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Archive for Healthy Living

A Moment of Truth – Episode 2022-1

April 28, 2022

Yesterday, I was inspired to start a new Cafecito Break series called  “A taste of TRUTH”, where

we feature posts published on Truth Social that inspired me.  Here’s my inspiration for today, brought to you by Truth Social user Laura Faye (@laurafaye).

I’d like to add that it’s important for us to never suppress our emotions.

Feel the feelings before moving on to the next task.

As I wrote in a previous post, Dr. Christianne Northrup reminded us that “We are humans. We have emotions. Suppressed emotions harm us.” and suggested “that we allow ourselves to feel and honor those emotions before transmuting them into love and light.”

Thank you, Laura Faye, for inspiring us!

Your Finances and the Covid-19 Injection – How are they related?

March 15, 2021

Your Finances and the Covid-19 Injection – How are they related?

I was recently listening to a financial podcast where the host mentioned that the beneficiaries of a person that has died within a year of having the Covid-19 injection may not be entitled to the life insurance funds in the victim’s policy. I did a double take when I heard this.

I am certainly NOT a financial adviser. Please do your research.

Here’s a tool that might help you navigate the facts around the Covid-19 injections currently being administered. (A downloadable PDF is also available).

We discussed this on today’s episode of Cafecito Break. (Listen to today’s podcast).

Blessings!!! Stay Healthy!!!

 

 

Water – Its Blessings and Healing

March 30, 2020
 · 2 Comments

Water – Its Blessings and Healing

This article was first published on May 28, 2015. I am re-publishing with the intention of reviewing fundamentals of staying healthy during these stressful times.

Why is water so important?

Many of us are aware of the importance of drinking enough water. Getting our daily dose of water helps our organs perform their functions, keeps our skin clear and hydrated, and allows physical action in our bodies to flow smoothly. Even with this knowledge, it can still be challenging to drink all the water our bodies thirst for daily. Drinking plenty of water is critical. Those who are not drinking enough may experience poor digestion, sluggish thinking, skin breakouts, headaches, bad breath and general fatigue.

To start your day right, set a large glass of water by your bed each night and drink it when you wake up. Drinking water first thing in the morning pulls out toxins from the previous day and freshens your system for the day ahead. Keep a bottle of water accessible throughout the day, whether you are on the go or at a desk. Having a bottle of water close by will remind you to take a sip when thirsty. The first sip will usually let you know how much more water you need. A sip or two may be enough, or you may need a big glass. If you drink most of your daily water before early evening, you most likely will not be thirsty before bed. This is good, because drinking before bed and then waking to use the bathroom disturbs your peaceful night’s sleep.

Also, drinking tea or juice and eating raw fruits and vegetables, in addition to your daily water intake, contributes to the hydration process. When you are heading out for the day, automatically reach for your bottle of water. (To protect our environment, please consider using refillable water bottles).

How do you know if you are drinking enough water?

The color of our urine has been used as a tool for diagnosis since ancient times. Experienced health professionals can tell a lot about what’s happening in the human body by the color, density, and smell of the urine. I believe that physical observation is the first step towards understanding the health of our body systems. Education is empowerment. By understanding what’s happening in our body we can better partner with our health care practitioner to properly diagnose any illness.

Urine Color can be affected by what you eat, medicines you take, laxatives, what you drink, and any other injected or ingested substance. This information* is presented only as a guideline and is not intended to replace medical advice.

urine-color

  • No Color (Transparent) – You may be drinking too much water and may wish to cut back.
  • Pale Straw Color – Normal, healthy, well-hydrated
  • Transparent Yellow – Normal
  • Dark Yellow – Normal, but drink some water soon
  • Amber or Honey – Your body needs water. Drink some water now. It’s not getting enough.
  • Syrup or Brown Ale – This color may indicate liver disease or severe dehydration. Drink water and consult with your doctor.
  • Pink to Reddish – Have you eaten beets or blueberries lately? If not, you may have blood in your urine. It could be NOTHING or it could be a sign of a serious medical condition, such as: kidney disease, tumors, urinary tract infection,prostate problem, or something else. PLEASE CONTACT YOUR DOCTOR.
  • Orange – You may not be drinking enough water, have eaten something with a food dye, or you could have a liver or bile duct condition. PLEASE CONTACT YOUR DOCTOR.
  • Blue or Green – It’s probably something you ate that had a certain food dye. It could also be caused by certain rare genetic diseases or bacteria. PLEASE SEE YOUR DOCTOR IF IT PERSISTS.
  • Foaming or Fizzing – If this occurs occasionally, it’s probably harmless. But it COULD indicate excess protein in your urine. If you are seeing this often, please consult with your doctor.

