In addition, because virtually anyone with a credit card is able to get their hands on Vicodin these days, vicodin abuse is now one of the fastest growing addictions in the U.S.

If you or someone you care about is suffering from vicodin addiction there is hope. A vicodin rehab guide can give you treatment options and direct you to reputable rehab programs. Getting professional help is critical.

Addiction facts:

How do you know is you or someone else is addicted to Vicodin?

While there are many side effects associated with the use of Vicodin, some indications of abuse include:

Loss of interest in family activities and loved ones
Lack of interest in sex and affection
Lack of motivation both personally and professionally
Increased irritability, anger, sadness
Loss of appetite

In addition, many of the side effects associated with normal use of Vicodin can become exaggerated when abuse of the drug increases.

These can include things like: bruising, constipation, dizziness, drowsiness, dry mouth, euphoria, extreme fatigue or weakness, sweating, and nausea.

Don’t wait to get help for yourself or your loved one if you suspect Vicodin addiction.  There are outpatient, inpatient and even home detox treatments available, including specific programs targeted at addicted teens.

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The 1-2-3 / ABC’s of Childhood Obesity Dissecting A Big Fat Problem

Recently, one of my clients called me, hugely upset. Her eight-year-old daughter was being tested for diabetes. And while my client and her spouse have struggled with their weight for years, the IDEA that their little girl might be overweight AND SICK was horrifying. As I mentored her through the discussion, and helped her to see that she wasn’t paralyzed, she finally felt safe enough to admit that her daughter was twenty-three pounds overweight.

If you Google childhood obesity, you literally get 2,360,000 hits. It’s obvious that we put a huge amount of effort into looking at this issue, but how effective are we, when the numbers just go up and up, year after year? Let’s step back and dissect this issue in three very real and useful ways – the problem, the effects (bullying, self-esteem and overall health) and the solution.

#1 The Problem: Quite simply, our kids eat the wrong food and don’t move enough to use it up. When we consider everyday additives, like high fructose corn syrup (HFCS) though, they’re behind the eight ball from the beginning. HFCS not only adds an inordinate amount of calories for a product with NO nutritional upside, it also creates the phenomenon of craving – setting up even our littlest kids to binge eat. (See Childhood Obesity Basics, By Vincent Iannelli, M.D., About.com November 30, 2008.)

Another part of the problem is definitely fast food. Let’s face it, busy parents are often doing all they can to make ends meet and provide loving homes, so what harm is there if McDonald’s is the once (or twice) a week treat? Well, one problem is that we need to at LEAST stop calling it a treat. Call it a standby – call it,
“Uh oh, we’re in a jam,” call it fast-food Friday, but don’t call it a treat. An apple is a treat. Peanut Butter on wheat thins is a treat. Learning to re-language our discussions around food is vitally important to creating healthier families.

#2 The Effects: The sad truth is this: Our kids are getting bigger and bigger, while their self-esteem plummets. As a body image mastery mentor, I truly believe that we are all perfect and on a life journey to love ourselves from the inside out! But that journey is profoundly easier when we are HEALTHY.
Imagine a child too heavy to run and play – too burdened by low self-esteem to enjoy their childhood. As any overweight adult can tell you, the heaviest burden is definitely not the pounds.

#3 The Solution: Okay, obviously the solution needs to be far more reaching than can be addressed in one article. But let’s just consider the basics – what we can implement right now.

a) MOVE. Move every single day. Move in a dedicated, disciplined way WITH your kids. The
message is simple. We eat everyday and we move EVERY day. We change our
clothes, we brush our teeth, we go to school, and we MOVE. And make it as fun
as you can. Walk. Throw the heavy ball. Ride a bike. Dance. Even cleaning their
room can be a fun exercise if you do it together (and have the added benefit of
a clean room!).

b) Kick fast food to the curb. No exceptions. Instead, create alternative quick menu
choices WITH your kids. A quick Google search will net you many, many healthy, kid-friendly recipes (homemade fat-free grilled cheese on whole wheat anybody?).

c) Most importantly, be sure to address your child’s weight from the
outside in – AND the inside out. Weight is math. It is not a statement of value. Your kid is
valuable and beautiful – those things are not up for debate. HEALTHY is your goal. From the “inside out,” be sure that there isn’t an emotional piece to your child’s weight.

