5 Tips That Prevent an Afternoon Energy Crash

Sometimes, you just can't beat that afternoon slump. Sitting at a desk all day can leave you feeling the opposite of energetic, especially around those post-lunch hours when our bodies expend more energy digesting or we crash from the effects of our morning cup of coffee. Luckily, you don't have to spend your 9-to-5 dreading the inevitable urge to take a midday nap. Here are some ways to combat that afternoon slump.

1. Exercise in the morning. A good day begins with a good start. Exercising in the morning is beneficial for many reasons: you don't have to worry about scheduling a time later, and it's nice to be able to check something off your list before the day really begins. A morning sweat session is also good for keeping your energy levels up throughout the day, so if you find yourself hitting a wall in the afternoon, try moving your workout session to before work and see how you feel.
2. Take an afternoon walk. If you find yourself spending more time dozing and daydreaming than working in the afternoon, take a 10-minute break to rev up your body. Just walking around the office, chatting with co-workers, or taking a break to enjoy the sunshine outside can be all you need to give your body a recharge. Wearing an activity tracker that can alert you when it's time to move can also help remind you that you've been sitting long enough to make energy levels crash.
3. Eat lighter. Not only will a greasy lunch spell bad news for a diet, but choosing to go for heavy food while you're at work can also put you in that post-lunch slump in no time. Instead of opting for Chinese or a burger and fries, try to eat a lighter meal that still satisfies. A healthy lunch that includes a good mix of protein, veggies, and complex carbs will keep you feeling full without giving you that lethargic feeling. Here are 25 nonboring, filling salads that will keep you excited about your midday meal.
4. Drink green tea. Sometimes nothing works better to keep you awake than a dose of caffeine. But don't go overboard or you may find yourself having trouble sleeping later that night. If having a cup of coffee in the afternoon is too much, try drinking a cup of green tea instead. The caffeine levels are low but may still offer you a little pick-me-up, along with a host of other disease-fighting benefits.
5. Stretch at your desk. A few stretches, you can do at your desk, can get your blood moving and instantly make you feel more energized. In fact, sitting is so bad for us that it can reduce our lifespan by 20 percent, so get in the habit of moving around in your chair regularly to combat the detrimental effects of sitting while awakening your senses.

How To Grow Ginger

Did you know that ginger was considered a very expensive spice in ancient times? Yes it’s true. In Roman times, a pound of ginger was considered of equivalent value to one whole sheep! When the Roman Empire fell, ginger’s importance faded but when it was re-introduced to Europe, it again became one of the world’s most popular spice and herbs.
In addition to being a staple spice in Asian cuisines, ginger has been widely used to treat different sorts of ailments and diseases – including diabetes, motion sickness, stomach upset, menstrual problems, diarrhea, flu, arthritis, heart problems, headaches, colds, asthma, persistent cough, sore throat, muscle strains, acid reflux, cold sweating, dizziness, vomiting, ulcerative colitis, nausea and flatulence.
Ginger is also thought to be useful in the treatment of inflammatory conditions. It works by inhibiting the production and activities of cytokines and nitric oxides that are known to promote inflammation, which may trigger neurodegenerative diseases later on. The anti-inflammatory effects of ginger may be useful in the treatment of rheumatoid arthritis, gout and knee osteoarthritis.
Modern scientific studies have revealed ginger to have numerous therapeutic qualities – including analgesic, antiviral, antibacterial, anti-inflammatory, antiseptic, antispasmodic, antifungal, expectorant, anti-clotting and hypotensive. Furthermore, ginger is known to be capable of increasing blood flow, promote sweating and relax peripheral blood vessels.
Ginger is undeniably one of the best herbs you can grow in your garden.

Before You Plant

Choose the Right Type of Ginger:

• For practical purposes, ginger is most often home-grown from tubers. Your local grocery store is the best place to find ginger root to propagate.
• The most popular kind of ginger is basic ginger root (Zingiber officinale). It is commonly used in America for cookies, breads, and Ginger ales, while Asian recipes include ginger in savory dishes.
• Choose a tuber that looks healthy and plump. It should be firm with several fingers or growing buds. Avoid dry or damaged pieces.
• Not all gingers are considered edible, some types are instead prized for the plants and flowers.

