Now, integrating this simple concept into today’s world is not so simple. Our lives are busy, noisy, and stressful. Most of us don’t have the time or resources today to grow our own fruits and vegetables or hunt for meat or go fishing. We have to rely on others to do that for us. We don’t have time in our busy schedules for exercise. We don’t even have time to relax our minds and bodies. At the end of the day, we just fall into bed and wake the next morning to start the process all over again.

Because of this, we have become complacent with our wellness.

In our choice of foods, we tend to choose foods that are fast and convenient to our busy schedules. Exercise is something we set aside for when we believe we have the time. And relaxing? Well, that is usually reserved for vacation time, and most of us take our work on vacation with us.

Our way of life is making us sick. The onset of so many new health problems today should be a screaming beacon to us. Yet, in our complacency, we allow this travesty to continue. We rely on medicines to keep us going. Yet those medicines cause harmful side effects that require more medicine to control. It’s a deadly downward spiral. We should instead provide our bodies with organically grown food and herbal remedies to heal us and strengthen our immune system.

Eat healthy foods, exercise, and meditate. These three things should be an integral part of your day so that your body and immune system stay strong, your mind remains uncluttered and open, and you are calm and prepared for what life has to throw at you.

You have the right to choose to be healthy and happy. You have the right to live better and longer. It’s up to you to take care of yourself and your family to ensure a long, healthy life for those that you care about the most.

Wishing you much success...
Flowing Treasures

Benefits of Dancing

• In addition to burning calories, a good thing for dieters everywhere, dancing also helps to strengthen your muscles and bones. 
  

• It can provide either a low impact or high impact workout according to your wishes and the music you select. 
  

• It can be entertaining and feel like fun rather than a chore—this means you are more likely to do it than many other exercise programs, and it can help tone all areas of your body rather than focusing on one particular area, as many exercises do.
  

• It provides an excellent opportunity to socialize and meet others if you take classes to help you gain a better sense of balance and grace. 
  

• It can help you ward off potential illnesses that are often associated with excess weight and too little physical activity. Even as little as thirty minutes of dance four days a week can bring about profound results when it comes to your overall health and well-being. 
  

If you will dance, you will have fun. This means that you will enjoy life a little, laugh a little, and accidentally work a little physical fitness into your life without feeling as though you are suffering for the sake of doing so. 

Wishing you much success...
Flowing Treasures

It is unnatural to be constantly fatigued, and chronic fatigue brought on by stressful life situations affects a great number of people. If you are one of those who is unable to make immediate changes to your current life situation, the relaxation methods learned through yoga exercises can help. You will be better able to cope and remain more relaxed through whatever situation you are dealing with. You will also have more energy to make the necessary changes that will result in an improvement in your lifestyle.

It doesn't cost anything to do yoga in your own time and you can do all the basic exercises that are necessary to bring about change without having to buy any equipment.

Also, no matter how tired you are and how little time you believe you have, there is always time to adjust your breathing or stretch your muscles in yoga poses. Those few minutes that you take each day to perform the simplest of yoga exercises will give you the energy to achieve more throughout the day and to sleep better at night.

Click here for more information on how yoga can improve your life.

Wishing you much success...
Flowing Treasures

Including these superfoods in your diet can help to alleviate symptoms associated with menopause, maintain your memory power, and prevent osteoporosis. These superfoods are delicious to eat, easy to prepare, and super-good for you!

Tofu is an alternative protein source to meat. Along with other soy products, tofu can be beneficial for lowering your cholesterol and preventing heart disease. Soy products like tofu may also decrease the side effects associated with menopause, including the dreaded ‘hot flashes.’

Navy beans are loaded with fiber, which can help reduce your risk of color and other forms of cancer, as well as relieve the symptoms associated with diverticulosis. Women need 30 grams of fiber each day, so include them in your favorite chili recipe, or try them as a side dish alternative to pasta or rice.

Packed with calcium, yogurt can help prevent osteoporosis. It has also been shown to boost your immunity and help with weight management. Additionally, yogurt contains high amounts of good bacteria such as acidophilus, which helps to prevent yeast infections and urinary tract infections.  It also contains protein, which may help your body battle the fatigue and weariness that follows a hot flash.