Remember that you can see a lot from your urine but it does not replace the information you can get from a urinalysis. Get regular checkups. Blood in the urine is often invisible to the naked eye and elevated glucose levels in your urine may indicate diabetes.

But wait, there’s more….

As a Civil Engineer, I am cognizant of the expected population growth that will precipitate an increased demand for drinking water in the next 20 years. I am also very appreciative of the work that has been done to bring water to the population centers by the workers who actually built the water treatment and distribution systems that allow us to have potable water at our fingertips.

In one of his technical papers, Dr. Daniel A. Okun, Professor of Environmental Engineering, Emeritus at the Univ. of North Carolina in Chapel Hill, provided a brief history of how water was first brought to our cities.

“The introduction of piped water to cities in the mid-19th century led to the spread of cholera and typhoid in the United States and the other industrialized countries. Filtration and then chlorination around the turn of the century virtually eliminated waterborne enteric disease in the industrialized world. The development of synthetic organic chemicals following World War II and the recognition that chlorine, which is so important for disinfection, reacts with natural and other organic precursors in the water, producing carcinogenic byproducts, shifted the major emphasis in water quality in the industrial world away from infectious disease to a concern for control of trace chemical contaminants. The recent emergence of waterborne giardiasis and cryptosporidiosis is shifting emphasis back to a concern for the control of enteric infectious disease. Particularly troublesome is that water meeting current microbiological standards has been demonstrated to be responsible for diarrheal disease. The principal conclusion to be drawn from these changes is the affirmation of the original principles for the protection of drinking water quality, that water intended for potable purposes should be drawn from the highest quality sources available, that the sources should be protected, and that the treatment must be appropriate and reliable.”

Having said that, we have to bless the people who have built, operate and maintain our water treatment systems. We must also be aware of the damage that is done to the water crystals by the harsh chemicals and the actual transportation of the water through the pipes. That is why I’m so excited when I see the research of Dr. Masaru Emoto. He has proven, through research and technology, that music can actually correct distorted frequencies within water molecules.

For centuries, we have turned to classical music for relaxation and healing. In his book, Water Crystal Healing – Music and Images To Restore Your Well-Being, internationally acclaimed water researcher Dr. Masaru Emoto, presents an incredible collection of music and water-crystal photographs that have been found (through his research) to benefit those who suffer from common physical and emotional imbalances.

During his research, he discovered why certain music and thought patterns have healing benefits. What he found was that the rhythm, tempo, tone and melody of the music can actually correct distorted frequencies within the cells of our body. What is presented in his beautiful book is that the combination of images, words and music concentrates consciousness and provides a unique experience for healing.

As an Engineer, I am fascinated with the research methodology Dr. Emoto utilized. He used micro-cluster water and magnetic resonance analysis technology.

In his various books, the first of which was published in 1999, Dr. Emoto, a doctor of Alternative Medicine, introduced the novel idea that water not only reflects the physical word around it (as when we use a placid lake or pond as a mirror), but it also reflects the consciousness of the being surrounding it.

The experiment he used to discover this included bottles filled with water, that were set under either a positive or a negative influence.  For example, some bottles of water were wrapped with written notes, with the writing facing inside the bottle that said, “thank you.”  This was done in various languages.  No matter what language was used, the water in these bottles, when frozen, created complete crystals that were lovely to behold.  

Water over which a priest prayed, with love and gratitude, created the same type of crystals.  Conversely, unpleasant, incomplete, and malformed crystals were created in water exposed to people saying or writing, “You fool,” or other negative expressions.

By exposing water to a particular word or piece of music, freezing it, and photographing the ice crystals formed, Dr. Emoto has shown that from beautiful words and music, come beautiful crystals, and from mean-spirited, negative words, come malformed and misshapen crystals. What is the significance?  It becomes clear when we remember that the adult human body is approximately 70% water and infant bodies are about 90% water.  We can be hurt emotionally and, as the water can be changed, for the worse physically by negativity. However, we are always closer to beauty when surrounded by positive thoughts, words, intentions and ultimately those vibrations.

