Vital Self Care

“Attention is vitality. It connects you with others. It makes you eager. Stay eager. ”

— Susan Sontag

Global Wellness Community

 Just recently I had the honor of speaking for Nikken’s 45th Anniversary Celebration. My topic was centered on what our bodies require for life. Let’s keep this conversation simple and straightforward and start with the basics.

As a physiologist, I have always appreciated how amazing our bodies are. For example, we have 50,000,000,000 cells, which is 50 trillion cells, in our body. Of these 10 trillion are what we call somatic cells or the cells that actually comprise our body. The other 40 trillion make up our body’s microbiome.

We all start as one cell, and as we develop these cells multiply, differentiate, and form tissues that organize into organs that in turn make up physiological systems that need to work in harmony with each other.  Our body’s process of cellular renewal is continual. We replace 6 billion cells a day. In the time I just wrote this, we all replaced nearly 50 million cells. We replace our largest organ, our skin every 27 days, our entire skeletal system every 10 years, or about 7 times in our lifetime. Our liver tissue and lung lining are renewed every 6 weeks and our intestinal lining in just 7 days. In order to accomplish this, our bodies have certain vital requirements. Let’s talk about them in order of importance for life.

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As a physiologist, I have always appreciated how amazing our bodies are.

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Air

We all breathe approximately 20,000 times a day and for good reason, we can survive for only three minutes without oxygen.

Water

We are nearly 70% water and water is vital for every physiological process and our survival is limited to three days without water.

Sleep

Like breathing and drinking water, sleep is a fundamental human requirement. It has even been said that one could survive for three times as long without food as one could without sleep. It is physically impossible to stay awake for days at a time because your brain will essentially force you to fall asleep. Severe physical, mental incapacities happen in just a day or two and hallucinations shortly after.

Food

We need to fuel our bodies with nutritious foods. We can survive for two to three months without food if we stay well hydrated.  

Natural Energies

Our bodies require the natural energies of the earth, the sun, and the wind.

You are probably thinking, this all sounds pretty simple and straightforward. But there is a problem.

The Problem

To understand the problem, we need to ask the question, how do these vital requirements exist in our modern world? Our air and water are polluted and contaminated with chemicals and toxins. We average 6.5 hours of sleep each night, well below the required 8 hours per night. Over processed, high caloric under-nourishing food with excess sugar, chemicals and preservatives are prevalent in our food choices.

We need the energy of the earth, the sun, and the wind. These are natural energies that we often do not get enough of due to being blocked by our modern world and technologies. I suggest looking at Dave Balzer’s presentation on “Principles of Nature and Nikken Technologies” to further elucidate the importance and efficacy of these natural energies.

The Solution

If we choose to be healthy, we want these vital requirements the way nature intended them to be. Clean, healthy air and water. Quality, restful, and rejuvenating sleep. Nutritious whole food and the vital energies of the earth, sun, and wind. These are the foundations for the Nikken Wellness Home.

Nikken is best known for using science and technology to replicate nature. A principle known as biomimicry. We use this approach in the active wellness products and technologies in the Nikken Wellness Home. We have many blogs and recorded classes at selfcarehub.com for healthy air, healthy water, quality sleep, whole food nutrition, and the natural energies of the earth, sun, and wind. The Nikken Wellness Home has been described as a greenhouse for humans to provide our bodies with the vital elements we require the way nature intended, not just to survive, but to thrive. For more information on this, you can access our 15-minute recording on the subject.

Be Healthy by Choice

Food Addictions, pt. 2: The Sugar Solution

“Eat less sugar you are sweet enough already.”

Last week we discussed food addictions. One of the biggest contributors to the global issue of overweight and obesity is excess sugar consumption. The problem is two-fold, sugar is added to many foods and sugar is highly addictive.

Added sugar is the single worst ingredient in the modern diet. It provides calories with no added nutrients and in the long run, can damage your metabolism. Eating too much sugar is linked to weight gain and various diseases like obesity, type 2 diabetes, heart disease, kidney disease, and increased risk of cancer to name a few. According to the American Dietetic and Diabetic Association, increased sugar consumption is the leading cause of degenerative diseases.

Marketing campaigns and advertisements often mislead us into thinking we are making a healthy choice when this is not the case. We have all seen the commercials with Michael Phelps and contestants on The Biggest Loser eating Subway sandwiches while on their journey to improved health.  Consider this, recently Ireland's Supreme Court ruled that bread sold by the fast-food chain Subway contains so much sugar that it cannot be legally defined as bread and should be classified as a confectionary. To be classified as bread sugar should not exceed 2% of the weight of flour included in the dough. Subway’s bread contains five times as much sugar. As the supreme court put it: “In this case, there is no dispute that the bread supplied by Subway in its heated sandwiches has a sugar content of 10% of the weight of the flour included in the dough.”

Hidden Sugar

There are over 600,000 food items sold in the U.S and over 80% of these have added sugar. If you want a self care awakening look at the nutrition facts label on the food in your cupboards, refrigerator, and freezer. It will list sugar content expressed in grams per serving. Let us use a few examples, one soda can have as much as 45 grams of sugar per 12 ounces serving, which is equivalent to nearly 12 teaspoons of sugar. Popular breakfast cereals are spiked with sugar, some being as much as 55% sugar. Some surprising foods with more sugar than a Twinkie would include yogurt, tomato sauce, granola bars, fat-free salad dressings, muffins, and many canned fruits, typically containing 30 to 40 grams of sugar per serving. Even frozen green beans may have added sugar. You do not always see the word "sugar" on a food label. Marketers use other names, such as:

• Agave nectar

• Brown rice syrup

• High-fructose corn syrup

• Dextrose

• Evaporated cane juice

• Glucose

• Lactose

• Malt syrup

• Molasses

• Sucrose

Watch out for items that list any form of sugar in the first few ingredients or have more than 4 total grams of sugar per serving.

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Marketing campaigns and advertisements often mislead us into thinking we are making a healthy choice when this is not the case.

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Break the Sugar Addiction:

Most of us overindulge at times. But the more sugar we consume, the more sugar we want. However, the good news is that people can break the sugar addiction in 10 days. To break the sugar addiction, we need to monitor our daily consumption and keep it within a healthy level.

Monitor Sugar Consumption

To monitor sugar consumption, it is helpful to understand that 4 grams of sugar are equivalent to one teaspoon. It is recommended that a healthy daily consumption of sugar should not exceed 24 grams or six teaspoons for women and 36 grams or nine teaspoons for men, according to the American Heart Association.

Read food labels

The first step we need to take is to read food labels to keep your daily consumption at a healthy level. Read labels and journal your daily added sugar consumption. Heather has created a simple Weekly Self Care Journal to help track this and other self-care activities.

Crowding Out

Crowding is a method we have recently implemented in our diets. “Crowding Out” or “crowding” is a simple and positive approach that helps you fill up on healthy food. Try buying healthy foods that you actually like, this is important. There is no nutritional value to that shriveled fruit or veggie decomposing in your refrigerator. Get things that you like to eat and you will eat.

Let protein help

Kenzen Vital Balance

Eating protein is an easy way to curb sugar cravings. High-protein foods digest slowly, keeping you feeling full longer. Protein doesn't make your blood sugar spike the way refined carbs and sugars do. Protein shakes are ideal for this and a great way to start your day.

We choose Nikken’s Kenzen Vital Balance protein shake which 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, Kenzen Vital Balance is food for action and food for thought, perfect for all ages and a great way to not only nourish your body but also break the sugar addiction.

Kenzen Vital Balance Label



In addition, staying well hydrated and getting a good night’s sleep will help with cravings and assist in breaking the sugar addiction. Be Healthy by Choice.

Beat Food Addiction

“Chocolate comes from cocoa, which is a tree. That makes it a plant, chocolate is a salad. ”

Weight Matters and Food Addiction

According to the World Health Organization, obesity is a Global Pandemic, with

60% of men, 50% of women & 1/3rd of children being either overweight or obese.

As people all over the world live longer than ever, this and other noncommunicable diseases—including obesity-related illnesses such as hypertension, diabetes, and heart disease have become the leading cause of death and disability worldwide.

A recent study, published in the Lancet, reported this is the first time in human history that obese people outnumber underweight people. Trends in the adult body-mass index were examined in 200 countries from 1975 to 2014 with a pooled analysis of 1698 population-based measurements with nearly 20 million participants.

The obesity epidemic has been a topic of concern and debate. One of the debated ideas is that of food addiction. The concept that a person can be addicted to food has recently gained increasing support. This support is based on brain imaging and studies of the effects of compulsive overeating of certain foods on pleasure centers in the brain.

We recommend an excellent video from Dr. Robert Lustig, Pediatric Endocrinologist, and Elissa Epel, a psychologist from the University of California, San Francisco, The Skinny on Obesity that outlines and explains the biochemistry of food addiction in simple terms.  

There are no simple tests to diagnose food addiction. Just like with other addictions, it is based on behavioral symptoms and lifestyle.

