My general thesis is: Aspartame is negatively affecting serotonin and creating long lasting and debilitating health issues.

1. Serotonin keeps our brains running, our moods high, our weight in balance and our world spinning on the perfect axis.  Without it “we” are depressed, obese, anxious even paranoid blobs of aches and pain.

2.  The phenylalanine in aspartame lowers the seizure threshold and depletes serotonin. Lowered serotonin triggers manic depression, panic attacks, anxiety, mood swings, insomnia, rage, etc. [2]

Little did I know what was to be found.  As I began to research and write on this the amount of information was extreme.  From Neurologists to MDs to PHDs there were opinions on both sides.  And like many things when you begin to turn over the rocks of life the unexpected is suddenly in view ready for examination. Some like Betty Martini were forefront with their concerns and independent studies others lay just below the surface.  These below the surface people caught my eye.  Like pieces in a puzzle it felt like each one had a bit of the answer.

I knew I could easily show the potential for negative affects and back it up with medical and psychological doctors writings.  What I wasn’t expecting was how awful the affects could be and often were.  I also wasn’t expecting to find that this chemical was so harsh it could be nearly impossible to quit.  That the addiction level and body damage could be on the level of meth.  Don’t worry the FDA says it’s fine.  To a point.

The toxicity data on aspartame were used by the JECFA, SCF and COT to establish an Acceptable Daily Intake (ADI) of 40 mg/kg body weight/day and an ADI of 50 mg/kg bw/d was established by the FDA.  A 12 US fluid ounce (355 ml) can of diet soda contains 180 milligrams (0.0063 oz) of aspartame, and for a 75 kg (165 lb) adult, it takes approximately 21 cans of diet soda daily to consume the 3,750 milligrams (0.132 oz) of aspartame that would surpass the FDA’s 50 milligrams per kilogram of body weight ADI of aspartame from diet soda alone.  – This doesn’t mean it’s safe for you. What if the FDA and the others got it wrong?  What if you remove the kg body weight from the formula?  Then one soda would be over 3 times the amount noted as acceptable.  Then would the reactions being noted fall into the noted risk – YES.

The average American Super Sizes to a 32 oz drink – if this happens 3 times a day that is 9 of the 21 drink limit.  That’s if they add no other aspartame food into their meals – that doesn’t seem to be possible due to it’s prolific use.

From www.nutrasweet.com

With these rocks turning and the article growing I decided it needed to be more than just a quick intrigue article with a huge number of footnotes and references.

For those who already realize they need to remove nutrasweet/equal/aspartame and the over consumption of phenylalanine from their diet here is a smoothie to set you in motion:

The withdrawals off this chemical are very much like withdrawals form any addictive drug so it is best to seek the help of a qualified medical professional.

That said I altered this smoothie recipe using ingredients known to have a quantity of tryptophan and boosted it with Smoothie Essentials Blends to support the transition.

To this recipe I suggest an addition of one scoop of any of the following Smoothie Essentials Blends -

MultiVitamin Blend – to boost vitamin intake -vitamins such as Vitamin C, Vitamin E and and Beta Carotene can help reduce if not block MDMA. [1]

Antioxidant Blend – This powerful blend is an excellent source of Vitamins A, Vitamin C & Vitamin E. It is a select combination of vegetables and other natural plants that together form a high quality source of antioxidants.

Women’s Blend – Though made with the active stress and demands of women in mind the benefits of this blend are not limited by gender.

Personally I often will put more than one blend into a smoothie and love the benefits.  Adding a scoop of Smoothie Essentials Protein Blend or Smoothie Essentials Soy Protein Blend or Smoothie Essentials Whey Protein Blend make this into a lovely meal replacement smoothie.

Matcha GT Smoothie 16 oz (frozen yogurt)

6 oz milk

2 oz almond milk

2 scoop of Matcha GT

1 scoop of  either Multi-Vitamin Blend, Antioxidant Blend or Women’s blend

6 oz vanilla frozen yogurt

1 banana

4 oz ice

Blend

1. http://www.erowid.org/chemicals/mdma/mdma_article3.shtml

2. http://www.aspartame.ca/page_a13.html

I’ve been playing with some great ways to lower that grumpy bear in my self. Water – seems to be very key. Blended smoothies with extra boosts also seem to help. Though some fruits like strawberries, mango and blueberries aren’t fresh the frozen seem darn nice to work with. I often use orange juice as a base or a citrus blend to help up the vitamin C in a very natural way.

