Carbohydrates - Are They All Bad?

by guest blogger Jody Perrecone

Energy is needed for normal body functions including maintaining body temperature, breathing, digestion, thinking, exercising, and managing the heart rate. That energy comes from protein, fat, and carbohydrates. Carbohydrates are broken down into glucose which the body uses as its primary and most efficient source of energy. Carbohydrates are the only energy source the brain, nerves, and developing red cells can use for energy. Protein and fat are used as sources of energy only when carbohydrates are depleted.

Complex carbohydrates include potatoes, oats, corn, peas, whole wheat pasta, beans, and brown rice and are excellent sources of energy.  They are also a good source of protein, vitamins, and minerals.  Complex carbohydrates contain fiber which will slow down the release of glucose.

Brilliant Minds, Brilliant Ideas, Phenomenal Paths To Health And Good Habits

For a 24 hour period on November 10th, 2012 the city of Palo Alto, CA gave up its reputation for being the world's epicenter of cyber technology and instead laid the groundwork for a revolution in health and behavior. The innovative ideas spawned forth about creating healthy habits go far beyond the Silicone Valley and straight into the tech savvy device your gazing into right now. It's your turn to learn from the best! The concepts presented will undoubtedly make your life easier and more enjoyable as you incorporate them into your daily routine. Take some time to sit back, relax, and enjoy this year's presentations from TEDx Fremont's most dynamic and forward-thinking minds! A healthy life and a lifetime of good habits are yours for the taking.

This Is Your Brain On [Psychotropic] Drugs

Life is full of emotions. Happy. Sad. Nervous. Frightened. Excited. Depressed. Crazy. Anxious. All of these are a normal part of life. Everyone experiences these emotions at one point or another.

At times these emotions may lend themselves to be more intense than at other times. I've experienced this myself in life. I remember the overwhelming sense of joy I felt when I finally graduated college and landed my first job. That was an incredible high for me. I can also remember being at the lowest of lows in life just a few years prior as pharmacy school and my personal life seemed to come crashing down on me. That was an awful feeling that seemed to last forever and something I never want to experience again. When times like these come in life we often turn to those closest to us to share in our experiences—good, bad, or ugly. Our friends and family are our personal counselors.

Today, however, every emotion has been labeled as a "disease" or "disorder". Every human being walking the face of the planet is mentally ill, according to the drug manufacturers anyway. These greedy business entities have designed a system where they profit off of everyday life experiences of people. Depressed because of a breakup or loss of a loved one? Big Pharma deems you as having major depressive disorder. Anxious when you attend new functions and meet new people? You have social anxiety disorder. Have a typical, energetic 6 year old who can't sit still in class for hours on end (because everyone knows that little kids are supposed to be able to do this)? Your child is suffering from attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD).