Organic Weight Loss  - Eating Organic Foods Can Help You Lose Those Extra Pounds

Right now, it seems like everyone is looking for the secret to weight loss. There are tons of diet pills to choose from at the mall, and the latest quick fix diets are heavily publicized. The truth is, there’s no healthy miracle diet that will help you take off 20 pounds overnight, but there are things that can give you that extra boost to finally take the weight off once and for all. One great “extra boost” is organic food. These are foods grown without hormones, preservatives, pesticides, or other harmful chemicals. They are designed to grow naturally in the environment and work within the human body who eats them. Eating healthy with organics can help you finally take off those excess pounds naturally.

When the nutrients in an organic fruit or vegetable are compared to their traditional counterparts, they’ve been found to have significantly more beneficial substances. In some cases, there are as many as three times the amount of certain beneficial nutrients found in organic foods. In one study, organic oranges were half the size of the traditionally grown oranges and still had more vital nutrients. Eating appropriate amounts of organic fruits and vegetables can even replace your multivitamin, by giving you every essential nutrient you need. When foods are not genetically and chemically altered, they are nature’s finest.

If you doubt that organics are healthier for you, consider the fact that the artificial chemicals used in many foods are relatively new and have only been consumed for a small fraction of the time humans have been around. Our bodies are not designed to process these artificial chemicals. Hormones, preservatives, and pesticides can not be processed by the liver and therefore place excess stress upon the organ. The end result is a build up or artificial products in the fat stores of your body and this has been linked to storing even more fat. If you’re concerned about removing these chemicals from your system sooner rather than later, you can go on a juice fast just prior to starting an organic diet, but this should be supervised by a nutritionist or medical professional.

We’ve mentioned that natural nutrients and a lack of harmful chemicals helps your body function more efficiently, but you’re probably wondering how this helps you to finally lose weight. First of all, when you eat natural organic foods your body is able to digest them quickly and efficiently. When it does not have to deal with extra chemicals, your metabolism increases (which is essential to weight loss), and you are also able to gain the full energy potential of your food. This means you’ll be less fatigued and ready to get up and move. You’ll have the extra energy you need to exercise and burn off even more calories. Studies have also found that laboratory rats who consume organics sleep better. That means you’ll be even more rested and ready to conquer the day, and perhaps even a morning walk or jog.

Another advantage to your body working properly is that you’ll be less likely to get sick. Eating organic helps provide your system with the proper nutrients to stay healthy as well as providing your body more energy to fight off infection. You’ll also be motivated to keep up with your organic diet when you realize how healthy you feel.

While switching to an organic diet is a great way to lose weight, do remember to eat the right organic foods. Try to eat fresh, unprocessed foods that contain a lot of fiber, lots of fruits and vegetables are the perfect choice along with small amounts of protein and carbohydrates. This will help you lose even more weight and most importantly help you feel great.

Your Secret Weapon for a Healthy Eating Lifestyle

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For the original article or for more information, please click this link http://www.healthymenumailer.com/articles/organic-weight-loss.html

http://www.foodforthebrain.org/content.asp?id_Content=1767

The Links Between Diet and Behaviour

The influence of nutrition on mental health

Government advisors recommend ‘food for the brain’ campaign

A significant contributor to the increasing rate of crime, aggression, depression and poor school performance is poor nutrition. That’s the conclusion of the inquiry held by the Parliamentary Food and Health Forum, who issue a report urging for government to fund a campaign to research, increase awareness, and encourage us to eat more fish and whole foods, high in essential fats, vitamins and minerals.

The Parliamentary Food and Health Forum want more money spent on researching the link between diet, nutritional supplements and mental health; doctors to be better educated; mental health patients to be checked for nutritional deficiencies as a first line procedure on the NHS; and government funded healthy breakfast clubs at schools; government campaigns promoting the importance of optimum nutrition for mental health.

