Vitamin E and C in the news

I'm so sick of the media always changing their mind on things. One minute vitamin E and C are good for preventing cancer, the next it's not. I'm sure if you had followed the news you have read the latest brilliant headline that Vitamin E and C are not good for preventing cancer...

Ok, I worked in the news and tv for almost ten years. All I'm going to say on that is to take it with a grain of salt (sorry about the cliche, but it works here nicely so I'm sticking with it!)

I have to say I agree with the news reports though...VITAMINS manufactured in a plant that doesn't care about quality, or fillers....yeah, those are not going to do any good!!

The best way to get your vitamins is still from natural sources-organic if you can!

Get your vitamins from your food, not a pill! If you get it from a pill, make sure it's of only the highest quality (cold pressed, so it's not heated too much, and no fillers! Organic materials are best-no point in taking vitamins if they have chemicals also!)


I don't need a bunch of people sitting around researching whether fake vitamin pills will help me cure cancer.

I just KNOW that vitamins from QUALITY food will help me with cancer. It's just common sense.


You don't need to study that!


Just my opinion :)

Alternative to pop (or soda!)

I thought I finally kicked my pop (or soda, or coke or whatever you call it!) habit. I was free of it for over a month, and feeling great. Than the holidays...sigh.

My last post made me think about how I could make my own version of pop without all the sugar and additives. I did some research and I guess there is a new version of Pepsi that claims to be all natural ingredients, and I guess Redbull has a brand of natural cola also.

I doubt they would be at my standards though, as a raw foodist (ok, raw foodist wannabe! lol)what I consider "natural" is different I'm sure, than say, Pepsi or Redbull!


I'm not really picky about the pop tasting exactly like coke or pepsi, but if I was...I think that would be really hard to get it close!!


But anyways, if you weren't too set on getting the taste exact...you could probably make a really good drink with carbonated water for the fizz effect, maybe some vanilla and cinnamon,and other spices!

I want to play around with different spices when I get a chance. I'll let you guys know if any taste good!

Does anyone have any tips on what I should try??

Raw Power Hot Chocolate

I know raw food is all about not heating your food up, so you may be wondering how I can have raw hot chocolate? Well, that is actually not true about raw food. Some food can still be heated, it is just that it can't go over a certain temperature. Being inMichigan, I still like to have some heated foods! I just don't microwave, cook, broil, etc. Whether raw food destroys enzymes or not, I'm not sure...but I mainly do it because of the maillard reaction. When food is heated too much, it causes a chemical reaction, and I think too much of that can change it's DNA structure..and well, that can't be good, right?!


I don't take any fancy thermometer or anything when I heat up soup or water-just as long as it's not boiling I think it's ok. I'm really not that picky, although I'm sure there are plenty of die-hard raw foodist who NEVER eat anything over a certain degree. If you have been following my blog, you know I'm not quite a raw foodist yet! lol I am just interested in it. Anyhows, now that I got that out of the way...here is my raw hot chocolate recipe:

3 tablespoons of raw cacao powder (I like the kind from https://www.noblelifeelements.com/maximumhealth
because it's not as bitter tasting as other's I've tried)


1 Coffee mug of whatever kind of water you like

Add 4 drops of stevia or agave for sweetening (while maybe not raw by some definitions, I still consider it better than sugar and you only use a little bit!)

Pour the hot water in (hot, but not boiling!) and add in a spoonful of raw honey! (I like Manuka, especially this time of year because of it's antibacterial properties)

The honey should melt into the hot water instead of clumping to the spoon, but if it doesn't you can leave the spoon in your cup while you drink to keep the honey in your drink!

*I didn't have these ingredients, but if you did...I'm betting that a little bit of natural vanilla, peppermint and/or cinnamon would be a nice addition
You may want to play around with the amount of sweeteners you add, based on the kind of raw cacao you have. I have had some raw cacao that is just plain disgusting, and bitter and others that is almost tolerable with no sweetener. Plus, I have a real sweet tooth, which you may not!


Either way, it's a great mood booster and comfort drink this year-without the guilt of regular hot chocolate!


