It is hard to believe another year has melted behind us. It is so easy to get caught up in life without fully living it. If you find your health is not as good or better as it was a year ago, it’s time to put your foot down, enough is enough. You need to make some changes. The truth is, great health may be closer than you think. Often by making minor changes in your life you can remove obstacles that are blocking you from enjoying better health. Please take a few moments to determine if there are any changes that you can make. I may be as simple as getting an extra hour of sleep each night or eliminating soda or caffeine from your diet. The hard cold fact is that you are issued only one body during this life. No exceptions. Make the best out of what you’ve got. You can choose your actions, but not the consequences of those actions. Review the following 8 areas of health and decide what you can do. As you read through each topic ask yourself, “Is there something I can do here?” Write down what pops in to your head and consider making those changes. Make a written plan. Remember, A goal not written, is only a wish.

Diet: Simply put, our diets should be centered around whole natural foods which are free from additives, hormones, and grown without poisons (pesticides, herbicides, antibiotics, etc.). You don’t need to become a vegetarian – although there are advantages for many. Increase your vegetable and fruit intake. Eat beans, legumes, nuts, seeds, whole grains, a little animal flesh, and occasional treats. Remember, it’s not what you eat some of the time, but what you eat most of the time that will determine your health. Eat whole clean food, it’s really that simple. But not necessarily easy.

Substances to avoid: Tobacco (in all forms), alcohol, coffee, black tea (Lipton ice tea), and soda – don’t fool yourself about this liquid candy! There is nothing about soft drinks that are beneficial to your health. Nothing! Strictly avoid hydrogenated oils and high fructose corn syrup. The regular consumption of stimulants is like caffeine and sugar will eventually exhaust you. Nourish the body, don’t stimulate it. Avoid using your microwave.

Exercise: Without a physically fit body you will not have the energy to fully experience and enjoy life. If you were given the choice of watching your diet perfectly and NOT exercising regularly OR exercising moderately to maintain your ideal weight and eating “pretty good”, you can expect the fit person to live longer, experience less disease and have more energy. Men should maintain 15% body fat and women 22%. A moderate exercise program can maintain aerobic fitness, strength and flexibility. If you don’t have a physically fit body, you will never enjoy true health. Whether you like to exercise or not, you can never escape the consequences of not being fit. Plan a simple program that includes exercising six days each week. Develop a routine and find a workout partner. Having a strong, fit, flexible body is a gift that cannot be bought. Just do it.

Adequate Sleep, Rest and Relaxation: We are taught that most of us require eight hours of sleep each night. Research verifies 8.4 hours of sleep is optimum for most of us. If you find yourself getting sleepy mid-day, you may not be getting enough sleep. As we get older, you may find you don’t need as much sleep at night, but may want to take a short nap mid-day. Experiment and discover what is right for you. Also take time to relax and unwind each day, this is rejuvenating to the body and spirit. Sleep deprivation is a sure way to poor health.

Good Hygiene and Sanitation: Bathe and/or shower regularly. Brush and floss your teeth daily. Wash your hands frequently. Keep a clean sanitary kitchen. Cook with and store food properly. Live in a clean, uncluttered environment. Use a natural fiber skin brush before you shower each day. It will cleanse the skin and the body by opening up your pores, increase your circulation and eliminate toxins. De-clutter your home – it’s rejuvenating, invigorating and healing!

Supplements: Give the body the nutritional building blocks that will allow it to build healthy tissue. We recommend the following:

Bountiful Blend or Earth's Nutrition - take once or twice daily. These are multiple vitamin/mineral supplements. If you only take one supplement it should be one of these.

Digestive Enzymes - as we get older our bodies produce less digestive enzymes. If you struggle with any digestive problems, take enzymes with each meal or at any sign of indigestion. And throw away those antacids.

Probiotics - you need to be consuming the “good bacteria”, such as acidophilus or soil organisms. Whether you eat yogurt, sauerkraut, kim-chee or take a supplement. You need these helpful microbes.

Colon Cleanse™ - our bodies are designed to have 2 to 3 bowel movements daily. If you don’t, use this fantastic product.

Female Balance Formula - use for any female or hormonal related problems.

Prostate Plus Formula - for men over 40 to prevent or correct prostate problems.

Immune Boost and/or Anti-Plague Formula - use at the first sign or hint of a cold or illness. At our house if anyone starts to feel ill, everyone takes the herbs.

Western Botanicals Inc. has a complete line of products for what ever ails you. Check us out @ www.westernbotanicals.com

Water: Drink 8 glasses of water (and herbal tea) daily. We’ve been told this since childhood. Get in the habit of carrying a water bottle with you. This is the best way to eliminate toxicity and cleanse the body. Make sure the water is pure. Don’t drink chlorinated tap water.

Relationships: Our physical bodies are intimately connected to our emotional and spiritual lives. Forgive and let go of past hurts, traumas, betrayals, etc. You cannot heal if you do not release fear, anger, hate, guilt, etc. Hanging on to negative feelings will canker your soul. Repent (change your heart) and Forgive (let go of negativity). Be a friend, make a friend. Relationships offer our greatest challenges, but also reward us with the greatest joy. Life is about the quality of our relationships.

Growth: A richly satisfying life cannot be fully realized with growth. I believe that each of us needs to be learning and developing our talents and interests. This will require effort and discipline. Sign up for a class, take music lessons, set yourself on the path to master a hobby or skill. You are never too old to begin. Find something you are passionate about and pursue it. Then practice, practice, practice.

This is just a brief introduction. More information can be found in Dr. Christensen’s book:
Herbal First Aid and Health Care –
Medicine for a New Millennium.

~ Dr. Kyle D. Christensen D.C. ~

"Herbal first Aid is insightful, clear, and an easy to follow resource book on herbs. It covers herbal lifesaving techniques, storage of herbal remedies and ancient herbal wisdom. This book is a must for alternative health practitioners and I am looking forward to having it in my collection of books on remedies and first aid". - Ellen w. Cutler, D.C. Author of The Food Allergy Cure