The ABC’s of Self Care R & S

The ABC’s of Self Care R & S

---

“Your mind will answer most questions if you learn to relax and wait for the answer. ”

— William S Burroughs

---

This week we are fortunate to talk about two facets of Self Care and the Nikken Wellness Home that pair perfectly with each other, Rest and Relaxation (R & R) and Sleep.

REST AND RELAXATION

Maintaining good health depends on quality, satisfying rest and easing discomfort in safe and natural ways. Relaxation, comfort and good sleep do more than make us feel good. They're vitally important in helping our body repair itself, resetting mental processes and restoring our energy after each day's challenges. 

Relaxation is the act of relaxing and can be defined as the release of tension and the refreshment of the mind or body. Relaxation differs from rest, in that relaxation is our mind’s way of rejuvenating, and can assist in reducing the arousal we experience from stress and/or anxiety. While rest occurs while we are asleep, relaxation happens while we are awake. Relaxing has been shown to improve mood and cognitive functioning, such as decision making and memory, and lowers the risk for depression, anxiety, and other heart-related issues. When we relax, we boost our immunity and can curb our desire for sugary fatty treats. Relaxation also improves our ability to cope with adversity and helps to improve our quality of sleep.

Rest and relaxation work hand in hand however, one is not mutually exclusive from the other. It is important that we invest time in both rest and relaxation, to optimize our mental and physical health. Make sleep and down-time a priority, particularly when you have had a stressful day both mentally and physically. Listen to your body and take time out for yourself. Remember, to give your best, you must be at your best. If you do not look after yourself, who is going to do that for you, this is the fundamental principle of Self Care, so make R&R part of your daily Self Care Awakening.

The Nikken Wellness Home offers innovative technologies and products that promote relaxation, performance and rejuvenation to combat effects of discomfort, fatigue and stress, while providing support that everyone needs, every day. Nikken products combine advanced technologies and physical principles based on natural energies to enhance rest and relaxation.

Here are just a few of our favorite Wellness Home products that fall in to the Rest and Relaxation category.

Kenko mStrides®

Nikken introduced the original Magsteps® in 1975 — the company’s first product. When your feet hurt, your whole body knows it. But you can be relaxed and comfortable even if you’re on your feet all day, thanks to Nikken insoles. A major step forward in design and engineering, mStrides feature patented DynaFlux® Magnetic Technology and exceptional comfort. Patented DynaFlux provides 100% coverage and intensifies the magnetic field for greater tissue depth. With mStrides in place, walking creates a dynamic energy flow — in effect, a magnetic field generator inside your shoes. The mStrides surface is long-wearing, does not absorb moisture or odor and is ventilated to stay cool. These are the most advanced and durable insoles in the world.

KenkoTouch®

Massage is an effective way to ease aching muscles. A deep-tissue massage can help loosen tight muscles, ease discomfort and relieve stress. A good massage can produce positive results even for those who enjoy excellent health. The KenkoTouch® is a unique, advanced system that gives you a heightened magnetic massage experience. 

Kenko MagDuo®

Compact, portable and a quick, effective means to have a relaxing massage experience. This advanced pair of massaging spheres can help you feel relaxed and reenergized, in minutes! Heather and I both have them in our vehicles and at home. One resides in my golf bag and one in Heathers gym bag too.

Kenko MagFlex®

This lower-back pad has contoured edges, flexibility and cool ventilation for all-day comfort. Plus, it’s the only lower-back support product with patented DynaFlux® Magnetic Technology. This is a very versatile product that can have many uses for relief of discomfort.

Simple, effective and easy to use, these are staples in our Wellness Home for relaxation.

SLEEP

Sleep is the single activity that we spend the most time doing in our lifetimes. We spend one-third of our lives asleep and for good reason. In our fast paced, highly productive lives, we often sacrifice sleep for other activities. This is due in part to this perception of sleep as a non-productive endeavor, when from a physiological and health standpoint it is the most productive time of our day

William C. Dement, M.D., Ph.D., Stanford University, is one of the world's leading authorities on sleep. He is sometimes referred to as the father of sleep medicine. To quote Dr. Dement, “Healthy sleep has been empirically proven to be the most single important determinant on predicting longevity, more important than diet, exercise and heredity.” Matthew Walker, a professor of neuroscience and psychology at the University of California, Berkeley agrees, "I used to suggest that sleep is the third pillar of good health, along with diet and exercise, but I don't agree with that anymore. Sleep is the single most effective thing you can do to reset your brain and body for health." 

Sleep is not only about how many hours we sleep, but more importantly about quality of sleep that we are receiving. A significant component of sleep quality is dependent on our sleep environment. For that reason, the foundation of the Nikken Wellness Home and our personal choice, is the Nikken Kenko Sleep System. It uses natural materials and simple principles to create Adaptive Sleep Technology. This includes, self-regulating temperature control, advanced magnetic technology and passive massage to provide a natural, relaxing sleep environment to for a deep restful, rejuvenating sleep

Nikken Kenko Sleep products are made in the USA. 

Regular sleep on a Kenko Sleep System can contribute to improved learning ability and decision-making abilities, improved memory, alertness and increased mental acuity. Quality sleep supports physical health including improved immune system function, better ability to resist premature aging, increased ability to resist stress, and better-regulated hormone production that can help prevent weight gain or obesity. 

