MAKE A WISH

One of my favorite things to do is to travel and hike.  Loosing site of time and getting lost in the mountains just going up...up....up...until your legs say STOP....is bliss.  No words needed, just the nature divas around is enough for me.

Along the way on the breath stopping vistas, we pick up rocks, tap em together, make our wishes and chuck em over the edge...it is freeing!  So "wonder twin powers, and activate" your wishes over the edge, or into a pond, stream, river, ocean, or just in the silence of your heart.

The photo here is of a trip to Deer Valley, Utah casting a wish.

SERIOUS MERMAID FOOD!

Lately I have been craving one of my favorite sea vegetables, Arame. Not sure why, but when I feel healthy food cravings, I follow its lead. So as I sat down with my yummy preparation here (A vitamix blended soup of sunflower sprouts, bunch of parsley, spinach, cucumber, garlic, onion, sea salt, kelp seasoning, shot of lemon juice and a dash of stevia....poured over a bowl full of chopped celery, olives, zucchini, daikon radish, cherry tomatoes and ONE CUP OF SOAKED ARAME and finally topped with hemp seeds and a drizzle of flax oil....I am out of my mind excited to give thanks and enjoy! Anyway....I am inclined to google the benefits of arame and thought I would share.

Arame certainly doesn't look appealing, but neither does pasta :) Don't let the color scare you. All you do is soak it in pure water for 15 minutes, drain and add it to your favorite dish. You can use it as you would sprouts on a salad or in a wrap/maki roll. Great in soups and some people even sautee it. Arame does not have much of a taste so it will take on the attributes of your prepared dish.

There are many varieties of sea vegetables to choose from. I would suggest choosing organic. Below is information regarding arame from www.potentsea.com. Also, I have a link below for information on all varieties of sea vegetables.

Hopefully you will give them a try and add some serious mineral nutrition to your diet. Your body will sing to you! You can find sea vegetables in the oriental section of most grocery stores!

Organic arame is perhaps one of the most nutritious foods that nature can provide. The benefits of arame and organic arame are wide ranging. Arame comes mainly from the cold waters off the coast of South Korea, though sub species can be found in Alaska and California. The Koreans have been using organic arame in their diets for many years.

Arame is a brown marine algae rich in many types of marine minerals, including: iodine, zinc, manganese, vitamin K and folate. Normally, organic arame is sun dried for several days before packaging. Arame is harvested in the spring when ocean nutrient levels are at an annual maximum.

Benefits of arame range from wellness support, to a stronger immune system, to better hair, skin, and nails. Many of those who make organic arame part of their every diet also feel that it boosts libido for both men and women. Arame is also a good source of Lignans, which help fight cancer. Due to the many health benefits of Arame, it has been the focus of several anti-cancer and cancer prevention studies. Also, organic arame is one of the most expensive sea vegetables available.

CONSUMERS GUIDE TO SEA VEGETABLES

http://www.sacfoodcoop.com/PDFs/seaveggies.pdf

Is Your Shampoo Safe?

Are you a hair product junkie? Do you have a stash of suggested products from your stylist that are supposed to give you the hair of your dreams? I sure do! However, since my health wake up call in 1999, I do read labels and look at ingredients...what we put on our skin and scalp actually penetrates our body up to 70% faster then what you put in your mouth.

The last week I have been in Deer Valley, Utah and swimming at the local beautiful outdoor lap pool. Oh God, BLISS! I brought my shower gear, but the facility had their own spa shampoo/conditioner/soap... so like a kid in a candy store, I pumped away and had a blast in the lather and scent "sations". I was feeling, this probably isn't the best idea in the world...who knows what is in these products, but I am having fun and one candy shop shower is not going to kill me!

So in my "inbox" this morning was the conscious reminder from Dr Mercola's newsletter on minding the safety of your personal products. Good timing. So I am passing his article on to you. The point is not for you to buy his products, but to simply be mindful of the world we live in that as you know as well as I do, is a rather toxic one. So mind your right to educate yourself, make your own choices and read on!

Here is your link:

http://products.mercola.com/shampoo-conditioner/?source=nl

Food Matters

After my last post raising the flag on the food additive MSG, I wanted to share a DVD I appreciate called "Food Matters". This documentary is a grand resource for those who are looking to step up their diet and lifestyle perhaps to find relief from a health concern or for longevity.

