Weight Loss Tips Modern

1. Dietary control and exercise. It’s true what they say - all you need to do is watch what you eat, and expend more energy than you consume. It’s really that simple. You can quit reading this list now, you now know everything you need to know and didn’t need to fork over $500 for the privilege of me telling you the secret of losing weight. You don’t need to read a 4,000 page book, you don’t have to buy a tape series, you don’t need to stay up late at night to watch infomercials to understand this basic premise. It’s 100% true.
2. Change your lifestyle. If you’re calling this a “diet,” then you’re going to gain all the weight back (and more) within a few months of losing it. Diets do not work. Diets are temporary. When you change your dietary lifestyle, however, you’re changing your habits - and you’re putting yourself on track for long-term / continued success and weight maintenance. Don’t ever tell anybody you’re on a diet - ever. I’m speaking from experience, here - a reformed low-carber. Worked out well for a while, but ultimately failed because my entire lifestyle didn’t change (permanently).
3. Join an online support group. In my case, I created my own - FatBlasters. It’s essential that you not feel alone, and reaching out to friends (new or old) is typically a smart move. I just heard about PeetTrainer, but didn’t know about it when I began down the road to weight loss. You have to know that others are out there for moral support - they know things that you couldn’t possibly know, and they’ve probably been “in your shoes” at some point in the past (or present). Share stories, laughter, tears, successes, and failures - share them. There are thousands of communities out there, so keep looking until you find the one that fits you.

Ginger May Ease Post-Chemotherapy Nausea

About 70 percent of people undergoing chemotherapy experience severe stomach upset. But taking ginger supplements could help reduce post-chemotherapy nausea, according to a new study.

Researchers instructed 644 cancer patients to take either a placebo or a ginger supplement three days prior to chemotherapy and three days following their treatment. All patients also took standard anti-vomiting medication. After analyzing the patients' post-chemotherapy nausea levels, the study's authors determined that those taking ginger had at least a 40 percent reduction in nausea.

Ginger may help relieve other stomach troubles, including motion sickness and morning sickness. Shown to deliver considerable anti-inflammatory benefits, the herb might also help quell some forms of chronic pain, as well as menstrual cramps.

Ginkgo Biloba May Ease Chronic Pain

Monday June 22, 2009

Ginkgo biloba extract —long used in traditional Chinese medicine to fight Alzheimer's disease, macular degeneration, and age-related memory loss—may help ease neuropathic pain, a new study shows. In tests on rats with neuropathic pain, researchers found that pain responses were significantly lower among animals that had been treated with ginkgo. Results revealed that the higher the dose of ginkgo extract, the greater the pain-relieving benefits.

Common among people with diabetes, shingles, and limb injury, neuropathic pain is typically accompanied by tissue damage. Symptoms of this chronic condition include sharp, burning pain and tingling, especially in response to usually harmless stimuli (such as heat and cold). Past research suggests that capsaicin cream (formulated from a chili-pepper extract) may also help alleviate neuropathic pain.

Eat Whole Grains to Feel Full, Stay Slim, and Get Healthy

By Shaun Chavis

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When I heard the words whole grains, the first image that popped into my head was a not-so-pleasant childhood memory of my mom trying to stealthily swap regular spaghetti for whole-wheat. My two sisters and I were not fooled! We shoved our plates away and complained enough that poor mom never thought about serving whole-wheat pasta again.

My connotation of whole grains quickly changed when I attended a conference called “Make (at Least!) Half Your Grains Whole!,” hosted by the Whole Grains Council and the Oldways Food Issues Think Tank. These are the same folks who created the Mediterranean Diet pyramid and who are responsible for the yellow Whole Grains stamp you see on foods at the grocery.

Whole-grain foods—and science—have come a long way since my mom tried that little switcheroo. First, the science: Whole grains are associated with a lower body mass index (BMI) and improved satiety. One Dutch study showed that women’s risk of obesity was four percent lower for every gram of whole grains in their diets. People who eat whole grains also have better blood sugar, lower blood pressure, and lower risks of diabetes and heart failure. The health benefits may come from the extra nutrition—whole grains have fiber, antioxidants, essential fatty acids, and other great-for-you components—or, people who eat whole grains may eat healthier and live healthier lifestyles.

Wholegrainscouncil.org

Now, how to get more grains: When you’re shopping, look for the words “whole grain” on the package, or look for the Whole Grains stamp. Don’t worry if the grains have been rolled, cracked, broken, ground, pre-cooked, or crushed. As long as you get all three parts of the grain—the bran, germ, and endosperm—you’re good to go.

Watch out for “degerminated” foods, which have had the germ removed. Also look out for “pearled”—those grains have had the bran removed to make them faster to cook. However, once the bran is removed, they’re not whole grains anymore. (Semi-pearled is okay.)

Nutritionists and the 2005 U.S. Dietary Guidelines also encourage making at least half the grain foods we eat whole-grain foods (that’s at least three servings a day, or about 48 grams). Right now, only 11% of Americans eat whole grains that often.

Therapeutic Uses of Aromatherapy

© 1995 Kathi Keville, Mindy Green
(Excerpted from Aromatherapy: A Complete Guide to the Healing Art
Published by Crossing Press)

In this chapter we explain how essential oils heal the body. We have divided the chapter into sections dealing with the major systems in the body-circulatory, digestive, respiratory, nervous, glandular, urinary, reproduction, dermal and musculoskeletal-as well as sections on ears and eyes, immunity and children. We suggest how to treat common ailments, things you would normally treat at home without the care of a doctor: the common cold; headache; a bout of indigestion; PMS; simple burns, bites and stings; muscular aches and pains. You may have formerly treated such disorders with over-the-counter drugs. The biochemical complexity of essential oils-most of which cannot be synthetically duplicated-allows them to act on many levels, and gives them multiple powers. You'll achieve not only health dividends, but also savings in your pocketbook.

As herbalists and aromatherapists, the authors of this book are eclectic in our approach to healing, using whatever remedy seems most appropriate. In some cases, we use aromatherapy exclusively; in others, we find that combining aromatherapy with herbs is more effective. To help you integrate the two modalities, we offer "herbal adjuncts," generally to be taken several times a day in teas, tinctures, capsules or tablets.

Because true holistic healing requires individual assessment and formation of a blend specific to each person, we do not give many recipes for specific ailments. We understand that some guidelines are needed, however, so to get you started we have given formula examples for general conditions in each section. Our goal is to give you the tools and confidence you need to develop your own blends as your understanding of working with essential oils increases. Refer to charts and the "Materia Medica" chapter.

Essential oils are extremely concentrated. Most of them are at least 50 times more potent than the herbs from which they are derived. In her book Aromatherapy: The Complete Guide to Plant and Flower Essences for Health and Beauty, Daniele Ryman states that one drop of essential oil often represents the potency of one ounce of plant material. This gives you an idea of their healing potential-and of the potential hazards of using essential oils improperly.

