Nutrition and Weight Loss Ideas

As I was thinking about what my next series of articles will be about, I got to thinking about “Peace” and what it means to me.

I presently have a sort of “hang-up” about this because I really wanted to get one of those lighted signs to put in my window this year that said “Peace” or “Peace on Earth” or somethng along those lines.

I searched in every store within a reasonable driving distance. I could find “Santa Clause” — I could find “Angels” — or “Christmas Trees” — or “Reindeer” — or “Stars” —

—– but not one that just said “Peace“.

I didn’t go online to find one — maybe I should have — or maybe I still will to get one for next year, if there is such a thing.

I did try to make one myself, but that turned out to be an exercise in non-peaceful frustration. (Have you ever tried to get a string of lights to stay on a piece of cardboard with holes punched in it?) As they say, don’t try this at home! {smile}

Even as I drove through the neighborhoods looking at all the beautiful light displays — I didn’t see the word “Peace” anywhere.

Disappointing!

According to the home page of the World Peace Prayer Society, the simple prayer “May Peace Prevail on Earth”, carries a message of great hope and healing. It transcends barriers of nationality, race and religion to unite humanity in a call for the common good of all life on Earth.

What better time than now to accept their invitation to join in this universal prayer for peace? The link below will take you to a page where you can view this prayer in 80 languages. A link at the bottom of that page will take you to the Society’s home page where you can learn more about this organization’s work.

Have a great day.

Oh yes, this phrase that I end all my postings with — “Shanti” –That’s a sanscrit word meaning, “Let there be Peace. Peace, beautiful Peace. Peace within, Peace without. Peace in this world, Peace for all beings.”

Shanti,

Ron
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Good day fine reader,

During this time of year, it’s always nice to spread cheer to others, I wanted to share with you a movie I’ve mentioned before — http://www.YourDashMovie.com — and which has been viewed by over 15 million people in the past few months, making it one of the most popular movies of its kind, of all-time.

During this frequently hectic and stressful time of year, it’s nice to be able to reflect on the truly important things in life. If you haven’t seen it in a while, or didn’t have a chance to view it in the first place, please take a few moments to view — http://www.YourDashMovie.com — and send it on to others who would appreciate the message as well.
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According to a recent survey, there are 54 million people in the United States that either have been diagnosed with diabetes or pre-diabetes, or who might not even know they have it.

There aren’t any clear symptoms for the early stages of this disease, so many people don’t know how vital it is for them to be making some serious lifestyle changes. So why take the chance — if youve been eating a poor diet, now is the time to change so that you can avoid ending up with a full-blown type 2 diabetes in the future.

We all know what a healthy lifestyle change looks like — the problem is that too many people are reluctant to make the necessary changes. We need to lose weight — we need to include nutrient-dense, fiber-rich foods in our diets — and we need to exercise. It’s just not worth risking the dangers of heart disease or stroke.

To reverse pre-diabetes (and ward off type 2 diabetes), try these smart-eating guidelines — perfect for those who have pre-diabetes, as well as those who don’t!

* Eat whole grains, such as brown rice, wild rice, bulgur, slow-cooking oatmeal, and whole-grain breads and pasta.

* Enjoy beans and legumes frequently.

* Enjoy plenty of vegetables, prepared without unhealthy fats (like margarine and butter) or sweetened sauces.

* Consume whole, low-glycemic-index fresh fruits like berries, apples, and citrus fruits, such as oranges and grapefruit halves. Avoid canned or jarred fruits with added sweeteners or syrups.

* Include nonfat or low-fat dairy in your diet, such as nonfat or 1 percent milk, plain or artificially sweetened low-fat soy milk, and nonfat or low-fat plain yogurt.

* Focus on lean proteins, like fish, skinless poultry breasts, and lean cuts of beef; use healthier cooking methods, such as baking, roasting, broiling, or grilling.

* Avoid saturated and trans fats; instead, choose monounsaturated and omega-3 fats found in avocados, nuts, fish, and extra-virgin olive and canola oils.

