Senators want to expel junk food from U.S. schools

This is a great move to teach children how to live and be healthy.

Senators want to expel junk food from U.S. schools
WASHINGTON (Reuters) – U.S. schools with vending machines that sell candy and soda to students could soon find the government requiring healthier options to combat childhood obesity under a bill introduced on Thursday by two senators.

While school meals must comply with U.S. dietary guidelines, there are no such rules on snacks sold outside of school lunchrooms. Many are high in fat, sugar and calories.

Senators Tom Harkin and Lisa Murkowski said their bill would allow the U.S. Agriculture Department to establish "common-sense nutrition standards" for food and beverages sold in school vending machines, stores and similar outlets.

Harkin, an Iowa Democrat, chairs the Senate Agriculture Committee, which oversees school lunch and breakfast programs that cost an estimated $11 billion a year in federal money.

U.S. child nutrition programs such as school lunches and the Women, Infants and Children feeding program are due for renewal this year. An Agriculture Committee spokesman said one option would be to include the legislation introduced today as part of the broader reauthorization later in 2009.

"Poor diet and physical inactivity are contributing to growing rates of chronic disease in the United States," said Harkin, a Democrat. "We must take preventative action now."

An estimated 32 percent of U.S. children fit the government's definition of being overweight and 16 percent are considered obese, at risk for serious health problems. Murkowski, a Republican from Alaska, said the bill was a response to "the youth obesity epidemic."

Harkin and Murkowski have offered similar legislation in prior years. The measure could have a better chance of passing this year with U.S. President Barack Obama's administration recognizing obesity as a top U.S. health threat.

Consumer and health advocacy groups including the American Dietetic Association, American Heart Association and the Center for Science in the Public Interest support the legislation.

Reginald Felton of the National School Boards Association said states and local communities should determine what is sold beyond federal programs because a "one-size fits all policy" would not sufficiently address the needs on a smaller level.

He also noted that some schools rely on snack sales to help cover costs.

"It's intrusive for the federal government to establish requirements beyond the programs that they fund, particularly when states are addressing the issue," said Felton. "If local boards want to restrict they should."

Keeping the Flu Away

In times like now where there is an imminent global flu epidemic, we all have to be extra vigilant about staying as healthy as possible.

Stay healthy naturally with Wai Lana's Natural Supplements. Do your neti, wash your hands often, eat well, sleep well, live well and stay healthy!

Improve your concentration skills

Do hatha yoga and meditation to improve your ability to concentrate!

Concentration Is the Key
By Tamim Ansary
These days, many people take pride in the ability to multitask, but me? I'd just like to master mono-tasking.

I realize that everything I've done well in my life I've done in a state of intense concentration -- a state of such focus on one task that no other information or concern can break in. My only question has been, and remains, how to get into that zone.

R.N. Whitehead, director of a Canadian tutoring program called Oxford Learning Centres, speculates that concentration is an ability like any other. People are born with a propensity for it but the skill must then be developed, and the process begins in childhood.

Until recent decades, Whitehead says, people learned to read from books that had relatively few pictures and were written in "natural language," which presented readers with lots of vocabulary they didn't necessarily know. Reading those books demanded -- but also built -- concentration.

Today, books for beginning readers tend to have lots of pictures and only a few words, and those words are carefully selected to be reading-level appropriate so that children rarely encounter words they must puzzle out from context. If the material is well sequenced, children emerge into reading naturally without palpable effort, almost without noticing: That's the theory.

The theory works. Kids do learn to read from carefully calibrated materials such as these, but building up the power of concentration? That's a different issue.

Many elements of modern life may actually erode concentration by involving children in short bursts of interaction that return quick rewards. Take video games, for example. What they have to give, you can get in five seconds -- bang! pow! hey, that felt good! -- and if you play for 10 seconds, you get the same thing twice (and for 30 seconds, six times).

Playing a video game for hours on end (not uncommon -- been there/done that) resembles concentration but is actually, in my opinion, the exact opposite; it is to concentration as antimatter is to matter.

By contrast, reading or telling stories to very young children may help build concentration by involving them in a narrative that takes shape over time and offers a payoff only if they've stayed with the story throughout.

Concentration -- why bother?
Concentration is worth building because it is a foundational skill; it supports almost everything else one might do. In that way it's like intelligence. In fact, definitions of intelligence often include concentration as a component. Anecdotes about famous achievers of history suggest that one thing they shared was a phenomenal ability to get fully immersed in … something.

Michelangelo spent two years on his back, two feet from the ceiling, painting the Sistine Chapel. I myself would have spent most of that time idly wondering whether to have pizza that night or soup.

In fact, according to the stories, only the pope could break the great artist's concentration. He kept coming in to ask, "How's it going?" Finally Michelangelo "accidentally" dropped a hammer that landed too close for comfort, and the pope stayed away after that.

