VioZen @viozen - Tumblr Blog

Exhausted and yet no time to sleep?

We all know we are supposed to get 8 hrs of sleep a night. We all also know that sleep is very important to our mental and physical health. That being said, we all have days where it just isn't possible so try this yoga tip/technique.

Blessings,

VioZen LLC

#exhaustion #yoga #yoga poses #yogaeverydamnday #rest #restorative

The Pollen of Spring does bring the Bees

Ok so here's a little interesting tidbit of info for you. Now that we are heading into Spring we will be hosting and/or attending many functions/activities. Most will have food and drinks and that doesn't just attract flies. It also attracts bees

Cucumbers are the answer! Just slice a bunch of cucumbers and place the cucumber slices all around the tables. It will keep the bees away. Easy , fun and Earth friendly.

Happy Picnicking!

VioZen LLC

#bee #bees #cucumber #picnics #picnic #park #spring #repelent

A simple yet briliant experiment on Organic vs. Non-organic...

This short 2 minute video shows how a child performed her own "at home" experiment on the difference between organic and non-organic vegetables, specifically sweet potatoes.

What she ended up learning was about chlorpropham , a chemical used in pesticides commonly called "Budnip" and in some cases "Taterpex". Here is some info about the dangers of chlorpropham along with the charming yet alarming 2 minute video.

http://mefirstliving.com/dangers-of-chlorpropham/

Eat clean and pesticide free...

Blessings,

VioZen LLC

#organic #chlorpropham #Budnip #taterpex #pesticides

positively reinforcing this New year

This is such a simple but wonderful idea. A great way to celebrate the positive, give energy to it and therefore adjust your perception.

Love it!

Blessings in this new year

xoxox

VioZen LLC

#2014 #positive #positivity #happiness #affirmations

Wait! Don't Throw That Out!!

1). COMPOSTING-

It is the day after Christmas and you probably have a lot of leftover food. Much of it you made and much was given to your by others. I'm almost certain there are some food items that you don;t want or won't get around to eating before it goes bad. Even though it's now Winter, it is NOT too early to start composting. Never EVER throw out anything that can go into the compost pile because Spring will be here sooner than you think and your garden deserves to benefit from your holiday feasts as well. It's not like you're going to eat that fruitcake anyhow.

2). Fire Place Ashes- There are SO many uses for fireplace ashes that people never think about or simply do not know. Never ever throw out your ashes. Although there are many uses for them I will just name my personal favorites.

* spread evenly as a barrier around the garden to prevent slugs and snails. They hate it. It will repel them and save your plants

* put about 1/4 cup right in the hole BEFORE the tomato plants during the initial planting

* controlling algae- put 1 Tablespoon per every 1,000 gallons of water to slow the growth of algae by increasing the potassium in the water which will help strengthen the other aquatic plant-life that compete with the algae ,therefore slowing down algae growth.

* De-skunking pets- a handful rubbed on the fur helps eliminate the lingering odor

You already have these things so you might as well use them to their full benefit and help decrease your personal/household waste in the process.

And don't forget this lovely way to save fresh herbs for later use

in conjunction with Violet Zen LLC

#ash #fireplace #fireplace ash #fireplace ashes #compost #leftovers #garden #gardening #organic garden #organic gardening #slugs #snails #algae #deskunking #de-skunk #de-skunking #planting #planting tomatoes

Eczema- causes and solutions

I've been getting a few eczema questions lately and it does tend to be more of a problem this time of year so I decided it would be best to make it today's subject at hand.

I myself have eczema issues and I have been able to narrow down my own triggers. That's an important step for anyone because there are so many things that contribute to and cause eczema in people.

The main ones are :

1) stress !!

2). an allergy to food, fragrances, pets, cleansers etc

3). The body's PH being off

4). imbalance in intestinal gut flora

5). temperature change

6) environmental dryness due to weather or heating methods

7) hormonal imbalance

8). Caffiene

It can also be a combinations of all of these. When you are stressed it affects the PH and the gut flora. The digestive tracts is responsible for 80% of your immune system, so when that's off your mild allergies to things that you don't normally even notice become pronounced etc and so on.

That would be the immediate thing I would suggest to anyone is go to a Whole Foods type of health market because you NEVER want to buy the probiotics from the drug store or regular supermarket. They SUCK plain and simple. They are NOT good enough or strong enough. I don;t care what the labels tell you. I have tried any number of the more readily available probiotics that claim to not have to be stored cold and are more readily available.They are not good enough at all. Really good probiotics are sold at Whole Foods and other comparable stores like that in an actual refrigerator section, because even though they are capsules they are alive/living organisms and must be kept refrigerated. Plus they are much stronger. You need to buy the probiotic capsules in the refrigerator section with 40 billion organisms per capsule or higher.

I would also highly recommend this stuff:

http://www.phionbalance.com/ph-balancing-products/alkaline-water/phion-booster/?utm_source=lsgoogle&utm_medium=cpc&utm_term=phion%2bbooster&utm_campaign=brand%2bproduct%2bnames

it is just fabulous for getting a persons body in balance naturally to where it I supposed to be.

