Friday, January 31, 2014

The Super Pill Vitamin E!!

Having a diet higher to Vitamin E, is essential to good health. But there is new information that shows that Vitamin E can slow down the deterioration of brain tissue associated with Alzheimer's. Vitamin E, has shown to prevent brain cells from dying as quickly as they would otherwise, by keeping those cells healthy, you ensure a better connection between cell and preserve better functioning for longer. But the wrench in this plan, is that Vitamin E supplements have been shown to have several risks, side effects and may increase falls in people with Alzheimer's or cognitive decline. So the safest way to get your Vitamin E is to integrate foods rich in Vitamin E. Below are foods that jam packed with Vitamin E, and can give you the same benefits of a supplement, without all the risk!
Nuts and seeds:
  • Almonds
  • Hazelnuts 
  • Sunflower seeds
  • Peanut butter
  • Peanuts
Leafy greens:
  • Spinach
  • Kale
  • Swiss chard
Certain vegetables:
  • Broccoli
  • Tomatoes
Oils such as:
  • Wheat germ oil
  • Sunflower oil
  • Safflower oil
  • Soybean oil
  • Canola oil
  • Corn oil
Exotic fruits:
  • Kiwi
  • Mango
  • Avocado
Also look for vitamin E in fortified cereals.

Thursday, January 30, 2014

Pressure Point Techniques!!!

Mark Mincolla, PhD says he can help diagnose ailments with ancient technique that involves touch. You can try this muscle testing technique at home using this guide.
EMT Technique Intstructions
EMT technique

Wednesday, January 29, 2014

The Diet to Stabilize Blood Sugar!!

I know for myself when I don't eat at fairly similar times in the day, my body knows it. If I have gone to far between meals, I sometimes feel like I can feel my blood sugar drop. If your blood sugar spikes and dips are turning you into a ball of uncontrollable stress, this meal plan  from Dr. Oz could help. Keeping your blood sugar level throughout the day can minimize stress-related cravings for sugar and carbs and help minimize spikes in cortisol, a stress hormone.
Breakfast-Low blood sugar is very common in the morning, and can lead to increased stress throughout the day. Especially if you had a lot of carbohydrates or sugar the night before, or if you skipped breakfast, your blood sugar will bottom out and leave you feeling slow and sluggish.Start your day off with complex carbohydrates that have a low-glycemic index and can gradually raise your blood sugar to a stress-free level. Good choices include:
  • Oatmeal
  • Whole-grain toast
  • Sweet potatoes
  • Starchy vegetables
Lunch-If you find yourself getting cranky after lunch, your blood sugar may be too high. Lunches high in refined carbohydrates are often to blame for this stressful spike. To help prevent this problem, have one serving of protein every 3 to 4 hours and with each meal. Protein is absorbed slowly and can help stabilize blood sugar levels. Great protein-rich options include:
  • 1 cup of Greek yogurt
  • A hard-boiled egg
  • 1 cup cooked quinoa
  • 2 tablespoons of natural peanut butter
  • 3 ounces of grilled chicken or turkey breast
Dinner-Dinner is an important meal when it comes to leveling out your blood sugar dips and spikes, so make sure you incorporate all the tips above to set yourself up for a good night's sleep and a stress-free day the next day.
To make sure your blood sugar won't dive in the mornings, don't eat 2 to 3 hours before going to bed and avoid sugary foods in the evening. To prevent a nighttime stress spike, pack your dinner with protein and lots of veggies. If you need a sweet finish to your meal, pick a fiber-rich fruit like apples, apricots, bananas, blackberries or blueberries. 

Tuesday, January 28, 2014

Vegan Thai Noodles!!

This recipe from Dr Alejandro Junger, is the perfect vegan version of your favorite Thai noodles. This noodle reciepe will also help to detox your body from non vegan foods. Enjoy!!


Ingredients
1 package soba noodles
1 cup sliced shiitakes 
1 medium red onion, peeled
1-inch knob of ginger, peeled and pressed
Heaping tbsp coconut oil
3 tbsp almond butter
1 tbsp wheat free tamari
6 tbsp coconut milk
1/2 tbsp of honey

Directions
In a small bowl mix together the almond butter, tamari, coconut milk and honey to taste. Mix until well combined and set aside.

Slice the onion and measure out shiitakes (slice, if not sliced). Add the onion to a spoonful of coconut oil in a large pan (cast-iron is great). When the oil is hot, add the onion and cook until they’re soft and translucent. Grate the ginger.Add the shiitakes and ginger and continue to cook.

