Keep Children Away From Flame Retardants

I don't think many of us realize the dangers of flame retardants, especially for children.

The following is a short clip of information from the Environmental Working Group (ewg@ewg.org):

We just finished the first investigation of toxic fire retardants (called Deca) in parents and their children, and we found toddlers had 3 times the levels of Deca in their blood as their mothers.
That means young children in the U.S. bear the heaviest burden of flame retardant pollution in the world. Deca is a neurological and hormone distrupter, and children are more susceptible to its effects than adults.

What's a parent to do? Take these steps to protect your family:
* Inspect foam items and replace any with ripped covers or misshapen/breaking-down foam
* Use a vacuum with a HEPA filter
* Don't reupholster foam furniture in homes where children or pregnant women live
* Carefully remove old carpet because the padding may contain PBDEs.
* Have small children wash their hands frequently so they put clean hands in their mouths!

I add:
* Do not put children to bed in flame retardant sleepware
* Help babies and toddlers avoid direct contact with carpets by placing them on blankets on floor.

All these things do and will affect the health of individuals and especially young growing children. We can take better measures to eliminate the exposure.

For your best health,
Erleen Tilton

Unbelievable - another reason Why Not Milk or Meat!

A couple of weeks ago, I attended a luncheon. One of the attendees shared some recently shocking news coming from an associate of hers. Her second grade daughter had started her menstrual cycle! At second grade?

Amazing it seems! But the truth of the matter is that with each generation, girls (and boys) are beginning their hormonal cycles and changes younger and younger. Why? One big fat cause: growth hormones used in producing animal products for human consumption.

Most of us can read the histories of our grandparents and find that they:
1) grew their animals on their family farm, or bartered with a neighbor
2) ate meat sparingly - killing a chicken or two for Sunday dinner, and/or hunted, dried, prepared other meats on different occasions
3) had their own milk cow or traded with their neighbor
4) all animals ate grass, insects, garden scraps, whole grains, etc.

Animals raised in these conditions are more difficult to find today. You have to go to specialty stores, health markets, or request the grocery stores to carry them for you - and they are much more expensive than the main stream market meats (understandably so - they are allowed to grow naturally with better food and without the speed of hormones). But you must remember most milk and meats products found in grocery stores:

are from animals grown with hormones - for quick growth which means more profits
these products (milk, cheeses, meats of all kinds) now contain the growth hormones
the growth hormones are passed onto the consumer
which results in: people putting on extra weight, children coming into puberty earlier, and people growing taller and have longer extremities (shoes & clothes sizes have increased dramatically)
So what can you do about it?
1) Quit eating main stream meat and milk products from: grocery stores, fast food restaurants, any restaurants
2) Limit your meat and milk intake - eat them sparingly or infrequent
3) Shop for grass-fed or non-hormone produced meat or milk products
4) Realize that what you eat really does make a difference
5) Care about today's and tomorrow's children by stepping up to the plate and demanding the best or nothing! Our children really do depend our knowledge and decisions!
6) Get into the habit of creating your own good healthy menus for yourself and those around you. Get some great cookbooks that are created for this very reason: see http://erleentilton.com/store.htm

For your best health,
Erleen Tilton

So What About Chocolate and Cola?

There is much being said recently about dark chocolate and its possible health benefits. Here's some information from different resources that might give some helpful insights on both chocolate and cola drinks:

· "It is difficult to fault something that was known as the "Food of the Gods" to the Aztecs, but chocolate can certainly have its negative side. It is extremely high in fat, calories, and because of its bitterness, is invariably blended with large amounts of sweeteners. Chocolate also contains caffeine and theobromine (stimulants), tannic acid, and has a high content of oxalic acid (blocks absorption of calcium)." Source: TCW Product Information Guide
· "Because it (chocolate) is rich in the stimulants caffeine and theobromine, chocolate combats fatigue and gives a burst of quick energy." Source: Reader's Digest, Magic and Medicine of Plants
· "Kola Nuts are the seed kernels of 6 or 7 species of the genus Cola (Chocolate Family). The kernels contain more caffeine than coffee, also a little theobromine." Source: A Golden Guide, Herbs and Spices

This is my story. At age 21, I had over a dozen breast lumps. After having a mammogram, the medical practitioner: 1) assured me that the lumps were benign, 2) said that women are much more affected negatively by stimulants, and 3) recommended that I give up 4 things for life to avoid breast cancer which were: coffee, tea, cola drinks, and chocolate. Incidentally, I only had to give up one: chocolate - my favorite addiction! The others were not a part of my life. And within a few months, all the breast lumps disappeared and have never returned.

