Hair loss affects both men and women.  While genetics plays a role,  there are other factors, including:  hormonal imbalances, an underactive  thyroid gland, nutrient deficiencies and insufficient scalp circulation.   Here are 12 natural remedies that can help boost hair growth:

Cut back on meat: Hormonal imbalances are a primary culprit  in hair loss.  Japanese researchers also link excessive sebum production in  the scalp to high levels of 5-alpha reductase.  Their research indicated  that animal fat intake may increase sebum production.

Add the herb saw palmetto: A study in the Journal of  Alternative and Complementary Medicine reported that saw palmetto (serenoa  repens) may increase hair growth in men.  Hair growth improved in men  taking 400 mg of a standardized extract of saw palmetto and 100 mg of  beta-sitosterol (from saw palmetto) daily.  Historically, saw palmetto has  been used by herbalists for hair loss in both men and women.

Address a possible underactive thyroid gland  (hypothyroidism) which can cause thinning hair:  Add sea vegetables like  kelp, nori, dulse, kombu and wakame, all of which are rich in iodine may be  helpful to balance this condition.  Avoid drinking tap water since it  typically contains fluorine and chlorine, two chemicals that inhibit iodine  absorption.  You may also want to supplement with 100 mg or 1 mL of the  herb bladderwrack (focus vesiculosus) daily.  Work with a qualified  holistic health care professional if you suspect a sluggish thyroid gland.

Get enough essential fatty acids:  Essential fatty  acids from walnuts, flaxseeds, fish and avocado are also important for healthy  hair.

Boost bioton: Biotin encourages hair and scalp health.   Dietary sources of biotin include: nuts, brown rice and oats.

Boost keratin production with MSM: Methylsulfonylmethane  aids in the production of keratin (a protein in the hair) while doing  double-duty to strengthen hair follicles.  In one study 100 percent of  people who supplemented with MSM showed reduced hair loss and increased growth  in only six weeks.

Rejuvenate hair follicles with B-complex vitamins: 100 mg  daily of a B-complex supplement that includes biotin and vitamin B6 can reduce  hair thinning by increasing scalp circulation and rejuvenating hair  follicles.

Rev up collagen production with vitamin C: Collagen  surrounds the hair strands but as we age collagen breaks down, causing hair to  be more vulnerable to breaking.  The best way to boost collagen is not  through some expensive medical procedure, it’s by getting more vitamin C.   Foods high in vitamin C include: citrus fruits, strawberries and red  peppers.  Supplementing with 250 mg daily can help boost collagen  production which has the added bonus of reducing wrinkling.

Prevent breakage with vitamin E: Vitamin E is required to  nourish damaged hair and to prevent breakage.  It aids the body’s ability  to manufacture keratin within hair strands to reduce breakage.   Supplementing with 400 IU of vitamin E can be helpful to restore locks.

Eat foods rich in iron: Iron is also essential for hair  growth and can be found in blackstrap molasses, green leafy vegetables, leeks,  cashews, dried fruits, figs, and berries.  To help your body absorb iron,  you’ll need enough vitamin C.

Give your hair a mineral boost: The minerals silica and zinc  are also critical for hair growth.  Take 500 mg of silica two times daily  and 30 mg of zinc once daily.

Boost scalp circulation with rosemary essential oil:  Rosemary essential oil has been traditionally used to increase circulation to  the scalp.  Add a few drops per dollop of shampoo or, better yet, add a few  drops of rosemary to coconut oil and massage your scalp regularly.

By Micheelle Schoffro Cook

Michelle Schoffro Cook, MSc, RNCP, ROHP, DNM, PhD is an international  best-selling and 14-time book author and doctor of traditional natural medicine,  whose works include: 60 Seconds  to Slim, Healing Recipes, The  Vitality Diet, Allergy-Proof, Arthritis-Proof, Total Body Detox, The  Life Force Diet, The Ultimate pH Solution, The 4-Week Ultimate Body Detox Plan,  and The Phytozyme Cure.  Check out her natural health resources and  subscribe to her free e-magazine World’s Healthiest News at WorldsHealthiestDiet.com  to receive monthly health news, tips, recipes and more.

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Excellent Health is found along your journey and not just at your destination. Would it make sense for us to spend several minutes together to discuss your Health Issues or Problems and how HealthyHighway can help YOU Live YOUR Optimum Life?   Please complete the information on our Contact Us page to schedule your consultation today!  I look forward to helping YOU Live YOUR Optimum Life!

Live Well!

Leesa A. Wheeler

Healthy Lifestyle Coach, Artisan, Author

ring ~ 770-393-1284

write ~ info@healthyhighway.org

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Discover the amazing health benefits of this ancient PowerFood. Sea  vegetables have a broad range of   medicinal uses and have been used in spas and therapeutic baths for ages.

Popular misconception: Seaweeds are fishy tasting.

Properly harvested, dried, and stored seaweeds do not acquire a fishy  taste.

Seaweeds  are high in nutrients and in general contain more minerals than vegetables,  meat, milk or eggs.

