A Motivational Comment for the Summer

A very interesting email was sent to us by a friend. We love the positive body image it encourages and have decided to share it here. If anyone knows who the original author is, please feel free to post it in the comments of the page.

 

 Recently,  in a large French city, a poster featuring a young, thin and tan
 woman appeared in the window of a gym.  It said:


THIS SUMMER DO YOU WANT TO BE A MERMAID OR A WHALE?

 

 

 A middle aged woman, whose physical characteristics did not match
 those of the woman on the poster, responded publicly to the question posed
 by the gym.

 

To Whom It May Concern:

 

Whales are always surrounded by friends (dolphins, sea lions,  curious  humans).  They have an active sex life,
they get pregnant and have adorable baby whales.  They have a wonderful time with dolphins stuffing
themselves with shrimp.  They play and swim in the seas, seeing  wonderful places like Patagonia, the Bering

Sea and the coral reefs of Polynesia. Whales are wonderful singers and have even recorded CDs.  They are

 incredible creatures and virtually have no predators other than humans. They are loved, protected and admired

by almost everyone in the world.


Mermaids don't exist.  If they did exist, they would be lining up outside the offices of Argentinean psychoanalysts

due to identity crisis.  Fish or human?  They don't have a sex life because they kill men who get close to them not to

 mention how could they have sex?  Therefore they don't have kids either.  Not to mention who  wants to get close

 to a girl who's skin is all scaly and smells like  a fish store?

 The choice is perfectly clear to me... I want to be a whale.

  P.S. We are in an age when media puts into our heads the idea that  only skinny people are beautiful,

 but I prefer to enjoy an ice cream with  my grandkids, a good dinner with a man who makes me shiver and a
 latte  with my friends.  With time, we gain weight because we  accumulate so much information and wisdom

 in our heads that when there is  no more room, it distributes out to the rest of our bodies.  So we aren't heavy,

we are enormously cultured, educated and happy.

 

 Beginning today, when I look at my butt in the mirror I will think, 

 

   "Good gosh, look how smart I am"!

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My Experience on Dr. Oz's 3-Day Detox Cleanse

Last week I did Dr. Oz's 3-Day Detox Cleanse. As stated on the show, the food cost was less than $16 a day. If you know me off the web, you know I did the math ;) The link to the list of foods is below.

http://www.doctoroz.com/videos/dr-ozs-3-day-detox-cleanse-one-sheet

The breakfast drink was delicious and went down well. Surprisingly, hunger was not an issue even when lunchtime came and you're supposed to drink the green monster below. Perhaps it's easier to swallow if you use a juicer versus a blender, but there still seems to be something inherently wrong with trying to drink 4 stalks of celery. Not until the third day of the detox was I hungry enough at lunch to force down a good amount of this drink.




Lunch drink

The dinner drink was delicious and had a kick to it with the cayenne pepper that's in the recipe. On the doctoroz.com site some people didn't like this drink. I truly cannot understand how you can choke down the lunch drink and not tolerate a drink that is mostly blueberry-flavored. Maybe it's a blueberry bias.


Dinner Drink

In closing, I felt great after doing this three day detox. Can't say if I lost any weight as did the participants on the show (because I don't own a scale) but my mood did improve. Another surprise was that I did not miss eating meat at all during those three days. So give this a try if you're doing No Meat March and then tell us what you think of it in the comments.

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Slim Chicks SHOULD Workout

This has got to be one of the more annoying, routine comments I get from women:  "You are so slim. You don't need to workout." Sadly this comment often comes from women older than me and also noticeably larger than me. Obviously it never dawned on them that the old saying "an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure" could be applicable in the area of weight and size maintenence.

All of the currently slim women out there, please don't wait until your weight becomes a problem to get active. Do you realize how much harder it is to get a 190 pound load moving as opposed to a 120 pound one? This also just goes back to science class, you know, an object at rest tends to stay at rest. The same applies to an object, in this case your body, being in motion. Create the habit of working out now and your chances decrease significantly of becoming an overweight older woman sending negative vibes to a younger woman trying to take care of herself .

