Dental Health and Xylitol

September 1, 2011 – 7:58 am

More and more information is coming out that tells us our general health is interrelated to our dental/oral health. I will be talking more about the acidity and alkaline of our bodies in future blogs. Dr. Phillips a dentist in Rochester, New York has been studying the correlation between the acidity in our mouths with tooth decay. She has a website: www.zellies.com where you can read more about her findings. She believes that xylitol, a type of sugar, is very beneficial in neutralizing the acidity in our mouths. Below is a summary by Dr. Phillips on the subject of xylitol.

Xylitol – the Good Sugar!

By Dr. Ellie Phillips DDS

Xylitol is a naturally-occurring sweetener extracted from fruits and vegetables including birch wood, corncobs, andplums. Xylitol is even found in the human body in small amounts. It is a safe and healthy product for people with diabetes  Forty years of research shows xylitol is well tolerated and has a variety of health benefits. Most interesting are its effects on the number one childhood disease in America: tooth decay. Results show a 70% reduction in cavities when two teaspoons of xylitol are consumed regularly. Xylitol may be the best and most cost effective tools for the prevention of cavities and gum disease.

How it Works

Bacteria in the mouth damage teeth by the acids they produce. Harmful mouth bacteria are fueled by sucrose and certain sugar-substitutes. Harmful bacteria cannot utilize xylitol and disappear from the mouth. The best time to eat xylitol is after eating or drinking, as bacteria multiply. Five daily exposures to xylitol will reduce plaque on teeth.

For Baby Teeth

New parents can use xylitol to prevent the spread of harmful bacteria from their own teeth to their baby’s mouth. It is best that parents begin before the baby is born and continue until their child has teeth. This simple measure may result in amazing long-term dental benefits for their child.

For Children‘s Teeth

Regular use of gum or candies made from 100 percent xylitol can virtually eliminate cavity forming bacteria from a child’s mouth within two years. The effect on oral health can be long lived, particularly if the change happens before adult teeth erupt.

Additional Benefits

Xylitol has an impressive list of additional benefits. Studies show a reduction in ear infections when children consume xylitol. A xylitol nasal wash may prevent sinus, ear, and upper respiratory infections, and xylitol has been used in skin care products. This good sugar has been endorsed by the Finnish Dental Association in 1988, the Swedish Dental Association, and the British Dental Association. It is a household name in Asia and Scandinavia and several Hygienists’ Associations in the US have now accepted xylitol for its therapeutic benefits. Xylitol is truly a wonderful, natural ally to improve your teeth and help protect your general health.

Xylitol Products

Grandular xylitol can be purchased from Nature Sunshine Products at:

http://www.naturesunshine.com

in health food stores, or found as an ingredient in candies and chewing gum. It is important to avoid products  that combine xylitol with cheaper, artificial sweeteners that may have similar sounding names. Xylitol can be chewed, swallowed, rinsed or sprayed into the mouth. Dozens of companies offer products sweetened with 100% xylitol. Xylitol will be effective, even when baked into cookies or used in custards or ice cream.

Taking responsibility for our own health can be simple and exciting. This is one step to achieving that goal.

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Motivation

August 8, 2011 – 1:01 pm

 

What motivates you to achieve your goals? We are bombarded by so much information that it is difficult to sift through it all and make intelligent decisions. What is true? What is marketing? What works for you? Stepping back and reflecting can be difficult in our fast paced life.

I have spoken about this topic before but I feel it is worth mentioning again because our motivation changes as time moves on, as our life changes, as we are faced with new challenges. Our ATTITUDE, I believe, has the greatest impact on our level of motivation. With a positive attitude, our motivation increases. With a negative attitude, our motivation decreases. We need to continually check our attitude and have ways to help us keep it positive.

In my search for ways to help with my attitude, I have found a wonderful video that I would like to share with you by Simpletruths.com. View at http://www.attitudeiseverythingmovie.com/  Perhaps these rules can be reminders to you each day or when your motivation is headed in the wrong direction that you CAN stay motivated as long as you keep a Positive Attitude.