MINERALS: Sea vegetables are excellent sources of most   minerals, especially potassium, sodium, calcium, magnesium, sulfur,  nitrogen, iron, zinc, boron, copper, manganese, chromium, selenium,  bromine,  vanadium and nickel.

VITAMINS: Most sea vegetables are excellent sources of the   known vitamins (A, Bs, especially B12, C, D, E, and K) as well as essential  fatty acids.

I will introduce 5 wild seaweeds that we harvest in our area of  North Coastal BC Canada.

 

1) Bull Kelp (Nereocystis luetkeana)

Nereo: Greek meaning mermaid  Cystis: Greek meaning bladder

Common names: Bullwhip Kelp, Ribbon Kelp, Sea Kelp

Taste: when dry it has fresh salty ocean taste.

How to use in food:

Bull Kelp (once dried) is one of the tastiest seaweeds. It’s fine and   tender, easy to eat, and no cooking or soaking is required. It is usually used  as a seasoning, sprinkled into foods such as salads, soups, quinoa, rice, pasta etc.  Also, try enjoying kelp as a salty  snack. It is on my list of favorite condiments.

Nutrition:

Rich in calcium, magnesium, sodium, iodine, potassium, bromine, phosphorus,  iron, bulk fiber, vitamin B complex, and vitamins A, C, D, E, and K.

Medicinal uses:

Treats Attention Deficit Disorder (ADD), hyperactivity, insomnia, depression,  hostility, schizophrenia, mineral depletion, heartburn, and improves electrical  nerve flow and fibromyalgia.

Baths and Spa uses:

Place a handful of kelp in a piece of cotton. Tie closed. Toss in hot bath.  Squeeze gently and seaweed gel (algin) will be released in bath water. Add gel  to face for a Seaweed facial.

 

3) Kombu (laminaria spp.*) includes L. digitata

Laminaria means thin leaf, digitata means finger

Common names: broadleaf kelp, devil’s apron, horsetail kelp,  finger kelp

Taste: When dry kombu has a salty, natural monosodium  glutamate taste. It is tough and once you chew it, it becomes slimy. Kombu  tastes best when cooked.

How to use in food:

Chop into bite size pieces and cook with your rice, quinoa, stews, and beans  (improves digestibility), shred and pickle, or roast and crumble on food.

Add a peace of Kombu (or Wakame) to beans at they cook.  This will make the beans easier to digest and  stop gas.

Nutrition:

High in iodine, calcium, potassium, magnesium, iron, sodium,  chromium,  protein, mannitol, phosphorus, alginate, fucoidan, laminarin, carotene,  phytohormones, vitamin A, C, D, E, K and B complex vitamins.

Medicinal Uses of Kombu:

Anti-viral, relieves sore joints and muscles, lowers high blood pressure,  improves sleep, heals tissue, treats certain thyroid problems, aids weight loss,  and inhibits tumors.

Baths and Spas uses:

Place a handful of Kombu in a piece of cotton. Tie closed. Toss in hot bath.  Squeeze gently and seaweed gel (Algin) will be released in bath water. Add gel  to face for a Seaweed facial.

 

3) Bladderwrack (Fucus spp.*) includes F. gardneri F.  Vesiculosus

Fucus: greek for seaweed. Bladder, because the seaweed’s air filled bulbs  resemble “bladders.” And, wrack comes from the Old English meaning:  seaweed

Common names: pop weed, rock weed.

Taste: when dry it has a fresh oyster taste with a hint of  iodine. Very flavorful.

How to use in food:

Make a mineral and iodine-rich broth, cook into rice, quinoa, seafood  chowders, soups, and stews. Or, soak, chop, and cook into stir fry.

Nutrition:

Rich in iodine, calcium, potassium, protein, mannitol, phosphorus, alginate,  fucoidan, phytohormones, laminarin, vitamins A, C, D, E, K and B complex  vitamins.

Medicinal Uses of Bladderwrack:

Stimulates the thyroid, detoxifies, aids in weight loss, helps fibromyalgia,  reduces fatigue, strengthens bones, and reduces inflammation. Bladderwrack also improves  mood disorders such as anxiety and depression, and improves memory.

Baths and Spas uses:

Place a handful of Bladderwrack in a piece of cotton. Tie closed. Toss in hot  bath. Squeeze gently and seaweed gel (Algin) will be released in bath water. Add  gel to face for a Seaweed facial.

4) Giant Kelp (Macrocystis integrifolia), Greek meaning  Macro large cystis bladder

Common names: Pacific kelp, brown kelp

Taste: when dry, mild salty taste

How to use in food:

Cook into soups, rice, quinoa, stews, beans, fish chowder. Or, cut into thin strips  and add to stir frys. For a snack, toast kelp in a hot frying pan with no oil.  It takes only seconds and you can eat it like a chip!

Nutrition:

High in algin, mannitol, potassium, sodium, calcium, magnesium, sulfur,  nitrogen, iron, zinc, boron, copper, manganese, chromium,  selenium, bromine,  vanadium, nickel, vitamin A, B vitamins (especially B12), C, D, E, and K, as  well as essential fatty acids.