As I said in the beginning ,I have eczema issues and if I use the ph ion booster, it goes away INSTANTLY but probiotics are also helpful and still very important.

In addition to the above- stop using soaps and cleansers that are not natural. Get some apple cider vinegar and just mix a little with water and use that as a disinfecting spray cleanser instead. Use only all natural, certified organic, fragrance free soaps, lotions and detergents.

The same goes for food. Only eat non gmo , certified organic foods and try to avoid anything that might be causing allergic reactions in you.

The most common being:

Eggs, soy, fish, wheat, gluten , chocolate and possibly nuts if you have a nut allergy.

Also avoid sugar however. Especially white or refined sugar.

Try to add moisture to your environment by simply boiling a pot of water on the stove (less bacteria than a humidifier) but maybe add a little apple cider vinegar to the water so it also cleans the air a bit.I realize that a humidifier may be necessary in the bedrooms of the home so I would absolutely take additional steps to ensure the safety against any bacteria that can develop in conjunction with the use of humidifiers.

Something that aunt really turned me onto recently is onguard protective oil from doterra. and can be found on the following website http://www.mydoterra.com/meredithjburton/ just burn a few drops in the oil burner . It is an all natural and safe for children really wonderful anti bacterial, anti fungal, anti viral and immune system booster containing all natural ingredients.

Also increase your omega 3's as well as vitamin E and D intake.

As far as topically on your eczema, use an all natural, fragrance free lotion. You can add some natural oils like almond oil, hemp seed oil, apricot kernal oil, Borage seed oil, Chamomile oil, evening primrose oil may be helpful and honestly there are several others but these are the most widely available.. Be sure to do so immediately after a bath or shower to seal in the moisture. If it is on your hands you can slather them up with everything and put gloves over top to seal in the moisture and make it easy for you to still use them without getting everything messy.

Anything you can do to reduce stress would be great. Easier said than done I know, but try taking a warm bath not hot but warm) with 3/4 cup of baking soda in the water and if you have it....also a few drops of lavender oil (100% essential oil) . It will regulate your PH while pulling toxins out of your body and calm you.

I know it's hard to avoid stress in our daily lives but especially during the holiday season. Just do the best you can. Breath. Meditate. Remind yourself that even when people are unkind and even aggressively so, their actions and attacks on you are about their issues, not yours. Shake it off, move forward, surround yourself with as much love and positivity as possible and forgive.

Blessings,

in conjunction with Violet Zen LLC

#eczema #skin disorders #skin #Natural Skin Care #stress

Eye Twitching- causes and solutions

Since my own eye has been twitching on and off for a few days I figure I might as well make that my topic for today's blog entry. I had one friend back in high school who's eye was twitching for 3 months straight! Poor girl.

Obviously Stress is the leading cause of an eye twitch so anything that you can do to help reduce or alleviate stress is great. There are several other factors that contribute to eye twitches

Caffeine

Lack of sleep

Long ours at a computer screen

Nutritional imbalance

Dry eyes

Stress

alcohol

incorrect fitting contacts

Now on the topic of dry eyes I wanted to share something very interesting that was recently discovered on accident by a fellow healing associate of mine. She has been really getting into essential oils more and more and made in interesting discovery about frankincense. She was putting a couple of drops on the back of her head at the very base of her skull at night before sleeping to help with her migraines. What she noticed is that her dry eye issue stopped as well. She wasn't sure if it was a co-incidence so she stopped using the oil for a bit and it came back. As soon as she started using it again it stopped. Who knew? A couple of drops of frankincense (100% essential oil) at the base of your skull in the back might just help you with your dry eye issue as well. Try it!

As far as the eye twitching...well, cut out the caffeine and alcohol, get plenty of sleep, make sure you are getting all necessary vitamins and minerals, make sure any corrective eye-wear you use is the right fit and prescription. Pretty simple. If none of that works then stop using any antihistamines you may be using for a bit. They tend to contribute as well.

Love and Light to you and your sight!

#eye #eyes #eye twitch #eye twitching #dry eyes #essential oils #francincense

So how about that cleanse?

There are so many different types of cleanses for detoxifying the body.

There is the ever fabulous but very intense mater cleanse http://themastercleanse.org/

There is also fasting and juicing

I will keep it simple and light though today. This is just a quick and easy way to do a light/basic cleanse from all the holiday food that you had at Thanksgiving and the bad stuff you've been eating while out Christmas/Hanukkah/holiday shopping. You naughty thing.

If you aren't already a vegetarian or vegan you need to start by cutting out ALL meat and/or dairy products. YES this includes eggs and things made with anything from animals. Also cut out all wheat, flour, gluten sugar, sugar substitutes, anything in a can (even organic), salt, soy and so on.

What does that leave you ask?

Well for the first 2 days , if you can, try to only juice. No solids. Juice that you make in your juicer at home with you all NON gmo ,organic fruits and vegetables. Include as many green, super strong antioxidants as you can like wheat-grass, barley grass and the like, in addition to kayle, spinach etc and so on. Sweeten up with pineapple and other fruits. Include fresh ginger and lemon to digestion and alkalinity.

No caffeine! No alcohol! You might be saying "duh" but you would be surprised the obvious thing I must state for people. No potatoes!

