Category: Natural Remedies

Exploring Natural Sweeteners: Date Syrup – A Sweet Adventure Awaits You

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Get ready to explore a seriously fascinating topic today – Date Syrup. This isn’t just your run-of-the-mill sweetener; it’s a natural wonder that brings both flavor and health benefits to the table. We’re diving deep into why dates are impressive, what sets this syrup apart, and how I’m incorporating it seamlessly into my daily routine – think cereals, teas, smoothies, and even the creation of mouthwatering raw brownies. Let’s dive in!

Dates: Nature’s Nutrient Powerhouses

Dates have been a dietary staple for ages, and they pack a punch when it comes to nutritional value. These little powerhouses are loaded with vitamins, minerals, and fiber that supports digestive health. We’re talking about potassium, magnesium, iron – the essentials your body craves. And don’t even get me started on the antioxidants they bring to the table – they’re like the superheroes of the food world, fighting off those harmful free radicals.

Date Syrup’s Sweet Symphony

Hold up, because here comes the game-changer – Date Syrup. This isn’t your ordinary sweet stuff. Picture this: a smooth, caramel-like experience with a hint of honey’s sweetness. The process is equally impressive – dates simmered, strained, and reduced to create a liquid gold that’s not just about flavor; it’s about taking care of your well-being too.

More Than Just a Sweet Fix

But wait, there’s more to this sweet story. Date Syrup isn’t just about taste – it’s about delivering real benefits:

  1. Nutrient Boost: Date Syrup holds onto the goodness from dates – vitamins, minerals, and fiber – all in one delicious package.
  2. Digestive Hero: With fiber in the mix, your digestion game gets an automatic upgrade – no more sluggish feelings.
  3. Steady Energy: Natural sugars mean you’re getting that energy boost without the notorious sugar crashes.
  4. Antioxidant Warrior: The antioxidants in Date Syrup are on a mission to fight off those harmful free radicals, keeping you in tip-top shape.

Culinary Adventures Await

Get ready to unleash your inner culinary artist, because Date Syrup is a versatile ingredient that brings out the best in your dishes:

  1. Breakfast Elevation: Elevate your morning by drizzling Date Syrup over cereals, oats, or yogurt – a touch of sophistication to start your day.
  2. Tea Infusion: Jazz up your teas with a splash of Date Syrup – a natural sweetness that adds a layer of depth to your cuppa.
  3. Smoothie Magic: Transform your smoothies into a taste sensation with a spoonful of Date Syrup – an upgrade that’s both flavorful and nutritious.
  4. Dessert Enchantment: Wave your magic spatula and turn your ice cream into something spectacular with Date Syrup. Baking? Swap it in for sugar and watch your desserts soar to new heights.

Raw Brownies: A No-Bake Wonder

And here’s the pièce de résistance – raw brownies. No need for an oven; just dates, nuts, cocoa, and a generous drizzle of Date Syrup for a guilt-free indulgence. These brownies are everything – fudgy, decadent, and oh-so-satisfying.

So, if you’re tired of the same old sweeteners, remember that Date Syrup is here to shake things up. It’s all about that natural, rich sweetness that’s as good for your taste buds as it is for your body. Whether you’re adding it to your morning routine or experimenting with raw brownies, Date Syrup brings a touch of elegance and health to every bite. Get ready to savor the sweetness, my friends! ????????

Sage Smudging: Banishing Positive Ions with Ancient Wisdom

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In a world buzzing with technology and deadlines, the soothing practices of ancient cultures often beckon us to slow down and reconnect with our roots. One such practice that has gained considerable attention in recent years is sage smudging. This ritual, rooted in Native American and Indigenous cultures, has transcended time to offer a unique blend of tranquility, spirituality, and health benefits. So, grab your sage bundle and let’s dive into the captivating world of sage smudging, where negative ions dance, and antimicrobial magic abounds.

Banishing Negativity with Negative Ions: The Science Behind Sage Smudging

Step into a room after a sage smudging session, and you might notice an immediate shift in the atmosphere. This is not just a placebo effect – there’s science behind it! Sage smudging releases negative ions into the air. Negative ions are molecules with an extra electron, and they are naturally generated by sources like waterfalls, lightning storms, and yes, burning sage.

The air around us is often laden with positive ions, which can be generated by electronics, pollutants, and stress. These positive ions are linked to feelings of fatigue, tension, and even mood disturbances. However, negative ions work like a breath of fresh air for your environment and your well-being. They have been shown to boost mood, increase energy levels, and even improve cognitive performance. So, when you light up that sage bundle and let the smoke waft through the room, you’re not just releasing negative energy, but also inviting a dose of revitalizing negative ions.

Ancient Wisdom Meets Modern Science: Sage as an Antimicrobial Agent

While the spiritual and energetic aspects of sage smudging often take the spotlight, there’s an equally captivating scientific facet to explore. Sage, particularly white sage (Salvia apiana), has been revered by Indigenous communities for its antimicrobial and antibacterial properties for centuries. These cultures have intuitively harnessed the power of sage to purify their living spaces, both energetically and physically.

