One Soda Per Day Can Change Your Waistline

By Bonnie Pfiester Fitness Trainer

America’s obsession with soda has nearly doubled since the early seventies. According to the American Beverage Association, the average American drinks an estimated 54 gallons of soda per year – that’s about 19 ounces of soda per day. The average teenager drinks 31 – 42 ounces of soda a day.

What if I said you could drop 26 pounds if you just drank one less soda a day? It’s true. A regular 20 ounce coke accounts for 250 calories. One coke a day doesn’t sound too bad until you add it up over time and realize it could mean a couple of dress sizes. One soda a day adds up to a whopping 91,000 calories over a year’s time – that’s 26 pounds of fat.

Autism: 10 Strategies for Implementing Diet Changes

By Tara McClintick

Why are food and diet some of the most challenging aspects of raising a child with autism? Make the decision to change the way your child, and perhaps your whole family, is eating and – BAM!!! You seem to hit walls of resistance every which way you turn!

The walls are so thick that you may even wonder, is this even possible? Is it worth it? If you have answered “no” to those questions before, you are not alone.

Eat Gluten-Free Without Going Broke, Part 3

By Dr. Selena Eon, ND

It is handy to be able to purchase GF baked goods ready-made fresh or frozen. I will not try to dispute that. However, for long-term physical and financial health, I maintain that preparing these foods yourself whenever possible is a better choice. You get far more for your money and you choose the ingredients.

A person who does poorly with corn, soy or dairy may have extreme difficulty finding ready-made gluten-free products that are acceptable for them—preparing at home is an optimal choice. If your diet tends to be low in fiber, you can choose higher fiber flours and incorporate nuts, seeds, fruits and vegetables into your baked goods. Home-made foods are also fresher and frequently taste better.

Does Your Doctor Know Your Real Blood Pressure?

By Rod Newbound, RN

Tips On How To Be In Better Control of Your Blood Pressure Even When You Go to the Doctor

Are you one of those people who rarely go to the doctor? And when you finally make it in for that annual checkup, do you feel a twinge of anxiety? And what’s the first thing that happens? You walk in for your appointment and you wind up sitting for 20 or more minutes in a room full of sick people. Then, when they finally take you back to the cold exam room, the first thing the nurse does is to make you sit on that high uncomfortable exam table with no back support and you can’t even put your feet on the floor.

Panic Away

By Bobbie Laing

We all have periods in our lives when the walls seem to be closing in. We have experienced it during a test, at a job interview, in a crowded department store, or simply driving down the road.

Sometimes it is a fear of not “measuring up” to what we believe is “normal”; and sometimes it is just a niggling sense of discomfort from feeling out of control in a certain situation.

Whatever the case may be, it is a familiar feeling. When feelings like this bombard your life on a regular basis, or seem to increase in their intensity, it brings with it a heightened sense of anxiety.

The Sensitive Chef Cookbook

By Bobbie Laing

Living with food allergies can be a frustrating way of life for many people.

In our world of instant everything, from Hamburger Helper to that pre-seasoned chicken that looks so tempting in the frozen isle of the grocery store, it is harder than ever to make healthy choices for our families.

Much less having to factor in what allergens may be lurking inside these foods.

The author’s own experience with severe food allergies and sensitivities, as well as having a daughter with Celiac Disease, led her on this quest to find food that was not just safe for herself and her family, but also delicious.

Eat Gluten-Free Without Going Broke, Part 2

By Dr. Selena Eon, ND

Healthy diets come in many kinds and depend on the needs & tastes of individual households. Finding a healthy diet that fits you and your family takes trial, error and knowledge.

You may need to consult a health care practitioner for advice. Budget conscious cooking can be an extremely healthful way to feed your family- and even include organic foods.

The secret is to focus on inexpensive, natural, wholesome gluten-free whole foods. A whole food is anything that you could imagine growing, or that you eat all the edible parts of over time (such as a chicken). This reduces the cost of your food and may help you recover from any damage that gluten caused you.

Make it a “Gym Date”

By Bonnie Pfiester Fitness Trainer

When you think of going on a date, most people think of going to dinner or a movie. Although there are more creative date ideas, food and entertainment tend to top the list.

When I began dating Steve, he worked three jobs and went to school. We had to find time to share with each other. He would go to church with me and I’d go to the gym with him. Since working out was something he did every day, the gym was a big part of our date life – and what a great date idea.

Best Blood Glucose Meter!

By Dr. Jody Stanislaw, Naturopathic Physician and Diabetes Expert

What is the best blood glucose monitor?

The Flash Freestyle Meter is my favorite, and what I personally use.

Having had diabetes since 1980, I can vividly remember the time in which blood testing didn’t even exist. The only way I could monitor how much glucose was in my blood was by examining how much had spilled over into my urine over the past several hours.

Dying to Look Good

By Bobbie Laing

Many people may not realize that our skin, the largest organ of the body, absorbs virtually everything we put on it.

I have dry skin and hair. As a result, I need lotion and lip balm several times throughout the day, and I need to use good conditioners and products to control my naturally curly, sometimes frizzy, hair. For years, I had been using everyday products we all see on our grocer’s shelves. That changed when I saw the first studies that came out about the contents of our skin care products, and cosmetics, and the lack of regulation on so many of them. I was alarmed, to say the least.

High Blood Pressure: 21 Natural Remedies

What are the Best Natural Medicines for High Blood Pressure?

