Daniel Wheeler's top tips on turning your life around

by Daniel Falconer

Daniel's incredible transformation

Six years ago, Daniel Wheeler was an unhappy 22 stone man who spent his days eating, but knew deep down that serious change had to be made. Giving himself the goal to be on the cover of Men's Fitness after three years, he turned his entire life around.

Two years after making the biggest change in his life, Daniel lost eight stone in body fat and weighed 14 stone, but was still determined to carry on with his progression, learning about training and nutrition.

In November 2012, Daniel achieved his goal, featuring on the cover of Men's Fitness Magazine UK before setting up his own business, Life Changing Fitness (LCF).

Five years on, LCF now has 10 online coaches and elite personal trainers, who have helped over 1,000 clients lose over 2,000kg in fat.

With a 100% success rate in achieving client objectives, LCF is keen to uphold its incredible standard and has since its formation tailored fitness and nutritional plans to every individual onboard.

Daniel Wheeler

We got the incredible opportunity to chat to Dan about his top 10 tips for those looking to turn their life around exclusively for Female First readers - find out what he had to say below:

1. Consistency - Consistency is king and nutrition is queen in my book. A bad diet done consistently will reap better rewards than the best diet in the world done sporadically. Do something day in and day out and you'll start to see measurable results.
2. Nutrition and diet - It's quite broad, but the priority here is to make sure people understand their basic metabolic rate (BMR) and to base their nutritional plan or direction on their BMR, plus their activity levels. People will under eat massively, which leads to binge eating. So, understanding how much food you actually require and meeting those requirements day in and day out consistently will lead to good results.
3. Hydration - The body is made of 98.9% water and has to be hydrated at all times. Think of it like a car engine that needs oil - our bodies need water and therefore when our body is optimally hydrated, we can metabolise the most amount of fat and synthesise the most amount of protein, so being dehydrated slows down progressions.
4. Having optimal levels of protein - People just don't eat enough of it, there are scaremongering tips from the media saying protein is bad for us, which is just not true, it's a complete myth! Women should be consuming at least 1.5 grams of protein per kg of body weight, and men should be consuming at least 2g per kg of body weight. Protein is vital for muscle recovery, organ health, skin health, immune system, brain functions and energy.
5. Increase dietary fat and optimise carbohydrates to your energy levels - A lot of people don't realise that dietary fat is a fantastic source of energy to anything low intensity and carbohydrates are a fantastic source of energy for when you're being really active. So it just makes sense to consume carbohydrates when we're being active and increase dietary fat when we decide to not be so active. For example, when you're sat at a desk for the majority of the day, carbohydrates aren't going to be your best friend, but a dietary fat would be an excellent source of energy. But if you then decide to go to the gym and do a hard workout, you would need carbohydrates before and after the activity. So you just need to be aware of how those macronutrients work and optimise them.
6. Get adequate sleep - This is the secret to success... Sleep defines how much fat we burn, how stressed we are, how ill we are, how much muscle we can build, how good we feel the next day is really the daddy. We need to make sure we get at least four to five sleep cycles in our night's sleep. Sleep cycles are defined by sleeping for a 90 minute period at a time in which we hit all four stages of 'a sleep', which are the stages one to four. Stages three and four of those sleep cycles are when all the magic happens, so we need to be touching stages three and four, four to five times a night.
7. Quite simply, be more active - What I mean by that is taking the stairs instead of the elevator, or walking to the shops instead of driving, or walking back from the gym instead of driving. Small things like that add up massively over the year and every little helps. It really does. It will increase your NEAT energy, which is the amount of non-active calories we burn and the more we do that, the more fat we burn over time.
8. Use a heart-rate monitor - It's a great way of tracking fitness through cardio and through training, weight training, circuit training. It's a really powerful tool to see how intensive you're training, but also the durations and therefore seeing how much energy you're using and optimising. It's a great way to measure progress in terms of fitness levels.
9. Get a new gym kit - It's a weird one, it sounds odd, it sounds non-essential, but there's nothing better than feeling more confident when you're training, and if you're wearing the clothes that make you feel more confident, you will want to go to the gym or train more. Therefore, that small investment can actually pay dividents. I wear a brand called 'Be An Athlete' and I find them to be the best quality, and seem to my clients [to be] the best.
10. Ensure you prepare for success - Preparing your food the day before, preparing when you're going to the gym, preparing meetings so you can schedule your life around them, just preparing for everything will define success, combined with tip number one. Prepare your meals the day before and it will keep you on track the following day. If you can't I'd recommend using a meal prep service, for example Yolo food company. They're a really good way to ensure you can free up your time throughout the day, so you don't have to cook, if you have that luxury and can afford it, then it's a really good tool. I would highly recommend that.

If you'd like to find out more about Daniel's company Life Changing Fitness you can go to the official website http://lifechanging.fitness

 Read more: http://www.femalefirst.co.uk/health/daniel-wheeler-top-tips-turning-life-around-fitness-962629.html#ixzz4DYALJCDb

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High Quality Moringa for Sports

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11 Moringa Tea Benefits You Should Know About!

Drinking moringa tea is good for you.

This ethno-medicinal herb grown in the tropical and subtropical regions of the world is known for its various therapeutic purposes.
Some of its reported medicinal uses include treatment of fever and ear infections, and maintenance of blood sugar and blood pressure levels.
According to WebMD, moringa is an “important food source” as it is rich in vitamins and minerals.  

Key Nutrient Facts

 

Moringa is one of the healthiest leafy greens packed with vitamins, minerals and antioxidants. It has zero fat and a few calories.
The list below contains nutritional information based on a 100-gram serving of moringa.  The percentage values are for a 2,000 calorie diet.

• Calories 37
• Fat 0
• Cholesterol 0
• Sodium 42 mg
• Potassium 461 mg
• Carbohydrates 9 g
• Dietary Fiber 3.2 g
• Protein 2.1 g
• Vitamin A 1%
• Vitamin C 234%
• Calcium 3%
• Iron 2%
• Vitamin B6 5%
• Magnesium 11%

Let’s find out what the unbelievable benefits of moringa are.

1. Moringa Tea Prevents Free Radical Damage

 

Worried about free radicals?
Moringa tea can be your best defense.
This herbal infusion is packed with antioxidants such as gallic acid, quercetin, and ferulic acid that can neutralize the cellular damage caused by free radicals, and in turn, prevent an array of ailments.
Many studies have been done on this subject, and have proven that moringa has powerful free radical scavenging activities that can benefit people’s health.
Key Takeaway: 

• Moringa tea has potent antioxidants that can inhibit the actions of free radicals and prevent various types of health problems.

2. Moringa Tea Can Help Manage Diabetes

When the body is not able to use or produce insulin, the blood sugar levels can be thrown out of balance, and the result is a condition called diabetes.
Diabetics can help manage this condition with moringa tea.
Scientists have confirmed several times that moringa has significant anti-diabetic effects .
A Nigerian study published in the International Journal of Science and Technology revealed that moringa leaf water extract is “almost as effective as the standard drug” in treating diabetes.