 


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The New ‘My Plate’

July 12, 2011 – 11:16 am

The USDA Food Guide has again been changed. Can we trust that we are getting the best information for staying healthy? ‘My Plate’ consists of a plate divided into 4 sections. Half of the plate has two sections, one for Fruits and the other for Vegetables. The other half consists of Grains and Protein. There is a small circle at the right top side of the plate for Dairy. Perhaps this is for the milk that is suggested, especially for children. This is a good guide to start with. http://www.choosemyplate.gov

However, it doesn’t go far enough. There is a great review of “My Plate” by Nutritionist at the  Harvard School of Public Health.

http://www.hsph.harvard.edu/nutritionsource/what-should-you-eat/plate-replaces-pyramid/index.htmlBegin by looking at your plate when you eat. Is half your plate fruit and vegetables? When you go to fast food places, most likely you will not be getting much fruit and vegetables, if any. Are you getting enough protein? Remember that protein includes eggs, nuts and beans. Too much red meat isn’t good either. Are your grains multi-grains? And remember that a small amount of dairy is needed each day. In our society it is easy to load on the cheese.

Whenever you make changes to your life style, be sure to go slowly. Make it a comfortable change so you will want to continue that practice. If you want to increase your fruit and/or vegetable consumption, begin with adding a vegetable to your meal. Eat a fruit as dessert or have a fruit between meals. If you make it fun or enjoyable, you will find that you want to add more.

Those of you who are saying, “Why should I make changes?” or “I like what I eat”. Remember that our health and aging issues are strongly influenced by what we have been eating for years.

COMING SOON: Simplified Food Choices

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Choosing Healthy Food

May 5, 2011 – 6:38 pm

Trying to eat ‘healthy’ is not an easy task these days. However, it is important that we take a look at what we eat and ask ourselves if we are getting nutrients from that food.

It is also important to eat a variety of foods to ensure that we are getting all the nutrients necessary to maintain a health body.

Listed below are foods called High-Value Foods. These are the foods that can help give you the nutrients need.

High-Value Foods

Unpasteurized (raw) grass-fed milk — Raw organic milk from grass-fed cows contains both beneficial fats, bacteria that boost your immune system, and a number of vitamins, minerals and enzymes.

Whey protein — Even if you don’t have access to raw milk, you can use a high-quality whey protein derived from the milk of grass-fed cows to receive much of the same health benefits. Whey protein contains beta-glucans and immunoglobulins, which protect your immune system and support your body’s natural detoxification processes.

Fermented foods — One of the most healthful fermented foods is kefir — an ancient cultured, enzyme-rich food full of friendly microorganisms that balance your “inner ecosystem” and strengthen immunity. Besides kefir, other good fermented foods include natto, kimchee, miso, tempeh, pickles, sauerkraut, and olives.

Raw organic eggs from pastured chickens – Raw, free-range eggs are an inexpensive and amazing source of high-quality nutrients that many people are deficient in, especially high-quality protein and fat. To find free-range pasture farms, try your local health food store.

Grass-fed beef or organ meats – Grass-fed beef is very high in vitamins A, B12 and E, omega-3 fats, beta carotene, zinc and the potent immune system enhancer CLA (conjugated linoleic acid, a fatty acid). But don’t confuse “organic” with grass-fed, since many organically raised cows are still fed organic corn, which you don’t want. However, most grass-fed cows are raised organically.

Coconut oil — Besides being excellent for your thyroid and your metabolism, coconut oil is rich in lauric acid, which converts in your body to monolaurin – a compound also found in breast milk that strengthens a baby’s immunity.

Its medium chain fatty acids, or triglycerides (MCT’s) also impart a number of health benefits, including raising your body’s metabolism and fighting off pathogens such as viruses, bacteria and fungi. Make sure you choose an organic coconut oil that is unrefined, unbleached, made without heat processing or chemicals, and does not contain GM ingredients.

Berries – Blueberries and raspberries rate very high in antioxidant capacity compared to other fruits and vegetables. They are also lower in fructose than many other fruits.

Broccoli – Broccoli contains the highest amount of isothiocyanates, a cancer-fighting compound, of all the crunchy vegetables. Studies have shown that just 10 spears a week (5 servings) can make a difference in your health.

Chlorella -This single-cell freshwater algae acts as an efficient detoxification agent by binding to toxins (most of which promote chronic inflammation), such as mercury, and carrying them out of your system. The chlorophyll in the chlorella helps you process more oxygen, cleanses your blood and promotes the growth and repair of your tissues.

Tea - As for beverages, clean pure water is a must for optimal health, but if you want another beverage, a good choice with added health benefits is high quality herbal teas.

Matcha tea is the most nutrient-rich green tea and comes in the form of a stone-ground powder, completely unfermented. The best Matcha comes from Japan and has up to 17 times the antioxidants of wild blueberries, and seven times more than dark chocolate. Tulsi is another tea loaded with antioxidants and other micronutrients that support immune function and heart health.

