Work Out To Work Well

In order to do whatever job it is you are trying to do in a physical or mental arena, the smartest way to ensure good results is ...to work out! Studying, training for a specific task via courses or on the job tasks is a given, but the true way to make the most of your abilities is to get moving. By giving your body a physical workout on a regular basis and raising your heart rate for 30 to 45 minutes will ensure a good boost of blood flow to the brain. When this happens you not only get to release endorphins and reduce stress, you handle later stresses better, and open up your brain function to working on a more efficient and creative level. By fast paced walking, or a good aerobic activity of your choice, running, biking, etc., you engage the mind in a whole new arena. Keep a pad and pen on you and write down new ideas or solutions that may pop into your head.

On the physical side, per the manual labor side, you will condition your body to withstand physical and mental stresses that your job doles out on a regular basis. Take the nurse and her patients...lifting people out of bed, or helping someone out of a chair, and that list can go on and on. The body and mind takes a toll, and these stresses can be reduced drastically by regular workouts. It doesn't have to be anything fancy or over the top either. Walk briskly, do some stair climbing, and do some core training with crunches, squats and push ups a few days a week for about 30 minutes. You will feel a difference, get stronger, be better at your job, make a better impression to others at work, and be less prone to injury, no matter what your career. You will also be healthier. So in a nut shell, eat lots of veggies, focus on positive instead of negative, and work out for physical, mental, spiritual ...and even occupational health. Be strong! Preserve and empower your life!! Merry Christmas!

Seasonal Foods

We are all told how good seasonal foods are, but why? Well I can tell you a bit to help you understand better. Let's take this season for instance. Pumpkin is fantastic for vitamin A, as are other squash family vegetables with an orange or yellow color. Pomegranates are great for antioxidant health and keeping you healthy this time of year. These nutrients are helpful for keeping us healthy for the cold and flu season, and keeping the taste buds happy. Season foods add color and a lot of micro nutrients to our diet so that we can keep a healthy immune system to fight off all types of disease. Everything from antioxidants for cancers, to protection from viruses and other degenerative diseases. Our bodies need a huge variety in foods to keep things healthy and running smoothly. The best sources for vitamins and minerals and all micro nutrients is their natural food source...and organic at that. The best thing is to get the vitamins you need from the foods you eat and maybe take a whole foods multivitamin to add any back up additional help you may need. If you eat a largely organic, plant based, maybe even raw foods diet (vegan) than I would say make sure you are getting a fantastic variety. If not, then you have some work to do. Remember also that you shouldn't depend on supplements for your nutrients, but keep the fresh foods on hand for that. The other stuff should merely be a compliment to your intake. Keep it in whole foods form, and they can be found at your local health foods store, or at www.classicnutrition.net if you so choose. The name brands you see in the common drug stores are synthetic usually...even the best sellers. They can't be absorbed by the body, so hunt our a good whole foods vitamin if you are serious about getting or staying healthy!

Whatever you decide, just remember that the food source is the best source. Easy on the animal proteins like meat and dairy, and keep the fruits and vegetables high priority!

My seasonal favorite? A butternut squash soup, with onion, potato,garlic,carrots,broccoli,barley, and some cayenne pepper or "picka-peppa" sauce for flavor. I suggest the spicy stuff as alone it is bland. I make it with a vegetable base or vegetable broth, and add water not any milk of any kind. Enjoy it hot. For a treat with a hot drink I like vegan pumpkin bread, and that is a great family favorite too! There is a recipe on www.classicfitness.ning in the Nutrition Circle. Enjoy!!