April showers bring May flowers.  And with the rain comes rainbows – which are just beautiful.  Another rainbow that is beautiful is a rainbow of nutritious and delicious food.

Canada’s Food Guide recommends that adults consume between 7 and 10 portions of fruits and vegetables every day.  For many people this can present a challenge.  Whether it is lack of time, money, or availability many people are not getting the recommended amount of fruits and vegetables daily needed to maintain good health.

Your fruit and vegetable choices should include the entire spectrum of colours.  Dark green vegetables should be the predominant feature along with purples, oranges, reds, and yellows. A variety of fruit comes in dark crimson and blue and those nice dark colours are also an excellent source of antioxidants.

Berries for instance are a rich source of phytonutrients – naturally occurring compounds found in plants.  There are literally hundreds of known phytonutrients, many of which have antioxidant properties that help protect our cells against free radical damage, improve immune function, and help reduce the risk for chronic disease.  Berries are also abundant in vitamins, minerals, and fibre. 

You don’t have to eat every single colour of the rainbow at each meal, but over the course of the day all colours should have found their way to your plate – or snack.

Not only do they taste great, both vegetables and fruit contain many important nutrients our body needs to maintain good health.  Vegetables and fruit are also a very good source of fibre, which helps to keep us regular.

Here are just a few benefits of including more fruit and vegetables in your diet:

• Lowered risk of heart disease and stroke
• Help lower the risk of many cancers
• Help lower blood pressure
• Help lower cholesterol
• Protect the immune system
• Help with weight loss
• Increase energy
• Increase vitality

Fruit and vegetables do not have to be expensive and hard to prepare.  Chop up some veggies and seal them in a Ziploc to have on hand as snacks.  Carrot, celery, cucumber and sweet bell pepper sticks are favorites among adults and children alike.  A big batch of fruit salad using oranges, grapefruit, pineapple, grapes and berries also makes a healthy snack we all love.

Although vegetable and fruit juice may count as a serving, vegetable juices can be high in sodium and fruit juice is high in sugar.  It’s better to eat the whole fruit or vegetable than have the juice. 

If you find it challenging to consume the recommended daily servings of vegetables, these AIM products can help.  They are a fast and convenient way to supplement your fruit and vegetable intake and they don’t have all the sodium and sugar the commercial juices contain. 

• AIM BarleyLife® is a live, nutrient-dense juice powder of young barley plants providing a broad spectrum of vitamins, minerals, enzymes, antioxidants, phytochemicals, amino acids, and chlorophyll.  BarleyLife helps to balance your pH, neutralize body acidity, and promote a healthy immune system.  Available in powder and vegetarian capsules.
• AIM BarleyLife® Xtrais a delightful, cherry-apple flavoured green barley juice powder with 18 different fruits and vegetables. Each 4.5 g serving of BarleyLife Xtra contains 4 g BarleyLife with only one gram of sugar per serving.  BarleyLife Xtra is a great source of vitamin C and provides a healthy, nourishing alternative to the plethora of sugar-filled drinks available today. Children and adults alike enjoy this smooth, pleasant drink.
• Just Carrots® has one of the highest sources of natural beta-carotene and provides up to 420 percent of the Reference Daily Intakes (RDI) of vitamin A.   In addition to beta-carotene, Just Carrots contains calcium and      potassium.
• AIM RediBeets® is available in a ready to mix powder and provides a convenient way to enjoy the benefits beetroot has to offer without all the extra work and mess.  RediBeets offers a convenient way to meet the daily requirements of 7 to 10 servings of fruits and vegetables.
• AIM LeafGreens™ is an all-natural dried juice concentrate that combines the leaves of four young plants and broccoli sprouts for a wide spectrum of nutrients including vitamins, minerals, antioxidant (beta-carotene), and a balanced plant-based protein.  LeafGreens is an excellent source of vitamin A, iron, and vitamin K, and provides 30 mg of chlorophyll in every 3-gram serving.
• AIM Veggie D™ features an all-natural, vegetable source of vitamin D₂ from shiitake and button mushrooms. This whole-food delivery of vitamin D combines lycopene-rich tomatoes and twelve other vegetables for a savory whole food.  Veggie D mixes well into soups, sauces, and other foods for added nutrition.

A diet rich in colourful fruits and vegetables can have a tremendous impact on our health and help prevent disease and health issues.  An easy way to help select and track our daily intake is to remember that eating a rainbow a day keeps the doctor away!

“Natural forces within us are the true healers of disease.” ~ Hippocrates

For more information about any of these AIM products please visit our AIM Store Website where you can read more, download datasheets, watch videos, and make a purchase. As with any nutritional supplement it is always recommended to read the literature thoroughly to find out if the product is right for you, and consult your health care practitioner if you have any medical conditions or concerns.

*Shopping Cart With Fruits And Vegetables image courtesy of KROMKRATHOG/FreeDigitalPhotos.net

With the arrival of spring, it’s time again to spring-clean our homes.  It is so wonderful to be able to open up the windows and let the fresh warm breezes fill our homes and hearts.  And it’s also a great time to look at spring-cleaning our body systems and what we can do to provide ourselves with nutrients that keep us healthy.

The materials used to renew the cells that make up our body’s tissues and organs come from the foods we eat in the form of nutrients.  A balanced diet with careful selection of wholesome natural foods will provide us with many of the nutrients our body needs to build and repair tissues, regulate body processes, and provide us with energy.  On the other hand, poor food selection with an unbalanced intake of nutrients can contribute to the development of significant health issues. 

