There is a lot of talk on the net about getting good sex from a woman. Men often think that it is a 'pain' to focus on the woman, it decreases their feelings. However - that is about to change.
You won't hear it about this from your doctor. When thrusting so that you hit the woman's g-spot, there is more than her organism to make you want to focus. One reason is that holding a woman in a position that creates contact with the gspot, also brings tighter control to her. This increases her sensation. When a man learns to do this right, she tightens.
http://www.menshealth.com this site will offer some safe and comfortable positions.
When a woman tightens this increases the pressure. There are very few women who have a problem being in a position where she is raised slightly. In fact, when it comes right to it, the missionary position can offer the least satisfaction to a male.
Viagra may not be needed. The tightness combined with the extra sensation on the outside (think of sandwiching the g-spot) creates the perfect sensation. Give it a try. You'll soon become a fan of 'hitting the g-spot.'
Monday, May 26, 2008
Why Men WHAT to Hit her G Spot
Thursday, May 15, 2008
Unexplained Symptoms
I’ve been in the hospital all day. They ran tests, took blood and urine every 12 hours, and talked to specialists. At the end of the day they knew something was wrong, but didn’t know what it was.
This is the hardest type of situation for a patient to handle. You know you are not faking it. You go home and suffer, reluctant to return to the clinic next time there is something wrong. Some of the most dangerous problems, mild strokes, heart problems, etc. have vague problems with unassuming symptoms.
There are ways to make sure that you help the doctors solve your problem. The better you can explain your problem, the easier it is for them to diagnose.
Understand Your Symptoms
The first step is to make sure that you are not suffering from two problems. I once had a heart problem and accidental poisoning at the same time. There are several places on the net that will help you understand your symptoms. If you are in Canada, call the health hotline: 1-866-797-0000.
http://symptoms.webmd.com/
http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/symptom-checker/DS00671
Understanding and focusing on symptoms will help you understand what is important, and what is not. This will help you focus on the things to tell your doctor. A look at the symptoms will also let you know if the problem is serious enough to contact the doctors, or if you can treat it yourself.
Be Honest
No one wants to admit they are having panic attacks, or are depressed. Most of us fear being slow of thinking or may be afraid of being told our problem is ‘trivial.’ However, a set of symptoms may point to one thing – but when adding panic attacks the problem can become life threatening.
Work at Home Freelance
Pro Aging
Living With Food Related Diseases
Tuesday, May 13, 2008
What is the Secret of Romance
- My husband and I go out on a date once a month.
- We flirt with each other. If we don't feel like being fun, we honestly tell the other one. There are some times we just play along to 'feed' the other's emotions. But, most of the time we get into the fun of the moment.
- We say one nice thing to each other every day - without fail.
Monday, April 28, 2008
Foods That Suppress Appetite
This made me wonder whether other foods have any appetite suppressant qualities. The first thing I learned was that most people are not hungry when they ‘feel’ hungry – they are thirsty.
If water doesn’t do the trick, then drink vegetable broth. The broth is better than juice. The juice may have starches added to make the drink thicker, smoother, or improve the color. Broth is primarily water and does are not ad calories.
Green foods will suppress the appetite. Any green or leafy vegetable will work. The simplest ‘food’ is apples. It works for people who are feeding their emotions, and it also curbs the appetite. Eat about 30 minutes before dinner and you’ll eat less food.
Another appetite suppressant food is a pickle. Trader Joe’s pickles have the benefit of having no added food coloring. But, read the ingredients. Some pickles are more ‘candied vegies’ than pickles. They have no dietary benefits.
If you must pop pills, then take fiber pills. Drink plenty of water with them. Without water they can cause digestive problems. Not only will they prime the digestive system so weight loss is easier, but the right ones will make the stomach feel full.
How I Learned to Like Myself
The day I over-heard my mother and aunt talking about my grandmother’s failing health became the most dramatic turning point in my life. According to my grandmother’s doctor, her failing physical health was partly due to un-forgiveness. It shocked me that a trained doctor would make such a radical statement. I first believed that my mother heard wrong, but over the years, I have seen many people overcome emotional and physical problems by learning to forgive. Doctors do not deny that some problems are stress related or caused by the bitterness and resentment we feel against people who hurt us.
Beth (not her real name) was always ill. She had heart problems at a young age, and spent several weeks at home in bed. This made it impossible for her to establish a career or even meet the bills. She did not imagine these illnesses. They included serious sinus and ear infections, which required antibiotics, headaches, and an ever-increasing list of allergies. After suffering for ten years, she was introduced to emotional healing. She learned to control her anger, stop procrastinating, confront problems, and forgive. Beth took charge of her life, and two years later a dynamic, energetic, happy Beth replaced the pale, struggling, old Beth.
The difference? Beth learned to make good choices.
When we think of making good choices, we think of money management, a career choice, entering or leaving a relationship, or changing the course of our lives. While these are dramatic turning points, these choices do not have the greatest effect on our lives.
Our most important choices are:
To love
To respect
To be kind
To forgive
To forget
To take control of today’s problems, and handle them today
These choices make the difference between happiness and some types of depression, peace and bitterness, anger and patience, high/low self-esteem, or contentment and turmoil.
Love
Love without action is dead. Many people complain that there is no fire left in their relationships, but when they list the things they do to build that fire, the list is pathetically short. We need to love the people in our lives. We do not love others with acts of kindness, compassion, affection, and friendship for their benefit, we do it because humans need to feel love.
There is a secret to feeling loved. It grows from the inside. You can pour years of love into a person with low self-esteem, and it will just drain out like water through a sieve. This is because love grows inside of us and reaches out, only then will we ‘feel’ the love others give us.
Respect and Kindness
These go hand in hand. People who do not respect others have a low self-esteem and emotional intelligence level. This is not because they are bad people, but they do not rejuvenate their inner person.
When I was little my mom asked, “Is your loving cup full?” She was referring to my self-esteem. How I felt about myself. When I grew up, I learned that life drains this ‘measuring cup’ on a daily basis. We refill it by doing something positive. One example is making cookies when you are depressed. Another example is being nice to people, especially when they do not deserve it.
By changing the things we do toward ourselves and others, we change the way we see ourselves and the way others see us.
I Write For SocialSpark
I’ve had a few questions about paid posts on my blogs. The paid post advertising is often confused with a paid review, or an endorsement for a product. Instead, they should be viewed in the same light as an advertisement in a newspaper. You would never throw away a newspaper because there was an ad beside the article.
However, there are paid post companies that expect their bloggers to write posts on any client, without any regard to the blogger or their readers. I do not sign with these agencies. I write only for companies that let me pick and chose the posts I want to write about. The newest, and already the best is Social Spark.
You will always know if I post for SocialSpark. There will be a bar at the bottom of the post. This lets me write a post for a client that I believe in, but lets you know that the advertiser sponsored the post. It also lets you know that I’ve handpicked the sponsors for this blog.
SocialSpark was built by IZEA to meet the needs of bloggers and their readers. You need good content, and I work hard to find information that will improve your life. Sponsors do not intrude on our blog, instead, they support the blogs so that the good ones do not go ‘off line’ because the blogger needs to spend more time at their job.
Enjoy the blog. I write it for you. Enjoy the sponsored posts – those companies believe in this blog and offered to sponsor it so it would stay online. 
Tuesday, April 22, 2008
Foods That Help Dieting
I Am Hungry!
How do you diet when you feel hungry all the time? This can be one of the most difficult aspects of losing weight. I’ve resorted to some ‘no-no’ habits. I’ll pop some fiber pills if I am hungry. That works if I can force down a couple bottles of water afterward.
I’ve taken to having small fruit around. Sometimes I cannot down a full apple. But I’ll eat a few strawberries. I doubt I am really hungry, I just want to snack. My main problem is that I am a grazer. I like to eat a little at a time, all day. My problem is that I like crunchy foods. There is no natural substitute for crunchy and starchy foods.
