Vitamin D3- The Sun Vitamin

Posted on by
Reply

Can Vitamin D3 Stop the Flu?

The world is changing and there is a fresh new discovery everyday.  Lately there has been a big buzz about Vitamin D3. Vitamin D has been touted as the new super vitamin with the ability to protect against viruses, stop the flu in its tracks, help in energy production, and prevent and treat malignancies, cancers, and auto-immune diseases.

Free Webinars with Dr. Mayer Einstein

I also got an incredible amount of information from Dr. Mayer Einstein.  He has weekly free webinars featuring the top experts in the health field.  He has a tremendous amount of information on vitamin D3 which he suggests using with a good Probiotic.  Be sure to visit his site at:  http://homefirst.com.  You may also want to visit Gary Nulls site at http://www.garynull.com.

We must reexamine the things we thought we knew and be open to new possibilities and information.  I am not a medical doctor or nutritionist, but I am wise enough to listen to those who are.   Our bodies cannot manufacture Vitamin D, but we can get it from the sun which is the best source.  We need to be out in the sun for at least 45 minutes a day to get enough Vitamin D.

How Do We Make Vitamin D3 From Sunlight?

According to Dr. Mercola, “ Ideally, the best place to get vitamin D is from your skin being exposed to the UV-B that is in normal sunlight. Vitamin D from sunlight acts as a pro-hormone, rapidly converting into 25-hydroxyvitamin D, or vitamin D3.  Unfortunately, the amount of sun reaching most of the U.S. is only sufficient to generate a healthy vitamin D response for far less than half the year.  Most people don’t live far enough south or high enough in the mountains to allow enough Ultraviolet (UV) -B to reach their skin. So, for those times of the year when access to the proper amount of sun is not possible, you will want to consider an oral form of vitamin D3 (cholecalciferol).”

How Much Sunlight Do We Need?

“A common misconception is that occasional exposure of your face and hands to sunlight is “sufficient” for vitamin D nutrition. Indeed, this exposure can provide 200-400 IU vitamin D during those months when appropriate sunlight is available, but for most of us this is an absolutely inadequate exposure to move vitamin levels to the healthy range of 45-50 ng/ml.”

Is All Sunlight Created Equal?

I’d always thought that I could get enough sunlight by sitting in front of a sunny window or while driving in my car.  But, sadly I am wrong.  Dr. Mercola explains.  “UV light is divided into three bands, or wavelength ranges, which are referred to as UV-A, UV-B and UV-C. UV-B is sometimes called the “burning ray.” It’s the primary cause of sunburn caused by overexposure to sunlight. However, UV-B sunlight also produces vitamin D in your skin. The amount produced depends on exposure time, latitude and altitude of location, season, amount of skin surface exposed, and skin pigmentation.”

What About Window Glass, Sunblock, and Darker Skin?

Another interesting fact from Dr. Mercola is that we should not think that just because its sunny we’ve gotten enough vitamin D.  “UV-B also stimulates the production of MSH, an important hormone in weight loss, energy production, and in giving you that wonderful tanned appearance.  However, UV-B does not penetrate very deeply into your skin. The darker the pigmentation or more tanned your skin, the less UV-B penetrates”

“Other things that influence UV-B penetration include window glass and use of sunblock. Window glass allows only 5 percent of the UV-B light range that produces vitamin D to get through your home or car. Sunblock can block UV-B penetration drastically or entirely.   The timing of your sun exposure is also a major factor. Sun exposure must take place when UV-B is present. The actual dosing of your sun exposure is quite complex, since it involves knowing the amount of UV-B present, and is dependent on your skin color.”

So in treating your body right and taking care of your health, read the entire article at http://tinyurl.com/vitamind3Dr-Mercola. Note:  All text in blue was excerpted from the article.

Can Optimal Amounts of Vitamin D3 Increase Your Lifespan?

Vitamin D3 can even increase your lifespan.  It should  be no surprise that those that live in tropical zones fair better with getting optimal levels of Vitamin D and live longer.  Dr Mercola states that, “Interestingly, Hawaii has the top longevity rate in the U.S.   Residents of the state live, on average, more than five years longer than those on the mainland.”

