Home Remedies Put to the Test.
Often communicated by a trusted source, it's easy to believe in the healing powers of home remedies. However, it can be difficult to differentiate a successful home remedy from an old wives' tale. To clear up the confusion, Dr. Oz took some remedies YOU swear by and put them to the test!
Pepto Bismol Facial
Method: Apply Pepto Bismol to face. Leave on for 10 minutes and peel off.
Verdict: It works! When applied to the skin, Pepto Bismol does the same thing it does to your stomach: It soothes and coats it. While it is an off-label use of this product, the aspirin and bismuth sub-salicylate contained in this classic pink medicine transforms dull skin and cleans out pores, giving you a healthy glow.
Sweet Almond Oil and Sugar to Cure Chapped Lips
Method: Mix 100% pure sweet almond oil with sugar to create a paste. Dip toothbrush in mixture and scrub lips.
Verdict: It works! The sweet almond oil helps to moisturize your lips while the sugar gently exfoliates away dead tissue. Be careful not to scrub too hard to avoid doing harm to your lips.
Manuka Honey to Soften Fine Lines and Wrinkles
Method: Apply manuka honey directly to trouble spots. Leave on for 10 to 20 minutes and then rinse away.
Verdict: It works! Thanks to its healing powers, this potent honey is used in hospitals to treat wounds. It costs about $15 in health food stores. Whatever�s left over can be eaten, because it tastes delicious, too!
Chopped Garlic and Honey/Turmeric Powder and Milk for Joint Pain
Method: For the first step, chop garlic and add to 1 tablespoon of honey. For the second step, add 1 teaspoon turmeric powder to a half a glass of warm milk. Swallow the honey-garlic mixture and chase it with the milk mixture.
Verdict: It works! Inflammation is a major cause of joint pain. Garlic, honey, turmeric and milk all have anti-inflammatory properties. Mixing turmeric into warm milk (instead of water) makes it easier to drink.
Gin Soaked Raisins for Arthritis
Method: Put raisins in a bowl and pour in enough gin to cover the raisins. Allow the gin to evaporate, which should take about 1 week. Place the moist raisins in a sealed jar and eat about 9 a day.
Verdict: It works! Drinking alcohol has been shown to cut the risks of developing rheumatoid arthritis in half. Gin is flavored by the juniper berry, which contains anti-inflammatory properties. Raisins contain ferulic acid, gentisic acid and salicylic acid � all natural pain relievers.
Tickle the Roof of Your Mouth to Stop Hiccups
Method: Use a cotton ball to tickle the roof of your mouth at the point where the hard and soft palate meets.
Verdict: It works! Hiccups are caused by a spasm of the diaphragm. Tickling the roof of your mouth stimulates the vagus nerve, which interrupts that spasm.
Play the Didgeridoo to Help Snoring
Method: The didgeridoo is a wind instrument that produces a droning sound. Play this instrument, or as an alternative, blow into a wrapping paper roll before bed to help with snoring and sleep apnea.
Verdict: It works! Snoring and sleep apnea are caused by collapse of upper airways. Playing the didgeridoo strengthens those muscles and prevents them from narrowing. It uses circular breathing � storing air in your cheeks for one continuous breath. This practice can also lessen daytime sleepiness, a complication of snoring and sleep apnea.
Lemon Slices for Constipation
Method: Cut a lemon into pieces and then eat it.
Verdict: It works! Raw lemon is high in vitamin C, and in high doses, vitamin C can cause diarrhea.
Headband to Cure a Headache
Method: Pour rubbing alcohol into a bowl, wet the bandana in the alcohol and then tie it tightly around your head
Verdict: It doesn't work. Although there might be some comfort in cooling your forehead, the fumes of the alcohol can actually worsen your headache. Additionally, high levels of alcohol absorbed through the skin and may cause nausea. Instead, soak the bandana in water that's been mixed with a little bit of rosemary or lavender.
Cabbage Juice to Cure Ulcers
Method: Take raw cabbage and blend in a juice extractor to remove the pulp. Drink the juice while fresh. You can sweeten the taste by adding carrot juice.
Verdict: It works! Fresh, uncooked cabbage has been proven to heal ulcers. In a study conducted in the 1950s, over 90% of participants were completely rid of their ulcers through this method.
Olive Oil Rinse to Prevent Gingivitis
Method: Take a bit of olive oil, and swish it around in your mouth. Swallow.
Verdict: It works! Because olive oil is rich in monounsaturated fats (the good kind of fat) and antioxidants that reduce plaque buildup, it works to prevent gingivitis. It can also minimize the discomfort from other sores in your mouth. Additionally, the antioxidants in olive oil help to kill off H. pylori, the bacteria that infects stomach lining and causes ulcers.
Milk and Cabbage Gel for Back Pain
Method: Chop up 5-6 large leaves of cabbage into halves or quarters. Add them to 2 cups of milk. Pour the mixture into a saucepan and heat for around 20-35 minutes until it boils and starts to look and feel sticky. Spread the mixture onto your back and leave on for around 20 minutes.
Verdict: It does not work! Although the heat may help to loosen up the muscles and bring relief, there is no science behind milk or cabbage being useful for back pain.
