NEW

A NEW year, a NEW month, and a NEW day. Most people, this time of year, have made lists of resolutions they will work to accomplish within the next twelve months. Some may even dig deeper and make their goals S.M.A.R.T (Specific. Measurable. Attainable. Realistic. Time frame) to achieve a higher chance of accomplishing them. In the end the pressure of ending one calendar year to the beginning of another is inevitably gonna to cause this.

It is good to reflect and plan ahead, and it is also good to feel the freedom to do this any particular time of the year and not just because it's the "new year."


So I will continue living in gratitude now. Where I am right now, giving thanks. I will continue working on being a person with qualities that will help me grow and nurture what lies within. I will keep educated about things that contribute to a healthy mind, body and soul. I will focus on my energy, to give and receive positive energy. I will love my family and consider them first with my intentions. I will embrace and support my genuine friends. I will volunteer my time for helping others. Most importantly, I will pray and keep faith that my goals will be continuous and magnify to a higher platform as I grow.

I believe that my goals will lead to that weight loss challenge, financial freedom, a strong portfolio, a successful career, a beautiful house (and many property), a new vehicle, family vacations and all other wonderful things that put the frills on living the "dream". And that would be because I first looked within. xox

So what goals do you have? And why? Feel free to comment because I care and want to hear about you... plus I feel nauseous blabbing about myself.

Cheers to 2011! Let's make it count!


"Life takes on meaning when you become motivated, set goals and charge after them in an unstoppable manner." ~Les Brown

Sweet Cinnamon

Along with salt and pepper, I think that cinnamon should be added as common condiments you'll see on a table at a restaurant.
Inhale deeply as the yummy aroma is known to enhance and boost memory and cognitive function.
People that suffer from Type 2 Diabetes can consider cinnamon for therapeutic remedies with approval from their treating Physician. This ancient herb has been found to assist with lowering blood sugar levels and increasing the amount of insulin production in the body. It can also lower LDL (bad) cholesterol.
Cinnamon can aid in digestion, especially when eating fruits with sources of manganese, dietary fiber, iron and calcium.
Cinnamon contain antifungal, antibacterial, and antiparasitic properties. It can combat vaginal yeast infections, oral yeast infections, stomach ulcers and even head lice.

So how about considering cinnamon as a enjoyable and healthy flavor to your dish!

Water

If you consider timing to drink water, it will maximize its effectiveness to your body.

• two glasses of water, after waking up, helps activate internal organs


• one glass of water, 30 minutes after a meal, helps digestion


• one glass of water, before taking a bath, helps lower blood pressure


• one glass of water, before sleeping, can avoid stroke or heart attack

It's always important to consider 8-10 glasses of water per day for complete effectiveness and optimum function.

Bee Pollen

Bee Pollen is a dust sized seed found on the stamen of all flower blossoms. The pollen collects on the legs of honeybees as they move from flower to flower looking for nectar. The bees secrete nectar and special enzymes into the flower pollen to create what we know as “bee pollen”. The pollen is usually collected by placing a special device at the entrance of beehives that brushes it from the hind legs of the bees into a collection vessel.

Bee pollen contains an incredible array of vitamins, minerals, amino acids, enzymes, co-enzymes, and hormones. It is especially rich in B vitamins and antioxidants, including lycopene, selenium, beta carotene, vitamin C, vitamin E, and several flavanoids. It is composed of 55% carbohydrates, 35% protein, 3% vitamins and minerals, 2% fatty acids, and 5% other substances. Overall, it's one of the most nutritionally complete natural substances found on earth.

When you first start taking bee pollen you may feel a significant increase in your energy right away, definitely within a week or so. Over time the consistent use of pollen will improve your energy, stamina, and endurance. You'll also probably notice a greater feeling of general well-being. Over the long-term, regular consumption of bee pollen will help alleviate many different health problems, slow down the aging process, and improve your quality of life.

Bee pollen has been shown to help people:

• lose weight
• increase energy, vitality and stamina
• enhance the immune system
• relieve allergy and asthma symptoms
• improve sexual function
• correct digestion problems
• slow the aging process
• prevent cancer and other diseases

Bee pollen is one of nature’s healthiest and most powerful “superfoods.” It’s been used as a dietary supplement for thousands of years. The early Egyptian and early Chinese civilizations both used it as a physical rejuvenator and medicine. The Greek physician Hippocrates, recognized as the father of modern medicine, used pollen as a healing substance over 2,500 years ago. Today natural health practitioners often refer to bee pollen as an herbal “fountain of youth” that can be used for everything from weight loss to cancer prevention. It may be nature's most perfect food...