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Ten Songs to Add to Your Workout Playlist

Ten Songs to Add to Your Workout Playlist

By Nathanel Jefferson


Working out can be a chore for many people, but with the right music it can be an enjoyable and fast experience. There are millions of songs that would make an amazing workout playlist, but these have been chosen for their overall appeal. Everyone's taste in music may be different, but you should be able to find one song you like. Below are 10 songs that you should have in your playlist. In no particular order of course!
10. Puff Daddy & Notorious B.I.G (feat Busta Rhymes) - Victory
"I perform like Mike anyone - Tyson, Jordan, Jackson", a simple line that sums up Victory. A great start out song with its slow intro and powerful lyrics from Puff and B.I.G. Busta Rhymes' part in the song is quite explicit, with its heavy use of Mafioso Rap(Crime Rap) style, which was popular during the time. You may or may not also recognize the music as Victory also sampled Bill Conti "Going the Distance" heavily.
9. Bill Conti - Gonna Fly Now
Yep! The theme from the movie Rocky, this song can't help but make you feel like a champ. Released in 1977, Gonna Fly Now is as much a part of American culture as apple pie, even if you may not know the name, I bet once you hear it you will know the song. This song is widely played at sporting events in Philadelphia where Rocky made his famous run up the steps of the Philadelphia Museum of Art. Even with its 30 word lyrics is a must have for any playlist.
8. Daft Punk - Harder Better Faster Stronger
Release by the French duo in 2001, Harder Better Faster Stronger features a robotic vocal with driving bass and steady beat. The lyrics are quite limited like "Gonna Fly Now", but an amazing song for running. This song is heavily sampled in Kanye's song "stronger", which provides a more lyrical and slower version.
7. Fort Minor - Remember the Name
Even if you never heard of this band, I am sure you heard this song, "This is ten percent luck, twenty percent skill, fifteen percent concentrated power of will five percent pleasure, fifty percent pain And a hundred percent reason to remember the name". This song is extensively used in stadiums across the United States, going as far as being the theme for the NBA Playoffs in 2006 and 2007. With its aggressive lyrics and fast tempo, one can easily see why it is popular among sports fans.
6. Eminem feat Nate Dogg- Till I collapse
Using the beats made famous by Queen- "We will Rock You", this is an amazing song for any playlist with its strong lyrics. This is a favorite of many runners and weightlifters as it provides them with that extra motivation to just keep moving.
5. Dr. Horrible - Brand New Day
You may never hear of this song, but it's from the popular Dr. Horrible Sing-Along Blog! What makes this a great for song for a workout playlist is simple - the lyrics. With a strong tempo, the song is about the point in your life when you realize what you want and it's about to be a brand new day. The old you is gone and a new and better you is coming!
4. David Garrett - Asturias
David Garret rock symphony version of Asturias is an amazing and powerful song. If you like songs from the movie 300, then this one should be up your ally. With powerful and fast tempo violin, this song will get you pumping! If you like this song, you should check out Garret's other works as they are just beautiful.
3. Wolfmother - Joker and the Thief
A classic of many playlists, the intro alone is enough to get you off your butt and start moving. It is widely used in movies such as Shoot 'Em Up and video game Need for Speed: Carbon. It is also the song used to get the Oregon Ducks football team pumped up. Random Fact: The joker and thief are reference to "All Along the Watchtower."
2. Queen - Another One Bites The Dust
A classic of Queen, with its "Good Times" inspired bass and aggressive lyrics. Queen has many songs worth mentioning for any workout playlist, this one was chosen because Stallone was unable to get permission to use this song for Rocky III, so he requested someone to write him a song...
1. Survivor - Eye of the Tiger
A song made just for Rocky III! This is pretty much the all time staple of any playlist. Somewhat corny at times, you cannot deny the sure motivation this song gives you during a workout. "It's the eye of the tiger, it's the thrill of the fight, risin' up to the challenge of our rival." How can you not want to active with such lyrics?! Everyone should have this song in their workout playlist!
If you are interested in more workout playlist, please check out workout playlist center at www.workoutplaylistcenter.com

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Staying Healthy Over the Holidays

