Aviva's Blog

The human body is made up of more than seventy percent water.  It is beyond question that the benefits of drinking sufficient water each day go far beyond simply quenching thirst.

Water is critical to almost every aspect of a person’s health including regulating body temperature, bringing oxygen to the cells and removing waste from the body.  Not drinking enough water on a daily basis can cause headaches, fatigue, dry skin and constipation. Dehydration can also negatively affect blood pressure, circulation, digestion and kidney function.

Here are five tips to help you drink more water:

1. If you are on the go, carry a full water bottle with you at all times.

2. If you are sitting at work, keep a glass of water at your desk and drink throughout the day.  Refill often.

3. If you tend to forget to drink water, set an alarm on your watch, computer or hand-held device to remind you to take a drink every half hour.

4.  If you don't like the taste of tap water, try adding lemon/lime or drink filtered water.  If you enjoy the taste of your water, you will be more likely to drink it.

5.  Avoid caffeinated beverages as they will dehydrate you.

Note:  Drink the majority of your water between meals - drinking too much liquid with meals will impair your digestion, particularly cold liquids (Sipping room temperature water with meals is okay).

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Research shows that one in two adults in Canada and the US are overweight.  According to Statistics Canada, 18 percent of men and 16 percent of women are obese. The highest rate of obesity is among 55 to 64 year-olds: 24 percent of men and 21 percent of women in this age group are obese.

Excess weight increases risk of heart attack or stroke, diabetes and certain cancers.

Smoking has held the top spot for putting our health at risk, however, recent studies show that while smoking kills more people, the number of smokers has decreased.  This decline combined with an increasing number of overweight individuals,  makes obesity now the number one health risk.

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Not surprisingly, studies show that 97 percent of Canadians are deficient in vitamin D during the winter months.  Low levels of vitamin D will significantly impair your immune response resulting in a higher susceptibility to viruses such as H1N1, risk of complications and recovery time.

Other factors which may weaken your immune system include:

Lack of sufficient or quality sleep

Excess refined sugar in the diet

Poor stress management

Strengthening your immune system is your best defence against flu viruses.  Ask your doctor to check your vitamin D levels with a simple blood test and speak to a nutritionist about supplementation options and choosing the right one for you.

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Now, all I need is some chili...

Notes from Aviva: I'm glad you enjoyed the cornbread, Tali.  I see by your photo that you used a ceramic dish so that may have accounted for the extra baking time required (I use a glass baking dish).  This brings up a great point though - If anyone making this recipe uses a non-stick/metal baking dish, it is a faster conductor of heat.  You will likely need to reduce the baking time so the cornbread doesn't dry out.

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Kosher organic beef is not currently available in Canada, however poultry products from Tiferet Organic can be found at the following retailers in the GTA:

The Healthy Butcher
298 Eglinton Avenue West, Toronto
(Eglinton & Avenue Road)
416-ORGANIC

Whole chickens and boneless breasts.  Call to order other products.

Currently, Tiferet Organic produces:

Whole chicken
Boneless chicken breast
Chicken breast, bone-in
Whole chicken legs (thigh attached)
Chicken wings
Chicken livers
Whole duck
Whole turkey
Boneless turkey breast
Turkey legs

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