It's a New Year

So now it's 2011, where have I been for a month? This holiday season has been so long and drawn out and depleting. At least it felt that way to me.

Now I think I have a cold coming and just want to sleep. Of course that's not going to happen, on to plan B.

All I need now is a plan B! Happy New Year all!

Got Nuts?

Like most of us, as I've gotten older I am trying to eat healthier. I suppose eating a healthy diet would have been a good idea all along, but better late than never. I'm incorporating more whole raw foods and less meat, where I can.

I also hate to go shopping, so finding an online resource is always a plus for me. If you are looking for organic, raw or hard to find nuts, dried foods, and grains, you must check out Nuts Online.com.

I found their site through a doctor whose is one of my pet sitting clients. He is a vegetarian and always has lots of wonderful looking nuts and such from Nuts Online, in his home.

They have a huge inventory, so if your not sure where to start, this page has some great sample packs.

I just placed my first order and can't wait to see what I get. I'll post again and let you know my opinion and favorites.

Live Longer with Peddle Power!

www.livestrong.com

Found this article from Science Daily in my email this week and was astonished. According to a new study, people with thighs less than (that's right I said less!) 60cm in circumference, have a higher risk of premature death and heart disease. Here's a snippet:

"The relationship between thigh size and early death and disease was found after taking body fat and other high risk factors (such as smoking and high cholesterol) into account. The authors therefore suggest that the risk from narrow thighs could be associated with too little muscle mass in the region. This is problematic because it may lead to low insulin sensitivity and type 2 diabetes and, in the long run, heart disease, they explain."

Well that just beats all! Here I am trying to slim down and they throw this at me. What they mean is, less than 60cm of muscular thigh circumference. So I still need to loose the fat but now I also have to add four inches of muscle! Looks bicycling needs to be in my future,

Lance Armstrong style bicycling that is!

Progesterone Update

Photo credit: www.megzytred.etsy.com

Ok, I know it's only been 4 weeks, but I think the progesterone cream I told you about is helping!

I am definitely sleeping better and I'm calmer throughout the day. My skin seems to be breaking out less this month as well.

Oh and another thing, that "dryness" issue that brings loss of libido with it, is better too.
So I think I will continue to use it and of course update you with my results.

Trying Progesterone Cream

As my menopausal symptoms are worsening, I have decided to try an over the counter natural progesterone cream. After some research and a trip to the health food store, I purchased Life-flo Progesta-Care Plus. I picked Life-flo mainly because of the applicator.

It comes in a pump bottle that automatically dispenses a measured dose, so no guessing is required. The cream is rubbed into the skin and leaves no residue. It was priced at $29.90 in my store and it's a 4oz bottle. Not sure how long the bottle will last, my guess is about a month.

I have been using it once a day for a week now, so no real results yet. I may be a bit calmer, but who knows if it's the cream or not. I will try it for a couple of months and let you know if it helps with any of my many menopausal ( you ladies all know what they are) symptoms.
*This is not a paid post.

YogaToday

If your looking for a refreshing yoga experience, you must look at YogaToday. This website brings the best online yoga experience I've found, free to your home. The breathtaking outdoor setting alone was enough to persuade me. I simply can not look at the same routine on a DVD over and over again. This according to their site:

Wake up each morning to a free one-hour yoga class from beautiful Jackson Hole, Wyoming. World class yoga instructors Adi Amar, Neesha Zollinger and Sarah Kline will take you through a session that focuses on strength building, flexibility, stamina, and meditation-in-motion. Yoga Today delivers a different show, 7 days a week, keeping your workouts fresh and energizing.

I wonder if I'll be able to sneak in a session in the mornings, before my son gets up? If not, I guess we will do yoga at night. Unless I can get my four year old to follow along with me quietly. I know... good luck with that!

Extra Large Yoga Mat

I mention a few weeks ago, my plan to get more exercise. I have discovered my back is not in the best of shape, so the first thing I'm going to do is start a yoga routine to stretch and align my spine. I found this great over sized yoga mat to use.



It's 36 inches wide instead of the usual 24 and 84 inches long instead of 72. More room to move without falling off on the hard cold tile.
Now I'm searching for a good beginning yoga DVD, any suggestions welcome!

Walnuts for The Aging Brain

A recent study published in Science Daily states that small amounts of walnuts added to your diet are good for the aging brain. I'll go one step further... walnuts are good for everyone's brain. Walnuts are rich in Omega-3 fatty acids, something most of us don't get enough of.

According to the study:

"Walnuts, eaten in moderation, appear to be among other foods containing polyphenols and bioactive substances that exhibit multiple effects on neural tissue."

One of my favorite ways to eat walnuts is as walnut butter. Futters Nut Butters is my favorite. They have an organic chocolate walnut butter that is fabulous! I love it with cream cheese on crackers or instead of peanut butter in a sandwich.

So for your health or just because you love nuts, add some walnuts to your daily diet.

For everything you need to know about walnuts, including some great recipes, go to Walnuts.org.

* this is not a paid post