McDonald’s USA announces Coach Beverly “Bev” Kearney will join the judging panel for the company’s first Happy Meal Chefs,   a contest seeking top inspiring stories from parent-and-child teams who enjoy cooking with wholesome ingredients at family mealtime. The contest, which is part of McDonald’s renewed emphasis on children’s wellbeing, will award 10 kids a trip to the London 2012 Olympic Games as part of the company’s Global Champions of Play program where they will join kids from around the world to celebrate balanced eating and fun play.  Two Grand Prize Winners will become honorary “Happy Meal Chefs” and experience a one-of-a-kind apprenticeship with McDonald’s executive chef Dan Coudreaut.

Through April 18, McDonald’s Happy Meal Chefs is looking to reward top kids’ stories of nutritious fun at family mealtime. Kearney, head coach for The University of Texas (UT) women’s track and field and cross country teams and 2012 recipient of the BET Honors education award, will join five-time U.S. Olympic Swimmer and McDonald’s Global Champions of Play Ambassador Dara Torres and nutrition experts Dr. Keith Ayoob and  Sylvia Klinger on the contest’s judging panel. Kearney, who is one of the most successful and decorated coaches across all collegiate athletics, will help the panel review the contest’s video submissions and select the 10 finalists.

“The importance of nutrition should be emphasized at an early age,” said Kearney. “In some cases, health issues that impact adults, such as obesity, heart disease and diabetes, partially result from a lack of nutrition education in childhood. I am honored to work with McDonald’s as a judge for Happy Meal Chefs because as an African-American athlete and coach, I know many of these issues are more prevalent in my community, and I believe strongly that by placing a positive emphasis on children’s wellbeing, the contest will help promote healthier communities.”

Parents or legal guardians with kids ages eight to 11 are eligible to enter online at the Happy Meal Chefs contest page. Participants must answer a brief questionnaire and submit a short video online that creatively showcases their family mealtime. They’re also encouraged to learn about and feature recommended food groups from the USDA’s MyPlate, the balanced-eating symbol based on federal dietary guidelines.

“Every day in McDonald’s executive kitchen, my menu team and I aspire to come up with new, nutrition-minded menu choices that kids will love,” Coudreaut said. “The Happy Meal Chefs contest is inviting families to join in our team’s effort to make wholesome food fun.”

Kearney added: “A number of my personal and professional accomplishments were attainable because of health, wellness, teamwork, family and community – many of the values I cherish. Happy Meal Chefs is a great contest with an even better message. I encourage all families to embrace it and submit entries. After all, that’s the only way to win.” https://happymealchefs.mcdonalds.com/

Now in her 18th coaching season at UT, Kearney was the first African-American head coach for the university. She has led the team to six national titles and is a member of the U.S. Track and Field and Cross Country Coaches Association’s Hall of Fame. In 2002, an auto accident, which proved fatal for two of her friends, caused a spinal cord injury and left Kearney paralyzed. She dismissed doctors’ claims that she’d never walk again and conquered paralysis. Today, she has the highest number of national championship wins among African-American coaches in an all-collegiate Division I sport.

NO PURCHASE NECESSARY. Open to US residents 18 yrs+ who are parent/legal guardian of a child 8-11 yrs. Contest ends 4/18/12. Subject to Official Rules. See Official Rules at https://happymealchefs.mcdonalds.com/rules info, deadlines & complete details. Void where prohibited.

COACH “BEV” KEARNEY JOINS JUDGING PANEL FOR MCDONALD’S USA HAPPY MEAL CHEFS is a post from: Heart & Soul

US warns of cancer-agent in Japan weight loss pills is a post from: Heart & Soul

Organic Spa Magazine’s Top 10 Green Spa Awards:

These spas and resorts artfully weave sustainability and environmentally friendly practices into their properties and offerings.

Callaway Gardens

We found serenity in the natural beauty of this family-run property that’s nestled in the southernmost foothills of the Appalachian Mountains, just an hour from Atlanta. The 13,000-acre resort offers gardens galore, butterfly habitats, serpentine bridges, a 150-room rustic lodge, a plethora of outdoor activities (biking, hiking, fishing, and canoeing, to name a few) and the Spa Prunifolia that feautures a nice array of nature-inspired treatments. Most of the fruit and vegetables are grown on property, and The Gardens restaurant is entirely devoted to the Slow Foods concept. www.callawaygardens.com

Sullivan Estate

This new private, holistic spa is about a 90-minute drive from Honolulu on Oahu’s north shore. Set on five acres of lush, landscaped grounds overlooking the ocean, the Estate is run as a private spa for groups as small as two and as large as 12. Heat and electricity are solar-powered, food is organic and (mostly) locally sourced, and treatments offered use the owner’s (Jurgen Klein, chemist, horticulturist, and co-founder of the biodynamic skin care line, Jurlique) new skin care line, JK7 that’s made on-property with natural and organic ingredients. Each guest receives a personal itinerary, including a variety of therapies and exercise—such as facial yoga, t’ai chi, and qigong—in addition to spa treatments. www.sullivanestate.com

Blue Marble Spa at the Hyatt Regency Mission Bay

This is Hyatt’s very first eco-friendly spa situated in San Diego and surrounded by the natural beauty of Mission Bay. We love the name—taken from “The Blue Marble” image of the earth that was shot from outer space during the Apollo 17 mission—and the spa’s contemporary design, as well as its very green sensibility. The spa’s treatment menu is in digital format; skin care products are natural and organic; organic fruits and food options are on hand; low-flow shower heads are used; and even the spa linens are dyed using eco-friendly processes—to name just a few green details. Guests can reconnect with nature via one of the two-and-a-half to four-hour Blue Marble Journeys of their choosing (the four offered are Earth, Water, Air, and Fire), or spend some quiet time in the outdoor Earth Garden. www.missionbay.hyatt.com

