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I Am The Master Of My Health by Terry Ryan
I am the master of my health and also the master of my appetite. Who is control? You or your cravings? Do you give in to eating sweets easily even though you know they are wicked for your health? Do you turn on the TV instead of a walk around the block after dinner? Do you have a propensity to gravitate to foods that are quick, cheap and easy? Stop! Stop it now! Don’t wait until the first heart attack to get serious about your health.
It is shocking how many American’s take the easy road to eating instead of the mature and responsible 
route to good health. Yes, it takes a little effort to eat responsibly but it is definitely worth it if you look at the entire picture. Some people view eating as part of the entertainment in their life instead of what it is really meant to be…fuel for life. People associate overeating as a sign of celebration but do they have to celebrate everyday? No! Sure, you can knock your calorie count out the window when it’s Christmas or your birthday but not everyday.
Okay, I get why kids want to eat hot fudge sundaes everyday because they are KIDS with no self-control. You, on the other hand, are all grownup and can make informed and responsible choices, yet you still let yourself succumb to bad food decisions like, yes I can eat that pint of Ben and Jerry’s. Oh, boy!
So, today, I want you all to pick yourself up and be the MASTERS OF YOUR OWN HEALTH!
- Bring lunch with you instead of eating fast food
- Drink lemon water instead of coffee
- Stop drinking soda
- Stop drinking alcohol
- Drink plenty of water everyday
- Get lots of sleep
- Walk instead of going to lunch with the gang
- Juice for health
- Plan social events around physical activities, not food related
- Get a blood panel taken so you know what your cholesterol is
- Reduce your blood pressure
- Don’t snack between meals-give your digestion a break
- Don’t eat after dinner
- Have a vegetarian meal once a week
- Get familiar with raw veggies
- Don’t eat sweets unless it’s a special occasion
- Skip the chips, crackers, cheese
- Need more health info, follow my blog
Do you have Diabetes Type 2? Did you know that is totally diet related as in bad diet and that is curable through changing bad eating habits into good eating habits? Yes, it is!
High blood pressure? I cured mine (they wanted to put me on pills) by juicing celery, carrots, and ginger. Nice combo! Please try it. I have lots of juicing advice on this blog. Watch the documentary…Fat, Sick and Nearly Dead by Joe Cross for a juicing education.
I just interviewed William Anderson who wrote The Anderson Method for Weight Loss and I asked him why do people go on a calorie restriction diet, lose 10 pounds, then find themselves binge on food (usually food that is high in calories and low in nutrition) after and put the 10 pounds back on and more. He said it is because of addiction. It is just like being addicted to alcohol. Yikes! It makes sense. What is the definition of addiction?
Addiction is characterized by inability to consistently abstain, impairment in behavioral control, craving,
Are You Addicted?
diminished recognition of significant problems with one’s behaviors and interpersonal relationships, and a dysfunctional emotional response. Like other chronic diseases, addiction often involves cycles of relapse and remission. Without treatment or engagement in recovery activities, addiction is progressive and can result in disability or premature death. (source:ASAM.org)
So, you know it is wrong and bad for you yet you still do the thing that is causing ill health, a larger than desired body mass and a shorter life expectancy. Hmmmm. Does that sound like someone that is Master of Their Own Health?
Is this an example of the Peter Pan Principle? People never want to grown up? They still want to act like little kids who allow themselves to eat anything they want because they never want to grow up? Also, what about parents that stockpile their pantries with every kind of junk food and candy because junior wants it but wipes away the tears when their child comes how from school crying because the kids called her FAT. You, the parent, are also responsible for what your child puts into his or her mouth. If you have a obese child you have just set your own flesh and blood up for health problems. social problems, and a shorter life expectancy. I’m sure you do not want to do that so clean out the pantry and announce the new eating plan today.
The message here is to take charge of your own life and be in control. If you are having problems with food addiction and can’t seem to get a grip on eating healthier seek a therapist that specializes in eating problems.
Please keep in mind that healthy eating is a learned behavior and takes dedication and time. It is a habit that you will develop with practice. You have to reprogram the mind to reward itself with healthy food and learn to dislike even the thought of eating junk food. You can do it! I had a weak self-control, and nobody and I mean nobody has a weaker self-control than I once did, and I managed to reprogram my mind and refine my taste buds. If I can do it, you can do it.
Last summer when I went back to my hometown in upstate NY I was shocked to see how many of my friends and neighbors had health problems including heart attacks and strokes, and some were younger than me. What was the common link? Bad food habits. One person who had an heart attack (gosh, we almost lost him) is an exercise fanatic and skis the black diamond trails on Stowe and Killington but has terrible eating habits and like to overindulge when drinking. Why should I or he be surprised? It was bound to happen and it will happen to you if you are not Master’s of Your Own Health.
