Tis the season for great holiday baking and cooking organic cookies. My organic christmas cookie recipe was such a hit; I had quite a few requests for more recipes. So, I've dug up another great recipe for your enjoyment.
Organic Chocolate Oatmeal Cookies:
Ingredients
1 1/3 cups organic whole wheat flour
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/2 teaspoon baking soda
1/2 teaspoon baking powder
1/2 teaspoon cinnamon
1/2 cup organic butter
3 tbsp unsweetened organic apple sauce
¼ cup organic skim milk
2 tbsp organic cocoa powder
2 large omega rich organic eggs
2 cups old-fashioned organic rolled oats
Prepartion:
Preheat the oven to 375 degrees.
1. Mix the flour, salt, baking soda, baking powder, and cinnamon together in s small bowl. Set aside.
2. Cream the butter, Add skim milk. Add cocoa powder. Add the eggs. Beat until the mixture is light and fluffy.
3. Add the flour mixture to the creamed mixture and beat until combined. Add the rolled oats and continue beating. (If you are adding chips or nuts, add them now.)
4. Place rounded teaspoons of dough on a lightly greased baking sheet. The resulting mounds of dough should be no large than walnuts.
5. Bake for 9 to 10 minutes or until done. Let sit on the cookie sheet for two minutes and then remove them to a wire rack to completely cool.
You can add a tsp of ginger to the mix or more cocoa or cinnamon, if you desire, that is all up to you. Whatever you decide to do, the end result is a healthy snack that can help you get your day going or give you a bit of a lift during the morning or afternoon break at work.
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Thursday, December 13, 2007
Cancer Prevention: 12 Ways to Reduce Risk of Cancer
(mercola)True Cancer Prevention Means Giving Your Body a Fighting Chance to Heal.
These are my 12 risk reduction strategies that can optimize your health and aid in your natural self-healing process.
1. Reduce your processed food, sugar and grain carbohydrate intake
Yes, this is even true for whole unprocessed organic grains as they tend to rapidly break down and drive your insulin and leptin levels up, which is the last thing you need to have happening if you are seeking to resolve a cancer.
2. Control your fasting insulin and leptin levels: This is the end result, and can be easily monitored with the use of simple and relatively inexpensive blood tests.
3. Normalize your ratio of omega-3 to omega-6 fats by taking a high-quality krill oil or fish oil and reducing your intake of most processed vegetable oils.
4. Get regular exercise. One of the primary reasons exercise works is that it drives your insulin levels down. Controlling insulin levels is one of the most powerful ways to reduce your cancer risks.
5. Normalize your vitamin D levels and vitamin A levels by getting plenty of sunlight exposure and consider careful supplementation when this is not possible. If you take oral vitamin D and have a cancer it would be very prudent to monitor your vitamin D blood levels regularly.
6. Get a good night's sleep.
7. Eat according to your nutritional type. The potent anti-cancer effects of this principle are very much underappreciated. When we treat cancer patients in our clinic this is one of the most powerful anti-cancer strategies we have.
8. Reduce your exposure to environmental toxins like pesticides, household chemical cleaners, synthetic air fresheners and air pollution.
9. Limit your exposure and provide protection for yourself from information carrying radio waves produced by cell phone towers, base stations, phones and WiFi stations.
10. Avoid frying or charbroiling your food. Boil, poach or steam your foods instead .
11. Have a tool to permanently reprogram the neurological short-circuiting that can activate cancer genes. Even the CDC states that 85 percent of disease is caused by emotions. It is likely that this factor may be more important than all the other physical ones listed here, so make sure this is addressed. Energy psychology seems to be one of the best approaches and my particular favorite tool, as you may know, is the Emotional Freedom Technique. German New Medicine is another powerful tool.
12. Use broccoli sprouts as an adjunct to everything above unless you simply do not like broccoli.
These are my 12 risk reduction strategies that can optimize your health and aid in your natural self-healing process.
1. Reduce your processed food, sugar and grain carbohydrate intake
Yes, this is even true for whole unprocessed organic grains as they tend to rapidly break down and drive your insulin and leptin levels up, which is the last thing you need to have happening if you are seeking to resolve a cancer.
2. Control your fasting insulin and leptin levels: This is the end result, and can be easily monitored with the use of simple and relatively inexpensive blood tests.
3. Normalize your ratio of omega-3 to omega-6 fats by taking a high-quality krill oil or fish oil and reducing your intake of most processed vegetable oils.
4. Get regular exercise. One of the primary reasons exercise works is that it drives your insulin levels down. Controlling insulin levels is one of the most powerful ways to reduce your cancer risks.
5. Normalize your vitamin D levels and vitamin A levels by getting plenty of sunlight exposure and consider careful supplementation when this is not possible. If you take oral vitamin D and have a cancer it would be very prudent to monitor your vitamin D blood levels regularly.
6. Get a good night's sleep.
7. Eat according to your nutritional type. The potent anti-cancer effects of this principle are very much underappreciated. When we treat cancer patients in our clinic this is one of the most powerful anti-cancer strategies we have.
8. Reduce your exposure to environmental toxins like pesticides, household chemical cleaners, synthetic air fresheners and air pollution.
9. Limit your exposure and provide protection for yourself from information carrying radio waves produced by cell phone towers, base stations, phones and WiFi stations.
10. Avoid frying or charbroiling your food. Boil, poach or steam your foods instead .
11. Have a tool to permanently reprogram the neurological short-circuiting that can activate cancer genes. Even the CDC states that 85 percent of disease is caused by emotions. It is likely that this factor may be more important than all the other physical ones listed here, so make sure this is addressed. Energy psychology seems to be one of the best approaches and my particular favorite tool, as you may know, is the Emotional Freedom Technique. German New Medicine is another powerful tool.
