Natural Living 101

Why I Stopped Eating Meat and Started Eating More Plant Based Foods

2011-09-08T07:00:00.002-05:00

One week ago, I decided to cut dairy and meat out of my diet. I know that was a dramatic diet change. However, It was easy for me to make that decision because of my family history of high cholesterol, hypertension, stroke, diabetes and cancer.

Studies show that many of the illness es that I named above are caused by the foods that we eat. Several years ago my diet consisted of eating lots of fried chicken, bacon and eggs for breakfast, sodas and I loved eating pork chitterlings.

Last year my doctor told me that my cholesterol was too high and that I could lower it with medication or a healthier diet. I decided to eat healthier.

Looking at that list of foods above made me think about how I excited I am that my arteries are no longer at risk of being clogged from the fat that is in friend chicken, bacon and eggs.

In last week's post, I mentioned that I was reading a book titled, the China Study. The China Study covers the facts about foods that contain animal fats and it was enough information in the book to inspire me to cut the meat and daity from my diet and eat more plant based foods including: more fruits & vegetables, whole grains and plant based meat.

Now just in case you are wondering how I did it, I want to share with you what I've been eating to assure that I get enough protein and eating plenty of healthy foods.

I also must add that my decision to cut the meat was a gradual change for my family, however, when I explained to my kids that I want to be around to enjoy my grand kids in my old age, they understood:). Moreover, I want my husband and I both to be healthier as we enjoy our Journey together

My New diet...
Some of the foods that I eat for breakfast includes: Oatmeal, cereal bar, pancakes, waffles, potatoes, fruit, coffee with almond milk. I assure that I get a grain, fruit and I add a plant based milk in my coffee.

Snack... Whole grain bar and Apple

For lunch... I enjoy a large salad loaded with cucumbers, tomatoes, red onions, pasta, soup, fruit and water. Other food choices include: hummus dips with crackers, salads, beans, with rice and vegetables.

Dinner...I cook a soy based meat, fish or beans along with grains and fruit. For example: Fettuccine, soy based meat, broccoli and watermelon or Fish, potatoes, salad and cantaloupe.

Evening Snack...Whole grain Crackers with soy cheese and Green Tea

I only choose to eat soy based ice cream when I desire it.

My hope is that I have inspired you to eat and live healthier because your body depends on it. You may not choose to cut meat from your diet, however, I want to leave you with this thought. I once heard Doctor Don Colbert say, " Eat foods that give you life." Foods that give you life are grown from the earth (fruits, vegetables and whole grains) Check out this video----> http://forksoverknives.com/

With Health & Wellness in Mind!
Shiketa

Lower Your Choslesterol and Lose Weight With A Healthy Diet

2011-09-02T12:00:00.001-05:00

I am entering into the second week of a major diet change as I write this blog post. Several weeks before writing this post, I noticed some extra belly fat and I thought it was time to monitor my diet closely.

So, I decided to do implement some natural weight loss remedies including:

drinking lots of herbal teas
walking daily
increasing my intake of water
reducing the amount of starchy foods that I consumed
1 tsp of coconut oil
Apple cider vinegar and many other remedies

These were remedies that I tried in 2009 and they worked, however, when I stopped incorporating the remedies above...the weight came back.

Several days before writing this blog post, I decided to go purchase a copy of the book, The China Study. My Juice Plus sponsor recommended that I purchase a copy of the book, because she knew that I loved reading about health & wellness.

One year later I decided to purchase the book and it is hard for me to put the book down. In fact, this book has changed the way that I look at food. In the introduction of the book, the author wrote:

"You deserve to know that many of the common notions

you have been told about food, health and disease are wrong."

Just in case you are wondering why we should believe the author of this book; you must know that the author has over 50 years of experience in research, policy making and deciding which research gets funded and translating massive amounts of scientific research into national expert panel reports.

Moreover, The China Study book has over 750 references that point to ways to less cancer, less heart disease, fewer strokes, less obesity less autoimmune systems disease, less osteoporosis, less Alzheimer's, less kidney stones and less blindness.

The authors of the China Study, T Colin Campbell and Thomas M. Campbell II, believes that there are many things that we must do to lower our cholesterol levels and to lose weight; they are as follows:

Stop Eating Eggs
Avoid foods that are high in Animal Fat such as: "meat"
Eat a plant based diet
Consume more whole foods (whole grains, fruits & vegetables)
Avoid dairy products (with the exception of plant based milk)

"Studies show that those who follow a whole foods,

low-fat, plant based diet consume fewer calories

and they weigh less that meat-eating counterparts."

The list above is simply a small overview of what the authors of the book recommends to reduce the risk of heart disease, strokes or even cancer. You are probably thinking, it sounds like I need to become a vegan or a vegetarian.

Call it what you want, however, if you want to lower your cholesterol, lose weight, lower your risk of a heart attack; you must eat a low fat diet, eat more whole foods and cut the foods the foods high in animal fat.