Curry Rice Drink for an Upset Stomach
Method: Take boiled rice, add around 10 crushed curry leaves, 1 tsp cumin seeds and then fry together. Then add 1 glass of water and bring to a boil. Have the drink on an empty stomach.
Verdict: It works! Rice usually helps an upset stomach. Additionally, there is also some evidence that curry leaves contain a protein that slows down digestion, and could be helpful to treat diarrhea.
Onion Wrap for Fever Aches & Pains
Method: Peel and slice an onion. Then cut the tops of panty hose and place the slices inside. Wrap around you ankle like a bracelet. Put a sock on over the onion. Wear overnight to reduce your fever.
Verdict: It might work. Onions have anti-inflammatory properties which could reduce a fever, but only when eaten. There is no evidence that this would work through the skin.
Olive Oil and Garlic for Ear Infections
Method: Heat 1 tsp olive oil. Cool oil until it's tepid. Make sure you test first. Add less than 1/3 of a pressed garlic clove - make sure you use only tiny pieces that will dissolve and not chunks. Use a clear dropper and add a couple drops into the ear canal.
Verdict: It works! Garlic has anti-bacterial properties which relieves pain and cures infection.
Chicken Soup Cures a Cold
Method: We've all heard that chicken soup is good for a cold, and instinctively, this makes sense...but does it really work?
Verdict: It works! Chicken soup slows immune cells down, reducing the inflammation that causes cold symptoms. The steam also helps to clear stuff airways.
Apple Cider Vinegar for Heartburn
Method: Swallow a few teaspoons of apple cider vinegar rather than popping antacids to soothe heartburn.
Verdict: It does not work! Apple cider vinegar works for a lot things (like killing germs, weight loss and hair health) but unfortunately, there's no evidence that supports it can help heartburn. And if it tastes bad, skip it altogether.
A Warm Drink for PMS Symptoms
Method: This homemade warm, spicy drink contains oregano, rosemary, anise seeds and cloves. Drink before bed to ease the bloating, cramps and back pain that accompany your monthly period.
Verdict: Dr. Oz delivers his first 'maybe!' All the ingredients in this warm drink reduce bloating and gastrointestinal cramps, but there's no research that links those ingredients to PMS symptoms. Here is the recipe for this drink - try it at home and let us know if it works for you!
Nuvia's Cramps Remedy
1 tbsp oregano
1 tbsp rosemary
1 tbsp anise seeds
1 tbsp cloves
Directions
Add two cups of water. Let it simmer until there is only half cup left, drink while is still very warm preferably before bedtime.
Clove of Garlic for an Ear Infection
Method: Insert a glove of garlic into your ear. Make sure the garlic you use is not broken, because it can burn you.
Verdict: It works! Herbalists recommend garlic drops to shorten duration and reduce the pain of ear infections. Garlic has potential to prevent or destroy pathogens, so this is a successful treatment option.
Turmeric Powder for Cuts and Scrapes
Method: Take turmeric powder and cover the area that is bleeding. For a deep cut or gash, cover with turmeric and apply pressure to stop bleeding and prevent infection.
Verdict: It works! Turmeric contains a raw material called curcumin, which is an antioxidant and an anti-inflammatory. Curcumin prevents some extra chemicals from being released from injured cells, reducing damage.
White Rum with Lemon Juice and Water as a Fever Reducer
Method: Mix together rum, lemon juice and water and then use a wash rag to apply to your arms, back and forehead.
Verdict: It Does Not Work! Alcohol works to cool the skin so quickly that you begin to shiver, which works to raise your core body temperature. A 5-10 minute sponge bath with lukewarm water is far more effective. This treatment prevents a sharp decline in temperature by bringing it down gradually.
Water and Baking Soda for Acid Reflux
Method: Mix together and drink 3 times a day, 5 days a week for 3 weeks.
Verdict: It Works! When you have acid reflux, acid is burning your stomach causing indigestion and discomfort. Chemically, the bicarbonate ion present in the baking soda will react to neutralize this acid, effectively treating acid reflux.
Glue for Removing Splinters
Method: Put glue over the splinter, let it dry, and peel it off to remove splinter.
Verdict: It Works! Glue will stick to a variety of materials, so it can work for many types of splinters. The splinter will be pulled out at the same angle that it entered your body thereby alleviating the need for picking and scratching with needles. This procedure is safe and easy.
Mayonnaise for a Burn
Method: Apply mayonnaise to a burn immediately after it occurs and leave on for 10 minutes.
Verdict: It Does Not Work! Applying mayonnaise or other types of food can actually breed bacteria and complicate the healing process. After a burn occurs, the most important thing is to cool it down. Direct ice can hurt the skin, but cold running water will work. Aloe is proven to help, and you should cover with sterile gauze to protect the wound.
Hydrogen Peroxide for Ear Infections
Method: Pour hydrogen peroxide directly into the ear.
Verdict: It Works! Ear Infections are caused by bacteria in the wax that builds up inside your ear. The hydrogen peroxide causes a chemical reaction with the bacteria which results in visible bubbling. The hydrogen peroxide dissolves this bacteria and wax, making it an effective home remedy.
Saturday, February 4, 2012
VEG. N NON-VEG DIET
Vegetarian Vs Non-Vegetarian Diet -
Earlier days, it was common belief that non-vegetarian diet is superior to vegetarian diet. People used to think that non-vegetarian diet provides us more power and it is full of energetic ingredients. This theory attracted more and more people and ultimately a large number of people of the world adopted non-vegetarian diet. But now this concept is changing.
