Botanically speaking, the juniper berry isn’t an actual fruit but the juniper plant’s seed cone. It’s considered as a berry because of its scales. The juniper is an evergreen tree and there are apparently 6 species of this tree whose berries are edible and used for a lot of beneficial purposes.

Juniper berries are widely used in European cooking, particularly meat based preparations as it lends a unique flavor. Gin lovers also might be surprised to learn that juniper berries are the main ingredient in gin. But the juniper berry is most well known for its reputation as a herbal remedy for an amazingly long list of diseases and ailments.

How it helps

The juniper is indeed a useful tree as most of its parts are used for some sort of medicinal preparation or the other. So, the berries, leaves, bark and even oil derived from the berries and wood are used in various ways.

Essentially a bitter tasting berry, the juniper berry contains numerous volatile oils or essential oils, vitamin C, flavonoids, fiber and whole slew of active constituents that make it the power packed healer that it is.  Note that juniper berries can be consumed in the form of teas and the crushed berries can be applied topically as well for a variety of ailments.

Here’s a look at some of the uses of the juniper berry and how it can help us lead healthier lives:

• Juniper is considered to be a herb with the most powerful effects on kidneys. It is also used to treat various urinary tract infections and it can remove uric acid from the body. Juniper makes the kidneys work faster and the body produces more urine, making it an excellent diuretic as well.
• People facing water retention problems can experience a lot of relief with the juniper berry and its oil because of its diuretic properties.
• Oil from the juniper berry has an antiseptic effect and it comes as a great relief to people suffering from cystitis and urethritis.
• Suffering from digestive problems? The juniper berry might just be your answer as it can help reduce flatulence and colic and aid digestion. It also eases problems such as belching, bloating and heartburn. As a digestive aid, it’s excellent as it increases the appetite, relieves gas and boosts the production of gastric acid.
• The juniper berry also has anti-inflammatory properties and it’s of great help to those suffering from arthritis, gout and other diseases such as rheumatism.  These joint related ailments occur because of the fluid retention around these joints and the juniper berry with its diuretic action relieves this pressure considerably.
• Skin ailments such as acne, dandruff and athlete’s foot can also be treated with topical application of the juniper berry.
• Juniper helps in reviving the muscle tone and considerably reducing the effects of ageing for most people.
• Menstrual cramps are often some of the most troublesome aspects of a woman’s life, but these can also be reduced significantly with the help of the juniper berry. Some herbalists even use the juniper to improve the uterus tone and to help those who have slow or late starting periods.
• Concentrated oils of the juniper are used topically for lung congestion and coughs while it is also important in helping those suffering from respiratory infections. The volatile oils help in easing up bronchial passages and removing mucus.
• It has a high concentration of insulin and helps in healing the pancreas.
• Essential oils derived from juniper berries can help in relieving toothache and making gums stronger. It can also be used to control hair fall.
• Finally, the juniper berry is used by many to lose weight and since it even cleanses the toxins from the body, it is a great overall purifier as well.

Precautions

The juniper berry does have some notable side effects and it’s important that you’re aware of them before you start using them as any form of treatment.

• Avoid the juniper berry if you have severe kidney problems as it can aggravate the problem and cause further damage.
• If you use more than the prescribed amount, chances are that you could suffer from diarrhea, kidney pain, high blood pressure, fast heartbeat and purplish urine.
• When taken internally, it can affect the absorption of iron and various other minerals.
• Open wounds are best not treated with juniper because it can cause irritation and swelling.
• Juniper causes uterine spasms and could result in lowered fertility, so women who are attempting to get pregnant should avoid juniper.
• Pregnant women should not use juniper as it can cause uterine contractions and cause an abortion.
• Diabetics should be careful while using juniper as it can increase the levels of glucose in the body.

The juniper berry when taken in advisable amounts and with people who do not have the indicated problems as mentioned above, can be a godsend as it provides them with a lot of relief.

Today, researchers and scientists are discovering the goodness of this berry and what a completely amazing super food it is. There has been ample research to suggest that the aronia berries are indeed some of nature’s best health supplement.

Scientific studies have indicated that dark skinned berries and fruits offer the most amount of nutrients and protective elements to people. From that perspective, the black aronia berry is indeed dark and offers much more protection than blackberries and cranberries.

What’s special about the aronia berry?

The aronia berry has the highest concentration of antioxidants present in any fruit. We all know the importance of antioxidants in keeping us healthy and fighting diseases. Just this property of the aronia berry ought to make it a top contender for the healthiest fruit/berry ever. Because it is rich in antioxidants, it has a very high ORAC (Oxygen Radical Absorbance Capacity) value, almost 80 units which is probably the highest amongst fruits. However, there’s more.

Aronia berries also have a lot of flavonoids which help the body in its fight against viruses, cancer causing elements, also known as carcinogens and different types of allergies.

These dark pigmented berries have all the properties present in blackberries and cranberries, but in added measure because of the high levels of anthocyanins and proanthocyanins. It also has a high dose of quinic acid which is known to prevent urinary infection.

As research is constantly being conducted, there’s a lot more about the aronia berry which is being uncovered. Here’s a look at how exactly the aronia berry can be helpful to us.

• Circulation. Aronia berries are known to improve the circulation of blood, make blood vessels stronger and fight against heart disease. Free radicals are the true cause of various diseases in the body and aronia berries can prevent formation of these radicals thereby preventing diseases such as diabetes and other cardiovascular diseases.




• UTI. It’s a well known fact that cranberries are great in helping resolve urinary tract infection, but these aronia berries are way better than that because of the high quotient of quinic acid in them.




• Suffering from high blood pressure? Aronia berries are your antidote as these can help greatly in keeping blood pressure at normal levels.




• If your diet includes aronia berry regularly, you can be sure that colds and flu will stay away from you.




• Here’s another surprising benefit. Aronia berries can help improve your memory as well.




• These berries help the body in producing good cholesterol.




• Studies are being conducted to see the effect of aronia berries on cancer as it’s known to be rather effective especially for those suffering from colon cancer.




• Aronia berries can prevent blood clots from forming and thereby reduce the occurrence of atherosclerosis.

How it can be consumed

The aronia berry is known for its sharp and tart taste which might appeal to some and not to some others as its low on sugar as well. However, apart from being eaten fresh, these berries are now appearing in different forms of food and offer the same amount of nutrition. The aronia berry juice is very healthy as well as it offers all the benefits of the berries in an easy to consume and store form. The juice is often sweetened as well to make it more palatable.

Many companies have come up which are selling fresh frozen berries, berry chews, and even aronia berry green tea. If you’re fond of fresh fruit in your food, then you can include the aronia berries in pancakes, top it with cereals or add it to your fruit salad to power your food like never before. Inventive cooks are adding aronia berries to substitute other berries such as strawberries and cranberries in their recipes which call for sauces or fillings. One of the most popular ways to consume aronia berries can be through smoothies while jams and preserves are equally good.

Good to know

Several studies have indicated that apart from all the various health benefits that it offers, the aronia berry can also help in regulating weight.  What’s more, there’s some amazing news that aronia berries can help prevent the body from storing fat around the abdomen, a problem which many people are constantly facing.

It’s rather easy to grow aronia berry bushes in your own garden if you have the adequate space because that means you can have fresh supply of fruit throughout the year. And the good news for those who don’t have that much of a green thumb is that these bushes are low maintenance and are rather easy to grow. Better yet, a mature bush can produce around 38 pounds of berries, more than enough to keep you enjoying super foods every single day of the year.

Most commonly, we find the acerola berry n North and South America – more the latter than the former because of the tropical landscape where it flourishes with ease. It’s also found in Caribbean islands and many growers have managed to cultivate the acerola tree in Florida as well.

Dark and deliciously red, this berry is also known as the Barbados cherry, Cereso and Antilles cherry among other names. It has a sweet and sour taste, much like citrus fruits. But what’s amazing is that has 32 times as much Vitamin C as orange juice, so it’s more powerful than your regular citrus fruits like grapefruit and limes.

The acerola berry can be eaten fresh but you can also add it to smoothies, jams, syrups and jellies. There’s no end to the different ways in which this berry can be added to your diet and if you’re an inventive cook or baker, you’ll find numerous ways to incorporate it into your family’s food.

How it helps

• Since it is so full of vitamin C, the acerola berry is extremely helpful in making sure that your immune system becomes strong. So, naturally it helps keep away colds and flu. Since our body cannot produce or store vitamin C and bioflavonoids, fruits such as the acerola berry help in restocking those levels, and together they enhance blood circulation and help the body fight against illnesses.
• The vitamin C in acerola has another important use. It helps the body in forming collagen which is the basis for connective tissue and skin. Naturally, it also helps in healing wounds.
• As the acerola berry is chockfull of vitamin C, it can protect the body from free radicals which are the root causes of diseases such as cancer and heart disease.
• If you’re diabetic, then the acerola berry is very good for you as it can reduce the blood sugar to reasonable levels. Acerola berries contain polyphenols which help greatly in reducing blood sugar.
• Acerola berries can help fight cancers such as those of the lung, colon, stomach and others as well. This is because of the high level of antioxidants that they contain which help in fighting free radicals.
• One more interesting use of the acerola berry is strengthening teeth and bones.  Acerola berries have a few vitamins which help greatly in protecting and rebuilding teeth and bones. This is especially helpful if you’re suffering from brittle bones and chipped teeth.
• Most skin products that are being made to treat conditions such as melasma contain acerola berry extracts in them. The acerola berries are ideal for treating skin discoloration as well because the high content of vitamin C in them lowers the production of melanin which makes the skin dark.
• You can maintain acidity levels in your body with the help of acerola berries and this also aids the process of digestion.
• When combined with soya, the acerola berries can even help in lowering cholesterol.
• Since these berries are low on sugar, they make an excellent snack which even helps you lose weight.

Acerola berries are every health conscious person’s dream come true. These berries make you feel good and look good as well.  While most people prefer to eat them fresh, it’s perfectly fine to get the frozen version as well. Apart from using the berries as fillings for pies, tarts and cookies, you can steep them in hot water and drink the resultant tea type of preparation.

If you can’t find acerola berries in your city, then it’s not a bad idea to try and grow them as well. Acerola berries can grow in your backyard, provided you live in a warm climate. Typically found in countries such as Puerto Rico, Texas, Mexico and the Caribbean, this berry has made a huge comeback in recent times.

Good to know:

Acerola berries are one of the most important nutrients that inhibit stress significantly. These berries fight aging, boost levels of vitamin C in the body and make you look and feel younger.

Turmeric is a wonder product that has gained fame in recent times although in India, people have been using it right from ancient times. At present, turmeric is one spice which will always be found in every Indian kitchen and is used to add flavor to curries and stir fries. But its skin benefits are more notable as turmeric is renowned for its antiseptic and anti-inflammatory properties.

Beauticians the world over are waking up to the amazing benefits of turmeric and it’s also being incorporated in beauty products. What’s wonderful about turmeric is that it’s easily available and you can use it in different ways using ingredients that are available right in your own house.

If you are able to procure pure turmeric powder, you can use it in many ways to add glow to your skin.

• Turmeric helps you reduce pigmentation on your face and even out your skin tone. It can be easily done at home. Mix a little turmeric with cucumber or lemon juice and apply to your face. Leave it for some time and wash off. A one-time application will be of little help and only regular use will give a soft glow to your face.
• Troubled with acne? Whether it’s for you or your teenager, turmeric is a beauty ingredient that is harmless and yet offers great results. Turmeric mixed with sandalwood powder and a little water, and applied to the face can greatly reduce the appearance of acne. It’s definitely a cheaper alternative to all those creams and gels that are often not as effective as desired or they claim.
• Here’s a great idea for an all over body scrub. Mix some turmeric with gram flour and water and use it to scrub all over your body before your shower. Doing this regularly will indeed help you get a glowing skin. Ask any bride in India and she will affirm that this is the beauty regimen that they dutifully follow weeks before their wedding to get a spotless skin.
• One problem that often besets pregnant women is the appearance of stretch marks on their abdomen. If you’ve wondered how stretch marks can be avoided, try applying a mixture of turmeric with yoghurt to the abdomen and then it wipe off after five minutes. If you continue this regularly, it will help in maintaining the elasticity of the skin and prevent stretch marks.
• Turmeric has also been dubbed the wonder product because of its ability to fight free radicals. This excellent anti-oxidant is known to help prevent various diseases as well as cancer. In fact, turmeric is one of the best known remedies used to reduce the recovery time of various skin afflictions that are caused by chicken pox etc. Turmeric helps in reducing skin rashes as well.
• For those who want to reduce the hair growth on their face, turmeric again comes to the rescue. Regular washing with turmeric reduces facial hair growth significantly.
• Grandmothers in India often prefer to apply a paste of turmeric to minor cuts, bruises and bumps as it reduces the swelling just as an ice pack would do, without the discomfort. Its various antiseptic properties are perfect for using it for minor cuts, wounds and abrasions and it helps in quickening the healing process.
• If you’ve accidentally burnt your hand in the kitchen, here’s a quick remedy to ease the burn. Mix a teaspoon of turmeric with some aloe gel and apply to the burn.
• So far, we’ve read about the cosmetic effects of turmeric for the skin. But did you know that turmeric is a fantastic natural way to beat that cough that has been troubling you for so many days? Dump those expectorants and simply mix a spoonful of turmeric in hot milk and drink it down. The hot milk eases the throat and the turmeric fights infection in the throat.
• Turmeric helps reducing gum infections also! Apply a mixture of turmeric, rock salt and mustard oil to the affected area around two to three times a day. Follow this by washing your mouth with a little warm water.
• Feeling listless and tired? If you suspect you have anemia, then a teaspoon of turmeric powder mixed with honey, taken daily can help in countering anemia.
• Turmeric powder mixed with water is also known to help diarrhea.

Before you get started with any cosmetic or skin related treatments with turmeric, do make a note that it can stain the skin a light yellow. It’s a good idea to use it at night and then wash off with water and a gentle cleanser in the morning.