Although an unbalanced diet is usually due to poor choices of food, not everyone is able to eat all the fresh natural foods they would like to.   Whether it is due to lack of time, money, or availability many people find the convenience, price, and taste of processed food appealing.  The availability of high-calorie, high-fat, high-sugar, and high-sodium foods has rapidly become commonplace, and one of the growing concerns with these processed foods is that they are becoming much less expensive than nutrient-dense foods such as fresh vegetables and fruit.  The availability and lower price of processed and energy-dense foods rich in sugar and fat makes them appealing to the pocket book as well as the taste buds, but not without consequence.  Obesity, heart disease, arthritis, diabetes and other chronic conditions are gaining a stronghold in North America (and developing countries) and researchers now admit that diet plays a major role in the prevention and treatment of disease.

As a matter of fact, just recently on the CBC news there was a report out entitled “The Science Of Addictive Food”.  CBC health reporter Kelly Crowe took us behind the science of making junk food so irresistible.  You may be shocked and surprised to learn what is happening as a result of the different additives manufactuers are including in our food nowadays.  Watch the full video here.

Under normal circumstances the body is able to eliminate toxins through urine, feces, perspiration and exhalation.  We can either support, or hinder, our natural detoxification process by the kinds of foods we eat, the dietary supplements we take, the medications we use, and the lifestyle choices we make.

Detoxification is a natural process the body uses to remove impurities and potentially harmful substances from our systems.  An accumulation of toxins and other waste products can hamper the proper functioning of our tissues, glands, and organs.  Considering all the additives that exist in our food, and the contaminants that exist in our environment nowadays, our elimination systems are often overwhelmed.  This toxic overload can lead to chronic ailments and degenerative diseases. 

Poor dietary choices are one of the most important reasons why the body does not eliminate toxins and harmful substances effectively. A diet low in fibre for instance can reduce transit time, lead to constipation, and hold back toxins that need to be eliminated.  A diet high in processed foods can also impede the body’s detoxifying process, making it difficult for proper elimination of toxins. 

Fortunately, our body has a system in place for detoxifying and eliminating harmful toxic waste.  Our skin, lungs, lymphatic system, liver, kidneys, and colon all work around the clock filtering and eliminating toxins, so it’s vital to support these mechanisms which are keeping us healthy. 

Balance, variety, and moderation are the keys to a healthful diet.  A balanced proportion of foods from the different food groups, a variety of foods from within the different food groups, and moderation in the consumption of any food can provide us with many of the nutrients we need to sustain life.  But in order to experience optimal health, and maintain whole-body health, supplementation is becoming a necessary.

Nutritional supplements are designed to provide nutrients, both essential and non-essential, that we may not be getting from our diet.  Also known as dietary supplements, nutritional supplements are an important part of a balanced health regime and can offer significant health benefits.  They can help to correct nutritional deficiencies and help boost the immune system, and there is growing scientific evidence supporting the benefits of nutritional supplements and their role in maintaining optimal health.

In addition to a healthful diet, you can experience whole body health with greens, fiber, and essential fatty acids through AIM’s Daily Essentials.  You’ll get the vital nutrients found in these popular AIM products to help maintain whole body health, maintain a healthy immune system, and provide increased energy.

AIMega® is an organic seed oil blend that provides
omega-3 and -6 essential fatty acids (EFAs) plus omega-9.  Essential fatty acids are incorporated into every cell of the body, and are key structural, metabolic, and regulatory components of cells. They help improve and regulate cellular function; help to reduce inflammation; modulate immune response; help prevent chronic disease; and optimize health.

AIM BarleyLife® is a live, nutrient-dense juice powder of young barley plants providing a broad spectrum of vitamins, minerals, enzymes, antioxidants, phytochemicals, amino acids, and chlorophyll.  BarleyLife helps to balance your pH, neutralize body acidity, and promote a healthy immune system.  Available in powder and vegetarian capsules.

AIM BarleyLife® Xtra is a delightful, cherry-apple flavoured green barley juice powder with 18 different fruits and vegetables. Each 4.5 g serving of BarleyLife Xtra contains 4 g BarleyLife with only one gram of sugar per serving.  BarleyLife Xtra is a great source of vitamin C and provides a healthy, nourishing alternative to the plethora of sugar-filled drinks available today. Children and adults alike enjoy this smooth, pleasant drink.

AIM Herbal FiberBlend® is a unique and powerful combination of psyllium fibre and cleansing herbs that detoxifies the body, sweeps the digestive system clean of toxins and food debris, and maintains bowel regularity. Herbal FiberBlend is available in powder and vegetarian capsules.

AIM FibreBalance® provides 12 grams of fibre in two scoops, with 75% insoluble fibre and 25% soluble fibre. The fibre from oat, inulin, and flax seed plus 6 herbs help to relieve constipation, protect intestinal walls, and maintain healthy cholesterol and blood sugar levels.  It reduces transit time and provides a more thorough evacuation of waste and helps maintain digestive health.

Spring ahead with AIM’s Daily Essentials to help your body detoxify, cleanse, build, and energize itself.

For more information about Daily Essentials and which combination is right for you, visit our AIM Store Website where you can read more, download datasheets, watch videos, and make a purchase. As with any nutritional supplement it is always recommended to read the literature thoroughly to find out if the product is right for you, and consult your health care practitioner if you have any medical conditions or concerns.

The Law of Attraction says:  That which is like unto itself, is drawn.  We are constantly attracting people, places, things, situations, and experiences into our lives through the thoughts we think and the emotions we feel.  So it makes sense that by worrying about something which hasn’t happened, or you have no control over, could actually be setting yourself up to attract into your life all those things you are worrying about!

According to Wikipedia, “Worry is thoughts, images and emotions of a negative nature in which mental attempts are made to avoid anticipated potential threats.  As an emotion it is experienced as anxiety or concern about a real or imagined issue, usually personal issues such as health or finances or broader ones such as environmental pollution and social or technological change.”

So why do we worry and stress ourselves out so much?