Only about 5 percent of the essential oils produced today are used in aromatherapy, but there are plenty from which to choose. In fact, if you become familiar with only 10 to 15 essential oils, you'll be able to treat many common problems. (It is better to know a few essential oils well than to know a little about many oils.)

Essential oils include muscle relaxants (marjoram and black pepper), digestive tonics (cardamom and mint), circulatory stimulants (rosemary and basil) and hormone precursors (clary sage and fennel). Many repair injured cells (lavender and helichrysum); others help carry away metabolic waste (grapefruit and juniper). In addition, a number of essential oils enhance immunity, working with the body to heal itself. They are capable of stimulating the production of phagocytes (white blood cells that attack invaders), and some (e.g., tea tree and lavender) are antitoxic for insect bites and stings.

http://www.healthy.net/scr/article.asp?Id=1933

Travel With Confidence This Summer…
HAVE YOU HAD YOUR SHOTS?
Kyler S. Knight, M.D.
Certified, American Board of Internal Medicine

Centuries ago, when settlers came to our shores from “across the pond,” they brought with them germs and bacteria that were alien to the natives who inhabited this country. The results were predictable: outbreaks of infectious diseases, like measles and influenza, that were often fatal to the Indians who came into contact with them for the first time. Today, when a person can travel to virtually anyplace in the world within a day and a half, the problem of encountering or transmitting unfamiliar organisms and diseases remains a threat. We can travel faster than the incubation period for many diseases. Thanks in part to the fact that Hollywood has dramatized the specter of spreading a deadly virus or bacteria by chance encounter with a traveler, many people are worried about protecting their health when travelling outside the United States for the first time.

“It is true that travelers to undeveloped or tropical countries have been known to contract some relatively rare or exotic diseases,” explained Internist Kyler S. Knight, M.D. “The disease may not surface for months after they return to this country and, when it does, it may be difficult to diagnose because it is so uncommon. Now that we live in such a global community, it is increasingly important for people who travel to research the destinations they plan to visit and to be alert for any specific health warnings. Then, it is up to them to get the necessary vaccines or immunizations and to keep good records on where they have been -- and when – in the event they should become ill after they return. Fortunately, this is not terribly difficult to do.”

There are also preventive measures travelers can take to stay healthy and to minimize their risk of “catching” infectious diseases. Since many serious diseases have been eradicated around the world thanks to persistent immunization efforts, preparing for an international trip today is not nearly as complicated as it would have been in the mid-1900’s. The types of preventive measures and vaccinations depend on the destination, the time of year in which the travel will take place, and how long the visitor intends to stay.

Obviously, preparing for a backpacking excursion to South America would call for a totally different medical intervention than would a train trip through the United Kingdom. This is not to say that travelers do not become ill while visiting other “civilized” countries, but the likelihood of encountering the rare, and sometimes life-threatening kinds of diseases is generally much less, and special immunizations are therefore not indicated or required.

“Many people tend to forget, however, that some of our routine immunizations need to be updated periodically,” advised Dr. Knight. “including tetanus, influenza and those for what people consider childhood illnesses – mumps and measles. For some destinations, travelers should consider having the hepatitis A shot. People who plan to visit the Pacific, Africa, Southeast Asia or the Amazon Region of South America are likely to need more aggressive preventive measures that may include inoculation or prophylaxis against typhoid, yellow fever or malaria, hepatitis B, cholera, or other bacteria or viruses.”

Dr. Knight points out that any time we disrupt our normal patterns of eating and sleeping, we become more susceptible or vulnerable to disease or infection. International travel, requiring long flights and time changes, can be particularly exhausting for some people. In those cases, he says, it is important to get rested up as soon as possible. Common sense tells us that getting off an intercontinental flight and getting immediately behind the wheel of a car for a long drive in unfamiliar territory is literally an accident just waiting to happen. He suggests that there are many things travelers can do to stay healthy on the road.

“Planning for a trip or vacation should involve a lot more than just booking reservations for hotels and transportation,” Knight recommended, “especially if you have any known medical problems. See your dentist and get that aching tooth fixed. Arrange for refills of any prescription medications so that you’ll have enough even if your trip is unexpectedly extended. If you have any serious or chronic health problems, it’s not a bad idea to take along key information about your medical history, including medication dosages and allergies, as well as anything else that might be helpful to medical personnel in an emergency. If you wear glasses or contacts, be sure to take along an extra pair or two, and don’t pack them all in the same place. If you rely on over-the-counter medications – for headaches or diarrhea especially -- that might be difficult to obtain where you are going, take a supply of those, too.”

Be sensible about what you eat and drink on foreign soil. Contaminated food and water/ice are the major sources of stomach or intestinal illness while traveling, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. “Travelers’ Diarrhea” (TD) can turn an otherwise sensational vacation into one spent within racing distance to the bathroom. The ailment may not be life threatening, but after a day or two of abdominal cramps and discomfort, some tourists have certainly wished they were dead. Any uncooked food could be contaminated, especially in areas where sanitation is not a local priority. Be especially wary of salads, fruits and raw vegetables, dairy products, improperly prepared meats, and shellfish. It’s best to rely on bottled water for brushing your teeth, and that or canned beverages for drinking. Even if you don’t ‘drink the water’ that’s what the local ice is made from, and it can make you just as sick.

“Take the trip in your mind first,” suggests Dr. Knight. “Visualize where you’ll be and anticipate what emergencies you might encounter – and plan for them. If you’ll be spending a lot of time outside, be sure to take along plenty of sunscreen and insect repellant if you’re visiting the warmer regions. A compact first aid kit is another useful travelling companion, and be sure to include all the minor remedies you are used to at home.”

“If youngsters will be traveling with you, arrange for their immunizations to be updated as far in advance as possible, and pack a supply of their medications, too. If your trip will be to an undeveloped country or to a tropical location, schedule an appointment for a consultation about any immunizations or vaccinations that are required for entry into those places at least six weeks before your planned departure. This will allow the immunity to develop before you leave and will help you be alert to other health risks you might encounter at your destination. Whether you will be traveling on business or for pleasure,” the doctor said, “the last thing you’ll need in an unfamiliar environment is to be sick or in pain, and careful planning can make all the difference – wherever you are in the world.”

Dr. Knight is a designated provider of the Yellow Fever Vaccine.

Aspirin and Heart Disease

You see the ads on television almost every day...you know the ones, where a young man and his dad are playing basketball and suddenly the man clutches his chest in obvious pain. A heart attack is the first thing that comes to your mind. The son runs to the gym bag nearby and gets help...a bottle of aspirin. Dad takes one and lives to see another day.

The commercial is advertising a popular brand of aspirin. You know it can help tame a headache, but do you believe aspirin can save your life? Well, according to the American Heart Association and researchers at Harvard Medical School there’s a reasonable chance it can. In October 1997, the AHA reported in its journal, Circulation, that up to 10,000 more people would survive heart attacks if they would chew one 325 milligram aspirin tablet when they first had chest pain or other sign of a heart attack. Other studies have come to similar conclusions. One found that heart attack patients who took aspirin when their symptoms began, and then daily for one month, significantly lowered their risk of dying and of having another heart attack or stroke over the people in the study who were given the placebo. Now, just about all researchers agree that patients should be given aspirin during the first hour -- during pre-hospital transport or in the Emergency Room -- if a heart attack is suspected.

