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Support Your Body With a Liver Detox

2/20/2019

Of all the things you can do in alternative health, the liver detox is probably one of the most important in terms of achieving maximum health in today's environment. For the health conscious person, a liver detox is mandatory.

The best time for a liver detox is spring. Of all the things you can do in alternative health, the liver detox is probably one of the most important in terms of achieving maximum health in today's environment.

We live in an age where our deteriorating natural environment is polluting our bodies with cigarette smoke, pesticides, food additives, smog, chemical toxins, heavy metals, and more that threaten our intestines, colon, kidneys, liver and gallbladders. It is best to detoxify your liver and gall bladder twice a year. Naturally remove heavy metals such as lead and mercury from the body.

One of the primary purposes of the liver detox is to flush all of the gallstones from your body and minimize the chances of their return. A deep liver and kidney cleanse will improve your digestion and immune system and help keep your whole body healthy.

Body signals that your liver needs detoxification include:

- Chronic constipation
- Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS)
- Frequent headaches
- Eczema or skin related disorders
- Flatulence, gas and bloating
- Excess weight
- Food allergies
- Parasites in stool
- Bad breath and body odor
- Constant fatigue and low energy
- Yeast infection
- A yellowish tint to the skin and/or liver spots on the skin;
- poor hair texture and slow hair growth;
- skin itching and irritation. Elevated cholesterol (and all of the problems related to high cholesterol).
- Anemia and large bruise patches indicate severe liver exhaustion

Detoxing is no longer practiced by only the healthy few. Detoxification is regarded as an essential element for successfully treating cancer by alternative cancer treatment specialists. Detoxification of the liver with a liver detox diet can get the liver working properly again and help the individual regain their appetite.

Detoxification is an ongoing process that takes place continuously within the liver, lymph, kidneys, intestines, blood, and colon and in every cell in your body. Feeling tired and sluggish, blocked up or headaches, with less tolerance of alcohol, sugary foods or caffeine are all possible signs that your liver may benefit from a detox.

The liver is the organ which helps in detoxification of our bodies. Find a cleanse that is an easy-to-use, a natural cleanse program containing minerals, vitamins, herbs and amino acids which have long been used to promote healthy detoxification and cleansing of the liver.

Keep in mind, a colon cleanse may be of initial importance so as to prevent your body from reabsorbing toxins.

Trager Work Reawakens the Body and Mind

2/13/2019

The Trager Approach (also known as Trager Work) is a structural integration system, developed by Milton Trager, an American doctor. Milton Trager developed the psycho-physical integration technique during his medical practice, and over a period of 65 years.

Trager had a congenital spinal deformity and through his own persistence became a dancer and gymnast. He died at the age of 88 and spent his life ‘healing’ many people with his amazing approach.

During the 1970's his efforts were recognized by California’s Esalen Institute. He began to treat patients there and soon retired from his medical practice in Hawaii and began to work full time using the psycho physical integration technique.

Somatic Education and Other Bodywork Therapies

The term ‘somatic education’ is used to describe the Trager Approach, and also other bodywork therapies such as the Feldenkrais Method, the Alexander Technique, and Hellerwork.

This type of therapy works to bring about improved communication between the body and mind, as many bodywork therapies do.

Trager Work Therapy Sessions

During treatment, the patient lies on a massage table and the practitioner helps explore the range of motion through large movements. If an area seems to be stiff or unyielding, the practitioner may engage in a dialogue hoping to cause the movement to become lighter and freer.

A trained practitioner of Trager work can sense tension and “blocked” areas of the body and manipulate them to release the toxic problem.

Trager believes that “tight muscles can be caused by many things, but the pattern of tightness is all in the mind.” Releasing the tensions of the mind can cause a better range of movement and relieve tension and stress.

Much of Trager work is based on the intuitions of the practitioner, and using hand and mind to manipulate and communicate, the Trager therapists awaken certain patterns in your mind and body through movement and touch.

Rocking and shaking movements are incorporated to loosen the joints and help the patient relax, and Trager work therapy promotes feelings of lightness and freedom. The technique is designed to open the mind to realizations that certain movements of the body will not cause pain. For example, those patients suffering with chronic back problems, as did Trager, may find relief from these treatments.

Improves Athletic Performance

Athletes also use the method to enhance their performance and gain more flexibility. It also helps their movements become more graceful, improves their focus, speed and stamina. In addition, there risk of injuries is lessened and they conserve more energy.

