30 April 2013

Healing Process

This is an overview of a healing process that you might consider or at least ponder:

These are remedies you can use for your problem in order from safest to most dangerous: Step 0 is the safest; Step 6 the most dangerous. Use Steps 0, 1, 2 and 3 as preventive medicine. Prevention is an important, though often invisible, way of healing. Deep relaxation, information exchange, energetic engagement, optimum nourishment (including touch) and exercise promote health with little or no side effects.

Examples are in parenthesis: (with a few of the modalities available at each step)

Step 0: Do Nothing 
A vital, invisible step.
  • sleep
  • meditate
  • unplug the clock or the telephone
Step 1: Collect Information 
  • low-tech diagnosis
  • books
  • support groups
  • research
Step 2: Engage the Energy 
  • prayer
  • homeopathy
  • ceremony
  • affirmations
  • color
  • laughter
Step 3: Nourish and Tonify 
  • herbal infusions and vinegars
  • hugs
  • exercise
  • food choices
  • gentle massage
  • yoga stretches
     Note: Healing with Steps 4, 5, and 6 always causes some harm.

Step 4: Stimulate/Sedate 
For every stimulation/sedation, there is an opposite sedation/stimulation. Sooner or later addiction is possible if this step is overused
  • hot or cold water
  • many herbal tinctures
  • acupuncture
Step 5a: Use Supplements
  • synthesized or concentrated vitamins
  • fresh juices
  • minerals
  • food substances such as nutritional yeast, blue-green algae, bran, royal jelly or spirulina
Supplements are not Step 3. There’s always a risk with synthesized concentrated substances that they’ll do more harm than good.

Step 5b: Use Drugs 
Overdose may cause grave injury or death.
  • chemotherapy
  • tamoxifen
  • hormone
  • high dilution homeopathics
  • potentially toxic herbs
Step 6: Break and Enter 
Side effects are inevitable and may include permanent injury or death.
  • threatening language
  • surgery
  • colonics
  • radiation therapies
  • psychoactive drugs
  • invasive diagnostic tests such as mammograms and C-T scans
HOW TO USE THE SIX STEPS OF HEALING
If you want to remedy your problem with the least possible side effects and danger,
  • start at Step 1.
  • After reading Step 1, pick one remedy from Step 2 and set a time limit for working with it. If your problem is unresolved within that time, decide if the time limit needs expanding or if you are ready to go to Step 3.
  • Continue in this manner, moving to Steps 4, 5 or 6 as needed, until your problem is solved.
Each step up increases the possibility of side effects and their severity so try at least one of the Step 2 techniques, even if they seem strange to you, before going onto the remedies of Step 3 and beyond (note also that time spent at Step 2 will help you choose appropriate remedies at Step 3 and so on). When your problem is resolved don’t stop. Go back through the steps, in reverse, before resting at Step 0.
You can continue to take remedies from a previous Step after moving on, but be cautious about the use of Step 4 remedies in combination with Step 5 remedies.
If you deem it necessary to heal through Step 5 and/or 6 (and real healing can and does take place with the aid of drugs and surgery) and have not yet tried any techniques from Steps 2 and 3, do so immediately. Engaging the energy, nourishing and tonifying will aid and abet the healing powers of the more dangerous healing ways and help prevent or moderate their side effects.

29 April 2013

Let the Juices "Move" You


Organic fresh made juices have cleansing and laxative action, which will help you eliminate constipation. Taken regularly they will help you have daily bowel movements.

Organic juices contain loads of mineral, bioflavonoids, vitamins, enzymes, antioxidants, and other nutrients. Citric fruits have citric acid and the more tart they are the more acid they have.

Fresh juice is a fast way to get all types of nutrients into the blood quickly. As juice nutrients get into your blood, they suck out toxins and build up tissues. In your colon they destroy bad bacteria, feed wall tissue, pull out toxins, and have laxative action.

Even though juices provide helpful action throughout the body, it is best to limit their use and drink them in larger quantities only when trying to accomplish certain health benefits.

If you use natural foods with laxative effects, their laxative effect diminishes after long-term use.

If you have diabetes or adrenal fatigue, limit your use of fruits and juices when you first wake up in the morning. However, exercise in the morning will help you tolerate drinking some juices in the morning
When juicing fruits and vegetables, the more fiber that is left with the juice the better results you will get with your constipation.

