Learn to live pain-free. Join us for a free lesson and learn techniques to:

• Reduce or eliminate back pain, neck pain, and other muscle or joint pain
• Prevent muscle and joint degeneration and injury
• Increase your energy, stamina, and flexibility
• Reduce stress and improve your appearance

Fantastic and inexpensive book with photos galore (these pictures are really worth a thousand words):

Free Gokhale Method wallpaper and handouts: Remind yourself of a world before back pain with these beautiful photographs; Learn the Shoulder Roll and review healthy sitting, standing and moving while working at your computer

You will learn the three essential tools during this event for increasing your resilience capacity. These tools have helped thousands of individuals from all walks of life. Goelitz and Moor will draw from a wealth of professional stories and personal experience to present detailed strategies that can help you recharge your inner battery.

Webinar Topics:
• Resilience is the energy stored in your inner battery.
• What charges and what drains your inner battery?
• Monitor and manage your energy expenditures intelligently.
• Coherence-related research that documents improvements for over 8,000 people.
• Build a new baseline.
• Prep for your day.
• Sustain your energy.
• Reset when you lose your equilibrium.
• Set up an action plan: Practices to help you prep, sustain and reset during the day.

Dr. Group recommends organic unfiltered apple cider vinegar, a tablespoon in a little bit of water, to eliminate heartburn. This seems counterintuitive in that apple cider vinegar increases stomach acid to aid digestion before meals. But there are many testimonials claiming it works.

He also likes to use baking soda (bicarbonate of soda, not baking powder), which actually shoots alkalinity way up. A tablespoon in a half cup of water can give immediate relief from heartburn. An ounce or two of unprocessed Aloe Vera juice is good for heartburn and stomach ulcers.

Dr. Andrew Weil advises using DGL (deglycyrrhizinated licorice) in chewable tablets or powder. He recommends chewing a couple of tablets or taking a half-teaspoon of the powder in water as often as it takes to get relief. He also likes slippery elm for soothing the esophagus.

Another counterintuitive remedy is a half or full teaspoon of 40,000 heat unit (minimum) cayenne powder in water. Many claim it works. Master Herbalist John Christopher cured his stomach ulcer this way. Cayenne is also an inexpensive heart tonic.

Alkaline water ia another natural treatment for acid reflux symptoms. Other common remedies include eating bananas, a teaspoon of baking soda in eight ounces of water, chamomile tea, ginger, aloe vera juice, turmeric, and apple cider vinegar.

Long term solutions from Dr. Edward Group

In addition to the usual lifestyle changes in order to lose stomach fat — eating right, cutting back on sugar, alcohol, and caffeine, moderate exercise, and relaxation — Dr. Group recommends increasing intake of digestive enzymes.

This can be done by juicing frequently, and by eating more organic raw foods, or supplementing. Cooking or processing food destroys enzymes, considered by many to be more vital than vitamins and minerals because it takes enzymes to metabolize them.

Increasing probiotics is always a good idea. Homemade milk or water kefirs, and foods such as miso and homemade sauerkraut are potent and economical probiotic foods. Less economical but conveniently accessible probiotic supplements are also available.

He also recommends high vitamin D intake and using real sea salt. Before undertaking drastic dietary changes, Dr. Group recommends doing colon cleansing enemas then graduating to coffee enemas for the liver. All this may seem to be too much for handling mere heartburn.

However, in addition to eliminating or avoiding acid reflux, all of these recommendations are essential for overall health.

Immunity, as well as good physiological and mental health depends more on a healthy gut than even many health professionals realize.

Five best homeopathic remedies for the treatment of heartburn, GERD and acid reflux

Nux Vomica

One of the main remedies for most digestive complaints is Nux Vomica. The individual may complain of stomach pains of all types including burning, bloating, aching, constipation, nausea, belching and the feeling of stomach digest and acid backing up into the throat. His personality characteristics, which help determine this remedy, are a brusque temperament — similar to the overworked, high powered business man who is very intense. He or she may be bossy and easy to anger. This individual often eats and drinks alcohol in excess. He desires coffee, spicy food, fatty foods and other stimulants. The person needing Nux vomica is inclined to overdo everything, all of which contribute to his acid reflux symptoms.