Key Takeaway: 

• Managing diabetes can be done naturally and safely by drinking moringa tea, which according to research can be almost as effective as the standard drug prescribed for this condition.

3. Moringa Tea Can Alleviate Inflammation

 

Despite what many people think, inflammation is not entirely bad.
In fact, it is the body’s way of protecting itself from harmful invaders that can cause infectious diseases.
However, it can cause pain and discomfort when it is chronic, or when the immune system attacks its own tissues.
According to a study that can be found in the International Journal of Pharmacognosy, moringa can help alleviate inflammation.
Researchers have discovered that this medicinal herb can be an effective treatment for acute and chronic inflammatory conditions.

4. Moringa Tea is a Good Remedy for Arthritis

Suffering from painful arthritis?
Moringa tea is the perfect solution.
Arthritis is an umbrella term for inflammatory conditions involving the joints.
In 2007, scientists investigated the anti-arthritic and anti-inflammatory effects of moringa, and they’ve found out that it is a promising treatment for arthritis.
Key Takeaway: 

• With its anti-arthritic and anti-inflammatory properties, moringa can help tone down arthritis and provide immediate pain relief.

5. Moringa Tea Can Treat Bronchial Asthma

 

Over 25 million people suffer from asthma, seven million of which are children.
This chronic lung condition is characterized by the inflammation and narrowing of the bronchial tubes or airways, resulting in coughing and difficulty in breathing.
Herbal remedies like moringa tea have been proven successful in toning down airway inflammation.

In a clinical trial conducted in the Department of Pharmacology in India, it was discovered that regular intake of moringa can significantly reduce the severity of an asthma attack.

6. Lower Fever with Moringa Tea

Like inflammation, fever can also be good for the body.
A temporary increase in the body temperature can kill disease-causing viruses and bacteria, according to Mayo Clinic.
But it can become a problem when the temperature becomes too high.
To lower fever, you can make use of natural remedies like moringa tea.
Various studies provide evidence that moringa has strong anti-pyretic and analgesic properties that can provide relief for people with fever.

Key Takeaway: 

• Relieve yourself from the uncomfortable feeling of having a fever by drinking moringa tea, an herbal remedy known for analgesic and anti-pyretic properties.

7. Fight Infectious Bacteria with Moringa Tea

It’s true that bacteria are present inside the body. In fact, they help carry out certain bodily processes.
Problem starts when bad bacteria outnumber the good bacteria.
It’s a good thing there are natural ways to combat bad bacteria, such as with the use of moringa tea.
Several studies confirm that moringa has strong antibacterial properties against various strains of harmful pathogens that can cause serious health problems.
Key Takeaway: 

• Moringa can efficiently inhibit the growth and spread of bacteria, and in turn, prevent various diseases.

8. Moringa Tea Can Reduce Blood Pressure Levels

 

High blood pressure is not something you can take lightly.
Also known as hypertension, high blood pressure occurs when the force of blood on the arterial walls is too high.
Because it can lead to heart disease, blood pressure levels should be monitored and maintained.
Research has shown that moringa tea can keep blood pressure levels in check with its hypotensive properties.

Key Takeaways: 

• Don’t wait for heart disease to happen before you monitor blood pressure levels.
• Help keep it in proper levels by drinking moringa tea every day.

9. Moringa Tea Has Anti-Cancer Properties

There’s no shortage of scientific literature that confirms moringa’s efficacy as treatment for cancer.
Indian researchers have uncovered moringa’s potential for inhibiting ovarian cancer cells.
A 2013 study meanwhile reported that it can successfully destroy cancer cells in the pancreas.

Source:

http://www.ihomeremedy.net/moringa-tea-benefits/

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This 2 Ingredient Remedy Flushes Harmful Toxins and Waste From Your Colon

A colon cleanse is always a good idea, as it is an effective way to remove toxins from the body and improve digestion.
The remedy we suggest today is extremely easy and quickly cleanses the colon. However, note that this effective drink will not only purify the system, but it will also retain the good bacteria of the digestive system.
Both, the medical research community and the naturalists highly appreciate raw, unfiltered, apple cider vinegar, as it is an effective natural remedy to serious health issues, including the colon, and is inexpensive and affordable. Yet, remember to always try to find the one that still has the murky stuff floating at the bottom of the bottle.
It is known as the ‘mother,’ which provides the best nutritional benefits, since it has not been processed or pasteurized. This kind of apple cider vinegar will offer the best health effects in your colon cleansing procedure.
The ‘mother’ contains the helpful bacteria acetobacter, which binds with oxygen to ferment the apple cider into vinegar. It also breaks down food in our gut.
Apple cider vinegar offers various health benefits as well, like lowering blood pressure, reducing irregularity of the bowels, and reducing blood sugar levels after a meal.

This is how to prepare the colon cleanse recipe:
You will need some raw, unprocessed honey, and unpasteurized apple cider vinegar with the ‘mother’ floating at the bottom. Before measuring the amount you need, shake the bottle to mix up the part settled at the bottom.
You should add 2 tablespoons of apple cider vinegar, and 2 tablespoons of raw honey to a glass with 8 ounces of warm water.
Stir well to dissolve the honey.
Use:
Drink this recipe every morning, on an empty stomach, or anytime you want to cleanse the colon. Freely continue all your normal activities during the period you consume it.
You won’t need to be near the bathroom all the time, as it acts fast, it is easily absorbed by the digestive system, and you will not experience a sudden movement of the bowels.
The Journal of Food Science has examined this remedy, and researchers state that vinegar is extremely healthy substance, with various therapeutical effects due to the numerous bioactive components it contains, such as gallic acid, catechin, acetic acid, ferulic acid, ephicatechin, caffeic acid, chlorogenic acid, and p-coumaric acid.
These bioactive compounds are believed to provide numerous health benefits, including:

• Prevent diabetes
• Antimicrobial properties
• Hypertension
• Prevents cancerous tumors
• Reduces cholesterol
• Helps obesity
• Antioxidant properties

Especially in the case of colon cancer, researchers cited a study conducted in japan which showed that a rice wine vinegar reduced colon cancer in rats and also destroyed other types of cancer cells, such as bladder, lung, prostate, and breast cancer cells.

Sources and References:www.justnaturallife.com
Other included sources linked in Just Natural Life’s article: www.bright-box.me


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10 Beers That You Should Stop Drinking Immediately

Nowadays, people become growingly aware of the importance of the food they consume, so they pay special attention to what they eat.
However, this is rarely the case when it comes to drinks, especially alcoholic ones. This is a huge mistake, as it may actually ruin your entire efforts.
The ingredients of food and non- alcoholic drinks are required to be labeled on products, and they are monitored by the FDA, but beer does not belong to this category. Thus, alcohol industry had lobbied not to list its ingredients, some due to the desire to protect its ingredients, and some to hide them, as they harm the health.
Beer contains numerous dangerous ingredients, including:

• GMO Sugars
• GMO Corn
• High Fructose Corn Syrup
• GMO Corn Syrup
• Monosodium Glutamate (MSG)
• Fish Bladder
• BPA
• Insect-Based Dyes
• Propylene Glycol
• Natural Flavors
• Caramel Coloring
• Carrageenan

Yet, all beers are different, so you should check the list below, which includes the top 10 worst beers:

Pabst Blue Ribbon
It is often referred to as PBR and represents a classic beer. It has been extremely popular for decades, but it is also made with corn syrup and GMO corn.

