Archive for July, 2009

Apples of Wisdom

Thursday, July 9th, 2009

If today were the last day of your life, would you want to do what you are about to do today?

Steve Jobs has been asking himself this question for 37 years. If the answer ever comes back as “No” for too many days in a row, he makes a change. In short, Steve Jobs follows his heart.

As a result, he is CEO of Apple Inc., which produced $32.48 Billion in revenue for fiscal year 2008. He also started Pixar Animation Studios, which became one of the largest, most profitable, and most critically acclaimed animation studios in America.

He had the opportunity, just like any other American to force himself to complete a college degree he didn’t want, mail it in, find a mindless “safe/secure” 9 to 5 job, and call it a day. Instead, he dropped out, followed his passion, and went on to become one of the most successful men in America.

Many people look at a story like his and immediately produce a list of, “Yeah, buts.” Yeah, but, he knew about computers. Yeah, but, he’s really smart. Yeah, but…On and on and on. Yet, in the end, the only thing separating you from Steve Jobs is decision. He made a decision long ago to live his life to the fullest, without compromise.

How will you decide to live today?

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White Flour

Thursday, July 9th, 2009

 

Here is a wonderful and quick explanation of the problems with white flour (a.k.a. The Devil!) from the fine people at Hallelujah Acres, enjoy!!

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The Cost of Obesity

Thursday, July 9th, 2009

The Los Angeles Times reported yesterday, “Spending on healthcare for obese American adults increased 82% between 2001 and 2006, according to a new government report. In 2001, expenditures for obese Americans totaled $167 billion compared with $303 billion in 2006.”

So, if you take a country with doubling diabetes statistics, skyrocketing cancer rates, a bankrupted Social Security system, and add the largest public health crisis in its history into the mix, it looks like a perfect storm for our grandchildren.

Sorry kids!

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Sugar vs. High Fructose Corn Syrup

Thursday, July 9th, 2009

On a recent outing to see the Lansing Lugnuts play, the child sitting in front of me caught a Pepsi t-shirt. He proudly held it up and turned around to show it off to everyone around.

The shirt advertised, “Pepsi Natural: Made With Real Sugar”

The press is on to convince people sugar is inherently better than HFCS, but let’s keep it straight; both give you diabetes, contribute to obesity, and lead to cancer and heart disease…It’s that simple.

It’s good to see the Chicago Tribune speaking the truth on this topic.

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This Is Your Brain On Chocolate, Cheese, Meat, & Sugar

Tuesday, July 7th, 2009

“Chocolate isn’t really A drug; it’s the whole drugstore sort of wrapped up all in one.” - Neal Barnard, M.D.

A friend of mine recently predicted that if she talks to me in 20 years, she bets I will be a vegan. Granted, I gave up dairy a while back because it doesn’t make me feel good, but the thought of giving up meat all together is still beyond imagination.

Having said that, Neal Barnard, M.D., certainly makes a rather convincing argument for doing so in the video above. I began watching the presentation because of his strong opening about the addictive nature of sugar, but little did I know, he would go on to explain how different types of meat and dairy have similar opiate affects on the brain.

I’m certainly not ready to forgo my chicken today, but who knows where I’ll be in 2,039?

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The Science of Overeating

Monday, July 6th, 2009

 

Often times when I am working with a client, I will ask, “What sort of internal shift will have to take place within you to move sugar from a treat to a poison?”

At first glance, this question may seem a bit reactionary. Seeing sugar as poison; really? But, if you are a Sugar Addict, that is exactly what you are dealing with; a substance which will ultimately ruin your day and possibly trigger a binge that could lead to a lifestyle that ruins your life when diabetes eventually sets in.

It turns out, in asking this question, I am trying to uncover the motivating factor that might bring about what author David Kessler calls a “critical perceptual shift.”

In this extremely fascinating presentation made May 28, 2009 at Google, Kessler explains many of the obstacles that are stopping Americans from putting the fries down and picking up a carrot.

If you often find yourself knee deep in the middle of a huge snacking session when you aren’t even hungry, I encourage you to take the time to watch this presentation. He offers valuable insight to the question, “Why can’t I stop eating like this? What’s wrong with me!?”

In the end, we discover there is nothing wrong with you; this is just the way you are wired. And, now that we know that, we can begin developing strategies to work with your natural brain chemistry, instead of constantly losing battles against it.

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