Health Archives

What do you need to know about SLEEP?

Posted on Tuesday, June 21, 2011

As a younger woman I prided my self in needing very little sleep. Burning the candle at

both ends meant getting more done and supposedly “living more life.”

At 57 I realize how careless I have been and today I pay much closer attention to getting

regular and adequate rest; needed to restore and rejuvenate my aging body.

More and more research is emphasizing the importance of sleep and linking its lack to

cancer, obesity, heart disease and depression, please continue reading in order to garner all that I've learned on the subject...

Heal your freaked out feet with Pilates while you walk!

Posted on Wednesday, March 30, 2011

As you must have noticed over the years, I have bunions!

Years of point shoes in a day before they knew that you should wait until after the foot has finished growing before torturing it in a shoe that allows you to walk around on the tops of your toes!

Well, Joseph Pilates was very familiar with the various foot conditions from which many dancers suffer: Bunions, hammer toes, broken bones, twisted ankles, crooked toes, bent toes, carbuncles, blisters, calluses, neuromas, etc.

Mercury - are your fillings harming you?

Posted on Tuesday, February 22, 2011

It warms my heart to see that finally there is a recognizable public concern about exposure to and toxicity from Mercury. It has been the general consensus amongst toxicology specialists for decades the elemental Mercury, while freely used in many day to day applications, is devastatingly poisonous.

Lymphatic Draining

Posted on Wednesday, December 8, 2010

Cold and flu season is well upon us and there is a simple technique I use to aid in healing and in the removal of congestion and infection in the sinuses associated with common chest and head colds.

Diabetes and diet

Posted on Monday, November 22, 2010

A new report by the CDC says that by 2050, nearly one-third of American adults will be diabetic.

There is much supporting evidence to suggest that changing your diet will not only prevent insulin resistance, hypoglycemia and Diabetes but may reverse it.

Homeopathy, the Gentle Medicine

Posted on Sunday, November 7, 2010

My entire life I have known that nature always provides a cure. As a young child I was sickly, suffering every malady in the pediatric index even though I ate only natural, unprocessed food and was raised by a mother, who was a nurse, and took great pains...

Do we need to take Vitamins?

Posted on Tuesday, October 12, 2010

Vitamins and minerals are the organic substances found in the food we eat and when broken down, enter our blood stream to supply vital components that make up enzymes and coenzymes for the health and well being of our cells. While we hope to extract all the necessary vitamins from the food we eat, research shows that due to the way in which food is grown in deficient soil and the way it is processed, even the most healthy eater is lacking in many essential nutrients and so we are advised to supplement our diet with additional intake through tablets or capsules.

There is finally Science behind AeroPilates

Posted on Monday, October 4, 2010

Since no clinical studies have ever been performed on a reformer we decided to put our AeroPilates system to the test.

The goal of the study was to thoroughly examine AeroPilates, an exercise program that combines Pilates Strength Training with supine Cardio Rebounding; which can be accomplished by a majority of people, and to determine whether there are significant fitness and weight loss effects.

Pilates is renowned for its unique multiple plane movements and is well touted for the wide array of benefits it provides including Improved Strength, Mobility, Endurance, Flexibility, Core Stability, Proprioception, Control and Coordination as well as Mind/ Body Stress reduction. It has long been used for rehabilitation and is typically performed on a reformer or on a mat on the floor.

I have prepared a short summary of our findings but if you care to read an in depth discussion of the study performed by Neil Wolkodoff, PhD, Sue Peterson and Jeff Miller, PhD. read the study.

Keep your Cells Flexible-Essential Fatty Acids

Posted on Tuesday, September 21, 2010

A little known fact is that the human brain is roughly 60% fat. The insulating myelin sheath that surrounds the nerve cells and speeds nerve transmission, is 75% fat. Today we know that fatty acids and the fat we eat affect the brain and body throughout life, from developing fetus into old age.