Sleep Matters and getting enough sleep is one way that we all can be healthier, more productive and happier. Sleep is a vital component of every Wellness Home. Get at least 7.5 to 9 hours of quality sleep per night with the Nikken Kenko Sleep System and take time for relaxation daily to BE HEALTHY BY CHOICE, NOT BY CHANCE. 

The ABC's of Self Care P

This is the core of what we do. 

The ABC’s of Self Care P

There are several choices for the letter P as it applies to Self Care and the Nikken Wellness Home. We could talk about our impactful Active Wellness products. We could discuss the importance of prevention or we could write about the environmental toxicity and the Pollution in People, just to name a few. However, let’s take this opportunity to talk about People, Planet and Profit and how they relate to the Nikken Wellness Home and Self Care.

People are what we are all about. Whether it’s showing them how to be Healthy by Choice or how to truly live a life in balance. We have written before about Nikken’s philosophy of the 5 Pillars of Health®.

• Healthy Body
• Healthy Mind
• Healthy Family
• Healthy Society
• And Heathy Finances

These are interrelated aspects of our lives that can positively or negatively affect each other pillar. Let’s use two examples, if we are experiencing physical health challenges does this affect our mind, our family, our society and our finances? All these areas would be impacted and given the severity of the challenge it could lead to financial ruin. A recent Harvard University study showed that medical expenses account for approximately 62 percent of personal bankruptcies in the United States. The study also reported that over 75 percent of those who filed for bankruptcy due to medical expenses had some type of health insurance, thus discrediting the myth that only the uninsured face financial catastrophes due to medical-related expenses. If our finances are out of balance, what are the resulting effects on the other pillars? We talk to people daily about this problem and the resulting stresses it causes on our physical, emotional health and relationships.  Finances are a major vital element in the Wellness Home. When the finances are affected, then everything is affected. Many people work around the clock only to jeopardize their family time and their health. They spend most of their lives working, usually too hard and for too many hours, just to make more money. 

The Five Pillars are foundation of everything we do and for over 43 years Nikken has provided a means for anyone to live a life in balance. For 20 years, I have advocated for Nikken and this philosophy. When I was first introduced to Nikken the Five Pillar philosophy was foremost in my decision to get involved. We have incredible products, cutting edge technologies and a fun and rewarding marketing plan, but they all are braced on these Five Pillars.  It is our foundation where People come first. Ours is a relationship business and collaboration are key to our success. As any good teacher, the goal is to inform, inspire and empower your partners to be more proficient than yourself. We call this Collaborative Entrepreneurship. Team work is the core of our people focused business, where it truly embodies “Together Everyone Achieves More.”

Our purpose to create healthier lives by making every home a Wellness Home. Imagine the communal, societal and global health ramifications of helping everyone be Healthy by Choice. Chronic diseases are the number one killer in the world. Preventing them or improving their condition is a major focus of Self Care and the Wellness Home. Our health choices are our own responsibility and the Wellness Home provides an easy, affordable and effective way to be healthy by choice for people.

The health of our Planet is another area that should be of concern for everyone. Nikken is committed to reducing pollution and providing solutions to many of our environmental issues. Many of the suppliers Nikken partners with use sustainable energy sources in their manufacturing processes such as wind or solar power. For example, the partner who supplies our vegan certified Kenzen® Omega Green + DHA, (one of the subjects of last week’s Impetus) uses 100% wind power in their manufacturing processes.

Our PiMag Waterfall and Sport Bottle not only provide us with healthy water choices but are made with biodegradable polymers to reduce pollution from plastic water bottles. The effect of plastic bottles on our environment has been documented and although we have an awareness of the problem it is getting worse not better. There are over 100 million plastic bottles used each day globally and nearly 80% of these ends up in our landfills. This means that only 20% are recycled. Approximately 1500 bottles end up in landfills and the ocean every second accounting for 2 million tons of plastic bottles that are landfilled each year.

The PiMag Waterfall and Sport Bottle are environmentally responsible. They reduce the number of discarded, disposable water bottles that become trash in landfills and oceans. This also decreases consumption of fossil fuels used in manufacturing those bottles. PiMag water products are made with recyclable and biodegradable materials, including a polymer that does not leach chemicals into water as most plastics will. The ratio of water filtered for healthy water for the Waterfall and Sport Bottle is one to one. Other filtration methods used in homes or for bottled water can be as five gallons to get one gallon of filtered water.

Nikken’s True Elements skin and hair care products use natural, sustainable sources and are certified organic by EcoCert. The seaweed species in True Elements are harvested off the coast of Brittany in northwest France, and the harvesting method ensures that the seaweed yields are sustainable. 
These skin care preparations are natural, organic, and free from parabens, GMOs, mineral oils, phthalates, phenoxyethanol, PEG, EDTA, synthetic colorings and fragrances. These as well as many of our other products come packaged in recyclable materials.

Nikken Wellness Nutritional support products also use sustainable products in their sourcing and manufacturing.  Nikken believes that the best way to take care of your nutritional needs, is the natural way. So, they created the first complete program based on organic ingredients. These can fill the nutritional gaps in your daily diet, to help you "eat right," even when your meals may fall short of the mark. Organic-Based Nutrition means that all ingredients are carefully chosen, and the organic content is maximized.  Nikken Kenzen® Wellness nutrition was founded on a whole-food philosophy. These organic-based solutions bring your daily diet even closer to nature.