Currently figs are still in season and what a wonderful treat to enjoy. My family likes them roasted with goat cheese. Though I have to admit my youngest thinks they are cool for about 5 minutes then hands back the “extras”. Pears are also still “in season” and we enjoy them roasted but due to their texture not so much in smoothies.

Being the holidays I’ve been to party after party.  Tired and worn out I began taking mango and boosts with me.

Here has become our favorite midnight recipe:

Walking and moving also seems to help. Getting the blood flowing, leaving the four walls and smelling nature at her crispest (being int he US it’s going on winter here). Yes bundling deeper and warmer is often required but worth it. How about a jaunt to the local skating rink – ice or roller – a few jaunts around the rink gets the energy flowing. Wii! LOL Yes I said Wii! The Wii fitness does indeed work for those who can’t seem to fit in a gym to their schedule. Add some friends and make it a roaring good time!!

Stop watching the world go by. 10,000 steps is all it takes each day to maintain a healthy lifestyle.

Looking Out the Window

Ask your local barista or smoothie blender to boost your order with a Smoothie Essentials Boost. Take us on your walk! We love helping you boost your health!

For many of us the busyness of life short changes our quality of life and thus our health. The holidays stress us further. be kind to yourself and to your health stop for a quick Breakfast Smoothie.

“Dietary supplements aren’t intended to be a food substitute because they can’t replicate all of the nutrients and benefits of whole foods, such as fruits and vegetables. So if you’re generally healthy and eat a balanced diet, daily dietary supplements may not be worth the expense. However, if you can’t eat enough healthy foods or have certain conditions, you may benefit from taking a daily dietary supplement.” – Mayo Clinic Staff

For us the great way to add that balance to our lives is a wonderful fresh fruit smoothie with the addition of a boost.

Breakfast Smoothie –

Ingredients

• 1 banana
• 1/2 apple
• 4 celery stalks
• 1 cup orange juice
• 1/2 cup soy milk
• 1/2 cup nonfat plain yogurt
• 1 scoop of each -

  

Directions
In a blender, combine banana, apple, and orange juice. Blend until smooth. Add soy milk and yogurt. Blend again. Add 1 scoop of each of the above.   Blend again until well blended.

Pour into glasses and serve.

As time crunches one way, family, holidays and school means Mom’s get a few hours break.

What a better way to break than to be out at your local hot spot.

Time out to socialize and re-establish into the wonderful world of adult. Grab your wrapping paper and tape along with some bows and ribbon then head off to wrap some gifts over a and local talk!

How about a Frappuccino with an energy boost and a multi vitamin?

A smoothie or even a shake?

Add a boost and keep that energy flowing for the busy day ahead!

Coffee klatch meet in round at home?

Have a blender?

Have a coffee maker or espresso maker?

How about a FRAPPUCCINO?

Try this recipe! ·

Step 1: Gather Your Ingredients and Equipment

You will need the following ingredients to make one 16 oz. frappuccino.

You can double or cut the recipe in half as needed:

* 1-2 cups of ice * ½ cup of double-strength coffee, preferably dark-roast.

* ½ cup of lowfat milk or half-and-half

* 1-2 tablespoons of sugar, depending on your sweet tooth

* 1-2 tablespoons of chocolate or other flavored syrup. If you want, you can use caramel instead

* Optional: whipped cream for garnishing; extra chocolate syrup to drizzle over garnish ·

Step 2: Brew Coffee and Chill

* You will need to make coffee first and foremost, before you can start on any of the other steps. Here are some details on how to make coffee for your frappuccino and some different options for you:

1. Brew a pot of fresh, double-strength dark roast coffee.

2. You can make your coffee double-strength by using twice the recommended amount of coffee per pot, or 2 tablespoons of ground coffee per cup.

3. You could also try making fresh espresso for an extra-strong coffee base.

4. Chill your coffee before mixing up the frappuccinos. If you don’t want to wait for your coffee to cool in your fridge or freezer, you can also try pouring the fresh coffee into ice trays to make “coffee cubes” which you can then simply blend together to make your frappuccino.

Or, mix a third of your ice into the coffee before adding it to your blender. Enjoy!!!

One very trendy form of exercise these days is an updated swing on an age-old piece of machinery; the bicycle.

Various reasons for biking will include the fact that with a properly adjusted seat it’s easier on the knees than jogging and it’s a social event you can do with friends, not to mention the fact that cycling to work is more ‘green’ than driving the car.

Biking can be casual and still be brisk enough to burn the calories and exercise the muscles. Especially for those of us who do not feel the urge to join a health club, biking to and from school or work is an excellent option, allowing exercise to be the fringe benefit instead of the object, because on a bike the journey is the destination.

