Catha For Council Blog

The most basic approach to weight loss is to burn more calories than you take in, but sometimes no matter what you do it just doesn’t seem to be working. When you need a trick up your sleeve for a critical moment, try one of these to jump-start your weight loss again.

1. Add weights to your routine.

Adding weight-lifting to your routine is one of the fastest ways to see results. Your body will respond almost immediately, shaping and toning muscle, and remember, the more muscle you have, the more fats you burn! To determine the weight you should start with, grab a 5-lb. dumbbell and do as many bicep curls as possible. If you can do more than ten reps comfortably, use a higher weight. On the other hand, if you can’t do more than eight repetitions without strain, try using a 3-lb. weight instead. For those of you already training with weights, go up to the next highest weight to see results. If you don’t have weights at your home, it is highly recommended that you invest in a set that ranges from three to ten pounds. These usually cost less than $30 and are well worth the investment.

2. Increase the intensity.

During your cardio workout routine, assess the intensity level to determine how hard you’re working. If you can carry on a conversation with ease while exercising, it’s time to boost the intensity. You can do that by taking deeper strides as you move and placing a greater demand on the muscles of the thighs and buttocks, which in turns burns more calories. The best way to gauge the intensity of a workout is to pretend to carry on a conversation. You should be able to speak in short sentences with a breath after each one. Never exercise to the point where you cannot talk.

3. Shake up your routine.

Despite being called a routine, your exercise program should keep you interested. Add different activities for variety and you not only maintain your concentration but also constantly challenge your body to meet new obstacles and developing more than just a few muscles. More muscles equal a greater calorie burn - what’s not to love? Try new activities that keep your mind engaged and experience an extra boost for your brain!

4. Give your diet a makeover.

The daily diet is most frequently the worst problem area when you’re trying to lose weight. Between home and work and the responsibilities that come with each, it can be almost impossible to find healthy choices at the last minute. Spare yourself the daily scrounging and stock up on healthy foods that can be ready at a moment’s notice. Make a point to stash some of your good-for-you snacks at work so that when the mid-afternoon cravings hit, you have something satisfying and diet-friendly.

5. Challenge yourself.

Set personal goals for yourself and don’t forget to reward your accomplishment! If your goal is to be more active at work, buy a pedometer and challenge yourself to take 6,000 steps during your workday. Be creative about it: walk to a colleague’s desk rather than email, take the stairs instead of the elevator, and go to the bathroom three floors down instead of the one on your floor. Challenging yourself can be very fulfilling on a personal level when you achieve your goals, and can encourage you on to greater achievement.

Antoinette Boulay is a fitnesss enthusiast and contributor to http://www.BurnUpExcess.com, where you can read about Abdominal Exercise Equipment, and pregnancy exercise videos.

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Ginseng is a plant with a very important role in traditional Chinese medicine. They believe that it relieves stress, improves circulation, increases quality of life, cures flu, cures impotence, and even that it can stop cancer. In fact, like many traditional remedies, it has been claimed to be a cure for almost everything.

Obviously, scientists are quick to point out that it is difficult to test whether ginseng actually has any effects at all in a scientific sense, but that doesn’t stop it from being wildly popular. It is one of the biggest-selling items at Chinese-run shops, sold both to Chinese people and believers in traditional medicine.

This huge demand has led to problems with the supply of the more potent wild ginseng, as it is being harvested faster than it can grow back, meaning that ginseng users have recently had to rely more on farmed ginseng. Today, ginseng is grown not only in China, but also in many East Asian countries such as Korea and Vietnam, and in the United States and Canada.

Although ginseng is usually thought of as a Chinese remedy, the ginseng that grows in America was independently discovered by Native Americans, who also used it for its medicinal properties. The fact that two cultures discovered it separately without influencing each other makes it seem more likely that there could be some truth in the traditional claims about ginseng. Areas where scientific tests seem to indicate that it might make some difference include impotence and cancer, but nothing has been proven conclusively.

There are many ways to eat and drink ginseng: the most popular is tea, but it is also possible to make soups, put it in food, or even just eat the plant’s leaves as it is. Ginseng isn’t that expensive in small quantities, so if reading this has made you curious, why not give it a try?

John Gibb is the owner of ginseng sources, For more information on ginseng please check out www.Ginseng-guidance.Info

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Let us take the scenario of a seventy-year-old man, who is a nonsmoker and otherwise fairly healthy, approaching the local doctor with complaints of persistent cough, chest congestion and weight loss. Other symptoms may include difficulty in swallowing and loss of appetite. The physician has several options of diagnosis, but pleural mesothelioma, a lethal cancer that originates in the lining enveloping the lungs, may not be considered.