Budweiser
Otherwise knows as the “King of Beers”, this one is one of the favorite beers in North America, and it sponsors numerous leagues and athletic events such as the NFL.
Yet, it is made with genetically modified corn (GMO). Since its rise 3 decades ago, Monsanto started to genetically modify corn to resist herbicides without a drop off in crop supply, so GMO corn causes numerous health issues, supports the excessive development of a white blood cell called eosinophil, which in such high amounts attacks the skin, organs, cardiovascular and nervous system.

Samuel Adams Winter Lager
Samuel Adams Winter Lager is extremely high in calories, with only 5.8% alcohol, but 200 calories a glass. This definitely leads to gut-busting effects, and may affect blood sugar levels. Therefore, you should always consume it moderately.

Newcastle Brown
This beer is imported from England and has a rich color. However, its color indicates the dangerous ingredients it includes. Research found Class 3 and 4 caramel coloring, which is created from a carcinogen, ammonia, and may lead to cancer and foster cancer cells. Consider the fact that alcohol is a carcinogen by itself as well, so this doubles your risk for developing this deadly disease.

Miller Lite
Miller Lite is a popular light, refreshing beer, and you surely recognize the slogan “It’s Miller time!” Yet, it involves both GMO corn and corn syrup. It does not contain high amounts of alcohol, so its easiness and its dangerous ingredients are not a beneficial combination. It is still unclear whether Miller Genuine Draft also contains these harmful ingredients.

Michelob Ultra
Michelob Ultra contains GMO dextrose, another GMO sweetener akin to corn syrup, which affects blood sugar and causes various diseases. It is rich in calories, so its consumption seriously affects blood sugar.

Coors Light
It is very famous in North America, due to its skillful marketing and smoothness as a light beer. The marketing strategy of the company is remarkable indeed, regarding the glaciers that change color based on the coldness of the beer, and gives the impression that it is the coldest and freshest beer consumers can have. Yet, it also includes GMO corn syrup as a sweetener.

Sierra Nevada Bigfoot Ale
This glutinous beer contains 330 calories per glass and 9.6% alcohol, so two of it is equal to a meal. Yet, its content of alcohol surely makes drinkers order high amounts of food with it.

Guinness
This extremely popular stout beer is recognized by its smoothness. Yet, it contains isinglass, an ingredient derived from fish bladders.

Corona Extra
 Corona is one of the most popular drink during the summer, and its commercials are not too aggressive of annoying, which is nice to see on the TV nowadays. Yet, it contains GMO corn syrup, which is derived from GMO corn, and Propylene Glycol, which is a common ingredient in anti-freeze.

Healthy Beer Alternatives
This shows that you need to be careful when it comes to beer, so note that it is important to avoid cheap, low-quality products, as their price is low for a reason.
Moreover, stay away from American beers as they are high in GMOs, and opt for organic beers instead. The labels “100% organic” demand that the product contains 100% organic ingredients, and “organic” label just means 95% of it is organic.
European beer in most cases does not include GMO ingredients, while other brands often include grains, stabilizers, GMO artificial ingredients, preservatives, and HFCS. The following list will be of great help when it comes to choosing the right beer brand:

Non-Organic Beers (Unpasteurized and Unfiltered)

• North Coast – Blue Star
• Royal Oak – Pale Ale
• Duck Rabbit – Brown Ale, Amber Ale, Milk Stout, Porter
• Shipyard – Summer Brew
• Victory Brewery – Whirlwind
• Ayinger – all choices
• Fraziskaner – Hefeweisse and Dunkel Weisse
• Weihenstephaner – Hefe Weissbier
• Dogfish Head- 60 Minute IPA, Chicory Stout, Shelter Pale Ale,
• Bridgeport – IPA (Bottle conditioned)
• Maisel’s – Weisse
• Hoegaarden – Belgian Wit
• Sierra Nevada – all choices

GMO-Free Beers:
Organic Beers (Unpasteurized and Unfiltered)

• Lamar Street – Whole Foods label (brewed by Goose Island)
• Brooklyn – (organic when ingredients are available)
• Dogfish Head (organic when ingredients available)
• Pinkus – all beers
• Wychwood – Scarecrow Ale
• Bison – all beers
• Wolaver’s – all beers
• Fish Brewery Company – Fish Tale Ales
• Samuel Smiths – Samuel Smiths Organic Ale
• Lakefront Brewery – Organic ESB

Other

• Amstel Light
• Nelson Organic Ale
• Heineken
• Mill Street Brewery
• Steamwhistle
• Fuller’s Organic
• Natureland Organic
• Duchy Original Ale Organic

Moreover, it is also our duty and should be our goal to expose companies which use such harmful ingredients, as they intentionally endanger our health.
They try to hide this truth with false advertising worth millions of dollars, laws, and the like. Yet, your health is your own responsibility, so make sure you give your money to the ones that honestly deserve it.
Articles of this kind expose the harmful ingredients in products, in this case, beer, so it will undoubtedly reduce their production, s companies will eliminate the harmful ingredients they use.
Source: www.trueactivist.com
This article, by True Activist, (10 Beers That You Should Stop Drinking Immediately) is free and open source. You have permission to republish this article under a Creative Commons license with attribution to the author and TrueActivist.com
Other included sources linked in True Activist’s article:
atsdr.cdc.gov
foodbabe.com
greenpeace.org
therichest.com


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Almost 2000 Sodas Later, What Happens To This 5-Year Old Should Set Off Alarm Bells For All Parents!

 

“One, two, shhhh, she’s counting. Ariel runs, tiny legs waddling across pavement, her chubby fingers barely able to grasp her daily Pepsi, she runs. Poison in hand, smile on face, looking for hiding spots, three. Ariel stops, she takes a sip. She’s already consumed 1460 sodas in her lifetime, she’s 5. She runs, inhaling deeply as her lungs try to catch up with her feet.
Kayla’s 35, 4, 5, she counts the lights hanging from the hospital roof as she’s rushed to surgery, they flicker above her as she tries to remember every memory she’s ever had involving her feet, but her mind won’t let her wander from this moment, this second, this flickering light, a hush whisper, the last moment she’ll have with her feet. She blames it on her diabetes, as if this disease has a mind of its own. Doctors blame it on the 4410 Pepsis she’s been drinking since childhood.
Little Ariel can barely spell, she’s 6, and knows nothing about fructose or dextrin but neither does Kayla. Beaten, living in a broken home, she just keeps trying to find pieces of herself at the end of that bottle. Ariel only knows the sizzle of bubbles, the aches she feels in her tummy, the big words doctors use to describe her condition. They tell her mom that her kidneys are failing, her blood sugar is too high, the pain she feels that mommy can’t fix because mommy’s been surviving off of ramen and sodas because mommy can barely afford to live.
Kayla sits back in her wheelchair trying to look over her stomach but she can’t. She can’t see the stumps, the spaces where her feet used to be, she can’t see herself, when she looks at the reflection staring back at her she’s just a person she turned into but she can’t stop, bottle after bottle she can’t stop, 6, 7. When Ariel turns 7 they see her dying behind overstuffed teddy bears and deflated balloons, it was her birthday. 8, 9, I’ve heard of death before, but I swear, there’s something foreign about the way it creeps to the lips of a 7-year-old, 10.
Every 10 seconds someone dies from diabetes, and in the time it’s taken me to recite this poem, 15 people will die.”
This haunting spoken word poem comes from The Bigger Picture, an organization spreading diabetes awareness.