As you’ve probably figured out by now, turmeric is not only great for applying on the skin but has a host of wonderful benefits if you ingest it as well. It’s a sharp and pungent spice and no Indian food is complete without it. Try adding it to your meals while cooking and while it might give off a yellow tinge, remember all the wonderful benefits you will have. Of course, the amount of turmeric used in food is rather minimal but it’s a good food habit.

Different scientific findings about turmeric also show that it can actually prevent leukemia by protecting DNA from harmful pollutants. Turmeric is also known to minimize the ill effects of processed foods as well as smoking. One of the active compounds of turmeric, Curcumin, is held responsible for much of this benefit.

Yes, prenatal vitamins are a must in today’s lifestyle where women do not meet their adequate nutrition requirements from food alone. It’s a hectic life, fast paced and most women don’t have time to eat proper nutritious food. So, if you’re planning to have a baby, then you need to consult your doctor and start taking prenatal vitamins before conception itself.

Prenatal vitamins have to be taken before, during and even after pregnancy because at this crucial time the body’s stores are depleted as the body prepares for the baby.

Why are prenatal vitamins important?

Prenatal vitamins contain a combination of important vitamins and minerals that are required for the healthy growth of the baby. If these vitamins are taken at least six months prior to conception, then the chances of birth defects are reduced greatly.

Medical studies have shown that most birth defects usually occur within the first 28 days after conception and sometimes women aren’t even aware that they have conceived. The only way in which birth defects can be avoided or prevented are when you take prenatal vitamins before conception. Most birth defects can be prevented by a program of wholesome prenatal nutrition. Folic acid is only one of a long list of nutrients such as omega-3 fatty acids that reduce birth defects and boost the health of newborns.

Some of the vitamins and minerals that you can find in a typical prenatal vitamin are:

• Folic acid – This is one of the most important components of a prenatal vitamin. Folic acid helps tremendously in reducing the occurrence of neural defects such as spina bifida. Spina bifida occurs in the earliest stages of pregnancy when the spinal cord is not closed, exposing the nerves and resulting most often in paralysis and even mental retardation.

Folic acid is also known to prevent another serious defect, hydrocephalus, which is an incurable condition in which cerebrospinal fluid abnormally gathers in the brain’s cavities causing neurological dysfunction. Natural sources of folic acid include green leafy vegetables, nuts, orange juice and other citrus fruits. Despite these sources, if you want to make sure you have adequate folic acid, it is better to take a supplement in the form of a vitamin.  Doctors recommend at least 400 mcg of folic acid in a day.

• Calcium – As the fetus grows inside the body, it starts depleting the calcium in the bones of the mother’s body because it requires them for its own growth. Due to this, you could lose your own bone density and it could cause numerous problems later on, osteoporosis being just one of them. Calcium supplements provide the growing fetus with the required calcium sources. Calcium is found in natural sources such as dairy products, eggs, soya beans, nuts and fish although it is highly recommended that you take supplements as they can be absorbed better by the body.

• Iron – One of the most common problems that pregnant women are beset with is anemia. When you are pregnant, the body produces more blood and as a result uses up more iron from the body. Because of this iron deficiency, anemia occurs and can cause fatigue and tiredness. Other complications could also result because of anemia. Iron supplements however are typically taken after the first trimester.

The right prenatal vitamin

It’s easy to get a prenatal vitamin over the counter these days, but if you are particular about your and the baby’s health, a good idea would be to consult with your doctor before you conceive and ask them to recommend one for you. The reason is that your doctor knows your medical history and will be equipped to suggest a prenatal vitamin that has all the right components of vitamins and minerals for you.

Possible risks associated with prenatal vitamins

While prenatal vitamins are essentially good for a pregnant woman or one who is planning to conceive, sometimes they also come with a few risk factors. Some prenatal vitamins can cause side effects of an allergic nature such as hives, swelling of throat and mouth or difficulty in breathing. If any of these reactions occur, you should consult your doctor immediately.

Other minor problems include nausea or constipation and doctors recommend that you drink a full glass of water while taking prenatal vitamins. A few over enthusiastic individuals sometimes consume multiple supplements and this can cause more harm than good because excess levels of certain vitamins in the body can become toxic.

Barring this, prenatal vitamins are excellent sources of important nutrients for the mother and the baby. Of course, you should include fresh and nutritious food in your diet as well and not solely depend on vitamins.

Good to know:

Studies of women taking prenatal vitamins have shown that they can drastically reduce the risk of cancer, neuroblastoma and brain tumors in their children.

Garlic has been used since the ages for good health. But scientists are discovering new and exciting uses of this herb and the goodness it can offer. Here’s a look at some of the ways in which garlic can benefit you.

• Treating cancer – Yes, garlic can actually help in treating cancer. Studies have shown that certain components in garlic such as diallyl disulfide can kill the cancer cells and help you in developing a strong immune system. Garlic is also known to reduce papillary lung tumors. Eating a clove of raw garlic is also known to reduce the occurrence of cancers in the first place.




• High blood pressure – Amazing, but true. Garlic can help in monitoring your blood pressure so that the high levels can come down to normal levels. Traditional Asian medicine recognizes garlic as an effective hypertension controller and this fact is being corroborated by scientists the world over today. For garlic to help you in controlling your hypertension, you can consume its fresh juice, crush a clove in hot milk or simply take one clove each day.




• Garlic is known to even cure ear infections, especially in children who are very susceptible to them. Garlic acts as nature’s own antibiotic without the harmful effects as it has strong anti bacterial and anti microbial properties. Juice from the cloves of raw garlic diluted with water can be placed in the ear directly. Do note that this can cause plenty of pain as the garlic starts acting on the microbes that have caused the infection. The pain however lasts for just a little while and along with it the infection also subsides.




• Garlic as antibiotic – Garlic is nature’s very own antibiotic and the best part about it is that it doesn’t get rid of healthy bacteria as well. More and more people are turning to garlic as an effective antibiotic.




• Increasing antioxidant levels – Garlic helps in pushing up the overall antioxidant levels of the body and this in turn has its own chain of actions resulting in decreased serum glucose levels as well as lowered blood pressure.




• Garlic flushes out the toxins from the body so it is a great way to get your body cleaned up.




• Garlic contains allicin, a powerful compound that works as an antibiotic and helps heal skin infections as well. It’s interesting to note that allicin doesn’t occur on its own but is formed when garlic is chopped or crushed.




• In the olden days garlic was recognized not just as a vampire repellant but also because it helped in healing wounds and bruises. It was also a popular treatment for flatulence and indigestion.




• Garlic is not just healthy for your body, but it’s also great for your skin. Regular consumption of garlic tones the skin, making it smooth while also making your nails stronger. Another wonderful benefit is that it controls dandruff related problems as well.

There are of course some side effects that you need to consider before you liberally start consuming garlic to get all those benefits. Anything in moderation works well but if you overdo it, that is, eat more garlic than you should, the following are the most likely side effects that you might possibly undergo –

• Body odor – If you eat too much garlic, you’ll notice that you have started smelling like garlic. This is because the garlic is secreted through your pores and this continues until all garlic is removed from your body. The body odor can be embarrassing and can cause a lot of distress.
• Garlic breath – Eating too much raw garlic can cause plenty of bad breath and this could hamper your social life. The only way to counter it would be to eat raw garlic along with your food and to preferably eat it before you go to sleep.
• Digestion problems – Too much of a good thing can only be bad. So also with garlic and studies have shown that if you eat too much garlic, it can burn the lining of your stomach and cause you plenty of pain.
• Allergies – For some people who suffer from garlic allergy, there could be rashes, fever or vomiting. It could also react adversely with some anti-coagulants as well.
• The sulfur in garlic can result in botulism, which can cause severe stomach upset or even death.

If you’ve decided to make garlic a part of your healthy lifestyle, make sure that you get organic garlic which has all the goodness inherent in garlic. In your regular shops, you might come across chemically treated garlic which is of no use. If the garlic bulb has sprouted, it means that the garlic has aged and has lost all its valuable compounds.

The best way to ensure that garlic retains all its beneficial compounds is to crush it finely and add it to food. Some people also prefer to have garlic juice while others hate its smell and taste. For such people, there are plenty of garlic based supplements which work just fine and can be had like your daily dose of vitamins.

Physically speaking, a bulb of garlic might resemble an onion bulb but metaphorically also, there’s a huge similarity. Just as you peel the different layers of an onion, with garlic everyday new and more potent uses are being uncovered.

What all the reporting is leaving out is the reason why fructose is associated with cancer. The simple reason is that sugar isn’t just burned by cells. Sugar also becomes the backbone of DNA.

DNA is composed in part of incredibly long chains of ribose sugar. It’s easier for those cells to make ribose from fructose than it is for them to make it from any other source. However, the process is not automatic.

The conversion of fructose to pentose only occurs when there are also fluctuations in an enzyme called transketolase. This enzyme responds to excess sugar, not necessarily by fructose sugar. It’s not just the presence of fructose that triggers the production of large amounts of ribose. It’s also consuming too many carbs in general. There is a sudden enthusiasm for the more natural cane sugar, or sucrose, but it’s essential to remember that sucrose is a chemical combination of glucose and fructose. You don’t avoid fructose by eating cane sugar.

But what does all this have to do with cancer, anyway?

In the proliferation stage of cancer development, cancer cells need to make lots of DNA so they can divide to create lots of cancer cells. Fructose does not cause cancer. It does not really “fuel” cancer. It provides the raw materials for cancer cell (and healthy cell) DNA. If
you consume tiny amounts of fructose, you don’t trigger the massive production of ribose in cancer cells.

There is a difference, of course, between high-fructose corn syrup and fructose from fruit. “High” fructose isn’t 100% fructose. It’s also glucose, just in a different ratio than table sugar. The idea for using high-fructose corn syrup is that it doesn’t dry out the same way that cane sugar does, and it’s a nifty excuse for planting lots of corn, selling lots of seed and fertilizer and tractors, creating a new commodity for hedge funds, and so on. Eating no more than about 15 grams (3 spoons) up to twice a day won’t trigger the nasty reactions that accelerate cancer proliferation, and eating a single piece of fruit earlier in the day and another piece of fruit later in the day won’t, either.

Dunking a dozen doughnuts, on the other hand, is practically a prescription for cancer growth. It’s just important to remember that with fructose as with everything else, stay within a healthy limit. And it’s probably best to avoid high-fructose corn syrup altogether, if only to send the hedge fund managers, GMO creators, and pesticide purveyors a lesson.

Robert Rister grew up in a farming family who raised 1,000 acres of cotton, sorghum, vegetables, and corn, in addition to maintaining an herb garden for four generations. Chemist, herbalist, and formulator of natural health products, Robert is the author or co-author over twenty books on natural health, including Healing without Medication and the forthcoming Coconut Grove Diet.

Peppermint tea is an age-old remedy for many kinds of stomach upset. In Europe, where some insurance plans pay for herbal teas as well as for conventional medications, peppermint tea has been put to clinical testing. There is a substantial body of scientific research that finds it is good for mild abdominal pain, flatulence, and diarrhea. It’s better to know what you are treating, of course, since abdominal pain is a symptom of many different conditions, some of them requiring urgent medical attention. But if you have been diagnosed with irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), even your doctor may recommend peppermint tea.

Like most other herbs, peppermint is helpful in moderation and harmful in excess. The tannins in the tea interfere with absorption of iron from food, which is a good thing if you have hemochromatosis (iron overload disease) and a bad thing if you suffer iron-deficiency anemia. Men who drink very large amounts of peppermint tea (a gallon a day or so) can experience lowered testosterone levels. Women who use peppermint tea as a douche can suffer contact dermatitis.

You could rinse a minor skin would with warm (not hot) peppermint tea as an added measure of protection against various kinds of skin infections, including MRSA, but the essential oils in peppermint tea are too much inside the body – don’t put it in your neti pot. Peppermint tea is meant to be drunk, and about 5 cups (1.2 liters) a day is all your digestive tract needs.

Peppermint herbal tea benefits are also found in lemon balm (melissa), chamomile, and star anise teas. Since all of these herbs work through their essential oils, you don’t want to boil the herb in the process of making your tea. Brewing peppermint tea with boiling water boils the essential oils away. Put almost-boiling water in a covered teapot or teacup, and allow to brew for 3 to 5 minutes. Drink warm, not hot.

Another way to get the benefits of peppermint for intestinal problems is to take enteric-coated capsules of peppermint oil. These capsules only dissolve when they reach the small intestine, saving their volatile oils for maximum effect against irritable bowel syndrome or duodenal ulcers. When it’s not practical to make tea, consider capsules as a good way to get relief of IBS or ulcers.

Chemist, author, and formulator of natural products, Robert Rister is author or co-author of 20 books on natural health, including Healing without Medication and the forthcoming Coconut Grove Diet.

Noni juice is derived from the noni fruit, also known as the Great Morinda. This fruit is found in abundance in the Polynesian islands, Southeast Asia as well as Australia, but it’s juice is indeed a worthy discovery, one that has bettered the lives of many people. Scientists are constantly corroborating newer findings about noni with clinical studies and in depth research.

As a result of the hype around noni juice, many people have tried to cash in on it and this has caused quite a few people to regard it as a high level MLM scam. However, this is not the case everywhere. Remember that there are people who have benefited from noni juice.

Actually, the way in which noni juice is processed is of prime importance. This is because it loses its efficacy if too much heat is used, or if it is diluted. Some producers of noni juice use artificial sweeteners because noni juice has a strong taste and smell and is not palatable. Some even use preservatives that does more harm than good. So before you go out to buy your dose of noni juice, look out for the way in which it has been processed. Fresh noni is a richer source of nutrients than bottled juice, so keep that in mind before you buy your noni juice.

Finally, why should you drink noni juice? How can it benefit you?

• Noni juice is known to be rich in phytochemicals that can help in prevention of diseases such as cancer, diabetes, heart diseases, Alzheimer’s etc.
• Noni juice can also help in improving mood and inducing sleep in those suffering from sleep related disorders.
• Better skin, better hair and fewer allergy related reactions are what some of the users of noni juice are claiming.
• Noni juice is known to have many therapeutic effects – antiviral, antibacterial, antifungal, anti-inflammatory, you name it, it does it!
• Some people consume noni juice to correct premature aging and build better bone strength.
• One of the fewer known applications of noni juice is that it has been known to alleviate burns. Freshly squeezed noni juice applied directly can help in healing burns to a great extent.
• Noni juice has a few more external applications also. When rubbed on the skin, it can help reduce skin conditions such as eczema or ringworm. It can be used as a poultice and a compress as well. Some people even rub noni juice on their scalp for lustrous hair and better scalp health.