I just wrote a book called The Insomnia Cure-How I Kicked Insomnia Out of My Bed and told my neighbor about it who takes a sleeping pill every night. I told her about the book and she asked if it involved hard work as in giving up sweets and I said YES. She said she didn’t want to work that hard and would rather just take her sleeping pill every night. She is also on lots of other prescription medicines and is overweight. She has bowls of candy all over her house and a bowl on her nightstand so she can nibble while she lies in bed watching TV. At her last doctor’s appointment her doctor gave her the speech about if she didn’t start living healthier to expect a health emergency soon. She tells me life is too short to not live the way she is living as in no I won’t give up sweets and eating whatever she wants. I sometimes wonder if this is some sort of suicide. Oh, by the way, she is younger than me and my husband and someone thought she was my husband’s mother. Yeah, that’s another thing eating unhealthy will do to you…age you! Inside and out!
Terry Ryan
Terry Ryan is a Internet Marketer, Social Media Expert, and health blogger. Follow her on Slimhealthysexy.com
Got Lemon? Slim! Healthy! Sexy!
Got Lemon? Slim! Healthy! Sexy!
45 Uses For Lemons That Will Blow Your Socks Off
Most people are familiar with the traditional uses for lemons to soothe sore throats and add some citrus flavor to our foods. However the diversity of applications for lemons far exceeds general knowledge and once you read the following list, you’ll likely want to stock at least a few lemons in your kitchen 24-7.
1. Freshen the Fridge
Remove refrigerator odors with ease. Dab lemon juice on a cotton ball or sponge and leave it in the fridge for several hours. Make sure to toss out any malodorous items that might be causing the bad smell.
2. High Blood Pressure
Lemon contains potassium which controls high blood pressure and reduces the effect of nausea and dizziness.
3. Prevent Cauliflower From Turning Brown
Cauliflower tend to turn brown with even the slightest cooking. You can make sure the white vegetables stay white by squeezing a teaspoon of fresh lemon juice on them before heating.
4. Mental Health
Lemon water can also prep up your mood and relieve you from depression and stress. Long distance walkers and world travelers as well as explorers look upon the lemon as a Godsend. When fatigue begins, a lemon is sucked through a hole in the top. Quick acting medicine it is, giving almost unbelievable refreshments.
5. Refresh Cutting Boards
No wonder your kitchen cutting board smells! After all, you use it to chop onions, crush garlic, and prepare fish. To get rid of the smell and help sanitize the cutting board, rub it all over with the cut side of half a lemon or wash it in undiluted juice straight from the bottle.
6. Respiratory Problems
Lemon water can reduce phlegm; and can also help you breathe properly and aids a person suffering with asthma.
7. Treating Arthritis and Rheumatism
Lemon is a diuretic – assists in the production of urine which helps you to reduce inflammation by flushing out toxins and bacteria while also giving you relief from arthritis and rheumatism.
8. Prevents Kidney Stones
Regular consumption of the refreshing drink — or even lemon juice mixed with water — may increase the production of urinary citrate, a chemical in the urine that prevents the formation of crystals that may build up into kidney stones.
9. Keep Insects Out of the Kitchen
You don’t need insecticides or ant traps to ant-proof your kitchen. Just give it the lemon treatment. First squirt some lemon juice on door thresholds and windowsills. Then squeeze lemon juice into any holes or cracks where the ants are getting in. Finally, scatter small slices of lemon peel around the outdoor entrance. The ants will get the message that they aren’t welcome. Lemons are also effective against roaches and fleas: Simply mix the juice of 4 lemons (along with the rinds) with 1/2 gallon (2 liters) water and wash your floors with it; then watch the fleas and roaches flee. They hate the smell.
10. Anti-Aging
Lemon water reduces the production of free radicals which are responsible for aging skin and skin damage. Lemon water is calorie free and an antioxidant.
11. Fruit and Vegetable Wash
You never know what kind of pesticides or dirt may be lurking on the skin of your favorite fruits and vegetables. Slice your lemon and squeeze out one tablespoon of lemon juice into your spray bottle. The lemon juice is a natural disinfectant and will leave your fruits and vegetables smelling nice too.
12. Treat Infections
Lemon water can fight throat infections thanks to its antibacterial property. If salt water does not work for you, try lime and water for gargling.
13. Deodorize Your Garbage
If your garbage is beginning to smell yucky, here’s an easy way to deodorize it: Save leftover lemon and orange peels and toss them at the base under the bag. To keep it smelling fresh, repeat once every couple of weeks.
14. Keep Guacamole Green
You’ve been making guacamole all day long for the big party, and you don’t want it to turn brown on top before the guests arrive. The solution: Sprinkle a liberal amount of fresh lemon juice over it and it will stay fresh and green. The flavor of the lemon juice is a natural complement to the avocados in the guacamole. Make the fruit salad hours in advance too. Just squeeze some lemon juice onto the apple slices, and they’ll stay snowy white.
