What Color is Your Food?

Do you really pay attention to whether or not you eat colorful and healthy food? Sometimes we stress eat and then consume foods that not only break down healthy cells in our bodies but cause us to gain weight that we do not want or need. Some "foods" that are available or no healthier than cardboard. The next time you reach for a snack or quick lunch pay attention to what you are actually eating. Has it been processed so thoroughly that there are no nutrients left? Choosing colorful foods (no dyes) will put you on the right path to eating healthier.

The more colorful the food, the higher the nutrients.

The nutrients in colorful foods are called phytochemicals or phytonutrients. A plate of colorful foods (natural, not artificial coloring) will provide your body with needed antioxidants that help to prevent cell damage.

Blueberries, raspberries, and whole-grain cereal provide valuable nutrients any time of the day, not just for breakfast.

Dark green and colorful vegetables are filled with nutritious anti-oxidants. Before you take that first bite, decide why you are eating and decide if what you are eating is actually good for you.

By Karen Best Wright

Published in Albemarle Tradewinds

AlbemarleTradewinds.com

What causes high blood sugar levels, and why is it harmful? The body needs and uses the nutrients in foods to nourish body organs. Without proper nutrients, body cells die. The pancreas releases the hormone insulin that allows the glucose from digested food to enter and nourish the body cells. When large amounts of sugar or simple carbohydrates inundate the body, the pancreas pumps out increased insulin. Eventually, the pancreas cannot produce enough insulin, or the body becomes resistant to the insulin. When insulin is ineffective, too much sugar remains in the blood and does not nourish the cells. When the blood sugar is higher than normal but not high enough to be diabetes, it is prediabetes.

Approximately 96 million American adults (one in three adults) have prediabetes, and most don't even know it. Without intervention, they are at increased risk for Type 2 Diabetes, heart disease, and stroke. A simple blood test by your healthcare provider will diagnose prediabetes. Reducing blood sugar levels back to normal is possible and much preferred than the alternative.

STEP 1: Know your blood sugar levels

A glucometer is a simple blood glucose monitor. Purchase a glucometer at a pharmacy or online. It is easy to use and is necessary when tracking one's blood sugar levels. When fasting for at least eight hours or more, a healthy blood sugar level would be less than 100. Two hours after eating, a healthy range would be less than 140. Tracking one's blood sugar level is only the first step in lowering it.

STEP 2: Foods to eat and not eat

Learning what foods to eat and not eat is the next step. Read labels on all foods that have them. When "sugar" is listed, or one of its many names (such as corn syrup), it might be one to put back on the shelf. Learn the glycemic index (GI) of different foods. The higher the glycemic index, the faster it will raise your blood sugar level. The American Diabetes Association rates the glycemic index scores as "low" for 55 or below, "moderate" for 56 to 69, and "high" for 70 and higher. A simple internet search for the glycemic index of white bread is 71, while the glycemic index of 100% whole grain bread is 51. Become familiar with the GI of various foods. Simple carbohydrates, such as sugary desserts, soft drinks, and processed foods will spike blood sugar levels faster than high fiber complex carbohydrates.

STEP 3: Herbal Remedies

Along with monitoring one's blood sugar levels and eating the proper types and amounts of food, many people have found numerous herbal and natural remedies helpful. This is not a complete list, but a few include cinnamon, fenugreek tea and seeds, marshmallow root tea, aloe vera, ginseng, prickly pear cactus, ginkgo, and garlic.

For those already taking diabetes medication or pregnant or nursing women, consult your healthcare provider before adding herbal remedies.

By Karen Best Wright

Published in Albemarle Tradewinds

AlbemarleTradewinds.com

Spiritual Wellness refers to developing and experiencing morals, values, and purpose in life. As with the other areas of wellness, spiritual growth affects total wellness. The synergy of all aspects of wellness creates balance or imbalance in life.

There are multiple paths when developing spiritual health and identity. Spiritual wellness has less to do with a specific religion and more to do with experiencing a connection or relationship with a power greater than the conscious mind.

Spirituality is important. It is personal and will be experienced diversely by most everyone. Many people will develop spiritual wellness through religion or religious beliefs. Others will experience the spiritual process through meditation or thoughtfulness on who they are and what is happening in life.

Society often presents many challenges when focusing on developing spiritual awareness. Learning to view these challenges through a spiritual perspective can bring understanding to a chaotic life. That understanding can create motivation to improve life or bring peace to accept it.

