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Holistic Health, Uncategorized

Chocolate, The Superfood Vegetable

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Have you thought that your favourite vegetable might actually be chocolate? I have to confess it rates high on my list. Chocolate has been appreciated for its health benefits for quite a while due to the wonderful antioxidants it contains, in fact more than any other fruit or vegetable. Raw cacao is an excellent source of antioxidants and has an extremely high ORAC score as one of the top antioxidant foods.

With Easter just around the corner I thought I would bring you a bit if happy news this week…Chocolate can be good for you! But only if it’s the right kind.

Antioxidants In Chocolate

I’m sure you’ve heard about how chocolate is a good source of flavonoids which have antioxidant activity, which is absolutely true, in particular epicatechin and resveratrol. But there’s quite a lot of confusion about just what makes good and bad chocolate so here are a few guidelines to help you make your Easter chocolate choices.

Chocolate comes from Theobroma Cacao beans which in their pure form are really healthy. The name actually means “food of the Gods” and cacao is loaded with wonderful compounds, including magnesium which is a muscle relaxant that helps you feel calmer, and sulphur which helps build strong hair and nails.

Cocoa is made by grinding the cacao beans to a powder from which most of the fat is removed. Cocoa butter is the fat component of the seed, and chocolate is the sweet that is made from the roasted seeds. If the sweet is made from seeds that are not roasted then it is ‘raw chocolate’ and like most other vegetables, ‘raw’ chocolate is much healthier than the version made from roasted beans.

Raw chocolate is much healthier than chocolate made from roasted beans.

Traditional Use of Cacao

Chocolate has a long therapeutic history. Originating in South and Central America it was originally drunk as a bitter drink to bring energy and vitality and bore little resemblance to the sweet, sticky versions that we love today.

Chocolate consumed in a way that is closer to the traditional ways still provides wonderful benefits.

The Kuna people of Panama, for example, consume up to 40 cups of cocoa a week and have less than a ten percent risk of stroke, heart failure, cancer and diabetes. Compare this to the risk of developing these diseases here in Australia and other parts of the Western world where they are the most prevalent of diseases.

There are a number of studies that have shown that eating chocolate can decrease your risk of cardiovascular disease and stroke significantly, as well as lowering insulin resistance, reducing blood pressure and LDL’s. However, this benefit only occurs if you eat the right type and the right amount. Too little or too much chocolate leads to no benefit or even to problems.

It seems that eating small amounts of chocolate at frequent intervals gives the best result.

Benefits Of Chocolate

Chocolate offers many health benefits. Here are some of them.

  • Anti-inflammatory action
  • Free radical protection
  • Decreases stress hormones
  • Improves the mood
  • Reduces cortisol levels
  • Heart health
  • Lowers blood pressure
  • Help reduce blood clot formation
  • Liver protection
  • Eases PMS
  • May help control appetite & stop cravings
  • Improves insulin resistance
  • Improve gastrointestinal flora
  • Contribute to chelation
  • Reduces the risk of colon cancer
  • Neuroprotective
  • Boost memory and cognitive function & lower Alzheimers rise

What Makes a Good Chocolate?

Most commercial chocolates are highly processed, combining roasted cacao beans with various amounts of sugar, milk, fat and other ingredients. In many processed chocolates the flavonoids are removed because they taste bitter. However, the flavonoids are where the health benefits originate so removing them also drastically reduces the health benefits.

Basically, the higher the percentage of cacao in the chocolate, the more bitter the flavor and the darker the color. A dark chocolate with at least 75% cacao is likely to offer most health benefits as the concentration of antioxidants will not be overwhelmed by the sweeteners and fats. Those Bittersweet chocolates are the way to go.

The sweeter the chocolate the less the health benefit….  

The sweeter the chocolate the lower the health benefit.

Organic raw cacao is the best way to eat your chocolate if you want all the antioxidants. Search out chocolate products that are made from organic raw cacao and also not heavily sweetened.

Unhealthy Chocolate

Some ingredients quickly wipe out all the benefit the cacao provides. When you select your chocolate choose ones that avoid these following ingredients.

Cane sugar, fructose, HFCS

Chocolates sweetened with cane sugar, fructose or high fructose corn syrup (HFCS), and especially artificial sweeteners. Instead look for chocolate sweetened with honey or stevia which are much better choices. Coconut sugar is a low GI option if you do not have any problem with fructose.

GMO cocoa beans

Genetically engineered cocoa beans (GMO). If the chocolate is certified organic it won’t contain GMO ingredients, but most other chocolate does.

Soy oil, vegetable oils, trans fats

The right type of fat in chocolate is OK because it slows down sugar absorption. The best is cocoa butter, which is what occurs in the cacao plant. Coconut oil would be the next best fat. Make sure to avoid soy oil, vegetable oils and trans fats.

    And by the way, WHITE chocolate is heavily sweetened and has NONE of the phytonutrients.

    Why We Love Chocolate

    Have you wondered why eating some sorts of chocolate can make you feel so good? Cacao also contains the ‘bliss’ chemical anandamide which leads to feelings of excitement and alertness in our body and improves your mood and reduces depression. Unlike caffeine, Anandamide is not addictive and does not have the side-effects of many drugs.

    One compound in chocolate that can be a problem is theobromine which stimulates the central nervous system and dilates blood vessels. It has about 25% of the stimulating power of caffeine, and like caffeine it is a mild diuretic. But in some people theobromine can cause them to feel hyped-up which is then followed by lethargy. In others it causes headaches.

    3 Chocolate Treats

    Enjoy these yum chocolate treats with no guilt knowing they’re healthy and good for you.

    Hot Chocolate

    An average cup of coffee contains up to 175milligrams of caffeine which is about what there is in a 50gram piece of dark chocolate. In comparison a cup of hot chocolate has only about 4-5 milligrams of caffeine, substantially lower than coffee. But some scientists believe that chocolate does not actually contain caffeine and that it is the theobromine that causes the caffeine-like responses. Theobromine is also the component that makes chocolate so dangerous for dogs, because they lack the enzymes needed to metabolize it.

    Superfood Smoothie

    How about a healthy chocolate smoothie for breakfast?

    • Fill your blender with water, coconut water, orange juice or tea (or a mix).
    • Blend in some spirulina powder and gogi berries.
    • If you live anywhere in the world other than Australia or New Zealand add some hemp seed protein powder (incredibly it is still illegal in both those countries) If you live in Australia or NZ you could add some ground flax, chia or pumpkin seeds instead.
    • Add some chocolate (raw cacao powder would be perfect) and some cacao nibs for extra yum.

    And there you have it….A SUPERFOOD SMOOTHIE for chocoholics

    Avocado Chocolate Mousse

    One thing I used to love before I went Dairy-Free was Chocolate Mousse, so I was delighted when I found this easy vegan recipe that combines a few superfoods on the Australian Permaculture website.

    • Scoop the flesh from 2-3 avocados into the blender
    • Add 1 heaped tablespoon of raw cacao, a small handful of cacao nibs (optional) and around ½ cup of coconut palm sugar (or substitute another sweetening agent of your liking.)
    • Add a splash of vanilla essence and pour in enough water to cover the ingredients
    • Blend in short bursts. Extra water may need to be added to ensure the mousse draws down and is properly blended.
    • Pour into a bowl or jug depending on the thickness of the mousse, if it is thicker a bowl is better, and serve

    Fair Trade Chocolate

    If you’ve ever wondered why you should only buy Fair Trade Chocolate take a look at this. The chocolate industry is notorious for still engaging in child labour and slavery. Fair Trade chocolate isn’t perfect, but it is certainly a step in the right direction.

    So go ahead and indulge your love of Fair-Trade chocolate, in small amounts. Choose a dark organic variety, preferably with no added sugar. Look for Raw Cacao in the ingredient list, and avoid all the sweet, milky varieties as they are not healthy at all!

    What do you think, will you be adding this superfood to your eating plan?

    Disclaimer.

    All information and opinions presented here are for information only and are not intended as a substitute for professional advice offered during a consultation. Please consult with your health care provider before trying any of the treatment suggested on this site. 

    Source articles:

    http://www.naturalnews.com/022610_cacao_chocolate_raw.html

    http://www.chocolate.org/health/chocprescribe.html

    http://www.livestrong.com/dark-chocolate-health-benefits/

    http://www.facts-about-chocolate.com/where-does-chocolate-come-from/

    Uncategorized

    Why Tattoos Are A Health Risk (And How To Rectify The Damage)

    9 Comments

    Almost everyone has a tattoo these days, or has at the very least least considered getting one. We hear about the danger tattoos pose from infection and so on, but how many people ever consider the danger presented by toxic substances in the ink itself. Heavy metals, many of which are highly dangerous to humans, are used in many tattoo inks for colour. While we need small amounts of some like iron or zinc, in large quantities or under constant exposure even they are dangerous. Others like mercury, arsenic or cadmium are highly toxic in any amount and can lead to cancer, birth defects and many other health issues. When ink is left under the skin in a tattoos it basically means the body is exposed to these nasty toxins all the time.

