Elixir of Youth: Wine
The key to youth and vitality may be sitting in your own cupboard. Check out how you can benefit from wine and the science behind it.
by Svetlana Konnikova, MA, AN
Researchers have found that resveratrol in red wine is almost an Elixir of Youth and can help to extend your life. What percentage of the worlds centenarians live in the United States? You may be surprised to find that it’s 84%. These people are so lucky to live a whole century and see so many changes in life, science, medicine, history, art, and technical progress that happened during this time.
Dr. David Sinclair, a scientist from the Harvard University, and co-founder of Sirtris Pharmaceuticals found the secret how to stay young and live longer with help of red wine. To be precise, with help of resveratrol, a phytoalexin that is found in dark grapes and red wine. To be honest with you, I would rather drink a glass of good French or Italian red wine to get my dose of the Elixir of Youth–resveratrol-than eat it in pharmaceutical capsules.
So, the moral of the story is, relax, get good rest and good sleep after working week. Pour yourself a glass of rich, burgundy color Cabernet Sauvignon with tones of black currants on palate, sip it slowly, and enjoy.
Svetlana Konnikova, MA, AN is an award-winning author, publisher, consultant, herbalist, researcher and entrepreneur. Svetlana is perhaps best known for writing her latest book, 2009 Gold Mom’s Award Winner, Mama’s Home Remedies: Discover Time-Tested Secrets of Good Health and the Pleasures of Natural Life, which has become a best-selling book worldwide. Visit her blog at http://mamashomeremedies.com/
Why You Need to Cut Back on Salt
According to new research, cutting your salt intake may be more important than you may think. A new study reports that if the United States cut its salt intake by just a half teaspoon a day, we could prevent 92,000 deaths and 99,000 heart attacks a year.
“The [ heart] benefits of reduced salt intake are on par with the benefits of population-wide reductions in tobacco use, obesity, and cholesterol levels,” says Kirsten Bibbins-Domingo, PhD.
The culprit, says researchers, isn’t the saltshaker, but rather the amount of salt in processed foods. According to the U.S. Department of Agriculture, 77% of the salt in our diets comes from processed food.
While food manufacturers aren’t likely to reduce the amount of salt in their products, experts recommend cutting down on these foods and paying special attention to food labels.
A study in the U.K. found that the body adjusted to reduced salt consumption in a matter of weeks. Meaning, once you cut your salt intake, you’ll start to prefer your food with less salt. Win!
Enter to Win our Kleen Kanteen Sweepstakes!
We’re giving away a pair of Kleen Kanteen water bottles! They are portable, lightweight, and best of all, way better than those disposable plastic bottles.
To be entered, simply create a post below telling us your favorite way to work up a sweat. One winner will be chosen at random.
Good Luck!
For complete sweepstakes rules, click here.
New Year, New You – The Ayurveda Way
Good health is a life-long process. Ayurveda, the ancient Indian system of health and longevity offers us many simple yet profound tips for maintaining a lifestyle that can be sustained for an entire lifetime. “Ayur’ means longevity, ‘veda’ means science, this science of longevity is user-friendly and is applicable universally. Ayurveda states that there are three body/mind constitutions that are formed by pairing up the five elements, namely Vata, Pitta and Kapha.
Vata is composed of air and space; and governs all movement within the body. Vata is responsible for nervous system function, respiration, elimination, childbirth and menstruation. Pitta is made up of fire and water and is responsible for digestion and metabolism. Kapha, composed of earth and water is responsible for structure, immune function and mucus production. The greatness of Ayurveda is the wisdom that we are all made of these five elements albeit in varying degrees. To experience health and well-being, these doshas must be balanced by adjusting the individual’s lifestyle and food habits. Read more
Our Dreams are Healing Remedies
Are you a dreamer? Whether you call yourself a dreamer or not, experts say that everyone has several dreams every night. Only those dreams that occur right when you wake up, you are likely to recall. Many are just forgotten. Do you know that how you remember your dreams depends upon your health, your personality, your motivation, new skills, and the part of the world you live in.
by Svetlana Konnikova, MA, AN
I know some people that learned to use their dreams to solve problems, stimulate creativity and desire to be better, and improve their relationships. Other people often ignore and forget about their dreams. Either way, the dreams will come every night for a couple of hours to help you store your memories, sort your feelings, new skills you acquired during day, and to rest your brain.
“Dreams are illustrations from the book you soul is writing about you,” said Marsha Norman, an American playwright, screenwriter, and novelist, who received the 1983 Pulitzer Prize for Drama for her play Night, Mother. The dreams have sparked many genius ideas of the world’s most famous and talented people that later were transferred into the timeless books, music, art masterpieces, brilliant innovations, scientific discoveries and positive actions.
