I know there seems to be an on-going debate out there these days with health professionals, nutritionists, and the media giving different opinions about whether organic food is worth the slightly higher prices.
But there are a few VERY important aspects of organic food that I rarely see anybody out there talking about.
First, as you know, the main aspect that most people talk about in the organic vs conventional food debate is simply whether the food in question was grown with pesticides, herbicides, or chemical fertilizers, and whether that food contains pesticide/herbicide residues on the actual food when you eat it.
And that IS important... I mean, I know I don't want to be ingesting pesticide residues that are potentially carginogenic or even estrogenic and can possibly increase belly fat (due to the xenoestrogens)... and I'm sure you don't either!
But there's another another MAJOR aspect of organic vs conventional food that most people are overlooking, and that is:
The impacts of conventional farm chemicals on the SOIL, and how that affects the nutritional composition (quantities of vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants in the food)
The harsh chemical fertilizers, pesticides, and herbicides used in conventional farming can destroy a large part of the microbial activity in the soils (bacteria and fungi) that help to make soil minerals more available to the plants roots. Conventional farming degrades this aspect of the soil which results in lower micro-nutrient levels in the plants that you eat.
In organic farming, these harsh chemicals are not used, and the soil is healthier and more biologically active (fungi and bacteria aid the plant roots with uptake of minerals and nutrients), and the plants roots can therefore obtain more nutrition which produces foods with higher micro-nutrient levels.
Also, it's quite possible that the heavy use of chemical fertilizers, which make crops grow much faster than normal, leads to a shallower root system, that inherently absorbs less micro-nutrients from the soil column compared to organically raised plants that are forced to have deeper, more extensive root systems to obtain all of the nutrients the plant needs.
I think it's quite easy to see why organic foods can have superior nutrition levels and more vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants than conventional foods.
But beware of conflicting "reports" out there on this topic. Although there is much data on the superior nutrition levels of organic foods, you may also find some data that contradicts these findings in particular studies.
The reason that this happens is that science isn't perfect, and someone may measure the nutrition levels of a certain type of conventional tomato, for example, compared against a different type of organic tomato, grown in a vastly different geographic area in vastly different soils and climate. There are dozens, or even hundreds of complications with these types of studies, which is why you can't always make direct comparisons.
However, I think with the evidence we talked about in terms of soil quality, nutrient uptake, and also just the pure fact that we don't want carcinogenic and estrogenic chemicals in our food, it makes it worth it to try to buy organic as much as possible.
Sometimes LOCAL may beMORE important than "Organic"
Here's another vitally important thing to keep in mind...
If your choices at the grocery store for the organic food come from half way around the globe (such as organic produce from Chile or New Zealand when you live in North America), then youmight want toconsider favoring local produce even if it's not labeled "organic".
For one reason, many local farm stands may actually have organic produce but simply aren't legally allowed to label their food "organic" if they haven't acquired whatever necessary licenses they need for that. If you ask the farmers, many times you may find out that the local farm produce is in fact organic, or at least close to organic (meaning they use very minimal chemicals compared to a large industrial farm).
Also, local produce that is picked at it's peak of ripeness, and on your plate in a matter of hours or days, will usually have much higher nutrition levels compared to "organic" produce that was picked halfway around the world well before it was ripe and traveled weeks to make it to your grocery store.
The one caveat to this is frozen produce... sometimesfruits and veggies are picked attheir peak of ripeness and frozen rather quickly, even ifthey werepicked halfway around the world. In this case, organic frozen fruits and vegetables can sometimes be just as nutritious as local produce (although they may carry a bigger petroleum burden than local produce)
So, if I were to give myoverall recommendations to save yourself from the inherent health dangers of pesticides and herbicides, while also eating food that contains the highest levels of vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants, it is this:
1. choose organic over conventional most of the time, when it's available
2. choose local foods over organic if the organic food came from very long distances away (although frozen organic fruits and vegetables can be just as nutritious as local)
3. Don't forget that choosing organic also helps to protect the environment from chemical fertilizer and pesticide pollution that can harm ecosystems and your own drinking water supply.