Health Benefits of The Trager Approach

Trager therapy is used to relieve symptoms of conditions such as:

Chronic back pain and sciatica
Anxiety and depression
Migraine and general headaches
Hypertension (high blood pressure)
Neuromuscular pain
Muscular dystrophy
Parkinson’s disease
Carpal tunnel and even polio.

More research is being conducted in the possible uses for Trager work and many natural healing practitioners are using this therapy to relieve the symptoms of certain conditions and promote healing. You can watch videos online to see how this treatment is applied.

3 Ways To Use Mindfulness to Relax and De-Stress

2/6/2019

When you think of mindfulness, you probably think of an overall sense of positivity and well-being. You may also think of a lot of meditation and essential oils, or creating a positive environment around you. Mindfulness, though helpful in those areas, is also beneficial to someone who is trying to reduce their daily stress and maintain a relaxed lifestyle. Here are 3 places mindfulness can be used in your daily life to reduce stress.

Journaling with Purpose

Journaling is one of the biggest aspects to mindfulness techniques. The reason for this is based on the idea that you are doing it with small purposes and larger purposes. Ideally you are writing on a routine basis and journaling whatever comes to mind. You might also explore your 'attitude of gratitude' at the end of the journal entry. This can be something that you are happy about or grateful for in that day. In addition to this, you might be go back and review your journal entries which might lead you to find the patterns that are causing stress in your life. Then take a step to remove those stress inducing issues in your life. This can be an important way mindfulness can help you relax and de-stress.

Breathing with Purpose

You may think breathing with purpose is what you do, since breathing is what keeps you alive. Though that maybe the basic reason for breathing, there are other factors to breathing that relate to your stress and mindfulness. Mindfulness techniques related to breathing help you perform calming breathing techniques with the purpose of controlling your initial stress related reactions. This is breathing with purpose and can be a vital mindfulness step in learning how your body responds to stress, then keeping those reactions in check and dealing with your stress before it hurts you physically.

Meditation with Purpose

Meditation is listed in most mindfulness techniques as part of learning your body, being aware of how it feels, and how it is reacting, it is noticing not judging. Meditation with purpose is mediating to focus on your stress, relieving that stress, and finding what the root issue is. Through meditation you can start to see a pattern in your issues and the issues you need to focus on instead of the initial knee jerk reaction of what the stress is.

These techniques can be used by themselves or can be used together to help your stress levels. You can adjust them or change them as you need and as your stress levels rise or fall. The key is to have a mindfulness routine that works for you when you need it.

If you need a little help with mindful journaling you might try...
https://www.amazon.com/dp/1946159182?tag=dghbooklaunch-20

Health Benefits of Mint

1/30/2019

Do you take advantage of those amazing herbs? So many of these little plants have the attributes that can help to heal people everywhere. If you’ve ever tried chewing on a piece of freshly plucked mint leaves, then you know that there aren’t many flavors as bold and refreshing as mint, but is that where the good stops with mint, or is there a lot more to this amazing herb than what it does to your dancing taste buds? It turns out that science has uncovered previously unknown facts about how mint can actually help improve health.

Here are some of the top health benefits of mint.

1. Helps With Allergic Reactions

Like it or not, many people are affected by the presence of one thing or another. Allergic reactions begin when people with a particular sensitivity come in contact with certain substances or materials.
When ingested, mint has the ability to reduce some of the symptoms of allergy by reducing inflammation in the areas associated with the reaction. Once the inflammation goes down, you will experience some relief. That makes mint great for coughs and other issues that can be aggravated by harsh, sudden contractions of the muscles in the surrounding area.

2. Arrests Spastic Muscles

When your throat is red and irritated, the muscles around the neck and chest can become sore from the act of coughing that has been brought on by initial irritations and inflammation along the esophagus. You’ve probably noticed that your throat and chest become very tired and sore after an entire day of coughing, in comes mint to the rescue. Thousands of years ago, people discovered that mint has the ability to reduce inflammation, as well as the ability to calm spastic activity in muscles. This in turn will help prevent the resulting inflammation that further exacerbates the problem. Today, herbs like mint are tied very closely with hot drinks like tea.

