Be Healthy Blog

Vitamin Deficiencies

Our bodies have delicate balances. When we are deficient in necessary vitamins, our body can sometimes have an intense reaction. There are also several causes of vitamin deficiencies; the main one being not having an adequate diet. But another reason that a person may experience a vitamin deficiency is because of genetics. Our bodies don’t always work as they are supposed to, but there are ways around that. Code Nutrition specializes in customized vitamins–based on your personal DNA. You send in a cheek swab and they analyze your genetics and what your body lacks in vitamins. So there is no reason not to have all the vitamins and nutrients that you need everyday. Stay healthy, stay happy.

Natural Healing and Health

You may not know it, but some of the very same products you may have at home are widely used in the world of alternative medicine for their healing properties.

Green Tea - Used for centuries because it was believed to have powerful healing properties, green tea has actually been shown to aid in the prevention of a myriad of health ailments, such as strokes, gum disease, and even bad breath.  Some studies suggest green tea can even help protect against certain forms of cancer including stomach and esophageal cancers.  Green tea can be found at any grocery store or supermarket.

Lavender - The lavender herb originates from the Mediterranean basin but today can be found throughout the world.  The oil derived from the lavender flower is the most effective and important medical component and offers a wide range of healing properties.  It used used to treat both mental and physical ailments.  Lavender is used to treat depression, anxiety, and nervousness.  Since lavender is one of the few essential oils that can be applied to skin undiluted, it is also said to help alleviate skin irritations, such as eczema, rashes, and burns.  My absolute favorite place to get lavender is the D. Gary Young Young Living Lavender Farm, located in Mona, UT.  Young Living also owns lavender farms in Idaho, Ecuador, and France.  But you don’t have to travel far that far to get lavender…just visit your local nursery or garden center.

Olive Oil - Olive oil has a high concentration of monounsaturated fatty acids and has been proven to help prevent heart disease and control levels of LDL cholesterol (the “bad” kind).  Extra virgin olive oil also contains high levels of antioxidants and Vitamin E.

Honey - Another favorite healing commodity over the centuries, honey was used to treat wounds up until the second world war because of its antibacterial properties.  A thin layer of honey on the skin is said to disinfect and heal minor skin lesions.

Essential Oils - While they should not be used as a substitute for conventional medicine, essential oils can cure a wide range of minor ailments at home.  Some are used as anti-inflammatories or topical antiseptics while others can be used to as anti-depressants or analgesics.

Protect Your Skin

This summer, I know it will be tempting to spend all your time in the sun. But that can be incredibly harsh on your skin. All you have to do is use sun block to protect your skin from the radiating rays. This will also help your skin stay wrinkle-free as you age.

Another way to protect yourself from the sun is by wearing a gardening hat.  To stay happy, healthy, and young-looking protect and love your skin.

Need More Time to Workout?

Quite frankly, who doesn’t? Here we are, stuck at work for about 8 hours a day on average. And then we are expected to be involved in the community, run all our errands, build lasting relationships, keep up on our fitness, and then, of course, get to bed at a reasonable hour. Seems a little crazy, doesn’t it? All of this stress and lack of personal time tends to make people gain some weight. But, it is all about priorities. If your health is one of your top priorities, consider getting into a new business where you have more flexible hours but can still bring home the bacon.  One fantastic way to do this is through selling online. All you have to do is dropship. They will store all of it in a warehouse and send it directly to the purchaser. You don’t have to do any of that! Think of all the time that will be yours to get into shape and prepare healthy and nutritious meals. And remember, extreme stress usually puts on the pounds. So now that you don’t have the same career stresses, you could easily drop the excess weight. Oh, the possibilities…

Healthy Catering: How To Appease All Your Guests

With Memorial Day right around the corner, many are officially kicking off the start of summer and warmer weather means weddings, parties, and all kinds of celebrations. Whether you are planning your wedding reception or an outdoor anniversary party, one of the biggest things to keep in mind is your catering choices - the food served should accommodate all your guests, especially if you have a rather long guest list. My Salt Lake City catering company of choice gave me these tips to remember when selecting the fare for any event:

• Make sure you have low-fat entree options. No doubt you will have guests who are trying to shed some pounds and will most certainly appreciate a tasty dish sans the fat!
• Vegan and/or vegetarian dishes should always be included in the menu, such as a pasta dish. Your caterer should have various vegetarian entrees you can select from.
• Desserts are the one place where calories and sugar can really add up - try serving scrumptious desserts that are lower in calories and sugar but just as delicious! Fresh fruit, frozen yogurt, parfaits…even popsicles, which aren’t just for the little ones! They make a tasty, frozen, healthy treat.
• If you are serving alcohol, make sure you have light beers and a myriad of liquids to provide alcoholic drink options that aren’t calorie-laden, such as cranberry juice, sparkling water, and club soda.
• Just in case, have all the nutritional information of everything you are serving on hand. From the number of calories to ingredients used, you may have guests inquire about such information.

