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!

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. :)

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.)

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

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

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. :)

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

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.

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.

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.

Healthy, Wholesome gifts for mom

Wai lana has some great gifts basket offerings for Mom this year. Show your mom your love with a healthy, wholesome gift basket from Wai Lana!

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

Do You Really Need Your Morning Coffee?

Some shocking 20 billion cups of coffee are consumed daily. It's addicting, no doubt, but do we really need it?

Do You Really Need Your Morning Coffee?

Do you drag yourself out of bed in the morning and shuffle to the kitchen half asleep to put the coffee on, knowing that you’ll be useless until after your first few gulps? There’s no question that coffee wakes you up. It’s a stimulant. But have you also noticed how it lets you down after a couple of hours?

How would you like to wake up quickly and sustain your energy level throughout the day without coffee? It’s not as hard as it seems. You feel drowsy in the morning because of low oxygen levels in the blood and because circulation is slow. So just go outside and do a few simple asanas with deep breathing. The oxygen from the fresh air will wake up and energize your body. The increased circulation will leave you feeling bright and alert. And your heart won’t suffer the negative effects of the coffee.

So instead of shuffling to the kitchen, shuffle out to your balcony, porch, or backyard and do some yoga. Even your living room will do, but open the window! You’ll wake up quickly, but steadily. When you’re done, your body will be ready for the day ahead, but you won’t face that mid-morning slump. And if you get tired again in the afternoon, just go outside, stretch, and breathe deeply for a few minutes. It works wonders!

Wai Lana's Weekly Message

Here are some beautiful pictures to look at: