When you go to the grocery store, you may notice that virtually every product, from produce to meat, all have a “healthier” alternative, and usually, these alternatives have the word “Organic” printed somewhere on the product. But what does this mean? How does organic foods benefit you and your family?

So, Why are Organic Food’s Beneficial to our Health?

The below set of videos were produced by Nutrition By Natalie. She explains quite well, why we should ALL make the switch to Organic Foods.

While everybody’s opinion and perspective on organic foods may be slightly different, the above video’s make some pretty good points about “Why” & “How” organic foods are healthier. You may be reluctant to make the switch to organic foods, but it could make a long-term difference to the health of you and your family.

Here’s a really good article about The Dangers of Genetically Modified Foods.

The benefits of red wine have been debated for several years. For the most part, the reports that you might read about red wine as it relates to our health are not conflicting. Through scientific research and clinical studies, it has come to be generally accepted that, when consumed in moderate amounts, red wine can offer us quite a few health benefits.

If you are a fan of red wine, such news is certainly cause for celebration!

How Much Red Wine Should I Drink?

The key, of course, is to exercise caution when consuming red wine. Just because red wine consumption possesses some health benefits, it does not mean that you should drink as much red wine as you possibly can. For women, 1-2 glasses of red wine per day is considered to be a moderate amount. For men, 3-4 glasses of red wine per day is more than sufficient.

The Benefits of Red Wine

One reason that red wine has been examined so closely by health professionals, is because of the “French Paradox.” There are areas of France where the overall consumption of saturated fats is much higher than the typical American diet.

Not only are the French diets higher in saturated fats, the French also typically drink several glasses of red wine on a daily basis. Despite this, there are significantly less instances of heart attacks and cardiovascular disease among the French. Why would that be so unless there is something about red wine that provides health benefits? This question led researchers to discover the antioxidant properties in red wine, particularly French red wines.

You may already know a few of the benefits of antioxidants for slowing the oxidation process in the body, which helps to deter many significantly harmful illnesses. The benefits of the antioxidants in some red wines may surprise you, too.

For example, did you know that red wine can help reduce the harmful effects of food poisoning? Red wine contains properties that help to rid the body of toxins, which can also be beneficial for reducing the effects of dysentery & diarrhea.

What Exactly is in Red Wine?

The primary antioxidant found in red wine is called resveratrol. Resveratrol is found in the seeds and skins of processed and fermented grapes. Because of the process that red wines are put through during processing, they have higher resveratrol levels than other wines. Resveratrol can also be found in peanuts, cranberries, and blueberries.

It has been suggested that drinking purple grape juice and non-alcoholic red wine offer similar or equal benefits as red wine consumption. Further research is required before a conclusive determination can be made regarding the resveratrol content (and health benefits) of purple grape juice.

Which Red Wines Offer You the Most Benefits?

According to researchers at the University of California-Davis, the highest concentrations of flavonoids (including resveratrol) can be found in Cabernet Sauvignon. Two other red wines offering high levels of these beneficial antioxidants are Petit Syrah and Pinot Noir.

Merlots & Red Sinfandels have significantly fewer flavonoids than these three red wines. White wines have even smaller amounts of them. A good rule of thumb to remember is the sweeter the wine, the fewer the flavonoids.

Red wine consumption is not appropriate for everyone. Health professionals only recommend that people with a clean bill of health drink red wine or any other type of alcohol. In fact, there are many health problems that can occur from the overuse of red wine & alcohol. Not to mention that certain medications can not mix with alcohol.

Put Yourself in My Shoes

You’ve worked really hard to prepare this meal. You shopped a week in advance, at least. You pressed the last of the napkins hot out of the dryer. You’re really pleased with your menu. Broiled fish, roasted chicken breasts with garlic cloves, bell pepper and onions and steamed broccoli, steamed asparagus, and corn you took off the cob just this afternoon. And by request, your special macaroni and cheese is also on the menu.

It’s time to get everything heated, so you’ve got the oven set to 200 up and the warming pots on the stove. The vegetables are steaming and all that’s left is the macaroni and cheese and the corn. Planned down to the minute, your family will be arriving in twenty minutes; the macaroni will be put into the microwave, straight from the fridge in your microwave-safe plastic ware. Your corn will go in right after that for three minutes.

Everyone is on time. You’re placing the last two items on the table as the guests are seated—it went like clockwork.

What Could Possibly be Wrong with This Picture?

The only problem is the microwave. You know how you learn something but it doesn’t stick because it’s so out of line with the rest of life? That was my problem with the truth and fallacy of microwave cooking.

