Today we talk with Jonathan Reckford, CEO of Habitat for Humanity International about their new initiative to help hurricane survivors #HabitatHammersBack. Dr. Michael Lewis is here talking about his new book When Brains Collide: What Every Athlete and Parent Should Know About the Prevention and Treatment of Concussions and Head Injuries and we have top personal trainer Tina Bernet teaching us how to be  a "light weight" at the gym.

Helping Hurricane Victims

Johnathon Reckford talks about Habitat For Humanity and #HabitatHammersBack for Houston.

Questions:

* What the launch of “Habitat Hammers Back!” means for hurricane victims in Texas, Florida and the Carribean?

* Who are the various sponsors of this initiative?

* What Habitat for Humanity has accomplished so far in the recovery effort and their plan for rebuilding?

* Where viewers can go for more information and how they can donate and volunteer locally?

Concussions

Dr. Michael Lewis talks about how brains collide. Here are a few questions we ask Dr. Lewis:

Questions:

 What is a concussion and what causes it?

When did you first become aware that the omega-3 essential fatty acids in fish oil could be effective in treating concussions and more serious brain injuries?

How much fish oil should a concussion victim take after experiencing head trauma?

You’ve recently begun to administer CBD oil as an additional nutritional tool to help alleviate the anxiety experienced by brain trauma victims. Tell us what CBD is and what it does.

Is hemp-derived CBD available without a doctor’s prescription?

Besides head trauma victims, who should be taking hemp-derived CBD supplements?

How can listeners get more information?

Workout Advice

Tina Bernet talks about what being a "light weight" in the gym really means. Are we better off with higher reps, lower weight or higher weight, lower reps?

Today we talk with Dr. Joel Fuhrman  about the "Fast Food Genocide", Autumn Warren about "How To Start and Stick With Meditation" and Shellie Gardner about "Recycling and Minimalism during Holiday Season".

Dr. Joel Fuhrman talks about his new book "Fast Food Genocide: How Processed Food Is Killing Us" including:

* Why fast food and processed food are destructive influences on our society

* How fast food affects our health, intelligence and propensity for violence

* How fast food causes diseases like heart attacks, strokes, cancer, obesity and more

* How fast food perpetuates bigotry

* The problems caused by “food deserts”

* How a nutrient-dense, healthful diet can help us reach our intellectual and physical potential

 

Is Meditation right for you?

Autumn Warren creator of Ether Elixir, gives us some tips on how to start meditation and how to stick with it.

Holiday Recycle Tips

Shellie Gardner talks about recycling during the holiday season. Here are a few tips Shellie Gardner gives: 

Christmas Lights

* Make sure your lights are “finished” - use them up

* If they’ve never been used, donate to charity, pass them on to a young family or family members or give them to a family affected by the storms

* Take worn out lights to a local recycle facility, but call ahead to make sure they accept them.

Wrapping and Packaging

* Choose “minimal” or frustration free packaging for toys and gifts

* Use fabric bags each year to “wrap” presents instead of paper - use rich fabrics in the colors you are using for your tree - make them, find them on amazon, pay for a handy person to make them — reuse them year after year.

Trees

Choose a live tree that can be planted after the season or recycle your tree with a city mulch project

Gifts

“When we recall Christmas past, we usually find that the simplest things – not the great occasions – give off the greatest glow of happiness.” – Bob Hope

Purchase gifts for kids and adults with an eye on longevity and use — will this be used longer than Christmas morning and discarded?

Shower your kids with a few great things instead of a high number of things to “just open”.

 

 

Today we talk with Maura Davies about Pets and Fire, we talk with Dr. Mike Fenster about Obesity, and we talk with Shawn Wells about Saunas.

Maura Davies of the North Texas SPCA gives us a few tips on how to keep our pets safe from fires.

Just like humans, your pet needs a fire protection plan. Although animals are more likely to get out of a burning house before people, if all things are equal, it is a wise idea to fireproof your home in order to protect your pets and other animals from injury.

* Make sure appliances are unplugged if not being used. Some animals like to chew on electric cords and this can cause a short out that starts a fire or injure the animals. If you have a pet that likes to chew, it is a good idea to store appliances in a safe place when not in use.

* Make sure your pet cannot reach appliances, such as irons or hair dryers when not in use. Remember that cats like to jump and can get on top of an ironing board and if the iron is on, can start a fire.

* Never leave a burning candle unattended in a house with a pet.