Listen now to Ludwig van Beethoven’s “Moonlight Sonata.” Don’t you think this chef d’oeuvre was written by him because of his pleasant dream? You bet, it came to him from one of his dreams. Beethoven was at this time in love with Giulietta Guiccicardi and dedicated his Sonata No.14, known as “Moonlight Sonata.” Their love relationship came to the end because she chose Count Wenzel von Gallenberg, himself an amateur composer. Their marriage was unhappy, but Beethoven never wanted to unite with her again and forgive her betrayal.
However, this the most acclaimed and influential composers of all time gave to the world his talent and one of the best musical compositions, the unforgettable “Moonlight Sonata.” You can listen to it in the morning when you wake up, and in the middle of a day when you feel upset or unhappy, experience loss of energy, or when you are struggling with problems or disease. You can listen to the “Moonlight Sonata” in the evening before you go to sleep. It’ll calm you down, enhance peace in your soul, and give you a sound sleep. You never get tired of this Beethoven’s timeless masterpiece.
Do you know that Socrates studied music, and the arts because of his insistent dream? Experts say that if you were forced to go without your dreams for more than just a few days, you would become irritable and confused, and you might even hallucinate.
“They tease me now, telling me it was only a dream. But does it matter whether it was a dream or reality, if the dream made known to me the truth?” –Fyodor Dostoevsky (1821-1881), a Russian writer, essayist and philosopher, known for his novels Crime and Punishment, the Idiot and The Brothers Karamazov.
Read our next post about how the dreams can play a major role and inspire different religions, have the power to make heroes, motivate scientific discovery, spark literary and musical genius, and forever change the course of history.
References: The Little Black Book of Dreams: The Essential Guide to Dream Interpretation by Nannette Stone, Peter Pauper Press, Inc., New York, 2006;
Mama’s Home Remedies: Discover Time-Tested Secrets of Good Health and the Pleasures of Natural Living by Svetlana Konnikova, MA, AN, Aurora Publishers, Inc., 2008.
Svetlana Konnikova, MA, AN is an award-winning author, publisher, consultant, herbalist, researcher and entrepreneur. Svetlana is perhaps best known for writing her latest book, 2009 Gold Mom’s Award Winner, Mama’s Home Remedies: Discover Time-Tested Secrets of Good Health and the Pleasures of Natural Life, which has become a best-selling book worldwide. Visit her blog at http://mamashomeremedies.com/
Enter to Win our Aurorae Yoga Mat Giveaway!
Thanks to everyone that entered this generous giveaway from Aurorae. This is now closed. To further your commitment to Finding Bliss in 2010, we’re giving away an Aurorae Yoga Mat! This ultra-thick Yoga Mat provides enough cushioning to protect your joints (no-doubling up!) and is eco-friendly to boot.
To be entered to win this giveaway, simply comment below telling us your favorite yoga pose and why. The winner will receive one (1) Aurorae Yoga Mat in the color of their choice, valued at $49.99.
For complete rules, click here.
3 Secrets of the Super-Fit
Ever check out a super-fit person at the gym and wonder, “How do I get a body like that?” Well, some of it is genetics, but the secret to being ultra-fit is in your hands. Want to know what the pros know? Read on!
The Super-Fit Like to Work Out
Most of us can’t imagine a situation where we’d be simply aching to get to the gym after a few days off. However, most people who are in really great shape need to work out or they just don’t feel right.
The intense desire to exercise can stem from a number of things: an abundance of energy, a need to relax, or an addiction to the high you get from a really great workout. Whatever the reason, people who are in tip-top shape can’t live without it.
The good news is if you aren’t a gym rat, you could become one. Once you get into the habit of working out regularly, you’ll find that you feel better, sleep better and eat better. What beats that?
The Super-Fit Count Every Calorie
It doesn’t matter how many minutes you log in on the treadmill, running off a high-fat meal in one workout is impossible. So even though your fitness model friend looks like she can eat whatever she wants without a care in the world, take comfort in the fact that she can’t.
People who are dedicated to exercise look at their bodies as machines: you get out what you put in. The better you eat, the better you perform.
The Super-Fit Mix it Up
Ever notice a super fit person doing the same workout every single day? We thought not!
To have a body that is strong, flexible and toned, you have to do a variety of workouts. Most people do the same workout over and over again, which leads to boredom and a fitness level that plateaus after time. If you want to be in great shape, you mix your workouts up daily: strength and circuit training, cardio and yoga.
What do you do to keep fit?
22 Natural Remedies to Combat Colds and Flu
Cold and flu season is upon us again. Learn the difference between H1N1 and the regular flu, and how to combat the bugs, naturally.
by Svetlana Konnikova, MA, AN
Do you know that several hundred different viruses cause the common cold and a seasonal flu? You can get infected when sneezing and coughing people near you pass infected droplets into the environment. Usually it happens during cold winter months. However, a cold or flu can strike at any time.
