While not usually aerobic, the activities below offer numerous health benefits and are enjoyable ways to get and stay in shape. All are offered at many YMCAs, community or recreation centers, and gyms.
- Yoga is a system of physical postures, stretching, and breathing techniques that can improve flexibility, balance, muscle strength, and relaxation. Many styles are available, ranging from slow and gentle to athletic and vigorous. A recent study found that regular yoga practice may help to minimize weight gain in middle age.
- Tai chi is an ancient Chinese practice based on shifting body weight through a series of slow movements that flow rhythmically together into one graceful gesture. This gentle, calming practice can help to improve flexibility and balance, and it gradually builds muscle strength.
- Pilates is a body conditioning routine that seeks to strengthen the body’s “core” (torso), usually through a series of mat exercises.Another Pilates method uses special exercise machines, available at some health clubs. The practice can strengthen and tone muscles as well as increase flexibility.
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December 31st, 2009
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A study indicates yoga done under the right circumstances can make life better for people with chronic low back pain.
Researchers at the Boston University School of Medicine saw that in a pilot study.
Those who took the 12 weekly 75-minute classes wind up with greater ability to move, and an 80 percent decrease in their pain medications, compared with those who did not do yoga.
Caution: some types of yoga might be bad for back pain. For individuals who are pursuing yoga for their back pain, it’s very important that they identify a class and a teacher who has experience with this.
The study in the journal Alternative Therapies in Health and Medicine was supported by the National Institutes of Health.
For more information about Yoga, see:
Yoga - fitness, overall health and mental benefits of yoga
Safety Tips for Yoga Beginners
Yoga for Your Heart
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December 30th, 2009
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To Your Health! |
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The federal government defines “overweight” and “obese” using the Body Mass Index (BMI), a simple calculation based only on height and weight.
But the BMI’s simplistic formula misclassifies many fit Americans as officially fat.
Under the government standard, Tom Cruise, Sylvester Stallone, and Mel Gibson are all technically obese. It’s not just the official category of obesity that has been affected by numerical hocus-
pocus.
Thirty-five million Americans went to sleep one night in 1998 at a government approved weight, and woke up “overweight” the next morning, thanks to a change in the government’s definition.
That group includes presently “overweight” celebrities like Will Smith and Pierce Brosnan, as well as NBA stars Kobe Bryant and LeBron James. It even includes President George W. Bush.
“BMI does have numerous limitations that we professionals have chosen to ignore, or at least
to tolerate.” –Obesity Reviews
So, next time you’re tempted to fall for anything Big Daddy Gov’t tells you, think twice and check with your physician if you’re concerned you’re too heavy. Also remember, these “gov’t officials and experts” aren’t really “experts” in this field…they’re experts in using people and their weaknesses to line their pockets.
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December 28th, 2009
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To Your Health! |
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Chocolate Marshmallow Tarts
Ingredients:
1 container (8 oz ) whipped cream cheese
1/2 cup vanilla nonfat yogurt with low-calorie sweetener
3 envelopes (1 oz each) Milk Chocolate with Marshmallows Hot Cocoa Mix
1 pkg (4 oz ) mini graham cracker pie crusts (4 oz pkg = 6 crusts)
Whipped Cream
Fresh Raspberries, optional
Directions:
1. Combine cream cheese, yogurt and cocoa mix in medium bowl; blend until smooth.
2. Portion equal amounts of cream cheese mixture into 6 mini crusts. Cover; chill for at least 2 hours.
3. Top each tart with Whipped Cream just before serving. Garnish with raspberries, if desired.
Time: Hands On: 10 minutes
Total Time: 2 hours 10 minutes
Yield: Makes 6 servings (1 tart each)
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December 27th, 2009
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Keep all the nutrients AND have loads of flavor!
- one bunch kale
- one bunch spinach
- one red and one yellow bell pepper
- olive oil
- sea salt
- cayenne pepper
- one lemon
- one inch piece of ginger
- one half red onion
Strip the kale leave off the stems and chop into bite size peices; chop spinach into peices. Place greens in a large bowl.
Pour 3/4 cup olive oil and squeeze juice from one lemon onto greens; mix well but carefully with hands.
Process in food processor bell peppers, red onion, ginger, 1/2 cup olive oil, sea salt and cayenne pepper to taste.
Process until mixture is a liquid.
Pour marinade over greens and mix with hands.
Can eat right away but these greens are even better when they sit for few hours.
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December 22nd, 2009
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This week’s newsletter contents:
- Article of the Week: Healthful Pasta Sauce
- Fitness Tip: Sugars Do Not Cause Hyperactivity
- Nutrition Tip: Health and Happiness with Food
- Supplement Special: Acai
- Quick Recipe: Snow Shovelling Soup for All Ages
- Quote of the Week
- Featured Product of the Month: Appetite Suppressant Drinks
- Tidbit: iPod for High blood pressure
- Food Facts and Tasty Tidbit
- Freebies and Promos: Know My Bones Osteoporosis Tips, Amazing Flowering Himalayan Teas, Dryer Maid, Colon Cleanse Ultra for Men
Not a subscriber? Read the online version - and if you wish, join us and subscribe!
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December 22nd, 2009
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To Your Health! |
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Whole Foods Market® Recalls Bulk Hazelnuts
AUSTIN, TX – Whole Foods Market is recalling organic raw hazelnuts (filberts) sold in bulk through its stores in California, Colorado, Kansas, New Mexico, Oregon, Utah and Washington because the nuts were part of a batch that was contaminated with salmonella. The company is also recalling non-organic dry roasted hazelnuts (filberts) sold in bulk through its stores in California, Nevada, Oregon, and Washington, and non-organic raw hazelnuts (filberts) sold in bulk through its stores in Oregon and Washington. These hazelnuts should not be consumed. No illnesses have been reported at this time.
