What to Look for in a Water Filtration System

What to Look for in a Water Filtration System

We all need water, as I say, “Water is not just a beverage choice, it is our most essential nutrient”.  Replacing our daily water needs is paramount to being Healthy by Choice. If you are a fan of The Impetus you are already aware that bottled water is not the choice I recommend (see Is Bottled Water Healthier than Tap Water). Given that tap water is 2000 times less expensive than bottled water and that municipal tap water is monitored and regulated, the healthy choice is to filter your tap water.

There are many choices for home water filtration. Each person’s needs and expectations are different. The best water filter for you depends on what's in your water and what you want to remove. For many people, an aesthetic choice for improving taste and smell is all they are interested in, but for those wanting healthy water, removal of noxious contaminants and chemicals is imperative. Cost is a major concern and can range from inexpensive pitchers, faucet mount systems and refrigerator door filters, ($20 to $100) for aesthetic concerns to high priced under-counter or whole house systems ($1000 up) for improving taste and smell and removal of toxic substances. Each can have their merits and shortcomings.

The Most Important Aspect is Removal of Harmful Chemicals

I think the most important aspect when deciding on a system for healthy water is the removal of harmful chemicals and contaminants. Forty-four percent of the US population relies on groundwater for its drinking water supply, according to the National Ground Water Association, groundwater is at risk of pesticides, solvents, heavy metals, and volatile organic compounds that have seeped into the water table. Any company can say that its water filter removes contaminants, but the average person doesn’t have a lab or the means to confirm it’s factual. That’s why I strongly suggest getting a system that has third-party corroboration in the filters effectiveness in removing harmful substances. The American National Standards Institute (ANSI) and the National Sanitation Foundation (NSF) have set water treatment standards, and agencies like the NSF and the Water Quality Association (WQA) test against those standards. A filter certified for both NSF-42 and NSF-53 standards is recommended.

NSF-42 Filters that are certified to reduce aesthetic impurities such as chlorine and taste/odor. These can be point-of-use (under the sink, water pitcher, refrigerator, etc.) or point-of-entry (whole house) treatment systems. These filters improve taste and odor by reduction of chlorine and chloramine.

NSF-53 certifies the reduction of metals and chemicals that can affect your health. NSF-53 is a bit more complex as multiple compounds fall under this certification and they’re each certified separately. Reduction of mercury and volatile organic compounds (VOCs).

I also recommend a system that is certified NSF-372 to remove heavy metals such as lead from water. The main threats to human health from heavy metals are associated with exposure to lead, cadmium, mercury and arsenic.

 An effective way of providing yourself and your family with healthy water is filtration of tap water. There are many types of systems to accomplish this. Common methods of filtering can remove the chemicals but it also removes important minerals our bodies need. Guidelines I suggest looking for when comparing systems are advanced filtration that is corroborated and meet or exceed ANSI/NSF standards of 42 and 53.  Look for a system that adds minerals back to the water and creates a slightly alkaline water. I am also a proponent of micro-clustered water that helps with absorption and I suggest getting a system that is easy to use and maintain and cost effective.

We use a system in our home that sells for about $400 that meets all these guidelines. We use a sports bottle for healthy water on the go and filter our shower/bath water. Visit the H2O shop in the Emporium for product details. 

Not only do we want healthy choices for our bodies, but also for our planet. I advocate for systems such as these that are environmentally responsible and made with recyclable and biodegradable materials. 

What do you want in a home/on the go water filtration system? Enter a comment below. Let's chat. 

Be Healthy by Choice, not by Chance

The Beginning of Discovery

Skeptical or Cynical?

Following a recent event where I was speaking, I was approached by a woman who said she really enjoyed the Self Care Awakening talk I had given. I thanked her and asked if she had questions about the information presented. She responded with, the information was very good, but that she was a very skeptical person. For those of you that have been following Self Care and our subject matter, you might ask as I did, what is there to be skeptical about? Thankfully the teacher in me surfaced and I really wanted to know if she was skeptical or cynical. I have no issue with skepticism as it is a very important part of the discovery process.  It’s easy to confuse being a skeptic with being a cynic The word skeptic is derived from the Greek skeptikos, meaning “to inquire” or “look around.”, which is a good thing. I do take issue with a cynic, who distrusts anything that is contrary to their belief. The first thing I had to ascertain before continuing the conversation was if I was talking to skeptical or cynical individual. As the conversation continued it became apparent that she was skeptical and looking for more information to help her process the Self Care Awakening. We talked about each of the subjects that I had just presented.

Water Matters

I asked our guest if she was skeptical about being well hydrated and if drinking enough water each day to counter balance our daily loss of water (about 10 cups) was a good idea.  I referred her to “Down the Hatch”

Sleep Matters

Was she skeptical that sleep matters and we need 7.5 to 9 hours sleep a night to avoid sleep debt? That lack of quality sleep can adversely effect our health and that sleep is our most important part of our day. Referencing What Sweet Dreams are Made of…

Weight Matters

Might it be a good idea to have some measure of how much sugar we are consuming daily? And that it might be a good idea to limit that consumption to a healthy level.  Self Care Defense 101: Hidden Sugar

Environmental Toxicity and Pollution in People

Was she skeptical that we live in a toxic world and that accumulation of these toxic chemicals could influence our health? Might it be a good idea to filter our air, drinking water, bathing water and take steps through good sleep, proper hydration and limiting processed foods to lower our internal pollution, our Body Burden. The Body Burden

These may sound like simple steps to be Healthy by Choice, but sometimes the simplest ideas have the greatest skepticism. Welcome the skeptic and provide the information so they can take the next step to be Healthy by Choice. None of us can afford to be cynical enough to leave our Health to Chance.

author: Gary Lindner, Ph.D.

Your Skin, The Bare Truth

Our skin is our first line of defense.

The skin is only a few millimeters thick yet is by far the largest organ in the body, with a total area of about 20 square feet. Amazingly, we replace our skin about every two weeks.