Here are 8 common symptoms that are typical of food addicts:

1. You frequently get cravings for certain foods, despite feeling full and having just finished a nutritious meal.

2. When you give in and start eating food you were craving, you often find yourself eating much more than you intended to.

3. When you eat a food you were craving, you sometimes eat to the point of feeling excessively “stuffed.”

4. You often feel guilty after eating certain foods yet find yourself eating them again soon after.

5. You sometimes make excuses in your head about why you should eat something that you are craving.

6. You have repeatedly tried to quit eating or setting rules (includes cheat meals/days) about certain foods but been unsuccessful.

7. You often hide your consumption of unhealthy foods from others.

8. You feel unable to control your consumption of unhealthy foods, despite knowing that they are causing you physical harm including weight gain.

If you can relate to 4-5 of these, then you probably do have a problem with food. If you can relate to 6 or more, then you are most likely a food addict. Becoming aware of the problem is the first step. Finding a solution is the next step.

Lifestyle tips to manage food addictions.

Several lifestyle changes can help manage uncontrollable urges to consume certain foods:

• Replace processed foods and sweeteners with nourishing or fewer caloric alternatives, such as good quality protein, fats, and complex carbohydrates. Fresh whole foods are good for your body and will help balance your brain chemistry. Eat plenty of colorful vegetables with every meal. Monitor and reduce sugar consumption.

• Avoid caffeine. Caffeine can cause cravings for sweets and fuel food addiction.

• Allow sufficient time for food cravings to subside. Getting off sugar and processed foods will be uncomfortable for 2-5 days before the physical cravings subside. 

• Eat three balanced meals a day. Try to eat every 4-5 hours throughout the day. Eating on time will help avoid blood sugar fluctuations and keep you from getting hungry.

• Water Matters. Drink plenty of water. Dehydration is the number one nutritional deficiency. Our bodies often mistake hunger for thirst, and not drinking sufficient water can lead to overeating. Start your day by drinking two large glasses of water, and drink plenty of water between meals. Drink half of your body weight in ounces of water each day (for example, 140 pounds: 70 ounces of water).

• Practice mindful eating, which involves sitting down to eat meals, focusing on the taste and texture of the food, and chewing slowly while enjoying your meal without distractions.

• Prepare and stick to a grocery list of healthy foods. Buy the highest quality food you can afford with a focus on local, seasonal, and organic sources. Shop the perimeter of the grocery store, where you will normally find fresh whole real foods. Avoid the middle aisles, which are typically filled with processed foods.

• Cook meals at home as much as possible. Be careful when eating in restaurants, since they often use food additives, preservatives, chemicals, and sweeteners.

• Exercise regularly. Find a type of exercise you enjoy, whether it is walking, dancing, yoga, swimming, or bicycling. Integrating 30-40 minutes of stretching and exercise into each day will help diminish your food cravings and help you sleep better.

• Sleep Matters. Get eight hours of sleep each night. When we are tired, we are more likely to reach for sugar and junk food for a temporary boost of energy.

• Create a support system. Enlist people you admire and trust to support your healthy lifestyle. Find people who share a desire for healthy eating or exercise; establish a support group and accountability with friends who will provide daily encouragement.

Food addiction demands lifestyle changes.  It takes time for our brain chemistry to become rebalanced through healthy nutrition and self-care. For more information on these subjects, Heather and I suggest that you visit Selfcarehub.com.  As members of the world’s most influential Global Wellness Community, it is our mission to help you Be Healthy by Choice.

Mostly Preventable...

“Let your hopes, not your hurts, shape your future. ”

— Robert H. Schuller

Self-Inflicted Pandemics

As we all face the current pandemic that has affected many aspects of our lives over the last 10 months, I want to remind everyone that this is a scenario based on the infectious nature of our current health challenge, but also bear in mind that we have been facing other pandemics for decades.

What is Pandemic?

An epidemic is a disease that affects a large number of people within a community, population, or region. A pandemic is an epidemic that is spread over multiple countries or continents. These diseases do not need to be infectious in nature and can be the result of poor choices for our health over a long period of time. What I am talking about are chronic diseases, noncommunicable diseases (NCDs).

Four non-communicable diseases, namely cardiovascular, cancer, diabetes, and chronic respiratory diseases are the leading cause of mortality in the world, accounting, respectively, for 17, 7.6, 4.2, and 1.3 million deaths based on the latest available global epidemiology data.

NCDs kill 41 million people each year, equivalent to over 7 out of 10 deaths worldwide as reported this year by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Once confined to high-income countries, NCDs are now the leading cause of death in developed and developing countries alike.

One in two adults worldwide (50%) have at least one chronic condition, with 33% of adults with two or more. Disease rates from these conditions are accelerating globally and advancing across every region and pervading all socioeconomic classes. It is estimated that the four major non-communicable diseases will be responsible for 75% of worldwide deaths by 2030.

Chronic diseases are interrelated, have common risk factors, and are largely preventable. Both the WHO and the CDC estimate that 80 to 85% of our world’s biggest killers can be prevented.

Chronic diseases have common risk factors. There are non-modifiable factors such as heredity and age and modifiable factors. Chronic diseases are primarily environmental, not genetic in origin. That is the good news as each of us can be stewards of our own health with healthy self-care practices.

Within the context of the Self Care Awakening, we discuss four main inter-related factors that are responsible for many of the health challenges we face from NCDs.

Water Matters

Dehydration has been called “the Mother of all Epidemics and is the first step we need to take in addressing chronic disease”, as stated by Gina Bria, Cultural Anthropologist. Nearly 75% of us are chronically dehydrated each day. This varies a bit by country and regions but in large we do not drink enough water to maintain healthy hydration.

Failure to drink enough water has been linked to may NCDs including chronic fatigue, joint pain, weight gain, type 2 diabetes, headaches, kidney disease, and hypertension.

Sleep Matters

Inadequate or poor-quality sleep has been called a Global Epidemic of Sleeplessness according to the WHO. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention calls INSUFFICIENT SLEEP a public health epidemic.

Research indicates that inadequate or poor-quality sleep has been associated with many health risks, including heart disease, weight gain, type 2 diabetes, anxiety, stroke, kidney disease, and cancer.

Dr. Matthew Walker, neuroscientist and author of the book Why We Sleep, states, “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."

Weight Matters

The obesity epidemic is actually a worldwide pandemic that has global implications for health and disease. In one of the largest studies ever to examine obesity rates across the globe, researchers found that more than 60% of men and 50% of women were either overweight or obese according to the WHO. A 2016 study published in the Lancet, reports that this is the first time in human history that obese people outnumber underweight people. The data, which was pooled from studies, surveys, and reports looked at 19.2 million men and women from 186 countries, and shows stunning changes in less than 40 years, with an increasing average body mass index in multiple countries from 1975 to 2014.

Excess weight and obesity have been called the world’s largest health risk. Weight issues have been implicated in over 100 different chronic diseases, including our largest killers. At least 2.8 million people each year die because of being overweight or obese.

Body Burden Matters

Environmental pollutants adversely affect human health and the environment around the world. These pollutants can be transported by wind and water, while generated in one country they can and do affect people and wildlife far from where they are used and released according to the Environmental Protection Agency. The list of environmental toxins that exist in our environment and bodies is huge. Environmental toxins are all around us. We get them from the air we breathe, the food we eat, and the water we drink, in addition to the many products we use in our homes. Toxins have been found in beauty products, household cleaners, carpets, furniture, mattresses, household dust, and even in foods and products from natural sources.

It is estimated that each of us has over 200 environmental toxins in our body and 93% of us have potent endocrine disruptors such as BPA’s in our body.

Environmental toxins have been implicated in many of the chronic diseases that affect millions of people globally. 

Chronic disease or NCD’s have been called self-inflicted Pandemics. The answer to this problem is self- care and an active wellness lifestyle. We will be discussing solutions to this pandemic of chronic disease on our next Healthy by Choice masterclass Tuesday, October 13th at 6 PM/PT, 9 PM/ET in the Self Care Awakening Virtual Classroom. You will need to use password Nikken1 to join the class.

Healthy by Choice

2020 Autumn Detox. Nature's Perfect Setup, pt. 3

“I like my products like my friends, non-toxic.””

HealthyFlush

Nikken PiMag Sport Bottle

As a member of the Global Wellness Community and a personal self-care coach, one of the first questions I ask clients when we start using indoor heat is ‘are you drinking enough water?’

The PiMag Sport bottle is not just a state-of-the-art water filtration system on the go, but also a health product crucial to natural detoxification. The new filter has the ability to 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. The PiMag Sports bottle transforms municipally treated water into healthy filtered, structured alkaline water. The PiMag Sport Bottle is the only water bottle that combines three technologies: nano-filtration, alkalization, and de-clustering. De-clustering breaks down the water molecule to make it more absorbable. When I am on the go, I always have my water bottle. When my hands feel dry, I rub a little “PiWater” on the skin and it instantly moisturizes my skin.