Arsenicum album

The person needing Arsenicum album for acid reflux disease may complain of burning pains felt in the stomach with food backing up into the esophagus. This is accompanied by burning pains all the way up to the throat. There may be severe, watery, burning, yellow diarrhea. Many of the symptoms will feel better while drinking hot drinks like tea, or by applying hot applications, like a heating pad. They may be thirsty for small, frequent sips of cold water, their mental state may be anxious, restless and fearful of being left alone.

Phosphorus

The patient needing homeopathic phosphorus for heartburn will complain about burning pains felt in the abdomen, bloating and a feeling of fullness accompanied by great thirst for icy cold drinks, which are vomited back up shortly after becoming warm in the stomach. Belching and vomiting of undigested food are characteristic of the person needing phosphorus. The person is mild-mannered, and seeks company and affection.

Pulsatilla

The person needing pulsatilla complains of feeling the sensation of a hole being burned in their stomach accompanied by flatulence. They may feel over-stuffed after eating and want to loosen their clothing for relief. Their personality is sweet, gentle, whiny and tearful. Others may feel very protective and sympathetic toward them. They are afraid of being alone and desires lots of sympathy. They may have cravings for ice cream, fatty foods, and pastries, which make them feel worse, and aggravate the reflux.

Carbo vegetabilis

The individual needing carbo vegetabilis has heartburn characterized by belching, bloating, heaviness in the stomach and chest and distress from eating simple, plain foods. The person may have an aversion to foods like meats, milk and fats. A very common characteristic of the individual needing carbo vegetablis, is that they have a great desire for fresh air or for being fanned during attacks. The heartburn creates burning pains extending from the stomach toward the back and the patient experiences temporary relief from these symptoms during belching.

Learn more:

• http://www.naturalnews.com/038064_homeopathic_remedies_heartburn_GERD.html#ixzz2FN6AuI3e
• http://www.naturalnews.com/035720_acid_reflux_natural_remedies_heartburn.html#ixzz2FN4i5NW9

So when will our mega-pharmacies (Wal-Mart, CVS, Walgreens, Rite-Aid) step up and start taking prescription containers back from customers to recycle? It is insane they are used once and tossed. The thought of millions of little plastic bottles makes me ill, and there is no way around it. So better late than never, GSK, on recycling disposable inhalers. Both the pharmaceutical conglomerates (drug cookers) and the pharmacies (drug dealers) need start recycling all the disposables they are constantly pushing on all of us.

The U.S. arm of British medical giant GlaxoSmithKline recently launched an inhaler recycling program to combat the ever-increasing problem of inhalers winding up in landfills. Currently the program is available in 31 markets, including most major U.S. cities.

1. The process begins with the patient bringing their used inhaler to their local pharmacy, which is then put in a prepaid package and sent to a recycling plant.
2. There, the inhalers are disassembled.
3. The plastics are recovered to make household products like hangers, flower pots and more.
4. The leftover gasses are recovered and reused and metal canisters are recycled fully.
5. The inhalers are not recycled to produce new inhalers, according to the company.

Nearly 26 million Americans are living with asthma and 50 million suffer from various forms of allergies, many of whom regularly use respiratory inhalers. The company hopes to cut waste by 25% by 2015 and be fully carbon neutral by 2050.

Due to a lot of position feedback about 20 Best Creative Products You Can Actually Buy, we decided to do a Part II, which brings you more creative products you can never think of. Creativity refers to a person creates something new that has some kind of value. It can be a product, solution, artwork, etc.

Today we have showcased 20 Best Creative Products You Can Actually Buy Part II. Why not spice your life up a little and make your friends jealous? All of these item listed below was handpicked based on originality. We hope you will enjoy the following cool, clever and creative products.