3. Helps Fight the Effects of Colds

When you catch a typical cold, there are so many individual effects that influence how sick you feel. Irritations, soreness, difficulties breathing, and overactive mucus production are just a few of the immensely inconvenient symptom that you could experience, but the introduction of mint can help you to soothe away a large portion of most annoying effects caused by illness. When the mint works to reduce swelling, you will be more comfortable and able to rest. This will lead to decreased disturbances in your chest and throat.

4. Keeps Your Mouth Healthy

The human mouth contains a vast array of bacteria that it uses to help digest food and send signals to various systems. Sometimes the type of bacteria that resides in the mouth can become imbalanced, making the mouth a breeding ground for bad bacteria that can cause illness. A really good way to combat these types of situations would be to find a more natural means of limiting the growth of harmful bacteria, and introducing something that can help the helpful bacteria increase in population.

Mint is an excellent way to achieve oral health balance because it can naturally clean, and help protect your mouth. Adding mint to your drinks, and keeping fresh sprigs around to chew on can help change the pH of your mouth and make it more hospitable to the helpful bacteria as well. Not only that, but the natural scent of mint can help instantly freshen your breath without adding harsh acidic sugars to the mix. Chewing mint also helps provides an easy environment in which the mouth can make repairs.

5. Improves Labored Breathing

When you’re sick with a severe cold, one of the very worst things can be the way that your breathing passages get blocked off by swelling and inflammation of different types. This can make daily activities and even sleep a terrible ordeal.

Due to the anti-inflammatory nature of mint, the reddened and swollen areas inside your respiratory system are likely to be soothed with a very short time of ingesting some fresh mint. One great way to get these benefits would be to add some fresh mint to your tea. The hot liquid and vapor can be extremely penetrating and effective.

6. It Has Essential Vitamins and Minerals

Herbs are amazing plants on multiple levels. Not only do they add massive amounts of flavor to the favorite dishes of the world and freshen up the breath of those who eat it, they also give people some of the very important trace minerals that aid in the development of the human body. Phosphorus, iron, calcium are among the most well-known, along with vitamins C and A, which are important for repair and growth.

7. Improves Digestion

Do you ever get stomach aches after dinner? Some people suffer from a sensitive stomach all of their lives, and this can be very difficult for those who are planning to gather at family function or special dinners for their job. If you are a person who suffers from a digestive disorder, then you know the careful planning that has to come into play around those types of events. Because a careless dining experience could possibly end you night and leave you wishing that you had just stayed home.

Mint contains a few different agents that can help to soothe the stomach and digestive tract in very effective ways. That can help prevent the bloating and painful reaction that can sometimes occur due to various intolerance's that have arisen over time. This is especially true for people who suffer from the types of gastrointestinal changes that take place later in life.

8. Helps with Weight Loss

If you’ve ever tried to lose weight, then you know how challenging that it can be. One way to help set yourself up for a successful weight loss would be to make sure that you’re drinking plenty of teas. One tea for weight loss is mint tea. The usefulness of tea has been well documented by science, so you can be assured that adding a cup of tea to each day will definitely help you to get where you want to go in your health goals. Another strategy would be to pair mint with other foods that are known for improving health like lemons. You can try making an infused water with lemon wedges and mint. This is a classic way to get the body ready for a new healthy course and make it easier for you to lose weight in a healthy, natural way.

9. Improves Memory

Have you forgotten anything today? The human mind is a complex network of stored experiences and emotions that make up who we are. In that way, it could be said that if you forget too much of your life, then it’s possible that you could begin to lose who you are. Research on memory and how it can be influenced has been collected over the last few years discovering that mint has the ability to help increase recall, and improve the way that memories are stored. If you’ve been having trouble remembering things, then you could try keeping some mint plants around with some fresh cuts to chew on. Maybe that will give you the needed extra boost to help you pass a test, or keep important things on your mind.

10. Liver Support

When you’re feeling tired all of the time, and you don't have the energy to do your normal everyday tasks, it could mean that you are having some serious issues with your metabolic functions. The liver is the center of many of these processes that help you to feel energized, so wanting to take good care of your liver is essential. Mint contains several of the body’s most important vitamins and minerals that all your body to be able to properly repair itself. When your liver is working better, you’ll feel a lot better. Ingesting fresh mint is good for this action in nearly any form

11. Repels Some Flying Insects

Flying insects like mosquitoes and other pests can plague your lifestyle and make you feel miserable. Some flying insects can even carry terrible diseases that lead to lifelong illnesses. It would make sense then, that you would do everything in your power to protect both you and your family from what could potentially be a life-threatening situation. Even without any of that, who wants to be bitten every time they walk out their door? It turns out that mint is a plant that gives off a smell that is unpleasant to mosquitoes. The only catch is that in order for it to have maximum potency, you have to get it in the form of an essential oil. The next best thing would be to cut it and rub it’s juices directly onto the surface of your skin.

