Healthy Idaho | May '14 by Healthy Magazine

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Terry Ring Silver Creek Outfitters

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“SelectHealth did what our previous insurance company couldn’t, or wouldn’t do. They actually brought our costs down and have a plan to keep them stabilized. This helps a small business like ours keep good people.” The alliance between St. Luke’s and SelectHealth is raising the bar for healthcare in Idaho. Our simple mission—to provide better care and coverage at a lower cost—is being fulfilled every day for small businesses like Silver Creek Outfitters. To find out how we can improve the health of your business, click or call today. Visit our site:

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MAY 2014

Content May 8

Bloom Where You're Planted

2014 VOL. VI № 5

Thanks, Mom!

12 Steps to Simplify Your Life

The Power of Touch

Courage—The Forgotten Virtue

B and we sure atch o ur

Health y

11 Parenting Faux-Pas Of Nutrition

ON THE COVER:

Ten Flowers You Can Eat

MISS AMERICA CANDIDATE, KIRA HANNEMANN BY MEGAN HEAPS @ VELLEGREEN PHOTOGRAPHY

Medical Consipracy Theories

6 HEALTHY IDAHO

MEGHEAPS@GMAIL.COM

KT VB egments onAHO everyNOON N Wedn EWS es

K I R A’ S P H OTO G R A P H Y

day

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MAY 2014

Healthy

EDITOR'S NOTE

BLOOM.

IDAHO

WITH

MARCH 2014 VOLUME VI, № 5

(WHERE YOU’RE PLANTED...)

t the north rim of the Grand Canyon in Arizona sits a powerful lesson for those who choose to see. Not far from the visitor’s center near a lookout point grows a gnarled, twisted old juniper tree. It’s similar to hundreds of others in the area, so it doesn’t immediately jump out as odd or unique. But it is peculiar when you really look at it. And if you study it long enough you can’t help but marvel— ‘How did this tree come to be?’ You see, this particular tree literally grows out of the side of the rock canyon wall. If you question the naturalist guide you will hear an interesting bit of history connected to this tree. A juniper seed is not a lot different in appearance to a cantaloupe seed. In some improbable fashion one of these unfortunate seeds found it’s way to a crevice near the edge of the canyon wall. It wedged in a cleft of solid rock. That should have been the end of the little seed’s creation since no seed can possibly germinate without soil, not to mention the water scarcity and virtually non-existent sunlight.

P H O T O B Y T I F F I N E E D AW N . C O M

WRIT TEN BY JOHN A. ANDERSON, EDITOR IN CHIEF

8 HEALTHY IDAHO

EDITOR-IN-CHIEF | PUBLISHER John A. Anderson | john@healthy-idaho.com CHIEF INFORMATION OFFICER Kenneth J. Shepherd | ken@healthy-idaho.com SALES AND MARKETING Julie Guyer 208.371.4533 Steve Wallace 208.850.4983 sales@healthy-idaho.com

Needless to say, the seed had little chance of success.

DESIGN EDITOR Phillip Chadwick design@healthy-idaho.com

But apparently, nobody informed this seed, and the seed was obviously unconcerned with its situation or limitations in life. The seed just did what it had to do to succeed in becoming the best juniper tree it could be.

MANAGING EDITOR Michael Richardson | michael@healthy-mag.com ONLINE EDITOR Taylor Smith | taylor.smith@healthy-mag.com DIRECTOR OF OPERATIONS Lyn Timboe | lyn.timboe@healthy-mag.com

It’s unbelievable, but that little seed germinated, forged roots into solid rock, and began developing. It eventually raised a shoot out of the cleft to seek sunshine and rain. It steadily grew into a full-sized juniper tree. As it did so, it’s roots and trunk steadily put pressure on the outer shelf of rock, until one day the tree’s growth became so much that one entire section of the Grand Canyon wall broke loose and tumbled into a massive heap near the foot of the canyon, nearly one mile straight down. It’s estimated that over forty million tons of rock lay on the canyon floor simply because one little seed didn’t realize it couldn’t grow and because the seed, despite hardships and unfavorable circumstance, refused to quit. Here’s my point: None of us are beaten until we think we’re beaten. Each of us can succeed despite the odds. Sure, our background and circumstances may have influenced who we are, but we’re ultimately responsible for who we become. Each of us gets wedged between a rock and a hard place at times—but if we will find a way, plant roots and reach towards the light, we eventually realize our own improbable miracle.

CONTRIBUTING WRITERS Aubrey Taylor, Bonnie Shelton, Angela Silva, Brooke Kittel, David Fotsh, Robynn Zender, Jill Castle, David Joachim, Douglas H. Jones, Robert Jones, Lisa Mathews, Mark Saunders CIRCULATION

Healthy Idaho Magazine is printed monthly and delivered to higher income homes throughout Boise and is made available for pick up at hundreds of locations. Healthy Idaho Magazine is also mailed to all doctors, dentists, chiropractors, medical practitioners, health clinics, banks, and other businesses. If you would like to have Healthy Idaho Magazine delivered for distribution in your place of business, please contact us.

HEALTHY IDAHO MAGAZINE info@healthy-idaho.com 866.884.3258 PLEASE NOTE: The content in this publication is meant to increase reader awareness of developments in the health and medical field and should not be construed as medical advice or instruction on individual health matters, which should be obtained directly from a health professional. The opinions expressed by the authors and advertisers are not necessarily those of the publisher. Call for reprint permission. All photography courtesy of Shutterstock.com unless otherwise noted.

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MAY 2014

HEALTHSMART

REMEMBERING THE PAST

Through

Music WRITTEN BY BONNIE SHELTON

EAGLE — An Idaho musician is using his talents to help senior citizens relive the past through the music that helped shape their lives. The music therapy program is headlined by guitarist Bruce Biggs. The former pastor loves music and sharing it with others. Each month, he plays shows for unique audiences. On a Tuesday in March, he performed at Paramount Parks, an assisted living center for seniors in Eagle. "Hey how are you? It's nice to see you again," Biggs added as he warmed up his guitar. “Dance along in your chair if you feel like it.” Because St. Patrick's Day falls in March, Biggs played some of his favorite Irish songs. He opened with "When Irish Eyes are Smiling." The tune was familiar to many of the residents who were not afraid to sing along. The music is more than just entertainment – the songs brought back powerful memories of first love, learning to drive a car, a father’s Irish jig, and even marriage for the residents at Paramount Parks. "When we're hearing a song and singing along with a song, it's involving so many parts of our brain," he explained. While he's never trained in music therapy, Biggs uses a background in social work and hospice care to relate to residents. "I know how to approach people therapeutically with music," Biggs told KTVB.

10 HEALTHY IDAHO

From "Chickery Chick" to "This Old House," Biggs chooses his songs strategically. "I've intentionally chosen songs back when most of these folks were teenagers and that's a strong memory for them," he said. Residents at Paramount enjoyed the show and the trip down memory lane. "I love the music," said Paramount Parks resident Dorothy Coy. "It's just the rhythm of your life. I think it's wonderful.” He said most of his audience requests old hymns and Frank Sinatra but recently a woman asked him to play some Neil Diamond, so he added that to his repertoire.