    This is a great article that was posted by Jess Ainscough on her blog, the Wellness Warrior , which I followed. Unfortunately the blog has now been taken down. Even though I like to write my own articles I think this is one that’s an absolute must to read.

    tattoo ink toxins


    I’m well aware that this post is probably going to make me pretty unpopular – especially among my tattoo-loving group of friends, but if I’m able to get just a few people to re-think getting inked, I’m doing my job.

    Once upon a time I was desperate to get a tattoo. All of my friends started getting them when we were in high school and I thought it was tantrum-worthy unfair that my parents wouldn’t let me join them. I felt so inadequate with my bare lower back. Turns out my folks were right. I still think that the right kind of tattoo can look great, but these days I put my health above the temporary glee of such aesthetics.

    This post isn’t about the horror stories associated with dodgy tattoos. I’m not concerned with writing about damage done by unqualified artists, infections, or allergic reactions. I’m more interested in filling you on just what you’re putting into your body when you get a tattoo, and what this does for your health.

    Our skin is our largest organ, and anything that you apply to your skin is absorbed straight into your blood stream. So, everything found in a tattoo ends up in your system.


    Toxins In Tattoo Ink

    Way back in the day, traditional tribal tattoo marks were made using dyes from the natural environment. This is certainly not the case any more. While it’s near impossible to say what’s in all tattoo inks (they are all different, and disclosure of ingredients is not actually enforced), it’s safe to say that most colours of standard tattoo ink are derived from heavy metals.

    Mercury = red ink
    Lead = yellow, green, white ink
    Cadmium = red, orange, yellow ink
    Nickel = black ink
    Zinc= yellow, white ink
    Chromium = green ink
    Cobalt = blue ink
    Aluminium = green, violet ink
    Titanium = white ink
    Copper = blue, green ink
    Iron = brown, red, black ink
    Barium = white ink

    Other compounds used as pigments include antimony, arsenic, beryllium, calcium, lithium, selenium, and sulphur.

    Tattoo ink manufacturers typically blend the heavy metal pigments and/or use lightening agents (such as lead or titanium) to reduce production costs.

     

    Danger Of Heavy Metals 

    Heavy Metals bind in our bodies and are incredibly difficult to remove. They cause damage on a cellular level and contribute to cancer, Alzheimer’s, dementia, autoimmune diseases, rheumatoid arthritis, and diseases of the kidneys, circulatory system, and nervous system.

    Then there’s the carrier solution, which most likely contains harmful substances such as denatured alcohols, methanol, rubbing alcohol, antifreeze, detergents, or formaldehyde and other highly toxic aldehydes.

     

    Avoid Tattoo Ink Toxins

    1. Stop getting tattoos.
    2. If you’re a tattoo lover, ask to be decorated in high-quality vegan, organic inks and quiz the tattoo artist about the ingredients in the ink. Be adamant that you do not want ink containing heavy metals. Do your research first!
    3. Start detoxifying those heavy metals.

    I’m working on a more thorough blog post about heavy metal detoxification soon (this is something both my mum and I have had to do), but for now, here are some tips:

    + Add chlorella to your green smoothies.
    + Eat clay every morning.
    + Eat and juice coriander (aka cilantro).
    + Eat chia seeds.
    + Eat aloe vera.
    + Sweat on a daily basis – far infrared saunas are great for this.

    So, there you go. I would love to know your thoughts on this topic. Does this info make you think twice about getting a tattoo? Or is your love of ink just too strong? Tell me in the comments below – just please be nice. I’m simply the messenger, so put down that rifle.

    Before you go, take a look at my friend and her amazing, beautiful “non-tattooed” body art…

    Gorgeous Body Art
    Gorgeous Body Art

     

    Disclaimer.

    All information and opinions presented here are for information only and are not intended as a substitute for professional advice offered during a consultation. Please consult with your health care provider before trying any of the treatment suggested on this site. 

     

    Healthy Home, Uncategorized

    Plastic: Not Fantastic

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    The new school year is here and thousands of children are heading off to school each day with packed lunches
    The new school year is here and thousands of children are heading off to school each day with packed lunches

    Making school lunches can be a bit of a nightmare. Every mother wants to send their children off to school with a healthy lunch. Lots of children have reactions to different foods and many schools impose limitations on the inclusion of certain foods, and of course this limits choices. There is lots of advice and suggestions around about school lunches and it is very easy to find ideas for healthy lunch boxes.

    But in addition to what the children actually eat there is also the question of how to package it. With the new school year beginning this week and thousands of children heading to school with lunches packed in plastic boxes and wrapped tightly in plastic cling film this is the right time to revisit the question of the dangers of plastics on the kids health.

    The issue is not whether chemicals will leach from the packaging into the food, but how much will leach.

    In the past Bisphenol A, or BPA as it is commonly known, was used in the production of baby bottles but it was proven to be dangerous because it leached out of the plastic into the liquid. Now baby bottles and many other plastic containers are BPA free. But not much is said in the media about the danger of other plastics, even though research has made the dangers well known.

    Plastics deserve their bad name! There have been numerous studies showing the adverse effects of plastics – in particular PVC, polycarbonate and polystyrene which contain the chemicals DEHP, Bisphenol A (BPA) and nonylphenol, all xeno-oestrogens.

    The problem with xeno-oestrogens, such as BPA, is that they alter hormones. They have been linked to breast and testicular cancer, infertility, early puberty, reproductive delays, obesity and diabetes, as well as being found to lower the ability of your immune system to respond to inflammation. BPA has even been found to be linked to behavioural and emotional problems in pre-schoolers. The danger from BPA is even greater for babies and children because they are sensitive to even tiny amounts. Boys in particular are susceptible to the hormone altering effects.

    These toxic chemicals not only occur in plastics. They are present across our environment and are found everywhere from the lining of metal food cans, to the detergents in cleaning products, dental sealants and composites, pesticides and even baby bottles.

    Let’s break it down

    • Many chemicals found in plastics alter hormones in the body and lead to illness of the reproductive system and other diseases.
    • Harmful chemicals are found in all sorts of plastic products and are more likely to be there than not. Some plastics are not so dangerous.
    • There is plenty of evidence of BPA leaching from the epoxy lining of cans holding food and beverage. Even cans certified “organic” leach BPA.
    • Chemicals leach out of plastics faster when they are in contact with fatty, salty or acidic foods like meat, milk or tomatoes.
    • Chemicals leach out faster when the plastic is heated. NEVER heat food or drinks in plastic, and be very wary of unintentional heating like water bottles left in a warm car.
    • Some plastics are safer than others. The number of the type of plastic will be on the bottom of the container. The ones to avoid are #1 (PET or PETE polyethylene terephthalate), #3 (PVC polyvinyl chloride), #6 (PS polystyrene), #7 (all other types of plastics). Some labeled with #7 are safe and some unsafe but you can’t be sure which it is. One of the unsafe ones is polycarbonate (PC) which is used in baby bottles.

    What plastics are safer?

    Some safer plastics to use are:

    #2 HDPE (high density polyethylene) – a hard plastic used for many food containers as well as some toys, shopping bags, packaging, plus lots more. It is more stable than most other plastics and does not leach out endocrine disrupting chemicals. It is also easy to recycle.

    #4 LDPE (low density polyethylene) – a soft plastic used in bags, squeezable bottles, cling films. It is safer but not recyclable, unlike #2

    #5 Polypropylene (PP) – used for rigid containers like ice-cream containers, plus many other items. It is thought to be free from known hazards but again, is not recyclable.

    These do not give you a huge choice and also need to be balanced up with the damage that non-recyclable plastics do to our environment.

    It is really safer and more responsible to avoid using plastic .

    Paper bags - an alternative to plastic lunch boxes
    Paper bags – an alternative to plastic lunch boxes

    Simple ways to make changes

    • Use paper bags for school lunches – safe and recyclable
    • School lunch can be wrapped in greaseproof paper (at your supermarket) or one of the re-useable wraps now available. Look for them at Onya or 4MyEarth
    • Store food in glass, unglazed ceramics and stainless steel which are the safest containers for food storage. .
    • Get a good quality stainless steel drink bottle for you and your children and avoid plastic water bottles or juice boxes
    • Avoid lunch boxes made from PVC (#3) and polycarbonate (#7) as food left sitting in these could be harming your kids
    • Never heat food or liquids in plastic containers (not even if they are made of safer plastics)
    • Take your own containers for take-away foods and avoid having hot food sitting in plastic containers
    • Don’t use cling wrap in the microwave – harmful chemicals leach out
    • If you need to store food and drinks in plastic then choose one of the safer ones
    • Only use plastics if they have a recycling symbol on the bottom so you know it is not harmful, or else you could call the manufacturer to find out what type of plastic it is
    • Glass is the only safe option for baby bottles
    • Don’t store foods like meat, tomato-based meals or cheese wrapped in cling wrap or any plastic.
    • Avoid canned foods wherever you can – look for glass instead.