Disclaimer:
As with any form or exercise or food, excess can be harmful. Cycling has been linked to various injuries. If you feel muscle pain, joint pain or numbness, this can be a sign you’ve exceeded the safe level.

Bicycles can be used for transportation, recreation and sport.

Cycling can include using a unicycle, a tricycle, a quadracycle and various human-powered vehicles.

Cycles are a means of transportation employed by various police departments due to their high maneuverability and the ability to travel on pedestrian-heavy roads as well as narrow paths.

Across the globe, it is not unusual for letter carriers to navigate their way around town on a bike.

A single-speed beach cruiser is a good choice for flat, easy terrain.

A multi-speed cycle is the best choice for all other types of roads where inclines or rough terrain might be encountered.

Accessories can include front and back lights, reflectors, bells or horns, child seats, baggage racks and water-bottle cages.

Safety equipment can also include a helmet, gloves, protective padding and specially-designed brightly colored apparel.

For the highly adventurous, there are also cycling computers that include GPS.

It is not unusual for most elementary schools to include bike-riding and bike-safety events during the course of a school year.

Bicycle laws are in many cases similar to vehicle laws: stay at the side of the road traveling with the flow of traffic, stop for stop signs, use hand signals when turning, etc.

Ride safe, think safety, and make yourself visible.

References:

http://www.health.gov/paguidelines/guidelines/default.aspx

http://www.health.gov/paguidelines/pdf/paguide.pdf

http://smoothieessentials.com/product11.php Multi-Vitamin Blend

http://smoothieessentials.com/product18.php Women’s Blend

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Portal:Cycling

“Get a bicycle. You will not regret it, if you live.”
Mark Twain, “Taming the Bicycle”

Following your ride stop for a fabulous smoothie and rejuvenate!

Awareness of the health benefits of Omega-3 fatty acids has increased dramatically over recent years. Smoothie Essentials is proud to introduce a simple and convenient way to include the benefits of Omega-3 fatty acids in your diet.

Try this fabulous Smoothie starring Smoothie Essentials Omega-3!!

Pomegranate Smoothie With Cranberry

I try to get the actual fruit, but other times I must buy the pomegranate juice to make smoothie. Here is a great pomegranate smoothie recipe that will perk up your taste buds and give you a burst of energy.

Ingredients:
3 cups chilled sweetened cranberry juice
3/4 cup chilled pomegranate juice
1/3 cup fresh lime juice
3 cups chilled club soda
1 scoop Smoothie Essentials Omega-3

Blend cranberry juice, pomegranate juice and lime juice. Pour into glasses. (Serves 4)

I drink green tea three times a day. It’s packed with heart-boosting and cancer-stopping polyphenols that black tea doesn’t offer. (These beneficial chemicals are lost when it’s fermented.) Green tea also delivers a boost of alertness, but from a smaller dose of caffeine than black tea. Green tea can even fight dandruff, although only if you pour it directly onto your scalp. (It’s probably a good idea to let it cool down first.)

MatchaGT is a great way to start your exercise routine!

You should always check with your health care provider before beginning a new health program.

Getting more from our exercise programs is always a bonus.

What if a cup of Matcha could help reduce your tummy fat?

Green tea plus exercise speeds the loss of tummy fat – LA Times January 20, 2009 Per the Journal of Nutrition

“Consumption Enhances Exercise-Induced Abdominal Fat Loss in Overweight and Obese Adults”

The study showed that adults who participated and maintained a set caloric intake plus 180 minutes a week of exercise (lets hear it for those 10,000 steps a day) showed greater decline in abdominal fat.

Take a moment and blend or shake yourself up some MatchaGT! Increase the power of Matcha by adding additional boots such as MultiVitamin, Energy, and Women’s Blend. With germ season about to open with the start of school how about some Immune Support!
So try this one on instead:

MatchaGT

Matcha GT Energy Shot 4 oz

4 oz milk (soy, vanilla soy, 2% etc,)

1 scoop Matcha GT

4 oz ice

Shake in bar shaker

MatchaGT Latte

Inspired by Dr. Oz and his article in Men’s Health.  I wanted to know what the difference was between breaking a sweat and not breaking a sweat when it comes to exercise.  It seems like there are millions sites and a million ways to exercise and not break a sweat but really how healthy are we being by not breaking a sweat?I went to University of Michigan’s website and reviewed Dr Zernicke’s article “Breaking a sweat good for strengths throwing bones”.