Krill Oil-Krill oil is the only dietary supplement that makes it to this list, and that’s only because the ideal food source for these essential omega-3 fats has been destroyed by widespread pollution. The dangers of eating fish simply outweigh the benefits due to the toxic mercury levels they now contain, with very few exceptions.

Antarctic krill oil is a pure marine oil loaded with powerful antioxidants and omega-3 oils, with NO heavy metal contamination.

The first step is to make a conscious effort in choosing what you feed your body. This list is a good start to eating healthy.

This information of High Value Foods is from Ginny Banks, a food expert.

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Why Hire A Life Coach?

March 23, 2011 – 5:29 pm

Have you ever wondered why a person would want to hire a life coach?

As you know we all have found life to be overwhelming at times. During those times would it help to have someone to talk with to help you prioritize or organize your life? Having someone who would encourage you and get you moving would be helpful, don’t you agree?

Some of us had dreams but somewhere along the way life got in the way. Or perhaps, the practical side of us directed us away from those dreams. How many times have you told yourself that that dream job or that sports car or finding the love of your life just won’t happen? What if you had someone who helped you to make those dreams come true?

Many times we sabotage our efforts because we have been told negative things about ourselves till we have believed them. Those negative programs can convince us that we are not worthy of great things or we are not talented enough to pursue our dreams. If you had a way to change those negative programs into positive ones and believe in yourself, would you want to learn how to achieve that?

You get undivided attention when you work with a Life Coach. The coach helps you see what you are capable of by teaching you goal setting and guides you through the obstacles so you can achieve ANYTHING YOU want!

Each and every one of us can benefit from a Life Coach. Having someone to encourage us and make us accountable helps us achieve the impossible.

Where are you at in your life? Is something missing? Do you still have dreams of what you want in your life? Your dreams can come true …. If that is what you want!

Are you stuck? You know what needs to be done, but you can’t seem to find the right actions or directions to get out of that spot?

Let me help you define your goals, get over obstacles and reach those goals.

The world continues to become more and more complicated. It is moving so fast that it is easy to get caught up in the fast pace.  STOP and think about what you really want. The support you need is right here.

Call me at 585-346-7334. You can ask me questions. See if you are ready to make changes in your life and fill your life with what YOU want.  Remember, the first session is FREE!!

Start believing in yourself! Begin investing in YOU!


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McDonald’s

February 25, 2011 – 11:54 am

Recently, I have been reading articles about McDonald’s foods. Below are two of them. Please be aware that there is a bigger picture here.

Many of our foods, including meats have chemicals in them. Some of our meats come from animals that have been given growth hormones and antibiotics.  The conditions chickens are raised in can be deplorable. Therefore, after reading the article about South American meat and American meat, be aware that American raised meat has it’s issues as well. However, buying meat from other countries will increase price and we will have less choice in what we eat. It will also affect our farmers.

The key here is to be an informed consumer. Verify the information you are reading. To eat any food that is available will not always be good or healthy for you, especially if you are struggling with health issues or unable to lose weight. Writing down what you eat for a full day in a Food Journal is a great way to see what you eat and determine what you want to modify. Doing this for a week is even better, though difficult.

Many fast foods are fried or have additives. MSG can be on the salads. Milk Shakes are not usually from true dairy products. Soda is mostly sugar along with chemicals that leach the calcium from your bones.

Restaurant foods are high in salt. Many foods are processed which could have several additives or chemicals in them.

So it is our responsibility to decide what we want to put into our bodies. It can be daunting but we live in a society where we have many choices. With choice comes responsibility. It is imperative that we educate ourselves as to what we are eating and feeding our families.

MUST READ ABOUT MCDONALD’S

I’m sure those of you who aren’t in the cattle business don’t understand the issues here. But to those of us whose living depends on the cattle market, selling cattle, raising the best beef possible… This is frustrating. This will keep us from ever stopping there again, even for a drink. The original message is from the Texas Cattle Feeders Association American cattle producers are very passionate about this.

McDonald’s claims that there is not enough beef in the USA to support their restaurants. Well, we know that is not so. Our opinion is they are looking to save money at our expense. The sad thing of it is that the people of the USA are the ones who made McDonald’s successful in the first place, but we are not good enough to provide beef.

We personally are no longer eating at McDonald’s, which I am sure does not make an impact, but if we pass this around maybe there will be an impact felt.

All Americans that sell cows at a livestock auction barn had to sign a paper stating that we do NOT EVER feed our cows any part of another cow.. South Americans are not required to do this as of yet.