I inspire you to pick up a copy of the China Study today. I am still reading the book and have already made changes in my diet to lower my cholesterol and lose those unwanted pounds. Since I've started reading the book, I have consumed more whole foods, and not eaten any eat meat since Monday August 29, 2011.

It was easy for me to make the change, because I was diagnosed with high cholesterol at the at of 24 and my doctor told me that it can be reversed with a healthy diet and exercise. I decided to choose a healthy diet over taking cholesterol lowering drugs. Thirteen years later, I am determined to enter into my forties with vibrant health.

As I continue to experiement with the variety of plant based foods, I will follow-up with another blog post, until then, go out and get your copy of the China Study.

Have a Healthy Day!
Shiketa

How Does Relaxing And Doing Nothing For Two Minutes Sound To You?

2011-08-17T21:00:00.002-05:00

Give your stress wings and let it fly away. ~Terri Guillemets

On August 17, 2011, I shared a status on my Facebook page and I wrote: "After a busy day like today, I am going to imagine that I am going for a walk on the beach in the sand and listen to the sounds of the ocean! Just the thought of a walk on the beach is so relaxing....."

Have you ever had a day where you just wanted to get away from it all and relax? After a busy day, your body needs to relax. Moreover, relaxation is great for the mind and it is a great way to calm your mind and restore your energy.

After seeing my post, one of my facebook friends shared a website with me titled, " Do nothing for 2 minutes."

Check it out and do nothing for 2 minutes--------> (Click here)

With Relaxation in Mind!
Shiketa

Jane Fonda Gives Tips on How to Lose Belly Fat

2011-08-02T12:40:00.000-05:00

As I was reading my email I noticed the video below on my AOL home page. The title of the video caught my attention, because it seems like a constant battle to keep my belly fat down. In fact, the things that I used to do to reduce my belly fat, I need to do them again and that does include: cardio and redcucing my calorie intake.

Jane Fonda shares her belly fat reduction tips in the following video, check it out!

You’re watching It’s All About Cardio, from Jane Fonda. See the Web's top videos on AOL Video

Please feel free to post your comments about Jane's belly fat tips! If you found this video to be helpful to you, feel free to share with your family and friends.

With Natural Health in Mind,
Shiketa

Power Foods that Help Prevent Disease and Fight Cancer

2011-07-29T09:00:00.002-05:00

According to Dr. Don Colbert Divine Health Newsletter, Power foods help prevent disease—they contain important phytonutrients which are cancer-fighting chemicals. Moreover, Dr. Colbert recommends that you include one or more of these foods in your diet every day:

•Vegetables-Broccoli, cabbage, cauliflower, Brussels sprouts, mustard greens, radishes, and turnips.

•Soybeans- burgers, soy protein, soymilk, and tofu.

•Other Power Foods-Strawberries, tangerines, and parsley.

Studies about Cancer Fighting Foods

Brocolli Can Safely Fight Cancer

Scientists at the Linus Paul Institute of Oregon State University have verified that the cancer-fighting compound, sulforaphane, a phytochemical found in such foods as broccoli and cauliflower, can safely kill cancerous cells in the prostate without harming normal cells. Continue reading on Examiner.com Chemical in broccoli safe to kill cancer, study says - National science news

Examiner.com http://www.examiner.com/science-news-in-national/chemical-broccoli-can-safely-fight-cancer-study-says#ixzz1SwLYnlf0

Soy Food Helps to Fight Breast Cancer

A couple of studies have suggested that eating soy foods may not only help reduce risk of developing breast cancer in premenopausal women, but may also mitigate recurrence of the disease in prior diagnosed patients.

Strawberries Fight Cancer

Research shows that strawberries have the potential to fight esophageal cancer. According to Dr. Tong Chen, Esophageal cancer is the third most common gastrointestinal cancer and the sixth most frequent cause of cancer death in the world. Read More

Be sure to eat your daily dose of power foods to assure that your body contains cancer-fighting phytonutrients, because your health depends on it!

To Your Health,

Shiketa

Recommended Supplement that helps the body fight disease, Juice Plus. Juice Plus contains power foods and is recommended by many Doctors all over the world.

Natural Soap and Body Care Findings

2011-07-19T19:35:00.003-05:00

My family and I were recently on a vacation in Branson, Missouri. We decided to visit Silver Dollar theme park for a day and as we walked through the amusement park I noticed a lady making all natural soap.

I immediately felt like a kid in a candy store, because I love buying all natural soap. The lady explained to me that the soap was made out of Lye and Lard. I thought, Oh no, not artery clogging lard on my skin!

As I raised questions, she asked me to feel her hands. Her hands were soft as a stick of butter. She also, explained to me that the lye in the soap helped to get rid of dry skin and I was sold!