GreenShower

Nikken PiMAG Handheld Shower Head

Turn your shower into your self-care sanctuary by installing one of the Nikken PiMAG Showerheads.
The PiMag MicroJet Shower System effectively reduces chlorine exposure and makes your shower water comparable in quality to the water you drink. Advanced filtration components additionally reduce dirt, sediment, and odors, for the cleanest and most refreshing shower you can experience.
The PiMag MicroJet uses a reduction/oxidation process to convert free-radical chlorine ions to neutral chlorides. This is augmented by Air-Induction Technology, which injects air into the shower stream to increase the electronegative potential of the water, for more effective filtration.
The nozzle features passages that release streams of microbubbles within the water flow. These miniaturized bubbles provide an effective cleansing action that penetrates surface buildup of soil deposits, assists in moisturizing the skin, and imparts a feeling of freshness and softness.
BONUS: Special materials in the filter produce pi water. This water was first discovered in a remote region of Japan, where scientists observed amazing results on the surrounding plants. Nikken technology replicates the environmental conditions that created pi water in its original setting.
NOTE: An adjustable nozzle control allows the selection of five different spray settings, three singular and two combined. The MicroJet Hand Shower includes a full-length, stainless steel flexible hose that permits use as a handheld shower or in its reinforced bracket. The Wall-Mount unit replaces a standard fixture.

FreeRadicals

Kenko mStrides

Heavy metals can be processed out of the body by a magnetic field. Nikken’s Kenko mStrides feature patented DynaFlux® Magnetic Technology. DynaFlux provides 100% coverage and intensifies the magnetic field for greater depth. With mStrides in place, walking creates a dynamic energy flow — in effect, a magnetic field generator inside shoes.

Nikken’s Kenko mSteps insoles feature energizing massage nodes, extraordinary comfort and the same DynaFlux operation that acts like a magnetic field generator inside shoes. DynaFlux Magnetic Technology places magnets in polar opposition to intensify the magnetic field. As you walk, these components change position to produce a dynamic field of energy — and the multiple angles afford 100% magnetic coverage.

I wear them everywhere but especially on the golf course to aid in strength and balance.

At the End of the Day

Lastly, take a moment and reflect on the healthy choices you have made today. Too often when it comes to our own health or the health of our loved ones we focus on what we should be doing, not on what WE ARE doing. This focus can lead to feelings of inadequacy or guilt which leads to stress which is counterproductive to your overall health. Every day, take a moment, and pat yourself on the back for drinking water, avoiding an unhealthy snack, or getting the right amount of sleep, then smile.

Happy Fall y’all and be Healthy by Choice.

We would like to invite you to the “Self Care Awakening” masterclass Tuesday, October 6, 2020, at 6 PM/Pt, 9 PM/ET in the Self Care Awakening Virtual Classroom. The passcode is Nikken1. Dr. Gary Lindner will bring all of the simple, every day, healthy choices you can make together in the Wellness Home. Please note this is educational, not a sales webinar.

2020 Autumn Detox. Nature's Perfect Setup. pt. 2

“Autumn shows us how beautiful it is to let things go. ”

— unknown

The world is a toxic place. 2020 confronted us all with this statement in vivid, living color. While there may not be anything we, personally, can do with viruses, colds and, the flu there is a lot we can do now and year-round to strengthen our immune system.

A gentle detox in the Autumn is perfect to cleanse your body of the toxins built up in the hot summer months and prep your immune system for the winter, typically thought of as flu season.  In this “The Impetus” I am going to share with you tips and products to naturally detox, while the temperature cools, and we spend more time indoors.

GroundYourself

Kenko Ground

As the temperature cools, the days shorten, new shows premiere and the sports season heats up we naturally spend more time indoors losing our connection to Mother Nature. The KenkoGround serves as an indoor and portable way to reconnect with Mother Nature. Simply plug it into a grounded outlet and use it under your feet while working, on your mattress while you sleep, or even draped around your shoulders. Direct contact with the skin is recommended for the best results.

“Our contemporary lifestyles often cause fatigue, sleeplessness, and a general feeling of being out of balance.”

The simple act of using the KenkoGround can help relieve these symptoms, reconnect our bodies to nature, and detox the high electromagnetic fields (EMFs) we are constantly exposed to in our digital world.  

BlueBlocker

While research on blue light blocking glasses is very new and inconclusive I find that they help me greatly reduce eye fatigue. I picked mine up on Amazon for around $50. At that price, they are worth a shot.

DigialDetox

I subscribe to what I call, "Slow Sunday." A simple day of rest and "digital detoxing." I try to go as analog as possible on Sundays, I stay off of the devices, email, social media... this gives my body and my brain a chance to reset and recharge. This is a great day for some extra skin and hair self-care. I will cover clean skin and hair care in part 3 of this series.

Matcha, Matcha, Matcha

Kenzen Ten4 30 pack

I like to wake up my body and mind the healthy way. Kenzen Ten4 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. The matcha tea in Kenzen Ten4 is “ceremonial grade” or a higher grade of matcha harvested during the first harvest. Nikken uses sustainably harvested matcha and an elderly workforce looking for extra income. Whether it’s 10 am or 4 pm, I always experience hours of energy. Also great for the metabolism.

• An all-natural energy drink mix made with only 4 organic ingredients: Matcha green tea, Brown rice solids, Kiwi fruit, and Stevia leaf extract. 

• Helps burn calories, boost metabolism, and support mental alertness.

• Contains 80 mg of natural caffeine from matcha green tea—provides an energy boost without jitteriness. 

• No artificial flavors, colors, or sweeteners. No added sugar.
  • Non-GMO, gluten-free, and vegan.
  • Naturally rich in antioxidants from Matcha green tea and New Zealand kiwi.

• New Zealand kiwi is high in vitamin C, vitamin E, potassium, minerals, and fiber, and contains Actazin, a phytonutrient enzyme that promotes healthy gut bacteria for maintaining good digestion and overall health.

• Only 8 sugar-free calories.

The V Word

Kenzen Total Vegan Drink Mix

This year Nikken introduced Kenzen Total Vegan Drink Mix (KTVDM) and it ranks a perfect 10 on the balanced nutrition scale. Each serving of KTVDM contains 3 servings of the daily recommendation for vegetables and 1 serving of the daily recommendation for fruit. Eating vegetables provides many health benefits. People who eat more vegetables as part of an overall healthy diet are likely to have a reduced risk of some chronic diseases. Vegetables provide nutrients vital for the health and maintenance of your body. Most vegetables are naturally low in fat and calories and are important sources of potassium, dietary fiber, folate (folic acid), vitamin A, and vitamin C. Fruit are important sources of many nutrients, including fiber, vitamin C, and folate (folic acid), and phytochemicals for added health benefits. Modern research is just beginning to understand the importance of proper nutrition to our immune system, mental health, fitness, and overall feeling of well-being. But there is no doubt this connection is real. KTVDM helps to fill in our nutritional gaps at only 20 calories per serving, less than $2 a day per serving, with a great chocolaty taste. Here are some of the other benefits of KTVDM.

• Probiotic blend with 3.5 billion CFUs

• Vegan, gluten-free, non-GMO, Dairy-free

• No added sugar or salt

• No preservatives or artificial flavors

• Vitamin C from Organic acerola berry extract

• Marine nutrients from Organic spirulina

• Antioxidant properties

• Anti-inflammatory properties

• Help lower the risk of chronic diseases

• Trace minerals help improve pH balance

I like to mix mine in organic coconut milk. KTVDM is a perfect on-the-go solution for busy families or seniors with a lack of appetite.

Come back next week for part 3 of the 2020 Autumn Detox. Nature’s Perfect Setup series.

We will not have a masterclass on September 22. We would like to invite you to the “Body Burden” masterclass Tuesday, September 29, 2020, at 6 PM/Pt, 9 PM/ET in the Self Care Awakening Virtual Classroom.

Happy Fall y’all and be Healthy by Choice.

2020 Autumn Detox. Nature's Perfect Setup, pt. 1

“Our very BEING, ESSENCE, HEALTH and HAPPINESS depend on MOTHER EARTH.”

— David Suzuki

The world is a toxic place. 2020 confronted us all with this statement in vivid, living color. While there may not be anything we, personally, can do with viruses, colds and, the flu there is a lot we can do now and year-round to strengthen our immune system.

A gentle detox in the Autumn is perfect to cleanse your body of the toxins built up in the hot summer months and prep your immune system for the winter, typically thought of as flu season.  In this “The Impetus” I am going to share with you tips and products to naturally detox, while the temperature cools, and we spend more time indoors.

BreathandFOCUS

KenkoAir Purifier

Air quality is one, if not, the major pathway that toxic chemicals and particulates enter our bodies to cause innumerable health concerns.  Your respiratory system is a pathway between your internal and external environments. Indoor air pollution can weaken your respiratory system in turn breaking down one of the body’s first lines of defense against airborne illnesses.

As I compose this post I can see the ash in the air from the California wildfires miles from my home. 20 hours prior to this post the Fresno Bee proclaimed air quality in California the worst in the nation.

