Anticipating Laughter

Everyone knows that laughter is the best medicine...

A new study has come out showing that even just anticipating laughter is good for you!!
Not only does anticipating laughter increase health-boosting hormones
but it also decreases the production of stress hormones... You know, the ones that causes decrease in concentration, mess up sleep patterns and cause storage of belly fat....

So what are you waiting for?
Plan to do something fun today.....
plan to watch a funny movie or tv show,
call up a friend who always makes your laugh so hard you practically cry,
watch old home movies,
pick up the comic section of the newspaper...

LAUGH!!!

Concerned about beef?

Alberta is known for its beef - but how much do we actually know about beef?

I recently watched the CBC documentary Frankensteer at school.
It explores the mass production of beef at feedlots in Canada.  It definitely raises some good questions (along with a little fear mongering). 
Today, the cows that raised and sold on our market as beef at pumped full of antibiotics even if they are not sick, or at risk of becoming sick. In fact - 50% of all tonnage of antibiotics used in canada end up in our beef.
They are also given growth hormones to make them get bigger, and ready for slaughter faster - in Canada the hormone Estradiol is used - even though it is banned in the UK and has been linked to higher rates of cancer.

We often treat beef like it is toxic when we bring it into our homes - we know we much always wash our hands and all surfaces that raw beef comes in contact with - this is because of the bacteria that is found within the beef we bring home from the supermarket.
E.Coli comes from the intestinal tracts of animals and often gets mixed into meat during processing - especially ground beef. - fortunately heat can kill this bacteria
That's why cooking your beef to the proper temperature is so important
Steaks, roast and fish should be cooked to 62.8C or 145F
Pork and ground beef 71.1C or 160F
Chicken breasts  76.7C or 170.1F

In the case of ground beef - don't be fooled by the meat turning brown, always keep a thermometer close by!
And when travelling to the USA don't forget to order your hamburger well done - because despite what is approved for sale in restaurants in the states - rare ground beef is not safe.

If you want to watch the documentary follow this link

{i also want to caution people to do their research before jumping on the organic bandwagon - know the regulations in your area and consider getting to know your local providers via the farmers market.}

Stressed?

Visit or call your mom.

A study at the University of Wisconsin showed that after a stressful event, talking to or seeing your mom will lower cortisol (stress hormone) levels faster. And even raise Oxytocin which is linked to emotional bonding.

vitamin D

the sunshine vitamin.
Did you know it is actually a hormone produced naturally by our bodies. When we are exposed to UVB rays,  our skin produced vitamin D3 and we only produce as much as we need. It only takes about 10 minutes of unprotected exposure to UVB rays to get all the vitamin D that we need.  That being said, I think our hands and faces should always have sunscreen on them because they are typically always exposed to the sun. But maybe consider waiting 10 minutes after going outside before putting sunscreen on your arms. (Make sure you talk with your doctor/demetologist before going out without sunscreen)
Unfortunatly... here in Canada about 6-8 months out of the year, you could go outside without sunscreen all day and your body wouldnt produce any vitamin D.
This is because the sun is at the wrong angle, and the UVB rays are not strong enough to activate the vitamin D synthesis process (this DOESNT mean they arent strong enough to do damage. a sun burn in the winter is as dangerous as a sunburn in the summer).
That is why so many doctors recommend taking a vitamin D supplement.
Currently, the recommended daily intake of vitmin D is 1000 IU but a lot of research is suggesting that the number be increase to as high as 5000 - 10 000 IU.  (check out an interesting article here)

Vitamin D plays an important role in bone density. it raises blood calcium levels by increasing the absorbtion of calcium from the gut, and reabsorption of calcium from the kidneys. When blood calcium levels rise, more is stored in the bones increasing their density and strenght.
It has also been implicated in the prevention of many types of cancer, and Multiple sclerosis.  MS is almost not exisitant in equatorial regions where sunlight and vitamin D levels are typically adequate.
Vitamin D can help improve mood by alleviating Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD/Winter blues), and can also help reduce muscle fatigue and chronic pain.
Some preliminary studies also suggest that low Vitamin D may also be linked to an increased risk in heart disease and stroke (see a brief overview of Vitamin D here)

Vitamin D is found in some foods, such as salmon, and milk and breakfast cereals are typically fortified with vitamin D (fortified means it has been added to a product that did not naturally contain that vitmain/mineral, where as enriched means vitamins and minerals that have been lost during processing have been added back in). Most multivitamins contain about 400 IU (about 10% of the body's daily need)
So how do you know if you are getting enough vitamin D?
Ask your doctor, and get your blood tested for vitamind D levels. Once the results come back talk to your doctor about how much vitamin D you should be taking every day. 1000IU may be sufficient, or they may recommend more. Make sure you follow the doctors advice because, as with all vitamins, Vitamid D does have toxic effects if taken in excess (although up to 10 000IU appears to be safe)
Write down some questions or concerns that you have before you go to the doctor so you don't forget or get overwhelmed!