Most of the advice aimed at students about how to concentrate amounts to Michelangelo's hammer: eliminate distractions, they say. For example, turn off the TV (duh), turn off the stereo (duh) and power down the iPod (you think?). It's all true, but it's purely external advice. It addresses the place where you concentrate, not the "you" who concentrates.

Want More Tamim?
Read other columns by Tamim Ansary.
Advice about the inner you mostly boils down to health tips masquerading as concentration tips:

• You can't concentrate when you're drowsy, so get enough sleep.
• You can't concentrate when you're groggy, so don't sleep too much.
• You can't concentrate when you're starving, so eat right.
• You can't concentrate when you're bloated, so don't overeat.
• And get some exercise, for heaven's sake! You can't concentrate if --

I'll stop there. It's worthy advice, but generic. The same tips apply to almost anything you might want to do better. Want to ace a test? Memorize the "Iliad"? Learn juggling tricks? Eat right, exercise well, get enough sleep. Yes, Mom.

There's got to be more. People with phenomenal powers of concentration reveal it most dramatically when the context doesn't favor them. I'm thinking of a chef I knew years ago when I worked in a gourmet restaurant as a waiter. The dining room at that place was always whisper quiet, the kitchen always a madhouse. One night, I stepped into that chaos -- the ice machine had broken, a fight had erupted between two sous-chefs, someone was waving a knife -- and there was June, calmly stirring a sauce. Suddenly a pot of something caught fire. Pandemonium ensued; everybody rushed to douse the flames, but June never took her eyes off her sauce -- it wasn't her pot on fire. Later I asked if she had noticed the fire. She had. How then could she just ignore it? "I was making hollandaise," she said. "You have to watch it or it breaks."

That, my friends, is concentration on the hoof: It's not the ability to focus in the absence of distraction, but the ability to focus in spite of distraction.

Attention surplus condition
Our society has put little effort into devising techniques for building attentiveness. We get interested in concentration mostly when its absence rises to the level of a clinical syndrome. A whole industry has developed, for example, around the disability known as attention deficit disorder, or ADD.

I don't doubt that ADD exists, nor that it merits clinical consideration, nor that suitable treatments may help restore people who suffer from this disability to a normal state. I only wonder if "normal" is as good as it gets. How about moving from normal to extraordinary?

According to psychologist Richard Davidson, "Attention can be trained, and in a way that is not fundamentally different [from] how physical exercise changes the body." He zeroes in specifically on meditation, that body of techniques perfected in East Asia for achieving attentive calm. Research by Davidson and his associates at the University of Wisconsin seems to prove that meditation can, in fact, improve one's ability to shut out distraction.

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The proof
In one experiment, people were taught certain basic meditation techniques and then asked to meditate while hooked up to machines that scanned what their brains were doing. In people who attained a deep, meditative state, it turned out, the area of the brain known to be associated with attention became active while other areas -- those associated with emotion, for example, or with processing external stimuli -- went dormant.

Researchers then hooked brain-scanning equipment to two groups of test subjects: seasoned meditators with thousands of hours of experience and novices. With each group, when the meditators seemed to be fully immersed, the researchers set off various distractions nearby -- a blaring TV, a crying baby, a gunshot, stuff like that.

In the novices, each event triggered brain waves that spread to other parts of their brains and did not die away for a long time. In the experienced meditators, each event set off a brief burst of brain activity in one limited area and then the brain went back to its former state: In short, the input was noticed, registered and set aside.

That looks like dead-bang proof that meditation enhances a person's underlying ability to concentrate. Of course it's also true that meditation classically aims to detach meditators from the world and get them concentrating essentially on nothing. I, personally, would rather concentrate on something. I don't want to detach from the world, I want to stay in it and get something done. I don't know of any definitive proof that the power of concentration developed by meditation can be applied, for example, to flying a plane through a thunderstorm.

But the broader point seems indisputable: Concentration is a skill. If it isn't used, it can atrophy; if it isn't trained, it fails to develop past a certain point. But by the same token, with the proper training and practice, it can be developed to a level of fearsome intensity.

Preferably, this begins in childhood (which is where parents and other elders come in) but it's never too late. Adults with normal powers of concentration can strengthen those powers with simple exercises such as the following:

• Count backward from 100 slowly and steadily.
• Count backward from 100 by threes.
• Simply look at an object for a set period -- say, 15 minutes.
• Building on the previous exercise, remove the object and picture it for that same period.

And if the buzz of distracting thoughts grows intolerable, stop what you're doing, make a list of everything on your mind at that moment, choose one thing to focus on, and then schedule a time to deal with all the rest. Giving your anxieties appointments, I find, tends to make them stop petitioning for attention now.

In short, I stand with those Zen masters who, when asked how they achieved enlightenment, answered, "When I walk, I just walk. When I eat, I just eat."

