"Niko’s Life Salad Especial"

Filled with all the good stuff including organic leafy greens, assortment of olives from around the world, tomatoes, blueberries, strawberries, red bell pepper, sun dried tomatoes, a clove of garlic and then doused with an ounce of Naked fruit juice……Yum yum good!

Niko

Health: 

1. Drink plenty of water.
2. Eat breakfast like a king, lunch like a prince and dinner like a beggar.
3. Eat more foods that grow on trees and plants and eat less food that is manufactured in plants.
4. Live with the 3 E’s – Energy, Enthusiasm and Empathy.
5. Make time to pray.
6. Play more games.
7. Read more books than you did the year before.
8. Sit in silence for at least 10 minutes each day.
9. Sleep for 7 hours.
10. Take a 10-30 minute walk daily. And while you walk, smile.

Personality: 

11. Don’t compare your life to others. You have no idea what their journey is all about.
12. Don’t have negative thoughts or be anxious about things you cannot control. Instead invest your energy in the positive present moment.
13. Don’t overdo it. Keep your limits.
14. Don’t take yourself so seriously. No one else does.
15. Don’t waste your precious energy on gossip.
16. Dream more while you are awake.
17. Envy is a waste of time. You already have all you need.
18. Forget issues of the past. Don’t remind your partner about his/her mistakes of the past. That will ruin your present happiness.
19. Life is too short to waste time hating anyone. Don’t hate others.
20. Make peace with your past so it won’t spoil the present.
21. No one is in charge of your happiness except you.
22. Realize that life is a school and you are here to learn. Problems are simply part of the curriculum that appear and fade away like algebra class but the lessons you learn will last a lifetime.
23. Smile and laugh more.
24. You don’t have to win every argument. Agree to disagree.

Society:

25. Call your family often.
26. Each day give something good to others.
27. Forgive everyone for everything.
28. Spend time w/ people over the age of 70 & under the age of 6.
29. Try to make at least three people smile each day.
30. What other people think of you is none of your business.
31. Your job won’t take care of you when you are sick. Your friends will. Stay in touch.

Life:

32. Do the right thing!
33. Get rid of anything that isn’t useful, beautiful or joyful.
34. However good or bad a situation is, it will change.
35. No matter how you feel, get up, dress up and show up.
36. The best is yet to come.
37. When you awake alive in the morning, thank God for it.
38. Your Inner most is always happy. So, be happy.

Leave your thoughts.

Niko 

Health isn’t merely the absence of disease or symptoms; it is a higher state of consciousness that allows well-being, creativity, and joy to flow into our experience. We are healthy when we’re able to fully digest everything we take in, extracting what is nourishing and eliminating whatever doesn’t serve us. This includes our food, our relationships, our jobs, and all our life experiences. Illness, in contrast, develops when there is a disruption ― a blockage in the flow of energy and information. Symptoms and sickness are the body’s signal that we need to restore balance, eliminate whatever is causing the blockages, and reestablish the healthy flow of intelligence.
 
One of most powerful ways we can influence our health is through our choices and interpretations . . . the food we choose, the relationships we engage in, the sensory input we expose ourselves to, and the daily patterns and rhythms of our life.

Timeless Healing Principles

By listening to our body and honoring its needs, we nurture our innate healing ability and move closer to experiencing a state of perfect health…

   1. Take time each day to quiet your mind and meditate.
   2. Each day eat a healthy diet that includes a wide variety of colorful fruits and vegetables.
   3. Engage in daily exercise that enhances flexibility, strength, and cardiovascular fitness.
   4. Follow a restful sleep routine.
   5. Let go of whatever isn’t serving you, including stored emotional pain.
   6. Cultivate loving relationships.
   7. Find your unique gifts and talents and use them to serve others.

As you nurture yourself and practice the tools of spiritual awakening, you will open your heart to ever expanding levels of fulfillment. Even when you are surrounded by chaos, face a health challenge, or find yourself on a financial “detour,” you will discover that you can transcend outworn assumptions and create a life filled with wellbeing, happiness, and love.
 
————————————————————————————————————————-
 
Leave your thoughts here in my blog.

Share this with others you feel it can benefit.
 
