Uncategorized

Is it safe and ok for children to strength train?

Research has shown that strength-training can be both safe and effective for most youth when age-appropriate training guidelines are followed effectively.

The False Stories- For decades youth strength training was widely discouraged, as many people viewed this type of training as dangerous, believing that it would stunt children’s growth by causing damage to their bone growth plates. From that misconception, resistance training was presumed to be a high risk activity, in which injuries were quite prevalent.

The Truth - There are now multiple studies that have shown a low risk of injury in children and adolescents who follow age-appropriate strength training guidelines. In fact, when considering the injury rates among adolescents reported in other sports (such as football, gymnastics, and wrestling), resistance training actually proves to a safer option, and poses no greater risk of injury than many of the sports and activities that youth regularly participate in.

There is no minimum age requirement to participate in a youth strength-training program. For the most part, if your child is ready to participate in some type of athletic activity, he or she may be ready for strength training. This can occur as early as 7 or 8 years of age if your child possesses the emotional maturity to listen to and follow directions.

Julie MED RD LD

Find all the supplements you need and more at www.everythingantiaging.com!

Food Dyes Pose Rainbow of Risks - Hyperactivity, Allergic Reactions and Cancer?

Food dyes used in everything from M&Ms to Manischewitz Matzo Balls to Kraft salad dressings—pose risks of cancer, hyperactivity in children, and allergies, and should be banned, according to new studies recently released. A top government scientist agrees, and says that food dyes present unnecessary risks to the public.

The three most widely used dyes, Red 40, Yellow 5, and Yellow 6, are contaminated with known carcinogens, according to several of these studies.  Another dye, Red 3, has been acknowledged for years by the Food and Drug Administration to be a carcinogen, yet is still in the food supply.

Despite those concerns, each year manufacturers pour about 15 million pounds of eight synthetic dyes into our foods. Per capita consumption of dyes has increased five-fold since 1955, thanks in part to the proliferation of brightly colored breakfast cereals, fruit drinks, and candies pitched to children.

These synthetic chemicals do absolutely nothing to improve the nutritional quality or safety of foods, but trigger behavior problems in children and, possibly, cancer in anybody. The Food and Drug Administration should ban dyes, which would force industry to color foods with real food ingredients, not toxic petrochemicals.

Blue 1, Red 40, Yellow 5, and Yellow 6 have long been known to cause allergic reactions in some people.  While those reactions are not common, they can be serious and provide reason enough to ban those dyes.  Furthermore, numerous studies have demonstrated that dyes can cause hyperactivity in children.

But the biggest concern is cancer.  Back in 1985, the acting commissioner of the FDA said that Red 3, one of the lesser-used dyes, “has clearly been shown to induce cancer” and was “of greatest public health concern.”  However, Secretary of Agriculture John R. Block pressed the Department of Health and Human Services not to ban the dye, and he apparently prevailed—notwithstanding the Delaney Amendment that forbids the use of in foods of cancer-causing color additives.  Each year about 200,000 pounds of Red 3 are poured into such foods as Betty Crocker’s Fruit Roll-Ups and ConAgra’s Kid Cuisine frozen meals.  Since 1985 more than five million pounds of the dye have been used.

Dyes add no benefits whatsoever to foods, other than making them more ‘eye-catching’ to increase sales. These scientifically detailed reports on possible health effects of food dyes raise many questions about their safety.  Some dyes have caused cancers in animals, contain cancer-causing contaminants, or have been inadequately tested for cancer or other problems.  Their continued use presents unnecessary risks to humans, especially young children.  It’s disappointing that the FDA has not addressed the toxic threat posed by food dyes.

Staff – Everythingantiaging.com

Mac ' n Cheese Minis

Ingredients:

Juice of 1 large lemon, divided

2 tsp cornstartch

1 clove garlic, halved

1/2 cup chicken broth

1/4 cup kirsch (or cherry brandyy)

1/8 tsp freshly grated nutmeg

3/4 cup grated lowfat swiss cheese

1/4 cup grated Gruyere

8 oz small pasta cooked for 1 minute less than directed

2 tbsp seasoned breadcrumbs

1 cup arugula

1/8 tsp freshly ground black pepper

Directions:

Heat oven to 400 degrees. Pour lemon juice into a mug or bowl and stir in cornstartch. rub inside of saucepan with garlic; cut clove halves into pieces and add to pan. Add broth, kirsch and nutmeg. Bring to a slow boil over medium-high heat.

