Are you already caught up in the holiday shopping stress? Don’t worry about it.

Shopping can actually be good for you.

One American and one Taiwanese study both showed that shopping is good for you , it can even make you live longer. The reasons are that while shopping we exercise, we stimulate our brain and we increase our self awareness.

A British study showed that women walk on 3,3 km on a average shopping spree, that is 2 miles. Planning your purchases, examining merchandise, making considerations about the products and what you need etc is great stimulation for your brain. In fact your brain makes up it mind about a product a couple of seconds before you’re even aware of it.

Shopping is also  a way of rewarding yourself. The neurotransmitter dopamine is released in your blood when you start planning your shopping trip. Many talk about shopping stress for the holidays but a calm shopping trip can actually release stress. Just be smart and don’t wait until the last moment.

Get more exercise out of your shopping spree

Walk

If you walk the average 2 miles during your shopping you will burn around 210 calories. (at about 140 punds)

Increase your tempo and walk a little faster and you can burn up to 250 calories. That’s not bad.

Lift

The heavier bags you carry the more exercise you get. Make sure to keep a good posture.

Prevent tension in your neck an shoulders by lifting and lowering your shoulders 10 times with you bags in your hands.

Wiggle

While trying on clothes and shoes, move as much and your can. Twist and turn to see yourself in the mirror from all directions.

So this year, make the most out of your holiday shopping.
Image by Steve-h

&nbs

People use acupuncture to balance out the ‘Chi’ flow of an ill person’s body or simply to stay at optimum health. However, research now shows you can send similar ‘shockwaves’ simply by tapping on your meridian points!

EFT have helped people with various health problems

• Intense bad memories
• Depression
• Uncontrolled anger
• Unrestrained sadness
• Obstructive thought habits
• Hatred for self & others
• Impatience
• Over-defensiveness
• Heart-racing nervousness
• Approach Anxiety
• Greed
• Traumas
• Guilt and insomnia
• Fear of public speaking, rejection, success and social anxieties
• Phobia for anything, e.g. heights, water, being alone, being in the dark, certain insects, reptiles or animals, etc.
• Stress
• Panic attack/Unfocused thoughts
• Procrastination
• Weight loss/Craving for food
• Headache
• Migraine
• Allergies
• Self sabotaging
• Constipation
• Physical Pain
• Fingernail biting
• Sexual abuse
• Addiction to smoking, drugs, coffee and alcohol (Alcoholism)
• Body embarrassment
• High blood pressure
• Diabetes
• Multiple sclerosis
• Cold
• Acne
• Asthma
• Stiffness
• Lower back pain

How to learn EFT

The best thing about it is that you can  easily learn EFT and perform on your own when ever you need.

This video will give you a short introduction to EFT and if you find it interesting, check out this EFT guide that will give you all the tools you need to get the health benefits of a free mind.

Does EFT work?

September 2003 Journal of Clinical Psychology presented research results from a study where about  5,000 patients diagnosed with an anxiety disorder were randomly assigned to an experimental group (tapping) or a control group (Cognitive Behavior Therapy/medication). The results showed that:

63% of the control group were judged as having improved.
90% of the experimental groups were judged as having improved.   [43% better than the control group]
51% of the control group were judged as being symptom free.
76% of the experimental group were judged as symptom free.          [49% better than the control group]

Today we are presenting a guest article by Melanie Bowen. Melanie Bowen  is an advocate for natural health and cancer cure initiatives. After graduating with a bachelor’s degree in English with a specialty in Psychology and Medical Research, you will often find her highlighting the great benefits of different nutritional, emotional, and physical treatments on those with illnesses in her efforts to spread awareness.

