Autumn Skincare Survival Guide

“I’m a better person when I am moisturized. ”

Have you noticed your skin misbehaves when the seasons change? This is normal. Your skin is a protective barrier and a product of your environment so when the temperature and humidity dip it is time to mix up your skin care routine to combat changing conditions. Speaking from experience, don’t change everything all at once. I use a product line that only requires simple adjustments like the True Elements Marine Organic Skincare line. The True Elements skincare line boasts a French pedigree. It’s marine organic ingredients and formulation have earned the line the coveted Ecocert organic certification.

Moisture, darlings

The first thing most people notice is that their skin dries out and this is due mostly to the lack of humidity. The solution, MOISTURE, darlings. You need to replenish your skin’s moisture barrier and work on your moisture reserve. Hyaluronic acid is basically a magnet for moisture. It can hold up to 1,000 times its own weight in moisture and it pulls moisture from the environment. Dermatologist also recommend a cream that is rich in plant butters and oils that act as natural emollients with soften and soothe the skin. Shea butter calms down redness and increases collagen production which makes it a good place to start.

True Elements® Nourishing Face Cream incorporates nourishing shea butter, marine minerals and trace elements to help restore the barrier function of the skin and supply moisture to the upper layers of the epidermis. Hyaluronic acid helps create a strong moisture reserve which helps to combat the lack of humidity.

During the summer, I use the cream only before bedtime, but the cream is light enough to wear during the day. When the season changes, I actually wear the cream over a layer of my favorite product the True Elements® Youth Activ Serum. Both products work in tandem to protect my skin from the changing climate and to replenish my skin’s moisture reserve. This regimen, for me, actually keeps my skin from breaking out in problem areas and over drying in others.

True Elements® Youth Activ Serum was actually introduced to me by Dr. Gary. I was nervous about the product because my skin is typically oily, and the serum looks like a bottle of oil. However, I had been reading that serums are now the go-to beauty product, so, I gave it a go. Overnight the look and feel of my skin improved. The look of breakouts actually diminished, and I did not have any new breakouts. The serum also dramatically reduced the redness in my skin, I suffer from rosacea.

The serum concentrates several active ingredients to reinforce the skin. Ulva algae stimulate the cellular metabolism and synthesis of elastin fibers. The hyaluronic acid stimulates collagen synthesis for a firmer and smoother looking skin. It is perfect for all skin types.

A Respectful Cleanser, darlings

While a drop in the humidity is a skin drying factor your cleanser may also be a culprit. Your skin is on a pH scale. When that scale is balanced your skin thrives and glows. Off balance and your skin lets you know with excessive dryness, redness, tightness and a scratchy feeling. Harsh cleansers actually work to upset the Ph balance in your skin. Choose a gentle cleanser that respects the pH balance of your skin like the True Elements® Velvet Cleansing Milk.

True Elements® Velvet Cleansing Milk gently removes impurities and makeup while maintaining the moisture content of your skin. Seaweed extracts laminaria, chondrus and ulva provide trace elements and minerals that boost the radiance of your skin.

Your skin fights to protect from environmental toxins 24-7. Give it a hand by incorporating a “double cleanse” into your skincare routine. Follow up the True Elements® Velvet Cleansing Milk with the True Elements® Refreshing Tonic Lotion.

Alcohol-free, this tonic lotion incorporates laminaria extract together with sodium-light, spray-dried seawater, activate cellular exchanges and microcirculation. Aloe vera, chondrus, and ulva soothe and moisturize the upper layers of the epidermis. The skin recovers tonicity, comfort and brightness.

Well at least Exfoliation is out, right?

Sorry but wrong, darlings. Your skin still renews itself at a rapid rate and all of that dead, dry skin building up on your face can not only make you look dull, it can also contribute to clogged pores and blemishes. This is true, especially if your skin is very dry. So, give it a little extra love and a helping hand with a gentle exfoliator like True Elements Radiance Scrub.

This scrub is gentle enough for all skin types and works to buff your skin, leaving a smooth and refined feeling. It removes dead skin cells and impurities while it oxygenates skin cells to help improve luminosity. I use this twice weekly.

At least I can skip the Sunscreen

Sorry but sunscreen is still very important to your skin. Some of the products in the True Elements line have an amazing anti-oxidant, Alpha Lipoic Acid (ALA) which is wonderful for renewing your skin but can make you even more susceptible to the sun’s harmful UV rays. Even if you don’t use this skincare line sunscreen is still vital to protect your skin. I use a mineral sunscreen that also doubles as a moisturizer.

I have also added a hydrating mist to my regimen that incorporates a rose oil. I am currently experimenting with “I woke up like this” hydra balancing rose mist from a Korean skincare line. I will have to let you know how that goes. Nikken PiWater undergoes a de-clustering process that breaks down the water molecule and makes it more absorbable, so I may blow the dust off the junior chem set and work on creating my own facial mist.

Closing Thoughts

Hydrate, hydrate, hydrate, darlings, and in this case, I am not talking about a skin cream I mean continue to drink plenty of water. This is a personal battle for me in particular. When the temp drops, I naturally gravitate towards a warm, seasonal, beverage. Don’t forget to drink healthy Nikken PiWater water, every day, at least half your body weight in ounces.

Be Healthy by Choice, not by Chance  

Sources:

 Autumn Skincare Tips, Nikken October 4, 2017

 It’s fall – but does your skin know that?, Rose Inc. November 13, 2018

 How to Really Look After Your Skin This Season, Alison Ives (Girlboss) November 9, 2018

Grounded a Self Care Solution

We are very fortunate this week to have a very special guest blogger for The Impetus. Here is a simple and informative explanation of Grounding also called Earthing, written by Dr. Jesse Allen, chiropractor and Independent Nikken Consultant from Fremont, California.

                                                             What is Earthing?

Clint Ober (co-author of the popular book Earthing, the most important health discovery ever?) came from a background in the cable industry.  He understood that all electrical and cable systems had to be “grounded” or connected to the earth’s surface to stop interference from outside electromagnetic fields.  He observed that most people wear some type of rubber or plastic-soled shoes.  He wondered if this could have an adverse effect on our health.  As a child growing up on a farm, he noticed that animals that were allowed to run free were much healthier than animal kept indoors in a cage.

He began experimenting with the use of a simple voltmeter to measure the effects of exposure from household appliances and wiring in the walls of his home.  He then took measurements while “grounded to a grounding rod.  Ultimately, he found that when he was grounded, he slept better and had less discomfort.

In another early experiment with Dr. Maurice Ghaly, a retired anesthesiologist, cortisol levels were measured before and after grounding.  (Elevated cortisol indicates chronic stress which can lead to chronic illnesses such as high blood pressure, stroke and depressed immune system function).  It was found that earthing could “resynchronize” cortisol secretion to a more normal natural rhythm.  People slept better and reported less discomfort.

In 2001, Mr. Ober began working with Dr. Stephen Sinatra, an integrative cardiologist who had identified inflammation as the cause of arterial and cardiovascular disease.  With the help of biophysicist James Oschman, Ph.D. they were able to determine that the earth was an effective anti-inflammatory aid.

The electric energy on the surface of the earth takes the form of a limitless supply of negatively charged particles called electrons.  When you make contact with the earth, while barefooted or with a grounding/earthing device, the electrons are absorbed into the body where they attach to positively charged free radicals that cause chronic inflammation.  The key here is the effect of chronic inflammation.  When you experience an injury or illness there is a normal level of inflammation that is part of the healing process.  However, if you have chronic inflammation,   tissue can be damaged leading to illness or disease.

Due to our technological world where cell phones, tablets, laptops and wi fi connected devices surround us 24/7; we are constantly being bombarded with EMF, electromagnetic frequencies.  This exposure has been linked to inflammatory reactions, cancer, sleep disruption and immune system dysfunction. 

If you can regularly walk bare foot on grass, dirt or on the beach you can ground yourself naturally.  However, most of us live in urban settings that limit our access to direct contact with the earth.  Grounding devices/earthing devices are the best alternative to neutralize the effect of electromagnetic fields and free radicals.

Thank you, Dr. Allen, for this enlightening explanation as to the health benefits and need for us all to be grounded. This is a concept that I have been aware of since the publishing of Earthing in 2010. I believe we all can appreciate the benefits of walking barefoot on the beach or strolling barefoot in a grassy park. We experience a feeling of relaxation and ease, less stress and a greater sense of well-being.

KenkoGround

As part of the Nikken Wellness Home, we are pleased to announce a new Active Wellness product, the KenkoGround. The KenkoGround is designed to help us connect to the Earth as a natural energy source. Direct contact with the ground (soil, grass, sand, ocean floor) gives our bodies natural energy to help restore our own healthful nature.

The contemporary lifestyle often causes fatigue, sleeplessness, and a general feeling of being out of balance. Unlike our ancestors who were directly connected to the ground by their bare feet, we separate ourselves from nature by using and wearing non-conductive materials, e.g. rubber, plastic, artificial flooring surfaces, etc. In other words, our feet rarely connect with the earth beneath us.

The KenkoGround serves as an indoor and portable way to reconnect with Mother Nature. Simply plug it into a grounded outlet and use it under your feet while working, on your mattress while you sleep or even draped around your shoulders. Direct contact with the skin is recommended for best results.

As a physiologist I appreciate the research that has been done in this field within the last decade. A simple google search on earthing grounding, can lead anyone who has an interest to be more informed. A 2015 study from the Journal of Inflammation Research entitled, “The effects of grounding (earthing) on inflammation, the immune response, wound healing, and prevention and treatment of chronic inflammatory and autoimmune diseases” is a good place to start.

The authors concluded, “Accumulating experiences and research on earthing, or grounding, point to the emergence of a simple, natural, and accessible health strategy against chronic inflammation, warranting the serious attention of clinicians and researchers. The living matrix (or ground regulation or tissue tensegrity-matrix system), the very fabric of the body, appears to serve as one of our primary antioxidant defense systems. As this report explains, it is a system requiring occasional recharging by conductive contact with the Earth’s surface – the “battery” for all planetary life – to be optimally effective.”

Heather and I are very excited about the new KenkoGround and can’t wait to integrate it into our Wellness Home as part of our Active Wellness program.

Be Healthy by Choice, not by Chance

Humans Being More, Toronto

The Venue

Humans Being More?

This week’s “The Impetus” is a little different but at the core of what we do. We just got back from the Humans Being More Summit in Toronto and we want to share some highlights and a new product Nikken debuted at this event. Please note this blog includes short video clips so please turn your speakers and sound up.

Who are we?

We are a group of compassionate volunteers/entrepreneurs that are attracted to the idea of raising our own physical, financial and emotional reality by sharing with the world the physical environmental advantages of a wellness home and/or the life balancing advantages of a home based career.

Nikken studies the healthy people and replicates what they do anticipating what the consumer will want from their healthcare in the future. Indeed, we feel the new health care is “self care” the act of making everyday healthy choices for a balanced life.

The view from our room.

For over two and a half years our motto has been Be Healthy by Choice, not by Chance. More than a motto, it has been become a battle cry for many of us.

The truth is that if we leave our health to chance, chances are not very good that we are going to be healthy.  At the Humans Being More Summit in Toronto, Canada self care advocates from all over the world convened to help spread this message of taking control of your health, life and finances.

Our Battle Cry

Packed House!

It is for the Children

Dr. Melanie Caldwell introduced Nikken products and a self care lifestyle to her patients 17 years ago with excellent results. (make sure your sound is up)

Virtual walkthrough of the products tables and Nikken’s new, cost efficient, healthy choices packs. Click right to advance the pictures.

