How Often Do You Wash Your Hands?

During the festive season, you come in contact with more people than usual. Although this can help us expand our circle of friends and acquaintances, it increases your exposure to germs. Bacteria and viruses are easily transmitted by just about everything you touch. As you touch people, surfaces and objects throughout the day, you accumulate germs on your hands. You can infect yourself with these germs by touching your eyes, nose or mouth and you can also spread them to others throughmicroscopic particles that will attack your immune system on a daily basis.

This is the reason why the best line of defense is to wash your hands as often as possible. Although it’s impossible to keep hands completely germ-free, washing your hands frequently is a must when practicing Active Wellness. Hand washing can help limit the transfer of bacteria, viruses and other microbes.

According to NHS UK¹, you should always wash your hands when they are visibly dirty and:

• Before and after handling raw foods like meat and vegetables
• Before eating or handling food
• Before and after treating a cut or wound

Always wash your hands after:

• Preparing food
• Using the toilet, changing a nappy or cleaning up a child who has used the toilet
• Touching an animal, animal feed or animal waste
• Blowing your nose, coughing or sneezing
• Treating wounds or caring for a sick person
• Handling garbage
• Handling pet food or pet treats

According to the Word Health Organisation, the recommended guideline for washing your hands is as long as singing “Happy Birthday” twice.²

Teaching children from a young age to wash hands often is key to preventing the spread of common ailments. The five easy steps are: wet, lather, scrub, rinse and dry.

It’s wise to wash your hands and change your clothes after you get home from work and to wash your hands frequently during the workday. You don’t have to work with soil or anything else produced by Mother Nature to become infested with germs.

Alcohol-based hand sanitisers, which don’t require water, are an acceptable alternative when soap and water aren’t available. If you use a hand sanitiser, make sure the product contains at least 60% alcohol.

This festive season, decrease exposure to germs simply by thoroughly washing your hands often and with soap and enjoy Active Wellness.

1. https://www.nhs.uk/live-well/healthy-body/best-way-to-wash-your-hands/
2. https://www.who.int/gpsc/clean_hands_protection/en/

9th December 2019

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Reduce, Reuse, Recycle…

The most effective way to reduce waste is to not create it in the first place. Making a new product requires a lot of materials and energy – raw materials must be extracted from the earth and the product must be fabricated then transported to wherever it will be sold. As a result, reduction and reuse are the most effective ways you can save natural resources, protect the environment and save money.

Some of the benefits of Reducing and Reusing 

• Prevents pollution caused by reducing the need to harvest new raw materials
• Saves energy
• Reduces greenhouse gas emissions that contribute to global climate change
• Helps sustain the environment for future generations
• Reduces the amount of waste that will need to be recycled or sent to landfills and incinerators

How to Reduce and Reuse

• Buy used. In most cases, used items can be less expensive and just as good as new.
• Less packaging. When manufacturers make their products with less packaging, they use fewer raw materials. This reduces waste and costs. Buying in bulk can reduce packaging and save you money.
• Buy reusable instead of disposable. Look for items that can be reused. For example, you can bring your own cutlery and coffee mug to work, rather than using disposable items.
• Borrow, rent or share items that are used infrequently, like party decorations, tools or furniture.

Recycling…

Recycling is the process of converting waste materials into new materials and objects. Recycling has multiple benefits for many areas of the economy – providing raw materials, creating jobs and encouraging business opportunities and innovation.¹

There are many benefits to recycle and all of us can contribute to this just by taking small steps:

• Find ways of recycling different materials. Many materials can be recycled, such as paper, plastic, metal and glass. Other items such as furniture, electronic equipment, building material and vehicles can also be recycled but many people don’t often think to do so.
• Buy products that can be recycled. When shopping at the supermarket, look for products that can be recycled easily such as glass jars and tin cans. Avoid plastic!
• Buy products that have been made from recycled material. You can tell if a product is eco-friendly by looking at the label on the packaging.
• Make sure you have a recycle bin in your home. Your local council should be able to provide you with a recycle bin that can be used for materials such as glass, paper, aluminium and plastic.
• Composting – a process where waste degrades into compost, which can then be used in your garden to help it grow. It is an excellent way to recycle garden and kitchen waste such as plant trimmings and leftover food.

