Past Health Tips Part 3

• Healthy Snacks for your Children

  Young children have high energy needs and small stomachs, so they will need frequent snacks in between meals, however do not give them snacks a short time before a meal or they may not have apetite. Make sure they provide good nutrition. Good choices are fruits and fruit juices, raw vegetable sticks, cereal, yogurt and soup.

• Fungal Infections

  Fungal infections of the skin are common in the feet, groin, scalp or nails. Ideal conditions for fungi to grow are warm and moist areas of the skin such as between the toes, the area under the breasts and in the groin. To prevent fungal infections:

  Keep the feet clean and dry.
  Wear thongs in public pools and shower
  Wear shoes that allow your feet to breathe
  Wear cotton socks to absorb sweat
  Keep the groin clean and dry
  Wear cotton underwear
  Avoid tight pants and pantyhose
  Don't share hats, combs or brushes
  

• Your Nutrition

  Because our cells are being constantly renewed, their quality is affected by our nutrient intake. Nutrients also help cells to provide energy, fight against disease and support the immune system. Eat more fresh organic fruits, raw organic vegetables, steamed or stir-fried organic vegetables, salads with extra-virgin olive oil and vinegar, lean organic meats and organic nuts such as peanuts, almonds and cashews.
  
  

• PMS - Premenstrual Syndrome
  
  PMS occurs 6 to 10 days before the menstrual cycle begins. More than 150 emotional and physical symptoms associated with PMS. Emotional symptoms include anger and irritability, sadness, poor concentration, aggression, sudden bouts of crying and fatigue. Physical symptoms include headaches, backaches, breast tenderness, water retention and bloating, diarrhea or constipation, food cravings, dizziness or fainting, clumsiness, increased appetite.

  Most symptoms generally improve when menstrual bleeding begins. Exercise may help reduce the symptoms. Try relaxation techniques such as yoga and deep breathing. Eliminate tobacco, alcohol and caffeine. Reduce salt in your diet to help limit bloating.

• Natural Laxatives

  Flaxseeds - Ground seeds in a coffee grinder. Then in a blender add grounded seeds and mix with oranges, apples, and grapefruit. Take 3 Tbsp of flaxseeds per day with equal amounts of fruits.

  Fiber - Add some raw bran to your bowl of cereal. Make sure to gradually incorporate fiber to your diet as your body needs time to adjust to higher levels of fiber.

  Sauerkraut juice - It helps with constipation. But take it moderately as it has high amounts of salt.

  Spinach, okra, Spanish onions and escarole - Eat spinach and escarole raw in salads. Or you can boil them and drink their juice. Roasted Spanish onions are delicious, try having them before going to bed. Jumbos are a good way to incorporate okra in your diet.

  Beets - Have a couple of small fresh beets in the morning. It will help with your digestive tract functioning.

  Olive oil - Another wonderful natural laxative. Take one Tbsp after breakfast and another one after dinner.
  

• Blisters Problems?

  Ususally blisters are the result of constant or repeated friction against the skin. So avoid shoes that are too tight or too loose to minimize friction. Protect your hands by wearing gloves when doing heavy jobs. What to do with blisters?

  When the blister is small, protect it with a loose bandage from further rubbing.

  When the blister is small and in a weight bearing area, protect it with a doughnut-shaped moleskin pad, leaving the area open over the blister.

  When the blister is larger than let's say 1 inch across, it is generally best to drain the fluid. Sterilize a needle with rubbing alcohol and gently puncture the blister at the edge. Then press the blister to drain the fluid through the hole. Then whash the area well with soap and water. An because it becomes an open wound, apply a bandage if exposing the area to unhygienic conditions to avoid infection.

• Loss of Nutritional Content in Foods

  Fried foods The temperature and amount of time the food is fried will decrease the nutritional value left in your food.

  Frozen foods It depends whether the foods were cooked before they were frozen. In many cases, consider the fact that the best quality and better looking foods are sold fresh while the foods with lesser quality are processed for frozen foods.

  Canned goods The cooking and sterilization process have and impact in the vitamin and mineral potency losses.