There are several reasons for this. Recognition of pleural mesothelioma as a separate disease entity started as recently as the 1960s. Currently only about 3000 cases are reported annually in the United States. Many doctors may not have seen a single such case during their career. The symptoms are similar to many lesser afflictions. The only general lead is that the disease seems to be more prevalent in the Pacific and Mid-Atlantic States. It is also known that the major cause for pleural mesothelioma is exposure to asbestos. But how much contact with the material leads to this disease is unclear. Even the family members of an asbestos worker are at risk from the dust he carries home on his body and clothing.

This form of cancer has a long latent period and the symptoms manifest only twenty to forty or more years after exposure to asbestos. This also vitiates the possibility of correct diagnosis.

Once the doctor eliminates the chances of other diseases and pursues the pleural mesothelioma line, the patient is subjected to a battery of tests and imaging procedures like x-ray and CT scan. Fluid collection in the thoracic cavity is an indicator, but not conclusive. Confirmation can be obtained with a pleural (pleura is the membrane covering the lungs) biopsy using an electron microscope.

Since pleural mesothelioma is an aggressive cancer, early detection and immediate introduction of appropriate management are of critical importance. The possibility of a doctor who fails to diagnose pleural mesothelioma or misdiagnoses it, being sued for medical malpractice cannot be totally ruled out. But usually the law applicable is asbestos product liability.

It is generally accepted that pleural mesothelioma is a disease that is difficult to diagnose. To help the doctor, the patient should inform him at the very outset about exposure to asbestos, if any.

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Nature holds various useful resources which can be put to several uses. And this is what aromatherapy makes the best use of. Aromatherapy blends are a natural way to cure your problems.

Aromatherapy uses natural extracts, botanical essential oils from plants, leaves, seeds, and flowers as a healing art. Aromatherapy blends refreshes and relaxes the skin while soothing the mind by helping to induce a sense of well-being and reinforce the freshness.

A sensible aromatherapy blend employs all-natural, pure essential oils and delivers a clear benefit. The oils pooled in it should be synergistic and pleasant enough to support and enhance oil’s effect.

Aromatherapy blends can be used in oil diffusors, or blended into a product base such as massage oil, or bath salts. Finest blends of essential oils in quality base oils are what aromatherapy blends is all about. Enjoy the uplifting power of essential oils; find relief from menstrual cramps, headache and congestion by using aromatherapy blends.

Stop pampering your skin with the artificial products that contains harmful chemicals. Aromatherapy blends are available in wide variety, use them and give your skin an opportunity to “thank you”. Relaxation, stress relief, energizing, healing, meditations, sinus relief, citrus passion, romance, and headache relief are some of the commonly found aromatherapy blends.

The question that may arise in your mind now will be that how to choose the aromatherapy blend that will satisfy your needs and aspiration to the best. In this case you can consult any cosmetologist who can guide you better by analyzing your skin type. With the continuous advancement in technology, you can also make use of the online cosmetologist who can give you useful advice helping you in finding the appropriate aromatherapy blends.

When you go out in the market you may find different types of aromatherapy blends. But if you are looking for an easier way to access the desired aromatherapy blends that too without any hassle, online method is the best option. You just need to fill up a small form and book your order; the dealer will ship your order within a small matter of time.

If you are looking for the best deal, make sure to collect catalog from different dealers of aromatherapy blends. This will help you in finding the suitable deal that suits you requirement and pocket to the best.

What can be a better solution to get cured the natural way other than aromatherapy blends. Make sure to use the suitable base oil dilution whenever you decide to use it. Just shop around and compare the price list you will definitely end up getting the best deal.

Bryan Josling is working with the Horticultural Research Station in Adelaide.
He has also been involved with research on plants.To find Aromatherapy essential oils,Aromatherapy blends,Aromatherapy Massage Oil visit www.ndaroma.com

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If you’re anything like me, then you’ve got a certain picture in your mind of what *holistic* is supposed to be. For me, it’s conjured up pictures of holy men, or shaman, doing a ritual dance while chanting mantras, and rubbing *energy crystals* in an effort to remove evil spirits from your life. It wasn’t until I started doing research for my new book, *5 Keys To Health: A Holistic Approach* when I realized that my preconceptions couldn’t have been more further from the truth.

I had originally planned to write a book on fitness. I know that*s a pretty general term, but I intended it to be about how one can achieve health through physical fitness. It wasn*t going to be anything fancy. It was going to be a guide for the busy person, and how they can get fit, and stay that way while still being able to live a busy lifestyle.

