How To Revitalize Your Life With Healthy Chakras

Our chakras are the body’s seven energy centers and some believe that we can use this energy to maintain a physically healthy lifestyle.

Keeping our chakras aligned and healthy requires certain exercises, like those of the five Tibetan rites. Essential oils are also closely linked to maintaining healthy chakras.

  Awareness of our seven chakras can result in lasting benefits and keep our minds open and calm, improving our physical and mental health.

To keep the chakras flowing and healthy, I’ll outline some benefiting practices to each chakra.

1. The Root Chakra

Responsible for basic creative and survival-based instincts, the root chakra requires you to listen to your intuitions above all else, including the desire to give in to needless wants.

2. The Sacral Chakra

There are many practices we can do to keep this center of our sexuality, creativity, and emotion aligned and healthy.

The key to keeping the sacral chakra strong, however, is balance. Some believe it to be the most sensitive chakra, and listening to intuition will help keep all areas, creatively, emotionally, sexually, or mentally, balanced.

The benefits of aligning our thoughts, actions, and emotions in a balanced life will enhance our creativity and enthusiasm.

3. The Navel Chakra

Sitting behind our belly button, the navel chakra suffers most when we eat unhealthy foods. Keeping a healthy diet will balance this chakra and in turn balance all the others.

4. The Heart Chakra

It’s no surprise that love is the strongest practice in keeping the heart chakra healthy.

Loving our inner self is the most important aspect of balancing this chakra. This will help us spiritually, emotionally, and physically.

5. The Throat Chakra

The throat chakra feeds our self-expression through speaking and an even deeper, spiritual expression of who we are.

To keep it balanced and healthy, we need to keep our physical throat healthy. Eating healthy foods and protecting against infections will benefit our chakra as well.

6. The Third Eye Chakra

For some, the third eye chakra helps perceive spirit, but it can also help us see a truer form of the world around us.

Meditation is a great practice to keep this chakra balanced and can also help to keep us energized through the day and feeling mentally healthy.

7. The Crown Chakra

The last chakra, the crown chakra, is the purest of all and keeping it aligned will help us express ourselves and our creativity every day.

The easiest way to keep it healthy is through an enlightening conversation with a friend. Other practices could include meditation, or even dancing as a form of spiritual attunement.

Following a healthy lifestyle can help maintain healthy chakras. Being open and willing to balance the chakras could benefit in a strong and flowing life.

Source: http://www.healthy-holistic-living.com/revitalize-your-life-with-chakras.html

Yoga for complete beginners

Yoga for complete beginners

20 minute gentle yoga class to give you more relaxation, energy etc.

Scientists Link Eating Coconut Oil To Reduction In Waist Size

Coconut oil is known as one of the world's healthiest fats. But did you know that eating coconut oil leads to drastic waist size reduction? According to several studies cited below, coconut oil contains a unique combination of fatty acids with powerful effects on metabolism, that accelerate the burning of dangerous fats.

Why Exactly Does Coconut Oil Have These Amazing Properties?

First of all, coconut oil is vastly different from most other fats. While other foods contain mostly long-chain fatty acids, coconut oil consists almost entirely of medium chain fatty acids.

Coconut Oil's Fatty Acids Boost Metabolism

Fatty acids, especially Medium Chain Triglycerides are metabolized differently than the rest. They are sent straight to the liver and, if not used right away they are stored relatively inefficiently, and so they are easy to burn.

Studies have shown that a diet rich in medium-chain fatty acids results in 20% less weight and 23% less body fat gained.

Coconut Oil Helps Burn More Calories At Rest

Each food, regardless of its calories, affects our body in a different way. Eating certain foods can have a huge effect on our hormones and metabolic health. Some foods require more energy to digest and metabolize and coconut oil is definitely one of them.

What is really important is the fact that it is “thermogenic.” Studies have shown that, compared to other fats, coconut oil tends to increase energy expenditure, that helps fat burn a lot faster.

Coconut Oil Reduces Your Appetite: You Eat Less Without Realizing It

According to recent research, medium chain fatty acids (the ones found in coconut oil), increase feelings of fullness, leading automatically to the reduction of calorie intake. In one study in particular, 6 healthy men started eating 256 fewer calories per day since they started consuming high amounts of coconut oil daily.

Coconut oil doesn't only boost fat burning (calories out), but it also reduces your appetite (calories in).

Coconut Oil Helps Burn The Dangerous Abdominal Fat

Apart from boosting metabolism and reducing appetite, coconut oil has another important property, one that can prove especially beneficial in the long run. As you probably know, not all kinds of fat are the same.

Abdominal fat, also called visceral fat or belly fat, is the fat that tends to lodge around your organs and cause inflammation, diabetes and heart disease. Any reduction in abdominal fat is likely to have very positive effects on your metabolic health, longevity and drastically reduce your risk of chronic disease. This is exactly what coconut oil does!

In a study comparing eating coconut oil to soybean oil, those who ate coconut oil not only lost weight, but also had a significant decrease in their waist circumference, hence their amount of belly fat. In another study in obese men, 30 grams of coconut oil for 4 weeks reduced waist circumference by 2.86 cm.

The conclusion is clear: Eating coconut is particularly effective at reducing the harmful belly fat in the abdominal cavity, which is strongly associated with disease.