Recent scientific studies have indeed confirmed what ancient traditions have known all along – sage possesses remarkable antimicrobial properties. The smoke generated during smudging is rich in volatile compounds that can effectively cleanse the air of harmful bacteria and viruses. In fact, a study published in the Journal of Ethnopharmacology found that the smoke from white sage can reduce airborne bacteria by up to 94% for up to 24 hours.

How to Sage Smudge: A Step-by-Step Guide

Now that you’re intrigued by the science and history behind sage smudging, it’s time to embark on your own smudging journey. Here’s a simple step-by-step guide to get you started:

  1. Choose Your Sage: Opt for sustainably sourced white sage bundles or other types of sage, such as desert sage or blue sage, depending on your preferences.
  2. Set an Intention: Before you begin, set a positive intention for the smudging session. Whether it’s to cleanse your space, invite positive energy, or find inner peace, your intention adds a meaningful dimension to the practice.
  3. Prepare Your Space: Open windows and doors to allow negative energies to exit. This is also a practical step as the smoke can be quite potent.
  4. Light the Sage Bundle: Use a lighter or a candle to ignite the sage bundle. Once it catches fire, gently blow out the flame, allowing the sage to smolder and release its smoke.
  5. Smudge Yourself: Start with smudging yourself. Wave the smoldering sage bundle around your body, allowing the smoke to envelop you. Visualize any negative energy dissipating.
  6. Smudge Your Space: Walk around your living space, moving the sage bundle in a clockwise direction. Pay special attention to corners, windows, and doorways – places where energy tends to accumulate.
  7. Express Gratitude: Once you’ve smudged your space, express gratitude for the cleansing process and the positive energy you’ve invited in.
  8. Extinguish the Sage: Gently press the smoldering sage bundle in a fireproof container to ensure it’s fully extinguished.

Embrace the Art and Science of Sage Smudging

Sage smudging is a captivating blend of art and science that allows us to honor ancient traditions while benefiting from modern knowledge. As the aromatic tendrils of sage smoke weave through the air, negative ions dance and the invisible cloak of harmful microorganisms lifts away. So, whether you’re seeking to refresh your living space, uplift your mood, or simply indulge in a moment of serenity, sage smudging offers a holistic approach that connects us to both our inner selves and the natural world.

Regenerating and Edible Immune Supporting Plants: Scallions

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What Scallions Can Do for Your Health

Your grocer might label them as green onions. Scallions are an allium (Latin for “garlic”) vegetables. I use them as a suitable onion replacement. Their pungent relatives include onions, leeks, shallots, and chives. Cooks worldwide toss scallions into many Asian style dishes that needs a punch of flavor, but they aren’t limited to Asian style. The hollow, tube-like green tops have a mild, oniony zing, while the small, white bulb ends offer a sharper bite. In my opinion, they are pre-mature onions

Nutritional Values:

Scallions are mostly water, 1 cup is just 32 calories, only trace amounts of fat, and zero cholesterol. It also has less sugar and fewer carbs than vegetables like carrots, potatoes, and corn.

  • About 16% of your daily requirement for folate, a vitamin your body needs to make DNA and which is especially important for women who are pregnant
  • About 25% of your daily value for vitamin C, an antioxidant that helps protect your cells from damage
  • Twice the daily recommended amount for adults for vitamin K, which helps your blood clot and keeps your bones strong.
  • Iron — It plays a role in the formation of hemoglobin, cell growth and differentiation, metabolism, endocrine and brain function, energy production, and immune health.
  • Potassium — This mineral balances the electrical and chemical processes in your body, which in turn helps maintain proper muscle contractions, transmit nerve impulses, regulate blood sugar levels and improve blood pressure, among

Health Benefits

Prevents infections. Extracts of onions, garlic, and their relatives have long been used medicinally. They can kill bacteria, fungi, and viruses. Lab tests on certain varieties of onions showed that at high enough concentrations, some can kill or slow the growth of salmonella or E. coli.

Helps in fighting cancer. Scallions and other allium vegetables block mainly stomach cancer growth. Researchers believe that a compound called allicin, which is what gives you garlic breath, may prevent cells from turning cancerous or slow tumors from spreading.

Protects your body. Vegetables in the onion group are packed with phytonutrients, including chemicals called antioxidants that defend your cells against damage. Antioxidants in onions like flavonoids and polyphenols hunt down free radicals, substances that can lead to cancer, inflammation, and age-related diseases. Fresh scallions are always best because antioxidants in vegetables lose their power during cooking.

Fiber. A cup of cut scallions has about 10% of the fiber you need for the whole day. Getting lots of fiber helps you feel full, keeps your cholesterol levels down, and may lower your chances for diabetes, heart disease, and other conditions.

 

Warning: Scallions are high in vitamin K, which works against blood-thinning medication. If you’re taking warfarin to prevent strokes, heart attacks, or blood clots, ask your doctor if green onions are safe for you.  Always wash all fresh vegetables, including those that are sold prewashed and bagged. It’s rare, but people have been sickened or died of hepatitis after eating contaminated scallions.