To view a page on Vitamin D Resources including the amounts you need to take:  Visit: http://www.mercola.com/article/vitamin-d-resources.ht

Barbara Talley is a keynote speaker, author, poet, and trainer.  One of her signature workshops is “Superwoman Doesn’t Live Here Anymore.”  It discusses the need for women to take care of themselves, starting with their health.  Visit her at http://www.thepoetspeaks.com

21 Life Lessons by Barbara S. Talley

Posted on by
1

Anyone that knows my story knows that I have lived a life full of challenges and tests.   So, that only means that I have learned a lot of lessons and have managed to consistently make lemonade out of the lemons.  Fortunately, I love lemonade!  Three of my favorite spiritual quotes on facing challenges are: “The tree most pruned bears the best fruit. “You can’t have a testimony without tests.” And, “I give thee tests because I desire to exalt your station.” I didn’t write those quotes, but I sure can relate to them.  The first I believe is biblical or inspired by biblical principles.  The second I heard from a friend who heard it from someone else.  The last quote is paraphrasing a quote from the Bahai Faith.

Below I am sharing my ‘21 Life Lessons ‘ which I was inspired to do by Erma Bombeck, who shared her life lessons after she learned that she was dying from cancer.  She died in 1996.  I decided to not wait until my deathbed to reflect on my lessons.  Perhaps you will be inspired to do the same.

21 Things I’d Do Differently, If I knew then what I know now…

  1. I would have spent more time developing my talents.  I would have learned to draw, written sooner, published sooner, and spent more time listening to my spirit than to others.
  2. I wouldn’t have stopped singing just because someone told me that I couldn’t sing.
  3. I would have waited to be intimate with someone who loved God, my spirit, and soul more than my body.  I’d have wished that I’d learned sooner the difference between “I love you” and “I lust you.”
  4. I would have stayed home with all my kids when they were under five and loved every moment and made do with less stuff.
  5. I would have insisted on knowing all of my children’s friends and been the mom that had everyone over.
  6. I would have given or thrown away all the stuff I hadn’t used in a year and not allow clutter in my sacred space.  I’d have made my home a ‘fortress for well-being’ instead a warehouse full of useless stuff.
  7. I would have lived a much simpler life and only purchased things that I needed instead of anything that I wanted. I’d have spent less and saved more so that I’d have the money to visit my grandchildren whenever I wanted.  I wouldn’t buy anything that I couldn’t afford.
  8. I would have more dinner parties and time with my friends and not put it off for another work project.
  9. I’d have taken more time to nurture the relationships between my sisters, cousins, and dear friends.  I’ve also have gotten to know my aunts, uncles, and grandmother while they were alive.
  10. I’d have judged less and loved more unconditionally.
  11. I’d have complimented my husband more and helped him to reach his dreams.  I’d have shown him more gratitude for the little things and his belief in me.
  12. I’d have listened to my father’s story and written it down so I could benefit from the lessons when I became his age.  I’d also have written my story as it was happening.
  13. I would have excelled in nutrition and health.  I’d never have stopped running since I loved it.  I’d have exercised more, learned sooner about vitamins, minerals, proteins, vaccines,  and pro-biotics,  and would have done yoga and pilates sooner and religiously.
  14. I’d have hired an interior decorator to make my home beautiful instead of buying a luxury car.
  15. I would have been less trusting of what people said and relied more on what they actually did.
  16. I would never have told a lie, gossiped about another person, or said anything unkind.
  17. I would have respected myself more and not allowed others to make me feel ashamed of myself.
  18. I’d have been kinder to my stepmother and perhaps she would have been able to heal and find love in her heart sooner for me.
  19. Although I did well in school, I would have strived for perfection since I had the capacity.  I would have stayed in school and gotten a PhD before I had kids.
  20. I’d have brushed more, flossed more, and eaten less junk food as a kid and young adult.
  21. I would never have stopped playing.

The good news about my list is that some of them I can still do!

The previous is an excerpt from my book, ‘The Great-Full Heart Challenge’ due out in 2011.  Barbara Talley is a keynote speaker, author, poet, and trainer who can be reached at www.thepoetspeaks.com.

Lessons from Erma Bombeck

Posted on by
2

I got the following from an anonymous email encouraging everyone to wear a purple hat and to honor Erma Bombeck’s life. Of course it was the purple hat that caught my eye first.  I’d heard of her, but was not really familiar with her work. But the more I read, the more grateful I felt that someone on the brink of death would take the time to share lessons on how to live a grateful life everyday.

