Happy Day my Friends!

As Mother’s Day approaches, I can't help but feel blessed. From childhood through adulthood, and even when I became a mother myself at 38 years old, I always knew my mother loved me. She was consistently there to offer guidance, show affection, and support me whenever I needed her. However, it wasn't until I had my own daughter that I truly grasped the depth of my mother's love for me.
 

Indeed, the love of a child for their mother is incomparable to the love a mother feels for her child. It's a sentiment I struggle to articulate, but I'll attempt to convey. A mother's love is primal, instinctual, automatic, protective, and unconditional. Prior to becoming a mother myself, I didn’t fully comprehend the concept of unconditional love. It's something that must be experienced to be understood. It's through having my daughter that I've come to realize the profound depth of my mother's unconditional love for me. For this, I am and will always be eternally grateful.

To all the mothers who resonate with my words, I wish you the most extraordinary, loving, and Happy Mother’s Day!

Throughout April, Coach Edna has been busy brainstorming and developing new content, which she hopes to start sharing later this month. It's this fresh material that has spurred Coach Edna to create the "WellBeing w/Coach Edna" Facebook Page, set to launch soon. So, keep an eye out for updates as more exciting content is on the way.

In this newsletter, you'll discover April's blog articles, setting the stage for the upcoming content: "Spirit, Soul, and Body Coaching" and "The Power of Goal Setting in Habit Formation." Additionally, you'll find insightful articles and studies highlighting nutrition as a remedy for chronic conditions, differentiating between non-starchy and starchy vegetables, and the significance of cardiorespiratory fitness in reducing the risk of mortality and promoting longevity.

I trust you'll find this information both intriguing and valuable, fostering awareness and motivation to embark on the journey to WellBeing.

With gratitude, Coach Edna

Latest News

Health Science: Produce Prescriptions Sound Good, but Data to Support Them Is Lacking—That Could Soon Change

This article, featured in the JAMA Network, an open access medical journal published by the American Medical Association covering all aspects of the biomedical sciences, discusses the growing interest and research around the concept of "food is medicine," which refers to nutrition programs aimed at treating or preventing diet-related diseases within healthcare settings. It highlights the recent summit organized by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) to promote this approach, indicating the government's support for such initiatives.

The article emphasizes the need for rigorous study designs and evidence to evaluate the effectiveness of these programs. It cites the views of researchers like Joseph Doyle, who stress the importance of having control groups to make valid claims about the impact on health. The article underscores the growing momentum behind the "food is medicine" concept and the ongoing efforts to establish a strong evidence base for its potential to improve healthcare outcomes. Check out the article here.

As a Health and Lifestyle coach, we understand the importance of nutrition for optimum health and recognize it to be one of the fundamental pillars for optimum WellBeing. The existing scientific evidence is mounting toward the understanding that consuming minimally processed foods leads to prevention and some cases reverse chronic disease. With these new governmental initiatives, It is my hope that abundant scientific research on this topic reveals that food as created by nature is the perfect food for the human system, providing the ideal energy source and promoting longevity.

Nutrition: Non-Starchy versus Starchy Vegetables

Non-starchy vegetables, such as leafy greens, broccoli, and bell peppers, are characterized by their lower carbohydrate and calorie content. These vegetables are rich in fiber, vitamins, and minerals while being lower in carbohydrates, making them ideal choices for individuals focusing on weight management, blood sugar control, or overall health improvement. Experts often recommend including a variety of non-starchy vegetables in daily meals to promote satiety, support digestive health, and ensure adequate nutrient intake. Aim for at least 2 to 3 cups of non-starchy vegetables per day as part of a balanced diet to reap their numerous health benefits.

Starchy vegetables, such as potatoes, corn, and peas, contain higher amounts of carbohydrates and calories compared to non-starchy vegetables. These vegetables are excellent sources of energy and nutrients like potassium and vitamin C. However, due to their higher carbohydrate content, individuals managing their blood sugar levels or aiming for weight control may benefit from moderate consumption. The recommended amount of starchy vegetables per day can vary depending on factors such as age, sex, activity level, and overall health goals. However, a general guideline is to consume about 1 to 3 cups of starchy vegetables per day as part of a balanced diet. Consulting with a healthcare provider or registered dietitian can offer personalized recommendations based on specific health goals and circumstances.

For a list of non-starchy and starchy vegetables, check out this link.