I cried when I watched this video. A frightening reality planted itself in front of me as I remembered that my own grandmother had passed away from type 2 diabetes almost 20 years ago. She spent her last years injecting multiple daily insulin shots, in and out of a hospital bed 300 km away from her hometown. I remember my mother telling me that Nan used to drink a lot of soda.
The implications of a disease are hard to fully grasp unless you or someone you love has suffered through it. But even more horrifying than my Nan’s sole story is the fact that type 2 diabetes is a reality for millions of people worldwide at this very moment. In America alone, over 29 million people were diagnosed with type 2 diabetes in 2012. It stands as the 7^th leading cause of death in that country.

Think About The Sugar You Consume

According to these statistics, Americans consume close to 50 billion liters of soda per year, which equates to about 216 liters, or about 57 gallons per person. That is a colossal amount of sugar. And not just any sugar, but some of the worst we know of – high fructose corn syrup (HFCS).
Tragically, high fructose corn syrup, in the form of soda, has become the number one source of calories in the United States, and it is very clear that it is the primary cause of the obesity and type 2 diabetes epidemic.
Soda companies are masters at fooling customers and masking their products as fun, cool, and delicious.

The “Thin Line” spoken poem not only exposes the hard reality of type 2 diabetes, it also brings attention to the specific socio-economic demographic that is commonly affected by this disease:
“Nearly 1 in 2 children of color born in the year 2000 will get diabetes in their lifetime.”
The truth is that most low-income families often end up spending what little they have on these junk food products because they don’t have access to healthier options. The consequences are heartbreaking and pretty terrifying. With the ever-increasing cost of living and declining wages, more and more families are being forced into poverty as the middle class is being eradicated.
To some, it may seem like common sense to stray far away from high-fructose corn syrup sodas, but a large majority of the population is not properly educated on the implications of poor nutrition, with a vast percentage of these people being low-income families.
If someone you know consumes soda on a regular basis, be the one to supply them with the facts they need to know. Soda is an empty, modified can of death.
Raise your voice today and join the conversation about type 2 diabetes.
Much love <3 p="">
http://www.collective-evolution.com/2016/07/03/almost-2000-sodas-later-what-happens-to-this-5-year-old-should-set-off-alarm-bells-for-all-parents/

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11 Signs You Should Consider Cutting Back On Alcohol

 

I’ll cut to the chase: I am someone who struggled with alcohol through all of my teens, twenties, and early 30s. I had lived a fast-paced, work-hard-play-hard jet-set lifestyle and had burnt out before turning thirty.

 

I left my career as a global health and policy consultant to “find myself,” but still found myself leaning too heavily on alcohol.

 

I woke up in the morning after my 30th birthday to a giant goose egg on my forehead and no idea how it got there. I vowed I needed to cut back, yet my 31st birthday rolled around and I found myself in the same situation, remembering little because I had passed out after drinking too much absinthe. It took me until a few weeks before my 32nd birthday to finally make a commitment to myself: “No more getting drunk.”

 

Over the past few years, I’ve not only avoided getting drunk, I’ve also successfully learned to moderate so that I only very occasionally indulge in alcohol. From my experiences, as well as my studies with the Institute for Integrative Nutrition, I have developed a coaching practice to support other women, helping them to learn moderation and find freedom from alcohol, on their own terms.

 

The thing is, for many years I felt that I was living a double life.

 

On the outside, I was this confident, accomplished, evolved woman. On the inside, I was plagued by anxiety, insomnia, self-doubt, and self-loathing.

 

I have started sharing more openly about my experiences because I have come to realize that so many other women struggle with similar issues and feel totally alone.

 

Because of the pervasive “all or nothing” approach to alcohol in our society, we’re supposed to pretend that everything is totally fine until it’s not, and then the only option is AA, which isn’t for everyone.

 

Sharing my story gives permission for others to share their experiences with alcohol with me.

 

What always strikes me is how much shame women feel after losing control over alcohol and how long that shame lingered. What I also find interesting is that most of what other people share with me wouldn’t necessarily be classified as “alcoholism” and most of it would probably fly under the radar of a regular visit with a physician or therapist.

 

Yet these experiences had a profound effect on the women who shared them with me. They all wanted a space to feel safe talking about it. And they wanted a solution that didn’t necessarily involve eliminating alcohol completely.

 

We often hear about alcohol as an “all or nothing” affair. It’s all good times and carefree until you admit to having a problem, and then suddenly you are a candidate for a recovery program and need to abstain completely.

 

You can have a problem with alcohol and not be an alcoholic. (In fact, only 10-15% of people who struggle with alcohol will ever form an addiction.)

 

You can have a problem with alcohol and not want to quit.

 

Sometimes we need to see our experiences reflected back at ourselves in order to feel comfortable making a change.

 

The problem with the “all or nothing” approach to alcohol is that many of us don’t relate, and therefore stay silent about our desire to change.

 

We face enormous societal and, dare I say it, peer pressure to drink in social situations, at celebrations, and during events. The people around us may not be ready or want to change their drinking, which can make the decision even more challenging.

 

Here are some signs that you might want to cut back on alcohol, even if you know you are not an alcoholic. Let this be your permission to make a change, an affirmation to what you know in your heart is needed.

Signs you need to cut back (or cut it out completely):

 

1. You’ve ever woken up and thought, “I need to cut back.” It might seem obvious, but we become so good at talking ourselves out of things, or letting the people around us convince us that we’re fine, or that being hungover every weekend is normal. If you feel like you want to make a change, let that be enough. As I always tell my clients, if you feel like you have a problem with alcohol and you want to make some changes, no one else gets to tell you otherwise.

 

2. You often wake up tired, lethargic, or unfocused. As little as 2 drinks in the evening before bed can interrupt your REM sleep and have you waking up feeling less than optimal. If you are reaching for wine in the evenings as a nightcap more often than not, developing a different bedtime routine will help you sleep better and wake up feeling rested and focused.

 

3. You drink alcohol more days during the week than not. The Canadian Low Risk Drinking Guidelines recommends planning non-drinking days during the week to avoid forming a habit. If you notice that you are wanting to drink more often than not, you definitely want to consider cutting back and finding alternatives.