Staying Healthy and safe amidst the flu

Surely it's a great worry for all of us that there is such a thing as swine flu, and that, as of the latest news, they have discovered 2 Swine Flus in Kan., US Total 11; 8 Likely in NYC.

Stay healthy by doing hatha yoga, cleaning your nose properly by doing neti , the lion pose, and do take ginger tea to keep away the bugs by taking natural supplements. It's no joke now, obviously.

Happy health!

Banning or taxing bad health habits to cut health care costs

This is a fantastic and very intelligent idea!

Banning or taxing bad health habits to cut health care costs

By Andrea Kane
CNNhealth.com Producer

Two articles have recently come out tackling the twin pink elephants in the room: one is an editorial in the New England Journal of Medicine in favor of taxing sugary drinks (to reduce consumption and possibly raise revenue for anti-obesity programs), the other is a story in Time magazine making the case for an outright ban on cigarettes.

The views in each make plain old sense: Ban or tax that which we KNOW is bad for our health to improve health and cut runaway health care costs.

In the case of cigarettes, the writer notes that cigarette smoking costs an “estimated $100 billion in health-care costs… annually.” In the case of sugary beverages, the authors write, they “may be the single largest driver of the obesity epidemic” (pointing out that the only studies that found no link between sugary-drink consumption and obesity are – surprise! – those funded by the beverage industry).They estimate obesity-related problems cost about $79 billion annually – about half of which is footed by the American taxpayer (you and me).

On the one hand, their arguments make me morally uncomfortable: Who are we to tell other people what to do? Isn’t it too “Big Brother”? Too paternalistic — especially when we are talking about taking steps that will affect the so-called underclass (aka: “the poor”) most? But in both cases, the writers note that poor people have the most to benefit from cutting back on sugary soft drinks and quitting smoking. This is especially true in the case of smoking since “[c]igarettes, to an extent, have become an indicator of lower socioeconomic status.” Yet, nobody likes to be told how to live or wants to feel coerced into any course of action – however “good for you” it might be.

But on the other hand, why can’t we just admit that advocates for taxing and banning these vices have a point? Banning smoking WILL reduce cancer and cardiovascular (and a whole host of other) deaths. Making soda expensive WILL force people (especially poor people, who presumably also can’t afford all the lifelong medications they’ll have to take for diabetes, high blood pressure, etc.) to drink water and thus cut out 250 to 300 empty calories a day, which over the course of a year – not to mention a lifetime — really do add up.

What also adds up are the costs: the costs associated with caring for the sick and the costs associated with lost productivity due to illness. Make no mistake, the American taxpayer (you and I) will have to pay one way or another — via higher health-care costs, the inability to get affordable insurance, or perhaps through cuts to programs such as Social Security, public education, work training programs (or the arts, national parks, etc.) in order to fund the ballooning costs associated with Medicaid/Medicare.

So what is the right answer? Where do your rights (to smoke, to drink liquid calories, to do what you want with your own body) end and my rights (to breathe clean air, to not have to pay for someone else’s problems) begin? I want to hear what you think.

Herbs That Halt Headaches

Herbs That Halt Headaches

When your head hurts, a pain pill is an easy way to silence the throbbing. But did you know there are herbs that may help, too?

James A. Duke, PhD, author of The Green Pharmacy, offers five options for you to consider.

* Feverfew and ginger: Research suggests that regularly taking feverfew reduces migraine frequency, while ginger may soothe symptoms.
* Willow: The herb contains salicin, an aspirin-like substance. White willow (S. alba) is rather low in this pain-relieving stuff, so if you want more headache relief per cup of tea, look for species that are more potent, like S. daphnoides or S. fragilis. (Find out why aspirin is also a "brain pill.")
* Red pepper: Studies show that its heat-giving ingredient, capsaicin, may help prevent cluster headaches. (Here’s why you should add the food to an egg-white omelet.)
* Thyme: Thyme can be used in a compress to ease achy muscles in the neck, shoulders, and back that contribute to tension headaches. You can also drink thyme tea. (Check out how this herb can healthy-up a salad, too.)

Ask Your Doc
Remember, just like pharmaceutical drugs, herbs can cause side effects or interact with medications. So before running out to the health-food store, clear your plans with your doctor, and ask about the appropriate dose. Take this quick mini assessment to learn about other uses for herbs.
Source

Celebrate Mother Earth!

As Wai Lana says, it is very important to remember Mother Earth and all of Her wonderful and endless gifts to us. We can't just remember Her and thank Her once a year i.e. on Earth Day, but we should do something for Her on a daily basis.

We use beauty products of all sorts, and we're always cooking up something in our kitchens. Wai Lana has provided Earth-friendly ways of bathing, cooking delicious food, and staying healthy. Go Natural, Go Wai Lana!

