Self Improvement Newsletter
Issue # 179, February 11-15, 2002

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This is Issue # 179, Week of February 11-15, 2002 of the Self Improvement Weekly Newsletter, the FREE newsletter for Personal Growth, Self Improvement and Self Help.

Our current List contains 161,157 subscribers.  

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David and Michelle Riklan
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In this issue:

-> Quotes of the Week
-> Personal Growth Products and Services
-> Relationship-Making - written by Rinatta Paries
-> Eating Smart for Your Heart" - written by Lisa Drayer, MA, RD
-> BOOK REVIEW: Have You Suffered Enough? - Be free of the inner core issues that destroy love and sabotage your life. - Written by Bill Ferguson
-> Brief News of the World
-> How to subscribe and unsubscribe to this newsletter
-> How to recommend our newsletter to a Friend
-> How to Advertise in the Self Improvement Newsletter


*** QUOTES OF THE WEEK ***
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-The greatest happiness of life is the conviction that we are loved - loved for ourselves, or rather, loved in spite of ourselves. -Victor Hugo, 1802-1885, French Poet, Dramatist, Novelist

-Live your beliefs and you can turn the world around. -
Henry David Thoreau, 1817-1862, American Essayist, Poet, Naturalist

-Love is not blind -- it sees more, not less. But because it sees more, it is willing to see less.- Rabbi Julins Gordon


For a collection of some of our favorite quotes, see our web page at
http://www.selfgrowth.com/quote.html


*** PERSONAL GROWTH PRODUCTS AND SERVICES ***
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**HAVE YOU SUFFERED ENOUGH? - By Bill Ferguson - As featured on Oprah **
Have you noticed that there are certain areas of life where you consistently suffer? Ultimately, all of your suffering and all your self-sabotaging behavior patterns are the result of hidden core issues from your past. Now you can find and heal these issues.
Visit http://www.effectiveliving.com/suffered.htm


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** RELATIONSHIP MAKING - written by Rinatta Paries **
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Do you know how to establish a new relationship to guarantee that it will meet all of your and your partner's relationship needs?

Most people don't know how to do this. As a result, most relationships go through a predictable cycle:

=> Honeymoon: 1 week to 3 months
=> Struggle: Up to 3 years or more
=> Negotiation and peace or breakup

To avoid this cycle and establish a nourishing relationship for both of you, you and your partner need to have a deep, extended conversation. It may span many discussions, perhaps over weeks or even a month. The right time to initiate this conversation is when it's clear to both of you there is mutual interest and both of you are ready to go further. However, it is never too late to have this conversation, even if you have been together for years.

Cover the following topics in this conversation:

* What you expect from each other, or from a "relationship partner," on the emotional, mental and everyday levels.

* What actions, words and feelings each of you needs from the other, or from a "relationship partner," in order for both of you to thrive.

* What you and your partner refuse to tolerate in a relationship and from a "relationship partner."

While having this conversation, it is important that you both listen to each other intently, frequently paraphrasing what the other person is saying.

You want to make sure there is mutual understanding. You both will want to reflect on what is being said by sharing your thoughts and feelings. However, under no circumstances do you want to react to each other or make each other wrong for what is being said. Remember that each of you has a right to your own view of what is needed and desired in a relationship.

If in the end you both decide you have enough in common to pursue the relationship further, you will need to negotiate how the relationship is actually conducted. You will need to agree, disagree or negotiate to uphold the verbalized parameters in your relationship.

I know this probably sounds very unromantic, almost artificial. But believe me, this is how the best relationships are created.

The two of you are much better off entering a relationship with your eyes open, knowing what is expected of you, what you can expect in return, what you can count on from your relationship.

This extended conversation allows for the absence of power struggle. It fosters harmony and ease of being together. It will give the two of you the rare opportunity to establish deep intimacy.

Your Relationship Coach,
Rinatta Paries
www.WhatItTakes.com

(c) Rinatta Paries, 1998-2002. Do you know how to attract your ideal mate? Do you know how to build a fulfilling relationship, or how to reinvent yours to meet your needs? Relationship Coach Rinatta Paries can teach you the skills and techniques to attract and sustain long-term, healthy partnerships. Visit www.WhatItTakes.com where you'll find quizzes, classes, advice and a free weekly ezine. Become a "true love magnet(tm)!"


