7 Top Health Benefits of Maca Maca, a root that belongs to the radish family, is most commonly available in powder form. Grown in the mountains of Peru, it has been called “Peruvian ginseng.” Maca’s benefits have been long valued, and has recently been popularized as a supplement and food ingredient. There are no serious known side effects of maca, but like any other supplement it should not be taken in large amounts. When you first start using maca, it’s best to begin by taking smaller amounts and building up; even 1/2 teaspoon is a good place to start. Maca is good in smoothies, salads, drinks, cooked foods, and juices. Please be aware that other than the nutritional benefits provided by the vitamins and minerals, the other benefits are anecdotal, as maca has not been formally studied. A great resource that includes a lot of information on maca, as well as how to incorporate it into recipes, is Superfood Kitchen by Julie Morris. 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. 7.
Heart Surgeon Makes Shocking Confession On The Real Cause Of Heart Disease I stumbled upon an article yesterday that I want to share with everyone. It was written by Dr. Dwight Lundell, a heart surgeon with 25 years of experience performing over 5,000 open-heart surgeries. What he revealed is sure to generate negative feedback to say the least from the mainstream medical community. But I’ve got to commend the man for speaking out on what he believes to be a major mistake. Think about it, what has the public been advised to do to offset the risk of heart disease? Everything has been focused on reducing fat in the diet, especially “bad” saturated fat, along with consuming more whole grains and “healthy” carbohydrates. Dietary fat has been tagged as the evil culprit behind the ills of high cholesterol and arteriosclerosis. Chances are if you’ve been identified to be at risk for or having heart disease, the recommendation has been to follow a low-fat diet, eat more whole grains, and take cholesterol lowering medications. There’s just one problem…it’s NOT working!
wellnessmama I’ve been meaning to write this post for a long time and finally had the time while the kids are napping and I am (ironically) sipping a Chia Seed Energy Drink (recipe below). If you don’t already use chia seeds, you are missing out! Not only are they gluten/grain free naturally, but one tablespoon of Chia Seeds has more calcium than a glass of milk, more Omega-3s than Salmon, and more antioxidants than blueberries. Perfect? Almost… they do get stuck in your teeth if you chew them plain (ask me how I know that!). They also give you tons of energy but also won’t keep you awake at night and are supposed to be great for weight loss. Supposedly, the Aztecs, Mayans, and Incans used chia as a staple of their diet and as an energy food. Additionally, “They are currently being used for their nutritional and medicinal properties, endurance for athletes, for suppressing the appetite, weight loss, leveling blood sugar, and for aiding intestinal regularity. Convinced? 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. 7. 8. 9. 10.
Top Tips For Reducing Inflammation In The Body Most health experts now agree that inflammation is the root cause behind most all chronic illnesses and disease. While there are a variety of causes for chronic inflammation in the body, the outcome is always the same. Over time and left unchecked it leads to premature aging and diminished health. Quite frequently when individuals set out to lose weight the last thing they’re thinking about is inflammation. In my experience as a fitness coach and weight loss consultant, inflammation is without question one of the most overlooked hidden obstacles that keep people stuck in a plateau. In today’s post we’ll look at inflammation in more detail and I’ll provide you with my top tips on how to reduce it. More after the jump… Inflammation 101 Alright, let’s start with the basics. That “something” could be a chronic infection, virus, injury, excessive toxins like alcohol and nicotine, or an overgrowth of bacteria for example. Food and drink that promote inflammation in the body… - alcohol - sodas - Ginger
Pineal Gland Activating Smoothies! 1 ripe avocado 4 cups of organic baby spinach leaves 1 cup filtered water The juice of 1 lime or lemon 1 chopped cucumber 3 stems fresh parsley 5 stems fresh mint 1 piece fresh ginger 2 large ice cubes 1 tsp of Udo’s oil 1 cup of pure water 2 whole peeled limes 4 cups of baby spinach 1 cucumber 1 inch piece of raw creamed coconut crushed ice 6 piece of cucumber 3 medium Kale leaves 1 avocado 1 cup coconut water fresh juice of one lime 1-2 tbsp hemp seeds 2-3 drops stevia 2 cups coconut water 2 cups baby spinach 2 cups frozen strawberries 1/2 frozen banana 2 tablespoons spirulina
50 of the Best Uses for Coconut Oil 50 of the Best Uses for Coconut Oil 4.14/5 (82.72%) 389 votes Coconut oil has a bit of a craze surrounding it lately. People have put together hundreds of different uses for this beneficial oil and it’s found its way into pantries, medicine cupboards, and even first aid kits. For years, coconut oil has had a bad name, lumped in with unhealthy saturated fats. This means coconut oil boosts energy levels, raises good cholesterol, and balances out blood sugar without the weight gain, cholesterol, and other health risks that come from other saturated or trans fats. Massage Oil – Coconut oil soothes tired and sore muscles. Toothaches – Coconut oil eases the pain and strengthens teeth. These are just the beginning of what coconut oil can be used for. Read: The Healing Wonders of Coconuts Read: Cherry Garcia Ice Cream About Charlie Pulsipher Charlie Pulsipher is a health and fitness enthusiast, writer, author, and neighborhood do-gooder.