 

4. Your go-to stress remedy is a cocktail, cold beer, or glass of wine. If the first thing you think of when something bad or stressful happens is how soon you get to drink alcohol, cutting back and developing other stress reduction tools may be in your best interest.

 

5. You feel shame around things that have happened while drinking. Instead of burying the shame under more booze, try cutting it out for a bit. It can be hard to learn how to feel and deal, but feeling and moving through pain, shame, and regret are paramount to healing. Give yourself a break and ease up on the booze while you work through some of this stuff.

 

6. You vow “never again” but keep drinking past the point of no return. If this happens, it is definitely time to cut back (by a lot) or cut alcohol out completely for a while. It’s not enough to say, “I’m not going to get so drunk.” Set your intention for only one drink, or better yet, experiment with cutting it out completely for an evening to see how it feels. It doesn’t have to be forever, but the key is to break the habit.

 

7. You find yourself putting off other activities that are important to you. If you’ve been procrastinating on pursuing your passions, or find that you “forget” what kinds of activities (other than drinking alcohol) feel good for you, it’s probably time to cut back. Once alcohol stops being your go-to for socializing and fun, you’ll have more time (and money) to prioritize other activities and hobbies.

 

8. You are worried about your weight. You may not want this reminder, but if you have tried to lose weight without success and haven’t tried cutting back on booze, alcohol may be the key. Alcohol is pretty much just liquid calories, and it offers no nutritional value to go with them. Yeah, the getting drunk part can be fun, but if you are serious about getting in shape, then you’re not giving yourself a fair chance if you are still drinking regularly or more than the recommended amount (cutting back by one glass of wine a day can eliminate about 2,000 calories from your diet weekly!).

 

9. You feel like you’ve got it all together, but alcohol is the one thing you don’t have a handle on. Sometimes you feel like you are living a double life. Everyone sees you as super accomplished and “together” but you feel differently. This might be a source of secret shame for you and carrying it around is an extra energetic burden that you don’t need! Cutting back on alcohol can help you feel on top of the world and in control of your life.

 

10. You have a hard time connecting with your intuition. If you wish you could tap into your intuition more easily, you might want to consider cutting back on alcohol. A lot of my clients spent years agonizing over every decision or thing that happened and questioning whether they did or said the right thing, or made the right choice. When they drastically reduced the amount they were drinking, it suddenly became easier to tap into that inner knowing and to make clear-headed and heart-connected decisions.

 

11. You feel like there’s something more for you. Sometimes it’s hard to even articulate this feeling but you know there’s something more waiting for you. Maybe your problem isn’t even that severe. You’re just done with feeling crappy, with hangovers, with accidentally losing yourself or doing or saying something you wouldn’t have if you were sober. You know you are meant for more. I have never met anyone who describes their decision to cut back or cut out alcohol as having a negative impact on their life. To the contrary, the majority of the people I work with experience really positive shifts in their lives within months of changing their drinking habits. So why not give it a try?

 

Low risk drinking is considered to be no more than 2-3 drinks per day with no more than 7 drinks per week for women, and 3-4 drink per day with no more than a total of 14 drinks per week for men (depending on which country’s guidelines you are looking at). If you are choosing to cut back, you may want to follow these guidelines, or create your own. Many of my clients find that dramatically reducing their alcohol intake helps reset their habits and shift their consciousness powerfully.

This might look like no more than 1 glass of alcohol on any evening, committing to more Alcohol Free Days during the week than days with alcohol, choosing not to drink in situations that are potentially triggering, and on the days that you feel yourself wanting to numb out, avoiding alcohol altogether.

Whatever you decide, create a plan before you are in the situation where you would normally be drinking. Know what alternatives will be available to drink or bring your own if the venue allows. Do your best to set yourself up for success and focus on the benefits you know you’ll receive from drinking less alcohol. Reach out and connect with others who are also committed to elevating their consciousness and learning to be truly present with themselves and their surroundings.

http://www.collective-evolution.com/2016/07/02/11-signs-you-might-want-to-consider-cutting-back-on-booze/

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5 Bodily Tissues That Can Be Regenerated Through Nutrition!

1. Nerve Regeneration

There are a slew of natural compounds that offer nerve-regenerating effects. Research has found, for example, that a mixture of blueberry, green tea, and carnosine can promote stem-cell regeneration in a neurodegenerative disease.

Another study found that circumin supplements can help treat crushed nerve injuries, and pave the way for the regeneration of damaged tissues. “Curcumin is capable of promoting nerve regeneration after nerve injuries, highlighting the therapeutic values of curcumin as a neuroprotective drug for peripheral nerve repair applications,” the study abstract notes.

2. Liver Regeneration

The compound present in licorice called glycyrrhizin has been found to stimulate the regeneration of liver mass and function in the animal model of hepatectomy. Another study found that doses of 73 milligrams per kilogram body weight of carvacrol, a volatile compound present in oregano, significantly increased liver regeneration after partial liver removal.

3. Hormone Regeneration

Fluctuating hormones can occur due to chronic stress, drug interactions, poor diet or lifestyle choices, a buildup of toxic substances, and more. The main hormones in a woman’s body, for instance, are estrogen, progesterone, and testosterone. These hormones make their way through the bloodstream, facilitating necessary alterations to bodily functions and regulating the body’s vital systems.

Vitamin C may be a great complement or alternative to hormone replacement therapy, as one study found that vitamin C stimulated almost 100 percent regeneration of estrogen, 50 percent of progesterone, and almost 60 percent of testosterone.

4. Cardiac Cell Regeneration

While it is commonly thought that cardiac tissue cannot be regenerated, research now indicates that there are, in fact, substances capable of stimulating the formation of cardiac progenitor cells, which can distinguish into heathy heart tissue. For instance, researchers have revealed that red wine antioxidant resveratrol can regenerate adult cardiac stem cells.

“Our results demonstrate that resveratrol maintained a reduced tissue environment by overexpressing Nrf2 and Ref-1 in rats resulting in an enhancement of the cardiac regeneration of the adult cardiac stem cells as demonstrated by increased cell survival and differentiation leading to cardiac function,” the study abstract notes.

5. Cartilage/Joint/Spine Regeneration

Curcumin is well-known for its powerful anti-inflammatory properties, and has been found to have a profound anti-inflammatory therapeutic potential in the treatment of spinal cord injury, specifically right after the injury.

Resveratrol has been found to significantly promote the recovery of rat dorsal neuronal function after spinal cord injury due to its anti-oxidation, anti-inflammation, and anti-apoptosis properties.

You can find out more information at Greenmedinfo.com, they were the inspiration and main source for this article.



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Cult of calisthenics: how the workout is taking London by storm!