Add cheeses. Reduce heat to medium, stirring until cheese melts, about 2-3 minutes. Slowly stir in juice-cornstarch mixture, cooking until sauce comes together, about 30 seconds. Stir in pasta and spoon into 8 small ramekins or espresso cups.

Top with breadcrumbs; transfer to a baking sheet. Bake, uncovered, until tops bubble, 8-10 minutes. Remove from oven promptly then transfer to rack to cool for about 4-5 minutes. Toss arugula, remaining lemon juice and pepper in a bowl. Top each mac ‘n’ cheese with salad.

Staff – Everythingantiaging.com

HMB Fuel

HMB is short for the scientific name (Beta-hydroxy Beta –Methyl butyrate) HMB is part of the essential amino acid Leucine. HMB is present in certain foods and as well our bodies which can actually manufacture a small amount of it.

HMB supplements help to regulate your body’s ability to build muscle and burn fat in response to exercise. This is a great overall added benefit to anyone when exercising. Because HMB works so well with any level of resistance training, anyone who supplements with it will see it benefits.

HMB also helps to breakdown protein metabolism; this is an essential benefit for those who supplement with protein daily. Because HMB increases the breakdown process and increases the body’s ability to absorb it, this alone makes HMB a worthwhile product for many.

HMB supplements may be one of the most overlooked and underrated daily supplements available today. HMB is not a pro-hormone or a drug, it is found in small doses of certain fruits and fish. By supplementing with HMB you can increase lean muscle mass while burning off fat.

Need to lose some weight and build lean muscle? Take a look at the HMB Supplements & Sports Nutrition Products available at www.everythingantiaging.com.

Animal Pak

All natural multi vitamins and minerals are thought to be some of the most essential nutrients that anyone can take. This reason may be because our bodies cannot actually make these vital nutrients. This means that they must be obtained from a healthy diet and supplements. Even with this being said, most of us do not get the proper amounts of vitamins and minerals on a daily basis. Therefore supplementing is of extreme importance to just about everyone.

Multi-Vitamin & Mineral Supplements contribute to more than just good overall health. They also deliver feelings of better well-being, regulate metabolism function, increase muscle growth, and strengthen bones.  All natural multi vitamins and minerals also assist in the breakdown of everyday foods and other supplements to create natural energy. Improper levels of vitamins and minerals can cause many to feel tired, lethargic, weak and moody.  The other side effects we don’t see are internal such as weakened immune system function, connective tissue deterioration and bone loss.

All natural multi vitamins and minerals are convenient and easy to take. Available in pills, capsule, powder and even liquid forms anyone can take them easily. Just consuming these beneficial essential nutrients a couple times a day can increase overall health for many.  Those exercising at any level need to incorporate a multi-vitamin & mineral supplement into their daily routine. This ensures proper health and nutrient breakdown at optimal levels.

Staff – Everythingantiaging.com

Take a look at the great selection and prices of all the All Natural Multi Vitamins and Minerals available at www.everythingantiaging.com.

Foods With Anti-Aging Benefits

The following list is only a small portion of the food and drink options that will help your body fight off aging, free radicals and some diseases. Just by introducing some of these great options into your daily diet will help your body fight age related illnesses and slow the aging process.  

Avocados: Avocados are loaded with healthy fats to help improve cholesterol. Since cholesterol rises naturally as we age avocados are perfect to help combat it, they taste great as well.

Beans: Beans full of both protein and antioxidant properties.  Beans will help improve the health of your heart and arteries. They are also a beneficial part of any healthy vegetarian diet.

 Berries: Berries loaded with antioxidant properties and other chemicals that your body can use to slow the aging process. Plus Berries are perfect to add to almost anything you can think of.

 Chocolate: Has a healthy balance of fats that are actually good for your body.  The only downside to chocolate is that it is loaded with calories but, here is the good news a little everyday is not a bad thing. Be sure to regulate yourself and enjoy a little chocolate it’s actually good for you.