4. Don't fall for "organic junk foods" -- I've been seeing this trend lately -- Just because crackers, cookies, cakes, and corn chips may be labeled "organic", doesn't mean they are healthy... junk food is still junk food! And these are still overly processed foods thatcan make you fat!
Remember that forcing change for responsible agriculture starts with your choices as a consumer. The more we demand responsibly grown and raised foods by choosing those foods in our shopping carts, the more that producers and suppliers will respond to that demand.
Carter
Thursday, May 27, 2010
Obesity, Weight Gain, Diets...WARNING
Which part of the title got your attention quicker? Obesity, weight gain, diets or WARNING. What I am about to share you probably are already aware of and either ignore or let it control you. Equally problematic. The food industry, especially those I have listed, spend millions of dollars to figure out how to get you to buy there products. Now think about it? If they spend millions, there research must work correct? You and I both know it works!
We all know that sodas, (in the research) candy, (in the research) are lethal to the body. You cannot justify it any other way, they destroy us emotionally and physically, especially sodas. Yes, for those of you ready to say;" but...what about diet?" Same bullet, less grains of powder, the bullet still kills, maybe a smaller hole, but dead is dead.
I have reprinted a little research from the candy industry. They are watching you, figuring you out, and playing you, are you buying? If they spend millions to manipulate you, here is what you can do for free to win the war, maybe not every battle, but it's the war we must have victory in. Let's first eliminate one excuse, "my kids, why can't they have a soda, or candy every now and then?" OK, I am not inhuman, but let's be realistic, you get to be the boss, you're bigger, stronger, hopefully smarter, and always looking out for their WELLBEING correct? You wouldn't volentarily lead them down the statistical nightmare road of obesity would you? 30-35% of our children are overweight and more and more are prediabetic, and on the road to Type II diabetes. So let's keep a treat, a treat, and not the norm. We all enjoy a treat as children in my generation. I am in my 50's, and quite healthy, I actually have to make choices daily about staying healthy. Let's teach our kids Health 1st, and maybe they will not assume that going on a diet IS NORMAL.
Here's your weapon against these companies: pen, paper, 10 minutes. Make a shopping list, stick to it when you go shopping. Go when you're not hungry, and try if possible to go through the self check-out, there is typically less candy/soda mines there. If you have the children with you, practice in your head (no, no, no, no, no, no, no) and then when you need it, Boom, you have it ready. Now if you're real slick, you'll have the alternative YES ready for something healthy and fun they can be treated with.
Remember you have the right to be healthy, you have the obligation to teach it to your kids, it's just easier to teach and preach when you are a doer, not just a talker.
Read on and you decide. Victory is in our grasp! It's called natures candy, apples....
Carter
Candy industry urges grocers to load checkout aisles
Confectionery, magazines and soft drinks are the top categories purchased frequently by the most shoppers on an impulse basis, according to a Front-End Focus consumer study.
Of the respondents, 90 percent told researcher Dechert-Hampe & Co. they occasionally purchase items from the checkout, which makes up more than one percent of total store sales.
The study, sponsored by Mars Chocolate North America, The Wm. Wrigley Jr. Co., The Coca-Cola Co. and Time-Warner Retail Sales & Marketing, shows shoppers tend not to switch lanes or shop across lanes. Almost 30 percent of consumers surveyed said if the front-end item they were looking for was not available, they would not buy anything else on that shopping trip.
Dechert-Hampe & Co. advises retailers to merchandise confectionery on both sides of every aisle to influence impulse buyers. Source: Candy & Snack Today
Tuesday, May 25, 2010
Healing, Health, and Permanent Weight Loss
For those of you who are believers in Jesus Christ, not people who occasionally go to church on Sunday and really try to be good people, but those who have given their entire life to Him; mind, body and spirit I have a permanent solution for your healing and creating optimal health.
