Raw Garlic at the Onset of a Sore Throat

It is cold and flu season and there are some nasty bugs out there. Three days ago I woke up with a very painful sore throat and knew I was in for it unless I got aggressive. I am a believer in the healing powers of garlic, but that was at the back of my for some silly reason.

DAY 1
I started with a warm tonic of cayenne pepper, honey, and apple cider vinegar to no avail. I drank many cups of green tea and sucked on throat lozenges. By the afternoon of day one it was hard to swallow and I started to feel the weak and warm, I was losing hope. I then went to Earth Clinic, a great website full of natural remedies for everything you can imagine including testimonials from faithful users. There it was! My cure! Raw Garlic! I nearly kicked myself as I have used garlic as a remedy for years - why did I wait! It was 4pm, many hours of a painful sore throat, I cleaned two cloves of garlic and immediately put them in the garlic press. I put the pressed garlic into my mouth and started chewing,sloshing it around, and reluctantly swallowed. Within SECONDS my sore throat had diminished 75%! Not only did my sore throat subside, I had an instant burst of energy and the weakness was gone. Throughout the rest of the night the sore throat waxed and waned, but the weakness and body temperature was gone. Before going to bed I pressed 2 more cloves and ingested them.

Day 2
When I woke up I could feel the sore throat, but it was a 50% change from the morning of Day 1, the weakness was completely gone. Throughout the day I took good care of myself with soups, vitamin C, vitamin D3, green tea, and my cayenne tonic. Over the course of the day I consumed 4 raw cloves of garlic. Around 7pm my sore throat reared its' ugly head and gave me a good scare, I went to bed with hope - mind over matter right?

Day 3
This morning I woke up with glee as my sore throat is only 10% there! I have normal energy levels and feel confidant that I am safely out of the woods.

Garlic was an instant cure for me, I feel that I killed the nasty bugs that were inside of me trying to take over my body and give me a full blown cold. I eat garlic in one form or another several times a week so it was easy for me to eat it raw, this may not be the case for others. Raw garlic will burn but the burn will fade. Throughout all of this raw garlic consumption I did not get heartburn or any kind of stomach aches. Contrary to common assumptions garlic does not CAUSE heartburn, some have had luck with it aiding heartburn.

Garlic has many potent properties and one of those is Allicin - it kills bacteria on site! The pungent smell of garlic is just a hint as to how powerful it is on the human body when taken internally. I did a blog on garlic and its' anti-cancer properties back in March Garlic Consumption a Key to Longevity? , I wish I would have taken my own advice before suffering through a whole day with a sore throat.

I saved hundreds of dollars by avoiding the mainstream doctor mill as well as skirting a nasty round of antibiotics. Yes, I panicked and wanted it to go away, but I always go to the natural cures first. I encourage everyone to visit Earth Clinic, it is a great "go to" website for ideas and testimonials on natural cures.

***I am not a doctor, if your symptoms are worsening visit your doctor.
***too many raw garlic cloves can make some light headed...tread lightly if you are not a usual garlic consumer.
***garlic will burn going down but the burning should subside.
***If a sore throat is severe for more than 3 days you should visit your doctor.
***If you do not have a garlic press you can just chew the cloves or slice the cloves.

Stay Healthy!

Smudging Ceremony for Everyday Cleansing

Smudging can be a therapeutic way to cleanse your living space and your own body of negative energies. When looking into the history of smudging, we look first at Native American Culture, who for many centuries have used smudging in daily ceremonies. Even though most of our information comes from Native American Culture, there is evidence that it has been used for thousands of years all over the world. In recent years smudging has become popular within the New Age movement and rightfully so. I can attest that smudging is highly effective in cleansing an environment almost immediately!

Smudging is the process of burning a dried bundle (stick) of herbs wrapped in string and letting the smoke carry away the negative elements surrounding you or a physical space. The smoke attracts and carries away the negative energy. The first time I smudged I was pleasantly surprised at how quickly my space seemed to be clear and purified. The smell of burnt sage was a welcoming scent as it had immediately cleared out the room.

