Cherry Juice

I recently hurt my neck and upper back by my scapula exercising. I knew the exact time the injury happened and went right to my chiropractor after it happened. She adjusted my rib and neck but told me that I will continue to have muscle spasms for the next few days. She recommended ice, massage and use of my home tens unit. I have been following instructions but I still was having pain so I did what everyone else does and turned to the internet for an answer. There is was...Tart Cherry Juice.

I have drank tart cherry juice in the past. I knew that it was packed full of antioxidants that improve skin and heart health, lower blood sugar (diabetes) and help with insomnia. I did not realize tart cherry juice that helps decrease muscle inflammation, symptoms of exercise-induced muscle damage, and pain. Studies have shown drinking 1 cup of tart cherry juice a day or eating 1.5 cups of tart cherries can help reduce muscle pain and inflammation. If tart cherry juice is not palatable for you, pill for cherry supplements are also available.

Source: Pinterest via Cali
(Reference: Kate Morin, Greatest.com. Picture: whatscookingamerica.net)

Alternative Non-toxic Household Products

I saw this today and thought that is was too beneficial not to share.
Source: Pinterest via Cali

Limiting the amount of products you bring into your home will not only cut down on costs at the grocery store but will keep you and your family healthier. Below is a list of some common uses for seven household products. Add some drops of essentials oilslike lavender, rose, or sweet orange to any of them for extra pleasure!

Here are a few more tips to help you go green and save money!

• Cut up old bath towels. Reuse these as rags for cleaning your house rather than paper towels, which are expensive and contribute to 3,000 pounds of waste in landfills each day.
• When you grocery shop, leave your list at home. Instead, fill your basket with local, seasonal, and organic items that are on sale that week. Once you have your fruits and veggies, you can start to plan what other items you might need for the week.
• Stock up on staples when they are on sale. Some ideas: look for jars of organic pasta sauce, condiments, and, frozen organic veggies or fruit.
• Purchase things in bulk like quinoa, granola, beans, nuts, seeds, and dried herbs.
• Cook up large pots of grains and beans then divvy them up smaller portions to freeze for later meals.. Staples that work well: quinoa, brown rice, black beans, and kidney beans.  
• Prep veggies on Sundays. You can wash, chop, blanch or steam them.
• Invest in a high quality blender. This will allow you to make your own nut butters, almond milk, oat flour, soups, dips, and smoothies.  Choose one with at least a 5 year warranty.
• Limit the amount of beauty products you use daily. Keep your routine simple! 

FYI: I (Cali) used to use baking soda and water to clean my contacts. Mix 1/4 tsp baking soda with a few drops of water into a paste consistency. Rub on contacts and rinse with saline. 

(Source: www.MindBodyGreen.com)

How safe is your water bottle?

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I attended a detox class recently and learned many things about food and containers that our foods come in. In our modern day world we are very busy and it is sad to say that convenience over health is often the decision we make. For example, water bottles. I have never been one to buy water in bottles. Why would I? I have a water filter on my refrigerator and I want to limit my carbon footprint. I never really gave a thought to my water bottle that I used until I took the detox class.

Plastic bottles contain many harmful chemicals that can impact ones health. One chemical found is bisphenol-A or BPA for short. BPA mimics estrogen and disrupts normal cell production. Studies show that people that have been exposed to increased levels of BPA have an increased risk of developing breast and prostate cancers, and uterine tumors. Children with high level exposure to BPA have been shown to have early onset puberty. BPH also effects brain development. According to a study in 2011, pregnant women who had increased levels of BPA in there urine had daughters that had increases of hyperactivity, depression and anxiety. Another chemical found is Phthalate (di-2-ethylhexyl phthalate) or DEHP for short. Research studies have shown that over exposure to DEHP can lead to hormone disruption, birth defects, breast cancer, asthma, reproductive problems and obesity.

BPA and DEHP leach from the plastic container (whether it be a plastic bottle, can or plastic wrapper) into water (or food). If the container is heated, the leaching process can occur up to 55 times faster than at room temperature.

The FDA has stated that BPA and DEHP are safe at very low levels. However, if you are exposed to these chemicals several times a day, everyday your health could be at risk. Make sure you read the labels and choose non-PBA and non-DEHP containers.

To help decrease your carbon footprint, choose a reusable container as your permanent water bottle. (Mason jars are my daughter's favorite)

(Sources: www.breastcancer.org, www.health.usnews.com, www.mayoclinic.com; Picture: www.wired.com)

Apples

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We have all heard our mothers say, "an apple a day keeps the doctor away".  And guess what? She was right.  Did you know that apples help heal and cure a variety of illness, aliments and diseases.  Researchers have found that apples and apple constitutes (pectin, vinegar, etc.) can lower the risk of many cancers including colorectal, liver, breast, stomach, and esophageal. In addition, apples have been shown to reduce radioisotopes in people exposed to radiation or nuclear weapon fall out.

Apples have been shown to help with shortening the course of diarrhea in children and prevent atherosclerosis in a high cholesterol diet.  Apples help with weight loss and increase brain function.   Bowel inflammation, periodontal disease, hair loss, infections (staphylococcal and influenza) and vaccine-induced toxicity are decreased when one includes apples in his/her diet.

Next time you reach for an organic apple, remember that you are not only having a delicious snack, you are taking your daily dose of nature's medicine.

(to read more go to www.greenmedinfo.com, resource: Dr. Sayer Ji, photo: experiencecrossriver.com)

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