Patrick Holford, director of the educational charity, Food for the Brain says: “Less than half a percent of all money for medical research is spent on nutrition largely because there are no patented, profitable drugs at the end of it. Most doctors today have virtually no training in this area and simply don’t know that improving diet and supplementing specific nutrients often works as well, if not better than drugs for treating depression and mental illness. We welcome this report, which fairly and squarely recommends that government should put more money where our mouths are."

“We desperately need funding to follow through on extremely promising preliminary studies that suggest that optimum nutrition can improve behaviour, academic performance and reverse symptoms of depression and even schizophrenia”. The Food for the Brain website, www.foodforthebrain.org, provides free on-line advice for those with mental health concerns.

“Our results are extremely encouraging.” says Mary-Ann Munford, former NHS Primary Care Trust CEO, now director of the charity’s outpatient clinic, the Brain Bio Centre in London, which is pioneering nutrition-based treatments for ADHD, depression, schizophrenia and dementia. “I’m convinced that an optimum nutrition approach is a vital, and often ignored, piece of the equation for reversing most of the prevalent mental health disorders GPs see on a daily basis.”

Recent research has reported:
• Children with learning and behaviour problems improve focus, concentration and school grades when given essential fat supplements; and IQ scores when given multivitamins.
• Eating breakfast and a low glycaemic load (GL) diet, low in sugar, improves behaviour and concentration.
• Supplementing essential fats improves depression.
• Supplementing B vitamins improves depression and symptoms of schizophrenia, and stops or slows down memory decline in older people.

“Optimum nutrition is a forgotten factor in mental health today” says Professor David Smith, chair of the Scientific Advisory Board of the Food for the Brain Foundation and Emeritus Professor at Oxford University.

“The Associate Parliamentary Food and Health Forum” launched this report on 30 January 2008 following a year long inquiry into the links between diet, mental health and behaviour. 

Food and Health Forum, click here The Links Between Diet and Behaviour.  

More detailed information about the inquiry, including minutes of all the meetings and presentations given by witnesses, is available on the Forum’s website at: www.fhf.org.uk/inquiry.”

The trend hunter offers hundreds of photos, articles, information and links from water filtration bridges to floating eco-communities

47 Sustainable Living Communities

From Ocean Societies to Climate Refugee Islands

More:EcoClustersDesignArchitectureWorldArt & Design

With a great consciousness for the wellness of our planet, plans for sustainable living communities are being developed more rapidly than ever. This cluster examines some of these eco-friendly homes and sustainable living communities. You’ll notice a great focus on ocean societies within these innovations as more architects are realizing the development potential for this underutilized real estate space.

http://www.trendhunter.com/slideshow/sustainable-living-communities Original article

http://www.suite101.com/content/lavender-a-plant-with-many-uses-a57053  Click for original article

Lavender Plants and Their Uses

From the Garden to the Kitchen, in Aromatherapy and in Crafts

Lavender plants are so versatile. Lavender buds, flowers, leaves and stems have multiple uses.

Lavender is an attractive plant that bursts into a profusion of beautiful purple-colored blooms. The flowers give off a strong, pleasing aroma when crushed. When dried, lavender retains both its color and scent, which has made it a favorite in centuries past and in modern times.

Lavender plants make a nice addition to the home garden. Low growing varieties form attractive borders; larger plants are used for wonderful, aromatic hedging. Lavender attracts butterflies, too, making it an all-round favorite with gardeners.

Lavender has definitely made a comeback. Lavender farms offer an assortment of lavender products; lavender festivals introduce people to lavender's uses in the home and on the health front. Trendy restaurants use lavender flowers to enhance the look and taste of popular dishes.

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Cooking with Lavender

English lavender has a sweet, exotic flavor and is the variety used most often for cooking.