The Self Care Awakening is a global movement to empower people all over our planet to be Healthy by Choice. Imagine solutions to prevent and improve chronic conditions rather than treating and managing them at considerable expense. The Ben Franklin adage that comes to mind, “an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure”. Although Ben wrote this referring to fire prevention it is often used in the health care arena. In this instance, I would substitute the word cure with treatment. Treating preventable disease is fast becoming our largest expense across the globe.

The Wellness Home creates opportunity for Profit.

Since 1975, Nikken has provided the innovative products and income opportunity to live a life in balance and to share the message of every home a Wellness Home. Our action strategy and easy-to-understand compensation plan creates infinite possibilities of building a better future for everyone. It all begins with you and your commitment to the 5 Pillars of Health®.

The Wellness Home provides us with an opportunity to make simple, easy choices to be healthy, while at the same time providing a steady income source for healthy finances. People love our products and people buy our products. They are priced to sell and priced for Profit. Nikken maintains and prides itself on a strategy of providing the best quality product at a reasonable price competitive in any of the markets of our product line.

The Wellness Home is the cash flow engine of the business. It has a beginning but has no end. Nikken introduces new products or updates Wellness Home products with new technology on a continual basis. It’s transformational Active Wellness products and technologies and the concept of the Wellness Home are natural to share with others. The Wellness Home and Nikken Active Wellness products and technologies provide an integrated approach and one-stop shopping for Self Care.

Self Care needs to replace the existing Health Care System and is the answer to our Health Care Crisis on a global scale. We are a passionate team dedicated to accomplishing this goal by making every home a Wellness Home. We welcome new Self Care Advocates as Independent Nikken Consultants with enthusiasm, support and collaboration. We are dedicated to People, our Planet and Profit. If you are interested in becoming an Independent Nikken Consultant contact the person that referred, you to this blog or click the “let’s work together” link.

Next week we will talk about the letter Q, we need to think a bit about that one?

Be Healthy by Choice, not by Chance

The ABC's of Self Care: N = Nutrition

N = Nutrition and the Nikken Wellness Home

This week we have reached the letter N in our series on the ABC’s of Self Care. So, we thought that we would talk about Nutrition. Let’s discuss how the Wellness Home provides choices for healthy nutrition.

One of the main principles and advantages of a Nikken Wellness Home is that it makes healthy choices easy on a day to day basis, so we can all Be Healthy by Choice. If you breath, sleep, drink, bathe and eat the Wellness Home and its products and technologies will benefit your health. Get a great night’s sleep on the sleep system, stay hydrated with healthy water, bathe in chemical free water, breath healthy air, use natural products increase energy and performance.

Making healthy food choices is a challenge for many of us. Think about it, one of the most important decisions we make every day is what we eat and drink. It is everyone’s Choice to eat Healthy or not. We have previously discussed the importance of limiting sugar consumption and the Wellness Home products that help us accomplish that goal. Heather and I try to include as much whole foods, while eliminating processed foods in our Wellness Home. Most of our fresh fruits and veggies come from our local farmers market and we do enjoy our home-grown tomatoes, peppers, cucumbers, green beans and indoor herb garden. Harvesting will commence shortly, mmm.

One way that we help ourselves and our family to make healthier food choices is by incorporating the Nikken Wellness nutritional products into our every day lives. Heather is very creative and has been using many of our Nikken nutritional products in recipes for healthier choices. To that end here our some of our favorite recipes.

I’ll start with one of my favorite summer beverages.

We call it G$ (Gee Money) Ice Tea.

It is like an Arnold Palmer (ice tea and lemonade) except I use unsweetened sun tea that I make in a glass bottle and add one ounce of Kenzen Super Ciaga® to a large glass of sun tea. Super Ciaga® is an organic mixed superfruit juice concentrate made exclusively with organic fruit content. This advanced formula is made with a select group of superfruits chosen for their nutrient and antioxidant characteristics. Highly concentrated, it has an exceptional ORAC value. This is a refreshing beverage and provides great anti-oxidant health benefits.

G$ Ice Tea

Here are a few of Heather’s recipes for healthy drinks and snacks.

Let's start with another delicious beverage that is going to help you avoid the coffee shop line and the added sugars but will give you a natural, extra kick to avoid that 3pm slump. 

The Matcha Green Tea 10-4 Frappuccino

Kenzen Ten4 (10-4) is made with USDA certified organic ingredients, contains no sugar and is only 8 calories per serving. Matcha green tea is known as “nature’s own energy drink” while New Zealand kiwi is the most nutrient-dense of the superfruits. Combined with brown rice solids and Stevia leaf extract Kenzen Ten4 Helps burn calories, boost metabolism and support mental alertness.

Combine ice and your favorite milk (dairy, almond, coconut, soy) with 1 packet of Kenzen Ten4 in a blender and blend until ice is gone and the milk is frothy. Perfect for relaxing on your back deck or running errands. Ahhhh. 

Non-GMO, gluten-free and vegan.

Now a quick delicious, nutritious snack.

