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January 31, 2008

Natural Cough Remedy

When my sister and I were little, our mom always gave us honey and lemon when we had a cough.  It's a natural cough remedy and better for you than the medicines on the shelves.  It was also easier to get us kids to ingest that than the horrible-tasting cough syrups!  Honey soothes the throat and lemon works as a natural expectorant to alleviate coughing.  The lemon is also antibacterial.  To make this syrup, boil a whole lemon for 10 minutes.  When it's cool enough to handle, roll the lemon on a cutting board or other hard surface to release more of the juices.  Cut the lemon in half and squeeze the juice (using cheesecloth or other filter to keep pulp out) into a pint of honey.  Take one spoonful as needed.  You can also add glycerin, but that sort of freaks me out, so I use it straight. 

Posted by Cindy Burreson at 10:42 AM |

January 26, 2008

I am a Mouse

I absolutely LOVE cheese!  Not funky weird cheeses; just plain old cheddar, jack or American cheese.  I could eat it with every meal.  Cheese is a great source of high-quality protein, vitamins and minerals, BUT it should be eaten in moderation.  Cheese can contain a lot of saturated fat and sodium.  When buying cheese you should look for a milk fat percentage of less than 20.  According to www.calorieking.com, a 35-year-old woman who is 5'7" and weighs 144 lbs. would have to jog for four minutes to burn off one spoon of cream cheese and 76 minutes to burn off one grilled cheese sandwich!  So, be sure to check the labels of the cheeses you consume and remember, "everything in moderation". 

Posted by Cindy Burreson at 12:20 PM |

January 22, 2008

All Choked Up

One time, about ten years ago, I was at work, by myself, and took a drink from my bottled water.  Somehow, it went down the wrong pipe, and my windpipe shut and I could not breathe.  I was jumping up and down and no sound or air would come out.  I was freaking out, thinking I would die right then and there.  I banged on the wall of the store next door, hoping someone would come over and help me.  It felt like I was stuck, unable to breathe, for at least a minute.  Suddenly, a customer walked in, and as he did, I took a HUGE gasp of air and started coughing like crazy!  It was one of the scariest things I've ever been through. The customer (who later became a "regular") was like, 'Are you alright??????"  Anyway, one of my New Year's Resolutions is to take a CPR and first aid class so that I can help someone in need, and I want to learn the proper way to help someone who is choking as well.  I came across this helpful article and wanted to share it with you, because I think it's important for all of us to have some working knowledge of what to do if someone is choking. 

Mayo Clinic Choking Article

Posted by Cindy Burreson at 10:12 AM |

January 21, 2008

Now Popcorn is Bad For You?

When I first read about this, I didn't really believe it was that big of an issue.  But the other night, Derek and I were watching tv and an Orville Reddenbacher commercial came on, addressing it.  Apparently, microwave buttered popcorn contains a toxin called diacetyl which has been found to be linked to lung disease.  The commercial said, "Now, diacetyl-free!" and I knew I needed to bring light to this subject.  Diacetyl may not even be listed on the ingredients of the popcorn bag, because it can be "disguised" as "artifical or natural flavoring".  So, your best bet is to buy regular popcorn and butter it yourself, or use an air popper or stovetop choices instead.  Another interesting fact I read on www.idealbite.com is that in an FDA Total Diet Study, popcorn was one of the ten foods most contaminated with pesticides!  That is pretty crazy too!  So, keep that in mind when you crave popcorn, and make good choices! Laughing

Posted by Cindy Burreson at 10:52 AM |

January 17, 2008

Soda- So Bad

I like to have a soda every now and then, primarily when I have a headache or need a pick-me-up.  The following information has been in circulation for a while and is pretty shocking, and may make us rethink reaching for that sugary treat.  This is what happens to your body within an hour of drinking a soda:

10 minutes: 10 teaspoons of sugar hit your system.  This is 100% of the recommended daily allowance and the only reason you don't throw up from the overwhelming sweetness is because phosphoric acid cuts the flavor.

20 minutes- your blood sugar spikes and your liver responds to the insulin burst by turning massive amounts of sugar to fat.

40 minutes- caffeine absorption is complete, your pupils dilate, your blood pressure rises and your liver dumps even more sugar into your bloodstream.

45 minutes- your body increases dopamine production which stimulates the pleasure centers of the brain in a physical response like that of heroin.

60 minutes- sugar crash begins in the body.

The average American drinks over 60 gallons of soda a year.  But perhaps this time line and thinking about the other unhealthy ingredients in soda like sugar, high fructose corn syrup, aspartame and caffeine, will convince you to drink something else. 