According to the new developments in medical sciences, vegetarian diet is closer to and is more useful for human nature. It is more scientific for human body. Because of this, people are now adopting vegetarian diet as part of new life-style. It is a fact that the non-vegetarian diet contains cholesterol and saturated fatty acid. These are the root cause of problems like coronary heart disease, cerebro-vascular accidents (strokes), eye diseases and high blood pressure. In a non-vegetarian diet, only 60 % of its content is useful for human body, rest 40 % contains harmful and toxic products. In addition to it, non-vegetarian diet is generally heavy for stomach and produces acidity, which in turn can cause many diseases of gastrointestinal system.
Another significantly important difference between vegetarian and non-vegetarian diet is that the former contains dietary fibers whereas non-vegetarian diet is lacking in fiber. These dietary fibers are very useful for human body because it has been observed that the people who eat diet rich in these dietary fibers have low incidence of diseases like coronary heart diseases, cancer of intestinal tract, piles, obesity, diabetes, constipation, hitatus hernia, diverticulitis, irritable bowel syndrome, dental caries and gallstones. The food stuffs rich in these dietary fibers are cereals and grains, legumes, fruits with seeds, citrus fruits, carrot, cabbage, celery, green leafy vegetables, apples, melons, peaches, pears etc.
Many disease causing organisms can travel in the body of human being by consumption of non-vegetarian diet and can produce serious diseases, whereas a vegetarian diet is free of these. For example, Bovine Spongi cause Encephalopathy and mad cow disease is also a product of consumption of non-vegetarian diet. Similarly the bacteria known as salmonella typhimurium can travel in the body of human being by consumption of eggs, which can cause diseases, like pneumonia, bronchitis. These bacteria belong to the group of typhoid disease producing organisms.
According to a study, it has been observed that the body of non-vegetarian animals contain 10 times more amount of hydrochloric acid than that of vegetarian ones, but human body should not have the same amount of hydrochloric acid. This establishes the fact human body is basically meant for a vegetarian diet.
Influenced by all these facts, Mr. Robins, a well-known writer of America, has mentioned in his book "Diet for New America" that if Americans want to live long they should avoid non-vegetarian diet and eggs. Not only Americans but also Britishers and Germans are also adopting vegetarian as dietary style of their lives. Therefore in a nut shell, we can say if we want a healthy and disease free life, we must adopt vegetarian diet as our diet pattern.
Earlier days, it was common belief that non-vegetarian diet is superior to vegetarian diet. People used to think that non-vegetarian diet provides us more power and it is full of energetic ingredients. This theory attracted more and more people and ultimately a large number of people of the world adopted non-vegetarian diet. But now this concept is changing.
According to the new developments in medical sciences, vegetarian diet is closer to and is more useful for human nature. It is more scientific for human body. Because of this, people are now adopting vegetarian diet as part of new life-style. It is a fact that the non-vegetarian diet contains cholesterol and saturated fatty acid. These are the root cause of problems like coronary heart disease, cerebro-vascular accidents (strokes), eye diseases and high blood pressure. In a non-vegetarian diet, only 60 % of its content is useful for human body, rest 40 % contains harmful and toxic products. In addition to it, non-vegetarian diet is generally heavy for stomach and produces acidity, which in turn can cause many diseases of gastrointestinal system.
Another significantly important difference between vegetarian and non-vegetarian diet is that the former contains dietary fibers whereas non-vegetarian diet is lacking in fiber. These dietary fibers are very useful for human body because it has been observed that the people who eat diet rich in these dietary fibers have low incidence of diseases like coronary heart diseases, cancer of intestinal tract, piles, obesity, diabetes, constipation, hitatus hernia, diverticulitis, irritable bowel syndrome, dental caries and gallstones. The food stuffs rich in these dietary fibers are cereals and grains, legumes, fruits with seeds, citrus fruits, carrot, cabbage, celery, green leafy vegetables, apples, melons, peaches, pears etc.
Many disease causing organisms can travel in the body of human being by consumption of non-vegetarian diet and can produce serious diseases, whereas a vegetarian diet is free of these. For example, Bovine Spongi cause Encephalopathy and mad cow disease is also a product of consumption of non-vegetarian diet. Similarly the bacteria known as salmonella typhimurium can travel in the body of human being by consumption of eggs, which can cause diseases, like pneumonia, bronchitis. These bacteria belong to the group of typhoid disease producing organisms.
According to a study, it has been observed that the body of non-vegetarian animals contain 10 times more amount of hydrochloric acid than that of vegetarian ones, but human body should not have the same amount of hydrochloric acid. This establishes the fact human body is basically meant for a vegetarian diet.
Influenced by all these facts, Mr. Robins, a well-known writer of America, has mentioned in his book "Diet for New America" that if Americans want to live long they should avoid non-vegetarian diet and eggs. Not only Americans but also Britishers and Germans are also adopting vegetarian as dietary style of their lives. Therefore in a nut shell, we can say if we want a healthy and disease free life, we must adopt vegetarian diet as our diet pattern.
CUCUMBERS
Cucumbers I bet you hardly Know This !
