My Writings. My Thoughts.
meditation classes
// April 30th, 2012 // No Comments » // Events, Meditation
MINDFUL MEDITATION: AN ALLY IN YOUR CANCER RECOVERY Thursdays, weekly 10:00 – 11:00 a.m. Cordes Outpatient Pavilion , Covington
Learn to use the power of your mind to fight disease, find strengths, make the best of treatments & meet the challenges cancer can bring. Guided by Ellen LaRocca, the class will introduce various meditation, guided imagery & simple yoga techniques. Participants may start at any time. Open to anyone with a cancer diagnosis, their caregivers & the health professionals who care for them. Call (985) 898-4581 or email ccorizzo@stph.org to register.
The Strength of Science Behind Bios Life Slim
// May 10th, 2011 // No Comments » // Bios Life, Events
The Strength of Science behind Bios Life Slim
Peter Verdegem Phd MBA
As the former chief science officer of Unicity international, I am often asked about the science behind Bios Life Slim.
Bios Life Slim is a unique nutritional product that is based on peer-reviewed, published and patented science. Unlike many nutritional products in the marketplace today, Bios Life Slim has been formulated based on individual ingredients that each have credible university-initiated science proving their health benefits.
The base of Bios Life Slim is formed by a proprietary blend of soluble fiber, comprising pectin, guar gum, locust bean gum, and others. Each of these individual fibers has published research that shows their ability to improve the intestinal health by promoting the growth of healthy bacterial flora which is known to stand at the basis of a strong immune system.
The fiber blend has been mixed with calcium carbonate, and this unique mixture ensures the formation of a viscous and voluminous fiber mixture in the stomach, since calcium carbonate reacts with the acidic environment of the stomach to form carbon dioxide which enlargers the fiber suspension. Only this form of fiber mixture has been shown to reduce the bad cholesterol, also known as LDL, as well as increasing the good cholesterol, or HDL, at the same time. Currently no pharmaceutical intervention is known to do this simultaneously, and certainly not without the serious side effects that are normally seen with cholesterol medication. This unique working mechanism of Bios Life Slim has been patented for the next decade. Furthermore, since the fiber mixture is present in your digestive system before you take your meals, the product reduces the glycemic index of the food that you take and this will in turn reduce the glycemic response of carbohydrate-rich foods that we tend to eat in USA on a daily basis.
The postprandial glucose rise that is normally seen with these foods is therefore reduced, and this has great benefits for pre-diabetics, people that suffer from metabolic syndrome, and even type 1 and type 2 diabetics. Studies done with the fiber make matrix of Bios Life Slim have shown a clinically relevant reduction of postprandial glucose values and HbA1c. The phytosterols present in Bios Life Slim have separate evidence showing that they are able to reduce the LDL concentration by about 10% in 12 weeks time. Policosanol is another ingredient with great peer-reviewed science proving the reduction of LDL by another 20%. Finally Bios Life Slim is known to reactivate the leptin response in the brain so that our brain directs the reduced intake of fat and the increased lipolysis in our fat storage deposits, making you to reduce your waist circumference and weight.
As the former chief science officer, I have always made sure that each product that we formulate at Unicity is based on these peer-reviewed science behind the ingredients. As any scientist will tell you, combining individual ingredients with proven clinical effectiveness will result in synergistic effects that will even increase the effect of the total product: in simple words 1+1+1 = 4.
Therefore, this product is a unique life-changing nutritional innovation which will attack most of today’s lifestyle challenges we have. When taking this product several months you will clearly see a reduction of your fat deposits, as well as an improvement of your cardiovascular risk parameters. Finally it may reduce the risk for developing glucose intolerance, and has shown to be beneficial for the management of diabetes.
“Lesson Learned From A Dozen Eggs”
// January 26th, 2011 // No Comments » // Women's Health
“Lesson learned from a dozen eggs”
by Jan Janzen
While living in Ecuador almost 20 years ago, I still remember the question of a woman named Amanda Chavez. I can see her face clearly as if it was just yesterday and I can still hear the confusion in her voice. Amanda had a good little business selling eggs. Many of her customers were foreigners living in the city of Riobamba. But one day while purchasing my dozen eggs, handed to me most gingerly in a plastic bag, Amanda asked me a simple question that changed my life.