Food Matters is a documentary film informing you on the best choices you can make for you and your family's health. In a collection of interviews with leading Nutritionists, Naturopaths, Scientists, M.D.'s and Medical Journalists you will discover...
How to use food as medicine
Who needs vitamins?
Is organic better?
How safe is our food?
Natural treatments for lowering Cholesterol
Foods that fight Anxiety and Depression
Natural therapies for Cancer
Which drugs might do more harm than good?
The best ways to detox, lose weight and keep it off!

Here is your link for more information!

http://www.foodmatters.tv/_webapp_270121/Food_Matters

MSG update "Taste #5"

MSG....most people are aware MSG is not good for your health and go the extra mile to read labels to avoid it in your families diet. Many have learned to look for some of the labels food manufacturers use to conceal added glutamate or MSG, including autolyzed yeast, hydrolyzed yeast, yeast extract, hydrolyzed vegetable proteins, protein isolate and soy extracts.

Now a food writer has developed a new way to add glutamate to foods, with a new flavoring product dubbed "Taste No. 5." Made from ingredients including pulped anchovy and porcini mushrooms, tubes of the product will soon be on sale across the United Kingdom.

You can read more about this to educate yourself in a article from www.naturalnews.com

Here is your link to the complete article:

http://www.naturalnews.com/029134_umami_MSG.html

What We Can Do Now

It feels as if we are all becoming more aware of the health consequences in our nations over use of chemicals, toxins, pesticides etc. They fill the air we breath and food we eat. The good news is people are beginning to read labels, reduce their consumption of packaged foods, eating organically, upgrading their water sources and minding the chemicals they use in their own homes. Living on a golf course around all the fertilizers and pesticides to keep the grass “perfect” now may not be the pristine place to live and breath, that is if you are choosing health and longevity:)

At any rate, the report link here is long to say the least, but I thought I would participate in the sharing of the link to spread the awareness. “What We Can do Now, Reducing Environmental Disease Risk” is a report from the President’s Cancer Panel which was originally commissioned by President Bush.

What makes this report remarkable is that it comes from the heart of our government, and not from environmental groups. It states: “We have grossly underestimated the extent that environmental chemicals play in cancer.” And they implore President Obama “to use the power of your office to remove the carcinogens and other toxins from our food, water, and air that needlessly increase health care costs, cripple our nation’s productivity, and devastate American lives.”

The report specifically looks at the environmental factors from our exposures in agriculture, manufacturing, what’s in our homes, medical sources, the military, and from natural sources. Then they make specific recommendations. It’s available at:

http://deainfo.nci.nih.gov/advisory/pcp/pcp08-09rpt/PCP_Report_08-09_508.pdf

Report out of Australia yielding caution to vaccines.

News reports out of Australia reveal that vaccines are sending children into convulsions. And yet the vaccines aren't even contaminated, they all pass inspection. I wanted to share a feature story from Natural News that discusses risks and realities about the neurological dangers of children's' vaccines. I feel it is important to educate yourself about such topics. I respect my western medical providers, however I do not align with their view on the 100% safety of such things as vaccines and mammograms.

Here is the article below for you to take a peek if you choose.

http://www.naturalnews.com/028773_vaccines_convulsions.html

Opulent Living's Tips to Regeneration

Opulent Living’s

TIPS TO REGENERATION

DIET

Eat Whole Foods. Do your best to eliminate packaged goods with chemicals and preservatives. Our body is 70% water. Organic whole unheated foods are rich in vitamins, minerals and organic water full of energy from the sun that our body needs to stay clean and juicy.

Eat Organic. Set your body free from filtering and storing pesticides and chemicals that WILL catch up to you at some point under the title of headaches, colitis, sore joints, bloating, cholesterol imbalances, or some sort of diagnosed disease.

Enzymes. Our bodies have a variety of functional units, such as a digestive system, an immune system, a cardiovascular system, and a circulatory system, just to name a few. Each system requires energy in order to perform optimally. It just so happens that enzymes provide this much needed energy for the successful completion of each biological function.

What exactly are enzymes? They are proteins that are responsible for every chemical reaction that goes on in your body; governing all functions related to your tissues, muscles, bones, organs, and cells. Every second of our lives, over 3,000 different enzymes are constantly renewing and changing, often at unbelievable speeds. Enzymes are responsible for everyday bodily processes.

Enzymes have been studied since the early 1900s. Even though there is over a century's worth of information regarding their use, we still have much to learn about them. Although, one thing is for certain; life as we know it, would not exist without them.

Over the last decade, science has uncovered numerous roles for enzymes than ever thought possible, as they literally initiate millions of reactions within your body. In fact, many health care professionals are now advocating the use of enzymes for various conditions and post-operative healing.

