Healthy Seasonal Tips from Dr. Jamie McManus

Posted by Dr. Jamie McManus on Jan 11, 2013 in Health

You might have heard (or noticed by way of your empty school or workplace) that this year’s flu season is off to a bad start. How bad? Reports are that this flu season is the worst we’ve seen in about 10 years. The flu is so bad this year that Bostonhas declared a public health emergency. You can also take a look at the flu tracker from Google, which lets you compare previous years to this one and shows the dramatic increase in people with flu this year (with no end in sight).

Having the flu is no fun, but there are ways to avoid getting it in the first place:

• Wash Your Hands: Despite all the high-tech wizardry we have, the best protection is still the simplest: wash your hands. The problem isn’t with what you get on your hands, it’s when you move your hands to your face. Estimates are that most people touch their face somewhere between 5 and 20 times every hour. That means whatever is on a doorknob, sink, desk, or the person’s hand you just shook is going to make it to your nose, mouth, or eye. Once there, it is a short trip until you are sick.
• Cover Your Nose and Mouth: When you cough and sneeze make sure you cover your nose and mouth. Throw away tissues after you use them.
• Be Healthy: Your body can better handle a bug if you are healthy. This means getting plenty of sleep, eating healthy, drinking plenty of fluids, and exercising.
• Boost Your Immune System: I like to include lots of garlic and onions in my food during flu season. Onions and garlic have long been used for their healing properties and they are a tasty addition to any meal (especially soups). There are many other herbs and nutrients that can also help support your immune system; make sure you get enough of them as well. I also take NutriFeron and Defend and Resist @ pamela-godfrey.myshaklee.com 

With a little planning you could make it through this flu season in your best health.

I HAVE LOST 17LBS!!!

A Healthy Attitude and Weight Loss Story

Posted by Guest Blogger on Dec 31, 2012 in Healthy Weight

This is a guest post written by a Jennae of Green and Gorgeous. Jennae was part of the Shaklee Corporation’s Team #Cinchspiration Campaign.  Jennae received free products, online support and incentives for participating.

I had given up. My daughter was 7 years old, and I had been overweight her whole life. She had never seen me any other way, and I think I had stopped seeing myself any other way, too. Besides, life was busy, and wasn’t it just easier to skip dinner while I worked and order pizza for dinner when I was at home. And breakfast? What was that?

I lived like this for years, seriously overweight‑ and addicted to convenience food. I knew that I needed to make a change, but lacked the willpower and the tools to do it. Fast food and packaged snacks were just too easy.

So I gave up. I told myself that it was no big deal that I was a “big girl” and that I could feel comfortable in my skin regardless of my size. I stopped beating myself up about it and told myself I had to work with what I had. Because, let’s face it, I’m not going to lose the weight anytime soon. And sugar? Well, I’m not breaking up with sugar, so….

The funny thing is that I actually started to love myself as I was. And believe it or not, it’s just when I had reached true self-acceptance when I found the thing that would change my life, and my health, for the better.

I started using Shaklee’s Cinch^® inch-loss program almost on a whim, with hopes that it would work, but accepting that, regardless of the outcome, I’d still love myself.

That attitude is, in part, why I think I was able to stick with Cinch. I didn’t start in a moment of desperation. I didn’t start it wanting to get into a bikini. I was just hoping to get healthier and break my habit of eating too much convenience food. So I was determined to be thankful for the opportunity, regardless of the outcome.

• The outcome, thus far, is a 40.5-pound weight loss and a total loss of 22 inches in five months.* And I am amazed. 

Cinch isn’t some fad diet. And for me, it has helped me transition from eating nothing but convenience food to much healthier choices‑with the help of healthy meals.

Because Cinch is completely convenient. It is really easy to grab a meal-in-a-bar in the morning and make a shake for lunch. So how has it helped break my habits? Well, I still have to make good choices for a healthy dinner and supplement the shakes and bars with nutritious options such as fruit, veggies, and nuts. And I had a calorie limit for the day. What I found early on is that I was highly motivated to give Cinch the best possible shot by not ruining it with junk food.