Negative Calorie Foods
Asparagus
Broccoli
Cabbage
Carrots
Cauliflower
Celery
Cucumber
Fennel
Leek
Lettuce
Peppers
Tomato
Negative Calorie Fruit
Blackberry
Blackcurrant
Mandarin orange
Melon Cantaloupe
Peaches
Plums
Raspberry
Rhubarb
Strawberry
Grapefruit
Honeydew Melon
Tangerine
Understanding Your Need for Sleep
A Canadian study, published today in the medical journal Sleep, tested 276 adults between 21 and 64 years of age. They tested short and long duration sleepers. They found that 35 per cent and 25 per cent are more likely to gain 5kg (11lb) compared with average duration sleepers who maintained 7 hours sleep.
Short sleepers gained 1.98kg (4.3lb) while long sleepers gained 1.58kg (3.4lb).
The risk of developing obesity increases more than 27 percent for over sleepers.
Previous research suggested that sleep loss could disturb the production of hormones that control the desire for calorie rich foods. The level of ghrelin, the hormone released by the stomach to signal hunger, was 15 per cent higher in people who sleep five hours compared to those getting eight hours.
Lack of sleep leads to tiredness during the day, which reduces the level of physical activity.
The alarming statistics are for those who lack sleep. People who sleep five or fewer face a 70 per cent risk of dying from all causes - and twice the risk of death from a cardiovascular disease.
Professor Jim Horne, director of the Sleep Research Centre at Loughborough University, said those whose sleeping habits exceed seven hours, or who regularly get less, should not despair. They are not at risk.
"There is a great deal of evidence now that sleeping less than five hours a night is linked with putting on weight," he said, "but it's a very slow weight gain over a number of years."
So, enjoy a full night’s sleep.
Happy Earth Day
Most years April is wet and cool. This year, the temperature is a balmy 20C. The windows are open. The sky is blue. The air is warm. I love spring. I've already been to the garden centers. Their racks are still bare. The skids stacked in patient repose. Only the greenhouses are a hive of activity, their thousands of plants yearning for the summer's light.
Work at Home Freelance
Pro Aging
Living With Food Related Diseases
Friday, April 18, 2008
Open Windows
I opened the windows today. It was so nice to work with the soft spring air floating in the window. I am so looking forward to getting my Dalphinums and cala lillies into the garden. I have some huge ones so I can create a huge red wall across the back of the yard. They look so beautiful under the pear trees.
I'll take a picture of them this year so you can see. I'll be working more on the left of the yard this year. It is a hard area to work with becuase we have a church which covers 1/3 of my hard in shade ALL day - no sun at all. This is hard even for shade plants.
I feel so land locked. I just can't wait to get outside.
Sunday, April 13, 2008
How Do You Ruin Your Life?
Answering these questions will tell you what type of work at home business you will succeed at, and whether you are predestined to run your own business, or work with an organization. Everyone will have some of these to a greater or lesser extent. The ability to succeed is based in our ability to take an honest look at ourselves and prevent our weak personality traits from sabotaging our success.
1. I don’t read self help books, or I read self help books but they don’t help.
If your marriage is on the rocks, then you try to fix what is wrong with your spouse. If you are not being promoted at work, then it is because people are against you. You have lofty goals, but something always gets into the way.
There is no right answer to the above. It is the attitude that is pulling you down. Your boss may be against you, but your unwillingness to admit that you have faults and work ‘hard’ to fix them (no matter how hard it hurts) is what is ruining your chances of success.
2. You let your emotions make decisions for you.
You are going to buy a car. You walk into a lot and walk out with a car. You never sit down and calculate the true, long-term, cost of the car. You drive it and then buy – trusting your 10 minute drive to tell you everything you need to know about the make, model, manufacturer, and resell value of the car.
You stay in an unsatisfactory job for years because you are afraid that you’ll not measure up when you go to interviews. You would rather not try than have your feelings hurt.
These people find it easy to start a project , but they rarely finish them. They may write a book, but they won’t edit it. They will set up a web-business, but won’t do the internet marketing.
3. You are afraid of making choices.
You date for years, always wondering if this is the right one, will something better come along, what happens if they change after marriage.
You won’t leave a bad situation – marriage – job – house – because it is a decision. This is especially dangerous when combined with a person who lets their emotions make decisions for them.
3. You are motivated by an emotional need.
You can be motivated by guilt
Your house is perfect because it makes you feel better than others
You write a book because authors are special
You fix things to keep others from being angry
You do without to keep others from being angry – you don’t like to rock the boat.
You can easily be emotionally blackmailed. You hate saying ‘no’ to anyone.
These emotional needs always pit us against others. We are always striving to be better than others. We may even have a victim complex, where we feel needed even thought we are being victimized.
4. Low Self Esteem
I am never doing enough
I let everyone down
I am always saying sorry
Ancient Beauty Tips
Fresh Vs Canned Fruit
We are starting to learn that fruits and vegetables can prevent disease and in some cases can even reverse the damage done by years of neglect. Statistics and research has ample information on the vitamins and minerals available in fruits and vegetables.
What most people don’t realize is that produce starts to lose its health benefits shortly after being picked. Today’s method of picking vegetables green and spraying them with a chemical (actually, a poison) that preserves them and ripens the produce in transport means that most vegetables in the produce isles do not have a chance to reach their peak.
This is done to oranges. They are picked green and then a hose is stuck in the trucks. A chemical is sprayed in that turns them orange. They are not ‘really’ ripe – just orange.
Some produce is grown hydroponically. The process grows the vegetables in a chemical solution that ‘forces’ them to grow faster and larger. You can often taste the difference.
Foreign grown produce can take weeks to reach the store shelves.
Canned and Frozen produce is often processed shortly after picking. They do lose value. But, they are closest to fresh fruits. Canned fruit is picked when ripe. Fresh produce is picked far too early.
“Other plant vitamins can also be affected by premature picking. Researchers in Spain conducted an in-depth investigation of cherries ripening and found 14 different stages, during which the fruit turned from green to red.9 They concluded that for maximum nutrition, cherries should be picked at stage 12, way beyond the stage at which they’re harvested green by commercial growers. To illustrate how important the ripening process is, if cherries are picked at stage 8, their vitamin C content is half the amount it is if they’re picked at stage 14.9 Similarly, researchers at Oregon State University who studied blackberries discovered that green ones contain 74 mg of anthocyanins, compared to 317 mg in ripe ones (per 100 grams fresh weight).3 The same phenomenon occurs in other fruits as well. http://www.lef.org/magazine/mag2005/sep2005_report_veggies_01.htm
Drying fruit destroys most vitamin C in the fruit. Commercially dried fruit hast sulfur dioxide added to preserve color and nutritional value. However, foreign fruits have toxins and pesticides sprayed that can actually be poisons.
“Type of container: In cans, which are not used very much today, it was found that enamel-lined cans had higher losses of vitamin C than plain tin cans. This was due to residual oxygen and vitamin C reacting with the tin. Glass packed orange juice provides poor retention of vitamin C, losing 10% after 4 months of storage. Older cardboard cartons lost up to 20%. (Today, most cartons have specially designed multi-layered oxygen and light barriers to protect both loss of vitamin C, flavor, and to enhance shelf-life.) FCOJ packed in foil-lined cardboard cans retained greater than 90% of their vitamin C after 12 months at -20°C.
“Handling and storage: Oxygen is the most destructive ingredient in juice causing degradation of vitamin C. However, one of the major sugars found in orange juice, fructose, can also cause vitamin C breakdown. The higher the fructose content, the greater the loss of vitamin C. Conversely, higher acid levels of citric and malic acids stabilize vitamin C. Orange juice must be stored at proper cool temperatures with oxygen barriers for best retention of vitamin C levels. When fresh citrus is stored at 38°F for 12 weeks, there was no loss of vitamin C, but when stored at high temperatures, the loss was great.” http://www.ultimatecitrus.com/vitaminc.html
http://www.weightwatchers.ca/util/art/index_art.aspx?tabnum=1&art_id=11441
Thursday, April 3, 2008
Why Health Food Stores Can Be Bad
I went into a health food store a few years ago with the objective of testing the ‘specially trained technitain.’ I asked what medical ingredients were in willow bark. I was assured that their willow bard was 100% organic and there was no medical chemicals added.
