Eye on Health

Dietary antioxidants have long been associated with whole body health, but little evidence determining the exact impact is available. However, a recent report published in the British Journal of Nutrition revealed a strong connection between regular intake of the lutein and zeaxanthin antioxidants and a reduce incidence of cataract disease. The study shows that while oxygen-rich blood is essential to the body’s well-being, certain proteins, when carrying too much oxygen can actually be detrimental to the body’s health. Antioxidants regulate the body’s use of oxygen and prevent those potentially dangerous proteins from damaging some of the body’s most vital systems, notably the eyes. The study showed that the regular intake of lutein and zeaxanthing can reduce oxidative blood flow to the eyes in such a way that it prevents cataracts. A healthy supply of these two antioxidant nutrients, coupled with other eye-healthy vitamins like alpha- and beta-carotene, an antioxidant-rich diet can also help prevent macular deterioration, as well as some cancers.

Water Quality

A quick look at the water quality reports released over the last eighteen months from institutions like the CDC, USGS and the US Department of Health and Human Services will yield a growing number of potentially harmful deposits in local and regional ground water supplies. While these reports shouldn’t be any cause for panic, the information should remind us of the importance of clean, purified water. To help bring greater attention to the importance of clean water, the Environmental Protection Agency designated the month of August “National Water Quality Month”. The central thrust of the EPA’s initiative is to illuminate the benefits of a regularly filtered water supply, as well as to remind citizens of how they can help curb their own contributions to water impurity. Even somewhat high instances of lead, chlorine, aluminum and other impurities in tap water can be fairly innocuous at first, but prolonged exposure can create painful or dangerous physical reactions. Pain, rash, discomfort, and even illness can manifest as a result, but a solution is much easier than you might think. Equipping your home with a comprehensive water filtration system can save you and your family countless hours of worry and irritation – not to mention countless dollars spent on bottled product. Simply put, running your drinking water though a purifying filter can have a major impact on your quality of life. In some cases, families have reported a reduction in irritated skin and upset stomach within a week’s time of switching to filtered drinking water. Additionally, some studies show that reduced consumption of direct tap water may limit the onset of several major diseases. Water is a tremendous part of our lives; each and every day. With so much riding on the purity of such an integral element in our diets and bodies, making sure it’s as safe as possible is absolutely critical. Make sure your family has access to the best water possible.

Healthy Recipe: Grilled Portobello Burgers

Packed with the kind of immune-boosting nutrients that will help keep your family safe and healthy, Portobello mushrooms and spinach make a great protein alternative while eliminating loads of heavy fats, as well as the threat of food-borne illnesses common to incorrectly cooked meats and poultry. These vitamin and antioxidant-rich veggies grill beautiful and pack a flavor filled punch. Serve these delicious sandwiches at your next backyard barbeque, and you’ll have a risk-free dish that’s sure to please. You’ll need 4 Portobello caps, cleaned with stems removed 4 whole wheat buns ½ cup whole, fresh spinach 4 slices organic beefsteak tomato 4 slices red onion 4 tbsp cream cheese (or less to taste) 1 cup vegetable broth ¼ cup olive oil ¼ cup balsamic vinegar 2 tsp sea salt 1 tsp Black pepper Fresh dill Combine mushroom caps, olive oil, broth, balsamic vinegar, salt and black pepper in a large dish. Make sure mushrooms are completely covered by fluid mixture. Cover dish and refrigerate for minimum two hours. After marinating period, fire up the grill to a medium heat. Place Portobello caps topside-up on grill, and cook for 6 minutes. Flip, cook for another 6 minutes, then check tenderness. Caps should be tender, but not mushy. Continue cooking topside-up if needed. Optional: grill tomato and red onion with a light olive oil baste for 2-3 minutes. While caps are grilling, combine fresh dill and cream cheese to taste. Apply generously to the bottom bun. Stack spinach, onion and tomato, then serve when Portobello are tender with a mild char. Plate with fresh watermelon for an low-cal, immune-boosting meal that’s sure to please. Serves four.