Biggs has been playing instruments since he was six. He currently shares his music with 20 facilities from Boise to Payette.

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MAY 2014

Thanks, Mom!

bloom

““My mom and I have always been really close. She’s always been the friend that was always there. There were times when, in middle school and junior high, I didn’t have a lot of friends. But my mom was always my friend. Always.” ~Taylor Swift

“There is no way to be a perfect mother, and a million ways to be a good one.” Jill Churchill, author

“You transition as a mother from literally just pulling a booger out of that person’s nose whenever you see one until at some point they assert: “No, I’m a person. You can’t fix my underpants on the subway.” ~Tina Fey, comedian

“A mother is a person who, seeing there are only four pieces of pie for five people, promptly announces she never did care for pie.” Tenneva Jordan

“Love as powerful as your mother’s for you leaves its own mark…to have been loved so deeply will give us some protection forever.” ~J.K. Rowling, Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone

“The heart of a mother is a deep abyss at the bottom of which you will always find forgiveness.” Honore de Balzac, author

“My mom came to a taping of ‘American Idol’ and she pulled me aside and told me she thought it was totally improper that I was chewing gum. And on TV, too! Of course, I threw it away immediately. The contestants have to listen to me and I still listen to my mother.” ~Simon Cowell

“My mom was really strong around me. Having me at 16 had to have been a big responsibility. My mom gave up everything for me, had three jobs, supported me, sacrificed her life for me.” ~Selena Gomez

“The one thing that stays with me is her saying: ‘If you want to be in this business, you gotta be tough. You gotta have a thick skin and don’t worry about what people say and just do all the beautiful things I know you can do.’ I think she’s been very encouraging to me in that way.” ~ Jennifer Lopez

“I remember my mother’s prayers and they have always followed me. They have clung to me all my life.” Abraham Lincoln

“Before I had my child, I thought I knew all the boundaries of myself, that I understood the limits of my heart. It’s extraordinary to have all those limits thrown out, to realize your love is inexhaustible.” ~Uma Thurman, actor

“My mother was the most beautiful woman I ever saw. All I am I owe to my mother. I attribute all my success in life to the moral, intellectual and physical education I received from her.” George Washington

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MAY 2014

bloom

o M Why wanting to be a mom is nothing to be ashamed of 14 HEALTHY IDAHO

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s u o i r o l G

W R I T T E N B Y A NG E L A S I LVA

: d o o h r e h

t o

Some feel mocked. Others feel flat out embarrassed. When it comes to admitting their desire to become mothers, women often treat it like revealing a dirty secret. Why must wanting to become a mother be so shameful? Why do women feel so judged for wanting to become mothers? Society hasn’t exactly made motherhood the most prestigious of career paths. Fewer women are becoming mothers these days compared to 20 years ago. In fact, the national birthrate has gone down 20% since 1990. In addition, the average age of firsttime mothers has increased, which correlates with women getting married at an older age and attaining more education.

Stay-at-home moms work an average of 94 hours a week and would collect a "mom salary" of $113,586 a year. ~Salary.com

These statistics, along with the increased presence of women in the workforce, put a lot of pressure on a woman to become accomplished in her education and career. Perhaps it is these reasons that cause women to lower their heads when they admit they want to be mothers, as if being a mother were less of an accomplishment than landing a dream career or attaining a PhD. What is it about motherhood that makes it seem so much less deserving of pride than other careers? If a mother were paid for all of her many job titles, she would make far more money than she would in most other careers. Let’s look at a few of the responsibilities of a mother and what she would be paid if she received salary for them:

That’s barely scratching the surface. We could also include CFO, secretary, judge, hair stylist, teacher, repairwoman, lifeguard, doctor, wardrobe stylist, special events coordinator, story teller, seamstress, and bodyguard, to name a few. In addition to all of these responsibilities, mothers must work holidays and weekends without vacation time. Most importantly, they do it all so willingly and happily with an attitude of love as they try to make the best life they can for their children. No, they aren’t paid salary, but moms are paid with nighttime routines filled with “I-love-yous” and reading the same book four times in a row with the same excited reaction each time. They are paid with seeing the wonder in their child’s eyes as they spend 10 entire minutes watching a bird hop around the yard. They are paid with being the only trusted comforter in the world when their child gets a scraped knee. They are paid with the sweet smell of baby skin as they snuggle their sleepy baby before bedtime. No, they aren’t paid salary, because mothers are invaluable.

Money cannot buy all of the priceless acts of love mothers do for their children. No matter what they have or have not accomplished career wise, there is no greater accomplishment than trying to raise good children to be good adults. Next time you’re faced with the question of whether or not you want to have children, don’t be ashamed. Hold your head high and proudly proclaim your desire to get the best job in the world. No matter what society says, you matter, Mama!

COMPARABLE ANNUAL SALARIES Laundry machine operator: Janitor: Taxi driver: Housekeeper:

$20,100 $20,700 $31,600 $19,700

Computer Operator: $31,300 Chef: $27,300 Daycare provider: $26,700 Family therapist: $74,000 CEO: $210,700 SOURCE: SALARY.COM

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MAY 2014

bloom

The Simpler

Steps to Simplify

WE ALL STRIVE TO BE SUPERSTARS AT WORK, STAY IN TOP SHAPE, HAVE FABULOUS RELATIONSHIPS, MAINTAIN A BEAUTIFUL HOME, AND FIND THE TIME TO VOLUNTEER FOR CAUSES WE SUPPORT. BUT IN TRYING TO ACCOMPLISH ALL THIS — AT TIMES SIMULTANEOUSLY — WE OFTEN HAVE EVEN LESS TIME FOR OURSELVES, OUR FRIENDS, AND OUR FAMILIES AND END UP INSTEAD WITH MORE STRESS, WHICH CAN EVENTUALLY LEAD TO HEALTH PROBLEMS. TRY THE FOLLOWING TIPS TO SIMPLIFY YOUR LIFE FOR A HAPPIER, HEALTHIER YOU.

LEARN TO SAY NO

One of the easiest ways to de-stress and find more time for yourself and the things that really matter is to learn to say one simple word: No. It’s easier said than done, of course, but you don’t need to give a lengthy explanation for your response; a simple “I would love to, but I just don’t have the time right now” will do. Does that leave you feeling guilty? Try saying “No, but…” and offer an alternative that works better for you.

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CREATE A PLACE FOR EVERYTHING

We’ve all lost countless minutes searching for our keys or that favorite pair of black pumps, inevitably when we’re already late for work and trying to rush out the door. Create a place for your keys — put a hook by the door, for example, or a small silver tray in the foyer — and put your shoes back in their proper place in the closet after you wear them. Do the same with those other things that always seem to vanish. Your life will run much more smoothly.

3 PAY BILLS AUTOMATICALLY

Buy yourself time and energy each month by signing up for automatic bill payments. It works best with utility bills such as your cable and telephone bill, which are about the same amount every month (and therefore unlikely to cause unpleasant surprises to your bottom line). You won’t have to write checks or buy stamps, and your bills will always be paid on time. A bonus: It’s good for the environment too, because you won’t use the resources needed to mail a check.