* Watch barbeque grill, especially when the grilling is done. Romping dogs can knock over the grill and hot coals are capable of starting a fire quickly.

* It is a myth that animals do not like fire...the warmth appeals to animals.

* Keep updated stickers on your doors that let police and the fire department know that there are animals in the house in case you are out of the house when a fire starts, especially if your pets are confined to a crate during the day. With a bit of forethought, you can ensure that your pets will not cause a fire nor will get trapped in a burning house.

Dr. Mike Fenster talks about how We Are Programmed for Gluttony and Weight Gain, and about his book The Fallacy of The Calorie: Why The Modern Western Diet Is Killing Us & How To Stop It

Gluttony is the over-indulgence and over-consumption of food and drink, and it's something pretty much all of us are guilty of from time to time. We all love to eat, and we especially crave rich, calorie-packed foods. Knowing that we “shouldn’t” often makes little difference. How often has your willpower collapsed at the sight of a scrumptious chocolate cake? Our drive to eat goes way beyond basic hunger.

I think I speak for pretty much everyone when I say that if there were a magic pill that would allow me to eat anything I wanted in unlimited quantities and not suffer any weight gain or health risks, I would eat six gigantic meals a day. And pecan pie. Lots of pecan pie.

 

 

Shawn Wells talks about saunas and the benefits of hyperthermic conditioning.

Here are the top 8 benefits:

1. Hyperthermic conditioning can lower heart disease risk

2. Hyperthermic conditioning can lower dementia and Alzheimer’s risk

3. Hyperthermic conditioning increases cardiovascular conditioning

4. Hyperthermic conditioning increases muscle mass

5. Hyperthermic conditioning increases human growth hormone

6. Hyperthermic conditioning increases insulin sensitivity

7. Hyperthermic conditioning makes your brain better

8. Hyperthermic conditioning increases longevity

"Heart disease is the leading cause of death, according to the Center of Disease Control and Preve...

How happy are you? Listen to Kip Watson talk about the keys to happiness and how we can learn to have more gratitude for ourselves and the people around us.

 

Kip gives us 8 strategies to eliminate negativity and ultimately create our own happiness.

* Express gratitude

* Write thank you cards

* Be honest

* Smile more

* Meditate

* Get rid of excess clutter

* Let go of unhealthy relationship

* Make the change

Learn more about Kip on her website, www.braincodecorp.com.

Today we talk with Ryan Lowery about Genetically Modified Oils, we talk with Daniel Tague about Training on The Go, and we talk with Rosalie Robinson about Tricky Interview Questions.

Ryan Lowery talks about how GM soybean oil causes less obesity and insulin resistance but is harmful to liver function.

Researchers have tested a genetically-modified soybean oil used in restaurants and found that while it induces less obesity and insulin resistance than conventional soybean oil, its effects on diabetes and fatty liver are similar to those of conventional soybean oil, the major vegetable cooking oil used in the United States, with popularity on the increase worldwide. The study also compares the GM soybean oil to coconut and olive oils.

Daniel Tague gives us a few tips on how to workout without weights. Here are some questions he answers:

* How do you do a workout without weights?

* Body weight lifts (refer to article)

* What types of exercises can you do without weights?

* Squats, pushups, posterior lunges, front planks, side planks (refer to article lifts)

* Reps

* Time under tension

* Failure

* Form

* Are there exercises that are not good to do?

* Wall sits, dips, regular lunges

* Expand

Today we talk with Shana Gallagher about the Mighty Earth Campaign, and we talk with Robin Perry Braun about Lesson From Kindergarten.

Mighty Earth

Shana Gallagher talks about Mighty Earth's #CleanItUpTyson campaign, an urgent effort to reduce fertilizer pollution impacts and preserve American waterways.

Here are some notes from Shana Gallagher:

* Industrial-scale agriculture to support America's livestock animals is currently the number one source of water pollution in the country, and has created the largest deadzone in history in The Gulf of Mexico.

* Mighty Earth, an international nonprofit headquartered in Washington, D.C., is launching its field operations for the first time with this campaign.

* Whereas most of the cities in which this campaign is taking off are considered "frontline communities" of fertilizer pollution - places like Omaha, Nebraska, and Des Moines, Iowa, where millions of people are experiencing various types of cancers, birth defects, or other health problems as a result of contaminated water from fertilizer pollution - Texas has so far avoided these alarming impacts.

