New Years Resolutions..part 1

Now that the holidays are over and we are feeling all the effects of too much fun, let’s talk about New Years Resolutions.


First, I want to briefly mention why we need these New Year resolutions. It is because we tend to over indulge in things that are not good for our health. It starts at Halloween and then rolls down hill FAST to Christmas. Even I gave in to things that taste and looked to good to pass up, and what happened? I got sick, and had both a stomach bug and a head cold. Why? Because I had cake, brownies, rolls, and a ton of things that are high in sugar and preservatives, and we know that sugar lowers the immune system. There was so much, I thought I was doing well by just choosing a few, but it’s a few here and there that catch up to us. Was the cold and stomach bug worth the sweets I had? No, not at all! It was horrible. So we have to make a choice between health and taste buds. I am not saying to never have sweets again, but you look at it as a debt you take against the good things you put in your body and think "is it worth it, or do I really need it?" It's not about the fat and the waist line, even though it does affect that too, but it's our wellness and state of health I am talking about. You see why we need to make these New Year Resolutions, let talk about how make a New Year resolution work for you!
First make a Positive mental change in your Life. So often we know we have to get fit, lose weight, and make better eating choices. Knowing it, sometimes we have a negative feeling about it. We grudgingly say, "I have to work out", or "I can't eat that, I'm on a diet". We need to give ourselves positive statements that remind us WHY we are making these beneficial life style changes. Some examples are…

• I want to live longer and happier.

• I want to see my children get married and dance with my daughter at her wedding.

• I want to take a trip to _________.

Get creative and make a mental picture of you being healthy and fit. When we do this we accept that we WANT this and the brain looks at things positively instead of negatively.

You can come up with a ton of positive things to remind yourself why you want better health. Think of your health as a chair. It has four equal legs it stands upon, and if any one of those legs falls short, you fall over. The same thing happens with your health, it can fall short. Your four legs of strength come from:

1. A positive attitude.

2. A healthy diet.

3. Making lifestyle changes in exercise and healthy habits.

4. Supplementary measures.

If you are looking to change this year and want help along the way stay tune for my continuation of my New Year Resolution help guide. This is only part one. Please feel free to email me any question you may have.

As always,
Have a Blessed and Healthy Day!

Get a Boost for your Bones.

Usually women are more concerned with Osteoporosis, but it is affecting men as well. From childhood on we need to be getting in enough calcium for strong healthy bones. Other benefits of Calcium are proper Heart function and normal blood clotting. If you are pregnant or nursing, your calcium intake is very important for you and the baby. The baby will get the Calcium it needs, but your body will suffer from deletion, so be sure to increase your daily intake. So often people think that we should get our calcium from Milk as a primary source, but this is only one source. Calcium is most easily absorbed when eaten, because it comes perfectly packaged with additional nutrients for proper absorption. Here are a few foods that are beneficial for their Calcium.

• Yogurt. This can be confusing with all the choices on the Market today, but looking for a few things will make this easier. You want a Live Culture Yogurt. If there is no mention of live cultures then the yogurt is dead and so is the nutrient value. Also, you do not want added sugars or other additives. You can get a plain or Vanilla yogurt and add fresh fruit and granola to it for a healthy snack, breakfast, dessert, and more. My personal favorite is Mountain View. It has everything and nothing more than it should.
• Soy Milks. These are fortified with Calcium and Vitamin D. They come in delicious flavors like, vanilla, chocolate, and plain.
• Almonds. These little beauties are wonderful. Just a handful a day gives you a calcium boost. You place a handful in storage bags and have them in you purse or laptop bag for a quick easy snack.
• Dark leafy greens. Such as endive, lettuce, watercress, kale, cabbage, dandelion greens, and Brussels sprouts.
• Other choices. Sesame, oats, walnuts, millet, and sunflower seeds. These can be sprinkled over salads, cereals, breads, and soups.

You can see how adding calcium can be easy and fun for your taste buds. I want to mention that your raw dark leafy greens are where you get the most calcium absorption. So get creative and start getting in your daily serving of calcium, today.

Here is a Tasty Salad to get you started
• 2 large navel oranges
• Belgian endives
• 1 cup watercress
• 1 avocado
• 12 medium cooked shrimp, (about 8 ounces), optional
• 1 cup pomegranate seeds
• Sunflower seeds to sprinkle

To assemble salads: Alternate avocado slices and orange sections in a fan shape on each of 4 salad plates. Top with endive, watercress and shrimp, if using. Drizzle with dressing, sprinkle with pomegranate and sunflower seeds and serve.

39 Reasons to Drink MonaVie

This was an email sent to me from my up line and I thought it was perfect to read about. I love what MonaVie has done for me and my family. The kids love the taste and it gives me peace of mind knowing they are getting a variety of fruits in a daily dose.  