When you start to add in solids back to your diet after as much of the juice fasting as you can take, start with organic, non gmo brown rice only. No other kind of rice. You can add in some steamed vegetables,raw, un-roasted/unsalted nuts, hemp seeds, chia & flax seeds, fresh herbs, fresh fruits and apple cider vinegar. after a couple/few days of that you can start to add in yams,quinoa, legumes but only fresh organic and of course non gmo. Not out of a can and not dried in other words. After a while of that you can start to add in bread and fresh pasta but made with rice flour only and still vegan. NO EGGS in the making of it.

continue this as long as you can and drink LOTS of water during the entire process.

A simple, basic cleanse. If you are ready for the big one then I highly recommend the master cleanse if you think you can handle it.

Happy Cleansing!

#cleanse #detox #detoxification #toxins

Only for a couple of days!

I know many of you are eating Thanksgiving leftovers. Even those of us who are big health advocates, vegetarians, vegans and like, will often be a little bad during the holidays. The whole family gets together and there's usually a mother or grandmother who gets such joy out of making something special for you because you're home visiting. Something special that you have loved your entire life and if you don't accept it and eat some it would just break their heart. I get it. I do. I have that situation myself. I don;t eat the meat but I may have some of that pie that I know was made with eggs (even though I'm vegan) and gluten and tons of sugar etc.

So you get a holiday hall pass for another 48 hours ( including today) and then we all do a good cleanse ok?

The holidays often bring on depression so we will also be discussing depression and why MAOI inhibitors,known commonly as "anti-depressants" , are bad for you and even dangerous. Some healthy alternatives to MAOI 's and some good ways to manage stress and anxiety as well.

I hope you all had a Happy Thanksgiving!

Oh...and just because you are getting that 48 hour leftover hall pass, you still have to do at least 30 minutes of some form of legitimate exercise everyday. Could be a long walk but it must be done. It's not about being thin. It's about being HEALTHY.

Blessings,

VioZen LLC

#thanksgiving #holiday #vegan #veganism #vegetarian #depression #anti-depressants #maoi #MAOI inhibitors #cleanse #health #seasonal depression

Yoga Poses for Back Pain

Here are the top 6 yoga poses for Back pain thanks to Gaiam

http://blog.gaiam.com/yoga-poses-for-lower-back-pain/?utm_source=twitter&utm_medium=socialmedia&utm_campaign=twblog

We can all use these!

VioZen LLC

Is there an appropriate amount to take of omegas. I have a friend dieting and she is taking 4 a day

4 a day doesn't tell me much. I would need to know the dosage. Plus the amount of additional Omega 3's that one needs to take depends largely on their daily diet as well and how much they get from foods so without knowing these things it's hard for me to answer you properly. Can you find out what type of Omega's she is taking? Hopefully it is NOT from the drugstore or regular supermarket. It really needs to be from a real health food store and NOT from farmed fish. Also the levels of Omega 3's needs it be very high and the rest hardly at all. Also what kind of "diet" is your friend on? What is she/he eating?

A non-GMO shopping guide

After my last article I had several people ask me how they can know what is and is not GMO. One person even said that it gave the impression that anything other than organic is not safe and he just couldn't believe that was/is the case. Well actually folks, that IS the case. There are no laws requiring labels to let us (the consumers) know that an item is genetically modified. Given that basically all non-organic cash crops are now genetically modified and those cash crops are used in everything, well....yes, it's almost all genetically modified unless it is certified organic and non-gmo labeled. In addition to all the major cash crops, almost all of the other produce is as well.

A wonderful resource for knowing and finding non-gmo manufacturers , retailers and products is the Non-GMO Project.

Here is an actual non-gmo shopping guide that the non-gmo project. All companies and products listed on this guide are non-gmo verified.

http://www.nongmoproject.org/find-non-gmo/search-participating-products/

I personally highly recommend the Non-GMO Project as a source for wonderful info

In addition to the shopping guide above here is

Their website- http://www.nongmoproject.org/

Their Facebook- https://www.facebook.com/nongmoproject

Their Twitter- https://twitter.com/NonGMOProject

Information/education is the necessary tool to live a better life.

Blessings,

#non-gmo shopping guide #non-gmo #gmo #gmo's

Growing Dangers of GMO Foods

The following article is one from Holistic Blends that I am simply passing along:

The growing dangers of GMO foods

Hi Nichole

What would you think if I were to invite you over to my home and offered you a scoop of tuna salad for lunch, but instead of mayonnaise I used glue?

Or how about if chicken breasts were on the menu, but I sautéed them in motor oil instead of butter?

Or what if I baked a fresh loaf of cinnamon bread for you, but instead of eggs I used fabric softener?

Of course these are silly questions, but the point is, you probably wouldn't need an expensive study to prove to you that eating my creepy food suggestions wouldn't be a good idea.

But I have news for you.

Chances are excellent that you already ARE eating foods that are about as gross as my suggestions above...

And you don't even know it.

Here's the scoop on what I call "monster foods"--otherwise known as GMOs.

Genetically Modified Organisms (GMOs)

Since the dawn of time, Nature has created different variations of plants through a type of cross-breeding, typically with insects or the wind moving pollen from one plant to another.