• Lavender flowers make an eye-catching addition to salads
• Lavender butter or lavender sugar can be spread on toast
• Lavender honey hints of days gone by
• Lavender jelly makes a pleasing topper for bagels
• Lavender cookies and lavender ice cream are favorites
• Lavender vinegar is a nice change to the menu
• Lavender can be used along with other savory herbs, such as rosemary or basil

Lavender Tea

Soothing lavender tea is a favorite for both its flavor and its healing, stress-relieving properties.

Lavender Aromatherapy

• Lavender essential oil is used for a number of health conditions: to soothe the skin, for digestion, for headaches and insomnia, for nervousness and anxiety, for depressive feelings, and for stress relief.
• Soothing lavender essential oil can be added to water and used as an aromatic mist for areas where you spend many hours.
• Energy practitioners use lavender misting to clear negative energy and clean auras. A lavender spray mister containing lavender essential oil can be used to spritz skin and hair.

Lavender Oil

Oil is extracted from lavender plants and is used for perfume. Lavender oil can be added to bath water for a pleasing aroma. A few drops of the oil can be added to your pillow, to help with a restful night’s sleep.

Read on 

• Best Lavender Plants in Garden Landscapes
• Selecting, Growing, and Using Lavender
• The Lavender Essential Oils

Lavender Toiletries

Lavender is a natural antiseptic cleanser.

• Lavender soaps are a natural way to clean and heal the skin
• Lavender shampoo is popular
• Lavender is used in hand lotions, bath oils, and bath salts

Lavender Uses Around the Home

• Lavender stems can be dried and tossed into the fireplace for a scented reminder of summer, during cold months.
• Dried lavender flowers can be hung in closets to counteract musty smells
• Lavender bags or sachets (containing lavender buds and lavender essential oil) can be added to the dryer to give clothes a wonderful scent.
• Lavender furniture polishes and air fresheners clean and refresh the home
• Scented lavender candles add light, fragrance, and ambience

Lavender Crafts

• Lavender can be made into potpourri
• Lavender can be woven around/into wreaths
• Lavender can be added to floral arrangements
• Lavender brooms make eye-catching wall decorations

Common Types of Lavender

English lavender (Lavandula Angustifolia) is a good all-round plant with multiple uses.

French lavender (Lavandula Dentata) is used mainly for decorative purposes.

Spanish lavender (Lavandula Stoechus) is suitable for garden use.

Lavender is a feast for the eyes and a delight for the senses. Lavender plants offer nature’s bounty in an attractive, aromatic package.

• How to Make Lavender Pancakes

• How to Make Lavender Tea

• Lavender Shortbread

• How to Press Flowers for Craft Projects

Jun 15, 2008 Melody Rhodes

Natural Denture Cleaners

By H.C. Hisel, eHow Contributor

Natural denture cleaners aren't only more healthy, they're also much cheaper. These natural cleaners can be made with common household products. Stains and germs can be removed easily. Not to mention you can whiten your dentures safely without risking the deterioration of your dentures' outward appearance.

Lemon Juice

1.Cleaning your dentures with lemon juice is effective. Lemon has a great bleaching power that allows your false teeth to look brand new. Allow your dentures to sit in a mixture of half warm water and half lemon juice. It's perfectly safe to use lemon juice on your dentures as long as you don't allow them to sit in the lemon solution exceeding half an hour, as lemon is harsh.

Vinegar

2.Vinegar helps disinfect your dentures of all germs that build up through your daily activity. Make sure to use white distilled vinegar to receive the best results. Mix a cup of warm water with 1 tsp. of vinegar. You can let your dentures sit in this solution for half an hour to give them a good cleaning or overnight as you sleep. Don't forget to thoroughly rinse your dentures before wearing them again to avoid unpleasant taste.

Baking Soda

3.Baking soda is known for its odor control as well as its power to loosen stubborn debris. Mix 2 tsp. of baking soda into a cup or bowl of warm water. Stir the mixture until it fully dissolves. Soak your dentures within the baking soda solution for 30 to 45 minutes. If your dentures are really dirty and still don't seem to be clean enough you can use a toothbrush to work the baking soda into the stains. This will effectively remove debris and whiten your teeth.