It is always best to use fresh juices, but as a last resort using frozen juices will be better than not drinking anything.

Apples and Apple Juice
Apples are good for eliminating constipation because they are high in pectin, a soluble fiber, have many minerals, and contain sorbitol - a natural sugar, which stimulates peristaltic action. Pectin helps to detoxify the intestines and promote regular bowel movements.

The fiber in apples adds weight and bulk to your fecal matter and helps draw water from your colon into the fecal matter keeping the stool from becoming hard and thus preventing constipation.

Apples are one of best fruits to eat because they are high in minerals, which provide alkaline electrolytes to your body. What electrolytes do is neutralize acids that are created during illness, anxiety, anger, exercising, breathing pollution, and improper eating. Body acid is a major reason we get deadly diseases as we age

Make eating apples or drinking fresh apple juice a daily habit. They are also effective in liver and gallbladder problems. 

Here’s what to do.
Use crisp and hard apples such as granny smith, Fuji, or gala apples for juicing.
Drink three glass of apple juice during the day - morning, noon, and evening. In combination with drinking fresh apple juice, eat 3-4 apples each day to get fiber. The combination of eating and drinking apple juice will activate your colon to start moving stagnant matter.

One-day apple and apple juice fast
You can also do a one-day or two-day apple and apple juice fast by, eating 3-4 apples during the day. Drink apples juice every two hours. Don’t eat anything until the next morning. Then, start changing your eating habits as listed in some of my other articles.

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27 April 2013

Green Tea - A Treat (ment)


Did you know that tea is one of the top selling consumable drinks, only topped by water?  Drinking green tea provides all kinds of health benefits.

Green Tea has long been valued in China for its contribution to good health. Popularity of Green tea in the United States continues to grow, showing that green tea is a natural source of antioxidants. These antioxidants help protect the body from accelerated aging and increased risk of diseases. Decades of research show that green tea inhibits the development of undesirable cell colonies, thus making it the healthiest tea available.

Green tea has higher contribution to health than other teas, because of the way it is dried. Green Tea is organically grown and the traditional drying technique used with Green Tea prevents the tea from the negative effects of fermentation. Green tea products come in potency levels. Some supplements contain low potencies of the active polyphenols, while others go as far as using un-standardized green tea leaf powder.

It has been proven that green tea is bursting with health benefits. It acts as a powerful antioxidant, which has been known to help prevent cancer, recover from the harmful cholesterol, and protect against damage caused by free radicals.

Medical Benefits: 
Green tea has many medical benefits, and is known for prevention of the following diseases:
  • Cancer,
  • Rheumatoid Arthritis,
  • High Cholesterol,
  • Cardiovascular Disease,
  • Infection, and
  • Impaired Immune Function.
Other Benefits:
  • Promotes weight loss- the leaves of green tea plants help raise metabolism in the body. By increasing the amount of calories burned in a 24-hour period, green tea promotes weight loss. 
  • Prevent bad breath- an element found in green tea decreases the growth of odor-causing bacteria. It is said that drinking a cup or two of green tea may help maintain fresh breath.
  • Reduce smoking risks- cigarette smokers who drink up to six cups of green tea daily reduces their susceptibility to risks caused by the toxins emitted in cigarette smoke. 
  • Beauty remedy- green tea may be used to freshen up the face and sooth tired or strained eyes. It can be applied to spots and blemishes to lessen their visibility. 
  • Antiseptic properties- Green tea is also known to treat minor cuts and rashes, and is an effective treatment for sunburn.
  • Green teas inhibit the expression of antigens made by the body, substances that can trigger an immune response.
  • National Cancer Institute reports that Green Tea has Cancer preventing abilities and Cancer fighting components add new life to the market.
People who have relied on expensive anti-oxidant products are finding that Green Tea is very economical and all natural. Tea is one of the top selling consumable drinks, only topped by water.


26 April 2013

Ginseng Tea - Cheers!



Ginseng tea is great for short periods; this tea can alleviate many symptoms of common aliments and lessen fatigue.  Ginseng is the main ingredient to many of the medicinal teas.  However, prolonged use can lead to insomnia and heart trouble, so be sure to consult your physician before drinking ginseng tea regularly as an alternative to coffee for that afternoon pick me up.