In the late 1980’s, a report circulated in the medical community that astonished many who saw it for the first time. The study involved 22,000 male physicians, all in good health, who were divided into two groups: half of them took a buffered aspirin every other day, and the others were given a placebo. The findings made headline news around the country: for the doctors taking aspirin, the risk of a coronary was cut by almost half. Among those taking the aspirin, 104 heart attacks (with five deaths) occurred compared to 189 heart attacks -- 18 of them fatal -- among those taking the placebo. The statistics were too dramatic to ignore and -- to be fair -- the doctors monitoring the study recommended that the volunteers taking the placebo be advised of the results so that they, too, could take aspirin if they wished.

Since that study, there have been many research projects focusing on the effects of aspirin on heart disease and additional studies have confirmed that aspirin may also lower a woman’s risk for heart attack by 25 percent when taken one to six times a week. While it is true that heart disease is the number one killer of both men and women, people have traditionally thought heart attacks happen primarily to men. And, up until the past decade, women have been virtually excluded from cardiac research over the years. As one women’s rights activist put it, “The heartaches of women have gotten more attention in country-western songs than their heart attacks have received in clinical research.”

There are still some women who fail to recognize the symptoms of a cardiovascular “event” because they don’t believe it could happen to them. Fortunately, cardiovascular research today generally includes women. The National Institute of Health has conducted a study of 40,000 post-menopausal female nurses, for example, to evaluate the effects of aspirin as well as beta carotene and Vitamin E on their risk for cancer and cardiovascular disease.

How Aspirin Works...

Even before the potential effect of aspirin on heart disease was confirmed, aspirin had been the “anchor drug” in medicine cabinets across the country. Aspirin was officially introduced 100 years ago and has been marketed in its current form for more than 80 years. Aspirin is found in so many homes, however, that few people think of it as a drug. If it were introduced today, though, aspirin might have a difficult time being approved by the Food and Drug Administration, and might even be restricted to being dispensed by prescription only. It does have side effects and it is not for everyone.

The origin of the drug can be traced back to Hippocrates. he advised his followers to chew the leaves of the willow tree to alleviate pain. The Chinese have been using the bark of the same trees -- which contain salicin -- to control fever. In the early 1800’s different derivatives of this bark were tested and one -- acetylsalicylic acid, the chemical name for aspirin -- was found to be tolerated better than the others.

Aspirin can realistically be called a wonder drug because of the many remedial effects it can have on the human body. Basically, it interferes with the production of a series of chemicals in the body -- called prostaglandins -- that regulate many of the body’s vital functions. By blocking certain prostaglandins, aspirin lowers body temperature, relieves minor aches and pains, relieves inflammation and interferes with the role of blood platelets in forming clots. It is this last effect that appears to impact on risk for heart disease.

Blood clots are formed by platelets grouping together. Aspirin interferes with this process by making the platelets less “sticky” -- and therefore less successful in grouping together -- by inhibiting the manufacture of prostaglandins. This same blood “thinning” action that makes aspirin effective in reducing a person’s risk for heart disease is also the reason that some people are unable to take the drug.

Aspirin may well be one of the safest and most widely used drugs on the market today, but it also has some potentially serious side effects for those who cannot tolerate it. Aspirin can be hard on the stomach and cause nausea; it can aggravate gastric ulcers; and cause internal bleeding. It may increase the risk for stroke due to bleeding. Those who are allergic to aspirin can go into shock if they take it. And, aspirin is the trigger to a rare and sometimes fatal childhood disease, Reyes Syndrome, when taken following certain viral infections.

While it can certainly be an effective weapon against heart disease when used as part of a medically supervised program to modify the risks for heart disease, aspirin should not be considered a substitute for stopping smoking, for exercise, or for lowering cholesterol levels. The use of drugs -- even those sold over the counter -- should always be discussed with your physician. Ask your doctor to help you determine if the potential advantages of taking aspirin outweigh the risks in your individual case.

Create Better Breathing Space for Asthmatics

• Ventilation is crucial.
  
  "The building of tightly-sealed houses over the last two decades has made it much easier for moisture and dust to collect in homes," Harvard professor Dr. Douglas Dockery notes. Many vapors trapped indoors, from perfumes and air fresheners to formaldehyde from particleboard, irritate asthmatics. When it’s fresh or even cold outside, keep windows open a crack to circulate air. On hot days, close windows and use air conditioners to ventilate and filter out smog.

• Don’t harbor dust mites.
  
  Microscopic dust mites and their droppings are a potent allergen and asthma trigger. One of the best ways to limit the amount of dust mites in your homes are to encase mattresses with impermeable covers. For more tips, see How to Reduce Dust Mites in Your Home.

• Eradicate cockroaches and keep clutter to a minimum.
  
  Piles of dirty clothes make a growth environment for mildews and mites; piles of paper attract cockroaches. Remember, you can eliminate household pests without using toxic pesticides.

• Maintain humidity below 50 percent.
  
  "Dehumidifying is enormously important, as many asthmatics are highly allergic to mildews and molds," says Harriet Burge, Ph.D., associate professor at Harvard School of Public Health.

• Minimize pet dander.
  
  "Cat dander is everywhere, even if you wash the cat," Centers for Disease Control Dr. Ruth Etzel says. "The only real solution is not to have the cat." Or, wash the animal every two to three weeks, Los Angeles pediatrician Harvey Karp advises.

• No cigarette smoking in the home or car, or anywhere in asthmatics’ presence.
  
  Furnace and heating duct filters should be replaced periodically as they collect dust and molds. Some businesses provide duct-cleaning services.

• Keep asthmatics away from gas stoves.
  
  "Open the oven door and you get a blast of NO2," says University of British Columbia professor emeritus Dr. David Bates. "The asthmatic child should not sit in the kitchen doing homework if the oven is being used." Make sure that stoves are well-ventilated, too.

• Ask your pediatrician about allergenic foods.
  
  If there is a family tendency to allergy, Dr. Ruth Etzel from the Centers for Disease Control says, parents might limit foods associated with allergies, such as cow’s milk, from the child’s diet in the first two years. She and other pediatricians recommend that mothers try to breastfeed their infants for at least the first year.

• Check your local air quality index daily.
  
  Asthmatic children should not exert themselves outside in hot, smoggy weather, or when a dusty wind blows; smog counts tend to be highest between 3pm and 6pm. Air Now, a site provided by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, allows you to check your local air quality, get ozone maps and more.
  
  
• Try air cleaning and purifying machines.
  
  Consumer Reports says a good air cleaner can help those allergic to dust and mold spores, citing the fan/filter models as most effective in removing airborne dust. The machine will help most in the asthmatic’s bedroom; but keep it at least six feet from the bed (it creates draft), and don’t place on carpet (it can kick up dust). But, "They can only help if you’ve gotten rid of the risk factors first, like dust mites, mold and danders," Harvard School of Public Health associate professor Dr. Harriet Burge warns. Warning: many asthmatics experience irritation from the ozone type of air purifier.

