Then and Now; A Self-Care Journey

““One does not simply walk away from wellness.””

— H. Abbott

Journeys Begin

In a recent interview with a prominent selfcare supporter and podcast host she asked me why I became such a passionate advocate for selfcare. There are certain moments in each person’s life that can lead to a transformational process. I vividly remember the impetus for my self care advocacy and the subsequent creation of the Selfcarehub.com. 

Here is what transpired and the story I related to her. I was preparing a presentation that I was to give at 8am the next morning at a health conference. As I was getting ready to review my presentation, I overheard an advertisement on the television. The advertisement started with this statement, “there are 26 million Americans with diabetes, and 74 million are at risk, don’t worry, we can treat and manage your diabetes, so you can lead a normal productive life”. I almost fell out of my chair when I first heard this commercial. “Don’t worry”, that proportion represents nearly a third of our population and to me that is more than enough to worry about. This is brainwashing, inferring that type 2 diabetes (chronic disease) is a normal part of life. It is not!

Welcome to The Matrix

Many people believe that chronic disease or issues that impact our quality of life are normal. Let me unequivocally state, chronic disease is not a normal part of life. How many times have we heard someone say, “That’s just part of getting older”, as if the headaches, joint/back problems, weight gain, blood sugar problems, memory problems (and the list can go on and on) are just a “normal part” of life.

The World Health Organization (WHO) and the Centers for Disease control (CDC) estimate that as high as 80% of our world’s biggest killers can be prevented. I concur and am of the belief that just a few simple self care principles can lead to a vibrant heathy life and prevent many chronic issues.

The Red Pill

The Self Care Awakening series was designed to bring back common sense and some sanity to what I consider to be an insane notion that chronic disease is a normal part of life. It's not, but if we look at it statistically most of our population has chronic health issues.

For decades we have been taught that the key to a healthy life is primarily based on two modalities, diet and exercise. Of course, what we eat and our level of physical activity are important factors, however, we ignore or don’t pay enough attention to four basic principles.

We think being healthy is difficult when it's uncomplicated if we make the right choices. Our health, good or bad, is about our personal choices.  Knowing this, I think it’s safe to say that we would all prefer to be healthy. Our tag line, Be Healthy by Choice, Not by Chance is a simple but empowering statement.

Within the Self Care Awakening, we look at four vital areas that lead to a healthier life. Here are a few links to previous posts and video recordings of recent Healthy by Choice Masterclasses.

1. Water Matters discusses the importance of hydration and what happens if we don’t drink enough water. Proper hydration is essential to a healthy life. Water comprises over two-thirds of our body weight and is one of the most essential elements to maintaining well-being. The fact is that most of us live our lives in a state of chronic dehydration. Water Matters discusses the importance of hydration and provides simple everyday solutions for you and your family’s hydration needs that are healthy, cost-effective, and eco-friendly.

1. Sleep Matters addresses the fact that many of us walk around every day sleep-deprived. Sleep is considered by many of us to be an unproductive endeavor when it is our most productive physiological activity. The average adult gets less than 7 hours of sleep each night. To quote Dr. William C. Dement, considered to be the father of sleep medicine, “Healthy sleep has been empirically proven to be the most single important determinant on predicting longevity, more important than diet, exercise, and heredity.” Sleep Matters discusses the health ramifications of poor or inadequate sleep and offers tips for a healthy, rejuvenating quality sleep.

1. Weight Matters concerns itself with one of our biggest health challenges. This video discusses why we have the problem and what we can do to achieve and maintain a healthy weight. To achieve a goal, it is important to become aware of all the factors that may affect your outcome. When trying to achieve a healthy weight keep in mind that more is involved than just what we eat and physical activity. Weight Matters discusses self-care principles and offers simple solutions that go far beyond diet and exercise that can help us achieve and maintain a healthy weight.

1. Environmental toxicity and our body burden “the pollution in people” and what we can do personally to limit our toxic exposures and reduce our body burden of toxic chemicals. There is no such thing as a pristine environment. Toxins are in the air we breathe, the water we drink, and the food we eat and represent a major health challenge. The term body burden was first coined in the early 2000s. Although we as individuals may not have a big say in the chemicals in our environment, we do have control over those which we may ingest, breathe, or absorb. Body Burden Matters gives insight into ways we can reduce the pollution in our bodies and what we can do to turn our personal environments into wellness environments.

These four concepts are easy to understand but are vital for our health. Self Care is a practical and simple way of Being Healthy by Choice and not leaving our Health to Chance. The reality is, if we leave our health to chance, chances are that we are not going to be healthy. The major impetus for the Self Care Awakening is to bring this and other aspects of good health to light. 

Be Healthy by Choice

Self Care Awakening Review

Let’s Review

We think being healthy is difficult when it's pretty basic if we make the right choices. Our health, good or bad, is about our personal choices.  Knowing this, I think it’s safe to say that we would all prefer to be healthy. Our tag line Be Healthy by Choice, not by Chance is a simple but empowering statement.

