Tips For Strengthening The Immune System & Remaining Calm During These Challenging Times

 

For those who are looking for some natural ways to strengthen the immune system and remain balanced and as anxiety-free as possible during these times of challenging conditions in the world, here’s a short article from the Doctors Are Dangerous newsletter recommending that “miracle” multi-purpose health aid coconut oil, plus ginger, as well as a list of some Self-health Health posts you may find helpful…..

Fight Colds, Flu and Other Viruses with Coconut Oil and Ginger

Coconut oil contains a fatty acid called lauric acid, which has anti-bacterial, anti-microbial and anti-inflammatory properties. It also has anti-viral properties, which make it perfect for fighting winter colds, viruses including Coronavirus and other respiratory illnesses. Studies have shown that coconut oil can bolster a weakened immune system by improving the white blood cell count, which helps the body directly fight viruses and infections.

To prevent colds, adults can consume 3-4 tablespoons of coconut oil or more per day. This can be added to other foods or used in cooking. Some people like the flavor so well that they eat it directly from the container. Regular consumption can strengthen the immune system, so we have a better chance of fighting colds before they ever start.

Once cold symptoms manifest, however, coconut oil can help alleviate many symptoms and even shorten the duration of the cold. In order to help clear sinus passages, an ill person can rub organic, cold-pressed coconut oil with two drops of peppermint or eucalyptus essential oil on his or her chest. It should be massaged into the upper back and the head as well. Being able to breathe more easily will allow the sufferer to sleep better, and a good night`s rest is important to the healing process.

When added to tea or broth, coconut oil can gently soothe a sore throat and ease coughing in addition to boosting immunity and fighting the virus directly. It can also be mixed with foods, or you can have coconut oil in a smoothie.

To further support your health through the winter months try incorporating ginger into your health routine. It can also be taken as a tea added to smoothies, juices, soups, broths or other meals. Ginger is loaded with nutrients and bioactive compounds that have powerful health benefits. In particular, it has been demonstrated to possess anti-inflammatory, anti-nociceptive, anti-ulcer, antioxidant, anticancer, anti-microbial, anti-hyperglycemic, anti-allergic, antioxidant, and anti-platelet activities at different doses/concentrations.

With the combined benefits of coconut oil and ginger you should be able to sail through winter and into spring vibrant and healthy.

Source: Doctors Are Dangerous newsletter

I also recommend having a high quality colloidal silver on hand; this can be used internally, as well as sprayed up the nose and/or used in a neti pot to keep viruses and bacteria from adhering to the mucus lining of the nasal passages. Also, liposomal vitamin C  (and see this article about using high doses of C),  the Master Tonic, and Wisdom of the Ages Advantage grapefruit seed extract are great DIY “first aid” products to help keep immunity strong and “bad bugs” at bay, regardless of what flu or virus is currently going around. And check out these past Self-help Health posts for more useful ideas:

Feeling Stressed?! Rub Your Ear!

Don’t Under-estimate The Power Of Vitamin C

A Kick-ass Remedy For the Flu

Master Tonic: Anti-bacterial, Anti-viral, Anti-Fungal, Anti-Everything

+40 Natural Cold & Flu Remedies

Jin Shin Jyutsu: One Of My Favorite Self-help Health Tools 

Jin Shin Jyutsu For Dealing With Fear, Plus Sign-up For Free Scalar Energy Sessions

Ascorbic Acid Flush & Lemon Routine

Anti-anxiety Music Track

Neti Your Nose

And from a more metaphysical perspective, you might reflect on this information from Abraham-Hicks. Not giving into fear, reducing stress and anxiety, and having an attitude of  gratitude are probably the most potent immunity boosters there are:

Your sophisticated physical body exists because of the intelligence of your cells. And the intelligence of your cells exists because of their Connection to Source Energy.

When doctors and scientists try to find cures for diseases without taking into consideration the Vibrational relationship between the physical Being and Source Energy, they are looking for cures in all the wrong places. If the resistance that disallowed the Well-Being to begin with is not released, it will show up in the form of another and another disease.

Your cells, because of their connection to the intelligence of Source Energy, know exactly what to do in order to become the incredible variety of functioning cells in your magnificent physical body. And in the absence of the hindrance that is caused by your resistant negative thought, that communication stays open to clear, up-to-the-moment interaction, keeping your physical body at peak and perfect performance.

In the absence of negative emotion—and therefore the allowance of complete alignment and communication with Source Energy—your physical body can reclaim its balance and recover from any imbalance. And once balance has resumed, it is easy to maintain with consistently good-feeling thoughts.

p. s. For “regular” vitamin C, ascorbic acid and ingredients for making your own liposomal version at discount prices, iHerb.com is a great place to shop (use code CJG192 if you are a new customer and spend more than $40 and you will get money off). Plus, shipping is free on orders of $20 or more, and you get an extra 5% off on orders over $60.  

Vitacost.com is another one of my favorite on-line places to shop. Great discount prices, ever-expanding inventory, free shipping on $49 and up, and if you have an eBates/Rakuten account (free to set up using the link toward the bottom of my Resources webpage) you will earn cash back when you shop thru their portal at Vitacost (as well as at 100s of other stores!), plus get a $10 off coupon with your first order of $25 or more. Woo-hoo! 

 

Salud!

p.s. Be sure to subscribe to Self-help Health so you don’t miss any future posts, and tell your friends to do the same. Also check out my website’s To Your Health page and Evolution Made Easier blog for more helpful health tips, tools and information.

Disclaimer: Please note that any information here is provided as a guideline only, and is not meant to substitute for the advice of your physician, nutritionist, trained healthcare practitioner, and/or inner guidance system. Always consult a professional before undertaking any change to your normal health routine.

Easy Brain Exercises + The Energy Medicine Summit + Energy Bites

 

Here’s some easy and fun suggestions for keeping your brain sharp from a newsletter by Dr Ryan at Upgraded Parents ….

Just as physical exercise makes us fitter and stronger, simple brain exercises can revitalize our brain function. These are called NEUROBICS, and use all five senses…sight, smell, touch, taste, and hearing. Using all of your senses strengthens our brain capacity by forming new connections. They’re not only fun, they’re simple to incorporate into your daily life regularly.

–

Your mind will stay nimble. You’ll be better able to remember new names and grasp new concepts, and you’ll find it’s easier to keep up with your workload.

–

Alright… who’s ready to break a brain sweat!?

–

1. Use your EYES
Turn objects upside down so your brain sees them differently. When you look at things right-side up, your left “verbal” brain quickly labels it and diverts your attention elsewhere. When they’re upside down, your right brain networks kick in, trying to interpret the shapes, colors, and relationships of a puzzling picture.

–

+Brain exercise: Turn pictures of your family, your desk clock, or an illustrated calendar upside down.

–

2. Use your EARS
Read a book aloud… slowly. You’ll use very different brain circuits than when you read silently to yourself.

–

+Brain exercise: Read aloud with your partner or a friend, alternating roles of reader and listener.

–

3. Use Your HANDS
Using the opposite side of your brain (as in this exercise) can result in a quick and significant expansion in the tactile parts of the brain cortex.

–

+Brain exercise: Use your non-dominant hand to brush your teeth, open the fridge, eat, and/or wash dishes. (I love this one! I do this regularly because it’s soooo easy to incorporate into my day.)

–

Related Self-help Health post: https://selfhelphealth.wordpress.com/2017/04/18/how-being-ich-can-improve-your-brain-memory-and-more/

–

4. MEAL TIME brain fun
Eat in silence, and pay attention to the taste of each bite.Try eating (and/or cooking) a new food. Or, try this…

–

+Brain exercise: Switch seats at the dinner table. The brain benefits from new experiences. Changing seats upgrades who you relate to, your view of the room, and even how you reach for salt and pepper. (My family and I do this one quite a bit, too.)

–

5. Connect with your NOSE 
There’s a direct link between your nose receptors and the emotional center of your brain. So, new odors may bring on unexpected feelings and associations. By linking a new odor like vanilla, citrus, peppermint, or whatever to an activity, you’ll alert new neural pathways.

–

+Brain exercise: Wake up to new new scents: Keep an essential oil of your favorite scent near your bed for a week. Open it and smell when you first wake up, and then again as you get dressed.

–

You see? Who says fitness and exercise has to be hard to make huge brain gains!?

–

These are 5 easy options to immediately incorporate into your busy life:)

–

Source: Newsletter by Dr. Ryan
CEO: Upgraded Parents | Total Health Spine & Nutrition
Co-Creator & Host: Superhuman Brain Masterclass

---

This upcoming free summit has some great presenters on board….