The skin has very important vital functions for keeping the physiological and biochemical conditions of the body in its optimum state. The most important functions of the skin are: 

1. Regulates body temperature.

2. Prevents loss of essential body fluids, and penetration of toxic substances.

3. Protection of the body from harmful effects of the sun and radiation.

4. Excretes toxic substances with sweat.

5. Mechanical support.

6. Immunological function mediated by Langerhans cells.

7. Sensory organ for touch, heat, cold, socio-sexual and emotional sensations.

8. Vitamin D synthesis from its precursors under the effect of sunlight.

The skin protects us from microbes and the elements, helps regulate body temperature, and permits the sensations of touch, heat, and cold. It stands to reason that we need to keep our skin healthy and that a quick turnover time is beneficial.

Our skin is our first line of defense and often rather than help, we hinder it with toxic chemicals in our cosmetics and personal-care products. We are often the victims of savvy marketers claiming to have a healthy product when in most cases there are thousands of chemicals in these products, many of which are being absorbed into your body. Researchers in the U.S report that one in eight of the 82,000 ingredients used in personal care products are industrial chemicals, including carcinogens, pesticides, reproductive toxins, and hormone disruptors.

The same way you look at food labels, you should do the same for labels on your personal care and beauty products. Putting chemicals on our skin or scalp may be more detrimental than ingesting them. When you eat, enzymes in the saliva and stomach break down what’s ingested and flush it out of the body. However, chemicals on the skin are absorbed into the bloodstream without any filtering or degrading. Imagine what the cumulative effects of long-term use may do.

 

 

The top 12 toxic ingredients to avoid include:

• Alcohol
• DEET (diethyltoluamide)
• DMDM (dimethyl-dimethyl) Hydantion
• Ethanolamines
• FD&C Color Pigments
• Mineral Oil
• Parabens
• Phthalates
• Sodium Lauryl Sulfate (SLS) & Sodium Laureth Sulfate (SLES)
• Synthetic Fragrances
• Toluene
• Triclosan

To limit, or avoid exposure to these chemicals, read labels, avoid heavily scented or colored products and buy certified organic products.

Be Healthy by Choice and not by Chance

author: Gary Lindner, Ph.D.

Your Amazing Body

Our bodies have the ability to repair and replace most of our tissues.

Our bodies are amazing. They have the ability to repair and replace most of our tissues. Believe it or not, your lungs are six weeks old and your taste buds just ten days! Most of the body's tissues are under constant renewal. It is believed, regardless of chronological age the average age of all the cells in an adult's body may be as young as 7 to 10 years.

We think of our bodies permanent, while most of it is in a state of constant change as old cells are discarded and new ones take their place. Each type of tissue has its own turnover time. There are over 10 trillion cells in the human body and we need to replace six billion a day to stay healthy. The body is constantly replacing old cells with new ones at the rate of millions per second. By the time you read this sentence, 50 million cells will have been replaced by others. Even as a physiologist, I find this incredible and astounding, while also reassuring that if we give our body the right tools it can heal and protect itself.

The cells lining the stomach last only five days. Red blood cells last only 120 days. Our second largest organ, our skeletal system is thought to be remodeled every 10 years. The skin is the largest organ of the body, with a total area of about 20 square feet and is replaced about every two weeks. The skin protects us from microbes and the elements, helps regulate body temperature, and permits the sensations of touch, heat, and cold. It stands to reason that we need to keep our skin healthy and that a quick turnover time is beneficial.

For many years scientists believed that the cells of the heart did not regenerate. Recently researchers at the New York Medical College found that the heart is populated with stem cells that constantly rejuvenate it at least three or four times over a lifetime.

Some of the body’s organs or tissues are thought to be as old as your chronological age. This includes cells of the brain, eyes and oocytes (ovarian eggs) Most of our cells that last a lifetime are found in the brain. “We are born with all the brain cells we'll ever have-  around 100 billion-  and most of the brain does not regenerate as it gets older”, explains John Wadley, consultant neurosurgeon at Barts and the London Hospital.

Researchers have shown that the body can renew most of its tissues, so why doesn't the regeneration keep us healthy for longer periods of time?  Some scientists think that the primary explanation is that the DNA accumulates mutations and its information is gradually degraded over time. Another theory is that stem cells, that are the source of new cells in each tissue, eventually grow feeble with age.

Regardless as to the why, it is important to appreciate the body and all the astounding things it can do. This in part is what the Self Care Awakening is all about. To renew our bodies, we need the right tools.

Self Care Awakening we look at four vital areas that lead to a healthier life.

1. Environmental toxicity and our body burden (Body Burden Matters) “the pollution in people” and what we can do personally to limit our toxic exposures and reduce our body burden of toxic chemicals.
2. Water Matters discusses the importance of hydration and what happens if we don’t drink enough water. We also talk about different choices for healthy water that we consume and bathe in.
3. Sleep Matters addresses the fact that many of us walk around every day sleep deprived. Sleep is considered by many of us to be an unproductive endeavor, when it is our most productive physiological activity.
4. Weight Matters concerns itself with primarily excess sugar consumption and what we can do to limit our intake by simple easy activities.

Stay hydrated, get quality sleep, reduce your body burden of toxic chemicals and watch your daily sugar intake are things we can all do to be Healthy by Choice. It is all about making healthy choices to provide your body with the tools it needs to heal and protect itself the way nature intended.

Be Healthy by Choice and not by Chance

author: Gary Lindner, Ph.D.

Becoming Portion Control Savvy

Healthy Portion Choices Every Day, All Day.

Portion control is at the heart of eating what you enjoy and maintaining an effective weight management program. To lose weight, you need to burn more calories than you consume. Maintaining a healthy weight requires a balance between what you consume and the energy you use. Being portion control savvy means you are satiated, energized and in control. Here are 6 easy tips to help you make healthy portion choices every day, all day.