Balance Balls

Kenzen Vital Balance is a crucial component of the Nikken Wellness Home. Our protein shake contains organic moringa and naturally sweet monk fruit in addition to organic pea protein and organic vegetables. It is designed to help burn fat and boost metabolism as well as promote healthy brain function and the elimination of toxins in the body. With pre- and probiotics to assist in digestive and immune system activity, the Kenzen Vital Balance formula is food for action and food for thought—for people of all ages. 
 

• 2 scoops of Kenzen Vital Balance
• 1 cup of your favorite nut butter
• 1/2 cup of rolled oats
• 1/4 cup of honey
• 1 Tbsp chia seeds
• 1/2 cup of Water
• Dried Cherries

Combine ingredients in a large mixing bowl adding enough water until ingredients mix smoothly but are not wet.  Shape the mixture into bite sized balls and place on a plate. Refrigerate until firm. Then enjoy!

Certified Kosher, Non- GMO, Vegan, Low in fat, no added salt, sugar, artificial colorings, artificial flavors or preservatives.

 

The Wellness Home provides easy choices to be Healthy by Choice. Heather and I have discussed a new section for the Impetus the “Wellness Home Cook Book”. We would be happy to feature any of our readers recipes for healthy eating if you would like to submit them to us.

Next week we will talk about the letter O, any guess as to what the topic might be?

Be Healthy by Choice, not by Chance and let’s make every home a Wellness Home.

The ABCs of Self Care: M, Magnetic Energy

““... healing comes from nature, not the physician...””

— Paracelsus

The ABC’s of Self Care M

This week we are concerned with the letter M for our series the ABC’s of Self Care, so let’s talk about Magnetic Energy.

The Earth's natural electromagnetic field is one of the fundamental forces of nature and is essential for life. Heather and I have been enjoying the recent National Geographic series, “One Strange Rock” #OneStrangeRock.  We have been reminded multiple times in the series that it is the earth’s magnetic field that enables our planet to support life as we know it.  The Earth's magnetic field shields us from deadly cosmic radiation. The motion of liquid iron in the planet's outer core, a phenomenon called a "geodynamo," generates the field. But how it was first created and then sustained throughout Earth's history has remained a mystery to scientists.

Basically, we live on a big magnet. Not only does this energy provide protection for our planet but also provides a natural energy and an environment for us to be healthy. In their book “Earthing, the most important health discovery ever?”, authors Clinton Ober, Stephen T. Sinatra, M.D. and Martin Zucker describe how our current living conditions have reduced the vital energy of the earth to our bodies and the resultant chronic issues that ensue from being disconnected from the power and energy of the Earth.

The use of magnets for health can be traced back as far as the ancient Egyptians, Greeks, Romans and Chinese. Pliny, a Roman naturalist, used magnets to rectify eye problems, female disorders and wounds. Documentation tells us that Chinese doctors believed in the therapeutic value of magnets at least 2,000 years ago, and perhaps earlier than that. In sixteenth century Europe, Paracelsus, used magnets for many different conditions, claiming that “…the magnet is king of all secrets and that the art of healing comes from nature, not from the physician. Therefore, the physician must start from nature, with an open mind.” Two centuries later, German physician Franz Mesmer became famous for using magnets for various disorders.

In the middle decades of the twentieth century, scientists in various parts of the world began performing studies on the therapeutic use of magnets. From the 1940s on, magnets became increasingly popular in Japan. Yoshio Manaka, one of the influential Japanese acupuncturists of the twentieth century, used magnets in conjunction with acupuncture. Magnet therapy also became a commonly used technique of self-administered medicine in Japan. For example, a type of plaster containing a small magnet became popular for treating a variety of discomforts. Magnetic mattress pads, bracelets, and necklaces also became common. It is estimated that one in seven people in Japan use some form of magnetic products for health.

North American interest in magnetic energy for health was inspired by NASA’s space program. NASA recognized the importance of electromagnetic fields to biological organisms when astronauts in optimal health became ill traveling in outer space. Beyond the outermost layer of the atmosphere (ionosphere), the astronauts’ bodies were no longer immersed in the geomagnetic fields of the planet. Withdrawn from the influence of these fields, their health declined (poor sleep, fatigue, weakness, rapid bone loss, etc.), but was restored when administered artificially generated magnetic fields that emitted the necessary planetary frequencies. Magnetic field generators installed in NASA’s spacecraft alleviated many of these health problems in orbit.

During the 1970s, magnets became popular among athletes in many countries for improving performance, rejuvenation and alleviating sports-related injuries.

In 1975, the Japanese company, Nikken, developed a magnetic insole and ensuing products that has resulted in its prominence in the field of supporting our health. Nikken magnetic products are designed to be natural, easy to use, for more energy, rest, rejuvenation and recovery.

Nikken magnetic technologies have been developed for over 40 years to provide a carefully designed, supportive environment. Nikken’s magnetic products are designed to fit easily into our normal day-to-day lives. This can be in the form of our Sleep System or special magnetic insoles, seats, jewelry and massage products that can be used conveniently throughout the day. This is one technology that we frequently utilize in the Wellness Home. I have personally benefited from these products for over 20 years and have met and know thousands of others that have incorporated them into their daily self care routines. 

It’s generally safe for most people to wear and use low-intensity static magnets. However, if you use an electronic medical device such as a pacemaker, have a magnetically sensitive surgical implant, are in the first trimester of pregnancy or have health problems, consult a physician before using magnetic products.

