Tag Archives: emelina edwards

HEALTHY HABITS TO REDUCE CANCER RISK

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With cancer so much in the news lately, I wanted to highlight the fact that, as the American Cancer Society says on their web site, the major risk factors for cancer, smoking, obesity, lack of exercise, alcohol consumption and poor eating habits, are behaviors we can change to eliminate that risk.
Obesity is defined as having a BMI of 30 or higher. BMI is an equation that gives you a numerical reading of your health based on height and weight. You can Google BMI, enter two figures (weight and height) and get your BMI. BMI does not measure body fat, for that you need a body fat analysis. Body fat analysis shows body composition, how much of your weight is fat and how much is muscle and tissue.
In our culture we tend to think that being skinny means being fit. In fact, you can be skinny and also obese. As I explain in my book, Forever Fit … the term “skinny fat”, slang for “normal weight obesity” is a term coined by researchers to describe nearly more than half of all normal weight Americans—30 million strong—who have high percentages of body fat that put them at risk for obesity-related health problems. So if you add that 30 million to the ⅓ of Americans who are obviously obese, we have a dangerously obese population.
We need to lose weight to lower not only our cancer risk but also all other chronic diseases.
Lowering your risk (American Cancer Society)
You can lower your risk of breast cancer by changing those risk factors that can be changed (see the section, “What are the risk factors for breast cancer?”).
Body weight, physical activity, and diet have all been linked to breast cancer, so these might be areas where you can take action.
Both increased body weight and weight gain as an adult are linked with a higher risk of breast cancer after menopause. Alcohol also increases risk of breast cancer. Even low levels of alcohol intake have been linked with an increase in risk.
Many studies have shown that moderate to vigorous physical activity is linked with lower breast cancer risk.
A diet that is rich in vegetables, fruit, poultry, fish, and low-fat dairy products has also been linked with a lower risk of breast cancer in some studies
To this list I include meditation because meditation lowers the stress and anxiety associated with cravings and mood swings that cause overeating. Meditation is a great tool to help change behavior and stay committed.
Remember you control your health through your behaviors.

 

YOUR FUTURE HEALTH

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BE HEALTHY IN 20 YEARS

Invest in your health today and increase your chances of remaining vigorous in the future. Here are some tips to making sure that happens.

  • Keep your muscles strong. If you’re sedentary, you can lose 8 percent of your muscle mass between ages 40 and 50. Muscle loss means less physical strength. How will you fare in 20 years with less strength than you have today?
  • Be aware of your posture. Hunching over your computer can tighten your chest muscles and weaken those in your upper back. This imbalance can lead to back and neck pain. Stretch and strengthen your muscles.
  • Eat fish twice a week. Most brains shrink with age, more so after age 60, but eating fish can slow that progress. Studies have shown that people who eat baked or broiled fish at least once a week show less brain volume shrinkage in key areas related to dementia compared to those who consumed less fish. The Omega-3 fatty acids in fish have been linked in research to better brain health because they reduce inflammation.
  • Cut calories. Overeating may be harmful to our brains. Consuming more than 2,140 calories a day doubles the risk of developing mild cognitive impairment over the course of 12 months. “Eat less to prevent memory loss,” says Yonas E. Geda, MD.

 

MEDITATE TO BOOST IMMUNITY

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MEDITATE

AND SWITCH-ON YOUR DISEASE-FIGHTING GENES

A comprehensive scientific study at Harvard Medical School led by Dr. Herbert Benson has proven that meditation changes our bodies on a genetic level. The study found that in long-term practitioners of relaxation methods such as yoga and meditation, far more disease-fighting genes were active, compared to those who didn’t practice relaxation.
In particular, the genes that were switched on protect against rheumatoid arthritis, high-blood pressure, infertility and pain. According to the researchers, the changes were induced by what they call the “relaxation effect”, an occurrence as powerful as any medical drug but without the side effects.
The experiment showed just how responsive genes are to behavior, mood and environment. After two months of practicing relaxation, the bodies of the control group began to change. “The genes that help fight inflammation, kill diseased cells, and protect the body from cancer, all began to switch on”, says Jake Toby, hypnotherapist at London’s BodyMind Medicine Centre, who teaches clients how to induce the relaxation effect.
The benefits of the relaxation effect are cumulative. The more you practice meditation , the greater the chances of remaining free of arthritis and joint pain, with stronger immunity, healthier hormone levels and lower blood pressure.
Dr. Benson believes this research is important because it shows how a person’s state of mind affects the body on a physical and genetic level.

