Ciao, To Your Health and Wellness

Monday, March 7, 2011

Are you Healthy? Am I Healthy? Is everyBODY Healthy?

Am I Healthy?

Are you Healthy?

Hummmm, let's see

How do you know if you're healthy?

Here are symptoms that may indicate "a decline in health":

   Increase in waist size!
   Increase in BMI (nice way to say your fat)
   Spells of feeling queasy, dizzy, headaches
   Lack of energy
   Sleepless nights
   Irritability- outburst
   Shortness of breath or chest pain when attempting a jog or walking up several flights of stairs
   Irregularity in ya know what...
   Frequent colds
   Aches and pains in joints
   Easily fatigued
   Bloating, heartburn, indigestion.... GAS
   Inability to concentrate, lack of focus

Ok... using this as a guide
   then to say you are healthy could be the following:

1. You have a Waist!

Measuring your middle Mayo Clinic information "click here" for link

You know you've gained some inches around your torso, but how can you know whether it's an unhealthy amount? You can calculate your body mass index (BMI) or waist-hip ratio, but researchers have found that simply measuring your waist can tell you whether you have an unhealthy amount of belly fat. In fact, BMI may not be an accurate measure of body fat percentage or fat distribution, particularly after menopause.

To measure your waist, run a tape measure around your midsection at about the level of your navel. Breathe normally, don't hold your tummy in, and don't pull the tape so tight that it presses your skin down. In a woman of healthy weight, a waist measurement of 35 inches or more indicates an unhealthy concentration of abdominal fat. Some research has shown that a measurement of 33 inches or more, no matter what your weight, increases your health risks.

2. You have a healthy BMI

3. You have energy and strength to handle your activities

3. You sleep well - at least 6 hrs of sound uninterrupted sleep

4. You exhibit patience in stressful situation...
you are tolerant, and pleasant to those around you.

You have a positive, up beat disposition... your kind and thoughtful

5. Regular Normal Bowel Movements (great indicator of health)

Good GI Health link for info on GI health" click here"

Tricks to keeping your poop on track are simple ones: a healthy diet high in fiber, lots of water, and regular exercise.

“Generally, 20-25 grams of dietary fiber per day is recommended, and for many people, you get this much in a healthy diet,” Esrailian says. “If you are having infrequent bowel movements and are experiencing discomfort, then the first easy way to correct it is to increase dietary fiber through food, supplement, or both.”

High-fiber powerhouse foods are whole-grain cereals and breads, fresh vegetables and fruit, and nuts. Usually, a day or two of a fiber-focused diet will put your trips to the bathroom back on track.

Proper hydration is also key for your colon, ensuring you have enough fluid in your body to move stool through the digestive track and out the other end on a regular basis, Esrailian says.

Exercise is also beneficial for your bowels. It helps improve GI “motility,” he says, and can often alleviate constipation by improving your metabolic and digestive processes.

6. Able to Jog, or climb stairs without passing out or getting chest pain

7. Seldom sick, and quickly fights off beginning symptoms of illness

8. Sharp focus and Mind when preforming task

9. You choose healthy foods that nourish your body...
not your lust for eating or "MINDLESS" eating.....

10. You exercise 3 times a week or 30-45 minutes (minimum)

11. You are a loving , giving person asking for nothing in return

12. MY cardinal sign of Health is that you LAUGH often and
it's genuine laughter

Being Healthy is Living Life to the fullest

Enjoying Life

Seizing the moment

Taking on Challenges and making yourself Stronger, braver, better not bitter

When Asking yourself "am I healthy" Look at the three areas of your life

Are you Physically in good shape?

Are you Mentally in good shape?

Are you Spiritually in good shape?

MY Point is... to be truly healthy.....

I believe you must BE HEALTHY:

physically

mentally

spiritually.

Therefore work on all three areas of your life every day!

example:

If I am angry at someone...

Mentally I'm unhealthy because my anger is robbing my thoughts!

Spiritually I'm unhealthy, because I'm committing murder in my heart towards this person

.... and that anger will

Physically : unresolved or chronic anger will actually make you physically ill

Anger disrupts my sleeping, eating and functioning!

Make "being" healthy a PRIORITY in your life or you won't have a life!!!

Well, that's my thoughts tonight.....

"Now go Balance yourself" and get healthy

Ciao and Salute to Your health and Wellness

Wednesday, February 23, 2011

Appetite Suppressant or sing...."The Sun will come out Tomorrow"

I listened last Sunday to a sermon that has stayed with me all week , about my appetite and my health.

Pastor Andy Stanley's of In Touch Ministries

Sermon Titled "More"

Monday, February 21, 2011

Our natural tendency is to want more. More food. More stuff. More status. Unfortunately, our appetites for more are never fully satisfied. Find out from this message by Andy Stanley how you can control negative appetites, while growing in your hunger for God. Click here for the link to the Video

What has Stuck with me and I've often thought about is:

Pastor Stanley reference the story of Esau and Jacob in the Bible.