Well, in a nutshell we live in stressful times.  All you have to do is watch, listen or turn on the news for what I call the ‘doom and gloom report’.  I think we’d all be much better off if the news we heard was good news and good stories instead of bad news and bad stories.  I know we need to stay informed, just take what they say on the news with a grain of salt and move on to happier things in your life.

You can either choose to look and react negatively at things, or decide to look and react positively at things, creating a happier today and tomorrow.  The choice is yours.  Remember the Law of Attraction…you attract what you think about whether you want it or not.  Worrying can lead to stress, which can lead to all sorts of health and health related issues.

So what can we do to reduce worrying and stress, or better yet avoid it in the first place?  There are many helpful steps we can take, and choices we can make, to reduce or help manage the stress in our lives.  Here are a few suggestions:

Exercise – regular exercise helps to decrease the production of stress hormones.  Studies are showing that exercise can help combat anxiety and depression, and help with sleep.  Walking, running, dancing, biking, hiking, swimming, gardening and yard work can all have a significant effect on decreasing stress levels.  Pick an activity that you love and have fun doing it. 

Massage – getting a massage is not only a great way to pamper ourselves, but can also help to decrease the stress hormone cortisol in our body.

Deep Breathing – can help calm the nerves.  Relax in a comfy chair and take a few deep breaths to help clear the mind.  Deep breathing also works well in any stressful situation.

Meditation and Relaxation Techniques – are known to have lasting and beneficial effects on health, as does yoga.

Take Time to Unwind – one of the key elements in reducing stress is taking the time for ourselves.  Read a good book, watch a movie, take time for a hobby, or have a nice relaxing soak in the bathtub.  Say ‘yes’ to yourself.

Rest – getting enough sleep helps our body and mind rejuvenate and better equips us to handle any negative stressors that may come along.  Seven to eight hours of uninterrupted rest is the required amount of sleep for most adults.     

Diet – under stressful conditions our body needs healthful foods full of vitamins, minerals and other nutrients.  Junk foods, fast foods and highly processed foods are all stressors that can add to stress levels.  A healthy diet that includes fresh colorful vegetables and fruits, rich whole grains, unprocessed oils and fats, lean organic meats, dry beans, free-run eggs, nuts and seeds, organic low-fat dairy products, and clean water will provide most of the nutrition our body needs to help combat the effects of stress. 

Laughter – learn to laugh at stressful situations that may arise.  A healthy dose of optimism can quickly turn a stressful circumstance into an opportunity for the better.  Sometimes, laughter really is the best medicine.

Nature has also provided us with many botanicals that can help strengthen our ability to cope with stress.  There are a variety of botanicals that work well to combat stress.  What I like to take when I’m feeling stressed out, anxious, or need help sleeping is AIM Composure®.

AIM Composure® is a combination of three soothing botanicals – valerian root, passionflower and hops flower (Canada).  These botanicals work synergistically to provide a safe and effective way to help relax and calm nerves and muscles, alleviate feelings of anxiety, reduce restlessness, and promote restful sleep. 

Click Here to Read The AIM Composure Datasheet

All three botanicals in AIM Composure® have been approved in the Natural Health Product Directorate Monographs from Health Canada, and AIM Composure® has been issued a Natural Product Number (NPN).  An NPN indicates that Health Canada has assessed the product for its safety, claim, and quality, and has authorized it for sale in Canada.

We may not have a crystal ball to see into the future and make the right choices, but by becoming aware of how worry and stress impacts our lives and our health, and by learning to accept change and everyday challenges, we can reduce our worries and manage our stress.  Life is meant to be fun, and we are meant to live a joyful life.  Why worry?

“Today is the tomorrow we worried about yesterday.”
~Author Unknown

Note:  AIM Composure® is also available in Australia, New Zealand, United Kingdom, and USA.  The formulation in these countries differs slightly from Canada.

For more information about AIM Composure® visit our AIM Store Website where you can read more, download datasheets, watch videos, and make a purchase. As with any nutritional supplement it is always recommended to read the literature thoroughly to find out if the product is right for you, and consult your health care practitioner if you have any medical conditions or concerns.

*Relax Note With Pushpin Image courtesy of Stuart Miles/FreeDigitalPhotos.net

Last November my husband Wayne and I were busy working on a rather large renovation job.  We were converting a ‘well-used’ and ‘not-very-clean’ dog grooming business to a new and clean office space.  It wasn’t the most pleasant of jobs we have had in the past, but once we got through the tearing out and cleaning up part of the job, things went along just fine and it turned out to be a great office space.  All spiffy and new.

Everyday we were there, I would think to myself how fortunate we are to have the AIM products, and BarleyLife in particular, to help keep us healthy and provide us with the energy we need to do these types of jobs.

It was a fun place to work, as the job was located at a busy highway intersection with a gas bar, convenience store, and a restaurant next door.  We saw many people we knew and it was really good exposure for Wayne’s handyman business.  The only problem with the job was having a restaurant next door.

We always pack a lunch with us when we are working on a job, and I do my best to make sure it is a healthy lunch made from healthful foods.  We feel good and we feel energized from the food we eat in our packed lunch.

So it wasn’t the tea or coffee and a muffin each morning we were treating ourselves to that got the best of us, it was those delicious aromas from the restaurant we smelled all day long.  Well the next thing we knew we were treating ourselves to a full-fledged breakfast every other day (usually while waiting on other trades), and then it was lunch, and then it was everyday.  So much for my healthy lunches I would pack from home!

Because we were on a tight schedule, there were a few evenings where we would come home after working all day, quickly get cleaned up and then have to go out to pick up materials and other items for the job.  And yes, you guessed it, we would once again find ourselves at yet another restaurant.