Are they eating compulsively? Are they being teased?

b) Definitely ask for help on this one – their school guidance counselor might be a great place  to  start. There’s probably even a support group right in your area just for kids (check your local gym and hospital).

Remember, no matter what you do, the worst thing you can do is NOTHING. Our kids are our
most vital natural resource, starting them out HEALTHY and FIT is the very least we can do.

Yours in Health,

Laura Fenamore, CPCC, Body Image Mastery Mentor

http://www.easywebautomation.com/app/?Clk=2925392

Click here for more information and to read the Surgeon General’s Call to Action regarding childhood obesity.

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Yoga has actually been found to lower the stress hormone known as “cortisol.”  It has also been found to lower blood pressure, heart rate and anxiety as well as improve your digestion, beef up your immune system and help alleviate physical pain.

If the idea of yoga conjures up pictures of twisting your body into a giant pretzel don’t worry.  You can get the benefits of yoga with basic stretches that will improve your flexibility. One such beginning stretch is known as the “Sun Salutation.”  It activates all the systems in your body and only takes about 50 to ten minutes and a yoga mat.

The sun salutation is a great warm-up exercise and the benefits are quite amazing.  It massages your internal organs, removes carbon dioxide by ventilating the lungs and stretches your spinal column.

Don’t be fooled into thinking that yoga is for the “meditation” crowd only.  While it is a complete wellness system for the body, mind and soul it benefits everyone by firming and tightening muscles, improving balance as well as posture.

Recent studies have also shown that yoga can benefit even young children by improving their self-esteem and even improve their grades.  A study done by California State University showed that those kids who participated in a yoga program also had fewer discipline problems.

Schools should definitely be looking into these benefits since kids spend a major part of their day sitting — not only during their school day but in front of the tv or video game at home.  Yoga can help them correct the muscle strain, tension and poor body alignment this inactivity causes.

They will gain enormous benefits from yoga through improved flexibility, strength and coordination.  Yoga has also been show to help a child’s ability to calm themselves and stay focused.

Consider incorporating yoga stretching exercises into your fitness plan and if you have kids get them involved too.

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In recent studies at the University of Texas M.D. Anderson Cancer Center curcumin has been shown to possibly help prevent and treat cancer, cardiovascular disease, diabetes, Alzheimer’s, Parkinson’s, pulmonary disease, inflammatory bowel disease, psoriasis and arthritis!  Now that’s a powerful spice!

So what do the Asians know about eating right that we don’t?  Well it seems that curcumin is a powerful anti-flammatory agent.  Researchers now regard inflammation as a contributing factor in many chronic diseases.  In addition, studies have also shown that the effects curcumin has on gene activity can actually starve and kill cancer cells.

Several institutions are now conducting human trials of curcumin to document its relationship to preventing and treating colon, pancreatic and rectal cancers as well as its effects on Alzheimer’s disease.

If you want to add this “miracle” spice to your diet you’re better off consuming straigh turmeric as opposed to commercial curry powders.  You can find hole or ground dried turmeric  in the spice section of most grocery stores.  Ground turmeric is the most widely used form.  It’s highly susceptible to light so it should be packed in an airtight tin and stored in a cool, dark place. Turmeric will begin to lose its potency after about six months, even sooner if exposed to light and/or heat.

When using turmeric keep in mind that the flavor usually gets stronger when cooked so use it sparingly.  And that vivid yellow color–well it’s a powerful yellow dye so you don’t want to get it on your clothing!

You can find many recipes using turmeric. It’s used in most Asian, Indian and African recipes.  Or just experiment with your own recipes.  It can be added to a variety of dishes like rice, vegetables, chicen and fish dishes, stir-frys, stews and casseroles.  (Here’s an interesting Moroccan Chicken recipe with turmeric.)

You don’t always have to think of “eating right” as tasteless tofu dishes. Learning to cook with healthy ingredients can boost the nutritional value of many of your favorite recipes.

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Studies done by the British Journal of Sports Medicine have shown that any type of physical activity that leaves you breathless can increase the brain’s ability to function and it increases the volume of brain tissue.

