Better Nutrition - Better Moods

Five foods to help depression
There are treatment options that can relieve depression without swallowing pills. Many of the symptoms of depression can be directly linked to vitamin and mineral deficiencies in the standard American diet, which is largely comprised of empty carbs, caffeine and sugar. Depression, mood swings and fatigue often have a common cause: poor nutrition. Avoiding depression or recovering from a depressive episode is often as easy as changing your diet and boosting your consumption of key foods that deliver brain-boosting nutrients and help regulate brain chemistry.

Fish oils: Contain omega-3 fatty acids. Research has shown that depressed people often lack a fatty acid known as EPA. Participants in a 2002 study featured in the Archives of General Psychiatry took just a gram of fish oil each day and noticed a 50-percent decrease in symptoms such as anxiety, sleep disorders, unexplained feelings of sadness, suicidal thoughts, and decreased sex drive. Omega-3 fatty acids can also lower cholesterol and improve cardiovascular health. Get omega-3s through walnuts, flaxseed and oily fish like salmon or tuna.
Brown Rice: Contains vitamins B1 and B3, and folic acid. Brown rice is also a low-glycemic food, which means it releases glucose into the bloodstream gradually, preventing sugar lows and mood swings. Brown rice also provides many of the trace minerals we need to function properly, as well as being a high-fiber food that can keep the digestive system healthy and lower cholesterol. Instant varieties of rice do not offer these benefits. Any time you see "instant" on a food label, avoid it.
Brewer's Yeast: Contains vitamins B1, B2 and B3. Brewer's yeast should be avoided if you do not tolerate yeast well, but if you do, mix a thimbleful into any smoothie for your daily dose. This superfood packs a wide assortment of vitamins and minerals in a small package, including 16 amino acids and 14 minerals. Amino acids are vital for the nervous system, which makes brewer's yeast a no-brainer for treating depression.
Whole-grain oats: Contain folic acid, pantothenic acid and vitamins B6 and B1. Oats help lower cholesterol, are soothing to the digestive tract and help avoid the blood sugar crash-and-burn that can lead to crabbiness and mood swings. Other whole grains such as kamut, spelt and quinoa are also excellent choices for delivering brain-boosting nutrients and avoiding the pitfalls of refined grains such as white flour.
Cabbage: Contains vitamin C and folic acid. Cabbage protects against stress, infection and heart disease, as well as many types of cancers, according to the American Association for Cancer Research. There are numerous ways to get cabbage into your diet; toss it in a salad instead of lettuce, use cabbage in place of lettuce wraps, stir fry it in your favorite Asian dish, make some classic cabbage soup or juice it.
Also worth mentioning: Foods like raw cacao, dark molasses and brazil nuts (high in selenium) are also excellent for boosting brain function and eliminating depression.
Things to avoid:

If you feel you are depressed or at risk for depression, you also need to avoid certain foods and substances. Some commonly prescribed drugs -- such as antibiotics, barbiturates, amphetamines, pain killers, ulcer drugs, anticonvulsants, beta-blockers, anti-Parkinson's drugs, birth control pills, high blood pressure drugs, heart medications and psychotropic drugs -- contribute to depression. If you are taking any of these, don't quit them without talking to your doctor; but be aware that they may be contributing to your condition by depleting your body of depression-fighting vitamins and minerals.
You should also avoid caffeine, smoking and foods high in fat and sugar. Keeping your blood sugar stable and getting B vitamins is important for stabilizing your mood. Cacao can be good for mood because it releases endorphins in the brain, but watch out for milk chocolate and candy varieties high in sugar.

Other non-food things to do:

Get plenty of sunshine. Natural sunlight is a proven cure for depression.
Engage in regular exercise at least three times per week. Exercise lifts and mood and alters brain chemistry in a positive way.
Experience laughter. It's good medicine.

Take a quality superfood supplement to get even more natural medicine from the world of plants.

The Wrinkle Genes (By Tom Wood, Genewize Affiliate)

Have you ever tried a product that promised you better skin but discovered the results were superficial or non-existent?

You may have even seen a friend get amazing results with a product but when you tried the product nothing happened.

We all react differently to different skin care products because we’re all different. Our DNA proves it.

Specifically there are key genes that make your skin health and aging different from others’. Variations in the “Wrinkle Genes” can tell us which specific nutrients your skin needs to battle your aging process. Based on the results of your genetic skin assessment GeneWize can custom formulate a skin repair serum made exclusively (m.e.) for you. Your skin deserves personal treatment.