Now, with that said, this solution is available to everyone, however you must make a decision; do you give your entire life to the Lord Jesus or not. Let your yes be yes and your no be no. I love you all but you can't have a little Jesus when it's convenient and cool and forget who he is on the "good" days. You will never have the life of abundance He promises you, you can never be fully healed, and thereby reach for your unlimited potential. You just will be fooling yourself into mediocrity and apathy.
Now I am reaching out to all of you, however this is in the context of weight loss; people who are obese and clearly overweight. I had a message from the Lord over the weekend for all of you, it was as clear as I am typing now, and I am sharing His words not mine.
"Your sorrows can end, your struggles removed, your shame, humiliation, and depression broken today, in the time frame of a heartbeat if you will just give Me your sorrows, give me your struggles, give me your humiliation and depression. I will take all of your burdens by your faith in Jesus and give you grace to REVEAL your healing, to deliver you from Satan's grasp, to bring your bodies into alignment, and the wellspring of health will overtake you, and your weight will come into perfect alignment with the way I created you."
Our confession of the Word of God calls forth our healing which is already ours! It has not manifested yet in our bodies. Healing, your healing is a FACT as far as God is concerned. It belongs to you based on the Atonement. Please read Isaiah 53:5-6, 1Peter 2:24, Psalm 107:20.
The Bible say's cursed is he who hangs on the tree. Jesus was crucified for you and all of your sins, illnesses, infirmities, weaknesses, sickness, poverty, depression and so on. You must see your curse(s) on Him, on the cross so they are removed from you and give Him thanks for your healing.
Now many have said to me before that this is hard to do. Really? Being crucified was hard to do! That was the worst 12 hours anyone ever has, or ever will experience, and why? So you don't have to live with the burdens you are carrying. Please, let the world go for a moment and just quietly contemplate what Christ did for you?
People that are overweight typically have been hurt in the past very deeply by a loved one, friend, family member or spouse. Unresolved hurt tends to go deep into the heart and soul of a person as to try and hide it or bury the hurt. We tend to insulate ourselves even more by eating to much and creating a barrier that grows and keeps us further from the hurt and other people. Now this can be done with any vice, alcohol, drugs and so on. I am not trying to analyze you, just make the point that simply eating to much is not the problem, unresolved hurt or other issue is the problem. That's why simply dieting and exercise will NEVER work for you over the long term. It is patching an old wound that has never healed, or as Jesus said once it's like putting new wine in old wine skins, the new wine will burst the old skins. I want you to have a life of abundance, optimal health and beyond what you can imagine, and you can.
The scale isn't the issue, doing bi's and tri's isn't the issue, eating cardboard rice cakes is not the issue, being delivered from your pain is the only issue. That's why it is so hard to create a lifetime of healing and health. The enemy wants you to hurt, slowly and forever, he wants you to blame God for the pain or problems in your life, he wants you to focus on the scale, exercise, diet, the latest craze so you won't focus on healing through Jesus which is FOREVER.
Which brings us to now what-- and this is all that matters.
You must accept Jesus as you savior, period.
Next forgive everyone, especially those that have hurt you the worst. (Forgive us our debts as we forgive our debtors). You can't be forgiven until you forgive. You will spend your life in bondage just as surely as you have chains around your ankles if you don't.
You Must forgive yourself as well, give it to God and move on, no more pity party!
Live to Love and love to live, Gods way. Not the distorted perverted way society has become. Love your neighbor as yourself...Stop coveting, people, places, things...
Read the scriptures out loud daily...
If you are beginning this process, read with your spouse, family or a great friend and start with Psalm 91 and read it daily for one month, your life will change, your weight will begin to come off.
Do you still need to exercise, of course. Eat with some common sense, absolutely. Get quality sleep, yes.
But your life has a different navigator now. The Lord leads, not your pain leading anymore. When the Lord leads you will always be going in the proper direction!
Now last thing, finally right! Don't speak into existence what you don't want. Speak what you do want. Be affirmative and speak present tense, I am...... not I will. No more wishes, could haves, should haves, didn't work...no more poor me's. You are a child of the living God who is in you. (on earth as it is in Heaven) Stand tall, be strong for goodness sakes, with Christ you can do everything.