Introducing…

We have written about the pollution in people, Our Body Burden. But we also should be aware of electromagnetic pollution. “Earthing” or “grounding” is a popular topic with health-conscious people. Popularized by book “Earthing”, which outlines a cornucopia of health benefits including reduced inflammation, less fatigue, quicker healing, reduced jet lag and better sleep. The thought is that when we are connected to the Earth, we soak up its energy.

The KenkoGround will be available in November.

We are in the business of doing business

“People that say money isn’t important will lie about other things too.”

— Zig Zigler

Nikken’s philosophy is based on what we call the Five Pillars of Health; healthy mind, body, family, society and finances. A “Self Care” lifestyle is balanced in all five pillars. Too often, if our finances pillar is strong the other pillars are weak. Nikken offers you an opportunity to live in a wellness home and grow a healthy mind, body, family and yes, finances by owning your own Nikken wellness consultant business. When you live and share the Nikken lifestyle and help others to live in a wellness home we establish a healthy society. Every home a Wellness Home.

See you on the red carpet, next year.

The ABC’s of Self Care Y

“I think of self care like the airplane mask warning. When emergencies happen and the mask drops from the ceiling you are supposed to help yourself first. Then proceed to help others to put on their masks.”

The ABC’s of Self Care Y

Our series the ABC’s of Self Care is winding down. This week our series on the ABC’s of Self Care continues with Y.  

For Y, let’s talk about WHY or more specifically, Why Self Care? It just so happens this is the theme for an upcoming presentation that I will be giving in Toronto in a little over a week. This will be an incredible event with many talented speakers from all over the world. The event will kick off with the theme, Be Healthy by Choice. I must say that I am very honored and humbled to be the first speaker and set the tone for the rest of that day’s presentations.

You can find more information about this event at http://torontosummit.net/. Tickets are still available, and I invite you to join us for two days of great life changing information.

To answer the question, Why Self Care? All we need to do is look at the status on health care. We have blogged on this before in Health Care Crisis: Part. 1 and Part 2.

The incidence of chronic disease as our biggest killer and health problem is not segregated to the U.S., it is a global problem. Chronic diseases are the leading causes of death and disability worldwide. Disease rates from these conditions are accelerating globally and advancing across every region and pervading all socioeconomic classes according to the World Health Organization. Currently, one in three adults worldwide suffer from two or more chronic conditions.

The World Health Organization and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (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.

Most people have become ambivalent towards chronic disease, thinking that they are just a normal part of aging. We are under a constant bombardment of advertising telling us so and that we shouldn’t worry because whatever disease they are talking about can be treated and managed. 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 angry. It is a brainwashing, inferring that chronic disease is a normal part of life. It is not. 

Most chronic diseases can be prevented, however, most are treated and managed with pharmaceutical intervention. The U.S. fills 4.3 billion prescriptions annually and treating chronic conditions account for 86% of our nation’s health care dollar. The Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD) states, “pharmaceutical consumption continues to increase globally driven by a growing demand for drugs to treat aging-related and chronic diseases.”

As many of you know, Be Healthy by Choice, not by Chance is the battle cry for the Self Care Awakening and is the core of the content and information here on the Self Care Hub.  Our health is our own responsibility and the choices we make every day can improve or impede our health. It is our goal to inform, inspire and empower anyone to be healthy. This is Heather and my WHY, it is our purpose and our passion for all to BE HEALTHY BY CHOICE.

We have a solution for the health crisis, health care needs to become Self Care. It all starts with our own individual plan for a healthy life. The Nikken Wellness Home and Active Wellness Products provides simple, easy and affordable choices to accomplish this goal. Our and fellow self care advocates mission is Every Home a Wellness Home.

If this resounds with you to be part of a dedicated passionate team in a worthwhile cause to help yourself and others, please contact the person that shared this article with you so everyone can Be Healthy by Choice. It may also become your Why?

Next installment will be the letter Z, time for some zzzz’s, then I’ll start to ponder what to write about. Sleep Matters.

The ABC’s of Self Care X

Solve for X

A Nikken Wellness Home is designed to address many health concerns, including environmental toxins, contagions, dehydration, poor sleep quality, weight matters and nutrition. In a practical sense, the Wellness Home creates an environment that enables us to make healthier choices every day.

This week our series on the ABC’s of Self Care continues with X. For the life of me, I couldn’t come up with a subject for X, so let’s let X represent the missing factor in your self care program.

Using the four main principles of self care ask yourself:

Am I consciously taking steps to reduce my body burden of toxic chemicals?

Am I drinking half my body weight in ounces of healthy water every day to stay well hydrated?

Is my sleep sufficient or am I trading my health at the expense of fewer hours of sleep or poor-quality-sleep

Do I monitor how much excess sugar I am consuming every day and is it within a healthy guideline?

Each of these X’s in combination and or by themselves can be a causative factor in chronic disease.

Heather and I have created a weekly journal for monitoring our self care procedures. We often ask new people or subscribers to the Selfcarehub.com to pay attention to a few details in their self care pursuits to be Heathy by Choice. You can download a free, printable copy of the Self Care Journal here or under our “freebies” tab on the hub.

For example, on the Checklist there are questions to solve for the X, such as how much water you are drinking daily. Does X equal half your body weight in ounces of healthy water?

X can also represent what you are doing to reduce your body burden of toxic chemicals, how much and the quality of sleep you’re getting or how much excess sugar are you consuming daily.

Our experience has been that when anyone first accepts and implements the principles of the Self Care Awakening it is beneficial to journal your activities until they have become every day activities and habits.

Here is a short description from my good friend, Royal Diamond Dave Johnson on how his day incorporates Nikken Active Wellness products for self care and Being Healthy by Choice.

“A NIKKEN Day!

NIKKEN dramatically changes some of the most common things we all do every day.

I love getting an exquisitely good nights rest on my Naturerestmattress pad and amazing Kenkothermcomforter. Great sleep makes all the difference.

I get up and pour a glass of the most delicious and healthiest water in the whole world, spoon in some Jade GreenZymesmaking every cell in my body healthy and happy.

I go for a walk or some kind of workout with my beautiful wife, and then feed my body and mind with the concentrated natural goodness of Kenzen Vital Balance. Wow I love that stuff!

And then I take a shower and now I've become a teenager again - I can't get out - the microbubble shower feels just too good! Can you remember the old dial soap commercial? To paraphrase them: Aren't you glad you use NIKKEN? Don't you wish everyone did? I know that if everyone used the NIKKEN products, there wouldn't be any health crises!”

Dave has been an advocate for self care and the Nikken Wellness Home for over 25 years. You can read between the lines how easy and simple his self care choices are for him. You can also hear his passion for sharing these products and concepts to others so they too can be Healthy by Choice.

I agree with Dave that we have a solution for the health crisis, health care needs to become self care. It all starts with our own individual plan for a healthy life. The Nikken Wellness Home and Active Wellness Products provides simple, easy and affordable choices to accomplish this goal.

As I have many times said, it is not just one thing that makes us sick, it stands to reason that not just one thing can make us healthy. Self Care and Nikken ActiveWellness Home products provide an integrated approach to BEING HEALTHY BY CHOICE.

The ABC’s of Self Care W

“Dehydration is the mother of all epidemics and it is the first step we need to take in addressing chronic disease.”

— Gina Bria, Cultural Anthropologist

A Nikken Wellness Home is designed to address many health concerns, including environmental toxins, contagions, dehydration, poor sleep quality, weight matters and nutrition. In a practical sense, the Wellness Home creates an environment that enables us to make healthier choices every day.

This week our series on the ABC’s of Self Care continues with W. We could blog about the Wellness Home, Weight Matters, being Wealthy by Choice or Water Matters. A recent article in the Epoch Times has prompted this week’s Impetus. The article entitled Dying of Thirst outlines the many reasons that we should stay hydrated. One quote from the article, sums it up, “Dehydration is the mother of all epidemics and it’s the first step we need to take in addressing chronic disease”, so says Gina Bria, cultural anthropologist.

Water Matters

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. If you consider our composition in terms of molecules, we’re practically all water, nearly 99 percent. 

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.

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. 

When we hydrate, we are often doing it with compromised water. It’s either full of other chemicals, or, if it’s filtered, it has a loss of minerals which drives the energy inside the water. The body needs to work harder with this water to absorb and utilize it.

Hydration is not just about the quantity of liquid you consume, but about the quality of water and how well your tissues absorb it.

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.

What if we could create fresh spring water in our own home or office? The Nikken Waterfall converts tap water into fresh spring-like water. Using a multi-stage 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.

Last month, Nikken announced the concept of vital Wellness Home Packs to enable anyone to make simple, affordable choices to create a Wellness Home. The Packs address all the areas of self care and help make being Healthy by Choice more convenient than ever.

The Wellness Home Water Pack

Clean water is key to good health. Whether you need clean water at home or on the go, Nikken water products give you access to healthy water. The Water pack comes with replacement filters and the PiMag MicroJet® Shower System to reduce contaminants in the water we bathe in.

Our redesigned Sports bottle is a favorite of ours for healthy water on the go, without the expense of, or pollution associated with bottled waters. The new improved PiMag Sport bottle is not just a state-of-the-art water filter, but also a health product crucial to an Active Wellness lifestyle. The new filter can significantly reduce certain harmful pathogens in potable drinking water. It’s also a green choice; You won’t be adding to landfills and polluting ocean waters with plastic. Instead, you’ll be saving a fortune by not paying for commercially bottled water. 

Empowering individuals to take greater ownership of their health has never been more important. The rising cost of healthcare, the unprecedented increase in chronic disease, and the cost of treating and managing preventable conditions has launched an Awakening to raise Self Care as an essential component of health care. The new Vital Wellness Home Packs are easy, convenient and affordable ways to empower anyone to be Healthy by Choice, not by Chance.

The ABC’s of Self Care V

The ABC’s of Self Care V

A Nikken Wellness Home is designed to address many health concerns, including environmental toxins, contagions, dehydration, poor sleep quality, weight matters and nutrition. In a practical sense, the Wellness Home creates an environment that enables us to make healthier choices every day.

This week our series on the ABC’s of Self Care continues with V.

This month, Nikken announced the concept of Vital Wellness Home Packs to enable anyone to make simple, affordable choices to create a Wellness Home. The Packs address all the areas of self care and help make being Healthy by Choice more convenient than ever.

The Wellness Home Water Pack

Water is not just a beverage choice, it is our most essential nutrient. We have previously blogged about the importance of staying hydrated and the consequences of dehydration in the Impetus quite a few times. Clean water is key to good health. Whether you need clean water at home or on the go, Nikken water products give you access to healthy water to drink and bathe in.

The Wellness Home Sleep Packs

Sleep is the single activity that we spend the most time doing in our lifetimes. We spend one-third of our lives asleep and for good reason. William C. Dement, M.D., Ph.D., Stanford University, is one of the world's leading authorities on sleep. He is sometimes referred to as the father of sleep medicine. To quote Dr. Dement, “Healthy sleep has been empirically proven to be the most single important determinant on predicting longevity, more important than diet, exercise and heredity.” 

Sleep is not only about how many hours we sleep, but more importantly about quality of sleep that we are receiving. A significant component of sleep quality is dependent on our sleep environment. For that reason, the foundation of the Nikken Wellness Home is the Nikken Kenko Sleep System. It uses natural materials and simple principles to create Adaptive Sleep Technology. This includes, self-regulating temperature control, advanced magnetic technology and passive massage to provide a natural, relaxing sleep environment to for a deep restful, rejuvenating sleep. The Sleep Packs are available in twin, queen and king sizes.