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Life

PREP YOUR GYM BAG

Next time you get home from the gym, throw your sweaty clothes into the laundry hamper right away and put a clean set into your gym bag. You’ll have one less excuse not to go to Pilates or spin class!

STOP BEING A SLAVE TO E-MAIL

The average person spends about seven hours a week on e-mail. Needless to say, not all of that time is spent wisely. If your job allows for it, turn off your e-mail alerts and check e-mail only a few times a day. Second, create an e-mail account that is solely for your subscriptions (such as sales notifications, frequent-flyer updates, newsletters, and so on) so they won’t clutter your in-box.

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CLEAN YOUR CLOSETS

Do a clean sweep of your closet twice a year: at the start of spring and fall. Be as ruthless as possible, removing everything you haven’t worn for two years or longer. Donate old work clothes to Dress for Success or the Salvation Army. When your closet is less cluttered, you’ll spend less time searching for your skinny black pants, and getting dressed every morning will be that much easier.

INVEST IN SMARTER LIGHTING

Compact fluorescent lightbulbs, which use up to 75 percent less energy than regular incandescent bulbs, aren’t just better for the environment and your bank account — they also make your life easier. How? They last as much as ten times longer than incandescent bulbs, so you’ll spend less time running to the store for replacement bulbs — and you’ll never get caught in the dark.

SAVE TIME WITH SPEED DIAL

Save the numbers of your favorite take-out restaurants in your cell phone. You can order on your way home from work or the gym so your dinner will be ready for pickup when you get there. It’s a good idea to store all your important phone numbers in your cell, including those you call infrequently, like your doctor, dentist, and hair stylist. You won’t waste time looking them up again. Just make sure you have those numbers recorded at home too, in case you lose your phone.

BOOK AHEAD

Next time you’re leaving your hair salon or doctor’s office, why not schedule your next appointment? It will be one less call you’ll need to make a few weeks down the line, and you’ll get a prime time slot. Always ask for an appointment at the beginning of the day or after the office’s lunch break so you’ll be less likely to spend time cooling your heels in the waiting room. Enter the appointment straight into your PDA or onto your calendar.

STOCK YOUR DESK

Keep extras of basic supplies in your desk at work so that if the need arises, you won’t be caught off-guard. Stock up on hand lotion, tampons, pantyhose, contact lenses, snacks, and pain medication.

10 CLEAN OUT YOUR PURSE

Throw out old gum wrappers, grocery lists, and other trash from your purse on a weekly basis. Designate a safe place in your wallet for receipts, in case you need them later. A clean, lighter purse makes it easier for you to find your keys, lipstick, and other essentials and will save your shoulder from excess strain.

11 ASK FOR A HELPING HAND

Although it’s a natural inclination to attempt to do everything on your own, that doesn’t necessarily mean it’s a good thing. When trying to complete an office project, delegate parts to co-workers or team members. You may be pleasantly surprised at how excited they are to help out. On the home front, you may find it’s helpful, if your budget allows, to hire someone to do the work for you — for example, send your clothing to a laundromat, hire a monthly housekeeper, or have an accountant do your taxes. If you have a hard time making it to the gym, enlist a trainer to help get you there.

Everything should be made as simple as possible, but not simpler. ~Albert Einstein

MAY 2014

fitness >> PILOXING

This innovative form of fitness developed by Swedish dancer Viveca Jensen is all about improving a woman’s self-image. Designed exclusively for women, but usable for all those secure men out there, the program entails a cardio interval workout with focused muscle toning and fat burning exercises. The incorporation of dance moves and weighted gloves maximizes the cardiovascular benefits of the program.

EXHALE: CORE FUSION PILATES PLUS

BEST

WORKOUT DVDS, 2014 WITH SUMMER COMING UP, MANY OF US ARE REMINDED OF THE FITNESS RESOLUTIONS WE MADE JUST A FEW MONTHS AGO. TIME MAY NOT ALLOW FOR TRIPS TO THE GYM OR OUTDOOR EXCURSIONS, AND AT HOME WORKOUTS SOMETIMES LOOK LIKE A BETTER OPTION. HERE’S THE SKINNY ON THE LATEST AND GREATEST WORKOUT DVDS FOR AT-HOME FITNESS.

Exhale Spa offers Fusion Pilates classes at several locations across the United States, but now this workout is available to everyone with the at home workout DVD. There five mini workouts that target abs, arms, and glutes. The program developed by Fred Devito and Elizabeth Halfpapp is perfect for those new to Pilates and the more experienced.

SO YOU THINK YOU CAN DANCE GET FIT: CARDIO FUNK

This is a fun and exciting way to get moving and increase your fitness level. Dancers from the show lead routines that include hip-hop, contemporary, and disco dance moves. The routines will help you find your rhythm and are awesome to do alongside friends and family. The whole point is to get classic cardio conditioning while getting in touch with your groovy side.

EOIN FINN: EARTH. BODY. YOGA.

Just released in December 2013, this is an excellent option for those looking for something a little different and relaxing, while still getting the benefits of a full body workout. The instructor leads the routines in different locations that are reminiscent of your favorite relaxing beach or calming waterfront. By providing the greatest opportunity for meditation and relaxation, you can work on bringing your fitness to a new level.

EDITOR’S CHOICE

Healthy

FAVORITE BOB HARPER THE SKINNY RULES SERIES

Not only can you read what Bob Harper has written in his book The Skinny Rules, you can couple that with his specialized workouts. The five disc workout series targets different muscle groups and brings intensity and effectiveness right to your living room. The series includes cardio, core, strength, abs, and yoga. Available to be purchased as a series or sold separately, it is a sure way to challenge your fitness ability, boost your metabolism, and get you looking great for summer.

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Healthy-Idaho.com

fitness >> WRITTEN BY DAVE FOTSCH

MAY IS NATIONAL

BICYCLE MONTH Remember the joy and freedom you had as a kid riding your bike around town? Well, it’s possible to regain that feeling as an adult, and May is the perfect month to get started.

he League of American Bicyclists has established the month of May as National Bike Month to celebrate and encourage the use of bicycles for commuting and recreation. There are plenty of good reasons to ride more, and since you have to go to work anyway, why not consider bicycle commuting?

THE ENVIRONMENT

The bicycle offers many advantages over the single occupant vehicle when it comes to commuting. It’s healthy, ecological, fashionable and fun! Obviously more bicycles equal smaller carbon footprints compared to cars, which are the single largest source of pollution in most U.S. cities. When you substitute a bicycle for a car in short trips around town you are reducing pollutants by 3.6 pounds per mile. And get this; ten bicycles can be parked in the space one car takes up!

HEALTH & PRODUCTIVITY

Studies continue to show that the percentage of U.S. adults who are overweight or obese is increasing. Two-thirds of the population is considered overweight, and roughly half of them are obese. Our fat is costing us $68 billion a year in medical and personal expenses. The simplest solution is to move more and bicycles are a great, low-impact way to get some exercise. Moderate exercise 30 minutes a day, three days a week has been shown to reduce heart disease, obesity, diabetes, hypertension and improve overall cardio-vascular fitness. Employers love this because their employees miss fewer days of work and are more productive when they are there.

