Every day, Americans complain about being tired. We say we have too much to do, not enough time and need recharging. Here are some quick tips to get you “re-charged” NOW!

For your diet – you must eat something for breakfast to help you feel better mentally and physically. PLEASE do not skip breakfast; your engine will be dead if you do!

Eat every 3-4 hours, having 3 small meals and 2 snacks, including carbohydrates, fat, and protein.

Eat more fiber which gives your energy staying power. You need 25-30 grams of fiber daily, try adding 2 Tbsp of Flax Seed ground up for extra fiber and help with hormone balance!

For your brain - with omega-3s found in tuna and salmon. Add B-complex (like our sub-lingual B-complex drops that go under your tongue for added absorption) and stay hydrated. You should be urinating every 2-4 hours and the color should be clear or very pale. Watch caffeine intake after noon, so you can sleep well at night.

For your spirit - Splash or spray water on your face to energize when you’re getting burned out. Make up some distilled water with lavender drops, peppermint, grapefruit, orange, or other essential oils to ‘spritz” your face with. Dress nice so you feel good. Wearing sloppy clothes makes you feel worse. Vent your feelings and don’t let stress build up. Put on some uplifting or relaxing music, let go of grudges-you’re only hurting yourself. Practice deep breathing, and de-clutter an area of your home or desk, do something good and you’ll feel better.

For good rest, cut back on television watching in the evening, put your alarm clock where you can’t keep watching it, let your pet have his own sleeping place, keep the bedroom cool at 54-75 degrees, get exercise during the day, and write down any worries you have, so you don’t dwell on them when you go to bed!

Cheer up, today is a good day to make some positive changes!

Blessings and Light on your week!

Nisha

It’s often been said that men take better care of their cars than their bodies. Well, while that might be true, it’s more important now than ever for men to get regular checkups from their doctors/practitioners.

I like to use the car analogy of preventative maintenance for guys. I ask how long their car will run without changing the oil…about 50,000 miles? I tell guys that at about 40 years of age, or at 50,000 miles, without any care -the engine will blow up.

There are numerous health related problems that can be detected early without long term consequences. Often men have no distinguishable early symptoms with such conditions as; heart disease, colon cancer, hormone imbalances, or diabetes. But simple tests such as cholesterol panels, hormone screening, blood glucose/insulin levels and other simple tests gives us the information at our finger tips to help head off medical problems early on.

Cancer, in particular, is a subject typically off limits to men; it’s something men just do not talk about. Men seem to have a sense of invulnerability. It’s a guy thing to be macho, confident and somewhat fearless. Those are all qualities we might admire in business, but in terms of health they can be fatal. According to the research, two-thirds of cancers can be prevented by lifestyle changes and early detection. More than half of all new cancers can be detected early. So…an annual physical exam could save his life.

I would suggest that when your “special man” goes for his next checkup, he should talk to his doctor about how he can stay healthy and young, no matter what his age is. Ask for a complete hormone panel. Balancing male hormones is just important as it is for women, as it helps prevent heart disease, improves their “zest” for life, helps them with energy, endurance, strength, and stamina. It also can improve their physique – fighting against weight gain, and helping them feel their best, emotionally, mentally, and physically!

If his doctor does not know how to order a hormone profile or discourages it; consider getting help from a certified hormone expert. Ventana Wellness, www.ventanawellness.com can provide this for him, or can offer it via “distance testing.”

Have a wonderful week!

Blessings and Light….

Nisha

The Body Burden of Toxic Chemicals

By Nisha Jackson, PhD, MS, WHCNP, HHP

For decades scientists have studied how land, air, and water pollution impact human health. Now they’re documenting the toxic effects of industrial chemicals that are accumulating in everybody from grandparents to babies still in the womb.

A study published May 4, 2009, showed that traces of up to 48 chemical contaminants were present in the blood of the women tested. The women had been educated to avoid direct contact with these chemicals such as flame-retardants, synthetic fragrances, and some plastics. The chemicals identified in their bloodstreams were mostly from unregulated household goods, plastics, beauty products, and food and water.

If you’re like me, you love to slather, spritz or powder yourself with the yummy beauty care products available to us. But the reality is that the skin, our largest organ, is a porous protector. Here’s something scary. It has been estimated that over a lifetime, a woman absorbs four pounds of lipstick, most of which contains toxins. And lipstick is just one of many products absorbed by the skin.

Some current (yes I did say current) cosmetic ingredients include formaldehyde, a known carcinogen and 1,4-dioxane, a by-product of cosmetics manufacturing. It is a known eye and respiratory tract irritant and is suspected of causing damage to the central nervous system, liver and kidneys. It may contaminate deodorants, shampoos, toothpastes and mouthwashes. These products are unregulated and often pass through our skin with toxins that can disrupt development and the endocrine system.

We are also exposed daily to another class of chemicals called phthalates, which are a component in a huge range of products including pill coatings, glues and adhesives, building materials, personal care products and cosmetics, detergents, paints, plastics and on and on. Diet is believed to be the main source, and the effects of phthalates have been researched heavily in the past decade. The use of phthalates to make plastics, including food containers and baby bottles, is being phased out, and phthalates are on the cusp of regulation. However, many phthalates exist in our environment and some have been linked to hormone disruptions, especially when heated.

Eating organic is something we all need to consider. The pesticides and herbicides used on most non-organic crops can be hormone disruptors and otherwise harmful and should be avoided. The continued use of hormones and antibiotics in industrial meat production, along with the pesticides and herbicides used on animal feed, all pass on to us when consumed. Organic is the smartest choice in safely enjoying a wide variety of foods.

What to do?

1. Use cast iron pans instead of nonstick.

2. Avoid excessive chemicals and artificial colorings and toxins by going easy on the processed foods (basically most of what comes in a box). Try to eat more whole foods and fewer that come out of containers, especially cans and plastic.

3. Shop the perimeter of the grocery store. My favorite advice: Eat foods from the earth and sea, organic foods that walk around, and plenty of nuts and seeds

4. Go organic when possible, especially with dairy, meat, and poultry.

5. Wash veggies and fruits well.

6. Do NOT microwave food in plastic.

7. Try to drink more filtered water and avoid plastic water bottles. Drink less tap water unless it comes from your own well and you’ve had the water tested for contaminants.

8. Seal outdoor furniture to avoid the possibility of leaching arsenic.

9. Leave your shoes at the door.

10. Avoid perfume, cologne, and products with added fragrance

11. Buy products with natural fibers such as cotton and wool that are naturally fire resistant to help reduce your exposure to flame-retardants.

12. Eat low-mercury fish such as tilapia and pollock.

13. Switch to natural and environmentally friendly cleaning products including dishwashing and laundry detergents and bathroom and counter cleaners. For fresh smelling air, use a ventilator fan and/or open a window. Avoid using plug-in chemical air fresheners.

14. Consider using lotions, creams, shampoos and other personal care products that are organic and not filled with toxins that absorb quickly through your skin.