Your Health
Often times, people refer to battling for their health…like my overcoming Lyme Disease. It was the enemy, and I sought to destroy it…and come out the other side healthy and strong. But we don’t have to be facing a disease to be at war. In fact, every day your cells are being attacked by approximately 10,000 assaults from externally introduced reactive oxygen species (ROS) or free radicals. Free radicals are scientifically proven to be a leading factor in aging and degenerative disease.
Your best defense strategy to fight the good fight and win is to eat fruit, especially berries. Raspberries, for instance, protect against DNA damage and colon cancer. Grapes have shown to decrease LDL (bad cholesterol), and cherries help the battle of the bulge. Pick a fruit you love, and it does your body good. You can’t go wrong.
The top-ranked antioxidant foods that will help you anilate free radicals are: Acai berries, pomegranates and blackberries. It’s no wonder that Acai and pomegranates have been making the news as the wonder fruits…they really do pack a punch! Some additional benefits are reducing your risk of cardiovascular disease, increasing brain function, decreasing inflammation in the body and improving eye function. All good stuff! So hit the farmer’s market or grocery store today and pick up some fruit. In fact, while certain fruits are in season, stock up so you can freeze or dry the fruit for the off season. Here’s to berry good health!
Your Life
I recently completed my first marathon. I decided in January to run a race on May 9, Mother’s Day. My goal: to finish and have great health. This was a celebration of being-pain free after years of struggling with joint swelling and a myriad of other bizarre symptoms. Although I’ve been teaching goal setting for many years now, I enjoyed gaining some insights and different perspectives:
1. We must remember why we set the goal in the first place. Don’t get so hung up in achieving the goal that you forget your passion behind it. I was so nervous about the race a few days before, and a dear friend reminded me that this was a celebration for me…”just have fun!”
2. We must be committed from the beginning through the middle and to the end. Training for a marathon involves much more than putting miles on your feet; it requires special nutritional needs, proper stretching and appropriate rest, to name a few. It’s easy to start on a goal, and everyone loves the finish line. But, in order to reach it, you must get through the middle.
3. We must understand the FULL cost of our goal. When we jump in without thoroughly thinking something through, we may find ourselves paying much more than we thought. A marathon costs not only your time, energy and physical condition, but it also costs to see the chiropractor, massage therapist, attend yoga classes, purchase special recovery aids, etc.
4. We better have a specific goal, or we’ll get off track and discouraged. When the race began and all the ubber-competitive runners took off, I reminded myself that my goal was not the time but feeling great and enjoying the experience. Don’t compare yourself to other’s goals; keep your sights on YOUR target.
5. We deserve to enjoy the finish line. I certainly wasn’t in the top finishers, but I wasn’t last either. I completed my goal with energy to spare, and I recovered quickly. That was worth celebrating! Take time to pat yourself on the back and say, “You did it!”
JUST FOR FUN
Here’s a couple of laws you might not be aware of:
•The Law of Probability: The probability of being watched is directly proportional to the stupidity of your act.
•The Law of the Telephone: If you dial a wrong number, you never get a busy signal.
•The Law of Coffee: As soon as you sit down to a cup of hot coffee, your boss will ask you to do something which will last until the coffee is cold.
•The Doctor’s Law: If you don’t feel well, make an appointment to see the doctor. By the time you get there, you’ll feel better. If you don’t make the appointment, you’ll stay sick.
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