benefits | wholezome

June 14, 2012
by wholezome 4 Comments

HOME, SWEET HOME

The best thing about making a long journey from east to west is the jet lag (as long as you don’t have to work I should ad). I love sleeping in in the mornings – you know that feeling of the absolute right temperature underneath your duvet, you are awake but just enjoying resting with your eyes closed or maybe you are finishing that book that you’ve been trying to read for the last six months – you get my point!? Now here comes the jet lagged bit, since I never wake up before my alarm I never get to enjoy those magic moments in bed, yes I admit Im a exceptionally good sleeper and if I don’t get woken up I just keep on sleeping BUT when jet lagged … I wake up early!! Oh the joy, this morning I opened my blue at four o’clock and got time to be cozy in bed and could go for a early walk before the rest of the house got up!

During my walk I also got reminded of how beautiful Sweden is in the summer time. The sun on my back made it almost warm enough to take my sweater of and I didn’t even mind sneezing every few minutes (hay-fever) because the beauty of all those green plants around me.

Happily I returned home a few hours later with a bouquet of Lily of the valley and fresh strawberries – it doesn’t get more Swedish summer than that!

The strawberry is a highly nutrient dense fruit, with such huge amount of healthy substances that they are included in the list of so-called “superfoods”, tasty and packed full of nutrients.

Anti-anemic – Strawberries can help prevent and fight certain types of anemia, due to their high content in folic acid, which is essential for the synthesis of hemoglobin, the protein in red cells responsible for carrying oxygen throughout the body.

Anti-cancer – Strawberry is included in the list of top “superfoods” that help lower cancer death rates. This is because of the very high content of various anti-oxidants with flavonoids that work synergistically and more powerfully against oxidation and preventing damages caused by free radicals in our body.

Anti-coagulant – Strawberries contain moderate amount of acetylsalicylic acid, the same active ingredient found in aspirin. Although the amount of acetylsalicylic acid found in strawberries is not enough to relieve influenza symptoms, it can be actually helpful to thin blood and prevent blood clots formation, thereby reducing the work of the heart and improving its function.

Anti-inflammatory – Anthocyanidin is a unique flavonoid that makes strawberries a very powerful protector against inflammatory conditions such as asthma, gout, artherosclerosis, arthritis and rheumatoid arthritis. At the same time it protects against intestinal bleeding.

Brain and mental health – It has been shown that, besides having an anti-anemic effect, folic acid found in strawberries can help improve memory, concentration and the brain’s ability to process information. It is also essential for preventing brain defects in babies during pregnancy.

Digestive health – Due to their high content in vitamin C, strawberries stimulate the secretion of salivary and gastric juices, thereby improving the digestion of starchy and protein foods. In addition, fiber contained in strawberries effectively reduces constipation and cleans the colon, with a beneficial detox effect for the body.

Diuretic – The high content in potassium found in strawberries enhances diuresis, which contributes to detoxifying the body, as well as regulating blood pressure.

Heart health – Anti-oxidants found in strawberries, and especially vitamin C and anthocyanidins, may help protect arteries from damage, as well as preventing the formation of blood clots within blood vessels.

Immune system – Strawberries are very rich in vitamin C, which plays a key role in enhancing immune system function, as well as in preventing and fighting infectious diseases such as flu and cold.

Mood – Eating strawberries and drinking strawberry juice stimulate the release of serotonin, which improves mood and is responsible for a feeling of relaxation and a general sense of well-being.

Source juicing for health.

June 12, 2012
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AN INTRODUCTION TO THAI INGREDIENTS

Kaffir lime leaves
Widely used in spicy Thai soups and curries, either cooked whole, together with the dish, and/or finely shredded and added before serving. If you can’t find fresh kefir lime it can be substituted with dried kefir lime leaves but these need to be soaked before use.

Thai sweet basil
A variety of the sweet basil with a taste of anise. It is used in different curries such as red and green curry and often also served separately. One of the primary medicinal uses for basil is for its anti-inflammatory properties. This effect stems from eugenol, a volatile oil in basil that blocks enzymes in the body that cause swelling, making basil an ideal treatment for people with arthritis.

Holy basil
Holy basil has a distinctive scent of clove and reddish tipped leaves. It is used, for instance, in the well known Kraphao mu (minced pork fried with basil).

