Inner Icon Health Tips

Buy Organic

Submitted by David Weaver on Mon, 05/17/2010 - 10:14am

Foods that were once thought to be very good for your health, are still good for your health. BUT, many of them also have added problems and dangers associated with them that they never had before.

There are some more commonly known problems such as the use of pesticides, toxins and other dangerous chemicals that now exist in non-organic foods. These can lead to various health problems and conditions. Just do a search for "side effects of pesticides" and see what you come up with.

But aside from these issues, there is a very big problem even worse than pesticides; Genetically Modified Foods. The US does NOT require labeling of GMO foods. Fruits and vegetables are some of the most commonly modified foods. They are created in labs and then patented as something the said company owns. There are no laws about the safety of these foods being put into distribution. They are only required to have a patent. Some foods that are VERY likely genetically modified are soy, corn and it's products (canola oil, high fructose corn syrup, etc.) and wheat.

So just by eating the way our pre-agricultural ancestors ate, we can avoid some of our present day dangers all together. We already know that grainfed animals are the "protein equivilant of cardboard." We also now know that there are some potentially dangerous effects of the other foods we are eating as well. So if we are trying to live as healthy and disease-free as possible, let's think more carefully about what we put in our bodies. Buying organic, grassfed, local products is good for the local community, good for your health, and good for future generations.

"A plant, fruit, or animal grown without the administration of artificial pesticides, herbicides, or insecticides, chemical fertilizers, antibiotics or growth hormones (in the case of animal products), most closely replicates wild or untampered-with growing conditions" - Mark Sisson

“The doctor of the future will no longer treat the human frame with drugs, but rather will cure and prevent disease with nutrition.” ~ Thomas Edison

 

Interview with World Class Volleyball Player - Courtney Thompson

Submitted by David Weaver on Mon, 02/15/2010 - 8:20am

I had the incredible opportunity to talk with my friend and incredible athlete, Courtney Thompson. She took time out of her busy schedule while playing in Puerto Rico to talk about sport, fitness, and the mental aspect of it all. Courtney has gotten to where she is by good old fashioned hard work. She talks about things that can be applied to whatever stage of life you're at. I learned some good stuff while talking to her, and I hope you will too!

Go here to listen: Courtney Interview

Interview with Susie

Submitted by David Weaver on Fri, 01/29/2010 - 9:22am
Check out this interview with Susie! Through education and dedication she has made some radical improvements to her health and well being.  In the interview she talks about where she was at a year ago and just how important the addition of exercise and proper nutrition can be.  She also discusses the mental aspects and how the rest of her life is affected.

To listen and for more details click on the link below:
http://innericonfitness.com/content/interview-susie

 

Buy Local

Submitted by David Weaver on Wed, 12/02/2009 - 8:31am

Support your favorite local business! There are some really good resources here in the Seattle area. Not only are you helping to support your local economy but you're probably getting higher quality, fresh stuff!

One of our favorite local companies is called Sotto Voce. They have lots of really good olive oils and vinegars - all bottled here in Washington. These are a really good way to add variety and spice up your meals. For example, I like to add some spicy garlic or shitake herbed olive oil to my eggs. The best place to get some for yourself is at Pike Place Market. I have also seen some at Metropolitan Market.

What are YOUR favorite local businesses? Let us know!

Sotto Voce online:

http://www.sottovoce.com/default.aspx

 

Sleep is your best medicine

Submitted by Wynter Weaver on Thu, 10/15/2009 - 9:45am
Are you getting enough sleep?
Chances are you're not and getting the right amount of sleep could be extremely beneficial to you. Sleeping a solid 9-plus hours a night can help you lose unwanted weight, eradicate depression, help in the reversal of Type 2 diabetes, help to minimize the risk of heart disease and help prevent cancer. Sound to good to be true? It isn't!

When you sleep, your body takes this time to repair and restore itself. You will die sooner from lack of sleep than you will from starvation! If you are struggling with weight loss or depression or you aren't seeing the gains in fitness that you would like, take a look at how you're sleeping.

Ideal sleep:
9+ hours
Pitch black room
Cool temperature
NO TV
Nothing digital

Yes, 9 hours of sleep is a lot! "Will this affect your social life? Yes, but so will obesity and cancer. Your immune system will thank you for it by keeping you alive" (Lights Out: Sleep, Sugar and Survival. T.S. Wiley with Brent Formby, Ph.D.)