What results sometimes is a "new and improved" species of plant that may be more sturdy or nutritious than its "ancestors."

So far so good.

But the problems started to rise when scientists decided they wanted to play Mother Nature.

Because they're not sitting in a lab sprinkling pollen from plant to plant, delightedly waiting for the new offspring--they're instead altering the genetic code (DNA) of plants by cutting off bits of a living organism's DNA and splicing them into a completely unrelated species.

This is what's called a GMO--or genetically modified organism.

So what's the big deal?

The real danger with GMOs is that scientists are NOT splicing plant DNA to plant DNA.

Instead they're splicing things like chicken genes into potato DNA or fish genes into strawberry DNA.

So for all of you who are allergic to seafood, think about that next time you eat strawberries.

In addition, rodent genes have been inserted into tobacco.

If you're a smoker, I hope you're fond of Mickey Mouse because he may be lining your lungs.

But it doesn't stop there.

Bacteria and viruses are being spliced into cucumbers and tomatoes.

Talk about a whole new meaning of food poisoning!

And chemical pesticides, herbicides and fungicides are being inserted into various plants.

Nothing like a little weed killer with your salad.

Now, the idea behind all this DNA play is to create "super crops" that resist pests, droughts, disease and other crop-destroying forces.

But what has resulted is a series of "aliens"--entirely new and foreign life forms that we knowNOTHING about.

That includes knowing basically ZERO about their safety--because very few studies have been done thus far that prove they are not harmful.

And they're not being monitored either.

Neither the FDA nor the US Department of Agriculture requires the biotech companies to prove that GMO foods are safe for human consumption before new modified crops are put on the market.

As a matter of fact, studies are starting to suggest otherwise...

GMO = Growing massively obese?

As part of a project examining the health effects of GMOs, researchers from Norway studied 2 groups of rats. One group was fed food containing GMO corn and the other was given food made with conventional corn.

Over the course of 90 days, the rats eating the GMO corn diet grew fatter and consumed more food than the rats on the non-GMO diet.

The researchers also observed that rats got fatter when they ate fish that had been raised on GMO corn--so there's a chain reaction effect.

They also tried the experiment on salmon and saw similar results.

Fish eating GMO corn grew faster and ate more than fish eating non-GMO corn.

And the salmon eating the GMO corn were also less able to digest proteins, and experienced immune system changes that didn't occur in the non-GMO-fed fish.

If that doesn't raise your eyebrows, I don't know what will.

But I'll just crap it out, right?

A common argument used by biotech companies when contending the safety of GMO foods has been that any "funky new genes" created with GMO foods are destroyed in the intestines when you eat them.

And they'll glide on through when you have your next BM, right?

Uh, not quite.

Because in the studies above, the researchers also noted ALL the genes from the GMO food that the rats and salmon ate were later detected in their BLOOD!

My tuna salad with glue is starting to sound better and better, isn't it?!

Don't be a gerbil

The bottom line here, my friend, is don't be a gerbil.

If you eat GMO foods, you are a human guinea pig, period.

And even if the health effects of GMOs start to make themselves more and more known, food and biotech companies are VERY rich...and very good at creating evidence to defend themselves.

The best way to ensure your safety and that of your loved ones is to avoid them at ALL cost.

This may seem daunting, but it can easily be done.

Here's how--it just involves 4 steps:

1) Become a careful label reader

There's no need to panic and avoid buying produce and missing out on all its awesome health benefits.

All you need to do is when shopping for produce look closely at the little stickers on the items. Here's what they mean:

4-digit code: It’s your regular old traditionally grown (non-GMO) produce

5-digit code: Look at the first number.

If it starts with a 9, it's organic and safe.

If it starts with an 8, it's a GMO!2)

2) Avoid processed foods

GMO crops are also slipped into in packaged/processed foods, and the labels don't need to spell that right out for you.

For example, many types of snack chips are made with GMO corn.

So the more you avoid buying processed or packaged stuff to begin with, the better off you are.

But if you wish to indulge in a snack or convenience food, make sure it's organic (see number 3 below).

3) Buy organic whenever you can

Organic foods by their very definition do not contain GMO ingredients.

So if you want corn chips or other packaged foods, at least opt for organic brands.

And try to buy as much organic meat and produce as possible.

If you're on a tight budget and can't afford to go 100% organic, here are the items which have the largest amounts of pesticide residue and are most important to buy organic:

Celery

Peaches

Strawberries

Apples

Blueberries

Nectarines

Bell Peppers

Spinach

Cherries

Kale/Collard

Greens

Potatoes

Grapes (Imported)

4) Eat real foods & have good digestion

When you eat real foods and have efficient digestion, you are significantly minimizing your chances of taking in GMOs, and you also help nourish your body the way Nature--NOT the biotech industry--intended.

Not only will this help regular BMs become YOUR morning glory, but you'll be less likely to overeat and gain weight (unlike the unlucky rats and fish in the studies above).

And of course, good digestion means less acid reflux, gas and bloating too!

All you need to do is follow a reliable program that will show you how to structure healthy, easy to digest meals and guide you on making REAL foods that are positively scrumptious.

