Localism: Idaho

Chanting Healthy Consumption

Wed, 08 Oct 2008 01:33:50 -0500

I want to hear from you...

Tell me about meals for the past couple days... I remember being several days in to my weight loss program knowing that I had done pretty well so far... I began to feel so good inside that I really just lost interest in the sweets, the soda, but most of all the fast food. Really..., we all know what we can and cannot do to effectively lose weight.

We cannot eat foods that have enriched in the ingredients list. And we find ourselves reading the food labels on the foods we buy every time we go into the grocery store. We know whole grains are necessary. There is no reason to be emotional about it. Our body needs it. Remember, that appetite is a thought, hunger is a physiological response of our body. You can feel it deeper.

We do not want enriched, we do not want much sugar. In fact, I steer clear of anything that has much more than 6 grams unless it is a healthy whole grain breakfast cereal or something (not one with marshmallows)... A recent article shared a list of cereals that are advertised to children that are over 50% sugar.

Did you know that sugar is one of the only things listed on food labels that don't show a % of Daily Value? Do you want to hear something sad? We live in a time when many people don't really know that represents the percentage of that ingredient that is healthy to consume in a day. A small 16 oz soda at McD's (that's right, I said small 16 oz... that has become the size small... crazy!) has 40 grams of sugar in it. Who drinks small soda's anymore? Even sadder, I know.

How much sugar should we consume in a day? The answer, according to the article, "America: Drowning in Sugar" published by Center for Science in the Public Interest in 1999, is "ten teaspoons or 40 grams" which was what the USDA recommended nearly ten years ago. Next time you see someone drinking a soda or consuming sugar... take a second look at how much they are taking in. It is scary. Check out that article here (interesting information that I am continue researching).

One more thing, we have to become aware of the amount of caffeine, sugar, and aspartame that is being consumed in these energy drinks marketed to our youth. Some schools even have them in their pop machines.

The phrasing, "pop machines" makes me sound old. What are they even called anymore? They look different today. Like some kind of giant display of light and color. They are as stimulating as a television commercial. Funny isn't it?... especially, when you consider the second law of learning: Repetition.

Does it ever seem like someone wants us to be thinking about that sugar, caffeine or aspartame? You look forward at how stress is going to affect the health of our species, we better consider letting go of these sugars, artificial sweeteners and unhealthy caffeine distributors. They have taken form in a can or a cup at, most if not, all fast food restaurants, and convenient stores or at our places of employment or education. We have to choose water instead. It saves us money, it saves us resources, and it saves our health.

When I started planning and preparing the majority of my own meals, I became much more appreciative towards my consumption and production of energy experience. My meals had me feeling strong, energetic, excited about life. I was thinking clear because the chemicals in my body were in repair mode. Plus, my taste improved and those foods just taste better now.

It became easier and easier to find the energy to engage with my children. How natural it felt to just listen to the wind blow the sounds of birds chirping. The sky became beautiful again. Spend a day looking at the colors of the world. You'll be surprised of the thoughts that arise.

I never miss the feelings of being bloated. You know that feeling where you just cannot cram another chicken finger or french fry in your throat. No more chips or crackers... The heartburn and the late night acid reflux trip to the cabinet for Rolaids is certainly not something I wish I was still doing. Nor do I miss the irregular stool samples (gross I know, but it makes a difference in your quality of life).

My body was finally feeling the benefits of physical healing. It encouraged me to find the time to take my walks every day, acting out of faith that I would reach my wellness goals, as I established memories of my new healthy behaviors. The brain is plastic and we have the capability to learn and unlearn our behaviors (Check out the book, "The Brain that Changes Itself" by Norman Doidge M.D.). Take an inventory and determine what is worth learning to you. Then learn it. Mine was health and happiness.

Thanks for listening. Your body will thank your subconscious mind with a healthy living. You will find more attention towards what you value in life.

Exciting News Since My Last Post Two Months Ago

Tue, 07 Oct 2008 18:09:54 -0500

WOW! How time flies at supersonic speed when you're having FUN (F-U-N, FUN!)

