Inside Vim

OK, all together now: breathe. Good. Now let's try to keep doing that on a regular basis between now and New Year's.

In this issue of Vim, two guest writers speak highly of breathing. My acupuncturist, Jean Hardesty, explains why catching your breath is vital this time of year; and my chiropractor, Dr. Karen Hollifield, writes on how to breathe properly, especially while sitting (properly) at a computer. I'm grateful for their contributions.

Last week I had the privilege of seeing Dr. Mehmet Oz, co-author of "You: The Owner's Manual" and other "You" series books and frequent guest on Oprah, speak at a Norfolk luncheon. You can bet I took notes to share with you below. No doubt Dr. Oz would agree with the new Men's Health list of the worst restaurant meals in America. Scroll down to see the top five.

If you're a local reader, you've got to stop in the new Gold's Gym that just opened in Norfolk across from Doumar's. It's housed in a 100-year-old building, and the historic character was preserved inside and out. Exposed brick, a lot of repurposed wood, and huge old photos of Norfolk make it unlike any gym I've ever seen. After five weeks of membership, I can now say I'm a FORMER gym-phobe.

Finally, a plug for my products. At 54, I have more energy than ever and can work out or run six days a week in large part because of Arbonne's nutritional supplements. To me, feeling this good is worth $2.40 a day -- I'd blow that much on a midday caffeine boost anyway. Now I don't need it.

More about my business

by Jean Hardesty, L. Ac.

Winter, the most Yin season of the year, is a time to slow down, rest, meditate, refine our spiritual essence, and store physical energy in the form of a little added weight. (Many of us know that one!) In winter it's natural to turn inward to process and let go of all that we have struggled with.

Yet how often do we do this in our culture? In this world of busyness, stress, pushing ever upward and onward, climbing the next mountain in our journey, we seldom give ourselves more than a week or two a year to rest and restore body, mind, and spirit.

The holidays can be a time for this. Often, though, we get all wrapped up (pun intended!) in a schedule that would stress Superman. This can lead to getting sick from too much running around, trying to find the perfect gifts for everyone or feeling guilty if we don't. Traveling in bad weather, doing things more from obligation than real desire -- all this can leave us depleted and depressed.

At this time of year, I often tell my patients to take more time for themselves. It is joyful to be with loved ones, but keep it simple. Do things because you enjoy the doing of them, not because you must keep up appearances.

Sometimes the best gift you can give to others is yourself, rested and rejuvenated.

[Jean Hardesty, M.Ac.O.M., L. Ac., is a Diplomate in Acupuncture as certified by the National Certification Commission for Acupuncture and Oriental Medicine. She holds a master’s degree in Acupuncture & Oriental Medicine from the Oregon College of Oriental Medicine. Her practice, Stillpoint Acupuncture, has locations in Norfolk (480.2424) and Virginia Beach (490.7555).]

Learn about Stillpoint Acupuncture

by Dr. Karen Hollifield

With most of us spending hours on end at our computers, creating length and breath are the key words to remember for healthy sitting.

We create length in several directions. Place both feet flat on the floor, legs uncrossed and thighs parallel to the ground. Stretch your spine straight up. Tuck your tailbone under by pressing your lower spine back into the chair. Using your abdominal muscles, draw your belly button toward your spine. Your back is now solidly in place.

Creating breath ensures proper posture and maximum oxygen availability for the brain, heart, and lungs. First, make sure the top of your head faces directly toward the ceiling. The roof or hard palate of your mouth should be parallel to the ground.

These two things will prevent your chin from either jutting out or sinking on to your chest. Bring your shoulders back and down to open up the heart. Remember to pull your shoulder blades down your back to prevent your shoulders from creeping up around your ears.

Inhale and exhale through your nose. Take full, slow breaths and try to make your exhales the same length as your inhales. Studies show that these two things can actually slow your heart rate and lower your blood pressure.

Now that you can sit in a healthy way, don't forget to move around, shake all your joints loose, roll your neck and shoulders, stand up periodically, and of course, breathe!

[Dr. Karen Hollifield has practiced non-force chiropractic for more than 20 years. She is a partner in Hollifield Chiropractic (498-8700) as well as a certified yoga instructor at Jan's Fitness Studio, both located in Virginia Beach.]

Learn about Hollifield Chiropractic

Men's Health magazine just published its first compilation of the 20 worst foods in America. Unless you're shooting for heart disease, think twice before ordering the top five:

5. Worst Pizza: Uno Chicago Grill Classic Deep Dish Pizza (2,310 calories, 162 fat grams)

4. Worst Pasta: Macaroni Grill Spaghetti & Meatballs with Meat Sauce (2,430 calories, 128 fat grams)

3. Worst Nachos: On the Border Stacked Border Nachos (2,740 calories, 166 fat grams)

2. Worst Starter: Chili's Awesome Blossom (2,710 calories, 203 fat grams)

1. Worst Food in America: Outback Steakhouse Aussie Cheese Fries with Ranch Dressing (2,900 calories, 182 fat grams)

See the whole list

When Dr. Mehmet Oz and his co-author, Dr. Michael Roizen, couldn't get a publishing deal for their book, "You: The Smart Patient," they gave it to a publisher free just to get it out there. That a renowned cardiac surgeon and frequent Oprah guest couldn't get a book deal speaks volumes on what sells in this country. (See above worst-foods list.)

