Breast Cancer Awareness Month: Your Healthy Breast

Keeping Your Breast Healthy

There is no natural way to change your breast size, but during pregnancy or puberty. Therefore, you have to be careful to take pill or capsule to enlarge the size of your breast. The following tips are to maintain your breast.
1. If you want to take that pill, you have to know that that pill contains estrogen without the doctor's license. The excessive of estrogen can cause breast cancer.
2. Breast consists of mammary gland and fat that contains collagen. As you grow older, the collagen is getting thin. It means that its skin is no longer tight. To overcome this, you can use bra since in the early age. To keep your breast in good shape, you can do aerobic, jogging, or tennis. Use the suitable bra for that activity, sport bra. It can back your breast up.
3. Hormonal change that happens in your body can change your breast skin texture. Your tissue in this part will be so soft for several days after menstruation. On the other hand, before menstruation, you breast will be a little bigger. For you to know, not all women have exactly the same size of chests. One chest may bigger than another. But, it is normal.
4. Do a regular treatment for your breasts. It is useful for its beauty and for detecting any abnormality that may come. Be aware of black fly, painful, bolter that may come to your breasts.
5. The dent of your breasts is usually hotter than the surrounding area. If you want your perfume to be more powerful, spray it on that area. The temperature of this area will make your perfume evaporate fast. Keep your weight stable. The drastic changing of your weight can make the back up your breast weak.
6. You can keep your chest in a good shape by doing exercises. Choose exercises that focus on the chest muscle like swimming. A good shape of your body, upright shoulder, can also help its back up work. Be careful in using moisturizer because your breast is sensitive. Do not use moisturizer around its nipple.

Another method that can be applied to keep your breasts healthy is by doing breast massage. This method is believed to be able to strengthen up and enlarge the size of your breast.
Steps for doing breast massage.
There are four procedures of massage that you can do at your house intensively. This massage is aimed to stimulate the shape of your breasts to be better or attractive.
1. Gentle draining motion.
Set your four fingers close together, and your thump apart so that it shapes like L. Put your L right hand under your breast, and your L left hand right on your nipple. Make a movement of your left hand down repeatedly. Make a gentle and smooth movement. Do this massage for 3-5 minutes for each breast.
2. Kneading-like motion
In the same shape hand, put your fingers of each hand under and above your breast, meanwhile, both of your thumps on your breasts. Then press your breast. Do it within 3-5 minutes.
3. Clock motion
Put your hands in the same position with kneading-like motion. Turn your hands clockwise and vice versa. Do not do this too much. You have to do this slowly and carefully. Do this for 3-5 minutes for each.
4. Pressure motion
In the L shape of hand, put your right hand at your right breast and your left hand at your left breast with both of the thumps on top of your breasts. Press your thumps against your breasts and hold for several seconds. Do this repeatedly for 3-5 minutes for each.
To get the maximum result, use cream for your breasts. Use B-shape breast firming cream which contains Glycine and wheat germ oil. It can stimulate your breast to fix the texture of your breast naturally

Turn The Negative Talk To A Positive You

In a recent study published in the journal Psychology of Women Quarterly, 93 percent of college-age women admitted they fall into the fat-talk trap — picking apart their own body flaws among friends, possibly to elicit those “no, you look great!” responses.
But bashing their belly bloat isn’t the only harmful thing that women routinely say aloud. From “I’m soooo stressed out” to “Yikes, I’m sorry about that,” many seemingly harmless everyday phrases are actually more loaded than you think — and they have the power to whittle down your self-confidence and raise your levels of anxiety and depression, says Shoshana Bennett, PhD, a Sonoma, Calif-based psychologist.
Chances are you may not even realize you’re making such statements, or that they’re self-deprecating, Dr. Bennett says. “You should talk to yourself as you would to a very close friend. Most of us wouldn’t dream of uttering to someone we adore the little putdowns we say to ourselves.”
Everyday Health asked experts to share the very worst kinds of things women say — and how to spin that toxic vocab into positive thinking.
1. “Look at my arm jiggle.”

The situation: Over a glass of pinot with your BFFs, girl talk suddenly turns into a competition of who hates their body more.

Why it’s unhealthy: Pointing out and focusing on the alleged jiggle, whether to friends or yourself, is harmful to your body image and self-esteem. Even if your intent is to seek an image-boosting compliment, it can backfire, prompting you to agonize even more over your body flaws and making you feel worse.

Next time, say: “Did I tell you about the cool project I’m managing at work?” or “I love your new haircut!” The point here is to spend time with your friends celebrating each other’s successes instead of commiserating over flaws.

2. “You always…” or “You never…”

The situation: Your husband leaves his dirty dinner dish in the sink. Again. And again.

Why it’s unhealthy: These unproductive taunts have the potential to snowball out of control, so you suddenly find yourself fighting and screaming about big issues like money or parenting instead of the pile of plates, explains Marianne Gillow, PhD, a psychiatrist in private practice in New York City.

Next time, say: “I have a problem with…” Describe the bothersome behavior in a precise way, which allows you to get to the nuance of the fight, and settle it quickly. “If you’re going to fight with a loved one, it’s best to keep it as specific as possible,” Gillow says.

3. “I’m such a pig.”

The situation: You feel guilty about inhaling an entire bag of pretzel M&Ms, so you confess to your co-worker about your diet slip-up.

Why it’s unhealthy: This self-judgmental jab picks apart your self-esteem, making you more likely to binge further, creating a vicious cycle. In many cases, you’re actually saying it in hopes of getting reassurance from your friends that you are not, in fact, a pig, which is equally as dangerous. “If you’re depending on someone else to tell you how to feel, you’re not taking responsibility for your own confidence and happiness,” says Bennett.

Next time, say: “That was so yummy.” Simply enjoy the indulgence and vow to eat something healthy at your next meal or snack. Or, if you’re eating to the point of discomfort, be aware of your actions. “Make a mental note so you can choose differently next time,” says Bennett. If you turned to the vending machine after a particularly stressful meeting, brainstorm a smarter solution for next time, like venting to your office best friend or taking a mind-clearing walk.

4. “I’m soooo sorry.”

The situation: You brush up against someone in the elevator. Or ask a question in a big meeting. Or fumble around in your wallet and take too long to pay the cashier at the coffee shop.