WOW WHAT A LITTLE GEM THE CUCUMBER IS, I WILL LOOK AT IT DIFFERENTLY NOW.
FFO_005
1. Cucumbers contain most of the vitamins you need every day, just one cucumber contains Vitamin B1, Vitamin B2, Vitamin B3, Vitamin B5, Vitamin B6, Folic Acid, Vitamin C, Calcium, Iron, Magnesium, Phosphorus, Potassium and Zinc.
2. Feeling tired in the afternoon, put down the caffeinated soda and pick up a cucumber. Cucumbers are a good source of B Vitamins and Carbohydrates that can provide that quick pick-me-up that can last for hours.
3. Tired of your bathroom mirror fogging up after a shower? Try rubbing a cucumber slice along the mirror, it will eliminate the fog and provide a soothing, spa-like fragrance.
4. Are grubs and slugs ruining your planting beds? Place a few slices in a small pie tin and your garden will be free of pests all season long. The chemicals in the cucumber react with the aluminum to give off a scent undetectable to humans but drive garden pests crazy and make them flee the area.
2
5 Looking for a fast and easy way to remove cellulite before going out or to the pool? Try rubbing a slice or two of cucumbers along your problem area for a few minutes, the phytochemicals in the cucumber cause the collagen in your skin to tighten, firming up the outer layer and reducing the visibility of cellulite. Works great on wrinkles too!!!
6.. Want to avoid a hangover or terrible headache? Eat a few cucumber slices before going to bed and wake up refreshed and headache free. Cucumbers contain enough sugar, B vitamins and electrolytes to replenish essential nutrients the body lost, keeping everything in equilibrium, avoiding both a hangover and headache!!
7. Looking to fight off that afternoon or evening snacking binge? Cucumbers have been used for centuries and often used by European trappers, traders and explores for quick meals to thwart off starvation.
8. Have an important meeting or job interview and you realize that you don't have enough time to polish your shoes? Rub a freshly cut cucumber over the shoe, its chemicals will provide a quick and durable shine that not only looks great but also repels water.
3
9. Out of WD 40 and need to fix a squeaky hinge? Take a cucumber slice and rub it along the problematic hinge, and voila, the squeak is gone!
10. Stressed out and don't have time for massage, facial or visit to the spa? Cut up an entire cucumber and place it in a boiling pot of water, the chemicals and nutrients from the cucumber with react with the boiling water and be released in the steam, creating a soothing, relaxing aroma that has been shown the reduce stress in new mothers and college students during final exams.
11. Just finish a business lunch and realize you don't have gum or mints? Take a slice of cucumber and press it to the roof of your mouth with your tongue for 30 seconds to eliminate bad breath, the phytochemcials will kill the bacteria in your mouth responsible for causing bad breath.
12. Looking for a 'green' way to clean your faucets, sinks or stainless steel? Take a slice of cucumber and rub it on the surface you want to clean, not only will it remove years of tarnish and bring back the shine, but is won't leave streaks and won't harm you fingers or fingernails while you clean.
3
13. Using a pen and made a mistake? Take the outside of the cucumber and slowly use it to erase the pen writing, also works great on crayons and markers that the kids have used to decorate the walls!!
Pass this along to everybody you know who is looking for better and safer ways to solve life's everyday problems...
WOW WHAT A LITTLE GEM THE CUCUMBER IS, I WILL LOOK AT IT DIFFERENTLY NOW.
FFO_005
1. Cucumbers contain most of the vitamins you need every day, just one cucumber contains Vitamin B1, Vitamin B2, Vitamin B3, Vitamin B5, Vitamin B6, Folic Acid, Vitamin C, Calcium, Iron, Magnesium, Phosphorus, Potassium and Zinc.
2. Feeling tired in the afternoon, put down the caffeinated soda and pick up a cucumber. Cucumbers are a good source of B Vitamins and Carbohydrates that can provide that quick pick-me-up that can last for hours.
3. Tired of your bathroom mirror fogging up after a shower? Try rubbing a cucumber slice along the mirror, it will eliminate the fog and provide a soothing, spa-like fragrance.
4. Are grubs and slugs ruining your planting beds? Place a few slices in a small pie tin and your garden will be free of pests all season long. The chemicals in the cucumber react with the aluminum to give off a scent undetectable to humans but drive garden pests crazy and make them flee the area.
2
5 Looking for a fast and easy way to remove cellulite before going out or to the pool? Try rubbing a slice or two of cucumbers along your problem area for a few minutes, the phytochemicals in the cucumber cause the collagen in your skin to tighten, firming up the outer layer and reducing the visibility of cellulite. Works great on wrinkles too!!!
6.. Want to avoid a hangover or terrible headache? Eat a few cucumber slices before going to bed and wake up refreshed and headache free. Cucumbers contain enough sugar, B vitamins and electrolytes to replenish essential nutrients the body lost, keeping everything in equilibrium, avoiding both a hangover and headache!!
7. Looking to fight off that afternoon or evening snacking binge? Cucumbers have been used for centuries and often used by European trappers, traders and explores for quick meals to thwart off starvation.
8. Have an important meeting or job interview and you realize that you don't have enough time to polish your shoes? Rub a freshly cut cucumber over the shoe, its chemicals will provide a quick and durable shine that not only looks great but also repels water.