Chocolate and cola drinks do contain stimulants, and that's why they are addictive just like other addictive substances. That's why people crave them - that's why people get headaches if they try to avoid them once addicted.

Solutions: avoid addictive foods - those with stimulants!

* Replace chocolate with carob. "The taste of carob is 'somewhat similar' to chocolate but should be enjoyed for its own unique flavor. Carob is a naturally sweet product, about 40% natural sugars. Compared to chocolate, carob is low in fat and is not as allergenic." Source: TCW Product Information Guide

* Replace cola drinks with WATER, and nutritious high antioxidant drinks such as Zrii (Ayurvedically balanced)!

For lots of great recipes using carob, get Enjoy Nature's Harvest E-cookbook available at http://erleentilton.com/store.htm

For your best health,
Erleen Tilton

Avian Flu is Back on the Radar Screen Again

Here's an excerpt from a Natural Solutions Foundation newsletter:

Avian Flu is fluttering back into the news. We can expect more and more fraught reports of the dangers of this coming pandemic. Never mind that the supposed "vaccine" being cooked up is nonsense: the pandemic is to come and will be used for lock down and control by those who decide they need to shut down the last vestiges of a republic here in the US. The rest of the world will follow suit. And your body will be vaccinated with God Knows What unless you find a way to stop it before it starts.

We'll have a lot to say on this vitally important topic to help keep you informed and immunize you against the infection of misinformation the government is putting out. Here is information you need to know about a "Seasonal flu vaccine" which actually can bring about the much discussed pandemic - Flu Mist ®.

Please watch this important information before you subject yourself or your loved ones to FluMist® or any other flu vaccine.
http://ca.youtube.com/watch?v=zcniJxck0gI

For more information, see http://healthfreedomusa.org

Want my advice? Eat Carrots!!! (no joke)

For your best health,
Erleen Tilton

Protein/Fat Difference in Meat!

Over a year ago, I attended a conference in which I wrote in my notes that meats in today's world are higher in omega-6 fats, and lower in omega-3 fats, whereas years ago it used to be just the opposite. It didn't really register what this really meant until recently when I came across a chart in a book¹ which clearly displayed this. (I hope you can see these facts though they are not in chart form.)

Protein and Fat in Wild Game and Modern Feedlot Meats (3.5 oz. portion)

Meats, Grams Protein, Grams Fat

Wild Game
Goat, 20.6, 3.8
Wild boar, 16.8, 8.3
Rabbit, 21.0, 5.0
Deer, 21.0, 4.0
Bison, 25.0, 3.8
Whale, 20.6, 7.5

Modern Feedlot Meats
Prime lamb loin, 14.7, 32.0
Ham, 15.2, 29.1
Regular hamburger, 17.9, 21.2
Choice sirloin steak, 16.9, 26.7
Pork loin, 16.4, 28.0

So what does this information tell us?
* Animals in the wild have a higher protein content and lower fat content, whereas animals in confined feedlots have a lower protein content with a fat content 4-10 times higher than those in the wild!
* Animals in the wild eat mostly grasses which are higher in omega-3 oils, while animals in feed lots are fattened on corn and soy which are high in omega-6 oils.
* Animals in the wild are leaner - not only do they not overeat, they get more exercise. In contrast, animals in feed lots are fed to fatten, and have little exercise.

In conclusion, for better weight control and a healthier body, give up eating the modern feed lot meats (from the grocery stores & restaurants). We have many great vegetable proteins that do us a whole lot more good especially in the summer time when it is hot. Then when we do eat meats, choose those from animals that are grass-fed, free to roam in uncrowded conditions, those who get good exercise - animals that are raised in happy surroundings.