ABOUT THE AUTHOR
As a Master Certified professional relationship coach, Rinatta Paries works with hundreds of singles each month seeking her expertise in helping them find and attract loving, fulfilling, long-term relationships. More than 11,500 subscribers read her weekly ezine, "The Relationship Coach Newsletter," filled with insightful, applicable and attainable relationship advice. Rinatta is a graduate of Coach University, a premier educational institution for training professional coaches, and a member of the International Coach Federation, an independent coaching certification organization. For more information, visit www.WhatItTakes.com


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----------------------------------------------------


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** EATING SMART for YOUR HEART  - written by Lisa Drayer, MA, RD **
----------------------------------------------------

February is American Heart Month--and with coronary heart disease still ranking as the #1 killer among Americans, it's time that we stop and take a look at how we can prevent this deadly disease.  Although having a family history of heart disease does increase our risk, it's important to banish the blame and take a look at the other risk factors that are in our control:

1.  Eat Smaller Meals

A recent study from the American Heart Association found that eating large meals raises your risk of heart attack by about four times, up to two hours after the meal!   Portion control is key, because eating too much in one sitting puts extra stress on the heart, especially because the blood flow is directed away from the heart and towards the stomach for digestion, and so the heart has to work that much harder to maintain a constant flow of blood to the rest of the body.  In addition to decreasing stress on the heart, controlling portion sizes will help you keep your weight in check, which is another important factor for decreasing risk of heart disease.

Research has also suggested that eating smaller meals, more frequently throughout the day, can positively affect cholesterol levels, thereby reducing heart disease risk.  A recent study published in The British Medical Journal found that people who ate 6 or more small meals had lower cholesterol levels than people who ate one or two large meals each day.  This supports earlier research published in The New England Journal of Medicine, which found that "nibbling" (i.e. consuming 17 snacks per day) showed metabolic advantages as compared to "gorging" (consuming only 3 meals/day), including lowered total and LDL ('bad') cholesterol levels.  Both "nibbling" and "gorging" diets were equal in total calories. 

Portion control is simple.  Keep your fish and chicken to 3 ounces-which is about the size of the palm of your hand, or a deck of cards, and your pasta and rice to one cup-or about the size of your fist.  Also, invest in some measuring spoons and cups-this will enable you to get familiar with the portion sizes of different foods, and you will eventually be able to eyeball servings.  And remember--avoid seconds, unless they're vegetables!
 
2.  Include More Fruits, Vegetables, and Low-fat Dairy Foods, and Limit the Sodium in Your Diet

A recent study published in The New England Journal of Medicine known as DASH-Sodium (Dietary Approaches to Stop Hypertension) showed that following a heart-healthy diet with limited amounts of sodium can greatly reduce blood pressure, a risk factor for heart disease.

The study followed two groups. One was asked to consume a DASH diet-a diet incorporating lots of fruits, vegetables, and low-fat dairy foods, and limiting red meat, sweets, and saturated fats. In previous research, this diet was shown to lower blood pressure levels substantially.  Another was given a "typical" American diet.   Different sodium levels, including 3,300, 2,400, and 1,500 mg were given to the individuals every four weeks.  The study found that the individuals following the DASH diet and limiting sodium to 1500 mg/day experienced the greatest reduction in blood pressure-in fact, as compared to the "typical" diet with 3,300 mg of sodium, the DASH diet with 1500mg of sodium led to a decrease of 11.5 points (systolic) among individuals with high blood pressure, and a 7.1 point decrease among individuals without high blood pressure.  For both diets, however, the greater the reduction in sodium, the lower the blood pressure.

While it's a fact that not everyone is sodium sensitive-that is, they experience an increase in blood pressure with high sodium intakes and a decrease in blood pressure with low sodium intakes-it still won't hurt to cut back on salt.  Keep in mind that most of the sodium in our diet comes from processed food-such as canned soups and sauces, cured meats, and fast foods. 

3.  Avoid Foods High in Saturated Fats and Trans Fats, and Consume More Monounsaturated Fats and Omega-3 Fatty Acids

Saturated fats in the diet increase cholesterol levels even moreso than dietary cholesterol!    Specifically, saturated fats increase LDL, or the "bad" cholesterol, and decrease HDL levels, also known as the "good" cholesterol.  Sources of saturated fats include:  butter, lard, cream, full-fat dairy products, red meat, palm oil, and coconut oil.  It's best to limit these foods much as possible.

