Want to enjoy better health, greater happiness and inner peace? It’s as simple as counting your blessings.  An attitude of gratitude can go a long way toward vibrant health. From Cicero to Buddha, philosophers and spiritual leaders around the world have lauded the merits of gratitude as a major factor in health and happiness. The world's major religions, including Hinduism, Judaism, Christianity and Islam, have prized gratitude as a spiritually beneficial emotional state. In recent years, doctors and psychologists have jumped on the bandwagon. Researchers in the emerging field of positive psychology say that studies in the “science of gratitude” indicate that thankful people are happier and healthier, have less stress and enjoy better relationships.

At Thanksgiving it is traditional to sit around the table with your family to discuss the blessings that you have received. For many people that is the ONLY time of the year when blessings are counted and gratitude is expressed. But what about the other 364 days of the year?  Researchers have found that every day is Thanksgiving for the happiest and healthiest people who walk among us. Gratitude, expressed daily, will strengthen your immune system and help you approach life with greater optimism.  Grateful people take better care of themselves and engage in more protective health behaviors like regular exercise, a healthy diet and regular physical examinations.

Research suggests that the average urban dweller is bombarded by more than 1,500 advertisements each day, most of which make us feel dissatisfied with what we have. The messages suggest that we cannot possibly be happy unless we purchase the latest and greatest goods and services. Unfortunately, millions of us have fallen victim to this consumer mentality and become miserable when we can’t have everything we see. The misguided focus on materialism is taking a toll on our nation’s physical and mental health.

The word “gratitude” comes from the Latin word gracias, which means grace. Gratitude is rooted in the truth that all of life is a gift to be received and enjoyed. Much has been written in recent years about the “law of attraction”. When you approach life with a spirit of optimism, good things are more likely to come your way. Every day for the next month, focus on having an attitude of gratitude. Train your mind to focus on your blessings, not your disappointments. If you having trouble staying focused, consider keeping a “gratitude journal” to chronicle your blessings.  Make gratitude a habit and encourage your loved ones to do the same. You will find that when you give thanks your blessings will grow and multiply.

Yours in good health,

Sheila McCormick
Editor, IVL Health Watch

Most people know that plums, apples, carrots, broccoli, beets and anything green is better for you than anything in a box, can or bag that’s loaded with salt, sugar and preservatives.

Fix Your Digestion and Fix Your Health.

Your colon is a battlefield filled with “friendly” and “unfriendly” bacteria.  The friendly bacteria (also known as probiotics) help you to assimilate nutrients. They also prevent the attachment of “unfriendly” microflora, which can dilute the strength of your immune system.
 
A wide range of both traditional and alternative health professionals now agree that a continually replenished stronghold of “friendly” bacteria is essential for a robust and worry-free digestive system.  Unfortunately, levels of “friendly” bacteria rapidly decline with age.

The information contained within this newsletter is meant to be used to educate the reader and is not intended to provide individual medical advice. Before you take any supplement, please consult your physician or other licensed healthcare professional to determine if it’s appropriate for you. IVL Health Watch is a publication of Institute for Vibrant Living™.

These products are not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease. This information has not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration.

The holidays are a time for sharing. Unfortunately not everything we share is healthy. Now that the weather is cooler people are spending more time indoors making it easier for the “Flu Grinch” to take hold and put a damper on your holiday fun. The good news is that there are several steps you can take to keep the Grinch at bay so that you and your loved ones can have a happy and healthy holiday season.

Now is the time to develop your cold and flu prevention strategy which should include a nutritious diet, immune-boosting supplements, exercise and plenty of rest. Fresh fruits and vegetables play a key role in keeping us healthy, but most people tend to eat fewer fresh vegetables in the winter. The average adult  needs at least five servings of fruits and vegetables each day to get the adequate vitamins, minerals, fiber and antioxidants needed to keep the immune system strong. The hardest part of holiday eating is avoiding foods that contain excess sugar and unhealthy fats, such as saturated fats and trans fats. Make sure to keep healthy snacks (like dried fruit or trail mix) handy so you won’t be as tempted to eat fat-laden foods.

One of the most important things you can do to ward off winter illness is to wash your hands often. A recent study published in the British Medical Journal found that regular hand washing with soap and water was more effective than drugs in preventing the spread of respiratory viruses such as the flu. Use warm water and soap and wash your hands, up to the elbows if possible, for 20 seconds. Rinse thoroughly to remove soap. Make sure your children understand the importance of frequent hand washing.  If you are in a situation where you can’t wash your hands with soap and water, alcohol-based gels and wipes can be used.

Avoid touching your eyes, nose or mouth. These are the “major points of entry” for all kinds of germs, particularly those that cause colds and the flu. If you have the sniffles, cover your nose and mouth when you cough or sneeze to prevent others from becoming infected.

Regular exercise also plays a role in boosting your immune system. When it is cold outside it is easy to give in to the “couch potato” temptation. Stay active by joining a gym or taking an aerobics class.  Buy a couple of exercise videos that you can use at home. In addition to contributing to strong muscles and cardiovascular fitness, exercise is also an excellent stress buster. Colds and flu are more likely to strike when people are stressed.