McDonald’s has announced that they are going to start importing much of their beef from South America . The problem is that South Americans aren’t under the same regulations as American beef producers, and the regulations they have are loosely controlled.

They can spray numerous pesticides on their pastures that have been banned here at home because of residues found in the beef. They can also use various hormones and growth regulators that we can’t. The American public needs to be aware of this problem and that they may be putting themselves at risk from now on by eating at good old McDonald’s..

American ranchers raise the highest quality beef in the world and this is what Americans deserve to eat. Not beef from countries where quality is loosely controlled. Therefore, I am proposing a boycott of McDonald’s until they see the light.

I’m sorry but everything is not always about the bottom line, and when it comes to jeopardizing my family’s health, that is where I draw the line.

I am sending this note to about thirty people. If each of you send it to at least ten more (30 x 10 = 300) …and those 300 send it to at l east ten more (300 x 10 = 3,000) … And so on, by the time the message reaches the sixth generation of people, we will have reached over THREE MILLION consumers!

I’ll bet you didn’t think you and I had that much potential, did you? Acting together we can make a difference. If this makes sense to you, please pass this message on..David W. Forrest, Ph.D ., PAS, Dipl.

ACAP Department of Animal Science

Texas A&M University

Phone (979) 845-3560

Fax (979) 862-3399

2471 TAMU College Station , TX 77843-2471

Here is another article by Dr. Mercola about McDonalds.

Do you put dimethylpolysiloxane, an anti-foaming agent made of silicone, in your chicken dishes?

How about tertiary butylhydroquinone (TBHQ), a chemical preservative so deadly that just five grams can kill you?

These are just two of the ingredients in a McDonalds Chicken McNugget. Only 50 percent of a McNugget is actually chicken. The other 50 percent includes corn derivatives, sugars, leavening agents and completely synthetic ingredients.

Organic Authority helpfully transcribed the full ingredients list provided by McDonalds:

“White boneless chicken, water, food starch-modified, salt, seasoning (autolyzed yeast extract, salt, wheat starch, natural flavoring (botanical source), safflower oil, dextrose, citric acid, rosemary), sodium phosphates, seasoning (canola oil, mono- and diglycerides, extractives of rosemary).

Battered and breaded with: water, enriched flour (bleached wheat flour, niacin, reduced iron, thiamin mononitrate, riboflavin, folic acid), yellow corn flour, food starch-modified, salt, leavening (baking soda, sodium acid pyrophosphate, sodium aluminum phosphate, monocalcium phosphate, calcium lactate), spices, wheat starch, whey, corn starch.

Prepared in vegetable oil (Canola oil, corn oil, soybean oil, hydrogenated soybean oil with TBHQ and citric acid added to preserve freshness). Dimethylpolysiloxane added as an antifoaming agent.”

Sources:

Organic Authority

Check out Dr. Mercola’s website to read more about the dangers of eating Chicken Nuggets

Reading labels can be time consuming and frustrating but you owe it to your family to be INFORMED!


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New Year Resolutions

January 9, 2011 – 5:42 pm

It is that time or year when we try to implement New Year Resolutions.

So the most important resolution one can make is:

To Be Kind To Your Self!

As you start each day, thank yourself for something you have done or said.

Do At Least One Thing for You each day. Take time to relax, get a hair cut, talk to a friend, or meditate. Do something that makes you feel good.

Exercise even if it is for 5 min. Try to increase it each day but be sure to get those muscles working. Walk or do simple strength exercises if you don’t have the time to do more.

Eat something nutritious. We know that fruits and vegetables are important for good health. Antioxidants and fiber are two benefits. Have a fruit for a snack and be sure to have vegetables with a meal each day. Then slowly increase the amounts as it becomes a part of your diet and lessen the sugars.

Get Your Sleep. Go to bed about the same time each night and try to get up to 8 hours of sleep a day. Sleep helps your body repair and build your immune system.

Laugh. Research shows that laughter can help you overcome disease and illness. Read or watch something funny. Tell jokes.

Taking care of yourself will help you deal with the stress in you life. You are the most important person in your life so be sure to address your needs. You need to be in good mental and physical health if you plan to care for others.

Let’s make this a Happy and Health New Year!


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DECEMBER STRESSORS

December 30, 2010 – 2:16 pm

December can be a very stressful month…if we let it. Yes, we have a choice.

Ask yourself, “How do I react to a specific situation?”, “What do I have control over and what don’t I have control of?” Perception is the key element that we need to address during this demanding time.

