We now enter an interesting time of year – the Holiday Season. We become festive and at the same time introspective. It can be a time of excess food and drink and yet at the same time we start to ponder our New Year’s Resolution – changes we will make or what we will do differently in the coming year. For many the last thing we want to hear about is how to eat healthier, but why not, that’s what I do! Here’s a few simple suggestions for a healthier New Year, or perhaps you may want to start them now!
1. Start your morning off with a healthy protein shake for breakfast. Please use whey or rice based protein and avoid soy (I’ve written in the past on the dangers of soy protein). This is a great way to get your breakfast protein. Remember we want to have protein with each meal. And, it is a great way to eat some fruit (like a cup of frozen berries) for antioxidant protection and fiber. Berries – blueberries, strawberries, and raspberries have the most antioxidants, but you can also use half a banana, pineapple, mango, cherries, or kiwi. You can even add in some yogurt or kefir for probiotics (the good bacteria) to help your digestion and some ground flax seeds, flax seed oil, or chia seeds for healthy fats.
2. While we’re talking fats – make your own salad dressings from extra virgin olive oil and use it! Mix the olive oil with balsamic vinegar, red wine vinegar, apple cider vinegar, or lemon juice; add some garlic, Dijon mustard, or other spices and you have a very tasty dressing. Have a salad with some chicken or tuna for lunch, or have a side salad with dinner.
3. Eat one organic carrot a day! And I don’t mean a “baby” carrot. You do know there really is no such thing as a baby carrot, right? The carrot has lots of vitamins, minerals and fiber; and if it is organic you don’t even have to peel it. Just wash, eat and enjoy!
4. Eat one serving of leafy greens per day. You can get these in your salad from a variety of lettuces (no iceberg please) or for the most nutrition have kale, chard, mustard greens, collard greens, beet greens, or spinach. Except for lettuce, all the other leafy greens I mentioned are best steamed or sauted to get the most nutrition from them and they tend to taste better, particularly when sauted with garlic and butter!
5. Make home-made soups. As it gets colder our body wants to be warmed and home-made soup is a great way to do it. Start from scratch, if it is beef based or chicken based use the bones! Why does chicken soup have the reputation for healing? Because of all the nutrients (minerals) that leach out of the bones while it is being cooked. Soup is also a great way to get your vegetables in – celery, carrots, broccoli, cauliflower, onions, cabbage – and many more all go great in soup. I’ve recently become fond of cooking the soup and for the final touch putting it my VitaMax for a tasty blended soup. That’s a great way to hide the vegetables from the veggie-phobics in the family!
So, there you have it. What do you say? These aren’t too bad are they? Try them out, one or all of them. I can guarantee you’ll be pleased if you do.
Bernard Rosen, PhD is a Nutrition Consultant and Educator. He works with individuals, groups, and at corporations to create individualized nutrition and wellness programs. His office is in Thiensville, WI. To learn more or to schedule an appointment, call (262) 389-9907 or go to www.brwellness.com.
Monday, November 22, 2010
Friday, November 19, 2010
Guest Blog - Impacts of Oral Contraceptives on Sexually Transmitted Disease
This article is courtesy of Kristin Davis. She is an advocate for women's health who enjoys writing and aspires to be a journalist in New York City one day. Let me know what you think!
Although instances of unwanted pregnancy have declined recently, rates of sexually transmitted disease continue to climb. This might be explained by society’s views toward sexuality and which behaviors are acceptable and which are considered taboo. While society still clings to social stigmas regarding unwanted pregnancy, sexual promiscuity has largely been accepted. This discrepancy in societal attitude is ironic because sexual promiscuity is actually more dangerous than unintended pregnancy. While young women have several safe options in the event of an unwanted pregnancy, women who become infected with these diseases risk spreading the illness to others, permanent damage to their bodies and even death. Unfortunately, with this fixation to avoid pregnancy, many women ignore protection against this physical risk. Based on recent health trends, it is obvious that measures to prevent pregnancy do not ensure safety from disease as well.
Social stigmas regarding contraceptive use have also largely been replaced. However, many issues remain when choosing which method, including effectiveness, convenience, health risks and long term consequences. While condoms might have been the most accepted preventative tool of unwanted pregnancy, oral contraceptives have now stepped in as the leading product. These products are easy for women to use, highly effective at preventing pregnancy and affordable. Unfortunately, these contraceptives also give couples no protection against sexually transmitted disease, which could explain the rise of disease seen in America today.