As we age, we sometimes find ourselves forgetting things or feeling as if we’re in a fog.  If you find this to be the case, grab for the blueberries the next time you’re shopping for groceries. Recent studies show they may actually help with short-term memory loss. They’re also loaded with antioxidants. Pair them with some low-fat plain yogurt for a top-notch way to protect both your brain and your bones.

Avocado also contains antioxidants, such as vitamin E, which can help to protect your vision and skin, which can suffer as we age.  The monounsaturated fat found in avocados has also been shown to improve the condition of hair and skin. They’re great on a turkey sandwich, or mash up a few ripe ones and whip up a quick side of guacamole to have with some low-fat baked tortilla chips.

And as always, it’s important to make low-fat and low-sodium choices when menu planning. High-fat and high-sodium foods do nothing to help alleviate the symptoms brought on by menopause, and are unhealthy options at any age, but especially as we grow older. Avoid smoking or alcohol, and get plenty of rest, and you’ll soon find your menopause symptoms are easily managed.

Wishing you much success...
Flowing Treasures

Acupressure is an ancient healing art that was developed in Asia over 5,000 years ago. In acupressure, the fingers are used to gradually apply pressure to key healing points that lie along the lines of energy flow in the body called meridians or channels. This application of pressure stimulates the body's natural self-healing abilities. 

Your body has fourteen meridians that carry energy, called chi, and over 800 vital energy points along the meridians. If the flow of chi is blocked at any point, pain or illness occurs. Science shows that many of these points are located at key crossways of the autonomic nervous system.
  
Shiatsu, possibly one of the oldest forms of massage known, incorporates the use of acupressure to work the muscles and release energy from specific points on the body. It is similar in a way to reflexology, but rather than just working on the feet, shiatsu works on more areas of the body and targets specific acupressure points.

These pressure points release energy, improve circulation, and in doing so, get rid of toxins that are stored in the muscles and the skin and help to revive the body. By applying constant pressure to these points for slightly longer than you would receive with a normal massage, the body begins to release its own endorphins. These endorphins are the body's natural painkillers and while you might feel some pain when receiving the treatment, the release of the endorphins should make you feel energized soon after and for several days after the treatment.

Acupressure, when combined with the Emotional Freedom Technique, is also beneficial for people dealing with negative emotions. Relaxation is achieved by tapping or briskly massaging the body when feeling tense and upset. EFT works to balance the brain hemispheres to help an individual admit to their problem and find forgiveness, while working specific acupressure points brings a sense of calm.

The great thing about acupressure is you don't have to seek out a professional to enjoy its benefits. With some guidance, you can do it yourself. 

In Acupressure's Potent Points, Michael Reed Gach, founder and director of the Acupressure Institute of America, reveals simple techniques that enable you to relieve headaches, arthritis, colds and flu, insomnia, backaches, hiccups, leg pain, hot flashes, depression, and more--using the power and sensitivity of your own hands.

Turn your hands into healing tools--and start feeling good now.


Wishing you much success...
Flowing Treasures

With the use of an aromatherapy oil diffuser, you can imbue your home and body with the relaxing, tension-freeing, health benefits of essential oils. Though many in the strict scientific community might scoff at the notion of aromas being used to create such benefits, an entire marketplace has been built from people who know better. Essential oils and aromas, derived from natural herbs and plants, have been used for hundreds of years as a way to get in touch with relaxation and heal the body. If you’ve been pondering ways to get rid of your stress and tension, take a look at aromatherapy and see what benefits you might derive from it.

You can get these diffusers from any natural health store, whether locally or on the internet. You're not restricted to any particular kind, as the market has determined that many different types will be available, depending on your aesthetic sense. They come in various sizes, various shapes, and plenty of designs to fit the decor of any home. Many aromatherapy diffusers have been designed to be so attractive that they fit a dual purpose. They provide the home with a rich aroma, and they make a fitting addition to the decoration.

When you put one of these burners in the room, the room fills with the essential aroma of the oil one chooses to utilize. Though there have been some doubts from the medical community about the healing powers of aromas in and of themselves, there can be no question that one’s surroundings make a huge difference in their level of relaxation. If you are surrounded by a scent that you enjoy, then beyond anything else, you should notice a positive change in your relaxation and outlook. After all, these essential oils are derived from natural essences such as herbs and flowers. Man was meant to be surrounded by these scents, so it only makes sense that they would be welcomed by the average psyche.