Within the Self Care Awakening, we look at four vital areas that lead to a healthier life. Here are a few links to previous posts or recordings of our recent Healthy by Choice classes.

1.     Water Matters discusses the importance of hydration and what happens if we don’t drink enough water. This video also talks about different choices for healthy water that we consume and bathe in.

2.     Sleep Matters addresses the fact that many of us walk around every day sleep-deprived. Sleep is considered by many of us to be an unproductive endeavor when it is our most productive physiological activity.

3.     Weight Matters concerns itself with one of our biggest health challenges. This video discusses why we have a problem and what we can do to achieve and maintain a healthy weight.

4.     Environmental toxicity and our body burden “the pollution in people” and what we can do personally to limit our toxic exposures and reduce our body burden of toxic chemicals.

These four concepts are easy to understand but are vital to our health. Self Care is a practical and simple way of Being Healthy by Choice and not leaving our Health to Chance.

I am usually talking about these concepts as interrelated risk factors for many chronic conditions and diseases. They are also very important in protecting us from infectious diseases by supporting our body functions and strengthening our immune system. For the past few weeks, our Healthy by Choice class has been focused on food choices that either enhance or weaken our body’s immune function. We have presented three affordable and effective foods that are part of the Nikken Wellness Home and our Nikken Wellness supplement line of products. Note that I have included links to previous blogs or the recordings of these classes.

Kenzen Ten4 is Nikkens ceremonial grade matcha green tea beverage. Matcha green tea boosts the immune system due to its high antioxidant content, particularly Epigallocatechin Gallate (EGCG) which assists your body's production of T-Cells to reduce inflammation and fight pathogens. This makes matcha green tea powder a great immune system booster. New Zealand kiwi is the most nutrient-dense of the superfruits containing folate, potassium, vitamin K, and vitamin C for immune support. Organic ceremonial grade matcha and New Zealand kiwi are the main ingredients in Kenzen Ten4.

Kenzen Immunity is Nikken’s medicinal mushroom complex. Consisting of 14 different mushrooms including 6 strains exclusive to Nikken developed for the highest concentration of beneficial compounds.
It would be almost impossible to include all these various types of mushrooms in a regular diet. Medicinal mushrooms have been used throughout the history of mankind. Currently, they have been intensively studied to reveal the chemical nature and mechanisms of action of their biomedical capacity.  Mushrooms are reported to have antimicrobial, anti-inflammatory, cardiovascular-protective, antidiabetic, hepatoprotective, and anticancer properties. It is well-established that mushrooms are adept at immune modulation and affect hematopoietic stem cells, lymphocytes, macrophages, T cells, dendritic cells (DCs), and natural killer (NK) cells.1

Jade Greenzymes is a green barley grass powder. …. Barley Grass Juice Powder is rich in vitamins A, B, C, E and minerals such as iron, calcium, copper, chromium, potassium, magnesium, selenium and phosphorus. Barley grass is rich in functional ingredients, such as gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA), flavonoids, saponarin, lutonarin, superoxide dismutase (SOD), tryptophan, chlorophyll, dietary fiber, polysaccharide, alkaloid, metallothioneins, polyphenols, and eight essential amino acids. 

Barley Grass Juice powder has been shown to strengthen the immune system, alkalinize the body, increase energy, aid digestion, relieve constipation, and improve the health of skin, hair, and nails.

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 Nikken’s 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.

Our next Healthy by Choice class will be on Tuesday, April 21st  at 6 pm PDT. We will be reviewing ways to support our immune systems highlighting Nikken’s Wellness Home.  To join the broadcast click this link and follow the prompts www.theroyalalliance.com/live, see you on Tuesday

Note that following our review, Heather and I will be talking about how you and your team can leverage the SelfCarehub.com content, blogs and Healthy by Choice classes to help anyone be Healthy by Choice. Please join us and invite your fellow Global Wellness Community members for this broadcast.

Healthy by Choice

Self Care Awakening 2020

“I hope you live a life you’re proud of.”

— F. Scott Fitzgerald

Healthy by Choice 2020

Heather and I want to wish our subscribers a very Happy and Healthy New Year. As we all build our Global Wellness Community, it is paramount that we continue to share and disseminate information that empowers anyone to be Healthy by Choice.

What started a few years ago as a tagline, “Healthy by Choice not by Chance,” has developed into a battle cry for many of us. Our current healthcare system is broken, and it will take each one of us to turn the tide from a treatment and management of disease approach to a disease prevention focused system.

Currently, the United States leads the world in chronic disease and pharmaceutical consumption, however, we are facing a global health crisis due to the increasing burden of chronic disease. Currently, chronic diseases are responsible for 70% of deaths worldwide. Over 50% of us live with at least one chronic illness and 33% have two or more. People who suffer from chronic diseases such as heart disease, stroke, diabetes, cancer, obesity, and arthritis experience limitations in function, health, activity, and work, affecting the quality of their lives as well as the lives of their families. According to the World Health Organization, chronic diseases are by far the leading cause of mortality in Europe, representing 77% of the total disease burden and 86% of all deaths. Ninety-seven percent of health expenses are currently spent on treatment, with only 3% is invested in prevention.

