An Apple A Day

Autumn typically means harvest time in Canada, making it wonderful to see the markets overflowing with colorful vegetables and plenty of fresh apples. One of nature’s finest foods, the apple comes in a variety of colors and flavours sure to please any palate. From McIntosh to Red Delicious, Gala to Cortland the health benefits of apples are countless.

One of the most widely cultivated tree fruits, there are more than 7,500 known varieties of apples. A member of the rose family, it is thought the apple has been around for some 4000 thousand years. And according to some researchers, archeologists have found evidence that us humans have been enjoying apples as far back as 6500 BC.

Apples made an excellent commodity for early settlers as they stored well and had many uses. When dried they were available all year round and apples could be easily turned into cider. In her book The Apple, A History of Canada’s Perfect Fruit, author Carol Martin describes how “apples have been a part of Canadian life ever since the first European settlers arrived in the early years of the 17th century. In the east, Champlain led his tiny colony to Hochelaga (Quebec City) and brought along young saplings to be planted. In the west, Sir George Simpson arrived to found the most westerly Hudson's Bay company fort with apple seeds tucked into his vest pocket. Throughout the 19th and 20th centuries horticulturalists across the country worked to develop varieties of eating apples that could withstand Canadian winters.”

Today, people from all countries across the globe are enjoying apples daily making them the most popular fruit in the world. Although apples have endless culinary uses such as pies and dumplings, the best way to obtain the maximum nutrition apples have to offer is by eating them the way Mother Nature intended. Whole raw apples have many health benefits and there are many studies and claims to support this.

Apples contain vitamins, minerals, antioxidants, phytochemicals and soluble fibre. Because of the powerhouse of nutrients apples provide they can help boost our immune system, help build strong bones and teeth, help repair tissue, help to slow the aging process, reduce the risk of diseases including some cancers, osteoporosis and heart disease, help lower cholesterol, help increase fibre intake, help manage diabetes and help with weight loss.

Apples make a healthy and nutritious snack with many varieties available in the markets all year round. When shopping for apples look for bright, richly coloured apples that feel firm and pick fruit that is free from bruises, holes and soft spots and try to buy organic. Wash them well when you get them home. To keep them crispy store them in the crisper drawer of your refrigerator or a cold cellar but eat them at room temperature for the most flavour. Although some apples taste sweet and others may have a tart or tangy taste, it’s always fun to experiment and try different varieties. How fortunate we are to have this simple fruit so readily available to us daily.

The health benefits from eating apples are enormous and scientific researchers are discovering more and more reasons we should all be eating apples. The next time you’re looking for a snack, remember that old saying and reach for an apple. An apple a day can indeed help keep us healthy.

A Star Is Born

More and more people are realizing the benefits of a healthy lifestyle and health juices have become all and rave with young and old alike. Everything from Tahitian Noni Juice to the ever-popular acai juice, health conscience people are looking for alternatives to the regular juices we have been consuming for decades.

Although regular juices have come along way—no pulp, extra pulp, unsweetened, naturally sweetened, added calcium, from concentrate, not from concentrate, added Vitamin C, contains real fruit juice, and the like—consuming juices that are highly nutritious and in as close a pure and natural state as possible, can have many added health benefits than the regular juices can provide.

One such juice is pomegranate juice. More and more research is finding that pomegranate juice has a higher percentage of antioxidant capacity than red wine, purple grape juice, black cherry juice, blueberry juice, acai juice, cranberry juice, orange and apple juice, and green tea.

AIM Cellstar™ Pomagrape juice contains a concentrate blend of pomegranate juice and pomegranate extract. Although pomegranate is the featured ingredient in Pomagrape, this anti-aging juice is a combination of superfruits including cherry, white grape, strawberry, lemon, apple and pear. It also contains chokecherry extract, elderberry extract, blueberry extract, black currant extract, grape seed extract, hibiscus extract, raspberry extract, and apple extract. Pomagrape has half the sugar of regular juice as it contains only the natural sugars found in the fruit itself along with the addition of stevia, which has zero calories, zero carbohydrates and scores zero on the glycemic index.

With all the natural and nutritious ingredients found in this superjuice, Pomagrape provides antioxidant health, helps reduce the appearance of aging, helps lessen arthritis symptoms, helps to maintain prostate health, aids in mental cognition, and helps improve cardiovascular health.

Another superfruit juice AIM has developed is AIM Cellstar™ Mango Tango, which is a combination of superfruits and herbs, focusing on stimulating the body’s immune system. Mango Tango is a puree blend of mango and mangosteen with a concentrate blend of pomegranate, orange, pineapple, white grape, lemon, apple, pear, camu-camu extract, echinacea extract, hibiscus extract and raspberry extract. It too has half the sugar of regular juices thanks to the addition of stevia, and camu-camu contains more vitamin C than any other known plant in the world. As well as boosting the immune system, Mango Tango can help soothe joint pain, support intestinal health, help fight infection, help prevent urinary tract infection and balances mood.

With Pomagrape’s tart bite and dark ruby red colour, and Mango Tango’s pleasant sweet taste, these superjuices are sure to please. A star is born with AIM Cellstar™.

For more information about AIM Cellstar™ Pomagrape and Mango Tango please visit My AIM Store website at http://awealthofhealth.myaimstore.com where you can read more, download a datasheet and watch a video. As with any supplement it is always recommended to read the literature thoroughly to find out if this product is right for you, and consult a health care practitioner if you have any medical conditions or concerns.

Keep The Bugs Away

December 21st marks the winter solstice, which also happens to be one of my favourite days of the year. Although winter solstice is the shortest day and longest night of the year, it’s one of my favourite days because the daylight hours will start to increase making the days a little longer and the nights a little shorter. It’s also the first day of winter, and for some, that means the cold and flu season.

Although the cold and flu ‘bugs’ seem to be lurking just about everywhere we go nowadays, we can reduce the risk of getting a cold or the flu with antioxidants such as green tea and grape seed extract, proven to neutralize free radicals and support a healthy immune system.

Antioxidants are a broad group of compounds that destroy single oxygen molecules, also called free radicals, in the body, thereby protecting against oxidative damage to cells. They are essential to good health and are found naturally in a wide variety of foods and plants, including many fruits and vegetables. During the winter months however, there is less of a variety of fresh and nutritious foods to choose from, so we need to supplement with a daily intake of antioxidants. (It’s also worth mentioning that free radicals have been linked to many age-related diseases such as cancer, heart attack, stroke and Alzheimer’s disease.) A strong immune system is the best ways to ward off illness, and what better way for our immune system to get a boost then to take a variety of antioxidants.

AIM Proancynol™2000 is a combination of seven antioxidants which work together (antioxidant cycling) to improve each other. AIM Proancynol™2000
combines the proven ability of these seven antioxidant compounds— green tea extract, rosemary extract, grape seed extract, N acetylcysteine, alpha-lipoic acid, lycopene, and selenium—to provide us with the best antioxidant supplementation available.

It may be the cold and flu season but we can fight back this winter and help protect our immune system by eating a healthy diet and supplementing with AIM Proancynol™ 2000. Let’s have a fun, happy and healthy winter season and keep the bugs away!

For more information about AIM Proancynol™ 2000 please visit the AIM website at http://awealthofhealth.myaimstore.com where you can read more, download a datasheet and watch a video. As with any supplement it is always recommended to read the literature thoroughly to find out if this product is right for you, and consult your health care practitioner if you have any medical conditions or concerns.

Tis The Season

The holiday season is upon us and along with it comes season’s greetings, good wishes and the ever-present holiday cheer consisting of plenty of food and drink. It’s hard not to indulge ourselves in all the snacks, large meals and rich desserts we’re continually offered during this festive time, but the consequences of overindulging can leave us feeling not so festive.