With natural products such as essential oils more available today than ever before, you should have no trouble finding products that you need. If you aren’t fortunate enough to live near a holistic shop, there is the internet. There are dozens of places on the web you can find these products, and have them shipped directly to your home. If you feel that an aromatherapy oil diffuser could be what you need, don’t hesitate to purchase one and experience the power of essential oils in your life.

Wishing you much success on your life's journey...
Flowing Treasures

Natural remedies have become very popular in recent years.  People have stopped looking at the expensive medications and creams to cure various conditions, and have started looking at remedies found closer to home.  This is, in part, because they are less expensive, but they are also on hand and easily obtained. 

Acne is a common condition in teens and adults alike, and is no exception to the theory that a home remedy can sometimes be better.  If it's worked for many years, why wouldn't it work now?  One such remedy believed to aid in the healing of acne is green tea.

While many teas are fermented, green tea instead, is steamed soon after being picked so as to prevent the oxidation of its leaves.  This helps to retain the active substances the leaves contain.  Camellia Sinensis, or as we know it, green tea extract, contains a high content of Polyphenol, along with other important antioxidants.  

Green tea can serve many purposes, and it is recommended for a number of reasons.  It acts as an anti-bacterial substance, decreasing hormonal activity.  Since acne is often caused by hormones, which produce excess oil and clog pores, thereby causing blemishes, green tea could be a good remedy for this problem. 

The antioxidents contained in green tea have been shown as very beneficial to acne prevention because they help the body fight against free radicals that cause cell and tissue damage.  Green tea also has very few potential side effects, especially when compared to other acne products and medications. 

Because of its advantages, green tea is also used in various creams and other topical products used to treat acne.  When compared with other commonly used acne treatments, it ranked high, because of its natural anti-bacterial properties. 

Green tea with honeysuckle is often called "Pimple Tea" in China.  It helps your body rid itself of toxins, which helps prevent acne.  

Green tea is easily available.  It can be purchased in most stores and can also be bought through many on-line sources.  It comes in the form of tea that you drink, or can be purchased in the form of a cream. 

Drinking green tea will help cleanse your body from the inside out, while applying the topical cream, which goes directly onto the skin, will help cure and prevent acne at the source.  No matter how you choose to use it, it can serve many purposes, and is  a welcome alternative to harsh products or unwanted medications.

Wishing you much success...
Flowing Treasures  

Old home remedies have gotten a bad reputation since the rise of the male-dominated medical profession, but some of those old time remedies are just as effective as modern medications. They have even found their way into many of the products that we buy. Why pay more for something with a fancy name done-up in a capsule when you can find it for free growing in your garden, or buy it for a few cents in the supermarket?

Ginger Remedies

Ginger can be used for both nausea and heartburn. Eat a small piece of ginger to relieve your discomfort. Either fresh or pickled ginger should work equally well.

Alternatively, make ginger tea by soaking a piece of ginger in water that is almost boiling. Leave to steep and drink when it is just warm. Add honey if desired. 

Ginger tea either with or without honey is also good for relieving the symptoms of a cold. 

Lemon for Cold Sores (Fever Blisters)

Cold sores, aka fever blisters, and other types of herpes sores respond well to anything astringent. Lemon is one of the best old-fashioned natural remedies for a cold sore that you will find.

If you can, place a thin slice of lemon over the area where you feel the itch of a cold sore starting. Hold it in place with medical tape if necessary. Replace with a fresh slice every few hours. You should soon find that the itching stops and the sore will not appear.

If the sore is on your face and this just looks too weird, fill a small clean spray bottle with freshly squeezed lemon juice and spray it onto the area about once every hour.

You can also use apple cider vinegar or witch hazel applied with a cotton ball. 

Note: This has to be done before the blister breaks out. Never use lemon juice or vinegar directly on an open sore.

If your cold sore has already appeared, try drinking the juice of one lemon mixed in a glass of warm water four times a day between meals. You can add honey to sweeten. You can also do this once a day for prevention - first thing in the morning is best.