Furthermore, I was still a little nervous about rubbing Lard on my skin, so I browsed the internet to research lard soap. Check out some of the sites that I found about Lard and Lye in soap.

Websites about Lard and Lye Soap

Lye Soap the Old Fashioned Way
Smoky Mountain Lye Soap
Wise Geek

As we began to procede through the park, I noticed a sign that read: Organic Body Care. I was anxious to go inside of the "White River Bath & Body Shop" to explore their organic products. There was a variety of skin care products including:

bath salts
body creams
natural soaps
body oil
all natural fragrances and so much more

After smelling almost every scent in the store I decided to buy the all natural Coconut Bay Silky Body Cream, which contained: shea butter, jojoba oil and other natural ingredients. It smells so good and the scents lingers most of the day.

I asked the sales person if I could take pictures for my blog and she smiled and said, "sure." Check out the pictures below.

Look What I found while on Vacation

All Natural Soaps

Bath Salts

Body Creams and Oils

Photo Credit: White River Bath and Body

I love to buy all natural soap and skin care products,because organic skin care products does not contain harmful ingredients such as: parabens and propylene glycol.

Parabens are commonly used in most skin care products and they can disrupt hormone balance and mimic estrogen. Moreover, studies have shown that propylene glycol causes dermatitis, skin irritation and may cause liver abnormalities.

What I use on My Skin
I currently use Origins Clean energy to clean and moisturize my face and all natural soap to bathe daily. Before buying the lye and lard soap, I needed to apply oil to my skin. Now, I only apply the Coconut bay body cream to my hands and feet. The all natural soap that is made with Lard and Lye, leaves my skin feeling soft and moisturized.

Feel free to post your comments about my natural care findings? I look forward to your comments.

With Natural Body Care in Mind,
Shiketa

Did you see my last post(s):
Natural Remedies for Migraine Headaches
7 Ways to lose weight the natural way

Contact me about sponsoring a blog post that features your all natural skin care product or business in an upcoming blog post. Send me an email at: naturalliving101@aol.com

Natural Remedies for Migraine Headaches

2011-07-13T15:44:00.000-05:00

Today I met a very nice woman in the nail salon. We instantly connected and began to talk about health. There was one thing that the woman said to me that really touched my heart and that was, " I have really bad migraines."

My heart was touched that her migranes were so bad. In fact, I decided to mention to my facebook friends that I was working on a new blog post about natural remedies for migraine suffers.

I was quite surprised at the response. There are many people that suffer from migraines and medication seems to only be a temporary solution. In this blog post you will read about migraine statistics, what causes migranes, supplements for headache support, lifestyle changes, including foods to eat and foods to avoid.

Facts
In the U.S., more than 30 million people suffer from migraines, according to a 2001 report from the National Institutes of Health’s National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke. That means there is a migraine sufferer in 25 percent of all U.S. households. Read more

What Causes Migranes
According to the Mayo Clinic, Migraines may be caused by changes in the brainstem and its interactions with the trigeminal nerve, a major pain pathway. Imbalances in brain chemicals, including serotonin — which helps regulate pain in your nervous system — also may be involved, Moreover, Serotonin levels drop during migraine attacks. This may trigger your trigeminal system to release substances called neuropeptides, which travel to your brain's outer covering (meninges). The result is headache pain.

Foods That will Boost Serotonin levels

Turkey
Almonds
Dark leafy Greens
Pineaples
Cherries
A Cup a Day of Black Coffee

Foods that "Trigger" Headaches

Alcohol
Wine
Beer
Dairy foods
Caffeine
Sugar
Chocolate
MSG (common in chinese food)
Pizza
Wheat
Sulfites

Supplements for Headaches
Before starting any supplements, consult your physician

Magnesium
5-HTP (to calm stress)
Gingko bikiba
Green Tea with stevia

Here are five things that you can do on a daily basis to help manage the on-set of migraine headaches and they are as follows:

Massage Therapy (once or twice a month)
Aromatherapy (Lavendar Oil)
Deep Breathing
Excercise
Ice pack applied to the back of the neck; for nausea, place ice on the throat

As stated above, as you begin to incorporate any of the above natural remedies, be sure to consult with your physician. Moreover, as you can see, your diet and lifestyle plays a major role in your ability to manage migraines.

Further, as you try any of the above remedies, consider journaling about the natural remedies that you consume. This is the only way to know what works for you. If it works, tell your doctor and keep doing what works for you.

If you found this blog post to be very helpful to you, please share it with your family, friends and co-workers that may suffer from migraines.

With your health in mind,
Shiketa

Sources for this post:
Causes of Migraines
Natural Health Remedies: An A-Z handbook with natural treatments

7 Ways to Lose Weight..The Natural Way

2011-07-03T21:29:00.000-05:00

According to the June 26, 2011 Huffington post article, 7 Healthy ways to lose weight, when it comes to losing weight and getting healthy, the little things add up -- trying just one new thing every day can quickly make a big difference.

