Thursday, December 28, 2017

Need Healing? Thoughts and Natural Solutions

No matter how chronic or acute a condition is, it can be healed. There is always, always hope. If you're not dead yet, you're not dead yet. Whatever condition you suffer with and need healing for, make a resolution for the coming year to find three (the number of change) things that make you feel good. Then make the commitment to stick with them for the entire year. Doing this will make you an active participant in your own wellness program instead of a victim to your condition. That is an important distinction because we attract the same vibrations that we put out. Putting out positive energy attracts more positive energy whereas putting out victim energy attracts more victim energy. You may have to try several different things before settling on the 3 you will use in your recovery program towards achieving real health. You might explore different types of meditation, flower essences, herbs, supplements, lifestyle or diet changes, or various exercise programs.

Only you know what makes you feel good and what doesn't. If drinking plenty of water, taking certain supplements, or eating multiple small meals a day makes you feel better, then you are the only one that can know it. Similarly, you probably know which of your "bad" habits make you feel ill, like eating too much sugar or spending too much time at your desk. If you are not sure what makes you feel better or worse, keep a diary for seven to twenty-one days. Log your daily food intake, exercise, level of stress, amount of sleep, and anything else that might affect your level of health. Notice what happens when you add or vary any of your habits. Look at your diary to help you decide on the 3 changes you will make for this year. After you have picked your 3 changes, make the commitment to stick with them for the entire year.

Why stick with these changes for a year? Because if you have had your condition for any length of time, it takes at least one month of wellness for every year you have had your condition. So for example if you have had migraines for five years, you'll need at least 5 months of being on your recovery program, once you have one, to see improvement. Notice that the clock that counts the months toward recovery only starts ticking when you find a wellness regimen that works for you. This only works once you create a wellness program that works for you and that you can stick to. The three things you come up with for this year may be your wellness program or it may only be a beginning. There may be more to discover in settling on a complete wellness program that works for you and your condition.

Here are a few natural solutions for healthy living that may give you a place to start:

>> Drink lots of water. Every part of your body needs water. Water helps your body flush out anything unwanted, like toxins and viruses that might make you sick. If drinking straight water doesn't sound good to you, try adding a little salt or lime to you water. Both salt and lime improve the taste of water, and a slice of lime tends to remove any chlorine that might be in your water. You can also try brewing some tea or just drinking warm water with honey and lemon.

>>Take digestive enzymes. Especially now during the holiday season with lots of holiday meals (and sweets), office parties, neighborhood potlucks, and Christmas parties indigestion is a big possibility. Enzymes help you digest your food, especially if you overeat or gorge on junk food. Take 2 enzymes before each meal and take 2 more after the meal if you feel overstuffed. You can also take enzymes anytime you have digestive discomfort.

>>Defend your health by adding probiotics to your daily regimen. The probiotics acidophilus and bifidus are the "friendly" bacteria that live in your gut and are your first line of defense against a variety of illnesses including colds and flus. Probiotics keep you healthy rather than curing you after you are already sick. It sounds like that old adage, "An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure," doesn't it?

>>Get up and stretch. Did you know that one of the major causes of tiredness is muscle tension and fatigue? It's true. Tight muscles that haven't been stretched out can make you feel tired before you even begin your day. At the end of your day, those same tight muscles can make a long day seem endless. So what can you do to prevent muscle fatigue? Stretch your body! Doing just 15-20 minutes of light yoga or stretching in the morning can drastically improve the oxygenation in your body as well as your overall physical stamina. Stretching is a simple investment in your health that will pay off immediately.

The new year is quickly approaching. Get started now on picking your 3 changes for the year and make this the year you create real change for healthy living.




If you enjoyed this post, please consider leaving a comment or subscribing to the feed to have future articles delivered to your feed reader. Also, check out the free health resources or order blue-green algae products  on our website.



Tuesday, December 26, 2017

Energy Crisis? Fuel Your Body Simply and Naturally

When you have a busy day, have to keep going and are facing an energy crisis what do you do? Grab a candy bar, a soda or some coffee? While these solutions might help short term, that sugar or caffeine buzz is short lived and not the healthiest way to deal with a lack of energy. Here are some tips for how to deal with your energy crisis naturally.