By the second week we were on the job, I began to feel sick.  Not just a little rundown, but actually feeling ill.  There was something physically wrong, but I couldn’t quite put a handle on it.  And then it dawned on me.  It’s all this restaurant food I’ve been eating.

Well, I put the brakes on the restaurant food and went back to my healthy sandwich for lunch.  On occasion we would order a ‘take-out’ soup to go with our sandwiches and we cut out any restaurant food for dinner and ate a healthy meal at home.  I also bumped up my servings of BarleyLife, Herbal Fiberblend, and the other AIM products I take for my good health and within a couple of days I felt great again and was full of energy and vitality. Wayne never did admit he didn’t feel as good as he usually does, but I know he must have been feeling a little ill from all that restaurant food we were eating.

It was interesting, but also a little sad, to see so many of the same people eating at that restaurant on a daily basis.  Day in and day out we would see the same people at the same time having their meal.  I would wonder how they must have been feeling after eating that type of food everyday and if they felt sick like I did.  Or did they even realize it?  Perhaps they felt sick and tired all the time and just thought that was normal. They certainly are not the healthiest looking bunch we have seen, and we could tell many of them have health issues.

Now, if you’re wondering whether we told these sick looking people about BarleyLife and how they could turn their health around the answer is this.  They all know we promote BarleyLife to prevent illness and maintain good health, and they all look at us as though we have a third eye on our foreheads and we are out of our minds.  Go figure.  A farming community where it’s important to the farmers to grow healthy grasses so they have healthy livestock, but they can’t grasp the concept of the benefits of barley grass for themselves!

Well, we finished the job and moved on to the next and we take our healthy lunch with us and have a healthy dinner at home.  We feel great and we look great and we’re thankful everyday for AIM and our BarleyLife.

Dining out is not a bad thing as long as we dine out in moderation and not let it become habit forming because of the convenience (and taste) of it.  As with everything in life, moderation is the key.  Feeling ill and opening the door to health issues is a high price to pay for dining out on a regular basis.  I’ll stick to brown bagging it and eating at home.  

“Those who think they have no time for healthy eating, will sooner or later have to find time for illness.”
~ Edward Stanley

For more information about AIM BarleyLife®, AIM Herbal Fiberblend®, and all other AIM products, please visit our AIM Store Website where you can learn more, download datasheets, watch videos, and make a purchase. As with any supplement it is always recommended to read the literature thoroughly to find out if the product is right for you, and consult your health care practitioner if you have any medical conditions or concerns.

Click Here To Buy BarleyLife

Click Here To Buy BarleyLife

*Cook With Menu Card Image courtesy of digitalart/FreeDigitalPhotos.net

Chromium is an essential trace mineral involved in the metabolism of glucose, and plays a key role in the synthesis of cholesterol, fats, and proteins.  Chromium is known to enhance the action of insulin by improving the transportation of glucose out of the blood and into the cell. 

Other benefits of chromium include controlling fats and cholesterol levels in the blood.  Chromium may help to reduce the risk of heart disease by increasing the amount of good (HDL) cholesterol circulating in the blood, reducing the amount of bad (LDL) cholesterol circulating in the blood, and may also help to reduce blood pressure.  Because chromium may improve the body’s insulin sensitivity, it may help to reduce body fat and may help to increase muscle mass.

The average North American diet is chromium deficient and it is estimated that only one in ten Americans has an adequate amount of chromium in their diet.

The reasons for a diet deficient in chromium may include:

• Not consuming enough foods that contain chromium
• The form of chromium in many foods is not easily absorbed
• Lack of chromium in our soil and water supply
• People do not like the foods that are the best sources of chromium
• Much of the chromium content is lost during processing
• High quantities of sugar in the diet cause a loss of chromium from the body

Symptoms of a deficiency of chromium include:  anxiety, fatigue, nerve pain, high cholesterol, inadequate metabolism of amino acids, glucose intolerance (which can lead to diabetes), and an increased risk of arteriosclerosis.  Low chromium levels can increase the risk for debilitating chronic diseases, and a deficiency of chromium may lead to the symptoms of insulin resistance.

Which Foods and Supplements Contain Chromium?

Chromium can be found in many common foods including meats like poultry, turkey, beef and liver; oysters and other shellfish; whole-grain breads and whole-grain cereals; mushrooms; beer; brewer’s yeast.  Chromium is also available in supplement form such as AIM GlucoChrom™.

AIM GlucoChrom™ is a unique combination of proven trace minerals and herbs that increases the effective action of insulin and helps the body to metabolize carbohydrates and fats. *

GlucoChrom’s chromium is derived from Saccharomyces cerevisiae yeast that has been organically bound to trivalent chromium. Unlike most chromium supplements that contain synthetic forms (such as chromium nicotinate or picolinate), GlucoChrom offers a natural, bioavailable, and easily absorbed form of this trace mineral that the body recognizes as food. *

Along with chromium, GlucoChrom combines vanadium, Gymnema sylvestre leaf, and bitter melon fruit for a synergistic combination that maintains healthy blood sugar levels by increasing the effective action of insulin. 

Key Benefits and Features of AIM GlucoChrom™:

• Helps maintain healthy blood sugar levels
• Helps to alleviate hypoglycemic (low blood sugar) symptoms such as fatigue, dizziness, irritability, headaches, and cravings
• Promotes beneficial effects on blood cholesterol and triglyceride levels
• Encourages reduction of body fat and increase of lean muscle mass (with diet and exercise)
• Natural, bioavailable, and easily absorbed
• Available in vegetarian capsules
• AIM GlucoChrom carries a Health Canada Natural Product Number (NPN), which indicates Health Canada has assessed the product for its safety, claim and quality, and has authorized it for sale in Canada.