By increasing LDL cholesterol to the same extent as saturated fats, trans fats (formed when vegetable oils undergo a process known as "hydrogenation") also increase risk of heart disease.  Trans fats are found in margarine, French fries, and commercially prepared foods such as cookies and cakes.  Right now, trans fats are not required to be written on food labels. (That will hopefully change soon). So in the meantime, look for the words "partially hydrogenated vegetable oil" on food labels-if this listed as one of the first ingredients on a food label, and if the food is high in total fat, then you can count on the food being high in trans fats.  

On the other hand, monounsaturated fats lower LDL levels and keep HDL levels the same (in fact, some studies show that they increase HDL levels), and sources of these fats include almonds, walnuts, peanuts, avocados, peanut butter, olive oil and canola oil.   Omega-3 fatty acids, which are a type of polyunsaturated fat, also have a protective effect on the heart by preventing blood clotting.  Sources of omega-3's include fatty fish, such as salmon and mackerel, as well as vegetable oils and flax seeds.  

(Note: Although shrimp is high in cholesterol, it's low in saturated fat, and is free of trans fats.  Thus, it can be enjoyed even among those with high risk of heart disease!)

4. Experiment with Soy Protein
Studies have shown that soy protein, which is found in tofu, tempeh, and soy-based meat alternatives, can reduce LDL cholesterol levels.  Specifically, research has shown that 25 grams of soy protein per day can lower high "LDL" or "bad" cholesterol levels by about 10%.  This research is the basis of a current food claim approved by the Food and Drug Administration--the claim states that diets low in saturated fat and cholesterol that include 25 grams of soy protein each day may reduce the risk of heart disease.  (According to the FDA, foods must contain at least 6.25 grams of soy protein per serving to qualify for the claim). 
Researchers believe that the isoflavones in soy (which are estrogen-like compounds) play a role in soy's cholesterol-lowering effects.  Since the isoflavones in soy may indeed act like estrogen, however, they have the potential to promote the growth of breast tumors.  The research isn't clear, so if you have breast cancer or are at high risk for the disease, then it's best to avoid large quantities of soy.
A good way to get soy protein with its isoflavones is to try some of the soy products in the supermarkets-such as the vegetarian burgers and hot dogs, or a soymilk such as Silk.   You can also try a protein powder, which can be stirred into various beverages.   Although soy bars are also a good source of soy protein, many contain excess calories.   Still sound unappetizing?  Head over to the local bookstore, pick up a soy cookbook, and try some recipes!   

5.  Enjoy Chocolate in Moderation
Yes, Valentine's Day is around the corner, and if you can't get excited about a loved one, get excited about chocolate.  Why?  Because in addition to the fact that it tastes great, research has shown that chocolate offers us health benefits.  Chocolate contains antioxidants known as catechins, and these substances may help to reduce the risk of heart disease by decreasing the harmful effects of LDL, or "bad" cholesterol.    Preliminary research (funded by Mars, Inc.) suggested that the antioxidants in chocolate do help to inhibit the oxidation of LDL particles, thereby reducing the risk of heart attack and stroke. 
Another recent study found that the catechin content of chocolate is four times greater than tea!   According to the study, Dark chocolate had the highest total catechin content (53.5 mg per 100 g), milk chocolate contained 15.9 mg per 100 g, and black tea contained only 13.9 mg per 100 mL.  In addition, a new study from Pennsylvania State University further supported the fact that flavonoid-rich chocolate, in moderation, is beneficial for cardiovascular health.
Research also suggests that unlike other saturated fats, the stearic acid in chocolate (a saturated fat) may not increase LDL cholesterol.
But don't forget, when it comes to the bottom line, fruits and vegetables are more nutritious sources of antioxidants, and chocolate offers us lots of calories...so be careful if you're watching your waistline!

And an Extra Note:  Be sure to exercise!  Research shows that cardiovascular exercise increases HDL cholesterol levels, which lowers the ratio of Total cholesterol/HDL, of which high levels is an indicator of heart disease risk.  Aerobic exercise also helps us burn extra calories and can increase our metabolism for up to 8 hours after we stop exercising. 

Check out DietWatch's candy counter http://www.cyberdiet.com/reg/dietwatch/holidays/valentine/candyCounter/candyCounter.cgi to see how much exercise you'll need to do to burn off the calories in your favorite Valentine's candies!
  

About the Submitter:
 Lisa Drayer is the eCounseling Program Director for DietWatch.com, Inc. A member of the American Dietetic Association, Ms. Drayer has appeared frequently on television and radio as an expert in nutrition. She also moderates chat discussions and answers questions on diet, nutrition, and weight management for DietWatch.com and Cyberdiet.com.