And that, my friend, is what Great Taste No Pain

- http://www.greattastenopain.com/great.asp

and Great Taste No Gluten

- http://www.greattastenogluten.com/great.asp

will do for you.

Both programs show you what foods you should eat together for easy digestion that will leave you feeling great and loaded with energy. Eating this way will also help counteract the harmful effects of a not-so-great diet that you may have had in the past.

And the recipe books in each system are both loaded with delicious dishes featuring REAL foods that will nourish your body and make your taste buds dance.

It’s all you, baby

Remember YOU alone are responsible for your health--not biotech companies and food companies.

Don't offer yourself up as a guinea pig, jeopardizing your health while you help to grow their bottom lines.

When it comes to real health, Natural is ALWAYS best, my friend.

To your health,

Sherry Brescia

PS: We're on Facebook! Like us here:

- http://www.facebook.com/HolisticBlends

PPS: Processed foods, pesticides and herbicides are not only harmful to you, but also to your intestinal flora. And since this is where 70% of your immune system is located, having imbalanced gut flora is putting out the welcome mat for a whole slew of bugs, viruses, infections and even diseases.

#GMO #genetically modified #probiotics #autoimmune #immune system #monsanto

Inflammation: Causes, Health issues connected to it & Ways to make it STOP.

Inflammation is a tricky thing. It can be caused by improper PH level in the body due to stress or improper diet. It can also be caused by food allergies that people aren't even aware that they have because they aren't obvious like some people extreme allergies to nuts, shellfish and the like.

Some very common culprits that people have allergies to and do not realize it are Gluten and Wheat.

Inflammation can cause flare ups of already existing health issues like Arthritis, digestive issues, re-occurring Eczema and/or Psoriasis,Acne, Crohn's disease, Diverticulitis,Asthma,Cystic Fibrosis, Celiac disease, Autism ,Muscle aches, Joint pain and so on.

So what can you do to fix this?

1). Obviously adjusting the PH of your body is very important. Most peoples is far too low. More info and tips on how to raise your body's PH can be found here http://viozen.tumblr.com/post/42347346883/do-you-know-what-your-ph-level-is

2). Also 80% of your body's immune system is dependent on the gut so Probiotics are far more important than you may think. There is however a lot of misinformation about what type of Probiotics and the proper way and even time of day to take them. For the correct info and way to utilize Probiotics, please read the article at the following link: http://viozen.tumblr.com/post/42246110522/the-proper-way-to-probiotics

3). Start eliminating possible allergens one at a time for a couple of weeks each to see if there is a noticeable difference. I would start with Wheat and then next try Gluten and so on.

4). Try to stick to an alkaline diet. . A more detailed article on that very thing is coming in the very near future

5). Eliminate as much stress as possible. Yes I know that a lot of the stress that life throws at us is not in our control but how we react to it, handle it and allow it to affect us absolutely IS in our control.

* A. Exercise regularly (wonderful for stress relief) to raise endorphins and lower heart rate, while increasing circulation.

* B. Meditate- you do not have to sit a certain position or do it for a large length of time. Even just a few minutes in the morning and a few minutes at night can help tremendously

* C. Surround yourself with as many sources of positivity ( people, films, books, music etc) as you can.

* D. Keep a journal. Express yourself , your thoughts etc... and let things go. In it be sure to keep a gratitude section or perhaps and entire gratitude journal itself. Write down 5 things everyday that you are grateful for and watch your perspective and the things you are focused in life change for the better.

Goodbye inflammation. Hello happiness!

Blessings,

How to Help Unclog a Heart Naturally

We all know that a healthy heart requires a healthy diet and plenty of exercise. A diet low in saturated fats,sodium and bad cholesterol, and high in fresh fruits &vegetables (organic), fiber and lean protein.

Quite often years of unhealthy eating and lifestyle have done damage to a person before they start to take the proper care of themselves and their heart. That being said, there is often already plaque built up clogs in the arteries and vessels. Often people ask if there are any particular foods that help unclog those arteries and remove that plaque build up better than other foods.

The answer is yes!

* GARLIC- is possibly one of the most important. 1 to 4 cloves a day (raw or cooked). You can add it to recipes and foods you are already cooking or even roast it alone and once the cloves are nice and soft you can spread it on flat-breads or alone or with vegetables with some fresh herbs. It's delicious and one of the best foods for this purpose

* GRAPES - (The darker the color the better. Concord being one of the best)- Grapes contain lutein. Lutein is a carotenoid that’s been shown to help reduce early atherosclerosis. and also helps prevent thickening of the carotid artery in the neck.. It also lowers inflammation of LDL cholesterol in artery walls.

“quercetin” (antioxident that prevents LDL cholesterol from sticking on the walls of your arteries.) is found in the skins of grapes.

“Resveratrol” (also in the skins) stops inflammation and blood clots.

“procyanidins" in the seeds of the grapes- help keep your blood vessels clear including added antioxidant properties

The juice from concord grapes stimulate the production of nitric oxide creates a relaxation effect in the blood vessels making them more flexible and therefore helping blood pressure. It is similar to what happens with red wine but without the alcohol and it lasts much longer with juice.

