Workout for the Abs & Arms

Vegan Bodybuilder Robert Cheeke and I hit the gym again for a rigorous hour & a half session training arms & abdominal muscles. Here is a recap of our workout, so you can get lean, strong, and muscular along with us.

Here it is:

Arms & Abdominals

• Warm Up: push-ups alternating with situps - 3 sets
  


• Bodyweight Dips: 3 sets
  


• Dumbbell Tricep Kick-backs: bent over and one arm at a time - 3 sets
  


• French Press/Skull Crushers: superset each set with close grip chest press - 3 sets
  






• Preacher curls: 3 sets increasing weight. Finish last repetition with a very slow let down
  







• Seated Concentration Curls: 3 sets
  


• Cable Bicep Curls: 3 sets and finish last rep with a very slow let down
  


• Hanging Leg Raises: 3 sets
  


• Straight Leg Partner Assisted Throw Downs for abdominals: 3 sets
  


• Superset with a plank pose after the last set and hold for as long as possible
  

Killer workout. Nice job.

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It's time to get RIPPED!

I just finished training for and running a 5 mile race last weekend at the Portland marathon event. Since it is getting quite cold and wintry outside, it's time to change up the exercise routine, hibernate in the gym, and hit the weights. I just spent 4 days this week working out with vegan bodybuilder Robert Cheeke who owns the website http://www.veganbodybuilding.com/. He is basically a pro when it comes to building muscle, so I am going to recap the week for you. Now you can get ripped this winter too!

Monday: Arms (Biceps & Triceps)
Warm up with 3 sets of pushups alternating with situps (the situps are to give the arms a rest while still working)

Cable Curls - light weight to start and keep the warm up going. Then move to increasing heavier weight, 3 sets. Weight should be set so you can only accomplish 8-12 reps. If you can do more, increase the weight.

Straight Bar Curls - using a supinated grip for 3 sets. On the last set, superset with pronated grip and lighter weight.

Dumbbell Hammer Curls - 3 sets alternating arms

Preacher Curls - 3 sets

Tricep Rope Pulldowns - 1st set is lighter to warm up the triceps. Then go for 3 sets. Superset with a lighter weight right after the 3rd set.

Dips - 3 sets

Overhead Dumbbell Tricep Extensions - use these as a superset following the 3rd set of dips.

Tip: Stretch your muscles while resting in between sets. It's a good way to stay flexible and limber. Plus it feels good!

Tuesday: Back Attack!
Warm Up: Stationary arm bike for 5 continuous total minutes - 1st set both arms forward, 2nd set both arms backward, 3rd set right arm, 4th set left arm, 5th set both arms.

Cable Lat Pulldowns - 3 sets

Cable Rows - 3 sets


Neutral Grip Bar Lat Pulldown - 3 sets

T-Bar Rows - 2 sets wide grip, 2 sets narrow grip

Seated Cable Close Grip Rows - 3 sets

MTS Machine Rows - Do a couple drop sets after the 3rd regular set to really burn the muscle out.

Back Extensions (on hyperextension apparatus) - 3 sets with or without holding a weight in your arms. Hold at the top on the last extension.


Pullups - Do your best at this point because your muscles are going to be tired!

Wednesday: Legs
Warm Up: Stair stepper - 5 minutes

Lunges - do laps around your gym. Do them until you fall over!

Leg Press - 3 sets

Hack Squat - 3 sets

Calf Press - 3 sets

Don't forget to stretch in between sets. You are going to be sore after this one!

Thursday: Chest & Shoulders
Warm Up: Pushups alternating with Situps - 3 sets

Seated Cable Flys - 3 sets

Flat Barbell Bench Press - 3 sets

The Ronnie Coleman Giant Set!
With dumbbells in each hand perform the following exercises one right after the other:

• Lateral Raises
  






• Front Raises
  






• Overhead Shoulder Press
  






• Posterior Deltoid Flys (Bent over flys)
  

Dumbbell Shoulder Shrugs

Seated Cable Overhead Shoulder Press

Superset each of the above sets with a seated machine chest press or pushup


Awesome! You rock!

Stay tuned for Abdominals!

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Cure for the common cold? Anti-Plague capsules!

Finally! I tried something new to ward off the cold that tried to sneak up on me last weekend, and it worked! No more will I have to suffer for a week with Kleenex stuffed up a red, puffy nose. Now is the season. So get your supplies together and have them ready just in case you wake up with that little scratch in your throat.

All you need is the following:

• Thieves essential oil blend
  
• Oregano essential oil
  
• Capsules size 0
  

Three times per day I swallowed 1 capsule containing approximately 8 drops of Thieves oil and 4 drops of Oregano oil. It is quite easy to do. I have the oils and capsules sitting on my bathroom counter, and all I do is drip the oil in carefully, put the cap on, and swallow! No pain. No suffering.

On the first day of impending sickness, I had stuffed up sinuses and a runny nose. In addition to my anti-plague capsules, I used a neti pot. A neti pot can be purchased at any drug store and comes with instructions. Basically, it is used to pour salt water up one side of the nose and run out the other. I added a drop of Thieves to the salt water, so I could get the antibacterial compounds up into my sinuses. Using a neti pot during a cold will help you feel so much better by clearing up the nasal passages.

Sore Throat Blast!
Additional tip: Usually the first indicator of a cold is a strange or sore feeling in the throat. When you feel this, get a flashlight and shine it in the back of your throat to have a look at your tonsils using the help of a mirror. I am sure you will be able to see a white speck on one or both tonsils. This is bacteria which is causing the trouble and needs to be removed before it is allowed to fester more.

The following procedure will take some practice, but will be helpful once you get the hang of it.

First, practice making your tonsils visible by flexing your throat muscles with your mouth wide open. Use your flashlight and mirror to practice. You will not be able to see the white speck without getting your tonsils into viewing position. It is more easily conveyed through illustration than words, but the feeling is like you are closing your throat while still having your mouth wide open.

Second, have a squirt bottle filled with a natural mouthwash handy and set on stream (not spray!). The goal is to squirt the plaque off the tonsil with something antibacterial. Thieves mouthwash is a great formula since the Thieves oil blend is antibacterial, antifungal, antimicrobial, and antiviral (I think that should take care of it all, yes?)

Once you have your tonsils in place, squirt bottle in one hand, and flashlight in the other, gently begin squirting at the white speck of plaque. You may only be able to get 2 or 3 squirts in before you need to spit, take a break, regroup, whatever. Prewarning: you may gag. Do your best to avoid hitting the epiglottis, which is what will make you gag. Just get as many squirts in as you can until the spec is gone. Don't get discouraged. Keep practicing. It is well worth it when you can avoid suffering through a sore throat and monstrous cold right after.

