What inspires you to live a healthy life?

Written by Staff Writer - Posted on 7 September 2013

What a great question and a big one!

Living a healthy life isn’t the easiest choice. It requires planning to go to the grocery store and make healthy meal choices. Or, scheduling time for exercise. Sure, you could just kick off your shoes after a long day but you don’t. I think that’s pretty awesome.

We all have our reasons for wanting to live a bit healthier. For some, it might be to be more active with our kids or younger people in our lives. For others, the children are fully-grown and on their own so it feels like now is the time to get healthy.

Some may be following doctors orders and are restricted to a special diet. While another is doing it for a special event such as a wedding, to get ready for a baby, a family reunion or a graduation. Maybe it’s just to look great on a date or anniversary with someone special.

Or maybe you’ve set your sights higher! Maybe you’re looking to climb the next mountain like Esther and Martin Kafer the oldest couple to climb Mount Kilimanjaro to help raise money for the Alzheimer’s Society of BC! Or run your first marathon, or 10 k or even 5 k run.

Whatever your reason, we think you’re pretty awesome for doing it. If you’ve made PGX part of the journey, we thank you and are proud to be a part of it!

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Recipe: Mango Salad with Lime & Sweet Paprika Dressing

Written by Staff Writer - Posted on 4 September 2013

PGX presents Tasty Tuesday!

Enjoy a tasty and exotic salad that will definitely add a pop of healthy colour to your dinner table!

Salads are a popular staple in a meal for many people. But I know, from personal experience, that this green addition to the dinner table can often become repetitive, featuring the same leaves and the same dressing.

Treat yourself to something new with this delicious and incredibly colourful recipe from the Wooden Spoon: Mango Salad with Lime and Sweet Paprika Dressing!

Doesn’t that look delicious?! Click on through for the details and try adding a stick of PGX Daily Singles for that extra benefit of fibre!

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Dr. Michael Murray Explains Why PGX Works

Written by Staff Writer - Posted on 1 September 2013

Dr. Michael Murray shares the multiple benefits of taking PGX.

PGX and the GLP-1 Connection

Achieving ideal body is not about dieting or food deprivation, it is all about eliminating excessive hunger, stabilizing blood sugar levels, and increasing the feelings of pleasure and satisfaction from food. The key tool in helping people achieve these goals is PolyGlycoPlex (PGX) ? the most viscous and soluble fiber ever discovered.

Clinical research has shown to exert the following benefits:

Reduces appetite and promotes effective weight loss
Stabilizes blood sugar control
Increases insulin sensitivity
Maintains healthy cholesterol levels already within normal ranges

PGX Increases GLP-1

Several animal studies have provided important information on the actions of PGX. In these studies PGX was shown to reduce food intake, lower body weight, improve insulin action, and produce favorable effects on the liver and cholesterol levels. PGX has been shown to produce a significant increase in glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) ? a hormone secreted in the small intestine and colon. GLP-1 is secreted by L-cells in the small intestine and colon in response to food intake.

Studies with a synthetic, injectable form of GLP-1 produces significant weight loss in humans as it makes most people feel full, leading to reduced food intake. PGX appears to produce the same effect naturally. PGX not only leads to pulses of GLP-1 release into the bloodstream as it passes throughout the entire digestive tract it has also been shown to increase the number of the cells that produce GLP-1 ? the L cells ? within the intestinal tract. This mechanism explains the prolonged effect of PGX on feelings of satiety.

New Data

The effects of PGX on body weight, food consumption, glucose, insulin, and glucagon-like peptide (GLP-1) levels were determined in Zucker diabetic rats (ZDFs) treated for 12 weeks with normal rodent chow supplemented with cellulose (control, inert fiber), PGX, sitagliptin, and PGX plus sitagliptin.

Sitagliptin (Januvia) is an oral diabetes medication that blocks the enzyme responsible for the rapid breakdown of GLP-1. Naturally produced GLP-1 is broken down by the body within two minutes after it is formed. By inhibiting the breakdown, sitagliptin potentiates the effects of GLP-1.

Because PGX promotes increased GLP-1 release and sitagliptin blocks its breakdown, the expected result is that the combination would produce greater effects than either agent alone. The hypothesis was confirmed in this study as the combination was shown to produce significant blood sugar lowering effects in both short-term and long-term measures.