Two of the most common physical side effects of overeating are indigestion and heartburn. Our body works hard to digest the food and drink we consume, and the foods we choose to eat can make all the difference in how our digestive system deals with it. Processed, refined and dead foods are ever present throughout the year in the typical North American diet and even more so during festive occasions. Because we’re going to consume foods that may not be all that good for us during the holidays, including digestive enzymes in our diet can help our body to do its job.

AIM PrepZymes® is specially formulated for high-sugar, high-fat diets and is an exceptional digestive supplement containing 8 cultured enzymes—protease I and II, alpha/beta amylase, lipase, cellulase, lactase, maltase and invertase. This unique combination of enzymes has been specifically formulated to help digest a wide range of processed foods including fats, proteins, hidden sugars, diary products and snack foods. AIM PrepZymes® also contains alpine wild garlic and papaya fruit powder which also aid in digestion and provide additional antioxidant benefits.

Large meals, rich desserts and snacks are all part of the holiday menu, so it makes good sense to help our body break down the foods we eat and maintain our digestive health. After all, it ‘tis the season!

For more information about AIM PrepZymes® please visit My AIM Store website at http://awealthofhealth.myaimstore.com where you can read more, download a datasheet and watch a video. As with any supplement it is always recommended to read the literature thoroughly to find out if this product is right for you, and consult your health care practitioner if you have any medical conditions or concerns.

AIM PrepZymes® are best taken immediately before or during meals so they can begin to break down the food before the pancreas becomes overworked by having to secrete more enzymes than necessary. You may take AIM PrepZymes® with other AIM products, however, AIM PrepZymes® will break down the healthy probiotic bacteria in AIM FloraFood®, so it is recommended to take these two products separately with different meals. It is also recommended that those with gastritis or gastric or duodenal ulcers should not use AIM PrepZymes® as it may result in irritation.

Avoid The Flu By Building A Stronger You

With all the hype in the media about the H1N1 flu (or swine flu as it is commonly known) people are lining up in droves to get vaccinated. Although there are people at risk of contracting the virus who have compromised immune systems, I feel (and this is my personal opinion and not meant to deter anyone away from getting the flu shot if they are at risk or feel they should have one) people need to work at building a stronger immune system by focusing on diet, exercise, lifestyle changes and sleep.

Health officials are also concerned this flu strain will combine with other flu strains, which will continually mutate making it more and more difficult to create an effective vaccine. In my opinion, by maintaining a healthy immune system we will be less susceptible to the virus and help protect ourselves from infectious diseases. If this is going to keep mutating then it makes sense to build up a resistance naturally rather than rely on vaccinations and other drugs when a “pandemic” occurs. I haven’t had a flu shot for a number of years now and I also haven’t had the flu. Sometimes I feel a little under the weather or catch the odd cold, but I know this is my body fighting off any attacking viruses.

While washing our hands frequently and keeping surfaces clean helps prevent the spread of the virus to our mouth, nose, eyes and other people, we must also look toward whole body health to minimize the risk of becoming ill. Washing our hands and keeping things clean should be the norm all of the time, not only when there is a flu bug going around. Proper hygiene is also essential to good health.

We can fortify our immune system with a diet rich in bright orange and green fresh fruits and vegetables, lean proteins such as chicken, fish and eggs, whole grains, nuts and seeds, and plenty of fresh water. We also need to make sure we are getting enough fibre in our diet (25-30 grams daily), and have an ample supply of “friendly bacteria” in our digestive system. Yogurt and kefir can help replenish digestive bacteria but in order to prevent the loss of these good bacteria we need to take a probiotic supplement. Reducing acidic foods (sugar) and increasing alkaline foods (BarleyLife®) will help prevent many illnesses as disease and other health conditions cannot survive in an alkaline environment.

Vitamin D will also help to build a stronger immune system and what better way to get both vitamin D and exercise than to enjoy activities outdoors on a nice sunny day. Although our days are cooler and shorter at this time of year, spending some time outside helps not only our body but our mind as well. Adequate sleep is also essential in preventing illness as our body does its best healing when it is well rested. And last but definitely not least, is a healthy lifestyle. Smoking, excessive alcohol consumption, pharmaceutical drugs and stress are detrimental to good health and well-being and will play havoc on the immune system. These should be avoided as much as possible.

It is also important to realize there are a lot of natural remedies being marketed as “cures” for the H1N1 flu. As far as I am concerned, a product cannot “cure” anything. It is the human body that has the ability to prevent and cure and this is why it is important to provide it with all of the essential ingredients such as proper nutrition, exercise, adequate amounts of rest and a healthy lifestyle.

AIM provides a variety of superior whole food concentrates and nutritional supplements to support a healthy lifestyle, strengthen the immune system, and nourish our cells. Especially during this “pandemic” with the H1N1 flu circulating world-wide our body needs more than just good food. AIM’s key nutritional supplements can promote whole body health and fortify the immune system. Why not avoid the flu, by building a stronger you!

For more information on products AIM carries to help strengthen the immune system, please visit My AIM Store at http://awealthofhealth.myaimstore.com where you can read more, download datasheets and watch videos. As with any supplement it is always recommended to read the literature thoroughly to find out if this product is right for you, and consult a health care practitioner if you have any medical conditions or concerns.

Lemons – they’re not just for lemonade

Used for both culinary and non-culinary purposes throughout the world, the exact origin of the lemon has remained a mystery. According to Wikipedia, It is presumed that lemons first grew in India, northern Burma and China. It was known for its antiseptic properties in South and South East Asia and was used as an antidote for various poisons. The lemon was later introduced to Persia and then to Iraq and Egypt around 700AD. It was first recorded in literature in a tenth century Arabic treatise on farming and was distributed widely throughout the Arab world and the Mediterranean region between 1000AD and 1150AD.

During the time of Ancient Rome, lemons entered Europe near southern Italy however they were not widely cultivated. The first real lemon cultivation in Europe began in the middle of the fifteenth century and was later introduced to the Americas in 1493 when Christopher Columbus brought lemon seed to Hispaniola along his voyages. Spanish conquest throughout the New World helped spread lemon seeds and the lemons were mainly used as ornament and medicine. It wasn’t until the 1700s and late 1800s that lemons were increasingly planted in Florida and California and began using in cooking and flavouring.

Considering we see lemons just about everywhere, the simple lemon is very much understated. We use them to make lemonade and lemon pies, mix them in our drinks, use them in our cooking and for garnishes and they also make a great deodorize and air freshener. But perhaps we need to take another look at this yellow gem because there is so much more we can do with lemons than just make lemonade. Here are a few medicinal and non-medicinal facts and uses for lemons:

-Although acidic in taste, lemons are one of the most alkaline forming foods on the face of the planet.
-Lemon juice added to a glass of water can be sipped during a meal to help the stomach's digestive ability by adding to the digestive juices and acid.
-Lemon juice is a powerful antibacterial.
-Lemon juice is a great liver tonic and can help detoxify your liver.
-Lemon juice can be used as part of a cleansing process to rid the body of gallstones.
-Lemon Juice helps to prevent diabetes.
-Lemon is a diuretic providing relief in kidney and bladder disorders.
-Lemon juice relieves symptoms of asthma, tonsillitis and sore throat.
-Lemon-juice prevents or restrains influenza, malaria and cold.
-Lemon juice has been used in destroying intestinal worms.
-Lemon has been used for many years in gout and rheumatism.
-Lemon juice is known to relive hiccups.
-As a natural antiseptic, the juice of the lemon will destroy harmful bacteria found in cuts and other areas of infection.
-When applied to hair after rinsing, lemon juice will give volume and shine to your hair.
-Lemon juice makes a great household cleaner and deodorizer.

Lemon juice, or fresh lemon, can help detoxify the whole body. Next to drinking plain purified water, drinking lemon water daily is one of the most important things you can do for your health. Let’s not underestimate the power of this simple fruit. Lemons – they’re not just for lemonade.

Getting Enough Fibre?