  Dehydrated foods The nutritional content will be retained for the most part, however consider that, in many instances, lower quality foods are used for this process since their quality cannot be distinguished once it is processed.

  Note on Vitamin E Cereal products and particularly rice may lose up to 70% of vitamin E. Except for the 100% or whole grain type flour, white and wheat flours may lose up to 90% of its vitamin E content.
  
  Although dandruff poses no health danger, they can be a source of embarrassment. Many people believe that dandruff is associated with lack of hygiene, but actually dandruff is caused by scalp glands that do not function correctly, causing drying and then scaling of the skin. Shampooing infrequently may help aggravate the case of dandruff but it will not be the cause.
  
  Itchiness and burning may come with it in serious cases, and you should consult your doctor before trying any treatment at home. Here are a few alternatives:
  
  In a pan, mix one cup of apple cider vinegar and one cup of water and add a few mint leaves. Bring it to boil for about 5 minutes and allow it to rest at room temperature for approx. 12 hours. Strain the mixture and massage your scalp twice a day for a week. After massaging, just let your hair dry naturally, don't need to rinse it.
  
  Tea tree oil is also believed to be quite effective for dandruff, preventing flaking and infection. Try massaging your scalp by applying just tea trea oil.
  
  Squeeze the juice out of one large lemon. Apply half of the juice onto your hair, then wash your hair with your regular shampoo and rinse. Mix the other half of the lemon juice with two cups of water.
  For best results, repeat this process regularly.
  
  Here is a solution with bay laurel leaves. Add four teaspoons of crushed bay laurel leaves to one quart of boiling water. Let it rest for about 30 minutes, strain and cool for one hour in refrigerator. Wash your hair with your normal shampoo and then massage some of the solution into your scalp. Repeat treatment once more and let it stay on your scalp for about one hour before rinsing.
  For best results, repeat this process regularly.
  
  In a pan mix 2 heaping tablespoons of dried thyme, rosemary and sage in one cup of water. Boil for 10 minutes. Strain and let it cool. Shampoo your hair with your normal shampoo, rinse and massage the solution into your scalp. Do not rinse.
  

Past Health Tips Part 2

• Cruciferous veggies
  
  The following veggies are highly important in stimulating the detoxification and elimination of cancer-causing chemicals: Cabbage, broccoli, cauliflower, Brussel sprouts, collard and mustard greens, turnip greens and radishes.
  And particularly cabbage, is one of the most important nourishing foods that you can eat. It has powerful anticancer properties that help the body protect against the damage of free radicals. In addition, it has polyphenols and indoles that help the body get rid of carcinogens and stimulate protective enzymes that protect us from cancer.
  

• Taking a Pulse

  The pulse is the rate at which the heart is beating. The pulse can be taken at the wrist, neck or upper arm. To count the pulse, wait for about 5 to 10 minutes after the individual has been sitting or resting quietly. Place the index and middle fingers on the wrist and count the beats for 30 seconds. Then double that number for beats per minute.
  
  Normal Resting Pulse

  Infant - 1 year 100 - 160 beats/minute
  1-6 years 65 - 140 beats/minute
  7-10 years 60 - 110 beats/minute
  11 - adult 50 - 100 beats/minute
  

• Nosebleeds

  Nosebleeds can be caused by colds and allergies, low humidity, medications such as aspirins, allergies, high altitudes and blowing or picking the nose.

  Sit up straight and tip your head forward and not backwards, or it may cause blood to run down the throat.
  

  Some people succeed by applying pressure to an accupressure spot located between the top lip and the fleshy area just above it. Squeeze with the thumb and forefinger for one minute in this area.

  Placing an ice pack on the back of the neck seems to help in some cases as well.

• Hypothermia

  Hypothermia is a condition in which the body temperature drops below normal. The body loses heat faster than the heat produced by muscle contractions and shivering.
  
  When helping someone with mild cases of hypothermia, get them out of the cold and wind, remove wet clothes and change them into dry and preferably wool clothing. Give them warm fluids to drink and high energy foods. Do not give them alcoholic beverages.
  For moderate cases, besides performing what it was mentioned for mild cases, warm him/her with your own body heat by wrapping both of you in a sleeping bag or warm blanket around you.