Most often you will find that the noni juice that you get in most health stores is reconstituted and not the real thing. There are some brands which give it to you as it comes and so, they can be a little hard to stomach because of their strong taste. What’s important is that it has all the goodness you need.

Concentrated noni juice has all these benefits, although you might want to know about some of the side effects as well. Noni juice when consumed regularly brings about a detoxification process in your body that may lead to a few side effects such as appearance of boils and pimples, foul breath, diarrhea or gas, headaches and joint pain. While these do sound discomfiting, they are apparently only a way for your body to get rid of all the toxins. Drinking plenty of water will help in flushing out those toxins more easily.

While there are many variants in the market, you might wonder if acquiring pure noni juice is difficult because of the price. Yes, pure noni juice is obviously priced higher because of the effort and time taken in processing it in the right manner. But irrespective of the price, here are a few tips to ascertain whether the noni juice you have is good or not.

• Bubbles – Shake the bottle to see if bubbles form. If the bubbles dissipate quickly, it means that there’s a higher concentration of water than noni juice in it.
• Color – When you shake the bottle, see if the color of the bubbles is brownish. This indicates purity.
• Residue – Good noni juice always has plenty of residue at the bottom. Turn the bottle upside down and note how much residue is visible.
• Taste and smell – Finally, observe the taste and smell of the noni juice. Noni is strong smelling stuff and it is definitely an acquired taste. If it has been flavored with other fruit juices, it might not be pure.

Those who swear by noni juice claim that there are plenty of benefits, but if you’re still a bit skeptical consult your doctor first before you start consuming it. This is, especially, applicable if you have a known heart condition or any other health related condition.

If you are a lab rat or a fruit fly, you can be assured that acai berry have scientifically proven health benefits for you. One study found that acai berry extract helps fruit flies live longer on a high-fat diet. For fruit flies that live in the dumpster behind McDonald’s who can buzz over to the dumpster behind the local juice bar, this is great news.

Another study found that a diet that derives 5 per cent of calories from acai berry protects against N-nitrosomethylbenzylamine-induced esophageal cancer in lab rats. (The same study found that strawberries, wolfberries, blueberries,and blackberries work equally well.) And yet another study has found that frozen acai berry pulp slows damage in aging rat brains. If you are an elderly lab rat with a drinking problem, acai is clearly for you.

But what about humans? Is there any real proof of acai berry health benefits for humans?

In a word, no. Acai berry juice tastes great. It is sustainably harvested with sensitivity to the environment and with respect for the people who gather it. More people like a little acai in their juice than like a lot, but it’s great way to add variety to healthy beverages.

The thing is, acai isn’t a scientifically proven superfood. And it’s not a diet food. To quote the world’s most famous promoter of acai berry, Chris Kilham (who introduced me to acai berry about 10 years ago): “Just a quick word about the acai diets that everybody has been spammed over.  Useless.  Acai is not a diet miracle. It is a wonderful, amazing-tasting, highly beneficial fruit that gives you energy and makes you feel good. But don’t be bilked by companies that want you to believe it’s the key to slimming. It isn’t.”

Buy acai berry. It’s a great-tasting fruit, and every purchase you make helps struggling native peoples earn a living honestly and honorably while preserving the Amazon rainforest. Be careful about getting the juice on your clothes or countertops, because the stain is hard to get out. Just be aware that the astonishing antioxidant power of acai berry is balanced by the fact that most acai berry products contain only about 5% acai berry juice.

For amazing health benefits, choose the right combination of foods, herbs, and nutritional supplements. Never rely on a single product, no matter how miraculous it may seem to be.

Article By BeWellBuzz Featured Writer Robert Rister:

Chemist, commentator, and formulator of natural products, cited as an authority on herbal medicine in publications such as the Journal of the American Medical Association and Natural Health, Robert Rister is the author or co-author of over twenty books on natural health, including the forthcoming Coconut Grove Diet.

Because most toxins in the natural world are bitter, the human body is fine tuned to detect them. A bitter taste on the tongue usually makes us want to spit food out, and the taste receptors we also have in the stomach can detect bitterness, too. The sensation of bitterness triggers the release of extra stomach acid to make sure any offending food or toxin is thoroughly digested.

The process of completely digesting amla ensures that any foods eaten at about the same time are also completely digested. Potentially allergenic proteins are broken down, and the net effect is “cooling,” stopping the slow autoimmune reactions that generate inflammation all over the body.

The benefits of amla are not limited to digestion. As mentioned earlier, the pulp of berry can be used to straighten hair. More people are interested, however, in using amla to fight high cholesterol, osteoporosis, and cancer.

• Amla against high cholesterol. Some of the most exciting research about amla is in the fight against metabolic syndrome, a combination of symptoms including moderately high cholesterol, moderately high blood pressure, and prediabetes. At least in the laboratory, fibers in amla help reverse the effects of excessive consumption of fructose.

• Amla against osteoporosis. Scientists at the Ferrara University in Italy have found that amla extracts slow the activity of osteoclasts, the cells that break down bone.Since osteoporosis is a process of osteoclasts (bone busters) outpacing osteoblasts (bone builders), a slight shift in balance of activity stops destruction of joints by arthritis without interfering with the bone’s ability to make normal repairs.

• Amla against cancer. Most of the research is testing amla as a way of stopping the growth of lung and liver cancer with a minimum of chemotherapy, rather than using amla instead of chemotherapy. But when doses of chemotherapy can be reduced, side effects are also reduced.

And amla also shows real promise to become a proven way to stop age-related cataracts, the leading cause of blindness in people over the age of 55.

Don’t rely on amla alone for any health application. But consider adding amla to your regular supplementation as another layer of protection against the health effects of aging.

Article By BeWellBuzz Featured Writer Robert Rister:

Chemist, commentator, and formulator of natural products, cited as an authority on herbal medicine in publications such as the Journal of the American Medical Association and Natural Health, Robert Rister is the author or co-author of over twenty books on natural health, including the forthcoming Coconut Grove Diet.

Probably you have heard about cranberry juice as a tool for fighting bacterial infection of the urinary tract. Millions of cystitis sufferers are told to drink unsweetened cranberry juice to get rid of the E. coli and Proteus infestations that cause painful urination, abdominal cramps, and even bleeding.

Cranberry juice, as long as it isn’t doused with sugar, really works against common urinary tract infections. The problem is that it sometimes works a little too well. Aspirin-like compounds in cranberry juice trigger allergic reactions in the aspirin-sensitive, and cranberry extracts really aren’t safe in children under three. In fact, infants and toddlers have had to be hospitalized after treatment with cranberry juice extract.

Fortunately, blueberry juice and fresh blueberries also fight urinary tract infections, and they are safe for young children and for people who are sensitive to aspirin. One of the major benefits of blueberries is that they are tasty all by themselves, no sugar added because no sugar is needed, and they also fight the build of sticky biofilms left by infectious microorganisms in the urinary tract.

Blueberries are also beneficial for your brain. On a test tube level, blueberry antioxidants activate two brain-protective enzymes, catalase and superoxide dismutase. These are the enzymes that keep neurons from being “deactivated” after they are attacked by free radicals. Scientists at the Montreal Diabetes Research Center and the University of Montreal in Canada even believe that blueberry juice will be the source of treatments for Alzheimer’s, Parkinson’s, and age-related memory problems, and that eating blueberries confers similar benefits now.

There is no downside to eating blueberries, except that if you eat enough to make a black bear jealous, your digestive tract is going to slow down to handle all the pectin. Up to a quarter cup of delicious blueberries every day for kids and up to a whole cup of blueberries every day for adults offers all the benefits of blueberries in a delicious summer package–and you can enjoy all-fruit blueberry conserves and blueberry juice every day of the year.

Article By BeWellBuzz Featured Writer Robert Rister:

Chemist, commentator, and formulator of natural products, cited as an authority on herbal medicine in publications such as the Journal of the American Medical Association and Natural Health, Robert Rister is the author or co-author of over twenty books on natural health, including the forthcoming Coconut Grove Diet.

First off, these are some of the best snacks you can have. Healthy, loaded with fiber and satisfying to eat – dried fruits offer some amazing benefits. Fruits like raisins, apricots, prunes, peaches and figs are some of the popular dried fruits that are available in the market today. But a look at some health stores might even bring you interesting dried fruits such as apples, pineapples, papayas and even mangoes.

Dried fruits are bursting with health and have become a popular snack for the health conscious and the weight watchers. Here’s a more detailed look at some of the benefits of dried fruits.

• Dried fruits are loaded with vitamins and minerals. They are also rich in calcium and phosphorus, which are extremely important for healthy bones and teeth. Vitamins such as Vitamin B12 and folic acid help in the formation of RBC and these are vitamins are abundantly found in peaches, apricots and raisins.

• Stock up on dried fruits such as figs, berries and prunes. These are packed with iron, which is important for the formation of hemoglobin. Regularly eating these dried fruits can help in preventing anemia, which is a problem that besets many people, especially women.

• You’re on a diet and yet you have the utmost craving for something sweet. Don’t reach for that candy bar and instead grab a handful of dried fruits such as raisins or figs. Weight watchers are finding dried fruits to be an excellent way to reduce weight. Since they contain condensed amounts of fructose, dried fruits are sweeter than fresh fruits and can therefore, be used as substitutes when you have a craving for something sweet. Eating dried fruits is a good way to move away from calorific cream filled pastries, chocolates and ice creams.

• Most people suffer from a bit of constipation and this is directly related to their diet. People tend to miss out on eating fiber rich foods that provide the important roughage, which, in turn, prevents constipation. Opt for eating dried fruits as they’re rich in fiber, help in digestion and in general lead to a healthy colon.

• Some dried fruits are also known to reduce the appearance of cancer. Dried fruits such as apricots contain lycopene, which is a powerful antioxidant that prevents cancer of the prostate, lungs, esophagus and larynx. Dried cherries are known to contain pectin and antocyanins which are again helpful in preventing cancer.

• Some more good news about cherries. Did you know that they can boost your dental health as well? These little critters contain powerful antibacterial agents that can halt tooth decay and formation of plaque as well. If you’ve ignored cherries so far, you’ll be interested to learn that if you eat dried cherries regularly, you’ll be able to sleep better and even recover from jetlag much easily.

• Some dried fruits have adopted the status of super food simply by virtue of their amazing properties which can even help in preventing cancer. These dried fruits are rich in antioxidants. For example, dried blueberries are known to contain anthocyanin, which is a powerful antioxidant that helps in preventing free radical damage in the body; thereby enabling it to fight away various health issues, such as varicose veins, hemorrhoids, glaucoma, peptic ulcers, cataracts, heart disease as well as cancer. Dried dates and berries are also used in traditional Chinese medicines. In India, dried gooseberries are powdered and used extensively in Ayurvedic medicine, which is a well known branch of traditional medicine.

• Scientific studies have shown that dried black raspberries prevent development of cancer, dried cranberries can fight infections and combat the aging process; dried prunes are rich in antioxidants that improve blood flow and dried plums slow down the development of atherosclerosis.

• Apples have pectin and they work wonders with asthmatic children. Studies have shown that they reduce the occurrence of cancer as well.

But to the common man why are dried fruits so popular today?

The answer is simple. They have a high concentration of carbohydrates, which is responsible for the energy boost that they provide. They are also easy to carry around, which is why sports persons, hikers and other athletes love to carry dried fruits with them. Dried fruits are also made into health bars which are a tasty snack in itself, although you might want to look out for one that doesn’t have added sugar etc.

Dried fruits can be consumed directly or you can sprinkle them on top of your cereal or whip it up with some chilled yoghurt. Toss some with your cornflakes to add a zing to your breakfast or simply shake some with your granola before you eat it.

You can also freeze dried foods to conserve the important nutrients contained in them. Frozen dried berries particularly are an ideal option to add to breakfast cereal because they can turn your ordinary meal into a power breakfast. Brightly hued berries such as blueberries and raspberries when freeze dried are excellent in helping you fight chronic diseases as well.

You can purchase dried fruits directly from stores, preferably stores that stock organic foods or make your own at home by using a dehydrator. Choose your favorite fresh fruit and dry them in the dehydrator so you can enjoy the goodness of fresh fruits even when they are not available. Store dried fruits in air tight glass containers, preferably in the refrigerator.

Some dried fruits contain preservatives and are also bleached or colored. To avoid consuming such fruits, try and buy from stores that sell organic dried fruit. Most often organic dried fruits are dried in the sun naturally, so that all the nutrients and enzymes are intact.

However, one thing to remember is that dried fruits should be eaten in moderation because they contain concentrated amounts of sugar and carbohydrates that can boost your calorie intake if you’re not careful and lead to weight gain instead of weight loss.

The body is loaded with both good and bad bacteria. There are approximately 100 trillion bacteria living inside each human. Ideally, the body should have at least 85% good bacteria for optimal health.

The most ancient way of replenishing good bacteria in the body is through fermented foods. Fermented foods have been eaten in most cultures. Yogurt, sauerkraut, miso, kimchi (fermented cabbage) and kefir are all traditional foods that are naturally dense in healthy bacteria.

Let’s look closer at kefir.

Kefir-as most people know the white, grainy matrix of lipids, yeast, and bacteria- is the secret key to good health. It can be made with water or milk. If you don’t have access to raw organic milk, you are better of using water and kefir starters to avoid any danger.

Kefir is loaded with vitamins, minerals and easily digested protein. It can even be consumed by the lactose intolerant people because the yeast and bacteria provide the enzyme lactase, an enzyme which consumes most of the lactose left after the culturing process.

Taking kefir has no side effects. Because of the active good bacteria and beneficial yeast, they can quickly destroy the destructive elements by quickly propagating. It also strengthens immune system.

