The Blueberry – Natures Blue Wonder Fruit

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Summer time means loads of blueberries are ripe for picking. You may be eating tons of blueberries this time of year because they taste great, but these amazing berries are also great for your body. My friend Stuart sent me a guest post for you my lovelies to learn more reasons to stock up on blueberries while they’re in season! Thanks Stuart Smile

Ever look at a Blueberry and wonder, why am I eating this little blue berry? What benefits are hidden in this little sweet berry?

Well here is a little about the wondrous superpowers hidden in this little sweet and wondrous blue fruit.

Blueberries are a very powerful antioxidant for your health and wellness, offering great benefits to the nervous system.  Extensive research data has also shown that blueberry consumption has significant brain health enhancing powers.  Not only does blueberries consumption offer improved brain health, but it has also have been linked to significantly slow down the progression of cognitive deterioration associated with aging.

We all know that berries in general are considered to be low in terms of glycemic index, and recent studies have found that those who ate 3 servings of low glycemic fruit per day saw a significant improvement in their blood sugar regulation over a 3 month period (Hemoglobin A1c).

Another one of the great powers of our little Blueberry is that it carries a tremendous amount of oxidative powers shown to have a strong effect on cardiovascular performance and assisting the entire body in its fight against cancer, especially colon cancer by keeping the digestive track healthy.  Aside for being beneficial to cardiovascular health, incorporating blueberries into your diet can have  a tremendously positive effect on HDL  levels, (Good cholesterol) helps to lower triglycerides, and also protects LDL Levels (Bad cholesterol) from oxygen damage which can cause blood vessel and clogging, which in turn will keep your heart healthy giving you a healthy blood pressure level and  a healthy functioning heart.

Now that you have learned just a small bit of what Blueberries offer you, and how important it is to utilize the great powers they possess, make the special effort to include them to your diet by adding them to cereals, smoothies or just enjoy them freshly washed out of the box. But most of all …ENJOY!

We all are aware of the health benefits of ginger and its cleansing powers. Check out this great recipe combining both ginger and blueberries  giving you a great refreshing treat and a powerful antioxidant punch.

Wild Blueberry-Ginger Juice

Just one of the 120 new drink recipes from Chill: Deliciously Fresh Ways to Drink to your Health – a new recipe book by our friends at Cooking Light. Want to read more? Find out more blueberry facts + recipes when you follow @WildBBerries4U on Twitter or by checking out this “Chill” Wild About Health Blog.

Ingredients

· 1/2 cup sugar

· 1/2 cup water

· 1/4 cup coarsely chopped peeled fresh ginger

· 6 (2-inch-long) strips lemon rind

· 4 cups wild blueberries

· 2 teaspoons grated peeled fresh ginger

· 2 (10-ounce) bottles club soda, chilled

· Ice cubes

· Lemon rind strips or lemon slices (optional)

Preparation

1. Combine first 4 ingredients in a medium saucepan. Bring to a boil, stirring until sugar dissolves. Remove from heat; let stand 15 minutes. Place pan in a large ice-filled bowl for 5 minutes or until cold. Pour syrup through a sieve into a pitcher; discard solids.

2. Place half of wild blueberries and grated ginger in a blender; process 20 seconds or until smooth. Pour wild blueberry puree through a sieve into pitcher, pressing with the back of a spoon to remove as much juice as possible; discard solids. Stir juice into syrup mixture. Repeat procedure with remaining wild blueberries and grated ginger. Cover and refrigerate until ready to serve.

3. Gently stir club soda into wild blueberry mixture. Serve immediately over ice. Garnish with lemon rind strips or slices, if desired. Serves 5 (serving size: about 1 cup)

Nutritional Information per Serving
CALORIES 151; FAT 0.4g (sat 0.1g, mono 0.1g, poly 0.2g); PROTEIN 1g; CARB 38.7g; FIBER 3.2g; CHOL 0mg; IRON 0.4mg; SODIUM 26mg; CALC 17mg

+ Stu Lieberman has been writing about Medical, Health and Beauty Supplies for 3 years; from Vitamins and Supplements to Therapy Equipment to Online Medical Supplies Stu uses MedicalSupply123.com for all his personal medical needs.

Guest Post: 5 Do It Yourself Beauty Tips

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My friend Stuart offered to send me a guest post from his client Medial Supply 123. These are great DIY beauty tips using supplies you most likely have on hand in your home. I learned something new today about exfoliating, read on for the details! Thanks for the great tips Medical Supply 123 Smile

1. When brushing your teeth using baking soda can make them whiter. Some of those teeth whitening kits can be real expensive. All you need to do is mix one tablespoon of baking soda with three drops of hydrogen peroxide then use it as a toothpaste SMILE instant teeth whitening without the price.

2. Do you spend lots on shaving cream? All you need to do is shave your legs with hair conditioner that’s right, simply use hair conditioner instead. It’s moisturizing, makes the hairs softer and therefore easier to shave.