  • Moderate amounts of exercise are a great way to increase energy. Doing yoga not only can increase your energy, but help relieve stress. It can contribute to your confidence, mental and physical balance, relieve tension, and open your chest to get more oxygen to your lungs. If you aren't into yoga, join an aerobic class or just go for a walk every day to get a boost in energy.
     
  • Traditional Chinese Medicine associates the upper body with increased energies and massaging your ears can actually give you an energy boost.
     
  • Don't overdo. If you find you are in an energy crisis, start really prioritizing what you need to get done and what is most important to you. Conserve your energy by learning to not overcommit yourself and cut corners where you can. Yes it would be wonderful to make all your children's costumes yourself and bring beautifully decorated handmade treats to parties, but sometimes a store bought costume and treats can be lifesavers.
     
  • A lack in energy can be caused by poor sleep. If you have trouble getting to sleep or staying asleep at night try establishing a relaxing routine before bedtime, make your bedroom free of light and sound, do your exercising more than 4 hours before bed, set a habit of bedtime and wake up time at the same time daily and stay away from caffeine, alcohol or heavy eating before bed.
     
  • Get enough fiber in your diet to help keep your blood sugar levels stay stable. This helps you avoid spikes and drains in your energy level. Fruits and veggies are good sources of fiber and be sure to stay hydrated with adequate amounts of water throughout the day. Fruits and vegetables that have high water content can also help in keeping you hydrated.
     
  • Eating foods with omega-3 fatty acids and B vitamins also contributes to sustained energy levels. Good sources of omega-3 include fish like salmon, tuna and herring, dark green leafy vegetables, nuts, olive oil and AFA bluegreen alage. For B vitamins include eggs, lean meats, beans, whole grains, and dairy in your diet. Eating fermented foods like yogurt will add to the probiotics in your gut. These friendly bacteria in our intestines produce the B vitamins in our bodies and taking probiotic supplements like acidophilus and bifidus can give your body a boost to keep producing these vitamins.
     
  • Get your day off to a good start with good nutrition that includes protein, and complex carbs. This will go a long way to giving you the energy to get you going and to sustain energy throughout the day. It also helps you avoid overeating later in the day. Think you are too busy for breakfast? Make the time even if you have to pack a breakfast the night before with some good protein, complex carb and fruit or a healthy smoothie, or grab a low fat yogurt or a small container of milk at a convenience store.
     
  • As part of good nutrition for energy, whole food supplements can sometimes be necessary to fill in nutritional gaps. Supplementing your diet with high quality algae supplements gives you a combination of ingredients to feed your body on a cellular level and give the body extra energy. This supplement combines pure ubiquinol which is an active antioxidant form of coenzyme Q10 important for stress relief and improved energy, reishi and oyster mushrooms, polyphenols from olives, and AFA bluegreen algae, designed to activate cellular energy to support a healthy cardiovascular system which can improve energy levels. This performance supplement was created especially for high-performance athletes and active lifestyles, with a combination of AFA bluegreen algae, wheatgrass juice, cordyceps mushrooms, bee pollen, turmeric, noni, and green tea.

Don't find yourself in an energy crisis. Fuel your body naturally with good nutrition, proper rest and exercise and have all the energy you need to get through your day.

If you enjoyed this post, please consider leaving a comment or subscribing to the feed to have future articles delivered to your feed reader. Also, check out the free health resources or order blue-green algae products  on our website.

Thursday, December 21, 2017

How to Get the Goodness of Mother's Milk Without Mom

It is really never too late to have a happy childhood, even if you are an adult! I say this because a lot of what contributes to a happy childhood is solid nutrition, specifically the nutrition that is present in mother's milk.

Mother's milk, as researcher Karl Abrams points out, "is that precious fluid created to uniquely prepare use for the long and special human journey." In other words, it's good stuff and a lot of people miss out on it early in life.

Luckily, there's a solution to this problem which doesn't involve going back in time. Instead, it's all about discovering what's so special about mother's milk, and knowing where to find these substances.

What's So Nutritionally Special about Mother's Milk?
Along with providing a great deal of nutritional and immune support as well as nurturing, mother's milk contains two specific ingredients that are very important to a happy childhood and to healthy adulthood: gamma linolenic acid and bifidobacterium. Both of these are extremely important early in life to a healthy immune system as well as for a strong sense of self-esteem. Let's take a look at each of these individually.