Let’s remember to take a moment before we drink to bless the water that gives us life. 

References
Further Reading on Dr. Emoto’s work: http://hado.com/ihm/

*Urine Color for diagnosis: http://health.clevelandclinic.org

Previous posts about water:
Food Focus: Water
Water

Stay Healthy

March 23, 2020

Stay Healthy

I received recommendations from several doctors that I consider mentors and I’d like to share them with you. DISCLAIMER: ALWAYS CONSULT YOUR HEALTH CARE PROVIDER TO MAKE SUCH DECISIONS.

Dr. #1: Fundamentals are first. This means diet, sleep and your faith.

  • 1st suggestion: I would encourage everyone to get high quality protein (ocean fish/free range chicken or turkey or beef). In addition, I would suggest sticking to a diet of 3% or less carbohydrates. Note: if in a few days of this current diet you feel less energy then include veggies in the 6% (or less) range.
  • 2. Exercise. At least get a daily walk 4/7 days/week. Make it a strong walk and consider using hand weights during your walk. Better yet is to get to the gym and do weight training and combine with aerobic exercising. Work to 4/7 or more days/week and start now.
  • 3. Get enough protein powder with your regular diet daily. For the nonvegetarians I would suggest using a whey product that is high in lactoferrin and colostrum. For those of you allergic to dairy choose a good vegetable protein powder.
  • 4. Improve your digestion. If you have gas, bloating, poor bowel movements, nausea, or burning after eating consider adding some form of digestive enzymes. I believe every person over 40 needs digestive enzymes as a daily support to assimilate our food correctly.
  • 5. Have at least two bowel movements/day if you are eating three meals/day. If you are not, make sure you’re getting enough high-quality water (Half body weight in ounces of water/day), enough fiber from vegetables, nuts, and seeds and check both bowel flora and your endocrine system (thyroid, adrenals) for proper function.
  • 6. Remember that the pure water you need per day is just that, pure water. Water in tea/ coffee/soda does not count. Choose your sources of water well and stay away from the tap water.
  • 7. Get enough sleep. For most of us especially 60 & over really need more sleep than less. Considering getting at least 6-8 or more hours of sleep/day. Make sure your bedroom is light tight so your bedroom is dark. Keep your cell phones and electrical devices at least 8-10 feet away from your bed. Change bed linens each week and especially clean your pillow cases weekly in hot water. Vacuum your house and bedroom weekly while using a good air filter in your room, especially bedroom.
  • 8. Faith. Fear and doubt contribute to a depressed immune system. There is a God. This God wants you well and healthy. Now is the time to leave your Brain or Heart area (human side) and practice living from your Spirit area about 1″ below the navel. Cooperate with Him and let Him help you. Relax, He has this. Practice trust and EXERCISE your FAITH.

Dr. #2: Options (We are doing MOST but not ALL of the options below at this time):

  1. Colloidal Silver administered via nebulizer.
  2. Air Filtration
  3. Organic, Raw Manuka Honey
  4. Immune Support Herbs
  5. Black Seed Oil aka Black Cumin Oil
  6. Vitamin and Mineral Suggestions (Vitamin C: 1000 mg of mixed ascorbates or liposomal vitamin C, 2 to 3 times daily with meals; Vitamin A (natural): 25,000 i.u. daily; Vitamin D3 (natural): 2500 to 5000 i.u. daily; Zinc (as citrate or picollinate) 25 mg. daily)
  7. Ozone Capsules
  8. Cell Salts Triad (Ferrum phos. 6X, Kali. mur. 6X, Kali. sulph. 6X) 
  9. Cold Diffusion of Essential Oils
  10. White vinegar: Wipe all doorknobs down with white vinegar on a daily basis to destroy microorganisms.
  11. Avoid shaking hands with anyone.
  12. Andrographis paniculata extract

Dr. #3, Shiva Ayyudarai, who is currently runing for Senate in Massachsetts, sent a letter of recommendation to our President (You can find the source document on his website). I highly reccommend that you follow him on social media.