Evason Ma’In Hot Springs & Six Senses Spa

The adventurous soul will find respite at this spa resort located an hour outside of Amman, the capitol of Jordan. Set along the legendary Ma’In Hot Springs, a series of mineral-rich waterfalls and pools that have been a popular wellness destination since King Herod visited to take the waters, this eco-destination has 97 rooms and suites simply designed—and soothing views of the waterfalls or the valley overlooking the Dead Sea. Due to its remote setting, Evason Ma’In is forced to be even more self-sufficient, and the resort, like every Six Senses property, is committed to operating in a healthful, sustainable way. The extensive spa menu’s emphasis is on indigenous treatments (think Dead Sea salts and mud, organic cold-pressed virgin olive oil, fresh olives, and dates). www.sixsenses.com/Evason-Ma-In

Mohonk Mountain House

Owned and operated by the Smiley family since 1869, this idyllic destination, a National Historic Landmark, sits on 2,200 acres of beautifully maintained land. In 1963, it established a 5,000-acre-plus nature preserve, and on its 125th anniversary received an award from the United Nations Environment Program. The award honored the Smiley family and Mohonk “for generations of dedicated leadership and commitment to the protection and enhancement of the environment and for their inestimable contribution to the cause of peace, justice, and sustainable human development.” We love its programs like the Junior Naturalist Experience created for kids and the fact that Mohonk maintains a CO 2-neutral environment. But we’re especially fond of the very large and very comforting Spa (featuring a geothermal heating and cooling system) that has over 200 windows that let the beauty of the outside woodlands in. www.mohonk.com

Keystone Lodge & Spa

World-class fly-fishing and hiking through spring and summer, world-renowned skiing in winter and a sustainable spa make this a progressive yet laidback resort. A member of the RockResorts chain, Keystone is one of the first of its facilities to use wind energy; the first to initiate an on-property composting program, and one of the few to forge a partnership with an environmental non-profit organization, the Keystone Science School, that educates guests on environmental issues and offers star-gazing programs, fireside nature chats with rangers, and hands-on learning environmental tours for kids. (RockResorts has also partnered with the National Forest Foundation to create the Ski Conservation Fund.) The spa has one of the nicest staffs around and uses 100 percent wind power, an array of organic products, indigenous ingredients, and glorious natural light. www.keystoneresort.com

Bardessono

If you want to experience true green luxury, check out this modern hotel in the heart of Californian’s wine country. Bardessono is a LEED Platinum-aspiring hotel, spa, and restaurant that’s located in Yountville on six tastefully landscaped acres with drought-tolerant foliage, organic herb gardens, and vineyards. Simple, sparse lines (think box-like buildings covered in corrugated steel) combined with a smart and stylish use of reclaimed materials (recycled stone and salvaged orchard Walnut, Cypress, Redwood, and California Bay woods are evident throughout) are just some of the reasons why this property tops our list. We especially love the handsome signage monuments crafted from rammed earth and the fact that all grey and black water are treated and recycled for irrigation uses by the Town of Yountville. This is a great place to go with a loved one, as each of the hotel’s 62 suites doubles as a private spa stocked with some of the best organic towels, linens, and robes we’ve come across. The well-balanced spa menu offers an East-meets-West-inspired menu and organic skin care (not to mention a small but very well-stocked spa boutique). www.bardessono.com

Ritz-Carlton, Charlotte

Welcome to the first LEED-built hotel for this luxury group (and the first for greater Charlotte, too). This isn’t your grandmother’s Ritz—this 146-room hotel boasts a warm, contemporary vibe that’s younger than what you’d traditionally find, but thankfully, not trendy. There’s a 13,000-square-foot Wellness Center where you can opt for treatments like the Green Your Body Eco-Treatment or the Techno-Stress Relief. Other eco-friendly details include: A green roof vegetated with 18,000 plants that insulates the building, slows rain runoff, and cools the air through evaporation of water from leaves; employee uniforms made of fabric derived from regenerated plastic bottles; an impressive in-house water purification and container system; a state-of-the-art air transfer system which circulates outside air into guest rooms at 60 cubic-feet per minute; a hotel Bike Valet, featuring 150 bicycle parking spaces and complimentary Trek bikes for guests to use, as well as complimentary parking for hybrid vehicles. www.ritzcarlton.com

Rancho La Puerta

Is it the organic farm and cooking school or the authentic spa treatments or the 3,000 acres to hike and bike and wander along that keep us coming back to this cherished destination spa? We believe it’s that and much more. Few can compare to this property that launched back in 1940 in Tecate, Baja California, Mexico, becoming the first true destination spa. And like all good and true destination spas, the emphasis here is on spending a full week immersed in the experience. “Ours is a nature preserve that preserves people!” states a spokesperson for the property. We couldn’t agree more. www.rancholapuerta.com

