Recently in Healthy Living Category

New Jersey's arts community has a new, vibrant and dynamic organization.  lustigdancetheatre, under the artistic leadership of Graham Lustig, has been created to provide exciting opportunities to appreciate the benefits of dance.  With a pledge to promote wellness through dance in the community, lustigdancetheatre (LDT) is offering classes that focus on fitness, strength, balance and flexibility for all ages. Mr. Lustig states: "Dance is a life-long experience.  At any age, what you learn from dancing can be applied to many areas of your life. It can be enriching and a lot of fun."

The cornerstone of the organization is a troupe of 12 professionals, the lustigdancetheatre.  This unique dance company will be housed at the new studios.  Board of Trustees President, Richard Salvadore was inspired "To create an outlet for Graham and his dancers who are truly passionate about this art form." The company's repertoire will have a foundation built on Mr. Lustig's highly respected and innovative work and will also include works by up-and-coming choreographers.

Opening September 20, LDT's Dance and Wellness Studio will provide a positive atmosphere for students to experience first hand the benefits of dance. Located within walking distance of the New Brunswick train station, there are two dance studios with a Wi-Fi enabled waiting lounge.  Classes will be offered for all ages in ballet, contemporary, hip hop and tap along with Pilates, yoga-stretch and "Fit Folk" - music and movement for seniors - with many of the classes being taught by experienced LDT company members.

Collaboration, live music, community-focused educational programming, and personal interaction between dancers and audience highlight LDT's commitment to providing New Jersey and beyond a relevant and engaging experience with art.

The general public is invited to LDT's free open house September 15-17, 4:00 pm - 8:00 pm and September 18, 10:00 am - 2:00 pm.  Interact with the company dancers, enjoy refreshments, and attend free open classes.

Graham Lustig is based in New Brunswick, NJ heading up his new company lustigdancetheatre.  He is also working part time as a consultant for the Oakland Ballet Company.

Classes at LDT's Dance and Wellness Studio begin September 20.  A preview of this new company can be seen October 23 at Ramapo College followed by the official premiere November 5 at Middlesex County College.

lustigdancetheatre is located at 80 Albany Street in Downtown New Brunswick.

Nutra Summa, makers of patented immune balancing health supplements, and Yoga Journal magazine team up to spotlight healthy lifestyles for kids and give readers a chance to win Yoga Revolution - a new compilation CD featuring award-winning artists Sarah McLachlan, Seal, Sting, Sheryl Crow and international artists Angelique Kidjo, Anoushka Shankar, Ziggy Marley, Krishna Das, Deva Premal and Donna De Lory. Yoga Journal's 35th Anniversary September issue features music icon Sarah McLachlan on the cover along with an interview on her love of yoga.

Readers are invited to enter the contest at http://www.yogajournal.com/sweep/94 to win a Yoga Revolution CD, which was created to raise funds for yoga-based fitness classes in schools serving underserved youth throughout the country.

"Maintaining a healthy life balance comes in many forms, whether it's taking natural vitamin supplements or simply getting kids to move to music," said Dr. Mayur M. Dev, yoga practitioner, pharmacist and director of product safety for Nutra Summa. "Nutra Summa is committed to increasing customers' knowledge and education on our innovative products which is why we have a pharmacist on staff. We proudly support the mission of Yoga Revolution."

Yoga Revolution was produced by Frank Fitzpatrick, a multi-platinum producer, Grammy-nominated songwriter, yogi and the founder of EarthTones. The CD is part of EarthTones' Music with A Heart program and features Nettwerk Music CEO and yogi, Terry McBride, as the executive producer. Proceeds from the CD will benefit the Yoga Health Foundation's national health education and fitness programs.

For more information about Yoga Revolution visit www.yogarevolution.org. For more information about Nutra Summa, visit www.nutrasumma.com. 

Kashi Company, the premier natural food and lifestyle company, today unveiled two, new natural lifestyle initiatives including Natural Nearby™, a new Web search tool offering instant access to natural goods and services, available at www.kashi.com; and the online Kashi Yearbook celebrating the brand's 25-year history and ongoing mission to provide people with positive nutrition and improve the health of the environment. 

"As we embrace and celebrate 25 years of providing people with innovative foods, we're ecstatic about sharing our latest initiatives and some useful everyday tools that will help others join us in embracing the natural and healthy lifestyle movement," said Keegan Sheridan, natural food and lifestyle expert at Kashi.  "We are always thinking of what we can do to further promote positive change and educate, and these unique programs fall right in line with this charge."

Among the lifestyle tools Kashi now offers on its website, Natural Nearby  (www.kashi.com/natural_nearby) is a resource that offers people easy access to identifying natural goods and services offered in their own communities.  Kashi's new search tool and accompanying map will instantly provide relevant listings and word-of-mouth recommendations on everything from leisure activities and food to consumer goods, health and beauty, and services.  People are invited and encouraged to add listings to the Natural Nearby page, as well as their own personal favorites, in order to grow the database and offer like-minded neighbors a complete guide to natural resources in their local area. By providing individuals with the ability to quickly search for local natural stores, venues and destinations, Kashi hopes that, with the help of naturally-inclined people everywhere, it will now be just a little easier for people to embrace and live a more natural lifestyle.  

A second feature now available on Kashi's website is the first annual Kashi Yearbook, created to commemorate its anniversary milestone and serve as a vehicle to share the company's history, values and social and environmental efforts over the past two and a half decades with the public.  Since the very beginning, the Kashi family has maintained strong values and a genuine passion for promoting natural health and the Kashi Yearbook provides viewers a comprehensive, insider's look at the company, its food, and the causes and actions it supports.

Kashi is additionally excited about its involvement and partnership with two influential projects in 2010, which are aligned with the company's mission and philosophies. The company is a proud supporter of 180 SOUTH, the powerful new documentary capturing the unforgettable adventure of surfer and climber, Jeff Johnson, as he retraces the epic 1968 journey of Yvon Chouinard and Douglas Tompkins to the Chilean Patagonia.  Taking viewers on a compelling ride through an extraordinary land being threatened by environmental degradation, this film will be shown in select U.S. markets throughout summer 2010. This year, Kashi was also a presenting sponsor for the Kokua Festival 2010, an annual benefit concert and festival held in support of the Kokua Hawai'i Foundation and its mission to expand environmental education in local classrooms.

"Our Kashi family is incredibly passionate about the education and awareness surrounding natural living," continued Sheridan.  "We started this year off on a really exciting note and plan to grow our role as a natural lifestyle leader through supporting programs we believe in and creating resources we're proud to share with everyone."

For more information on Kashi's latest natural lifestyle initiatives and events, visit www.kashi.com.

Founded in 1984, Kashi dreams of a world where everyone embraces natural health.  As a natural lifestyle pioneer, Kashi is passionate about and committed to improving the health of people and our planet.  By providing great tasting, healthy and innovative foods, Kashi enables people to achieve optimal health and wellness, while also leading them on a path toward embracing a natural lifestyle.  Kashi encourages people to live their best lives through its interactive online community at Kashi.com and Day of Change cross-country tour supporting natural living.  It also educates people through Wellness Hub, educational events that inspire the local Kashi community to embrace natural healthy lifestyle.  To learn more about 25 years of Kashi's mission, sustainable efforts, values and roots, get inspired by the Yearbook on Kashi.com. 

The Organic Consumers Association (OCA), the nation's largest consumer group dedicated to organic integrity, is pleased the nation's largest natural products retailer Whole Foods Market is taking action to address widespread organic labeling fraud in personal care. Such brands as Avalon Organics, Nature's Gate and Giovanni make organic claims on products whose main cleansing and moisturizing ingredients are generally made without any organic material whatsoever and are usually composed in significant part from petrochemicals. Whole Foods staff should be commended for taking such a bold meaningful step on behalf of organic integrity for their customers. The new standard announced by Whole Foods is a milestone achievement for OCA campaigners who recently began escalating tactics with boycotts of organic cheaters, protests at trade shows and forging strong alliances with groups such as Consumers Union.
  

"In the wake of the BP oil spill, Whole Foods' announcement couldn't come at a better time. Now more than ever, Americans are searching for alternatives to petro-chemicals, including in the bodycare aisle," says Ronnie Cummins, co-founder and Executive Director of OCA. "The new Whole Foods policy is a major victory for people who want to stop washing petrochemical formulations all over their bodies and then down the drain.  These consumers want trusted options for real organic personal care. Whole Foods policy will force major organic cheater brands to drop organic claims from their branding and labeling."

The new Whole Foods Market policy on "organic" labeling personal care products states:  "We believe that the 'organic' claim used on personal care products should have very similar meaning to the 'organic' claim used on food products, which is currently regulated by the USDA's National Organic Program. Our shoppers do not expect the definition of 'organic' to change substantially between the food and the non-food aisles of our stores."

Whole Foods' new policy mandates that "Organic Product" or "Product made with Organic [specified ingredients]" claims must be certified under the USDA National Organic Program, just like food.  A more limited "Contains Organic Ingredients" claim for personal care may be certified under the NSF ANSI 305 standard, which has additional allowances for personal care products.  All organic claims which are not certified, including "Organics" in branding must otherwise be dropped. Brands have been told they have until August 1, 2010 to explain how they will change their labeling or formulations to comply with the new standard. Those that don't submit an explanation are expected to be dropped from store shelves over the coming year while those that comply will have until June 1, 2011 to be in full compliance with Whole Foods' new policy.  

