Raw Food Diet

If you want to lose weight and inches, you should feel like you’re working out.  Meaning, if you are reading a book or magazine while you’re on a bike or stairmaster at the gym you’re not maximizing your results.  I say workout “smart”.  By this I mean, in order to get results in a shorter amount of time you should feel your muscles working, and your heart rate increasing.  If you are focused then it would be uncomfortable to workout while reading.  By staying focused on your workout, and working out “smart” you’ll get better results in a shorter amount of time.

Most pregnant are concerned at one time or another with the amount of weight they are gaining.  Some fear they are gaining too much too soon, whereas others are concerned they aren’t gaining enough weight.  The key to gaining the “right” amount of weight is to listen to your body and eat when you’re hungry.  Listen to your cravings and chose healthy foods whenever possible.  So if you’re craving something sweet, opt for a piece of fruit or a fruit smoothie prior to indulging in something sweet high in calories and fat.  As long as you’re listening to your body and eating healthy you are most likely gaining just the amount of weight you need to gain.  For reassurance instead of asking about the number on the scale, ask, “Is my weight ok?  Am I where I need to be”.  Your doctor, midwife, or nurse will let you know.  By focusing less on the number on the scale and more on eating healthy and exercising your anxiety will decrease and you’ll gain more enjoyment out of your pregnancy experience–remember, it’s just 9 mo!

I recently found an interesting tool on the National Geographic website, which has a quick and helpful interactive introduction to the human brain. The  tutorial explains in simple terms the brain's anatomy, some common diseases, and which parts of the brain are stimulated by smells, light, sound, romance, and other stimuli.

The site offers insight into the intricate workings of the brain, many of us are not familiar with. The site defines the common elements of the brain and what primary functions they are responsible for. It also offers an interactive section where the reader can select an area of the brain to visually see where it is located and what tasks that area is responsible for.

You can access the site here.

If you’re eager to lose the baby weight, you’ve got to get up and move!  The first step is always the hardest part.  Once you get your exercise clothes and shoes on, you’re on your way to making the first step, which is walking out the door and moving your body!  I recommend putting your workout clothes out in the morning so you see them every time you walk by.  I’ve found the “clothes reminder” really works well for getting my clients to take the first step.  Once you get moving focus on how good it feels to move your body and tell yourself, “I’m doing a good thing, I’m taking care of me!  Each day I exercise I’m becoming more fit”.

A new treatment for stroke victims promises to suction out clogged arteries in hopes of stopping brain damage before permanent and lasting harm is caused. The drug, Penumbra, is newly approved and is the latest in a series of inside-the-artery attempts to boost recovery from a stroke.

More than 700,000 Americans suffer a stroke each year, and more than 150,000 of them die. Survivors often face serious disability and permanent brain injuries. While this new treatment drug sounds promising, it may not be ideal for every stroke patient.

Penumbra is ideal for patients who are not able to receive treatment in the very early stages after a stroke has been suffered. It can also be helpful for those patients who have tried other methods of treatment, like the clot-busting drug TPA, and was unsuccessful.

You can read more on Penumbra and its next stages of research here.