Nikken’s bio-green PiMag^® Water Bottle is made from patented BioGreen materials. These materials enable the bottle to completely break down in landfills and compost piles into biomass that nourishes soil and biogas that can be harvested for energy use.

1. https://www.eea.europa.eu/highlights/recycling-industry-can-boost-the

18th November 2019

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Fuel for Active Wellness = Fuel for Life

Plants are the main source of oxygen for all forms of life on planet Earth. They also represent the primary source of all that is of nutritional value. Due to modern living conditions such as stress, smog and noise pollution, we now need more vital substances then we did a decade ago. Barley grass extract can provide vital substances that are no longer adequately present in our food.

Doctor Yoshihide Hagiwara, discoverer of the nutritional benefits of barley grass, called barley grass powder “nature’s best fast food”. He was a world-renowned scientist who has developed over 200 successful formulas. After researching over 150 types of grasses, plants, flowers, vegetables and herbs, he discovered that young barley grass is “one of the most nutritionally balanced foods in nature”.

During his research, he has also realised that the body more easily absorbs nutrients and enzymes from a juice powder, than from a whole leaf product. In order to capture and protect the delicate nutrients and enzymes, Dr. Hagiwara developed a unique extraction and spray dry process which earned him Japan’s prestigious Science and Technology Award. The same process is used in our Organic Jade GreenZymes^® barley grass powder supplement.

We use a special seed that produces a large, broad thick grass, which is ideal for juicing. This is grown in rich fertile topsoil and only in the colder seasons to allow the barley to grow slowly in order to absorb all the nutrients in the soil. The barley grass is then harvested at 12-18 inches high, when the nutrients are at their peak and the blades are thick and loaded with juice.

Immediately after harvest, the barley grass is taken to the factory where the process of turning it into powder begins. The leaves are repeatedly washed and rinsed with fresh, pure water. Then, they are chopped to 1-2 inches and put through several stages of crushing where the fibre is separated from the juice.

After the juice is extracted, it’s sent to a vacuum evaporating system where it becomes concentrated. When the concentration process is over, the juice is spray dried using Dr. Hagiwara’s award-winning method at low temperatures. This method allows the enzymes and the nutrients to remain active and bioavailable. The spray-dried powder is granulated and transformed into uniformly sized granules that are easily dissolvable into liquid.

Throughout every step of the manufacturing process, rigorous quality control testing is performed, from checking the soil to testing the finished product.

Nikken’s Jade GreenZymes^® formula is kosher and vegan, providing a fresh, clean taste and is Organic certified by the Soil Association.

Barley grass is so nutrient-dense that it can supply complete nutritional support.

Barley juice powder supports good health by providing:

• Chlorophyll
• Antioxidant enzymes: particularly, superoxide dismutase (SOD) and nitrogen reductase
• Antioxidant bioflavonoids: a number of C-glycosylflavones, including saponarin and lutonarin
• Eight essential amino acids, making it an extremely rich source of protein, with 15 times more protein than milk
• Minerals: calcium, iron, magnesium, phosphorus, potassium and copper
• Vitamins: beta-Carotene, B1, B2, B6, B12, C, pantothenic acid, lutein and folic acid

With so many nutrients, barley juice powder offers extensive health benefits.

28th October 2019

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Good Sleep promotes Active Wellness…

Sleep is the best medicine for your body and mind. Getting the recommended 7-8 hours per night keeps us healthy and balanced and improves our overall quality of life.

When you’re asleep, your body restores itself – which is why next to eating well and exercising, getting enough sleep is the most important thing you can do for your health. But how can you best prepare yourself for a restful night? Meditating and reading a book before bedtime can help, but here are a few more surprising behaviours that signal to body and mind that you’re ready to get some shuteye…

Here are some examples:

1. Create a bedtime ritual. It doesn’t have to be complicated, as long as you do it every night and start to associate it with sleep. A good night’s sleep starts with a moment of calm so set aside time to relax. Try lighting a scented candle in your bedroom just before you get into bed. The small flame is a visual cue that it’s time to relax, while the comforting fragrance will also have a calming influence on you.

2. Keep cool and get a breath of fresh air. Studies show that the optimal temperature for sleeping is around 18.5 degrees¹, so keeping your bedroom cool is a must. Ventilation is also beneficial – the new air circulating throughout the room promotes a deeper sleep, so whenever possible, try to sleep with the window slightly ajar.

