ROBINSGOTHEALTH.COM

Hemp Milk Compared to Soy, Rice & Almond

2010-03-09T19:13:00Z

I am trying out a new Milk "Hemp Milk" after reading up on it and finding out all of the great stuff it has in comparison to other non-dairy milks. I decided it is a no brainer.

There is one down fall and that is that it is quite pricey. Now that I have also added Coconut water to my grocery list, which is about the same price..up in the 4 to 5 dollar range depending on how many ounces you buy? My vitality continues to rise, but in addition so is my grocery bill. But you know what? If it keeps me out of the doctors office....So What..."I am so worth it!" and so are YOU!

The brand of Hemp milk I purchased this time is Manitoba Harvest it is certified organic and they call it "Hemp Bliss". I of course purchased their unsweetened Original version. I purchased this brand for no particular reason other than it might of been a few pennies less than the other brands that I am sure are probably just as good.

Here is some information I found while researching to share with you;

If you are interested in making your own Raw Hemp Milk then you can click here for regular Recipe or check out Earth Bar Noah's Hemp Milk Recipe below...it is awesome!

If you are a Vegan? This is a great way to get your protein; Robin Quivers talks briefly on Hemp milk on the View in the video below.

What are hemp seeds?

Hemp seeds are the edible part of the hemp plant (Cannabis sativa L). They are a tiny, round seed, similar in size to a sesame seed. They have a light, pleasant flavor and taste similar to toasted pine nuts. Hemp seeds can be pressed for oil, milled into a protein powder, roasted or shelled and made into Hemp milk. Hemp seeds have been cultivated as a food for centuries in China, and many countries in Europe and Africa.

Learn about hemp farming in Canada at: HempTrade.ca

Learn about the status of hemp farming in the United States at: VoteHemp.com

Does hemp contain THC, similar to drug varieties of Cannabis sativa?

No, hemp contains virtually no THC (delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinol), the psycho-active component found in marijuana. Drug varieties of Cannabis sativa produce 5% to 20% THC. Hemp foods contain 0.00% THC. They are legal and safe to consume. You will not flunk a drug test eating hemp foods. Learn more at: TestPledge.com

What are essential fatty acids (EFA's)? Does hemp oil contain them?

The major components of fat are long-chain molecules know as fatty acids. The two fatty acids that the body does not make are called Omega-3 Linolenic Acid and Omega-6 Linoleic Acid. We need to get these "good fats" from food, which is why they are termed Essential.

Hemp oil contains essential fatty acids which are vital for normal growth and development, in particular skin and heart health. Due to the popular misconception that fat is "bad" for the body, many people have adopted a low or no fat diet. Coupled with the widespread consumption of processed and genetically modified foods, many people are showing signs of EFA deficiency. Leading researchers are finding a significant link between diseases affecting the nervous system and EFA deficiency. Supplementation of EFA's is becoming an integral part of complementary medical protocols.

What is the right balance of Omega-3's to Omega-6's for the body?

Nutrition research has indicated that people should look to balance the amount of omegas and lower the ratio in their diet. Hemp seeds provide a naturally occurring balance of 1:3 Omega-3 to Omega-6. The American diet is viewed by many professionals as having too much Omega-6 and not enough omega-3. A typical American diet tends to contain 11 to 30 times more omega-6 than omega-3 fatty acids. A lower ratio of omega-6 to omega-3 fatty acids is more desirable for reducing the risk of many of the chronic diseases of high prevalence in Western societies.

What are "Super Omegas"?

Unlike soy, rice, almond or dairy, the Omega-3 and Omega-6's in Hemp milk contain naturally occurring "Super Omega" stearidonic acid (SDA) and gamma linolenic acid (GLA). SDA and GLA are higher metabolites of Omega-3 and 6 respectfully which are more bio-active than the precursor ALA. SDA is a fatty acid that has a "potency" of about 5X greater than ALA. Likewise, GLA is more readily absorbed by the body and helps to improve skin conditions. Not all people convert omega fatty acids optimally due to factors such as age, genetics, diet and lifestyle. Because of factors like these, the body's enzymatic conversion efficiency for some may be as low as 20% which can reduce the effectiveness of essential fatty acids. SDA and GLA are not found in flaxseed, sunflower seed, soybean, pumpkin, canola, corn, almond, walnuts, and hazelnuts. Other sources of SDA are marine oils and other sources of GLA can be found in borage and primrose oils.

How much protein do hemp seeds contain?

Hemp seeds contain 33% pure digestible protein, providing readily available amino acids for building and repairing tissue. Hemp seed protein is comprised of 65% high-quality edestin protein, the most potent protein of any plant source, and 35% albumin protein. The globulin edestin in hemp seed closely resembles the globulin in blood plasma and is compatible with the human digestive system. It is vital to the maintenance of a healthy immune system and it is also used to manufacture antibodies. Albumin is a protein manufactured by the liver and it makes up a large portion of blood plasma protein. Albumin is essential for regulating body fluid in body tissues.

What are essential amino acids (EAAs)? Do hemp seeds contain them?

Amino Acids are the building blocks of proteins. Dietary protein is needed in order to supply amino acids for our body's growth and maintenance. Ten of the twenty amino acids the human body requires are considered essential, meaning the body does not make them. We need to get these Essential amino acids from food. Hemp seeds contain all 10 essential amino acids and high levels of branched-chain amino acids, important for the development of lean body mass, as well as muscular repair. Hemp seeds have significant levels of arginine, histidine, methionine and cysteine, all of which are needed for enzyme production. Arginine and histidine are also necessary for children's growth.

What are the nutritional benefits of Hemp milk vs. dairy and other non-dairy beverages?

Hemp milk is a delicious soy-free and dairy free beverage made from hemp seeds. It contains Omega-3 & 6 essential fatty acids, all 10 essential amino acids, protein and naturally occurring nutrients like magnesium and iron.

Hemp milk is an excellent source of ALA (Alpha-Linolenic Acid) Omega-3 fatty acids. One serving of Hemp milk provides about 50% of your daily value of Omega-3 EFA's. In fact, 92% of the fat content in Hemp milk is Omega EFA's. It provides almost 3x the Omega-3's found in the leading soymilk brand, and more than double the Omega-6's. By contrast, almond, rice milk and dairy contain no Omega-3's and less than 100 mg of Omega-6's.

So there you have it in a nutshell!

Yours in Health, Robin

Even more Healthy over the weekend!

2010-03-08T02:22:00Z

The weather here is actually warming up a bit, which in return gives me the extra energy and motivation that comes with longer days of sunshine...love it! I feel like I have not been blogging as much, but that would be because it has actually been warm enough to go outside...Yeah!

I got very lucky this past week. Why? Well, because my mentor and very good friend invited me to go along with her to a private cooking session that Dr.Mitra Ray put on at another business colleagues house on Thursday night March 4th, 2010. in addition to spending Friday night listening to Dr. Mitra Ray during a dinner/health seminar at the Ritz Charles here in town and then returning for more good health info on Saturday morning and afternoon...lucky me!

If you are unaware who Dr. Mitra Ray is, here is a little bit about her; She received her Bachelor of Science from Cornell University, and her Ph.D. in Cell Biology from Stanford University Medical School. She is also an author of several books, her newest being "Do you have the guts to be beautiful" She is very passionate about educating people on how to take control of their own health. She lectures around the world!

I took with me allot more wisdom to go along with my obsession of eating healthy and other ways of accomplishing just that! She spoke of allot of interesting facts about some of the foods that we put in our bodies and how to prepare them in appropriate ways to get the most nutrients from them. Of course there was a Vita-mix on hand and used to make a delicious all natural salad dressing, to put on our organic salads during Thursdays cooking presentation.

On Thursday evening They served Kiwi for desert/Appetizers and they were delicious. I learned something I did not know about Kiwi and that is... if you eat the skin along with the Kiwi you get all kinds of other nutrients that you would not get if you were to just eat the Kiwi itself. It was kind of different, but really for the extra boost I received it was well worth eating (you know me if it is good for me, I'm going to eat it) She says that if it is organic Kiwi that it is ok to not wash it first, because the soil that the Kiwi is grown in has other nutrients in it that we need.

