HEALTH TIPS
WINTER EATING
The ancient Chinese tried to live in harmony with the cycles of nature. Thus the cold darkness of winter urged them to slow down, to reflect on one's life, and to conserve strength. Winter is associated with the Kidneys, Bladder and Adrenal Glands. The Kidneys are considered the source of energy or "Qi" in the body. They store and reserve Qi so it can be used in times of stress and change, to heal or prevent illness, and to age gracefully.
The fundamental principles of winter are rest, reflection, conservation and storage. Eating warm hearty soups, whole grains, and roasted nuts help warm the body's core. Some kidney shaped foods are black beans and kidney beans. As well, blackberries, blueberries, mulberries, walnuts, chestnuts, flax seeds, pumpkin seeds, sunflower seeds and black sesame seeds are helpful for Kidney Qi. Dark, leafy green vegetables, asparagus, cucumbers and celery also help with Kidney Qi.
Reflect on what truly brings you joy and stop doing the things that drain your life energy.
Tai Chi helping older people with knee pain
On October 30, 2009, the Los Angeles Times reported that knee pain from osteoarthritis is a common and often chronic ailment for older people. However, a new study finds that practicing easy Tai Chi movements not only helps reduce osteoarthritis pain, it can improve function as well.
Helping confidence, balance, and peace
After surgery, John Parks experienced balance problems that caused stumbling and falling, breaking some ribs and painful swelling. Dr. R. Lipsky suggested his practicing with the Easy TaiChi-Qigong DVD at least three times a week. According to his wife, Sue Parks, after doing this - John now "walks more confidently, his posture is great and he is more at peace with himself. He enjoys the exercises and is proud of his accomplishments."
Energy Patches
People over 40 usually have low levels of Glutathione which is needed to maintain the normal function of the immune system. Low levels are found in people with Alzheimers, Parkinsons, Multiple Sclerosis, Lou Gehrig's, insomnia, drug toxicity, Cystic Fibrosis, Diabetes, Hepatitis, Stroke, Autism, Smokers, Alcoholic drinkers, Liver problems, Cataracts, Cancer, Fibromyalgia, Schizophrenia, Down Syndrome, Acne, Flu, and toxicity from lead and mercury, etc.
LifeWave has homeopathic patches that are helping many relieve symptoms of fatigue, anxiety, excessive appetite, pain, inflammation, headaches, skin problems, a low immune system, spasms and cramps due to strain or injury.
Stomach acids destroy the effectiveness of a Glutathione pill, and the intervenous drips last a short amount of time. Clinical studies show that the Glutathione PATCHES raise the levels 300% within 24 hours. Good to wear during the flu season.
For more information, go to: www.lifewave.com/chiproducts and click on COMPANY on the Home Page and then "Videos". Watch the 8-minute clip called "Alternative Medicine."
Alkaline-Forming Foods
By now most of you have heard that foods which are alkaline-forming in your body - are the healthiest way to go. A body with a lot of acid seems to be more prone to disease, irritation, and imbalance. And it's not just foods that create acidity in the body - most prescription medications and over-the-counter drugs are high in acid as well.
Here are some of the best alkaline-forming foods: most edible grasses and their juices, most sprouted seeds, grains and beans, fresh spinach, celery, cucumber, garlic, dandelion, green beans, red cabbage, chard, parsley, cilantro, fresh lemon, lime, tomato, green pepper, eggplant, avocado, jicama, lima beans, fresh soy beans, white beans, baking soda, sea salt, mineral water, and seaweed.
A brief list of highly ACID-forming foods: all artificial sweeteners, white sugar, high fructose corn sweetener, liquoir, wine, beer, coffee, molasses, fruit juice sweetened with white sugar, black tea, ketchup, mayonnaise, prepared mustard, most canned processed and micro-waved foods, all fried foods, ice cream, cottonseed oil, pudding, jam and jelly, anything hydrogenated, white vinegar, apple cidar venegar, all candy, packaged snack food, cola and all soft drinks.