Sources of Studies:

• Nutrition Facts and Analysis for Vegetable oil, coconut.
• Medium-chain triglyceride (MCT) ketogenic therapy.
• Overfeeding with medium-chain triglyceride diet results in diminished deposition of fat.
• Greater rise in fat oxidation with medium-chain triglyceride consumption relative to long-chain triglyceride is associated with lower initial body weight and greater loss of subcutaneous adipose tissue.
• Physiological Effects of Medium-Chain Triglycerides: Potential Agents in the Prevention of Obesity.
• Ketosis and appetite-mediating nutrients and hormones after weight loss.
• Covert manipulation of the ratio of medium- to long-chain triglycerides in isoenergetically dense diets: effect on food intake in ad libitum feeding men.
• Influence of medium-chain and long-chain triacylglycerols on the control of food intake in men.
• Effects of Dietary Coconut Oil on the Biochemical and Anthropometric Profiles of Women Presenting Abdominal Obesity
• An Open-Label Pilot Study to Assess the Efficacy and Safety of Virgin Coconut Oil in Reducing Visceral Adiposity.
• Medium- and Long-Chain Triacylglycerols Reduce Body Fat and Blood Triacylglycerols in Hypertriacylglycerolemic, Overweight but not Obese, Chinese Individuals.
• A good response to oil with medium- and long-chain fatty acids in body fat and blood lipid profiles of male hypertriglyceridemic subjects.

http://www.whydontyoutrythis.com/2015/01/scientists-link-eating-coconut-oil-to-reduction-in-waist-size.html

Sharpen The Brain- It a "no brainer"

Sharpen The Brain For Energy

Six new ways to feel energised

Louise Thompson: 

Pushing through when you have little in the tank can be a fact of our busy lives. So much to do, so little time. Where can you find a little extra juice to get yourself engaged when you are in that 3pm low energy slump?

Quick tips (not the usual "drink some water") to give you an instant boost:

1. Have a left brain/right brain break. If you are grinding through it's often because you are stuck in left brain mode where the focus is all on task and time. Time and task. Task and Time. Stop, just for 15 minutes and do something that energises your right brain. Your right brain is fuelled by creativity, play and connection. Chat to a colleague for 15 minutes. Watch a few funny Youtube clips. Doodle.

2. Move your body. It seems counterintuitive to move when you are tired, but it's actually weirdly energising. Get outside for 15 minutes. Walk round the block. Do squats while you wait for the kettle to boil. Stretch while you wait for the baby to settle. Take the stairs, not the lift, to see the marketing department.

Get your blood circulating a bit faster, the extra oxygen will energise you.

3. It may sound obvious....but give your precious self a rest! If that's not possible right now, diarise it in for as soon as you can. Feeling perpetually knackered is a sign from your body that you need a bit of downtime, not that you need another double-shot latte. Diarise in some rest and relaxation: it's not selfish - it is listening to your body. We are human beings, not human doings, we are not built to be "on" all the time. Give yourself permission to rest without guilt.

4. Move your mood with music. This is my go-to energiser. When I am tired and have given my all with back-to-back clients, the fastest and easiest way to energise is to play a couple of feel-good tunes (Daft Punk's Get Lucky does it for me) and feel the energy switch-up, which is almost instantaneous. Extra points if you do a quick bit of dancing and throw some shapes. Gold star for what I fondly call "car dancing".

5. Call an energy bunny. We all have people in our lives who suck our energy and some who boost our energy and mood. Put an emergency call into an energising friend, ban yourself from saying "I'm so tired" and have a five minute upbeat energising call. Get yourself back on their wavelength and feed off their energy for a short-term boost.

6. Look at how far you have come, not how far you have to go. The to-do list can be our nemesis, which is extremely draining. When we focus on all that is left undone, it is a big-time energy sucker. Flip your focus and itemise all that you have completed today/this week. Instead of looking at the mountain left to climb, take a moment to savour the view, look back at how far you have actually come.

Feeling a bit tired now and again is all part of living a full, fun life. Feeling perpetually knackered is not. That's miserable and life becomes a horrible grind. Sprinkle these instant energy boosters liberally through your day for an instant pep-up.

http://www.nzherald.co.nz/lifestyle/news/article.cfm?c_id=6&objectid=11310395

Moringa leaf powder for...general wellbeing

Moringa leaf powder has a whole range of benefits for humans, with boundless energy, increased focus and improved digestion just being a handful of them.
On top of those, it will also help you relax, aid your eyesight, teeth and skin, as well as aid you in detoxing – particularly useful after a big party!

It's not surprising that there are so many advantages when you look at how the vitamins and minerals measure up against alternative sources.

Take oranges – you get plenty of vitamin C in them, but with Moringa leaf powder, you get seven times as much.


On top of that, you get 17-times the calcium you get in milk, 25-times the iron found in spinach and five-times  as much dietary fibre as vegetables.

- See more at:  http://www.ankhrah.com/wpsite/health-and-nutrition-videos/

Mind blowing facts about banana

By DNA

This is interesting. After reading this, you’ll never look at a banana in the same way again.

Bananas contain three natural sugars – sucrose, fructose and glucose combined with fiber. A banana gives an instant, sustained and substantial boost of energy.

Research has proven that just two bananas provide enough energy for a strenuous 90-minute workout. No wonder the banana is the number one fruit with the world’s leading athletes.

But energy isn’t the only way a banana can help us keep fit. It can also help overcome or prevent a substantial number of illnesses and conditions, making it a must to add to our daily diet.