Why it’s unhealthy: “Over-apologizing for minor, unnecessary things can do a number on your self-worth because you’re basically saying, ‘I’m not important,’” Bennett says.

Next time, say: Nothing at all. Bite your tongue and reserve those earnest apologies for acts that truly deserve them.

5. “Ugh, I’m beyond stressed.”

The situation: You stare at the 72 unread emails in your inbox or your three-page-and-growing to-do list and throw up your hands in despair.

Why it’s unhealthy: With four small words, you imply incompetence. “A lot of times we speak in terms of ‘all or nothing,’ and those statements lead nowhere but down,” says Bennett. Take a step back and have another look at the situation. You’ll probably realize that you’re not falling apart, but you could just use some help prioritizing or delegating. You’re only human, and you can pretty much only do one thing at a time.

Next time, say: “I’m feeling challenged right now.” This puts you in a solution-seeking mindset and you can figure out what to do to move forward.

6. “I can’t afford this.”

The situation: You ogle a gorgeous pair of strappy sandals in your favorite department store (and put them right back down after seeing the price tag). Or you go into sticker shock when the travel agent tallies the cost of the Caribbean cruise you were thinking of booking for your anniversary.

Why it’s unhealthy: When you use the word “can’t,” you’re acting as if you’re not in control of your own situation, and so you limit your possibilities. “Most likely, with some creativity, you could find a way to buy those shoes or take that trip,” says Bennett.

Next time, say: “I choose not to spend money on that right now.” This empowers you with the option of spending money later and brainstorming about how to budget for it.

The bottom line is to love you more because without the positive effects of your own support will surely get in the way of your life being successful. Think positive at all times so the negative will no longer have a place in your life. A healthy mind is a healthy body!

Pampering4life Healthy Mind Series: Gratitude

The spiritual practice of gratitude has been called a state of mind and a way of life. But we prefer to think of it as a grammar — an underlying structure that helps us construct and make sense out of our lives. The rules of this grammar cover all our activities. Its syntax reveals a system of relationships linking us to the divine and to every other part of the creation.

To learn the grammar of gratitude, practice saying "thank you" for happy and challenging experiences, for people, animals, things, art, memories, dreams. Count your blessings, and praise God. Utter blessings, and express your appreciation to everything and everyone you encounter. By blessing, we are blessed.

Have you ever noticed that some people seem to be able to maintain a relatively positive attitude regardless of what’s happening around them? Like everyone, they can appreciate the good times, but they also seem to be able to focus on the positive in the face of some pretty negative events. They see the good in difficult people, they see the opportunity in a challenging situation, and they appreciate what they have, even in the face of loss. Would you like to increase your ability to maintain a positive attitude in your life, even in the face of significant stress?

Fortunately, a positive attitude can be cultivated, with a little practice. Although we are born with specific temperamental tendencies, the brain is a muscle, and you can strengthen your mind’s natural tendency toward optimism if you work at it.

While several factors go into emotional resilience and optimism, studies show that cultivating a sense of gratitude can help you maintain a more positive mood in daily life and contribute to greater emotional well-being and bring social benefits as well. Cultivating gratitude is one of the simpler routes to a greater sense of emotional well-being, and can be accomplished in several ways. For the next few weeks, try some of the following exercises, and you should notice a significant increase in your feelings of gratitude -— you will likely find yourself noticing more positive things in your life, dwelling less on negative or stressful events and feelings of ‘lack,’ and having a greater sense of appreciation for the people and things in your life.

Make Gentle Reminders

When you notice yourself grumbling about a negative event or stressor in your life, try to think of 4 or 5 related things for which you are grateful. For example, when feeling stressed at work, try to think about several things that you like about your job. You can do the same with relationship stress, financial stress, or other daily hassles. The more you gently remind yourself of the positives, the more easily a shift toward gratitude can occur.

Be Careful With Comparisons

Many people cause themselves unnecessary stress by making comparisons. More specifically, they cause themselves stress by making the wrong comparisons. They compare themselves only to those who have more, do more, or are in some way closer to their ideals, and allow themselves to feel inferior instead of inspired. In cultivating gratitude, you have one of two options if you find yourself making such comparisons: You can either choose to compare yourself to people who have less than you (which reminds you how truly rich and lucky you are), or you can feel gratitude for having people in your life who can inspire you. Either road can lead away from stress and envy, and closer to feelings of gratitude.

Keep a Gratitude Journal

One of the best ways to cultivate gratitude is to keep a gratitude journal. Not only are you combining the benefits of journaling with the active adoption of a more positive mindset, you are left with a nice catalog of happy memories and a long list of things in your life for which you are grateful. (This can be wonderful to read during times when it’s more difficult to remember what these things are.) Keeping a gratitude journal is simple; see this gratitude journal article for ideas on different ways to maintain one. Because habits are usually formed within two or three weeks, you will have to actively focus on maintaining gratitude less and less as you go, and the habit of a more positive (and less stress-inducing) attitude will be more automatic. And greater feelings of emotional well-being can be yours.

High Sodium Health Dangers

Too Much Sodium =Hypertension

If you are ready to live better and to eat more healthy it is time for you to look into cutting some of the sodium out of your diet. There are many people who know that they should cut the salt and fat, but because it is so common in their diets, it just never hits the radar. However, to eat better and to make sure that you can maintain an ideal level of health, looking at your salt intake is essential.
The first thing that you should be aware of is the fact that sodium is necessary for a healthy person. It serves to keep the fluids balanced correctly in the body and they will also influence the way that the muscles in your body relax and contract. It will work towards transmitting nerve impulses and it can be an important part of the way that we can regulate our moods and our cravings. However, it is necessary to keep in mind the fact that the recommended amount of sodium in your diet per day ranges from 1,500 to 2,400 milligrams; this is much less than what people normally ingest.
There are many problems that are associated with a high sodium diet. The kidneys, for example, are meant to eliminate excess sodium from your body through urination. When the level is too high for this to be entirely effective, it results in the accumulating in the blood and increasing the volume of the blood itself. This in turn leads to more pressure in the veins and the heart is forced to work harder. This all contributes to the fact that with a high sodium diet you are more likely to risk developing heart disease or to have a stroke.
People who already have kidney problems or who already suffer from high blood pressure are going to be much more at risk from this than people who are not. The truth is that no matter who you are having too much salt in your diet is going to be a problem. When you are interested in reducing the amount of salt in your diet, you will find that the best way to start is through reading your food labels. Most food labels out there will tell you how much of it is in the product and it can be a real eye opener.