Niko

It’s 100% Vegan, Mostly Organic, and High Raw. I recommend reading through the entire website about it (Check out the FAQ, too).

Great for weight loss – The Ultimate Meal is great for helping people lose weight, it will help you stay "full" up to 6-hours after drinking it. Many people enjoy it for breakfast and lunch or breakfast and dinner. Some have it for all of their meals on some days.

Great pre / post workout shake – Great for before or after a heavy duty workout. It’s filled with carbs from the fruit, protein, and nutrients – lots of fuel for your muscles!

Convenient and travel worthy – It’s fast and easy to make. I love that I can take this with me when I’m traveling. It’s important to make sure I’m still packing my body with nutrients when I’m not at home.

So, how does it taste? I’m totally down with it! It’s good.

I took some photos for you to see how I make mine on most days – 2/3 of a banana, 4 strawberries, a handful of blueberries, handful of assorted nuts, soy milk or almond milk, one scoop of The Ultimate Meal – then I blend it…

You can purchase it from Amazon at the best price you will find on the internet!

INGREDIENTS & BENEFITS IN 1 SCOOP (40 G)
(MINIMUM SUGGESTED DAILY USAGE – 80 GRAMS)

1 & 2 THE ULTIMATE QUINOA® & THE ULTIMATE MILLET®:
Pronounced "keenwa," these are THE ultimate superseed/grains on Earth. Ultimate Life developed them over two and five years (respectively) exclusively for THE ULTIMATE MEAL®. They are the first and only PROPERLY sprouted seed/grains to offer ALL of the following, using NO heat from beginning to end:
CERTIFIED ORGANIC: Grown and processed without pesticides or chemicals.
PROPERLY SPROUTED: Greatly improves the amino-acid profile and substantially increases enzymatic activity, thus the assimilation of nutrients.
COLD-PASTEURIZED (not irradiated): Prevents high bacteria counts.
FRESH FREEZE-DRIED: The ONLY DEFINITIVE method to retain enzymes.
COLD-MILLED: To retain enzymes and increase assimilation of nutrients.
THE ULTIMATE QUINOA® & MILLET® are superb sources of complete protein, lysine, complex carbohydrates, fiber, calcium, phosphorus, iron, etc.

3 BROWN RICE PROTEIN 70% CONCENTRATE (Belgium):
One of the most potent sources of easily digestible complete protein. Very low in fat and allergenicity. Good source of tryptophan, methionine, magnesium, potassium, pantothenic acid, vitamins E and B complex.

4 YELLOW PEA PROTEIN 84% ISOLATE (GMO-FREE) (Canada):
This legume (superior alternative to soy protein) is the perfect partner to the rice protein for an improved amino acid profile. Contains all eight essential amino acids and is especially high in lysine.

5 CERTIFIED ORGANIC RAW FLAX SEED MEAL (Canada):
The ultimate, because the long cool days in North Canada increase the level of essential Omega fatty acids and lignans (the most potent source on Earth – period!). It is cold-milled directly into light-proof vacuum-packed pouches to preserve freshness and prevent rancidity. Also a great source of gentle, natural fiber and protein.

6 CERTIFIED ORGANIC EARTHRISETM & SPIRULINA PACIFICATM: 2,000 mg
The original ultimate superfood. Very efficiently assimilated. The most potent source of complete protein, lysine, beta-carotene and chlorophyll on Earth. Rich in B complex (including human-active B-12), potassium, DNA, GLA (gamma linolenic acid), RNA (ribonucleic acid), phosphorus, copper, chromium and trace elements. (Earthrise from USA; Pacifica from Hawaii)

7 DE-OILED LECITHIN (GMO-FREE) (USA): 1,500 mg
Guaranteed to contain 97% phospholipids. Our vegetarian lecithin is derived from soy, yet due to the absence of its fiber and protein, it rarely causes allergies. Rich in choline, inositol, phosphorus and linoleic acid.

8 THE ULTIMATE BROCCOLI® (USA): 500 MG
The ultimate cruciferous vegetable created exactly as THE ULTIMATE QUINOA®. High in enzymes, beta-carotene, chlorophyll, sulphurophane, and sulfur indoles (including MSM), calcium and potasium.