We only need a small amount of chromium in our daily diet but the benefits of chromium are important for maintaining optimal health. 

Whether you are concerned about high blood sugar or losing weight, a diet that includes this essential mineral can make a positive difference.

For more information about AIM GlucoChrom™ visit our AIM Store Website where you can read more, download datasheets, watch videos, and make a purchase.  As with any supplement it is always recommended to read the literature thoroughly to find out if the product is right for you, and consult your health care practitioner if you have any medical conditions or concerns.

Risk information: Do not use if you are pregnant or breastfeeding. Those with diabetes should consult a health care practitioner prior to use.

*Source – AIM GlucoChrom Datasheet

Botanically known as Beta vulgaris, the beet evolved from their wild ancestor known as sea beet, which is native to the coast of Europe, Northern Africa, and Southern Asia.  The root was carrot shaped and during early times the beet greens were eaten rather than the roots. The ancient Romans were mostly interested in beets for medicine, however they are believed to be one of the first civilizations to cultivate beetroot for food. 

The Romans used beetroot in curative broths as a treatment for fever, constipation, and other ailments.  They also considered beetroot juice as an aphrodisiac.  It wasn’t until the sixteenth century the rounded root shape we’re familiar with today was developed, and became popular in Central and Eastern Europe a couple of hundred years later.  Over the millennia, beetroot has been used to treat a variety of conditions, especially illnesses related to digestion and the blood.  Today the beetroot is still championed as a universal cure-all.

Beets contain powerful nutrients that can help protect against heart disease, birth defects, and certain cancers such as colon cancer.  Beets are considered a natural cleanser helping to remove toxins from the body and nourish the bloodstream, and not only do beets cleanse the liver and purify the blood, they also aid in digestion and stimulate lymphatic activity. 

Raw beetroots contain folate, niacin, biotin, phosphorus, magnesium, calcium, iron, potassium, vitamin A and vitamin C.  They’re low in fat and high in complex carbohydrates, providing our body with fuel and fibre.  During pregnancy, folate is important for normal fetal development and folate also aids in the formation of red blood cells.  Potassium, along with sodium, helps to regulate the water balance and acid-alkaline balance in the blood and tissues.  The pigment batacyanin, which gives beets their rich purple-crimson colour, is a powerful cancer-fighting agent and its effectiveness against colon cancer in particular has been demonstrated in several studies.  Iron improves energy, prevents anemia and provides each cell with oxygen to function better, and the iron in beet juice is noted for being more easily assimilated than other forms of iron supplements. 

Beets may also help to lower levels of bad cholesterol (LDL) while raising levels of beneficial cholesterol (HDL) which can improve cardiovascular health.  Beetroots are also known to have the ability to counter damaging effects on the liver.  Over the last four centuries beetroot has been used for the treatment of hepatitis and has been thought to be beneficial for the detoxification of the liver. Theories suggest  the high concentrations of betaine found in beets help support and detoxify the liver by limiting fat deposits.  Betaine is also known to lessen inflammation and also play a role in reducing homocysteine of which high levels of homocysteine are associated with cardiovascular disease.  Recent studies point to betaine as contributing to the prevention of coronary and cerebral artery diseases.

According to medical anthropologist, John Heinerman, in his book entitled Encyclopedia of Healing Juices he states beets (and beet juices) are a blood-building herb that detoxifies blood and renews it with minerals and natural sugars.  Other notable sources also speak highly of beets and their juices. Dr. H.C.A. Vogel, in The Nature Doctor, states that beet juice contains betaine, which stimulates the function of liver cells and protects the liver and bile ducts. Norman Walker, D.Sc., in Fresh Vegetable and Fruit Juices, claims that beets build red corpuscles and add tone to blood.

We know that fresh fruits and vegetables provide us with a broad spectrum of  essential nutrients and fibre necessary for proper digestion, assimilation, and whole body health.  They provide phytochemicals, enzymes and antioxidants, and consuming them the way nature intended in their raw form is usually the best.  However, some vegetables do need to be cooked otherwise they would be very hard to eat. Because cooking destroys valuable enzymes, which are essential for the thousands of chemical reactions that occur throughout the body, juicing provides a means to ensure we’re getting the maximum amount of nutrients available. 

Beet Yourself Up

AIM RediBeets® is available in a ready to mix powder and provides a convenient way to enjoy the benefits beetroot has to offer without all the extra work and mess. 

The half pound of beets used to make a teaspoon of RediBeets is residue-free. When the beets are processed to separate the juice and its valuable nutrients from the fiber, the beets are not subjected to high temperatures that may damage their nutrients. AIM uses only the root of red beets and it takes approximately 25 pounds of beets to make one pound of RediBeets powder.   

Considering all the benefits beets have to offer, it makes good sense to include them in our dietary routine to help maintain whole body health and prevent illness. An overall healthy diet will not only provide our body with the energy and nutrition it needs to function properly, but also offers several other health benefits as well.  Go ahead and beet yourself up.  Your body will love you for it.

For more information about AIM RediBeets® please visit our AIM Store Website where you can learn more, download datasheets watch videos, and make your purchase.  As with any supplement it is always recommended to read the literature thoroughly to find out if this product is right for you, and consult your health care practitioner if you have any medical conditions or concerns.

Note:  While there is no processed sugar in RediBeets it is made up of about 70 percent natural sugars. These natural sugars are what give RediBeets its sweet taste. If you are diabetic or concerned about blood glucose levels, consult your health care practitioner before using AIM RediBeets®.

Footnote:  I take my RediBeets mixed in water as my breakfast juice. I mix one teaspoon (or more) of RediBeets with cool or cold water and stir or blend.  I also enjoy a fresh glass of RediBeets mixed with ice-cold water and a squeeze of fresh lemon juice in the afternoon.  Very refreshing especially on a warm day!