3. Make your bed comfortable. Did you know that over eight to ten years you’ll spend more than 26,000 hours sleeping in your bed! You can enhance the comfort of your bed with a simple Sleep Pad that fits on top of your main mattress. Nikken’s Naturest^® KenkoPad^® is designed to provide a very gentle relaxing massage-effect while sleeping, enhancing your overall sleep environment.

4. Enjoy physical activity. This will allow you to fall asleep faster and enjoy a deeper sleep. Physical activityimproves sleepquality and increases sleepduration². Exercise may also bolster sleep in other ways, because it reduces stress and tires you out. It can be especially helpful if you are able to exercise outdoors and let your body absorb natural sunlight during the daytime hours.

5. Keep in sync with your body’s natural sleep-wake cycle. This is one of the most important strategies for sleeping better. If you keep a regular sleep-wake schedule, you’ll feel much more refreshed and energized than if you sleep the same number of hours at different times, even if you only alter your sleep schedule by an hour or two.

6. Wind down and clear your head. Lie down in bed, close your eyes and practice breathing exercises. Inhale through your nose and exhale as much as possible through your mouth. Repeat a few times. Make sure you put all electronic devices away. Using them before sleeping will only wire up your brain³.

Get a good night’s sleep, relax your body and mind and enjoy an Active Wellness lifestyle!

Autumn Sleep Offer…
The Sleep Offers starts on 15th October through to 20th November with savings of 20% on individual sleep products and a further 10% on Wellness Home Sleep Packs.

Visit our website: www.nikken.com/eu/

1. https://sleepcouncil.org.uk/perfect-sleep-environment/
2. https://www.mentalhealth.org.uk/publications/how-sleep-better
3. https://www.nhs.uk/live-well/sleep-and-tiredness/how-to-get-to-sleep/

14th October 2019

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What’s the best way to enjoy the autumn months?

Traditionally, autumn is the colorful harvest season that precedes the cold winter months. The temperature begins to drop and the air becomes dryer as winds blow and leaves fall.

Each change of season is a transitional period in nature and our bodies follow suit even if we are unconscious of what’s happening. Autumn is a time when leaves fall and vegetation is either harvested or dies off. During this natural cycle, mould is released. Even though mould is airborne year round, this extra release can be a stress on the immune system.

Depending on the individual’s state of Active Wellness, the immune system either continues working well or becomes overloaded during autumn. Digestion may not be as smooth and the foods that worked well during the summer may suddenly be overwhelming. Autumn is therefore an ideal time to reduce the toxic load on the immune and digestive systems. In fact, since 60 to 80% of the immune system revolves around the digestive system, the two impact each other a great deal.¹

In addition to being the perfect time to incorporate KENZEN Lactoferrin^® 2.0 into your daily regimen, here are some things to do that may help decrease toxic overload:

1. Minimise exposure to chemical toxins in the environment or in products you might use on a daily basis, including cosmetics, laundry detergent, cleaners, plastics, air fresheners, etc.

2. Try using unscented cleaners and detergents. Scented products often are full of artificial ingredients that tend to burden the immune and digestive systems.

3. Read labels and try eating food without artificial coloring and preservatives. Processed foods in general may irritate sensitive digestive tracts.

4. Pay attention to food sensitivities. This is a great time of the year to eat foods that warm you up, just as summer was a perfect time to eat cooling salads. A rule of thumb is to heed Nature and eat what grows seasonally such as pumpkins, squash, root vegetables (beets and turnips), dark leafy greens and anything is locally grown.

5. Store your reusable plastic bags and containers in closed cupboards and air-tight containers. Plastics contain petrochemical molecules that are airborne, especially indoors.

6. Drink filtered water. Chlorine is a harsh chemical placed in many municipal water systems. The PiMag Waterfall^® exceeds the standard for chlorine reduction and helps households filter tap water and reduce or eliminate the use of bottled water, contributing to the environment. Add the KENZEN® Super Ciaga® to your PiMag^® water. A delicious organic mix drink with 100% fruit and a high ORAC value (antioxidant), the Super Ciaga could help towards the maintenance of a strong immune system.