In China, ginseng is held in high regard.  It is believed that ginseng has rejuvenating powers and provides stimulation to the whole body.  Ginseng also offers protection against fatigue.  Ginseng is known to be a stimulant for the central nervous system.  This root can also help with inflammation, fever, and hormonal imbalances to name a few.

The tea is usually made from the Wisconsin ginseng root.  Slices can be steeped to create a tea that is a strong as the consumer would like, or purchased as a powder and brewed using tea balls.  Both of these methods let the drinker control the amount of tea used.  There are ginseng tea bags available from specialty stores, but it is not recommended to buy the tea without reading all the ingredients as some packaged teas are sold as ginseng but in fact have very little of this herb in them, instead using mostly fillers

Consult an herbal practitioner or naturopath as to the right type of ginseng and how to brew your tea.  The tea can be sweetened with a little honey or stored cold in the refrigerator, as this tea is quite good served iced.

Take note, if you are pregnant use ginseng sparingly or not at all.


4 April 2013

Raising Healthy Families


Raising healthy families today can be hard. Food and activities are very expensive. Considering it can take two parents to make ends meet, it can be hard to afford extra when daycare is astronomical. There are many ways that even the most conservative family can eat and live healthier. Raising the healthy family today includes both physical and emotional teaching. Children must learn what is good to eat, personal hygiene, and about exercise. They also should be taught about the importance of feelings and respecting others and themselves. To be healthy over all, one must be conscientious about both the physical and emotional needs of themselves and others. Being a healthy family starts at home with all members and then spreads into daily life in other areas.

Getting Children To Help

Children love to help by nature. If you get them involved with living healthy, you will find they will flourish. Healthy families start with getting the entire family unit to work together to improve diet, exercise, and emotional support. Gentle ways to get children to accomplish this is to take their feelings and suggestions seriously. A way to get more vegetables into the diet is to plant a garden. This can be a great family project that will not only save your grocery bill, it also adds quality family time, learning to problem solve, and activity. Children are full of energy and life. They work well to inspire tired adults who are burdened with too many responsibilities. Children can be exactly what a parent needs to motivate a better lifestyle. They are usually willing to try anything once if you make it sound fun.

Respecting Each Other

While most people think healthy families are all about proper diets and exercise, they could not be further from the truth. Living right is also emotional. We have to not only learn how to treat others, but how to respect our own selves too. When the emotional aspect of life gets over looked it can greatly affect the physical aspect. Respecting each member of the family is vital in teaching children that all people matter. All opinions should be heard and considered. Feeling should always be validated and respected, even if nothing can be done to remedy the issue. When all family members feel respected and validated, they tend to be able to portray and extend this into other areas of life, such as work and school.

Lessons On Love And Communication

Healthy families revolve around love and communication. These are the keys to long-term happiness and efficient functioning. When you have the ability to communicate well with others, you can problem solve well and portray your feelings effectively. Teaching our children these skills enables them to go into the world productively. More so, when we feel we have effetely communicated out needs to others and are heard, we feel able to open up and feel loved. Love and communication allow for trust, which is vital for healthy living all through out life.

About the Author
Marie Watson writes weight loss, diet plan, health, beauty and general well-being articles for the Slim Eazy website at www.slimeazy.com

3 April 2013

Building Better Citizens



Children are never too young to learn how to be good citizens. "Explain to your children that they are citizens of many communities-their town, the country and the world," says Sharon Bergen, senior vice president of education and training for Knowledge Learning Corporation, the nation's leading provider of early childhood care and education. "Most important," says Bergen, "is for parents to model good citizenship."

Bergen suggests parents explain to their children that being good citizens means caring about others. She offers these tips:

Start by encouraging citizenship at the local level. Encourage your children to help elderly neighbors-without payment. At school, they can organize a recycling drive to benefit a local charity. Instill the habit of volunteerism by helping at a library or zem
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Children can learn to appreciate their heritage. For example, parents can explain why Americans celebrate the Fourth of July and Martin Luther King, Jr.'s birthday.

To drive home the concept that we are all citizens of the world, teach respect for the environment and for other cultures. As a family, join a cleanup project on Earth Day or contribute time and money to assist victims of natural disasters worldwide.