Some of the most important reasons to drink patented Monavie products........
Acai, the main ingredient of the Monavie juice is known to have a benefic effect on human health, and bellow are some of the things that this fruit can do and the best 39 reasons to drink acai juice - Monavie - that you will ever need:
Reason No. 1 Acai Helps You Sleep Better!
Because it contains nutrients like vitamin B and others, acai is able to decrease your level of stress and aids in the communication between your brain cells. Acai is able to do this by assisting with the making of neurotransmitters. Some known neurotransmitters are serotonin and dopamine.
This will also help you sleep better
Reason No. 2 Acai Will Increase Your Energy Level!
Monavie can and is used by renowned athletes like Venus Williams, because Acai has a lot of nutrients, and especially a lot of lipids which are responsible for boosting up your energy level. This is why Monavie can be used on a daily basis to improve your energy level, and even before a more “energy demanding” event.
Reason No. 3 Acai Reduces High Cholesterol
Acai has a lot of EFAs which stands for Essential Fatty Acids. These Acids sustain the good cholesterol (which is named HDL cholesterol) and at the same time, it will decrease the level of bad cholesterol (LDL cholesterol). These two actions, made by the EFAs will lead to a much better blood circulation in you body.
If you want to know more about how monavie helps reduce high cholesterol you can also read Monavie & Cholesterol      Read more here
Reason No. 4 Acai Will Help You Lose Weight!
If you are trying to lose weight, then Monavie is a gold mine for you! Drinking Monavie will help you lose weight because acai will delay hunger and help you control your appetite. This is possible because Acai has a low glycemic index.
Reason No. 5 Acai Helps Lower Your Stress Level!
Acai is a great helper in the battle against stress! This is mainly because acai is able to adjust the stress level in your body and then to repair it.
Reason No. 6 Acai Improves Your Sexual Health!
Acai is known for having antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties can counteract sterility because of pollution, stress and factors associated with free radicals.
Reason No. 7 Acai Eases Women’s Menstrual Cycle!
Good news for women! Especially women who go through great menstrual pain each and every month! Acai is very rich in calcium and it eases the nasty pain of bloating and cramps.
Reason No. 8 Acai Helps You Fight The Wrinkles!
The Acai Juice has a high volume of phytisterols and anthocyanins which do a great job in protecting the collagen (and other connective tissues) and this way you will be safe from premature wrinkles.
Reason No. 9 Drinking Acai Makes Your Teeth Stronger!
The calcium that Acai has is not only good for easing cramps and bloating, but it also helps you have more powerful teeth, a nice whiter smile and also prevents the appearance of gingivitis or other gum diseases.
Reason No. 10 Acai and Your Vision!
The Acai juice helps improve your vision, reduces complications of macular degeneration in diabetics. This happens because of the vitamin C and the beta carotene that Acai has.
Reason No. 11 Acai Aids Your Skin Tone!
Because Acai has phytosterols, by drinking Monavie you will help decrease the wearing down of your skin’s protective outside layer and so improve your skin tone.
Reason No. 12 Acai Fights Aging!
Monavie may help slow down aging as acai has strong anti-oxidants and regenerative nutrients that aid cells to operate optimally. This is probably, one of the most important reasons to drink acai juice, from all the 39 reasons to drink monavie.
Reason No. 13 Acai Protects Blood Vessels!
By drinking Monavie you will be protecting you will be protecting your arteries, capillaries, veins and blood vessels. This is possible because of the anthocyanins that Acai has.
Reason No. 14 Acai Can Improve Your Resistance To Disease!
Because acai has lots of nutrients, monavie helps the immune system and increases your body’s resistance to all sorts of diseases.
Reason No. 15 Acai Improves Lipid and Glucose Levels.
Acai has a low glycemic index which improves these two levels.
Reason No. 16 Acai Detoxifies And Cleanses Your Body.
Acai is used for a long time now to detoxify human’s bodies.
These are only 16 reasons to drink Monavie (acai juice) every single day and you can already see how powerful the fruit is and how much Monavie can do for people that drink it.
Reason No. 17 Acai Can Even Help In Healing Ulcers!
Due to his antibacterial properties, acai is able to destroy fungy, bacteria and even parasites like the one that causes ulcer.
Reason No. 18 Acai May Reduce The Risk Of Alzheimer’s Disease.
According to a study made in 2004, which is found in the Archives of Neurology, people that drink acai are reducing the risk of an Alzheimer disease because of acai’s bigger amounts of vitamins E and C.
Reason No. 19 Acai Is A Great Helper Against Osteoporosis.
Because acai has an increased amount of calcium, the bad osteoporosis tends to stay away from you.
Reason No. 20 Acai Fights Against BPH (prostate enlargement).
Acai is a tough enemy of BPH which stands for benign prostate hyperplasia. You might know BPH as enlarged prostate.
Reason No. 21 Acai Helps Twart Retinopathy.
For people that have diabetes acai is great news, because it helps weak capillaries that otherwise could lead to retinopathy. The bad part about retinopathy is that it can often lead to blindness.
Reason No. 22 Acai Can Even Prevent Causes Of Heart Disease.
The Acai Juice has a powerful heart protection agent which is the antioxidant named polyphenols. The production of nitric oxide in the endothelial cells is improved by anthocyanin. The nitric oxide is responsible for the relaxation and enlargement of the blood vessel walls and this means a lesser amount of stress on your heart. And even more than this, your blood flow will be increased and you will have a decreased risk of any vessel blockage.
Reason No. 23 The Acai Plant Sterols Help Lower Your Blood Pressure.
The sterols are responsible for a lot for good things for your body. Sterols are the components of plant cell membranes. They are used in the treatment things associated with blood pressure.
Reason No. 24 Acai Helps In Relieving The Symptoms Of Asthma.
Acai is able to improve the symptoms from Asthma because it has a lot of vitamin C which is a very powerful antioxidant. The vitamin C has anti-inflammatory properties which help in relieving the Asthma symptoms.
Reason No. 25 Acai Also Helps Relieve The Symptoms Of The Crohn’s Disease.
Because Acai has great anti-inflammatory properties, he is able to stop the malabsorption of nutrients that are vital for the body. This way, acai is preventing any damage on the wall of your small intestines.
Reason No. 26 Acai Helps In Relieving The Pain Caused By Arthritis.
Once more, the anti-inflammatory abilities of the acai berry help in relieving pain caused by arthritis.
Reason No. 27 Acai Helps Prevent Free-Radical Damage Of Your Immune System.
Oxidation (free-radical damage) represents one of the principal causes of the immune weakness (dysfunction). Acai fights this by toughening the immune system.
Reason No. 28 Acai Also Acts Like An Astringent.
An astringent is a substance that shrinks, contracts, tightens the body tissues like our skin. Astringents are utilized to stop bleeding from small cuts and to give to the skin a fresh, tingling sensation.
Reason No. 29 Acai Fights The Deadly Cancer!
Acai prevents and lowers the risk of cancer. Acai fights breast cancer, skin, stomach, lung cancer by neutralizing the free radicals before they can harm cells.
Reason No. 30 Acai Overcomes Acid Reflux!
Because of it’s antioxidants, Acai helps protect and even repair our lower esophagus when damaged by the acid reflux disease (GERD). Acai also reduces the acidity of the stomach contents when the
reflux occurs. This is because, acai has acid-suppression effects.
Having problems with acid reflux?
Reason No. 31 Acai Makes Your Body Stronger!
Because Acai has even more protein then the average egg, he is able to help your body grow stronger.
Reason No. 32 Acai Enhances Muscle Contraction And Regeneration!
Acai has a mix of trace minerals and amino acids which allow him to help muscle contraction and regeneration after a exhausting activity.
Reason No. 33 Acai Improves The Function Of The Immune Cells.
According to a study published in the International Journal of Sports Medicine, acai improves the function of the immune cells by modulating the lymphocytes and preventing the immune suppression. This is all possible thanks to acai’s beta-sitosterol.
Reason No. 34 Acai Acts As An Anti-mutagenic.
Acai helps in the prevention of any damage to our DNA structure and reduces the possible risk posed by mutagens.
Reason No. 35 Acai Fights Against Viruses.
Acai reduces the frequency of infectious diseases like viruses, fungus or bacterial infections.
Reason No. 36 Acai Improves Our Digestion.
Acai dietary fiber helps our colon and the digestive tract.
Reason No. 37 Acai Gives Us A Better Mental Clarity.
Acai helps our alertness and mental function with his omega 3 fats.
Reason No. 38 Acai Promotes Overall Health.
With his powerful antioxidants, Acai helps build and replenish our body.
Reason No. 39 Acai Helps Our Body’s Sinergy.
Acai helps with the protection of the whole body

After reading this who would not want to drink this AMAZING drink?  Email if you have any questions or want to get your bottle Today.

Have a Blessed and Healthy Day!

More about the benefits of Flax Seed

It has been stated that Flax seed plays a great role in fighting a broad range of cancers and lowering "bad" cholesterol. It is also being studied for the benefits of treating Arthritis, omega 3's, and preventing symptoms of menopause and osteoporosis because of its phytoestrogens.

Since heart disease and cholesterol is such a problem here in America, I wanted to say that just adding a tablespoon of whole flax seed a day can help to lower the bodies bad cholesterol. Not to mention helping with great skin, hair, and any arthritis. You can add this great little seed in everywhere. In shakes, cereals, baked breads, stews, soups, rice, etc. It takes a little imagination and your there. At my local health food store you can buy a large 5 lb bag of organic Flax seed for only $10.49. Wow, to me that is pretty cheap and you add variety in your life.

So pick up a bag of whole flax seed at you local health food store and start reaping the benefits.


Check here for lots of different recipes with Flax Seed.


Have a healthy and Blessed day

Ways to not stress over the Holidays, a Must read.

I wanted to write about the holidays. I am enjoying mine, but I am also starting to stress. The last minute things start to rack up and I made this note based on how to distress keeping my Immunes strong and staying healthy. So I wanted to share this with all of you as well.


• Taking time with a nice cup of tea with a loved one is very therapeutic. This way you slow down and relax. Some of my favorites are chamomile, green tea, or peppermint.
• You can also try the rescue remedies. Dr. Bach has combinations of homeopathic ways to improve moods and stressful situations. The rescue remedy is a five flower combo that is great for keeping stress and anxiety at bay.
• I am also going to be doing yoga 2 extra times a week. Yoga is a great technique for slowing down the breathing, stretching, and opening the mind. When you take that time to breath RIGHT, you allow oxygen to help the lungs detox from trapped CO2, and get rich oxygenated blood to the outer extremities of the body. So, it is very important to learn to breath right. During this time of year when we tend to stress and put to much on our plate, without knowing it, we shorten our breathing and do not get enough rich oxygen to the body.
• Also relax your mind. Meditation slows the breathing and also lowers the heart rate. You can use imagery to visualize the Holiday that YOU want. For example if you're going to be around more family and friends then you maybe use to, remember to take deep cleansing breaths, positive thoughts and you will make it through a crazy holiday.
• Studies have also shown that depression and anxiety will add inches around the waistline. Which will also increase anxiety. Since belly fat has been linked to type 2 diabetes and heart disease, try these simple ways to calm the nerves and blues.
• Also, take some time for some nice sunshine outside. We usually tend to be inside more because of the cold, but having a decreased amount of Vitamin D will also cause anxiety. So for both body and mind, get out side and enjoy sunshine, fresh air, and a nice walk around the neighborhood. You will feel so much better afterwards.



We all love a tasty, refreshing drink for a Holiday party. Hear is one you might really enjoy.

This serves two, so make adjustments for a larger get together.

Clementine Mint

Ice Cubes
12 mint leaves, finely shredded
2 whole leaves for garnish
1/4 cup of lemon juice
1 cup fresh Clementine juice
1 bottle sparkling water
slices of Clementine's

Fill pitcher with ice cubes, lemon juice, Clementine juice, sparkling water, shredded mint leaves, and slices of Clementine mix altogether. Then pour in glasses and garnish with whole mint leaves.
Something other than Eggnog, which I still love as well.