EFT, properly known as Emotional Freedom Technique, was originally developed as a way to release difficult and haunting emotions. It can be considered a form of “energy medicine,” and was developed as a technique to instantaneously release unnecessary energy. Cancer patients, including those suffering from mesothelioma cancer, breast cancer, or prostate cancer, will find relaxation and a newfound happiness with this tool. This is because research has demonstrated a link between releasing stress and success with cancer treatment. With EFT, the patient is usually told to tap their fingers and make contact with certain meridian points on their face and torso. They will simultaneously say certain phrases that trigger and release the stress and emotions. Use of a emotion rating habit will determine the change in emotion, and the technique unsurprisingly enjoys a high success rate– especially with relieving cancer patients.

The majority of the people who use EFT to heal themselves see lasting results– whether or not they work with a certified professional. Testimonials state that the majority of their pain; including their anger, hatred, grief, sadness, internal chronic stress, depression, and even anxiety is all lost permanently. Cancer patients will also find relief in the facing possible death– a scary scenario for anyone. EFT has been shown to greatly reduce the fear associated with having a possibly terminal disease.

Though EFT does not actually cure cancer, it aids in treatment options and also reduces stress. For example, with a mesothelioma prognosis, there is often an increase of internal stress. This excess emotion puts undesirable pressure on the body. Because of this, it cannot focus complete effort on the healing process, resulting in mutations within the tumor cells. Research shows that stress maintains the tension in the body that keeps cancer cells alive.

If the stress levels the patient’s body are lowered through EFT, then the body has more facilities and resources to spend on recovery rather than worry. On a biological level, it is a shifting of oxygen delivery from the adrenal gland– which releases stress hormones– to the other cells. Though the boost in cancer treatment as a byproduct of this technique is not guaranteed, EFT will at the very least make the cancer patients much more at peace with their condition and able to do partake in activities they love without stress. Practitioners can be found around the world, and Emotional Freedom Technique resources are widely available online. The results of EFT can be witnessed around the world. Even in non-cancer patients, there is a significant improvement in physical health. There are also alternative treatment options for cancer.

If interested in learning how to obtain alternative treatment, look for treatment services in your area. Social networks provide a robust amount of information as well as networks of well-known alternative treatment centers (such as chiropractic or acupuncture centers.)

Guacamole is a favorite for many. The best thing about it is probably that it’s not only incredibly tasty it’s also incredibly health. Since avocados and olive oil both  are full of monounsaturated fats guacamole qualifies as a  MUFA-food. The wonderful type of food that actually help us remove belly fat.

On top of that guacamole is a great snack to help you get a flat belly this recipe also contains garlic and jalapeno. These spices are a great help in keeping you healthy in the flu season .

Tomatoes are known for their antioxidant lycopene. The cilantro herb is not only a anti-oxidant, it’s also a good source of minerals like potassium, calcium, iron, and magnesium. And it is richest herbal sources for vitamin K.

Here is a recipe that makes about 3 cups of the worlds best guacamole.

Ingredients

2 cups of avocados
1/4 cup olive oil
1/4 cup chopped green onions
1/3 cup chopped fresh cilantro
1 tsp minced garlic
1 tsp minced jalapeno
1/2 cup chopped tomato
1 1/2 tsp salt
1/4 lime juice (freshly squeezed)

Mash avocado and olive oil with a wooden spoon. Add the other ingredients and, if you wish, mix smooth.

If you prepare the guacamole in advance, leave the avocado pits in the  guacamole to keep it green.

 Image by crd

Every time we read a magazine or turn on the TV it seems that we are learning of something else that could cause breast cancer. Just about everyone knows someone that has had or is currently fighting breast cancer. Knowing what steps you can take to help prevent yourself from becoming a victim of breast cancer is one of the best preventative measures that you can take.
Making simple and smart lifestyle choices are your best weapon against breast cancer. Here are some things you can do to better your chances of staying free of breast cancer.