Lemon basil
You will recognize it by its light green stem and it’s lemony flavor. It is used in soups, salads and curries – especially those containing seafood.

Coriander/cilantro leaves
The leaves are seen often as a garnish in many Thai dishes. It is indispensable for Tom yam soup and has also been found to remove heavy metals like mercury, aluminum, and lead from the body.

Coriander/cilantro root
The roots of the coriandrum sativum are often used in curry pastes and certain soups such as Tom yam kung.

Ginger
Either served raw (shredded or diced) with dishes such as Miang kham and Khanom chin sao nam, in certain chilli dips, or in stir fried dishes of Chinese origin. Ginger can be kept in the freezer, after defrosting just squeeze the juice out of the root.
For over 2 thousand years Chinese medicine has recommended the use of ginger to help cure and prevent several health problems. It is known to promote energy circulation in the body while positively increasing the body’s metabolic rate.

Galangal
The perfume-like scent and flavour of the galangal root is characteristic for many Thai curries and spicy soups. Like ginger, galangal can be kept in the freezer. Among many other health benefits Galangal contains anti-inflammatory properties and therefore is beneficial in the effective treatment of arthritis and rheumatoid arthritis.

Turmeric
This yellow coloured root is often used in dishes of Muslim/Southern Thai origin and in Northern Thailand for Northern style curries. The outer skin need to be removed before use. This root can also be stored in the freezer! Recently turmeric has hit the headlines because of claims that curcumin, which is the main active constituent of turmeric, could help prevent the onset of dementia and Alzheimer’s disease.

Garlic
Besides being used cooked or fried, garlic is used raw in many dips and salad dressings. I’m pretty sure that you know that garlic is good for you but did you know that in order to maximize the health benefits, you should crush the garlic at room temperature and allow it to sit for about 15 minutes. Doing this triggers an enzyme reaction that boosts the healthy compounds in garlic.

Lemon grass
Used extensively in many Thai dishes such as curries, spicy soups and salads. The outside layer is discarded together with the straw like top. It’s is used finely chopped in curry pastes or sliced in soups, drinks or in teas. Lemongrass, or citronella as its also called, is well known for its calming effect that relieves insomnia or stress. It is also popular as a non toxic insect repellant.

Chilies
There are a number of different types of chilies in Thai cooking. Young chillies are green in color and are spicier than the red ones that are ripe. To determine the spiciness of chilies you also have to look at the size, smaller chillies are spicier than large ones. One of the most commonly used chilies in Thai cuisine is the Bird’s eye chili. This small chilli is one of the spiciest, even the red ones has a proper punch in them! The Thai name literally translates to “mouse-dropping chilli”
Medium sized chilies, jalapeño chili, are used for their colour when making pastes and may be uses instead of the small ones if you don’t want your dish too spices.
Large chilies are mainly used in stir fries and as a decoration.

Fresh peppercorns
Thai cuisine often uses fresh (green) peppercorns in stir fried dishes and in certain curries such as Kaeng pa (so-called Jungle Curry).

Black and white pepper
Used in pastes, sauces and condiments. From ancient times, black pepper is one of the most widely traded spices in the world and is the most commonly used spice in the western world. Black pepper helps in transporting the benefits of other herbs to different parts of body so don’t be shy, take a few extra laps with your grinder before enjoying a nutrient rich salad!

Thai shrimp paste
Made by fermenting ground shrimp and salt. It has a pungent aroma and is used in red curry paste, and in the famous chili paste called nam phrik.

Tamarind
Tamarind comes from a tree and looks like brown long beans, inside you will find seeds and tangy flesh. There are two types of tamarind, sweet and sour. The sweet kind is eaten as a fruit and the sour one is made into a juice and is used in cooking. These day you will find tamarind paste in many western food stores and this can be diluted and used as a substitute, as well can lime in lemon.

Oyster sauce
Oyster sauce is of Chinese origin. It is used extensively in vegetable and meat stir-fries.

Fish sauce
Thai fish sauce is a very aromatic and strong tasting fish sauce which can be made from different types of fish and seafood. Fish sauce is a staple ingredient in Thai cuisine and imparts a unique character to Thai food. If you are vegetarian or allergic to seafood you can use a light soya sauce as a substitute.

