From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Kefir grains, which are used to make kefirKefir (alternately kefīrs, keefir, kephir, kewra, talai, mudu kekiya, milkkefir, búlgaros) is a fermented milk drink that originated in the Caucasus region. It is prepared by inoculating cow, goat, or sheep's milk with kefir grains. Traditional kefir was made in skin bags that were hung near a doorway; the bag would be knocked by anyone passing through the doorway to help keep the milk and kefir grains well mixed.[1]
Overview
Kefir grains are a combination of bacteria and yeasts in a matrix of proteins, lipids, and sugars. This symbiotic matrix forms grains that resemble cauliflower. Today, kefir is becoming increasingly popular due to new research into its health benefits. Many different bacteria and yeasts are found in the kefir grains, which are a complex and highly variable community of micro-organisms.[2]
Traditional kefir is fermented at ambient temperatures, generally overnight. Fermentation of the lactose yields a sour, carbonated, slightly alcoholic beverage, with a consistency similar to thin yoghurt.[3] Kefir fermented by small-scale dairies early in the 20th century achieved alcohol levels between 1 and 2 percent, but kefir made commercially with modern methods of production has less than 1% alcohol, possibly due to reduced fermentation time.[1]
Variations that thrive in various other liquids exist. They may vary markedly from kefir in both appearance and microbial composition. Water kefir (or kefir d'acqua) is grown in water with sugar (sometimes with added dry fruit such as figs, and lemon juice) for a day or more at room temperature.
Making kefir
90 grams of kefir grainsProduction of traditional kefir requires kefir grains which are a gelatinous community of bacteria and yeasts. Kefir grains contain a water soluble polysaccharide known as kefiran that imparts a rope-like texture and feeling in one's mouth. Kefir grains cannot be produced from scratch, but the grains grow during fermentation, and additional grains are produced. Kefir grains can be bought or donated by other growers. Kefir grains appear white to yellow and are usually the size of a walnut, but may be as small as a grain of rice.
Health and nutrition
One can change the nutrient content by simply fermenting for shorter or longer periods. Both stages have different health benefits. For instance, kefir over-ripened (which increases the sour taste) significantly increases folic acid content.[4] Kefir also aids in lactose digestion as a catalyst, making it more suitable than other dairy products for those who are lactose intolerant.[5] The kefiran in kefir has been shown to suppress an increase in blood pressure and reduce serum cholesterol levels in rats.[6]
Drinking kefir
While some drink kefir straight, many find it too sour on its own and prefer to add fruits, honey, maple syrup or other flavors or sweeteners. Frozen bananas, strawberries, blueberries or other fruits can be mixed with kefir in a blender to make a smoothie. Vanilla, agave nectar and other flavorings may also be added. In Poland Kefir is sold with different varieties of fruit and flavors already added, both in the organic/ecologic and non-organic varieties. It is a breakfast, lunch and dinner drink popular across all areas of the Russian Federation, Belarus, Ukraine, Poland (second largest producer after Russia[citation needed]), Norway, Sweden, Finland (especially Russian and Estonian minorities), Latvia, Estonia and Lithuania where it is known as an affordable health drink. In Southern Slavic countries kefir is consumed anytime in the day, especially with zelnik, burek and banitsa.
Different milk types
Kefir grains will successfully ferment the milk from most mammals, and will continue to grow in such milk. Typical milks used include cow, goat, and sheep, each with varying organoleptic and nutritional qualities. Raw milk has been traditionally used.
In addition, kefir grains will ferment milk substitutes such as soy milk, rice milk, and coconut milk, as well as other sugary liquids including fruit juice, coconut water, beer wort and ginger beer. However, the kefir grains may cease growing if the medium used does not contain all the growth factors required by the bacteria.
Milk sugar is, however, not essential for the synthesis of the polysaccharide that makes up the grains (kefiran), and studies have demonstrated that rice hydrolysate is a suitable alternative medium.[7] Additionally, it has been shown that kefir grains will reproduce when fermenting soy milk, although they will change in appearance and size due to the differing proteins available to them.[8]
Culinary uses
Kefir is one of the main ingredients in Lithuanian cold beet soup šaltibarščiai (Polish chłodnik), commonly known as cold borscht, and Russian summer soup (okroshka). Other variations of kefir soups and foods prepared with kefir are popular across the former Soviet Union and Poland.
Others enjoy kefir in lieu of milk, on cereal or granola.
Saturday, 23 May 2009
Monday, 18 May 2009
Hazards Of Microwaved Cooking
Back in May of 1989, after Tom Valentine first moved to St Paul, Minnesota, he heard on the car radio a short announcement that bolted him upright in the driver's seat. The announcement was sponsored by Young Families, the Minnesota Extension Service of the University of Minnesota:
"Although microwaves heat food quickly, they are not recommended for heating a baby's bottle," the announcement said. The bottle may seem cool to the touch, but the liquid inside may become extremely hot and could burn the baby's mouth and throat. Also, the buildup of steam in a closed container such as a baby's bottle could cause it to explode. "Heating the bottle in a microwave can cause slight changes in the milk. In infant formulas, there may be a loss of some vitamins. In expressed breast milk, some protective properties may be destroyed." The report went on. "Warming a bottle by holding it under tap water or by setting it in a bowl of warm water, then testing it on your wrist before feeding, may take a few minutes longer, but it is much safer."
Valentine asked himself: If an established institution like the University of Minnesota can warn about the loss of particular nutrient qualities in microwaved baby formula or mother's milk, then somebody must know something about microwaving they are not telling everybody.
A LAWSUIT
In early 1991, word leaked out about a lawsuit in Oklahoma. A woman named Norma Levitt had hip surgery, only to be killed by a simple blood transfusion when a nurse "warmed the blood for the transfusion in a microwave oven"!
Logic suggests that if heating or cooking is all there is to it, then it doesn't matter what mode of heating technology one uses. However, it is quite apparent that there is more to 'heating' with microwaves than we've been led to believe.
Blood for transfusions is routinely warmed-but not in microwave ovens! In the case of Mrs Levitt, the microwaving altered the blood and it killed her.
Does it not therefore follow that this form of heating does, indeed, do 'something different' to the substances being heated? Is it not prudent to determine what that 'something different' might do?
A funny thing happened on the way to the bank with all that microwave oven revenue: nobody thought about the obvious. Only 'health nuts' who are constantly aware of the value of quality nutrition discerned a problem with the widespread 'denaturing' of our food. Enter Hans Hertel.
HANS HERTEL
In the tiny town of Wattenwil, near Basel in Switzerland, there lives a scientist who is alarmed at the lack of purity and naturalness in the many pursuits of modern mankind. He worked as a food scientist for several years with one of the many major Swiss food companies that do business on a global scale. A few years ago, he was fired from his job for questioning procedures in processing food because they denatured it.
"The world needs our help," Hans Hertel told Tom Valentine as they shared a fine meal at a resort hotel in Todtmoss, Germany. "We, the scientists, carry the main responsibility for the present unacceptable conditions. It is therefore our job to correct the situation and bring the remedy to the world. I am striving to bring man and techniques back into harmony with nature. We can have wonderful technologies without violating nature."
Hans is an intense man, driven by personal knowledge of violations of nature by corporate man and his state-supported monopolies in science, technology and education. At the same time, as the two talked, his intensity shattered into a warm smile and he spoke of the way things could be if mankind's immense talent were to work with nature and not against her.
Hans Hertel is the first scientist to conceive of and carry out a quality study on the effects of microwaved nutrients on the blood and physiology of human beings. This small but well-controlled study pointed the firm finger at a degenerative force of microwave ovens and the food produced in them. The conclusion was clear: microwave cooking changed the nutrients so that changes took place in the participants' blood; these were not healthy changes but were changes that could cause deterioration in the human systems.
Working with Bernard H. Blanc of the Swiss Federal Institute of Technology and the University Institute for Biochemistry, Hertel not only conceived of the study and carried it out, he was one of eight participants.
"To control as many variables as possible, we selected eight individuals who were strict macrobiotic diet participants from the Macrobiotic Institute at Kientel, Switzerland," Hertel explained. "We were all housed in the same hotel environment for eight weeks. There was no smoking, no alcohol and no sex."
One can readily see that this protocol makes sense. After all, how could you tell about subtle changes in a human's blood from eating microwaved food if smoking, booze, junk food, pollution, pesticides, hormones, antibiotics and everything else in the common environment were also present?
"We had one American, one Canadian and six Europeans in the group. I was the oldest at 64 years, the others were in their 20s and 30s," Hertel added.
Valentine published the results of this study in Search for Health in the Spring of 1992. But the follow-up information is available only in a later edition, and also in Acres, USA.
In intervals of two to five days, the volunteers in the study received one of the food variants on an empty stomach. The food variants were: raw milk from a biofarm (no. 1); the same milk conventionally cooked (no. 2); pasteurised milk from Intermilk Berne (no. 3); the same raw milk cooked in a microwave oven (no. 4); raw vegetables from an organic farm (no. 5); the same vegetables cooked conventionally (no. 6); the same vegetables frozen and defrosted in the microwave oven (no. 7); and the same vegetables cooked in the microwave oven (no. 8). The overall experiment had some of the earmarks of the Pottenger cat studies, except that now human beings were test objects, the experiment's time-frame was shorter, and a new heat form was tested.
Once the volunteers were isolated at the resort hotel, the test began. Blood samples were taken from every volunteer immediately before eating. Then blood samples were taken at defined intervals after eating from the above-numbered milk or vegetable preparations.
Significant changes were discovered in the blood of the volunteers who consumed foods cooked in the microwave oven. These changes included a decrease in all haemoglobin values and cholesterol values, especially the HDL (good cholesterol) and LDL (bad cholesterol) values and ratio. Lymphocytes (white blood cells) showed a more distinct short-term decrease following the intake of microwaved food than after the intake of all the other variants. Each of these indicators point in a direction away from robust health and toward degeneration. Additionally, there was a highly significant association between the amount of microwave energy in the test foods and the luminous power of luminescent bacteria exposed to serum from test persons who ate that food. This led Hertel to the conclusion that such technically derived energies may, indeed, be passed along to man inductively via consumption of microwaved food.
"This process is based on physical principles and has already been confirmed in the literature," Hertel explained. The apparent additional energy exhibited by the luminescent bacteria was merely extra confirmation.
"There is extensive scientific literature concerning the hazardous effects of direct microwave radiation on living systems," Hertel continued. "It is astonishing, therefore, to realise how little effort has been made to replace this detrimental technique of microwaves with technology more in accordance with nature.
"Technically produced microwaves are based on the principle of alternating current. Atoms, molecules and cells hit by this hard electromagnetic radiation are forced to reverse polarity 1 to 100 billion times a second. There are no atoms, molecules or cells of any organic system able to withstand such a violent, destructive power for any extended period of time, not even in the low energy range of milliwatts.
"Of all the natural substances-which are polar-the oxygen of water molecules reacts most sensitively. This is how microwave cooking heat is generated-friction from this violence in water molecules. Structures of molecules are torn apart, molecules are forcefully deformed (called structural isomerism) and thus become impaired in quality.
HEATING FOOD
"This is contrary to conventional heating of food, in which heat transfers convectionally from without to within. Cooking by microwaves begins within the cells and molecules where water is present and where the energy is transformed into frictional heat."
The question naturally arises: What about microwaves from the sun? Aren't they harmful?
Hertel responded: "The microwaves from the Sun are based on principles of pulsed direct current. These rays create no frictional heat in organic substance."
In addition to violent frictional heat effects (called thermic effects), there are also athermic effects which have hardly ever been taken into account, Hertel added.
"These athermic effects are not presently measurable, but they can also deform the structures of molecules and have qualitative consequences. For example, the weakening of cell membranes by microwaves is used in the field of gene altering technology. Because of the force involved, the cells are actually broken, thereby neutralising the electrical potentials-the very life of the cells-between the outer and inner sides of the cell membranes. Impaired cells become easy prey for viruses, fungi and other micro-organisms. The natural repair mechanisms are suppressed, and cells are forced to adapt to a state of energy emergency: they switch from aerobic to anaerobic respiration. Instead of water and carbon dioxide, hydrogen peroxide and carbon monoxide are produced."
It has long been pointed out in the literature that any reversal of healthy cell processes may occur because of a number of reasons, and our cells then revert from a "robust oxidation" to an unhealthy "fermentation".
The same violent friction and athermic deformations that can occur in our bodies when we are subjected to radar or microwaves, happens to the molecules in the food cooked in a microwave oven. In fact, when anyone microwaves food, the oven exerts a power input of about 1,000 watts or more. This radiation results in destruction and deformation of molecules of food, and in the formation of new compounds (called radiolytic compounds) unknown to man and nature.
Today's established science and technology argues forcefully that microwaved food and irradiated foods do not have any significantly higher "radiolytic compounds" than do broiled, baked or other conventionally cooked foods-but microwaving does produce more of these critters. Curiously, neither established science nor our ever-protective government has conducted tests-on the blood of the eaters-of the effects of eating various kinds of cooked foods. Hertel and his group did test it, and the indication is clear that something is amiss and that larger studies should be funded. The apparently toxic effects of microwave cooking is another in a long list of unnatural additives in our daily diets. However, the establishment has not taken kindly to this work.
"The first drawing of blood samples took place on an empty stomach at 7.45 each morning," Hertel explained. "The second drawing of blood took place 15 minutes after the food intake. The third drawing was two hours later."
From each sample, 50 millilitres of blood was used for the chemistry and five millimetres for the haematology and the luminescence. The haematological examinations took place immediately after drawing the samples. Erythrocytes, haemoglobin, mean haemoglobin concentration, mean haemoglobin content, leukocytes and lymphocytes were measured. The chemical analysis consisted of iron, total cholesterol, HDL cholesterol and LDL cholesterol.
The results of erythrocyte, haemoglobin, haematocrit and leukocyte determinations were at the "lower limits of normal" in those tested following the eating of the microwaved samples.
"These results show anaemic tendencies. The situation became even more pronounced during the second month of the study," Hertel added. "And with those decreasing values, there was a corresponding increase of cholesterol values."
Hertel admits that stress factors, from getting punctured for the blood samples so often each day, for example, cannot be ruled out, but the established baseline for each individual became the "zero values" marker, and only changes from the zero values were statistically determined.
With only one round of test substances completed, the different effects between conventionally prepared food and microwaved food were marginal-although noticed as definite "tendencies". As the test continued, the differences in the blood markers became "statistically significant". The changes are generally considered to be signs of stress on the body. For example, erythrocytes tended to increase after eating vegetables from the microwave oven. Haemoglobin and both of the mean concentration and content haemoglobin markers also tended to decrease significantly after eating the microwaved substances.
LEUKOCYTOSIS
"Leukocytosis," Hertel explained, "which cannot be accounted for by normal daily deviations such as following the intake of food, is taken seriously by haematologists. Leukocyte response is especially sensitive to stress. They are often signs of pathogenic effects on the living system, such as poisoning and cell damage. The increase of leukocytes with the microwaved foods was more pronounced than with all the other variants. It appears that these marked increases were caused entirely by ingesting the microwaved substances."
The cholesterol markers were very interesting, Hertel stressed:
"Common scientific belief states that cholesterol values usually alter slowly over longer periods of time. In this study, the markers increased rapidly after the consumption of the microwaved vegetables. However, with milk, the cholesterol values remained the same and even decreased with the raw milk significantly."
Hertel believes his study tends to confirm newer scientific data that suggest cholesterol may rapidly increase in the blood secondary to acute stress. "Also," he added, "blood cholesterol levels are less influenced by cholesterol content of food than by stress factors. Such stress-causing factors can apparently consist of foods which contain virtually no cholesterol-the microwaved vegetables."
It is plain to see that this individually financed and conducted study has enough meat in it to make anyone with a modicum of common sense sit up and take notice. Food from the microwave oven caused abnormal changes, representing stress, to occur in the blood of all the test individuals. Biological individuality, a key variable that makes a mockery of many allegedly scientific studies, was well accounted for by the established baselines.
So, how has the brilliant world of modern technology, medicine and 'protect the public' government reacted to this impressive effort?
A GAG ORDER
As soon as Hertel and Blanc announced their results, the hammer of authority slammed down on them. A powerful trade organisation, the Swiss Association of Dealers for Electroapparatuses for Households and Industry, known simply as FEA, struck swiftly. They forced the President of the Court of Seftigen, Kanton Bern, to issue a 'gag order' against Hertel and Blanc. The attack was so ferocious that Blanc quickly recanted his support-but it was too late. He had already put into writing his views on the validity of the studies where he concurred with the opinion that microwaved food caused the blood abnormalities.