Just as toxic are thoughts that are "acidy," such as anger, jear, jealousy, and stress. Turn your attention back to gratitude. It's probably one of the best healing agents around.
Here is a LINK for Dr Wei's Anti-Inflammatory Food Pyramid.
http://www.drweil.com/drw/ecs/pyramid/press-foodpyramid.html
Meditation for reducing stress
A study from the Centre of Behavioral and Cognitive Sciences at the University of Allahabad, India, found that meditation was helpful for theta activity, reducing stress, and allowing sleep. Listen to the two sample meditations on the BOOK page of this website. Several people have reported that it was helpful during times with cancer, anxiety, and other emotional challenges.
As well, you can enjoy a FREE sample of "Ancient and Modern Stories For Transforming Your Life" on this website. These healing tales are from around the world.
Tai Chi can stimulate antioxidant enzymes
A study from the Department of Biochemistry, Faculty of Medicine, Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia noted the effect of Tai Chi exercise on DNS damage, antioxidant enzymes, and stress in middle-age adults. It used sedentary volunteers, age 45 and older. After 6 months the Tai Chi subjects had increased mildy damaged DNA. After 12 months the conculsion was: "Regular Tai Chi exercise stimulated endogenous antioxidant enzymes and reduced oxidative damage markers."
A helpful item to download from this website is "Thoughts That Bring Me Balance" for relieving stress. Also watch the "Easy TaiChi-Qigong DVD" clip for "sedentary" people.
Depression, Anxiety, Weight and Fall Risk
The study Clinical Trials of Tai Chi and Qigong in Older Adults from Arizona State University found "improved physical function, mood, weight, and cardiovascular risk factors." Also, "the meditative movement forms are holistic in nature and can help older adults improve physical function and reduce blood pressure, fall risk, depression and anxiety." It pointed out that "the spiritual exploration of the meditative forms is an important component to the movement activities that can contribute to successful aging."
One of the best daily meditation books available to compliment Tai Chi and Qigong practice is "Becoming a Student of Life with Lao Tzu's Tao Te Ching". You can download a FREE sample on the BOOK page of this website.
Heart Benefits with Tai Chi
Integrative Medical Therapies of Harvard Medical School conducted a systematic review evaluating Tai Chi exercise as an intervention for patients with cardiovascular disease (CVD). They examined 29 clinical studies published in English and Chinese, and the studies reported "improvements with Tai Chi, including blood pressure reductions and increases in exercise capacity."
Many doctors see a correlation between physical heart problems and emotional problems with relationships. You can download a FREE sample of "Creating the Life I Want to Live" from the BOOK page on this website for information on healing emotional "heart" problems.
Tai Chi - Qigong for Diabetes
From the Center for Integrative Medicine, University of Maryland School of Medicine: Diabetes rates have doubled China over the past decade. Over 35 studies were reviewed and found that "Qigong therapy may be an important complement to conventional medicine in treating diabetes."
The trouble is that many who have diabetes do not like to exercise. Thus the "Easy TaiChi-Qigong for all ages" DVD is a simple way to do quick 10-minute routines either once a day or throughout the day. You can find clips of the DVD on this website. As well, consider adding more greens to your diet to help balance sugar and gain more natural energy.
Good news for STROKE survivors
According to NATURAL SOLUTIONS Magazine, July/Aug 2009, page 20, "T'ai Chi can help improve balance." In a research study in Hong Kong, 136 people who suffered a stroke more than 6 months prior to practice, did T'ai Chi for 12 weeks. Researchers then tested the subjects' ability to keep balance when reaching, shifting weight, and standing on a lurching surface that simulated a crowded bus. "The T'ai Chi group demonstrated a significant improvement in balance."
International Symposium at Vanderbilt University
Just recently an International Tai Chi Symposium was held at Vanderbilt University in which five Grand Masters of Tai Chi met with top mind-body researchers from Harvard, Mayo Clinic and NIH, the National Institute for Health. Those attending spoke about how helpful Tai Chi was when used before and after surgery as part of the healing process. They also talked about ways to modify Tai Chi so that it is accessible to people of all physical levels, including those in wheel chairs. Our "Easy TaiChi-Qigong" DVD is a modified version, and the feed-back we receive from people who have tried many DVDs - is that our's is the best one available when it comes to simplifying the movements.