Additional reports from the University of Kansas Medical Center have shown that those diagnosed with early Alzheimer’s actually showed less deterioration of the brain in the areas linked to memory than those who did not exercise.

Unfortunately, there still is no cure for Alzheimer’s disease but it is certainly encouraging that with brain fitness exercises we might be able to stay sharper longer!

But don’t think that this exercise - brain fitness connection is only for senior citizens! Other studies have shown that the brain’s capacity for growth and development are improved with high levels of physical activity. Recent research has shown a link between exercise and improved memory, academic performance and executive function in the workplace.

Harvard professor and author, John Ratey has written about this research in “Spark: The Revolutionary New Science of Exercise and the Brain” and states that exercise has a tremendous role in “preventing neurological disorders, improving our children’s ability to remain focused for learning and achieving mental calmness.”

So, as you can see, brain fitness exercise is beneficial at all age levels. This is why I think we should be so concerned about the generation of “couch potatoes” we seem to be raising. These studies reinforce the need to get kids of all ages involved in more physical activities. And it won’t hurt for adults and seniors to set a good example!

Maybe Pres. Obama should consider having all politicians in Washington engage in 30 minutes of aerobic activity every day — they could call it a “brain stimulus package!”

Technorati Tags: Aerobic exercise, Alzheimer, Alzheimers disease, brain fitness exercise, Dementia, exercises for the elderly, Physical exercise

This is probably one of my greatest downfalls in my quest to lose weight. I Love Chocolate! I crave chocolate! I have to have chocolate! Now I’ve found something that lets me indulge my cravings without jumping the weight loss/healthy eating ship all together.

Vitalicious offers a huge line of healthy snack foods including their “decadent” Deep & Velvety Chocolate VitaBrownie. You will not even believe you’re eating something healthy! And, get this–you can walk it off in 13 minutes! All it takes to walk off one of their 80-100 Calorie 2oz Vitamuffin or Vitatop is 13-15 minutes.

If chocolate isn’t necessarily your downfall, Vitalicious has an entire line of healthy snack flavors like Apple-Berry Bran, Cran-Bran, and Blue-Bran. And The VitaMuffin has less sugar and more nutrients than an apple, plus the advantages of whole grains, and berries - and just as much fiber!

The super convenient VitaTops are made to carry and eat on-the-run. A “one-hand” satisfying snack food with the portability of a bar, VitaTops are easy to eat anywhere, anytime. At your desk or on the road, these handy muffin tops fit conveniently into a purse, briefcase, work out bag, backpack and lunchbox.

If you’re looking for healthy snacks that are easy to fit into your busy lifestyle you should definitely check out Vitalicious.com. Great for lunchboxes. Give your kids healthy snacks they’ll love. Don’t reach for another fat-laden snack from the vending machine at work! Relax and enjoy a Vitalicious snack with your coffee or tea. You’ll get way more bang for your buck and you’ll feel better

Vitalicious products are 100 calories, 4-7 grams of fiber, 4 grams of Protein, low-fat, no trans-fat, no cholesterol and have 15 vitamins and minerals.

FREE SHIPPING on $175 at Vitalicious- Use Coupon Code: VITAFREESHIP

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Healthier You offers a wide range of nutrition supplements to help you get started on the path to good health.  You’ll find everything from antioxidants to weight control products at great prices.

And with the 10 Days of Christmas you find great deals and free shipping.  There’s never been a better time to stock up on your

or maybe there’s some supplements you’ve been wanting to try.  Now you can and you can save money too!

All Healthier You customers also receive a free subscription to Advanced Natural Medicine Bulletin …

Lets you in on the newest discoveries and latest breakthroughs in natural medicine…Keeps you well informed about safe solutions for your health concerns…

And teaches you first-hand about the next generation of all natural herbal and nutritional supplements.

They offer a complete 90-day money back guarantee on all nutritional supplements.  And not only that, they also go to great lengths to insure that every supplement that leaves their facility is of the highest quality available - and formulated synergistically so that all the ingredients work together to give you exactly what you need. Sure, you can find cheaper supplements at your local discount retailer - but you get what you pay for.

So, be sure to check our the “10 Days of Christmas” button above for some great deals.  And get a
“Healthier-YOU” for 2009!