As director of the Cardiovascular Institute at New York-Presbyterian Hospital/Columbia University Medical Center, Oz is known for combining Eastern and Western medical traditions. At his Dec. 14 appearance in Norfolk, he focused on avoiding frailty to stay healthy as we age.

He also joked that he never tells smokers to quit: "I'm a heart surgeon. I make money on cigarette smoking." Here are several eye-opening points from his talk:

- Second opinions will change a diagnosis or treatment one-third of the time
- Every day in the U.S. 3,500 calories of food are produced for every man, woman, and child
- Getting rid of all the cancers in the U.S. would extend our lives by only 2.8 years; other chronic diseases are much bigger health problems
- By the time we turn 50, two-thirds of how we age is within our control
- Two out of five Americans will have their lives changed by a medical error
- Snoring can generate 85 decibels of noise, which violates OSHA standards
- The most important vitamin is D3, which we get only from sunlight or supplements
- Weight training is the best way to prevent osteoporosis
- Muscle burns 50 times more calories than fat (omigod, I double-checked this with a Gold's Gym trainer and it's true)
- The top sources of calories consumed in the U.S. are wheat flour, margarine, shortening, sugar, and pasteurized processed American cheese

A professional writer and editor since 1984, I was editor of Port Folio Weekly in Virginia and editor/publisher of The Fort Mill (S.C.) Times, both of which won numerous awards during my tenure. I've also been contracted editor of Sentara Healthcare's award-winning magazine and have contributed to other health publications.

Between 2001 and 2003 I completed five marathons and three half-marathons. In 2006 my passion for wellness led me to Arbonne International; the products and company impressed me so much that I became an Arbonne independent consultant. Our supplements, protein shakes, and skin care systems are pure, safe, and beneficial. 

If there's a topic you'd like to read about in Vim, shoot an email to nancychapman@verizon.net.  

Quotes That Make You Go Hmm

"For every result we want, there is a very specific way of thinking and behaving that will yield that result."
Jack Canfield, Author & Success Coach

"There are two ways of exerting one's strength; one is pushing down, the other is pulling up."
Booker T. Washington

"People of character do the right thing not because they think it will change the world but because they refuse to be changed by the world."M
Michael Josephson, Actor, Author, & Radio Commentator

"It is not what we take up, but what we give up, that makes us rich."
Henry Ward Beecher

Stats That Make You Go Hmm

In 2005 the volume of prescription drugs sold in the U.S. was equal to 12.3 drugs for every man, woman, and child in that year alone. Compare this to 1994, when 7.9 prescription drugs on average were purchased by every American. (Source: Kaiser Family Foundation, 2006)

According to a 2005 study, 44 percent of Americans take at least one prescription drug and 17 percent take three or more. (Source: Medscape, 2005)

The U.S. infant mortality rate was ranked 21st in the world in 2006, worse than South Korea and Greece and only slightly better than Poland.

In 2006, the teen birth rate in the U.S. increased for the first time since 1991, says the Centers for Disease Control in a Dec. 5 report. Between 2005 and 2006, the rate rose 3 percent.

Eighty-four nations have a higher percentage of female legislators than the U.S., says Parade magazine, including Mexico, Canada, Rwanda, Vietnam, and Cuba. In our current Congress, women account for only 16.3 percent of members.

Bad Habits Take a Higher Toll

Some employers are adding surcharges and raising health-insurance deductibles for workers who don't quit smoking or participate in wellness programs, says a Dec. 4 UPI story.

The message is get healthy or pay the price. The Tribune Co., which owns the Batimore Sun, Chicago Tribune, Daily Press in southeastern Virginia, and other media, is charging workers a monthly fine of $100 if they or family members smoke cigarettes.

Speaking of which, know someone who wants to quit smoking? Send them to the link below for my e-booklet, "Yes, Even You Can Quit Smoking (Without Killing Anyone)," free through the end of the year. It's a special offer for Vim readers until I get a shopping cart up on my site. Tell your friends!

Quit Smoking Now

Work less. Have more. Love life.

That's my new mantra. As an independent consultant and executive district manager with Arbonne, I'm headed to the top of this terrific company, and I invite you to come with me. If you're a woman who's tired of still earning 74 cents for every dollar a man earns, click below to learn about a better way to do business -- with no glass ceiling.

Work less. Have more. Love life.

The Vim Fine Print

The information in this ezine is not a substitute for treatment by a health professional. Please don't sue me.

The gorgeous Vim logo and ezine banner were created award-winning graphic designer Kathleen Tobin, who's based in Norfolk. To learn more about her services, contact me.