Find a Suitable Place:

• Plan to grow ginger indoors unless you live in the extreme southern portions of the U.S. or in one of the desert states. Growers in zone 10 or higher will have the most success outdoors.
• Provide your ginger with a generous amount of room. Containers should be fully twice the size of the tuber. To plant more than one tuber in a single container, get one that is 14″-16″ in diameter and 12″ deep.
• Outdoors, choose a spot with light shade and well-drained soil.
• Protect plants from high winds.

Prepare the soil:

• Mix organic material or prepared compost into soil to fill the container (or amend garden soil in the same manner).
• Ginger will grow quite well in commercially prepared potting soil.

Planting/Growing Ginger

What You Will Need:

• Ginger root
• Prepared soil

How to Plant Ginger:

1. Ginger should not be placed outdoors until daytime temperatures exceed 75 degrees.
2. Soak tubers overnight in water before planting.
3. Fill containers with prepared soil, or loosen the dirt in your garden location.
4. Place ginger in the soil with the buds facing up.
5. Cover with a very thin layer of soil. (Some growers suggest leaving it uncovered).
6. Water lightly until the plant becomes established.

Harvesting/Pruning Ginger

Ginger requires very little maintenance. Here’s what you need to do.

What You Will Need:

• Garden clippers or scissors
• Small garden trowel

Steps for Care and Maintenance:

1. Younger ginger plants should remain in the shade.
2. Water regularly to maintain moist (not wet) soil.
3. Once the plant matures, clip tender new shoots for cooking at any time.
4. To harvest ginger root, dig up new tubers that appear at the base of the plant.
5. Move plants indoors when outdoor temperatures dip below 50 degrees.
6. Ginger is dormant during the winter months. Allow the plant to dry during this time.

Additional Tips and Advice

• Roots reach their optimum flavor at 265 days.
• To store ginger, wash (don’t peel) tubers before placing them in a bag and freezing them. Remove ginger from the freezer and use a vegetable peeler to pare off portions as you need them.
• Plants will mature in about ten months, reaching heights of 2″-4″.

Reference: www.howtogrowstuff.com

Are Your Bacteria Making You Fat?

Are Your Bacteria Making You Fat?



This is a very interesting article!!!

Naturopathy 101: Series 1a

While some people may dismiss herbal remedies as quackery, the use of botanicals is well rooted in medical practice. Ancient doctors methodically collected information about herbs and developed well-defined pharmacopoeias to treat a variety of ailments. More than a quarter of all drugs used today contain active ingredients derived from those same ancient plants.


It's estimated that nearly 80 percent of the world's population use herbs for some aspect of primary health care. In the United States, more than 1,500 botanicals are sold as dietary supplements; top-selling herbs include echinacea, garlic, goldenseal, ginseng, ginkgo, saw palmetto, aloe, ephedra, Siberian ginseng, and cranberry.


One I would like to talk about today is Ginseng:

So popular is this herb that more than 50,000 people are employed worldwide in the ginseng industry. Rather than addressing specific conditions, ginseng is used to treat underlying weakness that can lead to a variety of conditions.

For example, among its many uses, ginseng is recommended as an herbal remedy for people who are frequently fatigued, weak, stressed, and affected by repeated colds and flu. Ginseng is an adaptogen, capable of protecting the body from physical and mental stress and helping bodily functions return to normal.

The enthusiasm over ginseng began thousands of years ago in China, where the Asian species of ginseng, Panax ginseng, grows. So valued was China's native species, the plant was overharvested from the wild, causing scarcity and increased demand.

When a similar species, Panax quinquefolius, was noted in the early American colonies, tons of the plant were immediately dug and exported to China. Many American pioneers made their living digging ginseng roots from moist woodlands. As a result, ginseng has become rare in its natural habitat in the United States as well. Ginseng is now cultivated in forests or under vast shading tarps.

Many people believe the cultivated ginseng has slightly different properties from the natural wild specimens. The Asian species is said to be the superior medicine, compared to the American species, but the two species have slightly different applications. The Asian Panax ginseng is said to be a yang tonic, or more warming, while the American Panax quinquefolius is said to be a yin tonic, or more cooling. Both the ginseng and the quinquefolius species are qi tonics, or agents capable of strengthening qi, our vital life force.