15. Purges The Blood
We consume a lot of junk food or food with a lot of preservatives and artificial flavours. This builds up a lot of toxins in the blood and body but daily consumption of lemon water helps to purify the blood.
16. Make Soggy Lettuce Crisp
Don’t toss that soggy lettuce into the garbage. With the help of a little lemon juice you can toss it in a salad instead. Add the juice of half a lemon to a bowl of cold water. Then put the soggy lettuce in it and refrigerate for 1 hour. Make sure to dry the leaves completely before putting them into salads or sandwiches.
17. Oral Health
Lemon juice also stops bleeding gums and reduces toothaches
18. Lighten Age Spots
Why buy expensive creams when you’ve got lemon juice? To lighten liver spots or freckles, try applying lemon juice directly to the area. Let it sit for 15 minutes and then rinse your skin clean. It’s a safe and effective skin-lightening agent.
19. Create Blonde Highlights
For salon-worthy highlights, add 1/4 cup lemon juice to 3/4 cup water and rinse your hair with the mixture. Then, sit in the sun until your hair dries. To maximize the effect, repeat once daily for up to a week.
20. Make a Room Scent/Humidifier
Freshen and moisturize the air in your home on dry winter days. Make your own room scent that also doubles as a humidifier. If you have a wood-burning stove, place an enameled cast-iron pot or bowl on top, fill with water, and add lemon (and/or orange) peels, cinnamon sticks, cloves, and apple skins. No wood-burning stove? Use your stove top instead and just simmer the water periodically.
21. Clean and Whiten Nails
Pamper your hands without a manicurist. Add the juice of 1/2 lemon to 1 cup warm water and soak your fingertips in the mixture for 5 minutes. After pushing back the cuticles, rub some lemon peel back and forth against the nail.
22. Cleanse Your Face
Zap zits naturally by dabbing lemon juice on blackheads to draw them out during the day. You can also wash your face with lemon juice for a natural cleanse and exfoliation. Your skin should improve after several days of treatment. Lemon water is also a cooling agent, best way to beat the heat.
23. Freshen Your Breath
Make an impromptu mouthwash by rinsing with lemon juice straight from the bottle. Swallow for longer-lasting fresh breath. The citric acid in the juice alters the pH level in your mouth, killing bacteria that causes bad breath. Rinse after a few minutes because long-term exposure to the acid in lemons can harm tooth enamel.
24. Treat Flaky Dandruff
If itchy, scaly dandruff has you scratching your head, relief may be no farther away than your refrigerator. Just massage two tablespoons lemon juice into your scalp and rinse with water. Then stir one teaspoon lemon juice into one cup water and rinse your hair with it. Repeat daily until your dandruff disappears.
25. Get Rid of Tough Stains on Marble
You probably think of marble as stone, but it is really petrified calcium (also known as old seashells). That explains why it is so porous and easily stained and damaged. Those stains can be hard to remove. If washing won’t remove a stubborn stain, try this: Cut a lemon in half, dip the exposed flesh into some table salt, and rub it vigorously on the stain. But do this only as a last resort; acid can damage marble. Rinse well. Use These Lemons To Clean – Easy and Effective
26. Remove Berry Stains
It sure was fun to pick your own berries, but now your fingers are stained with berry juice that won’t come off no matter how much you scrub with soap and water. Try washing your hands with undiluted lemon juice, then wait a few minutes and wash with warm, soapy water. Repeat until your hands are stain-free.
27. Soften Dry, Scaly Elbows
Itchy elbows are bad enough, but they look terrible too. For better looking (and feeling) elbows, mix baking soda and lemon juice to make an abrasive paste, then rub it into your elbows for a soothing, smoothing, and exfoliating treatment. Rinse your extremities in a mixture of equal parts lemon juice and water, then massage with olive oil and dab dry with a soft cloth.
28. Headaches
Lemon juice with a few teaspoons of hot tea added is the treatment of a sophisticated New York bartender, for those who suffer with hangover headaches–and from headaches due to many other causes. He converts his customers to this regime, and weans them away from drug remedies completely.
29. Chills and Fevers
Chills and fevers may be due to a variety of causes; never the less the lemon is always a helpful remedy. Spanish physicians regard it as an infallible friend.
30. Diptheria
Skip the vaccine for this disease. Lemon Juice Treatment still proves as one of the most powerful antiseptics and the strong digestive qualities of the fruit are admired around the world. With the juice every hour or two, and at the same time, 1/2 to 1 tsp. should be swallowed. This cuts loose the false membrane in the throat and permits it to come out.
31. Vaginal Hygiene
Diluted lemon juice makes a safe and sane method of vaginal hygiene. Though it is a powerful antiseptic it is nevertheless free from irritating drugs in douches and suppositories.