Medicinal Uses of Macrocystis:

Supports a healthy thyroid, regulates hormones and metabolism, supports the  immune system, provides antioxidants, and keeps your heart healthy.

Baths and Spas uses:

Place a handful of macro in a piece of cotton. Tie closed. Toss in hot bath.  Squeeze gently and seaweed gel (algin) will be released in bath water. Add gel  to face for a seaweed facial.

5) Wakame (Alaria spp.*) includes (Alaria marginata)

Alaria is Greek for wing and wakame is Japanese for young girl.

Common names: winged kelp

Taste: when dry, salty, savoury taste

How to use in food:

Eat as a snack right out of the bag. Chop and cook into rice and quinoa,  soups, casseroles, stews, beans, and toast. Or, grind with a coffee mill and  sprinkle flakes on salads, sandwiches, rice, etc.

Nutrition: high in calcium, protein, iron, magnesium,  sodium,  phosphorus, potassium, chromium, zinc, iodine. Rich in B complex  vitamins, vitamin A, C, and K.

Medicinal Uses of Wakame: Discourages tumors, Detoxifying,  Aids  congestion, Lowers blood pressure, Nourishing to the liver, Purifies the   blood, Prevents arteriosclerosis, Healthy for the skin and hair etc.

Baths and Spas uses: Place a handful of Wakame in a piece  of cotton. Tie closed. Toss in hot bath. Squeeze gently and seaweed gel (algin)  will be released in bath water. Add gel to face for a Seaweed facial.

Enjoy your Sea Vegetables! This article is meant for information  only. Consult a medical professional regarding medical problems and before  making any major  changes in your diet.

References:

Ryan Drum, PhD, AHG Website: www.ryandrum.com

Valerie Cooksley, RN, Author of Seaweed

(Nature’s Secret to Balancing Your Metabolism, Fighting Disease and  Revitalizing Body & Soul)

Louis Druehl, Professor and Author of Pacific Seaweeds (a  guide to common seaweeds of the West Coast)

*species

By Louise Gaudet/ Certified Wildcrafter and Owner  of BC KELP (wild sea  vegetables)

Would you like to know the most convenient was to eat your Sea Vegetables?  Leesa recommends a tasty and convenient way to eat and benefit from Sea Vegetables … Chews4Health! Chews4Health contains Dulse, Kelp, Bladderwrack, and Nori!  Chews taste like a raspberry sweet tart to me! So delicious and so good for you! 

I believe that Excellent Health is found along your journey and not just at your destination.  Would it make sense for us to spend several minutes together to discuss your Health Issues or Problems and how HealthyHighway can help YOU Live YOUR Optimum Life?  Please complete the information here  to schedule your consultation.  I look forward to helping YOU Live YOUR Optimum Life!

Live Well!

Leesa A. Wheeler

Healthy Lifestyle Coach, Artisan, Author

ring ~ 770-393-1284

write ~ info@healthyhighway.org

visit ~ www.HealthyHighway.org

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Your brain controls every function in your body yet we rarely give it a  second thought.  And, few of us choose foods that protect or heal our  brain.  Here are some of the best foods for thought (literally):

1.  Spinach—More than Just for Popeye

A study of middle-aged rats fed diets with added spinach, strawberry extract,  or vitamin E for nine months found that spinach proved most potent in protecting  nerve cells against the effects of aging in two parts of the brain.  More  research needs to be done but it looks like Popeye was building more than  muscles when he ate spinach.

2.  Benefits of Blue for Grey Matter

Blueberries contain a group of plant nutrients called  proanthocyanidins.  Proanthocyanidins have a unique capacity to protect  both the watery and fatty parts of the brain against damage from some  environmental toxins.  Proanthocyanidins decrease free radical activity  within and between brain cells.  Blueberry proanthocyanidins have greater  antioxidant properties than vitamins C and E.  Blueberries appear to have  some of the highest concentrations of these powerful antioxidants.  In  other studies, researchers found that compounds in blueberries may reverse some  age-related memory loss and motor skill decline.

Blueberries are excellent anti-inflammatory agents. They increase the amounts  of compounds called heat-shock proteins that decrease as people age, thereby  causing inflammation and damage, particularly in the brain. By eating  blueberries regularly, research shows that these heat-shock proteins stop  declining and inflammation lessens, not to mention that they just taste  fabulous.

3.  From the Vine to Your Palate

A plant nutrient found in grapes, grape juice and red wine appears to protect  the brain against Alzheimer’s disease.  It’s called resveratrol, and it is  an antioxidant thought to be responsible for many of the purported benefits of  red wine on brain cells.  The researchers found that resveratrol protected  brain cells by mopping up free radicals before they can cause brain  damage.  And while people may prefer to hear that red wine is the best  source, the alcohol in wine is still damaging to brain cells.  Red or  purple grapes are the best option to load up on resveratrol.