Chronic diseases are interrelated, have common risk factors and are largely preventable. It is the scope of the Self Care Awakening series to provide information to empower anybody to live a healthier life.

If there was ever a time for a Self Care Awakening it is NOW.

Regrettably most everyone reading this article has experienced chronic disease in their lives, either personally, a family member or someone they care about. It is our purpose and our passion to change this and empower everyone to Be Heathy by Choice and not leave their Health to Chance.

To help facilitate this, Heather and I are very excited about a new addition to our Self Care Awakening curriculum. Premiering next Tuesday, January 21st at 6 PM/PT (9 PM/ET) we will be broadcasting a weekly program entitled Healthy by Choice. The objective of the program is to provide simple, easy solutions for a healthier life. We will be including a live Q&A section at the conclusion of each week’s presentation.

Please plan on joining us and inviting guests so that together we can all help anyone Be Healthy by Choice.

To Join the broadcast click this link and follow the prompts www.theroyalalliance.com/live see you on Tuesday.

The Wellness Home. A Global Solution

“The greatest wealth is health.”

— Virgil

In not much more than a generation, we have transitioned from a world in which infectious diseases were the greatest health challenge to one in which multiple chronic illnesses are the biggest global health threat Over 70% of deaths are attributed to chronic diseases. Although the U.S. leads the world in chronic diseases and pharmaceutical consumption this is a global problem.


According to the World Health Organization, chronic diseases are the leading causes of death and disability worldwide. Disease rates from these conditions are accelerating globally and advancing across every region and pervading all socioeconomic classes. Currently, 33% of adults worldwide suffer from two or more chronic conditions also known as Multiple Chronic Conditions (MCC).

The Americas have the world’s highest prevalence of overweight and obesity, which is a leading risk factor for chronic conditions, especially diabetes. This overweight and obesity epidemic is largely due to an increasing trend toward unhealthy diets consisting of highly processed foods high in fat and sugar, and few fruits and vegetables.

The four major chronic diseases, cardiovascular disease, cancers, diabetes, and chronic respiratory disease will account for approximately 81 percent of deaths in Latin America and the Caribbean by 2030 according to the Population Reference Bureau on Latin America.

The World Economic Forum on Health and Healthcare recently announced that the long-term goal of healthcare should be focused on prevention. I suggest that this should be the immediate goal and a revolution to self care and its principles are undeniably needed right now.

Chronic diseases and conditions, such as heart disease, stroke, cancer, type 2 diabetes, obesity, and arthritis are among the most common, costly, and preventable of all health problems. The World Health Organization (WHO) and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) estimate that as high as 80% of our world’s biggest killers can be prevented. I concur and am of the belief that just a few simple self care principles can lead to a vibrant heathy life.

As self care advocates and part of our International Wellness Community it is our goal to empower people everywhere to be Healthy by Choice. In this context, we talk about four causative factors for chronic disease and solutions that we all can implement to be Healthy by Choice.  

1.     Deydration

According to a recent study 75% of Americans suffer from chronic dehydration. Meaning most of us are not giving our body the right level of water it requires daily. It’s not just in the United States, this is a problem seen at varying degrees in Australia (80%) France (75%) and Germany (50%), and the UK (80%).

Dehydration has been called the Mother of all Epidemics and the first step we all need to take in addressing chronic disease. Failure to drink enough water can lead to fatigue, headaches, joint pain, weight gain, diabetes, ulcers, cardiovascular and kidney disease.

Water is not just a beverage choice? It is an essential nutrient.

We can live for months even decades without many other nutrients, but only a few days without water! Drink half our body weight in ounces of water per day, or 3.3% your body weight in kilograms in liter per day.

2.     Sleep Deficiency

Many of us walk around every day sleep deprived. One reason is that many of us consider sleep as an unproductive endeavor, when it is our most productive physiological activity. This too is a global problem that can lead to many chronic diseases. The average amount of hours slept per night in the U.S. is 6.5 hours.

Here are the average hours of sleep in other countries:

Mexico 7.1 hours

Canada 7.1 hours

Germany 7 hours

UK 6.8 ours

Japan 6.4 hours

Source: National Sleep Foundation

Although 7 hours of sleep sounds good, it is a chronic recipe for sleep deficiency and related poor health issues.

 Most sleep experts agree that we need 8 to 9 hours of sleep a night for good health.

What is the recycle rate of a human being? In other words, how long can we last without sleep before we start to see declines in brain function or impairments within our bodies? It seems to be about 16 hours. Once we get past 16 hours, research shows that’s when we see mental and physiological deterioration in the body. Take look at Dr. Matthew Walker’s informative five minute video, “Why We Sleep”.