Green Tea: Is an excellent supplement for longevity.  Green tea contains high concentrations of certain chemicals that your body can use daily. Green tea is delicious and gives an energy boost from its natural caffeine properties.

 Green Vegetables: Research shows that those who eat green vegetables at least 3 times a week see huge decreases in heart disease, cancer, high blood pressure and much more. Green Vegetables that are leafy or deeply colored offer the most benefits.

 Melons: Melons have some of the best nutritional benefits of all the fruits. They contain lots of natural vitamins for your body. Adding melons into your diet will have you feeling and looking younger than ever before.

Red Wine:  Contains a substance called resveratrol that will help your body fight off those nasty age related illnesses.  Having a glass or two at night is perfect to relax and unwind, plus you get the added benefits of anti-aging phenom, resveratrol.

Water: Water is good for you, it really is! This is the most basic anti aging supplement of them all. A healthy goal should be to make water your primary drink.  By doing this you will be drinking a non calorie, non chemical drink all day long. Not only is this good for overall health internally, water is needed externally for healthy skin, hair and nails.

Walnuts: Walnuts are a great source of omega-3 essential fatty acids.  Eating a cup or two a day is perfect for all your omega-3 needs to stay healthy and slow the anti aging process

Besides eating healthy, www.everythingantiaging.com knows that dietary supplements are a must as we age. Make sure to a take a look at our great line of low cost Anti Aging Supplements for all your other health and nutrition needs.

Well, it’s that time of year again.  After the presents are unwrapped and the ornaments put away, we get down to the business of removing those holiday pounds through that ever popular New Year’s Resolution.  We say it with conviction.  Some of us even write it down lest we forget 5 days in what we promised ourselves.  “This year, I swear, I am going to go on a diet and start exercising to lose this weight.” 

But after so many years of the same resolution that never comes to fruition, you start to sound like Charlie Brown’s teacher, even to yourself.  “Wah, wah, wah, wah wah.”  After countless fad diets, and a fortune in gym memberships and exercise equipment (all neatly tucked away in one corner of your bedroom) you are still the same weight, or you’ve even expanded a bit and you feel like you are climbing a mountain where the harder you climb, the further away the summit gets.

But it can be done.  You can make the resolution this year and actually stick to it.  You can achieve your weight loss and fitness goals by following these rules.  We will call them the 10 commandments of achieving your New Year’s Resolution.

1.  BELIEVE YOU CAN DO IT.  How many times have you said to yourself, “I’ll never be thin again,” or “I’ll never have the body I had in high school,”?  If you don’t believe you can achieve a goal then you might as well not even set it because you’ve already defeated yourself.  You must get your mind right.  You must say to yourself, “Yes I absolutely can and will lose this weight.”  And then you have to believe it.

2.  SET A REALISTIC EXPECTATION.  Whether you have 20 pounds to lose or 200 pounds to lose, you must realize your limitations.  First of all, it is not healthy to drop 200 pounds in a few months.  If you are considering some kind of gastric bypass or lap band surgery, please reconsider.  There are ways to steadily drop weight and be healthy at the same time.  You must educate yourself on what is good for you and realistic.

3.  DON’T BUY INTO ALL THE FAD DIET/EXERCISE  HYPE.  If 50% of your body weight is from fat, you aren’t going to get a six pack in 6 weeks using the Bender Ball.  It’s not that all of the ads for exercise equipment or workout videos are bologna, but you must be able to weed out the hype from actual factual statements.  You may lose 10 pounds in 10 days like the diet ad says, but most of it will be water weight and as soon as you start eating normally again, you will put most if not all of that weight back on.  Education is the key in building and maintaining a weight loss program.