Have a Healthy and Happy Holiday Season.

Minerals and gardening

Ok, you saw yesterday's post about minerals and how we should replenish them. Today I wanted to direct you to a site that talks about a little farm in Scotland that uses natural minerals to replenish the soil for their crops. The minerals found in produce get their nutrients from the earth they were grown in. It shows the importance of adding minerals for proper growth and production. There are minerals we lose daily with the lifestyles we have and need to add back to have balance for a healthy life. Check out the pictures of some of these plants and see how they grow better with correct nutrients in the ground and then think about your body. Do you want it to be of less color, growth, and development? Or should we strive for vibrant, healthy, and strong. You want the food you eat to be high in minerals and you want your body to benefit from those nutrients.

Remineralize the earth

This is also a great time to talk about making your own little garden. What better way to know what has been added in and on to your produce than to grow it yourself. If you have children they would enjoy a themed garden. It does not have to be big, just start with a 2x2, or 5x5 area. You could have a herb garden for cooking, a pizza garden, and so much more. There are so many benefits to having a garden. You get to be outside enjoying fresh air, exercise, making food for the table and it is very therapeutic. Even though it is winter, now is the time you can start to prep your area. Things to start working on are: How big of an area? What is going in it? What chores should each member of the house will have? My daughter loved that she had her own garden that she seeded, watered, and harvested. It brings so much joy knowing you grew it and that it is void of chemicals. A great book to have is the "Four Season Harvest". It talks about how to schedule plants to harvest all year long. That way your garden does not just sit through the winter but will producing foods and enjoyment all year long.

Replenish your minerals naturally

Here is a list of minerals you need and the BEST natural sources:


• Potassium- Fish, whole grains, apricots, avocados, bananas, brown rice, green leafy vegetables, spinach, parsley, plantains, cabbage, asparagus, celery, broccoli, and cauliflower
• Magnesium- Green leafy vegetables, nuts, whole grains, kelp, dulse, apples, apricots, avocados, bananas, dandelion, oat straw, parsley, millet, alfalfa, horsetail, brown rice.
• Calcium- Broccoli, green leafy vegetables, greens, dulse, kelp, oats, dandelion, asparagus, horsetail, straw, and plantains.

You notice that Kelp, Dulse, and green leafy vegetables contain several minerals. These show how important it is to add or increase these beneficial foods. You can get creative and sneak them in a daily diet through the day.

Vitamin E specially if you are active in exercise, at work, or strenuous activity. Your body loses these minerals throughout the day in sweat. Be sure to balance your activities with a follow up of these minerals in foods or shakes. It will keep you balanced, fit, and well.

Alkalizing Raw Soup

This is definitely a highly energizing soup and is a big favorite while on a cleanse or detox. Contains avocado which is high in EFAs and cucumber which is well known for its cleansing properties. The taste of this soup can be dramatically altered by the use of the herbs and spices mentioned or by alternating between lemon and lime.
1 avocado
1/2 red or green pepper
1 cucumber
2 handfuls of spinach
1/2 clove of garlic
2  of green onion
Bragg Liquid Aminos to taste
100ml of light vegetable Bouillon (yeast free)
Juice of 1 lemon or lime
Optional: coriander, parsley, cumin, dulse

Blend the avocado and stock to form a light paste, then add the other ingredients and blend.

Have a Health and Blessed Day

Healthy Babies Need the Sun!

Children whose mothers receive more Vitamin D during pregnancy are typically taller and have better bone strength. Research from Bristol University shows Vitamin D plays a critical role in the development and maintenance of healthy bones. Deficiency can cause in children deformed bones and brittle bones in adults. The way Vitamin D is synthesized in the body is by the amount of ultraviolet rays received from Sunlight.


An interesting point they made in the study was that children born during the summer where an average of 5 millimeters taller and had better bone density. The ones born late in the winter had less Vitamin D in their system.

So during these winter months it would be a good idea to schedule times out side for yourself and your children. They need to be out during the sunny parts of the day and in 20 minute increments. This will help keep the Vitamin D in good supply with the bones and growth development remaining at optimum levels. So get outside and enjoy the sun!!

Sunshine Vegetable Soup
2 leeks (white and green parts) washed well and chopped
3 garlic cloves, chopped
1 tbsp canola oil
1 cup sliced carrots
1 cup cubed and peeled acorn squash
2 sweet potatoes, cubed
1 cup chopped spinach, fresh
4 cups boiling water or stock
tamari soy sauce
salt pepper to taste

Sauté leeks and garlic in oil in a large pot until golden. Place all vegetables in boiling water, cover and cook on low until tender. About 30 minutes
Strain out vegetables, reserving water. Puree vegetables in blender or processor, then add the vegetables to water, stirring well and add seasoning and heat through.

Have a Healthy and Blessed Day!

Are you watching your Sugar intake

If you are watching your sugar intake for Diabetes, Autism, Hypoglycemia, and more, then you will want to increase these foods that are low in sugar. You still need a balance of fruit and vegetables, and variety is the spice of life so mix it up.
These foods are lowest in Sugar...but do not use as absolute

Beans, string               Lamb

    Beef, lean                Lettuces

Beef Broth                  Lime

bone broth                  Liver

    Butter                         Lutefisk

   Cheese                       Loquats

Cucumbers                 Mullet

 Egg whites                  Mutton

      Fish                       Nasturtium

 Fish Broth                   Nettles

 Fowl                           Spinach

 Gelatin                        Tomato's

  Goat meat               Wild Game

  Hickory                  Nuts Pork

What I do NOT like about this list is that it is the potentially HIGH Cholesterol with the amount of animal proteins. What is important to remember is that fresh fruits and vegetables, while they contain natural sugars, they are also high in FIBER, which helps to normalize sugar levels. So you should still be getting regular intake of these, but limit the amount of fruit juices. Once a fruit has been juiced you have taken away the fiber that helps the sugar balance and digestion/absorption process.

I would have the leaner meats Fish, fowl, and lamb. These are not as high in cholesterol as beef and pork. This is why cholesterol is high in Diabetics because they stay away from ALL sugars and eat beef and pork in large amounts.

What can you do? Add more Fiber.

Add more complex carbohydrates to dishes, substitute whole wheat or oat flours to flour dishes. Incorporate nuts, grain, and rice other than white. Add grains to meat dishes. Ask me about more and specific ways to do this. You can still have a variety of foods, but leaning how to balance them is KEY.



Vegetables and Rice
• 2 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil
• 1 small dried red Chile pepper, broken
• 1 medium onion, quartered and thinly sliced
• 2 cloves garlic, minced
• 2 large ripe tomatoes, seeded and diced
• 1 medium zucchini, diced
• 1 red bell pepper, diced
• 1 green bell pepper, thinly sliced
• 1 teaspoon paprika, preferably Spanish
• 1 teaspoon dried thyme
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 1/8 teaspoon freshly ground pepper
• 1 1/4 cups brown rice or wild rice
• 3 cups vegetable broth or reduced-sodium chicken broth
• 2 tablespoons finely minced fresh flat-leaf parsley for garnish
• lemon wedges for garnish

1. Heat oil in a 12-inch cast-iron skillet over medium heat. Add Chile pepper, onion and garlic and cook, stirring often, until the onion is soft but not browned, about 6 minutes.

2. Add tomatoes, zucchini, bell peppers, paprika, thyme, salt and pepper; cover and simmer, stirring occasionally, for 15 minutes.

3. Add rice; stir to coat well with the tomato mixture. Add broth; bring to a boil. Reduce heat to low, cover and simmer until the rice is tender, 25 to 30 minutes. Serve hot directly from the pan, garnished with parsley and lemon wedges, if desired.

Have a Healthy and Blessed Day

Are your nails healthy?

Ok, Ladies I know you will love this one, and men pass it along to the lady you love.

Extra care keeps nails in shape!

We are going to be looking our best for the holidays and New Year, right! So, let’s keep these little protectors looking healthy and strong. I think that is a concern for a lot of us. We can tell a lot about your diet by looking at your nails. If they are too brittle, if they have calcium white spots on them, it they are paper thin, the list goes on and on.

