Giving thanks will make you healthier!

I decided to write this post as I sat in my son's room the other night watching him sleep. Suddenly tears started streaming from my eyes as I expressed to the universe how thankful I was to have this little person in my life. I wasn't sad, or upset, just thankful and so happy! After my emotional outburst, I felt renewed, I felt like I let to whomever responsible for allowing me to experience a love like no other, know just how grateful I am.
Academics have long theorized that expressions of thanks promote health and happiness and give optimism and energy to the downtrodden. Now, the study of gratitude has become a surprisingly exploding field, and research indicates being thankful might help people actually feel better. There’s a catch, however: You have to say thanks more than just once a year. Say thanks for every possible thing you are thankful for! It won't take any challenges you are facing away, but it sure will make them seem less insurmountable.

* In an experimental comparison, those who kept gratitude journals on a weekly basis exercised more regularly, reported fewer physical symptoms, felt better about their lives as a whole, and were more optimistic about the upcoming week compared to those who recorded hassles or neutral life events.

* Participants who kept gratitude lists were more likely to have made progress toward important personal goals (academic, interpersonal, and health-based).

* Participants in the daily gratitude condition were more likely to report having helped someone with a personal problem or having offered emotional support to another.

* Grateful people report higher levels of positive emotions, life satisfaction, vitality, and optimism, and lower levels of depression and stress. The disposition toward gratitude appears to enhance pleasant feeling states more than it diminishes unpleasant emotions.

WHAT ARE YOU THANKFUL FOR?

Whole Foods, not all it's cracked up to be

Over the years I have given whole foods probably tens of thousands of my hard earned money! No longer will I be victim to this fraud.
After 12 years of battling to stop Monsanto's genetically-engineered (GE) crops from contaminating the nation's organic farmland, the biggest retailers of "natural" and "organic" foods in the U.S., including Whole Foods Market (WFM), Organic Valley and Stonyfield Farm, have agreed to stop opposing mass commercialization of GE crops, like Monsanto's controversial Roundup Ready alfalfa. (Do you guys understand what this means????) Under current laws, Genetically-Modified Organisms (GMOs) are not subject to any pre-market safety testing or labeling. WFM is abandoning its fight with biotech companies in part because two thirds of the products they sell are not certified organic anyway, but are really conventional, chemical-intensive foods that may contain GMOs and that they market as "natural" despite this. Most consumers don't know the difference between "natural" and "certified organic" products. "Natural" products can come from crops and animals fed nutrients containing GMOs. "Certified Organic" products are GMO-free. WFM and their main distributor, United Natural Foods, maximize profits by selling products labeled "natural" at premium organic prices. Don't be bamboozled people. Shop from co-ops, local farmers or farmers markets. Better yet, let's start growing our own and be in control. Monsanto (google them please) controls 90% of the world's food supply which raises the question, WHO IS REALLY IN POWER FOR WORLD DOMINATION? control the food supply, control the world. (Start buying and storing organic seeds now!!!!!) and check back for my post on Monsanto!
love and light

Skin Brushing

What is the largest organ in the body?
ANSWER: THE SKIN!

What organ is responsible for ¼ of the body’s detoxification each day?
ANSWER: THE SKIN!

What organ eliminates two pounds of waste acids daily?
ANSWER: THE SKIN!

What is one of the most important elimination organs in the body?
ANSWER: THE SKIN!

What organ receives one third of all the blood that is circulated in the body?
ANSWER: THE SKIN!

When the blood is full of toxic materials, what organ will reflect this with problems?
ANSWER: THE SKIN!

What organ is the last to receive nutrients in the body, yet the first to shows signs of imbalance or deficiency
ANSWER: THE SKIN!

Dry skin brushing is one of the healthier self-help methods available to us today. Stimulation of the skin sets in motion natural healing pathways within your body. Additionally, it encourages nerve beds within its structure that in turn increases normal healing processes throughout the body.

Your skin is the primary sign of an internally toxic body. As soon as your internal body becomes toxic, it will spread out into your skin causing your skin to become irritated and itchy. There are numerous ports of elimination of the skin including your mouth, face, and arm pits, the inside of your upper thigh region, feet, and toe nails. Did you know that body odor is also an additional indicator of toxic build-up and is eradicated through the same channels. Let’s not forget your tongue, which builds up a plaque and is yet another gauge of toxins in the body.

Our skin is permeable or porous, and can absorb toxins directly from the environment. Skin brushing can help counteract that and will enhance your health significantly. It is a fact that the skin is one of the optimal ways to getting to the endocrine system and all the glands it reaches very quickly. In addition, at the same time, it triggers them to react successfully. The instantaneous result from a brushing session is a feeling of increased physical well being.

The Benefits Of Dry Skin Brushing

• Dry skin brushing helps to shed dead skin cells, which can help improve skin texture and cell renewal.