3
9. Out of WD 40 and need to fix a squeaky hinge? Take a cucumber slice and rub it along the problematic hinge, and voila, the squeak is gone!
10. Stressed out and don't have time for massage, facial or visit to the spa? Cut up an entire cucumber and place it in a boiling pot of water, the chemicals and nutrients from the cucumber with react with the boiling water and be released in the steam, creating a soothing, relaxing aroma that has been shown the reduce stress in new mothers and college students during final exams.
11. Just finish a business lunch and realize you don't have gum or mints? Take a slice of cucumber and press it to the roof of your mouth with your tongue for 30 seconds to eliminate bad breath, the phytochemcials will kill the bacteria in your mouth responsible for causing bad breath.
12. Looking for a 'green' way to clean your faucets, sinks or stainless steel? Take a slice of cucumber and rub it on the surface you want to clean, not only will it remove years of tarnish and bring back the shine, but is won't leave streaks and won't harm you fingers or fingernails while you clean.
3
13. Using a pen and made a mistake? Take the outside of the cucumber and slowly use it to erase the pen writing, also works great on crayons and markers that the kids have used to decorate the walls!!
Pass this along to everybody you know who is looking for better and safer ways to solve life's everyday problems...
HOW TO BE VEGETARIAN
HOW TO BE A VEGETARIAN
IN 10 EASY STEPS
Whether it's for health, animal rights, politics or any other reason, you, like many others may be considering a vegetarian lifestyle. here's some ways to get started, or at least start you thinking...
(1) "Diet for a New America" and you'll learn about the protein myth (vegetarians do NOT lack) and the calcium myth (more is NOT neccesarily healthier) and more. Read lots. Knowledge is power.
(2) THINK! Think about the animals. Think about your body. Think about the Earth. And if you're not tired from all that thinking, consider how your food choices impact the people around you and the world. No need to make any decisions. Just allow yourself time to ponder.
(3) TALK! Talk to vegetarians. Talk to non-vegetarians. Ask questions. Share your thoughts. Join a club. Start a club. Hang out with vegetarians. Guaranteed you'll get an earful. Then do more THINKING.
(4) SET GOALS! Make a game out of it. Bet your friend you can go a whole month without McDonald's or two weeks without eggs and cheese. When you win, reward yourself with a Rice Dream bar or some other treat. Setting goals can be serious or fun. Depends on your attitude.
(5) COOK! Learning to cook in a whole new way can be exciting. Take a class. Get books from the store or library. Get "Vegetarian Times" magazine. Try out new recipes on your friend. Do potlucks. Allow yourself to get creative, to play. Have some fun with it. Turns out meatless meals are not only possible, but limitless.
(6) EAT! Make mealtime special. Sit down. Maybe use the good china and cloth napkins. Play nice music (Don't distract yourself with books or TV.) before you dig in, take a moment to be thankful. As you eat, chew carefully, really savor each bite. Slow down. Notice the tastes, sensations. See how it feels to really experience food this way.
(7) LISTEN! Try to be aware of your body's needs. Sleep when you're tired. Eat when your hungry. Pay attention to your body - which foods feels good, which don't? Notice how certain foods drain your energy, mood, emotions, concentration and sleep pattern. Respect your body. Learn the connection between what you put in your body and what you get out of it.
(8) EXPERIMENT! Try other lifestyle changes. Consider fasting. look into juicing. Explore macrobiotics or raw food diets. Maybe take up a new sport, or try yoga or jazz dance. Maybe start a journal or learn a new language. Whatever interests you, try it "as a vegetarian" and see if it feels any different.
(9) PREPARE! You may get resistance from friends and family. Be ready for it. (Family dinners can be especially stressful - breaking "food traditions" is hard on everyone) Be strong, but not self-righteous. Trust yourself. Prepare, too, for your own self-doubts. Am I getting enough vitamins? Am i doing the right thing? This is normal. Relax. Talk to to your friends. Build a support group. Refer back to your books. And if you do "fall off the wagon", see how you feel, and get back on! Give yourself room to be human, and time to adjust.
(10) CELEBRATE! Mark the day you stoppped eating meat in your calendar. Celebrate that day! Rejoice in your decision! Have a party. Buy yourself a gift. Treat yourself to a massage. But realize that vegetarianism is an on-going process, and the "journey" is MORE than half the fun!
So, whether you see it as a lifestyle, a "religion" or simply a nutritional choice, vegetarianism is an exciting and beautiful concept. Good luck...and enjoy!
IN 10 EASY STEPS
Whether it's for health, animal rights, politics or any other reason, you, like many others may be considering a vegetarian lifestyle. here's some ways to get started, or at least start you thinking...
(1) "Diet for a New America" and you'll learn about the protein myth (vegetarians do NOT lack) and the calcium myth (more is NOT neccesarily healthier) and more. Read lots. Knowledge is power.
(2) THINK! Think about the animals. Think about your body. Think about the Earth. And if you're not tired from all that thinking, consider how your food choices impact the people around you and the world. No need to make any decisions. Just allow yourself time to ponder.
(3) TALK! Talk to vegetarians. Talk to non-vegetarians. Ask questions. Share your thoughts. Join a club. Start a club. Hang out with vegetarians. Guaranteed you'll get an earful. Then do more THINKING.