We’ve all heard the phrase “you are what you eat”.  It’s a popular phrase in that it does hold some truth to it.  The foods we eat contain a wide variety of essential and nonessential nutrients, as well as other substances that can affect our body functions. 

There are six classes of nutrients known to be essential for human beings.  They are carbohydrates, fats, proteins, vitamins, minerals, and water.  Our body needs all of these nutrients to maintain healthy functioning.  Without sufficient or balanced intake of any of these vital nutrients, disease can develop. 

Our body is constantly changing.  We are not the same person we were a month ago.  Although we may look the same and don’t notice any change, the substances that make up the tissues and organs of our body are continually changing.  We tend to think of tissues such as bones, the heart and blood vessels, and nerves as being solid and permanent, but they are in fact in a constant state of renewal.  How incredible is it that all of the cells of the skin are replaced every month, or the cells lining the intestinal tract are replacing themselves every 1 to 3 days.  How about taste cells rejuvenating every 7 days, and red blood cells turning over every 120 days.  Wow, isn’t the body remarkable! 

Now here’s the catch.  The materials used to renew the cells that make up our body’s tissues and organs come from the foods we eat in the form of nutrients.  A balanced diet with careful selection of wholesome, natural foods will provide us with the proper amounts of nutrients our body needs to build and repair tissues, regulate body processes and provide us with energy.  On the other hand, poor food selection with an unbalanced intake of nutrients can contribute to the development of significant health issues.  An unbalanced diet is not usually due to the unavailability of proper foods, but rather is due to poor choices of foods.      

What Is A Balanced Diet?

A balanced diet provides us with all the nutrients we need to support the growth and development of all our tissues, regulate metabolic processes, and provide us with adequate energy.  Our body needs more than forty different nutrients to function properly.   We can obtain these nutrients in our diet by consuming a wide variety of foods, in moderation, within the six classes of nutrients mentioned above: carbohydrates, fats, proteins, vitamins, minerals, and water. 

A balanced diet is a diet that is high in nutrients and low in Calories.  It includes a variety of fresh colorful vegetables and fruits, rich whole grains (breads, cereals, rice and pasta), unprocessed oils and fats, sufficient protein (lean meat, poultry, fish, dry beans, free-run eggs, and nuts), organic-low-fat dairy products (milk, yogurt, and cheese), and clean water.  

Most people who consume a wide variety of foods receive an adequate supply of nutrients.  However, many people are not receiving optimal nutrition for a number of reasons.  Excessive consumption of highly processed foods, depletion of key nutrients through improper food processing, and foods grown in nutrient challenged soil may not provide an adequate supply of nutrients we need to maintain good health.  Serious concerns are beginning to immerge over the quality of the foods we eat, and more and more people are beginning to take responsibility for improving their own health and wellness.  There is an abundance of evidence nowadays showing that an optimal level of nutrition can improve quality of life and extend lifespan. 

It is often said that we are only as healthy as our sickest cell. In order to have good health and vitality, it’s important to consume foods that nurture and feed our cells at the cellular level. 

AIM BarleyLife® is one such food for our cells.

A live whole food concentrate made from green barley juice, BarleyLife provides our body with vitamins, minerals, enzymes, antioxidants, phytochemicals, amino acids, and chlorophyll.  These nutrients help to build and repair bones and body tissue, strengthen and detoxify at a cellular level, and create energy, vitality and strength. 

I drink BarleyLife daily as I know it contains a full spectrum of nutrients which helps maintain whole body health.  It provides me with the nutrients I need that are lacking in many of today’s foods, and fuels my cells. As I often say, if people would only include BarleyLife into their daily routine, they would be amazed at the improvements in their overall health and how well they would feel.

Our cells require the correct balance of nutrients to function properly, and what we eat can have a significant effect on our health.  The more nutritious our diet is, the healthier our cells will be.

 ”You are what you eat”.  Does it hold some truth for you?

“Natural forces within us are the true healers of disease.”
~ Hippocrates

For more information about AIM BarleyLife®, please visit our AIM Store Website where you can read more, download datasheets, watch videos, and make your purchase.  As with any nutritional supplement it is always recommended to read the literature thoroughly to find out if the product is right for you, and consult your health care practitioner if you have any medical conditions or concerns.

*Eating Blueberries image courtesy of Ambro/FreeDigitalPhotos.net

Aging is a part of life and getting older can increase the risk of many age-related health problems.  We can grow old gracefully by taking care of our health, or we can neglect our health, become sick, and suffer from age-related health conditions. 

Macular degeneration, cataracts, osteoarthritis and mental deterioration are the most common age-related diseases we may encounter, but there are steps we can take now to avoid this decline in health.  A healthy diet, regular exercise, and supplementation can help slow down the effects of aging.  There are several supplements that nutritional scientists and health minded practitioners are recommending we include in our daily health regime to enhance the quality and quantity of our aging years. Ginkgo biloba is one such supplement. 

Often referred to as a “living fossil”, the ginkgo tree is believed to be the oldest living species of tree known to man.  Some reports suggest fossils of this ancient beauty date back 270 million years.  Also known as the Maidenhair Tree (the leaves resemble the pinnae of the maidenhair fern) the ginkgo tree is a very long-living tree.  Some specimens are over 2000 years old!  This deep-rooted tree has been widely cultivated since very early in human history and has a variety of uses both as a food and traditional medicine. 

Ginkgo has been used for thousands of years in traditional Chinese medicine (TCM), and the extract from the leaves is rapidly becoming one of the most studied and popular medicinal herbs for treating many age-related health problems.     

