The Truth About Buying Organic Produce

Two guest posts back to back.  Is Jini getting lazy?  Never.  When I see something I'd like to share with my readers that falls under the "I couldn't have said it better myself" category, I have to reprint it.

This post was taken from nutrition and fitness coach Joel Marion’s blog.  He explains what can be defined  as "organic" food (produce in this case), perfectly to my liking and has some great information about why buying organic is worth the extra money…..

.....As I write this newsletter, I'm doing a little late night snacking on a batch of organic cucumbers (marinated in vinegar, yummmmm) from my local CSA.

Now, you've probably heard that there are benefits to eating organic, but if you're like most people, you may still be a tad confused about the whole "organic" thing (as is proved by all the organic-related emails that regularly come through my inbox).

What Really Matters

By now, over 25% of people have already ditched their New Year's resolutions and it's only been twenty-one days! Horrible! 

This week, I thought I'd continue with the New Year's theme because new beginnings are an effective way of staying motivated and I want to help you all keep that ball rolling.  New Year's is traditionally a time when we look at things in terms of what we'd like to lose; the extra 10 pounds we put on over the holidays, the bad habit or bad attitude we've been trying to get rid of, and other things...

I prefer to concentrate on what I can add to my life that will make it better.  I look at New Year's in terms of what I want to gain or add; more lean muscle, a bigger bank account, a closer relationship with people I care about.  Another example is nutritionists who, tend to add (more clean, lean protein, water, vegetables), before they take away (junk food, sugar, gluten products.)  Adding to your life is what this guest post is all about...

Alexander Green is an investor who has enjoyed considerable financial success.  After attaining what he'd always thought was most important in life, he turned his attention toward the type of wealth he realized was much more important.  I enjoy reading Alex's newsletter and found this issue to be particularly powerful.  It's a very inspiring way to set the tone for the new year....

What Really Matters-By Alexander Green

Why do some folks look back on their lives and say they wouldn't change much? Or anything?

Is there a formula? Some mix of love, work, habits, or attitudes that offers the best chance of a well-lived life?

Researchers at Harvard have been examining this question for 72 years by following 268 men who entered college in the late 1930s.

Their discoveries might surprise you.

Just listen to Dr. George Vaillant. Since 1967, the Harvard Medical School professor has dedicated his career to the "Grant Study." (It was named after its patron, the department-store magnate W.T. Grant.)

Vaillant's specialty is the comprehensive study of a small number of people over a long period of time.

Write it Down!

What gets measured gets managed. A successful coach in my industry once told me this and I adopted it.  I've always been a note taker/writer so jotting things down comes naturally to me. Other people?  Well, getting them to write anything down in detail is like asking them to spend their weekend cleaning out the garage…every weekend.  If there was a way to impress upon people the importance of logging/recording/journaling, I would do it.  But unfortunately, I only have my words. I‘m not the drill sergeant type and I’m not your mommy so getting you to write it down by calling you a maggot, or nagging you until you move out, aren’t going to happen.  I hope that you’ll simply take my word for it.

If There's One Thing I Hate...

This post is an excerpt from Dave Tate of EliteFTS's blog.  It really struck a cord with me and I wanted to share it with you all...

Happy New Year!

_______________________________________________________________________________

If there's one thing I hate, it's all the emails asking…"did you reach your goals?" Then they start with..."you now have 365 days to reach your new goal." You know what? NO, I didn’t reach all my goals. I was WAY off on some, exceeded others and by the way, they do not begin and end with the first of the year. They begin when they need to and are met when they have to be met.

A much better question would be, “Are you strong(er) now than last year at this time?” 

This should be asked at any time in regards to any of the roles you fill:

To Take or Not to Take-Nutritional Supplements-Pt. 3

In last week's blog post, I brought you part II of my piece To Take or Not to Take-Nutritional Supplements; the continuation of my piece about taking nutritional supplements-or not.* (Click here to read Part I.) This week, I'll discuss the differences between over-the-counter "vitamins" and professional brand "nutraceuticals."

...Most over-the-counter multi-vitamins are useless (Centrum comes to mind) and the “something is better than nothing” approach really doesn’t apply to nutritional supplements. What should you look for then, in a multi-vitamin?  If you’re a man or a post-menopausal woman, for example, you might look for a multi-vitamin that doesn’t contain copper or iron.  Why? 

10 Great Gifts for Women Who Workout (Leave where your husband/boyfriend/kids/parents will see.)

1. Pedometer- Goal =10,000 steps a day.  Try and increase daily average by 100 steps a day over time to reach 10,000 a day. When you wear a pedometer, you are much more aware of doing things like walking and listening to a book you don’t have time to read, hand delivering a document rather than using email, walk to the mailbox rather than drive, walk your dog, take the stairs, park farther away (not a stretch anyway this time of year).  Any sporting goods store should carry a pedometer-get a basic one for about $7 (bells and whistles unnecessary.) A great stocking stuffer.

 

2.  Strong(her) T-shirts from EliteFTS –“The attitude starts here”…it says on the EliteFTS website.  Great way to get psyched up before a workout.  Buy here it here. $10-20.

To Take or Not to Take-Nutritional Supplements-Pt. 2

In my last ezine, I brought you part I of my piece To Take or Not to Take-Nutritional Supplements; the introduction to my opinions about taking nutritional supplements...or not*.  This week, I'll explore in more detail the pros and cons of taking supplements...

Last week, we left off with Charles Poliquin's 7 very good reasons for you to take supplements (reasons 1-2 appear in last week's post.)...

...In April of this year, renown Canadian strength training coach Charles Poliquin, who has trained and/or consulted numerous world class athletes and professional sports teams, wrote this article: 10 Very Good Reasons for you to Take Supplements...here are more of Charles’ very good reasons:
 

3.  Poor food preparation –When food is cooked improperly, such as when using a microwave, it’s nutritional value is reduced.  Fast food and many other foods in the Standard American Diet (AKA “SAD” ), are highly processed which strips foods of most of their nutrients.  Nutrients in so called “healthy” carbohydrates like brown rice and whole grains are depleted during the refining process.  Supplements that may help: niacin, iron, thiamine, potassium, vitamin E and vitamin B-6.