Drinking milk kefir nourishes your hair, treats gum diseases and strengthens your bones. Kefir prevents bone diseases such as osteoporosis. So if you’re worried about your crackling bones, make sure to try this wonder food and see the difference in a week’s span.

Including kefir in your diet prevents acne, psoriasis and even wrinkles.

Another one of the kefir health benefits is its brain-enhancement capability. As natural brain-food, kefir helps you break free from stress. While pumping up your brain, kefir also develops the usual functions of your brain such as reflexes, memory-retention and even your focus. This benefit works hand in hand with the five senses and leads you to be at your best. Kefir also helps cure depression, anxiety, and even the attention-related disorders. So if you want your mind to be in its optimal capability, drink your kefir daily.

To weight-loss seekers, having kefir as part of your diet could make you shave unwanted weight faster. Because kefir has probiotics, it speeds up the your body’s metabolism letting your body burn more fats and calories even if you’re only spending your normal workout time.

To those who are worried about their heart’s health, kefir is also the solution. Kefir clears your blood vessels and regulates your blood pressure. When you drink kefir, you are not only equipping your immune system but also keeping your heart healthy.

Your lungs are not spared from the kefir health benefits. Taking kefir daily prevents respiratory diseases from the most common up to the complicated ones like tuberculosis. It also helps treat asthma and bronchitis.

If you are one of those people who have a busy lifestyle, these kefir health benefits are for you. Kefir is a natural stress-buster. Having cold a cold milk kefir or water kefir drink not only refreshes you but also detoxifies your body. Its natural properties are even better than the benefits boasted by certain kinds of teas. If you are an insomniac, you should also take kefir to assure you of a good night’s rest free of worries and anxiety.

Kefir is considered to be the mysterious key to one’s good health. Kefir health benefits provide holistic defense for the body. In these modern times, most of us lead busy and stressful lives. There are many ways to live healthy but some are offering complicated ways to stay that way. However, with the simplicity of kefir, the only thing needed is to culture the grains and take it regularly like how you drink your milk or your coffee. It’s that simple. Rediscovering this age-old secret helps us adapt to our current lifestyles while assuring us and our loved ones of wellbeing.

Resources:

http://ezinearticles.com/?Kefir-Health-Benefits—The-Complete-Body-Booster&id=3817669

http://www.naturalnews.com/022845.html

Cholesterol has always been a source of worry for many, and if you’re one of those who are suffering from it and its related problems, it’s high time you worked toward resolving it. We all know that cholesterol is indelibly linked to our diets, but before 1982, this was not the case. A path breaking study in Norway in 1982 paved the way for many cholesterol reduction diets and has changed the way the world views cholesterol.

Why should you lower cholesterol?

There are many benefits to lowering the cholesterol levels in your body. The number one among them is that lowered cholesterol equals lowered risk of heart disease. When your body produces excess cholesterol and the liver cannot handle it anymore, the cholesterol enters your bloodstream and causes blockages, thus leading to different kinds of heart related ailments.

Low cholesterol in general can help you lead a better quality of life, and when you exercise and quit smoking, you can well be on your way to good health.

Diets for reducing cholesterol

Today, if you want to lower the levels of cholesterol in your body, you can follow one of the many diets that are there. These diets can help reduce LDL, the bad cholesterol, improve HDL, the good cholesterol. There are also a few types of foods that are known to help in reducing cholesterol significantly, and these have been approved by the AHA (American Heart Association) as well.

• Oats are fiber rich, and oatmeal is a good source of soluble fiber which is known to get rid of LDL. Other cereal based foods such as whole wheat bread and unpolished rice are also known to be very helpful.
• When you think Omega 3 fatty acids, you think of fish. Fish lovers can rejoice because fatty fish such as krill, mackerel, salmon, sardines, trout and herring are known to reduce LDL significantly.
• Nuts can also help remarkably in reducing the levels of LDL in your body. Nuts such as almonds, hazelnuts, peanuts, pistachios and walnuts are known to reduce cholesterol. However, don’t go overboard, because nuts are also high in calories.
• There are plenty of studies about how flaxseed can reduce the levels of LDL in your body, so it’s worth checking out too.
• Beans and legumes have good fiber content and are high in protein as well so they can be substituted for red meat.
• Fruits and vegetables are your best bet too. A diet rich with fruits and vegetables ensures that HDL is up and LDL is down.
  

Health ranger Mike Adams says that his choice for the top foods for cholesterol are blueberries (1 pint a day), garlic, ginger, onions and anything with Omega 3 oils such as chia seeds, flax seeds, krill, salmon or oily fish. On the supplement side, he recommends cod liver oil, policosinol, macadamia nut oil and medicinal mushrooms like Reishi and Shiitake.

Before you go on a diet to reduce LDL, it’s important to note that your diet should be a balanced one so that you don’t go towards any extremes. Further, take some advice from your physician about which diet would be the best choice for you.

Some of you might not know that you can also blend an avocado pit in your smoothie. It is packed with very good nutrients. It has the life force. It is very high Qi food! It’s also the highest in soluble fiber. This soluble fiber binds to the fat and excess cholesterol. Then we can lower cholesterol and improve heart function naturally. We can improve the blood circulation by pulling out all the fatty deposits in our circulatory system with the soluble fiber of the avocado seed. Soluble fiber is very difficult to get in our diet. Oatmeal has some, but it cannot compare with the avocado seed. Any heart disease patient must eat the avocado including the seed.

AVOCADO BANANA BERRY SMOOTHIE

Half a ripe avocado
1 to 1 1/2 frozen bananas
4 to 5 frozen or fresh strawberries
Splash of nut milk
Pinch cardamom
Pinch allspice

PEAR AVOCADO SMOOTHIE

1 large pear, chopped
1/2 cups green grapes
1/4 avocado
2 teaspoons honey
1 teaspoon lemon juice
Blend and top with chopped pecans.

If you are a fan of wheatgrass, you will love this recipe! Comes out pretty thick.

wheatgrass
1 whole avocado with a pit
blended it together
then add 3 bananas
2 large handfuls of a mango/peach frozen blend
soaked chia seeds
flax oil
water.

GREEN ENVY AVOCADO SMOOTHIE

1 avocado
2 bananas
2 cups orange juice
1 cup of strawberries (preferably fresh, but frozen will do)
1 cup of orange or strawberry sherbet
1 cup ice

GREEN GOBLIN’S POTION

1 medium or large ripe avocado
1 1/2 cup fresh pineapple
1 Tbs honey
1 1/2 cup orange juice
2 tsp lime juice (optional)
1/4 tsp coconut meat
2 ice cubes

APPLE AND AVOCADO SMOOTHIE

1 Granny Smith apple, cored, skin on
1/2 ripe Hass avocado
1/2 apple juice
1/2 cup ice
3 sprigs mint leaves
1 teaspoon freshly squeezed lime juice

Combine all ingredients together in a blender and pulse until ice is incorporated. Then puree until smooth.

AVOCADO BERRY SMOOTHIE

1 medium avocado, peeled and pitted
1 tablespoon cashews, raw
1/2 teaspoon stevia (or 1 tablespoon honey)
1 cup water
1/2 cup blueberries, frozen
6 ice cubes

Blend the avocado, cashews, stevia, water, blueberries, and ice together until smooth. Serves 1-2

This amazing eBook is one of the most comprehensive muscle-toning systems out there. It includes in-depth information on general topics like metabolism, body fat, how to train your abs properly as well as meal plans, diet plans, 50 different exercises which are simple and doable in the house and illustrations to show you how to do them right! There are descriptions on different types of workouts, what helps and what doesn’t, as well as information on diet, nutrition, blood sugar, calorie burning and much more. Geary has outlined all the facts in a crisp, concise manner, thus making clear every bit of his information and guidance.

Click Here to find out more

Fat Burning Furnace

We picked up a copy and checked it out thoroughly. Let’s take a look and see what Fat Burning Furnace is all about…

The primary focus of the system is on performing a full body workout of specific exercises, but performing them very slowly to maximise the impact they have and concentrating on tiring the muscles out. This also means you only have to do one set of the exercises, unlike the 3 sets most people are encouraged to do, which is what allows you to complete the workouts so quickly.

Exercises are described in detail in the guide, and photos are given to show you what to do, if you upgrade and get the BlowTorch system then you also get over 2 hours of videos of the author performing the BlowTorch routines himself, this is different to the normal routines but does show you how to do some of the exercises covered in the main guide.

The guide has a ‘break in’ routine for those who haven’t exercised in years, then a beginner, intermediate and advanced workout plan that you can work through. The BlowTorch system is like a super advanced workout which allows you to target specific areas of your body, this may be too much for most people and the main guide will give you more than enough to be working on!

If you’re interested in really getting into something challenging and fun, and seeing your body transform before your eyes, then I definitely suggest checking out this ebook. It’s a quality workout plan that should give great results for those who put in the time and effort.

Click Here for more details

The Diet Solution Program is a comprehensive and individual nutrition program based on your own personal metabolic type that assures fat loss along with maintaining good health and strength. This detailed nutrition manual will teach users about the specific principles to be followed in order to reach their ideal weight, but it also offers them the recommended meal plans, shopping lists, and recipes to do so. In addition to the list of everything users need to lose weight, there is also a list of foods and activities to avoid in order to maximize weight loss results.

Click here to find out more!

Mango “Beach Party” Puffs

Recipe courtesy of Daniel Carr, 2009 Rising Mango Star finalist.

Ingredients:

• 16 round ‘buttery’ crackers
• 4 eggs
• Pinch of salt
• 1 cup sugar
• 1/2 teaspoon baking powder
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 6 tablespoons flaked coconut
• 1/2 cup chopped macadamia nuts
• 2 ripe mangos, peeled, pitted and cubed
• Whipped cream

Instructions:

Preheat oven to 350 °F. Use a rolling pin to crush crackers in a sealed plastic bag. Separate 4 eggs and place whites into large mixing bowl (discard yolks). Add pinch of salt to egg whites and beat until stiff. Continue beating and gradually add sugar, baking powder and vanilla extract until mixture stands in peaks. Fold in crushed crackers, coconut flakes and chopped macadamia nuts.

Spray muffin tin with non-stick spray. Spoon mixture into muffin tin cups and make a small ‘bowl’ in the center of each with a spoon. Place in oven to bake for 18-20 minutes until light golden brown. Remove from oven and allow to cool before serving

Meanwhile, remove mango flesh in small (1/4 inch) cubes. When ready to serve—top each puff with a dollop of whipped cream and a heaping spoonful of cubed mango. Enjoy!

Prep Time:
15 minutes plus cooling

Cook Time:
20 minutes

Taste of the Tropics Mango Kid’s Wrap

Ingredients:

• 1 small ripe, slightly soft mango, peeled and pitted
• 1 cup Greek yogurt
• 1/4 teaspoon cumin
• Pinch cayenne pepper
• 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
• 1/2 teaspoon kosher salt
• 1 tablespoon lime juice
• 2 tablespoons olive oil
• 2 cups large chicken breasts, pre-cooked and sliced, seasoned with salt and pepper to taste
• 1 cup shredded romaine lettuce
• 1 tablespoon freshly chopped cilantro
• 1 small ripe, slightly soft mango, peeled, pitted and cubed
• 4 large flour tortillas

Instructions:

For the sauce:
Place the mango, yogurt, cumin and cayenne in a blender and blend together well. Add 1 tablespoon water to thin the mixture if necessary. Refrigerate until ready to use.

To prepare the wrap filling:
In a small bowl whisk together the garlic, salt, lime juice and olive oil. Place chicken and lettuce in a large bowl and add dressing. Fold in the cilantro and mango.

To finish the wrap:
Place the tortilla on a clear work space. Spread 1 tablespoon sauce over the wrap. Next scoop 1/2 to 3/4 cup of the mango chicken salad in the center, fold up both sides and roll up. Repeat with remaining tortillas. Serve with remaining sauce on the side.

Serving Suggestions:
Serve with baked chips. Turn leftovers into a quesadilla by adding your favorite cheese and melting, or serve as a simple salad without tortillas.

Prep Time:
15 minutes

Peanut Butter, Mango and Honey Roll Ups

Ingredients:

• 1/3 cup crunchy peanut butter
• 2 tablespoons honey
• 1/4 teaspoon cinnamon
• 2 burrito size flour tortillas
• 1 medium ripe mango, peeled, pitted and cut into 1/2-inch thick strips
• 2 tablespoons chopped walnuts, toasted

Instructions:
Stir together peanut butter, honey and cinnamon in a small bowl. Spread over tortilla and place mango over 2/3 of the surface. Sprinkle with nuts and roll up tightly. Gently squeeze rolls to secure ingredients then cut into 1/2-inch thick slices.

If you have an ice-cream maker, try this delicious vegan mango sorbet

4 cups cubed mango
The juice of one orange
Agave nectar to taste
A dash of sea salt

Puree all the ingredients in the blender and put it in the ice-cream maker. Be sure to take it out 10 or 15 minutes before you plan to serve it as it will freeze pretty hard.

Sources: http://www.mango.org/en/mango-recipes.aspx

http://www.reallyrawfood.com/2008/07/24/raw-vegan-recipe-mango-sorbet/

It is a holistic treatment of caring for the body with pleasant smelling botanical oils such as rose, lemon, lavender and peppermint. The essential oils are added to the bath or massaged into the skin, inhaled directly or diffused to scent an entire room. Aromatherapy is used for the relief of pain, care for the skin, alleviate tension and fatigue and invigorate the entire body. Essential oils can affect the mood, alleviate fatigue, reduce anxiety and promote relaxation. When inhaled, they work on the brain and nervous system through stimulation of the olfactory nerves.

Let’s talk more specific how certain oils can help you.

Basil
It is beneficial for relieving headaches, migraines and sinusitis. Basil may also calm feelings of nervousness and upset allowing for relief from mental fatigue and encouraging concentration. Basil essential oil has ability to treat nausea, motion sickness, indigestion, constipation, respiratory problems, diabetes, etc. Basil oil is also a good source of Vitamin A, magnesium, potassium, iron, and calcium.