1.    Avoiding junk food and eating a diet high in fiber and low in saturated fat is beneficial to breast health. Foods that are high in anti-oxidants and contain the vitamins A, C, and E as well as selenium and beta carotene help your body’s natural defenses to fight the disease. Eating green leafy vegetables and fruit on a daily basis will help to supply your body with these nutrients. Flaxseed is another supplement that can be used to promote breast health. It contains lignans that bind to estrogens in the digestive tract. By supplementing your diet with flaxseed you can cleanse these estrogens from your system.

2.    Exercise can decrease your risk of getting breast cancer by up to 50%. Getting 45 minutes to 1 hour of exercise 3 to 4 times per week will increase the amount of lean body mass. Muscle does not generate estrogen like fat does. Exercise affects the endocrine system and it helps to balance the hormones and helps the lymphatic system detoxify the body.

3.    Most breast lumps are found by women themselves. Doing a self breast exam is an important step in detecting and treating breast cancer. Until you are very familiar with the way your breast look and feel it can be frustrating to perform your own exam. However, this is one place that the old adage practice makes perfect works well. Perform an exam at least once a month. Waiting until several days after your period when your breast are no longer tender is the best time to examine your breast. Women who have already gone through menopause or for other reasons no longer have menses can choose a day that is easy for them to remember like the first day or the last day of the month.

4.    Many women do not realize that hypothyroidism precedes most forms of breast disease. Women are 8 times more likely to suffer from a thyroid problem than men. It is during the perimenopausal and menopausal stages that thyroid issues usually appear. It is during this time that the endocrine system is going through many changes. Some of the signs that you may have a thyroid condition are: fatigue, dry skin, puffy eyes in the morning, PMS, memory loss ,gaining weight or the inability to lose weight, and muscle aches.

Other precautions that can be taken that promote healthy breast include:

• Using natural deodorants instead of deodorants that contain chemicals.
• Reducing exposure to radiation by using thermography in place of the radiation equivalent mammography when possible.
• Get more sunshine. Vitamin D is an essential nutrient that has been shown to inhibit growth of breast cancer cells

By doing these few simple things you will increase your chances of living a life free from breast cancer while enjoying being an all around healthier person.

Image by Naval Langa

Always, always rinse fruits and vegetables in cold water before you use them.  You should wash them even if they are pre-washed, even if you buy organic produce and even if you are going to peel them.

If your produce you should also consider washing them to get rid of pesticide residue. You can buy vegetable wash in some grocery stores and online but you can also make your own very easily.

Homemade vegetable wash recipe

Ingredients

1 cup water
1 cup white vinegar
2 tbs baking soda
2 tbs lemon juice

If you don’t have lemon juice at home just water and white vinegar will work.

Mix all  ingredients then pour in clean spray bottle. Quickly scrub down each piece of produce with a vegetable brush and your home made vegetable wash.

Some fruits are too hard to scrub. Then spray fresh vegetables and  fruit generously. Sit for 5 minutes then rinse off well.

Image by Robert S. Donovan

Sexual confidence is often about men and their attitude towards women. But how about us women?

Many women, even married women, would like some more passion in their life.

1. Love Your Body

Feeling sexy is not only about big breasts and a nice waistline. It’s about confidence and feeling sexy. Practice seeing yourself as sexy preferably in front of the mirror.

2. Relax

Many women especially mothers have very busy schedules. Adding on the stress of feeling what you should want is not going to make matters any better. Try to focus on relaxation instead.

3. Exercise

Physical exercise gets your body going. It releases endorfins and stress that increase libido.

4. Try Something New

Passion can easily cool doing in a long relationship. Get the excitement back with some new toys or games; a DVD, accessories or sexy food.

5. Stop Comparing

Don’t what other people do. How often or what is “normal”. Find what is best for you and your relationship.

6. Love Your Life

If you don’t feel confidence in your own sexuality this might come from a feeling of not being satisfied with your life.

7. Spend Time Together

Spending time with your partner and increasing your sensuality is one of the keys to a health and fun sexual relationship. Go on a date night, go out dancing, or make a special dinner a home just make sure to have fun together.