The last post I did was entitled PRESSURE FORMS THE PEARL! I had no idea what that title would mean two months later, but it's still true!

I have finished Chapters One, Two and Three and Chapter Four is due November 1 for my doctoral research project. What a wild adventure it's been!

I am focusing on emerging adults (18 - 30 years old) who need their Identity Crisis resolved. My hypothesis is:

A grace-based and community-oriented seminar on the nature of identity formation for emerging adults in Boise, ID, will facilitate an understanding and healing of their identity crisis.

There are about 100,000 emerging adults who live in the Boise area. Most of them do not feel comfortable with the boomer or builder generations (44 years old and older.)

I have a LARGER-THAN-LIFE DREAM to help these emerging adults to feel deeply loved, completely accepted and highly valued as people by finding solutions to the difficult and demanding problems of addictions, social disturbances, violence and crime.

My dream is to create a multi-cultural and multi-generational community of creative, risk-taking, team players to unite our community with PAIN Transformed into PEACE! The emerging adults are an untapped generation of creative, risk-taking team players who have the potential to turn our world upside down (or right side up!)

ACTIVE RAIN is a potential community that would greatly benefit from an infusion of emerging adults! The whole industry of Real Estate could be impacted!

Chapters Five and Six are due February 1. The completed research project is due on May 1 for binding as a book.

So, until next time, HAVE FUN in THE RAIN!

Happy Trails! The new Prairie Trail has come to life in Coeur d'Alene.

Tue, 07 Oct 2008 16:03:57 -0500

The new Prairie Trail is full of activity. An asset for both tourists and local residents, here's a new opportunity to get out and enjoy our beautiful North Idaho autumn. As you wander along, the personality of the trail changes with your views. Stride past stunning river and forest scenes, under the highway and along Ramsey Park where neighbors are cheering on their junior football teams.

The Prairie Trail is the result of a cooperative venture between The Centennial Trail Foundation, The City of Coeur d'Alene and the Lake City Development Corporation. It runs for five miles along the riverside route formerly held by the Union Pacific Railroad, from Huetter on the north to Riverstone on the south.

To discover the new Prairie Trail, lace up your walking shoes or grab your bike. Head to the Riverstone Park trailhead or hop on the trail at any point along its path. You'll see lots of folks along your way, enjoying another magnificent autumn in North Idaho. See you on the trail!

Janna Rankin Scharf, GRI, CSP, CLHMS
Associate Broker
Coldwell Banker Schneidmiller Realty
(208)651-9700
NorthIdahoJanna@gmail.com
www.JannaScharf.com

Find Your Best and Give it Away

Tue, 07 Oct 2008 00:34:07 -0500

After nearly 8 years of advising Seniors on their Medicare and Healthcare, staring at the reflection of a passing generation, I have been able to observe first hand a collective failing on our chosen methods of health care. It seems like we have allowed ourselves to fail ourselves. I watched how 9 out of 10 people I talked to was dealing with Heart Disease, Cancer, Alzheimer's, Diabetes, and multiple other diseases linked to the way we choose to live. We have to start utilizing the information in the world around us. The knowledge within that is available to all of us. It seems like a great time to pay attention to our feelings.

What feeling does a certain stimulus cause within your body. I have learned through meditation that you can identify emotionally with your feelings when you re-present yourself into the current moment. What are you doing?

Stress combined with a poor nutritional mindset leads to a very unfortunate way of life. I believe that our parents and grandparents are reminding us of the importance to unite and understand how we can create the changes we want. Our medical program will eventually need to be more responsible for education before medication

Right now, the television and papers are telling you about the doom and gloom of your future. Emotion is energy moving through us. How do certain things spark the emotion within you? The media tells you about how you are going to lose your house, if you can even afford to have a house. They continue to let you know about the things you want to need, but cannot have. I see it everywhere around me. I lost 62 lbs. because I became aware of the information I consumed. I stopped watching television or reading the paper almost two years ago. I have maybe been in front of that box for a total of maybe 20 hours in the last year.