Homemade Basil Pesto Recipe Pesto is a green sauce originating from northern Italy that typically calls for fresh basil and pine nuts. It can also be made with parsley in place of the basil and walnuts or cashews in place of the pine nuts. Some mint can also be added to the basil. The traditional recipe also calls for Parmesan cheese, but it honestly doesn’t lose much in term of flavor when omitting the cheese. Feel free, however, if you choose to eat cheese on your paleo diet, to go ahead and add Parmesan. Pesto was traditionally prepared with a mortar with the help of a pestle, but a food processor makes the whole process much easier. If you grow your own basil, you probably know that you often end up with so much basil all at once that you don’t know what to do with it. Followers of a Standard American Diet will usually mix pesto with pasta or put it over toasts, but we can do better and use it on healthy food instead. Fresh pesto will last in the refrigerator for about a week. Makes 1 cup Ingredients Preparation
45 Uses For Lemons That Will Blow Your Socks Off Most people are familiar with the traditional uses for lemons to soothe sore throats and add some citrus flavor to our foods. However the diversity of applications for lemons far exceeds general knowledge and once you read the following list, you’ll likely want to stock at least a few lemons in your kitchen 24-7. 1. Freshen the Fridge Remove refrigerator odors with ease. Dab lemon juice on a cotton ball or sponge and leave it in the fridge for several hours. Make sure to toss out any malodorous items that might be causing the bad smell. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. 7. 8. 9. 10. 11. 12. 13. 14. 15. 16. 17. 18. 19. 20. 21. 22. 23. 24. 25. 26. 27. 28. 29. 30. 31. 32. 33. 34. 35. 36. 37. 38. 39. 40. 41. 42. 43. 44. 45. * If you do consume lemon peel, stick to organic lemons to reduce your pesticide exposure. About the author: John Summerly is nutritionist, herbologist, and homeopathic practitioner. Credits: PreventDisease
30 Amazing Uses and Healing Powers of Apple Cider Vinegar Apple Cider Vinegar is one of the most incredible healing tonics you will find anywhere, period. I’m not even exaggerating, I don’t have to. The results that you experience as you put it to use will demonstrate enough that you don’t need a “peer reviewed journal” to tell you that it’s a miracle juice. Here’s a graphic with 20 uses for Apple Cider Vinegar, but to be honest with you, they’re not even the cream of the crop. Okay, as promised, here are 10 more uses for Apple Cider Vinegar that will forever blow your mind and change the way you see this tantalizing tonic. 21. This is an acidic mixture which is ridiculously strong, which means yes: It is in fact a cleaning agent. 22. Apple cider vinegar can be used as a rinse for your hair after shampooing, and will boost your hair’s body and shine. 23. Rub teeth directly with apple cider vinegar, and rinse with water. 24. Add a cup of apple cider vinegar to your bath, and soak for 10 minutes to eliminate discomfort from sunburn. 25. 26. 27.
Anti-Inflammatory Diet -- What You Need to Know -- US News Best Diets The Anti-Inflammatory Diet is based on a daily intake of 2,000 to 3,000 calories, depending on your gender, size, and activity level. About 40 to 50 percent of your calories will come from carbs, 30 percent from fat and 20 to 30 percent from protein. Weil suggests striving for a mix of all three nutrients at each meal. It’s based on the Mediterranean diet, Weil says, with a few extras such as green tea and dark chocolate. The guidelines get more specific by dietary component. You’ll cut down on saturated fat, which is found in butter, cream and fatty meats, and steer clear of margarine, vegetable shortening and partially hydrogenated oils. You’ll aim for a variety of colorful produce, especially berries, tomatoes, orange and yellow fruits, cruciferous veggies and dark leafy greens.