May: Stroke Awareness Month

You can't mention Brain Health without mentioning that many people ignore signs of a stroke. May is National Stroke Awareness Month, so I thought I would write about the F.A.S.T test.

If you need to recognize signs of a stroke quickly, use these test if you suspect someone might be having a stroke.

Face: Ask the person to smile. Does one side droop?

Arms: Ask the person to raise both arms. Is one arm drifting downward?

Speech: Ask the person to repeat a simple sentence. Are the words slurred? Can the person repeat the sentence correctly?

Time: If the person shows any of these symptoms, times becomes crucial. Call 911 immediately.

Time To Take Care of Yourself

Taking a proactive approach about health issues and acquiring up to date information about your health is vital to your well-being. This can help you stay active and keep you healthy longer.

Take advantage of free health screenings, including heart disease, diabetes, bone health, HIV/Aids, cholesterol, blood pressure, blood sugar and bone density in your town when being offered.

Your local hospital may also offer free screenings for prostate cancer, among an array of health related evaluations.

Other free offerings you should take advantage of include, a review of the medications you are taking, dietary recommendations, body fat analysis, balance/fall prevention and foot health.

It is time to take care of yourself...

Living With Crohn's Disease

My son was diagnosed with Crohn's twelve years ago. Last week I was diagnosed with the same disease.
Although my specialist won't confirm until further testing, I have been sick for over a month now. Crohn's symptoms sometimes mimiicks other digestive disorders, so until we rid of the infection, we can't proceed with treatment.

I had never heard of Crohn's before my son was diagnosed. Now I hear people having this disease so often. If you are not familiar with this disease, I'll quote Wikipedia which states it best:

Crohn's disease (also known as regional enteritis) is a chronic, episodic, inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) and is generally classified as an autoimmune disease. Crohn's disease can affect any part of the gastrointestinal tract from mouth to anus; as a result, the symptoms of Crohn's disease vary among afflicted individuals. The disease is characterized by areas of inflammation with areas of normal lining between in a symptom known as skip lesions. The main gastrointestinal symptoms are abdominal pain, diarrhea (which may be bloody, though this may not be visible to the naked eye), constipation, vomiting, weight loss or weight gain. Crohn's disease can also cause complications outside of the gastrointestinal tract such as skin rashes, arthritis, and inflammation of the eye.

Crohn's disease affects between 400,000 and 600,000 people in North America. Although the cause of Crohn's disease is not known, it is believed to be an autoimmune disease that is genetically linked. The highest relative risk occurs in siblings, affecting males and females equally. Smokers are three times more likely to get Crohn's disease.

When my son is having an episode, I am the one providing care. I have done extensive research on Crohn's.
I immediately change his diet and cook often with a crock pot. When cooking in a crock pot on slow for 8 hours, you are breaking down the molecules in the food to make digestion easier. You need to eat soluble fiber vs. insoluble fiber. Soluble fiber includes: Rice, Pasta and noodles,Oatmeal,Barley, Fresh white breads such as French or sourdough (NOT whole wheat or whole grain),Rice cereals, Flour tortillas, Soy, Quinoa, Corn meal,Potatoes,Carrots, Yams,Sweet potatoes,Turnips,Rutabagas, Parsnips, Beets, Squash and pumpkins, Mushrooms, Chestnuts,Avocados (though they do have some fat), Bananas, Applesauce, Mangoes,Papayas (also digestive aids that relieve gas and indigestion). Stay away from food high in fat.

Soluble fiber soothes and regulates the digestive tract, stabilizes the intestinal contractions resulting from the gastrocolic reflex, and normalizes bowel function from either extreme. Soluble fiber prevents and relieves both diarrhea and constipation.

Since I have been ill, I have been using recipes for IBS, the crock pot, not eating any dairy (except lactose free products), making sure I eat soluble fiber and taking probotics.

I was impressed my specialist referred me to probotics, as this is considered alternative care. Probotic supplements help build and maintain a natural defense against a full range of digestive upsets: constipation, diarrhea, urgency, gas and bloating. If you don't have enough 'good' bacteria in the digestive system, this will sometimes cause digestive upsets.

If anyone suffers from this disease, I want to include the following resources that have helped us.