Many, many years ago, when the microwave was banned in Germany, I can recall hearing about it. I was a child and I remember thinking, What an odd thing to ban. Those poor people are so oppressed. Little did I know.

The Problems with Microwaving Foods

Microwaving changes food on the molecular level, denaturing its nutrients and therein making foods empty, useless substances.

What are you left with?

• Carcinogens in your proteins in cereal and milk
• Radiolytics - stuff unknown in nature
• Destroyed meat proteins

As a result of eating this food, studies have recorded the following:

• Reduces blood hemoglobin count (indicator of anemic condition)
• Increases cholesterol and white blood count

In 1991, microwaving blood denatured it enough to kill a transfusion recipient who received that warmed blood.

Most nutritionists will warn parents away from warming baby milk and formula in microwaves for two reasons:

• It destroys the nutrients in the formula
• The formula is generally much hotter than the bottle indicates when removed from the microwave

It’s even been demonstrated to be unsafe for people to stand in front of microwaves. It’s actually causing cell destruction.

Why People Still Use Microwaves

I am going to guess that many people are a lot like me. I extend to the government a benefit of the doubt that they wouldn’t deliberately make me sick. (I don’t know why I extend the government this because obviously that very thing is the case. It makes me sick.)

I am all about the convenience of heating food quickly. I remember our first microwave. It meant and end to oven and stove reheating. No more steam burns—almost no more—hello, 4-minutes-to-a-complete-meal. Speed can’t mean a sacrifice of health. Who would allow that? Actually it was the same people who prosecuted a United States researcher, William Kopp, who went and collected the Russians’ and Germans’ research results.

So, What Does All This Mean to Me?

Instead of saying thank you to my family and friends for the excellent care they took of me after my surgery, I was giving them damaging garbage to eat with the rest of their meals.

The statistics on weight loss nutrition are grim. Research shows that almost 95% of repeat dieters fail in their efforts, and ultimately regain any weight that they initially lost. What about that successful 5%? What is their secret to weight loss nutrition?

Basically, people who have successfully lost weight and kept it off for years have made a few simple changes to their eating and exercise habits that have enabled them to live a healthier and lighter lifestyle. When asked to describe their eating habits, the top responses among this group usually involved weight loss nutrition that was low in fat and low in red meat. Here are some more secrets for success from those who have lost weight and kept it off for good.

Take Stock in Healthy Foods

Stock your kitchen with healthy organic foods so that you will always have the right things around to choose from. Weight loss nutrition includes fruits and vegetables, whole grains, dried beans, nonfat dairy and fish or lean poultry. Also, try to plan meals in advance in order to avoid making unhealthy selections just because you are hungry and rushed. And make a shopping list so that you’re more likely to choose healthy foods at the grocery store.

Eat Your Organic Fruits and Veggies

Dieters with long-term weight loss success also typically eat more fruits and vegetables than dieters who have failed in their efforts. For example, one recent Harvard study looked at the diets of 75,000 women over a ten-year period. Their results found that the more fruits and vegetables the women ate, the less likely they were to become obese.

Cut Calories

It’s a good idea to know how many calories you eat in a typical day. So if you don’t already know, make an effort to keep a food journal for a few weeks. Then you will be able to find the areas where your diet is weakest. You will also be able to identify the “hidden” calories such as high calories sodas or snacks that sabotage your weight loss efforts.

Once you know how many calories you typically eat, you can make a weight loss nutrition plan that gradually reduces your caloric intake. Make sure you still eat enough food to keep your energy levels high and your metabolism charged. But simply making an effort to limit your portion size will help you cut calories dramatically.

Get Support

Find some kind of support system to aid you in your weight loss efforts. Whether you join a weight loss group, work with a dietitian or simply enlist your family and friends, it is helpful to have someone with whom you can share your experiences. A support group can also be a source of new ideas and strategies for losing weight effectively.

Go Slow

Slow weight loss is critical to long-term weight loss nutrition. Aim to lose no more than one to two pounds a week. Quick weight loss is more apt to lead to the yo-yo dieting that has a negative impact on your long-term health.

It’s also a good idea to go slow while you are eating. Health experts say it takes about twenty minutes for your brain to realize it’s full. That means the amount of calories you take in before you feel full will vary depending on how quickly you eat. Go slow, savor your food, and enjoy every bite of your meal.

Stay Hydrated

Aim to drink at least 8-10 glasses of purified water each day. When the body isn’t adequately hydrated, the kidneys may compensate by conserving or “retaining” water. Drinking a lot of fluids also helps to stimulate the digestive system and makes the stomach feel fuller, so you don’t feel as hungry.

