My most ambitious project ever is an undertaking that has
been years in the making. It started as an idea, like many of mine, it seems,
that came to me while basking in the Maui sun. A few months before my Hawaiian
trip, a catchy tune found its way inside my head…this was followed by
some lyrics that seemed to fit just right. That sequence of events was the
early genesis of this song.
Back to Maui…
I thought the song was good, but the lyrics were
better—they meant something more than just what a song has to offer.
While on that tropical paradise, I put pen to paper and scratched out the basis
for the book that was inspired by the song:
In the book (and song and video), I discuss how the ability
to change as a person can effect change on a larger scale—like maybe even
changing the world for the better. That’s a major and ambitious task,
for sure, but one, if approached at a grassroots, singular perspective, could
have global impact.
Being a videographer, a songwriter, and enjoying sharing
both endeavors with as many people as possible through my myriad websites, I
wanted to create the most effective way to share this concept. A music video
was my natural choice. On all of my songs and music videos, I have
collaborated with my pal Dale Price, from Electric Canyon Studios. He is a master at making
my voice sound better than it is and turning my acoustic guitar into a rocking
band. He was also instrumental in taking hundreds of hours of video footage
and turning it into the amazing result below. Thanks, Dale!
One of the few bloggers I make the time in my busy schedule
to read is Susan Blake, who is the creator of the wonderful website, Today’sPath. Suzen (as she sometimes goes by),
like myself, is all about healthy lifestyle, better nutritional choices, and
offering proactive solutions to preventing unnecessary disease and health—dare I
say LIFE—ailments.
Here are the first few paragraphs of her kind words, offered
in her downhome delivery, with emphasis of why people like Suzen and myself
invest our time and efforts in our websites:
To reach as many people
as possible, affording them the opportunity to change their lives for the
better!
…please visit Today’s Path to read the rest. Thanks again, Suzen, for all your support
over the years and for living life 365!!!
This is such a special blog for me
to write, I'm grinning ear to ear - can't ya tell? Sometimes you meet
somebody and you know they are kindred spirits. I must have a good
healthy love for mine then cuz I sure love his!
I started following a blog by Mike Foster called Live Life 365 about three
years ago. Mike does videos on his blog that are great - I learned the
easy way to cut/eat avocados, for instance. You name it, he will tell you
what it is, how to cook it and eat it - many things the average person has
never tried I'll bet ya! He is ALL about healthy foods, nutrition,
staying motivated, taking walks in nature, and making good choices. Every
once in a while he will write a song and sing it with his guitar. The
walks I've actually BEEN ON with him since he takes his camera right along with
him.
He videos from his lanai in Maui on his vaca there every year - so nice to see
it when there is winter in the air here - he videos when he is gardening and
sweating - always good to see somebody sweat, isn't it? - and of
course many videos in his kitchen. Writing songs, writing blogs,
making videos........
Visit Today’s Path to read the rest and enjoy Suzen’s site.
If you Google "green tea," or just search for "green tea" on YouTube, I am proud to say that my Green Tea video is on the first page out of millions. It's pretty cool, though one of those things that just happens, versus those that we plan to happen. I am far from the green tea expert, but I do love green tea and drink copious amounts of it daily, happily ingesting those healthy antioxidants and polyphenals that help combat cancer, cholesterol, and heart disease, as well as assisting in battling countless other maladies.
I am in the final stages of editing my "Drink Green Tea Every Day" music video that is funny and fun to watch, as well as informative. It will be out very soon. In the meantime, please enjoy these green tea vids...
Since creating this blog and my video site, livelife365.com, I have produced over 300 short films, ranging from tips on diet and exercise to my thoughts about motivation and personal development. I've also created how-to, self-help, and funny videos, and even a few original songs. One video, though, has gotten the most attention. No, I’m not talking about this one:
* help you lose weight * lower your bad cholesterol * fight tooth decay * make your breath smell better * lower your risk against these major health concerns: - cancer - heart disease - diabetes - obesity
Why is green tea so good for you? Watch my video that recently surpassed 30,000 views on YouTube and find out:
For those of you who skipped the vid, here’s why: antioxidants! A diet rich in foods, like green tea, loaded with antioxidants, specifically flavonoids and polyphenols, can help do all that good stuff I bulleted in this post and talk and sing about in my green tea vids. What, you haven’t heard my new green tea song?