Breathing clean air is necessary to a strong respiratory system and a strengthened immune system. Japan, one of the healthiest countries in the world, adopted the art of forest bathing known as Shinrin-Yoku in 1975. Professor Yoshifumi Miyazaki of Chiba University has written many books and conducted studies and interviews relating to forest bathing as an effective countermeasure to stress.* By countering stress we effectively aid in detoxification. The concept of shinrin-yoku is simply to get outside into nature. The concept of the Nikken Wellness Home is equally simple, to bring nature into your home. The KenkoAir Purifier takes most of the harmful things out of our indoor air then adds "negative ions" to our indoor atmosphere. Negative ions are particles consisting of molecules and atoms that carry an electric charge. These ions help the body activate immunity-boosting cells. The KenkoAir Purifier is the Nikken Wellness Home solution for effectively adding negative ions to your indoor atmosphere in our modern world.

I like to meditate next to my KenkoAir Purifier. It makes deep breathing exercises so much more enjoyable.

The KenkoAir Purifier® (KAP) is such an easy solution with multiple-stage HEPA filtration. Energy Star qualified, KAP is 35% more efficient than standard models and saves a minimum of 215-kilowatt hours per year. Using only 55 watts to cover 313 sq. ft., its carbon footprint is further decreased with a reusable prefilter and replaceable outer filters. It’s patented to generate negative ions, replicating those in Nature, and it operates ozone-free and is therefore non-toxic. Made with recyclable plastics, KAP supports respiratory health and the health of planet Earth.

Fungus among us!

Kenzen Immunity

Mushrooms have been part of the Asian herbal tradition for thousands of years and a staple in a holistic approach to your health. Practitioners of Chinese medicine have used a variety of mushrooms to prevent and address a host of physical, mental conditions, and immunity.

Mushrooms differ in benefits and nutrient count but are typical, high in antioxidants, B vitamins, copper, and selenium. Scientists and health practitioners take a particular interest in the anti-inflammatory and immune-boosting traits of certain species of mushrooms.

Beta Glucans 

Beta Glucans are one of the newest ingredients that can help boost your immune system. Although new, They’re well-grounded in science with more than 1,000 published articles in the scientific literature attesting to their efficacy.*

Their chemical structure and composition as well as their molecular weight affect the extent to which they can stimulate and support the immune system. Beta Glucans exert a prebiotic effect on the GI tract. Beta Glucans are found in various types of fungi, such as maitake and reishi mushrooms which make up the Kenzen Immunity formula. 

Kenzen Immunity contains 14 species of mushrooms including Reishi, Shiitake, Cordyceps, Maitake, and Oyster mushrooms. Six of the strains are exclusive to Kenzen Immunity. It would be virtually impossible to include such a high variety of mushrooms in a regular diet, so Nikken has formulated Kenzen Immunity in order to provide a wide-spectrum range of natural biochemicals that support your immune system.

Nature’s Perfect Food

Kenzen Jade GreenZymes

Dr. Yoshihide Hagiwara, scientist, and research pharmacologist, dedicated a large portion of his research to finding “nature’s perfect food.” His conclusion, juice of young green barley plants had the greatest number of nutrients out of the many plants he had analyzed. *

The benefits in natural barley grass to your overall wellness are staggering included in Barley Grass Juice Powder is vitamins A, B, C, E, and minerals such as iron, calcium, copper, chromium, potassium, magnesium, selenium, and phosphorus.
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.
Kenzen Jade Greenzymes is your heavy hitter in your arsenal of detoxifying, immune-boosting whole foods.

Come back next week for part 2 of this on-going Autumn Detox blog.

Happy Fall y’all and be Healthy by Choice.

I would like to invite you to “tea” this Saturday, Sept. 12, 2020, at 10:30 AM/PT, 1:30 PM/ET. The Ladies Leading Ladies (LLL) discussion will be focused on “Natural Immunity Boosters.” Guest speakers include Dr. Caryn Willens, Doctor of Naturopathy, Randy Rolfe, certified Nutritionist and founder of the Institute for Creative Solutions, and LLL’s Madeline Zaworski, retired RN and current educator. Please join us via Zoom by clicking this link: Ladies Leading Ladies Tea Room.

Please join us for our next “Wellness Home" master class on Tuesday, September 15th at 6 pm Pacific. Please join us by clicking this link, The Self Care Awakening Classroom.

Sources:

Ref: Sept. 9, 2020

https://unseenjapan.com/shinrin-yoku-forest-bathing/
Pub. Jan. 13, 2020
https://www.selfcarehub.com/blog/Airmatters2020?rq=air
Pub. Feb. 07, 2020

https://www.selfcarehub.com/blog/jadegreenzymes
Foods that Support Your Immune System, pt. 3 pub. Apr. 9, 2020

Do You Know What Beta Glucans Are? Pub. Aug. 20, 2020
https://nikkenactivewellness.com/2020/08/20/do-you-know-what-beta-glucans-are/

Energy Matters

“Everything is energy and that’s all there is to it. ”

— Albert Einstein

Energy Matters

The Nikken Wellness Home is a result of years of research and is a source of the three vital energies that we all need to be Healthy by Choice. In other words, vital energies.

The three vital energies found in nature that fuel our bodies come from the earth, wind, and fiery sun. The earth’s magnetic field, ionic energy in moving air (like we experience at the beach, near a waterfall, or in the forest), and sunlight, primarily the invisible range and of paramount importance, the far-infrared light spectrum.

Nikken has implemented science and technology to replicate nature with products that provide these beneficial energies. Nikken is an anagram for Nihon Kenko Zoushin Kenkyukai which translates as Japan Health Enhancement Research Institute. With over 45 years of expertise, relying on science-based research for the development of energy-based technologies for wellness, their guiding philosophy is simple yet profound, “Common sense solutions are found in nature.”

Nearly 25 years ago, Nikken’s magnetic products were the first to catch my attention and curiosity. I had never heard of products that incorporate natural physical energy of the earth (magnetic energy) into a wellness product. At that time, I suffered from a whiplash injury for over 3 years that short of surgery my physicians said, “just live with it”. However, I was also advised that I would want a surgery by the time I was 50 as the arthritic changes and inflammation would make “living with it” no longer an option. I was opposed to neck surgery and opted to live with it for as long as I could. On an extended business trip to China, a physical therapist observed that I had little flexibility in my neck and inquired as to my injury and its manifestations. I told him that I was not in a lot of discomforts but that I had an extremely limited range of motion in my neck and that both arms were numb down to the tips of my fingers.  He told me that he had helped others with similar issues with magnetic products from a Japanese company, Nikken. He showed me a product that had two spinning magnetic balls and suggested I buy one and use it daily to massage my neck. My response was not enthusiastic, and I am pretty sure that came across to my new friend.

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“Nikken’s magnetic products were the first to catch my attention and curiosity.”

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Later that day, I flew home to California and one of the first things I did was check the box scores for my son’s little league games that I had missed while in China.  Much to my surprise, adjacent to the box score was a quarter page article on Nikken, a Japanese Health and Wellness company helping people all over the world with natural energy products. Let me put this in perspective. Yes, I was skeptical however, in less than 24 hours something that I had no knowledge of was brought to my attention twice on opposite ends of the earth. This made me pause, take notice, and reflect as to why was I so skeptical about something I knew nothing about. As a research scientist, that is not a particularly good way of thinking. So, to learn more, I conducted a literature search on magnetics and health. I was impressed with peer-reviewed papers in various journals and books and especially reports in veterinary journals. The veterinary studies were remarkably interesting primarily because there is no placebo with animals. What I learned was enough for me to buy some products. I initially invested in a pair of magnetic insoles and the spinning magnetic balls massage product.

The Proof is in the Pudding

This phrase is commonly used to mean that you can only judge the quality of something after you have tried, used, or experienced it and it is so true. For myself, as a physiologist, I felt compelled to study the technology before even trying the products. Did I really need to? In a word no. All that was really required was trying and experiencing the results. Which for nearly 25 years, has given me freedom from the nagging symptoms of my neck injury. Many of us who advocate for Nikken products have personally experienced amazing results and seen them in many others that we have shared them with. More importantly, my initial experience with the Nikken products opened a door to an effective and affordable active wellness lifestyle with the Nikken Wellness Home.

To learn more about vital energies join us for our next Healthy by Choice Master Class, on August 25 at 6 PM/PT, 9 PM/ET. We have invited several Wellness Home product users to join us for a short presentation and the opportunity to share their stories on how the Wellness Home products and technologies have improved their lives. Please join us for Wellness Home Stories by clicking this link, The Self Care Awakening Classroom.

Be Healthy by Choice

Healthy Home, Healthy Family

Be Healthy by Choice. Not by Chance.

This our battle cry for the Self Care Awakening and has been for the last four years. We are all experiencing a global pandemic and our health is ever-present on our minds. We are all searching for solutions to maintain and improve our health and immune systems to not only protect us from infectious agents but also to prevent chronic issues. Either way, it all boils down to supplying our bodies with the tools it needs to be healthy.