In traditional Chinese medicine, our vital qi is composed of two opposing forces, yin and yang. Yin and yang are dualistic opposites that churn and cycle in all life and, indeed, all matter. The yang aspect of the life forces is the bright, hot, external, dispersive, dynamic pole. The yin aspect is the dark, moist, internal, contracted, mysterious pole. All people, all plants, all matter, and yes, even all diseases have their yin and yang aspects.

Traditional Chinese medicine is very sophisticated in its observation of these phenomena; thus, all botanical therapies are fine-tuned accordingly. Panax ginseng, for example, might be recommended to warm and stimulate someone who is weak and cold from nervous exhaustion. Panax quinquefolius, on the other hand, is best for someone who is hot, stimulated, and restless from nervous exhaustion and is feverish. It is good for someone experiencing a lot of stress (and subsequent insomnia). American ginseng is used in China to help people recuperate from fever and the feeling of fatigue associated with the heat of summer.

[Reference]

Friedman, M. (2001) Fundamentals of Naturopathic Endocrinilogy. Kingston, ON K7M 2LS Canada: CCNM Press.

Amazing Basil

Basil, also known as sweet basil is a wonderful herb that is adored by many due to its use in Italian and Asian cuisine. It’s a staple in countless savory recipes, adding its uniquely delicious aroma and flavor. Basil is one of the main ingredients in pesto – and is also added fresh to salads and many other dishes.
What is slightly less well known is that basil is also thought to have medicinal qualities – including as antibiotic, blood sugar balancer and stress reducer. Basil is a popular herbal remedy in the Ayurvedic and Siddha traditional medicine systems.
Basil is an easy herb to grow but prefers warm, sunny conditions. It is very sensitive to frost. It might make a good indoor herb for a sunny kitchen windowsill.
A few more bits of basil trivia: Basil is in the mint family of herbs – which may come as a surprise as it doesn’t smell minty! But if you look at the leaves and the way it grows, you can see the similarity. Basil is truly ‘old school’ – it is reported by historians to have been cultivated for over 5,000 years in India and other parts of tropical Asia.

There are numerous types of basil – including
African blue basil (Ocimum basilicum X O. kilimandscharicum)
Anise basil or Persian basil (Licorice basil || O. basilicum ‘Licorice’||)
Camphor basil, African basil (O. kilimandscharicum)
Cinnamon basil (Ocimum basilicum ‘Cinnamon’)
Dark opal basil (Ocimum basilicum ‘Dark Opal’)
Globe basil, dwarf basil, French basil (Ocimum basilicum ‘Minimum’)
Hoary basil (Ocimum americanum formerly known as O. canum)
Holy Basil (Ocimum tenuiflorum, formerly known a O. sanctum)
Spice Basil (a cultivar of Ocimum americanum, which is sometimes sold as Holy Basil)
Lemon basil (Ocimum americanum)
Lettuce leaf basil (Ocimum basilicum ‘Crispum’)
Purple basil (Ocimum basilicum ‘Purpurescens’)
Queen of Siam basil (Ocimum basilicum citriodorum)
Rubin basil (Ocimum basilicum ‘Rubin’)
(list source – Wikipedia “Basil” page)

 These are my top uses:

1. Basil Pesto- This culinary use is one of Basil’s most popular uses and variations of this are used in cultures around the world. [Try adding adding  pesto to eggs or to slices of fresh cucumber.]
2. General Cooking- Dried basil can be easily added to practically any dish. Basil is used around the world in many different cuisines with good reason. It adds a depth and flavor that is not rivaled by other herbs.
3. Calming the Stomach- The Italians may be on to something with adding Basil to everything. It is thought to have a calming effect on the stomach and 1/2 teaspoon of dried or fresh Basil Leaf in water can often help sooth indigestion and alleviate feelings of fullness.
4. Coughing and Colds- I’ve heard that the Amish suggest using Basil leaf to help alleviate coughing and colds. They chew fresh leaves to calm coughing or make a calming tea of dried basil to help sooth illness.
5. Facial Steam for Headache- A facial steam with dried basil leaf can help alleviate a headache. Add a tablespoon of dried basil leaf to 2 cups of boiling water in a large pot. Carefully lean over the pot, cover head with a towel and breathe in the steam for 5-10 minutes until headache starts to subside. Bonus, you get to smell like an Italian restaurant for the rest of the day!
6. Antibiotic properties- According to Mountain Rose Herbs: “European scientists are investigating the use of basil oil as treatment for antibiotic resistant infections with Staphylococcus, Enterococcus, and Pseudomonas.”
7. Stings and Bites- If you are working outside and get bitten or stung by an insect and don’t have any Plantain growing nearby, chewing up a basil leaf and applying to the bite will help relieve the pain and draw out the venom.
8. Ear Infections- According to Mountain Rose Herbs: “The essential oil is antibacterial, and drops of basil oil may relieve ear infections.”
9. Blood sugar- There is some evidence that Basil can help level out blood sugar if consumed regularly and drank as a juice or tea.
10. Stress Reduction- One herbalist I know suggests adding 2 cups of strong Basil Leaf tea to a warm bath to help reduce stress and facilitate relaxation.