Ginkgo biloba is best known for its ability to improve circulation to the brain, eyes and extremities of the body.  It is most commonly used to improve memory, concentration and mental clarity, and seems to be beneficial in all types of dementia.  Ginkgo biloba has a natural blood thinning effect, which reduces platelet stickiness and blood clotting.  It possesses antioxidant properties, protecting cells from free-radical damage. Ginkgo has been shown to help protect against macular degeneration by increasing circulation to the eyes and, acting as a free-radical scavenger, Ginkgo can help slow the process of cataract formation on the lens of the eye.  Ringing of the ears known as Tinnitus may also be improved with the use of ginkgo.  

Ginkgo can also help alleviate depression associated with Alzheimer’s due to its positive influence on mood.  Because it can improve circulation, Ginkgo can help with cramping in the legs and poor circulation in the fingers and toes.  It is even being recommended to help with reversing erectile dysfunction in men.

As a defense against the aging process, you can help support your health with AIM GinkgoSense™.  This unique combination of ginkgo biloba with the essential fatty acid DHA, plus bilberry fruit extract, and the carotenoids lutein and zeaxanthin, specifically targets mental acuity, vision, and circulation, and provides overall support for neuro and cardiovascular health.

As we age, anyone concerned with mental acuity, vision and circulation may want to consider supplementing with AIM GinkgoSense™.  Along with a healthy diet rich in fresh whole foods, daily exercise, and a healthy lifestyle, supplementing with GinkgoSense is something to think about. 

For more information about AIM GinkgoSense™ please visit our AIM Store Website where you can read more, download datasheets, watch videos, and make a purchase.  As with any supplement it is always recommended to read the literature thoroughly to find out if the product is right for you, and consult your health care practitioner if you have any medical conditions or concerns.

Cautions:  Because of ginkgo’s natural blood thinning effects, it may cause increased risk of bleeding.   Do not use if you are taking blood thinners, clotting factor replacements, acetylsalicylic acid or ibuprofen, as this may increase the risk of spontaneous bleeding.  Consult a health care practitioner prior to use if you are taking medications for diabetes, high blood pressure, seizures, undergoing surgery or if your memory problems are accompanied by headaches and dizziness.

AIM GinkgoSense™ carries a Health Canada Natural Product Number (NPN), which indicates Health Canada has assessed the product for its safety, claim and quality, and has authorized it for sale in Canada.

*Elderly Couple With Little Black Dog image courtesy of Ambro/FreeDigitalPhotos.net

It’s that time of year again when parents are preparing to get their kids back to school.  For some parents it will be a much-anticipated time.  There is even a commercial on television singing, “it’s the most wonderful time of the year”.   I don’t know about that as I do not have any children, but I do know one thing.  Children need to have proper nutrition.

Proper nutrition is critical for growth and development and more and more studies are showing that a healthy diet also plays a key role in school performance, behavior, and mental function.  A healthy breakfast, healthy lunch, and healthy snacks should provide kids with enough nutrients to help them stay active and help them concentrate throughout the day.

Although it can seem like a daunting task for some to prepare healthy school lunches and snacks, relying on convenient and pre-packaged foods is not a healthy choice. Not only are these packaged foods expensive, they are low in essential nutrients children need, and are high in fat, salt and sugar.  Cafeteria food is beginning to show some improvement by offering more fresh foods in their selection, but if you want your kids to eat healthy, preparing their lunch and snacks ahead of time helps to ensure your children are getting what they need.

Chop up some veggies the night before and seal them in a Ziploc bag so it’s easy in the morning to pop one into your child’s lunch.  Carrot, celery, cucumber and sweet bell pepper sticks are a favourite among children.  Make a big batch of fruit salad using oranges, grapefruit, grapes and berries.  Serve it in a small container included in your child’s lunch.  Make sure to include a variety of foods from the various food groups such as plenty of fruit and vegetables, whole grains, milk products (or calcium fortified alternatives), and protein from lean meats or alternatives.  And don’t forget to let kids enjoy their favourite treat in moderation.

There are many ways to incorporate a healthy diet for children (and ourselves for that matter) without going broke or taking “too much time” to prepare.  Have a “family” meeting to discuss what role a healthier diet will play and what everyone can do to help out.  Make suggestions and remain open to new foods and ideas. Explain the importance of a healthy diet and the role nutrition can play in the prevention of disease.

Healthy food choices are essential for maintaining good health and well-being, and an easy way to start is with Canada’s Food Guide (or the USDA MyPyriamid program in the United States).  I don’t agree with everything Health Canada dictates (especially with regards to health food products and health supplements), but I do believe the food guides are a good tool to use to find out the right types and amounts of food children, teenagers, adults, and seniors need to consume.  You can visit the Canada Food guide website at: http://www.hc-sc.gc.ca/fn-an/food-guide-aliment/index-eng.php and/or the USDA MyPyramid website at: http://www.mypyramid.gov/

Another thing parents can do to ensure their children are getting the nutrition they need is to supplement with a whole food product such as AIM BarleyLife™ Xtra.   

Each serving of BarleyLife™ Xtra contains one full serving of BarleyLife® along with a blend of seventeen additional fruits and vegetables including broccoli, carrot, and cranberry.  This additional blend gives BarleyLife™ Xtra a great taste and additional nutritional benefits. 

One of BarleyLife™ Xtra’s chief ingredients is acerola cherry, which is known for being extremely rich in vitamin C.  Each serving of BarleyLife™ Xtra provides 34 percent of the Recommended Daily Intake (RDI) of vitamin C.  BarleyLife™ Xtra is sweetened naturally with Lo Han, which makes it a healthy alternative to the sugary drinks children often consume.

BarleyLife™Xtra is available in 360-gram canisters and is also available in a one serving sample pack.  These are perfect for popping in with child’s lunch or have them keep some in their locker. They can mix the powder in a bottle of water or their favourite juice for a nutritious snack to ensure they’re getting the nutritional support they need.