I took another step and asked if there were any medical ‘properties’ and was again assured that there are not. I finally asked why willow was good for my allergies. They assured me it was because natural things interact naturally with other natural things to help them work better – I left feeling uneasy.
The fact is that most of our medicines contain these ‘natural’ elements that are a part of our herbs and natural plants. Each of the properties that heal are – indeed – medical in definition. They are medicinal ingredients.
When a health store misrepresents this, they down play the importance of making sure there is no reaction between the medical properties in natural products and the pills that you are currently taking. It amazes me that herbalists in stores can do the same job as a pharmacist, but do not need any training.
I am sorry, but I can walk into my garden and make a tea that will help heal. I can also walk out there and make one that will kill. There is no way to measure the number of people who have died because of an interaction between medicines and holistic medicine.
Herbs and nutritional supplements can cause health difficulties. I remember one of the most shocking instances I’ve ever seen. It was in a published book. The book said to take comphry internally which we all know causes liver disease and other internal problems.
If you want to take herbs and natural supplements then you need to contact a National Institute of Medical Herbalists (www.nimh.org.uk).
But, try a good diet first. Foods should always be the first line of defense. They can help symptoms, and even reverse the damage caused by disease.
Tuesday, April 1, 2008
Top Detox Foods: Watercress
Watercress is high in beta-carotene, Vitamins A, B1 and B6, C, E and K. It also contains abundant Iodine, Iron, Calcium, Magnesium, Zinc and Quercetin. It can be eaten in salads, soups, and sandwiches. The peppery little green leaves have a diuretic (elevated the body urine rates) effect that helps move things through your system. And cress is rich in minerals too. Watercress is easy to eat, and one of the healthiest foods around.
Quercetin is a flavonoid which is shown to reduce inflammation and is natural anti-histamine. Watercress is good for people with breathing and lung problems including allergies and asthma. It is also reported to be good for cancer, heart conditions, eczema, weight loss, parasites, circulation, kidney problems and lack of energy.
The British Journal of Cancer reports "when treated with a combination of Quercetin and ultrasound at 20 KHz for 1 minute duration, skin and prostate cancers show a 90% mortality within 48 hours with no visible mortality of normal cells".
The Watercress Alliance conducted a study from the University of Ulster. They found that watercress contains compounds that help prevent damage to the DNA in white blood cells, an important trigger in the development of cancer.
Sunday, March 30, 2008
Top Detox Foods: Getting Started
You’ve probably read a lot about foods that remove toxins from your body, clean your blood, and even remove cholesterol and fat from your body. These foods have grown far beyond urban myth to medical fact. Their benefits have exceeded our expectations. Tomatoes and cabbage are being used to prevent and cure certain cancers. Psyllium, orange juice, grape seeds prevent colon problems, including cancer.
When detox you want to eat anything green, the darker the better. Stay away from anything that is white (not including garlic). I don’t think it is necessary to fast to detoxify your body. I’ve done the fast and non-fast. Both have reduced the sleep I needed, eliminated the black spots under my eyes, reduced the bulge in my stomach, and eliminated any puffiness.
However, if you do not detox often, or are trying to do a complete program at once (for the first time) then you need a doctor’s care. I’ll warn you that your sweat will have a strong odor, as will your feces, which may also change to black. Headaches are also common. But, if they are severe, your urine changes color, or you feel heart palpitations, then stop and consult a doctor.
I don’t recommend anyone do more than three days the first time. Take a week or two off, then do another two or three days.
The human body is amazing. It can prevent and cure most diseases when given a chance. A young body contains a force removes toxins through skin tissues and skin-like mucus membranes. This cause symptoms that we work hard t prevent: bouts of sinusitis, asthma, colds, or a combination of these. Every time we take a medicine to stop a runny nose, we prevent our bodies from cleansing themselves.
The body ages and soon it can no longer maintain the aggressive cleansing phenomena. The toxemia begins to go deeper into the organs and tissue.
Benefits of Colon Cleaning and Detoxifying the Body:
1. Every 1% you lower your cholesterol reduces the risk of heart attack by 2%
2. The colon cancer is reduced if the colon is kept clean
3. Reduce the severity and occurrence of yeast infections.
4. Reduce the severity and occurrences of allergies and asthma
5. May reduce eczema
6. May reduce adult acne
7. May reduce wrinkles
8. May reduce sleep problems
May reduce* There are other factors in play. The colon cleansing is only part of the problem.
Fruits Clean Colon and Detox The Body
Fruits, fruits, fruits They're full of almost all the good things: vitamin C, fiber, nutritious fluids, and antioxidants. Fluids wash out the body and fresh lemonade is ideal. Its high level of vitamin C, labeled the detox vitamin, helps make toxins water-soluble so they flushed away easily. Humans are the only mammals that do not produce vitamin C in the liver. During Detox or colon cleansing the body needs higher levels of vitamin C than normal.
Getting high concentrates of vitamin C from lemons is difficult as the vitamin levels decrease with storage.
However, do not drink the processed lemon in bottles.
The following is a list of fruits and their vitamin C levels per100 mg flesh
Jujube 500
Apple 6
Barbados Cherry 1,678
Blackcurrant 155+
Blueberry 1 – 16%
Grapefruit 34
Kiwi 99 – 180
Lemon Juice 46
Logan 84
Mango 28
Cantaloupe 42
Orange 53
Papaya 62
Plum 10
Raspberry 25
Red currant 58
Rosehip 1000+
Tangerine 31
Tomato 19
Watermelon 10
99 Foods With the Highest Vitamin C Levels
The health guides state that people need 66 mg of vitamin C a day for the average adult.
Green Foods Save Lives
Green Leafy Vegetables The healing ingredient is chlorophyll. This is nature’s household cleaner, removing environmental toxins that include heavy metals, pesticides, and air pollutants. It also protects the liver.
There are commercial chlorophyll products that you can buy, but I wouldn’t unless you like the taste of liquid grass. The problem arises when you can’t get fresh picked. It may be a better idea to buy top quality ‘flash frozen’ than week old greens that have been stuffed into a transport truck for several days and ‘sprayed’ to keep them looking fresh.
Head Lettuce has the least value of the green vegetables. The general rule is ‘the darker the better.’ But it is reported to help against yeast infections.
Spinach strengthens weak blood and reduces the severity of bleeding conditions. It includes a blood cleansing or detoxifying agent. It helps with constipation and urinary tract difficulties. Do not eat large amounts of spinach if you suffer from loose stools or urinary incontinence should.
Kale is good for lung congestion. The juice has been used to treat stomach ulcers. It is an exceptional source of iron and should be included in diets that reduce your red meat intake.
Greens offer protection against cancer, infections, heart and circulatory system diseases, bone and joint diseases and disorders associated with old age.
Several Greens such as Romaine lettuce, spinach, Swiss chard, collard greens, mustard greens and turnip greens all contain beta-carotene and carotenoids (lutein and zeaxanthin). Beta-carotene, lutein and zeaxanthin are powerful antioxidants that are reported to block early development of cancer.
Some studies link them to a lowered risk of breast, lung and skin cancer. Lutein helps slow the development of age-related macular degeneration (AMD), that causes age-related blindness.
Watercress, arugula, bok choy, broccoli and kale are members of the cruciferous family. They contain phytochemicals, including indoles, that are attributed with halting cancer before it starts. In layman’s terms, they repair DNA damage before it turns into cancer.
Green Foodss Can Save Your Life
Green Leafy Vegetables The healing ingredient is chlorophyll. This is nature’s household cleaner, removing environmental toxins that include heavy metals, pesticides, and air pollutants. It also protects the liver.
There are commercial chlorophyll products that you can buy, but I wouldn’t unless you like the taste of liquid grass. The problem arises when you can’t get fresh picked. It may be a better idea to buy top quality ‘flash frozen’ than week old greens that have been stuffed into a transport truck for several days and ‘sprayed’ to keep them looking fresh.
Head Lettuce has the least value of the green vegetables. The general rule is ‘the darker the better.’ But it is reported to help against yeast infections.