Coming Soon! Eco Exercise Ball Kit Stretch, strengthen, and sculpt your entire body with our new planet- and health-friendly Eco Exercise Ball Kit. Yo

Coming Soon!
Eco Exercise Ball Kit
Stretch, strengthen, and sculpt your entire body with our new planet- and health-friendly Eco Exercise 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 exercise ball
* Beautiful instructional exercise poster
* 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 Green

Gem of Wisdom

Wai Lana's Daily gem of wisdom:

I am only one, but still I am one. I cannot do everything, but still I can do something; and because I cannot do everything, I will not refuse to do something I can do.
Edward Everett Hal

Chili peppers add spice to life

Chili peppers add spice to life
- Painfully hot, they make your eyes water, your heart race and can turn your face embarrassingly red.
Chilies have been used for many millenia both for their medicinal benefits and exciting falvor.

Chilies have been used for many millenia both for their medicinal benefits and exciting falvor.
more photos »

Once only a staple of cuisine from far flung regions of the world, chilies can now be found in almost any dish around the globe.

Last week an Indian woman wolfed down 51 "ghost chilies," -- the world's spiciest -- in two minutes and smeared the seeds on her eyes for an entry into the Guinness World Records.

Anandita Dutta Tamuly, 28, achieved the bizarre and fiery undertaking in the Indian north-eastern state of Assam.

She was cheered on by British chef Gordon Ramsay, who also attempted a bite of the hot stuff before begging for water. A single seed can cause watering eyes, as well as a burning sensation in the mouth that can last up to five hours.

A chili's spiciness is measured in Scoville units; the number of times a chili extract must be diluted in water in order for it to lose its heat.

The "ghost chili", also known as bhut jolokia, has more than 1 million Scoville units, while Tabasco sauce ranges from 2,500 to 5,000 Scoville units and jalapeno peppers from 2,500 to 8,000 units.

Chilies have formed part of the diet in the Americas since approximately 7,500 BC and owe most of their fame to their sometimes unbearably spicy flavor.

But they have also long been recognized for their health benefits. Scientific research --and legend-- have attributed health wonders to chilies over the years.

Diego Alvarez Chanca, a physician on explorer Christopher Columbus' second voyage to the West Indies in 1493, first wrote about the pepper's medicinal effects back in 1494.

Below we look at effects eating chilies has on the body.

Skin

Other than for its flavor-enhancing qualities, chili is, oddly enough, used to fight the summer heat.

As the chili causes extreme sweating and blood rushing to the face, it cools the body down when the sweat evaporates, making it useful for combating heat.

These same heat inducing properties are said to have a cumulative effect and over time are believed to alleviate pain when used in treatments for anything from arthritis and psoriasis to shingles and severe burns.

Brain

The substances that give chili peppers their intensity when eaten or applied on the skin are called capsaicinoids.

When consumed, capsaicinoids connect with pain receptors in the mouth and throat that are normally responsible for sensing heat.

Once activated by the capsaicinoids, these receptors send a message to the brain that the person has consumed something hot.

The brain responds to the burning sensation by raising the heart rate, increasing perspiration and releasing endorphins, called the body's "natural painkillers" and "happy hormones."

Stomach

Chilies have long been associated with soothing the digestive system, by acting as stomach cleansers. According to the UK Food Guide, chili helps to settle stomach upset and encourages the production of good digestive acid.

Chili aficionados believe the fruits can also induce weight loss because the substance that makes them "hot" speed up the body's metabolism.

However, one study by the American Institute of Cancer Research performed in Mexico showed in 2003 that a high consumption of chilies (approximately nine to 25 jalapeno peppers per day) is in fact associated with stomach cancer.

Immune system

Red chilies contain high amounts of carotene and vitamin C. It is said that chilies contain more vitamin C than citrus fruits. Chili peppers are also a good source of vitamin B6 and are very high in potassium, magnesium and iron, giving them a reputation for naturally boosting the body's immune system.

CNN News

Taro recipes

Fa’Alifu Talo (Polynesian Taro)
A Samoan classic that shows off the pretty violet color of taro. Delicious!

4 cups Chinese taro, peeled and cut into bite-size pieces
1/2 tsp. vegetable oil
1 medium onion, sliced into half moons
12 oz. coconut milk
1/2 tsp. salt, or to taste

1. Steam the taro in a steamer that sits close to the boiling water for 45 minutes, or until soft.

2. Heat the oil in a saucepan and sauté the onions on medium heat until soft. Add a little water if needed to prevent sticking.

3. Add the steamed taro and coconut milk and cook on medium-low heat for 10-15 minutes until the milk thickens slightly. Season with salt to taste.

Serves 6

Curry variation: In a small skillet sauté 3/4 tsp. curry powder and 1/8 tsp. chili flakes in 1 tsp. vegetable oil until fragrant. Add to the coconut milk and taro just after they are combined. Salt to taste.