–

–

During this groundbreaking 5-day event, you’ll discover:

–

• Ways that spiritual practice can create a haven amidst chaos and adversity — an internal place to find stillness before responding to challenging situations
  
• The role that energy plays in the connection between mind and body… and why it’s the essential key to healing and living in balance
  
• How to improve your vision with Chinese Reflexology
  
• Qigong — an ancient healing tool for modern times
  
• Leading-edge research about how your mind can shape your destiny
  
• Meaningful grounding practices to address your physical, mental, and emotional needs
  
• An understanding about how your thoughts hold the power to immediately impact your physical body
  
• That coherence between the heart and brain can move you out of trauma
  
• Methods for diagnosing excessive or deficient energy in the chakras
  
• Scientific research showing how you can create a long-lasting state of bliss, passion, energy, and health
  
• Profound practices based on Native American medicine and chakra clearing to remove ego, blockages, traumas, and burdens
  
• And many more modalities, all for your own healing. 

You can find out more and sign up here.

---

And here’s a recipe for energy bites to co-ordinate with the Energy Medicine Summit. 🙂 If you’re looking for healthy sweet treats, you may want to give these from GardenofLife.com a try….

Chocolate almond Energy bites

Serves: 25-30

Use Organic:

• 2 cups Medjool dates pitted
• 1 cup creamy almond butter
• 1 cup roasted almonds roughly chopped
• 1 ½ teaspoons vanilla extract
• ¼ teaspoon salt

For Chocolate:

• 2 cups vegan chocolate chips
• 1 Tablespoon cacao butter
• 1 Tablespoon Garden of Life Coconut Oil

Directions:

1. Soak dates in hot water for about 20-30 minutes.
2. Remove dates from water and place in a high speed blender with almond butter, vanilla and salt and blend to a paste.
3. Spread paste into a parchment-lined brownie pan and freeze for an hour.
4. Cut paste into squares and place back in freezer while you melt the chocolate.
5. Using a double broiler, melt chocolate with the cacao butter and coconut oil.
6. Dip each piece of date/almond bite into chocolate and then place on a parchment lined cookie sheet.
7. Store bites in freezer until ready to serve.

Salud!

p.s. Be sure to subscribe to Self-help Health so you don’t miss any future posts, and tell your friends to do the same. Also check out my website’s To Your Health page and Evolution Made Easier blog for more helpful health tips, tools and information.

Disclaimer: Please note that any information here is provided as a guideline only, and is not meant to substitute for the advice of your physician, nutritionist, trained healthcare practitioner, and/or inner guidance system. Always consult a professional before undertaking any change to your normal health routine.

 

A Delightful Way To Fight Chronic Inflammation?

 

This could well become a new favorite for the winter and holiday season and beyond. Sounds yummy AND healthy, ….a combination that’s hard to beat! And be sure you use Ceylon cinnamon in the recipe and for your future cooking needs. I’ve read several articles about how “regular” cinnamon is not only of inferior quality and taste, but also could cause health problems when eaten in certain amounts. Yes, the Ceylon variety is more expensive, but you and your body deserve it! I’ve been using it for several years now and am glad I made the switch.

Get Your Hot Chocolate Fix and Smash Chronic Inflammation at the Same Time

(by The Alternative Daily) Tis the season for crackling fires, snowball fights, and warm and delicious hot chocolate. But, how do you make yours? Do you rip open a package and pour hot water over something that claims to be hot chocolate? Do you splurge at your favorite coffee shop for a “special” hot chocolate drink? What if I told you that there was a hot chocolate delight teaming with health benefits that far surpasses any other hot chocolate you have ever had before in flavor, richness and all around goodness.

–

The Ingredients

The superpowers of the ingredients of this creamy and delicious hot chocolate are what make this drink so incredibly nutritious and delicious.

Dark Chocolate

Who doesn’t love dark chocolate? Research shows that dark chocolate can decrease stress and inflammation while boosting immunity and improving your mood and memory.

Dark chocolate is good for your skin

Want protection from damaging ultraviolet rays? Science says, eat more dark chocolate. Cacao beans contain eight times the number of antioxidants found in strawberries. These antioxidants protect skin and combat free radicals that contribute to signs of aging.

Raw cacao is loaded with healthy fats 
The fats that raw cacao contains also support well-being. They include oleic acid, a monounsaturated fat that is also found in olive and coconut oils. They also include saturated fats, which the body needs to function properly.

Dark chocolate is good for your heart

Minerals in cacao also contribute to the health of the cardiovascular system. One study, published by Science Daily found that eating 6.7 grams of chocolate per day had a protective effect on heart health.

Dark chocolate improves your mood

Cacao also contains phenylethylamine (PEA), which affects brain chemistry in a similar fashion to falling in love. Cacao has been linked to increasing the availability of neurotransmitters such as serotonin, which can elevate your mood and even lessen depression

Turmeric

This superstar spice is gaining quite a following in the alternative health community and beyond. Researchers from all over the world have studied this ancient Indian spice for it’s powerful, seemingly endless list of beneficial properties. In fact, turmeric has been featured in more than 5,600 studies to date, with new findings coming out regularly.

Turmeric is a super inflammation buster

Among its many benefits, turmeric is best known for its ability to treat chronic inflammation, something we all deal with from time to time. The active compound it contains — curcumin — has powerful anti-inflammatory properties similar to over-the-counter medications. Wow!

Scientists are finding an astonishing array of antioxidant, anticancer, antiviral, antibiotic, anti-fungal and antibacterial properties. As an immune system booster, turmeric is five to eight times stronger than vitamin C and E.

Turmeric contains powerful antioxidants

Studies show that curcumin, the principal curcuminoid of turmeric, inserts itself into cell membranes where it does a little housecleaning and reorganizing, adding vibrancy to the cell itself. Suddenly a disorganized cell becomes organized, allowing information to flow through it so it can function more effectively. The result of this action increases the cell’s resistance to infection, malignancy and more!

Coconut Oil

Coconut oil has certainly earned its superfood designation. What the people of the tropics have known for so very long is finally becoming evident to the masses. Loaded with therapeutic properties, this is one saturated fat you want to include in your diet.

Coconut oil reduces inflammation

Research shows that the antioxidants in coconut oil can reduce inflammation and effectively treat arthritis more effectively than leading medications.

Coconut oil is great for energy

According to research, 50% of fats found in coconut oil are MCTs such as lauric acid that is easily absorbed by the intestine and can be used by the body to make energy.

Coconut oil can protect you from harmful bacteria and pathogens

Coconut oil contains two anti-viral properties, lauric acid, and caprylic acid. Both of these compounds are known for their ability to fight candida overgrowth and bacterial infections. Coconut oil has been found to prevent a number of viruses and pathogens including influenza, herpes, helicobacter pylori, and dangerous protozoa such as giardia lamblia.

Coconut oil boosts metabolism

Coconut oil contains medium chain fats that have a thermogenic effect which allows them to increase fat burning when compared to the same calories found in other fats. One study  found that eating just 1 to 2 tablespoons of medium chain fats per day increased energy expenditure by 5% or 120 calories per day. Additional research confirms that when humans replace the fats they are consuming with medium chain fats they burn more calories.

Ceylon cinnamon the bonus spice

This hot chocolate drink contains Ceylon cinnamon, a delicious and health-promoting spice. Ceylon cinnamon is loaded with phenolic compounds, flavonoids, and antioxidants. This is what makes this spice one of the most beneficial spices on earth, with powerful antioxidant, anti-diabetic, anti-microbial, anti-inflammatory, and immune-boosting powers.

The Recipe

Here is the best dark chocolate recipe on the planet, hand’s down. Your whole family will be asking for seconds. Finally, a hot chocolate you can feel good about drinking.

Ingredients:

• 16 ounces unsweetened vanilla coconut milk
• 1 Tbsp. + 1 tsp. cocoa powder
• 3/4 tsp. ground turmeric
• 1/4 tsp. ground ginger
• 1 tsp. Ceylon cinnamon
• Pinch of black pepper & ground nutmeg
• 2 tsp. local raw honey
• 2-3 tsp. coconut oil

How to make it:

1. Warm the coconut milk until it is just lightly simmering.
2. Add cocoa, turmeric, ginger, cinnamon, pepper, honey, and coconut oil.
3. Use an immersion blender to combine
4. Top with organic heavy whipping cream (or whipped coconut cream) and sprinkle with more cinnamon and grated dark chocolate.

Enjoy this amazingly delicious and healthy treat!

Source: The Alternative Daily

–

Related Self-help Health posts:

Coconut Oil = Yummiest Health Aid Ever!

Turmeric = The World’s Most Important Spice?