*WHOLE OATS- Research studies support claims that oatmeal reduces LDL, or "bad," cholesterol, lowers blood pressure and improves immune system defenses. An 8-oz. bowl of oatmeal cereal is a potent source of magnesium and zinc. Magnesium builds bones, maintains heart rhythm and supports the immune system.

* STRAWBERRIES- (organic)- can cut cholesterol by 10%- vitamin C and E, ellagic acid, assorted carotenoid and anthocyanins

* CHERRIES- high in antioxidants plus multiple compounds that clear away arterial plaque and clogs. 17 to be exact.

*APPLES and GRAPEFRUIT- Both contain pectin, a soluble fiber that lowers cholesterol. as well as slow down the progression of atherosclerosis and the clogging of arteries. apples contain “quercetin” , potassium and magnesium – minerals that help control blood pressure and prevent hardening of the arteries.

*GREEN TEA- one cup a day.. Hascpolyphenols” – which are powerful antioxidents. Healthy green tea (organic and pure with no additives at all) also contains “procyanidins”, which also help prevent blood clots forming and promote healthy “endothelium” - the tissues that line your blood vessels and heart.

* HAWTHORN TEA- Extract from the hawthorn berries. Calms palpitations, help restore blood vessel elasticity, eases fluid build-up in the heart, stop fatty degeneration of the heart, help dilate coronary arteries and also reduce blood pressure. Hawthorne can be used by those already on cardiac medication and may help you decrease your dosage. Buy a bag of organically-grown hawthorn berries at a natural food store and steep them in hot water as a tea to help your heart stay healthy. Hawthorn has not been shown to have any adverse side effects.

* SWEET POTATOES- Rich in fiber (cholesterol lowering at that) , potassium, beta carotene, folate and vitamin C. Sweet Potatoes help to lower your blood pressure and keep your arteries clear.

* TOMATOES Tomatoes are rich in carotenoid lycopene (antioxidant that can significantly lower your risk of atherosclerosis nearly in half!). The following products from organic totatoes of course, give you a more-concentrated form than fresh tomatoes.

Tomato soup

Tomato juice

Tomato paste also tomatoes are antioxidant rich- making LDL cholesterol much less susceptible to becoming oxidized – which is a first step in the formation of artery-clogging plaque formation (a major risk factor for heart disease).

*OMEGA 3's- Salmon ( wild caught), Olive oil (organic cold pressed), flax seeds.

A previous entry on Omega 3's and what kind are best as well as why they are so important can be found here http://viozen.tumblr.com/post/61698298094/omegas-and-you

Please do not buy Omega's from farmed fish, SO IMPORTANT!

and last but not least....

*BEANS- garbanzo being the best. All beans contain good/important dietary fiber, but garbanzo beans just might be one of the best. They hep remove bad cholesterol.

Here's to a healthier heart and a healthier YOU!

Blessings,

*note- additional contributing sources are hubpages in conjunction with Carol Weaver & livestrong

#heart disease #heart #heart health #clogged arteries #health #healing #heart attack #stroke #cholesterol

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They surround themselves with other happy people. Joy is contagious. Researchers of the Framingham Heart Study who investigated the spread of happiness over 20 years found that those who are surrounded by happy people “are more likely to become happy in the future.” This is reason enough to dump the Debbie Downers and spend more time with uplifting people.

They smile when they mean it. Even if you’re not feeling so chipper, cultivating a happy thought — and then smiling about it — could up your happiness levels and make you more productive, according to a study published in the Academy of Management Journal. It’s important to be genuine with your grin: The study revealed that faking a smile while experiencing negative emotions could actually worsen your mood.

They cultivate resilience. According to psychologist Peter Kramer, resilience, not happiness, is the opposite of depression: Happy people know how to bounce back from failure. Resilience is like a padding for the inevitable hardship human beings are bound to face. As the Japanese proverb goes, “Fall seven times and stand up eight.”

They try to be happy. Yep — it’s as simple as it sounds: just trying to be happy can boost your emotional well-being, according to two studies recently published in The Journal of Positive Psychology. Those who actively tried to feel happier in the studies reported the highest level of positive moods, making a case for thinking yourself happy.

They are mindful of the good. It’s important to celebrate great, hard-earned accomplishments, but happy people give attention to their smaller victories, too. “When we take time to notice the things that go right — it means we’re getting a lot of little rewards throughout the day,” Susan Weinschenk, Ph.D. told The Huffington Post in May. “That can help with our moods.” And, as Frank Ghinassi, Ph.D. explains, being mindful of the things that do go your way (even something as simple as the barista getting your coffee order right) can make you feel a greater sense of accomplishment throughout the day.

They appreciate simple pleasures. A meticulously swirled ice cream cone. An boundlessly waggy dog. Happy people take the time to appreciate these easy-to-come-by pleasures. Finding meaning in the little things, and practicing gratitude for all that you do have is associated with a sense of overall gladness.

They devote some of their time to giving. Even though there are only 24 hours in a day, positive people fill some of that time doing good for others, which in return, does some good for the do-gooders themselves. A long-term research project called Americans’ Changing Lives found a bevy of benefits associated with altruism: “Volunteer work was good for both mental and physical health. People of all ages who volunteered were happier and experienced better physical health and less depression,” reported Peggy Thoits, the leader of one of the studies.