Jivana Holistic Spa

It’s simple, it’s charming, and its owner is dedicated to providing the ultimate in healing and holistic treatments in a nurturing and caring environment. Jivana is a welcome respite that’s located three stories above a bustling pedestrian-only street in Burlington, Vermont. The day spa is known for its esoteric spa menu that includes many ancient and traditional spa treatments, as well as for its selection of natural and organic product lines. We opted for the Traditional Hammam Experience that took place atop a heated ceramic hammam table. We were lovingly scrubbed with Moroccan black soap, covered in a special mud mask, and placed under a steam canopy. After showering off, we received a full massage with an organic Moroccan Argan Oil that left us feeling ready to take on the world. www.jivanaspa.com

List and captions courtesy of Organic Spa Magazine; From Organic Spa Magazine’s Evelyn Theiss

Top 10 Green Spas and Resorts is a post from: Heart & Soul

Over the past several years, yoga has experienced an upsurge in popularity in the western world among medical professionals and celebrities alike. While many associate yoga with new age mysticism or the latest fad at the gym, yoga is actually an ancient practice that connects the mind, body, and spirit through body poses, controlled breathing, and meditation. The practice of yoga has many health benefits associated with it, so read below to discover 77 benefits of incorporating yoga in to your or your patient’s fitness program.

Health Benefits Within

From lowering blood pressure to increasing pain tolerance, the following health benefits can all be discovered within the body.

1. Blood pressure. A consistent yoga practice decreases blood pressure through better circulation and oxygenation of the body. These two exercises can help lower blood pressure.
2. Pulse rate. A slower pulse rate indicates that your heart is strong enough to pump more blood with fewer beats. Regularly practicing yoga provides a lower pulse rate.
3. Circulation. Yoga improves blood circulation. By transporting nutrients and oxygen throughout your body, yoga practice provides healthier organs, skin, and brain.
4. Respiratory. Like the circulatory system, a lower respiratory rate indicates that the lungs are working more efficiently. Yoga decreases the respiratory rate through a combination of controlled breathing exercises and better fitness.
5. Cardiovascular endurance. A combination of lower heart rate and improved oxygenation to the body (both benefits of yoga) results in higher cardiovascular endurance.
6. Organs. Yoga practice massages internal organs, thus improving the ability of the body to prevent disease. Additionally, an experienced yoga practitioner becomes better attuned to her body to know at first sign if something isn’t functioning properly, thereby allowing for quicker response to head off disease.
7. Gastrointestinal. Gastrointestinal functions have been shown to improve in both men and women who practice yoga.
8. Immunity. Yoga practice has frequently been correlated with a stronger immune system. Read this article for more on the immune system and yoga, including some poses that specifically work on areas of immunity.
9. Pain. Pain tolerance is much higher among those who practice yoga regularly. In addition to pain tolerance, some instances of chronic pain, such as back pain, are lessened or eliminated through yoga (see below for more on back pain).
10. Metabolism. Having a balanced metabolism results in maintaining a healthy weight and controlling hunger. Consistent yoga practice helps find the balance and creates a more efficient metabolism.

Health Benefits Without

Just as many health benefits occur within the body, there are many benefits that can actually be experienced from without the body. From better sleep to more energy and strength, this list provides several benefits found on the outside of the body.

11. Aging. Yoga stimulates the detoxification process within the body. Detoxification has been shown to delay aging, among many other health benefits.
12. Posture. The very nature of yoga teaches the practitioner how to hold and control one’s body in a more healthful position. Through consistent practice, your posture will improve so that you look more confident and healthy.
13. Strength. One of the premises of yoga is that you are using the weight of your own body for overall strength. Find out more about how yoga works as an excellent method of strength training in this article.
14. Energy. Regular yoga practice provides consistent energy. In fact, most yogis state that when you perform your yoga correctly, you will feel energized after your yoga session rather than tired.
15. Weight. The benefits of a better metabolism along with the exercise of yoga work to keep your weight in check. Additionally, the stretching of muscles longwise helps to reduce the amount of cellulite that can build around muscles.
16. Sleep. Because of the many benefits to both body and mind that a yoga routine can provide, many find that their sleep is much better. Read here for more on sleep and yoga, as well as some positions for helping induce sleep.
17. Balance. An integral part of the yoga practice is balance and control over your body. With a consistent practice, you will find that your overall balance will improve outside the yoga class.
18. Integrated function of the body. Yoga is derived from Sanskrit and means “to join together and direct one’s attention.” This is exactly what happens to your body after you start practicing yoga. Yogis find that their body works together much better, resulting in more graceful and efficient body movements.
19. Body Awareness: Doing yoga will give you an increased awareness of your own body. You are often called upon to make small, subtle movements to improve your alignment. Over time, this will increase your level of comfort in your own body. This can lead to improved posture and greater self-confidence.
20. Core strength. With a strong body core, you receive better posture and overall body strength. A strong core helps heal and reduce injuries. This is why a lot of athletes do yoga as cross training (boxers, MMA fighters, etc). Read how this swimmer uses yoga to strengthen her core and improve her swimming.
21. Sexuality. Yoga can improve your sexuality through better control, more relaxation, and more self-confidence. Read more about the yoga and sexuality connection here.

Emotional Health Benefits

Due to the strong mind-body connection of yoga, there are many emotional benefits to be gained from a consistent yoga practice. Find out how yoga can help improve emotional health with this list.