3. Do you like to use face masks. They make you feel all refreshed when done. Why don’t you try using honey as a face mask. Honey (raw honey) has antibacterial properties and is very effective at helping acne-prone skin. All you need to do is leave on your face for 10 minutes, wash off with warm water and that is it and if some drips into your mouthy consider that as a bonus.

4. Do you exfoliate? Did you know you can use an orange? The acid that is in the orange along with the Vitamin C makes it excellent to exfoliate with. It is simple just cut an orange in half and use on your knees and elbows.

5. Here is an easy tip for you so you don’t get bumpy irritated legs. Shave your legs last, do it at the end of your shower when the warm water has been beating down on your legs this will have opened up your pores and the hair will be softer.

These are just 5 Do It Yourself beauty tips for you. Simple Easy as 1..2…3

This article has been provided by www.medicalsupply123.com. Medical Supplies and Health Supplies at discounted prices. They offers essentials for your medical needs to home therapy to vitamins and supplements. Medicalsupply123.com wants you to have a positive and pleasant online shopping experience, just quality service, giving you quick shipping, rock bottom prices, and a hassle free experience. MedicalSupply123.com is not affiliated with this blog and isn’t responsible for content outside of this article.

Simple Steps To A Healthier You!

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Do you want to eat healthier but think it’s too complicated or means only eating salads? There are so many simple steps you can take to enhance your health. It starts by taking action today and jumping in for the challenge! You are worth it and wouldn’t it be wonderful to feel great and look fabulous, and have a healthy?

Top 10 Tips to a Healthier You:

  1. Add creamy avocado slices to your burgers and sandwiches instead of mayo or fancy aioli (i.e. mayo) spreads.
  2. Skip the deep-fried french fries and order baked sweet potato instead or grilled veggies.
  3. Start the day with a big glass of water and squeeze a whole lemon or lime in the glass, this will hydrate and alkalize your body instantly! You’ll hydrate and get a boost of energy first thing in the morning.
  4. Make quinoa instead of white rice, they both take 20 minutes to cook. Quinoa is a superfood and contains more protein, fiber, and healthy nutrients than white rice. It’s absorbed slower in your body for sustained energy too.
  5. Upgrade your peanut butter to one made with just peanuts and salt, skip the ones with added sugars and oils. Try almond butter too.
  6. Switch from conventional milk to Organic milk or yogurt. Organic dairy tastes better and it’s not full of antibiotics, pesticides, herbicides, or added hormones.
  7. Shred carrot or zucchini into your favorite pasta sauce. It will thicken it up and add tons of nutrients!
  8. Make kale chips for a snack instead of fried potato chips. Check out Michelle’s of www.FindYourBalanceHealth.com tasty kale chips tips and recipe: http://findyourbalancehealth.com/2012/08/how-to-make-the-perfect-kale-chip/ Kick up the flavor with chili-lime kale chips: http://findyourbalancehealth.com/2010/07/chili-lime-kale-chips/
  9. Skip the coffee and drink green tea. Why you ask? Green tea is chock full of antioxidants and is an alkalizing drink, coffee is highly acidic and can disrupt digestion, cause jitters and keep you up late. Green tea contains far less caffeine so you get a milder lift. Choose decaf green tea or herbal tea later in the day so it won’t interrupt your sleep cycle.
  10. Eat organic apples! They are on the dirty dozen list rated for higher pesticides than other produce. Check out the EWG (Environmental Working Group) list for the full dirty dozen list: http://www.ewg.org/foodnews/summary.php to be in the know of produce is highly recommended to purchase organic. Also, check out the clean fifteen list on the same page that reveals the 15 fruits and veggies with the least amount of pesticides so you can skip organic.

Join me for my Realfood Challenge!! E-mail me at:  totalhealthcounseling@gmail.com for more info.

Those are my top 10 ways to a healthier you! What are your best tips to get healthy? Please share Smile

Healthy Tips From Vitacost: Organic Shopping 101

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We hear about Organic foods a lot these days and it can be confusing when to spend a little extra and what you are really getting for your hard earned cash. Vitacost.com sent me an excellent guest post to share with you the 411 on how to decipher organics when you’re filling your cart to feed yourself and family. Thank you Vitacost!!

By: +Elizabeth Lotts writer for Vitacost.com

The organic versus non-organic decision is still a cart-stopper in the grocery store. Which fruits are healthier when grown organically? Which vegetables? What about that box of crackers? Trying to pick the cream of the crop becomes a chore within a chore when you don’t know the ”why” and “what” factors. All you need is a quick, Organic Shopping 101 course to narrow the selection and get you to the check-out line in record time.