So instead of pizza or fat- and calorie-loaded potatoes and fried chicken for dinner, I started eating baked salmon, shrimp cooked without butter, lots of cooked and raw veggies, and limited starches‑even whole grain ones. I got a kick out of sharing my healthier meal choices with my friends and family online, and it became easier and easier to keep it up.

And while I still indulge myself with pizza or rich pasta once I in a while, I have learned how to moderate. One slice instead of four. A small bowl of pasta instead of a full plate. I’ve learned to pay attention to recommended portion sizes and sodium, fat, and sugar content.

And it has worked.

This is why I love Cinch. Because you have to make healthier choices on your own, even at the beginning of the program. It also prepares you for the day when you’re ready to transition off it.

So I’m 40 pounds* lighter, and I have about 35 pounds more to lose. Because of Cinch, I not only believe, but now KNOW that I can lose even more / get to a healthier weight. For that, I am incredibly thankful.

* Results and experiences from Cinch are unique for each person, so results may vary.  In the preliminary 12-week clinical study, participants on average lost 15.4 pounds.

Why Calcium is Still Important

Posted by Dr. Jamie McManus on Dec 13, 2012 in Health, Natural Nutrition

All I can say is what a relief!

As anyone who reads this blog must know, I have long been a believer in getting plenty of calcium and the reasons why are clear to anyone who follows the news. The numbers are staggering: more than 200 million people worldwide have osteoporosis (10 million of those in the United States).

But osteoporosis itself is not the primary problem; the real harm comes from broken bones. It has been estimated that women over 50 years old have a 50% chance of fracture some time in their lives because of osteoporosis. Even men are not immune; they have a 25% chance of fracture. That accounts for over 5,000 bone breaks every day, or two million breaks a year because of osteoporosis in the United States.

Broken bones lead to broken lives. Elderly who suffer fractures have less mobility, less independence, may become bedridden, experience depression, and may even shorten your life.

So you can imagine my concern when two recent studies suggested that taking calcium supplements might be associated with an increase risk of heart attack. Our need for adequate calcium is obvious, but if taking it could hurt our hearts, is it worth it?

I was happy to learn that a panel of academic and industry experts convened to see if they could clear up this question. The panel included experts in the fields of cardiology, nutrition, bone health, and epidemiology. The panel collected and examined the available body of scientific literature, including randomized controlled trials (RCTs) on calcium supplementation and the relationship to heart health. Here is what panelist Dr. Robert Heaney, MD of Creighton University School of Medicine had to say after their review:

“There is a strong body of evidence from a variety of rigorous scientific studies reinforcing the benefits of calcium in promoting bone growth and maintenance. After reviewing the entire scope of scientific literature for calcium, we are now more confident than ever in both its health benefits and safety.”

The panel of experts has confirmed what I have been suggesting for a long time: most adults need around 1,000 milligrams of calcium in their diet daily (more if they are pregnant, lactating, or more than 50 years old). In my opinion you can continue to take your calcium supplements with the confidence that you are doing the best thing for your body and bones.

Make Wise Choices for Healthful Snacking

Posted by Dr. Jamie McManus on Aug 15, 2012 in Announcements, Healthy Weight, Natural Nutrition

It’s 3 pm. You’re hungry. And let’s face it, dinner seems like it’s a year away. You think twice before grabbing a snack because your trying hard to lose weight or you simply don’t want to “ruin your appetite” before dinner. Eventually hunger wins and you reach for some cookies or chips. Before you know it, you’ve devoured the entire box or bag!