    If you do make the change away from plastic containers and food wraps, not only will you be protecting your family’s health you will also be making a significant contribution towards a cleaner planet, where vast quantities of plastics in landfill and our oceans pose huge problems.

    Vast quantities of plastics in landfill and our oceans pose a huge problem
    Vast quantities of plastics pose a huge problem to our health as well as in landfill and our oceans

    Disclaimer.

    All information and opinions presented here are for information only and are not intended as a substitute for professional advice offered during a consultation. Please consult with your health care provider before trying any of the treatment suggested on this site. 

    Source articles:

    https://www.naturalnews.com/041912_BPA_fetal_exposure_contamination.html#ixzz2dxplBmpG

    http://www.buildingbiology.com.au/index.php/Biology/Plastics.html

    http://articles.mercola.com/sites/articles/archive/2011/11/16/practical-options-to-store-your-food-without-contaminating-them-with-plastics.aspx

    http://www.emagazine.com/blog/bpa-free

    Holistic Health, Natural Remedies & Homeopathy, Uncategorized

    Bigger From Dawn To Dusk: Natural Remedies For Bloating

    4 Comments

    Does this sound familiar? You wake in the morning feeling great with a nice flat belly, but by the evening your gut is swollen and aching, or at the very least uncomfortable and tight? Is bloating a problem for you? It is for many people. Chances are if you answered ‘yes’ then you’re probably a woman, with about one in three women experiencing abdominal bloating. But,while bloating is more common for women it’s also a problem for many men. For some unlucky people, bloating is a constant and serious problem. However, there are many natural remedies for bloating.

    By the evening your gut is swollen and aching
    By the evening your gut is swollen and aching

     

    CAUSES OF BLOATING

    There are many causes of bloating. Sometimes it’s simply the result of overeating. But if it happens regularly it could be due to any of the following:

    • Food allergies
    • Food intolerance
    • Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS)
    • Constipation
    • Gas-producing foods
    • Swallowing air (aerophagia)
    • Intestinal parasites
    • Menstruation, period pain, Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome (PCOS)
    • Diverticulosis, Splenic-Flexure Syndrome, partial bowel obstruction
    • Visceral fat

    After eating or drinking gases are produced in the colon. Normally they move through the gut where they’re mostly absorbed or they’re passed out of the body. But if the gas gets trapped along the way then discomfort and distension occurs. Sometimes bloating can be so severe that it makes you suddenly look pregnant.

     

    STRESS AND BLOATING

    A big problem and sometimes the cause of bloating is STRESS. When you’re stressed your gut doesn’t work properly. When your body goes into ‘fight or flight mode’ the digestive system closes down. If you’re living with ongoing stress your body stays in a prolonged state of ‘high alert’, as do all the digestive repercussions.

    If you can’t remove the stress from your life then you need to introduce practices to break the stressful state apart. These practices could include yoga, meditation, walking the labyrinth, deep breathing, tai chi, exercise, relaxing music, walking. In fact whatever it is that relaxes and calms you will create the result you want.

    Importantly you need to make the commitment to continue the activity on a regular basis.

     

    HORMONES AND BLOATING

    Bloating can be the result of gynaecological problems and often related to the hormonal cycle. Together with constipation it’s often worse right before periods when hormonal activity is high. HRT can also contribute to bloating in older women.

    Isolating the offending cause of bloating can become further complicated when something as seemingly innocuous as calcium supplements may cause bloating in some people. The range of causes can be diverse and a complicated mix from a number of different sources.

     

    FOODS AND BLOATING

    Foods often cause bloating, with food intolerance probably being the biggest cause. Food intolerance is often very difficult to identify, especially if there;s more than one single food involved. Symptoms don’t always show up immediately after eating the food and may take days to become evident.

    Problem Foods For Bloating

    Problem foods often come from these groups:

    • Vegetables – Onions and garlic, and brassicas (broccoli, cabbage, cauliflower, Brussels sprouts, kale)
    • Dairy foods – milk, cheese, ice-cream, and foods containing milk solids
    • Grains – wheat, corn (including popcorn)
    • Fruits – such as apples, peaches and pears
    • Sweets – hard candy, chewing gum
    • Highly spiced foods
    • Alcohol
    • Carbonated drinks and champagne

    Processed foods are high in bloating-promoting ingredients and can lead to bloating. Fructose, one such ingredient, is often added to processed foods.

    Fructose intolerance is a problem affecting more and more people. The FODMAP diet can really help those with fructose intolerance. However it needs to be done under the supervision of a practitioner as it varies a little from one individual to another and can be very complicated to put together.

    Salt can be a problem, particularly in highly processed foods as it can cause or worsen bloating and water retention. It’s far better to avoid processed foods and to use other seasonings in your cooking.

     

    It looks tasty but broccoli, milk and wheat could all be causing your blaoting
    It looks tasty but broccoli, milk and wheat could all be causing your blaoting

     

    PROBLEM FOODS FOR BLOATING

    Gluten, lactose and fructose intolerance are the three most common  causes of bloating in my clients. If you believe one of these is behind your problem eliminate it completely for a week and watch the effect. But these ingredients are often hidden, for instance gluten is present in many medications.

    Lactose, sorbitol and wheat as well as vegetables like cabbage, broccoli and onions can cause increased gas production. But the underlying problem is usually that your digestive tract isn’t contracting properly. When this occurs gas gets trapped in the digestive tract and leads to gurgling and bloating.

    Avoiding problem foods helps lessen symptoms. But in the long term it’s better to fix the problem at a deeper level and that’s where natural remedies for bloating can help.

     

    NATURAL REMEDIES FOR BLOATING

    Homeopathy

    There are a number of Homeopathic remedies that stimulate the gut so it starts contracting properly and then keeps on working efficiently. Using homeopathy for bloating is a bit like a ‘re-training’ for the gastrointestinal tract.

    There are pre-mixed homeopathic remedies for general gut issues. However you’ll get best results under the care of a fully trained  Homeopath who’ll select a remedy to match your specific symptoms. Homeopathic remedies should be selected and taken according to homeopathic prescribing guidelines.

    Herbs

    Herbs are another natural option that can help bloating. Peppermint is well-known for its soothing effect on the digestive system. However it’s not great for everybody. While it works like a treat for many people about 40% actually experience a worsening of their symptoms and so are better avoiding peppermint altogether. Other mints are also helpful.

    Ginger is another good digestive herb that might help you.

    Fennel Seeds
    Fennel Seeds

    Fennel is probably the most effective herbal digestive aid and relieves gas magnificently as well as reducing bloating and cramps. Either chew fennel seeds or drink fennel tea.

    Teas are one of the easiest and best ways to take herbs at home. You can make your own herbal teas or buy one ready blended containing fennel. Select a brand that specialises in therapeutic herbal teas.

    It is easy to make your own Fennel Tea, simply crush one teaspoon of fennel seeds and add to a cup of water. Bring to the boil, cover and steep for ten to fifteen minutes. Cool and strain. Drink two to three cups each day.

    Try the herbal tea out and if you don’t get a positive response try a different herb instead. My favourite digestive tea contains cinnamon, cardamom, ginger, clove, peppercorn and spearmint amongst other ingredients, which are all digestive aids.

    Supplements

    Taking probiotics, bifidus and acidopholus, can be helpful. They repopulate your gut with ‘good bacteria’. They help redress the imbalance between ‘good’ and ‘bad bacteria’ that often accompanies bloating. Look for a reputable brand from your health food shop, one that is for ‘practitioner dispensing only’ is the better choice.

    There can be insufficient enzymes in the small intestine. In this case Digestive Enzymes can be a great help in breaking down the gas-forming foods. They are available over the counter.

    Activated charcoal can help to relieve gas and bloating. Take it before and after meals. But don’t use it if you’re taking the contraceptive pill or other medications and don’t use it long term.

    Essential Oils

    Essential Oils are great for symptoms due to stress. Choose from peppermint, orange, rose, cinnamon and basil oils.  Alternatively buy a stress-relieving or balancing blend from your health food shop.

     

    EXERCISE FOR BLOATING

    Certain exercises can help when the pain of bloating is really bad.

    • Rolling a soft ball over your abdomen can help move the gas along the digestive tract.
    • Lie on your back and hug one leg to your chest while keeping the other flat on the floor. Hold for the count of 20. Then repeat with the other leg. Doing this at least five times may alleviate symptoms.
    • Five minutes of deep abdominal breathing is one of the best ways to get some relief.  This is a good practice to adopt every day whether you’re bloated or not.