If this makes sense to you, but you don't know where to start, that's why I created the Creatively Complete Dinners cookbook. You can have a copy of it in just a few days by ordering it right now at http://erleentilton.com/store.htm

I wish you the best always!

For your best health,
Erleen Tilton

Fat & Muscle Composition

Age 25 is considered one's prime. Most are physically active and have a good physically physique, but after 25 statistics show this:

The average woman in the US, each year after age 25, loses 1/2 pound muscle weight and gains 1 pound fat weight. Not only does this mean that most women get increasingly bigger each year, it also means that since muscle weight takes up less space than fat weight, that even if a woman stayed the same weight, she would be increasing in size.

For the average man, well it really depends on if you do physical labor each day or spend your day in an office. If the latter is the case, a man may have much the same results as a woman in increasing weight and/or size.

For all, it's important to understand the need for physical exercise, and specifically working out with weights. If we do not continually build muscle strength, we lose it! It's as simple as that. But better yet, if you do your workout with weights in the morning, your metabolism works faster all day long - a real plus for losing or maintaining a healthy body weight.

Physical exercise is a must, but the best form includes all three forms of exercise:
1) stretching - keeps joints and muscles limber
2) weight work - builds and strengthens muscles, burns fat
3) aerobic work - builds endurance, gets oxygen to cells

For a good workout that includes all these three, get the Living a Healthy Lifestyle workout CD at http://erleentilton.com/store.htm.

Get Fit, not Fat!

For your best health,
Erleen

Soy - Is it a Healthful or Harmful Food?

Since there is much confusion in what the media is presenting about soy, I thought this information would set the record straight very nicely - which I think you'll agree.

The soybean plant is native to China, having been cultivated there for thousand of years. The Ancient Chinese regarded it as one of their most important crops and valued it as one of the five sacred grains necessary for life. Though soybeans were later introduced to countries as Japan, Thailand, Malaysia, Korea, and Vietnam, it was not known to the United States until the 18th century. However, the nutritional benefits were not promoted until the 20th century here in the U.S.

Here are some facts about soybeans:
* An excellent source of protein and molybdenum, and are regarded as equal to animal foods in protein quality.
* They are a good source of iron, calcium, phosphorous, fiber, and vitamins B1, B2, B6, E, and folic acid.
* They contain 38% protein, and compared to other legumes, are higher in essential fatty acids with a total fat content of 18 %, and a carbohydrate content of 31%.
* Soybeans are alkaline with a rating of -3.4 (great alkaline food).
* One acre of soybeans can produce 20 times the amount of protein as the amount of protein an acre used for raising beef provides.

According to the Encyclopedia of Healing Foods, soy "is one of the world's most important foods" because they are:
* A primary source of lecithin which has been shown to lower cholesterol levels and improve liver and gallbladder function.
* Soy fiber is useful in cases of constipation, diarrhea, high cholesterol levels, and diabetes. *
* Soy contains isoflavones which are anticancer compounds, and especially protective against breast and prostate cancers. Two isoflavones in soy act as phytoestrogens and reduce the effect of estrogen, as well as cause death to cancer cells and inhibit angiogenesis, the formation of new blood vessels needed to fuel cancer cells. The anticancer effects of soy intake in premenopausal women appear to be more valuable in preventing the onset of cancer.
* Though soybeans contain protease inhibitors (protein digesting enzymes), the activity is destroyed through either sprouting or cooking.
* For women, the consumption of soy foods is the most economical, and possibly most beneficial, way to increase the intake of phytoestrogens to relieve the symptoms of PMS.

It's interesting to understand, though, that the value of soybeans lies in its traditional Asian whole food sources. Asians only eat soybeans in one of five ways and usually only in a fermented form: tofu (soy cheese), tempeh (fermented soybean cakes), soy sauce, miso, and edamame (young green soybeans, non-fermented). In these ways, there are great nutritional benefits of soybeans if eaten at the maximum of 4-5 times per week.