Popular herbs used are white sage, mugwart, sweetgrass, lavender, and many more. White Sage is one of the most popular sage sticks out there, it is the one that I use and love the most. You can find sage sticks at numerous online websites with a simple google search, and if you prefer to support local businesses you can go to shops that carry incense and New Age books. When I first saw the stick I thought the stick would only burn a few times, however, there is plenty of smudging life in each stick!

How I Smudge:
Light the end of the stick until you get a pretty good flame. Have a ceremonial bowl of your choice near by to catch burn offs. Once you have a good flame turn it upside down so it goes out and begins smoking. Begin moving around your space with the pure intent to rid the area of negative energies while shaking the stick over your bowl to make it smoke. Have a door or window open so the negative energies can be carried out with the smoke. I smoke it up pretty good and say my own ceremonial statements to clear the energies. You can also smudge yourself, your pets, and inanimate objects if you desire. I smudge around my head as that is where negativity will leave the body. You will know when you have completed your smudging and when to put out the stick. Put the stick out in your bowl and put it away for your next smudging.

Broccoli Sprouts for Breast Health and Cancer Prevention

I love sprouts! Alfalfa, Mung Bean, Fenugreek, and most important Broccoli Sprouts! I grow Broccoli sprouts in my own kitchen and try to eat a handful of them each and everyday. Sprouts are somewhat like stem cells - extremely healing! Broccoli sprouts are the king of sprouts, they have 50 times the antioxidants found in full grown Broccoli.

More and more attention is being paid to broccoli sprouts and their potency. They are found to be a cancer fighter and a tumor inhibitor. In our modern world with chemicals in our food, genetically modified organisms, and preservatives we need all the protection from cancer we can get. "JOHNS HOPKINS SCIENTISTS have found a new and highly concentrated source of sulforaphane, a compound they identified in 1992 that helps mobilize the body's natural cancer-fighting resources and reduces risk of developing cancer." HopkinsMedicine.org

During the last couple of years scientists have been making the case that women eat plenty of Broccoli because of its' breast cancer fighting properties. That has now been trumped by Broccoli sprouts - 50X the antioxidants! "Indole-3-carbino, found in broccoli, interferes with the breast cancer cell's life cycle in a way that hints at a totally new signaling pathway in the cell. The chemical seems to be working by a very unusual mechanism. It turns off a gene for an enzyme important in the cell's growth cycle.". It has been recommended that breast cancer patients and those with a history of breast cancer to have a serving of these magnificent sprouts everyday. "I3C has low toxicity but seems to be very effective in fighting breast cancer cells. According to the study, it is an effective agent at blocking tumorigenesis in rats. When fed to them, I3C can block 95 percent of all breast cancers in rats. The compound also works independently of the hormone estrogen, unlike breast cancer treatment drugs like Tamoxifen." Healing Cancer Nutritionally.

Broccoli sprouts heal the body in many other ways:
-Fight Inflammation
-Alleviate Allergy and Asthma symptoms
-Boost Immune system
-Reduce Risk of Prostate Cancer
-Increased Lung Health
-Fight Ulcers and stomach problems

Many studies have concluded that broccoli sprouts are not toxic. Always check with your doctor if you are on any pharmaceuticals.

I grow my own broccoli sprouts. I buy my seeds at SproutPeople.com at 24.95 for 1 lb. That one pound bag will last 2-3 months of constant sprouting. The broccoli sprouts at the store are much more expensive than just growing them yourself and they are often not that fresh.

**GROWING TIP - as the sprouts are growing the smell is very pungent and smells almost rotten - that is normal. Do not shy away from the because of this smell...it is part of the potency.

Happy World Vegetarian Day!

October is one of my favorite months...Halloween, leaves changing color, cooler weather, AND World Vegetarian Awareness Month! Today is World Vegetarian Day, a good time to reflect on the many reasons for being vegetarian and vegan. I am fast approaching my 3 year anniversary for becoming a vegetarian (soon became a vegan in May of 2007). In honor of World Vegetarian day I want to share many of the sources that helped me in making the decision to go green and become a vegetarian. It is not easy at first, but this is a change that is good for the earth and your body.

I found a movie on Netflix back in February of 2007 that changed everything..The Future of Food. I was in awe at the state of the food we put into our mouths. You can find this movie online, youtube, netflix, and directly from their website. This movie jump started my investigation into what the hell is going on with food and how contaminated it is with GMOs, pesticides, dyes, preservatives, and more.