The Nikken Wellness Home is designed to do exactly that. I think it is safe to say that we all want our homes to be a safe and healthy environment for ourselves and our families. The Wellness Home addresses key areas to support our health the way nature intended. Healthy air, healthy water, healthy sleep, whole food nutrition, and healthy vital energies are all part of the Wellness Home.

Given self-isolation, quarantine, social distancing, and public lockdowns we are all spending most of the time in our homes. We are conducting business from our home offices. More than ever it is important that we practice diligent self-care practices. Stay well hydrated. Get quality good night’s sleep of at least 8 hours. Support healthy weight and supplement as needed for a strong immune system and filter the air in your home. These and other topics are what we write about and talk about on a weekly basis. More importantly, they are practices that each one of us can easily adopt for efficient principles of good health.

The health matters that we talk about at selfcarehub.com are simple, natural solutions for the prevention of most of our global health issues. Namely, Water Matters, Sleep Matters, Weight Matters, Body Burden Matters, Food Matters, and  Air Matters. I invite you to visit the hub or click on the links for information on topics that interest you and how you can begin your Wellness Home.

Over four years ago Heather and I created the Self Care Awakening and selfcarehub.com to inform, inspire, and empower anyone to be Healthy by Choice. The impetus was to create a community of like-minded people to share common-sense solutions to our biggest health issue, chronic disease. Self Care is all about becoming aware of and then making choices for a healthier life. The Nikken Wellness Home and its products provide an Active Wellness Lifestyle that anyone can implement for an effective path for a healthy vibrant life.

This will be the subject of our next Healthy by Choice Master Class on Tuesday, August 11th at 6 pm Pacific. Joining us will be four special guests sharing their stories of how the Wellness Home has improved their health and well-being. Please join us by clicking this link, The Self Care Awakening Classroom.

Be Healthy by Choice

Healthy Bones Matter

“The greatest medicine of all is to teach people how not to need it.”

Bone and Joint Matters

One aspect of health that is often misunderstood or ignored is bone health. The skeletal system is the body’s second-largest organ consisting of 206 bones in adults. Many people perceive our bones as a static, rigid structure when the exact opposite is true. Our bones are a dynamic organ that is a state of constant renewal and rebuilding. This is called bone remodeling and through this process, we replace our entire skeletal structure every 10 years or about seven to eight times in our lifetime.

The skeleton serves many physical and physiological functions. It provides structural support, movement, and protective armor for our vital organs. The bones are the site for the production of red blood cells to deliver oxygen to our cells and produce white blood cells for a healthy immune system.  Recent advances point to the skeleton as an endocrine organ that modulates glucose tolerance and testosterone production by secretion of a bone-specific protein, osteocalcin.

Our bones are the mineral bank for our entire body. All vital organs and tissues require minerals to be released from the bones daily. Our body’s organs receive calcium from the bones.  For example, the heart needs 100 mg of bone calcium a day for steady beats. The brain needs 150 mg of bone calcium to keep sharp and our intestines require 600 to 900 mg of bone calcium daily.

Through the process of bone remodeling minerals are released from old bone by specialized cells called osteoclasts, and new bone is replaced by bone builder cells, osteoblasts. Good bone health is a balance of this resorption of older bone and formation of new bone for stable and strong bones. Healthy bones are vital to our joints and our whole body.

Regardless of age, we all need to keep our bones healthy. Children continue to build bone mass as they grow.  Bone mineral density peaks between the ages of 20 and 30. Up to the age of 30, the body makes new bone faster than it breaks down old bone, so bone mass increases. After that, the pace of healthy bone formation slows down so that more bone is lost than formed. This decrease in bone density results in weaker bones that are more susceptible to fracture. Maintaining bone health becomes more challenging and critical as we grow older for a variety of reasons.

The main issue in this decrease in bone density is directly correlated with calcium and the body’s ability to absorb and utilize dietary calcium which diminishes with age.

Osteoporosis is a Global Disease

According to the International Osteoporosis Foundation, 1 in 3 women and 1 in 5 men over the age of 50 will suffer an osteoporotic fracture. In fact, a bone will break every 3 seconds because of this disease. This has an enormous human and socio-economic impact. Many people don’t know they have osteoporosis until their first fracture, which is why it’s called the ‘silent disease’. Osteoporosis is estimated to affect 200 million people globally, with 55% of people over 50 currently at increased risk of fracture due to low bone mass.

You will not fall and break your bone

You will break your bone ...and fall

Osteoporosis is a silent disease because we do not perceive our bones weakening. Breaking a bone is often the first sign of loss of bone density or osteoporosis.  Osteoporotic bone breaks are most likely to occur in the hip, spine, or wrist, but other bones can break too. Twenty percent of seniors who break a hip die within one year from complications related to the broken bone or the surgery to repair it. Many require long-term nursing home care.

While our bones naturally age as we do, there are things you can do to prevent osteoporosis and joint problems regardless of age.

Natural ways to help your Bones and Joints

• Exercise, particularly anything that uses your body's weight to move, can help build strong bones. I suggest walking, jogging, or dancing.

• Get some sunshine, at least 20 minutes a day for Vitamin D

• Eat the right foods. Green leafy vegetables are calcium-rich and alkalizing. Greens give you calcium but are also good sources of vitamin k, potassium, and other minerals and nutrients needed for healthy bones.

• Avoid sodas and carbonated beverages. Limit caffeinated beverages and alcohol.

• Drink half your body weight in ounces of water daily. Bones are 25 to 30% water. Being hydrated is one of the best things you can do for bone and joint health.

• Supplementation

We need to supplement our bodies with minerals, they are essential, we do not make them. However, no matter how much calcium we consume from calcium-rich foods such as yogurt, milk, and green leafy vegetables, or by nutritional supplements, such as Nikken’s excellent Kenzen® Calcium Complex, the most important aspects are absorption and utilization. If the body doesn’t absorb calcium, the bones cannot utilize it and be fortified. Nikken’s Kenzen BDZ™ is a giant step in rectifying this dilemma. Kenzen BDZ™ provides a unique and scientifically validated formula for calcium and other nutrients that are required for maintaining healthy bone structure, bone density, and calcium absorption, by combining three patented blends of nutrients.

Make healthy bones part of your self care routine and Be Healthy by Choice. This will be the subject of our next Healthy by Choice Master Class on Tuesday, August 4th. Please join us by clicking this link, The Self Care Awakening Classroom.

Be Healthy by Choice

Drink to Your Health

“Water your roots, so your soul can blossom.”

Life cannot exist without 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 of maintaining well-being. 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 Americans are chronically dehydration. This can lead to many health issues such as fatigue, joint pain, headaches, weight gain, type 2 diabetes, 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 and Immune Function

Proper hydration is essential for a healthy immune system and at this specific point in time concerning the global pandemic it is of paramount importance for us all.

Even mild dehydration can decrease salivary rate and decrease the concentration of salivary immunoglobulin A (s-IgA), which is one of the first lines of defense of the immune function on pathogens.

Maintaining healthy skin is another primary barrier to potential pathogens. In addition to providing a passive physical barrier against infection, the skin also contains elements of the innate and adaptive immune systems which allow it to actively fight infections. Proper hydration is a prerequisite for healthy skin.

Staying hydrated helps the body naturally eliminate toxins and other bacteria that may cause illness. Dehydration reduces the overall volume of blood and lymphatic fluids that are integral to a healthy immune system. 

Lymph flows throughout the body to collect bacteria and waste. It transports collected waste to the lymph nodes which serve as filters. Drinking water works like a waterfall for lymphatic organs. The higher the amount, the stronger the push to the edge. In this scenario, water pushes bodily waste into the lymph nodes where lymphocytes destroy them. Eliminating toxins and waste materials become a difficult task when dehydrated. Not being able to remove this debris, your body is more susceptible to infection. Not staying hydrated diminishes energy levels, leading to a lack of exercise and a weakened immune system.

Water is vital for the functioning of all of your organs, and it’s a huge part of keeping your immune system functioning at an optimal level,” says Dr. Jyothi Tirumalasetty, assistant professor of medicine at UCLA Health Department of Clinical Immunology and Allergies. “We are made of 60 percent water. If we are dehydrated, the whole system of immunity could start breaking down.”

 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!

Be Healthy by Choice.

Whole Food Nutrition for the Whole Family

“Good nutrition will prevent 95% of all diseases.”

— Linus Pauling

Happy, healthy parents make happy, healthy children. Encouraging children to live healthy lifestyles is each parents’ responsibility. The best way to accomplish this is founded in each of our choices to be healthy. In other words, be that role model for a healthy lifestyle.  All children want to imitate parents from early childhood.

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. There are good food choices and bad food choices and it is prudent to remember, we are what we eat.

Making healthy food choices is a challenge for many of us. Too often the deciding factor is convenience. I am not judging, just stating a fact. Often this leads to a deficit in needed nutrients for good health.

A major component of the Nikken 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.