Children deserve to be healthy.  Being healthy will not only make them happier, they will be more alert, have better concentration, and learn more as well.  What better time to start them off right than at the beginning of the school year with some healthy back to school basics such as proper nutrition and AIM BarleyLife™ Xtra.

For more information about AIM BarleyLife™ Xtra please visit our AIM Store Website where you can read more, download datasheets, watch videos, and make your purchase.  As with any nutritional supplement it is always recommended to read the literature thoroughly to find out if the product is right for your child, and consult your health care practitioner if your child has any medical conditions or concerns.

“Education is what remains after one has forgotten what one has learned in school.” ~Albert Einstein

*Blackboard image courtesy of Rawich/FreeDigitalPhotos.net

When I look back and ponder my accomplishments, the one accomplishment I can truly say I am the most proud of is having good health.  Although I have always struggled with my weight and am the first to admit I am a little on the hearty side, I have managed to remain in good health and enjoy well-being and vitality. 

Over twenty years ago, my father died due to complications arising from diabetes.  Dad was also very stressed out, which I think played a major role in his health issues.  It’s funny how stress can cause so much damage to our health.  My Mom passed on three years ago just after her 80^th birthday.  I was fortunate enough to see her the week before she passed away, as I had flown out to Calgary to visit with her.  Mom was a heavy smoker, which I am sure, was the ultimate cause of many of her health issues.

The biggest shock was eight years ago this Labour Day weekend, when my oldest brother died suddenly at the young age of 52 from a heart attack.  No warning there.  Just boom and that was it.  He was actually quite a healthy guy and had been living and working in Saudi Arabia for a number of years.  That’s where he was living when he suffered his fatal heart attack so it was somewhat of an ordeal to get him back home to Calgary for his funeral.  His wife and young daughter were here in Ontario preparing to re-patronize back into western society.  Needless to say, it was a huge shock for all of us. 

When we lose people we love, we wonder if we will suffer the same fate.  We begin to wonder if we have the same genetic makeup that played a role in their death, and what we can do to protect our own health.

A few years ago, my husband Wayne and myself attended an AIM meeting with Rose Bird (General Manager of AIM Canada) as the guest speaker.  During one of Rose’s to-the-point and informative presentations, she said something that to this very day has stuck in my mind like glue.  Rose said:  “Genetics loads the gun, but your lifestyle pulls the trigger.”  This is a profound statement and one I believe to be very true.

As an advocate of healthy eating and proper nutrition, I firmly believe that one key way to experience good health and vitality is by eating foods that are good for us.

The materials used to renew the cells that make up our body’s tissues and organs come from the foods we eat in the form of nutrients.  A balanced diet with careful selection of wholesome, natural foods will provide us with many of the nutrients our body needs to build and repair tissues, regulate body processes and provide us with energy.  On the other hand, poor food selection with an unbalanced intake of nutrients can contribute to the development of significant health issues.  An unbalanced diet is not usually due to the unavailability of proper foods, but rather is due to poor choices of foods.

The availability of high-calorie, high-fat, high-sugar, and low-fiber foods has rapidly become commonplace, and one of the growing concerns with processed foods is that they are becoming much less expensive than nutrient-dense foods such as vegetables and fruit.  The availability and lower price of processed and energy-dense foods rich in sugar and fat makes them appealing to the pocket book as well as the taste buds, but not without consequence.  Obesity, heart disease, arthritis, diabetes and other chronic conditions are gaining a stronghold in North America (and developing countries) and researchers now admit that diet plays a major role in the prevention and treatment of disease.   

Balance, variety, and moderation are the keys to a healthful diet.  A balanced proportion of foods from the different food groups, a variety of foods from within the different food groups, and moderation in the consumption of any food can provide us with many of the nutrients we need to sustain life.  But in order to experience optimal health, and maintain whole-body health, supplementation is becoming a necessity.

Nutritional supplements are designed to provide nutrients, both essential and non-essential, that we may not be getting from our diet.  Also known as dietary supplements, nutritional supplements are an important part of a balanced health regime and can offer significant health benefits.  They can help to correct nutritional deficiencies and help boost the immune system, and there is growing scientific evidence supporting the benefits of nutritional supplements and their role in maintaining optimal health.

In addition to your diet, you can experience whole body health with greens, fiber, and essential fatty acids through AIM’s Daily Essentials™ Pack.  You’ll get the vital nutrients found in three popular AIM products to help maintain whole body health, maintain a healthy immune system, and provide increased energy. 

AIM BarleyLife® is an all-natural, green barley juice concentrate rich in vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants. AIM Herbal Fiberblend® is a unique and powerful combination of cleansing herbs and psyllium to sweep the digestive system clean of toxins and food debris.  AIMega® is an organic seed oil blend that delivers an important source of healthful and essential omega-3, -6 and-9 fatty acids.

We may not be able to change our genetics, but we can certainly make the effort to have a healthy and active lifestyle, eat foods that are good for us, and include AIM Daily Essentials in our everyday routine.  I have been including AIM’s Daily Essentials for a number of years now in my daily routine and I know these products play a key role in my good health.  I look forward to continuing my daily health routine for the next half century because as far as I’m concerned, AIM Daily Essentials are essentials for good health.

“No disease that can be treated by diet should be treated with any other means.”
~ Moses Maimonides

For more information about AIM Daily Essentials™ Packs please visit our AIM Store Website where you can read more, download datasheets, watch videos, and make a purchase.  As with any nutritional supplement it is always recommended to read the literature thoroughly to find out if the product is right for you, and consult your health care practitioner if you have any medical conditions or concerns.

*Disease Or Health Directions On A Signpost image courtesy of Stuart Miles/FreeDigitalPhotos.net