1. Start with water. Studies show that proper hydration (we recommend drinking ½ of your body weight in ounces daily) leads to less consumption of calories. Healthy hydration is the cornerstone of self care and a great way to help you fill full faster which prevents over eating. Drink a glass of water at least 30 minutes before a meal. Bonus: water also aids the digestion.

2. Don’t skip meals. When you skip meals, your body goes into survival mode because you are risking nutrient deficiencies linked to fatigue, poor mental function, and other health concerns, therefore, your body begins to store fat. “If you routinely skip breakfast, you may be headed for trouble,” says Leah Cahill, PhD, of the Harvard School of Public Health. One of Cahill's studies found that women who skipped breakfast regularly had a 20% increased risk of developing type 2 diabetes. Another of her studies—this one in men—linked going without a morning meal to heart disease. "Our bodies need to be fed food regularly in order to maintain healthy levels of blood lipids such as cholesterol, hormones such as insulin, and normal blood pressure," Cahill says. You may also over indulge at the next meal which throws your body out of balance.

Instead of skipping meals try a healthy meal replacement protein shake but do your research when choosing a shake. You may also want to add a small portion of protein like a hard-boiled egg to aid in curbing your appetite.

3. Use approximation. Don’t sweat not being able to accurately measure a serving size instead learn some helpful approximation tips. For example, a healthy serving size of lean meat is approximately the size of a deck of cards. Use your hand. 1 cup is about the size of your fist and 1-2 ounces of a food like nuts or pretzels = your cupped hand. Although, this seems small when paired with other healthy portions you will be satisfied.

4. Divide and conquer. Divide your dinner plate down the middle. Then fill 50% of your plate with vegetables. Divide the other half of your plate again into two 25% sections. Use one section for your protein and the other 25% section fill with a healthy starch like brown rice. The more color you can get on your plate the healthier the meal.

5. Know your measurements. We tend to choose our food based on calories, and that is a good thing, but we often ignore serving sizes. Try to stick to the serving size by measuring out your meal or healthy snack.

6. The dining out conundrum. A review published in 2013 stated that larger plates of food can lead to us eating up lead to 45% more than what our average intake would be. This can be managed by eating only half of what is on your plate and then taking home the other half. You can even take this a step further by asking your server to box up half of your meal before it reaches you, thus eliminating the temptation to over eat.

More Healthy Choices

We recommend you watch our short 3 minute video "Weight Matters: The 1st Few Pounds" then explore even more healthy choices with "Weight Matters." 

Be Healthy by Choice and not by Chance.

Sources used: http://www.prevention.com/weight-loss/effects-skipping-meals

San Joaquin Health "Understanding Portion Control" pg. 32 

https://www.dukedietandfitness.org/Portion-Control-Why-is-it-so-important

Self Care Strikes Back

Diabetes, the 21st Century Epidemic

Type 2 diabetes is the fourth leading cause of death in most developed countries. Complications from diabetes, such as coronary artery and peripheral vascular disease, stroke, diabetic neuropathy, amputations, renal failure and blindness are resulting in increasing disability, reduced life expectancy and enormous health costs for virtually every society. Diabetes is one of the most challenging global health problems in the 21st century. A person with type 2 diabetes is two to four times more likely to get cardiovascular disease, and 80% of people with diabetes will die from it. Premature mortality caused by diabetes results in an estimated 12 to 14 years of life lost. A diabetic incurs medical costs that are two to five times higher than those of a person without diabetes. The annual direct healthcare costs of diabetes worldwide are estimated to be as much as 825 billion.

Last summer I spent nearly a month touring Middle East. One evening I had dinner with a physician from Kenya who was interested in our self care approach to health. I asked Dr. Ken who had been working at a hospital outside of Nairobi for 10 years what were the most common health challenges he encountered. I expected, he would say infectious diseases. Silly me? He responded with Diabetes, heart attack and stroke. The same chronic and preventable diseases that account for 70% of deaths globally. He explained that Diabetes was increasing in the population at an alarming rate over his 10-year tenure in Nairobi. I don’t know why I was so surprised by his answer and this prompted me to do a little more research on the incidence of type 2 diabetes. A recent publication from the National Institute of Health states, the most dramatic increases in type 2 diabetes have occurred in populations where there have been rapid and major changes in lifestyle, demonstrating the important role played by lifestyle factors and the potential for reversing this global epidemic.

A recent study in The Lancet (April 2016) reported for the first time in human history obese people outnumber underweight people. These statistics were gathered from 200 countries and nearly 20 million people for over 20 years.  According to the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development, the U.S. is the most obese nation in the world, just ahead of Mexico. Their report states 2/3rd’s of U.S. adults are overweight or obese (69 percent) and one out of three are obese (36 percent) and 1/3rd of children are overweight. If trends continue unabated, by 2030, estimates predict that roughly half of all American men and women will be obese. Almost 90% of people living with type 2 diabetes are overweight or obese. People who are overweight or obese have added pressure on their body's ability to use insulin to properly control blood sugar levels, and are therefore more likely to develop diabetes.

The answer to prevention is one that we have been taught since we were children. Life style changes, diet and exercise. There is overwhelming evidence from studies in the USA, Finland, China, India and Japan that lifestyle changes (achieving a healthy body weight and moderate physical activity) can help prevent the development of type 2 diabetes. But are diet and exercise the only aspects that we need to consider? Through the concept of self care and the Self Care Awakening’s call to action, Being Healthy by Choice, not by Chance, there are other key factors that can lead to weight gain, obesity and diabetes.

Water Matters

Hydration is one factor that can lead to weight gain. Often when we perceive hunger we are thirsty. As little as a 2.5% drop in hydration is sufficient to lower our energy level 25%. This usually triggers a perceived need for high energy, high caloric foods, when actually we are just thirsty.  A 2016 study from the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign examined the dietary habits of more than 18,300 U.S. adults and found that the majority of people who increased their consumption of plain water by 1 percent reduced their total daily calorie intake as well as their consumption of saturated fat, sugar, sodium and cholesterol.1

1. An R, McCaffrey J. "Plain water consumption in relation to energy intake and diet quality among US adults, 2005–2012." Journal of Human Nutrition and Dietetics, 2016.