Get Your Zing On With Ginger

Why Honey Is STILL The Best Antibiotic

–

FYI, you can get most of the ingredients for this recipe at a discount at iHerb.com (use code CJG192 if you are a new customer and spend more than $40 and you will get $5 off your purchase). Plus, there’s no sales tax, shipping is free on orders of $20 or more, you earn loyalty rewards cash, AND you get an extra 5% off on orders over $60. 

Vitacost.com is another one of my favorite on-line places to shop. Great discount prices, ever-expanding inventory, free shipping on $49 and up, and if you are a new customer and use the link on my website you will get a $10 off coupon with your first order of $25 or more. Woo-hoo! 

 

Salud!

p.s. Be sure to subscribe to Self-help Health so you don’t miss any future posts, and tell your friends to do the same. Also check out my website’s To Your Health page and Evolution Made Easier blog for more helpful health tips, tools and information.

Disclaimer: Please note that any information here is provided as a guideline only, and is not meant to substitute for the advice of your physician, nutritionist, trained health care practitioner, and/or inner guidance system. Always consult a professional before undertaking any change to your normal health routine.

A Great Way To Eat More Sweet Potatoes! :-)

 

Okay, so I thought about featuring an article about the horrible conditions discovered at a pig farm, and if you eat pork it’s definitely something you should read so you’re more aware of the kind of place your food is likely coming from. I also considered re-posting Food Babe’s exposé  on “natural” flavors. Eye-opening and more of what we need to be aware of in regard to the perils and pitfalls of our food system.

But with all the intense situations going on in the world these past few weeks, weather-wise and otherwise, I thought it was a good time to focus on something light and fun (and yummy), so I decided to feature this recipe for sweet potato brownies that I tried yesterday and thought was a winner….

 

The secret behind these moist, super-chocolatey brownies? A Paleo, powerhouse ingredient: sweet potatoes!

Sweet potatoes are not only sustaining as a complex carbohydrate—they are also an excellent source of vitamin A (thanks to their beta-carotene content) and dietary fiber. But this isn’t merely a case of trying to hide a healthy ingredient in something palatable like brownies. No, these sweet potatoes make for some of the moistest brownies you’ve ever laid hands on. These sweet potato brownies strike just the right balance between cakey and fudgy.

They are easiest to make when you have some leftover, cooked sweet potato in the fridge, although the natural (unsweetened and unprocessed) canned version works too. If you don’t have any pre-cooked sweet potato to start, simply bake them in the oven at 400°F for 45 minutes or until you can poke them easily with a fork.

Our recipe may have the occasional chunk of sweet potato throughout the brownie, which makes for a nice textural element. If you’d like to mask the sweet potato more, you can try puréeing the cooked sweet potato with a little water for a smoother texture before stirring it in.

With only a handful of simple ingredients, these sweet potato brownies are as easy to make as they are tasty. They’re even customizable: you can top with chocolate chips or add nuts to the batter. They’re the perfect chocolatey base for a host of Paleo-friendly treats, like coconut milk ice cream or chocolate frosting. If you prefer sweeter, not as dark chocolatey brownies, opt for more maple syrup. Honey works here, too. If you’re a chocolate fiend, pair these with a warm cup of Paleo hot chocolate.

Total time: 40 mins

Cook Time:30 mins

Prep Time: 10 mins

Serves:10

Recipe by:  Courtney Hamilton

Ingredients:

•  *3 eggs
• ¼ cup maple syrup, or more to taste
•  ½ cup melted coconut oil + extra for greasing
•  ¾ cup almond meal
•  1/3 cup cocoa powder
•  1 tsp baking powder
•  1 cup cooked sweet potato
•  Optional: chocolate chips for topping

Instructions:

•  Preheat the oven to 350°F. Grease baking pan with coconut oil.
•  Whisk together the eggs, syrup, and coconut oil until well combined. In a separate bowl, combine almond meal, cocoa powder and baking powder.
•  Whisk the dry ingredients into the wet. Whisk in the sweet potato.
•  Pour brownie batter into baking pan and bake for 30 minutes, or until an inserted toothpick comes out clean. If using chocolate chips, lightly press them on the brownie shortly after it comes out of the oven.

Source: http://blog.paleohacks.com/sweet-potato-brownies/?utm_source=mg&utm_medium=mgemail&utm_campaign=brownies

Personal Note: I knew I wanted to try this recipe this weekend, so I had saved a cup of mashed sweet potatoes from two days before. That made putting things together so much quicker. And I didn’t have “official” almond meal, so I took 3/4 cup of sprouted raw almonds I had and ran them through a small food processor. They ended up more like a fine grind, rather than meal, but I liked the texture that added to the final product. And instead of just whisking the wet ingredients, I actually put the eggs, maple syrup, oil and sweet potato in the processor until everything was nice and velvet-y before adding to the dry ingredients. Also, I added 1/2 tsp vanilla extract and next time I think I’ll even use a full teaspoon.

Baking time depends partly on the size pan you use  and partly on how gooey you want the brownies to be. I used a 10″ round tart pan and cooked them for about 25 min so they wouldn’t be too firm. I didn’t feel they needed the optional chocolate chips, but I did have the thought that some french vanilla ice cream or raspberry sorbet might be nice, if you want to fancy the finished product up a bit. I may never get around to trying them like that since I ended up eating a 1/4 of the pan right out of the oven. The recipe says “Serves 10,” but that certainly wouldn’t be the case in my house. Oh well, got to splurge every once in awhile. 🙂

*If you are avoiding eggs, you can check out this sweet potato brownie recipe, although I haven’t tried it myself.

Related Self-help Health posts:

Sweet Potato Biscuits

Southwestern Stuffed Sweet Potatoes

 

Salud!

p.s. Be sure to give Self-help Health a follow so you don’t miss out on future posts. Also check out the To Your Health page at my website Evolution Made Easier and my other blog for more helpful information, tips, tools and resources.

Disclaimer: Please not that any information provided here is as a guideline only, and not meant to substitute for the advice of your physician, nutritionist, trained healthcare practitioner, or inner guidance system. Always consult a professional before undertaking any change to your normal health routine.

JP Sears Takes On The American Heart Association, Plus The Health Benefits Of Almonds

 

Okay, today we’ll interject some humor into the mix with one of the latest videos in JP Sears’ Ultra Spiritual series. This time he uses his tongue-in-cheek delivery style to focus on coconut oil, heart health and the terrible job the American Heart Association is doing in providing us with unbiased, accurate information. He always manages to stimulate, inform and get his point across, while making me laugh at the same time.

Hey, they say laughter is the best medicine, so you might end up a little healthier just from watching this. 🙂

 

Related Self-help Health post:  Coconut Oil:Yummiest Health Aid Ever

And speaking of foods that help prevent or off-set heart disease, look no further than tasty, versatile almonds. I remember years ago reading where Edgar Cayce, aka “The Sleeping Prophet,” recommended eating 2 to 3 almonds a day as a cancer preventative, but this article from the Food Revolution Network focuses on the heart and cardiovascular benefits of eating a handful daily. Eating almonds on a regular basis could also help with type 2 diabetes, eye issues, weight loss and more…….

Food and Health

Why You Should Start Eating 15 Almonds Daily to Prevent Top Diseases and Health Issues

By GreenMedInfo Research Group • Originally published on GreenMedInfo.com

Almonds are familiar to many people as a healthy food, but how exactly do they affect our health? Rich in many compounds that can be lacking in a Standard American Diet (appropriately abbreviated S.A.D.), almonds can be a tasty solution to many of the chronic health conditions and diseases seen today.

Almonds are one of those nutrient-dense foods that can be hard to stop munching on once you’re crunching on the first one or two. Whether you’re sipping on a glass of creamy homemade almond milk, taking your first bite of strawberry-topped almond meal pancakes, or enjoying stir fry sprinkled with slivered almonds, you’re not just satisfying your appetite, you’re deliciously optimizing your health.

Seeds carry all of the nutrients and genetic information required to grow and develop, so too does the almond bring vital health knowledge in the form of antioxidants, heart healthy fats, protein, and inorganic compounds like minerals, which are crucial to life as we know it.

How can something so small have effects so large when it comes to addressing serious health concerns? While we may never know the full biochemical explanations behind each way the almond fulfills its triumphant quest for homeostatic health, we can continue to sing its praises and enjoy a handful a day without remorse.

According to the CDC, over 600,000 people succumb to heart disease every year, which accounts for roughly 25% of the total annual deaths. So why don’t doctors prescribe a daily handful of almonds instead of a pharmaceutical for cholesterol issues?

High cholesterol has been seen as a primary cause of heart disease and is often treated with a class of drugs called statins. While statins shut down the enzyme pathway that synthesizes cholesterol, they also wipe out the highway to producing CoQ10 (an essential enzyme for producing energy in the body), and sometimes that damage is irreversible.