So how do Americans eat soybeans? We seem to have taken a perfectly healthy food (as usual) and processed it in every form imaginable to mankind: protein powders, soy hot dogs, soy deli slices, soy burger patties, soy cheeses, soy milk, soy ice cream, soy yogurt, soy everything - but worst of all, soy formula (read on)! Some of these can be much "healthier" food choices than whatever else the grocery store has to offer, however, many of us view all these items as "healthy", because we have seen the listed benefits of soy. But we have to remember that processed foods are processed foods, and most of these mentioned foods are over processed and thus, over lacking in nutrition.

In these American processed food forms, soy can be harmful (here are only a few ways):
* Infants exclusively fed soy formula get the estrogen equivalent of about five birth control pills a day (the Asians would not think of feeding their babies soy formula). Nursing your baby at all costs is so much more advantageous - it's how God meant for babies to be fed!
* Male infants, who are fed soy formula, can undergo a "testosterone surge" during the first few months of life (levels as high as a male adult).
* High levels of phytic acid in soy reduce the assimilation of important minerals such as calcium, magnesium, copper, iron and zinc.
* Large amounts of concentrated soy powder can disturb the body's hormonal balance, triggering or worsening thyroid problems.
* Soy phytoestrogens can disrupt endocrine function and have the potential to cause infertility and to promote breast cancer in adult women.
* Processing of soy protein can result in the formation of toxic lysinoalanine and highly carcinogenic nitrosamines.¹

So here are some suggestions for beneficial uses of soy:
* Soy is a healthy food in one of the five Asian ways: tofu, tempeh, soy sauce, miso, or edamame, and is very beneficial in these forms eaten up to 4 or 5 times per week. If you're not familiar with some of these, ask someone at a health food market to show you these products. Also, check out Creatively Complete Dinners, http://erleentilton.com/store.htm, for great tasty, healthy, yet simple recipes for using some of these foods on occasion.
* Regular health food store soy powders are some of the worst when it comes to real nutrition. However, Reliv Classic - a superb nutritional supplement - is something that I eat and fully endorse as a beneficial daily health supplement. For information about it, please contact me at contact@erleentilton.com.
* Legumes are great sources of protein, fiber, vitamins, and minerals. But don't restrict your legume intake to just soybeans. There are black beans, pinto beans, kidney beans, red beans, chickpeas, lentils, peas, and much more which are also healthy legumes, so use a variety of legumes in your menus to maintain balance.
* If using meat substitutes, READ LABELS, and be very selective. If a label has a list of more than about 10 or 12 items, it's usually not worth putting into your body. Yes, some alternatives (soy dogs vs. pork hotdogs) are better food choices, but that does not mean they are necessarily "healthy foods" by any means.
* Limit your intake of processed soy products. For example, pouring soy milk on a bowl of cereal once or twice a week may be fine, while drinking it several times daily is not a healthy choice.
* Same for soy cheeses, soy desserts, soy deli slices, etc. - read labels, be selective, and limit them.

Because we do live in a fast pace world and some convenience foods are often necessary choices for lifestyle and social reasons, evaluate this information on soy as well as all other types of food alternatives for your needs, and most of all, your ultimate health.

For great dinner menus using a variety of whole legumes in the right whole food form, get the Creatively Complete Dinners cookbook. It's got so many healthy, tasty, yet simple recipes. the order information: http://erleentilton.com/store.htm

For your best health,
Erleen Tilton

¹ http://www.soyonlineservice.co.nz

Is the Grocery Store Lying to You Too?

On a teleconference call a while back, having had 3 previous coaching calls given on natural weight management, one of the attendees began to cry. We all waited patiently for her to get her composure to say what she was so tenderly feeling. These were her words:

"When I walk into the grocery store now, I feel like I have been lied to, cheated, and robbed! The foods that are on those shelves are not healthy, they are not good for me, and I now realize that they are causing me to not feel well and to be overweight! How can they get away with selling these foods? It is so wrong!"