     

    YOUR HAPPY GUT CHECK LIST

    1. Maintain a healthy diet, keep regular eating patterns and don’t skip meals. Eat slowly and chew everything well.
    2. Avoid problematic foods from the list above.
    3. Increase your water intake and cut back alcohol which irritates the gut
    4. Replace white wheat bread with different grains such as rye or spelt, or even gluten-free. Broaden the range of grains you consume
    5. Avoid dairy products as many people are actually lactose intolerant
    6. Combat your symptoms with natural remedies
    7. Reduce your stress
    8. Limit sugar intake especially fructose found in fruits and juices

     

     

    BLOATING WARNINGS

    Persistent chronic bloating can be a symptom of intestinal blockage or more sinister diseases such as ovarian cancer or uterine fibroids. Get checked out by your doctor particularly if you also have unexplained weight loss or gain.

    It’s becoming more widely recognised that many serious health problems stem from problems with the gut not functioning well. Keeping your digestive system working happily really is fundamental to maintaining good health.

    Natural remedies for bloating are a simple and effective way to get relief

     

    Would you love to stay vibrant & healthy beyond your 50’s? Join us to redesign your life and create your personal Wellness Blueprint with the tools you need to upscale your health & wellness in the long term at the Live Life: Love Life: Long Life Wellness Retreat

    Bloated green man

    Disclaimer.

    All information and opinions presented here are for information only and are not intended as a substitute for professional advice offered during a consultation. Please consult with your health care provider before trying any of the treatment suggested on this site. 

    Holistic Health, Stress & Overwhelm, Uncategorized

    Antioxidants: The Rainbow Connection

    10 Comments

    As I tossed my dinner in the wok tonight and marveled at the gorgeous array of colours, I was reminded of how bland the meals that I was served as a child always looked in comparison. They were always brown meat with some white (potato) and green (peas or beans) and maybe a touch of orange or red. The vegetables changed a little but always seemed to have the same look about them.

    Today’s message in a nutshell is that when you always eat a ‘rainbow’ of fruit and vegetables with a naturally high color intensity you can be sure that you’re getting a wide range and good quantity of antioxidants.

    Now, if all you want to know is the ‘what you need to do’ or you are too short of time today, then there you have it. Be conscious to always ‘EAT A RAINBOW’ and you will be sure to get a broad range of nutrients, including antioxidants, to help you combat free radical damage in your body.

    But, if you would like to know ‘the why’ and the nitty gritty details, then read on

    THE BODY”S DEFENCES

    Cells need oxygen to metabolise vitamins and minerals, but when oxygen isn’t metabolized thoroughly it results in extra oxygen molecules hanging round which form free radicals. When you get a sudden rush of free radicals they cause a chain reaction that causes damage to the cells and leads to disease.

    The body has its own antioxidant defence system of free radical scavenging enzymes but when there is too much stress put on us from our toxic environment and lifestyle our body gets overwhelmed by free radicals and we get sick. These scavenging enzymes need support from many minerals and vitamins that are not made by the body and must be gained from our food. Unfortunately, because there are so many stresses on the body from our modern world we now need far more antioxidants than were ever needed in the past.

    WHAT EXACTLY ARE ANTIOXIDANTS?

    Antioxidants are substances that remove potentially damaging oxidizing agents in a living organism. They are capable of neutralizing the effects of free radicals before they are able to cause damage in the cells and tissues of your body. They’re found in the form of vitamins, minerals, carotenoids and so on. Antioxidants have protective effects and can lower the risk of diseases such as cancer or heart disease.

    Eat a Rainbow

    There are a range of different antioxidants that act in different ways, and you can often tell which they are and what they will do by the colour of the food in which they occur.

    There are over 4000 compounds with antioxidant properties – here are some of them:

    antioxidant

    colours

    foods

      vitamin C variousoranges, citrus fruits, capsicum, mangos, kiwifruit,  strawberries, blackcurrants
      vitamin E variousavocado, nuts, vegetable oils
      beta-carotene orange, yellow, greencarrots, sweet potato, mangos, apricot, pumpkin, cantaloupe
      anthocyanins red, blueblueberries, cranberries, raspberries, dark grapes, eggplants, red cabbage
      catechins tawny, redcocoa, red wine, green tea, chocolate
      cryptoxanthins orangemangoes, red capsicum, pumpkin
      lycopene redtomato, watermelon, guava, strawberry, pink grapefruit
      lutein yellow, greenspinach, corn, gold kiwifruit, leafy greens
      flavonoids varioustea, green tea, citrus fruits, apples, red wine
      selenium whitebrazil nuts, seafood, sunflower seeds, rice
      isoflavenoidssoy products, lentils, milk
      lignans whiteflax seeds, sesame seeds, broccoli, curly kale, cabbage, wholegrains
      manganese red, greennuts, berries, shellfish, legumes, leafy greens, sesame seeds, pumpkin seeds
      polyphenols green, redthyme, oregano, rosemary, ginger, red wine
      phenolic acid variousapple, citrus fruit, oats

    These are just some of the foods associated with antioxidants. Some of the best overall sources are berries, walnuts, sunflower seeds, pomegranates and ginger.

    WHAT ARE FREE RADICALS?

    Free radicals are molecules produced in our body as a result of our everyday life. They cause oxidative stress in the body and basically feed off other cells to survive. In fact, your body produces free radicals as a by-product of metabolism.

    Your body also produces a limited number of antioxidants to neutralize them, but when your body becomes overloaded with free radicals caused by outside stressors it is unable to cope and succumbs to a variety of illnesses. The cells of your immune system are the most likely to suffer damage initially. You may not even notice the effects but left unchecked the DNA held within the cell eventually becomes the target of the free radical damage. DNA acts as the ‘command centre’ of your cells so when it is damaged there can be significant and far-reaching effects.

    Free radical damage accelerates the aging process and fosters many diseases. These include cancer, heart disease, arthritis, atherosclerosis, Parkinson’s disease, Alzheimer’s, Multiple Sclerosis, Hypertension, Diabetes, cataracts, macular degeneration, and almost all chronic degenerative diseases. Ultimately the effect of free radicals is to shorten your life.

    There are many factors in our life in addition to ageing and basic metabolism that can increase free radicals production.

    • The Western Diet creates a free radical bonanza! It is full of fats, processed foods, pesticides and chemicals, and with an emphasis on meat, dairy foods, sugar, processed ‘white’ grains, coffee and alcohol, that are all excellent free radical promoters. In addition it is deficient in fruits and vegetables, the source of antioxidants
    • The chlorine in the water we drink results in free radical production
    • The air we breathe is loaded with a multitude of pollutants, including tobacco smoke whether you actually smoke or not. We are surrounded by substances such as lead and asbestos and all these produce free radicals
    • Fats in the diet, in the form of trans-fats, animal and other forms of fats. Many people consume excess quantities of fat, with it contributing around 30% of western food intake. Simply put, the more fat you eat the more free radicals are produced, and some fats are worse than others
    • Pesticides are big producers of free radicals. They are found in large quantities in animal fat and present a significant free radical source if you are eating a meat-rich diet. These pesticides are stored in your body in fatty tissue. Non-organic fruit and vegetables also carry pesticides
    • Free radical producing chemicals are found in solvents, cleaning products, glue, paint and thinners, as well as perfumes, and even prescription medications.
    • Ionizing radiation from sunlight, X-rays or electro magnetic fields is another source. Body cells are very sensitive to radiation and even very mild exposure will set off the chain reaction within the cell.
    • Even mental stress, including anger and anxiety can increase the presence of free radicals.

    So, this is just another reason to get your daily dose of pesticide and chemical-free, antioxidant-rich, RAINBOW of fruit and vegetables! Be conscious of the foods you need and take the time to enjoy the beauty of a colourful diet.

    Disclaimer.

    All information and opinions presented here are for information only and are not intended as a substitute for professional advice offered during a consultation. Please consult with your health care provider before trying any of the treatment suggested on this site. 

     

    Source articles:

    http://www.healingdaily.com/conditions/free-radicals.htm

    http://www.naturaltherapypages.com.au/article/the_power_of_antioxidants#ixzz2HoOfDp34

    http://www.naturalnews.com/024710_antioxidants_fruits_antioxidant.html

    http://www.naturalnews.com/036992_antioxidants_best_sources_foods.html

    Conscious Mindset, Nature's Rhythms

    No Resolutions for a New Outlook

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    “What exactly is a New Years Resolution?”

    “It’s a “To-Do” list for the first week of January”

    I woke today, the first day of 2013 to a beautiful warm, sunny summer morning. As I watched from my deck the summer butterflies darted about the parched garden seeking the few open flowers, the surrounding trees were filled with the songs of the lorikeets and magpies, and I began to crystalize my thoughts about the directions I wished to follow in the coming year.