Next I got a copy of "Meet Your Meat" which exposed the animal cruelty taking place within food production. After seeing this video there was no more questions for myself about not eating meat. This video is not for the faint of heart.

With those two videos under my belt my investigation continued and I found out that dairy is a big problem for the human body as well. Veganism was something that could change my health situation and I needed to look into in further. I heard about a video called Change Your Food Change Your Life". This woman is amazing for putting out such a comprehensive look at becoming a vegan. She states that the average human that consumes dairy produt carries 17 pounds of mucous in their bodies! This video was the cherry on top! No more meat and dairy for me!

Since February of 2007 my body has found a natural and congruent way to live on planet earth. I went from a size 24 to 16 and am continuing to lose 2 pounds a month just by eliminating dairy and meat from my diet. There are many reasons to go vegetarian/vegan, but there are two main reasons....do it for your body and do it for the animals that share the planet with us. Happy World Vegetarian Day!

World Vegetarian Day Website

Vegan B.L.T. - just as good as the real thing!

Yum! B.L.T.'s are one of my favorite sandwiches and of course being vegan I cannot enjoy them anymore...or can I? This is my easy version of B.L.T.'s vegan style. There are a lot of fake bacon products out there now and most of them are full of garbage. I do not need to mention the companies creating fake bacon but you know who the big ones are...read the ingredients! I prefer tempeh bacon in the package as I have yet to season and slice my own tempeh. Tempeh is a healthy meat substitue and does not have an enormous list of ingredients that are unknown to this planet. This is super easy and tastes like the real thing. Get a good bread, fry up the tempeh strips in grape seed oil, prep your veggies, slather on some veganaise and there you go - Vegan B.L.T.!

A Vegan on The Road - how to survive a road trip

Wow has it been awhile. I am back full time to blogging and won't let such a fun and informative thing go again! Promise! Due to moving and life changes I have been on the road many times in the last three months and it has been a challenge to stay vegan when in an environment other than my own.

When I am in my home (my vegan sanctuary) I have my fridge stocked with LaraBars, Goji Berries, fruits and veggies....the cupboard is stocked with nuts, grains, and cereals - a habit and way of life that keeps me on the vegan trail. Getting in a car for two days is an entirely different story. There are only so many LaraBars and nuts you can eat without going crazy after driving 9 hours! My first breakdown occurred at a Holiday Inn Express in Oklahoma...after a day of driving 9 hours I went down to the continental breakfast and had yogurt, a banana, AND bisquits and gravy! I was out of my goodies and extremely hungry and tired. Let me tell you I regret every bite, this was probably one of my favorite foods before I went vegan 2 years ago. I know there is no excuse for eating it but I was way out of my vegan sanctuary - and hungry!

This lead to other slips over the three months - i will admit that. I am human and learned a lot while out of my environment. It pays to stay steadfast with what you believe in and know is good for your body. All I had to do was to think of 17 pounds of mucous in the body of a meat and dairy eater...or the days it takes your colon to process meat...or the pain and suffering that the earth's animals endure to end up in the continental breakfast at the Holiday Inn Express in Oklahoma.

My Vegan Road Trip Tips
-Take gobs of LaraBars of many flavors not to get bored (great shelf life and u don't need a cooler)
-Pack a lot of Nuts
-Drink plenty of water to fill up
-Subway veggie sandwhich is a great filler up
-Convenient stores have bananas (not organic but things could be worse)
-pack a ziplock of raw pumpkin seeds
-bring a good box of crackers
-Final tip ***do not eat the bisquits and gravy at the continental breakfast!

Many Health benefits of Cherries!

The health benefits of cherries are as sweet as they taste! It is that time of the summer when Cherries are in season and abundant in the grocery stores and farmer's markets. I am not talking about the dyed red cherries in a jar, I am talking about Rainier, Bing, and Chelan Cherries of the Northwest. While living in the Northwest I would look forward to this time of the year when I could get my hands on the freshest cherries around! While consuming mass amounts of Rainier and Chelan Cherries I was unaware how healthy they are. I keep a big bowl of cleaned cherries in my refrigerator as long as this party lasts - through August :)

There are two categories of Cherries - sweet and tart, both packing health benefits. Cherries grown here in America are a great Super Fruit alternative to tropical berries we do not have great access too. Cherries are often overlooked for a sweet treat but they are much more than that, showing promise in weight loss, heart disease, arthritis, cancer, and much more.