With a little effort, children will grow up to take seriously their citizenship in the many communities in which they live.

2 April 2013

Air Purifiers, Do We Need Them?

Definitely yes would be the answer. There are a lot of reasons and they all have to do with the fact that the problem of people who suffer from asthma, allergies and other respiratory conditions. These people may be discomforted by the particles of dust or pollen. For them air purifiers are necessary, as a main form of protection of indoor air pollution. Air purifiers are great useful tools in your fight with direct irritant sources or materials in your own home environment.

One should not ignore the air purifiers when one designs modern indoor ventilation or filtration systems. They offer a very good environmental control and reduce exposure dust, dander, smoke, pollen particles and many others particles that may be found indoors or outside your home. Air purifiers have different shapes and various designs. They can be: air cleaners, air filters and hepa filters, and they play an important part in the reduction and elimination of the danger of exposure to indoor and outdoor allergens. Usually, the air purifiers are chosen in accordance with the pollution sources and the quality filtration you want to get. Before going and buying such a device, you should think about what exactly you want for your home. You should not forget that choosing the wrong type of filtration system can lead to an exacerbation of the problem by agitating and circulating the particulate matter in your house throughout the place.

You should not consider the air purifiers systems a complete solution for any respiratory condition you may have. Using an air purifier should not make you ignore medical advice and guidance that can lead to the removal of the irritant sources and allergen habitats in your house. At the same time, they are not a substitute for thorough and regular cleaning of the air. However, they can help you to diminish the number of air particles and to maintain a healthier environment inside your house.

1 April 2013

Boost Your Energy


Everyone would like to feel more energetic during the day.  You naturally go through periods of higher activity which contrasts with times of relaxation.  The problem occurs when more energy and concentration is required than we can give. Or when we try to sleep and can’t. Follow these invaluable tips to a new you!
1) Stay on a regular sleep schedule.  You can’t stay up late during the week-end and suddenly on Monday morning wake up refreshed.  If you do enjoy later nights on Friday and Saturday vow to get to bed early on Sunday to wake up rested.
2) Avoid the sugar and caffeine roller coaster.  Eat some protein and foods with a bit of fat in the morning.  The brain needs protein and the body does not store it.  You don’t have to eat very much- a glass of low fat milk, a piece of cheese, or a  handful of nuts will get you going instead of pure carbohydrates like a plain bagel.
3) Take a 5-10 minute power nap around lunch.  Even if you just close your eyes and let your mind drift you will be refreshed for the afternoon.  This is also effective anytime you feel yourself not concentrating, reading the same material over and over.  Give in to the urge and completely relax for a few moments.
4) Drink more water and liquids.  I know, everyone says to drink more fluids.  But most Americans are in a constant state of dehydration from filling up on coffee, tea, and sodas with caffeine.  This is very stressful to the kidneys and can cause irritation to the bladder.  Keep a sports bottle filled with your favorite flavored water or just plain and keep it with you at all times.  Set a goal- empty by lunch, refill, empty again by the time work is over. Carry plenty of water in the car too for you and your family.
5) Exercise regularly.  This is easier said than done with a busy schedule.  A poor conditioning level causes you to be short-of-breath and your heart to race when just doing simple things like climbing a flight of steps or doing household chores.  Park farther away when shopping and walk Dust off that exercise machine or get an exercise tape to play when weather is bad. Set an example for the rest of your family and maybe they will join in too!
6) A joke a day keeps the doctor away.  Seriously, laughter has many beneficial effects on the body.  The brain chemicals for experiencing pleasure, happiness, and peace increase with good, hearty  laughs.  Live alone?  Get a funny movie or watch a light-hearted comedy on tv.  Nothing sarcastic or put-down, however.
7) Avoid confrontations and situations with negative people.  You know who they are.  They are not going to change but they will bring you and your mood down.  The complainers, gossipers, and generally unhappy souls we all have to deal with on a day-to-day basis drain our energy if we allow them. Be polite but avoid arguing or getting hooked into listening to their constant problems.
8) Take regular, daily supplements of the highest quality.  Our food and diets simply do not meet the amounts needed for maximum health.  There is a difference between avoiding nutritional deficiencies and optimum performance.