More Energy Than You Know What To Do With

With so many diet and fitness fads, it is important to do some research before you commit yourself to one. You should look at review after review to make sure this is the right thing for you. It also wouldn’t hurt to talk to your doctor about it.

One great way that I’ve found to give me that extra kick of energy–especially during those times at the gym where I am just dragging–is to take Zantex3’s Insta-Shot. It is a great energy shot that gets me through my run on the treadmill.

But, I did recently find a Zantrex review that gives a lot of information. Take a look.

The Stresses of Clutter

Nowadays, everything seems to give us stress; it is not limited to our jobs anymore. Everything around us that is out of “harmony” can create stress and just might send us over the edge. One of those things is clutter…and lots of it. If you want a healthier life, look into these ways to get rid of your clutter and live a more stress-free life.

• Garage sale: Not only will you get rid of extra stuff, you will make a little extra money too. The trick with the garage sale is to donate everything you don’t sell to charity. Don’t keep it around waiting to sell it another garage sale. Chances are, you won’t have too much time in your life to set up a garage sale every weekend. But if you do have time for that, then by all means…
• Store it: If you have valuables that aren’t on display in your home and you just don’t have the heart to sell them, find some Utah storage units (or wherever you are from). You can rest assured knowing that your heirlooms/valuables are safe and protected.

There are many other ways you can use to declutter. You just need to find the right way for you, the one that works the best.

Time For a Relaxing Vacay?

I am a firm believer that one of the most important parts of overall health is giving the body, mind, and spirit time to relax, rejuvenate, and renew.  Everyone needs time away from the hustle and bustle of daily life, from the stresses of work and the cares, worries, and burdens each of us has.  If it has been awhile since you took some time for yourself, consider doing so.

For the sake of my own sanity, my husband and I are headed next week to a quaint and relaxing Arizona bed and breakfast.

The Obvious Tips

The best and easiest ways to live a healthy life are those that we should already be doing…obvious habits that no doubt can lead to a longer, healthier life.  Question is, are you doing them?

• Wear your Seatbelt.  Yes, it seems obvious, but did you know that less than 14% of all motorists actually wear them consistently?  And nearly half of all the individuals who die in vehicle-related crashes (roughly 17,000) most likely would have survived if they were wearing their seatbelt.
• Floss your Teeth. Recent studies have shown a direct correlation between longevity and teeth flossing.  No one knows why…but keep your mouth clean and healthy by flossing at least once a day.
• Think Positive! It doesn’t take a genius to figure out there is a direct connection between living well and having a positive outlook on life.  Those who are optimistic tend to live longer and have fewer health problems.
• Avoid Excessive Drinking. Drinking in excess can lead to a myriad of health problems including kidney and liver problems or even alcoholism.  Drink only in moderation.
• Quit Smoking.  Well, duh.  Yet, it is always mind boggling how many people still take up smoking even though we are fully aware of the countless health problems and diseases directly related to the nasty habit.  From prescription medication to support groups to nicotine patches, there is a method for quitting perfect for every smoker.

Jump-Starting Weight Loss: The Use of Weight Loss Supplements

There seems to be an enormous amount of controversy when it comes to using diet supplements to help individuals lose weight.   And some of it seems to be rather unfounded.  I am constantly finding tons of negative reviews and posts online attacking certain ones, labeling them as scams that do nothing more than drain your wallet.

Call me crazy, but I think weight loss supplements can be an effective tool for individuals struggling with weight loss.  While there is no magic pill or “quick-fix,” a weight loss pill can help kick-start the new, healthy lifestyle that is often required to sustain long-term weight loss.  If you are determined to shed a few pounds and keep them off, you have to implement physical activity into your daily routine and make a conscious effort to eat healthy (well, healthier).  Utilizing a weight loss supplement may just be the jump-start you need to get going.