Limit Your Consumption Of Sodium

Even things that are sweet will have some sodium in them and you might realize that you have been consuming a lot more than you think you have. Condiments are another common hidden source of sodium. When you are looking to cut sodium out of your diet, look into adding foods that are rich in potassium, including fruits, whole grains and vegetables. This can help you reduce your risk of stroke and heart disease.

Dangers/Side Effects of Excess Sodium

Excess sodium intake is linked to: hypertension/high blood pressure and heart disease, fluid retention (edema) and kidney stones. A high-sodium diet increases the need for potassium.

Sodium Diet Advice - 10 Recommendations

To help reduce your sodium intake, follow these 10 low-sodium suggestions:

• But "lower-sodium" foods in your diet, whenever possible.
• Check sodium-content on food labels: choose lower sodium brands.
• Don't add salt when cooking.
• Go easy when adding salt at the table.
• Reduce intake of salty snacks.
• Reduce intake of fast food.
• Buy fresh cold meats instead of processed varieties.
• Buy lower-sodium breakfast cereals.
• Check canned foods for sodium content. If using foods canned in water, rinse thoroughly before eating.
• Switch from packet-soups to cans, or fresh varieties.

Sodium Diet Advice - Higher Sodium Foods to Avoid

If you need to reduce your sodium-intake, due (eg.) to high blood pressure, please reduce your consumption of these high-sodium foods.

• Hogmaws, ribs, and chitterlings.
• Smoked or cured meats like bacon, bologna, hot dogs, ham, corned beef, luncheon meats, and sausage.
• Canned fish like tuna, salmon, sardines, and mackerel. (Rinse before eating).
• Buttermilk - Although buttermilk is high in sodium, 1 percent or skim buttermilk can be used in cooking to replace whole milk or fat.
• Most cheese spreads and cheeses.
• Salty chips, nuts, pretzels, or pork rinds.
• Some cold (ready to eat) cereals highest in sodium, instant hot cereals.
• Quick cooking rice and instant noodles, boxed mixes like rice, scalloped potatoes, macaroni and cheese, and some frozen dinners, pot pies and pizza.
• Regular canned vegetables.
• Pickled foods like herring, pickles, relish, olives, or sauerkraut.
• Regular canned soups, instant soups.
• Butter, fatback, and salt pork.
• Soy sauce, steak sauce, salad dressing, ketchup, barbecue sauce, garlic salt, onion salt, seasoned salts like lemon pepper, bouillon cubes, meat tenderizer, and monosodium glutamate (MSG).

Cell Phone Use And Your Health

Cell Phone Radiation

Radiation from mobile phones causes changes in the brain which could pose risks to health, an authoritative two-year study has concluded.

 

In ground-breaking research on the effects of radiation on the brain - which has for the first time used human cells rather than rats - scientists found that even low-level emissions from handsets affects cells.

 

They believe the changes could disable a safety barrier in the body which is meant to protect the brain from harmful substances in the blood. The scientists are now calling for further research to discover how important the effects on health might be.

 

The study, conducted by the Radiation and Nuclear Safety Authority in Finland, found that exposing human cells to one hour of mobile phone radiation triggered a response which normally only occurs when cells are being damaged.

 

This led the cells which make up blood vessel walls to shrink, allowing tiny molecules to pass through into brain tissue.

 

The report's conclusion warns: "The possible RF-EMF (radiation-induced breakage of the blood-brain barrier), if occurring repeatedly over a long period of time, might become a health hazard because of the possible extra-capillary accumulation of molecules that might cause brain tissue damage."

 

Headaches

The study is a an important step forward in mobile phone research because it has proved biochemical changes, which were found to occur in rats, also occur in human cells. Scientists now need to discover how the human body reacts to such changes and whether it can cope, or if there are serious health threats.

 

Professor Darius Leszczynski, who will present the research at a conference in Canada this month, said he could confirm that radiation from mobile phones does affect the delicate make-up of human cells. "We have shown there are biochemical changes in human cells," he told the Evening Standard. "Other studies in animals have shown this can lead to a leakage in the blood brain barrier.

 

"So what I believe is that we will find these leaks occur in humans too. What we do not know is the extent of these leaks and whether they have an effect on our health.

 

"Our bodies may be able to cope with it so there will be no risks. But it could be found that, over time, the effects on health could be much more significant."

 

Long Term Effects

Two years ago, a government inquiry into mobile phones led by Sir William Stewart concluded there was no evidence of a risk to health. But he advised that caution is taken over the use of mobiles by children until more evidence on the impact on health is gathered.

 

Despite multi-million pound research across the world since then, the effects of long-term use still remains unclear. But recently, a handful of studies have begun to raise questions over safety. A survey of 11,000 people in Sweden and Norway found that many suffer from headaches and tiredness after using the gadgets.

 

Another study, by Swedish cancer specialist Lennart Hardell, suggested that using the old analogue mobiles, popular in the early Nineties, increased the risk of cancer.

 

His research is now at the centre of a lawsuit in the US. Judges are deciding whether it provides enough proof of a link between cancer and mobile phones for claimants to take manufacturers to court.

 

However, the growing body of research on mobiles and health is leading some countries to consider action. China is debating whether to force phone companies to reduce the levels of radiation. British experts said last night there was no need for panic. They insisted that more research was needed.

Healing High Blood Pressure Naturally

Hypertension "The Silent Killer"

 

With one in three adults suffering from high blood pressure, it is a common condition that many people seek a natural treatment for. If not treated, high blood pressure can lead to serious health conditions and can even prove to be fatal. While extremely high blood pressure should be cared for by a health professional, there are many natural methods that can be used to keep it under control.

1. Causes

   • Some of the most common factors that contribute to high blood pressure include obesity, smoking, alcohol consumption, use of certain medications, sodium intake and genetics.
     If you have family members that suffer from high blood pressure, have your blood pressure checked frequently and consider investing in a blood pressure machine of your own to use at home. Often there are no outward signs that your blood pressure is high and you may not know you have a problem until things are out of control.