3.     Weight Matters

A recent study in The Lancet (April 2016) reported for the first time in human history obese people outnumber underweight people. These statistics were gathered from 200 countries and nearly 20 million people for over 20 years. According to the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development, the United States is the most obese nation in the world, just ahead of Mexico. Their report states 2/3rd’s of U.S. adults are overweight or obese (69 percent) and one out of three are obese (36 percent) and 1/3rd of children are overweight. If trends continue unabated, by 2030, estimates predict that roughly half of all American men and women will be obese.

One of the main problems is excess sugar consumption. To put this into context, the average daily consumption of sugar by Americans in 1822 was 9 grams a day. It is currently 153 grams a day per individual. This is nearly a 17-fold increase in less than 200 years. We change very slowly biologically, yet we have drastically altered what we are eating and the amount of sugar we are consuming.

Americans aren’t alone in their addiction to sugar.

      Top SUGAR LOVING Nations in the World

Sugar is highly addictive. The best way to break this addiction is to read labels and monitor your daily sugar consumption.  Read food labels and avoid those with added sugars. Also note that sugar content is expressed in grams per serving and that four grams of sugar is equal to about one teaspoon of sugar. Limit consumption to 25 grams (6 teaspoons) a day for women and 36 grams (or 9 teaspoons) a day for men.

Protein Helps

Eating protein is an easy way to curb sugar cravings. High-protein foods digest more slowly, keeping you feeling full for longer. Protein doesn't make your blood sugar spike the way refined carbs and sugars do. Pick proteins like lean chicken, eggs, nuts, or beans. Protein shakes are ideal for breaking the sugar addiction and can also provide essential and beneficial nutrients.

4.     Environmental Toxicity (The Body Burden)

I think we would all agree the world is a toxic place. There are over 85,000 chemicals in the marketplace, and we come in contact with them in one way or another every day.  There is no such thing as a pristine environment. Toxins are in the air we breathe, the water we drink and the food we eat. Decades of research and countless studies have contributed to our understanding that we carry a burden of toxic chemicals in our body’s, our Body Burden. Environmental toxin have been linked to many chronic diseases, including ADD/ADHD, autism, autoimmune diseases, cancer, heart disease, stroke, diabetes and chronic respiratory diseases just to name a few.

Many countries have been pro-active in limiting the use and development of environmentally toxic chemicals. Here in the U.S. that is not the case. Many times, we feel powerless to combat this onslaught, but there are things we can do. We as individuals can make choices to help our bodies eliminate them and choices to avoid accumulating more.  As Dr. Andrew Weil advises, “The best way to detoxify is to stop putting toxic things into the body and depend upon its own mechanisms.”

We can filter our drinking and bathing water. Filter our air in our homes and offices. Sleep on non-toxic bedding. Consume foods and supplements that help detoxify and cleanse our bodies.

The Solution- The Nikken Wellness Home

This is the concept and functionality of the Nikken Wellness Home. Whether we live in New York, London, Paris, Bogota, or Mexico City, as Nikken consultants and self care advocates we can be of service to people anywhere to Be Healthy by Choice.  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.

We invite you to join our International Wellness Community and our mission to make Every Home a Wellness Home.

“Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful, committed citizens can change the world; indeed, it's the only thing that ever has.” Margaret Mead

Healthy Society

“Health is a human right; everyone should have the information and services they need to take care of their own health and the health of their families.”

— World Health Organization

This Sunday, April 7th is World Health Day. This day marks the anniversary of the World Health Organization (WHO) which was founded on this date in 1948.

World Health Day is a chance to celebrate health and remind world leaders that everyone should be able to access the health care they need, when and where they need it. Advocacy events will be held around the world to fuel the momentum of the #HealthForAll movement and to highlight the goal of achieving a fairer, healthier world – in which no one is left behind. The tagline for World Health Day 2019 is: Health for all – everyone, everywhere.

World Health Day’s message for 2019 is simple: giving people access to healthcare without the prospect of financial hardship. This is regardless of where they’re from; they could be in Africa, Asia, South America, Australia, Europe or North America. What matters to the World Health Organization is that there’s “Health for All”.

As WHO explains, “Universal health coverage means that all people have access to the quality health services they need, when and where they need them, without financial hardship. We believe this is possible and it starts with strong primary health care. Primary health care is a whole-of-society approach to health and wellbeing centered on the needs and preferences of individuals, families and communities. To make health for all a reality, governments need to invest in quality, accessible primary health care. Health workers need to care and advocate for patients and educate them on how to get and stay healthy. Individuals and communities need to be empowered to take care of their own health. Health is a human right. Together, we can make health for all a reality.”

Primary care is defined as healthcare at a basic rather than specialized level for people making an initial approach to a doctor or nurse for treatment.  Primary care can not only help an individual after being diagnosed with a disease or disorder, but actively prevent such issues by understanding the individual as a whole. The focus of health care must be on prevention since the greatest strides can be made there.

Empowering individuals to take greater ownership of their health has never been more important. The rising cost of healthcare, the unprecedented increase in chronic disease, and the cost of treating and managing preventable conditions has launched an Awakening to raise Self Care as an essential component of health care. The Self Care Awakening series was designed to help anyone become aware of and make choices for a healthier life.