4-7.  Omega 3s to Maintain a Healthy Brain (Wild Salmon,  Walnuts, Flax or Hemp Seeds)

The brain is 60% fat and requires healthy fats to reduce inflammation (linked  to most brain disorders) and maintain a healthy blood-brain barrier—a mechanism  intended to protect the brain from harmful substances.  Omega 3 fatty acids  like those found in salmon, walnuts, flax seeds or flax seed oil, or hemp seeds,  help to quell inflammation and support a strong blood-brain barrier, while  boosting our memory.  Be sure to choose only wild salmon  since high levels of mercury and PCBs have been found in farmed salmon and both  of these substances may have adverse effects on the brain.  Also, be sure  to choose raw walnuts, flax or hemp seeds or the oil made from  them since the fats contained in these nuts and seeds can have damaging effects  on brain health when heated.

8.  The Memory-Boosting Power of Tomatoes

Tomatoes contain a powerful memory-boosting phytonutrient called “lycopene.”  Research shows that those who consume lycopene in their daily  diets had sharper memories than those who didn’t consume high amounts of  lycopene.  Tomatoes aren’t the only source.  Another great source of  lycopene is watermelon.

9.  Tea for Two Hemispheres

Researchers found that people who drank two or more cups of tea each day were  less likely to develop Parkinson’s disease.  Black and green tea  (especially green tea) contains potent antioxidants with twenty times the power  to protect against free radicals than vitamin E.  Green tea also lowers the  risk of blood clots and clumping linked to stroke.

By Michelle Schoffro Cook

Michelle Schoffro Cook, MSc, RNCP, ROHP, DNM, PhD is an international  best-selling and 14-time book author and doctor of traditional natural medicine,  whose works include: 60 Seconds  to Slim, Healing Recipes, The  Vitality Diet, Allergy-Proof, Arthritis-Proof, Total Body Detox, The  Life Force Diet, The Ultimate pH Solution, The 4-Week Ultimate Body Detox Plan,  and The Phytozyme Cure.  Check out her natural health resources and  subscribe to her free e-magazine World’s Healthiest News at WorldsHealthiestDiet.com  to receive monthly health news, tips, recipes and more. Follow her on Twitter @mschoffrocook  and Facebook.

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Excellent Health is found along your journey and not just at your destination. Would it make sense for us to spend several minutes together to discuss your Health Issues or Problems and how HealthyHighway can help YOU Live YOUR Optimum Life?  Please complete the information at www.healthyhighway.org/contact.html to schedule your consultation.  I look forward to helping YOU Live YOUR Optimum Life!

Live Well!

Leesa A. Wheeler

Healthy Lifestyle Coach, Artisan, Author

ring ~ 770-393-1284

write ~ info@healthyhighway.org

visit ~ www.HealthyHighway.org

consult ~  www.healthyhighway.org/contact.html

chews ~ www.Chews4Health.com/Leesa

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follow ~ www.twitter.com/HealthyHighway

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As the country prepares to “spring forward” an hour for daylight saving time  this Sunday, it’s important to keep in mind how even a tiny time change can  affect your health.

Studies have shown that the spring daylight saving time shift can impact a  person’s wellbeing in several ways:

Sleep struggles: Interruption in regular sleep patterns is  by far the biggest problem following a daylight saving time shift. Even a small  change in your snooze schedule can knock your natural circadian rhythm out of  whack. The resulting lack of sleep in the days following a clock change can lead  to grogginess and loss of mental acuity. Sleepless nights can also eventually  give you more laugh lines. “Sleep deprivation is a form of stress,” points out  Matthew Mingrone, M.D., lead physician for EOS Sleep California Centers. “It  causes your body to make more steroids which decreases the production collagen  which causes thinning of the skin and wrinkles.” (Discover 6 Secret Ways to Reduce  Stress at Home)

Heart attack hazard: Heart attack rates spike by about five  percent in the days after the March time change, according to a 2008 study  published by researchers from the Karolinska Institutet in Sweden. The same  study showed that there is a subsequent drop in heart  attack occurrences in the fall, when the clocks get turned back.

Worsening willpower: A 2012 study conducted by scientists  from the Penn State Smeal College of Business and Singapore Management  University showed that people are more likely to engage in “cyberloafing”—wasting time on the internet on the Monday after a daylight  saving time change. This inability to focus is a likely result of getting less  sleep. Productivity researchers estimate that the shift may cost businesses  across the country millions of dollars in lost revenue due to decreases in  productivity.

Car crash concerns: Daylight saving time also appears to  impact automobile accident rates. The Monday morning immediately following the “spring forward” time change is riddled with as many as 17 percent more fatal  car crashes than normal, according to Canadian researchers. Experts aren’t in  agreement as to exactly why this occurs, though many speculate that the  phenomenon stems from an increase in sleepy motorists and unsafe  drivers running late for work.

Tips for adjusting to daylight saving time Roth-Maguire and Mingrone offer a few simple steps to help you “spring forward” successfully:

Stick to a routine: Adhering to a regular sleep pattern  (varying the time you go to bed and the time you wake up by no more than 20  minutes) helps keep your internal cycle on track, despite a slight time change,  says Mingrone.

