Wheat Germ for Weight Loss, Fiber, Vitamins

Wheat germ is a part of the wheat kernel. The germ is only a very small part of the kernel, approximately 2 ½ percent in total. The word germ does not have anything to do with bacteria; it simply refers to germination. The germ is the reproductive part that germinates and forms the wheat grass.


Wheat germ is a good source of fiber which has many benefits, which include

~ Improved bowel functions
~ Reduces Heart Disease & Diabetes, while preventing weight gain.
~ Lowered cholesterol and blood pressure
~ Helps elevate mood
~ High Protein (28% - more than most meats)
~ High in vitamin E - an antioxidant which is also good for the skin and anti-aging process


Wheat germ is a good source of:


* B vitamins such as folate, niacin, thiamin, and vitamin B6
* Calcium
* Complex carbs
* Fiber
* Folic Acid (great for Prenatal / pregnancy)
* Iron
* Magnesium
* Manganese
* Omega-3 fatty acids
* Phosphorous
* Potassium
* Protein
* Selenium
* Vitamin E
* Zinc

Nutrients:
Wheat germ contains many important nutrients, including healthy oils. Each ounce of toasted wheat germ--approximately 30 grams or 1/4 cup--contains 108 calories, 8.25 grams of protein, 4 grams of dietary fiber, 2 grams of sugar and 8 grams of starch. Each ounce provides 0.5 gram of monounsaturated fat and nearly 2 grams of polyunsaturated fat.


You can buy wheat germ health stores and many supermarkets. It can either be purchased in toasted or fresh form. (Because of the oils in wheat germ, it can become rancid if stored improperly. When you buy toasted wheat germ, check the expiration date on the package. Store wheat germ in an airtight container in your refrigerator or freezer to extend its shelf life. Once opened, it will last for about nine months in the refrigerator.)

How the Food you Eat affects your Chi

Natural life force energy is believed to flow through all living beings, and in some cultures there is a natural energy believed to flow through everything. 

The food you consume directly affects your Chi ('life energy' / 'vitality' / 'ambition')   Overcooked, processed, chemically, &/or hormone-packed food depletes 'chi'.  Try to avoid or at least limit fast / convenience food.

Caffeine & other stimulants also give us unhealthy energy through adrenaline.  Caffeine triggers our adrenal glands,  which puts our body into 'fight or flight' mode.

Chi builders are:
* organic produce & meats
* freshly cooked meals
* pure water
* raw foods
* sprouted grains
* green foods (barley, wheat grass, spirulina, chlorella)

Chi depleters are:
* fast food
* processed food
* coffee
* sugar
* alcohol

Natural: Avoid unrefined processed high-stress foods containing preservatives, artificial colors and flavors that delete Chi.

Locally Grown: If grown locally and in season the nature of the food's Chi should be in tune with the Chi of the local environment and is more likely to meet the body's needs.

80% Rule: For optimal Chi, eat until you are 80% full. Too much food can disorder Chi, not enough food weakens your Chi.

Hydration: Water is vital for life and for the creation of Chi, so make sure you replenish this daily.

In Season: Eat according to the season. In winter eat more pressure-cooked grains, roots and hearty soups, while in summer cook less and eat more salads. The Chi in food is affected by the seasons, so you want your food to support the Chi around you.

Some Advice on Balancing your Chi  

Boost your Immune System Naturally & Beat the Cold / Flu Season

Stay Healthy this Cold / Flu Season

Multi-Vitamins             

It's very important to take a mult-vitamin. Daily intake of multivitamins prevent vitamin/ nutrient deficiency.   ('Alive' Multi-Vitamins are affordable & great!)

Check out this informative article from the Harvard School of Public Health.


Probiotics

Probiotics are "Good Bacteria" which help fight off "Bad Bacteria" in your gut.

Some benefits of (quality) probiotics include: improved digestive health, reduces allergy symptoms, & prevention of respiratory infections.   (PB8 are affordable, quality probiotics worth trying.)

For more great information on probiotics, check out this site on the Benefits & Side Effects of Probiotics.


Vitamin C

Suppresses Cell Damage & Improves Immune System.  Vitamin C is also a natural antihistamine and antioxidant.  (1,000-2,000mg daily)

Benefits of High Doses of Vitamin C


Spirulina

Spirulina is actually a super-food, rather than a supplement.  Spirulina fights disease, removes toxins,  provides protein , helps with allergies, weight loss,  and rich in nutrients & antioxidents.
(Check out Swanson's Organic Spirulina for only $6.99 a bottle.)

Check of this site at Herb Wisdom.



+ Plenty of Water & Excercise






****Best Natural Cold / Flu Remedy**** 1 tsp. Raw Honey + Cinnamon (couple dashes) Takes 2-3x a day! 'Raw Honey' & 'Cinnamon' are antibacterial & antiviral, which will help you fight off illnesses naturally. (Plus, it's also great for sore throats.)

