America's soda pop addiction and mine

I have to admit, it still looks good. (public domain photo)

What's so bad about soda pop? Everything! Part of my journey toward taking better care of myself involves kicking bad habits. I quit my soda pop addiction some time ago. That's right, I said addiction. I was seriously addicted to soda pop. Without it, I suffered from mood swings, disorientation, cravings, lack of focus, headaches and general grouchiness. Unfortunately, so do a lot of Americans.

Many Americans suffer from soda pop addiction.

We know it's bad for us. The problem is we don't realize how bad. So many diseases and conditions Americans deal with today can be traced back to our addiction to soda pop. In my case, according to my rheumatologist, my soda pop addiction and sedentary lifestyle were largely responsible for causing a serious Lupus flare that nearly took my life.

Dentists have been warning us for years to give up soda pop.

This is a serious problem. The sugars and acids in soda pop are causing the decay and erosion of teeth. Millions of dollars annually are spent on dental care to repair the teeth of soda pop addicted adults and children.

Weight gain is another issue caused by soda pop addiction.

The average soda pop addict is consuming sugar and therefore calories at an astounding rate. One soda pop weighs in at 140 calories. Just two a day works out to 1,960 calories a week. That's an entire day's worth of calories in soda pop alone! Plus, most people don’t stop at 2 a day.

Because soda pop contains so much sugar, this addiction can lead to many diseases and conditions.

Sugar increases insulin levels. This throws off metabolism and can lead to heart attack, stroke, high blood pressure and diabetes to name a few. Is your soda pop addiction worth all this to you?

Don't think your addiction isn't that bad because you drink diet soda pop.

The main sweetener in diet soda pop is aspartame. This fun chemical has been linked to numerous health problems including brain tumors and birth defects. Still loving that soda pop addiction?

Phosphorus is present in soda pop as well.

This ingredient is responsible for the fizz in addictive soda pop. The problem with phosphorus is that it causes loss of bone density through calcium depletion. Speculation leads me to wonder about osteoporosis and it's connection to soda pop. After all this disease was unheard of until the last century.

Soda pop addiction fills us up with empty calories.

There's simply no room left for the good nutritional foods. In other words, one problem with soda pop addiction is that it discourages healthy eating, while encouraging weight gain. This drink is preventing us from getting vital nutrients into our diets, while causing us to crave more sugar.

Caffeine addiction in soda pop drinkers:

Caffeine is considered to be a drug by most physicians and yet we hand it out to soda pop addicted kids with wild abandon. Caffeine is reputed to cause high blood pressure, insomnia, nutrient depletion, birth defects, kidney issues, liver problems and even cancer among many other health issues.

Next time you reach for a soda pop think about the consequences of this addiction.

Do you really think soda pop is an addiction worth dying for? We are slowly killing ourselves with soda pop addiction. Is this any different than drug addiction? It seems soda pop may be on an even keel with some drugs. So, think again. I'm not a pepper any more.

Please note: The author is not a licensed medical professional. This article is not intended to replace professional medical advice or consultation.

Sources:
Mercola
MSN
Cspinet
Oledo
WebMD

Portions of this article were previously published elsewhere by this author.

Chocolate benefits skin, erases wrinkles and more

Chocolate cake for wrinkle prevention? (public domain)

We have all heard of the health benefits of chocolate by now. What you might not have heard is that chocolate helps skin retain that youthful glow. Believe it or not, it can also decrease fine lines and wrinkles and keep you young in other ways. Turns out, chocolate is a virtual fountain of youth. I can't think of a more painless addition to my efforts to pamper myself, can you?

Chocolate for beauty

That's right. The latest news is that one of the many health benefits of chocolate is wrinkle reduction. German researchers conducted a study in which woman drank a 7 ounce cup of hot chocolate a day for 3 months. Results of the study showed a reduction in wrinkles of up to 25%. Flavanols in chocolate repair sun damaged cells for smoother clearer skin.

Of course, we women, being the intelligent creatures we are, have always eaten chocolate. Now, it turns out, there is good reason other than taste. The list of the health benefits of chocolate is growing by the minute. The virtues of this food are astounding. Here are some of the things chocolate can do for your health.

Reduces high blood pressure

Chocolate reduces high blood pressure in two ways. An ingredient in cocoa is said to improve the body's processing of nitric oxide. Nitric oxide is essential for the health. It benefits by encouraging smooth blood flow. The flavanols in chocolate also keep blood platelets from sticking together.

Reduces heart attack and stroke risk

The above benefits not only help with high blood pressure, they also reduce the risk of heart attack and stroke. The smoother blood flows and the less obstructions in the blood stream, the better for heart health. Stroke is also caused by inhibited blood flow, and therefore benefits from chocolate flavonols.

Anti-depressant

Chocolate contains serotonin, which acts as an anti-depressant. Other chocolate ingredients promote mental health benefits as well. Endorphins produced when eating chocolate cause a natural high, similar to the feeling of love. This makes chocolate appealing to many.