But naturally, there is a much safer solution that can be grown at home, purchased at the local grocery store, or health food store. One of the clinical studies on almonds and improvements in HDL cholesterol used only 10g of almonds per day, which is roughly 12-15 almonds, and this study was in patients who had pre-existing coronary artery disease.

Not only did HDL cholesterol improve, but there were reductions in triglycerides, total cholesterol including LDL cholesterol and VLDL (very low density lipoprotein), and the atherogenic index, which is strongly correlated with chronic inflammation and the development of vascular diseases [Jamshed, 2015].

Another health crisis emerging onto the global stage is type 2 diabetes, which is justly titled a pandemic [Hu, 2015]. The number of people worldwide projected to have type 2 diabetes by 2035 is almost 600 million, what a staggering statistic, and that’s not even considering the health care costs associated with diabetes.

While an imbalanced diet can be a causative factor in type 2 diabetes, nutritional improvements can reverse some of the harmful changes. Diabetes is a disease of improper glucose (sugar) metabolism, and is generally preceded by a cluster of conditions called metabolic syndrome. While the pharmaceutical model may target a disease from one pathway or direction, the almond has innumerable approaches to countering imbalance and restoring homeostasis.

Consuming just 60g (about 2 ounces) of almonds daily for four-weeks showed reductions in insulin resistance, fasting insulin and glucose. Other health outcomes that demonstrated improvements were cholesterol ratios, body fat percentage, and nutritional status (magnesium, fiber, fatty acid profile, etc.) [Sing-Chung, 2011].

The doctrine of signatures, dating back to the first century AD, is upheld in the carrot and almond’s uncanny resemblance to the human eye. While carrots may be the best-known food that benefits the eyes, almond’s have their own pedestal to stand on. Not just an adjective for eye color, almonds are incredibly important for proper functioning of our eyes. Our eyes are exposed to numerous chemicals and toxins that evade our five sense detection. The vasculature of our eyes contains some of the smallest blood vessels in our body, and when damage occurs, repair can be difficult, if not impossible.

Rich in vitamin E, almonds can help prevent abnormal changes to the lens, which can accelerate the development of cataracts. A study conducted in Finland concluded that, “a low plasma vitamin E level (lower quartile) was associated with a 3.7-fold excess risk (95% confidence interval 1.2-11.8) of the progression of early cortical lens opacities compared with the highest quartile (p = 0.028)” [Rouhiainen P, 1996].

We know the old adage, “an apple a day, keeps the doctor away,” but imagine what an apple covered in almond butter would do to the pharmaceutical industry.

In a 2015 study, eating ⅓ cup of almonds (43g) with breakfast, lunch, dinner, or as a standalone snack reduced blood sugar, and the snacking group of participants actually showed the largest decrease.

“DISCUSSION: Snacking reportedly increases the risk for weight gain, but such a broad generalization may mask differential responses to selected foods. This study compared the acute post-ingestive and the short-term effects of incorporating almonds in a meal or consuming them alone as snacks. It also allowed the assessment of possible physiological adaptations to almond consumption that could accentuate or diminish behavioral responses after 4 weeks of daily ingestion [Chen, 2015].”

It’s best to find imported Italian or Spanish almonds and sprout them for several hours or overnight (read more here). Depending on which health outcome you’re searching for, a mere 10-60g of almonds (the range used in the aforementioned studies) incorporated into your diet can ameliorate type 2 diabetes, cardiovascular disease, eye issues, and many other health conditions.

Food should taste good, but more importantly, it should relay valuable biologic information that with each bite can positively affect our state of being. So keep almonds in your desk, purse, backpack, cupboard, and close to your heart, because they’ll be protecting yours.

---

From the editor: An important note about raw almonds:

In the last decade, it has become difficult to find healthy, raw, organic almonds. Almonds grown in the U.S. make up 80% of the world’s almond supply. But in 2007, the USDA made it a requirement that all almonds commercially sold in the U.S., Canada, and Mexico must be pasteurized. If they’re not steamed, they must be fumigated with a chemical called propylene oxide or PPO.

Pasteurized almonds and almond butter may still confer significant health benefits – but if you prefer truly raw almonds, what’s the best option?

You may find almonds that claim to be “raw,” but companies can make this claim, even if it isn’t true, because no labeling requirement exists. In reality, “raw” may simply mean pasteurized with steam, as opposed to the “roasted” flavor in roasted almond butter. If the almonds you find are grown in the U.S., most likely they are pasteurized. If you want truly raw almonds, you may have to choose almonds that are imported from Spain or Italy because they are not subject to these same requirements.

As pointed out in a GreenMedInfo article, there is one “secret” exception to the U.S. mandate about almond pasteurization. The only way to purchase raw, unpasteurized almonds grown in the U.S. is to buy directly from the farmer who grows them. The author mentions Bremner Farms as an option for raw, organic, unpasteurized almonds and other nuts. You can find other options online as well – including potentially through a farmer’s market.

Source: https://foodrevolution.org/blog/almond-health-benefits/

AND another way to promote cardiovascular health is by taking a certain type of probiotic called Lactobacillus plantarum. You can read more about the research behind it here:

http://doctormurray.com/probiotics-can-affect-more-than-just-digestion/

 

Salud!

p.s. Be sure to give Self-help Health a follow so you don’t miss out on future posts. Also check out the To Your Health page at my website Evolution Made Easier and my other blog for more helpful information, tips, tools and resources.

Disclaimer: Please not that any information provided here is as a guideline only, and not meant to substitute for the advice of your physician, nutritionist, trained healthcare practitioner, or inner guidance system. Always consult a professional before undertaking any change to your normal health routine.

Let’s Hear It For Red Onions!!

 

I knew red onions were good for us, partly because they are in the same family as that health-promoting powerhouse garlic, but I didn’t know they had as many health benefits as they do. And I’m so glad to find that out, because awhile back I found a simple recipe for pickled red onions that I just love and eat almost daily. 

 

HEALTH BENEFITS OF RED ONION: 4 WAYS RED ONIONS REDUCE YOUR CANCER RISK

(by Dr. David Jockers DC, MS, CSCS )

The use of onions for medicinal treatment of illnesses related to bacteria, viruses, fungus, and chronic disease dates back to Egyptian healing practices recorded centuries ago. However, red onions deserve special attention because they are one of the best sources of cancer-fighting nutrients that are limited in the modern American diet.

Today researchers believe that up to 40% of cancers are preventable with a change in dietary habits alone. The compounds and dietary nutrients found in red onion are associated with a decrease risk in developing prostate, colorectal, stomach, and numerous other cancers.

Read on to learn what makes red onions so effective at improving health and how they can help reduce your cancer risks.

What are Red Onions?

Thoughts of their distinctive odor and teary eyes probably comes to mind when you think of slicing into an onion, but how about red onions? Red onions are different than other varieties of onion such as the sweet Vidalia onion and the milder flavor white onion.

Aside from their flavor and color, red onions won’t make you cry and they also contain different compounds that can inhibit cancer growth. They are part of the collective family of flowering plants belonging to the allium family, known for their rich content in sulfur containing amino acids. This vegetable family has been extensively studied for its protection against degenerative diseases like cancer.

Read on for 4 key health benefits of red onions…

Health Benefit #1: Enhances Detoxification Pathways

The total antioxidant profile of red onions is suggested to increase the activity of powerhouses like glutathione and SOD (superoxide dismutase). These defense systems protect against cancer by inhibiting inflammation, repairing DNA and tissue damage, neutralizing free radicals, eliminating carcinogens from the liver, and supporting a variety of detoxification pathways that remove toxins from the body.

The high sulfur content of red onions alone supports the body’s natural ability to detox. Sulfur stimulates several anti-inflammatory processes which promote healing by enforcing antioxidant defenses. Sulfur is one of the best chelating agents that binds with heavy metals in the blood and flushes these toxins from the body. Sulfur is essential to the health and activity of hormones, enzymes, nerves, and red blood cells.

Any interference with these biological processes can lead to the accumulation of carcinogens and the increased inflammation and tissue damage that consequentially increase cancer risks.

Onions are also rich in quercetin, a powerful bioflavonoid. Quercetin aids in the removal of excessive estrogen levels from the body. This antioxidant also stimulates liver function to detoxify estrogen and other carcinogenic agents. Cancer cells of the uterus, breast, ovaries, and prostate are associated with having receptors for estrogen to bind.

Quercetin also exhibits structural similarities to estrogen making them a possible anti-cancer therapy treatment to target breast cancer cells.