Magnetic energy is just one of the technologies that are utilized in the Wellness Home to provide simple, easy to use, natural ways of being Heathy by Choice.

Please note, that Heather and I will be taking a break next week from the Impetus in honor of Memorial Day and tribute to the many men and women that have paid the ultimate sacrifice in enabling and preserving our freedom and liberty. We wish you all a good Memorial Day Weekend.

Be Healthy by Choice, not by Chance

The ABCs of Self Care

“No matter how slow you go you are still lapping everyone on the couch. ”

— Anom

 

Self Care ABCs

Heather thought it would be fun to do a series on the ABC’s of self care and how the Wellness Home can provide simple solutions for us all. So, for the next few weeks, we will pick 26 ways we can all be Healthy by Choice. I must admit, it sounds fun to me too.

A. This letter could have lots of choices to talk about but next to Air, everything else is inconsequential. We can only survive approximately three minutes without air (oxygen).

In the framework of self care and the Wellness Home we are talking about indoor air quality. One of the major factors contributing to our body burden is air pollution. Although we have limited control over outdoor air pollution we do have choices for the quality of air in our homes.

Indoor Air Pollution is a concern for many health-conscious individuals and with good reason. According to the US Environmental Protection Agency, the air within our homes and other buildings can be more seriously polluted than the outdoor air even the largest and most industrialized cities. We spend nearly 90% of our time indoors. Those who spend most of their time indoors are the very young, elderly or infirm. Pollutants can be 2 to 10 times higher indoors than outdoors. See Fresh Air... Indoors for more information.

The Nikken Wellness Home Solution

The KenkoAir® Purifier is designed to combat allergy-causing particles and enhance the air we breathe, helping us to enjoy a more natural, pollutant-free air quality in our homes.  When guests first enter our Wellness Home, they often remark that they feel a difference in the air, a calm, fresh feeling as though they were outdoors in a forest or at the beach.

The Nikken KenkoAir® Purifier incorporates multiple-stage filtration including an ultra-low penetration air filter (ULPA). The KenkoAir® Purifier exceeds that, with measured efficiency up to 99.9995%. No other home air filtration system matches this level of performance.

B also presents many possibilities for discussion, however let’s talk about one of our favorites- Barley grass. This is a staple in our Wellness Home and we drink two or three glasses a day. In fact, I am enjoying a glass as I write this blog, my food for thought on the subject.

Called "nature's perfect food," barley grass is said to have more nutrition than an equal serving of any other vegetable. It is one of the earliest grown sweetgrasses in the world and traces its history even before 5000 BC. Barley has long been a traditional part of the Japanese diet. Research pharmacologist from Japan, Dr Yoshihide Hagiwara MD, made the study of barley grass his lifelong mission and passion. Embarking on study more than 150 types of plants, including grasses, herbs, vegetables, and fruits, Dr. Hagiwara concluded, after 40 years of research, that young barley grass was “one of the most nutritionally balanced foods in nature”.

The Nikken Wellness Home Solution

 Jade GreenZymes®

Made with organic barley grass and a Proprietary Blend of organic acacia and organic pearl barley seed extract powder. Kosher and vegan certified, gluten free and USDA cerified organic. A complete ‘salad in a glass’.
This food is instant energy in a glass. Our bodies know when we consume something healthy and this product immediately gives me that sense of well-being. We like it mixed with PiMag Water from our Nikken Waterfall. Jade GreenZymes® is also available in capsules.

C would have to represent Cardiovascular health recognizing that heart health issues are the most common cause of death. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), about 610,000 people die of heart disease in the United States every year–that's 1 in every 4 deaths. Coronary heart disease (CHD) is the most common type of heart disease, killing over 370,000 people annually. Heart disease is the leading cause of death for both men and women. Read more in I Heart Self Care for My Heart.

It is interesting to note that CDC and World Health Organization consider cardiovascular disease to be one of the most preventable issues we face. Preventing chronic disease is a common thread in our Self Care Awakening series of Being Healthy by Choice, not by Chance.

The Nikken Wellness Home Solution

Our favorite products for healthy heart choices are Kenzen Super Ciaga® and Kenzen Bergisterol™ Capsules.

Kenzen Super Ciaga® is an organic mixed superfruit juice concentrate made exclusively with organic fruit content. This advanced formula is made with a select group of superfruits chosen for their nutrient and antioxidant characteristics. Super Ciaga® helps to neutralize and eliminate free radicals, which supports healthy cellular functions. It therefore helps support a healthy immune system, healthy heart and blood vessels, natural energy levels and overall well-being. * 

We enjoy this diluted in PiMag Water or in tea. We have lots of fun creating new beverage recipe’s with Ciaga.

Kenzen® Bergisterol™ is a unique formulation made from Citrus Bergamia Risso, an exclusive strain of the bergamot fruit. For help in maintaining levels of triglycerides, blood glucose, blood pressure and cholesterol that are within normal limits, clinical studies indicate that bergamot extract helps support cardiovascular health and cholesterol levels that are within the normal range. *

I hope you have enjoyed our 1st installment of Self Care ABC’s, I have enjoyed writing it, good idea Heather (as usual). Next week, D, E and F? Let me think about that?

Be Healthy by Choice, not by Chance

*These statements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. This product is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any disease.