32. Forget The Moth Balls
A charming French custom to keep closets free from moths is to take ripe lemons and stick them with cloves all over the skin. The heavily studded lemons slowly dry with their cloves, leaving a marvelous odor throughout the closets and rooms.
33. Stomach Health
Digestive problems are the most common ailments but warm water and lime juice is the solution to most digestive problems. Lemon juice helps to purify the blood, reduces your chances of indigestion, constipation, eliminates toxins from the body, adds digestion and reduces phlegm.
34. Disinfect Cuts and Scrapes
Stop bleeding and disinfect minor cuts and scraps by pouring a few drops of lemon juice directly on the cut. You can also apply the juice with a cotton ball and hold firmly in place for one minute.
35. Soothe Poison Ivy Rash
You won’t need an ocean of calamine lotion the next time poison ivy comes a-creeping. Just apply lemon juice directly to the affected area to soothe itching and alleviate the rash.
36. Remove Warts
You’ve tried countless remedies to banish warts and nothing seems to work. Next time, apply a dab of lemon juice directly to the wart using a cotton swab. Repeat for several days until the acids in the lemon juice dissolve the wart completely.
37. Bleach Delicate Fabrics
Avoid additional bleach stains by swapping ordinary household chlorine bleach with lemon juice, which is milder but no less effective. Soak your delicates in a mixture of lemon juice and baking soda for at least half an hour before washing.
38. Clean Tarnished Brass and Polish Chrome
Say good-bye to tarnish on brass, copper, or stainless steel. Make a paste of lemon juice and salt (or substitute baking soda or cream of tartar for the salt) and coat the affected area. Let it stay on for 5 minutes. Then wash in warm water, rinse, and polish dry. Use the same mixture to clean metal kitchen sinks too. Apply the paste, scrub gently, and rinse. Get rid of mineral deposits and polish chrome faucets and other tarnished chrome. Simply rub lemon rind over the chrome and watch it shine! Rinse well and dry with a soft cloth.
39. Replace Your Dry Cleaner
Ditch the expensive dry-cleaning bills (and harsh chemicals) with this homegrown trick. Simply scrub the stained area on shirts and blouses with equal parts lemon juice and water. Your “pits” will be good as new, and smell nice too.
40. Boost Laundry Detergent
For more powerful cleaning action, pour 1 cup lemon juice into the washer during the wash cycle. The natural bleaching action of the juice will zap stains and remove rust and mineral discolorations from cotton T-shirts and briefs and will leave your clothes smelling fresh. Your clothes will turn out brighter and also come out smelling lemon-fresh.
41. Rid Clothes of Mildew
Have you ever unpacked clothes you stored all winter and discovered some are stained with mildew? To get rid of it, make a paste of lemon juice and salt and rub it on the affected area, then dry the clothes in sunlight. Repeat the process until the stain is gone.
42. Eliminate Fireplace Odor
There’s nothing cozier on a cold winter night than a warm fire burning in the fireplace — unless the fire happens to smell horrible. Next time you have a fire that sends a stench into the room, try throwing a few lemon peels into the flames. Or simply burn some lemon peels along with your firewood as a preventive measure.
43. Neutralize Cat-Box Odor
You don’t have to use an aerosol spray to neutralize foul-smelling cat-box odors or freshen the air in your bathroom. Just cut a couple of lemons in half. Then place them, cut side up, in a dish in the room, and the air will soon smell lemon-fresh.
44. Deodorize a Humidifier
When your humidifier starts to smell funky, deodorize it with ease: Just pour 3 or 4 teaspoons lemon juice into the water. It will not only remove the off odor but will replace it with a lemon-fresh fragrance. Repeat every couple of weeks to keep the odor from returning.
45. Reduce Asthma Symptoms
In addition to a general detoxifying diet, 2 tablespoons of lemon juice before each meal, and before retiring can reduce asthma symptoms.
* If you do consume lemon peel, stick to organic lemons to reduce your pesticide exposure.
John Summerly is nutritionist, herbologist, and homeopathic practitioner. He is a leader in the natural health community and consults athletes, executives and most of all parents of children on the benefits of complementary therapies for health and prevention.
Terry Ryan is a blogger, health enthusiast, and CEO at www.slimhealthysexy.com
Read more: http://www.trueactivist.com/45-uses-for-lemons-that-will-blow-your-socks-off/
Oranges…Super Food!
Oranges possess over 60 different flavonoids, making them a nutritious fruit to eat o a daily basis. Immensely rich in hesperidin and naringin, oranges are emerging as a weapon for boosting eye health, fighting heart disease, preventing kidney stones and enhancing immunity.