Regeneration

When regrowing scallions you can use them to cook with and as a great home decoration. They grow about 3-4 inches + a week. Regrowing helps you #savemoney, #reducewaste, and wow the world. When doing a plant project with children I always use scallions since they grow so fast with low maintenance, and children have short attention spans, that need to see live results.

How to Use Scallions

You can find them practically anywhere. Wild scallions might be growing in your backyard. Your produce aisle likely stocks them year-round.

Here are some shopping tips:

  • Pick scallions with crisp leaves and bright color.
  • Trim the top and bottom tips and rinse with water. You can eat both green and white parts.
  • Store scallions in the fridge for maximum freshness.

People often use green onions as a garnish on salads, soups, rice bowls or stews. But you can enjoy them in lots of other ways!

Grill them whole. Brush with olive oil, season with salt and pepper, and grill them for a couple of minutes for a sweet, charred flavor.

Puree them. Put cooked scallions in a blender and mix in eggs, flour, and a dash of soy sauce. They taste similar to scallion pancakes served at Chinese or Korean restaurants.

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Anti Radiation & Immune Supporting Plants: Spider

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The spider plant #Chlorophytumcomosum is considered one of the most adaptable of houseplants and the easiest to grow. While mostly used in containers or hanging baskets, they can be planted directly in the ground. When planting in a garden or flower bed, they need to be sheltered from direct sunlight.
 

This plant can grow in many conditions and suffers from few problems, other than brown tips. It gets its name from its spider-like plants, or #spiderettes, which dangle down from the mother plant like spiders on a web.

This plant was a part of NASA’s Clean Air Study. It is most effective in removing carbon monoxide, formaldehyde, Xylene, and toluene. It is better than many indoor plants that participated in that experiment. This National Wildlife Federation article claims that spider plant removes more than 95 percent of toxic agents from the air.

Carbon monoxide is odorless, colorless, and tasteless gas that does not cause any irritation. It is produced by incomplete combustion of carbonaceous fuels such as wood, petrol, coal, natural gas, and kerosene. In urban areas, the primary source of this pollutant is exhaust from motor vehicles. Gas stoves, gas refrigerator, tobacco smoke, wood burning stoves, fireplaces, and other fossil fuel burners raise carbon monoxide level indoors.

Vital organs in our body such as the brain, nervous tissues, and the heart need oxygen to work properly. As the level of carbon monoxide level rises, oxygen in the hemoglobin reduces simultaneously. It increases the chance of CO poisoning in people suffering from chronic heart disease, anemia, or respiratory problems. Lack of coordination, fatigue and concentration problem are also associated with raised CO levels. Spider plant is effective in reducing indoor carbon monoxide level, which helps in decreasing fatigue, headaches, colds, sore throats, and flu-like symptoms caused by CO exposure.

WHO guidelines for indoor air quality, includes formaldehyde in its list of toxic pollutants. The significant health risk of formaldehyde is that it poses a carcinogenic risk and causes nose and throat cancer, claim by American Cancer Society and NIH. It can also irritate eyes, nose, throat and some other severe breathing problems and allergies.  This colorless, combustible, strong-smelling substance is monetarily utilized for making building items. Exposure of formaldehyde in a indoor space is mainly due to Urea-formaldehyde resin that is used for making adhesives of particle board wood. Brand-new flooring, furnishings, particleboard, paneling, cabinet, floor coverings, and mattresses also raise the danger of formaldehyde exposures. Some different sources of formaldehyde emissions are cooking, smoking, painting, beautifying agents, fuel combustion from traffic, etc.

When exposed to formaldehyde for 24 hours, spider plant reduced the formaldehyde levels by approximately 88 percent.

The spider plant absorbs water through its roots and then circulates the moisture through stems and leaves. Once the water reaches the leaves, it evaporates into the air and increases the humidity. The increased humidity decreases the risk of several airborne diseases, such as cold, cough, sore throat and flu-like symptoms. Growing a spider plants at home or office helps in keeping these diseases away and helps increase the concentration and productivity.

 Spider plants are also useful in absorbing #EMF radiation from your electronic devices

 
Buy One: 
 
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Edible Herbs: Dandelion Wildfood and Medicine

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I want to start with dandelion, ( Taraxacum Officinale)
which is my favorite because it can be found everywhere. The first sign that it’s good for you is its bitter taste. We all know the bitter the better.  I have come to view them as an amazing gift instead of a weedy curse. Our most powerful remedies are commonly found growing under our feet. My suggestion would be to only pull dandelion from an area closed off from dogs, cats don’t really mess with herbs unless it’s beneficial, they are a bit smarter. 


Identifying Dandelion: 

Dandelion is easy to misidentify. Many look-alike plants have similar leaves, but dandelion leaves are hairless. They generally have toothed edges that gave the plant its French name, “dent de lion.” Leaves and hollow flower stems grow directly from the rootstock. you can find them EVERYWHERE — pioneers infiltrating cracks in sidewalks, grassy lawns, well-tended gardens, abandoned city lots, and mountain meadows.
Soil benefits: What isn’t as well known is that it improves soil quality. Roots draw minerals up from deep layers of earth – concentrating them in the whole plant. When the plant dies back it deposits these minerals into the soil. Roots also aerate hard packed soil and create pathways for water to enter.