Lung & Sinus Relief

If you find yourself already suffering with a cold, lung congestion, sinus congestion, and other similar sickness, Young Living's R.C. essential oil blend can help you get relief and quickened recovery. Apply it on your chest and throat and inhale the vapors. Or rub a drop between your hands, cup your hands over your nose, and breathe in the vapors.

The following information is taken from the Essential Oils Desk Reference, Fourth Edition, compiled by Essential Science Publishing. It should help explain why these oils work.

Oregano
Medical Properties: Anti-aging, powerful anti-viral, antibacterial antifungal, antiparasitic, anti-inflammatory, immune stimulant
Uses: Arthritis/rheumatism, respiratory infectious diseases, infections/tuberculosis, digestive problems
Application: Dilute 1 part EO wit 4 parts vegetable oil and apply topically; diffuse; take as a dietary supplement

Thieves
A blend of highly antiviral, antiseptic, antibacterial, anti-infectious essential oils. Thieves was created from research of a group of 15th-century thieves who rubbed oil on themselves to avoid contracting the plague while they robbed the bodies of the dead and dying. When apprehended, these thieves disclosed the formula of herbs, spices, and oils they used to protect themselves in exchange for more lenient punishment.

Ingredients:

• Clove
  
• Lemon
  
• Cinnamon Bark
  
• Eucalyptus (Eucalyptus radiata)
  
• Rosemary
  

Application: Dilute 1 part EO to 4 parts VO and apply topically; diffuse; take internally

R.C.
Gives relief from colds, bronchitis, sore throats, sinusitis, coughs, and respiratory congestion. Decongests sinus passages, combats lung infections, and relieves allergy symptoms.

Ingredients:

• Eucalyptus globulus has shown to be a powerful antimicrobial and germ-killer. It is expectorant, mucolytic (dissolves mucous), antibacterial, antifungal, antiviral, and antiseptic. It reduces infections in the throat and lungs. such as rhinopharyngitis, laryngitis, flu, sinusitis, brochitis, pneumonia.
  
• Eucalyptus raidata is anti-infectious, antibacterial, antiviral, an expectorant, and anti-inflammatory. It has strong action against bronchitis and sinusitis.
  
• Eucalyptus citriodora decongests and disinfects the sinuses and lungs. It is anti-inflammatory, anti-infectious, and anti-spasmodic
  
• Myrtle supports the respiratory system and helps treat chronic coughs and tuberculosis. It is suitable to use for coughs and chest complaints with children. Sinus decongestant and alleviates throat infections.
  
• Pine opens and disinfects the respiratory system, particularly the bronchial tract. It has been used since the time of Hoppocrates to support respiratory function and fight infection. It is one of the best oils for treating bronchitis and pneumonia.
  
• Spruce, Marjoram, Lavender, Cypress, Peppermint are also included and possess many similar qualities that support healing from bacterial and viral infections
  

Application: Dilute 1:1 with vegetable oil; diffuse; directly inhale; apply on chest, neck, throat, or over sinus area. Add R.C. to a bowl of hot, steaming water. Place a towel over your head and water/oil mixture and inhale the steam. Combine with Thieves to enhance the effects.


Many of these oils are very expensive, particularly those from Young Living. Single oils can be purchases more cheaply from Mountain Rose Herbs, but the blends such as Thieves and R.C. are proprietary and unique to Young Living. You can experiment by purchasing single oils and mixing your own blends. At the same time, it is nice to have the formula at your fingertips. Young Living has top-notch oils and fabulously mixed blends.


Note: If you would like to purchase Young Living's Thieves essential oil blend, you will need to set up a free, customer account and reference the following sponsor number: 615650

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Relaxing Home Spa Hour

The best way to unwind after a stressful day is to treat yourself to a personal spa hour at home! Let me tell you how you can have a relaxing spa experience that doesn't come with a $200 price tag.

Salt Water Soak

Begin by filling your bathtub with hot water. Add 1 cup of Epsom salt and 1 cup of regular, cheap salt. Stir the water around a bit to dissolve the salt. Add a couple drops of your favorite essential oils such as Lavender or Peace & Calming blend. If I have an empty essential oil bottle, I will remove the cap and drop the bottle into the tub. That way I can utilize the tiny bit of oil that is otherwise impossible to use.

Epsom salt is therapeutic and assists as a detoxifyer. In this day and age, our bodies are daily exposed to exhaust fumes, cigarette smoke, and other airborne toxins and free radicals. A weekly epsom salt bath is a great way to habitually assist our skin and tissues with detoxification. Epsom salt can be purchased at any drug store or pharmacy.

Next, set some lighted candles all around the bathroom to create a calm, relaxing atmosphere. Find a way to play some soothing, ambient music. Ensure that there will not be outside audible irritations to distract you from your home spa experience.

Mud Mask

Enhance your relaxing spa experience with a detoxifying and conditioning facial mask. Use bentonite clay or french green clay, which will draw oil and impurities from the skin. It will also revitalize the skin and tighten pores.

To make the mask, start with dry powdered clay and a small empty jar. Mix equal amounts of clay and water. I really like to use rosewater over plain water. Add liquid as needed to make a nice paste. Customize the scent with a couple drops of therapeutic essential oil such as Lavender. Store this clay mixture in an airtight jar so you will have it ready for your next spa experience.

It is very rewarding to make your own Rosewater as well. I made my first batch last spring with wild rose petals. To make your own rosewater, collect the following materials:

• Jar with a tight-fitting lid (pint size is good)
  
• Enough wild rose petals to pack the jar to the top
  
• Witch Hazel extract or vodka
  
• Pure water
  

Instructions: Pack the rose petals tightly into the jar. Use a combination of 3/4 witch hazel extract or vodka and 1/4 distilled water to pour over the top of the petals, covering them plus 1 inch additional. Screw the lid on the jar tightly and let the mixture sit in a warm, dark location for 2-3 weeks. Once the time has passed, open the jar and strain out the petals. Your rosewater should smell lovely and rosy. It will stay good in the jar indefinitely. You can use it as a facial toner or in other natural, personal hygiene recipes.