As a thanks to all of you who have made my green tea video the number one green tea video on YouTube (type “green tea” in the search engine and my vid is number one out of over 11,000), I produced this video, featuring my new song all about the goodness of drinking green tea every day:
The other day, while reading the newspaper (and ignoring my computer), I made a discovery that made me smile, put the paper aside, boot up my laptop, grab a handful of walnuts, and create this video:
WHAT ARE SUPER FOODS?
This is exciting news for me because I have been promoting healthy dietary choices on this blog and at livelife365.com for years, foods that if eaten regularly can help prevent disease, maintain your weight, and prolong your life. Through a lifetime of trial and error, a voracious appetite for reading and the accumulation of knowledge, extensive research, and just what makes me feel good, I’ve discovered dozens of wonderful foods that have helped me lose weight, stay fit, reduce many illnesses and maladies, and, hopefully, will allow me to live a long, happy life. The cool thing is that many of the foods that I have long advocated and devoured on a regular basis have been labeled SUPER FOODS for their ability to do all of those aforementioned amazing things.
Here are some of the SUPER FOODS that I eat all the time, and that I encourage you to try to add to your eating regimen:
SALMON AND TURKEY are also considered SUPER FOODS, but are not on the list of foods I consume because I no longer eat animal protein—but that shouldn’t stop you! Back in the day, when I was a meat-eater, I ate tons of turkey and fish.
Why are these foods considered so SUPER? One thing they all have in common is that they are UNPROCESSED. Most of them are loaded with ANTIOXIDANTS and ANTI-INFLAMATORIES. Many of them are high in FIBER and MONOUNSATURATED FATS (the good kind!), and the best part: THEY ALL TASTE GREAT!
Many nutritional experts agree that a steady diet of these SUPER FOODS can:
* help reduce the risk of some cancers * lower cholesterol * manage hypertension * lose weight and help maintain optimum weight * reduce the risks of heart disease, stroke and diabetes * enable you to live longer
The most encouraging thing I found while researching these SUPER FOODS was that the more digging I did, the more SUPER FOODS I discovered! And more often than not these foods satisfied my vegetarian lifestyle. Here are a few more SUPER FOODS: KALE KIWI LENTILS ONIONS AVOCADOS (“Viva Avocado!”) BUTTERNUT SQUASH
The point of all this is not to hit you over the head with all these so-called SUPER FOODS, but to encourage you to try to add as many healthier eating choices as possible to your daily diet. Why? Because as I often like to say, “Eat the right foods and the right amounts and you will enjoy a happier, healthier, longer life.”
Until next time…
peace,
Mike
For more excellent reading about SUPER FOODS and other healthy topics, please visit WebMD, an invaluable wealth of information that assisted me in the writing of this post.
As many of you probably know, besides writing this blog, I also have a video site by the same name. I have produced over 200 videos, with topics ranging from fitness and health, diet and nutrition, self-help and how-to, motivation and inspiration, as well as dozens of funny vids and original songs, like I Miss My Hair.
Quite a few of these videos have been well received, and I have gotten hundreds of wonderful comments from numerous blog posts like Do You Believe? and Is It Just Me? and Just Do It? Ten Tips to Get You Started. But one video stands out from the rest. Why does it stand out? You got me?
DRINK GREEN TEA EVERY DAY is not one of my best videos, if I say so myself. It’s kind of long and uneven in spots, if you ask me. In fact, given that it was one of my earlier efforts, I’d even go as far as to say that besides being nowhere near my Top Ten List, it‘s probably not even in my Top Fifty.
So, again, why does it stand out? And, more to the point, why am I making this big (okay, maybe semi-big) deal about it?
10,000 and counting!
Well, besides always wanting to call attention to healthier ways to improve your life (like the amazing health benefits of drinking green tea daily), my green tea video also happens to be, by far, my most watched. In fact, this very informative and worth-watching vid (even though it’s not in my Top Ten) recently registered its 10,000th view on YouTube. This is a modest milestone on this popular site when compared to some viral vids that get that many views an hour, but when you consider that 10,000 represents the total views my next three videos combined have received, then you can see why I have taken this moment to call attention to this (semi-) remarkable achievement.