First, determine why you are shopping organic so your selection doesn’t feel so fruitless. If you need to justify (to yourself or your budget-conscious significant other) why you’re spending a little more on certain items, then consider these reasons:

  • Organic means farmers use no antibiotics and no growth hormones, grow produce within sanitary and spacious facilities and use the fewest conventional pesticides
  • No GMOs– organic foods are not genetically modified in any way
  • A smaller carbon footprint–organic farms use the most sustainable methods to promote biodiversity and a healthy eco-system
  • Cleaner water, soil and air–pesticides from conventional farming can intoxicate the water supply, wildlife and the atmosphere

If these reasons don’t inspire you to go organic for every single purchase, consider that it doesn’t have to be an all-or-nothing situation. Just keep in mind that certain conventional fruits and veggies are produced with a high number of pesticides– these, you should buy organic.

Fruit:

– Apples

– Any berries (strawberries, blueberries, raspberries, etc.)

– Nectarines

– Peaches

– Pears

– Cherries

– Grapes (imported variety)

Veggies:

– Leafy greens (spinach, kale, lettuce)

– Bell peppers

– Carrots

– Celery

Meat, eggs and dairy: The organic options ensure animals are provided healthy living conditions, organic feed and adequate treatment for injuries or illness. When buying organic in the refrigerated aisles, select “all of the above.”

Crackers, cookies, cereals, coffee and anything else in a box or bag: This is an open-ended question, which means you can pick and choose which of these are better organic based on your preferences of taste, brand, price and/or variety. The same rules apply, though: organic cereals must contain all organic ingredients. If your mixed berry granola claims it’s organic, then it was made with organic berries. (Hint: buy only as much as you need. Packaged goods usually find a place in the pantry for many months, but organic versions have a shorter shelf-life due to their lack of artificial preservatives.)

Your final exam: Make your shopping list and match the items on it with the groceries above. If you study the organic foods and brands you prefer, then you won’t second-guess yourself!

This article has been provided by the folks at Vitacost.com who has been selling discount vitamins since 1994. They have grown into one of the biggest online marketplaces for healthy living essentials-with vitamins and supplements being just one of their many helpful categories! They sell everything from Coq10 to Raspberry Ketones. Vitacost.com’s customers mean the world to them, and it’s their goal to provide you with the best nutritional supplements, health foods and sports nutrition toarticles on the benefits of probiotics. Be sure to check out Vitacost Coupons for discounts. Vitacost.com is not affiliated with this blog, and isn’t responsible for content outside of this article.

Raising Healthy Kids: Creative Ways to Encourage Physical Fitness

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I have a wonderful guest post from Vitacost.com to share with you! These days kids are in the spotlight when it comes to keeping our families healthy and making sure they get enough physical activity. Here are some great tips for you!

By: +Elizabeth Lotts writer for Vitacost.com

When it comes to getting your kids physically fit, think outside of the sandbox. It’s been ingrained in us that our children need to play ball games: football, basketball, baseball, volleyball…These are all great activities for budding jocks, but not everyone’s a sports fan. No sweat. There’s an activity for every personality.

Here is a guide for finding the best fit for keeping your child fit.

1. Does your child like playing music (i.e. beating your pots and pans with kitchen spoons)?

Look into activities that let your child be expressive, such as:

§ Hip-hop dance lessons – it’s like Zumba for kids!

§ Cheerleading/ tumbling/gymnastics – great strength and confidence-builders

2. Does your child have a hard time focusing?

Developing a mind-body-balance can help kids understand how to respect their bodies while cultivating important mental skills, too. They’ll stretch their bodies’ limits with these:

§ Kid yoga – holding each pose takes mental and physical strength

§ Martial arts – very disciplined and requires full attention

3. Do you notice your child holding back in big groups?

Help your little one break out of her shell by finding activities that don’t require teams, like:

§ Kid-tailored triathlon training – extremely rewarding when she realizes she can do not only one sport, but three!

§ Horseback riding – expensive, yes, but the value of learning how to care for an animal will go far, instilling self-confidence, responsibility and independence

4. Is your child very scientific and inquisitive?

Play up their love for discovery with outdoor adventures. Some ideas to consider:

§ Spelunking – a.k.a. cave exploration that can dig up a slew of history lessons

§ Scavenger hunts – create your own clue-driven obstacle course in the backyard or a local park

Some of these activities overlap and can work for several different personalities. The idea is not to limit your kids’ imagination or skill-set. Join in the fun and games to lead by example; you’ll get some exercise, and your kids will benefit from your support. For total health and well-being, let your kids have fun and enjoy whatever activity they choose.

This article has been provided by the folks at Vitacost.com. They know that a healthy lifestyle is more than organic vitamins and natural supplements.  That’s why Vitacost.com offers essentials for your home, your baby, your pantry, your beauty routine – even your furry, four-legged friends! Since 1994, Vitacost.com has been taking the cost out of healthy living. Vitacost has specialty shops that include Kosher Foods to a Vegan lifestyle. You can shop over 35,000 products from your computer, tablet or smartphone with just a click of a button. Some might say Vitacost.com is the silver platter of healthy living, take a look at Vitacost Coupons for discounts and savings – let them serve you. Vitacost.com is not affiliated with this blog and isn’t responsible for content outside of this article.