Freedom Spring

Freedom Spring

In my last article regarding the best 10 minute exercise, I referenced several links to studies about the effectiveness of rebounding. Continuing with the same passion for rebounding, I had the opportunity to try a Freedom Spring.

Packaging

Similar to other rebounders, the packaging of the Freedom Spring was great. There was not one defect in the workmanship or from delivery. The instructions, videos, accessories were packaged in a separate box neatly.

Bounce

The Freedom Spring has a good bounce for a high quality rebounder. Some of the other rebounders have a slightly softer bounce such as the Cellerciser or Needak Softbounce. The Cellerciser has the most even bounce mainly because of the triple tiered springs.

Design

As far as rebounders go, the Freedom Spring has a unique rectangle design. This is different from the typical round shape. The legs add stability and are similar to other high quality rebounders. I like the fact that the Freedom Spring may be folded in half for storage. The reality is most people may not open and close their rebounder on a regular daily basis.  You’ll have to decide how important this feature is for you.

Springs

The springs are of good quality and should do well for the average rebounder. The Freedom Spring is pretty much tied in spring quality with most other high quality rebounders. The Cellerciser has triple tiered springs which give it a slight edge over Freedom Spring.

Strength

This is where the Freedom Spring shines. No other rebounder has the upper body system to go along with the bounce. This provides an extra strength component that will help tone the shoulders, back, arms, chest and even abs. For some upper body exercise, I recommend not bouncing. For most people the added bonus of the upper body exercise system may be well worth the investment.

Fun

The Freedom Spring does really well on the fun factor. Having the strength bands makes rebounding more exciting. Balance is also an important aspect of strength bands. Stability bars that come with some rebounders can also have a balancing effect similar to the strength bands.

Overall

What I was most impressed about the Freedom Spring is that it adds strength bands to tone the upper body. The system affixes between a door jam to provide the stability for strength bands and isometric pulls. This is unique from other rebounders that mostly focus on the lower extremity bounce.

Dr. Rota has definitely done his research. He has reviewed the literature about rebounding and upper body strength and smartly decided to combine the two for a complete body workout. To that end, he has done a fantastic job. There are some recommendations. I would recommend Dr. Rota add a triple tiered spring for a bounce similar to the Cellerciser. He may also want to consider additional strength bands for varying levels of physical ability.

What are your thoughts?

Just 10 Minutes Of This Exercise Is All You Need

Just 10 Minutes Of This Exercise Is All You Need

What is the single most effective, affordable, time efficient, body movement exercise you can do to strengthen, tone, cardiovascularize (yes, that is a new word), detoxify every single cell, muscle, organ, tissue, gland, blood vessel in the body without ruining your joints in as little as 10 minutes a day?

I’ll give you a few hints- It’s not walking, jogging, running, sprinting, lifting heavy weights, tennis, swimming, basketball, football, soccer, hockey. How about skating, biking, baseball, horseshoe, pool, table tennis, volleyball or sex.

You really wanted it to be that last one huh…smile..the answer is REBOUNDING.

BUT BE CAREFUL

The wrong rebounder may cost you more than you bargained for. Cheap rebounders found typical department or discount stores will place unnecessary stress on the ankles and back. There are a few things in life that you should not try to go cheap on…and one of those is a rebounder.

Good rebounders have high quality mats, springs, frames, customer service and warranties. Below I review some of my favorite rebounders.

David Hall’s Cellerciser- The Cellerciser is top notch quality and with its patent pending springs make this the Rolls Royce of rebounders. Everything is high quality.

1. The springs are tripled tiered which adjust to an individual’s weight. If you weigh less, the bounce will adjust to you. If you weigh a little more, the springs will adjust to you.

2. You also don’t have to worry about ankle pronation with the Cellerciser.

3. Several models folding and non-folding are available including a tri-fold. The tri-fold model folds into a neat rolling carrying suitcase. This is especially convenient for executives on the go.

The Cellerciser is the rebounder I use most frequently. The only con, if there is really any, is that the springs are a bit noisy after use. The simple remedy for this is to add some olive oil or essential oil to the springs. This takes away most of the noise.

So, what about you…have you cellercised?

Sources:

Journal of Strength and Conditioning Research

International Journal of Sports Medicine

Journal of Cardiopulmonary Rehabilitation and Prevention

Journal of Applied Physiology

Folic Acid Is Like Drinking A Tall Glass Of Acid

Folic Acid Is Like Drinking A Tall Glass Of Acid

Folic Acid Controversy

Have you checked out the most recent issue of Prevention Magazine? Researchers in the article Is Your Breakfast Giving You Cancer? discuss the impact of too much folic acid food fortification and supplementation with the risk of cancer.