The Wellness Home Energy Pack

The Energy Pack is essential for an Active Wellness lifestyle. It is designed to support maximum mobility, flexibility and energy. It is comprised of a variety of Nikken products and technologies to support over-all physical well-being. Heather and I use many of these products daily. They are staples in our Wellness Home.

I will add one more pack to the list which I consider to be vital to our health and well-being. I suggest this to my clients to provide a daily base for good nutrition.

The Wellness Home Core Nutrition Pack

This pack makes healthy nutrition simple, convenient and affordable. The products include:

Kenzen Super Ciaga®

 Super Ciaga is an organic mixed superfruit juice concentrate made exclusively with organic fruit content. This advanced formula is made with a select group of superfruits chosen for their nutrient and antioxidant characteristics. Highly concentrated, it has an exceptional ORAC value. Certified-organic, Super Ciaga supports individuals who want to feel more energized as well as those who need assistance with poor eating habits.

Jade GreenZymes®

Called "nature's perfect food," barley grass is said to have more nutrition than an equal serving of any other vegetable. The barley grass in organic Jade GreenZymes® is beneficial in helping balance pH, supporting a strong immune system, and assisting in maintaining blood glucose levels that are already in the normal range. 

 Kenzen Vital Balance®

Organic Food for Everyday Health
Our 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, boost metabolism and 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. 

These Nikken Wellness nutrition products can be ordered as an autoship with an additional 25% discount.

Empowering individuals to take greater ownership of their health has never been more important. The rising cost of healthcare, the unprecedented increase in chronic disease, and the cost of treating and managing preventable conditions has launched an Awakening to raise Self Care as an essential component of health care. The new Vital Wellness Home Packs are easy, convenient and affordable ways to empower anyone to be Healthy by Choice, not by Chance.

The ABC’s of Self Care, the Letter U

“The unselfish effort to bring cheer to others will be the beginning of a happier life for ourselves. ”

— Helen Keller

This week our ongoing series on the ABC’s of Self Care is concerned with the letter U. It is fortuitous that this week Heather and I received an article from a fellow self care advocate that she recently published in her home town newspaper. Thank you to Laura Frei for an Unselfish addition the Impetus. We welcome all self care advocates to join our cause to empower everyone to be Healthy by Choice.  If you have an article or information that you would like to share, please contact us.

Here is Laura’s article.

Did you hear on the evening news last March about the research on plastic bottles of water? A study was done on 259 bottles and the water in more than 90% of them was found to contain tiny pieces of plastic, so small they were impossible to detect without lab equipment. The news report stated that the plastic was the same as found in the bottles' caps. (editor’s note: to read more on this see, Water Matters, Planet in Peril)

I found the study's results to be quite alarming even though I do have access to a healthy alkaline water system alternative. The Waterfall, a gravity-flow, counter top, pure alkaline unit, with 8.5-9.5 pH, comes from Nikken, a 43-year old research and development company originating from Japan. Nikken develops energy-wellness, self-care technologies which replicate the earth's natural energies. If you are not filtering your water, your kidneys are. Water is such an essential part of our bodies, so we need to make sure it is safe, healthy, alkaline water.

Nikken's Waterfall technology starts with a high-tech, multiple-stage filtration system based on natural minerals to clean the water without chemicals, then important minerals are added back in along with an enriched oxygen content. Structured and alkalinized, mineralized and magnetized, describe ways that promote healthy water. This makes the body's cells have deeper hydration, increased energy, and enhanced immunity.

A good friend of mine said she'd like to try the water so I took a gallon to her. She told me a few days later that she had been married for sixty years and during that entire time, she had experienced stomach aches. But after drinking this water, she said she no longer had them. I was thrilled for her and her wonderful health results. I thought to myself, "This is why I do this."

Dr Antonio A. reported this observation. "After thirty plus years’ experience as a chemist and physician, I had occasion to test the "living water" system. It provides the highest of quality filtration, adds important minerals, corrects the pH balance, organizes the molecules into healthier clusters and enriches the oxygen content. On many occasions I have observed resolution of sleep disorders, remarkable increases in energy and stamina, desired weight loss, reversal of mental confusion, accelerated recovery from surgery and clearing of many disease processes"

I know that having access to healthy, clean, alkaline and mineralized water is extremely vital to everyone's health and well-being. Plants love it, pets choose it if given the choice, and when the mineral stones are replaced after a year, they can keep on benefiting when worked into the soil of our house plants and gardens, enriching those areas with vital minerals, also.

Thank you, Laura, for sending this article for us to include on the Self Care Awakening. Keep up the good work. As we all know Water Matters and that we all need to drink half our body weight in ounces of healthy water every day. It is a vital component of the Nikken Wellness Home and one of the ways we can all Be Healthy by Choice, not by Chance!

The ABC’s of Self Care T

“TEAMWORK divides the task and multiplies the SUCCESS”

The ABC’s of Self Care T

This week we have come to the letter T in our discussion of the ABC’s of Self Care.

The Self Care Awakening is a passion for Heather and me. Our battle cry of Be Healthy by Choice, is better served when we have informed, inspired and empowered others to be Self Care Advocates and in turn they share the message with others. We have created a Team.

Merriam-Webster defines Teamwork as: work done by several associates with each doing a part but all subordinating personal prominence to the efficiency of the whole. Teamwork has been defined differently by different schools of thought and different individuals but all of them zero in on one idea that teamwork involves people working in a group or team to accomplish a given task.

Successful teamwork requires a few basic skills and attributes, among them are:

• Respect for individual contributions
• Putting aside individual glory
• Consensus building
• Clear communication
• Persuasive speech
• Compromise

Teamwork is a powerful concept to bring about change. As Margaret Mead said, “Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful, committed citizens can change the world; indeed, it's the only thing that ever has”. How true!

Our mission is to Inform, Inspire and Empower Everyone to be Healthy by Choice. We want everyone to recognize that chronic disease is not a normal part of life or “just getting older.” The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention state “Chronic disease is the Leading Causes of Death and Disability in the United States. Chronic diseases and conditions—such as heart disease, stroke, cancer, type 2 diabetes, obesity, and arthritis—are among the most common, costly, and preventable of all health problems.” We want to focus on “…and preventable of all health problems.” We designed the Self Care Awakening to give you the knowledge and the tools to help prevent chronic disease. Nikken has developed the concept, the products and technologies for a Wellness Home that provides the means for simple healthy choices. Self Care and the Wellness Home provides an integrated approach to being healthy by choice. It is our sincere hope that you appreciate and put into practice self care principles. If you have an interest in being part of our growing Team, get in touch with the person that shared this message with you and find out how through collaboration we can create a healthier, happier world.

Please note, there will be no Impetus next week as we will be traveling to collaborate with many our Team and fellow Self Care Advocates.

BE HEALTHY BY CHOICE, NOT BY CHANCE. 

The ABC’s of Self Care R & S

The ABC’s of Self Care R & S

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“Your mind will answer most questions if you learn to relax and wait for the answer. ”

— William S Burroughs

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This week we are fortunate to talk about two facets of Self Care and the Nikken Wellness Home that pair perfectly with each other, Rest and Relaxation (R & R) and Sleep.

REST AND RELAXATION

Maintaining good health depends on quality, satisfying rest and easing discomfort in safe and natural ways. Relaxation, comfort and good sleep do more than make us feel good. They're vitally important in helping our body repair itself, resetting mental processes and restoring our energy after each day's challenges. 

Relaxation is the act of relaxing and can be defined as the release of tension and the refreshment of the mind or body. Relaxation differs from rest, in that relaxation is our mind’s way of rejuvenating, and can assist in reducing the arousal we experience from stress and/or anxiety. While rest occurs while we are asleep, relaxation happens while we are awake. Relaxing has been shown to improve mood and cognitive functioning, such as decision making and memory, and lowers the risk for depression, anxiety, and other heart-related issues. When we relax, we boost our immunity and can curb our desire for sugary fatty treats. Relaxation also improves our ability to cope with adversity and helps to improve our quality of sleep.

Rest and relaxation work hand in hand however, one is not mutually exclusive from the other. It is important that we invest time in both rest and relaxation, to optimize our mental and physical health. Make sleep and down-time a priority, particularly when you have had a stressful day both mentally and physically. Listen to your body and take time out for yourself. Remember, to give your best, you must be at your best. If you do not look after yourself, who is going to do that for you, this is the fundamental principle of Self Care, so make R&R part of your daily Self Care Awakening.

The Nikken Wellness Home offers innovative technologies and products that promote relaxation, performance and rejuvenation to combat effects of discomfort, fatigue and stress, while providing support that everyone needs, every day. Nikken products combine advanced technologies and physical principles based on natural energies to enhance rest and relaxation.

Here are just a few of our favorite Wellness Home products that fall in to the Rest and Relaxation category.

Kenko mStrides®

Nikken introduced the original Magsteps® in 1975 — the company’s first product. When your feet hurt, your whole body knows it. But you can be relaxed and comfortable even if you’re on your feet all day, thanks to Nikken insoles. A major step forward in design and engineering, mStrides feature patented DynaFlux® Magnetic Technology and exceptional comfort. Patented DynaFlux provides 100% coverage and intensifies the magnetic field for greater tissue depth. With mStrides in place, walking creates a dynamic energy flow — in effect, a magnetic field generator inside your shoes. The mStrides surface is long-wearing, does not absorb moisture or odor and is ventilated to stay cool. These are the most advanced and durable insoles in the world.

KenkoTouch®

Massage is an effective way to ease aching muscles. A deep-tissue massage can help loosen tight muscles, ease discomfort and relieve stress. A good massage can produce positive results even for those who enjoy excellent health. The KenkoTouch® is a unique, advanced system that gives you a heightened magnetic massage experience. 

Kenko MagDuo®

Compact, portable and a quick, effective means to have a relaxing massage experience. This advanced pair of massaging spheres can help you feel relaxed and reenergized, in minutes! Heather and I both have them in our vehicles and at home. One resides in my golf bag and one in Heathers gym bag too.

Kenko MagFlex®

This lower-back pad has contoured edges, flexibility and cool ventilation for all-day comfort. Plus, it’s the only lower-back support product with patented DynaFlux® Magnetic Technology. This is a very versatile product that can have many uses for relief of discomfort.

Simple, effective and easy to use, these are staples in our Wellness Home for relaxation.

SLEEP

Sleep is the single activity that we spend the most time doing in our lifetimes. We spend one-third of our lives asleep and for good reason. In our fast paced, highly productive lives, we often sacrifice sleep for other activities. This is due in part to this perception of sleep as a non-productive endeavor, when from a physiological and health standpoint it is the most productive time of our day

William C. Dement, M.D., Ph.D., Stanford University, is one of the world's leading authorities on sleep. He is sometimes referred to as the father of sleep medicine. To quote Dr. Dement, “Healthy sleep has been empirically proven to be the most single important determinant on predicting longevity, more important than diet, exercise and heredity.” Matthew Walker, a professor of neuroscience and psychology at the University of California, Berkeley agrees, "I used to suggest that sleep is the third pillar of good health, along with diet and exercise, but I don't agree with that anymore. Sleep is the single most effective thing you can do to reset your brain and body for health." 

Sleep is not only about how many hours we sleep, but more importantly about quality of sleep that we are receiving. A significant component of sleep quality is dependent on our sleep environment. For that reason, the foundation of the Nikken Wellness Home and our personal choice, is the Nikken Kenko Sleep System. It uses natural materials and simple principles to create Adaptive Sleep Technology. This includes, self-regulating temperature control, advanced magnetic technology and passive massage to provide a natural, relaxing sleep environment to for a deep restful, rejuvenating sleep

Nikken Kenko Sleep products are made in the USA. 