Other major natural product retailers such as Trader Joe's and the National Co-Op Grocers Association (representing over 100 natural product retailers in the US) now have a choice in the face of Whole Foods' new policy. Will these other natural products stores follow Whole Foods' lead and require truthful labels, or will they choose to enable organic fraud with the old status quo?  With two labeling options, natural stores must make a choice and can no longer duck responsibility and profit from organic cheater brands ripping off their customers. OCA will send a letter to all of these stores asking for a formal response by August 1st, whether they will join Whole Foods in demanding that organic fraud cease in their stores by June 1, 2011.  OCA will then publish each stores' response so consumers can see whether their preferred natural products store chooses to stand up for organic integrity or not.  To see letter go to http://www.organicconsumers.org/bodycare  

"What a relief for people ridding themselves of petrochemical products, that they can shop at least one chain without worry they will be ripped off with petrochemical formulations masquerading as organic products," says Cummins. "Trader Joe's, NCGA and all other natural products stores need to get with the program and follow this market leader's example."  

Mr. Cummins published an Op-Ed today in the Huffington Post entitled "The Oil Spill in the Bathroom."  OCA also submitted a letter to the USDA National Organic Program, following up the formal Complaint OCA submitted in January against organic cheaters, informing NOP that all the relevant organic groups in the US, including OCA, OTA, Consumers Union, Cornucopia and Whole Foods, have weighed in that NOP needs to regulate personal care.   See http://www.organicconsumers.org/

SOURCE Organic Consumers Association

On June 22, 2010, Flavorpill and JetBlue's TrueBlue will host the world's largest yoga event ever as 10,000 people of all backgrounds, sizes, and skill levels will simultaneously practice on the Great Lawn in Central Park, NYC.


Since the inception of Flavorpill nearly a decade ago we have celebrated all aspects of local arts and culture, promoting the efforts of the creative community and encouraging us all to participate in the sharing of good ideas. We believe that yoga can make the world a better place through its tremendous health benefits and as a conduit for greater self awareness. Inspired by our collaborations with The Junior Associates of the Museum of Modern Art on the YoGA at MoMA series, we're extremely excited to offer a yoga class to a much larger community. Additionally, with the nurturing, inspirational style of renowned yoga teacher, Elena Brower, yogis of all levels will be able to participate.

In collaboration with JetBlue, smartwater®, The Standard, New York, and Gaiam, Yoga at the Great Lawn is free for all, our gift to New York and those around the world who come in to join us on the first full day of summer. We hope this shared cultural event will serve as an inspiration for us all.

Entrance to Yoga at the Great Lawn opens at 5:30pm. From 5:30pm to 7:15pm, participants will be entertained by the comedic and musical stylings of our host, Reggie Watts, live performances by poetry slam extraordinaire, Buddy Wakefield, Grammy nominee singer DALIEN, aka 13 Hands, and singer, Wah!. At 7:15pm, Elena Brower will take the stage, accompanied by bassist, Garth Stevenson, and begin yoga class, guiding the 10,000 participants through their downward dogs, warrior ones, and chair poses. Following class, participants are invited to enjoy live drumming by O'Nkosi Rhythms.

Choosing the ultimate running superfoods can help you stay slim, fuel up and recover. Make sure these six items are on your shopping list!  



1. Almonds supply a decent dose of vitamin E, which studies have shown can help stave off postworkout soreness. Toss almonds on top of oatmeal or spread a tablespoon of almond butter on apples or bananas, but don't go nuts--they're still relatively high in calories

2. Eggs are egg-cellent energy sources, thanks to their protein content. Runners tend to load up on carbs but skimp on protein. Not only does protein provide energy, but it's essential to recovery, as it repairs tissue damaged during and after training. Keep a handy supply of hard-boiled eggs in the fridge for snacks, salads or sandwiches.

3. Leafy Greens can contribute to a stronger skeleton. No bones about it: Like other forms of weight-bearing exercise, running is a bone-health boon. For extra help, munch on spinach, collard greens, kale and bok choy. The gang of greens boasts high levels of vitamin K, which aids with the production of proteins essential for bone health.

4. Oranges may accelerate your burn! The vitamin C content helps your body absorb bone-building calcium and has been shown to increase fat burn during exercise. You'll see oranges on the sidelines of any road race: The juicy slices are the ultimate lift during or post-run.

5. Quinoa is a complete protein. It contains all eight muscle-mending amino acids, so it can help your body bounce back after a workout. It's a low-cal alternative to traditional grains, so give it a try if you hear yourself saying, "Pasta again?!" Or swap it for rice in a veggie stir-fry.

6. Sweet Potatoes provide sustained energy rather than the flash-and-burn jolt of simple, or white, carbs. The orange spuds' serious punch of complex carbohydrates means they're in it for the long haul! They also have protein, fiber, potassium and vitamins C and A.

Also, check out Self's ultimate running guide, here!

U.S. Foodservice today answered First Lady Michelle Obama's call to help schools promote healthy eating habits as part of the "Chefs Move to Schools" initiative.  The program, run through the U.S. Department of Agriculture, allows chefs to adopt K-12 schools across the United States to help reduce childhood obesity.

U.S. Foodservice Corporate Chef Marty Bermpohl joined Mrs. Obama on the South Lawn of The White House this morning to launch the program. Bermpohl is adopting a school in the Washington, D.C. area, and will work with students, teachers, parents, school nutritionists and administrators to re-build menus, cook, educate and help improve food and nutrition in a fun and appealing way.  

"As a leader in the foodservice distribution industry, U.S. Foodservice is in an ideal position to help schools develop healthier and more nutritious school lunches for the nation's children," Bermpohl said. "This is a great idea and we applaud the First Lady for making Chefs Move to Schools a key part of the solution to reducing childhood obesity."

U.S. Foodservice was recently featured on ABC's "Jamie Oliver's Food Revolution" as one of the nation's leading suppliers of fresh produce and meats to public and private schools. The company also distributes food and related products to restaurants, hospitals, colleges and universities, hotels, military bases and other facilities. 

More than 31 million children participate in the National School Lunch Program and more than 11 million participate in the National School Breakfast Program.  By joining the Chefs Move to Schools initiative, U.S. Foodservice hopes to help improve the nutritional value of the food many of these students consume.  

U.S. Foodservice is one of the country's premier foodservice distributors, offering more than 43,000 national, private label and signature brand items and an array of services to its more than 250,000 customers. The company proudly employs 25,000 associates in more than 60 locations nationwide who are poised to serve customers beyond their expectations. As an industry leader, with access to resources beyond the ordinary, U.S. Foodservice provides the finest quality food and related products to neighborhood restaurants, hospitals, schools, colleges and universities, hotels, government entities and other eating establishments. 

Guides to Organic and Natural Food Markets, Healthy Restaurants, Farmer's Markets, Green Attractions, Entirely Non-Smoking Hotels and Highway Guides are available at the upgraded OrganicTravel.com

Organic Travel (www.organictravel.com) announced today that it has added new content to its worldwide travel guides. Organic Travel publishes guides to healthy and organic places. In the guides you will find natural food markets, farmer's markets, organic and healthy restaurants, organic wineries, outdoor and natural attractions to visit and much more. These guides are perfect for people who like to travel but find it difficult to find healthy alternatives to the standard dining fare available at most restaurants. The guide is great for people with special diets such as gluten-free, low-carb, preservative free food and other needs.

New to Organic Travel's guides are completely non-smoking hotels, natural and outdoors attractions and pesticide-free parks. At an entirely non-smoking hotel you don't have to worry that a non-smoking room may not be available. Also, you don't have to worry about the smoke from neighboring rooms or floors. Natural and outdoor attractions include organic farms and wineries, parks for camping, nature tours, wildlife viewing and other places to visit. Pesticide-free parks are those that don't use chemical pesticides on the grass, making it safer for everyone, including children and pets.

"We love to travel, however, it has proven difficult to find healthy alternatives to the fast food restaurants as well as entirely non-smoking hotels," says Tara Kain co-founder of Organic Travel. "Organic Travel gives people greater opportunities to travel while maintaining their healthy lifestyles."

Organic Travel was founded in 2006 by Tara and Len Kain to publish guides to healthy travel. Organic Travel's free web guides have nearly 10,000 listings in the U.S., Canada and worldwide.

The first lady has kicked off a national campaign that charges young Americans to "get up and move," changing the life goals of the newest generation. While the campaign and message are a strong effort, a national epidemic can only be changed with a personal choice to live better. It all starts with one parent, one effort, to take the time to live healthier, to want your children to live healthier. It's more than the number on a scale; it's a way of life. 

"Children are young, impressionable individuals echoing the behaviors of their older generation role models," said Kimberly Dennis, M.D., Medical Director at Timberline Knolls Residential Treatment Center, a leader in treatment for anorexia nervosa, bulimia, compulsive overeating and binge eating disorders. "Kids follow by example and unhealthy lifestyles from a guiding counterpart can set a precedent for how they are to act in the future, but so can the way we speak to our children about their bodies. Healthy eating is not something that should be stressed once the number on a scale reaches a high level, but for all children at all body sizes."  