(4) SET GOALS! Make a game out of it. Bet your friend you can go a whole month without McDonald's or two weeks without eggs and cheese. When you win, reward yourself with a Rice Dream bar or some other treat. Setting goals can be serious or fun. Depends on your attitude.
(5) COOK! Learning to cook in a whole new way can be exciting. Take a class. Get books from the store or library. Get "Vegetarian Times" magazine. Try out new recipes on your friend. Do potlucks. Allow yourself to get creative, to play. Have some fun with it. Turns out meatless meals are not only possible, but limitless.
(6) EAT! Make mealtime special. Sit down. Maybe use the good china and cloth napkins. Play nice music (Don't distract yourself with books or TV.) before you dig in, take a moment to be thankful. As you eat, chew carefully, really savor each bite. Slow down. Notice the tastes, sensations. See how it feels to really experience food this way.
(7) LISTEN! Try to be aware of your body's needs. Sleep when you're tired. Eat when your hungry. Pay attention to your body - which foods feels good, which don't? Notice how certain foods drain your energy, mood, emotions, concentration and sleep pattern. Respect your body. Learn the connection between what you put in your body and what you get out of it.
(8) EXPERIMENT! Try other lifestyle changes. Consider fasting. look into juicing. Explore macrobiotics or raw food diets. Maybe take up a new sport, or try yoga or jazz dance. Maybe start a journal or learn a new language. Whatever interests you, try it "as a vegetarian" and see if it feels any different.
(9) PREPARE! You may get resistance from friends and family. Be ready for it. (Family dinners can be especially stressful - breaking "food traditions" is hard on everyone) Be strong, but not self-righteous. Trust yourself. Prepare, too, for your own self-doubts. Am I getting enough vitamins? Am i doing the right thing? This is normal. Relax. Talk to to your friends. Build a support group. Refer back to your books. And if you do "fall off the wagon", see how you feel, and get back on! Give yourself room to be human, and time to adjust.
(10) CELEBRATE! Mark the day you stoppped eating meat in your calendar. Celebrate that day! Rejoice in your decision! Have a party. Buy yourself a gift. Treat yourself to a massage. But realize that vegetarianism is an on-going process, and the "journey" is MORE than half the fun!
So, whether you see it as a lifestyle, a "religion" or simply a nutritional choice, vegetarianism is an exciting and beautiful concept. Good luck...and enjoy!
DEPRESSION
We all go through periods of depression and stress. Maybe it's because of the weather-you know, a change of season. Or for women, it could be "that time of month." Of course, pressures at the office don't help, nor do tense relationships or problems at home. Then there are additives in foods and side effects from medications that can cause chemical imbalances that may lead to depression and stress.
Common Causes of Depression
Inheritance
Changes in brain structures or brain function
Pessimistic attitude
Stress (home, work or school)
Major diseases ( cancer , heart attack etc.)
Hormonal disorders
Relationship problems
Financial problems
Menstrual cycle changes
Menopause
Bereavement
CAUTION: For cases of deep depression, extreme stress and/or chronic fatigue, we suggest you seek professional assistance to help pinpoint the cause and recommend treatment.
Whatever the reason, valid or not, when you're going through a bad time and you reach the point where you say to yourself, "I'm sick and tired of being sick and tired!" -then you're on the road to recovery.
Basic Solutions
If you are really ready to help yourself, you might start by cutting down on your sugar intake. Excessive sugar can help cause depression, nervous anxiety and spurts of energy followed by extreme fatigue.
Caffeine products (such as coffee, non-herbal tea, cola, chocolate and some medications), cigarettes and alcoholic beverages may also contribute to nervous anxiety, depression and highs and lows of energy. Take them out of your life. They're taking the life out of you.
Natural home remedies
Lying down, in a dark room, maybe getting a 1/2 hour of sleep,will always make you feel better.
Add a handful of fresh Rose petals to a cup of boiling water. Add sugar and drink as and when a feeling of depression sets in.
Boil some seeds of cardamom in water with tea. It will give a very pleasing aroma to the tea.
Dietary Remedies
Have a pizza with lots of oregano. If you don't have the oregano, forget the pizza. In fact, forget the pizza and just have the oregano. Oregano may ease that depressed, heavyhearted feeling.
If you have a juicer, whip up half a glass of watercress and half a glass of spinach. Throw in some carrots to make the juice sweeter. Then, bottoms up and spirits up.
Eat two ripe bananas a day to chase the blues away. Bananas contain the chemicals serotonin and norepinephrine, which are believed to help prevent depression.
Other Mood Lifters
While running a warm bath, prepare a cup of chamomile tea. Add the used tea bag to the bath, along with a new one. If you use loose chamomile, wrap the herb in cheesecloth before putting it in the tub to avoid messy cleanup. Once the bath is ready, take a pen and paper along with your cup of tea and relax in the tub. Make a list of a dozen wishes as you sip your tea. Be careful.. the things you wish for may come true.
To lighten a heavy heart, drink saffron tea and/or thyme tea that has been sweetened with honey. (Incidentally, "thyme" was originally called "wild time" because it was thought to be an aphrodisiac.).