Many of us try to do it ALL. Remember that the world will not end. We will still be loved. If our goal is to enjoy the process or time during this season, we will have a healthier focus.

Another important factor to remember is to get the sleep we need to function and to stay healthy. Sleep will help our immune system deal with the change in our schedules and the winter weather.

Eating healthy is one of the most difficult tasks during this time. Be sure to eat beautiful colors: red, green, orange and purple are foods that have a lot of antioxidants. Protein is needed to keep up your stamina.

When you don’t have the time to snack between meals, try the Dense Foods by Wholefoods Farmacy www.susanlifecoach.wholefoodfarmacy.com They have great snacks with nuts, seeds, fruits and vegetables.

Lastly, this is a time when we expect more from family and friends. If we are alone we tend to feel sorry for ourselves. Focusing on how we can help others is a great way to overcome feelings of loneliness. Visiting a shelter or helping out at a soup kitchen helps us see that others might be struggling more than us. If you are with family or friends, try to enjoy the present and not read into comments or looks. When with family or friends it is very easy to try to please them or want to do what we “think” they want us to do. Set your goals and expectations for yourself. Others will adjust if they see that you are pleased with yourself.

Focus on the things you have accomplished and are doing. Overlook the negatives. We all make mistakes and no one is perfect! And remember to express your gratitude each morning and evening for what you have. This can be the best month of the year….if we see the good we are sharing.

Happy Holidays and a Happy New Year!

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A Guardian Angel

November 18, 2010 – 6:58 pm

Do you know what you want to do with your life? Do you know what direction your life should be going? Do you understand why you aren’t accomplishing your dreams or goals? But you seem to lose focus or you face obstacles that you just can’t seem to get over?

Are you aware that you could be sabotaging yourself? Since you have been born, you have been told more negative things about yourself than positive things, so you believe those negative comments. You manage to work toward a goal and some how you just don’t reach it because you might tell yourself that it is unattainable, it is too hard to reach it, you can’t invest the time, etc.

What you need is a Guardian Angel, someone to be there for you to keep you focused and motivated. You need someone who will help you overcome your obstacles and track your progress.

There is such a thing as your own Guardian Angel! I am called a Life Coach. I am available to help you identify what you really want, in every important area of your life. I can show you how to change your negative thinking into positive self-talk.

Just think what it would be like to actually have a plan and to confidently pursue your dreams and find contentment and confidence in challenging life each and every day.

It lies in your choice. It is time to take control of what happens to you! Does this sound too good to be true?  Remember that research has shown that for any self-improvement idea to be successful, it has to be simple. Setting goals and learning positive self-talk is just that…simple and effective. Dr. Shad Helmsetter, a behavioral researcher and founder of the Life Coach Institute has tested and proven over the last 40 years that these steps in fact, do help people achieve. I

I can attest to the effectiveness as I continue to reach my goals and have amazing experiences, as well as, I see clients reaching their goals and dreams that they never thought were possible.

Still skeptical? I invite you to a free consultation. You get to see how I can guide you, decide if this is something you are ready to commit to and. Determine if I am the Guardian Angel who you want to have supporting and encouraging you along your journey of being all that you want to be and achieve.

If you are ready to move your life forward, email me (susanlifecoach@gmail.com) or call me(585-346-7334) to begin this exciting new chapter in your life.

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THE LITTLE THINGS

September 14, 2010 – 2:48 pm

Ask yourself, “What two or three little things can I do today that will move me forward? BJ Gallagher

The little things add up. As we struggle along on our journey of life, we face times that seem to stop us from moving forward. We lose our focus. There are so many choices or diversions.

It is so important to write down each day what we want to accomplish. Take the time to focus on what we want from our day, our life. We need to remember that our goal is to make progress, not strive for perfection. Each step gets us closer to our destination. Inch by inch, we travel miles.

When our lives seem overwhelming, remember to put the big picture in the background and take a look at what little things you can do right now. Maybe you have a health issue or you’ve lost your job. Write down what you want in the end and when but then brainstorm all the things that you could do to get to that end or goal. List every possibility, no matter how ridiculous  it may sound.

Use that list to start moving forward, step by step each day. Pick one action and work to accomplish it. Celebrate each step that you make, no matter how little it is. Continue doing the things on your list till you reach your goal.

Remember that it is you who moves yourself forward. There are influences in your life but you are still deciding what you want and need.  Start right now!

Each day ask yourself, “What two or three little things can I do today that will move me forward? BJ Gallagher


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