Make It a Mindful Day

Peace of mind, joy and contentment are all difficult to come by in today's harried world. We are often inundated with appointments, responsibilities and an abundance of mental chatter. Many people do not know what it feels like to just be. Busy people often long for the freedom that accompanies inner peace, but they just don't know how to slow down, relax and listen to the small still voice inside. If you are one of those people who have heard how yoga can help you relax but still have not tried it, I invite you to explore.

 Yoga really will help ease your mind and soothe your body so that the connection to inner peace can be re-established. In practicing yoga, you will truly feel like that tree planted by the rivers of water firmly rooted and not moved by every negative wind that blows.  Today, take the time to reflect, to just be, take the time to slowly enjoy your breakfast, lunch and dinner.  Make time for a small break in the middle of your day just to reflect.  The importance of how powerful these mindful moments can be are often underestimated.  Studies show that over 80% of all doctors visits are stress related.  Stress can cause serious help problems if left unchecked, and often we remain unaware of stress effects until it is too late.  The good news is that we are often in control of how we react to the very stressful moments that arise in our daily lives.  For your own wellness, take the time for you and make it a mindful day.

I Am Back!

Greetings everyone!  What a pleasure to be writing here again.  I have had two pretty busy semesters and have been traveling through the summer, and in my travels I had the opportunity to uncover some pretty interesting education and information to share.  Life is truly a journey, and sometimes you must take a step back to really appreciate all that it has to offer. One of my trips this summer took me to a natural products expo where I was able to meet with people who are passionate about healthy living, pure and natural products and sustainable lifestyles.  I met cancer survivors, and people who have overcome various diseases, by making a personal change to their lifestyle in a positive way.

 I have come to the conclusion that we are in control of our wellness, and it is up to every individual to make healthy choices that will facilitate the process of health and healing.  Many times we turn our energies outward, looking for someone to fix us after the damage has been done, when the focus should be on self responsibility and prevention with a holistic approach.  As I continue the process of writing this blog, my passion will be directed towards motivating others to a wellness revolution!  Health and wellness is something everyone should enjoy, and it can be accomplished as we become more mindful to the activities and process that bring about a life of vitality.  Stay tuned, get ready, I have so much to share and share I will freely!  Namaste

Healing With Whole Food

As I was doing some research this week about healing foods and I came across fiber, and the importance of fiber in our diet.  Many people today are suffering from ailments that can truly be corrected with the proper nutritional balancing.  The term fiber refers to carbohydrates that can not be digested and fiber acts as an intestinal broom in your system. There are two types of fiber, insoluble and soluble. Our body requires 35 grams or more of fiber a day in order to function properly. 

According to the Linus Pauling Institute,  viscous fiber such as those found in oat products and legumes can lower serum LDL levels and and normalize blood glucose and insulin response. The same study reports that numerous people with type 1 and type 2 diabetes that increased their fiber intake improved blood serum lipid profiles.  As we can see, fiber is a very important element that should be included in our diet on a daily basis.  There are numerous studies that show a link between high fiber intake and the reduction of disease.  When we eat high fiber food, the fiber absorbs the toxins in our body and drives them out with it as it is eliminated.  Since fiber is not digested or absorbed it very beneficial for this purpose.  Cancer, diabetes, diverticulitis, breast cancer, IBS, colon cancer, all of these diseases are positively affected by a high intake of fiber.
Food Serving Fiber.  Studies report that African American Women are likely to die from breast cancer and this same study believes that diet and exercise (or lack thereof) is a contributing factor. Read more about the study on the following link.
http://main.uab.edu/Sites/reporter/articles/81083/

It is truly time to heal our self with whole food.  Processed food is destroying our communities at an alarming rate.  We are truly paying the price for it in the form of these lifestyle diseases that even the experts are realizing the truth about what the underlying causes are.  Disease does not just happen by chance, it is a process that happens as we provide the conditions in our body that welcome these offenders.  Healing will begin with going back to the basics of a whole food diet.  That will provide us with the dietary fiber we need for maximum wellness.



Legumes
                                                        Serving  and amount of dietary fiber in grams(g)
Navy beans, cooked from dried      1 cup            19.1

Split peas, cooked from dried          1 cup           16.3

Lentils, cooked from dried               1 cup           15.6



Kidney beans, canned                    1 cup 13.6

Refried beans, canned                    1 cup 12.1

Cereals and grains

100% (wheat) Bran Cereal             1/2 cup 12.5

Bulgur, cooked                              1 cup 8.2

Pearled barley, cooked                 1 cup 6.0

Oat bran, cooked                         1 cup 5.7

Quinoa, cooked                           1 cup 5.2

Instant oatmeal, cooked                1 cup 4.0

Rice, long-grained brown, cooked 1 cup 3.5

Vegetables

Artichoke hearts, cooked          1 cup 14.4

Spinach, frozen, cooked              1 cup 7.0

Brussel sprouts, frozen, cooked    1 cup 6.4

Winter squash, cooked              1 cup 5.7

Mushrooms, cooked from fresh   1 cup 3.4

Fruits

Prunes, uncooked                   1 cup, pitted 12.4

Asian pear                              1 pear 9.9

Guava, fresh                           1 cup 8.9

Raspberries, fresh                  1 cup 8.0

Blackberries, fresh                 1 cup 7.6

Nuts and Seeds

Almonds                             1 ounce (23 kernels) 3.5

Pistachio nuts                     1 ounce (49 kernels) 2.9

Pecans                                1 ounce (19 halves) 2.7

Peanuts                               1 ounce (33 kernels)


Fateria Johnson M.A. Holistic Wellness Educator

http://www.its4yourwellness.com/