We were all quiet for another moment or two. Then I applauded her for coming to that realization because that is what it all boils down to. Today, we rely so heavily on grocery stores for our food supply, yet we don't understand why we are so over weight, and experiencing the many health challenges we face. There are few that really make the connection between what they are buying and eating, and how they are feeling - yet she had come to that realization!

Education is key! So ask yourself where you are getting your education? From the television commercials, weekly sales ads, radio advertisements - or are you researching for truth about foods and how they affect your body?

The Health Retreats were specifically set up to:
re-teach you (or begin to teach you) the truth about foods and why fueling your body with wholesome foods is so important
get you on a healthy eating plan - complete with menus we create and eat while there, as well as healthy menu planning
help you avoid excess weight, many disorders and diseases, surgery, and more!

The next Women's Health Retreat is at the end of this month, April 23-26 - and at an all time low price of only $395 which includes your materials, food and lodging complete. But you must sign up two weeks prior to the session to get this price.

Sign up now and come get the answers you need to get the results you seek!

Women's Health Retreat: http://erleentilton.com/healthretreat2.htm

I want to see you succeed the healthy way!

For your best health,
Erleen Tilton

CREAMY ITALIAN DRESSING

½ C. cold pressed oil (can use some omega-3 flax oil)
¼ C. water
¼ C. apple cider vinegar
¼ C. lemon juice
1 Tbs. honey (slightly rounded)
2 tsp. liquid lecithin (just pour to measure)
1 tsp. salt
1 tsp. dry bell pepper flakes (find with seasonings in grocery store)

* Place all ingredients in blender bowl.
* Blend until well blended and sweet pepper flakes are chopped well.
* Store in a dressing jar in refrigerator.
* Makes approx. 1½ cups.
* Use on your favorite green salads, in pasta salads, on baked potatoes, and over fresh steamed greens (Swiss chard, collards, spinach, and asparagus).

This recipe is from Simple Super Salads.... for the Healthy Leaner Lifestyle series. To order this book, go to http://erleentilton.com/store.htm .

For your best health,
Erleen Tilton

BLACK BEANS OVER RICE

1 C. brown rice
3 C. cooked black beans (with liquid)
2 tsp. hot red pepper sauce
1 tsp. ground cumin
1 tsp. salt (less if beans are salted)
2 avocados, diced
2 red bell peppers, diced
1-2 large ears corn, cut off cob
4 green onions, chopped
Chopped red or green leaf lettuce
½-1 C. fresh chopped cilantro

· To cook rice: in medium saucepan, bring 3 cups water to boiling and add rice. Turn heat down to a light simmer, don't stir, simmer uncovered 30-35 minutes, turn off heat and place on lid until ready to serve
· Meanwhile, in medium saucepan, combine beans with red pepper sauce, cumin, and salt; heat until hot
· Prepare raw vegetables as suggested and place in separate bowls
· To serve, mound rice on individual plates, spoon on black bean mixture, and top with generous portions of vegetables as desired
· Serve with more hot red pepper sauce on top, if desired.

This recipe is from Creatively Complete Dinners.... for the Healthy Leaner Lifestyle - my newest cookbook - and it's really awesome! For lots of other great recipes, get your copy here: http://erleentilton.com/store.htm .

For your best health,
Erleen Tilton

Are Food Additives Really Dangerous?

Many years ago, as I began expanding my education in health and nutrition, I considered getting a degree as a dietitian. After studying the community college curriculum and classes offered, what convinced me that this was not the education I needed was the praising of our food additives and unhealthy food processes such as pasteurization, microwave cooking, etc.

There are all kinds of reasons for food additives in much of what is in our markets and restaurants today. Many of them are added to prolong shelf life or preserve foods, enhance flavors, enhance or make colorful, stimulate, etc. However, much of this really has to do with increasing the profits of the producer, without the consideration of the health of the consumer. Most of us eat these food additives blindly, not knowing or understanding the long term consequences or effects on our state of health. Here are some examples of many common additives with their possible harmful side effects listed.