OSTRICH PILLOW offers a micro environment in which to take a warm and comfortable power nap at ease. It is neither a pillow, nor cushion, bed or garment, but a bit of each all at the same time. It’s soothing cave-like interior shelters and isolates both your head and hands, perfect for a power nap. You can use the Ostrich Pillow at your desk, on a bench, on the train or while you wait at the airport. Link to official Ostrich Pillow site.

Organizing (and practical) principles that help keep clutter at bay

Uncluttering is a process, not something that happens overnight or that has an end point. Sometimes getting more organized can feel overwhelming and chaotic, but there are some basic principles you can use to stay focused on maintaining order. Here are five practical tips I often share with my clients (and use myself). They tend to be useful for many situations and can help you conquer clutter.

01. Use positive self-talk

It can be very easy to let negative thoughts clutter your mind, especially if you find it challenging to master a particular organizing strategy. And, since your actions are typically driven by your thoughts, you can find yourself feeling down and stressed, two emotions that can stop your uncluttering plans in its tracks.

Though your goals may seem daunting at first, remember that it’s normal to meet upon a few stumbling blocks. But, and this is the good part, you will get through it as long as you keep trying. Replace negative self-talk (“I will never get this place organized”) with more positive statements (“I’m getting more organized by doing a little at a time”). And, coordinate your uncluttering with things that put you in a better mood, like playing your favorite music, exercising, or calling a friend who makes you laugh. You’ll feel less stressed and be able to get more done.

02. Wait before making impulse purchases

Whimsical purchases can really creep up on you, even when you have your list in hand as you’re shopping. The tricky little buggers appeal to your sensitive nature and convince you to leave the store with them immediately (because they’re special and just right for you). If you don’t get them straight away, who knows what catastrophes might happen?!

Rather than making an impulsive purchase, regain some emotional (and wallet) control by focusing on your list and waiting 24 to 48 hours before buying “that thing.” You could stretch that timeframe to 30 days, if you wish. Usually, after a bit of time to to think it through, you’ll come to a better decision about whether or not to buy it. That doesn’t mean you won’t go back to the store to collect that special item. It simply means you’ll give yourself adequate time to think it through before taking it home with you. This can save you some time and another trip to the store if you decide that you don’t want/need it afterall.

03. Use the “one in, one out” rule

Another way to limit those impulse buys is to think about the one thing you currently own that you’ll let go of when/if you bring the new item home. This also gives you some time to consider if you truly love (and need) the new item. If you’re working on uncluttering, you might even use the “one in, two out” rule to raise the stakes a bit.

04. Use lists/checklists

Without a list, you will be lost. Yes, I know there are people who can keep entire novels in their heads and remember every detail. Most of us are not like that, so why rely on your memory when you can just write things down (or do some smart phone data entry)? Lists are great for capturing just about anything and can help you remember things you don’t do on a regular basis, or you might otherwise forget because you’re feeling stressed or rushing around a lot.

Two of the most common ways people use lists is to record their to do’s and needed grocery items. But, you can also use them to keep track of:

• Favorite travel supplies
• Places you’d like to visit
• Seasonal maintenance activies
• New processes (like a new filing system or steps to completing a new project)
• Ingredients for a new recipe
• Home improvement ideas
• Your bucket list
• Things you’re going to donate

05. When leaving a room, always take something with you

One of the things I often ask my clients to do after an organizing session is to maintain the order that has been created in the space we worked in. The goal is to keep the momentum going and encourage organizing activities so these actions can become part of the client’s regular routine. A fairly easy way to maintain an area is to leave it better than how you found it. Before leaving a room, take something with you that doesn’t belong (like glasses from the coffee table to the kitchen, mail on the kitchen counter to the mail processing station). These small steps can go a very long way to helping you keep things looking and feeling the way you want them to.

06. Use vertical space

Organizing products can save you from having stuff strewn about your home, office, and car. But, sometimes those products can have big footprints and take up a quite a bit of floor space. “Going up” or using vertical space (walls, backs of doors) removes that hindrance and gives you another option to store your stuff. You can still mount products without permanently installing them by using adhesive-backed products (like Command Hooks by 3M).