These Kiwi were so pretty and all they did was cut them in half and sat them in a bowl stacked with the pretty green tops showing. I enjoyed them so much that I actually stoled the idea and had them at my game night on Saturday evening here at my house. Unfortunately I could not talk many of the girls into trying the skin...go figure!

Dr. Mitra Ray has this awesome book that I purchased yesterday during her afternoon session at the Ritz Charles presentation. I have already read the entire book. It gives great advice that her and another doctor by the name of Jennifer Daniels give to us, so we can rid ourselves of toxins to deliver beautiful skin, that is wrinkle free and feeling energetic from the correct foods! You are going to want this book because it tells you how to get rid of wrinkles, how to give yourself a natural facial without spending high dollars in a salon and all kinds of other great information that all of us need to know to live life!!!

Thanks Mitra for an awesome informative weekend!!!

Good News about our bodies & My InTenSanti Experience

2010-03-03T13:53:00Z

In the book One Minute wellness Dr. Ben Lerner explains the good news about our bodies. A very interesting book to say the least!

Dr Lerner tell us; " we are a remarkable, dynamic beings capable of programming or reprogramming ourselves to be a healthy creative, purposed-filled, and joyful person. God's magical, creative, healing power exists within our cells, and with any cooperation on our part, balance can be sustained or restored and we can begin experiencing all that He has designed us to be". I am living proof of this, so there is no doubt in my mind that what he states is true!

The vast majority of diseases we face aren't due to our poor DNA Dr. Lipton shares that "single gene disorders affect less than 2 percent of the population"! That means that 98% of us are born with the ability to live with outrageous healthy and incredible happiness.

These new discoveries show us that there is an ongoing creative power in our lives, and we are not "fated" at birth to feel a certain way, act a certain way, behave a certain way, and die a certain way at a certain time. No. At this point we know that we have something to say about that.

The diseases, depression, aches, and pains we face today are not the results of dysfunctional grandparents, but because we've lived and thought in such a way we have created disharmony in our bodies.

"It is the environment, not the DNA," says Dr. Lipton. "When I provide a healthy environment for my cells (under the microscope), they thrived; when the environment was less than optimal, the cells faltered. (Most importantly,) when I adjusted the environment , these sick cells revitalized.

We can no longer shift the blame for our present or future problems away from us and simply rely on the medical establishment anymore. We must take responsibility for our well-being.

Any negative, unloving, stressful attitude, any manipulation of the body, any removal of parts, any interference to normal function, or any artificial invader (such as medications and refined, artificial, chemical-laden, or genetically modified foods in our diet) entering the body will alter this natural, safe internal environment, throw it out of balance, and cause chaos in the cellular community. This will create an incredible disadvantage to cellular survival and reduce quality of life.

It will show up as pain, depression, disease, and a general failure to thrive. The quick-fix solution of choice may be medication, but as they say in TV game shows...Beep, wrong answer! Chemicals don't create harmony, order, or balance; they disrupt it.

The real solution is to embrace what is necessary to create a healthy cellular environment once again so the body can restore, rejuvenate, and heal.

Therefore, it may be a while before "modern" medicine accepts this new understanding, and it's unlikely to be supported by research dollars from drug companies anytime soon. It is however the future.

Yours in Health. Robin

My InTenSanti Experience

A friend and I went to a InTenSanti class last night at a temple that is located at the Kansas City Country Club Plaza
This class focuses on mind and body together. The concept is that the person will achieve his target and will get his/her desired result by finding one’s inner self and solving all other inner problems of his mind and body.

Another great name for this workout would have to be "Spiritual Aerobics" In reading up on this fun uplifting workout I found out that IntenSati was invented by fitness instructor Patricia Moreno and trademarked by her.

InTenSanti combines aerobics, martial arts, dance, yoga, strength training and positive affirmations. during our class we did jumping jacks, push ups and boxing drills...all while yelling, 'I am strong, I am a warrior, I am beautiful'

This really lifted our mental spirit and gave us allot of motivation to push us physically throughout the workout. The energy in the room makes it so motivating.

I would very much recommend you try to find one of these classes in your area, you will be glad you did! This video shows you exactly what we did last night...I loved it!!!

What do you think about the positive mind-set that this workout incorporates throughout?

A New Name for Deception...Don't get fooled!

2010-03-02T18:03:00Z

Aspartame producer Ajinomoto is launching a new initiative that will rebrand the sweetener as “AminoSweet”.

Aspartame is used in many foods and beverages marketed as low calorie or sugar-free. However, its reputation has been clouded somewhat by studies that have investigated reports of ill effects.

Just to remind you, the side effects of aspartame can include:

Headache
Change in vision
Convulsions and seizures
Hallucination
Nausea and vomiting
Joint pain

It can cause many, many other problems as well.

Sources:

FoodBev 2010

Aspartame is the most controversial food additive in history, and its approval for use in food was the most contested in FDA history. In the end, the artificial sweetener was approved, not on scientific grounds, but rather because of strong political and financial pressure. After all, aspartame was previously listed by the Pentagon as a biochemical warfare agent!

It’s hard to believe such a chemical would be allowed into the food supply, but it was, and it has been wreaking silent havoc with people’s health for the past 30 years.

The truth is, it should never have been released onto the market, and allowing it to remain in the food chain is seriously hurting people – no matter how many times you rebrand it under fancy new names.

The Deceptive Marketing of Aspartame

Sold commercially under names like NutraSweet, Canderel, and now AminoSweet, aspartame can be found in more than 6,000 foods, including soft drinks, chewing gum, table-top sweeteners, diet and diabetic foods, breakfast cereals, jams, sweets, vitamins, prescription and over-the-counter drugs.

Aspartame producer Ajinomoto chose to rebrand it under the name AminoSweet, to “remind the industry that aspartame tastes just like sugar, and that it’s made from amino acids – the building blocks of protein that are abundant in our diet.”

This is deception at its finest: Begin with a shred of truth, and then spin it to fit your own agenda.

In this case, the agenda is to make you believe that aspartame is somehow a harmless, natural sweetener made with two amino acids that are essential for health and present in your diet already.

They want you to believe aspartame delivers all the benefits of sugar and none of its drawbacks. But nothing could be further from the truth.

How Aspartame Wreaks Havoc on Your Health

Did you know there have been more reports to the FDA for aspartame reactions than for all other food additives combined?

In fact, there are over 10,000 official complaints, but by the FDA’s own admission, less than 1 percent of those who experience a reaction to a product ever report it. So in all likelihood, the toxic effects of aspartame may have affected roughly a million people already.

While a variety of symptoms have been reported, almost two-thirds of them fall into the neurological and behavioral category consisting mostly of headaches, mood alterations, and hallucinations. The remaining third is mostly gastrointestinal symptoms.

This video will familiarize you with some of the terrifying side-effects and health problems you could encounter if you consume products containing this chemical.

Unfortunately, aspartame toxicity is not well-known by doctors, despite its frequency. Diagnosis is also hampered by the fact that it mimics several other common health conditions, such as:

Multiple sclerosis	Parkinson's disease
Alzheimer's disease	Fibromyalgia
Arthritis	Multiple chemical sensitivity
Chronic fatigue syndrome	Attention deficit disorder
Panic disorder	Depression and other psychological disorders
Lupus	Diabetes and diabetic complications
Birth defects	Lymphoma
Lyme disease	Hypothyroidism

How Diet Foods and Drinks CAUSE Weight Problems

In recent years, food manufacturers have increasingly focused on developing low-calorie foods and drinks to help you maintain a healthy weight and avoid obesity. Unfortunately, the science behind these products is so flawed, most of these products can actually lead to increased weight gain!

For example, researchers have discovered that drinking diet soda increases your risk of metabolic syndrome, and may double your risk of obesity – the complete opposite of the stated intention behind these “zero calorie” drinks.

The sad truth is that diet foods and drinks ruin your body's ability to count calories, and in fact stimulate your appetite, thus boosting your inclination to overindulge.