Givers also experience what researchers call “the helper’s high,” a euphoric state experienced by those engaged in charitable acts. “This is probably a literal “high,” similar to a drug-induced high,” writes Christine L. Carter, Ph.D. “The act of making a financial donation triggers the reward center in our brains that is responsible for dopamine-mediated euphoria.”

They let themselves lose track of time. (And sometimes they can’t help it.) When you’re immersed in an activity that is simultaneously challenging, invigorating and meaningful, you experience a joyful state called “flow.” Happy people seek this sensation of getting “caught up” or “carried away,” which diminishes self-consciousness and promotes the feelings associated with success. As explained by Pursuit-of-happiness.org, “In order for a Flow state to occur, you must see the activity as voluntary, enjoyable (intrinsically motivating), and it must require skill and be challenging (but not too challenging) with clear goals towards success.”

They nix the small talk for deeper conversation. Nothing wrong with shootin’ the you-know-what every now and then, but sitting down to talk about what makes you tick is a prime practice for feeling good about life.A study published in Psychological Science found that those who take part in more substantive conversation and less trivial chit chat experienced more feelings of satisfaction.

"I wish I’d had the courage to express my feelings," is one of the top five regrets of the dying — a sentiment that hints at the fact that people wish they’d spent less time talking about the weather and more time delving into what it is that makes their heart swell.

They spend money on other people. Maybe money does buy happiness. A study published in Science found that spending money on other people has a more direct impact on happiness than spending money on oneself.

They make a point to listen. "When you listen you open up your ability to take in more knowledge versus blocking the world with your words or your distracting thoughts," writes David Mezzapelle, author of Contagious Optimism. “You are also demonstrating confidence and respect for others. Knowledge and confidence is proof that you are secure and positive with yourself thus radiating positive energy.” Good listening is a skill that strengthens relationships and leads to more satisfying experiences. A good listener may walk away from a conversation feeling as if their presence served a purpose, an experience that isclosely connected with increased well-being.

They uphold in-person connections. It’s quick and convenient to text, FaceTime and tweet at your buddies. But spending the money on a flight to see your favorite person across the country has weight when it comes to your well-being. “There’s a deep need to have a sense of belonging that comes with having personal interactions with friends,” says John Cacioppo, Ph.D., the director of the Center of Cognitive and Social Neuroscience at the University of Chicago. Social media, while it keeps us in touch, doesn’t allow us to physically touch, which harvests the warm-and-fuzzies and even decreases feelings of anxiety.

They look on the bright side. Optimism touts plenty of health benefits, including less stress, a better tolerance for pain and, as HuffPost Healthy Living recently reported, longevity among those with heart disease. When you choose to see the silver lining, you’re also choosing health and happiness.

Seligman summed up perhaps the greatest characteristic of the optimist in one of his most acclaimed books, Learned Optimism:

The defining characteristic of pessimists is that they tend to believe bad events will last a long time, will undermine everything they do, and are their own fault. The optimists, who are confronted with the same hard knocks of this world, think about misfortune in the opposite way. They tend to believe defeat is just a temporary setback, that its causes are confined to this one case. The optimists believe defeat is not their fault: Circumstances, bad luck, or other people brought it about. Such people are unfazed by defeat. Confronted by a bad situation, they perceive it as a challenge and try harder.

They value a good mixtape. Music is powerful. So powerful, in fact, that it could match up to the anxiety-reducing effects of massage therapy. Over a three month period, researchers from the Group Health Research Institute found that patients who simply listened to music had the same decreased anxiety symptoms as those who got 10 hour-long massages. Choosing the right tunes could be an important factor, however, as a happy or sad song can also affect the way we perceive the world. In one experiment where researchers asked subjects to identify happy or sad faces while listening to music, the participants were more likely to see the faces that matched the “mood” of the music.Click here for a few of our favorite mood-boosting jams.

They unplug. Whether by meditating, taking a few deep breaths away from the screen ordeliberately disconnecting from electronics, unplugging from our hyper-connected world has proven advantages when it comes to happiness. Talking on your cell could increase your blood pressure and raise your stress levels, while uninterrupted screen time has been linked to depression and fatigue. Technology isn’t going away, but partaking in some kind of a digital detox gives your brain the opportunity to recharge and recover, which — bonus — could increase your resilience.

They get spiritual. Studies point to a link between religious and spiritual practice and mirth. For one, happiness habits like expressing gratitude, compassion and charity are generally promoted in most spiritual conventions. And, asking the big questions helps to give our lives context and meaning. A 2009 study found that children who felt their lives had a purpose (which was promoted by a spiritual connection) were happier.