Image by kainr

Sleep deprivation or sleep loss is very common. No only adults suffer from sleep loss but the problems is increasing in children. Sleep loss can have serious effects even if you only slept one hour less than you needed. It can not only make you feel tired but your social skills are affected and you’ll probably crave sugar and eat a lot more food. Sleep deprivation has been linked to obesity.

Here are 7 risks with sleep loss:

1. Irritation

Your brain needs sufficient sleep to function. Just one hour less sleep per night can have a negative effect on your social skills.

2. Sugar Cravings

Experts have found a connection between sugar cravings and lack of sleep. If you find yourself often reaching out for sugary foods to boost your energy levels this may be a sign of sleep deprivation.

3. Hunger!

Dr. Van Cauter at University of Chicago have found that short-term sleep restriction damaged the body’s ability to regulate eating by lowering levels of leptin, the hormone that tells the body when it has had enough. This can quickly lead to overeating.

4. Lack of energy and frequent colds

Experts have linked sleep to how well our immune system works. If you suffer from lack of energy or frequent colds it’s advisable to consider if you get enough sleep.

5. Walk and talk in your sleep

According to National Sleep Foundation (NSF) walking or talking in your sleep can be a sign of lack of sleep.

6. Trouble Multitasking

The ability to focus can be easily diminished if you have slept less than you need for a period of time. You might still easily perform a task you’ve done several times while new challenges may cause problems. Sleep loss can also give you trouble making decisions, especially if something unexpected happens.

7. Clumsiness

Did sleep well last night? Then you’re reactions will affected today and maybe even tomorrow. You simply can’t control you muscles as well if you’ve had sleep loss and you can also have trouble with pronunciation.

image by pedrosimoes7

Fruits are always great, coconut gives you fat burning fat and chocolate is full of antioxidants. This is one of the fantastic recipes that the Isabel gives you in her diet solution program. She has plenty of free fat burning tips that I find really good.

Anyway, whether you want to lose weight or not this recipe is really yummy and very healthy.

Ingredients
*4 teaspoons of organic cocoa powder
*4 teaspoons of toasted, unsweetened coconut
*2 small bananas, sliced on the bias

Directions
Place cocoa and coconut on separate plates. Roll each banana slice in the cocoa, and shake off the excess. Then, dip banana in the coconut.

As super healthy inexpensive foods like quinoa and amaranth are getting more popular the need for facts and great recipes are increasing.

The first thing to say about quinoa is that it is a seed, not a grain.
The plant grows to about 2 meters high and the seeds are born on flower clusters. The leaves can be eaten like spinach and in fact quinoa and spinach come from the same plant group. The most common type of quinoa is the cream colored quinoa but you can get purple, red, orange or black. There is no nutritional difference between the different types of quinoa.

Quinoa Nutrition Facts

Quinoa has long been a favorite for vegans since it has all nine essential amino acids supplements. Lysine in particular in crucial for repairing the body and bringing recovery to your body. It also contains magnesium ,iron, copper, phosphorus and magnesium. In fact, quinoa has one of the highest concentrations of these elements in the plant world.

Quinoa carbohydrates are slow releasing which means that it satisfies your hunger for longer. For diabetics this is ideal as you can maintain the correct blood sugar levels for longer with high level carbohydrates such as quinoa. It’s also great for anyone following a low carb or low-GI diet.

Quinoa is almost a “complete” food and was used by the Incas tribe by mothers while pregnant as well as when nursing infants. It is thought to help improve the quality of milk mothers produce while feeding.

Quinoa has plenty of Calcium, Fat, Iron and phosphorous and a high amount of vitamin B2.

Sprouted quinoa has even more fiber since the seed germ has sprouted from the seed. You can mix sprouted quinoa with chopped raw vegetables for a healthy salad full of fiber and goodness.

Image by net_efekt.