12. Use broccoli sprouts as an adjunct to everything above unless you simply do not like broccoli.
Wednesday, December 12, 2007
Natural Cure for a Hangover: Must have for New Years Eve
New Years is right around the corner as is the party, amazing alcoholic beverages and the next day hangover. On occasion, I like to have a few martinis and since I don't drink frequently, I tend to feel them more now than ever. I have a simple, easy and pain free natural cure to a hangover.
What is a Hangover?
That headache, nausea, thirst and fatigue you feel are all symptoms of dehydration. Follow these steps to eliminate those symptoms and get back to feeling your best.
Things You'll Need to Beat a Hangover
* Aspirins
* Ibuprofen
* Multivitamins- B Complex, Vitamin C
* Sports Drinks like Pediolite
* Banana
* Saltine Crackers
Day Before Drinking: Prevention of Hangover tips
Step One
Drink water all day long. Stay well hydrated.
Step Two
Take Vitamin C and B Complex at breakfast as well as before you go out drinking. These vitamins are the first to be depleted when out drinking. Keep their levels even and you will not have the headache or pains associated with a hangover.
Step Three
Eat a hearty, starchy meal before you drink. Breads, rice, pasta will help absorb the liquor and alcohol.
Step Four
Drink a glass per each alcoholic beverage while you are out.
Step Five
Drink a large glass of pedialyte before bed and follow up with an aspirin, b complex , vitamin c and a snack of crackers.
Steps to Cure a Hangover Naturally the Day After:
Step One
Drink water as soon as you get up in the morning to rehydrate yourself. If possible, have a sports drink. I have found that pedialyte is chuck full of electrolytes without the sugar. The electrolytes and nutrients in a sports drink can replenish your body's depleted reserves. Eat a banana.
Step Two
Avoid coffee. Caffeine is a mild diuretic and can contribute to dehydration.
Step Three
Stick to liquids that are at room temperature. Drinks that are excessively hot or cold will be even more of a shock to your struggling stomach.
Step Four
Take an over-the-counter pain reliever such as aspirin or ibuprofen to relieve a pounding headache or body aches. Also, take Vitamin C and B Complex with food in the morning. Take another dose mid afternoon.
Step Five
Eat easily digestible foods when you're ready. Fresh fruit, toast and water-based soups are all easy on the stomach. Harder-to-digest foods such as eggs and milk can cause stomach problems.
Step Six
Relax, rest or go back to bed. Allow some time for your body to feel positive effects from your treatments.
Tips & Warnings for a Hangover
* Take preventive measures beforehand: Drink responsibly and in moderation. If you've drunk in excess and suspect you'll be hung over the next morning, drink a few glasses of water right before you go to bed.
* Rehydrate yourself with liquids that are at room temperature. Drinks that are excessively hot or cold will make your struggling stomach work even more.
* Do not take an acetaminophen-based painkiller to relieve symptoms. Combining acetaminophen and alcohol can damage your liver. Consider ibuprofen instead.
* If you are an excessive drinker, use caution when taking any over-the-counter painkillers.
* This information is not intended as a substitute for professional medical advice or treatment.
What is a Hangover?
That headache, nausea, thirst and fatigue you feel are all symptoms of dehydration. Follow these steps to eliminate those symptoms and get back to feeling your best.
Things You'll Need to Beat a Hangover
* Aspirins
* Ibuprofen
* Multivitamins- B Complex, Vitamin C
* Sports Drinks like Pediolite
* Banana
* Saltine Crackers
Day Before Drinking: Prevention of Hangover tips
Step One
Drink water all day long. Stay well hydrated.
Step Two
Take Vitamin C and B Complex at breakfast as well as before you go out drinking. These vitamins are the first to be depleted when out drinking. Keep their levels even and you will not have the headache or pains associated with a hangover.
Step Three
Eat a hearty, starchy meal before you drink. Breads, rice, pasta will help absorb the liquor and alcohol.
Step Four
Drink a glass per each alcoholic beverage while you are out.
Step Five
Drink a large glass of pedialyte before bed and follow up with an aspirin, b complex , vitamin c and a snack of crackers.
Steps to Cure a Hangover Naturally the Day After:
Step One
Drink water as soon as you get up in the morning to rehydrate yourself. If possible, have a sports drink. I have found that pedialyte is chuck full of electrolytes without the sugar. The electrolytes and nutrients in a sports drink can replenish your body's depleted reserves. Eat a banana.
Step Two
Avoid coffee. Caffeine is a mild diuretic and can contribute to dehydration.
Step Three
Stick to liquids that are at room temperature. Drinks that are excessively hot or cold will be even more of a shock to your struggling stomach.
Step Four
Take an over-the-counter pain reliever such as aspirin or ibuprofen to relieve a pounding headache or body aches. Also, take Vitamin C and B Complex with food in the morning. Take another dose mid afternoon.
Step Five
Eat easily digestible foods when you're ready. Fresh fruit, toast and water-based soups are all easy on the stomach. Harder-to-digest foods such as eggs and milk can cause stomach problems.
Step Six
Relax, rest or go back to bed. Allow some time for your body to feel positive effects from your treatments.
Tips & Warnings for a Hangover
* Take preventive measures beforehand: Drink responsibly and in moderation. If you've drunk in excess and suspect you'll be hung over the next morning, drink a few glasses of water right before you go to bed.