Erma died April 22, 1996.  The best way to show your gratitude for her sharing and to honor her life is to pick one or more of these and apply to your life now!

Erma Bombeck: (written after she found out she was dying from cancer)

  1. I would have gone to bed when I was sick instead of pretending the earth would go into a holding pattern if I weren’t there for a day.
  2. I would have burned the pink candle sculpted like a rose before it melted in storage.
  3. I would have talked less and listened more.
  4. I would have invited friends over to dinner even if the carpet was stained, or the sofa faded.
  5. I would have eaten popcorn in the ‘good’ living room and worried much less about the dirt when someone wanted to light a fire in the fireplace.
  6. I would have taken the time to listen to grandfather ramble about his youth.
  7. I would have shared more of the responsibility carried by my husband.
  8. I would never have insisted the car windows be rolled up on a summer day because my hair had been sprayed or teased.
  9. I would have sat on the lawn with my grass stains.
  10. I would have cried less while watching television and more watching life.
  11. I would never have bought anything because it was practical, wouldn’t show soil, or was guaranteed to last a lifetime.
  12. Instead of wishing away nine months of pregnancy, I’d have cherished every moment and realized that the wonderment growing inside me was the only chance in life to assist God in a miracle.
  13. When my kids kissed me impetuously, I would never have said, “Later. Now go get washed up for dinner.”
  14. There would have been more “I love you’s” and More “I’m Sorrys”
  15. But mostly, given another shot at life, I would seize every minute…look at it and really see it… live it and never give it back.  Stop sweating the small stuff.   Don’t worry about who doesn’t like you, who has more, or who’s’ doing what.  Instead, cherish the relationships we have with those who do love us.

A Cute Story on Being Grateful During Change

Posted on by
2

The author of the following story on gratitude is anonymous.  Someone forwarded it to me in an email some time ago.  I loved the spirit of gratitude in it, so I saved it.  Now I get to pass it on to someone who needs a little more inspiration, a laugh, or a new perspective.

There once was a woman who woke up one morning, looked in the mirror, and noticed she had only three hairs on her head. “Well,” she said, “I think I’ll braid my hair today.”  So she did and she  had a wonderful day.

 
The next day she woke up, looked in the mirror and saw that she had only two hairs on her head. “H-M-M,” she said, “I think I’ll part my hair down the middle today.”  So she did and she had a grand day.

 
The next day she woke up, looked in the mirror and noticed that she had only one  hair on her head. “Well,” she said, “today I’m going to wear my hair in a pony tail.”  So she did and she had a fun, fun day.

The next day she woke up, looked in the mirror and noticed that there wasn’t a single hair on her head. “YEA!” she exclaimed, “I don’t have to fix my hair  today!”

 
Attitude is everything.
Have a Good Day!
Be kinder than necessary,
for  everyone you meet is fighting some kind of battle.
Live simply,
Love generously,
Care deeply,
Speak kindly…….
Leave the rest to God.

Learn to Live Today…Today

Posted on by
Reply
Learn to live today…today
And not tomorrow when it becomes yesterday
We spend so much time in our memories or in the future
That we rarely have time to live in today

Today is when and where you live
Yesterday is already over and gone
And you can’t do or undo any actions
Or change anything that you did wrong

But you can live today…today
And today’s actions make new memories
Because the things you do today
Will become tomorrow’s history

Twenty-four golden hours
To live this gift that we call life
To spend with your friends or children
Or your parents or husband or wife

Today is when and where you can live
It’s the only time that is really real
Today you can love, laugh, and listen
Today you can understand; today you can feel

So learn to live more in the present day
By praying, deciding, and carrying out your plan
You can’t relive yesterday or live tomorrow in advance
Today is the only time that you can

The current moment is your only currency
It’s the only time we are creating, don’t you get it; don’t you see!

The current moment is the only time you have power
So focus on this moment, and soon you’ll see results by the hour

And by the day, and the week, the month, and the year
And you’ll realize your dreams one by one and be done with fear
And when you do reflect on your past you will do it with cheer
Because you’ll be grateful for the life that you caused to appear

(c) Barbara S. Talley- “Learn to Live Today…Today’ is an excerpt from her upcoming book, ‘Cheer Up: Poetry to Help You Get Back On Track.’  It will be released early 2010.