* That said, the DFW area specifically is surrounded by native grass and wetlands vulnerable to agricultural expansion, and as the biggest meat-producing state in the country, Texans can't expect to remain safe from fertilizer pollution for long.

* The goal of Mighty Earth's Dallas campaign is to empower Texans to reduce the dangers of industrial-scale agriculture, and pursue a more sustainable food system, before this environmental and health challenge becomes even worse.

Lessons we learned in kindergarten:

Here are some notes from Robin Perry Braun's segment today.

* Share

* Play fair, don’t cheat

* Apologize when you hurt someone

* Don’t hit with fists or words

* Don’t take whats not yours

* Clean up your own mess

* Play, work, dance, paint, do a little every day – balance

* Never stop having awe at the world

Today we talk with Shannon McRae, PhD and pioneer of energy medicine about our environment, and with Dr. Mike McFarland on how we can all grow old gracefully.

The Environment of Meaning

Shannon McRae discusses The Environment of Meaning: Physical, Mental, and Emotional Health. We hear about her childhood and how she began her journey into energy medicine. We also learn exactly what energy medicine is and how our energy health is so important to us and the world around us.

Aging & Body Issues

Dr. Mike McFarland talks about the relationship between aging and body issues. Here are a few questions he answers:

* How is the youth-obsessed culture in America today affecting those of us in middle age and beyond?

* What can we do to come to terms with the changes in our appearance as we age?

 

 

Today we talk with Maura Davies about Pet Allergies, we talk with Dr. Mike Fenster about Probiotics, we talk with Shawn Wells about Monsanto, and we talk with Stephanie Toups about Melatonin.

Maura Davies, VP of Communications at the North Texas SPCA talks about reducing pet allergens in the home.

As much as we all adore our furry best friends, we could certainly live without all that dander! When your other allergies hit, the last thing you need is another irritant floating around in the air. There are a few tips you can follow to help you (and your four-legged friends) keep your home’s air clean all year round!

Here are a few questions Maura Davies answers:

* Why are people allergic to pets?

Almost 62% of U.S. households have pets, and more than 161 million of these pets are cats and dogs. Unfortunately, millions of pet owners have an allergy to their animals.

The proteins found in a pet's dander, skin flakes, saliva and urine can cause an allergic reaction or aggravate asthma symptoms in some people. Also, pet hair or fur can collect pollen, mold spores and other outdoor allergens.

An allergen is a normally harmless substance that triggers the immune system to overreact in people with allergies. This response can cause allergy symptoms such as sniffling, sneezing and itchiness and watery eyes.

* What can people do if they’re allergic to their pets?

First, contrary to popular opinion, there are no truly “hypoallergenic breeds” of dogs or cats. Allergic dander in cats and dogs is not affected by length of hair or fur, nor by the amount of shedding.

Giving up a pet in order to prevent allergy symptoms isn’t always necessary, though. An allergist / immunologist has specialized training and experience to accurately diagnose your symptoms and develop a treatment plan to help you or your child manage allergy symptoms and potentially keep your furry friends.

* What about in the coziest place…your bed (that you may share with your pets!)? Any tips on decreasing allergens there?

One easy solution to ease nighttime allergies is to purchase quality hypoallergenic sheets. These sheets are designed to repel allergens. While down comforters are incredibly cozy, dander and dust mites can get trapped inside. Switching to a cotton comforter or quilt can make a difference in how you breathe at night.

* What’s an alternative to that of you have pets and you’re allergic to their dander?

Unless you can’t bear to sleep without your cuddle buddy, it’s a good idea to keep your fur baby off the bed and possibly even out of your bedroom. Having a clean, pet-free zone in your house can provide you and your guests with a comfortable area to breathe in. It’s also a good idea to clean your pet’s favorite spot more frequently and more thoroughly than other areas of your home.

* How can folks keep the rest of their home as dander free as possible?

Diligent cleaning is obviously the number one way to keep pet allergies at bay.  Wood, tile, and laminate are optimal flooring choices for pet owners as these materials are much easier to clean than carpet. Frequent dry mopping, dusting, and, if you have carpet in your home, vacuuming, will help keep dander from building up. When looking for a vacuum, you may come across many models that are specifically designed to pick up pet hair and dander. Some even have special attachments that are excellent at picking up pet hair from furniture and tight corners. Of course, dust around your home often – especially around vents and ceiling fans.

And…

Today we talk with Scott Secules about Positive Coaching, and we talk with Kip Watson about Emotions.