“Physical activity,
exercise and sport all provide a variety of benefits to our heart, lungs and other vital organs.  Researchers at the University of Michigan have confirmed that exercise is just as important for a healthy skeletal system.

Dr. Ronald Zernicke director of the University of Michigan bone and joint injury prevention and rehabilitation Center concluded that exercise –  specifically weight-bearing activities such as running gymnastics basketball and dancing – are effective in building and enhancing overall bone health.”

He also noted that physically demanding continuous exercise regimes are not necessarily the best activities to build and enhance bone health. Dr Zernicke says rest periods within exercise plans can help stimulate bone growth as much if not more than the activities executed without rest.

“Physical activity is absolutely beneficial for overall bone health.”

Dr Zernicke recommends

Participate in weight-bearing activities such as dancing jumping in running these activities will be more effective for bone health than non-weight-bearing activities like swimming and cycling.

Encourage adolescents to exercise because they have a window of opportunity to have enhanced bone mass and strength that will carry on for the rest of our lives.  Activities they can influence good good health in adolescence include aerobics football and jumping activities.

Incorporate rest periods into an exercise plan instead of continuous physical activity, break up exercises into multiple sessions so your body can rest. Periods of rest will help your bones program themselves for strength building and improvement.

Exercise no matter what your age – activities for older populations such as walking can be effective in enhancing bone health,  especially in older man and postmenopausal women.

Don’t think that inactivity protects your bones –  not providing the body with exercise and physical activity can actually cause bones to become weak and brittle.  For older populations, a brisk walk can strengthen bones and benefit the body beyond simply bone building.

Consult a physician before starting any exercise program.

Thanks Dr Zernicke and the University of Michigan for letting us know we need to take breaks, that rest is important, that we need weight-bearing activities to maintain healthy bones.

So do you need to break a sweat or can we have the beautiful body without one?

The answers is probably you can probably have some of both but the real truth this is that as much as you can have a beautiful body without breaking a sweat you can’t have beautiful bones with out the weight bearing exercises.

How can you do that considering the economy?

I was inspired by Dr. Oz article in Men’s Health Magazine.

Stress relief through financial security makes sense; there is nothing as stressful as not knowing what the future’s going to hold and wondering if you can financially afford to have a future is very stressful.

There are many ways that we can make changes to change our future; the first most obvious one is stop super sizing.  In America we have a super size mentality; we go through the drive through – small medium large extra large. How would you like your order and no matter where we’re going there’s always a question – small medium large or extra large and when it comes to clothing those sizes can go even larger.  We are a consumer nation; all around us costly and constant bombarding is always there.

It’s time for change; small change first; stop super sizing do you need the $80,000 car or will the nice $24,000 economy vehicle with amazing gas mileage do you just as well?  Do you need that large mocha frapuccino or could you go smaller or order a coffee and place that extra change into your piggy bank? Can you order a small instead of a large or super size and place the difference into your savings?

Credit cards – did you know if you use over 30% of your credit per card if it actually maybe harming your credit score? This little industry detail (that no one knows of) has created this monster of poverty that we see. It’s time to take a step back; it’s time to use our money wisely. Remember that it’s a voting tool and to put some of it away to ensure that stress is lower in coming years.

So – stress relief through piggy banks – I think the answer is actually fairly simple take your check and take 10-20% put it aside in something that earns some interest; stocks, bonds, real estate and let it be the beginning of your stress free piggy bank.  We often say that $20 isn’t enough to make a change.  I disagree $20 every 2 weeks into a savings account that then eventually moves into an investment account is the beginning it doesn’t have to be $1 million or even $1000 you’re $20 savings added to the next savings added to the next can be amazing I remember, when I was small, there was always this math problem and it was really hard to get my head around it.

Which is more being given $1 million or one penny the first day, double that penny the next day than doubled the previous days pennies and so on for a month?

It certainly looks as if $1 million is more than all those pennies added up because each penny is worth so little.

How could even a whole LOT of pennies be anywhere near $1 million?

If we think about this problem carefully, we will find there’s a surprising answer.  I’ve looked at this problem my entire life; it’s hard to visualize.

The first day you get one penny, day 2 you get to two pennies (thusyou have three pennies now) and the 3rd day you get four pennies, by day 5 you have 16 pennies added to the savings which adds to 31 cents.  By day 30 the total number of Pennies is 1,073,741,823 pennies!  yes that’s over a billion pennies!  If we divide that number by 100 because there’s 100 pennies in the dollar that’s almost $11 million!  $10,737,418.23 to be exact.

