Natural Health Solutions

Natural sleep is free and has zero health drawbacks. In my opinion, it is the one treat no one should skimp on. Pillow time gives you energy, bolsters your immune system, boosts your memory, and even helps you get (or stay) slim.

We fall asleep for the brain to get a chance to  rebuild memories stored during the day and associate these with previously learned things.

Aim for seven to eight hours of sleep a night, the amount that studies show is ideal. If you’re up-and-at-’em on less, don’t sweat it. Some people are just wired that way.

Listen to your body and it will tell you what you need to wake up feeling good. So if that’s six hours, then get six hours. If you need eight hours to not feel the 2pm lull, then make sure you get to bed early .

Read the rest of this entry »

Technorati Tags: growth hormone, natural sleep, overweight, sleep stages

Nothing’s better than simple shallots in our vinaigrette that we  enjoy on almost any salad.  It is fresh and very easy to prepare. I have really enjoyed making salads with fresh ingredients from the garden.

If you haven’t ventured into the land of homemade salad dressings yet, I encourage you to give it a try.  Personally, it gives me great satisfaction to make my own, and I love knowing what is in it – no weird ingredients I can’t pronounce…unless it’s shallots.

Simple Shallot Vinaigrette

1 small shallot, peeled and finely diced (about 2 Tablespoons)
2 tablespoons White wine vinegar
1 teaspoon Dijon mustard
Salt and pepper
6 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil

Place diced shallot, vinegar, and 1/8 teaspoon of salt in a bowl.  Let sit for 15 minutes (this allows the shallots to sweeten).Transfer to a jar.  Add pepper, mustard and oil.

Put  lid on jar and tighten.  Shake jar until vinaigrette is blended.  Of course you may whisk in the oil while the shallots and vinaigrette are in the bowl, if you prefer.  I just always use a jar.  It seems easier to me.

You can also use red wine vinegar or fresh lemon juice in place of the white wine vinegar.  Although I have not tried these variations yet, I expect they would both taste great. Read the rest of this entry »

Technorati Tags: flavonoids, health benefits, osteoporosis, salad dressings, shallots

Manuka Honey has been used for centuries by the natives of New Zealand as natural remedy for colds and sore throats.Manuka honey from New Zealand is a specific type of honey that has actually been approved for use as medical device, due to its healing properties and superior potency.Manuka wound dressings have already been used for several years in Great Britain, Australia, and its native New Zealand. Canada also cleared it for use as an antimicrobial dressing earlier this year.

With all the medical research going on in today’s modern world, unfortunately, there is still no cure for the common fever blister / cold sore or the common cold! The only thing we can do is to decrease the pain by applying Manuka Honey 4-5 times daily and trying to avoid stress, lack of sleep or extreme exposure to sunlight.

My preference  to cure cold sores is Manuka Honey. But you could also use raw honey – it’s just not as potent as Manuka. Make sure you find one that is a semifluid.

Good quality honey offers several topical wound-care benefits:

• It draws fluid away from your wound
• The high sugar content suppresses microorganism growth
• Worker bees secrete an enzyme (glucose oxidase) into the nectar, which then releases low levels of hydrogen peroxide when the honey makes contact with your wound

All you need to do is apply some of the honey directly to the open sore. Apply at least four times a day, but more would likely be better as the goal is to keep it constantly bathed in the honey. Read the rest of this entry »

Technorati Tags: cold sore, Manuka honey, natural treatment, skin infections

According to NutritionData.com, zucchini is a five star choice for weight loss, owing it to the sense of fullness it gives and a high nutrient content.

Zucchini has many nutritional qualities. Folate, Potassium and Vitamin A, Vitamin C, Vitamin B6, Iron, Magnesium, Phosphorous, Copper, Manganese, Thiamine, Niacin, Pantothenic acid and Zinc.

A zucchini has more potassium than a banana. Zucchinis contain 95 percent water; a small one has about 25 calories.  Substitute zucchini for a baked potato and save more than 100 calories.

It is low in calories (only 25 calories per 100 grams of zucchini), saturated fat, cholesterol and sodium, and is a great source of dietary fiber. Fiber is particularly important for those people who suffer with food allergies and related gastrointestinal conditions.

According to NutritionData.com, one cup of cooked zucchini has a nutrition content of

• 10% of the RDA of magnesium,
• 40% of Vitamin A and
• 14% of Vitamin C.

All three are among our top immune-boosting nutrients that we try to emphasize in our diet. Besides, Vitamin C and lutein found in zucchini are very good for eyes.

And don’t forget: the darker the zucchini, the greater the nutrients and minerals, so look for those deep green colors. Zucchini can be substituted for many vegetables in your favorite recipes. It works well in soups, salads, sauces and egg dishes. It works especially well in Italian dishes.