Dehydration affects the ability of our body to burn fat, encourages excessive calorie consumption and slows down metabolism.

Drinking more water will help you lose weight a few ways. One, as a hunger suppressant, you will not be as hungry when drinking water through the day as your stomach will constantly have something flowing through it. Two, when your body realizes it is getting enough water, it will allow you to release retained waters from your cells through digestion and elimination. Drink half your body weight in ounces per day. Start you day with a nice healthy glass of water.

Sleep Matters

Certain sleep problems or lack of sleep may contribute to obesity. Moreover, disrupted or inadequate sleep may lead to insulin resistance and an increased risk for diabetes. A study in the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition found that when people were sleep deprived, late-night snacking increased and they were more likely to choose high-carbohydrate snacks. Another study done at the University of Chicago, sleep-deprived participants chose snacks with twice as much fat as those who slept at least 8 hours.

Skimping on sleep can lead to bad decisions and dulls activity in the brain’s area responsible for decision-making and impulse control. You might be able to ignore cravings for comfort food when you’re well-rested, but a sleep-deprived brain may have trouble saying no to a late-night bowl of ice cream.  A review of 18 research studies found that a lack of sleep led to increased cravings for energy-dense, high-carbohydrate foods. In summary, a sleepy brain appears to crave junk food while also lacking the control to say no.

Sugar Matters

One of the main problems as I see it is excess sugar consumption. To put this into context, the average daily consumption of sugar by Americans in 1822 was 9 grams a day. It is currently 152 grams a day per individual. This is nearly a 17-fold increase in less than 200 years. We change very slowly biologically, yet we have drastically altered what we are eating and the amount of sugar we are consuming. There are over 600,000 food items sold in the U.S and over 80% of these have added sugar. If you want a self care awakening look at the nutrition facts label on the food in your cupboards, refrigerator and freezer. It will list sugar content expressed in grams per serving. Let’s use a few examples, one soda can have as much as 45 grams of sugar per 12 ounce serving, that is equivalent to nearly 12 teaspoons of sugar. Popular breakfast cereals are spiked with sugar, some being as much as 55% sugar.

Read labels and limit your daily consumption of sugar to nine teaspoons for men (36 grams) and 6 teaspoons (24 grams) for women.

Self Care Solutions

On a personal note, last April I was speaking at an event in Orlando, FL and I came to my own Self Care Awakening. After my presentation one of the attendees asked if she could do a short video with me talking about Self Care. She later sent me the video and while I was watching I noticed how heavy I looked. Really, all I saw was my belly! That was April 2016, and I weighed 223 pounds. For a 5’10”, 64 year-old man this was not acceptable or healthy. This was more than enough incentive for me to make a few changes. The changes were simple self care principles and easy to incorporate into my daily routine.

First, I increased the amount of water I consumed daily and made water my primary beverage choice. I drank half my body weight in ounces per day, about 14 cups. I accomplished this by sipping on water throughout the day. 

Second, I established a sleep schedule where I went to bed earlier and at the same time each night and got up earlier in the morning. I made sure I got at least 8.5 hours a sleep. This was quite a change for a life-long night owl, but I adapted in a short period of time and felt better rested, more energetic and more productive throughout the day.

Third, I monitored my sugar consumption to approximately 25 grams of sugar a day by reading labels and making healthier choices. I started each day with an organic vegetable protein shake for good nutrition and help curb any sugar or carbohydrate cravings. I replaced two meals a day with the shake and ate one healthy meal.  I initially had two shakes a day for about three months. Currently, I have one shake a day for breakfast. I did not increase my level of exercise but I must say I started doing more, moving more and most likely burning more calories with the increase in energy that I had. By October of 2016, I weighed 180 pounds and more importantly I have maintained this weight by incorporating these simple principles of good hydration, sleep and limiting sugar consumption.

Be Healthy by Choice, not by Chance

Author: Gary Lindner, PhD

Self Care Defense 101: Hidden Sugar

Sugar: The Bitter Truth

An effective weight management plan is more than just what we eat and how much we exercise. It requires attention to many self care processes that can affect our weight. Nutrition, sleep, hydration and stress management are all important for achieving and maintaining a healthy weight.

One of the major problems contributing to weight issues is excess sugar consumption. To put this into context, the average daily consumption of sugar by Americans in 1822 was 9 grams a day. It is currently 152 grams a day per individual. The average person in the U.S. consumes 130 pounds of sugar per year. This is nearly a 17-fold increase in less than 200 years. We change very slowly biologically, yet we have drastically altered what we are eating and the amount of sugar we are consuming.

Hidden Sugar

There are over 600,000 food items sold in the U.S and over 80% of these have added sugar. If you want a self care awakening look at the nutrition facts label on the food in your cupboards, refrigerator and freezer. It will list sugar content expressed in grams per serving. Let’s use a few examples, one soda can have as much as 45 grams of sugar per 12 ounce serving, that is equivalent to nearly 12 teaspoons of sugar. Popular breakfast cereals are spiked with sugar, some being as much as 55% sugar. Some surprising foods with more sugar than a Twinkie would include yogurt, tomato sauce, granola bars, fat-free salad dressings, muffins and many canned fruits, typically containing 30 to 40 grams of sugar per serving. Even frozen green beans have added sugar. Checking labels before purchasing items is essential to monitor sugar consumption and keep your daily consumption at a healthy level. You don't always see the word "sugar" on a food label. Marketers use other names, like these:

• Agave nectar

• Brown rice syrup

• High-fructose corn syrup

• Dextrose

• Evaporated cane juice

• Glucose

• Lactose

• Malt syrup

• Molasses

• Sucrose

Watch out for items that list any form of sugar in the first few ingredients, or have more than 4 total grams of sugar.