    You may call these resolutions, but I have always shied away from using this term. I am not making any resolutions. I hate New Year resolutions. They somehow seem so pointless. I hear people around me making the same resolutions year in and year out – stop smoking, lose weight, exercise more, get a new job, etc. etc. and at the end of the year most of their resolutions have fallen by the wayside and they have made no changes in their life.

    The most common top ten resolutions made over the last 10 years have stayed the same every year. Do you recognise yourself in this collection?

    New Year Resolutions seem to lock everything into a very narrow field, setting you up firmly and squarely at the end of the success/fail axis. There’s no wriggle room that allows you to change a little.

    I prefer to adopt the more accepting belief that whatever we experience or wherever we find ourselves is the right place to be because it’s the place in that moment where we will find the opportunity to learn and understand more about ourselves. So, by setting up resolutions we are setting up inflexible parameters that don’t allow for the shifts of life that provide an opportunity for growth.

    Also, this rigid approach causes stress and all the concomitant health problems that stress invariably leads to, which we all prefer to avoid.

    What I have noticed is that when people are living in a way that embraces opportunities for personal growth other things in their life fall into place more easily. Exercising or weight loss comes more easily because they want to be out doing whatever activity draws them, difficult decisions are made, new opportunities arise, and life begins to flow more fluidly and easily.

    So my thoughts about my directions for 2013 are a little looser than things like “lose weight”, although that would be nice! I decided to take a look at the Virtues Project to form my list of the virtues I would like to see acknowledged and strengthened through this year, both on a personal and a wider community or global level.

    13 Virtues to Embrace in The New Year

    Here is my list in no particular order of THIRTEEN VIRTUES TO EMBRACE FOR 2013. I’ve selected these from the condensed list of 52 Virtues from The 52 Virtues Project. The full list of Virtues is extensive, and this condensed list provided a little more focus.

    1. Assertiveness

    Being assertive means being positive and confident. You are aware that you are a worthy person with your own special gifts. You think for yourself and express your own ideas. You know what you stand for and what you won’t stand for. You expect respect.

    2. Confidence

    Confidence is having faith in someone. Self-confidence is trusting that you have what it takes to handle whatever happens. You feel sure of yourself and enjoy trying new things, without letting doubts or fears hold you back. When you have confidence in others, you rely on them

    3. Creativity

    Creativity is the power of imagination. It is discovering your own special talents. Dare to see things in new ways and find different ways to solve problems. With your creativity, you can bring something new into the world

    4. Integrity

    Integrity is living by your highest values. It is being honest and sincere. Integrity helps you to listen to your conscience, to do the right thing, and to tell the truth. You act with integrity when your words and actions match. Integrity gives you self-respect and a peaceful heart.

    5. Joyfulness

    Joyfulness is an inner sense of peace and happiness. You appreciate the gifts each day brings. Without joyfulness, when the fun stops, our happiness stops. Joy can carry us through the hard times even when we are feeling very sad. Joy gives us wings.

    6. Moderation

    Moderation is creating a healthy balance in your life between work and play, rest and exercise. You don’t overdo or get swept away by the things you like. You use your self-discipline to take charge of your life and your time.

    7. Thankfulness

    Thankfulness is being grateful for what we have. It is an attitude of gratitude for learning, loving and being. Appreciate the little things that happen around you and within you every day. Think positively. Thankfulness brings contentment

    8. Compassion

    Compassion is understanding and caring when someone is hurt or troubled, even if you don’t know them. It is wanting to help, even if all you can do is listen and say kind words. You forgive mistakes. You are a friend when someone needs a friend.

    9. Generosity

    Generosity is giving and sharing. You share freely, not with the idea of receiving something in return. You find ways to give others happiness, and give just for the joy of giving. Generosity is one of the best ways to show love and friendship.

    10. Tolerance

    Being tolerant is accepting differences. You don’t expect others to think, look, speak or act just like you. You are free of prejudice, knowing that all people have feelings, needs, hopes and dreams. Tolerance is also accepting things you wish were different with patience and flexibility.

    11.Understanding

    Understanding is using your mind to think clearly, paying careful attention to see the meaning of things. An understanding mind gives you insights and wonderful ideas. An understanding heart gives you empathy and compassion for others. Understanding is the power to think and learn and also to care

    12. Unity

    Unity helps us work and live together peacefully. We feel connected with each other and all living things. We value the specialness of each person as a gift, not as a reason to fight or be scared. With unity we accomplish more together than any of one of us could alone.

    13. Love

    Love is a special feeling that fills your heart. You show love in a smile, a kind word, a thoughtful act or a hug. Love is treating people and things with care and kindness because they mean so much to you. Love is contagious. It keeps spreading.

    Of course there are many more virtues to ambrace, and selecting only thirteen was very difficult.

    The Virtues Project is a grassroots initiative started in Canada aimed at inspiring the practice of virtues in everyday life. It is widely used in schools but is equally effective in the home or your personal life. It “empowers individuals to live more authentic meaningful lives, families to raise children of compassion and integrity, educators to create safe, caring, and high performing learning communities, and leaders to encourage excellence and ethics in the work-place.” If you would like to start off 2013 doing a daily Virtues Card pick for yourself then go here and click on ‘Do A Virtues Pick’.

    “I can’t believe it’s been a whole year since I didn’t become a better person”

    3 Resolutions

    But, if someone were to twist my arm and force me to make three New Year resolutions, then this is how I would go:

    1. make no poorly considered resolutions that would fall by the wayside during January

    2. adopt a new Virtue to embrace and practice each week, thirteen of which would take me through to the end of March

    3. refuse to take any of those doomsday prophesies literally.

    Make 2013 a year of change that you can recognise when 2014 rocks along.

    I hope it brings you the opportunity to experience the new, to find joy in the simple things of life and to grow to know and understand yourself and the world around you more fully. I trust that by opening yourself to the world around you experience much abundance in all parts of your life.

    Allow your virtues to unfurl

    Disclaimer.

    All information and opinions presented here are for information only and are not intended as a substitute for professional advice offered during a consultation. Please consult with your health care provider before trying any of the treatment suggested on this site. 

    Holistic Health, Uncategorized

    Improve Your Digestion With These Juicy Options

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    Juices can deliver a whopping great punch of valuable nutrients and enzymes into your body quickly and easily
    Juices can deliver a whopping great punch of valuable nutrients and enzymes into your body quickly and easily

    I am really excited tonight and feel like all-my-Christmases-have-come-at-once, as this afternoon I picked up my new slow juicer. I have been waiting quite a while for the shipment to arrive as it has sat in a container on the docks for a while. But today it is here. And no, it is not a Christmas gift, it just happens that it has arrived right at this time. The juicer I have chosen is a cold-press masticating type.

    There is plenty of evidence about the benefits of juicing, provided the juice is prepared in a way that does not destroy the nutrients and enzymes. Juicing plays an important role in detoxing the body, and in facts underpins many natural health plans for the treatment of a wide range of diseases including cancer. But it also makes sense to include it in any plan for healthy living.

    One if the main reasons to add home-made juice to your diet is that it can deliver a whopping great punch of valuable nutrients and enzymes quickly and easily, although this depends on the type of juicer it is made in.

    You’ve heard this before but micronutrients are quickly damaged or destroyed by heating and cooking. In an ideal world we would all totally avoid processed foods and eat only fresh organic fruit and vegetables. But this is not always possible for lots of reasons. Most of us also make the choice to indulge in foods and drinks that are not health-wise, especially at this time of the year when it can become very difficult to make consistently good food choices.

    So why juice?

    Dr Mercola sums it up nicely in three points:

    Juicing helps you absorb all the nutrients from the vegetables

    Juicing allows you to consume an optimal amount of vegetables in an efficient manner

    You can add a wider variety of vegetables in your diet

    And to this I would add that juicing encourages people to eat breakfast. One of the big battles I frequently encounter at work is to get people to reverse their practice of not eating before they leave for work or school – the body is an engine and needs fuel to function!

    Most people have poor or impaired digestion, whether they recognize it or not, as a result of prolonged regular poor food choices. For some this is obvious in indigestion, bloating, gas, cramping, or IBS, but for many more the effects are not so apparent. But poor digestion always equates with poor health. Over time it leads to many chronic health problems that range from fatigue to lung and heart problems and include a diverse range of many more. If you are not absorbing nutrients – vitamins, minerals, proteins, fats and carbohydrates – your body will simply not function properly. You need each of these nutrients to some degree, and some part of your body will suffer if you are deficient in any one of them.

    Poor and impaired digestion results in poor and impaired immune function.

    If you do suffer from poor digestion it is well worth taking fresh home-made juice before eating a meal, about twenty to thirty minutes, because the enzymes in the juice will actually act as an aid to help with your digestion. When taken on an empty stomach the juice is assimilated immediately, the nutrients absorbed, and the enzymes able to work efficiently.

