9. Don't Breast Feed Your Baby

In his book, The Maker's Diet, Jordan Rubin devotes a chapter to 27 recommendations on how to GET sick and suggests that if you want to remain as healthy as possible, go AGAINST these 27 suggestions if at all possible.

9. Don't Breast Feed Your Baby

"Mothers, consider breastfeeding your children if you don't want them to risk the trauma of numerous childhood diseases and if you don't want to pay the hospital bills. It will also reduce your risk of developing breast cancer by 25 percent, and it may lower the risk of postpartum depression! Mother's milk contains cells that attack harmful bacteria in the baby's system, and it is able to form antibodies that destroy invading viruses as well. Mother's milk is the Maker's perfect food for babies, delivered in the closest bonds of maternal intimacy."

I know that there are mothers who can breastfeed and choose not to, which makes me sad for their children and for the mothers who want to breastfeed and can't. I hope I don't have this problem because I believe it's extremely important for the baby to have that start. I don't have much to say otherwise because it's actually not a topic I have researched...what's the best formula to feed your baby if you can't breastfeed? What can even come close and how do you know it's the best possible food?

Honest Food Guide

I encourage you all to stop by here and check out the free downloadable Honest Food Guide. READ IT!! There is real truth to be found there for those who don't already know. The "Disease" side may look more appetizing to some, but it is for sure not going to bring you health. Not even "healthy" breakfast cereals. On the "Health" side, I agree with most everything...except soy. I don't believe in soy unless it is fermented and I most definately stay away from Soy Milk and the like. This is a great tool for beginners in nutrition or just handy to have on your refrigerator for motivation!

Diet Sodas Good For You??

Will the idiocy never end? How can a doctor say such a thing when even little ol' me can tell you that there is NO FREAKING WAY diet soda is good for you in ANY WAY. Not one. Read this article - it might just shed some light at how misled the general public is on REAL health.

Motivation

Motivation: the state or condition of being motivated.

Ever have those moments where you have to talk yourself into working out? I have been running double what I used to run lately and it can be super hard at times to feel the motivation to get up and do another 40 minutes of running. The longer I'm at it, the more motivation I need. Anyone else feel like that?

So what do you do for motivation?

A couple things that work for me:

I have my goals written and posted somewhere where I read them everyday. I am way too stubborn to give up on something I set my mind to.

I list the reasons I want these goals and remind myself of how good it will feel when I get there. I am constantly visualizing what I want.

I record everything I do so I can see my progress. Seeing progress and knowing all your hard work is paying off feels incredible!

Get a buddy to work out with. Mine would be my husband...or will be again someday!

One of my absolute favorites - get a new pair of workout duds!! When you look good and feel good in what you are wearing, you have a little more pep in your step. Getting a new pair of workout shoes, a sports bra, or (my favorite new purchase) cute little knee-length shorts makes me want to get up and show it off!

MUSIC!! Putting together a new playlist or purchasing a few fun upbeat songs that I would love to run to helps a ton. It's so fun to run to something that totally gets you going!

Tricep Dips

Tricep Dips. Sit on the edge of a chair or bench with your palms down on the edge, fingertips facing toward you. Lower yourself down off the bench until your elbow is at 90 degrees. Squeezing your triceps, raise yourself back up and repeat, without sitting back down. The closer your legs are to you, the easier it is. To make it extra hard, raise one leg for a set and switch off for the other. Do three sets of ten, if you can, or do burn-outs (do as many dips as you can until you can't perform another one with good form).

Sprouts!!

Mmmmmmm.

I wonder if most people don't care for sprouts, or find them tasteless or what not. I love them! My mom makes fresh sprouts every so often and they are so yummy to put on a sandwhich with or in place of lettuce and top salads with.

I'm a firm believer in eating things straight from the ground, the tree, or the animal - no processing involved. And of course, organic is better because you don't want to ingest harmful chemicals from pesticides and fertilizers that you absorb into your body. Sprouts are fun to grow because you can do it inside of your own house!

Why Sprouts can be so good for you:

"In the life of a plant, sprouting is a moment of great vitality and energy. The seed, after having remained quiet for an often long period of time, becomes more and more active and begins its journey up through the topsoil and into the open air. When it sprouts, a healthy seed activates many different metabolic systems. It converts some of its sugar content into vitamin C, to act as an antioxidant in the new open air environment. It also begins to synthesize a variety of new enzymes, many of them necessary to handle oxygen metabolism in the world above the soil. On a gram for gram basis, sprouts are richer in vitamin C than the older, more mature plants they eventually become, because this moment in their lifecyle calls for a high level of vitality." http://www.whfoods.com/

They carry plenty of vitamins, minerals, proteins, and enzymes, all necessary for the body to function optimally. In addition to providing the greatest amount of these nutrients, sprouts deliver them in a form that is easily digested and assimilated. In fact, they improve the efficiency of digestion. Sprouts are also deliciously fresh and colourful!

Mung bean sprouts and alfalfa sprouts are probably the most common commercially available sprouts but other easy and healthy sprouts are red clover, radish mustard, lentil, adzuki, garbanzo, pumpkin, and sunflower.

So how do you grow your own yummy sprouts??

• You need a glass jar, preferably quite a large one because depending on how many seeds you use, these babies will GROW!!
• Mesh screen or fabric such as cheesecloth or nylon tulle
• Rubber band
• Fresh water - preferably pure and clean!
• Seeds of your choice, preferably organic! You can buy in bulk because seeds typically last for a year or more if stored in a cool dry place.

1. Soak! Put 1 to 4 tablespoons seed in a wide mouth jar. Cover with mesh and secure with rubber band. Add water, swirl, and drain. Add 1 cup cool water and soak for 4 - 8 hrs.
2. Rinse! Twice a day, refill jar with cool water, swirl, and drain. Invert jar and prop at angle in sink or bowl.
3. Enjoy! It won't take long before they start to sprout! In a few days when sprouts are about 2" long or so, eat them! We transfer ours to a covered container or ziploc baggies and refrigerate to store.