To monitor sugar consumption, it is helpful to understand that 4 grams of sugar is equivalent to one teaspoon.  It is recommended that a heathy daily consumption of sugar should not exceed 24 grams or six teaspoons for women and 36 grams or nine teaspoons for men.

Sugar is highly addictive. Sugar activates the reward center in our brain the same way as many drugs, provoking similar cravings and withdrawal symptoms. Studies in rats have shown that sugar activates the brain's pleasure centers more than cocaine does.

To break the sugar addiction, let protein help. Eating protein is an easy way to curb sugar cravings. High-protein foods digest slowly, keeping you feeling full for longer. Protein doesn't make your blood sugar spike the way refined carbs and sugars do.  Protein shakes are ideal for this. The typical breakfast full of carbs and sugary or starchy foods is the worst option since you’ll have cravings all day. Having a good protein rich breakfast is vital to prevent sugar cravings.

Our Favorite!

Kenzen Vital Balance

Kenzen Vital Balance® is a crucial component of the Everyday Organic-Based Weight Management Program. Our new formula contains organic moringa and naturally sweet monk fruit in addition to organic pea protein and organic vegetables. It is designed to help burn fat and boost metabolism as well as promote healthy brain function and the elimination of toxins in the body. With pre- and probiotics to assist in digestive and immune system activity, the Kenzen Vital Balance formula is food for action and food for thought—for people of all ages. 

 

Bottled Water vs. Tap Water

Is Bottled Water Healthier than Tap Water?

---

One reason that many people choose bottled water is that they think it’s a healthier choice than tap water. This is good news as many people are looking for healthier options. In fact, 2017 is the first year that bottled water sales have exceeded soda sales in the United States. Bottled water consumption in the U.S. hit 39.3 gallons per capita last year, while carbonated soft drinks fell to 38.5 gallons, marking the first time that soda was knocked off the top spot.

More than one-quarter of bottled water revenue last year was shared by the soda giants Coca-Cola Co. and PepsiCo which sell Dasani and Aquafina respectively. In the four decades since the launch of Perrier water in the U.S., consumption of bottled water surged 2,700%, from 354 million gallons in 1976 to 11.7 billion gallons in 2015, according to the International Bottled Water Association.

Ok, some people are making healthier choices to drink water instead of soda, but is their choice to drink bottled water rather than tap water fact founded or just the results of good marketing by bottled water companies. People are led to believe that bottled water is spring water with the advertisements and labels portraying pristine mountain streams, waterfalls, or glacial Alpine landscapes. However, nearly 50% off all bottled water is tap water, according to Peter Gleick, a scientist and author of “Bottled and Sold: The Story Behind Our Obsession with Bottled Water.”

Contrary to the image of purity advertised by the bottled water industry, bottled water may contain a lot more than simple H2O. In 2008, testing commissioned by Environmental Working Group (EWG), found 38 pollutants in 10 brands of bottled water, including disinfection byproducts, industrial chemicals, radioactivity and bacteria. Two of the brands tested bore the chemical signature of municipal tap water, meaning that they were chemically indistinguishable from what comes from the faucet.

In 2008, scientists at Texas Southern University evaluated 35 brands of bottled water and found that four were contaminated with bacteria. In 1999, the Natural Resources Defense Council tested 103 bottled waters and detected potentially worrisome contaminants, including microbes and regulated chemicals, in about 50% of the samples tested.

This is a quite disturbing from a financial standpoint as bottled water is 2,000 times more expensive than tap water. Another perspective would be going to a sandwich shop for a six-dollar sandwich and paying $12,000 dollars for that sandwich. Just because it is marketed as a healthier sandwich, would we make the same choice. No way.

Don’t we all too often trade convenience at the expense of our health?

The other reason people tell me that they choose bottled water is that it is convenient. My response to that is, don’t we all too often trade convenience at the expense of our health?

Drinking plenty of water is good for your health, but both tap and bottled water can contain contaminants that may be harmful. The best option for getting the safest water possible is to filter your tap water. There are many different types of water filters at a wide range of efficiency and pricing.  I suggest selecting a system certified by NSF International. NSF certifies drinking water filters to standards applicable to each type of treatment option. You may notice the NSF mark on a product along with numbers such as NSF/ANSI 53 or NSF/ANSI 42, which refer to the standard to which the filter has been certified. These models are designed to filter out specific contaminants, so you can purchase one based on your needs.

NSF/ANSI standard 42 is for aesthetic properties of smell and taste.  A healthy choice for a water filtration system would also conform to standard 53 for volatile organic compounds such as trihalomethane, trichloroethylene and many others. These standards should be published and readily available when deciding on which product to purchase. I would also recommend a unit that complies with NSF/ANSI standard 372 for heavy metal reduction. Just as important in removal of harmful substances is the filter systems ability to add back beneficial properties and minerals for a healthy water the way Nature intended.

Be Healthy by Choice, not by Chance. Drink half your body weight in ounces a day of good quality, healthy water.

Author: Gary Lindner, PhD

The Skinny on Organic Skincare

Let me begin with a small slice of personal skin history as I entered  my 40's  I was still searching for a skincare routine that actually worked. Myself and my contrary, fair, freckled face had not gotten along in a decade. I had been dealing with rosacea and acne (adult acne) since my early 30's which was about the time in my career I was in front of a lot of crowds either speaking or educating, which only amplified my frustration with my skin. 

So I sought professional help and we tried various topical and oral treatments. This worked to treat my conditions but it did not balance my skin. My skin was either too dry or too oily there was never any respite for my skin or my psyche. Therefore, I continued to diligently search for a solution that respected my skin. 