7. To help keep a healthy gut, traditional Chinese medicine recommends eating moistening foods such as tofu, tempeh, spinach, barley, pears, apples, seaweed, mushrooms, almonds and sesame seeds.²

8. Protect your skin from the dryness the elements might cause. Use a moisturiser such as TRUE elements^® Marine Organic Youthful Face Cream at night and Nourishing Face Cream during the day.

Try to get plenty of rest and sleep to help keep your immune system happy and enjoy this beautiful season!

 

SPECIAL OFFER

KENZEN^® Super Ciaga^®
Save 75% on your second Pack of KENZEN^®Super Ciaga^®…

Purchase a Pack of KENZEN^® Super Ciaga^® between 1st – 31st October 2019 and save 75% on your second Pack. Use Double Pack code 88170.  Offer available on Autoship.

1. https://www.no-ibs.com/blog/why-does-ibs-act-up-in-spring-or-fall/
2. https://thehutong.com/what-to-eat-in-autumn/

1st October 2019

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Why attending an event can change your life…

Have you ever attended an event, a conference or a seminar that has made a profound impact on you? If so, why did it affect you so much?

There are so many benefits to attending events. Just to list a few:

• Events brings people who share a common goal together
• They are a great way to meet and connect with new people.
• Being around like-minded people is inspirational and creates an opportunity for teamwork.
• Being face to face with others, interacting and sharing is more powerful than webinars or conference calls.
• The expert speakers provide you with new ideas and knowledge, inspiration and focus. Their stories will motivate you to take their lead and follow in their footsteps.
• The skills and knowledge you gain from attending an event can be invaluable to your own business
• Events are great fun!

Hear what some of the Nikken Leaders have to say about the importance of attending events:

Michel DiMuccio, Royal Diamond : https://youtu.be/iBalT3a92xQ

 

At Nikken, we are gearing up for our European Event in Paris. Join us for an unforgettable weekend. Invest in yourself and your future. Make the decision to book your ticket NOW.

To find out more and book your ticket, go to: https://bit.ly/2Za3x1D

 

16th September 2019

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This September, go Organic…

It’s Organic September month. But what does this mean? “Organic September” is a campaign run by the Soil Association, designed to promote and educate people about organic food and farming practices.

Using more organic farmed produce can have many advantages such as benefiting nature, wildlife and building healthy soils. According to the Soil Association, approximately 95 % of food production relies on soil.¹

 Organic always means:

• No artificial colours and preservatives
• Fewer pesticides
• Always free range
• No GM ingredients
• No routine use of antibiotics

There are many ways in which you can get involved in the organic movement.
Here are just a few:

1. Reduce waste. The first step to sustainable living is going zero waste and what better way to start then at home. Learn the rules of recycling in your area and stop using plastic bags. Get used to reusable containers and you can even have a compost bin in the garden for the leftover food.

2. Shop local. Shopping at an independent store or farm shop is one of the easiest ways to support your local economy. These places have many less known organic brands that aren’t as easy to find in the supermarkets. More demand for organic food means more organic farms, and more organic farms means more wildlife and healthier soils.

3. Eating out? Ask where your food comes from. It could be ordered in bulk from a major supplier, or just simply supplied by the local farm. It’s always good to know.

4. Grow your own. Growing your own fruit and vegetables is not only fun, but also very satisfying knowing you have grown them yourself and that they are 100% organic. It is also about passing on the knowledge to future generations of gardeners and food lovers and learning more about where our food comes from. Even if you missed out on this summer’s harvest, it’s not too late to start planting your own seeds. For example, spring cabbages and spinach seeds can be planted now and picked next spring, whilst broad beans, onions and pea seeds are hardy during the upcoming winter season and should crop in early spring.

Whatever products you’re buying, when you choose organic food, drink or beauty and textiles, you choose products that promote a better world. Organic food comes from trusted sources. All organic farms and food companies are inspected at least once a year with the standards for organic food being laid down in European law.

Both KENZEN^® Super Ciaga^® (#17001) and Jade GreenZymes^® (#20310 – Sachets / #20311 – Jar) from Nikken are certified Organic by the Soil Association, something we are very proud of.

Campaigning for more organic food and farming and getting involved, means that together, we can slow down climate change, setting an example for future generations.

1. https://www.soilassociation.org/organic-living/organic-september/

9th September 2019

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