How Esau

gave up his future

for a bowl of Lentil Soup!

HE had a great disrespect and a lack of appreciation for his Birthright.
His Birthright held his FUTURE... all his Tomorrows!

His Birthright provided: The Power as the First Born to make decisions for the family, A Double Inheritance of his Fathers Estate, and the Culture in those day's believed that God's Blessings was on the First Born. He would have been mentioned throughout History and in the linage of Jesus!

Genesis 25:29-34

²⁹ Once when Jacob was cooking some stew, Esau came in from the open country, famished.

³⁰ He said to Jacob, Quick, let me have some of that red stew! I'm famished! (That is why he was also called Edom.)

³¹ Jacob replied, First sell me your birthright.

³² Look, I am about to die, Esau said. What good is the birthright to me?

³³ But Jacob said, Swear to me first. So he swore an oath to him, selling his birthright to Jacob.

³⁴ Then Jacob gave Esau some bread and some lentil stew. He ate and drank, and then got up and left. So Esau despised his birthright.

Esau had NO respect for his BIRTHRIGHT!

But. Jacob his brother knew it's value and he became a GREAT part of BIBLE History.

God gave us a Birthright: True Health and Wellness which is: Strength, Joy, Peace and Love...

I can't help but think this week,

when I'm thinking about what to choose to eat...

... is my choice similar to

Esau's bowl of lentil stew?

Am I willing to eat something that may

be Heavy in Calories and Low in Nutrition

or may

contribute to hyperlipidemia,

or increase my risk of Diabetes

raise my blood pressure

just to satisfy my appetite NOW?

Am I choosing to be Lazy (resting) and Sedentary (relaxing)

knowing it is just an excuse to satisfy my current state of mind

when it may contribute to weak muscles and stiff joints and a dull mind?

What are my CHOICES?

I need to see every choice I make as if it were

" Esau's bowl of Lentil Stew"!

Interesting how God choose to use the Story of A Bowl of Lentil Soup to show us a life's lesson.

My Choices today determines my tomorrow.

Our Health is a Precious commodity that can't be bought,

but it is easily thrown away

It's time to RESPECT ourselves,

by RESPECTING our BODY

and

by RESPECTING our FUTURE

and

by RESPECTING what GOD has given us...

OUR BIRTHRIGHT of

True HEALTH AND WELLNESS.

LENTIL SOUP!

It is a great choice if you don't have to give up

your Birthright for it! :)

Overview

Rich in protein and fiber, lentils lend substance and a mildly spicy flavor to soups. These legumes vary in color and size, depending on the variety. In the United States, commercial lentil soups often feature the larger green lentils, while Middle Eastern and Indian cultures tend to favor small, red lentils, notes FoodReference.com. A bowl of lentil soup can serve as a hearty meal, and a smaller cup makes an energizing, low-calorie snack. Look for low-sodium brands of lentil soup, or make a quick, flavorful lentil soup at home to avoid the high sodium content in some commercial brands.

Nutritional Contents

A 1/2 cup of condensed, canned lentil soup has 140 calories, 8g of protein, 1g of fat, 24g of carbohydrates and 5g of fiber. This serving also offers 3mg of iron and 750 IU, or international units, of vitamin A. Lentil soup is low in calories and fat and has no cholesterol. However, a serving of this canned lentil soup contains 800mg of sodium, over half of the maximum amount of sodium -- 1,500mg -- that you should have each day to avoid high blood pressure and heart disease, according to the American Heart Association.

Free Calorie Counter Track Your Calories And Meals On Your iGoogle Homepage. Try It Now! www.Google.com/ig

Health Benefits

Lentils are a source of soluble fiber, a form of fiber that turns viscous in water. Soluble fiber slows your digestion and may help lower your cholesterol, which can reduce your risk of heart disease, according to MedlinePlus. Lentils provide both iron and protein, which makes them a healthy option for vegetarians and people who are trying to reduce the amount of red meat in their diet. Lentils also contribute to your daily requirement of vitamin A, an essential nutrient that promotes healthy eyes, skin, bones and connective tissues.

Sodium Content

According to the AHA, canned soups are one of a major sources of sodium in the American diet. Based on the AHA's recommendation that you should aim to have no more than 1,500mg of sodium daily -- about 1/3 tsp. of table salt -- the 800mg of sodium in canned lentil soup detract from its nutritional benefits. When shopping, look for brands of lentil soup marked as low-sodium. A product marketed as "low-sodium" must have no more than 140mg of sodium per serving, the AHA notes.

Homemade Lentil Soup

Unlike other dried legumes, lentils don't require soaking before cooking, MayoClinic.com notes, which makes it easy to add them to your recipes. You can make your own low-sodium lentil soup with minimal preparation time using garlic, turmeric, lemon juice, ginger or ground black pepper to flavor lentils. Spinach, kale, carrots, tomatoes or parsnips can add extra fiber, vitamins and minerals to a nutritious, homemade lentil soup.