4.  MAKE IT A PRIORITY.   As a trainer, I’ve heard every excuse in the book for missing a session.  “My sister’s boyfriend’s cousin has just gone into labor.”  “I have cramps.”  I hurt my pinky toe at the last session and I’m giving it time to heal.” Or my very favorite, “I’m just having a bad morning and don’t feel like it.”  If your sisters boyfriend’s cousin just went into labor, you have an hour before she pops that kid out.  Get your butt to the gym.  Exercise is good for cramps because it helps your blood circulate more freely thus relieving menstrual symptoms.  Get your butt to the gym.  If you are injured, you may have a valid excuse for staying out of the gym.  But you better really be hurt.  Muscle soreness comes with the territory and is not an excuse.  A blister from running on the treadmill, not an excuse.  Strap a bandaid on it and get your butt to the gym.  And as for my favorite one, exercise relieves stress and tension and helps you take your mind off of everything else that’s going on.  If you are having a bad day, that’s an excuse to go to the gym, not an excuse to skip it.  Get there.  No excuses.  Just get there.

5.  MAKE A PLAN.  I plan to lose weight is not a plan.  Surround yourself with people who know what they are talking about when it comes to fitness and nutrition.  Believe me.  You will get all the bad advice you can handle so you better have some folks around you who actually know what they are talking about.  Get help from a trainer, nutritionist or fitness coach.  If you don’t know anyone like that, ask your doctor.  Ask a friend.  Look in the yellow pages.  Find the help you need because you will not be able to master it alone.   A trainer can get you on an exercise schedule of cardio and weight training.  And most are also proficient in nutrional guidelines to follow.  If not, they know someone who is.  Sit down with them and make your plan for success.

6.  WORK YOUR PLAN.  Once you’ve got a support system in place and they’ve helped you devise a plan, WORK IT.  No excuses.  If your plan says you do cardio every morning 5 days a week then your hiney better be on that treadmill 5 days a week.  This commandment goes hand in hand with the fourth one.  You must prioritize your life for your plan to be effective.  If you don’t work it, then all your efforts thus far will be in vain.

7.  DON’T THINK THERE IS AN EASY WAY.  You didn’t put on all the extra weight in 3 weeks and it’s not coming off in 3 weeks.  I don’t care what the TV says.  It’s going to hurt and it’s going to be hard and there are days you will want to quit.  Set your resolve, make it priority and power through the tough stuff.  Or remain fat.  There are no other options.

8.  IDENTIFY THE HATERS.  It is important for you to understand that there are certain people in the world, even those who love you, who will try to sabotage your success.  We all know someone who is just negative and that person will say to you, “you’ll never lose that weight.  It’s impossible.”  They will poopoo every part of your plan and even when you begin to achieve your goals and those people begin to notice a difference in you, they will have something negative to say.  “Oh you are getting too skinny,” or “you’ll never be able to keep it off.”  These people are the enemy.  I don’t care if it’s your mother, your brother, your husband or your very best friend in the entire wide world, you must resist the urge to believe what they tell you.  Some are jealous and most just don’t know what in the hell they are talking about.  Just smile and nod and head to your training session secure in the knowledge that jealously is the best form of flattery.

8. MAKE IT A LIFESTYLE.  I used to hate that phrase, “lifestyle change.”  The thing is, that is exactly what you have to do.  You have to change the way you eat, the way you exercise, and most importantly, the value you put on your well-being.  You must change the way you look at yourself in the mirror.  You cannot settle and you cannot except failure from yourself.  And you must do this forever.  Once you’ve achieved the goal you set for yourself, you can’t revert back to hoho’s for breakfast.  Everything must change.

9.  DON’T SETTLE.  So many times, I see people begin to achieve success and they decide when they are halfway there that its good enough and then they head right back down the path that lead them to obesity in the first place.  As mentioned in the 8th commandment, you must change everything, or you are settling for nothing.  Because if you revert back down that wrong road, everything you did to get even half way will negate itself. 

10.  REWARD YOURSELF.  Don’t think that you are doomed to a life of lettuce leaves and endless  hours on the elliptical machine.  As you reach the pinnacles of your goals, reward yourself a little.  Eat something bad once in a while, take a few days off from training to have a mini vacation.  Work toward your rewards and use them to pull you along.  Remember the ultimate reward will be looking and feeling better and knowing in your mind that you achieved what you set out to achieve.  No excuses.

Julie Riggs MED RD LD

Can you see yourself looking and feeling better?  The energy and vitality you felt as a younger person is not lost.  Simply log on to www.everythingantiaging.com to see over 5000 products that will help you regain the youthful feeling and appearance you remember.