I agree that trying one new thing every day makes a difference. Lately my husband and I have been walking in the evenings to help to manage our weight. We have also tried to drink more water and eat healthier.

Many health professionals would agree that, losing un-wanted weight helps to lower your chances of many diseases such as; heart disease, high blood pressure,stroke, heart attack or even diabetes. In the June 26, 2011 Huffington post article, the writer described seven ways to lose weight without dieting and they are as follows:

1. Portion Control

2. Take Multi Vitamins

3. Circuit Training

4. Vitamin C

5. Exercise with a Buddy

6. Eat more Fruits and Vegetables

7. Breathing

Are you ready to lose some pounds without dieting? Read the entire article, here.

To Your Health & Wellness,
Shiketa

Recommended Reading
The Next best thing to fruits and vegetables
Eat an Orange a Day for Optimal health & wellness

The Truth about Pesticides in Your Fruits & Vegetables

2011-06-28T19:57:00.000-05:00

Photo Credit

According to the EWG's 2011 Shoppers guide, 98 percent of conventional apples had pesticides, celery tested positive for 57 different pesticides and strawberries was contaminated with as many as 13 different pesticides. This is just a small list of the top 12 (Dirty Dozens) of conventional fruits and vegetables that were highly contaminated with pesticides.

Why are pesticides sprayed on produce?
A pesticide is any substance or a mixture of substances intended to destroy or mitigating pest. If you think about the purpose of a pesticide, does it make you wonder how much damage it can cause on the inside of our body?

How harmful are pesticides?
According to the United States Environmental protection agency, pesticides can cause the following health problems:

Birth defects
Nerve damage
Cancer
May harm a developing child by blocking the absorption of important food nutrients necessary for normal healthy growth

I recommend that you check out the EWG's 2011 Shopper's Guide, 12 Dozen and Clean 15 list. See entire list

Now that you know the truth about pesticides, do you plan to change how you shop for fruits and vegetables? Will you buy Organic? Will you buy the clean 15 convential produce?

To your health & wellness,
Shiketa
Recommended Links
http://www.epa.gov/pesticides/factsheets/child-ten-tips.htm
http://www.epa.gov/opp00001/food/pest.htm

New Study about Major Toxins in Cosmetics

2011-06-26T16:46:00.000-05:00

According to the Organic Consumers Association, a new report revealed that virtually every cosmetic product tested contained a potentially dangerous or proven toxic heavy metal.

Lead and arsenic aren't listed among the ingredients of lip gloss and eyeliner. However, Environmental Defence, a Canadian environmental group tested dozens of common cosmetics products and found that virtually all of them were contaminated with heavy metals.

The environmental defense tested 49 cosmetic products including: powders, concealers, mascaras, eyeliners, lipsticks and glosses. Ninety six percent of the products contained lead and many other heavy metals.

After being a beauty consultant for two years, I decided to only use all natural skin care and cosmetics to reduce the amount of toxins that are absorbed in my body. As a beauty consultant, I wanted to become very knowledgeable about the products that I sold.

Moreover, after much research on the products that I was selling, I was not happy to discover that the products contained ingredients that were virtually toxic to my customers skin. Furthermore, it was a tough decision, but I decided to promote and only use all natural skin care products.

Check out my latest article, Your Lotions may be causing harm to your body. Read all about heavy metals on the United States Department of Labor website.

To your health & wellness,
Shiketa

The Natural Way to a Happier You!

2011-06-23T18:38:00.001-05:00

Happiness seems to be something that everyone is in search us. However, I strongly believe that happiness comes when we are whole in all areas of our lives includings:

Relationships
Purpose
Mind
Body
Soul

I pay close attention to what makes me feel happy and what drains my positive energy. In fact, I find that when I excersie, eat healthy and strive to have peaceful relationships, I am so much happier.

Now, happiness to you may have a totally different definition. However, I want inspire you to plan a quiet time daily and focus on what makes you happy. Moreover, strive to exercise, do more of what you love, eat more foods that contain life such as; fruits & vegetables and journal about your feelings daily.

In summary, I know that every day may not be a perfect day, but the good book tells us that this earth is full of the goodness of God and when you focus on the goodness of God..you can't help but to feel happy.

Check out this great blog that I recently discovered. Visit A Happier Self.com and be sure to share your thoughts about this post.

To a Happier You!

Shiketa

Gardening is Great for Your Health

2011-06-01T18:16:00.000-05:00

Flowers always make people better, happier, and more helpful; they are sunshine,

food and medicine for the soul.

~Luther Burbank

In a May 29, 2011 article, Gardening can be good for your health says local health expert, Carol Zimmerman wrote about the many health benefits of gardening, including:

lower blood pressure
increased immune function
reduced stress.
you can also get a full workout
muscle endurance
muscle strengthening

After reading Zimmerman's article, I was glad that I decided to start a patio garden in my back yard. In fact, I do not have time in the evenings to dig in the yard, so I decided to start my garden in flower pots, because it takes very little time to maintain flowers in pots.