Recipes for the Specific Carbohydrate Diet by Elaine Gottschall

Self-care- Mayo Clinic

Crohn's Online

Irritable Bowel Syndrome Diet: This site has helped us tremendously with the information and recipes provided

IBS: Controlling Your Symptoms

Crohn's & Me- Other Useful Links

Bring "Health" Back To Your Skin

As we all age, our skin loses the ability to protect itself from the harmful affects of our environment. Our protective layer of skin cannot replace itself as easily or quickly as it did in our youth.

Epionce is a product that can bring 'health' back to your skin. Epionce is clinically proven to reduce the visible signs of aging, cure pre-cancer spots and cures/relieves acne. Two ingredients that accomplish that are: 1) EpiA, which is an anti-inflammatory that effects deep into the skin where it is formed, 2) EpiB, repairs the protective layer that gets damaged as we age.

The anti-inflammatory ingredients separates this product from most anti-aging creams and lotions you see. These ingredients reduces the signs of aging and with continued use, you will see long term affects. These ingredients attacks and corrects inflammatory environmental factors we face and also clears symptoms of such skin issues as: Rosacea,psoriasis and dermatitis.

There are 5 steps to the Epionce system, but if you are like me, we are most concerned with the skin around our eye area. Epionce renewal eye cream is a highly emollient treatment that has wellness properties that reverses signs of already damaged skin or prevents future damage. Do you experience puffiness, dark circles, lines and wrinkles or other skin imperfections? These symptoms can make one look older than we actually are.

As this product works it's magic against any damage, it creates a soft focus (like they use in the movies) and masks the appearance of dark circles or puffiness by using a luminescent polymer that reflects light.

Bring Health back to your skin...and forget about considering alternative measures such as surgery.

Get Healthy With Tangerines

Tangerines store carotenoid beta-cryptoxanthin. That is why they are orange in color. This phytonutrient keeps the body strong by destroying cell damaging free radicals while at the same time, boosting production of the immune systems; defensive white blood cells.

By adding 1 Tbs. of tangerine zest to a recipe can lower levels of LDL (bad) cholesterol by up to 40 percent in just 4 weeks. This is according to research in the Journal of Agriculture and Food Chemistry. The reason this happens is because the peel’s polymethoxlated flavones, inhibit the release of LDL cholesterol’s structural proteins and this causes the cholestral to degenerate.

Tangerines and other citrus fruits are loaded with Vitamin C. Tangerines can help keep stress levels from climbing. The pleasant scent of a tangerine has been proven to soothe the central nervous system, further reducing stress.

A tangerine is one of nature’s richest sources of citrate. This natural salt keeps the formation of kidney stones by interfering with the crystallization of calcium. Citrate also raises the ph level of urine, diluting oxalate, a waste substance that also contributes to kidney-stone formation.

Here’s two recipes you might enjoy:

Szechuan Stir-Fry (makes 6 servings)

From 2 Tangerines, zest and juice one. Peel and section remaining. In a bowl, combine ½ cup juice, 1 tsp. zest and ¼ cup spicy Szechuan stir-fry sauce. Set aside. In greased skillet over medium heat, cook 1 red and 1 green pepper (seeded and cubed), 1 onion cut into wedges for about 3 minutes. Add 1 flank steak thinly sliced. Cook 3 minutes. Add sauce mixture and tangerine sections. Cook 1 minute. Serve with rice.

Sunshine Souffle (makes 4 servings)

From 2 tangerines, zest and juice 1. Peel and section remaining. In cup combine 1/3 cup tangerine juice and enough water to measure ½ cup. Add 1 tsp. zest. In bowl, combine 1 box (3 oz) lemon flavored gelatin and ½ cup boiling water. Stir 2 minutes. Set in ice bath 2 minutes. Using mixer beat for 2 minutes. Fold in container (8oz) frozen whipped topping, thawed and ¼ cup light sour cream. Divide tangerines and cream mixture among four 6 oz cups. Chill 5 minutes

26 Reasons to Drink Acai Berry Juice~Part 3

Conclusion:

18) PROVIDES ESSENTIAL FATTY ACIDS
The vital part of our diet allows for the transport of nutrients(fuel)in and out of the cell.