Source: Anastasia Stephens, SMH

 

Dying to Be Me

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My Journey from Cancer, to Near Death, to True Healing
by Anita Moorjani

I was so deeply touched by Anita’s story that I decided to share her message of healing with all of you. Anita’s story is truly inspirational.

In her book Anita relates how, after four years of fighting cancer, her body began shutting down, overcome by the malignant cells spreading throughout her body. With only a few hours of life left in her body, she entered into a remarkable near-death experience where she learned her inherent value and the cause of her disease. She writes:

“Why do I think I got cancer? I can sum up the answer in one word: fear. I was afraid of everything, including failing, being disliked, letting people down, and not being good enough.

“The way I see it, if we were encouraged to express who we truly are, we’d all be loving beings, each bringing our uniqueness to the world. Problems and strife come as a result of our not knowing who we are and not being able to show our inner beauty.

“It follows that the problems we see in the world aren’t from the judgment or hatred we have for others but for ourselves. Just as the key to my healing was unconditional self-love that eliminated fear, the key for a better world is for everyone to care for themselves the same way, realizing their true worth.”

Anita believes that our feelings about ourselves are actually the most important barometer for determining the condition of our lives.

Healthy Diet Key to Glowing Skin

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 HEALTHY DIET KEY TO GLOWING SKIN AND ACNE-FREE COMPLEXION

According to Dr. William Danby, a New Hampshire dermatologist, and other experts who study the biochemical processes of digestion, when you overindulge on foods like pizza or movie theatre popcorn, bloating and pimples can be a direct result. Their recommendations for glowing skin are:  

Avoid milk. Milk increases cell proliferation and sebum production, causing plugged pores that can lead to acne. Instead use almond, rice, coconut, hemp or soy milk.

Avoid refined carbs. Refined carbs increase insulin secretion which can promote acne by increasing oil gland secretion. Instead eat lean protein and salads.

Eat fruits, vegetables, nuts and lean protein. When you eat like a native, you ingest low levels of free-radicals and high concentration of antioxidants.

Take a daily probiotic. Probiotics like Lactobacillus acidophilus replenish healthy bacteria in the gut.

Eat 6 ounces of fish a week. Omega-3 fatty acids DHA and EPA help to inhibit pro-inflammatory compounds that kick start acne.

Health report by Joan Chen
Marie Claire, April 2013

TAKE YEARS OFF YOUR FACE

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TAKE YEARS OFF YOUR FACE
by
DE-STRESSING YOUR SKIN
Dr. Amy Wechsler says that it’s not your age that’s causing half of those lines and wrinkles. It’s your life.

In her book, The Mind-Beauty Connection, Dr. Wechsler explains that by age thirty, we’re showing the first sings of normal aging— broken capillaries, sagging and crow’s feet. But our biggest skin and health challenge is stress aging, caused by the frantic speed of our modern life.

The good news is that stress aging is reversible and worth the time it takes to turn back the aging effects of tension and anxiety. Here are her 7 habits for healthy and youthful looking skin.

  • Practice deep breathing. Oxygen is the most vital nutrient for the body and your cells need a constant supply to stay alive and work efficiently.
  • Exercise.  Follow a comprehensive exercise program that includes cardio, weight lifting and stretching. You will increase levels of endorphins, improve mood and aid circulation.
  • Focus on the positive.  Negative, irritating thoughts fuel stress hormones like cortisol and adrenaline.
  • Sleep soundly. Every system in the body, including your inner rejuvenation capabilities, is affected by the quality and amount of sleep you get.
  • Meditate. Calm yourself down and thicken your cortex to improve cognitive abilities.
  • Cuddle or have sex. During sex, beta-endorphins, age-defying and beauty-promoting hormones that spill out of the brain reduce stress and nourish the  skin.
  • Feeds as skin medicine. Eat Vitamin C-rich foods. Eat fruits, vegetables, nuts, seeds, lean protein and whole grains. Drink tea.

If you’re interested in purchasing The Mind-Beauty Connection for more in-depth reading, check the Personal Growth section in my web site’s Recommend Reading.