2010 should be your best year ever. Lose weight the Biblical way (there is no weight loss plan in the Bible by the way) through your lifestyle. Victory in Jesus should be your motto.
Love and Peace and abundent health to you all...
Carter
Now, with that said, this solution is available to everyone, however you must make a decision; do you give your entire life to the Lord Jesus or not. Let your yes be yes and your no be no. I love you all but you can't have a little Jesus when it's convenient and cool and forget who he is on the "good" days. You will never have the life of abundance He promises you, you can never be fully healed, and thereby reach for your unlimited potential. You just will be fooling yourself into mediocrity and apathy.
Now I am reaching out to all of you, however this is in the context of weight loss; people who are obese and clearly overweight. I had a message from the Lord over the weekend for all of you, it was as clear as I am typing now, and I am sharing His words not mine.
"Your sorrows can end, your struggles removed, your shame, humiliation, and depression broken today, in the time frame of a heartbeat if you will just give Me your sorrows, give me your struggles, give me your humiliation and depression. I will take all of your burdens by your faith in Jesus and give you grace to REVEAL your healing, to deliver you from Satan's grasp, to bring your bodies into alignment, and the wellspring of health will overtake you, and your weight will come into perfect alignment with the way I created you."
Our confession of the Word of God calls forth our healing which is already ours! It has not manifested yet in our bodies. Healing, your healing is a FACT as far as God is concerned. It belongs to you based on the Atonement. Please read Isaiah 53:5-6, 1Peter 2:24, Psalm 107:20.
The Bible say's cursed is he who hangs on the tree. Jesus was crucified for you and all of your sins, illnesses, infirmities, weaknesses, sickness, poverty, depression and so on. You must see your curse(s) on Him, on the cross so they are removed from you and give Him thanks for your healing.
Now many have said to me before that this is hard to do. Really? Being crucified was hard to do! That was the worst 12 hours anyone ever has, or ever will experience, and why? So you don't have to live with the burdens you are carrying. Please, let the world go for a moment and just quietly contemplate what Christ did for you?
People that are overweight typically have been hurt in the past very deeply by a loved one, friend, family member or spouse. Unresolved hurt tends to go deep into the heart and soul of a person as to try and hide it or bury the hurt. We tend to insulate ourselves even more by eating to much and creating a barrier that grows and keeps us further from the hurt and other people. Now this can be done with any vice, alcohol, drugs and so on. I am not trying to analyze you, just make the point that simply eating to much is not the problem, unresolved hurt or other issue is the problem. That's why simply dieting and exercise will NEVER work for you over the long term. It is patching an old wound that has never healed, or as Jesus said once it's like putting new wine in old wine skins, the new wine will burst the old skins. I want you to have a life of abundance, optimal health and beyond what you can imagine, and you can.
The scale isn't the issue, doing bi's and tri's isn't the issue, eating cardboard rice cakes is not the issue, being delivered from your pain is the only issue. That's why it is so hard to create a lifetime of healing and health. The enemy wants you to hurt, slowly and forever, he wants you to blame God for the pain or problems in your life, he wants you to focus on the scale, exercise, diet, the latest craze so you won't focus on healing through Jesus which is FOREVER.
Which brings us to now what-- and this is all that matters.
You must accept Jesus as you savior, period.
Next forgive everyone, especially those that have hurt you the worst. (Forgive us our debts as we forgive our debtors). You can't be forgiven until you forgive. You will spend your life in bondage just as surely as you have chains around your ankles if you don't.
You Must forgive yourself as well, give it to God and move on, no more pity party!
Live to Love and love to live, Gods way. Not the distorted perverted way society has become. Love your neighbor as yourself...Stop coveting, people, places, things...
Read the scriptures out loud daily...
If you are beginning this process, read with your spouse, family or a great friend and start with Psalm 91 and read it daily for one month, your life will change, your weight will begin to come off.