Get Physical

Physical activity is very important for losing weight, but you don’t have to workout to the point of exhaustion in order to see results. Try incorporating exercise into your normal activities. Walk to work, or take a stroll in the evenings with the kids.

The below two videos were produced as a WH-TV News Special. They cover the pro’s and con’s of organic farming and whether or not it can feed a nation on a long-term, large scale. They look to be a few years old, but nonetheless, they are very informative when describing how organic farming really works.

Organic Farming: Can It Feed Us (Part 1)

Organic Farming: Can It Feed Us (Part 2)

While these two videos are pretty long, and look to be a few years old. It’s clear that there are many health benefits to growing your own organic foods and organic farming. Consumers should definitely consider buying more organic foods while shopping at the grocery store. The more consumers buy organic foods, the cheaper organic foods will become over the upcoming years.

When you get sick, you go to the doctor. And the doctor will, of course, prescribe medicines. You will go and buy medicines. You take them, and hopefully, you get well. This is how the health profession goes on nowadays, a cycle of diagnosis and prescription.

If anyone were to give you herbs for medicine, you would probably say that that person was a quack.

But nowadays, studies are being conducted to see if there are really is any merit to what is called natural medicine.

Natural medicine is the use of natural methods, herbal medicines, and traditional practices to heal ailments. Every culture has a form of natural medicine. In ancient cultures, village medicine men served as the doctors of the community, passing on medical knowledge to the apprentices that followed them.

Many categories of the healing methods fall under natural medicine. Among these are traditional medicine, complementary medicine, and alternative medicine.

Usually, natural medicine refers to medical practices that were in place before the advent of modern medicine.

This includes herbal medicine, or phytotherapy, which is prevalent in Chinese, Ayurvedic (or Indian), and Greek medicine.

Upon the advent of modern medicine, many professionals discarded the use of herbs in favor of man-made medicine. The fact that these treatments are based on the healing properties of some herbs was forgotten.

For example, opium, digitalis, quinine, and aspirin all have their roots in traditional medicine.

Natural medicine can be considered as a lost art. This does not mean that it has lost efficacy over time. In some cases, natural therapy is actually better than modern medicine. This leads some doctors to seriously consider and study the possible uses of natural medicine

Before we continue, it is important to stress that not all the natural remedies are legitimate. It would help to only try those remedies which have been thoroughly studied and are relatively risk free.

Take herbal medicine for example. There are many well-documented and studied herbal remedies available. However, only those that deal with minor ailments such as cough, colds, fever, skin rashes, and the like are likely to be recommended by health professionals. These remedies are sometimes superior to synthetic medicine. This is because herbal medicines are less likely to cause negative side effects.

Currently there are numerous organizations that study the effects and advocacy of natural medicine among which is herbal medicine. Some governments and health agencies openly advocate the use of natural methods since they are inexpensive and relatively risk-free.

As their studies compile, more herbs and treatments are added to the list of accepted medicines. However, many herbs and treatments have been proven to be bogus medicine. This represents a challenge for both the user and the agencies because they have to ascertain that the treatments they either use or advocate are legitimate.

Today there are many alternative medical treatments that fall under natural medicine. However, not all of them have been proven to be effective. You could mention homeopathy, aromatherapy, acupuncture, and other alternative medical treatments. It would pay to consult the experts as to the legitimacy of these treatments.

Natural medicine should also be thought of as an accompanying medicine. Right now, the current collective medical thought suggests that natural medicine be used only to supplement accepted modern medical practices. In that case of minor ailments your expert we actually advise you to take natural therapies instead.

The practice of modern medicine revolves around diagnosing an illness and prescribing treatments for such. Natural medicine is helpful because it suggests that treatment be not necessarily given only when sick. Natural medicine strives to make each patient practice good health habits. These habits include good diet, healthy living, and the regular natural treatment.

It is this same line of thought that leads our parents to tell us to eat our vegetables. Yes, a healthy lifestyle and will do no harm to our well-being. And this is the foundation of natural medicine; may it be massage, herbal medicine, aromatherapy or others.

It is funny but true that science, in its quest for excellence, is studying the knowledge of sages past. This, surprisingly, leads us back to the remedies nature offers. The possibilities of finding remedies to everyday illnesses in natural medicine are encouraging. So staying tuned to studying these remedies is worthwhile until we can verify that these therapies are truly helpful to our health and our society.

Detox footpads (such as the LIFE Foot Patch™) operate on the principle of withdrawing toxins from the body through the more than 60 acupuncture points found on the soles of your feet. Many natural healthcare practitioners believe toxins travel downward through the body during the day and these special points on the bottom of the foot are directly related to the major organs and systems of the body. LIFE Detox Patches™ takes advantage of this biorhythmic network in a way that is non-invasive yet extremely effective.

