If you look inside my medicine cabinet, you will see why Big Pharma might broke with too many guys like me around. The big pharmaceutical companies have to hate guys like me. Let me explain.

I had to check my medicine cabinet after my older sister recently sent me one of those emails about baby boomers getting older, and the stuff they supposedly are all taking as they age, or need to take. While I enjoyed the humor, I said to myself, I do not take any of these things. None. Was that true, I asked myself.

To see, I checked my medicine cabinet and the drawers in my bathroom. I was right. There was not one prescription medicine or anything like that, nothing.

I am not bragging; that is simply the truth. I take no prescription drugs. No blood pressure or cholesterol medicine. My medicine cabinet contains no drugs of any kind, prescription, over the counter, off the Net, anything.

No laxatives. No Joint Juice or other such creaky bone medicines, and I am of the age where supposedly people need these. Speaking of which, no Viagra or other erection pills. Again, I am not bragging but I have never had the slightest need for these products. I am old, yet I am lusty, as Shakespeare says in Richard III.

I do not even have aspirin. What do I have? Really boring stuff. Band-aids. Contact lens solution. A skin moisturizer. Dental floss. Toothpaste. Anti-bacterial ointment for cuts. Deodorant.

Like I say, boring stuff, but no medicines, prescription drugs or any other kind of drug or medicinal potions, not even headache remedies of any kind. I do not get headaches, and rarely have aches or pains.

As I write this in April, I sailed healthfully through the past flu season, which I read was a nasty one, without the flu and without a flu shot. I did not catch a cold this past cold season and I rarely do any time. I cannot remember the last time I was sick. But I know it was not for long.

I do remember the last time I went to the doctor. It was an emergency trip to the hospital for an appendectomy, more than 22 years ago.

If you ask to what do I attribute my spectacular health, the answer is easy: my balanced, plant-based diet of whole, fresh, natural foods and lots of great, fun outdoor exercise. My main beverage is pure, filtered water. I eat no junk food, fast food or any kind of refined food. Just whole, natural foods, nothing taken away, nothing added. Foods as grown.

I adhere to a strict code of conduct in the area of eating. Only premium fuels go into my body. And I love real food, nutrient-dense, delicious, colorful, natural foods.

Not only is my diet and exercise program great for fat loss and fitness, but for overall spectacular health. I honestly believe that the most important thing we do every day is what we eat and drink. And great outdoor exercise is just as important.

What I do not eat, drink or take is just as important to my program. I do not eat meat, fish, poultry, dairy products of any kind, or eggs. I do not eat fast food or processed, refined, packaged foods. I eat whole, natural foods, nothing added, nothing taken away.

I do not drink protein shakes or energy drinks. No coffee, caffeine drinks or alcohol. Those caffeine drinks, by the way, include all the phony energy drinks that are laced with caffeine. And on my list of beverages I never drink are sodas, including diet sodas, ice tea drinks, ice coffee drinks, and booster beverages like Ensure and Boost.

I do not take fat blaster pills of any kind, or vitamins or supplements. I believe it is important for those who do not eat animals or animal products to make sure they get adequate amounts of vitamin B-12. I get mine from eating nutritional yeast, which is different from brewers yeast. I have developed a fondness for nutritional yeast and enjoy it in a number of different dishes. Vitamin B-12 is also available in foods fortified with it and in supplement form.

I recently took a fitness test given by the American College of Sports Medicine and scored the highest possible score for 20 to 29-year-olds.

If you want what I have, whatever age you are, and I am 60, try following my example. I firmly believe you will like the results, for many spectacularly healthy reasons.

Jerome Kellner is author of The Maui Diet. He’s lived on Maui since 1972 and enjoys biking, hiking, swimming, snorkeling, kayaking and exercising in his outdoor gym. See http://www.themauidiet.com

It’s spring, and the weather is beautiful in much of the country. If it’s not, it probably will be soon.

Have you ever considered biking to work? Or for your errands? With gas prices climbing ever higher (they will hit $4/gallon soon in my area, the way things are going), biking is looking more and more practical for a lot of people.

It’s also great exercise. You don’t want to ride so hard that you arrive at work covered in sweat, of course, especially if you’re dealing with the public all day.

If you’re within 5 or so miles of your work, this can be highly practical. It doesn’t take all that long to bike that far, and unless you have a lot of hills to go up you probably won’t need to sweat much to get there, except perhaps in the summer if you live in a place where it’s already hot by the time you leave for work in the morning.