Stay away from sleep disrupters: Caffeine, alcohol,  over-the-counter sleep medications and naps are all no-nos, especially during  the days surrounding daylight saving time, according to Roth-Maguire.

Get some sun: Exposure to natural sunlight helps regulate  your body’s natural rhythms. Depending on where you live, the weather may be too  cold to spend too much time outside, but you can at least pull up the shade and  sit in front of the window for a few minutes.

Work up a sweat: Engaging in some form of cardiovascular  exercise (walking, jogging, biking, swimming) in the late afternoon or early  evening may help you fall asleep easier. If you don’t have the time or energy to  spare, a hot bath can achieve the same result, according to Mingrone, who says  that first raising your body temperature, and then gradually lowering it right  before bed time encourages your body to produce the sleep-inducing hormone,  melatonin.

Practice good sleep “hygiene”: Roth-Maguire says that anyone  having trouble sleeping should ask themselves three questions about their sleep  environment: Is it dark enough? Is it cool enough? Is it quiet enough?

By Anne-Marie Botek, AgingCare.com  Editor

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~Excellent Health is found along your journey and not just at your destination. Would it make sense for us to spend several minutes together to discuss your Health Issues or Problems and how HealthyHighway can help YOU Live YOUR Optimum Life?  Please complete the information at www.healthyhighway.org/contact.html to schedule your consultation.  I look forward to helping YOU Live YOUR Optimum Life!

Live Well!

Leesa A. Wheeler

Healthy Lifestyle Coach, Artisan, Author

ring ~ 770-393-1284

write ~ info@healthyhighway.org

visit ~ www.HealthyHighway.org

consult ~  www.healthyhighway.org/contact.html

chews ~ www.Chews4Health.com/Leesa

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A good while ago, my friend Andy Pipas shared a story that really touched my life.  It was a very simple message, yet I have come to realize that some of the most profound things I have learned in my life are simple in nature.  When I can understand something, I know I will be able to apply it.I think that’s true of most of us.The story is called The Parable of the Pencil.

A pencil maker always took a pencil aside before passing him along to a student.”There are 5 important things you need to know before I send you out into the world,” he told each pencil.”Remember these tips and you will become the best pencil you can be!”

1. You will be able to do many great things, but only if you allow yourself to be guided by someone else.
2. You will experience an uncomfortable sharpening from time to time, but it will help you to become a better pencil.
3. You have the ability, because of your eraser, to correct any mistakes you might make.
4. The most important part of you will always be what is on the inside.
5. You must leave your mark on every surface upon which you are used.

The pencil understood and went forward, excited to share his purpose with an eager student. 

We are all like pencils in many ways.At least one, if not all five of the simple truths found in this parable are needed in our daily life.  Choose from the list today and enjoy moving forward with excitement and purpose in whatever you do!

Isn’t that a great story?  Again I want to thank Andy for sharing it with me many years ago.  It is something I think about often.  I hope you will find a great use for this parable this week, not only as you share it with your family, friends and business associates, but also as you use it and apply it in your own personal life.

Have a great day!  God bless you!

Dr. Robert A. Rohm

Reprinted with permission from the “Tip of the Week”. To subscribe for the free “Tip of the Week” please go to  http://www.personalityinsights.com and receive Dr. Rohm’s weekly Tip every Monday morning.

 

Sometimes it feels like there just aren’t enough hours in the day to get  everything done. And while that may be true to a certain extent, for many of us,  what it really boils down to is that we just aren’t using the time we have as  productively as we could. Luckily, there are several small and painless ways to  get around that. Click through for simple strategies to boost your productivity.  Share your own tips in the comments!

 

 

1. Take a Power Nap.

Several studies have championed the power of the mid-afternoon nap. A 15-20  minute power nap will help you recharge and refocus your energy, as well as  improve your ability to learn and remember information. (The Power Nap: Tips & Benefits)

 

2. Eat Right.

They don’t call it the most important meal of the day for nothing! Skipping  breakfast negatively impacts your focus, productivity, and memory. Keeping your  body fueled throughout the day is important, too. Load up on fresh fruits and  veggies, whole grains, nuts, and even the occasional dark chocolate to keep your  brain at full working capacity. Be sure to drink plenty of water, too!

 

3. Take a Walk… Or a Shower.

In our hyper-connected  world, there are fewer and fewer times in our day when we can just take time to  clear our thoughts. Which is unfortunate, because, often times, this is when our  best ideas come to light. If you’re stuck in a rut, go out for a quick stroll  around the block or, if you can, hop in the shower. You’ll recharge, refresh and  benefit nicely from a change of pace — one study showed a huge jumps in  creativity and productivity when workers took shower breaks during the  day

 

4. Change Lighting & Temperature.

It’s not just habits that can boost your productivity — it’s also your  environment. One Department of Energy study, for instance, found that workers in  offices with exposure to daylight had better health, fewer absences, and, yes,  increased productivity, than workers who were not exposed to daylight.  Temperature plays a role here, too. Rooms that varied too much far from 77  degrees will hinder your ability to get stuff done. Use a fan or an air  conditioner in the summer, and a space heater or a sweater in the winter, to  keep your body at an optimal temperature.