   

   Healthy Eating and Exercise

   Lifestyle Changes

   • Some of the best natural treatments you can use to lower your blood pressure are simple lifestyle changes. Quitting smoking and consuming fewer alcoholic beverages are two of the best ways to help your blood pressure remain normal.
     Also lower your sodium intake by using less salt or using a salt alternative for cooking and seasoning your food. Also make sure that you eat a healthy diet and exercise regularly. This helps to keep your blood flowing smoothly and helps prevent arteries from becoming clogged, which can cause your blood pressure to rise.

   Vitamin and Herbal Supplements

   • Vitamin and herbal supplements that include coenzyme Q10, which has been shown to reduce both systolic and diastolic blood pressure, can be used to treat high blood pressure naturally.
     Garlic has also proven to help lower high blood pressure, though this supplement should not be taken in conjunction with prescription blood thinners as it can cause an excessive thinning of the blood.
     Another beneficial herb to treat high blood pressure commonly used by herbal practitioners is hawthorn, which provides a significant reduction in blood pressure and has no apparent interactions with prescription drugs.

Natural Herbs and Supplements

There are a number of different herbs that lower blood pressure and improve heart health, thereby increasing overall well-being. Some of these blood pressure herbs have a direct effect on the blood vessels and the heart. Others have an indirect impact, yet still are helpful in healing hypertension by either reducing stress, reducing water retention, reducing plaque build-up on artery walls, or simply providing necessary minerals for a healthy circulatory system. In conjunction with a healthy diet to reduce blood pressure, exercise, and a healthy lifestyle, herbs for high blood pressure can dramatically impact heart health in a natural, normalizing way.

Primary Herbs that Lower Blood Pressure

When using herbs that lower blood pressure, it is crucial to include one or several of these foundational blood pressure herbs. They work to normalize and strengthen heart function, each with a slightly different effect. Over time, using these plants for healing hypertension will create a normal blood pressure, and their use can be discontinued.

Hawthorne berries are one of the most effective heart tonics. This herb balances the circulatory system, either stimulating or relaxing blood flow, depending on which effect is necessary. Lime blossom has a calming effect on both the nervous system and the circulatory system, thereby managing stress and tension, while at the same time calming the heart rate. Mistletoe is a blood pressure herb with similar properties to lime blossom. This herb also relaxes the nerves, specifically the vagus nerve, which then lowers the heart rate and blood pressure. At the same time, mistletoe improves the strength of peripheral capillary walls. Yarrow is another foundational blood pressure herb, which causes a dilation of the peripheral vessels, allowing a greater ease in blood flow.

All of these herbs blend well together. Drink one to three cups of tea, with a single blood pressure herb, or with equal parts of any combination. Infuse two teaspoons of dried herbs in one cup of boiling water for ten minutes.

Secondary Herbs that Lower Blood Pressure

Aside from the primary herbs for high blood pressure, there are other useful plants which can offer a more well-rounded treatment by addressing the factors which cause high blood pressure. High levels of stress are directly related to hypertension. Healing is as simple as being able to manage emotional and mental tension naturally. Although herbs will not create mental stability, they will help, through calming and soothing the nervous system. Valerian, skullcap, hops, and chamomile are all excellent nervine tonics.
Water retention caused by too much sodium in the diet can put pressure on artery walls, exacerbating high blood pressure. The diuretic herbs work by encouraging the kidneys to eliminate waste through the urine. Parsley and dandelion are excellent diuretic herbs for high blood pressure.

Enjoy Daily Fruits & Veggies

Another issue with healing hypertension is dealing with arteriosclerosis, which is a condition in which the artery walls are constricted and hardened by a build-up of cholesterol and fatty deposits. Cleansing herbs such as garlic will help this condition, more so when taken over a period of time. The primary blood pressure herbs, especially lime blossom, are also effective for preventing and minimizing plaque build-up.
Nettles is another ideal supporting herb to lower blood pressure naturally. It acts as a blood cleanser, helping to remove toxins, as a mild diuretic, reducing water retention, and provides a boost of mineral nutrition. Deficiencies of magnesium, potassium, and calcium are linked to hypertension – nettles provides all three.

Using Herbs for High Blood Pressure to Lower Blood Pressure Naturally

Herbs for high blood pressure are a safe and effective way to heal and return the body to a state of balance, unlike medications, which tend to only manage the condition, causing a lifelong dependency on the prescription drugs. Healing hypertension with herbs will eventually lead to normalized blood pressure, with no need for drugs or herbs, although a healthy diet and lifestyle will always be necessary to maintain a strong heart and fluid circulatory system. If high blood pressure is a possibility, also be sure to consult a physician to have levels checked and to discuss the best options for well-being

Dealing with high blood pressure is very serious since it is often referred to as the "Silent Killer". It is important to maintain a well balanced lifestyle and diet. If you are in need to make changes to your diet and lifestyle you may need to consider a health counselor to help you towards better health. Feel free to contact our offices at Change Your Health Now in just 30 days you will see and feel the difference in your health. Get healthy 2011!!

Divine Healing: Spirituality And Your Health

PRAYING TO HEAL THE SOUL

Spirituality plays an important role that is often overlooked in one's healing process. Your "Spirituality" is an aspect of who you are. "Healing" is ridding the body of disease, either mental or physical, to bring about wellness, the results of which can be readily seen.
A prominent integrative practitioner, Andrew Weil, M.D., states, "You are body, mind, and spirit. Health necessarily involves all of these components and any program intended to improve health must address all of them." Dr. Weil further states, "Many people consider spirit to be in the province of religion, but I insist on making a clear distinction between spirituality and religion. Spirituality has to do with the nonphysical aspects of your being - the part of you that existed before and will exist after the disintegration of your body."
Spirituality has many facets, including awareness of the world that surrounds you; a sense of wonder, love, and gratitude; a practice of loving-kindness towards yourself and others; listening to your intuition and trusting your heart. Spiritual health is evidenced by people demonstrating the ability to be authentic, face their fears, let go of the past, and develop insight, forgiveness, peace, compassion, and love.
A sampling of what enhances spiritual health includes meditation, yoga, music and art therapy, breathwork, laughter, and martial arts. Regardless of your personal definition of spirituality, you can explore these and other options in a vast realm of modalities and processes that exist for the purpose of developing your spirituality and adapting it to your everyday life; and thus to having a healthy body, mind, and spirit.
Do you pay attention to your thoughts and what you are "saying" to yourself? What you truly believe at the core of your being has great power over what you are creating in your life.
One well-known, practical process to enhance healing is to focus on these internal messages. Many people use affirmations (positive statements) to do this. Repeated often, affirmations can influence your core belief system, which may then bring about change in your physical, emotional, and mental states. It is very important to use affirmations that are positive statements in the present tense. For example, a very basic statement that affirms the value of self is: "(Your Name), I love you and accept you exactly the way you are." Another example of an "affirmation" statement would be: "I am whole." When repeating this affirmation, really picture yourself as whole. This shuts out concentration on any illness or health problems you may be facing, and the resulting disconnection of the body/mind/spirit. Regular practice of this affirmation leads to the core belief that you are truly whole, in spite of any physical evidence that might suggest otherwise.

