Lost and Found – a Novel by Ron Rink

Can Cola Consumption Cause Concerns?

A study published in the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition says yes. Women who consume 4 or more cola beverages per week may be at higher risk for osteoporosis than those who don’t.

The study measured bone density in the hip and spine areas in 1413 women and 1125 men. Participants were asked to complete a food frequency questionnaire which was then linked to the result. Researchers found that regular cola consumption was linked to lower bone mineral density in the women studied, regardless of other factors such as smoking, alcohol consumption and calcium intake.

Men were not affected at the same rate. The average age of the participants was 60.

Previous studies have suggested that cola contributes to bone mineral density loss because it replaces milk in the diet.

What’s interesting about this is that the women in the study who consumed higher amounts of cola did not have a lower intake of milk than women who consumed fewer colas.

However, the study did conclude that calcium intake from all sources was lower for women who drank the most cola. On average, women consumed 1,000 milligrams of calcium per day, and men consumed 800 milligrams per day, both lower than the daily recommended amount milligrams for adults over age 50.

What’s going on here? Why the connection between colas and osteoporosis? It’s thought that the cause may be the phosphoric acid that the colas contain. This ingredient isn’t found in non-cola beverages. If someone has a diet low in calcium and high in phosphorus may be tipping the balance toward loss of calcium in bone.

Further controlled studies should be conducted to determine whether habitual cola drinkers may be adversely affecting their bone health by regularly consuming doses of phosphoric acid that do not contain calcium or another neutralizing ingredient.

Similar results were seen for diet cola and, although weaker, for decaffeinated cola.

Why should we care? Think of it this way — one in four women over 50, and one in eight men of the same age suffer from osteoporosis. That’s sufficient bad news, but add to that the costs involved in threating the fractures caused by osteoporosis. Hip fractures are particularly dangerous: 20 per cent lead to death, while a further 50 per cent result in disability. 70 per cent of all hip fractures are related to osteoporosis.

Although the study is not the final word on beverage consumption and osteoporosis, it is something to consider before reaching for that next can of cola.
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I don’t know if any of you, my fine readers of this blog, have an interest in starting a blog of your own, but if you do, I have something I’d like to pass along to you.

I’ve been reading a new ebook written by Kevin Brown. Now, I know that a lot of people don’t want to start a blog of their own because they think it’s too complicated. Well, after you read this ebook, your fears will be gone for good!

Kevin is something of a WordPress expert and has recently released a new ebook that goes into great detail of how to install and set up WordPress blogs. This blog you’re reading is written using WordPress, and I also use it for my other blog. Kevin’s book, BlogStorm Blueprint, is the most up-to-date book I’ve ever seen about WordPress with screenshots from the very latest version.

I highly recommend it — especially since it’s being sold at a giveaway price of under ten dollars. It’s really a bargain when you realize that you’ll be getting 106 pages of clear, well-written details.

I’ve been using WordPress for a long time and I think I know quite a bit about how to work with it. I can say that after reading Kevin’s book, I discovered that I don’t know everything. Even though some of the information was basic for me, I still learned loads from the book and heartily
recommend it to you.

It’s the BlogStorm Blueprint — and you can get it here:

Click Here —>http://tinyurl.com/4a5ncq

P.S. Oh, and just so you know, WordPress is free! Learn how to use it with Kevins book …

Click Here —->http://tinyurl.com/4a5ncq
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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 … (A sanscrit word meaning, “Let there be Peace. Peace, beautiful Peace. Peace within, Peace without. Peace in this world. Peace for all beings.”)

Ron
http://www.wecould2.com
http://www.theleaderinside.com
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Will fish oils help your heart? Apparently so. I read an article the other day put out by the Journal of the American College of Cardiology that said that, especially for older adults, fish oils can help the heart by regulating its electrical activity.

The nice part of this is that it won’t take a lot of fish to have this effect — just a couple of meals a week of the right kind of fish — those that are rich in omega-3 fatty acids and prepared by either baking or boiling it (not fried please!) — will do the trick.