07. Create habits and routines that work for you

“We are what we repeatedly do; excellence, then, is not an act but a habit.” — Aristotle

Being able to keep things in order is hinged on routines. If those routines fit your lifestyle, are easy to follow, and you (or others you delegate to) keep up with them regularly, you’ll have a greater chance of kicking clutter in the arse. Organizing strategies are not one-size-fits-all, so be sure to test a few to find the ones that mesh well with your current lifestyle.

08. Everything must have a home

When the items in our homes and offices don’t have a designated space to live, you may find them scattered about in several areas. You might also be tempted to throw them all in a box to review later. In reality, though, when the time comes to sort through them, they’ll probably continue residing in that box if there’s still no specific place for them to permanently go. The good news is that once they have a home, you’ll be able to put them back where they belong (instead of putting them down) and find them easily when you need them.

09. Keep frequently used items easily accessible

It can be extremely frustrating if you always have to move other things to get access to the items you use often. You’ll also end up wasting a bit of time and chances are, you probably won’t put anything back in place because of how difficult it is to reach them. Instead, put the things you use frequently close by and in the same place all the time (your favorite pen and notebook on your desk, your keys on the hook by the door, your earbuds in the gadget box). Put the other things that you don’t use all the time on a high shelf (or behind your frequently used items).

10. Group like items together

By now, this rule of thumb is probably permanently etched in your mind. I say this tongue in cheek, but I couldn’t leave it off the list because it works extremely well. When you gather all the similar items in your home or office, you immediately know how big your stash is and you avoid buying duplicates. Which also means you’ll be saving a bit of money and add a few minutes to your day because you won’t be searching high and low for your stuff.

11. Don’t buy something simply because it’s on sale

…or because you have lots of coupons. Getting a great deal on something you’ve had your eye on can make you feel happy, almost triumphant, especially when that thing is something that you need and will use. But, sometimes sales can tempt us to buy things that we don’t use or even like. The result can be an overgrown pile of things that gather dust and take up space that could be used for things that you actually use. Before opening your wallet, think about how much you and your family will realistically use the product you’re about to buy. If you won’t really use it, why not share the deal (or coupon) with someone who really needs it?

Los Angeles based artist Marina DeBris began picking up trash on local beaches, creeks & streets over 13 years ago. 3 years ago she began to create pieces of art that question the use of single use items and the amount of waste we create. Washed Up: Pollution Reborn As Art

Good collection of recycling videos.

1. Planting perennials that give off mosquito-repelling volatiles (scientifically proven to be equal to or more effective than DEET).
2. Create non-toxic traps (with only 3 ingredients).
3. Try any other number of non-toxic alternatives listed below. *There is zero chance (0%) none of these work! Try out a few of these and you will find at least one that works; the more you try the more you find work great! When one of these works for you, spread the word to neighbors, friends and family members.

Five Most Mosquito-Repellent Plants:

1. rose-scented monarda
2. lime basil
3. catnip
4. sacred basil
5. thyme

All of these plants should thrive throughout most of North America and would make a lovely display on or near your patio or deck. You can use these plants as natural mosquito repellents in two ways:

1. Rub the fresh leaves on your clothes and skin when you head outside, and reapply as needed.
2. Grow them close to the areas where you spend time outside, and toss small branches of the plants on your patio before picnics or other gatherings. As you and guests stroll over the branches, mosquito-repellent scents will naturally waft into the air.

More on this below…

If you need immediate results, make your own

Homemade Mosquito Traps

Though female mosquitoes need a blood meal in order to lay eggs, both male and female mosquitoes are fueled by flower nectar and fruit juice, and exciting new research from Israel and West Africa has discovered how to take advantage of these facts. Homemade mosquito traps baited with sugar and fermented fruit juice reduced local mosquito populations by 90%. Here’s how to make these mosquito traps at home.