  Warm water can cause shock or heart attack. However. as a last resort when help is not available or the above mentioned treatments are not working, you could use a warm water bath of 100° to 105°.
  

• Tick Bites
• Ticks are small insects that secret a substance which allows them to cement themselves to your skin. While most tick bites are harmless, a tick should be removed as soon as possible. Deer ticks are very tiny and could cause a bacterial infection known as lyme disease.
• Gently pull the tick with a pair of tweezers or gloved fingers, as close to the skin as possible. Make sure to pull straight out without crushing the body. If the tick's mouthparts remain in the skin, by removing the body the risk of infection is being reduced. Save the tick in a jar for identification.
• Wash the area well with soap and water and apply antiseptic.
  

• Antiobiotics

  An antibiotic is a prescription medicine used to kill bateria. It is effective against bacteria only and no effect on viruses. The dreaded side effects are numerous, like nausea, diarrhea, destroy the bacterial balance in your body causing you stomach upset, vaginal infections, diarrhea and other problems.

  Some natural alternatives when antibiotics fail to heal a wound for example, sugar works well. Yogurt boosts immune functioning and cures diarrhea faster than an average antidiarrheal medicine. It contains agents that are more powerful antibiotics than penicillin.

• The Wonderful Kiwi

  New Zealand's fuzzy, brown-skinned fruit, the kiwi is an extraordinary source of antioxidants, fiber and phytochemicals. One kiwi has more potassium than a banana, more vitaminc C per once than an orange and more fiber than bran flakes.

  Peel and eat whole or cut in half and eat with a spoon.

• The Typical American Diet

  The typical American diet contains too much fat, sugar and salt and a considerable lack of fiber. The basis of a healthy diet is to eat mainly fruits, vegetables, nuts, seeds, beans, whole grains, legumes and lean meats.

• Colloidal Minerals

  A colloid is a substance that when placed into a liquid it retains its identity and stays in suspension without falling to the bottom of the container. The extremely small particles are easily absorbed into the cells, more than 97 % of the colloidal minerals can be absorbed and they claim to eliminate fatigue in most individuals. They can be easily transported to the cells for easy utilization. It is believed that colloidal minerals provide natural cleansing and detoxification of the body.

Past Health Tips Part 1

• A 15-20 minute nap - and no longer than 30 minutes- will provide enough of an energy boost. A long nap may cause grogginess and you may have a hard time waking up. If you can't sleep, don't worry, resting can be as revitalizing as napping.
  
  

• Do you need to lose weight? Find out what the Right Weight for you is. Calculate your Body Mass Index (BMI).
  
  Where:
  "X"= your weight in lbs
  "Y"= height in inches

  "X" x 705= "Z" - Multiply your weight by 705
  "Z" / "Y"= "A" - Divide the previous result by your height
  "A" / "Y"= BMI - Divide the previous result by your height again

  A BMI of 18.5 to 24.5 may indicate the optimal weight. The wide range is due to the variety of body composition in bone and muscle among healthy people. Women in general have less muscle and bone than man do, so the optimal BMI for women will usually fall toward the bottom of the range.

  Underweight: less than 18.5

  Ideal: from 18.5 to 24.5

  Overweight: from 24.5 to 30

  Obese: from 30 or higher

• Are We Aware of the Pesticides in our Foods?

  Highest concentration of pesticides are found in peanuts and raisins. Choose organically grown peanut butter.

  Fruits: The thicker the peel, the less concentration of pesticides. However, fruits such as cantaloupes have a very porous skin, which can absorb pesticides.

  Good choices: Bananas, oranges, tangerines, lemons, grapefruits, pineapples, watermelon and figs.

  If you eat a lot of the following fruits, organically grown varieties may be a better choice:

  Apples, pears, grapes, strawberries, peaches, kiwi, prunes, cherries, blackberries and blueberries.

  Vegetables: When using not organically grown vegetables, wash them well with water and soap.

  Vegetables with the highest levels of pesticides: lettuce, spinach and potatoes.

  Remove the outer two or three layers of lettuce and spinach. When eating not organically grown potatoes, don't eat the skin.
  