Health benefits of basil essential oil include the following:

* Cosmetics: Basil essential oil is used topically to massage the skin. It enhances the luster of dull looking skin as well as hair. As a result it is extensively used in many skin care supplements that claim to improve the tone of your skin. It is also used for acne and skin infections.
* Digestion: Basil essential oil is also used as a digestive tonic. Since basil oil has carminative properties, it is used for treating indigestion, constipation, stomach cramps and flatulence. It provides immediate relief from the gas in your stomach and intestines. It is also colic and hence is used for bowel pain.
* Cold: Basil essential oil is effective in providing relief from cold, influenza and associated fever. Due to its antispasmodic nature, it is used in case of whooping cough.
* Respiratory: Apart from its usage in cough, it is used for asthma, bronchitis, and sinus infections.
* Infections: Basil oil is good for treating a variety of infections such as cuts, wounds, skin infections, bladder infections, etc., due to its antibacterial properties. It is also good for viral infections.
* Stress disorder: Basil essential oil has a refreshing effect and hence it is used for treating nervous tension, mental fatigue, melancholy, migraines and depression. Due to this calming nature of basil essential oil, it is widely used in aromatherapy. It regular use gives mental strength and clarity.
* Blood circulation: Basil oil improves blood circulation and thus helps in increasing the metabolism.
* Pain relief: It is analgesic and provides relief from pain. Hence it is used in arthritis, wounds, injuries, burns, bruises, scars, sports injuries, sprains, headaches, etc.
* Eye treatment: It is ophthalmic and hence relieves bloodshot eyes.
* Anti vomiting: Basil essential oil can be used as an anti vomiting agent in motion sickness and many other vomiting cases.

Basil essential oil is also a good treatment for itching from bites and stings from honey bees, insects and even snakes. Other uses include curing motion sickness and vomiting.

Chamomile
It is well-known for its strong soothing effect on mind and body. It is excellent for protecting dry skin and can be used to treat the nervous system, headaches, and menstrual disorders and is good for digestion, sore throat, sunburns and insomnia.

There are two types of Camomile, namely, the Roman Camomile which is scientifically known as Anthemis Nobilis and the German Camomile whose scientific name is Matricaria Chamomilla. Although the essential oils extracted from both the varieties are quite similar in medicinal properties, yet they differ to some extent when it comes to their composition and certain properties.

* Anti Septic, Anti Biotic, Disinfectant, Bactericidal & Vermifuge: They have very good anti septic and anti biotic properties and do not let biotic infections (infections due to biotic factors such as bacteria, fungi etc.) develop. They also wipe off infections already present. These are good vermifuge too and kill all sorts of intestinal worms. If applied on hair, it kills lice and mites, keeping hair and scalp free from infections and damage.
* Stimulant & Anti Depressant: Both the varieties have been seen very effective in fighting depression and for raising spirit. They eliminate feeling of sadness, depression, disappointment, sluggishness etc. and induce a sort of happy or charged feeling. Even smelling these oils can help a lot overcoming depression and bring about good mood.
* Anti Inflammatory & Sedative: While Roman Camomile is found effective in calming down annoyance, anger and irritation, particularly in small children. The German variety, on the other hand, is found more effective on adults for curing inflammations, particularly those in digestive and urinary system. They also reduce blood pressure and check swelling of the blood vessels.
* Analgesic & Anti Neuralgic: They have analgesic properties and efficiently reduce pain in muscles and joints, headache, sinus, toothache, bone injuries etc. They are also very effective in giving relief in the severe pain of Neuralgia by constricting the blood vessels surrounding the Ninth Cranial Nerve and relieving pressure on it.
* Stomach, Digestive and Hepatic & Cholagogue: Being stomachic, they tone up stomach and set it to proper function. They promote secretion of digestive juices into stomach and facilitate digestion. They also promote digestion. Being Hepatic (meaning good for liver), they ensure good health of liver and proper flow of bile from it. They are also Cholagogue, meaning they increase secretion of Hydrochloric Acid, bile and enzymes in stomach, thereby promoting digestion.
* Anti Rheumatic & Anti Phlogistic: They cure dysfunctions of the circulatory system, stimulate circulation and detoxify the blood of toxins like uric acid, thereby helping cure ailments like Rheumatism, Arthritis etc. which are caused due to improper circulation and accumulation of uric. These make them good Anti Phlogistics, the agents which reduce swelling and edema.
* Anti Spasmodic, Relaxant & Nervine: They calm all nervous disturbances or hyper-reactions which result in convulsions, spasms, nervousness, loss of control over limbs etc. They are Nervine, that is, keep the nerves and the nervous system in a state of good health and proper functioning.
* Cicatrisant & Vulnerary: They are very popular in the world of cosmetics, as they diminish the scars, marks and spots on the skin and on the face (being a Cicatrisant) and also protect wounds, cuts and bruises from getting infected, thus serving as a Vulnerary.
* Sudorific & Febrifuge: They induce profuse perspiration (being Sudorific), thus removing toxins and agents causing infections and cooling down the body, effectively giving relief in fever, thus serving as a Febrifuge.
* Carminative: Expel gas from the intestines and stomach and also check gas formation. This also helps relax the body and lower blood pressure. It also ends the chances of other risks from gas, such as trapping of gas in the wind pipe etc.
* Tonic: They are tonic in nature, i.e. they tone up skin, muscles, internal organs etc.
* Other Benefits: They are anti allergenic, help cure acne by removing toxins and cleaning Sebaceous and Eccrine glands through sweating, clean up the urinary system and the kidneys through increased urination (being diuretic), detoxify blood and increase strength as they are also fortifying in nature. They can help cure viral infections like mumps, measles etc. Can be used in mouth wash too, to keep away bad breath and eliminate oral infections. German Camomile oil is a vasoconstrictor.

Grapefruit.
It activates solar energy which increases ones bioelectrical energy allowing for self-purification and transformation of heavy emotions to renewed optimism.

Health Benefits of Grapefruit Essential Oil can be attributed to its properties like diuretic, disinfectant, stimulant, anti depressant, anti septic, aperitif, lymphatic and tonic.

* Anti Oxidant: Like the fruit itself, the essential oil of Grapefruit is rich in anti oxidants. Primarily, in Vitamin-C. This vitamin, in assistance from other anti oxidant components present in Grapefruit Essential Oil, boosts our immune system and fights free radicals. This oil is effective in protecting the body from all harms done by the oxidants, like aging, degeneration of tissues, macular degeneration, loss of vision and hearing, mental and physical sluggishness, nervous disorders and other such problems.
* Diuretic: The diuretic properties of Grapefruit Essential Oil keep your body light and free from toxins by promoting urination. It help in removal of excess water, fats, sodium, uric acid and other toxins from the body and also reduces blood pressure and keeps our heart healthy. Frequent urinations also keep the urinary tract free from infections. It cleans kidneys of calcareous and uric deposits and protects them against renal calculi and infections too.
* Disinfectant: The Anti Viral and Anti Microbial properties of Grapefruit Essential Oil make it a good disinfectant. It does not only protect the body from new infections but also eliminates the infections which are already there. It is particularly effective on infections of colon, stomach, intestines, urinary system, excretory system and kidneys. It is further beneficial for oral and ocular infections as well as infections on skin.
* Stimulant: This oil stimulates and stimulates well. It has stimulating effects on the body and on the mind. It stimulates brain, makes it active and gives new directions to thoughts as well as stimulates endocrinal glands and promotes proper secretion of hormones and enzymes, thereby keeping in shape the whole metabolism. It further stimulates nervous system and makes you more active and alert. The digestive system is also benefited from this as it stimulates secretion of gastric juices and bile in the stomach as well as movement of ingested food through intestines. Further, it stimulates lymphatic system, circulatory system and excretory system.
* Anti Depressant: Like essential oils of the most of the citrus fruits, the Grapefruit Essential Oil too has great uplifting and relaxing effects on mind. It induces a positive feeling and hope, cures depression and relieves of anxiety and stress. This effect is due to two reasons. First, due to its aroma and second, due to its stimulating effects which stimulates certain hormones which have uplifting effects on the brain.
* Anti Septic: The anti septic properties of Grapefruit Essential Oil makes it fit for application on bruises, wounds, cuts, acne and infections, to protect them from microbial infections. Further, being an anti septic, it prevents wound from catching tetanus or from being septic.
* Aperitif: If you think you need to eat more to put on some muscles but lack that appetite, this oil could lend you a helping hand. But that does not mean that you need to take it just before the dinner. A regular dose can increase your appetite methodically.
* Lymphatic: This is the ace property of Grapefruit Essential Oil. It is lymphatic. The lymphatic system plays a vital role in our body. It is involved in the removal of unwanted and toxic substances from the body. Grapefruit Oil ensures a good health of lymphatic system and boosts it up, thereby freeing the body from toxins and fighting problems like cellulite, blood urea, rheumatism, arthritis, gout and renal calculi etc.
* Tonic: You must be familiar with the term ‘Tonic’. It comes in packages like hair tonic, health tonic, liver tonic etc. Now what is tonic? A tonic is a substance that tones up systems. A hair tonic tones hair follicles and keeps your hair healthy and strong. A complete health tonic tones up all the organic systems operating inside, like the digestive system, circulatory system, metabolic system, nervous system and excretory system etc. and boosts up health and strength. Similarly a liver tonic tones up liver, improves its secretions and strengthens it. Do you need one? There is Grapefruit Oil.
* Other Benefits: Keeps the skin clean. Particularly good for treating oily skin and acne. Gives a refreshing feeling. Also beneficial for treating stiffness and cramp in muscles.

Lavender.
With the help of lavender essential oil you can remove nervous tension, relieve pain, disinfect scalp and skin, enhance blood circulation and treat respiratory problems.

* Nervous System: Lavender essential oil has a calming scent which makes it an excellent tonic for the nerves and helps in treating migraines, headaches, anxiety, depression, nervous tension and emotional stress. Its refreshing aroma removes nervous exhaustion and restlessness and increases mental activity.
* Sleep: Lavender essential oil induces sleep and hence it is often recommended for insomnia.
* Pain Relief: Lavender essential oil is also an excellent remedy for various types of pains including those caused by sore muscles, tense muscles, muscular aches, rheumatism, sprains, backache and lumbago. Massage with lavender oil provides relief from pain in the joints.
* Urine Flow: Lavender essential oil is good for urinary disorders as it stimulates urine production. It helps in restoring hormonal balance and reduces cystitis or inflammation of the urinary bladder. It also reduces any associated cramps.
* Respiratory Disorders: Lavender oil is extensively used for various respiratory problems including throat infections, flu, cough, cold, asthma, sinus congestion, bronchitis, whooping cough, laryngitis, and tonsillitis. The oil is either used in the form of vapor or applied on the skin of neck, chest and back. It is also added in many vaporizers and inhalers used for cold and coughs.
* Skin Care: The health benefits of lavender oil for the skin can be attributed to its antiseptic and antifungal properties. It is used to treat various skin disorders such as acne, wrinkles, psoriasis, and other inflammations. It heals wounds, cuts, burns, and sunburns rapidly as it aids in the formation of scar tissues. Lavender oil is added to chamomile to treat eczema.
* Hair Care: Lavender essential oil is useful for the hair as it can be very effective on lice and lice eggs or nits.
* Lavender Flower for Blood Circulation: Lavender essential oil is also good for improving blood circulation. It lowers blood pressure and is used for hypertension.
* Digestion: Lavender oil is useful for digestion as it increases the mobility of the intestine. The oil also stimulates the production of gastric juices and bile and thus aids in treating indigestion, stomach pain, colic, flatulence, vomiting and diarrhea.
* Immunity: Regular use of lavender essential oil provides resistance to diseases.

Peppermint.
The health benefits of peppermint oil include its ability to treat indigestion, respiratory problems, headache, nausea, fever, stomach and bowel spasms and pain. Due to the presence of menthol, menthone and menthyl esters, peppermint and peppermint oil find wide applications in manufacture of soap, shampoo, cigarette, toothpaste, chewing gum, tea and ice cream.

* Indigestion: Peppermint oil is very helpful in digestion. Often people put a few drops of peppermint oil in a glass of water and drink it after their meal due to its digestive properties. It is carminative and therefore helps in removing gas. PeppermintPeppermint oil is a good tonic for those who have a low appetite. It also helps during motion sickness and upset stomach. Preliminary research has proved that peppermint oil in the combination of caraway oil can be used for treating heartburns.
* Dental Care: Peppermint oil, due to its antiseptic properties, is useful for dental care. It removes bad breath and helps teeth and gums deal with germs. No wonder, it is added in numerous toothpastes. It is also useful for treating toothaches.
* Respiratory Problems: Menthol, which is present in abundance in peppermint oil, helps in clearing the respiratory tract. It is an effective expectorant and therefore provides instantaneous, though temporary, relief in numerous respiratory problems including nasal congestion, sinusitis, asthma, bronchitis, cold and cough. As a result, it is used in numerous cold rubs. When these cold rubs are rubbed on the chest, they remove nasal and respiratory congestion immediately.
* Nausea and Headache: Peppermint oil is a good home remedy for nausea and headache. Applying peppermint oil in diluted form on the forehead is known to remove headache.
* Stress: Like most other essential oils, peppermint is able to provide relief from stress, depression and mental exhaustion due to its refreshing nature. It is also effective against anxiety and restlessness.
* Irritable Bowel Syndrome: The muscle relaxing property of peppermint oil has been found to ease irritable bowel syndrome. This has been validated through preliminary scientific research though the exact mechanism is still unknown.
* Antispasmodic: Peppermint oil is very effective for gastroscopy, colonoscopy and during double-contrast barium enema. It is applied intraluminally. Further benefits of peppermint oil due to its antispasmodic properties are being studied.
* Urinary Tract Infection: Peppermint oil can be used for treating urinary tract infection (UTI). However, thorough scientific studies are yet to be conducted to confirm this.
* Pain Relief: Peppermint oil can be used externally for providing relief from pain. It is believed that the presence of calcium antagonism in peppermint oil aids in removing pain. It is cooling in nature and therefore helps reduce fever.
* Immune System: Peppermint oil increases your immunity to diseases and therefore helps you in preventing a number of diseases.
* Blood Circulation: It also improves blood circulation.
* Hair Care: Peppermint oil is very useful for hair care as it gives a cooling effect to the head, and removes dandruff and lice.
* Skin Care: Peppermint oil contains Menthol, which is good for skin. It gives a cooling effect. Further it nourishes dull skin and improves oily skin.