Nutritional Information Per Serving:
Calories: 278, Fat 14g (126 cal), Carbohydrate 35.8g (143 cal), Protein 2.1g (9 cal)
Added information: Saturated Fat 12g, Cholesterol 0mg, Sodium 219mg, Dietary Fiber 6.2g

Read about the yoga diet

Taro chips are great too- although it's not exactly very healthy. Just peel and then cut the taro into very thin chips and then fry. =

Knowing when to go to the hospital

But is it really an emergency? When to take a child to the ER
Naomi Zikmund-Fisher says her son's life was saved by her maternal instincts -- and her son's flat ears.
Jesse's mastoiditis was discovered after his mother noticed that something was not right with his ear.

Jesse's mastoiditis was discovered after his mother noticed that something was not right with his ear.

One Friday night in May, Zikmund-Fisher looked across the dinner table at 3-year-old Jesse and noticed that his right ear, which usually lies close to his head, was sticking out. She went over to check it out and found a big red lump behind the ear.

She e-mailed her pediatrician, who said that it was probably just a mosquito bite and that as long as Jesse otherwise felt fine, not to worry about it.

Jesse did otherwise feel fine, but something set off Zikmund-Fisher's "mommy meter." So the next day, even though nothing had changed, she called the pediatrician's office and spoke to the nurse.

"She told me, 'If you're worried about it, take him to urgent care,' " Zikmund-Fisher remembered.

Her husband took Jesse to the emergency room, and doctors determined that he had a classic case of mastoiditis: an infection of the mastoid bone, just behind the ear. If not treated with antibiotics, mastoiditis can be deadly.

Now Zikmund-Fisher tells other parents to trust their instincts and act, even when a pediatrician tells them not to worry.

"It just didn't seem right to me," she said. "It just seemed like, if this was a mosquito bite, it would have gone away, and this wasn't going away." Listen to how other parents used their instincts to save their children »
Don't Miss

* Natasha's lesson helps save Ohio girl
* In Depth: Empowered Patient

Dr. Assaad Sayah, chief of emergency medicine for the Cambridge Health Alliance in Massachusetts, agrees that parents should use their instincts when deciding whether their child needs quick medical attention.

"'When in doubt, bring them in' should be your first line of defense," he said. "If they don't look right to you, call your pediatrician, or take them to the emergency department, and if they look very sick, call 911." Video Watch for more tips on when to go to the ER »

Although relying on instinct is a good guideline, there are also some cut-and-dry situations when a parent really should to take a child to the ER. Here are five examples.

1. Neck stiffness or rash with fever

According to the American College of Emergency Physicians, these symptoms could constitute an emergency because they might mean meningitis.

2. Fever in a newborn

Any child 3 months old or younger who has a temperature over 100.4 F needs to be seen by a doctor, says Dr. Jennifer Shu, spokeswoman for the American Academy of Pediatrics. The fever can be a sign of infection or meningitis.

3. Head injury with loss of consciousness, confusion, headache or vomiting

This is another red flag that your child needs emergency attention, according to the American Academy of Pediatrics.
Health Library

* MayoClinic.com: Meningitis
* MayoClinic.com: Burns

4. Burns

A burn should receive emergency care if it's larger than your child's palm, if it's deep or discolored, or if it was caused by a chemical, says Dr. David Beiser, who works in the emergency room at the University of Chicago Comer Children's Hospital. Burns on the hands, genitals and face are of particular concern, he says. Here's a quick primer on burns

5. Severe abdominal pain

Although many stomach aches are minor, others merit urgent attention. There are several signs to look for, including a swollen abdomen that's tender to the touch or blood in the stool, according to guidelines from Parenting.com and Dartmouth Medical School. Severe pain in the lower right side of the abdomen could be a sign of appendicitis.
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After two shots of antibiotics, Jesse Zikmund-Fisher was back to his usual happy and active 3-year-old self. Even though it's been nearly a year since Jesse's visit to the ER, the lessons his mother learned are still fresh.

"If you are not satisfied with the answer you get, you need to push for the right answer," she said.

CNN Health

Summer time, get protected

UV Protection From The Inside Out
Anna Montage, Health and Wellness Editor

It's the perfect summer day. The sun shines brightly in a clear blue sky and you're off for a stroll in the park, a picnic at the beach, a hike in the mountains, or a canoe trip on the lake. Or perhaps you're staying home to lounge around the pool or work in the garden. Whatever your fancy, one thing is certain: There's simply nothing more enlivening to both body and mind than a gorgeous sunny day. Just feeling the warmth on your skin has the power to replenish your energy, nourish your body, and uplift your spirits.

As inviting as the sunshine may be, however, it's become somewhat of a guilty pleasure in recent decades, largely due to the dangers of overexposure to ultraviolet (UV) rays. As we've all learned, UV rays can harm our skin, causing wrinkles, dullness, roughness, thickening of the epidermis, chronic redness, freckles, age spots, and, of course, skin cancer. The sun can also damage the lens and retina of our eyes, thus leading to light sensitivity, decreased vision, and unsightly cataracts.