As you soak in your salt water bath, you can perform the oil cleanse method followed by a mud mask. Let the mask dry for about 15 minutes as you soak all stress away. To remove the mask, dip a wash cloth in your bathwater and drape it over your face for several minutes to rehydrate and loosen the clay. Once loose, simply wipe the clay from your face. Notice how soft and smooth your skin feels!

Follow up your bath by rubbing coconut oil into your skin all over. Coconut oil is the perfect, natural body lotion and moisturizer.

To continue the relaxation and assist you in achieving a deep, restful, night's sleep, dab some Peace & Calming essential oil blend behind your ears, on the back of your neck, and on the bottoms of your feet.

After a day, you'll be smiling and glowing if you treat yourself to this home-made spa hour.


Useful Tip: Sometimes I wake up in the middle of the night to an intensely painful, cramped calf muscle. I can immediately alleviate the cramping and pain by rubbing in a drop of Peace & Calming essential oil blend. I keep it right by my bed just in case. It works miraculously in seconds!


Sources:
Herbal Healing for Women by Rosemary Gladstar

Note: If you would like to purchase Young Living's Peace & Calming essential oil blend, you will need to set up a free, customer account and reference the following sponsor number: 615650

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Build Strong Bones. Drink Tea.

Today I’m going to tell you how you can provide your body with the ingredients it needs to build, repair, and maintain strong and healthy bones, muscles, teeth, and veins drinking Dr. Christopher’s Super Calc Tea. First, let’s take milk off the shelf by discussing how it works to deplete calcium from the body.

Cut the Milk

Let me get straight to the point by saying affirmatively that you don’t need milk to keep your bones strong. Americans have been inundated by statements made via advertising campaigns paid for by the Dairy Association that milk consumption leads to strong, healthy bones. If this were true, osteoporosis would be long gone in this country. Not only do people drink milk by the gallons, but many juices, cereals, and breads that line the grocery store shelves are fortified with calcium. Despite the consumption of calcium enriched foods, calcium related diseases persist.

Calcium deficiency may be indicated by the following:

• Muscle Cramps
  
• Vericose veins
  
• Hemorrhoids
  
• Tooth decay
  
• Achy body
  
• Osteoporosis
  

So why do these conditions persist despite the amounts of milk and calcium consumed?

Let me offer this explanation:

The standard American diet consists of too much animal protein, refined sugar, and refined flour. These foods acidify the blood. To neutralize the acid condition of the blood, the body pulls calcium and phosphorous from the bones and veins.

So people drink milk to replenish calcium. Problem: the calcium in the milk is bound to the protein casein. The calcium neutralizes the stomach acid, and the protein cannot be broken down. Thus, the body cannot even use the calcium in the milk. Additionally, the milk is pasteurized and completely void of any enzymes that could assist with digestion of the milk.

So people take calcium pills to replenish calcium. Problem: those supplements are made of inorganic isolated minerals, very little of which is absorbed by the body.

What you need is whole plant calcium that will be taken in with all the nutrients working in synergy to create healthy cells. Recommended sources are the following:

• Kelp & seaweeds
  
• Dark green leafy vegetables
  
• Citrus fruits on an empty stomach
  
• Super Calc Tea!
  

Below is a recipe for Dr. Christopher’s Super Calc Tea formulated to replenish calcium deficiency. Make it and drink it freely. I do!

Super Calc Tea

• 6 parts horsetail grass
  
• 4 parts comfrey leaf
  
• 3 parts oatstraw
  
• 1 part lobelia
  
  
• Optional: 1-3 parts hibiscus petals for flavor and a pretty color
  

Use 1 teaspoon of herb to 1 cup of distilled water. Let the herbs sit in the boiling water for about 30 seconds, then cover, let cool, and strain. Add a few tablespoons of raw honey or to your desired sweetness and 1/3 the volume of raw apple cider vinegar. This mixture will keep in the refrigerator indefinitely. Drink ½ cup per day. You might find the vinegar to be off-putting, but after just a couple days, your body will crave it!

By the way, you can purchase the above-listed herbs at Mountain Rose Herbs



This tea provides abundant silica and calcium as well as high quality glucose so the nutrients accompanying the glucose will be taken in readily by the cells.

To avoid further calcium loss, avoid calcium robbers such as meat, dairy, and refined foods.

This article has been entered in to the Mountain Rose Herbs Recipe Contest!


Sources:
Kal Sellers at www.kalsschool.com
Traci’s Transformational Health Principles by Traci & Kal Sellers

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Diet For A New America

I recently finished reading John Robbins' book, Diet For A New America. It has been around for a while, so maybe you have already read it yourself. For me, it was very educational as well as inspiring. Today I am going to share with you a couple highlights that I marked in the book as well as my reasons for pursuing a vegetarian diet.

Overall, the message of the book is to persuade the reader to forgo meat and animal products in one's diet. The reasons are plentiful and backed up with abundant scientific research. Some reasons include the following:

• The animals we eat are raised in horrendous, unnatural conditions on factory farms, fed an unnatural diet of corn and soybeans, and endure an unbelievable amount of suffering.
  
• The meat from the animals raised on the factory farms is unhealthy as a result of the poor diet and unhappiness of the animals. For example, the adrenalin that courses through the animal just before it is slaughtered poisons the meat. And that is just the beginning.
  
• The hormones and antibiotics given to the animals are imparted to the consumer through the flesh and negatively impact one's health by causing hormonal imbalance and destruction of one's internal digestive ecology.
  
• The factory farms on which most meat is raised, pollute and destroy the environment.
  
• The vast amount of resources such as grain and water that go into fattening herds of cattle, for example, could eliminate world hunger. The number of input calories is far fewer than the number of output calories. It is a very inefficient way to feed humans. 
  
• The human body really does not require so much protein that eating concentrated sources such as meat is necessary or useful. In fact, it is often damaging causing gout, kidney stones, and osteoporosis.
  
• Meat and dairy products acidify the blood and tissues leading to overall calcium loss and osteoporosis. Drinking milk does not result in calcium increase and stronger bones as we may have been led to believe. It actually has the opposite effect.
  
• Pesticides are concentrated in animal products many times more than in plants and vegetables. This toxic load impedes the body's ability to efficiently regenerate and carry out primary functions for optimal health.
  
• The human digestive system is not best suited for digestion of meat. In fact, it is much different from that of carnivorous creatures. The regular consumption of meat will, over time, result in various physical maladies such as colon cancer.
  
• The meat that is mass produced in this country and all over the world is so unhealthy it is seriously damaging the health of all those who eat it which increases the burden on the health care system as well as supports a society dependent on pharmaceutical drugs leading ultimately in a continuous downward spiral of degenerative disease.
  