Spinach strengthens weak blood and reduces the severity of bleeding conditions. It includes a blood cleansing or detoxifying agent. It helps with constipation and urinary tract difficulties. Do not eat large amounts of spinach if you suffer from loose stools or urinary incontinence should.
Kale is good for lung congestion. The juice has been used to treat stomach ulcers. It is an exceptional source of iron and should be included in diets that reduce your red meat intake.
Greens offer protection against cancer, infections, heart and circulatory system diseases, bone and joint diseases and disorders associated with old age.
Several Greens such as Romaine lettuce, spinach, Swiss chard, collard greens, mustard greens and turnip greens all contain beta-carotene and
Monday, March 24, 2008
Make Your Own Face Mask
Why not make your own?
You will need:
½ cup hot water but not poiling
1/3 cup quick oatmeal or instant
2 tablespoons plain yogurt
2 tablespoons honey
1 egg white
Mix water and oatmeal and then put aside to thicken into a paste. Mix the other ingredients in an electric mixer.
Add oatmeal paste and mix until blended and smooth.
Leave on for 15 - 20 minutes. Do not wait until mask hardens.
This mixture can be stored in the refridgerator for one week. This mask is an excellent exfoliator, but is gentler than comercial masks.
Friday, March 21, 2008
Beauty Starts With Colon Cleansing - Follow My Journey
This is a cross post from my blog www.healthafter40.blogspot.com This health blog is my most active, and ranks high among the blogging sites. I will be posting a daily journal there of my colon cleansing.
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My husband and I plan to start a colon cleansing program on April one. I will use natural foods and am aiming at 'cleaning out' the dangerous mucus build ups, not just restore my body's ability to create stools.
Feel Free to subscribe to follow this program. I am not going to become 'gross' or descriptive about my program, but I will tell you what I eat, the results, and how I feel.
I plan to do a full 7 day cleansing. At the end, you will have a basic understanding of the colon cleansing process. I will be posting articles within the next week to explain what I plan to do, and why.
The program will actually start a couple days early when I 'prepare' my body. Colon cleansing requires 'shocking' the body - but not making it ill.
USA Today, "Most people who eat the standard American 'goo and glue' diet have about 5-10 pounds of matter stored in the colon."
I will include fennel seed, flax seed, Psyllium but not senna. I will increase the fruits I eat, including (and most important) increasing the orange juice and adding rhubarb to my diet.
Thursday, March 20, 2008
A Look At Life Expectancy Stats
These numbers are from a report in 2000
the US population included 35.0 million people 65 and over. This number represents a 12% increase since 1990. The older population is growing.
Between 1990 and 2000, the total population increased by 13.2 percent, from 248.7 million to 281.4 million people. The population 65 years and over increased
by 12.0 percent. In 2000, there were 18.4 million people ages 65 to 74 years old, representing 53% of the 'mature' population in the US.
That means the total 'mature' population was about 37 - 40 million people. Or, to put this in perspective, the population of 'mature adults' in the USA exceeds the total population of Canada in 2007.
In 1960, only 7% of the Canadian population was over 65. Currently 11% of the population has reached this level, and in 2016 they expect that 16% of the population will be over 65. Currently, 4.4 million people in Canada are over 65.
This is a lot of people who 'beat the odds.' It is hard to imagine that about 16 million adults in the UK represent that 10% chance of reaching 70 years old.
So, next time you ask yourself whether all the exercise and healthy living are worth it, just remember the 40 million +/- old people in North America and how much fun they are having.
Some Facts I Found About Life Expectancy
If you are Canadian, expect to life between 70 - 75. If you are from the United Kingdom then you get to live to 77 - 80 years old.. a bit less if you are from the United States.
But, if you read the UK government's forms you get a bit of a different picture. If you are a male, and 44 years old, then you have a 50% chance of reaching 93. If you are male, and 60 years old, you have a 16 - 20% chance of reaching 93 years old. Canadians can expect to live between 75 and 80 for all income brackets, male and female. Americans born in 1980 (sorry, can't find older stats) can expect to live to 73.
The general numbers are not too far off. If you were a male born in 1850 then you had a 10% chance of living until 70 years old and 11.5% for women. The same groups born in 1960 would have a balanced 12% chance of reaching 80. Children born in 2000 will have a 16 - 20% chance.
Of course, you may be wondering how to get into the 11%. With the new health discoveries and understanding of fitness, an improved diet, and a safer lifestyle will all work to keep us living longer - and healthier. Hereditary factors will come into play too.
I am not sure I want to reach 93 if I am in a nursing hoe. However, it would be nice to life to 80 and stay on my feat until the very end.
The leading causes of death in 2003 were:
The leading causes of death For Americans in 2003
Rank Cause Deaths
1 Heart disease 684,462
2 Malignant neoplasms 554,643
3 Cerebrovascular diseases 157,803
4 Chronic lower respiratory diseases 126,128
5 Accidents 105,695
6 Diabetes mellitus 73,965
7 Influenza and pnemonia 64,847
8 Alzheimer's disease 63,343
9 Nephritis, nephrotic syndrome,
nephrosis 42,536
10 Septicemia 34,243
11 Suicide 30,642
12 Chronic liver disease and cirrhosis 27,201
13 Essential hypertension
and hypertensive renal disease 21,841
14 Parkinson's disease 17,898
15 Pneumonitis due to solids
and liquids 17,457
LiveScience Chart / SOURCE: CDC
So, when you look at these numbers, and remove things that you are no tprone to, your chances of living longer are looking positive.
I wanted to bring this information to light because I was talking to a friend a few days ago who said 'what is the point.' She was 50 and thought it was too late to extend her life. We have a better chance than our parents. They had no choice but to live on fat, purins (meat), and starch. Many of the healthy foods available to use were unheard of to them. There is a point - enjoying life.
Sunday, March 16, 2008
Romance In The Second Marriage
I am a pragmatic person. We both invested a lot of time, years, into researching good relationships and love. In fact, we both came to the realization that we were as responsible for the death of our first marriages as our spouses were.
I often wonder why the schools teach about sex, but they don't teach about romance. In fact, if I had been able to take a few courses on healthy relationships, parenting, and personal development, then I would have 'never' married my first spouse. I would have made fewer mistakes. I would have reached higher and set loftier goals.
There is one thing we learned in the last few years. Love is not what you feel when you get married. That possessive, gushy feeling, is not true love. The real type of love grows as it is nurtured. It is something that needs to be cared for and grown - like a rose bush.
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Beauty Starts Inside
I recently read an article at a favorite website. The article was called 7 Signs That You're Living in Denial.
I'm Never at Fault: Others are always at fault, aren't they? You keep doing everything right and they just ruin things for you, do they? Sorry to have to say this, but not assuming responsibility is one of the most obvious signs that you are living in denial.
Everything Has an Excuse: "I'm not going to do this because..." "I would have done that, if not for..." Do you somehow manage to find excuses for everything? Good for you, maybe you will find someone who pays you for that, but for the time being, your attitude is yet another sign that you are simply living in a fantasy world.
Everyone Else is Wrong: Are all of the people who don't agree with you clueless? Are they that ignorant, can't they understand your brilliance? I'm sorry but, if that's the way you see things, I am afraid that the problem lies elsewhere. One tip: it's not with everyone else.
It's All One Big Conspiracy I Tell You: Does it seem that everyone and their dog is working against you? Are you just a poor innocent victim in what seems to be one huge conspiracy against you? In that case, have you considered getting some help? No, everyone is not conspiring against you, and it's about time you stopped living in denial and started seeing how things actually stand. You can read the rest of the denial problems by clicking here.
This problem is also called 'ego personality disorder' and it ruins lives. The good news is that it can be managed and overcome. Many people with this disorder see it as their protection. Their self esteem is so low that they must overcompensate to protect themselves. But, step one to freedom is learning that you are the same person whether you live in a fantasy world or the real world. Loosing the EPD will only bring good things for you - like friends.