Unfortunately, most public health agencies and nutritionists in the United States recommend these toxic artificial sweeteners as an acceptable alternative to sugar, which is at best confusing and at worst harming the health of those who take their misguided advice.

Even More Toxic Dangers of Aspartame

Truly, there is enough evidence showing the dangers of consuming artificial sweeteners to fill an entire book -- which is exactly why I wrote Sweet Deception. If you or your loved ones drink diet beverages or eat diet foods, this book will explain how you've been deceived about the truth behind artificial sweeteners like aspartame and sucralose -- for greed, for profits, and at the expense of your health.

As mentioned earlier, almost two-thirds of all documented side effects of aspartame consumption are neurological.

One of the reasons for this side effect, researchers have discovered, is because the phenylalanine in aspartame dissociates from the ester bond. While these amino acids are indeed completely natural and safe, they were never designed to be ingested as isolated amino acids in massive quantities, which in and of itself will cause complications.

Additionally this will also increase dopamine levels in your brain. This can lead to symptoms of depression because it distorts your serotonin/dopamine balance. It can also lead to migraine headaches and brain tumors through a similar mechanism.

The aspartic acid in aspartame is a well-documented excitotoxin. Excitotoxins are usually amino acids, such as glutamate and aspartate. These special amino acids cause particular brain cells to become excessively excited, to the point that they die.

Excitotoxins can also cause a loss of brain synapses and connecting fibers. A review conducted in 2008 by scientists from the University of Pretoria and the University of Limpopo found that consuming a lot of aspartame may inhibit the ability of enzymes in your brain to function normally, and may lead to neurodegeneration.

According to the researchers, consuming a lot of aspartame can disturb:

The metabolism of amino acids

Protein structure and metabolism

The integrity of nucleic acids

Neuronal function

Endocrine balances

Furthermore, the ester bond in aspartame breaks down to formaldehyde and methanol, which are also toxic in their own right. So it is not surprising that this popular artificial sweetener has also been found to cause cancer.

One truly compelling case study that shows this all too well was done by a private citizen named Victoria Inness-Brown. She decided to perform her own aspartame experiment on 108 rats over a period of 2 years and 8 months.

Daily, she fed some of the rats the equivalent (for their body weight) of two-thirds the aspartame contained in z of diet soda. Thirty-seven percent of the females fed aspartame developed tumors, some of massive size.

How to Ditch Artificial Sweeteners, and Satiate Your Sweet Tooth

If you suffer from sweet cravings, it’s easy to convince yourself you’re doing the right thing by opting for a zero-calorie sweetener like aspartame. Please understand that you will do more harm than good to your body this way.

First, it’s important to realize that your body craves sweets when you’re not giving it the proper fuel it needs.

Finding out your nutritional type will tell you exactly which foods you need to eat to feel full and satisfied. It may sound hard to believe right now, but once you start eating right for your nutritional type, your sweet cravings will significantly lessen and may even disappear.

Meanwhile, be sure you address the emotional component to your food cravings using a tool such as the Meridian Tapping Technique (MTT). More than any traditional or alternative method I have used or researched, MTT works to overcome food cravings and helps you reach dietary success.

And, if diet soda is the culprit for you, be sure to check out Turbo Tapping, which is an extremely effective and simple tool to get rid of your soda addiction in a short period of time.

Step-Up to work your quadriceps, hip flexors and strengthen your hamstrings and buttocks in the process

2010-02-27T15:45:00Z

Step-ups focus on your quadriceps and hip flexors, but also strengthen your hamstrings and buttocks. Step-ups are a good way to improve the shape and definition of your legs. Performing this exercise can help make activities that involve a lot of climbing less difficult.

When performing step-ups, make sure the step or bench is large enough to accommodate your entire foot, so you can pull yourself up onto the step or bench with your entire foot instead of just the ball of your foot.

Use caution when performing this exercise if you have knee problems. You can lessen the pressure on your knees and make this exercise easier by using a lower step or bench.

You can also reduce the strain on your elbows and shoulder joints and get better balance by holding the dumbbells on your shoulders, your elbows should be bent and off to the sides. Your palms should be facing the ground. Since this position will make the exercise more difficult, be sure to use lighter weights.

1. Hold dumbbell in each hand at your sides, palms facing in.

2. Stand in front of a step or bench with your feet roughly shoulder width apart. Tighten your abdominal muscles to help protect your back.

The step or bench should be high enough so that your upper leg is parallel to the ground when you step up.

3. Step up by placing your right leg on top of the step or bench. Lean forward slightly and pull yourself up through the heel of your right foot.

4. When both feet are flat on the step or bench, step down with your left leg and then your right leg.

5. After completing a set stepping up with your right leg, repeat the exercise and step up with your left leg.

Ask Robin...

Q. How can I work my hamstrings and buttocks more?

A. You can perform step-ups that work your hamstrings and buttocks more by positioning yourself farther away from the step or bench. Since you will have to stretch your leg and lean forward more in order to bring yourself up onto the step or bench, you should take extra care not to lose your balance. Make sure the step or bench is secured next to a wall or a sturdy object so it does not slide away from you.

Q. Can I perform step-ups that further target my buttocks?

A. Yes. You can perform step-ups that further target your buttocks by stepping up onto the step or bench with your right foot and then kicking back your left leg to extend it behind you. Your left leg should then come down onto the floor. After completing a set kicking back you left leg, repeat the exercise kicking back with your right leg. This variation also helps build balance and strength in your legs.

Don't you Dare...

Step up onto the ball of your foot. Make sure your entire foot steps up onto the step or bench and you pull yourself up through your heel.
Hunch or arch your back. Make sure your head, neck and back form a straight line during the entire exercise.

Muscles Pumped...

1. Quadriceps
2. Hip flexors

Other Muscles...

3. hamstrings
4. buttocks (gluteus maximus)

Have fun!

Yours in Health, Robin

"There are no such things as incurable diseases, only incurable patients."

2010-02-26T15:41:00Z

Eating food appropriate to one's individual needs is a means of extracting energy from our environment in a harmonious way.

In today's world of fast foods and food irradiation, the relationship to food has become confused and degenerate. Many of us are disconnected and perceive as foreign the natural foods that Mother Nature offers us. The natural way to eat somehow seems "old-fashioned" or strange. The diseases that unnatural diet causes are so rampant that they are thought to be an inevitable part of life.

This is not the case. Western medicine approaches this problem in convoluted ways and continues to spend billions of dollars developing sophisticated technologies to treat headaches while continuing to bang its (and our) head against the proverbial wall.

The one who chooses to stop banging his or her head against the wall by giving up destructive food habits is often ridiculed. Our culture has become so upside down that one who chooses to heal and maintain good health with a diet that brings him or her into harmony with nature is often considered the idealist and extremist, rather than practical and appropriate.

If this seems far-fetched, consider all the people who have repeated triple by-pass surgeries for clogged arteries without eliminating the proven cause of the problem, which they could do by adopting a diet that does not clog the arteries.

To make the shift into harmony is a matter of making conscious lifestyle changes. To do this, and to depart from the disease-generating practices of our culture, is considered heretical and seditious to our current fast-food lifestyle. Though it is difficult to change one's old habits and beliefs systems, this must be done if one values living a healthy spiritual life. When ambivalent to making these needed changes, some use the excuse that social forces are too powerful.

Nevertheless, in order to develop a totally functional diet, one needs to be willing to examine these patterns and abandon what is no longer appropriate. Eventually, one begins to make food choices on the basis of what maintains and enhances the blissful communion with God, as well as the feeling of well-being in mind and body.

Yours in health, Robin

Happy Birthday Adelle Davis... "Today's research shows that she was indeed ahead of her time... and largely right as well".

