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Prebiotics and Probiotics

11/24/2014

What the heck are prebiotics? What are probiotics? What do they do for our bodies?

Prebiotics are natural, non-digestible food ingredients that are linked to promoting the growth of helpful bacteria in your intestines. We are used to hearing the word bacteria used in a negative connotation, but not all bacteria are bad! Prebiotics may improve gut health and increase calcium absorption.

Some good sources of prebiotics are bananas, onions, garlic, leeks, asparagus, dandelion greens, and artichokes. I recently heard a podcast where a doctor was using acacia plants, powdered, as a source of prebiotic fiber. It created in the gut a promotion of the lean bacteria, more of this type of bacteria was found in the lining of the intestines of really lean people.

Probiotics are actually the good bacteria in your intestines. There are foods which contain live strains of these cultures. These are actively balancing gut flora. They boost immunity and overall health, especially digestive health. For instance, probiotics have been used for treatment of irritable bowel syndrome. Some strains of these live cultures may help prevent specific allergy and intolerance symptoms.

Sources of probiotics are fermented foods and raw, unpasteurized dairy. Raw sauerkraut, plain, fresh yogurt and kefir, naturally pickled veggies, kimchi, and raw vinegar are all great source of probiotics.

Together prebiotics and probiotics are nutrition boosters that make everything else we eat alongside of them better absorbed by the body. They improve the bioavailability of other nutrients. They are a sort of superfood.

Make sure the foods are naturally fermented, not just added with vinegar, salt, and spices for the best results.

To your health!

Blessings,

KJ Landis
superiorselfwithkjlandis.com

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Blessed Beyond Measure

11/16/2014

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How many of us listen to others (or ourselves) complain just a little bit, every day, multiple times daily? I have fallen off the happy wagon a lot in my life, and then I drag others down to the smelly bottom with me. I am taking responsibility right now for being a spoiled American with too many choices and therefore too many complaints....

I want us to wake up to the blessings we have every moment. The first blessing is our breath. The next blessing is our free will. The next blessing is our bodies' ability to do every little thing it does for us, and most of the functions are automatic! The next blessing is the capacity to love, to cry, to have fears, emotions, etc...

I think you all get my point. I want you to write down on a small piece of paper 10 things that have blessed you today. Tomorrow do it again. Then after a few days you will have a pile of blessings! And that's only the beginning!

Thanksgiving and Christmas and your birthday is every day!

I want to hear from you!
Thanks for sharing your blessings,
KJ Landis
BOOK AVAILABLE NOW! Click here to order.

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Chronic Cardio

11/9/2014

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The term chronic cardio refers to overexercising, where we raise our heart rate up moderately for an extended period of time. How many of us have gone to the gym and seen the same people day in and day out jogging slightly on the treadmill or using the elliptical for an hour or two, or more? I have seen these people do the same exercise routine year in and year out, without changing their body shapes or fitness level. Some of them have even gotten a little heavier over the years. This was me just a few short years ago.

Because I jogged for so many miles a week or did aerobics classes, I was ravished afterward and felt like I "deserved" to eat whatever I wanted afterwards. And so I did. The reward system didn't make me feel stronger or faster, though. I steadily gained weight during the marathon running years!

Our fitness level may not get better or faster when we participate in chronic cardio because we are stressing our bodies. The chronic cardio puts stress on our heart and joints, and creates the hormone cortisol to rise. This stress hormone makes us hold on to our fat. Our bodies think we are running away from something for hours and we do not know when we will be able to stop to eat again. The emergency mode of our body takes over and our brain makes us hold on to fat for dear life! This is how the species was able to survive in ancient times. Our physiology doesn't recognize that we have a 7/11 on every corner or 24 hour grocery stores and diners!

So, how do we stop the madness? I say vary our exercise, a lot. Try short sprints for 30-60 seconds if on a treadmill, and then walk for 5 minutes. Do this for about half an hour and you will see improvements in strength, speed, and endurance. Get off the treadmill or elliptical and lift heavy things! Try a zumba class, go play with your kids in the park. Throw a frisbee, take a yoga or hot yoga class. Hike up the steepest hill, and bike up the steepest hill. Variety is the spice of life and your body will respond with more joy and physical fitness, so we can play more!

Until next week, blessings,
KJ Landis
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Why Change Our Eating Habits Anyway?

11/3/2014

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I received an email question from a relatively young email subscriber the other day. He asked me quite bluntly, "Why should I change my eating habits or movement patterns at all? I'm young, naturally thin, and relatively fit. I eat junk food and drink beers on the weekends. I'm pretty good the rest of the week, with lots of whole grains, pastas, and salads. I don''t even drink coffee. I much prefer energy drinks like Red Bull and Rock Star for that push."

It took me a while to gather myself. I was trying not to get emotional or judgmental. Everybody is on their own individual and unique journey, remember?

Then, with some research data at my side, I replied.

"Sweet, young man! The human body is a remarkable machine. We can put it through so much trauma and hardship, not feed it correctly, and still we survive. You are considered one of the so-called "lucky ones" by your peers. You may look and feel good now, but give your body another 20 years of abuse and less than healthy choices, and you may find your self in a steady state of decline."

We hear of people like this all the time. They are "skinny-fat." Skinny on the outside, but their organs and systems are less than ideal on the inside. Treat your body like you would a new girlfriend. You put your best foot forward, you are polite, loving, romantic. You have a benefit of giving and receiving the right chemicals and hormones to make everything just....fantastic in the beginning of the relationship. Honor your own self in the highest degree. Be your own girlfriend!

When we don't eat well, our sex drive and hormones are affected. We may not even be able to procreate. I believe we have a personal responsibility to protect our DNA so we don't screw it up for future generations.

What are some actionable steps we can take to guard that the human race continues to thrive? We modern people tend to complicate things, with our fancy buildings, smart phones, and sleek cars. We feel so advanced, yet many are so unhappy and unhealthy.

Here are some simple and doable steps in the right direction:

1. Go out and play in nature. Even for 15-20 minutes. You will feel sunny inside.

2. Swap out the grains for healthy dietary fats. Your intestines and joints will thank you almost immediately!

3. Look for stimulation from lifting heavy things rather than from energy drinks. You will get just as high and have sustainable results that will positively affect every other area of your multifaceted life!

So, my friends, I ask you young folks who are hot and sexy but don't take great care of yourselves, do you want to take unnecessary risks with your own lives or with the lives of your children and grandchildren? After all, we are borrowing our time here from them...

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Blessings,
KJ Landis, Author of Superior Self: Reaching Superior Health For A Superior Self
Superior Self, the book available now! Click here to order!

https://www.amazon.com/dp/1452521352/ref=cm_sw_r_awd_UVClub134AYDK

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Prebiotics and Probiotics

Blessed Beyond Measure

Chronic Cardio

Why Change Our Eating Habits Anyway?

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