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Thursday, March 13, 2008
Easy To Use Body Purifying Herbs
I spent 10 years living in an area with no doctors for 2 hours away. I learned to take control of my health, and learned a lot of things about health and wellness that are now becoming common knowledge.
Much of the 'health' fad a few years ago was not 'new'but repackaging information that has been around for hundreds of years.
Many health problems, including abdominal pain, constipation and lack of energy, can be related to an unhealthy bowel caused partly or largely by eating and drinking products that form a lot of built up waste inside the colon. People consume large amounts of toxic substances daily, including caffeine, sugar, white flour, aspartame, microwave-cooked food, hydrogenated fats and deep fried foods, which results in pounds of unwanted matter forming in colon.
To get rid of these unwanted accumulations colon cleansing is a natural and easy way. There are many colon cleaning changes you can introduce to your lifestyle that you can try right away.
When I moved to the city, I started trying the 'medical way' and left behind the natural way. The result - in 8 years I've had more flu cases, more allergies, a heart operation. All the result of problems caused by diet and lack of 'body maintenance.'
It is funny. We wouldn't let our car go for years without proper maintenance. We would never think of ignoring our furnace maintenance, chimney sweeping, or septic tank care. So, why do we ignore our body?
Health Foundation: The Colon
I never heard of colon cleansing until I moved to the city. That is because it wasn't a problem where I lived. We ate fresh vegitables (not hydrophonics) and drank lots of water instead of coffee.
Our diet is full of food that has changed from what nature intended. In fact, aggricultural animals refuse to eat some of our new foods - especially the genetically changed ones.
Improvements in nutrition often cure problems without spending hundreds of dollars on 'cures.'
The Colon
The colon doesn't become backed up until people stop keeping their skin working well. The skin was not meant to be covered by anti-persperants, perfumes, powders, lotions, etc.
To begin colon cleansing, drink water, to stimulate the peristaltic action, a person should drink half of his or her weight in ounces of pure non-carbonated water. The diet of 2 liters a day is not maintenance - but a jump start. This will shock the system and prevent you from damaging your system when the toxins start to 'move' through your system.
Herbal colon cleanse recipes help in removing fecal matter, prevent toxin formation, kill the harmful bacteria and parasites, and improve the function of colon muscles to promote regular movements.
Aloe leaf, senna, cascara sagrada, ginger, and cayenne pepper eliminate impurities from the colon and stimulat bowel movements. Herbal colon cleansing includes a bitter plant that cleanses the liver. Fennel and garlic remove bacteria and prevent gas formation.
Colon cleansing teas should be used in moderation to prevent frequent bowel movements that cause dehydration.
Purifying Herbs
It’s been said that according to his autopsy, John Wayne had forty pounds of impacted fecal matter in his body at death. Elvis Presley reportedly had sixty pounds. (January 11, 1999 issue of USA Today)
- cayenne pepper (or any pepper) purifies the blood.
- Psyllium seeds promote healthy bowel movement generally maintaining its good condition
- Nettles are used as a portion of the detox herb mixture in cleansing the urinary systems as well as any part of the body. Makes a nice tea.
- Burdock roots are also perfect for stronger cleansing needs. It is helpful in reducing the heavy metals build-up within your body which causes immune system problems.
- Dandelion roots are detox herbs having strong cleansing properties appropriate for your liver. It is good for removing the gall bladder wastes and also works well for kidneys if used with other compatible detox herbs.
I've used all of these in my diet with success. You don't need to eat the herb. They can be mixed with tea, a salad. I don't take pills, but I would take them before going without.
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Colon Cleansing Basics
Read this before buying any colon cleansing products. There are several natural products that can work - without making you resort to eating grass.
Drink Water
Yes, water is the world's best solvent and purifyer. Drinking plenty of water can clean the oclon, reduce toxic levels in your body, and keep your skin looking younger. Many of the lexictives that pose as colon cleanswers are nothing more than a platform that requires an increased water intake, making me wonder whether it is the water or the laxitive that cleanses the colon.
My husband has been on this colon cleansing kick lately, mainly becuase of the number of tele-mercials offering a quick 'tasteless' cure. I've read a bunch of reviews on many of them and found some truths.
'you can loose 15lb.' This is true, because that is how much most people have in theri bowels according to the experts. So, taking any laxitive will result in a 15lb loss - for a day or two.
'extend your life.' This is true - anything that removes toxins from your body will prevent disease and extend life.
Natural Soaps
Most people do not realize that the skin is the body's largest organ. The more sprays, perfumes, and powders we put on our skin - the harder it must work to clean our body. This includes cleaning our body with fancy soaps.
Yes, we are washing off the dirt, but we are also covering our ephidermous with a layer of gunk that smells good and makes it difficult for our skin to perform its job - cleaning toxins from our body.
Scrubbing the body while bathing is one way to get rid of skin and dirt that clog the pours and improve its ability to keep us healthy.
The Lymph - Skin Brushing
Skin brushing is an excellent method of cleansing the lymphatic system. Uf this is not working well, then no amount of colon cleansing will be effective.
Waste material is carried from the cells by both blood and lymph. Skin brushing stimulates the release of toxins with their carrier cells, primarily lymphocytes, that will find their way to the colon.
A sedentary lifestyle, with the common use of anti-perspirant, keep people from perspiring enough. Toxins and metabolic waste are not released through sweat, but back up into the body and eventually, the colon. Skin brushing opens up the pores, allowing the body to breathe and thus enhances proper functioning of the organs.
Continued in Future Articles
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Monday, March 10, 2008
Some Facts About Eating Healthy
We have had to abandon all of our favorite restaurants since my husband was diagnosed with diabetes. It is so hard to find a restaurant that has healthy food. No one wants to go a restaurant and eat nothing but salad. Even the salad dressing is too high in salt and sugar for many diabetics.
The American Diabetes association has a few tips for people who want to eat out. But, even that is not comfort. Especially, as much of the food we eat at home has the same salt and sugar content as in a restaurant.
One thing that my husband has learned is that he only need to look at a portion, not the 'can'. For example, he stopped eating spaghetti sauce (eliminating tomatoes from his diet completely) because it was about 1/4 salt. But, when we broke that can into a single portion and then further diluted the sauce with water, the salt intake dropped to an acceptable limit.
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Tell Us How You Celebrate Life
Post comments to tell everyone how you celebrate your life. What little things do you do to make life better - to make people feel loved - and to make yourself happy. Celebrations of life are easy to make a part of your life.
We celebrate by having a family night. We get together and have a few laughs as a family.
Another thing we will do is just stop life mid stride and go out for hot chocolate and pastries or donuts.
Sometimes we just have a group hug. Anything it takes to get through the day and feel loved and happy.
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Saturday, March 8, 2008
What is Beauty
I've been asking my friends what beauty is. Mirella Patzer writes wonderful historical romance novels. Her novels do not focus on the body parts, but on the true beauty of the characters.
"True beauty is comprised of many factors beyond physical appearance. Charm, wisdom, and love combine to make a person truly beautiful inside and out. Helen Keller summed it up best. "The best and most beautiful things in the world cannot be seen nor touched, but are felt in the heart." www.mirellapatzer.com
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Wednesday, March 5, 2008
A brief Look At Silicone Breast Implants
One of the most popular plastic surgery options for women are breast implants. I am not sure I would really like larger ones. In fact, I wouldn't mind being smaller - and tighter - like I was in my early 20s.
When a woman has a plastic surgery these can involve any part of the body. For the most part these surgical procedures will be ones that involve reducing fat deposits from the thighs, face, waist, stomach and the breasts. The numbers of breast surgeries that can be found are an indication of the popularity of these plastic surgery procedures.
In general the places where this cosmetic surgery will be done can usually be found in hospitals. There are private surgeries where you can also have silicone breast implants performed. Since you are planning on having a part of your body changed you should take the time to hunt for plastic surgeons that are known for their reconstructive work in breasts.
At present the breast surgeries will include a number of different procedures. These list silicone breast implants as among the popular ones. In this procedure the silicone is mainly implanted into the breasts to provide the tight and up lifted appearance. When you look around for plastic surgeons who are qualified to perform this surgery you can find many doctors.