For Healthy Adults and children, Dr. Shiva: recommends the following:

Children:

  • 1000 IU Vitamin A Palmitate ongoing
  • 2000 IU Vitamin D3 ongoing
  • 250 mg Vitamin C/day
  • Iodine/Iodide – Lugols – 3 drops/day (in drink)

Healthy Adults:

  • 10,000 IU Vitamin A Palmitate ongoing
  • 5,000 IU Vitamin D3 ongoing
  • 1,000 mg Vitamin C/day
  • Iodine/Iodide – Lugols – 6 drops/day (in drink)

Immunocompromised Adults:

  • 400,000 IU Vitamin A Palmitate for 2 days
  • 50,000 IU Vitamin D3 for 2 days
  • 1000 mg Vitamin C/day ongoing
  • Iodine/Iodide – Lugols – 3 drops/day (in drink)

This list was compiled for you NOT AS A RECOMMENDATION to you, but as a list of options that you can discuss with your healthcare practitioner.

Blessings!

Shall We Dance?

July 13, 2015
 · No Comments
Shall we dance?

Shake What Ya’ Mama Gave You

Last year, I responded to a challenge from from my Cafecito Break Monday Morning Co-Host, Rosangel Perez. She challenged me to create a daily video for the Gratitude Movement on FB called “29 Days of Gratitude – Love Lives Here”. Although I was unable to complete the challenge for the entire 29 days, I learned a lot of valuable lessons. (Expect more video footage once I figure out how to streamline the production process).

Here is the YouTube video followed by the script:

 

Script:

Today’s Love recommendation is to get up & dance!!!!

So why should we dance?

According to an article in psychology today, “Studies have shown that dance, in particular, can decrease anxiety and boost mood more than other physical outlets. Here’s how they studied it:

Researchers assigned patients with anxiety disorders to spend time in one of four settings:
• a modern-dance class
• an exercise class
• a music class
• a math class.

Only the dance class significantly reduced anxiety.

So how does dance & movement help us make physical & emotional changes?

Dance/movement therapy pioneer, Marian Chace, discovered back in the 1940s that her patients suffering from post-traumatic stress disorder were able to use dance therapy as a form of communication that assisted in the decrease of tension held in the body and minimized isolation. According to the American Dance Therapy Association, Dance/movement therapy, is based on the core belief that there is a fundamental interconnection between mind and body and what happens to the body can effectively influence the mind and vice versa.

So now, lets discuss Why we should get up & dance:

According to the Dance Teachers.Org, the ten reasons to dance are:

• It keeps the body and brain active, & vital
• It improves strength and flexibility, which helps keeps muscles and joints healthy
• it can help you meet new people and make friends with people who have similar interests
• It helps you learn about your body, & improves your posture and balance
• It can help to reduce stress levels
• It can offer insight into other cultures
• It can lead to new career opportunities, or help build communications skills • It can help increase your self esteem and confidence as you master new dance skills
• It offers a creative outlet by providing a safe environment to express individual personalities
• It is a fun way open up new possibilities, keep healthy and enjoy yourself

So we’ve talked about why we SHOULD dance and how it affects us, now let’s explore WHY we actually dance. About.com asked readers the following question:

Why do you dance? Does dancing help you express your creativity? Do you feel empowered when dancing? Tell us why you dance. Share your reason for dancing with others.

Here are a few responses that were posted:

“I love to dance because its the only way where i can express my self~ and i can feel truly happy from bottom my heart” -About.com Guest JoMit

“I dance because that is how i can be myself, express myself and my emotions. It is like letting your soul out.” – About.com Guest Lily

So now it’s your turn: Fill in the blanks:

I dance because _______________________________.

References & Sources
http://www.psychologytoday.com/blog/meaning-in-motion/201305/why-should-we-dance
Wikipedia Commons
http://www.dance-teachers.org/dance-styles/the-benefits-of-dance.aspx
http://dance.about.com/u/ua/danceandyourhealth/Why-Do-You-Dance-Reasons-Why-You-Dance.htm
Music: http://www.bensound.com

How To Feed & Protect Your Skin

June 18, 2015

How To Feed & Protect Your Skin

As I wrote in last week’s article,  How To Find Yourself By Doing What You Love, I was a wreck in my earlier years and my skin reflected it:  the skin on my abdomen looked mottled and I had an incessant allergic-looking rash on my arms. It wasn’t noticeable to others because it was mild, but I knew it was there. Doctors that I visited prescribed creams & ointments, which did nothing to relieve my skin condition.