If you have baskets on your bike, it can be highly practical for many errands. I remember when I was in college I would ride my bike to the grocery store and just carry the bags on my handlebars. A basket would have been much easier, with significantly less distraction and risk of breaking a bag.

A challenge these days is where to store your bike at work or when you get to the store. A lot of places don’t offer a place to lock up your bicycle, a serious problem. When I was a kid all the grocery stores in my area had bike racks. Now I rarely see them, and I do look!

Some jobs will allow you to bring your bike inside. There may be a storage closet or room in your cubicle for one, depending on the setup. It’s something to discuss with your boss if someone else hasn’t found the solution first.

Stores can be more challenging. Most have trees in the parking lot, and many people use a cable to gently attach the bike to the tree. But no matter where you lock up your bike, make sure that you aren’t blocking walkways or ramps.

You will want a good quality lock for your bike. U-locks are very popular, as they are much more resistant to theft than cables are. Square link chains are also quite strong.

Make sure that when you lock your bike you lock the wheels to the body of the bike. It’s quite common to have individual parts of the bike stolen rather than the entire thing. Many bikes come with an easily removed front wheel, so you can pop it off and lock it to the body and the back wheel with little effort.

You don’t need an expensive bike either. Keep it affordable and you can quickly pay off the investment in terms of gas money. Add in the benefits of the exercise you’ll be getting, and the advantages may be too much to resist.

Stephanie Foster blogs at http://www.greensahm.com/ about being a green stay at home mom. Learn more ways to go green on a budget at http://www.greensahm.com/category/budget-environmentalism/

Low back pain can really be a pain when you lead a busy life. The pain that is felt due to lower back pain is something that originated from the muscles, nerves, bones, joints or other structures in the spine. The pain may be sudden, also called a chronic pain, it can be felt constantly, stay in one place or radiate to other areas. About nine out of ten adults experience low back pain at some point in their life, and five out of ten working adults have low back pain every year due to the fast pace jobs and job requirements.

Heat therapy is useful for back spasms. Heat therapy can reduce symptoms of acute and sub-acute low-back pain. Some patients find that moist heat works best. Examples are a hot bath or whirlpool. A continuous low-level heat such as a heat wrap that stays warm for 4 to 6 hours is also recommended. Cold therapy such as an ice or cold pack application may be effective at relieving back pain in some cases. You might be able to obtain these types of treatments at your chiropractor.

Medications, such as muscle relaxants, narcotics, non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs or paracetamol can also help ease the pain, but only offer minimal assistance in curing your lower back pain. Herbal medicines may also be effective and have longer lasting effects without all of the side effects that come with prescription medication.

Exercises can also be effective in reducing the pain, particularly when done under the supervision of a physical therapist or a chiropractor. Some form of consistent stretching and exercise is believed to be an essential component of most back treatment programs. Your chiropractor will be able to suggest exercises and stretching movements that might work best for your individual case and issues.

Massage therapy, especially from an experienced therapist, may help. Acupressure or pressure point massage may be more beneficial than classic massage.

Acupuncture has only a small benefit for chronic back pain. Studies show that “for chronic low-back pain, acupuncture is more effective for pain relief and functional improvement than no treatment or sham treatment immediately after treatment and in the short-term only. Acupuncture is not more effective than other conventional and alternative treatments.”

Body Awareness Therapy such as the Feldenkrais Method has been studied and studies have indicated positive effects. Organized exercise programs using these therapies have been developed.

Manipulation, as provided by an appropriately trained and qualified chiropractor could also be the answer to your lower back pain problems. A chiropractor can adjust or manipulate the bones and muscles in your lower back and by doing so you will be able to feel the relief from the lower back pain you are experiencing.

While you might be able to obtain certain prescription drugs from your primary care doctor to relieve the pain caused by your lower back muscles a chiropractor can offer an even better treatment plan that will not only ease the pain but will be drug and side effect free.