Furthermore, LIFE Detox Patches™ are manufactured without animal ingredients, harsh chemicals, or other unnatural substances. Combining ancient wisdom with modern technology, LIFE Detox Patches™ are designed to promote the natural detoxification of your body through its own immune system response to foreign matter.Simply apply LIFE Detox Patches™ to the soles of your feet before going to sleep. LIFE Detox Patches™ work gently while you rest, using the power of proven herbs and naturd to allow the passage of toxic waste out of the body. You can see the visible results of the detoxification by the discoloration of the pads the next morning; they will turn from white to a dark brown or gray tone as they become soiled with toxins. After a while, you may notice the pads being less soiled in the morning, which is a sure sign your body is reducing its toxin load.

To explain further, when stimulated properly, your skin’s pores can expand to allow the passage of toxic waste out of the body. You can see the visible results of the detoxification by the discoloration of the pads the next morning; they will turn from white to a dark brown or gray tone as they become soiled with toxins. After a while, you may notice the pads being less soiled in the morning, which is a sure sign your body is reducing its toxin load.

How to Apply the Detox Foot Patch

	Remove foot patches and plaster from the air tight packaging
	Peel the backing paper off the center of the adhesive plaster as shown above. Leave the backing paper strips at either end for easier handling.
	Apply the LIFE Detox Patches to the center of the adhesive plaster. Ensure that the foil side faces down against the adhesive side of the plaster. The perforated paper side of the patch should touch the skin.
	Apply the LIFE Detox Patches and plaster to the ball, arch or heel of the foot. Position the plaster by holding on to the strips on both sides. This will make it easier to place the patches on the feet without the plaster sticking in the wrong place.
	Once the patch and plate are in position, carefully remove and discard the backing paper strips from each side of the adhesive paper.
	Smooth the plaster on the foot, ensuring the plaster is tight. Remove and discard used LIFE Detox Patches the next morning or after eight hours. Wash your feet thoroughly.

USEFUL TIP
The more surface that the patches touch, the better the absorption and the result will be. It is recommended to cover the foot patches and plasters with a light sock to avoid accidentally displacement during the night. Drink purified water when using foot patches to help flush toxins through the body. At least 1-2 liters of purified water is recommended.

For more information regarding this great product, visit www.ghchealth.com.

Kava Kava is a member of the pepper family which grows as a bush in the South Pacific. Captain James Cook first discovered kava, and gave the plant the botanical name which means intoxicating pepper. Kava has been used for thousands of years for its medicinal effects as a sedative, muscle relaxant, diuretic, and a remedy for nervousness and insomnia. Kava has also found to be a very effective pain reliever comparable to aspirin, acetaminophen and ibuprofen.

Recent clinical studies have shown that kava is a safe, non addictive anti-anxiety herbal, which is as effective as prescription medications containing benzodiazepines such as valium. However, unlike the prescription meds which may cause confused thinking processes and lethargy, kava actually has been demonstrated to improve concentration, memory and reaction time for people who are suffering from the symptoms caused by anxiety. Kava can be beneficial in achieving a relaxed state of mind without the adverse side effects.

Kava is mildly narcotic and produces mild euphoric changes which elevate the mood, and can also increase the sense of sound. Care should be taken to regulate dosage levels however, as very high dosages can lead to muscle weakness, visual impairment, dizziness, and drying of the skin. Long term usage can contribute to hypertension, reduced protein levels, blood cell abnormalities, or liver damage. Mixing kava with alcoholic beverage intake can increase the action of kava, and should be avoided.

With the exception of the opium poppy, kava is known to herbalists to be the most relaxing drug. Pharmacological studies have shown that kava’s active ingredients, kava lactones, produce a physical and mental feeling of relaxation and well being. It has been used in the treatment of vaginitis, gonorrhea and menstrual cramps. It is also useful for the treatment of gout, rheumatism, bronchial congestion, and cystitis. Kava can also be applied topically as a liniment for pain relief. Because of the relaxed state and sharpening of the senses this herb creates, it is also a powerful aphrodisiac.

One of the main benefits of Kava Kava is that, unlike St. John’s Wort, which requires a cumulative effect in order to be beneficial, kava works within a few minutes to help alleviate anxiety. Kava Kava can be found in many traditional and herbal pharmacies in tablet or capsule form.

NOTE: Do not use if pregnant, nursing, or being treated for depression. (Kava is a temporary mood enhancer and should not be used to treat clinical or severe depression.)