· Sweeteners - Even though sugar is void of nutrients and considered a drug because it only causes chemical reactions in the body, our much worse choices are the unhealthy sugar substitutes, or artificial sweeteners. Aspartame (Nutrasweet, Neotame, etc.) can cause brain damage, central nervous system disturbances, menstrual difficulties, and brain damage in an unborn fetus. Saccharin (Sweet 'N Low) is proven to cause cancer.

Suggestions: The biggest problem is in the processed foods. If you prepare your foods with wholesome ingredients, you will avoid these additives totally. Good sweeteners include: raw honey, stevia, date sugar (or just pure dates), brown rice syrup, agave nectar, and fructose to some degree. These are sweeteners that are have some nutritional benefits and work with the body.

· Preservatives - BHA & BHT can cause cancer, liver and kidney damage, behavioral problems, infertility, birth defects, weaken the immune system and more. Nitrites and nitrates, though considered dangerous by the FDA are added to prevent botulism in meats. However they form powerful cancer causing agents in the stomach and can cause headaches, migraines, nausea, vomiting and dizziness.
· FD&C Colors - most of the colors are derived from coal tar and contain small amount of lead and arsenic. They are potential carcinogenic contaminants and can cause allergic reactions, hyperactivity, schizophrenia, as well as other attention deficit disorders.

Suggestions: Avoid ready made processed foods and meats, and you will be able to avoid these harmful additives. There are many healthy brands with more wholesome ingredients that do not contain these additives

· Food enhancers - free glutamates are found in bouillon, broths, flavorings of all sorts, soy protein seasonings, whey proteins, and in a multiple of foods that even advertise NO MSG. MSG (monosodium glutamate) is found in a large variety of processed foods as well such as chewing gum, drinks, medications, infant formula, low fat milk, drinks, and much more. These enhancers can cause headaches, nausea, brain and nervous disorders, high blood pressure, allergic reactions, and reproductive disorders.
· Caffeine - psychoactive, addictive drug which can cause fertility problems, birth defects, heart disease, depression, behavioral changes, insomnia, and nervousness.

Remember: the more processing a food goes through, the lower the nutritional content and the higher the additives to preserve, enhance, and get you addicted. Foods are meant to nourish and heal the body, not create sickness - and additives are doing just that. Read labels and choose foods and products that have minimal processing, but are wholesome and nutritious to the body.

Avoiding unhealthy foods can sometimes be a challenge as it usually means changing some habits. If you would like to know how to make this transition easier for yourself as well as your family in an easy step by step, hands-on experience, then register for one of the upcoming Health Retreats now at:
Women's Health Retreat: http://erleentilton.com/healthretreat2.htm
Couple's Health Retreat: http://erleentilton.com/healthretreatC.htm

For your best health,
Erleen Tilton

Resource: FOOD ADDITIVES: A Shopper's Guide To What's Safe & What's Not, Christine Hoza Farlow

Why Daily Physical Fitness?

One of my favorite travel visits has been to Europe. It's interesting to view other cultures, foods, traditions, and daily life in other countries. I observed that most Europeans walk or bike a lot, and their diets consist of mostly basic foods so there are not very many overweight people.

Most of us really want to look fit, be fit, and have the feeling of a great fit body. But like everything else, it doesn't come without work, but the benefits really pay off. Being physically fit, however, takes more than just a one or two day a week workout. Here are a few simple tips as guidelines for a good physical fitness program.

1. Make it a Priority
Many say that 3-4 times a week is an adequate amount of exercise. But ask yourself this: Is eating 3-4 days a week going to give you adequate nutrition and energy? Daily physical exercise is just as important for you as healthy eating of good foods is. If you have the time to eat, you should have the time to be physically fit. So make it a priority and schedule a time and place, then stick to it every day.

2. Make it a Reason
Why should you exercise and why do feel it's important? If you have a reason - a good heart felt reason, write it down and look at it throughout the day and this will help you stay motivated to keep it a priority. Is your reason because:
* you want to stay in shape
* you want to loose weight
* you want to improve your health
* you want to change the direction that many of your family members are heading or have gone
* you want to have more energy and vitality
* you want to have your children or spouse, siblings to see you differently (in a healthy way)
* you want to feel better about yourself and your image
Identify your reason, write it down, post it where you see it, and let it remind you that you have a good reason to exercise daily.

