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Sunday, February 24, 2008

Apple Cider Vinegar Plus Honey Equals Good Health

It seems that 2 ingredients, commonly found in our kitchens, can offer some wonderful, healthful benefits with virtually no side-effects. Those 2 ingredients:


Apple Cider Vinegar


and


Honey


mixed with some water can help with everything from colds to arthritis to insomnia.


According to Deforrest Clinton Jarvis, M.D. (1881-1966) a graduate of the University of Vermont Medical College, a bloodstream that is too alkaline is more prone to infections, and he believed that this increase was a direct result of higher fats and processed foods in the modern diet. He found that increasing the acid in one's system seemed to decrease the alkalinity, and that by drinking the vinegar/honey solution was one way of accomplishing that. He also discovered that the acid (from the cider vinegar) dissolved calcium deposits in joints, hence its efficacy for arthritic conditions.


HOW TO:


Mix


2 tablespoons apple cider vinegar
2 tablespoons honey

in a glass of water



and sip.

For a full list of what apple cider vinegar can help with click here.


For insomnia (which I have written about here before, and from which I suffer)


mix 1 or 2 tablespoons apple cider vinegar
with 2 tablespoons of honey

and mix in a small amount of warm water


sip a while before bed time.


Apparently, this concoction does not help you fall asleep, so much as helps keep you asleep once you do.



Good health to you all.

I read somewhere that this is NOT good for children under 2. But as always, check before you proceed.

Friday, February 22, 2008

Keys to happiness: Thomas Jefferson quote





"It is neither wealth nor splendor, but tranquility and occupation, which give happiness."



Thomas Jefferson

Wednesday, February 20, 2008

Keys to happiness: Frank Outlaw Poem "It's All About Character"

"Watch your thoughts; they become words.
Watch your words; they become actions.
Watch your actions; they become habits.
Watch your habits; they become character.
Watch your character; it becomes your destiny."
by Frank Outlaw

Sunday, February 17, 2008

Commuting Can Be Harmful To Your Lungs

So, now it seems that driving is almost as hazardous for your health as smoking. For those of you who commute to work every day, in traffic congested areas, your lungs are being exposed to pollution that accounts for up to 45% of your daily not-recommended dosage of air pollutants. The only greater health risk is smoking, according to some University of Southern California(USC) scientists who studied the driving habits of urban commuters. 45% for only approximately 6% of time spent in one's car.

SOLUTION:

Drive with your windows shut.
Turn on your air recirculation.
Take a train (though I would think this was as hazardous).
Bike it around, on less travelled thoroughfares (though I'd think this too would expose you to even more pollutants.

Good luck trying to find a solution. But if you smoke. I'd quit, now.

HatTip: Prevention Magazine

Friday, February 15, 2008

Keys to happiness: Seneca Quote


"A good character is the only guarantee of everlasting, carefree happiness."



Tuesday, February 12, 2008

Saturday, February 9, 2008

Irritable? Try This Yoga Breath

All of us have those moments when we just want to scream. When every little thing makes us irritable. I know I have plenty of those days when I snap, even though I don't want to.

I just came across this yogic exercise, the Garuda mudra, that is guaranteed to stop irritability in its tracks with a specific hand gesture, and just a few quick deep breaths:

Place your left hand on your lower abs, the right hand on top of your left, then cross and spread out your fingers (like an eagle's wings).

Inhale deeply 10 times.

Repeat the hand gesture and the 10 deep breaths at the navel, and then at the breastbone.

When we get stressed our bodies fill up with excess energy, and this helps release that energy (vata), which then releases all that irritability.

I know I'm going to try that next time I'm ready to bite someone's head off.

Friday, February 1, 2008

Best Way To Disinfect A Sponge?

We can only imagine what icky stuff gets soaked up by the sponges we use to wash dishes, clean counter tops etc. And unless you use a new one each day (and who does that?!) I can guarantee you that there are plenty of unsavory germs that cling to that sponge. I used to throw them away, though not often enough, until someone told me to put them in the dishwasher during a cycle.

However, I just read in an old issue of Vegetarian Times that dishwasher cycle isn't the best way to clean those sponges. Researchers at the University of Florida recommend microwaving your dirty sponges to disinfect them. In their research study, they soaked some sponges in water that contained E.coli and other viruses. 2 minutes later, more than 99 per cent of the bacteria had been eliminated. Apparently, the higher temps in microwaves (as opposed to dishwashers) is what makes it a more effective way to clean sponges.

What to do:

Thoroughly wet a sponge (do not nuke dry!)

Toss it in the microwave on high for 2 minutes and voila! Nasty buggies gone, at least a good portion of them.