Health Benefit #2: Increases Overall Immunity

Red onions contain health-promoting compounds that improve your overall immune response. Both nutritive and non-nutritive compounds found in red onions act on the body using antibacterial, anti-fungal, and antiviral effects to reduce the burden on the immune system. The flavonoid content that contributes to these chemo-preventive properties is higher in red onions than in their white or yellow family members.

Allicin is an antioxidant compound abundantly concentrated in red onions. Allicin is effective at destroying pathogens that weaken the immune response and support cancer development. It combats fungus, bacteria, and viruses. For these reasons red onions are a useful carminative herb that enhances digestive function and improves imbalances in gut microflora.

Along with improving natural abilities to detox, quercetin also has a major impact on reducing inflammation. Quercetin is such a strong anti-inflammatory agent that supplements of this compound are marketed to improve the inflammatory immune cell response associated with histamine release.

Health Benefit #3: Regulates Sugar Levels

One of the benefits of consuming red onions instead of yellow or white is attributed to their low glycemic index. Red onions have a glycemic index (GI) of 10 on a scale of 0 to 100. This means that red onions are slower to release energy which increases blood glucose levels. Eating foods which don’t raise blood glucose if beneficial in preventing the development of type-2 diabetes.

Impaired glucose metabolism is one known contributor of cancer development. Maintaining stable insulin levels is critical to preventing physiological processes that can contribute to cancer. The low GI of red onions is associated with lowering blood pressure, increasing blood flow, inhibiting atherosclerosis (the hardening of the arteries), and also assists in regulating fat cell formation.

These vascular health benefits significantly reduce cancer risk because they are linked with an improvement in metabolism. This impacts hormone function and the health of reproductive organs.

All of this combined with the anti-inflammatory properties of quercetin allow red onions to help to neutralize free radicals that contribute to DNA damage, abnormal cell activity, and cancer growth.

Health Benefit #4: Suppresses Cancer Cell Growth and Development

The high levels of quercetin in red onion was given the credit in certain studies for protecting against laryngeal and gastric cancer, as well as reproductive-related cancers.

Protects against Mutant p53 Activity

Anthocyanins are a naturally occurring compound that give red onions their red hued purple color. Anthocyanins act as a powerful antioxidant weapon in the fight against a mutant gene called p53 that causes oxidative stress and is associated with tumor growth. Anthocyanins in red onion naturally inhibit the destruction that the abnormal functioning p53 gene can cause on cells and tissue.

 

INHIBITS TUMOR GROWTH & METASTASIS

The pigmenting compounds in anthocyanins are also partly responsible for the protective effects red onions exert against tumor growth. Anthocyanins suppress a cancer cell’s ability to migrate and form tumors by inhibiting angiogenesis. Angiogenesis is the growth of new blood vessels that cancer cell’s use as an energy source to grow. By inhibiting angiogenesis, cancer cells cannot form tumors or spread to new areas of the body.The super nutrient quercetin again reveals its powerful antioxidant potential.

Quercetin is so effective at scavenging free radicals that it possesses the ability to prevent tumor cell growth. These influences have been reported in breast cancer cells to induce apoptosis (“cellular suicide”) and activate a cyclin-dependent kinase inhibitor (p21) that shuts down many of the influences that enables cancer cells to proliferate.

The loss of expression or abnormal activity from p21 is implicated at increasing the risk of invasive cancer growth and is associated with the following cancer types:

• Colorectal
• Tonsil
• Gastric
• Breast
• Ovarian
• Esophageal
• Oral
• Lung
• Pancreatic
• Laryngeal
• Bladder
• Gliomas (tumor formation in the brain and spinal cord)
• Cervical
• Squamous cell carcinoma (skin cancer)

 3 Recommendations to Reap the Most Benefits of Red Onions:

As with many foods, there are tricks to cooking red onions to receive the greatest health benefits. Here are a few tips you can utilize to ensure that you are receiving the highest amount of nutrients from red onions in the kitchen:

1. The majority of the anthocyanin content is in the red skin of the onion. Avoid over peeling the onion and throwing these cancer-fighting compounds in the compost.
2. The allicin compound in onions is released only when the onion is chopped or crushed. Like garlic, it is beneficial to activate the allicin compound by slicing into an onion a few minutes before adding it to recipes.
3. Heat degrades many of the antioxidants in red onions. Eating them uncooked as often as possible optimizes the nutrients you are consuming. Consider cooking red onions at a low heat and avoiding high temperatures to limit nutrient loss.

Getting More Health Benefits From Red Onions

How will you include red onions into your diet to reduce your cancer risks? Here is a list of ways that you can add red onions to your diet every day:

• Add to chili recipes or use as a topping
• Finely slice into salads
• Combine into homemade slaws or pickled vegetables
• Add red onions to the last 2 hours that your bone broth is simmering
• Mix red onions with the traditional yellow onions into a French onion soup
• Prepare cold soups such as gazpacho as a hidden way to serve up raw red onion
• Lightly sauté or roast and use in mixed veggie sides, atop burgers, or in quinoa dishes
• Dice into chicken and tuna salads or prepare a homemade salsa
• Blend raw red onion into a creamy guacamole or give other dips and sauces a new take on flavor by pureeing into hummus, tahini, or a Mediterranean baba ghanoush

Source: https://thetruthaboutcancer.com/health-benefits-red-onion/

Here’s a yummy sounding recipe I plan to try that uses a whole red onion. And to see the recipe for pickled onions that I mentioned in my intro, check out Tip #7 in this Self-help Health post.

COCONUT CHICKPEA CURRY (VEGAN & GLUTEN FREE)

Preparation 15 min Cook Time 30 min

Serves 4-5     ADJUST SERVINGS

All this Creamy Vegan Coconut Chickpea Curry takes is one pot, it’s loaded with homemade ground spices’ and incredibly flavorful!

–

INGREDIENTS:

• 2 tablespoons oil to sauté
• 2 mediums onions/1 large red onion, sliced
• 14 ounces/400g fresh tomatoes, diced (if using canned, drain the tomatoes)
• sea salt & ground black pepper, to taste
• 16 ounces/454g can chickpeas, drained
• 3 garlic cloves, minced
• 1 1/2 tablespoons garam masala
• 1 teaspoon curry powder
• 1/4 teaspoon cumin
• 13.5 ounces/383g can coconut milk
• 2 teaspoons coconut flour
• 1 small lime

Check out the link below for a cooking video and more on the recipe. Apparently the squeeze of lime at the end is very important. 🙂 

Source: http://jessicainthekitchen.com/coconut-chickpea-curry-recipe/

 

Salud!

p.s. Be sure to subscribe to Self-help Health so you don’t miss any future posts, and tell your friends to do the same. Also check out my website’s To Your Health page and Evolution Made Easier blog for more helpful health tips, tools and information.

Disclaimer: Please note that any information here is provided as a guideline only, and is not meant to substitute for the advice of your physician, nutritionist, trained healthcare practitioner, and/or inner guidance system. Always consult a professional before undertaking any change to your normal health routine.

Multiple Health Tips: Round 6

 

Here we go with another post where I give you multiple short self-help tips, rather than feature information on one particular topic….Hope you find these informative and useful!

 

(coconutoil.com)

# 1 – This first tip from the Floracopeia blog is actually multiple tips in one, but then it has to do with coconut oil, so that’s not surprising. I’ve done a number of posts about this wonderful health aid, but this tip does a good job of reminding us of some of its main uses and benefits….

• Health and Beauty Food: There are well documented advantages for including coconut and coconut oil in your diet. It supports a healthy inflammatory response, purifies the digestive tract, works to balance the microflora in the intestinal tract, nourishes the connective tissue, and lubricates the joints to name a small few. It’s a great addition to smoothies, healthy treats and is superior for baking, frying and sautéing.
• Best Coconut, Turmeric Golden Milk: In a blender, combine 2 cups of warm to hot (but not boiling) water, 1 TBSP of our coconut oil, 3/4 cup of coconut milk powder, 1 heaping TBSP of organic turmeric powder (or 1 inch peeled fresh), 1 inch peeled fresh ginger root, and pinch of sea salt. Blend for approximately 2 minutes on high. Pour into a mug. Add raw honey or stevia powder as desired. You can strain the ‘milk’ for increased creaminess and smooth texture.
• Hair Masque: The good fats in coconut oil are hydrating and protective against damage. It can increase the overall health of the hair, contributing to enhanced shine and luster. One study shows it has some minor benefits as a sunscreen, blocking approximately 15% of the sun’s ultraviolet rays (great for color treated hair). Restorative Overnight Hair Masque: Apply 1-2 TBPS of coconut oil onto dry hair, making sure to totally saturate the ends. Lay a hand towel over the pillow to protect it from the oil.  Wash out in the morning with a hydrating, gentle shampoo.  A very small amount (size of a pencil eraser) can be used on dry ends to defrizz, hydrate and boost luster.
• Superior Gum Serum and Oil Pulling Agent: Coconut oil is purifying and nourishing for the teeth and gums, wonderful for tackling existing challenges and preventing future problems.  To soothe angry gums and purify the entire mouth, apply to gums as needed. It can be used as an oil pulling agent. Use 1 TBPS (or more) of coconut oil to ‘pull’ through the teeth to mechanically remove debris and pathogenic factors from hard to reach places between the teeth.