She said, “Jan, why do all you foreigners buy a dozen eggs? Why 12?” I looked at her in silence for a moment and then said, “We buy a dozen eggs because that’s how we buy them at home.” “But why 12?” she asked again as if I hadn’t answered her question. And for the life of me I couldn’t answer her. Honestly, a dozen eggs made no sense. And it really made no sense as we continued to buy 12 eggs at a time in a country that would have sold me 3 eggs, 7 eggs or 14 eggs in that precarious plastic bag.
Amanda’s question haunted me for a long time. It was innocent enough – a simple question from a woman selling eggs to foreigners with a habit to buy a dozen eggs. But I realized in that moment that I did lots of things because that’s how I was trained, taught, raised and told to believe. We all do.
There are very few places I have seen false beliefs more evident than in the arena of breast health. We have been told to have an annual mammogram after the age of 50 and when we hear the diagnosis of breast cancer, we are expected to have surgery, chemo, radiation and take drugs. It’s as standard as buying a dozen eggs at a time for people in North America.
However, just because we have always done something does not make it any way true. Otherwise many barbaric practices and beliefs from the past would still be around today, but they have been discounted as another truth was revealed.
As long as women today accept “the standard”, there won’t be any strong impetus to change the routine. It doesn’t matter that it doesn’t work; it’s not effective and is actually counter-productive. People are slow to change when money is involved and there are billions of dollars involved in the breast cancer industry.
Yet, experts say that mammograms cause breast cancer. Specialists will tell you that you are more likely to die from chemotherapy than from breast cancer. Statistics prove that radiation doesn’t improve results and can cause further health damage. Every single drug has a side-effect which can be deadlier than the disease. So why are we accepting what doesn’t work? Is it just a bad habit that has become an integral part of our culture?
It’s time for us to stop believing that just because it’s the current treatment or it’s what the doctor recommended or worse yet, what the medical system pays for, is not a good enough reason to blindly accept a protocol or treatment.
There are far more effective screening tools to mammography that are safe and will let a woman know of issues up to a decade before a mammogram. Why are we not demanding that these tests are paid for, regulated and advertised? The number of amazing treatments for cancer boggle my mind. I hear about at least one every week. Why are we settling for treatment that is archaic and will surely be looked upon in horror very shortly? And why are we buying into the fear of cancer rather than understanding that we can heal ourselves and there are many doctors, practitioners, clinics and formulas having amazing success using non-standard treatments?
I get a thrill living in countries where I can buy 4 eggs or 10 eggs at a time. It reminds me that I have the power to choose solutions that make sense rather than doing what the masses are doing. And once enough of the masses stop following a protocol around their breasts that is not working, then we will see change. Will you be one of those trend-setters? I hope so!
WANT TO USE THIS ARTICLE IN YOUR EZINE OR WEB SITE? You can, as long as you include this complete blurb with it: Jan Janzen is a non-denominational minister, healer and business coach. She is the author of two books and 8 CDs for the spiritual entrepreneur. To receive Jan’s complimentary ebook: 10 Secrets to Living the Life of Your Dreams, visit www.janjanzendaily.com
EAT WELL!!
// March 19th, 2010 // No Comments » // Events
Eat a balanced diet with plenty of fruits, vegetables, whole grains, and proteins. Avoid, fatty, high-calorie, processed, and salty foods. Have lots of colors on your plate (red bell peppers, green broccoli, yellow squash, brown rice, etc.)
A good rule of thumb is to eat foods in their most natural state, hopefully organic, grown locally, and seasonal.
Spring Cleansing
// February 26th, 2010 // No Comments » // Events
Spring Cleansing
Head to Toe
It’s that time of year to take special care of your body. Your Liver is especially active during this time of year. It’s a great time for a ‘fast’, to support liver function, It’s also a great time to cleanse the largest organ of your body, your skin.