Orange History
While oranges are widely available and fairly inexpensive today, they were once considered a prized luxury before the 20th century. The orange originated in Asia thousands of years ago9 with the most common types bitter and sweet. The later became popular across Europe in the 15th century before Spanish explorers brought it to Florida and California, currently two of the largest US producers of the citrus fruit. Other major world producers include Brazil, Mexico, and Isreal.
Boosting Eye Health
Glaucoma is a long-term visual neuropathy defined by structural abnormalties
is the nerve fibers of eye structures as wall as the optic nerve itself. It can result in permanent vision loss if left untreated. A wealth of carotoids, including lutein and beta-cryptoxanthin, alond with vitamin C make oranges well-equipped to protect against this often symptomless disease. In one study, researchers at the University of California revealed that those consuming more than two servings of fresh oranges per week produced an 82% reduction in glaucoma rish compared to those who ingested less than one serving per week.
A recent study published in the Journal of Neuroscience suggests that vitamin C in oranges might be largely responsible for this powerful protective effect. Retinal nerve cells contain GABA receptors, which help modulate their transmission of electrical signals to the brain. Without sufficient amounts of the vitamin, GABA receptors malfunction, causing retinal nerves cells to fire signals at an excessive rate. This constant workload causes nerve cells death. Vitamin C rich 
oranges allow GABA receptors to function properly, thereby protecting against the loss of retinal nerve cells and preserving vision.
Along with glaucoma, a greater intake of oranges shows promise in defending against age-related macular degeneration, the most common cause of vision loss in individuals over the age of 50. Researchers analyze data from more than 118k adults between the ages of 30 – 55 regarding fruit and vegetable intake over an 189 year period. They found that those who ate three or more servings of oranges per week had a 39% lower risk of age-related macular degeneration than those who consume less than two servings per month.
Source: Life Extension Magazine June 2013 Issue www.let.org
Source: http://www.bubblews.com/news/1393159-why-we-should-eat-more-oranges
If you would like to join the Joy of Juicing, please check out this course.Click Here!
What is Maca Root?
What is Maca root?
Have I had my head in the sand or is this the new wonder food? All of a sudden, I see Maca Root everywhere as the cure for EVERYTHING. I was watching a video on a new smoothie recipe and the presenter was adding Maca root…WILD Maca root. So, I decided to research Maca. What the heck is it? Here is what I found.
Maca root has been used by native Indians in Peru as a vital ingredient to health for thousands of years. Maca’s use goes back to around 3800 B.C., when Peruvian Indians cultivated and ate it for both its nutritional and medicinal value. Centuries later in 1549 A.D., records indicate that, during his time in Peru, the Spanish explorer Captain de Soto received Maca from the Indians as a gift in return for his help in improving methods of animal husbandry in the Peruvian Castille region. By 1572, as Maca’s health-giving properties gained notoriety, the Chinchayochas Indians had begun using Maca root for barter. It was not until 1843 that this plant was studied by scientists and given the botanical name of Lepidium meyenii, Walpers. after German Botanist Gerhard Walpers
Maca root grows in the mountains of Peru at high altitudes of 7,000 to 11,000 feet, making it the highest altitude growing plant in the world. Maca is a radish-like root vegetable that is related to the potato family, and is tuberous and spherical in form. The root itself is about three to six centimeters across and 4.7 centimeters in length. There are four recognized types of Maca Root based on the color of the root. Root color varies from creamy yellow or light pink to dark purple or black.
Chemically Maca root contains significant amounts of amino acids, carbohydrates, and minerals including calcium, phosphorous, zinc, magnesium, iron, as well as vitamins B1, B2, B12, C and E. Peruvian Maca also includes a number of glycosides. (In chemistry, a glycoside /ˈɡlaɪkəsaɪd/ is a molecule in which a sugar is bound to another functional group via a glycosidic bond. Glycosides play numerous important roles in living organisms. Many plants store chemicals in the form of inactive glycosides. These can be activated by enzyme hydrolysis,[1] which causes the sugar part to be broken off, making the chemical available for use. Many such plant glycosides are used as medications. In animals and humans, poisons are often bound to sugar molecules as part of their elimination from the body.)
As a nutritional supplement, Peruvian Maca has generalized tonic effects on the biochemical functioning of the human body. Chief among these effects is the enhancement of endocrine function. The endocrine system includes all of the glands, and the hormones they secrete, that exist in the body and that control such conditions as fertility, sexual function, digestion, brain and nervous system physiology, and energy levels. Hormonal regulation is responsible for all of the physiological attributes that enable us to enjoy the myriad sensations of being vibrantly alive, including those related to sexual arousal, physical activity and mental-emotional states of being. Maca root has also been called an adaptogen, which means that it increases the body’s ability to defend itself against both physical and mental weakening, hence potential illness. It is believed it achieves this by supporting adrenal and pituitary gland health, both of which underlie proper endocrine function.