By Dr. Nicole Sundene

High blood pressure or “hypertension” is a tough nut to crack with natural medicines. But, since I am just your “blog doctor” and not your real doctor, I can step out on a limb and tell you why you REALLY have high blood pressure.

Of course, there are many etiologies to this common disease; however, most cases are because we have gotten fat, old, and out of shape. Yes, there are exceptions to the rule, so don’t be hitting the contact form to send me hate mail.

What Diet Is Best For You?

Dr. Nicole, what is the best diet?

The best diet is the diet that works for YOU.

The best diet is something that you can healthfully follow for the rest of your life.

The best diet for you is the diet that gives you energy, keeps your health in balance, helps you to be emotionally stable, maintains your religious or spiritual ethics and is sustainable for the environment.

With that being said, I am happy to announce that we have a variety of great diet plans to choose from and follow. If you are new to a particular diet and want some help simply leave your question or request for support in the comments section so that we may assist you with your goals.

Eat Gluten-Free Without Going Broke, Part 1

By Dr. Selena Eon, ND

If you have been on a gluten-free diet for any length of time, you have likely noticed the explosion of ready-made gluten-free foods available. At my local Red Apple Market, I can now purchase ready-made pasta, cookies, crackers, bagels, macaroni box meals, English muffins, bread, doughnuts and brownies. The freezer cases contain a variety of gluten-free frozen meals, from pizza to macaroni & cheese. I can buy mixes for bread, cookies, brownies and cakes.

What is Celiac Disease?

By Dr. Selena Eon

What is Celiac Disease/Gluten Intolerance?

Celiac Disease is an autoimmune condition found in people of all ages who are genetically susceptible. To develop Celiac Disease, you must inherit genetics for it, consume gluten, and have the gene triggered. Celiac Disease causes gradual destruction of the inner lining to the small intestine, leading to poor absorption of a wide variety of nutrients, and consequently a wide variety of patient presentations.

Why You Should Invest in Fitness

By Bonnie Pfiester Fitness Trainer

When it comes to luxuries, a health club membership is one of the few luxuries that often prove be a good investment. However, a gym membership is commonly one of the first things to go when money gets tight.

Somehow, we justify the need for television and other extras over the need to stay healthy. Don’t get me wrong, if you tried to take my satellite TV away I would put up a pretty good fight too. Interestingly enough, some of the same people crunching numbers to make wise investments are unaware of the return on fitness.

6 Common Allergens Found In Sports Nutrition Bars

Finding a truly healthy nutrition bar can be tough as I noted in my article, “Zing Bars Awarded Best Nutrition Bar 2008.”

I interviewed the makers of Zing Bars, nutritionists Michael Kaplan, ND, Minh-Hai Tran, MS, RD and Sandi Kaplan, MS, RD to help us better understand the common allergens found in nutrition bars.

#1 - Gluten sensitivity is among the most common food sensitivities within the US and Europe. Gluten is a protein found within grains such as wheat, rye, barley, spelt, kamut & triticale. Gluten free grains include rice, corn, millet, quinoa, buckwheat, amaranth & teff.

What is Anxiety?

By KC Kelly, Ph.D., LMHC
Stress and anxiety are a natural part of everyday life and most of us experience it more often than not in today’s very stressful world. It is also very natural to worry about your hectic life from time to time. “Anxiety” is usually referred to as worry, concern, stress, or nervousness.

Believe it or not, anxious feelings can sometimes be a good thing. Having this heightened sense can actually help to motivate a person to prepare for a big test in school, speech at work, or by keeping a person on his/her toes in potentially dangerous situations, to name only a few examples. Occasional anxiety isn’t something to be concerned about.

Is Fake Sugar Making You Fat?

By Dr. Scott Olsen, author of “Sugarettes”

How do artificial sweeteners cause obesity?

When people first start to think about a sugar-free diet, they think they should reach for artificial sweeteners. This may not be the best idea.

Here is the crux of the problem with artificial sweeteners: They don’t do what you want them to do: keep your weight down. Artificial sweeteners claim to be all the good taste without the calories, but behind this claim is another reality.

Twenty Tips for Better Sleep

Are you not sleeping well at night? Sleep is critical for optimal health as it is one of the four pillars of health.

Long-term health depends on the regeneration that occurs during deep sleep. Growth hormone, or the “anti-aging” hormone, is secreted during sleep, which stimulates tissue regeneration, liver cleansing, muscle building, break down of fat stores and normalization of blood sugar.

During sleep free radicals are scavenged in the brain, minimizing its aging. Many health problems are aggravated by inadequate sleep. Sleep gives us renewed vitality, a more positive outlook on life and energy with which we can become our full potential.

How To Choose A Healthy Sports Nutrition Bar

Finding a truly healthy nutrition bar can be tough as I noted in my article, “Zing Bars Awarded Best Nutrition Bar 2008.”

I interviewed the makers of Zing Bars, nutritionists Michael Kaplan, ND, Minh-Hai Tran, MS, RD and Sandi Kaplan, MS, RD to help us better understand the following qualities to look for in a healthy sports bar.

What qualities should people look for when purchasing a healthy sports bar?

100% Natural Ingredients: In our opinion, a bar does not need to be 100% organic to be a healthy choice. With the rising cost of food in general, organic ingredients can sometimes strain a food budget. We recommend comfortably settling for a 100% natural bar, free of colorings, preservatives and additives.

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