Source: http://blog.floracopeia.com/top-7-uses-of-the-surprisingly-talented-coconut-oil-by-sara-crow-l-ac/–

Related Self-help Health posts: Oil Pulling: Can You Say Go Swish?, Coconut Oil: Multi-purpose Health Aid and Holiday Toddy For Terrific Health

–

# 2 – It’s important to understand what the sticker on your favorite fruit or
veggie means.  Here’s a breakdown: 9 is organic, 8 is GMO, 4 is conventional, and 3 is irradiated.

–

# 3 – An easy and natural way to clean your oven using two of the most popular self-help aids baking soda and vinegar…..

https://www.facebook.com/cleverly.me/videos/525714507632328/?fref=nf

–

# 4 –  Here’s a trick for ripening an avocado pronto from Pure Wow!

Don’t settle for the store-bought stuff–here’s a foolproof trick to making avocados soft and creamy in minutes.

What you need: A baking sheet, tinfoil and that hard-as-a-rock avocado

What you do: Wrap the whole fruit in tinfoil and set it on the baking sheet. Pop it in the oven at 200°F for ten minutes, or until the avocado is soft (depending on how hard it is, it could take up to an hour to soften). Remove it from the oven, then put your soft, ripe avocado into the fridge until it cools.

Why this works: Avocados produce ethylene gas, which is typically released slowly, causing the fruit to ripen. But as the avocado bakes in tinfoil, the gas surrounds it, putting the ripening process into hyper-drive. Guac and avocado toast for all!

 

# 5 – Got a canker sore? Try this remedy from a Natural News article about using that wonderful, multi-purpose health aid baking soda…..

A simple way to use baking soda for canker sores is gargling with a mixture of baking soda and tepid water. Do it twice per day for a relief. Baking soda treats canker sores in several ways:

• It helps reduce the acid level that irritates the pain caused by canker sore;
• It helps reduce the swelling and inflammation because of its anti-inflammatory properties;
• It helps kill the bacteria and cure infections thanks to the anti-bacteria, anti-fungal and anti-septic properties;
• It also helps balance the pH levels of the mouth and get rid of the infections away from the mouth

Related Self-help Health Post: Baking Soda: Multi-purpose Health, Home & Beauty Aid

Propolis For Canker Sores

 

# 6 – A quick tip from WellnessMama.com using witch hazel as a hair treatment…..

Witch hazel can be used as a pre-shampoo treatment to add shine and diminish the appearance of frizz. Add some to a spray bottle, spray all over dry hair and then hop in the shower.

 

# 7 – According to an article from Easy Health Options along with turmeric, red grapes, green tea, and acai berries, onions are one of the top 5 inflammation fighting foods….

It turns out that, due to their polyphenol content, onions are more effective inflammation fighters than a lot of other vegetables, including broccoli, spinach, asparagus and red lettuce. However, red onions contain more polyphenols than yellow onions, so keep that in mind next time you’re picking out your produce. And speaking of red onions, try this easy recipe from Wellness Mama:

Simple Pickled Red Onions Recipe (In Less Than 5 Minutes)

Print

These simple but sophisticated pickled red onions add incredible flavor to any dish. Take 5 minutes and make them right now!

Ingredients:

• 1 medium size red onion
• ½ cup (plus a little extra) white wine vinegar (or apple cider vinegar)
• 1 teaspoon salt
• Optional: Other seasonings like 1 teaspoon chili powder or garlic powder for flavor

Instructions:

1. Thinly slice the onions, leaving them in rings for easy use.
2. Carefully place the rings into a pint size jar and sprinkle with the salt and other seasonings.
3. Pour the vinegar over the rings to fill the jar and put the lid on.
4. Leave at room temperature for two hours so flavors can meld.
5. Transfer to the refrigerator for up to two weeks (though ours are usually gone in a couple of days!)

Personal Note: This has become one of my favorite things to have on hand. Love that it is so easy and quick to make and the pickled onions add a zip of flavor to so many different things….salads, sandwiches, entrees, stir-fries, etc. In fact, I just finished making a new batch; I usually use part organic ACV and part organic red wine vinegar, plus add some sprigs of whatever fresh herbs I happen to have on hand….parsley, cilantro, rosemary, basil and/or thyme. You could also make in decorative jars and give away as nice little surprises to your foodie friends!

Related Self-help Health post: Let’s Hear It For Red Onions!

 

 

# 8 – Want to know if your body is more acidic or more alkaline? Here’s a simple experiment from The Alternative Daily you can do to find out….

Are You Acidic or Alkaline? Take the Sour Lemon Test

Squeeze the juice from one-half of a fresh, organic lemon into eight ounces of purified, lukewarm water and drink it on an empty stomach.While you’re drinking it, notice the taste of the lemon water. If it has a strong sour taste, your body is very acidic. If it’s not sour at all, or even tastes like lemonade to you (without the sugar), your body is in a healthier, more alkaline state.

Now, depending on a) your ratio of lemon juice to water; b) body’s level of acidity; and c) consistency in daily intake, the “taste” of lemon water should eventually not be sour at all.

Related Self-help Health post: The All-important pH Factor

–

 

–# 9 -How to keep basil fresh for 2 weeks……

From homemade pesto to caprese salad to infused water, basil is a quintessential culinary accoutrement. But as wonderful as this herb is, it’s also a pain in the butt. After a day or two in the fridge, it’s usually brown and wilted. Luckily, we discovered a trick for prolonging its shelf life. Follow these simple steps and you’ll have fresh basil for up to two weeks. 

What you need: Kitchen shears, a glass or mason jar and a plastic bag (Ziploc or grocery bags work fine).

What you do: Trim the bottoms of the basil stems under running water (just like you would with flowers). Put the bunch in a glass of water, then drape a plastic bag loosely over the leaves. Leave it out on your countertop.

Why you do it: It’s not exactly as chic as a bouquet of peonies, but this arrangement allows the basil to breathe (it enables the plant to release the ethylene gas that usually causes the leaves to shrivel and brown) while keeping a humid environment inside the plastic bag. It’s almost like a mini greenhouse. Oh, and an extra bonus—it makes your kitchen smell amazing.

Source: http://www.purewow.com/food/how-to-keep-basil-fresh

 

 

# 10 – The Awakening from Alzheimer’s event recently started and you can still catch many of the presentations…..

Wednesday, September 21st – World Alzheimer’s Day – with the premiere of the groundbreaking new video series, Awakening from Alzheimer’s!

Over 12 days, 14 expert doctors will share groundbreaking medical and nutritional information on how to reverse Alzheimer’s and dementia and prevent it from ever happening to you.

These experts are on the cutting edge of Alzheimer’s breakthroughs and are blazing the trail to stop this terrible and costly disease in its tracks, and it’s totally free!

Click here to watch the trailer and register.

Here’s what you can expect to discover during this video series:

• How medications can create FALSE Alzheimer’s symptoms
• The superfood that can reverse Alzheimer’s
• How a ketogenic diet can help your brain function again
• How one protocol can reverse your Alzheimer’s
• How to spot Alzheimer’s risk before symptoms even occur
• The link between sleep and Alzheimer’s
• And much more!

Related Self-help Health post: Natural Ways To Treat Alzheimer’s

 

# 11 – And today’s last tip is another free resource that’s coming up soon…..

Dr. Tom O’Bryan has been traveling the world interviewing over 75 autoimmunity experts for his upcoming 7-part documentary movie event, The Betrayal Series.

SEVEN movies in fact, co-starring familiar faces like Drs. Sara Gottfried, Mark Hyman, Datis Kharrazian, Dan Kalish, Hyla Cass, and Jill Carnahan, as well as JJ Virgin, Jeffrey Smith, and Joel Salatin.

Not only does The Betrayal Series include the scientists, experts, and doctors researching and treating autoimmunity, but it also features real patients who have recovered from autoimmune conditions. You can see it for yourself beginning next Tuesday, September 27th and it’s free!. Click below to the watch the trailer and get signed up.

  www.thebetrayalseries.com

Some of the previous Self-help Health Tips posts:

Health Tips: Round 4

Multiple Health Tips: Round 3

It’s Multiple Health Tips Day Again!