9 VITAMIN ESTER C® (BUFFERED W/CAL. & MAG.) (USA): 500 mg
Human studies have shown that this anti-oxidant is far more potent, acts much faster and remains in the bloodstream far longer without acidity or stomach upset than any other form of vitamin C.

10 CALCIUM MALATE & CITRATE (22%) (USA): 250 mg
Calcium is the most predominant mineral in the human body. It helps prevent osteoporosis, heart disease and menopause problems. Calcium malate is produced exclusively for THE ULTIMATE LIFE®.

11 WILDCRAFTED FRESH FREEZE-DRIED HORSETAIL (USA): 400 mg
This herb, unrelated to horses (except in appearance), is 10 times more potent than the fresh plant. Harvested in the spring and produced exclusively for THE ULTIMATE LIFE® by Eclectic InstituteTM, it is the most potent consumable source of silica, which is a primary constituent in bones, hair, skin, muscles, tendons, ligaments, hair, nails, and collagen.

12 NATURAL VITAMIN E SUCCINATE (NON-GMO) (Germany): 300 i.u.
At 1210 i.u./gm , this is one of the best anti-oxidants in its most potent form. Derived from soy, yet due to the absence of its fiber and protein, it rarely causes allergies. It has at least 36% higher biological activity than synthetic vitamin E.

13 CITRUS BIOFLAVONOID COMPLEX (50%) (USA): 200 mg
Derived from citrus fruits, these are highly water soluble natural anti-oxidants which increase the absorption of vitamin C and help keep collagen in healthy condition. Good source of rutin, hesperidin, etc.

14 MAGNESIUM CITRATE (15.5%) (USA): 115 mg
The other major mineral essential for strong, healthy bones and teeth. It also helps regulate the body’s energy levels, as well as maintain normal heart function and nerve transmission. The ideal catalyst for calcium.

15 WILDCRAFTED FRESH FREEZE-DRIED NETTLES (USA): 100 mg
This herb, also harvested in the spring by Eclectic InstituteTM, is 10 times more potent than the fresh plant and is one of the best sources of natural iron, silicon, chlorophyll and acetylcholine. Excellent catalyst for Horsetail.

16 OPTI-PURETM GINKGO BILOBA EXTRACT (Japan): 20 mg
This is the purest and most potent ginkgo extract with a minimum of 24% flavone glycosides and 6% terpene lactones (active ingredients). It is one of the finest anti-oxidants available.

17 OPTI-PURETM CO-ENZYME Q10 (Japan): 20 mg
Derived from raw cane or beet sugar, this pure and potent organic compound anti-oxidant is known to benefit the heart and the body’s cellular energy production WITHOUT being a stimulant.

18 OPTI-PURETM GRAPE SEED EXTRACT (Japan): 20 mg
This is one of our ultimate anti-oxidants, extracted with water and ethyl alcohol instead of solvents. Studies have shown that it is FAR more potent than vitamins C, E and beta-carotene.

19 OPTI-PURETM ALPHA LIPOIC ACID (95%) (Japan): 20 mg
This unique anti-oxidant has an essential role in cellular energy production and helps the body recycle and renew Co-Q10 and vitamins C and E.

20 OPTI-PURETM CAFFEINE-FREE GREEN TEA EXTRACT (Japan): 20 mg
This anti-oxidant is the most potent (1200:1) source of catechins at 95%, 50% of which are comprised of EGCg (Epi-Gallo-Catechin gallate) the most beneficial member in the catechin family.

21 OPTI-PURETM MILK THISTLE EXTRACT (80%) (China): 20 mg
A relative of the artichoke, this anti-oxidant herb extract, standardized at minimum 80% potency, helps significantly in detoxifying the liver.

22P STEVIOSIDE (China): 20 mg
This dietary supplement is extracted from the Stevia leaf (without aftertaste) which is completely safe for ALL sugar-related problems.

23 L-OPTIZINC® (USA): 5 mg
Also known as zinc monomethionine. Proven in human studies to be the most potent and bioavailable NATURAL anti-oxidant zinc on earth.

24 CHROMEMATE® (USA): 100 mcg
Also known as chromium polynicotinate (not picolinate), this anti-oxidant trace mineral is the most potent source of biologically active chromium. It helps with insulin production and protein synthesis.