So, without further ado, for those of you who have not had the pleasure of viewing my most watched video, please enjoy:
DRINK GREEN TEA EVERY DAY
And for those of you who would rather read the book than watch the movie, here are some of the amazing health benefits you may get from of a daily diet that includes ingesting green tea:
* Helps you lose weight * Aids in digestion * Encourages regularity * Lowers risk of cancer * Reduces LDL cholesterol * Fights diabetes * Loaded with antioxidants * Strengthens tooth enamel * Helps to lower blood pressure
Besides green tea, two other excellent sources of antioxidants are yerba mate and rooibos teas.
Yerba mate is found in the rain forests of Paraguay, Brazil, and Argentina. Considered a sacred beverage, it is a high-energy stimulant that is also loaded with nutrients. The leaves of the mate tree naturally contain 24 vitamins and minerals, 15 amino acids, and loads of antioxidants. Naturally sweet, this tea is delicious, a great afternoon pick-me-up, and one of the healthiest beverages you can consume. Rooibos is a red bush tea grown in South Africa. Caffeine-free and high in antioxidants, this tasty tea is also filled with vitamins and minerals and has been known to relieve allergies, colic, and skin conditions, as well as sooth digestion and fight cancer.
DRINK GREEN TEA EVERY DAY is not only my most popular video, but one that has received the most feedback. Here is a sampling of a few of the questions I have gotten from this vid and my responses:
Q: Is it better to bring the water to a full boil or just before?
A: This, by far, has been the most controversial subject of debate in my tea vid. I use a teapot and bring it to a full boil, which purists say one should not do. They prefer the water temperature right before it boils. But when steeping the tea in a cup, like I do, versus keeping the leaves in the pot, the water temperature is just about right, since it loses heat from pot to cup. Check out this site for more about this subject.
Q: What are better, teabags or loose leaf?
A: Another controversial topic, but one I feel is all about personal preference, and for me, convenience. I drink at least five cups of tea each day so using teabags are fast and easy. When my life slows down and I can take a few more minutes each day to relax and enjoy the ceremony of using loose tea leaves, I will probably do so, but until then, its bags, baby! For more about this topic, visit this site.
Q: Are teas like Lipton green tea good?
A: I always answer these questions with one word: ORGANIC. Whenever possible, I choose organic. Why? Because if your goal is to improve your health by drinking green tea, then drinking non-organically grown teas is not helping. In fact, I suggest going organic with any and all foods you ingest: no pesticides, naturally grown, and a lot more healthier for you.
Q: Are bottled, sweetened iced teas good for you?
A: Read the label. If the ingredients say green tea and nothing else, and if it is organically grown, then you will get the same healthy benefits as brewing your own. But lots of these bottled iced teas are loaded with things you should not ingest. A safer bet is to make your own ice tea.
Green tea, yerba mate, rooibos, and even black and white teas are head-over-heels better beverage choices than soda, and a nice change from your daily cup of joe. Loaded with antioxidants, natural vitamins and minerals, they not only taste delicious but may just help you change your life for the better.
We've all heard those three words before, right? Just do it. And while I encourage taking personal accountability for your actions, and further support the notion that we DO, indeed, control a lot of our life, getting from the WANTING to do it to the DO of doing it is a different story. And it isn't about the HOW of just doing it. I have an entire videography filled with tips and proven methods and programs that explain, in detail, HOW to lose weight, battle addictions, get in shape, balance your life, and much more. I have written countless blog posts about the same topics.
Google "weight loss" and you will get 93 million responses offering ways to lose as much weight in as short a time as you want, need, desire, or dream. The HOW, while at times different and debatable, is not always the issue.
Of course, I'd like to think that my methods for weight loss, eating a high-fiber diet and making your calories count, are more effective than what all those other sites are offering (they are), but if you are not READY and WILLING to just DO it, no diet or exercise program will work. NONE.
But I have good news for you: helpful tips to motivate you from WANTING to do it to just DOING it.
TEN TIPS TO GET YOU STARTED.
*ENVISION THE NEW YOU
Let's say you're trying to lose weight. Try taping an inspiring photo on your fridge or workstation of you in that nice bathing suit you would love to fit in again. See your future! This works for anything: new car, flat screen TV, house! If you stare at your dreams every day, something may just "click" in your brain, and help motivate you to take that first step.