The good news is that weight loss and lifestyle changes have been found to be more effective than medications for reversing pre-diabetes. As many of the readers of this blog know, I follow a South Beach Diet® program. Sure, I have the occasional sweet dessert — or I may indulge in a pizza very rarely, but I tend to follow what I’ve learned about this excellent diet program.

My plan for the holiday season is to post regularly this week, but may be quite sporadic over the week leading to the new year.
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Good day fine reader,

During this time of year, it’s always nice to spread cheer to others, I wanted to share with you a movie I’ve mentioned before — http://www.YourDashMovie.com — and which has been viewed by over 15 million people in the past few months, making it one of the most popular movies of its kind, of all-time.

During this frequently hectic and stressful time of year, it’s nice to be able to reflect on the truly important things in life. If you haven’t seen it in a while, or didn’t have a chance to view it in the first place, please take a few moments to view — http://www.YourDashMovie.com — and send it on to others who would appreciate the message as well.
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Got questions?

Contact me at: http://www.ronrink.com

My email and phone number are at that site. Feel free to contact me. I’m here to help you with your health, nutrition and fitness goals.

Have a healthy and nutritious day!

Shanti,

Ron

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Over the past several months we’ve heard the news about some of the COX-2 inhibitors that have been linked to an increased risk of heart attack and stroke. The most prominent one that comes to mind is Vioxx.

Since many of these have been withdrawn from the market, those who suffer from arthritis pain have begun looking for more simple pain management strategies. As always, it makes good sense to confer with your medical professional to determine what solutions are available to help you, it is also helpful to look at some of the other ways to manage pain.

Have a Good Laugh

In a study published in the Journal of Holistic Nursing, patients were told one-liners after surgery and before painful medication was administered. Those exposed to humor perceived less pain when compared to patients who didn’t get a dose of humor as part of their therapy. Laughter – particularly the kind that comes from the belly -– can result in muscle relaxation and releases hormones associated with stress response.

This is good news. A daily dose of laughter may help to ease pain, and stave off depression. Look for comedies to rent, joke websites, and friends and family members to provide sources of laughter.

Better Hot or Better Cold

Applying heat to muscles or cold to swollen joints can help ease pain and inflammation. For many people, alternating heat and cold works well. But each person is different so don’t hesitate to experiment. Before beginning, it’s important to check with a physician, as some conditions might mean one or the other is inappropriate.

Types of heat applications include heat lamps, heating pads, hot water bottles, and gel packs. Types of cold applications include bags of frozen vegetables, or ice wrapped in a towel, cold packs, and vapocoolant sprays.

Cool It — Relax

Relaxation not only helps to loosen up painful muscles, it also encourages the body to release pain-relieving endorphins -– the same hormones that are released in laughter. A successful relaxation technique will stimulate this release.

Relaxation techniques can be learned on one’s own, but consulting a health professional such as a doctor, therapist, or physical therapist may be the quickest route to finding one that is effective. It’s helpful to learn a technique that doesn’t depend too much on outside aids, other than a darkened room, peace and quiet, and a comfortable place to sit or lie down.

Go To Sleep

You’re right — it’s a vicious cycle. If you don’t get enough sleep, you hurt more — and, if you’re hurting, it’s hard to sleep. But being tired all the time really does contribute to pain, so prioritizing sleep where possible is key to quality of life.

Suggestions for ensuring that you get a good night’s sleep include: keep regular hours, avoid caffeine and alcohol, especially close to bed time, and use your bed for sleep only – don’t pile it high with articles on how to sleep.

Do Something Different

There’s that old saying that if you keep busy it’s a lot easier to not notice the pain as much. There’s a lot of truth to that. I agree, it can be difficult to concentrate on other things while you’re hurting, but studies have shown that distraction actually does help reduce the experience of pain by patients.

There are lots of things you can do — you can watch some good films — see if you can find something good on TV — or get actively involved in something you feel strongly about. Try cooking or playing games, or reading a good book. These are great ways to focus your attention on something other than your pain. And if some of those activities are social, so much the better – isolation has a way of making you feel even worse.
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Got questions?

Contact me at: http://www.ronrink.com

My email and phone number are at that site. Feel free to contact me. I’m here to help you with your health, nutrition and fitness goals.

Have a healthy and nutritious day!

Shanti,

Ron

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