You should make sure that you undergo treatment with a well qualified doctor as the silicone breast implants do have problems. The most common problem is that the implants may rupture. If this does occur, the silicone which is in the implant will leak outwards into the rest of the body. There is a chance that you will become allergic or infected with the leaked silicone.
Since this is an occurrence that has happened previously many women nowadays prefer to have gel or saline based breast implants inserted instead. Unlike the silicone breast implants the saline ones are safer to your body.
If you still feel that having silicone breast implants is a better option for you it is a good idea if you are familiar with the advantages and disadvantages to be found. These pros and cons for the breast implant surgeries can be found on the internet as well as with your doctor.
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Have You Taken a Good Look at Your Deoderant?
I was less than 30 when I came down ill. The cause - toxins. One of the main culprits was the aluminum in my deodorant. I now use Arm and Hammer, but I've also used natural deodorants with some success.
One of my friends had a good theory when it came to food and eating considering the fact that most of our foods are so chemical laden. She refused to eat anything for which she couldn’t pronounce the name of the ingredients.
Having scared myself by reading my deodorant ingredients, I have to say that I whole-heartedly agree with her, only in this case, I have resolved not to put anything on my body that has ingredient names that I can’t pronounce.
Most of the deodorant ingredients that you find these days are bad for you in some way or other, and although some of them might only be used in minute amounts and therefore alright to use, isn’t it true that we use our deodorants every single day, year after year?
Correct me if I’m wrong, but isn’t it true that even a minute amount of toxins, if taken on a long term basis, will have an effect on our system? And that’s where the confusion and the denials begin, and throw people off the scent. Yes, claim the scientists and other associated people, this is perfectly true, because even a small amount of toxins taken over a long period of time, can add up to something bigger.
But, and this is where the tap dancing begins, it has not been conclusively proven that any of the deodorant ingredients that you find on the labeling are toxic to man (or woman). We need more proof to tell us that the deodorant ingredients we use now can be harmful to human beings.
Need I remind anyone that up until a few years ago arsenic was commonly used in households, and let’s not even go into the whole CFC thing. How many times do we need to be hit over the head with these things before we wise up?
With the turn of the twentieth century however, there has been a positive trend, and people now seem to lean more towards natural products, and to stay away from the chemical laden products that we are bombarded with.
Although the majority of the people have yet to be convinced on the matter either way, it is uplifting indeed to see the numbers of those willing to turn away from these chemical laden products, swell the ranks of those already existing people.
And to think that on my part at least, it all started because I took the time one day to read the deodorant ingredients on something that I had been using ever since I hit puberty. Makes you stop and think, doesn’t it?
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Monday, March 3, 2008
Natural Treatments for Arthritis
We treat my husband's arthritis with several of the natural herbs including Black Cohash and FeverFew and Nettle. We also use sage tea and a diretic which causes him to urinate, eliminating some of the toxins from his body.
It is easier to eat this than expected. I poweder some into tea and other drinks. They can be 'tart' but that can be masked with juice.
Treating Arthritis - Naturally
Copyright © 2005 Mike Law
There are actually three common types of arthritis. These are Osteoarthritis which is the most common, affecting around 16 million Americans with an average age of 45. It usually will attack weight bearing joints like knees, hips, and ankles but has been found in the fingers, neck and spine. Each of our joints is cushioned by cartilage, a very dense, sponge-like substance. Osteoarthritis attacks that cartilage and gradually wears it down.
Another type of arthritis is Rheumatoid Arthritis. Extremely painful and inflammatory, it strikes the lining of the joints and actually attacks two million Americans in their twenties.
Psoriatic Arthritis is not as well known as the previous two, but actually eats away at the joints and can also manifest as psoriasis on the skin.
The term Arthritis literally translates to “joint inflammation.” If you suffer from any of the different types of Arthritis listed above, chances are you have taken drugs to combat the effects or tried other “home remedies.” If you haven’t yet tried “Urtication,” it might be helpful. The term “Urtication” comes from the botanical name, Urtica dioica and dates back some 2,000 years to biblical times. Urtica dioica is “Stinging Nettle. The treatment is to grasp the nettles in a gloved hand and swat the sore joints with the nettles. This may seem bizarre, but the practice has proven to be so effective for some sufferers of arthritis that they now maintain a nettle plant on their window sill.
Here are a few more herbs that are used effectively for the treatment of arthritis:
Black Cohosh
Also known as Black Snakeroot, Bugbane, Rattleroot, Rattleweed, Squawroot. The dried root is the part used. This is a powerful relaxant as well as being extremely effective with easing painful menstrual cramps. Ovarian cramps will be relieved as well as bringing on a delayed menstrual cycle. It is also effective in the treatment of arthritis, osteo-arthritis, rheumatic pain and neurological pan. In small doses, appetite and digestion are greatly improved and is very beneficial for the nervous system in general.
Bogbean
Useful for treatment of rheumatism, osteo-arthritis and rheumatoid arthritis. Also has a stimulating effect on the walls of the colon and digestive juices.
Celery Seeds
Use dried ripe fruits to use as an anti-inflammatory, anti-rheumatic, diuretic or anti-spasmodic. Great for treating rheumatism, arthritis and gout.
Chapparal
Very useful in cases of acne, arthritis, chronic backache, skin conditions of warts and blotches. Also one of the best cancer herbs.
Feverfew
Use the leaves to treat migraine headaches, arthritis, dizziness and tinnitus.
Nettle
The is the herb we referred to earlier and is another one of those “universal” plants. They are found all over the world and they strengthen the entire body. Rheumatism, arthritis, eczema, nosebleeds, arteries, lessen blood pressure are just a few applications. Nettles contain calcium, chlorine, iron, potassium, silicon, sodium and sulphur.
Saffron
A natural hydrochloric acid (utilizes sugar of fruits and oils), thus helping arthritics get rid of the uric acid which holds the calcium deposited in the joints. Also reduces lactic acid build up. Good for measles, skin, scarlet fever and perspiration.
Yucca
Hope for arthritics. The extract from the plant has been used with surprising success on arthritis and rheumatism sufferers.
All of the herbs mentioned here should be available at your local health food store along with suggestions on how to prepare them for use. Some applications will be to ingest in teas while others may facilitate creating a topical treatment.
No matter what natural remedies you choose please consult your physician to make certain that your course of treatment does not interfere with medications that your doctor subscribes for your treatment.
Whether you are looking for renewed strength, energy and vitality in your life, drug-free relief from arthritis and joint pain, or wanting to make a difference in your financial future by becoming a MonaVie distributor, click here http://www.whatismonavie.com/wealthontap
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Beauty and Sexuality
Sexuality is illusive. There are many women who look sexy, but do not understand sexuality. There are other women who may not look beautiful, may be heavy, or may be 'plain' but they exude sexuality.
A truly sexy woman does not need to flaunt it. They do not need to dress sexy. It is something that just emanates from them. The first step is not to become a size 3, but to teach yourself to enjoy sex.
Sex is not a sin. It is not evil. It is not something that 'good women' don't like. And, it isn't anti God. In fact, God made sex. The myth that women shouldn't like sex is not only wrong, but it is unhealthy. It has been proven that a good sex life can keep you healthy.
It also keeps a relationship strong. It lets two people enjoy each other's company, share intimacy, build trust, and share something they don't share with the rest of the world. It also gives them an emotional outlet to express themselves in ways they wouldn't be able to outside of the bedroom.
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Cancer fighting Tomatoes
Attack of the Cancer Fighting Tomatoes
Copyright © 2005 Michael Brooks
That’s right, the colorful little fruit (yes, it’s a fruit) has been shown to pack a powerful punch against several forms of cancer. A variety of studies indicate that a diet rich in tomato based products (tomato paste, sauce, juice, soup and ketchup) can significantly reduce the risk of prostate, lung and colon cancer. Not bad for a fruit that was considered by many to be poisonous and inedible until the 19th century.
What is the Active Ingredient?
The active ingredient that makes tomatoes such a formidable opponent against cancer cells is the carotenoid called Lycopene. Lycopene is the natural red pigment found in tomatoes and tomato based products. The redder the tomato, the more lycopene is present.