2010-02-25T20:29:00Z

In rememberance of Adelle Davis

Adelle Davis
Adelle Davis circa 1925
Born	Daisie Adelle Davis February 25, 1904(1904-02-25) Lizton, Indiana, United States
Died	May 31, 1974 (aged 70)
Pen name	Jane Dunlap
Genres	Health and nuitrition

Official website

Daisie Adelle Davis (25 February 1904 - 31 May 1974), popularly known as Adelle Davis, was an American author and a pioneer in the fledgling field of nutrition during the mid-20th century. She advocated whole unprocessed foods, criticized food additives, and claimed that dietary supplements and other nutrients play a dominant role in maintaining health, preventing disease, and restoring health after the onset of disease.

Health and nutrition work

Davis wrote a series of books that were published in the United States between 1947 and 1965. One of her books, Let's Have Healthy Children (Signet 1981, revised edition) states that Davis prepared individual diets for more than 20,000 people who came to her or were referred to her by physicians during her years as a consultant.

She was a harsh critic of the food industry in the United States. In the early 1970s, she addressed the ninth annual convention of the "International Association of Cancer Victims and Friends" at the Ambassador Hotel in Los Angeles. After citing U.S. Department of Agriculture statistics about tens of millions of people in the United States suffering from afflictions such as arthritis, allergies, heart disease, and cancer, she stated, "This is what's happening to us, to America, because there is a $125 billion food industry who cares nothing about health". According to Davis:

"Research shows that diseases of almost every variety can be produced by an under-supply of various combinations of nutrients... [and] can be corrected when all nutrients are supplied, provided irreparable damage has not been done; and, still better, that these diseases can be prevented."

Background, education and work

Adelle was born to Charles and Harriette Davis in Lizton, Indiana, USA, on February 25, 1904. She attended Purdue University from 1923 to 1925 and received her Bachelor of Arts degree from the University of California at Berkeley in 1927. After dietetic training at Bellevue and Fordham Hospitals in New York, she became supervisor of nutrition for Yonkers Public Schools from 1928 through 1930.

From 1931 through 1938, Davis was a consulting nutritionist in Oakland and Los Angeles, California, did postgraduate work at Columbia University and the University of California at Los Angeles, and received her Master of Science degree in Biochemistry from the University of Southern California.

In October 1943, Adelle married George Edward Leisey, and sometime thereafter they adopted their two children, George and Barbara.

From 1948 onward she was a consulting nutritionist in Palos Verdes Estates, California, until she retired from consulting to devote her time to her family, writing, and speaking at medical seminars, universities, and other venues. Davis was also a guest on The Tonight Show Starring Johnny Carson on five occasions during 1972 and 1973.

In 1974 Adelle Davis died of bone cancer at the age of seventy.

Published works

In 1935 Stationers' Hall of London, England published Davis's earliest writing, Optimum Health, and in 1939 published her second, You Can Stay Well. In 1942 The Macmillan Company published the most assertive of Davis's works of the period, Vitality Through Planned Nutrition, and subsequently re-published it twice (once as revised) in the following years.

Commendations

"Adelle Davis was a pioneer in the health movement," according to Dr. Linus Pauling, recipient of two Nobel Prizes and author of several books on vitamin C. "She came to see me about 20 years ago. I had quite a good impression of her. She was essentially correct in almost everything she said."

Thus began a 1990 article in Natural Food and Farming magazine, which examined Adelle Davis's teachings in the light of more recent medical research. The article concluded that "Today's scientific findings both substantiate and expand upon a number of her teachings", and that "Today's research shows that she was indeed ahead of her time... and largely right as well".

In support of consumers who raise questions about the safety of food in the United States, Senator Patrick Leahy of Vermont, who was chairman of the U.S. Senate Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition and Forestry at the time, included the following statement in a press release in 1998:

"One of the pioneers of the movement toward healthier eating—Adelle Davis—raised many food safety and health issues based on her own research. Her views were not accepted by the scientific community at the time. Now the weight of medical evidence — including former Surgeon General Koop's Report on Nutrition and Health — has vindicated her views."

On January 10, 2000, the online magazine Insight on The News presented the results of a reader survey in which hundreds of thousands of people responded. Among the many categories was "Scientist of the Century". Adelle Davis placed sixth among such notables as Thomas Edison, Edward Teller, George Washington Carver, Albert Einstein, and Luther Burbank.

Adelle Davis has been applauded by The Institutes for the Achievement of Human Potential (IAHP), an organization founded by Glenn Doman. Davis helped create the nutritional program for the IAHP, which primarily works with brain-injured children. Davis has been awarded by the IAHP with various commendations for her work.

Adelle Davis Foundation

The Adelle Davis Foundation, whose mission is to "support a program of education and developmental activities relative to the field of nutrition", is located in Santa Barbara, California, and is represented in the online community. The foundation receives gifts, donations and bequests. It grants scholarships to qualified undergraduate and postgraduate students majoring in nutritional science. No part of the net earnings of The Adelle Davis Foundation shall accrue to the benefit of any member or private individual. This organization provides scholarships for qualified students whose chosen field is related to nutrition. In the spring of 2006, the president of the foundation stated that they would like to re-publish Davis's books in the near future.

A lady with a passion that will be remembered!

Yours in Health, Robin

eFITology Exercise Mythbuster Quiz Contest

2010-02-23T04:08:00Z

Check it out... eFITology is running a contest and you could win one of these 3 awesome prizes! All you have to do is follow the rules and take the Quiz!

There are so many myths and untruths out there about exercise, that it can be confusing to discern what is fact and what is fiction. Exercising without the facts can be a huge time waster, keeping you from getting the maximum out of each workout, and potentially leading to injury.

They have created an “Exercise Mythbusters” Quiz in hopes of debunking some of the most popular exercise myths – are you an exercise genius? Take the quiz to find out!

We will give these awesome prizes to 3 winners:

1st prize
E30R Tunturi Recumbent Bike (Retails for $1,399):
http://www.efitology.com/bikes/tunturi-e30r-exercise-bike.html

2nd prize
E30 Upright Bike (Retails for $1,299):
http://www.efitology.com/bikes/tunturi-e30-exercise-bike.html

3rd prize
Power Blocks Classic 5-45lbs Adjustable Dumbbell Set (Retails for $379):
http://www.efitology.com/strength/power-block-classic-personal-5-45lb-set-dumbells.html

Contest by eFITology Fitness

Rules:

Winners will be chosen randomly from players who received a 100% on their quiz.
One entry per user.
Please enter your preferred contact method in order to be notified of winning (email or phone number).
Contest expires March 10th, 2010

Eligibility: open only to individuals who are legal residents of the fifty (50) United States and the District of Columbia and are eighteen (18) years of age or older at the time of entry.

Good Luck!

Let me know how you did!

Yours in Health,
Robin

Biceps Curl with Exercise Tube & Coconuts

2010-02-18T14:37:00Z

The biceps curl strengthens an tones your biceps, as well as your forearms. You should be careful performing this exercise if you have elbow or wrist problems. Strong biceps help you lift heavy objects more easily.

Using exercise tubing to perform curls gives you a different resistance compared to using weights and is a good way to vary your routine. For more information on Exercise tubing see Meet Exercise Tubing or Triceps Extension with exercise tubing.

Before you start the exercise, you should make sure you stand in the middle of the exercise tubing to ensure you have equal resistance for both arms. As you perform the curls, keep your upper arms stable and hold your elbows close to your sides, without digging them into your body for support. As with all exercises, concentrate on keeping your movements slow and controlled as you lift and lower your arms.

Try to perform the full range of movement for each repetition, lifting all the way up until the tubing is taut and lowering all the way down without locking your elbows.

1. Grasp a handle of the exercise tubing in each hand.

2. Stand on the middle of the tubing with both feet. Position your feet roughly shoulder width apart, knees slightly bent.

3. Start with your arms at your sides, your elbows slightly bent and both palms facing forward. Tighten your abdominal muscles to help protect your back.

4. Keeping your elbows close to your sides, slowly bend your arms to raise your hands toward your shoulders.

Make sure you keep your back straight and your head up.

5. Slowly straighten you arms to lower your hands back to the starting position.

Ask Robin...