My search finally ended earlier this year when I tried the True Elements Marine Organic Skincare line. Our skin is our largest organ and our first line of defense so It is just as important to me what I put on my skin as what I put in my body.  I wanted an organic healthy choice but I also needed a complete line that I could afford. What really caught my eye was Marine Organic. my first thought was  marine = moisture and my skin needs non-oily moisture. Through research I also learned that organic = tough. A common myth is that organic skincare is to mild to work on tough conditions but the truth is the extra minerals work harder for your skin. While harsh chemicals have your skin fighting  in the trenches, organic skincare has you strategizing from the safety of HQ. 

The True Elements Marine Organic (TEMO) skincare line contains the seaweed extracts laminaria, chondrus and ulva. These extracts provide trace elements and minerals that boost the radiance of your skin, maintain it's moisture content, aid redness, stimulate cellular metabolism, synthesis of elastin fibers, remineralize and nourish, reenergize and improve skin viscosity. Sea Fennel also helps stimulate cellular exchanges while brown seaweeds and seawater contribute to a toning and remineralizing action. TEMO also includes an A-list of old favorites like; shea butter, sunflower seed oil and aloe. 

Hyaluronic acid in the Youth Activ Serum, Nutritional Mask and the Nourishing Face Cream helps your skin to build a moisture reserve that plumps the skin and stimulates collagen synthesis. Guys and gals, who doesn't want younger, firmer, healthier cleaner skin that doesn't involve a needle or harsh chemicals? 

The entire TEMO line is organic and certified by Ecocert which makes it good for me and the environment. Two things I love and want to keep looking great for years and years to come. 

Our Favorites!

Visit our Organic Skincare shop and indulge in the entire True Elements Marine Organic Skincare line. 

Written by Heather Abbott, mother of 4, graphic designer, yogi and self care advocate. 

The Body Burden

Environmental Toxins and Pollution in People

I think we all agree that the world is a toxic place. There are over 85,000 chemicals in the marketplace and we come in contact with them in one way or another every day. 

There is no such thing as a pristine environment. Toxins are in the air we breathe, the water we drink and the food we eat. They are in the homes we live in and the offices we work. They are present in our children’s schools. They are prevalent in our personal care and cleaning products.

Decades of research and countless studies have contributed to our understanding that we carry a burden of toxic chemicals in our body’s, our Body Burden.

It has been over 35 years since the September 22, 1980 Time Magazine cover story entitled “The Poisoning of America” was published. So, this is not a new problem and it is something we have all been aware of for a long time. The question I like to ask is; has this problem gotten better or worse? It’s gotten worse, exponentially worse.

It has been said every 5 years there are 10,000 new chemicals in the market place that weren’t here 5 years ago. That equates to over 5 new chemicals per day!

Dr. Stewart Lonky and biochemist Rik Deitsch point out in their book, Invisible Killers, that the body burden of toxins today is significantly higher than it was 20 years ago, 40 years ago, 60 years ago.  There appears to be a tipping point in your body above which the accumulation of toxins begins to interpret into disease. We don’t die from infectious disease anymore, but more childhood diseases, lymphomas, brain tumors and more adults with cancer. All of these diseases appear to be related to these toxic exposures. They go on to state that to turn your back on this is to turn your back on the obvious.

Our Body Burden, the “Pollution in People”

The term body burden was first coined in the early 2000’s. It is defined as, the total amount of a chemical present in a human's or animal's body, typically a radioactive element or other toxic substance. This can include anything from dangerous metals like lead or mercury, to pesticides and herbicides, unsafe food additives, BPA’s from plastics just to name a few.

As stated by Dr. Sanjay Gupta on a recent CNN documentary entitled Toxic America, “A growing number of studies are finding hundreds of toxic chemicals in mothers' and subsequently their babies' bodies when they are born…” 

In 2005 the Environmental Working Group published a benchmark study that looked at the number of toxic chemicals in the umbilical cord blood of newborns. Of 287 chemicals, detected in umbilical cord blood, 180 cause cancer in humans or animals, 217 are toxic to the brain and nervous system, and 208 cause birth defects or abnormal development in animal tests. The dangers of pre- or post-natal exposure to this complex mixture of carcinogens, developmental toxins and neurotoxins has never been studied. The authors go on to say, had we tested for a broader array of chemicals, we would almost certainly have detected far more than 287. Testing umbilical cord blood for industrial chemicals is technically challenging. Chemical manufacturers are not required to divulge to the public or government health officials methods to detect their chemicals in humans. 

In 2006, the World Health Organization (WHO) released a comprehensive study that suggests more than 33% of diseases affecting children under the age of five are caused by environmental exposures, and that by preventing these exposures, as many as four million children’s lives a year worldwide could be saved.

Our environment has changed very rapidly. We do not live in the same environment that we did a 100 years, 50 years or even 10 years ago. Biologically we change very slowly.

We monitor the pollution in our air, our water, and even our fish. It's time to start looking at the pollution in our bodies and take steps to minimize our exposure and absorption of toxic substances.

 

Although we as individuals may not have a big say in the chemicals in our environment, we do have some control over those which we may ingest, breathe or absorb. The Self Care Awakening, being healthy by choice, looks at ways we can help reduce our individual body burden of toxic chemicals to lead a healthier life. Becoming aware of the problem is the first step the second is to take action for healthier choices.

Our Favorites!

Hydrate:

Drink healthy water at least half of your body weight in ounces daily. We suggest keeping a glass bottle (one that you know how many ounces it contains) with you at your desk or whatever activity you are engaged in and then sip on that water throughout the day. Refill as necessary. We love PiWater a filtered, alkaline water that tastes amazing and has a quick absorption rate. More on proper hydration.

Reduce Sugar:

Easiest thing to do is read labels and avoid processed foods. When you reduce sugar you are most likely eliminating other things your body doesn't need. Frequent your local farmers market/produce stands you get the benefit of healthy food and support your local community, win - win. More on sugar.

Sleep:

The most productive part of any 24 hour cycle is when you sleep. Get 8 hours of sleep everyday, Ladies 8 hours and 20 - 25 min.. More about healthy sleep and how to get it. 