Source: Nutrition Research Center 10/24/07

Posted by Cindy Burreson at 08:44 AM |

January 16, 2008

MY Reusable Bag

I wanted to expand on an entry I wrote the other day about reusable bags.  I told you that I bought two of the reusable bags from www.reusablebags.com and I just took one of them to the market for the first time.  It folded up neatly and I put it in my pocket while I shopped.  I whipped it out at the register and proudly said, "I'll use this bag, please".  I was amazed that all 13 of my items fit in the one bag, and it was strong and sturdy AND environmentally conscious.  Just to reiterate, I will list the contents of the bag so you can see what I mean:  a 3.5 pound bag of cat food, a block of jack cheese, two packages of diced chicken, 1 broccoli crown, 1/2 watermelon, 1 container of mixed baby greens, 2 containers of Naked Juice, 1 package of cherry tomatoes, 1 package of sliced mushrooms, 1 cucumber and a gallon of water.  I put the bag on my front seat, made one trip into the house, and didn't have groceries spilling out of plastic bags all over my car.  So, I would recommend buying the Recycled PET Earthtote.  It's made of recycled plastic containers and 1% of the profits from the bags goes toward environmental groups.

Posted by Cindy Burreson at 08:06 AM |

January 15, 2008

What is Acai, and How Do You Say It?

One of the newest nutrition crazes, is products containing Acai berries or juices.  Acai, pronounced ah-sigh-ee, is loaded with antioxidants, proanthocyanidins, amino acids and essential fatty acids, making it a superfood.  It is native to the Amazon rain forest, and tastes like a blend of berries and chocolate.  The Acai pulp has a very high concentration of antioxidants; 10 times more than red grapes and 10 to 30 times the anthocyanins of red wine.  The fatty acid in Acai is like that of olive oil and it contains oleic acid which helps omega-3 fish oils penetrate cell membranes to make them more supple.  You can find Acai products at your health food store.  Acai is considered to have the highest nutritional value of any fruit, so try some today!

Posted by Cindy Burreson at 11:24 AM |

January 14, 2008

Case for a Massage

I have always been a big fan of massages.  I have neck problems, and so massage has helped tremendously with my migraines and relieving stress in my neck and shoulders.  Massage has a number of other health benefits also, so here are some examples, to help you with your case for getting a massage!  Massage calms the nervous system and promotes clarity, well-being and emotional balance.  This can have a positive affect on your stress levels, sleeping habits and energy.  Massage promotes blood circulation, delivering blood, oxygen and vital nutrients to the body's cells and organs.  It also lubricates between muscle fibers, increasing flexibility and mobility.  Another benefit of massage is that it stimulates the lymphatic system, carrying away the body's waste products.  I've actually had a lymphatic massage, and it is sort of like a detox.  The benefits of touch, create a nuturing environment which our nerve endings crave.  So, as you see, massage not only feels great, but it has a lot of other positive health benefits as well.

 

Source: Healthy Living Magazine

Posted by Cindy Burreson at 11:19 AM |

January 11, 2008

How Many Plastic Bags Do YOU Use?

Trader Joe’s has a great idea, giving customers the opportunity to buy reusable shopping bags, to conserve paper bags that they will otherwise use.  The bags are VERY roomy, sturdy and can be used for other tasks outside of the store.  Globally, we use more than 500 billion plastic bags per year.  Many end up in landfills while others pollute oceans and kill animals who mistake them for food.  Sea turtles mistake them for jellyfish, their primary source of food, and when ingested it clogs the intestines leading to an agonizing death.  The production of plastic bags uses petroleum and often natural gas-two non-renewable resources which increases our dependency on foreign suppliers.  They take 1000 years to degrade, causing pollution and litter in our environment.  So, try to bring your own shopping bag whenever possible.  Plastic bags may not be the most important environmental concern, but it’s something almost everyone uses, and maybe we can all make a difference.  Visit the website below for more alarming statistics, and to buy reusable bags.  I bought two of the bags, after reading these statistics, and ironically, I saw a lady at the market using them as well.   It was nice to see that in action!


Source: www.reusablebags.com

Posted by Cindy Burreson at 08:19 AM |

January 10, 2008

Salt and Honey to Make Your Body "Money"!