This drink is also my "secret" morning power drink instead of coffee! It has all of the feel good ingredients, plus nutrients and caffeine. I don't think coffee is bad for you, but I prefer this drink for so many reasons! Some of the benefits of raw cacao according to https://www.noblelifeelements.com/maximumhealth

Magnesium

Cacao contains massive quantities of magnesium which builds strong bones and balances brain chemistry important for a natural optimistic outlook.* Cacao contains more magnesium than any other food known! This is likely the reason that women crave chocolate more during their menstrual cycle. Of all mineral deficiencies that arise on Standard American Diet (SAD), magnesium is the the most common, with over 80% of Americans are chronically deficient in Magnesium!
MAO Inhibitors

Chocolate contains natural mild monoamine oxidase enzyme inhibitors (MAO inhibitors). These rare MAO inhibitors actually produce favorable results when consumed by allowing more serotonin and other neurotransmitters to circulate in the brain. According to Dr. Gabriel Cousens, MAO inhibitors facilitate youthing and rejuvenation.
Phenylethylamine (PEA)

Chocolate contains Phenylethylamine (PEA). PEA can increases focus and alertness and helps us feel connected to others.* Our brains naturally produce a small amount of PEA al the time and much greater amounts when we are in love. This is no doubt why chocolate and love have such a deep correlation. PEA also plays a role in increasing focus and alertness.
Anandamide (The Bliss Chemical)

Cacao also contains a wonderful natural phyto-chemical called anandamide. Ananda is the Sanskrit word for BLISS and its no coincidence that our brains naturally produce anandamide when we are feeling bliss! Cacao also contains enzyme inhibitors that increase the amount of time that anandamide anandamide can stay in circulation in your body. This allows the wonderful effects of chocolate to last a longer time.

The Cacao tree grows in tropical regions around the globe and has been cultivated in Brazil, Peru, Ecuador, Venezuela, Central America, West Indies, Africa and South East Asia. Cacao has always been highly valued, its seeds sometimes serving as currency as they did during the Aztec period in Mexico.

According to http://www.benefitofmanukahoney.com/

Some of the benefits of manuka honey:


Manuka Honey Products by HoneymarkHoney has been used for medical purposes by the ancient Egyptians for thousands of years. However, with the advent of antibiotics, most people began to regard honey as merely a home remedy. Recent studies are now indicating that a special type of honey only found in the New Zealand region called, "Manuka Honey" actually has more healing properties than antibiotics and has been effective in treating antibiotic-resistant strains of bacteria. This is a major breakthrough in the medical industry as Manuka Honey is now being recognized by medical professionals as an viable alternative to conventional forms of medicine.

Based on recent studies, Manuka Honey has been known to effectively treat the following symptoms and health conditions:
Athlete's Foot Ring Worm Insect Bites Cold & Flu Symptoms
Arthritis Wrinkles Acid Reflux Eczema & Dermatitis
Sore Throat Rashes IBS Wounds & Abrasions
Acne Burns Nail Fungus Aches & Pains
Blisters Ulcers Gastritis Staph Infections
Cold Sores Infections MRSA Psoriasis

Manuka Honey Benefits

The Benefits of Manuka Honey

1. Manuka Honey has natural antibacterial, antimicrobial, antiviral, antioxidant, antiseptic, anti-inflammatory and antibacterial properties;

2. Manuka Honey creates a moist healing environment that allows new skin cells to grow across a healing wound flush with the surface of the wound, preventing deformity of the skin and scaring;

3. Manuka Honey rapidly clears infection by destroying bacteria;

4. Manuka Honey repairs damaged skin and regenerates new skin growth;

5. Manuka Honey hastens the healing process;

6. Manuka Honey eliminates malodor by destroying the bacteria that cause it;

7. Manuka Honey can heal Staph infections and destroy antibiotic-resistant strains of bacteria such as MRSA and VRE;

8. The viscosity of Manuka Honey provides a protective barrier to prevent wounds from becoming infected;

9. Manuka Honey causes scabs and dead skin cells to lift off the surface of the wound, leaving a clean healthy wound bed in which the regeneration of skin tissue can occur;

10. Manuka Honey stimulates the growth of tissue involved in the healing process;

11. Manuka Honey stimulates the formation of new blood capillaries and the growth of fibroblasts that replace the connective tissue of the deeper layer of the skin and produce the collagen fibers that give strength to the repair;

12. Manuka Honey has an anti-inflammatory action that relieves pain;

13. Manuka Honey has antifungal properties that can cure ringworm and other fungal conditions such as athlete's foot, jock itch and nail fungus;

14. Manuka Honey is all-natural and organic;

15. Manuka Honey has no known side effects



And last, but not least...the benefits of Stevia according to http://www.happystomach.com/stevia.htm
It is estimated that over 500 scientific studies have been performed on stevia. Many scientistshave reported numerous health benefits to adding stevia to the daily diet.

* Scientific research indicates that stevia effectively regulates blood sugar in people with diabetes and hypoglycemia, bringing it toward more normal levels.