My reasons for being vegetarian are out of concern for the following:

1. My health: I wish to live to an old age, free of physical pain and physical limitation. I always wish to be active and dwelling in a fully functioning body. Being vegetarian and eating whole foods will greatly contribute to the accomplishment of this goal.
   
2. The environment: It is apparent how much the meat industry from start to finish irrevocably damages the environment. Climates change; drinking water becomes scarce and contaminated; clean air becomes polluted. It is important to think ahead rather than live for today's profit or pleasure.
   
3. The suffering of animals: A certain passage from the book sums up my viewpoint regarding the animals - "It's not the killing of the animals that is the chief issue here, but rather the unspeakable quality of the lives they are forced to live."  Most people have no concept of what suffering was endured by the animals they have eaten. It is so bad that it is nearly beyond belief. I personally don't wish to make that suffering literally a part of me.
   

Another passage from the book states the issues succinctly: "We have become protein obsessed, and we pay an incalculable price for it. We feed an enormous amount of grain to livestock which could otherwise be fed to the world's hungry. We cause a great deal of needless suffering to animals. And finally, we seriously compromise our health."

Busting the Protein Myth

The book presents a great study on how much protein is really needed for a proper functioning body and how easy it is to consume sufficient amounts on a vegetarian diet. Healthy protein intake ranges on a spectrum of 2.5 - 10% of daily calories. Mother's milk provides 5% of its calories from protein which feeds babies who are growing faster than at any other time in their lives. If one eats protein at the high end of the spectrum (10% of calories), it is almost impossible to not get enough protein on a well balanced vegetarian diet. 49% of the calories from spinach are from protein. If we ate nothing but spinach, we'd have WAY more than enough protein. If we ate nothing but cabbage (22%), we'd have more than double the maximum protein requirement. Even a cantaloupe diet (9%) would provide our bodies with sufficient protein.

A meal of 1 cup of beans and 1 cup of brown rice, for example, provides complementary amino acids and contains approximately 19 grams of protein. Add 1.5 cups of broccoli for 6 more grams. And that's just lunch! If you are consuming enough calories with natural foods, you are virtually certain of getting enough protein.

Be Thankful & Aware

I don't wish to come across as dogmatic or judgmental in my approach. I am just so passionate about both physical and environmental health, I want others to grasp some portion of the impact that eating meat has in myriad realms of our world. I realize that people are not going to give up meat over night, but my hope is that people could be concerned enough about their own health at the very least to cut consumption of meat and animal products in half.

I always thought that I would not hesitate to eat meat if given some from an animal that was properly raised in a natural environment. I allowed myself the opportunity one night to partake of meat from a non-factory farmed animal. While it tasted pretty good, I ultimately realized, I liked the vegetables that were on my dinner plate much more. The meat felt heavy in my stomach and did not make me feel particularly well. It was good to allow myself that experience and realize that my body truly no longer desired meat. I am not harsh with myself. Sometimes I will allow myself to eat a little meat thinking that I want it. In the end, it so happens that the experience only reinforces my desire to stay vegetarian.

Whatever your eating philosophy, I implore you to eat with positive thoughts and thankfulness. If you are on a road trip and have to eat something you would typically not, bless it and be grateful for it. Otherwise, the supposed unhealthy food will truly create unhealth. So often, people who are pursuing a healthy diet will beat themselves up when they falter a bit. For instance, I very often talk to raw foodists who express guilt at having eaten cooked food. My philosophy is to be gentle with oneself. Make the best choice you can at the moment. If you are going to break your eating plan, do it consciously, realize how it makes you feel, then get over it. The most important thing to remember is to eat with gratitude. A statement from the book (paraphrasing Mark Braunstein) says, "The person who eats beer and franks with cheer and thanks will probably be healthier than the person who eats sprouts and bread with doubts and dread."

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Sunburn Treatment & Prevention

Since it is now August and the height of summer time here in Portland, I have some timely information on natural prevention and treatment of sunburns. Being a fair skinned person myself, I am well acquainted with the power of the sun's rays and how quickly they can cause a week of suffering. Fortunately, I have great solutions that work every time, even for a person as pale as myself.

Treatment

So you find yourself red as a lobster after having spent all day playing in the sunshine. Instead of enjoying the next week of summer fun, all you have to look forward to is peeling, flaking, and odd stares as you walk through the grocery store. Not so for me. When I find I have mistakenly gone from prudent to overindulgent with sun exposure, I turn to Lavender essential oil. Many occasions I have completely skipped the peeling and burning phase and gone straight to healed in just one or two nights. All I do is apply therapeutic-grade Lavender essential oil to my skin. Often, I top it with jojoba oil and let it soak in. I always apply before bed and after showering in the morning until the skin has calmed to a nice healthy tan. Goodbye burn.

Prevention

I LOVE to be in the sun. The shade just doesn't quite do it for me on a nice summer day like today. Of course, staying in the shade is the most obvious solution to preventing sun burns but certainly not the most fun. Sunscreen is the second most obvious solution; however, sunscreens are loaded with toxic chemicals that we would do well avoid. It seems we are stuck choosing between two evils: skin cancer from sun burn or cancer from toxic chemical absorption. Until now...

Allow me to introduce the internal 'sunscreen' that really works: Astaxanthin.

Astaxanthin is a carotenoid derived from microalgae that blocks ultra violet damage to the skin. This nutrient is found also in seafood and is what gives salmon, for example, their natural pink color. Astaxanthin is a powerful antioxidant that can assist in overall skin health and anti-aging. Additionally, it can contribute to eye health, nerve health, and exercise recovery.

In the mornings during the summer time, I take two capsules of astaxanthin, and I am ready to go. I buy my astaxanthin supplement from Vitacost, where I get many nutritional products because their costs are low and shipping is a flat $5 regardless of how many products I purchase.

No longer do I need to worry about my scalp, forehead, or nose burning when I find myself having been unexpectedly overexposed to the sun's rays. Neither do I need to worry about oxybenzone, lauryl sarcosine, fragrances, etc. polluting my blood stream.

This sounds like a win-win to me!
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Natural Skin Care

Last April I began an experimental skin care regimen from which I really got results! Since my teenage years I have struggled with skin blemishes - acne and congested pores. I fully expected to just grow out of it, but it persisted into adulthood. While browsing the internet one day I ran across what is called the Oil Cleansing Method. It sounded easy enough, so I put it in to action! After one month of faithful practice, I got noticeable results. Now I want to share with you all about it along with other natural hygiene practices.