To keep them strong, eat plenty of protein. Eggs, fish, lean poultry, and soy. Eggs contain a beautifying amino acid CYESTEINE. Sulfur rich cysteine binds the protein to keratin hardening the nails.

Also, essential fatty acids (flax seed, evening primrose, borage, and black current seed) and green foods (spirulina, kelp) strengthen the nails. Other nail friendly products include calcium, magnesium, and silica. Drinking herbal teas rich in silica such as horsetail, nettle, and oat straw helps the cuticles along with the nails.

If you are one who is having a little problem with splitting nails, try adding two TBSP a day of brewers yeast or wheat germ oil to your diet. You could also soak them in warm Olive oil or cider vinegar for 10 to 20 minutes a day.

In our nails are clues of a variety of medical issues. They can be indicators of something happening to alert us. Healthy nails are pink indicating there is a rich blood supply. These may be alerts to health problems.

• Chipping, peeling, splitting...indicates nutritional deficiency, a thyroid problem, and /or not enough hydrochloric acid in the body. What to do? Get plenty of good protein, Vitamin A, calcium, and iron.

• Horizontal ridges... Severe stress mentally and/or physically. What to do? Take B complex daily, with plenty of biotin.

• Spooning (upward curving of nails)... Anemia or problems with iron being able to be absorbed. What to do? Get Vitamin B12 as well as iron.

• Thick nails... Poor circulation, which may signal thyroid disease, Diabetes, and/or a fungal infection.

• Vertical ridges...indicate poor health, not enough fruit and vegetables are in the daily balance. What to do? Get plenty of protein, take a B complex, and increase raw fruits and vegetables.

• White spots... it not caused by an injury, may be a zinc deficiency. What to do? Consider adding 50 mg of zinc daily, but do not exceed 100 mg a day from food choices and supplements. For food choices contact me for more information.

Moisturizing is important for healthy and attractive nails. Pick a vitamin rich lotion to apply to unpolished nails and cuticles. Keep cuticles moisturized nightly by massaging jojoba or vitamin E oils into the nail of the bed.

Your nails are porous and able to absorb 20 to 25% their own weight in water. You can waterproof your nails before doing the dishes or other watery chores by rubbing a waxy lip balm over them.

When you file your nails be sure to follow the same design shape as your cuticle, round out if the cuticle is rounded, and box out a square shaped cuticle.

You can also do a little LIGHT buffing to add a little shine to the nail. If you chose to polish your nails try to pick a natural one that is without toxins.

Have a Healthy Holiday!!

Do you have Chronic Pain?

Chronic pain counts for a majority of Dr. appointments across America. Ranging from headaches, back pain, knee pain, neck pain, and many more. We use the term chronic when the pain does not just go away, and we usually have to turn to a pain reliever. There are many pain relievers to choose from Tylenol, ibuprofen, and harder prescriptions. While some of these help to cover the pain, was the problem fixed? What about the effects these chemicals have on the liver and stomach? These can cause liver dysfunction and have long been said to be the second most cause of ulcers.
So, let’s talk about WHY we have these pains. One of the most common reasons is from inflammation in the body. One way we create and can stop this inflammation is in our food choices.

Here are some items that cause inflammation leading to pain in the body.
• Sugars- refined, processed, white
• Grains- enriched, processed, white flours. Examples are bagels, breads, pasta, desserts
• Oils- refined and processed
• Fatty Meats

Americans eat these on a daily bases and they consist of 80% of the food eaten. Wow, think about that! 80% of the food choices and it causes the pain that you get and we chuck it up to a bad day at the office, studying too hard, or not getting a good nights rest. The inflammation caused by these foods hit joints and muscles, causing pain and we are lead to medications to put a band-aid on it instead of STOPING it. The meds will wear off and the pain will still be there. What can you do?
Make a life style change of your eating habits. Pick cleaner foods from those mentioned above or try limit the use them.
• Natural sweeteners instead of refined sugar. Look to cut back big time on the sugars. If you need more ideas and how to do this please contact me. There is too much information to put that all here.
• Whole grains, whole wheat, brown rice.
• Better Oils would be olive oil, coconut, pure butter, but used in moderation.
• Lean meats, skinless chicken, fresh fish, and omega 3 eggs. Rich omega 3 foods help to reduce and clean up areas that have been affected by inflammation. Contact me for more ways to incorporate these in daily choices.

For the bulk of daily choices you have a great variety of foods. Vegetables, fruits, and raw nuts are all great choices. These provide what you need for the body to be clean and functioning correctly. The top highlighted areas should count for less than 25% of the daily calorie in take.

Also, using herbs and spices can put a variety of flavors and healthy benefits in your body.
Ginger, turmeric, rosemary, oregano, garlic, coriander, are just a few. Almost all spices have anti-inflammatory qualities.
So lets cut back on these problematic foods and increase the beneficial items and put Pain and Suffering behind us.
Turkey day is almost here, what helpful foods are you featuring to give the best for your family and friends. Please share with us any of your ideas!

Here is another favorite of mine.
Warm and toasty Carrots
• 1/2 tsp cumin seeds
• 2 tbsp extra-virgin olive oil
• 1 tsp minced ginger
• 1 1/2 cups peeled and sliced carrots
• 1/4 tsp sea salt
• 2 tbsp water
• 1 tsp freshly squeezed lemon juice
• 1 tsp pure maple syrup
• chopped fresh parsley as garnish

Drizzle the pan with the olive oil and warm slightly. Add the cumin seeds, you are not browning, just warming, this will be about 3 minutes over med. heat. Add the ginger and continue to sauté for 1 minute. Stir in carrots and salt, and turn heat to medium low. Add water, cover, and cook for about 2 minutes, until just barely tender. Stir in lemon juice and maple syrup. Garnish with parsley and serve immediately.

Get creative and Sneaky about adding more Veggies

Thanksgiving is time that we spend with family, friends, and FOOD. I say that because we do not typically have any social occasion without some form of food or drink. You may be traveling or have family coming to you, so turkey day is just one day of many that you are preparing and consuming food. I had a friend say. "I am going home and I am so worried because I know the rich and delicious foods that will be there, and most will be bad for me." Most Americans do not know the damage that is done by eating foods today. We do not eat the correct amounts of fruits and veggies, and we cut corners making things from a BOX or CANS. What you can do is educate your loved ones on the importance of a Balanced diet.


Under 10 % of American children and teens are getting a sufficient amount of fruits and veggies.

These beneficial items in our diet are important for child growth and maintaining a healthy weight. Even preventing diseases like diabetes, cancer, heart disease, ADHD, and more. The key is to sneak it in and make it fun.

Here are some creative ideas to try
1. Bugs on a log...Celery, peanut butter, and raisins.
2. Fruit Kabobs...assorted fruit on a stick to go.
3. Vegetable flowers and dip

You can get really creative and just add as many good things for them to enjoy. It just takes having some fun.

Check out the recipes and Ideas fromFamilyFun.com

They have great creative foods, just remember to be light on the sweets. I often get tempted to over indulge in those.

Have a healthy day.

Spice up your Holiday.. part 3..Give select sides with specific nutrient benefit.

While the Turkey usually gets all the attention for Thanksgiving, lets highlight some great sides for the day. Some sides are not only delicious, but also can be packed with incredible nutritional benefits. Seasonal squash, pumpkins, and sweet potatoes, hold impressive amounts of beta carotene, Vitamin C and A, rich antioxidants, magnesium, calcium, potassium, and Folate acid.

You also get some veggie dishes that are high in fiber, low in saturated fats, and low in sodium. That is because they are not smothered in butter and cream sauces. So this year try a few different sides that have more nutrients and less FATS. When we get together with family and friends, we think about giving them the best because of our love for them. Let's load our tables with healthy and tasty foods, not the foods with unnecessary extras. That is a show of your love for them and their HEALTH!
Today your getting two for one!!!!

Spiced Quinoa
it can be used as something other than stuffing or an extra side.
• 2 tbsp extra virgin olive oil
• 1 tsp powdered ginger
• 1 tsp ground cumin
• 1 tsp ground coriander
• 1 tsp ground turmeric
• 1 cup rinsed and drained quinoa
• 1/4 cup finely chopped parsley
• 1/4 cup finely minced fresh cilantro or mint

Brown all spices in oil in large saucepan. Add quinoa and stir well. Add 2 cups boiling water, cover, simmer, until water is absorbed while stirring occasionally.
Remove from heat and let stand for a few more minutes. Add parsley and cilantro or mint. Fluff with fork and serve.