 

Author: Gary Lindner, PhD

Sweet Dreams are Made of...

Sleep is an essential physiological process (this means the body NEEDS sleep, not wants but needs), but in our fast paced, highly productive lives, we often sacrifice sleep for other activities.

This is due in part to our perception of sleep as a non-productive endeavor, when from a physiological and health standpoint it our most productive time of our day.

Work that must be completed, a project that just has to be finished, studying for that mid-term, getting up an hour early to exercise or miss that rush hour traffic on the way to work. We have many reasons not to get enough sleep. Many of us think that 6 or 7 hours a night is sufficient for a good night’s sleep. According to the National Institutes of Health, the average adult sleeps less than seven hours per night. In today’s fast-paced society, six or seven hours of sleep may sound pretty good, but in reality, it is a recipe for chronic sleep deprivation.

We often rationalize not getting the proper amount of sleep. Here are a few myths about sleep:

Myth 1: Getting just one hour less sleep per night won’t affect your daytime functioning.

Myth 2: Your body adjusts quickly to different sleep schedules.

Myth 3: Extra sleep at night can cure you of problems with excessive daytime fatigue.

Myth 4: You can make up for lost sleep during the week by sleeping more on the weekends. 

Poor sleep can cause a number of health issues including obesity in adults and children, diabetes and impaired glucose tolerance, cardiovascular disease and hypertension, anxiety symptoms, depressed mood, poor immune function and alcohol or drug abuse.

William C. Dement, M.D., Ph.D., Stanford University, is the world's leading authority on sleep.For this pioneering work in a previously uncharted field, he is sometimes referred to as the father of sleep medicine. Dr. Dement states, “Healthy sleep has been empirically proven to be the single most important determinant in predicting longevity, more important than diet, exercise and heredity.”

The National Sleep Foundation recommends 8 to 10 hours for teenagers 14 to 17 years old and 7 to 9 hours for adults. I personally recommend 8 hours of sleep for most people.  Women need more sleep according to Dr. Jim Horne, one of Britain's leading experts in sleep science. In an article published in the Daily Mail, Horne explained that on average women need twenty more minutes of sleep than men. The researcher pointed out that women tend to multi-task and use more of their brain than men leading to a greater need for sleep. Essentially, the more you use your brain during the day, the more it needs to rest while asleep.

You may be sleep deprived if…

•       Need an alarm clock to wake up on time

•       Rely on the snooze button

•       Have a hard time getting out of bed in the morning

•       Feel sluggish in the afternoon

•       Get sleepy in meetings, lectures or warm rooms

•       Get drowsy after heavy meals or when driving

•       Need to nap to get through the day

•       Fall asleep while watching TV or relaxing

•       Feel the need to sleep in on weekends

•       Fall asleep within five minutes of going to bed

Improve Your Sleep Today: Make Sleep a Priority

Schedule sleep like any other daily activity, put it on your "to-do list" and cross it off every night. But don’t make it the thing you do only after everything else is done – stop doing other things so you get the sleep you need.

Start by assessing your own individual needs and habits. See how you respond to different amounts of sleep. I suggest keeping a sleep journal for a few weeks. Pay attention to your mood, energy and productivity after a poor night's sleep versus a good one. Ask yourself, "How often do I get a good night's sleep?" The National Sleep Foundation has a downloadable Sleep Diary at https://sleepfoundation.org/sites/default/files/SleepDiaryv6.pdf that is easy to use and can be quite helpful. There are also many sleep apps that can be downloaded to your phone.

Tips for a better night’s sleep:

·       Stick to a sleep schedule, even on weekends.

·       Practice a relaxing bedtime ritual.

·       Exercise daily.

·       Evaluate your bedroom to ensure ideal temperature, sound and light.

·       Beware of hidden sleep stealers, like alcohol and caffeine.

·       Turn off electronics before bed.

·       Sleep on a comfortable mattress and pillows.

Get 8 hours a night of good quality sleep. It’s one way to be

Healthy by Choice. Sweet Dreams.

Our Bedtime Favorites!

Kenko Dream® Light Comforter

FEATURES AND BENEFITS
• Temperature regulation keeps you warm or cool: designed for all-season use
• Breathable outer cover provides ventilation and releases excess heat for comfort
• Chitocotton fibers containing chitosan are woven in to help fibers retain a clean, fresh scent
• When used with a Kenko Naturest® Mattress Topper, the Kenko Dream® Comforter completes the cocoon of magnetism to surround the sleeper in a magnetic field

Kenko Naturest® Mattress Topper

DYNAFLUX — POWER AT REST
• DynaFlux Magnetic Technology produces a series of magnetic fields that cover a full 360 degrees in three dimensions
• The internally opposed magnetic surfaces shift in angle as a response to body movements, to enhance the field depth
• No other technology using permanent magnets can deliver this scope of magnetic coverage • Enfolds and surrounds anything in its proximity, even complex shapes

NATURAL MATERIALS FOR BETTER SLEEP
• The foundation of the Kenko Naturest Mattress Topper is natural latex — not man-made polyurethane foam
• Latex is hypoallergenic, and resistant to microbial growth and dust mites • Latex holds its shape and firmness better than polyurethane foam, for more durable support
• Latex also wicks away moisture, for greater comfort
• The cover is woven in all-natural fibers, free from chemical pesticides, insecticides or fertilizers
• Natural fibers promote ventilation for regulation of temperature
• Fiber and latex are fully renewable resources
• 100% cotton sleeve surrounds the latex pad to add a layer of quality, protection and durability
• Meets federal flammability standards for mattress pads without flame-retardant chemicals

PASSIVE MASSAGE FOR GREATER COMFORT
Shaped nodules are produced with a proprietary method that gives them the ideal degree of firmness. The effect is a relaxing massage while you sleep, that gently stimulates and can help lessen tossing and turning.

Author: Gary Lindner, PhD

Down the Hatch

Life cannot exist without water, seriously!