If A Pregnant Woman Told You BPA Was Safe, Would You Believe Her?

Christopher Gavigan

Wednesday, June 10, 2009

Bisphenol-A (BPA), the endocrine disrupting chemical found in baby bottles and canned food, has been getting a lot of bad press over the past year. It's really no surprise given the growing list of studies linking it to health impacts ranging from cognitive problems and early puberty to increased fat cell production and miscarriage.

Industry thinks they're getting a bad rap. They think it's unfair that everyone keeps focusing on these studies and not the ones they funded that show no health impacts. Aww. Poor industry. Always getting picked on by the little guys.

They're not going to take it anymore though, and they formed a new club they're calling the BPA Joint Trade Association. In a meeting last week, they decided it would be awesome if they could get a pregnant woman to travel the country eating and drinking from packages and containers that had BPA in them and touting its safety with a big, nurturing smile. That'll show those doubters -- all those toxicologists, public health groups and parents poo-pooing BPA. If a pregnant woman paid by industry happily ingests this chemical, it must be safe. (But, they would make her sign a waiver releasing industry from any liability in case her fetus suffers any birth defects or other health impacts. Yep, best to not be liable for the experiment.)

Seriously. This is what they're stooping to.

Another brilliant idea to come out of that meeting is a scare tactic used last summer in California in order to stop a ban on BPA being reviewed by the legislature. The American Chemistry Council mailed flyers to people's homes claiming "Soon, many common, everyday products could disappear from grocery store shelves across California," and "Your favorite Products May Soon Disappear."

Yep. I guess all that will be left on the shelves at the grocery store will be the foods that are fresh or frozen or in boxes or jars or safer plastics -- oh, and cans that don't use BPA in their lining -- like Eden Foods. According to Eden, (who's still working on finding a replacement for lining cans of acidic foods like tomatoes) it costs the company 2 cents more per can to make them BPA-free.

Seriously? They're putting up this big of a fight over 2 cents a can?

The end is near, BPA industry, best put your money into R&D for a safer alternative instead of poorly thought out marketing plans. Major retailers have been pulling your products from their shelves. Consumers are refusing to buy them. New Jersey, Minnesota, and Chicago have passed BPA bans. Connecticut, California, and even Congress are considering BPA bans. It may be time to throw in the towel.

Those BPA proponents are pretty stubborn though. The California State Senate passed the Toxics-Free Babies and Toddlers Act on June 2, which will ban BPA from food and drink containers for children under three. Now it moves to the Assembly and according to the San Francisco Chronicle, recently revealed e-mails from the BPA Joint Trade Association outlined its strategy to deploy lobbyists in Sacramento for "befriending people that are able to manipulate the legislative process."

In response to all of this questionable activity, the House of Representatives Committee of Energy and Commerce, which has been investigating the safety of BPA, issued a letter to the Chairman of the North American Metal Packaging Alliance (NAMPA -- a core member of the BPA Joint Trade Association). They would like to know exactly what's been said and what's being planned and have requested all of the documents, minutes, emails and communications relating to meetings of the BPA Joint Trade Association, a list of all attendees at meetings, and a list of all members of the BPA Joint Trade Association.

Simultaneously, they wrote FDA Commissioner Margaret Hamburg asking the agency to examine its relationship with industry groups. What relationship with industry you ask? The one that prompted the FDA to rely on two industry reports instead of 153 independent studies in order to assess the safety of BPA. They also want the FDA to reconsider its assessment that the chemical is safe. And, surprise, instead of dragging it's feet like so many times during the Bush years, the FDA quickly replied that they would re-assess BPA and that they would get it done ASAP. As in weeks, instead of months.

The times they are a-changing. But, the BPA battle is not over yet.

If you live in California, contact your state representatives and urge them to support the Toxics-Free Babies and Toddlers Act.

If your congressional representative is on the Committee on Energy and Commerce, contact him or her with your support in the effort to investigate the safety of BPA. Also, urge them to support the Ban Poisonous Additives Act of 2009.

You can also give big business a piece of your mind. Visit the Environmental Working Group to find phone numbers and a sample script for when you call.

And, if you're a pregnant woman looking for a job, don't answer the BPA want-ad.

Immunization-Related Problems

© Janet Zand L.Ac., O.M.D.
(Excerpted with permission from Smart Medicine for a Healthier Child
Published by Avery Publishing Group)

An immunization, or vaccination, is an injection of weakened or killed bacteria, viruses, or, in some cases, deactivated toxins that is given to protect against or reduce the effects of certain infectious diseases. When your child receives an injection of, for example, a small amount of tetanus toxoid, her immune system produces antibodies to fight this foreign substance. Should your child later be exposed to tetanus, her body's defense system will remember and rapidly form antibodies against the bacteria, thus preventing the disease from gaining a hold within the body.

The following vaccinations are among those most commonly recommended for children.

• DPT, or diphtheria/pertussis/tetanus, is designed to protect against three different diseases: diphtheria, a rare but potentially fatal disease that affects the upper respiratory tract, the heart, and kidneys; pertussis, or whooping cough, a disease that is particularly dangerous for children under one year of age and can lead to pneumonia, seizures, and other complications; and tetanus, a potentially deadly infection of the central nervous system.
• DT, or diphtheria/tetanus, is an alternative to DPT, without the pertussis vaccine. It is designed to protect against diphtheria and tetanus only.
• Hemophilus influenzae (H. flu.) meningitis type B vaccine, or Hib vaccine, protects against a common bacterial infection that can lead to meningitis, a potentially fatal brain disease. Complications of H. flu. meningitis include pneumonia, hearing loss, and possible learning disabilities. There is now a combination DPT and Hib vaccine available that reduces the number of injections a child must receive to be immunized against all of these diseases.
• The hepatitis B vaccine, the most recent addition to the list of routinely administered vaccines, protects against one of the more serious forms of hepatitis, hepatitis B. This is an infection of the liver that, while not highly contagious, can lead to chronic liver disease or even liver cancer. This vaccine is now being recommended for all children, starting a day or two after birth. Parents are also being encouraged to arrange for the vaccination of unimmunized older children and adolescents.
• MMR-or measles/mumps/rubella also works to prevent three different diseases: measles, a highly contagious viral disease characterized by fever and rash, whose danger lies in the possibility of such serious complications as pneumonia, strep infections, and encephalitis; mumps, a contagious viral disease that causes fever and swollen glands around the neck and throat (and, rarely, the testicles); and rubella, or German measles, a viral disease involving fever and a mild rash that causes relatively little discomfort to the affected child, but that can cause miscarriage, stillbirth, or birth defects if a woman is exposed to the virus during pregnancy. Because there have been outbreaks of measles among previously vaccinated college students in the past few years, it is now recommended that children receive a total of two MMR injections, the first at fifteen months and the second either before entering school or at the age of eleven or twelve years.
• The polio vaccine is designed to protect against poliomyelitis, an acute viral infection that can lead to paralysis and death. Vaccination against polio involves a more complicated set of decisions than other vaccinations do. Immunization against polio may be accomplished either by an injection of inactivated, dead vaccine, or by live vaccine, which is taken by mouth. The live vaccine present in the oral form appears to give somewhat better immunity than the injectible form does, and has therefore been generally recommended in the United States. However, it also poses a higher risk of complications. An estimated six or seven children come down with polio every year as a result of receiving this vaccine. For this reason, this form of polio vaccine is specifically not recommended for a child with a compromised immune system. Also, it is possible for an unimmunized person to contract polio from a child who has been given the live vaccine, even if the child has no noticeable reaction to it. This poses a particular danger if a child has friends or family members who have not been vaccinated, or who have impaired immune function. In such cases, the injectible, inactivated form is recommended. A newer, more potent form of the injectible vaccine now appears to give better immunity than the original one did, while still avoiding the risk of a child (or others with whom she comes in contact) getting the disease as a result of the immunization. Some doctors who recommend the oral, live vaccine take other measures to reduce the chance of a child contracting the virus from it, such as giving the injectible version for the first dose, then switching to the oral form for the additional doses.
• Immunization against rubella may be recommended if your child is a girl between thirteen and sixteen years old who has not received the MMR vaccine (see above) or had German measles.
• The tetanus toxoid vaccine protects against tetanus, an infection of the central nervous system that can be fatal. It is usually given to children in the form of a DPT or DT immunization (see above), but it can be administered individually.

