Sorry, I have not wrote posts in a few weeks. But I gave birth to a beautiful baby boy, & we have been adjusting to having a new addition in our household.
Below is a link to an interesting article about whether or not fructose fuels cancer. Please take a few minutes to read the article.
http://www.vitalchoice.com/shop/pc/articlesView.asp?id=1930
Tuesday, October 9, 2012
Thursday, September 20, 2012
Tips to Naturally Lower Your Blood Pressure
Being that I am pregnant, I have my blood pressure checked at every appointment. Thankfully, my blood pressure has always been normal, so I am happy about that. But I have family members who have to be careful with regard to their blood pressure, & they have to closely monitor it.
So, if you are one of those people who needs to monitor your blood pressure occasionally or frequently, please consider the below tips that I read about in one of the health-related emails I receive. I believe that if you can be proactive about your health by incorporating the natural approach into your lifestyle, it might keep you from having to add another pill to your regimen.
"Has your doctor or pharmacist told you your blood pressure is too high? Elevated blood pressure, also known as hypertension, is two or more blood pressure readings greater than 140 mmHg systolic (top number) or greater than 90 mmHg diastolic (bottom number). Try these easy steps to lowering your blood pressure through diet and lifestyle:
These simple dietary and lifestyle changes are safe and effective ways to lower your blood pressure. Uncontrolled hypertension puts you at an increased risk for heart attack, heart failure, stroke, kidney damage and blindness."
So, if you are one of those people who needs to monitor your blood pressure occasionally or frequently, please consider the below tips that I read about in one of the health-related emails I receive. I believe that if you can be proactive about your health by incorporating the natural approach into your lifestyle, it might keep you from having to add another pill to your regimen.
"Has your doctor or pharmacist told you your blood pressure is too high? Elevated blood pressure, also known as hypertension, is two or more blood pressure readings greater than 140 mmHg systolic (top number) or greater than 90 mmHg diastolic (bottom number). Try these easy steps to lowering your blood pressure through diet and lifestyle:
- Low-Salt Diet
Minimize consumption of restaurant foods and packaged foods, including canned soups and frozen entrees, which may be high in sodium. Read food labels and eat less than 1,500 milligrams of sodium each day, or about 3.75 grams or 2/3 teaspoon of table salt. Leave the salt shaker behind and be creative with herbs and spices. Explore ways to enhance the taste of foods with salt-free flavors such as lemon, garlic, ginger, sage, rosemary, thyme and curry.
- Moderate Physical Activity
Increase physical activity to 30 to 60 minutes a day. Remember that every little bit counts, including taking the stairs, walking around the block on breaks, parking farther away in the parking lot, or getting off at an earlier bus stop. If you are overweight, a loss of 10 pounds can help lower your blood pressure. It is always a good idea to schedule a physical exam with your doctor before starting an exercise program.
- Moderate Alcohol Intake and No Smoking
Avoid smoking and excess alcohol as these can increase your blood pressure. Substitute with delicious nonalcoholic fruit drinks and herbal teas such as hibiscus tea, pomegranate juice and green tea.
- Stress Reduction
Find calming ways to decrease your stress and blood pressure through deep breathing, meditation, counseling, yoga or qigong.
- Eat More Fruits and Vegetables
Fruits and vegetables provide great sources of blood pressure-lowering nutrients such as potassium and magnesium. Magnesium-rich foods include black beans, okra, spinach, pumpkin seeds and squash seeds. Unless you have kidney disease, you should increase consumption of foods high in potassium such as apricots, bananas, beets, Brussels sprouts and cantaloupe.
These simple dietary and lifestyle changes are safe and effective ways to lower your blood pressure. Uncontrolled hypertension puts you at an increased risk for heart attack, heart failure, stroke, kidney damage and blindness."
Thursday, September 13, 2012
Reevaluate Your Daily Agenda
Something to ponder...
“One reason we are so harried and hurried is that we make yesterday and tomorrow our business, when all that legitimately concerns us is today. If we really have too much to do, there are some items on the agenda which God did not put there. Let us submit the list to Him and ask Him to indicate which items we must delete. There is always time to do the will of God. If we are too busy to do that, we are too busy.”
