"Imagine you're a spider with just one leg," says Dr. Frank King.

"You put forth immense effort to try to haul yourself around and not only does it wear you out, it's frustrating and you don't get far." King is a chiropractor and doctor of naturopathy specializing in homeopathic remedies, and author of The Healing Revolution (www.kingbio.com).

"It gets a bit easier with two legs and easier still with four legs. But it's not till you have all eight legs that you can really dance."

Dr. King explains that the eight legs represent Eight Essentials we need for optimum mental, physical and spiritual health: Empowering your human spirit; Water; Nutrition; Fitness; Sleep; Nature; Relationships; and Hands On Techniques (touch).

"It would be overwhelming and self-defeating to look at all eight areas and think, 'I have to make significant changes in every area immediately!" Dr. King says. "You don't have to and who could? I know from my experience with countless patients and friends, and even in my own life, that you can see immediate results by making a few small changes at a time."

Dr. King describes three that are easy to make and will have you feeling better quickly.

•  Drink half your body weight in ounces of spring or well water every day.
If you weigh 150 pounds, that's 75 ounces of water (about 9 cups).

"Many of us walk around dehydrated without realizing it and that can have a significant effect on our health and how we feel," Dr. King says. Dehydrated bodies trap toxins and encourage water retention - a natural defense against the chronic "drought."

"Our bodies need the steady flow of pure, spring or well water. If you don't like the taste, try mixing up to a teaspoon of sea salt into a quart of water," he says.

A simple test for dehydration: Pinch the skin on the back of your hand and hold for three seconds. When you release, if the ridge from the pinch remains for more than a second, you're probably dehydrated.

•  Take at least a few minutes every day to connect with nature. Nature brings perpetual revitalization and ongoing renewal, especially when experienced through multiple senses:  the smell of freshly turned earth or evergreens in the woods; the touch of cool stream water on your face or feet; the sight of birds on the wing and budding blooms.

"These are not just pleasant little gifts to experience - we need them for restoration, renewal, revival and rehabilitation," Dr. King says. "The more disconnected we become from the Earth, the more we inhibit our body's natural ability to heal."

•  Take a brisk, 10- to 20-minute walk every day. Walking is the simplest, most natural form of exercise. You might walk a nature trail, walk to the store instead of driving or take your pet for a stroll.

"Three brisk 10-minute walks a day are as effective at lowering blood pressure as one 30-minute walk," Dr. King says, citing an Arizona State University study.

"Outdoor walking is preferable to walking on a treadmill or other machine, since the uneven surfaces and changing directions of natural walking will engage more muscles and tendons."

Swing each arm in synchronization with the opposite foot to strengthen your cross-crawl functionality and mind-body balance.

About Dr. Frank King

Dr. Frank King is a chiropractor, doctor of naturopathy, and founder and president of King Bio, an FDA-registered pharmaceutical manufacturing company dedicated to education, research, development, manufacture and distribution of safe and natural homeopathic medicines for people and pets. Dr. King is also the author of, The Healing Revolution: Eight Essentials to Awaken Abundant Life Naturally! (www.kingbio.com). A fourth-generation farmer, Dr. King raises yak, camel, boar, wisent and American bison sold under the Carolina Bison brand. He is a member of the Homeopathic Pharmacopoeia Convention of the United States.

DES MOINES, IA (05/05/2014)(readMedia)-- State Treasurer Michael L. Fitzgerald announced he has more money to return to Iowans. The spring publication of the Great Iowa Treasure Hunt is scheduled to begin soon and includes thousands of names that have been received in the last year.

"In upcoming weeks, the new names that have been added to the Great Iowa Treasure Hunt will be published," Fitzgerald said. The treasurer would also like to remind individuals they do not have to wait for the publication to begin to see if they have unclaimed property. "Simply go to greatiowatreasurehunt.com and start your search. I encourage everyone to take a few minutes and search for their name."

The Great Iowa Treasure Hunt program has returned over $175 million in unclaimed property to more than 423,000 people since Fitzgerald created it in 1983. Unclaimed property refers to money and other assets held by financial institutions or companies that have lost contact with the property's owner for a specific period of time. State law requires these institutions and companies to annually report unclaimed property to the state treasurer's office. The assets are then held until the owner or heir of the property is found. Common forms of unclaimed property include savings or checking accounts, stocks, uncashed checks, life insurance policies, utility security deposits, and safe deposit box contents.

to begin your search. Be sure to like Great Iowa Treasure Hunt on Facebook and follow the program on Twitter @GreatIATreasure.

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(DES MOINES) - Iowa Gov. Terry E. Branstad and Lt. Gov. Kim Reynolds were joined today at their weekly news conference by Iowa Homeland Security and Emergency Management Department (HSEMD) Director Mark Schouten to encourage Iowans to be prepared during severe weather season.

"Lieutenant Governor Reynolds and I offer our sympathy to families who lost loved ones in the storms that raced across Iowa on April 27^th, and our support to the communities that sustained damage," said Branstad. "Being prepared for a storm, no matter the season, is the best way to protect yourself and families from dangerous weather."

BE PREPARED: DOWNLOAD YOUR EMERGECNY SUPPLY CHECKLIST

"Governor Branstad and I, along with Iowa Homeland Security and Emergency Management Department, stand ready to assist Iowans and their communities when severe weather strikes," said Reynolds. "It's critically important for Iowans to take the necessary precautions ahead of inclement weather. We urge Iowans to take time to prepare for this spring and summer's storm season."

Iowa HSEMD outlined 3 easy steps Iowans can take to be ready for severe weather:

Step 1: Be aware

• The most important thing you can do is to stay aware of the potential for bad weather in your area.
• Tune into local television and radio stations, purchase a weather radio, or install a weather alert app onto your mobile phone to receive the most up-to-date weather information.
• When weather alerts are issued, act quickly to stay safe.

Step 2: Make An Emergency Plan

• Sit down with your family and talk about what you will do if there is a severe weather alert issued for your area or if there is a danger of flooding.
• Don't forget to make plans for those with special needs, such as elderly family members, and also for your pets.

Step 3: Build an Emergency Supply Kit

Keep a kit at home and in your car in case you must shelter in place or quickly evacuate your home.

Include in your kit items such as:

• Water and non-perishable food for 3-5 days
• A first aid kit
• A battery-operated flashlight and radio along with extra batteries
• Special items, such as prescription medications, baby formula, diapers and pet food
• Copies of important documents, such as birth certificates and insurance information.

"At the Homeland Security and Emergency Management Department, our job is to ensure Iowa and Iowans are prepared and ready to respond to emergencies and disasters," said Iowa HSEMD Director Mark Schouten. "Our message to all Iowans is to take steps now to be prepared for the next round of severe weather. Just taking a few minutes today to think it through and know what you will do can help keep you and your family safe."

To get additional details and tools, including a brochure that outlines how to plan and prepare, visit www.beready.iowa.gov.