 

5. Look at Photos of  Cute Things.

Don’t mind if I do! Researchers in Japan found that, after viewing pictures  of adorable animals, babies, and other cute things, participants’ concentration  shot up by a whopping 44%. Why, exactly? Well, researchers think it connects to  our natural urge to nurture and protect adorable, harmless creatures — a task  that requires plenty of concentration.

By Katie Waldeck

Katie is a freelance writer focused on pets, food and women’s issues. A  Chicago native and longtime resident of the Pacific Northwest, Katie now lives  in Oakland, California.

 

 

There are dreams that our conscious minds never register. There are dreams  that seem clear when we first wake up but are forgotten as the day goes on. And  then there are dreams so strange and jumbled that they stick with us for days  and even years at a time. These are the ones full of objects and odd occurrences  that practically demand interpretation (or an appointment with a therapist).  Dream dictionaries claim to unlock the meaning behind our sleep sagas. But,  based on the sheer multitude of entries, it’s clear that everything we dream  about is ripe for symbolism. And often, our dreams allude to emotions or  situations we need to confront in our waking hours.

Babies

Babies in dreams are symbols of purity, rebirth, and vulnerability. Again,  it’s important to recognize what’s happening with the baby to figure out how it  relates to your life. A crying or abandoned baby could mean that you’re not  paying enough attention to your own needs. Perhaps you feel especially needy and  vulnerable right now, or you might have doubts about being able to take care of  someone other than yourself.

Work

Who hasn’t had dreams about working? Dreams about your job suggest that  certain work habits need fixing–either not being on-task enough or working too  much. When worries about job performance leak into our subconscious, there’s a  lack of balance somewhere, either in effectiveness or in leisure time.

Bugs

Creepy-crawlies are the manifestation of problems that we’re not facing. Bugs  on your skin mean an unsettling change is taking place in your life. The more  bugs you encounter in your dream, the greater your problems and unconscious  anxieties.

Candles

If the candle is aflame, that might mean good luck’s coming your way, or at  least that there’s a reason to be hopeful. If it’s not lit, the candle could  represent a lack of initiative or not living up to one’s promise. A candle  that’s blown out has to do with leaving something behind, which could be good or  bad.

Death

This makes for a sad dream, but death isn’t as ominous a theme as you’d  think–it’s more about change on the horizon. If someone you know dies in a dream  you have, think about your connection to that person. Is there an aspect of your  relationship that needs changing? Or is there something about the person’s life  that you’d like to see manifesting itself in your own? Death-related dreams  might also be about incoming change or the dreamer’s need to change.

Mirrors

Mirrors in dreams reflect our inner qualities–both how others perceive us and  how we see ourselves. If the mirror is foggy or clouded, however, that means  we’re not seeing things accurately and need to figure out why. Shattering a  mirror is allegedly bad luck in real life, but in the dream world, it represents  breaking away from the inner self.

People

Would you guess the people we encounter in dreams are variations on  ourselves? Pay close attention to these figures, because they represent  personality traits we don’t acknowledge, either because they’re hidden or  because they’re negative. When the person’s a stranger, it usually means the  former; when he or she is familiar, it tends to signify the latter, although it  could also mean that you should take a closer look at the ways in which you  interact with that person in real life, and perhaps change your behavior toward  him or her.

Hair

Hair in our sleep life has multiple meanings, including sensuality,  self-image, and strength. If you’re cutting your hair, that symbolizes taking  power over your life and letting go of unnecessary burdens. Brushing or fixing  your hair alludes to heightened self-consciousness. Hair falling out has to do  with fear of getting old and/or physical weakness.

Tears

If you’re crying in a dream, you’re likely grappling with a pent-up emotion  that you’re not letting go of in real life, and it’s a way for your subconscious  to provide you with the emotional outlet you deny yourself otherwise. If someone  else is crying in your dream, it could be a message to you to be mindful of the  thoughts and feelings of those around you.

Roads

Traveling down a road during a dream is like traveling down the path to your  goals in life. Sometimes it’s windy or full of potholes, which means you have  hardships to overcome. If it’s smooth, you’re making good choices and feel  confident about your future success. And if the road ahead looks dark and  looming, it might indicate that you’re making choices along the way without all  the information you need, which could produce difficult outcomes.

Water

Whether it’s a rushing river or a calm ocean, water represents our emotional  state. Calm, clear water means that we’re generally content and peaceful at the  moment. Murky, rough water suggests we’re feeling overwhelmed by negative  thoughts and not making choices that support our emotional well-being.

By Megan, selected from DivineCaroline

 

 

When it comes to food allergies, U.S. ingredient lists offer a false sense of  security. While eight major foods (milk, eggs, fish and shellfish, tree nuts,  peanuts, wheat, and soy) are estimated to account for 90% of all allergic  reactions, some food additives have become so common that they’re beginning to  account for more and more food allergies.