PLUMS for strengthening bones
A recent READER'S DIGEST shared that a Florida State University study suggested: PLUMS are a good bone-strengthening fruit. "In animal studies, dried plums not only prevented bone loss but also reversed it. Preliminary research in postmenopausal women suggests that plums may be just as powerful in humans (a larger, longer study is under way)."
Plums are high in disease-fighting antioxidants and a good source for boran, potassium and vitamin K, which are all helpful for bone health. In the recent study, women ate eight to ten dried plums - prunes - a day. As well as eating them for a snack, plums are great with cereal or some people stew them with onions, garlic and carrots, and serve this as a side dish.
CARROTS - King of Vegetable Juices
The body converts carrot juice into vitamin A, and carrot juice also contains vitamins B, C, D, E, and K, as well as the minerals calcium, potassium, phosphorous, and sodium.
Alkaline minerals contained in carrot juice, such as calcium and magnesium, help soothe and tone intestinal walls and strengthen bones and teeth. Skin, nails, and hair also benefit from its high protein and mineral content. As well, fresh carrot juice stimulates digestion and sometimes has a mild diuretic effect.
Perhaps the most important contribution to your health is that carrot juice assists in cleansing the liver. With regular use, carrot juice helps the liver release stale bile and excess fats; and when fat levels are reduced, cholesterol levels are reduced.
There is one drawback, however...drinking more that five glasses of carrot juice per week could cause the skin to turn slightly yellow. Some suggest that this is a manifestation of the toxins that the liver is excreting. If this occurs, simply reduce the amount of carrot juice you are consuming, or mix it with other vegetable juices.
The Jack LaLanne Power Juicer is the best on the market because it does not destroy valuable enzymes. We've found that fresh vegetable juices fill the stomach, and we feel lots of energy after drinking them. Enjoy the natural power of carrot juice!
Is RED WINE really good for your heart?
A "60 Minutes" television report pointed out that the French, who drink a lot of wine, enjoy one of the lowest heart attack rates - despite their eating lots of saturated fats. Other studies suggest that it is the SKINS of grapes that provide the healthy ingredients. Wine contains polyphenols and flavonoids, primarily from the skin of grapes, which are removed in making white wine. Studies show a positive link between eating foods with flavonoids and cardiovascular health.
A study of men and women in Europe showed that a "Mediterranean diet," which often contains a glass of wine and fish, maximizes omega-3 intake. Of course, moderation is the key. One glass a day for women and two daily for men seems to boost levels of omega-3 in cell membranes.
What if you are not a wine-drinker? Then enjoy a "smoothie" with red grapes, bananas, and other fruits in season. Fresh grape juice is better than most grape juices from stores that have lots of sugar or sweetener added to them.
Clean the grapes by squeezing the juice of lemon into a large bowl of water. Then dump the rind into the water as well. Next add sea salt and stir. Let the grapes sit in this purifying mixture for at least 5 minutes...but not too long. This lemon and salt mixture is also good for cleaning other fruits and vegetables.
CELERY Juice
Many have found that celery juice has a calming effect on the nervous system. It might be due to its high concentration of organic alkaline minerals, especially sodium. As well, the minerals contained in celery juice make the body's use of calcium more effective by balancing the blood's pH.
Unlike inorganic sodium chloride, organic sodium found in celery juice is naturally blended with many other useful minerals. And for weight-reduction diets, celery juice can help curb the desire for sweets.
Make sure to choose celery that is firm and crisp. Even the leaves of celery can be used to make juice. On the average, two to three celery stalks will yield about one ounce of juice.
Studies have shown that in some cases celery juice is helpful for asthma, insomnia, kidney or liver disorders, fluid retention, and nervous disorders. Munch away....