• Got Hiccups?

  Drink a tablespoon of pickle juice or if you have a lemon, try sucking on a lemon wedge. Their strong flavor stimulates the taste receptors and shock your diaphragm's nerves out of the spams.
  

• Can't sleep? Got a snoring partner?

  Ask your partner not to sleep on his or her back. Have your partner sleep on his/her side or stomach. You could try putting a pillow under his/her back to make it more difficult for him or her to roll over during his/her sleep. A humidifier may be helpful as it could end the snoring caused by dry air.

• Dealing with a Hangover

  Drink plenty of water, as much as you can. Alcohol can easily dehydrate your body which is the cause for a throbbing headache.
  
  You could also try orange juice. The fructose which is a natural sugar in the juice, may help burning off alcohol faster and restore the blood sugar level. Also, orange juice contains a good dose of potassium which is a mineral that is lost during urination. Low potassium levels can make you feel week and shaky.
  

• Sneezing is good
  
  It provides necessary protection against toxins or disease-causing microbes before they can do any damage.If you feel you are about to sneeze, is best not to suppress it.
  
  It may cause an infection by forcing the germs and viral particles into the Eustachian tubes, which connect to the middle ear.
  

• Cherries for Arthritis Pain

  Drink plenty of cherry juice, at least one glass a day for four days in a row. Discontinue for the next four days and start drinking again for four more days. Keep repeating this cycle. If available, use organic cherries without added sugar. You could either use fresh, frozen or canned cherries.

  Some people have had good results from eating regular amounts of cherries and drinking one glass of cherry juice a day.

  Experiment to see how this remedy can work for you.
  

• Lower Your Blood Pressure

• Eat lots of fruits and vegetables and whole grains.
• Replace salt with different seasonings.
• Reduce your fat intake
• Increase your calcium
• Eat less meat and dairy products
• Eat garlic
• Increase your intake of potassium. Bananas are an excellent source.
• Increase your intake of fiber and magnesium.
• Excercise regularly
• Quit smoking
• If you are overweight, try to lose some weight. A small weight loss can make a big difference.
  
  

• Are We Drinking Enough Fluids a Day? - Our body needs it for its maximum efficiency

  Our body depends on water for important vital tasks such as transporting nutrients and other substances around the body and regulating the temperature.

  It is recommended that we drink eight 8-ounce glasses of fluids a day spread over the day to keep our body's water levels steady. Caffeinated drinks such as coffee, tea and colas, as well as alcoholic beverages should be avoided because they increase urination, leading to water loss from our body, resulting in dehydration. When sweating a lot or taking medications, it may become necessary to take ten to twenty glasses a day.

  Our best bet is to observe our urine color and frequency. Pale yellow is a good sign. Frequent urination is a good sign too, though sometimes it could be caused by medication or a medical condition.

• Blisters - Choosing the Right Shoes

  Heat, friction and moisture are the cause for blisters on your feet. A loose shoe creates friction when the foot moves around in it. When shopping for shoes, wear or bring with you the type of sock that you are actually going to wear with your new shoes. The ideal time to shop for your shoes is in the afternoon when your feet are most swollen, this will ensure that your shoes are not too tight for your afternoon feet.

  When you are trying your new shoes, stand up and make sure that there is a thumb-width between your big toe and the end of your shoe.

  If you excercise, make sure that you are wearing the right socks to prevent blisters. A mixture of synthetic material and wool is ideal. The synthetic material will keep your feet dry by drawing the moisture out, and the wool will protect your feet from the shoe. You could also wear two pairs of socks. A thin synthetic material to wick moisture away from the feet and the outer pair should be thick to absorb friction.
  

• Shinier Hair with Vinegar

  Mix one teaspoon of apple cider vinegar to a pint of water and apply to hair. This makes and excellent hair rinse, especially if you have oily hair, that will remove shampoo buildup and will add shine to your hair. Rinse with plain water to remove the smell.

• Why Do We Yawn?

  Experts say that yawning is caused by a decrease in the amount of oxygen reaching the brain. When we yawn, we open our mouth and bring more oxygen into our bodies.