Spiced Toasted Almonds
Makes a great item to have out before the big meal.
• 2 cups raw almonds
• 1 tsp extra virgin olive oil

• 1/2 tsp maple syrup, pure

• 1/4 tsp sea sal

• 1 tsp cinnamon                                                                            

• 1/4 cup ground ginger

Preheat oven 350 degrees. Toss the almonds with olive oil, maple syrup, salt, cinnamon, and ginger until they are coated evenly. Spread over a baking sheet evenly. Bake for 7 to 10 minutes until lightly browned and smelling delicious. Almonds will become crispy as they cool. you can even add some dried fruits (cranberries, raisins, or apricots), they are great for added texture and taste.

Have a healthy Holiday!

Spice up your holiday.. part 2..Less sugar

On average Americans consume about 180 POUNDS of sugar a year! Over the past 30 years alone our calorie intake has increased by 70%. With the majority of our food coming out of a can or box, the manufacturers add a number of chemicals and toxins to preserve the food which requires increased amounts of sugars to make the food more palatable. Does anybody wonder why we are in the midst of a growing obesity and diabetes epidemic? Sugar is in almost all things we buy, and then we still add it to our drinks, desserts, and dishes. Try this for a turkey day treat. It will be better tasting and better for your waistline.

Oatmeal Harvest Cookies
15 prep time makes about 2 dozen cookies

• 1 1/2 cup oats
• 1/2 cup whole wheat flour
• 1/2 tsp salt
• 1/4 tsp baking soda ( non aluminum)
• 1/4 tsp cinnamon
• 1/4 tsp nutmeg
• 2 tbsp chopped nuts and/or raisins
• 1 cup mashed acorn squash or sweet potato
• 3/8 cup oil... (which is also 1/4 cup plus 2 tbsp)

Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Mix dry ingredients together. In separate bowl, mix cooked mashed squash or potato and oil. Add to the dry ingredients. Drop by heaping tsp onto the cookie sheet and bake for 10 - 15 minutes.
Did you notice NO sugar??

Spice up Your Holiday with healthy flavors!

Common everyday kitchen spices can help your health. They can do things from increasing vitamins and mineral, protecting you against E- Coli and other bacteria, and even help to aid digestion. After all the rich and heavy meals of the holidays we can probably all use some good digestive aids.
Herbs not only add flavor but healing properties.   Learn the phrase "let your food be your medicine and let your medicine be your food".  I love this phrase and repeat it often to my kids.  This way you can enjoy food that not only tastes great, but helps you feel great.
Here are some helpful spices:

• Almonds:  help acne, asthma, cancer, cough, dermatitis, and more.
• Capers: helps with arthritis, cancer, cataracts, fractures, and sciatica.
• Cinnamon:  relieves Bronchitis, diabetes, fever, heartburn, herpes, pain, PMS, and rheumatism.
• Ginger: helps with indigestion, diarrhea, flatulence, sore throats, and stomach aches.
• Peppermint: helps digestion, PMS, nausea, and stimulates circulations.
• Oregano, marjoram, basil are all used in foods and help in many ways, I'll post this soon. 

Here is a great dish for Thanksgiving.

Sweet Potatoes Casserole    

15 minute prep and 1 hour bake time serves 10-12

• 6 large Sweet potatoes
• 1 pineapple chopped in small pieces (reserve the juice) If you do not have time, you could use a 20 oz can (but remember the metal content in cans)
• 1 tsp ground cinnamon
• 1/3 cup chopped pecans
• 1 to 3 tsp coconut oil

Bake sweet potatoes on cookie sheet at 375 degrees for about 1 hour or until done. When cool enough to handle cut potatoes in half and scoop out the flesh and discard the skin. Mash the potatoes in electric mixture or hand mashing, until smooth. Add pineapple, with juices, and cinnamon and oil. Mix well. Spoon mixture in casserole dish or 9 by 13 baking dish. Sprinkle with nuts. Bake covered for 40 minutes.

This is a delicious dish with much less fat as traditional casseroles, and same great taste.

You can even add raisins to the dish for even more added flavor.

New dangers in Can foods.

We have all read that can foods are bad for their high levels of metals. They are also stripped of their digestive enzymes needed for nutrient absorption. Not to mention the preservative chemicals found in these foods. I should also remind you of the high sodium, BAD sodium, content.

Well, canned foods are also being linked to the bad estrogen chemical that is causing cancers. There is a chemical BPA that is a plastic lining in the cans of most of our everyday foods. You may say, "studies are showing everything is causing cancer!" You may be right, but in a different sense. The foods we eat today has been drastically changed then the way it was DESIGNED to eat. We have added and changed the make up of the food, and that is why it is causing disease within us. Everything processed is being linked to cancer, diabetes, cholesterol, and other diseases, because of the chemicals and processing of the food type. The reason fruits and vegetables are showing signs of preventing disease is because it always has prevented it, we just have been uneducated and lazy. Please read this article and share with your loved ones. If we just take the time to use fresh CLEAN foods we live a longer and healthier life. By limiting the uses of processed foods and increasing your intact of fruits and veggies, you will be lowing your chances of these diseases.


New Dangers of Canned Foods
Have a Blessed and Healthy day.

. 

Update on Joey, its day four

I wish I had taken pictures of Joey now. He is doing great. He is showing the same signs of improvement that the shots had always given him. I am hoping that this is going to CURE the mange, not just easy the symptoms. The true signs will be when the hair starts to come back around the eyes, but I am happy knowing that I am giving him something that is natural and non toxic, to help him get rid of this parasite. I just wish it was warmer, because I will be giving him his oatmeal bath today to keep his coat clean.

Update on Joey

I am very happy to say that so far major improvments.  He is not rubbing and opening his sores around the eyes, and it looks like he is doing better.  I am giving the herbal extract and worm wood in his milk.  He gets a extra treat for one... the extra smells like a medicine almost, and it must not taste great because I have to keep the bowl saying " drink it boy".  He does, but slowly.  I will keep you up dated.

Herbs not just for people but pets as well.

I wanted to let you guys know what's been going with my dog lately. Healing my pets are not something I do often, but a light bulb came on this weekend. Since July I have been battling a problem with Mange on my dog. He picked it up at a kennel, and we have been doing shots to help cure it. Each time he gets better, but never cured, and its back again. He had some sores that developed around his eyes that were causing him to rub and bleed. He started that up again just a few days ago.


Now we have been using herbs in many ways for ourselves for a long time now, but I have never used any on my dog. My sister sent me to a site that is all about pets and treating them Naturally. I was so excited because it gave mention to the herb Wormwood. Now, I was not that familiar with the herb because its not often that we have to deal with parasites. Today is day two and Joey is showing more progress of healing than ever before. He is not rubbing the eyes, making them bleed, and he is allowing it to heal. The wormwood I am putting one cap full in a bowl of milk and he id drinking it down once a day.

I will be keeping you posted as to his progress, but I am having high hopes that this will be safer, and fast than the shots that he has been taking and not curing him.

The reason I wanted to share this story with you all is that nutrition and holistic health is not just for you and your family, but the extended family, our pets, as well.

Here is the site that I was sooo happy to have found.Pets natural remedies  Check it out.  And forward to pets lovers as well. 
Be Healthy and Blessed!!!!

Holistic Health Thursday...Homeopathic remedies.

I wanted to let you know about a little secret of mine. You already know that I try to do all the preventive care that I can at home. I love that when I need a Dr. I can see one right away, but the time lost when you have to take a child to a Dr. appointment is so frustrating. The time taken off from work, the time sitting in the waiting room, and then you usually wait some more in the room. Signs that it is cold and flu season so they are going to be very busy right. So, to go along will our natural food choice diet we also use Homeopathic Medicine.


When you take a medication it stems from a medicinal plant source, but they have changed and patented it for their our meds. These have changed and altered the natural state of the plant source of the medicinal plant. That's why meds are usually harsher for the liver than Homeopathic medicine. With all herbs, and items used for medicinal purposes you should use caution and be educated on the benefits and side effects. The great thing about Homeopathic is that you have to learn what works best for what situation. To learn about what to use for the right times, look at "Homeopathic Medicine at Home" By Maesimund B. Panos, M.D., a wonderful book that really breaks it down for you.