LET’S GET STARTED

First, let’s overcome some of the excuses people give for not commuting to work: 1. I’M OUT OF SHAPE. •

Ride at an easy pace; in time you’ll get into better shape.

•

Ride your route on a weekend to find the easiest way to work.

2. IT TAKES TOO LONG. •

THE BOTTOM LINE

Bicycle commuting can save you money. Consider that you won’t have to pay for parking, or parking tickets. Your fuel and auto maintenance costs will be lower as you drive less. And you can use your commuting time for fitness time, reducing the need to have a gym membership.

©Diego Cervo | Dreamstime.com

Celebrate all things cycling at Boise Bike Week May 10-17. The week of events culminates with a bicycle parade on Saturday the 17th. Learn more at www.boisebikeweek.org.

The average bicycle commuter travels at 10 mph. The more you ride the faster you’ll become.

•

Trips of less than three miles are actually quicker on a bike.

•

Trips of 5 – 7 miles take about the same time as by car.

3. THERE ARE NO SHOWERS AT WORK. •

Most commuters don’t shower at work. Keep the pace easy to stay cool and dry.

•

Ride home at a faster pace for a workout and shower there.

4. I HAVE TO DRESS UP. •

Keep multiple sets of clothes at work; rotate them on the days you drive.

•

Have your clothes cleaned near your workplace for easy access.

5. THE ROADS AREN’T SAFE. •

Obey traffic signals, ride on the right WITH traffic, signal turns and stop at lights.

OTHER RESOURCES:

•

Wear bright colored clothing.

League of American Bicyclists: www.bikeleague.org Idaho Transportation Department: itd.idaho.gov/bike_ped REI Bicycle Commuting Tips: www.rei.com/bikeyourdrive.

•

Wear a helmet every time you ride.

•

Be aware of your environment.

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BONUS TIP: Google Maps now supports searches for bicycle routes based on traffic patterns and where there are bicycle lanes and paths. maps.google.com

MAY 2014

bloom

Finding peace in the mirror.

B E K IND TO

Yourself This month, beginning on Mother’s Day, is National Women’s Health Week. When you think about it, there is a lot to learn about and take care of in just 7 days. We are pretty complicated creatures! So I am going to write about one thing we can do to be healthier and happier:

Be kind to yourself. That sounds pretty simple, right? Well stop for a moment and replay the thoughts you have about yourself every day; and by the way, about 85% of those thoughts you have today are the same thoughts you will have tomorrow. About what percent of those are positive vs. negative? Imagine for a moment that you have a roommate and she is constantly chattering to you about everything that is “wrong” with you. How long would you tolerate this before kicking this roommate to the curb? Exactly. Why do we allow ourselves to treat ourselves like this? The most troubling part about it is that we begin to believe our thoughts and manifest them by the choices we make, how we interact with others, and how we care for ourselves. If you say “I’m fat”, chances are your body will actually hold on to the extra weight because the body follows what the mind says. If you say “I get sick easily”, well you’re right, you probably do and will continue to be sickly.

Here’s how to turn this vicious cycle on its head: 1. Pay attention to your thoughts and ‘re-record’ over the negative ones. Change them to something positive, no matter how insignificant it may seem. 2. Stop being a people pleaser. 3. Don’t be afraid to say “no.” 4. Don’t be afraid to say “yes.” 5. Surround yourself with people and situations that create positivity in your life. 6. Think of at least one beautiful thing about yourself every day and repeat it all day to yourself. 7. When you feel yourself slipping back into negativity, pause, and do something immediately to turn it around. 8. Always treat yourself (and others) with dignity, respect, and love. 9. Don’t beat yourself up for not being “perfect.” No one is, or ever will be.

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Now, once you start doing this, pay attention. You will be amazed at the shift that will take place in your life. You will attract positive people and situations. Your life will start moving forward instead of remaining stagnant. You will have more to look forward to. You will have the energy and desire to help others. You will be a better mother, partner, employee, friend, human being. And the list goes on and on. So try it for yourself and let the magic happen.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Laura Collier, RN, PT Fitness Director Treehouse Athletic Club

Laura has been in the fitness industry for over 25 years. Beginning her career as an RN, she quickly realized how important preventative health was. So she began teaching fitness classes and personal training to teach others about healthy lifestyles. She has been at the Treehouse Athletic Club for the past 15 years teaching, training and managing.

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MAY 2014

bloom

r u o Y t A

Every day you should reach out and touch someone. People love a warm hug, or just a friendly pat on the back. ~Maya Angelou

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The underutilized power of

Touch

Touching makes you a better communicator, deepens your relationships and provides a bevy of physical benefits. It’s all at your fingertips.

WRITTEN BY MICHAEL RICHARDSON

ouch is the red-headed step child of our senses when it comes to human interaction. Look at me, hear me speak, smell my fragrance, but don’t you dare touch me. Blame our litigious habits, our increasingly electronic communication or our girthy American personal bubbles—whatever the case, this touch deprivation is quietly robbing us of a better life, researchers say.

Why Touch Matters

A child benefits from an approving pat on the shoulder. The sad know the value of a gentle touch on the arm. But quantifying and confirming the real benefits of touch is somewhat difficult, though researchers are now confident in a number of things.

TO U C H …

• Lowers stress levels. It reduces the production of the stress hormone cortisol, which in turn translates to lower blood pressure, lower heart rate and an immune system boost.

• Increases levels of feel-good hormones, like serotonin, dopamine and oxytocin. • Can turn off our fear responses. • Decreases pain levels. • Soothes depression. • Deepens relationships. • Generates cooperation. Lack of touch seriously impacts one’s life, according to developmental psychologist and nonverbal communication expert Matthew J. Hertenstein, PhD, of DePauw University. “Touch in our lives is incredibly important, on par with the ingestion of fruits and vegetables,” he says. “Can one get through life without fruits and vegetables? Yes, but one’s diet would not be complete and healthy. In the same way, a lack of touch leads to nonoptimal health.” Researchers have investigated many different facets of non-sexual touch. A French psychologist found that when teachers pat their students in a friendly way, those students are three times as likely to speak

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up in class. And, interestingly, NBA teams who touch each other more win more games, are more efficient and better performers, one study found. One field of medicine that has grasped on to the importance of touch is pregnancy and infant care. Many trained in dealing with pregnancy, delivery and newborn care are trained to use touch. In one landmark study, preterm infants who received touch therapy gained nearly 50 percent more weight than premature infants who received standard treatment.

Communication

The physical benefits of touch are coupled with touch’s incredible powers of communication, be it a pat on the back or a touch on the arm. These touches “are our primary language of compassion, and a primary means for spreading compassion,” writes Dacher Keltner, social interaction expert at UC Berkeley. Dacher and his graduate student conducted a study where they had two strangers separated from each other by a barrier. One person stuck his or her arm through a barrier and waited. The other person was given a list of emotions, and was told to convey those emotions by touching the arm of the other person. The odds of guessing the emotion being conveyed were one in eight. But nearly sixty percent of the time, the person being touched guessed correctly. The emotions conveyed were things like gratitude, anger, love and fear. Keltner says studies on facial and vocal communication have revealed touch to be more accurate when it comes to people being able to differentiate between emotions being expressed. In fact, he calls touch our richest means of communication.