While it's essential to put on a hat and plenty of SPF 45, there are other protective measures that can be taken. One of the most important is consuming more antioxidants. You see, UV rays create free radicals in the body, which attack your cells, damaging both the health and the appearance of your skin and eyes. Antioxidants neutralize these free radicals, stopping and even reversing damage to the cells. This results in smoother, softer, younger-looking skin. In fact, many sunscreens, moisturizers, and anti-aging creams now contain antioxidants as more and more scientific studies show their effectiveness. And when it comes to your eyes, antioxidants keep free radicals under control, thereby preserving your vision and preventing a host of eye problems.

Drinking plenty of fresh juice is one of the easiest and most pleasurable ways to load up on antioxidants. Fruits and veggies are concentrated with antioxidants like carotenoids and vitamins C and E. Your complexion will also benefit from the silicon, selenium, sulfur, zinc, and other trace minerals present in health-giving juices. Many green vegetables and sprouts also contain significant amounts of omega-3 fatty acids, an important nutrient for maintaining elasticity and firmness in the skin. In addition, greens are especially rich in the antioxidants lutein and zeaxanthin, which have been shown in studies to protect the eyes from UV damage and prevent cataracts.

While consuming an abundance of antioxidants will definitely help keep your skin and eyes healthy and glowing, there are other ways to protect your body from harmful sunrays. A good sunscreen is essential. Experts recommend an SPF of at least 15. A big shady hat will also guard your face. Make sure your sunglasses have a UV filter to protect your eyes as well as the delicate skin around them. Many prescription sunglasses and contact lenses also offer UV protection—don't be shy to request it. Ideally, try to limit direct sun exposure in the middle of the day (from about 10 am to 3 pm), when UV rays are most intense.

Even though too much sun exposure can be dangerous, it's important to remember that the sun is also your friend. Getting a little sun every day is good for your body and mind. Sunlight enables your body to produce vitamin D, which is essential for bone health. Some beneficial rays also stimulate the pineal gland in the brain, affecting your mood in a positive way. So if you're going outside to enjoy the sun, be sure to drink lots of fresh, tasty juice—it will help protect your body from the inside out!
Blackberry Blend Juice
Blackberry Blend

(Recipe from Wai Lana's Favorite Juices)

If a picture is worth a thousand words, I don't need to tell you how delicious this beautiful drink is. Not too sweet, this light blend of blackberry, grapefruit, and banana is a powerhouse of antioxidants and a general tonic for your skin and eyes.

• 2 pink grapefruit
• 1/3 cup blackberries
• 1 frozen banana
• 1/3 cup water

Procedure
Juice the grapefruit, either manually, with a citrus press, or with a juicer. Blend the juice with the remaining ingredients until smooth and serve. Makes about 1½ cups.

Boost
If you'd like to make this a meal, add a scoop of protein powder and a teaspoon of maple syrup.

Benefits
This juice is rich in powerful antioxidants like ellagic acid, limonoids, proanthocyanidins, and vitamins C and E. All of these nutrients have proven very effective in neutralizing free radicals, making them wonderful foods for protecting your skin and eyes and preventing all kinds of cancer. Blackberries in particular are one of the most antioxidant-dense foods available.

Tip
I always include some white grapefruit pith for extra vitamin C and bioflavonoids, which are most concentrated there. If you like the visual effect, blend the fruits individually, then layer them.

You can find more juicing tips and recipes on our website.

Spring Back from Allergies with Yoga

Spring Back from Allergies with Yoga

Anna Montage, Health and Wellness Editor

While spring is a great time to enjoy the outdoors and shake off the chill of winter, for many of us the beautiful blossoming of spring flowers and trees means—ugh!—allergies. If you find yourself sneezing and sniffling each spring, why not try to find relief from your allergies this year through the ancient principles of yoga?


1. Practice Yoga Regularly

According to the ancient science of Ayurveda, allergies are aggravated by the build-up of excess toxins (ama) in the body. By gently massaging, stretching, and stimulating the internal organs, yoga asanas effectively help eliminate unwanted wastes and toxins. Yoga postures also improve digestion, enabling you to absorb full nutrition from your food, which in turn creates less waste. Best of all, yoga helps naturally increase your desire for the delicious, vibrant foods that both cleanse and nourish your body.

Yoga asanas also help balance and tone the nervous system, promoting a wonderful relaxation effect in the body, including:

* Lowered blood pressure
* Slower pulse
* Deep, even breathing
* Reduction of stress hormones
* Increase in “feel good” endorphins

We know that stress drains and weakens the immune system, while practicing yoga asanas has the opposite effect. Yoga builds and strengthens your immune system, making your body less likely to react to everyday allergens.