 

LET’S SHARE THE INSPIRATION

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A few days ago I received an email from one of  my readers. Mary wrote to ask for a copy of one of my past newsletters, which she inadvertently deleted.  Then she went on to say:

“This also gives me the chance to tell you how much I loved your book. I couldn’t put it down, it was such an inspiration. I am also 72 and have always been into exercise and it has really paid off.”

I thanked Mary for her kind words and asked her if she would post that statement as a review on my Amazon book page. “Please help me spread the word of health and well-being” I said, “this world needs healing and we all can be healers contributing even in small ways.”

I have been a seeker of inspiration for 26 years. Inspiration feeds my soul.  Part of my day is spent reading inspirational literature. I like to fill my mind with the good, the holy and the beautiful. It’s my way of neutralizing the negativity we are exposed to every moment of our day: criticism, bickering, judgment, blaming and despair. Embedded in these qualities are toxic words that heighten our sense of fear and make us forget that our very essence is love.

Many of the problems that plague us could be eradicated by 30 minutes spent in silence reflecting on words of wisdom—words we read in a book or heard in a song or heard someone speak. We don’t realize that the constant barrage of toxic words we ingest is cumulative and in time changes who we are.

So now I ask you, dear reader, if you liked my book and found it helpful to your health and well-being, would you please let others know by posting a review on my Amazon book page?

Thank you

Quick & Delicious Veggie Soup

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INGREDIENTS

1 tablespoon olive oil
1/2 large onion, diced
2 medium carrots, diced
2 stalks celery, diced
1 medium zucchini, diced
6 cloves garlic, chopped
2 tablespoons fresh thyme leaves,chopped*
4 teaspoons fresh sage, chopped*
32 ozs. canned vegetable broth
1 – 14 oz. can diced tomatoes
3 cups baby spinach, chopped
Freshly grated Parmesan cheese
1 – 15 oz. low-sodium canellini beans
drained and rinsed
salt, cayenne

PREPARATION

Mash half of the beans and set aside.
Heat the oil over low-medium heat and add first 5 ingredients. Cook, stirring frequently until medium soft, about 10 minutes.
Add the the broth and the tomatoes with its juice and keep simmering for another 10 minutes. Add the mashed and whole beans and the spinach leaves. Cook another 5 minutes. Add thyme and sage, salt and cayenne. Taste for seasoning.
Serve topped with Parmesan.

COMMENT. * Please note that I use lots of herbs and spices in my recipes because I like bold flavors. You might want to start by using half what I call for. This soup is delicious as is or blenderized. Using an immersion blender to break up the vegetables changes the consistency of the soup. It becomes creamy. Either way it’s delicious!

FARRO AND CORN SALAD

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INGREDIENTS

1 cup farro
2 tablespoons olive oil
corn kernels cut from 2 ears of corn
1 cup cherry tomatoes, halved
2 scallions, chopped
2 handfulls fresh arugula, chopped
2 teaspoons grated lemon zest
juice 1 lemon
salt,cayenne

PREPARATION

Cook the farro according to package instructions. Farro cooks in about 20 minutes. If any liquid remains, drain it. Toss with 1 tablespoon of olive oil.
Heat remaining tablespoon of olive oil, medium-low heat. Add the corn, scallions and cherry tomatoes. Cook for 5 minutes. Season with salt and cayenne.
Stir the corn, tomatoes and scallions into the farro and toss. Add the lemon juice, lemon zest and arugula. Toss and season.

COMMENT. Farro is an ancient grain, popular in Italian dishes. It has a nutty, chewy texture. It is low in gluten, easily digested. Farro is rich in fiber, magniseum and Vitamins A, B, C and E. Farro is a new addition to my diet. Try it, you will love it!

AGE WITH STRENGTH AND VIGOR

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Age with strength and vigor is my mantra, my passion and mission.
In my book you can view pictures of seasoned lifters who started ten, twenty years ago, and today at their advance age can handle heavy weights.
However, don’t let those pictures discourage you. They, like all beginners started with 2-3 pound dumbbells. Gradually, as they gained strength, they were albe to lift more. There’s no limit to how much you can lift if that is what you desire. And if not, you can stop at 8 or 10 pounds just to maintain.
The important thing is to prevent further muscle loss and and with it the ability to live life to the fullest by being able to do everything you want to do.