Staying Healthy Over the Holidays

By Julie Donley


The holiday season means more parties, more shopping, more eating, more stress, and, of course, more colds and flu! So how can you stay healthy during this busy time?
There are several things that you can do to practice self-care. The holidays are not an invitation to lose focus on what is most important in your life. Here is a short list to keep you focused on maintaining your health - and still have fun!
1) WASH YOUR HANDS!This is the one, best thing you can do regularly to avoid getting sick. Use a disinfectant gel. This is the simplest and easiest way to keep germs away.
2) Get a flu shot.Stop into any pharmacy today and get yours. No excuses. If you are around people, you are susceptible. If you have kids, that doubles your chances of getting sick. Prevention is the best medicine.
3) Take your vitamins.If you take vitamin C and E and a multi, that is great. If you eat healthy fruits and vegetables, you may choose not to take vitamins, however, in the winter months, adding extra C to your diet can be helpful.
4) Don't overeat. Gaining weight over the holidays does not have to be the norm. It is not healthy for your body to yo-yo in weight. It adds extra effort to your heart and other vital organs. Overeating feels bad. Your clothes tighten and that causes stress. You worry about the gain and how you'll get it off then in January you are stressed about losing it. It's a horrible thing to do to your body. Eat modestly. Eat slowly. Be conscious. Don't just pick; use a plate and choose your food wisely. Enjoy yourself, just be sensible about it.
5) Drink plenty of fluids.Water is best. It keeps your body well hydrated to flush germs out of your system. Dehydration creates a fertile environment for sickness. And watch your level of alcohol intake. Sweet drinks can add hundreds of calories to your daily intake and cause your weight to fluctuate wildly. Alcohol also dulls your senses. Again, be sensible. And of course, don't drink and drive!
6) Get proper rest. Sleep is underrated but it is SO important for good health, creativity and clear thinking. When you're tired, you are not as alert and more easily agitated. To keep stress at bay, make sure you are sleeping enough. Most people require 8 hours but some need more and some can go with a little less. This may mean saying 'no' so some of your invitations but you are the priority. If you're exhausted, it's easier to catch a cold. Your body will have rest, even if it has to force you to get some!
7) Work with a budget.I mean, really, when I listen to the stories of what people spend and how they go out of their way to get every person that comes in contact with them, their kids or some member of their family some gift or tip, it makes my head swim! No one expects anything! If they receive something, they are thankful, but there is no reason to go into debt in order to 'look good'. Most of the time, the gifts are not needed anyway. Ask a teacher how many trinkets and broaches they have received over the years and I guarantee they will roll their eyes and laugh. Give from your heart as opposed to your checkbook and do what FEELS GOOD FOR YOU. Let the rest go. By being prudent with your heard-earned money, you respect yourself and experience less stress in the New Year when you look over your bills and find that you are not in loads of debt from overspending. You might even find that you have extra money to take that cruise you have always wanted.
8) Think 'JOY' this holiday season.In other words, if it's a chore, if you are miserable doing something, then consider not doing it. Often, you put such pressure on yourself to be everything to everyone and to do everything perfectly. You are so concerned about being judged harshly when, in fact, it is you who judge yourself harshly. No one else cares nearly as much as you worry they do. If you are enjoying yourself, then go for it. But if it brings you unhappiness, makes you feel uncomfortable or stressed, then just don't do it. Focus on pleasing you and bringing yourself joy; that will be what pleases others.
9) Find ways to de-stress. There are many ways you add stress to your life during the holidays. Therefore, it's essential to add little things that will help you to relax. Schedule some down time into your week. Get a manicure. Purchase food rather than cook it all yourself. Give yourself permission to not do everything. You can also say 'no' or delegate certain tasks to others. Remember, much of your stress comes from YOU! No one else expects so much of you. You are your own worst enemy! NOW is the time to be good to you. After all, the holidays are to be enjoyed. Create a wonderful holiday memory as opposed to a stressed-out one.
10) Exercise in spite of the time crunch.If you think you have no time to work out, you are making it too hard. 15 minutes is all you need every day to get your body moving. Dance while listening to music or run in place. If you have a machine that you use as a clothes hanger, move the clothes and hop on while chatting with your spouse or watching TV. 'Time' is a lame excuse given the health benefits. A little time today will save you time later when your body starts to break down and give you pain because you do not have the muscle tone or strength needed to do your activities of daily living. Exercise offers you clarity of thought, increases your energy and boosts your metabolism. It strengthens your heart and helps aid digestion. It also helps you to unwind and de-stress. Exercise is not a nice-to-do; it really is a need-to-do all year round.
Have a healthy and joyful holiday season!
Julie Donley, RN BSN MBA is a psychiatric nurse, success expert and author of several empowering and motivating books including Does Change have to be so H.A.R.D.? and The Journey Called YOU: A Roadmap to Self-Discovery and Acceptance. Her masterful coaching style and expertise inspires you to be your personal best and feel good about yourself as you navigate through life's challenges. Contact Julie@JulieDonley.com for a personal consultation. For self-help resources, to purchase her books and to subscribe for inspirational articles, visit http://www.JulieDonley.com and be your best today!