Cold season has already started. At first, the best defense is to be prepared how to prevent these seasonal sicknesses and know the difference in the common cold , H1N1 and seasonal flu symptoms. Try to get proper treatment as soon as you get prickling sensation in the nose. It’s a sign that you must take urgent care of yourself before it’ll get worse.
Let’s see how colds, H1N1 or seasonal flu are different:
Common Cold Symptoms:
Prickling sensation in the nose
Running, and later stuffy, nose
Sneezing
Congestion
Sore throat
Fever
Body aches
Growing cough
Symptoms last 3 to 5 days
H1N1 or Seasonal Flu Symptoms:
Fever
More Painful Body Aches
Diarrhea
Dry Cough
Severe Fatigue
Respiratory Problems
Dehydration
Sources say that it may take testing to determine if you have seasonal flu or H1N1.
If you got a cold, your body sends you a signal that you run down and your immune system is weak. First of all, clean up your body. I don’t use the word ‘detoxify’ because it is so overused. Just try to treat yourself with the following effective, natural healing remedies.
Naturopathy:
1. Make a hot foot bath with a mustard powder. Add 2 tsp. mustard powder to 2 pt. of water. Mix it and put your feet in for 15 minutes. It will enhance the body’s ability to get rid of toxins and will make easier on your immune system to fight the common cold.
2. A hot bath with chamomile or lavender will produce steam you can inhale to clear a stuffy nose and relax the muscles.
3. Prepare a glass of warm mineral water and gargle to relieve a painful throat.
Healing with Herbs and Superfoods:
4. Take two finely sliced garlic cloves and mix with 2-3 tsp. organic raw honey. In my experience, acacia or linden honey are the most effective. Eat this mixture and drink a cup of hot spring water with a piece of squeezed lemon.
Acacia honey is one of my favorites because of its golden clear color, great taste and potential to remain in liquid for a long period of time due to its high concentration of fructose. Linden or Lime Tree honey is also clear and has fresh, balsamic, meadowy flavor and delicate aroma.
5. Drink hot elderflower tea, It’s excellent for almost all cold symptoms. Place in a cup one tsp. (one packet) dried elder flowers or 1 tbsp. fresh elder flowers. Add boiling water and steep for 15 minutes, then strain and drink as is. To make this herbal tea more pleasant, add one 1 tsp. linden or acacia honey and a slice of lemon or lime. Drink several times a day.
6. Put 1-2 tsp. raspberry preserve in a cup with hot spring water. Mix it and drink. It’ll help you to relieve high fever.
7. Take 1-2 capsules Echinacea extract or pour several drops of Echinacea tincture into 1/4 cup with spring water and drink. Echinacea Echinacea Angustofolia) is immune stimulant, anti-inflammatory, antibacterial, blood purifier, antibiotic and antiviral. The same you can do with Astragalus, if Echinacea is not available in area you live.
8. Some organic farms in the U.S.A. and Canada produce organic Echinacea tea blends with delicate flavors of mint, licorice, orange or lemon which are effective natural healers for colds and flu.
9. You can also find in health food stores a very effective treatment for sore throat–Herbal Throat Spray with herbs that have anti-inflammatory and anti-bacterial properties, such as Echinacea mixed with Oregano oil, Astragalus and St. John’s Wort.
10. Eat several times a day oranges. Even one orange a day is a great source of vitamin C which will help you to relieve cold symptoms and block further infection.
11. Eat bell peppers and other vegetables. Drink freshly squeezed juices from carrots, parsley and green apples, as a supply of antioxidant nutrients. It also helps to boost your immune system and makes for faster recovery from colds.
12. Eat white and red, delicious cherries for the same supply of antioxidants and to prevent colds and flu.
13. Eat 1-2 tsp. a day a raw honey from bees who feast on Echinacea flowers. It is an instant boost to your immune system and energy building food.
Falcon Ridge Farms in Canada produces this delicious product which contains all essential minerals necessary for a healthy life. This honey is unprocessed, but just extracted from the honeycombs at room temperature to preserve all natural enzymes. The American Botanical Council states that “Echinacea may be of value for any infection, chronic or acute, but especially where there is not long-term immune deficiency or dysfunction.”
Taking Vitamins and Minerals
14. Drink extra fluids: spring water with a piece of squeezed lemon or lime and 1/2 tbs. honey. Make freshly squeezed juices or steep herbal teas to avoid becoming dehydrated. I like to use pomegranate juice, which also helps with fatigue and loss of energy when you are sick with colds or flu.
15. Some experts recommend to consume 4-6 oz (120-180 g) of fresh protein daily to help build cold-fighting antibodies and enzymes.