22. Mood. Overall well-being improves with yoga practice. The combination of creating a strong mind-body connection, creating a healthy body, and focusing inward can all lead to improvement in your mood.
23. Stress Reduction. The concentration required during yoga practice tends to focus your attention on the matter at hand, thereby reducing the emphasis you may have been putting on the stress in your life. Read more about yoga and stress management here.
24. Anxiety. One benefit to the controlled breathing used in yoga is a reduction in anxiety. Learn more about how you can use yoga breathing to reduce your anxiety.
25. Depression. Some believe the negative feelings that you may be repressing are brought to the surface during some types of yoga exercise. When this happens, the negative energy is no longer stuck within you, but released through exercise. Regularly releasing this negativity leads to a reduction of depression in many people.
26. Self-acceptance. Focusing inward and realizing through your yoga practice that perfection is not the goal, self-acceptance begins to take over. This post describes how success is not measured by perfectionism in yoga.
27. Self-control. The controlled movements of yoga teach you how to translate that self-control to all aspects of your life.
28. Mind-body connection. Few other exercises offer the same mind-body connection that yoga does. As you match your controlled breathing with the movements of your body, you retrain your mind to find that place of calm and peace that long-time yogis know.
29. Positive outlook on life. Continued practice of yoga results in a balance of many hormones and nervous system, which brings about a more stable, positive approach to life.
30. Hostility. Most yogis report a huge reduction in the amount of hostility they feel as well as a sense of control when anger flares. This calm effect is likely from the relaxation and meditation that is incorporated in their yoga practice that leads to an overall calming of the nervous system. Less hostility means lower blood pressure and stress and a healthier approach to life.
31. Concentration. Researchers have shown that as little as eight weeks of yoga practice can result in better concentration and more motivation.
32. Memory. Improved blood circulation to the brain as well as the reduction in stress and improved focus results in a better memory.
33. Attention. The attention required in yoga to maintain the structured breathing in conjunction with yoga poses sharpens the ability to keep a sharp focus on tasks.
34. Social skills. In yoga, you learn the interconnectedness of all of life. Your yoga practice soon evolves from a personal journey to one connecting to to the community at large where your social skills improve along with your yoga practice.
35. Calmness. Concentrating so intently on what your body is doing has the effect of bringing calmness. Yoga also introduces you to meditation techniques, such as watching how you breathe and disengagement from your thoughts, which help calm the mind.

Body Chemistry

Several aspects of body chemistry such as glucose levels and red blood cells are affected by yoga. Learn how you can improve your body chemistry through yoga.

36. Cholesterol. Yoga practice lowers cholesterol through increased blood circulation and burning fat. Yoga practice is a great tool to fight against harmful cholesterol levels.
37. Lymphatic system. Your lymphatic system boosts your immunity and reduces toxins in your body. The only way to get your lymphatic system flowing well is by movement. The specific movements involved in yoga are particularly well-suited for promoting a strong lymphatic system.
38. Glucose. There is evidence to suggest that yoga may lower blood glucose levels.
39. Sodium. As does any good exercise program, yoga reduces the sodium levels in your body. In today’s world of processed and fast foods that are full of sodium, lessening these levels is a great idea.
40. Endocrine functions. Practicing yoga helps to regulate and control hormone secretion. An improved endocrine system keeps hormones in balance and promotes better overall physical and emotional health.
41. Triglycerides. Triglycerides are the chemical form of fat in the blood, and elevated levels can indicate a risk for heart disease and high blood pressure. A recent study shows that yoga can lead to “significantly lower” levels of triglycerides. Read more about the results of that study here.
42. Red blood cells. Yoga has been shown to increase the level of red blood cells in the body. Red blood cells are responsible for carrying oxygen through the blood, and too few can result in anemia and low energy.
43. Vitamin C. Vitamin C helps boost immunity, helps produce collagen, and is a powerful antioxidant; and a yoga regimen can increase the vitamin C in your body.

Exercise Health Benefits

As a form of exercise, yoga offers benefits that are sometimes not easily found among other exercise regimens. Check out these reasons to include yoga in your or your patient’s health program.

44. Low risk of injury. Due to the low impact of yoga and the controlled aspect of the motions, there is a very low risk of injury during yoga practice compared to other forms of exercise.
45. Parasympathetic Nervous System. In many forms of exercise, the sympathetic nervous system kicks in, providing you with that fight-or-flight sensation. Yoga does the opposite and stimulates the parasympathetic nervous system. The parasympathetic system lowers blood pressure and slows the pace of your breathing, which allows relaxation and healing.
46. Muscle tone. Consistently practicing yoga leads to better muscle tone.
47. Subcortex. Subcortical regions of brain are associated with well-being, and yoga is thought to dominate the subcortex rather than the cortex (where most exercise dominates).
48. Reduced oxygen consumption. Yoga consumes less oxygen than traditional exercise routines, thereby allowing the body to work more efficiently.
49. Breathing. With yoga, breathing is more natural and controlled during exercise. This type of breathing provides more oxygen-rich air for your body and also provides more energy with less fatigue.
50. Balanced workout of opposing muscle groups. As with all of yoga, balance is key. If a muscle group is worked in one direction, it will also be worked in the opposite direction to maintain balance. This balance results in a better overall workout for the body.
51. Non-competitive. The introspective and self-building nature of yoga removes any need of competition in the exercise regimen. With the lack of competition, the yogi is free to work slowly to avoid any undue injury as well as promote a more balanced and stress-free workout.
52. Joint range of motion. A study at the University of Pennsylvania School of Medicine indicated that joint range of motion was improved by participants who practiced yoga.
53. Eye-hand coordination. Without practice, eye-hand coordination diminishes. Yoga maintains and improves eye-hand coordination.
54. Dexterity. The strong mind-body connection and flexibility gained from yoga leads to grace and skill.
55. Reaction time. Research done in India shows that reaction time can be improved with specific yoga breathing exercises in conjunction with an already established yoga practice. The improvement was attributed to the faster rate of processing and improved concentration gained from yoga.
56. Endurance. Working the entire body, yoga improves endurance and is frequently used by endurance athletes as a supplement to their sport-specific training.
57. Depth perception. Becoming aware of your body and how it moves, as one does in yoga practice, leads to increased depth perception.