Hertel stood his ground, and today is steadfastly demanding his rights to a trial. Preliminary hearings on the matter have been appealed to higher courts, and it's quite obvious the powers that be do not want a 'show trial' to erupt on this issue.
In March 1993, the court handed down this decision based upon the complaint of the FEA:
Consideration
Request from the plaintiff (FEA) to prohibit the defendant (Dr Ing. Hans Hertel) from declaring that food prepared in the microwave oven shall be dangerous to health and lead to changes in the blood of consumers, giving reference to pathologic troubles as also indicative for the beginning of a cancerous process. The defendant shall be prohibited from repeating such a statement in publications and in public talks by punishment laid down in the law.
The jurisdiction of the judge is given according to law.
The active legitimacy of the plaintiff is given according to the law.
The passive legitimacy of the defendant is given by the fact that he is the author of the polemic [published study] in question, especially since the present new and revised law allows to exclude the necessity of a competitive situation, therefore delinquents may also be persons who are not co-competitors, but may damage the competing position of others by mere declarations.
[Apparently, Swiss corporations have lobbied in a law that nails "delinquents" who disparage products and might do damage to commerce by such remarks. So far, the US Constitution still preserves freedom of the press.]
Considering the relevant situation it is referred to three publications: the public renunciation [sic] of the so-called co-author Professor Bernard Blanc, the expertise of Professor Teuber [expert witness from the FEA] about the above-mentioned publication, the opinion of the public health authorities with regard to the present stage of research with microwave ovens as well as to repeated statements from the side of the defendant about the danger of such ovens.
It is not considered of importance whether or not the polemic of the defendant meets the approval of the public, because all that is necessary is that a possibility exists that such a statement could find approval with people not being experts themselves. Also, advertising involving fear is not allowed and is always disqualified by the law. The necessity for a fast interference is in no case more advised than in the processes of competition. Basically, the defendant has the right to defend himself against such accusations. This right, however, can be denied in cases of pressing danger with regard to impairing the rights of the plaintiff when this is requested.
Conclusion
On grounds of this pending request of the plaintiff, the court arrives at the conclusion that because of special presuppositions as in this case, a definite disadvantage for the plaintiff does exist, which may not easily be repaired, and therefore must be considered to be of immediate danger. The case thus warrants the request of the plaintiff to be justified, even without hearing the defendant. Also, because it is not known when the defendant will bring further statements into the public.
The judge is also of the opinion that because the publications are made up to appear as scientific, and therefore especially reliable-looking, they may cause additional bad disadvantages. It must be added that there does obviously not exist a just reason for this publication because there is no public interest for pseudo-scientific unproved declarations. Finally, these ordered measures do not prove to be disproportionate.
The defendant is prohibited, under punishment of up to F5,000, or up to one year in prison, to declare that food prepared in microwave ovens is dangerous to health and leads to pathologic troubles as also indicative for the beginning of a cancerous process.
The plaintiff pays the costs.
(Signed) President of the Court of Seftigen Kraemer."
If you cannot imagine this kind of decision coming from a court in the United States, you have not been paying attention to the advances of administrative law.
Hertel defied the court and has loudly demanded a fair hearing on the truth of his claims. The court has continued to delay, dodge, appeal and avoid any media-catching confrontation. As of this writing, Hans is still waiting for a hearing with media coverage-and he's still talking and publishing his findings.
"They have not been able to intimidate me into silence, and I will not accept their conditions," Hertel declared. "I have appeared at large seminars in Germany, and the study results have been well-received. Also, I think the authorities are aware that scientists at Ciba-Geigy [the world's largest pharmaceutical company, headquartered in Switzerland] have vowed to support me in court."
As those powerful special interests in Switzerland who desire to sell microwave ovens by the millions continued to suppress open debate on this vital issue for modern civilisation, new microwave developments blossomed in the United States.
INFANT DANGER
In the journal Pediatrics (vol. 89, no. 4, April 1992), there appeared an article titled, "Effects of Microwave Radiation on Anti-infective Factors in Human Milk". Richard Quan, M.D. from Dallas, Texas, was the lead name of the study team. John A. Kerner, M.D., from Stanford University, was also on the research team, and he was quoted in a summary article on the research that appeared in the 25 April 1992 issue of Science News. To get the full flavour of what may lie ahead for microwaving, here is that summary article:
"Women who work outside the home can express and store breast milk for feedings when they are away. But parents and caregivers should be careful how they warm this milk. A new study shows that microwaving human milk-even at a low setting-can destroy some of its important disease-fighting capabilities.
"Breast milk can be refrigerated safely for a few days or frozen for up to a month; however, studies have shown that heating the milk well above body temperature-37°ree;C-can break down not only its antibodies to infectious agents, but also its lysozymes or bacteria-digesting enzymes. So, when paediatrician John A. Kerner, Jr, witnessed neonatal nurses routinely thawing or reheating breast milk with the microwave oven in their lounge, he became concerned.
"In the April 1992 issue of Pediatrics (Part I), he and his Stanford University co-workers reported finding that unheated breast milk that was microwaved lost lysozyme activity, antibodies and fostered the growth of more potentially pathogenic bacteria. Milk heated at a high setting (72°ree;C to 98°ree;C) lost 96 per cent of its immunoglobulin-A antibodies, agents that fend off invading microbes.
"What really surprised him, Kerner said, was finding some loss of anti-infective properties in the milk microwaved at a low setting-and to a mean of just 33.5°ree;C. Adverse changes at such low temperatures suggest ' microwaving itself may in fact cause some injury to the milk above and beyond the heating'.
"But Randall M. Goldblum of the University of Texas Medical Branch in Galveston disagrees, saying: 'I don't see any compelling evidence that the microwaves did any harm. It was the heating.' Lysozyme and antibody degradation in the coolest samples may simply reflect the development of small hot spots-potentially 60°ree;C or above-during microwaving, noted Madeleine Sigman-Grant of Pennsylvania State University, University Park. And that's to be expected, she said, because microwave heating is inherently uneven-and quite unpredictable when volumes less than four millilitres are involved, as was the case in the Kerner's study.
"Goldblum considers use of a microwave to thaw milk an especially bad idea, since it is likely to boil some of the milk before all has even liquefied. Stanford University Medical Center no longer microwaves breast milk, Kerner notes. And that's appropriate, Sigman-Grant believes, because of the small volumes of milk that hospitals typically serve newborns-especially premature infants."
CHASING A STORY
Journalist Tom Valentine, after chasing this story, found it interesting that 'scientists' have so many 'beliefs' to express rather than prove fact. Yet facts eventually snuff out credential-based conjecture.
Researcher Quan, in a phone interview, said that he believed the results of research so far warranted further detailed study of the effects of microwave cooking on nutrients. The summary sentence in an abstract of the research paper is very clear:
"Microwaving appears to be contra-indicated at high temperatures, and questions regarding its safety exist even at low temperatures."
The final statement of the study conclusion reads:
"This preliminary study suggests that microwaving human milk could be detrimental. Further studies are needed to determine whether and how microwaving could safely be done."
Unfortunately, further studies are not scheduled at this time.
If there are so many indications that the effects of microwaves on foods can degrade the foods far above the known breakdowns of standard cooking, is it not reasonable to conduct exhaustive studies on living, breathing human beings to determine if it's possible that eating microwaved foods continuously, as many people do, can be significantly detrimental to individual health?
If you wanted to introduce a herbal supplement into the American mainstream and make any health claims for it, you would be subjected to exhaustive documentation and costly research. Yet the microwave-oven industry had only to prove that the dangerous microwaves could, indeed, be contained within the oven and not escape into the surrounding area where the radiation could do damage to people. The industry must admit that some microwaves escape even in the best-made ovens. So far, not one thought has been given by the industry to the possibility that the nutrients could be so altered as to be deleterious to health.
Well, this makes sense in a land that encourages farmers to poison crops and soils with massive amounts of synthesised chemicals, and encourages food processors to use additives that enhance shelf-life of foods regardless of the potential for degrading the health of the consumer.
How many hundreds of pounds of microwaved food per capita is consumed in America each year? Are we going to continue to take it from established authority, without question, on the premise that they know best?
"Although microwaves heat food quickly, they are not recommended for heating a baby's bottle," the announcement said. The bottle may seem cool to the touch, but the liquid inside may become extremely hot and could burn the baby's mouth and throat. Also, the buildup of steam in a closed container such as a baby's bottle could cause it to explode. "Heating the bottle in a microwave can cause slight changes in the milk. In infant formulas, there may be a loss of some vitamins. In expressed breast milk, some protective properties may be destroyed." The report went on. "Warming a bottle by holding it under tap water or by setting it in a bowl of warm water, then testing it on your wrist before feeding, may take a few minutes longer, but it is much safer."
Valentine asked himself: If an established institution like the University of Minnesota can warn about the loss of particular nutrient qualities in microwaved baby formula or mother's milk, then somebody must know something about microwaving they are not telling everybody.
A LAWSUIT
In early 1991, word leaked out about a lawsuit in Oklahoma. A woman named Norma Levitt had hip surgery, only to be killed by a simple blood transfusion when a nurse "warmed the blood for the transfusion in a microwave oven"!
Logic suggests that if heating or cooking is all there is to it, then it doesn't matter what mode of heating technology one uses. However, it is quite apparent that there is more to 'heating' with microwaves than we've been led to believe.
Blood for transfusions is routinely warmed-but not in microwave ovens! In the case of Mrs Levitt, the microwaving altered the blood and it killed her.
Does it not therefore follow that this form of heating does, indeed, do 'something different' to the substances being heated? Is it not prudent to determine what that 'something different' might do?
A funny thing happened on the way to the bank with all that microwave oven revenue: nobody thought about the obvious. Only 'health nuts' who are constantly aware of the value of quality nutrition discerned a problem with the widespread 'denaturing' of our food. Enter Hans Hertel.
HANS HERTEL
In the tiny town of Wattenwil, near Basel in Switzerland, there lives a scientist who is alarmed at the lack of purity and naturalness in the many pursuits of modern mankind. He worked as a food scientist for several years with one of the many major Swiss food companies that do business on a global scale. A few years ago, he was fired from his job for questioning procedures in processing food because they denatured it.
"The world needs our help," Hans Hertel told Tom Valentine as they shared a fine meal at a resort hotel in Todtmoss, Germany. "We, the scientists, carry the main responsibility for the present unacceptable conditions. It is therefore our job to correct the situation and bring the remedy to the world. I am striving to bring man and techniques back into harmony with nature. We can have wonderful technologies without violating nature."
Hans is an intense man, driven by personal knowledge of violations of nature by corporate man and his state-supported monopolies in science, technology and education. At the same time, as the two talked, his intensity shattered into a warm smile and he spoke of the way things could be if mankind's immense talent were to work with nature and not against her.
Hans Hertel is the first scientist to conceive of and carry out a quality study on the effects of microwaved nutrients on the blood and physiology of human beings. This small but well-controlled study pointed the firm finger at a degenerative force of microwave ovens and the food produced in them. The conclusion was clear: microwave cooking changed the nutrients so that changes took place in the participants' blood; these were not healthy changes but were changes that could cause deterioration in the human systems.
Working with Bernard H. Blanc of the Swiss Federal Institute of Technology and the University Institute for Biochemistry, Hertel not only conceived of the study and carried it out, he was one of eight participants.
"To control as many variables as possible, we selected eight individuals who were strict macrobiotic diet participants from the Macrobiotic Institute at Kientel, Switzerland," Hertel explained. "We were all housed in the same hotel environment for eight weeks. There was no smoking, no alcohol and no sex."
One can readily see that this protocol makes sense. After all, how could you tell about subtle changes in a human's blood from eating microwaved food if smoking, booze, junk food, pollution, pesticides, hormones, antibiotics and everything else in the common environment were also present?
"We had one American, one Canadian and six Europeans in the group. I was the oldest at 64 years, the others were in their 20s and 30s," Hertel added.
Valentine published the results of this study in Search for Health in the Spring of 1992. But the follow-up information is available only in a later edition, and also in Acres, USA.
In intervals of two to five days, the volunteers in the study received one of the food variants on an empty stomach. The food variants were: raw milk from a biofarm (no. 1); the same milk conventionally cooked (no. 2); pasteurised milk from Intermilk Berne (no. 3); the same raw milk cooked in a microwave oven (no. 4); raw vegetables from an organic farm (no. 5); the same vegetables cooked conventionally (no. 6); the same vegetables frozen and defrosted in the microwave oven (no. 7); and the same vegetables cooked in the microwave oven (no. 8). The overall experiment had some of the earmarks of the Pottenger cat studies, except that now human beings were test objects, the experiment's time-frame was shorter, and a new heat form was tested.
Once the volunteers were isolated at the resort hotel, the test began. Blood samples were taken from every volunteer immediately before eating. Then blood samples were taken at defined intervals after eating from the above-numbered milk or vegetable preparations.
Significant changes were discovered in the blood of the volunteers who consumed foods cooked in the microwave oven. These changes included a decrease in all haemoglobin values and cholesterol values, especially the HDL (good cholesterol) and LDL (bad cholesterol) values and ratio. Lymphocytes (white blood cells) showed a more distinct short-term decrease following the intake of microwaved food than after the intake of all the other variants. Each of these indicators point in a direction away from robust health and toward degeneration. Additionally, there was a highly significant association between the amount of microwave energy in the test foods and the luminous power of luminescent bacteria exposed to serum from test persons who ate that food. This led Hertel to the conclusion that such technically derived energies may, indeed, be passed along to man inductively via consumption of microwaved food.
"This process is based on physical principles and has already been confirmed in the literature," Hertel explained. The apparent additional energy exhibited by the luminescent bacteria was merely extra confirmation.
"There is extensive scientific literature concerning the hazardous effects of direct microwave radiation on living systems," Hertel continued. "It is astonishing, therefore, to realise how little effort has been made to replace this detrimental technique of microwaves with technology more in accordance with nature.
"Technically produced microwaves are based on the principle of alternating current. Atoms, molecules and cells hit by this hard electromagnetic radiation are forced to reverse polarity 1 to 100 billion times a second. There are no atoms, molecules or cells of any organic system able to withstand such a violent, destructive power for any extended period of time, not even in the low energy range of milliwatts.
"Of all the natural substances-which are polar-the oxygen of water molecules reacts most sensitively. This is how microwave cooking heat is generated-friction from this violence in water molecules. Structures of molecules are torn apart, molecules are forcefully deformed (called structural isomerism) and thus become impaired in quality.
HEATING FOOD
"This is contrary to conventional heating of food, in which heat transfers convectionally from without to within. Cooking by microwaves begins within the cells and molecules where water is present and where the energy is transformed into frictional heat."
The question naturally arises: What about microwaves from the sun? Aren't they harmful?
Hertel responded: "The microwaves from the Sun are based on principles of pulsed direct current. These rays create no frictional heat in organic substance."
In addition to violent frictional heat effects (called thermic effects), there are also athermic effects which have hardly ever been taken into account, Hertel added.
"These athermic effects are not presently measurable, but they can also deform the structures of molecules and have qualitative consequences. For example, the weakening of cell membranes by microwaves is used in the field of gene altering technology. Because of the force involved, the cells are actually broken, thereby neutralising the electrical potentials-the very life of the cells-between the outer and inner sides of the cell membranes. Impaired cells become easy prey for viruses, fungi and other micro-organisms. The natural repair mechanisms are suppressed, and cells are forced to adapt to a state of energy emergency: they switch from aerobic to anaerobic respiration. Instead of water and carbon dioxide, hydrogen peroxide and carbon monoxide are produced."
It has long been pointed out in the literature that any reversal of healthy cell processes may occur because of a number of reasons, and our cells then revert from a "robust oxidation" to an unhealthy "fermentation".
The same violent friction and athermic deformations that can occur in our bodies when we are subjected to radar or microwaves, happens to the molecules in the food cooked in a microwave oven. In fact, when anyone microwaves food, the oven exerts a power input of about 1,000 watts or more. This radiation results in destruction and deformation of molecules of food, and in the formation of new compounds (called radiolytic compounds) unknown to man and nature.