Do you still need to exercise, of course. Eat with some common sense, absolutely. Get quality sleep, yes.
But your life has a different navigator now. The Lord leads, not your pain leading anymore. When the Lord leads you will always be going in the proper direction!
Now last thing, finally right! Don't speak into existence what you don't want. Speak what you do want. Be affirmative and speak present tense, I am...... not I will. No more wishes, could haves, should haves, didn't work...no more poor me's. You are a child of the living God who is in you. (on earth as it is in Heaven) Stand tall, be strong for goodness sakes, with Christ you can do everything.
2010 should be your best year ever. Lose weight the Biblical way (there is no weight loss plan in the Bible by the way) through your lifestyle. Victory in Jesus should be your motto.
Love and Peace and abundent health to you all...
Carter
Monday, May 24, 2010
End Procrastination
Stop the Lame Excuses and Procrastination and Get Your Booty working out!
How many times have you said:
"Oh, I'm too busy... I'll get started on my fitness programtomorrow", or...
"I'll just wait until after the holidays to start working out and getting in better shape"
Working as a fitness professional, I hear people every single day say that they want to get in better shape... whether they want to lose weight, tone and build muscle, get stronger, lose the fat on their belly... whatever it may be.
Can you guess what happens when I say to them, "Well, if you really want it that bad, then why don't you start today... seriously, why not start working out and eating healthy today and lets make this happen now". Well, what usually happens is that they say that they'll just wait until next month because they're "too busy" right now. Oh really?
Come on... Give me a break! It's nothing but LAME EXCUSE after lame excuse as to why you don't workout regularly or eat as clean and healthy as possible, right? This becomes an endless cycle of excuses and procrastination for getting your booty in shape, and getting healthy! Once next month comes, now you have another excuse... work has been too busy, or you're just too busy working on the house, and so on. Sound at all familiar? Your best friend say’s it correct? Ha Ha.
Consider this... Do you really think that all of the people walking around out there in great shape with their kick-butt (sorry) bodies are any less busy than you? Heck no! Chances are, they are easily just as busy as you, yet THEY find the time to keep themselves healthy and in great shape. WHY do you suppose that is? Do they have a special gene, perfect genetics, just blessed, won the health lottery? NO!!! They put their sweat where their mouth is.
Let's make a pact and STOP THE LAME EXCUSES FOR GOOD! Start on your goal today!
The bottom line is... If you really want it, you'll find the time. It's all about priorities and getting in the right mindset.
If you are one of these people that's always using excuses as to why you don't have time to eat right or workout, then I have honest news for you... You are NEVER going to get in good shape for the rest of your life! You are going to continue to yoyo back and forth and struggle with your fitness FOREVER! I know I am being blunt, however when your health and fitness seems to mean more to me than it does to you, well shame on you. This requires NO DEGREES... just doing it.
Remember: Today’s Excuses are the Birthplace of Tomorrow’s Failures. Let’s look deeper at these future failure seeds and learn to not plant them!
Here's a common theme I see all the time at the gym...
Somebody that was doing well working out and finally starting to get results at the gym all of the sudden stops coming in for several months.
When they eventually come back and start working out again a couple months later, they're usually back in horrible shape, have gained back all the weight or more, and lost most of their strength gains that they worked so hard for.
So while talking to them, I'll ask where they have been the last couple months, and that's when the excuses start...
Perhaps it was that they had a special assignment at work and have been "too busy" to work out lately.
Or perhaps it was that they had a shoulder or arm injury so they thought that they couldn't work out during this time.
Or perhaps they had a knee, ankle, or leg injury so they thought they couldn't work out.
Or perhaps they were busy with house renovations, or family issues, or too busy with the kids, etc, etc, etc... excuse, excuse, excuse.
You can see where I'm going with this... if your health & fitness and how you look and feel is important to you, then there is no such thing as an excuse. Either you want it, or you don't, and it's either going to be a priority in your life, or it's not!
