Having a Healthy Halloween

With Halloween just around the corner, I'm happy to report that I am ready for a healthy halloween. I've prepared a lot of home baked goods, and even got some of Wai lana little yogi snacks for giveaways.


I read this interesting and useful article on Halloween Candy and how they can cause heart burn.

Halloween Candy Without the Heartburn

Have goodies without GERD

By Mara Betsch

Halloween is tricky for anyone watching her waistline, but for chronic heartburn sufferers, all those goodies can make for a miserable night. "When it's not treated, chronic heartburn can have serious consequences. The good news is that heartburn and GERD are things you can control," says Pat Baird, RD, and board member of the National Heartburn Alliance.

Certain foods trigger heartburn in some patients and not others, but Baird lists citrus products, fatty foods, chocolate, and peppermint as common heartburn triggers. Besides avoiding certain foods, scare heartburn away from your haunted house by leaving the spandex costume at home. Tight, constrictive clothing may cause GERD symptoms. And if a chocolate binge happens, Baird recommends avoiding lying down 2–3 hours after eating.

Here, she gives us tips to sort through the tricks and treats in the candy bowl.

Twenty-two pieces of this fat-free, colorful candy will cost you 140 calories. Though it’s high in sugar, Baird says it’s unlikely to cause heartburn symptoms.
Trick: Snickers

An excess of fat triggers GERD symptoms, so Baird recommends you stay away from chocolate, a known trigger of heartburn. Studies show eating it may release serotonin, which causes the lower esophageal sphincter to relax and allows acid to back up into the esophagus. Plus Snickers contains nuts, which add up to 3.7 grams of fat in a fun-size bar. And who stops at one?

Have a happy weekend everyone!

Top Weight Loss Secrets: How Women in the Army Lost the Baby Weight

I drank a lot of juice (I got Wai Lana's favorite juice book as a gift), and that really helped me lose the weight I couldn't seem to shake off.

Top Weight Loss Secrets: How Women in the Army Lost the Baby Weight

Any woman who’s ever had a baby can relate to the not-so-joyous side of life after pregnancy: Your body’s changing, sleep is hard to get, and sometimes things between you and your man are strained. Caring for a whole new life can be overwhelming, and postpartum depression may set in. For women who are also soldiers in the Army, add a cold shoulder from your co-workers and boss, and the possibility of losing your job if you don’t drop the baby weight.

Ruby Murray, a master sergeant at Fort Bragg in North Carolina, came close to losing her job—because of 90 pounds of baby weight. Read how she lost the weight and started a no-fail weight-loss program to help her fellow Army women team up to trim down. View the slideshow.

Autumn foods

Just as we change our clothes according to season, we should also change our diets or at least vary our diets according to the season. Now that it's getting colder, it's important to stay well. Eat more ginger. Wai Lana just posted this nice little message on her facebook:

Ginger for Winter Ills
Ginger is well known for its spicy bite in Asian cooking, but not everyone knows it's also an effective remedy for a number of ailments, including colds and flu. Ginger is a stimulant that helps increase agni, the internal fire that regulates the digestive and circulatory systems. Low agni causes blockage and constipation, allowing toxins to accumulate, which creates a breeding ground for disease. Ginger helps by increasing the agni, which, in turn, burns away toxins and waste matter, improves digestion, and paves the way to recovery. Ginger even helps eliminate harmful bacteria and parasites.

Ginger is especially good during cold and flu season. It helps clear the sinuses, relieves congestion headaches, and reduces fever. It's also an expectorant that expels mucus from the lungs and throat. The most effective way to take it for colds and flu is ginger tea. Here's a simple recipe:

2 cups water
¼ cup diced fresh ginger
2 tsp. honey

Boil the water, then add the ginger and simmer for about 20 minutes. Strain into a cup and add 2 teaspoons of honey (or to taste). If you like, you can add 2 tablespoons of lemon juice and a pinch of cayenne pepper to the pot to increase the stimulating, heating effect. Let me forewarn you now, though: This tea is fiery! Sip it—don't gulp it down.

Here's some good advice from health too:
Heat up the kitchen

The weather may be cooler, but your produce choices are heating up. These amazing seasonal foods are the perfect excuse to visit your local farmers' market during the day and heat up the kitchen on cool nights.

Apples

Sweet or tart, apples are satisfying eaten raw or baked into a delicious dish. Just be sure to eat the skin—it contains hearty-healthy flavonoids. Health benefits include:

* Full of antioxidants
* 4 grams of dietary fiber per serving

Harvest season: August–November

Of course, one of my favorite ways to heat up the kitchen in this season is to try one of Wai Lana yoga's many soup recipes. They are delightful. :)

H1N1 flu causes unusual damage to lungs: studies

I've been very busy teaching for the past few days. It's been quite nice though. I thought this was a little alarming:

H1N1 flu causes unusual damage to lungs: studies

WASHINGTON (Reuters) - The new pandemic H1N1 flu may cause blood clots and other unusual damage in the lungs and doctors need to be on the lookout, U.S. researchers reported on Thursday.

Two studies published in the American Journal of Roentgenology show the need to check X-rays and CT scans for unusual features, and also point out swine flu can be tricky to diagnose in some of the sickest patients.

H1N1 flu is causing a pandemic, and while it is not particularly deadly, it is sickening many younger adults and older children who usually escape the worst effects of seasonal flu.

"It is therefore essential that clinicians be able to recognize possible cases of pandemic H1N1 influenza in high-risk groups so that they order the appropriate diagnostic tests, begin specific antiviral therapy, and prepare to provide intensive supportive measures as needed," Dr. Daniel Mollura of the National Institutes of Health Clinical Center in Maryland and colleagues wrote.

One middle-aged man who died was not diagnosed until after death, but unusual findings on his X-rays may be able to help doctors save other, similar patients.

Mollura's team found irregularities called ground-glass opacities in the patient's lungs using a CT scan. Although the patient was severely ill and had a fever, he tested negative for flu and doctors did not treat him for it.

The man died five days after he went into the hospital and the autopsy confirmed he had swine flu. The lung lesions seen on his CT scan matched lung damage done by the virus, Mollura and colleagues said.

In another study in the same journal, CT scans of patients with severe cases of swine flu showed many had pulmonary emboli, which block the arteries in the lungs, a team at the University of Michigan found.

Anticoagulant drugs can break up these clots and save lives.

Dr. Prachi Agarwal and colleagues examined 66 patients diagnosed with H1N1, 14 of them who were in the intensive care unit. All 66 got standard X-rays, which can show if a patient has pneumonia.

They performed enhanced X-rays known as computed tomography or CT scans on 15 of the patients, 10 of them who were in the ICU on ventilators to help them breathe. Five of the ICU patients had the blood clots in the lungs, Agarwal reported

"Our study suggests that patients who are severely ill with H1N1 are also at risk for developing pulmonary emboli, which should be carefully sought for on contrast-enhanced CT scans," Agarwal said in a statement.

"The majority of patients undergoing chest X-rays with H1N1 have normal radiographs (X-rays)," she added. Pulmonary emboli are also not normally seen in flu, she said.

"CT scans proved valuable in identifying those patients at risk of developing more serious complications as a possible result of the H1N1 virus, and for identifying a greater extent of disease than is appreciated on chest radiographs."

(Reporting by Maggie Fox; Editing by Julie Steenhuysen and Cynthia Ostemran)

Now that winter is here, already! :( - I am keeping myself well doing Wai Lana Yoga and taking Wailana's natural supplements. Of course we're also washing our hands often and trying to keep as well as possible.

:) Happy warmth and wellness to everyone!

At more risk for getting swine flu?

Well, according to Health news, if you worry too much, hug/kiss/shake hands, smoke (I knew that!), drinking alcohol, solely using anti-bacterial gel.. and etc.

So, I'm guilty of worrying too much, hugging/kissing others, shaking hands and the gel. Now what? Well Wai Lana supplements are on sale. I got myself some nerve toners and things that can calm me down (the kids will be happy), and the immune booster vitamins. That will be good for all of us all around.

On side note, I've been rather depressed of the late. Maybe just because of what's been happening at work and that kind of thing. I should be all right. I cheered up today a little after doing yoga with Wailana and especially after the fun yoga sound at the end of her shows.

Have a good weekend y'all!

Become aware of your environment

It's great to do yoga outdoors for many reasons. I think that, for example, people like Wai Lana, who do yoga outdoors, are able to utilize nature's many gifts. However, in order to know about or even notice - and later on, appreciate nature's gifts, it is necessary to become aware of nature. It is unfortunate that too many people these days just grow up in cement boxes, completely oblivious to the breath taking beauty of nature and her wonders.

For many people, their biggest window to nature would probably be their television set, given they watch National Geographic or some other nature-documenting channel. But it really doesn't and shouldn't be that way.