Regular sleep on a Kenko Sleep System can contribute to improved learning ability and decision-making abilities, improved memory, alertness and increased mental acuity. Quality sleep supports physical health including improved immune system function, better ability to resist premature aging, increased ability to resist stress, and better-regulated hormone production that can help prevent weight gain or obesity. 

Sleep Matters and getting enough sleep is one way that we all can be healthier, more productive and happier. Sleep is a vital component of every Wellness Home. Get at least 7.5 to 9 hours of quality sleep per night with the Nikken Kenko Sleep System and take time for relaxation daily to BE HEALTHY BY CHOICE, NOT BY CHANCE. 

The ABC's of Self Care Q

“Our job is improving the quality of life, not just delaying death.”

— Robin Williams

The ABC’s of Self Care Q

For the letter Q let’s talk about Quality of life.

I think it’s safe to say that quality of life is important to everyone. Although the term “quality of life” has meaning for nearly everyone and every academic discipline, individuals and groups can define it differently. What makes it challenging to measure or quantify, is that quality of life is a multidimensional concept that usually includes physical, mental, and social domains. These are usually qualitative or subjective evaluations of both positive and negative aspects of life. Although health is one of the important aspects of overall quality of life, there are other domains such as jobs, housing, schools, the neighborhood and finances. Aspects of culture, values, and spirituality are also key components of overall quality of life that add to the complexity of its measurement and assessment. In the context of self care we all can and should be the guardians of our own quality of life and what that means to us.

The pressures of daily living, busy schedules, demands of work, inadequate family or personal time, not enough rest, health and financial challenges can lead to a life thrown out of balance and can disturb our quality of life.

Balance is the key. Just as our bodies strive for physiological homeostasis, we must balance all the areas of our lives. Over 43 years ago, Nikken’s founder, Isamu Masuda, recognized this imbalance. He felt that total happiness and wellness depended on living a life in balance in five key areas, what he named the 5 Pillars of Health® — Healthy Body, Mind, Family, Society and Finances.  Leading a balanced life strengthens each of these pillars, and results in a more satisfying, healthy and rewarding lifestyle.

Nikken offers the means to attain this balance, through the Nikken Wellness Home and the Nikken business opportunity. We believe the way to fulfill our mission of a life in balance is through duplication of Wellness Homes. The awesome thing about a Wellness Home is that any home can be a Wellness Home, by utilizing Nikken products and technologies to make your home the healthiest environment possible for you and your family. Our motto is “Every home a Wellness Home”. 

Healthy Body

We often say in the Self Care Awakening, we cannot put a price on our health. It is our most precious asset. The concept behind the Nikken Wellness Home is to provide our bodies with the tools it needs to be healthy while making healthy choices easy. Clean air; pure energized alkaline water; organic whole food nutrition; deep, regenerative sleep, and organic personal use and skin care products are all part of the Nikken Wellness Home. Nikken’s leading-edge products and technologies have been the cornerstone for providing thousands of people with great physical health. Think of a seedling being grown in a green house where just the right amount of sunlight, moisture, nutrients and protection from the elements allows it to flourish into a lush, green plant. Creating a Wellness Home provides us with an optimal environment that nourishes, protects and energizes us in much the same way. With any category of Nikken products, you begin the process of assisting people with building their Wellness Homes. The Wellness Home concept is universal: everyone needs to sleep well, drink beneficial water and consume healthy nutrition to live a Life in Balance.

Healthy Mind

Our minds are remarkable! What we think determines our success. Many people suffer ‘lack’ versus ‘prosperity’ due to their thinking. When we are in balance, our mind is open to enjoy all the blessings of abundance. Freedom from health and financial stress is a goal that we all can achieve for a greater quality of life.

Healthy Family

In addition to the benefits that a Wellness Home can have for the physical health of a family and its members is the time freedom that a Nikken business allows for a healthy family. One of the crucial components to the success of a healthy family is creating work/life balance. In today’s fast paced environment, it very difficult to maintain the work/life balance that we all desire. Too often people work well past their office hours or skip lunch in order to meet tight deadlines. People are becoming over stressed, over worked, and over tired, which can lead not only to health problems, but also directly affect your home life.

This was always a challenge for me in my previous career and unfortunately work was usually the priority. My profession involved a tremendous amount of travel. I had developed a thriving business that I loved, but it took an awakening for me to see how it was affecting me and my family. I came to an epiphany one day while on a telephone call my wife was giving me the play by play of my son’s little league game over the phone. I didn’t want to miss ball games, by gosh I wanted to be the coach. Although I loved my business it appeared that it did not love me back. Not until I fully understood the 5 Pillars of Health and the importance of maintaining a balance in all five areas did I put a plan into action that utilized the Nikken business opportunity to create more time freedom for my family. Oh, and by the way, I coached baseball for the next 10 years. You can’t put a price on that.

Healthy Society

Have you ever done something for someone, great or small, and felt even better than the person on the receiving end? Giving back to society is vital for living a meaningful and fulfilling life. When we see ourselves as “more”, we can be “more” to others in society. Nikken’s Humans Being More workshops offer fabulous opportunities to improve yourself, thereby allowing you to give more of yourself to others in need.

Healthy Finances

Finances are a major vital component of the Wellness Home. When the finances are affected, then everything is affected. Many people work around the clock often at the expense their family time and their health. They spend most of their lives working, usually too hard and for too many hours, just to make more money. In today’s world, it is very rare to achieve financial security by working for someone else.

Compare that to Nikken, where you have complete flexibility and unlimited opportunity. Earn extra money part-time or develop a new career or an encore career. Build your business and create a steady source of income. We provide the tools, support, the leadership from experienced professionals.

When you create a Wellness Home and teach others to do the same, you generate a healthy lifestyle that provides you with a source of revenue. Spread the word. Educate your Consultants on how to grow their Nikken businesses by building their Wellness Homes as well as by creating repetitive orders for clients who are similarly learning to build their own Wellness Homes. It’s a continual cycle of health and prosperity. As an Independent Nikken Consultant, you can have the freedom to live as you wish. To earn as much as you deserve and to make a difference in the world, helping others.

Humans Being More

The Nikken mission is both simple and inspirational—to help people discover an Active Wellness Lifestyle. We provide the means with The 5 Pillars of Health®. Since 1975, Nikken has provided the innovative products and income opportunity to live a life in balance and to share the message of every home a Wellness Home. Our action plan and easy-to-understand compensation plan create infinite possibilities of building a better future for everyone. It all begins with you and your commitment to the 5 Pillars of Health®.

Have a very happy and healthy 4th of July. We will see you all the following week for our next installment for the ABC’s of Self Care.

Be Healthy by Choice, not by Chance

The ABC's of Self Care P

This is the core of what we do. 

The ABC’s of Self Care P

There are several choices for the letter P as it applies to Self Care and the Nikken Wellness Home. We could talk about our impactful Active Wellness products. We could discuss the importance of prevention or we could write about the environmental toxicity and the Pollution in People, just to name a few. However, let’s take this opportunity to talk about People, Planet and Profit and how they relate to the Nikken Wellness Home and Self Care.

People are what we are all about. Whether it’s showing them how to be Healthy by Choice or how to truly live a life in balance. We have written before about Nikken’s philosophy of the 5 Pillars of Health®.

• Healthy Body
• Healthy Mind
• Healthy Family
• Healthy Society
• And Heathy Finances

These are interrelated aspects of our lives that can positively or negatively affect each other pillar. Let’s use two examples, if we are experiencing physical health challenges does this affect our mind, our family, our society and our finances? All these areas would be impacted and given the severity of the challenge it could lead to financial ruin. A recent Harvard University study showed that medical expenses account for approximately 62 percent of personal bankruptcies in the United States. The study also reported that over 75 percent of those who filed for bankruptcy due to medical expenses had some type of health insurance, thus discrediting the myth that only the uninsured face financial catastrophes due to medical-related expenses. If our finances are out of balance, what are the resulting effects on the other pillars? We talk to people daily about this problem and the resulting stresses it causes on our physical, emotional health and relationships.  Finances are a major vital element in the Wellness Home. When the finances are affected, then everything is affected. Many people work around the clock only to jeopardize their family time and their health. They spend most of their lives working, usually too hard and for too many hours, just to make more money. 

The Five Pillars are foundation of everything we do and for over 43 years Nikken has provided a means for anyone to live a life in balance. For 20 years, I have advocated for Nikken and this philosophy. When I was first introduced to Nikken the Five Pillar philosophy was foremost in my decision to get involved. We have incredible products, cutting edge technologies and a fun and rewarding marketing plan, but they all are braced on these Five Pillars.  It is our foundation where People come first. Ours is a relationship business and collaboration are key to our success. As any good teacher, the goal is to inform, inspire and empower your partners to be more proficient than yourself. We call this Collaborative Entrepreneurship. Team work is the core of our people focused business, where it truly embodies “Together Everyone Achieves More.”

Our purpose to create healthier lives by making every home a Wellness Home. Imagine the communal, societal and global health ramifications of helping everyone be Healthy by Choice. Chronic diseases are the number one killer in the world. Preventing them or improving their condition is a major focus of Self Care and the Wellness Home. Our health choices are our own responsibility and the Wellness Home provides an easy, affordable and effective way to be healthy by choice for people.

The health of our Planet is another area that should be of concern for everyone. Nikken is committed to reducing pollution and providing solutions to many of our environmental issues. Many of the suppliers Nikken partners with use sustainable energy sources in their manufacturing processes such as wind or solar power. For example, the partner who supplies our vegan certified Kenzen® Omega Green + DHA, (one of the subjects of last week’s Impetus) uses 100% wind power in their manufacturing processes.

Our PiMag Waterfall and Sport Bottle not only provide us with healthy water choices but are made with biodegradable polymers to reduce pollution from plastic water bottles. The effect of plastic bottles on our environment has been documented and although we have an awareness of the problem it is getting worse not better. There are over 100 million plastic bottles used each day globally and nearly 80% of these ends up in our landfills. This means that only 20% are recycled. Approximately 1500 bottles end up in landfills and the ocean every second accounting for 2 million tons of plastic bottles that are landfilled each year.

The PiMag Waterfall and Sport Bottle are environmentally responsible. They reduce the number of discarded, disposable water bottles that become trash in landfills and oceans. This also decreases consumption of fossil fuels used in manufacturing those bottles. PiMag water products are made with recyclable and biodegradable materials, including a polymer that does not leach chemicals into water as most plastics will. The ratio of water filtered for healthy water for the Waterfall and Sport Bottle is one to one. Other filtration methods used in homes or for bottled water can be as five gallons to get one gallon of filtered water.

Nikken’s True Elements skin and hair care products use natural, sustainable sources and are certified organic by EcoCert. The seaweed species in True Elements are harvested off the coast of Brittany in northwest France, and the harvesting method ensures that the seaweed yields are sustainable. 
These skin care preparations are natural, organic, and free from parabens, GMOs, mineral oils, phthalates, phenoxyethanol, PEG, EDTA, synthetic colorings and fragrances. These as well as many of our other products come packaged in recyclable materials.

Nikken Wellness Nutritional support products also use sustainable products in their sourcing and manufacturing.  Nikken believes that the best way to take care of your nutritional needs, is the natural way. So, they created the first complete program based on organic ingredients. These can fill the nutritional gaps in your daily diet, to help you "eat right," even when your meals may fall short of the mark. Organic-Based Nutrition means that all ingredients are carefully chosen, and the organic content is maximized.  Nikken Kenzen® Wellness nutrition was founded on a whole-food philosophy. These organic-based solutions bring your daily diet even closer to nature.