I once used a product by Origins with sea salt in it, and it was such a nice body scrub.  The only thing I didn’t like was the oil that was in it.  I had to wash it off with soap and water because it was just too oily for my taste.  It seems that the ancient Egyptians developed beauty treatments using sea salt and honey to “drive away wrinkles” according to ancient Egyptian text.  Sea salt not only exfoliates the skin and slough off dead skin cells, but can also help drive out toxins.  Honey draws moisture, nourishing your skin and isn’t as oily as a lot of other products.  So, here is an at-home scrub using both ingredients that you can try in the privacy of your own shower!  Before getting in the shower, blend equal parts sea salt and warm liquefied honey in a bowl.  (You can liquefy it in the microwave in a coffee cup.)  Massage the mixture all over your body, paying closer attention to the extra-dry areas like elbows, knees and feet.  Rinse off with warm water and you’ll be nice and yummy!

Posted by Cindy Burreson at 08:17 AM |

January 09, 2008

Sleep, My Pretty...

As a kid, I HATED naps!  I remember my mom would tell me to go in and rest then.  So, I would yell out “I’m not going to sleep though!”  She would laugh, knowing full well that I would be sawing logs in no time.  Oh, the days of having time for naps!  Now, I relish the idea of taking a nap, and whenever time allows, I steal away to my down-filled bed and snooze harder than any kindergartner.  But, when is the best time to take a nap?  According to Health Magazine, the best time to take a nap is between 1 and 3pm when your body temperature dips and alertness takes a dive anyway.  A short nap improves your mood, memory and alertness, your productivity, and mental and physical agility.  They suggest the following durations for naps, depending on your goals:

15-20 minutes for a quick picker-upper

30-50 minutes if you need to be sharp for an exam or speech, as this will allow for slow-wave sleep which benefits memory

60-90 minutes for REM sleep

I’ll take whatever I can get…ZZZZZZZZZZZ

Posted by Cindy Burreson at 07:04 AM |

January 08, 2008

Did You Know You Can Recycle Tennis Shoes?

At Biosintos, we believe that one's overall health not only encompasses your individual health but the health of the world around you.  So, whenever we hear of an environmental program that interests us, we like to pass it on.  Did you know that every year millions of tennis shoes are thrown away, piling up in landfills and wasting lots of usuable materials?  Nike has a program called Reuse-a-Shoe Program where recycled tennis shoes are collected, processed and recycled into material used in sports surfaces like basketball courts, tennis courts, athletic fields, running tracks and playgrounds for young people around the world.  Since the launch of the program, Nike has recycled over 20 millions pairs of athletic shoes, and built over 250 sports surfaces.  You can either mail your shoes in to:

Nike Recycling Center
c/o Reuse-A-Shoe
26755 SW 95th Ave.
Wilsonville, OR 97070

 Or follow this link to find a drop-off location near you: Map

The only restrictions they have are that they be athletic shoes only, with no metal pieces, no cleats and no damp or wet shoes.  So, look in your closet and see if you have any old worn our tennies that you can donate to this cause!

Posted by Cindy Burreson at 12:19 PM |

January 07, 2008

Interesting Perspective on Stress

I've written about stress many times in my blog, and that's because 90% of visits to a primary care physician are stress-related.  I consider myself a positive person, and I generally try to steer clear of situations that I know will stress me out, but sometimes you just can't help feeling road rage or frustration with people around you.  Well, tonight I was watching a program on TV and got an enlightening perspective on stress.  The gentleman asked, "What if you only six months to live?"  Things like irritating drivers and bills and working late and such wouldn't matter to you as much.  In fact, you would cherish every moment.  So, why don't we live like that?  He said that "What you feed is going to grow", and it's true.  If someone steals your parking space, and you yell and scream, you are feeding that stress and it will grow.  Is it really the end of the world?  My mom always told us to "think before you speak", but I think we should also think before we react.  Maybe if we did, more of us would be at peace and we would be healthier as a result.  Just something to think about.  Laughing

Posted by Cindy Burreson at 07:55 AM |

January 04, 2008

What are carotenoids?

The next time you are at the market, be sure to fill your cart with yellow and orange veggies like carrots, yellow squash, sweet potatoes and such as they are filled with carotenoids which fight DNA damage that can make your body deteriorate.  Carotenoids are defined as a class of compounds related to Vitamin A.  In some cases they can act as precursors to Vitamin A; some act as antioxidants or have other important functions.  So, what does this mean in the body?  Over the course of time DNA accumulates damage every time it gets copied to create a new cell.  As Realage.com says, it’s like when you make a copy of a copy of a copy on a copy machine and little flaws and imperfections start to show up.  The same thing happens with the DNA in your body; as the cells replicate, they accumulate damage that can lead to the ultimate cell-replication error: cancer.  Research shows that carotenoids may help protect against this kind of DNA damage, so be sure to eat your fruits and veggies!