Experts say the average North American consumes less than half of the recommended 25 to 40 grams of fibre we need daily to help prevent a host of health problems. Not only that, many people are not having any more than one bowel movement a day, and for some the bowel transit time is anywhere from 48 to 96 hours! These are pretty scary statistics considering we should be eliminating waste every 12 to 18 hours when our system is in optimal working order. Of course bowel transit time depends on what types of food we eat and how much we drink, so people who eat lots of fresh fruits, vegetables and whole grains will have shorter transit times than people who eat mostly starches, sugars and processed foods.
Not to mention, if we’re “full of it” we’re often overloaded with toxins which can result in a number of health concerns such as constipation, poor digestion, bloating, gas, fatigue, weight gain, headaches, excessive mucous, poor skin, and even depression. Some health professionals even believe toxic build-up may be related to conditions like chronic fatigue syndrome, fibromyalgia, and multiple chemical sensitivity amongst others.
In her book Cleansing the Body and the Colon for a Happier and Healthier You using Herbal Dietary Fiber, Teresa Schumacher, author and formulator of AIM Herbal Fiberblend® writes, “everyone is different”. “You should have from one to four eliminations a day, one for each meal eaten. They should be of a good consistency and not loose like diarrhea.”
Increasing the fibre content in our diet is not difficult to do and foods high in fibre also contain many important nutrients essential for optimal health and well-being. Consumed on a regular basis, high fibre foods also provide us with the energy and vitality we need from day to day. There are two types of fibre:
Soluble fibre: dissolves in water and is believed to help lower cholesterol and regulate blood sugar. Vegetables and some fruit contain soluble fibre.

Insoluble fibre: (also known as roughage or bulk) doesn’t dissolve in water and can help relieve constipation and maintain a healthy digestive system. Insoluble fibre is found in vegetables, fruits, legumes such as beans and peas, nuts, wheat bran and whole-wheat flour.

Foods that contain fibre and are easy to incorporate into a daily regime include fruits and vegetables such as apples, oranges, pears, bananas, berries, peas, broccoli, sweet potato, corn and carrots. Another great source of fibre are beans (kidney and baked), lentils, almonds and other nuts, seeds such as sunflower and pumpkin seeds, and whole grain breads and pastas. It’s also important for our digestive health to drink plenty of water every day (six to eight cups). Taking herbal and fibre supplements regularly will also help to ensure we are getting enough fibre in our diet as well as help to eliminate toxins.

AIM Herbal Fiberblend® contains both soluble and insoluble fibre making it an ideal product as a source of fibre, as well as cleansing herbs to aid in bowel regularity, scouring the intestinal wall, and ridding the body of toxins. AIM FibreBalance® (Canada only) provides 12 grams of fibre (soluble and insoluble) in two scoops, prevents constipation and protects the intestinal wall. It reduces transit time and provides a more thorough evacuation of waste and helps maintain digestive health.

A diet which includes foods that are high in fibre, can reduce the incidences of colon cancer, heart disease, appendicitis, diverticulosis, hemorrhoids, and other health complications related to poor digestive health. A diet rich in fibre can help manage and protect against many diseases, prevent constipation, and reduce transit time providing a more thorough evacuation of waste. Are you getting enough fibre?

For more information about AIM Herbal Fiberblend® and AIM FibreBalance® please visit the AIM website at http://awealthofhealth.myaimstore.com where you can read more, download a data sheet and watch a video. As with any supplement it is always recommended to read the literature thoroughly to find out if this product is right for you, and consult a health care practitioner if you have any medical conditions or concerns.

Need An Energy Boost?

The primary source of energy for every function that occurs within each cell of the body is adenosine triphosphate (ATP). If ATP is depleted, cells cease to function properly which can result in many of the diseases we associate with stress or aging. ATP is a product of the Krebs cycle, in which cells produce usable energy. ATP production begins to diminish after age 20 and by age 70 we make about half as much ATP as we used to.

Considering everything we do depends on energy, which is constantly being depleted, we need to make sure that it is continuously restored. ATP rejuvenates our cells, blood and tissues, and increases energy levels without boosting our heart rate, which can occur with products such as caffeine or ephedra. Replenishing ATP levels with a supplement can reduce fatigue, protect vital organs, provide energy, help to improve muscle strength and recovery and has anti-aging benefits. AIM Peak Endurance™ provides PEAK ATP®, the only oral source of ATP clinically proven to elevate ATP levels within the body, and is so unique it is protected by several patents.

In addition to PEAK ATP®, grape-flavoured AIM Peak Endurance™ contains electrolytes, and is truly an “energy drink”. Electrolytes are minerals that are necessary for conducting nerve impulses in our bodies. As we sweat, valuable electrolytes such as chloride, calcium, phosphate, magnesium, sodium and potassium are excreted making it important to replace them on a regular basis, especially when we perspire due to intense exercise or hot weather.

When sweating takes place during sports, exercise, or other strenuous activities, it causes loss of fluids and electrolytes, making the body dehydrated. And in hot, humid weather, people can become dehydrated in as little as 15 minutes. If not taken care of, dehydration can cause fatigue, impaired performance, heat stroke and circulatory difficulties, and fluid loss can also diminish the capacity for performing muscular work. It is important to stay well hydrated during physical activity, and although water is a perfect choice for replacing fluids, replenishing electrolytes and other nutrients the body loses is equally important.

A typical commercial sports drink can contain only three electrolytes and 10 to 49 grams of sugar. AIM Peak Endurance™ contains six electrolytes – sodium, potassium, phosphorous, calcium, magnesium and chloride – and is low in sugar. Sweetened with all-natural stevia and lo han fruit extracts there is only half a gram per serving. It also contains six of the B vitamins – B1 (thiamine), B2 (riboflavin), B3 (niacin), B5 (pantothenic acid), B6 (pyridoxine) and the easy-to-absorb form of B12 (methylcobalamin). Peak Endurance™ is also a source of vitamin C, supplying 11mg, which is about what you get from an apple (8mg) or a banana (10mg).


Some of the key benefits Peak Endurance™ provides are:

-Elevates ATP levels in cells, blood, and tissues
-Increases energy levels and reduces fatigue
-Supports cardiovascular and respiratory health
-Replenishes electrolytes lost during exercise or strenuous activities
-Supplies B vitamins that are lacking in vegetarian diets
-Improves muscle growth, strength, and recovery

Especially during the hot, humid summer months when so many of us are enjoying the nice weather and increased activity—be it sports, exercise, gardening, or some other strenuous activity—it is important to stay hydrated and replenish nutrients the body loses when we perspire. Peak Endurance™ will not only replenish lost electrolytes and ATP but also will revitalize you. Do you need an energy boost?

For more information about this amazing product, please visit My AIM Store website at http://awealthofhealth.myaimstore.com where you can read more, download a data sheet and watch a video. As with any supplement it is always recommended to read the literature thoroughly to find out if this product is right for you, and consult a health care practitioner if you have any medical conditions or concerns.

Authors note: My husband and I have owned and operated a home improvement service for over twenty years. We work outside alot during the hot, humid weather and are finding Peak Endurance™ a lifesaver. We used to drink the “other” brands on the market, but since using Peak Endurance™ we are finding there is no comparison. When we’re out working in the heat we add a serving to a bottle of water (500ml) and drink. Within minutes our body temperature is moderating and we feel a sense of renewed energy. We also drink Peak Endurance™ while doing our yard work and gardening. It’s great!

The Skinny On Fat

Back in the 1980s health professionals were recommending low-fat diets for optimal health. Fat in our diet was considered the culprit in obesity, heart disease, and high cholesterol. In the last twenty-five plus years though, our knowledge about fat has changed. The reality now is, this important nutrient is essential for good health and vital for a healthy diet. We need to choose the right types of fat that promote our health positively. The key is to replace bad fat with good fat. It is the type of fat, not only the amount, which impact our overall health.