Materials:

• 1/16-inch-diameter nail or drill bit
• Quart-sized, large-mouth plastic container with lid
• 3 tsp sugar
• 1/2 tsp boric acid
• 1 cup smashed, fermented fruit with the fruit juice
• Jasmine essential oil (optional)

Instructions: Set smashed fruit in the sun for a day or two before making the homemade mosquito traps to speed up fermenting. Drill or punch several 1/16-inch holes in the container lid (the small holes will let mosquitoes in while excluding beneficial insects such as bees). Next, mix the ingredients in the container. Put the ventilated lid on the container. Place the trap outside in a sheltered location where it won’t get rained on.

Grow Your Own Mosquito-Repellent Plants

The following five plants produce effective mosquito-repelling volatiles, but they release these compounds in large quantities only when the leaves are damaged. Pick and crush a few leaves from any of the plants, then rub the crushed leaves on your skin and clothing to discourage mosquitoes. If you have large enough plants, you can use stems and leaves as “strewing herbs” on your patio.

Thyme (Thymus vulgaris) is a low-growing perennial culinary herb. Researchers at Seoul National University in Seoul, South Korea, found that thyme volatiles repelled mosquitoes as well as or better than DEET, and that thyme volatiles lasted as long as DEET.

Catnip (Nepeta cataria) is a perennial in the mint family. Nepetalactone, the essential oil that gives catnip its distinct smell, is more effective than DEET at repelling mosquitoes, according to laboratory research conducted by Chris Peterson, an entomologist with the U.S. Department of Agriculture Forest Service, and Joel R. Coats, former chair of the Department of Entomology at Iowa State University. Note: Some cats love catnip and some ignore it. If you have a catnip-lover, you may need to grow your catnip under a wire basket to keep your cat from killing the plant.

Sacred basil (Ocimum sanctum, also called “holy basil” and “tulsi”), an annual, has been used medicinally in South Asia for thousands of years. The leaf extract discourages mosquitoes from feeding, and the seeds, floated on water, kill mosquito larvae.

Rose-scented monarda is a colorful perennial especially rich in geraniol, a compound that smells like roses. Turns out, geraniol is highly repellent to mosquitoes, according to an Israeli study published in the Journal of Vector Ecology. Scientists at the Morden Research Station in Manitoba, Canada, have developed monarda hybrids for commercial essential oil production. The extracted oil of their variety now sold as rose-scented monarda contains more than 90% geraniol. Geraniol is the active ingredient in some commercial natural mosquito repellents.

Lime basil (Ocimum americanum, also called “hairy basil” and “hoary basil”) is a culinary and medicinal annual that’s an effective repellent when burned and when grown nearby.

More Non-toxic Insect Repellents

Cedar Oil Try a cedar oil spray. Buy at PetSmart or natural food stores (or make your own) and use it on people, dogs, cats & kids.

Rubbing Alcohol Splash plain rubbing alcohol on skin and allow it to dry to deter mosquitoes from biting. Once it dries, it leaves a pleasant odor; And it only costs less than $1 a bottle!

Vaporub Rub Vick’s Vaporub on pants and legs to ward off ticks and keep insects at bay.

Dryer Sheets Try putting a bounce dryer sheet on your belt, in a pocket or in your sock, the sheet will mask your smell and ward off the bugs.

Avon S-S-S Mix Mix Avon Skin-So-Soft bath oil about half and half with alcohol.

Homemade Recipe 20 drops Eucalyptus oil, 20 drops Cedarwood oil, 10 drops Tea Tree oil, 10 drops Geranium oil, 2 oz. carrier oil (such as Jojoba). Mix together in a 4 oz. container. Apply to skin as needed avoiding the eye area. Experiment with different percentages of essential oil.

Raw Vanilla Real vanilla (not the grocery store vanilla extract which is mostly alcohol). Mix half vanilla and half water and find that it works great for mosquitoes and ticks, don’t know about other insects.

Moth Balls Place mothballs around the yard to keep mosquitos away (not non-toxic, keep away from children).

Catnip Concoction Make your own by filling a quart jar with some herbs from the mint family like catnip, spearmint, pennyroyal and then cover with apple cider vinegar. Shake twice a day for two weeks. Strain and either rub on or spray on.