READING THE BIBLE TO INSPIRE YOU

You can easily compose your own personal affirmations to address whatever needs healing in your life, be it physical, mental, emotional, or spiritual. Affirmations can be said as part of a meditation session, silently, like a mantra, or aloud while walking or driving. The more times they are repeated, the more effective they become. Another way to keep them foremost in your thoughts is to write them down on cards and place the cards in places where you will be sure to see them. It's alright to change the wording to suit a situation and/or to say several different affirmations.
Author Barbara Hoberman Levine wisely reminds us that the aim of almost all spiritual work is to "...unify your Body/Mind/Spirit and reconnect your seemingly separate parts. By doing this you expand your ability to choose freely and to ensure yourself of clearer Body/Mind/Spirit communication. You will know yourself better. You will begin to recognize and accept your emotions, uncover harmful beliefs and seedthoughts, and begin to change them through the power of creative thinking. Joyfully accept it! An attitude of gratitude is the primary ingredient for a happy, healthy, peaceful fulfilled life."

Specific Benefits of Developing Your Spirituality

Security and Safety
Through developing a connection with God, you gain security through the conviction that you are not all alone in the universe, even at those times when you feel temporarily separated from other people. You feel increasingly safe as you come to believe that there is a source you can always turn to in times of difficulty. As the twenty third psalm says, "God is my shepherd," he will take care of me and won’t let me get into trouble if I trust him. There is much security to be gained through the understanding that there is no problem or difficulty that cannot be resolved through the help of God.
Peace of Mind
Peace of mind is the result of feeling a deep, abiding sense of security and safety. The more reliance and trust you develop in God, the easier it becomes to deal without fear or worry with the inevitable challenges life brings. It is not that you give up your self or your will to such a power; rather you simply learn that you can "let go" and turn to God when you feel stuck with a problem in living and don't know how to proceed. Learning how to let go when solutions to problems aren't immediately apparent can go a long way toward reducing worry and anxiety in your life. Peace of mind is what develops in the absence of such anxiety.
Self-Confidence
As you develop a relationship with God, you come to realize that he has created you and hence he has found something good in you. You are part of the universe. You're good, lovable, and worthy of respect just by virtue of the fact that you're God’s creation. This realization can improve the way you look at yourself and will help you to improve your ego and what you think of yourself. You are still inherently good and worthwhile. Your own judgments of yourself, however negative, do not ultimately count if you are a creation of the universe as much as everything else. As one person put it: "God doesn't make junk."
The Capacity To Give and Receive Unconditional Love
The most fundamental characteristic of God is that it offers you an experience of unconditional love. This is a kind of love which differs from romantic love or even ordinary friendship. It entails an absolute caring for the welfare of another without any preconditions. That is, no matter how another person appears or acts, you have compassion and care for them without judgment. As you develop a deeper connection with God, you come to experience greater degrees of unconditional love in your life. You feel your heart opening more easily to people and their concerns. You feel freer of judgment toward them or of making comparisons among them. Unconditional love shows up both in your increased capacity to give love to others and to experience more of it coming into your life. You begin to experience less fear and more joy in your life and help to inspire others to experience their own capacity for unconditional love. This kind of love also manifests itself through the experience of having everything you need in your life to get on with what you want to do.
Guidance
Developing a relationship with God will provide you with guidance for making decisions and solving problems. God has a universal wisdom that goes beyond what you can accomplish through your own intellect. In traditional religions this has been referred to as the "divine intelligence." Through connecting with God, you can draw upon this greater wisdom to help you resolve all kinds of difficulties. By learning to ask God for guidance, you'll be surprised to find that every sincere request sooner or later is answered. And the quality of that answer generally exceeds what you could have figured out through your own conscious intellect or will. Here, God is like your co-pilot. God is always available in the instant of need to those who have made a habit of waiting quietly before Him for insight and guidance.
Follow these guidelines for an effective relationship with God:

1. Be quiet, patient, and open before God
2. Be confident that he will communicate his wishes and help you execute them.
3. Do not tempt God or make terms with Him. Gandhi said, "Not until we have reduced ourselves to nothingness, can we conquer the evil in us. God demands nothing less than complete self-surrender as the price for the only real freedom that is worth having. And when a man thus loses himself, he immediately finds himself in the service of all that lives. It becomes his delight and his recreation."
4. Be willing to accept what God provides. He knows best. "Thy will, not mine, be done." Have full trust in the wisdom of God.
5. Ask for God’s help. Do not instruct him on what to do.
6. Let God speak to you through his Word. Read spiritual and religious books such as the Bible and learn about the rules of victorious living.

These are some of the characteristics that define a close relationship with God. All of them can significantly contribute to your personal healing process. The extent and sincerity of your commitment will determine the degree of personal healing you experience.

  

Spirituality and Health Connection

Cultivate The Healthy, Happy, Peaceful, Life You Always Wanted Starting Now

HAPPINESS

Each of us faces tremendous challenges every day. As we get up each morning, we may face bumper to bumper traffic, getting the kids off to school, a career "make or break" report due to the boss, not enough time in the day to accomplish all you need to do, and so much more. Everyday life can simply get us down, and cause many form of stress, depression, and anxiety. Stress is a fact of life but you can choose not to make it a way of life for you. By incorporating most or all of the tips below, you will experience more joy and less stress, be well on your way to creating a healthy, happy, peaceful, fulfilling, and soul-satisfying life.