Depending on the effect it has on heart health, fat can be “good” or “ bad”. Studies are showing that choosing more of the “good” monounsaturated and polyunsaturated fats, instead of the “bad” saturated and trans fats can help reduce the risk of developing heart disease. Canada’s Food Guide recommends that we include 2 to 3 tablespoons of unsaturated fat each day in our diets to get the fat we need. (Unsaturated fats are divided into monounsaturated fats and polyunsaturated fats and both are thought to have beneficial effects on heart health and cholesterol.)

Known as “bad fats”, saturated and trans fat can raise blood cholesterol levels and increase the risk of heart disease. Saturated fat is found in dairy products such as butter, cream and cheese, meat and poultry skin. Trans fat is found in foods prepared with partially hydrogenated oils and include donuts, fries and packaged foods. It is a good idea to reduce or eliminate these types of fats in our diet and replace them with monounsaturated and polyunsaturated “good” fats. These good fats also provide us with essential omega-3-6-9.

Monounsaturated fats help lower LDL (bad) cholesterol while also increasing HDL (good) cholesterol. Some foods high in monounsaturated fat include nuts (particularly almonds, pecans and hazelnuts), avocadoes, canola, safflower and olive oil.

Polyunsaturated fats are also thought to help lower total and bad cholesterol and are a good source of omega-3 fatty acids. Foods high in polyunsaturated fat include fatty fish such as salmon, herring, mackerel, anchovies and sardines, walnuts, sunflower, soy and flax oils. Omega-3 fatty acids are also thought to lower blood pressure, combat bad cholesterol (LDL), protect the brain and nervous system and fight inflammation.

The human body can manufacture most fatty acids that we require for optimal health, but the fatty acids that our body cannot manufacture and need to acquire from diet and supplementation, are called Essential Fatty Acids (EFAs) and are vital to our health. Consuming “good fat” foods and taking EFA supplements on a daily basis is the only way to get these essential nutrients. Consuming fish once in awhile is not enough. EFA deficiency has become one of the most widespread nutritional deficiencies, and supplementation is becoming very popular with more and more people enjoying the results.

A great supplement to take which supplies essential omega –3 and –6 fatty acids as well as omega –9 in an easy-to-swallow soft gelatine capsule (which protects the oils from light and oxygen for optimal freshness) is AIMega®.

With the growing popularity of vegetarian diets, or people who prefer not to take fish oil, AIMega® contains a healthy ratio of beneficial omega-3, -6 and –9 fatty acids derived from plant sources, providing us with essential fats needed to maintain optimal health and well-being.

Now that we know “good fat” isn’t the culprit we once thought it was, a healthy and balanced diet, along with supplementation, can help us build a solid foundation for maintaining a healthy and active lifestyle. In a nutshell, that’s the skinny on fat.

If you’d like more information about AIMega® please visit My AIM Store website at http://awealthofhealth.myaimstore.com where you can read more about this beneficial product, download a data sheet or watch a video.

Get Fresh

With summer rapidly approaching it’s the perfect time to purchase and consume fresh local fruits and vegetables. (What better way to supply the body with much needed enzymes).

The latest North American food guidelines recommend adults consume between 5 to 10 servings of fruit and vegetables daily. Although that may seem like a lot, it is an easy goal to reach and something we need to strive for.

Studies are showing that a diet rich in fresh fruit and vegetables helps to lower the risk of certain cancers, heart disease and other chronic conditions. Many of these fresh foods have high amounts of vitamins and minerals and some of these foods have also been shown to have strong antioxidant qualities. In addition to all the nutrients fresh fruit and vegetables provide, they are also a very good source of fiber.

Not only do fresh fruit and vegetables taste great they are also low in fat and calories and contain no cholesterol. For anyone watching their weight these foods can be effective for long-term weight management.

Fresh food markets are now open, making it the ideal time to purchase fresh fruits and veggies and have fun as well. Many of these markets offer pick your own programs (also known as U-pick) and many provide activities for children and adults alike, making them a great way to get some exercise and introduce children to the joy of healthy eating.

To find a market near you, visit http://www.pickyourown.org/canada.htm where you can find a pick-your-own farm near you. This website is loaded with information on finding a farm, what is in season or coming into season, picking tips and tons of other information. It also provides a listing for farms in the USA which can be found at http://www.pickyourown.org/statelist.htm#statelist .
One thing I should point out is that most of these farms also have fresh foods already picked and ready to take home, as well as pickles, preserves and fresh baked goodies! You can also check with your own provincial/state Ministry/Department of Agriculture to find out where a farm is located in your area or search on the web.

Besides all the nutritional benefits fresh fruits and vegetables have to offer, they can add a great deal of variety to everyday meals. Because they come in such a wide array of rainbow colours, flavours, and textures, fresh fruit and vegetables can be used in practically every meal. And if you’re looking to maximize your consumption of these fresh foods try adding fruit to salads or using fruit and veggies as toppings and garnishes.

Eating more fresh fruits and vegetables is a delicious, nutritious way of getting the vitamins, minerals (and enzymes) our bodies need every day. Go ahead..Get fresh!

Visit My AIM Store at http://awealthofhealth.myaimstore.com for more information on healthy eating.

Balancing your body’s pH

pH is a scale that measures the ratio between acids and akalines in our body fluids. The scale ranges from 0 to 14 with 0 to 7.0 being acid and 7.0 to 14.0 alkaline. pH is the abbreviation for ‘potential of hydrogen’.

The key to vibrant health and well-being is partly a matter of keeping our pH in balance. The cells in our body cannot function if the pH varies too far from the narrow range of 7.35 to 7.45. Our body will go to great lengths to maintain this level. If we have a health problem, it is most likely because we are too acidic.

The body needs to have a balanced pH or it does not function properly. The alkaline level is very important because, as research has already proven, disease cannot survive in an alkaline environment but will flourish in an acid one.

Research also shows that unless the body's pH level is slightly alkaline, the body cannot heal itself. If the body’s pH is not balanced we decrease the ability to absorb minerals and other nutrients, decrease the energy production in the cells, decrease the ability to repair damaged cells, decrease the ability to detoxify heavy metals, make tumour cells thrive, and make us more susceptible to fatigue and illness. Our body’s pH affects everything.

An acidic pH can occur from toxic overload, emotional stress, immune reactions or anything that deprives the cells of nutrients. But the primary cause of an acid medium in the body is from what we eat and drink. And it has nothing to do with how the food and drink tastes in our mouth. Foods that are sour such as grapefruit and limes can taste acidic, however, upon ingestion break down into a base-forming alkaline “ash”. “Ash” is the end product which remains in the body after the food has been broken down through digestion. Foods which produce an alkaline ash are classified as “base-forming” foods, whereas those producing an acid ash are called “acid-forming” foods.

The body will try to compensate for acidic pH by using alkaline minerals. If the diet does not contain enough minerals to compensate, a build up of acids in the cells will occur. Fortunately, it is quite easy to change the pH level almost immediately for the better and make it more alkaline. It’s a matter of changing your diet and eliminating some of the more acid foods and adding more alkaline foods.

Before you start, it’s a good idea to get a baseline of what the pH is in your body so you can see how you are improving or if you need to continue to eliminate more acid foods and add in more alkaline ones. You can do this by testing the pH of your saliva on a regular basis. This is really simple to do using the AIM Canada pH Test Kit (range 5.0 – 9.0). The test kit contains 100 pH test strips.

In addition to decreasing the amount of acid foods we eat and increasing the amount of alkaline foods we eat, one of the best ways to immediately begin changing our pH is to drink “green drinks”. AIM BarleyLife® will help support our health by providing the body with the necessary nutrients to help balance the body pH and is an excellent source of alkalinity.