I’ve always been interested in health and fitness. As a matter of fact, I think I’m in pretty good shape. I work out with weights at least 3 days per week, and I engage in some sort of cardio- vascular activity at least 2 days per week. I eat right; I stretch after every work out. I don’t smoke or drink excessively. I thought I was doing pretty well.

That is, until through the course of my research I came to realize that there’s a lot more to being healthy than being physically fit, and eating right. That’s when I ran into the word *holistic.* In the past, it’s always had a negative connotation for me. I’ve always thought of it as something used by metaphysical crackpots trying to sell snake-oil. As it turns out, holistic is not what I thought it was.

The real meaning of holistic is looking at the whole system rather than just concentrating on individual components. So, when it comes to being healthy, it looks at every aspect of health instead of just the physical. Do you realize that when we consider health, we usually look to see if our diet is right, or how often we exercise? There’s so much more to consider.

I found out that there are several aspects you must work on in order to consider yourself truly healthy. Among them are the obvious physical, but there’s also the mental and the spiritual to consider. If any of these is deficient, it could have serious repercussions in your life.

Ask yourself this, *Am I really healthy?*

Yes, you work out religiously. Yes, you eat chicken breasts, and egg whites, and you take your vitamins, and do everything else a *healthy* person is supposed to. But is there anything you’re missing?

Let me ask you this: how often do work on relieving stress from your life? How often do you work on building positive relationships? How often do you seek to build spirituality in your life?

These are just some of the aspects you must work on if you’re searching for true, and total health. Holistic doesn’t have to have a negative meaning. It can simply mean a philosophy of well- being that considers the physical, mental and spiritual aspects of life as being closely interconnected and balanced. I cover all of these points, and several more in my book, *5 Keys To Health: A Holistic Approach.*

I show you how to apply the holistic approach to health without any of the metaphysical mumbo jumbo. You can check it out at http://5keystohealth.com.

Take it from me, a one-time skeptic. *Holistic* doesn’t have to be a four-lettered word. It can be something positive that will help you create a fuller, healthier life.

About The Author

Edgar Cisneros is a health and fitness author. His articles and ebooks can help you achieve your personal fitness, and health goals faster and more efficiently. He can be reached by sending an email to mailto:echealth@5keystohealth.com, or by visiting his website at http://5keystohealth.com.

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Herbal Therapy, also referred to as Herbalism, is one of the oldest healthcare means known to mankind. Herbal therapy is the utilization of herbs for various therapies, remedies or medicinal purposes.

Derived from plants, herbs are used for their medicine, aroma and spice in herbal therapy. Herb plants produce and comprise a mariyad of chemical substances that interact with our bodies. Herbal therapy allows natural plants and herbs act as nutrients to empower our organs and tissues to regain normal functionability.

Currently, over four billion people, or eighty percent of the world population use herbal therapy for some forms of healthcare. Ayurvedic practitioners, homeopathic practitioners, naturopathic practitioners, traditional Oriental practitioners and Native American Indians commonly utilize herbal therapy.

Common illnesses and conditions that herbal therapy can benefit are digestive problems, sinusitis, Chron’s disease and irritable bowel syndrome. Other conditions like arthritis, post-cancer treatment, fertility issues, menopause, PMS, colds and even flu can be helped with herbal therapy as well.

To learn more about the benefits of herbal medicine, are interested in pursuing a career in herbal therapy, or would like to locate an herbal therapy practitioner, peruse our site for the latest holistic health remedies and herbal therapy directories today at Holistic Junction.

© Herbal Therapy - All Rights Reserved
by C. Bailey-Lloyd/LadyCamelot in conjunction with Holistic Junction

C. Bailey-Lloyd/LadyCamelot is the Public Relations’ Director for Holistic Junction — Your source of information for Herbal Medicine Practitioners; Herbal Schools; Alternative Health Care; Insightful Literature and so much more!

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1. Increase your consumption of fresh, organic fruits and vegetables.

2. Avoid using any pesticides or chemical sprays in your home. Try to avoid new carpet.

3. Avoid drinking tap water.

4. Decrease alcohol consumption.

5. Start an exercise program.

6. Increase consumption of organic whole grains and fiber.

7. Decrease meat, poultry and fish consumption.

8. Stop smoking.

9. Increase consumption of phytoestrogens from organic sources.

10. Decrease or stop consumption of processed foods.

11. Avoid trans-fatty acids found in margarine and some vegetable shortenings.

12. Take two capsules of organic flaxseed oil daily or just add a teaspoon of flaxseed oil to your daily organic salad.

13. If you are pregnant definitely breast feed.

14. Gets lots of sunshine as breast cancer is less prevalent in areas where there is ample sunlight unobscured by fog or smog.