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Eating Organic

By Maxine Glass


If you've been to the grocery store in the past five years, you've undoubtedly encountered some sort of organic food. Maybe you noticed different packaging or special sections in the store and maybe you've even ventured to try these newfangled products. But most likely, you're still not exactly sure what "organic" means and why it has been getting so much media attention in the last few years. The idea of organic foods can be intimidating, so Recipe4Living offers you a place to familiarize yourself with the terms and facts surrounding this new organic craze.

What is organic?
In the simplest terms, organic foods are grown without the use of pesticides, synthetic fertilizers, sewage sludge, genetically modified organisms or ionizing radiation. Animals that produce meat, poultry, eggs and dairy products do not take antibiotics or growth hormones.
The USDA National Organic Program has created a long and wordy definition that you can view here. As of October 21, 2002, all farmers and organic producers are required to adhere to these guidelines throughout their organic license:
- Do not use prohibited materials (listed above) for three years prior to certification and throughout license.
- Allow outdoor access and pasture for livestock and do not feed animals antibiotics or hormones. Rather, feed animals with 100% organic feed.
- Avoid contamination during processing of products and keep records of all operations.
This relatively simple definition is just the basis for understanding the organic world. When grocery shopping, it's important to know that the USDA has identified three categories for labeling organic products:
- 100% Organic: Made with 100% organic ingredients
- Organic: Made with at least 95% organic ingredients
- Made with Organic Ingredients: Made with a minimum of 70% organic ingredients with strict restrictions on the remaining 30% including no genetically modified organisms.
(Products with less than 70% organic ingredients may list organically produced ingredients on the side panel, but cannot make organic claims.)
For more terms and definitions, check out the comprehensive Glossary at Organic.org.

Potential Health Benefits
Though there have not been enough long-term studies done to confirm health benefits from organic foods, recently published studies from the University of California-Davis recently found that some organic foods have higher nutritional value than regularly-grown foods. Some people also believe that organic food tastes better, but you'll have to see for yourself.

Pesticide Dangers
While the idea of eating organic may seem to be more of an inconvenience than its worth, you should consider the harmful effects that pesticides have on foods. They can have detrimental effects on a human's endocrine, nervous and immune systems - and the risk is even greater for children. Remember, the use of these pesticides is prohibited for organic farmers.
For your shopping convenience, a report by the Environmental Working Group used data from the FDA to show that many of the pesticide health risks are concentrated in a relatively small number of fruits and vegetables.
- High Levels of Pesticide: strawberries, red and green peppers, spinach, cherries, peaches, cantaloupe, celery, apples, apricots, green beans, grapes, cucumbers, pears, winter squash and potatoes
- Low Levels of Pesticide: avocados, corn, onions, sweet potatoes, cauliflower and Brussels sprouts.
The realization that your food may have harmful pesticides on it can be scary, but there are ways to clean your food without having to swear off fruits and vegetables forever:
- Buy commercial vegetable and fruit washes formulated to remove chemical residue (Evironné or Vitanet).
- Make your own cleaning solution with mild dishwashing detergent (1 tsp. detergent per gallon of water).
- Use a soft brush to scrub food.
- Peel fruits with tough exteriors, especially peaches, pears and apples.
- Eat organic.
Click here for more tips on keeping your family safe from pesticides.