The Real Deal

Unlike folic acid, natural folates, specifically 5-methyltetrahydrofolate (5-MTHF) and 5-formyl tetrahydrofolate (5-FTHF), are found in nature which the body recognizes and utilizes most appropriately. Since folic acid is not found in nature, it’s difficult to metabolize in the liver causing this unnatural substance to circulate throughout the body.

Natural folates are what you should look for in supplements. The reality is there are few supplements with natural folates and it is highly unlikely to be found in foods because it is simply several hundreds of times more expensive than folic acid.

Sacrifice Your Health

There are even some “whole food” supplement companies that spike their cultured food vitamins with folic acid. I heard one story of a health professional that inquired of a whole food based supplement company the reason they don’t replace their folic acid with natural folate. They replied that the cost of testing and reformulation would be cost prohibitive.

What?

Is your health cost prohibitive?

What To Do

1. Make sure you check your food labels. Eating leafy greens such as spinach, collards, and broccoli, and beans such as lentils and garbanzos are excellent sources. Citrus is also good but not as potent as the above.

2. A much better choice is to use whole grains in their unrefined form. This is the best vitamin bang for your buck versus those boxes of sugary cereals fortified with junk food.

3. Check your supplement labels to make sure you are not getting synthetic folic acid. If you are, you may want to think twice about keeping it stocked in your cabinet. Choose supplements or a multi-vitamin that use the more expensive natural folates.

What do you think about this article?

Sources:

Prevention Magazine Article April 2010

All About Folate

This Burger Won’t Kill You

This Burger Won’t Kill You

It’s well known that wild game is one of the healthiest forms of red meat. Why? Typically, it’s much leaner, not pumped with steroids and hormones and higher in CLA. The problem is many of us don’t have rifles, hunting gear, and enough game to live off for the rest of our lives. You can’t purchase wild game in the store except for a handful.

There is one wild champ that is much more accessible and may be at a food stop near you. Today when I looked at the menu at a restaurant I visited, I scanned for the typical “safer” items. I don’t eat out much but when I do I try to find the healthiest choices, especially when it comes to meat. What did I see that got me so excited?

Buffalo (or Bison) Burger! Yes, Buffalo is so healthy and has many other advantages:

-It’s leaner than other meats such as chicken, turkey, lamb, or beef

-Less calories per serving compared to other cuts of meat

-Much more protein so you feel fuller with less

-Doesn’t taste like typical wild game (you either like deer or you don’t)

If you decide to get Bison, make sure it is free range and not fed with grain. In other words, they are raised similar to grass fed organic cows without hormones or antibiotics.

What about all of the other stuff that goes with it? If you don’t want to eat an allergenic wheat bun, just ask for your burger to top a salad or in a gluten free wrap. There are ways to not indulge in white and refined flours. Remember if it’s white, it is not right. You can also ask to substitute those greasy french fries or onion rings with fruit or extra veges.

What about you, have you ever tried Bison?

Sources:

Buffalo Meat Nutritional Information

Is Your Body More Toxic Than Sucking On A Revved Up Chevy Tailpipe?

Is Your Body More Toxic Than Sucking On A Revved Up Chevy Tailpipe?

Video is all about detox and an impromptu interview with world renowned brain expert Dr. Charles Parker

Getting Sick Is Normal?

I used to think it was normal to get a few colds or even the flue during winter. It was expected, inevitable. The doctors helped support my theory because they told me to just take some cold medication or antibiotics if needed. Nothing was ever mentioned about my diet. Sure enough, I would continue eating the same garbage and would end up sick.

What About Them…They Don’t Get Sick

While I saw others that seemingly ate trash and they didn’t get sick. Why? We are all unique and some of us detox much better than others. Problem is we don’t know which things we detox well and which things we don’t. It’s like playing Russian roulette. But have you ever gotten sick and tired of being sick?

Detox Your Tailpipe

No, I’m not talking about sucking alcohol out of your blood or smoking cessation. It’s more about the biochemical process of supporting your body’s ability to remove the toxic chemicals from our environment and inside our bodies. Take a look at this checklist from Dr. Mark Hyman to see if you qualify for any of these symptoms:
• Fatigue
• Muscle aches
• Joint pain
• Sinus congestion
• Postnasal drip
• Excessive sinus problems
• Headaches
• Bloating
• Gas
• Constipation
• Diarrhea
• Foul-smelling stools
• Heartburn
• Sleep problems
• Food cravings
• Water retention
• Rashes
• Skin problems
• Eczema
• Psoriasis
• Canker sores
• Acne
• Bad breath
• Premenstrual syndrome
• Other menstrual disorders
• Puffy, dark circles under the eyes
• Difficulty concentrating
• Trouble losing weight

If you answered yes to any of these, you may need to detox.