 

Salud!

p.s. Be sure to give Self-help Health a follow so you don’t miss out on future posts. Also check out the To Your Health page at my website Evolution Made Easier and my other blog for more helpful information, tips, tools and resources.

Disclaimer: Please not that any information provided here is as a guideline only, and not meant to substitute for the advice of your physician, nutritionist, trained healthcare practitioner, or inner guidance system. Always consult a professional before undertaking any change to your normal health routine.

 

More Acupressure Points, Alzheimer’s & Dementia Summit, Health Coaching Webinar AND A Beauty Tip!

 

Recently I did a post that featured some acupressure points from Michael Reed Gach (of Acupressure.com) that are good for dealing with jaw pain, TMJ, headaches and sinus congestion. Well, here’s more useful information from a newsletter of Gach’s…..

 

(by Michael R Gach) Here are several healing thoughts, suggestions and points to support you to continue to learn, heal and grow. I hope my input empowers you to use acupressure on yourself and others. My intention is to cultivate your interest in hands-on healing. I also want to share with you even deeper levels for learning how to heal, using the points to enhance your life.

HOW LONG DO YOU HOLD A POINT?

Hold for 1 to 3 minutes as you breathe slowly & deeply. Be sure to apply the pressure gradually. If you feel a connection with the point, hold for a full 3 minutes. For instance, if your client’s sinuses are blocked, hold St3 underneath the cheekbone for a few minutes until you feel a pulse in your fingertips to open the sinuses.

DOUBTS ABOUT HEALING:

When you practice Acupressure (whether on yourself or others), and doubts arise, whether it’s worrying if you’re doing the right thing, or if you’re on the right point, remember — the purpose of your life and the purpose of doing Acupressure is not to sit around and worry. Doubts distract you from healing and can strangle your body’s vital life force. Instead, whenever you find yourself worrying or doubting, let it be a clue to take several slow, deep breaths. Just 4 or 5 super deep breaths can counteract worry and doubt to allow your healing energy to flow again.

TO RELIEVE GROIN PAIN, MENSTRUAL, ABDOMINAL CRAMPING, or SEXUAL REPRODUCTIVE PROBLEMS

Use the “Rushing Door Points” Sp12 and Sp13. Bend your leg. In the center of your groin crease is where energy tends to block-up. Gradually apply pressure slowly with your fingertips or use your knuckles to gradually press into the inguinal ligament, the big ropey cord there. You’ll feel a muscular cord in the crease where your leg joins the trunk of your body. Hold Sp12 and Sp13 points while laying down for 2 to 3 minutes, taking long slow deep breaths to discover the benefits.

TONE & CLEANSE YOUR COLON + RELIEVE CONSTIPATION & IBS:

–

Use CV6, which is two fingers width below your navel. Lying on your back, apply pressure gradually toward your lower spine until it “hurts good”.  Hold for 10 to 12 super slow deep breaths. Do this routine 2 or 3 times daily. Pressing CV6 daily strengthens the colon for cultivating longevity. I press it on myself every day.  For colon problems, use it for several months, daily —  it takes time to strengthen your colon and cleanse it, but it’s so worth it.
No drugs or side effects; it’s natural, and all you need is your hands.

–

–

 Since Alzheimer’s and dementia continue to rise at an alarming rate and are responsible for more deaths annually than prostate and breast cancers combined, this is upcoming summit is very timely and sure to be a great resource for those wanting to know more about controlling and preventing these conditions……

Alzheimer’s & Dementia Summit is coming up!

Are you concerned about brain health? Or of one day not recognizing your closest friend? If so, or if you care about friends and family members dealing with poor brain function, then don’t miss The Alzheimer’s & Dementia Summit.

Brain disorders, including memory loss, are fast becoming the single biggest health problem in the world, and this summit starting July 25th and running through August 1st represents a unique opportunity to discover hot to prevent, slow down, and even reverse symptoms of Alzheimer’s and dementia.

So be sure to check out this free on-line summit to find out what you can, and should, do before memory loss is irreversible–because taking action now is the key to protecting your brain health and overall well-being. And when you sign up you gain access to 3 great bonuses….one on dealing with heavy metal toxicity, another on stopping memory loss, and one on natural ways to treat depression! How nice!

 

And for those of you interested in possibly having a career as a healthcare professional, check out this free online workshop hosted by Marc David and Emily Rosen at the Institute for the Psychology of Eating……

It’s called The Ultimate Health Coach: The 3 Keys to Turning Your Passion for Healing into Professional Success.The field of Health Coaching is exploding, and it’s an exciting career opportunity. But even more to the point, Marc and Emily will be sharing about the unique
Training they offer through the Institute for the Psychology of Eating.

Here’s just some of what they’ll cover:

• NEW strategies for breaking free from problems with food, body & health
• The 3 Keys to being a successful health coach
• How to make a great living while truly helping others in a meaningful way
• Real case studies about the impact of this work
• How you can be part of this powerful new movement
• And a special opportunity you won’t want to miss!

If you’re at all curious about a new career opportunity OR you’re an already practicing healthcare professional looking to expand your skills, this webinar will show you how it’s possible to make an excellent living helping people finally find freedom with food and live the life they’re truly meant to live.

You can learn more about the summit and the webinar, and sign up for either or both through my What’s New page.

 

And to end on, a beauty tip from David Wolfe, using just cacao butter and coconut oil….

 

Salud!

p.s. Be sure to give Self-help Health a follow, so you don’t miss out on future posts. And check out the To Your Health page of my website Evolution Made Easier and my other blog for more helpful information, tips, tools and resources.

Disclaimer: Please note that any information provided here is as a guideline only, and not meant to substitute for the advice of your physician, nutritionist, trained healthcare practitioner and/or inner guidance system. Always consult a professional before undertaking any change to your normal health routine.

Lose Belly Fat With Coconut Oil? Yes Indeed-y!

 

I’ve known that coconut oil is supposed to help with losing weight for several years now, but this newsletter excerpt from Jeff Hayes was the first time I came across specific studies cited to prove how it helps with belly fat. And what’s nice is the oil has so many other benefits as well. It’s a real winner in my book, which is probably why I’ve featured it in so many of my previous posts.

So read on to find out more about how coconut oil can reduce “belly bulge,” and then check out the free alternative health resources listed at the end of the post…..

 

(coconutoil.com)

I’ve run across some VERY interesting studies recently on the relationship between coconut oil (or any type of coconut fat, including coconut milk and cream) and how it can affect your body fat…

The findings may surprise you!

A 2009 study published in the Journal Lipids consisted of testing the effects of either 2 tablespoons of coconut oil or 2 tablespoons of soybean oil on a group of 40 women over the span of 28 days.

Results showed that the group that ate the coconut oil had a decrease in abdominal fat, while the soybean oil group actually showed a slight increase in belly fat.  Additionally, the group that ate the coconut oil showed increased HDL ‘good’ cholesterol levels, while the soybean oil group had decreased HDL cholesterol and increased LDL ‘ bad’ cholesterol.

The Journal of Nutrition published a study where researchers investigated all studies relative to medium chain fatty acids (MCFAs) that are abundant in coconut fat and weight management.

The studies showed that diets rich in fats such as those found in coconut oil prompted a boost in metabolism, increase in energy, decrease in food consumption, reduced body weight and lower body fat mass. The study authors highly recommend using oils that contain MCFAs, such as coconut oil, as a tool to drop extra abdominal fat, manage a healthy weight, and even as a way to treat obesity.

Yet another study that assessed body weight and fat storage relative to three different types of diets including a low-fat diet, high-fat diet with long chain fatty acids (LCFAs)  and a high fat diet with MCFAs.

In order to bring about weight gain, caloric intakes were adjusted for the diets. At the end of the research period (which lasted 44 days), the low-fat diet group stored an average of 0.47 grams of fat per day, the LCFA group stored 0.48 grams of fat per day, and the MCFA group only stored a mere 0.19 grams per day (despite purposely increasing calories).

Those in the MCFA group (coconut fat) had a 60 percent reduction in body fat stored compared to the other diets.

Another added bonus of consuming organic coconut oil (and coconut cream or milk) is that it tends to make us feel fuller for longer.

Studies indicate that MCFAs help increase feelings of fullness and lead to a reduction in calorie intake when compared to the same amount of calories from other fats. When MCFAs are metabolized, ketone bodies are created in the liver – these have been shown to have a strong appetite reducing effect helping you to lose fat faster.

Source: Newsletter from filmmaker Jeff Hays of “Movies that Make Movements“

Want a simple way to get more coconut oil into your diet? Just add the oil or full fat coconut milk to your breakfast smoothie or morning coffee!

