Cherry surprise
Muraleedharan Nair, PhD, professor of natural products chemistry at Michigan State University, has shown in lab experiments that tart-cherry extract can stop the formation of some inflammatory agents 10 times better than aspirin. His findings fueled a cult of cherry-juice devotees among arthritis patients who swear by two tablespoons of concentrated juice daily. In recent research, Nair found that sweet cherries, blackberries, strawberries, and raspberries produce similar effects.

Peppermint iced tea
Place a couple of bags of peppermint tea in a glass pitcher and let it “sun” for a couple of hours. Remove the tea bags, then add a natural sweetener, like stevia extract and some ice. Then top with a mint leaf and voila! Your belly flattening tea is ready to go!

Pineapple
Add this fruit on top of yogurt. Pineapple contains bromelain, which aids in protein digestion, and therefore a flatter belly, and yogurt contains probiotics for good digestion.

Flax seeds
Top your smoothie or cereal with fiber-filled ground flax. Simply use your mini coffee grinder for grinding these little baby seeds and then sprinkle them everywhere!

Fiber
The American Heart Association recommends 25 to 30 g daily, so be sure to add plenty of fresh fruits and vegetables, ground flax, fiber-rich cereal and nuts/seeds every day. I make it simple. I make one uber-super salad once or even twice a day, filling up on all that I need in one sitting. Sliced veggies, lean protein, healthy oil (olive oil vinegarette) and maybe even some berries!

Look for Beth Aldrich’s new book “Real Moms Love to Eat” in bookstores soon.

Add a little pizazz to your workout with this metallic tank! The top is made with 3% lycra for comfort and also has a built-in shelf bra with removable cups and an interior pocket that can hold your money and keys! “The Kim Tank” by Kelly Dooley, BodyRockSport.com, $60.

Rain or shine, this is the perfect outdoor shoe from Bogs. Not only is this shoe waterproof, it keeps moisture away so you stay cool and dry on hot days. Get it now and wear it all year round! The Timberline MT shoe, BogsFootwear.com, $113.

Why waste your money on bottled water when you can take Bobble with you. This reusable water bottle has a carbon filter which filters chlorine and impurities from municipal tap water, so you can fill up as much as you want. Plus you’ll be helping the environment by cutting down on waste. Available at Target, $9.95.

After you’re done chugging down that water, get your energy back and replenish with alternaVites. This yummy mixed berry flavored multivitamin has 23 essential vitamins and minerals and is small enough to carry. Just sprinkle right on your tongue and feel it melt away, so there’s no need to swallow. alternaVites.com, $29.95.

Now that it’s warmer out, you can skip the gym and get some exercise outdoors. Whether you’re going walking, hiking or cycling, here are some items you’ll want to have with you.

Used by professional athletes, you can also take the pain out of your run or climb with Unequal Sport Insoles which helps reduce stress to the feet, knees, joints and lower body by up to eighty percent. Unequal.com, $29.95.

Keep track of the time and monitor your heart rate with the Timex Health Touch. This watch has useful features such as on-demand heart rate, a target zone with heart rate alert and calories burned, and also includes a stopwatch, countdown timer, daily alarms, water resistance to 50 meters and anight-light. Timex.com, $59.95.

Just in case you experience some pain from your workout, rub the pain away with Topricin Foot Therapy Cream. This natural topical treatment helps reduce swelling of ankles and feet and also works on shin splints, leg cramps, impact injuries and bruising. Available at Whole Foods, $19.99 for 2oz.

Give your liver a break and flush toxins
Beets and cruciferous veggies including broccoli, brussel sprouts, and cauliflower are great for releasing toxins. You can also drink a one or two cups of green tea in the morning and afternoon. It’s loaded with antioxidants and a bit of caffeine and is a cleansing alternative to other calorie-dense or sweetened beverages.

Release any sight of extra water weight
Citrus fruits (oranges, grapefruits, lemon, tangerines, etc.) are excellent for jumpstarting a sluggish digestive system and wringing out excess water. Cucumbers, artichokes, and asparagus also serve as light natural diuretics and come into season in mid-to-late spring.

Help bust inflammation and bloating
Get a toned stomach by summer with healthy omega-3 fats such as avocado, wild salmon, and walnuts.

Because we all need a little naughty fix sometimes
Dark chocolate is high in antioxidants and has a rich indulgent flavor. You’ll knock out that sweet fix in just 2 or 3 squares and leave behind a lot of extra, empty calories while curbing sugar and carb cravings.