After all, your health and fitness determines not only how good you're going look and feel every day that you're on this planet, but also how long you'll exist on this earth to enjoy the time you have with your friends and family... So with all of that said, why wouldn't you make your health & fitness a priority in your life!
I do believe there are events that challenge our time and energy for working out. There are medical scenarios when we CANNOT workout, however these are the exceptions and should never be confused with the norm. Plus remember, the more active lifestyle you lead, the less official exercise you need. Case in point: all those incredible volunteers helping Nashville clean up after these horrendous floods, THAT was and IS a workout, believe me. Hopefully you understand the difference between “busy” and physically active.
Here's my opinion on the example excuses above...
*Excuse #1 - Too busy at work:
Ok, so why don't you squeeze in really brief but really intense 10 minute workouts before and after work each day... after all, that's only 20 minutes of your time, and despite popular belief you CAN stay in excellent shape working out as little as 20 to 30 minutes a day (as long as your time is well spent with the right exercises and right intensity). If there is anyone who doesn’t believe this come and train with me FREE for one 10 minutes, you will change your mind.
"Too busy at work" excuse busted!
*Excuse #2 - Shoulder or arm injury so haven't worked out:
Bum shoulder... OK... are you saying your legs and abs/core don't work all of the sudden just because your arm or shoulder is hurt? After all, most of your fat loss and metabolism-boosting results come from lower body based exercises anyway, as they burn more calories due to the larger muscle groups involved.
Your upper body injury just gives you a good reason to focus even more intensely on your lower body, abs/core, and interval training during this period when you won't be able to do upper body exercises.
*Shoulder injury excuse busted!
*Excuse #3 - Knee, ankle, or leg injury so haven't worked out:
Ok, so now you're saying that just because you have a leg injury, that somehow your upper body no longer works? Even if you need to walk in there on crutches, and then do nothing but seated upper body exercises, that's a lot better than doing nothing and letting your entire body get weak and soft during the time while your leg heals. The increased blood flow will actually help quicken your healing time, just be smart and safe...not lazy.
*Knee or leg injury excuse busted!
Now don't get mad at me about these injury excuses... Believe me, I DO understand that there are some serious injuries and disorders that do prevent some people from doing any exercise at all. However, for most minor injuries, there's no excuse not to at least continue doing some form of exercise. I have broken every bone in my Right hand, torn both medial biceps tendons, had surgery on both feet, and never missed a day of work or training myself. That is just my attitude on this. I was not stupid and was very careful, but there is no reason to not keep on keepin on?
*Excuse #4 - Too busy with the house, family, kids, etc:
Once again we need to get back to priorities. Is “YOUR” health and wellness a priority? If your house and kids are priorities, why wouldn't your health and fitness be top priorities also, so that you can enjoy your life and everything and everyone in it! Especially your children! Do you realize how many people tell me their #1 reason to get healthy again is to be a role model for their kids and to be healthy for them so they can do all those things with them they want to. WHEN did that CHANGE!
Remember, you don't need to work out for hours every day to be in great shape. It's all about maximizing the intensity and amount of full body musculature you work in a given time period, even if that time period is just a brief 10 minute daily workout. Don’t be trapped by the “Bodybuilder mentality” I can only do this body part or that body part exercise today to get in great shape. It is a false notion and again if you don’t agree with me I will Train any bodybuilder out there for 10 MINUTES and see what you feel after that.
*Excuse #4 busted!
I know I am taking a hard-nosed approach with this today, but if getting healthy and fit is important to you, nothing less will do, than to adopt a true fitness LIFESTYLE and MINDSET.
I hope this note will trigger a new motivation if you've struggled in the past with excuses or procrastination to getting healthy. It’s OK! Just start NOW, that’s the beauty of life, you get to start again... NOW. Never tomorrow. God dwells in the house of NOW, the Enemy lives in the neighborhood called, TOMORROW!
If it will help you all I will post a weekly 10 minute U-Tube video of a different workout for the week. If you can go longer the 10 minutes you will repeat it in different ways.
Carter
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