Flax Seed - Health Benefits

Flax plant (Linum usitatissimum) has been cultivated since around 8,000 B.C. and is said to be native to Egypt.   Flaxseed has been cultivated for more than 7000 years.  Flaxseed is rich in essential fatty acids, or EFAs.  Flaxseed oil is used to prevent and treat heart disease and to relieve a variety of inflammatory disorders and hormone-related problems, including infertility!

Benefits of Consuming Ground Flax Seeds / Flax Seed Oil:

Cholesterol
Flax contains essential fatty acids, including omega-3 and omega-6, that help the body with many functions including controlling cholesterol levels and balancing good and bad fats.  Flaxseed has lipid-lowering properties.

Cancer
Flax contains lignans which prevent the growth of many types of cancer including colon, prostate and breast cancers.   The two most notable anticancer components of flaxseeds are lignans and alphalinolenic acid (ALA). 

Constipation
Flax seeds (not 'Flax Oil') is a great source of fiber which alleviates constipation. Flaxseeds also helps relive intestinal inflammation that can lead to Crohn's disease. Proper elimination also helps prevent cancer of the digestive tract. - Fiber rich (1 Ounce = 32% Daily Fiber intake)

Menopausal Symptoms
A poor diet can exacerbate menopausal symptoms, and a flaxseed supplement helps to balance estrogen levels and fill out an imbalanced, modern diet.

Cardiovascular Health, Weight Loss and Diabetes
Flaxseeds are an excellent source of all omega-3 essential fatty acids (including alpha-linoleic acids) that are critical for reducing the risk of heart disease and diabetes as well as cancer. Omega-3s help balance blood sugar, boost metabolism and control appetite. Flax is known to help keep fats moving, as it emulsifies them in the body instead of storing them and keeps arteries from hardening.

Immune System and Inflammation
Flaxseeds are known to boost the immune system and relieve inflammation resulting from auto-immune diseases such as lupus, multiple sclerosis and rheumatoid arthritis.

Depression, Memory and Attention Deficit Disorder
The high levels of omega-3 and omega-6 fatty acids in flaxseeds help keep the brain, and its neural pathways functioning properly. -Also, increases energy and stamina, and improves mental function.

Pain Preventer
One of the richest sources of magnesium (one-half cup equals almost 100% of the daily requirements which makes flax a pain preventer. Magnesium also eases the stressed nerve cell activity that causes tension headaches and neck pain).

Lowers Blood Pressure


Hormonal Balance
Flaxseed contains the phytoestrogen, which is the richest source of estrogen.  Phytosestrogens are weeker form of natural estrogen that is in the body, which binds to estrogen receptors.  Flaxseeds can help alleviate menopausal symptoms by regulating the body's hormone levels.


Improves the absorption of calcium and strengthens bones, teeth and nails.


Flax Seeds &/or Flax Seed Oil can be purchased at Health Food Stores & some grocery stores. Whole flax seed can stay stored up to a year, but once ground it loses it shelf life / can go rancid quicker. For this reason, many people choose to buy whole flax seed and grind it into meal themselves (this takes seconds in a blender or coffee grinder). Ground Flax Seed should be stored in the fridge & used within 3 months.

Side Effects & Cautions:

Flaxseed should always be taken with plenty of liquids, as it could cause constipation.

Both flaxseed and flaxseed oil could cause loose stools.

Don’t combine this herb with the following medications: laxatives, oral rugs and stool softeners

Do not take flaxseed when pregnant or breast feeding

Do NOT heat Flax Seed Oil

Do NOT give to Children under 12yrs. old

5 Simple Tips to Stay Stress-Free during the Holidays!

Don't let the holidays stress you out.  
Stress will make you more susceptible to illnesses by lowering your immune system responses.
1) Enjoy some 'Me' time.  
Whether you love meditating, yoga, Zumba, reading, taking a hot bath, painting your nails or a picture - it is important to your health to make time for yourself.
2) Don't get wrapped up in DRAMA! 
During the holidays most people spend more time with their loved ones (family/friends).  People will generally catch up with each others 'personal lives'.    Remember that everyone is entitled to their own opinions and decisions in life, therefore give your advice to a situation (if needed) and let it go.  Don't spread gossip nor be consumed by other peoples' drama.  
3) Take your Vitamins
Unless you are extremely disciplined, even the most health-driven people succumb to occassional holiday treats, and go through periods of not eating a healthy, balanced diet.   Remember to take your multi-vitamin and probiotics, daily.
4) Be Happy
Remember happiness is a choice!  Everytime you get angry or worried, take a deap breath and think of what makes you happy.   Positive thoughts will lead to more positive thoughts and vice versa.
5) Don't Overspend
Don't allow yourself to go into debt around the holidays. Remember that love is not measured by the money you have / don't have.   Look up 'Home-made Gift ideas'.   Remember the most sentimental gifts are usually the cheapest.  (Have a collection of family pictures online?  Try creating a mouspad, mug, t-shirt, etc.