First things first:

Eye Makeup Removal

Grapeseed oil is my solution for eye makeup removal. First, I tried Olive oil which stung my eyes. Next, I tried Jojoba oil which didn't sting but left a film over my eyes (no fun!). Grapeseed oil, however, is light, produced no stinging, and is great for the skin! Perfect!

The Oil Cleansing Method

The basic idea behind this method is that oil dissolves oil. Typically, soap is used to cleanse the skin, but soap not only takes out the dirt and grime, it also strips away the natural oils which are needed to keep the skin moist and supple. This dried-out effect brought on by soap necessitates the use of moisturizers. Most moisturizing products are loaded with all kinds of harmful chemicals (big problem!). Fortunately, there are natural products available with less perplexing lists of ingredients. I exhort you to begin reading the labels on all packaged products you purchase (for both internal and external consumption). The shorter and more comprehensible the list of ingredients, the better! Don't be fooled by package labels that say "All Natural" or "Organic". Verify the ingredients yourself.

In the oil cleansing method, Castor oil is used to draw out impurities from the skin without leaving the skin stripped and dried out. Castor oil is antibacterial and antifungal and is used in many more ways to achieve healing than will be covered here. Using cold-pressed castor oil, I perform the following steps each night:

1. I remove my eye makeup.
   
2. I pour some castor oil into my palm and use my finger tips to rub it into my skin. It is okay to apply the oil right on top of makeup without washing first. I rub in circular motions all over for several minutes.
   
3. I soak a wash cloth with hot water and press it to my face. What I really want to accomplish here is a steam effect. I want the pores to open and the castor oil to penetrate and latch on to impurities. Sometimes, if the water on the cloth is too hot, I hold it close to my face. When I breathe out of my mouth onto the wash cloth, I can feel hot steam rise to my face. It is really quite effective. I will hold the cloth to my face until it cools to room temperature. Once cool, I will resoak the cloth with hot water and do the steaming procedure again. Please be careful not to hurt your skin with scalding hot water. You could also accomplish this steam using a pot of boiling water and a towel to drape over your head. Feel free to pursue this method, but chances are you are more likely to stick with a quicker, simpler method.
   
4. After the second steam, I use the cloth to wipe the oil from my face. 
   
5. Then... I start all over! I use a second dose of oil and rub it into my pores followed by two steams and wipe off.
   

Toner

Once I am done with the oil cleansing, I use a cotton ball to apply my homemade toner. In a glass bottle I have combined the following:

• 1/2 cup of strongly brewed tea: I used green and chamomile teas (6 tea bags total), but you can use other things such as Burdock, Yellow Dock, and Sarsparilla which are good detoxifying herbs. I may experiment with those on my next batch of toner. 
  
• 1/4 cup of raw, apple cider vinegar: let the tea cool before combining.
  
• Several drops of Tea Tree oil: Tea Tree is an excellent antibacterial treatment for blemishes.
  

You may at first be put off by the smell of vinegar, but don't worry, the scent disappears quickly enough.

Anti-Aging

My final step is to apply my homemade anti-aging formula. In a 2 ounce amber dropper bottle, I combine jojoba oil and the following essential oils in the approximate amounts:

• 10 drops of Frankincense
  
• 7 drops of Myrrh
  
• 7 drops of Sandalwood
  
• 5 drops of Rosewood
  
• 1 drop of Geranium
  
• 5 drops of Lavender (I may or may not add this, but it is a wonderful, universal skin remedy)
  

To apply, I drop some of the formula on clean fingertips (important!) and rub around my eyes and lightly pat all over my face. It smells wonderful. Jojoba oil is a nice, light oil that penetrates the skin easily and takes all the wonderful essential oils with it. Jojoba oil will not clog pores. Do not be afraid to use it even if you have very oily skin. In fact, your skin's oil production may become quite balanced after using jojoba oil consistently.

A second skin formula that I always have mixed in a dropper is jojoba and Tea Tree (approximately 15% solution) that I use on particularly blemished days. Tea Tree oil works just as effectively on acne as Benzoyl Peroxide or Salicylic Acid and is non-toxic!

Cleansing Tea

In addition to the topical skin routine, I recommend drinking tea made with herbs which are known for cleansing the liver and thus improving skin condition. These herbs include Burdock root, Yellow Dock, Sarsaparilla, and Dandelion root. Here is a formula for a cleansing tea:

• 1 part Burdock root
  
• 1 part Dandelion root
  
• 1 part Yellow Dock
  
• 1 part Sarsaparilla
  
• 1/2 part Licorice root
  

Add for flavor:

• Cardamon seeds
  
• Cinnamon Bark
  
• Clove buds
  
• Ginger root

Put 3 tablespoons of the mixed herbs in 20 ounces of water and soak overnight. In the morning bring to a boil and simmer for 15 minutes. Strain out the herbs and drink. Save the strained herbs and add 1 tablespoon of new herbs to make another batch the following day. Continue to reuse the herbs 3 times before discarding.

Often, poor skin condition is an indication of a toxic liver and/or poor elimination channels. If the body is having difficulty eliminating via primary means, it will eliminate through the skin.

Dry Skin Brushing

Dry skin brushing is the use of a stiff, natural-bristle bath brush which you can find sold in health and beauty supply stores. The technique is accomplished by briskly brushing in long, sweeping strokes across the skin toward the heart. Brush the entire body at least twice over and follow with a warm shower to rinse. The brush should be kept in a dry place as exposure to water will change the stiffness and effectiveness of the bristles.

Dry skin brushing removes dead skin layers, stimulates circulation, assists the lymphatic system, helps remove cellulite, and results in overall softer skin. Additionally, the dry skin brushing technique can assist us in restoring proper levels of vitamin D. It is well known that skin makes Vitamin D when exposed to sunlight. However, it is not so well known that Vitamin D is actually produced by the interaction of sunlight with the natural oils produced by the skin. If we wash those natural oils away with soaps and detergents, we still end up Vitamin D deficient even with sufficient exposure to the sunshine. The dry skin brushing technique is effective enough to cleanse the skin and leave the natural oils behind.

Diet

In addition to this skin routine, I have become vegetarian/vegan over the last few months as well as increased my intake of raw foods. I didn't become vegetarian over night, rather slowly moved away from consuming meat and most animal products altogether. I'm sure this factor also played a role in my improved skin condition as eating lower on the food chain introduces fewer toxins into the body which must find their way out.