So take that $20 and put it in your saving; no now in 30 days it won’t be almost $11 million unless you follow the formula but it’s a start and everyone has to start somewhere.  Every little penny counts and when they’re all added up in the end – you have financial security.

Thanks for reading Stress Relief through Piggy Banks; have a wonderful week.

Take the part of your brain dedicated to your steak house’s phone number and reassign it to your heart’s vital signs. These include blood pressure (which ideally should be below 115 over 75), LDL cholesterol (under 100), resting heart rate (under 70), and fasting blood sugar (under 100). If your numbers aren’t ideal, change your diet until they improve.

There are many ways to lower ones numbers but before you begin you have to know your numbers. Schedule a check up with your doctor and learn what your numbers mean to you life and your health. Real Manly Reasons To See your Doctor ~ WebMD What to Expect

Three little changes that can not only improve one’s health but prolong one’s life.

1. – WALK – walk – walk

From blood pressure to heart rate to cholesterol to sugar levels all benefit from a nice walk. Daily of course is best but even every other day has benefits. Add in a step counter (often less than $5) and goal for 10,000 steps. Start slow and gain over time. As health and stamina improve change things up with a walk up and down a set of stairs. Add in just three steps or four – the changes don’t need to be huge. Then when you are ready add small hand weights. And remember GO SLOW! Really the reason Tai Chi works is because it’s slow – extreme control.

2. Oatmeal

The number one super food for all of these is Oatmeal. Yes oatmeal. Your Mom’s daily servings as a kid gave you the foundation for a healthy heart. Now with the options available your oatmeal doesn’t have to be the same old thing. Oats are rich in beta-glucan, a soluble fiber. By adding in almonds and flax seed your oatmeal works harder. Almonds contain two powerful antioxidants – vitamin E and flavonoids – which prevent the oxidation of LDL. Flaxseeds contain lignan and soluble fiber, which block the production of LDL and increase your body’s ability to get rid of cholesterol.

3. Go GREEN

Greens – Low levels of magnesium in the body are associated with vasoconstriction—tightening of the arteries—making a smaller passageway for blood to flow and, subsequently, increasing blood pressure. Leafy greens, whole grains, a wide assortment of beans and halibut are great sources of magnesium.

Spinach Salad with Fresh Fish – Halibut or Salmon is a good way to GREEN one’s table!

Spinach My Green of Choice

SPINACH! – Why SPINACH?

It’s an easy salad to add to ones diet.  It’s rich deep green leaves are packed with (via http://www.spinachwords.com/) vitamins and minerals – a very complete list can be found on Spinach Words.

Topped with a nice Omega3 rich fish spinach becomes a healthy powerhouse.

Introspectively a close look at the various ailments will show that exercise, a fiber rich diet that includes both grains and greens and consistent water intake are the keys to moving fat and cholesterol through the body.

These few changes will also assist in preventing strokes, intestinal ailments, heart disease in both men and women, diabetes and in some cases help control diabetes, assist with hypoglycemia, and much more. 

Three little changes that can not only improve one’s health but prolong one’s life.

This isn’t about movie sex or the pretends we are inundated with on a daily basis. As a culture there is a multitude of stigmas surrounding sex and sexuality.  The fact is as much as sex sells; it also heals.

• Sex Relieves Stress – increasing levels of oxytocin and stimulating relaxation
• Sex Boosts Immunity – linked with higher levels of an antibody called immunoglobulin A or IgA, which can protect you from getting colds and other infections
• Sex Burns Calories – burn about 200 calories in 30 minutes of sex
• Sex Improves Cardiovascular Health – may help lower cholesterol and the risk of heart attack
• Sex Boosts Self-Esteem – increases the youth-promoting hormone DHEA (dehydroepiandrostone)
• Sex Improves Intimacy – oxytocin at orgasm stimulates feelings of affection, intimacy, and closeness
• Sex Reduces Pain – thanks to the endorphins and corticosteroids released during sexual arousal and orgasm
• Sex Reduces Prostate Cancer Risk – sex appears to decrease a man’s risk of prostate cancer, and the prevention of endometriosis in women
• Sex Strengthens Pelvic Floor Muscle – increased muscle use means less later life incontinence
• Sex Helps You Sleep Better – oxytocin released during orgasm also promotes sleep

And that’s just the beginning.

Queens University in Belfast tracked the mortality of about 1,000 middle-aged men over the course of a decade. The study was designed to compare persons of comparable circumstances, age and health. Its findings, published in 1997 in the British Medical Journal, were that men who reported the highest frequency of orgasm enjoyed a death rate half that of the slackers.

Sexual Healing Smoothie