Cook noodles as per instructions. The following is on the King Soba package: Bring a medium pot of water to a boil. Add noodles and submerge them, bring back to a boil and then reduce the heat to medium. Cook for 4-5 minutes. Drain noodles and set aside. Add the noodles to the onions and shiitake mixture and then add the sauce. Mix gently together until well combined. Serve warm or these are also delicious in the summer months as cold noodles.

Monday, January 27, 2014

Why Antibacterial soap is Dangerous!!

The next time you reach for some "antibacterial" hand soap, think again.
It likely contains the chemical triclosan. And so do many other products that claim to fight bacteria or odor.
Triclosan (pronounced "trick-lo-san" or "trike-lo-san") is a synthetic chemical developed over 40 years ago for surgical scrubs. Today, it shows up in about 75% of hand soaps, in more than 140 types of personal care and home products like body washes, toothpastes, cutting boards and on clothing, furniture and bedding. It is registered with the Environmental Protection Agency as a pesticide.
You may ask – what better way to protect your family from common infections? But you should beware of triclosan for three reasons:
Triclosan may interfere with thyroid hormones and the sex hormones estrogen and testosterone, critical for normal development and reproduction, according to some studies. Other lab and animal research suggests it may damage the heart muscle.
Triclosan may encourage the spread of mutated bacteria that can survive antibiotics. Already, medical authorities say antibiotic-resistant bacteria are proliferating at an alarming rate, rendering some antibiotics useless in some cases. The American Medical Association has urged people to avoid using antibacterial products in the home in order to help preserve the effectiveness of these invaluable medicines. The federal Centers for Disease Control and Prevention calculates that 2 million people become infected annually and 23,000 people die from infections from antibiotic-resistant bacteria.  
Triclosan pollutes the environment – and people. It is one of the chemicals most frequently detected in American streams and rivers. In one study, the CDC reported that triclosan was found in the urine of nearly 75% of Americans who were tested. 
Why do people buy products containing triclosan? One big reason: advertising hype. TheFood and Drug Administration recently declared that it has seen "no evidence" that triclosan is any more effective at preventing disease than plain soap and water. 
The FDA has not required manufacturers of triclosan-laced consumer goods to reformulate their wares – yet. But the market may soon be forced to change. In a lawsuit brought by public health and environmental groups last November, the FDA signed a settlement agreeing to make a final decision about regulating or restricting triclosan in consumer hand soaps by 2016.
In the meantime, here are EWG's key tips to avoiding triclosan:
  • Read product labels and avoid products that contain "triclosan" or a related chemical "triclocarban."
  • Avoid household products labeled "antimicrobial," "antibacterial" or "odor-fighting."
  • Wash your hands with plain soap and water.
  • Use alcohol-based hand sanitizers when you’re on the go.

Friday, January 24, 2014

Facials From Your Fridge!!

Need or want a facial but you can't afford it? Or you want a facial but you do not want to use harsh chemicals or products on your skin. Well there is a safe and natural solution in your fridge. Below are facials you can make with ingredients that are right from your kitchen. If you are suffering from puffiness, wrinkles, or acne, these all natural facials can help calm and cleanse your skin.
Banana Honey Face Mask -Frustrated with puffy skin? The food that is sabotaging your skin might be processed meat. The excess chemicals and salt in these meats cause water retention, which can contribute to puffy skin. For a less salty alternative, replace processed meats with grilled chicken breast. This easy to make recipe has anti-inflammatory benefits that help to minimize the look of puffiness. 
Ingredients 
1 ripe banana
1 tbsp organic honey
A few drops of an orange 
Directions
Mash banana. In a bowl mix together mashed banana, honey and orange juice. Apply for 20 minutes, and then rinse for 20 minutes.
Chocolate Oatmeal Facial-Wondering which culprit in your diet is giving you acne? It could be that milk is causing the production of testosterone to clog up your pores with excess oil. If you find that acne is a consistent problem, try swapping regular milk with almond milk and monitor the results. This facial recipe features chocolate, an antioxidant that leaves skin feeling soft and smooth, and oatmeal, a natural cleanser that will unclog your pores.
Ingredients
2 tbsp chocolate
1 oz oatmeal
1/4 cup heavy cream
2 tbsp cottage cheese
1 tbsp honey

Directions 
Melt chocolate. Mix the rest of the ingredients together and apply. Apply for 20 minutes, then rinse off with cool water. 
Strawberry Cream Mask-Wrinkles are a normal part of aging. If you are concerned about premature wrinkling, monitor your sugar intake. Excess sugar can damage collagen and elastin, fibers that support your skin. For a healthier sugar fix, try incorporating blueberries into your diet; they are high in vitamin C, which will help strengthen collagen and prevent skin from wrinkling and sagging. This simple anti-aging recipe will moisturize your skin and its high vitamin C content will minimize the appearance of wrinkles. 
Ingredients
1/4 cup fresh strawberries 
1/4 cup plain yogurt

Directions
Mash strawberries, and then mix in with yogurt. Leave mask on for 20 minutes, and then rinse with cool water. 

