June 2014

If you’ve made the switch from white sugar to honey believing that honey is a much healthier sweetener you are going to very disappointed by what I have to say this month. Just because something is natural does not mean that it’s healthy.  Honey is a sugar -- it may be less refined and more natural than table sugar but it is still a carbohydrate, calorie-dense sweetener.  One teaspoon of honey contains 22 calories versus 16 calories per teaspoon of sugar.  Unlike sugar, honey contains trace amounts of niacin, riboflavin thiamin and vitamin B6 as well as certain beneficial antioxidant and antimicrobial properties. For that reason there are a lot of people that believe honey reduces inflammation, boosts the immune system, reduces the risk of heart disease, soothes indigestion and improves your complexion. However most of these health benefits are unproven.  Research has proven that honey is sweeter than sugar, it breaks down in the body slower than sugar and that honey can suppress cough and soothe a sore throat.  The bottom line:  Honey is a slightly better way to sweeten than white sugar but certainly much better than artificial sugars. Just don’t “bee” deceived . . . honey should be consumed in limited amounts and never by children under the age of one year.

Are you in the market for some new workout wear?  Of course something black is the most popular choice because it goes with everything and black is slimming.  But it’s time to step out of your comfort zone ladies.  According to a British study, the color red is associated with a competitive mind-set and athletes that wore red beat their competition 60% of the time. Not ready to give up those black workout pants? Start slow with a pair of cute red sneakers or maybe a red sports bra. It just might motivate you to work a little harder in the gym.

Make the time to be good to you and focus your attention on people and experiences.

Good Health!

Terry

"Your circumstances do not define your life and you should not judge someone by where they came from."
~Valerie Gatto, Miss Pennsylvania USA 2014, conceived as a result of rape

May 2014

Everyone wants to reduce stress, sleep better and increase brain focus.  That’s why this month I am suggesting you read an article I came across in the April 2014 edition of More. The article titled "The Breathing Cure" shares the mediation techniques and research of several experts including Emma Seppala, PhD and associate director of the Center for Compassion and Altruism Research and Education at Stanford University School of Medicine and Jim Nicolai, MD, author of Wellness Rules: A Simple Guide to Healthy Living. The meditation techniques described in this article don’t involve a quiet room, lotus position or chanting.  It’s all about mindful breathing that even the busiest women can incorporate in their life. Here's a link to the article: “The Breathing Cure” -- give a few of these techniques a try then let me know what you think.

Recently a Good Health! reader asked for my thoughts on oil pulling. I had to admit that I didn’t know what it was.  Now I know it’s the ancient practice of swishing a tablespoon of oil in your mouth for 20 minutes once a day. Oil pulling supposedly draws out toxins in your body, primarily to improve oral health but also to improve your overall health.  I decided to give oil pulling a try.  It took me about 6 minutes to determine that if I'm going to put that much oil in my mouth it’s going to be while enjoying a basket of deep fried onion rings.  To be fair there are many devoted fans of oil pulling who say that even though they were grossed out at first they stuck with it and have experienced a myriad of health benefits. Here’s the but . . . according to the world renowned Mayo Clinic there is no investigative evidence to support the claim that oil pulling offers any health benefit. The good news is that oil pulling doesn’t seem to pose any health danger unless you mistakenly swallow a large amount of oil. 

A 2010 study reported that the sound of a mom's voice lowers a child's stress hormone, cortisol and raises his/her level of oxytocin, a hormone linked to love and bonding.  Make the time to be good to you and call your mom.  

Happy Mother's Day and Good Health!

Terry

“Meditation is the ultimate mobile device; you can use it anywhere, anytime, unobtrusively.”

~Sharon Salzberg, Real Happiness: The Power of Meditation

April 2014

For years eggs have been demonized -- considered to be high in cholesterol and therefore unhealthy.  But now we know that’s not true.  Eggs are actually a healthy form of protein. They contain the choline our bodies need for brain development, the lutein and zeaxanthin that helps prevent cataracts and age-related macular degeneration and they are also an important source of vitamin D.  Eggs are high in cholesterol but they are low in saturated fat.  The new recommendation for egg consumption:  If your cholesterol is high and if your diet is high in saturated fat, devoid of fruits, vegetables and fiber you shouldn't be eating an egg a day.  Otherwise, make eggs part of your healthy diet.

Epson salt . . . miracle mineral or holistic hype?  You’ll find an overwhelming amount of information on the Internet claiming that Epsom salt detoxifies the body and soothes the mind and soul.  Some people swear that an Epsom salt bath can relieve muscle pain, soreness and cure injuries like sprains and tendonitis.  But in the interest of full disclosure there are a few bloggers like Paul Ingraham, a rare alternative medicine apostate, who says that he was “unable to find even a single scientific paper studying their (Epson salt) effect on body pain.”  It's clear that Ingraham is not an Epsom salt fan. Maybe that’s because you can also use Epsom salt to clean tile and as a supplement in organic gardening.  You should probably ask your health care provider but, from what I read it doesn’t sound like an Epson salt bath is a dangerous thing – unless of course you slip and fall getting in/out of your bathtub.

Make the time to be good to you and care more about what your body can do than what it looks like.

Good Health!

Terry

"You may be disappointed if you fail, but you are doomed if you don't try.

~Beverly Sills, former American opera soprano