Shaklee Pure Performance Athletes in London

Shaklee has announced they would like to congratulate eight of their Pure Performance Team athletes who have qualified for the Olympic Games in London this summer. Dennis Bowsher, Pentathlete Corey Cogdell, Trap Shooter Caryn Davies, Rower Troy Dumais, Diver Margaux Isaksen, Pentathlete Seth Kelsey, Fencer Eleanor Logan, Rower Keith Sanderson, Rapid Fire Pistol Shooter Way to go! Especially exciting is that Shaklee Pure Performance athlete and 35-time national champion Troy Dumais has qualified for his fourth diving team, joining Greg Louganis as the only American men to do so! See the story on ESPN.com About going to the Games for the 4th time, Troy says, "It's an amazing feat and a great feeling but our job isn't done. We set out for a goal and this is just one of the steps to our goal. We have a lot of training to do. London awaits." See the full interview with Troy here. Troy Dumais will dive in the 3-meter synchronized event on August 1. The 3-meter springboard will take place August 6-7. Shaklee announced they look forward to supporting Troy and other members of the Pure Performance Team, and would like to introduce a few of the athletes as they compete in London this summer. Dennis Bowsher is a 4-time Senior National Champion, World Cup medalist, and soldier in the US Army. This will be his first Games and he says, “Training for pentathlon is grueling. We run 60 miles a week, swim 12 miles a week, fence for a total of seven hours a week, shoot for 7½ hours a week, and ride for 1½ hours during the week.” Margaux Isaksen found early success in pentathlon, competing in the Games in Beijing at just 16 years of age. Last year she was crowned Champion of Champions in Sicily, Italy, and won gold at the Pan American Games in Guadalajara, Mexico, qualifying her for the 2012 Games in London. Asked if she ever feels like quitting, Margaux says, “I ask myself, ‘Why on earth do I do this to myself?’ Then I snap back to reality and remember that if it were easy, everyone could do it. And the struggle makes the reward that much sweeter.” The modern pentathlon is a one-day, five-event competition: pistol shooting, épée fencing, swimming, equestrian show jumping, and cross country running. It’s a sport that tests both the mind and body of an athlete. Watch pentathletes Dennis Bowsher and Margaux Isaksen compete in London on August 11-12. Seth Kelsey, épée Fencer is a 2008 Beijing Games competitor and Pan American Games gold medalist and will be competing in his third Games this summer. Seth’s favorite Shaklee products are Shaklee Vitalizer™ Men, OmegaGuard® and Vivix®. “Every bout you have to fight—even in practice,” says Kelsey. “You have to say, It’s practice, and I’m down 4-2, but I’m going to fight and win.’ You have to be ready to fight to win.” Watch Seth compete on August 1st. Learn more about each member of Shaklee's Pure Performance Team at www.athletes.shaklee.com, and be sure to share the excitement with everyone you know.

Pure Pride - Staying Fit and Staying Safe in Honor of the U.S. Olympic Team

With the start of the 2012 Summer Olympics, citizens all over the country are flying their flags high and coming together to support America's athletes. Patriotic pride takes many forms, and staying fit by participating in outdoor athletics is an excellent way to show your support for the men and women in red, white and blue. Whether you and your team are gearing up for a gold medal, or simply heading out for some extra exercise, making sure your body has access to all the healthy nutrition it needs is essential for summertime safety. Beyond hydrating with plenty of water, most physical fitness experts recommend the following for outdoor activity: Dress lightly. Shorts and a t-shirt may be fine for a stroll in the park, but gearing up with the right garb can make a tremendous difference in how your body manages heat. Seek out thin, breathable fabrics in light colors to help your body stay cool. Stretch. Adequate stretching before any exercise not only helps your body feel better during the workout, it also helps prevent cramping and aids in recovery. Stay limber. Drink the right fluids. Your body needs more than just plain water to recover from strenuous exercise – especially in warm weather. Studies show that using clinically tested sports drinks to replace electrolytes during physical activity, or within fifteen minutes of an exercise period, can help your body retain necessary water and improve physical condition. Recover. You may think the workout’s over when you leave the field, but proper recovery is one of the most important parts of healthy exercise. Support your sport with a post-game recovery shake that will help your body recover and rebuild exerted muscles. You’ll feel better the next morning, and you’ll look better if you stick with it.

Healthy Recipe: Pineapple Coconut Water Smoothie

Substituting milk or yogurt with water in a smoothie may not seem so appealing, but with the right ingredients, it can make a clean, refreshing, healthy treat to help start your day or recover from a strenuous workout. Find flavor in healthy foods, and ditch the unwanted calories found in most smoothie bases. You’ll need: 1 large pineapple, skinned and cored 1 tbsp dried coconut flake 1 tsp fresh lime juice 1 cup purified water 1 cup ice Pinch salt Combine ingredients in a large blender starting with liquids on the bottom. Blend until smooth. If you’re drinking this smoothie after a workout, consider adding a healthy, naturally-derived vanilla protein powder to aid in physical recovery.

Shaklee Sports Nutrition

Summer just kicked into a whole new gear in the Midwest. In fact, the temperature here is actually higher than in Florida which is somewhat surprising but we are making the best of it. My family is cooling off at the pool and the kids are having fun on the slip in slide. But as a mom, I am also making sure we are keeping well hydrated with Shaklee Performance. It is very easy to get overheated working outside, exercising or playing. We are also moving into youth football in a week or two and many other youth sports teams are getting ready to begin practicing. It is very important to make sure our little athletes have good nutrition support and hydration. If we put in the best, we will bring out the best. But it isn't just for the kids... I went to the gym today and my trainer put me through a tough workout and I wouldn't have made it without Shaklee Energy Chews for extra energy, Performance during my work out and Physique afterwards to help my muscles recover.

Here is a little peek at Shaklee sports nutrition and why I trust it and you can too.

Shaklee Videos: Shaklee Sports Nutritionsup™/sup

Sports nutrition is not just for olympic athletes and world explorers but it is for you and most everyone you know...

•People who work out regularly at the gym
•People who play tennis or golf
•People who run to stay fit
•People who run competitively, as in marathons
•Parents of children on sports teams
•Parents concerned about the high sugar or caffeine content of sports and energy drinks, or about artificial flavors, sweeteners or preservatives
•People who are working out in order to lose weight

I am excited about how these products have made a difference in my family and I enjoy helping others learn how they can help their families as well. Through July 31st Shaklee is offering a FREE* Sports Nutrition Pack so if you want the products for free, click here to learn more or contact me for more details.