Cherries (both sweet and tart) contain a compound called anthocyanins, which is of growing interest to scientists because of its' anti-inflammatory effects on the body. A study at John Hopkin's University shows that anthocyanins can reduce painful inflammation in animal studies. Cherries were shown to reduce oxidative stress, which is a cause of autoimmune disease.

Cherries are being recognized as a "Super Fruit" based on recent research indicating they have powerful cancer fighting qualities. Tart cherries were studied and found to be beneficial in reducing the risk of colon cancer. In a study with mice prone to colon cancer it was found that adding cherries to their diet resulted in a reduction in colon tumors and sizes. The compound anthocyanins may inhibit mammary cancer in rats, reducing the risk of breast cancer.

Sweet Cherries (and of course tart ones) are a good fruit for people with diabetes because even sweet cherries are lower than other fruits on the glycemic chart at only 22. The compound anthocyanins may also help those with diabetes. "In early laboratory studies using animal pancreatic cells, the chemicals, called anthocyanins, increased insulin production by 50 percent, according to a peer-reviewed study scheduled to appear in the Jan. 5 issue of the American Chemical Society's Journal of Agricultural and Food Chemistry." - Science Daily. Some people have reported checking their blood sugar before eating cherries and found that it actually went down after eating cherries!

Cherries also contain:
-Antioxidants
-Vitamin C
-Vitamin A
-Bioflavonoids
-Ellagic acid
-Perillyl
-Melatonin
-Potassium


When I do not have access to fresh organic cherries I eat Raw Cherry Pie Larabars. You can also find dried cherries or organic cherry juice in the off season :) Enjoy!



References and Interesting Links
All About Northwest Cherries

Recent John's Hopkins Cherry Information

Cherry Growers of Australia

Raw Pumpkin Seeds - The Superfood I Eat Everyday!

For a couple years now raw, organic, unsalted, pumpkin seeds have been a daily part of my life. They are versatile, delicious, vegan friendly, low fat, low calorie, and most importantly a true superfood. The word "superfood" is being thrown around a lot lately, in the case of pumpkin seeds they are a PERFECT superfood! Recent studies are showing that pumpkin seeds are a vital food for that man in your life due to the protective power they have on the prostate gland. I make it a habit to have at least a handful each day as if it is a medicine. There are many health benefits of pumpkin seeds, enough to deserve their own blog post.

NUTRITION RUNDOWN
Pumpkin seeds are naturally rich in protein, zinc, essential fatty acids, magnesium, iron, and fiber. To boot they contain most of the B vitamins, along with C, D, E, and K! Pumpkin seeds are rich in the amino acids alanin, glycine and glutamic acid.

1/4 Cup Raw Pumpkin Seeds
182 Calories
10 Grams Protein
15 Grams of Fat (essential fats)
13.000 mg Iron
1.000 mg Calcium

DISEASE PREVENTION
- Native American were among the first to notice the health benefits of pumpkin seeds. They referred to them as cucurbita and used them to treat kidney problems and to eliminate parasites from the intestines.
- The high zinc level in pumpkin seeds is good for the prostate. The high zinc level is also good for the bones and protecting against osteoporosis.
- The essential fatty acids in pumpkin seeds can kill parasites and provide many other benefits. Parasites and worms are paralyzed with pumpkin seeds.
- The high protein load can provide an excellent source of protein for vegans and vegetarians.
- The fiber content helps the digestive system
- Pumpkin seeds contain L-tryptophan, which helps keep depression at bay.
- Pumpkin seeds can help lower LDL “bad” cholesterol. The seeds have phytosterols, a compound that not only helps lower cholesterol but helps protect against certain cancers.
- Pumpkin seeds help with urinary health.