Samuel Fishwick investigates the cult of calisthenics




Four times a week, Dwayne Cooper goes bar-hopping. When he’s on the pull, people notice: the ripped, vegan 31-year-old is packed into tight tracksuit bottoms and a gym T-shirt, and he draws a crowd of admirers.
But Cooper is not some sleazy barfly: the bar is the pull-up variety, and as one of London’s hottest personal trainers, he’s at the vanguard of the cult of calisthenics, beefing up clients at outdoor gyms across the capital — from Notting Hill’s private gardens to Shoreditch Park. He explodes upwards, releasing the scaffolding bar, and spins 360 degrees, gripping it again on his descent and repeating the trick ten times.
This isn’t your average workout. Beginners start with basic pull-ups, press-ups, squats and dips, before moving on to more advanced ‘muscle-ups’ (pulling your chest up over a fixed bar). Using little more than body weight and gravity to train your muscles, it’s miles away from the high-maintenance world of Lululemon leggings and competition over spin class FROWs.
But its no-frills approach has struck a chord with today’s stuffocated, out-of-pocket Londoners. While classes at Form Studios and Equinox are popular to the point of selling out, the number of outdoor gyms — geared towards personal calisthenics training — is also on the rise. The Great Outdoor Gym Company has built 103 in London since 2007. ‘Demand for calisthenics classes has sky-rocketed,’ says Luke Barnsley, a trainer at Third Space, whose Rig Fit classes are based on the method.

A key part of the appeal, says Harry Bird, a calisthenics trainer at Form Studios, is that ‘you can train anywhere, with no equipment, so there’s no gym membership required’. At Form, the eight-person, 50-minute classes combine calisthenics with high-intensity interval training and Pilates for £29 a session, but Bird’s own one-to-one outdoor calisthenics training sessions are available around the capital at £50 for an hour (and can burn up to 800 calories).
For a workout that’s so much about freedom and the outdoors, it’s perhaps a surprise to learn of its roots behind bars. Although it dates back to Ancient Greece, the practice was popularised in US and UK prisons in the second half of the 20th century. As personal trainer and ex-convict Paul Wade writes in his 2012 book Convict Conditioning, it was ideal for ‘those dark places where men need maximum strength and power just to stay alive’. Cooper (pictured), who does community work with young offenders, agrees: ‘It channels their mind to something a lot more positive.’
So what are the rewards beyond personal rehabilitation? ‘Mastering your own move-ment when teaching your body to lift and move itself through space can lead to many benefits: healthy joints, strength, mobility,’ says Joe Perkins, a personal trainer and calisthenics coach at Equinox. Then there are the aesthetic benefits: pull-ups are great for the back’s ‘V-taper’ (an hourglass figure for women and wide shoulders for men); push-up dips sculpt the shoulders; leg-raises work towards washboard abs. Another benefit, argues Cooper, is the fact that it can be maintained on the go. He takes classes with clients in Belgium and Madrid, training them via Skype: as they sweat from a pull-up bar in a sunny Spanish park, he hollers instructions from their iPad screen.
Back in London, he says the classes are just as popular with women as they are with men. Everyone finds it addictive: ‘Once they start, they’re hooked, because within each exercise there’s always a way to take it one step further.’ With spring here, and summer holidays already on the horizon, there are worse things to be addicted to.  

http://www.standard.co.uk/

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What Happens To Your Body After Using A Sauna

In today’s world, everyone is exposed to heavy metals and toxic chemicals, which is why it’s becoming increasingly important to detoxify the body regularly. Saunas are a great tool for doing this, as they heat bodily tissue several inches deep, enhancing metabolic processes. Raising the body temperature facilitates greater cellular energy production, which helps to heal infections quicker.

Viruses, tumours, and toxin-laden cells do not tolerate heat well, which is why saunas are so beneficial for elimination through the body’s biggest organ: the skin. Using the sauna regularly activates the skin through sweating to rid the body of heavy metals and toxic chemicals and promote optimum health. In fact, a study in 2012 showed that sweating from sauna use was very effective at removing harmful heavy metals including Arsenic, Cadmium, Lead, and Mercury.

Read on to discover more about saunas and how they can benefit your health.

Types Of Saunas

While the intense heat of the sauna can be difficult to tolerate, preheating it to 150-2oo degrees is necessary to induce heavy sweating. Saunas come in many traditional forms, such as electric, wood, or gas fired, but there are also far-infrared options, which heat the body but allow the air to remain cool. This type of sauna doesn’t require preheating, which saves electricity and time. There are also infrared bulbs, which provide warming and stimulating color therapy. Research suggests that far-infrared is the most cleansing of all sauna options, as the deep penetration of the infrared energy of this system allows the cells to eliminate better.

Saunas Improve Skin Appearance

Because of the amount of sweating that occurs, saunas increase blood circulation as blood is forced closer to the surface of the skin. This in turn brightens your complexion by releasing bacteria and oil. Regular sauna use removes dead skin cells and diminishes acne and blackheads, and can also improve skin conditions like cellulite. Furthermore, saunas provide a significant boost in growth hormone levels, which provide a plethora of anti-aging benefits.

They Promote A Healthy Immune System

Many people live sedentary lives due to desk jobs and long office hours that hinder them from standing and moving all day long, never mind getting a sweat in. But sweating is necessary for ridding the body of unwanted substances that we unknowingly expose it to every day, including cleaning and beauty products. When your body is exposed to the steam of sauna, white blood cells are produced at a more rapid rate, aiding in the protection against illness. Not properly detoxifying the body can lead to a buildup of heavy metals, which can cause serious illnesses like cancer.

They Provide Stress Release

When your body heat is raised in a sauna, endorphins, the “feel good drug,” are naturally produced by the central nervous system, allowing you to de-stress.  They also work to release stress by deeply relaxing muscles and removing tension stored in various places throughout the body. Sleep quality has also been shown to improve as a result of the calming effects of a sauna.

This Is What Happens After You Use A Sauna

Regular sauna use can help your brain by:

• growing new brain cells
• helping it to function faster
• improving memory, attention, and focus
• preventing degenerative diseases
• enhancing the power of meditation and visualization
• relieving anxiety and depression
• giving you a natural, drug-free ‘high’

Regular sauna use can help your body by:

• helping muscles grow bigger, stronger, and more efficient
• increasing longevity with various anti-aging benefits
• causing a massive release of growth hormone naturally
• boosting your immune system
• improving insulin sensitivity

Toxins That Can Be Removed Via Sweating

Toxic Trace Metals: Arsenic, cadmium, lead, and mercury.

Bisphenol-A (BPA): An endocrine-disruptor that is found in receipts, toys, baby bottles, plastic containers, pizza boxes, beer and wine, and cans.

Phthalates, DEHP: Found in many plastics and certain foods, it can affect male sexual development.

http://www.collective-evolution.com/2016/07/02/what-happens-to-your-body-after-using-a-sauna/

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13 Effective Ways To Purify & Freshen The Air In Your Home Naturally

Who doesn’t like a lovely, fresh smelling home? Nothing beats the smell of fresh linen, pine forests, or spring meadows, right? Air fresheners — plug-ins, gels, aerosols, candles, incense — are a staple in many American households, and while they may smell great and evoke feelings of contentment or even nostalgia, they also come with some alarming consequences.