After a busy day or on the weekends I love to relax in my backyard and enjoy the view of the flowers. Furthermore, after spending time in the backyard surrounded with flowers, I feel so refreshed and rejuvenated.

I hope that you have been inspired to start your own garden or get involved in a community garden for your health & wellness.

Have a Healthy Day!
Shiketa Morgan

Reccommended Reading

How to Make Aromatherapy Room Spray

2011-05-26T11:46:00.000-05:00

Revitalize your mind, body and soul with every spray!

I was recently reading a Yoga and Spa magazine and in the magazine there was an article about making your very own room spray with essential oils. I was excited to see the article, because I had recently bought some lavendar, peppermint and orange essential oils from the whole food stores for about $8 a bottle. Along with buying the essential oils, I stopped by the local dollar store to purchase spray botttles.

I use the room sprays to freshen up my home and to revive my mind body and soul. Here are the instructions on how to make your very own aromatherapy room spray at home:

1. Purchase a small spray bottle

2. Add 4-6 ounces of water to the bottle

3. Add add 1/2 teaspoon of glycerin or castile oil

4. Add 8-10 drops of essential oil to the bottle

5. Place the cap on the bottle and swirl

6. Spray the essential oils throughout your home and enjoy!

Essential Oils for any Mood

Relaxation.....................Lavendar, Orange, Lemon Oils

Fatigue.........................Rosemary and Peppermint Oils

Memory Boosters.........Cyprus or Basil Oils

Visit the Aromatherapy.com website for more tips!

Shiketa Morgan

Are You Determined to Live a Healthier Life?

2011-04-19T07:59:00.001-05:00

In 2009, I made some major changes in my diet. I decided to only drink organic milk, drink more tea, take whole food supplements, walk more, only use sea salt, drink spring water and many other healthy life style changes.

Many of the changes that I made were inspired by my cousins Pierre and Ann. They shopped at the Whole Foods store and only drank organic milk. I raised the question to Pierre about drinking organic milk. I asked him, " If the government knew that regular milk was loaded with hormones that were bad for us, why do the grocery stores sale it? I prefer not to disclose his response, but it didn't make sense to me at that time, but it does now.

Another inspiration for my healthy life style changes derived from Keven Trudeau's book, The Natural Cures they don't want us to know About. Trudeau's book has been an inspiration for this blog and how I shop for my family.

A recent trip to the grocery store has inspired me to ask the Natural Living 101 readers one question....Are you determined to live a healthier life?

As I was shopping for groceries for my family on April 16, 2011, I noticed that the frozen food section was the most congested section of the grocery store. I also thought to myself, does any one cook any more?

Many frozen foods are packed with preservatives and loaded with salt. Moreover, they must be warmed in the microwave.

For a healthier life, I inspire you to eat more freshly prepared foods including: more whole grains, raw fruits & vegetables, avoid sugary drinks, drink more water and prepare your meals from scratch. Here are some examples of freshly prepared meals:

Healthy Meal Ideas

Breakfast
Oatmeal with Cinnamon & Walnuts
Strawberries
Coffee sweetened with Raw sugar or Water

Lunch
Romaine Lettuce Chicken Salad with Cucumbers
Whole Grain Garlic Crackers
Slice of Watermelon
Bottle Water

Snack
Low Fat Yogurt
Blueberries

Dinners
Smothered Chicken Breast with Green pepper and Red Onion
Romaine lettuce salad with tomatoes
Brown Rice
Canteloupe
Spring Water

What are your plans to make healthier choices for your family? How has this blog post inspired you to live a healthier life?

To Your Health!

Shiketa

Feel free to subscribe to my Child Care Center (Learning Days) Healthy Family e-Newsletter

Stress and a Lack of B-Vitamins Causes Premature Graying

2011-04-16T09:02:00.000-05:00

Oh No not another gray strand!

I found my first strand of gray hair at the age of 18. I tried to hide it with hair color or I would simply pull it out. As I matured I still had that same strand of gray hair. One day a good friend of mine told me that gray hair is due to a lack of copper in the body.

I recently, was reading a Health Newsletter written by Jordan Rubin. The topic of the newsletter was, "Gray Hair." In the newsletter Rubin wrote: Stress is not ruled out, however, is a factor in premature gray. In fact, when the body undergoes physical or emotional stress, the B vitamins and other key nutrients are the first ones to be depleted. Among other effects, a shortage of B vitamins is linked to hair discoloration and graying.

I must say that at the age of 37, I do have more gray hair and I have experienced massive amounts of stress while operating a very busy child care center with employees. It's fun and very rewarding, but sometimes can be very stressful.