You can practice yoga with Wai Lana by watching her TV show, if it’s on in your area, or by purchasing her yoga videos and DVDs.


2. Try a Yoga Diet

While yogis have known for centuries that a wholesome plant-based diet is ideal for mental, physical, and spiritual health, it’s interesting to know that modern scientists recently discovered that this same diet is also helpful for reducing allergy symptoms. They found that a vegetarian diet naturally decreases the level of histamines in the body. Histamines are the chemicals responsible for the miseries of allergies—sniffling, sneezing, etc.

Whole grains, legumes, fresh fruits and vegetables, and a moderate amount of dairy products form the basis of a healthy yoga diet. Light and refreshing soups, salads, fresh juices, and other light and healthy fare help to invigorate your body and improve digestion at this time of year. For recipe ideas, check out Wai Lana’s website or try Wai Lana’s Juice Book, which is full of delicious and refreshing juice and smoothie recipes.


3. Use Warming, Balancing Spices

Spices such as cumin, turmeric, coriander, and fennel help counter the damp coolness of the spring season. Ginger is the classic warming spice for improving digestion and burning up toxins, as well as reducing inflammation. Try some warm ginger tea with a squeeze of fresh lemon juice. Even hot water or herbal tea with lemon will have a nice balancing, warming effect on your body.

Turmeric is also very helpful for reducing the inflammation associated with allergies—a medicinal daily dose can really help. You can buy turmeric already in Vegicaps in the health food store, or if you don’t mind the taste too much, try taking a teaspoon daily with a big gulp of water. It can also make your cooking both flavorful and colorful—add some to a pot of rice or to veggies stir-fried with cumin seeds.


4. Get Plenty of Rest and Relaxation

Rest and relaxation are necessary to maintain health and balance. Getting enough sleep is essential for the health of your immune system. Take time to slow down and get into the activities you enjoy. It’s the perfect time of year to be outdoors, whether for nature hikes, bike rides, gardening, or whatever takes your fancy. We all need to give our bodies and minds time to recuperate from the hustle and bustle of daily responsibilities.


5. Practice Neti

The ancient yoga technique of neti, or sinus irrigation, is a proven method for reducing allergy symptoms. The concept is simple—by rinsing your sinuses with a mild saline solution once or twice a day, you remove allergens and congestion, greatly alleviating allergy symptoms.

Neti involves using a special neti pot filled with warm, slightly salted water. The nose cone is inserted into one nostril and the position of the head and pot is adjusted to allow the water to flow out of the other nostril. While the water flows through your nasal passages you breathe through your mouth. After half a pot has flowed in one direction, the water flow is reversed. When the water in the pot is finished, the nose must be properly dried.

Another simple yoga technique for reducing allergy symptoms is nasya—rubbing the inside of your nose with oil. To do nasya, first wash your hands thoroughly, then clean the inside of your nose. Use a clean, short-nailed finger to rub oil on the inside of your nostrils. The best kind of oil is raw sesame oil or pure sunflower oil. Olive oil can be used as well. The oil catches dust, pollen, and other allergens before they have the chance to irritate your respiratory tract.


Spring Yoga Pose

Easy Fish – This simple asana opens the chest (making breathing easier) and stimulates the thymus, helping to strengthen and balance your immune system.
Try the Easy Fish asana along with Wai Lana.


Wai Lana's Newsletter

Ginger

I've been extra tired with all the work and traveling I've done in the past week.
Once again I'm turning to ginger to keep me well.

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.

- Wai lana's weekly message

Natural Flea Repellent for Pets

Natural ways to get rid of your pets' fleas:

Natural Flea Repellent for Pets
Treat Dogs and Cats with Garlic, Essential Oils to Repel Insects

© Victoria Anisman-Reiner
Apr 8, 2009
Natural Flea Repellents Protect Dogs and Cats, Mark Miller, morguefile.com
Essential oils and garlic offer a fool-proof natural way to control fleas and repel insects that bite and irritate dogs, cats, other furred pets, and humans.

If you have pets of any kind, chances are you've had the not-so-pleasant experience of fending off fleas, ticks, or other biting insects. Most people turn to flea control products offered by veterinarians and pet stores, but these can be toxic and even poisonous to children, adults, and even the dogs and cats themselves. There are natural, safe alternatives that will kill and repel fleas and other insects without harming people or pets.
Problems with Commercial Flea Products

Although the flea powder or flea collars offered by your local pet stores may look like the easiest solution, it's worth doing a bit of research before you buy. Chemicals present in most of the leading brands in flea control products have been linked with liver toxicity, seizures and other nervous system disorders, renal failure, and in the long run with cancer, diabetes, and other diseases.

Cats and kittens have died from overdoses of pesticides present in flea sprays. Some of these dangerous products have been withdrawn, but others remain on store shelves despite their potential to do serious harm.