It is obvious, then, that women are unaware of this method’s limitations. In fact, a serious lack of available information regarding their effectiveness and safety remains. While tempting to trust manufacturers of these contraceptives, it’s important to realize that because of this drug’s popularity, oral contraceptive manufacturing has become a major industry with huge profit potential. Drug manufacturers now promote their products heavily and send promotional materials to many health facilities. The U.S. government even endorses the use of these drugs, sending these contraceptives to family planning clinics targeting indigent, unmarried women.
Unfortunately, this heavy marketing and wide use often misleads young adults into believing these products are total health safeguards. Many oral contraceptives also advertise their products as cures to many other health conditions, including acne and mood swings. Although these products have led to the welcome decline in unwanted pregnancy, the increased rate of sexually transmitted disease might actually be a result of misconceptions regarding these products. Teens protected from pregnancy might be emboldened to have unprotected sex, believing disease prevention is just one more benefit of these “miracle drugs.”
Indeed, manufacturers of these contraceptives have little motivation to dispel these misconceptions. In fact, several manufacturers have been found guilty of contributing to the rampant misunderstanding surrounding their products, regularly failing to point out important details regarding safety. One oral contraceptive producer, Bayer HealthCare, was cited by the FDA for their misleading television advertisements. Labeling their product a total quality-of-life aid, the FDA found these ads further misled teens with unproven claims. Furthermore, Bayer was cited for substandard conditions in a plant its ingredients were manufactured in. However, the drug company’s annual multi-million dollar advertising campaigns continue to overshadow these revelations and keep its product the most popular form of oral contraception today.
Although Bayer’s lack of corporate integrity is disturbing, the severe physical consequence of these drugs is even more striking. Oral contraceptives are hormone-altering pills and can actually lead to permanent side effects, like the possibility of infertility. Originally introduced in the 1960’s, evidence today links the growing use of these drugs with the rise of cancer seen in U.S. women. Although easily dismissed by their harmless appearance, these drugs literally upset numerous significant aspects of women’s physiology as they trick the body into believing it is pregnant.
The growing number of Yaz lawsuits today highlights just how serious the health consequences of these pills are. Users of Yaz, the most popular oral contraceptive sold today, have experienced severe side effects including heart attack, stroke, blood clots, pulmonary embolisms and gallbladder disease, with some cases even ending in death. However, until sexually transmitted disease becomes the focal point of reckless sexuality, pregnancy prevention will continue to be the focus of young women, to the exclusion of other risks. A reversal in the growing trend of sexually transmitted disease requires women first learn about the limitations and dangers of this contraceptive option before blindly trusting their health and safety to it.
Although instances of unwanted pregnancy have declined recently, rates of sexually transmitted disease continue to climb. This might be explained by society’s views toward sexuality and which behaviors are acceptable and which are considered taboo. While society still clings to social stigmas regarding unwanted pregnancy, sexual promiscuity has largely been accepted. This discrepancy in societal attitude is ironic because sexual promiscuity is actually more dangerous than unintended pregnancy. While young women have several safe options in the event of an unwanted pregnancy, women who become infected with these diseases risk spreading the illness to others, permanent damage to their bodies and even death. Unfortunately, with this fixation to avoid pregnancy, many women ignore protection against this physical risk. Based on recent health trends, it is obvious that measures to prevent pregnancy do not ensure safety from disease as well.
Social stigmas regarding contraceptive use have also largely been replaced. However, many issues remain when choosing which method, including effectiveness, convenience, health risks and long term consequences. While condoms might have been the most accepted preventative tool of unwanted pregnancy, oral contraceptives have now stepped in as the leading product. These products are easy for women to use, highly effective at preventing pregnancy and affordable. Unfortunately, these contraceptives also give couples no protection against sexually transmitted disease, which could explain the rise of disease seen in America today.
It is obvious, then, that women are unaware of this method’s limitations. In fact, a serious lack of available information regarding their effectiveness and safety remains. While tempting to trust manufacturers of these contraceptives, it’s important to realize that because of this drug’s popularity, oral contraceptive manufacturing has become a major industry with huge profit potential. Drug manufacturers now promote their products heavily and send promotional materials to many health facilities. The U.S. government even endorses the use of these drugs, sending these contraceptives to family planning clinics targeting indigent, unmarried women.
Unfortunately, this heavy marketing and wide use often misleads young adults into believing these products are total health safeguards. Many oral contraceptives also advertise their products as cures to many other health conditions, including acne and mood swings. Although these products have led to the welcome decline in unwanted pregnancy, the increased rate of sexually transmitted disease might actually be a result of misconceptions regarding these products. Teens protected from pregnancy might be emboldened to have unprotected sex, believing disease prevention is just one more benefit of these “miracle drugs.”
