Medical Information

Fruits, vegetables, whole foods, natural foods, organic, GMO free, grass fed, free range, super foods, raw foods, seeds, nuts, clean water, alkaline water and everything else you can think of when eating healthy is mentioned. Can all this be done on a budget or low income? Are there hidden cost's? Should it be considered?




We have all walked into a grocery store to find all the choices available to you. The variety to choose from can be intimidating when not understood, especially when it comes to price. Where to start, in the fruits and vegetables section, the healthy section if you will or in the convenience processed food isles. Let's be honest, the choice is entirely yours to make and that choice will play a part in what you pay, both in the price of the food itself, the way it makes you feel, and another hidden cost you may not be aware of.



Now let's talk about price: is it a factor in what we choose to eat? Research shows several points to consider about junk food being much cheaper than whole food. Really? Many well written articles mentioned that junk food is cheaper than fresh whole food. How can this be and why does it not make sense to me? Stronger arguments were also made that the true price of junk food is actually much higher when taken the subsidies; our government pays to the farmers who grow this food, into account. An idea was mentioned, that would put mathematicians and economists in a room and have them figure out what all the junk food produced with subsidized crops should really cost if there were no subsidies. Then make retailers include the real price on the price tag along with the actual selling price. Maybe it's time to implement truth in pricing policies; to take out the mystery, that junk food, is actually cheaper than whole food?



Think about this, take the Twinkie for example, a food like substance with some kind of synthetic cream like substance inside, involving no fewer than 39 ingredient's, and those ingredient's must be grown somewhere, harvested, trucked to the plant, and this is only the first step. Once at the manufacture they must then be handled, blended, baked, packaged which also has ingredient's in the packaging itself and then shipped, again, to the store where the lucky recipient can make his or her purchase.



Now consider, say a bunch of carrots, a whole food that is good for you. What is involved with getting them to market? Yes they must be planted and cared for and then grown, harvested and washed off, and then trucked to the grocery store. There is also the cost of, are they organically grown or not. Pesticides also cost money. Compare 39 ingredients in a Twinkie, probably not all grown in the same spot, with a bunch of whole real food carrots, grown in one spot ready to go to market. Can you see that something is wrong with the price we pay?



Subsidies are hidden costs to the real price, we all pay, for the food we eat but it's not the biggest hidden cost of all. Here is another, I believe, that all this subsidized, pesticide laced, GMO altered food is really doing to our bodies, and that is making us sick? Take a look on the shelves of the medicine cabinet and in the draws and on the counter tops in your homes. Look at all that "prescription medication" could this also play a part in total cost of the food we eat? How about the doctor's visits for the high cholesterol, diabetes, high blood pressure and everything else with the food we eat? And let's not forget all the time off, being sick or for the doctors' visits could this also play a part in the total cost of that same food? Look at how much money is being spent after the fact, in an attempt to get well, from the food eaten in the first place?



Let food be thy medicine and medicine be thy food. Was quoted by Hippocrates, the father of modern medicine, in about 460 B.C. Isn't it time we returned to this advice, stop thinking that junk foods are cheaper, pay the price for the whole real foods we should be eating and use this amazing real food as the only medicine we really need, for in the long run, it really is all about the price we pay?



Today I am a living example of what whole foods can do for your fitness and lifestyle needs with the energy and the years younger look that is often commented upon, but it was not always that way. When my best friend was diagnosed with Lou Gehrig's disease a few years ago, I decided to do something about it, What to do I was unsure of. Looking in the mirror convinced me that I to needed to work on myself as well. Out of shape, overweight, unhappy and depressed, I went to work not only on myself but started reading about nutrition,whole foods and the effects they have on your body and seeing if they could help my best friend.



Now as I write this I am a whole new person, 76 pounds released and more confident then ever and with knowledge and information about whole food that people need to know about. Unfortunately my friend has since passed but in his memory and honor I created a web site to help bring this knowledge to those who wish to use it. My web site is http://www.mymiracleoflifenetwork.com.