To learn more about the AIM Canada pH Test Kit or AIM BarleyLife® please visit our AIM Store Website at http://awealthofhealth.myaimstore.com click on Products, then…Canadian Residents, then…Products and Sales Tools. You will find the PH Strips under the heading AIM Canada pH Test Kit—100 pH test strips about one third of the way down the page.

Happy Easter..eat some chocolate!

It’s Easter time! What better way to celebrate than to spend time with family and friends, give thanks for what Easter really means, and eat some chocolate.

Chocolate is one of the world’s most favourite foods and recent research is showing that eating moderate amounts of dark chocolate can be good for us. Because it is made from plants, chocolate contains many of the health benefits of dark vegetables. These benefits are from the flavonoids, which act as polyphenol antioxidants, protecting our body from aging caused by free radicals.

Research has demonstrated that the quality and quantity of antioxidants in chocolate is relatively high when compared to other high-antioxidant foods and dark chocolate contains about eight times the polyphenol antioxidants found in strawberries. Having 65 percent or higher cocoa content, dark chocolate contains a large number of antioxidants, and has far more antioxidants than white or milk chocolate.

The earliest record of chocolate was several thousand years ago in the South American rain forests, where this ideal climate provides all the necessary ingredients for cultivation of the Cacao Tree. Worshipped by the Mayan civilisation the Cacao Tree was believed to be of divine origin, hence it’s generic Latin name meaning ‘Food of the Gods’. The Mayan word Cacao was corrupted into ‘Cocoa’ by Europeans. The Aztecs, who came after the Mayan’s, also prized the beans and used them as currency. In 1528, Cortez brought chocolate to Europe. The first chocolate factories soon opened in Spain. and by the early 17th century chocolate powder, from which the drink was made, was being exported to other parts of Europe

The Cocoa beverage made from the powder became popular, first in Italy then France, the Netherlands, Germany and finally, in about 1520 it arrived in England with the first Chocolate House opening in London in 1657, with many others to follow. In the early 1700’s English colonists carried chocolate with them to England’s colonies in North America, which later became Canada and the United States, and are now the worlds largest consumers of chocolate.

Eating 40 to 50 grams a day of plain dark chocolate with a minimum cocoa content of 70% or more, can be beneficial to your health. Look for pure dark chocolate or dark chocolate with nuts, orange peel or other flavourings. Avoid anything with caramel, nougat or other fillings, which are just adding sugar and fat that can erase many of the benefits you get from eating the chocolate.

With all the known health benefits chocolate can provide for us it makes sense to include a small amount in our diet. Happy Easter …..eat some chocolate!

The good, the bad, and the brittle

Our bones. They keep us upright, they keep us tall. They help us walk, and they keep us strong. Without them, we’d be a blob and flop around like jelly. They give us shape and support, and help to protect our heart, lungs, brain and other organs. They team up with our muscles, and if we don’t take care of our bones they become weak, brittle and even break.

Along with cartilage the adult human skeletal system is typically compromised of 206 bones, and their strength is essential to whole body health and wellness. Considering that about 99% of our body’s calcium is stored in our bones and teeth, it makes good sense to keep our supply topped up daily. If our daily diet is low in calcium, bone is literally broken down to keep our blood calcium level normal--because calcium plays other critical roles in supporting our bodies’ vital functions such as maintaining our heartbeat and controlling our blood pressure.

Our body continually removes and replaces small amounts of calcium from our bones. If the body removes more calcium than it replaces, our bones will become weaker and have a greater chance of breaking. Because bones have their own “calcium bank account” it’s important we keep this account balanced. If too much calcium is “withdrawn” and not enough is “deposited” we run the risk of creating a calcium deficiency, which can lead to an increased risk of fractures, osteoporosis and other ailments.

There are many ways to get calcium in our daily diet and ensuring we’re getting enough, through diet and supplementation, is crucial in maintaining strong, healthy bones. Our diet should include the primary food sources of calcium—dark green leafy vegetables such as spinach, broccoli, kale and cabbage. Sardines, eggs, tofu and low-fat dairy products are also rich in calcium, which help support a healthy skeletal frame.

It’s also important we get regular exercise and sufficient sleep. Because bones are living tissue, weight-bearing physical activity causes new bone tissue to form, which makes bones stronger. Not only is this type of physical activity good for our bones, it also makes our muscles stronger. By pushing and tugging against each other, and gravity, both our bones and muscles benefit. Some examples of weight-bearing physical activities include: walking, running, dancing, aquafit, rebounding, stair climbing, hiking and weight lifting.

Considering calcium is the most abundant mineral in the human body we tend to think it’s only purpose is keeping our bones and teeth healthy. However, this mineral is also needed for the proper function of our heart, muscles and nerves. Recent studies are linking high-calcium diets to weight loss and are suggesting that a diet rich in calcium may even help lower and maintain blood pressure levels.

Recognizing the importance of calcium to our health, The AIM Companies™ formulated CalciAIM™ which provides highly absorbable calcium and other supporting nutrients which are crucial for proper skeletal function and overall wellness.

Carefully formulated to determine the most beneficial types of calcium, the most effective method of delivery, and a combination of nutrients to help achieve superior whole-body health, CalciAIM™ (along with a healthy diet and exercise) can help us have and maintain strong healthy bones. A combination of 3 types of calcium, magnesium, L-lysine, vitamins C & D, zinc, and copper, this unique powder drink mix delivery system provides excellent calcium absorption levels helping in the development and maintenance of our bones,cartilage, teeth and gums.

The good, the bad, and the brittle…what type of bones would you like?

If you’d like more information about CalciAIM™ please visit the AIM website at http://awealthofhealth.myaimstore.com where you can read more, download a data sheet or watch a video.

Healthy Choices Shouldn’t Be Difficult

Every time I hear the news it seems that one thing or another has been found to be either good or bad for us. One week the “experts” are telling us to cut back on or eliminate a particular food or drink as it can cause disease or health conditions (at least it did in lab animals), and the next week other “experts” are claiming that same food or drink is actually good for us. It can get downright confusing!

Because we need food to nourish our body and give us energy it’s important to have some sort of guideline and understanding as to which food and drink are good for us and which are not so good. Having a healthy diet is also important in reducing our risk of many of today’s chronic ailments.

Making healthy food choices is essential for maintaining good health and well-being, and an easy way to start is with Canada’s Food Guide (or the USDA MyPyriamid program for our friends to the south). Although I don’t agree with everything Health Canada dictates, I do believe the food guide is actually a good tool to use to see if we’re getting the right types and amounts of the foods we need. You can visit the Canada Food Guide website at:
http://www.hc-sc.gc.ca/fn-an/food-guide-aliment/index_e.html

Choosing foods that are high in fibre and low in fat can help to keep us healthy and fit. Lots of fresh veggies and fruit are a must in today’s diet and the fresher and organic we can get is best. The local farmers markets are starting up at this time of year so it’s a great way to shop for all your fresh food needs.

Frozen dinners, processed and pre-packaged foods are usually laden with chemicals, fats, excess salt and sugar. If possible, they should be avoided. However, due to our hectic schedules we do on occasion have to break down and have one as a meal. Because of the dioxins and other chemicals being discovered in the plastic used for packaged microwave food, it’s a good idea to avoid microwaving. Instead, cook the food in the oven (or toaster oven if you have one) and toss together a salad for added nutrition and fibre. Baby spinach and mesclun come conveniently pre-washed in bags. It’s an easy way to get some greens and by adding green peppers, celery, onions and tomatoes it really rounds out the nutrition.

It’s also a good idea to read labels to find out what is in the food we eat. If you would like to know what a lot of the chemicals and additives are, there is a multitude of websites and books available that explain what we are eating. You can Google ‘food additives’ for a huge directory on the essential information about what is really in the food we eat, which additives we should avoid, and which are downright unsafe. There are a lot of books on the subject as well. Check with your local library or at Amazon.