In the simplest terms, we all need three different food groups to provide the nutrition we require daily. These include proteins, fruits, and vegetables.

Let us look at what we all need daily for good health.

Protein

Our body does not store protein, and therefore has no reservoir to draw on when it needs a new supply. We use protein to build and repair tissues, to make enzymes, hormones, and other body chemicals. Protein is an important building block of bones, muscles, cartilage, skin, and blood. A healthy daily protein requirement is based on body weight. The Recommended Dietary Allowance (RDA), which is the minimum amount you need to be healthy, is 0.8 grams per kilogram (0.36 grams per pound) of body weight per day. That would equal 54 grams of protein per day for a 150-pound person.

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…most children in her practice are overweight or obese yet are undernourished and starving for nutrients.

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Vegetables

I’m sure we all remember our mom telling us to eat our vegetables. I surely remember those same words coming out of my mouth at the dinner table when my children were young. 

Eating vegetables provides many health benefits. People who eat more vegetables as part of an overall healthy diet are likely to have a reduced risk of some chronic diseases. Vegetables provide nutrients vital for health and maintenance of your body. Most vegetables are naturally low in fat and calories and are important sources of potassium, dietary fiber, folate (folic acid), vitamin A, and vitamin C.

Fruit

Fruits provide nutrients vital for health and maintenance of your body. As part of an overall healthy diet, eating foods such as fruits that are lower in calories per cup instead of some other higher-calorie food may be useful in helping to lower calorie intake. Adding fruit can help increase the intake of fiber and potassium which are important nutrients that many of us do not get enough of in their diet.

Fruit are important sources of many nutrients, including fiber, vitamin C, and folate (folic acid), and phytochemicals for added health benefits. 

The American Cancer Society advises at least five servings of fruit and vegetables per day for good health. The Harvard School of Public Health recommends nine servings of vegetables and fruits each day. It is advised that two-thirds of your plate should include fruits and vegetables.

In a recent interview with Integrative Health Specialist, Kimball Sargent, she talked about how much of her psychotherapy sessions involve children with attention disorders. She stated that most children in her practice are overweight or obese yet are undernourished and starving for nutrients. She attributes many of her client’s problems to poor nutrition and is a firm believer in first treating the root cause of the problem.

Our next Healthy by Choice Master Class will be on Tuesday, July 21st at 6 pm PDT. Our special guest will be Kimball Sargent. Ms. Sargent has 38 years’ experience in nursing and has been a nurse psychotherapist for the last 25 years. Kimball and I will be discussing the need for a balanced diet and simple easy ways we can incorporate this into our daily routine. To join the broadcast click this link and follow the prompts The Self Care Awakening Classroom, see you on Tuesday.

Be Healthy by Choice

Work - Life Balance, pt. 2

“You don’t need to make yourself miserable to be successful.”

No 40-40-40

The 40-hour workweek is a staple of American working traditions. It was originally implemented by Henry Ford and the Ford Motor Company to protect workers and ensure their productivity. Although established as a norm for full-time work it seems as though Americans are working much more than the 40-hour workweek. In a recent Harvard Business School survey, a whopping 94 percent of working professionals reported working more than 50 hours per week and nearly half said they worked more than 65 hours per week. Experts agree: the compounding stress from the never-ending workday is damaging. It can hurt relationships, health, and overall happiness.

Work-life balance can seem like an impossible achievement. Technology makes us accessible around the clock and fear of job loss incentivizes longer hours.

The U.S. is the most overworked developed nation in the world. At least 134 countries have laws setting the maximum length of the workweek. The U.S. does not. In the U.S., 85.8 percent of males and 66.5 percent of females work more than 40 hours per week. According to the International Labor Organization, “Americans work 137 more hours per year than Japanese workers, 260 more hours per year than British workers, and 499 more hours per year than French workers.”

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Work-life balance can seem like an impossible achievement.

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American Work-Life Balance

According to the Center for American Progress on the topic of work and family life balance, “ in 1960, only 20 percent of mothers worked. Today, 70 percent of American children live in households where all adults are employed.”. U.S. Department of Labor statistics support up this data and notes that 75 percent of employed women work full time. When all adults are working (single or with a partner), that is a huge imbalance to the household and free time in the American family. In addition, the U.S. is the only country in the Americas without a national paid parental leave benefit. The average is over 12 weeks of paid leave everywhere other than Europe where it is over 20 weeks.

Often, work takes precedence over everything else in our lives. Our desire to be successful professionally can drive us to set aside our own well-being. Creating a harmonious work-life balance is critical to improving not only our physical, emotional, and mental well-being, but it is also paramount for our careers.

Here are a few self-care tips to balance the work-life equation.

1. Let go of perfectionism.

2. Unplug.

3. Exercise and meditate.

4. Change the structure of your life.

5. Start small. Build from there.

Many people have opted for self-employment or participation in the gig economy, which is characterized by the prevalence of short-term contracts or freelance work as opposed to permanent jobs. Good examples are Uber, Lyft, Airbnb, Fiverr, direct selling, and network marketing.

I believe the key to work-life balance is better stated as a work life harmony. The key to this, in my opinion is to do something that you are truly passionate about. The most effective ways to achieve a work life harmony is to really enjoy, or find a purpose, in what you do for a living. Even though everyone is not always fortunate enough to find a position that pays them for pursuing their passion, you can strive to find meaning in what you are already doing or pursue something entirely new.

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Our desire to be successful professionally can drive us to set aside our own well-being.

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If you are open to pursuing something new that may be the answer to the work-life balance conundrum, we have two virtual events that may be of interest. First is our Healthy by Choice Master Class on the Nikken Wellness Home on Tuesday, July 14th at 6 pm Pacific time. This 30-minute zoom presentation will highlight the products and technologies of the Nikken Wellness Home and how we can be Healthy by Choice. We will host a live Q&A after the class. To join us click on the following link, Self Care Awakening Classroom.

Your second step is to join us for the Nikken Zoom-in on Saturday, July 18th at 9:30 am Pacific. The Zoom-in will feature the Better Way presentation designed to let you evaluate the Nikken business opportunity. This will be followed by brief stories from people in our business from just starting to established leaders, followed by a live Q&A. To join us click on the following link, Self Care Awakening Classroom.

Self-isolation and social distancing have mandated that many people work remotely from home. Work and life are more intertwined than ever due to the drastic rise in remote work and an increasing dependency on technology. Next week we will discuss work-life balance and how it relates specifically to working from home.

Be Healthy by Choice

Good for You, Good for the Planet

“...it’s not nice to fool with Mother Nature.”

— Poison Ivy

We have all heard the saying, “Don’t mess with Mother Nature”, but as human beings, we seem to be intent on doing exactly that. Polluted air, water, over-farmed soils, use of pesticides, fungicides, herbicides, anycides, and plastic pollution of our earth and oceans just to name a few. These all take a toll on not only the health of our planet but also the health of its people.

What if there was a company that had the health of our planet in mind but also, it’s constituents? There is, Nikken. The name Nikken is an anagram for Nihon Kenko Zoushin Kenyukai, which translates as Japan Health Enhancement Research Institute.

For over 45 years, Nikken has provided common-sense solutions for improved health and well-being, using science and technology to provide our bodies with what nature intended for us all to Be Healthy by Choice. Healthy air, healthy water, whole food nutrition, and the energies of the earth, wind, and sun.

This is the concept of the Nikken Wellness Home. 

Most of us consider our homes to be a safe, healthy environment, but in reality, our homes are often very toxic places. We need to ask, is our home helping us be healthy? Or, is our home making us sick?

This is often referred to as Sick House Syndrome (SHS) and has also been referenced in literature as Sick Building Syndrome. The symptoms associated with SHS include many chronic issues such as headache, dizziness, nausea, eye, nose or throat irritation, dry cough, dry or itching skin, difficulty in concentration, fatigue, sensitivity to odors, hoarseness of voice, allergies, colds, flu-like symptoms, increased incidence of asthma attacks and personality changes.

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.

These are the same topics that we discuss in the Selfcare Awakening as to why so many of us are not as healthy as we can be. Nikken Wellness Home products are categorized into three specific areas:

• Improved rest and relaxation through our patented natural energy products and Kenko sleep products

• A healthier environment with clean air the way nature intended it to be. Filtered, structured alkaline water for pennies a gallon.

• Complete organic nutrition and weight-management products.

• Skincare support and haircare product lines based on natural ingredients and organic principles.

These areas create your Wellness Home, by making improvements in each of them, you can make your home the healthiest and safest place for you and your family to live and thrive.

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. Our motto is “Every home a Wellness Home”.

With the current practice of self-isolation and the majority of our time spent at home, we all want to be in a healthy, immune-supportive environment. We can with the Nikken Wellness Home.

Be Healthy by Choice



Weight Matters for Healthy Families

“If you didn’t come from a healthy family, make sure a healthy family comes from you. ”

Weight Matters…

The World Health Organization has called obesity a global pandemic with obesity tripling since 1975 that has global implications for health and disease. Obesity is a contributing factor to over 100 different chronic diseases, including cardiovascular disease, stroke, cancer, and type 2 diabetes. 