Of course exercise is an important part of any “less flab, more flat” formula :-), and this post by Dr. Mercola is full of exercises and strategies for helping with that:

http://fitness.mercola.com/sites/fitness/archive/2016/04/22/standing-ab-exercises

And if you think using coconut oil daily for helping to reduce abdominal fat is pretty incredible, you’re going to be even more impressed by the other powerful health benefits of coconut oil discussed in these related Self-help Health posts:

https://selfhelphealth.wordpress.com/2013/05/18/coconut-oil-one-of-the-yummiest-health-aids-ever/

https://selfhelphealth.wordpress.com/2013/05/22/coconut-oil-cleanse/

https://selfhelphealth.wordpress.com/2013/07/05/all-natural-suncreen-recipe-with-coconut-oil/

https://selfhelphealth.wordpress.com/2013/06/16/coconut-milk-ice-cream-a-way-to-have-health-eat-it-too/

https://selfhelphealth.wordpress.com/2013/08/04/more-on-the-coconut-oilalzheimers-connection/

https://selfhelphealth.wordpress.com/2013/05/23/more-on-coconut-oil-reversing-alzheimers/

 

And here’s the free resources I mentioned…….

If you feel sluggish and slow, and you wish your days were fueled by more energy, mental clarity, and joy, here’s some good news!

Living with low vitality is a condition that the world-renowned Deepak Chopra, MD, attributes to “physical and emotional toxic overload.”

To help you eliminate harmful toxins and reset your body, mind and spirit for optimal well-being, Deepak is inviting you (free of charge) to an online event: Detox Now: Purify Your Mind, Body, and Soul from the Inside Out.

For one hour on Wednesday, April 20th, Deepak and his close associate Sheila Patel, M.D. will share their view of what leading edge science is telling us about detoxification, and its ability to help prevent chronic disease, improve immune function, slow premature aging, and much more.

Find out more and sign up here, for no charge.

 

The epidemic rise in health issues like autism, ADD, diabetes, obesity plus countless mental/emotional issues can all be traced back to toxins in our food supply and nutritional deficiencies. That’s why it’s great news that another season of The Food Revolution is gearing up to begin on April 30th.

They are anticipating more than 200,000 participants for this summit and have an  unbelievable team of speakers this year, including Jane Goodall, Ph.D; Christiane Northrup, MD; Daniel Amen, MD; Neal Barnard, MD; Dean Ornish, MD; Mark Hyman, MD;  Andrew Kimbrell, Robyn O’Brien, Ritamarie Loscalzo, DC; Michael Greger, MD; Susan Pierce Thompson, Ph.D; Senator Cory Booker, Vani Hari, Joel Fuhrman, MD; Ronnie Cummins, Marion Nestle, Ph.D; Vandana Shiva, Ph.D; Michael Klaper, MD; Mimi Guarneri, MD; Gene Baur, Chris Wark, David Katz, MD; Michael Greger, MD; and Ron Finley – all personally interviewed by  John Robbins.

This year, in addition to the summit, they’re adding three quizzes. Each quiz feeds into a corresponding score and score explanation, a beautiful special report, and the summit as a free gift to quiz participants to help them learn more and take the next step in their journey.

 

You can find out more and sign up for the quizzes on my What’s New page. You’ll also find details there about the upcoming Natural Cancer Prevention and The Truth About Fat Loss Summits, plus news about a great product I just found out about called Homebiotic that helps keep your living and working environment healthier. 

 

Salud!

p.s. Be sure to subscribe to Self-help Health so you don’t miss any future posts. Also check out my website’s To Your Health page and Evolution Made Easier blog for more helpful health tips, tools and information.

Disclaimer: Please note that any information here is provided as a guideline only, and is not meant to substitute for the advice of your physician, nutritionist, trained healthcare practitioner, and/or inner guidance system. Always consult a professional before undertaking any change to your normal health routine.

Smelly, But Good Holiday DIY Ideas :-)

 

Okay, okay, I realize it would have been better to post this article from Thrive Market at least a week ago, but I didn’t happen to see it until this morning. But there’s a week left of the holiday season, so maybe some of these tips will still come in handy. Plus, this way you will already have all the tips on hand for next year (several of the ideas would make great DIY gifts). 🙂

Anyway, I thought this would make a nice, light-hearted post, in keeping with the spirit of the day……..

 

MAKE YOUR HOME SMELL LIKE CHRISTMAS WITH THESE 8 ALL-NATURAL DIY TRICKS

(by Dana Poblete) Smell is the sense most closely tied to memory, which helps explain the rush of nostalgic feelings that flood our brains when we step into a home that smells like the holidays. It’s the accumulated memories of years gone by—delivered straight to your brain via your nose.

When we think about the real essence of the holidays, visions of grandma’s cookies, a towering, fresh-cut Christmas tree, and spiced apple cider dance in our heads. But store-bought candles, sprays, and air fresheners usually miss the mark, delivering chemical fragrances that smell more like bathroom cleaner than a fresh pine tree. So this year, opt for simple DIYs with real ingredients to evoke the warmest memories—and help create new ones you’ll never forget.

 

Clove oranges

This DIY has been around since the Middle Ages, and there’s a reason it’s become the quintessential holiday scent. The spicy citrus aroma of clove oranges is intoxicating, and they’re decorative as well. Plus, creating a stunning clove-studded orange is so easy! Just take a whole orange (or even a grapefruit or apple), poke some holes into the rind with a toothpick or pin, and insert individual cloves into each hole—as many as you’d like! If you’re really crafty, you can bedazzle the fruit with some holiday designs. Place the orange on the rim of a jar and store it anywhere around the house to permeate the air with this delectable scent.

Apple-cinnamon simmer pot

For a yummy holiday fragrance that starts in the kitchen and makes its way through the entire house, boil the following ingredients in a pot of water, then reduce to a low simmer.

1 apple, sliced
3 cinnamon sticks, halved
1 cup fresh cranberries
1 to 2 teaspoons ground cloves
1 to 2 teaspoons ground nutmeg

Pine-cinnamon simmer pot

For a simple scent that embodies Christmas trees and holiday spice, create a simmer pot with a handful or two of pine needles and two to three cinnamon sticks, halved.

No-bake Christmas cookie scent

To create a sweet, oven-baked scent without the cookies, combine palmfuls of cinnamon, allspice,ground cloves, ground nutmeg, and half of a vanilla bean into a pot and simmer in water. (Or, bake some cookies, because you know you want to. Even if you’re not a baker, you can still have your cookies—and eat them too.)

DIY diffuser

Forget about those synthetic-smelling diffusers at the store. Who knew it was so easy to DIY this sophisticated room fragrance? All you need is:

Small recycled glass bottle
14 drops orange oil
8 drops clove oil
8 drops pine oil
8 drops cinnamon oil
10 drops cedarwood oil
2 tablespoons vodka
1 cup water
Bamboo skewers

Drop essential oils into the bottle and diffuse with vodka (to absorb the oils). Then, just add water! Insert the bamboo skewers into the bottle, allow to soak for 24 hours, then reverse the skewers to soak the opposite ends. Rotate the ends of the skewers weekly.

Christmas spirit spray

The trifecta of orange, pine, and cinnamon creates the warmest, most invigorating aroma of Christmas. Capture this spirit in a simple room spray that can be spritzed all over the home. Start with four drops of orange oil, three drops of pine oil, and three drops of cinnamon oil—you can do as much as 16, 12, and 12 drops, respectively. Drop the oils into a glass spray bottle, dilute with one tablespoon vodka, and fill with six tablespoons water. Intoxicating!

Christmas log

Create some aromatic fire magic by adding one drop of orange or cinnamon essential oil per log and lighting it up in the fireplace—a next-level way to experience a cozy fireside snuggle.

Mulled drinks

Adding mulling spices to your drink of choice creates a nostalgic holiday scent throughout the kitchen that you can sip up, too. Simmer the spices in apple cider or red wine for a fragrant holiday beverage. Cheers!

Source: https://thrivemarket.com/blog/make-home-smell-like-christmas-8-natural-diy-tricks

(You can find out more about Thrive Market here. And if you’re looking for some new recipes to try, check out their blog post of the 15 best recipes they featured in 2015)

 

Salud!

p.s. Be sure to give Self-help Health a follow so you don’t miss out on any future posts. Also check out the To Your Health page at my website Evolution Made Easier and my other blog for more helpful information, tips, tools and resources.

Disclaimer: Please note that any information here is provided as a guideline only, and is not meant to substitute for the advice of your physician, nutritionist, trained healthcare practitioner, and/or inner guidance system. Always consult a professional before undertaking any change to your normal health routine.