The Amazing Coconut

Submitted by David Weaver on Tue, 09/22/2009 - 12:32pm
The coconut is a wonderful fruit with countless benefits, uses and medicinal purposes. The meat of the coconut may be cultivated into coconut flakes, milk, cream concentrate and even flour. When pressed or when the cream is separated, coconut oil is created. The liquid within the fruit is coconut water and is rich in fiber, proteins, and antioxidants.

Health benefits of coconut oil:
Coconut oil has shown to improve skin conditions such as acne, eczema, psoriasis, dermatitis and other skin infections. It helps prevent premature aging and degenerative diseases. The oil contains lauric acid which is good for your heart. Coconut oil assists in weight loss, digestion, and immunity. It has many healing properties that make it effective against infections such as its antifungal, antiviral and antibacterial properties. The oil is also helpful in helping our bodies absorb other important vitamins and minerals such as Vitamin-D, calcium, magnesium and amino acids.

The rest of the coconut- Coconut oil and coconut milk are great for cooking and baking. The milk is a great ingredient for making smoothies, marinating chicken or steaks, making soups or curries and even non-dairy ice cream! The meat of the coconut can be processed into flakes which are great for baking, adding to salads and snacking and can even be made into flour and used in place of wheat flour for muffins or breads.

There are so many other benefits we can enjoy from the coconut, find more information in the links below and try it out for yourself!

http://www.coconutdiet.com/index.htm
http://www.organicfacts.net/organic-oils/organic-coconut-oil/health-benefits-of-coconut-oil.html

Take your fish oil

Submitted by administrator on Sun, 08/23/2009 - 11:38pm

Why fish oil?  What about flaxseed oil?

Fish oil is extremely beneficial to your overall health.  It has been shown to:

  • lower bad cholesterol
  • lower blood pressure
  • reduce the risk of heart disease
  • prevent age related blindness
  • reduce the risk of blood clots
  • decrease inflammation
  • decrease triglycerides
  • contribute to the normal function of the heart, liver, brain, nervous system, eyes and kidneys

So why is fish oil better than flaxseed oil?  Fish oil contains EPA and DHA.  These are long chain omega-3's that your body can use immediately.  The type of omega 3 contained in flaxseed is a short chain omega 3 called ALA.  Your body can use this type of omega 3, but it must convert it to the long chain version first (EPA/DHA).  It has also been shown that this conversion can be inefficient.  So just make it easier on your body and take fish oil instead of flaxseed.

Afraid of fish oil burps?  Throw them in the freezer.

Important!  You must take your fish oil with other food.  Preferably other good fats.

 

 

Recipes

Baked Stuffed Tomatoes

1 can tuna (or fresh crab or shredded chicken, etc...)
2-3 TBS olive oil
1/4 cup almonds
1/4 cup walnuts
dashes of cayenne pepper
squeezes of lemon
bunch of basil
fresh ground black pepper
half of avocado
stalk of celery
 
Combine in food processor! Stuff hollowed out tomato. Bake at 350 for 20 minutes.

More Recipes
Full Recipe

Health Tips

Buy Organic

Foods that were once thought to be very good for your health, are still good for your health. BUT, many of them also have added problems and dangers associated with them that they never had before.

There are some more commonly known problems such as the use of pesticides, toxins and other dangerous chemicals that now exist in non-organic foods. These can lead to various health problems and conditions. Just do a search for "side effects of pesticides" and see what you come up with.

But aside from these issues, there is a very big problem even worse than pesticides; Genetically Modified Foods. The US does NOT require labeling of GMO foods. Fruits and vegetables are some of the most commonly modified foods. They are created in labs and then patented as something the said company owns. There are no laws about the safety of these foods being put into distribution. They are only required to have a patent. Some foods that are VERY likely genetically modified are soy, corn and it's products (canola oil, high fructose corn syrup, etc.) and wheat.

So just by eating the way our pre-agricultural ancestors ate, we can avoid some of our present day dangers all together. We already know that grainfed animals are the "protein equivilant of cardboard." We also now know that there are some potentially dangerous effects of the other foods we are eating as well. So if we are trying to live as healthy and disease-free as possible, let's think more carefully about what we put in our bodies. Buying organic, grassfed, local products is good for the local community, good for your health, and good for future generations.

"A plant, fruit, or animal grown without the administration of artificial pesticides, herbicides, or insecticides, chemical fertilizers, antibiotics or growth hormones (in the case of animal products), most closely replicates wild or untampered-with growing conditions" - Mark Sisson

“The doctor of the future will no longer treat the human frame with drugs, but rather will cure and prevent disease with nutrition.” ~ Thomas Edison

 

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