Sources:
Body Electronics by Thomas C. Chavez
http://www.acne.org/messageboard/OIL-CLEANSING-METHOD-Hi-t141871.html

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I'm Back! With more Health & Wellness...

After months of neglect, the Lemon Letter is back in action! My life got quite busy last February through April with my regular full-time job, but now I have no more excuses. With my return, I plan to add a more personal touch to my health articles and share more with you about what I am doing in my daily health journey. I will address diet, exercise, nutritional supplementation, natural remedies as well as mental and emotional health. Health is always an evolution. I encourage you to take what you find valuable and incorporate it into your own health evolution.

Just a week ago, I was finally able to define and articulate specifically how I want to pursue my passion for natural health and wellness. It seems so obvious now, but here it is:

I want to be a health and wellness coach!

I'm not sure why it took two years to come up with that realization, but it is better late than never. Currently, I am an accountant by profession, but what I really love is what I write about here in my articles. Perhaps someday soon I will be able to devote as much time to this passion as I devote to crunching numbers! What I ultimately desire, though, is to see individuals take control of their health and become vibrant, glowing human beings.

What taking control of one's health means to me:

• First, it means taking care of the physical body through food, exercise, and natural remedies. This manifests as a body which grows and ages gracefully, free of physical pain and degenerative disease.
  
• Second, it means taking care of one's emotional, mental, and spiritual health. This shows through increased happiness, optimism, compassion, and love for life without reason.
  
• Third, it means taking care of one's surroundings to support a healthy lifestyle. This would manifest in taking care of the environment such that a healthy life may be maintained in perpetuity. This would also manifest in taking care of one's relationships and personal affairs. For example, one needs to be in control of one's finances to eliminate stress and unhealthy behaviors that might result from such disorder. In fact, you can expect a future article where my accountant-self weighs in to address health in finances.
  

I hope you will keep reading. I've got an article coming on natural hygiene and beauty routine which I have been experimenting with for months! Check back later for plenty of health topics to come!

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From Happy Hour to Healthy Hour!

Tonight I am drinking my favorite beverage in the whole world -- Love Juice! I discovered this delicious concoction at a juice bar I used to frequent - Namasté Café Juice Bar in New Brunswick, NJ - and have been hooked ever since. Because I love it so much, I want you to share in the pleasure. Treat yourself to a happy hour that never was happier.

Equipment needed: An electric juicer of some kind. I am using a Jack Lalanne juicer; however, if you are in the market for a juicer, read a product review on the amazing Breville juicers here.

Ingredients:

• 1 small beet
  
• 2 apples
  
• 4 carrots
  
• 1 lemon
  
• 1" fresh ginger
  
• Love!
  

Instructions:

Juice all the ingredients in any order and make quantity adjustments to match your preference. Some people like a lot of ginger while some people find it to be too spicy. I recommend starting with a conservative quantity and giving it a taste before you are done juicing. The ginger is a key ingredient, however, so don't leave it out!

Yesterday, I took a mid-day break from work for a wheat grass shot pick-me-up. I went to The Energy Bar in downtown Portland and ended up ordering a full juice instead. It tasted very much like Love Juice except it was green. The ingredients were:

• 2 oz. wheat grass juice
  
• Apples
  
• Lemon
  
• Ginger
  

Now you have a starting point to develop your own happy hour beverage!

Cheers!

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Rejuvelac Smoothie for Healthy Digestion

This week I successfully brewed my own rejuvelac! I have been using it as the liquid base in my daily green smoothie and would like you to consider trying it as well. You might be thinking, "Rejuva-what?" Keep reading, and I will explain.

A brief introduction to rejuvelac:

What is it?
Rejuvelac is a fermented beverage used to replenish intestinal microflora and help rebuild digestion.

How is it made?
Rejuvelac is made by fermenting sprouted grain in water over a 2-3 day period.

What does it taste like?
Rejuvelac is slightly fizzy with a hint of lemon flavor. Most people do not like it at first but get used to it. It is not something I would sip out on my deck on a sunny afternoon, but that is why I put it in my smoothies! Nutrition without repulsion!

Below, I describe how to make my rejuvelac.

1.  Start by sprouting 1 cup of wheat berries (or other grain such as rye or millet) in a 1 quart mason jar.

Sprouting Procedures:

• Rinse the wheat berries once. If you have a sprouting screen to put over the mouth of your mason jar, this will make the process much easier, but a screen is not necessary.
  
• Put the grain into your mason jar, fill with pure water, and let it soak for 8 hours or overnight.
  
• Next, drain the grain, rinse once, and drain sufficiently. If you have the sprouting screen, leave the jar tipped into a bowl at a downward slant to allow air to circulate and the grain to continue to drain. If you do not have the screen, drain well and leave the jar open and tipped sideways on your counter.
  
• Let the grain sit for another 8-12 hours and rinse again.
  
• You will rinse it 2 or 3 times a day until the sprouts are tiny and just emerging from the seed. This will take 1-2 days.
  
• Put the sprouts in your blender with some water to cover and blend on high for 5 seconds.
  
• At this point, you are ready to begin fermenting!
  

2.  Put the ground-up grain back in your mason jar and fill the jar up with pure water.

3.  Add a dash of raw, unfiltered apple cider vinegar or fresh lemon juice to make the solution slightly acid and help the fermentation process along.

4.  Add about 10 slices of fresh ginger root for an interesting flavor.

5.  Cover the top of your jar with a cheese cloth or other cloth that will allow air to come through. Secure the cloth with a rubber band.

6.  Let your sprouted grains soak for 72 hours, no more. Warm temperatures will speed the fermentation process. It that case, it will be done earlier. A white film on top is good. If the film turns colors, throw the grain away and start over. Give the jar a gentle spin 2-3 times a day. Expect some bubbling to show at the top.

7.  After you have let the solution ferment, strain out the grain fragments and store the liquid in a clean, sealable jar. There you have your rejuvelac!

8.  Give it a taste. It won't taste spectacular, but it should be slightly fizzy and lemony.

9.  Make a green smoothie with a banana, lime, greens, and frozen pineapple.

10.  Discard the used grain.

Now, I want to tell you a little more about the benefits of rejuvelac to convince you that this process is worth the effort.

In our guts exist colonies of bacteria which exist symbiotically with us. These probiotic microorganisms are naturally occurring and serve many important purposes such as the following:

• Protecting against foreign bacteria, yeasts, fungi, and infections
  
• Producing and absorbing vitamins, enzymes, and oxygen
• Improving skin health
• Correcting digestive dysfunction

Antibiotics are the opposite of these probiotics and will seriously compromise your digestive health. If you have ever taken antibiotics, it is necessary to rebuild that healthy ecosystem.