19)STABILIZES PROPER CHOLESTEROL LEVELS
Plant steroids help the process of cholestrol regulation

20)HELPS PROSTATE
Plant steroids (phenolic compounds) cleanse and strengthen the prostate.

21)STRENGTHENS THE HEART
Many of these phytoceuticals strengthen the heart muscles, strengthens blood vessel walls and inhibit platelet formation (atherosclerosis) helping prevent edma, strokes and heart failure.

22)FIGHTS CELLULAR MUTATION
The powerful antioxidants (water soluble) enter the cell and float in the liquids, attacking free radicals and other pollutants, including parasitic waste. They protect both the nucleic DNA and the mitochondrial DNA.

23) INHIBITS PLATELET AGGREGATION AND CLOTTING
THe polyphenols in these fruits can inhibit the clotting activity of blood cells. Also, the antioxidant effect of many polyphenols protects lipids from oxidation in the bloodstream, which further reduces risk of clots and plaque buildup.

24) HELPS DIGESTION
Plants carry with them their own enzymes. This helps the body 1) readily make these nutrients available and 2) allows other body enzymes to work elsewhere. Plant nutrients (phenols) are anti-ulcer, anti-acid-reflux and help the whole digestion, absorption, and waste elimination process.

25) STRENGTHENS MEMORY
A long list of diseases are now associated with free radicals, none more insidious than those that cause dementia, Alzheimer's, Parkinson's Disease, etc. Good cells die from lack of proper nutrition. The ABC grouping of phytonutrients helps this battle.

26) HOST OF BENEFITS
From fighting E-Coli in the bladder to fighting infections, from strengthening blood cells to helping the skin convert sunlight to vitamin D, OUR BODIES NEED THE PAN-SYSTEMIC HEALING HELP OF THESE PLANT NUTRIENTS.

26 Reasons to Drink Acai Berry Juice ~ Part 2

With permission from J.J. Oswald from the Health Journal, owned by Sound Concepts, I bring to you Part 2 of 3: the next important reasons to consume Acai Berry


9) HELPS REDUCE RISK OF CANCER
Antioxidants neutralize free radicals before they can damage cellular DNA, a crucial step in the formation of cancer and tumor cells

10) RELIEVES INFLAMMATION
Several compounds found in these fruits, including beta-sitosterol and essential fatty acids, are powerful anti-flammatory agents. Chronic inflammation is linked to dozens of debilitating heath conditions.

11) IMPEDS NRS FREE RADICALS
Research suggests that OPCs from richly pigmented red-purple fruits, such as blueberries and grapes, may restrict certain oxidants including nitrogen-reactive species.

12) FIGHTS BACTERIA
The battle for health is at the molecular level. In all of these fruits and berries there are
protectants and astringents (from flavones, flavonoids, isoflavanoids) that kill bacteria.

13) FIGHTS VIRUSES
A virus is 1000 times smaller than a bacterium. It works by attacking anything - it can enter a cell and damage it completely. The virus actually fills the cell with itself. This leads to a host of debilitating and degenerative diseases.

14) PROVIDES ESSENTIAL OILS
Oils are an array of incredibly small particles that bind with other nutrients and transport them through membranes. Our bodies would not work without them. They not only transport, but contain phytochemicals themselves.

15) COMBATS EFFECTS OF DIABETES
Many constituents of these fruits may help the body regulate blood sugar and strengthen the pancreas.

16) STRENGTHENS VISION
Zeaxanthin and Lutein stregthen and protect the eye - inhibiting glaucoma, macular degeneration and cataracts.

17) INCREASES MENTAL CLARITY
It is vastly important to get the proper nutrients in a transport system that allows the cells to receive and use them. The brain cell membranes are very protective (thankfully), but they are under an attack 24/7 and need strengthening.

Come back to read Part 3 which will contain the next important reasons to drink Acai Berry complex

The Benefits of the Acai Berry

Have you heard about the amazing berry that is being known around the world for being the most nutritious and powerful foods? It gives you the highest degree of anti-aging properties, disease fighting and antioxidant benefits. A superb food for nutrition, health and wellness.

The Acai Berry, pronounced ah-sigh-ee, is harvested in the rain forests of Brazil from a special amazon palm tree. Acai Berry has a unique taste of berry and chocolate. It looks like a purple marble or grape. Finding the Acai Berry in the form of juice may be difficult to find in your local supermarket, but your health food store should carry some form of the Acai Berry. You could always search the Internet for Acai Berry.