DEPRESSION

According to a recent survey undertaken by MIND amongst people suffering from depression, many felt much better after eating a banana. This is because bananas contain tryptophan, a type of protein that the body converts into serotonin, known to make you relax, improve your mood and generally make you feel happier.

PMS:

Forget the pills – eat a banana. The vitamin B6 it contains regulates blood glucose levels, which can affect your mood.

ANEMIA

High in iron, bananas can stimulate the production of hemoglobin in the blood and so helps in cases of anemia.

BLOOD PRESSURE:

This unique tropical fruit is extremely high in potassium yet low in salt, making it perfect to beat blood pressure So much so, the US Food and Drug Administration has just allowed the banana industry to make official claims for the fruit’s ability to reduce the risk of blood pressure and stroke.

BRAIN POWER

200 students at a Twickenham school ( England ) were helped through their exams this year by eating bananas at breakfast, break, and lunch in a bid to boost their brain power. Research has shown that the potassium-packed fruit can assist learning by making pupils more alert.

CONSTIPATION

High in fiber, including bananas in the diet can help restore normal bowel action, helping to overcome the problem without resorting to laxatives.

HANGOVERS

One of the quickest ways of curing a hangover is to make a banana milkshake, sweetened with honey. The banana calms the stomach and, with the help of the honey, builds up depleted blood sugar levels, while the milk soothes and re-hydrates your system.

HEARTBURN

Bananas have a natural antacid effect in the body, so if you suffer from heartburn, try eating a banana for soothing relief.

MORNING SICKNESS

Snacking on bananas between meals helps to keep blood sugar levels up and avoid morning sickness.

MOSQUITO BITES:

Before reaching for the insect bite cream, try rubbing the affected area with the inside of a banana skin. Many people find it amazingly successful at reducing swelling and irritation.

NERVES

Bananas are high in B vitamins that help calm the nervous system..

Overweight and at work? Studies at the Institute of Psychology in Austria found pressure at work leads to gorging on comfort food like chocolate and chips. Looking at 5,000 hospital patients, researchers found the most obese were more likely to be in high-pressure jobs. The report concluded that, to avoid panic-induced food cravings, we need to control our blood sugar levels by snacking on high carbohydrate foods every two hours to keep levels steady.

ULCERS

The banana is used as the dietary food against intestinal disorders because of its soft texture and smoothness. It is the only raw fruit that can be eaten without distress in over-chronic cases. It also neutralizes over-acidity and reduces irritation by coating the lining of the stomach.

TEMPERATURE CONTROL

Many other cultures see bananas as a ‘cooling’ fruit that can lower both the physical and emotional temperature of expectant mothers. In Thailand , for example, pregnant women eat bananas to ensure their baby is born with a cool temperature.

So, a banana really is a natural remedy for many ills. When you compare it to an apple, it has FOUR TIMES the protein, TWICE the carbohydrate, THREE TIMES the phosphorus, five times the vitamin A and iron, and twice the other vitamins and minerals.. It is also rich in potassium and is one of the best value foods around So maybe its time to change that well-known phrase so that we say, ‘A BANANA a day keeps the doctor away!’

http://topinfopost.com/2014/03/08/mind-blowing-facts-about-banana

14 Reasons You’re Tired All the Time

Lack of sleep isn’t the only thing sapping your energy. Little things you do (and don’t do) can exhaust you both mentally and physically, which can make getting through your day a chore. Here, experts reveal common bad habits that can make you feel tired, plus simple lifestyle tweaks that will put the pep back in your step.

You skip exercise when you’re tired

Skipping your workout to save energy actually works against you. In a University of Georgia study, sedentary but otherwise healthy adults who began exercising lightly three days a week for as little as 20 minutes at a time reported feeling less fatigued and more energized after six weeks. Regular exercise boosts strength and endurance, helps make your cardiovascular system run more efficiently, and delivers oxygen and nutrients to your tissues. So next time you’re tempted to crash on the couch, at least go for a brisk walk—you won’t regret it.

You don’t drink enough water

Being even slightly dehydrated—as little as 2% of normal fluid loss—takes a toll on energy levels, says Amy Goodson, RD, a dietitian for Texas Health Ben Hogan Sports Medicine. Dehydration causes a reduction in blood volume, explains Goodson, which makes the blood thicker. This requires your heart to pump less efficiently, reducing the speed at which oxygen and nutrients reach your muscles and organs. To calculate your normal fluid needs, take your weight in pounds, divide in half and drink that number of ounces of fluid a day, Goodson recommends.

You’re not consuming enough iron

An iron deficiency can leave you feeling sluggish, irritable, weak, and unable to focus. “It makes you tired because less oxygen travels to the muscles and cells,” says Goodson. Boost your iron intake to reduce your risk of anemia: load up on lean beef, kidney beans, tofu, eggs (including the yolk), dark green leafy vegetables, nuts, and peanut butter, and pair them with foods high in vitamin C (vitamin C improves iron absorption when eaten together), suggests Goodson. Note: an iron deficiency may be due to an underlying health problem, so if you’re experiencing these symptoms of iron deficiency, you should visit your doc.

You’re a perfectionist

Striving to be perfect—which, let’s face it, is impossible—makes you work much harder and longer than necessary, says Irene S. Levine, PhD, professor of psychiatry at the New York University School of Medicine. “You set goals that are so unrealistic that they are difficult or impossible to achieve, and in the end, there is no sense of self-satisfaction.” Levine recommends setting a time limit for yourself on your projects, and taking care to obey it. In time, you’ll realize that the extra time you were taking wasn’t actually improving your work.