It is up to parents to set the example while kids are young and continue to instill good nutritional advice on them. By instilling these values in children at early ages, they are better setting up their children for a life of good, healthy choices. "Maintaining a healthy weight and learning to make the right choices is a lifestyle," said Dr. Dennis. "It is up to the individual, or in a child's case their care giver, to employ those lifestyle practices. That is how we will change this generation."

When eating habits are changed because parents feel their children's weight has reached a high level, this can cause disordered eating. Over time, as this continues, it reinforces this disordered eating behavior which can develop into an eating disorder such as anorexia or bulimia.

"This kind of behavior is usually associated with serious physical and emotional health problems," said Dr. Dennis. "As a society, we rely too much on weight as the be-all-end-all of health matters, but there is so much more to it. We must return to a healthy relationship with food, which will open up the door to a healthier body image for all and a better, more promising future for our children."

Natural Food and Lifestyle Leader Addresses Issues within the Natural Community through Three-Day Summit

Kashi Company, the premier natural food and lifestyle company, today announced the findings of its Darzana summit, an invitation-only event that serves as a natural foods think tank.  The event brought together thought leaders from the broader natural foods community to assess timely issues that affect natural living.  This year's topic of discussion was the nation's large-scale food system and how society can best support natural food within this system.  Darzana, a Sanskrit word meaning "meet, observe, understand and intellect," was initiated by Kashi and first hosted in 2008. 

As part of its continued mission to make it easier for consumers to take action in support of natural food, Kashi, along with a select group of 18 esteemed natural experts, deemed education and transparency to be the key factors impacting the modern food system.  A series of specific actions aimed at creating a mindset in support of natural food resulted from the three-day summit held last fall in Sundance, Utah.  

"At Kashi, we believe that there is a fundamental gap in the quality and accessibility of natural food in our modern food system," said Keegan Sheridan, natural food and lifestyle expert at Kashi.  "We attribute much of this to the lack of education and transparency at a very basic level, as these issues lead to decreased demand and expectations.  Because of the diverse range of knowledge from our expert attendees, we were able to identify attainable actions individuals can participate in to create lasting change at multiple levels of our food system from the farm to the classroom to the kitchen."

Over this three day summit, Kashi developed specific actions to provide individuals a better understanding of their role and ability to impact natural food today and in the future. Each of the actions are supported by a selection of challenges and resources on Kashi.com to help get people involved and provide support in their process to supporting natural food.  The actions include:

1. Educate yourself on the issues affecting natural food in our modern system
2. Understand the food life cycle
3. Learn to cook natural foods
4. Become politically aware and get involved
5. Be a steward of the environment
6. Volunteer your time to the natural foods movement
7. Take time to appreciate Mother Nature

Among the participants this year was Jeffrey B. Blumberg, professor, Friedman School of Nutrition Science and Policy and senior scientist and director, Antioxidants Research Laboratory at Tufts University. "Our focus is on creating new and effective ways in which everyone - government, industry and individual consumers - can work together to support sustainable ways to produce our food, promote our health and protect our planet."

Fellow Darzana attendee, Russell H. Greenfield, M.D., director of Greenfield Integrative Healthcare, PLLC and president of Greenfield Consulting, LLC, echoed Blumberg's sentiments, "In the end, what was so inspiring was that people of such disparate backgrounds and interests indeed did find commonality and were able to design a cogent set of plans to help address the major issues facing the provision of natural, healthy food to people. If a successful business can make doing so a priority, it seems each and every one of us can, too."

Kashi Darzana represented a wide range of industries and disciplines, from agriculture and farming, to manufacturing and policy, and included the following participants:

• Daniel Fabricant, PhD, interim executive director & CEO, Natural Products Association
• Marty Matlock, PhD, PE, CSE, area director, Center for Agricultural and Rural Sustainability, professor of ecological engineering, University of Arkansas
• Edward Bauman, M.Ed., Ph.D., best-selling author and executive director at Bauman College
• Jeffrey B. Blumberg PhD, FACN, CNS, professor, Friedman School of Nutrition Science and Policy and senior scientist and director, Antioxidants Research Laboratory at Tufts University
• Nicki Briggs, MS, RD, director of communications, Chobani Greek Yogurt, past program director of the Mediterranean Foods Alliance at Oldways Preservation and Exchange
• Jennifer Curtis, founder and CEO, Curtis Consulting - environment and agricultural consulting
• Jen Dalton, Slow Food Nation Organizer
• Steve Demos, CEO and founder, Next Foods, founder and former president White Wave Inc.
• Anthony Flaccavento, executive director, Appalachian Sustainable Development
• Zonya Foco, RD, CHFI, CSP, Zonya Health International
• Russell H. Greenfield, M.D., director, Greenfield Integrative Healthcare, PLLC and president, Greenfield Consulting, LLC
• Alissa Hamilton, PhD, JD, food & society policy fellow, Institute for Agriculture & Trade Policy
• Sally Lamont, N.D., L.AC., licensed naturopathic doctor, acupuncturist, Marin Natural Medicine Clinic
• Paul Maschka, naturalist and organic farmer, urban farming instructor
• Mark Overbay, marketing and communications manager, Counter Culture Coffee
• Amy Paxton, nutrition graduate student in farm to school programs, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill
• Kathie Swift MS RD LDN, nutritionist, Kripalu Center for Yoga and Health
• Jeff Johnson, MS nutrition science, natural lifestyle associate director at Kashi
• Keegan Sheridan, licensed naturopathic doctor, natural food and lifestyle expert at Kashi  
• Dae Lee, MBA, associate director marketing at Kashi
• Sarah Ceccarelli, MS human nutrition, senior brand manager at Kashi

To learn more about Darzana or additional resources individuals can use in order to promote natural foods and healthy living, visit www.Kashi.com/darzana.

SOURCE Kashi Company

Gaiam, Inc., the leading distributor of lifestyle media and fitness accessories, today announced the release of Trudie Styler's Sculpt & Tone Ballet featuring the actress, producer, and environmental activist. This is the fourth DVD release in the Trudie Styler mind body and fitness series that combine elements of yoga, Pilates and ballet with traditional exercises. It also features Trudie's personal celebrity fitness trainer James D'Silva, who trained as a ballet dancer in his native Goa.

Filmed at Il Palagio, the eco-friendly villa Styler shares with her husband Sting in Tuscany, Trudie Styler's Sculpt & Tone Ballet offers two 25-minute ballet workouts. The first workout is a barre routine designed to improve strength, balance, and posture, followed by a chair routine that uses conventional and modified ballet moves to increase flexibility while toning muscles.

"Ballet dancers are known for their extraordinary strength and grace," said William S. Sondheim, Gaiam President of Entertainment and World Wide Distribution. "With this new DVD, Trudie and James bring elegance and artistry to the everyday fitness routine in a way that will produce results."

Bonus features for the DVD include interviews with Styler, Sting, and D'Silva, with music from Sting's classical album Songs from the Labyrinth; a special Chakra Meditation with Styler and D'Silva; a behind-the-scenes look at the self-sustaining Il Palagio estate and the couple's organic wine production; and a step-by-step footwork tutorial designed to help beginners become accustomed to ballet moves.    

Gaiam's Trudie Styler mind body and fitness series has been widely popular. The series has been featured on NBC's "Today," "The Rachael Ray Show," "Martha Stewart Show," "Access Hollywood," and in numerous print outlets including Elle, Haute Living, Yoga Journal, Harper's Bazaar, and more. The three DVDs in the collection are Trudie Styler's Warrior Yoga, a dynamic yoga routine that incorporates gentle, elongated positions for total-body strengthening; Trudie Styler's Cardio Dance Flow, a fun and fast-paced workout with high intensity cardio intervals for improved endurance and maximum toning; and Trudie Styler's Core Strength Pilates, an energizing full body workout perfect for maintaining strength and vitality.

The DVDs are available online and in retail stores wherever DVDs are sold.

Trudie Styler is an actress, film producer, director, human rights activist, environmentalist, organic farmer, and UNICEF Ambassador.  In 1988, Trudie and her husband Sting started the Rainforest Foundation, an organization devoted to protecting rainforests and their indigenous peoples. Trudie's charitable works for human rights and the environment have been recognized by many award-giving bodies. As an Ambassador for UNICEF, Trudie is committed to working to improve the lives of impoverished and exploited children all over the world.  In 1990 Trudie and Sting moved to Lake House in the English countryside and, determined to raise their children on a fresh and healthy diet, set about converting the 200 acres of farmland to organic status. Trudie's passionate concerns for the environment and human rights motivate many of her career choices, and are reflected most clearly in her documentary films and fundraising activities

Gaiam, Inc. (Nasdaq: GAIA) is a leading producer and marketer of lifestyle media and fitness accessories, with a 70,000 door retail distribution network, over 11,000 store within stores, a digital distribution platform and more than 8 million direct customers. With dominant share of the fitness and wellness market, Gaiam is dedicated to providing solutions for the many facets of healthy, eco-conscious living. The company's commitment to quality, coupled with a forward-thinking approach to merchandising and distribution, has allowed it to dominate the health and wellness category with celebrity talent Marisa Tomei, Valerie Bertinelli and Trudie Styler and fitness sensations Bob Greene, Rodney Yee, Mari Winsor and The Firm.  In addition, the company releases non-theatrical programming focused on family entertainment under its exclusive licensing agreement with Discovery Communications and other licensing partners.  For more information about Gaiam, please visit www.gaiam.com or call 1.800.869.3603. 