    The quantity of raw vegetables that we should optimally eat is big. Even the relatively modest amounts recommended by Government bodies are more than most people who come to see me for health advice and treatment regularly eat. Many of these people are in tune with good health requirements (to varying degrees), and eat more vegetables and fruit than most of the rest of the population, but still are not eating enough. Juicing allows you to increase the amount of raw vegetables and fruit that you consume substantially.

    If you take a moment to work out what vegetables and fruits you eat you will almost certainly find that you are eating the same ones every day, with a variation thrown in only occasionally. Very few people actually manage to sustain a good rotation of the vegetables they consume. This may lead to a preponderance of some nutrients and deficiency of others in your diet. But one result that is not often appreciated is that it can also be responsible for the development of food allergies and intolerances. When you juice you can create a far more diverse diet because you can add in those vegetables and fruits that you don’t particularly like and so would not normally consume.

    I mentioned before that the quality of the juice depends very much on the type of juicer used. The cheaper versions all use a centrifugal action. They are cheap to buy and quick to use. The problem is that their action heats the juice and causes significant nutrient loss. Juice made in these machines oxidizes quickly (in the same way that cut apple turns brown as it oxidizes) leading to free radical damage in your body. If you leave these juices sitting they will turn brown fairly quickly. I guess that if all you want juice for is the taste with no awareness or consideration for the consequence of consuming poor and damaging food then that would not be an issue!

    Masticating juicers on the other hand, deliver a cold-pressed product which has not been damaged by being heated.

    Bearing in mind that a juicer is an investment – an investment in your health what do you need to look for when purchasing a juicer?

    Well firstly you want one that will deliver a high quality juice which is loaded with nutrients and enzymes

    Another important factor is how easy it will be to clean, as if this is difficult you simply won’t use it.

    A good warranty will ensure that the juicer can handle seeds, skins and cores without burning out.

    The factor that really sets the best juicers apart is how much juice they can extract, as in the long run a machine that produces more juice from the same quantity of produce will save you money

    Lastly make sure the engine is going to be strong enough to deal with juicing for the family.

    One bonus you get from juicers is that you can also use them to make smoothies which are often a great way to retrain your body to eat breakfast. I often get clients to start slowly at reintroducing the practice as once their body gets used to eating in the morning they find they want to eat sufficient and can’t do without. Many who say they can’t eat in the morning find they are ok with a smoothie to start off the ‘re-training’. Another bonus is that it so easy to add superfoods like Spiulina or Chlorella powder, or wheat or barleygrass to the smoothie to really powerhouse your breakfast and get your body fired for the day.

    You can add Superfoods to a basic green smoothie to give a power start to your day
    You can add Superfoods to a basic green smoothie to power start your day

    When you choose your vegetables for juicing it is important to remember that any pesticide residues will be concentrated. Choose organic produce wherever you can, but if you need to restrict the amount of organic foods you buy then make sure you select only organic versions of any of the foods that appear on the “Dirty Dozen®” http://www.ewg.org/foodnews/summary   list which is a guide to pesticides in produce for shoppers. There is also a list of the fifteen ‘cleanest’ veges and fruits on that link.

    If you, like many parents, are worried about the amount of fruits and vegetables that your kids are eating try them on home made juices from a wide variety of organic vegetables and fruits and know that they are probably getting the nutrients they require.

    One drawback from lots of juice in your diet rather than whole fruit and vegetables, is that the fibre contained in the produce is discarded. Insufficient fibre is a common problem in western diets and leads to digestive health problems. Fibre also helps you to feel full and satisfied. In order to stop the development or exacerbation of the very health problems you are trying to fix you need to add the fibre back into your diet via the juice, or else by adding it to soups, stews or salads.

    Juicers range in price from very cheap to thousands of dollars. My new masticating juicer cost a few hundred dollars. I know it won’t be as good as the ones I have dreamed of owning but it is quite sufficient to get my family started on this yummy health practice and to get them away from commercial juices.

    There are lots of juicing recipes about but you don’t need them as it is good to experiment with your own creativity. Here are some simple ideas to get you started.

    Here are some great tips for juicing, including juicing for a large family.

    And here is one last hint – Chew your juice, never gulp it down! You will absorb it better when it is mixed with saliva.

    Have fun trying out juicing for your household. I’m off to stock up on some fresh organic produce so I can get going.

    Disclaimer.

    All information and opinions presented here are for information only and are not intended as a substitute for professional advice offered during a consultation. Please consult with your health care provider before trying any of the treatment suggested on this site. 

     

    Source articles:

    http://greensmoothierevolution.com/

    http://articles.mercola.com/sites/articles/archive/2011/11/13/benefits-of-juicing.aspx

    http://www.livestrong.com/article/535545-the-disadvantages-of-juicing/

    Self Care, Stress & Overwhelm

    Soak Away Stress In Your Own Home Spa

    3 Comments

    reduce stress with DIY home bath products

     

    I choose to practice gratitude every day. But no matter how hard I try I still regret that I don’t have a bath in my home.  Soaking in a bath with essential oils is an excellent way to reduce stress.

    I love bath products and make a small range of beautiful natural skin care products. They’re simple and fun to make. It’s wonderful to be able to play with aromatic essential oils, beautiful cold-pressed vegetable oils, Himalayan salts and nut butters.

    But I still long for a deep tub, candles, oils and salts in the bath, maybe a crystal in the water, music …well you know the scene. So whenever I go on holidays I always pack these goodies and book hotel rooms with a big bath.

    Because this is the ‘Stressful-Season’ I’d like to share with you five wonderful super-simple home-made recipes for your Home Spa that sound easy and delicious. I hope you decide to practice a little self-love and steal an hour from your busy life to try them out.

     

    1.  YULE RECIPE

    So much alcohol goes in through the mouth over the holidays. Do yourself a favour and put that glass of red wine or champagne in your bath instead. Red wine is full of antioxidants which are simply awesome anti-ageing tools. If you feel a little decadent a glass of champagne in the water helps reduce discolouration of your skin as well as fine lines. The bonus is that the champagne needs to be flat! So have a drink first. Instead of throwing the leftover down the sink, throw it into the running water of your bath instead. Then hop in and soak for twenty minutes.

     

    2. DETOX RECIPE

    This is a great detox bath and my guess is you’ll probably need a couple of these after a dose of holiday partying.

    Regular readers know I love Himalayan salt. It has so many health benefits as well as being relaxing and soothing. Unlike table salt it contains 84 minerals which give it the gorgeous pink colour. For it to be an effective detox you must have the right proportion of salt to water. In a tub of 100 litres you need 1200 grams of Himalayan salt.

    Don’t use any soap, shampoo or oil with this as the salt cleanses perfectly. Soak for 30 minutes, towel off and then rinse with clean water. The salt leaves your skin beautifully silky smooth.

     

    3. DIY BATH SALTS

    Bath Salts are really easy to make at home. Try out this one.

    Mix 50% epsom salts, 25% sea salt and 25% bi-carb soda (baking soda). Don’t use the stuff labeled “Lectric Soda” as it’s not Epsom salts. You need true Epsom Salts to get the benefits. Use about 2 tablespoons (40mL) of the mix in each bath. You can store any leftover in an airtight jar.

    You can also add 7 – 10 drops (0.3 – 0.5 grams) of your favourite essential oil to each tablespoons of salt. I love Sandalwood mixed with Rose Geranium and Lavender. This mix smells amazing and these particular oils have a great nourishing and moisturising effect for my dry skin.

     

    4.  GODDESS BATH

    Cleopatra was spot on when she added camel milk to her baths. I don’t do dairy so wouldn’t use this. But if you’re not allergic to dairy products milk makes a fantastic mild exfoliant. You can use full cream milk or milk powder, or goats milk to the bath salts mix. Or even camel milk if you have some.

    First add 5 drops of essential oils of your choice to the milk. Mix well. Add equal quantities of each mix to the bath (two tablespoons of the salt mix and two of the milk mix). Then soak for 20 minutes.

     

    5. BEAUTIFUL BATH OIL

    Bath oils are the easiest of all to make and very luxurious.

    Use a good quality vegetable oil like Sweet Almond or peach as the base. I choose cold-pressed oils and make my own blend which includes hemp seed, avocado and macadamia oil. For every tablespoon of vegetable oil add 8-10 drops of a single essential oil or a blend that you love. Float a tablespoon of the mix on the water.

    You can also add botanicals to the water for their aromatic bliss and health benefits. Be sure to use organic flowers, not sprayed with pest control.

    Lavender blossom is a wonderful relaxant. Rose petals have beautiful skin softening properties and their scent is intoxicating. In fact even the water gets softer when you add rose petals. Sprinkle a handful in the gushing water and remember to breathe in the aroma as you relax.

     

    MAN SPA

    Many men have learnt to love spas too. Lose the candles, music and rose petals, and look for less flowery essential oils.