Maca Power is cultivated in the Junin plateau of Peru’s central highlands at 4,100 meters above sea level, on ancient terraces. It is a Certified Organically grown and processed product, which is non-irradiated and chemical-free. The Maca root is dried at a specific low temperature and is milled to our specifications, ensuring maximum preservation of nutrient and ingredient content. The result is the optimal light-colored and non-oxidized sweet taste of a high quality product.
Known Modern Applications:
Traditionally, Maca has been used for a variety purposes, which can differ for men and women. For example, women have found it helps relieve the symptoms of PMS and menopause. Women tend to notice a dramatic decline in hot flashes and night sweats. Men have used it to enhance fertility and sexual function. Users of Maca root tend to derive a variety of benefits in accordance with their individual needs. However, both men and women have found that it significantly boosts libido and sex drive, increases energy, stamina and the feeling of general well-being. In fact, recently Maca has been used as an excellent alternative to anabolic steroids among athletes seeking muscle hypertrophy. Unlike many other energy- and muscle-boosting substances, such as anabolic steroids, Maca contains no chemicals that interfere with or over-activate normal endocrine function.
How Can Maca Benefit You?:
Male:
- Increases energy (Chronic Fatigue)
- Treat sexual dysfunction (Loss of Libido)
- Increases stamina & athletic performance
- Nourishes glandular system
- Fertility enhancement
- Improves physical and emotional well being
- Promotes mental clarity
- Balance hormones
- Female:
- Treat PMS (Mood Swings)
- Menopause symptom relief (Hot Flashes)
- Sexual stimulation
- Nourishes glandular system
- HRT alternative(Hormone Replacement Therapy)
- Increases stamina & athletic performance
- Increases energy (Chronic Fatigue)
- Balance hormones
Menopause? No Problem – Symptom Free Menopause:
Menopause is a natural progression in a woman’s life – it is the cessation of menses generally accompanied by symptoms. This transition is unique for every woman yet there are ways to prevent and diminish the symptoms that typically accompany menopause.
Symptoms:
- Diminished libido
- Insomnia
- Mood swing (blues & depression)
- Migraines, memory problems
- Lower energy levels
- Palpitations
- Acceleration of the aging process
- Joint aches and pains
- Bone pain
- Vaginal dryness
- Benefits of Maca Power: Energy – Balance – Vitality!
- Increases libido
- Deeper sleep
- Balances moods
- Enhances memory and brain function
- Increases energy levels
- Helps adapt to stress
- Slows the aging process
- Lessens aches and pain, more endurance and stamina
- Prevents osteoporosis, high calcium and vegetable protein
- Reverses vaginal dryness
Menopause doesn’t have to be unbearable – implementing Maca Power into a sensible diet & lifestyle regime can produce positive effects.
How does Maca Root aid in the relief?
First and foremost it balances the hormonal system. It works on the pituitary gland – the master gland – which regulates all hormone production in the body. Hot flashes are diminished; sleep is normalized while stress levels are reduced when incorporating Maca Power into a daily wellness routine. Peruvian Maca root encourages the body to produce its own hormones to restore balance, instead of introducing hormones to the body. It’s the simple, natural approach that brings a world of difference to women suffering from the sometimes debilitating symptoms.
Maca root is a superfood naturally high in vitamins and minerals the body needs for nourishment. Its adaptogenic qualities make it a multi-faceted herb useful for a wide variety of conditions, women of all ages can benefit from.
Adaptogens increase the body’s ability to cope with physical, chemical and biological stress. Characteristics of an adaptogenic herb are non-toxic, while increasing resistance to stress, fatigue & distress – helping the body regain balance. Ginseng, is another (perhaps more familiar) adaptogen, that has been used in Asia for thousands of years for strength and vitality and it’s reputed aphrodisiac effects. Maca root falls into this same category, yet it is relatively new to North America although it’s been used in Peru for thousands of years.
Take your health into your hands, and experience the wonders of this ancient Peruvian herb – Maca Power the Inca Superfood.
How do I take Maca Power?
Maca Power is a 100% Certified Organic Powder that can be added to a breakfast fruit smoothie – blend fresh fruit, 1 tsp. of Maca powder with soy/rice milk or yogurt. It is naturally sweet flavored and blends in well. OR sprinkle it on top of your cereal or mix in with muesli.
If you prefer capsules, Maca Power comes in vegi-caps, non gelatin capsules that are easy to take – wherever you are, great for people on the go with busy schedules.
How soon will I see results?
Each individual is different, some women experience decreased hot flashes within days of taking Peruvian Maca root while others may take weeks to fine tune the hormonal system – it depends on the condition of your body. But be patient! The results are worth it.
