Flat feet Exercises

A common thing I keep seeing these days is Flat foot syndrome. People have often asked me why this happens. There's a lot of info on the internet you can read as to why but in my personal opinion the reason WHY we are losing them is because we don't USE them!

"If you don't use it, you lose it". A lot of the people I work on have probably heard me say this before. If you are not using your arches, you're going to lose them. Yes, a lot of it has to do with developing your arches during your childhood but there's still hope for those of us who aren't children any more.

In todays society we don't develop arches because we pamper our feet too much or we are just not as active as our bodies were designed to be. When we run we run heel-toe, we wear protective shoes, we only use our feet to stand (and not to pick up things or kick things or jump or sprint), and so on.

Here are a few videos I found that I really liked. Also, if you're interested, do some reading on the Vibram 5 fingered shoes.

These videos go from the least intense exercises to the most intense.

UK Takes Action Against Food Dye

UK Takes Action Against Food Dyes While U.S. Ignores the Risks

The Lancet study prompted the British Food Standards Agency (FSA) to issue an immediate advisory to parents, warning them to limit their children's intake of additives if they notice an effect on behavior. They also advised the food industry to voluntarily remove the six food dyes named in the study and replace them with natural alternatives if possible.

As of July 2010, most foods in the EU that contain artificial food dyes were also labeled with warning labels stating the food "may have an adverse effect on activity and attention in children." And this prompted many food manufacturers to voluntarily remove the dyes from their products.

This is why if you eat a Nutri-Grain strawberry cereal bar in the United States, it will contain Red 40, Yellow 6 and Blue 1. But that same bar in the UK contains only the natural colorings beetroot red, annatto and paprika extract.

In fact, the UK branches of Wal-Mart, Kraft, Coca-Cola and Mars have removed artificial colors, sodium benzoate and aspartame from their product lines as a result of consumer demand and government recommendations.

In the United States, however, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) continues to allow these toxic ingredients in countless popular foods, including those marketed directly to children.

FDA Decides to Keep U.S. Consumers in the Dark

At the end of March 2011, the FDA held a session to discuss the science on food dyes and hyperactivity – and decided that warning labels are not necessary on U.S. foods that contain artificial color.

They concluded:

"FDA concludes that a causal relationship between exposure to color additives and hyperactivity in children in the general population has not been established."

This is despite not only the Lancet study but also a 58-page report from the Center for Science in the Public Interest (CSPI). In "Food Dyes: A Rainbow of Risks," CSPI revealed that nine of the food dyes currently approved for use in the United States are linked to health issues ranging from cancer and hyperactivity to allergy-like reactions -- and these results were from studies conducted by the chemical industry itself.

For instance, Red # 40, which is the most widely used dye, may accelerate the appearance of immune-system tumors in mice, while also triggering hyperactivity in children.

Blue # 2, used in candies, beverages, pet foods and more, was linked to brain tumors. And Yellow 5, used in baked goods, candies, cereal and more, may not only be contaminated with several cancer-causing chemicals, but it's also linked to hyperactivity, hypersensitivity and other behavioral effects in children.

Despite the growing research linking food dyes to adverse health effects, all the FDA would acknowledge was that:

"For certain susceptible children with Attention Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder and other problem behaviors … the data suggest that their condition may be exacerbated by exposure to a number of substances in food, including, but not limited to, synthetic color additives.

Findings from relevant clinical trials indicate that the effects on their behavior appear to be due to a unique intolerance to these substances and not to any inherent neurotoxic properties."

Yet, research again suggests otherwise, including a meta-analysis of double-blind, placebo-controlled trials by David W. Schab, assistant clinical professor of psychiatry at Columbia University, which found artificial food colors may lead to "neurobehavioral toxicity."

For now it appears the FDA will remain mum on food dye regulations, other than to say more research is needed. But as Michael Jacobson of CSPI said to the Los Angeles Times, rather than the FDA asking their expert panel whether research shows food dyes cause hyperactivity, they should have asked "Is there proof the dyes are safe?"

The Right Type of Colored Foods to Include in Your Diet

Avoiding not only artificial food coloring but food additives of all kinds is one of the basic principles of my healthy eating recommendations. And this is extremely easy to do when you limit or avoid processed foods in your diet.

This becomes second-nature when you realize and acknowledge that food dyes are added to processed foods to make a product that would otherwise be an off-colored mess look appealing.

As Schab and Jacobson wrote in The Washington Post:

"Artificial colorings are explicitly meant to manipulate consumers' perceptions. Manufacturers tout research showing that redness enhances the impression of sweetness, and that in tests with beverages and sherbets, the color of the product did more to influence consumers' perception of the flavor than the flavor itself.

One dye marketer states that its colorings offer "a limitless palette, unmatched technology and the emotional connection between people and color.""

If you live in the United States, there are some companies, including Starbucks and Necco (which makes the candy wafers), that have dropped artificial dyes from their products. Whole Foods and Trader Joe's also carry products free from artificial food coloring.

However, the best way to get more color into your diet is to choose foods that are naturally colorful. You can find natural fruits and veggies in a rainbow of colors, and unlike with artificial color, naturally colorful whole foods will add countless important nutrients to your die

Carrot Apple and Celery Soup

The Madre made this for me the other day and I LOVED it. It was kind of sweet but light and energizing.

4 cups water
1 bouillon (a stock cube) or 1 Tablesp vegetable stock
1 onion diced
3 celery sticks diced
2lbs carrots diced
3 apples diced
2 Tablesp tomato paste
Salt & pepper (to taste)
1 Bayleaf or 1 Tablesp herbs or seasoning of your choice.

On medium heat boil onion, celery, carrots, salt, pepper and herbs till cooked (I leave my veggies a little crispy)
Remove bayleaf
Add Tomato paste
Add apples and stir in (don't boil).
Blend and serve