Several years ago I read Richard Louv's "Last Child in the Woods". Being a teacher, I easily related the symptoms of the children and people he say have what he calls "the nature deficit disorder". That's another reason why Wai Lana's Little Yogis is excellent. It promotes a healthy consciousness which then promotes environmental awareness.

Staying healthy

For any parent, keeping the whole family healthy is a big issue. Kids, and adults as well- we all have quite a time trying to keep off disease. Of course there are lots of ways and things we can do to stay healthy. In my house, what we do is we try to eat well. I've been trying out a lot of soups from Wai Lana's Favorite Soups. Now that autumn is here, it's great to have all these hearthy soups.

I also make sure everyone does exercise, and take supplements. My kids just love Wailana's goji juice. And I can definitely see why. It tastes great and feels equally good.

Good to celebrate national breast awareness month too! A friend of mine died of breast cancer two years ago. It's still fresh in our minds.

Great news for breast cancer

I am relieved to hear that breast cancer rates are continuing to drop.
I'm really into these natural cosmetics and beauty products now because I don't want to take any chances and higher my risks of getting breast cancer. Another reason to use Wai Lana aromatherapy and beauty products. I love my Wailana bath oils too- my my. And the scrubs are fantastic too.

Breast Cancer Death Rates Continue to Drop 2% Annually
WEDNESDAY, Sept. 30 (HealthDay News) — Fewer women in the United States are dying from breast cancer, but disparities in death rates still exist between whites and blacks, a new report shows.

Deaths from breast cancer have dropped more than 2 percent each year since 1990. And in the past decade that decline in deaths has been shared by black, Hispanic and white women. But black women still have a 40 percent higher death rate from breast cancer than white women, according to the report, Breast Cancer Facts & Figures 2009-2010, released Wednesday by the American Cancer Society.

“The breast cancer death rate continues to decrease since the 1990s in U.S. women because of improved treatments and increased mammography screening rates,” said Dr. Ahmedin Jemal, strategic director for cancer surveillance at the American Cancer Society.

The death rate from breast cancer peaked in 1989, Jemal said. “The most recent data from 2006 shows the breast cancer death rates have dropped nearly 30 percent,” he said. “That’s very good news.”

When this data is translated into the number of women with breast cancer who did not die, some 130,000 lives were saved, he noted.

Jemal said the decline in breast cancer deaths could be accelerated with more targeted treatment, more access to mammography, and more treatment for the poor and the uninsured.

Among uninsured women, only 30 percent had a mammogram during the past two years, compared with about 70 percent of insured women, he said.

All women should have regular screening for breast cancer, Jemal said. “If breast cancer is caught early, the five-year survival rate is 98 percent, but if you catch it late the survival rate is only 24 percent,” he added.

Another way to lower the risk of death from breast cancer is to promote prevention, Jemal said. This includes maintaining a healthy body weight, keeping fit through exercise, and limiting alcohol consumption, he said.

Dr. Harold J. Burstein, of the Dana-Farber Cancer Institute in Boston and an assistant professor of medicine at Harvard Medical School, said, “We are making real progress against breast cancer.”

“Sometimes there is a lot of nihilism. People worry that we are not winning the war on cancer,” he said. “In this particular battle, we are clearly winning. It is slow, hard progress, but we are winning.”

“We are not winning because we have a new secret weapon,” Burstein added. “We are winning because we have a better infrastructure, because we have educated patients and doctors, because we do have new tools becoming available, because we have new insights into the biology of the cancer — all those things are making a difference.”

Other highlights of the report include:

* In 2009, some 192,370 American women will be diagnosed with breast cancer, accounting for more than one in four cancers diagnosed.
* In 2009, an estimated 40,170 women will die from breast cancer; only lung cancer kills more women.
* Data from 2006 — the most recent statistics available — showed that about 2.5 million American women have a history of breast cancer. Most of these women were cancer-free. Others were still undergoing treatment.
* From 2002 to 2003, there was sharp decline in breast cancer rates, particularly for women aged 50 to 69. This reflects the drop in hormone replacement therapy by menopausal and postmenopausal women that began in 2002. Breast cancer rates have remained about the same since 2003.
* Since 1990, breast cancer death rates have dropped steadily. The decline has been greater among women under 50 (3.2 percent per year) than among women over 50 (2 percent per year).
* From 1997 to 2006, breast cancer deaths dropped by 1.9 percent a year among white and Hispanic women, 1.6 percent a year among black women, and 0.6 percent annually among Asian-American and Pacific Islander women. Death rates have stayed the same for American Indians and Alaska Natives.

State to mom: Stop baby-sitting neighbors' kids

What about this silly law?

State to mom: Stop baby-sitting neighbors' kids
IRVING TOWNSHIP, Mich. – Each day before the school bus comes to pick up the neighborhood's children, Lisa Snyder did a favor for three of her fellow moms, welcoming their children into her home for about an hour before they left for school.

Regulators who oversee child care, however, don't see it as charity. Days after the start of the new school year, Snyder received a letter from the Michigan Department of Human Services warning her that if she continued, she'd be violating a law aimed at the operators of unlicensed day care centers.

"I was freaked out. I was blown away," she said. "I got on the phone immediately, called my husband, then I called all the girls" — that is, the mothers whose kids she watches — "every one of them."

Snyder's predicament has led to a debate in Michigan about whether a law that says no one may care for unrelated children in their home for more than four weeks each calendar year unless they are licensed day-care providers needs to be changed. It also has irked parents who say they depend on such friendly offers to help them balance work and family.

On Tuesday, agency Director Ismael Ahmed said good neighbors should be allowed to help each other ensure their children are safe. Gov. Jennifer Granholm instructed Ahmed to work with the state Legislature to change the law, he said.

"Being a good neighbor means helping your neighbors who are in need," Ahmed said in a written statement. "This could be as simple as providing a cup of sugar, monitoring their house while they're on vacation or making sure their children are safe while they wait for the school bus."

Snyder learned that the agency was responding to a neighbor's complaint.

Granholm spokeswoman Liz Boyd said the agency was following standard procedure in its response. "But we feel this (law) really gets in the way of common sense," Boyd said.

"We want to protect kids, but the law needs to be reasonable," she said. "When the governor learned of this, she acted quickly and called the director personally to ask him to intervene."

State Rep. Brian Calley, R-Portland, said he was working to draft legislation that would exempt situations like Snyder's from coverage under Michigan's current day care regulations.

The bill will make it clear that people who aren't in business as day care providers don't need to be licensed, Calley said.

"These are just kids that wait for the bus every morning," he said. "This is not a day care."

Snyder, 35, lives in a rural subdivision in Barry County's Irving Township about 25 miles southeast of Grand Rapids. Her tidy, comfortable three-bedroom home is a designated school bus stop. The three neighbor children she watched — plus Snyder's first-grader, Grace — attend school about six miles away in Middleville.

Snyder said she started watching the other children this school year to help her friends; they often baby-sit for each other during evenings and weekends.

After receiving the state agency's letter, she said she called the agency and tried to explain that she wasn't running a day care center or accepting money from her friends.

Under state law, no one may care for unrelated children in their home for more than four weeks each calendar year unless they are licensed day-care providers. Snyder said she stopped watching the other children immediately after receiving the letter, which was well within the four-week period.

"I've lived in this community for 35 years and everyone I know has done some form of this," said Francie Brummel, 42, who would drop off her second-grade son, Colson, before heading to her job as deputy treasurer of the nearby city of Hastings.

Other moms say they regularly deal with similar situations.

Amy Cowan, 34, of Grosse Pointe Farms, a Detroit suburb, said she often takes turns with her sister, neighbor and friend watching each other's children.

"The worst part of this whole thing, with the state of the economy ... two parents have to work," said Cowan, a corporate sales representative with a 5-year-old son and 11-month-old daughter. "When you throw in the fact that the state is getting involved, it gives women a hard time for going back to work.

"I applaud the lady who takes in her neighbors' kids while they're waiting for the bus. She's enabling her peers to go to work and get a paycheck. The state should be thankful for that."

Amy Maciaszek, 42, of McHenry, Ill., who works in direct sales, said she believes the state agency was "trying to be overprotective."

"I think it does take a village and that's the best way," said Maciaszek, who has a 6-year-old boy and twin 3-year-old daughters. "Unfortunately you do have to be careful about that. These mothers are trying to do the right thing."

I'm trying to get together funding for people and children affected by the disasters throughout the world now. My heart bleeds for them. I want to send out some of my big stash of Wai Lana yogi bars too, i'm sure these vitamins from Wailana will be welcome as well. I have some Red Cross friends flying over.

Heart burn

Sometimes I just experience bad heart burn.

I've been taking some of Wai Lana's digestive supplements to help this, and so far so good. I especially like the Wai Lana goji juice. It tastes fantastic.

I've been reading more about some heart burn causes too. Here are a couple of them:

Why am I in pain?