Another way to make an informed choice is to read the Nutrition Facts on the label. The Nutrition Facts table can help you make healthy choices for you and your family. The information is based on a specific amount of food, which you can compare to the amount you eat. It also shows the % Daily Value to see if a food has a little or alot of a specific nutrient. The table also shows how much fat, saturated fat, trans fat, sugar and sodium the product contains. Please keep in mind when reading these tables that the serving size may be significantly low. In other words, 50 ml or 1 teaspoon is not a lot of food but may contain high amounts of fats, sodium and/or sugar. You can read more about labelling practises in Canada by visiting: http://healthycanadians.ca/nutrition

It’s also important to maintain healthy habits. Keeping active, exercising and not smoking is healthy for your weight, heart and lungs and will keep you feeling young and energized. Adding extra supplements can also have a tremendous effect on your health and AIM has all the right ones to choose from.

Life is supposed to be a journey, not a destination, and by making the right choices we can have a really great ride. By spending a little time reading and educating ourselves, healthy choices shouldn’t be difficult.

If you’d like to learn about the AIM products, watch a video or download a datasheet visit My AIM Store website at http://awealthofhealth.myaimstore.com

No Recession In Network Marketing?

Every day we are hearing about job loses, business closings, downsizings, bankruptcies and foreclosers. Not to mention the increasing costs of just about everything it takes to survive these days. Rising gas prices, utility costs, food and shelter just to name a few. I like to point out that price increases have a ripple effect. The first guy has to increase his prices, then so does the next, and the next and the next. Funny thing is though, when the economic “storm” is over, the price of everything never seems to come back down. Funny how that works, isn’t it? But there is a way to help supplement your income to help pay for all the increased costs, and that way is through Network Marketing.

During tougher economic times, there is always a renewed awareness of the need to make more money. People are looking for new financial opportunities. An opportunity where they can start a business that doesn’t require a lot of capital, one that allows them to work at their own pace and offers rewards that can grow rapidly.

You may wonder that in these economic times people are not in the market for a new product, much less invest money in starting a business. They may think they need to keep thousands of dollars of merchandise on hand and go door-to-door, store-to-store, floor-to-floor ‘til there ain’t no more to sell, sell, sell. This is not the case anymore.

The Network Marketing industry is changing and there are newer, exciting and more effective methods available to build your business. It’s an exciting industry offering unlimited opportunities, and as sole owner of your company, you hold the key to the success level you choose. The harder you work, the greater the rewards. There is no such thing as “get rich quick”, and if you find a company that says you will……run! They are not the type of company you want to do business with. You want to be involved with a company who has a solid background and a proven track record. A company that offers a superior product line and a generous compensation plan.

Many people are opening up to new opportunities that will generate extra streams of income for them and their families and Network Marketing can help. You can work part-time and at your own pace, and you don’t need to give up your current job to become a success in the business. If you’re worried about your job security and financial future, Network Marketing can help take the stress of those uncertainties away. Now is the time to protect yourself from an uncertain future. Now is the time for Network Marketing.

No recession in Network Marketing? You bet there isn’t!

For more information on the AIM Income Opportunity and the Compensation Plan please visit My AIM Store website at http://awealthofhealth.myaimstore.com

As an aside, according to the March-April 2009 issue of Living Well, “for over 27 years AIM has been sending out thousands of commission cheques to AIM Members as compensation for their accomplishments. The commission figure is more than $562 million and climbing each month.”

Back To The Basics

During these tougher economic times, many of us are faced with decisions of what, and how, we need to cut back on in order to help pay for the rising costs of necessities such as food, clothing and shelter.

Talk shows such as Oprah, Dr. Phil and a host of others, are frequently discussing this current “economic crisis”, bringing in experts and other guests to help show us how to pay down our debt load, create a budget, and save money. Many of them have very helpful suggestions and tips, and just so long as we are all able to get our “egos” out of the way, many of us will weather this storm and come out shining. We may also discover we can live very well just getting back to some basics and common sense thinking. By changing a few habits and limiting spending on non-essential items, many of us will overcome these recent hurdles that have been placed in front of us.

One way for us to save money is by becoming more aware of our diet and what we eat. Due to the hectic lifestyles we have developed over the years, we have become too reliant on quick and easy packaged and processed foods. Just “pop them in the microwave” we’re told for a “quick and delicious” meal. Looks good and sounds great, right? Wrong. Not only are these quick foods expensive but they also lack a lot of the essential nutrients we need to maintain good health and wellness. And eating out at fast food restaurants regularly can not only put a huge load on our pocket book, but also a huge load on our health due to the absence of necessary nutrients we need to sustain life.

We can however eat very healthy without breaking the bank, by taking a few simple steps and getting back to some basics. By planning our meals ahead of time, sticking to our shopping list, brown bagging it for lunch (try a healthy sandwich on wholegrain bread and a few extra veggies), and having our family get involved at mealtime, we not only save money and get healthy but also encourage valuable family time together.

Perhaps it’s time to reconsider our approach to eating and get back to basics by looking at the nutritional benefits food provides. Our ancestors received their nutrition from whole food sources grown in chemical and pesticide free soil. Their vegetables, fruits, and grains were grown in nutrient rich soil containing minerals and enzymes. Although it’s a little more difficult today to find foods that are as nutrient dense as they used to be, it is still vitally important to get a complete balance of healthy foods the way nature intended, and one way is to supplement our diet with live whole-food nutritional products.

For over a quarter century, AIM has produced superior whole-food powder concentrates and nutrient-based health supplements to support a healthy lifestyle. An all-natural green barley juice concentrate, AIM BarleyLife® provides the nutrition we need to build a strong foundation for good health, vitality and wellness. While helping to provide the daily nutrition we need for good health, adding AIM BarleyLife® to our diet can be very cost effective and inexpensive. And that is, most definitely, one way for us to get back to the basics.

If you’d like more information about AIM BarleyLife® please visit My AIM Store website at http://awealthofhealth.myaimstore.com where you can read more, download a data sheet or watch a video.

What's Up Doc?

It is well known that carrots are a healthy food. We enjoy them in a variety of ways. They are often cut up and boiled or steamed, and are usually used in soups and stews. They also make a terrific snack for dipping. Their sweet taste and crunchy texture are a favourite among children and adults alike.

Although characteristically bright orange in colour, the carrot has a darker history then we may know. Dating back about 5000 years, the carrot’s wild ancestor was a tough fleshed, pungent root plant. They were once small, very thin, purple, red and even black taproots with an unpleasant bitterness to them. It is believed that the ancients used the root for medicinal purposes rather than eating them and some even discarded the root in favour of using the leaves and flowers for cooking.

It wasn’t until the 1500’s when Dutch agriculturalists used a mutant yellow carrot seed from North Africa to develop a carrot in the colour of the House of Orange, the Dutch Royal Family. They began experiments on improving the pale yellow varieties by cross breeding them with red varieties. These varieties contain beta-carotene, which produce the orange coloured roots. This is the wonderful sweet carrot we have come to know today.

Baby carrots appeared in the marketplace in the late 1980’s. There are two types of baby carrots. The “true” baby carrot, which are grown to the “baby stage”, and the “manufactured” baby carrots, which are the ones we see the most of at the grocery store. “Manufactured” baby carrots were invented by a California farmer by the name of Mike Yurosek as a way of making use of carrots that were too knobbly or twisted for sale as full-sized carrots. Unhappy at having to discard tonnes of carrots daily due to their imperfections, Yurosek looked for a way to reclaim what would otherwise be a waste product. By using an industrial green been cutter and an industrial potato peeler, he created the baby carrot.

Carrots are an excellent source of antioxidant compounds, which help protect against cancer and cardiovascular disease. They contain important nutrients such as alpha- and beta-carotene, vitamins B and C, plus calcium, iron and potassium.

