Health tips and advice » Obesity

5 Tips For Raw Food Transition to Improve Your Health

admin — Wed, 07 Apr 2010 21:55:05 +0000

According to nutritional researcher Dr. Campbell at Cornell University “The vast majority of all cancers, cardiovascular diseases and other forms of degenerative illness can be prevented simply by adopting a plant-based diet.” The obesity rate in the U.S. is alarming, and studies show that nearly all dieters gain their weight back within 5 years, with over 65% gaining it back within the first year. Making the transition from the Standard American Diet to a plant-based on requires both desire and effort. No matter where you’re starting out, these essential traits will power your success for raw food transition:

1. Be Positive. Beginning any transition, especially raw food transition, requires an optimistic approach. Look at the benefits such as weight loss, disease prevention, mental clarity and a reduced carbon footprint. Revisit the benefits when you find yourself getting weak and focus on the one that applies to you the most.

2. Embrace Humor. Seriously folks, without a sense of humor we really do deprive ourselves in life. The average child laughs 200 times per day, while the average adult laughs only 15 times. Laughing lowers your blood pressure, reduces pain and can help lower your cholesterol. There’s no doubt that challenges will come when you’re making dietary changes (mental and physical) so accepting your situation with humor will help you to push past the hurdles with ease.

3. Seek Wisdom. “We learn from failure more than from success. We often discover what will do, by finding out what will not do.” – [Samuel Smiles]

Wisdom can’t be taught through ezines, blogs, reports or classes. From my experience there are two ways to gain wisdom: Through personal experience and through observation. To gain wisdom you must fully present yourself to the life around you. Engage and interact and see what happens. Be smart about your raw food transition, know your body and know its limitations through ease phase of your journey.

4. Be flexible. So many words can be used to describe this trait: accommodating, cooperative, willing, adaptable… being able to adjust to different situations is not only useful but very healthy. Eating a plant based diet, despite its many benefits, is still an uncommon thing in our society. What you encounter during your raw food transition may not be unique, but it may be very unique to you, (at times, even surprising). Therefore, keep an open mind and take a step back when you feel a bit overwhelmed.

5. Be Studious. Never stop learning. Just as you expand your knowledge of the world around you, you’ll need to expand your knowledge of raw foods. Some ideas are to attend classes, read books, watch videos and find a mentor. You’ll need to learn how to make new meals, drinks and snacks as your body adjusts, and as your taste buds develop different cravings. There are a myriad of resources to do this, both online and in stores. Find a reputable resource that provides ideas that you actually implement according to your lifestyle.

No matter where you are in your exploration of raw foods, these simple tips will help you to make the raw food transition in your own time, and with victories every step of the way.

By: Beatrice Johnston

Seattle Health Tips – The Removal of Spider Veins

admin — Sat, 02 Jan 2010 02:53:03 +0000

There are a number of treatments out there which claim to remove venous health disorders. Patients have recently had the advantage of recent advances in technology which have granted minimal procedure and healing times. This wave of new technology has forever changed the way that venous disease is treated and handled by medical professionals.

For those seeking the removal of spider veins, it is important to know that now has never been a greater time to treat your venous disorder at a vein clinic with a trusted vein doctor. Some of the technology that is now available is impressive and allows patients the ability to treat vein dysfunction in little time. Most office treatments via injection or laser treatments are under an hour and patients can then leave to get back to work or whatever other obligations they have. Sclerotherapy is a vein treatment which allows patients to receive a simple injection that is usually enough to treat the entire vein. With laser, repeat treatments may be necessary but it depends on the patient’s vein dysfunction. Since these treatments are highly effective, most patients notice that their skin clears up over the course of a few weeks and immediate changes are evident right after treatments usually.

Most patients that seek the removal of spider veins should also address how the spider veins developed in the first place. There are many precursors to the development of venous dysfunction and most of it has to do with patients who are not fully aware of their own weight and diet issues, such as obesity, weight gain, and a poor diet. Furthermore, lacking physical activity is another reason that many patients wind up with vein dysfunction, because the more fit and active you are, the lower your chances are of having poor vein function. For some however, the issue is genetic or related to hormones and changes throughout life. As we age, the elasticity of our skin, and therefore the walls of our veins, are subject to becoming too relaxed. This can lead to the vein valves relaxing as well and then blood begins to pool in areas causing visible and painful veins. This gradually can occur over time or some event can spur on poor vein function, such as increased sitting and standing without movement or lots of traveling which requires sitting in one place. It is thus important to be aware of how your lifestyle and habits may lead you to have to seek out the removal of spider veins.