After reading Rubin's article, I will be going to the whole foods store to pick up more B-Vitamins to help my body naturally fight off stress and buy more whole foods that contain plenty of B-Vitamins.

Hopefully the gray when come when it is time to come. I am looking forward to my silver glory, but not now!
Check out Jordan's entire article.

I am looking forward to reading your comments or connecting with you on Facebook or Twitter!

To Your Health,
Shiketa

Recommended Reading
Natural Relaxation Rememdies
Whole food supplements for your skin and hair

3 Natural Ways to More Focus

2011-04-13T07:59:00.001-05:00

Coffee or caffeine drinks seem to be the popular fix for a lack of focus or a fuzzy mind. However, natural supplements can offer a more sustainable boost and here are some natural supplements that will help to increase your ability to focus:

Magnesium-an essential mineral that is found in whole grains, dark vegetables, legume nuts and seeds. Magnesium helps support healthy nerves and enzyme function for better focus. * Recommended dose: 150-200 mg/day
B-Complex helps to promote proper brain function. Research shows that B vitamins can decrease the risk of Alzheimers and dementia. * Recommended dose: 50 mg/day
Ginkgo biloba dilates blood vessels in the brain, improves circulation and enhances memory. * Recommended Dose: 120 mg/day

If you have already tried any of the supplements listed above, feel free to share your experience.

* Consult your physician before starting any new supplement regimen

Start A Herb Garden at Home

2011-03-21T08:15:00.000-05:00

Herb Gardening Provides Herbal Therapy

Do you know that many of the herbs that you see in your local store can be grown at home? Don't worry, you don't have to be a pro at gardening to start an herb garden. Moreover, there are health benefits to starting an herbal garden, including:

Working with soil has an calming effect
Weeding, watering and literally watching your plants grow is great therapy
Burn calories

Photo source: Betsy's Herb Garden

Herbs are healthy and they taste delicious! Try planting some seeds today. Need some help starting your herb garden? Watch this video and feel free to share your thoughts!

Omega- 3 Helps to Burn Stress Related Belly Fat

2011-03-05T10:57:00.000-06:00

I can usually tell if someone is stressed out or not by looking at their belly size.~ Dr. Oz

A new study discovers that Omega -3 fatty acids keep a lid on cortisol levels and more than triple the body's fat-burning ability. Dr. Oz hosted a discovery health series on a group of London cab drivers. He discovered that after a 15- minute ride in the cab, the cab drivers heart rate was racing and their cortisol levels were to the roof. Dr. Oz recommended that the Cab drivers eat four weekly servings of fish rich in Omega -3s such as:

Salmon
Sardines
Haddock
Mackerel

Guess what Dr. Oz found after the study? At the conclusion of the 12-week study, there was a 22% reduction in their cortisol levels! Wow, that was a great finding. Now, I am inspired to eat more fish to reduce the cortisol levels in my body....and I am looking forward to a flatter belly! What about you?

If you found this blog post to be helpful to you, feel free to share it with your family and friends. Are you planning on eating more foods that contain Omega -3 Fatty Acids?

To Your Health,

Shiketa
Follow my Inspirational, Business, Health & Child Related Tweets on Twitter!

Source for this post: First For Women Magazine, March 14, 2011, pg 34

Resource Link:
http://www.doctoroz.com/

The Benefits of Reflexology

2011-02-25T11:03:00.000-06:00

According to Bonita Whitlock, a certified Reflexologist in Buffalo, New York, reflexology is a wonderful simple form of natural healing techniques that are used to break up and restore proper circulation to any given area the focus is on the hands and feet where the nerves ending are located.

The feet and hands mirror the whole entire body and every organ and body part can be found in them!.... Reflexology help relieves muscle tension....relieves back problems....relieves stress ....suppresses migraines lower blood pressure....helps with poor circulation and much more!!!

Health Tip provided by

Bonita Whitlock, Certified Reflexologist. Contact Bonita for a "Sweet Feet Party" if you live in the New York area or connect with her on Facebook!

To Your Health/Wellness,
Shiketa Morgan

Fighting Mesothelioma Symptoms with a Proper Diet by Krista Peterson

2011-02-13T17:48:00.004-06:00

Photo provided by Krista Peterson

The process of eating is not just to sustain life, but it is also associated with good times with both family and friends. Food brings about important physical and emotional significance, and anyone who is suffering from mesothlioma symptoms, brought on by asbestos exposure, knows that planning meals according to the disease is important.

Many caregivers stress about how they will have to prepare their loved one's meals if they become sick. There is also the added pressure of the possibility that the meal will be rejected because the patient may have a small appetite or is unable to digest certain foods. Following proper nutrition and diet guidelines can help the caregiver prepare the most well-balanced and healthy meals so that their patient, and themselves, can enjoy mealtimes together.

