Contributed by Jennifer Peachey

As this festive season marks the end of another year, I would like to raise my mug of hot cocoa and make a toast to you...I wish you happiness, laughter, and most of all, good health!

Good health is a precious and fragile gift. My mother's recent diagnosis of Osteoporosis has again reminded me of the importance of our daily health choices. Like many other degenerative diseases of the western world, osteoporosis is within our control. Lifestyle choices that we make at twenty, forty, or sixty determine our health then and in the future. So what should we choose?

"Dietary Wellness" suggests the following as a foundation for a healthy life, and for reversing the effects of disease:

* A healthy diet must be a life-long endeavour.
* Digestion starts in the mouth; chew your food well.
* Avoid ice-cold beverages and do not drink with meals.
* Do not eat heavy foods upon rising or before retiring.
* Eat only when very hungry, then under-eat.
* Rest on the seventh day.
* Do not consume saturated fats.
* Consume only whole, natural foods.
* Avoid highly processed foods that overwork the organs.
* Avoid pre-cooked and processed foods that destroy nutrients.
* Consume 50% raw, living foods, and extra fibre.
* Steam, boil, or bake your foods and under-cook vegetables.
* Omit white flour, white sugar, white rice, and white salt.
* Cleanse your system periodically by fasting with pure fruit juices.
* Consume foods free of toxic insecticides and chemicals.
* Avoid foods with preservatives and additives.
* Avoid alcohol, cigarettes, caffeine, drugs, and stress.
* Take a quality multi-vitamin and multi-mineral supplement daily.
* Drink 6-8 glasses of pure mineral water or steam-distilled water daily.
* Enjoy fresh air and sunshine daily.
* Exercise daily, including walking and stretching.
* Keep active mentally and physically.
* Maintain a positive state of mind.
* Be grateful for who you are and where you are.
* Do not expect the impossible; set realistic goals and achieve them.
* Love your neighbour as yourself.

Now is the time to practice healthy living so that we can spend many more Christmas seasons enjoying our loved ones and planning for a great year to come!

-Jennifer Peachey

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