Can Generosity Make you Healthier?

Can generosity really change your life?  According to Cami Walker it can.  Watch this video to see how she has dramatically improved her health, then go online to take the 29 gift challenge http://bit.ly/29GIFTS

The Healthy Traveler

Michael Feigin, proprietor of The Fitness Guru, a boutique gym in Brooklyn, had this to say about exercising when you're traveling.


Q. Is there one type of exercise that’s best for your body while traveling?

A. I’m a Pilaticist, so I’d automatically say Pilates by default. But again, I don’t think people should get too specific with regard to what they do.. The point is: get out and move. When you get to the hotel, drop off your bags and go out for a walk around the neighborhood. Get a sense of that. Get a sense of your surroundings, because just the moving around, just the walking around is again going to help the circulation, going to help the body get back up to a level that will sustain good health.

Read the whole article here.

Promoting Healthy Habits or Discrimination?

A controversial program at Lincoln University is drawing criticism and outrage.  30 Seniors who have otherwise satisfactorily completed their coursework at the University will not receive their degrees.  Why?  Because they are overweight and have not met requirements to lose weight or prove a significant effort towards that goal.  http://bit.ly/5GBozU

While I understand where Professor James L DeBoy's intentions arise.  I think he has missed the mark with this program and has led the University to practice discrimination in his efforts to encourage students to adopt healthy habits.  I can understand, and encourage all colleges and universities to require that students pass a basic nutrition course and a basic physical fitness course.  This requires that students are exposed to information that will allow them to make educated decisions about their health.  It may open their eyes to things they did not know about their current lifestyle.  It positions them to ask an expert for advice and even gain a mentor in their quest for health.  What it does not do is force an individual to then adopt those practices or forfeit their degree.

What do you think?  Weigh in on our Facebook discussion board.

An Attitude of Gratitude (part deux)

Here's a little bit more to chew on before your tryptophan and pumpkin pie extravaganza tomorrow, more research evidencing the link between practicing gratitude and increased well being. http://bit.ly/7VQBU8

Healthy Friday - Holiday Stress?!? What Have We Forgotten?

We're still a week before Thanksgiving and I'm already seeing some of my favorite people succumbing to the unnecessary and self-inflicted stress that far too often accompanies this season of gratitude, generosity, grace, reflection and celebration.  Why is that?  Have we completely forgotten what it is we're celebrating?  Have we lost the essence and spirit of the season?

I know for myself, when I find myself stressed during this season it usually has to do with wanting to make holiday accommodations, food, gifts, etc. "perfect" (as if it wasn't already) for the people I care about.  How silly is that?  The people we love don't care about the perfect souffle or the centerpiece being just so.  Of course all of the love and energy that is put into finding the "perfect" gift and creating the "perfect" seating arrangement is noticed and appreciated, but I know that I am perfectly happy just to sit in the company of my family and friends, and I'm certain the feeling is mutual.  I'd rather see my loved ones happy and present while we all enjoy peanut butter sandwiches than have them stressed out over making a seven course meal to impress me.  If the pie burns, so what, we can all have a good laugh and go for a walk together instead of having dessert.

As for those relatives who do make judgments based upon how well you set the table or how moist the turkey is, let's find compassion in our hearts for those people.  How sad and small their lives must be that they are too busy passing judgment to notice the joy that is present all around them in the connections they could be making with other people.

Set the example and be forgiving of yourself and your loved ones this holiday season.  Take a deep breath, settle in and find the perfection that exists in every moment.  Look around and find the many things you have to be grateful for and watch your stress just melt away!

Tomorrow is the Great American Smokeout

Did you know . . .

• Tobacco use remains the single largest preventable cause of disease and premature death in the U.S.
• Cigarette smoking accounts for about 443,000 premature deaths – including 49,400 in nonsmokers.
• Thirty percent of cancer deaths, including 87 percent of lung cancer deaths, can be attributed to tobacco.
• Smoking also accounts for $193 billion in health care expenditures and productivity losses.
• Great progress is being made in reducing tobacco use in the U.S., with adult smoking rates in 2007 declining among all adults to 19.8 percent.

The American Cancer Society holds the Great American Smokeout every year to support individuals in taking an important step to improve their health, quitting smoking.

Rockin' it!

How do the Radio City Rockettes that only work the traveling troupe during the holiday season stay strong, lean, limber and ready for the next demanding season of performance?  Pilates of course.