The Self Care Awakening is a global movement to empower people all over our planet to be Healthy by Choice. Imagine solutions to prevent and improve chronic conditions rather than treating and managing them at considerable expense. The Ben Franklin adage that comes to mind, “an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure”. Although Ben wrote this referring to fire prevention it is often used in the health care arena. In this instance, I would substitute the word cure with treatment. Treating preventable disease is fast becoming our largest expense across the globe.

The Wellness Home creates opportunity for Profit.

Since 1975, Nikken has provided the innovative products and income opportunity to live a life in balance and to share the message of every home a Wellness Home. Our action strategy and easy-to-understand compensation plan creates infinite possibilities of building a better future for everyone. It all begins with you and your commitment to the 5 Pillars of Health®.

The Wellness Home provides us with an opportunity to make simple, easy choices to be healthy, while at the same time providing a steady income source for healthy finances. People love our products and people buy our products. They are priced to sell and priced for Profit. Nikken maintains and prides itself on a strategy of providing the best quality product at a reasonable price competitive in any of the markets of our product line.

The Wellness Home is the cash flow engine of the business. It has a beginning but has no end. Nikken introduces new products or updates Wellness Home products with new technology on a continual basis. It’s transformational Active Wellness products and technologies and the concept of the Wellness Home are natural to share with others. The Wellness Home and Nikken Active Wellness products and technologies provide an integrated approach and one-stop shopping for Self Care.

Self Care needs to replace the existing Health Care System and is the answer to our Health Care Crisis on a global scale. We are a passionate team dedicated to accomplishing this goal by making every home a Wellness Home. We welcome new Self Care Advocates as Independent Nikken Consultants with enthusiasm, support and collaboration. We are dedicated to People, our Planet and Profit. If you are interested in becoming an Independent Nikken Consultant contact the person that referred, you to this blog or click the “let’s work together” link.

Next week we will talk about the letter Q, we need to think a bit about that one?

Be Healthy by Choice, not by Chance

The ABC’s of Self Care O

“Your big opportunity may be right where you are now.”

— Napoleon Hill

The ABC’s of Self Care O

There are a number of choices for the letter O as it applies to Self Care and the Wellness Home and I am having a difficult time in choosing just one. So, let’s talk about Omega 3’s and Opportunity.

Omega-3 Fatty Acids

It is vital for everyone to eat foods that are rich in omega-3 fatty acids on a daily basis. Omega fatty acids support healthy heart, brain, nerve and eye function and are used in the formation of cell membranes and assist in improving circulation and oxygen uptake

One of the most well-known benefits of omega-3s are the way they positively affect risk factors associated with heart disease. The American Heart Association is very clear about encouraging people to get enough in their diets. Heart disease and stroke are the leading causes of death worldwide, but in many communities that eat diets rich in fish they have remarkably low instances of these diseases, which appears partially due to their high omega-3 consumption.

The three omega-3s found in food are ALA, EPA and DHA.

Alpha-linolenic Acid (ALA): This plant-based omega-3 is found in green, leafy vegetables, flaxseeds, chia seeds and canola, walnut and soybean oils. 

Eicosapentaenoic Acid (EPA): EPA is a fatty acid found in oily fish, algae oil and krill oil. Your body can synthesize this molecule in its original form. This, along with DHA, are the omega-3s your body needs in high quantities to achieve the benefits they offer.

Docosahexaenoic Acid (DHA): This fatty acid is also found in oily fish, krill oil and algae oil.

The human body converts ALA to EPA and DHA. Because the human body can create EPA and DHA in this way, they are not considered essential fatty acids. On the other hand, ALA cannot be produced by the human body and is considered an essential fatty acid that needs to be obtained from the diet. 

There are many omega supplements on the market, but the drawback with typical omega supplements is that they are derived from fish oils. The major precaution when introducing more omega-3s into your diet generally comes from the byproducts found in some seafood. Toxic materials such as mercury and other industrial chemicals are increasingly being reported in various species that are used for omega 3’s. In addition, harvesting fish for their omega-rich oils is not environmentally sound or sustainable. The required processing also results in oxidation, which diminishes the amount of omega acids available and can accelerate the degeneration of the product.

Kenzen® Omega Green + DHA

Our Wellness Home choice for omega 3 is Nikken Kenzen® Omega Green + DHA™. This is a vegetable-derived supplement with none of the drawbacks posed by other products. In contrast, the source material for Kenzen® Omega Green + DHA™, cranberry seed oil, flax seed oil and red algae, is easily sustainable. Obtaining omega fatty acids from these plants does not produce the oxidation that occurs with piscine oils. This enhances stability. *

Cranberry seed oil contains naturally occurring substances called phytosterols that structurally resemble the human body’s cholesterol. Phytosterols reduce LDL (bad cholesterol) but do not affect HDL (good cholesterol). Eating foods with phytosterols may cut the risk for heart disease when consumed as part of a healthy eating plan, according to the Cleveland Clinic. 1 Cranberry seed oil is considered unique among fixed oils because it contains a very high essential fatty acid profile in addition to a high antioxidant load. 2

Flax seed oil contains ALA and has been advocated to combat cardiovascular disease. The use of flax seed oil as a nutritional intervention for the prevention of heart disease has received increasing amounts of research attention. 3

Red algae have been used for thousands of years as a food source. It is high in vitamins, minerals and antioxidants that are easily utilized to help boost the immune system and nourish skin.  The main benefits of red algae are its ability to promote healthy circulation in the body, to help regulate blood sugar levels and to help lower bad cholesterol levels. High in dietary fiber, it is also a rich source of calcium and magnesium, to contribute to bone health.4

Consuming Kenzen® Omega Green+DHA gives all the benefits of an omega supplement and none of the risks. It helps carnivores, vegetarians and vegans to obtain the right balance of omega-3, omega-6 and omega-9 without the risk associated with fish oil toxins.

The Wellness Home creates Opportunity

Since 1975, Nikken has provided the innovative products and income opportunity to live a life in balance and to share the message of every home a Wellness Home. Our action strategy and easy-to-understand compensation plan creates infinite possibilities of building a better future for everyone. It all begins with you and your commitment to the 5 Pillars of Health.

Healthy Body

Healthy Mind

Healthy Family

Healthy Society

And Heathy Finances

The Wellness Home provides us with an opportunity to make simple, easy choices to be healthy, while at the same time providing a steady income source for healthy finances. For over 20 years the Nikken business has provided additional income for me and my family. This initially was a part-time endeavor to provide additional income to create time freedom to spend with my children. Over time, my business has transformed into a rewarding encore career. The terrific part of this business is that my activities are spent informing, inspiring and empowering anyone to be Healthy by Choice and at the same time be Wealthy by Choice.

The Wellness Home is the cash flow engine of the business. It has a beginning but has no end. People love our products and people buy our products. Nikken introduces new products or updates Wellness Home products with new technology on a continual basis. Often, many of my customers inquire about the business after being introduced to Self Care and the Wellness Home. It’s transformational “Active Wellness” products and technologies are natural to share with others.

Financial stress is of concern to many people. The recent boom in part-time work from home businesses has led to what is called the “Gig Economy”. Uber, Lyft, Airbnb, Direct Selling and Network Marketing are arenas where many people are engaging.  It is estimated that an extra $500 a month would positively impact the financial stability of many people and families. If this of interest to you, my advice is to find something that is rewarding, has results and is something that you are passionate about.

Self Care needs to replace the existing Health Care System and is the answer to our Health Care Crisis. We are a passionate team dedicated to accomplishing this goal by making every home a Wellness Home. We welcome new Self Care Advocates as Independent Nikken Consultants with enthusiasm, support and collaboration. We are dedicated to People, our Planet and Profit. If you are interested in becoming an Independent Nikken Consultant contact the person that referred, you to this blog or click the “let’s work together” link.

Next week we will talk about the letter P, maybe I just set the stage?

Be Healthy by Choice, not by Chance.

*These statements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. This product is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any disease.

1          http://healthyeating.sfgate.com/benefits-cranberry-seed-oil-10043.html

2         http://www.ingredientstodiefor.com/item/Cranberry_Seed_Oil_Unrefined/1164

3         https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC2989356/

4         http://www.onegreenplanet.org/vegan-health/the-many-benefits-of-red-algae

The ABC's of Self Care: N = Nutrition

N = Nutrition and the Nikken Wellness Home

This week we have reached the letter N in our series on the ABC’s of Self Care. So, we thought that we would talk about Nutrition. Let’s discuss how the Wellness Home provides choices for healthy nutrition.

One of the main principles and advantages of a Nikken Wellness Home is that it makes healthy choices easy on a day to day basis, so we can all Be Healthy by Choice. If you breath, sleep, drink, bathe and eat the Wellness Home and its products and technologies will benefit your health. Get a great night’s sleep on the sleep system, stay hydrated with healthy water, bathe in chemical free water, breath healthy air, use natural products increase energy and performance.

Making healthy food choices is a challenge for many of us. Think about it, one of the most important decisions we make every day is what we eat and drink. It is everyone’s Choice to eat Healthy or not. We have previously discussed the importance of limiting sugar consumption and the Wellness Home products that help us accomplish that goal. Heather and I try to include as much whole foods, while eliminating processed foods in our Wellness Home. Most of our fresh fruits and veggies come from our local farmers market and we do enjoy our home-grown tomatoes, peppers, cucumbers, green beans and indoor herb garden. Harvesting will commence shortly, mmm.

One way that we help ourselves and our family to make healthier food choices is by incorporating the Nikken Wellness nutritional products into our every day lives. Heather is very creative and has been using many of our Nikken nutritional products in recipes for healthier choices. To that end here our some of our favorite recipes.

I’ll start with one of my favorite summer beverages.

We call it G$ (Gee Money) Ice Tea.

It is like an Arnold Palmer (ice tea and lemonade) except I use unsweetened sun tea that I make in a glass bottle and add one ounce of Kenzen Super Ciaga® to a large glass of sun tea. Super Ciaga® is an organic mixed superfruit juice concentrate made exclusively with organic fruit content. This advanced formula is made with a select group of superfruits chosen for their nutrient and antioxidant characteristics. Highly concentrated, it has an exceptional ORAC value. This is a refreshing beverage and provides great anti-oxidant health benefits.

G$ Ice Tea

Here are a few of Heather’s recipes for healthy drinks and snacks.

Let's start with another delicious beverage that is going to help you avoid the coffee shop line and the added sugars but will give you a natural, extra kick to avoid that 3pm slump. 

The Matcha Green Tea 10-4 Frappuccino

Kenzen Ten4 (10-4) is made with USDA certified organic ingredients, contains no sugar and is only 8 calories per serving. Matcha green tea is known as “nature’s own energy drink” while New Zealand kiwi is the most nutrient-dense of the superfruits. Combined with brown rice solids and Stevia leaf extract Kenzen Ten4 Helps burn calories, boost metabolism and support mental alertness.

Combine ice and your favorite milk (dairy, almond, coconut, soy) with 1 packet of Kenzen Ten4 in a blender and blend until ice is gone and the milk is frothy. Perfect for relaxing on your back deck or running errands. Ahhhh. 

Non-GMO, gluten-free and vegan.

Now a quick delicious, nutritious snack.

Balance Balls

Kenzen Vital Balance is a crucial component of the Nikken Wellness Home. Our protein shake 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. 
 

• 2 scoops of Kenzen Vital Balance
• 1 cup of your favorite nut butter
• 1/2 cup of rolled oats
• 1/4 cup of honey
• 1 Tbsp chia seeds
• 1/2 cup of Water
• Dried Cherries

Combine ingredients in a large mixing bowl adding enough water until ingredients mix smoothly but are not wet.  Shape the mixture into bite sized balls and place on a plate. Refrigerate until firm. Then enjoy!