Do you use Basil? How do you use it? Comment below!

Herbs That Lower Blood Pressure

High blood pressure can have numerous causes but is associated with age, genetic predisposition, and numerous “unhealthy lifestyle factors” such as being overweight, stress, high salt intake, alcohol, smoking and lack of physical activity. High blood pressure can also be an indicator of other underlying conditions and so professional medical advice should be sought.
The first step typically suggested is to sort out any unhealthy lifestyle issues. Prescription medications are often taken to manage the symptoms of hypertension, however these are not considered a permanent cure.

We yearn to live our lives with excitement and passion. Our range of daily activities keep us mobile and self-revitalizing. We like running around, performing well at work, shouting at the top of our lungs and feeling the adrenaline course through our veins.

However, the bad habits we create for ourselves while living it up will catch up with us in due time. High blood pressure develops from a combination of factors such as smoking, alcohol consumption, eating fatty foods and lack of appropriate physical activities. Family history and aging also causes our bodies to perform in sub-optimal conditions as compared to the years of our vigorous youth.

If left unattended, high blood pressure can damage blood vessels and gravitate to life-threatening conditions such as heart problems, stroke and cardiac arrest. You shouldn’t wait for it to happen to you when you least expect it. Start taking proactive measures immediately to manage your blood pressure. It could be the best decision you could make for your longevity.

The common reliance on prescription drugs has produced no permanent cures for high blood pressure. You may want to consider nature’s solutions to keep your body in a state of wellness and equilibrium. The following five herbs will help you experience worry-free excitement through lower blood pressure once again when taken constantly:

1. Passion Flower (Passiflora)

Passionflower is effective in lowering blood pressure since it reduces stress and anxiety, which are factors that can directly cause an elevation in blood pressure. It is used as a natural sleeping aid for those having bouts of sleeplessness.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

2. Lavender (Lavandula)

By massaging the body with lavender oil, you can dramatically reduce blood pressure by 50 percent. Lavender works as a vasodilator by relaxing and expanding the blood vessels, thereby causing the blood pressure to lower. Lavender oil can be applied throughout the body or by bathing using either lavender flowers or the oil itself. You can also boil lavender leaves and flowers for use internally as a tea, which has the added benefits of treating insomnia or an upset stomach.
 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

3. Holy Basil (Ocimum tenuiflorum)

Stress plays a destructive role in overall cardiovascular health and the adaptogenic properties of holy basil can help alleviate stress-related damage. It prevents stress-induced biochemical changes, improves energy levels and endurance, supports healthy immune functions and promotes healthy gastric tissue which is often subjected to damage during times of stress. It also has many beneficial actions on the heart as a blood thinner and promotes good circulation. When taken daily, it can lower high blood pressure by helping optimize cholesterol levels. (which I will discuss in another post)

 

 

 

 

 

  

 

4. Valerian (Valeriana officinalis)

Valerian contains a natural tranquilizer as it relaxes muscles and lowers blood pressure. Consuming valerian daily will aid in a state of overall relaxation and elimination of stress. This process will, in turn, decrease blood pressure in people experiencing hypertension.

