Healthy Body

In today’s hectic world, stress is an extremely common complaint. Both traditional and alternative medicine offer solutions for stress management. But there is one technique that is specifically dedicated to the management of stress. That technique is called Reiki.

What Is Reiki?

Reiki is a Japanese technique aimed at promoting relaxation and reducing stress. Administered by the laying on of hands, Reiki works by increasing the life energy within us through spirituality. Reiki is a holistic technique, taking into account the mind, body and spirit.

Although Reiki is spiritual in nature, it is not associated with any specific religion. One does not need to have certain religious belief to benefit from it or practice it. The most important principle in Reiki is that of peace and harmony.

Anyone can learn to practice Reiki. It is a simple technique that is passed on by a process called attunement from a Reiki master to his student. There are no intellectual or spiritual requirements to practice Reiki.

How Do Reiki Treatments Work?

During a Reiki treatment, the client usually lays flat. Reiki is also effective, however, when seated or standing. The practitioner places his hands on or near the client’s body in numerous positions. They may be in various places all over the body, or in specific places related to the client’s specific problems. The session generally lasts anywhere from 45 to 90 minutes.

Reiki treatments usually make clients feel very relaxed. They allow one to let go of tension and other negative feelings. When it is over, the client usually feels more positive and at peace.

What Can Reiki Do for Me?

Reiki is based upon the principle that negativity does not only exist in the brain. Negative thoughts and feelings collect in other areas of the body and in the aura. When this occurs, the flow of life force, or Ki, is restricted. As a result, we become stressed, and possibly even physically ill.

Reiki is guided by the Higher Intelligence, so it knows where to go and how to rid the body of restrictions to the flow of Ki. It works on the unconscious part of the mind to eliminate negative thoughts, and it works to remove them from the remainder of the body as well. This causes Ki to flow through unhealthy organs and tissues, allowing them to heal and function properly.

Reiki has never been found to have any negative effects. There are no side effects associated with it, and many who have received Reiki have reported a reduction or elimination of their symptoms. Reiki can be used in conjunction with more traditional medicine or alone. There have been no risks associated with Reiki, so there is no harm in trying it.

There are many reasons why someone might choose to become a vegetarian. Some do so for religious reasons, while others have ethical concerns. Health is another consideration that many vegetarians have. Here are ten reasons why someone might want to be a vegetarian:

1. Religious Beliefs – A number of religions are associated with vegetarianism. Many Buddhists, Hindus, Jains and Sikhs are vegetarians. Judaism does not prescribe a vegetarian diet, but it does place restrictions on the eating of meat.

2. Nutritional Concerns – Many believe that a vegetarian diet is healthier than one that includes meat, and many studies have confirmed the benefits of vegetarianism. Vegetarians usually get more beneficial vitamins and nutrients from their regular diet, and less harmful substances such as saturated fat and cholesterol. These factors are thought to reduce the risk of many diseases and ailments.

3. Food Safety – Many food safety scares have been publicized over the past few decades, and the majority of these have involved meat. The bacteria E. coli is one of the most dreaded food contamination issues, and it is found primarily in meat. Although there have been cases of other foods being contaminated with E. coli, it is acquired through contact with contaminated meat.

4. Animal Rights Concerns – Animal rights is a primary concern of many vegetarians. The production and slaughtering of animals to be used as food is often performed under questionable conditions and with little regard for the animals’ quality of life. This has led many former meat-eaters to turn to vegetarianism.

5. Unwanted Food Additives – Factory farms often dose their poultry and livestock with antibiotics and hormones. These remain in their meat and end up on the tables of those who eat it, often without their knowledge. Those who are concerned about the effects of these additives often become vegans, as the antibiotics and hormones are also present in milk and eggs from the animals.

6. Environmental Concerns – The production of meat and animal products often has adverse effects on the environment. Factory farms are particularly notorious for their disregard of issues such as pollution and sustainability. This is one reason that vegetarianism and environmentalism often go hand in hand.