When referring to enzymatic supplements, it's important to distinguish between those used for digestion and those used systemically.

• Digestive enzymes are taken orally with food in order to help break down fats, carbohydrates, and proteins for improved digestive function and nutrient absorption.
• Systemic enzyme are taken orally in between meals on an empty stomach. This way they can be absorbed by the intestines into the bloodstream where the body can utilize them for countless bodily processes.

Systemic Enzymes: Enzymes are one of the fundamental building materials that are required in all metabolic processes. When your body becomes deficient in systemic enzymes… you start to age faster, you heal slower, your body starts to physically slow down, aches and pains increase, you become much more susceptible to illness and diseases, and an accelerated degeneration and aging process happens as a result.

Some health care professionals believe that our natural production of enzymes starts to decrease after the age of 27. It is not too long after this that many of us begin to notice symptoms of low enzyme production, which can include:

• Slow wound healing
• Increased scarring
• Poor digestion
• Fibrosis conditions

• Internal inflammation

Acid/Alkaline PH balance. It has been proven, cancer and disease thrives in an acidic environment. Your blood must be alkaline. Sugar, meat, dairy, alcohol, soda, coffee, most grain based foods, and negative based thoughts create an acidic ph balance in your blood. Fruits, vegetables, joy, forgiveness and gratitude are alkaline. Turning your diet to one of a heavy fruit/vegetable based meal will add water and oxygen to create an alkaline state in your blood.The ideal balance is 80% alkaline and 20% acid. This will neutralize the blood and decalcify the body. The result will be vitality, healing and regeneration. For complete protein or the raw goods of amino acids so your body can create the “protein” it needs, consume soaked raw nuts and seeds, avocado, coconut meat and all green leafy vegetables. "When you are green inside, you are clean inside."

DETOXING

House clean your body temple with the change of every season. You will deep clean your house, open windows and scrub away. Honor your body in the same fashion allowing your organs to shake like a wet doggie, breath and shed the layers of stored mucous and undigested matter that is flowing in your blood from consumed preservatives, additives and chemicals. Our body is 70 percent water. Cooked foods are void of water and most Americans do not drink enough water to give your body and internal shower. There are MANY detox methods available, choose wisely. Consult or seek guidance from a trusted source who glows with health. It can be as simple as fasting for 2 to 3 days consuming nothing but vegetable and fruit juices and consider colon therapy. If you are not comfortable fasting, simply give your body a break from meat, fish, chicken and dairy for a few days, drink plenty of water and get some exercise.

HYGIENE

In addition to diet hygiene is of utmost importance! Our skin is our largest organ and everything we put on our skin enters our body 60 times faster then what we put in our mouth. Read labels and use botanically based, paraben and mineral oil free cosmetics, soaps and lotions that contain MINIMAL preservatives. Consider salt bathing, dry body brushing and using a sauna to give your cells an opportunity to clean out and breath!

EXERCISE

GET MOVING! Your lymphatic system needs to be moved and given the opportunity to clean out. Living a sedentary lifestyle creates stagnation at the cellular level. Any debris and toxins that are in your body are just nestling in for a permanent residence if you don’t get your lymph flowing and moving out like a well run machine. Rebounding is a proven simple exercise that moves the lymphatic system. Be sure to stay well hydrated. Drink clean, filtered and “blessed” or charged water. Observe your bodies many cries for water.

MEDITATION

Develop a meditation resolve that suites you to free and quiet your mind and deepen your breath. Learn to budget your energy and find balance. At Opulent Living, our number one suggested resource for developing a meditation practice is under the guidance and use of the tools and workshops of Master John Douglas www.spirit-repair.com.

Master John Douglas is a qualified Thought Spiritual Healer & Energetic Healing Practitioner operating from Sydney traveling to America 3 times a year to host workshops and teleseminars.

Trauma, emotional and mental stress, false belief systems and blocks to our personal growth can be stored in the energy fields of our bodies, impacting our ability to function at our full potential. These blocks obstruct the vital flow of energy through our body and systems that is necessary for our health and well being. Over time this leads to illness and depleted mental and emotional reserves. Energetic healing can restore these vital flows.

The tools of Master John Douglas are comprehensive synthesis of energetic, spiritual and physical healing techniques using the highest level of natural law and life force in various ways to effect change on all levels. Please visit www.spirit-repair.com for more information.

To Mammogram or Not Mammogram?