Spirituality offers what the 20th-century sociologist Emile Durkheim referred to as “sacred time,” which is a built-in, unplugging ritual that elicits moments of reflection and calm. As Ellen L. Idler, Ph.D., writes in “The Psychological and Physical Benefits of Spiritual/Religious Practices,”:

The experience of sacred time provides a time apart from the “profane time” that we live most of our lives in. A daily period of meditation, a weekly practice of lighting Sabbath candles, or attending worship services, or an annual retreat in an isolated, quiet place of solitude all of these are examples of setting time apart from the rush of our everyday lives. Periods of rest and respite from work and the demands of daily life serve to reduce stress, a fundamental cause of chronic diseases that is still the primary causes of death in Western society. Transcendent spiritual and religious experiences have a positive, healing, restorative effect, especially if they are “built in,” so to speak, to one’s daily, weekly, seasonal, and annual cycles of living

They make exercise a priority. A wise, albeit fictional Harvard Law School student once said, “Exercise gives you endorphins. Endorphins make you happy.” Exercise has been shown to ease symptoms of depression, anxiety and stress, thanks to the the various brain chemicals that are released that amplify feelings of happiness and relaxation. Plus, working out makes us appreciate our bodies more. One study published in the Journal of Health Psychology found that exercise improved how people felt about their bodies — even if they didn’t lose weight or achieve noticeable improvements.

They go outside. Want to feel alive? Just a 20-minute dose of fresh air promotes a sense of vitality, according to several studies published in the Journal of Environmental Psychology. “Nature is fuel for the soul, “ says Richard Ryan, Ph.D, the lead author of the studies. “Often when we feel depleted we reach for a cup of coffee, but research suggests a better way to get energized is to connect with nature.” And while most of us like our coffee hot, we may prefer our serving of the great outdoors at a more lukewarm temperature: A study on weather and individual happiness unveiled 57 degrees to be the optimal temperature for optimal happiness.

They spend some time on the pillow. Waking up on the wrong side of the bed isn’t just a myth. When you’re running low on zzs, you’re prone to experience lack of clarity, bad moods and poor judgment. “A good night’s sleep can really help a moody person decrease their anxiety,” Dr. Raymonde Jean, director of sleep medicine and associate director of critical care at St. Luke’s-Roosevelt Hospital Center told Health.com. “You get more emotional stability with good sleep.”

They LOL. You’ve heard it before: Laughter is the best medicine. In the case of The Blues, this may hold some truth. A good, old-fashioned chuckle releases happy brain chemicalsthat, other than providing the exuberant buzz we seek, make humans better equipped to tolerate both pain and stress.

And you might be able to get away with counting a joke-swapping session as a workout (maybe). “The body’s response to repetitive laughter is similar to the effect of repetitive exercise,” explained Dr. Lee Berk, the lead researcher of a 2010 study focused on laughter’s effects on the body. The same study found that some of the benefits associated with working out, like a healthy immune system, controlled appetite and improved cholesterol can also be achieved through laughter.

They walk the walk. Ever notice your joyful friends have a certain spring in the step? It’s all about the stride, according to research conducted by Sara Snodgrass, a psychologist from Florida Atlantic University.

In the experiment, Snodgrass asked participants to take a three-minute walk. Half of the walkers were told to take long strides while swinging their arms and holding their heads high. These walkers reported feeling happier after the stroll than the other group, who took short, shuffled steps as they watched their feet.

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Supremely Happy People ROCK

Omegas and you

By now I think we have all heard about Omega 3 fatty acids and we know we need them.

Do you know why though? Are you aware that the imbalance of the different types of Omegas can be extremely bad for you and even seriously dangerous?

Most of the food we eat today, even if we eat "healthy", are high in Omega 6's and low in or completely lacking Omega 3's. Although it is true that our body needs some Omega 6's and other Omegas, it is IMPERATIVE that we have a lot of Omega 3's to balance the ratio properly and almost none of us have this in balance so many of us opt to take Omega 3 supplements.

* I definitely recommend that you take Omega 3 supplements BUT....be sure you are not buying a supplement that comes from farmed fish. Wild is best or " purified" or " purity fish" is often what the label will read when the fish are not farmed.

*Note to all vegans and vegetarians- There are alternative sources of Omega 3's and they are available at most health food stores. Just read the labels and ask questions to the people working there if your questions are not answered on the labels. Almost all vegetarians and vegans are low in Omegas due to the lack of fish in their diet.

Good vegetarian food sources of Omega 3's :

Beans

Berries

Flax seeds

Cabbage Family Vegatables

Chia seeds

Mangoes

Hemp seeds

Honeydew mellon

Kumquats

Leafy Greens

Mustard Oil

Sea weed

Wild Rice

Winter Squash

So what exactly do Omega 3's do in the body and why are they important?

1). The prevent blood clotting

2). protect against heart disease and strokes

3). they prevent inflammation/ are a natural anti-inflammatory which can help with pain, skin disorders, digestion, and therefore the immune system

4). They are beneficial to auto immune disorders such as lupus and rheumatoid arthritis

5). Building cell membranes in the brain

6). Prevents cancer (particularly on breast, prostate & colon cancer), bowel disease, diabetes, obesity, hypertension, osteoporosis and even arthritis.

Pretty important aren't they? Be pro-active. take your Omega 3's and be sure they are not from farmed fish,

Blessings,

#omega #omega 3 #Omega 3's #heart disease #strokes #cancer #arthritis #rheumatoid arthritis #autoimmune #lupus #diabetes #obesity #hypertension

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