* Rehydrate yourself with liquids that are at room temperature. Drinks that are excessively hot or cold will make your struggling stomach work even more.
* Do not take an acetaminophen-based painkiller to relieve symptoms. Combining acetaminophen and alcohol can damage your liver. Consider ibuprofen instead.
* If you are an excessive drinker, use caution when taking any over-the-counter painkillers.
* This information is not intended as a substitute for professional medical advice or treatment.
Chocolate Lovers get ready...Hershey uses real cacao in product line.
(NewsTarget) The Hershey Company recently announced its new line of Cacao Reserve all-natural chocolate products made with real cacao.
The Cacao Reserve products include a chocolate bars, drinking cocoa and truffles with different concentrations of cacao. The chocolate bars are available in milk chocolate and milk chocolate with hazelnuts (35 percent cacao), extra dark chocolate (65 percent cacao) and extra dark with nibs -- the "heart" of the cacao bean -- with 65 percent cacao concentration.
Hershey's line of Cacao Reserve bars will eventually expand to include four additional "Country of Origin" bars, including the "Java, Indonesian" milk chocolate bar with 32 percent cacao and caramel flavors, the "Arriba" bar with 50 percent cacao and herbal flavors, the "Santo Domingo" bar with 67 percent cacao and spice and wine flavors, and the "Sao Tome" bar with 70 percent cacao.
The line includes two flavors of drinking cocoa -- the "Classic Mayan" blend and the "Mildly Spiced Aztec" blend -- that are both made with milk chocolate and natural cocoa, offering natural flavanol antioxidants.
Cacao Reserve also features milk and dark truffles made with real cacao. The bars will retail for $0.99 to $3.29, and boxes of drinking cocoa will sell for $1.98 to $2.49.
"While it's good to see the Hershey Company finally using real cacao in a line of chocolate products, consumers should be warned to watch out for other ingredients that may be present," explained Mike Adams, a consumer health advocate and author of The Seven Laws of Nutrition. "Eating a chocolate bar containing milk fats and refined sugars may nullify any health benefits provided by cacao," he said.
Tuesday, December 11, 2007
Lysine, Diet, Acidophilous and Cold Sores: Natural Remedies for Herpes Simplex
Today I'm dealing with what I consider to be a massive, offensive and very painful cold sore on my lower lip. It is very puffy and unsightly. Ever since I was little, when I get super stressed I get what appears to be a very large fever blister or cold sore. Clearly my body is giving me a sign to slow down and pay attention to my immune system. So, I decided to take action and figure out how I can remedy the cold sore and decrease the likelihood of having another cold sore or herpes simplex outbreak. What I found was interesting and I think helpful for my readers since 9 out of 10 of you will have suffered as I do now.
What I never realized was that there were two types of cold sores: those from herpes simples type I(HSV-1) and others from Herpes simples type II (HSV-2).
What Causes Cold Sores?
These very frustrating and painful blisters are caused by the herpes virus. HSV-1 is so common that 90% of adults will have blistery cold sores appear on their lips or near their noses.
The other type of blisters are HSV-2 a sexually transmitted disease known as genital herpes.
After the first episode of the disease, the virus lies dormant in the nerves or skin around the original area until something sets the virus off into another eruption. Colds, flu, and even stress can cause you to have an outbreak of cold sores. Why you have an outbreak at one time of life and not another is not clearly understood.
Cold Sore Symptoms
* The first symptom that may appear during an outbreak of cold sores may include tingling, burning, or itching in the area around the mouth or nose. This first portion of the outbreak is known as the prodromal stage or period.
* Within a few hours to days, the area may become reddened and develop small fluid-filled blisters. Several of these small blisters may even come together and form one large blister.
I love what our friends at Alternative Medicine and Health have put together for natural remedies to treat and prevent cold sores as well as impact of diet on cold sores. I follow what they have put forth and feel that this blister is definitely going to be going away faster than normal.
There is no effective drug therapy that will cure cold sores, but the good news is that there are a number of very safe and effective natural remedies.
Two particular treatments have given my patients great relief and also act as a preventive: Lactobacillus addophilus and Lysine. In addition, zinc, used topically and as a supplement, can give immediate relief.
Lactobacillus acidophilus is the living culture that is used to make yogurt. You may have heard that yogurt can be beneficial for intestinal and digestive problems, and it's this connection that led to the discovery that acidophitus can help cold sores. A doctor using acidophilus to treat patients with severe diarrhea discovered that two of his patients suffering from cold sores found dramatic improvement in their sores as well as their diarrhea. Further research found that acidophilus capsules can not only help relieve existing cold sores but also help prevent new ones. You can buy acidophilus capsules at health food stores, but be sure that the tablets you buy contain living bacteria; they're usually kept refrigerated. Eating yogurt might be of some help, but there's no evidence that it can have the dramatic effect of the capsules.
Another aid in the relief of cold sores is the amino acid L-lysine, which is particularly effective in preventing recurrence. There is a hypothesis that lysine inhibits herpes activity, while another amino acid, arginine, promotes it. And studies have demonstrated that lysine treatment can be very beneficial to cold sore sufferers. In one study, forty-five patients who took lysine supplements were followed for two years. Forty-two of these patients had a dramatic reduction of cold sores. For most, pain disappeared overnight, and the initial sore did not spread, but the infection returned one to four weeks after stopping lysine.
The most effective pattern for taking lysine to prevent cold sores is to take a maintenance dosage as a preventive and then increase this dosage if you experience an outbreak of the infection. Be sure if you take lysine supplements that you watch your cholesterol levels, as there's some evidence that lysine may stimulate the liver to increase cholesterol production.