Heartburn is as American as apple pie—more than 60 million people experience it at least once a month. For some people—those with gastroesophageal reflux disease, or GERD—heartburn can be a constant companion.

Some heartburn triggers are obvious: chili dogs, chocolate cake, Thanksgiving. But heartburn doesn’t stop and start with food alone. If you have constant heartburn, it's time to track down the real culprit.

Click through this slideshow to find some sneaky—and often overlooked—causes of heartburn.

Smoking

As if anyone needed another reason to quit: Smoking makes GERD worse.

Smoking can weaken the valve between the stomach and esophagus (so stomach acid flows back into the esophagus); cause fat-digesting bile salts to migrate from the small intestine to the stomach; and cut down on saliva, which normally flushes stomach acid out of the esophagus and contains a natural acid-fighter, bicarbonate.

How do you spell heartburn relief? Q-U-I-T. (If you need help, visit our smoking cessation center.)

25 foods to avoid

I think this is a great article: 25 Foods You Shouldn't Eat. Very insightful! I've been keeping tabs of these healthy articles and teaching the kids how to eat healthy. It was a bit challenging in the beginning but now they are starting to get used to it.

They just love Wai Lana's Goji Juice. I don't blame them either! It's definitely one of the best tasting, healthy juices I've ever had.

Not much else happening here. It's been busy. Nobody is sick now, which is great. Flu season is never a fun thing to go through!

Stay happy and healthy everyone! Do your Wai Lana Yoga and eat your veggies :)

Wanted dead: Tobacco

Tobacco remains one of the biggest killers worldwide. It's predicted that over 6 million will die of lung cancer next year. An aunt of mine was just diagnosed with lung cancer a few days ago- and she never even smoked herself, but her late husband did- and yes, he died of lung cancer. It's a tragic fact that so many people care so little for themselves and for their loved ones that they would light a cigarette without thinking twice.

I'm focusing on helping my aunt get through. We are waiting for more tests to see how far gone it is and what the options are. Lung cancer is a very painful- as you can imagine, and having seen her husband go through it was painful enough- and now this. Please pray for her.

I also have a friend who's been trying to kick the habit. I told her about Wai Lana yoga - and how yoga can help to kick the habit. She said it's helping her quite well now.

Getting sick

I've been very tired these days. So much to do all the time. I feel like I've got a cold coming on. I'm loading on my Wai Lana supplements and juices.

This is pretty nice to know:

Breast-Feed Infant Son

by Tom Henderson (Subscribe to Tom Henderson's posts) Sep 15th 2009 5:00PM

Just six months ago, Robbie and Susan Goodrich of Marquette, Mich., were expecting their second child.

Now Robbie Goodrich is the single father of two young children as he mourns the death of his wife while some two dozen women visit his house in shifts to breast-feed his infant son.
Nursing Moses

Life turns on a dime, Goodrich realizes, but this crosses the border into surreal. "I've spent the past few months getting used to the fact that this is reality now," he said.

He certainly never expected to become famous. Yet his story has been written up in everything from his hometown newspaper, The Mining Journal, to the June 15 edition of People magazine. Reporters keep calling him for quotes. At least six television producers have approached him about starring in a reality show.

"It would be a really boring show," Goodrich said.

Besides, he said, there's no way he would be put his infant son, 2-year-old daughter, and 11-year-old stepdaughter through that media meat grinder. "It doesn't care who you are," Goodrich said in an interview with ParentDish. "You're just a commodity."

The idea of two dozen women taking turns breast-feeding a widower's baby is apparently a sensation.

But Goodrich said it all began in a blur. He and his wife were professors at Northern Michigan University. He taught history, and she taught modern languages and literature. Susan Goodrich died Jan. 11 from an amniotic fluid embolism after giving birth to their son, Charles Moses Martin Goodrich (called simply Moses).

No words can describe how he felt, Goodrich said. "It was pure blackness."

Both Goodrich and his wife were strong advocates of breast-feeding. Laura Janowski, a family friend who was already nursing her own 4-month-old daughter, asked if he would like her to breast-feed Moses as well. Almost instinctively, Goodrich said, he answered yes.

Marquette is a college town of about 20,000 on the shore of Lake Superior in what Goodrich said is not so much rural as "rugged." The community is close. Everyone knows everyone else -- or least knows someone who knows someone. Plus, as a professor, Goodrich has a high profile.

His story spread quickly. Susan Goodrich's best friend, Nicoletta Fraire, took charge of organizing the team. Now some 25 women drop by the house to either nurse Moses personally or provide pumped breast milk. They've become a community.

"They don't just drop by for five minutes and leave," Goodrich said. "These are loving, nurturing women. They're proud of what they're doing. They're proud of the community, and they're proud of their new micro-community."

Team member Carrie Fiocchi told the Savannah Morning News in Georgia on Aug. 17 she realizes Moses isn't her baby, but the bond is inescapable. "He definitely feels like family."

"I felt like I was doing this for Susan," team member Kyra Fillmore said in the same article. "It's really emotional because, while it's nice to hold a newborn, I think to myself, 'It shouldn't be me.'"

Although the women's love for his son touches him, Goodrich said it is bittersweet for him. "Every moment of joy has sorrow in it." He still grieves the loss of his wife, but tries to put on as brave a face as possible. "The crying goes on in private," he said.

He echoes Fillmore's feelings about the breast-feeding. "It's a reminder of the loss," he said. "They're doing something that Susan would do."

Goodrich said all the publicity makes him and the women in his newfound extended family a little uneasy -- especially him. "They're the ones doing something special."

It's good to know there are still a lot of people caring enough to do this!

Another great piece of news is, all of Wai Lana Yogi bars and Yoga DVDs are on 20% sale

Wanted: Mothers for the Congress

I recently signed the Mom Congress. I encourage all concerned mothers to sign it too! It's a great opportunity to have your voice heard in the congress. This will affect our children. As parents, we are naturally concerned about our children and their well being.

This is one reason I make sure my kids are doing yoga with Wai Lana Little Yogis. I know they will be living their own lives and making their own decisions. I want them to be able to have everything they need to stay healthy, and be healthy. I trust that Wai Lana Yoga can do that for them, as it's done it for me. Of course I don't force the issue on them, and I am thankful that they actually enjoy doing their yoga and always ask to do it even on days I've forgotten to put the tapes on.

Happy living!

More sugar guidelines

Here's some news on sugar guidelines. Yet another reason to switch to eating Wai Lana's Yogi Bars.

New Sugar Guidelines: Not-So-Sweet News for Your Heart

In a shocking surprise to most of us dietitians, the American Heart Association (AHA) stood up to the food industry earlier this month and essentially made eating and drinking a lot of items in the supermarket off-limits.

Why? Because sugar has just earned a spot on the AHA’s black list, joining saturated fat, cholesterol, and sodium as negative nutrients that need to be limited for your heart’s sake.

The AHA’s new recommendations on added sugars in our diet are the strictest of any major health organizations’ guidelines. Added sugars, by the way, are sweeteners that are used primarily in processed packaged foods and beverages—think sodas, cereals, and desserts. Added sugars are not the same as natural sugars, which are naturally present in fruit, 100% fruit juices, dairy products, and vegetables.

The AHA recommends that added sugar intake be limited to 100 calories (25 grams, or 6 teaspoons) per day for women, and to 150 calories (about 37 grams, or 9 teaspoons) per day for men.

Why the change?
Most of us now eat about 355 calories (88 grams, or 22 teaspoons) of added sugars each day, which is almost a 20% increase over the past three decades. When you consider that a 12-ounce can of soda or one cup of frozen yogurt packs in 8 teaspoons of sugar, meeting the new restrictions will make many foods and beverages off-limits.



(ISTOCKPHOTO)The sour truth to all this sweet stuff in our diet, according to the AHA report, published in the journal Circulation, is that several studies have linked high amounts of sugar intake to insulin resistance, hypertension, high triglycerides, and type 2 diabetes. While most food manufacturers would argue otherwise, the bottom line is that sweets may taste great, but they don’t add positive nutrients to our diet. In a nation of overfed and undernourished individuals, sugary foods need to be limited.

The AHA’s conclusion: There is sufficient evidence to link excessive sugar intake to the pandemic of obesity and cardiovascular disease.

Tricks to limit added sugars
If you have a sweet tooth, you can probably make use of these tricks I use to limit added sugars and make sure I don’t blow my overall daily calorie budget.