I also started having issues with dry & brittle hair. It was a mess! I began to read everything I could about skin & skin care products. The more I learned, the less I trusted the products that were advertised as “good for your hair & skin” and the more I understood that the condition of my skin was a perfect mirror for the dis-ease in my body. For example, poor thyroid function can cause dry & brittle skin and nails.

Here are some things that I have learned:

Natural Beauty Shines Through Your Skin

The skin is a major organ, as is the heart, the kidneys, and the lungs. You can nourish your skin with a healthy lifestyle and some natural remedies. It’s important to know what products to use and what to consume as well as what to stay away from so you can pamper your skin from the inside out.

What You Eat Builds Your Skin

superfoodsYour food makes up your tissues & cells. Water, essential fatty acids, antioxidants, and super foods offer superpower nutrients for your skin. Yes, chocolate is on the list.

Use Skin Products The Are Good For You

Did you know that topical application of magnesium gel, for example, is an amazing way to add magnesium to our body without the normal side effects of oral magnesium intake? What you apply to your skin is absorbed into your blood stream. I use a variety of oils, such as: coconut, almond, sesame, and jojoba oils, as well as a variety of essential oils on my skin. Sunscreen is an important product to many of us. I highly recommend the Environmental Working Group’s guide on sunscreens (http://www.ewg.org/sunscreens).

Improve Your Lifestyle Habits

How do you look after a poor night’s sleep? That’s right! Sleep Matters!!! The quality of your sleep, as well as the quantity of sleep that you get has an impact on your entire body!

I was looking at some pictures that we took during our trip to Florida last December and I was unhappy about how I looked in the pictures. Although we had an amazing trip, I was conflicted and anxious about my Father’s health and associated issues, so I was not totally relaxed. Relaxation is important. When one is stressed, it shows.  Getting adequate relaxation and exercise every day will help you shine. (Don’t forget to cleanse your skin after intense workouts to prevent clogged pores.)

Your Skin Needs a Good Brushing

Many years ago, I was introduced to the concept of Dry Skin Brushing by my dear teacher and mentor, Dr. Bruce Berkowsky. According to Dr. Berkowsky, “Vital Chi Skin-Brushing can sustain or re-establish the skin’s functional integrity and youthful glow”.

“Variations of skin-brushing have been practices for thousands of years. For many centuries, the Japanese employed vigorous skin-brushing with loofa sponges as a prelude to their traditional hot bath. Prior to bathing (following a hard training session or physical competition) ancient Greek athletes used strigiles: specialized spoon-like skin scrapers to remove the grime of exertion and encourage circulation. Among Cherokee Indians, skin-brushing with dried corn cobs to enhance durability was once a traditional practice. The Comanche Indians scrubbed their skin using sand from the Texas river bottoms; the Texas Rangers followed their example.” – Dr. Bruce Berkowsky, Natural Health Science Vital Chi Skin-Brushing System

If You Wouldn’t Eat It, Don’t Put It On Your Skin
Just like what you eat affects your skin’s health, what you put on your skin affects your health.  Over 10,500 unique chemicals are used as ingredients in personal care products and
NO PREMARKET SAFETY TESTING IS REQUIRED.

fda

The first step to using products that nourish your skin is to read the ingredients on the labels and choose products that contain nourishing ingredients and do not contain toxic chemicals. Here are some common ingredients found in personal care products and cosmetics that are not safe to use:

Phthalates – Phthalates are industrial chemicals that are used as ingredients in both plastics and skincare products. Research studies have linked phthalates to reduced fertility and have been found to block the action of key hormones, resulting in inhibited sexual development. Babies are more susceptible to the effects of these toxins.  Baby products containing phthalates are widely used. Recent research at the University of Washington found phthalate breakdown products in the urine of babies that were in the study (81% of the babies studied showed 7 or more phthalates).

Parabens – Parabens are preservatives (to prevent fungal and bacterial growth in the products) that mimic estrogen once absorbed by the body. One study found parabens in breast tumors. They are widely used in cosmetics. It is believed that all parabens can be found in all American bodies. According to the European Commission’s Scientific Committee on Consumer Products, some parabens are endocrine disruptors which can cause reproductive and developmental disorders.