Reference:

Reimer RA, Grover GJ, Koetzner L, et al. Sitagliptin reduces hyperglycemia and increases satiety hormone secretion more effectively when used with a novel polysaccharide in obese Zucker rats. J. Nutr. Epub ahead of publication. doi: 10.3945/jn.112.163204.

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Health Benefits of Pets

Written by Staff Writer - Posted on 5 August 2013

A recent article in The New York Times states that having a dog may protect you from heart disease. The message comes from the American Heart Association, which after consulting years of data, finally concluded that owning a dog, was ‘probably associated’ with reduced risk of heart disease.

People that own dogs definitely have greater motivation to get outside and take walks. Pet lovers that form bonds with their pets know that walks and being outside is good for their pet’s wellbeing. Is it really possible to look deep into those brown eyes and say no to a walk? Impossible! As an added bonus, it’s equally as good for our own health. Thank you, pets!

In fact, leading a healthier lifestyle can bring about several added plusses. When you take a little time everyday to go for a walk or get in some exercise, you also start to eat better and focus on your overall health. You’ll also sleep better with regular exercise and nutritional foods. Although if you’re sleeping with your pets you might have to share the bed!

PGX can be part of your healthy lifestyle. When you’re starting to make new lifestyle changes be sure to introduce it slowly into your diet. Take it before meals and you’ll be less tempted to eat more. Why? Because PGX expands in your stomach, making you feel fuller longer.

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Healthy Treats: Popsicles

Written by Staff Writer - Posted on 5 August 2013

A Health Treat for Everyone!

These healthy popsicles are perfect for when the weather gets a little warmer. They make a healthy treat that is great for kids – of all ages!

The ingredients are fresh and delicious! Plus, you can mix and match. If you’re not a fan of cherries try something you do like. I think raspberries would add a ton of flavour. So all the way from SwaggerDad.com we present to you this poplar recipe that is working it’s way around the world wide web!

Ingredients:

3 cups watermelon puree (seedless if possible)
1/2 cup fresh blueberries
1/2 cup chopped fresh strawberries
1 kiwi, peeled and sliced
1 peach or nectarine, diced small
Handful fresh cherries, pitted and chopped

Directions:

Cut the watermelon into chunks and then puree it in a blender until smooth. Set aside.
Set out about 1 dozen popsicle molds (amount needed will vary depending on size of molds). Fill each one with the chopped fresh fruit. Then pour in the watermelon puree until each mold is full to the top. Place a popsicle stick into each one.
Place into your freezer and freeze for about 6 to 8 hours.

Tip: When ready to serve, run the popsicle molds under warm water for a few seconds and then pull each one out.

Got an awesome recipe to share? Tell us about it and we’ll post it on our blog!

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Active Living Together!

Written by Staff Writer - Posted on 4 August 2013

Going dancing, going for a run, or going to the gym are just a few things that you and your partner can do together that will help reduce stress and improve your physical well-being! An added side benefit to feeling better is that you can build or maintain a strong relationship with your partner.

Numerous studies have shown that couples that do physical activities together have a healthier relationship. Not only are you more aware of your physical health but your also more motivated to look out for each other to stay in shape and stay fit!

Plus when you work out you get a rush of endorphins that make you feel great. So the next time you feel the endorphin rush, glance over at your partner and smile. You can both share in those healthy, happy feelings together – no matter what type of work out you’re doing, especially if you have different abilities or work out preferences.

Happy exercising!

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Recipe: Banana Chai Protein Smoothie

Written by Staff Writer - Posted on 2 August 2013

If you are in the mood for a sweet and spicy smoothie, this is the recipe for you!

Cozy up after your workout with this nutritious protein smoothie from Alive Magazine!

There is something especially appealing about chai teas during the cold winter months. I don’t know what it is. Maybe it’s the warming, spicyness of the aromatic herbs that mix together to create the chai blend…Or maybe it is its exotic origins of the far and warm east that gives chai its appeal. Whatever it is, chai tea is my favourite tea for the cold weather!