Gamma Linolenic Acid
Gamma linolenic acid, also called GLA, is an essential fatty acid that is critical to healthy cell membranes as well as the release of neurochemicals necessary to feel "up" and happy. Children who are breast fed get a rich source of GLA, and as such get a great "mood boost" the whole time they are nursing. Research suggests that a lack of GLA is one contributing cause of colic, nervousness, or fretfulness in babies.

In adults, just a small increase in GLA can create profound physiological changes, including:

- better mental attitude
- reduced depression
- help in weight loss
- improved skin tone
- mental clarity and alertness
- improved mood
- decreases high cholesterol levels

Although GLA is a very rare substance, you can find it in abundance in blue green algae (aphanizomenon flos aqua, which means "invisible living flower of the water" when translated from Greek). Roughly 10% of the dry weight of AFA blue green algae is GLA, which makes it a very rich source.

GLA is also found, in lesser concentrations, in evening primose oil, borage oil, and of course, mother's milk. Back in the day, GLA was probably the substance responsible for evening primrose oil being called the "King's cure-all" in England.

Bifidobacterium
This friendly bacteria, also called bifidus, is one of the biggest sources of immunity during a child's first two years of life. It's no wonder that it is present in mother's milk as well as in the birth canal during birth. This bacteria lives mostly in the large intestine (colon). In fact, in breast-fed children, 99 percent of the bacteria in the colon is bifidus.

This population of friendly bacteria decline as we age, and studies have linked this decline to a general decline in health as well. And it's no wonder. In studies, bifidus was proven to prevent the growth of certain viruses and bacteria in the body, and has even proven effective against toxic shock syndrome and nitrite toxicity. This is especially important if meat is part of your diet, since many meats contain high levels of nitrites and can eventually lead to toxicity.

On a mental-emotional level, bifidus is linked with feelings of self-esteem, as well as feeling supported and nurtured in life. Many fearful or depressed people, or people with low self-esteem, often experience a dramatic change when they add bifidus to their daily regimen. Either they did not get enough bifidus during childhood, or the stresses of living have decreased the levels of bifidus in their bodies. In either case, supplementing with bifidus can create a strong positive change, both physically and emotionally.

So now you see why mother's milk is really a special substance, and so important to a happy childhood. What's even better is that you can re-create a lot of the "good stuff" in mother's milk as an adult, by supplementing with GLA-rich foods like AFA blue green algae and evening primrose oil, as well as bifidus. What a simple solution to having a happy childhood today and every day!

If you enjoyed this post, please consider leaving a comment or subscribing to the feed to have future articles delivered to your feed reader. Also, check out the free health resources or order blue-green algae products  on our website.

Thursday, December 14, 2017

SOD: Cuss Word, Green Grass, or Anti-Aging Wonder?

One of my British buddies is very fond of saying, "You sod!" or "Sod that!" so naturally when I first came across the acronym SOD in a nutrition book I thought that it referred to the British cuss word.

Here in our farming community, the word "sod" means green grass. People around here cultivate sod, which they then sell to developers to create new lawns.

But my favorite definition of the word "sod" is Superoxide Dismutase, the acronym for which is SOD. Neither green grass nor a cuss word, SOD is an extremely important antioxidant in the body. In fact, we pretty much can't live, at least not well, without SOD.

So What the Heck is SOD Anyway?
SOD is an antioxidant, which basically means that it's the body's police and cleanup crew. SOD goes around the body and neutralizes free radicals, specifically the superoxide free radical, and other destructive antioxidants. So far that all sounds good, if a bit boring. So let me put it in terms that are a little more stark:

Throughout our lives, our bodies produce about 3 TONS of superoxide free radicals.

That equals a lot of damage to the body, since the superoxide radical can attack cells, damage DNA, and even be a pre-cursor to cancer. All this makes SOD super important. In fact, it is such an important part of keeping our body's healthy that whenever we are stressed, our brains immediately increase the production of SOD.

What Else Does SOD Do for Us?
In addition to general policing of free radicals around the body, SOD has many other important functions, including:

- keeping cell membranes and tissues supple
- keeping gums healthy and protecting them from gingivitis, especially among smokers
- protect our DNA from the superoxide free radical

SOD is one of our body's first line defenders against free radicals, and basically protects the body from free radicals on all levels, from the cellular level to organ systems.