1,4-dioxane (PEGs/Ceteareth/Polyethylene compounds) – These toxins are created by an inexpensive process that is used commercially to make emulsifiers, humectants, and foaming agents. These toxins are considered carcinogenic and potentially neurotoxic. A study commissioned by the Organic Consumers Association reveled that these toxins have even made their way into “natural” products. (Carcinogenic 1,4-Dioxane Found in Leading “Organic” Brand Personal Care Products)

Isothiazolinones – These are compounds listed as Methylisothiazolinone, methylchloroisothiazolinone, benzisothiazolinone (look for ingredients listing “chloro” or “methyl” on the label). These compounds are used as preservatives in hair dye, shampoo, shaving cream, body wash, and other products and are among the most common irritants, sensitizers, and allergens. Lab studies suggest that these compounds may be neurotoxic.

Triclosan & Triclocarban – These little babies are found in soap, toothpastes, shaving creams, mouth wash, and products labeled as “germ-resistant” (including toys, garbage bags, and even kitchen utensils. When you see soaps & liquids labeled “antibacterial” or “anti-microbial”, RUN.  These are not only toxic to aquatic environments, they are toxic to humans! Triclosan disrupts thyroid function AND reproductive hormones. The best way to stay clean is to USE SOAP AND WATER! Overuse of antimicrobials may promote the development of resistance to antibiotics in the future. Did you know that when combined with chlorinated water, triclosan can form chloroform gas? As it degrades, it can form highly toxic compounds like dioxin. (Note: it’s important to note that some chemicals, on their own, react differently than the same chemical reacts in combination with other chemicals &/or environmental states.)

Talc – Even though talc is a mineral, when it is used in talcum powder and cosmetics, it can pose a hazard. Research on this issue goes back to at least 1971, when a study found that 75% of ovarian tumors studied contained talc particles. When the particles are inhaled, it could cause respiratory distress.

ewg-chart1Other ingredients that are NOT SAFE to use in body products are:

  • BHA
  • Boric Acid and Sodium Borate
  • Coal tar hair dyes and other coal tar ingredients (including Aminophenol, Diaminobenzene, Phenylenediamine)
  • Formaldehyde
  • Formaldehyde Releasers – Bronopol, DMDM hydantoin, Diazolidinyl urea, Imidzaolidinyl urea and Quaternium-15
  • Fragrance
  • Hydroquinone
  • Lead
  • Nanoparticles
  • Oxybenzone
  • Parabens (specifically Propyl-, Isopropyl-, Butyl-, and Isobutyl- parabens)
  • Petroleum distillates
  • Resorcinol
  • Toluene
  • Vitamin A compounds (retinyl palmitate, retinyl acetate, retinol)
  • Animal Based Ingredients

ewg-chart2A wonderful resource available to consumers is the Environmental Working Group (EWG). I trust them because they are nonprofit and nonpartisan. Their sole mission is to protect consumers. You can find out more about toxic ingredients at the EWG website and you can use their app (http://www.ewg.org/skindeep/app/) to check ingredients while shopping.

In conclusion, here are my recommendations:

Ten Steps To Healthy Skin:

  1. Stay Hydrated
  2. Consume Essential Fatty Acids
  3. Eat a diet that is rich in Antioxidants
  4. Add Super Foods to your meals
  5. Sleep
  6. Relax
  7. Exercise
  8. Brush Your Skin
  9. Use health promoting personal care products and cosmetics.
  10. Protect Your Skin by avoiding toxins in personal care products, cosmetics, cleaning agents, and the environment. 




References

Healthy Skin Guide, Institute for Integrative Nutrition

http://www.naturalnews.com/025449_oil_products_skin.html

http://www.ewg.org/research/dirty-dozen-list-endocrine-disruptors

http://www.ewg.org/skindeep/2011/04/12/why-this-matters/

https://www.organicconsumers.org/old_articles/bodycare/DioxaneRelease08.php

Food Focus: Mesclun

May 20, 2015
 · No Comments

Food Focus: Mesclun

What is Mesclun? I didn’t know either. That is, until we received an order from the Organic Food Coop we used to use before we bought our Tower Garden.