Many of these don’t need to be clearly labeled at all, and some of them are  simply so difficult to identify that you may not even know what to look for when  reading ingredient lists. Here are four food allergies that are becoming  increasingly common, so much so that you may not be able to protect yourself  from simply by reading food labels.

1. Spices – Spice allergies are estimated to account for  about 2% food allergies — although some allergists believe the  difficulty of diagnosing this condition means the real numbers are higher.  People can react to just about any spice used in cooking, including kitchen  staples like garlic, coriander, cumin, and paprika. Unfortunately, in many  prepared and packaged foods, specific spices aren’t listed as ingredients — and  many restaurants won’t list spices on the menu.

The kitchen isn’t the only place you need to watch out if you have a spice  allergy; many cosmetics, particularly natural cosmetics, use botanical  ingredients which can cause skin reactions as well. In fact, for this reason,  spice allergies are more often seen in women than in men. They often have had  more lifetime exposure to potential allergens.

2. Corn -  No one is sure exactly how many people  suffer from corn allergy, but one study of self-reported reactions estimates it  may be has high as 2%. Corn allergies are notoriously difficult to manage due to  the fact that corn derivatives are used in many packaged foods — and can be labeled with some pretty confusing names. Corn products are also widely used  in prescription and OTC drugs as a filler or binder and are increasingly being  used in biofuels and bioplastics.

3. Seeds – While still not considered a major allergen in the U.S., reactions  to sesame, poppy, sunflower and even mustard seeds are on the rise. Sesame is  actually considered one of the top allergens in several other countries,  including Canada, Israel and parts of Europe. The risk of seed allergies is heightened in people who already have an  existing allergy to tree nuts. Sesame in particular can be found in many  unexpected places, like cosmetics and in many foods.

4. Preservatives – It’s also possible to be allergic to  common preservatives found in packaged foods. Unfortunately, it’s very difficult  to test for reactions to preservatives. Usually the culprit is  identified through a process of elimination — for instance, when the same food  prepared fresh at home causes no problems, but a reaction occurs eating the same  dish from a restaurant. If an allergist can’t identify the specific allergen,  the only solution may be to avoid processed foods entirely. (Even some fresh,  unpackaged foods may be exposed to preservatives to extend their shelf life.)  Current research suggests that about 1% of adults and 2% of children are  allergic to common food preservatives. One class of preservatives, sulfites  (which occur in wine, cured meats, and some dried fruits), is also known to exacerbate  asthma symptoms in some people.

5. Food Coloring – Another increasingly common allergy is to  the dyes used in packaged food. The dyes tartrazine, carmine, annatto, and saffron have all been  reported as causes of severe allergic reactions in some people. Many other food  colorings may also be potential allergens, although the ones I’ve listed are the  most common. Natural food coloring seems to be just as potentially allergenic as artificial dyes.

If you find yourself having unexplained reactions to packaged or prepared  foods (but no issues with food made from scratch), you may have an allergy or  intolerance to one of these common food additives. Talk to your doctor about  testing to uncover which of these common substances may be giving you  trouble.

by Julie M. Rodriguez

Photo credit: Pink  Sherbet Photography via Flickr

When I ask people what they’d like to do for their own happiness projects, they often say something like, “Exercise more regularly.” Exercise is very important for health and mood, and everyone knows this, and yet, it’s often tough for people to stick to an exercise routine.

“Take care of your body. It’s the only place you have to live.” Jim Rohn

I think it’s a mistake to choose a form of exercise based on what your friend recommends, what kind of change to your body you want to see, or what is the fashionable form of exercise. It’s helpful to consider these factors, but in the end, we’re far more likely to stick with an exercise routine that suits our nature and our schedule. If you’re struggling to exercise regularly, this is not the place to fight your nature! If you’ve been a night person all your life, vowing to get up at 5:00 a.m. to run isn’t very realistic.

Ask yourself these questions, and when you’re done, think about what kind of exercise routine would suit you best:

1. Are you a morning person or a night person?

2. Would you like to spend more time in nature?

3. Would you like more time in solitude or more time with friends or more time to meet new people?

4. Are you motivated by competition?

5. Do you enjoy loud music?

6. Do you do better with some form of external accountability, or does that just annoy you?

7. Would you like to challenge yourself with exercise (whether by learning a new skill or pushing yourself physically) or not?

8. Do you like sports and games?

9. Would you like more meditative time or more time to watch TV, read newspapers, etc.?

10. Do you have a lot of control over your time?

11. Are you sensitive to weather?

Your answers should guide your thinking about exercise. Work out with a trainer? Take a class? Be inside or outside? Etc.

For instance, if you’re a morning person who craves solitude and time alone with your thoughts, but has little control over your schedule and hates feeling accountable to anyone, you might enjoy walking in a park every morning before you leave for work.

If you’re a night person who loves music and meeting new people and is also motivated by accountability, you might like to take a dance-based exercise class after work.

Often, people will say, “Go for a twenty minute walk at lunch? That’s nothing. I really need to get in shape.” Don’t let the perfect be the enemy of the good! The twenty-minute walk you take is so much better for you than the three-mile run you never do. You get the biggest health boost going from no exercise to some exercise.