Rose
The health benefits of Rose Essential Oil can be attributed to its properties like anti depressant, anti phlogistic, anti septic, anti spasmodic, anti viral, aphrodisiac, astringent, bactericidal, cholagogue, cicatrisant, depurative, emenagogue, haemostatic, hepatic, laxative, nervine, stomachic and uterine.

* Anti Depressant: Rose Oil boosts self esteem, confidence, hope and mental strength and efficiently fights depression. This can be very helpful to drive away depression from those who are suffering from depression due to any reason. This also relieves anxiety. Being an anti depressant, patients of acute depression or who are undergoing rehabilitation can be given routine and regular doses of this essential oil to bring hope in their lives. This oil is widely used in aromatherapy and invokes positive thoughts, spiritualism and feelings of joy, happiness and hope.
* Anti Phlogistic: It may calm down a patient of high fever by sedating the inflammation caused by fever. It can also be beneficial in other cases of inflammations caused by microbial infection, ingestion of poisonous stuff, indigestion, dehydration etc.
* Anti Septic: This is the most fragrant and perhaps a majestic way (Just imagine treating wounds with Oils of Rose instead of those ordinary anti septic lotions) to treat your wounds and protect them from being septic and catching infections.
* Anti Spasmodic: It efficiently relieves spasm in respiratory system, intestines and muscular spasms in limbs. It also helps cure convulsions, muscle pulls, cramps and spasmodic cholera which are caused due to spasms.
* Anti Viral: Getting a protection from viruses or getting yourself vaccinated against all of them is a tough task, since some of them change their disguise every time they return and make a fool of our immune system, like our old friend who gives you cold and influenza. So what to do? Better use an anti viral which behaves as a shield against any virus that comes. Here is one such shied. The Essential Oil of Rose that protects against viral infections.
* Aphrodisiac: Better I don’t try explaining this property of Rose Oil! Right from Cupid himself to modern day’s high tech lovers, every body knows how roses are indispensable in romance. And so is this Essential Oil of Rose. The very scent of it can arouse you. It boosts up libido and invokes romantic feelings which are essentials for a successful sex.
* Astringent: The astringent property of Rose Oil has many benefits. It strengthens gums, hair roots, tones and lifts skin, contracts muscles, intestines and blood vessels, thereby giving protection from untimely fall of tooth and hair, wrinkles, loss of firmness of intestines and muscles of abdominal area and limbs associated with age, and above all, helps stop flow of blood from wounds and cuts by contracting the blood vessels. This astringent property can also cure certain types of diarrhea.
* Bactericidal: It is a good bactericide. It can be used in treatment of typhoid, diarrhea, cholera, food poisoning and other diseases which are caused by bacteria. Further, it can cure internal bacterial infections like in colon, stomach, intestines and urinary tract as well as external infections on skin, ears, eyes and in wounds.
* Cholagogue: It promotes flow of bile from the gall bladder and helps regulate the acid level in the stomach as well as in the blood, thus keeping you safe from problems like acidity and acidosis. This bile also helps in digestion of food, together with the acids secreted into the stomach.
* Cicatrisant: This property of Rose Essential Oil can be of great interest for those who care a lot about their looks. It makes the scars and after marks of boils, acne and pox etc. on the skin to fade away. This includes fading of stretch marks and surgery marks, fat cracks etc. associated with pregnancy and delivery.
* Depurative: It purifies blood by helping removal and neutralization of toxins from blood. Once your blood is purified and free of toxins, you are protected from nuisances like boils, rashes, ulcers, skin diseases etc.
* Emenagogue: This is yet another beneficial property of Rose Oil. It stimulates the hormone secretions which trigger off menstruations. It is particularly effective on those who are suffering from obstructed and irregular menses. It also eases cramps, treats nausea, fatigue and reduces pains associated with the menstruations and Pose Menopause Syndromes.
* Haemostatic: This property of the Essential Oil of Rose can be very useful for people who are suffering from hemorrhage (bleeding, external or internal) after an injury or surgery. This speeds up clotting or coagulation of blood and stops bleeding and can save life of such patients.
* Hepatic: It simply means it is good for liver’s health. It keeps it strong, functioning properly and protected from infections. It also treats problems like excess flow of bile and acids, ulcers etc.
* Laxative: There cannot be a laxative with a better scent than this and I can bet it, if not for its laxative properties. It can serve as a harmless and effective laxative with a beautiful smell and without any adverse side effect. It actually influences the intestinal and anal muscles to help clear bowels.
* Nervine: It acts as a tonic for the nerves. It gives them strength to bear shocks and protects them from disorders resulting from age, injuries etc. It won’t let your hands tremble or let you go nervous when saying those three magic words to your dream girl for the first time, of course, with a rose in your hand.
* Stomachic: Rose Oil is a stomachic too. It soothes stomach, sedates inflammations in it, helps it function properly and protects it from infections. It also protects it from ulcers which often happen due to over production of acids and their release into the stomach.
* Uterine: This can take care of many feminine problems such as uterine discharges, tumors, bleeding, irregular menses etc. It purifies the uterus too and keeps it functioning properly even in higher ages and can push away the time of menopause.
* Other Benefits: It regulates hormone production and helps balance them. It is one of the best oils which can give you a shining, fresh and youthful skin. Its aroma keeps you charged and feeling happy. It promotes circulation, takes care of heart, reduces blood pressure and helps cure headaches, asthma, dehydration and effect of loo (very hot winds), leucorrhea and certain infections.

Sources:

http://www.organicfacts.net/health-benefits/essential-oils/health-benefits-of-rose-essential-oil.html

Water, The Elixir of Life is the vital part of a healthy diet. Consuming a great deal of water may help with weight loss – especially if that water comes from food. Recent researches say that women who ate a diet rich in high-water-content foods had a lower BMI and smaller waistlines. Water rich foods will fill up your stomach thereby making you less apt to eat more than you should.

Water rich foods are high in volume and low in calories. They also help in weight loss and slimming, they also seem to decrease the building blocks of blood sugar which reduces the need for insulin, the blood sugar hormone.

Human body is composed of 80% of water which helps to get rid of the sodium in the body and also helps in getting of wasted toxins in the body.

Chard: consisting of a 97% water when consumed boiled and full of iron, vitamins and minerals becomes a low-calorie food, but with major health benefits.

Lettuce: Ideal for eating fresh in salads and to fill our plates of food that does not increase the calories in the diet, although it requires chewing and provides us with fiber, vitamins and minerals that not only work with our weight loss, but also contributes to health .

Tomato contains 93% of water and abundant antioxidant lycopene.

Melon: Contains 92% water and an intense sweet flavor that can replace an unhealthy snack. It is a food full of nutrients beneficial, with few calories, no fat and collaborating with weight loss. Watermelon contains more than 90% water.

Cucumbers were one of the first vegetables to be cultivated in the world. It contains very little nutritional value but it is one of the favorite ingredients in our salads. Cucumbers are very cooling and refreshing. During summer it reduces the heat and thirst.

Cucumber is a natural weak diuretic (increase urine out put). The water content in this vegetable is 96.3gm per 100 gms. It contains only 13 kcal per 100 gms. Since it is a very low calorie vegetable cucumber is a favoured vegetable in any low calorie diet. Cucumbers have some amount of folic acid (14.7g of folic acid per 100 gms). Like wise sodium content is very low. It contains only 10.2 mg sodium per 100 gms.

Cucumber can be consumed as raw or cooked. Raw cucumber is more popular. When you take cucumber remember to wash thoroughly before removing the skin. Cucumber juice and cold cucumber soup are favourite low calorie refreshing drink during summer.

Cucumbers are also used in beauty industry as an ingredient in skin care products. Earlier fresh sliced cucumbers were used for eyes and face packs. At present readymade face pack of cucumber is available in the market. The slices kept on the eyes are believed to have rejuvenating effect on the skin but so far no scientific proof for this.

Pumpkin does fall under the same category of cucumbers of having low fat and low calories. It also has high water content of 92.6gm per 100 gm of edible portion. Pumpkin has good nutritional value compared to cucumbers. For some reason this vegetable is not that popular.

Pumpkin has got good amount of vitamin A. It is a good source of beta-carotene. 1,160ug of beta-carotene are present in 100 gm of pumpkin. This beta carotene in the body converts to vitamin A. This vegetable play an important role in a vegetarian diet where animal products are not available to provide vitamin A. Beta carotene is an antioxidant to help prevent free radical damage that might lead to certain types of cancer. Pumpkin contains significant amount of vitamin E. This vegetable rarely causes allergies and is easily digested. Pumpkin contains low levels of sodium and good amount of potassium makes suitable for hypertensive. They are also advisable for diabetes, cardiovascular and also as a weaning food. It is a poor source of vitamin C.

Pumpkin seeds are edible and used for treatment for intestinal worms. These seeds must be taken in conjunction with a purgative such as castor oil for good antihelminthic action. They can also be used for prostrate and urinary problems.

Kovai scientifically knew as coccinia cordifolia. The other names of kovai are telakuchu in Bengali, ghole gluru in Gujarathi, konduri in Hindi, tondekayi in Kannada, kovakai in Malayalam and Tamil, tondale in Marathi, kunduru in Orriya, and dondakayi in Telungu. This vegetable also stands high in water content. It has 93.5gms of moisture in 100 gms of edible portion. It does not contain lot of nutrient. It is very low in carbohydrates and calories, which are 3.1gm and 18kcal per 100 gms respectively. They are good vegetables, which can be included for weight reducing diets due to the low calorie content. It contains 59ug of folic acid 40mg of calcium per 100gms.

Radish contains sulfurous compounds, which may help to protect against few types of cancer. Radishes are low in calorie and fat makes it popular among the weight reducers. There are many varieties differing in their pungency, size, shape, and color. They are pink, rat tailed, table and white. White radish contains fewer calories compared to the others. Pink and rat tailed contain good amount of calcium. Pink radish contains good amount of sodium and very low levels of potassium where as white radish has low levels of sodium and high levels of potassium. White radish is more suitable for heart patients and hypertensives. White radish contains the most moisture in high percentage (94.4gms per 100 mg). White radishes are suitable for diabetic patients, which can be added to their salads.

The richly pigmented plants prove to be the easiest way to discover and track down where real antioxidant values are to be found. Superfoods ranging from cacao to acai to goji berries to spirulina to blue-green algae to marine phytoplankton all contain extraordinarily-rich antioxidant content.

Antioxidants can be water or fat soluble. All raw, pure fats and oils are antioxidants as they contain excess electrons. That means, that not only are richly-colored foods loaded with antioxidants, but so are all raw olives, avocados, nuts, and seeds.

Antioxidants are known to stop runaway free radicals. Free radicals behave like bad drunks because they create problems in every cell they touch. Free radicals are aggressive oxygen molecules that oxidize and damage tissue. Free radical damage has been implicated in numerous symptoms ranging from skin wrinkles all the way to cancer.

According to the free radical theory, the more antioxidants you consume, the better, due to the ability of antioxidants to quench and deactivate free radicals.

Not only are antioxidants capable of quieting free radicals, some antioxidants have medicinal value. The xanthone antioxidants in the rind of the mangosteen fruit are known to fight the organisms that cause rheumatism and arthritis better than any other known botanical substance. The blue-pigment antioxidants in blue-green algae help increase the natural production of stem cells. For these reasons both of these antioxidants have been combined into a dynamic popular antioxidant formula we created called Blue Mangosteen.

Vitamins A, C, and E are considered antioxidants. Vitamin A is a metabolite of beta-carotene, a red pigment commonly found in plants (e.g. goji berries, carrots, etc.). Vitamin C is a well-known antioxidant with a tremendous volume of research behind it. We believe that natural vitamin C sources (Camu berry) instead of simply ascorbic acid are best. Vitamin E has undergone substantial revision in recent years as its antioxidant value varies with quality and type (tocotrienols or tocopherols). Tocotrienols are more powerful Vitamin E antioxidants than tocopherols.

Some atomic minerals, such as zinc and selenium, are considered antioxidants, but they are not capable of antioxidant action by themselves. These antioxidant minerals must work in conjunction with antioxidant enzymes in order to be effective.

The only known atom that acts independently as an antioxidant is hydrogen. Hydrogen neutralizes free radicals instantly (and completely) with no byproducts leftover except water. Dr. Flanagan’s MegaHydrate (a hydrogen supplement) has an ORAC score approximately ten times higher than any known food thus making MegaHydrate perhaps the world’s strongest antioxidant supplement.

The ORAC Score

The ORAC score is a scientific standard that determines which foods or substances have significant antioxidant values. The higher the ORAC score, the greater is the substance’s power as an antioxidant. ORAC scores increase as substances are reduced to powders because the surface area increases making the antioxidants more available. Rudolf Steiner believed, as did the great Vedic herbalists, that you could increase the value of an herb or food by properly drying and powdering it. No doubt, that they intuitively understood that by properly drying and powdering a substance you increase its antioxidant value making the substance even more effective.

If we look at the ORAC values of certain foods, we can begin to see the key antioxidant-rich foods. Of all major foods on the planet, cacao (raw chocolate) delivers the most antioxidants. Cacao (raw chocolate) is the richest antioxidant food in the world.

In 2007, a colleague and I took a trip to Hort Research in New Zealand. Hort is the preeminent antioxidant research facility in the world. There, the scientists explained to us that not only are the ORAC score important, what is perhaps even more valuable is how well the antioxidants present in the foods are absorbed into the blood stream. They told us that their evidence indicates that consuming cacao with berries may triple the absorption of the antioxidants (found in both foods) into the blood.

Antioxidant Blood Tests

Raw foodists and super foodists consistently score higher than the rest of the population in antioxidant blood tests. This evidence supports the ideas outlined within this article that richly pigmented foods such as raw fruits, vegetables, and superfoods (goji berries, cacao nibs, acai, camu berry, spirulina, blue-green algae, marine phytoplankton, etc.) as well as raw fats and oils (nuts, seeds, olive oil, flax seed oil, hempseed oil, etc.) are all powerful antioxidants.