Allergies??? Sinus Problems??? Colds?? --- Stop them with "Sinus Rinses"

“The History of the Neti Pot"

 

While nasal irrigation has only recently become popular in the United States, it has been practiced for thousands of years in India. The ancient yogic technique of Jala Neti means “nasal cleansing.“ (Practitioners of Jala Neti use a device called a neti pot to rinse out the nose. Shaped like Aladdin's lamp, a neti pot allows you to flow saline into one nostril, through the sinus cavity, and out of the other nostril.)

These days in India and South Asia, the use of the neti pot is just as common as use of the toothbrush. Dr. Andrew Weil and Dr. Mehmet Oz, well-known doctors and frequent guests on “The Oprah Winfrey Show", have recently helped to popularize the neti pot in the West.
 

Nasal Irrigation for Allergies

The neti pot is especially beneficial for seasonal allergy sufferers. When you inhale pollen grains, they get stuck in your nasal mucus, where they cause allergic reactions. Nasal irrigation will rinse away the pollen grains to provide allergy relief.

Neti pots help with perennial allergies, too. For example, if you're allergic to dust mites, a saline rinse in the morning will help to remove the allergens that accumulated in your nose overnight.

Nasal Irrigation for Sinusitis

Nasal irrigation is helpful in the treatment and prevention of sinusitis. Chronic sinusitis may be caused by bacteria or fungus, or a combination of both. When mucus builds up in your sinuses, it provides an inviting habitat for these impurities. A neti pot rinses away excess mucus as well as infectious agents.

The neti pot also restores moisture to irritated nasal membranes. For this reason, it's often recommended to people who have had sinus surgery.

Nasal Irrigation for Colds

When it comes to the common cold, a neti pot will clear up congestion and wash away the viruses that cause colds. Many people use a neti pot at the first sign of a cold to eliminate the cold virus before it has a chance to fully take hold.

Nasal Irrigation for Children

Many cold medications are not safe for young children, but nasal irrigation is all-natural and perfectly safe. It has no side effects. Our customers have used neti pots on children as young as 2-years-old with no problems.

Nasal Irrigation for Improved Quality of Life

Many musicians and athletes use neti pots to improve breathing skills and enhance performance. However, the neti pot is most beneficial to those of us who suffer from allergies or chronic sinus problems. Nasal irrigation quickly and safely clears out the sinuses, so that you can breathe better. As the American Lung Association says, “When you can't breathe, nothing else matters.

    

NeilMed Sinus Rinse is designed to irrigate the nasal passages and clear them of mucus, allowing nasal medication to work more effectively. It is also used to clean bacteria, viruses, allergens and irritants from the nose with the intent of reducing infections. *Consisting of a saline-based powder that is mixed freshly for each use, NeilMed Sinus Rinse is advertised as safe for all ages but does offer a concentration specifically for children. The starter kit contains everything you need for your first nasal irrigation.

Aloe Vera Juice - More than a cure for cuts & scrapes!!!

 

Aloe vera juce is wonderful for strengthening the immune system, which can help prevent disease.   (Aloe tends to often have a distinct taste, therefore it is best mixed with juice.)

Drinking aloe vera juice daily helps digestion & also helps to detoxify the body.  Aloe also acts as an antibacterial and antifungal agent, which helps to prevent diseases.

Aloe vera juice can also be very useful at cleaning the intestines & colon! (The content that is derived from the aloe vera plant works efficiently to get rid of bacteria within your intestines. At the same time it is also removing other contents that could cause stomach cramps, poor bowel movements, and various issues such as constipation or diarrhea.)

Aloe Vera also increases the blood circulation! (If you have severe blood circulation issues, possibly a result of diabetes or similar conditions, then the aloe vera juice can be very effective.) Aloe vera juice works to detox the blood and hleps the bloodstream system transfer larger amounts of essential nutrients throughout the body.

If you are looking to lose weight, aloe vera juice can assist you. Consuming aloe vera juice helps our bodies by stimulating the metabolic rate in our livers, which enables us to burn more energy..
(Aloe vera has been known as the dietary plant throughout history as it has been associated with achieving a healthy body weight.)

Nineteen amino acids, 20 minerals and 12 vitamins are contained in aloe vera juice making it an excellent nutritional supplement - and it is all natural.

Aloe Vera Juice can be purchased at Health Food Stores or you can make your own by purchasing your own Aloe Vera Plant.