Healthy, Happy, Peaceful, Life

• Exercise.
Physical exercise is an effective means of reducing stress and tension. A single dose of exercise works even better than tranquilizers as a muscle relaxant among individuals with symptoms of anxiety and tension, but without any undesirable side effects. In a classic study of tense and anxious people, Herbert de Vries, PhD, former director of the Exercise Physiology Laboratory at the University of Southern California, administered a 400-milligram dose of meprobamate, the main ingredient in many tranquilizers, to a group of patients. On another day, he had these same patients take a walk vigorous enough to raise their heart rates to more than one hundred beats per minute. Using an EMG (electromyogram) machine to measure the patients' tension levels as shown by the amount of electrical activity in their muscles, de Vries found that after exercise the electrical activity was 20% less than the patients' normal rate, indicating their bodies were less tense. By contrast, the same patients showed little difference after the dose of meprobamate. Along with exercising outdoors in nature, yoga is an excellent exercise for reducing stress. A study of yoga-class beginners found that workouts left them less nervous and more energetic. Another study found that yogis go through life with lower stress hormone levels.
• Meditation.
Practicing regular meditation is one of the best ways to bring stress hormone levels back to normal quickly, especially after an adrenaline-producing, cortisol-raising experience. I know of no more effective way to bring about relaxation than through meditation-turning inward in silence and reconnecting with the peace and calmness that's always within you. Nurture this inner peacefulness by book-ending your day with quiet meditation for at least 15 minutes first thing in the morning and again before you go to sleep at night. This quietude will remind you that you can make the choice every day to live in the world but not be caught up in the frenzy of it. Part of the meditation process is focused, deep breathing. In fact, conscious breathing-inhaling and exhaling slowly and deeply-is itself a form of meditation. In addition to practicing deep breathing while meditating, take mini breathing breaks throughout your day. While you're breathing, be sure to focus on your breath or a relaxing, peaceful thought and not on anything that might be stressful.
• Proper Diet.
Because fresh fruits and vegetables are the foods highest in water content, and because they are the foods easiest to digest, they take stress off your digestive system and are what I refer to as "body-friendly" foods, especially if you eat them in their raw, natural, organic state. Keep the following three tips in mind when planning your meals. 1) Eat at least 8 servings of fruits and vegetables daily. Emphasize the vegetables, especially leafy greens like romaine lettuce, spinach, Swiss chard, collards, and fresh sprouts. 2) Eat a variety of fruits and vegetables to obtain the widest selection of nutrients that boost immunity, beautify skin, accelerate fat loss, increase energy, prevent heart disease, and fight cancer. 3) Select produce with rich, diverse colors. Many of the beneficial antioxidants in fruits and vegetables are also the pigments responsible for making them red, orange, purple, green, or yellow. Besides being rich in fiber, phytonutrients, chlorophyll, antioxidants, minerals, and enzymes, life-giving fruits and vegetables provide vitamins and minerals that help the body when it's under stress. And don't forget to drink at least 8 glasses of pure water every day. When you don't get enough water, the result is added stress on all of the organs and cells in the body. Dehydration can also lead to frequent headaches, general fatigue, dizziness, and weight gain. That's right. A shortage of water will result in excess water weight, as too little water causes our bodies to store water outside of our cells, making us feel bloated and heavy. Drinking plenty of water will actually help you lose or maintain a healthy weight, too. Water is calorie-free, suppresses the appetite naturally (drink a large glass 15 minutes before mealtime on an empty stomach), and helps metabolize fat. Without enough water, your kidneys can't function properly, which forces them to send some of their workload to your liver. Since one of the liver's main functions is to metabolize stored fat, the added work from the kidneys means that the liver burns less fat, so that more fat remains in the body-usually in the hips and thighs for women and around the waist for men. If you desire to lose some fat, it's a good idea to drink at least three extra glasses of water every day.
• Supplements.
Creating vibrant health is a combination of several factors. Along with a healthy diet that emphasizes fresh organic fruits and vegetables, whole grains, legumes, lean protein, and plenty of water, your body also needs exercise, proper rest and sleep, a positive attitude, the ability to laugh at yourself, quality time in nature, and the best whole food supplements.
• Massage.
Studies reveal that therapeutic massage can cut cortisol levels, lower blood pressure, and boost immunity. Additionally, massage reduces stress and tension, improves circulation, relieves muscle spasms, helps rid the body of toxins and retained fluids, and improves the skin. In terms of weight loss, the person massaging you is burning more calories than you are, but as your stress is massaged away, your hormones will be more balanced, which aids in fat reduction. Some people claim it aids in cellulite reduction. While I've never seen any good studies to prove that, I have seen impressive results in clients. Best of all, I know that massage feels terrific and for all the reasons above, I look forward to several massages each month.
• Sleep.
America is a chronically sleep-derived nation, and lack of sleep undermines the body's inherent ability to deal with stress. There is nothing more restorative for your body than a good night's sleep, night after night after night. Consistent lack of sleep can lead to a variety of health problems, including toxic build-up, weight gain and aging, depression, irritability and impatience, low sex drive, memory loss, lethargy, relationship problems, accidents, and at least 1,500 reported "drowsy driving" fatalities each year. Studies show that driving on only 6 hours sleep is like driving drunk.
One clear sign of sleep deprivation is needing an alarm clock to roust you out of bed in the morning. To dramatically improve your alertness, mood, appearance, and overall health, as well as help normalize stress hormones, try to get to bed 30 to 60 minutes earlier than you're used to. Exercise helps you sleep better but you don't want to engage in strenuous exercise too late at night because it accelerates the body's metabolic rate, which remains "revved up" for a few hours, making it tough to sleep. Morning exercise routines or, if you've got insomnia, exercising 4 hours before bedtime, will help you sleep much better.
• Nature.
Being out in nature, where the air is filled with salubrious negative ions, lifts the spirits, relaxes the body, and gives us a sense of well-being. The air all around us is electrically charged with positive and negative ions. Most of us live and work in environments dominated by technology-surrounded by computers, microwaves, air conditioners, heaters, TV's, and vehicular traffic. These and other "conveniences" of modern life emit excessive amounts of positive ions into the air we breathe, which can result in mental or physical exhaustion and affect overall wellness as described above. But when you're in nature, especially surrounded by water, like the ocean, or in the mountains surrounded by trees and greenery, negative ions abound. In fact, the revolving water generated by fountains creates negative ions that cause air particles to achieve electrical (ionic) balance. You can increase negative ions in your home or office space by the addition of green plants and water fountains.
• Laughter.
Laugh as often as possible. Along with my faith in God, meditation, and spending quality time out in nature, laughter is one of the best ways I know to help mollify stress. It is okay to laugh, even when times are tough. Toxic worry almost always entails a loss of perspective and a sense of humor almost always restores it. It was Norman Cousins, a noted journalist and author who, during a life-threatening illness, was able to achieve two hours of pain-free living for every ten minutes he devoted to laughter. In his wonderful book, Anatomy of an Illness, he told about how he watched old Marx Brothers comedies, the Three Stooges, and Candid Camera by the hour. He learned that laughter-hearty belly laughter-produced certain chemicals in the brain that benefit body, mind, and emotions. According to researchers, Cousins was right on! Laughter releases endorphins into the body that act as natural stress beaters. It aids most-and probably all-major systems of the body. A good laugh gives the heart muscles a good workout, improves circulation, fills the lungs with oxygen-rich air, clears the respiratory passages, stimulates alertness hormones that stimulate various tissues, helps relieve pain, alters the brain by diminishing tension in the central nervous system, and counteracts fear, anger, and depression, all of which are linked to physical illness and stress.
• Simplify.
Simplification is to your life what healthy foods, sleep, water, exercise, and positive thinking are to your body; they all rejuvenate your life and reduce stress. Start by de-cluttering your personal environment, either at work and/or home. Even something as simple as organizing your desk will make you more efficient and help to relieve stress. What makes a world of difference in my life is the 15 minutes I spend before I leave the office. I use that time to straighten my desk and make a list of all the things I want to do the next day. I can go home with my work left neatly behind me and the knowledge that tomorrow I can easily pick up where I left off. Living an uncluttered life (and this includes drawers, cupboards, closets, and day-to-day scheduling) gives me time for the things I really care about, like time to think, to read, to walk in nature, to meditate, and watch the sunset. Through simplification, I am more clear-minded and, I believe, a kinder, more sensitive person. But it's hard for me to live a stressless life when my environment is surrounded by clutter and I have no time during the day to call my own. Spend a few minutes each day and clean out one drawer, cupboard, or closet. That's easier than committing to taking an entire week off to simplify your entire life. One step at a time is practicable and within a month or so, you will be living and working in an environment that brings you more joy and less stress.
• Gratitude.
Be positive and grateful every day. The link between mind and body has been contemplated since the time of Plato, but it's only recently that research has been done on the neurophysiology of the brain. Every thought transmits instructions to the body through some 70 trillion nerve cells, so when you think a negative thought, your immune system is immediately compromised. By the same token, when you think positive thoughts, your immune system is enhanced and your whole body benefits. Furthermore, an anxious or fearful mind instructs the body to be likewise-tense and nervous. A calm mind creates a calm body. So choose your thoughts wisely. A new report from the Mayo Proceedings suggests that individuals who profess pessimistic explanations for life events have poorer physical health and a higher mortality rate compared with either optimists or "middle-of-the-road" types, regardless of age or sex. In fact, every 10-point increase in the study's pessimism scores was associated with a 19% increase in the risk of death. Conversely, participants whose test scores indicated optimism had a survival rate significantly better than expected. The reason for this may be that pessimists may be more "passive" or have a "darker" outlook on life than other personality types, leaving them more prone to "bad life events"-such as illness, injury, and depression. The researchers concluded that pessimism itself is a "risk factor" for early death, and should be viewed in the same way as other risk factors, such as obesity, high blood pressure, or high cholesterol level. One way to foster a positive attitude is to cultivate an attitude of gratitude. Gratitude (and appreciation) is a magnetic force that draws more good to each one of us. It's a dynamic spiritual energy that allows you to exert a powerful influence on your body, life, and world. Most importantly, it's a stellar stress-buster. What you think about consistently, you bring about in your life. Keep a gratitude journal and each day write down at least three things for which you are grateful. Focusing on the positive things, even during the most difficult times, is the perfect remedy to reduce and alleviate stress. And if you don't feel positive and grateful, "fake it until you make it," as the saying goes.