"The conservation of our natural resources and their proper use constitute the fundamental problem which underlies almost every other problem of our national life." ~Theodore Roosevelt

Black Health Awareness

The 10 most serious health problems threatening blacks vary in impact by gender and age. The first three: heart disease, stroke, and cancer are primarily conditions of the aged, and account for two-thirds of all deaths in the Black community. The other seven major health threats include hypertension (high blood pressure), cirrhosis, diabetes, AIDS, homicide, accidents and infant mortality-account for 80 percent of all Black deaths.

• The prevalence of diabetes among African Americans is about 70% higher than among white Americans.



• Infant mortality rates are twice as high for African Americans as for white Americans.



• The five year survival rate for cancer among African Americans diagnosed for 1986-1992 was about 44%, compared with 59% for white Americans.

Heart disease, a leading killer of Blacks, frequently culminates in heart attacks which occur when the heart's supply of oxygen-rich blood is drastically diminished or cut off because of fatty deposits in the coronary arteries. Patients should be advised to address any weight concerns. Eat foods that are prepared in a healthy way, consisting of whole grain, fish and lean white meats, fruits and fresh vegetables. Avoid stressful situations and exercise, meditate and yoga. Most importantly, for smokers to quit!

Stroke often signals an already existing condition that affects blood flow to the brain. If that flow stops, brain cells lose their only energy source and begin to die. The result is a stroke. Certain rare blood diseases, inherited disorders, and birth defects can also cause stroke.

Cancer, despite medical science's significant advances in therapy which have resulted in drastically improved survival rates, is still a major health problem among Blacks as well as Whites. Until such time that the disease has been eradicated, doctors stress that early detection, which dramatically increases the chances for successful treatment, is still the most effective anti-cancer weapon. Symptoms of common cancers include:

Lung :: Coughs that linger indefinitely; coughing up blood; shortness of breath.

Breast :: Lump in the breast; change in breast shape; discharge from the nipple.

Colon and rectum :: Changes in bowel habits, bleeding from the rectum; blood in the stool which appears bright red or black.

Prostate (men) :: Difficulty or pain while urinating; the need to urinate often, especially at night.

Uterus, ovary, and cervix (women) :: Bleeding after menopause, unusual vaginal discharge, abdomen enlargement, pain during intercourse.

Skin :: Sores that do not heal; sudden appearance of a mole; changes in shape, size or color of a wart or mole.

Our bodies communicate through symptoms, telling us something needs attention. We must be vigilant and research for the cause and not only treat the symptoms. Maintaining an annual physical is also essential for any early detection. We are a resilient race, and keeping our health at the forefront in our day-to-day lives will ensure many years ahead.

"When health is absent, wisdom cannot reveal itself, art cannot manifest, strength cannot fight, wealth becomes useless, and intelligence cannot be applied." ~Herophilus

*Reference/Ebony/Nov.1991

Prostate

The fact that prostate cancer is the most common cancer among Canadian men, and affects 1 in 6 men, and is a greater threat for those with a family history of the disease is alarming. With heredity factors, prostate cancer can also develop with dietary and environmental factors.

The anatomy of the prostate is divided into three internal zones: the peripheral zone, the transition zone and the central zone.

The peripheral zone is located in the back part of the prostate near the rectum. It contains the majority of the glands in the prostate and is the region where most prostate cancers develop. In younger men, the peripheral zone makes up over half of the prostate.

The transition zone, next to the urethra, is the zone that enlarges with benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH), a non-cancerous enlargement of the prostate. Beginning around age 40, the transition zone begins to increase in size and eventually becomes the largest zone of the prostate.
The central zone is involved in the connection of seminal vesicles to the prostate and contains most of the rest of the organs glands.

The prostate has three functions. It produces fluid for semen, which helps move sperm during orgasm; it makes prostate specific antigen (PSA); and it controls urine flow.

Natural Preventative Care

Garlic: Men who eat more foods in the garlic family - especially garlic, scallions, leeks and onions - have significant reduction in the risk of developing prostate cancer.

Green Tea: The flavonoids, or polyphenols in green tea are very powerful anti-oxidants that help prevent cell damage. People who drink green tea regularly have less cancer, including prostate cancer.

Maitake mushroom: The maitake D-fraction was tested in a laboratory against hormone refractory prostate cancer (also known as androgen independent prostate cancer). When prostate cancer progresses to this stage, conventional therapy has been ineffective. There was almost complete cell death when the cancer cells were treated with maitake D-fraction.

Milk thistle: Although milk thistle is an important herb for the whole range of liver disease, it may also turn out to be an anti-cancer herb. Silibinin, a component of milk thistle, has been shown to be a strong fighter of prostate cancer cells in test tubes.

Soy: High levels of genestein, an important anti-cancer compound in soy, are associated with low incidence of prostate cancer. This isoflavone in particular, is a strong anti-oxidant that protects cells against damage and inhibit tumor growth.