What is the liver’s job?

The liver has several functions that play a major roll in maintaining health. It breaks down red blood cells, stores fat and glucose, filters toxins from the body and produces amino acids and bile. Its jobs provide energy and facilitate the digestion process.

The liver is the largest gland in the body, located at the beginning of the small intestine. An adult liver produces between 400 and 800 ml of bile each day which is stored in the gallbladder until needed.

The Liver Can Be Damaged

The liver is one of few internal human organs that can regenerate. It can do this with as little as 25% of its mass in tact.

Still, liver function can be impaired, which in turn can afflict other parts of the body. Two common liver diseases are hepatitis and cirrhosis. The liver like the gallbladder can develop stones. Alcohol and other pharmaceutical grade chemicals such as, acetaminophen, and isoniazid can affect the liver adversely.

You May Get Warnings that there’s Trouble Looming

Sometimes your liver functions can be sluggish. Some ailments that have been reported that point to this condition are: headaches, depression, constipation, chronic fatigue, chemical sensitivities and digestive difficulties.

Actions You Can Take

Be proactive when it comes to having good health. Let pharmaceutical drugs be your last resort. They can damage the liver and they put a heavy burden on your liver to filter them from your blood stream. Limit or eliminate alcohol consumption. Your body only needs purified water to live. Choose organically grown items whenever possible. Genetically modified foods add many unnecessary toxins to your diet. Eating a proper diet is a good plan of action.

Eating Habits You Want to Have

Remember the dietary stuff you learned in school? If you decided to ignore it in favor of fast food and steaks at your favorite steakhouse restaurant, consider returning to the healthy choices.

Good eating and drinking habits will save your liver the extra wear and tear of purging your system of all the toxins you regularly ingest. The following healthy dietary practices will nourish you, not overburden your liver, and should improve your energy overall.

• Make sure as much as 40% of your diet consist of live red, purple, orange and yellow fruit and vegetables, including dark green leafy organic vegetables
• Avocados and oily fish such as salmon, tuna, and sardines promote liver health
• Many varieties of raw seeds such as flaxseed, sunflower, and alfalfa seeds are beneficial
• Eat balanced meals, not until you’re stuffed or overstuffed
• Avoid empty calories of fatty foods, and excessive carbohydrates
• Limit your vitamin A intake. Instead opt for emulsified vitamin A, the liquid form of the vitamin, which does not contain cholesterol or fat.
• Keep your sodium intake low
• Find out what your optimal protein intake is and don’t overdo it
• Certain oils (primrose, black currant seed, and cold-pressed olive oil to name a few) assist the liver as well.
• Always wash your food before eating and preparing it.

There are several healthful organic herbs that promote healthy liver functions. Some of these beneficial herbs are:

• Turmeric
• Greater Celandine
• Peppermint Leaf
• Dandelion Leaf
• Dandelion Root
• Chicory Root
• Yellow Dock Root
• Milk Thistle Seed
• Wildcrafted Chanca Piedra

More information about these herbs is provided in The Liver and Liver Stones and their related articles. There are many more healthy living practices you can incorporate into your routines including minimizing your environmental toxins, and exercising regularly.

Make it easy for your liver and other organs to do their parts. Eat healthy for an energized life.

Deep breathing is a critical piece of maintaining good health. Most people overlook it even though the majority of the population breathes rapidly and shallowly, probably indicative of the hurried pace of the world we live it.

Breathing exercises along with muscle relaxation do a number of good things for your life. This is a great exercise as you can see to improve your daily life. It is something you can practice any time you feel the need.

• It lessens your physical response to stress — use it whenever you feel stress setting in.
  • Relieving stress also helps to relax your bowels
• Helps to keep your mind clear — use it whenever you feel unfocused
• In increases the levels of oxygen to your organs — for this reason especially it should be implemented regularly.
  • Because oxygen is key to cleansing, it should be used whenever you perform the 6-Day Advanced Oxygen Cleanse (try for twice daily during the cleanse).
  • It helps when you use it as you sit on the toilet for your bowels to move.

How Do I Do This?

It’s a simple practice that you can use regularly or every once in a while.

• Inhale deeply, slowly, (over a span of about 4 seconds), through your nose
• Hold it for a count of 16 seconds
• Exhale through your mouth, (over a span of about 8 seconds)

Repeat this process nine times.

It’s important that this be a conscious activity for maximum effect. Remember to consciously control your body’s responses. For example, if you’re trying to relax your muscles, then you need to focus on the individual muscles telling them to relax. Often tension is an automatic response that turns into a state of being. So, you have to remind your muscles how to behave.