7. Concern for Laborers – Labor conditions in the meat industry often meet with scrutiny. Human rights are often disregarded, and worker safety often falls by the wayside. Not eating meat is one way to reduce the incidence of these labor violations.

8. Economic Concerns – Some believe that supporting the meat industry promotes world hunger, and there is sound logic behind this argument. The amount of land required to raise one heard of cattle, for example, could produce enough grain or vegetables to feed many times the number of people that the animal would feed over its lifetime.

9. Medical Conditions – People with certain medical conditions may benefit from a vegetarian diet. Prescription of such a diet is particularly common from doctors of alternative medicine.

10. Disease Scares – The Avian flu, hoof and mouth disease, and mad cow disease are examples of some of the disease scares that have been associated with the consumption of meat. These are serious and sometimes life-threatening aliments, and some consumers choose to avoid meat altogether to prevent exposure.

Children often have an intense dislike for vegetables. Sometimes they give in after being presented with a certain vegetable several times, but it’s often a tough fight. So one might imagine that it would be difficult to raise a child on a vegan diet.

Starting Young

If you start young, raising a vegan child is less difficult. Breastfeeding is in accordance with vegan principles, and if you can’t breastfeed there are soy-based formulas available that have no animal products in them. So the first few months are easy when it comes to raising a vegan.

Once the infant is ready for something more than liquids, rice cereal is a good first step. Many non-vegan moms include it in their babies’ diets because it is easily digestible and is unlikely to cause an allergic reaction. Its bland taste also makes it palatable to infants who are just beginning to venture into the world of solid foods.

When your child is eating the rice cereal well, you can begin to introduce other vegan-friendly baby foods. You can buy jars of fruits and vegetables from the grocery store, or you can puree foods at home. Raw, mashed fruits are good to start with, followed by soft-cooked vegetables like sweet potatoes. Legumes and soy products may be introduced at around eight months of age.

When Teething Begins

Children who have begun to sprout teeth can begin to eat raw fruits and vegetables. It is important, however, to serve foods in a way that minimizes the risk of choking. Carrot sticks and peeled apple slices are good to start with.

When your child enters toddlerhood, you can begin to introduce more vegetarian food options. Kids often become picky at this stage, so persistence is crucial. Many traditional favorites of children are available in vegetarian versions, such as the following:

* Spaghetti – This or any other kind of pasta can be prepared with meatless sauce.
* French fries – You can use plant oils or bake instead of fry them.
* Grilled cheese sandwiches – Soy cheese can be substituted for regular cheese.
* Pizza – Use soy cheese and top with vegetables.
* Chicken nuggets – Nuggets made out of soy protein are a good substitute for this favorite of many children.

Most kids on traditional diets eat some foods that are vegan-approved. Here are some foods that vegan and non-vegan children can both enjoy:

* Popcorn
* Mixed fruit
* Trail mix
* Peanut butter and jelly sandwiches
* Pancakes
* Fruit juice

Raising vegan children is pretty easy if you start when they are young. Kids enjoy many fruits and vegetables, and those who have not been exposed to meat and other animal products are more likely to conform to a vegan diet.

Herb gardening has become a popular way to obtain herbs. Fresh herbs are better for cooking, and it is less expensive to grow your own herbs than it is to go out and buy them. But having a great herb garden means allowing herbs to grow in an environment similar to that in which they would be found naturally.

Soil for Your Herb Garden

The soil for your herb garden needs to include a large portion of organic matter in order for your plants to thrive. Sand, silt and clay should make up the remainder of the soil content. It is also of utmost importance that the soil has a pH conducive to herbal growth.

The ideal pH for an herb garden’s soil is 6.5, which is slightly acidic. You can find a garden pH testing kit online or in the gardening departments of many hardware stores. A good testing kit is well worth the money paid for it, because it will give more accurate results than an inexpensive one.

It is also important to make sure that your soil’s composition is good. If it has too much sand in it, your herbs won’t get the nutrients they need. Too much clay will keep the soil from draining properly and may inhibit root growth.

Electronic testers are available that will test pH, fertility, and many other things that will affect your herb garden’s success. If you are serious about herb gardening, one of these may be well worth the investment.