Getting More Touch

If touch is so beneficial to our wellbeing, it seems like we would simply seek touch more. Apparently, that’s easier said than done. In fact, a word of caution—Don’t go touch crazy after you finish reading this article. Nobody likes a space-invader. The benefits of touch are increasingly undeniable, says Keltner, but everyone is different.

Continued on page 24>>> MAY 2014

bloom >>>Continued from page 23 “While most people like some amount of touch in their social lives,” he says, “there are those (I’d estimate 10-15%) who don’t and there are those who are less touchy. So like any kind of language, it’s important that we adapt our style of touch to the person receiving it. For those who like touch less, tone it down. Instead of fist bumps and high fives, shift to nice handshakes. Instead of the bear hug shift to the pat on the back.” When touch is done with care and respect, Keltner says, it is almost always good for trust, collaboration and good will. Marcia Baczynski took this idea to the next level. A relationship coach and sex educator in New York City, Baczynski wanted to provide an outlet for nonsexual touch, in recognition of its importance. She organized the first Cuddle Party, a place of nourishment, shared affection and communication, without sex. Now Cuddle Party is an international organization, with branches in Australia, Canada,

I love hugging. I wish I was an octopus, so I could hug ten people at a time. ~Drew Barrymore England and Denmark. It’s an outlet that allows touch to be about a “human being who cares about other human beings,” their website says. If a cuddle party doesn’t sound like your scene, try a massage. Most of the physical benefits of touch can come from a massage, an effect that is well documented. Try to get about 10-15 minutes of touch a day, researchers say. This may seem daunting to some, but touch can be an integral and appropriate part of so many activities. One person may use a hug to communicate compassion, while another uses a pat to communicate approval. Touching is intimidating because many of us don’t naturally do it, and we often don’t know how. Family and friends are a great place to turn for the amazing benefits of touch, yet too often we don’t utilize that resource. Touching makes you a better communicator, deepens your relationships and provides a bevy of physical benefits. It’s all at your fingertips.

OX Y TO C I N Oxytocin: The Bonding Hormone This hormone and neurotransmitter, once thought to be crucial only for babies and mothers, is now believed to be a super hormone that helps with everything from illness recovery, life length, addiction recovery, depression recovery and anxiety prevention. Some say it is essential for love. How do we get it? Oxytocin is released through touch: hand holding, hugs, massage, etc. Hertenstein says this hormone lays the biological foundation and structure for connecting to others. SOURCES: Greatergood.berkeley.edu Tactile Communication, Cooperation and Performance: An Ethological Study of the NBA

The American Bubble Walking with your arm around someone’s shoulder in America often signifies a pair, a romantic relationship, but not so in other countries. Consider the study by one researcher who observed the amount of times friends touched each other at a café. This is how many times friends touched, by country, in one hour:

England - 0 America - 2 France -110 Puerto Rico -180

24 HEALTHY IDAHO

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bloom

Courage is not simply one of the virtues, but the form of every virtue at the testing point. ~C.S. Lewis

The Forgotten Virtue “Courage is about doing what you’re afraid to do.There can be no courage unless you’re scared.” ~Oliver Wendell Holmes

26 HEALTHY IDAHO APRIL 2014

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HE OXFORD ENGLISH DICTIONARY DEFINES COURAGE AS THE QUALITY OF MIND OR SPIRIT THAT ENABLES A PERSON TO FACE DIFFICULTY, DANGER, PAIN, ETC. WITHOUT FEAR. WHEN YOU PUT IT THAT WAY, COURAGE IS SOMETHING RESERVED FOR EPIC TALES OF HEROISM OR SELFLESS ACTS OF SACRIFICE.

Courage is something we often think resides only in fairy tale stories about brave knights or soldiers on some distant, foreign battlefield. Or perhaps courage is standing up for what is right in the face of overwhelming odds and a myriad of voices clamoring for the contrary. Whatever it is, it’s not us. At least that’s what we tell ourselves. The truth is we’re much more than that and it bears repeating. Maybe even on a daily basis. Here are a few qualities of courage to remind you that you’re much more courageous than you think.

FEELING FEAR BUT CHOOSING TO ACT “Courage is about doing what you’re afraid to do. There can be no courage unless you’re scared.” —

FOLLOWING YOUR HEART “To dare is to lose one’s footing momentarily. To not dare is to lose oneself.” — Soren Kierkegaard It takes courage to follow your heart. For some of us, following our hearts means we give up any aspiration of wealth or fame to get something that’s more important to us. For some of us, it’s finding the courage to see through that “million-dollar-idea” or get in and perform in front of a group. Whatever it is, do it. It’s worth it. Following your heart means being true to yourself, and like courage, that’s something the world needs more of these days.

Oliver Wendell Holmes

Well said, Oliver. While the folks at the Oxford English Dictionary generally know what they’re talking about, this is one instance where I believe they’re dead wrong. Courage isn’t about never feeling fear—it’s about finding a way to conquer it. So, the next time you’re feeling you wouldn’t recognize courage if it came up and smacked you in the face, odds are you’re wrong. We do lots of things on a daily basis that require courage. Mothers face days full of constant stress and people who rely on them for food, clothing, schoolwork, and much more. Facing that task day after day with a smile on your face (ok, maybe not always) and love in your heart is no small feat. That’s real courage.

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PERSEVERING IN THE FACE OF ADVERSITY “A hero is no braver than an ordinary man, but he is braver five minutes longer.” — Ralph Waldo Emerson

How many of us simply give up when things start getting rough? When we hit that speed bump while starting a business or we lose heart when learning how to play an instrument is harder than we thought it would be, what do we do? It takes courage to push through the barriers or overcome the obstacles but it’s important that we remember we can do hard things. More often than not, the hard things are the only things worth doing, so keep at it!

EXPANDING YOUR HORIZONS “Man cannot discover new oceans unless he has the courage to lose sight of the shore.” — Lord Chesterfield

We miss out on numerous opportunities to enrich our lives because we’re simply too scared to try something new. Fear of the unfamiliar or unknown is natural— it’s a defense mechanism. It’s part of our instincts and it keeps us safe. Being safe has its time and place, but don’t let the fear of something new keep you from an opportunity to make yourself better.

FACING SUFFERING WITH DIGNITY AND FAITH “The ideal man bears the accidents of life with dignity and grace, making the best of circumstances.” — Aristotle This one is easier said than done, make no mistake about it. But it’s something we all do. Adversity happens. Disappointment happens. Sadness and pain happen. Sometimes it’s the consequence of our own actions; other times it’s completely out of our control. The only thing we do have control over is how we respond to the inevitable hardships of life.