Today's established science and technology argues forcefully that microwaved food and irradiated foods do not have any significantly higher "radiolytic compounds" than do broiled, baked or other conventionally cooked foods-but microwaving does produce more of these critters. Curiously, neither established science nor our ever-protective government has conducted tests-on the blood of the eaters-of the effects of eating various kinds of cooked foods. Hertel and his group did test it, and the indication is clear that something is amiss and that larger studies should be funded. The apparently toxic effects of microwave cooking is another in a long list of unnatural additives in our daily diets. However, the establishment has not taken kindly to this work.
"The first drawing of blood samples took place on an empty stomach at 7.45 each morning," Hertel explained. "The second drawing of blood took place 15 minutes after the food intake. The third drawing was two hours later."
From each sample, 50 millilitres of blood was used for the chemistry and five millimetres for the haematology and the luminescence. The haematological examinations took place immediately after drawing the samples. Erythrocytes, haemoglobin, mean haemoglobin concentration, mean haemoglobin content, leukocytes and lymphocytes were measured. The chemical analysis consisted of iron, total cholesterol, HDL cholesterol and LDL cholesterol.
The results of erythrocyte, haemoglobin, haematocrit and leukocyte determinations were at the "lower limits of normal" in those tested following the eating of the microwaved samples.
"These results show anaemic tendencies. The situation became even more pronounced during the second month of the study," Hertel added. "And with those decreasing values, there was a corresponding increase of cholesterol values."
Hertel admits that stress factors, from getting punctured for the blood samples so often each day, for example, cannot be ruled out, but the established baseline for each individual became the "zero values" marker, and only changes from the zero values were statistically determined.
With only one round of test substances completed, the different effects between conventionally prepared food and microwaved food were marginal-although noticed as definite "tendencies". As the test continued, the differences in the blood markers became "statistically significant". The changes are generally considered to be signs of stress on the body. For example, erythrocytes tended to increase after eating vegetables from the microwave oven. Haemoglobin and both of the mean concentration and content haemoglobin markers also tended to decrease significantly after eating the microwaved substances.
LEUKOCYTOSIS
"Leukocytosis," Hertel explained, "which cannot be accounted for by normal daily deviations such as following the intake of food, is taken seriously by haematologists. Leukocyte response is especially sensitive to stress. They are often signs of pathogenic effects on the living system, such as poisoning and cell damage. The increase of leukocytes with the microwaved foods was more pronounced than with all the other variants. It appears that these marked increases were caused entirely by ingesting the microwaved substances."
The cholesterol markers were very interesting, Hertel stressed:
"Common scientific belief states that cholesterol values usually alter slowly over longer periods of time. In this study, the markers increased rapidly after the consumption of the microwaved vegetables. However, with milk, the cholesterol values remained the same and even decreased with the raw milk significantly."
Hertel believes his study tends to confirm newer scientific data that suggest cholesterol may rapidly increase in the blood secondary to acute stress. "Also," he added, "blood cholesterol levels are less influenced by cholesterol content of food than by stress factors. Such stress-causing factors can apparently consist of foods which contain virtually no cholesterol-the microwaved vegetables."
It is plain to see that this individually financed and conducted study has enough meat in it to make anyone with a modicum of common sense sit up and take notice. Food from the microwave oven caused abnormal changes, representing stress, to occur in the blood of all the test individuals. Biological individuality, a key variable that makes a mockery of many allegedly scientific studies, was well accounted for by the established baselines.
So, how has the brilliant world of modern technology, medicine and 'protect the public' government reacted to this impressive effort?
A GAG ORDER
As soon as Hertel and Blanc announced their results, the hammer of authority slammed down on them. A powerful trade organisation, the Swiss Association of Dealers for Electroapparatuses for Households and Industry, known simply as FEA, struck swiftly. They forced the President of the Court of Seftigen, Kanton Bern, to issue a 'gag order' against Hertel and Blanc. The attack was so ferocious that Blanc quickly recanted his support-but it was too late. He had already put into writing his views on the validity of the studies where he concurred with the opinion that microwaved food caused the blood abnormalities.
Hertel stood his ground, and today is steadfastly demanding his rights to a trial. Preliminary hearings on the matter have been appealed to higher courts, and it's quite obvious the powers that be do not want a 'show trial' to erupt on this issue.
In March 1993, the court handed down this decision based upon the complaint of the FEA:
Consideration
Request from the plaintiff (FEA) to prohibit the defendant (Dr Ing. Hans Hertel) from declaring that food prepared in the microwave oven shall be dangerous to health and lead to changes in the blood of consumers, giving reference to pathologic troubles as also indicative for the beginning of a cancerous process. The defendant shall be prohibited from repeating such a statement in publications and in public talks by punishment laid down in the law.
The jurisdiction of the judge is given according to law.
The active legitimacy of the plaintiff is given according to the law.
The passive legitimacy of the defendant is given by the fact that he is the author of the polemic [published study] in question, especially since the present new and revised law allows to exclude the necessity of a competitive situation, therefore delinquents may also be persons who are not co-competitors, but may damage the competing position of others by mere declarations.
[Apparently, Swiss corporations have lobbied in a law that nails "delinquents" who disparage products and might do damage to commerce by such remarks. So far, the US Constitution still preserves freedom of the press.]
Considering the relevant situation it is referred to three publications: the public renunciation [sic] of the so-called co-author Professor Bernard Blanc, the expertise of Professor Teuber [expert witness from the FEA] about the above-mentioned publication, the opinion of the public health authorities with regard to the present stage of research with microwave ovens as well as to repeated statements from the side of the defendant about the danger of such ovens.
It is not considered of importance whether or not the polemic of the defendant meets the approval of the public, because all that is necessary is that a possibility exists that such a statement could find approval with people not being experts themselves. Also, advertising involving fear is not allowed and is always disqualified by the law. The necessity for a fast interference is in no case more advised than in the processes of competition. Basically, the defendant has the right to defend himself against such accusations. This right, however, can be denied in cases of pressing danger with regard to impairing the rights of the plaintiff when this is requested.
Conclusion
On grounds of this pending request of the plaintiff, the court arrives at the conclusion that because of special presuppositions as in this case, a definite disadvantage for the plaintiff does exist, which may not easily be repaired, and therefore must be considered to be of immediate danger. The case thus warrants the request of the plaintiff to be justified, even without hearing the defendant. Also, because it is not known when the defendant will bring further statements into the public.
The judge is also of the opinion that because the publications are made up to appear as scientific, and therefore especially reliable-looking, they may cause additional bad disadvantages. It must be added that there does obviously not exist a just reason for this publication because there is no public interest for pseudo-scientific unproved declarations. Finally, these ordered measures do not prove to be disproportionate.
The defendant is prohibited, under punishment of up to F5,000, or up to one year in prison, to declare that food prepared in microwave ovens is dangerous to health and leads to pathologic troubles as also indicative for the beginning of a cancerous process.
The plaintiff pays the costs.
(Signed) President of the Court of Seftigen Kraemer."
If you cannot imagine this kind of decision coming from a court in the United States, you have not been paying attention to the advances of administrative law.
Hertel defied the court and has loudly demanded a fair hearing on the truth of his claims. The court has continued to delay, dodge, appeal and avoid any media-catching confrontation. As of this writing, Hans is still waiting for a hearing with media coverage-and he's still talking and publishing his findings.
"They have not been able to intimidate me into silence, and I will not accept their conditions," Hertel declared. "I have appeared at large seminars in Germany, and the study results have been well-received. Also, I think the authorities are aware that scientists at Ciba-Geigy [the world's largest pharmaceutical company, headquartered in Switzerland] have vowed to support me in court."
As those powerful special interests in Switzerland who desire to sell microwave ovens by the millions continued to suppress open debate on this vital issue for modern civilisation, new microwave developments blossomed in the United States.
INFANT DANGER
In the journal Pediatrics (vol. 89, no. 4, April 1992), there appeared an article titled, "Effects of Microwave Radiation on Anti-infective Factors in Human Milk". Richard Quan, M.D. from Dallas, Texas, was the lead name of the study team. John A. Kerner, M.D., from Stanford University, was also on the research team, and he was quoted in a summary article on the research that appeared in the 25 April 1992 issue of Science News. To get the full flavour of what may lie ahead for microwaving, here is that summary article:
"Women who work outside the home can express and store breast milk for feedings when they are away. But parents and caregivers should be careful how they warm this milk. A new study shows that microwaving human milk-even at a low setting-can destroy some of its important disease-fighting capabilities.
"Breast milk can be refrigerated safely for a few days or frozen for up to a month; however, studies have shown that heating the milk well above body temperature-37°ree;C-can break down not only its antibodies to infectious agents, but also its lysozymes or bacteria-digesting enzymes. So, when paediatrician John A. Kerner, Jr, witnessed neonatal nurses routinely thawing or reheating breast milk with the microwave oven in their lounge, he became concerned.
"In the April 1992 issue of Pediatrics (Part I), he and his Stanford University co-workers reported finding that unheated breast milk that was microwaved lost lysozyme activity, antibodies and fostered the growth of more potentially pathogenic bacteria. Milk heated at a high setting (72°ree;C to 98°ree;C) lost 96 per cent of its immunoglobulin-A antibodies, agents that fend off invading microbes.
"What really surprised him, Kerner said, was finding some loss of anti-infective properties in the milk microwaved at a low setting-and to a mean of just 33.5°ree;C. Adverse changes at such low temperatures suggest ' microwaving itself may in fact cause some injury to the milk above and beyond the heating'.
"But Randall M. Goldblum of the University of Texas Medical Branch in Galveston disagrees, saying: 'I don't see any compelling evidence that the microwaves did any harm. It was the heating.' Lysozyme and antibody degradation in the coolest samples may simply reflect the development of small hot spots-potentially 60°ree;C or above-during microwaving, noted Madeleine Sigman-Grant of Pennsylvania State University, University Park. And that's to be expected, she said, because microwave heating is inherently uneven-and quite unpredictable when volumes less than four millilitres are involved, as was the case in the Kerner's study.
"Goldblum considers use of a microwave to thaw milk an especially bad idea, since it is likely to boil some of the milk before all has even liquefied. Stanford University Medical Center no longer microwaves breast milk, Kerner notes. And that's appropriate, Sigman-Grant believes, because of the small volumes of milk that hospitals typically serve newborns-especially premature infants."
CHASING A STORY
Journalist Tom Valentine, after chasing this story, found it interesting that 'scientists' have so many 'beliefs' to express rather than prove fact. Yet facts eventually snuff out credential-based conjecture.
Researcher Quan, in a phone interview, said that he believed the results of research so far warranted further detailed study of the effects of microwave cooking on nutrients. The summary sentence in an abstract of the research paper is very clear:
"Microwaving appears to be contra-indicated at high temperatures, and questions regarding its safety exist even at low temperatures."
The final statement of the study conclusion reads:
"This preliminary study suggests that microwaving human milk could be detrimental. Further studies are needed to determine whether and how microwaving could safely be done."
Unfortunately, further studies are not scheduled at this time.
If there are so many indications that the effects of microwaves on foods can degrade the foods far above the known breakdowns of standard cooking, is it not reasonable to conduct exhaustive studies on living, breathing human beings to determine if it's possible that eating microwaved foods continuously, as many people do, can be significantly detrimental to individual health?
If you wanted to introduce a herbal supplement into the American mainstream and make any health claims for it, you would be subjected to exhaustive documentation and costly research. Yet the microwave-oven industry had only to prove that the dangerous microwaves could, indeed, be contained within the oven and not escape into the surrounding area where the radiation could do damage to people. The industry must admit that some microwaves escape even in the best-made ovens. So far, not one thought has been given by the industry to the possibility that the nutrients could be so altered as to be deleterious to health.
Well, this makes sense in a land that encourages farmers to poison crops and soils with massive amounts of synthesised chemicals, and encourages food processors to use additives that enhance shelf-life of foods regardless of the potential for degrading the health of the consumer.
How many hundreds of pounds of microwaved food per capita is consumed in America each year? Are we going to continue to take it from established authority, without question, on the premise that they know best?
Sunday, 17 May 2009
Beating Addiction Naturally
When ever we talk about addictions, our recall is drawn to what we have heard in the past, namely drug addicts or alcoholics. However, this is only a small part of addictions. Often compulsive behavior over shadows the events of daily living. An addiction is such a compelling force that few people escape it’s destructive forces. However, we are the temporary stewards of our body and the keepers of our own healing. We are keepers of an intuitive intelligence so powerful it can tell us how to heal. The time has come for each of us to claim it again. Never forget: God wants you to heal. He has given you the tools in the form of nutrients and He wants you to look inside yourself for the answers.
We are on a health care revolution as profound as civil rights or feminism. All over, I see an uprising fueled by courageous people, demanding that their spiritual and intuitive voices be honored in the healing process. Attitudes are shifting. I meet people everywhere who rail against the icy sterility of technological advances alone, no matter how miraculous the "cure" when simple kindness, love, and awe for our inner spirituality is sacrificed healing can only temporary.
Our passion here at Alternatives- A Health Resource® and Helping Hands Ministry® is to bring spirituality and intuition into mainstream medicine. From here we can choose from the best of both worlds. A clear connection with a compassionate God, can help us heal. Intuition is the spiritual language that links our head with our hearts, and thus to the potential of wellness. It is essential that we develop positive beliefs about healing in addition to a love for the body, an appreciation of the body's subtle energy system (Chinese medical practitioners call it "chi"), and also learn to access inner guidance by listening to the Spirit who is our constant companion and our comfort. With these tools, we can maintain optimal health and better face any health challenges that may arise.
In the following pages we hope to bring you closer to the essence of alleviating compulsive behavior by using the tools that God has given us. In GENESIS 1:29, God says, "Behold I have given you every herb bearing seed, which is upon the face of all the earth, and every tree, in the which is the fruit of a tree yielding seed; to you it shall be for meat."
THE PATTERN: Most addictions begin with people wanting to feel good; to feel at peace, but almost anything we do can become an addiction, especially when it serves our purpose. It doesn't matter whether it's drugs, alcohol, exercise, sex, movies, eating, not eating, people, knitting, or chewing your nails. When it becomes something you feel compelled to do, it's a pattern. The key is to notice how you feel if you stop the behavior. Can you stopl? If you can't, then you know you've got an addictive pattern running. If you can stop for brief periods, how do you feel? What's the first feeling that surfaces? Generally the first thing that surfaces is a fear of feeling. It's the fear that says "If I stop doing XYZ and feel my pain, something bad will happen." The "something bad" might be repercussions you actually suffered at the hands of your parents, etc. Or it may be just that your pain will surface, and for some of us, that's bad enough. The things we've avoided for so long are sometimes horrifying to face.
GETTING WHAT YOU NEED: Eat well, and enough. Take Herbal formulas, vitamin supplements, amino acids, especially if your addiction is to drugs or alcohol. Drink plenty of water. If you can't stand the taste of plain water, put a little lemon in it. Water can help flush toxins out of your system.
We are on a health care revolution as profound as civil rights or feminism. All over, I see an uprising fueled by courageous people, demanding that their spiritual and intuitive voices be honored in the healing process. Attitudes are shifting. I meet people everywhere who rail against the icy sterility of technological advances alone, no matter how miraculous the "cure" when simple kindness, love, and awe for our inner spirituality is sacrificed healing can only temporary.
Our passion here at Alternatives- A Health Resource® and Helping Hands Ministry® is to bring spirituality and intuition into mainstream medicine. From here we can choose from the best of both worlds. A clear connection with a compassionate God, can help us heal. Intuition is the spiritual language that links our head with our hearts, and thus to the potential of wellness. It is essential that we develop positive beliefs about healing in addition to a love for the body, an appreciation of the body's subtle energy system (Chinese medical practitioners call it "chi"), and also learn to access inner guidance by listening to the Spirit who is our constant companion and our comfort. With these tools, we can maintain optimal health and better face any health challenges that may arise.
In the following pages we hope to bring you closer to the essence of alleviating compulsive behavior by using the tools that God has given us. In GENESIS 1:29, God says, "Behold I have given you every herb bearing seed, which is upon the face of all the earth, and every tree, in the which is the fruit of a tree yielding seed; to you it shall be for meat."