Dark soya sauce
Thai “dark” soya sauce is similar to the dark Chinese soya sauce (which is more common is our western supermarkets).

Light soya sauce
Thai “light” soya sauce is similar to the light Chinese soya sauce.

Yellow soybean paste
Yellow soybean paste has a sweet and salty taste which is more “earthy” than that of soya sauce. It is used, for instance, in the dish Phak bung fai daeng (stir-fried water spinach).

June 4, 2012
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WHEATGRASS – HAVE A SHOT AND SAY CHEERS!

If you want to give your body the best chances of having a great day you should give it a shot of wheatgrass juice every morning! I was stoked when we found a little cafe in the hippie town Pai that was serving shots together with a cup of jasmine tea and a slice of mango as a chaser. Yeh, I think I should warn you that the taste of wheatgrass is pretty horrid but the goodness you get from it makes it so worth it. I would almost say that having a shot of wheatgrass in the morning is probably THE best way of improving your overall health.

Wheatgrass..

Increases red blood-cell count and lowers blood pressure. It cleanses the blood, organs and gastrointestinal tract of debris. Wheatgrass also stimulates metabolism and the body’s enzyme systems by enriching the blood. It also aids in reducing blood pressure by dilating the blood pathways throughout the body.

Stimulates the thyroid gland, correcting obesity, indigestion, and a host of other complaints.

Restores alkalinity to the blood. The juice’s abundance of alkaline minerals helps reduce over-acidity in the blood. It can be used to relieve many internal pains, and has been used successfully to treat peptic ulcers, ulcerative colitis, constipation, diarrhea, and other complaints of the gastrointestinal tract.

Is a powerful detoxifier, and liver and blood protector. The enzymes and amino acids found in wheatgrass can protect us from carcinogens like no other food or medicine. It strengthens our cells, detoxifies the liver and bloodstream, and chemically neutralizes environmental pollutants.

Fights tumors and neutralizes toxins. Recent studies show that wheatgrass juice has a powerful ability to fight tumors without the usual toxicity of drugs that also inhibit cell-destroying agents. The many active compounds found in grass juice cleanse the blood and neutralize and digest toxins in our cells.

Contains beneficial enzymes. Whether you have a cut finger you want to heal or you desire to lose five pounds…enzymes must do the actual work. The life and abilities of the enzymes found naturally in our bodies can be extended if we help them from the outside by adding exogenous enzymes, like the ones found in wheatgrass juice. Don’t cook it. We can only get the benefits of the many enzymes found in grass by eating it uncooked. Cooking destroys 100 percent of the enzymes in food.

Has remarkable similarity to our own blood. The second important nutritional aspect of chlorophyll is its remarkable similarity to hemoglobin, the compound that carries oxygen in the blood. Dr. Yoshihide Hagiwara, president of the Hagiwara Institute of Health in Japan, is a leading advocate for the use of grass as food and medicine. He reasons that since chlorophyll is soluble in fat particles, and fat particles are absorbed directly into the blood via the lymphatic system, that chlorophyll can also be absorbed in this way. In other words, when the “blood” of plants is absorbed in humans it is transformed into human blood, which transports nutrients to every cell of the body.

Offers the benefits of a liquid oxygen transfusion since the juice contains liquid oxygen. Oxygen is vital to many body processes: it stimulates digestion (the oxidation of food), promotes clearer thinking (the brain utilizes 25% of the body’s oxygen supply), and protects the blood against anaerobic bacteria. Cancer cells cannot exist in the presence of oxygen.

Turns gray hair to its natural color again and greatly increases energy levels when consumed daily.

Is a beauty treatment that slows down the aging process when the juice is consumed. Wheatgrass will cleanse your blood and help rejuvenate aging cells, slowing the aging process way down, making you feel more alive right away. It will help tighten loose and sagging skin.

Lessens the effects of radiation. One enzyme found in wheatgrass, SOD, lessens the effects of radiation and acts as an anti-inflammatory compound that may prevent cellular damage following heart attacks or exposure to irritants.

Restores fertility and promotes youthfulness.

Source: Hippocrates Health Institute

June 3, 2012
by wholezome 1 Comment

MORE FOOD FOR SUPER HEROS

Ok, so here we go with more healthy info on two green superfoods – spirulina and chlorella.