How to Plant Herbs

Starting out your plants indoors is one of the best ways to ensure your herb garden’s success. Doing this on your own will ensure that the plants are not exposed to chemicals like starter plants purchased from a nursery might have been. The best time to start plants indoors is about a month before the first day of spring. Some herbs do not transplant well, however, so be sure to study up on the particular herbs you want to grow before you plant.

In most cases, the larger the seed, the deeper it needs to be planted. Herbs should be planted about six inches apart. If the plant is large when fully grown or tends to spread, more space may be necessary.

Harvesting and Drying Herbs

There are no set dates to harvest most herbs. The plants are ready for harvest when the flower buds appear, but before they are completely open. The time of day is a very important consideration when harvesting. The best time to harvest is early morning, after the dew has evaporated but before the sun is too hot.

The best way to dry herbs, especially those used for cooking, is by air drying them. They should first be washed in cold running water and drained thoroughly. Short-stemmed herbs can be dried in a tray in a dark, warm place. Those with longer stems or branches should be bundled at the ends, placed in a paper bag with the stems sticking out, and hung up. The larger herbs can take 2 to 4 weeks to dry.

Herbs can also be dried with heat or in silica sand. Cooking herbs should not be dried using the silica sand method, and may lose some of their flavor and oils if dried using heat.

Herb gardening comes with a bit of a learning curve, but it’s not much more complicated than flower gardening. And when the time comes to harvest your herbs, all of the work it took to get them to that point will be well worth it.

pH levels are a mystery to many of us. We study them in high school chemistry class, and then we often forget about them completely. But studies have shown that proper pH is essential to good health.

pH stands for “potential for hydrogen”. A pH level refers to the acidity or alkalinity of a substance. A pH of 0-6.9 is acidic, and a pH of 7-14 is alkaline. The optimal pH of the human body is between 7.35 and 7.45, or an average of 7.4. If our pH is too low or too high, it can result in cell damage.

Acidosis

When a person’s pH level falls below 7.35, he is said to have a condition called acidosis. The two types of acidosis are respiratory and metabolic.

Respiratory acidosis occurs as a result of having too much carbon dioxide in the blood because of breathing problems. This often happens in cases of head injuries, brain tumors, and chronic illnesses such as bronchitis, asthma and pneumonia.

Metabolic acidosis is commonly associated with an inability of the kidneys to excrete acid. But it can also occur when there is an increase in the production or accumulation of acids in bodily systems. A well-known form of metabolic acidosis is diabetic ketoacidosis.

In both types of acidosis, the body attempts to compensate for the overabundance of acid. This is accomplished either by adjusting breathing rates to eliminate more carbon dioxide, or by retaining bicarbonate.

Alkalosis

pH levels above 7.45 are known as a condition called alkalosis. As with acidosis, the cause can be respiratory or metabolic.

Respiratory alkalosis is caused by hyperventilation, which causes the body to lose too much carbon dioxide. Metabolic alkalosis can occur when a person has prolonged vomiting or dehydration.

The body attempts to compensate for alkalosis by doing the opposite of what it would do in the case of acidosis:Â It adjusts breathing rates to retain more carbon dioxide or eliminates bicarbonate.

What to Do About Improper pH

The body’s efforts to balance these conditions balance the overall pH, but they often result in too much acid or alkali in one part of the body and not enough in another. For this reason, it is important to try to avoid these conditions as much as possible. This can be accomplished by eating foods that increase or decrease our bodies’ pH levels.

Your doctor can perform blood pH tests, but it is also possible to test your pH at home. You can get pH Hydrion test paper at your local pharmacy. It comes in a small roll, and can be used to test your saliva or urine. These tests are not as accurate as those obtained from your doctor, because saliva is usually more acidic than blood and urine pH varies throughout the day. But the test can give you a general idea of where your pH stands.