In one of the largest studies ever to examine obesity rates across the globe, researchers found that more than 60% of men, 50% of women, and 1/3rd of children are either overweight or obese. They concluded that obesity is a growing problem in all regions of the world, even among traditionally lean Asian populations. 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 American men and women and children will be obese.

Recent increases in childhood obesity are of a major global health concern. Childhood obesity increases the risk of multiple acute and chronic medical problems as well as psychological issues, all of which can persist into adulthood and adversely affect the quality of life. Obese children can suffer from orthopedic complications, including abnormal bone growth, degenerative disease, and pain.

Children become overweight and obese for a variety of reasons. The most common causes are genetic factors, lack of physical activity, unhealthy eating patterns, or a combination of these factors. Only in rare cases is being overweight caused by a medical condition such as a hormonal problem.

Sugar is Everywhere

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 a 16-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. The American Academy of Pediatrics reports the average child eats and drinks much more added sugar than they should. On average, sugar makes up nearly 20% of what children consume each day. Half of that comes from drinks with added sugar.

Sugar is highly addictive. To break the addiction, the first step is to monitor our sugar consumption by reading food labels and limiting consumption to a healthy level. The American Heart Association recommends daily consumption of added sugars to no more than 25 grams a day for women and children (6 teaspoons) and 36 grams (or 9 teaspoons) a day for men.

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.

There is no denying, we are what we eat. Nikken is committed to providing the balanced nutrition that our bodies need with organic whole food supplements for the whole family. We have recently discussed these in the past months Healthy by Choice Masterclasses. You can view the recorded classes on our Self Care Awakening YouTube channel.  

Harry S. Truman said, “In the long view, no nation is any healthier than its children”. I wholeheartedly agree, and we will be addressing this and solutions for Healthy Children by Choice in our next Healthy by Choice Master Class on Tuesday, June 9th, at 9 pm Eastern, 6 pm Pacific. at www.theroyalalliance.com/live.

Please note we will be taking a short summer break on June 2nd and will not have a class that week. We look forward to seeing you on June 9th.  

Be Healthy by Choice

Healthy Future

“In the long view, no nation is any healthier than its children”

— Harry S. Truman

Happy, healthy parents make happy, healthy children. Encouraging children to live healthy lifestyles is each parents’ responsibility. The best way to accomplish this is founded in each of our choices to be healthy. In other words, be that role model for a healthy lifestyle.  All children want to imitate parents from early childhood. Parents generally have much longer and more frequent contact with their children than any peer claiming to have influence over them. For example, teens are twice as likely to smoke cigarettes if their parents were smokers.  Healthy children start with healthy parents. This may even start during pregnancy.

Recent research suggests that the food choices a mother makes during her pregnancy may set the stage for an infant's later acceptance of solid foods. Amniotic fluid surrounds the fetus, maintaining fetal temperature, and is a rich source of sensory exposure for infants. Many flavors in the maternal diet appear to be present in amniotic fluid. Taste and smell are already functional during fetal life, and because the fetus regularly swallows amniotic fluid, the first experiences with flavor occur prior to birth.

The implication of the research findings is that if we want children to learn to like and eat healthy foods such as vegetables, they need early, positive, and repeated experiences with those foods, as well as opportunities to observe others consuming those foods. The natural tendency of children to prefer sweet or salty, caloric rich foods over energy-poor but micronutrient-rich alternatives highlights the need for adult intervention to provide a varied and healthy diet.

In addition to diet, we must also model the basics of good health. The Self Care Awakening advocates four main principles for good health. Good hydration, sufficient quality sleep, monitor and reduce sugar intake to a healthy level, and take steps to reduce our body burden of environmental toxins. These are simple, easy, and effective ways to Be Healthy by Choice. For a review take a look at our 11-minute video Self Care Awakening.

The current status of children’s health is in dire need of improvement. Reports from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention in 1960 showed that less than 2% of children had a health condition severe enough to interfere with usual daily activities. Statistics from the American Pediatrics in 2017 reported that 54% of American children have a diagnosed chronic condition. The most common chronic diseases currently affecting children include obesity, asthma, allergies, ADD/ADHD, and autism spectrum disorders.

The Nikken Wellness Home contains many solutions for an Active Wellness lifestyle and is a great model for Healthy Families. Our next Healthy by Choice Master Class will discuss this subject, Healthy Families by Choice. Please join us and invite friends to tune in on Tuesday, May 26th at 6 pm PDT. To join the broadcast click this link and follow the prompts www.theroyalalliance.com/live, see you on Tuesday.

Healthy by Choice

Healthy Foods Simplified

“Don’t focus on how much you eat, focus on what you eat.”

Keep It Simple

In the last few weeks, we have been discussing foods that support our immune system. I had a few questions and observations from our subscribers asking if I could simplify our basic food sources and how the Nikken Wellness Home can help us accomplish this to Be Healthy by Choice.

Let’s take a look at what we all need daily for good health. In the simplest terms, we need three different food groups to provide the nutrition we need. These include proteins, fruits, and vegetables.

Protein

Our body does not store protein, and therefore has no reservoir to draw on when it needs a new supply. We use protein to build and repair tissues, to make enzymes, hormones, and other body chemicals. Protein is an important building block of bones, muscles, cartilage, skin, and blood. A healthy daily protein requirement is based on body weight. The Recommended Dietary Allowance (RDA), which is the minimum amount you need to be healthy, is 0.8 grams per kilogram (0.36 grams per pound) of body weight per day. That would equal 54 grams of protein per day for a 150-pound person. We will discuss this further next week.

Vegetables

I’m sure we all remember our mom telling us to eat our vegetables. I surely remember those same words coming out of my mouth at the dinner table when my children were young.  

Eating vegetables provides many health benefits. People who eat more vegetables as part of an overall healthy diet are likely to have a reduced risk of some chronic diseases. Vegetables provide nutrients vital for health and maintenance of your body. Most vegetables are naturally low in fat and calories and are important sources of potassium, dietary fiber, folate (folic acid), vitamin A, and vitamin C.

Fruit

Fruits provide nutrients vital for health and maintenance of your body. As part of an overall healthy diet, eating foods such as fruits that are lower in calories per cup instead of some other higher-calorie food may be useful in helping to lower calorie intake. Adding fruit can help increase the intake of fiber and potassium which are important nutrients that many of us do not get enough of in their diet.

Fruit are important sources of many nutrients, including fiber, vitamin C, and folate (folic acid), and phytochemicals for added health benefits. 

The American Cancer Society advises at least five servings of fruit and vegetables per day for good health. The Harvard School of Public Health recommends nine servings of vegetables and fruits each day. It is advised that two-thirds of your plate should include fruits and vegetables.

In our fast-paced lives, this is problematic for many of us. The Nikken Wellness home has the answer. Our core nutritional pack provides us with healthy protein from our Kenzen Vital Balance® protein shake and our vegetables from our barley grass supplement, Jade GreenZymes®. Which was the subject of a recent Healthy by Choice Class, Foods that support our immune system.

Our newest addition Kenzen Super Ciaga Powder is a delicious, convenient, and cost-effective way for us to get our daily fruit requirements.

Kenzen Super Ciaga has only 10 calories per serving. This advanced formula is made with a select group of superfruits chosen for their nutrient-density and immune-boosting characteristics. It combines an organic superfruit mix of elderberry, maqui berry, blackberry, and blueberry for their anthocyanins and high antioxidant content, with an ORAC (Oxygen Radical Absorbance Capacity) value of 5,000.  This superfruit antioxidant mix is naturally sweetened with organic monk fruit which is super sweet and has no calories.

A great replacement for sodas, simply adds a scoop of Super Ciaga to a glass of PiMag® water or seltzer for a naturally sweet and healthy beverage. Super convenient, Super Ciaga Powder is packed in easily portable jars that you can take on airplanes. You don’t have to refrigerate it after opening, simply keep at cool room temperature.

The Nikken Wellness Home contains many immune support foods. Our next Healthy by Choice class will be on Tuesday, May 12th at 6 pm PDT. We will be talking about Nikken’s newest edition to our nutritional support products, Kenzen Super Ciaga. To join the broadcast click this link and follow the prompts www.theroyalalliance.com/live, see you on Tuesday.

Healthy by Choice.

Grounding Matters pt. 2

“When you stand with your two feet on the ground you will always keep your balance. ”

Staying in Touch

In last week’s Healthy by Choice Master Class Grounding Matters, we discussed the concept of grounding. In my opinion, a 15-minute class does not cover enough ground when it comes to the subject of grounding, so let us talk about it some more in this week’s Impetus.