Nutrients: Every part of dandelion is useful. The leaves are high in vitamins and minerals including Potassium, Calcium, Magnesium, Iron, and vitamins A, B and C.  Dandelion is higher in Vitamin A than any other garden plant. Roots contain inulin, mucilage, latex resin, and teraxacin.
Inulin stimulates helpful bacteria to grow. Inulin aids digestion by increasing the number of good bacteria in the gut, particularly Bifidobacteria and Lactobacilli. These bacteria help: fend off unwanted pathogens (bad bacteria)

Mucilage is used in medicine as it relieves irritation of mucous membranes by forming a protective film. It is known to act as a soluble, or viscous, dietary fiber that thickens the fecal mass, an example being the consumption of fiber supplements containing Psyllium seed husks.

Dandelion has several beneficial properties; it is anti-diabetic, anti-oxidative, and anti-inflammatory. In some studies, dandelion components were shown to act by inhibiting oxidative stress in liver injury, reducing high cholesterol, and reversing streptozotocin-induced diabetes. It also has anti-rheumatic, anti-carcinogenic, diuretic, laxative, hypoglycemic, and chloretic effects. 

Harvesting Dandelion :

You can harvest leaves, flowers, and roots in the proper season. In early spring leaves quickly shoot up and gather sunlight. This is when they are most tender and can be eaten fresh, cooked, or dried for tea. As the leaves age and are exposed to sunlight, they can become very bitter. To preserve leaves for tea, harvest on a dry day. Use a rubber band to bundle small bunches then hang to dry, or dry leaves in single layers in baskets. Store in a glass jar for up to a year.

Buds appear at the base of the leaves in early spring. These can be eaten fresh, cooked or pickled. Buds open into flowering heads. These are best gathered for food or medicine on sunny days when they are dry and fully open, usually in April or early May.

Root medicinal properties vary a little from season to season. In spring, they are more bitter and have optimal medicine as a digestive stimulant. In the fall, they are sweeter and higher in a carbohydrate called inulin, which is excellent for diabetics.

Eating Dandelion : 

Leaves – can be a gourmet green. They are most delectable in the early spring before flowering. As they are exposed to more sunlight and growth slows, they become intensely bitter. Harvest tender young leaves from the inside of the plant for the best flavor. I pick young leaves and add them to salads. While they taste a little bitter, they add flavor variety as well as dense nutrients. Dandelion leaves have three times more Calcium, Iron, and Vitamin A than spinach! Leaves can also be steamed, sautéed or boiled and then incorporated into dips, casseroles, and soups. Boiling bitter leaves in a pot of water for about 5 minutes helps to remove some of the bitter taste.

Buds – The key to eating dandelion buds is getting them early when they are still tight little buttons close to the base of the plant. I like them best when the sepals have just unfolded. I pinch off the sepals from the base of the bud because they are a little bitter. Buds can be pickled, added to sautés, soups, etc.

If you are looking for dandelion root’s anti-inflammatory and liver cooling properties I recommend eating it fresh, tincturing it or making vinegar. The dry root tea is nutritive, good for digestion and detoxifying. To dry dandelion roots, dig up in spring through fall. Wash thoroughly. With a long piece of string, wrap each root a couple times, let out 6 inches of string and wrap another root, making a long dandelion chain. Hang until completely dry or dehydrate. 

Topical Uses: Dandelion flower’s high nutrient content makes it a popular addition to facial cleansers and creams. The flower oil is used for inflammation, sore muscles, and arthritic joints. The milky white sap from the plant is used to get rid of warts.

Tincture – Only tincture the roots! It’s the easiest way to use dandelion for supporting liver health, digestion and detoxification but all tinctures contain alcohol and this is not appropriate for everyone. Vinegar can be used as a substitute. Chop cleaned fresh roots in small pieces. Place in a jar and cover with 80-100 proof vodka or brandy. Cover with a tight-fitting lid. Label, including the date. Let sit for two weeks, shaking it occasionally. Press with muslin cloth and store in a glass jar in a cool dark place. Tincture will last 7-9 years. Do not worry about the milky substance in the tincture that falls to the bottom. This is inulin, and you should just shake the tincture before you use it. Use 30-80 drops depending on usage 2-3 times a day.

Don’t want to forage on your own? Try this tea: 

Dry Dandelion Root:

Nature’s Way Dandelion Root, 1,575 MG

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“Sip and Revive: Detoxifying and Energizing Magic of Charcoal Lemonade”

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Hey there, health enthusiasts! If you’re on the hunt for a drink that’s not just refreshing but also packs a detox punch, look no further than the mysterious and magical concoction known as charcoal lemonade. Yep, you heard that right – charcoal. Lemonade. Let’s unlock the detoxifying and energizing wizardry that this dark elixir brings to the table (or rather, your glass!).

