Multi’s, Multi’s, Read All About It!

Multi-Vitamins, Multi-Minerals ..what About’em?!
If one of your commitments to yourself for the year is better physical health than it’s a must to get your hands on a multi. Not just any multi but a good one!

What’s the connection to a multi and your physical health you ask. Well it all starts with the soil our food is cultivated in. These days through conventional farming the soils nutrients have become much depleted therefore, the nutrients are nearly non-existing in our foods. Plus if you may notice most of our produce is shipped from all around the world to provide during the off seasons of our local farmers/providers and when this occurs the bearing fruit will not reach its botanical synergy of pure and rich vitamins, minerals, essence and water.  So, even if you are eating healthy with a majority of fresh produce and limited processed foods you may not be getting as much nutrients as expected from your ancestors.

A good multi provides your body the basis, the foundation to help keep it in service from all the wear and tear we put our bodies through these days.  Mutli’s are offered in age, gender, need, and lifestyle formulas.  When you get into the gender specific multi’s they may include supporting herbs for each genders needs.  I.e.: saw palmetto in a men’s multi to help support prostate health.  But all multi formulas will be enclosed with the heart of vitamins and minerals essential to your physical health.

Vitamins and minerals are both mirconutrients that work synergistically. They are not a true source of energy but assist in metabolism.  Vitamins are essential to growth, vitality, proper digestion and elimination, resistence to disase.  Minerals are a basic part of all cells, particularly blood, nerve and muscle cells, bones, teeth and all soft tissues.  And remember minerals CANNOT be manufactured in the body like some vitamins, they must come from our foods and or mult’s.

CRITERIA FOR A GOOD MULTI:
1. Age Specific (different needs for different age range)
2. Gender Specific (different needs for men and women)
3. Minerals Chelation
(chelation helps the absorption rate of the minerals)
- bisglycinate – 67% absorption
- citrate/malate – 55% absorption
- kreb cycle – 45% absorption
(citrate, succinate, fumarate, malate, glutarate)
- citrate – 37% absorption
- hvp (amino acid) – 30% absorption
- non-chelated – 0-20% absorption
(carbonate, lactate, gluconate, oxide)
4. NO Preservatives, Additives, Artificial Colours or Flavours for example, some generic brands such as Centrum contain BHT, artificial colours, and SHELLAC!

5. Not Misleading about Actual Dosage for example: some brands say they contain 500mg of calcium but when you read the fine print they reallyonly contain 100mg elemental calcium. The elemental from is how much the mineral is available for absorption.

What’s Sweeter than Sugar?!

Stevia rebaudiana, a herb that is native to South America, is becoming a popular demand for its sweet leaves and flower buds. It has been used for centuries as a sweetener and flavour enhancer in South America and is now widely commercialized in Japan for consumption in everything from soft drinks to soy sauce. Other countries indulging in this intriguing sweetness includes China, Malaysia, Israel and South Korea. And United States eagerly blocking its entry may finally now be entrenched with its natural beauty.

Stevia is the sweetener of the future! It’s better than sugar because it’s: 100% Natural + 30X Sweeter + Has ZERO calories + Does NOT increase blood sugar levels

The Japanese have conducting extensive research on stevia since the 1970’s and have found it completely safe. No harmful effects yet to be reported even in cases of hypoglycemia and diabetic patients. It has also been discovered to have diuretic properties, effective treatment for mental and physical fatigue, harmonizes digestion, regulates blood pressure and assists weight loss.

Now why would the United States strive so hard to stop and or limit the use of Stevia and encourage the use of these toxic and carcinogenic artificial sweeteners (Aspartame, Saccharin, Sucralose, Acesulfame-K, Neotame?)

Truthfully, making a natural with no harmful effects sweetener widely available could potentially kill the artificial sweetener industry, which is backed by companies such as Pfizer, Abbott, Johnson & Johnson, Monsanto and Hoechst. But as long as stevia and other natural sweeteners are put on the shelf, these dangerous artificial sweeteners roam free, increasing your risk of cancer and other diseases!

Stand up for your sweetness! You may purchase Stevia at your local health store and or in the organic aisles of your grocery store. Stevia comes in liquid, powder or convenient packet forms.

Embracing Valentine’s Day

Valentine’s Day usually sends people feeling mixed emotions. Whether they are happy or sad and single or partnered why not take the day to truly embrace the love for the most important person in your life – YOU.

Image from BO LUNDBERG

As the Beatles had it right “All You Need is Love!” But the best place to start is within yourself. So, lets take on the challenge of improving the relationship you have with yourself and start preserving your Self-Love. This means NO criticism, NO complaining, NO blaming, NO whining, and NO choosing to feel lonely. It means being very content with yourself in the present moment and “choosing” to think thoughts that make you feel good now. There is no miracle thing in life that can make you the best that you are except yourself through the choices you make on how to love you.

There is no one way to experience love, for we all experience it differently. For some people it means we need to feel love through being hugged and touched. For some people it means we need to hear the words “I love you.” Others need to see a demonstration of love such as a gift. Our preferred way of experiencing love is often the way we best feel comfortable expressing it back.

Now decide for yourself how you would like to experience love and love yourself nonstop. Show yourself how special you are through pampering, flowers, colours, textures, eating well, kind words, sleeping, laughing, nature, yoga, and whatever else creates that loving mental atmosphere within you and around you. Never let those negative thoughts about love cloud you but instead share love, approval and acceptance with everyone you meet.

The crown of loving yourself allows you stay grounded, calm, centered, and secure, and you begin to notice all your other relationships improve as well. Be open to this challenge and get a sense of the struggle that holds you back, then you can breathe, surrender internally and then move somewhere new – pure and unbroken Self-LOVE.

Food Matters

You Are What You Eat – Food Really Does Matter!
This documentary inspires a stronger advocate for what I love
and feel passionate about – nutrition and holistic healing