Miss America 2008, Kirsten Haglund, and her mother, Iora Haglund; former White House Drug Czar, Four-Star General Barry McCaffrey; the Chief of the California Women's Health Office, Terri Thorfinnson, appointed by Governor Schwarzenegger; and the CEO of the country's largest behavioral treatment provider, CRC Health Group, Dr. Barry Karlin, will address a news conference at 11AM Friday, April 9 highlighting a daylong conference in Newport Beach to bring "awareness and action" to confront "Eating Disorders--America's Silent Danger."



Miss America 2008, Kirsten Haglund

The conference is gathering experts from throughout the Western U.S. and is hosted by The Victorian Newport Beach Residential Programs for Eating Disorder Treatment and cosponsored by Montecatini Eating Disorder Treatment Center of San Diego and Sierra Tucson Treatment Center of Tucson, AZ.

The conference and 11AM news event are at The Turnip Rose, 1901 Newport Boulevard, Costa Mesa, CA 92627.

Miss America '08/Kirsten Haglund will speak openly about her own battle with eating disorders. Her mother, Iora Haglund, RN, BSN, MSA, will share her firsthand experience of family intervention and will discuss the importance of close involvement and seeking expert treatment. General McCaffrey will address the dimensions of the national crisis and the importance of action.  California Women's Health Office Chief Terri Thorfinnson will discuss the work the state is doing in prevention and empowering women to learn about their own health.  Dr. Karlin will address the crisis uncovered, the future of the eating disorder industry, and how treatment providers can make an impact.

According to the National Eating Disorders Association, ten million females and one million males are right now fighting a major health battle with an eating disorder such as anorexia or bulimia. The title of the conference is "Awareness and Action on Eating Disorders--Confronting America's Silent Danger." 

Contact: Bob Weiner/Rebecca Vander Linde 301-283-0821/202-306-1200 weinerpublic@comcast.net

It's now easier and tastier than ever to enjoy a freshly prepared and delicious salad with Olivia's Organics NEW Single-To-Go Salads.  

The NEW Olivia's Single-To-Go Salads feature three healthy varieties: a fresh spring mix salad with savory balsamic dressing; classic crisp chopped romaine salad with garlic croutons and Caesar dressing; and a yummy baby spinach salad with tangy ranch dressing.  Each individual salad comes complete with a plastic fork and is delivered in Olivia's 100% recyclable packaging which also serves as a bowl, making it easy to take with you and enjoy no matter where you are, anytime.  Plus, these delicious salads are affordably priced at $2.99 each, less than most sandwiches!

From the field to the fork, Olivia's family holds the strictest standards for freshness and food safety, with 100 percent traceability.  All of Olivia's Organics products boast a new trademark tag line, 'Any fresher and we'd still be growing.' - Locally packaged. Family Approved.  This new slogan embraces Olivia's Organics mission to provide the freshest, most delicious all natural, organic tender leaf lettuce, spinach, celery hearts and seasonal vegetables to diners while respecting our precious environment. All salads are triple washed, ready to eat and conveniently available at grocers across the northeast.

"With today's on-the-run society we don't always take the time to eat right," said Mark DeMichaelis, President of Olivia's Organics.  "With our Single-To-Go Salads we wanted to make life easier for families to enjoy a healthy, fresh and delicious meal anytime, anywhere."

Olivia's salads are locally packaged in Massachusetts for maximum freshness and are cultivated on certified organic farms exclusively in the U.S.  Selecting Olivia's Single-To-Go Salads help not only your body and the environment, but the local community too.  Olivia's gives back a portion of all proceeds to the Olivia's Organics Charitable Foundation, benefiting children in the communities where products are sold.

The complete line of Olivia's Organics Crunch Bunch and Original Salads feature: 50/50 blend, Baby Arugula, Asian Salad, Herb Salad, Baby or Crispy Romaine, Baby Spinach, Spring Mix, Sweet Baby Lettuce Blend and Italian Crunch.

For more than 70 years Olivia's family has been bringing the freshest, best quality, all-natural tender leaf lettuce, spinach and celery hearts to consumers in the Northeast. In 2006 the Olivia's Organics brand was born as a way to provide the finest certified organic tender leaf salads possible to consumers. Olivia's Organics farmers, handpicked by the family, cultivate their fields using only earth friendly, organic methods. The salad varieties are locally packaged in Chelsea, Massachusetts following the highest standards for freshness and food safety, with 100 percent traceability.  Its packaging is reusable, contains no BPA and is made from recyclable materials. As committed as Olivia's Organics is to quality produce, the company is equally committed to investing in the lives of our children. As such, a portion of all profits support the Olivia's Organics Charitable Foundation, benefiting community-based children's charities where products are sold.  To learn more about Olivia's Organics and its foundation please visit: http://www.oliviasorganics.org/

Health care costs and heightened public health concerns have consumers focused on staying well in 2010. That's according to a recent MamboTrack(TM) study by Mambo Sprouts Marketing, the leader in natural and organic product marketing and promotions, which surveyed the organic buying and wellness habits of 1,000 natural product consumers to get an outlook for the coming year.

Nine in ten (88%) consumers took additional steps recently to promote their family's health and wellness. With the economic recovery in slow mode, consumers are going "back to basics" to bolster their health, with 7 in 10 or more taking vitamins (84%), eating the recommended fruits and veggies (73%), and choosing organic foods (68%).

These same consumers plan to increase their commitment to health and wellness behaviors including fitness and exercise (64%), getting enough sleep (63%) and eating fruits and veggies (61%). More than 1 in 2 reported adding more "raw" and "whole" foods into their diet (57%), eating organic foods (53%) and meditation and relaxation (52%) would be more important in 2010.

Consumers identified more health/wellness product coupons (93%) and a wider selection of health/wellness products (62%) as the retailer and natural product company strategies they would find most helpful.

Most (59%) expect to buy more organics in the coming year, albeit cost conscious consumers are seeking ways to make organics more affordable by shopping sales (53%) and using coupons (51%). Interest in buying local is on the rise with consumers shifting natural and organic dollars away from local gourmet markets (16%) and discount stores (15%) in favor of farmer's markets (52%) and local food co-ops (43%).

Consumers rated produce (69%) as the category most important to purchase organic. Other organic purchasing priorities include milk (54%), meat and poultry (54%), children's food (53%), cheese and eggs (50%). Respondents were least likely to identify beer and wine, (7%), desserts and snacks (21%) and pet products (23%) as very important to buy organic.

Notably, most survey respondents had already adopted basic "green" habits including recycling (82%), and using energy saving light bulbs (75%), environmentally friendly cleaning products (61%), and energy efficient appliances (52%). Apart from energy efficient light bulbs, those same tools ranked highest in green priority for 2010 along with eco-clothing and "green" restaurants.

SOURCE Mambo Sprouts Marketing

Bon Appetit Management Company's Eat Local Challenge aims to solve the healthcare crisis through flavor.

Chefs at the sustainable food service company's more than 400 university, corporate, and specialty venue cafes know that the best way to ensure diners make healthier choices is to first appeal to their palates.

Diverse opinions about how to solve the healthcare crisis abound, but a growing number of people like USDA Secretary Tom Vilsack, food journalist Michael Pollan, and Renegade Lunch Lady Ann Cooper agree that a healthy diet with a variety of fresh fruits and vegetables is a good start. The conundrum: produce picked unripe and transported across the country is not as appealing flavor wise, as locally harvested, peak season produce. You can taste the difference. Potatoes dug from a local farm the day before will taste earthy and sweet. Pears allowed to ripen on the tree will be juicy and fragrant, not hard and mealy. A fig picked ripe from a local farm will taste better than any sugary processed dessert. Through long-standing relationships with small-scale, family farms, Bon Appetit chefs are able to provide such delectables.

On September 29th, 2009, for the company's 5th annual Eat Local Challenge, Bon Appetit chefs will pull out all the stops. On that day, every diner in every single Bon Appetit cafe will enjoy a meal made from 100% local ingredients grown and produced from within 150 miles or less of each cafe. This includes dairy products, cooking oils, meats, vegetables--everything but salt.

The Challenge educates diners about the variety of foods available in their local areas, inspiring them to seek out what their local foodsheds have to offer. It's one important step toward building support for local food economies and beginning to rebuild robust regional food systems.