The New You

In other words, "acting as if" will help you through many challenging times and carry you on to better times. It was Shakespeare who championed this sage advice in his immortal words in Hamlet: "Assume a virtue, if you have it not."
• Relaxation.
Do you practice some type of relaxation in your life? If you're like most people, you put relaxation near the bottom of your "to do" list each day. One of the world's leading experts on the brain is a Harvard medical doctor, Herbert Benson, author of The Relaxation Response and Your Maximum Mind. What Benson calls "the relaxation response" is the body's ability to enter into a state characterized by an overall reduction of the metabolic rate and a lowered heart rate. According to Benson, this state of relaxation also acts as a door to a renewed mind and a changed life, a feeling of awareness. He describes the physiological changes that occur when you are relaxed as a harmonizing or increased communication between the two sides of the brain, resulting in feelings often described as well-being, unboundedness, infinite connection, and peak experience. One way to cultivate calmness and peacefulness is to progressively relax your body, beginning with your toes and ending with your head. Breathe slowly and deeply and totally relax each part of your body, saying to yourself as you go along, "My toes, feet, legs [and so on] are relaxed," until you have gone through your entire body. Then rest for a while in the quiet and silence. Listening to a relaxation or meditation tape may also be helpful and I have several available through my website below. When you make time daily day for a few minutes of deep relaxation, you will experience more joy and less stress. And if you incorporate most of the above stress-buster suggestions, you'll enrich your experience of living and achieve the goal of a balanced life. 

Celebration Of Life

Happiness and living your best life is all up to you. Take each day and thank God for your blessings that you already have and for what he is about to do in your life. If you live each day like it's your last you will truly have the healthy, happy, peaceful, life you seek. You will be "Pampering4life" which is the ultimate indulgence in YOU. Your life is waiting for you when are you going to show up?

Are You Cooking Yourself Unhealthy?