Have a look, see if this information would be helpful to you or someone you know. All the resources on my site gave me my life back and I believe can also play a part in your wellness plan for your mind,body and sole. Like me on face book at http://www.facebook.com/wholefoodmedicine



Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Timothy_J_Smith

A peaceful life is like a dream in today's competitive and materialistic world. A chase for wealth & fame seems never-ending but still everyone wants peace. The funny thing is, there are people who did nothing except taking the others' peace of mind are in search of peace. Life is tough yet beautiful and worth living in any circumstances. Present situation and circumstance will soon become past no matter what; this is the fact of life and nothing can change it but the irony is still many of us can't fight our circumstances and give-up the most beautiful thing they possess. Peace is not about silence and quietness it is about the feeling of full-fill ness, a feeling of satisfaction- satisfaction of doing something good. And, it can be attained by practicing the following:




Meditation:



As per Buddhist philosophy, meditation is a way to attain salvation, it is never too late, one can attain salvation through meditation at any stage of life, I do not know about salvation but peace of mind can be attained by meditation at any stage of life. Meditation in my opinion is clearing your thoughts and mind from anything which is disturbing and distracting. One can control all his anger, grief and any other feeling with the help of meditation. Meditation is not a very technical process which requires a proper training, it can be practiced easily by a non-technical person all it requires is attention. Being attentive is not a practice that needs to be confined to a cross-legged posture. Meditative attention is a dynamic practice of paying close attention to what you are doing in whatever posture or situation you happen to be in.



Exercise Daily:



Healthy body and healthy mind are the key ingredients to a peaceful life. Exercising everyday helps to improve the energy level and immunity. It is not necessary to spend hours in gym, even jogging or walking for half an hour daily can keep you rejuvenated for rest of the day. Once your body will be fit and healthy, you will feel more confidence in whatever you do. A life reborn as a human is considered a very precious thing. To have a long life is a rare and important opportunity to end our suffering. Hence, it is important to keep healthy. To keep the body in good health is a duty...otherwise we shall not be able to keep our mind strong and clear.



Practice your Hobby Daily:



Hobbies are important and need to be practiced regularly for happiness. Hobbies are the best way to show your talent and express your feelings. It gives you an opportunity to spend more time with your own self which otherwise is the most difficult thing in this busy world. A hobby is much more than just a pastime. A hobby has many benefits and advantages for each individual. For some, a hobby is an emotional outlet, for others a way of gaining knowledge. Hobbies keep our minds - and our hands - active. Most hobbies are an ideal way to relax. Coming home from work and sitting down to enjoy your favorite pastime helps to take your mind off of the stresses of the day. Hobbies also help you unwind before bed so you can get a better night's sleep.



Music & Dancing:



Music & dancing are the best stress-busters. Music not only has a capability to release tension but to attain mental peace and so has dancing. One does not need to be a trained dancer or singer, doing your own thing in a way which is most enjoyable to you can remove all your tensions. Listening to music helps you to keep your negative thoughts away and enjoy life to the fullest. Life without music would leave us unsure and probably incapable of venting our emotions. Music touches our soul, and allows us to express different moods and emotions. Music has power to cheer you up even in your worst mood and to give up all the unpleasant thoughts. Music is an art that meliorates the creativity in you as it appeals to not only the conscious mind but also the unconscious mind.



Reading:



Books are not only the important source of knowledge but also can provide answers to all your questions. It is important to read and to listen to great teachers, so we can 'undo' more of our ignorance. Books are important, as is listening to great teachers. In fact, it is one of the most important things we can do with our lives. It however does not mean that one need to read books on religion and self-motivation only to attain peace of mind. One can read anything as per his own interest be it poetry, novel, story book or even the newspaper. Reading continuously gives an insight to a person to solve his own problems & achieve mental peace.



So, it is rightly quoted by a religion-guru, " If in day-to-day life you lead a good life, honestly with love, with compassion, with selflessness then automatically it will lead to Nirvana," for us that means peace.



(Written by- Parul Gupta)



Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Parul_Gupta