Just a little tweak in a routine sometimes makes a big difference. For instance, to exercise on the weekends, I go for a long walk. Generally, I like to think while I walk, but I do a lot of walking every day, and I found myself getting bored on the long walks, and so, finding excuses to skip them.

One of my Twelve Personal Commandments is to identify the problem. What was the problem? “I’m bored during these walks, so I don’t want to go.” For the first time, I bought myself an audiobook, and for the past few weeks, I’ve been listening to The Golden Compass when I walk. It makes me so happy! I haven’t missed a day’s walk since I started.

How about you? What aspects of your nature and your schedule make it easier—or harder—to stick to an exercise routine? What works for you?

By Gretchen Rubin

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Gretchen Rubin is the author of the #1 New York Times Bestseller The Happiness Project—an account of the year she spent test-driving the wisdom of the ages, current scientific studies, and lessons from popular culture about how to be happier—and the recently released Happier at Home. On her popular blog, The Happiness Project, she reports on her daily adventures in the pursuit of happiness. For more doses of happiness and other happenings, follow Gretchen on Facebook and Twitter.

*Photo Credit: lululemon athletica via Compfight cc

 

 

This time of year, there is info everywhere on how to detoxify your body.  Whatever toxin you want to remove, or part of your body you want to cleanse,  there’s a smoothie for that! Now, I love smoothies, and I believe that physical  detoxification is an essential health practice (especially by eliminating those  toxins to begin with — for my full views you can read Organic Manifesto and Demand Organic!). But I also believe that the most toxic  toxins start in our hearts. And for true health, healing, and happiness that’s  where we need to start. (By the way, I am not a therapist or doctor, just  someone who has personal experience in this area).

The Power of Emotional Healing

Don’t numb it, FEEL it. This is the hardest and first step.  How many different methods do we employ to avoid feeling what we really feel?  Drugs and alcohol are the easiest ways to recognize the numbing effect. But we  can also use food, TV, religion, sports, crafts, or just plain emotional  repression. Yes, emotions can be truly painful, but it’s the pain of living, of  personal growth, of healing. Let yourself feel what’s in your heart. Truly feel  it. Find a safe place and let those feelings wash over you.

Do the forensics and unpeel the layers. Often, what we first  think we are upset about isn’t the true thing that is bothering us. Our emotions  come in layers. The first layer might be anger. I AM ANGRY!!!!!! But when you  peel away the layers, what might truly be driving that is loneliness, or fear,  or hurt. This is where talking with a therapist can really help. Sometimes it  really helps to have someone help us dig out from under all those layers we’ve  covered our hearts in. As a parent, I often find that when a child is cranky or  annoyed, taking time out to sit and talk with them and help them get to the  original feeling can be transformative and enlightening for everyone.

Ask the universe for guidance. Sometimes it can be really  hard to get to the source of what is actually causing us pain or anger. When  that happens, it helps to carve out some quiet time in nature and ask for help.  The universe will often speak back through nature, through “synchronicity,” or  through bringing you teachers, if you are open to it. Sometimes those teachers  come in the form of a book, or a situation and suddenly you realize that yes,  the universe DOES listen! That’s when detoxifying your heart starts to get fun,  because it starts to feel like an adventure.

Replace fear with love. Easier said than done, right? Wrong. It’s easy.  Whenever you feel fear, question it and the situation. Ask yourself, what would  love feel like in this situation instead of fear? The world is filled with  threats and meanness and angry people–but imagine the pain they must be feeling,  the hurt in their hearts! It won’t get any better by adding to it. The key here  is trying to see the world from the other person’s perspective. I think this  gets easier as we age, since we now experience first-hand things our parents  might have felt, for example. It’s like exercise, the more you do it, the easier  it gets. And just like exercise, YOU are the ultimate beneficiary.

Let it out and let it go. This step requires action and the  courage to act, but is key to the healing process. Once you have identified what  is truly the toxin in your heart, the only way to get rid of it is to let it go.  If there is something you need to say to someone. SAY  IT. But say it with love. If there is something you need to do, a change you  need to make, MAKE IT. But make it with love. If there is something you need to  express, but don’t have the words, CREATE IT. But create it with love. Your job  here is not to hurt someone else (although sometimes that happens), but to have  them truly HEAR what you have to say. That doesn’t mean they will change. In  fact, they most certainly won’t. But YOU WILL. You will feel better, lighter,  happier, cleaner.DETOXIFIED!

Forgive yourself. Things will never be perfect. You will  never be perfect. Other people certainly will never be perfect (especially me!).  We will never eliminate every toxin — and in fact, the toxins are there for a  reason — just like all that bacteria in our bodies and world that seems bad and  dirty but in actuality we can’t live without. Every mistake, every wrong action  happened. You can’t change it. All you can do is apologize to the other  person/people and apologize to yourself and vow to learn and grow from it.  That’s living. That’s life! And it’s beautiful in all it’s imperfections, even  ours.

By Maria Rodale