The meals showcase the best of the season's harvest as well as the tastiest artisan and indigenous foods--from Minnesota's wild rice to Monterey's sardine. The Challenge is a celebratory way to make healthy, delicious foods easily accessible to thousands of college students and corporate employees nationwide, and to prove that local food really does taste better. It's one thing to be able to shop at the farmers' market and prepare local food at home in your own kitchen. But the work or school day doesn't usually include such choices. Unlike most public cafeterias serving up bland, tasteless food, Bon Appetit's cafes serve up affordable, restaurant quality food prepared by highly trained chefs. Through the company's Farm to Fork and Healthy Cooking initiatives, great tasting, health-promoting choices are available every day.

The annual Eat Local Challenge requires an extra level of commitment to sourcing locally. And sometimes it requires planning months in advance.

"We wanted to produce a truly 100% local pizza," says David Apthorpe, Executive Chef at Case Western Reserve University in Cleveland, Ohio. "Just in time for the Eat Local Challenge, farmer Monroe Stutzman of Stutzman Farms in Millersburg, harvested and milled the first custom wheat flour exclusively for our pizza. His 35 acres of wheat will produce 70,000 pounds of flour, which will make more than 70,000 pizzas for the Case community to enjoy, year-round. That's the kind of synergy between farmers and chefs that the Eat Local Challenge is all about."

As a final advantage, buying locally keeps money in the local community, and those benefits extend far beyond the eaters and farmers. With the economic downturn and the healthcare crisis both at the top of the news, it's wonderful that the simplest acts, like choosing wholesome foods produced close to home can have an impact on both.

For more about the Eat Local Challenge: http://www.bamco.com/page/25/eat-local-challenge.htm

SOURCE Bon Appetit Management Company

People with chronic low-back problems who do yoga also do better at overcoming pain and depression than people treated conventionally for back pain, a West Virginia University study funded by the National Institutes of Health shows.

The three-year, $400,000 study, published in the September issue of the journal Spine, showed lifted mood, less pain and improved function in the group that did yoga postures compared with a control group who received standard medical therapy.

"The yoga group had less pain, less functional disability and less depression compared with the control group," said Kimberly Williams, Ph.D., research assistant professor in the Department of Community Medicine. "These were statistically significant and clinically important changes that were maintained six months after the intervention."

The 90 study subjects, who experienced mild to moderate functional disability, were randomly assigned to the yoga group or the group that received conventional medical therapy. Yoga participants took 90-minute classes twice a week for 24 weeks, doing postures targeted to relieve chronic low-back pain. Follow up continued for six months after the end of classes or therapy.

"Proponents of yoga have long described its benefits in reducing back pain," Williams said. "But not everybody was convinced. This is a much bigger, much more rigorous evaluation than had been done before."

The classes were taught by certified Iyengar yoga instructors. A popular form of yoga in the United States, Iyengar yoga emphasizes postures that encourage strength, flexibility and balance.

In the United States, low-back pain represents the largest category of medical reimbursements, with $34 billion in direct medical costs reported annually, Williams said.

For an abstract of the study see

http://journals.lww.com/spinejournal/Abstract/2009/09010/Evaluation_of_the_Effectiveness_and_Efficacy_of.18.aspx.

SOURCE West Virginia University Health Sciences Center

The Organic Center (TOC), a leading independent research and education institution dedicated to advancing scientific research behind the health and environmental benefits of organic products and farming, announced today that they are hosting the "For the Health of Our World" fundraiser on Saturday, September 12, from 6 to 9:30pm at Clif Bar's Headquarters in Berkeley, California. Bay Area influencers and organic advocates will join together to celebrate organic food and farming as a sustainable solution in promoting human health, reversing climate change and addressing world hunger issues. Upcoming research initiatives include calculating and analyzing the comparative environmental footprint and production of greenhouse gases of organic versus conventionally produced dairy and beef.

To kick off the fundraiser, TOC is hosting influential leaders for the "Entrepreneur's Open Forum" at the Numi Tea Garden on Saturday, September 12(th), located at 2230 Livingston Street, Oakland, California, from 10am until noon to discuss strategies for healthy business growth. Discussion leaders include Walter Robb, co-president of Whole Foods Market(R); Alex Petrov, president of Lucerne Foods(TM); Michael Funk, chairman of United Natural Foods, Inc. (UNFI); Samantha Cabaluna, director of communications of Earthbound Farm; Linda Gerwig, vice president of sales at Hain Personal Care; John Foraker, CEO of Annie's Homegrown(R); Jeff Mendelsohn, president of New Leaf Paper; Ted Nordquist, CEO of WholeSoy & Co.; Brent Knudsen, managing partner and founder of Partnership Capital Growth (PCGA); Rheem Rahim, co-founder and creative director of Numi Tea(R); and Will Burke, CEO and co-founder of Brand Engine(R). Guests will have the opportunity to ask questions and learn insights and strategies to enhance business.

Later that same evening following the intimate "Entrepreneur's Open Forum," TOC will host attendees at their fifth annual fundraiser, which will include a presentation from guest speaker Myra Goodman, co-founder of Earthbound Farm. Guests will be invited to sample delicious organic hors d'oeuvres prepared with O Organics((TM)) ingredients by celebrity Chef Domenica Catelli while sipping on specialty cocktails made with Square One((TM)) Vodka. The evening will also showcase a 15-minute film festival showcasing Food Inc, FRESH, Soil: In Good Heart, among other inspiring films and a silent auction featuring varied products and experiences from the Northern California community. Auction highlights include a vineyard tour, wine tasting, lunch and a mixed case of wine from Frey Vineyard; three weeks of Community Supported Agriculture (CSA) fruit and vegetable delivery; and other high-value items.

In addition to the morning discussion and evening fundraiser, media and journalist are invited to a meet-and-greet at 5:30pm prior to the Fundraiser to speak with the host committee; Dr. Charles Benbrook, the chief scientist at TOC; among other VIP attendees.

The host committee for the evening includes Walter Robb, co-president of Whole Foods Market; Michael Funk, chairman of UNFI; Gary Erickson, CEO of Clif Bar & Company; Ahmed Rahim, President, and Rheem Rahim, co-founder and creative director, of Numi Tea; Myra Goodman, co-founder of Earthbound Farm; and Alex Petrov, president of Lucerne Foods.

Sponsors of the event include Premier Sponsor O Organics; Platinum Sponsors Lundberg Family Farms(R), Organic Valley(R), Horizon(TM); Gold Sponsors Partnership Capital Growth Advisors (PCGA), Brand Engine(R); and Silver Sponsors Be Green Packaging and Whole Foods Market(R). The Organic Center would also like to acknowledge the continual support from their valued Cornerstone donors Annie's Homegrown, Aurora Organic Dairy, Dean Foods(R), Driscoll's(R), Frontier Natural Products Co-op(TM), The Hain Celestial Group, Hidden Villa Ranch, Nature's Path Foods(R), New Chapter(R), New Hope Natural Media, Small Planet Foods(R), Solera Capital, Stonyfield Farm(R), Sunflower Markets(R), United Natural Foods, Weil Lifestyle, and WhiteWave Foods.

The Organic Center is committed to raising awareness among consumers of the nutritional benefits of organic foods. Underscoring this mission, TOC recently refuted a study commissioned by the British government's Food Standards Agency (FSA) entitled "Nutritional quality of organic foods: a systematic review." Highlighting multiple missteps in the FSA's analysis, TOC released an in-depth analysis that shows the UK agency's failure to properly assess differences in the levels of antioxidants and not using stringent guidelines to determine whether the studies are scientifically valid.

Source: The Organic Center

From cranky bosses to incompetent coworkers, traffic jams, inconsiderate drivers, and crowded break rooms, the hurdles people encounter while making their way through the typical work day in big cities are enough to drive even the sanest of people up a wall.

Tanna Marshall, a holistic health consultant and certified massage therapist with more than 18 years' experience as a natural health practitioner, offers a collection of tips and advice to help people deal with the daily stressors of living in a big city in her new book, "Living Peacefully in a Big City: A Guide to Maintaining Your Sanity, Health and Happiness" (published by iUniverse). Along with the simple reminder to be kind to one another, Marshall includes suggestions on how to reduce stress and deal with difficult issues while staying healthy in body, mind and spirit.

"After returning from a trip to Hawaii in 1994, where I felt surrounded by kind, courteous and peaceful people, I was tempted to move to the islands," explains Marshall. "Instead I decided to bring the attitudes I encountered back to my hometown of Los Angeles, California. "Living Peacefully in a Big City" blossomed as I wrote down tips and advice learned during my careers, that have effectively allowed myself -- as well as my clients -- to reduce daily stress and to live more peaceful, fulfilled lives."

Marshall's personal, story-telling approach addresses basic daily issues with easy, practical solutions to quickly dissipate stress or negativity in any situation, ranging from physical to spiritual. Concise and to the point, "Living Peacefully in a Big City" answers impactful questions such as:

• How improving your sex life changes your work day
• Why people should take regular vacations before, not after, they are burned out
• What to do when you feel your temper rising and attitude declining
• What's the best way to handle an overwhelming workload
• Why random acts of kindness are more influential than people think
  

"Tanna Marshall has written an easily accessible, amazingly helpful and simple-to-apply tool kit of ideas to help us free the mind, heal the soul and open ourselves to a life of peace and power," says Mary Manin Morrissey, author of "Building Your Field of Dreams."