Stress is another killer of healthy gut bacteria. Stress can alter the pH of the system and endanger the delicate balance of microflora.

Microflora is also affected by the food we eat. It lives primarily on bits of undigested plant food. An unhealthy diet may allow less desirable microflora to overgrow and other helpful microflora to die leading to an imbalance. This means we should continuously include in our diets plenty of raw plant food that is high in fiber. Keep in mind that many processed and packaged foods contain anti-biotic substances such as preservatives, pesticides, fungicides, sterilizing agents, etc. that can damage your microflora. Even the chemical additives in your tap water such as fluoride and chlorine can throw off the delicate balance of your digestive ecosystem.

To keep your digestive microflora healthy and plentiful consider the following:

1. Begin consuming more raw, fermented foods such as vinegar, miso, kombucha, and rejuvelac. In addition to my rejuvelac smoothie every morning, I drink 2 tablespoons of raw, apple cider vinegar. I drink it down like a shot. If this is too scary for you, don't hesitate to sweeten it with a bit of raw agave or raw honey. Apple cider vinegar is alkalizing as well as a digestive tonic.
   
2. Eat plenty of raw, organic produce that will provide indigestible starches and cellulose on which the microflora thrives.
   
3. Take a high quality probiotic supplement. If I ever suffer indigestion after consuming a heavy meal, I take 2-3 probiotic supplement capsules, and the stomach ache is gone in less than 30 minutes. Probiotics that have worked for me are Natural Choice Pro-5 Probiotic Blend, Dr. Mercola's Complete Probiotics, and NSI Probiotic 10-20. Read a great article on probiotics here.
   

Sources:
http://www.jonbarron.org/detoxing-health-program/2008-10-27.php
http://www.kalsschool.com/Newsletters/tabid/198/Default.aspx#friendly_flora

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Cuban Dinner & BEANS!

I want to share with you what has been one of my favorite dinners lately. While I don't put myself in any boxes by labeling myself vegan, vegetarian, raw foodist, etc., I absolutely prefer those types of foods. To my great pleasure, all desire for meat, including big, juicy hamburgers, has vanished. A common concern about becoming vegetarian is getting enough protein. Many people don't know where to turn for protein other than to meat. I used to feel this way since I would suffer from low blood sugar, resulting in emotional distress when I had not received sufficient amounts of protein. But today, I find myself very satisfied on a vegetarian/vegan diet. If you would like to eliminate much of your meat consumption but don't know with what to replace it, I would like you to consider the bean.

Today, I want to tell you about the bean and how it can be properly prepared so you can consume it happily with comfort. But first, as I promised, my latest favorite dinner: The Cuban Plate! This will get your mind open and mouth watering for those beans!

There are four different components to prepare, but it is really quite simple once you get to it.

Cuban Black Beans:

1. Prepare about a cup of dry black beans through proper rehydration and heating technique as described later in this article. This will take some planning ahead of time.
   
2. Once you have your beans ready to go, sauté about a half an onion and 3 cloves of garlic (both minced) in coconut oil
   
3. Add the prepared beans to the onions and garlic
   
4. Add about 2 teaspoons of cumin, 1 teaspoon of oregano, 1/2 teaspoon coriander, and 3-4 dashes of apple cider vinegar
   
5. Heat through and let the flavors mingle a bit
   
6. Add sea salt to taste
   

Spanish Rice:

1. Measure white rice and water according to package directions (typically a ratio of 1 part rice to 1 1/2-2 parts water)
   
2. After you bring the water to a boil, add a whole, un-peeled clove of garlic and a chunk of onion
   
3. Add 2 Tbsp. of tomato paste
   
4. Add 2-3 threads of saffron
   
5. Cover and simmer according to package directions
   

Guacamole:

This recipe comes from oneradionetwork.com and can be prepared ahead of time or while the beans and rice are cooking.

Ingredients:

• 2 tomatoes (choose two varieties).
  
• 1/2 onion (your choice of color).
  
• 1 pepper (your choice of type and temperature).
  
• 1 clove garlic.
  
• 1/4 cup fresh cilantro (leaves and stems).
  
• 1/2 Tbsp lemon juice.
  
• 1/2 Tbsp olive oil.
  
• 1/2 Tbsp apple cider vinegar.
  
• 1/2 tsp cumin.
  
• 1/2 tsp coriander.
  
• 2 ripe HAAS avocados
  
• 1/2 Tbsp lime juice
  
• 1/4 tsp sea salt
  

Instructions:

1. Mince garlic, cilantro, cumin and coriander.
   
2. Add lemon, oil and vinegar to spice blend.
   
3. Dice tomato, onion, garlic and add to spice blend.
   
4. Add the avocados and blend ingredients together with potato masher
   
5. Top with lime juice and salt.
   

Delicious!

Coconut Fried Plantains:

Save preparation of this component until last. It should only take 10 minutes maximum.

Buy a plantain from the grocery store that looks very very ripe. I am talking about one that looks beyond your comfort level for normal banana consumption. It should have quite a lot of black on the skin. Even plantains that are completely black are still good. If you get one that is very yellow or green, it will not have any flavor, will be very tough, and will be very disappointing.

Once you have your nearly black plantain, heat a good amount of coconut oil (2 Tbsp, perhaps) in a skillet to medium temperature. While your pan is heating, cut a skin-deep slice all the way down the length of the plantain. From there, you can lop off the top and start peeling off the skin. I like to cut the plantain into wheels about 1/4"-1/2" thick.

Lay each slice in the heated coconut oil and turn them over on their other side when they get to be a toasty, golden brown. When both sides are toasty, serve 'em up!


Combine all four of your attractive dishes on a plate, garnish with cilantro and lime wedge, and enjoy immensely!


Now that your mouth is watering for some delicious cuban black beans, let me talk to you further about the virtues of beans and how they should best be prepared for optimal digestion and assimilation of the nutrients.

What is so great about beans?

• They are extremely inexpensive! $2-3 per lb. dry weight = $0.50/ lb cooked!
  
• They have high protein content. Black beans contain 15 grams of protein per cup.
  
• They possess in abundance minerals such as magnesium, potassium, iron, and phosphorus
  
• They contain B vitamins such as folate and thiamin
  
• They are high in soluble and insoluble fiber!
  