Disease Prevention

Doctors and nurses love yoga because studies indicate that it can help prevent the following diseases.

58. Heart disease. Yoga reduces stress, lowers blood pressure, keeps off weight, and improves cardiovascular health, all of which lead to reducing your risk of heart disease.
59. Osteoporosis. It is well documented that weight-bearing exercise strengthens bones and helps prevent osteoporosis. Additionally, yoga’s ability to lower levels of cortisol may help keep calcium in the bones.
60. Alzheimer’s. A new study indicates that yoga can help elevate brain gamma-aminobutyric (GABA) levels. Low GABA levels are associated with the onset of Alzheimer’s. Meditation like that practiced in yoga has also been shown to slow the progression of Alzheimer’s.
61. Type II diabetes. In addition to the glucose reducing capabilities of yoga, it is also an excellent source of physical exercise and stress reduction that, along with the potential for yoga to encourage insulin production in the pancreas, can serve as an excellent preventative for type II diabetes.

Symptom Reduction or Alleviation

Medical professionals have learned that the following diseases or disorders can all be helped by maintaining a yoga practice.

62. Carpal tunnel syndrome. Individuals with carpal tunnel syndrome who practiced yoga showed greater improvement than those who wore a splint or received no treatment at all. Researchers saw improved grip strength and reduction of pain in the study participants.
63. Asthma. There is some evidence to show that reducing symptoms of asthma and even reduction in asthma medication are the result of regular yoga.
64. Arthritis. The slow, deliberate movement of yoga poses coupled with the gentle pressure exerted on the joints provides an excellent exercise to relieve arthritis symptoms. Also, the stress relief associated with yoga loosens muscles that tighten joints.
65. Multiple sclerosis. According to this article, “yoga is now recognized as an excellent means of MS management.” Additionally, National Center for Complementary and Alternative Medicine is funding a clinical trial of yoga for treating multiple sclerosis.
66. Cancer. Those fighting or recovering from cancer frequently take advantage of the benefits that yoga provides. Cancer patients who practice yoga gain strength, raise red blood cells, experience less nausea during chemotherapy, and have a better overall well-being.
67. Muscular dystrophy. Using yoga in the early stages of muscular dystrophy can help return some physical functions. The practice of Pranayam yoga helped one teen regain many of his abilities lost to muscular dystrophy. Learn more in this article.
68. Migraines. Regular yoga practice has been shown to reduce the number of migraines in chronic migraine sufferers. This post describes how yoga can reduce migraines.
69. Scoliosis. Yoga can straighten the curvature of the spine associated with scoliosis. Find out how this yogi cured her scoliosis and continues to help others as well.
70. Chronic bronchitis. Exercise that does not elevate respiration, yet increase oxygen levels in the body is ideal for treating chronic bronchitis. Luckily, yoga can do this, as well as aerate the lungs and provide energy.
71. Epilepsy. Focusing on stress reduction, breathing, and restoring overall balance in the body are the focus of how yoga can help prevent epileptic seizures.
72. Sciatica. The intense pain associated with sciatica can be alleviated with specific yoga poses. Here are 10 great ones to help relieve pain.
73. Obsessive Compulsive Disorder. Studies of people with OCD have shown that practicing yoga has lead to a reduction in symptoms–resulting in less medication or medication no longer needed.
74. Constipation. Due to the practice of yoga and overall better posture, the digestive and elimination systems work more efficiently. If the practitioner also has a healthy diet, any constipation will be eliminated through yoga.
75. Allergies. Using a neti pot to clear the sinuses is an ancient form of yoga to help reduce or eliminate allergy symptoms. Certain types of breathing can also help clear the nasal passages.
76. Menopause. Yoga practice can help control some of the side effects of menopause. Learn how the bridge pose can help reduce hot flashes here.
77. Back pain. Yoga reduces spinal compression and helps overall body alignment to reduce back pain. Find a yoga pose to help lessen back pain here.

Source: Copyright © 2004-20011 NursingDegree.Net

77 Surprising Health Benefits of Yoga is a post from: Heart & Soul

Stock a Posher Pantry is a post from: Heart & Soul

You may have heard about the health benefits of eating a raw food diet and are wondering what just what a raw food diet actually is. Maybe you are wondering whether eating raw really could improve your health. Or maybe you are just a little curious? In this article I will examine exactly what eating raw means, how it could benefit you and how to get started.

What is a Raw Food Diet? A raw food diet consists of 100% raw uncooked ingredients. Although most raw foodists choose to eat a diet that is vegan, some include raw meat and fish. Some people decide to eat an exclusively raw diet, whilst others aim for a percentage of their diet to be raw. Other people may only eat a raw food diet for a short period of time, for example when they are going through a detox.

Why Eat a Raw Food Diet? Protagonists of a raw food diet claim that cooking our food is unnatural, which makes sense when you consider that humans are the only species on the entire planet who cook their food before eating it. In the long history of human evolution, humans have only been cooking food for a relatively short time. For thousands of years, before the discovery of fire, we all ate a raw food diet like every other animal.