We think being healthy is difficult when it's pretty simple if we make the right choices. Our health, good or bad, is about our personal choices.  Knowing this I think it’s safe to say that we would all prefer to be healthy. Our tag line Be Healthy by Choice, not by Chance is a simple but very empowering statement. One thing we can all do for World Health Day, is talk to someone about the Self Care Revolution.  One easy way to do this is by sharing the Self Care Awakening Magazine. Offer the gift of health that the Nikken Wellness Home provides. Empower them and their families to Be Healthy by Choice and support World Health Day in the goal of “Health for All”. At the same time, we are supporting the Nikken philosophy of a life in balance through the Five Pillars of Health: Healthy Body, Mind, Family, Society and Finances. Together, we can make health for all a reality.

Be Healthy by Choice, not by Chance

and share those choices with others.

The Reason I Joined a Network Marketing Company by Marian Timms

I The reason I joined a network marketing company was to firstly facilitate mass healing through the products and secondly to generate a retirement fund as my NHS pension and state pension (if I ever get it) was not going to facilitate the lifestyle I want to have in my latter years. It is challenging, hard work and fun, and with supportive in-house mentoring and training.
I have met like minded individuals who care about the state of the nation's health and have eyes to see, ears to hear and a heart to know that the Nikken ethos is the way forward to counter all the damage that electromagnetic frequencies are doing to our health and our childrens' health; epidemic sleep deprivation, inflammation, fatigue, autoimmune dysfunction, and allergies.

YES! It is all linked to gut health and stress, environmental pollutants, food additives, antibiotics, micro plastics, pesticides, fluoride, chlorine, pharmaceuticals are all taking their toll on our health and our water quality in some parts of the UK leaves a lot to be desired.
We are all far too reliant on the good old NHS to sort us out instead of taking responsibility for our own health at a basic grass roots level.

"Another growing reality that could benefit MLM and related businesses is the increasing number of baby boomers who are disenchanted with their current careers. They’re worn-out from years of the corporate grind and don’t feel the connection between their job and the people it impacts outside their office walls or company grounds. They’re shifting their focus from accumulating a giant nest egg to a desire to be part of something bigger and better… to have a positive effect on others... and working in retirement. Facets of life that can be fulfilled with specific types of products and service available through some MLM or Direct selling opportunities." Robert Laura

Original Article by Nicki Edgell, clinical Psycho-neuro-immunologist, Metabolic Balance Coach, Natural Nutritionist and Independent Nikken Consultant.

Be Healthy by Choice, not by Chance

Humans Being More, Toronto

The Venue

Humans Being More?

This week’s “The Impetus” is a little different but at the core of what we do. We just got back from the Humans Being More Summit in Toronto and we want to share some highlights and a new product Nikken debuted at this event. Please note this blog includes short video clips so please turn your speakers and sound up.

Who are we?

We are a group of compassionate volunteers/entrepreneurs that are attracted to the idea of raising our own physical, financial and emotional reality by sharing with the world the physical environmental advantages of a wellness home and/or the life balancing advantages of a home based career.

Nikken studies the healthy people and replicates what they do anticipating what the consumer will want from their healthcare in the future. Indeed, we feel the new health care is “self care” the act of making everyday healthy choices for a balanced life.

The view from our room.

For over two and a half years our motto has been Be Healthy by Choice, not by Chance. More than a motto, it has been become a battle cry for many of us.

The truth is that if we leave our health to chance, chances are not very good that we are going to be healthy.  At the Humans Being More Summit in Toronto, Canada self care advocates from all over the world convened to help spread this message of taking control of your health, life and finances.

Our Battle Cry

Packed House!

It is for the Children

Dr. Melanie Caldwell introduced Nikken products and a self care lifestyle to her patients 17 years ago with excellent results. (make sure your sound is up)

Virtual walkthrough of the products tables and Nikken’s new, cost efficient, healthy choices packs. Click right to advance the pictures.

Introducing…

We have written about the pollution in people, Our Body Burden. But we also should be aware of electromagnetic pollution. “Earthing” or “grounding” is a popular topic with health-conscious people. Popularized by book “Earthing”, which outlines a cornucopia of health benefits including reduced inflammation, less fatigue, quicker healing, reduced jet lag and better sleep. The thought is that when we are connected to the Earth, we soak up its energy.

The KenkoGround will be available in November.

We are in the business of doing business

“People that say money isn’t important will lie about other things too.”

— Zig Zigler

Nikken’s philosophy is based on what we call the Five Pillars of Health; healthy mind, body, family, society and finances. A “Self Care” lifestyle is balanced in all five pillars. Too often, if our finances pillar is strong the other pillars are weak. Nikken offers you an opportunity to live in a wellness home and grow a healthy mind, body, family and yes, finances by owning your own Nikken wellness consultant business. When you live and share the Nikken lifestyle and help others to live in a wellness home we establish a healthy society. Every home a Wellness Home.

See you on the red carpet, next year.