Disease prevention

Chocolate contains a higher amount of antioxidants than even blueberries or green tea. Antioxidants are disease fighting superstars. Their health benefits include cell repair and cell damage prevention. They neutralize free radicals and therefore prevent them from damaging cells.

Don't overindulge

To get the most health benefits from chocolate, don't overdo it. Chocolate is very fattening. All that fat and sugar may counteract the benefits to your health. Stick to dark chocolate, which contains less sugar and more antioxidants. About three ounces a day should give good health benefits.

Avoid candy bars with additional sugary ingredients. This reduces fat and sugar content. Stick to pure chocolate, or chocolate with nuts for the best health benefits. Nuts contain omega 3, which also promotes heart health.

Note: The author is not a licensed medical professional. This article is not intended to replace professional advice.

Sources:

Pro Health
Woman's World Magazine

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Portions of this article were previously published by this author on a closed Yahoo! property.

Letting go of past abuse for self healing

A new relationship is possible. (public domain photo)

Sometimes being good to yourself forces you to deal with your past. As a victim of abuse, I found it extremely difficult to have a successful new relationship at first. Time does help. It's been over 20 years since my divorce. Plus, I was lucky in that my current relationship is with a very kind and understanding man.

It's natural to expect the worst in a relationship when you've been abused. It's a defense mechanism. Therefore, nearly everything that occurs in your current relationship, which is even remotely connected to the abusive one, sets off a trigger. So, how can we let go of those old thought patterns?

It's normal for someone who's been mistreated to be on the alert for trouble.

Self protection learned in the abusive relationship is often carried over into the new one. It perpetuates the role of victim. For example, I was with someone who cheated before. If my new love were to say something like, "I'll be working late for a few nights" it would initially set off a chain reaction of thoughts in my head pointing to the "fact" that he was a cheater too.

I've since come to find that there's no reason to doubt him. It's a good thing that he was very understanding at the beginning of the relationship. He knew what it meant to be an abuse victim and why my defenses were on red alert. He invested time in showing me that he could be trusted. He forgave some serious blunders, brought on by those little chain reactions in my head. I often tell him how grateful I am to be with someone who took the time to help me heal.

Is it possible that he's just fooling me?

That's a natural reaction from an abuse victim. We've been forced to be on the defensive most of our lives. My new relationship is a good one. So, making assumptions would be unfair to my new partner. My new relationship is based on positive thinking and acceptance of each others faults and setbacks.

Two sided compromise is a new experience for this victim of abuse. So, in order to give myself the gift of a good relationship, I have to force myself to keep thinking positively, despite my defensive inclinations.

The issue of trust is huge in any relationship.

The human brain is conditioned to watch for repeated patterns in order to protect against further pain. A victim of past abuse should learn to recognize this reaction in themselves. I'm continually reminding myself that this is a different and much better relationship. That's because packing those habitual defense mechanisms in my baggage could prove fatal to this very positive relationship.

Self defense is a necessary weapon for someone who's been in an abusive relationship.

A victim of abuse relies on self protection at all times, in order to survive. In a good relationship, that same defensiveness against abuse can actually be a strong deterrent to success. It's natural for an innocent person, who is trustworthy, but not being trusted, to react by pulling away from the abuse victim. A victim of abuse should be cautious, but begin any relationship with trust.

I've found that people who are trusted will most often behave in a trustworthy manner.

Trust is not the only issue this applies to. Unless you have come across a complete vulture, you will get what you give in a relationship. An abuse victim who projects love, understanding, honesty, tolerance, trust and generosity, will likely receive the same in return. On the other hand, someone who is rude, accusatory, dishonest, intolerant and disbelieving will get exactly that in return.

So, while I'm proceeding with caution in this wonderful relationship, I also try to think positively. I have to quiet those head demons if I want this to work. Because perhaps the best way for me to be good to myself right now is to allow myself to be happy, despite what's happened in the past.

Please note: The author is not a licensed medical professional. this article is not intended to replace professional relationship advice.

Portions of this post were previously published by this author on a closed Yahoo! property.

Feng Shui colors for self healing

Color can heal and inspire! (public domain photo)

I've been thinking of using Feng Shui in my home to improve my outlook on life. If you don't already know, Feng Shui is an ancient art of surrounding yourself with smooth flowing paths and colors to enhance your life. There are two main types of colors in Feng Shui, the yin and the yang. Yin colors are meant for relaxation and healing. Yang Feng Shui colors are meant to bring energy and enthusiasm. Each of the colors represents a different inspiration.

Yin Feng Shui Colors:

White

White represents poise and confidence. It's a symbol of purity and positive energy. White is a positive background for bright and dark colors. Use other light colors sparingly with white to avoid over stimulation.

Black

Black represents money, power, income, strength and force. It should be used in small ways throughout the room. An overabundance of power and responsibility can cause depressive thoughts. Use black sparingly to avoid depression.

