Diana's Tips for Good Health

These days there are many confusing and conflicting reports out on what is good for us and what is not. Shouldn't we be the judge of that? After all, good health is an individual thing for each or our unique bodies. We need to listen to the wisdom of our own bodies remembering that common sense as well as a sense of humor will help us to achieve and maintain optimum health throughout our lives. Here are a few common sense health tips:
  1. EAT WELL- Avoid overly reined and processed foods- they are generally stripped of nutrients and full of "empty calories." If it's a white powder like refined wheat flour or sugar - limit it or if you can, eliminate it. Eat for color - red beets, berries, radishes and tomatoes, orange carrots and squash, purple grapes, blueberries, dark leafy greens, etc. Also include a mix of cooked and raw foods. Organic foods are best - especially for children.
  2. BREATHE and STRETCH: Learn to relax with deep :belly breathing" or take a yoga class to get you started and inspire you. This is also a great stress relieving technique.
  3. MOVE! Get some exercise - even everyday chores (functional exercise) can help keep you fit and trip, and keep the house and yard in good shape too. Recreational exercise is the most fun if you can schedule it 3-4 times per week. This also helps keep your weight under control.
  4. Learn to manage STRESS: It's the number ONE factor in determining the state of your health - above lifestyle choices, exercise and genetics. Attitude is everything. For example, you may choose to call it Functional Exercise or Household Chores.
  5. KEEP A POSITIVE OUTLOOK and live in the present. It's the only place that we can enjoy a sense of freedom and timelessness - totally absorbed in the moment (while keeping an eye and ear out for danger.) Animals seem to have this instinctive ability.
  6. REST YOUR BODY: It's OK to take naps when we can if we feel the need. Sometimes we get sick in order to force us to rest - again, prevention is better than dealing with disease.
  7. MAINTAIN A HEALTHY DIGESTIVE TRACT including occasional cleansing and supplying of probiotics (like acidophilus) to keep the friendly bacteria in the majority and the ever present bad bacteria at bay.
  8. BE AWARE of the acid-alkaline balance in your body and which foods and drinks encourage an acidic or alkaline state. History has taught us that an alkaline environment aids in health where as an acidic one favors disease. Why do you think antacids are some of the most popular over-the-counter medications out there? Consumption of sugar, alcohol, coffee, tea, soft drinks, some vegetables, flour, milk, fish and other foods all contribute to acidifying your body. Genreally we should eat 80% alkaline-forming foods and 20% acid-forming foods. You can test your urine with litmus paper to monitor your body's acid/alkaline state. For a list of acid and alkaline forming foods, see the "Prescription For Nutritional Healing" book by Phyllis and James Balch. 
  9. AS MOTHER THERESA said, "It is better to be FOR good than AGAINST evil." This applies to our immune system as well. Build up the good in your body and it will be better equipped to handle the invaders we encounter. 
  10. LAST BUT NOT LEAST is to recognize a simple human tendency to Seek Pleasure and to Avoid Pain. With that in mind, there are many healthy pleasures available to us that are not destructive in any way and are even helpful in keeping our minds, bodies and spirits healthy.


These tips are based on readings and life experiences and are ot intended to diagnose or treat any human conditions or be a substitute for medical care. Prevention is a good thing!
—Diana