Drinking from a toxic water bottle?

We all know that most plastics are toxic, which has prompted many of us to switch to aluminum water bottles. The problem is that there is uncertainty whether they, too, are toxic, as discussed in the following links:

http://www.ehow.com/about_5300319_health-risks-aluminum-water-bottles.html

http://emedicine.medscape.com/article/165315-overview

Stainless steel is widely deemed as safe and non toxic, which is what I use for my children. There are several good products on the market, including Klean Kanteen, New Wave Enviro Stainless Steel Water Bottle, SIGG, to name a few.

8 Ways to Boost your Brain Function!

This month's Yoga Journal highlights seven ways we can keep our mind functioning well into our elderly years, according to medical experts:

1. Vitamin D: Research suggests that Vitamin D is essential for cognitive function and helps to keep our bones strong through metabolizing calcium.

2. Brain tonic: As foreign as this is to many of us, brain tonics have been around for thousands of years in Ayurveda, an ancient Indian medicine. The herb Brahmi has been highly recommended. My personal favorite is chyavanprash, which has been incredibly effective in immune support.

3. Frequent socializing, including dancing, travelling, volunteering, playing board games, etc. have been found to lower risk of dementia.

4. Positive outlook: Studies have found that negative thinking is bad for your brain! According to Jeffrey M. Greeson of Duke University Medical Center, chronic anger, hate and resentment produce stress causing your adrenals to release the hormone cortisol. High levels of cortisol shrink the hippocampus and can actually lead to more negative thinking.

5. Vitamin B12: Studies have shown that B12 deficiency is linked to memory loss.

6. Regular meditation: According to several studies, meditation can keep your mind nimble and clear.

7. Frequent Exercise: Simply put, habitual exercise promotes healthy brain function.

Here is one that Yoga Journal omitted:

8. Eat Dark Leafy Greens!!! They contain antioxidants, help reduce inflammation, lower cholesterol levels and protect the immune system.

Should we really be grazing?

A doctor friend of mine told me he was astounded how much weight he lost just by eating a sensible lunch daily.

American doctors, nutritionists and trainers recommend that we should eat several small meals throughout the day. My question is if we're the only country in the world that grazes, could this be a factor in our being over-weight?

We need to give our metabolisms a break in order to burn fat. At the same time, we have to eat regular meals in order to keep our metabolisms function optimally. So what is the balance?

In most countries, people eat small breakfasts and dinners and hearty lunches. Sometimes they'll have a healthy mid-morning and/or mid-afternoon snack. Portion control is paramount. As a rule of thumb, we should wait 4 hours in between meals.

Most of us Americans eat minimally or starve ourselves throughout the day and then binge at night. Equally taxing on our metabolism is fasting, which is why on the JOOS Reboot we stress the importance of eating a sensible lunch.

If you're looking to get on track to optimizing your metabolism so that you can lose weight, improve your energy levels and even get a good night's sleep, they try doing the JOOS Reboot!