About the Author

Tanna Marshall is a holistic health consultant and certified massage therapist with more than 18 years' experience as a natural health practitioner. She enjoys helping others improve the quality of their lives in body, mind and spirit. Marshall resides in the Los Angeles area and is available nationwide by arrangement and via telephone. For more information, visithttp://www.TannasHolisticHealthcare.com or participate in Tanna's blog athttp://www.livingpeacefullynow.blogspot.com.

SOURCE iUniverse

With summertime in full swing, vacationers are packing their bags for the nearest beaches, parks and poolside locations. Spending an increased amount of time outdoors is common during the summer months, but before you start soaking up those rays, be sure you are properly equipped with the right products to help you stay healthy.

Dr. Melonie Clemmons, independent doctor of optometry at Wal-Mart Vision Center, offers some helpful tips on what you should pack in your bag to ensure your time outdoors is both fun and healthy:

• Always pack sunscreen to protect your skin from premature aging and skin cancers
  

Make sure you choose a sunscreen product with a sun protection factor (SPF) of 15 or higher and remember to reapply after swimming, sweating or toweling dry.(1)

• Bring along protective eyewear to block the sun's harmful UV rays
  

People often recognize the need to protect their skin from the dangers of the sun, yet few people realize that their eyes are also at risk. Even the sensitive skin surrounding the eyes can be damaged by prolonged sun exposure and is susceptible to wrinkling and forms of skin cancer. Consider wearing photochromic lenses like Transitions(R) lenses that are clear indoors and at night and automatically darken when exposed to UV light to block 100 percent of UVA/UVB rays.

• Water
  

Staying hydrated by drinking 8-10 glasses of water everyday can help combat the effects of increased sun exposure.

• Pack lip balm with SPF protection
  

The sun's UV rays pose a threat to your skin, eyes and also your lips. Wearing lip balm with SPF protection can protect your lips from overexposure to the sun and help prevent painful lip chapping.

• Pack a wide brimmed hat and other protective clothing
  

Selecting clothing that helps block some of UV rays further helps you keep both your skin and eyes protected from the sun. On really sunny days where you spend extended time outdoors, consider bringing a beach umbrella to provide you with a chance to relax in the shade.

• Check the UV index for your travel destination
  

Before you head outdoors visit (http://en-us.transitions.com/healthysight/uv/local.htm) check the UV index to see how strong the sun will be in your area, so you can plan accordingly for your time in the sun.

"In order to receive the maximum protection, it's important to make sure that your eyewear blocks 100% of UV rays," said Dr. Clemmons. "I recommend that my patients choose photochromic lenses, like Transitions( )lenses, as a convenient choice to bring with them on vacation. Not only do Transitions reduce distracting glare, but they also automatically darken as light conditions change to block 100% of UVA/UVB rays, protecting the eyes and the delicate surrounding skin from cumulative sun damage."

SOURCE Transitions Optical, Inc.

Stress is a natural part of life. Yet it seems that between the economic recession, multiple health crises, and other seemingly endless things, individuals are experiencing heightened anxiety. People often deal with stress by trying to find methods that will lessen their intense emotions. However, a number of eating patterns that people develop to cope during this time actually worsen the stress.

Here are some common eating patterns that you may fall into when under stress:

1. Starting a new diet.

While it may seem like a good idea to start a new diet when you're going through a stressful time, any type of diet is stressful. This is true whether you're resolving to fast during the day, eat only one meal a day, or throw out all the junk food and start a whole new healthy eating plan.

When you're under stress, the best approach is to make tiny changes. For example, decrease the number of sodas you drink a day from ten to eight. Or better yet, just resolve to eat an extra fruit or vegetable a day. Wait to embark on larger changes until you are less stressed emotionally so as to avoid stressing yourself physically.

2. Eating more junk food than usual.

It's not uncommon to feel hungrier under stress. The extra cortisol in your bloodstream from the stress reaction can increase food cravings, especially cravings for sweets and high-fat foods. Eating sweets can increase serotonin in our brains, which makes us feel good--but so can taking a walk. Most importantly, if you do yield to your craving, eat mindfully, with your attention focused on how the food tastes and on how it feels in your mouth and your body. Mindless eating tends to lead to overeating or bingeing; by staying focused on what you're eating, you're less likely to let emotions or stress control how much and what you eat.

3. Losing your appetite, only to have it come back later with a vengeance.

Although you may not feel hungry when dealing with a big stressor like the breakup of a relationship, don't stop eating, as this can increase your bingeing later on. Instead, eat small meals or snacks throughout the day to avoid rebound hunger.

4. Eating because your appetite is out of control.

If you feel like overeating, first check your level of hunger. Ask yourself what you're really hungry for (emotionally). What (emotions) are you trying to stuff down with your food? See if you can satisfy the craving or emotional need in another way. For example, drink a glass of water, call a friend, or take a walk. Stay mindful of what your body needs as opposed to what you need emotionally and respond accordingly.

5. Eating because you feel tired.

When you're stressed to the max, you may feel tired and have low energy. Don't mistake this for true physical hunger. Eating won't raise your energy in this instance; in fact, eating large amounts of food can actually further stress your body because it diverts scarce energy resources to digestion. Test whether or not you're physically hungry by eating a small snack and paying attention to your body's cues. If you find that you're just tired, then take a nap or engage in some other restful activity.

Here are some ways you can deal with it:

• Determine which patterns you identify with when you are under stress.
• List three telltale signs that will help you identify the patterns.
  

(Example: I know I'm stress-eating when I stop at a fast food restaurant on the way home and eat in my car. Or: I know I'm going to binge when I get home from work when I haven't eaten all day.)

• Decide on actions you can take when these signs indicate that you are stress-eating.
  

(Example: If I find myself craving fast food, I'll make dinner plans with a friend and talk about my stressful day. Or: When I realize I've skipped breakfast, I'll make sure to eat a healthy lunch and a mid-morning protein snack to avoid bingeing later in the evening.)

• Take one of the actions.
  

Adapted from The Binge Eating & Compulsive Overeating Workbook: An Integrated Approach to Overcoming Disordered Eating (New Harbinger Publications, July 2009) by Carolyn Coker Ross, MD, MPH. Dr. Ross is a physician, author, and nationally recognized speaker. She currently is a consultant for the dual diagnosis eating disorders program at The Ranch, an addiction treatment center near Nashville, TN and is in private practice in Denver, CO.

Strawberries are ripe, tomatoes are plump and watermelons are juicy...it must be summertime! Eating healthy as part of leading a spa lifestyle is easier than you might think -- by visiting local farmers' markets and food co-ops, you can buy locally and healthfully while spending less money. Spas are championing the cause by preparing meals from on-site organic gardens, and 19 percent are offering healthy cooking classes.

"The spa is the perfect place to educate yourself on healthy eating," said International SPA Association President Lynne McNees. "In fact, of the spas that offer educational programs and workshops, 51 percent offer nutritional counseling and 40 percent offer healthy eating programs. Spa cuisine can include wine, red meat and dairy products; it's all about creating a balance for your diet, mind, body and spirit."

Don't be fooled by the myth that spa cuisine is bland and unfilling; spa chefs are creating unique and scrumptious meals that still keep calories in check. ISPA members have got you covered this summer with tasty recipes they're cooking up. And, find out what spa chefs have to say about spa cuisine by watching this video. Below are some leading spa chefs' philosophies on spa cuisine:

• Chiva-Som International Health Resort, Hua Hin, Thailand - "Our concept is to provide healthy cuisine with many flavors so guests won't notice it's good for them! Moderation should be in the ingredients, not the flavor. All of our dishes can be made at home using ingredients that can be purchased anywhere," said Executive Chef Paisarn Cheewinsiriwat.
• The Elmwood Spa, Toronto, ON - "Food augments the spa experience by highlighting the importance of balancing nutritional intake with healthy, appealing and varied choices. We offer vegetarian and gluten-free selections, our meats are grain-fed and our sauces are free of preservatives and thickeners," said Senior Manager, Food & Beverage Britwin Dias.
• Ste. Anne's a Haldimand Hills Spa, Grafton, ON - "Deprivation only discourages - with that in mind, we tempt our guests with well-balanced meals that please the eye and palate. We use fresh ingredients to enhance flavors with herbs and reductions instead of rich sauces," said Chef Christopher Ennew C.C.C.
• The Spa at Pinehurst Resort, Pinehurst, NC - "Our focus is on healthy lifestyles for a lifetime, not short-term dieting and calorie counting. Our menus reflect heart-healthy and recommended daily allowances, combined with proper exercise, skin care and healthy life habits," said Executive Chef Thierry Debailleul.
• Willow Stream the Spa at The Fairmont Scottsdale, Scottsdale, AZ - "We seek farmers who know their seeds and soil, ranchers who care about their livestock and seafood purveyors concerned about the health of the sea. We've partnered with local farmers to grow vegetables and herbs exclusively for us," said Chef Noah Bekofsky.