* REPROGRAM YOUR BRAIN
You have the power to do more than you think. Start thinking differently about the way your mind looks at:
*Food (if you're trying to loss weight or eat better) *Exercise (if you're working on getting back in shape) *Finances (balancing your budget, trying to get out of debt)
Change your mind and you can change your life.
* REALIZE THAT IT'S OKAY TO FAIL
Oft times failure is good. Why? Because it means you're at least trying, attempting something. My video, Failing = Feedback, will help you see that the only people who never fail are the ones who never try to do anything.
* EDUCATE YOURSELF
By reading this post, you already have a good start toward this, but read more. Read, research, watch, listen. Knowledge is power. If you want to loss weight or eat healthier or quit smoking or balance your life, livelife365.com and this blog are great starting points, but don't stop here.
* DISCOVER SUPPORT GROUPS
During your self-education, besides discovering sites like livelife365.com, you will also find lots of other wonderful support groups of like-minded thinkers. For health and fitness, with the support of hundreds of bloggers and certified nutritionists, there's no better place than Iowa Avenue and its sister site, Healthy Lifestyle Bloggers. And don't limit your support groups to just online ones: investigate local and community groups and clubs. Remember, they call them "support" groups for a reason.
* TAKE BABY STEPS
A little at a time goes a long way. If you're trying to quit smoking, cutting down from three packs a day to only ten cigarettes is progress. Don't take on more than you can handle; this leads to discouragement, which can lead to giving up. Like that toddler learning to walk, you may fall on your bottom a few times, but, just like a kid, you need to get right back up and keep going...taking one baby step at a time.
* DON'T LET ANYONE STAND IN YOUR WAY
Hey, it's your life, right? If it is your desire to drop a few (or a lot) of pounds or stop drinking or smoking, then why allow anyone (or anything) to get in the way of your goals. It is imperative that your significant other, family, and friends are all on board; if not, at least don't allow them to deter you from your desires. If they care about you, they will understand.
* IF NOT FOR YOU, THEN FOR THEM
If your six-year-old asks why you smoke after their teacher told the class that smoking is bad for you, what do you say to that child? If you don't care about your health, think about how your sudden death or lengthy illness would affect your loved ones.
* HIT BOTTOM
Sadly, sometimes it takes a life-changing event before we finally take life-changing actions. Believe me, I know. I was divorced twice, addicted to nicotine and alcohol, bankrupt and depressed before I finally hit bottom and decided to do something about it. I strongly suggest not waiting for the bottom--start now!
* CONSIDER THE ALTERNATIVE
You may never hit bottom, never take action. If this is the case, what's left? Obesity, heart disease, diabetes, and cancer are the leading causes of death in the world today. The sad fact is that most of those deaths can be prevented by taking action NOW by changing your lifestyle from harmful to healthy.
When someone tells you to JUST DO IT, they are trying to help you, trying to motivate you into changing yourself into living a long, happy, healthy, productive life.
This blog and livelife365.com are here to help you DO just that.
I sincerely hope this post has motivated you to try to...
I recently read an article about ways to stave off early dementia and Alzheimer's, and was thrilled to discover that I was practicing most of the methods already. All of the things I advocate at livelife365.com and this blog are great contributors in not only living longer, healthy, happy lives, but also quite helpful in ensuring that your mind is sharp and healthy for the duration. Here are some tips:
STAY ACTIVE
I am constantly going on about the importance of exercise, and there's a reason for it. It is so GOOD for you! One of the best things you can do now to help when you're older is start an exercise program. I recently wrote a post about walking that will help you get started. You will also benefit from lifting light weights (in the beginning) three times a week, and some form of cardiovascular exercise. Try riding a bike, either stationary or outside, treadmill, swimming, anything to get your heart rate up for 20-30 minutes, three days a week. As always, consult your medical professional before starting any new exercise program.