Blue

Blue is calm, soothing, healing, and relaxing. This is a wonderful color for bedrooms and bathrooms. It represents honor and faith. Use with white or green for balance. Too much blue can cause arguments over matters of principle.

Purple

Purple represents physical and mental healing. Purple is often used by tarot card readers, psychics, and fortune tellers to promote spiritual awareness. Too much purple can be draining to the senses.

Pink

Pink promotes self respect and self awareness. It's often used as a symbol of triumph for women and to boost low self esteem. In fact, people with low self esteem often think highly of this color. Too much pink can cause overinflated self worth and selfishness.

Green
Green represents balance and nature. Plants bring balance to a room with differing shades of green. Take care with this feng shui color. Too much green can cause envy and jealousy.

Yang Feng Shui Colors:

Tan

Tan and other earth tones have a unifying effect. They pull other colors together. They do well to harmonize a room. Use as a background for darker and brighter accent colors.

Brown

Brown represents security and earthiness. It promotes reliability and faithfulness. It's best to use brown with care. Too much brown in a room can be depressing. Use colors with positive brightness as compliments to brighten brown's mood.

Red

Red comes from fire. It enhances romance, wealth and happiness. Red should be used with caution due to its negative qualities. Too much red causes tempers to flare. Use red on doors as a harbinger of good things to be invited in.

Gold

Gold reflects positive energy and brings good luck. Too much gold may cause money concerns and arguments, just as money does in life. Highlights of gold scattered in a room will bring prosperity without greed.

Yellow

Yellow comes from the sun to brighten days. Yellow is warm, cheerful, and friendly. Too much yellow in certain rooms causes negativity. Yellow does best in kitchens and daytime living areas. Use in sleeping areas can cause sleeplessness. It has been shown to "make" babies cry.

Orange

Orange is the color of the sunrise. It represents change and rebirth. Orange also helps with concentration, purpose, and organization. It's high energy encourages high aspirations. Orange is best kept away from rooms where a calming influence is desired.

Lavender

Lavender encourages good motives. It will boost spiritual aspirations. Lavender represents truth and aids in creative endeavors. For this reason, lavender works best in art studios, craft or sewing rooms to inspire creativity and lend a spiritual flavor to work.

Sources:
Belief Net
The Spritual Feng Shui

Portions of this post were previously published by this author on a closed Yahoo! Property.

Forgive your own mistakes

Don't stress over past mistakes! (public domain photo)

Healing old regrets is a big part of my journey toward become naturally healthy. Forgiving myself for my mistakes is often harder than forgiving another for theirs. Why is this true? Is it really that important to forgive ourselves for past mistakes? 

What do we gain from doing so? Why is blaming the responsible party considered wrong, unless you are the responsible party? How can we learn to forgive our mistakes and leave regrets behind? I'm no psychiatrist. Still, I've learned a few things that may help me (and you) with this process.

From childhood, many of us were taught to own up to our mistakes.

In most religions, it's considered exemplary to be humble. People like me, who've been raised this way may be more likely to look down on themselves. When feelings of blame come in, we've been taught to accept the blame and the guilt for our mistakes. We've been told this is a noble approach, and so, turn ourselves into martyrs.

There's nothing noble about self torture.

The inherent part of being human involves human error. Mistakes are a naturally occurring process. What distinguishes a person is not their mistakes, but their reaction to them. Forgive yourself and move on. It's OK to forgive yourself for human error, learn your lesson and move on. It's not productive to hold on to guilt and blame from past mistakes. I'm talking to myself here too.

Let's take a look at our lives in the past.

Are there mistakes made that we've not been allowing ourselves to forgive? Have we learned from those mistakes? Why are we not able to forgive them? I've personally made many mistakes. Yes they were my mistakes and I take full responsibility for them. Should I feel guilty for the rest of my life? Absolutely not! I have to find the strength to forgive myself, change the behavior that got me into trouble and move on.

Stress and guilt cause both physical and mental illnesses.

People who don't forgive their own transgressions, often feel inferior to others. Their self loathing is reflected in the way others see them. This allows them to be taken advantage of by the predators of society. We are born human, not gods. As such, we'll make mistakes and lots of them. We can practice self ridicule and scold ourselves for the rest of our lives. Only bad will come of it.

The healthy way to deal with mistakes is simple.

*Learn from your mistakes.
*Change your behavior to reflect what you have learned.
*Forgive yourself for your own human error.

The mistakes will keep coming. You're not perfect. You never will be. Surprise! You're human after all. If you learn to deal with your mistakes this way, you 'll be a much happier person.

Some people can't change their behavior on their own.

We all need help sometimes. That's OK. When help is required, the formula changes a little.

*Learn
*Seek help
*Change
*Forgive

We must stop torturing ourselves over past mistakes. If the mistakes are not your fault don't own them. Pass them on to the responsible party. Try to forgive them. If possible, help them to change and forgive themselves as well. We're here to help each other, not to place blame. It really doesn't matter who is at fault. The only thing that matters is the healing and the ability to forgive yourself.

This post was previously published by this author on a closed Yahoo! property