SOURCE International SPA Association

What secret do Gwyneth Paltrow, Donna Karan and other celebrities know about creating healthy, vibrant life-and why are they all turning to Dr. Alejandro Junger?  Because over the past decade he has developed a program to help his patients reach new levels of vitality and wellness.  The program is explained in his book: Clean: The Revolutionary Program to Restore the Body's Natural Ability to Heal Itself.  Junger says it is unnecessary to suffer colds, allergies, extra pounds that won't come off, restless nights, recurrent digestive problems, itchy skin and acne or depression or fatigue.  He reveals the simple, whole life solution other doctors have missed.  

How many of us can honestly say we do not suffer from at least one of the following:

• Colds or viruses each year
• Allergies or hay fever
• Extra pounds that won't come off
• Restless nights
• Recurrent indigestion, constipation, or irritable bowel syndrome
• Itchy skin, acne, or any other troubling skin condition
• Depression, anxiety, or frequent fatigue

If you were to seek medical advice for any of the above, you would likely be prescribed pills, topical lotions, injections, or even surgery. Such treatments are used to manage the symptoms and do not address the root of the problem. Too often, doctors treat these common ailments as inevitable costs of living a modern life. The result is a patchwork approach to health care that has become the norm.

In Clean, a New York City cardiologist and a leader in the field of integrative medicine, Dr. Alejandro Junger offers a major medical breakthrough. Dr. Junger argues that the majority of these common ailments are the direct result of toxic buildup in our systems accumulated through the course of our daily lives. As the toxicity of modern life increases and disrupts our systems on a daily basis, bombarding us through our standard American diet and chemical-filled environments, our ability to handle the load hasn't accelerated at the same rapid pace. The toxins are everywhere, but Clean offers a solution.

Clean is an M.D.'s program that provides all the tools necessary to support and reactivate our detoxification system to its fullest capabilities, and can be easily incorporated into a busy schedule. The effect is transformative: nagging health problems will suddenly disappear, extra weight will drop away, and for the first time in our lives we will experience what it truly means to feel healthy.

Every day spent on the Clean program is a major step in healing not just the symptom but the root of the problem, effectively and simply. Dr. Junger's life-changing program restores what rightfully belongs to you--your health, vitality, and peace of mind.

Dr. Alejandro Junger is a prominent New York cardiologist and a leader in the field of integrative medicine.  Board-certified in internal medicine and cardiology, Dr. Junger trained and is now practicing in New York City.  After completing his medical training, Junger studied Eastern medicine in India.  He was the medical director of WE Care Holistic Health Center in Palm Springs, a world-famous center for fasting, cleansing and detoxification.  Currently he is in private practice at the renowned Eleven Eleven Wellness Center and is the director of integrative medicine at Lenox Hill Hospital in New York City.

As Americans hit the gym this summer to continue to tone up for the beach, Gold's Gym, the world's leading authority on health and fitness, is exposing some of the most common myths about getting in shape and offering the must have nutrition and fitness facts to help everyone reach their individual goals. From muscle soreness after a workout, to the timeless argument of running on a treadmill versus running outside, the fitness experts at Gold's Gym have put together a list of the top myths surrounding diet, exercise and fitness to help Americans maximize their gym experience.

"There is so much conflicting information about how to get in shape that it's no wonder people can get confused," said Robert Reames, Personal Training and Obesity expert of the Gold's Gym Fitness Institute. "We want to give Americans the clear cut answers to these common myths so that they can focus on reaching their goals and achieving lasting results."

Reames has identified the seven most common gym myths, and reveals the truth behind these misperceptions.

• MYTH #1: 1,000 crunches a day will guarantee you a six-pack.
  

FACT: There is no such thing as "spot reduction," but there is such a thing as spot conditioning. Muscles can be conditioned by training and focusing on them, but without burning the fat covering your abdomen, you'll never get that washboard stomach.

• MYTH #2: It's only a good workout if you're sore the next day.
  

FACT: Soreness is related to a number of factors, none of which directly correlate to muscle growth. In fact, Delayed Onset Muscle Soreness (DOMS) occurs when nerve endings become inflamed after micro trauma to muscle tissue. In short, don't overdo it.

• MYTH #3: Women get "bulky" or "masculine" if they lift weights.
  

FACT: Women simply don't have enough testosterone to attain the appearance of a male body builder. The muscle you are able to build lifting weights will only improve your appearance for a toned, sculpted and feminine appearance. Also, weight training builds muscle density, which is key to fighting osteoporosis.

• MYTH #4: Exercising long and slow burns more fat.
  

FACT: Your body uses fat for energy while exercising at a lower intensity, but training at a high intensity will burn more calories during and after you've stopped working out.

• MYTH #5: If you beef up on protein, you'll gain muscle.
  

FACT: Everybody needs protein to rebuild and repair muscles, but overloading on protein will get you nowhere. There's only a certain amount of nutrients your body can handle before it just turns to waste. According to the American Dietetic Association, six to seven daily ounces of lean meat provides enough protein for most athletes.

• MYTH #6: Running on a treadmill is better for your joints than pavement.
  

FACT: Joint pain surfaces anytime your body is pounding on a surface it isn't used to. To avoid jolting your neurological system, it is best to vary workouts between treadmill and pavement running. Elliptical machines and recumbent bikes can also be used in place of running.

• MYTH #7: Muscle turns to fat if you stop lifting weights.
  

FACT: Muscle cannot physically turn into fat, however muscles can begin to atrophy (reduce in size) after eliminating weight training from a fitness routine. In addition, metabolism will slow down and hinder the ability to burn as many calories, which results in an increase in body fat.

Dispelling myths and providing accurate information is all part of Gold's Gym's mission to help people achieve their individual potential through fitness.

Source: Gold's Gym

Anthropedia introduces DVD program designed by scientists and educators to teach viewers to understand their personality, manage stress, and build psychological resilience.

The Anthropedia Foundation, a non-profit organization based in New York and St. Louis, has introduced Know Yourself, an innovative DVD series designed for people interested in learning how to develop happier and healthier lives. The series is a step-by-step guide to improving well-being, integrating methods from various fields. Each part focuses on straightforward concepts and simple exercises that foster calmness, well-being, and mind-body health. The first three parts of the Know Yourself series are now available on Anthropedia's website and have been donated to clinics and non-profit organizations. Know Yourself Part 1: Exploring Your Personality examines three ingredients for lasting satisfaction and fulfillment in life. The course provides viewers with the opportunity to use the online version of the TCI, an internationally renowned personality test. The resulting personality profile allows viewers to determine how their character and temperament both help and hinder their well-being. Part 2: Understanding Thought examines the three steps of thought. Understanding these steps and potential traps in thinking helps people adapt more easily to stressful events and challenges in everyday life. Part 3: Quieting the Mind introduces the "Silence of the Mind" meditation, a technique to calm the agitation of the mind and cope with mental tension and struggles. Parts 4 and 5 of the program are scheduled to be released this fall. Each part of Know Yourself follows a clear sequence, including an introduction, feature discussion, brief review, and description of recommended exercises. Interspersed throughout each portion of the program are clear visual aids that help viewers retain and integrate information and important concepts. Natural imagery and an original soundtrack have been carefully arranged to promote learning and relaxation, an approach that makes the Know Yourself series a powerful and innovative tool for increasing health and happiness. The series builds on research in the fields of psychiatry, psychology, and neuroscience, specifically on the research and clinical work of Dr. C. Robert Cloninger, Professor of Psychiatry, Psychology, and Genetics, and Director of the Center for Well-Being at Washington University School of Medicine in St. Louis. Dr. Cloninger explains that the series can be used by individuals at home and in a clinical setting, "The Know Yourself series is useful for a wide range of people and situations. Regardless of a person's level of mental and physical health, it provides helpful and enjoyable practices for living well. It uses established methods that are beneficial for personal development and as an adjunct in therapy for people with different mental and physical disorders."

SOURCE Anthropedia Foundation

Consumers are still committed to healthy, natural and organic foods, but are changing their buying habits to maintain these priorities during the economic recession. That's according to a recent MamboTrack(TM) quick poll by Mambo Sprouts Marketing, the leader in natural and organic product marketing and promotions. The company surveyed the buying habits of natural and organic product consumers to identify recent changes in organic shopping and eating patterns.

Even with the tight economy, natural and organic consumers remain committed to eating healthy with 9 in 10 (87%) reporting that they were not willing to give this up. A majority (about 55% each) would not forego healthy and eco activities such as natural and organic products, vitamins and supplements and "green" environmentally friendly products.

Those adjusting their organic buying and eating habits (45% of respondents) are frugal shoppers seeking value and ways to purchase organics more economically such as being more selective when buying organics (67%), buying organics on sale (65%), using more coupons (50%), and buying more store brand/private label organics (48%).

Respondents see this change in the way they purchase organics as long term. Most will (52%) or may (32%) continue these new buying habits when the economy improves. The outlook for organic products looks strong, with more than 8 in 10 respondents planning to buy the same amount of organics (46%) or more (36%) when economy improves (1 in 6 were unsure; only 2% will buy less).

Store brand/private label organics remain part of the cost saving strategy with 9 in 10 (88%) buying on a regular (38%) or occasional (50%) basis. One in four (26%) are buying more of these products since the recession started. Grocery staples such as cereal, grains and pasta (80%), dairy (72%), condiments (61%) and household cleaning products (61%) displayed the highest store brand/private label category purchasing.

