Thursday, April 19, 2012

Top 5 For Your Health & Wellbeing

There is a world size amount of information out there on whats healthy now. It would be absolutely impossible to do everything that is suggested in a 24 hour period. So I have compiled a list of my Top Five Habits that seem to work for me and the people I know.

Pick some of these to incorporate into you and your families lifestyle, or all of them. As long as it works for you.

TOP FIVE Best Habits:

ONE.  Drink Lemon Water.

Everyone knows that drinking more water is better for our health. If your like me you fight to choke down one bottle a day! (Sad, I know.) But I started looking up the health benefits of drinking water with Lemon in it, and found a great information site here.  Little did I know, you should not just grab the processed lemon flavored squirt bottle and your cured. Nope, there is a serious strategy to pick out the best Lemons to squeeze yourself that give you the proper nutrients and health benefits. Check out the site listed above, but the most important is to buy Organic Lemons that are "heavy"in weight, with a star formation on the rind at the bottom of the lemon. You only need half of the juice of a lemon in a tall glass of water (for 150 lb individual and lower), or a whole lemon for people over 150 lbs. Easy!

Source
The benefits of Lemon Water are as listed:
  • It is an antiseptic, or is an agent that prevents sepsis
  • will prevent disease and assist in cleansing the system of impurities
  • bowels are aided in eliminating waste more efficiently thus controlling constipation and diarrhea
  •  stimulant to the liver and is a dissolvent of uric acid and other poisons, liquefies the bile, and is very good in cases of malaria
  • Sufferers of chronic rheumatism and gout will benefit by taking lemon juice
  • nourish the brain and nerve cells
  • calcium builds up the bony structure and makes healthy teeth
  • useful in treating asthma, biliousness, colds, coughs, sore throat, diphtheria, la grippe [flu or influenza], heartburn, liver complaint[s], scurvy, fevers and rheumatism
  • a natural strengthening agent to the liver enzymes
  • indigestion such as heartburn, bloating and belching are relieved
  • the following bullets are from quantumbalancing.com



TWO. Eat Clean.

Remove as much processed foods from your diet as possible. Not only are they full of salt, but these foods are also full of preservatives. I have gone without processed foods for the most part for a number of months now, and if I do indulge my body makes sure I remember why I was avoiding it in the first place. I have replaced my morning processed fast foods with a healthy shake (here is my recipe for Green Shakes,Think that eating clean means no treats? How about a sweet treat of Chocolate Chip Cookies? Enjoy the AMAZING benefits of nuts, fruit, veggies, legumes, and fatty omegas. Your body will thank you!




THREE. Bee Pollen.

Try adding a teaspoon of Bee Pollen to your diet. **NOTE - be sure you do not have an allergy to this - always follow the directions to test for allergies.** (That being said - I am the Queen - no pun intended - of being allergic to everything, and I have had no issues at all.)
Why Bee Pollen? Here is the list of health benefits:
  • Increases resistance to stress & diseases
  • Age-retarding and rejuvenate properties
  • Energy booster **(lets just say you don't need that cup of Joe or you will be flying!) Again, no pun.
  • Appetite Suppressant
  • Weight Management
  • Helps to relieve "seasonal allergies"
  • Lowers blood pressure
  • Asthma
  • Fatigue
  • Pre-menstrual & Menopause
  • Skin Conditions
  • Feeling of Well Being
  • Alertness
  • Sexual Desire & Performance
  • Athletic Endurance
Bee Pollen
Bee Pollen
BEE POLLEN is the only known food that contains every essential nutrient needed by mankind for perfect health. Source

Some things to remember about Bee Pollen. Always buy local. The reason for this is because the local bees will be collecting local pollen from the flora and fauna of your area. And buying local will help with allergies to local plants. Best way to take the Bee Pollen? Well as for taste, I am not a promoter. Half a teaspoon in some applesauce washed down with a sip of water is no problem. I have also added it to my shakes, however I usually get full before finishing my shake and I want to be sure I am ingesting the Bee Pollen, so I find the applesauce is the best route for me. You will SLOWLY increase the amounts to the recommended dosage. Always seek help from educated individuals (doctors, natural paths, homeopaths, health food store employees, etc.) before trying something new, and listen to your body.