It has long been known that eating fish such as tuna, mackerel, lake trout and salmon, which are rich in omega-3 fatty acids, is good for the heart.

The research that led to the article I read analyzed data from more than 5,000 men and women aged 65 and older. The participants were asked whether they ate fish, what kind, and how often. The researchers compared the answers to those dietary questions with electrocardiogram tests of the study participants. What they found was that eating fish was associated with a lower heart rate, a slower interval between when the heart received a signal to pump blood and when blood was pumped, and a lower likelihood that the heart would take a long time to reset its electrical system after a beat. (When there is heart disease the resetting of the electrical system can be delayed.)

Animal studies show that fish oils can get into the membrane of the heart cells and affect the function of their protein channels. Things like potassium, sodium and calcium pass through those channels and control the entire electrical cycle.

This study found that the more fish consumed, the greater the benefits. Most of the benefits were achieved with just one or two meals of fish a week.

But it had to be the right kind of fish, and prepared the right way. No effect on the heart’s electrical activity was seen with fried fish, such as fish burgers or fish sticks. Those commercial products do not increase blood levels of omega-3 fatty acids. Also, the school is still out as to whether or not the fish oil supplements will have the same effect as eating the actual fish.
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I don’t know if any of you, my fine readers of this blog, have an interest in starting a blog of your own, but if you do, I have something I’d like to pass along to you.

I’ve been reading a new ebook written by Kevin Brown. Now, I know that a lot of people don’t want to start a blog of their own because they think it’s too complicated. Well, after you read this ebook, your fears will be gone for good!

Kevin is something of a WordPress expert and has recently released a new ebook that goes into great detail of how to install and set up WordPress blogs. This blog you’re reading is written using WordPress, and I also use it for my other blog. Kevin’s book, BlogStorm Blueprint, is the most up-to-date book I’ve ever seen about WordPress with screenshots from the very latest version.

I highly recommend it — especially since it’s being sold at a giveaway price of under ten dollars. It’s really a bargain when you realize that you’ll be getting 106 pages of clear, well-written details.

I’ve been using WordPress for a long time and I think I know quite a bit about how to work with it. I can say that after reading Kevin’s book, I discovered that I don’t know everything. Even though some of the information was basic for me, I still learned loads from the book and heartily
recommend it to you.

It’s the BlogStorm Blueprint — and you can get it here:

Click Here —>http://tinyurl.com/4a5ncq

P.S. Oh, and just so you know, WordPress is free! Learn how to use it with Kevins book …

Click Here —->http://tinyurl.com/4a5ncq
============================================================

============================================================
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 … (A sanscrit word meaning, “Let there be Peace. Peace, beautiful Peace. Peace within, Peace without. Peace in this world. Peace for all beings.”)

Ron

http://www.wecould2.com

http://www.theleaderinside.com

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Today let’s talk about these brains of ours and what we can do to keep them healthy. I’m now at an age where I seem to have trouble pulling things up to the surface when I’m trying to remember a name, event or a place. I know — I really shouldn’t be too concerned about this — it’s happening to many people and some of them are a lot younger than I am. Most of the things I recommend in this article are a part of my lifestyle, although the eating of too many sweets is something I still need to break.

Almost one-quarter of the over-65 population has some degree of cognitive impairment. The same scientists who make statements like this go on to state that exercise can play a vital role in keeping your brain and your body healthy.

Two of the major factors that may affect brain health are Alzheimer’s disease and stroke. When patients suffer dementia they usually have an impaired memory function as well as at least one other cognitive malfunction.

One of the things that happens with Alzheimer’s disease is that the brain begins to shrink. This is coupled with the formation of plaques made of a protein called amyloid. As these plaques develop they interrupt communication within the nerve cells of the brain. The usual result is a loss of the ability to retrieve things from the memory. As one patient remarked, “I have lost myself.”

Stroke, especially the so-called “silent strokes, can leave tiny lesions in the brain. These lesions can also add to the problems associated with dementia. When these strokes and Alzheimer’s coexist, the situation is much worse.