12. Might Help You Cope with Depression

Depression is a very difficult thing for people all over the world. It affects a large portion of both adults and children. Every experience of each person is completely their own, so treating the difficulties of depression are very tough due to the extremely personal nature of each person who is suffering with the disorder. There are however some things that can be universally appreciated by all people, even at the most difficult times. Some of this is due to the way the human genome was developed, so some of those things that caused joy in our ancestors are still good for us today. Mint is one of the few plants that gives off a scent that interacts deploy with connection in the brain and can produce feelings of positivity. Studies have suggested that keeping mint around can improve your moods by a noticeable degree.

13. Alleviate Gas and Bloating

Most people have had an embarrassing experience involving flatulence. Some foods can cause a person to become swollen with gas. This can lead to the sudden and uncontrolled expulsion of these gases, which can be very unpleasant for anyone unfortunate enough to be caught nearby. If you’ve ever hoped to find a natural route to help avoid these situations, then mint might be your answer. Eating mint can help prevent the production of methane gas because it stimulates the production of gastric juices. Eating an actual sprig of mint will most likely be the best for reducing gas and unsightly bloating. Simply pluck a healthy part of the plant and chew it up and swallow.

14. Pain Management

Have you even had a small cut that just makes you want to scream? In ancient times, people who had access to mint frequently used it on small cuts and scrapes for pain relief. It also has some antibacterial agents that help prevent some small infections. Studies have shown that this is more than tribal thinking and that mint can actually limit pain response. They’ve even discovered that ingesting it has some pain relieving effects as well.

How have you used mint?

A Few Foods For Brain Health

1/23/2019

Your brain is perhaps the most delicate organ in your body and possibly the most important.
There is evidence to suggest that the vitamins, phytonutrients, and anti-oxidants not only help in day to day functioning of the brain but help in future brain development, blocking those processes that lead to various kinds of dementia.
It is important to identify which foods contain these nutrients so you can power up your brain on a daily basis.

Some of the foods you can eat that contain nutrients you need for better brain health include the following:

Blueberries
Blueberries are perhaps one of the best foods you can eat for better brain health. They contain anti-oxidants that keep the brain from suffering the negative effects of oxidative stress and reduce the incidence of diseases like dementia or Alzheimer’s disease. Blueberries improve motor skills and learning capacity and can be eaten fresh, freeze-dried, or frozen. The recommended amount of blueberries to eat each day is about one cup.
Also, strawberries, and acai berries are believed to slow age-related cognitive decline as they preserve the brain’s natural “housekeeper” mechanism that also helps eliminate toxic proteins that play a key role in age-related memory loss.

Wild Salmon
Salmon and other deep-water fish have loads of omega-3 essential fatty acids necessary for brain health. Salmon is easy to come by at any supermarket and can be cooked in a variety of ways. The omega-3 fatty acids have anti-inflammatory substances that protect the brain from inflammation that ultimately leads to dementia. For variety, you can also get your omega-3 fatty acids by eating herring or sardines. Try a 4-ounce serving eaten at least 2-3 times weekly.

Nuts and Seeds
Nuts and seeds are high in vitamin E, which leads to a reduction of age-related cognitive decline. Just 1 ounce of sunflower seeds contains 30% of your recommended daily intake.
The benefit of vitamin E for brain health is far more from food than supplements.
Good nuts and seeds to eat include an ounce a day of various food items, including flax seed, walnuts, Brazil nuts, hazelnuts, almonds, filberts, peanuts, cashews, sesame seeds, or sunflower seeds. You can also get your vitamin E in tahini, almond butter, or peanut butter. Be aware of the high salt content of many nuts and buy unsalted nuts if you can.

Dark Leafy Greens
Kale, collard greens, spinach, and broccoli are also great sources of vitamin E, and just 1/2 cup of cooked spinach provides 25% of your daily intake requirements.
Dark greens also have folate, which is believed to lower levels of an amino acid called homocysteine in the blood, which plays a key role in the death of nerve cells in the brain.