Lavender Oil Dab lavender oil on your pulse points (wrists, behind ears, temples, behind knees, ankles).

Lemon Smell Spray entire yard with equal parts of lemon dish soap, lemon ammonia, and lemon juice. Do this every two weeks with a 20-gallon sprayer, and you won’t be on the mosquito menu this summer.  Planting Lemongrass would help too!

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The Pomodoro technique is decidedly low-tech in nature; to put it to use, you’ll need nothing but a sheet of paper, a countdown timer, and a pen or pencil.

Read my past posts on the subject Read TOMATOLAND, buy local and organic

I am Aimee Roundtree, an associate professor in the technical communication program, at the University of Houston-Downtown. I am conducting survey research to study to what extent people use Facebook for community-building and health-related purposes. Please participate in the survey. Completing the survey takes approximately 10 minutes. Participation is voluntary; there is no penalty if you choose not to participate or to withdraw from the study at any time. The survey is anonymous; results of the survey may be published, but participants’ names will not be solicited or used.

If you are a Facebook user who is age 18 or over and who is willing to take the survey, please follow this link, where, in addition to accessing the survey, you will find more information about the study and the survey itself:

https://www.surveymonkey.com/s/KWNYPNS

If you have any questions, please contact Aimee Roundtree at roundtreea@uhd.edu.

Hackensack Riverkeeper and the Bergen County Sheriff’s Office are partnering on a joint anti-litter campaign designed to reduce the amount of trash that makes its way from the county’s roadways into its waterways and beyond!

The campaign, entitled CLEAN STREETS = CLEAN WATER: Bergen County Litter Marshal Program, utilizes billboard messaging along several of the County’s more heavily traveled thoroughfares to discourage litter and assist law enforcement in responding to it. The program will empower the general public as “County Litter Marshals” and offer people an easy and anonymous mechanism for reporting litter violations to ensure violators are aware of the environmental impact and potential legal repercussions of their actions. The program is one of the most aggressive anti-litter campaigns to take place in New Jersey, though it is based on similar local campaigns in Fair Lawn, NJ and Rockland County, NY.

Featuring a graphic image of a motorist flagrantly tossing trash from a moving car, the billboards urge those who spot such littering to call the Hackensack Riverkeeper Watershed Watch Hotline at 1-877-CPT-BIL (278-2455) with the date, time and location of incident as well as the vehicle make, model, color and license plate number. All reports are then relayed to a special desk at the Bergen County Sheriff’s Department from which a written “Litter Violation Notice” is sent to the vehicle owner warning of potential fines and penalties for littering. The notice also includes a pamphlet describing the various sources and consequences of litter. CLEAN STREETS = CLEAN WATER billboards are designed to reach motorists traveling to and from sporting events, concerts and shopping, as well as commuters.

NEW!! You can now text your report to 274637 and include “Bergen Tip” in the message.
Be sure to include the date, time, location, vehicle make, model, color and license plate number and the type of litter tossed.

“Most people don’t realize that litter becomes water pollution once it rains,” explained Captain Bill Sheehan. “With every rain, stormwater washes litter and all manner of debris and waste off of our streets, down our storm drains and ultimately into our waterways. It is our plan that this program will educate many thousands of people about their clean water responsibilities.”

CLEAN STREETS = CLEAN WATER: Bergen County Litter Marshal Program is funded by generous grants from the New England Interstate Water Pollution Control Commission and the New York-New Jersey Harbor Estuary Program. Additional funding was provided by the Pennington, NJ-based Watershed Institute.

So, next time you see somebody throwing litter (including cigarette butts!) out of a vehicle, safely pull over and write down:

Location
Date and Time
License Plate #
Item(s) Discarded from Vehicle

then call 877-CPT-BILL or email the information to info@hackensackriverkeeper.org.

Thanks for doing your part to end litter!