In addition, the process of cooking causes major chemical changes to food; the natural chemicals are transformed into something the body no longer recognizes and is unable to use as effectively. In addition, because your body no longer recognizes these new chemicals, it views them as toxins and releases white blood cells to deal with the perceived threat. As the body is unable to deal effectively with these toxins, it stores them in the body in an attempt to keep them controlled. Over a period of time, as more and more toxins are produced and stored, this accumulation leads to ill health and the development of disease.

I’m sure it’s no coincidence that as our diet becomes increasingly artificial and processed diseases such as heart disease, cancer and digestive disorders are on the increase. Many of the diseases we suffer from today weren’t even known of a few decades ago!

In addition, every time we cook food we lose up to 70% of the vitamins, all of the enzymes and oxygen, and a large number of the minerals and water it contained in its original form.

In contrast, raw foods contain 100% of their enzymes, water, vitamins, nutrients and chemicals which the body recognizes as non toxic and is able to use.

What are the Benefits of Eating a Raw Food Diet? Raw foodists claim to experience the following benefits from eating a raw food diet;

• Increased health and vitality

• Increased energy

• Disappearance of the symptoms of disease

• Increase sense of well being and happiness

• Weight loss (or gain if needed)

• Increased spiritual awareness

There is also evidence to suggest that eating a predominantly raw diet can prevent disease from occurring and can extend your life span.

Isn’t it Difficult to Eat a Raw Food Diet? When people think about eating a raw food diet, they tend to imaging existing on fruit and vegetables and very little else. Nothing can be farther from the truth! There are a huge variety of raw foods available; raw pizza, crackers and ice cream can even be created!

If you are considering going raw, either fully or partially, or would just like to know more about it, then a great place to start is by visiting the Raw Food Coach website- Karen Knowler is the Raw Food Coach, and gives loads of great advice on making the transition to eating a raw food diet, and she is giving away a great free e-book ‘Go Raw for a Day’. Visit the Raw Food Coach here.

Source: http://universalhealthtips.com/raw-food-diet.html

Could Eating A Raw Food Diet Improve Your Health? is a post from: Heart & Soul

You may be surprised to find that your kitchen is chock full of secret beauty ingredients that are simple to use and as good as, if not better than, the store bought version!

So many homemade beauty recipes involve multiple ingredients, many of which can be hard to source.  It often seems easier to buy the ready-made products off the shelf.  But nothing could be simpler than grabbing one basic ingredient from your kitchen and using it in a completely new way.

• Olive Oil: Eye Make-Up Remover

Keep a small jar in your medicine cabinet.  Dab a little onto a damp cotton ball and watch your eye makeup melt right off.  It also moisturizes the delicate skin around your eyes and nourishes your lashes.  And it doesn’t sting.

• Coconut Oil: Moisturizer and Stretch Mark Cream

I used coconut oil on my belly throughout my pregnancy and have nary a stretch mark to show for it.  It’s also excellent on hands and feet, especially with cotton gloves or socks worn overnight.

• Salt and Sugar: Hand and Foot Exfoliator

Salt and sugar are too strong for the delicate skin on your face, but make an excellent scrub for hardworking hands and feet.  Mix a little with some olive oil or honey and keep a jar handy for a quick treatment.

Photo by Amy Thompson

• Honey: Skin and Hair Conditioner

Stored in a squeeze bottle in your shower, honey makes a wonderful, moisture-rich conditioner.  Its humectant properties draw moisture into your hair.  And far from being a sticky mess it rinses out easily and leaves hair soft.

• Eggs: Protein Hair Mask

Eggs are high in protein and make an excellent mask for damaged hair.  Whip up the eggs a bit, adding a tablespoon or two of olive oil and spread onto damp hair.  You may want to mix it in a blender to completely emulsify the oil.  Spread it onto your hair, wrap it in a warm towel, relax for ten to twenty minutes while it works its magic, then shampoo as you normally would.  A once a week treatment will help protect oft-styled hair.

• Milk: Skin Softener

Cleopatra was rumored to bathe in milk for its beauty-enhancing properties.  If you don’t have a whole tub full of milk to bathe in, simply patting some onto your face, letting it dry and then rinsing it off with warm water will give you noticeably softer skin.

• Lemon Juice: Nail Whitener

My mom was always dipping her fingers in a little basin of lemon juice to remove the stains that would accrue from a day of cooking and cleaning.

• Vinegar: Shiny Hair Rinse

1 tablespoon in a cup of water will give you a great hair rinse that removes product buildup and makes your hair shaft smother, resulting in shinier hair.  You can add a few drops of your favorite essential oil for a pleasant scent.

• Avocado: Nourishing Skin Mask

Face masks containing avocado line grocery store shelves.  Simply mashing up an avocado and letting it sit on your face will give you all the nutrients and moisture, plus enzymes, but minus weird fillers and chemicals.  Mixing it in the blender with a little water or olive oil will give you an easier-to-spread consistency.

• Cornmeal: Facial Exfoliator

You can mix fine to medium ground cornmeal into a base of honey, oil, yogurt or mashed fruit for a gentle, but effective facial scrub that can be used on a daily basis.