    Grapefruit and orange oils create a feeling of wellbeing. Orange is cheering and uplifting, and the fresh citrus smell appeals to men (as well as women).

    Relaxing sandalwood is another good choice and helps with balancing all skin types.

    Juniper is a great rejuvenating oil with a smoky note that works really well with citrus oils.

    Frankincense, marjoram, cedarwood, orange, sandalwood and vetiver are some relaxants with a less girly tone. Patchouli is another oil suitable for men, that I also love. But it’s definitely one you need to be sure he likes before using.

    Use the recipes above as your base and choose oils that suit his emotional state. If he’s a bit reluctant encourage him to try it out just once for at least twenty minutes. With a good magazine to read it’s a much better way to unwind than the television and he’ll surely get hooked.

     

    QUALITY OILS

    One important thing to note. I’m really fussy about the oils I use and will only use top quality ‘Therapeutic Grade’ oils and you should too.  The effectiveness of aromatherapy is directly dependent on the quality of essential oils employed.

    Many oils are promoted as being 100% pure and natural but are adulterated or simply ‘lifestyle products’ using the concept of aromatherapy. These are low quality ‘essential oils’ and ‘aromatherapy oils’ often leave a nasty residue after burning.

    I hate the way that advertising loopholes again allow manufacturers to mislead the buyer. Look for therapeutic claims on the oils you use and you’ll then be sure they’re going to actually do you good.

     

    WHAT ARE YOU WAITING FOR?

    Choose your favourite recipe, mix yourself up a batch of ‘relaxation’ in your kitchen and schedule a ‘recovery hour’ in your calendar.

    Then light a beautiful scented candle, especially the ones with multiple wicks, and put on some soothing music. If you have an amethyst or rose quartz crystal put it in the bottom of the bath. Just be sure not to sit down on it. Lock the bathroom door and relax back for half an hour.

    After your bath lavish your favourite moisturiser on your skin and emerge rejuvenated and able to face the next holiday challenge.

     

    salt detox for bath
    Photo credit: Dennis Wong

     

    And  here is a little trivia to end with – today 12/12/12 is the very last date that will have all three digits the same until the twenty second century, so almost certainly the last you will encounter.

    Enjoy!
    Do you have a favourite bath-time recipe? Please share it with us in the comments below

     

     

     

    Disclaimer.

    All information and opinions presented here are for information only and are not intended as a substitute for professional advice offered during a consultation. Please consult with your health care provider before trying any of the treatment suggested on this site. 

    Natural Remedies & Homeopathy, Self Care, Stress & Overwhelm

    Survive the Silly Season Tsunami

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    With the end of the year racing towards us it is very easy to succumb to overwhelm, and here in Australia I believe that we actually do this season much harder than we need to, and perhaps harder than they do overseas. The festivities of Christmas, or whichever of the Holidays you celebrate, coincides here with the end of the school year, the end of the working year, and the end of the calendar year, all in one short week.

    Trying to juggle a myriad of  ‘end-of-year’ school activities, dance concerts, exam study, shopping for the festivities ahead and socialising, together with so many businesses closing down for at least a few weeks and preparations for the mass post-Christmas exodus to many idyllic beachy places, it is very easy to get caught up in a sense of “approaching the end”. It’s easy to get that nagging feeling that you need to finish absolutely everything, to tie up all the loose ends in your life.

    It seems that the whole nation drives itself into an absolute feverpitch of stress through December and then shifts to the opposite extreme and shuts down totally after Christmas Eve. It’s no surprise everyone races around with a sense of impending doom if everything isn’t done and finalised on time.

    Perhaps it’s this Australian ‘end-is-nigh’ approach to December that actually fuels the stressful emotions we experience.

    Are You Driving Yourself Too Hard?

    How many times do you say “we must catch up before Christmas”? How much do you drive yourself at work to finalise jobs that realistically might wait a week or two? How many parties do you attend? How many late nights do you have? How much fattening, sugary, or rich food do you eat? How much alcohol? How often are you driven to do or buy something which could wait, without really knowing what drives you to do it right now? And these are only what you are actually doing – they don’t even start to address the emotions that get stirred up at this time.

    This last part of the year can be a time of escalating stress for so many during the build-up to Christmas with ‘so much to get done’, loneliness, increasingly tired children as they approach the end of the school year, the pressure in self-run businesses to cover extra costs such as holiday pay for staff, a calendar that seems to overflow, loss of a job and financial constraints, plus many more difficulties.

    Loneliness and Grief

    For many this time of the year is also a time of tremendous emotional stress. It is the time when the loss of loved family members, whether through separation or their passing, comes home and strikes with almost paralyzing force. For some people the whole season is wrapped in a tight mantle of grief that draws in around and stifles them.

    It can also be the time when singles feel the most lonely, when isolation from family and friends or an abscence of them in your life strikes most intensely.

    Family Tensions

    For others the experience of returning into a family where everyone is suddenly thrown back into the role they played as a youngster and the family dynamics that played out when they were children, is too difficult to deal with.This is in spite of the fact that in their real everyday life they are responsible and competent parents, partners, employees or employers with wide and admirable skills and abilities.

    In this scenario is it any wonder that the anxieties of childhood rear their ugly heads. Is it any wonder that behaviour reverts and childish tantrums or bickering, petulant unhappiness or resentment and other actions arising from the uncertain and fearful child that is still living deep within, start to occur.

    But whatever the reason the ability to engage in the Christmas spirit eludes many and the season is anything but bright.

    There are natural treatments that can help you cope as the Holiday Season gets nearer and stress levels increase

    WHAT YOU CAN DO

    There are a number of natural strategies and remedies you can adopt to help deal with these issues. Rather than go into each of them in detail I’ll give you a link to some that I think are sound and effective. You can have a look and try a few out and then use those that suit you the best.

    Even making a little time to get some exercise or relaxation is a good way to start. When we start to rush, both exercise and relaxation often go by the wayside. Schedule the time in your calendar and then stick to it.

    Remember that a massage can work wonders especially if you carry your stress in your neck and shoulders, and it will be even more effective if it includes aromatherapy essential oils for relaxation.

    Emotions respond beautifully to any of the varied forms of energetic medicine. Medicine delivered in an energetic form can be very effective in ‘re-balancing and re-setting you’ so that you are able to deal with whatever it is you have to face. Hear are a few.

    Homeopathy

    Homeopathy offers some great remedies for many of the issues such as stress, overwork, grief, over-excitement, anxiety, guilt, exhaustion and so on.

    Homeopathic Coffea helps with getting over-excited children off to sleep on Christmas Eve. Ignatia is often a first choice for grieving. Nux vomica can work wonders if you are driving yourself towards burnout with overwork.

    Homeopathic remedies need to be matched to your own idiosyncratic symptoms and the particular way you manifest the stress. So unless you are familiar with self-prescribing for acute situations, or if your stress is long-standing you should consult with a fully trained and registered Homeopath.

    Accupressure & Accupuncture

    Visiting an Acupuncturist is a great way to deal with the stress, but even better, you can do Acupressure yourself anytime and anywhere, and it works along the same lines as acupuncture. This is a good demonstration of one way to relieve stress by Donna Eden, an expert at using acupressure in her energy medicine work.

    These diagrams of acupressure points to use for hangovers could be useful if you are partying hard. And here are some acupressure points to help with feelings of anxiety felt throughout the holiday season.

    Flower Essences

    Flower essences can have a great benefit when trying to deal with grief. They work very gently, but effectively on the emotions.

    The basic Bach Rescue Remedy or Australian Bush Flower Emergency Essence are both good ‘all-purpose’ mixes for dealing with stressful situations but there are a number of others that can be tailored to each individuals requirements. FES Five Flower Formula is similar to Bach Rescue Remedy.

    Perhaps my favourite flower essence for this time of the year would be the Australian Bush Flower ‘Calm & Clear’ essence – the name says it all.

    There are flower essences to help relieve all the other stressful emotional responses to the holidays and they are well worth investigating.

    For information about each of the Bach remedies look here, for Australian Bush Flower Remedies look here and Californian Flower Essences here.  

    Difficult Families

    Here are some useful strategies for those who have to deal with intensified extended family tensions. They give you the opportunity to plan ahead and devise strategies for you as well as your family.

    Importantly it is all about taking back the reigns and getting back your sense of control. If you are able to clearly identify where your stress is coming from then you have a better chance of achieving this control. If there is a tradition in your festivities that causes more stress than joy, then it is time to give yourself permission to change things. Make 2012 the year to make changes, after all you cannot help others if you are not really coping yourself.

    Don’t forget, it is not all about the ‘Big Day’. The stress of the lead up through December can be just as bad or worse, and the significant health effect that prolonged stress can have on your whole system is often not recognized or acknowledged until it gets serious.