25 NATURAL SELENIUM (USA): 100 mcg
Also known as L-selenomethionine. This yeast-free, natural trace mineral is one of the most powerful anti-oxidants available.

NO GIMMICKS . . . JUST THE ULTIMATE INGREDIENTS

BASIC BREAKDOWN  

MORE INFORMATION ON CAN LABEL

CERTIFIED ORGANIC INGREDIENTS GROWN & PROCESSED IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE CALIFORNIA ORGANIC FOODS ACT OF 1

These statements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. This product is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease.

40 Ways To Stay Fit

WEIGHT TRAINING:

1)     Lift Weights: Adding muscle to your frame enables your body to speed up its metabolism. You will burn an additional 35-50 calories per day from every pound of new muscle you develop.

2)     Limit Rest Periods: Limit rest periods to 59 seconds to add a calorie-burning element to your weight training. This has been shown to increase calorie burn by 50%.

3)     Mix It Up: Try to make incremental increases to your weights, try new exercises, shorten rest periods, switch from barbells to dumbbells… anything to keep your body guessing. After just a few weeks, your muscles will have adapted to your exercises and will crave something new.

4)     Train Heavy: Pushing your muscles beyond what they’re currently trained to overcome forces them to adapt and regenerate themselves so they’re ready for the next workout. This will also help rev your metabolism.

5)     Rest and Recovery: The real gains occur during rest. Try to get eight hours of sleep each night to allow your muscles to recover, which ups your calorie-burning potential.

6)     Don’t Over Train: Allow a few days before working the same muscle groups again. This will prevent overtraining which can cause your muscles to be dissolved.

7)     Add Weights For Your Abs: Use weights that allow you to get 15 reps per set, and allow only 30 seconds between sets. You should also slow the pace down to 3 seconds per rep.

8)      Keep A Training Log: Record your workouts, sets and reps each session, then refer to the data to assess your progress and set new goals.

9)     Supersets: To help amp up your calorie burn between sets- and accomplish more in less time- incorporate supersets or drop sets to your workout.  (Superset: When one exercise immediately follows another without any rest in between)                                                                                                                                              

10)   Compound Movements: Build your workout around multi-joint movements like presses, rows and squats to recruit the most muscle fiber and burn the most calories. Isolation movements, or single joint exercises, such as bicep curls, leg extensions, and triceps extensions, should be supplemental to the multi-joint movements.

 Note: Free Weights VS Machines: Free weights force your body to recruit more total muscle because they call on stabilizing muscles to balance the weight, a superior advantage to the predetermined range of motion that machines have to offer.

CARDIO:

11)   Run For The Gold: Incorporate 3 to 4 sessions of cardio per week for 20 to 30 minutes each.

12)   Run Hungry: Perform cardio first thing in the morning on an empty stomach. Your body will burn fat as the first energy source because your glycogen stores are depleted.

13)   Start Strong-End Slow: Do your high-intensity cardio early in your workout and taper off to a slow finish to burn significantly more fat. After a 3 minute warm-up, immediately kick it into high gear for 15 to 20 minutes before slowing down for the last 10 minutes.

14)   Interval training: The best way to improve your aerobic fitness and burn fat is to alternate very intense periods of cardio with low-intensity sessions. Run at 80%-85% max heart rate for 1 to 2 minutes then slow it down to 50% – 60% MHR for 1 to 2 minutes and then back up again. Keep this cycle going for the entire session.

15)   No Smoking Please: Smoking deprives cells of the oxygen they need to maximize metabolism, keeps muscles from repairing themselves after exercise and makes cardio a lot tougher.

16)   Cardio Second: For the highest caloric burn possible, do your cardio after your workout. Since lifting depletes glycogen stores, your body will use fat as its first fuel source during cardio.

17)   Warm-Up With Cardio: Perform 5-10 minutes of cardio before you begin your weight training sessions. This helps to get your muscles warmed up for your workout without depleting your glycogen stores.

18)   Change it up: Whether you’re lifting weights or doing cardio, the key is to keep your body from adapting to what you’re doing. Regularly changing your cardio mode is the best way to keep your body responding.