Q. How can I work only one arm at a time?

A. Perform the exercise as described in the steps above, except alternate between lifting your left arm and your right arm.
You can also hold only one handle of the exercise tubing and perform curls while you other arm is resting at your side. When performing this last variation, you can increase the resistance for each arm by standing closer to the handle of the arm you are working, or standing farther away from the handle for less resistance.

Q. Is there a harder variation of the exercise that I can perform?

A. Yes. Perform the exercise as described in the steps above, except hold both handles of the exercise tubing in your left hand. Standing on the tubing with your feet slightly closer than shoulder width apart, slowly raise and lower your left hand to perform the exercise. After completing a set with your left arm, switch arms and then repeat the exercise with your right arm.

Q. Hello Robin,

I was wondering if Coconut is good for you, or bad. I seem to find mixed reviews on this. Thanks ~ Angela S.

A. Angela, I hope you do not mind I added your last name initial, I am trying to keep my Angelas straight, there are a few of you...imagine that...smile!

Coconut is what I refer to as a God food, and anything that he created would have to mean; Coconuts are good for us... as long as it is in its natural state (nothing added by man).

Coconuts, particularly young green coconuts and coconut water, are an excellent source of good saturated fats. Coconuts are as high as 70% fat with 90% of that being saturated fat. Coconut oil is the most saturated of all vegetable oils, which makes it very stable and slow to go rancid. The fat in coconut is almost all in the form of health promoting, immune boosting medium chained saturated fats.

Despite the bad reputation of saturated fat, whole coconut, coconut milk and cold pressed coconut oil are good for you. Coconut in these forms has not been shown to increase cholesterol levels or heart disease but rather to lower cholesterol and raise HDL in some populations. It is only when the fats in coconut are hydrogenated and turned into trans fats that they become harmful.

In many traditional diets coconuts have been used as a nourishing and strengthening food and as a medicine with special healing powers. Thailand, where coconut is abundant in the diet, has the lowest cancer rate of the fifty countries surveyed by the National Cancer Institute.

Coconut milk is close to human breast milk in its pH, and fat and nutrient content. Coconut milk is a good source of calcium, manganese, selenium, zinc and iron. Coconut water measures the same pH as human blood.

Coconut milk and coconut oil contains lauric acid (whose only other abundant source in nature is human breast milk). Lauric acid is considered antiviral, antibacterial and antiprotozoal and is converted by the body into monolaurin, which is believed to cause the disintegration of viruses, including HIV, measles, herpes simplex virus, cytomegalovirus influenza virus, and pneumonovirus. Monolaurin, from coconut milk has been shown to inactivate H.pylori. Furthermore, H.pylori has not been able to develop resistance to monolaurin and coconuts natural antimicrobials, as it has to many antibiotic drugs. Coconut milk has also been shown to eliminate many fungi, yeast and protozoa, including several species of ringworm and to be an effective agent used against bacteria and viruses.

Even with its heavy fat content, coconut oil appears to promote weight loss. Coconut oil has not been found to increase body fat and it actually decreases white fat stores, is related to the production of fewer fat cells, increases thermogenesis by 50% and increases the body’s metabolic rate.

Research suggests that the average adult would benefit from 24 grams of lauric acid daily, which can be obtained by eating 1/2 tablespoon of coconut oil, 10 ounces of pure coconut milk, or 7 ounces of raw coconut daily. Since allergies to coconut are caused by the protein, the oil is usually safe for those who are allergic – but check first. Coconut contains oxalate which some people with a history of oxalate containing kidney stones may need to avoid.

You can use coconut in many forms:

Fresh- once opened refrigerate and use within 7-10 days

Dried coconut meat - store in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to a month or freezer for longer; be sure to avoid the types sweetened with sugar or with added preservatives and other additives especially propylene glycol (used in antifreeze)

Creamed coconut - store in the refrigerator fresh for 7-10 days

Canned coconut milk - be sure and buy whole fat, not low fat coconut milk which has had many of the benefits of coconut’s special medium chained fat removed ; store unused portions in the refrigerator for 7-10 days

Coconut oil – choose only food grade, cold pressed oil that has not been hydrogenated ; best if used within a month after opening

You can easily incorporate coconut into your life by making curries, putting coconut milk into your protein drinks, using coconut oil to cook, and in place of butter.

Resource; Evenstar Mood & Energy Wellness Center

Yours in Health, Robin

Tricep Extension with an Exercise Tube

2010-02-17T06:09:00Z

Angie, this will work the muscle of your upper arm opposite your Bicep (tricep...think jingle on the back side). The tricep extension focuses on toning and strengthening your triceps. This exercise allows you to focus on working one arm at a time. you can do this exercise with dumbbells, but I am going to explain how you can use the Exercise tube to have an additional option of changing it up a bit!

As you perform the tricep extension, try to keep your back straight and your abdominal muscles tight to help protect your back. You should also try to keep your upper arm stationary and your knees slightly bent at all times. Do not bend your wrist or lock your elbow as you straighten your arm.

As with any other exercise, perform the tricep extension in a slow, controlled manner to get the most out of the exercise and to avoid injury.

If you have neck or wrist problems, you should be careful when performing the tricep extension. Do not perform this exercise if you have shoulder or elbow problems.

1. Grasp a handle of the exercise tubing in your right hand.

2. Stand straight with your feet roughly shoulder width apart and your knees slightly bent. Tighten your abdominal muscles to help protect your back.

3. Bend your right arm and point your elbow toward the ceiling with your palm facing the back of your head.

4. Bend your left arm and grasp the tubing behind your back, palm facing backward.

5. Slowly straighten your arm to raise your hand above your head.

6. Pause for a moment and then slowly bend your arm to lower your hand back to the starting position.

7. After completing a set with your right arm, repeat the exercise with your left arm.

Do not...

Move your upper arm when you raise and lower your hand.
lock your elbow when you straighten your arm.
bend your wrist.
Lock your knees. Keep your knee's slightly bent.
arch your back.

Muscle you are working...

Triceps

Ask Robin...

Q. I have neck problems. Is there an easier tricep exercise I can perform?

A. Yes, Stand in the middle of the tubing with your feet shoulder width apart and knees slightly bent. With your palm facing your body, grasp a handle in your right hand and bend forward from your hips at a 45-degree angle. Keep your right upper arm against your side with your arm bent at 90 degrees and place your left hand on your left thigh.

Keeping your upper arm stationary, straighten your right arm and then bend your arm back to the starting position.

Q. How can I work both arms at the same time?

A. To work both arms at the same time, stand with your feet a few inches apart and your knees slightly bent. Step on one end of the tubing and then bring the tubing up along your back. Using both hands, grasp the handle of the tubing with your palms facing back and your elbows bent and pointing toward the ceiling. Straighten your arms until your hands are above your head and then bend your arms to lower your hands back to the starting position.

Don't forget to work your Biceps.

Yours in Health, Robin

Another Awesome Surprise...Beautiful Blogger Award!

2010-02-15T17:34:00Z

Earlier this week http://pettiskirtsandmudpies.blogspot.com/ honored me with this Beautiful Award!
Thanks Sherri!

Rules for this Award:
Thank the person who kindly passes this to you, and link your award back to them!

List 7 things about yourself

Pass it on to 15 Beautiful Bloggers!

About me!

1. I have found a love like no other in "Jesus Christ"! He is first in all things in my life which in return makes everything else wonderful!

2. I own a Dyna Low Rider Harley Davidson that I can't wait to get back on when the warm weather returns!

3. I am one belt away from getting my Black Belt in Tae Kwon Do

4. I belong to a group of woman of the bible and we call ourselves the "Uncommon Women"... inspired by "The Uncommon Woman" by Susie Larson

5. I am a Juice Plus+ freak!

6. I live my life according to AGAPE LOVE

7. My favorite Quote is by Napolean Hill, "Every line a man writes, and every act in which he indulges, and every word he utters serves as unescapable evidence of the nature of that which is deeply imbedded in his own heart, a confession that he cannot disavow" I could not of said it better!

Now for the part of passing it on!
This is very difficult...I have soooooooo many blogs that I love and think are Beautiful!
So in No particular order....