Seeking to understand the connection among all earth's living - be they human, animals, or nature -   can bring a sense of spiritual wonder to life. Accepting that there is a reason for the "why" of life, even when it is not fully understood, brings both fascination and personal peace.

For some, being among like-minded people - a church or one's "tribe" - will bring a sense of purpose and fulfillment. Others may find their spiritual path a private and authentic way of life. Whatever avenue is chosen to achieve spiritual wellness, there are commonalities. A sense of purpose, developing and understanding personal values, and connecting to one's belief in God, a higher power, or a universal greater knowledge promotes spiritual growth and well-being.

By Karen Best Wright

Published in Albemarle Tradewinds

AlbemarleTradewinds.com

Environmental Wellness ranges from one's personal space to the all-encompassing physical world. Our earth's resources and environment are crucial. However, this article refers to personal environmental wellness, one’s home, neighborhood, and work environments. As with the other areas of wellness, one's personal environment affects all areas of health and wellness. The synergy of all aspects of wellness creates balance or imbalance in life.

When evaluating the home environment, there are several things to consider. The first is basic safety. One end of the spectrum is a dirty home, infested with insects, cluttered floors, and in need of vital repairs, causing a dangerous impact on health and wellness. The other end of this spectrum is a clean and orderly house that is maintained, creating a sense of peace and safety. The home environment directly impacts a person's physical and emotional well-being.

The neighborhood environment is crucial when it comes to safety issues. Is it safe to walk the neighborhood, especially at night? Is there a feeling of peace and beauty or anxiety and apprehension? Creating safe neighborhood environments usually requires the help of more than just the residents living on a specific street. It may require the support of an entire community. However, even individual residents can take a trash bag on a walk and pick up clutter, improving the safety and appearance of their little piece of the world.

The work environment is significant when a person spends a sizable amount of time each day at work. OSHA rules are put in place to prevent physical hazards in the workplace. However, even within those rules, there may be challenges. While one person might thrive in a busy and noisy work environment, another will not. Along with the physical safety of the workplace, the emotional and social environment also impacts employees. Are supervisors or other employees kind and supportive to each other or difficult and rude? An adverse work environment is stressful and can set a person up for a life feeling out of balance.

When evaluating your environmental wellness, remember to consider what you have total control over and when you need the collaboration of a team. A team effort creates a positive approach to a healthy personal environment, whether family members, neighbors, or co-workers. Living in a healthy personal environment benefits all areas of life.

By Karen Best Wright

Published in Albemarle Tradewinds

AlbemarleTradewinds.com

By Karen Best Wright

Published in Albemarle Tradewinds

AlbemarleTradewinds.com

By Karen Best Wright

Published in Albemarle Tradewinds

AlbemarleTradewinds.com

By Karen Best Wright

Published in Albemarle Tradewinds

AlbemarleTradewinds.com

By Karen Best Wright

Published in Albemarle Tradewinds

AlbemarleTradewinds.com

What do you think of when you hear the term "holistic health & wellness?" Do you have a clue? Do you think of alternative medical care or alternative healing techniques? That may or may not be part of a holistic health & wellness program or holistic lifestyle.

The word "holistic" originates from the Greek word "holos," meaning whole, complete, or entire. Using this definition, holistic health refers to a person's “complete” health that includes six areas: physical, emotional, social, mental/intellectual, spiritual, and environmental health. Holistic health is an all-encompassing approach to health.

What do you think of when you hear the word "wellness?" Wellness focuses on the positive aspects of health, not illnesses. It focuses on prevention and creating positive outcomes in all six areas of life.

The first thing that often comes to mind regarding health or wellness is “physical” wellness or illness. However, that is only one component of one’s well-being. All six areas of wellness (physical, emotional, social, mental/intellectual, spiritual, and environmental) interact together. They create either a balanced, productive, and satisfying life or an unbalanced life resulting in stress, unhappiness, and even illness.

The key to creating a healthy holistic lifestyle is first to remember the six areas of wellness. Write them down through journaling or put the list on your refrigerator or mirror. These six areas are best committed to memory to ensure personal progress.

Second, examine any habits, problems, and even desires or goals you may have. Decide which wellness category matches these actions and thoughts. And finally, stay positive. Focus on your strengths to help overcome any weaknesses.

This approach to wellness can benefit children, teens, individual adults, couples, and families. Watch for future articles covering in-depth information on each area of wellness.