The ABC’s of Self Care W

“Dehydration is the mother of all epidemics and it is the first step we need to take in addressing chronic disease.”

— Gina Bria, Cultural Anthropologist

A Nikken Wellness Home is designed to address many health 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.

This week our series on the ABC’s of Self Care continues with W. We could blog about the Wellness Home, Weight Matters, being Wealthy by Choice or Water Matters. A recent article in the Epoch Times has prompted this week’s Impetus. The article entitled Dying of Thirst outlines the many reasons that we should stay hydrated. One quote from the article, sums it up, “Dehydration is the mother of all epidemics and it’s the first step we need to take in addressing chronic disease”, so says Gina Bria, cultural anthropologist.

Water Matters

Proper hydration is essential to a healthy life. Water comprises over two-thirds of our body weight and is one of the most essential elements to maintaining well-being. If you consider our composition in terms of molecules, we’re practically all water, nearly 99 percent. 

Water is important in every physiological process. Water helps your body with circulation, assimilation, digestion, elimination and temperature control.

Researchers estimate that about 75% of people in the US have a mild chronic dehydration. This can lead to many health issues such as fatigue, joint pain, weight gain, headaches, ulcers and high blood pressure. Chronic dehydration may affect your organs and lead to kidney stones, cholesterol problems, constipation, and liver and muscle damage.

Water is not just a beverage choice

Water is not just a beverage choice, it is our most essential nutrient. When we think of water in this way it becomes apparent that we must drink enough each day.  We can live for 3 weeks without food, but only 3 days without water!

How Much Water Should We Drink?

There is no perfect answer to this question as it depends on your age, health status, level of physical activity, body type and ambient surroundings.

Everyone has heard drink eight 8oz glasses of water a day. This is insufficient in my opinion for proper hydration for most us. A good rule of thumb is to drink half your body weight in ounces per day of water. So, if you weigh 160 pounds, 10 glasses or 80 ounces per day is a good rule to follow. 

When we hydrate, we are often doing it with compromised water. It’s either full of other chemicals, or, if it’s filtered, it has a loss of minerals which drives the energy inside the water. The body needs to work harder with this water to absorb and utilize it.

Hydration is not just about the quantity of liquid you consume, but about the quality of water and how well your tissues absorb it.

An effective way of providing yourself and your family with healthy water is filtration of tap water. There are many types of systems to accomplish this. Common methods of filtering can remove the chemicals, but it also removes important minerals our bodies need. Guidelines I suggest looking for when comparing systems are advanced filtration that is corroborated and meet or exceed ANSI/NSF standards of 42 and 53.  Look for a system that adds minerals back to the water and creates a slightly alkaline water. I am also a proponent of micro-clustered water that helps with absorption and I suggest getting a system that is easy to use and maintain and cost effective.

What if we could create fresh spring water in our own home or office? The Nikken Waterfall converts tap water into fresh spring-like water. Using a multi-stage process which filters, alkalizes, mineralizes, ionizes, energizes and oxygenates the water, the Waterfall provides great tasting water which is easy to use, affordable and a healthy water choice. Water the way nature intended it.

Last month, Nikken announced the concept of vital Wellness Home Packs to enable anyone to make simple, affordable choices to create a Wellness Home. The Packs address all the areas of self care and help make being Healthy by Choice more convenient than ever.

The Wellness Home Water Pack

Clean water is key to good health. Whether you need clean water at home or on the go, Nikken water products give you access to healthy water. The Water pack comes with replacement filters and the PiMag MicroJet® Shower System to reduce contaminants in the water we bathe in.

Our redesigned Sports bottle is a favorite of ours for healthy water on the go, without the expense of, or pollution associated with bottled waters. The new improved PiMag Sport bottle is not just a state-of-the-art water filter, but also a health product crucial to an Active Wellness lifestyle. The new filter can significantly reduce certain harmful pathogens in potable drinking water. It’s also a green choice; You won’t be adding to landfills and polluting ocean waters with plastic. Instead, you’ll be saving a fortune by not paying for commercially bottled water. 

Empowering individuals to take greater ownership of their health has never been more important. The rising cost of healthcare, the unprecedented increase in chronic disease, and the cost of treating and managing preventable conditions has launched an Awakening to raise Self Care as an essential component of health care. The new Vital Wellness Home Packs are easy, convenient and affordable ways to empower anyone to be Healthy by Choice, not by Chance.

The ABC’s of Self Care, the Letter U

“The unselfish effort to bring cheer to others will be the beginning of a happier life for ourselves. ”

— Helen Keller

This week our ongoing series on the ABC’s of Self Care is concerned with the letter U. It is fortuitous that this week Heather and I received an article from a fellow self care advocate that she recently published in her home town newspaper. Thank you to Laura Frei for an Unselfish addition the Impetus. We welcome all self care advocates to join our cause to empower everyone to be Healthy by Choice.  If you have an article or information that you would like to share, please contact us.

Here is Laura’s article.