1. Holly @ http://504main.blogspot.com/

2. Jenna @ http://eatliverun.com/

3. Jeni @ http://aspiringfreelancewriter.blogspot.com/

4. Evelyn @ Natural Raw Living

5. Dorothy @ Aging Abundantly

6. Koen @ Because Of Him

7. Kiesha @ Highly Favored

8. Angie @ All my Treasures

9. Kristin @ Twinkle LIfe

10. Beth @ I'm Heading Towards My Destiny

11. Christine @ Christine's Corner

12. Mary @ Shaking the Tree

13. Jackie @ The way of the upright is a highway

14. Cathe @ Cathe

15. Mandy @ Yoga Addicted

Yours in Health, Robin

My Awesome Surprise!

2010-02-15T06:23:00Z

I was over visiting Cathe Friedrichs site one day last week and noticed she has a Spring Break with the Cathletes coming up in San Diego March 26th, 27th, and 28th, 2010 to celebrate her 20th year of doing what she does best...train others in a natural no non-sense kind of way. She launched her career at the young age of 24. I am sure she is good at other things, but this is what I know her for.

It was at the IDEA International Aerobics Convention in San Diego in 1989 that Cathe released her first video, Step N motion 1 which became the #1 selling step video in 1989 and catapulted Cathe onto the world stage helping to create a movement that is known today as Power Stepping.

So, I decided that I would have fun with it and facebook and twitter it to see if anyone wanted to go with me and wrote in the comment statues on my Facebook page that "this is going to be a blast"!

Take note; I did not discuss this with my husband, because I thought none of my friends would want to go anyway, but thought what the heck...you never know! So, I went for it and threw it out there!

To my surprise I had a several comments, my mother (health problems and all), 70 years young, bless her heart, commented that "she may go"...I found this amusing because she hates to fly... never has actually flown anywhere in her life and would never get on a plane anyway. Plus I can hardly get through some of Cathes workouts in the shape I am in, so how in the heck is my 70 year young mother gonna get through one...that idea did not swing!

Then I had my sister that wished she could go, but runs a cardiovascular office 40 hours a week and has a hard time going anywhere without her hubby, so I thought "ya right" you wish you could go and I would love for you to go (best friend and sis), but there is no way I could see that happening...sorry for me and sis.

Then I had one friend comment that she would love to, but did not know about the exercise part of the trip, which is what the trip is based on and not only that, her daughter would be delivering about the same time as the trip to San Diego, so just as I suspected another strike out.

Another comment from a friend was that she "would love to go to San Diego... just not to workout!" Ok, I agree, I am weird! I would go pretty much anywhere to sweat and the more beautiful the scenery, the more excited I become!  She on the other hand was being honest, bless her heart and commented she would be distracted and would settle for a run on the beach! I am pretty sure I know what her distraction would consist... a glass of wine here, and a glass of wine there would probably get in the way of her motivation and mine.

Have you ever tried getting up at the crack of dawn to work-out after a night of having a bottle of Wine or even a glass of red wine? Not going to happen for me...been there, done that. I decided along time ago, that I don't roll ~~out of bed~~ that way!

The friends that I thought would possibly enlist, did not reply at all...go figure!

But then it happened...one of my newest girlfriends that I only met just recently approxiamtely a month ago at a game night I hosted at my home, typed the magic words in my comment section "Lets Do IT"! You can imagine my surprise, because I did not expect many of my friends to go for it. I know all of them pretty well, but not sweet Susan!

*Ok, I have to confess, I have been known to lose a few workout buddies due to my insanity to work-it to the max.. I promise... I did not tell them they had to keep up, But they continue to avoid me when it comes time to hit the gym...gotta love them always! And hey, at least they still love me out of the gym...smile)*!

I knew Susan was an amazing person to converse with and pretty good at Bunko! (even though I won the pot that night...smile big)!  I had no idea she would run away to San Diego with me to sweat on the Beach instead of wanting to lay around it and drink Fu Fu drinks like most of the human population. By now you already know how weird I am, so go with it!

On to the really good part... I had to convince my husband that it was a great idea for me to leave him and my darling 12 year old son for several days to go to San Diego to sweat on the Beach with Susan, my new awesome friend, and Cathe the lady that motivated me back into my pre-baby shape 12 years ago.

To my surprise, my husband did not need much convincing! He is a sweetheart, that is obvious! He knows how much fitness means to me and I am pretty sure he is thanking God that I did not make him go with me to sweat on the beach in San Diego...smile!

I obviously caught him at very good time...timing is everything! He actually went on-line with me, helped me register, book the plane ticket, and got Susan and I reserved for the hotel. Then asked me what I wanted to do for Valentines Day...my husband ROCKS!

So this is where you come in, if any of you that follow my blog would like to meet me and Susan in San Diego to workout on the Beach with Cathe Friedrich...please do...the more the merrier!

Cathe has not a clue of who and I am or that I even exist, but I am sure there are several of us that fit into the same category . Cathe inspired us by her desire to work us into shape in front of our televisions...how cool is that? Cathe can also be blamed for teaching me how to step like a fool back in the 90's.   She inspired me to move towards my passion for fitness and you already know where my passion for health comes from if you follow my blog, but if not, it would be credited to my dear mommy & daddy.

From one workout fanatic to another....it is going to be a blast..."LETS DO IT"!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Yours in Health, Robin

Meet Exercise Tubing

2010-02-15T00:57:00Z

Let me introduce you to Exercise Tubing...

Exercise tubing is useful for strengthening, firming and toning your muscles. This piece of exercise equipment is handy when traveling or you can use it to vary your normal exercise routine.

Keep in mind that exercise tubing will not give you the same results as intense strength training or muscle building with weights, but using exercise tubing will help tone and define your muscles.

You can purchase exercise tubing at most sporting goods or exercise equipment stores.

You can also buy rubber strips called exercise bands, which are thin, flat strips that often do not have handles and can be used for exercises the same way as exercise tubing. If your tubing does not have handles and an exercise specifies that you should hold the handles of the tubing, wrap the ends of the tubing loosely around your palms.

Benefits of exercise tubing

You can use exercise tubing in almost any location for quick and easy workouts. Use exercise tubing while watching television, at a friend's or when traveling.
You can use exercise tubing to perform a variety of exercises. Exercise tubing is inexpensive, safe to us, lightweight and portable

Exercise Tubing Tips

Exercise tubing will wear over time. You should check your tubing frequently for holes and tears. If you find a hole or tear, you should replace the tubing immediately.
Before starting an exercise using exercise tubing, make sure the tubing is securely in place to prevent injury.
For the best results, perform 3 sets of each tubing exercise with 12 to 15 repetitions for each set

Variations of Exercise Resistance

Exercise tubing comes in various colors, which indicate the amount of resistance the tubing provides. The colors may vary between manufacturers, but darker colors usually indicate more resistance. In general, thicker tuning offers greater resistance.
You can manually shorten or lengthen exercise tubing to quickly increase or decrease its resistance. For example, you can wrap the tubing around your hands or change where you stand on the tubing to change resistance.

Ask Robin...

Q. Are there accessories I can buy to help enhance tubing exercises?

A. Yes, there are several tubing accessories that can enhance or vary your exercises. You can purchase accessories that make it easier to perform some exercises, such as door anchors or hooks that allow you to attach the tubing to a stable door or door frame. If you will be using exercise tubing often, you may want to purchase an exercise tubing kit that has multiple attachments, such as a ankle strap that will hold the tubing in place for some exercises.

Q. What are the disadvantages of using exercise tubing?

A. Exercise tubing has some drawbacks, which include the limited amount of resistance they offer compared to weights. You may also have difficulty positioning yourself while holding the tubing or obtaining the desired tension in the tubing. Although they are relatively sage, Exercise tubing can wear over time and may cause injury if it snaps while you are exercising (ouch). You should check your tubing regularly and replace the tubing at the first sign of wear.

Check out These Free Exercise Tube workouts

What area of your body do you want to workout with your exercise tubing?