Avocado
Avocados are excellent for brain health. It is high in monounsaturated fat, which improves blood flow to the brain. They also lower your blood pressure. High blood pressure is a risk factor for age-related cognitive decline. Because avocados are not low calorie, eat just a fourth or half of an avocado to a single daily meal.

Whole Grains
This includes foods such as brown rice, oatmeal, and whole-grain breads. They lower the risk of heart disease and improve the blood flow to the brain. Wheat germ is also good for you because it contains omega-3 fatty acids and vitamin E.

Beans
Beans are good because they regulate blood glucose levels. The brain uses glucose for fuel and requires a steady state of blood sugar—not the peaks and valleys of some foods. Just about any bean will regulate blood sugar levels but lentils and black beans are considered some of the best.

Pomegranate
Pomegranates are high in anti-oxidants, which help fight oxygen free radicals in the brain. The brain is very sensitive to oxygen free radicals and needs the anti-oxidant properties of foods like pomegranate juice in order to prevent cellular damage. If you can’t find pomegranates, citrus fruits will also do. For better brain health, drink 2 ounces of pomegranate juice diluted with seltzer water or spring water.

Fresh Brewed Tea
Tea contains caffeine, which is actually good for the brain when taken in moderate doses. Caffeine can improve focus, mood, and memory. Tea is also high in anti-oxidants, particularly catechins, which maximize blood flow to the brain. The best tea to drink is freshly brewed tea from fresh leaves.

Dark Chocolate
Dark chocolate is rich in anti-oxidants and contains caffeine, which can improve concentration and focus. Caffeine also improves endorphin production, which maximizes mood.
All it takes is a half to one ounce of dark chocolate per day for maximum benefit, moderation is key since chocolate is not a low calorie food.

5 Simple Habits To Improve Your Life

1/14/2019

You probably have some bad habits. There are those habitual behaviors which are also extremely positive in nature. Accordingly, there are probably some areas in your life where you would like to see better results. Since so much of human behavior is habitual, it makes sense to establish as many good habits in your life as possible.
Here are 5 simple habits which can lead to improvements and achievement in several areas of your life.

Start Your Day Early

Significant research shows the benefits of rising early. Your brain and body become healthier and stronger, goal achievement and productivity are enhanced, and career success is more likely. Get to bed earlier, get plenty of rest, and start your day earlier for better life results, both physical and mental.

Drink More Water

While the old "8 glasses of 8 ounces of water" tradition has not been proven beneficial, one thing is certain. Many people these days do not get enough water into their bodies. This means eating more water-filled food, and drinking water throughout the day. Just listen to your body. When you are thirsty you are already dehydrated, drink some water.

Establish an Exercise Routine, and Stick to It

Exercising just 3 days a week, for 20 to 30 minutes, can have life-changing results. Exercise has been linked to mental and physical health and well-being. If this means simply taking a walk or a jog, get up and get moving, and do it regularly.

Start Cooking Your Own Meals

There is research that shows how fit you are mentally and physically is directly related to the types of food you eat. This means less restaurant and "to go" foods, and preparing healthier meals at home. Since a large amount of your health and well-being is tied to nutrition, start cooking more of your own meals, and eat out less often.

Establish Keystone Habits

Some habits can have a much greater impact than others. They seem innocent enough, but can lead to powerful transformations in ways you may not realize. Making your bed each morning doesn't seem like much of a big deal. However, research shows this simple behavior gets your entire day started in a more productive manner. The same thing happens when you establish exercise, good nutrition or any other simple, daily action as a habit that becomes the key to better health and bigger achievements.

Diet And Autoimmune Diseases

1/9/2019

There are many people with autoimmune disease who wonder if there is something about their diet that can help control their conditions. Autoimmune disease is the second most common cause of chronic disease in adults. This means that about 5% of Americans have been diagnosed with an autoimmune disease.

Inflammation And Autoimmune Disease
Autoimmune disease is all about inflammation. The body has an immune system that normally directs itself toward dangerous pathogens that affect the body. In autoimmune diseases, the immune system becomes confused and makes antibodies against the body’s own tissues. There are hundreds of autoimmune diseases that each have antibodies directed at different tissues of the body.
Chronic inflammation is present in many people who have autoimmune diseases and may play a role it its development. It's not known which comes first, the autoimmune disease or the inflammation.To complicate matters, you can have inflammation and not have autoimmune diseases and can have autoimmune diseases without a lot of inflammation.