  Yawn becomes contagious between the ages of 1 and 2. Seeing or even hearing a person yawn often triggers yawns. And as you may be yawning right now, you know that reading about yawning can also make you yawn.

• Dry Hair and Split Ends

  Some experts say that mayonnaise makes an excellent hair conditioner. Put a small amount of mayonnaise in the palm of your hand and work it into your hair for at least five minutes before rinsing. Repeat once a week.

  You could also try the beer method to improve the looks of your hair. Pour some beer into a spraying bottle then spray it onto your hair after shampooing and towel drying it. Your hair will look healthy and shiny.

• Prevent Cancer with Beta Carotene

  If we eat more fresh fruits and vegetables rich in beta carotene we would have less lung, stomach, colon cervical and prostate cancer. It will also help increase our resistance to infection, vision problems, lower our cholesterol levels and reduce the risk of heart disease.

  Beta carotene is a type of pigment found in plants. Our skin stores beta carotene in our body metabolizes it into vitamin A as needed.

  Beta carotene sources: carrots, spinach, kale, sweet potatoes, mustard greens, red peppers and cataloupe.
  

• Toothache Relief With an Ice Cube

  Massage the web between your thumb and index finger on the back of your hand with an ice cube, it seems to be effective on either hand regardless if the pain is on the left or right side. Apparently, this will short-circuit the pain, similar to the way it is done with acupuncture.

• Determine Your Heart Rate

To get the most out of your aerobic performance from walking, it will be helpful if you know what your target heart rate is and mantain it for at least 20 minutes.

1. Start with the number 220: 220
2. Substract your age (45, for example): -45
3. The result is your maximum heart rate: 175

Low end of the target range; 60 percent

4. Multiply your max heart rate by 0.6: 175 x 0.6= 105

High end of target rante; 80 percent

5. Multiply your max heart rate by 0.8: 175 x 0.8= 140

Always work at the lower end of your range if you are a beginner. The high end range is only recommended to be achieved for those physically fit.


Eating yogurt for good health

Yogurt, which is the most popular form of fermented milk, is a good source of calcium, and a good choice if you can't drink milk because you have trouble digesting lactose. Yogurt can help prevent osteoporosis that afflicts some middle-aged and elderly women.

Yogurt is also a good source of protein, riboflavin (vitamin B2) and folic acid.

Some studies found that yogurt has eliminated some forms of digestive tract infections. It is also effective to ease traveler's diarrhea. Eat yogurt as a natural way to boost your overall immunity levels and fight some digestive problems.

• Bananas - A Wonderful Healthy Choice

  Bananas are high in iron. They can stimulate the production of hemoglobin in the blood, helping with cases of anemia.

  Bananas are extremely high in potassium and low in salt, making it ideal to beat blood pressure.

  Bananas are high in fiber. They can help restore normal bowel movement, working as a natural laxative.

  Bananas have a natural antacid effect in the body. If you suffer from heartburn, try eating a banana as a natural heartburn remedy.

  Because of its soft texture bananas are used as the dietary food against intestinal disorders. It neutralizes over-acidity and reduces irritation by coating the lining of the stomach, helping with those who are suffering from ulcers.
  
  Bananas are high in B vitamins that can help to calm the nervous system.
  
  Eating bananas between meals helps to keep blood sugar levels up, avoiding morning sickness.
  

• Easy Yogurt Recipe - How I Make It

  5 cups whole milk
  1 Tbsp yogurt (as starter) - I use organic whole milk plain yogurt

  In a stainless steel pan, bring milk to a boil.

  Let the milk cool down until you can put your finger in and count to 10 without burning yourself! (around 110°F). If you have a thermometer, it will help you track the temperature and save your finger from burning so much! Don't let the milk cool down too much or it won't work, on the other hand, it cannot be too hot either.

  In the meantime, have a glass container big enough to store the yogurt, and add the starter yogurt. Once the milk has reached the desired temperature, remove the thin layer that is formed at the top of the milk, and add a little bit of the hot milk at a time, and incorporate to the yogurt while mixing very well with a whisk. Add the rest of the milk and cover. Wrap the container with a warm dish towel and place it in a warm place for at least 8 hours. A good warm place is the oven. Turn the oven to 350°F for a few minutes, turn it off and turn the oven light on. Keep the light on for the whole 8 hours.

