

Setting Accurate Goals for Your Health

When you adopt the Wellness Lifestyle and apply The Wellness Formula to your lifestyle choices, then your goal becomes BETTER HEALTH.

(If you’re not sure what The Wellness Formula is, request the free report on the www.DrMomOnline.com main page. Did I mention, it’s FREE?!)

Your goal is NOT: weight loss, dropping sizes, lowering blood pressure or cholesterol, having less pain, getting rid of headaches, sleeping better, having more energy, having less gas… and on and on.

Your goal is to achieve BETTER HEALTH.

Looking fantastic or terrible, having optimal body weight and body fat or being overweight, having great energy or chronic fatigue, sleeping well or not, having high (normal) sex drive or none at all, feeling happy and balanced or depressed, stressed and anxious are ALL the natural consequences of being healthy or unhealthy.

Health is your goal ~ feeling great, looking great, functioning great and performing great are all just the natural by-products and natural consequences of HEALTH!

You make completely different choices for yourself when you’re striving toward health than when you’re striving for some isolated, symptomatic or outward change.

Striving for health means you’ll make choices that meet your innate genetic requirements for health – in your nutrition, movement and mindset. When you lose sight of health being the primary goal, you may inadvertently make choices in these areas of lifestyle that are toxic and deficient… yet bring about a symptomatic or temporary change that is seemingly desirable.

If health isn’t the outcome, it isn’t desirable in the long run.

Choose health FIRST… all else follows!

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The True Cost of Eating Healthy Food

I know I’ve talked about this here before, but recently, I’ve had several opportunities for further observation into this matter!

Several times each week, I hear someone tell me that “It’s too expensive to eat healthy food.” I’m also often found on the receiving end of comments like, “We can’t buy all the healthy foods that YOU buy!!” That one little jab in particular usually leaves me mopping the floor with my jaw! (If only they knew!)

Sure, sure, there are plenty of healthier foods that do in fact cost more. I like to think it’s because they also bring a higher value of nutrition and purity. BUT, there are plenty of healthy choices that do NOT cost more at all.

Anyhow, I’ve said it before – healthy food is an investment.

The interesting opportunities I’ve recently had have opened my eyes a little bit more to conventional thinking on the subject of the REAL cost of buying healthier foods.

The first incident occurred on a field trip with my kids. I was surrounded by several of their classmates during the lunch break while we all enjoyed our packed lunches. As usual, I experienced a little bit of heart break while witnessing what an average child eats in any given meal.

I saw more packaged, processed, artificially colored fake foods in thirty minutes than I’ve seen in a long time! I’m pretty sure I did not see any naturally occurring green foods entering the mouths of any kids! Could have just been an “off day”, I suppose.

I’ve learned to somewhat detach myself from these events AND to not judge. People just don’t know. That’s why I do what I do. BUT, what I found very, very interesting was that several of these kids belong to parents who have privately consulted with me in the past and told me that it’s just too expensive to feed their kids healthy foods.

That’s when I started looking at these lunches through a different pair of goggles! I started totaling up the probable costs of all the food and drinks packed in these lunches. In no time at all, it was clear to me that I was the one who “couldn’t afford to feed MY kids food like THAT!” It costs a lot of money to buy junk food!

One child sitting near us had a white bread sandwich with some interesting looking lunch meat, a bag of name brand chips, a bag of name brand crackers, a juice box and another name brand juice packet, a bag of name brand candy… and a few grapes! Yes, the grapes were good!!

Another child had half a dozen fairly large cookies, a bag of Cheetos, a juice packet, a couple baby carrots (good) and some french fries from the cafeteria.

Chips, crackers, cookies, cupcakes, juice, milk, as well as cafeteria hot dogs, fried chicken fingers and french fries were evident at every single table… not necessarily all items in every child’s lunch… but some combination at every single table.

As I recalled seeing the advertised prices of some of these products in various stores, and the cafeteria prices, I knew there was some fishy business going on when parents dismissed healthy eating as “too expensive”.

What did our kids have, you ask? Hard-boiled eggs, almond butter/banana roll-ups, carrots, tomatoes, cucumbers, broccoli (all with some hummus for dipping), some fresh strawberries and water. They were perfectly happy with their food – because this is normal for them – until they saw what everyone around them was “enjoying”. That’s the tough part for me.

