Wendie Pett's blog

One of the most common health problems that many people suffer from and don’t realize can easily be remedied. It’s called dehydration! Over three-fourths of the population are chronic victims because they fail to drink adequate amounts of water for their body’s health needs. Symptoms may come in the form of headaches, dry skin, depression, fatigue, constipation, hunger, stiff joints, and loss of sleep, as well as many other complications.

Recently, after hours of pounding the concrete floor at a convention in Florida, I stepped outside to gather a moment of peace. I felt as though all of my energy had been sucked out of me. Walking over to a beautiful oak tree, I sat down and shut my eyes. Then, I was startled to hear a female voice say, “Hi, looks like you’re enjoying yourself.” My immediate reaction was to hope she’d go away, but her familiar Dallas accent was welcoming, and I opened my heart to hear her words.

We all have sporadic food cravings during the day. If you feel a craving and it’s time to replenish your body with nourishment, this is a healthy signal that requires your response. But many cravings aren’t true hunger signals, and if you’re coaxed into eating, you’ll consume excessive calories. Whether it’s a hormonal imbalance that day (or week), boredom, social comfort, depression, or the “see it and eat it” urge, these are unhealthy cravings that lead to unwanted pounds.

One of the biggest complaints I receive, especially in this economy, is that eating healthy is more expensive. I disagree! There are many healthy foods at the grocery store that you can find under a dollar…you just need to know where to look.

1.Sweet potatoes - a great source of fiber, vitamin A and C and they cost only 50 to 60 cents each.

2.Eggs - one of the best sources of protein and they are only about 16 to 20 cents each. I like to boil a dozen or more at the time and eat them as snacks or put them in salads. They are easy to make and very nutritious. 

Every second of every day your heart pulses and pumps oxygenated blood throughout your entire body to keep you alive, alert, and well. This wondrous muscle is the core of your being, empowering your whole body. The more you work this muscular organ, which on average (as an adult) is the size of both of your fists, the more you excel in daily activities.

Are you consumed with the idea of staying as far away from fat as possible? Only purchasing foods that say low-fat, no-fat and skim. Take a look the next time you are at the grocery store and you will see that the "low-fat, no-fat" marketing plan is being used by just about every food manufacturer. You may not realize that your body actually requires a small amount of fat to be healthy and to create energy. If you do not consume fat then your body will not be able to transport vitamins throughout the body and regulate cholesterol levels effectively.

Not all fats are bad. Unsaturated fats (from plants) are considered to be healthier than saturated fats (most are animal-derived).  The National Academy of Science states that your fat calories should only make up 30 percent of your total daily calories and that a gram of fat has 9 calories. The average women should not consume more than 60-75 grams daily and the average man no more than 90 grams daily. Of course if you are looking to release weight then that number should be less because your caloric intake should be less.  I personally maintain a diet of around 20-25 percent fat, 35-45 percent protein and the remainder with unrefined carbohydrates such as whole grains, root vegetables, legumes, and fresh fruits.