WORK YOUR MIND
We all use our brains in different ways, depending on what we need to accomplish. Most of that precious brain power is used to earn a living and maintain our households, relationships, or raise children. But to help keep dementia away, as well as improve your life now, you need to work your mind in other ways. Different ways than you work it during your normal routines. I do a crossword puzzle each day, that helps. Or try Sudoku or jigsaw puzzles. Anything that occupies your mind differently, works another part of the old gray matter, is beneficial. Reading is great for you. Toss out that TV and read, every day. Fiction, non-fiction, magazines, newspapers, ahh, blogs? Yes, those too. Expand your knowledge, learn new things--you will enhance your life now, and really help yourself as you age.
Pick up a hobby or learn a musical instrument. Join clubs. Do volunteer work. Challenge yourself and your mind and you will not be as challenged down the road.
DON'T SMOKE
Not much more I need to say about that except: DON'T EVER SMOKE! EVER!! There is absolutely nothing positive that can happen to you by smoking, so, please, don't.
MANAGE YOUR STRESS
First you take away my smokes, now you tell me to manage my stress? Jeez! We all have stress in our lives, there's no getting around it. It's everywhere these days. The key is finding ways to manage it. Here are a few suggestions: Yoga, meditation, long walks, breathing techniques, good relationships, making love (hopefully with the same person from that good relationship), laughter, proper sleep. And proper diet (more on that soon).
I have videos at livelife365.com that talk about all of these methods.
DIET
Eating the proper foods and correct amounts of foods is something I talk and write about all the time. Why? Because I strongly feel that what we eat and their portions is the secret to life. Living healthy, happy lives now--and in our golden years. Diets rich in fiber, antioxidants, and anti-inflammatory foods will help you now and are being linked to helping keep Alzheimer's away.
Start with as many servings (at least 6, but 10-12 is better) of fruits and vegetables as you can humanly consume every day. The best way to accomplish this is to eliminate some other foods from your daily consumption. I have an idea--how about getting rid of saturated fats, unnecessary sugars and carbs, empty calories, and red meat? Replace them with: high-fiber foods like whole grains, beans and legumes, nuts, and those aforementioned fruits and veggies. And replace butter and other oils, whenever possible, with olive oil. It not only will help you age better, but it also reduces cholesterol and is loaded with healthy fats. Monounsaturated and polyunsaturated fats are the good fats. Saturated and trans fats are the ones to keep away from. Read labels and avoid fast food whenever you can.
And drink tea, preferably green. As well as rooibos and yerba matte. These teas not only taste wonderful, but are loaded with antioxidants, which help slow the aging process of cells, thus helping fight cancer--and Alzheimer's. I drink at least five cups a day--you should too.
Here is a video (Brain Food) about this post that may interest you. And most of this information can also be found in video form at my website, livelife365.com.
Remember Bugs Bunny? That big-tooth, wise guy rabbit? Besides always tormenting poor Elmer Fudd, Bugs was always doing something else. Chomping on a carrot. Now, I'm not one to watch cartoons these days, let alone be inspired by one of their characters, but we can learn a lot from Bugs. Not about how to annoy a funny-voiced wabbit hunter, but by enjoying the myriad health benefits of carrots.
Recently, I wrote a post about apples that received some nice feedback. This was on the heels of a blog entry about the wonders of beans in your daily diet. Now carrots. I could have started with apples, followed by beans, and then added this entry about carrots, and called it the ABC's of Nutrition, but my brain isn't that organized. Maybe I'm more like Bugs after all: I am a bit of a wiseguy, I have been told that I can be annoying at times, and I do love carrots.
Besides being an excellent source of fiber and low in calories (one cup of chopped raw carrots has only 50 calories), carrots are loaded with good stuff for you. Like potassium, antioxidants and pro-vitamin A carotene. These protect against cardiovascular disease and all types of cancer (especially colon cancer, because of falcarinol, a phytochemical found in carrots), and promote good vision, especially night vision. Yup, carrots really are good for your eyesight!
And good news for you smokers and, hopefully, soon-to-be, ex-smokers. Vitamin A-rich foods like carrots promote healthy lungs by counteracting the vitamin A deficiency caused by cigarette smoke.
Eat them raw or cooked, in salads or as a vegetable side dish, in a soup or to use as a scoop for your favorite (low-fat) dip, just eat them. Or drink them (carrot juice, try it!) Every day, if you can, and you will benefit from all that healthy beta-carotene.
So next time you hear the words from that famous Looney Tune, "Ah, what's up, Doc?" The answer should be, "Ah, carrots, that's what."
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