Go a little "green" and help to make a large difference

Posted on Monday, September 13, 2010

As residents, homeowners and parents; it is easy to become overwhelmed by all the hype around "going green" and we may be perplexed as to how we can better provide a safer and healthier environment for ourselves and our community. At lighterliving ™ we try to provide access to positive change for thousands of people by showing them how to transform their lifestyles through simple and healthy mind, body, and soul practices and we believe that "going green" is part of that process because it improves quality of life for both the individual and the planet. Let's make 2010 the year that we each commit to take some steps towards "greening"; at least, our immediate environment.

Gluten - the most common Protein may be secretly poisoning you

Posted on Thursday, August 19, 2010

Do you suffer from symptoms of abdominal pain, stomach aches, difficulty losing weight or excessive weight loss, bloating, gas, diarrhea, fatigue, bone or joint pain, skin rashes, mouth ulcers, migraines, difficulty concentrating or irritability?

You may have Celiac Disease (CD) or Non-Celiac Gluten Sensitivity (NCGS) which leads to malabsorbtion of the nutrients you need to live a symptom free, vibrant life. To find out if a gluten free diet is for you, take our Gluten Intolerence Quiz.

Cryo-Therapy gently takes away your tears

Posted on Thursday, July 29, 2010

Everyone learns, from a very young age, that nothing heals a pain, other than a kiss, better than ice therapy. Bruising of muscle or bone, straining, pulling or tearing of muscle, tearing of ligaments or simply bumping into something hard creates inflammation in the body, causing your natural healing reaction to send blood to the area which results in swelling and redness.

What did your mother always do when you came in with a bump or a scrape? She ran to the refrigerator and pulled out the frozen peas. For the first 3 seconds it felt good until quickly the cold was too overwhelming, the peas became too mushy and the whole thing became a sloppy and disgustingly wet and very uncomfortable mess!

The facts about Vitamin D3

Posted on Thursday, July 1, 2010

Projected onto the big screen in the lecture hall was Dr. Michael Holick standing on the roof of his house, in the snow, with no shirt on! Arms spread open to the sky, smiling. "I asked for a volunteer to help me monitor how much vitamin D3 we make in the winter, in the Northeast, and I found one!" Dr. Holick discovered the active form of vitamin D which is critical to health. This was the second time I had heard him lecture and he is as funny as he is brilliant. read more

Adrenal stress and your weight

Posted on Thursday, July 1, 2010

It seems that we all understand that stress is an unspoken danger however it wasn’t until I stopped getting my periods and all of a sudden suffered from my first hot flash, first heart palpitations, an unusual inexplicable increase in blood pressure and a rise in serum cholesterol that I truly understood how my body reacts to an overload of stress. Terrified I flew into the ER, was immediately scanned and left being told that I had had my first anxiety attack. The problem was that I was not anxious!! read more

What is your Bowel Transit Time?

Posted on Thursday, June 17, 2010

Your Bowel Transit Time is how long it actually takes for food that you eat to be evacuated in your stool. Did you know that there are people who have 1- 4 bowel movements a day typically one after each main meal? How many bowl movements do you have, are you irregular or consistently constipated?

It is however, important to eliminate all the foods you have consumed within a 24-hour period or else you risk creating putrefaction and increasing inflammation. Eventually the walls of your large intestine become so weak that toxins seep out through the intestinal walls, into the bloodstream, creating a state of self-infestation? Also known as Leaky Gut. Clearly you can see the need for improved optimum bowl transit time of the food you eat.

The Seven Chakras

Posted on Wednesday, May 26, 2010

Eastern religions teach that the human body contains seven energy centers or Chakras. Each of these centers contains a universal spiritual life-lesson that we must learn as we evolve. read more

How to prevent the disharmony and disease caused by acidosis

Posted on Monday, May 24, 2010

I remember being amazed in 5th grade chemistry when I learned that all solutions were either acid or alkaline and that litmus paper would change to red (if acidic) or to blue (if alkaline) indicating the "potential of hydrogen" or pH.

The most confusing part was in realizing that the pH scale goes from 0 to 14 with 14 being most alkaline, 7 being neutral, and 0 being the most acidic.

These days there is much discussion about acid/alkaline balance in our body suggesting that an acidic environment causes decrease in cellular function and leads to disease. You may test the level of your pH by using a litmus paper stick on saliva or urine.