Buon Appetito

Ciao and Salute! to Your Health and Wellness

Monday, February 21, 2011

Have a "YOU TUBE" moment or See it, Say it, Feel it, Believe it: FAITH

Reinforcing concepts you want to adopt as

lifestyle changes

happens when we Rehearse over and over again.

Like practicing a song on the piano. If you miss a note, you just start again and practice, practice, practice until you get it!

This morning I chose to "reinforce" my choice to eat a healthy breakfast by taking a picture of it.
I'm a very "visual" person... it's how I learn.
I want to reinforce what I choose to believe by taking a picture of it.

So, I staged what I choose to have most mornings for breakfast.

I don't care for bottled Juices in the morning. I'd rather make my own fresh juice. Apples! or Fresh squeezed orange juice! When I'm pressed for time I choose the Joint Health EmergenC pack (great for joints). I make a 4 oz glass of cold water and quickly stir up one package of EmergenC and 1 heaping tsp of Kyo-Green and drink it down fast. Easy!

One Scoop of Oatmeal... chopped raw Almonds, 1 tsp Brown sugar (sometimes I use honey)
1/4 cup of chopped banana, 1 tsp butter (yes!),
a tsp of Chia Seeds, a tsp of Wheat Germ and
Cinnamon (sprinkled on top)

Next I make my Oatmeal! It's high fiber makes this a good choice for several reasons. One of which is that it sustains me and keeps "MR HUNGRY pangs" away for hours.

YES, My delicious bowl of oatmeal.
Portion is about the size of my fist
and topped with Whip Cream sprinkled with Cinnamon
It's appealing, satisfying and a HEALTHY Choice

Rehearsing and managing situation in in your mind.

Have you ever rehearsed what you are going to say prior to calling someone on the phone when you have something difficult to say?

Take this technique to gain control over what you know you need to do when it comes to food and exercise.

Food

For instance, (my situation)
See yourself in this situation ("You Tube" it) and rehearse what you going to do when the Flight Attendant is passing through the cabin with warm chocolate chip cookies, offering one to each passenger.
See yourself sitting in your seat (seat belt fastened in case there are any unexpected bumps) and sense the aroma of the warm cookies filling the air.... see the soft chewy cookie laden with melting chocolate chips cradled on the little cocktail napkin.

THEN see and hear yourself

say "No thank you"

Rewind.... play it again.... Rewind.... play it again....

Rewind... (get it?)

Now, feel you are feeling strong and pleased with your decision. See those around you applauding at your strength and determination to make healthy choices. (ok, erase that last part of people in the plane applauding)

But, rehearse over and over again.... always with the end result of you feeling strong, confident and pleased!

TELL YOURSELF that it is a good choice and

it makes me HAPPY to say NO thank you

Exercise

Wake in the morning and before getting out of bed... SEE yourself in your work out clothes... exercising ("You Tube" it)!
Saying to yourself

"I feel so great when I exercise"

"I feel so much stronger and more confident, when I exercise"

"It feels good to move and stretch my body"

"MY body is healthy and stronger when I exercise"

"I like taking care of me"

"It feels great to respect my body"

Then as you proceed to start your day... keep visualizing exercising (Re-play the "You Tube") and say to yourself "ahhh, I'm going to make time and do this!"

Spiritual

Rehearsing and practicing (re-playing the "You Tube" moment and doing retakes) is taking "control" of your situations. IT will feed your spirit and mind. It's what is called a "feed back loop".

Your choice to have this internal "YOU TUBE" moment will feed your mind and spirit strength and encouragement as you develop choices that increase your health and wellness.

When your facing a "Goliath" (as we all do each day)
.... See yourself talking with GOD (He can be a burning bush or a in a soft breeze, or in a pure white robe with light radiating from his being... your choice of course)

Hear His words of encouragement (pull out those scriptures, please) so you can speak to that Giant in your life ....

"If God before me, who can be against me?"

as David did in the Bible when he shouted at Goliath

Put those stones in the sling and

WACK THAT GIANT

SEE him FALL!

Create the "You Tube Moment" in your mind...

play it as you want it to happen.

Rehearse what you will do and say!

Empower yourself!

Reinforcing concepts you want to adopt as lifestyle changes happens when we Rehearse over and over again (21 days to form a habit).

It's a powerful tool when we

see it in our mind and feel it in our heart.

I call that... "FAITH"

Hebrews 11
Faith in Action
¹ Now faith is confidence in what we hope for

and assurance about what we do not see.

Believing in yourself

Believing you are a "can do" person

Be it, do it and give the glory to God

Do it for your health and wellness

Ciao! and SALUTE to your health and wellness today

I think I'll make a Few "You tube" moments today... I feel so creative!