 

 

 

5. Oregano (Origanum vulgare)

 Oregano contains carvacrol which is very effective in lowering blood pressure. It reduces you heart rate, mean arterial pressure, and both your diastolic and systolic blood pressures as well. Oregano is also a viable alternative to salt in your meals, as the sodium in salt is a leading cause of high blood pressure. A high-sodium diet can lead to high blood pressure as each teaspoon of salt has more than 2,300 mg of sodium. Oregano is a sodium-free food, so it does not contribute to a higher blood pressure. A low-sodium diet for individuals with high blood pressure has a limit of 1,500 mg per day.

Green Cleaning With Vinegar

I was with my Mumzy the other day and she made the comment, "You know, vinegar has a lot of uses." So me being the researcher type that I am this prompted me to do a little research into the cleaning power of vinegar.
As you may or may not be aware, the is fact that ordinary white vinegar is excellent for cleaning many things. Not only does it do the job really well, but it is really cheap, and natural! So there aren’t the potential toxicity issues of chemical-based cleaners. Vinegar has been used as a cleaning agent – and for many other purposes besides culinary use – since very old times.

White vinegar is also known as distilled vinegar – something of a misnomer because it is not produced by the distillation of vinegar, but by the fermentation of distilled alcohol to give acetic acid, which is then diluted. It is used for medicinal, laboratory, and cleaning purposes – as well as in cooking, baking, meat preservation, and pickling.

Heinz cleaning vinegar is 6% acidic where as regular vinegar is only 5% acidic.  This makes it even BETTER for cleaning then the regular white distilled vinegar products.

I have listed 25 tips for green cleaning with vinegar.

1. Counter tops – clean with a rag and vinegar.
2. Drain or garbage disposal – pour in 1 cup baking soda then one cup hot vinegar. Let sit for 5 minutes.  Run hot water down the drain.  (Note: some garbage disposals do not react well to this cleaning method check all manufacturer instructions first.)
3. Microwave -  mixing equal parts vinegar and water in a microwave-safe bowl. Bring it to a boil inside the microwave. Wipe clean.
4. Refrigerator – clean with a half-and-half solution of water and vinegar.
5. Dishwasher -  pour a cup of vinegar inside an empty machine and run through cycle.
6. Plastic food containers -  wipe them with a cloth dampened with vinegar to remove stains and smells.
7. Lunch Box – place inside a slice of bread that has been soaked in vinegar and leave overnight to remove odors.
8. Glass – remove film from the inside by letting vinegar sit in them for a few hours. Add a little rice or sand and shake vigorously to loosen stubborn stains. Repeat if necessary.
9. Mini Blinds -  Dip gloved fingers into a solution of equal parts vinegar and warm tap water.  Run your fingers across both sides of each blind.
10. Tarnished Metal -  make a paste with equal amounts of vinegar and table salt.
11. Grease – use a sponge soaked in  vinegar.
12. Grill – spray a solution of half water and half vinegar on the cooking surface.
13. Sponges – placing in just enough water to cover them. Then add 1/4 cup vinegar. Let soak overnight.
14. Grout – let full-strength vinegar sit on it for a few minutes and scrub it with an old toothbrush.
15. Germs – spray with full-strength vinegar. Wipe clean with a damp cloth.
16. Mildew and soap scum – wipe with undiluted vinegar then rinse.
17. Toilets – pour in a cup or more of vinegar and let it sit several hours or overnight. Scrub well with the toilet brush and flush.
18. Stale odors -  wiping down with undiluted vinegar on a rag.
19. Wood – remove water rings with a solution of equal parts vinegar and vegetable oil. Rub with the grain.
20. Scissors – clean off sticky residue with a cloth dipped in vinegar.
21. Odors – place a bowl of vinegar in the room overnight.
22. Hands – Wipe your hands with vinegar to remove strong scents like onion and garlic, as well as stains from fruit juices.
23. Cutting boards – wipe wooden boards with vinegar.
24. Dusting – use spray bottle filled with half vinegar, half water and lightly spray a rag to dust all surfaces.
25. Mildew – spray shower walls and shower curtain with half vinegar and half water to help prevent mildew.

A few precautions when working with vinegar:

• Do not add vinegar directly to materials containing ammonia as this could produce harmful vapors.
• Never use white distilled vinegar on marble. The acid can damage the surface.

*As always please test your surfaces in an inconspicuous area before cleaning. 

Yours in good health,

 Ev