Turmeric: Turmeric is not only a valuable anti-inflammatory. It also has shown potential value and promise against prostate cancer. This powerful anti-oxidant starves tumor growth and kills cancer cells without harming healthy noncancerous cells around them.

These are some herbs that can contribute to preventative care and maybe even treatment. Always consult a practitioner prior to taking herbs. Another preventative measure is to get the prostate checked annually. Also, with eating a healthy clean diet rich in mostly fresh fruits and vegetables, fibre and essential fatty acids (both omega-3 and omega-6) and protein. Exercises and stretching to relax and loosen the pelvic area is also helpful.

"The greatest wealth is health." -Virgil

Metabolic Boosters

• Frequent Eating - eating 5-6 smaller meals throughout the day helps to increase your metabolism
• Muscle Boosting - resistance training helps shape your body with lean muscles, and continues to burn calories while at rest
• Aerobic Exercises - cardiovascular training for 30mins, 3x's a week
• Water - drink half your body weight in ounces (ie. weighing 160lbs would drink 80 ounces)
• Sleep - body needs 7-8hrs of sleep for optimal function
• Sauna - try to enjoy time in a sauna 2-3x's per week, 30mins is like running a 5 mile race
• Cleansing and Detoxification - assists the body to refresh and reset the organs and systems to function efficiently

"Laugh as much as you breathe and love as long as you live"

Gray hair already?!

Is it true that if you pluck one gray hair, two more will appear in that same spot? Well, I can say that's happened to me...I just couldn't understand why I was starting to see gray curly strans sitting there, chilling, on the top of my head...I mean in my 50's, sure I can agree it's natural to happen, but I'm not 50!!! And I know I'm not alone here, there's some people out there that are sailing with me on the same boat.





So what is gray hair anyway? Everybody is different but the pigment of our hair is generated in the same way. Initially, hair is white. The cells in our hair follicles called “Melanocytes” generate pigments the main one being Melanin. This gives our hair its “Colour”. In general, the more melanin present, the darker the hair colour; the less melanin, the lighter the hair colour.
When these Melanocytes stop producing the pigment the result is a transparent hair. The transparent hair against your healthier darker hair gives the appearance of Gray hair. In reality the hair is not Gray but transparent. Some people start to gray in their early 20's or 30's; this is called premature graying. Heredity plays a major role in premature graying, if your mother or father had gray hair at a young age, than chances are you will too.





What else can cause gray hair?

• Thyroid disorders. Conditions such as Grave's disease, Hashimoto's disease, hyperthyroidism, and hypothyroidism have been linked with premature gray hair.


• Vitamin B12 deficiency anemia. It can be due to a diet low in vitamin B12. It can also occur if the stomach can't absorb vitamin B12.


• Vitiligo. A condition in which your skin loses melanocytes, resulting in very light patches of skin and possibly premature gray hair.


• Early menopause


• Smoking. Cigarette smoking has been linked to premature gray hair.

I also believe it to be a symptom of undergoing a weight of stress.

In traditional Chinese Medicine, premature gray hair reflects an underlying disturbance. Hair represents the quality of blood and strength of the kidneys.

Foods that are thought to strengthen the blood and kidneys are:

• Hijiki seaweed


• Blackstrap molasses


• Black sesame seeds


• Nettles


• Wheat grass


• Chlorophyll

Keep in mind though that consuming excessive amounts of these foods is not recommended. For example, excessive amounts of iodine (from seaweed) may increase the risk of developing thyroid problems, which itself is a cause of premature gray hair.

We should all embrace not try to erase, and recognize this as a sign of experience and wisdom :)

"Gray hair is a crown of glory; it is gained in a righteous life"

(Prov 16:31)

Energy Concepts

The chakra system is a model of consciousness. Though we all understand the word, few can describe what it is. We know how to use it, alter it, enhance it or talk about it - but we cannot define it. One definition might be the structure that perceives, analyzes, stores, retrieves and creates information about any subject whatsoever, whether it is internal, external, real or imagined.

Energy, matter and consciousness intertwine to form all that we experience. Knowing the various components of the chakras allows us to achieve a greater understanding of ourselves.

Energy flows in 2 ways in the chakra system: vertically, as it passes through all the chakras, and horizontally, as it passes through each chakra. The vertical channel can be thought of as the basic source; the horizontal flow is the expression of that source.

What blocks a chakra? Generally speaking, programming from childhood experiences and cultural values cause our chakras to be blocked. A child who is physically beaten by his parents learns to shut out his body sensations. A child who is emotionally neglected shuts down the emotional second chakra. A culture that denies sexuality and promotes obedience to authority forces us to shut down our second and third chakras, accordingly. Noise pollution, unattractive surroundings or lies make us shut down our fifth, sixth and seventh chakras, respectively. The pain of unrequited love teaches us to close our hearts. Basically, past pain or stress, whatever its source, affects the healthy functioning of our chakras.