Book some time for yourself:
Ayurvedic Bliss Facial
Dead Sea Salt Glow
Aromatherapy Full Body Massage
$160.00
Please call for your very special appointment
Expect this ‘retreat’ to take two hours
Body Works Massage & Wellness Center
985/373-6089
Friday’s Gift
// November 13th, 2009 // No Comments » // Massage For Your Health
Massage For The Health Of It
Create Vitality, Grow Younger
Stress is the culprit on the loose! But how does it appear? Who admits that they are storing stress in their body? “Oh, I can handle the little knocks along the way.” The truth may be that we are not always handling stress, we may be storing stress. Unresolved stress is cumulative and finds hideout places in your body. It is the genesis of all dis-ease. So why not manage stress effectively?
Massage is one of the most proficient tools available. Think about muscle strains, low back pain, tired feet, TMJ dysfunction, tennis elbow, chronic headaches, carpal tunnel syndrome, fibromyalgia…this list could be endless. Massage has a very effective place in the lessening (maybe even ridding) of these and many other problems that you may come up against.
If you reduce the stress, you reduce the oxidative reactions that create the aging effects in your body, thus slowing the aging process.
The effects of massage is cumulative, meaning a good bodywork maintenance program is beneficial toward claiming and keeping your health.
To learn how massage can help you, call for your free consultation and let us help you design your personal path to health through massage and bodywork.
Friday’s Gift
// November 9th, 2009 // No Comments » // Events
A Colorful Plate = Health
Think of the colors of a rainbow, as mother nature sends us clues
red, orange, yellow, green, purple and white……….YUM!
tomatoes, cranberries, raspberries, peppers, beans, strawberries…….
carrots, pumpkins, sweet potatoes, peaches, cantaloupe, mango, oranges…….
squash, lemons, corn, banana, eggs, mushrooms, almonds, chickpeas, ginger, beans, brown rice, pineapple……
cabbage, beans, limes, kale, spinach, avocado, pears, celery, zucchini, honeydew melon……
currants, blueberries, beets, eggplant, blackberries, red cabbage……
tofu, onions, garlic, cauliflower, potatoes, whole oats……
Can you name more great foods to fit into the color categories? Think about how you feel when you fill your life with color and enjoy your road to good health.
Friday’ Gift
// October 29th, 2009 // No Comments » // Meditation
Primordial Sound Meditation
Discover the silence that creates inner peace for the challenges of daily living
As we move into the world of Body Mind Medicine and into new paradigms of thinking, we move ever closer to the understanding of the myriad of benefits offered by the simple act of sitting quietly, with no conversations, in meditation. Meditation is one of the most powerful tools there is to help us restore the harmony within and to gain access to our body’s inner intelligence. In meditation we re-connect with our essence. This connection extends to our daily lives and can result in improved health, more fulfilling relationships, enthusiasm for life and increased creativity.
Primordial Sound Meditation is a technique that originated from the ancient knowledge of India. Deepak Chopra, MD and David Simon, MD, have revived this authentic process and made it available in a format that can be easily learned and practiced by everyone. During PSM our minds become quiet, allowing our bodies to gain the deep rest necessary to release stress and fatigue.
Primordial Sounds are the basic, most essential sounds of nature. The specific sounds which are used in meditation are called mantras. These mantras are used to help take our awareness away from the frenzy of the daily activity of the mind to the stillness of our spirit. The effect soothes our entire physiology — mind, body and soul.
PSM can be learned by people of every age, education, culture and religion. It does not require specific beliefs or a change in behavior or lifestyle.