- Elisabeth Elliot
“One reason we are so harried and hurried is that we make yesterday and tomorrow our business, when all that legitimately concerns us is today. If we really have too much to do, there are some items on the agenda which God did not put there. Let us submit the list to Him and ask Him to indicate which items we must delete. There is always time to do the will of God. If we are too busy to do that, we are too busy.”
- Elisabeth Elliot
Wednesday, September 5, 2012
Ann Romney's 2012 Republican National Convention Speech
If you were not able to watch Ann Romney's speech at the 2012 Republican National Convention, please take the time to watch the video. In my eyes, she did an outstanding job, & touched mine & my husband's hearts!
Wednesday, August 29, 2012
Guidelines for Healthy Food
Follow the below instructions to ensure healthy eating habits.
When you go to the grocery store, please read the labels, & try to shop at local, organic produce stands, if you have them at your discretion. Personally, I like to support local farmers.
"In your search for healthy food to feed your family, here is what to look for, whether you're at the grocery store or farmers' market. Foods that meet these standards will almost always be a wise choice:
When you go to the grocery store, please read the labels, & try to shop at local, organic produce stands, if you have them at your discretion. Personally, I like to support local farmers.
"In your search for healthy food to feed your family, here is what to look for, whether you're at the grocery store or farmers' market. Foods that meet these standards will almost always be a wise choice:
- Grown without pesticides and chemical fertilizers (organic foods fit this description, but so do some non-organic foods)
- Not genetically modified
- Contains no added growth hormones, antibiotics, or other drugs
- Does not contain artificial anything, nor any preservatives (for fresh produce, you can now add the presence of MAP coatings or 'edible packaging')
- Fresh (if you have to choose between wilted organic produce or fresh conventional produce, the latter may be the better option)
- Did not come from a confined animal feeding operation (CAFO, a.k.a. factory farm)
- Grown with the laws of nature in mind (meaning animals are fed their native diets, not a mix of grains and animal byproducts, and have free-range access to the outdoors)
- Grown in a sustainable way (using minimal amounts of water, protecting the soil from burnout, and turning animal wastes into natural fertilizers instead of environmental pollutants)"
Wednesday, August 22, 2012
Tips for Osteoarthritis Pain
Even though I do not personally battle with osteoarthritis pain, I know that there are a lot of people that struggle with it. I found this article to be helpful & informative!
"The warming Seattle weather is giving many of us incentive to enjoy the outdoors and become more active. For some, increased activity can flare-up arthritis pain, stiffness and decreased range of motion. The following are five natural ways to address arthritic pain:
Weight Loss
If someone is overweight, this is indeed a great goal to include in any comprehensive plan to address osteoarthritis. Even modest decreases in weight can improve joint function. Appropriate rest after a flare-up of pain is also critical for preventing excessive wear on arthritic joints. Generally, 12 to 24 hours of rest after an episode of acute inflammatory pain is adequate. Too much rest can lead to atrophy of muscles and lessened joint mobility.
Topical Creams
Topical capsaicin cream has been shown to be effective for osteoarthritis pain. Capsaicin is a compound extracted from cayenne, or Capsicum species, peppers. Creams with 0.25 percent to 0.75 percent capsaicin, and sometimes even less, have been shown to be temporarily effective for decreasing joint pain. The cream is typically applied to affected joints up to three times a day.
Alternating Hot, Cool Moisture
Contrast hydrotherapy is another simple home remedy that can decrease joint pain and soreness. Simply put, the topical application of alternating hot and cool moisture helps the body’s blood vessels to expand and contract, essentially acting as a circulatory pump. Improved circulation to the body’s muscles and joints will naturally enhance the health and healing of joint tissues, speeding the removal of cellular wastes and hastening the arrival of nourishing nutrients. Contrast hydrotherapy can be done in the shower, with at least three cycles of three minutes of hot water followed by 30 seconds of cold or cool water. It can be applied to a specific area of the body or joint in the shower or outside the bath with moistened towels. The degree of heat or cold should be only to tolerance, and persons with diabetes, asthma or Raynaud’s conditions should avoid very cold applications.