Homeopathic remedies to do at home are most effective when you use the right measurements and the right occasions. It is very easy to understand and do, and SAFE!!!!! That would have to be the most important thing to me.

Since it is the cold season and H1N1 is of everyone's concern. We are all taking Aconite 30. The kids take 2 small little balls under the tongue just once a week. You could take it more often, but since they have strong immune systems, we only need to maintain their resistance to the colds. It is great! They were battling runny noses and dry coughs from things they were bringing home from school. It has been one month and not a runny nose or cough since we started this small step in prevention. If you are interested in learning more for your self, pick up the book mentioned above, very helpful and informative. Its not just colds, but also, stomach problems, fevers, earaches, burns, acne, and many more.

Remember this is what our ancestors have been doing since the dawn of time. Prevention and healing.

You could be doing it too, and it just takes education and understanding.



Have a Blessed and Healthy Day!!

Our Environment

You may wonder why I would be concerned with the environment when my passion is nutrition, but I think it goes hand in hand. We have to be more concerned with our environment because our food, water, and air are our resources that are being effected by our life styles.






Today's cause is to drop the bag. If we all took steps to make a better environment we could make big changes. Our oceans are becoming very toxic with the garbage that is Blow, dumped, and washed into it. There is a area larger than the state of Texas, where it goes for miles down with garbage debris. If we learn to make small steps to clean up our garbage, and use the recycling centers near you, we can make big changes. It starts with you and me, and it starts with educating ourselves. Please visit the web site and make a commitment to DROP the bag. The seafood we eat are becoming toxic for this reason. If we want to have fresh seafood, and not Mercury high farm raised seafood as our only choices, than please read more and not continue to look the other way.



I have 6-7 canvas bags that I use for my shopping needs, for the weekly groceries, and I try two keep 1 or two bags in my car for those quick stops. If you start today....you will be making a difference.



Ocean conservancy

and

drop the plastic bag

Workout Wednesday.. P90X update

You all know I love the P90X workouts. I have started the 90 day challenge again. I went from a 10/12 to a size 6 the first time around. So I am hoping to make some big improvements with tone and definition. Another dress size down will be a big benefit. Its only day 3 of the 90 days, but I'll keep you posted on the improvements.
 You have all heard at one time someone talk about P90X. Many, many people are do the workouts. I love the P90X routine, but you could also find a different program that fits you better. Go to. beachbody. for more information.

This is the workout you will buy as an investment that you NEVER get tired of. It makes you exhausted, haha, but you never get sick of doing it.


Have a Healthy and Blessed Day.

Its Detox Tuesday.....

OK, So since I did the Master Cleanse, I have loved how my body feels, physically and emotionally. I will be doing the whole cleanse every 3 months, but what I do for weekly up keep, is a once week cleanse. I will make a pitcher of lemons and water in the morning and drink Lemon water all day. Loaded with Vitamin C for one thing, and then for lunch and Dinner I will make a different veggie and fruit shakes. If you are a little hunger than just a shake at dinner than have a nice vegetable soup puree. The things about today is that I am eating no meat, grains, cheese, anything that is a little harder to digest. The veggies and fruit are packed with vitamins, mineral, and FIBER. So I am cleaning and detoxing throughout the whole day. On a liquid diet, your digestive system gets the nutrients and is allowed to rest and recoup for the rest of the week. Its amazing and when you make it a routine you love the way your body runs better.


Here is a shake idea.

1 whole cucumber
4 sticks of celery
2-4 handfuls of spinach
8 lettuce leaves
Any other greens!
Optional boosters: parsley and fresh alfalfa sprouts
Juice all ingredients and mix 50/50 with distilled water. Add optional lemon juice to taste and Prime pH to boost the alkalinity of the juice

Another

3-4 Carrots
125g Fresh Spinach
Handful of Flat Leaf Parsley
2-3 Sticks of Celery
Juice all ingredients (putting celery through last). Mix with juice to taste or drink.

New Nutrition Monday....top Vitamin C foods.

In no specific order....
Oranges
Cantaloupe
Strawberries
Green peppers
Red Peppers
Brussels Sprouts
Kiwi
Guava
Grapefruit Juice
Vegetable Juice blend

If you can incorporate these in a daily diet one or a couple a day, rotating, having a assortment of these it will keep you out of the cold and flu discomforts and out enjoying this beautiful fall/winter weather.  Just as a side note, oranges are NOT the frood with the most Vitamin C.  Its actually on the lower end of the poll.  THats why you want to mix it up and get a little of all these fruits and vegetables in.  Make your own Vegetable shakes with these and say GOOD BYE flu and cold season. 

Have a Healthy and Blessed Day

The herb of the week...is all about Vitamin C

OK, I think most of us our concerned with this years cold and flu season, I know I am.  So a great way to get some extra fluids, that taste great, is to have a nice cup of tea loaded with vitamin C.  There are a few herbs that can help with this, but the top most packed with Vitamin C is the Accerola Fruit.  It is loaded with Vitamin C from 1,500 mg to 14,800 mg of Vitamin C. 

Fruit: Fruits are round to oblate, cherry-like but with 3 lobes. They are bright red (rarely yellow-orange) with thin skin, easily bruised. The pulp is juicy, acid to sub-acid occasionally nearly sweet, with a delicate flavor and apple notes. The fruit is very high in Vitamin C, up to 4,000 mg per 100 g fresh weight, but typically around 1,500 mg C. Green fruits have twice the Vitamin C level of mature fruits. Fruits develop to maturity in less than 25 days. Seeds typically three with fluted wings, forming a triangle. Many aspects of seed viability have not been studied.

http://www.crfg.org/pubs/ff/acerola.html for more information.

Very beneifictial in areas of cold, flu, lung disorders, skin, and more.  You can find it in tea bags at you local Health food store or start to grow your own, beautiful Schrub.

Have a Healthy and Blessed Day.

My Detox shake for today

Ok, I am going to be blogging more later, but for those that wish to get a head start on detoxifying the sugar today. This is what we are having. Lots of greens and berries.


1/2 cup Orange Juice, fresh
1/2 cup baby spinach
1/4 cup alfalfa sprouts
2 celery sticks
4 strawberries
1 cup blue berries
ice for texture you wish

Its all in the blender and blend through stages 1 to the liquefy. And its a beautiful purple color. Enjoy and have like 3 of these today. Slowly decreasing the berries and increasing the greens. The color will become greener with less blueberries. I will be posting later today as well.

Great Ideas for Halloween

Image: FreeDigitalPhotos.net

Ok, Parents I know some of you are concerned with the amount of sugar that is consumed during the holidays. We know that sugar lowers the immune system and increases our risks for illnesses. So think about all the candy we indulge in this night. We are all scared and concerned with the H1N1, and we should be. So lets keep our defenses stronger. Here is a few ideas.

1. Be sure to eat a full nutritious meal for dinner. Have plenty of vegetables, and fruit. There are some great ideas in Taste of Home with apple slices and almonds to look like a ghouls teeth, and cheese sticks that look like a vampires fingers. Be creative with natural foods, everything fun does not have to be laced ion sugar.

2. Allow them to collect candy and have fun in the event, but tell them you still have to inspect the candy as always for any hidden dangers. What we do is get the candy home and then after inspection , allow them 5 pieces to indulge in.

3. The next morning do the big exchange. They exchange their bag of candy for a new 5 dollar bill. They can buy something great at the store. It shows them there are rewards for giving it up, and its done and over. Its actually better to consume a larger amount of candy at one time, then spacing it out daily. The body burns up the candy and you feel terrible, but you can get back into a normal diet and help detox. When you give them a little every day, that's everyday that they are lowering the system more and more. You also have major behavioral issues because of that. Also, sugar has a drying effect on the skin. Its getting colder and they are going to be having itchy skin not from the change in temperatures, which will not help, but the sugar.

4. Also think about going to a community event where they give out not just candy and treats but also activities and toys.  It does not have to be just about the treats.

You have tocheck this one out.....Truely health neat snacks for kids on halloween.  Celery claws, beetle juice, eyeball eggs, ghost toast...you have to check it out to plan for tonight and make it healthy.

http://www.greatgrubclub.com/?location_id=148

If your wondering what to do with your pumpkin seeds check out. http://allrecipes.com/Recipe/Spiced-Pumpkin-Seeds/Detail.aspx

Ways to increase Resveratrol's

Blueberries 1 cup

Purple grapes 1/2 cup, twice a day

Peanut butter 2 tbsp

Red wine one 4.5 ounce glass

Cranberry Juice 1/2 cup

What is a resveratrol?

