Walking For Excercise & Wellbeing
Posted on | January 3, 2009 | No Comments
Walking may just be the perfect exercise. It doesn’t take special equipment. You don’t need an appointment. It’s free. It’s easy. You don’t need athletic skills or training. You can do it almost anywhere. And, it’s good for your health.
Physical health
Walking increases lung capacity and blood circulation, which decreases the risk for heart disease. It can slow the process of osteoporosis. It helps with diabetes treatment. A walk before dinner aids digestion. By reducing stress, walking lowers the risk for a variety of ailments. Walking helps develop physical stamina and build muscles. Walking is an important aid to weight loss. It’s good for balance and it can slow the loss of mobility in elderly people.
Emotional health
Walking is calming and relaxing. The orderly and repetitive movement of limbs helps organize thoughts and feelings. A walk restores a sense of wellbeing and a positive state of mind. Anger and anxiety subside after a walk. Walking and talking is a great way to make friends. More and more mental health professionals use walking as part of therapy. The physical act of walking helps people move beyond emotional barriers to express their thoughts and feelings.
How much is enough?
Experts disagree on how much walking is needed to see health benefits. Estimates vary from one-half hour three times a week to four to six kilometers a day. Age, gender, and physical condition all affect how much walking is enough. We do know that walking at a moderately brisk pace of 15 minutes per mile burns up about 170 calories. Don’t get stuck on the details of how much to walk; any regular walking is better than no walking!
Walking with others
Some people like the solitude of walking alone, but others prefer company. If you can’t convince a neighbor to walk with you in the morning or a coworker to go with you at lunchtime, consider joining a walking club. Many communities have walking clubs that meet once or several times a week to walk in nature or at the shopping mall. Or take a walking tour; it’s a great way to explore new places with other people who like active vacations.
Safety
As with any physical activity, there is some risk, but the risk of getting injured from walking is small. If you experience pain or other symptoms see your health care provider before continuing your walking program. If you have serious health problems it’s a good idea to check with your doctor before you start any new exercise, even walking. Wear comfortable shoes that fit you well. Good traction on the soles will prevent slipping. Be careful walking on wet or icy surfaces. Choose a safe route. If you have to walk in traffic, always walk facing the traffic. Wear bright or light clothing to help drivers see you. Wear a head-lamp or carry a flashlight at night. Don’t over do it. Start slow and easy; build distance and speed gradually.
Now get out and walk!
Alternative Medicene – Cats Claw
Posted on | December 11, 2008 | No Comments
The economic climate has left many people feeling a little down in the dumps with money concerns. A more cost effective way to look after our health is now even more important or better still, prevention rather than cure. Cat’s claw (Uncaria tomentosa) has been shown to offer a huge array of therapeutic actions and is currently drawing a huge amount of attention in health-care. Because cat’s claw has anti-tumor, anti-inflammatory, and anti-viral capabilities, it is currently being used through-out Europe for the treatment of cancer, aids, arthritis, and several other degenerative diseases.
Cat’s Claw is a tropical vine from the rain-forest and jungle areas in South America and Asia. Many cultures refer to the plant as the Sacred Herb of the Rain Forest and when you consider it’s many uses you can understand why the so deserving title.
I very much doubt that there is anyone out there who doesn’t wish to know how to reduce their risk of cancer or how to protect ourselves from toxins and pollutants, how to boost their immune system to fight off new viral strains and bacterial diseases, not to mention the ability to aid in the prevention of premature aging and degenerative diseases. Cat’s claw was traditionally used by Peruvian natives in a variety of applications. They apply it’s leaves for headaches, use teas for infections including influenza, and have placed plants in antipyretic baths for fevers. In Peru Cats Claw is now a protected resource.
Cat’s claw can be taken in many forms including a dry powdered form that is usually available in gelatin capsules; compressed tablets; a decoction or tea; or a liquid suspension. Some experts feel that cat’s claw extracts have not yet proven their potency and therefore they recommend taking reliable sources of the plant which use the inner bark of the vine. The alkaloid content of some plants can vary significantly because of many differing factors, so only reputable sources of cat’s claw are recommended to be purchased.
Many studies that have taken place in Europe have shown that cat’s claw has extremely low toxicity, even when it is taken in large doses. Anyone who has had a transplant or any pregnant or nursing women should not take cat’s claw. Taking cat’s claw can potentially cause diarrhea or adjust bowel consistency in some people.
So what does science say about this miraculous herb? Well to be honest there are no surprises when I tell you that they state there is not enough scientific evidence to determine whether cat’s claw works for any health problem, including arthritis, HIV, or cancer. Small studies in humans have shown a possible benefit of cat’s claw in osteoarthritis and rheumatoid arthritis, but no large trials have been done.
Well they are not ruling it out are they and how many times can you recall watching the news and these so called studies are telling us that something we enjoy or take one minute is bad for us and then the next it is good for you and has actually been found to cure some sickly disease. I for one will be adding Cats Claw to my morning routine of healthy supplements.
Boji Stones – Alternative Healing
Posted on | April 15, 2008 | No Comments
So what exactly are Boji Stones? Boji Stones are rumored to possess balancing powers, they are natures balancers and energisers, they look like small dark grey to black rocks. Their powers were discovered by Master Healer and Boji land owner Karen Gillespie of Boji Stones INC. They are found among fossils and petrified bones near slate. As the rain washes away the slate, Boji’s emerge on stems looking like rock mushrooms.