Anti-inflammatory Diet
For the extra motivated, an anti-inflammatory diet can be very effective. Although osteoarthritis is not always an inflammatory process, many patients have benefitted from following an anti-inflammatory diet. Specifically the diet has helped to reduce pain and increase mobility, in addition to its added cardioprotective and other benefits. There are many types of anti-inflammatory diets out there, but a good starting place is Dr. Jessica Black’s The Anti-Inflammation Diet and Recipe Book, published in 2006.
Lastly, it’s important for anyone with arthritis pain to see their health care providers for continued management and monitoring. A trip to a qualified Chinese herbalist would be ideal, for individualized herbal treatments specific to each person’s unique presentation."
"The warming Seattle weather is giving many of us incentive to enjoy the outdoors and become more active. For some, increased activity can flare-up arthritis pain, stiffness and decreased range of motion. The following are five natural ways to address arthritic pain:
Weight Loss
If someone is overweight, this is indeed a great goal to include in any comprehensive plan to address osteoarthritis. Even modest decreases in weight can improve joint function. Appropriate rest after a flare-up of pain is also critical for preventing excessive wear on arthritic joints. Generally, 12 to 24 hours of rest after an episode of acute inflammatory pain is adequate. Too much rest can lead to atrophy of muscles and lessened joint mobility.
Topical Creams
Topical capsaicin cream has been shown to be effective for osteoarthritis pain. Capsaicin is a compound extracted from cayenne, or Capsicum species, peppers. Creams with 0.25 percent to 0.75 percent capsaicin, and sometimes even less, have been shown to be temporarily effective for decreasing joint pain. The cream is typically applied to affected joints up to three times a day.
Alternating Hot, Cool Moisture
Contrast hydrotherapy is another simple home remedy that can decrease joint pain and soreness. Simply put, the topical application of alternating hot and cool moisture helps the body’s blood vessels to expand and contract, essentially acting as a circulatory pump. Improved circulation to the body’s muscles and joints will naturally enhance the health and healing of joint tissues, speeding the removal of cellular wastes and hastening the arrival of nourishing nutrients. Contrast hydrotherapy can be done in the shower, with at least three cycles of three minutes of hot water followed by 30 seconds of cold or cool water. It can be applied to a specific area of the body or joint in the shower or outside the bath with moistened towels. The degree of heat or cold should be only to tolerance, and persons with diabetes, asthma or Raynaud’s conditions should avoid very cold applications.
Anti-inflammatory Diet
For the extra motivated, an anti-inflammatory diet can be very effective. Although osteoarthritis is not always an inflammatory process, many patients have benefitted from following an anti-inflammatory diet. Specifically the diet has helped to reduce pain and increase mobility, in addition to its added cardioprotective and other benefits. There are many types of anti-inflammatory diets out there, but a good starting place is Dr. Jessica Black’s The Anti-Inflammation Diet and Recipe Book, published in 2006.
Lastly, it’s important for anyone with arthritis pain to see their health care providers for continued management and monitoring. A trip to a qualified Chinese herbalist would be ideal, for individualized herbal treatments specific to each person’s unique presentation."
Thursday, August 16, 2012
Make A Joyful Noise!
I need to practice waking up everyday praising Him for everything we have!
| "“Let the saints be joyful in glory; let them sing aloud on their beds” | |||
| (Psalm 149:5, NKJV) As you woke up this morning, what was the first thing that went through your mind? Did you wake up with a song of praise on your lips? When we start the day in worship, we start the day connected to Almighty God. When we live a lifestyle of praise, it shows that our faith is constantly in Him. We make glorifying God a priority. It’s not secondary, “Oh, if I have time.” No, you’re always talking about God’s goodness. You’re constantly telling your friends how God has blessed you. In your car, you’re singing songs of praise. At the office, under your breath, you’re thanking God for His favor. You get up in the morning and say, “God, I love You today. I praise You today. Thank You for another beautiful day.” Then, when you go to bed at night, you bless Him for His faithfulness! Friend, when you have the high praises of God coming out of your mouth, the scripture says Almighty God will go to war against your enemies. Praise precedes the victory, so start the day right and live a lifestyle of praise!
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