Immunize Yourself

Something that I am really embracing is the knowledge of who I am and how important it is to reflect on my journey. Today, I want to encourage each of you to take an honest look at what you have managed to accomplish in this life. Consider the tough times you have made it through and be grateful. You are a fantastic creation and you should honor the best parts of yourself. Commit to improving your areas of opportunity and then accept yourself ENTIRELY. When you do that, no one will be able you tell you who you are, what you are, nor even what you are capable of doing. You will be not be easily shaken nor easily broken. Do it. Do it now. Start today.

Be good to yourself! More next time...

Pay Attention to Your Family History

Knowing your family medical history is critical to creating a wellness and fitness plan for your life.While it is not guaranteed that you will develop heart disease or diabetes, know that the likelihood is greater if there is history of these diseases in your family. Often, it is the repetition of a pattern of behaviors that leads to illness. Making healthy lifestyle changes can greatly improve your odds of breaking the cycle. So, if you want to be healthy and fit, then you must do what healthy and fit people do.

Here are some simple tips for ensuring good health:

*Get plenty of fiber from whole grains, fresh fruits, and vegetables.
*Eat lean protein including beans, seeds, and quinoa.
*Consume healthy fats from foods like salmon and olive oil.
*Avoid refined (packaged) foods like white bread, white rice, sugar, grits, and desserts.
*Get regular exercise most days of the week for at least 30 minutes per session.
*Maintain a healthy weight.
*Women waistlines should be at or below 35" and men should stay below 40".
*Practice stress management techniques like meditation and yoga.
*Drink 8-12 glasses of water daily.
*Sleep 7-8 hours per day.

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Some Basic Rules for Proper Nutrition During Ramadan

"The globally recogni(z)ed golden rule of dietary guidelines is that one should eat a variety of food using principles of moderation and balance. Usually, most health problems at this time are likely to arise from inappropriate diet or as a consequence of over-eating and insufficient sleep."

"Fasting also improves blood cholesterol profile, reduces gastric acidity, and prevents constipation and other digestive problems.”

"Benefits of fasting appear only in those who maintain their diet, avoiding the high calorie and highly processed foods prepared during this time," -- Saijitha Sunil, Nutritionist/Dietician, Emirates Diagnostic Clinic (Zain, 2006)

Here are some very basic rules to follow that will ensure proper diet and nutrition during Ramadan:

1) Never allow your total daily caloric intake to drop below 1,200 calories

2) Prepare your own meals

3) Eat most of your vegetables cooked

4) Eat your fruits fresh (an hour before or after your meal)

5) Drink whole/raw milk daily

6) Drink a minimum of 64-96 ounces of water daily

7) Eat bean soup everyday

8) Eat whole wheat bread

9) Avoid desserts

10) Avoid fried foods

11) Avoid processed foods

12) Limit caffeine intake

13) Do not smoke

14) Do not consume alcohol

15) Take no drugs other than what is prescribed and necessary

16) Eat at the same time everyday


(*Taken from chapter 5 in Making the Fast: How to Eat to Live During Ramadan available in paperback, Kindle, and Nook)

Be good to yourself! More next time...