The last time you went to the doctor I bet he/she had some tips on leading a healthier lifestyle.  A discussion I had in the past with my doctor was the misconception of the thousands of weight loss/nutritional claims made by various popular companies.  

It's safe to say we all know there is no one magic pill for overall health improvement.  What will make you healthier is eating cleaner, exercising and positive energy.

What is scary is how many people don't look at or read the ingredients in products they consume.  I am just as guilty but after bouts of illness and constant inflammation in my body I've taken a proactive step to educate myself on what goes in my body.  Of course I still indulge but not in excess!  Also there are better choices to make and enjoy the same products.  Instead of buying pre-made products that contain fillers, preservatives, etc I am trying to make them at home with ingredients I know and can pronounce! 

Having never been a breakfast person and now knowing it is essential to overall health I had to look into an alternative I could deal with.  The first thing I said is WOW I'll just drink one of those shakes.  It was easy and some were tasty, but guess what.....  There were a few adverse issues I dealt with.   Just to name a few:  weight gain, digestive issues, shaking, dizziness and headaches.   Not all came from just one product.  As I switch up I had a different issue or an added issue.  This is where I had discussions with my doctor, a holistic professional and a nutritionist.  I was amazed to find that I wasn't helping myself at all.  Everyone is different with different health issues and sensitivities so it is important to recognize what your needs are.  Also an important factor to recognize is do you really know the effect the ingredients you are consuming have?  We dove into family history, personal history and goals.

So what were NO NO's that all three discussions had in common?

1.  Reduce or eliminate sodium.
2.  Eliminate dairy products.
3.  Reduce cholesterol.
4.  Manage protein intake.
5.  Reduce or eliminate gluten.
6.  Reduce or eliminate sugar intake.

Besides the common reasons a big reason was controlling the bodies inflammation.  The cause of almost all diseases is inflammation within the body.  I'm not talking about a pulled muscle we're talking inflammation of your organs, tissues, etc.  Too much protein such as whey can damage your kidneys and liver.  Remember inflammation!

The research began into all the popular shakes/supplement drinks out there.  Again, weight management is best achieved with a proper diet and most definitely exercise.  What I have noticed with people looking for weight loss is those who added hard core exercise and a clean diet had an increased positive result as opposed to those who simply ingested the product.  It has me thinking that you don't have to spend a fortune on these products to lose weight.  

Have you heard "olive" it?  Olive oil is being talked about for all it's health benefits.  I can honestly say I have never enjoyed the taste of olives, but I sure do love a great olive oil!

Of course one of the most talked about benefits of olive oil is it's ability to help lower bad cholesterol! Yes that Lower Density Lipoprotein or otherwise knows as LDL.  Olive oil is an amazing source of monounsaturated fats and is less susceptible to oxidation.  A fatty acid of abundance in olive oil, oleic acid, also appears to protect from oxidation of LDL.  Other heart healthy benefits included in studies found olive oil also aided in lowering blood pressure.

Olive oil is not only beneficial when ingested but I have found it to be an amazing part of my skin care regimen.  I can say I'm not excited about the signs of aging and have learned over the years the more nature comes in contact with my skin the better!  At 41 getting carded and then watching the double take as they looked at my date of birth is, well, absolutely awesome!!  Or when people realize my actual age and they say "holy crap I thought you were in your twenties!!". Whoo Hoo!! Love it! I attribute a part to good genes but also to how I care for my skin.  I'm just as guilty of spending too much time in the sun or using a tanning bed as many others.  It still comes down to your regimen.  I've always sought out natural skin care products and up until the last 5 years or so the choices were not vast.

What have I found beneficial about olive oil in my skin care?  Well first it is an excellent make-up remover unlike the harsher removers out there.  Just a put a dab or two on a cotton ball and hold it over your eye area about 30 seconds and gently wipe!  Yes, it even works on my waterproof mascara!  I believe it's also helped keep away those crows that like to step around the eye area!   I used to add it to my moisturizer for added calmness.  The winters can be harsh on your skin and olive oil helps combat that flakey drying the cold air brings!  It's great on those dry areas like your elbows, knees and feet.

Throw away that nasty shaving cream and trade it for olive oil!  Rub enough on your skin to cover the area and shave away!!  With time I've noticed smoother skin and less of those red blotchy bumps!

So, bottom line... keep a bottle on your kitchen counter and a bottle in your bathroom cabinet! 

People are beginning to realize more of the after-effects of cheap food, such as damage to the environment, animals and even human health , and consequently, the trend of more organic young farmers is set to see an increase. These farmers will focus their efforts on small-acre farms supported and encouraged by various industry organizations.

Organic agriculture is important to more than just the meals you ingest.  Think about all the things you consume in a day right on down to your preventative health care.The effects of chemical pollution are not manifested right away. Most people believe that the chemicals used in non-organic products are in such small quantities there is no need to worry. Remember the main goal is minimum exposure to these bad chemicals by choosing organic products and foods over non-organic items. Also, remember although you may believe they are small quantities, add the cumulative effect of how much your are consuming daily.

Remember that prevention is better than cure. Aside from the debilitating effects caused by toxins in the body, the physiological and neurological damages it can bring would be something you would not want yourself and your family to suffer. The cost comparison of choosing organic is so little compared to the high medical expenses required for those who suffer terminal diseases, such as cancer. Make the right choices when it comes to what you put in your body.