In addition to taking lysine as a supplement, it can be applied topically in the form of lysine cream, available in health food stores. I usually advise applying it topically twice a day, but check the directions on the label. I've been using a lysine cold stick for cold sores that has a variety of antiviral properties as well as an SPF of 21.
Since cold sores are stimulated by the imbalance of the amino acids arginine and lysine, it can also be beneficial to avoid arginine-containing foods. These foods include chocolate, peanuts and other nuts, seeds, and cereal grains.
Zinc used topically can help to heal cold sores. Zinc oxide--the stuff lifeguards used to put on their noses--won't work because it doesn't deliver the zinc. Instead, use a zinc lozenge--the kind used for sore throats--and let it dissolve on the lesions.
Both vitamin C with bioflavonoids and zinc supplements, particularly when taken in conjunction, can help cure cold sores. As with lysine, it's best to take a maintenance dosage and increase it in the event of an outbreak.
Click here for more information about Natural Treatment for Herpes and specific dosage and treatment information.
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Have a question about using lysine to treat cold sores and herpes?
Want to recommend a great natural remedy for cold sores?
For a free health consultation feel free to email (wellness@healthybeingproducts.com) or call
Melissa Gallagher at 727-954-8968.
Visit our On-Line Store to save over 65% and get free shipping on Vitamins and Supplements at theHealthy Being Products Store
Monday, December 10, 2007
Chronic Fatigue, Adrenal Burn out, Over Stressed.... Do you have Adrenal Fatigue Syndrome?
Are you tired, frustrated and burnt out? Each year millions of Americans face adrenal fatigue. Triggered from our fight or flight complex, this challenging health concern needs to be addressed more often. I've had it and it completely sucks and takes commitment, rest and vitamin and herbal supplementation to reverse itself.
12 Clues and Ways to tell if you have Adrenal Fatigue:
1. Have trouble waking in the morning; despite plenty of sleep?
2. Catch colds or infections easily and often?
3. Gaining weight around your middle?
4. Crave sweets or salty foods?
5. Have dark circles under your eyes?
6. Often feel dizzy, faint; like you haven't woken up or are in a dream?
7. Nails are brittle and weak, hair is dry and thinning and skin appears to be aging?
8. Body temperature is off balance?
9. Drink more than 1 8oz of caffeinated products?
10. Feel dizzy or lightheaded after standing or getting up from a lying position?
11. Feel run down, drained; emotionally and physically exhausted?
12. Overwhelmed or stressed by work, family & other responsibilities?
Take an online adrenal fatigue questionnaire to learn more from www.adrenalfatigue.com a great source of information.
This often debilitating syndrome can be reversed through a vitamin rich diet and supplementation that addresses the adrenal glands.
Other great articles about Adrenal Fatigue and an Overstressed Adrenal System
12 Clues and Ways to tell if you have Adrenal Fatigue:
1. Have trouble waking in the morning; despite plenty of sleep?
2. Catch colds or infections easily and often?
3. Gaining weight around your middle?
4. Crave sweets or salty foods?
5. Have dark circles under your eyes?
6. Often feel dizzy, faint; like you haven't woken up or are in a dream?
7. Nails are brittle and weak, hair is dry and thinning and skin appears to be aging?
8. Body temperature is off balance?
9. Drink more than 1 8oz of caffeinated products?
10. Feel dizzy or lightheaded after standing or getting up from a lying position?
11. Feel run down, drained; emotionally and physically exhausted?
12. Overwhelmed or stressed by work, family & other responsibilities?
Take an online adrenal fatigue questionnaire to learn more from www.adrenalfatigue.com a great source of information.
This often debilitating syndrome can be reversed through a vitamin rich diet and supplementation that addresses the adrenal glands.
Other great articles about Adrenal Fatigue and an Overstressed Adrenal System
Sunday, December 9, 2007
6 Weight Loss & Diet Tips: Guarantee Long Term Weight Loss and Weight Maintenance
(News Target) How many times have you proclaimed, “I need to go on a diet”? How many of those diets resulted in long-term success? Not many, if any. Millions of people are looking for the answer to improved health and fitness, and spend billions of dollars every year on diets and weight loss. Diets continually fail to deliver results because no matter how compelling the underlying principles for any diet may seem, no one can stay on a diet forever. Eventually, you will drop the diet and go back to your normal eating habits. Typically, you not only gain back the weight you lost, but statistics show that you will also gain additional weight.
Long-term success with health and weight loss requires significant changes not just in how you eat, but in the way you live. Attaining results must be achieved in a way that enhances your life and allows your body to reach its optimal weight naturally. This is in sharp contrast to the quick-fix mentality, which attempts to trick the body into short-term weight loss with diets and other rapid results formulas.
There are six basic principles that allow long-term positive change to occur. Each plays an integral role in achieving health and fitness success:
1. Understand how addictions can negatively impact your lifestyle choices. There are many forms of addiction that go unrecognized or fly under the radar of conventional thinking, negatively impacting our health. In our stressed-out society, we search for escape from the harsh realities of life. We smoke, drink alcohol, take drugs and overeat. The number one reason people give for not exercising is time, yet the average American watches more than 4 hours of television every day. All of these activities make us fat, lazy and out of shape. They prevent us from obtaining optimal health.
2. Reduce toxic exposure and stress. The definition of toxic is poison. Sadly, we are surrounded by poisons that damage our health and put our lives at risk. We have been conditioned to believe that small amounts of toxic exposure are safe, but they are not. There are thousands of untested chemical combinations injected into our food and water supply, and there are deadly chemical compounds in our personal hygiene and cleaning products. Stress is the number one toxin, contributing to as much as 80 percent of all disease. Educate yourself about the deadly toxins or watch your health slowly and quietly deteriorate.