In a healthy stomach the acidic fluid so important in the digestion of protein, should have a pH of 1, while our blood should be slightly alkaline at a pH of around 7.4. When you measure baking soda in water it is completely alkaline with a pH of 14 while water is neutral at 7 and wine more acidic at 3.5. If what I read is true it seems that maintaining a balance in favor of a more alkaline environment can prevent the growth of many diseases and even perhaps the duplication of cancer.

What are Probiotics and why do you need them for Good Digestive Health ?

Posted on Saturday, May 1, 2010

What are Probiotics?

Probiotics as opposed to "antibiotics", are tiny, friendly floras that function to absorb and digest food, increase immune function, detoxify poisons, contribute to the manufacture of essential vitamins and in essence, they play a major role in maintaining your health and well being.

Trillions of micro-organisms are supposed to inhabit a healthy digestive system. Unfortunately, due to poor diet and an abuse of antibiotic ingestion, we lack the essential friendly bacteria in our colon that unilaterally provide the greatest defense against many chronic health conditions.

The Four Steps to Good Digestive Health, Ingestion-Digestion-Absorption-Elimination

Posted on Friday, April 30, 2010

We don't wake up one day with heartburn or indigestion, we don't inherit constipation and we don't catch a peptic ulcer. The truth is that most digestive problems come from years of eating the wrong foods, not chewing enough, an over use of antacids and long term digestive abuse.

To understand the digestive system is to recall fourth grade science and remember that the job of this very important process is to ingest, digest, absorb and eliminate all the food we eat.

Reduce your risk of Cardivascular Disease with my most Decadent Probiotic Bar

Posted on Monday, April 26, 2010

As a small child, I grew up in Australia, raised by my very Dutch parents, of whom my mother was a nurse. Every night she prepared fresh vegetables with a lean protein followed by yogurt or fresh fruit for desert. Breakfast was home made yogurt, eggs, fresh fruit or porridge and lunch was always a protein filled sandwich made on whole wheat bread with fresh fruit. We snacked only on dried fruit and nuts or fresh fruit and never saw a can/tin in the house.

Is your Leaking Gut making you sick?

Posted on Monday, March 1, 2010

Are you worn out and feeling sick and tired? Are you struggling, trying to lose weight? Do you wonder why you don't wake up feeling full of zest and vitality? If you're feeling crummy but there is no obvious diagnosis read on...you may be suffering from Leaky Gut Syndrome.

Did you know that if the toxins and poisons that you inadvertently absorb through the food you eat, are not adequately removed from your intestines, they may actually leak back into your system and make you very sick?

H1N1 vaccine or not?

Posted on Wednesday, November 4, 2009

Everyone should be concerned about the epidemic proportion with which the H1N1 flu is infecting the world however our body is a strong infection-fighting machine that will survive its onslaught so long as you have taken care of it.

Getting 8 hours of sleep to restore your immune function, ingesting tons of free radical fighting antioxidants through fruits and vegetables, taking a good multi vitamin to ensure proper mineral and vitamin nutrition, maintaining a personal hygiene that involves much hand washing and finding time to relax and laugh to keep your mind at peace, your spirit uplifted and your mood happy and calm are essential precautions to fight off the risk of this terribly invasive illness.
read more

How You Digest

Posted on Tuesday, November 3, 2009

The National Digestive Diseases Information Clearinghouse recent study found that between 60 and 70 million people suffer from digestive problems. Digestive illness is the third largest reason people seek medical advice in the United States The sale of medications both over the counter and prescription for digestive problems are huge. If you are one of those 70 million people, suffering from digestive issues, take the quizzes in this article and follow the lighterliving ™ Wellness solutions. You may quickly find yourself feeling better, losing weight and gaining vitality.

lighterliving VegeLight and Cocoa Light recipes

Posted on Wednesday, August 19, 2009

Many of you have asked for the recipes I use for my new CocoaLight Antioxidant powder. Here are just a few delicious ways to add fiber, pre and probiotics and the immune benefits of highly anti-oxidizing 70% cocao, into decadent desserts. Enjoy knowing that you are adding great nutrition while satisfying your sweet tooth and your sugar cravings.