Thursday, January 23, 2014

Eating Vegan!!

Eating vegan, means eliminating all animal products from your diet. Products include, egg, poultry, dairy, fish and meat. This type has gained some popularity in the last couple decades, and is beneficial for you health. In fact it can reduce diabetes and obesity risk, lower cholesterol levels, and decrease the risk of death from heart attack. But sometime when not done right, eating vegan can become unhealthy, below is some things to help you navigate a vegan lifestyle.
Start off slowly-Going vegan suddenly can be a big adjustment for your body. Try starting your transition by being a part-time vegan – eat vegan until 6 PM and then finish your day off with moderate servings of fish, eggs and dairy. Continue this pattern for about a month before you cut out all animal products.
Get a boost of vitamin B12-Animal products are usually our main dietary source of vitamin B12, an essential vitamin that our bodies need to keep our nerve and blood cells healthy. Vegans are at increased risk of a vitamin B12 deficiency, which can cause anemia and neurological problems including uneven gait, numbness or tingling in the extremities, mood problems, dementia and decreased concentration. To maintain healthy vitamin B12 levels, vegans should take a 25 microgram vitamin-B12 supplement once a day. Always talk to your doctor before starting a new supplement. 
Do Not Forget about the protein-Animal-based foods tend to be high in protein, so you should be sure to replace them with high-protein vegan alternatives. Beans, soymilk, quinoa, tofu, peanut butter and oatmeal are all good sources of protein. 
Do Not Rely on packaged vegan foods-Many pre-packaged vegan foods are loaded with artificial ingredients and sodium, and many are high in calories. If you check out the packaging, you may be surprised to find that many veggie burgers have more calories than a beef patty and might also have extra chemicals to make up for taste and color. Limit packaged vegan foods to no more than once a week.
Do Not Just eat raw food-Some vegans gravitate toward eating raw foods. In many cases, cooked vegetables, beans and grains may be easier for our bodies to digest and can provide us with more nutrients. Don't limit yourself to only raw or only cooked foods – mix it up for a healthy balance. 

As always with everything, this just a informative, and you should always consider any preexisting conditions or problems you may have. Also we recommend checking with your doctor before changing any health or food pattern.


Wednesday, January 22, 2014

Healthy Staples to Add to your Diet, that are Inexpensive!!

The most common excuse I have heard from people about not healthy is that eating healthy is too expensive. But that does not always have to be the case, there are certain healthy staples that actually super-foods that do not cost very much money at. Enjoy your weight loss and financial success!!

Oatmeal-At just 24 cents per cup and loaded with LDL-lowering soluble fiber, oatmeal is one of your best bets for breakfast.
Sweet Potatoes-Sweet potatoes are packed with fiber and contain much more vitamin A than regular potatoes. Incorporating them into your diet may help balance blood sugar and boost immunity. The best part? They cost about 27 cents per half-cup!
Bananas-Loaded with heart-friendly potassium and healthy prebiotics, bananas are the perfect snack food at around 39 cents per serving! 
Beans and Lentils-Both lentils and beans are packed with satiating fiber and protein. At approximately 15 cents per cup, they're the perfect pantry staple.
Canned Salmon-Not only is canned salmon packed with omega-3s and B vitamins, it's much cheaper than fresh salmon at just $1 per 2.5 ounce serving.
Almonds-Craving crunch? Healthy and inexpensive, almonds are the way to go. Rich in vitamin E and satiating fiber, these nuts will only set you back about 63 cents per one-ounce serving.
Eggs-From essential vitamins to protein, eggs are loaded with a host of important nutrients. All for about 17 cents a serving! 
Cabbage-Packed with vitamins C and K, cabbage may help protect against a host of cancers and at around 27 cents per cup you can really load up!
Black and Green Tea-Instead of sipping on expensive and sugar-packed juices, start drinking antioxidant-rich tea! At around 10 cents per tea bag, it's hard to find a better deal.
Carrots-This good source of vitamin A couldn't be more affordable at 25 cents per cup.
Natural Peanut Butter-Peanut butter isn't just for kids anymore! At just 21 cents for two tablespoons, natural peanut butter in moderation is a good source of healthy fat for people of any age.

Please note that all costs are approximate and will vary.