Performance Health Austin is Sports Chiropractic (http://www.phaustin.com) that understands your pain. The unique sports background gives it’s chiropractor the edge in chiropractic sports medicine. He provides natural pain relief advice at http://www.selfpainrelief.com

Stretchmarks, also known as striae is a type of skin scarring that occurs during pregnancy, weight gain, puberty, obesity, and other physical activities. It starts off in the dermis, the elastic middle layer of skin, which allows the skin to keep its shape. But, when the skin is constantly stretched, the dermis can break down leaving behind stretch marks. Stretchmarks often starts off reddish or purplish in color and when it gets older, it becomes a silver or white color. Everyone including myself has suffered from stretchmarks and we continue to battle and find ways to reduce or eliminate them. Both men and women get them and it can be unappealing and embarrassing to have. There are a number of treatment options to remove stretchmarks new and old.

There are at least five well known stretchmark solutions which are Laser surgery, Dermabrasion, Chemical peels, Diet and Exercise, and Over the Counter creams and lotions.

Laser Surgery, dermabrasion, and chemical peels can definitely help address unwanted stretchmarks and has good results; however, these procedures can be very costly. Also, most insurance company will not cover stretchmarks because it is a cosmetic procedure.

Diet and exercise can help prevent stretchmarks. By drinking plenty of water, your skin stays hydrated making it less likely to develop stretchmarks. Unfortunately for all you coffee lovers, caffeine increases your risk of stretchmarks. If you’re stuck drinking coffee, tea, or soda, try to balance your fluids. Drink as much or more water as you drink caffeinated beverages. Stretchmarks can also develop from lack of nutrition. Consume foods that will promote your skin by eating foods rich in zinc such as nuts and fish. Protein-rich foods like eggs and foods high in Vitamin A and C such as carrots, citrus fruits, and milk can also help.

Over the counter creams is another alternative that has been used to help with stretchmarks; however, most have been unsuccessful. There are a few out there that has been very effective in reducing and eliminating stretchmarks. Captiva is one product that has been known to have similar effects as microdermabrasion or laser therapy, but taking only a fraction of time and cost. So, not all stretchmark creams are unsuccessful. They’re plenty out there that actually work and these types of creams are not found over the counter.

If you can spend hundreds and thousands of dollars on stretchmark treatments, your best bet would be laser therapy or dermabrasion. If you’re looking for an inexpensive way to get rid of stretchmarks that can have similar effects as laser therapy or microdermabrasion, then using an effective stretchmark cream is your best bet.

Diana Ajih is a website owner on beauty,health and skincare. For more information on Captiva, go to http://www.hotbeautyhealth.com

“Energy medicine is medicine based on the appreciation that living systems have energy fields inside of them and around them and that these fields play important roles in physiology, regulatory biology and regulating processes that are going on inside the organism,” says Dr. Jim Oschman MD. Though he’s a practitioner of Western style medicine, Dr. Oschman recently authored a book about the scientific basis of energy medicines. He talks about alternative therapies like Chinese acupuncture and other complementary therapies that improve human performance.

These days, there’s an increasing trend for Western doctors to look to ancient Chinese medicines to treat some of their patients who aren’t responding to traditional medicines and treatments. Finding the scientific root of lethargy, for example, can be terribly tricky, but doctors from the school of Chinese medicine say that chronic fatigue is a symptom of the body being out of harmony in one way or another.

By examining the patient’s external environment, dietary habits, attitude and other symptoms, specialists in energy medicines are able to prescribe a healthier lifestyle, which many patients find more advantageous in the long run.

Energy medicine encompasses many different processes from qigong (martial arts and yoga) to Chinese acupuncture. One form is called “Reiki,” which is a form of Chinese massage. Practitioners say that their energy moves through the palms to create a relaxing – but energizing – effect.

It’s believed that a Reiki Master can reach one’s life force energy through 10-20 specific positions and techniques that generally last about 90 minutes in duration. Some emphasis is given to the intention of both the practitioner and the recipient and it is said that if the recipient doesn’t truly wish to be healed, then the effects will be mitigated. While the energy may encourage healing, Reiki is not viewed as a “miraculous cure” for serious illnesses, but rather a way of stimulating the body’s natural energy centers.

American doctors have spent their entire professional careers focused on tinkering with chemicals and running clinical trials to scientifically prove the effectiveness of traditional medicines. So naturally there will be some resistance and attempts to subvert traditional Chinese practices.

Energy medicine is not intended to be a cure-all. In the school of Chinese medicine, doctors recommend lifestyle modifications that include exercise, meditation and dietary alterations. For serious ailments, they say emergency medical treatment can’t be denied, but for long-term problems, such as chronic fatigue, why not try non-invasive Chinese energy medicines? After all, starting your day off with a massage or cup of herbal tea isn’t so bad, is it?