• Dry skin brushing increases circulation to skin, encouraging your body’s discharge of metabolic wastes, which greatly aids the lymphatic drainage of the entire body. When the body rids itself of toxins, it is able to run more efficiently in all areas.

• Dry skin brushing also helps to tighten the skin because it increases the flow of blood. Increasing the circulation to the skin can also help lessen the appearance of cellulite.

• Dry skin brushing stimulates the lymph canals to drain toxic mucoid matter into the colon, thereby purifying the entire system. This enables the lymph to perform its house-cleaning duties by keeping the blood and other vital tissues detoxified. After several days of dry brushing, you may notice the gelatinous mucoid material in your stools.

• Dry skin brushing helps with muscle tone and more even distribution of fat deposits.

• Dry skin brushing also rejuvenates the nervous system by stimulating nerve endings in the skin.

• Dry skin brushing helps your skin to absorb nutrients by eliminating clogged pores. Healthy, breathing skin contributes to overall body health.

• LADIES—Cellulite is toxic. Cellulite is toxic materials that are accumulated in your body’s fat cells as they are unable to be eliminated. So, rather than liposuction surgery, how about utilizing the “dry skin brushing” techniques coupled with an alkaline diet program and a great exercising routine. It will break down the unwelcome toxic body deposits and send them scurrying out of your body through the elimination channels we discussed above.



How to Get Started With Your Skin Brushing Regimen

1. Purchase a natural, NOT a synthetic, bristle brush. (vegetable bristle)

2. Purchase a brush with a long handle, so that you are able to reach all areas of your body. Best-case scenario would be one that had a removable head with a strap for your hand.

3. Skin brushing should be performed once a day, preferably first thing in the morning. If you are feeling ill, please do it twice a day until you feel better.

4. Skin brushing should be performed prior to your bath or shower and your body dry and naked.

5. Begin brushing your skin in long sweeping strokes starting from the bottom of your feet upwards, and from the hands towards the shoulders, and on the torso in an upward direction. Always brush towards the heart. Try and brush several times in each area, over-lapping as you go.

6. Avoid sensitive areas and anywhere the skin is broken.

7. After brushing your skin, rinse off in the shower. Alternating temperatures in the shower from hot to cold will further invigorate the skin and stimulate blood circulation and bring more blood to the outer layers of the skin.

8. After getting out of the shower, dry off vigorously and massage your skin with pure plant oil, such as almond, jojoba, sesame or coconut.

9. Don’t forget to clean your skin brush using soap and water once a week. After rinsing, dry your skin brush in an open, sunny spot to prevent mildew.

10. For a thorough lymphatic cleansing, perform skin brushing daily for a minimum of three months.

Caution: Do not brush on or over skin rashes, wounds, cuts, infections, poison oak or poison ivy.

Note: Any well designed program will take about 30 days to see and experience the changes. Please be patient and keep up the program!

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love and light

Matcha Green Tea

If you're anything like me, green tea is a staple in your diet, but what if I told you, you could quadruple the benefits with just one cup up matcha green tea.
The health benefits of matcha tea exceed those of regular green tea because when you drink matcha you ingest the whole leaf, not just the brewed water.

One glass of matcha is the equivalent of 4 glasses of green tea in terms of its nutritional value and antioxidant content.

For maximum nutritional benefit, matcha tea is unparalleled. It's a little pricey, but hey aren't you worth it????


Matcha Tea – A Nutritious Beverage

* Rich in Antioxidants and Chlorophyll
* Contains Catechins Only Found in Green Tea
* Naturally Mood Enhancing
* Zero on the Glycemic Index - will not raise insulin levels
* Sugar-free, High in Fiber

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Veggie Burger Heaven

Making veggie burgers from scratch are quick, easy and uber delish!!! My fav so far is the black bean burger. Have a burger without the guilt!










Here is the recipe:
1 cup of black beans
1 pack of extra firm tofu
shredded carrots
1/4 cup of ground oatmeal
garlic
salt
cilantro
bread crumbs
and an egg (optional) to hold burger together

I guarantee that even the most carnivorous of individuals will enjoy this one!
try it out

love and light
Nik

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Cupping!!!!

Superfood Spotlight (ALMOND OIL)

I am absolutely addicted to almond oil and if you try it, I'm sure you will be too. It's relatively inexpensive and lasts for months. My favorite way to use this oil is on my skin and hair. Ironically those are the two things I'm complimented on most. There really is no need for lotions and multiple hair creams with dozens of unnecessary ingredients that cause more harm than good. Organic cold pressed almond oil is really all you need. Since I've pretty much made it a staple in my beauty regime, blemishes have become foreign to me. Some benefits of almond oil are: relief of dull complexion, itching, inflammation and muscle pain. Try it out. I think you'll love it!!!!