MAY 2014

Nutrition

Things Parents Do Wrong with

ARE YOU FLYING BY THE SEAT OF YOUR PANTS WHEN IT COMES TO FEEDING YOUR KIDS? PLEADING WITH YOUR CHILD AT THE DINNER TABLE, LEAVING MEALS TO THE LAST MINUTE, AND LIVING WITH THAT UNSETTLED FEELING THAT THINGS AREN’T AS GOOD AS THEY COULD BE? FOR MANY OF US IN THE FEEDING TRENCHES, WE HAVE THE SAME QUESTION–WHY IS FEEDING MY FAMILY SO HARD? WELL, MAYBE YOU’RE DOING IT ALL WRONG. CHECK IN WITH YOURSELF AND SEE IF YOU’RE DOING ANY OF THESE THINGS, WHICH INEVITABLY MAKE FEEDING YOUR FAMILY HARDER.

28 HEALTHY IDAHO

YOU ENCOURAGE YOUR CHILD TO EAT MORE

“Just take another bite, sweetie, then you can get down from the table.” With the best of intentions, parents try to get their kids to eat a little bit more. What they don’t realize is pushing more may lead to weight problems. According to a 2007 study in Appetite, 85 percent of parents tried to get their kindergarten children to eat more using words of praise, or pressure. Parents were successful with 83% of children eating more than they might otherwise have. Yes, you guessed it, kids were eating beyond their appetite. INSTEAD: Let your child stop eating when he’s full.

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YOU POLISH OFF THAT BABY BOTTLE OR BABY JAR

It’s hard to waste an ounce of formula or a spoonful of baby food. Some parents push those last swigs and spoons to mark a successful feeding. A 2009 article in Advances in Pediatrics noted that “emptying the bottle” and serving larger volumes of formula at feedings were associated with excess weight gain in the first six months of life. This is a vulnerable time, as growth is rapid and cells grow and change, possibly affecting the way energy is stored in the body and influencing obesity development. INSTEAD: Be careful to read baby’s feeding cues and respond appropriately.

YOU ENTICE WITH DESSERT FOR EATING WELL (OR TRYING)

Using food, particularly desserts to reward children for their eating performance may have a surprising effect. We like to think it helps children develop good eating habits, but research tells us rewarding with sweets in particular, shifts a child’s food value system to sweets. A 2007 review article on the influence of parents on eating behavior in children found that using food as reward increased preschool-age children’s preferences for those foods, having an unintended consequence of promoting food preferences for high calorie, unhealthy fare. INSTEAD: Don’t tie sweets and other tasty foods to what or how much your child eats. Balance sweets every day and make eating a non-condition for enjoying them.

Plating food seems like a good idea– you can control what goes on the plate, and how much is offered. But, when children receive a plated meal (to which they haven’t had input), it may open Pandora’s box. “I don’t like this!” “I didn’t want that.” “Ew, it’s touching—I’m not eating it.” Servings may be too much for the child, leaving a partially eaten plate. In the end, parent and child expectations aren’t met …and you know where that goes. INSTEAD: Let children serve themselves and have a say about what goes on their plate.

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YOU TALK TOO MUCH ABOUT NUTRITION

Some parents do the nutrition education thing too early and too much. Hands-on learning (cooking) is most effective with school-age kids, and answering their questions, as they come up, is appropriate– providing a nutrition lecture on heart disease is not. Save the deep, hardcore nutrition lessons for the older teen (again, when they ask is best), and remember many adults still find nutrition confusing. INSTEAD: Provide plenty of options for your child to be hands-on in the kitchen and your teen freedom to experiment with food. Answer nutrition questions when they come up.

YOU USE NON-HUMAN HELPERS

Parents are busier than ever and use feeding “helpers” like bottle holders, sippy cups, high chairs, pacifiers clipped to the shirt, and more. While these make life easier, they may take away from the opportunity to connect and attach with your child. Experts are clear on the developmental task of infancy: attachment. Researchers find that little ones with insecure attachment to their caregiver may have difficulty regulating their food intake. And some of these “harmless” helpers may not be a good idea. INSTEAD: Be the human influence you were meant to be and care for your child’s needs in a hands-on way.

YOU TRY TO CONTROL OFFSITE EATING

Recently, a mom asked me how to control what and how much her daughter ate at school. According to a 2011 study from Johns Hopkins University, parents have little influence over what their kids eat, especially as they get older. In fact, the outside environment (school, church, and peers) has more sway than parents! Kids tend to want what they cannot have, so tight control over food choice and quantity in or outside the home may have unwanted effects like out-of-control eating, and choosing unhealthy items. INSTEAD: Have a home environment that is balanced with mostly nutritious foods, a little bit of “Fun” food, and let your child be in charge of their eating.

YOU PLATE YOUR CHILD’S FOOD

YOU MAKE AN ALTERNATE MEAL (OR SNACK)

Some parents make back-up meals for their family members. “Catering” to food requests (or demands) on a regular basis not only encourages picky eating, according to a 2009 study in the International Journal of Behavioral Nutrition and Physical Activity, kids miss out on nutritious foods like fruits, veggies, and dairy products. INSTEAD: Make one meal for the whole family.

YOU LET YOUR CHILD EAT 10 “WHATEVER” BECAUSE HE’S THIN/FIT/HEALTHY/ AN ATHLETE

“I’m not worried about what he eats because he’s on the skinny side,” or “She’s an athlete, so she can eat whatever she wants—she burns it all off!” While this is probably true for now, parents need to remember that children are developing flavor preferences and eating habits. Eating behaviors from childhood are hard to shake later on when the body has stopped growing and exercise isn’t as frequent or intense. INSTEAD: Teach your child to eat for a lifetime with nutritious foods and a healthy food balance.

ALLOW LITTLE 11 YOU TASTES A LITTLE TOO EARLY

A sip of momma’s latte, daddy’s soda or Grammy’s ice cream— what’s the harm in a little taste for baby and toddler? Infants are born pre-wired to prefer the flavor of sweet and fat. Salt preference comes around six months. For all three, the more exposure (read: tastes, sips, bites), the stronger the preference for these flavors. INSTEAD: Hold off on sweets, fried and salty foods until after age two and then offer them occasionally. ABOUT THE AUTHOR

YOU ARE TOO CLEAN

Jill Castle, MS, RN, LDN

Today’s parents love clean kids, in clean clothes, playing in their clean house. But when it comes to food and learning to eat, little kids need the freedom to get down and dirty with food. Getting messy with food allows taste, texture, smell, and hand-tomouth manipulation – a great way for baby to learn about food and how to eat. INSTEAD: Let your baby and toddler learn about food with all his senses—even if it’s messy.

Jill is a child nutrition expert with more than 20 years of experience in the field of pediatric nutrition. In addition, she is a mother of four and a business owner, making her advice both accurate and practical for parents all over the country. She is dedicated to helping parents be the best feeders and supporters they can be, and uses her blog justtherightbyte.com to share knowledge. Her blog is recognized as one of the best when it comes to child nutrition.

MAY 2014

bloom MARIGOLD

A light citrus flavor makes these backyard superstars an excellent addition to a fresh salad, and theyâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;re often used as a substitute for saffron. Marigolds contain antioxidants that are known to protect against eye disease and some types of cancer.