* Studies have indicated that stevia tends to lower elevated blood pressure while not affecting people with normal blood pressure.

* Stevia inhibits the growth and reproduction of oral bacteria and other infectious organisms. Regular users of stevia as a mouthwash or for brushing teeth
(added to toothpaste) have reported an improvement to bleeding gum problems. This inhibition of oral bacteria may explain why users of stevia-enhanced products
report a lower incidence of colds and flu. Subsequently, an increasing number of toothpaste manufacturers are now using stevia in their products.

* When applied externally stevia poultices and extracts have been observed to have therapeutic effect on acne, seborrhea, dermatitis and eczema. Extracts placed
directly in cuts and wounds, have demonstrated rapidly healing without scarring.

* Other benefits of adding stevia to the daily diet include improved digestion and soothed upset stomachs.

* Stevia is also an exceptional aid in weight loss management because it contains no calories and reduces the craving for sweets and fatty foods. Steviosides,
the principle sugar molecule component of stevia, pass through the human alimentary canal without being altered by digestive processes, demonstrating remarkable stability. They simply cannot be broken down into their metabolites under normal gastric conditions. As a result, the sugar molecules pass unchanged through the human gastrointestinal tract and are not absorbed into the blood, producing no calories. Preliminary research indicates that stevia may actually reset the hunger mechanism in people where the pathway between the hypothalamus and the stomach has become obstructed. In other words, it clears the communication pathway between the stomach and the brain, reducing hunger sensations faster

Starting a Online Business

Some of you may know I have a website: www.internetyogaclass.com but I'm sure the majority of you don't! I wouldn't say it failed, but I didn't do things the correct way. I learned a lot from it, and thought I'd share. I think the raw food movement is so exciting because it opens up a new industry! There is SO much room for new raw food businesses, websites, products, and restaurants. Just go to the grocery store and look at the variety of products that are NON-raw! Look at the restaurants that are NON-raw!One of the things that makes this country great (United States) is all of the variety and options of choices we have to buy things. So, there is no room for jealousy or not helping each other out! I would love it if there were too many raw food restaurants or products to choose from! While getting the film industry to Michigan has been a step in the right direction (let's stop depending on the auto industry or the government and start fixing our economy ourselves!) for this state, we still need MORE businesses and industries. I know, I know, it's the government that gives companies tax breaks...but really, do you think the politicians and the government will give tax breaks or salary cuts to the politicans....unless we as the citizens demand it? There are a lot of powerful and wealthy people in Michigan-we can make a change if we wanted! So, back to the topic of an online business. Here are some tips and things I've learned:

1. Don't spend too much time worrying about copyright or people copying your idea! Just get the product and the idea out there and running. If anyone actually wants to buy it, than you can worry about the legal issues. Getting traffic to your site doesn't happen overnight! So, in other words, JUST DO SOMETHING! The rest will fall in to place!

2. If you don't know how to build traffic to your site, or you don't want to spend the time learning-make sure you devote the majority of your money to getting traffic and search engines. I know I said to just start your site and not worry about the details, and that is true-EXCEPT on this topic. You MUST know how to do this part! I don't want to say you shouldn't make an online business if you don't know how to do this as anything can happen and I don't want to discourage people's dreams-BUT, just be aware it's not likely and/or it would be extremely hard! Ideally it's better to do this yourself, but if you can't, you need to find someone you can trust who will do it. Don't just think your site will take off by word of mouth-this can happen, but it takes a long time and it's a full-time job! There are all kinds of tips and techniques to make your website noticed, and as you can tell...I am still learning!

3. If you are going to have employees, make sure you have a written contract. I can't tell you how many times my employees tried to go back on something we agreed on, but I had it in writing! Not to mention it will separate the ones who are serious about your agreement. Anyone can agree verbally to do something, but if it's in writing-it makes it more difficult to agree to do something you have no intention of really doing! Writing it down makes people think about what they are agreeing to!

4. If you expect things to happen overnight, than don't do it! Be prepared and embrace your mistakes! Let them motivate you, not discourage you (I need to remind myself of this one often!)

5. Don't waste time asking people what they think about your idea, unless maybe it's anonymous! Most people may genuinely like your idea, but that doesn't mean they'd actually use it. Or, they may be too nice to admit they wouldn't. If you think it's a good idea and it's been done before, than by all means go for it. If it's something completely new and you have nothing to compare it with, than it's a bit of a gamble and you can do all the research in the world...but again, the best way to learn is by doing! (which takes us back to tip #1 and 4)


That's all I can think of for now, but if anybody else has any ideas or advice, please feel free to share it with me!