Early in the 20th century, people could expect to live an average of 47 years; many over 65 seemed old and ill. By 1990, life expectancy had reached 75, and 65-year-olds were much healthier than their earlier counterparts. Now the challenge is to help these aging people preserve cognition and mental health.

Stroke and Alzheimer’s share important risk factors, among them aging, family history, high blood pressure, head injury, high blood cholesterol levels, smoking and a sedentary lifestyle.

One of the things everyone, young and old, should do is to cut way back on salt intake. We should also have plenty of high fiber, low-fat natural nutrients in our diets. The object here is to keep our blood pressure within normal ranges. Blood pressure readings that go over 140/90 are definite indicators for potential stroke and heart disease. Better than two-thirds of stroke patients had blood pressure over the 140/90 mark. Medical professionals and health experts are all stating that a normal blood pressure should be less than 120/80.

Social interaction is also important. Staying in touch with children, family and friends and remaining engaged in life will slow down signs of dementia. People need to read more. Playing board or card games,and playing a musical instrument are also good ways to stay active.

And, since this article is about exercise, dancing is a wonderful, fun form of exercise that’s good for the brain and the body.

Exercise needs to become a life-long habit. If you haven’t been exercising for quite a while, you need to get a good checkup before you embark on an exercise program. Get the approval of your medical professional first.

Exercise should be vigorous enough to raise a sweat. At a minimum, do 30 minutes, three times a week. Do more if you can. Just remember, you’re never too old to exercise.
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I don’t know if any of you, my fine readers of this blog, have an interest in starting a blog of your own, but if you do, I have something I’d like to pass along to you.

Over the past few days I’ve been reading a new ebook written by Kevin Brown. Now, I know that a lot of people don’t want to start a blog of their own because they think it’s too complicated. Well, after you read this ebook, your fears will be gone for good!

Kevin is something of a WordPress expert and has recently released a new ebook that goes into great detail of how to install and set up WordPress blogs. This blog you’re reading is written using WordPress, and I also use it for my other blog. Kevin’s book, BlogStorm Blueprint, is the most up-to-date book I’ve ever seen about WordPress with screenshots from the very latest version.

I highly recommend it — especially since it’s being sold at a giveaway price of under ten dollars. It’s really a bargain when you realize that you’ll be getting 106 pages of clear, well-written details.

I’ve been using WordPress for a long time and I think I know quite a bit about how to work with it. I can say that after reading Kevin’s book, I discovered that I don’t know everything. Even though some of the information was basic for me, I still learned loads from the book and heartily
recommend it to you.

It’s the BlogStorm Blueprint — and you can get it here:

Click Here —>http://tinyurl.com/4a5ncq

P.S. Oh, and just so you know, WordPress is free! Learn how to use it with Kevins book …

Click Here —->http://tinyurl.com/4a5ncq
============================================================

============================================================
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 … (A sanscrit word meaning, “Let there be Peace. Peace, beautiful Peace. Peace within, Peace without. Peace in this world. Peace for all beings.”)

Ron

http://www.wecould2.com

http://www.theleaderinside.com

Today let’s talk about one of the most popular vegetables of the spring season — Asparagus. I don’t know how many of you enjoy this great veggie — but, if it’s freshly cut, young and tender, it’s one of my favorites.

Asparagus — Great Seasonal Food

And, it’s healthy — it’s one of nature’s perfect foods for this time of year.

As nearly as I can ascertain, asparagus (Asparagus officinalis) has been cultivated for thousands of years. I read somewhere that it was first domesticated by the Macedonians about 200 B.C. It is native to Eurasia and people theorize that it grew wild in seaside dunes along the Mediterranean Sea and the British Isles. My speculation is that the crop was brought to North America by English colonists, since the English are particularly fond of it. Anyone who has been to Monticello knows that Jefferson cultivated it in his gardens.

Asparagus is one of the most nutritionally well-balanced vegetables in existence. It leads nearly all produce items in the wide array of nutrients it supplies in significant amounts for a healthy diet.