3. Make a Plan
There are several forms of good physical fitness activities. Much depends on your lifestyle, your environment, your family situation, your needs, and your budget. Consider what type of exercise you want and need: the gym; in home video workout; in home gym equipment workout (weights, treadmill, bicycle, jumping on a mini-trampoline, etc.); outdoor walking, hiking, biking, or running; work related workout (weed pulling, construction, door to door salesman, etc.). Make a plan according to your lifestyle, environment, situation, needs and budget and decide on what best fits your needs.

4. Make it Fun
Those that are more likely to succeed are those who 1) exercise with another family member or friend to keep you motivated, 2) workout with music, 3) set a time to begin and end, and 4) do what you enjoy doing. Sometimes, there's more success with exercising twice each day rather than just once. You eat more than once each day to give you energy, so think about ways throughout the day to exercise more than just once. For instance, do a good fitness workout in the morning, then go on a good brisk walk, run, or bike ride in the afternoon or evening (or vice versa). But make it fun.

5. Make it an Excuse
There are times all day long that you can add more exercise to your day. You just have to think ahead and make there be a reason for exercise, such as:
* parking in the further most parking space in a parking lot
* biking to the nearby bank, park, neighbor, or even the market (small quantities can fit in a back pack)
* mowing the lawn or pulling the weeds (instead of hiring it done)
* using the stairs instead of the escalator or elevator when traveling
* going on a scenic bike ride or playing ball at the park instead of watching a television program
* go on a day hike instead of shopping at the mall (yes, there's a lot of walking with both, but the hike is more physically challenging, while the mall is just tiring)
You think of different ways to incorporate natural forms of exercise.

6. Make it Happen
You can make it happen if you make it a priority, make it a reason, make a plan, make it fun, and make it an excuse to exercise. It can and will happen if that's what you focus on. As you focus on improving yourself, you can also help others improve themselves, for we all benefit from daily exercise just as we benefit from eating great foods.

If you don't yet have the Healthy Permanent Wei*ght Management 3-CD series, you can get many other great weight loss tips at: http://livingahealthylifestyle.com/cds.htm .

For your best health,
Erleen Tilton

So What About the Avian Bird Flu Pandemic?

The Avian flu does pose concerns for many Americans and measures are being taken as best can be to prevent a pandemic outbreak. What is this flu virus? Who is most likely to get the virus? How can we prepare or prevent contact with the virus?

These are questions that are being asked, and though I am certainly no authority on the subject, here are some answers to the questions I have had that may also be of help to you.

The Avian Flu virus does not usually infect people, though more than 200 human cases have been reported. Most of these cases have occurred from direct or close contact with infected poultry or surfaces contaminated with secretions and excretions from infected birds. So far, there have been rare cases of the virus being spread from person to person, and none beyond one person.

If infected, reports show that with the medications now available that the "influenza viruses can become resistant to these drugs, so these medications may not always work." Plus medication may make one feel better, while still being a carrier of the virus. Reports also say that even if a person gets vaccinated, "a person infected with a particular influenza virus strain develops antibody against that strain. As newer virus strains appear, the antibodies against the older strains might not recognize the 'newer' virus, and infection with a new strain can occur."¹ Both methods are unsure at the moment.

Here are some suggested recommendations for prevention:

· Wash your hands often especially after direct contact in public facilities and places.
· Routinely disinfect any direct hand contact surfaces.
· Routinely bathe your pets that are indoor/outdoor animals, and wash hands after contact with them.
· Wash your hands thoroughly with soap and warm water for at least 20 seconds before and after handling raw poultry and eggs.
· Even if poultry and eggs are contaminated with the virus, thorough cooking will kill it. If in doubt, use a food thermometer to make sure you cook poultry to a temperature of at least 165 degrees Fahrenheit.
· Clean cutting boards and other utensils with hot soapy water to keep raw poultry and any meats from contaminating other foods.