Sniffing citrus essential oils every hour you're awake may help you get out of a funk. You can buy lemon or orange oil at a health food store. Do not take the essential oils internally. If you have a citrus fruit in your kitchen, you can use a cardboard cutter to carefully make slits the peel and squeeze it so that the volatile seeps out. Then take a whiff hourly.
Cheer yourself up by wearing rose colors-pinks and scarlets. The orange family of colors are also picker-uppers.
Making love can help people overcome feelings of depression-unless, of course, they have no one to make love to and thats they're depressed.
If you're mildly depressed, simply change your physiology and your emotions will follow suit. In other words, do the physical things you do when you're happy-and you'll feel happy. Smile! Laugh! Jump up and down! Sing! Dance! Get dressed up!
If you're not willing to go along with this suggestion, then you're not willing to let go of your depression. There's nothing wrong with staying in a funk for a brief period. . .as long as. you understand that it is your choice.
Dietary Stress Relievers
Juices seem to be calming to the nerves. Throughout the day, sip apple, pineapple, prune, grape or cherry juice. Make Sure the juice has no added sugar or preservatives and drink it at room temperature, not chilled
Chop a large onion into very small tidbits and add a tablespoon of honey. Eat half the mixture with lunch and the other half with dinner. Onions contain prostaglandin, which is reported to have a stress-relieving effect.
A Berry Good Idea
If strawberries are in season, eat a few as a dessert after each meal (without the cream and sugar). You may feel a difference (you won't be as edgy), and you may see a difference (they'll make your teeth whiter).
Acupressure away the pressure of the day by getting a firm grip on your ankle. Using your thumb and third finger, place one just below the inside of the anklebone, and the other finger on the indentation directly below your outer anklebone. Keep steady pressure on the spot as you count down from 100 to one, slowly (taking between one and two minutes in all).
Peppermint tea has a wonderful way of relaxing the system and relieving moodiness. Drink it warm and strong.
Seeing Green...and Blue
If you are on edge, high-strung and, generally speaking, a nervous wreck, surround yourself with calming colors. Green has a harmonizing effect, since it's the color of nature. Earth colors should make you feel better. Wear quiet blues and gentle grays. Color helps more than we realize.
Sage tea can help relieve the jitters. Steep a sage tea bag or 1 teaspoon of sage in 1 cup of warm water for five minutes. Strain and drink three cups a day.
Bonus: Sage tea also helps sharpen one's memory and brain power.
There's a reason why Epsom salt, an ancient natural healer, is still popular-it works! Pour 2 cups of Epsom salt into a warm-water bath. Set aside a half-hour for pure relaxation in the tub-no interruptions-just 30 minutes of stress-free fantasizing.
Phtheasy for You to Say
According to European folklore, celery helps you forget your troubles from a broken heart and soothes your nerves at the same time. It's probably the phthalide in celery, which is known to have sedative properties.
Nervous Tics
From time to time I get a tic around my eye. I feel like I'm winking at everyone. The tic-off switch that works like magic for me is vitamin B6-200 mg.
CAUTION: Do not take more than 300 mg of B6 a day. Higher doses can be toxic.
A nervous tic may also be your body's way of telling you that you need more calcium or magnesium-or both. A good supplement can help you get the 1,500 mg of calcium and 750 mg of magnesium you need daily.
Common Causes of Depression
Inheritance
Changes in brain structures or brain function
Pessimistic attitude
Stress (home, work or school)
Major diseases ( cancer , heart attack etc.)
Hormonal disorders
Relationship problems
Financial problems
Menstrual cycle changes
Menopause
Bereavement
CAUTION: For cases of deep depression, extreme stress and/or chronic fatigue, we suggest you seek professional assistance to help pinpoint the cause and recommend treatment.
Whatever the reason, valid or not, when you're going through a bad time and you reach the point where you say to yourself, "I'm sick and tired of being sick and tired!" -then you're on the road to recovery.
Basic Solutions
If you are really ready to help yourself, you might start by cutting down on your sugar intake. Excessive sugar can help cause depression, nervous anxiety and spurts of energy followed by extreme fatigue.
Caffeine products (such as coffee, non-herbal tea, cola, chocolate and some medications), cigarettes and alcoholic beverages may also contribute to nervous anxiety, depression and highs and lows of energy. Take them out of your life. They're taking the life out of you.
Natural home remedies
Lying down, in a dark room, maybe getting a 1/2 hour of sleep,will always make you feel better.
Add a handful of fresh Rose petals to a cup of boiling water. Add sugar and drink as and when a feeling of depression sets in.
Boil some seeds of cardamom in water with tea. It will give a very pleasing aroma to the tea.
Dietary Remedies
Have a pizza with lots of oregano. If you don't have the oregano, forget the pizza. In fact, forget the pizza and just have the oregano. Oregano may ease that depressed, heavyhearted feeling.
If you have a juicer, whip up half a glass of watercress and half a glass of spinach. Throw in some carrots to make the juice sweeter. Then, bottoms up and spirits up.
Eat two ripe bananas a day to chase the blues away. Bananas contain the chemicals serotonin and norepinephrine, which are believed to help prevent depression.
Other Mood Lifters
While running a warm bath, prepare a cup of chamomile tea. Add the used tea bag to the bath, along with a new one. If you use loose chamomile, wrap the herb in cheesecloth before putting it in the tub to avoid messy cleanup. Once the bath is ready, take a pen and paper along with your cup of tea and relax in the tub. Make a list of a dozen wishes as you sip your tea. Be careful.. the things you wish for may come true.