TIPS
- The way to get the most out of pumpkin seeds is to eat them raw and organic
- Sprinkle them on top of a salad or cereal for extra crunch and protein
- Roasted Pumpkin seeds can actually raise cholesterol with the very high bad fat content ...just eat them raw
- You can find them in your bulk aisle at most grocery stores.
- Some mainstream grocery stores have them in their bulk aisle raw BUT made in China and not organic. I stay away from those.
- Pumpkin seeds can be enjoyed year round.
- Pumpkin seed oil is available in capsule and packs a super punch of nutritional value.
- The cost at my organic grocery store is 3.99/lb and that can last me a week,
- Add them to raisins, nuts, and coconut flakes and you have your own trail mix.
- Make it part of your daily life!

LINKS
Pumpkin Seed Oil and Prostate Health

The Sun Controversy - Important Natural Source of Vitamin D

People have been worshipping the sun for thousands of years but in the recent past we have been told to stay out of it. Yes, this is a controversial subject but the articles I have read have been an eye opener. When I was living in Seattle, the Seattle P-I ran a story about women in the Pacific Northwest having a higher incidence of breast cancer than any other region in the U.S. The articles addressed my own fears of living in the beautiful Pacific Northwest - the lack of sun robs the body of natural Vitamin D which in recent studies have shown to protect us from cancer.

THE SCIENCE
For years we all have known that vitamin D is essential for bone health, more information is coming into the scientific world to show that it has even more reasons.
VITAMIN D IS PROTECTIVE AGAINST:
Cancer
Diabetes
Heart Disease
MS
High Blood Pressure
Schizophrenia
Osteoporosis
Lung Disease

UVB rays are the principal source of vitamin D for human beings. Since the late 80's there has been an aggressive campaign to keep us out of the sun and if IN the sun we are told to lather with chemicals to prevent UVA and UVB light from penetrating the skin. There have been suggestions that just 20 minutes of UVB rays per day can keep cancer at bay. When that was suggested many years ago The most recent study by scientists at the U.S. Department of Energy's Brookhaven National Laboratory and colleagues in Norway find that people in Australia produce more Vitamin D than those up north.
Science Daily - More sun Exposure may be Good for some

Evidence is growing that Vitamin D can halt tumor growth and prevent them tumors starting in the first place with a good dose of UVB rays. A study was done in 2007 focussing on lung cancer and Vitamin D in Journal of Epidemiology and Community Health and the results are pointing in the direction of getting more sun. They used similar parameters that the study above used - latitudes of UVB exposure.
Lack of Sunlight May Increase Cancer Risk

TIPS & WARNINGS
I am not suggesting that you sit and roast in the sun. Many articles are pointing as little as 20 minutes of UVB rays gives you the dose of Vitamin D you need. I do this during all seasons, you can still get rays in the winter. You don't have to be in a bikini either, you can expose smaller areas such as your arms or face. I use a 15 - 30 sunblock and protect my nose with a higher such as 45 or 75. After 20 minutes I will burn if I don't have sunscreen ready to take effect. I know my limits and do not want to turn into leather so I definitely promote sunscreen and don't spend hours in the sun. What I don't promote is avoiding the sun all together out of the fear of getting melanoma. I can monitor my skin for any changes but it is harder to monitor my internal health.

*****Very important for those watching the wrinkles - I did a post about substituting olive oil or coconut oil for common moisturizers with chemicals in them, after each sunning I lather with olive oil or coconut oil to instantly soften the skin. The sun is great for Vitamin D but not great for those wanting to stave off wrinkles. Whatever you do make sure to moisturize.
*****Always apply a strong sun screen to areas around the eyes and cover the neck if you want to preserve your youthful skin. I use a 50 around the eyes and neck.

Too much Vitamin D through supplements can be Toxic. This artle from the Vitamin D Council is a good read:
The Truth About Vitamin D Toxicity - The Vitamin D Council

An Ode to Peas - Protein for Vegans

Eat your peas! Grandma was right! Many times I am asked "How do you get any protein???" as if I am going to fall over from lack of protein at any moment. First of all, there is a debate as to how much protein we actually need. Where did this obsession with protein come from, it is not as if we are all hunters and gladiators? Second, vegans have plenty of resources for protein in plant based foods- this brings me to peas. When I read about the health benefits of peas I was shocked, especially with the high protein content.

