Archive for Lifestyle
December 5, 2008 at 12:36 am / Filed under Fitness, Lifestyle, Uncategorized
Before you skip this posting, you may want to see this statistic I recently came across. People aged 50 and over will have a 55% chance of getting osteoporosis. That means that either you or your partner will get it, statistically speaking of course. I don’t know about you but I am completely shocked at how common this is. And hey, 50 is an age all of us would like to reach (unless you are already there, in which case this article is even more important for you). Even if you are under 50, beware because it can strike at any age.
So what can we do about this so that we don’t become another statistic? Lift weights, of course! It is scientifically known that weight bearing and muscle strengthening exercise strengthens bones and lack of exercise causes them to become weak and brittle, resulting in bone fractures. Keep in mind that a hip fracture may not seem like the end of the world but approximately 1 of every 4 will die in the year following their fracture (over age 50). Another interesting statistic is that a person loses a year of bone mass in only 1 week of bed confinement! The good news is that bones regenerate just about as quickly.
So if you needed one more reason to hit the gym or your favorite personal training studio, here it is - you can prevent osteoporosis from happening to you.
October 31, 2008 at 12:33 am / Filed under Lifestyle
If you are like me, you probably don’t like adding unnecessary chemicals to your body. But in the case of deodorant, I don’t think going “au naturale” is the best way to go, especially if you stand near other people. I have tried everything. From the natural deodorants from the health store, to the big mineral rock, to Julia Robert’s advise of just freshening up throughout the day. Nothing has worked (even the ones with all the chemicals have stopped working at one point or another), except for one thing - milk of magnesia! When I was told to try it by my fabulous personal trainer Luis, I thought he was crazy. But after everything else failed I decided to give it a try. Wow, it really works! I have tested it in the sweatiest situations, even a hardcore workout, and I must say that I have not had any offensive odors, not even a little. It works so well that I have not had to buy any other product since. The best part is that it is super cheap too and one bottle lasts a very long time. All you do is dip your fingers in the mixture (I put it in a smaller container to make it easier) and apply it to your pits. All you need is a thin layer. It dries quickly and doesn’t stain your clothes.
I know it sounds crazy but if you have a bottle in your medicine cabinet, give it a try. I promise you it works!
September 18, 2008 at 2:50 pm / Filed under Lifestyle, Nutrition
Tap or bottled? Most of us encounter this question almost every day. Whether we are at a restaurant or at the grocery store, our options these days are endless. But is bottled water actually better than our tap water? Well, that depends on where you live. But chances are the water you have at home may be far better than the fancy bottled water you see everywhere…not to mention, cheaper!
For one thing, bottled water is far less regulated than tap water. In fact, water that is packaged and sold within the same state, which is approximately 60-70% of all water, doesn’t need to comply with any of the FDA’s rules. It is also estimated that up to 40% of bottled water is actually just tap water. There are also health concerns about the plastic bottles actually leaching chemicals into the water. By the way, these chemicals have been shown to cause cancer and interfere with our hormones (technically they’re called phthalates and are considered to be endocrine disruptors) - using reusable stainless steel bottles are a good safe alternative. Then we need to think about the environmental impact of all these bottles. Seriously, have you ever stopped to think about where they go? It’s estimated that 80% of these bottles do not get recycled and end up in landfills, or better yet on an “island” in the middle of the Pacific twice the size of Texas!! It’s crazy, but very true…google it and see! Not to mention that it takes 15 million barrels of oil per year just to supply the US with all these bottles – that’s equivalent to fueling 100,000 cars for a year. Another big factor is cost. Just think that for the price of one Evian bottle, you can have a supply of 1000 gallons of tap water all from the comfort of your own home.
So although tap water may have a few flaws, it makes much more sense to drink your tap water. By adding your own filter at home, the results are far more superior to what you would find at the grocery store or gas station. All you need to do to ensure the best quality water is to read the report your utility company sends every year to see what’s in your water. Take the time to read it and find a filter that will target your main issues. In many cases, adding a basic carbon filter (which costs around $30) will eliminate almost all of your problems. Just remember to follow the manufacturer’s instructions on when to replace them because they will release the “bad stuff” after the recommended time has expired. So stop paying extra for something you can find right at home – it just makes more sense for you, the environment, and your wallet!
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.