Discussion:

As a retired diagnostic radiologist who read way too many mammograms I am excited because I finally have a path to try to connect to so many women who are having and have had mammograms.I was always chagrined since we would really torture and radiate many breasts but it was as if these breasts were not connected to a human type person. It bothered me that so many mammography programs make no effort at all to educate their clientele about what “they can do” to reduce their risks of breast cancer. I would suggest to the directors of these programs that we try to educate the patients and their response was 100% predictable. They would always first deny the relationship between diet and breast cancer and then add that their patients would not listen anyway.

Increasing your consumption of fresh organic fruits and vegetables has been shown to reduce the risk for breast cancer.

“There is strong evidence from epidemiologic studies that eating more fruits and vegetables decreases a woman’s risk of developing breast cancer. This conclusion is strengthened by the similar results obtained from animal studies and experiments using isolated breast cells.” Quoted from the Cornell University Program on Breast Cancer and Environmental Risk Factors. They go on to recommend uncooked fruits and vegetables. The reason for this is the heating damages some of the beneficial nutrients in the fruits and vegetables. Carrots, squash, sweet potatoes, broccoli and spinach top the list for being most protective. The Cornell study however does not stress the fact that these need to be “organic.” Non-organic commercial fruits and vegetables besides being largely nutritionally bereft are also heavily sprayed with a wide variety of toxins.

The relationship between pesticides and other toxic chemicals such as benzene and toluene and cancer has long been established. There are better ways to rid your house of undesired guests than using chemical sprays. It sounds difficult but even if you can’t get rid of all your pests you will live a longer and healthier life if you refrain from spraying. New carpet is another source of extremely toxic chemicals that “off gas” for at least a year or so after it is installed. Try to avoid new carpet especially in children’s rooms.

Avoid tap water unless you live either in Lake Tahoe or Ithaca, New York. The tap water here in Tucson is CAP water that travels in an open trough from the Colorado River. It is loaded with fungicides / herbicides not to mention all the chlorine added once it gets here. While bottled or filtered water may not be perfect,you will considerably reduce your risk for any cancer by avoiding most tap water.

There is a little debate about the link between alcohol consumption and breast cancer. However, the consumption of any simple sugars such as occur in most alcoholic beverages is associated with decreased T-cell mobility and thus some immune compromise. I still have an occasional beer but that is the only sugar I ingest. The general consensus however, is that it is best to reduce alcoholic beverage consumption as much as possible.

Exercise has been proven in multiple studies to enhance the immune system. In order to be beneficial I would recommend thirty minutes at least three times a week. This should be exercise that elevates the heart rate and keeps it there for the thirty minutes. Running is good if you are not biomechanically impaired. Cycling and swimming are also good alternative and or exercise machines.

Increased consumption of organic grains and fiber has been shown to reduce the risk of breast cancer.

Decrease your meat, fish, poultry and dairy consumption. Animal protein has been linked to all the big three killers in this country as well as osteoporosis. For more on this see the “China Study” by T. Colin Campbell and “Diet for a New America” by John Robbins.
Stop smoking is really a “no brainer” here. Smoking is associatedwith a variety of cancers and there is now strong evidence that cancer of the breast is one of them.

Consume more phytoestrogens from soy products like tofu. “Women with diets rich in phytoestrogens also excrete more estrogens into their urine, and have lower blood estrogen levels. Some studies have shown that women with a diet rich in phytoestrogens have longer, and hence fewer, menstrual cycles. All of these factors may contribute to reduced breast cancer risk. ” This quote from the Cornell University Program on Breast Cancer and Environmental Risk Factors. Please be sure that any soy products you consume are organic.

In conclusion there are many ways to reduce your chances of breast cancer. I have presented the above from a more subtle point of view. When my wife (now ex-wife) developed a lesion in her left breast back in 1995 we put her on an organic vegan diet. Soon we cut out all sugar and increased her running mileage. She still has her left breast although there is still some skin retraction. My good friend and world class flamenco dancer Carmen Heredia died in her early forties from breast cancer and its treatment. Best not to get breast cancer at all.

For more information on the relationship between diet, health and exercise please go to: http://www.drmericle.com

For more information on cooking and food preparation without animal products please go to: http://www.drmericle.com/fscook3c.php

Copyright J. Mericle M.D. 2004 All Rights Reserved

http://www.DrMericle.com is devoted to achieving optimal health and peak performance through diet and lifestyle change. Dr. Mericle brings together a unique blend of formal medical education, 29 marathons, 3 Hawaii Ironman competitions and a lot of practical real life experience.

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