Did you hear on the evening news last March about the research on plastic bottles of water? A study was done on 259 bottles and the water in more than 90% of them was found to contain tiny pieces of plastic, so small they were impossible to detect without lab equipment. The news report stated that the plastic was the same as found in the bottles' caps. (editor’s note: to read more on this see, Water Matters, Planet in Peril)

I found the study's results to be quite alarming even though I do have access to a healthy alkaline water system alternative. The Waterfall, a gravity-flow, counter top, pure alkaline unit, with 8.5-9.5 pH, comes from Nikken, a 43-year old research and development company originating from Japan. Nikken develops energy-wellness, self-care technologies which replicate the earth's natural energies. If you are not filtering your water, your kidneys are. Water is such an essential part of our bodies, so we need to make sure it is safe, healthy, alkaline water.

Nikken's Waterfall technology starts with a high-tech, multiple-stage filtration system based on natural minerals to clean the water without chemicals, then important minerals are added back in along with an enriched oxygen content. Structured and alkalinized, mineralized and magnetized, describe ways that promote healthy water. This makes the body's cells have deeper hydration, increased energy, and enhanced immunity.

A good friend of mine said she'd like to try the water so I took a gallon to her. She told me a few days later that she had been married for sixty years and during that entire time, she had experienced stomach aches. But after drinking this water, she said she no longer had them. I was thrilled for her and her wonderful health results. I thought to myself, "This is why I do this."

Dr Antonio A. reported this observation. "After thirty plus years’ experience as a chemist and physician, I had occasion to test the "living water" system. It provides the highest of quality filtration, adds important minerals, corrects the pH balance, organizes the molecules into healthier clusters and enriches the oxygen content. On many occasions I have observed resolution of sleep disorders, remarkable increases in energy and stamina, desired weight loss, reversal of mental confusion, accelerated recovery from surgery and clearing of many disease processes"

I know that having access to healthy, clean, alkaline and mineralized water is extremely vital to everyone's health and well-being. Plants love it, pets choose it if given the choice, and when the mineral stones are replaced after a year, they can keep on benefiting when worked into the soil of our house plants and gardens, enriching those areas with vital minerals, also.

Thank you, Laura, for sending this article for us to include on the Self Care Awakening. Keep up the good work. As we all know Water Matters and that we all need to drink half our body weight in ounces of healthy water every day. It is a vital component of the Nikken Wellness Home and one of the ways we can all Be Healthy by Choice, not by Chance!

The ABC’s of Self Care T

“TEAMWORK divides the task and multiplies the SUCCESS”

The ABC’s of Self Care T

This week we have come to the letter T in our discussion of the ABC’s of Self Care.

The Self Care Awakening is a passion for Heather and me. Our battle cry of Be Healthy by Choice, is better served when we have informed, inspired and empowered others to be Self Care Advocates and in turn they share the message with others. We have created a Team.

Merriam-Webster defines Teamwork as: work done by several associates with each doing a part but all subordinating personal prominence to the efficiency of the whole. Teamwork has been defined differently by different schools of thought and different individuals but all of them zero in on one idea that teamwork involves people working in a group or team to accomplish a given task.

Successful teamwork requires a few basic skills and attributes, among them are:

• Respect for individual contributions
• Putting aside individual glory
• Consensus building
• Clear communication
• Persuasive speech
• Compromise

Teamwork is a powerful concept to bring about change. As Margaret Mead said, “Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful, committed citizens can change the world; indeed, it's the only thing that ever has”. How true!

Our mission is to Inform, Inspire and Empower Everyone to be Healthy by Choice. We want everyone to recognize that chronic disease is not a normal part of life or “just getting older.” The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention state “Chronic disease is the Leading Causes of Death and Disability in the United States. Chronic diseases and conditions—such as heart disease, stroke, cancer, type 2 diabetes, obesity, and arthritis—are among the most common, costly, and preventable of all health problems.” We want to focus on “…and preventable of all health problems.” We designed the Self Care Awakening to give you the knowledge and the tools to help prevent chronic disease. Nikken has developed the concept, the products and technologies for a Wellness Home that provides the means for simple healthy choices. Self Care and the Wellness Home provides an integrated approach to being healthy by choice. It is our sincere hope that you appreciate and put into practice self care principles. If you have an interest in being part of our growing Team, get in touch with the person that shared this message with you and find out how through collaboration we can create a healthier, happier world.

Please note, there will be no Impetus next week as we will be traveling to collaborate with many our Team and fellow Self Care Advocates.

BE HEALTHY BY CHOICE, NOT BY CHANCE. 

The ABC’s of Self Care O

“Your big opportunity may be right where you are now.”

— Napoleon Hill

The ABC’s of Self Care O

There are a number of choices for the letter O as it applies to Self Care and the Wellness Home and I am having a difficult time in choosing just one. So, let’s talk about Omega 3’s and Opportunity.