Good Nutrition the Essentials

Let food be thy medicine and medicine be thy food

Hippocrates

Wellness Home and Good Nutrition

A major component of the Wellness Home is healthy nutrition. Eating a balanced diet is vital for good health and wellbeing. Food provides our bodies with the energy, protein, essential fats, vitamins and minerals to live, grow and function properly. We need a wide variety of different foods to provide the right amounts of nutrients for good health.

There are six basic nutrients required for good health. 

These include:

Carbohydrates-Carbohydrates are grouped into two categories: simple and complex. Carbohydrates are the main energy source for the brain. Without carbohydrates, the body could not function properly. Sources include fruits, breads and grains and starchy vegetables.

Protein-which is broken down into amino acids by the digestive system. Protein is the major structural component of cells and is responsible for the building and repair of body tissues. Lean protein sources such as low-fat meat, dairy, beans or eggs. There are many other vegetable sources of protein, if that is your personal choice.

Fat-The fat in food includes a mixture of saturated and unsaturated fats.  Fat is an energy source that when consumed, increases the absorption of fat-soluble vitamins including vitamins A, D, E and K. Choose healthy options such as omega-3-rich foods like fish, walnuts and vegetable-based oils. Omega-3s help with development and growth. Limit intake of saturated fats such as high-fat meats and full-fat dairy. Other smart choices include nuts, seeds and avocado.

Vitamins- both water and fat-soluble. There may be slight differences in the amounts of specific vitamins for men versus women, but in general, the essential vitamins that your body needs are:

• Vitamin A
• Vitamin C
• Vitamin D
• Vitamin E
• Vitamin K
• B vitamins

The best way to get these vitamins is to eat a healthy and balanced diet with plenty of fruits and vegetables. A multivitamin may also be useful to help fill in the gaps if you have a restrictive diet.

Minerals- These essential nutrients, those that your body needs but cannot produce, include the inorganic substances found in foods such as: calcium, potassium, sodium, iron, magnesium, phosphorus, chloride and Trace Minerals.

Water- said to be our most essential nutrient, read more in Down the Hatch. Water helps to maintain homeostasis in the body and transports nutrients to cells. Water also assists in removing waste products from the body. We recommend drinking half your body weight in ounces per day.

Whenever possible choose fresh organic produce. We strive to eat as natural as possible and avoid processed foods. Many processed foods, including canned and frozen vegetables contain added sugar. In our Wellness Home we make a conscious effort to keep our sugar consumption at a healthy level, 36 grams or 9 teaspoons a day for me and 25 grams or 6 teaspoons a day for the ladies in the house.

Unfortunately, our busy fast-paced lives often impede with our choices for healthy eating.  I’m sure we have all experienced the trials and tribulations in shopping, food preparation and all that goes in to preparing and consuming healthy meals. One way to counter act this is supplementing our food. Many supplements fall short in what they deliver in terms of natural provided nutrients. 

Nikken’s philosophy (and ours) is that the best way to take care of our nutritional needs, is the natural way. Nikken created the first complete program based on natural, organic ingredients. These fill the nutritional gaps in our daily diet, to help us "eat right," even when our meals may fall short of their nutrtional mark. Organic-Based Nutrition means that all ingredients are carefully chosen, and the organic content is maximized. 
Nikken Kenzen® Wellness nutrition is founded on a whole-food philosophy. These organic-based solutions help bring our daily diet closer to nature and is an integral part of our Wellness Home.

Here are three of our favorite products that are core to our nutritional needs:

Kenzen Vital Balance® Meal Replacement Mix- We kick-start every day with a KVB shake.

KVB’s formula contains organic moringa and naturally sweet monk fruit in addition to organic pea protein and organic vegetables. It is designed to help burn fat and boost metabolism as well as promote healthy brain function and the elimination of toxins in the body. With pre- and probiotics to assist in digestive and immune system activity, the Kenzen Vital Balance formula is food for action and food for thought—for people of all ages. 

Naturally-sourced protein from organic pea, organic rice and organic chlorella to promote the formation of lean muscle mass without the high levels of saturated fat and calories associated with animal protein.
Contains Medium-chain triglycerides (MCTs), sourced exclusively from palm kernel oil, serve as “brain food” to support cognitive sharpness and for weight loss to assist in burning fat, boosting metabolism and regulating the appetite.*

Jade GreenZymes®- We have glass of JGZ’s twice a day.

Called "nature's perfect food," barley grass is said to have more nutrition than an equal serving of any other vegetable. The barley grass in organic Jade GreenZymes® is beneficial in helping balance pH, supporting a strong immune system, and assisting in maintaining blood glucose levels that are already in the normal range. 

Made with organic barley grass and our Proprietary Blend of organic acacia and organic pearl barley seed extract powder.

Kosher and vegan certified and USDA Organic.

Kenzen Super Ciaga® - We use this once a day and have developed some very delicious drink variations.

An organic mixed superfruit juice concentrate made exclusively with organic fruit content. This advanced formula is made with a select group of superfruits chosen for their nutrient and antioxidant characteristics. Highly concentrated, it has an exceptional ORAC value. 

Excellent flavor enhancer when diluted and mixed in with other beverages or water.
• Great replacement for sodas that may contain artificial sweeteners or lots of sugar. Simply mix with Nikken PiMag® water or seltzer for a naturally sweet beverage.
• Certified Kosher by Earth Kosher.
•USDA certified organic.