You make mountains out of molehills

If you assume that you’re about to get fired when your boss calls you into an unexpected meeting, or you’re too afraid to ride your bike because you worry you’ll get into an accident, then you’re guilty of “catastrophizing,” or expecting that the worst-case scenario will always occur. This anxiety can paralyze you and make you mentally exhausted, says Levine. When you catch yourself having these thoughts, take a deep breath and ask yourself how likely it is that the worst really will happen. Getting outdoors, meditating, exercising, or sharing your concerns with a friend may help you better cope and become more realistic.

You skip breakfast

The food you eat fuels your body, and when you sleep, your body continues using what you consumed at dinner the night before to keep your blood pumping and oxygen flowing. So, when you wake up in the morning, you need to refuel with breakfast. Skip it, and you’ll feel sluggish. “Eating breakfast is like starting a fire in your body by kickstarting your metabolism,” Goodson says. Goodson recommends a breakfast that includes whole grains, lean protein, and healthy fat. Good examples include oatmeal with protein powder and a dab of peanut butter; a smoothie made with fruit, protein powder, low-fat milk, and almond butter; or eggs with two slices of whole-wheat toast and low-fat Greek yogurt.

You live on junk food

Foods loaded with sugar and simple carbs (like the ones you’ll find in a box or at the drive-thru window) rank high on the glycemic index (GI), an indicator of how rapidly carbohydrates increase blood sugar. Constant blood sugar spikes followed by sharp drops cause fatigue over the course of the day, says Goodson. Keep blood sugar steady by having a lean protein along with a whole grain at every meal, says Goodson. Good choices include chicken (baked, not fried) and brown rice, salmon and sweet potato, or salad with chicken and fruit.

You have trouble saying ‘no’

People-pleasing often comes at the expense of your own energy and happiness. To make matters worse, it can make you resentful and angry over time. So whether it’s your kid’s coach asking you to bake cookies for her soccer team or your boss seeing if you can work on a Saturday, you don’t have to say yes. Train yourself to say ‘no’ out loud, suggests Susan Albers, a licensed clinical psychologist with Cleveland Clinic and author of Eat.Q.: Unlock the Weight-Loss Power of Emotional Intelligence. “Try it alone in your car,” she says. “Hearing yourself say the word aloud makes it easier to say it when the next opportunity calls for it.”

You have a messy office

A cluttered desk mentally exhausts you by restricting your ability to focus and limits your brain’s ability to process information, according to a Princeton University study. “At the end of each day, make sure your work and personal items are organized and put away,” suggests Lombardo. “It will help you have a positive start to your day the next morning.” If your office needs major reorganizing, avoid becoming totally overwhelmed by taking it one step at a time: start by tidying what you can see, then move through your desk and cabinets drawer by drawer.

You work through vacation

Checking your email when you should be relaxing by the pool puts you at risk of burnout, says Lombardo. Unplugging and allowing yourself to truly unwind allows your mind and body to rejuvenate and return to the office stronger. “When you truly take breaks, you will be more creative, productive, and effective when you return,” says Lombardo.

You have a glass of wine (or two) before bed

A nightcap sounds like a good way to unwind before falling asleep, but it can easily backfire. Alcohol initially depresses the central nervous system, producing a sedative effect, says Allen Towfigh, MD, medical director of New York Neurology; Sleep Medicine, P.C., in New York City. “But it ultimately sabotages sleep maintenance.” Alcohol creates a rebound effect as it’s metabolized, which creates an abrupt surge in the adrenaline system, he says. This is why you’re more likely to wake up in the middle of the night after you’ve been drinking. Dr. Towfigh recommends stopping all alcohol three to four hours before bedtime.

You check e-mails at bedtime

The glaring light of a tablet, smartphone, or your computer’s backlit screen can throw off your body’s natural circadian rhythm by suppressing melatonin, a hormone that helps regulate sleep and wake cycles, says Dr. Towfigh. Sensitivity to the digital glow of tech toys can vary from person to person, but in general it’s a good idea to avoid all technology for one to two hours before bedtime, he says. Can’t avoid checking your device before your head hits the pillow? Then hold it at least 14 inches away from your face to reduce the risk of sleep interference.

You rely on caffeine to get through the day

Starting your morning with a java jolt is no big deal—in fact, studies show that up to three daily cups of coffee is good for you—but using caffeine improperly can seriously disrupt your sleep-wake cycle, says Dr. Towfigh. Caffeine blocks adenosine, the byproduct of active cells that drives you to sleep as it accumulates, he explains. A study published in the Journal of Clinical Sleep Medicine revealed that consuming caffeine even six hours prior to bedtime affects sleep, so cut yourself off by mid-afternoon and watch out for these surprising sources of caffeine.

You stay up late on weekends

Burning the midnight oil on Saturday night and then sleeping in Sunday morning leads to difficulty falling asleep Sunday night—and a sleep-deprived Monday morning, says Dr. Towfigh. Since staying in can cramp your social life, try to wake up close to your normal time the following morning, and then take a power nap in the afternoon. “Napping for 20 minutes or so allows the body to recharge without entering the deeper stages of sleep, which can cause you to wake up more tired,” he says.
http://time.com/2828800/bad-habits-drain-energy/

How Veganism Changed These 58 People

• Angel Flinn

Although I’m not much of a Facebook person, I must admit that there are a few things I love about it. One of those is the way it connects activists with each other, so that we can feel a sense of community and share in each other’s successes and struggles.