Yours in Health, Robin

Coconut Water

2010-02-13T16:50:00Z

Ok, so I am suppose to be blogging about Exercise tubing today, but last night I was bouncing around on-line and came across this new product that is out in the stores. I guess it is not new to nature, but it is new to me. What is it?

Coconut Water, not Coconut Juice or milk, but the water from a not so ripe coconut. It is suppose to be very hydrating and good for you. I am thinking Hang-over cure and wrinkles gone kind of hydration. since they are both brought on by dehydration...right?

After reading about the Coconut water, all I wanted to do is jump in my car and run to the whole food market to grab some, but I have so far refrained myself from doing so. But, I guarantee you, I will have some coconut water running through my veins before the day ends!

Here is few things I learned about this water...

1. Coconut Water is excellent for replacing lost
electrolytes from exercise or illness.

2. Coconut Water is an all-natural sports/energy drink.

3. Coconut Water is a natural isotonic beverage – contains a similar level of electrolytes found in human blood.

4. Coconut Water may help promote smoother,
more hydrated skin.

5. Coconut Water is non-allergenic.

6. Coconut Water is rich in potassium. Potassium helps regulate blood pressure and heart function.

7. Coconut Water is an effective oral rehydration medium and keeps the body cool.

8. That Madonna, yes you heard right Madonna is crazy for Coconut Water.

9. Matthew McConaughey may be investing in this so called Coconut water.

10. Last but not least, I convinced that this Coconut water might be on to something...smile!

Here is the brand that is sold in our part of the town and where you can find some...

Zico Pure Coconut Water
ZICO is 100% pure coconut water with natural flavor essences. With five essential electrolytes, more potassium than a banana, low acidity, no fat, no sugar added, and no cholesterol, ZICO is the natural, refreshing way to hydrate and replenish. Read on to discover the amazing properties of coconut water.

You can find Zico at Whole Foods & a place called Bikram Yoga in Kansas City, Mo.

Then there is O.N.E. stands for "One Natural Experience"
O.N.E. is committed to the sustainability of the Amazon rain forest and supports several non-for-profit organizations including Brazil Foundation and Healthy Child Healthy World.

O.N.E.™ Coconut Water is the water from inside the young green coconut. The water is extracted from the coconut at approximately seven months, before the meat grows. While the meat of the coconut (from which coconut milk and oils are extracted) is rich in fat and protein; O.N.E.™ Coconut Water has no fat. Our Coconut Water is naturally filtered through the dense fibers of the coconut creating a nutritious, pure, and refreshing isotonic beverage.

O.N.E.™ Coconut Water is 100% natural, and has five essential electrolytes (calcium, potassium, phosphorous, magnesium and sodium), more potassium than a banana (15 times the amount of potassium as most sports drinks, without the artificial chemicals found in traditional sports drinks)

You can also find O.N.E at Whole Foods and at most Hen House grocery stores here in Kansas

Madonna is investing in a company by the name of Vita COco that is only available in New York and Los Angeles, but wants to take it national in the future.

Let me know what you think about Coconut Water, if you have had any yet, and what your thoughts are? I would love to hear from you!!!!!

Yours in Health,
Robin

Setting up your own Home Gym

2010-02-12T20:28:00Z

Q. Robin, what would you suggest for me to get my home gym equiped to start my own workout routines. I guess my question is what do you have in your home gym? -Amy

A. Well Amy, there are several factors to consider before setting up a home gym.

When choosing the area to set up the gym, consider traffic flow, safety, the equipment you want to include and whether you will want to expand the gym in the future. You should also determine the amount of space available in the area, since this will determine what you can fit in the room.

Your home gym should include components for weight training as well as aerobic flexibility training. Make sure the equipment you purchase is appropriate to your interest and current fitness level but will also be able to adjust as your fitness increases.

Dumbbells
Dumbbells are more versatile than barbells, which makes dumbbells a more practical purchase for your home gym. For best results, start with 5 pairs of dumbbells of varying weight instead of buying only one pair and using them for every exercise.


Dumbbell Rack
Using a rack to store your dumbbells can help save space, keep your workout area tidy and make it easier for you to retrieve dumbbells. If space is limited, consider a vertical rather than a horizontal rack, since the vertical rack requires less space.

Adjustable Dumbbells
You may want to consider an adjustable dumbbell kit, which consists of two short bars and several weight plates that you can clamp on to the bars. While adjustable dumbbells can save space and money, constantly adding and removing weight plates can become time consuming.

You can also purchase adjustable dumbbells, such as a Powerblock, that allow you to easily add and remove weight . To select the amount of weight you want to lift, you insert a pin into a hole that corresponds to the weight. When you remove the dumbbell from the block, the dumbbell will contain only the amount of weight you selected.

Barbells
Adding a barbell to your home gym allows you to lift heavier weights and vary your workout. You can get barbells with fixed weights, but barbells that consist of a bar that you can add weight plates to are more practical. There are different types of bars available, such as standard bar or Olympic bar. A standard bar can vary in length from 5 to 7 feet, weighs around 20 lbs and is ideal for home use.



An Olympic bar, which is about 7 feet and weighs 45-pounds, is usually used when working large muscle groups, such as your legs, back or chest. The Olympic bar is also available in shorter versions which range from 5 to 6 feet long and weigh approximately 35 pounds.

The shorter Olympic bar is usually used when working smaller muscle groups, such as shoulders, biceps and triceps. The bar you use depends on the amount of weight you want to lift.

Mirror
Placing a mirror in your weight training area allows you to watch your form, which is especially important when lifting free weights. You should use a full-length mirror large enough to show your entire body. If the mirror stands on the floor, be careful about placing dumbbells or barbells where they can roll into the mirror.

Bench
You should choose a sturdy bench that can be adjusted from a flat to vertical position with different degrees of incline (the step below works great). The decline feature is not as important as the incline feature, since it is not often used. Before making your decision, inspect the bench carefully and test it in as many ways as you can by sitting or lying on the bench and adjusting the incline to make sure the mechanism works properly and is easy to use.

The Original Step
A must have in my house, you will feel naked without one. You can use these awesome creations to do bench presses, knee lifts, incline press, tricep dips and so much more. Every home gym needs one!



Exercise Tubing
Exercise tubing is an inexpensive, lightweight and portable tool you can use to vary your normal strength training with weights, tubing is good for toning and defining your muscles. Check out introduction to exercise tubing!

Exercise Ball
Exercise balls are large, inflatable vinyl balls that can be used in a variety of exercises, including strength training and stretching. You can use an exercise ball instead of a bench to add variety and increase the difficulty of many exercises. Using an exercise ball helps improve your stability and balance by strengthening your core muscles, which include your lower back and abdominal muscles...another marvelous creation!



Cardiovascular Equipment
The type of cardiovascular equipment you buy for your home gym will depend largely on the amount of space and money you have available. You can purchase many cardiovascular machines used in public gyms to use at home. Some popular cardiovascular machines for home use include treadmills, stationary bikes, stair climbers, elliptical crosstrainers and rowing machines. If you do not have room for a machine, you can get a good cardiovascular workout by jumping rope, walking, running or DVD's right in front of your TV.


Exercise Mat
An exercise mat provides a cushion between your body and the floor to make floor exercises, such as abdominal crunches and stretching, more comfortable to perform. Unlike a towel or blanket, an exercise mat will not bunch up an most mats can be folded and stored in a corner. Mats are available in different thicknesses. When choosing a mat, select one that is thick enough to protect your knees from digging into the floor when performing kneeling exercises and long enough to fit your body from the top of your head to your tailbone.

Equipment Mat
Equipment mats are usually placed under exercise equipment to keep the equipment in place and protect the carpet and floors from the impact of heavy equipment. Mats are especially useful for cardiovascular equipment, such as treadmills. Mats help reduce noisy vibrations that can wear down equipment and prevents dust and fibers from the floor or carpet from getting into the mechanical parts of the equipment. You can also place a mat in the area where you lift free weights to protect your floor from accidents, such as a dropped dumbbell.