Most people have heard of chlorella and spirulina, but they don’t really know the details of why these two are truly the best food sources on the planet. For example, did you know that, ounce per ounce, spirulina contains twelve times the digestible protein of beef? If you haven heard about spirulina before its time to wake up and open your eyes and ears, incorporating this to your daily diet could change your life!

Did you know that a phytochemical found in chlorella can actually rebuild nerve damage in the brain and nervous system? That’s why chlorella is being used in the recovery of patients with Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s disease.

Were you aware that both chlorella and spirulina can actually reverse cancer in the human body? Both of these superfoods have been clinically shown to demonstrate stunning preventive and curative properties when it comes to all sorts of cancers.

And finally, did you know that these superfoods also contain a high content of essential fatty acids such as GLA that are routinely missing from the diets of most western diets and yet are critical for healthy brain function?

These are just a few of the benefits that you can look forward to from a daily intake and today you will find spirulina in any health food store. I recommend that you buy this superfood I powder or tablet form, this makes the intake easier for your body and the powder is easily used in smoothies, just mix your favorite fruit and ad a few teaspoons of powder. Or why not try my raw spirulina balls for a treat!

If you are interested in the nutritional breakdown of these two algae I can tell you that you will find high-quality complete protein that is more dense and more digestible than any animal-derived protein. (Chlorella is 58% protein), all the known B vitamins, including vitamin B 12 which is almost never found in plants, Vitamin C and E, macrominerals like calcium, magnesium, zinc, potassium, trace minerals, omega- fatty acids including GLA, mucopolysaccharides, beta-carotene, nucleic acids (RNA & DNA) and at last but not least chlorophyll.

Both chlorella and spirulina are microscopic plants that grow in fresh water. They’re actually called micro-algae, since they are microscopic forms of algae. And they’ve been around for quite some time: a few billion years. These are some of the earliest and simplest life forms on the planet, appearing way before any dinosaurs where stomping around our planet.

Source Superfoods for optimal health: Spirulina & Chlorella by Mike Adams

May 29, 2012
by wholezome 1 Comment

BREAKFAST

The start of this glorious morning – a smoothie made out of coconut, both the water and it’s meat, banana, mango and bee pollen. It’s not only tasty but also very nutritious, here is why.

To just name two of many benefits of coconut water it will boost my immune system and rehydrate me after a night of sleep. And by eating some of its meat I will help my body to easier absorb the minerals found in the next ingredient, the banana, which contains a large amount of potassium and magnesium. These two minerals both play a large role in healthy muscle tissue. The high dietary fiber in the coconut and banana will also keep me full for longer.

I’m pretty sure that I’ve told you guys that mango is my absolute favorite, I mean what’s not to love about this sweet refreshing fruit?? And if the flavor isn’t enough it’s nice to know that its high antioxidant content will protect me agains cancer and the vitamin A content will help me see in the dark. Mangos also contain a lot of vitamin C which makes it easier for my body to absorb my daily supplement of reishi mushroom, vitamin C actually makes my body absorb up to NINE times more of the reishi mushrooms nutrients!

I know that I just made a post about the health benefits of bee pollen yesterday but it’s worth to repeat. Bee pollen contains Vitamin C, A, K, D, E, B vitamins including B12, B1 thiamine, B6 pyridoxine, B3 niacin, B2 riboflavin, choline, biotine, inositol, folic acid, phosphorus, manganese, iodine, titanium, silicon, sulfur, magnesium, chlorine, sodium, copper, zinc, boron, molybdenum, fructose, glucose, nucleic acids, amines, lycopene, triglycerides, a large amount of enzymes and ALL essential amino acids! Got that? Basically – bee pollen is good for you!

Have a great day everyone,
Love Karolina

May 28, 2012
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WHAT’S THE BUZZ??

A pretty smart guy named Albert Einstein once said “If the bee disappeared off the surface of the globe, then man would only have four years of life left. No more bees, no more pollination, no more plants, no more animals, no more man.”
The first alarms about the sudden widespread disappearance of honeybees came in late 2006 and the phenomenon soon had a name: colony collapse disorder. In the two years that has followed about one-third of bee colonies has vanished. At the moment there are many campaigns on online sites like Facebook, please take a moment and see what you can do to help save the bees.