It is shocking how many dangerous chemicals the average person has in their home. Everyday cleaning products often contain substances that can be harmful to the environment, pets and humans. Making our own cleaners allows us to control what is in them, but it can be tricky to figure out what ingredients can be safely used on what surfaces. Making your own glass cleaner is a good start. Here are five natural glass cleaners that you can mix up at home:

#1: Vinegar is a great window cleaner. You can either use it full strength, or mix it half-and-half with water. The scent takes some getting used to, and it will burn if you get it in your eyes, but vinegar is very safe and effective.

#2: 1/2 cup of lemon juice and 2 cups of water makes a pleasant-smelling glass cleaner. You could also add in a small amount of castile soap for greater effectiveness.

#3: Many naturalists use cornstarch in their natural glass cleaner mixtures. It is said to reduce streaking. 1 tablespoon of cornstarch can be mixed with a quart of warm water and 1/4 cup of white vinegar. For best results, clean windows with this mixture when it’s shady so that the sun doesn’t cause them to dry too quickly.

#4: Rubbing alcohol is good for cleaning windows, and it helps prevent frost in the wintertime as an added bonus. 1/2 cup of rubbing alcohol to 1 quart of water is enough to be effective. Be sure that the area is well ventilated when cleaning with rubbing alcohol, and keep the mixture out of the reach of children.

#5: If you have been using store-bought cleaners to clean your windows, a natural cleaner could cause streaks due to the residue left behind by those cleaners. To prevent this, wash windows with a mixture of 1/4 cup of castile soap, 1 cup of vinegar, and one gallon of water. After this initial cleaning, your natural cleaners should do a nice job of keeping the windows clean and streak free.

In addition to making your own natural cleaners, cleaning windows with old newspapers has several benefits. It is cheaper than using paper towels, it further protects from streaking, it doesn’t leave lint behind, and it reduces waste.

Making our own homemade natural glass cleaners is a great way to make our homes safer and help protect the environment from the harsh chemicals that can be found in commercial formulations. You probably have most or all of the ingredients you need in your home already, and if you don’t they can be purchased very inexpensively at a grocery or discount store. While it’s always a good idea to keep cleaners where children can’t reach them, most of these cleaners are non-toxic and virtually harmless.

Wood furniture is beautiful, and it is important to give our most prized pieces some tender, loving care. That means preventing spills on them and polishing regularly. Most store-bought furniture polishes, however, are full of chemicals that can be unsafe and not environmentally friendly. But there are natural ingredients that can be used to make safer and less expensive furniture polish. Here are five recipes:

#1: 10 drops of lemon oil, 2 tablespoons of lemon juice, and a small amount of olive oil. This mixture is great for everyday dusting. The key is to get the right kind of lemon oil. Many brands contain petroleum distillates, which are not environmentally friendly. You can find pure lemon oil at an herb store or online.

#2: 1/4 cup of vinegar and a few drops of jojoba (if you can’t find jojoba, olive oil is an acceptable substitute). The type of vinegar you should use depends on the type of wood you are polishing. Apple cider vinegar is slightly more effective, but it could stain lighter woods. If you are concerned about staining, use white vinegar instead.

#3: 2 1/2 ounces of olive oil, 1 1/2 ounces of coconut oil, 1 ounce of beeswax, 1 ounce of carnauba wax, and 4 ounces of distilled water. Put oils and waxes in a double boiler and melt them, then pour in the water and mix thoroughly. Rub the mixture into your furniture and work in with a soft cloth.

#4: Juice of one lemon, 1 teaspoon of olive oil, and 1 teaspoon of water. Put a thin coat on furniture, let sit for a few minutes, and buff with a soft cloth.

#5: 1/8 cup of linseed oil, 1/8 cup of vinegar, and 1/4 cup of lemon juice. Linseed oil has a pleasant fragrance and polishes well. But it is important to get the food-grade kind, as the type found in hardware stores contains ingredients that may dry your furniture out.

When mixing your own cleaners, it’s important to consider the shelf life of the ingredients. Most oils and lemon juice can turn rancid, but some will last longer than others. Vinegar has an unlimited shelf life, and it is a preservative, so cleaners containing it will last much longer.