Peas are of the same family that beans are - Legumes. Legumes are high in folate, phosphorus, potassium, iron, zinc, calcium, and selenium, and B6. Peas pack a super punch with 8 vitamins, 7 minerals, dietary fiber and protein (lots of it). I had no idea that peas contained fiber OR protein! In one cup of peas you can pick up 35% of your daily fiber and 6.4 grams of protein - that is more protein that 2 tbsp of peanut butter! Many foods high in fiber and protein are also high in calories, peas are a great source of protein and fiber without adding pounds.

There are now studies being done on protein in the diet and in particular too much protein. In the December 2006 Issue, American Journal of Clinical Nutrition, findings indicate that those consuming less protein have lower levels of certain hormones that have been linked to cancer. If you are concerned about protein do some research and most important - relax and eat your peas!

TIPS
- Canned peas are not only gross but they also contain a ton of sodium and most of the nutrients are missing after all the processing - best to eat them raw.
- Dried peas retain their fiber and protein content and are still very nutritious.
- Yellow peas are a must try
- Asian markets are a great source of snap peas all year round

MEDICAL RESEARCH
Medical Study on Peas and High Blood Pressure
Too Much Protein Increase Cancer Risk?

Pineapples - Powerful Digestion Aide Full of Enzymes

Pineapple is one amazing fruit often taken for granted. I had a photo shoot with my pineapple the other night and thought I would share. In the process of turning away from western medicine I find it important to dig deep into the health benefits and scientific evidence of plant based foods put here on earth. Nature did not intend for humans to heal in the form of a pill from a warehouse - everything we need comes from the soil and the ocean. In my research I found out many things about Pineapples that make me love them even more and include them more in my life. This fruit is more than a Vitamin C load!

What stood out the most for me is the enzyme load in pineapples over many plant based foods. . I did a post a few weeks back on the power of raw foods to deliver the enzymes our bodies need to stay alive. Food Enzymes Biggest Cancer Fighter While doing research on enzymes I found out that Papaya and Pineapple are the top two fruits for enzymes due to Bromelain. Bromelain has widely been investigated for its' digestive enzymes. These enzymes particularly target the breakdown of protein which eases digestion. A raw cup of pineapple is full of this goodness! Pineapple enzymes are also good for the blood and are thought to be anti-inflammatory. It is suggested Pineapple enzymes limit the tendency for blood clots and also improve circulation through the arteries.

PINEAPPLE SOURCES & LINKS
Research Shows Promise of Pineapple for IBS
WHFoods: Pineapple

TIPS
-Pineapples are in season May - June
-Let your pineapple ripen before eating
-Select a pineapple that is already turning golden
-1 Cup of pineapple has 94% DV of Vitamin C
-Organic tastes better and is better for you
-Frozen Pineapple still contains the enzymes
-Do not eat it out of a can.
-The health benefits of Pineapple are plentiful!

Gratuitous Happy Birthday Post to my Carnivorous Owner

It might be cliche to blog about cats but this guy deserves a post because he has been a good bud for 13 years! This is Benji, my carnivorous friend. I adopted him 13 years ago and was very lucky to find him. He is a unique cat as he behaves more like a dog and is very social. This will be his 14th year on planet earth and he is just as vibrant as the day I adopted him. Benji has lived in 3 states and is a world class road tripper - he sat quietly in his cage with no food for 12 hours from Denver to Seattle once! He lays in many odd positions and many people say he is the most "chill" cat they have ever met. We think he might have some Ragdoll breed in him and he truly behaves like a ragdoll. You can pick him up and he lays in your arms. Happy Birthday to my super chill feline friend!

Ignite Weight Loss and Glowing Skin with a Sauna Detox!

Time to sweat! I have been using the sauna 3-5 times a week for the last 6 months and the health benefits are remarkable. My skin is radiant, my weight loss has accelerated, and my work out capacity has increased. Yes, it is possible to speed up weight loss by sweating and the sauna is the best place to do it. This is not about the water weight you lose during the session, it is about detoxing your body over time creating a great atmosphere to lose weight. During a sauna session one can lose up to 10 pounds of water weight but as soon as you drink water it comes right back - this is not about the water loss. The documentation on the health benefits of saunas is immense and goes far beyond weightloss. I encourage you to check out the links at the bottom of my post.