Resveratrol is found in grapes, wine, grape juice, peanuts, and berries, including blueberries, bilberries, and cranberries. Resveratrol is found only in the skins of grapes. "Resveratrol has been found to inhibit the proliferation of a variety of human cancer cell lines, including those from breast, prostate, stomach, colon, pancreatic, and thyroid cancer". Published at Organ State University. It is also being said to have anti-inflammatory and anti-aging properties. Studies have also shown that resvertrols have antioxidant activities , which decreases oxidized stress in tissues that leads to cancer. With Cancer one of the top three killers in the United States, because of the diet and lifestyle we lead, increasing these specific items would be of great use.

I would plan to incorporate these in along with the omega 3's daily planner. We are past trying to eat well. We are now working in specific areas of health. To know what fruits and vegetables can help within the areas of our bodies we can identify when something feels off or not right.

That is why having vegetables and fruits as a major source of dietary intake helps fight disease and health problems. Every source of vitamin and minerals helps a specific area to give you better health.

At times we think that we have a disease of health problem due to parents having genes to that. Science is now showing that even though you may be PRON to those health risk, it is in your hands to stop it before it happens. Lets take diabetes as an example. If a parent had this, it does not mean you WILL. If you know it is a risk for you this is where you can increase and decrease certain foods to keep the door shut on this problem.
Being Proactive is the best way to keep you healthy. So often we are Reactive, we do something about it after we get the lab results in. At this stage the damage has been done and now you can only maintain a balance. Be Proactive and take control now to stay away from cancer, diabetes, high cholesterol, stroke.

Omega 3's and how to increase them to your diet.

Ways to increase Omega 3's

Wild Salmon 3-4 ounces ( deck of cards)

Spinach 1 cup steamed ( baseball)

Walnuts 1 handful

Soymilk 2 cups (16 ounces)

Flaxseed 2 tbsp

DHA eggs 2 eggs

pecans 1 handful

Tofu 1/2 cup raw tofu

Wheat germ 2 tbsp

Soybean oil 2 tbsp

Alaskan Halibut 3-4 ounces

Collard greens 1 cup steamed

Pumpkins seeds 1 handful

chunk light tuna 3-4 ounces

Soy nuts 1 handful

Sunflower seeds 1 handful



You have a few combinations to put together, and learning the combinations will be of great benefit to make sure you get these in. Try to make it second nature because that's what this mounts up to, life choices.

Benefits of omega 3 include lowering triglycerides (fats in our bodies we get from eating animal products and saturated fats) in the blood, lower systolic and diastolic blood pressure and heart rate, and decreases the production of inflammatory chemicals produced by the body.

Omega 3 and 6's can not be produced by the body. These have to be incorporated in to the diet. Unfortunately processed foods such as white bread and white pastas contain higher levels of omega 6's that usually carry hydrogenated oils and increasing the disease causing trans fats. Limit these by increasing the omega 3's above and limiting the white carbs. When you create a environment in your body with omega 3's, its tougher to develop cancer, heart disease, muscular degeneration, obesity, cardiac arrhythmia, and decreased mental function.

Here are some ways to get them in beneficial daily combinations.



 Wild salmon, spinach, walnuts, soymilk, flaxseed.


 eggs, spinach, walnuts, tofu, wheat germ, soybeans.

Alaskan halibut, spinach, soymilk, flaxseed.

 Pecans, soymilk.

eggs, collard greens, pumpkin seeds, tofu, flaxseed.

 Chunked tuna, soy nuts, flax seed,

 eggs, spinach, walnuts, soymilk, wheat germ
These are a few ways you can incorporate them in a daily routin.

I mentioned more about the Master Cleanse.

I have so enjoyed the Cleanse. It has given me the energy that I needed to start working out again, and its helped to detox the junk we eat from time to time. I must say even though I am a huge advocate of Organic fruits and vegetables, I am not always able to eat from the organic produce, we are limited there. So its very beneficial to do a cleanse to clean out toxin in the blood, colon, and tissues. When we cleanse you not only reset your metabolism, but your energy and emotions as well. There we days that I said to my husband, "wow, I just feel really happy, and I don't know why." Then I read that that's one of the things you notice when you detox.
If you have a bad diet, the normal American Diet, then you would want to do this cleanse every 3 months. It's recommend for at least every 6 months.
Here is the link that you can read more about it, but start soon. You would be doing your colon a favor.

http://therawfoodsite.com/

There you can read about others that have done it, and what more to expect. Check it out.

Check out this clip to hear more about it and what it can do for you.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eFZsWAluoUs&feature=player_embedded

How the Cleanse is coming

I am so excited, it is going great and I have so much energy. The first day was uncomfortable, because I was having headaches due to detoxing and caffeine withdrawals. I drink too much coffee, which I will not be doing any more. I did not have much more than that happen beside a few detox symptoms. The second day felt what I thought was great. Later on during the day I started to notice a change in bowel movements, and it was that I was getting rid of toxins and more in the colon. It was amazing how great I am feeling everyday that I am on this. I the cleanse has been very beneficial and there is still seven days to go. I am expecting even better outcomes. I will be posting more ways this cleanse is helpful.

I am doing a cleanse for the digestive tract

I am so excited about this. I have always wanted to do a cl easing fast, but always pregnant or breastfeeding. So I am doing the lemon cleanse. It's so easy and very beneficial. This is a effective and simple fast to clean out the digestive tract. This should be done every six months for great health. When you consume dead foods these have preservatives, toxins, and some dead foods are extremely hard to digest. When we do not clean ever so often they build up i the intestines and we become a toxic DUMP. We need to flush the toxins and the stuck fecal matter.

If you are wanting to do this. You would have to follow the steps and do the entire process to the end. Which is about 10 days, and you should have a good diet from there out. Meaning you do not want to just jump back into a dead diet. You will slowly be increasing the food back into the diet, with juice smoothies, raw vegetables, and then ultimately grains and proteins. You will want to make sure you can have lots of fruits and vegetables that are high in fiber, to make sure you finish the cleanse to the end.

There are many cleanses out there, Master Cleanse is very similar to what I am using. Mine is geared toward using foods, and the Lemons are very effective in cleansing the digestive track.

If you have any questions please email me.

Flax seed is also a very nice cleanser to use as a daily routine. You can add this to you cereals, breads, shakes, and main dishes.

Blueberry Muffins
1 1/2 cups wheat flour
3/4 cup flax seed meal
1 cup brown sugar
1 tsp baking powder
2 tsp baking soda
1/4 tsp salt
2 tsp cinnamon
2 tsp pumpkin pie spice
1 tsp ground ginger
2 apples, shredded
3/4 cup 2% milk
2 eggs
1 tsp vanilla
1/2 cup blueberries

Preheat oven to 350. Mix all dry ingredients together, EXCEPT blueberries. Combine eggs, milk, and vanilla, and beat for 30 seconds. Pour liquid ingredients into dry ingredients. Stir and fold into Blueberries. Fill each muffins tin 3/4 of the way full. Bake 350 degrees for 15- 20 minutes.

Have a Blessed and Healthy Day!

Deep Breathing

It is so important to remember to breath. I know some may say that it is a automatic response for life is to breath. That is true, but we can become so stressed that we for get HOW to breath.

There are a few techniques for breathing.
1. The Auyvedic way to make sure we get rid of any excess CO2 within our lungs. This is a exercise you can do daily, as often as want. What you do is take short, quick, breaths in and then release long breaths out. And then another quick breath and longer breath out. The key is to breath in, but you breath out for as long as you can trying to empty the Carbon dioxide trapped inside. It can be toxic to the body, so remember to add this to you routine.

2. Another way is the DEEP breathing. Most of us know this one. You can take deep breaths in and long deep breaths out. This allows oxygen into the blood and to every part of the body. It is very relaxing and we take time to forget our troubles to focus on the rhythmic action of breathing in and out. You feel so good after this. You should learn to do this when you are stressed, upset, and in the evening when you want to rest.

You will also learn to breath correctly while doing Yoga and/or Tai Chi. It makes you focus on the movements and breath. Very beneficial exercise and breathing. It helps with stress and enhances moods. When you breath you are in a sense Detoxifying your mind and body.

We can all learn to handle are stress better and live longer.

Have a blessed and healthy day.