Eat natural, whole foods, like fruits, vegetables, nuts, and seeds, as added sugars are primarily in processed foods. This is especially true for snacks, as between-meal noshes are often sugar-laden.
Since added and natural sugars aren’t distinguished from one another on nutritional labeling, it’s not possible to calculate exactly how much you’re getting each day. But as a general rule of thumb, the more processed a food is, the higher percentage of its sugars are added—especially if it’s not a fruit or dairy product, which may contain a mix of both.
For a better idea of the added sugar content, look at the ingredient list on packaged foods. If any of these are among the first three ingredients, the food is sugar-rich: brown sugar, corn sweetener, corn syrup, sugar (dextrose, fructose, glucose, sucrose), high-fructose corn syrup, honey, invert sugar, malt sugar, molasses, raw sugar, syrup.
Choose foods labeled low-sugar, sugar-free, or sugar-reduced.
Pay particular attention to the foods and beverages listed below, as they are the most common sources of added sugars in the diet.
Major sources of added sugar in Americans’ diets

Regular soft drinks: 33% contribution to total added sugar intake
Straight sugar and candy: 16%
Cakes, cookies, pies: 13%
Fruit drinks and “-ades” (not 100% fruit juice): 10%
Dairy (watch out for sweetened yogurt and ice cream): 8.5%
Grain-based foods (watch out for cinnamon toast and sweetened cereals): 6%

Time to get healthy right? I'm getting more Wai Lana yoga and pilates

Staying on the safe side

I've been wanting to make everything safe here. Another family member of mine got diagnosed with cancer again. I'm just starting to get paranoid. I've been researching on different things that can cause cancer, including plastic. Yes, that's right- water bottles are important. But be sure you're buying the right type of metal water bottles.

I've changed all of our yoga mats to Wai Lana Green. No more MSG here at the house, not even the yummy chips. Thank god for Wai Lana Whole grain chips!!

I'm sure all the families out there who have a loved one with cancer also go through the same worries and concerns. What a toxic world we live in - and so unaware of it too!

Going green

It's almost ironic sometimes, how I have these run ins with people who are either totally into going green, and who have all the green products you can think of- Wai Lana green mats, solar powered water heating systems, organic clothes, bamboo towels and what not.

Then there are those people who leave their AC on along with all the lights in their flats when they go off for a month long vacation or business travels. They eat wherever and whatever they please, and basically maintain a don't ask- don't care, don't want to know attitude towards the state of our environment.

Where to find the balance here? I think it's a matter of just educating people about the need for them to do their part, if they want to be able to continue living in a not so crazy-toxic world, and if they want their kids and grandkids to be able to play and romp in beautiful parks and etc. I gave one of the people I know one of Wai Lana's eco baskets, and because she liked it so much, she started asking about the green movement and is now trying to cut meat from her diet! I think that's a superb move to support the environment.

Happy living!

Autumn

Autumns' nearly here now and I'm looking forward to it. I'm planning to try out all of Wai Lana favorite soup book recipes this fall and winter. I'm sure I'll have plenty to try yet, and will find a few favorites myself.

I was reading CNN's Autumn of Change page a while ago and it made me rather wistful.

It's wonderful Wai Lana has so many new products. I can't wait to try out the "Yoga is for everyone" instructional DVDs. I think it's a great idea and just what we all need.

Healthy snacks

I've been into these healthy snacks recently. I just got myself some of Wailana's whole grain chips, - I got lemon chili and and my favorite flavor, BBQ.

I also got some pecan lara bars. I wish Wailana would make some pecan yogi bars.


It's great to have healthy snacks that don't feel or taste so healthy. :D

Back to school!

It's been a tiring day for me. It's hard to get everyone ready for school. Have to buy so many things. I'm just glad I can rest tomorrow. Thank God for weekends! And labor day sales. I got an email today from Wai Lana about a 50% off discount on all Wai Lana Supplements until September 14th. I need no other prodding. I am deathly worried that my kids or friends might get the swine flu or any flu at that- over the next few months. I've been doing everything I can to prevent that from happening, so this is perfect timing.

Not to mention, I am really looking forward to trying this fat burner and the goji. I've been a huge fan of goji since I started learning more about that wonder berry!

Asthmatic? Stay away from these things..

I've has asthma as long as I can remember. Mine is caused by allergies. Thankfully now that I've been doing neti with Wailana yoga and pilates mats pots it's basically gone away.

Here are some good things to avoid for your health's sake:

1. Fireworks
2. Cigarettes
3. Airbags
4. Flour
5. Gas applications
Gas appliances

Nitrogen dioxide (NO2), a byproduct released by gas appliances, has been linked to asthma symptoms in children.

A 2008 study followed 150 asthmatic children in Baltimore over a six-month period; it found that children who lived in homes with higher levels of NO2 had more frequent wheezing, coughing, and chest tightness. (Most studies in adults have failed to find a similar effect.)

NO2 can aggravate asthma even in the relatively small amounts generated by gas stoves, heaters, and fireplaces. Properly venting appliances can help avoid unsafe NO2 levels, experts say.

6. Candles
7. Printers

Laser printers and photocopiers emit ultrafine particles that can exacerbate respiratory conditions. A 44-year-old secretary featured in the journal Allergy, for instance, experienced asthma and allergy symptoms for about 15 to 20 minutes each time she started to make photocopies.

Other types of printers have been known to cause respiratory symptoms as well.

In 2009, the New England Journal of Medicine published an account of a 62-year-old woman who began to cough and wheeze at work, where she sold lottery tickets in a small kiosk. Her doctors concluded that the ink used in the ticket printer was making her sick. When she stopped working in the kiosk, her symptoms disappeared.

8. Plastic

On a side, I just love Wai Lana Little Yogis Granola! I just got a box of it. :)

Wake up with yoga

Some days I just feel like all the energy was sucked out of me - kind of like a deflated balloon. It's hard to pick myself up or get myself to do anything, but with all the things I constantly have to do, I have no choice but to drag myself through the day and do things.

If I didn't do Wailana Yoga, I doubt anyone would see me half as much!

Here's a little quickie which is excellent for boosting your energy. It works for me, I'm sure it'll work for anyone!

If you need an energy infusion, try Camel Pose with Wai Lana. It opens your chest so your lungs are able to take in more oxygen. Plus, the act of bending backward is believed to stimulate your adrenal glands, revving you up. Do this move a few times a week—or whenever you need a little lift.

How-to: Kneel on your shins so your calves are hip-width apart and parallel to each other. Place your hands on your lower back so that your palms rest on the tops of your buttocks, your fingers are pointing up, and your elbows are hugging in. Draw your belly in and tailbone down to stabilize your lower back. Lift your chest directly up and away from the floor, tilting your head back.

If you feel comfortable, reach back and take hold of one heel with each hand (as shown), pressing down to create further lift in your chest. Stop if you feel any pressure in your lower back. Hold for 5–15 breaths, then come up smoothly by firming your belly and returning your hands to the tops of your buttocks. Sit on your heels to rest; repeat the move up to 3 times.

Aromatherapy and yoga

Aromatherapy and yoga are just awesome.

So how does aromatherapy correspond to yoga? Aroma evokes memory and emotion and the two are interwoven in our cell tissue. Essential oils influence the whole being. Yoga influences the whole being. It's really cool that Wai Lana has now come up with a new line, "Wailana Yogaroma" Each time you practice yoga, your body responds to the memory of the pose, hopefully in a positive and healing way. The memory of each pose is embedded or stored in the cell tissue. Each time you revisit your yoga mat and practice, your body remembers being in the pose and what it feels like to be in the pose. When a yoga pose is held for a longer period of time, it gives the body the opportunity to open, relax and release.

When practicing yoga, there are several options for incorporating the use of essential oils. Here are a few suggestions: Diffusers, scented lotions using pure essential oils, essential oil sprays, incense (make sure it’s of good quality), and candles made with pure essential oils, not synthetic.

Below is a grouping of yoga poses and suggested essential oils to use while practicing yoga. Each essential oil has its own therapeutic qualities and supports different parts of the body.

* Bridge/Backbends/Heart Openers: Rose absolute is a calming oil that when diffused will produce a stabilizing atmosphere during times of stress, anxiety or grief.
* Downward Facing Dog/ Inversions/Invigorating: Peppermint is an energizing oil that invigorates and can help boost your frame of mind, while giving you a burst of energy.
* Standing Forward Bend/ Forward Bends /Calming: Lavender is a calming oil used for balancing, soothing, relaxing and healing.
* Warrior 1/ Standing poses /Grounding: Sandalwood is an earthy, woody scented oil. In some traditions it is known for its ability to help one focus and stabilize.
* Half Spinal Twist/ Twists /Massage organs: Clary Sage can bring about a sense of relaxed euphoria and ease tension in both mind and body.

Check out the following companies for essential oils, diffusers, candles and more: Aura Cacia, Oshadhi, Wyndmere and Big Dipper Wax Works.

Aromatherapy used during a yoga class can inspire, awaken, calm and connect you to deeper to mind/ body awareness. Try using essential oils while practicing yoga and feel the difference aromatherapy can make in your connection to mind and body.