THE PATTERN: Most addictions begin with people wanting to feel good; to feel at peace, but almost anything we do can become an addiction, especially when it serves our purpose. It doesn't matter whether it's drugs, alcohol, exercise, sex, movies, eating, not eating, people, knitting, or chewing your nails. When it becomes something you feel compelled to do, it's a pattern. The key is to notice how you feel if you stop the behavior. Can you stopl? If you can't, then you know you've got an addictive pattern running. If you can stop for brief periods, how do you feel? What's the first feeling that surfaces? Generally the first thing that surfaces is a fear of feeling. It's the fear that says "If I stop doing XYZ and feel my pain, something bad will happen." The "something bad" might be repercussions you actually suffered at the hands of your parents, etc. Or it may be just that your pain will surface, and for some of us, that's bad enough. The things we've avoided for so long are sometimes horrifying to face.
GETTING WHAT YOU NEED: Eat well, and enough. Take Herbal formulas, vitamin supplements, amino acids, especially if your addiction is to drugs or alcohol. Drink plenty of water. If you can't stand the taste of plain water, put a little lemon in it. Water can help flush toxins out of your system.
Saturday, 16 May 2009
Dick & Rick Hoyt
Leading on from a previous post, I managed to get the video of possibly the most inspiring video I think I have ever had the pleasure of watching, truly beautiful..
Overcoming Panic Attacks Naturally
What To Do?
Overcoming Panic Attacks is a rather difficult thing to do, when you feel that everything around you is against you.
Do not fear, learn how you and I can overcome this attack with 5 simple yet powerful steps to remember during an attack.
Even though during a panic attack it is hard to remember what to do anything, it is the most vital importance that you remember these 5 steps prior to an attack in order to assist you...
Overcoming Panic Attacks Step #1 - Realize What It Actually IS
When an attack is about to happen, it is advisable that you realize what this anxiety is actually about.
It does not matter how you frightened you feel, bewildered, unreal or trapped...
This panic attack is nothing more than an exaggeration of the normal body reacts to stress.
And just because you are experiencing this sensation, does not mean that you are sick. And it is important to remember that these feelings are just unpleasant and can be frightening. BUT, it is not dangerous. It won't harm you in any way.
Overcoming Panic Attacks Step #2 - Don't Run
Let panic come. You heard me... Let them come. They have been in charge of you for long enough. It is time you face them.
Don't Run.
Find a quiet place.And when the panic builds up, take deep breaths, and as you exhale, let it go. Don't fight the feeling of panic. Accept it and let it go.
It is important to remember that you don't run. Find a quite place. Don't run off to you car and run home. Face it, accept it, deal with it. and let it go.
Overcoming Panic Attacks Step #3 - Stop Feeling Sorry For Yourself
I know that it is easy to indulge in self pity in the state of panic and make others feel sorry for you. STOP. Believe in yourself is the only way out of this. Stop saying, "Why me?"
Just accept what is happening to you. If you are able to do this, what you most fear will certainly will not happen.
It is important to take control of you body and emotion. Stop thinking that something bad will happen and you need to get out. Take deep breaths and tell your self that you are not going to faint, lose control or die.
Overcoming Panic Attacks Step #4 - Positive Thoughts Go a Long Way
Now that you are staying in one place and you are not running, start implementing positive thoughts in your mind. Focus and what makes you happy. At this phase, other have found strength to overcome panic, and when you achieve that by slowly putting in happy thoughts, you will soon realize that panic is slowly letting you go.
At this time it is a perfect place to conquer over panic. Make yourself think, even when you are in a quite place, alone with panic, you are victorious! And one of these days you WILL eventually bring panic to the ground! Think about how good progress you have done. You are in control of the situation.
Overcoming Panic Attacks Step #5 - Smile, It's All Over
When panic is beginning to subside, distract yourself from what you feel and look around the people around you. They are with you, NOT against you.
When it finally subsides, let your body loose and take deep breaths, and go on with your day. Don't forget to smile, because you have done an excellent job in overcoming panic attacks.
Remember, each time you overcome panic attacks and anxiety, you reduce your fear.
Overcoming Panic Attacks is a rather difficult thing to do, when you feel that everything around you is against you.
Do not fear, learn how you and I can overcome this attack with 5 simple yet powerful steps to remember during an attack.
Even though during a panic attack it is hard to remember what to do anything, it is the most vital importance that you remember these 5 steps prior to an attack in order to assist you...
Overcoming Panic Attacks Step #1 - Realize What It Actually IS
When an attack is about to happen, it is advisable that you realize what this anxiety is actually about.
It does not matter how you frightened you feel, bewildered, unreal or trapped...
This panic attack is nothing more than an exaggeration of the normal body reacts to stress.
And just because you are experiencing this sensation, does not mean that you are sick. And it is important to remember that these feelings are just unpleasant and can be frightening. BUT, it is not dangerous. It won't harm you in any way.
Overcoming Panic Attacks Step #2 - Don't Run
Let panic come. You heard me... Let them come. They have been in charge of you for long enough. It is time you face them.
Don't Run.
Find a quiet place.And when the panic builds up, take deep breaths, and as you exhale, let it go. Don't fight the feeling of panic. Accept it and let it go.
It is important to remember that you don't run. Find a quite place. Don't run off to you car and run home. Face it, accept it, deal with it. and let it go.
Overcoming Panic Attacks Step #3 - Stop Feeling Sorry For Yourself
I know that it is easy to indulge in self pity in the state of panic and make others feel sorry for you. STOP. Believe in yourself is the only way out of this. Stop saying, "Why me?"
Just accept what is happening to you. If you are able to do this, what you most fear will certainly will not happen.
It is important to take control of you body and emotion. Stop thinking that something bad will happen and you need to get out. Take deep breaths and tell your self that you are not going to faint, lose control or die.
Overcoming Panic Attacks Step #4 - Positive Thoughts Go a Long Way
Now that you are staying in one place and you are not running, start implementing positive thoughts in your mind. Focus and what makes you happy. At this phase, other have found strength to overcome panic, and when you achieve that by slowly putting in happy thoughts, you will soon realize that panic is slowly letting you go.
At this time it is a perfect place to conquer over panic. Make yourself think, even when you are in a quite place, alone with panic, you are victorious! And one of these days you WILL eventually bring panic to the ground! Think about how good progress you have done. You are in control of the situation.
Overcoming Panic Attacks Step #5 - Smile, It's All Over
When panic is beginning to subside, distract yourself from what you feel and look around the people around you. They are with you, NOT against you.
When it finally subsides, let your body loose and take deep breaths, and go on with your day. Don't forget to smile, because you have done an excellent job in overcoming panic attacks.
Remember, each time you overcome panic attacks and anxiety, you reduce your fear.
Friday, 15 May 2009
A Sandpiper To Bring You Joy
She was six years old when I first met her on the beach near where I live. I drive to this beach, a distance of three or four miles, whenever the world begins to close in on me. She was building a sandcastle or something and looked up, her eyes as blue as the sea.
"Hello," she said.
I answered with a nod, not really in the mood to bother with a small child.
"I'm building," she said.
"I see that. What is it?" I asked, not caring.
"Oh, I don't know, I just like the feel of sand."
That sounds good, I thought, and slipped off my shoes. A sandpiper glided by.
"That's a joy," the child said.
"It's a what?"
"It's a joy. My mama says sandpipers come to bring us joy."
The bird went gliding down the beach.
"Good-bye joy,"
I muttered to myself, "hello pain," and turned to walk on.
I was depressed; my life seemed completely out of balance.
"What's your name?" She wouldn't give up.
"Robert," I answered. "I'm Robert Peterson."
"Mine's Wendy... I'm six."
"Hi, Wendy." She giggled.
"You're funny," she said.
In spite of my gloom I laughed too and walked on. Her musical giggle followed me.
"Come again, Mr. P," she called. "We'll have another happy day."
The days and weeks that followed belonged to others: a group of unruly Boy Scouts, PTA meetings, an ailing mother. The sun was shining one morning as I took my hands out of the dishwater.
"I need a sandpiper," I said to myself, gathering up my coat.
The ever-changing balm of the seashore awaited me. The breeze was chilly, but I strode along, trying to recapture the serenity I needed. I had forgotten the child and was startled when she appeared....
"Hello, Mr. P," she said. "Do you want to play?"
"What did you have in mind?" I asked, with a twinge of annoyance.
"I don't know, you say."
"How about charades?" I asked sarcastically.
The tinkling laughter burst forth again.
"I don't know what that is."
"Then let's just walk." Looking at her, I noticed the delicate fairness of her face.
"Where do you live?" I asked.
"Over there." She pointed toward a row of summer cottages.
Strange, I thought, in winter.
"Where do you go to school?"
"I don't go to school. Mommy says we're on vacation." She chattered little girl talk as we strolled up the beach, but my mind was on other things. When I left for home, Wendy said it had been a happy day. Feeling surprisingly better, I smiled at her and agreed.
Three weeks later, I rushed to my beach in a state of near panic. I was in no mood to even greet Wendy. I thought I saw her mother on the porch and felt like demanding she keep her child at home.
"Look, if you don't mind," I said crossly when Wendy caught up with me, "I'd rather be alone today."
She seemed unusually pale and out of breath.
"Why?" she asked.
I turned to her and shouted, "Because my mother died!" and thought, my God, why was I saying this to a little child?
"Oh," she said quietly, "then this is a bad day."
"Yes," I said, "and yesterday and the day before and-oh, go away!"
"Did it hurt? " she inquired.
"Did what hurt?" I was exasperated with her, with myself.
"When she died?" "Of course it hurt!!!!" I snapped, misunderstanding, wrapped up in myself. I strode off.
A month or so after that, when I next went to the beach, she wasn't there. Feeling guilty, ashamed and admitting to myself I missed her, I went up to the cottage after my walk and knocked at the door. A drawn looking young woman with honey-colored hair opened the door.
"Hello," I said. "I'm Robert Peterson. I missed your little girl today and wondered where she was."
"Oh yes, Mr. Peterson, please come in. Wendy spoke of you so much. I'm afraid I allowed her to bother you. If she was a nuisance, please, accept my apologies." "Not at all - she's a delightful child," I said, suddenly realizing that I meant it.
"Where is she?"
"Wendy died last week, Mr. Peterson. She had leukemia. Maybe she didn't tell you."
Struck dumb, I groped for a chair. My breath caught.
"She loved this beach; so when she asked to come, we couldn't say no. She seemed so much better here and had a lot of what she called happy days. But the last few weeks, she declined rapidly..." her voice faltered. "She left something for you ... if only I can find it. Could you wait a moment while I look?"
I nodded stupidly, my mind racing for something, anything, to say to this lovely young woman. She handed me a smeared envelope, with MR. P printed in bold, childish letters. Inside was a drawing in bright crayon hues - a yellow beach, a blue sea, and a brown bird.
Underneath was carefully printed:
A SANDPIPER TO BRING YOU JOY.
Tears welled up in my eyes, and a heart that had almost forgotten to love opened wide. I took Wendy's mother in my arms.
"I'm so sorry, I'm sorry, I'm so sorry," I muttered over and over, and we wept together.
The precious little picture is framed now and hangs in my study.
Six Words - one for each year of her life - that speak to me of harmony, courage, undemanding love. A gift from a child with sea-blue eyes and hair the color of sand - who taught me the gift of love.
"Hello," she said.
I answered with a nod, not really in the mood to bother with a small child.
"I'm building," she said.
"I see that. What is it?" I asked, not caring.
"Oh, I don't know, I just like the feel of sand."
That sounds good, I thought, and slipped off my shoes. A sandpiper glided by.
"That's a joy," the child said.
"It's a what?"
"It's a joy. My mama says sandpipers come to bring us joy."
The bird went gliding down the beach.
"Good-bye joy,"
I muttered to myself, "hello pain," and turned to walk on.
I was depressed; my life seemed completely out of balance.
"What's your name?" She wouldn't give up.
"Robert," I answered. "I'm Robert Peterson."
"Mine's Wendy... I'm six."
"Hi, Wendy." She giggled.
"You're funny," she said.
In spite of my gloom I laughed too and walked on. Her musical giggle followed me.
"Come again, Mr. P," she called. "We'll have another happy day."
The days and weeks that followed belonged to others: a group of unruly Boy Scouts, PTA meetings, an ailing mother. The sun was shining one morning as I took my hands out of the dishwater.
"I need a sandpiper," I said to myself, gathering up my coat.
The ever-changing balm of the seashore awaited me. The breeze was chilly, but I strode along, trying to recapture the serenity I needed. I had forgotten the child and was startled when she appeared....
"Hello, Mr. P," she said. "Do you want to play?"
"What did you have in mind?" I asked, with a twinge of annoyance.
"I don't know, you say."
"How about charades?" I asked sarcastically.
The tinkling laughter burst forth again.
"I don't know what that is."
"Then let's just walk." Looking at her, I noticed the delicate fairness of her face.
"Where do you live?" I asked.
"Over there." She pointed toward a row of summer cottages.
Strange, I thought, in winter.
"Where do you go to school?"
"I don't go to school. Mommy says we're on vacation." She chattered little girl talk as we strolled up the beach, but my mind was on other things. When I left for home, Wendy said it had been a happy day. Feeling surprisingly better, I smiled at her and agreed.
Three weeks later, I rushed to my beach in a state of near panic. I was in no mood to even greet Wendy. I thought I saw her mother on the porch and felt like demanding she keep her child at home.
"Look, if you don't mind," I said crossly when Wendy caught up with me, "I'd rather be alone today."
She seemed unusually pale and out of breath.
"Why?" she asked.
I turned to her and shouted, "Because my mother died!" and thought, my God, why was I saying this to a little child?
"Oh," she said quietly, "then this is a bad day."
"Yes," I said, "and yesterday and the day before and-oh, go away!"
"Did it hurt? " she inquired.
"Did what hurt?" I was exasperated with her, with myself.
"When she died?" "Of course it hurt!!!!" I snapped, misunderstanding, wrapped up in myself. I strode off.
A month or so after that, when I next went to the beach, she wasn't there. Feeling guilty, ashamed and admitting to myself I missed her, I went up to the cottage after my walk and knocked at the door. A drawn looking young woman with honey-colored hair opened the door.
"Hello," I said. "I'm Robert Peterson. I missed your little girl today and wondered where she was."
"Oh yes, Mr. Peterson, please come in. Wendy spoke of you so much. I'm afraid I allowed her to bother you. If she was a nuisance, please, accept my apologies." "Not at all - she's a delightful child," I said, suddenly realizing that I meant it.
"Where is she?"
"Wendy died last week, Mr. Peterson. She had leukemia. Maybe she didn't tell you."
Struck dumb, I groped for a chair. My breath caught.
"She loved this beach; so when she asked to come, we couldn't say no. She seemed so much better here and had a lot of what she called happy days. But the last few weeks, she declined rapidly..." her voice faltered. "She left something for you ... if only I can find it. Could you wait a moment while I look?"
I nodded stupidly, my mind racing for something, anything, to say to this lovely young woman. She handed me a smeared envelope, with MR. P printed in bold, childish letters. Inside was a drawing in bright crayon hues - a yellow beach, a blue sea, and a brown bird.
Underneath was carefully printed:
A SANDPIPER TO BRING YOU JOY.
Tears welled up in my eyes, and a heart that had almost forgotten to love opened wide. I took Wendy's mother in my arms.
"I'm so sorry, I'm sorry, I'm so sorry," I muttered over and over, and we wept together.
The precious little picture is framed now and hangs in my study.
Six Words - one for each year of her life - that speak to me of harmony, courage, undemanding love. A gift from a child with sea-blue eyes and hair the color of sand - who taught me the gift of love.
Life Quote
Most of the shadows of this life are caused by our standing in our own sunshine.
Ralph Waldo Emerson
Ralph Waldo Emerson
Thursday, 14 May 2009
Vitamins And Their Functions
Vitamins are essential for our ongoing good health, and are most effective when consumed in fresh, natural foods or good high quality supplements. Functions of some of the more common vitamins and their prevalent food sources are listed below in our list of vitamins.
Some people may not completely absorb or properly assimilate vitamins from their diet. Pollution, poor nutrition, illness, prolonged periods of stress and some medical treatments deplete our body's vitamin stores and can interfere with vitamin absorption. These situations may call for vitamin supplements to ensure that our body stores and reserves are kept full and remain so if we are to enjoy continued good health.
Sources of Vitamin A
The foods, which contains carotene or beta-carotene, are excellent source of vitamin A, like carrot, mango, spinach, Papaya, Red bell paper etc. Actually, beta-carotene is precursor of vitamin A. It transforms to vitamin A within body.