Have you ever wondered the best way to eat food - raw, slightly cooked, moderately cooked or well done? Do you know that the way you prepare food can determine whether you can get all of the vitamins, minerals, amino acids, fatty acids and simple sugars from your food? Although all of the nutrients might be in the food, if the food is cooked incorrectly the food will not digest and metabolize optimally. The nutrients become less available to the body. There is enough evidence to show that the more food is cooked, the more difficult it is to digest and metabolize. The higher the temperature that food is cooked, the longer it stays in the gut. This makes it more difficult for the food to absorb and work on a cellular level where it needs to work.
When the food cannot work at the cellular level, the cells can become deficient and/or toxic. This leads to deficiency and toxicity of the whole body making the body less able to function optimally. All food deteriorates during commercial food processing and during storage. Three different things happen to food that is overcooked or over-processed:
1. Destruction of essential amino acids.
2. Decrease in digestibility.
3. Production of anti-nutritional and toxic compounds.
It is the liver's job to detoxify toxins, but the liver can become overloaded and unable to do its job. In the bloodstream, the undigested or partially digested food (in the form of macromolecules) is in too large a particle to get into the cell to function. Undigested or partially digested food moves through the bloodstream causing havoc in the body.
When food is heated past the heat-labile point, its chemical configuration changes. Pasteurization, deep-frying, and barbecuing are all forms of cooking where food is heated past the heat labile point. The body does not understand these new chemical configurations and does not have the enzymes to digest the food easily.
However, the immune system comes to the defense of the body, and makes these undigested particles back into substances that the body can use or escorts them out of the body. We ask our immune system to do the job that our digestive system did not do. The immune system was not designed to do this on a daily basis, every time we overcook foods or over-process foods. Over time the immune system becomes exhausted and the door is opened to infectious and degenerative diseases.
Unfortunately it is not only foods heated past the heat labile point, such as potato chips, other fried foods, barbecued foods, dried milk or eggs, cake mixes and such, that cause this reaction. There is evidence that shows that foods cooked past 112 degrees Fahrenheit are more difficult to digest. Foods in this category include fried foods, pressure cooked foods, barbecued foods and most processed foods. Also sugar, caffeine, and alcohol, corticosteroids, antibiotics, aspirin, and many prescription, over-the-counter and street drugs can cause upset body chemistry. This upset causes undigested food to get into the bloodstream with all of the consequences.

From this research and the principle of the heat labile point, it seems that the best way to cook food is the least way. If you do cook your food, it is best to lightly steam, bake, stew, stir fry or use a slow crock cooker. Eat as few over-processed and overcooked foods as possible.
The state of balance (homeostasis) is the key to health. As long as your body is in homeostasis, it is healing. When it is out of homeostasis, it is on the degenerative disease process. The foods that keep the body in balance are natural foods. God made food for health. Man made food for shelf life, beauty and profit, and not necessarily in that order.

Sugar A Day Will Keep The Doctor On Call

Sugar: The New Unhealthy

Did you know that Americans consume about 100 to 150 calories a day from sugar-sweetened drinks? Keep that up and you'll put on about 10 pounds a year. While it's old news that soda and fruit punch are loaded with sugar, many popular fruit-flavored waters, juices and "healthy" drinks are no better. For example, a 12-ounce bottle of cranberry juice cocktail has 210 calories and 51 grams of sugar. That's like adding 13 spoonfuls of sugar to one glass of water. Sure, you're getting vitamin C, but you're much better off eating a (low-calorie, fiber-rich) orange instead.
A good rule of thumb? Look at the first ingredient. If it's not fruit juice, put the drink down. In the case of cranberry juice cocktail, water and high-fructose corn syrup come before cranberry juice. Water or seltzer is always best, but if you can't live without your morning glass of OJ, make sure it's 100 percent fruit juice and limit yourself to one cup per day. Skim milk is another good option. Meanwhile, try to stay away from sports drinks, flavored coffees and blended beverages. And if you do indulge, stick to one 6-ounce serving.
For those times when water just won't cut it, take to this list of the best and worst "healthy" drinks to quench your thirst without pouring on the pounds.

Instead Of: Arizona Iced Tea (270 calories, 72 grams sugar)
Choose: Honest Tea "Just a Tad Sweet" (85 calories, 20 grams sugar)

Instead Of: SoBe Green Tea (240 calories, 61 grams sugar)
Choose: Inkos Unsweetened White (90 calories, 0 grams sugar)

Instead Of: Odwalla Protein Monster Chocolate (about 220 calories, 25 grams sugar)
Choose: Organic Family 1% Milkfat Chocolate (150 calories, 9 grams protein)

Instead Of: SoBe Strawberry Banana Lizard Fuel (290 calories, 73 grams sugar)
Choose: Naked Reduced-Calorie Juice (200 calories, 40 grams sugar)

Instead Of: Naked Pomegranate Blueberry Antioxidant Smoothie (300 calories, 64 grams sugar)
Choose: PomLight (150 calories, 34 grams sugar)

Instead Of: Vitamin Water (150 calories, 33 grams sugar)
Choose: Zico Coconut Water (60 calories, 24 grams sugar)

THE BOTTOM LINE ABOUT HIGH FRUCTOSE CORN SYRUP

1. • High fructose corn syrup (HFCS) is an ingredient regularly used in soft drinks, cereal, bread and an array of other food products consumed daily. It is commonly found on food and drink labels under multiple names, such as chicory, inulin, iso-glucose, glucose-fructose syrup and fruit fructose. HFCS is worth learning more about, as is any ingredient included on the labels of foods you normally consume.

   Converts to Fat Quickly

   • According to OrganicConsumers.org, the body metabolizes corn syrup into fat more quickly than it does any other sugar. Furthermore, since most fructose is consumed in liquid form, the negative impact it has on the body from a metabolic standpoint is magnified significantly. While dietary fat is often synonymous with products containing oils or meats, HFCS is truly unhealthy in terms of its rapid conversion to fat. The substance should not be overlooked when considering items to exclude from a healthy meal plan.

   Not a Natural Food  

   • The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has stated that HFCS is not classified as "natural" in cases where a "synthetic substance such as a synthetic fixing agent [is] included in or added to it," or in cases where natural or unnaturally derived food coloring has been added. The FDA has declined requests to formally define "natural" foods and leaves the decision up to individual state.

   Danger to Heart Health

   • Dr. Nancy Appleton, Ph.D. states, "In subjects [with] healthy glucose tolerance and those that had unhealthy glucose tolerance, fructose caused a general increase in both the total serum cholesterol and in the low density lipoproteins (LDL) in most of the subjects. This puts a person at risk for heart disease." While it is also found in fruits, fructose occurs in lower levels in fruit than it does in the form of HFCS.