    Remember to check in with situations and ask yourself whether they are of joy or of stress right through the whole Month of December.

    Make this the year where you decide to be kinder to yourself. Sure, there are always going to be pressures, but maybe by being aware of how many of the manufactured pressures you embrace, you can let a few slide, and in easing up your obligations you will be able to deal with those stresses you really cannot avoid.

    It is time to allow yourself the gift of self-love and self-care.

     

    Disclaimer.

    All information and opinions presented here are for information only and are not intended as a substitute for professional advice offered during a consultation. Please consult with your health care provider before trying any of the treatment suggested on this site. 

    © Catherine Bullard and Happy Holistic Health, 2012. Unauthorised use and/or duplication of this material without express and written permission from this blog’s author and/or owner is strictly prohibited. Excerpts and links may be used, provided that full and clear credit is given to Catherine Bullard and Happy Holistic Health with appropriate and specific direction to the original content

    Natural Remedies & Homeopathy

    Aloe! Aloe!

    1 Comment

    Last year my family traveled from three different continents to meet up at a beautiful Caribbean beach on Mexico’s Yucatan Peninsula. As always I took a kit of 25 Homeopathic remedies with me. The Homeopathic kit has traveled with me wherever I travel for over twenty years and has been invaluable for all sorts of acute illnesses and first-aid situations many times.

    Initially my kit included remedies for small children’s problems but as the boys grew the remedies changed a little to suit their changing activites and destinations. Remedies for teething relief eventually gave way to ‘hangover rescues’ and as we ventured overseas we added remedies for “Bali-belly” and jetlag.

    A 'home' Homeopathy kit containing twenty different remedies suitable for acute illness and first aid situations.
    A ‘home’ Homeopathy kit containing twenty different remedies suitable for acute illness and first aid situations.

    Of course some remedies remained, the same remedy served for the effects of falling of a bicycle with training wheels as did for falling from a small Asian motorcycle. And some were always there because they were such fundamental stalwarts. Arnica is one that I would be lost without, in fact I can’t imagine raising a family of four boys without this gem in the medicine chest!

    Being a practitioner I have access to a broader range of Homeopathic remedies than are found in most kits, and I have the knowledge of a wider range of applications, so that I am able to tailor the selection of the Homeopathic medicines more closely to our specific need. But nonetheless I still often manage to find myself without the necessary remedy for the problem we face. When one son had his drink spiked in Asia I knew which remedy he needed to counteract the nasty effects of the drug, but not having it with me had to make do with another that while it did help ‘bring him down’ was not ideal.

    However, back to Mexico, as I said there are some remedies I never leave home without.

    The amazing lagoon and the bottom of the garden in the Mexican villa

    We arrived in Mexico in the late summer and it was hot! Seriously hot, especially after coming out of the tail of the Melbourne winter. The villa we were staying at had a pool, sun lounges under the cabana and backed onto an amazing fish-filled lagoon. So the family was quick to soak up the long-missed sun and it only took one day before one of the boys came to me seriously sunburned. There are a number of Homeopathic remedies that are useful for burns, but there is one I always carry as it dissipates sunburn with amazing speed. But for hot, sunny Mexico I had forgotten to pack it.

    Luckily being Mexico the garden was full of succulents and a quick walk around the garden revealed our second treatment choice, a clump of Aloe Vera plants. My son broke a leaf applied the gel to his burnt skin with good healing results. Most people know one of the characteristics of Aloe Vera is it’s ability to soothe the skin. But it is not only an excellent anti-inflammatory, it also actually heals any tissues it touches. It is great for skin problems such as acne, dandruff, eczema, dermatitis or psoriasis. (Although I prefer to treat psoriasis with a deeper-acting treatment like homeopathy) On the skin it will also help heal infections, although you must not apply it to any deep vertical wounds (such as those from surgery). And of course it soothes and starts the healing process for sunburn, cooking and ironing burns or insect bites.

    Many people drink Aloe juice regularly for its laxative qualities, as a general health tonic for the Gastrointestinal system, or to help build up the immune system. However, do not use Aloe if you are pregnant or breastfeeding, have a kidney disorder, IBD or intestinal obstruction, or for young children. Also, Aloe can cause irritation on the skin in some people with a specific sensitivity to the plant, although it is uncommon.

     

    AN ALOE IS AN ALOE, RIGHT? WRONG!

    There are over 240 varieties of Aloe and there are also a number of plants that look very like Aloe but don’t have the same healing properties. The one you need is Aloe barbadensis and the clue to identifying Aloe is in the way the leaves sit. In a true Aloe plant they all come up from the base in a circular pattern, like in the picture below. If there are leaves pointing in only a couple of directions it is not an Aloe. The edges of the leaf have short little barbs a bit like a cactus, although it is actually a member of the lily family and not a cactus. The fleshy leaves can vary in colour and even be spotted but they will always grow in this shape. There are lots of Aloe varieties but Aloe barbadensis is the one you want to use.

    The fleshy leaves of Aloe barbadensis grow from the base in a circular pattern

    The useful part of the plant is the gooey gel in the centre of the leaf. The outer part of the leaf contains constituents that can be problematic and you want to avoid. The outer part also has a bitter taste whereas the gel does not so if the juice or powder tastes bitter it is a clue that the product is not good quality as it has some of the outer leaf mixed in with the gel.

    The other problem that can be a problem with commercial products is that the gel oxidizes when it is exposed to the air for more than about four hours. This is like the apple going brown after it is cut. Some manufacturers buy Aloe gel and stockpile it for long periods during which time it deteriorates. Rather than wondering whether the bought product is truly good or poor quality it makes sense to formulate your own ‘Aloe’ products from your own plant.

     

    HOW TO USE ALOE

    You can apply the gel directly to your skin, as my son did, to relieve inflammation, whenever there is a breakout, or as a regular beauty treatment. It is also useful for dry skin. You can also use it to de-frizz your hair before you blow-dry it, as it is the main ingredient of most defrizzers on the market. It is easy to apply because of its consistency.

    You can substitute Aloe for your shaving cream, it  gives a great close shave and, being anti-inflammatory and with a high water content stops the need for moisturizers afterwards. In fact it sorts out razor burn beautifully – use it after you shower and again before bed.

    Aloe vera is high in a range of nutrients that will be absorbed into your skin. It contains all eighteen amino acids, including the eight essential ones, twenty minerals, the standouts being calcium, zinc, selenium and magnesium and twelve vitamins, including Vitamins A, C and E which benefit the skin because they have antioxidant activity that neutralizes free radicals.

    Aloes are very easy to grow in a pot on a sunny windowsill. They like hot, dry weather and are fine inside. They need almost no care and the danger is that they will die from over-watering rather than neglect. They are fine outside but you will need to bring them in during a cold snap especially if there is frost. Once your plant is established you can easily grow more by planting a ‘pup’ from the parent plant into some Cacti potting mix. Keeping a pot of Aloe vera is the best way to have a ready supply of fresh gel on hand.

     

    SKIN CARE RECIPES

    Once your Aloe vera plant is growing you might like to use it to make a face mask for yourself. Here is how:

    Cut one of the bigger leaves off the plant with a knife close to the base. Put the leaf onto a plate and leave it for about 20 minutes to allow the yellow sap to flow out. Then wash the leaf under running water.

    Slice your Aloe leaf in half vertically (from the top to bottom). Take care, it will be slippery. Then with a spoon scrape the

    The gooey gel inside the Aloe vera leaf

    gooey gel out of the inside of the leaf. It is really gooey, like very sticky egg white, and will stick to your fingers. (If it is a very big leaf cut it across before leaving it to sit and store half in the fridge for another time. The leaf end will seal over and stop any oxidisation)

    To make a very easy Aloe and Honey mask, take about 2 teaspoons of the gel and mix well with equal quantities of honey, ideally Manuka honey or otherwise organic honey. Add ¼ teaspoon of rose hip oil. Apply to your face with your fingers and leave on for 20 minutes. Then wash it off your face. This mask is rejuvenating for dry skin when used twice a week for two months. (If you have no Rose Hip Oil make this with just the Aloe and honey)

    A Cucumber and Aloe mask is great after being out in the sun. It is also excellent for acne, or any stressed and inflamed skin. Peel and deseed ½ a cucumber and then process it to a smooth paste with about 2 tablespoons of Aloe vera gel. Spread over your face (and neck), relax for 20 minutes and then wash off gently.

    Alternatively, if you are pressed for time you can simply rub the inside of the leaf directly on your skin. It is safe to use on your face, although better to avoid the eye area. It will help heal outbreaks as well as tightening and toning the skin.

    You do not need to cleanse afterwards as Aloe is cleansing, and you can simply apply a moisturizer or face oil if you wish.

     

    DISCLAIMER:

    This advice is not intended to replace the advice of your Health Care Practitioner. Please seek professional advice for serious medical problems.