BLOOD PRESSURE
What happens in a good sweat out in the sauna is the awakening of all of your capillaries to dilation which actually lowers blood pressure - one might think it would raise blood pressure but that is not the case. Finnish people are known sauna users and they do not suffer from high blood pressure at the rate of westerners.

DETOXIFICATION
Our bodies have a few ways to dispel toxins but the biggest vessel is the skin. The skin is the largest organ of the human body and the sauna is the best way to make that organ work for you! A sauna session actually puts you in fever mode which forces the body to dispel toxins through your pores, similar to what happens when you are sick. Hippocrates, the founder of modern medicine wrote more than two thousand years ago "Give me the power to create a fever, and I shall cure any disease." During a fever the functioning of the immune system is stimulated, and the growth of bacteria and virus is forced to slow down. Fever is the body's defense against bacteria, microbes and consequent infection. It is believed that the sauna can also remove heavy metals from the body and this is more important than ever with all of the sources of mercury that surround us now (high fructose corn syrup). When you detoxify your body of all of the pollutants of everyday life you create a great environment for accelerated weight loss and good overall health.

CALORIE BURNING & CARDIO EFFECTS
A good 30 minute sauna session will burn between 300-500 calories similar to rowing for 30 minutes. Some may say "what about the cardio" - the sauna works your heart! Your heart rate increases in a 30 minute session similar to running or speed walking but without the stress on joints.

FAT DETOX
Some of us plateau with weight loss and will need the extra boost by detoxing those fat cells. Perhaps it is the build up of toxins in our fat that prevents further weight loss. Weight loss occurs because body fat becomes water-soluble at 43ºC and the body can sweat it out. Sweating removes fat stored (lipophilic) toxins. Often weight loss cannot be accomplished unless these toxins are first removed.

SKIN
The sauna stimulates a deep cleansing of the pores which results in clean, glowing, radiant skin. This keeps acne at bay as well as giving a more youthful appearance. Sweating is truely the best way to clean your pores. Cleansing does not come from the outside, it has to come from the inside pushing out!


HEALTH BENEFITS OF SAUNAS LINKS
In Depth article on the Health Benefits of Saunas
Sauna & Health: Sweat Bathing...
Sauna - Wikipedia (History and Tons of Info)

******Steam bathing in a hot tub or bathtub have similar health benefits because of the sweat level.
******Please check with your doctor before beginning a sauna program.
******If you don't have access to a sauna you can still get the benefits of sweating through a hot bath in your own bathroom. Grab a good book and sweat like crazy for 30 minutes.
******If you start feeling dizzy or light headed get out of the sauna.
******Start small with 10 minutes.
******Hydrate well before going in and upon coming out of the sauna.
******Do not drink alcohol before a sauna session.

Natural Anti-Virals

What you see is my natural arsenal of antivirals that I use on a weekly and daily basis. With certain national events transpiring I thought now was a good time to post what I use.

GARLIC
Garlic is a staple in my diet everyday - at least 3-4 cloves a day. If it can keep vampires away it has to be good! Garlic has been used for thousands of years as an antiviral and many studies have been done about the potent health benefits. I did an in depth post about Garlic and the health benefits last month:
Garlic Consumption Key to Longevity

OIL OF OREGANO
That tiny little yellow bottle in the picture above is one of the most powerful plant-derived substances known to man. It is a powerful antiseptic, antiviral, antifungal, and antibiotic! I added orgegano oil to my life 2 years ago and use it weekly to maintain health. If I sense a cold coming on I take oregano oil everyday until the symptoms are gone. I want to do a more in depth blog of the wonders of oregano oil later but I want to get some if it out there now. I only buy oregano oil that is over 80% Carvacrol and WILD - the bottle in the pictures is 90% Carvacrol. Any other oregano oil just does not have the potency. This little bottle ( 0.5 oz ) was $19.99 and worth every penny. I have had the same bottle for a year because you can only use a drop at a time. I put ONE drop in 8 oz of water otherwise it burns my throat and mouth - it is VERY strong. Make sure that you google opinions on proper dosage. You can find oregano oil at your local organic store, health food store, and online. I have had no luck finding it in mainstream stores and definitely not the powerful stuff.
(From Natural News:)
According to the U.S. Department of Agriculture, the herb with highest antioxidant potency is oregano, which has 3 to 20 times more antioxidant activity than the other herbs studied. Ounce for ounce, oregano is one of the most antioxidant dense foods, having 42 times the antioxidant activity as apples, 12 times more than oranges, and 4 times more than blueberries.