A while ago, Gentle World volunteer Butterflies Katz did an experiment on her Facebook page where she simply asked her friends to complete the following statement: “Since I became vegan, I’ve noticed…”

What a response she received! The following excerpts are some of the highlights, and they indicate (contrary to popular opinion) how overwhelmingly positive the transition to veganism can be for the individual. Far from feelings of deprivation or sacrifice!

 

I’ve noticed that going vegan is easy – take it from a ‘newbie’. And I didn’t think it would be easy! I have not once been sorry. I have not missed anything I used to eat. I can’t even begin to tell you the wondrous ways my life and views have changed. ~ Bridget

I’ve noticed how much happier I am. ~ Batty

I’ve noticed life become grander in so many ways. I feel healthier than ever, my skin is clearer and younger, I think clearer. I love feeling love for all of life. ~ Claire

I’ve noticed how good it feels to have my actions in line with my values. ~ Diane

I’ve noticed that I have more passion for life. I have a purpose. I am a vegan superhero. ~ John

I’ve noticed the beauty, complexity, and inherent value of all sentient beings. ~ Gary

I have noticed that I feel so much more inner peace, and a sense of connection with other beings. It is quite liberating. ~ Peter

I have noticed how wonderfully connected I feel to Mother Earth and all her creatures. My soul is at peace. ~ Kerry

I’ve noticed I feel lighter. ~ June

I’ve noticed my energy levels went through the roof. ~ Coileán

I have noticed I am sexier. ~ Justina

I’ve noticed I’ve become a better person. ~ Madhur

I’ve noticed how much I didn’t see or know before! ~ Rose

I’ve noticed how much happier I am, the weight has been lifted from my shoulders – I feel clarity and I’m able to show people this so they too see the right path. ~ Alta

I’ve noticed I’ve found Peace within myself. ~ Helen

I’ve noticed how animal exploitation is virtually a part of every aspect of society. ~ Jody

I’ve noticed cruelty is everywhere and most people are oblivious to it. ~ Shelley

I’ve noticed how every other commercial on TV has some kind of animal product in it. ~ Diane

I’ve noticed how good fruits and vegetables taste. ~ Elizabeth

I’ve noticed how differently I perceive the world. ~ Urosh

I’ve noticed that vegans come in all sizes, shapes, colors, races, religions, political parties. ~ Michael

I’ve noticed that I still have a LOT to learn. ~ Barbara

I’ve noticed I feel so much more peaceful and connected to everyone, and that brought me a new found sense of spirituality. ~ Don

I’ve noticed how much goodness I can help bring into this world. ~ Alan

I’ve noticed my conscience is clearer. ~ Paul

I’ve noticed food tastes better!  ~ Molly

I notice ALL forms of oppression more easily. ~ Danny

I’ve noticed I feel better about myself and living up to my values. ~ Nan

I’ve noticed that I am also kinder to myself. ~ Luis

I’ve noticed that other animals can feel my veganism and I’ve formed very close bonds with other species of animals. ~  Butterflies

I’ve noticed that I actually feel like “me” more than I ever have before. Sometimes it’s lonely – But it’s also REAL – I can live with that. ~ Bea

I’ve noticed that I feel lighter, happier and more at peace inside. People say I look younger than ever. It is the best thing that ever happened to me. ~ Kathy

I’ve noticed that it improves mental health. ~ Tharan

I have noticed that I began to understand the meaning of speciesism. ~ Wendy

I have noticed how deeply rooted suffering, cruelty and injustice is and how it’s so completely normalized. ~ Sarah

I have noticed I sleep better! ~ Nerida

I have noticed that I’m happier! At the end of the day having compassion for animals has made me a better person and has enabled me to enjoy a richer life. ~ Andres

I have noticed I have more energy, less to no aches, clear skin and better mood. Now I notice all the time how much our society relies on animal exploitation, how dairy is everywhere, how apathetic people are to violence against animals. ~ Martina

I have noticed that I feel a true kinship with all life. ~ Donna

I have noticed that although the world seems a much weirder place now, I am much happier and I am extremely glad to have had the opportunity to encounter veganism. ~ Vera

I have noticed how deep in denial most of the world is about the production of dairy products. Dairy is still seen by most people as something good, nourishing – something to nourish and reward children with. I’ve also noticed how unaware most people are of what it actually means to be vegan, and that it’s widely seen as a mere diet. ~ Flavia

I have noticed that there are a lot of different vegan foods out there that I had never tried before. That we are all animals and all persons – and that forcing others to do our bidding is just plain and simply, wrong. And-that we can live without using nonhuman animals. ~ Michaela Österlund

Since I became vegan I’ve had an overwhelming sense that I finally have found my purpose in life. ~ Jeffrey

I’ve noticed a whole weight of guilt was lifted from me when I thought I had to eat animal products to survive. I have since found so many other options for what I eat and consume in other ways. ~ Maida

I have noticed that I feel so liberated in mind, body and spirit. I have also gained clarity of mind and am so healthy. I love knowing that the choices I make do not harm other sentient beings. ~ Melissa