A whole world of information about the chinese energy medicine awaits you from Mike Selvon portal at http://chinesemedicine.trustprofitableniche.com/. We appreciate your feedback at our blog at http://www.mynicheportal.com/health-beauty/.

No need to look up “self-fullness” in the dictionary – you won’t find it. And it’s also not likely to be in the vocabulary of women who are pulled between their careers, children, parents, spouse or even grandchildren. No matter what age women have attained, many still act the part of the ‘good girl,’ responding to the needs of others first. It’s fitting that these multitasking women are called the Sandwich Generation – since a sandwich often means a quick bite to eat on the run for those who don’t have the time for a sit-down meal.

No matter what challenges you face in your career and at home with children growing up and parents growing older, it’s not selfish to set aside time for a taste of healthy self-fullness. Vow to put your feet up and think about yourself for once. What brings you happiness? What relieves the stress you face every day? What will bring balance to your life? These ten tips will guide you as you make plans to nourish yourself.

1. Whether you are changing jobs, having a baby, facing an empty nest, welcoming a boomerang kidult home, caring for a parent with Alzheimer’s or anticipating your spouse’s retirement, you don’t have to cope with it alone. Find others in like situations or a women’s group and gain emotional support as you share ideas.

2. As caring for your family-in-flux requires more and more of your energy, you may not be able to spend as much time with your friends. Resolve to stay in contact with them – even though your to-do list keeps growing and your calendar is full. Friendships and the social support they provide can be a potent antidote to the toxins of daily hassles.

3. Schedule in some quiet, private time and do something that gives you pleasure – take a walk by the water, enjoy the beauty of a sunset, immerse yourself in a good book. Think of this as a personal retreat that provides the opportunity to reconnect and re-center yourself.

4. Guilt runs rampant among caregivers who often worry that they’re not doing enough for their loved ones. Remind yourself that you’re dancing as fast as you can, given the realities of your life situation. You don’t have to be the perfect mother, daughter, or wife. Set your own reasonable standards rather than falling in the trap of trying to live up to others’ expectations.

5. Work to release additional areas of negativity – both in thought and emotions. When you are afraid of what the future holds in store or angry about what you need to cope with on a daily basis, acknowledge these as normal reactions and accept that they will come and go. Your frustrations and resentments make up part of the tapestry of your life but they need not be in the forefront. Once you understand that they are common responses to a difficult situation, you will find it easier to let them recede.

6. As you free yourself from negative feelings, begin to replace them with a more positive attitude. In your journal, write about what you are grateful for in your life. End each evening by reviewing three pleasant things that happened that day and savor the warmth these memories generate. Let your creativity emerge as you explore new interests.

7. Develop personal stress relievers to counteract the burnout that at times overwhelms you. Practice techniques of deep breathing, relaxation or your own form of meditation. Begin an exercise program that you will enjoy – commit to a schedule at the gym or take in the great outdoors, walking with a friend, biking in the neighborhood, hiking in the countryside on weekends.

8. Give yourself the gift of laughter – look for humor in your daily life, share a funny movie or television show with a friend, participate in activities that bring you joy. After you read the news section of your daily paper, turn to the Comics page to lighten your mood and release endorphins. Recent studies have found that a positive mood creates the atmosphere for better decision-making.

9. Ask for what you need from your family members and seek out professionals for their expertise and guidance. You don’t have to do everything yourself. Let your spouse, children and siblings know exactly how you feel, what you want from them, and how they can do their share.

10. Recognize that it is healthy to receive as well as to give. Taking help when it is offered doesn’t diminish your abilities. Accept and integrate the admiration that others express for you. Relish the gratitude and love that your partner, parents and children demonstrate.

As you decide to take better care of yourself, you will discover the strength to find balance in your life. Develop a firm core of self-fullness – it will sustain you as you continue to nurture your growing and changing family.

(c) Her Mentor Center, 2008

Rosemary Lichtman, Ph.D. & Phyllis Goldberg, Ph.D. are founders of http://www.HerMentorCenter.com, a website for midlife women and http://www.NourishingRelationships.Blogspot.com for the Sandwich Generation. They are authors of a forthcoming book about Sandwiched Boomers’ family relationships.