So that is the question, and a good question! Every way you spin it, the answer needs to come from you. Having been through the "breast cancer life" many years ago with mammograms, surgery, chemo, radiation, pharm. treatments, and emotional turmoil....knowing what I know today now that I am "spit out" at the other end of our western standard treatments, my personal choice is no mammogram.

WHAT? How irresponsible of me? Perhaps from the opinion of most. However, I choose to stay away from the heavy doses of radiation. Here is an idea for you as an alternative, thermography. Take a look at the link to learn more and find a provider in your area. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Thermography

The bottom line is you need to do your own research, stand up straight and make the educated decision for yourself. Not from a point of fear or the pressured opinions of the "collective".

I received a newsletter from Dr Ben Kim regarding mammograms which prompted me to jump on line and provide the link to my "peeps" so you can educate yourself. I am on board with Dr Kim's opinion, here is a link to his article. http://drbenkim.com/articles-mammograms.html

Here is a segment from the article regarding one woman's choice to pass chemo treatments...this segment will anchor what I am about to add:

Perhaps you'll learn to experience the power and freedom that come with forgetting about many of the screening measures out there and instead, using your time and energy to prepare more nutritious meals, get more rest, work on worthwhile projects, and spend meaningful and fun times with family and friends.
Getting back to our family friend with breast cancer, she spent an entire year following her surgery eating a nutrient-dense, mainly raw, plant-based diet. She made and drank fresh vegetable juices every day. She took a high quality probiotic on a daily basis. I did acupuncture treatments for her on a regular basis to strengthen her immune system. About six months following her surgery, she added raw, organic eggs to her diet three times a week. One year following her surgery, she added wild fish and cod liver oil to her diet. She made sure that she got plenty of fresh air and sunshine whenever she could. She took time off of work and spent time every day praying and reading inspirational books. Through it all, we continuously worked at making sure that her tissues were not faced with excess estrogen and estrogen-like compounds.
It has been three years now since her initial diagnosis of breast cancer, and I'm grateful to report that even her medical doctor declares her to be free of cancer.

I choose to do chemotherapy, radiation and drug therapy. Today, now that I understand there are many factors to the cause of cancer, and as I practice and teach natural law and wellness, I would choose a very different path.

Yes causes of cancer can be genetics, but environmental toxins, toxins in your diet, emotional constriction, a diet of dead processed foods in a box, genetically modified foods and the list goes on...can the cause of cancer really be such a mystery? Perhaps consider slowly cleaning up your lifestyle. Eat whole organic plant based foods and if you eat meat, choose bison, grass fed, wild caught atlantic salmon. Start to juice, eat RAW organic foods that are full of enzymes and life! Detox a few times a year, do a parasite cleanse, a heavy metal cleanse and get some herbal assistance. Oh wow, now we are talking taking action here!

For some of you who are open and really want to dig in and move past the physical body and into your energetic anatomy, visit http://www.spirit-repair.com/ and open up your world! Just as complex as our physical body is, so too is your energetic body. This is where it all begins. It is fascinating so go ahead and take a peak. John Douglas who is "Spirit Repair' is from Australia. He travels to the states 3 times a year doing workshops all over the country. He will introduce you to a "you' perhaps you didn't even know existed!

Lastly, I would love to give you a resource for help in healing cancer according to natural law, or if you just want to step up your lifestyle according to Mother Nature, check out the Gerson Institute in southern California. They have DVD's, books, newsletters etc etc http://www.gerson.org/

The Gerson Therapy is a safe, natural treatment developed by Dr. Max Gerson in the 1920’s that uses organic foods, juicing, coffee enemas, detoxification and natural supplements to activate the body’s ability to heal itself. Over the past 60 years, thousands of people have used the Gerson Therapy to recover from so-called “incurable” diseases such as cancer, diabetes, heart disease and arthritis.

10 Foods for Women's Health

MOTHER NATURE

Perhaps you already know my passion is to add a drop to the ocean of efforts advocating a pure and natural lifestyle according to Mother Nature. Everyone has an angle to what is considered healthy. There are many nutritional regimes to follow; raw, vegan, macrobiotic and the list goes on. However, one thing I think we all can agree upon is that in the end, we need a variety of foods in our diet to be healthy. Somewhere in the silence of your heart, there is a truth in knowing there will be a price to pay for putting things in or on your body that you cannot pronouce, even if the FDA or an individual with many certifications and letters after their name says it is "safe".