I’ve noticed for the first time that I am living a clean life – clean physically, spiritually, emotionally and morally. ~ Christine

I have noticed that a layer of gloom was lifted from my mind and soul. I began to realize that 1. I don’t need animal protein to survive, 2. I can think more clearly and rational about things in general than before, 3. My allergies improved tremendously, 4. I continue to grow spiritually and easier now as to where I was before was like pulling the ball and chain. 5. I can eat a lot more now and stay at a healthy weight. ~ Clara

I’ve noticed so many things: Mental clarity, a heightened appreciation for life, a greater love for animals… even for humans, a need for more knowledge…and on and on and on. ~ Shelly

I notice I can relate to the world better. Veganism has allowed me to transcend my habitual thoughts and actions, obviously in regards to animals, but also humans and the natural world. It encourages me to be compassionate and it motivates free thinking. ~ Steven

I’ve noticed I feel better, no guilt, and better tasting food! ~ Sarah

I have noticed how easy it is to be vegan, how much better I feel, both physically and mentally. I have also noticed that there is an enormous variety of different foods that I would never have tried… In fact, I wonder why more people have not embraced this lifestyle. ~ Carlos

I’ve noticed that my chronic and often terrifying asthma disappeared completely, that I had loads more energy, that bodily symptoms I’d attributed to age disappeared, and that I felt so much happier, having a clear conscience to go with the joy of the ‘clean’ food I was now consuming. ~ Sue

I noticed I have better skin, a cleaner conscience, and I’ve been effortlessly losing weight. ~ Justin

I’ve noticed how something so simple as respect for all, can be made so complicated and demeaned by social conditioning. ~ Lorraine

I realize that I can make a real difference in alleviating the suffering of other animals. I am not powerless to help them, therefore I no longer feel ashamed of being a human being. Relationships with my animal kin have become free of guilt and confusion. I have found a meaningful moral baseline. The missing piece of the puzzle has fitted into its rightful place. ~ Katia

To say it in a simple way: my eyes have been opened, finally!  ~ Janne

I have noticed that it changes your life in every way for the better. ~ Wendy

I’ve noticed all of the above and a sense of FREEDOM. ~ Ann

http://www.care2.com/greenliving/how-veganism-changed-these-58-people.html?cid=email_na

11 Super Health Benefits in Just One Celery Stalk

• Shubhra Krishan

Apples walk away with most health accolades, and spinach leads the healthy veggie brigade. Compared to them, celery is somewhat unsung, but once you read its incredible–and nearly endless–list of health benefits, you will quickly join its growing list of lovers.

• Celery is a great choice if you are watching your weight. One large stalk contains only 10 calories! So, add celery to your shopping list and enjoy it in your salads, soups and stir-fries.
• Celery reduces inflammation. If you are suffering from joint pains, lung infections, asthma, or acne, eating more celery will bring much-needed relief.
• It helps you calm down: Celery for stress-relief? Oh yes! The minerals in celery, especially magnesium, and the essential oil in it, soothe the nervous system. If you enjoy a celery-based snack in the evening, you will sleep better.
• It regulates the body’s alkaline balance, thus protecting you from problems such as acidity.
• Celery aids digestion: some say celery tastes like “crunchy water,” and that is the reason it is so good for your digestive system.  The high water content of celery, combined with the insoluble fiber in it, makes it a great tool for easy passage of stool. Note: because celery has diuretic and cleansing properties, those with diarrhea should avoid eating it.
• It contains “good” salts. Yes, celery does contain sodium, but it is not the same thing as table salt. The salt in celery is organic, natural and essential for your health.

• It cares for your eyes. One large stalk of celery can deliver up to 10 percent of your daily need for Vitamin A, a group of nutrients that protects the eyes and prevents age-related degeneration of vision.
• Celery reduces “bad” cholesterol: There is a component in celery called butylphthalide. It gives the vegetable its flavor and scent. Guess what: this component also reduces bad cholesterol! A Chicago University research shows that just two stalks of celery a day can reduce bad cholesterol (LDL) by up to 7 points!
• It lowers blood pressure: An active compound called phthalides in celery has been proven to boost circulatory health. Raw, whole celery reduces high blood pressure.
• It can amp up your sex life: and this is not just hearsay. Dr. Alan R. Hirsch, Director of the Smeel and Taste Treatment and Research Foundation, says two pheromones in celery–androstenone and androstenol–boost your arousal levels. They are released when you chew on a celery stalk.
• Celery can combat cancer: Two studies at the University of Illinois show that a powerful flavonoid in celery, called luteolin, inhibits the growth of cancer cells, especially in the pancreas. Another study suggests that the regular intake of celery could significantly delay the formation of breast cancer cells.

Useful Tips:

Choose celery with upright stalks that snap when bent. The leaves should be fresh and crisp.  When selecting celery, remember this rule of thumb:  The darker the color, the stronger the flavor.

Freshly chopped celery retains its nutrients much better than if you chop and store it even for a few hours.

Steamed celery not only retains its flavor, but also most of its nutrients–up to 99 percent of them, in fact!

http://www.care2.com/greenliving/11-super-health-benefits-in-just-1-celery-stalk.html

Want to Build up Endurance, Boost your Energy and Increase your Speed? 24 more reasons to eat Beetroot.

■Alternative Cure
by Claude Butler

Want to Build up Endurance, Boost your Energy and Increase your Speed? 24 More Reasons to Eat Beetroot.

