Blog Posts by Brett Blumenthal - Sheer Balance

I was raised to think that paying high prices for luxury items and luxury brand names were a waste of money. Although we lived very comfortably, my parents raised me to have a great work ethic, to value the dollar and to understand that money doesn't grow on trees. As a kid, you didn't need Jordache jeans to be happy...basic Lee Jeans would do. As a teenager, a brand new convertible was excessive...a cute sporty hand me down would do just fine. Granted, I wasn't necessarily a fashion symbol at 8 years of age or the coolest 16 year old in the class, but seriously, did I need to be? Probably not. Yeah, maybe I got a few jabs from my status conscious schoolmates, but the lesson was invaluable for adulthood. That said, I do believe you get what you pay for.

As I get older, and as I want to resist any urge to use artificial means to look youthful, I've become more and more aware of the products I use on my skin, hair, nails, etc. I have learned that certain products contain

With all of the hoopla about water bottles and plastic these days, taking a simple drink of water can be a bit intimidating. If you use a water bottle for the gym or as a way to 'measure' how much water you are drinking through the course of the day, you probably have become hyper-aware of the possible health risks that your seemingly innocent water bottle may pose. Certain types of plastics used in water bottles can leach into your water. Basically, if you can taste plastic, you are drinking it...so it pays to get another bottle. Here is a short breakdown of what to avoid:

• Dispose of the Disposable: Look at the recycling symbol on the bottom of the bottle. Disposable water bottles (your typical Poland Spring and Evian types) usually have a #1 in the center of the symbol, and are only recommended for one time use. The temptation to refill it can be overwhelming, but resist that urge. Instead, look for a reusable option that you can purchase.
• BPA: Bottles with the

Although it sounds like a contradiction, a bath can provide some great cardio benefits! The water circuit , a type of hydrotherapy , originated in Ancient Rome where citizens would partake in bathing rituals that were considered medically beneficial. Individuals would circulate between baths of warm water, hot water and cold water, in order to ward off disease and ailments. With some creativity, you can enjoy these ancient rituals from the comforts of your own home. Modern day benefits include:

• Increased metabolic process which can aid in weight loss
• Faster recovery from injuries
• Strengthening of your cardiovascular system
• Detoxification
• Relaxation and reduced stress

The Process: Expose your body to hot water (No higher than 106 degrees Fahrenheit) for 5 - 10 minutes. Then expose your body to cold water for 1 minute. Repeat this cycle for up to 1 hour, making sure that you end on a cold cycle.

Your Body's Reaction: Hot water causes blood

Let's face it, none of us are the same. And when it comes to nutrition , what may work for your best friend may very well pack on ten extra pounds for you. Some of us need more protein than others. Some of us may need more grains . There really isn't a universal prescription for a healthy diet. So, why should you settle for one? Good news...you don't have to.

For the last 15 years, The Institute for Integrative Nutrition has been educating and graduating individuals as certified Health Counselors who go on to teach about food and health with a holistic perspective and approach.

The Specifics:

1. Dietitians: Associated with the formal American establishment of food and health experts, The American Dietetic Association (ADA) describes Registered Dietitians (RDs) as food and nutrition experts who meet minimum academic and professional requirements to qualify for the credential RD. They hold a bachelor's degree in nutrition, nutrition sciences or dietetics and have

Yesterday (July 22), the Wall Street Journal published an article about how Jan Perry, a city-council member of Los Angeles, is spearheading legislation to ban new fast-food restaurants from opening in a 32-square-mile area of the city, including her own district.

Over the last couple of years, we have seen similar legislation passed in various cities. New York City passed a law requiring fast-food restaurants to post calorie counts on the main More...menu right above the counter. San Francisco plans to follow suit later this year. And even more prominent is the growing ban on artificial trans fats , or fats with added hydrogen, in cities across the country, including: New York City, Boston, Baltimore and Philadelphia. While California legislators are attempting to remove transfats from restaurants and bakeries statewide.

All of this legislation begs the question, is the health and nutrition of our country the government's responsibility? Unfortunately, with the growing epidemic of

After falling head over heels for Nature's Path Granola with Pumpkin and Flax seeds, my interest around Flax was peaked. I did some research around the benefits of Flax and why we should be incorporating this little teeny weeny seed into our diets.

1. Omega-3 essential fatty acids: Flax Seed is full of Omega-3s ...which are known to lower cholesterol, stabilize blood sugar, lower risk of breast, prostate and colon cancers and even reduce inflammation due to arthritis, Parkinson's Disease and asthma.

2. Full of Fiber: The fiber in Flax is especially beneficial because it contains both soluble and insoluble fiber .

3. Loaded with Lignans: Lignans are beneficial because they act as phytoestrogens and antioxidants.

4. Lubrication: Because of the omega-3, essential fatty acids , flaxseed is a great lubricant and can be especially helpful in relieving dry eyes. Dry eyes are usually a result of an insufficient outer oil

Ironically, Tavern on the Green isn't that green. Ever wonder if your favorite restaurant is attempting to be green...whether they are using organic ingredients...whether they recycle...or they have green practices? Look no further. The Green Restaurant Association is answering your call. The organization is a non-profit organization that aims to 'certify' restaurants as being green. What does that mean? The association looks at several factors to assess if the restaurant is certifiable around green practices. These categories include:

1. Energy Efficiency and Conservation
2. Water Efficiency and Conservation
3. Recycling & Composting
4. Sustainable Food
5. Pollution Prevention
6. Recycled, Tree-Free, Biodegradable & Organic Products
7. Chlorine-Free Paper Products
8. Non-Toxic Cleaning & Chemical Products
9. Green Power
10. Green Building & Construction
11. Employee Education

You can go on the site and actually search by city, state and even zip-code to

It is very easy to fall into a 'routine' or even a 'rut' when it comes to exercise, going on auto pilot and finding a comfortable workout routine that we do time and time again. Although you could argue that getting repetitive exercise in is better than doing nothing, you might be doing yourself a disservice. Why? Your body is smart. If you make it do something repetitively, over time it will get used to it and become so good at it that you don't have to work that hard anymore.

When it comes to exercise, the idea is to challenge your body...to make it stronger...to keep it on its toes. You've probably seen people who make great strides at the beginning of an exercise program and then hit a point where they can't progress anymore. This happens because once your body gets used to an exercise, it starts to not respond as much and your results (i.e., fat loss, increased muscle tone, etc.) start to slow down and maybe even stop. This is called 'hitting a plateau'. How do you overcome