Other immunizations, or changes in the conventional immunization schedule may be recommended for special reasons, such as illness or travel.

Latin light

Ingrid Hoffmann, host of the Food Network’s Simply Delicioso, says maintaining her weight is easy: She just eats what she cooks!

By LYNNE PALAZZI
Recipes by INGRID HOFFMANN

A funny thing happens to women who come to work for Food Network star Ingrid Hoffmann: They lose weight. A lot of weight. “They don’t go on a diet,” says Hoffmann, the Miami-based host of the Latin cooking show Simply Delicioso. “They eat what I cook—avocados, mangoes, organic chicken—and the weight comes off.”

Fresh food fix
When you work long hours in close quarters—as Hoffmann and her staff do, often getting up at 4 a.m. to prepare food for an 8 a.m. shoot—you get to know the eating habits of your co-workers pretty well. “When I see them making bad choices, or not eating at all, I say ‘Come on, you gotta eat something now.’ Then I feed them whatever I’m cooking—arroz con pollo, fish tacos, plantains,” says 43-year-old Hoffmann. (Click here for her delicious Arroz con Pollo recipe.) For Claudia Uribe Chang, who had trouble losing post-pregnancy pounds, that meant easing up on fatty, sugary foods. “Ingrid didn’t tell me what she was up to,” Chang recalls. “She just got me eating her whole, fresh foods and I dropped 35 pounds!”

Latin lessons
If you’re wondering how someone can eat tacos, rice, and plantains all day and lose weight, Hoffmann has the answer. “Latin food is good for you: It’s mostly grains, fruits, garlic, and tubers,” she says. In Colombia and Curaçao, where she grew up in the ’70s (she’s a self-proclaimed “mutt,” part Argentinean, Bolivian, Colombian, Peruvian, and German), the beans, greens, fruits, and spices the family ate were grown locally—sometimes in their own backyard. In addition, Hoffmann notes, in Latin America people eat portions half the size of those we eat in the U.S., and the biggest meal of the day is usually lunch—plus, they don't skip meals. So when Hoffmann noticed another assistant, Delia Leon, not eating for long stretches of time, she suggested Leon wear a timer set to go off every two or three hours. “When you forget to eat—or refuse to eat—for seven hours you get ravenous and lose your ability to eat smart,” Hoffmann claims. “Once Delia started eating every few hours, she lost 50 pounds.”

Easy does it
With her first cookbook, Simply Delicioso (Clarkson-Potter, 2008), Hoffmann is spreading the word about healthy Latin food—and how easy it is to cook. She reinforces that notion with her TV motto, “If I can do it, you can do it.” “I’m not a trained chef—I learned to cook from my mom, who was a caterer. I was always the kid wandering into the kitchen and poking my fingers into things. For me, it’s about inspiring people to take that half hour to make a great-tasting, healthy home-cooked meal.”

Yoga for Menopause

© Susan M. Lark M.D.
(Excerpted from The Estrogen Decision Self Help Book
Published by Celestial Arts)

