A Super Cheap Nonprofit Supermarket

There’s a supermarket in Dorchester, Massachusetts where you find crates filled with carrots and squash just like in any supermarket. But unlike most supermarkets, they have this line refrigerator that showcase precooked bean soups and pastas. You also find a kitchen, enclosed in a 7’ glass window with busy chefs [...]

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This new company produces healthy food options to fight the big “C”

“We believe that food should be your medicine, medicine should be your food,” Says Dr. Wayne Garland, founder of PaleoGanic, A new startup from University of Florida’s Innovation Hub that uses disease fighting superfood to help boost the body’s immune system. Dr. Garland, who is a cancer survivor himself said that [...]

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STRESS IN STRESS OUT

Stress, we all have it and we cannot control it, but it can be managed. Stress is a combination of responses in the body and is necessary for our survival. It’s a “fight or flight” response to a serious or life threatening situation.  When a bull comes charging at you, it is a very good idea to run. This is what can save your life.  Common stressors are normal, and we have developed the ability to cope with it. It is the chronic type of stress that is absolutely toxic; it is outright fatal to our health and wellbeing.

There are a lot of things that can cause stress.  We may feel stress when we go on a job interview, take a test, or run a race. These kinds of short-term stresses are normal. There is another kind of stress that can even lead to severe health problems and these are long-term (chronic) stresses and they are usually caused by stressful situations or events that last over a long period of time like major life changes, such as dealing with the death of a parent or spouse, losing your job, getting married, or moving to a new city.

It can be insidious as it works its way into our lives before we are aware of the cost but we don’t have to be a victim of chronic stress. We must learn to recognize and remedy the situation that triggers it. By being aware of the symptoms and the sensations of stress, we avoid it even before it starts.  Stress causes changes in our body which can also affect our emotions. Constant stress can make a person more likely to get sick often. The common symptoms includes fast heartbeat, headache, back pain, sweating, upset stomach, nausea and diarrhea.

Stress Management can be a powerful tool for wellness.  There are a lot of approaches and one of them is all about the kind of food we eat.  Foods can help control stress in many ways.  Comfort foods can boost the level of serotonin which calms the brain. There are other foods that can reduce the level of cortisol and adrenalin which are stress hormones that take a toll on the body overtime.  By building up the immune system and lowering blood pressure, a healthy diet can counter the impact of stress.  Stress busting foods like Complex Carbs supply a steady feel-good chemicals to the brain. Oranges curb level of stress hormones and fishes like salmon and tuna are rich in Omega 3 which prevent a surge in stress hormones.  Aside from stress busting diets, regular exercise is one effective way to manage stress. Doing aerobic exercise boosts oxygen circulation and spurs the body to produce feel-good chemicals called endorphins.

The best way to manage stress is to learn healthy ways of relaxing the mind and body such as letting negative feelings out, laughing, crying and expressing anger when needed. Talking with friends, family or a member of the clergy is another healthy way to relieve stress.

In a nutshell, it is vital that we monitor and manage the stresses in our lives and make the commitment to take care of ourselves.  We will most likely deal with stress in our daily lives but if we are living a balanced life, our perception and reaction to stress will be healthier.

Black Beans – Organic Superfood Packed with Nutritional Punch

Black beans also known botanically as Phaseolus vulgaris is an organic superfood that is native to the Americas. They are said to date back 7,000 years where they are a staple food in the Central and South American diet.   This highly nutritious organic superfood is slightly similar to kidney [...]

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CHEMICAL OR ORGANIC PEST CONTROL – YOUR LIFE YOUR CHOICE

It is sad that the connection between chemical pesticides and some serious illnesses is an issue mostly ignored. A lot of research has been done to cure diseases and we have been successful on some but the funny thing about this is that only a handful of us stop to ask what is really causing these illnesses in the first place. There has been mounting evidences telling us the truth and it is just a matter of accepting the fact about its potentially harmful effects on our health, our home and the environment.

If you are not convinced, let me tell you some of the reasons why you should avoid using chemical pesticides.

1. Chemical pesticides as based on previous studies, linger in the atmosphere, in our waterways and the ground even long after we have stopped using them. Just imagine the lingering pollution on the world’s field that has accumulated for almost a hundred years of using chemical pesticides! 
2. We have precariously disturbed the balance of nature as a good number of necessary bugs have been reduced as pesticides are not discriminatory. Thus, even beneficial insects which are crucial to the eco-system are also eliminated in the process. 
3. And here’s one more… Chemical pesticides have caused a myriad of diseases and serious illnesses like some types of cancer. They have been liked to hormone imbalance, brain damage, infertility, birth defects and miscarriage. 

That’s just for starters, the list goes on.

How about controlling pests the organic way? It is just as effective but far safer and less expensive. By going organic, it allows us to start from scratch on the proper care for the soil. You will reduce soil chemical contamination which will bring back nutrients and useful organisms. How do you like harvesting clean, chemical free and unaltered produce in your organic garden? It may seem overwhelming but it’s really not that difficult.

Here are some very effective organic pesticides available around:

• Garlic Oil – sprayed in and around your home and can repel most insects. 
• Neem Oil – an effective insect repellant used in organic farming for centuries now. It can also disrupt insects’ ability to breed and grow. 
• Lime Sulfur – used by both non-organic and organic gardeners which eliminates most species of mites & other insects. Its fungicidal property is ideal for ornamental plants and fruit bearing trees. 
• Tobacco Water – This solution of tobacco and water is deadly to worms found in soil including symphylids, fungus gnats, and some underground pests. It resembles like tea after mixing, so be careful with it.