Beta-carotene is one of about 600 similar compounds called carotenoids, which are present in many fruits and vegetables. Of all the carotenoids, beta-carotene is known for its efficient conversion to vitamin A. Plant sources that are rich in beta-carotene include potatoes, spinach, mango, cantaloupe, kale, and tomatoes, but the highest source of beta-carotene may be found in raw carrots, steamed carrots, and carrot juice.

The body changes beta-carotene found in these foods into vitamin A, which is important in strengthening the immune system and promoting healthy cell growth. Vitamin A also plays an important role in vision by helping to maintain the mucosal linings of the eyes, and is required for the transduction of light into nerve signals in the retina.

Carrot juice has also become very popular as a health drink either on its own or blended with fruits and other vegetables. Fresh fruit and vegetable juices are rich in enzymes that spark the hundreds of thousands of chemical reactions that occur throughout the body. Enzymes are essential for the digestion and absorption of food, for conversion of foodstuffs into body tissue, and for the production of energy at the cellular level.

AIM Just Carrots® is made from 100 percent natural carrot juice crystals with only the fiber removed. The powder is concentrated 25 times, which means that 25 pounds of raw carrots are used to make one pound of AIM Just Carrots® powder. The caplets are formed from the powder.

With its natural form of beta-carotene, AIM Just Carrots® is 100% natural with no added sugar that provides the nutrition we need to develop a strong foundation for good health.

To learn more about the benefits of juicing (without the inconvenience) using AIM Just Carrots® please visit My AIM Store website at http://awealthofhealth.myaimstore.com and click on the products link.

By providing our bodies with the nutrition it needs, through proper diet and supplementation, and supporting a healthy lifestyle, we can avoid having to say…What’s Up Doc?

The Rewards Of Network Marketing

Network Marketing has helped people of all genders, professions, experience, financial status and education achieve financial independence and build a lucrative business.

As a means of product distribution, network marketing has been around for a very long time. The late 1800’s saw many new companies employing door-to-door salesmen to distribute anything from books to bibles to remedies. Familiar names like Watkins were selling liniment in the 1860’s and the California Perfume Company (or Avon as we know it today) was founded in the late 1800’s.

In the early 1900’s, the Fuller Brush Company made its debut along with the Electrolux vacuum cleaner and Britannica encyclopedias. By the 1940’s a company called California Vitamins found they could increase their sales by having more sales representative sell a small amount of product each rather than the traditional method of having a few sales representative sell a lot of product. They also discovered their increasing customer base was made up of family and friends of their existing sales representatives. Later changing their name to Nutrilite Food Supplement Corporation, they created new sales representatives from their customer base and a commission system was developed. By rewarding both teams and individuals for their sales efforts, network marketing was born. In the late 1950’s, and based on the same network marketing concept, two inspiring entrepreneurs founded Amway (short for “the American Way”). Fifty years later this well established network marketing company is still going strong.

Also known as MuIti-Level Marketing or MLM, it is estimated there are more than 50 million people worldwide involved in network marketing, generating almost 100 billion in annual wholesale revenue. Recognized as one of the fastest growing industries in the world today, more and more companies are choosing to capitalize on this growing trend and sell their products directly to the consumer.

Network marketing provides people the opportunity to build a network of distributors, providing everyone the equal opportunity to help others and make money in the process. It is a marketing system that allows anyone to start from the bottom and move to the top by building their own business. And one of the greatest advantages of MLM’s is that it gives you the opportunity to enjoy making new friends and helping others while receiving a residual income.

Network marketing can be a very productive business providing you with a very fulfilling lifestyle. Billionaire John Paul Getty is quoted as saying, “I would rather have 1% of the efforts of a hundred people rather than 100% of my own effort.”

A good MLM program is the best business to get involved with and your own efforts are what make it happen. With minimal investment and an exceptional compensation plan, network marketing offers anyone the opportunity to build a successful business while helping others to do the same.

People helping people. That’s what it’s all about, and truly the real rewards of network marketing!

For more information on the AIM Income Opportunity and the Compensation Plan please visit My AIM Store website at http://awealthofhealth.myaimstore.com

Life’s All About Balance

When we think of the word balance, images that come to mind may be of a gymnast on a balance beam, a set of weighing scales or someone falling because they “lost their balance”.

Balance, to me, is essential to our health and well-being. When we have balance in our lives, we hold the key to health, happiness and prosperity.

Throughout history people have strived to find balance. Buddhism uses meditation as an instrument to maintain a healthy balance of body and mind. The Chinese find balance through the ancient study of Feng Shui. It is even thought that primitive man may have been meditating while gazing at their fires, thus, finding balance.

In our hurried lifestyles of today, we may find it difficult to create balance, harmony and prosperity in our environments. We rush through our days hustling to get things done, catching ourselves making the “when I get around to it”, “once I” or “someday” statements, only to find that the day has ended and our “around to it” hasn’t happened. Maybe tomorrow, we dream.

When we’re rushed, hurried and stressed out, we know we’re way out of balance by the signs our bodies give us. We feel tired, we get headaches, our digestive system speaks loudly through diarrhoea or constipation, we crave starchy and sugary foods because we need that quick fix to keep going, or we become angry and impatient with others as we constantly feel on edge. And not only that, but when our bodies PH level is out of whack and too acidic, we invite disease.

Finding balance in our lives doesn’t have to be a difficult task. It can be as simple as de-cluttering our homes, organizing our finances and creating a stick–to-it budget, delegating chores to others, planning meals and especially… spending time for ourselves. It’s important to realize that we cannot do it all, and if we truly want balance in our lives, we need to ask others for help.

As an advocate of healthy eating and proper nutrition, I believe the key for having and maintaining good health and wellness is to make sure we have a balanced diet. Including lots of fresh vegetables and fruits, rich whole grains, raw nuts and seeds, unprocessed oils and fats, and reducing the amount of packaged and processed foods we consume, will help to keep our body balanced. It’s also important to include high quality whole food and nutritional supplements (ie. BarleyLife®) in our diet to help make up the shortfall of today’s foods that are lacking in essential nutrients.

We don’t need to wait for “someday” to find balance and harmony in our life. Why not start today finding ways to regenerate and lead a balanced lifestyle? Take a walk, swim, play golf, dance, read, meditate, take yoga classes, listen/ play music, learn a new skill or go back to school. Eat a balanced diet, get plenty of rest and start taking care of you. Remember, life’s all about balance!

For more information about BarleyLife™ and all of the other AIM products, please visit My AIM Store AIM website at http://awealthofhealth.myaimstore.com

Beans, Beans The Musical Fruit

As February is heart month I thought it fitting to write about things that are good for your heart, and beans is one of them.

As a child, I remember all the teasing that went on with the cute little jingle “Beans, beans the musical fruit…. the more you eat, the more you…” (You can probably guess the rest). If you’re not familiar with that one, you may remember another such rhyme as “Beans, beans they’re good for your heart…the more you eat, the more you…” Well, you get it. They still make me chuckle!

Considering beans have been an important part of the human diet for thousands of years, these humble little legumes never seem to make it to the spotlight. One of the most nutritionally complete foods available, beans are a great source of protein, antioxidants, folate and dietary fiber. They’re high in complex carbohydrates, low in fat, rich in vitamins and minerals and cholesterol-free. They’re good for the heart, blood sugar levels and can even help keep arteries clean.

If you’re wondering what distinguishes beans from peas and lentils, it’s the physical shape of the seed that determines which is which. For example, beans are oval or kidney-shaped whereas peas are round and lentils are flat disks. Most dry beans grown in North America belong to the species Phaseolus vulgaris, or common bean, and are available uncooked in bags or pre-cooked in cans.

In North America, beans are usually planted in mid May and they’re harvested anywhere from late August to late October depending on the location. According to Northarvest Bean Growers Association, “America is the leader in quality bean production. Because the equipment used for harvesting is the most technically advanced in the world, U.S. farmers are able to plant from 1.8 to 2 million acres of dry beans each year.” According to their website, Americans are the chief consumers of these beans, consuming approximately 7.5 pounds per capita, and twenty percent of American-grown beans are shipped to international markets, helping to feed the world.