For most recipes it is not necessary to peel zucchini. The peel is where you get most of your vitamins. Zucchini is bland in taste and usually takes on the flavor of other ingredients. It is usually seasoned with oregano, basil, tarragon, garlic or dill

Here are some quick ways to use zucchini that will make them stars. Read the rest of this entry »

Technorati Tags: delicacy, dietary fiber, Weight Loss, zucchini

Butternut squash has a sweet, nutty flavor, that is why many people enjoy adding it to their favorite dishes.This versatile veggie is packed with more than just taste possibilities; it’s also loaded with vitamin A — 1 cup of cooked squash has almost 150% of the recommended daily allowance — and is a good source of fiber, potassium, and magnesium. And like most vegetables, it’s fat-, cholesterol-, and sodium-free.

Besides, butternut squash is a great source of beta carotene, a powerful antioxidant. This vitamin and powerful antioxidant can prevent lung cancer, atherosclerosis, diabetic heart disease, help alleviate or prevent inflammatory diseases such as arthritis,lower cholesterol levels, and much more.Folate is another important nutrient which can help prevent birth defects. It also has 32% of DV of Vitamin C, omega 3 fatty acids, several vitamin B’s and copper.

I have to confess that butternut squash is my favorite vegetable next to tomatoes. I eat it almost every day, not just because of its high nutrient profile but for its gorgeous orange color, creamy, dense texture, and sweet yet versatile taste. When butternut squash is served in soup the potassium present in it can be particularly beneficial.

That’s because the sodium level in soup, even homemade soup, can end up on the high side as we season for taste. Excess sodium, unfortunately, has the potential to negatively impact the natural ability of your blood vessels to relax and expand. Fortunately, potassium encourages the body to excrete sodium and counteract the harmful effects of the excess. That’s one of many reasons why Butternut Squash Soup can be such a healthy choice.

You get a good dose of potassium to counter the sodium in the soup. For more potassium serve the soup with a side salad of dark leafy greens.

The Butternut Squash Soup recipe I’m sharing calls for roasting small cubes of squash at 400 degrees F before preparing the soup. The roasting gives the squash a deep caramelized flavor. Read the rest of this entry »

Technorati Tags: butternut squash, butternut squash soup, potassium, Vitamin A

Regular exercising, even initiated late in life, can help slow down the aging process. Inside all of our cells are fragments of DNA called telomeres – which basically help cells stay healthy. New research has demonstrated that aerobic exercise can help lengthen the life of those important pieces of DNA.

Telomeres are strands of DNA at the ends of your chromosomes that protect them from damage. The progressive and gradual erosion of telomeres leads to aging on a cellular level — think of them as a kind of biological clock. In fact it may be the most accurate biological clock we have. Once your telomeres drop below a certain level you simply die of “natural” causes.

As telomeres shorten more, cell death occurs. These cell deaths are associated with serious disease and premature aging. The leading anti-aging research is on how to prevent telomere shortening and develop therapies to lengthen telomeres, as many experts believe that lengthening telomeres could actually turn the biological clock backward.

However, exercise has been associated with preventing telomere shortening, so it is clearly a very powerful anti-aging strategy. A recent study in “Circulation” (a journal published by the American Heart Association) observed the makeup of telomeres in four groups of people:

• Healthy young non-exercising participants (average age 20)
• Middle aged non-active individuals (average age 50 years)
• Young professional athletes (average 45 miles running per week)
• Middle-aged athletes who had been active since adolescence (average 50 miles running per week).

Data that was obtained from 100 subjects showed that the group of older individuals who had exercised regularly since childhood had less erosion of their telomeres compared to non-active individuals of the same age. Read the rest of this entry »

Technorati Tags: aerobic exercise, aging, exercising

Cinnamon oil shows promise as a great-smelling, environmentally friendly pesticide, with the ability to kill mosquito larvae, according to a new study published in the July 14 issue of the Journal of Agricultural and Food Chemistry.

A Few Fascinating Mosquito Facts

*   Mosquitoes are attracted by carbon dioxide, lactic acid and other body chemicals, as well as your body heat, and can sense these from 25-35 meters.

*   Women, and people drinking beer, have been shown to be more attractive to mosquitoes. So if you’re a woman drinking a beer, watch out.

*   Blonds seem to be more attractive to mosquitoes than brunettes.

DEET products are too toxic and should never be used, especially around children and on their skin.

By adding a few drops of cinnamon oil to your favorite lotion or sunscreen, you can make your own natural and safe mosquito repellent.

Here’s the deal: we humans love the smell of cinnamon; insects (particularly mosquitoes) don’t. So here are a few of the simplest and easiest tips to use cinnamon oil as an insect repellent:

Things You’ll Need:

• Cinnamon oil
• Sunscreen
• Lotion
• Spray bottle
• Water Read the rest of this entry »

Technorati Tags: cinnamon oil, health benefits, mosquito repellent, mosquitoes

For more than 4,000 years, coconut water has been considered as a natural source of nutrition, wellness, beauty and hydration.It is unique, full of minerals and nutrition and has been used for the very ill.