 
NUTRITION:

19)   Eat More Frequently: Eating 5-6 small meals a day causes your metabolism to work constantly. Eating larger meals, however, slows your metabolism and forces leftover calories to be stored as fat.

20)   Cut Carbs: Keep your carbs low when trying to lose weight. Good, clean, fiber rich carbs include oats, sweet potato, brown rice, and whole grain bread.

21)   Eat Green: Spinach, romaine and broccoli is the best form of carbohydrates you can eat. Eat a salad before your meals to increase your fiber and consume less calories overall. Stay away from high-fat cream dressings.

22)   Protein Is King: Since muscle-building is the fastest way to lose fat, make sure your protein consumption is enough to keep up with your weight training. Get 1 to 1.5 grams of protein per pound of body weight each day.

23)   Cut Out Liquid Candy: Eliminate sodas and drink water instead. If you drink one soda per day, you’re adding 1750 calories per week to your diet.

24)   Not So-Happy Hour: Alcohol consumption can blunt testosterone levels, hindering muscle repair and growth and blunting sexual drive. Also, alcohol contains empty calories and the simplest form of sugar available in any drink.

25)   Slow Down: Fast eating and body fat go hand in hand because you tend to overeat. It takes up to 20 minutes for your brain to receive the signals that you’ve eaten enough.

26)   Dinning Out: When ordering at a restaurant, ask to have your meats grilled without oil or grease.  Order steamed vegetables with no butter. Request the doggy-bag to arrive with your meal so you can eat one serving size and take home the rest for tomorrow.

27)   Drink Water: You should try to consume at least one gallon per day to avoid becoming dehydrated. Well hydrated individuals burn more calories and become sick less often.

28)   Burn More Calories: The goal in any fat lose program is to burn more calories than you consume. Aim to reduce calorie consumption by about 250 calories per day. This will help you lose 1 to 2 pounds per week

29)   Avoid Simple Sugars: Sugar in your diet can wreak havoc on your metabolism by spiking your insulin response and promoting the accumulation of body fat.

30)   Timing Is Everything: When you eat is just as important as what you eat. Consume two-thirds of your daily calories before dinner to avoid overeating late at night.

31)   Eat More Fiber: Fiber, both soluble  and insoluble, is essential to health and helps decrease body fat. Consume large amounts of fibrous vegetables, such as broccoli, and spinach to attain your daily intake and promote satiety.

32)   Prepare In Advance: It’s very difficult to find healthy foods at work or in restaurants. Before leaving the house, pack healthy foods for the day with plenty of bottled water. Make sure you bring enough for emergencies i.e. an extended meeting, a traffic jam, delayed flight, etc.

33)   No Yolk: Eating plenty of egg whites for breakfast was found to reduce hunger and food cravings for up to 24 hours after consuming.

34)   Salt Free: Excess sodium    consumption can make you look bloated and soft and can cause you to burn less fat. To help you look leaner and strip sodium from your diet, drink more water, cut back on processed foods and enjoy to true flavor of foods.

35)   Go Nuts: Eating a hand full of almonds each day helps test subjects lose 62% more weight, 56% more fat and 50% more from their waist-line after 24 weeks compared to those who followed the same diet without almonds.

36)   Drink Coffee: Drinking Coffee before doing cardio will help you burn fat. Subjects who consumed two cups of coffee (300 mg) two hours before exercising on a stationary bike for 30 minutes were able to burn more total calories and used a much greater percentage of body fat for fuel.

 
MOTIVATION:

37)   Discipline Yourself: If you’re tiered of how you look, then understand you’re the only one who can change it. Create a plan and stick to it, budgeting time for the gym, food preparation, and rest for the week.

38)   Set A Goal: Giving yourself a reason to get in shape is a great way to stay on track with your goals

39)   Cheat Meal: Allow yourself one cheat meal every 7 days. Small indulgences make dieting more tolerable, keeping you on track longer.

40)   Stay the Course: Consistency is key to losing fat. The first week may be tough, but by the third, you should be a creature of habit.

A woman by the name of Ammie wrote in response to this blog entry, “Don’t forget to breath! Slow down and go deeper into your soul! The most beautiful people is calm and warm person!” Thought I would share that with all of you. : ) ~ Niko