Yoga stretches can benefit both the body and the mind, bringing energy and balance. This is particularly helpful to women who are currently in menopause or in menopause transition because their hormonal levels and body chemistry may be fluctuating rapidly. This can leave women feeling out of balance and truly victims of their changing bodies. Yoga exercises level out this physiological instability by relaxing and gently stretching every muscle in the body, promoting better blood circulation and oxygenation to all cells and tissues. This helps optimize the function of the endocrine glands and the organs of the female reproductive tract. Yoga exercises also improve the health and well-being of the digestive tract, nervous system, and all other organ systems. The yoga exercises included in this chapter address many specific menopause related symptoms and issues, such as bone strength, cardiovascular and breast health, of concern to all women past midlife. You may want to begin by trying all the stretches, then practicing on a regular basis those exercises that bring you the most symptom relief and general health benefits. If you prefer, begin with the exercises that offer relief for the specific symptoms of greatest concern. General Techniques for Yoga When doing yoga exercises, it is important that you focus and concentrate on the positions. First, let your mind visualize how the exercise is to look, and then follow with the correct body placement in the pose. The exercises are done through slow, controlled stretching movements. This slowness allows you to have greater control over your body movements. You minimize the possibility of injury and maximize the benefit to the particular area of the body where your attention is being focused. Pay close attention to the initial instructions. Look at the placement of the body in the photographs. This is very important, for if the pose is practiced properly, you are much more likely to have relief from your symptoms. In summary, as you begin these exercises: Visualize the pose in your mind, then follow with proper placement of the body. Move slowly through the pose. This will help promote flexibility of the muscles and prevent injury. Follow the breathing instructions provided in the exercise. Most important, do not hold your breath. Allow your breath to flow in and out easily and effortlessly. Practicing yoga stretches regularly in a slow, unhurried fashion will gradually loosen your muscles, ligaments and joints. You may be surprised at how supple you can become over time. If you experience any pain or discomfort, you have probably overreached your current ability and should immediately reduce the amount of the stretching until you can proceed without discomfort. Be careful, as muscular injuries take time to heal. If you do strain a muscle, immediately apply ice to the injured area for ten minutes. Use the ice pack two to three times a day for several days. If the pain persists, see your doctor. If you wish more background and information on yoga, refer to the books listed in the bibliography at the end of this book. Stretch 1: The Locust This exercise energizes the entire female reproductive tract, thyroid, liver, intestines and kidneys. It is helpful for premenopausal women with dysfunctional bleeding, as well as women with menopausal symptoms such as hot flashes, because it improves circulation and oxygenation to the pelvic region, thereby promoting healthier ovarian function. This exercise also strengthens the lower back, abdomen, buttocks, and legs, and prevents lower back pain and cramps. Lie face down on the floor. Make fists with both your hands and place them under your hips. This prevents compression of the lumbar spine while doing the exercise. Straighten your body and raise your right leg with an upward thrust as high as you can, keeping your hips on your fists. Hold for 5 to 20 seconds if possible. Lower the leg and slowly return to your original position. Repeat on the left side. Remember to keep your hips resting on your fists. Repeat 10 times. Repeat 10 times with both legs together. Stretch 2: The Pump This exercise improves blood circulation through the pelvis, thereby promoting healthier ovarian function. It helps relieve menopausal symptoms such as hot flashes and controls excessive bleeding in premenopausal women. The exercise helps calm anxiety and also strengthens the back and abdominal muscles. Lie down and press the small of your back into the floor. This permits you to use your abdominal muscles without straining your lower back. Raise your right leg slowly while breathing in. Keep your back flat on the floor and let the rest of your body remain relaxed. Move your leg very slowly; imagine your leg being pulled up smoothly by a spring. Do not move your leg in a jerky manner. Hold for a few breaths. Lower your leg and breathe out. Repeat the same exercise on your left side. Then alternate legs, repeating the exercise 5 to 10 times. Stretch 3: Wide Angle Pose This exercise opens the entire pelvic region and energizes the female reproductive tract, improving ovarian function as well as normalizing excessive or irregular menstrual flow; diminution of menopausal symptoms may also occur. It is helpful for varicose veins and improves circulation in the legs. Lie on your back with your legs against the wall and extended out in a V or an arc, and your arms extended to the side. Hips should be as close to the wall as possible, buttocks on the floor. Legs should be spread apart as far as they can and still remain comfortable. Breathing easily, hold for 1 minute, allowing the inner thighs to relax. Bring legs together and hold for 1 minute. Stretch 4: Spinal Flex This exercise energizes and rejuvenates the female reproductive tract and tones the abdominal organs (pancreas, liver and adrenals). It emphasizes freer pelvic movement with controlled breathing. Lie on your back with your knees bent and your feet on the floor close to your buttocks. Exhale and press the lower back into the floor, raising the buttocks slightly. Arch your back slightly. Inhale and lift your lower back off the floor. This stretches the region from the sternum to the pelvis. Repeat this exercise 10 times. Always lift your navel up on the in breath. Always elongate your spine and press the lower back down on the outbreath. Stretch 5: Pelvic Arch This is an excellent exercise for stretching the abdominal and pelvic muscles. Menopause related vaginal and bladder symptoms are reduced by promoting better circulation and relaxation in the pelvic region. It is also helpful in reducing pelvic congestion. Lie on your back with your knees bent. Spread your feet apart, flat on the floor. Place your hands around your ankles, holding them firmly. As you inhale, arch your pelvis up and hold for a few seconds. As you exhale, relax and lower your pelvis several times. Repeat this exercise several times. Stretch 6: The Bow This exercise helps relieve menopause-related fatigue and lack of vitality, elevating your mood and improving stamina. The exercise also stretches the entire spine and helps relieve lower back pain and cramps. It stretches the abdominal muscles and strengthens the back, hips and thighs. It also stimulates the digestive organs and endocrine glands. Lie face down on the floor, arms at your sides. Slowly bend your legs at the knees and bring your feet up toward your buttocks. Reach back with your arms and carefully take hold of first one foot and then the other. Flex your feet to make grasping them easier. Inhale and raise your trunk from the floor as far as possible and lift your head. Bring your knees as close together as possible. Squeeze the buttocks while raising them off the floor. Imagine your body looking like a gently curved bow. Hold for 10 to 15 seconds. Slowly release the posture. Allow your chin to touch the floor and finally release your feet and return them slowly to the floor. Return to your original position. Repeat 5 times. Stretch 7: Child's Pose Excellent for calming anxiety and stress due to emotional causes, this exercise will also relieve menopause related anxiety and irritability. The exercise gently stretches the lower back and is one of the most effective exercises for relieving menstrual cramps and low back pain. Sit on your heels. Bring your forehead to the floor, stretching the spine as far over your head as possible. Close your eyes. Hold for as long as comfortable. Stretch 8: The Sponge This exercise relieves anxiety and stress due to emotional causes or menopause related anxiety and tension. It relieves menstrual cramps and low back pain as well as reducing eye tension and swelling in the face. Lie on your back with a rolled towel placed under your knees. Your arms should be at your sides, palms up. Close your eyes and relax your whole body. Inhale slowly, breathing from the diaphragm. As you inhale, visualize the energy in the air around you being dawn in through your entire body. Imagine your body is porous and open like a sponge, drawing in this energy and revitalizing every cell of your body. Exhale slowly and deeply, allowing all tension to drain from your body. Stretch 9: Dollar Pose This pose reduces anxiety and nervous tension and will help eliminate tension headaches and insomnia. It improves flexibility of the spine, reducing stiffness and back pain. Lie on your back with your legs bent and your feet together. Place your hands on the sides of both ankles to keep your legs together. As you inhale, raise your legs up over your head. Make sure that the posture is comfortable by adjusting the angle of your legs. To do this, bend your knees to apply pressure between the shoulder blades. Hold this posture for one minute, breathing slowly and deeply. Return to the original position, lying flat on your back with your eyes closed. Relax in this position for several minutes. Stretch 10: Tree If your goal is to strengthen bone mass by increasing weight bearing on the legs, hips and spine, this exercise will help you accomplish increasing bone mass. It also improves balance and posture. Standing erect, focus your eyes on a stationary point. Place one foot against the opposite thigh, so that one leg is bearing your weight. Slowly raise your arms over your head. Hold for a count of 5. Reverse sides. Repeat 3 times. Note: You may place one hand on the wall for support if needed. Stretch 11: Chest Expander This exercise increases circulation to the upper half of the body, energizing and stimulating the body. It also loosens and stretches tense muscles in the upper body, especially the shoulder and back, and expands the lungs. Stand easily. Arms should be at your sides; feet are hip distance apart. Extend your arms forward until your palms touch. Bring your arms slowly and gracefully back until you can clasp them behind your back. Exhale, then straighten your clasped hands and arms as far as you can without discomfort. Remember to stand upright; body should not bend forward. Breathe deeply into chest. Inhale deeply and bend backward from the waist. Keep your hands clasped and your arms held high. Drop your head backward a few inches and look upward as you relax your shoulders and the back of your neck. Hold this position for a few seconds. As you hold your breath, bend forward at the waist, bringing your clasped hands and arms up over your back. Relax your neck muscles and keep your knees straight. Hold for a few seconds. Exhale as you return to the upright position. Unclasp your hands and allow your arms to rest easily at your sides. Repeat entire sequence 3 times. Choosing the Right Yoga Technique From among the many specific yoga poses in this chapter, you can choose the best exercises to provide relief for your personal menopausal symptoms by using the accompanying chart. Try all the poses that pertain to your specific symptoms to see which ones bring you the most relief and practice those poses on a regular basis along with your exercise program. The combination of yoga stretches plus a good aerobic and strength-building program should help relieve and delay menopause-related symptoms and improve your general state of health. Symptoms Exercise Entire female reproductive tract Locust, Pump, Wide Angle Pose Spinal Flex, Pelvic Arcg, Bow Excessive or irregular menstrual bleeding Locust, Pump, Wide Angle Pose Hot flashes Locust, Pump, Wide Angle Pose Spinal Flex, Pelvic Arcg, Bow Insomnia Child's Pose, Sponge, Dollar Pose Psychological symptoms- anxiety, depression, fatigue Bow, Child's Pose, Sponge, Dollar Pose Vaginal atrophy and bladder symptoms Locust, Pump, Wide Angle Pose Spinal Flex, Pelvic Arcg, Bow Osteoporosis Tree Cardiovascular health Chest Expander Breast health Chest Expander