Here are the five Wrinkle Genes and how GeneWize customizes nutrients for your formula:

1.Collagen Gene

2.Detox Gene

3.Tissue Gene

4.Inflammation Gene

5.CoQ10 Gene

6.Superoxide Gene

Here are details on each one including which nutrients support the full expression of the gene.
Collagen Gene — MMP1 — the gene helps regulate cell growth, collagen breakdown and photo aging.

Detox Gene — EPHX — Helps determine your skin’s ability to detoxify and protect skin cells against damage from environmental pollutants.

Tissue Gene – GPX1 — this gene protects lung, breast, skin and other tissues by removing and eliminating hydrogen peroxide free radicals.

Inflammation Gene — TNF-A — Time Magazine called inflammation “the secret killer” and it’s definitely not good for skin health. Inflammation over the long term can negatively affect important organs, including the skin.

CoQ10 Gene — NQ01 — Determines which form of CoQ10 (Ubiquinol or Unbiquinone) your body needs. The only way to know this is to run a genetic analysis. If you purchase CoQ10 without knowing the results of this test you are just guessing if it will work for your body.

Superoxide Gene — SOD2 — this gene helps your skin and body defend against oxidative stress by detoxifying super-oxide free radicals (really bad free radicals).

You’ll never find the GeneWize products on the shelf of a store because there are more than 700 possible combinations. Your specific formula is made fresh for you each month based on your DNA assessment.

The only way we market these products is through word-of-mouth because the results are undeniable and people want to tell others about them.

Your formula is 100% active ingredients and contains a liposomal delivery system — the same system used in the patch.

Your custom formulation is $129/mo. If you commit to three months of product there is no charge for the DNA test — $225.

If you are already taking the 12 Gene Healthy Aging m.e. nutritional supplements then adding the m.e. skin serum is just $99/mo and you don’t need to do another DNA test.

Your DNA never changes so you only have to take the test once and your formulation will never change.

Yours in health,
Rhonda

Healthy Holiday Minestrone Soup from EPCOT ... Enjoy!

MINESTRONE SOUP

L'Originale Alfredo di Roma Ristorante

Italy EPCOT Center

Yield: 8 servings


1 1/2 cups red kidney beans, dried
Water
1 cup carrots, diced
1cup zucchini, diced
1cup celery, diced
4 tablespoons olive oil
1 1/2 cups yellow onion, chopped
2 ounces prosciutto,chopped (about 1/2 cup) I USE 2 Tofurkey Italian Sausage - thinkly scliced
1cup potatoes, peeled and diced I USE Rice Pasta, about 12-16 ounces
4 cups spinach, fresh, tightly packed
2 teaspoons salt
1cup cabbage, shredded
1/2 leek bulb, thinly sliced (aout 1/2 cup)
1/2 teaspon freshly ground pepper 


Rinse beans well and soak overnight in cold water.  Drain beans and rinse well. Place beans in a saucepan large enough to hold beans with enough water to cover beans by 1 inch. Simmer beans for approximately 2 hours until tender.  Drain and reserve cooking liquid and set aside.

Heat olive oil in a large sauce pot or dutch oven and saute prosciutto for 2 minutes. Add all vegetables and drained beans to saucepot with prosciutto and sautef or an additional 5 minutes.  Add enough water to liquid in which beans were cooked to equal 2 quarts (I USE vegetarian broth).  Add to vegetables and bring to a boil.  Reduce heat to a simmer and season with salt and pepper.  Simmer for1hour,adding more boiling water (or broth)  if necessary.

This is a great recipe for large crowds and can easily be converted to a vegetarian Minestrone.  Have the family help you chop the veggies and enjoy your time together during the holidays.  Sprinkle with Parmesean cheese and enjoy!

Yours in health,
Rhonda

LifeMap "ME" Serum Ingredient List

(made exclusively)

By popular request ... here is the list of ingredients used to formulate your customized skin serum through Genewize.  You get just the ingredients you need AND the amount of ingredients you need.  Notice!!!!  There is NO WATER on this list.  Water in any skin serum, moisturizer, etc. is not necessary since your skin is water proof!  Only the top layer of skin, which is already dead, can absorb water.  All these ingredients are active and proven to help you look younger.  We use liposome (used in birth control & nicotine patches) to make sure all ingredients are absorbed all the way below your deepest layer of skin.