Certified Kosher, Non- GMO, Vegan, Low in fat, no added salt, sugar, artificial colorings, artificial flavors or preservatives.

 

The Wellness Home provides easy choices to be Healthy by Choice. Heather and I have discussed a new section for the Impetus the “Wellness Home Cook Book”. We would be happy to feature any of our readers recipes for healthy eating if you would like to submit them to us.

Next week we will talk about the letter O, any guess as to what the topic might be?

Be Healthy by Choice, not by Chance and let’s make every home a Wellness Home.

The ABCs of Self Care: M, Magnetic Energy

““... healing comes from nature, not the physician...””

— Paracelsus

The ABC’s of Self Care M

This week we are concerned with the letter M for our series the ABC’s of Self Care, so let’s talk about Magnetic Energy.

The Earth's natural electromagnetic field is one of the fundamental forces of nature and is essential for life. Heather and I have been enjoying the recent National Geographic series, “One Strange Rock” #OneStrangeRock.  We have been reminded multiple times in the series that it is the earth’s magnetic field that enables our planet to support life as we know it.  The Earth's magnetic field shields us from deadly cosmic radiation. The motion of liquid iron in the planet's outer core, a phenomenon called a "geodynamo," generates the field. But how it was first created and then sustained throughout Earth's history has remained a mystery to scientists.

Basically, we live on a big magnet. Not only does this energy provide protection for our planet but also provides a natural energy and an environment for us to be healthy. In their book “Earthing, the most important health discovery ever?”, authors Clinton Ober, Stephen T. Sinatra, M.D. and Martin Zucker describe how our current living conditions have reduced the vital energy of the earth to our bodies and the resultant chronic issues that ensue from being disconnected from the power and energy of the Earth.

The use of magnets for health can be traced back as far as the ancient Egyptians, Greeks, Romans and Chinese. Pliny, a Roman naturalist, used magnets to rectify eye problems, female disorders and wounds. Documentation tells us that Chinese doctors believed in the therapeutic value of magnets at least 2,000 years ago, and perhaps earlier than that. In sixteenth century Europe, Paracelsus, used magnets for many different conditions, claiming that “…the magnet is king of all secrets and that the art of healing comes from nature, not from the physician. Therefore, the physician must start from nature, with an open mind.” Two centuries later, German physician Franz Mesmer became famous for using magnets for various disorders.

In the middle decades of the twentieth century, scientists in various parts of the world began performing studies on the therapeutic use of magnets. From the 1940s on, magnets became increasingly popular in Japan. Yoshio Manaka, one of the influential Japanese acupuncturists of the twentieth century, used magnets in conjunction with acupuncture. Magnet therapy also became a commonly used technique of self-administered medicine in Japan. For example, a type of plaster containing a small magnet became popular for treating a variety of discomforts. Magnetic mattress pads, bracelets, and necklaces also became common. It is estimated that one in seven people in Japan use some form of magnetic products for health.

North American interest in magnetic energy for health was inspired by NASA’s space program. NASA recognized the importance of electromagnetic fields to biological organisms when astronauts in optimal health became ill traveling in outer space. Beyond the outermost layer of the atmosphere (ionosphere), the astronauts’ bodies were no longer immersed in the geomagnetic fields of the planet. Withdrawn from the influence of these fields, their health declined (poor sleep, fatigue, weakness, rapid bone loss, etc.), but was restored when administered artificially generated magnetic fields that emitted the necessary planetary frequencies. Magnetic field generators installed in NASA’s spacecraft alleviated many of these health problems in orbit.

During the 1970s, magnets became popular among athletes in many countries for improving performance, rejuvenation and alleviating sports-related injuries.

In 1975, the Japanese company, Nikken, developed a magnetic insole and ensuing products that has resulted in its prominence in the field of supporting our health. Nikken magnetic products are designed to be natural, easy to use, for more energy, rest, rejuvenation and recovery.

Nikken magnetic technologies have been developed for over 40 years to provide a carefully designed, supportive environment. Nikken’s magnetic products are designed to fit easily into our normal day-to-day lives. This can be in the form of our Sleep System or special magnetic insoles, seats, jewelry and massage products that can be used conveniently throughout the day. This is one technology that we frequently utilize in the Wellness Home. I have personally benefited from these products for over 20 years and have met and know thousands of others that have incorporated them into their daily self care routines. 

It’s generally safe for most people to wear and use low-intensity static magnets. However, if you use an electronic medical device such as a pacemaker, have a magnetically sensitive surgical implant, are in the first trimester of pregnancy or have health problems, consult a physician before using magnetic products.

Magnetic energy is just one of the technologies that are utilized in the Wellness Home to provide simple, easy to use, natural ways of being Heathy by Choice.

Please note, that Heather and I will be taking a break next week from the Impetus in honor of Memorial Day and tribute to the many men and women that have paid the ultimate sacrifice in enabling and preserving our freedom and liberty. We wish you all a good Memorial Day Weekend.

Be Healthy by Choice, not by Chance

ABC’s of Self Care K & L

““Our bodies are our gardens - our wills are our gardeners. ”

— W. Shakespear

 

The ABC’s of Self Care K & L

In our continuing series the ABC’s of Self Care, this week we are concerned with the letters K and L.

K is a very important letter for Nikken and the Wellness Home, so let’s let the letter K represent a few terms that we frequently use in describing our products, business and philosophy, Kenko, Kaizen and Kenzen.

Nikken originated in Japan over 43 years ago. Fittingly, many of our products use the word Kenko in their description as kenko is the Japanese word for health. Meaning a healthy product or choice and very appropriate to our mission of the Self Care Awakening to empower anyone to be Healthy by Choice. It is used in our sleep system products, magnetic products and support wraps. A quick stroll through our Wellness Home will reveal many of these products that enable us to make healthy choices daily.  

Kaizen means improvement. The Japanese word kaizen simply means "change for better", with inherent meaning of either "continuous" or "philosophy". The word "kaizen" in English is typically applied to measures for implementing continuous improvement, especially those with a "Japanese philosophy".

Kaizen is also defined as a “continuous improvement through positive change.” This term in the context of our health can be interpreted to mean a progressive improvement in our state of health. Our bodies are amazing, and we are continually replacing old cells with new cells. The Wellness Home is designed to give our bodies the tools it needs to be healthy. The Wellness Home itself is always under remodeling. New products, technologies and natural solutions for Being Healthy by Choice are continually being added or upgraded for continuous improvement through positive change, Kaizen.

Since 1975, Nikken’s philosophy has been and still is, to be truly healthy one must live a life in balance based on Five Pillars of Health, Healthy Body, Healthy Mind, Healthy Family, Healthy Society and Healthy Finances. Our business is about sharing the benefits of a Wellness Home and our motto of “Every home a Wellness Home” exemplifies the meaning of continuous improvement in all areas of the Five Pillars of Health. 

Kenzen is another Japanese word that describes health, soundness, or wholesome. Many of Nikken’s nutritional supplements in the Wellness Home are described as kenzen, a healthy choice. A good example is Kenzen® Lactoferrin 2.0™.

So, for the letter L, let’s talk about Lactoferrin.

L- Lactoferrin is a protein present in milk and other bodily secretions whose main biological function is to bind and transport iron. Iron is essential for overall health and is considered the number one micronutrient deficiency by the World Health Organization. It’s also one of the most problematic to supplement because in many instances, iron can irritate the intestines. Iron deficiency can result in anemia, fatigue and poor circulation, as well as many other physical discomforts. Thirty-nine (39%) of consumers are adding iron supplements to their daily diets.

The Wellness Home solution is Kenzen® Lactoferrin 2.0™. Lactose-free, gluten-free and GMO-free, our advanced lactoferrin formula provides a delivery system to support better utilization and balance of iron in the body. * Lactoferrin 2.0 is naturally iron-binding, which studies have shown to have a positive effect on iron absorption, blood iron levels and digestive issues. *

Lactoferrin 2.0 also supports gastro-intestinal health. Lactoferrin has a unique affinity to iron, allowing it to bind to the nutrient. Interestingly, numerous strains of pathogens need an iron-rich environment to reproduce. Lactoferrin limits the availability of iron to bacteria in the intestines, allowing only beneficial bacteria to thrive.  Lactoferrin is present in other bodily fluids, including tears, nasal secretions, saliva, bronchial mucus, gastrointestinal juices, vaginal mucus, and semen. At first glance, these secretions may seem unrelated, but they share one important similarity, they are consistently exposed to potentially harmful microbes.

Nikken’s Lactoferrin 2.0 formulation also contains organic Inulin, organic Ginger, organic Turmeric and organic Rhodiola, a combination that works together with Lactoferrin to produce antioxidant effects and anti-inflammatory properties that support overall health. *

Kenzen® Lactoferrin 2.0™ is a gentle way for more than 35% of woman looking for alternative sources to boost their iron, whether to improve their overall health or to supplement for specific health needs like menopause, pregnancy or menstruation. For the 56% of male and female athletes with iron deficiencies, Lactoferrin 2.0 is an excellent iron-balancing solution for increasing endurance and accelerating post-exercise muscle recovery.

We hope you are enjoying the ABC’s of Self Care and the Wellness Home series. Who can guess what the letters M and N will represent next week?

Until then, Be Healthy by Choice, not by Chance.

*These statements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. This product is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any disease.

ABCs of Self Care; H-J

The ABC’s of Self Care H,I & J

Pure water is the world's first and foremost medicine. Slovakian Proverb

H- Yep, for most of you that know me, I’m sure it is no surprise that H is for Hydration. We have previously blogged about the importance of staying hydrated and the consequences of dehydration in the Impetus quite a few times.

Life cannot exist without water! We are water-based beings, comprising about 70% of our body. It is the most important nutrient we consume every day of our lives. Humans can live up to 40 days without food but can die in three days without water.

Water is not just a beverage choice. However, many of us choose just about everything else to drink other than water. 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?

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. 

As part of our Wellness Home our choice for healthy water is Nikken PiMag water from our Nikken Waterfall. The most efficient and cost-effective way of providing yourself and your family is filtering tap water.

The Nikken PiMag Waterfall® converts tap water into fresh spring-like water. Using a multistage process which filters, alkalizes, mineralizes, ionizes, energizes and oxygenates 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

I- For this letter let’s talk about Immunity and ways that through Self Care and the Wellness Home we can have healthy immune systems.

The purpose of the immune system is to keep infectious microorganisms, such as certain bacteria, viruses, and fungi, out of the body, and to destroy any infectious microorganisms that do invade the body.

Natural Ways to Boost Your Immune System

Get a good night’s sleep

"Sleep’s the only medicine that gives ease.”  Sophocles

One night of poor quality sleep or insufficient sleep can drop your immune efficiency as much as 60%. Sleep deficiency and stress overload increase the hormone cortisol, prolonged elevation of which suppresses immune function.

Sleep is not only about how many hours we sleep, but more importantly about quality of sleep that we are receiving. A significant component of sleep quality is dependent on our sleep environment. For that reason, the foundation of the Nikken Wellness Home and our personal choice, is the Nikken Kenko Sleep System.

Eat medicinal mushrooms

Mushrooms have been employed by herbalists for centuries. Some species have been used as far back as 3,000 BC. More recently, studies have been devoted to the relationship between mushrooms and immune response. *

Part of our Wellness Home includes Kenzen® Immunity. This product is a combination of 14 different mushrooms, including rare varieties not available in conventional mushroom products.
Each is carefully chosen for its specific profile of compounds, each structurally different at the molecular level. It would be almost impossible to include all these various types of mushrooms in a regular diet. Kenzen Immunity combines them to provide a wide-spectrum range of natural biochemicals. In addition, each species is grown under laboratory conditions that optimize its beneficial ingredients.*

Eat more fruits and veggies.