Get in some new whole grains
Finally, you can say YES to good carbs! Whole grain, complex carbs like brown rice, quinoa, barley, whole wheat couscous and many others give our bodies a solid “sweeping.” They’re known for their anti-inflammatory properties and for being packed with fiber to help fill you up on fewer calories. They’ll also suck up cholesterol and aid speedy, smooth digestion. Read: your ticket to a flatter stomach! Just keep in mind that, because they’re dense, they’re super filling. Aim for ½ – ¾ cups cooked per portion.

Drink to detox
Sorry, we’re not talking cocktails here. Grab water and lots of it to help flush the body of toxins and bump up energy. Green, black, or herbal unsweetened iced tea, seltzer, or water flavored with lime, lemon, or cucumber and mint counts too! Swig back at least 1.5 liters per day or up to about 3 liters.

Give sugar, alcohol, diet soda & refined carbs a break
You’ll feel worlds better in a flash and you can kiss those sugary-sweet carb cravings goodbye too. Ditch the junky stuff (empty sugars, candy, cookies, fries, white breads, your beloved diet drink and the booze) for at least 3 to 7 days and you’ll reap the benefits— your energy, waistline and even your skin will feel the difference. And you might even kick a habit or two in the long run.

Early signs
There may be signs that a heart attack is approaching up to a month prior to the actual heart attack. If you suffer from unusual fatigue, sleep disturbances, shortness of breath, indigestion and anxiety, you should contact a doctor.

Symptoms
Men usually experience chest pains while women experience shortness of breath and weakness as symptoms of an occurring heart attack. Other symptoms included fatigue, cold sweats, and dizziness.

CRP level
A high CRP (C-reactive protein) level is a risk factor considerably more prevalent in women and is a sign of blood vessel inflammation. This inflammation is a major risk factor causing coronary artery plaques to break down or rupture. Maintaining good oral health is a solid preventative measure since chronic dental infection is one of the causes of cardiac inflammation.

Pregnancy
Women who experience pre-eclampsia or gestational diabetes during pregnancy are thought to be at a higher risk of early heart disease and should begin to take an active role in reducing controllable risk factors.

Start exercising
Exercise keeps you healthy, helps you control your weight, and it’s also a natural antidepressant.

“Even a twenty minute walk every other day is great for both your body and mind if you do it consistently. And the good news is you can do it with your spouse or kids—and spending more time with them is another shortcut to happiness.”

Be easier on yourself
A lot of New Year’s resolutions are little more than thinly disguised vehicles for beating yourself up. (“I’m too fat—this year I will lose twenty pounds!” Sound familiar?) There’s nothing wrong with self-improvement, says Patkin, but it needs to come from a place of love. Yes, you need to love and forgive yourself for your mistakes and shortcomings… and that’s tough for many Americans.

“The American work ethic has made our country great, but it has also made us chronically unhappy,” says Patkin. “Many of us have a we’re-never-good-enough-or-doing-enough mindset that’s antithetical to happiness. It’s not easy to change these ingrained thought patterns, but it can be done. And becoming aware of this tendency is the first step.”

Put your gifts and talents to work
Talent wants to express itself. If your job doesn’t allow it to do so, find something that does. (Yes, it would be better to find a job that lets you do what you’re great at, Patkin acknowledges—but let’s face it, that’s not always possible in a bad economy!)

“Playing to your strengths brings real happiness,” he notes. “And when you combine those strengths with a desire to do something good, it’s a double whammy. For example, if you’re a store manager with a flair for writing, and you also love animals, you might offer to pen a weekly newspaper column for a local dog or cat rescue group.”

Build richer relationships with loved ones
Is your marriage running on autopilot? What about your relationship with your kids? Do you come home from work and sit in front of the computer while they play in another room (or worse, watch TV)? Too many Americans fail to engage their families in a meaningful way, notes Patkin.

“Not only do you miss out on the joy your loved ones could be bringing you, on top of that you end up feeling guilty about neglecting them,” he says. “Decide that 2011 is the year you’re going to improve these relationships. It is really about spending more time with the most important people in your life doing what they want to be doing with you.”

Celebrate your spouse
And speaking of your marriage…how is it? If it’s mired in negativity or characterized by bickering or tension, you’ll never be happy. (In fact, Patkin says if you’re married to a negative person who drags you down, you’d be best served by ending the union—but only if you’ve tried everything else.) The good news is that it may not take a lot of effort to dramatically change the tenor of your marriage.