Tracing the Beets roots:

Beetroot, botanically-known as Beta vulgaris, evolved from wild sea beet, the ancestor of the beet with which we are familiar today, and is thought to have originated in prehistoric times in North Africa and grew wild along Asian and European seashores.

The beetroot taste is described as sweet, earthy and tender to eat. It is grown in the ground and is related to turnips, swedes and sugar beet. Most beetroot on sale is round and deep red, but yellow, white and stripy versions are available.

Transition from Medicine to Food:

Originally, it was the beet greens that were consumed; the sweet red beet root that most people think of as a “beet” today wasn’t cultivated until the era of ancient Rome. The Roman times used beets to treat fever, constipation, wounds, skin problems – and also as an aphrodisiac. By the 19th century, however, the natural sweetness of beets came to be appreciated and beets began to be used as a source of sugar. Historical reports of Napoleon declaring that beets be used as a primary source of sugar, after the British restricted access to sugar cane, have been documented.

At that time, the roots were long and thin like a carrot. The rounded root shape that we are familiar with today was not developed until the sixteenth century and became widely popular in Central and Eastern Europe 200 years later. Many classic beetroot dishes originated in this region including the famous beetroot soup, known as borscht.

TOP 24 HEALTH WONDERS OF BEETROOT:

1. For Pregnancy and Fetus- Beetroot is a good source of vitamin B folate, critical for conception, and preventing congenital disorders like spina bifida (affecting the development of spinal column) and neural tube defects in the fetus. Provides energy and reduces fatigue in pregnant mothers.
2. Prevents Anemia- iron increases the production of blood in your body. And increases your HB level (hemoglobin), improves blood circulation and the oxygen-carrying capacity of erythrocytes (the red blood cells).
3. Lowers Blood Pressure: Beetroot is a great source of nitrates, which when consumed, is oxidized to nitrites and nitric oxides, which widen the arteries, increases the oxygen content in blood, reduces blood pressure and with it the risk of atherosclerosis, heart attacks and strokes. Another nutrient Betaine lessens homocysteine concentration, which affects blood vessels, contributing to peripheral vascular disease, stroke and heart disease.
4. Reduces ‘Bad’ Cholesterol: Beetroot contains large amounts of soluble fibers, flavanoids and a powerful antioxidant, betacyanin, which reduces the oxidation of LDL cholesterol, preventing arterial wall deposits. Beet fiber reduces cholesterol, and triglycerides, by increasing HDL (good) cholesterol and strips and expels excess LDL cholesterol from arterial walls preventing atherosclerosis, heart attacks and strokes.
5. Prevents Osteoporosis: Mineral silica is critical for efficiently absorbing calcium in the body, necessary for musculo-skeletal health, and keeping osteoporosis and brittle bone diseases at bay. Other key nutrients like magnesium, vitamin C, and folate, act as vital supplements for strong bone development.
6. Cures Diabetes: Beet contains natural sugars which is fat free, low in calories and has a medium glycaemic index, which means these sugars get released gradually into the blood, avoiding spikes. Helps stabilize blood sugar levels while satiating that sugar craving.
7. Instant Energy Source: Oxidation of beet’s nitrate content, increases the efficiency of the mitochondria (your energy powerhouses), helps dilate the arteries, increases the efficient uptake of oxygen, and increasing vitality and energy. Beets are high in carbohydrates which means they are a great instant energy source.
8. Aphrodisiac: The oxidation of nitrates, widens the blood vessels, and increases blood flow to the genitals. Another chemical compound, boron, is critical in the production of the human sex hormone, boosting libido, increasing fertility, and improving sperm mobility.
9. Prevents Cancers- Betacyaninis, in beetroot juice, stops the process of cell mutations, precancerous esophageal lesions and tumors that are caused by certain harmful compounds. It also negates Heterocyclic aromatic amines (HAAs), harmful byproducts during meat and fish cooking. Beet fights breast, prostate, colon, liver, blood diseases and leukemia.
10. Cures Constipation: Its high soluble fiber content cleanses the colon, regularizes bowel movements, helps digestion of fatty food, and also stimulates the nerves in the intestine. Betaine raises the levels of stomach acid, providing relief to patients of hypochlorhydria (low stomach acid).
11. For Brain Health: Nitrate oxidation increases the oxygen uptake by the brain, helps in the better transmission of neural impulses and beats the onset of dementia. Studies suggest folic acid can help protect against Alzheimer’s and dementia.
12. Prevents Respiratory Problems: Vitamin C, besides it stellar role of free radical busting antioxidant, stimulates the activity of white blood cells, body’s main line of defense against viral, bacterial, fungal, and protozoan toxins. Vitamin C’s range goes from fighting the sniffles to reducing the chances of cancer, to prevent asthma symptoms. The natural beta carotene in beetroot also helps to prevent lung cancer.
13. Eye Care: Beta-carotene, a form of vitamin A, prevents age-related macular degeneration (ARMD) and cataracts.
14. Capillary Support: The flavonoids and vitamin-C in beets help to support the structure of capillaries.
15. For Healthy Liver: The beta cyanin in beetroot can help detox your liver, preventing oxidative stress, while protecting the liver cell’s DNA, eliminating toxins and potentially preventing the build-up of fatty deposits, caused by alcohol abuse, and protein deficiency. It also protects the liver and bile ducts, thereby improving liver, kidney and bladder functioning and overall health.
16. Anti-Inflammatory: Beetroot juice is helpful in fighting any inflammatory diseases, which are one of the main causes of premature aging, and age related diseases.
17. For Hair: Carotenoids increase the quality, thickness and glossiness of hair, and prevent dandruff, by increasing blood circulation and nourishing the hair follicles.
18. Radiation Protection: Concentrates of dietary fibers (CDF) in beetroot (containing lignin) are a very effective agent for radiation protection and radiation poisoning.
19. For Weight Management: Beet’s high fiber content, low calories content, and soluble fibers, help cleanse the toxic and excess water and fat from the body. Beets, which have zero trans fat, and zero saturated fat, help spike the metabolic rate in obese and overweight patients.
20. Stress Buster: Magnesium contained in the juice can also help to ease muscle tension, stress and anxiety. While Betaine enhances production of the body’s natural mood-lifter seratonin, trytophan relaxes the mind and creates a sense of well-being, similar to chocolate.
21. Anti-Aging: Contains extremely active antioxidants and phenolic compounds, which help prevent cell and DNA degeneration, by eliminating damaging and aging free radicals.
22. Curative Plant: Leaves of raw beet have been known to counter “garlic” breath and as binding for healing wounds. Beets have been shown to help cleanse the blood and colon, strengthen the gall bladder and liver, and cure boils, abscesses and even acne.
23. Nutrient Store: contains magnesium, phosphorus, sodium, potassium and calcium as well as small amounts of copper, selenium, zinc, iron and manganese, in addition to carbohydrates, protein, powerful antioxidants and soluble fibre. It contains trace amounts of various amino acids (including D-amino acids [Alpha Amino Acids]) which help to build proteins and for use by the body.
24. Vitamin Store: Beetroot juice provides vitamins A, B1, B2, B3, C, beta-carotene, beta-cyanine and folic acid [folate] (B9). Beets are particularly beneficial to women whom are pregnant, as the vitamin B and iron are very beneficial to new growth cells during pregnancy and replenishing iron in the woman’s body.