You can make your own concoction using ingredients found in your kitchen. But always take caution, not just because it's organic, it means it is always safe. Keep them away at all times from your kids and pets.

Now, don’t you think it’s about time shifting to organic pesticides?

GROWING WITH ORGANIC FERTILIZERS

One of the most important aspects of organic farming is building up the fertility of the soil. This can be done either by using synthetic or organic types of fertilizers. For years, many farmers used only synthetic fertilizers on their farm. The Synthetic types are manufactured products, while organic fertilizers are obtained from animal manure, plants or naturally occurring minerals.

Like our bodies, plants also need nutrients to function and grow properly. The soil contains many of the essential nutrients needed by plants. There are 16 nutrient elements needed by plants to grow and most soils contain large reserves of 13 nutrients.  The constant use of the soil and constant erosion by wind and rain will eventually deplete the nutrients.

The advantage of this form of fertilization is not only that they contain unprocessed nutrients mentioned above but also organic matter and humus which serves as soil conditioning.  As compared to the processed synthetic fertilizers, organic fertilizers  gives out the nutrients slowly so that plant roots are less likely to be burnt due to high dose of chemicals.  Organic matter improves soil structure, drainage, and retains the moisture and microbial life of the soil. Sufficient amount of this can help ensure that nutrients are available to plants on a steady basis and that the soil structure enhances the root to grow.

There are several types of organic fertilizers. The Plant Based which are high in nitrogen and potassium, like Soybean Meals which has 7%  nitrogen, Corn Gluten with 10% nitrogen that is quick to breakdown, Alfalfa Meal  with a moderate 2% -3% Nitrogen and some traces of minerals.  Another type is the Animal Based which is actually by-products of meat and dairy processing like Blood Meals from the slaughtering industry which contain 14% nitrogen, Bone Meal with 11% phosphorous and 22% calcium, Fish Meal with 10% nitrogen and Animal Manure whose nutrient composition varies based on the animal and the method of storage.  Lastly, there is Composting Method which is considered as the best organic fertilizer. They are made from plant, animal, and mineral based materials.  It has a low but good balance of nutrients and high on organic matters that help feed the soil’s microorganisms. The nicest thing about composting is that no matter what material you start with, the end products will be fairly similar.

Indeed! The secret to growing nutritious fruits and vegetables, abundant flowers, trees and shrubs is by creating a living soil using organic fertilizers – Cheap, Effective and Eco-friendly.

The Reasons Why I Need My Daily Dose of Resveratrol

There are a lot of people who enjoy the taste of red wine, and I'm no exception. If possible, I would drink a glass of my favorite brand every day. Why? Because it's delicious and I really like the taste. But that's not all, I know that drinking organic red wine can bring in health benefits to my body. This is all because of resveratrol.

What is Organic Resveratrol?

The substance is from a group of compounds called as polyphenols. It has been said that these compounds possess anti-oxidant properties. These have been linked in protecting the body against certain diseases. Such diseases include cancer and heart illnesses. A major source of resveratrol is the skin of red grapes. Other sources of this substance include peanuts and berries.

                                                                                                                                                                                     Today, resveratrol can be easily consumed in the form of supplements. The capsule form of this substance has been said to include extracts from the Japanese and Chinese knotweed plant. There are also manufacturers of this supplement to have made the capsules from extracts of red wine and red grapes.

Why Consume Resveratrol Regularly?

Once again, it is because of the health benefits that it brings. It is not just me who enjoys the health benefits that this substance brings. There is a hype going on about resveratrol and there are a lot of people who are looking for their daily fix.

There have been reports that it has anti-aging properties. It even has disease-combating agents. Animals that have been tested with a daily dose of organic resveratrol suggest that the substance can help protect the body fight a number of diseases. These include the following:

- It can help reduce inflammation. It also prevents the oxidation of LDL or the "bad cholesterol." Thus, it makes it more difficult for platelets to stick together which may otherwise form blood clots. When platelets stick together, it can lead to cardiovascular disorders, and may even lead to heart attacks. As such, resveratrol can help in preventing this from happening.

- The substance has been said to limit the spread of cancer cells in the body. It can also help in making cancer cells commit suicide.

- It can also help prevent nerve damage and plaque buildup, which may otherwise lead to Alzheimer's disease.

- Resveratrol can also help against insulin resistance. When the body is resistant to insulin, the body becomes less sensitive to blood-sugar lowering hormones. This condition is also a precursor to diabetes.

- It has also been tested in 2012 Canadian study the supplementing the body with resveratrol can provide similar results to the skeletal muscles as with endurance training. The study has been conducted on lab rats and it went on over a 12-week period. The results after the 12-week period found the animals to have more endurance, oxidative metabolism, and even enhanced functions of their cardiovascular systems. Further news of the same study had found that supplementation of resveratrol coupled with endurance training can lead to performance increase of about 21 percent.

- It may also help slow down the development of cancer cells, especially in the color. A study conducted in France stated that resveratrol can be an effective anti-cancer agent.

While a lot of these tests point out the use of lab animals to test out the health benefits of organic resveratrol, there are very little claims of actual positive and guaranteed effects on humans. However, there are already a lot of claims and testimonials around the globe about the good that this substance can bring.

In other words, I'm not about to give up my daily habit of drinking a glass of my favorite organic red wine any time soon.