Proper hydration is essential to a healthy life. Water comprises over two-thirds of our body weight, and is one of the most essential elements to maintaining well-being. Water is important in every physiological process. Water helps your body with circulation, assimilation, digestion, elimination and temperature control.

Researchers estimate that about 75% of people in the US have a mild chronic dehydration. This can lead to many health issues such as fatigue, joint pain, weight gain, headaches, ulcers and high blood pressure. Chronic dehydration may affect your organs and lead to kidney stones, cholesterol problems, constipation, and liver and muscle damage. What if you could reduce or alleviate these symptoms by just drinking healthy water?

Water is not just a beverage choice

Water is not just a beverage choice, it is our most essential nutrient. When we think of water in this way it becomes apparent that we must drink enough each day.  We can live for 3 weeks without food, but only 3 days without water!

How Much Water Should We Drink?

There is no perfect answer to this question as it depends on your age, health status, level of physical activity, body type and ambient surroundings.

Everyone has heard drink eight 8oz glasses of water a day. This is insufficient in my opinion for proper hydration for most us. A good rule of thumb is to drink half your body weight in ounces per day of water. So, if you weigh 160 pounds, 10 glasses or 80 ounces per day is a good rule to follow. 

Common Water Choices

Many people prefer not to drink municipally treated tap water. Many times, this is for aesthetic reasons. They don’t like the way tap water tastes or smells. One good aspect about tap water is that it is monitored and treated to kill pathogenic micro-organisms. This is usually accomplished with chlorine treatment or other types of similar halogens.

Water is one major way we contribute to our body burden of toxic chemicals pollutants from farming and industry as well as the chlorine that is added to kill bacteria in municipal water treatment facilities.  Bottled water is not much better as it is usually nothing more than processed tap water. Even that expensive spring water may be full of harmful contaminants.  Regulations on bottled water differ by country, and many bottled waters have no quality thresholds in place. In 2008, the Environmental Working Group conducted tests that found bottled water not necessarily any safer than tap water. Ten brands sampled by EWG contained 38 pollutants ranging from fertilizer residue to industrial solvents. Pollutants in two brands exceeded state and industry health standards.

On the average bottled water is 2000 times more expensive than tap water. A nice analogy I like to make is that’s like going into a $6 sandwich shop and paying $12,000 for a sandwich! Of major concern to me and others is the detrimental impact plastic water bottles have on our environment. First, is the energy cost of shipping the water from source to consumer – often shipping thousands of miles internationally. Secondly, it’s through the energy and hydrocarbon input into the manufacture of the bottles and the disposal of the bottles, particularly if sent to landfills or simply discarded as 80% of plastic water bottles are not recycled.

An effective way of providing yourself and your family with healthy water is filtration of tap water. There are many types of systems to accomplish this. Common methods of filtering can remove the chemicals but it also removes important minerals our bodies need. Guidelines I suggest looking for when comparing systems are advanced filtration that is corroborated and meet or exceed ANSI/NSF standards of 42 and 53.  Look for a system that adds minerals back to the water and creates a slightly alkaline water. I am also a proponent of micro-clustered water that helps with absorption and I suggest getting a system that is easy to use and maintain and cost effective.

PiMag Waterfall

Our Favorite!

The Nikken PiMag Waterfall® converts tap water into fresh spring-like water. Using a multistage process which filters, alkalizes, mineralizes, ionizes, energizes and oxygenates the water, the Waterfall provides great tasting water which is easy to use, affordable and a healthy water choice. Water the way nature intended it.

We shot a couple quick 2 minute videos showcasing the PiMag Waterfall. Take a look : ). 

1. Turn Your Tap Water Into Drinking Water

2. Healthy Enhanced Drinking Water

Break the Sugar Addiction

Do you know how much sugar you consume daily? Do you want to know? The fact is you NEED to know. 

According to the Centers for Disease Control & Prevention (CDC) over 70% of Americans are overweight or obese. This can lead to severe health issues and/or chronic diseases. The CDC predictes 1/3 of the American population will have diabetes by the year 2050. 

Public enemy No. 1 is sugar. To learn more watch the short video "Weight Matters: The 1st Few Pounds."

What can you do? The first and easiest step is to read labels. We mean all labels. We have seen sugar added to "organic" asparagus in the produce section. 

Second log what you eat and the sugar content for an entire week. At the end of the week add up the sugar then divide by 7 and this will give you your average daily sugar consumption. Then evaluate and eliminate or substitute foods with less added sugars. Third continue to read labels. 

Kenzen Vital Balance

Our favorite way to  break the sugar addiction is a healthy Kenzen Vital Balance (KVB) shake. KVB is sweetened with organic moringa and monk fruit. Have a shake twice a day if you wish to loose weight or have a shake when you are craving something sweet. 

We always recommend you do your research so you can be healthy by choice and not by chance. 

The Major Impetus

Self Care Awakening is about a few very simple concepts. It is about Being Healthy by Choice and not by Chance. The reality is, if we leave our health to chance, chances are that we are not going to be healthy.

The major impetus for the Self Care Awakening is to bring this and other aspects of good health to light.

First, that chronic disease is not a normal part of life. How many times have we heard someone say, “That’s just part of getting older”, as if the headaches, joint/back problems, weight gain, blood sugar problems, memory problems (and the list can go on and on) are just a “normal part” of life.

Here is a paraphrase of a recent advertisement from what use to be our corner drug store and is now called your local wellness center. The advertisement says, “there are 26 million Americans with diabetes, and 74 million are at risk, don’t worry, we can treat and manage your diabetes so you can lead a normal productive life”. I almost fell out of my chair when I first heard this commercial. Then I got mad. It is a brainwashing, inferring that chronic disease is a normal part of life. It is not. The World Health Organization (WHO) and the Centers for Disease control (CDC) estimate that as high as 80% of our world’s biggest killers can be prevented. I concur and am of the belief that just a few simple self care principles can lead to a vibrant heathy life.