Treatment Strategies
There is a lack of available research regarding the treatment of autoimmune diseases. Each is treated a little bit differently using drug therapy and lifestyle modification. The management of autoimmune diseases through nutrition usually places and emphasis on controlling inflammation and pain, which slows the disease progression and helps the immune system function better. There are certain foods and nutrients that seem to be beneficial in managing the diseases.
For example, there seems to be a relationship between vitamin D levels and the development of autoimmune diseases. Those who lack vitamin D have a greater than average risk of getting various autoimmune diseases, such as multiple sclerosis. Those who live in normal climates have a greater risk of getting type I diabetes and multiple sclerosis, both autoimmune diseases, than those who live near the equator.
The most natural way to get vitamin D is through sunshine, which can be hard to do in northern climates in the middle of the winter.
There are vitamin D receptors found in many cells of the body, including the islet cells inside the pancreas, cells inside the colon, and human lymphocytes. It may be that vitamin D keeps the immune system healthy by inhibiting the growth and division of T cells in the immune system, decreasing the amount of pro-inflammatory cytokines.

The Gut Flora And Autoimmunity
Another area of research is on balancing the gut flora in order to prevent inflammation. When the gut flora are out of balance, this creates a leaky gut that allows larger particles of food to enter the bloodstream. The body recognizes these as foreign antigens and the immune system is activated. Whenever the immune system is hyper-activated, autoimmune diseases can occur.
You can keep your gut flora healthy by eating foods that are high in probiotics.
This Includes Eating Yogurt And Other Fermented Products, Such As:

Kefir
Dark chocolate
Sauerkraut and other cultured vegetables
Miso soup
Kombucha
Tempeh

Eating foods like these can replace bad bacteria in your gut with good bacteria, therefore reducing inflammation.

The Diet In Celiac Disease
People with celiac disease have an autoimmune condition that makes them intolerant to gluten. Gluten is found in many types of grains, including wheat grains, oat grains, barley, and rye. As long as the person with this gluten intolerance stays away from foods containing these grains, they don’t have inflammation and they aren’t sick.
Gluten-free diets also seem to play a positive role in other autoimmune diseases, such as lupus, rheumatoid arthritis, and multiple sclerosis. There is no proof that avoiding gluten helps all autoimmune diseases but it is known that many people with autoimmune diseases also have gluten sensitivity.

Eating To Reduce Inflammation
One way of reducing inflammation is to have a diet high in antioxidants. Antioxidants seem to limit the amount of inflammation in the body. You can get antioxidants in your diet by eating foods containing them, which are primarily dark, rich-colored fruits and vegetables, such as blueberries, strawberries, cranberries, beans, apples, dark leafy greens, and artichokes.

How Positivity Can Change Your Life

1/2/2019

Do you know what happy, successful people think about every day? It’s simple. They think about what they want and how they can get it. Positivity can change your life.
When you spend your time thinking and talking about what you want from life and how you can achieve it, you will feel happier and more in control. When you think about happy things, your brain releases endorphins, which give you a feeling of well-being. It doesn’t take long to develop a positive attitude.

The Importance of Optimism
Psychological tests have shown that happy people have a specific quality that enables them to live a better life. That quality, of course, is optimism. If you’re groaning at the thought of such positivity, because you worry that you can’t become an optimist, then stop right now. Optimism can be learned. It’s all about cause and effect. If you change your way of thinking and align it with optimists, you will start to feel happier and see results.

The Happy Find The Good In The World
There are two distinct ways that optimists deal with the world, which sets them apart from the rest:

First, they remain focused on what they want, looking for ways to achieve it. They set clear goals and remain confident they will achieve them.
Second, in every difficult situation an optimist will look for the good. When something goes wrong, they determine what lesson or knowledge can be drawn from the situation.

If you look for the good in someone or something then you will always find it, and in the looking, you will find yourself more cheerful.

The Power Of Positive Thinking
Optimists seek the lesson in every obstacle. They don’t get upset and look at where they can lay blame. They control their emotions and look at things logically.
Positive thinking has several benefits to your life.

Motivation: Willpower and motivation come from a strong mind. Negative thoughts lead to negative actions. When you replace pessimism with optimism, you will reshape your outlook.