“It’s a natural isotonic beverage with the same level of electrolytic balance as we have in our blood. It’s the fluid of life, so to speak,” says Mr. Morton Satin, Chief of FAO’s Agricultural Industries and Post Harvest Management Service.1

“It’s the only natural substance that can be safely injected into the human blood stream. Now modern science has validated its effectiveness.”

Coconut water is a tasty and delightful treat after a hot and sweaty workout and it is popping up everywhere.  Gyms, yoga studios, and natural food stores are all realizing its great benefits . So what in the world is so good about coconut water and why is it so healthy for you?

Basically, coconut water is like natural Gatorade. Like Gatorade, it contains water, simple carbohydrates (or, sugar), and electrolytes (or, minerals).Compared to a sports drink made with refined sugars, artificial flavoring, and blue food coloring, I’d say coconut water represents a solid upgrade.

It contains no fat and is very low in calories, about 50 calories for one cup, most of them from natural sugars. In addition to water and sugar, coconut water also contains some minerals such as potassium and magnesium.  In fact, as the websites will all tell you, coconut water has more potassium than a banana! Read the rest of this entry »

Technorati Tags: coconut water, fights fat, Gatorade, potassium

Marigold is treasured for its anti-fungal, anti-bacterial, antioxidant and antiseptic properties. Calendula officinalis (marigold) has now been placed in the books of cancer and anti-cancer cures.

The marigold is also able to help in the treatment of wounds. It is excellent in healing burns, stings and impetigo (a contagious skin infection.) It is wonderful in the treatment of warts, corns and calluses. The flowers are also used in the treatment of many skin conditions from eczema to varicose ulcers.

As a healing herb, marigold is unsurpassed for treating minor burns, stings, wounds, rashes and other skin problems.A marigold wash and poultice are very simple to make. Just steep a few flower heads in hot water until it cools, and then strain. You can dip gauze into the tea to wash the wound, or soak a gauze bandage in it .

Calendula is a beautiful plant with many uses and an interesting history. It is bright and cheery in the garden, adds zest, flavor and interest to many culinary dishes, can treat damaged skin and stimulate and rejuvenate healthy skin. How can any serious gardener not love, grow and use this beautiful and useful herb?

The flowers help heal internal ulcers and are a good stimulant for the digestive system. Both the leaves and flower petals have been used in salads. The flowers have a pungent, spicy flavor and have been used to flavor fish and meat soups, to add flavor and interest to cakes, breads, puddings, egg dishes and salads and in rice as a substitute for saffron. Only the flowers petals should be eaten as the center is quite bitter.

I often use fresh calendula flowers to reduce the pain and swelling of a wasp or bee sting, and I use diluted calendula tincture for broken skin, bleeding, and wounds; calendula lotion for various kinds of sprains.

You can use marigold petals steeped in vinegar for knee sprains; or you can make a lotion with milk. Simmer a dozen heads or so of marigolds in 2 cups of milk, steep, strain, and apply. Read the rest of this entry »

Technorati Tags: antioxidants, calendula, herbal remedy, marigold

Biking for as little as five minutes a day can help women control weight as they enter middle age, a new study suggests.

“Bicycling is an answer to weight control,” says the lead author of the study, Dr. Anne Lusk, Ph.D., a research fellow in nutrition at the Harvard School of Public Health, in Boston.

Riding a bike is ideal for weight loss because it burns a lot of calories. Riding at a moderate speed (12 – 14 mph) you will burn approximately 235 calories per half hour.

Depending on your body weight and the intensity of your ride, you will probably burn some where between 400 and 500 calories on a one hour bicycling trip. Walking just can’t beat these numbers, and riding a bike is way more fun.

Biking is a fantastic way to have fun, get great exercise, and reduce your carbon footprint. It is an adventure — whether biking to work or the store — or peddling long-distance for miles and miles. A side benefit is that I find I do some of my best thinking and creative problem-solving while riding my bike.Besides burning calories, cycling will give you amazing legs. You’ll tone up your quads and calfs quickly, and look amazing in shorts.

As both the large (quadriceps and hamstring) and small (calf) muscles of the legs work, they become stronger and more developed. The beauty of developing more muscle is that it not only makes the body look leaner and stronger, but it raises the resting metabolic rate.

The higher your resting metabolic rate, the more calories you burn even at rest. So eight hours after your bike ride, sitting on your couch, you’re still burning extra calories!

Make sure you’re making a perfect circle when you pedal to get the maximum muscle benefits. Push forward and then down with your quads and then pull back using your hamstrings. Use your calfs and hips to pull up and back.

You can expect to burn mega calories by biking; but like anything else, it depends on many factors. Your weight, the terrain, your exertion level, and how long your ride, will all have an impact your total calorie tally.

The chart below will help you get an idea of what’s at stake: Read the rest of this entry »

Technorati Tags: biking, burning calories, heart rate, Weight Loss