Maca Root Active Ingredients:
- Alkaloids
- Trypterphene
- Phenolic compounds
- Flavonoids and/or coimarins
- Tannins
- Glycosides
- Saponins
- Free amino acids
- Secondary aliphatic amines
- Tertiary amines
- 2 groups of novel compounds — the macamides, and the macaenes (these agents are believed to be directly responsible for maca’s sex-boosting powers)
- Maca Root Powder Nutrition – 10% protein, 60% carbohydrates and fatty acids.
Note: Maca Power contains 14.6% protein. This is because the amino acid proteins have not been denatured at any stage of the processing.
Maca Q & A
1. WHAT CAN MACA ROOT DO FOR YOU? Maca root has a wide range of benefits all aimed at enhancing the endocrine system’s ability to act in the most efficient manner it is capable of so as to avoid breakdowns that wreak havoc on the body. Hormonal regulation is responsible for many positive attributes that allow our systems to enjoy a variety of sensations including energy, libido, sexual arousal, fertility, athletic performance, and so much more. Maca is an adaptogen, which means that it raises the body’s response to defend itself against disease both physically and emotionally. It functions to support an area that might be deficient such as exhausted adrenal or pituitary glands that are so integral to proper endocrine function. Many people derive a variety of benefits from taking Maca Power honoring the individual’s specific needs or deficiencies. See More Maca Information
2. WHY DOES MACA ROOT HAVE DIFFERENT NAMES? Maca root was originally identified in the 1800’s by a German botanist who named it “Lepidium Meyenii, Walpers” (after himself) – still the ONLY name officially recognized by the Peruvian government today. From the 1960’s, a research worker investigating Maca’s constituents attempted to rename Maca after herself, hence “Lepidium peruvianum, Chacon”. Some suppliers use this confusion as a clever marketing ploy to claim an ‘exclusive therapeutic’ species. DON’T BE FOOLED!! See More Maca History
3. SO ARE THERE DIFFERENT SPECIES OF MACA ROOT? There is only one species that is grown commercially for harvest. Like many other everyday foods, there is a plant that grows wild, but it has no dollar value. Remember, many of our common foods have ‘wild cousins’; for example, bush lemons and wild strawberries.
4. HOW DO I KNOW WHICH MACA BRAND IS THE BEST QUALITY? CERTIFIED ORGANIC Maca Root is your only guarantee. Read the label – high protein count is a great indicator of optimal growing conditions and careful processing. Maca is a carbohydrate root vegetable, so a light color and sweet taste means that the aminos, vitamins, minerals, essential fatty acids and other nutrients have been better preserved.
5. HOW MUCH MACA ROOT POWDER SHOULD I TAKE? Maca root is a food and therefore should not be used in extremely small quantities. For it to be effective and to achieve results, proper dosages should be followed. In keeping with original ancestral Peruvian dosages, you should mix 3/4 to 1 teaspoon of Maca into smoothies, yogurt, herbal teas, fruit juices, etc. Or if you are using our MACA POWER& Vegetarian Capsules take 2 to 6 500mg Capsules per day or as directed by your health practitioner.
6. HOW DO I STORE MACA ROOT POWDER? It is best store Maca Root Powder in dark dry cupboard. Some people store it in the refridgerator but this is not necessary but some feel it keeps the powder fresh and the consistency lighter.
7. IS MACA ROOT SAFE? Yes. There are no reports that Maca has any level of toxicity.
8. ARE THERE ANY WARNINGS DISSEMINATED ABOUT MACA ROOT USAGE? No, there are none.
9. ARE THERE ANY SPECIFIC MEDICAL RECOMMENDATIONS TO BE AWARE OF WITH MACA ROOT USAGE? Given the high potassium content in Maca, it is not recommended for people with renal insufficiencies.
10. ARE THERE ANY OTHER NAMES THAT MACA ROOT IS KNOWN? Maca, Maka, Maca-Maca, Peruvian Ginseng, Maino Ayak, Chichira, Ayak Willku
So there you have it. Is it a super-food or just another wonder food flash in the pan? Only time will tell.
Source: http://realrawfood.com/maca-history-info
Blogger: Terry Ryan
Juicing vs. Smoothies
JUICING VS. BLENDING: WHICH ONE IS BETTER?
Here is a short comparison that explains the differences between the two as well as some of the specific benefits of each.
What’s The Difference?
JUICING
Without all the fiber, your digestive system doesn’t have to work as hard to break down the food and absorb the nutrients. In fact, it makes the nutrients more readily available to the body in much larger quantities than if you were to eat the fruits and vegetables whole.This is especially helpful if you have a sensitive digestive system or illness that inhibits your body from processing fiber. The fiber in produce helps slow down the digestive process and provides a steady release of nutrients into the blood stream. Jason Vale calls juicing “A nutrient express!” Freshly squeezed vegetable juices form part of most healing and detoxification programs because they are so nutrient rich and nourish and restore the body at a cellular level.