Making your own furniture polish allows you to be in control of its ingredients. That means you don’t have to worry about having an allergic reaction or exposing yourself and your family to substances that may be harmful to your health. It also means that you can be more considerate of the environment than using store-bought polishes will allow. Natural furniture polish provides an inexpensive and effective way to care for your furniture and protect your family and the environment at the same time.

Herb gardening has become a popular pastime. Herbs not only add beauty to the landscape, they are also useful. Herbs can be used in cooking, medicine, and more. Beginning herb gardeners often have a hard time deciding which herbs to plant in their gardens. It would be impossible to plant them all in one garden. So here are five of the best:

1. Calendula is a member of the marigold family. Also known as pot marigold, calendula is smaller and more fragile than the marigolds we plant in our flower gardens. Calendula has numerous uses for both health and beauty. It fights fungal infections, assists in digestion, and can cure diaper rash. It can also be used to make skin cream, and a strong infusion can be used to lighten hair.

2. Basil can survive in a little or a lot of sun and is easy to care for. Its flowers are beautiful, and it can be used in a variety of dishes. Although it is known for its use in Italian food, it also goes well with many meats and vegetables.

3. Lavender: Lavender’s beautiful purple flowers and sweet fragrance are a favorite of gardeners everywhere. And lavender is also one of the most useful herbs around. Culinary uses of lavender include making syrup for jellies and flavoring fruit salad, milk and cream. Lavender is famed for its aromatherapy qualities. It can also be infused and applied to soothe insect bites, or its oil can be used on the temples for headaches. Some enjoy lavender tea before bedtime, claiming that it helps them sleep better.

4. Garlic: while garlic is not known for its pleasant scent, the plant has been used for medicinal and cooking purposes for many years. Garlic is a powerful antibacterial agent, and it can help prevent colds and the flu. It also reduces cholesterol, lowers blood pressure, and is thought to offer some protection against cancer.

5. Goldenrod Goldenrod makes a beautiful border plant for your herb garden, and it also has a number of medicinal uses. It is anti-inflammatory, antiseptic and antifungal. Goldenrod can be used reduce phlegm when suffering from respiratory infections, to get rid of varicose veins, and to ease the pain of colic.

There are many more useful herbs that one could plant in an herb garden. The herbs you should plant depend on whether you want herbs that are for cooking, fragrance, or medicinal purposes. Some herbalists plant a specific type of herb garden, while others grow a combination of all three. No matter why you are growing herbs, it is important to consider the amount of sun your garden gets and what type of soil it has. Herbs can be a wonderful addition to your landscape, but each one has its own specific needs.

Herbs are often some of the most important ingredients in recipes. They give Mom’s lasagna that special touch, add a distinctive flavor to Grandma’s pastries, and make Dad’s pickles the best around. But there is much more to herbs than just cooking.

Beauty Herbs

Many herbs are known for their beauty, and herb gardens are often planted just for looks. But herbs can also be used in skin creams to soften skin or treat skin conditions, or in hair treatments to lighten, darken, or moisturize the hair.

Chamomile can be infused in milk to make a great cleanser for oily skin. Mint can be used to make a good toner, and rosemary infusions can darken and condition hair. These are just a few of the many beauty uses of herbs.

Aromatic Herbs

Herbs are frequently used in gardens for their wonderful scent. Herbs such as lavender, hyssop and bergamot are often planted for both their beauty and their lovely smell. These characteristics make gardens easy on the eyes and a pleasure to walk by.

Fragrant herbs are often used in potpourri. They are also used in many formulations for aromatherapy. The aforementioned lavender, for example, has a soothing scent that is used to calm nerves and promote restful sleep. Herb stores often carry essential oils for use in aromatherapy, and many products such as lotions, soaps and shampoos also make use of herbal aromatherapy.

Medicinal Herbs

Herbal medicine has been around for centuries, and it is still thriving today. Herbs provide relief from a wide variety of ailments, and they often have fewer and less severe side effects than the chemicals offered by traditional medicines. It’s no wonder that more and more people are becoming interested in herbal remedies.