Links about Oregano Oil:
Oregano Oil Benefits
Wild Oregano Oil

ZINC
Zinc is a known AntiViral. This is always a staple amongst my herbs and minerals and I take it everyday. I try to get zioc in foods but sometimes I need the extra boost with a supplement. It is cheap and readily available.
Everything you want to know about ZINC

ELDERBERRY
I have yet to use Elderberry but have read many articles about the antiviral properties it contains.
Elderberry Benefits & Information

MISC.
**** Wash your hands frequently
**** Lost of Vitamin C
**** Reduce public exposure
**** Lots of raw foods
**** Get plenty of sleep

I Kicked Table Salt for the Many Health Benefits of Sea Salt

          Growing up there was always salt and pepper on the dinner table. Those shakers were an active part of the meal as if the meal itself depended on it. My favorite is when I would comment on not liking something or not wanting to eat something and hearing "Just put some salt on it!". Yikes! My relationship with salt has dramatically changed. In the process of turning away from mainstream grocery store food, I have left standard table salt behind. The things I have read about table salt are frightening to say the least.
          In my pantry I have only sea salts and I will tell you why... Table salt is available either plain or iodized. Back in 1920 the government became involved in table salt in the name of the thyroid gland and goiters. In fear of iodine deficiency they thought it would be a good idea to inject iodine in a place where everyone would get it - table salt. Table salt is not what you think it is by the time it gets to your table. It usually comes from salt mines - once mined it is refined and most minerals are removed from it until it is pure sodium chloride. Some table salt may also contain anti-caking ingredient - an unnecessary agent going in our bodies. Table salt can easily be overused leading to many health problems including hypertension. Excessive iodine can trigger autoimmune thyroid disease and hypothyroidism. (According to animal studies, high iodine intake can initiate and worsen infiltration of the thyroid by lymphocytes. Lymphocytes are white blood cells that accumulate due to chronic injury or irritation. In addition, large amounts of iodine block the thyroid's ability to make hormone. - from thyroid.about.com). There are some that would even argue that the processing of table salt is poisonous to the body! This brings me to Sea Salts.
          Humans are a lot like the ocean, we are 80% water and have a natural salinity level. It makes sense for the human body to do well when in natural harmony with the elements of the earth. Sea salts are a natural healthy way for us to get the salt our bodies need. There are many varieties of sea salts out there. I use chunky mediterranean sea salt in a hand grinder. I do not feel bloated after having sea salt, I also do not feel that sea salt overpowers food like table salt. Salt, whether rock salt or sea salt, is essential for the body. Why not get it in the way nature intended?

1.Salt is most effective in stabilizing irregular heartbeats and, contrary to the misconception that it causes high blood pressure, it is actually essential for the regulation of blood pressure - in conjunction with water. Naturally the proportions are critical.
2. Salt is vital to the extraction of excess acidity from the cells in the body, particularly the brain cells.
3. Salt is vital for balancing the sugar levels in the blood; a needed element for diabetics.
4. Salt is vital for the generation of hydroelectric energy in cells of the body. It is used for local power generation at the sites where energy is needed.
5. Salt is vital to the nerve cells' communication and information processing all the time that the brain cells work, from the moment of conception to death.
6. Salt is vital for absorption of food particles through the intestinal tract.
7. Salt is vital for the clearance of the lungs of mucus plugs and sticky phlegm, particularly in asthma and cystic fibrosis.
8. Salt is vital for clearing up catarrh and congestion of the sinuses.
9. Salt is a strong natural antihistamine.
10. Salt is essential for the prevention of muscle cramps.
Source For this list = Benefits of Sea Salt

***Natural Sea Salts are more and more showing up in your regular grocery store. There are also places to order more gourmet sea salts such as Dead Sea Smoked Sea Salt. You can really have fun with sea salts!

Source of beautiful pictures and great place to buy Gourmet Sea Salts Alaska Smoke House - Gourmet Sea Salts