Archive for August, 2008
August 15, 2008 at 3:53 pm / Filed under Fitness
Most people believe that you need to spend hours a day in the gym to reap the benefits of your hard work, but that is just not the case. Depending on your existing level of fitness and to what degree you want to take your level of fitness are both factors to consider when beginning a weight training program. I know we hear about these athletes working hours a day to get into peak physical shape, but are you trying to make the Olympic Team?? Most instances, probably not, we just want to live healthier and live longer. In fact, beginners need very little time to see results. When the body has not been exposed to any sort of exercise and then is introduced to a weight training program, the body takes on that new stimulus and eventually adapts. It adapts by getting stronger, hence building muscle and seeing quick results. Now, are you going to look like a fitness model or bodybuilder, more than likely not. That would take many hours in the gym and proper nutrition over a period of years. So if you are somebody considering a weight training program and are looking to increase strength and tone the body, then 2-3 times a week, usually between 30 minutes to an hour is enough to achieve gains that will make you feel better and look better. So get out there and go for it!
August 14, 2008 at 12:08 am / Filed under Lifestyle
I love candles and I love soy, but when I received a “soy candle” as a gift the other day, it made me wonder “why soy?” so I did a little research and discovered some horrible things about candles. You see, most candles are made from paraffin wax. Sounds innocent enough but then I kept reading…paraffin is a byproduct of gas (yep, petroleum!) and is actually the “bottom-of-the-barrel,” thick grayish black sludge that is left over! Then it’s bleached and processed to resemble what we see at the store. Really gross if you ask me!
It gets better (or shall I say worse), the EPA (Environmental Protection Agency) and the American Lung Association have warnings about burning paraffin candles saying it increases our risk for cancer and is “unhealthy.” And the soot they give off is the same as if you were burning diesel fuel in your living room! It’s as harmful as cigarette smoke!! Some candles carry up to 11 different toxins in them that cause cancer, respiratory problems and all other things I don’t care to get. So not only are we creating air pollution inside our very own homes but we are also contributing to global warming.
Then there’s the other parts of the candle that are frightening, like the synthetic fragrances (which are not even meant for combustion, are made from petroleum and are very toxic!), and wicks that have a metal core, which contain small amounts of lead or mercury. By the way, even tiny amounts of lead causes lowered intelligence and other neurological problems.
So here is the good news - you can still buy and burn candles. But before you do, you should consider the following guidelines to ensure that it’s not going to hurt you or your family. Look for 100% soy or beeswax candles, as they burn cleaner and come from natural renewable sources. Avoid scented candles, but if you must, make sure that they come from natural plant based oils. Also, make sure that the wicks are all-cotton without a metallic core. Keep in mind that candle manufacturer’s do not need to list all their ingredients, so try to purchase from a reputable company (which means, probably not the dollar store;). And if you still want to use paraffin candles you already have, try burning them outdoors so you don’t pollute your home.
August 12, 2008 at 11:24 pm / Filed under Nutrition
I say it all the time – you need to eat more produce! It may not be your favorite thing to hear or eat (don’t worry, mine either) but it is by far one of the best things you can do for yourself when it comes to nutrition. But eating more of it isn’t all you need to worry about. you see, most farmers put numerous types of pesticides on their products and, unfortunately, no matter how much you may wash them - you are still going to eat them (most pesticides penetrate the skins, so peeling doesn’t always help either). They use all kinds of stuff, like insecticides to kill bugs, herbicides for weeds, fungicides for mold, not to mention hormones to make them grow! By the way, some even have up to 10 different pesticides per piece!! (Organic farming on the other hand does not allow the use of synthetic pesticides in their crops.) But let’s face it, that’s no excuse to skip out on them. Where else can you find an excellent source of fiber, essential vitamins and minerals, and disease fighting antioxidants and phytochemicals all in one piece of food? In fact, studies show that people who eat the recommended amounts of produce per day have a lower risk of developing heart disease, cancers, Type II diabetes, and obesity than those who don’t.
So what should you do? The easy answer is to buy organic. But let’s face it, organic can be more expensive and trickier to find. So although organic is usually better, it isn’t always necessary. Research shows that if you avoid the 12 most contaminated fruits and veggies, you will reduce your pesticide exposure by up to 90%! These include: peaches, apples, bell peppers, celery, nectarines, cherries, pears, grapes (imported), spinach, lettuce and potatoes. So if you can’t find the organic versions of these, you may want to skip them altogether and go for those that have the lowest pesticide residues like asparagus, avocados, bananas, broccoli, cauliflower, sweet corn, kiwi, mangos, onions, papaya, pineapples and sweet peas.
Now…go eat your produce!