The benefits of eating honey has long been noticed for it beneficial properties but it’s not until recently that the western world has opened its eyes to bee pollen and as a way of gaining good health. But this is not just a new fad, there’s a reason that bee pollen is referred to as a “complete food” – it actually contains over 96 nutrients and offers everything thats needed to sustain the life of a human – including all 22 essential amino acids which makes it a complete protein! Keep on reading for a few examples of the amazing benefits of bee pollen.

Bee pollen is known to..
Reduce cholesterol as it helps balancing the levels in your body, basically it increases good cholesterol and decreases the bad kind.

Help you with the sneezing and crying in the spring due to hay fever. Eating pollen or honey from local bees can help you body to build up an immunity.

Boost your immune system with important vitamins including Vitamin D, C, E, and almost all the B vitamins. Other nutrients that help to improve the way the immune system functions include calcium, selenium, beta-carotene, lecithin and magnesium and these are also all found in bee pollen.

Help you with weight loss since it contains lecithin, which helps to eliminate body fat that is stored within the body. Lecithin is also know to increase you metabolism.

Other benefits are, increased energy and stamina level (very good for athletes), balances the Estrogen to Testosterone levels in both men and women, increased sperm count in men, improved muscle tone, clears acne..

So how to incorporate this wonder food into your diet? Easy! Sprinkle it on your muesli in the morning or ad it in your daily smoothie or juice. You can also find it in capsules or as pills in your local health food store but i recommend to eat the pollen in its raw form. If you live in America have a look at this site where you can find many tasty raw products including pine tree bee pollen. It’s important to remember that bee pollen is actually a ‘food’ and not technically a ‘vitamin supplement’. The nutrients in Bee Pollen are very concentrated meaning that even small amounts may provide effective and valuable levels of nutritional sustenance – dietary antioxidants, bioflavonoids and polyphenols in particular, along with lecithin.

Please note that some people are severely allergic to bee pollen (particularly if you are allergic to bees or other bee products) so please be cautious and use common sense before introducing this food to your diet. Even for non allergic people I recommend to start with a small amount and slowly increase your intake, a good way to begin eating this wonder food is with half a tea spoon and do not exceed the daily amount of a table spoon.

May 24, 2012
by wholezome 2 Comments

MEDICINE FOR KINGS – THE REISHI MUSCHROOM

So lets talk a bit about medicinal mushrooms, or one in particular – the reishi mushroom. Studies show reishi mushrooms benefit people stricken with a variety of ailments, from high blood pressure to AIDS! David Wolfe put this superfood as a nine on his top-ten list but also states that this is the one supplement he never want to live without.

I was introduced to the reishi a few weeks ago by my health coach AJ. After telling him about my Alopecia Areata he suggested using reichi mushroom as a way of balancing my immune system. Again I’m so lucky for being here in Asia and I quickly found reichi tea in a local health shop. It’s too soon for me to say anything about any effects but I’ll keep you posted. To learn more about reishi mushrooms keep on reading this report by Dani Veracity.