If it is possible, a meal should be shared together. That way the food prepared will not only satisfy the person's physical needs, but also help with emotional ones, as well. Caregivers may plan on eating a heavier meal than their patient, and follow it up with a shared dessert. A breakfast meal could be shared toast, fruit, cereal or a favorite yogurt, with the only difference being the quantity that the patient and caregiver consume.

Always remember that the nutritional needs of the patient can easily change during the course of the illness. The caregiver and the health care team must be willing and able to adapt to these needs quickly and accordingly. The caregiver may find that by planning ahead, they can relieve a lot of the stress that occurs when having to shop for the patient.

The following pointers can be helpful to those doing the shopping:

Keep the freezer and cupboards stocked up with the patient's favorite foods that are easy to prepare
Cook meals in advance in bulk and then freeze them in single-serving portions.
Enlist the help of friends or relatives of the patient to help cook or even shop for foods.

Any concerns over the patient's nutritional needs should be shared with the doctor. The physician may be able to bring in a dietician to help plan the right meals and go over the nutritional values of them, to make sure the patient is receiving the right nutrition.

Whether or not the mesothelioma patient is being treated aggressively for the disease, nutritional needs are still very important. As long as the patient continues to eat well, he or she can avoid losing weight, as well as regaining any weight that may have been lost. Furthermore, a diet of nutritional foods will help the patient continue to fight infection, as well as fight the side effects that certain treatments can cause, such as those from surgery, radiation or chemotherapy.

The following is a general guideline as to what different nutrients will be provided through a healthy diet:

Protein - Eating foods rich in protein will help to ensure growth, repair any body tissue that may have been damaged during surgery or chemotherapy, and help to maintain a healthy immune system.

Fat and Carbohydrates - These nutrients help to supply the body with necessary caloric intake. The amount needed will be determined by the patient's age, height and weight and physical activity.

Vitamins and Minerals – These help to provide growth and development, and help the body use the calories from food effectively. Vitamins may or may not be necessary, but can help those who are ill and have problems receiving their needed nutrition through diet.

Water - Water is important for the body to stay hydrated. Talk to the patient's doctor or dietician to find out how much water should be consumed daily.

Patients suffering with mesothelioma symptoms will always have special diet needs while they are being treated, and it is important for their health care team to make the right choices for them.

About the Guest Writer:
Krista Peterson is very passionate about Women's health and the long term side effects if things are not handled properly. She is a Health & Safety Advocate and believes in natural healing methods such as: proper diet and exercises such as yoga. Contact Krista by email at: krista.peterson925@gmail.com.

If you would like to to contribute a guest blog post on the following topics: Natural Living or Health & Wellness, please submit your post as a word document along with photos to naturalliving101@aol.com.

Blog Post Source(s)
1st paragraph- "mesothelioma symptoms"

URL- http://www.mesotheliomasymptoms.com/

3rd paragraph- "emotional"
URL- http://www.cancer.org/Treatment/TreatmentsandSideEffects/EmotionalSideEffects/CopingChecklistforPatientsandCaregivers/coping-checklist-for-patients

6th paragraph last sentence- "diet of nutritional foods"
URL- http://www.netwellness.org/healthtopics/cancer/increasingprotein.cfm

last paragraph- "mesothelioma symptoms"
URL- http://www.mesotheliomasymptoms.com/mesothelioma-symptoms

Paris Aims to Boost the Image of Tap Water and Reduce Waste

2010-12-22T11:39:00.000-06:00

Source: http://www.springwise.com/

On December 16, 2010, I received a direct message from a twitter follower about sparkling water in Paris. As I proceeded to read the article, I was so impressed to see a child filling a bottle water container with sparking water from a public water fountain. I thought that was .....State of the Art Eco-Friendly Living!

According to Earth Policy Institute, French are the world's eight biggest consumer of bottle water. In fact, Paris generated over 262,000 tons of plastic waste a year and making the bottles consumed over 4.5 million barrels of crude oil.

Parisians can now get sparkling water from their public water fountains, free of charge. The new public fountains were installed by local authorities, which aims to wean consumers of bottled water. ~Vicky Buffery/Reuters

The publicly owned water company, Eau de Paris reports that the water fountains injects carbon dioxide into drinking water to make it bubbly and chills the water before delivering it to the consumer. Phillip Burguiere, a spokes person for Eau de Paris Company said, "Our aim is to boost the image of Paris tap water. Moreover, we want to show that we're proud of it, that it's totally safe, and that it's ecological as there's no oil involved, no waste and no packaging."

In America we currently do not have water fountains that deliver sparkling water, but there are ways that we can also reduce waste from bottle water including:

Buy water filters for our home or business faucets
Buy Gallons of Spring water and drink water from a re-usable mug or cup

How do you think that we can reduce plastic waste and/or boost the image of tap water in the United States?