Omega-3 Fatty Acids

It is vital for everyone to eat foods that are rich in omega-3 fatty acids on a daily basis. Omega fatty acids support healthy heart, brain, nerve and eye function and are used in the formation of cell membranes and assist in improving circulation and oxygen uptake

One of the most well-known benefits of omega-3s are the way they positively affect risk factors associated with heart disease. The American Heart Association is very clear about encouraging people to get enough in their diets. Heart disease and stroke are the leading causes of death worldwide, but in many communities that eat diets rich in fish they have remarkably low instances of these diseases, which appears partially due to their high omega-3 consumption.

The three omega-3s found in food are ALA, EPA and DHA.

Alpha-linolenic Acid (ALA): This plant-based omega-3 is found in green, leafy vegetables, flaxseeds, chia seeds and canola, walnut and soybean oils. 

Eicosapentaenoic Acid (EPA): EPA is a fatty acid found in oily fish, algae oil and krill oil. Your body can synthesize this molecule in its original form. This, along with DHA, are the omega-3s your body needs in high quantities to achieve the benefits they offer.

Docosahexaenoic Acid (DHA): This fatty acid is also found in oily fish, krill oil and algae oil.

The human body converts ALA to EPA and DHA. Because the human body can create EPA and DHA in this way, they are not considered essential fatty acids. On the other hand, ALA cannot be produced by the human body and is considered an essential fatty acid that needs to be obtained from the diet. 

There are many omega supplements on the market, but the drawback with typical omega supplements is that they are derived from fish oils. The major precaution when introducing more omega-3s into your diet generally comes from the byproducts found in some seafood. Toxic materials such as mercury and other industrial chemicals are increasingly being reported in various species that are used for omega 3’s. In addition, harvesting fish for their omega-rich oils is not environmentally sound or sustainable. The required processing also results in oxidation, which diminishes the amount of omega acids available and can accelerate the degeneration of the product.

Kenzen® Omega Green + DHA

Our Wellness Home choice for omega 3 is Nikken Kenzen® Omega Green + DHA™. This is a vegetable-derived supplement with none of the drawbacks posed by other products. In contrast, the source material for Kenzen® Omega Green + DHA™, cranberry seed oil, flax seed oil and red algae, is easily sustainable. Obtaining omega fatty acids from these plants does not produce the oxidation that occurs with piscine oils. This enhances stability. *

Cranberry seed oil contains naturally occurring substances called phytosterols that structurally resemble the human body’s cholesterol. Phytosterols reduce LDL (bad cholesterol) but do not affect HDL (good cholesterol). Eating foods with phytosterols may cut the risk for heart disease when consumed as part of a healthy eating plan, according to the Cleveland Clinic. 1 Cranberry seed oil is considered unique among fixed oils because it contains a very high essential fatty acid profile in addition to a high antioxidant load. 2

Flax seed oil contains ALA and has been advocated to combat cardiovascular disease. The use of flax seed oil as a nutritional intervention for the prevention of heart disease has received increasing amounts of research attention. 3

Red algae have been used for thousands of years as a food source. It is high in vitamins, minerals and antioxidants that are easily utilized to help boost the immune system and nourish skin.  The main benefits of red algae are its ability to promote healthy circulation in the body, to help regulate blood sugar levels and to help lower bad cholesterol levels. High in dietary fiber, it is also a rich source of calcium and magnesium, to contribute to bone health.4

Consuming Kenzen® Omega Green+DHA gives all the benefits of an omega supplement and none of the risks. It helps carnivores, vegetarians and vegans to obtain the right balance of omega-3, omega-6 and omega-9 without the risk associated with fish oil toxins.

The Wellness Home creates Opportunity

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.

Healthy Body

Healthy Mind

Healthy Family

Healthy Society

And Heathy Finances

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. For over 20 years the Nikken business has provided additional income for me and my family. This initially was a part-time endeavor to provide additional income to create time freedom to spend with my children. Over time, my business has transformed into a rewarding encore career. The terrific part of this business is that my activities are spent informing, inspiring and empowering anyone to be Healthy by Choice and at the same time be Wealthy by Choice.

The Wellness Home is the cash flow engine of the business. It has a beginning but has no end. People love our products and people buy our products. Nikken introduces new products or updates Wellness Home products with new technology on a continual basis. Often, many of my customers inquire about the business after being introduced to Self Care and the Wellness Home. It’s transformational “Active Wellness” products and technologies are natural to share with others.

Financial stress is of concern to many people. The recent boom in part-time work from home businesses has led to what is called the “Gig Economy”. Uber, Lyft, Airbnb, Direct Selling and Network Marketing are arenas where many people are engaging.  It is estimated that an extra $500 a month would positively impact the financial stability of many people and families. If this of interest to you, my advice is to find something that is rewarding, has results and is something that you are passionate about.

Self Care needs to replace the existing Health Care System and is the answer to our Health Care Crisis. 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 P, maybe I just set the stage?

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.

1          http://healthyeating.sfgate.com/benefits-cranberry-seed-oil-10043.html

2         http://www.ingredientstodiefor.com/item/Cranberry_Seed_Oil_Unrefined/1164

3         https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC2989356/

4         http://www.onegreenplanet.org/vegan-health/the-many-benefits-of-red-algae

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.