The majority of these products which are designed to ‘freshen the air in our homes’ are, ironically, polluting the air with harmful industrial chemicals.

Most air “fresheners” that are on the market today contain an array of toxic chemicals, most notably including phthalates. Phthalates have been directly linked to cancer and hormone disruption. Not only that, but plug-in type fresheners coat your nasal passages with an oil film called methoxychlor, which will kill the nerves in your nose over time, inhibiting your ability to smell.

The good news is, there are some amazing, all-natural alternatives that can not only keep your home smelling clean and fresh but actually filter the air as well.

How To Naturally Keep Your Home Smelling Fresh

1. Open Windows

One of the simplest, most effective ways to remove stale or smelly air from your home is to open the windows as often as possible and literally let your house air out. It helps to have windows at the front and back open to create some air flow and move stagnant air, and turning on a fan can also assist in this process. This is an especially useful tip while cleaning and cooking.

2. Keep Air Flowing When Cooking

When cooking particularly pungent food, be sure to use your range hood fan and consider leaving the windows open.

3. Use Natural Cleaning Supplies

Choose all-natural cleaning supplies. The products you use to clean your home end up in the air and on your furniture, ultimately making their way into your lungs. You should also leave the windows open while cleaning, regardless of what cleaners you use.

4. Diffuse Essential Oils

Use an essential oil diffuser. While often pricey, they are worth the investment. Diffusers allow you to safely distribute the smells from natural and often therapeutic essential oils throughout your home, not only making your house smell great but also providing healing through aromatherapy. Relieve stress, clear congestion, boost your mood, calm your mind — you name it, and there’s an essential oil for it. If this is out of your price range you can simply add a few drops of essential oil to a bowl of water.

5. Deodorize Carpets

Deodorize carpets regularly. You can do this by simply sprinkling baking soda on any carpeted area or rug and leaving on for 20 minutes before vacuuming up.

6. Buy Houseplants

Houseplants do a great job of detoxifying the air in our homes, breathing in carbon monoxide and breathing out oxygen to purify the air. Choose plants from this list for the most benefit.

7. Use Natural Candles

Use beeswax or soy candles that do not contain paraffin. When these candles burn they emit negative ions which bind with the positive ions in the air, causing them to fall to the ground so they don’t end up in your lungs. I have also read that burning a beeswax candle for 20 minutes before you go to bed can help you get a more restful sleep.

8. Buy a Himalayan Salt Lamp

Himalayan salt lamps purify the air in the same way that beeswax or soy candles do, emitting negative ions. (Bonus: they have a pretty glow, too!)

9. Use Sprays Outside

Apply bug repellant or spray sunscreen outside, and keep aerosol use in general to a minimum, particularly indoors.

10. Avoid Artificial Air Cleansers

Avoid using anything artificial to cleanse the air. Store-bought “air-fresheners” generally just mask underlying odours rather than cleansing them, and pollute the air with toxic chemicals in the process.

11. Use Baking Soda

Hide a few open boxes of baking soda around your home is areas that tend to hold more odour, like the entrance way, coat closet, litter box, bathroom, etc.

12. Use Citrus

Simply slice a few lemons, limes, and/or oranges and leave them out on the table. You can just use leftover peels as well; give them a little twist first to help release the lovely smelling oils.

13. Use Vinegar

To neutralize odours in the air or on upholstery, mix three parts white vinegar and one part water in a spray bottle and spray onto the surface or directly into the air. The vinegar neutralizes the odours naturally. (And, don’t worry — that vinegary smell will fade away.)

Do you have any tips and tricks to keep your home smelling fresh? Please share in the comments section below!

Much Love

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16 Foods High in Vitamin C

By Dr. Edward F. Group
Guest Writer for Wake Up World

Vitamin C is one super important, naturally-occurring nutrient. From preventing colds and flu, rebuilding tissue, bones and blood vessels, to boosting the body’s ability to synthesize calcium and other minerals, Vitamin C is something we want to be eating more of on a daily basis.

In fact, studies are now confirming the need for Vitamin C to boost brain function, heal from injuries and recover from illness. A potent antioxidant for neutralizing free radicals, a diet lacking Vitamin C may cause health problems over time. In fact, the Food & Nutrition Board at the Institute of Medicine recommends that we eat vitamin c foods on a daily basis, with men getting 90mg and women getting 75mg daily.

The following list of foods high in Vitamin C will help teach you how to super-charge your diet with a major dose of this essential nutrient.

1. Strawberries

One of the tastiest and healthiest berries on the planet, strawberries are extremely high in Vitamin C. Strawberries aren’t just a Vitamin C food, however, they’re also high in fiber and the antioxidants responsible for reducing oxidative stress and protecting the heart from excess LDL cholesterol. Just one serving holds about half of your daily Vitamin C needs.

2. Acerola Cherry

The Acerola cherry, Malpighia punicifolia, is a small red fruit that is packed with vitamin C! In fact, it holds about 65x the amount of vitamin C than an orange. Just a single cherry holds all of your recommended amounts of vitamin C. It’s recommended to eat fresh, raw acerola cherries, but you can also buy it in powder form.

3. Citrus Fruits

Oranges, grapefruits, lemon and limes! Citrus fruits pop a powerful Vitamin C punch. Peel one medium orange for a whopping 70mg. A small glass of OJ has up to 93mg of vitamin C, and a small glass of grapefruit juice has up to 70 mg of vitamin C. Even though oranges are probably the most popular vitamin C food, it doesn’t have the highest amount in it.

4. Papayas

Papayas are another food high in vitamin c, with one serving holding 100% of your daily needs. Try throwing some in your next smoothie or yogurt. This bright fruit it also high in Vitamin A.

5. Blackcurrant

With its deep dark purple hue, its easy to imagine that this fruit would be high in Vitamin C. Blackcurrants hold around 180mg per serving, as well as plenty of potassium, iron, vitamin B5 and phytochemicals.

6. Kiwi

Hailing from New Zealand, it may surprise you to learn that this small bright green fruit has more Vitamin C than an orange! They are also high in flavonoids and has as much potassium as a banana. Studies have shown that children who ate these Vitamin C-rich fruits experienced stronger respiratory tract than children who did not.

7. Bell Peppers

Bell peppers are another food high in vitamin C, as well as beta carotene. In fact, these colorful veggies have been studied for the cardio-protective health benefits, and have also been shown to prevent cataracts, blood clot formation and may help us reduce our chances of heart attacks and strokes. One half cup of raw red pepper holds over 140 mg of vitamin C. All bell peppers are high in Vitamin C, but yellow are the highest and red peppers come in second.

8. Guava

This exotic fruit is another great vitamin C food, with one Guava containing over 250 mg. Over twice your daily needs! They are also rich in dietary fiber, folic acid, potassium and manganese, making Guavas one of the best superfoods to add to your diet. Many supermarkets are now importing these fruits from the tropics, so they are easy to find.