Charcoal Charisma: Before you start picturing barbecue grills, let’s clarify – we’re talking about activated charcoal here. It’s like a magnet that’s been to detox school. Activated charcoal has this incredible ability to bind to toxins and impurities in your body. When you sip on charcoal lemonade, it’s like giving your system a little helper to escort those unwanted guests out of your body.

Gut Love: Your gut is like a second brain, and it deserves all the love it can get. Activated charcoal in lemonade can help absorb excess gas and those belly-bloating culprits, making you feel lighter and more comfortable.

Beauty Glow: Detox isn’t just about the inside – it shows on the outside too. Charcoal lemonade might just become your skin’s BFF. By getting rid of toxins that can cause breakouts, this drink could help give your skin that radiant glow you’ve been chasing.

Say Goodbye to Hangovers: Had a bit too much fun last night? Charcoal lemonade could be your morning-after lifesaver. It might help mop up those post-party toxins and alleviate that pounding head.

Energizing Elixir: Now, onto the energy bit. Lemons are like a burst of sunshine, loaded with vitamin C. When combined with activated charcoal, you’ve got yourself an energizing duo that could help kick-start your metabolism and give you that extra boost.

A Word of Caution: While charcoal lemonade has its charms, it’s important not to go overboard. Activated charcoal can also bind to essential nutrients, so moderation is key. And if you’re on medications, chat with your healthcare provider before making this your daily sip.

DIY Magic: Want to unlock the magic yourself? Making charcoal lemonade is like whipping up a spell in your kitchen. Mix activated charcoal with fresh lemon juice, a touch of sweetness (like maple syrup or honey), and water. Voila – you’ve got yourself a detoxifying elixir!

So there you have it, the dark, detoxifying, and energizing wizardry of charcoal lemonade. It’s like a secret potion that your body will thank you for, inside and out. So go ahead, raise your glass to a detox journey that’s as enchanting as it is refreshing! ????????

Water is Life – Live Intelligent

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One in 10 people around the world lack access to clean drinking water, yet the majority of US consumers are unaware of the extent of the global water crisis.

5/2013. A girl is drinking water from the water taps at her school in the Domiz refugee camp in Northern Iraq.

The Power of Clean Water, this documentary follows the lives of three women and their families, providing a first-hand perspective on the daily challenges of accessing clean drinking water. The film also demonstrates the positive impact P&G’s Purifier of Water packets have had on communities in Indonesia, Kenya, and Mexico.  In these countries, people struggle with finding clean water to drink. And without clean drinking water, it’s much harder to keep their children healthy, educated, and provide a better life for their families.

Finally, a global awareness of the water crisis is growing, but many consumers in the US are still unaware of how many people struggle with the daily reality of not having access to clean water. In 2014 I traveled to Kenya to help build a water system to support a school, garden. To my amazement, I returned a year later to a fully-grown garden. When I drove up to see the children enjoying their lunch, I instantly burst into tears, because it was at that moment that I saw the lives of others benefit from my hard work, and knew I couldn’t stop there.  

So about Water: 

About 60 percent of your body is made up of water. Drinking enough water helps maintain the body’s fluid balance, which helps transport nutrients in the body, digest food, regulate body temperature, and more.

The U.S. problem with Water:

Sadly, water is the second most popular beverage in the United States after soft drinks. TThis fact is scary considering sugary soda is a health hazard, upping the risk of stroke, obesity, heart, and other health problems. However, many diseases can be avoided if people choose to drink water. Water doesn’t have negative side effects except for consuming too much. It is possible to overdose on water and “drown internally”. So kick that sugary stuff habit to the side and make water your number one drinking choice. The benefits are endless. 

Controls calories: Simple, when you drink more water you become fuller and eat less. 

Muscle energy: When you sweat at the gym, you lose water. and when you lack water in the muscles they get tired quicker. Who wants tired muscles when they are trying to work out?

Clearer skin: Water flushes out toxins and reduces the onset of pimples. 

Fatigue buster:

Water can help you fight that tired feeling since a common symptom of dehydration is tiredness. Grab a glass of water when you feel sleepy. 

Hangover help:

Let’s face it, booze is poison, and your body hates it. As soon as you drink alcohol your body starts to dehydrate. removing the water and leaving the chemicals. The best way to avoid a hangover is to drink plenty of water while consuming alcohol and after.

Pain prevention:

A little water can really go a long way. Aching joints and muscle cramps and strains can all occur if the body is dehydrated.

Keep things flowing:

Nobody wants to deal with digestion issue, so drinking enough water adds fluids to the colon which helps make things, move smoother.

Sickness fighter:

Water may help with decongestion and dehydration, helping the body bounce back when feeling under the weather. Just beware—drinking fluids haven’t been scientifically proven to beat colds in one swoop, so don’t swap this for a trip to the doctor or other cold remedies.

Brain Boost:

A study in London found a link between students bringing water into an exam room and better grades, suggesting H2O promotes clearer thinking. While it’s unclear if drinking the water had anything to do with a better score, it doesn’t hurt to try it out!