To View complete, original article, click on link. http://www.mhasp.org/help/stress-week.html

Tips to Improve Your Mental Health - Every Day!

Try the following tips to help plan a week that will leave you feeling good, inside and out. If you are receiving treatment for a mental health problem, these tips can help you manage your illness and support your treatment and recovery.

Sunday

Relax. Try meditating, taking a walk in a natural setting, or reaching out spiritually through prayer. Quiet reflection, alone or in the company of others, can improve your state of mind, strengthen your sense of self and community, and give time away from a hectic schedule to collect your thoughts and reenergize for the week ahead.

Monday

Make a plan. Decide what tasks you need to complete for the week and make a plan for when and how to do them. If you are overscheduled, decide what can wait a week or two. If you don't have much on your schedule, plan some activities you'll look forward to.

Tuesday

Surround yourself with supportive people. Make plans with family members and friends, or seek out activities at which you can meet new people, such as a club, class, or support gorup. Reconnect with someone you have lost touch with and create new memories.

Wednesday

Take care of your body. Taking care of yourself physically can improve your mental health. Be sure to eat nutritious meals, avoid cigarettes, drink alcohol only in moderation, drink plenty of water, get enough sleep and exercise regularly.

Thursday

Give of yourself. Volunteer your time and energy to help someone else. You'll feel good about doing something tangible to help someone in need-and it's a great way to meet new people who share your interest and compassion.

Friday

Broaden your horizons. Create a change of pace or expand your interests. Explore a new hobby, plant a garden, plan a road trip, try a new restaurant, take dance lessons, or learn to play an instrument or speak another language.

Saturday

Value yourself. Treat yourself with kindness and respect, and avoid self-criticism. Take stock of the qualities you like about yourself, your accomplishments and abilities. Take some time every day to relax, reflect and rejuvenate.

Zuccini, it is the easiest vegetation to grow, it grows with very little attention and stores for later use, for up to 6 months.

How To Grow Zucchini By W Jackson

Zucchini is part of the squash and pumpkin family. Zucchini is a very abundant producer and you will probably need no more than two or three plants in your garden. Zucchini does not keep well, so it is best enjoyed during the summer months.

 Zucchini is probably one of the more talked about vegetables due to its ability to cross breed with pumpkin and squash. These mutations are used in the late summer and early fall as decorations. Seeds from these curious cross breeds can be saved and planted next year.

 Are you eager to learn about growing your own healthy, organic food? It's environmentally conscious and it saves money, too! We recommend: Organic Gardening for Beginners

 Let's get started! 

 1.You should not set your zucchini plants in the garden until the temperature in your area is at least 65 degrees Fahrenheit.

·Zucchini should be planted in a mound. You should prepare your garden soil so that it is approximately two feet in diameter. You can add well-rotted manure to the soil prior to building up the mound.

·Plant no more than four or five zucchini plants per mound. Space the plants six inches apart.

·Water the mounds deeply at least once a week. You should try to avoid wetting the plant's leaves as this will encourage disease.

·Once the plants have taken off, you should thin out the weak plants and leave no more than two plants per mound.

·You can cultivate the soil around your zucchini plants to keep weeds at bay. Stakes allow your zucchini to grow off of the ground, and when your zucchini plants are tall enough, they should provide enough shade to the soil that weed seeds will not be able to grow.

·Mulching between the mounds with hay is a good way to keep the fruits clean. It also will keep weeds from settling in and growing.

·When growing zucchini, you should keep an eye out for Cucumber Beetles. This pest is spotted or striped. They like to feed on the plant's leaves and they can also spread disease from one plant to another. Another pest to watch out for is the Vine Borers. These bad guys can eat right through your vines. You can easily rid your garden of these pests by applying an insecticide.