Where Do We Get SOD?
All organisms contain and produce SOD, some more than others. There are actually three kinds of SOD, one each associated with copper, zinc, and manganese. When we suffer from deficiencies in any of these minerals, then our bodies can't produce SOD.

Well sod that!

Luckily, we can get SOD in the foods we eat. Foods that are high in SOD include:

- concentrated wheat sprouts
-AFA blue-green algae

You can also boost your intake of copper and zinc by eating foods including:

- crimini mushrooms
- collard greens, spinach, and chard
- asparagus

To boost your intake of manganese, try these foods:

- oats and brown rice
- berries like strawberries and raspberries
- green beans
- collard greens, spinach, and chard

For humans and animals, I have personally found that supplementation with wheat sprouts is a particularly convenient "all in one" solution that doesn't require a lot of shopping or cooking. Wheat sprouts also support joint health and have many antioxidant properties of their own. Enjoy!

If you enjoyed this post, please consider leaving a comment or subscribing to the feed to have future articles delivered to your feed reader. Also, check out the free health resources or order blue-green algae products  on our website.



Tuesday, December 12, 2017

Did You Know That Lack of Sleep Can Cause Weight Gain? How to Avoid This!

Really, there are studies showing that a lack of sleep or lack of good quality sleep can contribute to weight gain. We live in a society that is increasingly becoming sleep deprived. According to the National Sleep Foundation, Americans getting 8 hours of sleep a night dropped from 35% to 26% in a 7 year period. So what does this lack of sleep have to do with weight gain?

Studies have been done showing a relationship between lack of sleep and increase in weight. There are basically two theories being put forth. One is that a lack of sleep causes you to have less energy to exercise and the second has to do with lack of sleep affecting hormones that control appetite. With these hormones out of whack, you go for high carb, high calorie foods.

Natural Solutions
Here are some suggestions for ways to get good quality sleep and thus keep off the associated weight gain.

  • Cut caffeine out of your diet or at least don't consume caffeine too close to bedtime. Caffeine can stay in your system for up to 12 hours.
     
  • Avoid alcohol before bedtime. Many people think drinking alcohol makes them sleepy, but it leads to increased waking up during the night and can interfere with the REM cycle causing sleep not to be quality.
     
  • Use your bed only as a sleeping place. Avoid working or eating in bed. Using the bed solely as a place to sleep trains your body to prepare for that activity when going to bed.
     
  • Make the bedroom as dark as possible. Also make it as quiet as you can. You may need to use an eye mask or ear plugs to accomplish this. Some people find using small earphone plugs with meditative music or nature sounds helpful.
     
  • Develop a sleep routine and pattern to get the body trained for when it is time to sleep. Many people don't get the sleep their bodies' need during the work week and then sleep late on the weekends to "catch up" on their sleep. This doesn't really work though for good quality sleep because if you have spent the weekend sleeping late and then have to get up early Monday for work the pattern is thrown off. It is better to set up a routine for every day of the week of going to bed and getting up at the same times.
  • Avoid exercising too close to bedtimes as this causes the body temperature to rise which is not conducive to going to sleep easily. It is better to do your exercise routines in the morning or early in the afternoon.
     
  • Valerian root has been used successfully for some people to get to sleep easier and maintain a restful sleep overnight.
  • Chamomile can also be a useful herb in relaxing the body before going to sleep. Drinking a cup of chamomile tea before bedtime can be part of establishing a nighttime routine and a signal to the body that it is time to start preparing for sleep.
  • Meditation is helpful for some people to relax mind and body. Doing meditation before bedtime not only can help with relaxation, but can also become part of the nighttime routine that signals the body to prepare for sleep.

Increased muscle tension and intrusive thoughts can interfere with sleep. Therefore, it is not surprising that techniques aimed at relaxing muscles (progressive muscle relaxation and biofeedback) and quieting the mind (meditation) have been found to be effective treatments for insomnia. Several studies show that regular meditation practice, either alone or as a part of yoga practice, results in higher blood levels of melatonin, an important regulator of sleep.

The quality of your sleep determines how refreshed you feel when you wake up in the morning, and how much energy you have during the day. Adding some probiotics, enzymes and blue green algae to your nightly regimen can really help you recharge while you sleep. Here's how they work to help your sleep.