Asparagus is the leading supplier among vegetables of folic acid. A 5.3 ounce serving provides 60% of the recommended daily allowance for folacin which is necessary for blood cell formation, growth, and prevention of liver disease. Folacin has been shown to play a significant role in the prevention of neural tube defects, such as spina bifida, that cause paralysis and death in 2,500 babies each year.

Its wealth of nutrients, fiber and very low sodium and calorie content make asparagus a nutritionally wise choice for today’s health-conscious consumer.

Local, freshly cut asparagus is a rarity in an age of year-round produce that is normally shipped thousands of miles from grower to you. Personally, I like my food fresh — and that’s more than vital when you’re talking about asparagus. I’m also one who cares about environmental issues, and trucking food all over the world to get to our tables is just not good environmental practice.

A friend of mine from the UK has told me about a book that is available now on the topic of asparagus, written by Chris Sheehan.

This book, A Passion For Asparagus,
will dispel many of the myths surrounding this distinctive vegetable while helping you to enjoy the cooking of it. It also provides a fascinating insight into those who have grown and cared for asparagus over the years in the beautiful Vale of Evesham in England.

The book contains sections on:

* The history and cultivation of asparagus
* Asparagus’ many properties including as an aphrodisiac
* Folklore and myths
* Advice on selecting, preparing and enjoying asparagus
* Specially selected recipes from around the world

To eat asparagus the way they do it in Chris Sheehan’s neighborhood, where they really know about this fine vegetable is that you should add a sprig of mint to the water where you’re going to cook it, serve it with a bit of melted butter (not too much!) just enough to dip the tips. Savor it with a little buttered whole wheat bread.

A Passion For Asparagus

If you decided you’d like to get this book (it isn’t expensive!) you’ll see the order form is in British Pounds. For those of my readers who use other currencies, your method of payment should make the conversion for you. Enjoy the book right along with your asparagus.
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Bring meditation into your daily life. It’s vital to your good health and your peace of mind. It’s the greatest way to learn how to be in the present and how to become friends with what is — because what is is all there truly is. Learn to be friends with the present moment and your life of stress will fade away.

For more information about meditation, please see my other blog at: http://www.theleaderinside.com where I have been writing an entire series on the topic of meditation. When you get to that site, just click on the category titled, “Meditation” to get all the articles I’ve written so far. This series will continue in the coming weeks. The video meditations that I included with the earlier articles may no longer function. I’m sorry about that , but those are out of my control. Hopefully, they’ll all still be working.

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I don’t know if any of you, my fine readers of this blog, have an interest in starting a blog of your own, but if you do, I have something I’d like to pass along to you.

Over the past few days I’ve been reading a new ebook written by Kevin Brown. Now, I know that a lot of people don’t want to start a blog of their own because they think it’s too complicated. Well, after you read this ebook, your fears will be gone for good!

Kevin is something of a WordPress expert and has recently released a new ebook that goes into great detail of how to install and set up WordPress blogs. This blog you’re reading is written using WordPress, and I also use it for my other blog. Kevin’s book, BlogStorm Blueprint, is the most up-to-date book I’ve ever seen about WordPress with screenshots from the very latest version.

I highly recommend it — especially since it’s being sold at a giveaway price of under ten dollars. It’s really a bargain when you realize that you’ll be getting 106 pages of clear, well-written details.

I’ve been using WordPress for a long time and I think I know quite a bit about how to work with it. I can say that after reading Kevin’s book, I discovered that I don’t know everything. Even though some of the information was basic for me, I still learned loads from the book and heartily
recommend it to you.

It’s the BlogStorm Blueprint — and you can get it here:

Click Here —>http://tinyurl.com/4a5ncq

P.S. Oh, and just so you know, WordPress is free! Learn how to use it with Kevins book …

Click Here —->http://tinyurl.com/4a5ncq
============================================================

============================================================
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 … (A sanscrit word meaning, “Let there be Peace. Peace, beautiful Peace. Peace within, Peace without. Peace in this world. Peace for all beings.”)