Event: This is a Great Event Stella Artois put together: 

https://www.facebook.com/events/170556457072502/

Social Media Initiative: Use the hashtag #7billionliters on twitter, facebook, or Instagram and Procter and Gamble will donate a liter of water to people who need it most!

The Secret to Napping for Success

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Some people are made to feel a little guilty about taking naps during the day like it equates to being a slacker. Then I read an article about sleep and the importance of naps. Snoozing is no longer considered losing, but gaining. Most people think the secret to being productive is managing your time, they believe that sacrificing sleep is necessary in order to be successful in their industry. But I know it’s all about managing your energy and will reveal some reasons why;

Daily naps reduces the risk of heart disease. Those who take daily naps are 37 percent less likely to die of heart disease? 

“Taking a nap could turn out to be an important weapon in the fight against coronary mortality,” said Dimitrios Trichopoulos of the Harvard School of Public Health in Boston, who led the study.

Daily naps help to restore alertness. Most afternoons you start to feel drowsy, especially at work. This lowers your alertness and focus. 

The National Sleep Foundation recommends a nap of twenty to thirty minutes. This supposedly, “improved alertness and performance without leaving you feeling groggy or interfering with nighttime sleep.”

Daily naps prevents burnout. In a crazy busy world, we are all in the “rate race” but we shouldn’t be racing without resting. Doing so leads to frustration, burnout, and stress. 

Napping is the ultimate reboot of your computer, I mean body. It relieves any stress giving you a fresh start. The same reason we can’t wait to jump in the bed at night. Those who nap show greater emotional resilience, improved cognitive function, and more. All we need is 20 to 30 minutes daily to protect from frying our circuits.

Daily naps heighten sensory perception. Dr. Sara C. Mednick, author of Take a Nap, Change Your Life says, napping can restore the sensitivity of sight, hearing, and taste.

Napping relaxes your mind, which allows new associations to form in it, improving your overall creativity. So, rest before coming up with ideas and making important decisions. 

Daily naps make you productive. 

Numerous studies have shown workers becoming increasingly unproductive as the day wears on. This is where slacking comes from, and it’s mainly after lunch. Instead of taking a nap, they drink coffee or an energy drink, even worse, get up and walk. A twenty-minute nap defeats any and all energy drinks.

Daily naps improve mood. Which improves any and all actions and reactions.

A happier person makes better decisions, has a nicer demeanor, and is easier to approach. 

Daily Naps improve performance including better mental memory and quicker reaction time. 

Napping Tips

Take a twenty-minute nap right after lunch. If you can’t, try to squeeze it in before 4:00 p.m.

Keep it twenty to thirty minutes, anything longer may lead to “sleep inertia”, that feeling of grogginess when you awaken from a deep sleep. Long naps can also interfere with nighttime sleep. Set an alarm to avoid oversleeping. 

Sleep deprivation affects work performance along with mental and physical health. At 36, 48, and 72 hours without sleep, your body and your mind begin operating in altered states that put your health, and your life, at risk,

There are many successful leaders who were known for napping, names you recognize. Could these leaders know that napping was the key ingredient to their success? You be the judge, here are a few.

  • John D. Rockefeller, who was an oil industrialist and philanthropist napped daily in his office.
  • Thomas Edison napped daily, but his ego forced it to embarrass him.
  • Ronald Reagan, a known nap taker was criticized for it.
  • Leonardo da Vinci preffered napping over long sleep.
  • Winston Churchill’s knew he would get twice as much work done daily if he took a nap, this wasn’t up for negotiation.
  • President John F. Kennedy took naps religiously after eating lunch.
  • Albert Einstein not only got 10 hours of sleep at night but napped daily.
  • Napoleon (The French Emperor) took naps daily.
  • Eleanor Roosevelt napped before speaking arrangements to boost her energy.
  • President Lyndon B. Johnson figured out a way to break up his day into 2 by taking a nap daily at 3:30 p.m.

The desire to stay connected

Mobile notifications can feel important—leading people to keep their phones close by, even when they’re asleep. An alarming amount of people sleep with their phones near their beds, mostly Millennials. It looks like technology is literally getting in the way of our dreams if you’re allowing it to. 

Yearly we have #NationalNappingDay: 

It typically falls the Monday After Daylight Savings. It’ a yearly celebration of naps that allow us all to re-evaluate naps and recover from the time change.This year it falls on…

2018: March 12

If lack of sleep can seriously harm you, how much sleep is enough to ensure that our brains are functioning properly?
Current guidelines say between seven and nine hours nightly for adults.
What are your thoughts, Please leave comments. 
Some companies are offering their employees nap rooms. Does this mean in the future we will all be snoozing to improve the bottom line?
Some presenters at CES think so,  See link -> http://ow.ly/KDva30iSRlX

 

Boost Health with This Backyard Secret

Posted by Nerd on

Warning! You may want to talk to your doctor before using a natural remedy to treat a serious illness.

Since we can remember, man has looked to nature to cure poor health. Within the last decade notably, herbs have made their way into thought culture with the recognition of plant medicines resembling ayahuasca, ibogaine, and cannabis in the headlines for their powerful abilities to heal the most prominent diseases. However, these plant remedies can be forbidden to use for healing in many countries.