But even in cold weather, we need to keep our bodies moving and exercising! So why not go, workout, sweat and then recover with a tasty and nutritious Banana Chai Protein Shake?! With all the flavour kick of chai and the health power of protein, post workout, you really can’t go wrong with this recipe. Try adding some PGX Daily Singles (2.5 grams or 1 stick per shake) and get your fibre in there as well!

Get this Banana Chai Protein Shake recipe and all the nutritional facts for this smoothie from Alive Magazine.

Enjoy!

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Tasty Tuesday: Quinoa Greek Salad

Written by Staff Writer - Posted on 1 August 2013

2013 is the Year of Quinoa. Celebrate with this delicious quinoa salad recipe!

If you read our blog yesterday, you know that quinoa a staple in my diet. And so, with 2013 being named Year of Quinoa, I thought I would share my favourite quinoa recipe with you: Quinoa Greek Salad! Best enjoyed as a side dish or on its own as a vegetarian meal, this salad is simple, good for you and, best of all, delicious!

Please find ingredients and directions below. Enjoy!

Salad Ingredients:

1 cup uncooked quinoa
1 cup diced cucumber
1 cup cherry tomatoes
1/4 cup sweet onions
1 cup diced peppers (colour of your choosing)
pitted olives
200 grams feta cheese
2.5 grams PGX* per individual serving

Dressing Ingredients:

1/2 cup olive oil
1/4 cup white balsamic vinegar
1 tablespoon dried basil
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/2 teaspoon pepper

Directions:

Cook quinoa as directed on package. Let quinoa cool after it has been cooked.
Dice cucumber, onion and peppers, and depending on size, halve cherry tomatoes. Mix into quinoa.
Add pitted olives and crumbled feta cheese.
Drizzle olive oil and white balsamic vingar over salad and sprinkle on dried basil, salt and pepper.
Mix thoroughly.
Optional: Taste and adjust ingredients according to your preference!
Dish out servings and add 2.5 grams (*1 stick of PGX Daily Granules) of PGX to each individual serving. Be sure to drink an extra glass of water after you’re done enjoying your salad!

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Pets & Your Waistline

Written by Staff Writer - Posted on 6 July 2013

How to turn caring for your canine into caring for your waistline.

We’ve all been there: you arrive home from work and all you want to do is flop down on the couch, close your eyes and relax. The absolute last thing you want to do is change into your work out gear and head to the gym. But you have goals set for yourself and those goals aren’t going to achieve themselves, at least not when it come to your weight loss goals. You’re at a cross roads.

Cue your MOTIVATION: Your pet!

I can’t even tell you the amount of times that my dog has gotten me off my butt in the evening for a refreshing and energizing run or walk. It’s good for her, for me and for my mood. And the great news is, you don’t have to go for a run; just by walking, you’re burning a couple hundred calories (number dependent on the length of your walk) and staying active, which is the main goal anyway, right? So, if you’re not feeling the gym today, use your dog to get you motivated and moving. He or she will love you for it!

If you’re not a dog person or don’t have a pet, a great alternative to dog walking is starting a walking group with your friends. You get some fresh air, burn some calories and get to be social. Win, win. Or combine the best of both worlds and start a walking group with your friends who also have dogs. That’s what I did. 🙂

Happy dog walking!

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Summer breeze, makes me feel fine.

Written by Staff Writer - Posted on 5 July 2013

The familiar smell of fresh cut grass tells me that spring is in the air, and summer is right around the corner.

With warmer temperatures arriving this week, I’ve noticed that people seem just a little bit happier. I’ve also noticed that the outfits are getting lighter and brighter for the upcoming season. If you’re like me, you’re taking a good look at your wardrobe and thinking maybe it’s time for an update.

No matter your size or shape we have put together some must have pieces that will make you feel a little lighter and brighter this summer.

Beach Dress: I bet you already have one or two in your closet! They are fun to wear and are great for those really hot days. Slip on a light jacket and you’re ready to go from the beach to the office!

Tank Tops: You can wear them under shirts, jackets, dresses, etc. they are very versatile and a great way to quickly freshen up your wardrobe.

Capris/Cropped Pants: If you must wear pants, chose materials that are lighter than denim. You won’t be as hot wearing them. Wear your cropped pants with a kitten heel, pump or wedge to help elongate your leg. They will transition nicely from spring into summer!

What fun clothes do you look forward to wearing in the summer months?

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