Eliminating Negativity

I don't know where you are today, but man, it's been cloudy and depressing out all day! I've noticed a lot of people in a very bad mood today, but I'm not going to let it bring me down! I think that yeah, it's cloudy, but it's also warmer! NO reason to be so cranky people :) Vitamin D3 is excellent for getting that "sunshine" effect. When I take it, it's like it's a sunny day for me EVERY day! I love the stuff-it makes me so happy I feel giggly! Yes, I said giggly!

I spoke to someone today (hi Mike, hope you get to check out my blog!) about changing your mindset and not allowing other people's negativity get you down. I think this is SO important. You NEED to learn how to block out other people's negativity when you are trying to change your eating habits, or if you are trying to accomplish anything really!!

Some great ways to change your thinking:

1. EFT (Emotional Freedom Technique) A very easy, fast way to take away the EMOTIONAL hurt in your life. It doesn't make you forget the emotions, it just makes them less intense. I don't know about you, but I definitely eat unhealthy foods when I'm upset! So, this has been a huge lifesaver for me! http://www.tapping.com/ is a great site to get started on learning this easy technique.

2. Surround yourself with positive people only! I don't care if this means staying away from family or even your best friends! You can only do so much for them! If they are negative, they are PHYSICALLY and EMOTIONALLY HURTING you. Even if they are friends or family!! I wish more people understood that you are not obligated to put up with someone's negative behavior, just because you love or care about them! You are doing them a favor in the long run by setting your boundaries. Some great ways to meet some positive people? Meetup.com!!! I also want to add, that you shouldn't just push people out of your life right away-I only meant people that you continually try to tell how you feel, and that continue to not listen to you or respect your feelings! I believe in giving people a chance and discussing things first-BUT there is only so much you can do with certain people!

3. Shielding. What does this mean? It is very simple-putting up a mental boundary around your body. We are energy and we are surrounded by energy! You don't have to understand how this works, just know that it is true. With Quantum physics progressing so rapidly, we are beginning to even understand this. How to shield? I love to either just imagine (after doing deep breathing for a few minutes to get relaxed-it helps if you SMILE also while you do this. A smile changes your mindset automatically) and imagining I have a shield around me, and I also have been adding lately mirrors. Why mirrors? If someone is trying to harm you, their negativity will reflect off of you and onto them! That is how the universe works-whatever you put out there, comes back to you. By visualizing these images in your mind, you are simply reminding yourself that no one's negativity can harm you, unless you LET it! You are reminding yourself that whatever someone tries to do you, ultimately comes back to them!


That's all I can think of for now, but I guarantee if you start doing these things you will notice a difference in your willpower and your mood.

The key, and this a HUGE thing that I learned the hard way-if you see positive results, you must do this on a continuous basis. I would get good results, but not continue to do the work. It doesn't work that way though-you have to make this a regular and DAILY habit, or it is all too easy to allow negativity back in your life! One little bit of negativity can spiral out of control. This must be a constant effort-but believe me, after awhile it does not feel like work at all, but rather a joy!!!!

7 day detox challenge!

Let me first apologize to my male readers that this post is a bit girly, but it seems fun!

If anyone wants to join me in doing this, let me know:

It's NOT the economy...

...it's US.


Yeah, I said it!

It's not the banks.

It's not the auto industry.

It's not the credit card companies.

It's not the mortgage companies either!

It's US.


US=USA.

Our citizens.

If I hear another person say,"Well, with the way the ECONOMY is...,"I may just scream!

I know it's hard to take responsibility, but we allowed this to happen. Whether conciously or unconciously, we did. We allow it to happen by doing nothing but saying, "the economy sucks."

What are you doing to fix it? We are responsible for the government we allow!!!!

I know it's overwhelming to think about what you can do since you are just one person-but you know how the saying goes...it only takes ONE person to change things!

How about just by starting with changing your attitude from one of a victim to one who has the power and the ability to have an effect. You may not know how yet, but I guarantee changing that victim attitude will bring ways you didn't see possible!

The same goes for eating healthier! When we say we are too busy, too broke, etc. to eat healthy, is that REALLY true? Is it really your career, your slowing metabolism, or your lack of time? Or is it something else that keeps you from really changing your diet habits???


I'm going to be posting more info. here about a 7 day detox program I'm going to try, and I'll post more info. up here for anyone who wants to participate in it with me(it's free) So check back for that-it always helps to have support when you are trying to change your diet/habits! :)