Well it looks like you’re not alone.  American adults are snacking more than ever and based on the latest statistics I’ve read, snacking accounts for almost 1/4^th of our daily calorie intake.  And while it’s true that traditional snacks are usually high in salt, fat and sugar, healthful snacking is possible. That’s why I’m so excited to tell you about a new product we just introduced at our annual Global Conference in Las Vegas, Nevada.  Coming soon, we will have a brand new addition to our Cinch ® product line – Cinch® Snack Crisps. Baked to perfection, these crunchy, savory snack chips give a whole new meaning to healthy snacking! They come in two great flavors – sea salt and barbeque. They have 100 calories per serving, 7 grams of hunger fighting protein, 2 grams of fiber and contain no trans fats. They’re also gluten free and have a low glycemic index.  Finally, a healthy savory-type snack that not only tastes fabulous but is good for you and your entire family!

So remember to choose your snacks wisely. Think of them as mini-meals and fit them in to a healthy eating plan without over doing it on your daily calorie intake. Remember to snack only when you feel hungry not just because you’re bored or stressed. Watch your portion sizes. Avoid eating snacks directly from the big box or bag.  Have a single serving snack (like our Cinch Snack Crisps!) so you have more control over your calories. Another great strategy is to think ahead. Keep a variety of healthful snacks around at all times, that way when you do get hungry you won’t be tempted by the high salt, high fat, high sugar and snacks that may be lurking nearby.

Be Well!

HELPING OTHERS

I love helping others, but with that said I am not a very good "Care Giver".   My husband Art is a great "Care Giver".  He has taken care of me during all my cancer treatments and surgeries for the last nine years.  God knew what He was doing when He put Art in my life and I am very thankful.

My passion is helping others. If you are looking for something I will research it, if you need a job I will look at help wanted ads, if you need new flooring I will research and shop with you  I love decorating homes, shopping,  I love helping people find jobs, my son and his friends are always on my mind when I see help wanted signs.  

I would love to help you with your health or financial needs.  I have wanted to expand my business because I love helping others.  Just contact me and we can talk.

Toss Those Harmful Dryer Sheets in the Trash!

Did you realize that while you're trying to make your family's clothes snuggly-soft and static-free you may be doing more harm than good?

It's true: Many commercial dryer sheets are loaded with chemicals and fragrances that can be absorbed into the skin and have nasty side effects. Some of the chemicals are even listed on the Environmental Protection Agency's Hazardous Waste list! And those chemicals are being absorbed into your skin and into your bloodstream.

You won't find a list of 'ingredients' on the package of most dryer sheets; but, according to SixWise.com, here are some chemicals that have been found in dryer sheets and mainstream fabric softeners:

Benzyl acetate: Linked to pancreatic cancer

Benzyl Alcohol: Upper respiratory tract irritant

Ethanol: On the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Hazardous Waste list and can cause central nervous system disorders

Limonene: Known carcinogen

A-Terpineol: Can cause respiratory problems, including fatal edema, and central nervous system damage

Ethyl Acetate: A narcotic on the EPA Hazardous Waste list

Camphor: Causes central nervous system disorders

Chloroform: Neurotoxic, anesthetic and carcinogenic

Linalool: A narcotic that causes central nervous system disorders

Pentane: A chemical known to be harmful if inhaled

There is a safe alternative for you and your family.

Shaklee Dryer Sheets are completely safe and non-toxic. They are also better for the environment because they are recyclable. They're veggie-based. They're biodegradable. And they even split in two in the dryer for fair and just distribution of soft, static-free goodness to every, last humble pillowcase.

Here's a little more information on these innovative new way to keep your clothes soft and static-free:

  Comparable to Snuggle^® and Bounce^®  Pure Essemcials^TM Dryer Sheets at softening and    static reduction.* Plus, you can throw the whole thing in the recycling bin.

• Softens clothes and helps prevent wrinkles.
• No fragrance.
• Effectively reduces static cling.
• Uses vegetable-derived softening agents.
• Safe with all washable fabrics.
• Tear in half during the drying cycle to distribute softness
  throughout the load.
Clean Credentials
• Nontoxic
• Natural
• No fragrance
• Biodegradable sheets
• Recyclable sheets

* This performance comparison was conducted on May 19, 2010, and is valid only for the named products marketed at that time. All trademarks are the property of their respective owners.