A new healthy thread

[Redetotry]

Thought I would start a new one today as I have been pleasantly surprised at all the recent media attention that eating well is so important. Oprah speaks and the world listens.This article was in our morning newspaper and right next to it was an article how nutrition has a major impact on mood and depression. This is part of the article. “When Oprah brought Dr. Oz on board he turned Oprah into a trusted friend in many American households. He, like Oprah, is on a mission to fundamentally change how we treat ourselves-mind, body and soul. Now the Dr. Oz show is helping everyone make sense of all the conflicting information we have been receiving. Low carb or low fat? Running or yoga? Calories versus foods? To the point that we figure we should drink water and pray! His weekday show gives viewers tips as to what to do, the science of it, and the real life examples of people grappling with it so that you can do your own three-month turnaround.”
Here is a link to the article which lists his top ten tips. http://www.kansas.com/2010/03/09/121643 ... oprah.html
The other article on nutrition had one tip that was of special note to me, and that was the association between mood and alcohol and caffeine, as I've recently had caffeine issues. Both in excess deplete the body’s storage of B vitamins and minerals such as potassium, which directly affect emotional health.
In my opinion, the sad thing is has anyone had their doctor tell them any of this, or do they just write a prescription before checking the other possibilities. I recently asked a doctor I was chatting with at a local coffee house if he had any classes in nutrition in med school and he said no. Is it any wonder they just don't understand!

[Bethers]

I can't believe no one's commented on this. I agree with most of what he says - he basically is telling us to be sensible and use common sense (which I wonder if many people have anymore ) - I totally agree that none of those diets work. Well, all of them can work short term - but none of them will long term. Cutting the number of calories, that will work.

Thanks for the link - I enjoyed reading it.

[bikerchic777]

I TOTALLY agree with Dr. Oz! I love him I was just talking with a friend at the fire tonight (real campfire) about this same subject. He found a Dr. that is also an herbalist. She took him off all his meds but high blood pressure and he says he feels better than he has in years. I'm all about natural remedies! I was using a neti pot before Dr. Oz told the world about it. I'm glad, since I heard they were hard to find after that Oprah show! I also got off acid blockers several years ago, when I ended up getting sicker from the meds. I started drinking organic apple cider vinegar in water, religiously, and made a miraculous recovery! My doctors had never even heard of it. They only know drugs. We also agreed on our theory on walking. I see a huge difference in seniors who walk for exercise and those who don't. My mom is 92 and has always been young for her age. She has always believed walking is good for you and she walks 3 miles a day now. It has helped her balance, mood, and general well being! She only takes meds that are absulutely necessary. Guess that's where I got it from. My paternal grandmother was a vegetarian later in life and believed in natural remedies. She lived to the age of 103, most of which were quality years. We can't leave out a strong faith in God and prayer! Studies have shown this also adds yrs.

[AlmostThere]

You are what you eat...as the saying goes. Yep, calories in must equal calories burned to keep our weights stable. Common sense.

As for the netti pot. My son in law likes it but my daughter hates it and so do I. The water ran out my other nostril as it should, but also back into my ear canals. Been having ear problems ever since. Nope not for me. On a similar note: I had a ENT Dr tell me that when in the shower, sniff up some warm water to help with sinuses. I assume it's on the same principle as the netti pot. JMHO (just my humble opinion).

[bikerchic777]

I have to say...you either like the neti pot or you hate it. I have given lessons to several people on how to use one. There is a knack to it, for sure. My brother snorts his saline solution out of a pie tin. That is just weird to me! I can't sniff water. I have an aversion to drowning It has lessened my allergy problems and I believe I haven't caught as many viruses since I started using the neti pot. I also haven't had a sinus infection since. I do get an occasional sinus headache in the spring and fall, but then I increase my usage. If I have company stay with me, I apologize before I do it, and take it in the bathroom. I know how gross it must sound to them. I also believe you are what you eat. I get teased a lot for trying to eat healthy, but I think it's more out of jealousy, so I let it go. It's my body and I'm the only one who can take care of it as it should be. I want it to get me around for a long time

[Bethers]

I just read and enjoyed this article:

10 Ways to Keep your Mind Sharp

It's about keeping the mind sharp - but notice how many points are about diet! What and how we eat - and our weight - is so important to our health in all ways.

[bluepinecones]

Another web site you might find of interest relative to eating healthier and helping the environment
http://www.meatlessmonday.com/

[bikerchic777]

Loved the meatless Monday article! I did go vegetarian several years ago, but ended up having to give in to meat I got so I didn't feel so well, and a Dr. told me that some people just need more meat protein than others. I still lean more veggie than meat. I do go meatless some days and love my pizza and spaghetti meatless. I love my vegetables and fruit!