Let's Talk about Vaginal Discharge

By Tracee Cornforth, About.com

Do you know the difference between normal vaginal discharge and abnormal vaginal discharge? Did you know that having a vaginal discharge is normal? Let’s take a look at various types of vaginal discharges so that you’ll know when you have an abnormal vaginal discharge.

The Natural Vagina

The basic function of you vagina is to provide a route from the outside of your vagina to your uterus and the rest of your internal reproductive system. The natural, acidic, pH of your vagina acts to prevent infections. The acidic nature of your vagina is caused by natural, good, bacteria produced by your body. When your vagina is healthy, the vagina keeps itself clean and in a healthy state by producing secretions of normal vaginal discharge. The natural balance of the vagina can be disrupted by anything that interferes with its’ normal environment.

What is Normal Vaginal Discharge?

First it’s important to understand that all women experience some amount of vaginal discharge. Glands in your vaginal and cervix produce small amounts of fluid that flows out of your vagina everyday taking with it old cells that line the vagina. Your normal vaginal discharge helps to clean the vagina, as well as keep it lubricated and free from infection and other germs. A normal vaginal discharge does not have a foul odor and usually has no odor at all. Normal vaginal discharge often appears clear or milky when it dries on your clothing; occasionally you may notice white spots or a normal vaginal discharge that is thin and stringy looking.

Other things that may cause changes in the appearance or consistency of your vaginal discharge include:

• Your menstrual cycle

• Emotional stress

• Pregnancy

• Any prescribed or OTC medications you take including hormones such as in the Pill

• Sexual excitement

• Breastfeeding

• Ovulation

• Your diet

Other things that can upset the natural pH balance of your vagina and lead to vaginal infections include vaginal douches, feminine hygiene products, perfumed or deodorant soaps, antibiotics, pregnancy, diabetes, or the presence of another infection.

Healthy hair secrets

Nurture your scalp with our troubleshooting guide—and you’ll be rewarded with strong, luscious locks.

By CAROL STRALEY

Beautiful hair is possible. You may not believe that when your head itches too often, you regularly find flakes on your shoulders, or your hair is dull and thinning, but it’s true. The secret is to start with your scalp—if it’s healthy your hair will be, too.

Since the scalp is often overlooked, most of us don’t know how to care for it. To help, we created this guide for every type (dry, thinning, fl aky, and oily). Once you determine your problem, follow our tips and try our effective home remedies—and enjoy healthier, silkier hair.

dry scalp
Problem: Dry, moisture-sapped skin surrounding hair follicles.

Symptoms: Tight-feeling or itchy scalp when the humidity drops; small flakes of dry skin that land on the shoulders.

Massage Rx: Mix 10 drops of a moisturizing pure essential oil such as lavender or sandalwood with 1 ounce of sweet almond or jojoba oil. For sensitive scalps, use straight jojoba oil, says Marc Zollicoffer, Aveda global spa educator. Massage for 5 minutes before showering.

“To nourish a dry scalp, take an omega-3 fatty acid supplement
like fish oil.” —Holly Lucille, N.D., R.N., a naturopathic physician
at Healing From Within Health Care in Los Angeles, Calif.
DIY exfoliating recipe: Try one of these recipes from Mario Russo, owner of Salon Mario Russo in Boston, Mass., and Stowe, Vt.

FOR NORMAL TO COARSE HAIR:
1. After shampooing, massage 1 tablespoon of olive oil into the scalp, and onto your hair from roots to ends.
2. Wrap head with plastic wrap or a damp towel heated in the microwave to trap the oil and let it soak in. Wait at least 5 to 15 minutes, depending on the length of your hair.
3. Rinse out thoroughly and follow with conditioner.
4. Repeat once a week if hair is coarse; once a month is sufficient if hair is normal.

FOR FINE HAIR:
1. Heat ½ cup of apple cider vinegar.
2. Let it cool a bit, but while it’s still warm, gently massage it into your scalp. The acid in apple cider vinegar helps restore the scalp’s pH balance.
3. Cover your head with a towel or shower cap.
4. After 30 to 40 minutes, rinse with plain water.

Products to try: Before shampooing, use a pre-wash treatment such as AUROMÈRE PRE-SHAMPOO CONDITIONER ($9; herbspro.com), formulated according to Ayurveda, India’s ancient healing tradition. Then, try a soothing shampoo and conditioner combo like NATURE’S GATE TEA TREE & BLUE CYPRESS SOOTHING SHAMPOO AND CONDITIONER FOR FLAKY, DRY SCALP ($8 each; natures-gate.com) or AVEENO NOURISH+ SOOTHE SHAMPOO with lavender and peppermint ($6.50; at drugstores). Once a week, hydrate hair and scalp with a treatment like AUBREY ORGANICS BLUE GREEN ALGAE HAIR RESCUE CONDITIONING MASK ($14; aubrey-organics.com).

Choose Red or Black Colored Grapes

Grapes

Scientific Name: Vitus spp.

Biological Background: Grape is a pulpy, smooth-skinned berry, growing in clusters on vines. Grape was domesticated before 5,000 B.C. and is one of the oldest cultivated fruits.

Nutritional Information: Ten seedless grapes (50 g) provide 35 calories, 0.3 g protein, 8.9 g carbohydrate, 1.0 g fiber, 105 mg potassium, 5.4 mg vitamin C, 0.05 mg thiamin, 0.03 mg riboflavin, and 0.15 mg niacin.

Pharmacological Activity: Grape is a rich storehouse of antioxidant and anticancer compounds, including flavonoids (anthocyanin), quercetin, and resveratol (red grape skin). Grapes can inhibit blood-platelet clumping and consequently blood clot formation, and boost good type HDL cholesterol. Red grapes are antibacterial and antiviral. It has strong activity against cancers.

Eating Tips: Choose red or black colored grape instead of white or green one and eat with grape skin on to get the most health benefits.

