The ever increasing list of fad diets welcomes our newest member: Raspberry ketones. HCG, you are barely hanging on by a thread.
Raspberry ketones are a natural phenolic compound that are responsible for the heavenly aroma of red raspberries. They (allegedly) increased both the expression and secretion of adiponectin. Higher adiponectin equals lower levels of body fat. What has brought them out into the public conscience recently is the recent endorsement of them by the one and only Dr. Oz. These are usually taken in pill form, twice per day at a cost of roughly $50-70 per month. 
A website that sells this product quotes Wikipedia: (according to Wikipedia, “prevent high-fat-diet-induced elevations in body weight.”) What it leaves out is the following statement: However, no effects on body weight were observed with doses up to 200 times greater than the estimated intake in humans. Although products containing this compound are marketed for weight loss, there is no clinical evidence for this effect in humans.
This is an unbelievably hard to resist product. First, although these ketones have been known for more than 40 years, they are exciting and new in the world of weight loss. Not only that, but most products that sell them put delicious looking raspberries on their packaging, making it look enticing. Combine that with Dr. Oz’s blessing and you may have trouble even finding this product on the shelves.
The website also has this required statement: “Caution: Do not exceed the recommended dose. Pregnant or nursing mothers, children under 18 and individuals with a known medical condition should consult a physician before using this or any dietary supplement. Keep out of reach of children. Do not use if the inner seal is damaged or broken. Store in a cool, dry place. Food supplements should not be used as a substitute for a varied and balanced diet.”
What about eating actual raspberries? Or better yet, eat all different kinds of berries everyday. Are they expensive? Maybe a little pricey, especially when out of season, but they can be purchased frozen all year. Raspberries are high in fiber and the whole raspberries are an antioxidant powerhouse and worth much more per ounce than a pill could ever be worth and without the “warnings” on the label.


I had an a-ha moment the other day. I get them from time to time. They entertain me.

I had an a-ha moment the other day. I get them from time to time. They entertain me.

There will be no shortage of pumpkins in Wade Kelsall’s pumpkin patch this October.

There will be no shortage of pumpkins in Wade Kelsall’s pumpkin patch this October.

There will be no shortage of pumpkins in Wade Kelsall’s pumpkin patch this October.

“What I did in the military made me strong enough to do what I’m doing today,” U.S. Army veteran John Tuzzolino said.

After a 16-month effort, Susan Schramm and Tempe Union High School District parents can expect to see a weighted grade point average on their student's transcripts this year. The decision, made without the need for a vote from the governing board, came as no surprise and with little argument. District administrators decided both a weighted GPA on a 5.0 scale, which adds extra weight for honors classes, and a traditional unweighted GPA on a 4.0 scale will appear on transcripts at the end of the semester. "I am tickled to death that this is over," Schramm said of her journey. "It's a wonderful thing." Initially, the issue concerned Schramm when her son began applying for out-of-state scholarships. However, it was the fact that the adaptation of weighted GPAs had become more popular in high schools throughout the country, and that most college admissions and scholarship requirements - including Arizona's AIMS Award - now accept a weighted GPA that drove her further. "This is where it affects most of our kids," she said. For Schramm, the issue lay far beyond the concern for her own children. Although the absence of a weighted GPA on her oldest son Hank's high school transcript blocked him from receiving the Dean's scholarship at the University of Oregon in 2006, the substitute teacher and mother of five had a concern for all students in the district. Her dedication, involvement and research on this issue over the last 16 months made a slow, steady impact and finally received a positive outcome. On Sept. 11 Schramm planned to speak to director of guidance, career and technical education Nori Cannell and Tempe Union guidance chairs on the topic. Additionally, she planned to present her research to the Desert Vista curriculum committee and department chairs on Sept. 12. Then, she says, she received word not to bother, that the decision was basically a done deal. In other concerns, weighted GPA will not appear on report cards, TUHSD spokeswoman Linda Littell said. "It is something I believe parents should be aware of," Schramm said. "But, really, it's about college admission and scholarships." The adoption of weighted GPAs on transcripts also will not change requirements for students to be invited into the National Honor Society. Students will continue to be invited based on their unweighted GPA, with a 3.0 the minimum accepted achievement level. Corinne Frayer can be reached at (480) 898-7917 or cfrayer@aztrib.com.

Physix LLC is hosting a FREE, informal, information meeting. Learn the truth about weight loss and how it applies to their successful 12-week, weight-management program. Get your questions answered, see the facility and meet the staff. The information meeting will begin at 2 p.m. on Saturday, Jan. 8 and will be offered at 4425 E. Agave Road, Suite 100 (The BAR Fitness).

Physix LLC and The BAR Fitness will host a meeting at 2 p.m. Saturday, Aug. 28, at The BAR Fitness, 4425 E. Agave Road, Suite 100, regarding the launch of a new 12-week weight management program that begins Aug. 31. For details, call (480) 528-5660 or visit http://azphysix.com.