How does Lycopene Fight Cancer?
In the body, lycopene is deposited in the liver, lungs, prostate gland, colon and skin. Its concentration in body tissues tends to be higher than all other carotenoids. Some organs, such as the testes and adrenal glands, store higher levels of lycopene than do other organs or tissues. Lycopene acts as a super antioxidant by picking up free radicals in the body. Free radicals are atoms or groups of atoms with an odd number of electrons and can be formed when oxygen interacts with certain molecules. Once formed these highly reactive radicals can start a chain reaction. Their primary danger comes from the damage they can do when they react with important cellular components such as DNA, or the cell membrane. Cells may function poorly or die if this occurs.
Is there any Research on the Cancer fighting power of Lycopene?
Although more large-scale studies are needed before any definitive conclusions can be made, current research does suggest that lycopene from various tomato products is indeed associated with the lowered risk of several types of cancers. Several published reports are listed below.
Gann et al. 1999 - Cancer Research
The study examined initial plasma caroteniods (including lycopene) of 1872 men in 1982, and then followed them for 13 years. These men were randomly assigned to a placebo group or a group to receive beta-carotene and aspirin supplementation. Of the men studied, 578 developed prostate cancer versus 1294 control subjects. Lycopene was the only antioxidant with a significantly lower average blood level in those men with cancer as compared to those without cancer. In those men not receiving the aspirin and beta carotene, plasma lycopene levels were very strongly related to a lower risk of developing prostate cancer. This study concluded that increased consumption of tomato products and other lycopene-containing foods may reduce the onset of prostate cancer.
Giovannucci 1999 - Journal of the National Cancer Institute
This journal is a review of research studies available regarding cancer risk (not just prostate cancer) and intake of tomato based foods as well as blood lycopene levels. After identifying 72 studies that fit these criteria, it was found that an inverse relationship between tomato intake or blood lycopene levels and cancer risk was reported in 57 of them. Of these 57, it was found that 35 of these inverse relationships were statistically significant. It was also found that cancer protection from lycopene was strongest for prostate, colon and stomach cancers, but also appeared to have some benefit in the treatment of other cancers.
Rao et al. 1999 - Nutrition and Cancer
This study examined plasma and prostate lycopene levels in cancer patients and a control group free of cancer. Though only 12 patients were in each group, significantly lower serum and prostate lycopene levels were found in those with cancer. Levels of other carotenoid substances did not vary between the groups.
Additional Benefits
In addition to fighting cancer, the lycopene found in tomatoes has been associated with better mental activity in old age and a reduced risk of heart disease. A University of Maryland study found that tomatoes might protect the eyes by hampering macular degeneration, a cause of vision loss in older adults.
How do I get Lycopene into my body?
The best source of lycopene intake is through eating tomato-based products. This is more effective than supplementation. You will get the most lycopene through concentrates and processed products such as tomato paste, sauce, soup and canned tomatoes. Heating helps to release lycopene and adding a little light olive oil will increase absorption. Start packing your diet with more tomato based recipes and begin enjoying the cancer fighting power of the mighty tomato.
Mike Brooks has been a life long follower and proponent of the fitness lifestyle. Through his avid research, Mr. Brooks has come to the realization that being healthy is a choice and encompasses not only proper diet but also a fitness regimen that includes the mind, body and soul. Mike Brooks is the publisher and editor-in-chief for the health information site http://www.ultimatehealthreport.com/.
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Over 40 and Dating
This was hard on my self esteme, my bank book, and my children - not in that order.
Women wanting a relationship
At least 50% of the women over 40 whom I coach say at some point, rather defensively, “I want to do this coaching work with you but I don’t really know whether I want to be in a relationship”. They are defensive because they think that everyone is expected to want to be with a partner. That is how the world appears, especially when we are single. Interestingly this is not the whole of the story. When I dig a little deeper what usually comes up is that for many women their worst fear is that they don’t want to lose their independence.
You have all worked hard to gain your independent place, especially those in their 40s, 50s & 60s. This of course is not only in relationships but also in the world of work. For many women when they have got used to being single they are, on many levels, very happy with their lives. “I like being able to do what I want to do, when I want to do it, without having to ask anyone else’s permission.” said Emily a divorced women in her 50s. “I spent so many years being at the beck and call not only of my husband but also my children, they are grown up and it is now time for me”. We can all sympathise with her.
Women want independence & relationships
In fact, many women come to me to find out is whether they can find the kind of relationship that they want whilst still retaining their independence. Like everything in life it is about balance. Relationship coaching does not mean that we don’t look at the whole picture of your life. No relationship will work if you are not in balance with yourself. Now you may have got very used to ‘doing your own thing’ but there remains a niggling doubt. That little voice is saying “Why can’t I have all this and have a relationship too”. Well the answer is that it is possible and I help women achieve that. It is especially important that you first become clear about what you want to retain about your independence and what you are looking for in a relationship.
What must be in place for a relationship to work?
What you must become clear about is what elements of your independent life you want to retain. Think about what are the ‘must haves’. These may be things like time, certain kinds of space and a certain amount of time to spend with friends and family. You get the idea. Once you are completely clear what these are you start to have a blueprint for the life you want to have with someone else. Equally make a list of what it is that you want from the relationship. Remember these days there are all kinds of relationship arrangements - they are not all live-in married partnerships.
How to keep your relationship boundaries intact
What is most important is that you are conscious about your boundaries in a relationship. Getting the balance right can be difficult, but if you have articulated for yourself your own ‘must haves’ you will be in a much stronger place. This might sound very contrived but think about it. When you go out to buy some new piece of kitchen equipment you will have spent some time thinking about what functions you want it to have. There are100s of different kinds of washing machine out there but if you have your ‘must haves’ clearly listed then it is going to make the process much easier.
I know this sounds like finding a relationship is like going shopping. Well it is in a way, and don’t we all love shoppinng? Remember this is about you being The Chooser, that is one of the ways that you retain your independence and don’t get swept away in the moment.
If you would like more information packed articles or course information email Trisha@thesinglescoach.co.uk or visit http://www.thesinglescoach.co.uk/.
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Stay Beautiful - Lower Bloodpressure - with TAI CHI
I do not push TAI CHI for everyone. Some people need the 'burn' of aerobics and weight training to keep them motivated. But, TAI CHI has benefits that are not found in other health maintenance campaigns. The exercise is safe for people at all levels of fitness, at all stages of life, and in all age groups.
It is fairly easy to learn, and you cannot hurt yourself if you do it wrong. Consult your doctor if you are worried, or if you already have health problems. There is very little to learn. I learned enough to stay fit in less than two hours.
High Blood Pressure and Tai Chi Therapy
Way back in 2003, the Journal of Alternative and Complimentary Medicine’s Oct. 9th issue reported a study finding that Tai Chi “could decrease blood pressure and results in favorable lipid profile changes and improve subjects' anxiety status. Therefore, Tai Chi could be used as an alternative modality in treating patients with mild hypertension, with a promising economic effect.” This study laid out a way to save our society, perhaps billions of dollars annually, and possibly save some patients with mild chronic hypertension the potential negative side effects of chronic lifelong medication. However, this largely hasn’t occurred.
I caught a glimpse why when I was staying in the beautiful mountain town of Otavala, Ecuador, with a woman known for her knowledge of traditional Indian medicines. A tour of young American medical students stopped here to listen and learn from the Indian woman’s tour of her herbal gardens. As I followed them, I asked a group of young bright medical students if they were aware that Tai Chi was found to reduce high blood pressure. One lovely young woman replied, “Oh, yes, I’ve heard that, but I would never prescribe it.”
I asked why, and she responded that she couldn’t because she didn’t know if it would work. Although Tai Chi studies do show that Tai Chi indeed helps lower high blood pressure, it is true that it does not reduce it in every person. However, it is also true that every drug prescription does not work on every person either. I suggested to the young medical student that she consider that many times I’ve been to the doctor, and he’s pulled out a prescription pad and explained, “Let’s give this a try, and see how it works for you, and if it doesn’t do the job, we’ll try something else.” Most of us are familiar with this, and by the confused look on the student’s face, I’m assuming her memory banks were bringing up similar images.