Now that we know why beans are so great, what is the digestive challenge all about?

Legumes as well as grains and seeds possess certain anti-nutrients that allow the seed to survive through the winter and preserve itself until the proper environment for sprouting presents itself. These anti-nutrients are phytates and enzyme inhibitors. Phytates bind to minerals such as iron, calcium, and magnesium and prevent the absorption of the minerals in the body. Enzyme inhibitors block the enzyme's activity, which is to assist in the breakdown and digestion of the protein, sugars, and phytic acid. Beans possess complex sugars (oligosaccarides) that cause digestive discomfort frequently experienced when consumed, hence their reputation as the musical fruit.

The solution around these complications is the use of water, heat, and time! With a few hours of planning you can sprout the bean, which will activate the enzymes to assist in the breakdown of the oligosaccarides and eliminate the phytic acid.

Just follow these steps:

1. Cover the beans in four times their weight in warm water (between 90 and 130 degrees Fahrenheit). The water should also be slightly alkaline, if possible. Rehydration will take between 1 to 4 hours. The enzymes need plenty of time to do their work breaking down the complex sugars and phytic acid. You may let the beans soak overnight for convenience.
   
2. Drain the beans then cover them again with 4 times their weight in water that is heated to 147 degrees Fahrenheit. It is at this temperature the enzymes work the most efficiently. However, for simplicity, generally warm water will still do the trick. Just remember that the enzymes are destroyed at 150 degrees. The soaking also assists in eliminating the sugars as they diffuse out of the bean. Changing the water multiple times will further the diffusion of the sugars out of the bean. A useful tip is to add a strip of the sea vegetable kombu (member of the kelp family) that will help alkalize the water and add alpha-galactosidase, the enzyme which assists in the digestion of the complex sugars.
   
3. After soaking, drain the beans well, add them to a pot with more water, and bring them to a simmer. Adding kombu again will eliminate any oligosaccarides still lurking. Cook the beans until tender.
   

Sources:

http://www.westonaprice.org/foodfeatures/cooking-legumes.html
http://teaching.ucdavis.edu/nut10/handouts/Misc/content.pdf

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Inflammation and Omega-3 Fatty Acids

Scientific research is finding a link between inflammation and a host of seemingly unrelated diseases. The list of inflammation symptoms is long and varied. Some include asthma, diabetes, depression, heart disease, obesity, arthritis, Alzheimer's, osteoporosis, and acne. Possibly, one of the greatest causes of inflammation is an imbalance of essential fatty acids.

The overview on inflammation

Inflammation is a process by which our body's white blood cells and chemicals protect us from infection and foreign substances. Sometimes, the immune system inappropriately triggers an inflammatory response when there is no foreign substance to fight off. This describes autoimmune diseases; the body's normally protective system is causing damage to its own tissues. The body responds as if normal tissues are somehow infected or abnormal.

Inflammation can affect any part of the body including joints and organs. Symptoms can vary widely depending on the affected organ. For example, inflammation of the lungs manifests as asthma.

Inflammation is caused by many things ranging from physical injury to long-term chronic health conditions. An imbalance of essential fatty acids is a huge contributor to inflammation. Omega-3 fatty acids help reduce inflammation while omega-6 fatty acids tend to promote inflammation. An appropriate ratio of these essential fatty acids is near 1:1. The American diet tends to contain 11-30 times more omega-6 to omega-3 because of widespread use of vegetable oils and high consumption of fast food and processed food. This is a significant factor in the rising rate of inflammatory disorders in the United States.

Promoting Healthy Inflammation Response With Omega-3 Fatty Acids

If you are suffering with an inflammatory condition, I urge you to NOT use prescriptions or over-the-counter drugs as treatment. Prescriptions will not make the condition better and probably make it worse. Thousands of Americans die each year by internal bleeding from taking anti-inflammatory medication (NSAIDs). Vioxx alone managed to kill more than 50,000 Americans. Instead, treat your illness naturally by increasing your intake of omega-3 fatty acids. Omega-3 can be found in foods such as walnuts, flax seeds, and fish.

I strongly recommend adding a high quality, potent omega-3 supplement to your diet. A great way to do this is to grind flax seeds and add them to your food (smoothies, granola, homemade energy bars, etc.) It is important, however, to freshly grind the seeds yourself and use them soon thereafter. The Omega oils are delicate and immediately begin to go rancid when exposed to heat, oxygen, and light. You can slow the process by keeping the groud flax seed or oil in a dark, sealed, and cooled container. But optimally, you would eat them ground freshly that day. A trusted source of flax oil and other Omega fatty acid products is Barlene's.

The reason we grind the seeds rather than eat them whole is so the body can actually get at the essential oils. If eaten unground, the seeds will pass right through the digestive tract whole.

More specifically I recommend using the product Moxxor. I stand behind this product for many reasons. It only contains three potent ingredients and no fillers. The ingredients in order of volume are

• Green-Lipped Mussel Oil
  


• Deep Marine Oil from the Hoki Fish
  


• Grape Seed Extract
  

Green-lipped mussel oil has been scientifically proven to be 200 times more effective than other fish and seed oils to achieve an anti-inflammatory action. The mussels are grown and harvested sustainably in their natural environment in the pristine fjords of New Zealand. These green-lipped mussels are not "fed" anything by humans; they merely filter the sea water, taking in the minerals and phytoplankton, and concentrate the nutrients which become the mussel itself. The oil that is extracted from both the mussels and Hoki fish is free of heavy metals and contaminants found in most sea food today. Also, the oil is EPA and DHA omega-3, which is the form that can be immediately utilized by the body. Seed oils (walnut and flax) are ALA omega-3, which requires the body to perform a metabolic process before it can be of benefit. The oil is cold processed; heat is not used in any way which would damage the delicate lipids and destroy the health supporting properties. These marine oils are stabilized by the grape seed extract. The grape seed extract protects the oils from oxidation. These three ingredients are combined in a specific ratio for maximum absorption.

Besides a healthy inflammatory response, omega-3 fatty acids contribute to

• Healthy Skin and Hair
  


• Cardiovascular Health
  


• Improved Cognitive Function and
  


• Balanced Moods
  

You can purchase Moxxor HERE.

Sources:
http://my.clevelandclinic.org/symptoms/Inflammation/hic_Inflammation_What_You_Need_To_Know.aspx
http://www.jigsawhealth.com/articles/chronic_inflammation.html

http://www.naturalnews.com/moxxor_health_benefits.asp?id=julia

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