The good news is that common weeds in our yards yield superb healing skills and guess what — they’re legal! Here are twelve weeds that possess fascinating medicinal properties.

1. Red Clover (Trifolium pre tense) has chemicals that mimic the female hormone estrogen in the body. Medical professionals examine the herb as a treatment for menopausal symptoms like hot flashes. Doctors also warn women with a history of breast cancer to stay away from the synthetic estrogen. Estrogen-like chemicals have a way of bringing on cancer. 

  • The weed helps in reducing the complications during and after menopause.
  • It helps in improving bone density.
  • The plant extract is helpful to improve the immune system, treat could and respiratory disorders.
  • The decoction of this weed helps in regulating heart problems like high blood pressure.
  • The plant is also helpful in treating skin inflammation, eczema, and psoriasis.

2. Stinging Nettle (Urtica dioica) The plant is known to treat gout, aching muscles and joints, arthritis, anemia and eczema. It is widely used to treat joint pain. Capsules of dried stinging nettle is also a good remedy to reduce the symptoms of hay fever. It is also popularly used to treat bladder problems. If you boil nettle it can be eaten as a collared greens alternative. It is very easy to get stung by a stinging nettle. Applying crushed up dandelion, horsetail, Aloe vera, jewelweed or the leaf of a dock or lock plant can counter the acid in the sting.

https://www.botanical.com/botanical/mgmh/n/nettle03.html

3. Milk Thistle (Silybum Marianum) is your livers best friend. This has been known for over 2000 years. Research found this may be good for people who damage their liver with alcohol. Silymarin is a chemical that may protect the liver from damage caused by a drug overdose, as well as damage from over the counter drugs like Tylenol. If you are a shroomer, this may be an antidote for a poisonous shroom.

  • The plant decoction is used to cure Jaundice and liver disorders, as it maintains the bile production.
  • The plant also cures heartburns and depression.
  • It is also used for allergies, blood disorders and has anti-aging properties.
  • The plant has been proved to cure Cancer, Malaria as it contains flavonoids which are helpful against the unwanted cells.

4. Horsetail (Equisetum Ravens) – The Greeks and Roman Empires used the herb to stop bleeding and weight gain, heal ulcers and wounds and treat tuberculosis and kidney problems. Used in a tea it tastes mildly bitter, like chamomile. It acts as a diuretic and increases urination. This stuff is so powerful, doctors suggest taking a multivitamin when drinking lots of horsetail tea because it can flush vital nutrients, such as vitamin B1, potassium and thiamine, out of one’s system.

https://www.botanical.com/botanical/mgmh/h/hortai39.html

5. Dandelion – within the past, Europeans used remedies made of blowball (Taraxacum sp.) roots, leaves and flowers to treat fever, boils, eye issues, polygenic diseases and symptoms. Practitioners of ancient Chinese medication take dandelions for abdomen ailments, and breast issues like inflammation or lack of milk flow. Dandelions have a bitter taste and contain vitamins A, B, C and D, and iron, K, and metallic element. Like Milkweed, Dandelion was a traditional remedy for warts. One would protect the skin surrounding the wart with Vaseline. Cover the wart with stem juices that were squeezed out. Let dry and cover with a plaster and repeat daily. After three days the wart should be dried up and a brownish color, it’s then it will fall off.  This weed can be used like coffee, it’s washed, cut into large pieces and dried gently beside the open fire or in the sun until they became hard and brittle. You want to drink it because, the root contains bitters, which is good for cleansing the liver, spleen, and gallbladder. In Co Meath (Ireland) pieces of the dried root were simmered in buttermilk, strained and taken as a cure for yellow jaundice.

Serious about using this?

Read More: http://www.botanical.com/botanical/mgmh/d/dandel08.html

6. Milkweed – The main use of this herb is for its benefit on the lungs. It helps with breathing conditions, liquefying mucous and reducing spasms. It has also been widely used by Native Americans as a contraceptive.  The sap produced, that’s milky white/The milky white sap produced, is used to remove warts, heal ringworms and snakebites. The sap contains latex, alkaloids, and cardiac glycosides. However, the herb also contains chemicals harmful to livestock and humans. The herb produces toxic chemicals to protect against hungry herbivores. It can help a person manage constipation and diarrhea.

7. Chicory (Cichorium Intybus), a sky blue flower is often seen along roads, provides the largest insulin supply. According to WebMD, patients use insulin to fight high cholesterol and triglycerides. Many women with type-2 diabetes benefit from taking insulin by reducing the rate of blood sugar increase they get after eating. hickory coffees happens when coffee lovers add roasted and dried root to their cups of hot water. Chicory coffee is big in New Orleans.

https://www.botanical.com/botanical/mgmh/c/chicor61.html

8. Burdock (Arctium sp.) – Traditionally, healers use burdock to clear toxins from the blood and increase urination, according to the University of Maryland Medical Center. The plant also is used to treat skin ailments, such as eczema, acne, and psoriasis. The leaves and roots of burdock are edible and contain inulin, like chicory, so they may aid digestion and/or cause a nasty case of flatulence. Burdock also contains high quantities of antioxidants that can prevent damage to cells.

https://www.botanical.com/botanical/mgmh/b/burdoc87.html

 

9. Plantain (Plantago Major) –  This is the weed commonly found in sidewalk cracks is actually one of the best healing herbs on the planet. Since the age of the ancient, Greek doctors have used plantains to speed wound healing. Native Americans have used it to heal wounds, cure fever, and to draw out toxins from stings and bites, including snake bites.