Yoga Earth and Health-Friendly Yoga Products

Wai Lana, world-renowned yoga teacher and host of the long-running PBS television series Wai Lana Yoga Toning workout, excels at making the ancient art of yoga easy and effective for anyone who practices along with her. Her faithful exercise products continue to impress with their quality, durability, and fashionable designs. To the serene and warm-hearted Wai Lana, the teaching of yoga is not a business but an important service to the global community.

“At the heart of yoga lies a deep respect for all living beings, including Mother Earth,” says Wai Lana. “I wanted to offer products that people could really feel good about—something that reflects the harmonious spirit of yoga. It’s only natural to want your yoga products to reflect this same caring attitude.”
So it is no surprise that the latest addition to her array of user-friendly products is her line of eco-friendly yoga products called Wai Lana Green.

In keeping with the theme “Fitness in Harmony with the Earth,” Wai Lana’s Green line is made from all-natural, ecologically sustainable sources, giving people products that are good for them and for the planet too. Her Green line includes yoga mats, bamboo towels, and organic cotton straps and totes as well as cork and bamboo blocks. Wai Lana Yoga has also added new kid-friendly eco products to the Little Yogis line, including a kid-sized, phthalate-free yoga mat, a Stretch N Play Eco Yoga Ball Kit, and a Little Yogis Eco Tote Kit.

Kick Laziness

So, here's a nice little article I enjoyed. I think it's a good one. So just another reason to do Wai Lana Yoga!

LOSE THE LAZY, AMERICA!
by Chani

That's it! We're done. Its time to make some serious changes, and nice doesn't seem to be working. I'm FIRED UP! And you should be too.

Lets get mad together. Did you know that American emergency crews are beginning to equip their ambulances with hydraulic stretchers that can handle up to 700 pounds? Seven Hundred Pounds..... How does that make you feel? We are out of control. There are thousands of web sites, books, magazines, and TV programs full of information on how to live a healthy lifestyle. You can watch them, you can stare at them, you can eat the pages...but none of it will help you if you don't take ACTION!

Everything begins and ends at home. We all work, whether its out of our homes or in them. A busy life is not an excuse. The habits you create in your home affect every aspect of your life. Your kids will follow your lead, you can't just say it, you have to show it. If your kids are headed to obesity...its your fault. Yes, I just said that. If you and your spouse have become fat over the years, its because of the habits you live... Its your fault. Don't blame it on genetics, the government, the restaurants, bad knees, or whatever excuse you have. Face it, look at yourself in mirror. Literally, Face it! Are you angry I'm calling you out? Good. Maybe I'll shake enough trees, to get some movement out of them. In fact, take a look at a tree. The trees that move and stretch their branches to the sun, thrive and bloom. The trees that get stuck in the shade wilt and die out. People are the same way. When you reach for a goal, and push yourself you will feel energy, and hope. If you hide in the complacency of the shade, you too will wilt, get fat, lazy, and look at the healthy trees and make jealous comments. Because deep down, you wish you had the energy of the sun.

I hope you are fired up! Lets get mad together and make a difference in the lives around us. If you are in bad shape and very uncomfortable with what you have become. Make the change today! Say it out loud.."I'm done!" And begin by taking a walk, and eating a little less today. Start small if you have to, but do it! If you are in great shape, be a motivator, inspire those around you. Believe me, some will shoot you down, call you the stick in the mud. So what, the next person just might follow your lead. Start a neighborhood walking group. Get together with your relatives on the weekends and have a "cooking day" where you prepare meals for the week. And please, if you are a parent, a teacher, a nurse, a doctor, a policeman, etc. you are a leader because of the position you hold. People are watching you. Get fit! Inspire, motivate, take a look in the mirror and make the physical changes you need to make. Find the resources you need to make it happen, and use them.

Our country is dying, no more nice..its not working. Get mad, get fired up, and get out there!

GET FIT, STAY FIT!

from

Need yoga mats? Wailana has good ones too. :)

Eating less sugar

I just got one more good reason to get myself a box of Wailana Yogi bars. Research has shown that high glycemic foods damage the arteries. I've been reading a lot of health books, and so this news is making me squeamish about eating too much sugar.

Anyway, I was just sent Wai Lana's Hello Fitness series today. I'm excited to try it out!

Anyone interested in healthy and nutritious foods has probably heard that whole grains are far better for you than the processed variety like white bread and sugar-laden cereals. There are several reasons for this, including the fact whole foods tend to be richer in fiber and they also have low glycemic indexes. That means they keep blood sugar and insulin levels steady without wide fluctuations. But a new study published in the Journal of the American College of Cardiology concludes there's another important reason to avoid high glycemic foods like white bread and corn flakes. For the first time, scientists have documented how eating these foods can directly damage artery walls and cause cardiac problems.

"It's very hard to predict heart disease," Dr. Michael Shechter of Tel Aviv University's Sackler School of Medicine and the Heart Institute of Sheba Medical Center, said in a statement to the media. "But doctors know that high glycemic foods rapidly increase blood sugar. Those who binge on these foods have a greater chance of sudden death from heart attack. Our research connects the dots, showing the link between diet and what's happening in real time in the arteries."

For his study, Dr Shechter and colleagues worked with 56 healthy volunteers who were divided into four groups. One group ate cornflake cereal mixed with milk, a second consumed a pure sugar mixture, the third group ate bran flakes and the last group took water (as a placebo control). Over the course of four weeks, Dr. Shechter applied brachial reactive testing to the research subjects in each group. This test, a clinical and research technique pioneered by Dr. Shechter's laboratory, uses a blood pressure type cuff on the arm that is able to visualize what happens inside arteries before, during and after eating various foods.

Before any of the study participants ate, the function of their arteries was essentially the same. After eating, however, all except the placebo group had reduced arterial functioning -- especially the research subjects who ate cornflakes and sugar. In fact, the testing documented that during the consumption of these foods high in sugar, there was a temporary and sudden dysfunction in the endothelium, the thin layer of cells that line the inside of arteries and reduce turbulence as blood flows throughout the entire circulatory system.

This is a critical finding because, when repeated over time, a sudden expansion of artery walls can cause a host of negative effects on health including damage to endothelial cells. That can reduce elasticity in arteries, resulting in heart disease or even sudden death. In fact, according to Dr. Shechter, endothelium dysfunction can be traced back to almost every disorder and disease in the body.

"We knew high glycemic foods were bad for the heart. Now we have a mechanism that shows how," Dr. Shechter explained in the press statement. "Foods like cornflakes, white bread, French fries, and sweetened soda all put undue stress on our arteries. We've explained for the first time how high glycemic carbs can affect the progression of heart disease."

Dr. Shechter agrees with natural health advocates who have long advised staying away from highly processed, high glycemic foods and eating a diet rich in low glycemic whole foods such as oatmeal, fruits, vegetables, legumes and nuts. In addition to helping protect your heart, this style of eating has other advantages. According to the Harvard School of Public Health web site, these healthy foods are loaded with vitamins, minerals, fiber, and a host of important phytonutrients.

So take note my friends, and eat well! Let's have a healthy cookout at my place one of these days.

Energy Levels

Oh, don't you just hate it when you have written such a long blog entry and it turns out you're not logged in and by the time you log in again, your whole post is gone?

Anyhow, I was talking about energy levels. It's been amazing to me how practicing Wailana Yoga has helped improve my energy levels so much. Being a parent is no joke, and I'm sure all other parents would tell non-parents, can you say- "Tiring?" But rewarding nonetheless.

When I watch Wai Lana singing and dancing at the end of her shows, it just makes me hopeful that I can be half as beautiful and youthful as she is when my kids are adults! I mean, Wai lana has said that she's got kids, and the way she moves, and how slim and beautiful she still is, is just a wonderful testimony for how yoga helps the body so much. I mean, doesn't that make sense?

On a side note, my kids have absolutely been losing themselves laughing at this silly baby goat playing on a horse. I'm sorry I still don't know how to embed movies onto my blog posts. Anyone have any idea?

Anyhow, hugs for everyone

Hip and fit

I'm feeling like a hip mom right now, I just ordered one of Wai Lana Yoga's Urban Yoga Bags. I'm sure it will look better on me than my all-harassed-trying to hold onto 10 different little bags in one go look.

And so.. keep fit and cut the fat with these good tips from Yahoo's Health news:

Use yogurt instead of cream or mayo

Drink lots of water

Skip the cheese

Eat salsa instead of dressing

Skip your office snacks

Cook your own popcorn

Get a steamer

Eat more fruits during the day and during breakfast

skip the sugar

Drinking coffee? Skip the creamer

Try out Wai Lana's favorite juices book. She has some fantastic juices there that are like instant-fill-me-ups. She also has one "fat burner" juice. Drink it, do your yoga, and watch your pounds melt away. ;)

Prevent and cure lower back pain with yoga

Nearly 8 out of 10 people get lower back pains regularly. I was rather surprised by that statistic, and the ironic thing is it is completely curable and preventable through yoga practice.