Is There a Natural Option to Repel Fleas Without Poisoning Pets?

Although companies like Frontage and Advantage scoff at natural flea treatments, and even some vets dismiss their efficacy, there are a number of natural options that work wonders in eliminating fleas from pets, carpets, and homes.

The best time to use natural flea repellents is before your pet has fleas. Dosing your dog or cat with garlic or essential oils should start in early spring (in temperate areas), before flea season begins, and continue well into the fall. If you live in a region that is always warm enough to make fleas an ongoing risk, it's wise to take preventive measures to prevent fleas on an ongoing basis.
Garlic Repels Fleas and Biting Insects

One of the oldest and best natural remedies to repel fleas is garlic. Garlic can be administered fresh, ground onto pets' food, but the easiest (and less messy) way to use it is by purchasing dried or "odorless" garlic tablets from the health food store. These can be given to pets whole, or ground and fed on top of kibble or other food. Odorless garlic is coated so you won't smell it as much – but the fleas sure will, and they stay away.
Essential Oils for Flea Control

Essential oils are another tried and true, traditional way to repel fleas and biting insects. Almost any spicy or sharp essential oil will repel insects, but the best for getting rid of fleas are:

* Peppermint
* Lavender
* Spearmint
* Lemongrass
* Melaleuca

These oils and others can be applied to your pet's collar, or mixed in a spray bottle with water and misted onto your dog or cat's fur with care. Avoid citrus oils with cats; additives in non-organic citrus rind can be toxic to cats (as can additives and impurities in cheap essential oils). Essential oil quality is paramount, especially when using the oils on children or pets.
Reference

Stewart, David, Ph.D. "Essential Oils for Things That Bug You Around the House," Raindrop Messenger, 2007.

The copyright of the article Natural Flea Repellent for Pets in Herbal Medicine is owned by Victoria Anisman-Reiner. Permission to republish Natural Flea Repellent for Pets in print or online must be granted by the author in writing.


Natural Flea Repellents Protect Dogs and Cats, Mark Miller, morguefile.com
Natural Flea Repellents Protect Dogs and Cats


Read more: Natural Flea Repellent for Pets: Treat Dogs and Cats with Garlic, Essential Oils to Repel Insects - http://naturalmedicine.suite101.com/article.cfm/natural_flea_repellent_for_pets#ixzz0CQ98BUIJ

Abdominal Massage Pose

Abdominal Massage Pose
Click here to watch the instructional video

The movement of your breathing combined with the twist stretches, massages, and stimulates your abdominal organs in this pose. It helps relieve constipation, gas, and other abdominal problems.

1. From a sitting position, come onto your left knee and sit on your heel. Place your right foot flat on the floor and rest your hands on your knees.

2. Inhale fully and extend your right arm.

3. Gaze at your fingertips as you slowly exhale and rotate your torso to the right.

4. When you've turned as far as you can, inhale and lower your arm. Place the back of your hand on your left hip or as far to the left of your lower back as you can. Press your right shoulder back. Breathe slowly and evenly to your abdomen. As you inhale, your abdomen expands. As you exhale, it contracts. Hold the pose for 15 to 30 seconds.

5. Raise your arm to shoulder level.

6. Release the twist as you inhale and rotate back to center.

7. Lower your hand and change sides.

Hints…
Press your hand against your knee as leverage to help you twist further. Keep the underside of your chin parallel to the floor so your head is not tilted.

For Constipation…
Drink a couple of glasses of water immediately before practicing this pose to get your bowels moving.

The Eco Yoga Mat- for Kids!

Well it's out! it's on sale now too. :)

New! Wai Lana's
Little Yogis™ Eco Mat

A fun, kid-sized yoga mat that’s healthier for the planet and for your little ones

* Free from phthalates, phenols, dioxins, and furans
* Cute cartoon print of Wai Lana and her Little Yogi friends
* Sticky, nonslip surface helps kids keep their footing
* Smaller, kid-sized mat to personalize their practice
* Lightweight, durable, washable and latex-free (tested by an independent laboratory)
* Measures 1/8"H x 24"W x 60"L

Yoga is a safe, challenging, and healthy activity for children, and it’s fun too! Yoga helps children develop strength, balance, flexibility, and concentration and encourages a more focused, peaceful approach to life. Your children will thank you for introducing them to yoga.

The Little Yogis Eco Mat is designed to provide children with a safe, stable foundation for building a yoga practice that will start them on a lifelong path of health and well-being.

This mat is free from phthalates, phenols, dioxins, and furans, making it safer for the planet and for the health of your children.

Creative Child Toys

For $47.80 this isn't bad at all for all this:

Creative Child

Gift Basket includes:

* Little Yogis™ DVD Volume 2
* Fun Songs Activity Book
* Fun Songs CD & Lyrics Book
* Fun Songs Game Cards