Here’s the Wikipedia version: “Mesclun is a salad mix of assorted small, young salad green leaves, that originated in Provence, France. The traditional mix usually includes chervil, arugula, leafy lettuces and endive, while the term may also refer to an undetermined mix of fresh and available baby salad greens,[1] including lettuces, spinach, arugula (rocket, or roquette), Swiss chard (silver beet), mustard, endive, dandelion, frisée, mizuna, mâche (lamb’s lettuce), radicchio, sorrel, and/or other leaf vegetables.”

salad-ingredientsSuggested recipe:

  • Mix the desired quantity of mesclun mix, add some extra arugula, sprinkle it with chopped basil,and  a couple of sprigs of fresh thyme.
  • You can add tomatoes, avocado*, and cucumber.
  • For the dressing, a little bit of olive oil* with grated ginger and some citrus juice. (key lime, lemon, or blood orange).

Arugula is a good source of Protein, Thiamin, Riboflavin, Vitamin B6, Pantothenic Acid, Zinc and Copper. It’s high in Dietary Fiber, Vitamin A, Vitamin C, Vitamin K, Folate, Calcium, Iron, Magnesium, Phosphorus, Potassium and Manganese.

Chervil is low in Sodium. It is a good source of Dietary Fiber, Thiamin, Riboflavin, Niacin, Vitamin B6, Magnesium, Phosphorus and Selenium, and a very good source of Vitamin A, Vitamin C, Folate, Calcium, Iron, Potassium, Zinc and Manganese.

Green Leaf Lettuce is a good source of Protein, Calcium, Magnesium and Phosphorus, and a very good source of Dietary Fiber, Vitamin A, Vitamin C, Vitamin K, Thiamin, Riboflavin, Vitamin B6, Folate, Iron, Potassium and Manganese. (note: use red leaf lettuce for added selenium).

avocado-nutrition-data avocado-nutrition*Avocado is a superfood. It is is very low in Sodium (10.5 mg) and very high in potassium (727 mg). It is FULL of healthy fats (2534mg of Omega-6 fatty acids per 165mg of Omega-3 fatty acids).  It is also a good source of Dietary Fiber, Vitamin C, Vitamin K and Folate.

You can check out more nutritional information for the other mesclun ingredients at http://nutritiondata.self.com.

Check out other Raw and Cooling Salad Ideas, in an earlier post.

*Want to experiment with other salad oils? Here’s a prior post of oils & fats.

 

BALi Food Plan

May 20, 2015

BALi Food Plan

I am often asked which food plan I recommend. The answer is usually the BALI food Plan. Here’s why…

The BALi food plan was developed by Dr. Roby Mitchell, M.D. (read his credentials). BALI stands for: Basic, Antifungal / Antioxidant, Low Insulin. The list can be downloaded from Dr. Mitchell’s Dr. Mitchell’s Website.

baliMy notes: I am an avid reader of health articles. I believe that nature provides us with the answers we need for perfect health. I don’t believe that we can medicate our way out of a health crisis that we have behaved our way into. I have learned a LOT from Dr. Roby. I have been privileged to meet him and I like his authenticity and humility.

There are so many factors involved in being healthy – not all of them are lifestyle related. We are complex beings and each of us has differing needs. No single diet will ever work for everybody. That’s why I love this program.

The Food list was compiled through years of scientific research. Your objective should be to REDUCE inflammation, balance your Blood Glucose, and improve your IMMUNE response. Empower your immune system by CHOOSING powerful foods that provide real nourishment for your cells.

Please let me know how I could support you in reaching your goals. It does not have to be difficult.

Dr. Roby often says: consequence is no coincidence. There are consequences to human meddling with our food supply (GMO’s) so I fully recommend eating Organic foods.

 

Sleep Matters

November 26, 2014

sleep-lackSleep Matters

Having a good night’s sleep is important to our quality of life in many ways:

  • Lack of sleep affects our mood.
  • Lack of sleep affects our health.
  • Lack of sleep affects our productivity.

I can only speak for myself. When I don’t get enough sleep and I don’t feel adequately rested, my mood can swing from pensive to giggly.  It definitely alters my productivity. I see a marked difference in my concentration if I have had a good night’s sleep.

For me, the most important item on the list above is how lack of sleep affects our health. According to Dr. Erica Mallery-Blythe, “sleep loss impairs immune function & immune challenge alters sleep”, so it’s a vicious cycle. According to Dr. Mallery-Blythe, sleep deprivation delays wound & burn healing, decreases white blood cell count, and impairs working memory – which, in turn, impairs decision making, reasoning, episodic memory, and lowers seizure thresholds.