3. Create a mindset for change with no time limits. The starting block for any long-term success is changing the way you think about your body and your health. Changing your mindset means that you have made the unequivocal decision that you will improve your health, which may include weight loss and ultimately weight management, no matter what it takes. Your determination must be strong and cannot waiver. Obviously, this cannot be achieved with a six-week diet or any other type of short-term solution. Until you change your mindset, all of the decisions you make regarding your health or weight challenges will be flawed. Your new mindset must focus on how your actions and attitudes will help you achieve your goals for the rest of your life. If you do not have a weight problem or if you do not feel that weight loss is important to improve your health, your new long-term mindset is no less important. The end result of implementing a new, long-term mindset while applying the principles outlined here will naturally result in weight reduction and, more important, improved health.
4. Provide proper nutrition to feed your body and your brain. Did you ever try to fill the gas tank in your car with diesel fuel? If you have, you would have found yourself stuck on the side of the road watching your car smoke and sputter because you fed it fuel that was not designed for you car's optimal performance. Everything we eat and drink affects us on a cellular level. Food is the fuel for the body and brain. The type of fuel you choose to consume will determine how your body operates. Most of our food choices are made with our taste buds, driven by the desire to obtain pleasure with little thought about the consequences of our actions. There are many small but still palatable changes you can make to your eating habits that can have a big impact on your health.
5. Engage in physical activity in the form of consistent exercise. It takes a deficit or surplus of 3,500 calories to lose or gain a single pound of body fat. Everyone burns a certain number of calories just by being alive. This is called your resting metabolic rate (RMR). After you account for your RMR, a caloric surplus (weight gain) or deficit (weight loss) is a simple mater of calories consumed through eating and drinking versus calories expended through physical activity. It is a proven fact that even small amounts of activity can dramatically improve your health.
6. Adjust your lifestyle with habits and routines that will enhance your life. Human beings are creatures of habit, and we follow the same patterns and routines every day. Think about what you do every morning when you wake up and every night before you go to bed. It is human nature to fly on autopilot, constantly repeating our actions without thinking about them. You will never be successful achieving your health and fitness goals with fads or quick-fix solutions. Lasting results can only be obtained with lifestyle changes that you can stick with for the rest of your life.
Visit Fit Advocate, where you will find hundreds of resources, articles and links that will help you on the path to improved health and fitness.
Saturday, December 8, 2007
Maintain Optimum Heart Health: Top 10 Heart Healthy Must Have Vitamins, Supplements and Food
Cardiovascular disease is a huge problem in American Society. Awareness is key as is a change in diet and exercise patterns. Family history, genetics and habits are very important when assessing risk factors for cardiovascular disease. My mother's family has a history of heart attacks, congestive heart failure as well as high cholesterol levels.
There are 10 easy ways to change habits and diets in a way that will positively impact heart health, lower cholesterol and blood pressure.
1. Diet high in Fiber (35-40g) and low in processed foods
2. Rich Multi-Vitamin with Selenium
3. Folic Acid & B6 Daily Supplements
4. Bananas
5. Omega 3 Oils (Flax, Canola, Fish)
6. A glass of red wine at dinner
7. Diet rich in bioflavinoids
8. Oatmeal for Breakfast
9. Apririn
10. CoQ10 (ubiquinone)
Awareness and education are supremely important as you learn how to keep your heart working and decrease your risk factors for cardiovascular disease and heart probles.
I am a huge fan of Dr. Oz and his book Healing From the Heart He explains the value of complementary therapies such as hypnosis, guided imagery, massage, reflexology, aromatherapy, music therapy, prayer, yoga, and energy medicine, detailing studies and case histories of their use in combination with the latest surgical techniques. Healing From The Heart is a must-read for all who suffer from illness, particularly heart and surgery patients, and their loved ones.
Unique Holiday and Christmas Gifts for 2007: His and Hers Ideas for Hard to Buy For
I'm a huge fan of the Ideal Bite. Each day I subscribe to their daily tips and wanted to share this tip today.
Are you having a hard time buying the right Christmas gift this year? I have a really hard time when buying present for my friends and family members have everything already. This year go green buy giving your loved ones unique christmas presents and gifts on this life:
* SpaFinder - everyone loves a massage; get a gift certificate accepted at hundrhttp://www.blogger.com/img/gl.link.gifeds of eco-spas around the globe ($50 and up).
* Conservation International Season's Greenings - give the gift of helping save lemurs, sea turtles, the Bastard Quiver Tree, and other flora and fauna ($20 and up).
* Fandango Bucks - movie-ticket gift certificates for theaters nationwide ($10 and up).
* - purchase a gift certificate to reduce your friend's junk mail so that instead of sorting and shredding, they can do something fun ($15).
* More ideas: a class on wine, cooking, yoga, or dancing; a gift certificate to a restaurant or coffeehouse; a round of play at a golf course or miniature golf course; or a membership to Netflix, a theater or arts organization (ballet, symphony, etc.), a museum, or a park/conservation organization.
* DIY Bite: Create a homemade gift certificate to help giftees with chores like defrosting the freezer or weeding the garden.
I'm also a huge fan of personalized gifts and am a huge fan of Christmas Gifts with Heart a great personalized gift company.
Don't let the challenge of finding the perfect christmas gift get in your way of celebrating your friendships and love of family.
Enjoy the holidays!