Functions of vitamin A
It plays important role on vision, growth and development. We need vitamin A for maintenance of skin; hair and mucous membrane of body .It also act as antioxidant, which required for neutralizing free radicals found in body and cause damage to body tissue.
Sources of vitamin B Complex
Cheese, milk, yeast, oatmeal, whole grains, sprouted lentils, green vegetables, fishes and chickens are excellent source of vitamin B complex.
Functions of vitamin B Complex
•Vitamin B1 or thiamine is necessary for starch metabolism, maintains health of nervous system.
•Vitamin B2 or riboflavin required for metabolism of carbohydrate, fat, protein. It helps in repairing nails and hair.
•Vitamin B3 or niacin is necessary for synthesis of sex hormone and vital for nervous system. It reduces serum cholesterol.
•Vitamin B12 is essential for proper functioning of cells, especially for bone marrow and nervous tissue. It also helps in formation of red blood cell. Deficiency of this vitamin leads to anemia.
Sources of vitamin C
All citrus fruits are excellent source of vitamin C. Tomatoes, green vegetables, chilies are other source of vitamin C.
Functions of vitamin C
It works as an antioxidants and removes free radicals from body. It also helps to stop bleeding from gum, nose. It assists to prevent common cold.
Sources of vitamin D
Dairy product, eggs, fishes as Herring and Mackerel are sources of vitamin D.
Functions of vitamin D
Vitamin D helps in absorption calcium and phosphorous. It helps in growth of bone, teeth and muscle and maintains functioning of nervous system.
Sources of vitamin E
Vegetable oil, nuts and fortified cereals are sources of vitamin E.
Functions of vitamin E
It prevents blood clotting. It also act as antioxidant, thus helps cells and tissues from damaging.
Some people may not completely absorb or properly assimilate vitamins from their diet. Pollution, poor nutrition, illness, prolonged periods of stress and some medical treatments deplete our body's vitamin stores and can interfere with vitamin absorption. These situations may call for vitamin supplements to ensure that our body stores and reserves are kept full and remain so if we are to enjoy continued good health.
Sources of Vitamin A
The foods, which contains carotene or beta-carotene, are excellent source of vitamin A, like carrot, mango, spinach, Papaya, Red bell paper etc. Actually, beta-carotene is precursor of vitamin A. It transforms to vitamin A within body.
Functions of vitamin A
It plays important role on vision, growth and development. We need vitamin A for maintenance of skin; hair and mucous membrane of body .It also act as antioxidant, which required for neutralizing free radicals found in body and cause damage to body tissue.
Sources of vitamin B Complex
Cheese, milk, yeast, oatmeal, whole grains, sprouted lentils, green vegetables, fishes and chickens are excellent source of vitamin B complex.
Functions of vitamin B Complex
•Vitamin B1 or thiamine is necessary for starch metabolism, maintains health of nervous system.
•Vitamin B2 or riboflavin required for metabolism of carbohydrate, fat, protein. It helps in repairing nails and hair.
•Vitamin B3 or niacin is necessary for synthesis of sex hormone and vital for nervous system. It reduces serum cholesterol.
•Vitamin B12 is essential for proper functioning of cells, especially for bone marrow and nervous tissue. It also helps in formation of red blood cell. Deficiency of this vitamin leads to anemia.
Sources of vitamin C
All citrus fruits are excellent source of vitamin C. Tomatoes, green vegetables, chilies are other source of vitamin C.
Functions of vitamin C
It works as an antioxidants and removes free radicals from body. It also helps to stop bleeding from gum, nose. It assists to prevent common cold.
Sources of vitamin D
Dairy product, eggs, fishes as Herring and Mackerel are sources of vitamin D.
Functions of vitamin D
Vitamin D helps in absorption calcium and phosphorous. It helps in growth of bone, teeth and muscle and maintains functioning of nervous system.
Sources of vitamin E
Vegetable oil, nuts and fortified cereals are sources of vitamin E.
Functions of vitamin E
It prevents blood clotting. It also act as antioxidant, thus helps cells and tissues from damaging.
Baking Soda For Health And Beauty
Baking soda(sodium bicarbonate) has many uses beneficial to both health and beauty. Here is an article describing some of these uses. One not listed here is the use of baking soda for nasal rinsing. For spray bottle solution all you will need is a half teaspoon of baking soda and a half teaspoon of non-iodized salt, then spray into each nostril while tilting your head. Alternatively you can just put a pich of non-iodized salt, pinch of baking soda on the palm of your hand with a little warm water and inhale, repeating as necessary to clean out the sinuses. This may sting a little at first but is worth the benefits in the long run. Remember, baking soda works as an anti-fungal so will not only relieve and fight sinusitis but also protect against any nasty fungal invasions.
Enjoy the article
Baking soda was one of the few products many years ago on the market for cleaning your teeth or settling an upset stomach. While we have many more choices today, baking soda still does the trick for these and dozens of other health and beauty tasks. Try it for shaving and shampooing, for minor burns and cuts, or for relaxation in the bath. In this article, you will see that baking soda can be a key ingredient in your health and beauty routine. Let's start at the top with your hair.
Squeaky clean hair: Add a teaspoon of baking soda to your usual shampoo bottle to help remove buildup from conditioners, mousses, and sprays, and to improve manageability.
In emergencies, use baking soda as a dry shampoo on oily hair. Sprinkle on your hair and comb through, then fluff with a blow dryer.
Chlorine remover: Rinse hair with 1/2 teaspoon baking soda in 1 pint water to remove the dullness or discoloration caused by chlorinated pools.
Combs and brushes: Hair spray and oil buildup on combs and brushes can be removed by soaking them in a sink of warm water and adding 3 tablespoons baking soda and 3 tablespoons bleach.
Skin
The elements can do a lot of damage to skin. Baking soda can be a friend to your skin.
Hands: Remove fish, onion, or garlic odor from hands with a solution of 3 parts baking soda to 1 part water or liquid soap. Rub mixture in your hands, and rinse off.
Elbows: Rub a baking-soda paste onto your elbows to smooth away rough skin.
Feet: Soak tired feet in a basin of warm water with 3 tablespoons baking soda.
Add 4 tablespoons baking soda to 1 quart warm water, and soak feet for 10 minutes to relieve foot itch.
Smooth rough and hardened calluses and heels by massaging them with a paste of 3 parts baking soda per 1 part water.
Soothe minor mishaps: For sunburn pain, saturate a washcloth with a solution of 4 tablespoons baking soda in 1 quart water. Apply to affected area.
Ease windburn or poison ivy irritation with a paste of 3 parts baking soda and 1 part water. Do not use on broken skin.
Relaxing baths: Baking soda added to the bathwater has a softening effect on the skin. Add 1/2 cup to a full bath.
Make bubbling bath salts with 21/2 cups baking soda, 2 cups cream of tartar, and 1/2 cup cornstarch. Mix them together, and store in a covered container. Use 1/4 cup per bath.
Relieve itchy wintery skin in a bath with 1 cup baking soda and 11/4 cups baby oil in the water.
Sponge bath: Freshen up with a washcloth dipped in a solution of 4 tablespoons baking soda to 1 quart water.
Deoderant: Apply cornstarch to your underarms with a powder puff first, then apply the baking soda.
Homemade Antacid With Baking Soda
Take 1/2 teaspoon baking soda in 1/2 glass of water to relieve acid indigestion or heartburn. Read antacid use information on the baking soda package before using.
Warning: People who must restrict salt intake should not use baking soda as an antacid. Do not take for nausea, stomachache, gas, cramps, or distention from overeating.
Nail Care
Clean fingernails and toenails by scrubbing them with a nailbrush dipped in baking soda. This also softens cuticles.
Tooth & Mouth Care
Baking soda is a traditional item in old-fashioned toothpaste. You can still use it today.
Toothpaste: Mix 3 parts baking soda with 1 part salt. Add 3 teaspoons of glycerin. Add 10 to 20 drops of flavoring (peppermint, wintergreen, anise, or cinnamon) and enough water to make a paste. Spoon into a small, refillable squeeze bottle.
Sprinkle baking soda into your palm, dip a damp toothbrush into it, and brush your teeth.
Refreshing mouthwash: To freshen breath, use 1 teaspoon baking soda in 1/2 glass of water, swish the solution through your teeth, and rinse.
Dentures and other dental appliances: Soak dentures in a solution of 2 teaspoons baking soda dissolved in warm water.
Use baking soda to soak athletic mouthguards, retainers, or other oral appliances.
Scrub dentures, mouthguards, and retainers with a toothbrush dipped in baking soda.
Soak toothbrushes in a baking-soda solution overnight.
Facial Care
Baking soda can also do wonders for your face.
Exfoliating: Make a paste of 3 parts baking soda to 1 part water, and use as a gentle, exfoliating facial scrub after washing with soap and water. Rinse your face clean.
Mix baking soda with oatmeal in your blender; it makes a great facial scrub.
Shaving: Men with sensitive skin may find that a solution of 1 tablespoon baking soda in 1 cup water makes a great preshave treatment or a soothing aftershave rinse.
For instant relief of razor burn, dab on a baking-soda solution.
As you've seen, baking soda is a valuable asset in your health and beauty routine. Keep some in your medicine cabinet.
Publications International, Ltd.
Enjoy the article
Baking soda was one of the few products many years ago on the market for cleaning your teeth or settling an upset stomach. While we have many more choices today, baking soda still does the trick for these and dozens of other health and beauty tasks. Try it for shaving and shampooing, for minor burns and cuts, or for relaxation in the bath. In this article, you will see that baking soda can be a key ingredient in your health and beauty routine. Let's start at the top with your hair.
Squeaky clean hair: Add a teaspoon of baking soda to your usual shampoo bottle to help remove buildup from conditioners, mousses, and sprays, and to improve manageability.
In emergencies, use baking soda as a dry shampoo on oily hair. Sprinkle on your hair and comb through, then fluff with a blow dryer.
Chlorine remover: Rinse hair with 1/2 teaspoon baking soda in 1 pint water to remove the dullness or discoloration caused by chlorinated pools.
Combs and brushes: Hair spray and oil buildup on combs and brushes can be removed by soaking them in a sink of warm water and adding 3 tablespoons baking soda and 3 tablespoons bleach.
Skin
The elements can do a lot of damage to skin. Baking soda can be a friend to your skin.
Hands: Remove fish, onion, or garlic odor from hands with a solution of 3 parts baking soda to 1 part water or liquid soap. Rub mixture in your hands, and rinse off.
Elbows: Rub a baking-soda paste onto your elbows to smooth away rough skin.
Feet: Soak tired feet in a basin of warm water with 3 tablespoons baking soda.
Add 4 tablespoons baking soda to 1 quart warm water, and soak feet for 10 minutes to relieve foot itch.
Smooth rough and hardened calluses and heels by massaging them with a paste of 3 parts baking soda per 1 part water.
Soothe minor mishaps: For sunburn pain, saturate a washcloth with a solution of 4 tablespoons baking soda in 1 quart water. Apply to affected area.
Ease windburn or poison ivy irritation with a paste of 3 parts baking soda and 1 part water. Do not use on broken skin.
Relaxing baths: Baking soda added to the bathwater has a softening effect on the skin. Add 1/2 cup to a full bath.
Make bubbling bath salts with 21/2 cups baking soda, 2 cups cream of tartar, and 1/2 cup cornstarch. Mix them together, and store in a covered container. Use 1/4 cup per bath.
Relieve itchy wintery skin in a bath with 1 cup baking soda and 11/4 cups baby oil in the water.
Sponge bath: Freshen up with a washcloth dipped in a solution of 4 tablespoons baking soda to 1 quart water.
Deoderant: Apply cornstarch to your underarms with a powder puff first, then apply the baking soda.
Homemade Antacid With Baking Soda
Take 1/2 teaspoon baking soda in 1/2 glass of water to relieve acid indigestion or heartburn. Read antacid use information on the baking soda package before using.
Warning: People who must restrict salt intake should not use baking soda as an antacid. Do not take for nausea, stomachache, gas, cramps, or distention from overeating.
Nail Care
Clean fingernails and toenails by scrubbing them with a nailbrush dipped in baking soda. This also softens cuticles.
Tooth & Mouth Care
Baking soda is a traditional item in old-fashioned toothpaste. You can still use it today.
Toothpaste: Mix 3 parts baking soda with 1 part salt. Add 3 teaspoons of glycerin. Add 10 to 20 drops of flavoring (peppermint, wintergreen, anise, or cinnamon) and enough water to make a paste. Spoon into a small, refillable squeeze bottle.
Sprinkle baking soda into your palm, dip a damp toothbrush into it, and brush your teeth.
Refreshing mouthwash: To freshen breath, use 1 teaspoon baking soda in 1/2 glass of water, swish the solution through your teeth, and rinse.
Dentures and other dental appliances: Soak dentures in a solution of 2 teaspoons baking soda dissolved in warm water.
Use baking soda to soak athletic mouthguards, retainers, or other oral appliances.
Scrub dentures, mouthguards, and retainers with a toothbrush dipped in baking soda.
Soak toothbrushes in a baking-soda solution overnight.
Facial Care
Baking soda can also do wonders for your face.
Exfoliating: Make a paste of 3 parts baking soda to 1 part water, and use as a gentle, exfoliating facial scrub after washing with soap and water. Rinse your face clean.
Mix baking soda with oatmeal in your blender; it makes a great facial scrub.
Shaving: Men with sensitive skin may find that a solution of 1 tablespoon baking soda in 1 cup water makes a great preshave treatment or a soothing aftershave rinse.
For instant relief of razor burn, dab on a baking-soda solution.
As you've seen, baking soda is a valuable asset in your health and beauty routine. Keep some in your medicine cabinet.
Publications International, Ltd.
Tuesday, 12 May 2009
Avoid These Ingredients
By Jillita Horton
If you spot any of these in the ingredients list, put the merchandise back on the shelf. Keep looking, and you'll be sure to find another product that will suit you just as fine, minus containing any of these unhealthy ingredients.
EDTA. This is a synthetic agent used to retain color in the food. The FDA is currently studying this for toxicity. Why would you want to ingest something that's being studied for toxicity?
Potassium bromate. This "dough conditioner" is found in bread. Isn't "conditioner" supposed to apply to a hair product?
Sodium steroyl-2-lactylate. Another synthetic dough conditioner. Dough conditioners are a non-essential food ingredient. Bread without dough conditioners tastes just as good -- if not better, than bread with chemicals.
Brominated vegetable oil. Bromates are toxic and linked to central nervous system dysfunction.
Hydrogenated or partially hydrogenated oil. Hydrogenation involves adding hydrogen atoms to the oil, changing its properties. This change includes raising trans fat levels. Trans fats are just plain bad for the human body.
Oxystearin. This synthetic fatty acid is found in vegetable oils. It's purpose? To prevent the oils from clouding in the refrigerator.
Bleached flour. The process of bleaching-which involves harsh chemical oxidizers-removes some of the nutrients in the flour.
Bromated flour. The only words that should come before "flour" are, for example, "whole wheat" or "spelt."
TBHQ. This synthetic, petroleum-based substance is used for extending the shelf life of food.
Tartrazine, astaxanthin, and "nature identical" colors. All of these are artificial coloring agents.
Disodium guanylate, disodium inositate, and monosodium glutamate (MSG). These are artificial flavorings. MSG is linked to headaches and nausea, and is a very common food ingredient.
If you spot any of these in the ingredients list, put the merchandise back on the shelf. Keep looking, and you'll be sure to find another product that will suit you just as fine, minus containing any of these unhealthy ingredients.
EDTA. This is a synthetic agent used to retain color in the food. The FDA is currently studying this for toxicity. Why would you want to ingest something that's being studied for toxicity?
Potassium bromate. This "dough conditioner" is found in bread. Isn't "conditioner" supposed to apply to a hair product?
Sodium steroyl-2-lactylate. Another synthetic dough conditioner. Dough conditioners are a non-essential food ingredient. Bread without dough conditioners tastes just as good -- if not better, than bread with chemicals.
Brominated vegetable oil. Bromates are toxic and linked to central nervous system dysfunction.
Hydrogenated or partially hydrogenated oil. Hydrogenation involves adding hydrogen atoms to the oil, changing its properties. This change includes raising trans fat levels. Trans fats are just plain bad for the human body.
Oxystearin. This synthetic fatty acid is found in vegetable oils. It's purpose? To prevent the oils from clouding in the refrigerator.