Blue green algae:
Can support relaxation in the brain and allow you to get a peaceful night's rest. Take 1-2 capsules before bed.

Bifidus:
Bifidus is an important part of early childhood development, and strongly affects our self-esteem, confidence and sense of wholeness. Adding 2-4 bifidus capsules to your evening regimen can help you wake rested, confident and ready to charge into your day!

Enzymes:
While digestive enzymes certainly help us digest our food, on a metaphysical level, they can also help us digest and "work through" the knotty problems of the day. If you're facing a difficult situation or problem and need some solutions, take 2-4 enzymes before bed. Chances are that you will awaken with the needed solution!


If you enjoyed this post, please consider leaving a comment or subscribing to the feed to have future articles delivered to your feed reader. Also, check out the free health resources or order blue-green algae products  on our website.


Thursday, December 7, 2017

Flower Essences for Rocky and Uncertain Times


Flower Essences for Rocky and Uncertain Times

We have been inundated with requests for help from people who are afraid and overwhelmed in these uncertain times. It can be very difficult to separate yourself from the stream of negative energy in which so many people are currently participating, but you can take steps to create a sense of sacred space in your life.

Creating your own flower essence combinations and taking them regularly is a great way to start creating sacred space. Bach flower essences offer a great selection of core essences, and are easy to find in most health food stores. They can also be easily obtained online.

Great Flower Essences for Not-So-Great Times
Here are a list of the core Bach essences that apply to our current times. Scan through the list and see if any of the remedies "pop" for you, and seem appropriate for your current situation. Although some purists don't mix essences, I have found that often a combination of 3-5 flower essences can be more powerful than a single essence. Rescue Remedy, which is available pre-mixed, is a great example of such a combination. If you don't feel that you can mix your own essences, taking Rescue Remedy is a great fallback plan.

Rock Rose
For those feeling so much fear and terror that they are paralyzed. This essence is particularly useful at this time. Rock Rose offers the gift of dauntless courage.

Aspen
For vague worries with no specific cause. In these times, it's quite possible that many people are tapping into the general tone of fear and uncertainty. If you feel a sense of impending doom, Aspen offers the gifts of connectedness and fearlessness.

Mimulus
For known and named fears. If you know what you are afraid of (such as dogs, spiders, public speaking, etc.) this remedy works well. Mimuls offers the gifts of fearlessness and confidence.

Cerato
For those who don't feel they can trust their own judgment or decision-making ability. If you need to make some hard decisions in your life but you don't trust yourself, Cerato (like the word "certain") can assist you. Cerato offers the gifts of certainty and strength.

Wild Oat
For those standing at a crossroad, unable to make a decision as to which way to go. This essence helps you locate and get in touch with your inner gifts and talents. Wild Oat offers the gifts of feeling your own character and bringing out your innate talents.

Hornbeam
For those suffering from the "Monday morning blues," regardless of the day of the week. If you feel a general sense of malaise and insufficient mental/physical strength to deal with life, this essence can offer support. Hornbeam offer the gifts of certainty and an abundance of energy.

Walnut

For those going through difficult life transitions or those feeling bound by old life conditions. If you need to break free and step onto a new life path, Walnut will help you ease the transition and protect you while you make your move. Walnut offers the gifts of stabilization, strong boundaries, and protection from outside influences during transition.

Mix Your Own Essences

You can easily mix your own essences to take on a daily basis. To do so, you will need to have the flower essences you want to use, a sterile 1 or 2 ounce dropper bottle, some spring water, and some alcohol (I like to use flavored brandies). Once you have these materials:

1. Put a small amount of alcohol at the bottom of the bottle
2. Add 4 drops of each flower essence you want to use to the bottle
3. Add more alcohol to the dropper bottle, until the bottle is 1/4 to 1/3 full
4. Top up the mix with spring water
5. Close the dropper bottle and pound the bottom of the bottle on your palm 50 times.

Now you are ready to use your flower essence. You can carry the bottle with you, and take 4 drops during the day (3-4 times per day or as needed). Another method is to add 4 drops to a bottle of spring water, shake, and sip the water all day. This method also works well with Rescue Remedy.

If you enjoyed this post, please consider leaving a comment or subscribing to the feed to have future articles delivered to your feed reader. Also, check out the free health resources or order blue-green algae products  on our website.