Evidence of GMO toxin absorption and toxicity

Lab and clinical research shows that toxins from Genetically Modified Organisms (GMOs) are absorbed by humans. Pregnant women and their fetuses had detectable levels of the toxins in their blood. Lab research shows toxic effects on human kidney cells.
Bacillus thuringiensis (Bt) is a natural insecticide that produces a toxin called Cry1Ab protein. This protein is produced by some corn crops that have undergone genetic modification to produce GMO products.

A new lab study has shown that the Cry1Ab toxin causes cell death in human embryonic kidney cells, and that combining Cry1Ab and Cry1Ac toxins with the effects of the pesticide Roundup, could delay apoptosis, which could promote cancer. Some corn crops are made resistant to pesticides such as glyphosate, the active ingredient in Roundup, by genetic modification, and this study also showed that this pesticide on its own causes necrosis (tissue destruction) in doses lower than those used in agriculture. The study was conducted by Gilles-Eric Séralini of the University of Caen, France, and colleagues and published in the Journal of Applied Toxicology.

Recent research has also shown that Cry1Ab protein is detectable in the blood of pregnant women, their fetuses, and also in non pregnant women. Glyphosate was also detected in non pregnant women. This study was published in the journal Reproductive Toxicology.

Further evidence of the toxic effects of genetically modified Bt plants, which produce Bt toxins, was recently shown by researchers at the Swiss Federal Institute of Technology, and published in the journal Environmental Sciences Europe. This study showed that Cry1Ab toxin fed to A. bipunctata (ladybeetle)larvae increases their mortality.
These research findings show that GMO products contain toxins that can be absorbed by humans, and that they may cause serious side effects.

Cleansing & Detoxification Basics

“for energy, clarity and vibrant health”

The body has the amazing, natural capability of eliminating toxins through the skin, lungs, kidneys, liver, colon and lymphatic system. However, when any of these organs of elimination become overburdened and sluggish, the body will begin to store toxins in places such as the nervous system, joints, liver and fat tissue. The accumulation of toxins in the body can cause problems such as poor concentration, depression, fatigue, muscle weakness, joint pain, digestive issues, low immunity and much more. In today’s day and age, our toxic load is quite heavy. We are exposed to chemicals in and out of our homes, in our food, our workplace and on the road. Furthermore, we are often hurried, stressed, and choose to consume large amounts of convenience foods, alcohol, caffeine and sugar which hinder digestion and detoxification. This is why it is important for most people to follow a cleansing program once or twice per year.

Superfoods for Spring Cleansing

Spring is the time of year that cleansing is vital to optimal health, energy and well-being. Due to unavoidable exposure to pollution, pesticides and stress, we all would benefit from annual cleansing. Some signs that you may be suffering toxic overload are fatigue, irritability, headaches, mood swings, digestive problems, constipation, skin problems, aches and pains, sinus problems and mind fog. Cleansing will improve the functioning of your body’s organs of elimination: the liver, kidneys, colon, lungs, lymphatics and skin. This will in turn lift your spirit, increase your energy and immunity, improve your digestion, circulation and metabolism, and improve your ability to cope with stress.

The first step in cleansing the body is to reduce exposure to toxins. How can you do this? Firstly, it is important to buy organic produce whenever possible and to clean your produce well before eating. The average Canadian consumes 1 gallon of pesticides per year! Also be sure to reduce your intake of salt, sugar, caffeine, alcohol, greasy foods, dairy and red meat. And of course, drink plenty of fresh water to flush out the toxins.