Ten Flowers You Can Eat When it comes to your flower garden, there is more than meets the eye. Roses are more than simply beautiful, and dandelions are more than an obnoxious weed; they are also both nutritious and delicious. W R I T T E N B Y A L LY S O N G O R D O N

30 HEALTHY IDAHO

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SCENTED GERANIUMS

This unlikely delicacy adds flavor to sorbet or your favorite family stew. Flavors range from a relishing nutmeg to a lemon zest. If you’ve had a stressful day or have a headache, dish up a bowl of geranium ice cream, it will help ease the chaos.

L I L AC

This springtime favorite is slightly citrus flavored and is excellent when used in a cold water infusion. To do this, collect lilacs and soak them in water for at least an hour. Strain the lilacs out of the water and enjoy. Also, try adding to salads or use as garnish for desserts.

ROSEMARY Fresh or dried blossoms are used to enhance the flavor of Mediterranean seafood and meat dishes. Contains a variety of vitamins and minerals but is mostly used to add distinct flavor.

S U N F LO W E R

For best results, harvest unopened buds and steam like artichokes. To eat flower petals, briefly steam to decrease bitterness, then add to salad or use as desired. The flavor is strong but adds distinct flavor.

PA N S Y

Don’t be fooled by the name, pansies are anything but when it comes to eating. Different colors have slightly different flavors, but flavor is generally similar to fresh grape with undertones of wintergreen. Surprisingly they add great flavor and aesthetic appeal to shortbreads, cakes, and cookies. Pansies contain something called salicylates that act as an anti-inflammatory, which could help with arthritis and related conditions.

HIBISCUS

Dried flowers are used most commonly in hibiscus tea. The taste suggests cranberry with a hint of citrus flavor and is best in small quantities. When consumed safely over a long period of time, this tropical diva flower helps maintain normal blood pressure and cholesterol levels.

DANDELION

Before spraying the weed killer on these yellow beauties, think about adding them to your dinner dish. They can be used to garnish salads, added to spreads such as honey, or blended up in fruit smoothies to add a boost of antioxidants and vitamin A.

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ROSES

This flavor commonly mimics strawberries, green apples, mint, or spice. Darker flowers produce more pronounced flavor. The petals are harvested to create syrup, jelly, honey, butter, and sweet spreads. The petals contain vitamin C and could help ease symptoms of digestive disorders.

L AV E N D E R

Satisfying with both savory and sweet, try making lavender salt, honey, jelly, or spread. Simply adding lavender can help with problems ranging from anxiety, depression, and digestive problems to day to day headaches and stress.

**Before eating flowers from home, make sure you know what it is and that is hasn’t been treated with chemical pesticides. Many flowers are edible, but not all of them, so be sure to research it before consuming. Also, prior to making changes to your diet, check with your doctor about risks and benefits.

MAY 2014

Nutrition

CRAZY

WR I T T E N BY L I N S Y H U NS AKE R

luten-free is everywhere, including restaurants, grocery stores, and now even Girl Scout cookies. But are the health benefits of this craze just a giant placebo effect? Or is there more to it than that?

Gluten is a protein found in grains, including barley, rye, and wheat; it gives us the texture we love in our baked goods. And for some people, it can cause serious medical issues.

Celiac disease, a reaction to gluten in which the body attacks the small intestine and makes it difficult to absorb nutrients, is a real condition. That being said, it’s not all that common; only an estimated one-percent of our population have the disease. So does this mean that everyone else buying up the ever-growing number of gluten-free products is crazy? Not necessarily.

32 HEALTHY IDAHO

A 2012 Italian study found that about one-third of it’s participants touting gluten intolerance were indeed sensitive to gluten. An estimated 6% of Americans have difficulty digesting gluten as well. Gluten intolerance can be very uncomfortable, causing everything from stomach pains to pounding headaches. Again, real conditions. But wait, what about the others in the study who thought they were gluten intolerant? Exactly. Two-thirds of the participants claiming to be sensitive to gluten really weren’t. This finding brings into perspective the growing number of Americans going gluten-free.

An estimated one third of Americans are trying to cut back on gluten, but less than ten percent of Americans actually have gluten intolerance or celiac disease.

Market researcher Harry Balzer estimates that almost one-third of Americans are trying to cut back on gluten. This is a big jump from the less than 10% that have gluten intolerance or celiac disease.

The term gluten-free

So does this mean that almost a fifth of our population are operating under some sort of placebo effect? Again, not necessarily.

The exact level at

There are benefits to cutting out gluten that have nothing to do with allergies or intolerances. When someone goes “glutenfree,” they unwittingly cut out a lot of processed foods; that would make anyone feel better.

review tentatively

Sources: The New York Times, Slate, WebMD, Celiac Central, US News, and Women’s Health

is generally used to indicate a supposed harmless level of gluten rather than a complete absence.

which gluten is harmless is uncertain and controversial. A recent systematic

concluded that consumption of less than 10 mg of gluten per day is unlikely to cause histological abnormalities, although it noted that few reliable studies had been done.

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MAY 2014

Nutrition

nfortunately, many people have become desensitized from their natural hunger and satiety cues because of emotional eating. This often leads to overeating and weight gain. It is all too easy to grab a sweet treat for a pick-me-up when we’re feeling down, regardless of if we’re truly, physically hungry. So how can we realize if we are emotional eaters? It’s all about nailing down the “why” of our snack or meal: are you eating to feel better, or to fill your stomach? It is important to be able to recognize the physical symptoms of hunger. The next time you reach for a sweet treat, stop and ask yourself, “Am I actually hungry?” Realizing that hunger is a physical response is the first step to realizing if we tend to eat for emotional purposes. Another way to become aware of our emotional eating habits is to listen to our bodies as we eat. With portion sizes getting larger and larger, it can be easy to ignore our body’s signals and simply make ourselves eat whatever amount is in front of us. Especially when we are dealing with stressful emotions, mindlessly eating more than our bodies need and until we are uncomfortably full can be a problem. The next time you sit down to eat, let your body be the judge of how much you eat. Give yourself a small portion, and after eating it ask you “Am I still hungry?” If you are still hungry, give yourself permission to eat more. Repeat this process until you notice the physical feelings of hunger have disappeared. If food is your common outlet for stress, sadness or other emotions, it is a tall order to just stop the habit. You’ll need to find other outlets. Remember that food can’t actually solve your problems in most cases. It is just a distraction that may actually contribute to the problem once your unnecessary food frenzy is ended.

EMOTIONAL HUNGER: 3 WAYS IT IS DIFFERENT THAN PHYSICAL HUNGER

Enjoying Food, or Eating Emotionally? There is an abundance of delicious food all around us, especially here in Idaho. We all have our go-to favorites when it comes to comfort food. But at what point does consuming our favorite foods turn into a coping mechanism for our stress or emotions? W RITTEN BY ANG EL A SI LVA

34 HEALTHY IDAHO

1. It comes all at once. 2. It usually demands specific foods. 3. It isn’t satisfied once you’re full.

Once emotional eating habits are assessed, then it is time to identify and deal with the underlying emotions that trigger the overeating or eating beyond satiation. Sometimes food can be an appropriate way to deal with our emotions, but excessive emotional eating can cause adverse health effects not only from overeating, but from the stress of those emotions as well. Dealing with those underlying issues head-on probably extends beyond the realm of food. Ultimately, erasing those triggers that cause the unnecessary will let you be in charge of not just your diet, but your life as well.