“If you’ve gotten to a place where you resent your spouse or feel chronically angry with him or her, only you can change that,” he says. “Make an effort to speak gently and kindly. Surprise her with a small gift, or do one of his chores, or pick up something special for dinner. Random acts of kindness are always powerful, and that’s even truer inside a marriage.”

Let the people you appreciate know it
Yes, of course you need to let your close friends and family members know how you feel about them. That’s a given. But what about your coworkers? Your barber? Your child’s teacher? The neighbor who keeps an eye on your house when you’re away? Most of us are too self-conscious to make a big fuss over the people who are sort of on the periphery of our lives but who nonetheless make a big impact—and Patkin says changing that is a key component of happiness.

“Be generous with hugs,” he suggests. “I’ve always been a hugger, and while people may be taken aback at first, they quickly come to appreciate my openness. If you’re just not the hugging type, that’s fine: Try thank-you notes instead. Letting people know how grateful you are for what they do makes two people happy: them and you.”

Forgive someone who has wronged you
This is the other side of the “forgive yourself” coin. Just as you deserve a break, so do other people. And forgiveness is, at its heart, an act of self-love. If you can’t let go of pain and anger, you can’t be happy. Whether you call or visit an estranged ex-friend or write a letter to a deceased parent, you may find the gesture immensely liberating.

“Living with your anger and resentment is a recipe for misery. For one thing, those two emotions reverberate through your mind and body, setting up toxic thoughts, physical stress, and, yes, illness. And for what? You are the one walking around feeling miserable while the objects of your anger are often totally oblivious to your feelings.”

Become a giver
Happiness is not about how much you make; it’s about how much you share. Your income and/or net worth has nothing to do with happiness, says Patkin. (“I’ve been wealthy and miserable at the same time, so I know,” he insists.) How much you give—of your money, your time, yourself—does, however. That’s why you should find a way to share your fortune (not necessarily the monetary kind!) with others.

Make 2011 a year of gratitude
If you make only one change in 2011, make it this one, says Patkin: Work to be more appreciative in general.

“Gratitude covers a lot of territory,” he says. “When you’re grateful for your family, you’ll treat them better. When you’re grateful for talents, you’ll use them. When you’re grateful for your health, you’ll work to maintain it. All of these add up to happiness.”

Here’s a Q&A with co-founder Jordan Michaels, who tells us more about this innovative service.

How much does RingADoc cost patients?
It’s a one-time fee of $39 per encounter. So each time you speak to a doctor you pay $39. The patient has a credit card on file that is charged ONLY after they speak with the doctor.

Is this service available by phone 24-7?
Yes it’s available by phone 24-7. So when a doctors’ office is closed after-hours, on the weekend, or during the holidays, they are able to call a doctor. The system runs on a software we developed called TeleThrive that sophisticatedly gauges patient demand and requests doctors to be available accordingly.

Do you connect patients with doctors that are closest to them geographically or is it whomever is available to take the call?
Right now it works on availability, but hopefully with expansion and greater demand in the future we will be able to route a patient based on zip code, which will be fantastic!

How do you screen the doctors to find out whether or not they are a good fit for your system?
The doctors go through the same credentialing they would when applying to work at any other hospital or physician group. They are required to submit all supporting documentations and their licenses are checked with the state medical board, DEA number, etc.

Since your doctors are not their primary care physician and therefore do not know the patient’s medical history, how can they keep from prescribing the patient a drug that may possibly interfere with another medication?
The doctors have access to the patient’s medical history prior to the phone call. They actually are given this information while the patient waits on the line. This all happens in real-time.

When can or should the doctor refuse to treat a patient?
They can decline a call, and the system will automatically try other doctors. This ensures quality to make sure a doctor able and willing to address a patient’s needs receives the call. In summary, it is up to the professional discretion of the doctor, except they are never allowed to prescribe DEA controlled substances, life style drugs, and long term prescriptions.

How can you ensure that patients do not abuse your system to try to get prescription drugs that they may be addicted to?
The system actively monitors itself and doctors are able to screen the calls by listening to the patients’ recorded complaint, medical history, and their most previous encounter on the system before accepting the call. Doctors are not allowed to prescribe DEA controlled substances or lifestyle drugs. They understand the limitations of care by the telephone.

Does your company keep a profile on patients? If a patient tries one doctor for medication but that particular doctor refuses to prescribe it, what will stop them from trying another doctor?
Yes, this is all handled when the doctors screen the calls to ensure quality. They will be able to hear encounter summaries with other doctors.

If a patient was pleased with the doctor he spoke to, can he request to see him in person or switch to him for future treatment?
The patient can request to speak to the same the doctor the next time they call. In terms of seeing them in person, that is up to the patient and the doctor and they certainly are able to speak about that freely during their encounter and if they can agree on this and the doctor is willing to provide office location, etc. then great.