Beans contain approximately the same amount of calories as a one-cup serving of cooked pasta, cooked rice or a 6 to 8 ounce baked potato yet they are significantly higher in dietary fiber. Because they offer much of the same nutrients as meat, but without all the fat and cholesterol, beans provide an excellent nutritional alternative for vegetarians. And because the soluble fiber in beans slows down digestion, it helps blood sugar rise at a slow steady rate rather than a spike, making beans a good choice for diabetics as well. Beans are also loaded with protein, which doesn’t raise blood sugar and helps the body process the carbohydrates in a meal more effectively.

Dietary guidelines suggest eating at least three cups of beans a week, but most of us probably don’t average even one cup a week. Considering all we have to do to eat them is open a can, there’s really no excuse not to. Just remember that canned beans can contain high amounts of sodium so you may want to rinse them in cold water before using, and if you’re worried about the ‘toot” you can ‘degas’ dried beans by following the directions on the package and soaking them.

From pinto to navy, black to white, dried to canned, beans make an ideal addition in our diet. Add them to soups, salads, and casseroles, mash them and make a dip or do up an old-fashioned crock-pot of baked beans. Yummy! There are numerous recipes available on the Internet and in recipe books that suggest hundreds of different ways we can use beans.

So instead of wondering what to have as a healthy food choice, reach for the beans. After awhile you’ll be able to say, “bean there, done that.” Enjoy!

Visit My AIM Store at http://awealthofhealth.myaimstore.com to learn more about healthy eating and nutrition.

Feeling Sluggish?

If you’re feeling a little sluggish after the holiday season of indulging in too much food, chocolate, cookies and wine, here are some ideas to help support your body detoxify and get back into the healthy swing of things. A few tips to help with the clean up are:

Drink: plenty of water (adding a little fresh lemon juice helps detoxify the liver), green tea (combats free-radical damage and helps protect against degenerative disease) and freshly made fruit and vegetable juices.

Eat: avoid junk food and eat plenty of fresh fruit and vegetables. Make sure you are eating at least 5 to 10 servings of fresh fruit and veggies a day including chlorophyll-rich foods which help cleanse the kidneys, clear the skin, and clean and build the blood. They also help boost the immune system and help the body rid itself of unwanted substances. Eating foods that are high in fibre will help maintain digestive help. Some foods that help increase the fibre content in your diet include fresh fruits and vegetables, whole grains, nuts and seeds and legumes.

Exercise: moderate exercise is important to help clean up the lymphatic system. Gentle bouncing on a mini-trampoline (rebounding) or low impact aerobics such as water aerobics or “aquafit” can help rid your system of unwanted toxins. And nothing beats a walk in the park on a beautiful winter’s day!

AIM also carries great products that can help cleanse, detoxify and keep our digestive systems working optimally. Some of these include:

AIM BarleyLife® is a chlorophyll-rich, all-natural, green barley juice concentrate abundant in enzymes and essential amino acids and promotes a healthy immune system.

AIM Herbal FiberBlend® is a unique and powerful combination of cleansing herbs and psyllium to sweep the digestive system clean of toxins and food debris.

AIM FibreBalance® (Canada only) provides 12 grams of fibre in two scoops, prevents constipation and protects the intestinal wall. It reduces transit time and provides a more thorough evacuation of waste and helps maintain digestive health.

Detoxifying can be an easy process. We just need to give our body a little bit of help. Try some of these suggestions to help give your system a boost if you’re… feeling sluggish?

For more information about AIM BarleyLife®, AIM Herbal Fiberblend®, AIM FibreBalance® or any of the other superior whole food products and nutritional supplements AIM carries, please visit My AIM Store website at http://awealthofhealth.myaimstore.com where you can read more, download a data sheet or watch a video.

Are You SAD?

With a brand new start to another year (and all the doom and gloom in the news lately) we may want to pay a little more attention to our physical and emotional well-being. One condition that can make us feel sick and/or tired and can also trigger anxiety and depression is a condition called “Seasonal Affective Disorder” or SAD for short.

Also known as winter depression, it is reported that millions of people are affected by this biological imbalance, thought to be caused by the shorter daylight hours and lack of sunlight during the winter months. SAD usually occurs between the months of September and April and is noticeable more acute during December, January and February. There is also a rarer form of SAD, known as summer SAD, or summer depression, which usually begins in late spring or early summer.

Although awareness of this condition has existed for more than a hundred years, it wasn’t until the early 1980’s before it was recognized as a disorder. Many people who suffer from SAD may not even be aware that it exists or there is help available to them. People who suffer from these winter blues can experience anything from mild discomfort to the more extreme, which can prevent them from functioning normally and even possibly lead them to the need for antidepressant drugs and medical treatment.

There is no confirmed cause of SAD however continuing research suggests SAD is related to seasonal variations in light. Our “biological internal clock” located in our brain regulates daily rhythms and responds to changes in seasons and the differences in the length of the day. The cycle of human life has been revolving around this cycle of daylight and darkness for thousands of years. People were active during the day and rested at night. With the advent of electricity we no longer change according to the seasons, putting us out of step with the natural cycle of human life. Other research is also showing that the neurotransmitters in the brain that help regulate mood, appetite and sleep may also be affected with SAD.

Some symptoms of Seasonal Affective Disorder may include fatigue, difficulty concentrating, irritability, feelings of anxiety and despair, decreased energy, cravings for sweet or starchy foods and weight gain. With most people, symptoms usually disappear in the spring.

People who experience mild symptoms of SAD can benefit from a variety of easy and natural treatments. Unfortunately, people who are affected more severely may have to work out a treatment plan (such as “Light Therapy”) with a health care provider, who is knowledgeable about SAD and familiar with the treatments.

Some easy and natural treatments you can practise to help with SAD are:

Increase your exposure to light: spend more time outdoors during the daylight hours. If you work indoors, make a habit of taking a walk outdoors during your lunch hour and/or breaks. Keep your curtains open in your home during the day to let the light in. Position your furniture to receive maximum exposure to sunlight and trim any tree branches that block the light. Add a skylight to brighten a dark room and position lamps to increase the light indoors.

Exercise: increases your physical, mental and emotional well-being and relieves stress. If you exercise indoors, positioning yourself near a window helps to increase light exposure. Exercising outdoors (such as walking) will help increase your exposure to natural light and lift up your spirits.

Monitor your sleep patterns: make sure you are receiving adequate sleep every night. Getting seven to eight hours of regularly scheduled sleep, particularly during the colder months, is very important.

Watch your diet: cut down or eliminate junk foods that are laden with fats and sugars, and reduce the amount of packaged and processed foods you consume. Avoid stimulants such as tea, coffee and caffeinated drinks. Eat plenty of fresh vegetables and fruits, rich whole grains, raw nuts and seeds, unprocessed oils and fats and drug-free and free-range eggs and meats and drink plenty of water to keep you hydrated. As always, the best source of nutrients we require are from a balanced and varied diet rich in health supporting foods, however we may need to supplement our diets with extra nutrients to ensure we are receiving adequate nutrition to help our physical and mental well-being. The whole food products and nutritional supplements AIM provides can help fill that void for maintaining or improving emotional, mental and physical health.

Laugh: watch a funny movie or have a few friends over for a good laugh. Sometimes laughter is the best medicine.

So if you’re feeling blue during the winter months and don’t quite know what to do about it, just try some of these tips to help get you back in the pink again. A little extra light in your life can make all the difference along with a healthy diet, adequate sleep and some outdoor activities. The next time you feel a little down just ask yourself…Are you SAD?

For more information on AIM’s whole food products and nutritional supplements, please visit My AIM Store website at http://awealthofhealth.myaimstore.com where you can read more, download a data sheet or watch a video.