A word of caution: When you remove the fiber from the produce, the liquid juice is absorbed into your blood stream quickly. If you are only juicing fruits, this would cause a rapid spike in blood sugar and unstable blood sugar levels can lead to mood swings, energy loss, memory problems and more!
Fiber is also filling and without fiber in the juice, some people tend to get hungry again quickly.
Smoothies
Unlike juices, smoothies consist of the entire entire fruit or vegetable, skin and all and contain all of the fiber from the vegetables.
However, the blending process breaks the fiber apart (which makes the fruit and vegetables easier to digest ) but also helps create a slow, even release of nutrients into the blood stream and avoids blood sugar spikes. Smoothies tend to be more filling, because of the fiber, and generally faster to make than juice, so they can be great to drink first thing in the morning as your breakfast, or for snacks throughout the day.
By including the fiber in your smoothie, the volume will increase. Also, you can pack more servings of fruits and veggies into a single serving of juice than you can into a smoothie.
1. It’s best not to combine fruits and vegetables (unless it’s apple). This can affect how well your digestive enzymes function.
This doesn’t seem to matter too much in green juices and smoothies, but vegetables like carrots, beetroots, broccoli and zucchini don’t combine well with fruit due to their high starch content. In his book Food Combining Made Easy, Dr. Herbert Shelton explains that starchy foods have to be eaten alone because starches are digested with enzymes different from those used for any other food group. Combining starchy foods with fruit may cause fermentation and gas. However, Dr. Shelton found that green leafy veggies combine well with pretty much everything.
2. Try to drink your juice or smoothie straight away. After 15 minutes, light and air will destroy much of the nutrients. If you can’t drink it straight away, transfer to a dark airtight container until you’re ready.
Using The Right Equipment
To get the most benefit from your juices and smoothies, it’s important to use the right equipment. Invest in a good-quality juicer. Cheaper, centrifugal juicers introduce heat and oxygen and destroy the enzymes and nutrients in your fruits and vegetables. While it may cost you a bit more initially, a premium cold-press juicer will produce a superior-quality juice and allow you to extract more from your fruit and vegetables, saving expense in the long-term.
The machines themselves will also generally last longer. In contrast to the rough extraction of centrifugal juicers, mastication or cold-press juicers compress fruit and vegetables to ‘squeeze’ out their juice.
Cold Press Juicer
Blender
The same goes for a blender. You want a blender that is gentle on your produce and doesn’t heat up the enzymes as it’s pulling apart the fibers. We spend money on gadgets, clothes, restaurants and other luxuries so, if you can afford it, investing in your health by buying a quality juicer or blender is totally worth it.
Centrifugal juicer
What Should I Look For
In A Juicer?
When we are looking for our perfect juicer here is what we look for: (Great source for this info was http://www.foodmatters.tv/juicer-buying-guide)
Centrifugal Juicers
Centrifugal juicers are commonly available in retail outlets and are the cheapest type to purchase. These machines initially extract juice by pulverizing fruit and vegetables against a round cutting blade that spins very quickly against a metal strainer. The centrifugal force generated by the spinning motion of the cutting surface separates the juice from the pulp.
- Pros: Cheaper
- Con: Not the best way to extract juice because heat may destroy nutrients.
Cold Press Juicers
These machines operate via a masticating (chewing) or cold press method to produce a superior juice to their centrifugal counterparts. In contrast to the rough extraction and high speeds of centrifugal juicers, cold press juicers operate at lower speeds and gently compress fruit and vegetables to ‘squeeze’ out their juice. While more costly, their slower and more thorough extraction rates produce a higher-quality juice, and more of it.
- Pro: Higher juice yield
- Con: Expensive
BLENDERS
Blenders are coming out of the pantries and being used as a great way to add more fruits and vegetables to your diet. Plus, it doesn’t “waste” the pulp as it is finely shredded/blended into an easily drinkable form. I know a lot of people who prefer to juice this way. They add ice and protein powders and make a pretty delectable smoothie. I wrote a blog post about Andrea who has lost 60 pounds using this kind of method to drink her veggies and fruit. She uses a Nutribullet and adds ground up flax seeds. Just looking at her you can tell it works as far as weight loss.
- Pro: Uses all of the vegetables and fruit (no left over pulp)
- Con: Assimilation of micronutrients are slowed down because it requires more of the digestive process
What to look for when choosing a juicer
- Able to easily juice all greens, herbs and grasses (with a high yield)
- Good to juice fruits, including soft varieties
- Cold pressed, to produce a superior juice
- Low speed (rpm), to minimize oxidation and produce a longer lasting juice
- Able to make nut milks
- Easy to clean
- Low noise!
Source Links:
http://www.thewellnesswarrior.com.au/2011/08/juicing-versus-blending/.
http://www.drsearswellnessinstitute.org/blog/2012/04/12/juicing-vs-blending/
D5 Creation