• No preservatives, 12 month shelf life.

Super Ciaga bottles are made of an environmentally-friendly polymer that contains no bisphenol-A (BPA) or other potentially harmful chemicals, are easily recycled and compared to glass, require fewer resources to store and transport.

An effective nutritional strategy is more than just what we eat. It requires attention to many self care processes that can affect our well-being. Quality sleep, proper hydration with healthy water, reduction of our body burden of toxic chemicals and stress management are all important for improving and maintaining good health.

One of the most important decisions we make every day is what we eat and drink. It is everyone’s Choice to eat Healthy or not.

Be Healthy by Choice, not by Chance

* These statements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. This product is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any disease.*

Quality Sleep and the Wellness Home

"Sleep’s the only medicine that gives ease.” Sophocles

Quality Sleep is a foundational component of the Nikken Wellness Home. 

Coincidentally as I write this blog the National Sleep Foundation in celebrating its annual Sleep Awareness Week, March 11 to 17,2018. This year's theme “Begin with Sleep” highlights the importance of good sleep health for individuals to best achieve their personal, family, and professional goals. Today, March 16th, is World Sleep Day. Its goal is to celebrate the benefits of good and healthy sleep and to draw society's attention to the burden of poor sleep. 

We have previously blogged about sleep and its importance to our health. Sleep is the single activity that we spend the most time doing in our lifetimes. We spend one-third of our lives asleep and for good reason. William C. Dement, M.D., Ph.D., Stanford University, is one of the world's leading authorities on sleep. He is sometimes referred to as the father of sleep medicine. To quote Dr. Dement, “Healthy sleep has been empirically proven to be the most single important determinant on predicting longevity, more important than diet, exercise and heredity.” Matthew Walker, a professor of neuroscience and psychology at the University of California, Berkeley agrees, "I used to suggest that sleep is the third pillar of good health, along with diet and exercise, but I don't agree with that anymore. Sleep is the single most effective thing you can do to reset your brain and body for health." 

We need sleep to be heathy, happy and productive. Without it we suffer consequences both physically and mentally. Sleep is the most important determinant to being healthy by choice, so, choose to get enough quality sleep. Sleep Matters. 

Sleep is not only about how many hours we sleep, but more importantly about quality of sleep that we are receiving. A significant component of sleep quality is dependent on our sleep environment. For that reason, the foundation of the Nikken Wellness Home and our personal choice, is the Nikken Kenko Sleep System. It uses natural materials and simple principles to create Adaptive Sleep Technology. This includes, self-regulating temperature control, advanced magnetic technology and passive massage to provide a natural, relaxing sleep environment to for a deep restful, rejuvenating sleep. 

Naturest® Mattress Topper

The system includes three main components, the Nikken Naturest® Mattress Topper with a KenkoDream™ Comforter and the Kenko Naturest® Custom Pillow. Each component contains advanced technology and materials to improve sleep quality. The Nikken Naturest® Mattress Topper features a design that has no springs. Its construction forms itself to body contours. This prevents the formation of pressure points (feeling to heavy in one spot that often precipitates tossing and turning) that can interrupt sleep and prevents us from attaining optimal rest. The natural latex foundation is firm yet comfortable, and resists sagging. This support system combines advanced scientific technology and natural materials in a design that promotes healthy and refreshing sleep. An impressive merger of two very different design principles, Naturest features advanced sleep innovations, including a revolutionary new design in magnetic technology, seen nowhere else — and traditional materials that are not only environmentally responsible but help you sleep soundly and wake feeling refreshed and energized. After trying the Kenko Naturest Mattress Topper, you’ll never want to sleep without it. 

Kenko Dream Comforter

A perfect balance of comfort for all climates, the Kenko Dream® Comforter combines revolutionary technology and the finest materials allow better rest. Ceramic-reflecting fibers help regulate temperatures to keep you warm or cool and is designed for all-season use. Chitocotton, another innovation, contains chitosan to help fibers retain a clean, fresh scent. A magnetic layer completes the cocoon effect with ceramic-reflective fibers that help to release heat and maintain a comfortable temperature. The breathable cover provides ventilation and releases excess heat for comfort and is finished in an elegant, satiny weave that dresses up your bed.

Kenko Naturest® Custom Pillow

Inside the Kenko Naturest® Custom Pillow is a special filler of rolled natural latex. It’s designed so that you remove or replace filler to achieve the desired degree of firmness —your personal perfect fit. The latex is especially resilient, so it resists being compressed flat, unlike a down or foam pillow. A head and neck insert helps provide correct spinal alignment. The pillow cover is a natural, breathable cotton blend. Deep within the Custom Pillow is patented DynaFlux® Magnetic Technology, a series of magnets arranged to surround you in a cocoon of magnetism. 

 

Nikken Kenko Sleep products are made in the USA. 

Regular sleep on a Kenko Sleep System can contribute to improved learning ability and decision-making abilities, improved memory, alertness and increased mental acuity. Quality sleep supports physical health including improved immune system function, better ability to resist premature aging, increased ability to resist stress, and better-regulated hormone production that can help prevent weight gain or obesity. 

Sleep Matters and is a vital component of every Wellness Home. Get at least 7.5 to 9 hours of quality sleep per night with the Nikken Kenko Sleep System and BE HEALTHY BY CHOICE, NOT BY CHANCE. 