·Zucchinis are fast growers. You should pick them when they are about six inches long. If you pick zucchini when it is much larger, it can be tough. You can always leave two or three zucchinis to grow - just to see how large they will grow. However, you are advised to pick the small ones to eat.

Click on the link for the original article.

http://www.howtodothings.com/home-and-garden/a1995-how-to-grow-zucchini.html

Meat Lovers Can Now "Grow Their Own Lamb"

by Tanya on  December 01, 2009 at 8:51 AM

Taking cue from growing vegetables for own consumption, a Brit farmer is offering a "Grow Your Own Lamb" service that allows meat lovers to see the animal being conceived, born, butchered and delivered to their door. Brett Varker from Rowhorne Farm in Exeter, Devon, charges customers 176 pounds to be "completely involved" in every stage of the lamb's life.

First they choose the parents of their lamb from six breeds of ewe and four breeds of ram.

The pair are then placed in a field and the buyer can watch them mate and return to witness the ewe giving birth.

And then they are allowed a monthly visit to see the lamb before it is slaughtered at six months old and delivered to their door.

"Many of us grow our own vegetables but we're going a step further and helping people grow their own meat," the Daily Express quoted Brett, 48, as saying.

"Farming seems like a dark art to people these days, so we want to show them what is involved and how much we care for our animals.

"This is no petting zoo - it's about great quality meat," he added.

Source-ANI
TAN

For the original article, please click the link http://www.medindia.net/news/Meat-Lovers-Can-Now-Grow-Their-Lamb-Meat-61631-1.htm

Juice Fasting For Weight Loss and Health

The holidays can really pack on those pounds; this article offers good advice on a clean, wonderful fast, when done correctly with certified organic fruits and vegetables.Please click here for the original article.

http://www.juicefasting.org

Juice fasting has the surprising benefit of very rapid  weight loss. I know a man who entered a juice fast for health reasons and lost one pound a day for 28 days and to within five pounds of his target weight. This is a typical experience. You feel so much better about yourself as you see such dramatic results in an area that has been a constant battle for so many years of your life. You are encouraged to go farther and improve the way you dress and the way that you relate to people with a confidence that you haven’t had for a long time.

You may lose several pounds a day at the start of the program. As your body comes closer to your ideal weight, this process may slow down, averaging out to be about a pound of weight lost per day or more. Juice supplies calories. If you are not losing weight, you may reduce your calorie input by reducing the amount of high calorie vegetables that you are juicing such as carrots, or you may substitute water for some of the juice in your diet. Some advocate diluting your juice with water. Diluting can reduce the strong flavor of some juices that can be objectionable to some people. Weight loss is a function of your metabolism, so weight loss may slow down because you don’t have work so hard to carry around so much extra weight.

Health is more than diet. Don’t concentrate on losing pounds, which may be inconsistent as your body retains water in the fat cells for a short period. The body may periodically dump this water, keeping you up all night. Don’t be frustrated as this happens. It averages out. Instead of recording a daily weight loss on a chart, concentrate and think about other health issues. Staying physically and spiritually active will direct your energies in a more profitable direction. Remember, it took a long time to develop the problem and as your body, in its own time and way, accommodates the changes, you will realize the new energy that you have from the casting out of the stored toxins that your body stored in your fat cells. As with all healing, the joyful work of restoring a cleansed body takes its own time.

Some supplements are appropriate to use during this kind of weight loss program. However stimulating herbs can be very damaging to your body as it is excited by chemicals that are 20 times more powerful that a cup of coffee. The excess stimulation damages your body’s ability to fight disease and your nervous system undergoes heavy stress. Remember that you are changing your lifestyle, so diet and exercise are the elements that you can live with for the rest of your life. If you develop these life changing attitudes and practices, even when you are elderly, you can easily incorporate these healthy practices in your life.

R.D.

Excellent source for the beginer wanting to get involved in methane digester projects. The link to the website is posted below.