Increase your consumption of vegetables, fruits, nuts, and seeds, which will provide your body with the nutrients your immune system needs. A study in older adults showed that boosting fruit and vegetable intake improved antibody response to the Pneumovax vaccine, which protects against Streptococcus pneumonia.

The Wellness Home provides a number of consumable products just for this reason. Jade GreenZymes® and Kenzen Super Ciaga® are ideal for busy people to provide their bodies with healthy vegetable and fruit consumption in a fast, easy, economical way.

Consider probiotics.

Studies indicate probiotic supplements reduce the incidence of respiratory and gastrointestinal infections.

One serving of Kenzen Vital Balance® provides more probiotics than 10 servings of yogurt and is part of our daily regimen. Prebiotics and probiotics support gastrointestinal and immune system health. * In our Wellness Home, we look forward to starting each day with a delicious shake.

J- We will end this week’s discussion with the letter J for Joint Health.

It is estimated that 1/3rd of Americans suffer joint pain. These can be mild to severe depending on the condition. Many times, this relief can be as simple as drinking more water and staying Hydrated. In other cases, anti-inflammatory medication either prescription or over the counter products are used.

The Wellness Home provides natural solutions in the form of Nikken Magnetic Support products and KenkoTherm® Support Wraps. In our home we routinely use them for joint issues. These are supportive and comforting and can be worn while playing sports or other activities.

One other product I personally use daily is Kenzen® Joint. I frequently refer to this product as WD-40 for joints. I have recommended it to many people and they love this supplement. It is provided in easy to swallow soft-gel capsules with superior bioavailablity for rapid absorption.*

Kenzen® Joint is an advanced formulation that nutritionally supports collagen, bone and connective tissue repair. This formula has a high concentration of cetyl myristoleate and combines this with glucosamine, methylsulfonylmethane and compounds from the boswellia plant, which has long been used in Ayurvedic and other complementary practices. * Cetyl myristoleate possesses natural surfactant and lubricant properties, in support of smooth joint movement.* 

Another staple in our Wellness Home is CM Complex Cream. Whether you're a seasoned athlete or just a weekend warrior, Nikken CM Complex Cream can help soothe the discomfort that comes from living an active life. CM Complex and Kenzen® Joint is endorsed by the estate of Dr. H. W. Diehl, the National Institutes of Health researcher who discovered cetyl myristoleate.

I trust that our readers are getting the message that the Nikken Wellness Home is a multi-faceted solution for many of our requirements to be healthy and a simple solution to many health issues. It’s main focal point is that it makes healthy choices easy on a day to day basis so we can all Be Healthy by Choice.

*These statements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. This product is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any disease.

Self Care; Bridging the Generational Gap

The ABC’s of Self Care G

A Nikken Wellness Home is designed to address many health concerns, including environmental toxins, contagions, dehydration, poor sleep quality, weight matters and nutrition. In a practical sense, the Wellness Home creates an environment that enables us to make healthier choices every day.

This week our series on the ABC’s of Self Care continues with G. We need a few single letter blogs to accommodate the 26-letter alphabet. Three a week just doesn’t pencil out.

G- Last week we discussed gastrointestinal health in Digestion, so for G let’s take a little different approach and talk about the benefits of Self Care and the Wellness Home for Generational attitudes concerning health. Just as each generation has its own soundtrack and cultural references, every age group has a different view of what it means to be and stay healthy. 

Baby Boomers

About 76 million people were born during the baby boom years, which range from 1946 to 1964. 

Baby boomers want to live longer even as many are managing chronic ailments. For them, staying healthy means avoiding a health scare like getting cancer or having a heart attack and, most important, getting the most from their life.  

Baby Boomers are very likely to seek health information online. A Google/Nielsen Boomer Survey from August 2012 reported that 78 percent of this age group has searched health information online after seeing something on TV. Their searches focus on treatments, medications, side effects, and risks. They are more trusting of the healthcare system than younger generations but are questioning traditional treatment and management protocols more and more. They are actively searching for products and or technologies that can help them feel better, be healthier and more active. As more and more boomers reach retirement age, there's a generational focus on longevity and delaying the physical and visible effects of aging. They might be more skeptical and questioning, but providing logical, fact-based solutions are accepted readily.

Health appears to be greater priority for boomers today than for previous generations. It’s becoming clear that baby boomers are placing a greater importance on healthier lifestyles. This demographic has seen increased activity in pharmacy visits, and the purchase of vitamins, fitness equipment, and health foods. A survey of affluent boomers (household include 250k+) found that over 80% identified health as a top priority.

It’s sounds almost cliché, but baby boomers are more demanding than other generations. A research study by Colloquy found that among all generations, baby boomers were the most likely to write off a company if they received poor customer service. Boomers are also the most confident of all consumers – with only 12% responding that they prefer having the help of others to make a purchase. This is unlike millennials, who reported a much higher percentage.

Recent studies report that Boomers are less stressed than Gen Xers or Millennials, and despite age-related diseases, they report feeling healthier compared with their younger counterparts. Unfortunately, the next generation of seniors may not be as well off. According to a study released in 2016 by the United Health Foundation, compared with the current senior population when they were middle-aged, the next wave of seniors smokes 50 percent less, yet has a 55 percent higher prevalence of diabetes, a 25 percent higher prevalence of obesity, and a 9 percent lower frequency of very good or excellent health status.

As a boomer, I can attest and endorse the Nikken Wellness Home. I can honestly say, I feel healthier at age 66 than I did at 46. I credit this to the simple self care principles outlined in many of our videos, publications and blogs supported by the products and technologies that constitute our Wellness Home.

I have been a consumer of the product line from Nikken for over 20 years. It has made my Choice to be Healthy a simple and rewarding experience. Sharing self care concepts and choices for others has become a passion to empower anyone to be Healthy by Choice.

Gen-X

Generation X (born in the mid-1960s to the early 1980s) represent nearly 62 million Americans. They are called the first generation of true health care consumers. Caught in the middle, Generation Xers are often considered as health influencers. They are looking after the health of their aging parents as well as their young children, not to mention struggling to eat better, exercise more, and get more sleep themselves.

More than half of Gen X’ers say they follow healthy habits most of the time, almost a third say they struggle with weight, making it their number one health issue.

Gen X’ers are willing to spend now to stay healthy later. They are very open to self care and prevention as opposed to treating and managing health problems. Sixty-nine percent of Gen X women and 60% of men express interest in products to improve their health. More than half of these consumers say they take a supplement to address specific nutritional deficiencies, 59% take supplements for general wellness, and 56% eat functional foods.  Although few say they follow health trends, 28% of Gen X women say they buy natural health products. Interestingly, 66% of Gen X’ers say they participate in self care to improve their wellbeing. This can include anything from finding more time to do the things they enjoy and feel passionate about to indulging in a bubble bath (one of Heather’s favorite leisure time activities). Positioning health care as self care may shift the mindset of these consumers and more actively engage them in the process.

Middle-age is often a wake-up call that results in the adoption of a healthier lifestyle. Marketers who help consumers adapt to the changes they’re experiencing and offer solutions for long-term wellbeing, can engage and inspire the Gen X’ers.

Heather here. I remember at a young age being labeled as Generation X, the “ME generation.” Boomers looked down their noses on what was perceived as a thirst for excess and over indulgence. It is true we weren’t happy with the status quo and wanted more but not just for ourselves, for everyone around us and it is this desire that, in my opinion, lead to 80 hour work weeks instead of 40. We didn’t just not trust the system, we honestly couldn’t spare the time. Instead, I maintained an excessive exercise program to avoid check-ups and doctor visits. This worked great when I was younger.

As an aging Gen Xer I now realize this was a mistake and changes to my routines HAVE to be made. Self Care and the Wellness Home help me maintain my “indulgent” lifestyle but in a different way.

 Self Care and the act of making healthy choices everyday keep my mind, body and my family healthy. The Wellness Home encompasses Self Care and creates a haven of health that includes healthy finances (Gen Xers love this part).

I am proud to be a Gen Xer that gave birth to Millenials and a Gen Z that are so much smarter than me. I am also very thankful for being able to nurture my boomer parents and my children in a Wellness Home. Our goal is to make every home a Wellness Home so that we may all live in a healthy society.

Millennials  

Millennials (born in the early 1980s to the early 2000s), also known as Generation Y, include more than 80 million adults. As the largest generation in the United States, and one whose purchasing power continues to grow, Millennials are having a major and increasing influence on just about every industry out there. Healthcare is no exception.

The mindsets, influencers and habits of Millennials don't align with traditional models of healthcare. Millennials’ distrust of large, old institutions is no secret. Millennials continuously find ways to circumvent traditional dogma and come up with innovative ideas as new solutions. To many millennials, the idea of “health” suggests something institutional and, as a result, untrustworthy. As a substitute, many young people gravitate towards the idea of “wellness,” which combines physical health with a more holistic sense of mental and full-body well-being. There is no health-related industry more distrusted by the millennial generation than “Big Pharma.” Seen as dishonest and greedy, the pharmaceutical industry has been ranked as the least-trusted health information resource by people aged 18-34.

The millennial generation resists following traditional health care rules and considers wellness as equally important as health. Almost half of the generation considers maintaining work/life balance and having strong relationships with friends and family as being a significant part of health and wellness.

Highly attuned to personal lifestyle and curated online lives, millennials want to feel good and look good. Being healthy for them doesn’t just mean “not sick”, it’s a daily, active pursuit. Millennials think digitally, rely heavily on social networks for information, and gravitate toward convenient, self-serve options for health. Compared to older generations, Millennials take a broader view of what affects their health and wellness. Whereas older generations are more likely to consider regular exams important to their health, Millennials are more likely to focus on day-to-day health maintenance choices that they believe will pay off long-term. Millennials are very open to alternatives rather than traditional healthcare and pharmaceutical intervention.

Post-Millennials

Generation Z encompasses children and young adults born from 1996. This generation makes up 25.9% of the United States population, the largest percentage. By 2020, they will account for one-third of the U.S. population, certainly worth paying attention to.

Gen Z’s key health concerns are related to their life stage – getting enough sleep, managing stress, maintaining their grades, building self-esteem, and having time to socialize with family and friends. Stress is often top of mind for these notoriously over-scheduled teens – almost half are treating or preventing anxiety and stress, behind only skin problems and colds/flu, and ahead of weight issues. Exercise is a key stress management technique and is central to how teens manage a variety of health conditions, from weight issues to depression to sleep disorders. They know getting enough sleep is also key to stress management, and many teens take an active role in carving out time to get a good night’s rest. They don’t hesitate to look up or ask their social networks for answers to health and wellness questions. Yet as teens, Gen Z’s are guided and strongly influenced by their parents, many of whom are Gen X, as well as their teachers and coaches at school. 

As more children are born in to Gen Z and as teens in this generation mature, marketers need to remember that Gen Z kids are already highly proactive participants in health and wellness.

One of the major benefits of Self Care and a Wellness Home is what it provides to our children. Some 20 years ago one of my mentors asked, “Imagine our children growing up in a Wellness Home, learning and practicing healthy choices daily that continue as they grow. What impact could this have on our health as a society?”  Personally, our children have been exposed to and have adopted the principles of self care and being Healthy by Choice that the Wellness Home provides and continue these practices now as adults. I have no doubt that they will impart these choices on to future generations for healthier individuals and ultimately healthier societies.  That’s why we advocate, “Every home a Wellness Home”.