Where to Find Organic Foods
Your search for organic food could mean exploring a new section of your neighborhood grocery store or traveling a further distance to meet your new grocery needs. Chain stores like Whole Foods and Trader Joe's carry extensive organic sections of their stores. You can also look into local co-ops in your town that will undoubtedly have an impressive selection of organic foods.
If you're still having trouble finding organic in your town, perhaps these organic delivery services will make it easier:
Diamond Organics - delivers to any address in US
Dave's Organics - home delivery in California
Front Door Organics - home and office delivery in Toronto
Organics Delivered - delivers to Toronto and Peterborough Co.
Peapod - delivers to Chicago and South-Eastern Wisconsin and most of the New England area
Urban Organic - delivers to the New York area
Small Potatoes - home delivery within BC, Canada
Organic Express - home delivery throughout California
Door to Door Organics - serves Philadelphia, NJ and vicinity
Planet Organics - home delivery in San Francisco Bay area
A note on costs: Many people don't buy organic foods because they believe them to be too expensive. While organic food is often pricier than its non-organic counterparts, there are good reasons for this:
- Organic farmers don't receive federal subsidies like conventional farmers do, therefore they price reflects the true cost to growing.
- The price of conventional food does not reflect the cost of environmental cleanups that we pay for through tax dollars.
- Organic farming is more labor and management intensive.

Other Info to Know
In case you still have any doubts as to the incredible impact that organic foods are having on food industry, take a look at this map of the Organic Industry Structure . Looking at the large circles, you'll probably recognize most of the major brand names that occupy your kitchen cupboards, but follow the arrows to see the organic brands these food-giants are creating. Even if you just glace at the chart, it's easy to see that the organic industry is growing quickly and will not be ignored.
If you're still thirsting for more organic knowledge, the Internet has some incredible organic resources. Check out these websites for further information.
http://www.organic.org/
Organic Consumers Organization
USDA National Organic Program
Copyright © 2006 Ampere Media LLC
Recipe4Living.com features more than 10,000 user submitted recipes, ideas and recipes from Wolfgang Puck, reference guides, healthy living advice, tips for kids, and much more. All of the recipes mentioned in this article can be found at http://www.recipe4living.com/

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Getting Fit with P90X - The First Week back

I've tried doing P90X before. The first time I started during the school year (in my day gig I'm a public school teacher). I ended up hurting so badly that I decided to wait until the summer time.

During the summer I did well until I got my floors remodeled. (If you're looking to get your floors done, try C. Harris Int'l Flooring.) After that was done I decided that working out and cleaning my entire house of the sawdust residue was doing two workouts daily. Also, it's really, really hot in Florida during the summer and electricity is costly, lol. Interpret that however you want.

At any rate here's a quick rundown of the first week:
Day 1 - December 3rd Didn't do anything
Day 2 - Did two workouts; the one from day 1 Core Synergistics and day 2 Cardio X
Day 3 - Did nothing again
Day 4 - Did Shoulders & Arms. From previous experience I know Ab Ripper X is too intense for me. I meant to  do Yoga X later that night but it is incredibly long.
Day 5 - Did Legs & Back. Once again I did not do Ab Ripper X. Maybe I'll try to during Week 3.
Day 6 - I was supposed to do my favorite workout, Kenpo X, today, but personal problems got in the way (ughh!).
Day 7 - This day of the program is actually designated as a rest day or you can do the Stretch X dvd. I chose and will most likely always choose to rest.

In the future expect daily and more detailed posts. The program recommends their fitness drink; I found a comparable product found at Whole Foods. Check back for more details!

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Getting Fit with P90X

You see the ads everywhere on TV and the Internet. Wondering if P90X really works or if it's all hype? Well we've done test runs of a few of the workouts and you do see results very early on. Starting in the next few days, check out ECV's blog for a 90-day rundown.

There are three versions of the P90X program: lean, classic and doubles. We will be following the lean program. Check back for lots of information.

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