Three Key Ingredients to Raising Healthy Cats & Dogs: Organic Pet Food, Cod Liver Oil & Holistic and Alternative Wellness
If you are reading this today, you are a proud mom or pop of a darling animal that loves you unconditionally, doesn't talk back, is there when you need them and brings joy into your every day life. I, myself, am the human of two sweet kitties: Wellington and Lacie. They are the one constant in my life when things get tough and have endured a move each year including two Atlantic Coast trips. I love my babies and as a natural health and wellness professional and advocate I extend my natural health knowledge to maintain and improve the health of my pets.
Diet, fish oil supplementation and other holistic and alternative therapies are essential to keeping your beloved pet healthy and happy.
When I began researching about the pet food I was feeding my cats, I was alarmed by the finding. This is a very unregulated industry and the bi-products and chemicals are frightening.
According to Dr. Richard Pitcairn in his book, Dr. Pitcairn’s Complete Guide to Natural Health for Dogs & Cats, there is no mandatory federal inspection of ingredients used in pet food manufacturing.In all but two or three states, the law allows pet food makers to use “4-D sources”, that is tissues from animals that are dead, dying, disabled or diseased when they arrive at the slaughterhouse.Another shocking fact is that before meat even arrives at the rendering plant it has already been saturated with chemicals.
To comply with government regulations all meat rejected by slaughterhouses must be “denatured”; a procedure designed to make it unpalatable to humans, thus ensuring it cannot be resold as human grade meat.There are a variety of methods used.Dr. Wendell Belfied, DVM (former USDA vet) wrote in “Let’s Live” magazine:“In my time as a veterinary meat inspector, we denatured with carbolic acid (phenol, a potentially corrosive disinfectant) and/or creosote (used to preserve wood, also a disinfectant).”
According to federal meat inspection regulations fuel oil, kerosene, carbolic acid and citronella are the approved denaturing materials used. Other foods rejected by the USDA that ends up in pet foods include moldy grains and rancid animal fats. According to an article in “Environmental News” (March ’99) a large percentage of commercial pet food is made up of meat by-products: a toxic brew containing diseased and contaminated meat from slaughterhouses, animal heads, toenails, chicken feathers, feet and beaks.It also includes dead animals picked up from the nation’s roads, rancid restaurant grease, and thousands of animals euthanized in animal hospitals and shelters (flea collars and all).Along with the meat come any drugs that have been introduced into the animals such as hormones, antibiotics and barbiturates used to put pets to sleep.Unsold supermarket meats arrive in their original Styrofoam and plastic packaging are tossed into the pot.
It would be wonderful if we could all feed our animals an all-natural raw food diet, but for some the following alternatives will be very helpful. After further research and discussion with natural and holistic vets the best organic and natural pet foods are listed below. The following is not a complete list of all that is available but will give you some respected names:
CANIDAE
CALIFORNIA NATURAL
PETGUARD LIFESPAN
SOLID GOLD
PRECISE
STEVES REAL FOOD
FLINT RIVER RANCH
INNOVA
WYSONG
WELLNESS
NATURAL BLEND
SOJOURNER FARMS
Fish oil or Pet Cod Liver Oil is essential for your dog and cat. It replenishes essential fatty acids- essential fatty acids - Fish Oil, Borage Oil and Natural Vitamin E - that are easily destroyed by the normal processing of commercial pet foods. Fatty acids are vital to the everyday health, skin and coat, heart and cardiovascular system, strong muscles and healthy stong joints.
When I started to give Lacie and Wellie Nordic Naturals Pet Cod Liver Oil, their energy levels spiked, they stopped shedding as much and their fur is softer and shinier.
A very close friend of mine is a holistic vet who conducts acupuncture on pets and mixes herbal remedies for sick animals speaks highly of massage treatment for your pet. Essential you can give your dog or kitty cat a highly effective massage that will help release toxins and ease muscle pain they may experience. Massage in general is great for moving and releasing the lymphatic system. You can massage your pet when watching tv or a movie or when grooming. They'll love the attention and it will also increase the bond between you and your pet.
Keeping our pets healthy and happy further helps our own health as they give us so much joy and love that, in my fair opinion, we are the lucky bunch that comes home to a loving animal.
Friday, December 7, 2007
Organic Gluten Free Christmas Cookie Recipe
As the days draw nearer for Christmas, I am compelled to bake a batch of christmas cookies for friends and family. I do not like making cookies from a bag; instead I was looking for a solid, healthy recipe for homemade Sugar Cookies.
Luckily I found one while searching through recipe books and internet sites.
This is a fantastic recipe; turns out great and everyone loves it...
3 cups powdered sugar
2 cups Organic granulated sugar
2 cups shortening
6 Omega Rich Organic eggs
1 Tbsp salt
1/4 cup vanilla (yes, that much)
1 cup amaranth flour
2 cups potato starch
2 cups sweet rice flour
4 cups brown rice flour
2 Tbsp xanthan gum
3 Tbsp baking powder
Preheat oven to 325*. Mix together the flours, starch, xanthan gum and baking powder with a whisk until well-combined. Set aside. Cream together the sugars, shortening, eggs, vanilla and salt. Add flour mixture, about 1/4 at a time, stirring with a wooden spoon. Once the flour mixture is mostly incorporated, knead the dough in the bowl, slowly punching the dough down in the middle and folding the sides of the dough into the middle. Or, put the dough on a non-stick surface (like a silicone mat or a marble slab), and knead it on there. The mixture will have the consistency of Play-Doh, but not too soft. If it is too dry, add a Tbsp of water at a time until it will gather into a ball. Resist adding water if at all possible. The dough works best if it is not very moist.