There are many symptoms associated with sleep deprivation, such as: aching muscles, confusion, memory lapses (or loss), depression, hallucinations, hand tremors, headaches, malaise, sensitivity to cold, bloodshot eyes, puffiness around the eyes, increased blood pressure, increased stress hormones, increased risk of diabetes, increased fibromyalgia, irritability, obesity, child temper tantrums, yawning, and some symptoms that are similar to ADHD & Psychosis. And, By the way, complete sleep deprivation leads to death, she says.

Recent research at UCLA indicates that there may be a connection between improved lifestyle habits, including improved sleep hygiene, and improved outcomes for Alzheimer’s patients.

The amount of sleep that each person requires varies.  There are folks that swear that they don’t need more than 5 hours of sleep per night. Others, like me, need a minimum of 8 hours of good quality sleep in order to feel healthy.

Here are some tips that will hopefully help you determine what areas you can improve so that you can consistently obtain good quality rest:

  • Consistently maintain regular bedtime and wake-up hours (even on weekends and holidays).
  • Don’t go to bed unless you are sleepy.
  • Keep your bedroom dark. Even the slightest glow from an alarm clock can disrupt your ability to sleep.
  • If you don’t go to sleep within 20 minutes, get out of bed. Return to bed only if you’re sleepy.
  • Avoid caffeine consumption (tea, cola, coffee, chocolate) within 4 hours to 8 hours of bedtime.
  • Exercise regularly, but avoid intense physical activity 3 hours before bedtime.
  • Keep a regular schedule – regular times for meals, etc…
  • Avoid daytime naps. If you must take a nap, do so before 3 pm.
  • Avoid eating a meal 2 hours before bedtime (a light snack can help avoid hunger pangs and aid sleep).
  • Avoid stressful or noisy distractions while trying to sleep (noisy clocks, bright lights, uncomfortable clothes or bedding).
  • Avoid alcohol consumption & nicotine 2 hours before bedtime, which can disturb sleep quality.
  • Create a relaxing bedtime routine (book, music, bath, relaxation technique).
  • If you have difficulty relaxing at bedtime, essential oils, like lavender or chamomile in a diffuser (or in a bath) might help to soothe you enough to relax. You might also want to utilize some herbal relaxation aids such as valerian, passionflower, hops, or lemon balm may be helpful.
  • Get enough sleep so that you feel well-rested nearly every day.
  • Use the bed for sex and sleep only (no TV, laptop computer, reading, etc.)

The bedroom should be calming, quiet, dark, and a little bit cool and make sure your bed is warm & comfortable. I urge you to consider avoidance of any electronics in the bedroom – including TVs and cell phones.

There are many possible reasons for our lack of sleep. if we habitually have a problem getting enough rest, it is imperative that we analyze what is causing us to lose sleep at night. It might take a bit of detective work on our part. For example, I have been doing a lot of research on EMF’s, since I have noticed a dramatic change in my sleep quantity & quality since a new smart meter was installed at our home. Coincidentally, the meter is on the brick wall that lies along the headboard of our bed.  (I’ll be writing a separate blog post on my research & findings. I’ve also been doing some research on Inclined Bed Therapy. I am fascinated by this topic & plan to write an article about this as well.)

Last, but not least, my colleague, Rosangel Perez, and I recorded a blog talk radio show called Tips For Better Sleep, which inspired this blog post. You can listen to our recorded show here.

References:

Huffington Post Article: 37 Science Backed Tips For Better Sleep Tonight
Sleep Hygiene Tips, University of Maryland, 2005

Huffington Post Article: 9 Surprising Reasons You Can’t Fall Asleep

Dr. Erica Mallery-Blythe: British Society of Ecological Medicine (BSEM-March 2014)

Cafecito Break – The Voice of The Awakening Woman,November 17, 2014

Disclaimer:  The information contained in this article is provided for informational or educational purposes only and is not intended to be, or serve as a substitute for the advice of your physician. Always seek your doctor’s advice.

The Music of Your Heart

June 6, 2014

The Music of Your Heart

Music of Your HeartIn response to a challenge, I’ve been posting videos on Youtube that correspond to the Gratitude Movement (on FB)’s 29 Days of Gratitude – Love Lives Here.

Here is my first YouTube video, challenging you to Listen to the Music of your Heart:

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