Just as it's explained on healthy yoga practice that yoga is so beneficial for getting rid of lower back pain.

More often the pain that is experienced in a person’s back occurs on account of problems with maintaining correct posture. So it may become necessary to consider suitable means to realign the body. This is a good time to consider using yoga exercise for back lower pain as this is one of the best and most natural means of bringing mind, body and soul back into perfect synchronization. Your doctor and health care practitioner can help you decide what you can do for your lower back pain, it is recommended you to what they have to say. You may make your problem worse by doing something wrong. If they say that yoga for lower back pain is something that would help you, you may want to seriously consider it as an option. The great thing about yoga is that it can be very easy on the body, and there are many different things in yoga that you can perform. You don’t have to do all of the moves that most classes have. You only need to do the ones that work well with your back. If your doctor is recommending yoga for lower back pain, they probably have guidelines and recommendations that you should follow.



Yoga is about strength and flexibility and for the most part, this is going to be recommended for those that have muscle problems rather than some type of spinal injury. It may not be helpful for bulging and crushed discs, but yoga for lower back pain can help when your muscles are tight, weak or tense and won’t relax. Some backs go out of place thanks to weak muscles, so doing yoga to help with back problems can be a preventative measure. Purchasing a book that has information about yoga for lower back pain might be something you wish to do.



At Home or In A Class-Which Suits You Best?

When doing yoga for lower back pain, you have two main choices.

1. You can do it from home with the right instruction

2. You may want to take a lesson with a experienced yoga teacher, like Wai Lana.



If you are going to do it from home, you want to go out and find the right DVD or book. You should also make sure you get the right mat to use on your floor, and any other accessories that will help you through your workout. If you are taking a class, call ahead to see what you would need, and stress that you need beginners classe. To start you will generally need a yoga mat and you may even wish to purchase a book that has information about yoga for lower back pain.



Get the Right Clothing

Get the right clothing for your yoga for lower back pain sessions, and make sure you remember that your limits may be pushed. You might feel a little pain as you work your way through the exercises, but stop if it becomes to painful. You don’t want to cause more damage in your back than you already have. What is going to happen is that you are going to build up the muscles that hold your spine in place, and that can do wonders for any back. Yoga for lower back pain doesn’t work for everyone, if this is the case for you, talk to your doctor about other exercise alternatives.



The Mountain Pose and More

It is possible that yoga exercise for back pain will help fix problems related to pain in the back that emanate from the hips that could have been overworked or stretched beyond their limits. The right kind of yoga for lower back pain will ensure that the muscles of the hips are stretched, worked as well as brought back to their proper balance – all of which has the effect of decreasing pain in a person’s back. You can also perform the standing yoga postures that aid in providing better balance and help to achieve better flexibility as well as strengthen the hips.

The Mountain pose in particular is a yoga exercise for back pain that trains each and every muscle and brings the body back to its proper alignment. A person’s hips play a major role in how well or poorly they can move and they also help in keeping the body posture correctly balance. The hips are located centrally and are connected to a person’s lower spine. It has been found that as many as eighty percent of people that suffer from pain in their backs do so because of hip problems.

One of the yoga exercises that helps to realign the hips and help mobility is the triangle pose. Stretching the flanks with a yoga exercise for lower back pain known as extended side angle pose is another way of achieving the right body balance and in addition this yoga exercise for back pain helps to elongate the spine while also countering problems such as poor postures. It can really help you achieve a pain-free existence once more and is a very useful exercise and. Back pain also occurs due to slipped discs. The ache in your back is experienced by people in all parts of the world, it is one of the most common of health conditions. Proper and timely treatment should be given, as the aches can become extremely painful and can lead to disabilities in the patient.

So if you're trying to get rid of your backaches, just start doing Wai Lana Yoga easy work outs!

Swine flu preparations

With the WHO saying we should prepare for an "explosion" of swine flu cases and deaths over the next two years, I think it is a perfect time to get people aware of the fact that they need to get healthy.

I am an avid health advocate and know everyone can get healthy, after all, I too was once very out of it health wise. Practicing Wai Lana yoga has made such a huge difference in my life, you wouldn't believe it.

So get healthy, do your yoga, eat your veggies, get yourself Wai Lana easy series to start off.. and prevent swine flu!

Home alone

I've been home alone all week. It's good to have some alone time every now and then. Gives me a good opportunity to think and just introspect.

Wai Lana has been putting up some nice quotes on her Wailana Yoga Twitter account and Wai Lana Facebook. Here are some of them:

"Patience is power. With time and patience, the mulberry leaf becomes silk." ~Chinese Proverb

"The only ones among you who will be really happy are those who will have sought and found how to serve." ~Albert Schweitzer

"A bit of fragrance always clings to the hand that gives roses." ~Chinese Proverb

Aren't they noteworthy?

Obesity today

Having been obese before, I know how difficult it is to be under so much pressure to lose weight.
It's a depressing thing to have to face.

Here's some news on obesity and how it's been affecting our health care:

Obesity is the elephant in the room of health care reform, a public health catastrophe that kills more than 100,000 Americans a year, cost the nation $147 billion last year and threatens to shorten U.S. life expectancy for the first time since the Civil War.

"Rising obesity rates are increasing health care expenditures per person in a way that is going to be very difficult to finance," said Jay Bhattacharya, a doctor and health economist at Stanford University's Center for Primary Care and Outcomes Research.

"Unless there is some vast improvement in the efficiency of the health care system - and I mean vast - we're going to be spending a lot more just because a lot more people will have diabetes" and other obesity-related diseases, he said.

Obesity is all but impossible to treat. Prevention is the only cure. Yet while health care legislation in Congress would increase spending on prevention of chronic disease, it does little to tackle the underlying obesity epidemic directly. Most of the bills are silent on what many health experts contend would be one of the most effective weapons: a tax on soda.

So how did I get out of it? It was such a difficult hole to crawl out of, honestly. It was very difficult emotionally, mentally, and physically. But now that I'm over it, I wonder why I let myself go like that in the first place. I did several things to get well again. One, I started doing Wai Lana Yoga Invigorating workout and Wai Lana Yoga Easy workout. Those two alone brought me so far. I learned to listen to my body, know when it was full and when to stop eating. And, more importantly, I learned that it wasn't bad to control my desires to eat more. I wish the best of luck to all other people who are going through what I did! You can succeed!

I (Heart) Coffee

I was reading through the usual websites I go through in the morning today and MSN was saying something about coffee alternatives. I was having my favorite cup of coffee, all the while of course, but there's always that nagging thing in my head that I should just stop taking so much coffee already.

Coffee has been such a huge part of my life though. I've got several great memories in coffee shops. Starbucks, Wailana coffee grounds, Coffee from Heaven, and so many other places. Ironically, I like Wailana coffee just about as much as I love Wailana yoga! :)

Happy drinking.

Attention: Vegetarians

Healthy alternatives

The vegetarian diet can be difficult to adapt to, but there are so many good benefits it has on your body and the environment is well worth your attempts. In this article, we hope to fill you in on on topics regarding vegetarianism that you may not be familiar with in order to increase your knowledge of how a vegetarian diet is helpful.

Balanced diet

Be aware of what you are eating and your needs. Iron is an important mineral that is often found in meat, and so in order to meet their body’s needs, vegetarians can eat dried beans, green leafy vegetables and dried fruits. Female vegetarians in particular need to regulate their levels of iron because much of the body’s iron supply is depleted during menstruation. A lack of iron can be a risk for an iron deficiency or anemia. However, do not worry too much. If you’re unsure on how much iron you should be getting in order to be in good health, you should speak to a dietitian who can help you to identify exactly how much you need. Wai Lana Natural Supplementsis a great source of nutritional information and of of natural supplements of all sorts.

Simple truths about vegetarianism
- While most vegetarians do their best to avoid eating any meat or animal products whatsoever, it is important to note that even simply reducing the quantity of meat and dairy products that you eat can be a significant towards keeping better health. Scientific studies show vegetarians have lower risk for developing heart disease, high blood pressure, and obesity. Isn't that amazing? Even just be making simple dietary changes can be for one’s health, and decreasing meat consumption can offer similar effects albeit to a lesser degree.

Misconceptions
- Some people believe that just by not eating meat, they can maintain proper health. However, it is important to realize that there is plenty of fat that can enter your diet through processed or fried foods. Also, nuts are very high in both protein and fat, so one is encouraged to watch their intakes in order to ensure that they take in only a small amount of fat.

The king of vitamins
- Of all of the vitamins that are deemed important to the body by health experts, only one vitamin can not be found in a vegetarian diet – vitamin B12. Luckily, individuals who are worried about their bodies getting all of the nutrition that they need can take supplements in order to fulfill their daily requirement of B12. Other vitamins can be found in fruits, vegetables, and grains in abundance. Wai Lana Easy Yoga's natural supplements are a great source for natural supplements and other all-natural foods.