To be clear, based on the evidence supplied by Hort Research, superfoods like cacao and goji berries or cacao and acai or cacao and camu berry when combined in smoothies or snacks create a synergistic effect thus increasing the utilization of the antioxidants. This is one more piece of evidence indicating that the habit of combining unique superfood ingredients in smoothies or snacks is being increasingly validated by science.

Products

Cacao powder

Cacao nibs

Cacao butter

Sacred Heart Chocolate

Blue Mangosteen (medicinal antioxidants)

Tocotrienols (The Best Vitamin E Ever)

Acai

Spirulina

Blue-Green Algae

Marine Phytoplankton

Camu Berry powder

Pure Radiance C

Bee Pollen (extraordinary content of natural electrons)

Tomatoes, which are actually a fruit and not a vegetable, are loaded with all kinds of health benefits for the body. They are in fact, a highly versatile health product and due to their equally versatile preparation options, there’s really no reason to neglect the tomato as a part of a healthy diet.

One of the most well known tomato eating benefit is its’ Lycopene content. Lycopene is a vital anti-oxidant that helps in the fight against cancerous cell formation as well as other kinds of health complications and diseases.

Free radicals in the body can be flushed out with high levels of Lycopene, and the tomato is so amply loaded with this vital anti-oxidant that it actually derives its rich redness from the nutrient.

New research suggests that the human body absorbs lycopene better from orange-colored tomatoes than from the more popular red varieties.

Lycopene is an antioxidant commonly found in tomatoes and other red- or pink-colored foods, including watermelon, papaya, rosehips, and pink grapefruit or guava. Evidence suggests that lycopene reduces the risk of cancer, diabetes, osteoporosis and cardiovascular disease, and possibly even male infertility.

Tomato extracts can boost heart health by deleting the accumulation of platelets that eventually lead to blood clots, heart attacks and strokes, according to two complimentary studies from British researchers. They say the aggregation of platelets is one of the three major components of heart disease.

Nutrition of Tomatoes

Tomatoes will give you the following nutritional benefits:

* Vitamin C (40% of recommended daily value in one tomato)
* Vitamin A (20% RDA)
* Vitamin K (over 15% RDA)
* Decent source (7% RDA) of fiber
* Potassium, niacin, vitamin B6, folate
* Lycopene (antioxidant)

All those nutrients can improve your health:

* Lots of cancer protection
* Protects against heart disease, stroke
* Colon and prostate health
* Improves LDL cholesterol
* Natural anti-inflammatory (helps with above diseases plus Alzheimer’s and osteoporosis)
* Bone health
* Reduces stress
* Can reduce frequency of migraines
* Helps regulate blood sugar in diabetics

Lycopene is the Tomato’s Secret Weapon

Lycopene is an antioxidant, which means it helps cells protect themselves from oxygen damage. You’ve heard the phrase “free radicals” thrown around, I’m guessing. They’re bad for you, inside and out, and lycopene is a great weapon against them. It has been shown in studies to protect against colorectal, prostate, breast, endometrial, lung, and pancreatic cancers, quite significantly in many cases. It also protects against heart disease.

In one study, 10 healthy women ate a diet containing two ounces of tomato puree each day for three weeks, either preceded by or followed by a tomato-free diet for three weeks. The researchers measured blood levels of lycopene and evaluated oxidative damage to cells before and after each phase. They found that cell damage dropped by 33% to 42% after consuming the tomato diet.

Fresh or Canned?

In the summer, when you can get local produce, of course eat fresh tomatoes if you enjoy them. However, tomatoes are one of those few foods that actually increase in nutrition after being cooked. Cooking breaks down cell walls, releasing and concentrating carotenoids (lycopene).

The tomatoes available in grocery stores are generally cultivated for toughness and even color, not flavor or nutrition. Most are picked green and treated with ethylene gas, which causes them to turn red without really ripening. You can put a store tomato in a sunny window upside down to ripen it up (but it might not be worth the $ for the lack of flavor!). Hydroponic tomatoes, because of the lack of soil, lack nutrients. They’re not worth your time. Canned tomatoes get one more leg up because they’re picked at peak ripeness and processed immediately, thus retaining more nutrients than produce-section toms.

Eating the whole tomato increases absorption of lycopene, so if you can find canned tomatoes with peels (most aren’t) or make your own tomato sauce/paste/etc, you can increase the nutritive value even further. To make sure your body absorbs the lycopene best in whatever kind of tomato you’re eating, add a bit of fat. Carotenoids are fat-soluble, so they will get into your system better if they had some oil to ride upon.

Sources:

http://www.kitchenstewardship.com/2009/04/26/food-for-thought-health-benefits-of-tomatoes/

How does citric acid protect against kidney stones?

Citric acid makes urine less favorable for the formation of stones. In its natural form, such as from citrus fruits, citric acid does not alkalinize the urine as citrate (from medication) does. Rather, it prevents small stones from becoming “problem stones” by coating them and preventing other material from attaching and building onto the stones.

What are the best food sources of citric acid?

Citric acid is most prevalent in citrus fruits and juices. Of these fruits, lemons and limes have the most citric acid. While oranges, grapefruits, and berries also contain appreciable amounts, lemons and limes will most significantly contribute to the citric acid content of your urine.
A half-cup (4 ounces) of pure lemon juice per day or 32 ounces of prepared lemonade provide about the same amount of citric acid as does pharmacological therapy. In addition to increasing your citric acid consumption, drinking adequate fluids (at least ten 8-ounce glasses per day) – more in hot weather or when physical activity promotes heavy perspiration – may be the most powerful way to decrease your risk of developing stones.

10 Easy Tips to Increase Your Citric Acid Intake

1. Eat 5 or more fruits and vegetables daily.
As lemons and limes provide the most citric acid per gram, these tips focus on them. Remember, though, that increasing your intake of all fruits and vegetables – especially the citrus variety – will add to your citric acid intake and provide other health benefits as well. For example, the potassium, magnesium, and phytate contained in fruits and vegetables protect you against forming new stones. Other phytochemicals in plant foods may prevent cancer and other chronic diseases.

* Here’s a tip to get more juice from lemons – roll them on a hard surface while pressing down with your palm.

2. Squeeze fresh lemon (or reconstituted lemon juice) into ice cube trays before freezing.
Directions: Fill trays almost full with water. Then, squeeze half a lemon or more over the tray, and freeze. Use these cubes for sprucing up water and other beverages. If you like the taste of lime, use lime instead of, or in addition to, lemons. Remember to drink at least 10 glasses of fluid every day to keep your urine dilute enough to prevent stones.

3. Squeeze fresh lemon or lime juice directly into your fruit juice, tea, or water.

4. Use lemon juice. Dilute 2 ozs. lemon juice with 6 ozs. water and drink twice a day – once in the morning and once in the evening – to reach the goal of 4 ozs. lemon juice per day.

5. Drink lemonade every day. Depending on your urinary citrate concentration, 16-32 ozs. daily may be recommended, distributed throughout the day. To make homemade lemonade, squeeze a ½ cup (4 ounces) of fresh lemon juice into a pitcher of cold water. Add sugar or sugar substitute, if desired.

6. Make a lemon or lime spritzer.

7. Use fresh lemon on lettuce or spinach salads.

8. Use freshly squeezed lemon or lime on fruit salads. Besides adding a zesty taste, the acid in the juice will prevent cut fruits, such as apples, from browning with exposure to air.

9. Use lemon or lime juice in marinades. When looking for marinades and other recipes, try the ones that call for lemon or lime juice, and incorporate them into your menus at home.

10. Read the label. Choose products that are high in citric acid.

Found at http://ultimatehealthnutrition.blogspot.com/2009/06/citric-acid-and-kidney-stones.html

A healthy diet can be the most important factor in building, supporting, maintaining, and also improving vision. While there is no single diet that is best for everyone, experts agree that a healthy diet high in vegetables is essential for eye health. Choose to make every meal an opportunity for enjoying more vegetables (preferably organic). Steam, stir fry, or simply eat them raw.

In a perfect world, we would get all of our vitamins from food. However, modern farming practices and the depletion of nutrients in soil often results in fruit and vegetables having significantly less minerals and vitamins than they used to, when everything was ‘organic’. Foods labeled and sold as organic these days tend to have more vitamin C, iron, magnesium and phosphorus, and less of the harmful nitrates and other residues from pesticides.

However, not everyone has ready access to organic food, or the money to buy it for the whole family. Thus, vitamin supplements are a good option to help us get our missing nutrients.

Here is a list of the top 6 vitamins, herbs, and phytonutrients to help alleviate the problem of sore, dry eyes, and maintain good vision:

1. Bilberry – is a herb used for both gastrointestinal and eye health. The active ingredients are called anthocyanosides, which are a type of flavanoid. Anthocyanosides are antioxidants that help improve the flow of blood through the capillaries in eyes. They help eyes adjust quickly to changes in light, and improve sharpness of vision.

Bilberry has also been shown to be effective in stopping the progression of cataracts when taken with vitamin E. It’s also used to treat diabetic retinopathy, and macular degeneration.

2. Vitamin A – Vitamin A is important for good night vision, and may play a role in preventing cataracts.

3. Grapeseed – Grapeseed is good for the peripheral circulation in our eyes. It also strengthens the capillaries.

4. Eyebright – Eyebright makes a great eye home remedy. Steep it in hot water to let the herb infuse, then remove the herb and cool the remaining liquid. You could put it in the freezer to cool it down quickly if you don’t have any infused eyebright on hand in the fridge. Once its cool, use it as an eye bath, or a compress. It’s great for sore eyes, and has an anti-inflammatory and soothing action.

5. Omega 3 Fatty Acids – Research from Harvard Medical school has found that taking omega 3 oils reduces the chance of getting dry eyes. Try taking 3 to 6 grams of a good quality fish oil supplement daily. Studies showed that consuming more long chain omega-3 fatty acids was associated with a significantly lower risk of macular degeneration among people with a lower-than-average intake of linoleic acid (an omega-6 found primarily in nut and seed oils). Those who ate one to two servings of nuts each week lowered their macular degeneration risk by 35%.

6. Lutein – Lutein is one example of a type of plant nutrient known as carotenoids. Better known examples include beta carotene and alpha carotene. Carotenoids are responsible for giving fruit and vegetables their distinctive colors, and the brightness of a fruit or vegetable is a good indicator of how much carotenoids it has in it. Those with a rich color have a higher concentration.

Lutein, beta, and alpha carotene are converted by the body into vitamin A. And lutein is found in very high concentrations in the macula of the eye. Lutein is used to help prevent macular degeneration, which is a big problem for people over 40 years of age. Macular degeneration can lead to blindness. Lutein is thought to work as an antioxidant in this capacity.

Other solutions for dry eyes include soaking chamomile tea bags and placing them on both eyes when they are cool. Chamomile helps reduce redness and swelling around the eye. Iced milk can also be used on a compress for sore eyes. Soak cotton wool or gauze pads with very cold milk (the coolness helps narrow blood vessels), and the fat in milk is very soothing for dry skin.

Get plenty of dark, green leafy vegetables like spinach, kale, collards and chard in your body. Beyond dark greens, go for colored vegetables, including carrots (orange), squash (yellow), beets (red), and red cabbage (purple). Colors indicate phytonutrients, many of which are antioxidants and eye-specific nutrients capable of providing super nutrition for your eyes. Fruits can help vision, too. Select dark fruits that are high in antioxidants like blueberries and blackberries, as well as dried fruits like raisins and prunes.

Drink carrot juice and fresh organic vegetable juices:
You likely have heard that carrot juice is good for the eyes. Carrot juice works extremely well for this purpose, partly by providing large amounts of provitamin-A beta-carotene. Get a quality juicer and make at least 16 oz of juice every day. While you’re making carrot juice why not add some beets, parsley greens, spinach leaves, celery stalks, or cucumber pieces into the mix?

Fresh vegetable juices truly are the #1 way to improve vision. After my 5 day juice fast my vision improved so much that I was able to stop wearing glasses and used just reading glasses sometimes.

Superfoods for stronger vision:
For boosting core nutrition that supports excellent vision, the best foods are superfoods. Superfoods include goji berries, chlorella, spirulina, nutritional yeast, chia seeds, and other foods. Superfoods provide greater quantities of nutrients than are typically found in foods. For example, chlorella provides a large amount of chlorophyll, but also offers essential fats, nucleic acids (DNA and RNA), and vitamins.

Sources:
http://www.1800blogger.com/2009/06/15/eyesight-and-food/
http://www.npicenter.com/anm/templates/healthnotes.aspx?articleid=24200&zoneid=51

http://visioncorrectioncalifornia.com/top-6-vitamins-and-herbs-for-eye-health

Less obvious and more common are food intolerances, which can be digestive issues that don’t involve the immune system. Symptoms may include cramps, gas and bloating. Unlike with food allergies, you may be able to eat small amounts of problem foods.

But don’t torture yourself. Instead, try some of these lower risk alternatives to the most common food allergies, including milk, eggs, peanuts and soy.

Apples and applesauce

In addition to vitamin C, pectin (a soluble fiber), potassium and important phytochemicals, apples contain high amounts of quercetin, which can help reduce allergy symptoms, according to a study in the Journal of Allergy and Clinical Immunology. German researchers recently showed organically produced apples have a 15 percent higher antioxidant capacity than conventionally produced apples.

Try this: Lightly saute slices from one apple with one diced potato and onion.

Cruciferous vegetables

Some people with allergies have trouble removing toxins through the liver and kidneys, said nutrition expert Bonnie Minsky. If the toxins back up into the body, it increases the chances of inflammation, which leaves an allergic person even more sensitive. Vegetables such as broccoli, cauliflower, Brussels sprouts and cabbage greatly assist the process, she said.

Try this: Eat broccoli steamed and mixed with fresh garlic and olive oil.

Quinoa

Probably the least allergenic of the grains, quinoa’s high protein content (12 percent to 18 percent) and balanced set of essential amino acids make it a complete source of protein, according to chef Lisa Williams, who has allergies to wheat and dairy and sensitivities to sugar and gluten. Quinoa is a good source of dietary fiber, phosphorus, magnesium and iron.