With permission from J.J. Oswald from the Health Journal, owned by Sound Concepts, I bring to you Part 1 of 3:

26 Reasons to Drink Acai Berry Complex

1) PROTECT CELLS
Acai Berry complex protects the body's cells from pathogens, antigens and carcinogens. The body recognizes these nutrients and adapts them to protect and strengthen the immune system.

2) SCAVENGES FOR FREE RADICALS
Antioxidants inhibit oxidative damage. "Scientists now believe the free radicals are causal factors in nearly every known disease, from heart disease to arthritis to cancer and cataracts. In fact, free radicals are a major culprit in the aging process itself". Lester Packer, PhD, The Antioxidant Miracle

3) STRENGTHENS CELL MEMBRANE
Allows blood/brain barrier transmission while strengthening cell membranes. All cell membranes need to protect against the unwanted entrance of pathogens.

4) BUILDS PROTEINS
The body needs to assimilate amino acids into protein (our cellular building blocks) and this juice delivers an array of amino acids.

5) RESTORES ANTIOXIDANT NUMBER
Many antioxidants become weakened or are destroyed (i.e., vitamins C and E) but powerful antioxidants repair and strengthen the whole antioxidant network

6) STRENGTHENS IMMUNE SYSTEM
The immune system is under attack~ it is overworked. Powerful free radical scavengers help strengthen the lymphocytes and leukocytes, helping the communication process, thereby helping the body rid itself of these pathogens.

7) ENHANCES CELLULAR COMMUNICATION
It is vital for cells to communicate properly. Healthy sugars and polysaccharides are essential.

8) HELPS REDUCE RISK OF CANCER
Antioxidants neutralize free radicals before they can damage cellular DNA, a crucial step in the formation of cancer and tumor cells.

Come back to read Part 2 which will contain the next 9 important reasons to drink Acai Berry complex

Click here to visit The Total Health Shop

Inspirational Quote

While visiting the restuarant, Jekyll and Hyde in the village (New York), I noticed a quote written on the napkins. I loved it so much, I kept the napkin...


In each of us, two natures are at war -
the good and evil.

All our lives the fight goes on between them, and one of them must conquer.

BUT, in our own hands lie the power to choose-
what we want most to be...we are.

Lose Weight With Hoodia

Hoodia gordonii is a cactus like succulent plant. It grows in Southern Africa. The bushmen of the Kalahari Desert ate the stem of the Hoodia plant to starve off hunger during their long hunting trips.

You can lose weight with hoodia due to the active ingredient known as molecule P57. Researchers say this molecule acts on the brain similar to glucose. It tricks the brain into thinking you are full, as if you have just eaten. It also reduces interest in food and delays the time before you feel hungry again.

Taking Hoodia diet pills combined with a healthy diet and a regular exercise plan, can help you lose weight and keep it off. Hoodia has no side effects, considered to be all natural, not a drug. Hoodia is also non habit forming.

Discuss with your doctor before taking Hoodia if you have:
*diabetes
*heart disease or high blood pressure,
*a bleeding or blood clotting disorder,
*anorexia, bulimia or any other eating disorder,
*or if you are pregnant or nursing

Are You Grounded?

We may have a lot going on in our personal lives which cause our stress levels to elevate. Add to that what is going on in our world and the levels increase even more so.

When we are experiencing feelings of stress, upset, anger, frustration or some other emotional form, we are ungrounded. Meaning our soul is not connected to our body. We are not experiencing in the 'now'. We are off thinking about other things. Being Ungrounded is usually a negative, but that is not always the case. Sometimes we are just off...somewhere else in thought, moving along in a daze, not paying attention. We experience Mental fogginess.

Anchoring your roots to the earth's healing energies can be achieved by learning how to relax and maintaining a balance within our physical and spiritual bodies. See my post on Balancing Your Chakras:Root. Have you ever been stressed and found yourself working out in your garden or felt the need to plant? Your hands working the earth, the soil. You are really grounding yourself. After you are done with this task, do you feel better? I know I do and enjoy working with soil, plants, even weeding.