Seven Aromatherapy Oils to Lift Your Mood or Calm Your Mind

2010-12-16T11:20:00.000-06:00

The Balance, Harmony of the Body & Mind~ Aromatherapy.com

The smell of peppermint and Lavender oils are my favorite Aromatherapy scents. In fact, the smell of Peppermint refreshes my mind, opens my sinuses and it penetrates my senses. My massage therapist applies a massage lotion on my skin that contains a peppermint extract. I just love the smell of peppermint and I look forward to the energizing smells of peppermint when I visit my massage therapist.

Moreover, when I get home in the evening and need to relax, I burn Lavender Oil. As I smell the lavender oil burning, my mind and body begins to relax. What ever your mood may be, aromatherapy is the place to start, if you want to lift your mood or calm your mind!

Seven Aromatherapy Oils to Lift Your Mood or Calm Your Mind

1. Stress Relief: Chamomille, Lavender

2. Anxiety/Fear: Jasmine, Lavender, Frankincense

3. Sadness/Grief: Lemon, Grapefruit, Orange, Rose

4. Self-Esteem: Rosemary, Cypress, Grapefruit

5. Fatigue- Peppermint, Ginger, Basil

6. Agitation- Chamomile

7. Memory Busters- Lemon, Peppermint, Rosemary

I inspire you to make aromatherapy apart of your daily routine to revive your mind, body and soul!

~ Shiketa

Source: http://www.aromatherapy.com/mood_blends.html

Stress Less and Relax More

2010-12-07T07:23:00.001-06:00

Stress is America's #1 Health Problem,

According to the American Institute of Stress.

Dr. Sharon Fitelson, a Chiropractic Orthopedic and Acupuncturist of InMotion Health Center, discussed the negative effects that Stress has on the body on a December 6, 2010 Live Health, Wellness and Prevention Plus Conference CALL.

On the call, Dr. Fitelson said, "If you are under way to much stress you will need caffeine in the morning, have difficulty sleeping at night and may fall to sleep after lunch." Moreover, if your cortisol levels are too high it will draw protein out of your joints and calcium from your bones.

This is just a small list of ways that stress will effect your body and it is vital that you develop a stress management plan. Furthermore, that it is vital to your Health & Wellness that you relax more and stress less!

Give your stress wings and let it fly away. ~Terri Guillemets

To Your Health,

Shiketa Morgan

Stress Resource Links

Natural Ways to Relax

American Institute of Stress

InMotion Health Center

The Power of Epsom Salt...Stress Relief,Lowers Blood Pressure.....

2010-11-28T16:50:00.000-06:00

Epsom salt can be found in local stores for as little as $1.00 and for such a low price....Epsom salt has many health benefits. According to the Epsom Salt Council, the key component in Epsom salt is Magnesium. Studies show that magnesium is:

An electrolyte, helping to ensure proper muscle, nerve and enzyme function.
Critical to the proper use of calcium in cells.
An aid in helping to prevent heart disease and strokes by lowering blood pressure, protecting the elasticity of arteries, preventing blood clots and reducing the risk of sudden heart attack deaths.

The Elegant Design Day Spa in Ellisville Missouri sells bags of Epsom salts for $1.99. The salt is package in a decorative bag that is labeled with the benefits of epsom salt which includes:

Stress relief
aids sleep
improves concentration
reduces inflammation
joint pain and muscle cramps
flushes toxins from the body
reduces headaches

How to use Epsom Salt

Bath

Add 2 cups of Epsom salt to bath water. Soak for at least 12 minutes three times a week. For a soothing aroma.......Try adding a few drops of Lavender oil.

Pedicure

Mix half a cup of Epsom salt with some warm, soapy water to soften skin and calluses and dry out the bacteria from blisters. Next, remove old polish with a cotton pad soaked with nail polish remover, cut nails straight across with clippers then file them square to remove sharp edges. Soak for five minutes, dip a file into the water and use it to smooth your heels, the balls of your feet and the outer edges of your pinkie toes.

Source:
http://www.epsomsaltcouncil.org/health_benefits.htm

A Household Cleaner That Leaves Your Home Smelling Like a Garden

2010-11-15T08:41:00.001-06:00

Ahhhh.... The Therapeutic Aroma of Basil

Would you prefer that your home smell like a garden of basil or a hospital? Mrs. Meyers Household cleaners are a safe and natural way to clean your home. In fact, Mrs. Meyers household cleaners contains plant-derived ingredients and essential oils that clean away dirt and grime. Morover, it leaves your home smelling like a garden of basil and you benefit from the smell of basil.

The benefits of cleaning with the Plant Based Household Cleaner, Mrs. Meyer's Clean Day Basil Scent includes:

Basil has a cool crisp scent
Your senses will be revived
Basil clears a cloudy mind
Basil is calming to the nerves
Your family is not exposed to harmful pesticides and chemicals

To Your Natural Health &Wellness,

~Shiketa