Mother Nature knows best, not a man, woman or scientist. The most magnificient machine you will ever own is your body. Pure whole organic foods, free of pesticides, growth hormones, additives, preservatives, food colorings, genetically modified ingredients are simply the best raw materials for our bodies. Fresh fruits, vegetables, grains, grass fed meats, wild caught salmon are terrific. Buy it whole. Preparing your meals at home with your children, with your love is powerful.

95% of what we find in the grocery store that is packaged contains some form of corn that has been genetically modified, which in the long run will genetically modify you.

Below is an article of a list of 10 foods that are targeted for women's health. I added another at the end. This is certainly not a complete list, but none the less, a good list to observe and see if your guidance prompts you to consider it.

1) Raw Cacao or Chocolate• Improves mood by increasing serotonin and other positive brain chemicals.• Contains magnesium -- good for heart health, insomnia, bone density, hormonal balance.• High in Vitamin C and electrolytes.• High in antioxidants -- slower aging, disease prevention.

2) Maca• Incredible hormone regulation from the top down -- works from pituitary gland.• Adrenal support for strong, steady energy.• Thyroid support for healthy metabolism.• Reproductive support -- Balances hormones and reduces hot flashes.• Libido support.• Rich in B Vitamins.

3) Flax Seed• Excellent raw materials for creation of health reproductive hormones.• Anti-inflammatory.• Good for healthy colon.• Lignans improve hormonal balance.• High "electron" food -- gives you energy and optimal cellular health.• Possible anti-cancer properties written about by Johanna Budwig.

4) Sprouts• Very nutrient dense.• High protein.• Good source of trace minerals.• Broccoli sprouts have anti-cancer properties.• Alkalinizing -- improves metabolism.• Satisfies nutritional needs -- reduces appetite.

5) Kombucha• Supports excellent digestive health.• Improves healthy gut bacteria that helps with production of serotonin, good mood hormone.• Rich in enzymes -- helps energize the entire body, all organs, hormones and neurotransmitters.• Rich in vitamin B-Complex.• Alkalinizing -- improves metabolism.• Has been used by some women as a part of a breast cancer treatment plan.

6) Goji Berries• Very high in antioxidants.• High in Vitamin C.• Complete protein containing all essential amino acids.• Contains factors for human growth hormone.• Rich in polysaccharide sugars for healthy immune system.

7) Coconut• Anti-bacterial.• Anti-fungal.• Anti-viral.• Healthy source of saturated fats.• Rich in electrolytes.• Alkalinizing -- improves metabolism.• Increases energy.

8) Marine Phytoplankton• Rich in chlorophyll.• Alkalinizing -- improves metabolism.• Cleansing.• Vegan source of EPA and DHA.• Many different carotenoids means strong antioxidant support.• Virtually all trace minerals in marine phytoplankton.• Great for balancing blood sugar.• Energy improvement.

I must chime in here...Green super foods are very important to our nutritional needs. WHY? These days our food sources are very depleted of minerals, not to mention the standard American diet is loaded with processed foods….we just don’t prepare our meals at home from fresh whole foods. That said, supplementing your diet with nutrient dense nutrition in green super foods is nothing but a bonus. In addition to Marine Phytoplankton, Crystal Manna, Spirulina, Berry Green from New Chapter or JUVO are all good choices. Just get some into your beautiful body!


9) Hemp Seed• Complete protein.• Omega 3 and Omega 6 present in healthy ratio.• Anti-inflammatory.• Raw materials for healthy hormones!• Contain chlorophyll for nourishment and cleansing.

10) Sea Vegetables• Thyroid health.• Breast health.• Weight loss.• Cancer protection.• High mineral content good for blood sugar, focus and creativity.

This article is from Sunfood.com by Dr Ariel Policano who is a leading naturopathic physician with a special focus on women's health, promoted through her Women Go Raw Health Tours. With over 15 years of experience using raw foods and superfoods to treat conditions that range from fatigue and menopause to cardiovascular disease and breast cancer.

My additional two cents:

Balanced Omega Oils: I would also add the importance of a balanced omega oils for your skin and hormonal balancing. Natural salmon oil contains a balance of vital Omega 3, 5, 6, 7 and 9’s, often referred to as “good fats.” These good fats, which include two essential fatty acids the human body cannot produce on its own, serve to nourish brain, heart, eye, and kidney tissues. They have been shown to benefit cardiovascular, immune system, brain, and digestive health.

WHOLEMEGA from New Chapter is a pure and outstanding suggestion. Here is a link for more product information: http://www.newchapter.com/products/wholemega