Grandma's Home Remedies for Constipation

Constipation can have many causes but the most common are a lack of fiber in the diet, lack of exercise and certain medications. The doctor will not diagnose constipation unless you have not had a bowel movement(BM) for three days or more, but most of us feel uncomfortable before this point. A healthy person eating plenty of fiber will have at least two BMs every day.

Dried fruit is the classic traditional remedy for constipation. Daily consumption of a bowl of figs, prunes, dates or even raisins should sort out your regularity within a few days. Always soak the fruit for 2-3 hours in warm water before eating. You can cook it if you wish. Drink the juice as well as eating the rehydrated fruit.

For quick relief, take 2 to 4 teaspoons of castor oil. This is another well-known home remedy for constipation.

To avoid it happening again, increase your consumption of fruit and vegetables, preferably raw, to at least 5 portions every day and drink plenty of water. Sometimes dehydration alone is responsible for the problem.

Old home remedies can help with a wide range of common ailments, but always see your doctor if the problem persists.


Wishing you much success on your life's journey...
Flowing Treasures

Many times when you are searching for weight loss information online, you come across a bunch of fad diets. These are the diets which tell you how much weight you can lose by eating only cabbage soup, or maple syrup and lemonade or some noxious kind of food that nobody really likes.

As a matter of fact, these diets are among the most highly searched for topics on the entire internet. They are very popular for one particular reason – they bring you almost instant results in dropping a couple of pounds. They do work to get some weight off right away, within a week for many of them.

But then, guess what happens? All of the weight comes back with a vengeance and sometimes those pounds you lost bring their friends back to stay with you and you wind up weighing even more than you did before you started the crash diet.

This kind of weight loss program does not keep you healthy and does not result in keeping the weigh off permanently. You wind up bouncing up and down in weight and your entire metabolism suffers. And when your metabolism suffers it always does so in the same way – it slows down and stops burning calories.

This is why you gain the weight back.

Here are a couple of things you can do to help achieve a more permanent weight loss.

1) Stop starving yourself. Instead, stay away from processed foods and eat healthy foods like raw vegetables.

People love to punish themselves for dietary transgressions. But punishing does not help much. If you simply stop feeding your body, it will go into fat storing mode and slow your metabolism to a crawl. Instead, try eating raw vegetables. These low calorie powerhouses elicit a thermic response within the body and actually help to burn more fat. The amount of energy your body uses to digest raw vegetables far outweighs the calorie content of the vegetables themselves; therefore, you are actually burning more calories than you are taking in.

Another important tip is very simple, and works very effectively.

2) Give yourself a reward for losing weight.

Now this does not mean that when you lose a pound you should hop in the car and run right over to Cheesecake Factory and gorge yourself. A reward is supposed to be a nice thing you do for yourself, not something that is virtually guaranteed to make you feel bad all over again. That’s not what you need.

Instead you can give yourself a nice treat like a spa day, or a trip to the mall without the kids or anything else you enjoy. And if you like, you can give yourself a small food treat like a square of dark chocolate.

Rewards are excellent things to do for yourself. Just don’t overdo the reward system or you will wind up punishing yourself all over again.

Losing weight does not have to be hard or painful. No more punishing yourself. That didn’t work before and it won’t work now. Instead, change what you eat and give yourself a small reward when you succeed and you will be well on your way to lasting weight loss.

Wishing you much success...
Flowing Treasures

Live longer...Live better...Have more time to experience all that this world has to offer. 

Countless experiments are being done in an attempt to find that magical formula, the “Fountain of Youth”. The whole world is waiting.

I’ve got great news for you. You don’t have to wait. 

I did a bit of research on how to live longer. Here is what I discovered:

My first stop was to check out the list of the longest living people. I was curious to see if there was a common thread among them. What I found was their attitude toward stress. I discovered that most of them seemed to have that “Don’t Worry, Be Happy” attitude. 