For most that are seeking out freedom from vein dysfunction, a healthy diet and active lifestyle is the key. Most find that by implementing a more active fitness routine, they can help to strengthen their hearts and entire cardiovascular system. So keeping an optimal weight and keeping physical activity close in your life is an important part of everyday life. This can help to prevent spider veins. And if the removal of spider veins is needed, then patients can be sure that they are likely genetically predisposed to getting them which is quite common.

By: Beth Ortiz

Health Tips for Kids

admin — Mon, 23 Nov 2009 20:29:08 +0000

Obesity among kids is increasing at an alarming rate. What should you, as a parent, do to prevent this epidemic from spreading? These tips may help you:

1. Lead a healthy lifestyle – you can’t teach a child healthy habits if they don’t see the same habits in you. As the parent, you should serve as their role models. A lot of parents cheat and pretend to lead healthy lives only when their kids are looking. Be warned: kids see more than you think. By leading a healthy life, you will be acting responsibly as well as improving your own living condition.

2. Start young – make sure that you start training your kids to eat healthy foods as well as lead healthy lives early. This way, when they grow up, they’ll be able to make healthy choices on their own. A lot of parents start feeding their children vegetables too late. This equals tantrums and poor compromises. When children learn at a very young age that vegetables can be delicious and good for them, they will be able to make healthy food choices without you having to resort to pleading.

3. Eat with your kids – a lot of families today eat separately or in front of the television. The dining experience has become isolated for each family member. What you need to do in order to encourage healthy eating habits is to eat as a family. This way, you will be able to monitor what your kids are eating, as well as bond as a family. When you dine with your kids, you will be encouraging them to eat slowly, leisurely and moderately. This will definitely help you raise healthy kids.

4. Encourage activity – the biggest mistake some parents make is thinking that being cooped up inside the house is better for the kids. They turn the television into some sort of babysitter for the child. You do not want your child to become a couch potato at such a young age. Kids have all this energy that’s supposed to be spent playing and finding out more about the world. If they don’t use that energy, it becomes fat. And having a fat child does not necessarily equal to having a healthy child. Try to encourage play and even sports for your kids.

5. Help your child meet new friends – unlike you, a child has yet to develop social skills. Because of this, you really should help kids make new friends. This will encourage your kid to become more active and play more. Try to set play dates with neighbors. You should also take the time to take your children to the park or any areas where they can learn how to meet other kids.

6. Be supportive – if your child is to lead a healthy lifestyle, you need to show him or her that doing so will make you proud. Have you ever experienced turning to food when you feel insecure or otherwise unsatisfied? Well, kids experience the same emotions. When you show love and support for your children, you should be able to help them be happy with who they are and not turn to negative influences.

7. Learn when to say “no” – whatever you do, you cannot spoil your child. Remember that you are trying to get him or her to lead a healthy life because you love him or her. Keep your eye on the goal and be patient. A lot of parents today cave in to their children’s wishes simply because they want to avoid the inconvenience of disciplining a child. However, you should realize that, as a parent, it is your responsibility to see to it that your child is sound psychologically and physically.

8. Vitamin supplements – remember that the nutrients in food might not be enough to fill the needs of your child. Because of this, it is important to give your kid some vitamin supplements. These are usually chewable and taste like candy, so you’ll have no problem giving them to your child.

9. Check-ups – you need to make absolutely sure that your child is healthy. Because of this, it is important to visit the doctor and the dentist for regular check-ups. This encourages your child to see these people as friends rather than as scary monsters in white coats. Regular check-ups will also enable you to get tips on how to better raise the child.

10. Treats – of course, your child needs to be treated every once in a while. Every kid likes that. It is a part of growing up to like junk food. However, you shouldn’t make a habit out of it. By taking your kids to fast food places only once in a while, it will instill in their minds that junk food is not for regular consumption. This will help them keep their healthy lifestyles as they grow older.

By: Mikhail Tuknov