The subconscious mind is a tool hypnotists say most people unknowingly surpass. Some, they say, fear not being in control, and some frankly just do not believe it is there. People tend to live in the present, bypassing the thousands of memories, experiences and thoughts accumulated over a lifetime in the subconscious mind. Ahwatukee Foothills-based certified hypnotherapist Vickie Mesa said in a waking state people use only 10 percent of their conscious mind. "The subconscious mind is always there," she said. "Holding every experience, every memory and filing them away." Hypnosis is a growing regimen for people who want to address certain habits, problems and fears using a natural treatment. The process involves taking a person back to a memory in the subconscious mind and adding new, positive habits in place of negative ones. Throughout the world people are experimenting with hypnosis, hoping to quit smoking, lose weight and even lower blood pressure. Mesa, a weight loss specialist at Natural Health Care Specialties on 48th Street and Knox Road, has been practicing hypnosis for six years, freeing herself of depression and anxiety through treatment. She now practices self-hypnosis on herself to overcome her weight issues. "I can tell my patients it works because it works for me," said Mesa, who has lost 12 pounds this year. She explained that when a new patient comes into her office she has them fill out a form indicating their hobbies and fears, allowing her to build scripts around individual issues. "I certainly wouldn't want to give someone a visualization that they were standing on top of a tall building the first day if they are scared of heights," Mesa said. "I go over the form with them, watching and listening to their language, expectations and goals. Then I give first-time patients a generalized session to become accustom and comfortable with hypnosis." After the first session Mesa creates a personal therapy for each patient focusing on positive qualities and goals. "Most people are afraid of being put in a trance because they think the hypnotherapist is in control and people don't like not being in control," Mesa said. "They think I will make them cluck like a chicken, but that won't happen because your mind is your mind and you are always in control." Each follow-up session lasts about one hour. Mesa leads clients into a trance, a state of mind between being asleep and awake, where they can tap into the subconscious. People can track in their memory where they began a bad habit and add new, healthier memories in its spot. "The subconscious mind can't tell the difference between real and imaginary experiences," Mesa said. "You'll find yourself wanting to eat healthy and exercise. Hypnotherapy compliments losing weight by putting those new experiences in the mind - finding out where the habit originated and how did it happen, then adding in you not doing it in the subconscious mind." However, Mesa warns that a person has to make a commitment to really want to accomplish a goal for hypnotherapy to work. "You will continue having the problem if you aren't serious about change." Corinne Frayer can be reached at (480) 898-7917 or cfrayer@aztrib.com.

The subconscious mind is a tool hypnotists say most people unknowingly surpass. Some, they say, fear not being in control, and some frankly just do not believe it is there. People tend to live in the present, bypassing the thousands of memories, experiences and thoughts accumulated over a lifetime in the subconscious mind. Ahwatukee Foothills-based certified hypnotherapist Vickie Mesa said in a waking state people use only 10 percent of their conscious mind. "The subconscious mind is always there," she said. "Holding every experience, every memory and filing them away." Hypnosis is a growing regimen for people who want to address certain habits, problems and fears using a natural treatment. The process involves taking a person back to a memory in the subconscious mind and adding new, positive habits in place of negative ones. Throughout the world people are experimenting with hypnosis, hoping to quit smoking, lose weight and even lower blood pressure. Mesa, a weight loss specialist at Natural Health Care Specialties on 48th Street and Knox Road, has been practicing hypnosis for six years, freeing herself of depression and anxiety through treatment. She now practices self-hypnosis on herself to overcome her weight issues. "I can tell my patients it works because it works for me," said Mesa, who has lost 12 pounds this year. She explained that when a new patient comes into her office she has them fill out a form indicating their hobbies and fears, allowing her to build scripts around individual issues. "I certainly wouldn't want to give someone a visualization that they were standing on top of a tall building the first day if they are scared of heights," Mesa said. "I go over the form with them, watching and listening to their language, expectations and goals. Then I give first-time patients a generalized session to become accustom and comfortable with hypnosis." After the first session Mesa creates a personal therapy for each patient focusing on positive qualities and goals. "Most people are afraid of being put in a trance because they think the hypnotherapist is in control and people don't like not being in control," Mesa said. "They think I will make them cluck like a chicken, but that won't happen because your mind is your mind and you are always in control." Each follow-up session lasts about one hour. Mesa leads clients into a trance, a state of mind between being asleep and awake, where they can tap into the subconscious. People can track in their memory where they began a bad habit and add new, healthier memories in its spot. "The subconscious mind can't tell the difference between real and imaginary experiences," Mesa said. "You'll find yourself wanting to eat healthy and exercise. Hypnotherapy compliments losing weight by putting those new experiences in the mind - finding out where the habit originated and how did it happen, then adding in you not doing it in the subconscious mind." However, Mesa warns that a person has to make a commitment to really want to accomplish a goal for hypnotherapy to work. "You will continue having the problem if you aren't serious about change." Corinne Frayer can be reached at (480) 898-7917 or cfrayer@aztrib.com.