[BarbaraRose]

I am a firm believer in holistic/natural remedies. The progesterone cream I am using is completely 100% all natural and it works great! If I hear of anyone I know who is sick with something and their regular medications aren't working well, I will research and suggest homeopathic treatments for them. I am hoping that I can eventually start eating more natural and healthy foods too. I was raised on meat and potatoes so giving up meat is difficult even tho I hate the idea of eating animals. I am very fussy about the meat I do eat tho. Any food I get in a box, can, pouch, etc, the first thing I do is pick out the meat. I don't trust the quality of the meat in those kinds of foods. I also don't have meat on pizza or spaghetti. I probably only eat meat once or twice a week and that is usually chicken.
I have been reading some of Suzanne Somer's books on her Somersize diet. It sounds intriquing and is based more on the right combinations of food types than the actual food itself, altho she really says to steer clear of bad carbs like white bread, white flour, white rice, potatoes, etc. It really comes down to keeping your insulin levels and hormones balanced. I haven't tried the diet yet but am thinking about it...

[Mollysmom]

I love Greek Yogurt ! It's packed with protein so one of those single serving things make a great lunch. I'll eat that and and string cheese for lunch and am not at all hungry till dinner time & this is at work where I'm on my feet "running" back and forth all day. It's a great food and pretty tasty.
I use my Neti Pot whenever I feel "sinusy" - I think it's awesome.
I felt a cold coming on last week and fortunately had a day off so I took Zicam - used the Neti Pot - ate lots of very hot Hot & Sour Soup & took a big nap - I felt 95% better the next day.
I have to try and eat better - I'm a junk food junky and really have been trying to cut back - I'm "good" on work days, but not so good on days off. I'll have to check out the Dr. Oz info - I love him !
Thanks for all the great info and tips - I need to re-read all this and implement something new - I try to do a new thing for a couple of weeks, then add another new thing - it's allot less overwhelming that way.

[AlmostThere]

Trudy, my DD eats Greek yogurt, the plain kind, but adds honey and fruit. I've tried several different brands but to me it's very' sour-gone-bad' tasting. I know it's extremely good, though. Good for you!
I've been eating really bad this winter and have gained back 10 of the 30 lbs I lost last year, so I'm getting back to more healthy, too. My downfall is potato chips and chocolate. Love the salt and sugar together, too, as I also get Junior Mints with my popcorn at the movies. Weird, I know, but it's what I crave.

[bikerchic777]

I love yogurt! I'm not real good with plain, though, unless it's on a potato instead of sour cream or in a dip or something. I eat Activia almost every day. It has extra healthy bacteria, which we need to digest and fight off disease, viruses, etc. I also love Kiefer and had my mom drink it when she was on antibiotics for H-Pylori. You can find that in the health food stores or section of some groceries, in the fridge. I also eat breakfast every day. People ask me how I stay so thin. I tell them that research has shown that thin people eat breakfast....plus, I was blessed with thin genes I also tell them that I eat to live, not live to eat. I do have a snack now and then, like anyone else, but hate fast food and fried foods!

[mtngal]

Warning....this is long....but wanted to tell about my 'vegan' experiment. Some you you know at my DR suggestion I went to a vegan diet a year ago to try to control my cholesterol without meds. So it's been a year, got my blood work results last week and the high levels DID NOT change. Now I know it is being produced by my body. (Thanks to my Segale relatives!) No options left for me but to take a statin. As much as I don't want to do it, I maybe stubborn, but I'm not stupid!

OK, that is the bad news. The good news is that I feel fantastic and have tons of energy. I will stick with my vegan diet because I love it!!! Before I wasn't much of a meat eater, but did LOVE my cheese (and ice cream!!!). As before I eat very few processed foods. I like WHOLE food, mostly veges and fruit. I'm trying to cut back on all grains, maybe just once a day. Don't mean to preach about vegan, in fact, I hardly ever even talk about it. Certainly not for everybody, but it is working for me.

The other thing that I changed up in the past year is activity levels. Before I usually worked out 3, maybe 4 times a week. Last September I committed to 60 minutes of fitness focused activity EVERY DAY! It was hard at first but now it's part of my routine and usually my first priority. It's amazing how much stronger and more fit I am getting out seven days a week instead of the old three or four. (and yes, I realize I couldn't do this if I was still working full time! another reason to be grateful for retirement!).

I'm tracking my activity minutes at...... http://www.sixtyminutessixtyyears.blogspot.com
and also on another online forum with a bunch of like minded gals. It's very inspiring and motivating to see the minutes add up each month!

Last year when I made these changes, I was dreading turning 60, but now that's it here and I feel so much better
I am excited to get up everyday. The only problem is not enough time to do everything I want to do each day!
AND a battery quickly going dead on my computer! So I better make this the end of my story.

[mitch5252]

Diana, that's a great story! Keep up the great work!

[AlmostThere]

Wow, such discipline! I'm proud of you!
Yep, sometimes we need western drugs no matter what we do, and we are glad for them, but also think we need to do for ourselves what we can before going that route.