Peaceful Living

What do the bible, the philosophy of yoga, the philosophy of all of the martial arts, the latest thinking on how to reduce illness and disease in this country, and the fundamentals of high performance in athletics all have in common? All are premised on the overriding importance of "peace" to our mind and body.

Peace is the natural state. As human beings we often undermine the natural state of peace by letting our ego's careen out of control. For left to its own, the ego creates a powerful force of our being eager to prove we are right - an action that time and time again creates stress and conflict. Chief among the destructors of peace is our ego and its need to be right. Let go of the need to always be right. As Dr. Wayne Dyer is fond of saying "when the choice is to be right, or to be at peace, always "choose peace."

As you focus more on being at peace, you are likely to discover a new purpose for life. Perhaps you will even discover your calling. When you do discover your calling, you will achieve even more peace when you align your activities with your calling.

R.I.C.E. For Sprains And Strains

If you suffer from a sprain or strain, use R.I.C.E. The term stands for Rest, Ice, Compression, and Elevation. Rest - Take a break from exercise or any type of movement that may stress the injured area. A minor injury should be rested for one or two days, while more severe injuries may need longer. Ice - Ice the affected area. Icing reduces pain, limits swelling and bleeding, and encourages rapid healing. Wrap ice in a towel to avoid direct contact with the skin. Compress - Compress the injury with a stretch bandage. Make sure not to wrap it too tight, just enough to support the injured area comfortably. Elevate - Elevate the limb. If possible, try to keep the injured part above the level of the heart. At the very least, try to keep it higher than the hips. This helps limit swelling and also prevents movement of the area that is injured.

Four Healthy Lifestyle Tips

1. Be communicative. Express your feelings in a non-threatening, non-combative way to significant people in your life, including your family, friends and business associates. Don't wait for the pressure to build and then blow your top. Catch the anger or concern before it causes you stress.

2. Find time for yourself, alone, every day. Even if it's just 10 minutes in the bathtub or 20 minutes walking or working out at the gym or with a friend. Spend the time in constructive ways such as meditating, listening to soothing music or just enjoying nature.

3. Don't try and keep up with the Jones'. Seeking material things is healthy until it becomes more important than human things such as sharing time with loved ones, enjoying a sunset or catching some rays at the beach. Find work you love and do it with a happy heart.

4. Build a network of trusted friends with whom you can share ideas, joys and sorrows. Remember to give as well as to receive.

Trans Fatty Acids

Trans fatty acids, also known as trans fat, is an artery-clogging fat that is formed when vegetable oils are hardened into margarine or shortening. While some foods like bakery items and fried foods are obvious sources of trans fat, other processed foods, such as cereals and waffles, can also contain trans fat. One tip to determine the amount of trans fat in a food is to read the ingredient label and look for shortening, hydrogenated or partially hydrogenated oil. The higher up on the list these ingredients appear, the more trans fat. Be Sure to Read The Ingredients!