The New Food Pyramid: Another Attempt At Providing Easy AnswersWritten by Dave Saunders
The Food Pyramid, first introduced to US in 1992, just experienced a major overhaul. Why? Perhaps proper education about nutrition isn't as easy as picking out food from a colorful chart. Last month, The New England Journal of Medicine reported that childhood obesity was causing a retreat in average lifespan. That report seems to only cover part of picture as chronic disease, such as cardiac dysfunction and Type II Diabetes have been on a steady rise in recent years. Because many people seem to be unwilling to learn how to make better lifestyle choices, it is only toxic pharmaceutical drugs that seem to be extending lives of these people.Agriculture secretary Mike Johanns described old food pyramid as being "quite familiar" to most Americans, "but few Americans follow recommendations." The solution, found at www.mypyramid.gov, is apparently more colors and to make bands travel downwards instead of horizontally. Yes, that counts as a solution where french fries and catsup count as two servings of vegetables in school lunch program. Well, some progress is better than no progress. On a positive note, new dietary guidelines do recommend daily physical activity. If even a few people get out of their chairs because their government tells them too, these changes, and expense of marketing for all of this will be well-worth our tax dollars.
| | Meditation for youWritten by Andrea Putting N.D
The other day on TV I saw a segment on meditation and how it is helping ADD sufferers. The children and their parents have been taking meditation classes. This has been an enormous benefit to these families. The children are doing better in school, their concentration has improved and one of greatest benefits is that their dependency on drugs has decreased dramatically.This brought to my mind importance for all of us to take a little time out and still our minds. Many people have found benefits of meditation. It improves health on all levels, physically, emotionally and spiritually. Making some time for ourselves to sit quietly and just clear our minds, can take a bit of discipline, but it is worth effort. Some would say it is as important as our morning shower or brushing our teeth. It is apart of our personal care routine. When you start out with meditation, you shouldn't expect too much from yourself. It has taken some of expects years to perfect and remain perfectly still. Just finding within yourself a quiet moment can be of great benefit. Start simply. For myself, I find taking a walk very meditative. I am fortunate in that I have native bushland directly behind my house and so it is easy to create a peaceful atmosphere. I treat this as meditation, not exercise, so I stroll along, taking in environment. Half way, I find a quiet spot to sit, and close my eyes. This is a great way for me. It creates a quietness in my mind on way and gradually on way back things return. I know not everyone has this kind of environment to live in, but it can be recreated in your mind.
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