If you contact or eat foods with pesticides, herbicides, have overload of heavy metals from poor fish oil supplements, eat a SAD diet of fried foods, packaged products, or hormone pumped meat, mental-emotional-physical-spiritual stress, fungus, yeast overgrowth, and more…you may need to detox. You can click here to view the details of a 28 day detox program I mentioned in the video.

To support a detox lifestyle this is very simplistic:

1. Hydrate

2. Eat (the right stuff)

3. Supplement (what you don’t get in foods)

4. Move

5. Breath Deep

6. Rest

7. Recreate

Your turn..So what practical things can you can do while detoxing to help optimize how your body functions?

Sources:

Dr. Mark Hyman Detox Information

CorePsych Blog- Dr. Charles Parker

How To Beat Bad Bacteria In The Mouth

How To Beat Bad Bacteria In The Mouth

Morning Breath

Morning breath, something we do not look forward to. If only there was a way to combat this ugly monster. Thankfully a group of brilliant scientists came up with the idea that if probiotics work to balance the gut, they will balance the mouth.

Probiotic Mouth

Viola! A patent pending substance called Dental-Lac which provides a healthy strain of lactobacillus paracasei-containing product for the mouth. According to the inventors and the research revealed in the patent, this powerful substance may  control the bad bacteria that leads to dental carries, gingivitis, loss of bone in teeth, plaque and bad breath.

Ultimate Mouth Paste

Now imagine if you combine the power of probiotic Dental-Lac with xylitol, and calcium glycerophosphate. Xylitol and calcium glycerophosphate reveal good mouth health and a massive reduction of carries according to several studies. You now have a toothpaste that is potentially potent. What’s also great about this toothpaste is that it does not contain toxic fluoride, abrasive Sodium Lauryl Sulfate, or potentially allergenic saccharin.

Ok, so here’s the routine:

1. I use an Oral B or Sonic toothbrush found at Sam’s Club. Brush after meals with baking soda and peppermint.

2. Floss at least once a day.

3. Irrigate at least once a day. Ideally after every meal. I recommend the Quickbreeze Oral Irrigator.

4. I use just a dab of the paste for a minute or two. I could also brush this on the teeth but it’s not necessary. Then I spit out the excess. Do not rinse. Leave it on all night until I wake up the next morning. Using the paste in this fashion makes it last. It’s not necessary to use a huge amount like regular toothpaste.

Sources:
Patent Application for Dental-Lac

Xylitol Massive Reduction of Dental Carries Study

Calcium Glycerophosphate Study

I CAN SMOKE NEAR YOU EVEN IF IT KILLS YOU!

I CAN SMOKE NEAR YOU EVEN IF IT KILLS YOU!

Air Rights

If you are outside in a public place, if you smoke, do you get air rights over the non-smoker? Or is the non-smoker able to legally veto the smoker by telling him or her to stop smoking because of second-hand smoke air violation?

Not Green Acres

This is exactly what chemical factories and other manufacturing plants do. They abort your rights to air quality. Should we walk around with pollution masks while outside?

Research

C’mon…Are you really going to bring me to the point where I have  to furnish a study about this? When was the last time you saw a paid television commercial with a company telling you not to buy their product- I mean, would you go to the store and purchase product X if you heard “Don’t buy ours, it will kill you”. Yet that is exactly what the tobacco companies do.

Free Will

Wait a minute, everyone has a free choice to smoke right? Yes. Do you have a free choice to breath second-hand smoke from the same air you are sharing with Smoke-Stack?

Rocker

I felt a little violated today. Am I off of it…the rocker that is…what do you think? I know you have an opinion out there.

IS YOUR BABY MORE TOXIC THAN LEAD PAINTED TOYS FROM CHINA?

IS YOUR BABY MORE TOXIC THAN LEAD PAINTED TOYS FROM CHINA?

Preliminary Study

The EWG published a shocking video not too long ago. They said there were 10 Americans who had 232 chemicals found in their blood. Among those, nine out of ten tested positive for BPA. BPA, an industrial petrochemical, has been linked to a wide list of chronic disorders including cancer, obesity, neurotoxicity, and other endocrine disruptors. More importantly, these ten Americans were inside the fetuses. The researchers took a random sample of fetal umbilical cord blood and tested for contaminants.

The Question

How did this occur? The fetuses were not playing with insecticides, pesticides, herbicides and other similar chemicals. They were not breathing pollution filled air or exhaust from automobile omissions. They were not drinking contaminated water. They were not using toxic lotions that absorb into the largest organ-the skin.

The only real conclusion is that these chemicals were passed from the mothers.