"For branded organic products, the challenge is to regain market share through brand building initiatives such as layered promotions, education regarding brand values and coupons so that they are well positioned post-recession," said Matthew Saline, CEO for Mambo Sprouts Marketing.

SOURCE Mambo Sprouts Marketing

This week marks the official start of summer. People everywhere will be shedding their spring raincoats and spending time outdoors in the sun's rays. But, before basking in all the sunshine, it's important to practice skin sun safety. MoleSafe, (www.molesafe.com), a company that offers an advanced skin cancer early detection program, is encouraging the public to shield their skin from the summer sun and also remind those at risk to get their skin checked for suspicious moles and lesions.

Cancer survivor Elizabeth Moore describes her experience with melanoma (the deadliest skin cancer) and how the disease has changed her life. She stresses the importance of early detection and explains how it can save lives.

Click here to enter MoleSafe's website and view Elizabeth's video

Skin Cancer Prevention Tips and Facts

• Examine your skin from head to toe every month
• The risk of developing melanoma doubles if you have had 5 or more sunburns
• Your chance of getting melanoma increases significantly if you've already had a previous melanoma, but also increases if you have had either basal cell carcinoma or squamous cell carcinoma, the more common forms of skin cancer
• Melanoma appears most frequently on the torso area in fair-skinned men and on the lower leg in fair-skinned women
• It is estimated that 20 percent to 40 percent of melanomas arise from an atypical mole
• Utilize services like MoleSafe that detect new, changing and/or suspicious lesions by monitoring and comparing the images over time
• Even after the summer, continue to monitor any changes in moles year-round including change in the size, shape, color, or feel; a black or blue-black area

Statistics/Data Skin Cancer

• More than one million new cases of skin cancer will be diagnosed in the United States this year
• One in 55 people will be diagnosed with melanoma during their lifetime
• Contrary to popular belief, 80 percent of a person's lifetime sun exposure is not acquired before age 18 -- the number is closer to 23 percent
• Skin is the largest organ in the body; it helps regulate body temperature, prevents excess fluid loss, and aids the body in removing excess water and salt
• Survival rate for patients with early detection is about 99 percent. The survival rate falls between 15 and 65 percent or higher, depending on how far the disease has spread

Quote

"During the summer it is imperative for Americans to take full action to protect their skin from the sun. Additionally, early detection lowers the risk of melanoma, so the best thing you can do is get your skin checked for suspicious moles and lesions," said Dr. Richard Bezozo, president of MoleSafe. "With the expansion of MoleSafe locations in the U.S., our company's advanced detection program will be readily available to more communities, ultimately saving lives from this deadly disease."

SOURCE MoleSafe

Pediatric dermatologist-researcher Alfred Lane, MD, offers sunscreen safety tips

'Sunburns are a sign of ultraviolet radiation damage,' warns Lane

Alfred Lane, MD, knows that kids love summer and kids love sun. However, Dr. Lane cautions, parents must remember that "there's no such thing as a good tan."

In this new video, Lane provides guidance to help ensure your children are well-protected when they're outdoors. "Remember that if you form a tan, you will have ultraviolet radiation damage," warns Lane. "Unfortunately, the body really doesn't forget this damage. It accumulates from childhood through adolescence and adulthood, and this can lead to skin cancer." To protect your family, Lane offers tips to help kids stay safe outdoors while enjoying summer '09.

Sunscreen for infants and children

Though your sunscreen may say "not for use for those under six months of age," Lane says it's OK, but perhaps unnecessary. "You can use sunscreen on their hands, face, and exposed areas, but an alternative is to dress them in a hat, long sleeves, and long pants." Dr. Lane also suggests placing them in shade, especially since children less than six months usually stay put and don't move around that much. "But once a child is older and becomes mobile, they have more exposure to the sun's ultraviolet light, and that's when you should definitely use a sunscreen."

SPF (sun protection factor) clothing

Does SPF clothing really work? "High SPF clothing is absolutely helpful," adds Lane, who recommends combining this type of cover-up with an application of sunscreen on any exposed areas. "SPF clothing along with sunscreen definitely works."

Sticks, lotions, or sprays?

"Whether it's a stick, lotion, or spray, all are fine," says Lane, "but it's important not to use the sprays and lotions around the eyes. Instead, use a sunscreen stick around the eyes and maybe even around the lips."

Older children and young adults

"Younger children will keep high SPF sunscreen on, but older children and young adults often say it's too greasy," says Lane. "They seek a sunscreen that's more comfortable, but regardless, they need to be certain to use lotion with at least a 30 SPF. The higher the SPF, the better the protection from ultraviolet damage and skin cancer. Be certain the sunscreen is also waterproof."

View these and other tips at http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6acZo-UPcx8. Alfred Lane, MD, is a pediatrician and researcher at Packard Children's Hospital and professor of dermatology and of pediatrics at the Stanford University School of Medicine.

About Lucile Packard Children's Hospital

Ranked as one of the nation's best pediatric hospitals by U.S. News & World Report, Lucile Packard Children's Hospital at Stanford is a 272-bed hospital devoted to the care of children and expectant mothers. Providing pediatric and obstetric medical and surgical services and associated with the Stanford University School of Medicine, Packard Children's offers patients locally, regionally and nationally the full range of health care programs and services, from preventive and routine care to the diagnosis and treatment of serious illness and injury. For more information, visit www.lpch.org.

Americans trying to eat healthier are looking to nutrition labels to help make better choices at the grocery store. But consumers who take those labels at face value may find they're not eating as healthy as they think.

Nearly two-thirds of adults -- 62% -- make finding healthy foods a top priority when shopping for groceries, according to a recent nationwide survey of 2,100 adults conducted by Greenfield Online.

Some 72% of consumers report reading nutrition fact labels and/or ingredient lists is the number one way they determine which foods to buy at the grocery store to stay healthy. And 61% of adults surveyed rank "zero grams trans fat per serving" as the most important statement they look for on the label for heart health.

But consumers may be surprised to learn "zero" isn't always zero when it comes to trans fat. Products labeled "zero grams trans fat" could contain up to .49 grams of trans fat per serving under the U.S. Food and Drug Administration guidelines. That means consumers could easily -- and unknowingly -- exceed the American Heart Association's recommended limit of no more than 2 grams of trans fat a day.

"It's easy to see how despite their best efforts, consumers eating foods labeled 'zero' trans fat could exceed the daily limit before they even sit down to dinner," said Steve Hughes, CEO of Smart Balance, Inc., which commissioned the survey.

Even seemingly insignificant amounts of trans fat can have a significant impact on health. The AHA reports trans fat has been shown to raise LDL ("bad") cholesterol and lower HDL ("good") cholesterol, increasing the risk of coronary disease or stroke; and it has been associated with a higher risk of developing Type 2 diabetes.

Adding just 4 grams of trans fat to your diet -- about 2% of your daily calorie intake in a 2,000 calorie diet -- can increase your risk of heart disease by 23%, according to the New England Journal of Medicine(1). The Journal reports one gram of trans fat increases the risk of cardiovascular disease 15 times more than one gram of saturated fat.

What Can Consumers Do to Determine Whether "Zero" Really Equals Zero?

"The key is to look for 'partially hydrogenated oil' in the list of ingredients. That's a dead giveaway that there's trans fat in the product no matter what it says on the package," said Alyse Levine, a registered dietitian. "Here's a simple rule to follow -- if you see 'partially hydrogenated oil' listed on a product's label, just put it back on the shelf and find another product that doesn't," Levine added.

"It's also important to pay attention to serving size which can be much smaller than you think. If you're eating multiple servings of the food, you may be consuming a significant amount of trans fat and putting yourself at risk for many negative health consequences," Levine said.

Smart Balance CEO Steve Hughes believes the U.S. needs to take it a step further and ban trans fat altogether as Denmark has done, resulting in a 20% drop in heart disease. "It's time consumers know the truth about trans fat and time the FDA takes action to protect their health by simply banning partially hydrogenated oil," Hughes said. "Partially hydrogenated oil has no nutritional value and poses a real health risk."

"The good news is Americans are making healthier food choices a priority and they clearly recognize the dangers of trans fat. But unfortunately reading the fine print is necessary to ensure they're not getting more trans fat and putting their health at greater risk than they bargained for," Levine said.

Now more than ever, with 67% of those surveyed saying they are eating out less and cooking at home more in the past six months, the choices consumers make at the grocery store can make a real difference in their health.

The "Healthy Shopping" Survey was conducted by Greenfield Online, Inc., a global research company that uses proprietary interactive technology to measure consumer attitudes. Greenfield surveyed 2,100 U.S. consumers ages 18 and older on April 20, 2009. The survey was commissioned by Smart Balance, Inc.

(1) Medical Progress: Trans Fatty Acids and Cardiovascular Disease' (April 13, 2006). By Dariush Mozaffarian, M.D., M.P.H., Matijn B. Katan, Ph. D., Alberto Ascherio, M.D., Dr.P.H., Meir J. Stempfer, M.D., Dr.P.H., and Walter C. Willett, M.D., Dr.P.H. The New England Journal of Medicine.

SOURCE Smart Balance