“Meditation is not forcing your mind to be quiet; it’s finding the quiet that is already there.”….Deepak Chopra
Mindfulness meditation can heal, boost immunity and improve mental and physical health. In a study conducted by West Virginia University, 103 adults participated in an 8 week study in which they learned, practiced, and applied mindfulness meditation to daily life situations. The group completing the meditation program showed a 44% decrease in psychological distress and a 46% decrease in medical symptoms. Williams KA, et al. Evaluation of a wellness-based mindfulness stress reduction intervention: a controlled trial. Am J Health Promot. 2001:15(6):422-32
For more information on Primordial Sound Meditation, or to schedule a class, please contact Ellen LaRocca, Certified PSM Instructor, at ellenbodyworks@yahoo.com
FYI – help your body prevent Swine Flu
// October 24th, 2009 // No Comments » // Events
Prevent Swine Flu – Good Advice
Dr. Vinay Goyal is an MBBS,DRM,DNB (Intensivist and Thyroid specialist) having clinical experience of over 20 years. He has worked in institutions like Hinduja Hospital , Bombay Hospital , Saifee Hospital , Tata Memorial etc.. Presently, he is heading our Nuclear Medicine Department and Thyroid clinic at Riddhivinayak Cardiac and Critical Centre, Malad (W).
The following message given by him, I feel makes a lot of sense and is important for all to know
The only portals of entry are the nostrils and mouth/throat. In a global epidemic of this nature, it’s almost impossible to avoid coming into contact with H1N1 in spite of all precautions. Contact with H1N1 is not so much of a problem as proliferation is.
While you are still healthy and not showing any symptoms of H1N1 infection, in order to prevent proliferation, aggravation of symptoms and development of secondary infections, some very simple steps, not fully highlighted in most official communications, can be practiced (instead of focusing on how to stock N95 or Tamiflu):
1. Frequent hand-washing (well highlighted in all official communications).
2. “Hands-off-the-face” approach. Resist all temptations to touch any part of face (unless you want to eat, bathe or slap).
3. *Gargle twice a day with warm salt water (use Listerine if you don’t trust salt). *H1N1 takes 2-3 days after initial infection in the throat/ nasal cavity to proliferate and show characteristic symptoms. Simple gargling prevents proliferation. In a way, gargling with salt water has the same effect on a healthy individual that Tamiflu has on an infected o ne. Don’t underestimate this simple, inexpensive and powerful preventative method.
4. Similar to 3 above, *clean your nostrils at least once every day with warm salt water. *Not everybody may be good at Jala Neti or Sutra Neti (very good Yoga asanas to clean nasal cavities), but *blowing the nose hard once a day and swabbing both nostrils with cotton buds dipped in warm salt water is very effective in bringing down viral population.*
5. *Boost your natural immunity with foods that are rich in Vitamin C (Amla and other citrus fruits). *If you have to supplement with Vitamin C tablets, make sure that it also has Zinc to boost absorption.
6. *Drink as much of warm liquids (tea, coffee, etc) as you can. *Drinking warm liquids has the same effect as gargling, but in the reverse direction. They wash off proliferating viruses from the throat into the stomach where they cannot survive, proliferate or do any harm.
Friday’s Gift
// October 23rd, 2009 // No Comments » // Events
Foods For Energy
Sick and Tired of Feeling Sick and Tired??????
We are all familiar with the current recommendations of our government telling us about the latest in the food pyramids, but do we really understand the needs of our bodies for good health maintenance? Here are some suggestions to put into daily practice.
EAT. Start with breakfast. Skipping this meal leads to bad eating habits that sabotage the days of your life. If you are responsible for children, please start this life habit. Actually, eating several meals throughout the day is important to keep the fires of digestion stoked. Calculate the calories that you need to maintain s good weight and plan your meals by dividing the number of calories evenly for each meal. A 2000 calorie day, divided by 4 meals, equals 500 calories per meal.
Include great foods full of fiber; whole grains, pears, broccoli, bean burritos, etc. If you can get organic fruits and veggies, be sure to eat the whole thing, peels and all. Blueberries are great for brain function, memory skills and of course, intestinal mobility. Dark leaky greens are nutrient dense foods. Your muscles need carbs! The whole grain variety, not donuts. Sugar zaps energy, have healthy snacks available to handle temptations. Protein builds and repairs muscles, Eating a variety of meat and non meat choices is best.
And to be sure, getting the right amount of water for hydration of your cells, on a daily basis is mandatory. The formula is 1/2 your weight in ounces of water. Don’t forget high quality nutritional supplments.
Remember to allow a few hours for digestion before bedtime. The body is in restoration mode during normal sleeping hours, if it is dealing with food in the system, most of it goes into storage, ugh!