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Then we’re left with that dreaded New Year’s Resolution — lose weight! (again.)

So why not get a jump start on things this year? Instead of starting yet another diet and exercise program on January 1st why not get things in check now and look astounding in a hot New Year’s Eve outfit?

The Wave is your own personal gym that combines cardio and strength training in Speed Slimming Intervals so you can blast off the pounds and chisel a leaner, shapelier, sexier body in record time.

Check out The Wave:

So don’t spend another January 1 with “lose weight” at the top of your New Year’s Resolutions.
Exclusive Introductory Offer! Save $29.95 off THE WAVE Personal Gym – Now only 3 payments of $29.95, Plus $40 in Bonus Products! Start today.

If The Wave isn’t your thing then check all the other great products at BillyBlanks.com. You’re sure to find a program that fits your needs.

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Face it, most of us just plain hate to exercise and we look for every excuse to avoid it. But now you can have a little fun, enjoy tv and still get the undeniable benefits of exercise workouts.

If you have exercise equipment that only gets used to hang clothes on or something stashed under your bed that you consider a modern day torture device then you should check out the Gazelle. It is, without a doubt, the most fun you will have exercising! The World Famous Gazelle by Tony Little lets you get a full body workout and still get in your favorite tv show! How painless is that?

I love this piece of equipment. Some have said they find it hard to use, but I’m telling you it’s a walk in the park. It’s low impact, so you’re not constantly pounding your feet and jarring your knees. It is so easy to use — I just set it up in front of my tv and swing away while I catch my favorite episode of Grey’s Anatomy and before I know it I’ve put in a full 30 minute aerobic workout. You can even do interval training on it. If you’re not into tv then just turn on your favorite “get your butt movin” music and swing away. I’ve even been known to go longer than 30 minutes because it’s so easy!

And, it folds up easily to stash out of your way. Believe me, this will be the easiest way you’ve ever found to do your exercise workouts and you might even find yourself looking forward to exercising! When has that ever happened??

Just in time for the Holidays. 10% off all products!! . Great gift ideas. Some items have a limited quantity so order today.

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The Flexitarian Diet: The Mostly Vegetarian Way to Lose Weight, Be Healthier, Prevent Disease, and Add Years to Your Life

Here’s a new twist on the vegetarian diet plan that might make it easier for many of us to choose to follow a vegetarian diet.  In her book, “The Flexitarian Diet” author Dawn Jackson Blatner offers a more casual approach to the strict rules of the typical vegetarian plan.

While the focus is still on eating healthy vegetarian foods like beans, nuts, whole grains and produce this plan offers 3 levels for the “flexitarian” diet plan.  Beginners  would have two meatless days a week, advanced would have three to four meatless days per week and an expert would have about 5 meatless days a week.

The plan offers about 1500 calories per day, which, she says, is a “good amount for losing weight without getting too hungry.”  It offers 3 meals a day and two snacks.  It’s very easy to adjust the plan for your own needs such as decreasing the calories by eliminating the snacks or increasing the calories by increasing the breakfast meal.

Benefits of a Vegetarian Diet

Statistics show that a true vegetarian diet plan typically results in 15% lower body weight than those who eat a regular diet that includes meat.  Other benefits include lower rates of heart disease, diabetes and cancer and can add years to your life.

Are Vegetarian Plans More Expensive?

Following a vegetarian plan won’t break your budget since meat is one of the most expensive items on the grocery list.  By eating meat less frequently and getting your protein from sources such as beans, nuts and seeds you’ll actually save on your grocery budget.

The Flexitarian Plan

This book offers some great recipes and shopping lists to make it as easy as possible for you to adapt to the “flexitarian” way of eating.  It isn’t one of those “extremist” diets with a lot of foods you could never see yourself eating.  It isn’t full of strict rules and it offers suggestions for curbing cravings.  The key here is flexibility.  While the vegetarian diet plan is a healthy way to eat, live and lose weight, the flexitarian plan offers a doable alternative for those with busy lives looking to improve their eating habits and their overall health.

If you’re looking for an easy way to eat healthier and lose weight without depriving yourself you should check out The Flexitarian Diet

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