Strong Relationships: Happiness attracts happiness, thus happy people attract people who are happy. If you surround yourself with negativity, you will only attract negativity. Positivity breeds trust, which builds strong relationships. Without trust, relationships cannot survive. We are hardwired to seek trust.

Confidence: Negativity spreads and can impact other attributes, such as self-esteem and confidence. The key to leading a happy life is loving yourself. Optimists laugh louder, love harder, and walk taller. They glow.

Strong Mind & Body: Negative thoughts are draining and can have a severe impact on your mental health. They can leave you struggling to get up in the morning and inhibit your ability to sleep. Fatigue leads to weakness, sadness, and a lack of motivation. Therefore, negativity takes a toll on your whole body.

Choose Happiness
You can make the choice today to see the glass as half full instead of half empty. Look at your blessings rather than noting every shortcoming. Look at the best in everyone around you, because in truth, the majority of people are honest and good. Look for the good in their actions and in their words, and resolve to be of good cheer.
It’s easy to be upbeat when everything in your life is going well. However, it’s even more important to do so when everything is going against you or is falling apart. You can still draw from your inner strength and look on the bright side of life; it will pay off in spades.

8 Foods for Your Skin

12/26/2018

In the same way a healthy diet helps prevent heart disease and obesity, it can also improve overall skin health. What you eat reflects directly on your skin. The best way to achieve optimal skin health is to improve your diet.
These 8 foods are high in anti-oxidant properties that help fight against free radicals caused by the environment which will then lead to smooth, soft, and glowing skin.

Here are 8 foods you should be eating for optimal skin health unless you discover a sensitivity to them:

Avocados
Avocados are full of healthy fats, vitamins, and antioxidants that work to produce healthy skin. Antioxidants such as Vitamin C and E help fight against damaging free radicals. Oleic acid found in avocados also stimulate the growth of collagen and elastin fibers that are responsible for the strength and elasticity of your skin.

Broccoli
Vitamins A, C, and K found in broccoli help promote collagen production and can even help improve dark circles under the eyes. Broccoli also contains an antioxidant called glucoraphanin that gets converted into sulforaphane. Sulforaphane is an anti-carcinogen and antibacterial compound that aids in skin repair that gives your complexion a natural glow.

Citrus Fruits
Citrus fruit is high in Vitamin C which helps regenerate collagen keeping your skin looking young. Vitamin C helps prevent pigmentation and free radical damage caused by sunlight. The peels of citrus fruit can also be used as an exfoliating agent to clear the dead skin cells and help shrink pores.

Kale
Kale is a popular superfood that is high in phytonutrients such as lutein, iron, and Vitamins A, C, and K. These antioxidants have anti-inflammatory properties, cancer-killing properties and fight off free radicals caused by toxins or sun damage. Vitamin K found in Kale also helps reduce dark under eye circles.

Sunflower Seeds
Sunflower seeds contain essential fatty acids that produce smooth and soft skin. They also offer high amounts of Vitamin E, an antioxidant that offers anti-inflammatory properties and neutralizes the effects of free radicals. A diet high in sunflower seeds will also produce a glowing complexion and prevent scarring, wrinkles, and fine lines.

Sweet Potatoes
Sweet potatoes are packed full of nutrients such as Omega 3, magnesium, potassium, zinc, and vitamins A, B, C, K and E. Vitamins A, C and E are powerful antioxidants that protect against cancer and UV exposure. Vitamin E also improves skin complexion and Vitamin C helps produce collagen. Collagen is important for maintaining skin elasticity which helps create a youthful firm complexion.

Tomatoes
Tomatoes are high in lycopene which helps fight against free radicals that are produced by the sun’s ultraviolet rays. Lycopene is a phytonutrient that is responsible for the red pigment of tomatoes. Phytonutrients are antioxidants found in plants that help protect against damage caused by the free radicals being produced by toxins, pests, pesticides and ultraviolet rays. Because lycopene is a fat-soluble nutrient it is important to eat your tomatoes with healthy fats such as avocados or cold pressed olive oil for best absorption.

Walnuts
Walnuts are high in antioxidants, anti-inflammatory properties, and Omega-3 fats that help keep the membranes of your skin cells strong. Together these nutrients help lock in moisture, reduce inflammation and protect the skin against sun damage. Walnuts are also high in proteins that help improve wound healing and scaring.