Plantain as a poultice is recommended on wounds or as a nutrient-rich tea to treat diarrhea. Plantain leaves are mainly used for herbal preparations, so it is best to pick just the leaves, rather than dig out the entire plant. Pinch off unblemished leaves, selecting slightly mature ones over the very tender leaves, unless you’re planning to use them in salads. Mature leaves have a higher concentration of potent phytochemicals.

10. Purslane – Is commonly found in yards and gardens, but most people do not ever consider harvesting it. It has a slightly citrusy taste and a crisp texture. It is a great source of omega-3 fatty acids. This herb is also rich in vitamins A, C, and various B vitamins, as well as a number of minerals. Tilling brings seeds to the surface where they quickly germinate. Purslane seeds germinate best with soil temperatures of 90 degrees so mulching may again help to control it. Since it germinates in high soil temperatures also means it doesn’t appear until June.

https://botanical.com/botanical/mgmh/p/prugol77.html

 

11. Lamb’s Quarters – Are Very Nutritious The leaves of Lamb’s Quarters can be harvested and used like spinach. Use this herb in your juice, salad, soup, or any recipe that calls for spinach. It has a high content of vitamins A and K, as well as calcium and magnesium. Lamb’s Quarters is considered one of the most nutritious wild foods. These are just a few examples of herbs and weeds that have nutritional value. You may have some of these growing in your backyard and not even know it. Before harvesting any outdoor weeds or herbs, verify the identity of the plant. 

12. Bee Balm (wild bergamot) – Bee-balm is most often viewed as a wildflower and actually sold as an ornamental.  However, this plant can occur as a weed in some pasture and rangeland environments.  Bee-balm or wild bergamot is found throughout the United States except in Florida and along the West coast. The flowers make an attractive edible garnish in salads. Bee Balm herb is a source of oil of thyme, and is noted for its fragrance. The fresh or dried leaves are brewed into a medicinal tea. Bee Balm leaves and flowers and stems are used in alternative medicine as an antiseptic, carminative, diaphoretic, diuretic and stimulant. A medicinal infusion is used internally in the treatment of colds, catarrh, headaches, and gastric disorders, to reduce low fevers and soothe a sore throat, to relieve flatulence, nausea, for menstrual pain, and insomnia. Steam inhalation of the plant can be used for sore throats, and bronchial catarrh (inflammation of the mucous membrane, causing an increased flow of mucus). Externally, Bee Balm is a medicinal application for skin eruptions and infections. Bergamot’s distinctive aroma, found in both the leaf and flower is wonderful for use in potpourri. While a fragrant herb in its own right, Wild Bergamot is not the source of the commonly used Bergamot Essential oil.

So there you have it, I covered some of the main backyard herbs, of course, there are many more. Maybe I’ll make a part 2 to this. Remember to be mindful that if you plan on ingesting these herbs, make sure they haven’t been sprayed with pesticides or treated with chemicals. Try looking in your own backyard to see if any of these wild medicinal weeds are at your disposal!

https://botanical.com/botanical/mgmh/b/bethro34.html

References:

https://wellnessmama.com/59478/backyard-herbal-remedies/

https://juicing-for-health.com/weeds-that-are-medicinal-herbs

https://www.theorganicprepper.com/10-medicinal-weeds-that-may-grow-in-your-backyard/

http://www.naturallivingideas.com/plantain-benefits-uses/

https://altnature.com/gallery/beebalm.htm

http://www.pracreation.com/10-common-weeds-that-actually-have-medicinal-properties/

Say, “Thank You” and Shut up

Posted by Nerd on

Compliments are a simple effortless way to brighten someone’s day. It’s also an activity that starts off challenging. My favorite quote is, “Being nice is one of the hardest things in the world.” Compliments are equally not as easy to receive as they are to give. It makes me wonder why? But only a nice person can give and receive compliments graciously hence making handling compliments hard. Why?

Compliments can start with confidence. People with low self-esteem have more doubt and are less likely to accept compliments and praise. They usually end up answering in a weird or awkward way other than appreciation because they don’t feel deserving. We sometimes second guess a compliment. Accepting compliments doesn’t mean you’re arrogant or conceited, they actually increase your self-esteem on average by 10%.

You can tell a lot about a person by their reaction to a compliment.

Compliments are like paying it forward, it’s equally beneficial to the giver and receiver. The better you get at receiving compliments, the more it will build you up, and the easier it becomes for you to give compliments to others.

What we learned today; Give more detailed compliments, make more friends, have a better life, be more secure.