Bleached flour. The process of bleaching-which involves harsh chemical oxidizers-removes some of the nutrients in the flour.
Bromated flour. The only words that should come before "flour" are, for example, "whole wheat" or "spelt."
TBHQ. This synthetic, petroleum-based substance is used for extending the shelf life of food.
Tartrazine, astaxanthin, and "nature identical" colors. All of these are artificial coloring agents.
Disodium guanylate, disodium inositate, and monosodium glutamate (MSG). These are artificial flavorings. MSG is linked to headaches and nausea, and is a very common food ingredient.
Combat Depression Naturally
By Erleen Tilton
In today's world, there are many who suffer from depression and other emotional disorders, and it is truly astounded to see the many individuals who are on depression medications.
Recently an individual came back home after living two years in a South American country. He was amongst people who were in great poverty conditions. They had very little means, but these were happy, happy people. After his return, he was so distraught to find that many of his family members, neighbors and friends, who have everything in life, are often depressed and on depression medication. When we as a people have almost everything we need at our fingertips, why might we possibly have such a high rate of depression amongst us?
First, we must understand that our body is a system. If we feed our system properly and give it the proper nutrition, it will function properly. If our system is lacking vital nutrients, we experience unwanted and unnecessary disorders. Many individuals in North America and other prosperous countries are greatly lacking vital nutrients in the foods they eat which is one of the main reasons there is such a high rate of common disorders such as depression. You may question the diet of those in South American countries then. They don't subsist on empty, processed foods, but simple common foods. It's actually better to have a few simple foods to eat, than to have an abundance of refined foods that have no nutritional value, just creating chemical reactions in the body!
Healthy eating is vital for combating depression:
• Eat lots of raw fruits and vegetables daily – not canned, sauced or cooked – fresh and raw! We need the high vitamin and mineral content, as well as the fiber and natural enzymes for good digestion and healthy cell building.
• Learn to daily eat whole grains (cooked or sprouted) and legumes (bean and pea family). Now "whole grains" does not simply mean whole wheat bread, but the whole cooked or sprouted grains themselves. Whole beans also means whole cooked or sprouted too. Seem unfamiliar? Take a look at the countries all over the world. Whole grains and legumes are their staples: rice (brown rice is superior), millet, barley, black beans, pinto beans, chickpeas, mung bean sprouts, etc. These contain not only the vital nutrients we need for great health, but are also great sources of protein, good carbs, and fiber for the building and cleansing of our systems.
• Drink lots of pure water daily. Our bodies are mostly water, and every body function greatly relies on water. It must be water – good pure water and not any other drink! Drink it and drink lots of it – several 8 oz. glasses a day!
• Cut out most animal products and rely more on the vegetable proteins. Think of the cow that grazes on grass all day, and has occasional grains to produce his hundred pounds of flesh protein. Greens, grains, and beans do contain those vital nutrients that our bodies need for growth and repair. And they do not contain all the harmful things we do not need: hormones, cholesterol, unhealthy fats, etc.
Second, our bodies need exercise. Even if you don’t feel like it – get on a good daily fitness program for at least 30 minutes. A brisk walk is still one of the best exercises and it doesn’t cost anything but time and commitment. Especially if you start to become depressed, energizing your system will quickly remove the depression and you will feel uplifted in no time at all. This is one of the best remedies for depression, and the investment is well worth the benefits!
Third, think positive thoughts. Take a piece of paper and list several things about you and your life such as: I am alive, I can walk, I can breathe, I can smile, I can laugh, [blank] loves me (even if it is the cat – and get a cat if necessary), I have [whatever comforts you], etc. Make the list long. Now, every time you think negatively, stop it, and read the things on your list. Repeat them over and over until they overtake your negative thoughts, and they will!
Fourth, commit to being happy because you want to be, because you have so much to be happy about! There’s always someone with more problems than you and worse off in some way, so be happy about being you. Plus, everyone likes to be around happy people, so be a happy person! Besides that, look for opportunities to make others happy. If you concentrate on helping and serving others, somehow your own problems disappear. Making others happy is ultimately the best way to be happy yourself!
People who have taken these principles and applied them have reaped the benefits of living a healthy lifestyle. Within a short time, they are off their depression medication and feeling energized without feeling depression symptoms at all. It is truly rewarding to know that depression is something that can be successfully treating both naturally and simply if you just understand a few basic health principles and apply them!
In today's world, there are many who suffer from depression and other emotional disorders, and it is truly astounded to see the many individuals who are on depression medications.
Recently an individual came back home after living two years in a South American country. He was amongst people who were in great poverty conditions. They had very little means, but these were happy, happy people. After his return, he was so distraught to find that many of his family members, neighbors and friends, who have everything in life, are often depressed and on depression medication. When we as a people have almost everything we need at our fingertips, why might we possibly have such a high rate of depression amongst us?
First, we must understand that our body is a system. If we feed our system properly and give it the proper nutrition, it will function properly. If our system is lacking vital nutrients, we experience unwanted and unnecessary disorders. Many individuals in North America and other prosperous countries are greatly lacking vital nutrients in the foods they eat which is one of the main reasons there is such a high rate of common disorders such as depression. You may question the diet of those in South American countries then. They don't subsist on empty, processed foods, but simple common foods. It's actually better to have a few simple foods to eat, than to have an abundance of refined foods that have no nutritional value, just creating chemical reactions in the body!
Healthy eating is vital for combating depression:
• Eat lots of raw fruits and vegetables daily – not canned, sauced or cooked – fresh and raw! We need the high vitamin and mineral content, as well as the fiber and natural enzymes for good digestion and healthy cell building.
• Learn to daily eat whole grains (cooked or sprouted) and legumes (bean and pea family). Now "whole grains" does not simply mean whole wheat bread, but the whole cooked or sprouted grains themselves. Whole beans also means whole cooked or sprouted too. Seem unfamiliar? Take a look at the countries all over the world. Whole grains and legumes are their staples: rice (brown rice is superior), millet, barley, black beans, pinto beans, chickpeas, mung bean sprouts, etc. These contain not only the vital nutrients we need for great health, but are also great sources of protein, good carbs, and fiber for the building and cleansing of our systems.
• Drink lots of pure water daily. Our bodies are mostly water, and every body function greatly relies on water. It must be water – good pure water and not any other drink! Drink it and drink lots of it – several 8 oz. glasses a day!
• Cut out most animal products and rely more on the vegetable proteins. Think of the cow that grazes on grass all day, and has occasional grains to produce his hundred pounds of flesh protein. Greens, grains, and beans do contain those vital nutrients that our bodies need for growth and repair. And they do not contain all the harmful things we do not need: hormones, cholesterol, unhealthy fats, etc.
Second, our bodies need exercise. Even if you don’t feel like it – get on a good daily fitness program for at least 30 minutes. A brisk walk is still one of the best exercises and it doesn’t cost anything but time and commitment. Especially if you start to become depressed, energizing your system will quickly remove the depression and you will feel uplifted in no time at all. This is one of the best remedies for depression, and the investment is well worth the benefits!
Third, think positive thoughts. Take a piece of paper and list several things about you and your life such as: I am alive, I can walk, I can breathe, I can smile, I can laugh, [blank] loves me (even if it is the cat – and get a cat if necessary), I have [whatever comforts you], etc. Make the list long. Now, every time you think negatively, stop it, and read the things on your list. Repeat them over and over until they overtake your negative thoughts, and they will!
Fourth, commit to being happy because you want to be, because you have so much to be happy about! There’s always someone with more problems than you and worse off in some way, so be happy about being you. Plus, everyone likes to be around happy people, so be a happy person! Besides that, look for opportunities to make others happy. If you concentrate on helping and serving others, somehow your own problems disappear. Making others happy is ultimately the best way to be happy yourself!
People who have taken these principles and applied them have reaped the benefits of living a healthy lifestyle. Within a short time, they are off their depression medication and feeling energized without feeling depression symptoms at all. It is truly rewarding to know that depression is something that can be successfully treating both naturally and simply if you just understand a few basic health principles and apply them!
Monday, 11 May 2009
How To Make A Vision Board
A vision board, also called a dream board, is a collage of words and pictures depicting your dreams and goals usually specific to one aspect of your life. Vision boards have received a lot of acclaim lately because of the world-famous book, "The Secret." A vision board can set you on a path to achieving dreams and goals that may have previously eluded you. The key to a successful vision board is to post it in a place where you have to look at every day and it can serve as a constant reminder of what you are working toward.
Things You'll Need:
Magazines
Scissors
Glue
Tape
Markers
Cardboard or poster board
Step 1:Gather as many magazines as you can that you are comfortable destroying. Go through each magazine looking for pictures and words that are in line with your goals. This is a fun part of the creation of your vision board. Tear out all of the pictures or words that seem relevant and place them in a pile. Keep doing this until you have a very large pile of material to choose from.
Step 2:Take the pictures and words and start laying them out on your poster board or cardboard backing. Discard anything that may no longer fit or does not work. Move things around until they fit well and look right. This is also where you may want to organize your board. For instance, if you are working on your personal goals, you may place images of a house in one corner, money and credit cards in another corner, school or continuing education in another corner and then friends or hobbies in the last corner. Many people organize their boards by themes but there are others who like to place pictures all over the board rather than assigning corners. You may want to consider leaving some space to write words that you were not able to locate in the magazines and leaving a space in the center of the board.
Step 3:Start gluing and taping. Turn over each picture or word and add glue or tape to secure it in place. Once you have finished getting everything into place, you can use a marker to draw words or images that you feel are important to your vision board.
Step 4:Place your picture in the middle of the board and make certain that it is a picture where you are smiling and happy. This is because your smiling, happy picture will be in the center of all of your dreams and goals.
Step 5:Hang your vision board in a place where you will see it every day. This should be an area in your house where you spend a lot of time or are constantly walking through. Some great locations include the back of your bedroom door, a home office, a refrigerator or a bulletin board.Looking at the board every day will cause you to always be aware of your dreams and goals.
Tips:
Remember that a large part of your success with a vision board is believing that you can do it and then figuring out how to meet your goals or achieve your dreams.You may want to consider making a different vision board for each particular goal. For example, make a vision board for your personal life, one for family goals and one for your professional goals.Anyone can make a vision board, including children.Get creative. If you cannot find a picture of what you want, draw one.You can find magazines at your local recycling center or ask your local library when they replace their magazines. Consider asking friends and relatives for their old magazines.You can make a different vision board each year for the upcoming year or just change your existing vision board.
Things You'll Need:
Magazines
Scissors
Glue
Tape
Markers
Cardboard or poster board
Step 1:Gather as many magazines as you can that you are comfortable destroying. Go through each magazine looking for pictures and words that are in line with your goals. This is a fun part of the creation of your vision board. Tear out all of the pictures or words that seem relevant and place them in a pile. Keep doing this until you have a very large pile of material to choose from.
Step 2:Take the pictures and words and start laying them out on your poster board or cardboard backing. Discard anything that may no longer fit or does not work. Move things around until they fit well and look right. This is also where you may want to organize your board. For instance, if you are working on your personal goals, you may place images of a house in one corner, money and credit cards in another corner, school or continuing education in another corner and then friends or hobbies in the last corner. Many people organize their boards by themes but there are others who like to place pictures all over the board rather than assigning corners. You may want to consider leaving some space to write words that you were not able to locate in the magazines and leaving a space in the center of the board.
Step 3:Start gluing and taping. Turn over each picture or word and add glue or tape to secure it in place. Once you have finished getting everything into place, you can use a marker to draw words or images that you feel are important to your vision board.
Step 4:Place your picture in the middle of the board and make certain that it is a picture where you are smiling and happy. This is because your smiling, happy picture will be in the center of all of your dreams and goals.
Step 5:Hang your vision board in a place where you will see it every day. This should be an area in your house where you spend a lot of time or are constantly walking through. Some great locations include the back of your bedroom door, a home office, a refrigerator or a bulletin board.Looking at the board every day will cause you to always be aware of your dreams and goals.
Tips:
Remember that a large part of your success with a vision board is believing that you can do it and then figuring out how to meet your goals or achieve your dreams.You may want to consider making a different vision board for each particular goal. For example, make a vision board for your personal life, one for family goals and one for your professional goals.Anyone can make a vision board, including children.Get creative. If you cannot find a picture of what you want, draw one.You can find magazines at your local recycling center or ask your local library when they replace their magazines. Consider asking friends and relatives for their old magazines.You can make a different vision board each year for the upcoming year or just change your existing vision board.
Sunday, 10 May 2009
The Silent Prayer
The Silent Prayer
From Tobias as channeled by Geoffrey Hoppe
The Silent Prayer is an acknowledgment of All That Is. In this prayer, I know that every prayer I have ever voiced is heard by Spirit, and that Spirit has given unto me all that I have asked for. It is an acknowledgment that my soul is complete in the love and grace of God. It is an acknowledgment of my total state of perfection and Is-ness. All that I desire, all that I wish to co-create, is already within my reality. I call this the Silent Prayer because I know that my Being is already fulfilled. There is no need to ask for anything of Spirit, because it has already been given.
In my heart, I accept my perfect Being.
I accept that the joy that I have intended is already in my life.
I accept that love I have prayed for is already within me.
I accept that the peace I have asked for is already my reality.
I accept that the abundance I have sought already fills my life.
In my truth, I accept my perfect Being.
I take responsibility for my own creations,
And all things that are within my life.
I acknowledge the power of Spirit that is within me,
And know that all things are as they should be.
In my wisdom, I accept my perfect Being.
My lessons have been carefully chosen by my Self,
And now I walk through them in full experience.
My path takes me on a sacred journey with divine purpose.
My experiences become part of All That Is.
In my knowingness, I accept my perfect Being.
In this moment, I sit in my golden chair
And know that I Am an angel of light.
I look upon the golden tray - the gift of Spirit -
And know that all of my desires already have been fulfilled.
In love for my Self, I accept my perfect Being.
I cast no judgment or burdens upon my Self.
I accept that everything in my past was given in love.
I accept that everything in this moment comes from love.
I accept that everything in my future will result in greater love.
In my Being, I accept my perfection.
And so it is.
From Tobias as channeled by Geoffrey Hoppe
The Silent Prayer is an acknowledgment of All That Is. In this prayer, I know that every prayer I have ever voiced is heard by Spirit, and that Spirit has given unto me all that I have asked for. It is an acknowledgment that my soul is complete in the love and grace of God. It is an acknowledgment of my total state of perfection and Is-ness. All that I desire, all that I wish to co-create, is already within my reality. I call this the Silent Prayer because I know that my Being is already fulfilled. There is no need to ask for anything of Spirit, because it has already been given.
In my heart, I accept my perfect Being.
I accept that the joy that I have intended is already in my life.
I accept that love I have prayed for is already within me.
I accept that the peace I have asked for is already my reality.
I accept that the abundance I have sought already fills my life.
In my truth, I accept my perfect Being.
I take responsibility for my own creations,
And all things that are within my life.
I acknowledge the power of Spirit that is within me,
And know that all things are as they should be.
In my wisdom, I accept my perfect Being.
My lessons have been carefully chosen by my Self,
And now I walk through them in full experience.
My path takes me on a sacred journey with divine purpose.
My experiences become part of All That Is.
In my knowingness, I accept my perfect Being.
In this moment, I sit in my golden chair
And know that I Am an angel of light.
I look upon the golden tray - the gift of Spirit -
And know that all of my desires already have been fulfilled.
In love for my Self, I accept my perfect Being.
I cast no judgment or burdens upon my Self.
I accept that everything in my past was given in love.
I accept that everything in this moment comes from love.
I accept that everything in my future will result in greater love.
In my Being, I accept my perfection.
And so it is.
Forgiveness
"Forgiveness is the FRAGRANCE the trampled flower gives off to the foot that crushes it"
Saturday, 9 May 2009
Creative Visualization
Creative Visualization Demystified
By Tania Kotsos
Creative visualization is the fundamental technique underlying reality creation. It is the process of using your thought power to consciously imagine, create and attract to yourself that which you choose to experience in your life. Mastering creative visualization grants you direct control over your thoughts at the subconscious level. While there are several ways to programme the subconscious mind, visualization is the most effective and its results the most rapid.
The visualization techniques outlined here will enable you to harness the creative power of your thoughts to change your circumstances and consciously choose the life you create. There are five basic steps to visualizing your choices for reality creation: Relax - Imagine - Feel - Believe - Detach. Click on each step to learn more.