Drinking plenty of fluids is another “stay-well” strategy for winter. Fluids, especially water, flush out toxins. The beauty of water is that it is readily available and it has no calories, salt or sugar. Bear in mind that fruits are comprised of 80-90 percent water, so they can be an excellent source for increasing the fluids in your diet.

Consider adding supplements to your diet. Look for immune boosting formulas. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 19 percent of adults use some form of herbs, botanicals and enzymes to enhance their health and boost their immunity. Vitamin C and zinc are especially helpful in strengthening the immune system. Pine cone extract has been used for decades as a homeopathic treatment for colds, cough, inflammation of the mouth and frequent infections. Zinc is a mineral that is needed for a healthy immune system and is often sold as an over the counter natural treatment for the common cold. Echinacea is available as a dietary supplement that can be used to prevent or decrease the duration of the common cold.

Yours in good health,

Sheila McCormick
Editor, IVL Health Watch

In the midst of compromised sources for our water, air, food and soil…

Enjoy Renewed Confidence for Life

NOW, THERE'S A NATURAL WAY TO CORRECT THE UNDERLYING CAUSES
OF SEXUAL FATIGUE AND ENJOY RENEWED CONFIDENCE FOR LIFE!

The information contained within this newsletter is meant to be used to educate the reader and is not intended to provide individual medical advice. Before you take any supplement, please consult your physician or other licensed healthcare professional to determine if it’s appropriate for you. IVL Health Watch is a publication of Institute for Vibrant Living™.

These products are not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease. This information has not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration.

An Apple a Day Keeps the Doctor Away...  Hey, wait a minute, who said that?  And why would one simple, humble little piece of fruit be thought to keep away "the doctor," or potential illness?  Well, Hippocrates, the father of medicine, didn't say it; and neither did any other famous doctor or spokesperson.  This old familiar quote has been attributed to a traditional nursery rhyme, one that dates back to the sixteenth century.

"An apple a day keeps the doctor away

Apple in the morning - Doctor's warning

Roast apple at night - starves the doctor outright

Eat an apple going to bed - knock the doctor on the head

Three each day, seven days a week - ruddy apple, ruddy cheek!"

You see, apples contain a very beneficial fiber called pectin, and pectin absorbs toxins in your digestive system.  Apples are also high in vitamins and minerals, especially in magnesium, which is very good for muscle relaxation an

d the health of your heart.  Even the skin of an apple is loaded with health-giving properties.  Research shows that apple

skin contains unique polyphenols such as quercetin, proanthocyanidins and many others that help to neutralize so many different toxins and diseases. 

There's another old saying – an old French proverb – that states, "spinach is the broom of the stomach."  Well,

apples are like the "broom of the bloodstream."  Apples help sweep the bloodstream of excess cholesterol and toxins, they create a sweep throughout the entire system.  It is said that apples are best consumed on an empty stomach, as their action is to sweep clean the bloodstream and digestive tract.

Grandma was right, an apple a day CAN help to keep the doctor away.  In fact, researchers at St. George's

Hospital in London found that eating at least five apples per week could help your respiratory system, and help you to breathe more easily.  These researchers found evidence of abundant anti-oxidants and other healthy compounds contained in the fruit.  In addition, studies have shown that high consumption of pectin-rich foods can contribute to a lowering of blood cholesterol levels.

Apples are abundantly grown in many states, and in countries like Chile, New Zealand, Australia and South Africa.  Apples are fat-free, sodium-free, cholesterol-free, and an excellent source of fiber.  One medium apple is only 80 calories.  Americans are said to eat approximately 19.5 pounds of fresh apples annually, compared to about 45 pounds consumed annually by residents of European countries.

Archeologists have found evidence that people have been enjoying apples since at least 6500 B.C.  During the early 1800's, a pioneer apple planter named John Chapman distributed apple seeds and apple trees to settlers in Ohio and Indiana.  We remember him today as Johnny Appleseed.  China leads the world in apple production today, with the U.S. ranking second, followed by France, Italy and Turkey.

Fresh apples, besides being delicious to sink your teeth into raw, can be baked, put into pies, cooked with entrees, shredded into salads, and pressed into tasty cider and made into the remarkable health-giving apple cider vinegar.  Even the famous Edgar Cayce recommended a Three-Day Apple Cleanse for detoxification and weight loss.

While many countries may grow apples, the best ones for your health are grown as close to home as possible.  Buy organic whenever you can; find a local apple grower if possible.  And always wash your apples before eating them.  Use a spray veggie wash--usually made with citric acid or grapefruit seed extract – or you can also make your own by mixing one part hydrogen peroxide with three parts purified water, and mist from a clean spray bottle.

Yours in good health,

Cindy Gray
Guest Health Writer

Apple Cider Vinegar EXTRA™ has NO artificial colors ... flavors ... or preservatives!  Just nature’s best ingredie nts to help renew your body!

Today, millions of satisfied