9. Brussels Sprouts

While not everyone’s favorite food, Brussels sprouts have a great Vitamin C reputation. One serving of cooked Brussels sprouts has almost 50 mg of vitamin C. Besides from being one of the best vitamin c foods, brussels sprouts are also high in vitamin K, folate, vitamin A, manganese, potassium and dietary fiber. However, even with all of these nutrients, it’s still near impossible to convince your kids to give them a try.

10. Melons

Many melons have Vitamin C. Just one cup of cantelope will provide you with approximately 67 mg of vitamin c, plus plenty of vitamin A and potassium. Additionally, watermelon is another great source of vitamin c, as one serving will give you 112% of your daily needs.

11. Dark leafy greens

Kale, mustard greens, turnip greens, watercress, chard and spinach (as well as most other leafy greens) are all great Vitamin C foods to add to your diet. While they all provide different amounts of this essential nutrient, they are all very healthy for you. Kale would be the best choice, as it may have up to 130 mg of Vitamin C in one serving. That is one day’s Vitamin C needs in a single serving!

12. Amalaki Fruit

Another exotic fruit from India, this nutrient-dense super-food is one of the most important medicines in the Ayurvedic pharmacopeia. The fruit is picked, dried and used for its health-boosting properties. It holds one of the most concentrated supplies of Vitamin C, so its no wonder it has been valued for thousands of years for its immune enhancing properties.

13. Broccoli

Whether you eat it raw or cooked, you can never go wrong with broccoli. In fact, in addition to its dense multi-nutrient and fibrous benefits, one serving of this little green tree has over 90 mg of Vitamin C. Broccoli is also one of the best detox foods to add to your diet.

14. Cauliflower

While not as colorful as some of our other foods high in Vitamin C, cauliflower holds its own with this essential nutrient. Just one cup of cauliflower will give you approximately 46 mg, not to mention plenty of vitamin K, folate and dietary fiber.

15. Tomatoes

The bright red tomatoes are another common Vitamin C food. Try using sun-dried tomatoes as they are particularly concentrated in this essential nutrient. Just one serving of 100 grams holds over 100 mg of Vitamin C. This equals 170% of our daily needs.

16. Select Herbs

Many fresh herbs such as cilantro, chives, thyme, basil and parsley are high in Vitamin C. Buy some fresh herbs and sprinkle on every meal. In fact, just one cup of fresh parsley has over 130 mg of Vitamin C. And thyme comes in first, with 160 mg in one cup.

http://wakeup-world.com/2013/01/02/16-foods-high-in-vitamin-c/ 

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Turmeric Lemonade That Treats Depression Better Than Prozac! How To Prepare This?

Depression is a common mood disorder, manifested by a bad mood, as well as various other symptoms.
In its mildest form, patients manage to lead a healthy and normal life, if they treat it properly. On the other hand, in the case of a severe depression, people have numerous difficulties to lead an active life and it may even be life-threatening.
These are the most common symptoms and signs of depression:

• Sadness, anxiety, or “empty” feelings
• Feelings of guilt
• Fatigue and reduced energy
• Suicidal thoughts, suicide attempts
• Feelings of hopelessness
• Irritability, restlessness
• Insomnia or excessive sleeping
• Difficulties concentrating and indecisiveness

Luckily, nature has provided an incredibly effective natural spice, turmeric, which treats numerous diseases and conditions.
It is extremely helpful in the case of Alzheimer’s, prevents the breakdown of cells into cancerous cells, reduces the levels of LDL cholesterol in the body, cures skin cancer, and is beneficial in the case of liver issues, acidity, stomach disorders, and pains, diarrhea, arthritis, jaundice as well.
Turmeric has amazing health properties, including:

• It is abundant in antioxidants
• It has potent anti-inflammatory benefits
• It fights depression
• It reduces the risk of developing heart disease
• It supports the brain

The most common drug included in the treatment of depression is Prozac. However, it, as well as other drugs of the type on the market, have serious side- effects, like suicidal effects, breathing difficulties, and bleeding in the stomach.
Researchers have found that turmeric’s active ingredient, curcumin, has the same effect in treating major depressive disorder as fluoxetine (Prozac), but it does not cause any of its harmful adverse effects.
This is a recipe for a delicious turmeric lemonade which can be of great help:
Turmeric Lemonade Recipe
Ingredients:

• the juice of one and a half lemons or limes
• 2 tablespoons freshly grated or powdered turmeric
• 4 tablespoons 100% maple syrup, Stevia or honey
• 4 cups cold filtered or sparkling water
• the juice of 1 blood orange (optional)

Instructions:
In a small pitcher, mix all of the ingredients, and stir well. You can serve it garnished with a lemon slice.
Enjoy!
Source: NaturalNews.com
Reference: complete-health-and-happiness.com

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Study: Meditation Can Relieve Pain Faster Than Morphine

“Which is better for your body: meditation or exercise?” asks The Telegraph journalist Jonathan Wells on 23 March 2016. “On the surface, it seems like an obvious decision – physical exercise can strengthen our muscles, bones and heart, and has been proven to promote the production of oxytonin and other ‘feel-good’ chemicals. Whilst meditation is, well, a fad. Right? Wrong. Or, at least, possibly wrong.”

“Stronger than morphine”

 

Watch this video for a guided meditation for pain!
The Telegraph cites a newly published study in the Journal of the American Medical Association suggesting that mindfulness may be a better treatment for chronic back pain than other ordinary exercises. The journalist also refers to earlier studies, linking meditation to a stronger immune system, a strengthening of the lungs, and even claiming that meditation may be “stronger than morphine” for pain relief. One interviewee also mentions the effects of meditation on the parasympathetic nervous system, better quality sleep, and even improvement of athletic performance.

“Moderate evidence”

However, the article also quotes researchers who are less enthusiastic, claiming that “mindfulness meditation programs had moderate evidence of improved anxiety, depression and pain, and low evidence of improved stress/distress and mental health-related quality of life”.

The article concludes by quoting Acem instructor Anne Grete Hersoug:
Anne Grete Hersoug, an instructor in Acem Meditation and a clinical psychologist at the University of Oslo, also believes in the profound physical effects of meditation – but would not consider it an effective replacement for exercise.
“According to scientific studies,” says Hersoug, “Acem Meditation has been found to have a profound physiological effect on the practising individual. It allows the meditator to relax deeply, leaves them feeling more energised and is overall a refreshing experience – much like recharging one’s batteries.
“These physiological relaxation effects are measurable in terms of increased oxygen intake and decreased heart rate,” continues the psychologist, “and thus, psychological exercise can benefit you physiologically.”
However, whilst Hersoug acknowledges the benefits meditation can have on your body, she believes that first and foremost, mindfulness is for the mind.
“Most of the physical benefits associated with deep relaxation and mindfulness come as a by-product of soothing mental stress,” Hersoug reveals. “I would not make a comparison between meditation and physical exercise. Meditation cannot replace half an hour of exercise – and it is vastly different from fitness training.
“I’d rather say that we need to make time for both physical exercise and mental techniques.”

Source

themeditationblog.com

 

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