So, why are our medical universities giving students the impression that they should not be prescribing Tai Chi, since we know it can help lower high blood pressure for many, who if it is successful with them, can enjoy a lifetime free of chronic and costly medications? And not only do that, but offer a plethora of GOOD SIDE EFFECTS including a stronger immune system and healthier respiratory system. This is a deep and important question we need to be asking as patients and consumers, and health professionals must begin asking this question regularly in order to fulfill the duties of their Hippocratic oath. For, today we have even a much better understanding of Tai Chi’s potential than we did a few years ago, so ignorance or inconclusive data is not an acceptable explanation from our medical universities that train our future doctors, without teaching them about Tai Chi research, and what it portends for their future patients.
Today, we are clearer on exactly why Tai Chi is such a powerful therapy for high blood pressure sufferers. In a March 17, 2005, article by the Mayo Clinic staff posted at mayoclinic.com they lay out what a “stress response” is, and the effects it has on the body. This is at the core of high blood pressure problems and the physical changes chronic stress responses illicite that creates or aggravates hypertensive conditions.
In their article, they explain that a stress response, or “fight or flight” reaction involves our pituitary gland releasing adrenocorticotropic hormone (ACTH), which sets a domino effect signaling other glands to produce additional hormones, such as adrenal glands which flood the blood stream with stress hormones, such as “cortisol” and “adrenaline.”
When ordinary life’s daily frustrations trigger this effect over and over again, the results can be damaging to the mind and body. Many of us experience this domino effect of triggers and hormones daily, which is why about 1/3 of Americans, or over 90 million Americans, suffer from high blood pressure.
Cutting edge scientists like Dr. Herbert Benson, President of the Mind/Body Institute at Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center in Boston, are discovering a stunning reality through their research. In a wonderful article by Jeanie Lerche Davis at WebMD Medical News entitled The Mysterious 'Medication' of Meditation (http://my.webmd.com/content/article/25/1728_
57992.htm), she writes of how such researchers are discovering that “meditation can indeed be medication – creating long lasting physiciolgical effects that reduce high blood pressure and even help unclog arteries to reverse heart disease.”
Dr. Benson, who is also associate professor of medicine at Harvard Medical School, sought to prove how this effect could be shown objectively, and had five long-time meditation practitioners take MRI brain scans while meditating. Dr. Benson informed WebMD in the aforementioned article by Davis, "There was a striking quietude across the entire brain which was documented through MRI . . . The areas of the brain that became active from that quietude were those that control metabolism, heart rate, etc., . . . We knew meditation caused a relaxation response, but we couldn't prove it. We knew that if you thought in a certain way, with repetition, that physiologic changes would occur in the body. Here now is proof that mind, in the form of repetition, is affecting the brain, which affects the body . . . "
Stroke Magazine reported on a study funded by the National Institutes of Health, conducted by Dr. Amparo Castillo-Richmond, from the Maharishi University, more specifically on high blood pressure afflicting black people. The meditating group saw a reduction in the thickness of one of the arteries that supplied blood to the brain. Which indicates that blood flow is increasing. The group only using diet and exercise saw their artery walls getting thicker, which indicated that less blood was flowing through to the brain. This finding led Dr. Castillo-Richmond to make the profoundly exciting assertion, "It's possible to reverse heart disease through meditation."
In fact, not only hypertension, but up to 90% of other illnesses sending us to the doctor are being caused by stress, according to Dr. Herbert Benson. Which makes Dr. Benson’s and Dr. Castillo-Richmond’s findings that meditative techniques can so dramatically alter our stress producing “fight or flight” response in healthy ways even more wonderful.
Dr. Benson explains, that the relaxation response triggered by repetitive forms [like tai chi, yoga, etc.] can result in decreased metabolism, heart rate, breathing rate, blood pressure, and also slower brain waves.” Benson asserts that it is the repetitive nature of acts like praying the rosary, yoga, or tai chi’s physical repetitive muscular actions that provides the profound hope for reducing anxiety, mild and moderate depression, anger and hostility, hypertension, cardiac irregularities, and all forms of pain, which are made worse by stress.
This concept of Tai Chi being an effective tool for reducing or even avoiding incidence of high blood pressure or other illnesses all together, is echoed elsewhere. Mayoclinic.com also recommends Tai Chi for relaxation training in an article entitled, “Relax: Techniques to help you achieve tranquility” which also explains why relaxation is important and what you might experience by practicing tools that will help you relax.
They detail how you can improve body responses to stress, such as: Slowing your heart rate; Reducing blood pressure; Slowing your breathing rate; Reducing the need for oxygen; Increasing blood flow to the major muscles; Lessening muscle tension.
They go on to explain that practicing relaxation techniques may help you experience: Fewer symptoms of illness, such as headaches, nausea, diarrhea and pain; Few emotional responses such as anger, crying, anxiety, apprehension and frustration; More energy; Improved concentration; Greater ability to handle problems; More efficiency in daily activities.
So, time and time again as we begin to examine one particular benefit of Tai Chi, such as lowering high blood pressure, we see a whole universe of potential opening up before us.
An article from Archives of Internal Medicine, as reported on NBC’s local WCAU Health (http://wcau-tvhealth.ip2m.com/index.cfm?pt=itemDetail&Item_ID=112735&Site_Cat_ID=77) explained a Tai Chi research program at Tufts-New England Medical Center in Boston revealed a great deal. The article authors wrote, "Overall, these studies reported that long-term Tai Chi practice had favorable effects on the promotion of balance control, flexibility and cardiovascular fitness and reduced the risk of falls in elders . . . Cardiovascular and respiratory function improvements were noted in healthy people and those who had undergone coronary artery bypass surgery as well as people with heart failure, hypertension, acute myocardial infarction, arthritis and multiple sclerosis . . . Benefit was also found for balance, strength, and flexibility in older subjects; falls in frail elderly subjects; and pain, stress and anxiety in healthy subjects.” They add the actual ways that Tai Chi provides these benefits are not well known.
The fact is that less than .5% of the National Institute of Health’s budget goes to research alternative therapies, leaving yoga, meditation, tai chi, massage, herbal therapy, aroma therapy, and the entire massive field of alternative health systems to struggle over .5%, or a little over $100 million of the $28 billion (approx.) annual budget. Given the above studies, it boggles the mind that such a small portion of the health research dollars are going to Tai Chi.
To recap, about 1/3 of the American population suffers high blood pressure. Tai Chi is proven to be a beneficial therapy that not only has no bad side effects, but dramatically improves immune function, respiratory function, lowers the incidence of anxiety and depression, and profoundly improves the balance of practitioners. Tai Chi does more, but for our purposes here these profound realities are enough to show exactly why it is truly unbelievable that Tai Chi is getting so little scrutiny in medical research dollars, when it can save so many from chronic suffering and perhaps some from a lifetime of chronic costly medications.
It is time we all began to ask the question that all good consumers should ask, “What is the best way/product for my health?” If Tai Chi is that product, the next question is, “Why isn’t every physician offering it as an option to their patients with hypertension, as a prescription?” “Why aren’t all insurance policies covering such prescriptions for Tai Chi?” Ask and ye shall receive. We must become informed and demanding health consumers, in order to get the best health options available.
This article does not advocate self-treatment, and encourages all to make health choices in conjunction with their physician. However, if your physician is close-minded to anything but a certain group of health options, even when research indicates your choices may be wider, than it is time to have a good talk with your physician about possibly widening your options.
Bill Douglas is the Tai Chi Expert at DrWeil.com, Founder of World T'ai Chi & Qigong Day (held in 50 nations each year), and has authored and co-authored several books including a #1 best selling Tai Chi book “The Complete Idiot’s Guide to T’ai Chi & Qigong.” Bill’s been a Tai Chi source for The Wall Street Journal, New York Times, etc. You can learn more about Tai Chi & Qigong, and also contact Bill Douglas at http://www.worldtaichiday.org
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