You don’t have to go to the herb shop to get an herbal remedy. You can grow the herbs you need right in your own garden. Herbs such as chamomile and garlic, for example, have a number of medicinal uses and can easily be grown in an herb garden.

Culinary Herbs

Although cooking isn’t the only thing you can do with herbs, it is one of the most fun. Fresh herbs can be used to make a variety of delicious dishes. And some herbs can be used for medicinal, culinary, and beauty or aromatic purposes. Herbs such as sage, rosemary and thyme have a variety of cooking uses, and can be used for other purposes as well.

There are many herbs that you can grow in your garden, and most of those herbs have multiple uses. They are nice to look at and smell, and they may add flavor to your favorite dish, soothe your worries away with their scent, or cure what ails you.

Do you have headaches, dizziness or mood swings? Have you experienced nausea, diarrhea or abdominal pain? Did you know that all of these symptoms and more have been associated with the consumption of aspartame?

The History of Aspartame

Aspartame is a popular artificial sweetener that is sold under the names NutraSweet and Equal. Discovered by accident in 1965, the sweetener was not approved until 1981 due to concerns about studies linking it to cancer. Restrictions remained in place until 1996, when the FDA approved aspartame for use in all food products.

The approval of aspartame was surrounded with controversy. Studies have linked it to brain tumors, brain lesions, and lymphoma, as well as a long list of side effects. There has also been debate about the possibility of conflicts of interest during the approval process.

Aspartame Side Effects

The FDA has received reports of at least ninety-two side effects associated with aspartame. These include the following:

* Headaches
* Dizziness
* Mood swings
* Vomiting or nausea
* Abdominal cramps
* Vision problems
* Diarrhoea
* Memory loss
* Fatigue
* Rash or hives
* Sleep disturbances
* Change in heart rate
* Seizures and convulsions
* Difficulty breathing
What Happens to Aspartame Once It Enters the Body?

Aspartame is broken down by the body into three substances. These are methanol, phenylalanine and aspartic acid. Each of these substances can have alarming effects on the body.

Methanol is converted to formaldehyde by the body. Known for its use as an embalming fluid, formaldehyde is not something that many people willingly put into their bodies. Whether the amount of formaldehyde that is produced by the breaking down of aspartame is cause for concern has been the source of some debate by scientists, but it has been proven that low levels of methanol and formaldehyde are toxic.

Phenyalanine is an amino acid. It is generally considered safe for everyone except for sufferers of phenylketonuria (PKU), a somewhat rare genetic disease. But it has been argued that high levels of the substance could cause neurological damage, especially in fetuses. Pregnant women are therefore advised not to consume aspartame.

Aspartic acid is known to be an excitotoxin. A type of neurotoxin, excitotoxins have been known to damage brain and nerve cells. This can potentially cause a number of chronic diseases.

Conversion to DKP

Studies have shown that aspartame converts to aspartylphenylalanine diketopiperazine, a form of DKP, over time. Scientists believe that the DKP may undergo a process in the stomach that produces a chemical linked to the formation of brain tumors. There have been few human studies regarding the matter.

Studies and first-hand accounts have linked aspartame to numerous ailments. Those who have experienced symptoms linked to aspartame may see relief when they quit using the sweetener or products containing it. If you have any of these symptoms and traditional medicine has failed to get rid of them, it may be worth a try.
Sources:

http://www.ehponline.org/members/2005/8711/8711.pdf
http://aspartametruth.com/arizona.html
“Increasing Brain Tumor Rates: Is There a Link to Aspartame?” Journal of Neuropathology and Experimental Neurology
“Does Aspartame Cause Human Brain Cancer,” Journal of Advancement in Medicine
http://www.dorway.com/monte84.html
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/sites/entrez?cmd=Retrieve&db=pubmed&dopt=AbstractPlus&list_uids=7854587
“Determination of aspartame and its breakdown products in soft drinks by reverse-phase chromatography with UV detection,”
Wing Sum Tsang, Margaret A. Clarke, and Frederick W. Parrish