In addition to the cost-saving benefit of using ingredients you already have in place of personal care products, there is the peace of mind that comes from knowing exactly what you’re putting on your skin.  You’ll likely find that these “products” work even better than their store-bought counterparts and leave your skin and hair feeling more nourished and balanced.

by Amy on February 24, 2010, in personal care & beauty

Ten Beauty Products in Your Kitchen is a post from: Heart & Soul

By Daniel J. DeNoon WebMD Health News

Reviewed by Laura J. Martin, MD

March 1, 2012 — Are the benefits of cholesterol-lowering statin drugs worth their risks?

It seems that every week there’s news about statins. One week there’s a scare about possible new or underappreciated risks. The next week, you hear they are the best thing ever.

What’s the truth? To answer commonly asked questions, WebMD turned to Steven Nissen, MD, chair of cardiovascular medicine at the Cleveland Clinic, and to recent medical literature reviewing the latest research

What Are Statin Drugs?

The first statin drug, mevastatin, was isolated from a fungus. Red yeast rice contains mevastatin, although different batches of this natural product contain different amounts of mevastatin.

Several other statin drugs were derived from this fungal compound. Others are fully synthetic. All of them block an enzyme the body needs to create cholesterol. This lowers the amount of bad LDL cholesterol in the body.

Statin drugs include:

• Altocor, Altoprev, Mevacor (lovastatin)
• Crestor (rosuvastatin)
• Lescol (fluvastatin)
• Lipitor (atorvastatin)
• Livalo (pitavastatin)
• Pravachol (pravastatin)
• Zocor (simvastatin)

Clinical trials show that all of these cholesterol-lowering drugs cut the risk of heart disease by 25% to 30%, Nissen says.

In the U.S., an estimated 33 million adults are taking a statin drug.

Are Statin Drugs Too Risky?

“If you have heart disease, or are at very high risk of heart disease with high cholesterol, statins are one of the best classes of drugs we ever had,” Nissen says. “When used thoughtfully and with good monitoring, they are safe and effective.”

We all need to watch our cholesterol levels. But statin treatment is not for everyone.

“Some people are running around saying we should put statins in the water supply, and that is wrong. These are serious drugs,” Nissen says. “Statins should be coupled with good diet and exercise. They are not a substitute for a healthy lifestyle.”

Who Should Take Statin Drugs?

Statin drugs are for people who are at risk of heart disease.

Risk is defined by your age, your total cholesterol level, your good HDL cholesterol level, your blood pressure, and whether you are a smoker. Your blood level of C-reactive protein (CRP) and whether either of your parents had an early heart attack also are factors.

But the decision on whether or not to take a statin drug should be made in consultation with your doctor, who can take all your individual risk factors into account.

Statin drugs are not a cure-all. They should be used only along with proper exercise and a healthy diet.

And some people definitely should not take statins. Pregnant women, or women of childbearing age not using contraception, should not take statin drugs. And certain other drugs can have dangerous interactions with statins.

What Are the Risks of Statin Drugs?

Even the very best drugs carry risks. Statins are no exception.

In early 2012, the FDA told statin drugmakers to add a few of risks to the product label. These risks include memory loss, mental confusion, and a diagnosis of diabetes due to higher blood sugar.

Media reports of these risks alarmed many statin users. The Cleveland Clinic’s Nissen says these risks are real, but not particularly worrisome.

The increase in blood sugar, he says, is small. But in people with already high blood sugar, this small increase may push them across the threshold of a diabetes diagnosis.

“It turns out that analyses of controlled trials show that those who cross the threshold into diabetes had exactly the same benefits of the statin,” Nissen says. “So in terms of risk vs. benefit, there is no change.”

As for the memory loss and confusion, Nissen says it is “rare and completely reversible.” He notes that statins do reduce a person’s risk of vascular dementia, which is considered to be the second leading type of dementia, behind Alzheimer’s disease.

A more common risk seen with statins is muscle tenderness, which occurs in some 5% of patients. This can be extremely severe.

“A doctor should suspect a statin side effect in any patient who complains of muscle pain,” Nissen says. “They can often switch to another statin. We can usually find a statin drug people can tolerate without too much difficulty.”

There are several risk factors for muscle side effects linked to statins:

• Thyroid insufficiency
• Female sex
• Older age
• Liver and kidney problems
• Diabetes
• Excessive alcohol use
• Use of other medicines that affect statin metabolism

And while most people tolerate statins quite well, other common side effects include:

• Headache
• Difficulty sleeping
• Flushing of the skin
• Muscle aches, tenderness, or weakness
• Drowsiness/weakness
• Dizziness
• Nausea and/or vomiting
• Abdominal cramping and/or pain
• Bloating and/or gas
• Diarrhea
• Constipation
• Rash

SOURCES: Steven Nissen, MD, chair of cardiovascular medicine, Cleveland Clinic, Ohio.Fernandez, G. Cleveland Clinic Journal of Medicine, June 2011.Tonelli, M. Canadian Medical Association Journal, Nov. 8, 2011.Rutishauser, J. Swiss Medical Weekly, Nov. 21, 2011.

Statin Risks Outweighed by Statin Benefits is a post from: Heart & Soul

It’s like clockwork. Three p.m. rolls around and you’re famished. So you make your way to the office vending machine and select ‘A5,’ return to your cubicle and inhale your bag of Cheetos with a side of Diet Coke leftover from lunch. We’ll all been there before: a classic case of the mid-day munchies. They seemingly come out of nowhere, yet they strike around the same time every day. What’s a hard working, hungry woman supposed to do?

“Food is absolutely necessary for the body to function well, so the brain and digestive tract communicate with each other when there is a need for food,” says Christine Hall, MPH, CHES. “Our bodies need to refuel every three to five hours and those ‘afternoon munchies’ are the body telling us (after a signal from the brain) that it is hungry and there is a need for food.”

