Pure Energy

In today's day and age many people are trying to harness different forms of energy. Be it solar, hydro, algae or wind, there always seems to be a "better" source of natural fuel to consider. What about our bodies? Did you realize that we too can benefit from all these sources of natural energy?? Our bodies, that is-not just as an "outside source" to fuel our planes, trains, and automobiles!
We are all looking for something to give us a boost in the day, or to make it through the workout, or not crash early in the evening after a long day. With the right kind of lifestyle-proper nutrition, exercise, hydration and rest, energy can be harnessed and used. We can definitely use the sun's energy for our bodies in producing Vitamin D, which is a serious matter today! Studies show that lack of Vitamin D can increase risk of reproductive system cancers, as well as deplete energy levels. The latter I experienced personally. It is important to get 5 to 10 minutes of sunlight a day, to help the body regenerate it's Vitamin D supply through the skin. It is also necessary for the absorpition and utilization of calcium and magnesium, which is imortant for muscle contraction, and bone health.
As for the "hydro"...I think we all know we should be drinking more water, right? Some of us do, but there are those times we all fall off the "water wagon", so to speak. Coffee, tea, and juice are not water. Dehydration will cause a multitude of symptoms from headache and fatigue, to nausea and muscle cramps. Even disguise itself as hunger! Uh-oh! Just sip water throughout the day, and you should keep hydrated well enough. Your goal...consume about half your body weight in ounces of water to keep the body happy. And don't GULP or drink a huge glass all at once!! You can actually fool the body into thinking that you just had a meal, and the blood will direct itself to the digestive tract, leaving the other organs and cells less hydrated than they were before! You can counteract what you were trying to acheive in the first place. All things in moderation.
Except for air! We need that on a much more constant basis, agreed? Yes , though we all breathe, sometimes we tend to take "shallow" breaths, or hold our breath during activity or stress throughout the day. Remember to breathe!! I keep a picture of a dolphin in different parts of my apartment to remind me to breathe better. I once read that some of the North West Native American tribes consider the Dolphin Totem as a reminder to take in the breath of life in a very spirtual way, and that it helps keep a good, even pace in the day and in life. I liked that philosophy, and thought it important to remind us that we need to breathe during our activities in a more efficient way. The muscles need oxygen carried by the blood, and if you hold your breath, especially during exercise or heavy physical activity, you deplete the body of valuable oxygen rich blood, and can feel a bit drained, and lightheaded. So take a deep breath , and exhale...feel better?
Now that we've covered sun, water and wind energy, (aren't we all modern and green!) let's talk about the real "green energy"! No , not for your car...and not green M&M's. This is what the body absolutely LOVES!! Oh, yeah! A-L-G-A-E !! Spirulina!! Woo Hoo! You heard me! Now we are getting deep! Well, not that deep. It grows ON the water, is an AMAZING source of protein, and SUPER RICH in "Phytonutrients", and makes anything you put it in turn ....GREEN!!! Green orange juice! Green smoothies! Green Milk! I don't recommend that last one...not a great idea...Blah! But, to each his own. Saying that, I find that it is a great boost of energy, and the body loves you for thinking on such an incredible level as to consider it's benefits. What are they?? I never thought you'd ask! To name a mere few...it can strengthen the bodies immune system helping it fight off disease, and inhibit tumor growth and viruses. I suffer from seasonal allergies, as does my son, and I have found that keeping spirulina on hand on a daily basis has made a difference. It tastes better in orange juice, I find. Or blended into a protein shake is a good way to get a dose. Phytonutrients are found in plant food sources, fruits and green vegetables, but that spirulina really kicks it up a knotch! So go ahead..."Go Green"....all the way!!