Are you happy?

Very interesting! Watch this video:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qv6xYmh4Y-w&feature=youtu.be

Do you control your happiness? Here is a challenge for you. I suggest you get a note pad. Every night before you go to bed write YOUR 3 Blessings. Write 3 good things about your day and why they happened. That's it!

A study has shown that people doing so were over all happier. This exercise is recommended by James Pawelski. www.jamespawelski.com

I am going to start tonight. I will check back with my results. Hope to hear about yours!

You can also check out www.authentichappiness.org They have some neat test and questionnaires to take as well!

Children and Supplements?

Do your children take supplements? What do you look for in a supplement? Currently my kids are taking a multivitamin, B-12, Vitamin C, and a pro-biotic. After reading several articles recently I think I will be adding an EFA (Essential Fatty Acid) supplement as well. Here is one of the articles:
http://www.nytimes.com/2008/12/11/health/research/11children.html?_r=1
http://www.cbn.com/health/NaturalHealth/drsears_qanda.aspx#1

(You can scroll down to the section where he discusses a child's brain needing fish oil)

While I do believe in trying to get most of your vitamins and minerals from whole foods it is almost impossible to get all the vitamins and minerals this way any longer. Our soils have become so depleted of nutrients that it has effected our food. That is where the supplements come in.

When shopping for supplements you need to do your homework. Do not just run out and buy the Flintstones because the kids like the bottle. Brands like that are filled with sugar and garbage. You want to make sure the supplements are GMP Certified and  have a Purity Certification as well. These are 3rd party organizations that test supplements as they are not FDA regulated.
 

Resources:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Good_manufacturing_practice
http://diet.lovetoknow.com/wiki/Does_the_FDA_Certify_Dietary_Supplements

Metagenics is a company that has a triple GMP Certification. Check out their products here:
 http://www.metagenics.com/products/a-z-products-list

Support Your Local Economy

Times are tough for all of us. Are you making any attempts to support your local economy? Here is a diet based around community support and local agriculture. I challenge you to give this diet a whirl for 60 days. Eating locally will lead you to eat unprocessed whole foods that are in season. By doing so you will not only support local community agriculture, and the ecological footprint but you will help your health and your waistline.

Check out these sites:
http://thetyee.ca/Life/2005/06/28/HundredMileDiet/
http://www.time.com/time/magazine/article/0,9171,1200783,00.html
http://www.ecolife.com/health-food/eating-local/100-mile-diet.html

Man are you fat!

No, I am not calling anyone fat. It is actually a question. Did you know that a higher percentage of men are having eating disorders? I have seen first hand how easily this happens. Here is some great information if you know someone who may fit in this category.


http://www.namedinc.org/newsdetails.asp?id=30

http://www.eating-disorder.com/Eating-Treatment/Eating-Disorders/prevalence-eating-disorders-boys-men.htm

My Health Coaching Site..Yay!

As many of you know I am a career student in addition to my holistic practice. I recently enrolled at the Institute for Integrative Nutrition to further my education and share my knowledge with my clients. It has been a wonderful experience so far. I am learning amazing dietary theories, new recipes, and more. I have the pleasure of hearing AMAZING guest speakers and awesome lectures.
Check out my new site:

http://lennea-aurilia.healthcoach1.integrativenutrition.com/

I look forward to sharing all this information with you guys. If you are interested in a a FREE consultation or think you may be interested in my school and would like to ask me questions just reach out. 843-655-0555 or Soulistic.Health@yahoo.com

Are you eating for the season?

With the clock's turning back this weekend I make a note to check my in-season chart before shopping. Do you? Our bodies both crave and benefit from our foods being locally grown and in season. Further more I recently read in the Integrative Nutrition , Feed Your Hunger for Health & Happiness book that eating foods out of season can make you more susceptible to colds, flu, and other illnesses.


Here are two sites to help you find what is locally grown in your state:
http://www.sustainabletable.org/shop/seasonal/
http://localfoods.about.com/od/searchbystate/State_Seasonal_Produce_Guides.

When eating locally, in season, and organic (Don't want those pesky pesticides) it is best to shop and support your local farmer's market. See if they have a CSA available! You can find local farmer's markets in your area at:
http://www.localharvest.org/