Good news: it’s normal to have snacks during the day. In fact, Hall says it is recommended that we eat three meals a day and a few snacks at regular set times.

“There is nothing wrong with snacking; we just have to make wise, healthy choices,” says Halls, who is the health policy and advocacy manager for Healthy Howard, Inc. in Howard County, Maryland.

Snacks should be viewed as “mini meals” that provide necessary nutrients, such as vitamins, minerals, fiber and protein to hold us over until our next full meal. In short, the best tips for an afternoon snack plan are: plan ahead, keep healthy snacks close by, satisfy cravings with healthier options, and read/understand the food label, according to Hall.

So what should you avoid and what should you eat? Steer clear of foods made of simple carbohydrates (sugars), such as candy bars, sodas and processed foods. “Foods or drinks mostly made of sugars give an instant energy boost, but it is only short-lived and leaves us craving more, which can lead to eating more ‘empty’ calories,” says Hall, an adjunct professor at Howard Community College, where she teaches a basic nutrition course.

Healthy snacks will help boost your energy to get you through the day. Fruits and veggies (think baby carrots and snap peas, etc.) are great go-to choices. For a quick, healthy snack, try instant oatmeal made with skim milk, 1 tablespoon of honey, ½ cup of sliced peaches and cinnamon. Whole grain crackers with two slices of cheese are also delicious and nutritious. Dried fruit, trail mix and nuts can be easily kept at your desk for mid-afternoon hunger attacks.

“Knowing that you usually get hungry in the late afternoon and what you will have to eat is the most important step,” says Hall. “Moderation is also very important to smart, healthy snacking and taking time to plan for a healthy afternoon snack will help you make better choices.”

For more information on healthy eating, please visit the American Dietetic Association at eatright.org.

L’Oreal Thompson is the assistant editor for Chesapeake Home + Living magazine, a staff writer for Harford and Howard magazines and a TV blogger for bthesite.com. She is addicted to cupcakes, shoes and all things purple. Follow her on Twitter @LOrealKT.

Beat the Mid-day Munchies is a post from: Heart & Soul

Memory loss that disrupts daily life
One of the most common signs of Alzheimer’s is memory loss, especially forgetting recently learned information. Others include forgetting important dates or events; asking for the same information over and over; relying on memory aides (e.g., reminder notes or electronic devices) or family members for things they used to handle on their own.
What’s a typical age-related change? Sometimes forgetting names or appointments, but remembering them later.

Challenges in planning or solving problems
Some people may experience changes in their ability to develop and follow a plan or work with numbers. They may have trouble following a familiar recipe or keeping track of monthly bills. They may have difficulty concentrating and take much longer to do things than they did before.
What’s a typical age-related change? Making occasional errors when balancing a checkbook.

Difficulty completing familiar tasks at home, at work or at leisure
People with Alzheimer’s often find it hard to complete daily tasks. Sometimes, people may have trouble driving to a familiar location, managing a budget at work or remembering the rules of a favorite game.
What’s a typical age-related change? Occasionally needing help to use the settings on a microwave or to record a television show.

Confusion with time or place
People with Alzheimer’s can lose track of dates, seasons and the passage of time. They may have trouble understanding something if it is not happening immediately. Sometimes they may forget where they are or how they got there.
What’s a typical age-related change? Getting confused about the day of the week but figuring it out later.

Trouble understanding visual images and spatial relationships
For some people, having vision problems is a sign of Alzheimer’s. They may have difficulty reading, judging distance and determining color or contrast. In terms of perception, they may pass a mirror and think someone else is in the room. They may not realize they are the person in the mirror.
What’s a typical age-related change? Vision changes related to cataracts.

New problems with words in speaking or writing
People with Alzheimer’s may have trouble following or joining a conversation. They may stop in the middle of a conversation and have no idea how to continue or they may repeat themselves. They may struggle with vocabulary, have problems finding the right word or call things by the wrong name (e.g., calling a “watch” a “hand-clock”).
What’s a typical age-related change? Sometimes having trouble finding the right word.

Misplacing things and losing the ability to retrace steps
A person with Alzheimer’s disease may put things in unusual places. They may lose things and be unable to go back over their steps to find them again. Sometimes, they may accuse others of stealing. This may occur more frequently over time.
What’s a typical age-related change? Misplacing things from time to time, such as a pair of glasses or the remote control.

Decreased or poor judgment
People with Alzheimer’s may experience changes in judgment or decision-making. For example, they may use poor judgment when dealing with money, giving large amounts to telemarketers. They may pay less attention to grooming or keeping themselves clean.
What’s a typical age-related change? Making a bad decision once in a while.

Withdrawal from work or social activities
A person with Alzheimer’s may start to remove themselves from hobbies, social activities, work projects or sports. They may have trouble keeping up with a favorite sports team or remembering how to complete a favorite hobby. They may also avoid being social because of the changes they have experienced.
What’s a typical age-related change? Sometimes feeling weary of work, family and social obligations.

Changes in mood and personality
The mood and personalities of people with Alzheimer’s can change. They can become confused, suspicious, depressed, fearful or anxious. They may be easily upset at home, at work, with friends or in places where they are out of their comfort zone.
What’s a typical age-related change? Developing very specific ways of doing things and becoming irritable when a routine is disrupted.

10 warning signs of Alzheimer’s is a post from: Heart & Soul