Step 1 - Relax: The first step is to relax your body and empty your mind. Find a comfortable seat, sit upright, breathe deeply and steadily, count down slowly from 25 to 1 while relaxing all your muscle groups from head to toe. Empty your mind by focusing on your breathing.
Step 2 - Imagine: The second step in the creative visualization process is learning to imagine your chosen outcome. Your imagination is the engine of your thoughts. It converts your thought power into mental images. Imagine your ideal reality in the present moment, bring your pictures to life as if watching a movie, concentrate your thoughts with laser like precision and indulge all your senses.
Step 3 - Feel: The third step is to really feel what it would feel like if you already had that which you have mentally chosen in the present physical moment. Where imagination is the engine of your thoughts, your feelings are the fuel. Your e-motions are energy in motion - they bring your images to life.
Step 4 - Believe: The fourth step is to believe that you already have your mental choices in the now. The words of Jesus Christ were clear on this in Mark 11:24, "What things soever you ask for when you pray, believe that you receive them, and you shall have them". This is not about wishful thinking or lying to yourself. It is about knowing the scientific Truth behind reality creation and having the kind of faith that is the "evidence of things not seen".
Step 5 - Detach: The fifth and final step in the creative visualization process cannot be emphasized enough - detachment. Detach yourself from the outcome you have chosen to see manifest in your life. Whenever you are attached to someone or something you effectively strip yourself of your authentic power to consciously create the life you choose. You cannot be grateful or feel unconditional love or enjoy peace of mind when you are attached to the unfolding of a specific outcome, so detach, detach, detach.
Practice is Key: You must practice, practice, practice. Set aside a time each day for your creative visualizations, preferably once in the morning upon waking and once in the evening before you go to sleep. Both these times are ideal as your mind is already in a semi-relaxed state. Once you have mastered this simple five step process you will see your life transforming in miraculous ways.
Getting On With It: Once you have completed the process, get on with the rest of your day. To bring yourself back to a normal waking state, simply continue to breathe deeply and rhythmically and count up from 1 to 5 consciously waking yourself from the relaxed state and slowly opening your eyes. Alternatively of course, if you are visualizing while in bed you can allow yourself to drift off to sleep.
Leave the How up to the Universe: The focus of your visualizations must be on the outcome, not the process. Once you accept the Truth about your thought power and that you are one with the One Universal Mind you will be able to release any need to control the process. Instructing the all-knowing Universe "how" you want things to come about is telling Omniscience that you know better.
Take Inspired Action: Although the creative visualization process is one based on relaxation, physical action is required to successfully manifest your mental choices. The key to taking action is to take only inspired action. This is not to sit and wait for the proverbial penny to drop and nor is it to run around in a frenzied state doing everything you can possibly think of doing in the hope that something works. It is about being calm and deliberate in the action you take, knowing that it is taking you toward your chosen outcome. It is about listening to your intuition and following your natural instinct.
The Mind Works With Feedback: The more feedback you give your mind the easier it is to accept and internalise a new concept. If you are new to the idea that you create your reality with your thoughts, then it is natural that your mind may demand some proof. It is a great leap of faith to go from the belief that "things just happen to me" to "I make things happen". This is why it is best to start with something simple.
A favourite creative visualization exercise for beginners is to manifest a blue feather as in Richard Bach's book Illusions. Using the basic visualization steps, imagine a blue feather. Then think about it as often as you can for a day or two without obsessing over manifesting it. You will find that you will experience a blue feather in some way in your physical world within a very short period of time. Have fun with the process. Persevere but if you do not see your feather, let it go and come back to it later rather than become frustrated.
The more you experiment like this and succeed in manifesting simple things, the more the synapses will fire in your brain, creating a solid belief around the truth that you create your reality. Once you believe it in practice and not just in theory, then you are pretty much home free to create anything you choose.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
In a nutshell, creative visualization is the fundamental process underlying your innate ability to consciously create your ideal reality. The five steps you must master in visualizing is to relax, imagine, feel and believe you already have that which you have mentally chosen and then detach from it. After you have completed the visualization process, preferably twice a day, get on with the rest of your day. Leave the how up to the all-knowing Universal Mind and commit yourself to taking inspired action towards your chosen outcome.
By Tania Kotsos
Creative visualization is the fundamental technique underlying reality creation. It is the process of using your thought power to consciously imagine, create and attract to yourself that which you choose to experience in your life. Mastering creative visualization grants you direct control over your thoughts at the subconscious level. While there are several ways to programme the subconscious mind, visualization is the most effective and its results the most rapid.
The visualization techniques outlined here will enable you to harness the creative power of your thoughts to change your circumstances and consciously choose the life you create. There are five basic steps to visualizing your choices for reality creation: Relax - Imagine - Feel - Believe - Detach. Click on each step to learn more.
Step 1 - Relax: The first step is to relax your body and empty your mind. Find a comfortable seat, sit upright, breathe deeply and steadily, count down slowly from 25 to 1 while relaxing all your muscle groups from head to toe. Empty your mind by focusing on your breathing.
Step 2 - Imagine: The second step in the creative visualization process is learning to imagine your chosen outcome. Your imagination is the engine of your thoughts. It converts your thought power into mental images. Imagine your ideal reality in the present moment, bring your pictures to life as if watching a movie, concentrate your thoughts with laser like precision and indulge all your senses.
Step 3 - Feel: The third step is to really feel what it would feel like if you already had that which you have mentally chosen in the present physical moment. Where imagination is the engine of your thoughts, your feelings are the fuel. Your e-motions are energy in motion - they bring your images to life.
Step 4 - Believe: The fourth step is to believe that you already have your mental choices in the now. The words of Jesus Christ were clear on this in Mark 11:24, "What things soever you ask for when you pray, believe that you receive them, and you shall have them". This is not about wishful thinking or lying to yourself. It is about knowing the scientific Truth behind reality creation and having the kind of faith that is the "evidence of things not seen".
Step 5 - Detach: The fifth and final step in the creative visualization process cannot be emphasized enough - detachment. Detach yourself from the outcome you have chosen to see manifest in your life. Whenever you are attached to someone or something you effectively strip yourself of your authentic power to consciously create the life you choose. You cannot be grateful or feel unconditional love or enjoy peace of mind when you are attached to the unfolding of a specific outcome, so detach, detach, detach.
Practice is Key: You must practice, practice, practice. Set aside a time each day for your creative visualizations, preferably once in the morning upon waking and once in the evening before you go to sleep. Both these times are ideal as your mind is already in a semi-relaxed state. Once you have mastered this simple five step process you will see your life transforming in miraculous ways.
Getting On With It: Once you have completed the process, get on with the rest of your day. To bring yourself back to a normal waking state, simply continue to breathe deeply and rhythmically and count up from 1 to 5 consciously waking yourself from the relaxed state and slowly opening your eyes. Alternatively of course, if you are visualizing while in bed you can allow yourself to drift off to sleep.
Leave the How up to the Universe: The focus of your visualizations must be on the outcome, not the process. Once you accept the Truth about your thought power and that you are one with the One Universal Mind you will be able to release any need to control the process. Instructing the all-knowing Universe "how" you want things to come about is telling Omniscience that you know better.
Take Inspired Action: Although the creative visualization process is one based on relaxation, physical action is required to successfully manifest your mental choices. The key to taking action is to take only inspired action. This is not to sit and wait for the proverbial penny to drop and nor is it to run around in a frenzied state doing everything you can possibly think of doing in the hope that something works. It is about being calm and deliberate in the action you take, knowing that it is taking you toward your chosen outcome. It is about listening to your intuition and following your natural instinct.
The Mind Works With Feedback: The more feedback you give your mind the easier it is to accept and internalise a new concept. If you are new to the idea that you create your reality with your thoughts, then it is natural that your mind may demand some proof. It is a great leap of faith to go from the belief that "things just happen to me" to "I make things happen". This is why it is best to start with something simple.
A favourite creative visualization exercise for beginners is to manifest a blue feather as in Richard Bach's book Illusions. Using the basic visualization steps, imagine a blue feather. Then think about it as often as you can for a day or two without obsessing over manifesting it. You will find that you will experience a blue feather in some way in your physical world within a very short period of time. Have fun with the process. Persevere but if you do not see your feather, let it go and come back to it later rather than become frustrated.
The more you experiment like this and succeed in manifesting simple things, the more the synapses will fire in your brain, creating a solid belief around the truth that you create your reality. Once you believe it in practice and not just in theory, then you are pretty much home free to create anything you choose.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
In a nutshell, creative visualization is the fundamental process underlying your innate ability to consciously create your ideal reality. The five steps you must master in visualizing is to relax, imagine, feel and believe you already have that which you have mentally chosen and then detach from it. After you have completed the visualization process, preferably twice a day, get on with the rest of your day. Leave the how up to the all-knowing Universal Mind and commit yourself to taking inspired action towards your chosen outcome.
Spiritual Maturity
9 out of 10 old souls agree that one of the very best things about spiritual maturity, besides the discounts, is appreciating that age is so very meaningless.
The 10th soul? Presently out climbing trees and could not be reached.
The Universe
The 10th soul? Presently out climbing trees and could not be reached.
The Universe
Friday, 8 May 2009
Get On Your Boots
Get on your boots? Why shouldn't we all just get on our boots and start to live the life we dream? Let's ignore the ego and intend wellness, happiness, prosperity and incredible abundance. Nourish yourself with inspiration, imagination, music, wonderous pictures of beauty and my blog ; )
Thursday, 7 May 2009
Father & Son, A Real Life Love Story
It started in Winchester, Massachusetts,
43 years ago, when Rick Hoyt was born.
Somehow his umbilical cord became wrapped around his neck, leaving him brain-damaged and unable to control his limbs.
The doctors told Rick's parents that he would be a vegetable for the rest of his life. But Dick Hoyt, Rick's father, didn't believe it. He noticed the way Rick's eyes followed him around the room.
When Rick was 11 they took him to the engineering department at Tufts University and asked if there was anything to help the boy communicate. "No way,'' Dick says he was told. "There's nothing going on in his brain.''
"Tell him a joke,'' Dick countered. They did. Rick laughed.
Turns out a lot was going on in his brain. Rigged up with a computer that allowed him to control the cursor by touching a switch with the side of his head, Rick was finally able to communicate. First words? "Go Bruins!''
And after a high school classmate was paralyzed in an accident and the school organized a charity run for him, Rick pecked out, "Dad, I want to do that.''
Yeah, right. How was Dick, a self-described "porker'' who never ran more than a mile at a time, going to push his son five miles? Still, he tried. "Then it was me who was handicapped,'' Dick says. "I was sore for two weeks.''
That day changed Rick's life. "Dad,'' he typed, "when we were
running, it felt like I wasn't disabled anymore!''
And that sentence changed Dick's life. He became obsessed with giving Rick that feeling as often as he could. He got into such hard-belly shape that he and Rick were ready to try the 1979 Boston Marathon.
"No way,'' Dick was told by a race official. The Hoyt's weren't quite a single runner, and they weren't quite a wheelchair competitor. So, for the first few years, Dick and Rick just joined the massive field and ran anyway.
Later, they would find a way to get into the race officially: In 1983 they ran another marathon so fast they made the qualifying time for Boston the following year.
Then somebody said, "Hey, Dick, why not a triathlon?''
How's a guy who never learned to swim and hadn't ridden a bike since he was six going to haul his 110-pound kid through a triathlon?
Still, Dick tried.
Now they've done 212 triathlons, including four grueling 15-hour Ironman Competitions in Hawaii.
This year, at ages 65 and 43, Dick and Rick finished their 24th Boston Marathon, in 5,083rd place out of more than 20,000 starters. Their best time? Two hours, 40 minutes in 1992 - only 35 minutes off the world record, which, in case you don't keep track of these things, happens to be held by a guy who was not pushing another man in a wheelchair at the time.
43 years ago, when Rick Hoyt was born.
Somehow his umbilical cord became wrapped around his neck, leaving him brain-damaged and unable to control his limbs.
The doctors told Rick's parents that he would be a vegetable for the rest of his life. But Dick Hoyt, Rick's father, didn't believe it. He noticed the way Rick's eyes followed him around the room.
When Rick was 11 they took him to the engineering department at Tufts University and asked if there was anything to help the boy communicate. "No way,'' Dick says he was told. "There's nothing going on in his brain.''
"Tell him a joke,'' Dick countered. They did. Rick laughed.
Turns out a lot was going on in his brain. Rigged up with a computer that allowed him to control the cursor by touching a switch with the side of his head, Rick was finally able to communicate. First words? "Go Bruins!''
And after a high school classmate was paralyzed in an accident and the school organized a charity run for him, Rick pecked out, "Dad, I want to do that.''
Yeah, right. How was Dick, a self-described "porker'' who never ran more than a mile at a time, going to push his son five miles? Still, he tried. "Then it was me who was handicapped,'' Dick says. "I was sore for two weeks.''
That day changed Rick's life. "Dad,'' he typed, "when we were
running, it felt like I wasn't disabled anymore!''
And that sentence changed Dick's life. He became obsessed with giving Rick that feeling as often as he could. He got into such hard-belly shape that he and Rick were ready to try the 1979 Boston Marathon.
"No way,'' Dick was told by a race official. The Hoyt's weren't quite a single runner, and they weren't quite a wheelchair competitor. So, for the first few years, Dick and Rick just joined the massive field and ran anyway.
Later, they would find a way to get into the race officially: In 1983 they ran another marathon so fast they made the qualifying time for Boston the following year.
Then somebody said, "Hey, Dick, why not a triathlon?''
How's a guy who never learned to swim and hadn't ridden a bike since he was six going to haul his 110-pound kid through a triathlon?
Still, Dick tried.
Now they've done 212 triathlons, including four grueling 15-hour Ironman Competitions in Hawaii.
This year, at ages 65 and 43, Dick and Rick finished their 24th Boston Marathon, in 5,083rd place out of more than 20,000 starters. Their best time? Two hours, 40 minutes in 1992 - only 35 minutes off the world record, which, in case you don't keep track of these things, happens to be held by a guy who was not pushing another man in a wheelchair at the time.
Seven Wonders of the World
The Seven Wonders of the World
Author Unknown
Junior high school students in Chicago were
studying the Seven Wonders of the World. At
the end of the lesson, the students were asked
to list what they considered to be the Seven
Wonders of the World. Though there was some
disagreement, the following received the
most votes:
1. Egypt's Great Pyramids
2. The Taj Mahal in India
3. The Grand Canyon in Arizona
4. The Panama Canal
5. The Empire State Building
6. St. Peter's Basilica
7. China's Great Wall
While gathering the votes, the teacher noted that one student, a quiet girl, hadn't turned in her paper yet. So she asked the girl if she was having trouble with her list. The quiet girl replied, "Yes, a little. I couldn't quite make up my mind because there were so many." The teacher said, "Well, tell us what you have, and maybe we can help."
The girl hesitated, then read, "I think the Seven Wonders of the World are:
1. to touch...
2. to taste...
3. to see...
4. to hear... (She hesitated a little, and then added...)
5. to feel...
6. to laugh...
7. and to love.
The room was so quiet, you could have heard a pin drop.
May this story serve as a gentle reminder to all of us that the things we overlook as simple and ordinary are often the most wonderful - and we don't have to travel anywhere special to experience them.
Enjoy your gifts!
Author Unknown
Junior high school students in Chicago were
studying the Seven Wonders of the World. At
the end of the lesson, the students were asked
to list what they considered to be the Seven
Wonders of the World. Though there was some
disagreement, the following received the
most votes:
1. Egypt's Great Pyramids
2. The Taj Mahal in India
3. The Grand Canyon in Arizona
4. The Panama Canal
5. The Empire State Building
6. St. Peter's Basilica
7. China's Great Wall
While gathering the votes, the teacher noted that one student, a quiet girl, hadn't turned in her paper yet. So she asked the girl if she was having trouble with her list. The quiet girl replied, "Yes, a little. I couldn't quite make up my mind because there were so many." The teacher said, "Well, tell us what you have, and maybe we can help."
The girl hesitated, then read, "I think the Seven Wonders of the World are:
1. to touch...
2. to taste...
3. to see...
4. to hear... (She hesitated a little, and then added...)
5. to feel...
6. to laugh...
7. and to love.
The room was so quiet, you could have heard a pin drop.