Add variety in your diet
- Having vegetarian friends who cook well can be one of the most important things you can have that will help you to stick to your diet. Wailana has some delightful cook books and a huge range of vegetarian recipes and meat-substitution techniques that you will find useful. She also offers tips like be sure to stock your house with all types of vegetarian food and snacks that you and your family love. You may even want to get a ‘car kit’ together full of vegetarian snacks so that you can ensure you’ll have something to eat if you end up stuck somewhere where you cannot find any vegetarian food.

Healthy snacks

I think it's great that Wai Lana has all these healthy snacks available not just for adults- but for kids too. I just got my Yogi Bars from Wai Lana today. I very much enjoyed all of them, especially the apricot one. I also ordered some of Wai Lana Yoga's granola and Little Yogi bars. I'll see how the kids will rate it. I'm sure they'll enjoy it though. They nicked some of my Yogi Bars!

Have a great day everyone. :) I'll post more info on weight loss soon.

Losing weight

I've been trying to lose a few more pounds. I've just got about 8 more pounds to go before I am like, 4 sizes down from what I was a couple years ago, and I am definitely not looking back. I've never felt so great. I really appreciate one of the weekly messages of Wai Lana sometime back on being the chariot driver. It made me realize I should be able to manage what I'm eating, and I have!

It's fantastic. Weight training has definitely helped as well. The other day MSN Health had a good article on how weight training makes it so that you burn 40% more fat than other people who may exercise the same amount of time, because, well, muscles, literally, are hot, and burn fat.

So having a proper diet and exercising is still the king of weight loss. I've been trying out a lot of the juices from Wai Lana Yoga's favorite juices, and the "Fat Burner", which I was rather intimidated by before- has worked wonders for my waist. And it actually tastes good. I'm kinda addicted to it now.

I am happy Wai Lana is on social networking websites now! It's great stuff.

Develop Healthy Habits Early

I've been volunteering at a nearby elementary school for the past two months, and more than ever, I realized the importance of developing healthy habits early in life. This responsibility lays largely on parents and teachers, who help a child develop the path and life they will eventually live- on their own. Seeing that many of the children were far above their healthy weight and were- at their tender ages- not very healthy, I raised my concern with the other teachers and parents. I introduced Wai Lana's Little Yogis series to them. Some parents faced my ideas with a little apprehension, while others welcomed the concern. I proposed that the children try it out even just for two weeks, and from there they could assess whether it was working on not.

The funny thing is that many of the parents were surprised that the kids absolutely loved the fun songs and doing the yoga poses with Wai Lana. After two weeks, the parents all voted that the 30 minute "yoga fun and way with Wailana" would continue, and even got Wailana's daydream CD for kids for the preschool children.

I hope and trust that this is a great way to start these children on a healthy lifestyle. As they become accustomed to feeling great and having good fun doing yoga, they will always look forward to it throughout their lives, or at least know how wonderful yoga can make them feel. Kids need to relax too! My next project now is to introduce less sugary snacks, and I know Wailana yoga yogi bars and snacks for kids will be perfect for this.

Be Inspired by Wai Lana

Hi everyone, :) I have been starting on project after another,- and so life has definitely been very hectic for me. I've been helping my sister move house and all that so I've hardly been home.

I found Wai Lana's weekly message- "Inside Out Yoga" to be very insightful. Wai Lana was talking about how it's not necessary to try to force your body into what you may think is the "ideal" yoga posture. Wai Lana also mentioned that it's necessary to note and be aware of your body's limitations and strengths and to work on those as needed. She also reiterates that through regular and conscientious practice, you will advance quickly.

This is just one of the many reasons I love practicing Wai Lana Yoga. I know I am safe with her. It's great to know that I don't have to make believe I'm good and force my body into postures I know I can't do.

Shopping at Wai Lana's...

My internet has been down and out hence I haven't been able to update my poor blog.

I am, however, very excited about all of Wai Lana's new products. I found this website that has coupons and etc for Wai Lana products, which I am very happy and grateful to find because I've been doing a lot of shopping on her stuff again.

Did I mention how good these yogi bars of Wai Lana look? I've been a long time fan of Lara bars, and I'm sure these are awesome too.

Wai Lana in the news

Wai Lana Yoga for Kids Goes Eco
WEBWIRE – Friday, July 17, 2009

Contact Information
Anna Matthews
Customer Relations
www.wailana.com
800...
anna@wailana.com

A new line of children’s yoga products called Little Green Yogis has been released by Wai Lana, host of the long-running PBS television series Wai Lana Yoga, aimed at parents who are looking for eco-friendly ways to help their children stay healthy, safe and happy.

This new line helps kids learn to love yoga and exercise, leading them toward greater fitness, balance and well-being. At the same time, it also uses non-toxic, ecologically sustainable materials that are kid friendly and planet friendly too.

“As a parent, I’ve enjoyed watching my own children grow up to embrace healthy lifestyles” says Wai Lana “and I know that a little encouragement when they’re young goes a long way. That is why I’m pleased to be able to offer parents fun and healthy products for children that are also good for the planet.”

Little Green Yogis includes a kid-sized, phthalate-free yoga mat as well as a kid’s sized Stretch N Play Eco Yoga Ball Kit. Kids can also tote their mat with a Little Green Yogis Tote Kit which includes a tote made from recycled materials, a yoga mat, a cartoon poster with 21 poses and Wai Lana’s award winning Little Yogis DVD, as well as silly cartoon stickers.
Wai Lana’s Little Green Yogis will be available this year on Earth Day, April 22nd. Wai Lana’s already popular Little Yogis line of children’s product includes exercise DVDs, music CDs, mats, kits, games, and activity books and can be seen online at www.wailana.com.
Source

A day of thanks

It's been a while since I've posted on here. I'm doing quite well, happy and progressing quite steadily on the road to health. Everyday brings new discoveries to me, and while there are always and will always be bumps on the road of life- I'm quite thankful that I've been given what I have been given. Having been given so much myself, I feel it is only my duty to share and help others who have it a lot worse off than I do.

I sent my dad a card and some gifts a few days ago. I can only wish the best for someone who has likewise wished nothing but the best for myself. I also got dad some gift baskets from Wai lana since they're on sale.

Here's a quote for the week:

We all live with the objective of being happy; our lives are all different, and yet the same.
Anne Frank

Wai Lana's Eco Ball kit

Eco Ball kit
Eco Ball kit
Stretch, strengthen, and sculpt your entire body with our new planet- and health-friendly Eco Ball kit
You’ll …

* Firm and tone your body
* Define your abs and waistline
* Release pent-up stress and tension
* Improve balance, flexibility, and coordination
* Look great and feel great with an effective, whole-body stretch and workout

Kit Contains:

* Phthalate-free, anti-burst eco ball
* Complete workout on DVD, set by the soothing, inspiring seaside (running time 25 min.)
* Foot pump for quick, easy ball inflation

Choose the ball that’s right for you:
Height Ball Size Color
5’0” to 5’5” S 22”/55cm Blue
5’6” to 5’11” M 26”/65cm Green
6’0” to 6’3” L 30”/75cm Jade

on Sale, regular price: $29.95 Sale: $22.46

Click here to see the color swatches

Natural Supplements

At times like now, when everyone is on alert for their own safety and the safety of their loved ones, it is always good to have a fall back plan and be taking the best supplements to stay well and healthy. Wai Lana's supplements are my favorite way to keep healthy naturally.

Supplement Collection
$99
Gift Basket includes:

* Goji Capsules
* Immune Support Supplement capsules
* Stress Ease Supplement capsules
* Digestive Fire Ayurveda Capsules
* Pure Aloe Vera Juice
* Colloidal Minerals

Getting well naturally

Sometimes it's just impossible to avoid getting sick. I've been suffering from an upper respiratory track infection and harboring a fever for the past two days. Thankfully it can't be transmitted online! I have gone to the doctor and no, it's not swine flu. Anyhow, I've been taking Wai Lana's supplements- goji berries, noni juice, and etc to get me well fast. My package came timely. I've just been taking a lot of fluids and fruits as well, and broths.

Staying healthy

Sometimes, despite our good intentions and work, we just get sick anyway. I have been suffering from an upper respiratory track infection for the past few days.

Yoga Tips for Fending Off Colds and Flus This Fall
Anna Montage, Health and Wellness Editor

RECIPE: Spicy Ginger Tea

Ginger is especially good during cold and flu season. It helps clear the sinuses, relieves congestion headaches, and reduces fever. It’s also an expectorant that expels mucus from the lungs and throat. The most effective way to take it for colds and flu is ginger tea.