A recent poll of cross generational participants reported that 95% of Americans link self care with healthy habits. Over 90% want better control of their health, yet only 52% considered themselves to be in good health. Less than half of those polled were pro-active when it came to their health.

Empowering Americans to take greater ownership of their health has never been more important. The rising cost of healthcare, the unprecedented increase in chronic disease, and the cost of treating and managing preventable conditions has launched an Awakening to raise Self Care as an essential component of health care. Regardless of generational differences, informing people about self care is the path to improve individual health, reduce medical costs and empowering anyone to be Healthy by Choice, not by Chance.

Self Care: D-F

"D" for Digestion

This is our second installment for the ABC’s of self care. This week we will concern ourselves with D; E and F.

D- Let’s use the letter D to talk about Digestion. This is a problem that affects many of us. A recent survey reported that nearly three out of four Americans are living with digestive problems. Over 70,000,000 people suffer daily from some form of digestive issues (heartburn, acid reflux, GERD (gastro esophageal reflex disorder), IBS (irritable bowel syndrome), indigestion, constipation, diarrhea, abdominal pain, and others. To relieve these symptoms many turn to over the counter (OTC) products as Tums®, Rolaids®, Zantac®, Tagamet®, or prescribed medications such as PPIs (Proton Pump Inihibitors) Nexium®, Prevacid®, Prilosec®, Protonics® and others.

I used to travel about 80 to 90% of my time. I drank a lot of bottled water. In my vehicle was always bottled water and the biggest jar of OTC antacid I could find. I suffered from heartburn daily and ate antacids like they were candy. Once I was introduced to the concept of self care and healthy choices I was able to get rid of the giant jar of antacids. I replaced bottled water with water from the Nikken Sports Bottle while traveling and the Nikken Waterfall at home. To this day if I drink bottled water, often a case of heartburn ensues shortly afterward. The simple choice of changing the kind of water I drank made a huge difference for my digestive health. I have seen similar results for others that have started their Wellness Homes with healthy water. Self Care and the Wellness Home have several choices that can aid digestion in a simple, natural ways.

“E” for Enzymes

E- Since we started this week with digestion it seems appropriate that we use the letter “E” for Enzymes. Enzymes are proteins that act as catalysts. When a substance needs to be transformed into another, nature uses enzymes to speed up the process. For example, in our stomach enzymes break down food into tiny particles to be converted into energy. 

Many times, digestive issues are caused by poor enzymatic activity.  Our bodies have a limited supply of enzymes. The general rule of thumb is that we lose over 10% of our enzymatic potential every ten years.

Digestive enzymes exist naturally in the raw foods we eat. Since enzymes are proteins, cooking destroys these enzymes. This places more stress on our bodies to produce digestive enzymes to breakdown our food into the nutrients we need.  Our bodies produce digestive enzymes; however, it cannot produce enough digestive enzymes to keep up with the typical western diet, which is full of enzyme-depleted, cooked, and processed foods. This is one of the reasons, so many people suffer from digestive-related health problems.

The stress of modern life many times necessitates us to supplement our bodies' natural abilities. Many people take enzymes in the form of dietary supplements to replace the enzymes their body is lacking, or to fortify the enzymes found in their food to ensure complete digestion of each meal. 

THE NIKKEN WELLNESS HOME SOLUTION

One product that we have in our Wellness Home to help in digestion is Kenzen® Digestion 4-20.

Kenzen® Digestion 4-20

Recent research has shown that there are four enzyme groups critical to the digestive process. Many digestive products on the market contain only one or two of these notable enzyme groups and lack in providing optimal digestive support. Kenzen® Digestion 4-20 contains all four of these important enzyme groups, making it a superior formulation for digestion, absorption and weight management. *  Digestion 4-20 contains twenty specific digestive enzymes that act on four different types of macronutrients: fats, proteins, carbohydrates and fiber. 

Years of research have led to a growing appreciation that a healthy human body relies on armies of "friendly" bacteria. The good bugs keep bad bugs in check and may perform other functions essential to a healthy gut and immune system. These probiotics play an important role in digestion and in fact, produce certain enzymes to assist with digestion.

Look for more on Probiotics when we get to “P” in our series on the ABC’s of Self Care.

"F" for Family and Finances

F- I wager that most of our readers think this letter will lead to a discussion on folic acid. Nope, what I want to discuss is Family and Finances in the context of the Wellness Home.

When I think of this I am reminded of a statement that one my mentors said to me years ago, “Imagine our children growing up in a Wellness Home”.  The Wellness Home is the healthiest and safest place for you and your family. It utilizes Nikken Active Wellness products and technologies that addresses the specific areas of concern in the Self Care Awakening. The Wellness Home is a haven for our family. Our children have been exposed to and have adopted the principles of self care and being Healthy by Choice that the Wellness Home provides. When growing up, they were very rarely sick and often the colds and flu bugs that were circulating around school, never set foot in our Wellness Home.

“A NATION is only as HEALTHY as its CHILDREN.” Harry Truman (1946)

Personally, I can only remember once or twice in the last 20 years that I have been sick. A healthy family includes not only physical health but many other factors. Among them is healthy Finances.

Prior to my discovery of self care and Nikken, I traveled most of my time. I loved my profession, and it provided a great income for our family. The downside was that it left a lot to be desired in terms of time freedom. I remember missing birthdays, ball games, vacations as well as dinners at home with the fam. I didn’t want to miss these things, but work seemed to come first. I knew this was unhealthy in many ways but couldn’t imagine that I would ever do anything else as an occupation. Fortunately, I discovered a company that had a vision of living a “Life in Balance”.  Their philosophy was and still is to be truly healthy one must live a life in balance based on Five Pillars of Health. Healthy Body, Healthy Mind, Healthy Family, Healthy Society and Healthy Finances. Some 20 years ago, when I first discovered this, I can honestly say, the only pillar that was healthy for me was finances at the expense of the other four.

In this instance, I was very fortunate, but for many others finances are a major concern. When the finances are affected, then everything is affected. Many people work around the clock only to jeopardize their family time and their health. They spend most of their lives working, usually too hard and for too many hours, just to make more money. So, it is with the Five Pillars and the balance in our lives, one area effects the other areas either positively or negatively.

THE NIKKEN WELLNESS HOME SOLUTION

The Wellness Home is the backbone of my 20-year encore career. Through the principles of the Self Care Awakening and the Active Wellness products provided by Nikken to create Wellness Homes we have been able to develop a business that supports all Five Pillars. It is and always has been our mission to inform, inspire and empower as many people as possible to Be Healthy by Choice. The most efficient way to accomplish this is through teaching others to do the same. It starts by asking yourself, where am I out of balance? We truly value our partnerships with others and have fun, purpose and profit in their service. This is a business that truly can improve lives. If you are looking to build a purpose driven business or supplement your income by sharing Nikken Active Wellness products or start building your own wellness home we want to work with you. Fill out the form below and let's talk healthy choices for you, your family and your finances.

The ABCs of Self Care

“No matter how slow you go you are still lapping everyone on the couch. ”

— Anom

 

Self Care ABCs

Heather thought it would be fun to do a series on the ABC’s of self care and how the Wellness Home can provide simple solutions for us all. So, for the next few weeks, we will pick 26 ways we can all be Healthy by Choice. I must admit, it sounds fun to me too.

A. This letter could have lots of choices to talk about but next to Air, everything else is inconsequential. We can only survive approximately three minutes without air (oxygen).

In the framework of self care and the Wellness Home we are talking about indoor air quality. One of the major factors contributing to our body burden is air pollution. Although we have limited control over outdoor air pollution we do have choices for the quality of air in our homes.

Indoor Air Pollution is a concern for many health-conscious individuals and with good reason. According to the US Environmental Protection Agency, the air within our homes and other buildings can be more seriously polluted than the outdoor air even the largest and most industrialized cities. We spend nearly 90% of our time indoors. Those who spend most of their time indoors are the very young, elderly or infirm. Pollutants can be 2 to 10 times higher indoors than outdoors. See Fresh Air... Indoors for more information.

The Nikken Wellness Home Solution

The KenkoAir® Purifier is designed to combat allergy-causing particles and enhance the air we breathe, helping us to enjoy a more natural, pollutant-free air quality in our homes.  When guests first enter our Wellness Home, they often remark that they feel a difference in the air, a calm, fresh feeling as though they were outdoors in a forest or at the beach.

The Nikken KenkoAir® Purifier incorporates multiple-stage filtration including an ultra-low penetration air filter (ULPA). The KenkoAir® Purifier exceeds that, with measured efficiency up to 99.9995%. No other home air filtration system matches this level of performance.

B also presents many possibilities for discussion, however let’s talk about one of our favorites- Barley grass. This is a staple in our Wellness Home and we drink two or three glasses a day. In fact, I am enjoying a glass as I write this blog, my food for thought on the subject.

Called "nature's perfect food," barley grass is said to have more nutrition than an equal serving of any other vegetable. It is one of the earliest grown sweetgrasses in the world and traces its history even before 5000 BC. Barley has long been a traditional part of the Japanese diet. Research pharmacologist from Japan, Dr Yoshihide Hagiwara MD, made the study of barley grass his lifelong mission and passion. Embarking on study more than 150 types of plants, including grasses, herbs, vegetables, and fruits, Dr. Hagiwara concluded, after 40 years of research, that young barley grass was “one of the most nutritionally balanced foods in nature”.

The Nikken Wellness Home Solution

 Jade GreenZymes®

Made with organic barley grass and a Proprietary Blend of organic acacia and organic pearl barley seed extract powder. Kosher and vegan certified, gluten free and USDA cerified organic. A complete ‘salad in a glass’.
This food is instant energy in a glass. Our bodies know when we consume something healthy and this product immediately gives me that sense of well-being. We like it mixed with PiMag Water from our Nikken Waterfall. Jade GreenZymes® is also available in capsules.

C would have to represent Cardiovascular health recognizing that heart health issues are the most common cause of death. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), about 610,000 people die of heart disease in the United States every year–that's 1 in every 4 deaths. Coronary heart disease (CHD) is the most common type of heart disease, killing over 370,000 people annually. Heart disease is the leading cause of death for both men and women. Read more in I Heart Self Care for My Heart.

It is interesting to note that CDC and World Health Organization consider cardiovascular disease to be one of the most preventable issues we face. Preventing chronic disease is a common thread in our Self Care Awakening series of Being Healthy by Choice, not by Chance.

The Nikken Wellness Home Solution

Our favorite products for healthy heart choices are Kenzen Super Ciaga® and Kenzen Bergisterol™ Capsules.

Kenzen Super Ciaga® is an organic mixed superfruit juice concentrate made exclusively with organic fruit content. This advanced formula is made with a select group of superfruits chosen for their nutrient and antioxidant characteristics. Super Ciaga® helps to neutralize and eliminate free radicals, which supports healthy cellular functions. It therefore helps support a healthy immune system, healthy heart and blood vessels, natural energy levels and overall well-being. * 

We enjoy this diluted in PiMag Water or in tea. We have lots of fun creating new beverage recipe’s with Ciaga.

Kenzen® Bergisterol™ is a unique formulation made from Citrus Bergamia Risso, an exclusive strain of the bergamot fruit. For help in maintaining levels of triglycerides, blood glucose, blood pressure and cholesterol that are within normal limits, clinical studies indicate that bergamot extract helps support cardiovascular health and cholesterol levels that are within the normal range. *

I hope you have enjoyed our 1st installment of Self Care ABC’s, I have enjoyed writing it, good idea Heather (as usual). Next week, D, E and F? Let me think about that?

Be Healthy by Choice, not by Chance

*These statements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. This product is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any disease.