The chakras can be opened through various exercises, meditations, acupuncture points, biofeedback and general understanding. Opening chakras leads to a more profound state of consciousness. This state of consciousness is obtainable by anyone.

Chakra 1. Root, Base, or Earth Chakra. It's seated at the base of the spine. Its colour is Red. It's qualities are physical body, grounding, courage, stability and patience.

Chakra 2. Sacral Chakra. Located at the small of the back, upper lumbar. Its colour is Orange. Qualities include giving and receiving, sexual love, new ideas, harmony and creativity.

Chakra 3. Solar Plexus Chakra. Located above the navel, below the chest. Its colour is Yellow. Includes personal power, authority, energy, transformation, laughter, fear.

Chakra 4. Heart Chakra. Located in the centre of the chest. Its colour is Green. Qualities are devine unconditional love, forgiveness, balance, peace, acceptance.

Chakra 5. Throat Chakra. Located at throat area. Its colour is Blue. Qualities are communication, true creative expression.

Chakra 6. Third Eye or Brow Chakra. Located in centre of forehead between the eyebrows. Its colour is Indigo. Includes intuition, imagination, peace of mind, wisdom, intuitive centre.

Chakra 7. Crown Chakra. Located at top of the head. Its colours Violet, White. Includes Oneness with the universe, spiritual will, inspiration.

*Can-Fit-Pro NWS

Probiotic Care

There are over 500 different types of bacteria in the digestive system; the two most prevalent are Lactobacilli and Bifidobacterium.
Bifidobacterium are the most prevalent bacteria in the large intestine, while Lactobacilli are the most prevalent in the small intestine. As we age, studies show that our levels of Bifidobacterium decline, while harmful pathogenic bacteria increase. This is one of the main reasons that
intestinal ailments increase as we age.

Did you know!!!

• That 80% of your immune system is located in your digestive system!
• Beneficial bacteria help the body to produce vitamins, digest foods, and control overgrowth of bad bacteria and fungus and keep your immune system strong?
• That there are two types of probiotics?
  Resident strains are naturally found in the human intestine. They re-establish and adhere to the intestinal tract to repair the body's intestinal flora (beneficial bacterial balance).
  Transient strains are found outside of the human intestinal system, but are extremely beneficial in maintaining its health. They are found living symbiotically on plants including many vegetables (if they have not been destroyed by pesticides). They do not re-establish in the intestinal tract, therefore it is necessary to consume them by either eating organic vegetables or take supplements.
  They provide numerous health benefits as they pass through the digestive tract.

Renew Life's Ultimate Flora Critical Care is a 50 billion culture, 10 strain probiotic formula designed for treating chronic intestinal ailments in both the small and large intestine. Ultimate Flora Critical Care contains therapeutic levels of both Lactobacilli and Bifidobacterium, making it the most complete and effective probiotic supplement on the market. Renew Life also carries FloraSMART Extra Strength (6Billion Bateria), and FloraSMART (2 Billion Bateria).

These and other Renew Life products can be found at your local Health Food store, or visit at http://www.renewlife.ca/

The liver plays an important role in our body. It's important to understand its many functions (over 500 of them), and what it takes to support it and facilitate its job.

• other than skin, the liver is the largest organ in the human body


• anything that you eat, breath or absorb through the skin, is processed through the liver


• after each heartbeat, 25% of the blood pumped is filtered through the liver


• without your liver, you would die within 24hrs


• those 500 functions I mentioned includes some making important substances as cholesterol, blood proteins, clotting proteins, lipoproteins


• blood filtration, bile production, the production and break down of hormones, regulation of blood sugar, and detoxification of endotoxins (produced internally) and exotoxins (environmental)

The livers role to detoxify the body is to take harmful toxins and change them into substances that can be safely eliminated from the body. Should toxins build up, the liver can become overloaded. Some symptoms of liver dysfunction can include;

• jaundice


• pale stools


• pain the right side


• depressed appetite


• loss of energy


• metallic taste in mouth


• skin problems


• chemical sensitivities


• allergies

Preventative care begins with improved lifestyle choices such as reducing body mass to a healthy range, regular exercises and living smoke free. Healthy eating it also key. Choosing more fruits and vegetables, whole grains, and limit your cholesterol intake by reducing intake of saturated and trans fats. Also eating more fish like cod, tuna, halibut, salmon, mackerel and herring.

A liver cleanse is a great way to begin addressing needs for improvement and maintenance of the liver. Please consult a practitioner if you have any major health concerns before considering a cleanse.