Fitness: Cardio-fitness cuts death and disease by nearly 20%

This summary of a groundbreaking new research from the University of South Australia and published in the British Journal of Sport Medicine, finds that an increased cardio fitness level will reduce your risk of death from any cause by 11-17%. The study comprises 26 systematic reviews with meta-analysis representing more than 20.9 million observations from 199 unique cohort studies.

The study finding conclusion "showed that high CardioRespiratory Fitness (CRF) is strongly associated with lower risk of premature mortality, incident chronic conditions (ie, hypertension, heart failure, stroke, atrial fibrillation, dementia and depression), and poor prognosis in those with existing chronic conditions. The consistency of the evidence across a variety of health outcomes demonstrates the importance of CRF and the need to incorporate this measure in routine clinical and public health practice." Check out the summary here. If you are into research you can find the study here.

One way to verify your CRF level is through VO2 max reading. VO2, or maximal oxygen consumption, is a measure of the maximum amount of oxygen that an individual can utilize during intense exercise. It is often considered the gold standard for assessing cardiovascular fitness or cardiorespiratory fitness because it reflects the efficiency of the cardiovascular and respiratory systems in delivering oxygen to the muscles and the ability of the muscles to utilize that oxygen.

There are different ways to measure your CRF level, some more accurate than others. As always accuracy comes with cost and complexity of instrument. One easy way to assess your VO2 Max is through the use of fitness trackers and mobile apps which claim to estimate VO2 max using algorithms based on heart rate data collected during exercise. While these methods are convenient, they may not be as accurate as laboratory or field tests but it could be a good way to increase awareness of one's activity levels. By regularly monitoring estimated VO2 max, individuals can gain insights into their overall fitness status and CRF improvement as cardiorespiratory exercise are performed through time.

Other Facts and Events

Hearts In Mission - 5K Walk With A Purpose - Saturday, May 18: Heart In Mission (HIM), a Christian Texas non-profit corporation will be hosting, HIM 5K - Walk With A Purpose. Hearts In Mission promotes transformation of Spirit, Mind and Body through their Wellness Awareness event and programs. Join them on May 18th at 9:30 am to walk with the purpose of prayer, connection and well-being as we walk in community. Location: Katherine Rose Park, Mansfield, Texas. For more information visit: https://www.heartsinmission.org/events

HeartMath Institute - Rewiring Your Brain World Summit - May 7-13: On this Free Online Event you will unlock your full potential and discover how to reshape your mind, optimize well-being, and unleash your success and happiness. Rollin McCraty, Ph.D., HeartMath Institute’s Director of Research will be discussing “Heart-Brain Communication and Self-Regulation” on May 10. Rollin will be joining over 45 world-class experts, including John Assaraf, Jack Kornfeld, Pedram Shojai, Sue Morter, Phillippe Douyon, Dawson Church, Ocean Robbins, and many more! All presentations are available to view for 24 hours after the original airing. Join Here for Free: https://www.rewiringyourbrainworldsummit.com/home-a#a_aid=heartmath

Month Observance Days:

• Cinco de Mayo Celebration - Cinco de Mayo, celebrated on May 5th, commemorates the Mexican army's victory over the French Empire at the Battle of Puebla in 1862. It's often misunderstood as Mexico's Independence Day (which is September 16th). Today, it's observed in Mexico, parts of the United States, and other locations with parades, music, food, and cultural festivities, honoring Mexican heritage and resilience.

• Mother's Day Celebration - Mother's Day was originated in the United States in the early 20th century. It was established by Anna Jarvis, who wanted to honor her mother, Ann Reeves Jarvis, a peace activist who cared for wounded soldiers during the American Civil War. After her mother's death in 1905, Anna campaigned for a day to honor all mothers as a way of expressing gratitude for their sacrifices. In 1914, President Woodrow Wilson signed a proclamation designating the second Sunday in May as Mother's Day, making it an official holiday in the United States. Since then, Mother's Day has been celebrated in many countries around the world, typically with gifts, cards, and expressions of appreciation for mothers and maternal figures.

• Memorial Day Observance - Memorial Day is observed in the United States on the last Monday of May to honor and remember the men and women who have died while serving in the U.S. military. Originally known as Decoration Day, it originated after the American Civil War to commemorate Union and Confederate soldiers who died in the conflict. Additionally, it's a time for reflection and gratitude for the sacrifices made by those who have served their country.

• It also unofficially marks the beginning of summer, with many people gathering for outdoor activities and family gatherings.