Ron
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The Eastern cultures have successfully used meditation techniques for stress reduction for centuries. The reason I choose meditation in my own life is to become more capable in quieting the incessant chatter in my mind and increasing my ability to relax my body. Even though I’ve been recommending meditation to you in these articles, in today’s article I’m going to devote the entire article to this topic.

Also, since this is a blog about health, we’ll talk more about the way meditation effects your body. It certainly will have an effect on your mind as well. If you read my other blog (see above) you can learn about that aspect of meditation there.

Meditation can reduce stress hormone levels, lift mood, reduce blood pressure, and reduce adrenaline levels and skin temperature. It is recommended that you meditate early in the morning and again before the evening meal for at least twenty minutes each session. Some will say that you shouldn’t meditate right at bedtime. I don’t agree with that. I think that meditating before sleep is good for you and will promote a more sound sleep.

It can be difficult for those who are beginning a meditation routine to quiet their mind. Don’t be discouraged if you are unsuccessful in reaching that quiet state at the beginning. There are certain methods you can use to allow meditation to flow naturally from the mind and body.

One method of meditation is a practice that focuses on breathing. This is called mindfulness meditation. It is one of the basic forms of meditation even though it is used with many other forms as well.

Sit with your spine straight either on the floor or in a firm chair. If you’re in a chair, place both feet on the ground without crossing your legs or ankles. Either look at an object in front of you, or close your eyes. You want to be able to focus on your breathing. Feel each breath as you breathe out and breathe in. If your mind starts to stray, bring your focus back to the breath. Feel your abdomen as it rises and falls with each breath. Just see the thoughts as they come in as clouds in the sky. The watch as they float away again. As you do this, bring the focus of your mind back to the breathing.

A second method of meditation is called transcendental meditation. TM uses a chanting or mantra word allowing all thoughts to flow out of the mind. Some people will use the “Om” sound as their chant. Others will use a word or phrase that has meaning to them. I will often use words like “Peace”, or “Love” and silently say them to myself with each breath. BY saying the word or the chant it leaves no room for the thoughts to interfere. This method has been proven to raise the mood of those who practice TM.

You may feel you don’t have the time to devote to a meditation program. The last meditation practice we will look at is the mini-meditation. This method will give you an increased awareness of your surroundings and can be done while performing a routine activity. If you are doing dishes, allow the mind to focus on the senses. Feel the water slipping through your fingers; hear the sounds outside your window. Look at the bright colors in your kitchen, and any smells that may be coming from your stove. Light a candle and focus on the aroma as you continue to look at the colors of your kitchen, dishes, and the view outside. You may need to redirect your mind if it starts filling with worries, or any other distractions.

This process of redirecting your mind to your senses will interrupt the stress response and helps in relaxation. It also gives you a sense of pleasure for the many beautiful, simple pleasures we have in our life.

Bring meditation into your daily life. It’s vital to your good health and your peace of mind. It’s the greatest way to learn how to be in the present and how to become friends with what is — because what is is all there truly is. Learn to be friends with the present moment and your life of stress will fade away.

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 … (A sanscrit word meaning, “Let there be Peace. Peace, beautiful Peace. Peace within, Peace without. Peace in this world. Peace for all beings.”)

Ron
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In my meditation I often use what I believe is a powerful aide to deep meditation. It’s the The Holosync Solution. I knew that meditation was a vital element to nurturing my soul — to opening myself to the universe — and this tool has allowed me to achieve and receive the benefits of deep, long-term meditation — and to achieve it much more quickly. If you’re having trouble “getting meditation to work for you” – then the The Holosync Solution is what you’re looking for.

Regular, daily meditation can give you …

(1) Increased intelligence and creativity.
(2) Lower stress levels — and with that — increased ability to handle whatever the world tosses your way.
(3) New levels of self-awareness and inner peace.
(4) The healing of emotional issues at the deepest levels.
(5) It is the proven path to finding the peace, love and compassion within all of us –

— it’s definitely worth taking the time for this powerful practice every day.

With a One-Year 100% Iron-Clad Guarantee, you can now do so with no risk whatsoever — just click any of the links that say … The Holosync Solution

— The Holosync Solution

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