 
Sources: Prescription for Nutritional Healing and www.realage.com

Posted by Cindy Burreson at 11:42 AM |

January 03, 2008

A Better Pushup

Pushups are a great way to strengthen not only your pectoral muscles, but your overall upper body.  If you have never done pushups before, I suggest you try starting with the standard pushup on the floor, even using your knees to start with, if needed.  You will feel the benefits right away.  If you've been doing pushups as part of your routine for a while, I challenge you to take on a pushup using one of the big balance balls that they have at the gym.  Get in the regular pushup position with your hand firmly placed on the stability ball.  Keep your legs and body straight and your feet about hip-width apart, balancing on your toes.  Extend your arms and push yourself up off of the ball like you would in a regular pushup, until your arms are straight.  Be careful to maintain good control when performing this variation, so that the ball doesn't come out from under you.  According to a 2007 study in Applied Physiology, Nutrition and Metabolism, this exercise makes your arms work 30% harder than doing them on the floor.

Posted by Cindy Burreson at 09:56 AM |

Be An Example for Your Parents

We work out hard, eat right and try to live a healthy lifestyle.  And we all want our parents and families to be around forever.  I tell my mom and stepdad all the time, the benefits of exercising regularly and that I want them to be as healthy as possible.  So, if your lifestyle isn't enough to convince them, maybe sharing this statistic with them will be.  Starting to exercise later in life can have significant results on one's overall health.  In a study in Hypertension, investigators looked at 28 men in theri 20s and 60s and found that the older men's blood vessels were generally more constricted, increasing their risk of hypertension and heart problems.  Eight of the elders began walking about 5 hours per week and after 3 months their blood vessel function resembled that of a 20-year-old!  So, try to convince your parents and other older relatives that it's never too late to incorporate healthy habits and it can increase their longevitiy and their quality of life.

Posted by Cindy Burreson at 09:50 AM |

January 02, 2008

Protecting your Eyes with Sunglasses

We all pick sunglasses based on their contribution to our overall fashion and potential for looking cool.  Well, we SHOULD be choosing them based also on their protection of our eyes.  Sunglasses can protect your peepers from future damage by shielding them from UVA and UVB rays.  Make sure that the glasses you choose filter out both of these types of rays.  Look for a label that specifically states 99 or 100 percent UV protection.  Since rays can still sneak in over the tops and sides of glasses, wearing a hat is a good idea if you will be in sunlight.  Also, be sure to wear protective goggles to protect eyes in the snow or water as both can reflect the sun's rays.  Wearing sunglasses can also help prevent wrinkles, because you are not squinting in the sun!  So, look cool, but protect your eyes while doing it!

Posted by Cindy Burreson at 11:05 AM |

January 01, 2008

Something's Fishy

The health benefits of eating fish are undeniable.  Fish oil is full of anti-inflammatory and heart-helping Omega-3 fatty acids.  Fish oils have been shown to help with the appearance of skin, the brain, among many other things.  However, many people are skeptical about eating fish due to increased mercury levels in the body.  Here is a list of the best and worst fish to eat, and their mercury levels and levels of essential fatty oils:

1.Salmon (wild): 1 gram of omega-3 fatty acids per 2 ounces of fish;* 0.014 parts per million mercury concentration
2.Herring: 1 gram of omega-3 fatty acids per 1 ounce of fish;* 0.044 parts per million mercury concentration
3.Sardines: 1 gram of omega-3 fatty acids per 2-3 ounces of fish;* 0.016 parts per million mercury concentration
4.Trout (freshwater): 1 gram of omega-3 fatty acids per 3-4 ounces of fish;* 0.072 parts per million mercury concentration
5.Pollock: 1 gram of omega-3 fatty acids per 6.5 ounces of fish;* 0.041 parts per million mercury concentration

*Oil content varies widely, depending on species, season, environment, diet, and packing and cooking methods.

Here's the list of fish to avoid:
•King mackerel: 0.73 parts per million mercury concentration
•Shark: 0.99 parts per million mercury concentration
•Swordfish: 0.98 parts per million mercury concentration
•Tilefish (Gulf of Mexico): 1.45 parts per million mercury concentration

Tuna falls right in the middle of the two, with mercury concentration ranging from 0.12 to 0.69 parts per million, depending on what kind of tuna you eat. And you'll need to eat anywhere from 3.5-12 ounces to get 1 gram of omega-3 fatty acids, depending on how you take your tuna.  Another alternative if you don't like fish (like me) is to take a fish oil supplement. 

Source: www.realage.com

Posted by Cindy Burreson at 12:02 PM |