May this story serve as a gentle reminder to all of us that the things we overlook as simple and ordinary are often the most wonderful - and we don't have to travel anywhere special to experience them.
Enjoy your gifts!
Success
Success - Socrates
A young man asked Socrates the secret of success. Socrates told the young man to meet him near the river the next morning. They met. Socrates asked the young man to walk with him into the river. When the water got up to their neck, Socrates took the young man by surprise and swiftly ducked him into the water.
The boy struggled to get out but Socrates was strong and kept him there until the boy started turning blue. Socrates pulled the boy’s head out of the water and the first thing the young man did was to gasp and take a deep breath of air.
Socrates asked him, "what did you want the most when you were there?" The boy replied, "Air". Socrates said, "That is the secret of success! When you want success as badly as you wanted the air, then you will get it!" There is no other secret.
Stay Well, CK
A young man asked Socrates the secret of success. Socrates told the young man to meet him near the river the next morning. They met. Socrates asked the young man to walk with him into the river. When the water got up to their neck, Socrates took the young man by surprise and swiftly ducked him into the water.
The boy struggled to get out but Socrates was strong and kept him there until the boy started turning blue. Socrates pulled the boy’s head out of the water and the first thing the young man did was to gasp and take a deep breath of air.
Socrates asked him, "what did you want the most when you were there?" The boy replied, "Air". Socrates said, "That is the secret of success! When you want success as badly as you wanted the air, then you will get it!" There is no other secret.
Stay Well, CK
Wednesday, 6 May 2009
Burpee Workout
Today I provide you with information on the Burpee workout which I personally feel is the best and most underrated of exercise. I have been doing sets of these most day's and have been truly astounded by the results,
Enjoy,
Stay Well, CK
The burpee is a full body exercise used in strength training and as aerobic exercise. It is performed in four steps:
Begin in a squat position with your hands on the floor in front of you.
Kick your feet back, while simultaneously lowering yourself into a pushup
Immediately return your feet to the squat position, while simultaneously pushing up with your arms.
Leap up as high as possible from the squat position.
Repeat as fast as possible, striving for approximately 30 repetitions per minute.
[edit] Variants
Easier variants
No-pushup burpee: the athlete does not perform a pushup while kicking back his feet.
Non-jump burpee: the athlete does not jump in the air after step 3.
More challenging variants
Long-jump burpee: the athlete jumps forward, not upward.
Jump-tack burpee: the athlete pulls his knees to his chest while jumping.
Jump-over burpee: the athlete jumps over an obstacle between burpees.
One-armed burpee: the athlete uses only one arm for the whole exercise including the pushup.
Dumbbell burpee: the athlete holds a pair of dumbbells while performing the exercise.
Parkour burpee: following one burpee on the ground, the athlete jumps upon a table and performs the second burpee on the table, then jumps back to the initial position
Other variants
Wall burpees / incline burpees / air burpees: the athlete kicks his feet up against a wall / up on a table / up in the air, instead of back. Usually, these variants are performed without a pushup.
The 8 count body builder is another variant of the burpee. Counts 1-8 are as follows: (1) put your hands down, (2) push out your feet, (3) and (4) do a jumping jack on the ground, (5) and (6) perform a pushup, (7) bring your feet back forward, (8) jump in the air.
Enjoy,
Stay Well, CK
The burpee is a full body exercise used in strength training and as aerobic exercise. It is performed in four steps:
Begin in a squat position with your hands on the floor in front of you.
Kick your feet back, while simultaneously lowering yourself into a pushup
Immediately return your feet to the squat position, while simultaneously pushing up with your arms.
Leap up as high as possible from the squat position.
Repeat as fast as possible, striving for approximately 30 repetitions per minute.
[edit] Variants
Easier variants
No-pushup burpee: the athlete does not perform a pushup while kicking back his feet.
Non-jump burpee: the athlete does not jump in the air after step 3.
More challenging variants
Long-jump burpee: the athlete jumps forward, not upward.
Jump-tack burpee: the athlete pulls his knees to his chest while jumping.
Jump-over burpee: the athlete jumps over an obstacle between burpees.
One-armed burpee: the athlete uses only one arm for the whole exercise including the pushup.
Dumbbell burpee: the athlete holds a pair of dumbbells while performing the exercise.
Parkour burpee: following one burpee on the ground, the athlete jumps upon a table and performs the second burpee on the table, then jumps back to the initial position
Other variants
Wall burpees / incline burpees / air burpees: the athlete kicks his feet up against a wall / up on a table / up in the air, instead of back. Usually, these variants are performed without a pushup.
The 8 count body builder is another variant of the burpee. Counts 1-8 are as follows: (1) put your hands down, (2) push out your feet, (3) and (4) do a jumping jack on the ground, (5) and (6) perform a pushup, (7) bring your feet back forward, (8) jump in the air.
Buddah Quote
“The secret of health for both mind and body is not to mourn for the past, worry about the future, or anticipate troubles, but to live in the present moment wisely and earnestly"
Tuesday, 5 May 2009
Candida Diet
I wish to publish information on what I feel is possibly one of the best diets anyone could go on and that is the candida diet. This is not only beneficial to somone who is suffering from yeast overgrowth but anybody who wants to feel healthier through detox and possibly lose a few pounds,
Stay well, CK
Candida is a group of toxic yeast-like microorganisms (Candida albicans being the most common), that live among many other organisms in the human mouth, throat, intestines and genital/urinary tract. Under normal circumstances yeast live in 80% of the human population all the time with no harmful effects, as they are in balance with other bacteria.
Candidiasis
When the natural flora in the intestinal/digestive tract fail to control the candida yeast population, "overgrowth" occurs.
Overgrowth is uncontrolled multiplication of yeast cells, resulting in various symptoms commonly termed Candidiasis or just Candida.
Candidiasis affects a wide variety of organ systems. Common examples of candida infection are vaginitis; vulvar rash; oral thrush; conjunctivitis; athlete’s foot, ringworm, jock itch, diaper rash, muscle and joint pain, canker sores, sore throat, tingling sensations, kidney and bladder infections, infections of the nail, rectum, and other skin folds, effects in the gastrointestinal tract (constipation, diarrhea, colitis, abdominal pain, gas, distension, and heartburn), depression and even diabetes.
In immunocompetent persons (those whose immune system is functioning normally), any warm, moist part of the body exposed to the environment is susceptible to infection. This infection is mostly superficial, and proper treatment leads to full recovery.
In immunocompromised persons (those whose immune system has been impaired by disease or treatment), more serious systemic illnesses may occur.
Causes of Candida
Poor diet, an out-of-balance intestinal bacterial environment, and weakened immunity can all give rise to candida. Overuse of antibiotics destroys the natural flora in the intestines that keep the candida cells in check. Cancer patients undergoing chemotherapy, AIDS patients, infants, diabetics and others with weakened immune systems are more susceptible to an infection of candida (candidiasis). Corticosteroids and oral contraceptives also upset the balance of intestinal flora. Yeast cells mutate, requiring ever higher dosages of Nystatin (the anti-fungal drug), so that the yeast is
strengthened and the immune system further weakened.
Candida Diet Plan
Reversing candida
Detox
The first aim of your Candida cleanse is to cleanse the system of the toxic byproducts of Candida. Fasting, colon cleansing, wheatgrass, fresh vegetable juices, plenty of water, detox herbs, exercise, and anything else that extracts toxins.
Reduce the yeast population in your system
Candida treatment must bring yeast cells back into balance. Use anti-microbial herbs and phytochemicals in formulas from your natural or health food store that include a combination of these powerful herbs, 15 days on then 5 days off, repeating as long as needed. The 5 day break discourages mutating yeast from multiplying and developing immunity to the herbs.
Inoculate yourself with probiotics
Probiotic bacteria favorably alter the intestinal microflora balance, inhibit the growth of harmful bacteria, promote good digestion, boost immune function, and increase resistance to infection. People with flourishing intestinal colonies of beneficial bacteria are better equipped to fight the growth of disease-causing bacteria. Lactobacilli and bifidobacteria, along with acidophilus (found in yogurt), maintain a healthy balance of intestinal flora by producing organic compounds (lactic acid, hydrogen peroxide, and acetic acid) that increase the acidity of the intestine and inhibit the reproduction of many harmful bacteria. Probiotic bacteria also produce substances called bacteriocins, which act as natural antibiotics to kill undesirable microorganisms.
Improve your diet
A diet to eliminate Candida is a long-term lifestyle - and in fact diet is your best defence against candida. Yeast loves sugar and simple carbohydrates; if you keep feeding yeast cells they will multiply, and even the best anti-microbial herbs won’t keep them in check. Eat a disciplined diet for at least 3 months, then When your symptoms disappear, you can expand your diet. But don’t revert to old habits, or the candida symptoms will quickly return.
Keeping Candida in Check
Foods to Avoid
Aged cheeses, alcohol, chocolate, dried fruits, fresh fruits, fermented foods, mushrooms, vinegar, glutenous foods (wheat, rye, oats, barley), all sugars, honeys and syrups (that includes any ‘ose’, like lactose, sucrose etc), and foods that contain yeast or mold (breads, muffins, cakes, baked goods, cheese, dried fruits, melons, peanuts - although nutritional and brewer’s yeasts are not harmful, as they do not colonize in the intestines).
Foods to Eat
Vegetables (including plenty of raw garlic), protein foods (beef, chicken, eggs, fish), live yogurt cultures (both dairy and non-dairy,) FOS*, whey, acidophilus, green algae (such as spirulina and chlorella), nuts, seeds and oils, and non-glutenous grains (like millet, rice, rice bran and oat bran).
___________________
* FOS, or Fructo-oligosaccharides, are nondigestible dietary fibers that help to keep the stomach and bowels healthy.
FOS are considered a "prebiotic" because they nourish the naturally present "friendly" bacteria (especially Bifidobacteria and Lactobacilli) which help to ward off infection in the digestive system.
Supplements
Checkout combination products containing these herbs & supplements for natural defense against candida overgrowth:
Acidophilus
Arm mesia
Bentonite
Black walnut herb
Bifidobacterium
Caprylic acid
Cloves capsules
Garlic
Goldenseal
Grapefruit seed extract
Oregano oil
Oregon grape
Pantethine
Pau d Arco
Stay well, CK
Candida is a group of toxic yeast-like microorganisms (Candida albicans being the most common), that live among many other organisms in the human mouth, throat, intestines and genital/urinary tract. Under normal circumstances yeast live in 80% of the human population all the time with no harmful effects, as they are in balance with other bacteria.
Candidiasis
When the natural flora in the intestinal/digestive tract fail to control the candida yeast population, "overgrowth" occurs.
Overgrowth is uncontrolled multiplication of yeast cells, resulting in various symptoms commonly termed Candidiasis or just Candida.
Candidiasis affects a wide variety of organ systems. Common examples of candida infection are vaginitis; vulvar rash; oral thrush; conjunctivitis; athlete’s foot, ringworm, jock itch, diaper rash, muscle and joint pain, canker sores, sore throat, tingling sensations, kidney and bladder infections, infections of the nail, rectum, and other skin folds, effects in the gastrointestinal tract (constipation, diarrhea, colitis, abdominal pain, gas, distension, and heartburn), depression and even diabetes.
In immunocompetent persons (those whose immune system is functioning normally), any warm, moist part of the body exposed to the environment is susceptible to infection. This infection is mostly superficial, and proper treatment leads to full recovery.
In immunocompromised persons (those whose immune system has been impaired by disease or treatment), more serious systemic illnesses may occur.
Causes of Candida
Poor diet, an out-of-balance intestinal bacterial environment, and weakened immunity can all give rise to candida. Overuse of antibiotics destroys the natural flora in the intestines that keep the candida cells in check. Cancer patients undergoing chemotherapy, AIDS patients, infants, diabetics and others with weakened immune systems are more susceptible to an infection of candida (candidiasis). Corticosteroids and oral contraceptives also upset the balance of intestinal flora. Yeast cells mutate, requiring ever higher dosages of Nystatin (the anti-fungal drug), so that the yeast is
strengthened and the immune system further weakened.
Candida Diet Plan
Reversing candida
Detox
The first aim of your Candida cleanse is to cleanse the system of the toxic byproducts of Candida. Fasting, colon cleansing, wheatgrass, fresh vegetable juices, plenty of water, detox herbs, exercise, and anything else that extracts toxins.
Reduce the yeast population in your system
Candida treatment must bring yeast cells back into balance. Use anti-microbial herbs and phytochemicals in formulas from your natural or health food store that include a combination of these powerful herbs, 15 days on then 5 days off, repeating as long as needed. The 5 day break discourages mutating yeast from multiplying and developing immunity to the herbs.
Inoculate yourself with probiotics
Probiotic bacteria favorably alter the intestinal microflora balance, inhibit the growth of harmful bacteria, promote good digestion, boost immune function, and increase resistance to infection. People with flourishing intestinal colonies of beneficial bacteria are better equipped to fight the growth of disease-causing bacteria. Lactobacilli and bifidobacteria, along with acidophilus (found in yogurt), maintain a healthy balance of intestinal flora by producing organic compounds (lactic acid, hydrogen peroxide, and acetic acid) that increase the acidity of the intestine and inhibit the reproduction of many harmful bacteria. Probiotic bacteria also produce substances called bacteriocins, which act as natural antibiotics to kill undesirable microorganisms.
Improve your diet
A diet to eliminate Candida is a long-term lifestyle - and in fact diet is your best defence against candida. Yeast loves sugar and simple carbohydrates; if you keep feeding yeast cells they will multiply, and even the best anti-microbial herbs won’t keep them in check. Eat a disciplined diet for at least 3 months, then When your symptoms disappear, you can expand your diet. But don’t revert to old habits, or the candida symptoms will quickly return.
Keeping Candida in Check
Foods to Avoid
Aged cheeses, alcohol, chocolate, dried fruits, fresh fruits, fermented foods, mushrooms, vinegar, glutenous foods (wheat, rye, oats, barley), all sugars, honeys and syrups (that includes any ‘ose’, like lactose, sucrose etc), and foods that contain yeast or mold (breads, muffins, cakes, baked goods, cheese, dried fruits, melons, peanuts - although nutritional and brewer’s yeasts are not harmful, as they do not colonize in the intestines).
Foods to Eat
Vegetables (including plenty of raw garlic), protein foods (beef, chicken, eggs, fish), live yogurt cultures (both dairy and non-dairy,) FOS*, whey, acidophilus, green algae (such as spirulina and chlorella), nuts, seeds and oils, and non-glutenous grains (like millet, rice, rice bran and oat bran).
___________________
* FOS, or Fructo-oligosaccharides, are nondigestible dietary fibers that help to keep the stomach and bowels healthy.
FOS are considered a "prebiotic" because they nourish the naturally present "friendly" bacteria (especially Bifidobacteria and Lactobacilli) which help to ward off infection in the digestive system.
Supplements
Checkout combination products containing these herbs & supplements for natural defense against candida overgrowth:
Acidophilus
Arm mesia
Bentonite
Black walnut herb
Bifidobacterium
Caprylic acid
Cloves capsules
Garlic
Goldenseal
Grapefruit seed extract
Oregano oil
Oregon grape
Pantethine
Pau d Arco
Intention
Alrighty then, for my first proper post let me share a poem that I wrote recently.
Feel free to comment and may all be well with all of you!
Arouse in me the ability of brain
To shut down the ego from it's seeming reign
I'll ascertain that I am love and light
And sparkle beyond the masses plight
Everything Illusional in this life is deemed therefore so
Though used for evolution of spirit, progressive afterglow
Move this blessed body through this vivid dream of concious rest
Til beautiful awakening my spirit fly's west
Feel free to comment and may all be well with all of you!
Arouse in me the ability of brain
To shut down the ego from it's seeming reign
I'll ascertain that I am love and light
And sparkle beyond the masses plight
Everything Illusional in this life is deemed therefore so
Though used for evolution of spirit, progressive afterglow
Move this blessed body through this vivid dream of concious rest
Til beautiful awakening my spirit fly's west
Welcoming you with warmest sincerity
Hello dear readers and welcome to the Mind Body and Soul Blog. This will be used as a positive place for people to stop by and enjoy anything from beautiful poetry, tips & articles on all things healthy and enlightening stories of hope and the beauty of life. Everything here shall only reflect positive aspects of humanity, spirituality and how we can improve our Mind Body and Soul ;)
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