FOUR. Get your Check Ups.

Think because your not sick you should skip out on your bi-annual check up with your Doc? HECK NO. Many times we do not show any symptoms of serious health risks until it is too late. Go and get your blood work,Colonoscopies, Mammograms, Vision, Hearing, and physical check ups done at least once a year to ensure your health is optimal.

Source


 FIVE. Mental Health Checks & Maintance.

Think because your body is working well after that check up that everything will be in working order? What about your mental health state? Spiritual well being? While your at that doctors appointment you should be aware of your mental health, and tell your doctor not only about your physical symptoms, but your mental woes as well. Stress, depression, coping with loss, anxiety, drug use, drinking habits, all of these things can attribute to your mental state and should be taken into account when thinking of your overall health. Some simple routines for your mental health to stay in the positive are here:


  • Think positive. With each negative thought you need to push forward a positive one! Keep the balance and train your brain to fight for its positive messages to be heard.
  • Exercise. Creates a wonderful amount of endorphins that last for hours!
  • Meditate. Take the time to relax and be still. A 20 minute "me session" can give you balance and create a healthy relationship with your own self.
  • Keep old and create new healthy friendships. Friends are important, especially as we age. Meaningful conversations and someone to share your life with are extremely important.
  • Take your vitamins. Think there is no link between your positive moods and your balanced vitamin enriched body? Think again! Vitamin B alone can help your moods stabilize.
Have any ideas to share? Would love to hear them!
Post a message!

~~Finding Feathers~~









Thursday, April 12, 2012

Saving $$ Around the House

I have been meaning to do this post for quite some time now and finally I ran out of laundry soap and needed to make more.
That's right..... I make my own laundry soap.   COST $8.00 for 90+ loads!



This recipe is the EASY most TIME EFFICIENT and INEXPENSIVE way I have found.

Ingredients:

1 Box of Borax
1 Bar of laundry Soap*
1 small cheese grater
2 1kg containers (or one 2kg container)
1 scoop
1 spoon for mixing product



As for the soap. I usually buy the Sunlight Lemon Scent two bars that cost about $3.00. However this shopping trip I was in Toronto at the HUGE Loblaws in the old Maple Leaf Gardens (amazing!), and they did not have any. So I purchased the only bar soap they had. It is an Italian brand Linda, not much of a scent, but double the thickness so I only needed one bar to make my regular amount and it was only $1.95. Borax is a natural deodorizer. These ingredients are safe and effective!

Some laundry soap makers spend hours boiling and mixing away, that was not for me. So I found this to be the best way. First find a grater that will grate your soap into fine pieces. I use this one





Then grate half of the soap bar (or one bar if you have bought the 2 pack of Sunlight brand). This takes a little elbow grease, and don't cut your finger open! (Sounds stupid, and it is, there has been blood shed over this before.)





Once half the bar is grated empty half of the box of Borax into a large mixing bowl. Put the soap in and mix well. Transfer into container. Do the same with the rest of the soap and Borax, and your done. If you have a small piece of soap left (because you were afraid to cut your fingers by going to the end of the soap) you can use this for stain removal! Just rub the soap bar with some water onto the stain before washing.


The scoop that I use is 30ml. Very small, and I only use one scoop per load. If your washing clothes that require more soap (greased, or strong smell) then feel free to double up.
You can always add essential oils to each load if you want a scent in your laundry, and best of all NO STATIC! Even without dryer sheets!

Price comparison: Tide powder 80 loads $11.97+ tax @ Walmart.

Hope this helps your family save some money and your skin will thank you!

~~ Saving Feathers~~