'Carnivore-approved' recipe book The Edgy Veg
turns traditional vegan cuisine upside down with delicious twists on classic comfort foods & fast food favs

The Edgy Veg cover

Sick Cows

The Grass-fed Antidote

“Most beef cattle in the U.S. are morbidly obese and likely suffer from diabetes and fatty livers,” said Mark A. Kastel, Cornucopia’s senior farm policy analyst. “Very few would survive to old age if not sent to slaughter.”

Like people, a cow’s diet and environment strongly influences its health. The conventional U.S. beef production system depends on a network of farmers and ranchers who raise cattle on grain, with access to pasture, for the initial portion of their lives. But the final “finishing” months of a beef animal’s life is invariably spent wading through manure and mud on massive, crowded, grass-free feedlots, where thousands of other animals are fattened on GMO corn-based feed.

“These animals have evolved to eat grass and other fresh plants. High production grain-based rations, along with routinely administered drugs to promote growth and stave off the inevitable illness from their unnatural diet and living conditions, makes factory-produced animals sick,” added Cornucopia’s Kastel, who narrates the video. “Sadly, this conventional beef is what many will be grilling up on Labor Day weekend.”

But Americans don’t have to eat meat from sick animals. There is a more humane, healthy alternative: 100% grass-fed organic beef, available at your local co-op, specialty retailer, or farmers market.

While both USDA certified organic and grass-fed beef offer significant benefits compared to products produced by cows confined to a feedlot, these two labels are different. USDA certified organic cattle must be fed entirely certified organic feed, which means the pastures must be certified along with any grain and hay the cattle are fed. None of the feed, including the pastures on which the cattle graze, can be sprayed with dangerous pesticides or herbicides. In addition, organic beef cattle cannot receive antibiotics, growth-promoting hormones, or other drugs banned in organic farming.

Also, unlike conventional ruminants, organic cattle must comply with certain minimum grazing requirements. If beef carries a “100% grass-fed” label, it usually means that the cattle were fed exclusively grass, hay, and other forage. However, beef that carries a grass-fed label, but not the USDA organic seal, may receive antibiotics and hormones, and could be fed grass and forage that was sprayed with synthetic pesticides.

Consumers seek out both organic and grass-fed products because of their benefits to human health, animal welfare, and the environment. A high percentage of green forage in a beef animal’s diet imparts much higher levels of omega-3 fatty acids in the meat, and animals grazed on fresh green forage produce beef with more conjugated linoleic acids (CLA) as compared to grain-fed cows. These fatty acids have proven human health benefits. Eating grass-fed meat and dairy is among the most effective ways for humans to increase the amount of these beneficial fatty acids in their diets.

As ruminants, cattle evolved to eat mainly grass and other fresh vegetation. The microbiome in the rumen, a part of their digestive systems, excels at breaking down fiber to provide the animal with easily absorbed nutrients. Despite this, for economic reasons, most beef produced in the U.S. is grain-fed. Eating grain disrupts the normal digestive process, changing the pH in the rumen, resulting in physiological stress. This “acidosis” from grain-based diets facilitates the growth of harmful microorganisms, including dangerous strains of E. coli, and metabolic disease in animals. Feeding cattle a diet composed primarily of grass not only prevents acidosis and its associated health problems, but grazing promotes cattle’s overall physical and mental health and creates safer meat.

But consumers should be aware, greenwashing tactics are common with grass-fed labeling. A simple “grass-fed” label without any other qualifiers can just mean that the product was derived from livestock that received some portion of its diet from grass. That animal could have still received some grain, and may have been completely “finished” on grain, which negates many of the health benefits associated with prior grass feeding. However, a label with “100% grass-fed” language should close this loophole, due to basic laws regarding truthfulness in food labeling.

“One of the reasons we recommend organic certification for meat and dairy labeled ‘100% grass-fed’ is the benefit of independent, third-party oversight and federal law assuring the accuracy of the claims,” Kastel said.

“Looking for the organic seal also ensures that you know what you are getting. There is a high percentage of grass-fed meat being imported from countries that might not uphold the same high standards as the U.S. ‘100% grass-fed,’ certified organic, and locally produced is the gold standard when shopping,” Kastel added.

Consumers interested in the threefold benefits to human, environmental, and animal health and welfare, should look for beef that carries both the USDA organic seal and a 100% grass-fed label. 100% grass-fed organic beef from local farmers ensures the greatest nutrition and minimizes exposure to agrichemicals, antibiotics, and growth hormones. A cooking tip for Labor Day barbeques: 100% grass-fed beef naturally has less fat, so don't overcook on the grill to enjoy that perfect, juicy, beefy burger taste.

Max Domi Set to Light It Up for Canadians Living with Diabetes

SOURCE Ascensia Diabetes Care Canada

Hey Guys! I recently was given a code from Lesley Logan of  www.lesleyloganpilates.com to share with you for Pilates Anytime!