Socialization isn’t all that it’s cracked up to be!  When you keep thinking like everyone else, and acting like everyone else, and doing what everyone else is doing… you’ll end up with what everyone else has got! In the case of health… that’s not a good thing.

Whatever. This isn’t about “my” kids and the food “we” eat. It’s about my musings on the real cost of healthy food… and the real cost of choosing foods that are NOT healthy.

The second opportunity to assess the cost of eating healthier happened on a recent shopping trip. I headed out to the local store to fulfill two shopping purposes: 1) to replenish our family’s produce for the rest of the week, and 2) to purchase items for a gathering that was happening with some other families later that day. I had been given a partial list by the other ‘grown-ups’ involved and set out to fill the list.

As I was nearing the check-out, I glanced down at my shopping cart and realized how unusual it looked to see a cart being pushed by ME that had so many non-health-building items in it! I also realized that this was going to cost a pretty penny, with no real return on investment… at least not a HEALTH return! Sure, I knew the things in my cart would taste great to most, and we’d all have a great time together… but that’s a lot of money to spend to fill up rather than FUEL up. Thank goodness this is just for a one-time party, I thought to myself. I could NOT do this every week.

Then, I was saddened as I looked around at other carts and other check-out lanes, filled with many of the same items… and MORE!

I had fresh produce for fruit and veggie trays (as well as our own stock) – that was all good. Some was organic, some was not. When organic produce is not available, I use the hydrogen peroxide wash I’ve talked about here before. Not expensive, yet very effective. The prices for organic were all comparable to conventional… or close enough that I chose health over perceived cost. I chose not to purchase the conventional dip for veggies as requested. It’s easy enough to make your own without all the toxic garbage that virtually nullifies the benefits of the veggies!

At the request of other folks involved in the plan, I also picked up pretzels, a type of ‘sun’ chips and tortilla chips, as well as queso dip and salsa. It was a stretch to find brands lacking the biggest nutritional offenders: high fructose corn syrup, artificial colors and sweeteners, hydrogenated & partially hydrogenated fats, neurotoxins, soy, etc. Obviously, I gave in on the refined simple carbohydrates issue!

Finally, for beverages, I chose lemonade, vegetable juice and chai tea – all organic. THAT was one of the biggest eye openers! Regardless of whether or not the beverage selection was organic, drinks are expensive! (So are breakfast cereals… in an unrelated note!) We are used to drinking water in our family – keeps things pretty darn simple! (Oh, and an ever-decreasing amount of organic coffee from our local discount warehouse and the occasional bottle of red wine. None for quite awhile now, though.)

I really can’t fathom how families facing tough economic situations can purchase juice & juice drinks, milk, pop, and sports drinks week in and week out. Add to that the price of chips, crackers, cookies, cereal, pastries, snack foods, dips, fast food, desserts and on and on… it’s unreal! Again, how much of it actually builds health? That’s the truly sad part.

I KNOW that we spend more money on organic, free-range poultry and eggs and grass-fed meats. BUT, I’ve become quite skilled at some savvy shopping,  healthy meal planning and a  “cook it once, enjoy it in several meals” mentality. Our grocery bills have sharply decreased since taking a very serious look at this in the last few months.

We do not spend a penny on fast food, pop, juice drinks, milk, or conventional junk food or snack foods. Are you kidding?! That stuff’s expensive!! As you’ve probably guessed, we also don’t spend any money on over-the-counter medicine… no aspirin, no cough medicine, no antihistamines… nada. That stuff’s pricey, too!

I like to think that the money I don’t spend on these things is the money I do invest in better quality meat, eggs, sprouted grains and organic (and raw if available) dairy. I will spend a tad more on organic produce when it’s available, but I also grow a lot of my own and I freeze bulk organic local fruit when it’s in season so I don’t have to spend an arm and a leg throughout the winter months. We also invest our saved money in a handful of higher quality nutritional supplements to fill any gaps.

I won’t run a risky experiment on my own family to truly figure this out down to the penny, but I get the feeling that eating (and living) this way is probably not as “costly” as you may think. I probably don’t spend as much on food as other folks think I do. I also think that some other folks might be surprised by how much more money they spend on food and “health-related” things than I do. It kinda’ all works itself out… probably comes close to evening out!

And, do you know what? Where it doesn’t even itself out financially, I go back to my earlier statement. Making healthier food choices is an investment… not a cost.

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