As with any emergency that can not always be known before hand, there are a few advance preparations that can be made to provide safety for your family, especially if there was a disruption in work, school, transportation and services. These are what have been specifically suggested:

· Have an advance supply of foods on hand (several weeks, even several months supply): whole grains and beans, fruits and vegetables (dried, canned, bottled, or fresh in the garden or orchard), bottled water, oil, honey, and some minimally prepared foods such as pasta, protein bars, etc.
· Make sure you have the means, equipment and the knowledge to prepare foods. If you are one who eats out on a daily basis, then this may be a real adjustment for you.
· Have a several months supply of first-aid, disinfectants, paper products, baby needs, feminine hygiene, toiletries, detergents, etc. on hand as well.

Above all, remember that the best immunity comes from eating high quality foods, drinking good clean water, and exercising on a regular basis to fortify and strengthen our bodies to withstand viruses and diseases. We can prepare in many ways, but our best preparation in these situations, come from choosing to be strong and healthy to begin with!

This is my number one reason for my educating people in the areas of nutrition and good healthy habits. If you would like to attend or host a workshop on whole foods preparations and having a sufficient supply of foods for emergencies, please contact me at ask@erleentilton.com so you can attend a workshop soon.

For your best health,
Erleen Tilton

¹ See Lysol Germ Protection Center at http://lysol.com/avian_flu/prepared_2.shtml#

Living A Healthy Lifestyle for 2008!

No one likes to be sick, have health problems, or experience pain, discomfort or disease on a daily basis. We all want the benefits of great health, lots of energy, and having the perfect desired weight, yet the benefits only come through good choices. Is making healthy choices really that hard, or are we just allowing our habits to control us?

Zig Zigler says as he basically quotes Gandhi, "For things to change, you have to change; for things to get better, you have to become better."

So ask yourself, "Am I willing to make a change permanently?" We sometimes make temporary changes, but remember that temporary changes mean temporary results. If we really want permanent results, we must make permanent changes!

So, what results would you like to achieve this coming year?
Would you like to reach your desired weight, naturally and permanently?
Would you like to eliminate some of your medications?
Would you like to overcome some of your ailments and chronic sicknesses?
Are you willing to make a permanent change to reach permanent results?
Think, what are you willing to change or give up permanently?

Here are some suggestions for living a healthy lifestyle consistently, easily and permanently:

1) Recognize that a permanent change is necessary, is achievable, will take commitment, and you need to do what ever it takes to achieve it. Study and educate yourself to find the resources to make changes that will give you lasting win-win results. Truth is truth, and sound principles should be sought after rather than fads or quick fixes.

2) Goal setting is like reaching a destination. Write down your long term goals, then set monthly, weekly and daily goals. Review your goals daily and keep your eyes and mind focused on them, just as you would for any destination.

3) Take the time to plan and prepare each day and commit to healthy eating and preparing healthy recipes. Shop at a market that will support your goals, then commit to preparing healthy foods that will work with your body not against it. Grab healthy snacks (fruits, raw nuts, etc.) and pure water that will also benefit you. Remember, it's the little things that are often the most important.

4) Commit to a physical fitness program every day - equal to the time you take to eat each day (about 1 hour). Plan different ways to add physical exercise naturally, just like you plan each meal. Challenge yourself, and reward your success (not with a chocolate sundae - but with something that will last like a new article of clothing, etc.). Having a consistent fitness program and being active is a key to increasing your energy, vitality and youthfulness, and losing weight naturally.

5) Surround yourself with health minded individuals, health minded activities, health minded literature, health minded foods, stores, restaurants, and events. This is a lifestyle of your choosing and if you have the support of other people and things, it will be much easier.

6) Your lifestyle, current or future, is all a matter of habits. Good habits of time management and planning, setting goals, eating healthy foods and drinks, and being active with a daily physical fitness program, will help you produce a positive, healthy, permanent change in you. Establish these good habits and let go of the old habits that keep you from reaching your goals.

Living a healthy lifestyle is attainable! And what's more - you can do it!

Have a wonderful year in 2008!

For your best health,
Erleen Tilton