Try this: Since breakfast is often problematic for people with allergies, try quinoa in the morning; add nuts and fruit if you can.

Lentils

Food can be expensive when you’re on a specialized diet, which makes relatively cheap lentils a superfood on all fronts. Lentils are loaded with iron, protein and folic acid. One cup has 16 grams of fiber. They’re also versatile and easy to store. If you’re allergic to peanuts, you have a 5 percent chance of having an allergic reaction to other legumes such as lentils, according to allergy expert Dr. Lee Freund, author of “The Complete Idiot’s Guide to Food Allergies.”

Try this: Combine two cups of cooked lentils with two oranges cut into cubes and two chopped sweet peppers, suggests naturopathic doctor Michael Murray in “The Condensed Encyclopedia of Healing Food.” Season with salt and your favorite herbs and spices.

Sweet potato

Nutritious and rich in complex carbohydrates and fiber, sweet potatoes are a member of the morning glory family. They are brimming with carotenoids, vitamin C, potassium, fiber and vitamin B-6, which all contribute to reduced inflammation, Minsky said.

Try this: Make sweet potato fries by slicing and lightly coating with olive oil and your favorite spices. Bake until crispy (about 20 minutes) at 300 degrees.

Avocado

Avocados can be an ideal source for healthful fat. It’s also a natural anti-inflammatory because it has a high amount of vitamin B-6 and magnesium, Minsky said. “Avocado is also a blood sugar stabilizer and liver cleanser which further lowers the risk of allergic inflammation,” she said. If you have a latex sensitivity or are allergic to melons, you may have a reaction to avocados.

Try this: Mix a cup of corn, a cup of tomatillo salsa and one diced avocado. Top with cilantro.

Dulse

A red seaweed that is salty when it’s dry and slippery when you start to chew. It’s high in iodine, which is good for the thyroid. It also has calcium, potassium, magnesium, iron and other vitamins and minerals.

Try this: Use it like a condiment; sprinkle the powder on broccoli or potatoes or add to salad dressings. Add big leaves to soup.

Rice milk

Rice is a standard hypoallergenic food. Though rice milk is low in protein, it’s a popular alternative for those who avoid cow’s milk because they are lactose intolerant.

Try this: Make a smoothie with two cups of plain rice milk, a cup of juice, a few chucks of frozen fruit and a shot of omega 3 fish oil (unless you have seafood allergies), as suggested by Robyn O’Brien, founder of Allergy Kids and author of the book “The Unhealthy Truth.”

Salba seeds

A light-colored version of chia seeds, salba seeds can be found as a whole grain, in ground powder or in some snack products. Unlike flax seeds, they are digestible in whole seed form, Doherty said. They’re rich in omega 3 fatty acids, dietary fiber, antioxidants, magnesium, folate, calcium and iron, as well as vitamins A and C.

Try this: Sprinkle the seeds in smoothies, cereal, yogurt or casseroles.

Figs

Packed with potassium and containing more calcium than orange juice, high in soluble fiber, which can relieve constipation. Dark figs have a stronger taste. Eat them fresh, if you can.

Try this
“Use a fig puree as a sweetener,” said nutrition expert Jonny Bowden. Combine 8 ounces of figs with a quarter-cup to a third of a cup of water in a blender. Pureed figs also can be used as a sandwch filler.

Found at http://www.chicagotribune.com/features/food/chi-tc-food-health-0529-0603jun03,0,1694733.story?

Chia seeds are high in:

* Protein;
* Fiber;
* Magnesium,
* Calcium, and, best of all,
* ALA, a type of omega-3 fatty acid. (In fact chia seeds contain more Omega-3′s than any other plant source, including flaxseed).

It’s easy to get mixed up between omega-3 and omega-6; basically, omega-3 acids are the fats which are not so easy to come by. They’re in fish oils, flax seeds, kiwi seeds, and chia seeds, amongst other things. Omega-6, on the other hand, is found almost everywhere you look: nuts, vegetable oils, avocadoes, etc. As important as omega-6 oils are to our health, the balance of omega-3 to omega-6 is equally important. As it is so easy to consume plenty of omega-6, it is very easy to end up with an unbalanced consumption of the two types of oils, which are also known as essential oils. When it comes to the amount of omega-3 oil in various seed oils, the chia seed has the highest content, just above kiwi seeds, perilla and flax.

An ounce of chia seeds contains 137 calories, and will get you four grams of protein and 11 grams of fiber.

What makes the Chia Seed the super food that many claim it to be?

- 30% of the chia seed’s oil is Omega 3 oil. 40% of its oil is Omega 6 oil. This provides the nice balance those who take supplemental Essential Fatty Acids are looking for. The chia seed’s substantially dense percentage in alpha-linolenic fatty acid also makes this seed a healthy dietary source of fatty acids.
– You do not need to grind the Chia Seeds to digest it. It is a relatively easy to digest seed, whereas flax seeds are not. Often, one has to grind flax seeds to be able to process them in their digestive system. That is not the case with chia seeds.
– Chia seeds are a complete source of protein. They actually have 2 times the protein of any other seed or grain.
– They are one of the best sources of fiber. They are fabulous colon cleansers and actually clear out the digestive tract so that you absorb more nutrients and eliminate waste more efficiently. It also prevents indigestion and heartburn without risk of harmful side effects.
– This is a super food for diabetics because they help stabilize blood sugar levels.
– Chia seeds are great for weight loss because they easily bulk up the food without changing the taste. Because the carbohydrates re released incredibly slow, it make people feel full. They also bulk up and cleanse the body of old “junk” so the body can detox and lose weight.
– These tiny seeds have are packed with calcium, and they also contain boron which is a trace mineral that helps calcium get into your bones.
– This super seed is a seriously potent antioxidant; in fact, it has 3 times more antioxidant activity than blueberries. Not only does this help you to fight disease and defy age naturally, it also keeps the chia seeds from going off like other seeds such as flax.
– Chias have 3 more iron than spinach, which is needed to carry oxygen from the lungs into the muscles and organs.
– They are great for athletes because they are highly hydrophilic. Being hydrophilic means it absorbs large amounts of water. Chia Seeds can absorb over 10 times their weight in water making them a great enhancer in hydrating our bodies. They absorb the water we drink holding it in our system longer.
– Studies show that eating chia seed slows down how fast our bodies convert carbohydrate calories into simple sugars. This leads scientists to believe that the chia seed may have great benefits for diabetics.
– The chia seed gels when becoming wet and this gel, when in our digestive systems, helps prevent some of the food, hence calories that we eat from getting absorbed into our system. This blockage of calorie absorption makes the chia seed a great diet helper. Eating the seeds also helps dieters by making them feel fuller faster so they will be less hungry!
– Chia is a great addition to a detoxification program. Chia seeds are high in fiber and in healthy oils making them an excellent addition to many detox programs.

Sources:
http://www.healthmad.com/Nutrition/The-Health-Benefits-of-the-Chia-Seed.78548
http://www.naturalnews.com

http://www.diet-blog.com/archives/2008/05/20/new_superfood_chia_seeds.php

2 cups raw, finely ground almonds (grind prior to use)
3 cups diced, crimini mushrooms
1 cup spinach leaves, chopped
¾ cup diced, broccoli crowns
½ small, red bell pepper chopped
¾ cup diced, white and green onions (combo of both)
5 pieces, softened sun-dried tomatoes
1/8 cup olive oil
¼ cup tahini (or a little less)
1 garlic clove, crushed
1/8 tsp. nutmeg
½ tsp. dried thyme
½ tsp. dried tarragon
1 TB Bragg Liquid Aminos
1 TB lemon juice
½ cup water (to help blend)

In food processor, combine all of the crust ingredients. Process until it forms a ball. Spread out on parchment paper lined dehydrator screen. Dehydrate until firm.

Spicy Red Pepper Spread

1 small red bell pepper
6-9 (depending on size) softened sun-dried tomatoes
1 clove garlic, pressed
½ small white onion, chopped
sea salt
ground cayenne pepper

Blend until thick and creamy.

For this pizza I topped it with zucchini that marinated in a small amount of Nama Shoyu, paprika, and just a pinch of ground chipotle chili pepper. Sliced onions, fresh parsley, and raw pine nuts helped finish the toppings list. You can put on whatever you like.

After pizza crust is firm spoon the red pepper spread on thick.
Top with zucchini, onions, pine nuts and parsley.

Found at http://irawvegan.blogspot.com/2009/06/veggie-pizzaraw.html

Here are 7 steps to beautiful, glowing skin:

1. Avoid Food Intolerances

If you are intolerant to certain foods, it may show up as bags or dark circles under the eyes. Sugar is one of the most aging toxins, since fluctuating blood sugars are highly aging. Cow’s milk is linked with acne and poor skin quality. Excess alcohol and other toxins that make the liver overworked can make the skin look overworked. A healthy diet that is filled with foods that nurture is the key to radiant skin.

2. Avoid Free Radicals and Eat Loads of Antioxidants

Free radicals such as house hold chemicals and cigarettes cause aging. The irony is that all of these expensive creams and potions that promise to turn back the years, along with botox and other processes cause free radical damage that will eventually appear on the skin, no matter how much they seem to work in the short term.

But despite our efforts to avoid toxins, we are still going to come into contact with free radicals. Even exercise causes free radicals. Consuming as many antioxidants as possible is the natural antidote. Kale, cabbage, chilli peppers, parsley artichokes and Brussels sprouts are some of the most powerful vegetables. Berries, pineapple, pomegranate, prunes and kiwis are some of the fruits with the highest antioxidant activity. Raw chocolate, bee pollen, goji berries, and spirulina are just a few of the new super foods shown to dramatically reduce aging, as well as most other health issues.

3. Find Your Optimum Weight and Stay There

The endless cycle of losing weight, gaining it back only to go on yet another diet is terrible for the skin, not to mention dangerous for the body and exhausting for the mind. This constant rise and fall of weight can potentially cause wrinkles and saggy skin. Maintaining your optimum weight keeps skin firm and youthful. Cutting out or at least dramatically reducing the amount of “dead” food such as bread, pasta and rice while significantly increasing the amount of living food like fruits and vegetables is a simple change you can make to find your ideal weight and enjoy optimum health.

4. Limit Intense Sun Exposure

Excess sun exposure can cause skin damage. Yet this fact has been taken to the extreme, making people scared of getting any sun at all. The key is to get short bursts of sun so that you don’t get sun burned. Eating plenty of antioxidants will actually make you less likely to get sun burned.
On the other hand, sunscreen has been shown to cause aging and disease, so covering up when the skin has had too much sun is far more effective. Research indicates that broccoli sprouts are an especially good natural sunscreen food, and scientists are attempting to create a sunscreen out of them.

5. Moisturize with Nature’s Most Perfect Oil

Coconut oil keeps the skin strong and supple, preventing sagging, wrinkled skin. It protects from free radicals and is a natural sunscreen. It prevents dry skin, blemishes and liver spots. It even has the ability to restore and rejuvenate damaged skin. It heals and repairs, leaving the skin radiant and youthful.

Coconut oil has been used for centuries by people all over the world. It is nature’s oldest and most popular moisturizer and youth restorer. Who needs botox and toxic skin creams when there is nature??

6. Ensure you Get Plenty of Essential Fats

Omega-3 fatty acids are a key ingredient for beautiful skin. Most people are seriously lacking in these fats that are vital for vibrant, healthy looking skin. Eczema, dry skin, cracked heels and premature aging are all signs of omega 3 deficiency. Omega-3 fats prevent dehydration in the cells so that the skin cells are strong and full of moisture. Fish oil and Alaskan wild salmon are good sources of omega 3. If you are a vegan, you can use hemp, linseed and chia seeds.

7. Relax Your Facial Muscles

Be aware of your facial expressions. If you frown a lot, try to relax the muscles. This is actually a good form of meditation. Go around your face and discover where there is tension or holding. Breathe into the area and feel it let go. Focus on all of the key muscles groups and feel them melting into relaxation.

You can also improve your skin with superfoods. Superfoods are natural foods that are high in antioxidants, packed with age-busting properties and fight cell damage from free radicals. Another great thing is that you can find most of these natural weapons against aging in your local grocery store:

1. Flax Seed – The high concentration of healthy Omega 3 & 6 oils, as well as vitamin E found in flax seed helps the skin look youthful. Even though some fats are high in calories, the oil in flax seed is actually good for you. 2 tablespoons of flax seed contain only 70 calories and can be incorporated into any recipe. It can work wonders for dry skin and help reduce inflammation. For those with psoriasis and eczema, adding flax seed – preferably ground flax seed to the diet – would be ideal.

2. Avocado – can boost moisture levels in dehydrated skin and is great for the fight against wrinkles. The antioxidant properties of vitamin E found in avocado helps in keeping the skin soft and smooth. Avocado also contains sterolins which plays a role in reducing age spots and heals sun damage. The emollient properties of avocado make it the perfect ammunition for skin regeneration.

Tip: Be on the look out for unblemished avocados with smooth shiny green skin, when shopping for fruit and vegetables.

3. Carrots – The carotenoids found in this vegetable when consumed, build up in the skin and provide protection from the damaging effects of ultraviolet rays absorbed by the skin. Nibbling on just one carrot a day will give you your vitamin A needs for the day.

Tip: Buy organic carrots for extra health benefits.

4. Apples – A study conducted by Monash University, in Melbourne, showed a link between eating a Mediterranean-style diet and showing less skin wrinkling than those who maintained a less healthy diet. One of the beneficial foods found to be responsible for fewer skin wrinkles were apples.

Green apples especially, contain lutein that is good for the elasticity of the skin and the strengthening of cell membranes. Apples eaten with the skin on, have more flavinoids which are beneficial to our health.

5. Watercress - This green leafy plant with a peppery taste, is known to improve the complexion of the skin. The iron content in watercress is enough to encourage sufficient blood flow to the skin for a glowing healthy complexion.

Eaten regularly, these super-foods will help you look and feel radiant and youthful. Remember, good nutrition and radiant skin go hand in hand.

Sources:
http://www.naturalnews.com/025493.html

http://kaplinskyreport.com/?p=4160