Preparation

Although this is a small-scale study, preliminary in nature, it’s probably best to consider detoxification prior to conception. A complete detoxification program will help reduce toxicity. Both husband and wife should reduce toxicity as much as possible. The reality is you cannot escape in the world we live, but you can minimize the damage as much as possible. Also avoid ingesting toxic chemicals as much as possible. Whether that is through foods, water, or household cleaners.

What do you think about this? Hit the comment button.

Sources:

EWC Study of Minority Babies

How Do I Achieve My Health Goals?

One of the most challenging aspects of wellness is living the lifestyle. It’s easier said then done. Why? Life happens. You have responsibilities, job, interests, and you really don’t have as much time as you’d like. So what do you do to achieve those wellness goals? I’ve gained some insight by observing, listening and coaching others over the last 15 years.

You Choose

The first step toward any goal is deciding that it is important to you. If you don’t believe it’s worth your time or effort you are much less likely to stick with it. You need to seriously consider your motives for your health goals. Your attitude is critical to your success. If you can see where and what you’d like to accomplish and it is a SMART goal-specific, measurable, attainable, realistic, and timely you are more likely to experience the reality of the live you’ve desired.

The Four Letter Word

The second step is you must work towards your goal. Nothing good in life comes cheap or easy. If you want to get results that last, I mean really last, you are going to do some work. Hard work. It will be worth it though. Look at peak athletes. There is a reason they train the way they do. It’s much easier to maintain a healthy body compared to constantly going through the up and down cycle of good health and negative health. Athletes use a word that is seldom liked in our comfort society. Discipline. You may want to fight it, say it’s not true, or make other excuses. Those who live a consistently disciplined life are able to do what others cannot do and sometimes find they doing something extraordinary.

Tough Love

Finally, you need to have a support system. This includes encouragement and accountability from a coach or someone who will tell you the truth and not sugar coat things. Wait, sugar is unhealthy so you wouldn’t want anything with sugar anyway right? Have you ever tried to share something you wanted to do with your family or someone close and they really didn’t hold your feet to the fire. They may love you and want the best for you but sometimes that’s not good enough. You need someone that will not let you get away with things that don’t help you move towards your ultimate objective.

What are some of the ways you can overcome your health challenges?

What Is My Favorite Breakfast Food?

Since it’s Friday, I figured I would post something a little more fun for your weekend.

While at the beach the other day, my wife and I inquired of two ladies we met, “If you could ask the Healthnut anything, what would it be?” To my surprise one of them asked to describe my favorite breakfast food.

Getting to the point, my favorite food is a Superfood Smoothie:

1. I use 1 scoop of an organic grass fed whey protein meal replacement powder-PaleoMeal full of Albion Chelated minerals, vitamins, enzymes, essential fatty acids and most importantly low in sugar. The meal replacement I use includes ~18 grams protein, 2.5 grams fat, less than 3 grams carbohydrates and about 100 calories. When I add the other ingredients, for me it becomes about 300-400 calorie power breakfast. I’ve compared the cost of this nutrient dense nutrition to an unhealthy fast food meal and there is absolutely no competition for my nutrient rich and potent smoothie meal.

2. Add 2 Tbsp of freshly ground flax seed. Use a coffee grinder to grind the flax seeds.

3. Add 1 Tbsp of a fiber supplement. I like a naturally occuring fiber supplement-PaleoFiber that has over 10 forms of fiber.

4. Add banana for potassium and fiber. I use 1/2 or 1/4 slice of an average size banana.

5. Add kiwi for Vitamin C. I use 1 kiwi. This also gives the smoothie a nice consistency along with the banana.

6. Add pineapple or papaya for digestive enzymes. I use a few slices.

7. Add frozen berries, which are abounding in antioxidants. I use 1/2 cup.

8. Add 1 Tbsp of a whole food extract-PaleoReds with organic freeze dried berries for additional antioxidant support.

9. Add ice and 1-2 cups of water- depending on how icy, smooth, or liquid you want you will vary the amount. I normally use a full ice tray and 1 cup of water.

*Please note that this will only work with a high-powered blender such as a Vitamix or Blend-Tec. Other blenders may not have the power to pulverize so you may want to use less ice.

*Notice there are no sweeteners or artificial flavors added. Also keep in mind that the sugars are from natural fruits and the protein, and fats actually slow the digestion and assimilation of nutrients.

*A substitute for organic whey protein for dietary reasons or allergies to milk is a combination  Non-GMO pea/rice protein powde-PaleoMeal-DF with BCAAs that contains the Albion Chelated minerals and other nutrients.

*Click here for additional smoothie recipes including several low carbohydrate versions of the meal replacements.