How are you protected, if say, the doctor misdiagnoses and prescribes the patient the wrong medication?
The physicians are part of our professional corporation, Global Medical Networks, P.C., which is covered under a malpractice policy that covers telephonic exchanges.

Right now, RingADoc is only available in California, do you plan to expand to other states?
Yes we plan on expanding to other states shortly. We will also have RingADoc available in Spanish this week!

People believe that sluggishness and fatigue are the side effects of hectic lives, and that sleeping for another hour or two is the answer. Getting enough sleep is important, but it’s only one part of a much larger spectrum of rest. The benefits of making time for rest includes look younger, healing faster, losing weight more effectively, and experiencing greater joy in their work and their relationships.

Here, Dr. Edlund gives us some insight into the four crucial types of active rest we can incorporate into our daily lives.

Physical Rest
Sleep is one form of passive physical rest, but engaging in active forms of physical rest is also crucial. Active physical rest includes breathing exercises, timed naps, baths, and yoga poses.

When doing breathing exercises, you want to open the bases of your lungs and really relax. Stand straight, breathe in on the count of four, out on the count of eight, feeling your chest move up and out as you breathe in.

Naps are usually best taken between 1pm to 4pm, depending on whether you are lark (morning person) or owl (night person). Start by lying in a comfortable place for 15 minutes; use a kitchen timer to start. See if your alertness and attention improves; too
long a nap may lead to sleep inertia, a leaden feeling from getting into deeper phases of sleep.

Mental Rest
While we need to rest the body, it’s equally important to learn to focus and concentrate on the mind. Mental rest involves reconfiguring one’s mind to quickly and easily obtain a sense of relaxed control. Self-hypnosis, relaxation, and visualization help maximize this process.

For example, when using visualization, one simple technique is to walk to music. Choose your favorite upbeat town, feel it in your bones, and walk to it for 20 to 30 seconds at work or at home. If you can, walk over to a friend or work colleague you’d like to talk to. Or try to focus all your attention on some aspect of nature for just a minute. It can be a tree, a flower, a branch. Notice everything about it, if you can, even feel it. All such techniques reset your attention and perception, which can increase creativity and productivity.

Social Rest
Humans are hardwired to be extremely social—social connectedness is built into the structure of our brains. Studies show that people with strong social connections live longer, cope with stress better, and are healthier.

Phone one of your best friends and say you want to be able to call her anytime, anywhere, for a minute, when you’re stressed, because you value her opinions so much. See if she agrees, and try it weekly for a while. Social rest leads to social connection, a critical factor in preventing heart disease and stroke as well as depression.

Take a walk outside, especially in a park, with a friend, which should improve mood; cause new brain cells to grow in memory areas, during sleep; activate natural killer cells; reset biological clocks; and help prevent heart disease.

Spiritual Rest
Certain spiritual practices can provide a profound sense of rest, inner peace, connection, and self-healing. Scientific studies have demonstrated that meditation can actually change the structure of the brain over time. Meditation, prayer and contemplation can bring renewal and a sense of well-being.

Spiritual rest can be connections as simple as appreciating suchness – just
sit in the place you’re in and note the names and functions of everything,
like what’s in a room; where they come from, what their histories are. Then
do the same with the rest of the building, the street, the town. The enormous amount of information and history this represents can give people a sense of awe and perspective, very, very quickly.

All these techniques and many more can be found in Dr. Edlund’s latest book THE POWER OF REST: Why Sleep Alone is Not Enough. This step-by-step 30-day plan introduces one simple, no-cost technique each day, many of which can be accomplished in just a minute or two.

Don’t have time to commit to a workout, but have plenty of errands to run, then do them wearing the Reebok EasyTone Flip Flop. These aren’t just ordinary flip flops, they tone your leg muscles with every step you take so why not take a step in a healthier direction. Sold at Lady Foot Locker and Nordstrom stores, $60.

It’s lightweight, portable, and keeps you in shape. The Valslide looks simple but packs a lot of power. Use it indoors or outdoors to do push ups, squats, lunges, and many other exercises for a better butt, flat abs, toned arms and legs, and anything else you want to improve. Want proof, Jennifer Garner uses it– enough said! Valslide.com, $29.99.

Keep hydrated with Hint Water. It has no added sweeteners, zero calories and zero preservatives and comes in six flavors including Blackberry, Watermelon, Pomegranate-Tangerine, Mango-Grapefruit, Strawberry-Kiwi and Raspberry-Lime. DrinkHint.com, $22 for 12-pack.

