The Hidden Enemy

Each person must face their own weaknesses in life, which can be anything from nicotine, to alcohol, but I never thought of food as a weakness, until complications from food, was one of the causes of my moms death. It was then that I realized "The Hidden Enemy" that food can be and not just something tempting to set on the table to eat.

I think it's easy not understand another's weakness, if we do not share that weakness ourselves, but when it hits close to home and you come face to face with it, then that lack of understanding, becomes crystal clear for nothing I did changed the outcome for my mom and the sodium that she craved like an alcoholic craves alcohol, and all the trips to the hospital did not stop this addiction and in time she lost her eyesight, had several heart attacks, a stroke and eventually she lost her long fight with bad health and died.

A few years before moms death, I became fanatical in my efforts to fix healthier things, but when the flavor was bland, almost to the point of being cardboard, mom always lost interest.  Eventually mom became a "career patient" and I realized I was on borrowed time, it was then that I wanted nothing more than to make mom happy and as free from stress as possible, for she and I both knew there was nothing else I could do for her- at that point.

So the question is how do we eat better? There are so many things that can get us-food wise- there's the Avian Flu, Mad Cow disease to start, and vegetables that are sprayed with insecticide.  Then, we hear sugar is good, then not good.  Artificial sweeteners are the way to go, then they are the reason we gain weight. 

Of course, there are those that always say- portion control "it's the way to go".  But we each have different body types and what works for one may not work for another.  One diet says to eat all you want with this diet, the other says just avoid sugar and carbs.  Another says eat carbs we need them just avoid......well you get the picture.

In the end -for my mom- food had been the enemy, but genetic DNA had started her downfall long ago.  So what keeps each of us from falling victim to "The Hidden Enemy"?  Well I think each person must use their own common sense.  Watch the sodium, watch the intake, but also don't be hard on yourself, for each of us is never guaranteed a direct path, just a path with obstacles to overcome.

Brand New Food Page!

Food is enjoyable and can be a way for you to connect with family and friends. Food should also taste good and be good for you. This page will be dedicated to bringing you the latest news and recipes for you to incorporate into a healthy lifestyle. If you have any favorite recipes, please feel free to contact us. We'd love to hear from you!

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7 Tips for Naturally Healthy Skin

Your skin is your largest organ and is one of the first things people notice about you. It breathes and expels toxins through your sweat glands. Just like any other organ in your body it needs care and if you treat it right you can have healthy younger looking skin. There are so many products on the market now that promise to give you healthy skin, but how do you know which ones are good for you and which skin care products are just a bunch of empty promises? One way to know you are getting the best skin care products is to stick with natural skin care or organic skin care products. Healthy habits also go a long way to promoting healthy skin. Here are 7 tips for healthy skin.

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1. Radiant, youthful skin free of breakouts and irritation starts from the inside out. Give your skin the nutrients it needs to look its best. Eat a balance diet rich in antioxidants, Essential Fatty Acids and avoid excess fat and sugar. Not only will you feel better but you’ll look better, too.
2. Drink plenty of clean fresh water. The old adage about 8 glasses of water a day is true. Water helps your body stay hydrated, clears out toxins and keeps you from feeling tired and run down. Without adequate hydration your skin starts to look dull and dry. Not only that, but you can develop serious health complications such as an irregular heartbeat from not getting enough water. Up your intake of water during the summer to counteract the water you lose through sweating. 
3. Get your rest. Not everyone needs a solid 8 hours of sleep, but you do need to be on a regular schedule and get at least 6 hours a night. Develop a bedtime routine that relaxes you and avoid going to bed on a full stomach. Your body needs to rest and if it has to spend all night digesting a big meal you won’t get the rest you need. If you can’t sleep try Valerian Root supplements, a natural sleep aid. They are safe for most people, but if you are on any medications check with your doctor or pharmacist before you take them. 
4. Take vitamins. Vitamin C, B-vitamins, antioxidants, calcium, magnesium, iron and Vitamin D are all essential for the health of your skin. Antioxidants protect the cells of your skin from damage caused by free radicals that attack the nucleus of the skin cells. Antioxidants also help prevent oxidation which can cause premature aging. Vitamin C boosts your immune system and B-vitamins gives you energy. Choose natural vitamins and read the labels to be sure you’re getting the best nutrition possible. 
5. Get moving. Regular exercise increases your blood flow sending vital nutrients and oxygen to your skin. Regular exercise also helps to prevent depression and will get you in shape. Start out slow if you haven’t exercised in a while and build up to 30 minutes three times a week. Find an activity you enjoy; biking, skating, hiking, gardening, and bowling area all excellent choices. Anything that gets you moving and you will stick to is a good choice. Always use sunscreen outdoors to protect your skin from sun damage. 
6. Be gentle with your skin. Don’t scrub and pull your skin when you’re cleansing it. Use a soft washcloth and a gentle touch. Use tepid or lukewarm water and avoid excessively hot or cold water and pat your skin dry. 
7. Use natural skin care products. Look for organic skin care products that use all natural ingredients and are free of synthetic dyes. One of the best natural skin care lines is Sevani Organic Natural Skin Care. Sevani uses only all natural ingredients in its products and when possible these ingredients are from certified organic suppliers and growers. Another thing that is great about Sevani is that the company has signed a pledge to never use any ingredients that were tested on animals. You can find their great line of products at the Sevani website.
   
   Use these 7 simple tips for healthy skin and you will see a marked improvement in your skin’s texture and feel. You’ve only got one body so take care of it and not only look great, but feel great too.