Here's a simple recipe:
Ingredients:

* 2 cups water
* ¼ cup diced fresh ginger
* 2 tsp. honey
* Lemon juice (optional)
* Cayenne pepper (optional)

Directions:

1. Boil the water, then add the ginger and simmer for about 20 minutes.
2. Strain into a cup and add 2 teaspoons of honey (or to taste).
3. If you like, you can add 2 tablespoons of lemon juice and a pinch of cayenne pepper to the pot to increase the stimulating, heating effect.
4. Let us forewarn you now, though: This tea is fiery! Sip it—don't gulp it down.

Source: Wai Lana Weekly Messages

View more recipes ...

“AH –CHOO!” That sound becomes all too familiar this time of year; as the beauty and crispness of the autumn season arrive, so do colds and flus. Fortunately, there are some simple steps you can take to make this fall and winter healthy. Even if you do catch a cold or flu, the right remedies can help make it as short and painless as possible.
Preventing Sickness

1. Avoid Getting Run Down – Feeling tired and run down is a big risk factor for getting sick. Sometimes family and work responsibilities may seem overwhelming. This is a good time to take stock of what’s truly most important and trim down everything else. Prevention is the best medicine. Getting the proper R & R that your body and mind need should be just as much a priority as everything else. Not only will you be less stressed, but you’ll also be more effective in everything you do.
2. Eat a Yoga Diet – A yoga diet, with the emphasis on whole grains, fruits, vegetables, legumes, and dairy products, naturally provides your body with both the nutrition and the antioxidants that your immune system needs to function optimally. One of the biggest dietary hazards for cold and flu season is too much sugar and other sweeteners. Fresh fruit and unprocessed honey are the best sweeteners to use. Too much sugar in your diet (whether it’s from white sugar, corn syrup, etc.) literally slows down your immune system, making your white blood cells too tired and sluggish to adequately fight infection.
3. Take a High-Quality Multivitamin and Mineral Supplement – There have been enough studies strongly in favor of supplementation that it just makes sense to give yourself that daily dietary insurance. The best supplement to take is one that is made from natural whole food sources as this helps to ensure that your body will be able to absorb the nutrients. Liquid multivitamin and mineral supplements are also good for absorption. Visit your local health food store for help in finding the best supplements for your needs.
4. Practice Yoga – Yoga not only stretches, strengthens, and tones your muscles, but it also invigorates your immune system and internal organs, helping to keep sickness at bay. Yoga also provides stress relief, which is vital for wellness. If you feel a cold coming on, try doing the Lion pose a few times a day. This pose brings fresh blood to your throat, helping to chase away the germs.
5. Wash Your Hands – You’ve probably heard it a million times before, but it is a fact that regular hand washing really does help prevent sickness.
6. Avoid Sick People When Possible. While a certain amount of exposure to sickness is inevitable in our daily lives, it can help to avoid obviously sick people. For example, if you notice that the cashier at the grocery store is sniffling, coughing or sneezing, just move to another line.

What to Do If You Get Sick

1. Try to Get Plenty of Extra Rest and Sleep – Sometimes it may not be possible to completely stop work, school, or other activities when you feel sickness coming on, but you should make it a top priority to get as much rest as you can. It’s tempting to keep going, but this will just let the virus get a stronger foothold in your body, prolonging your illness.
2. Try a Juice Fast or Eat Minimally – If you feel you are getting sick, this is the perfect time to try a juice fast. Fasting for 1 to 3 days at the first sign of illness is a great way to nip it in the bud. Wai Lana’s Favorite Juices has delicious fresh juice recipes that you can try. Even fasting on vegetable broth and diluted store-bought juice (no corn syrup or other sweeteners) is far better than not fasting at all. Fasting allows your body to concentrate its energy on combating the virus rather than on digesting and assimilating food. However, if you have a health condition or take prescription medications, it’s best to talk to your doctor before beginning a fast.
3. If you don’t quite have the willpower to fast or are unable to for health reasons, try to minimize your food intake and focus on light foods, such as broths or other vegetable soups. This is a good time to avoid dairy products since they can increase mucus production when you’re sick. Also try to avoid refined foods, like sugar and white flour products. These foods sap nutrients from your body and stress your immune system.
4. Try Strong Ginger Tea – This easy home remedy is quite spicy, but it really helps relieve cold and flu symptoms. Try Wai Lana’s own ginger tea recipe for effective cold and flu relief.
5. Supplements Can Help – A trip to the health food store can be a little overwhelming if you’re looking for supplements to help a cold or flu, so here are some suggestions:
* Elderberry Extract – Elderberry is one of the few supplements scientifically proven to have antiviral properties. If you know you were exposed to a sick person or feel you may be coming down with something, try dosing up on elderberry for sickness prevention. If you do become sick, elderberry will help lessen both the length and the severity of the illness.
* Vitamin C – The best variety to use is Ester-C or some other buffered form. For acute sickness, take 1000 mg every 3 hours. If you’re fasting, you may want to take a powdered version that you can mix in juice or water.
* Homeopathic Remedies – If you’re not familiar with homeopathy, it’s best to try a homeopathic cold remedy or flu remedy that has a mixture of different remedies in it. From a homeopathic perspective, there are different remedies for a cold or flu depending on the prominent symptoms, so some homeopathic companies make mixtures of remedies for people who don’t know which specific remedy to take. Homeopathy is very safe and many people have found it helpful for both colds and flus.
* Garlic – Besides being a popular seasoning, garlic is also a powerful medicinal plant. It helps to combat cold and flu viruses and cleanse the body of toxins. Fresh is best, but if you don’t like the smell or taste, there are garlic supplements that minimize the odor.

I’m sure you’ll find these natural remedies both effective and economical for helping ward off those nasty colds and flus!

Stretch Before Action

Stretch Before Action

There’s one thing you need to be careful of when you exercise, whether you practice aerobics, gymnastics, weightlifting, or a particular sport. And my friend, a martial arts expert, is no exception. She loves to practice Tae Kwon Do’s high kicks. Sometimes she’s lucky; she kicks high, it feels good, and it looks great. Trouble is, she’s so enthusiastic that she often hurts herself because she kicks higher than she can stretch. She throws her leg up, using the leg’s momentum to get it as high as possible. But the body has a built-in protection mechanism, a reflex action that contracts the muscle so you don’t stretch it too far and cause injury. If you throw your body into a dangerous position hard enough, though, your body can’t protect you.

I’ve finally convinced her not to kick higher than she can stretch. She’s determined to keep those high kicks, though, so she’s gradually extending her reach by doing yoga stretches every day. Since she’s been stretching more, she can kick higher with more control, which is better for her form. What’s more, she hasn’t hurt herself.

Whatever your sport, flexibility is a big plus, and yoga asanas are the best way to gain that flexibility. The poses are gentle because you do them slowly and with awareness; they are effective because you hold them right at your limit, breathing and releasing, gradually increasing your boundaries. So do some yoga stretches each day. And be sure to warm up and stretch thoroughly before practicing your sport. You’ll feel more confident, your performance will improve, and you’ll be far less likely to injure yourself.

Wai Lana Green™ Eco-Friendly Bamboo Bath Towels

Wai Lana Green™
Eco-Friendly Bamboo

Bath Towels


* Made from 100% bamboo, an ecologically sustainable crop
* Sumptuously plush, soft, and silky
* More absorbent than standard cotton towels
* Naturally hypoallergenic, antimicrobial, and odor-resistant

Size: 30" x 56"

Yoga Chips :)

Wai Lana has a new line: Yoga Chips! I've ordered a whole bunch of these all natural and healthy chips while they're on 20% off sale. :)

I'm sure my Mom will like them as well, she LOVES chips.

Easy Abdominal Strengthening

weekly asanas
Abdominal Strengthening Exercise

Try the Abdominal Strengthening Exercise asana
along with Wai Lana, watch it here


Sit-ups are safe if your lower back is strong and you do them correctly. This means making your movements smooth, never jerking your body up to the sitting position. If your back is weak, just practice the easy version to strengthen your abdominals and lower back until the full sit-up becomes easy. You'll get all the same benefits.

1. Lie on your back.

2. Bend your knees until your feet are flat on the floor. Raise your arms over your head and make loose fists.

3. Inhale, then exhale and swing your arms forward as you lift your back, coming to a sitting position. Be aware that your abdominal muscles are contracting.

4. Inhale and slowly roll down, bringing your arms to the floor above your head. Repeat 5 to 10 times.

5. Straighten your legs, lower your arms, and rest.

Hints...
Use the swinging momentum of your arms to come up. Make the movement smooth. Use your abdominal muscles to roll down, one vertebra at a time. The more slowly you lower your back onto the floor, the more you'll engage and strengthen your abdominal muscles.

Here's an Easier Way…
Don't come up all the way; simply lift your upper back as you swing your arms forward, or come up a little further, lifting your middle back too.

Benefits
• Tones the abdomen and thighs
• Strengthens the lower back
• Warms up the body
• Stretches your shoulders