CocoaLight is only available at QVC and QVC UK.

I have also included some recipes for VegeLight and CocoaLight. If you have some recipes to share be sure to send them to jen@LighterLiving.com so she can add them for other people to enjoy.

lighterliving Organics will change your world, the way they have mine

Posted on Wednesday, June 24, 2009

We must all become much more concerned about what we are ingesting whether by way of the food we eat, the personal care items we slather onto our skin, the air we breathe or the cleaning products we use. I personally became very aware when at 45, I found myself pregnant with my son Louis.

The more research I did the more I thought that no matter what I was to change, my unborn baby was already horrifically exposed to chemicals that were insidiously stored in my fatty tissues and that perhaps it was too late to protect him.

CocoaLight: amazing anti-oxidizing power

Posted on Wednesday, June 24, 2009

Pure dark Chocolate ahhhh! The smell and the taste brings a me back to Easter, in Australia as a kid when we would excitedly be given an assortment of Easter eggs filled with a sweet and sugary white and yellow coco-nutty confection. Being the only one in my family, not so enticed by such intense sweet treats, I saved my stash in a green tin under my bed and after all my siblings had finished theirs they would come to me for more. A simple bribe or favor asked in exchange for chocolate kept me till July. read more

Removing toxins from our life is essential

Posted on Thursday, April 2, 2009

In 1999, when I learned that I was pregnant at 46 I suddenly developed a heightened sensitivity to everything around me. Was I eating enough nutritious food, drinking honestly clean water, breathing fresh air? Was my body a clean and safe nesting ground to nurture my new born and was my home a clean and safe resting ground in which to grow?

Unwanted Visitors, Parasites

Posted on Wednesday, March 4, 2009

"We have a tremendous parasite problem right here in the U.S. It is just not being addressed." --Dr. Peter Wina, Chief of the Patho-Biology in the Walter Reed Army Institute of Research in 1991.

'In terms of numbers there are more parasitic infections acquired in the US than in Africa!" --Dr. Frank Nova, chief of the Laboratory for Parasitic Diseases of the National Institute of Health. (NIH)

The human body can play host to more than a hundred different types of parasites, ranging in size from microscopic to tape worms that are several feet long. Parasites are not restricted to our colon alone but can be found in the lungs, the liver, our muscles and joints, in the brain, the blood, the skin, and even in the eyes.

Finally: A new Anatomic Mattress Topper and Pillow by lighterliving

Posted on Monday, March 2, 2009

Our body, as a 2 legged walking homo sapien, is designed with a spine that sustains important curvature in the neck, upper back and lower back to absorb the impact of moving in this vertical position.

In order to maintain these very essential curves we need to have both strong and flexible stabilizing spinal muscles as well as correct spinal curvature and easy going movement mechanics.

Constant low grade infection can be responsible for more serious diseases

Posted on Sunday, February 1, 2009

Lymphoma is a term for cancer that develops in cells of our immune system or lymphatic system. It seems that there is a dramatic increase in its occurrence, which I suspect is linked to the increase in gluten absorption in our carbohydrate laden diet.

When our body has an infection, the lymphatic system sends out fighter white blood cells to remove the said infection. The lymph nodes in the proximity of the infection become sore and swollen as they perform their amazing job of filtering, removing and overriding the infectious cells. It has been shown that repeated, chronic infection and inflammation can exhaust the lymphatic system causing the DNA of lymphocytes in either the lymph nodes or other lymphoid tissue to mutate or grow abnormally, creating a cancerous lymphoma.

Is your Colon unintentionally poisoning you?

Posted on Thursday, January 1, 2009

Your intestinal tract or gut has many functions. It produces enzymes that work to digest the food you eat and carries this digested food across the gut lining and into the blood stream. It helps to detoxify your body by removing waste and toxins and it contains antibodies which act as your first line of defense against infection.