16. 1-2 capsules (about 2-3 g) of natural (not synthetic) vitamin C with bioflavonoids daily helps to treat a headache provoked by colds.
17. To relieve pain and irritation in the upper airways, buy zinc gluconate lozenges or Ricola lozenges with mint and lemon that give better effect if sucked rather than chewed or swallowed whole.
18. Drink freshly squeezed juices. Fresh pomegranate juice (8oz) with with one tsp. honey will take away anxiety, fatigue and stress, which deplete levels of immunity.
19. Herbal essential oils help effectively to treat sinus, stuffy nose and painful sore throat. Prepare 2 cups (about (18-20 fl.oz) with boiling water, add 3-4 drops of pine needle essence, 2 drops of clary sage, 2-3 drops of eucalyptus essence, and 1 drop of thyme (optional). Mix it with a special medicinal glass stick. Then inhale to clear throat and sore nasal passages.
20. Keep 1-2 plants with geranium flowers in your bedroom and/or family room to clean the air from dust and bacteria.
21. Place bowls of water with green herbs like basil, parsley or dill on the windowsills to keep the environment moist.
22. When you’ll feel better start doing outdoor exercise, which will help to combat anxiety and stress associated with colds and flu, which deplete levels of immunity.
Good luck in preventing and/or treating colds or flu!
Copyright 2009.
References: Mama’s Home Remedies: Discover Time-Tested Secrets of Good Health and the Pleasures of Natural Living by Svetlana Konnikova, MA, AN, Aurora Publishers, 2008; Complete Well-Being, A Guide to Symptoms and Cures by Dr. Caroline Shreeve, Paragon Books, 2003
Svetlana Konnikova, MA, AN is an award-winning author, publisher, consultant, herbalist, researcher and entrepreneur. Svetlana is perhaps best known for writing her latest book, 2009 Gold Mom’s Award Winner, Mama’s Home Remedies: Discover Time-Tested Secrets of Good Health and the Pleasures of Natural Life, which has become a best-selling book worldwide. Visit her blog at http://mamashomeremedies.com/
5 Herbs to Calm your Nerves
When you’re super-stressed, sometimes taking a deep Belly Breath just doesn’t cut it. Fortunately there are herbs out there that can help you when you’re feeling anxious, nervous or overwhelmed.
These five herbs have been hailed for centuries for their ability to help you chill out. Just as a precaution, you should always check with your doctor before taking any dietary supplement.
Valerian Root
Valerian Root is native to Europe and Asia and was used in ancient Greece to treat a variety of disorders, including minor aches, pains and infections. Today Valerian is used to combat anxiety, tension and insomnia. Try a cup of Valerian tea to take the edge off a rough day. Side effects are usually mild, but if you feel overly fatigued and/or depressed, discontinue to use.
Skullcap
No, this isn’t your kid’s latest favorite band, it’s Scutellaria lateriflora, an herb used to calm the nervous system. It’s native to North America and thrives in a dark-moisture rich environment. Skullcap is pretty powerful, so it’s vital you consult your doctor before taking this herb. Pregnant women should avoid Skullcap all together.
Lemon Balm
Lemon Balm should win the Most Useful Herb award. In addition to being a sedative, it also has antioxidant, antiviral and antibacterial properties, and is a common ingredient in a number of medicines. You can find it in tea or in pill form, but some people like to cook with it. You can toss it in pasta, salad dressing, even cheesecake!
Winter Cherry
Winter Cherry, a.k.a Ashwagandha, is found in India and North America and has been used for centuries to treat inflammation, tumors and of course, tension. Stress-busting properties aside, Winter Cherry has long been used to promote mental health, vitality and immunity. It can be a little hard to digest however, so make sure you begin with a very small dose so not to upset your stomach.
Hops
The Hop is an herb native to Britain that has primarily treats insomnia, but also has a calming effect on the nervous system as well. And yes, it is the same stuff that’s used to flavor beer. Try it in a tea from the store or brew your own at home. You’ll need a teaspoon of hops and 8 ounces of boiling water. Make sure to let the tea steep for at least a couple of hours for the maximum benefit. Enjoy!
How to Take a Belly Breath
Stressed out? It’s time to stop and take a deep belly breath. Here’s how:
Place one or both hands on your belly. Rest your hands there lightly and notice the motion of your belly as you breathe. Again, think of your favorite smells, or loves, and notice what happens in your abdomen as you breathe. Continue this way for a dozen breaths or so–don’t count them, just go for a minute.
Then place one hand on your belly and the other on your heart area, between your nipples. Rest your hands and notice what a comfort it is. There may be a very small, delicate good feeling in just having your hands in touch with these centers of breath. Do this for at least three minutes either sitting comfortably or lying down.