----------------------------------------------------
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Go to http://www.selfgrowth.com/revivalsoy.html
----------------------------------------------------


 ----------------------------------------------------
** BOOK REVIEW: Have You Suffered Enough? - Be free of the inner core issues that destroy love and sabotage your life. - Written by Bill Ferguson **
 ----------------------------------------------------

***** Five Star Rating on Amazon.com

Have you ever noticed that there are certain areas of your life where you consistently suffer? Do the same self-sabotaging behavior patterns keep showing up in your life? Do you keep having the same type of upsets, over and over?

Bill Ferguson has discovered that everyone has a very specific hurt
from the past that runs their life today.  For most of us, this is the hurt of feeling worthless, not good enough, a failure or some other form of "not okay."

Anything that triggers this hurt from the past then becomes a serious threat to our survival. To avoid this threat, we automatically fight, resist, hang on and withdraw. We lose our ability to see clearly and we act in a way that destroys love and is guaranteed to make our situation worse.

According to Ferguson, "Any area of your life that isn't working can be traced directly to this hurt." He then goes on to show, step-by-step, how to find and release it.

"Have You Suffered Enough?" is an easy reading book that gets to the heart of the problem. It's a down to earth, practical guide to healing, restoring peace and creating a life that works.

To read the first chapter of the book, go to http://www.effectiveliving.com/suffered.htm

 
The list Price of this book is $ 22.40.  To purchase this book for only
$ 15.40 from  Amazon.com, go directly to
http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ISBN=1878410334/selfimprovemeonlA/


*** BRIEF NEWS OF THE WORLD ***
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POSITIVE
Novel vaccine combats cancer
"A genetically engineered vaccine that activates the patient's own immune system to attack and destroy tumors is showing promise for the treatment of prostate cancer."
(Click here for complete news story)
http://www.msnbc.com/modules/exports/ct_infobeat.asp?/news/700223.asp


Farm helps save South America's largest monkey
"A new private nature reserve in Brazil will provide the habitat needed to protect a rare endangered monkey from extinction."
(Click here for complete news story)
http://www.cnn.com/2001/TECH/science/12/30/muriqui.monkey/index.html


IQ Gain from Breastfeeding Survey of Studies Sees Nutrition the Key
" The bonding between breast-fed children and their mothers is partly responsible for higher intelligence, but a new study finds most of the children's IQ gain comes from breast milk's nutritional value."
(Click here for complete news story)
http://abcnews.go.com/sections/living/DailyNews/breastfeeding990923.html


OTHER
Rapid Weight Gain in Infants Indicates Risk of Extra Weight in Childhood
"Rapid weight gain in an infant's first few months could indicate an increased risk
of an overweight child, a new study reports.  The study, published in this month's issue of Pediatrics, took the measurements of 19,397 full term babies born between 1959 and 1965 at 12 sites across the United States, then measured them again at four months and at 7 years of age.  The researchers found that rapid weight gain within the first four months of life was associated with a greater risk of being overweight at age 7. For each extra 100g (3.5 oz) increase in weight per month over the average, the risk increased by about 30 percent."
(Click here for complete news story)
http://abcnews.go.com/sections/living/DailyNews/infant_weight_gain020204.html


Western' eating linked to diabetes
"Researchers found men who eat a lot of red meat, dairy products and baked goods are more at risk for type 2 diabetes."
(Click here for complete news story)
http://www.msnbc.com/modules/exports/ct_infobeat.asp?/news/699778.asp


New blood test detects early ovarian cancer
"Government researchers have discovered a new, highly accurate blood test for ovarian cancer -- a disease often called the "silent killer" because until now there was no way to detect it early."
(Click here for complete news story)
http://www.msnbc.com/modules/exports/ct_infobeat.asp?/news/701936.asp




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DISCLAIMER
The contents herein are solely the opinions of Self Improvement Online editors, and should not be considered as a form of therapy nor advice. There is no guarantee of validity or accuracy. Self Improvement Online, Inc. assumes no responsibility for injury and specifically disclaims any warranty, express or implied for any products or services mentioned.  If expert assistance or counseling is needed, services of a competent professional should be sought.

COPYRIGHT (C) 2001 by Self Improvement Online,  Inc.
Permission is granted to reproduce or distribute this newsletter only in its entirety and provided copyright is acknowledged.

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