The oldest living woman, Jeanne Calment, who lived to 122, attributed her longevity and youthful appearance for her age to olive oil (she put it on her food and on her skin), drinking port wine, eating more than two pounds of chocolate a week, and riding a bicycle until she was 100. But Jean-Marie Robine, one of the authors of a book about Ms. Calment, said her great strength was her unflappability. "She once said, `If you can't do anything about it, don't worry about it.' "

Sarah Knauss lived to be 119 years old. Her daughter says that her mother was a very tranquil person. Nothing fazed her. 

Christian Mortensen lived to be 115. His advice: "Friends, a good cigar, drinking lots of good water, no alcohol, staying positive and lots of singing will keep you alive for a long time."

I know that having that “Don’t Worry, Be Happy” attitude is hard at times. Especially when someone does a tap dance on your last nerve. But you have plenty of ammunition in your arsenal. You have meditation, exercise, the martial arts of Tai Chi and Qigong, and a healthy diet. You can use these to get to that “Don’t Worry, Be Happy" place where stress is not allowed. 

Another thing that I discovered is GSH (glutathione). They call it “the body’s master antioxidant”. Researchers have discovered that people with the highest levels of GSH are the ones who routinely live past 100. They also discovered that people with high levels of GSH had fewer illnesses and a greater sense of well being. 

The best way to increase your levels of GSH is to include these foods in your diet: avocado, asparagus, horseradish, broccoli, cauliflower, raw spinach, cabbage, kale, okra, brussel sprouts, potatoes, squash, eggplant, chili peppers, tomatoes, strawberries, peaches, grapefruit, limes, oranges, melons, walnuts, Brazil nuts, lean pork chops and veal cutlets. 

There are also several herbs that are known for their anti-aging properties. These are the most powerful: 

Goji Berry (Li Qing Yuen, reported to have lived to 252 years old, ate these every day) - powerful antioxidant; increases energy; slows the effects of aging on eyes, brain, and body’s cells; and encourages the pituitary gland to secrete human growth hormone. Minimum recommended daily serving is 2 tablespoons.

Holy Basil - aids in digestion; acts as an analgesic, antibacterial, antidepressant, anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, antiseptic, antispasmodic, aphrodisiac, and expectorant; improves blood circulation, improves eyesight, improves memory, lowers blood sugar, purifies the blood, stimulates sex drive, strengthens the cardiovascular system, and strengthens the immune system. Recommended dosage as a capsule is 300mg twice per day.

Gotu Kola - strengthens veins, improves circulation, improves concentration, improves memory, improves reflexes, acts as an anti-inflammatory and antibacterial, strengthens adrenal glands, purifies the blood, and increases libido. Recommended dosage is 500mg four (4) times per day. Only use gotu kola for six (6) weeks at a time with a two (2) week break between. If you have a serious illness or are currently taking any medication, check with your doctor before taking gotu kola.

Panax Ginseng (Korean is the most potent) - improves circulation, increases blood flow, revitalizes the body, aids recovery from weakness after illness, increases vitality and stamina, combats fatigue, boosts immune system, enhances libido, lowers blood sugar, enhances concentration, and strengthens the central nervous system. Recommended dosage: If taking capsule made from powdered root, take no more than 2000mg per day. If using extract, look for products that are standardized to contain 5% ginsenosides, and take no more than 200mg per day. It is recommended that you only take Korean ginseng for up to three (3) weeks with two (2) weeks off. Do not take Korean ginseng if you are pregnant or breastfeeding, if you are taking MAO inhibitor drugs, if you have breast cancer, if you have high blood pressure, or if you suffer from bipolar disorder.

Fo Ti  or He Shou Wu (Known as the anti-aging herb) - detoxes the body, acts as a mild laxative, boosts the immune system, increases sexual vigor, enhances fertility, increases energy, aids circulation, aids digestion, increases kidney function, increases liver function, improves adrenal function, strengthens lower back and knees, strengthens muscles, and strengthens bones and tendons. Recommended dosage is 500mg per day. Higher doses can cause numbness in the limbs.

One last bit of information for you. I discovered a book called Ancient Secret of the Fountain of Youth written by Peter Kelder. It tells of one man’s discovery of the true “Fountain of Youth” that resides within each of us and tells you how to access it. Give it a try. You have nothing to lose and much to gain. 

Click here to download a free pdf of 'Ancient Secret of the Fountain of Youth'. 

Live Longer, Live Better
Flowing Treasures