Hailed in ancient Eastern medicine as the “mushroom of immortality” and the “medicine of kings,” you’d expect reishi to offer you some pretty astounding health benefits, right? Your assumptions are correct. This prized fungus may be able to boost your immune system, fight cancer, ward off heart disease, calm your nerves and relieve both allergies and inflammation.
“Reishi indeed sounds like a cure-all,” writes Rebecca Wood in her book “New Whole Foods Encyclopedia.” She goes on to explain reishi’s wide range of uses: “An immunostimulant, it is helpful for people with AIDS, leaky-gut syndrome, Epstein- Barr, chronic bronchitis and other infectious diseases. It is used as an aid to sleep, as a diuretic, as a laxative and to lower cholesterol.” It almost seems too good to be true.
How can one fungus help the human body in so many ways? Traditional Eastern medical science explains reishi’s wide range of medicinal applications better, perhaps, than mainstream medicine ever could. According to Eastern thought, the body needs to defend itself against threats to its “equilibrium.” These threats can be physical, such as viruses and bacteria that cause infection; emotional, such as stressors that cause anxiety; or energetic, in that they reduce alertness. Whatever the threat, reishi helps the body maintain its defense against these threats to its equilibrium, helping the body to maintain balance. In this sense, diseases like heart disease and cancer mean that the body is out of balance, which is why an equilibrium-enhancing remedy such as reishi can help so many diverse ailments.
Skeptics can doubt the previous explanation as Taoist “mumbo jumbo,” but laboratory research proves many of reishi’s medicinal applications. As Dr. Andrew Weil writes, reishi “has been the subject of a surprising amount of scientific research in Asia and the West.” Research shows that the polysaccharide beta-1,3-D-glucan in reishi boosts the immune system by raising the amount of macrophages T-cells, which has major implications for people suffering from AIDS and other immune system disorders.
This immune-boosting action also works wonders in the prevention and treatment of cancer, as the T-cells are then able to fight cancer cells more effectively. However, reishi may help the body defeat cancer in not just one, but four ways. In addition to boosting the immune system, the glucan in reishi helps immune cells bind to tumor cells. Many experts believe that it also actually reduces the number of cancerous cells, making it easier for T-cells and macrophages to rid the body of them. Another substance in reishi, called canthaxanthin, slows down the growth of tumors, according to “Prescription for Dietary Wellness” author Phyllis A. Balch and other experts. As a result of these amazing anti-cancer abilities, laboratory research and traditional medicinal usage of reishi to fight cancer is so positive that the Japanese government officially recognizes it as a cancer treatment.
Besides cancer, reishi can help and treat another of America’s top killers: cardiovascular disease. The protection reishi offers against heart disease and stroke is truly remarkable because it helps prevent so many different risk factors, due to its high content of heart-saving substances like sterols, ganoderic acids, coumarin, mannitol and polysaccharides. Experts believe that the ganoderic acids in particular lower triglyceride levels, remove excess cholesterol from the blood, lower blood pressure, reduce platelet stickiness and even help correct arrhythmia. In fact, for 54 people with hypertension unresponsive to medication, taking reishi extract three times a day for four weeks was enough to significantly lower blood pressure, according to a study reported by Burton Goldberg in “Heart Disease.” Just imagine how the incidence of cardiovascular disease could be reduced if using reishi really caught on in the Western hemisphere.
While you protect your body against infectious disease, cancer and heart disease, your use of reishi can also help relieve your everyday discomforts. Do you have allergies? Japanese researchers discovered that the lanostan in reishi acts as a natural antihistamine. Do you suffer from muscle aches or arthritis? Dr. William B. Stavinhoa of the University of Texas Health Science Center found that reishi is as powerful as five milligrams of hydrocortisone, but with minimal side effects. What about anxiety or insomnia? According to “Mind Boosters” by Dr. Ray Sahelia, the reishi mushroom can calm the mind, as well as improve memory, concentration and focus. With all these benefits, reishi truly is the “medicine for kings.”

For more information click here, photo was found here.

May 12, 2012
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COCO BREAK

I’m so happy the fasting is over, I know I’ve been writing about glorious coconut water but what about the meat! I tell you it’s been a constant struggle drinking the water but leaving the tasty meat in its shell. With this afternoons nut I scoped out a few bits of this lovely meat and … instantly got full – bummer.

Now you want me to tell you about the nutritional benefits, don’t you!? Keep on reading..

Why did I get full so fast?
Coconut meat is high in fiber, one cup containing 7.2 g which is more than 20 percent of the recommended daily amount for most adults! Fiber assists in the digestion process by adding bulk to the stool, which helps to move food through the digestive tract. Fiber can also help you feel full, which is important if you are trying to eat less to lose weight. The Center for Nutrition Policy and Promotion recommends consuming 14 g of fiber per every 1,000 calories consumed, which means most children need 17 to 25 g per day and most adults need 25 to 36 g per day.

How about the fat?
One cup of raw coconut meat contains 283 calories, most of which come from its 26.8 g of fat. While most plant foods contain very little saturated fat, coconut meat contains a large amount, with 23.8 g per cup. However, unlike other saturated fats, which are long chain fatty acids, most of the fat in coconut is a medium chain fatty acid. Medium chain fatty acids are broken down much faster than long chain fatty acids, so they do not contribute to high cholesterol, as long chain fatty acids do.