  Yogurt is now ready. Keep it refrigerated. Save a little bit of your homemade yogurt as the starter for your next batch.

  Tip: To ease the cleaning of the stainless steel pan, before putting the milk in it, fill it up with very cold water. Pour the water out and don't dry the pan before adding the milk.
  

• Yogurt

  Yogurt has been used as a natural remedy to treat a variety of conditions, from diarrhea to yeast infections for ages. Yogurt is a good source of protein, B vitamins, calcium and potassium.

  If you are suffering from intestinal problems, yogurt may help you settle these problems by promoting the growth of beneficial bacteria.

  See the recipe I use for homemade yogurt by going to my Past Health Tips page.
  

• Deodorant - Simple Rrecipe

  Mix equal parts of talcum powder, baking soda and petroleum jelly. Heat this mix in a double boiler until it turns into a smooth cream.
  

• Sleep better

  Try to eat dinner a little earlier, finish by 6:30pm. This way your digestive system will not be busy by the time you go to bed. It may also help you prevent acid reflux which causes heartburn, a problem that can interrupt your sleep.
  

• Drink More Tea - Health Benefits

  It supports the immune system, reduces the risk of cancer and helps prevent tooth decay. Tea contains catechins, that help prevent cell damage by harmful molecules called free radicals. Compared to oolong tea and black tea, green tea contains the highest percentage of catechins, approx. 40%. Oolong has about 8-20% and black tea 4%.
  

  Your Best Time to Visit a Sick Friend

  After 9:00 pm is the best time to visit a sick friend. Your number of white blood cells is at its highest level, providing you with your best protection against any germs you may come across.
  

• How to Clean your Thermos

  Here is an easy way to clean those tall and narrow containers and remove stains and odors. Fill your thermos with hot water, drop in a denture cleaning tablet and let it stand overnight.
  

• Ingrown Toenails

  Ingrown toenails are usually caused when an improperly trimmed toenail cuts into the skin or by wearing shoes that are too tight.
  Cut your toenails straight across and leave them a little longer at the corners to prevent sharp ends from cutting into the skin.
  Make sure you don't wear shoes that are too tight.
  

• Flaxseeds

  Flaxseeds contain the fiber and the essential fatty acids you need on a daily basis. Ground 5 teaspoons of flaxseeds in a small food processor or coffee grinder with 8 ounces of water. Take one glass in the morning and again another glass in the evening.

• Green Tea and Tooth Decay

  Green tea is packed with polyphenols that fight off the bacteria that cause tooth decay. On top of that, the fluoride in tea supplies a beneficial boost to tooth enamel. The Japanese conducted a study by providing a special mouth rinse of tea polyphenols to volunteers after each meal and before bedtime, and found that they have significantly reduced the development of plaque, even though none of the volunteers was brushing or flossing

Today's Health Tip

Dressing up for the winter...

Wearing a few layers of different materials if the best way to keep you warm. Each layer should have its own purpose.

The bottom layer or underwear should keep you dry. Make sure to pay attention to the material of your undies, as cotton will absorb your sweat but it will hold it. You will need a fabric that will allow your sweat to pass through, such as synthetics or silk. Thermal underwear are an excellent choice.

The middle layer should be there to put some insulation to trap your body's heat. Best choices are wool and down, as both materials breathe and will allow any moisture to evaporate while at the same time are excellent to hold the heat.

The outer layer should function as a shell to protect you from the cold wind, rain or snow. Best choices are synthetic fabrics such as polyester, the key here is that it should be waterproof and breathable.

Hats. Covering your head is key. We lose a lot heat through our head.

Feet and hands. The layering concept described above, works excellent for both feet and hands. Mittens are warmer than gloves. You could wear a thin pair of gloves and some toasty mittens, or find some mittens that already come in layers.
Wear two pairs of socks, the inner pair to keep you dry and the outer pair to keep you warm. For the inner pair you could wear socks made out of polypropylene or silk and for the outer pair you could wear wool socks.

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