Indeed, manufacturers of these contraceptives have little motivation to dispel these misconceptions. In fact, several manufacturers have been found guilty of contributing to the rampant misunderstanding surrounding their products, regularly failing to point out important details regarding safety. One oral contraceptive producer, Bayer HealthCare, was cited by the FDA for their misleading television advertisements. Labeling their product a total quality-of-life aid, the FDA found these ads further misled teens with unproven claims. Furthermore, Bayer was cited for substandard conditions in a plant its ingredients were manufactured in. However, the drug company’s annual multi-million dollar advertising campaigns continue to overshadow these revelations and keep its product the most popular form of oral contraception today.
Although Bayer’s lack of corporate integrity is disturbing, the severe physical consequence of these drugs is even more striking. Oral contraceptives are hormone-altering pills and can actually lead to permanent side effects, like the possibility of infertility. Originally introduced in the 1960’s, evidence today links the growing use of these drugs with the rise of cancer seen in U.S. women. Although easily dismissed by their harmless appearance, these drugs literally upset numerous significant aspects of women’s physiology as they trick the body into believing it is pregnant.
The growing number of Yaz lawsuits today highlights just how serious the health consequences of these pills are. Users of Yaz, the most popular oral contraceptive sold today, have experienced severe side effects including heart attack, stroke, blood clots, pulmonary embolisms and gallbladder disease, with some cases even ending in death. However, until sexually transmitted disease becomes the focal point of reckless sexuality, pregnancy prevention will continue to be the focus of young women, to the exclusion of other risks. A reversal in the growing trend of sexually transmitted disease requires women first learn about the limitations and dangers of this contraceptive option before blindly trusting their health and safety to it.
Monday, November 1, 2010
November 2010 Newsletter
Would you believe it is already November? It's getting to be "Holiday Season" - the nutrition consultant's nightmare time of the year. Why? Well - who wants to hear about healthy eating during the holiday season? Yet, this is probably one of the times we can do the most damage due to the readily available excess food and drink. So, please do your best! Remember - balance and moderation.
I'm a big believer in two sayings. One is that you learn something new every day. Two is that if you don't know the answer to a question your best response is, "I don't know." My feature article this month deals with that exact situation. I was asked a great question - basically - how to large herbivores (animals that eat only plants) get so large? To find out read below.
November is another busy workshop month for me so I encourage you to attend or pass along the information to friends. I'll be doing another round of Nutrition Boot Camp at HeartSpace in Thiensville on the 20th and 21st and my Rejuvenation and Relaxation workshop at the Port Washington Recreation Center also on the 20th. Rejuvenation and Relaxation is one of my favorites. Come learn simple 10 minute techniques to both relax and rejuvenate the body! For full details of the workshops click here:
The inspiration for this article comes from two absolute truths: One – you learn something new every day; and two – if you don’t know the answer it is best to say so rather than make something up! Recently I was asked a great question during a Nutrition Boot Camp workshop. I was discussing the importance of eating animal protein. I was asked if it is so important how do cows and other animals that don’t eat meat grow so large. I had never really thought about it, so it provided an excellent learning opportunity.
First, a little background. What is protein? It is one of the six core nutrients that we humans require for life (the others being fat, carbohydrates, vitamins, minerals, and water). Protein is the structural basis of our body. It builds and repairs tissues and cells. It makes our hormones, enzymes, neurotransmitters, and antibodies. As you can see, protein is pretty important stuff! And remember, our body is essentially one big chemical factory and these processes go on continuously. Therefore, we need a constant supply of protein which is why I recommend to my clients that they consume protein with each meal and that it is approximately 30-35% of their diet. One of the factors I believe behind all the chronic diseases, such as obesity, diabetes, cancer, and heart disease is that most people do not consume enough healthy protein. In fact, if you do the math of the government recommended 2000 calorie diet, it comes out to approximately 60% carbohydrate, 30% fat, and 10% protein. If you’d like to read more about the connection between high carbohydrate diets and disease I strongly recommend Gary Taubes book Good Calories, Bad Calories.
To continue reading click here: http://brwellness.blogspot.com/2010/10/protein-are-you-eating-enough-or-how-to.html
Positive Results from Earthing in One Night
Earthing? What’s that? I’m guessing that is what you are saying to yourself. Let me explain what I believe may be the latest and greatest breakthrough in natural health!
Yesterday I received my much anticipated copy of best selling nutrition author Ann Louise Gittleman’s latest book Zapped: Why Your Cell Phone Shouldn't Be Your Alarm Clock and 1,268 Ways to Outsmart the Hazards of Electronic Pollution. The title pretty much tells it all. The short of it is that we are being exposed to increasing amounts of electromagnetic fields which disturb our body’s natural energy. The results for some people have become toxicity, fatigue, irritability, weakness, and diseases that no doctor can explain.