She wanted to offer a coupon code for me to share with you for a 30 day free trial of PilatesAnytime.com.

PilatesAnytime.com is an online Pilates studio, delivering world-class instruction anywhere, anytime, at an affordable price. Many people are unable to attend Pilates classes due to the lack of easy access to studios, schedule conflicts, and cost. PilatesAnytime was created as a result of the desire to offer the highest quality Pilates classes to everyone.

Lesley has one of her classes on their platform and wanted to extend the code to my readers.

"I hope your readers find value in this coupon code for their own personal practice."

Who is Lesley Logan:

Not All Fish Oil Is Created Equal - Omax Ultra Pure - Product Review

As many of you know I take a lot of supplements being an athlete and competitive figure competitor. I was recently sent Omax Ultra Pure fish oils to try and review.

On the products website they state that: "Fish oil contains omega-3s, but how much you are getting in each supplement can vary dramatically. To determine the actual omega-3 content in your fish oil supplement, read the label and look for the total omega-3 content in each softgel. The top selling fish oil supplements contain only 30% of omega-3 content in each softgel.* Omax3 Ultra-Pure is exceptionally concentrated at 93.9%. That means you get therapeutic results that you can feel."

At first site the pills are pretty big. So if you aren't a fan of big pills be cautious. They are soft gels which do make them easier to swollow.

I have been taking them for a week and although I am not sure if they are better than my previous brand my training and cardio is going well. My joints feel great and overall I have no problem swelling the pills.

If you are interested you can find out more information about them here:

https://omaxhealth.com

Happy Training It Right!!!

NYC ENT Releases Infographic 5 Things You Need to Know About Your Sinuses

Falling under the category of health education, jobs in the diet and wellness industry are expected to grow at a faster-than-average rate through 2024 according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics. Diet and wellness workers are employed in a broad range of settings, such as hospitals, nonprofit organizations, colleges and universities, doctors offices, private businesses, and more.

To give job seekers an idea of the types of companies that hire for diet and wellness jobs, FlexJobs has selected a sample of companies hiring right now for these types of positions, and featured currently available job with each company.

Here are 10 great companies in the diet and wellness industry currently hiring for flexible jobs:

1. Sodexo

Dietician I: Candidate will be responsible for providing nutritional care and support to patients. Other duties include managing, promoting, and educating individuals on nutrition programs and ensuring compliance with government regulations. This is a part-time, flexible schedule job in Yakima, Washington, that requires a bachelor’s degree and Washington State licensure.

2. Purdue University

Research Associate: A research associate is needed in Indianapolis, Indiana, to provide bio nutrition services, consult with faculty on diet related issues, and facilitate dietary services for human research. Successful candidates will be registered dietitians willing to work a part-time schedule with occasional travel.

3. Hazelden Betty Ford Foundation

Wellness Technician: In this role, successful candidates will provide wellness programs for patients, members, and employees; maintain fitness equipment and departmental supplies; and oversee exercise facilities. A diploma and knowledge of exercise physiology are needed for this occasional job.

4. Jenny Craig

Health and Wellness Consultant: Helping members achieve health and wellness goals are the primary duties of this consulting job in Hawaii. This is a part-time position that requires a high school diploma or equivalent, sales or retail experience, computer skills, and scheduling flexibility.

5. Fitt

Writer, Health and Fitness: A writer in Nashville, Tennessee, with thorough knowledge of the local fitness scene is needed to generate new topics, craft headlines, and write, edit, and proofread articles. This is a freelance and remote position.

6. Sanford Health

Profile Coach: A profile coach is needed in Evansville, Indiana, to coach individuals participating in a weight management program. This part-time job requires a bachelor’s degree. Ideal candidates will have at least six months’ relevant experience.

7. Retrofit

Bilingual Wellness Expert: A bilingual registered dietician is needed for a part-time, virtual position in Chicago, Illinois. In this role, successful candidates with work with assigned clients to help them achieve weight loss and wellness goals. A master’s degree is required for this part-time, remote job.

8. Johns Hopkins University

Intervention Assistant: An intervention assistant is needed for a part-time, Baltimore-based position. In this role, you would be helping support young people with emotional disturbances and their families. This job involves working with an interventionist on various tasks and promoting healthy weight and wellness.

9. Humana

Specialist and Wellness Center Coordinator: Working under a manager’s supervision, the specialist and wellness center coordinator is responsible for overseeing the day-to-day operations of the Specialist and Wellness Center. In this role, successful candidates will help improve the health and well-being of the community. A high school diploma and at least two years’ relevant experience is needed for this part-time job in New Braunfels, Texas.

10. Harlem Children’s Zone

Nutrition Educator: A nutrition educator is needed for a healthy living program in New York City. This is a part-time job that involves teaching cooking and nutrition classes, documenting activities, attending training, and helping with various projects. A bachelor’s degree in nutrition and experience is needed for this position.