This amazingly important organ, while it works to nutrify you may also, in fact, be inadvertently killing you! read more

Weight Loss is this Simple: Move More and Eat Less

Posted on Thursday, December 21, 2006

So many people struggle with their weight, trying every diet under the sun. In my life I have tried them all at one point or other. Grapefruit, cider vinegar, high protein, low carbohydrate, Zone, vegetarian, macrobiotic, fruitarian, raw food, whole food or no food!
read more

Prevent Hair Loss and Gain Peace of Mind Before It's too Late

Posted on Saturday, October 28, 2006

Human hair, which grows inside a hair bulb, deep inside a hair follicle, has a growth cycle that has 3 phases: growth (anagen phase), rest (categen phase) and shedding (telogen phase). The anagen phase is different in every person and lasts 3 to 5 years; the categen phase lasts 2 to 4 weeks and the telogen phase lasts between 3 and 4 months.

Dealing With Menopause Naturally

Posted on Saturday, October 28, 2006

Menopause is the permanent cessation of menstruation, but cannot be officially diagnosed until a full year passes after your last period. Perimenopause, in its final throes, is the sputtering of your menses, typically beginning 12 months prior to menopause and characterized by unpredictable changes in hormone levels, often leaving awful symptoms in its wake. read more

How Fruits and Vegetables Prevent Disease

Posted on Wednesday, September 20, 2006

Research shows, and experts agree, the best way to help prevent disease is to eat a diet loaded with fresh fruits and vegetables.

A Cold Wax Nightmare

Posted on Thursday, August 31, 2006

Hair removal manufacturers have tricked women with their promises of easy, painless hair removal for years, whirling gadgets that pull your hair, sandpaper, creams, scissors, razors, and, of course, cold wax. I found this story and it was so akin to my first cold waxing experience that I thought I would share it with you. You will then understand why I favor hot wax hair removal over cold.

My night began like any normal weeknight. Come home, fix dinner, bathe and play with the kids. Everyone was finally in bed and I then had the thought that would ring painfully in my mind for the next few hours: "Maybe I should pull the waxing kit out of the cupboard."

Stress, The Silent Killer

Posted on Wednesday, May 24, 2006

It seems that the medical world now refers to stress as the silent killer. I never truly believed this until I experienced a very scary episode that was finally diagnosed as "stress".

I take really good care of myself and was shocked that I had developed several severe symptoms that apparently had been slowly creeping up on me until one unsuspecting day I woke to an intolerably pounding heart that was relentless.

Is Your Water Drinkable or Your Food Edible?

Posted on Tuesday, May 23, 2006

Allow me to introduce to you my very dear friend, Larry Martin. When I moved to Santa Fe, New Mexico in 1988 I quickly heard about an amazing healer and nutritionist, Hazel Parcells, and attended one of her seminars to learn how to clean my food and water. It was at this seminar that I met Larry Martin, who continued to work with Hazel until she died at 106! His radionic healing continues to help so many people and his love, wisdom and friendship have changed my life. Read about his latest research on how to improve the quality of the water you drink. read more

Help! I'm In a Diet "Pit Stop" and I Can't Get Out!!

Posted on Friday, April 7, 2006

You may have read my recent articles about my success with weight loss and how wonderful I've been feeling because of it. Well, today is a different story.

For the last two weeks, I have found myself making more and more excuses for my eating and sliding into a slow, steady weight gain. I know that it's beginning to show in my waistline as well. My youngest daugher, Aly, told me that my belly reminds her of a muffin top. You know, the way it pops out of the top of my jeans. From the mouths of babes...I think that my confidence became too much for my widening rear end to handle and I'm getting a bit of a wake-up call.

The Weight Loss Road Trip

Posted on Wednesday, March 8, 2006

My name is Kathy. Marjolein asked me to write to all of you in the hopes that I might be able to lend some encouragement in your struggles with weight loss. Not too long ago, I was in a place where I felt helpless. read more

Improving your vision relaxes your Mind

Posted on Sunday, May 1, 2005

About 11 years ago, I met Louis' father, Tommy, who very quickly changed my life in more ways than one! He wears glasses all the time for a myopic condition that makes it hard for him to see in the distance. It did not take long for him to point out that I was asking him often, to read a sign or point out some detail in the distance. read more

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