What is Menstruation?

Normal Menstruation and Menstrual Disorders

Menstrual Girls to Women Monthly Bleeding Menses PMS Premenstrual Syndrome

Menstruation is the cyclic occurrence of uterine bleeding that occurs near the end of puberty in girls. Typically, first periods occur around age 12 or 13. However, some girls begin having periods as young as 8 or 9 years old, while others may be as old as 15 or 16. If menarche does not occur by the time a girl reaches the age of 16, she should see her doctor for evaluation. Menstruation usually begins about 2 1/2 years after girls begin developing breasts, and growing pubic and underarm hair.

Once menstruation begins, it continues until menopause occurs around the age of 50 when monthly menstrual cycles end. Surgical menopause occurs following removal of the ovaries during hysterectomy. Menstruation also temporarily stops during pregnancy. Hormonal contraceptives also stop normal menstruation and can safely be used to stop periods indefinitely or until pregnancy is desired. If menstruation fails to occur for any other reason, amenorrhea occurs. Amenorrhea is a menstrual cycle disorder.

For the most part, the menstrual cycle occurs predictably and without problems. However, when things don’t go right -– when you experience heavy or excessive bleeding, when your period doesn’t occur when expected, when you have physical or emotional symptoms during the weeks before you menstruation, or when you experience painful periods or other symptoms –- you may have a menstrual cycle disorder.

Abnormal uterine bleeding is a common menstrual cycle disorder that includes several types of abnormal bleeding patterns, including amenorrhea. Other menstrual cycle disorders include dysmenorrhea, premenstrual syndrome or PMS, premenstrual dysphoric disorder or PMDD, and uterine fibroid tumors. Other factors that may affect normal menstruation include stress, illness, exercise, diet and nutrition, and work, family, and relationship issues.

Green Living

Revitalize your home

Clear out clutter and bad energy! Usher in health, prosperity & joy with our easy Feng Shui decorating tips.

By ELIZABETH BARKER

If you are looking to re-energize your health, finances, or love life, start by redecorating your home. According to the Chinese art of feng shui, the qi, or life force, of your house feeds your energy and affects your wellness. And when it’s blocked—by clutter or poor placement of furniture, for example—you may be thwarted in your attempts to improve your relationships or professional pursuits, says Joey Yap, author of Joey Yap’s Pure Feng Shui (Cico, 2008). “People come to me wanting more prosperity, creativity, and romance,” says Jayme Barrett, author of Feng Shui Your Life (Sterling, 2003).

A rejuvenating, nurturing home environment is one in which the five elements of wood, fire, earth, metal, and water are in balance. You can achieve this without major renovations; simply follow our guide to begin transforming your home today.

feng shui your LIVING ROOM
Clear clutter. Cull your bookshelves often. “Keep only the books that inspire you,” says Barrett. “Holding onto everything just depletes your energy.” Leaving space on your shelves can also open you up to new ideas. And make sure your floors are clear; if they’re cluttered, they’ll drag the room’s energy downward.
Decorate mindfully. “Surround yourself with objects that symbolize your passions—this acknowledges and energizes what makes you special,” says Barrett. Choose lively décor that’s important to you—like mementos from travel, says Barrett.
Experiment with color. Whether you paint a wall or add accents like throw pillows, blankets, and vases, use color to balance the room. Orange helps energize; blue can soothe; purple and gold help attract wealth; green can bring better health; and red stimulates passion and prosperity, says Ariel Joseph Towne, a feng shui consultant based in Los Angeles.
Rearrange the seats. Ideally, the sofa should be up against a solid wall, which gives a sense of stability, says Towne. “Another option is to set up a table with plants behind the sofa,” suggests Barrett. Or arrange your seating in a circle or square shape to encourage conversation and community. Make your living room even more inviting by positioning some furniture to face the entrance.
Avoid recessed lighting. An abundance of natural light helps brighten your spirits. Artificial lighting can also lift your energy, as long as it’s directed toward the ceiling. “Recessed or overhead lighting generates downward, oppressive energy,” says Barrett. “Try wall sconces instead.

►SHE TRIED IT! Deborah Shadovitz, a Macintosh consultant in Los Angeles, had a hard time confi ning her work to her home office. “My books and papers encroached on other spaces, but decluttering seemed so daunting,” she says. In the living room, Shadovitz decided to arrange her chairs in a circle, which encouraged guests to sit and socialize. Once her living room became a destination for entertainment, Shadovitz was inspired to organize her home. “Without the clutter, my house feels so fresh and welcoming.”

Weight Loss:

Fat Burning Exercises

Ignite Your Fat-Burning Furnace

Muscle building videos and a world-class plan to supercharge your metabolism

Switching to a circuit-training routine burns fat by picking up the pace of your workouts. You'll elevate your heart rate and burn more calories by not resting between exercises. Want to speed up your metabolism even more? Try what trainer Vern Gambetta calls "circuit plus," in which you splice aerobic exercise into a circuit of resistance-training moves. Gambetta, who's the former director of athletic development for the New York Mets, says you'll burn calories even more rapidly this way because the tag team of aerobic and anaerobic exercise increases the challenge to your heart, lungs, and muscles.

The Workout

This routine conditions all your major muscle groups, with an emphasis on the lower body, which contains more than 50 percent of your body's muscle mass. Instead of resting between sets, do 30 to 45 seconds of cardio, such as jumping rope, running on a treadmill, or riding a stationary bike.

Don't be concerned if you can't use as much weight as you regularly lift. Without rest, your muscles will fatigue faster than usual, but that doesn't mean you're getting weaker. In fact, when you switch back to a plan that's more focused on building size and strength, you'll see faster gains than ever, because every muscle will be in peak physical condition.

Because this is a full-body plan, start by performing the workout twice a week and work up to three times a week, with at least a day for recovery between workouts.

Week 1

Create your routine by . . . Picking 1 move from each section (A, B, C, and D)

Sets of each exercise: 3

Your total workout should be . . . 12 sets

Repetitions per set: 12–15

Speed of each repetition: 1 second up, 3 seconds down

Rest between sets: None

Do this workout . . . Twice a week

Week 2

Create your routine by . . . Performing the 4 moves you didn't do in week 1

Sets of each exercise: 3

Your total workout should be . . . 12 sets

Repetitions per set: 12–15

Speed of each repetition: 1 second up, 3 seconds down

Rest between sets: None

Do this workout . . . Twice a week

Week 3

Create your routine by . . . Doing both moves in section A, then in B, C, and D

Sets of each exercise: 2

Your total workout should be . . . 16 sets

Repetitions per set: 12–15

Speed of each repetition: 1 second up, 3 seconds down

Rest between sets: None

Do this workout . . . 2 or 3 times a week

Week 4

Create your routine by . . . Doing both moves in section A, then in B, C, and D

Sets of each exercise: 2

Your total workout should be . . . 16 sets

Repetitions per set: 15–20

Speed of each repetition: 1 second up, 3 seconds down

Rest between sets: None

Do this workout . . . 2 or 3 times a week