The potential for salmonella contamination was discovered during a routine product sampling at the plant where the hazelnuts were shelled. Salmonella is an organism that can cause serious and sometimes fatal infections in young children, frail or elderly people, and others with weakened immune systems.
Whole Foods Market customers who have purchased the recalled product since Oct. 12 in the states listed above may return the item for a full refund. Consumers with questions may contact the company by calling 512-542-0656 or by logging on to www.wholefoods.com.
Source: FDA
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December 21st, 2009
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Evonuk Oregon Hazelnuts Recalls Raw and Dry Roasted Hazelnut Kernels Because of Possible Health
Evonuk Oregon Hazelnuts of Eugene, OR is recalling 6,712.5 lbs. of raw and dry roasted hazelnut kernels because they have the potential to be contaminated with Salmonella, an organism which can cause serious and sometimes fatal infections in young children, frail or elderly people, and others with weakened immune systems. Healthy persons infected with Salmonella often experience fever, diarrhea (which may be bloody), nausea, vomiting and abdominal pain. In rare circumstances, infection with Salmonella can result in the organism getting into the bloodstream and producing more severe illnesses such as arterial infections (i.e., infected aneurysms), endocarditis and arthritis.
After product sampling, Salmonella was found on one production lot at Willamette Shelling, of Newberg, OR, the facility where Evonuk Oregon Hazelnut’s hazelnuts kernels were shelled. Evonuk Oregon Hazelnuts has decided to recall all raw and dry roasted hazelnut kernels delivered or shipped by Evonuk Oregon Hazelnuts from November 2nd 2009 through December 4th 2009.
Evonuk Oregon Hazelnuts brand raw hazelnut kernels and dry roasted hazelnut kernels subject to recall include:
• Raw hazelnut kernels packed in 25 pound corrugated boxes with lot code numbers 299091A and
296091A.
• Dry roasted hazelnut kernels packed in 25 pound corrugated boxes with lot code numbers 299091A and
296091A.
• 8 ounce, 2.5 pound, and 5 pound packages of raw hazelnut kernels in clear plastic packages, bearing no
lot code. Shipped in corrugated boxes with lot code numbers 299091A and 296091A.
• 4 ounce, 8 ounce, 2.5 pound, and 5 pound packages of dry roasted, salt free, hazelnut kernels in clear
plastic packages, bearing no lot code. Shipped in corrugated boxes with lot code numbers 299091A and 296091A.
These raw and dry roasted products were distributed in retail and wholesale stores, restaurants and bakeries in Washington, Oregon, California, Nevada, Oklahoma and New Jersey. No illnesses have been reported to date.
Consumers who bought the recalled raw and dry roasted hazelnut products are urged to return the product to their place of purchase for a refund. Consumers with questions may contact Shannon Evonuk at (541) 998-1848, Monday through Friday, between 8 a.m. – 5 p.m. PST.
Harry and David Conducts Hazelnut Recall in Medford, Oregon because of Possible Risk to Health
Harry and David is voluntarily recalling raw, shelled hazelnut kernels due to concerns of potential Salmonella contamination. The hazelnuts were sold only in our Harry & David Country Village store located in Medford, Oregon. The hazelnuts were supplied to us by Evonuk Oregon Hazelnuts. Salmonella is an organism which can cause serious and sometimes fatal infections in young children, frail or elderly people, and others with weakened immune systems. Healthy persons infected with Salmonella often experience fever, diarrhea (which may be bloody), nausea, vomiting and abdominal pain. In rare circumstances, infection with Salmonella can result in the organism getting into the bloodstream and producing more severe illnesses such as arterial infections (i.e., infected aneurysms), endocarditis and arthritis.
The Harry & David Country Village store removed all the raw, shelled hazelnuts supplied by Evonuk from sale on December 17, 2009. This was done in response to a recall issued on December 17, 2009, by Willamette Sheller, Inc., the company that processed the hazelnuts for Evonuk.
The hazelnuts affected by this recall were sold as Filbert (hazelnut) kernels in bulk bin #10077 only at the Harry & David Country Village store, Medford, Oregon, prior to December 18, 2009.
No known illnesses have been reported to date in connection with the hazelnuts.
Consumers who have purchased any of the bulk hazelnuts from the Harry & David Country Village store are encouraged to return them to the store for a full refund.
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December 21st, 2009
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It’s Oatmeal Muffin Day! Not exactly what we usually make at Christmas time but nonetheless, it’s the national day for oatmeal muffins!
See also: Low Fat Mighty Muffins, Buttermilk Oatmeal Muffins, Cinnamon Oatmeal Muffins (Healthy Grain Recipe), Orange-Oatmeal Muffins (Wheat Free Recipe)
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December 19th, 2009
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Consumers are being warned not to use Slim-Fast canned drinks because these weight-loss products might be contaminated by bacteria. The company that makes Slim-Fast, Uniliver, issued the recall.
The bacteria, bacillus cereus, can cause diarrhea and vomiting. People generally get over it in 24 hours. But Food and Drug Administration spokesman George Strait says:
[George Strait speaks] “The FDA recommends that anyone who has consumed the recalled Slim-Fast product should see a healthcare provider if they experience either diarrhea or vomiting.”
People who have the products should get rid of them. Unilever is offering a refund to consumers who call a toll-free number, 1-800-896-9479.
Source: HHS
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December 19th, 2009
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