This Ibex sports top is perfect for a hike, walk, or run. It has a built-in bra with a racer-back and adjustable straps, and feels comfortable with every move you make. IbexWear.com, $59.

When you need a little bit of energy during your workout, take a bite out of a Wings of Nature bar. They’re gluten free, have no trans fat or refined sugar, and are available in Cranberry, Almond Raisin, and Espresso Coffee. FreshHarvestProducts.com, $31.99 for 24-pack.

According to Pfeiffer, the belief that other people or situations have the ability to make us angry is a common misconception. “No individual or event has the power to make you mad. Anger is actually a choice, one that occurs depending on that person’s perception (thought). What we choose to think about an experience we’re having or the person we’re involved with determines how we feel. For instance, if someone criticizes you, you can think ‘She’s so mean!’ Or, you can choose, ‘How unfortunate someone could be so insensitive.’ The former evokes anger, the latter, sadness. The truth behind her actions matters little. You only need to concern yourself with how you choose to perceive her and allow her behavior to affect you.”

Pfeiffer states that anger is not inherently negative, but an important emotion that can be used as a motivating force to bring about positive change. “If I witness an injustice in society, my anger can serve as a propellant to create new laws. Anger becomes a negative force when it is used in a destructive manner, either to hurt one’s self, another or to damage property. Unresolved anger leads to resentment and bitterness and can damage one’s relationships, health, careers, and overall enjoyment of life.”

“Anger, by definition, is a feeling of distress brought about by feelings of helplessness or powerlessness,” she said. “People create their own feelings of being victimized because they feel as though others are controlling them. We need to understand that power and control come from within. Each individual is responsible for choosing their own thoughts. No one else controls that. From there, everything else flows: thoughts generate emotion and we act out what we feel. Everything in this equation is about personal responsibility. A victim is one without power. Regaining our personal power eliminates feelings of helplessness and anger. Others no longer have the ability to push our buttons and make us mad.”

Tips to Reduce Anger:

Put everything into perspective
Ask yourself if the situation is worth getting upset about. If not, let it go. If it is important to identify what needs to change and create a plan to accomplish that. Switch your focus (thought) from the problem (negative) to the solution (positive).

The moment you feel anger well up inside you, remember SWaT: Stop, Walk and Talk
Stop what you are doing. This prevents the situation from escalating.
Next, walk away. Creating distance allows you to calm down and cool off. “Out of sight, out of mind.”
Third, talk yourself calm. Discuss your feelings and situation with a neutral party, seeking deeper understanding and guidance. If no one is available, talk to yourself. Repeat calming statements such as “I am fine. I am calm. I can handle this is an intelligent and rational manner.”

Create a Peace Plan
These are daily activities to engage in that will naturally reduce your levels of anger. Some of my favorites are aerobic exercise, prayer, meditation, music, nature and my dogs. Each of these naturally replaces stress and anger with feelings of peace and serenity.

Breathe deeply or smile
Even the simple acts such as deep breathing or smiling will help alleviate anger.

Visit PfeifferPowerSeminars.com for more information on Janet Pfeiffer or The Secret Side of Anger.

Get regular exercise
Exercises that strengthen the “second heart,” the muscles of the calf and foot, are beneficial. Exercise for at least 30 minutes a day, 3 times a week. Suggested activities include walking, running, swimming and bicycling.

Wear graduated compression stockings
Compression stockings act like an added layer of muscle, aiding the performance of the “second heart” and venous circulation.

Monitor hormone intake
Birth control pills and hormone replacement therapy constrict blood vessels and can weaken vein valves and vein walls.

Avoid prolonged periods of sitting and standing
Rotate your ankles and feet whenever possible, walk for at least 10 minutes every hour, and point and flex your toes to promote leg vein circulation.

Elevate your feet
Raise your feet 6-12 inches above your heart whenever possible to assist circulation.

Eat a high fiber and low salt diet
Salt retains water and constipation puts pressure on the venous system.

Maintain an appropriate body weight for your frame
Obesity can strain the circulatory system.

Wear loose fitting clothes
Tight garments can restrict the flow of blood to and from the legs.

Consider dietary supplements
Vitamins C and E act as antioxidants, which are good for circulation. Flavonoids, butcher’s broom, and Horse Chestnut Seed Extract (HCE50) improve venous circulation and decrease symptoms of venous disease.

Avoid crossing your legs
Leg crossing constricts veins and increases venous pressure.