And the minerals?
Coconut meat is high in the trace mineral manganese, with one cup providing 67 percent of the recommended daily amount for women and 52 percent for men. Manganese helps you metabolize both fat and protein. It also supports both the immune and nervous systems and promotes stable blood sugar levels. Manganese also helps your body use other nutrients such as iron, thiamine and vitamin E.

Coconut meat also provides a significant amount of two other minerals: potassium and copper. One cup provides 14 percent of the recommended daily amount of potassium and 39 percent of copper. Potassium, along with sodium, is essential for proper fluid balance within your cells. It is also necessary for proper heart function and muscle growth. Copper is important for the production of red blood cells and assists with your sense of taste.

Source and photo

May 10, 2012
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DAY 5

Day 5 and going strong. Feeling good, eyes clear, energy level high even if I quite easy get light headed – I’m feeling good.

So yesterday evening I took my concoction of epsom salt, olive oil and lemon juice. Afterwards I went straight to bed to try to fall asleep but with difficulty due to lack of my evening soup and juice. Why would I do this to myself you might ask? Here you get the answer.

Even without indulging in too many fast foods and boozy evenings, your body still produces many toxins that your liver must deal with.

The liver flush prevents gallstones, lowers cholesterol levels in the blood and can reduce pain from the liver or gallbladder, e.g. shoulder pain. It can also reduce or prevent headaches or migraines, food allergies and helps you loose weight. A liver flush will significantly improve digestion, regularity, and energy levels and will also improve your overall health and vitality.

Did it work? Truthfully; I’m not sure. I didn’t get any stones out as promised but on the other hand I do feel better today then any other day during my detox. There is a lot of pros and cons about this on the Internet and I agree with both sides. I was definitely not as bad as I thought it would be, people have been telling me that I won’t sleep through the whole night etc. but I’ll slept fine and didn’t feel anything special in the morning. We will see if I notice any of the benefits the next few days.

As I let you guys make up your own minds about this, it’s breakfast time for me and maybe a dip in the pool afterwards, bliss.

Source Samahita Wellness

May 9, 2012
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REFLEXOLOGY

Around the world and throughout history, reflexology has been rediscovered time and time again. Archeological evidence points to ancient reflexology medical practices in Egypt (2330 BCE), China (2704 BCE) and Japan (690 CE).
In the West, the concept of reflexology began to emerge in the 19th century with European and Russian research.

Reflexology or zone therapy is a holistic treatment based on the principle that there are areas and points on the feet, hands, and ears that map via the nervous system to corresponding parts of the body. The simple explenation is that pressure is applied to these areas and points and stimulates the movement of energy along the nerve channels, and helps to restore homeostasis (balance) in the whole body.

The benefits of zone therapy are many..

Creates relaxation: From the moment the reflexologist’s hands start their work, the relaxation begins as shown in research using EEG brain activity. All together, 24 studies demonstrate reflexology’s relaxation effects.

Reduces pain: Pain reduction following reflexology work is documented in 27 studies including research showing impact on individuals of all ages and health states

Ameliorates health concerns: Research shows that reflexology work helps indiviuals of all ages with some 78 health concerns ranging from aggressive behavior Êin children to urinary concerns of the elderly.

Improves blood flow: Separate studies show that reflexology work increases blood flow to the feet, brain, kidneys and intestines.

Aids post-operative recovery: Reflexology work aids recovery after surgery as shown by several studies, reducing pain and lessening the use of post operative analgesics.
Impact on physiological measures (e. g. blood pressure and cholesterol; measurements by ECG, EEG, and fMRI)

Enhances medical care: Reflexology helps where nothing else can for many: phantom limb pain sufferers, neuropathy patients, and hemodialysis patients to name a few.

Benefits mental health: Research demonstrates that reflexology can reduce depression (11 studies) and anxiety (9 studies).

Complements cancer care: Pain, nausea, vomiting, and/or anxiety eased for chemotherapy patients following reflexology work as shown by16 studies fom 7 countries.

Eases pregnancy, delivery and post-partum effects: Women who received reflexology experienced shorter labor times and used less analgesia. In addition, reflexology showed a positive impact on postpartum depression, anxiety, urination and bowel movements.

Information found here and here.

wholezome

a healthy journey

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