
Thursday, March 31, 2011
Bitter Blockers Might Make Life a Little Sweeter

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Wednesday, March 30, 2011
NIM’s “Get Ready for Summer” Biggest Loser Challenge

Lighten Up to Lighten Up
Sarah Reid, RHNC

Boost Your Memory with Healthy Diet and Exercise

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Tuesday, March 29, 2011
Robbie Williams and Britney Spears are on a Mission

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Monday, March 28, 2011
Diet, Exercise...Music and Laughter? What's the Link?

Saturday, March 26, 2011
A Bowl a Day Keeps the Heart Doctor Away

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Thursday, March 24, 2011
Taking the Fun Out of Movie Popcorn

Wednesday, March 23, 2011
Kombucha: A Health Food Store in Liquid Form

Like all nutrients stemming from "animal" sources (including bacterially fermented items like yogurt and sauerkraut), kombuch tea is rich in living digestive enzymes and B vitamins, particularly B1, B2, B3, B6, B12 and B15. The B vitamin complex in kombucha is of particular interest to vegans, who generally lack a reliable, concentrated source of the nutrients. B vitamins are essential in the maintenance of immunity and energy production, as well as protecting the body from constricted blood vessels and the build up of oxidized cholesterol (key causes of cardiovascular disease). The living, "good" yeast cultures and probiotic bacteria in the culture used to ferment the drink reinforce a healthy gut ecology, which not only increases the body's resistance to infection, but reduces allergic responses to common problem foods such as wheat and eggs, prevents undigested protein "leaking" into the bloodstream (a major cause of anaphlyactic reaction and the development of "new" allergies), reduces bloating and flatulence and even fights candida. Unlike other fermented beverages such as beer and wine, kombucha does not form alcohol - instead, the sugar becomes these organic probiotic acids, enzymes, minerals and vitamins.
Those with joint problems such as sprains and arthritis will also find benefits in drinking this old yet-new beverage. One of the organic acids in kombucha (as well as other fermented vegetables) actually converts to a popular cartilage support compound known as glucosamine in the liver. Unlike supplemental forms of glucosamine, the naturally synthesized compound does not have to be re-processed by the digestive and hepatic systems in order to become helpful in forming cartilage and ligaments.
Like any item in either the conventional or natural pharmacy, there are some cases where kombucha can actually do more harm than good. Any hyper-immune responsive conditions (like HIV and AIDS) will actually be made stronger by the immune-boosting properties in the drink. Those allergic to yeast or hypersensitive to acids will also react badly to the beverage, and it has been declared by the FDA that those who are pregnant, nursing, elderly or children should not take the tea due to their compromised immune systems. Kombucha is not a standardised "medicine" with strictly controlled conditions, so officially no scientific claims can be made as to regarding its impact on the well being of the individual are beginning to bring kombucha's prowess into the mainstream media and medical worlds.
So, what do you think about kombucha? Have you tried it, and if yes, what was it like?
From Gyms to Bootcamps to...Retreats?

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Tuesday, March 22, 2011
Maybe the Hulk Was Just Hungry...

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Monday, March 21, 2011
McRunner Sets Personal Best with McDonald's Diet

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Sunday, March 20, 2011
Combating the Growing Canadian
It’s amazing what constitutes good news in the health and fitness world these days. A few days ago, the headline “One in four Canadian adults obese, less than U.S.: StatsCan” ran in the Toronto Star. While it sounds like a great accomplishment, the fact remains that a quarter of the Canadian populous is still obese (with a BMI over 30) – and that doesn’t count those in the “overweight” category with BMIs between 25 and 29.9. The StatsCan study was conducted between 2007 and 2009, and while the data determined the US was still facing a greater epidemic than other countries across the globe, it also highlighted one very disturbing trend. Canada is starting to catch up – and if our expansion continues at the rate it’s at now, we’ll have just as many overweight and obese adults as our Southern neighbours within the next generation.
So what’s to blame for the growing obesity crisis? Depending on the source you use, the extra weight problem that the modern day North American faces is caused by anything from genetics to hormones, and there is even one correlation of childhood weight problems to the amount of time the mother spends working outside the home. The sheer fact, though, is that weight gain today is for the same reason as it was 100 years ago: we simply eat more calories than we burn. Oversized portions in restaurants, “value added” packages of junk food and increasingly sedentary lifestyles all contribute to the total load. The convenience of drive-thru and delivery is now an expectation that has drastically reduced the amount of home-cooked meals consumed in the home. As a result, children are not learning the basics of cooking or indeed the value of “real food” – compounding the issue and setting the stage for another generation of overweight adults.
Beginning to combat the issue starts with a re-setting of priorities. Many people balk at the thought of purchasing fresh produce and nutritious ingredients because on the surface they are more expensive than their boxed and canned convenience counterparts. However, the costs can be offset by shopping at bulk food stores for dry goods and spices (which often have a higher turnover), and by not spending money on processed foods or eating at McDonald’s. Eliminating junk food in the house is a built-in control for emotional and compulsive eaters – no junk, no excess sugar and fat making its way into the body. Paying for nutritious food will also save you money, time and inconvenience in the future by reducing the need for medicine and doctor’s visits. For those who cite a lack of time as their main obstacle to healthy eating, a variety of options are open to you. Batch-cooking for lunches and dinners throughout the week is a good way to start: if you have your own “convenience foods” in the house, there is no reason to go out for a meal. There are also the options of nutritious grocery or food delivery services. Of particular benefit to those hard-working, single executives who are determined to improve their lives but don’t know where to start (or don’t have the time to learn how to prepare healthy recipes), they offer a simple solution that fits both time, budget and ability constraints.
There is no substitute for the benefits that exercise brings to the overall health of the individual. Far from requiring 2-3 hour sessions at the gym, increasing activity is as simple as taking the stairs instead of the elevator, parking further from the door of a building, or even power-walking around the mall. Those with children have a “built-in” fitness centre waiting for them – play tag outside, go to the park and play, even teach them the fun of road hockey. Community centres offer public and family swim and skate times as well, which are economical and a great way for families to bond while doing something physical.
The obesity crisis in Western society does not have to be a century-long epidemic. The more value people begin to place on their wellbeing and health, the less of a “sick-care” system we will need to rely on to get us through our golden years. It just takes a few steps to get started, and a few stairs to keep going.
Sarah Reid, RHNC
Friday, March 18, 2011
Time Your Meals Right to Lose More Weight

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Thursday, March 17, 2011
Happy St. Paddy's Day!
Bradley Cooper's "Depressing" A-Team Diet

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Wednesday, March 16, 2011
Owning a Dog Can Help You Lose Your Belly Pooch

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Happy National Dietitians Day (Canada)!!!

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Tuesday, March 15, 2011
Jessica Alba, Jessica Biel and Scarlett Johansson on "New Diet Craze"

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Monday, March 14, 2011
Sweet Medicine: Better-For-You Chocolate

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Friday, March 11, 2011
Man Adopts All-McDonald's Diet to Prep for Marathon

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Thursday, March 10, 2011
Could Being Healthy Ruin an Actor's Career?

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Wednesday, March 9, 2011
Keep Fit, Trim and Healthy with Resistance Training

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Happy Registered Dietitians Day (US)!!!
Tuesday, March 8, 2011
Is Taking Your Time With Meals the Secret to Weight Loss?

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Monday, March 7, 2011
Health Obsessed Billionaire Aims to Live 125 Years

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