One of the solutions is a new concept called “Earthing” developed by Dr. Stephen Sinatra, Clinton Ober, and Martin Zucker. Along with my copy of Zapped I received one of the Earthing devices – the Earthing Universal Mat. This mat has several different ways to use it. I chose to sleep on it. Prior to going to bad my lower back was quite sore and I must admit the first part of my sleep was not very sound. I awoke around 2:00, but then something happened. I had a very interesting dream featuring a spiritual leader massaging my lower back with special healing energy and when I awoke in the morning my back felt great! Coincidence? I don’t think so. I look forward to continue to explore this device and getting some additional ones!
To learn more about the book and the Earthing devices, follow this link: http://www.unikeyhealth.com/?a=1003.
To continue reading click here: http://brwellness.blogspot.com/2010/10/positive-results-from-earthing-in-one.html
I'm a big believer in two sayings. One is that you learn something new every day. Two is that if you don't know the answer to a question your best response is, "I don't know." My feature article this month deals with that exact situation. I was asked a great question - basically - how to large herbivores (animals that eat only plants) get so large? To find out read below.
November is another busy workshop month for me so I encourage you to attend or pass along the information to friends. I'll be doing another round of Nutrition Boot Camp at HeartSpace in Thiensville on the 20th and 21st and my Rejuvenation and Relaxation workshop at the Port Washington Recreation Center also on the 20th. Rejuvenation and Relaxation is one of my favorites. Come learn simple 10 minute techniques to both relax and rejuvenate the body! For full details of the workshops click here:
Protein: Are You Eating Enough or How to Cows Get So Big and Not Eat Meat?
The inspiration for this article comes from two absolute truths: One – you learn something new every day; and two – if you don’t know the answer it is best to say so rather than make something up! Recently I was asked a great question during a Nutrition Boot Camp workshop. I was discussing the importance of eating animal protein. I was asked if it is so important how do cows and other animals that don’t eat meat grow so large. I had never really thought about it, so it provided an excellent learning opportunity.
First, a little background. What is protein? It is one of the six core nutrients that we humans require for life (the others being fat, carbohydrates, vitamins, minerals, and water). Protein is the structural basis of our body. It builds and repairs tissues and cells. It makes our hormones, enzymes, neurotransmitters, and antibodies. As you can see, protein is pretty important stuff! And remember, our body is essentially one big chemical factory and these processes go on continuously. Therefore, we need a constant supply of protein which is why I recommend to my clients that they consume protein with each meal and that it is approximately 30-35% of their diet. One of the factors I believe behind all the chronic diseases, such as obesity, diabetes, cancer, and heart disease is that most people do not consume enough healthy protein. In fact, if you do the math of the government recommended 2000 calorie diet, it comes out to approximately 60% carbohydrate, 30% fat, and 10% protein. If you’d like to read more about the connection between high carbohydrate diets and disease I strongly recommend Gary Taubes book Good Calories, Bad Calories.
To continue reading click here: http://brwellness.blogspot.com/2010/10/protein-are-you-eating-enough-or-how-to.html
Positive Results from Earthing in One Night
Earthing? What’s that? I’m guessing that is what you are saying to yourself. Let me explain what I believe may be the latest and greatest breakthrough in natural health!
Yesterday I received my much anticipated copy of best selling nutrition author Ann Louise Gittleman’s latest book Zapped: Why Your Cell Phone Shouldn't Be Your Alarm Clock and 1,268 Ways to Outsmart the Hazards of Electronic Pollution. The title pretty much tells it all. The short of it is that we are being exposed to increasing amounts of electromagnetic fields which disturb our body’s natural energy. The results for some people have become toxicity, fatigue, irritability, weakness, and diseases that no doctor can explain.
One of the solutions is a new concept called “Earthing” developed by Dr. Stephen Sinatra, Clinton Ober, and Martin Zucker. Along with my copy of Zapped I received one of the Earthing devices – the Earthing Universal Mat. This mat has several different ways to use it. I chose to sleep on it. Prior to going to bad my lower back was quite sore and I must admit the first part of my sleep was not very sound. I awoke around 2:00, but then something happened. I had a very interesting dream featuring a spiritual leader massaging my lower back with special healing energy and when I awoke in the morning my back felt great! Coincidence? I don’t think so. I look forward to continue to explore this device and getting some additional ones!
To learn more about the book and the Earthing devices, follow this link: http://www.unikeyhealth.com/?a=1003.
To continue reading click here: http://brwellness.blogspot.com/2010/10/positive-results-from-earthing-in-one.html
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