We are spiritual beings, but sometimes we neglect our bodies. We need to care for the container of our spirit. Grounding brings to us health and well being. Usually grounding oneself can be done with visualization. See the exercise within the mention post Balancing Your Chakras.

Other Ways to Ground Yourself:
1) Learn to mediate, focus on your breathing. Inhale and exhale in a balanced rhythm. Be aware of this rhythm. Focus on the way you are breathing. This will bring your to the 'now'
2) Visulaize the color red. This color is associated with the root chakra.
3) Imagine you are wearing red shoes or slippers. Seeing red on your feet will remind you to stay grounded and bring your attention back to your physical self.
4) Hug a tree. Trees have deep roots
5) Imagine yourself as a tree and see your feet as roots deeply planted in the ground
6) Seating in a chair with both feet on the floor, your spine is straight. You are aware of your entire body in this position. Rest your arms on your thighs or on the arms of the chair. Notice your posture. You will feel strong and at ease. Allow the energy to flow through your entire body.
7) Saying Grounding Statements: If you are feeling stressed or another negative feeling, repeat to yourself...this feeling will pass, I feel strong and safe. Come up with your own grounding statement and repeat it to yourself or say it outloud.
8) Dance or sing a song that makes you feel good
9) Stump your feet. Feeling the power in your legs as your feet hit the ground.
10) Carry a smooth stone. Sometimes referred to as a 'worry' stone.

Create your own state of calm and comfort. Ground away those negative energies and bring awareness to your body.


Take this quiz to see if you are Grounded: CLICK HERE

Airborne: Immune Boosting Tablet

This may be old news for most, but just in case you have not heard of this product or tried it yet, I want to bring your attention to Airborne.

Tonight, for the first time, I purchased this product myself and I can honestly say, it works.

What is Ariborne?
It is a immune boosting tablet that helps your body fight germs. It was created by a school teacher who was tired of getting sick. She wanted to help her body fight against the germs that ran amuck in her classroom.

What are the Ingredients?
1,000 mg of Vitamin C
Seven Herbal Extracts: (Maltodextrin, Lonicera, Forsythiam, Schizonepeta, Ginger, Chinese Vitex,Isatis, Echinacea)
Antioxidants
Electrolytes
Amino Acids: (Glutamine, Lysine)
Vitamin A, C and E
Magnesium
Zinc
Manganese
Potassium

Directions for Use:
For adults and children over aged 12, Drop one tablet in a glass of water. Wait until it dissolves and drink up. You can repeat this up to 3 times each day.

This product is useful to protect yourself against germs when entering a crowded room or environment, such as airplanes, offices and schools.

I took this product as soon as I felt like I was coming down with something today and hours later, I am truly feeling much better.

Be sure to read the cautions on the product box if you are pregnant or nursing or taking other medications.

Protect Yourself With Disease Fighting Foods

Eating just 2 grams per day of foods enriched with sterols and stanols can help prevent heart disease and lower your cholestrol.

What are Sterols and Stanols?

They are found naturally in fruits, vegetables, nuts, seeds, cereals, legumes, and vegetable oils.

According to Wikipedia, Plant sterols are known to block cholesterol absorption sites in the human intestine thus helping to reduce cholesterol in humans.In humans, sterols act to provide important signals and metabolic communications eg. circadian rhythms, blood clotting.

Studies have indicated that consumption of about 2 grams per day of stanols provides a reduction in LDL cholesterol of about 10%. The compound itself passes through the gut without entering the the blood stream or lymph. Its presence, however, reduces both the amount of cholesterol the body absorbs from food.

There has been studies which indicates there is a chance that sterols can interfere with the absorption of some carotenoids, such as beta-carotene, which your body uses to make vitamin A, so if you do eat sterols, eat servings of vegetables rich in bete-carotene aslo:carrots, squash, sweet potatoes, and dark leafy greens

How Should You eat Sterols and Stanols?

Eating just 2 grams each day is sufficient. Eating more actually counter acts the positive results. If you are already consuming foods enriched with sterols and stanols, eat those instead of eating additional foods.

Some Foods that Contain Sterols:
Corn oil, sunflower oil, beans, corn, peanut butter, olive oil, almonds, oranges, apples, avocados.

For a complete list of foods, go here