About nine years ago I was speaking at a health conference in San Diego. After my presentation, a gentleman approached me and said that he enjoyed the presentation. He said that he really respected the natural health approach of Self Care with the Nikken Wellness Home. We set up a time to meet the following day to reconnect.  We set our appointment for noon to 1 pm at a local restaurant. At about dinner time we were still talking. It turned out this individual had a doctorate degree engineering physics, was a university professor and research scientist in fusion and plasma physics, biophotons, and biofield science. We spent much of our time talking about grounding, often called earthing. This was my first exposure to grounding. I found the subject fascinating, especially as it was an emerging science that touted simple, easy natural ways for better health. He made a statement that got me thinking, he said: “The worst invention ever created was rubber sole shoes”.

After our very lengthy discussion, I remember thinking that this all made perfect sense. It was so simple and should be so intuitive that we would be healthier if we connected to mother earth more often.

About a year ago I had dinner with a childhood friend that lives in Ohio and was visiting San Francisco. Our conversation got around to grounding. He was unaware of the concept, so I explained. Our contemporary lifestyles often cause fatigue, sleeplessness, and a general feeling of being out of balance. Unlike our ancestors who were directly connected to the ground by their bare feet, we separate ourselves from nature by using and wearing non-conductive materials, e.g. rubber, plastic, artificial flooring surfaces, etc. In other words, our feet rarely connect with the earth beneath us. He listened intently and asked if I really thought that grounding had validity for improving health. Knowing me very well, he knew that I had more than likely thoroughly reviewed the published information on the subject. Before telling him what my research revealed, I asked him the following question, “When was the last time you were in direct contact with your skin and the earth?” He looked at me for a while, trying to remember when that might be, and finally answered, I don’t know, maybe a couple of years? I was amazed and given some of the health challenges he had recently gone through I felt compelled to share what I had learned about grounding.

For the purpose of this week’s blog, I am sharing the explanation of grounding that a colleague of Heather’s and mine sent to us. Here is a simple and informative explanation of grounding written by Dr. Jesse Allen, chiropractor, part of our Global Wellness Community and Independent Nikken Consultant, from Fremont, California.

What is Grounding?

Clint Ober (co-author of the book Earthing, the most important health discovery ever?) came from a background in the cable industry.  He understood that all electrical and cable systems had to be “grounded” or connected to the earth’s surface to stop interference from outside electromagnetic fields.  He observed that most people wear some type of rubber or plastic-soled shoes.  He wondered if this could have an adverse effect on our health.  As a child growing up on a farm, he noticed that the animals allowed to run free were much healthier than animals kept indoors in a cage.

He began experimenting with the use of a simple voltmeter to measure the effects of exposure from household appliances and wiring in the walls of his home.  He then took measurements while “grounded” to a grounding rod.  Ultimately, he found that when he was grounded, he slept better and had less discomfort.

In another early experiment with Dr. Maurice Ghaly, a retired anesthesiologist, cortisol levels were measured before and after grounding.  (Elevated cortisol indicates chronic stress which can lead to chronic illnesses such as high blood pressure, stroke and depressed immune system function).  It was found that earthing could “resynchronize” cortisol secretion to a more normal natural rhythm.  People slept better and reported less discomfort.

In 2001, Mr. Ober began working with Dr. Stephen Sinatra, an integrative cardiologist who had identified inflammation as the cause of arterial and cardiovascular disease.  With the help of biophysicist James Oschman, Ph.D. they were able to determine that the earth was an effective anti-inflammatory aid.

The electric energy on the surface of the earth takes the form of a limitless supply of negatively charged particles called electrons.  When you make contact with the earth, while barefooted or with a grounding device, the electrons are absorbed into the body where they attach to positively charged free radicals that cause chronic inflammation.  The key here is the effect of chronic inflammation.  When you experience an injury or illness there is a normal level of inflammation that is part of the healing process.  However, if you have chronic inflammation, tissue can be damaged leading to illness or disease.

Due to our technological world where cell phones, tablets, laptops, and wi-fi connected devices surround us 24/7; we are constantly being bombarded with EMF, electromagnetic frequencies.  This exposure has been linked to inflammatory reactions, cancer, sleep disruption, and immune system dysfunction. 

If you can regularly walk barefoot on grass, dirt, or on the beach you can ground yourself naturally.  However, most of us live in urban settings that limit our access to direct contact with the earth.  Grounding devices are the best alternative to neutralize the effect of electromagnetic fields and free radicals.

Thank you, Dr. Allen, for this enlightening explanation as to the health benefits and need for us all to be grounded. We all can appreciate the benefits of walking barefoot on the beach or strolling barefoot in a grassy park. We experience a feeling of relaxation and ease, less stress, and a greater sense of well-being.

Get Grounded

At the present time, grounding may be more difficult due to social distancing and self-isolation while we weather the storm. Our busy lives often get in the way of our healthy choices. Inclement weather can prevent us from grounding as frequently as we should, which is at least 20 minutes twice a day. Just so you know, you cannot get too much grounding.

The solution is found in the Nikken Wellness Home, the KenkoGround®. The KenkoGround® serves as an indoor and portable way to reconnect with Mother Nature. Simply plug it into a grounded outlet and use it under your feet while working, on your mattress while you sleep or even draped around your shoulders. Direct contact with the skin is recommended for the best results. Staying home does not mean sacrificing Self Care with the Nikken KenkoGround® and the Nikken Wellness Home.

For more information specifically on the KenkoGround®, I invite you to watch last Tuesday’s Healthy by Choice class, Grounding Matters.

Please join us and invite guests for our next Master Class, Healthy Families by Choice on Tuesday, May 5th (Cinco de Mayo) at 9 pm Eastern, 6 pm Pacific. 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 with your sombrero and Ciaga margarita. This is a new class that you will not want to miss.

Healthy by Choice

Earth Day 2020

Every day should be Earth Day!

Happy Earth Day. This is the 50th Earth Day and every year we are reminded to be stewards of our beautiful and amazing planet. One of the things that fill me with an appreciation for our Nikken Global Wellness Community is our contribution to our communities and planet earth every day.

To illustrate this point I posed this question to our Global Wellness Community via a What’s App group.

“Let’s list ten ways that Nikken is committed to sustaining planet earth on a daily basis”.                             

Here are the responses I received in less than an hour.

Ten Ways Nikken helps protect Planet Earth

1.     Nikken products are made from sustainable resources.                                                                         

  Gary Lindner, Lodi, CA

 2.     Nikken uses recyclable packaging.                                                                                                            

Maggie McKee, Vancouver, British Columbia

 3.     Nikken promotes a reduced carbon footprint.                                                                         

Sue Gruber, Cuyahoga Falls, Ohio

 4.     Nikken sources and utilizes certified organic products whenever possible for our consumable product line. Reducing toxic chemical uses. True Elements, Nikken’s skincare line, is safe for the coral reefs. It is made from sustainable seaweed.                                    

                Heather Abbott, Lodi, CA

5.    Nikken products are made of biodegradable materials, whenever, possible.

Marianne Kelchner, Torrance, CA

6.     Nikken products reduce and eliminate single-use plastics.                                                         

 Michael DiMuccio, Toronto, Ontario

 7.     Nikken teaches/inspires a Global Community to teach others to reduce the use of plastics.           

 Sheri Danzig, Atlanta, Georgia

8.     Most of the Nikken products are durable and last a long time so we are not adding to throw-away consumerism.

Maggie McKee, Vancouver, British Columbia

9.     Less water waste with the Nikken Waterfall over reverse osmosis filtration. Increased consciousness, lifestyle practices, and sharing of the Nikken Purpose and Mission as a “movement” by Global Community members to create a “shift” in the positive direction of the trajectory of not only sustaining but improving Planet Earth.                                                      

Madeline Zaworski, Lorain. Ohio

 10.  Nikken sources and works with companies that use alternative sources of power. Green power like wind, water.

Heather Abbott, Lodi, CA

So there are ten ways that Nikken does its part for a healthier planet. I could have added many more. Let me give one good example for clarification. Our PiMag Waterfall and the PiMag Sports bottle are made from biodegradable materials. Nikken’s water filtration products provide healthy water at a one to one ratio, thus conserving water.

Drink Filtered Water to Reduce Bottled Water Use for Earth Wellness

How we recycle and reuse products directly impacts the environment. For example, about 1500 single-use plastic bottles end up in landfills or our ocean every second. Wow, there just went 1550 bottles. By using water filtration devices such as the PiMag Waterfall® and reusable drinking bottles such as the PiMag® Sport Bottle, this contemptible number can be reduced to help sustain our resources and the environment.

For more information on the Nikken Pimag water products please view two recent recordings of our Healthy by Choice Master Class.

Water Matters 2020

The Great Bottled Water Debate

These are a few ways that Nikken and our Global Wellness Community are committed to helping anyone and our planet Be Healthy by Choice.

Next week’s Healthy by Choice class will be discussing the science of grounding. Given social distancing and self-isolation currently, it is an opportune time to see how to MAKE EARTH DAY, EVERY DAY in your Nikken Wellness Home. Staying home does not mean sacrificing Self Care.

Please join us and invite guests for our next Master Class, Grounding Matters on Tuesday, April 28th at 9 pm Eastern, 6 pm Pacific. 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.

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