To lighten a heavy heart, drink saffron tea and/or thyme tea that has been sweetened with honey. (Incidentally, "thyme" was originally called "wild time" because it was thought to be an aphrodisiac.).
Sniffing citrus essential oils every hour you're awake may help you get out of a funk. You can buy lemon or orange oil at a health food store. Do not take the essential oils internally. If you have a citrus fruit in your kitchen, you can use a cardboard cutter to carefully make slits the peel and squeeze it so that the volatile seeps out. Then take a whiff hourly.
Cheer yourself up by wearing rose colors-pinks and scarlets. The orange family of colors are also picker-uppers.
Making love can help people overcome feelings of depression-unless, of course, they have no one to make love to and thats they're depressed.
If you're mildly depressed, simply change your physiology and your emotions will follow suit. In other words, do the physical things you do when you're happy-and you'll feel happy. Smile! Laugh! Jump up and down! Sing! Dance! Get dressed up!
If you're not willing to go along with this suggestion, then you're not willing to let go of your depression. There's nothing wrong with staying in a funk for a brief period. . .as long as. you understand that it is your choice.
Dietary Stress Relievers
Juices seem to be calming to the nerves. Throughout the day, sip apple, pineapple, prune, grape or cherry juice. Make Sure the juice has no added sugar or preservatives and drink it at room temperature, not chilled
Chop a large onion into very small tidbits and add a tablespoon of honey. Eat half the mixture with lunch and the other half with dinner. Onions contain prostaglandin, which is reported to have a stress-relieving effect.
A Berry Good Idea
If strawberries are in season, eat a few as a dessert after each meal (without the cream and sugar). You may feel a difference (you won't be as edgy), and you may see a difference (they'll make your teeth whiter).
Acupressure away the pressure of the day by getting a firm grip on your ankle. Using your thumb and third finger, place one just below the inside of the anklebone, and the other finger on the indentation directly below your outer anklebone. Keep steady pressure on the spot as you count down from 100 to one, slowly (taking between one and two minutes in all).
Peppermint tea has a wonderful way of relaxing the system and relieving moodiness. Drink it warm and strong.
Seeing Green...and Blue
If you are on edge, high-strung and, generally speaking, a nervous wreck, surround yourself with calming colors. Green has a harmonizing effect, since it's the color of nature. Earth colors should make you feel better. Wear quiet blues and gentle grays. Color helps more than we realize.
Sage tea can help relieve the jitters. Steep a sage tea bag or 1 teaspoon of sage in 1 cup of warm water for five minutes. Strain and drink three cups a day.
Bonus: Sage tea also helps sharpen one's memory and brain power.
There's a reason why Epsom salt, an ancient natural healer, is still popular-it works! Pour 2 cups of Epsom salt into a warm-water bath. Set aside a half-hour for pure relaxation in the tub-no interruptions-just 30 minutes of stress-free fantasizing.
Phtheasy for You to Say
According to European folklore, celery helps you forget your troubles from a broken heart and soothes your nerves at the same time. It's probably the phthalide in celery, which is known to have sedative properties.
Nervous Tics
From time to time I get a tic around my eye. I feel like I'm winking at everyone. The tic-off switch that works like magic for me is vitamin B6-200 mg.
CAUTION: Do not take more than 300 mg of B6 a day. Higher doses can be toxic.
A nervous tic may also be your body's way of telling you that you need more calcium or magnesium-or both. A good supplement can help you get the 1,500 mg of calcium and 750 mg of magnesium you need daily.
LIFE LESSON
TODAY'S LIFE LESSON: inspires us to take a look at the many layers and facets of our being. As we enter into a greater awareness, and the connection to our collective consciousness, we are more clear than ever how important we are as powerful individuals.
Each and every one of us are playing a powerful role in the shift of the ages. The Earth is shifting dimensions, and we are shifting consciousness all at the same time. This is a monumental task that we have chosen to participate in. The time is now to take responsibility for your part in the cosmic puzzle - you are just as important as any planet, star or sun in the Universe. For without you - Creation is incomplete.
SOUL SELF= your personal part of the Cosmic puzzle
SACRED SELF= your part in the Collective consciousness
SOURCE SELF= your part in reflecting 'God' in all things
SPIRIT SELF= your part of the collective essence of Creation
Each and every one of us are playing a powerful role in the shift of the ages. The Earth is shifting dimensions, and we are shifting consciousness all at the same time. This is a monumental task that we have chosen to participate in. The time is now to take responsibility for your part in the cosmic puzzle - you are just as important as any planet, star or sun in the Universe. For without you - Creation is incomplete.
SOUL SELF= your personal part of the Cosmic puzzle
SACRED SELF= your part in the Collective consciousness
SOURCE SELF= your part in reflecting 'God' in all things
SPIRIT SELF= your part of the collective essence of Creation
OFFERINGS: MYSTICAL WAY FOR MARRAIGE
OFFERINGS: MYSTICAL WAY FOR MARRAIGE: Matching horoscopes is passé. Couples about to get hitched are going in for a range of exotic compatibility tests from angel therapy to foot...
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