After the dough is well-mixed, several things can be done with the dough. For all recipes, greasing the pan is not necessary. Unless a crispy cookie is desired, bake (preferably on insulated pans) at 325* until the edges are just golden. (Hint: for your own insulated pans, take two regular jelly roll pans, and between them, add a layer of heavy duty aluminum foil that has been balled up, then mostly-smoothed out, retaining many of its wrinkles, creating an air gap between the two pans.)
~From our friends at OnlySometimesClever
Luckily I found one while searching through recipe books and internet sites.
This is a fantastic recipe; turns out great and everyone loves it...
3 cups powdered sugar
2 cups Organic granulated sugar
2 cups shortening
6 Omega Rich Organic eggs
1 Tbsp salt
1/4 cup vanilla (yes, that much)
1 cup amaranth flour
2 cups potato starch
2 cups sweet rice flour
4 cups brown rice flour
2 Tbsp xanthan gum
3 Tbsp baking powder
Preheat oven to 325*. Mix together the flours, starch, xanthan gum and baking powder with a whisk until well-combined. Set aside. Cream together the sugars, shortening, eggs, vanilla and salt. Add flour mixture, about 1/4 at a time, stirring with a wooden spoon. Once the flour mixture is mostly incorporated, knead the dough in the bowl, slowly punching the dough down in the middle and folding the sides of the dough into the middle. Or, put the dough on a non-stick surface (like a silicone mat or a marble slab), and knead it on there. The mixture will have the consistency of Play-Doh, but not too soft. If it is too dry, add a Tbsp of water at a time until it will gather into a ball. Resist adding water if at all possible. The dough works best if it is not very moist.
After the dough is well-mixed, several things can be done with the dough. For all recipes, greasing the pan is not necessary. Unless a crispy cookie is desired, bake (preferably on insulated pans) at 325* until the edges are just golden. (Hint: for your own insulated pans, take two regular jelly roll pans, and between them, add a layer of heavy duty aluminum foil that has been balled up, then mostly-smoothed out, retaining many of its wrinkles, creating an air gap between the two pans.)
~From our friends at OnlySometimesClever
Thursday, December 6, 2007
Liquid Pain Relief: Treating Muscle Pain, Arthritis and Fibromyalgia with Topical Essential Oil Treatments, Therapeutic Baths & Rubs
Aches and Pain can be problematic, challenging, frustrating and down right debilitating. If you suffer from severe muscle aches or the pains associated with arthritis and fibromyalgia there is hope through natural resources and healing agents: Essential Oils.
The benefits of essential oils combined with healing, therapeutic mineral rich bath salts can be enough to reduce and alter the pain associated with aches and pains.
Recently, I discovered an amazing essential oil mix that can literally numb and reduce muscle pain greatly. Oddly enough, the ingredients are the same as you would eat if preparing a hearty Italian dinner: Rosemary, Ginger, Black Pepper, Marjoram and Cayenne oils. The essential oils are warming in their nature and their healing benefits reduce pain by deeply addressing nerves and muscles. Their relaxing properties will significantly reduce any pains you may feel, plus you will get a great night's sleep too.
It is important to note that these oils are very strong and skin sensitivities need to be considered when using these oils together.
Rosemary oil is one of the most popular essential oils. It has become important to us due to its various health benefits including its ability to stimulate hair growth, boost mental activity, relieve respiratory problems and reduce pain. Rosemary is an excellent brain and nerve tonic. It is often used by students during exam times as it increases concentration and helps in studying efficiently. It stimulates mental activity and is a good remedy for depression, mental fatigue and forgetfulness. Inhaling rosemary oil lifts your spirits immediately. Whenever your brain is tired, inhale rosemary oil to remove boredom and get fresh mental energy.
Marjoram is a muscle relaxant, and, generally,treatment for stiff and painful joints, arthritis, sprains, bruises and muscle pain. Marjoram has an analgesic , anti-inflammatory , anti-depressive, spasmolytic effect and helps individuals recover from the problems like hypertension, bronchitis, neuralgia and is used for the pain of rheumatism and for sprains.
Ginger oil has a warm, spicy-woody odor. Warms the body and relaxes tight and sore muscles. Rejuvenating as it aids digestion and purifies blood. Helps in uplifting the spirit. It is warming pain relieving, a stimulant, aids digestion, addresses rheumatism, muscle relaxant, opens and expands the blood vessels.
Black Pepper oil is a circulatory stimulant. As such, it can be helpful with arthritis, neuralgia, poor circulation, general stiffness. sprains, and sciatica. Emotionally it is an aphrodisiac, and also is said to both increase self-confidence and to be grounding and stabilizing. It is also a strong anti-bacterial and anti-viral oil, warming and comforting for congestion, the flu, etc.
Cayenne contains a pungent substance known as capsaicin. This chemical relieves pain and itching by acting on sensory nerves. Capsaicin temporarily stimulates release of various neurotransmitters,from nerves, leading to their depletion. Without the transmitters, pain signals can no longer be sent.
To purchase a 16oz Pain Relief Bath Salts Kit for only $15.00- visit Healthy Being Products Store.
Wednesday, December 5, 2007
Cleanse, Reboot and Nourish Mind & Body with a New Years Detox Program
The birth of a new lunar cycle affords the opportunity to reassess and reexamine our priorities, our desires and our attention to our physical and mental self. Usually at the top of the new years resolution list is some type of revised routine that includes exercise, losing weight, eating right and spending more time with friends, family and making more time for yourself. Such revised routines yield the perfect time to consider a detoxification program because detoxification is both a physical and spiritual process of cleansing, nourishing, and healing one’s body and mind.