Ontario gets its first Anatomage Table as CMCC enhances its anatomy program

Canadian Memorial Chiropractic College integrates 3-D virtual dissection into anatomy curriculum

TORONTO, Aug. 24, 2017 /CNW/ - The Canadian Memorial Chiropractic College (CMCC) is now the first health care education institution in Ontario to enhance its learning environment with the acquisition of the Anatomage Table, an advanced digital anatomy visualization system.  The table, one of only four in Canada – is a life-sized virtual dissection table preloaded with male and female digital bodies in addition to 300 pathology cases built on animal and human models and will become an integral part CMCC's foundational anatomy program that includes cadaver work and a minimum of 329 hours of study within the 4,200-hour Doctor of Chiropractic program.

The Anatomage Table 5 will be integrated into the full curriculum beginning this fall. It includes three full body cadavers completely annotated and dissectible using special digital tools. It makes use of high quality graphics and flexibility of display, while touch screen manipulation of the models allows the user to remove select layers of tissue to highlight specific systems and allows for repeated dissection and rotation of the body. A pen tool allows an instructor to make further annotations and highlight areas, while the images can be projected onto a screen and saved onto a USB drive.

"It's a powerful clinical tool," says Dr. David Wickes, President of CMCC. "It doesn't diminish the importance of cadavers for understanding the nuances of the human body or the ability to view real tissues in 3D, but with its technical capabilities, serves to augment traditional dissection and is extremely versatile for our students and instructors, allowing integration with microanatomy, histology X-ray, CT and MRI images."

"From an educational perspective, this is an exciting technology in line with adult learning principles that will provide another viewpoint in the study of anatomy," says Dr. Scott Dunham, Director of Curriculum and Faculty Development," It has the potential for expansion into other areas of study, such as diagnostic imaging."

CMCC is one of 10 institutes of higher learning in Ontario with its own cadaver lab, which it has maintained since it opened in 1945. The anatomy program remains a vital part of the chiropractic program in ensuring a comprehensive understanding of the body and its intricate systems.

CMCC's body donation program is provincially controlled by the Chief Coroner's Office and regulated by the Anatomy Act of Ontario.

About CMCC

The Canadian Memorial Chiropractic College is recognized for creating leaders in spinal health. With graduates practicing in 37 countries and faculty who are leaders in their fields, CMCC delivers world class chiropractic education, research, and patient care. The campus features modern teaching and laboratory space, including new simulation and biomechanics laboratories, and is extended across Toronto through its network of community based interprofessional clinics.  CMCC offers a four-year undergraduate program leading to a Doctor of Chiropractic Degree. For more information, visit www.cmcc.ca or follow us on Twitter and Facebook and Linkedin.

SOURCE Canadian Memorial Chiropractic College

Have a Bad Back? What It Takes to Manage Your Pain & Discomfort

Back aches and pains can negatively impact your life in many different ways. In addition to seeing your doctor, there are some extra steps that you can take to ease your pain and discomfort. Here are a few different methods that you can try to relieve bad back symptoms.

Perform Safe Exercises

Even though you may be inclined to sit a lot or climb into bed and rest to ease your aching back, exercising can actually be more beneficial. Staying active can relieve back pain more than just resting alone by keeping your tendons, ligaments and spinal discs flexible. Working out may also prevent your muscles from stiffening and weakening, which can lead to further back problems. Just be sure to do exercises that aren’t too strenuous and avoid things like lifting heavy weights or trying to do your own air conditioning repairs. Ideal exercises for relieving back pain include walking, swimming and stationary biking.

Adjust Your Chair

The way you sit might be contributing to your bad back without you even knowing it. You may have to adjust the height of your office chair so that you aren’t hunching or overreaching while working on your computer or performing other office tasks. Your office chair should support your natural spinal curvature. It is further important to make sure that your feet are touching the floor to reduce lower back strain. Adjusting your car seat so that you’re sitting closer to your steering wheel can also prevent back pain by keeping you from hunching, overreaching your arms or overstretching your legs.

Take the Right Supplements

Taking certain supplements can also help you manage your back pain and discomfort. Vitamin D helps with calcium absorption, and too little of this vitamin might make your back problems worse. Devils claw is great for reducing inflammation that contributes to low back pain. According to Everyday Health, turmeric is also known for its anti-inflammatory properties. Willow bark and magnesium are other useful supplements for relieving back aches.

Try Getting Acupuncture

This traditional Chinese form of medicine has the ability to provide fast relief for an aching back. A practitioner will lightly insert a series of small needles into different points on your back. This will allow energy to flow along meridians of your body. Your qi will be in better balance with acupuncture and provide further relief. Acupuncture can also stimulate the production of opioids in your body that act as natural pain killers.

You shouldn’t have to just live with a bad back. By getting the right medical care and making some simple changes to your life, you’ll have an easier time managing your back aches and pains. Of course, having a bad back can be tough. If you find that nothing that you’re doing is really working for you, consult the help of a professional and maybe even getting a surgery, like those done by the Surgery Center of Kenai.