Healthy Everytime

Recently on “America’s Got Talent” a 75 year old woman performed a song and dance routine. (This reference is not to the Rappin Granny who was outstanding.)

Before she began I mentally cheered her on with, “You go girl!” I was reminded of a CD an older woman sent to me that captured her singing performance at a local nightspot. She was fantastic. And why not. if Tony Bennett at 80 something can still sing, others can do it too.

As it turned out, the contestant did not have a million dollar talent. How I wish she had been sensational. Because we are living longer, healthier lives, we desperately need accomplished older role models to show us what’s possible late in life.

I often mention Dr. Helen Harkenss, author of Don’t Stop the Career Clock, who has inspired me more than I can say. (I can’t reveal her age because I don’t know it, she doesn’t tell, and it doesn’t matter anyway. It’s her accomplishments that count, not her advanced age.)

Other role models of mine include 80 something David Oreck who still promotes his vacuum cleaners. Compare his sharp agile mind and youthful demeanor to that of many retirees his age whose brains and bodies have turned to mush.

Then there is 90 something Art Linkletter who writes books and does almost non-stop speaking gigs. When I was interviewed for his book, How to Make the Rest of Your Life the Best of Your Life, he and I disagreed about living in retirement communities, but we got beyond that. He has a flexible open mind and can see other points of view.

How about 90 plus Jack LaLanne, a testament to the benefit of lifelong super nutrition and exercise. He oozes energy. How can you watch his juicer infomercial and not want to buy two of them?

Recently, I watched a video that is truly awesome. I found it in “Celebrations” the official newsletter for Older Wiser Women™. It shows 80 something Yvonne Dowlen Ice skating, and doing it very well. When I tell people I ice skate, (not very well, but determination springs eternal!) a common response is, “Aren’t you afraid of falling?” Well, yes and no. I am more afraid of stepping off a curb and turning my ankle, which I have done on more than one occasion.

Fear is sometimes a healthy thing. It makes us stop and think. If forces us to face reality. On the other hand, unreasonable fear keeps us from doing what we want to do and know we could do if we tried. And if only we weren’t held back by a nagging inner voice that warns, “Be careful. You’re too old to do that.” We need role models like Yvonne Dowlen to help us overcome an age-based irrational fear of trying.

The video also makes clear that if you want a youthful flexible body in your older years, you have to start early to keep what you have. You can’t wait until you are 65, suddenly realize that you’ve almost completely lost all youthful competence and decide to try to recapture what’s lost. While some improvement is always possible, the longer you wait to reclaim what’s gone, the more difficult it is. A sedentary body rebels at being forced to do what it really doesn’t want to do anymore. There is nothing worse than realizing “It’s too late.” As entertainer Eubie Blake was known to say, “If I had known I would live this long I would have taken better care of myself.”

Whatever age you are now is a good time to take better care of yourself. The younger you are when you start the easier it is. And it’s truly helpful if you can find an inspiring role model to look to for encouragement.

A news report on kelp health benefits from the International seaweed symposium declared “In all patients there followed a dramatic drop in incidence of the common cold, as well as flu’s resultant in a very favorable kelp health benefit” from ingesting liquid kelp. People who had already got the virus, the strength and length of their sickness was cut down to the point that the irritation was greatly reduced by the health benefits of liquid kelp.

An array of mineral content will help strengthen bones, nails and is natural rejuvenator of skin and an anti-aging revitalizer for the skin. True providence has placed the kelp health benefit in our hands. Still another kelp health benefit is due to extracting and assimilating these vital minerals from ocean water, miraculously converting them from unavailable, inorganic substances into organic minerals which the body can use on a cellular level as a kelp health benefit.

Certification of these Kelp Health Benefits are derived from:

1- Journal of Nutrition Feb 2005

2- Secrets of Health and Beauty, Pyramid books1970

Doctor. David Derry has produced studies that show the many kelp health benefits in relation to breast cancer - just one of many sicknesses effected by Kelps Health Benefit. Traditional medicine has been used to treat breast cancer since the 1920’s, yet cancer rates have not improved significantly. In many areas cancer rates are infact much higher. Studies have shown all along that women with diets high in kelp such as Japan and other coastal countries have appreciably lower rates of cancer due to their high intake of these sea vegetables, yet North American are only now beginning to understand Kelps health benefits.

Dr. Derry’s hypotheses of kelp health benefits, are founded on extended studies of published medical papers in conjunction with his experience as a clinician, and are not just his opinions. Studies are currently underway involving the effects of organic iodine from kelp on cancer prevention and reduction - several studies are exhibiting very positive Kelp Health Benefits of natural kelp products. Because breast cancer rates worldwide carry on to increasing, more people are interested in early intervention or prevention.

In fact, research is already underway on the impact of iodine on cancer prevention and reduction-a VERY important kelp health benefit. Dr. Derry proposes supporting the body’s natural immune system and metabolic health with proper thyroid levels, and combining that with the intake of a small daily dose of iodine-another Kelp Health Benefit.

FORGOTTEN KELP HEALTH BENEFITS In February of this year health researchers at UCLA Berkeley(1), called for a dramatic increase in scientific research into kelp health benefits after Discovering that a diet containing kelp may decrease the risk of estrogen-dependent Diseases in humans, such as breast cancer”

Getting a massage can be an enlightening event. Whether you are stressed out, in a rut or just need a bit of me time, a massage can give you that moment while also cleaning out toxins and relaxing tensed up muscles in your back, neck and throughout the body.

Picture a massage and you, me and everyone else thinks of the version with a faintly Eastern feel to it. While such images are certainly correct, there are actually many styles of massages out there. In fact, the most popular is not Eastern at all.

One of the more common massages is the Swedish massage. This is a good introductory massage for beginners. Therapist use long, smooth strokes and circular motions in combination with lotions to relax surface muscles. A very relaxing massage.

And then there is the serious massage. Yes, the deep tissue. This massage is designed to get at the tension and knots deep down in your muscles. Strokes are strong and slow. It is designed to give you good results, not a good experience while it is occurring.

A deep tissue massage is not for the light hearted. You are going to groan and whimper. It takes serious pressure to get at the tension and knots in your deep muscles. There is a great payoff however. You will feel like a million bucks once it is done.

Next up we have the massage from Thailand. This can be a confusing massage the first time. It is done on a padded floor and involves the twisting and stretching of your body. It is designed to align energy points. When done properly, results are tremendous.

I am a huge fan of a properly done Thai massage. The problem is finding a therapist that does an authentic version. If you love a quality massage, I strongly suggest you take a trip to Thailand once in your life and get an authentic massage. They are less than $20.

Our next massage comes out of Japan and is also very popular. The Shiatsu massage is also designed to treat the energy points in your body. Instead of twisting and bending you, however, it accomplishes this through finger manipulation of your meridians.

I would be remiss if I failed to mention the trendy new hot stone massage. As the name suggest, hot flat stones are placed on stressed muscles and the heat relaxes them. A very light massage that I find to be weak, but to each their own.

Having a child is a wonderful thing, but it can work over your body. The pregnancy massage is designed to help eliminate aches, pains and swelling for expectant mothers. This should only be undertaken using a therapist trained in the concept.

At the end of the day, it is pretty hard to go wrong with any particular massage. In one form or another, all massages are designed to give your body a much needed tune up. They certainly achieve such results.