The concept and practice of detoxification has been around for centuries. It is the body’s natural process of eliminating toxins from the body. Toxin exposure can vary from food additives, alcohol, drugs, environmental pollution, smoke, heavy metals, pesticides to ever day household cleansers.
A detox program not only helps eliminate these toxins; it also transcends to the cellular level of our bodies and minds by rebooting our patterns and getting us back on a healthy track. Toxin clearing and cleansing is necessary from our poor food choices, terrible habits and negative thoughts and internal talk; all of which are destructive and block the ability to bring about healthier, happier lives.
Physical detoxing and cleansing has become more mainstream. We now hear of celebrities and TV personalities conducting detox programs before big awards shows to shed a few extra pounds around their waists. Despite this growing trend, there is still a large population of non-believers and skeptics. Perhaps skepticism stems from the limitless choices in the arena of detoxing. Many herbal manufacturers like Enzymatic Therapy and Dr. Natura offer excellent 7, 14 and 30 day detox kits. Other more intense detox options include juice fasts, massages, infrared saunas, hydrocolonics, lymphatic drainage and ionized foot baths that remove toxins through the feet. Whatever the methodology, an effective detox is rooted in consistency, an organic diet of fruits and veggies, lots of water and should last anywhere from one to three months.
The results are truly transformative and life changing; from clarified skin, healthier lungs, livers and colons as well as increased energy levels. Through detox, the body is literally rebooted, recharged and changed into a system that operates better than before.
Mental detoxification is just as important, if not more important than a physical detox. Detoxification of the mind allows individuals to get rid of negative thoughts and give birth to healthier and more positive thoughts that yield positive, healthy choices and actions. It is through positively manifested thoughts that ultimately create the lives and health the individual wishes to lead.
Conscious, positive mindfulness is indeed much harder than taking an herbal pill routinely in the morning and night. This involves cleansing negativity and energy blockages through meditation, rest, reiki healing, spiritual healing, prayer and increased mindfulness in the awareness and reversal of negative thoughts. Stopping to listen to the multitude of thoughts is challenging, at first, but once we tap into all the little voices of doubt, mistrust, negativity and ill will; awareness and change begins.
Just as toxic as fat and alcohol, a negative thought literally manifests itself physically in our daily lives. From our jobs, our health to our relationships; we are what we think. Along the lines of The Secret, our thoughts create our reality and the best way to make positive changes is to adjust and realign our thoughts to showcase and pattern the desires we wish to occur.
In essence, detoxification is our way to not only usher in the 2008 new year, but to initiate a rebirth of our health and mental wellness. Anything is possible this year and with a healthy body and an aligned mind, we are more apt to achieve the goals we set forth on our 2008 New Years resolution lists.
The concept and practice of detoxification has been around for centuries. It is the body’s natural process of eliminating toxins from the body. Toxin exposure can vary from food additives, alcohol, drugs, environmental pollution, smoke, heavy metals, pesticides to ever day household cleansers.
A detox program not only helps eliminate these toxins; it also transcends to the cellular level of our bodies and minds by rebooting our patterns and getting us back on a healthy track. Toxin clearing and cleansing is necessary from our poor food choices, terrible habits and negative thoughts and internal talk; all of which are destructive and block the ability to bring about healthier, happier lives.
Physical detoxing and cleansing has become more mainstream. We now hear of celebrities and TV personalities conducting detox programs before big awards shows to shed a few extra pounds around their waists. Despite this growing trend, there is still a large population of non-believers and skeptics. Perhaps skepticism stems from the limitless choices in the arena of detoxing. Many herbal manufacturers like Enzymatic Therapy and Dr. Natura offer excellent 7, 14 and 30 day detox kits. Other more intense detox options include juice fasts, massages, infrared saunas, hydrocolonics, lymphatic drainage and ionized foot baths that remove toxins through the feet. Whatever the methodology, an effective detox is rooted in consistency, an organic diet of fruits and veggies, lots of water and should last anywhere from one to three months.
The results are truly transformative and life changing; from clarified skin, healthier lungs, livers and colons as well as increased energy levels. Through detox, the body is literally rebooted, recharged and changed into a system that operates better than before.
Mental detoxification is just as important, if not more important than a physical detox. Detoxification of the mind allows individuals to get rid of negative thoughts and give birth to healthier and more positive thoughts that yield positive, healthy choices and actions. It is through positively manifested thoughts that ultimately create the lives and health the individual wishes to lead.
Conscious, positive mindfulness is indeed much harder than taking an herbal pill routinely in the morning and night. This involves cleansing negativity and energy blockages through meditation, rest, reiki healing, spiritual healing, prayer and increased mindfulness in the awareness and reversal of negative thoughts. Stopping to listen to the multitude of thoughts is challenging, at first, but once we tap into all the little voices of doubt, mistrust, negativity and ill will; awareness and change begins.
Just as toxic as fat and alcohol, a negative thought literally manifests itself physically in our daily lives. From our jobs, our health to our relationships; we are what we think. Along the lines of The Secret, our thoughts create our reality and the best way to make positive changes is to adjust and realign our thoughts to showcase and pattern the desires we wish to occur.
In essence, detoxification is our way to not only usher in the 2008 new year, but to initiate a rebirth of our health and mental wellness. Anything is possible this year and with a healthy body and an aligned mind, we are more apt to achieve the goals we set forth on our 2008 New Years resolution lists.
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