Our Baby Boom Generation is teaching us right now that it makes more sense to pay for life now, rather than trying to invest and have it all while we prepare for the last half of life. We are destined for some unique experiences. It is truly a spiritual revolution regardless of what your faith is. We are losing our introduction into this era and it is now all of our responsibilities to wake up in this moment and realize how we can start to contribute to the ending of our own personal suffering.

In conversation with a group of business leaders today, I heard the story of how life is going to offer us all a change regardless of whether or not we are ready. We must use this critical period in space and time to learn from the mistakes so we can evolve as a species. This is what you all are hearing. I heard it from the weight-loss clients I have helped in the Hypnosis Center. I have been listening to all of you and it seems like we should hear out Ghandi and "be the change we want to see in the world".

I have family that lives on the television. I have loved ones that deal with the same things we all have dealt with. Millions of thoughts taking place in our minds every day. It may be a good time to simplify our sequence of emotional interactions. Slow down and start appreciating a life that is passing before our very eyes. If you have a passion in life, you have a responsible to share it. Educate yourself, start a business, do not be scared to live. Find something that you can do that adds value to the lives within your network of life relationships.

Becoming aware of how certain things you love to do will help others. Add value to the life that passes through you by being actively participating in the "ah hah" of life. Your attention is going to be more valuable than a dollar soon. Pay attention to what you love.

I love family and experiences with my family. I value the freedom to have the experiences that add more value to my life at any given moment I pay attention. Love is found in what you enjoy paying attention too. For me, there has never been a better time to love the idea of family. Hold them close. Find opportunities to observe nature and talk. Make music, read a book, shoot hoops... do something that you would do if you were at your healthiest self. Watch what happens with a shift of attention. Life is good.

Think about what experiences would bring value into your life? Then do it. What industry do you think is attracting people from the ones that are failing it? How many commercials did you used to see that are about weight-loss? How many network marketing companies have cropped up in the wellness industry?

My mission is to transform the challenges we have right now into opportunity. I want to share the benefits of prospering through tough times. I am choosing to enjoy my life and the blessings that make it up, while continuing to learn how to improve the quality. You could choose a number of weight-loss books or programs I have read most of them. I have applied the knowledge that helped me regulate my health naturally.

I like the idea that just came into my mind as I meditated on the changes of consumption that need to happen right now. Now is the time to start looking for the way you can manifest the Higher Power that exists within you.

So I have experimented, educated and empirically proved what will help you with your health and wellness. My Live Complete method to weight-loss and wellness has yielded results both as a Personal Trainer and a Hypnotist. Two additional occupations, within the wellness industry, that needs to be held more accountable for tending to the spirit of the consumer. No matter, it will all be in my published works soon.

First though, I am going to continue to share my perspective with you. If you are willing to listen, you can determine the value it creates for you. I am going to keep helping others, enjoying life and paying attention.

Fundamental Law of Abundance:

Give your best away.

In Wellness,

Justin Waldron

Home Buying – Home Inspection Basics

Mon, 06 Oct 2008 21:00:26 -0500

Below are some key areas to consider when purchasing a new home. When having a home inspected make sure it is done by a professional and pay extra attention to the following areas:

· Fireplace/Chimney and Flue. Be sure all are safe, working, and clean.

· Furnace and Air Conditioner. How old are they? Run them and have them inspected to make sure they are operating properly. Have they been routinely serviced?

· Windows and Doors. Do all window and doors close properly and tightly? Do the doors hang at the right angle or do some sag?

· Plumbing. Are the faucets and drains working properly? Check for leaks under sinks and garage or anywhere pipes are.

· Electrical. Have all circuits and outlets checked.

· Roof. How old is the roof? Does it need any repairs? Look at the home's ceiling for signs of water leakage.

• Foundation. Check for cracks in the foundation, this may indicate a foundation shift or leakage into the basement. Is there termite or pest damage?

Chances are there will be things that need to be addressed, some may need to be fixed before buying the Idaho home while other items may be put off until later.