There are many specific foods that encourage the elimination of toxins. Most whole plant foods such as fruits, vegetables, whole grains, legumes, nuts and seeds support detoxification, while processed foods hinder it. The following are some detox superfoods which should be the heart of any cleansing program:

Apples- Contain special pectin that removes toxins and cholesterol.
Berries-Fight infections and inflammation, improve digestion and elimination.
Lemons- Stimulate the liver and gallbladder to release bile, improve digestion. Squeeze fresh lemon juice into water and drink daily.
Avocado-Contains glutathione, a powerful antioxidant that protects against toxins and cancer. Make fresh guacamole with 1 mashed avocado, a few tbsp lemon or lime juice, and a little garlic powder.
Beets-One of the best liver and bowel cleansers. Grate fresh beet into salads, sandwich, soups or stir fry.
Broccoli-One of the best detox superfoods and cancer presenters! Experts say that eating 1-2 lbs of broccoli per week will protect against colon cancer.
Carrots-Help to detoxify and protect against cancer. Studies show that women who eat 1 carrot per day decrease the risk of breast cancer by half!
Dark green leafy veggies (spinach, kale, arugula, chard, collards, watercress)- High amounts of vitamins, minerals and chlorophyll to help cleanse and protect against toxins. Vary the greens in your salad. Steam, juice or add to soups.
Flaxseed (ground)- High in fiber and omega 3 fatty acids, helps to support healthy elimination. Add 1-2 tbsp. to food or smoothies daily.
Oats-High in soluble and insoluble fiber which helps to lower cholesterol, blood pressure and cleanse the colon. Cook rolled or steel cut oats and enjoy for breakfast.
Wheatgrass or Barleygrass-Extremely high in chlorophyll and nutrients which cleanse and support the blood and liver. Available in powder or frozen cubes.
Following a detox should be a positive, relaxing and rejuvenating experience. Be sure to prepare for your cleanse by shopping for ingredients and planning your meals ahead of time. Be sure not to overcook vegetables as they tend to loose valuable nutrients the longer they are cooked. It is best to eat foods as natural as possible, either raw, lightly steamed, in soups, salads or juiced.

Below is a few useful recipes:

Liver Flush Drink
¼ inch fresh ginger
1/2 small beet
¼ lemon
1 pink grapefruit
couple dashes cayenne pepper

Process in a juicer.

Healing Greens Soup (High in minerals and iron)

3 cups kale chopped 1 cup fresh finely chopped parsley
3 cups spinach chopped 1-1 ½ tsp Herbamare
3 cups swiss chard chopped 1-2 vegetable bouillon cube
4 green onions chopped 2-3 dashes powder ginger
4 cups water dash of stevia sweetener if needed

Steam the chopped greens lightly.
Combine all ingredients in pot and simmer on med-low for 20 mins

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Something as simple as going for a brisk stroll could play an important role in fighting depression, according to researchers in Scotland.

Vigorous exercise has already been shown to alleviate symptoms of depression, but the effect of less strenuous activities was unclear.

A study in the journal Mental Health and Physical Activity showed walking had a “large effect” on depression.

One in 10 people may have depression at some point in their lives.

The condition can be treated with drugs, but exercise is commonly prescribed by doctors for mild symptoms.

Researchers at the University of Stirling scoured academic studies to find data on one of the mildest forms of exercise – walking.

They found eight studies, on a total of 341 patients, which fitted the bill.

The report’s authors showed “walking was an effective intervention for depression” and had an effect similar to other more vigorous forms of exercise. They said: “Walking has the advantages of being easily undertaken by most people, incurring little or no financial cost and being relatively easy to incorporate into daily living.”

However, they cautioned that much more research needed to be done. There are still questions over how long, how fast and whether walking should take place indoors or outdoors.

Prof Adrian Taylor, who studies the effects of exercise on depression, addiction and stress at the University of Exeter, told the BBC: “The beauty of walking is that everybody does it.”

He added: “There are benefits for a mental-health condition like depression.”

How any form of exercise helps with depression is unclear. Prof Taylor said there were ideas about exercise being a distraction from worries, giving a sense of control and releasing “feel-good” hormones.

The mental-health charity Mind said its own research found that spending time outdoors helped people’s mental health.

Its chief executive, Paul Farmer, said: “To get the most from outdoor activities it’s important to find a type of exercise you love and can stick at. Try different things, be it walking, cycling, gardening or even open-water swimming.

“Exercising with others can have even greater impact, as it provides an opportunity to strengthen social networks, talk through problems with others or simply laugh and enjoy a break from family and work. So ask a friend to join you.”