http://leightonpost.com/2009/12/25/the-bias-against-preventative-healthcare/

This article nails it! Among all of the natural therapies you can do, none are as effective as exercise. All other therapies are supplemental to exercise. Our view of exercise is so skewed at times because most of the exercise world encourages obsession over health. Which in turn, causes a vicious cycle of self medication with food due to the fact that we become so tired and discouraged because of energy it takes out of us to maintain this obsession! I have found that when you completely turn your focus of your routines from “what you need to fix” to the overall function, form and feeling of your body, the results come so much more quickly, and which so much more joy!

People forget, when we starve ourselves, exercise excessively, and maintain an unreasonable lifestyle, the drop-out rate is 100%. 100% !! Some people can stick with it much longer, but they will eventually let it go. As well, they are angry, agitated, sad, discouraged, etc. (Mostly due to the imbalance of serotonin because of carb deprivation).

A study was completed a few years ago in the United States; an equal number of females were placed into 2 groups. One group was given a low carb diet and the other a moderate to reduced fat diet. Both were given the same daily exercise requirements. At the end of 6 months, both groups both groups had lost measurably equal weight. However, at the end of 12 months, the reduced fat diet group had maintained it, and the low carb group had (on average) gained 75%-100% of the initial weight back. The study also questioned every day focus and wellbeing of the groups. The carb group reported poor focus, constant fatigue, and a feeling of agitation. The low fat group, on average, did not report these feelings.

Written by Catherine Price:

Entitled “Why I Hate Partner Yoga” “Is Having my Face in a Stranger’s Crotch Really Going to Help my Meditative State?”  http://www.salon.com/life/feature/2008/01/23/partner_yoga

Well in all honesty, the pure psychology of the title screams this kind of western “victim of the east” mentality. You will always recognize someone with a self centered mind when they use this kind of passive aggressive wording. Through the title she insinuates that the stranger was happy to have her crotch in his face! Did she consider his view? Maybe he was thinking the same thing- who knows! I’m sure her attitude was enough to ruin any kind of lessons that could have been learned from the exercise. And furthermore, she degrades the practice by juxtaposing the words “crotch” and “meditative” in the same statement. As if this woman could possibly demonstrate any sense of real “meditation”. Meditation involves a passive yet focused, non judgmental attitude. It requires a willingness to simply experience whatever comes up; including uncomfortable, nagging thoughts about how much you hate partner work and interaction.

Did we ever stop to realize that when someone like Price “hates partner work and interaction” so much, that it is probably something that she should be looking into. I mean, agreeably, I would not spring partner work into a group class unless it was advertised “Partner Yoga”, however any such strong aversions like this, are things that need a closer look.

Throughout the entire article Price has this air of belittlement as she writes about her teachers and fellow students as if she is somehow “above” them because she dislikes them. As well she speaks with a “Traditional Hindu Guru” who claims that Partner Yoga, Power Yoga, Vinyasa, Ashtanga etc. are “atrocities” and “a bastardiztion of a spiritual practice”. Ah yes, because spirituality is based on stringent tradition, religiosity, and rules. I was unaware that using a practice such as Yoga, and molding it into something that can be used with relevance in an American society, was wrong? It is Yoga. Evolution is Yoga. Yoga is union. As we practice we change, in fact the very practice itself “advertises” change! So why then, do we meet “spiritual teachers” that sit in the same backward mindset as in the West.

I have met “high spiritual teachers” who have no spiteful words against those who practice new forms of Yoga, because they bring people joy. Simply because sitting in meditation for 6 hours is not relevant for the average american who already sits at a desk for 8 hours a day, does not mean that he cannot benefit from a Yogic practice, that has been adapted to fit his needs. After all, is it not a key Yogic Philosophy that states that “the student should not work to fit the Yoga, but rather the Yoga to fit the student”?  This goes for Partner Yoga as well.

Again, I don’t believe in “forced intimacy with strangers”, however I would never go as far to call them “jokes” or “bastardizations”. Yoga is about the individual experience. Why then, do we feel the need to stick our noses in what ever brings others a sense of fulfillment. If you don’t like it, don’t go. Simple.

1) “Bananas are not good for women because they add skin layers over the abdomen and inhibit the visibility of the “six pack” ”
2) Bananas are high in fat
3) Bananas are high in Carbohydrates, and therefore cause weight gain

Bananas contain Tryptophan, an amino acid, which the body converts into serotonin. Currently, it is illegal to purchase Tryptophan  in supplement form in Canada, however your Naturopath might prescribe something called 5-HTP. This is a “precursor” to Tryptophan. Meaning the liver converts 5-HTP supplements into Tryptophan. This supplement is prescribed for a few reasons. Among these are; sleep disturbances, overly large appetite, and depression.

In any case, Bananas contain this fabulous chemical. They are considered the “feel good” fruit. And I can attest to this- bananas have saved me from the dreaded 3′oclock carb rage. They are very low in fats, and contain an above average healthful amount of carbohydrates. Don’t be scared however, these are GOOD carbs. Bananas help to maintain stable blood sugar and can also get rid of a sugar craving with a little patience; if you wait about 20 minutes after eating 1 or 2 bananas, and let the natural fruit sugars reach the blood stream. Bananas also contain high levels of Potassium and this helps to hydrate the body and supply needed electrolytes. Electrolytes help to improve the function of the nervous system and “electricity” of the body. Bananas have a high amount of Vitamin A and small amounts, but a full range of, the B vitamins. These vitamins are what keep your brain functioning properly. B vitamins are arguably, among the most “important” of the nutrients needed by the body, particularly with regards to mental well-being, focus, and feeling alert. They are also high in Magnesium, which helps to calm the body, along with a small amount of calcium.  High amounts of Phosphorus and Folate are present in bananas as well.

Generally, the smaller bananas are better in terms of pesticides and toxic GMO’s. (Genetically Modified Organisms). Because they are (usually) not pumped full of steroids to make them bigger. Remember, the bigger the banana does not equal more nutrition. This can also mean that it has a higher level of “empty nutrition” due to any injected material to make the fruit grow more quickly. As well, choose organic or local, but don’t assume that you’re always safe.

To try something new: try Plantains. They are like bananas, but larger, greener, less sweet, and you have to cook them.

*According to research in “The New England Journal of Medicine”eating bananas can cut the risk of stroke death by as much as 40%!.

Many cultures around the world use bananas “medicinally” to treat an array of diseases and imbalances. They are said to encourage hemoglobin production, aiding the healing process of Iron deficiency.

Bananas are about 60 calories per medium sized banana. They also taste like dessert when you freeze them and are REALLY good in a smoothie made with chocolate soy milk, matcha powder, protein powder and ice.

*for more facts, questions, answers, and tips visit http://www.banana.com/