Reported Side Effects:

• An estimated 10-15% of all U.S. adults experience beeturia -a reddening of the urine, after consumption beets. Though this isn’t harmful in itself, it may be a possible indicator of iron metabolism disorders. Persons with iron deficiency, iron excess or known problems with the metabolism of iron are more likely to experience beeturia.
• If you get kidney stones because of too much calcium, you may be advised to cut down on oxalates in your diet. Beetroot is just one food which contains oxalates, which prevent calcium from being absorbed by your body allowing it to build up as stones in the kidney.

Still there’s enough good reason for inclusion of beetroot in your family diet plans, considering the sheer variety of its unique health-boosting nutrients that you may not be getting from one single food source. Plus they’re delicious too!

http://www.curejoy.com/content/want-to-build-up-endurance-boost-your-energy-and-increase-your-speed-24-more-reasons-to-eat-beetroot/

Five health benefits of beetroot

Sandeep Godiyal

Beetroot, also often known as the beet, is a root vegetable that has been consumed since ancient times. Even the ancient Romans and Greeks thought beetroot had vitamins and minerals. In fact, today's studies prove that not only are they loaded with beneficial nutrients, but beetroot is an amazing way to ensure that a person stays healthy.

A root vegetable, the reddish and bulbous portion of the beetroot is grown underground while its leafy top is seen above the ground. It grows in both tropical and temperate areas, and takes about two months to reach maturity. Though the plants have been cultivated for thousands of years due to their dietary benefits, it is only recently that their many health benefits have been explored.

1. Beetroot enhances sex

The ancient Romans prized beetroot as an aphrodisiac and raised them as such. Today's science supports this Roman practice. Researchers have found that beets contain high amounts of boron, an element that relates directly to the production of sex hormones in humans.

2. Beetroot equalizes mental health

Betaine, the same component that is used by practitioners to treat depression using certain methods, is found in beetroot. Another great element that beetroot contains is tryptophan, which has been shown to create a sense of well-being while also relaxing the mind. They are also a great way to lower blood pressure, which can help offset the effects of stress on the body.

3. Beetroot increases energy levels

Because the sugar contained in beetroot is released slowly throughout the body, even though the sugar levels are high, they help maintain steady energy levels. When compared to foods such as chocolate whose sugars are processed quickly by the body, beetroot, which is also low in calories, makes its energy boost last a great deal longer.

4. Beetroot is high in vitamins and minerals

Because they are high in vitamin B and iron, beetroot is especially beneficial to those women who are pregnant. Vitamin B and iron are necessary for the growth of new cells as well as replenishing the iron levels that often dip at this time of life. In addition, beetroot is high in the following vitamins and minerals: fiber, phosphorus, potassium, folic acid, beta-carotene, vitamin A, magnesium, vitamin C and betacyanin.

5. Beetroot helps cleanse the body

Beetroot works to cleanse and clarify the liver. It can also purify the blood and has been shown to help prevent some forms of cancer. Eating beetroot can also indicate whether a person has low amounts of stomach acid. This is shown if their urine turns pink.

Adding beetroot to the diet is easy. Many people simply add beetroot that is mashed and cooked to their smoothies. Another way to prepare it is by thinly slicing it before drizzling with olive oil and broiling it.


Learn more:
 http://www.naturalnews.com/044774_beetroot_healthy_vegetables_increase_energy.html##ixzz365YmUVPW