Multigym
Since most people do not have room at home to accommodate different weight machines, the multigym, which combines several weight lifting stations into one machine, provides a practical solution. A multigym can give you a good overall weight workout, but the machine is not as smooth as the ones you will find in health clubs.

Some multigyms have two weight stacks, so two people can work out at the same time. You should choose a multigym that is space-efficient and includes good safety features. Make sure the frame and seats are sturdy and the pads are thick and durable. Try out the machine to ensure that moving parts, such as the weight stack, move smoothly, the machine adjusts easily to fit your body and is comfortable and easy to use.

Children & Health

2010-02-09T17:18:00Z

Our children should be active...nothing makes me sadder than to see a obese child, and unfortunately I am seeing this everyday, everywhere.

For the first time in history, statistic show that if we do not do something now and make a change, we, "us parents" are going to outlive our own children. That to me is sad and scary!

We love our children. So, why are we allowing this to happen? Love does not mean donuts, cookies, Ice Cream and unhealthy food, that causes death. Love is feeding our children healthy and in moderation, so they can live healthy normal lives!

Who ever believes children should finish everything on there plates or everything in that happy meal, has the wrong information. We should stop eating as soon as we have had enough. unfortunately most of us are training our children to eventually have health, illness and emotional disabilities because we are not seeking the right information to raise healthy children.

We are trying to fix all the problems that goes along with bad nutrition and inadequate exercise with a quick fix, (medications) instead of taking the time to read up on nutrition and exercise!!! What is up with that?

Research has shown that genes have very little to do with our health, it is what we put into our mouths and the energy we put out that has everything to do with it.

So with that said; keep in mind that children respond to exercise similarly to the way adults do. With the proper encouragement, any child in good health is usually more than willing to be physically active. Sadly, in the United States childhood obesity has increased over recent decades.

In addition, American children exhibit poor levels of strength, particularly in the upper body. Yet the trend today is moving toward less physical activity in our public schools...nothing gets me going more than this kind of unhealthy thinking, what is up with that?

How can this trend be reversed? Us adults need to let children know that exercise is important, that it should be done consistently, and that it can be fun! Children should be included in exercise routines at home. Us parents should plan weekly activities and vacations that include enjoyable components of physical activity.

Our children's Schools should mandate that our children participate in structured physical education classes each and every day they are in school. Ideally, children would attend physical education classes at least three times a week. However, current attempts at curriculum change have tried to reduce the number of physical education classes in favor of other educational opportunities.

This to me makes little sense, because without proper blood flow through out the body, our brains cannot work to their potential and who cares how smart you are, if you can't get off the couch or stay out of the hospital! I agree that I want my son to have the best education out there, but that should include nutrition and fitness.

If we spent just a portion of the money that we spend on video games and unhealthy food for our children that are causing obesity in the first place on Health Prevention, we would stop seeing this ridiculous obese statistic that we see today in America and the doctor bills that go along with it!

Us Americans are very smart human beings, we are not lazy, we are definitely not uneducated and if we are there is definitely no excuse, We have free resources everywhere. Examples; your local libraries, YMCA, your local community centers, etc. if your willing there is a way!

Here are some aerobic exercise guidelines for children:

1. Children should participate in sustainable activities that use large-muscle groups. Normally, a child's "play" time consists of short-burst, high energy exercise.

2. Specific times should be dedicated to these sustained exercise periods to teach consistency in exercising.

3. Exercise duration will vary with the age of the you child, your child's exercise experience, and the exercise intensity.

4. Start the exercise session at low intensity and progress gradually. The warm-up and cool-down periods don't need to be as long as us adult's exercise routines, but they should be included nonetheless. Your child should be able to converse with you while exercising without gasping for air.

5. Two to three days per week of aerobic exercise should be sufficient.

6. Be creative! Your child should feel that exercise is fun!

Here are some resistance-training guidelines for children:

1. Make sure you can teach them the proper stretching technique as a way to warm up before starting exercise.

2. Children should be supervised at all times by a competent adult, and their training area should be checked regularly for hazards and possible safety issues.

3. Children should be taught how to breathe properly. They should never perform single maximal lifts. Never let a child use a weight so heavy that he or she can't perform at least eight repetitions.

4. Teach children proper exercise form. Proper exercise form and the reasoning behind it will stay with them a lifetime and help or event injuries now and in the future.

5. Children should rest at least one to two minutes or more between sets. They should also have scheduled days off between sets. They should also have scheduled days off between training days.

6. Children should be taught proper hydration and its importance before, during, and after exercise.

7. Children need to be taught how and when to communicate to their teachers and parents when they're tired or injured.

I strongly advised hiring a professional personal trainer to teach you and your child proper techniques to at least get you started.

I for one train anyone to get them started for no fee at all. I want to make a change and I have met many that do the same! Read, read, research, read! Find a way to love your child into a healthy active adult!

I do not mean to step on anyones toes. I care and only want everyone to know that we can make a change, if we are willing to put one foot in front of the other and start today. It is a lifetime commitment, but what greater reward than to see healthy precious children grow into healthy productive adults!

Please note; the weight is in kilos...
Kilo conversion
Kilo Conversion Printable Chart

Yours in Health, Robin

Extreme Makeover God's Way...

2010-02-07T15:00:00Z

I attended a Extreme Makeover God's way on Saturday in Lee's Summit, Mo. with a couple girlfriends and wanted to share at least one of the things that were mentioned that I had never heard before, but found very interesting.

I am an open minded person and sign up for any healthy events to make sure I am not missing out, even if it means waking at the crack of down to drive 70 miles round trip on a Saturday. To me this is the only way...I love it!

Here is a little of what I heard and would like to share with you. Oh, and by the way...did you say "NO" to sugar today? I did...kind of...smile!

First off I learned that our bodies will give us a signal when we are full. When you have had enough to eat, you will either sneeze or your nose will start to run. I know... I thought how ridiculous is that? But later that same day I found it to be true.

This was a awesome health retreat, they made us breakfast, lunch and snacks, gave us 2 really great books, "OneMinute Wellness" by Dr. Ben Lerner, "Extreme Makeover God's Way" by Dr. Ben Lerner,(after I actually get a chance to read these books, I will blog about how they rank, compared to others) a note pad, a dry erase marker to write inspirational notes on our mirrors to keep us motivated. All this for $35.00 dollars!

They are obviously in it for the right reason, they are definitely not making any money...very amazing how much they care enough about changing the mindset of those who still do not realize what man's food is doing to us and what God's food can do for us!

The best part was that all the food they made was raw and natural and they showed us how they made it and what was in it. I know... awesome!

While eating our delicious lunch, guess what happened? My dry nose started leaking...smile! And this happened right as I started feeling full...interesting. My girlfriend actually sneezed when she was half way through her meal. The reasoning behind this, is that; when your body does not need anymore or it is trying to get rid of something that does not belong, it will find a way to get rid of it and it will signal you, but you have to be paying close attention while you are eating or you will miss it, makes sense to me!

I obviously have been missing it for years...smile! It is a good thing to keep in mind though, because you become aware of what your body is telling you. If you keep track of how you feel after you eat something, you will be able to decide if it was good for you or not. I dare you to start being more aware of how you feel after meals and even the next day.

This is something I have been doing for years, but have realized a lot of us do not. If you eat the right foods, you will not have the highs and lows. The first sign that you have eaten something bad for you, would be; you feeling bad, sleepy or unmotivated. Gods food can be our prevention of illness.

We can stay healthy and not have to worry about going on medications. If we eat right!!! "Let food be thy medicine and medicine be thy food," said Hippocrates, the father of modern medicine two-and-a-half thousand years ago. Yet today's medical profession barely works with diet, instead majoring in the prescription and distribution of high-power drugs, designed to right the wrongs of decades of body mismanagement.

God created us to eat his foods, not mans...go figure! We will cause our own deaths and not be able to live our purpose in God's will if we do not eat the foods he intended for us to nourish our temple. We could eliminate pharmaceutical drugs if we really wanted too! But it will take each one of us to wake up and get- ter- done!

Continue to eat crap and continue to feel like crap...smile!

Yours in Health, Robin