For optimum effect they should be used in pairs, a male stone (crystallized) and female (smooth). The owner and founder of Boji stones claims that using them can aid in physical balancing and the healing of a variety of physical conditions. Those who are sensitive to vibrations of stones note an immediate sensation of energy when the rocks are held. It is claimed that the Boji’s are held together by the energy within them which can be augmented by the loving attention of their owners, and if the stones are neglected they will gradually turn to dust.
When using Boji stones for balancing the body, use the male on the left hand side of the body and the female on the right side, for healing the male stone should be placed to the left of the weakness. When using a pair of Boji’s, start by holding them as you would two magnets. While holding them in your fingers, move them back and fourth from each other. If you do not feel a slight pushing and pulling sensation, turn one Boji over and repeat until you feel this slight sensation. The way they are facing each other when you get the strongest feeling is the side of the Boji that you lay on the body.
Boji’s are not magnetic, but they have a balanced polarity and do work best when the polarity is set correct. By applying a Boji to a hurt area on the body it takes away pain and you will heal faster. You don’t have to believe in the Boji for them to work. If considering a purchase of true Boji Stones always check to see if it has the Certificate of authenticity which is issued by Karen Gillespie. Want to purchase some? Check Availability Here..
Emotional Freedom Techniques – EFT
Posted on | March 15, 2008 | No Comments
EFT is an easy and powerful technique which you can do for yourself. It is the gentle, non-invasive technique of tapping different points on the upper body in order to relieve unwelcome emotional states. EFT has proven successful in thousands of clinical cases. It applies to just about every emotional, health and performance issue you can name.
It is the contemporary application of methods used over 4,500 years ago. It works with the meridian energy system (just like acupuncture) within your body to relieve disrupted energy leaving the energy flowing easily and naturally.
It helps;
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Overcome unwanted emotions such as guilt, fear, shame and anger.
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Change unwanted habits and behavior including limiting self-talk.
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Enhance your abilities to love and succeed and enjoy life.
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Allows those using it to have greater emotional control, inner peace and effectiveness in the world.
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It does all these things quickly, often in minutes.
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It brings freedom.
Courses vary in price depending on how much you wish to learn with many venues offering one day tuition, there are also various books and DVD’s demonstrating the basics of learning how to perform EFT on yourself.
Good And Bad Carbohydrates
Posted on | February 17, 2008 | No Comments
So what actually are Carbohydrates?
Carbohydrates are the bodies most desirable fuel source providing us with the energy we need and burn in every day life. They come from a wide array of foods including, fruit, rice, beans, vegetables, milk, potatoes, biscuits, pasta and apple pie. The digestive system handles all carbohydrates in much the same way – it breaks them down (or tries to break them down) into single sugar molecules, since only these are small enough to absorb into the bloodstream. It also converts most digestible carbohydrates into glucose (also known as blood sugar), because cells are designed to use this as a universal energy source. This is why carbohydrates can make us feel energetic.
When talking of diets, you will often hear dieticians telling you to stick to only good carbohydrate foods and to avoid bad ones, but what are good carbohydrates and which are those to avoid? Good carbohydrates are those that are still in (or at least similar to) their natural state. They are foods that have not been processed or altered by man or machine.
Good carbohydrates are generally high in fiber giving you energy over longer periods of time. They also give you a sense of feeling full and not empty. Foods that are high in fiber help to lower cholesterol levels, as well as aiding the body in toxin removal. A few examples of good carbohydrate foods are: Fruits, Vegetables, Whole grain pasta, Whole grain cereal, Seeds, Beans, Nuts and some dairy products.
Bad carbohydrate foods are generally loaded with many additives, including colorings, flavorings and preservatives. The problem is that most bad carbohydrate foods are usually very tasteful and they are generally considered harmful to the body because they are not easily digested and they cause spikes in an individual’s blood glucose level. Bad carbohydrate foods include candy, baked goods with refined white flour, white pasta, and soda.
Eating too many bad carbohydrate is a recipe for gaining weight. The calories in them are quite dense but nutritionally scarce meaning you will take in a lot of calories but very little fuel. They offer very little appetite holding power because they have no fiber or protein and as a result you will soon be left with an empty tummy feeling and searching for more food. Take for example a bag of crisps, they hold around 500 calories a bag, this is 40% of a females daily intake who might be on a weight management program. The crisps contain no fuel so within the hour the body would be sending more signals to the brain that it needs more fuel meaning another intake of fuel.
Whenever possible, replace highly processed grains, cereals, and sugars with minimally processed whole-grain products and ensure you have at least five serves of fruit and vegetables daily. If you would like to read more on this then I can suggest you look for a book by Dr Michael Spira – Weight Loss Now And Forever. The book looks at dieting without counting calories, instead you ensure you only eat Good Carbohydrates.
Mr Michael Spira is quoted as stating “Missing meals does not work – we are fat because we are starving – fact not fiction! A recent study in the American Journal of Preventive Medicine found that 60% of those who try to lose weight do so by restricting calorie intake, and 1 in 10 skip meals to strip off pounds. This leads to the ‘yo-yo’ effect where you put it all on again. The reason? For man food was not always easy to find so we are designed to store fat for times of starvation. If you starve your body to lose weight and then eat again, your body will immediately store fat in readiness for the next time you starve again! So don’t miss breakfast! In truth people who skip breakfast are 450% more likely to be overweight! They train their bodies to store fat.
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