Tuesday, July 29, 2014

TURMERIC YOUR LIVER’S BEST FRIEND !








Turmeric comes from the root of the Curcuma longa plant. It has a peppery, warm and bitter flavor and a mild fragrance slightly reminiscent of orange and ginger, and while it is best known as one of the ingredients used to make curry, it also gives ballpark mustard its bright yellow color.

Turmeric has been used over 2500 years in India, where it was most likely first used as a dye.
The medicinal properties of this spice have been slowly revealing themselves over the centuries. Long known for its anti-inflammatory properties, recent research has revealed that Turmeric is a natural wonder, proving beneficial in treatments of many different health conditions from cancer to Alzheimer’s disease.

Turmeric is very rich in Iron, Potassium, Copper, Fiber, Maganese, Vitamin B6 and more … Turmeric has been used in the Chinese and Indian systems of medicine, for years, as an anti-inflammatory agent to treat a wide variety of conditions including flatulence, jaundice, menstrual difficulties, bloody urine, hemorrhage, toothache, bruises, chest pain and colic.







SOME HEALTH BENEFITS OF TURMERIC:

-       -Turmeric contains bioactive compounds with powerful medicinal properties. These compounds are Curcuminoids, the most important of which is Curcumin.

-      - Curcumin has powerful anti-inflammatory effects and is a very strong antioxidant.

-      - Curcumin targets multiple steps in the inflammatory pathway, at the molecule that travels into the nuclei of cells and turns on genes related to inflammation. NF-KB is believed to play a major role in many chronic diseases.

-       -Turmeric is an antioxidant: the reason antioxidants are so beneficial is that they protect our bodies from free radicals and Curcumin in Turmeric happens to be a potent antioxidant that can neutralize free radicals due to its chemical structure. It also boosts the activity of the body’s own antioxidant enzymes which blocks free radicals directly.

-       -Turmeric boosts levels of the brain hormone BDNF, which increases the growth of new neurons and fights various degenerative processes in the brain.

-       -Curcumin leads to several changes on the molecular level that may help prevent and perhaps even treat cancer.

-       -Turmeric can cross the blood- brain barrier and has been shown to lead to various improvements in the pathological process of Alzheimer’s disease.

-  -  Studies shown that curcumin was so effective in alleviating the symptoms of depression for some people.

-      - Turmeric is a natural antiseptic and antibacterial agent that is useful in disinfecting cuts and burns.

-      - It’s a natural liver detoxifier.

-      - An effective treatment for inflammatory Bowel disease.

-     -  It Reduces the risk of childhood leukemia.

-       -Aids in fat metabolism and helps in weight management.

-       -Speeds up the wound healing and assits in remodeling of damaged skin.

-     -  Stops the growth of new blood vessels in tumors.

-      - Prevents breast cancer from spreading to the lungs in mice.




 
IMPROVE YOUR LIVER FUNCTION WITH TURMERIC:

In today’s toxic and chemically filled world, it is extremely important to provide the building blocks your body needs so it can detoxify properly and eliminate the harmful toxins.

Providing your body with liver supportive herbs and spices is a wonderful way to detoxify your liver. Turmeric is a powerful liver cleansing spice. Incorporating it into your nutrition will help support and detoxify your liver and provide potent anti-inflammatory benefits.

The best way to incorporate Turmeric in your diet is by making a tasty and comforting tea. It is sweet, spicy and so delicious.









INGREDIENTS FOR DETOX TURMERIC TEA:

2 teaspoons of turmeric.
1 teaspoon of ginger.
½ - ¾ spoon of cinnamon.
A pinch of black pepper.
½ teaspoon of pure vanilla extract.
1 teaspoon of pure raw honey.
¼ cup of coconut milk.




INSTRUCTIONS:

Fill mug halfway with boiling water.
Add in Turmeric and Ginger.
Cover and let steep for 15 minutes.
Stir in cinnamon, black pepper , vanilla and honey.
Fill the rest of the much with coconut milk and stir.


ENJOY!




OTHER BENEFITS OF TURMERIC TEA:


Turmeric tea is a delightful way to heal, cleanse and detoxify your liver and body.

Boosts immunity by improving liver function.

Protects liver tissue.

Cleanses symptoms of coughs and colds.

Improves skin complexion.

Prevents internal blood clotting.






Wednesday, July 23, 2014

YOUR DAILY DOSE: Make A Decision Now!









DANGERS OF SUNSCREENS AND HOW TO MAKE YOUR OWN NON-TOXIC SUNSCREEN !








While many believe and repeat the motto that the sun is the cause of skin cancer, a lot of researches have shown that there are a number of factors involved in developing cancer.
Even more, some researches have suggested that the sun actually prevents skin cancer and that the burning you get from it is your body’s way of saying ‘ That’s too much  for me !’
This is no longer seen as ‘conspiracy’ ; what alternative health research has been saying for years about the dangers of sunscreens is now admitted in the mainstream. Almost all the commercial sunscreens speed up your risk of skin cancer ; as opposed to protecting your skin against sunburn.

So what are the health related costs of using sunscreens ? 