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Nutrition

W R I T T E N B Y A N G E L A S I LVA

BEWARE: Meaningless Food Labels

s a health conscious people, checking food labels is commonplace when we go to the grocery store. We are bombarded with terms such as “organic,” “all-natural,” “trans-fat free,” and have an idea of what to look for on the label– calories, calories from fat, carbohydrates, sugar, sodium, and the list goes on. We want to think that we know what foods are healthy and what foods are not, but the food industry is making it trickier than ever to discern the good from the bad.

For example, Greek yogurt is a very popular health food right now. Its package claims that it’s all natural, nonfat, and includes real fruit. For most people, those are reasons enough to believe it’s a healthy option. What most people don’t realize is that the ingredients list tells a different story. Sure, you may skim the ingredients list for terms such as “sugar,” “high fructose corn syrup,” and the other common terms for sugar,

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and delightfully choose the product when you discover none of those terms. But what you don’t notice is the term “evaporated cane juice” listed on that label. Evaporated cane juice is nothing more than sugar. If you check the label, you’ll notice there’s 19 grams of it in that Greek yogurt. Many companies have been facing lawsuits for their deceiving ingredients lists. So how can you tell if what you think is healthy is indeed healthy? Here is a list of common food labels and their actual meanings.

ORGANIC: These are products that are free of antibiotics, preservatives, growth hormones, and trans fat. These are regulated by the USDA and must have the USDA ORGANIC seal on the packaging. There are 3 levels of organic, including “100% Organic,” “organic,” meaning it contains at least 95% organic ingredients, and “made with organic ingredients,” which means it must contain a minimum of 70% organic ingredients. TRANS FAT FREE: These products must have less than 1% of total fat or no more than 0.5g of trans fat per serving.

NATURAL FOOD: Natural usually

CHOLESTEROL FREE: These products must have no more than 2 grams of saturated fat.

LOW CALORIE: These products must have no more than 40 calories per serving.

UNREGULATED TERMS: In addition to the above terms, there are a lot of terms that are just completely unregulated. These terms include “Free Range,” “Hormone Free,” and “Sustainably Harvested.”

means minimally processed, however there is not a legal meaning for this term. The USDA and FDA guidelines say it must not have anything artificial or synthetic, including flavors or colors.

MAY 2014

Wellness

Out to Get Me MEDICAL CONSPIRACY THEORIES ARE WIDELY BELIEVED IN THE UNITED STATES

umors are accepted as truth by millions of people, and this holds true with medical conspiracy theories. Researchers from the University of Chicago conducted a national survey on the matter, and found that about half of all Americans subscribe to some medical conspiracy theory, be it cancer and cell phones, vaccines and autism, or another rumor-backed sciencelacking idea.The research, which was published in the journal JAMA Internal Medicine, looked at six conspiracy theories in particular. Here are the results:

1 The FDA (Food and Drug

Administration) is under pressure from pharmaceutical companies to suppress natural cures for cancer and other diseases. 37%-Endorse 31%-Neither agree or disagree

2 Physicians and the government

still want to vaccinate children even though they know these vaccines cause autism and other psychological disorders. 20%-Endorse 36%-Neither agree or disagree

3 Cellphones have been found to cause

cancer, but the government has bowed to large corporations, and won’t do anything about it. 20%-Endorse 40%-Neither agree or disagree

4 Genetically modified foods have been

widely disseminated by Monsanto Inc. as part of a secret program to shrink the world’s population. 12%-Endorse

5 The CIA deliberately infected African

Americans with the HIV virus under the guise of a hepatitis inoculation program. 12%-Endorse

A significant portion of the US population sides with medical conspiracy theories, and this is correlated with certain behavior, the researchers found. They found that the more conspiracy theories a person endorsed, the more likely that person was to take vitamin and herbal supplements. Those who believe these conspiracies are also more likely to buy organic. It seems that believers are also more health conscious in general, as they are more likely to get annual physicals, wear sunscreen and get a flu shot. Those who side with the ideas above shouldn’t be considered delusional or paranoid, researchers wrote. They are simply normal people trying to find explanations for complicated events and trends. Source: LAtimes.com

36 HEALTHY IDAHO

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Why don’t we use antibiotics to treat sinusitis anymore? Because they make the problem

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llergy-irritated sinuses can block-off allowing opportunistic fungus and bacteria to cause a sinus infection. We all have bacteria and fungus in our sinuses, it’s in the air that we breathe. Normally, our immune system can keep them in-check. But when the conditions are right, these pathogens can multiply at a greater rate than we can suppress. Don’t resort to antibiotics. You will only kill the easy bacteria leaving only the robust ones for next time and requiring more damaging antibiotics. What’s more, antibiotics won’t kill fungus. What you need is an enhanced aqueous silver colloid that will kill both fungus and bacteria. Then, you need to spray it in your nose (don’t drink it) regularly in order to kill them faster than they can grow. Since bacteria and fungus can double in numbers every 20 to 30 minutes, you must spray at least every 20 to 30 minutes to get ahead of them. The mucosal flow will clear away what you sprayed in a short time.

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MyNaturesRite.com or call

800-991-7088

to place your order today.

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We get calls every day from sinus sufferers like you thanking us for bringing them our fine products. Nothing makes us happier than hearing our customers proclaim, “I can breathe again”. Checkout our website & see all of the wonderful products that we offer to help you maintain your health naturally. Here at Nature’s Rite, we’re ridding the world of sinusitis… one nose at a time. Why don’t we heal yours next?

Steve Frank

Nature’s Rite 1-800-991-7088 MyNaturesRite.com Steve Frank is an Herbalist with many years of experience in treating health issues using indigenous plants and herbs. He has studied the actions of these natural remedies in the clinic and the laboratory so that he can combine the best that science and ancient wisdom have to offer. Mr. Frank can be reached with questions at stevef@ NaturesRiteRemedies.com His blog can be found on www. MyNaturesRite.com

MAY 2014

38 HEALTHY IDAHO

Healthy-Idaho.com

Health insurance benefits you want at a cost you can afford.

Confused by

health insurance?

Turn to Altius One for straight answers and plans that fit your budget. Get a quote at www.ahplans.com or call us at 877-907-4044 This is a partial description of products underwritten by Altius Health Plans and in no way details all of the benefits, limitations, or exclusions of the plans. Please refer to the Member Handbook and Medical Benefits Brochure to determine exact terms, conditions and scope of coverage, including all exclusions and limitations and defined terms.

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MAY 2014

Maybe this is a good time to mention OUR shORt eR Wait tiMes In life’s trickiest moments, it’s good to know there is a full-service, highly qualified emergency room nearby. Our Triage Express Service and board-certified physicians are here 24/7 to ensure better, faster care when you need it.

text “eR” to 23000 for wait-time updates. 40 HEALTHY IDAHO

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