Heart Disease

Beneficially foods for heart disease.

Grapseed oil contains a high level of antioxidants and has shown to reduce your LDL (bad cholesterol) and raises the HDL (good cholesterol).

Salmon has omega-3 fats that help to prevent heart disease. When shopping you want wild salmon, which has lower PCB contaminants than farm raised.

Eat half a red grapefruit before your meals in the morning and it helps to lower cholesterol, even helps to loose weight.

Eat more red legumes, red lentils and kidney beans. Their rich in trypophan which helps to reduce stress and depression. Other benefits are that they reduce your blood pressure, give you more energy, and detoxify the colon.

By eating foods that help with constipation and aid digestion you reduce your blood pressure as well. (red cabbage, pomegranates, water melon, tomato juice, apples, etc)

Adding raw red onions to your salads, stews, spreads, side dishes can cut bad cholesterol.
If your cooking you want to use white or yellow onions, keep the red ones raw or you loose the properties listed here.

Eating wild Salmon helps prevent heart disease. Its rich in omega-3 fatty acids, and magnesium that helps to reduce stress.

Walnuts, almonds, sunflower seeds also have heart healthy effects. You can add those to baked goods, salads, side dishes, and desserts.

Avocados are packed with healthy monounsaturated fatty acids or "good fats". They also help to lower cholesterol levels and raise the good HDL levels.

Avocado Dip or spread
2 avocados mashed
1/4 yellow onion minced or chopped finely
2 plum tomatoes, diced
Juice of one lemon

Mix together and have a dip and chips. I LOVE to add to the top of burgers instead of mayo. Its amazing taste can also be aided with a little BBQ sauce for a Tex Mex burger, wow.

To Vaccinate or Not, you decide

I have had a lot of people ask me my opinion if they should vaccinate or not. I really am on the fence with that question. I have four children and will say that I have vaccinated all of them, but wonder if I did the right thing. My sister in law is a big advocate for NOT vaccinating and her children are just as strong and healthy children as mine. There has been a lot of talk on the matter. What I have is the some facts you should know for why not to have vaccinations. This information was taken from the Healthkeepers Magazine, and the Natural solutions Foundation.

1. Vaccines are toxin. They contain mercury, formaldehyde, and aluminum.

2. Immunizations depresses and disables the brain and immune function. Unbiased studies hasve shown vaccines to be linked to these illnesses, SIDS, development disorders, autism, mental retardation, hyperactivity, dyslexia, Immune deficiency, Degenerative diseases - muscular dystrophy, multiple sclerosis, arthritis, cancer, leukemia, lupus, fibromyalgia.

3. Since 1990, doctors are not legally required to report adverse reactions to the CDC. They actually consider adverse reactions to be normal. They are ignored and even classify as other disease. I would want reactions reported or to know that this reaction may happen.

4. Vaccines are taken for granted as safe and effective. They require it to be done and we do it, but they have no control group studies. They tell you that to not vaccinate is unethical but refuse to study those that do not vaccinate. Their are afraid to see there are people that are actually just as healthy or better.

There are more but they go into the laws and gag orders. Some have wondered if Doctors are held by the same fears that parents have, that they HAVE to give them to every child in fear of the what if. It is assumed and force that Vaccinations are needed and done. I will admit that I would have thought differently if I had the information I do now. I personally think they are unnecessary risk to take to keep children safe. Although, if a normal American Family does not have the appropriate diet and nutrition than maybe the vaccinations are for them. If you are in a natural and nutritious lifestyle than your child has a stronger immune system to fight the disease that they are trying to protect against.
So the choice should and be yours. If you want to see more information about this right that is yours is at christianhealthfellowship.org or call 574-268-2121. They can provide you with a certificate that explains to the school why its your choice and freedom to not have your child NOT vaccinated and in the public schools as well.

I am not saying that you should not vaccinate. If you choose to vaccinate that is again your right, all I am saying that there are risk and possible damages that can come from them that they do not tell us about. If you have a chemical inserted into the body you should know all possible reactions not just the fever, soreness, and upset stomach.

This was not meant to scared but to make you aware. There is pleanty of information out there as to why you should. I just wanted to let you see the other side as well.

Have a Blessed and Healthy Day!

Skin Care made Easy

Have you ever thought about how much money you spend in your beauty products? Think about the items we, as woman, buy. Shampoo, Conditioners, lotions, eye cream, lip cream, foot creams, hand creams, rejuvenating toners and creams, age reversal cerium's.....and the list goes on. I have bought them all before and its endless to keep up with.

There is a better choice. If you eat for your beauty you are covering a few things at once. Your feeding your body the things it needs and your enriching your skin and hormones that might be causing the acne or blemishes you are trying to correct or hide.

Your skin is the largest organ of your body it lives, breaths, heals, and Can Be Corrected. You can increase certain foods into your diet and it will be more cost effective than the beauty products that do not always correct the problem. By side who really has time to do all the 1 to 4 steps to clean, scrub, tone, lotion and more.

1. First step is decreasing your amount of sugar. From cereals, sodas, processed and packaged foods, junk foods, and desserts.

2. Increase you antioxidants. This is in bright colored fruits and vegetables. Also in green tea, zinc, Vitamin C, and Ursolic acid ( an extract from rosemary). These scavenge free radicals that lead to wrinkles and precancerous cell damage.

3. Increase your Probiotics. These are good bacteria both internally and externally. They are very powerful in fighting acne, eczema, rosacea, athlete's foot, and dermatitis. Probiotics are necessary for prevention of staph and bacterial infections.

4. Enzymes. If your digestion is running correctly you are able to absorb the nutrient needed for cell health and production (ells like SKIN, hair, tissues, organs, etc.) If you have bad digestion you could have less than pure skin, bad hair, aging skin, and your toxic substances in the colon even effect and show in the skin. Top 10 enzymes that help are Acerola, Cherry, Cranberry, Papaya, Acai Berry, Goji Berries, Lutein, and Lycopene.

5. Peptides are a potent wrinkle reversal and collagen stimulant. You can get these from algae, brewers yeast, and growth actors like EGF, GABA, and Argireline. You can look for these ingredients in your cream and serums.

6. Essential Fatty acids and cold pressed oils are anti-inflammatory and softening skin agents. They aid in eliminating scaly skin and even treatment of eczema and other inflammatory skin conditions. They also restore skins natural glow and restore moisture from within.

These are things that should be in your diet anyway. Why not nourish your body and skin at the same time, and cut back on all those beauty products that do not fix the problem only cover it up.

Have a Blessed and Healthy Day!

When your busy and on the Run, remember to eat well

So often we are traveling for business or multitasking are daily schedule, hit the gym, drop the kids off to various activities, and running errands. We need to remember to eat right, and not eat fast. We can still maintain a busy schedule with a little preparation and planning to eat foods good for are bodies. You can plan a head to have things already prepared. Here are some neat ideas.

1. You can make soups or stews on Sunday and have it ready for through the first half of the week. Add more water or vegetables broth when you need to, and even some grains like brown rice. You can warm that morning and put in your Thermos and have it still warm for lunch.

2. Make hummus, it will keep in the refrigerate for a week. This you can get creative whether in your favorite Peta pocket or tortilla but be sure to add veggies (bean sprouts, lettuce, avocado, cucumbers, etc.)

3. Be sure to keep the veggies coming through. Have a bag of carrots already ready to grab, celery chopped in sticks, zucchini came be like Julian to add to sandwiches or coined for dipping in favorite dip.

4. Even though you have to get out of the car, don't forget your deli section in the grocery store. You can always stop there and have them load your sandwich just the way you like, and add a cup a yogurt and vitamin water. Everything in and out in 10 minutes and healthy.

Those are just some ideas to get you started. My husband use to travel more than he does now, but he would come home bloated and uncomfortable from eating out as much as he did. Just think the normal business trip in anywhere from 2 to 3 days. Your eating out breakfast, lunch and dinner. How many of those meals are in a greasy fast food or restaurant where they do not give the list of ingredients and oils used to make your meal. If you make it or purchase and assemble your self, you may put more time into it, but you KNOW whats in it.

Also, don't forget to fortify your dishes with wheat germ, nuts, flax seed. You can add these healthy fats to salads, shakes, stews, and more. Healthy fats help to bring down the BAD fats and healthy fats are beneficial for brain function.

As always, have a blessed and healthy day!!!!!