Fresh Air... Indoors

Some old-fashioned things like fresh air and sunshine are hard to beat. 

-Laura Ingalls Wilder

Is Your Home Your Haven?

Most of us consider our homes to be a safe, healthy environment, but in reality, our homes are often very toxic places. Given a choice, “Would you prefer to live in “sick” home or a “wellness” home? The answer is obvious, I think we would choose a wellness home. 

Your first question may be, what is a wellness home? The best way to answer this question is to use an analogy. Think of a greenhouse. It creates the optimal environment for plants to grow. It provides optimal light, healthy air, healthy water, a balanced pH and nutrients. If a plant is not provided with the optimal environment it can still survive but given an optimal environment it thrives. Are we any different? 

Imagine a greenhouse for you and your family, an optimal environment that provides the tools for your body to heal and protect itself, that is the concept of a wellness home. I am of the opinion if we give our bodies the right tools it can heal and protect itself. Our bodies are amazing.

A Nikken Wellness Home is designed to address many concerns, including environmental toxins, contagions, dehydration, poor sleep quality, weight matters and nutrition. In a practical sense, the Wellness Home creates an environment that enables us to make healthier choices every day.

In the Self Care Awakening we discuss environmental toxicity and our Body Burden. 

One of the major factors contributing to our body burden is air pollution. Although we have limited control over outdoor air pollution we do have choices for the quality of air in our homes. 

Indoor Air Pollution

Indoor Air Pollution is concern for many health-conscious individuals and with good reason. According to the US Environmental Protection Agency, the air within our homes and other buildings can be more seriously polluted than the outdoor air even the largest and most industrialized cities. We spend nearly 90% of our time indoors. Those who spend most of their time indoors are the very young, elderly or infirm. Pollutants can be 2 to 10 times higher indoors than outdoors. This is especially so during the cold months, when windows and doors are kept tightly shut and homes, schools and office buildings are made as airtight as possible to conserve energy.

The air inside our homes is the same air as outside, but we add to the pollution with cleaning products, chemicals from our carpets, furnishings, paints, glues from furniture (i.e. particleboard), and with the other by-products of our modern lives. Dusts, molds, pollens, pet dander and other particles in our air can directly impact us through hay fever or other allergies. Indoor air pollution can aggravate, irritate, and in some cases cause serious harm. The effects of indoor air pollutants range from short-term effects – eye and throat irritation – to long-term effects – respiratory disease and cancer.

Symptoms of Poor Indoor Air Quality include:

• headache
• eye irritation 
• fatigue
• dry throat 
• sinus congestion
•  dizziness
• nausea

Improving the quality of our air can reduce the air pollution we experience, as well as helping to reduce airborne transmissions in our homes, offices, schools, and other environments.

The Nikken Wellness Home Solution

The KenkoAir® Purifier is designed to combat allergy-causing particles and enhance the air we breathe, helping us to enjoy a more natural, pollutant-free air quality in our homes.  When guests first enter our Wellness Home, they often remark that they feel a difference in the air, a calm, fresh feeling as though they were outdoors in a forest or at the beach. 

KenkoAir Purifier

There are many choices when it comes to home air filtration units. We recommend the KenkoAir Purifier for the following reasons.

·         The KenkoAir Purifier operates without producing ozone. Ozone is classified by the United States Environmental Protection Agency as a toxic gas, yet many other air filtration systems produce it as a byproduct. The State of California has banned the sale of ozone-producing air systems, and other states are expected to follow.
 

·         The Nikken KenkoAir Purifier incorporates multiple-stage filtration including an ultra-low penetration air filter (ULPA). The KenkoAir Purifier exceeds that, with measured efficiency up to 99.9995%. No other home air filtration system matches this level of performance.
 

·         This advanced design uses minimal energy. The KenkoAir is Energy Star qualified by the United States Environmental Protection Agency. The Energy Star is given only to an appliance that is at least 35% more efficient than a standard model and saves its owner a minimum of 215 kilowatt-hours per year.

·         The KenkoAir Purifier costs no more than typical home air systems that do not include ULPA filtration technology and Energy Star qualification. Only Nikken offers all these advantages at a competitive price.

---

View fullsize

KenkoAir Purifier

1.  Prefilter that removes larger particles present in air as dust, pollen, animal dander, among others.
2. Deodorizing Filter (replaceable), which neutralizes odors such as cigarette smoke. 
3. ULPA High Effciency Filters provides a 99.9995% removal of particles as small as 0.12 microns. No other home filtration system matches this level of performance. 

---

The Wellness Home is by design and application an easy, effective way to be Heathy by Choice. It offers peace of mind, saves money and gives our bodies the tools it needs to repair, rejuvenate and prevent many health concerns. Early in my career as a Self Care advocate, one of my mentors asked me to imagine our children growing up in a Wellness Home, getting quality sleep, drinking healthy water, breathing pure clean air, receiving optimal nutrition, exercising and maintaining a healthy weight. My conclusion was at the time and still is, we would prevent most of our health concerns.

The awesome thing about a Wellness Home is that any home can be a Wellness Home, by utilizing Nikken products and technologies to make your home the healthiest environment possible for you and your family.  That’s why we say, “Every home a Wellness Home”. 

Be Healthy by Choice, not by Chance