From Walsh Natural Health

                                   November 2012

Transitioning Raw Foods Into Winter 

Eating raw foods in Chicago in the wintertime requires an approach that balances our need for warm foods with our need for optimal nutrition. Join the fun with Andrea, our raw foods specialist, to learn how to take your raw foods into winter with you. We will be demonstrating some rawesome recipes with the Vitamix blender including a soup, a nut butter and a smoothie, all appropriate for cold weather! Learn the benefits of raw foods to your health, how to spice up those foods for winter, and sample some delicious and healthy foods.  Payment in advance is required ($15 fee), sign up now as space is limited. Class will run with a minimum of 8 people.

Saving on Health Care the Natural Way 

"The function of protecting and developing health must rank even above that of restoring it when it is impaired." ~Hippocrates

Listening to the presidential debates, I can't help but think that both candidates have missed the boat when it comes to health care. There is much talk of getting people access to the "right" care (i.e. tests, drugs, surgeries) and little talk of educating people as to why they are so sick in the first place. Much of the focus is on reacting to problems rather than preventing them.

I am also amazed when people make health care decisions based on what is covered by their insurance rather than by what they think is best for them. One of the reasons that health care costs have risen so dramatically in the past few years is that we forget how important it is to put habits in place to maintain health. The surest way to reduce long term health care costs is to make an investment in your health today. That investment includes healthy foods (some of which may cost more), supplementation, alternatives to prescription drugs, exercise, stress management and some form of spiritual development.

As I began my research for this article, I found that the CDC had already done much of it for me. In a 2009 paper called "The Power of Prevention", the CDC addresses the greatest public health challenge of the 21st century-Chronic Disease. Chronic disease includes heart disease, diabetes, autoimmune diseases, cancer, allergies, asthma, arthritis, adrenal insufficiency, osteoporosis, hormonal issues, and more. The CDC states that "Four modifiable health risk behaviors-lack of physical activity, poor nutrition, tobacco use, and excessive alcohol consumption-are responsible for much of the illness, suffering, and early death related to chronic diseases." The World Health Organization has estimated that if the major risk factors for chronic disease were eliminated, at least 80% of all heart disease, stroke, and type II diabetes would be prevented! Yes, you heard that right-80%!!

According to the paper, the estimated ANNUAL cost of chronic disease is as follows:

Cardiovascular disease and stroke           $313.8 billion

Cancer                                                  $89.0 billion

Smoking                                                $96.0 billion

Diabetes                                               $116.0 billion

Arthritis                                                  $80.8 billion

Obesity                                                   $61.0 billion

That's a total of $757 billion per year!

The CDC goes on to state "We have indisputable evidence of the power of prevention. Researchers and practitioners at national, state, and local levels have designed, tested, and implemented effective programs and policies for chronic disease prevention and control, many at very little cost.