Aloe Barbedenis Leaf Extract
Uncaria Tomentosa (Cat's Claw) Extract
Panthenol
Glycerin
Glycine
Sorbitol
Glycine Soja (Soybean) Protein
Copper Tripeptide-1
Rice Oil Glycereth-8 Esters
Melissa Officinalis (Balm Mint) Leaf Extract
Disodium Rutinyl Disulphate
Hordeum Distichon (Barley) Extract
Hydrolyzed Glycosaminoglycans
Solium Levulinate
Mannan
Sodium Phytate
Camellia Sinensis (Green Tea) Leaf Extract
Silyburn Marianurn (Milk Thistle) Extract
Brassica Oleracea Capitata (Cabbage) Extract
Euterpe Oleracea (Acai) Fruit Extract
Lycium Barbarum (Goji) Fruit Extract ingredient list
Garcinia Mangostana (Mangosteen) Fruit Extract
Punica Granatum (Pomegranate) Extract
Solanum Lycopersicum (Tomato) Extract
Brassica Oleracea (Kale) Extract
Phosphilipids
Tocopheryl Acetate (Vit E)
Retinyl Palmitate (Vit A)
Ascobyl Palmitate (Vit C)
Potassium Sorbate
Superoxide Dismutase
Saccharomyces Maganese Ferment
Saccharomyces Copper Ferment
Glutamine
N-Acetycysteine
Fennel Extract
Grape Seed Extract
Saccharomyces Selenium Extract
Clover Leaf Extract
Red Algae Extract
Trimethylglycine
Folic Acid
Saccharomyces Cervisiae Lysate
Polyglucan
Saddaromyces Cerevisiae Peptides
Ethylenediaminetretracetic Acid
Polyglycerl-4 Caprylate
Solium Lauroyl Glutamate
Decyl Glucoside
Diglycerin
Natural Frangrance

Yours in health,
Rhonda

LDL Cholestoral - What Your Genes Reveal

The science behind the Lifemap Nutrition System is truly fascinating.

Chances are, what you’re about to read is a completely new way of looking at LDL cholesterol (the bad stuff!) and if you or someone you know struggles with high cholesterol, read on….this is interesting stuff!

First, let me explain how Genewize’s patented DNA test really works.

1.You receive a test kit in the mail, complete with instructions.

2.Swab the inside of your cheek to remove a layer of skin cells.

3.Allow the cotton swab to dry before putting it into the pre-paid envelop and sending to Genewize’s secure lab.

4.Lab technicians analyze your DNA looking particularly at 12 areas on your DNA, called SNPs (single nucleotide polymorphisms).

5.The results of the 12 SNPs shows how the related genes are expressed.

6.Your customized nutritional formula is titrated (mixed up) based on your unique results and the nutrients your body is given regulates the expression of those genes.

So, how does this relate to LDL cholesterol levels?

Well, that’s what I wanted to know…so I did a little research and this is what I found.

LDL (the bad cholesterol) has a protein component called APoB. Without APoB, LDL cannot form.

Now, as you know, your doc checks LDL levels as an indicator of your risk of coronary heart disease (CHD). But what I just learned, and am sharing with you now, is that LDL is in fact not as good an indicator of CHD as is APoB.

Remeber, LDL cannot form without APoB.

So, if we take a look at how our bodies form APoB and at what level, then we’ve got a pretty good indication of CHD risk.

Cool. So how is this done, right?

Well, that’s the interesting part about nutrigenomics (the study of how nutrition and genetics interact). What we can do now is peer into the APoB gene…and guess what?

If you have certain SNPs on the APoB gene, production of APoB increases and in turn….you got it…LDL levels increase as well.

So, here’s the good news.

If you have the genetic predisposition to increased APoB production, you can receive an APoB SNP boost in your LifeMap Nutritional formula which provides dietary ingredients to reduce ApoB production, reduce LDL and prevent LDL oxidation.

…and this is just ONE part of the genetic assessment Genewize has made so inexpensive for all of us to be able to peek into our genetic code and provide ourselves with the nutrients our bodies uniquely need.

Yours in health,
Rhonda

Thank you to Jenn Lawlor for sharing this information.

Genewize Ribbon Cutting at Metro North Chamber of Commerce in Colorado

Mid-week Memo

It's late in the evening and I sit realizing in just two short weeks I will have a new website for my business, unlike any other self replicating site out there.  And, Genewize will be launching the new product "Me" .... a skin serum based on your genetic makeup.  I'm very fortunate to be involved with such a cutting edge company with all the science needed to back up their products!

Yours in health,
Rhonda