Not All Fats Are Created Equal

12/19/2018

After decades of thinking all fat is bad fat and causes us to get fat, it turns out that not all fats are created equal. Some of them are actually good for you and you need to consume fat to stay alive and healthy. Certain vitamins can only be absorbed by the body if consumed with some sort of fat. And there are various parts of your body, including your heart that need fat to run smoothly and stay healthy.

At first glance it makes sense to cut fat from your diet when you want to lose excess body fat. That’s been the basis behind every single diet from 1950 to 1990. It lead to the development and sale of countless low fat and fat free foods that still populate our grocery stores today. The idea of eating low fat has become deeply ingrained into our collective cultural conscious.

Yes, you can lose weight on a low calorie, low fat diet. Plenty of people have done it. But it takes a lot of willpower, and the vast majority of people can’t stick to it long term. They end up giving up and gaining more weight back then they lost in the first place. Our bodies are genetically engineered to crave fat because we need it. It’s what keeps us going, keeps us warm, and keeps up our energy levels.

While fat does have a lot more calories than the same amount of carbs or protein, it takes a long time to digest fat. It keeps us full and satisfied much longer than any other type of food. Does that mean you should go on a bacon and butter diet with a sprinkle of deep fried foods? Of course not. First off, we need to strive for balance and shouldn’t compensate for our past low fat diets that only made us fatter by overindulging in fats. Balance is the name of the game when it comes to healthy weight. Secondly, not all fats are created equal.

While there is still a lot to be learned about fats and the role they play in the many chemical process that take place in our bodies, we know that some fats are better for us than others. I’m sure you’ve heard of saturated fats, unsaturated fats, trans fats, and mono-unsaturated fats. Stay away from mostly man-made Trans Fats. There’s been a big push in this direction and it’s a good thing.

The main fat you want to increase is mono-unsaturated fats. These types of fats will help your body repair itself and run at its best. Think of it as high performance fuel for your body. You can find this healthy type of fat in avocados, coconut oil, nuts, nut butters, olives, and olive oil to name a few.

Fatty Foods Can Be Healthy

I have news for you. Fatty foods can be healthy. Notice I said “can”. That doesn’t mean that doughnut or deep fried Twinkie has suddenly become a health food. Far from it. But it does mean that you can throw those low fat diets out the window and enjoy some healthy fatty foods like avocados, olives, nut butters, and even real butter.

Fat is an important part of a healthy diet. It’s what keeps you from feeling hungry. Fats also allow you to absorb more nutrients from other foods. That’s why it’s so important that you dress that colorful and super healthy salad, with a full fat dressing and for good measure throw few nuts or avocado slices on top. This will turn a simple salad into a healthy meal that will keep you going for hours. The fat will ensure that your body can absorb all the vitamins in that beautiful fresh produce on your plate.

Good fats like those found in olive oil and avocado for example, nourish your brain, your eyes, hair, and even the walls of every single cell of your body. It’s also important for hormonal well-being, because hormones are mainly made up of fatty acids. In short, consuming healthy fats is important and there are quite a few fatty foods out there that are actually good for you.

Let’s quickly run through a few sources of healthy fats that you want to eat more of. At the same time stay away from trans-fats which have been linked to an increased risk in heart disease.

Avocado – This is one of my favorite healthy fats. Add this delicious fruit to salads, sandwiches, wraps, or eat it on the side with eggs or grilled meat. Also delicious mashed up on toast or turned into guacamole and even in smoothies!

Coconut Oil – Start your day with a healthy fat boost by adding a teaspoon of coconut oil to your coffee. This oil is also great for cooking eggs or sautéing veggies. Pure coconut oil can be tasteless, while other versions leave you with a hint of coconut flavor.

Olives And Olive Oil – Olive oil makes a great base for salad dressings. It can be used to finish and flavor all sorts of food. Both olive oil and olives have long been staples of the Mediterranean Diet. Look for cold pressed, extra virgin olive oil. Olives make delicious portable snacks.

Nuts And Seeds – Speaking of nuts. Another healthy snack that you can keep at your desk, in your purse, and in your pantry is various nuts and seeds. They are full of healthy fats, vitamins and mineral. Eat them on their own, make your own healthy trail mix, or sprinkle them on your salad.

The most important lesson I want you to take away from this post is that fat isn’t bad for you. Some sources of fat are better for you than others, but overall, it’s not the enemy we so long though it was.