Some research found throughout medical journals that there isn’t a clear answer for this. In the year 1930 people used to go out in the sun all the time but it was rare for them to have skin cancer, yet in the past 30 years, rates of cancer have gone up 1800 %.

Only 10% of all cancer cases are caused by some forms of radiation, UV is just a small part of that. When we talk about skin cancer we automatically think of the sun and blame it, but we rarely think of all the other factors involved such as the proven toxic and cancer causing chemicals we put on our skin and into our bodies, everyday found in soaps, shampoo, creams, lotions and more…
Don’t you think that constant daily exposure of these items found to cause cancer, plays a bigger role than the sun, which we are only exposed to for a few hours or minutes throughout the day ? 

ARE THERE ANY TOXIC INGREDIENTS IN YOUR SUNSCREEN ?




Almost all commercial sunscreens contain toxic ingredients or Endocrine Disrupting chemicals that in many cases can cause skin cancer.

Even natural, commercially available sunscreens often have toxic ingredients.

The two most popular chemicals you will notice as an active ingredient are RETINYL PALMITATE and OXYBENZONE.





RETINYL PALMITATE : Is a form of Vitamin A Palmitate used in sunscreens. However when exposed to sunlight for long periods of time it increases the development of skin lesions and tumors. Due to it’s harmful effects, The Environmental Working Group recommends that people avoid ALL products containing Retinyl Palmitate. This means sunscreens and many cosmetic products.

OXYBENZONE : Is a potential Endocrine- Disrupting chemical that can cause hormone disrupting and Cell Damage. It is found in well over the majority of sunscreens on the market.


Other Toxic Chemicals are :

-       Para-aminobenzoic acid ( PABA), including octyl-dimenthyl PABA.
-       Benzophenones, especially benzophenone -3, Oxybenzone.
-       Cinnamates, namely octyl-methoxycinnamate ( OMC).
-       Homosalate.
-       4-methyl-benzylidene camphor (4-MBC).
-        
Considering a lot of people these days are acually Vitamin D deficient, I think the lack of sun exposure can be a much bigger problem than too much exposure. Vitamin D deficency has been linked to many types of cancers including the most deadly types of breast cancer.
In most cases, I suggest to get a little bit of sun exposure everyday without getting close to the point of burning. Since most of us don’t work outside these days, it acually takes effort to get daily sun, rather than to avoid it.
In case you were going to be out in the sun for much longer than your skin is used to, I suggest to put on a hat and use a 100% ORGANIC sunscreen.

 
AVOID THE TOXIC SUNSCREENS AND GO FOR HEALTHIER CHOICES INSTEAD !




When shopping for sunscreens and other beauty products be sure to read the labels and avoid products containing toxic chemicals. Look for sunscreens that contain Zinc and Titanium minerals as opposed to the active ingredients listed above.
Only use sunscreens when absolutely necessary. Sunscreen doesn’t allow the body to absorb Vitamin D from sunlight. So if you’re planning on being outside for a short period of time, skip the sunscreen and feed your body the Vitamin D that will keep it healthy.

MAKE YOUR OWN ORGANIC SUNSCREEN :




What I really love about my homemade organic sunscreen is that I know what Is going Into my product.
There are several oils, butters and other natural ingredients that provide natural sun protection. While most of these offer low amounts of sun protection, when added to your homemade sunscreen they nourish the skin and offer some protection against sun burn and the other effects of excessive sun.
For this sunscreen, you will need ALL-organic coconut oil, Shea butter, sesame oil or jojoba oil, Eucalyptus essential oil, Lavender essential oil, Vitamin E oil, Zinc Oxide (non nano).


Important :
Nano or micronized Zinc OXIDE has been treated to reduce the size of its particles, creating an ultra fine powder. When added to sunscreens it doesn’t leave a while film on the skin, thus making it a popular choice in many commercial sunscreens. But using it can enter the body through the skin and cause health issues.
When purchasing it make sure you purchase a non nano Zinc Oxide that has particle sizes as large as possible (330 nm).



Use the Zinc recommendations below to make it easier for you :
FOR SPF2-5 : Use 5% Zinc Oxide.
FOR SPF6-11 : Use 10% Zinc Oxide.
FOR SPF12-19 : Use 15% Zinc Oxide.
More than 20 : Use 20% Zinc Oxide.





Ingredients :

1oz coconut oil
0.8 oz shea butter
0.1 oz sesame oil or jojoba oil
15 drops of Eucalyptus essential oil
15 drops of lavender essential oil
0.1  oz Vitamin E oil
Zinc Oxide powder (determine amount for 2 oz of lotion)
Gloves, mask and a dark Jar.






Directions :

- Add the coconut oil, shea butter and sesame oil to a makeshift double boiler. ( To make your own bouble boiler, place a pyrex measuring cup containing ingredients inside a small pot filled with a few inches of water). Heat gently until the shea butter is just melted. Remove from double boiler and allow to cool a little.
-Put on a mask that covers your nose and mouth and measure out your Zinc Oxide.
-Add Zinc Oxide, Vitamin E oil and the other oils to the ingredients. Stir well to combine.
-Stor in a dark jar in the refrigerator ( can be stored for six months). 


ENJOY!