Natalie counts down the 10 worst foods you could eat. Chances are if you eat an average American diet, you ate at least three of these unhealthy foods today.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CZlVpthaYEs
In a fast food nation, eating healthy food becomes difficult to do. Yet a poor diet contributes to low energy, obesity, stress, health problems and high medical bills.
If you eat better, you will feel better and this video discusses some of the foods you should avoid.
Here’s a partial sample from Natalie’s list of the top 10 worst foods:
Stress is a disease that plagues everyone whether it is caused by work, school, relationships, or the future. These powerful forces can be caused by virtually any situation, and can even stem from internal thoughts. Stress can be defined as “a physical, chemical, or emotional factor that causes bodily or mental tension and may be a factor in disease causation.” The many symptoms of stress are varied, yet being easily annoyed or regularly irritable are standard indications of high stress levels. Everyone responds differently to life’s stressors, but the way stress affects the body is universal.
Although scientists have not discovered all the abundant effects of stress, here is a brief list of the surprising ways that stress affects the body:
Acne. When you are feeling overwhelmed, does it seem like pimples pop up overnight? That is because stress triggers inflammation of the body and inflammation is the physical cause of acne. Despite the fact that acne is most prevalent in teenagers, adults frequently suffer from acne as well. Some people say that having acne is emotionally upsetting and causes them to feel depressed. Unfortunately this process is cyclical; more acne leads to more stress and so on. To effectively treat acne, you should consult a dermatologist.
Eye spasms. You may often feel self-conscious about a twitching eye, but the reality is that the spasm is so small that no one can see it. Another common cause of eye and eyelid twitching is sleep deprivation- which is usually due to stress. Currently there are no known cures for occasional eye spasms, but stress- management seems to greatly help. The more you can relieve your anxiety and relax, the less likely your eye is to twitch. In extreme cases, it is necessary to consult a physician or ophthalmologist.
Headaches and migraines. Daily stress, such as from a high-pressured job, can lead to chronic tension headaches. Over half of all people who experience tension headaches report hunger or stress as the cause. Migraine sufferers are generally found to be more emotional and highly effected by stressful events than normal people. Treatment depends on the severity and frequency of the headaches.
Depression. This effect may seem obvious, but experiencing stress over a prolonged period of time decreases overall happiness in an individual. The constant difficulties of managing stress take a harmful toll on a person’s emotional and mental wellbeing. Chronic stress is often the root cause of other mental illnesses including obsessive-compulsive disorder, insomnia, and phobia. It is important to seek psychological help if you are worried that stress will result in depression.
Diarrhea and constipation. Sudden stress is known to disrupt bowel movements for a short period. Since bowel movements are a subconscious function, it is important to eliminate the stress to the best of your ability. Once the stress is relieved, then the bowel will return to equilibrium. If you are experiencing diarrhea, the most important thing to remember is that fluid intake should not cease, as the fluids and nutrients lost must be replenished. Prolonged stress has even been known to negatively contribute to Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS).
Weakened immune system. Scientists have found that during a period of raised cortisol (stress hormones), immune system cells disappear from the blood. Cortisol prevents the lymphocytes (immune cells) from multiplying. As we all know, as the immune system becomes weaker, the ability to fight off infectious diseases decreases.
Unfortunately many people underestimate the importance of skin care. Skin, our largest organ, must be protected from the elements. Our layers of skin protect us from the elements and play a vital role in immune system. By nourishing skin on the outside, we are also protecting our insides. Skin topography is the most important indicator of a person’s age. The quality of skin is one of the first physical factors we notice upon meeting someone. Strictly following a skin care regime can take years off a person by slowing down the natural signs of aging. Cultivating healthy and vibrant skin immediately increases a person’s natural beauty as well. Finding natural skin care products among the hype and confusion can be a challenge for even the most care of shoppers. When shopping, it is important to note that products with labels such as “dermatologist tested” and “all natural” give no signal about the quality of the product.
Here are the worst skin care ingredients:
Mineral oil or petroleum- derived from crude oil which is known to suffocate the skin by covering it with a impenetrable film
Parabens- preservatives known to disrupt the endocrine system
Ethyl alcohols- alcohol which dries out and irritates the skin
Each person has his or her own skin care needs, but here are some suggestions of natural skin care products which will not damage the skin.
1) The Young Living Every Day Essential Oil Collections is a wonderful introductory kit to essential oils. The vast benefits of using essential oils has been undisputed for centuries. Young Living only distributes therapeutic-grade oils, which are a natural remedy to many of the skin’s problems. For instance, lavender can be smoothed over a minor cut or burn to alleviate pain. The 9 5 mL oils come with an informational booklet and is $151.32.
2) The Body Shop’s Coconut Body Butter is the ultimate moisturizer. Especially helpful in the wintertime, this thick blend of Shea and coconut butter is intensively moisturizing and leaves the skin delightfully scented. The body butter has a creamier texture than standard lotions, and a little product goes a long way. The 7 oz. tub runs for $18.00.
3) Facial Creme and Sunscreen by Kiss My Face is a must use product for daily wear. This facial creme is fortified with botanicals and antioxidant minerals to soothe damaged skin. Another perk to this moisturiser is that the SPF 10 sunscreen protects the skin from future damage. This moisturizer is light-weight and non-irritating so it is suitable for those with sensitive skin. The 1 oz. tube costs $21.00.
4) Burt’s Bees Radiance Facial Cleanser gently removes dirt, oil, and make- up. Royal jelly, one of the most nutrient-rich compounds nourishes the skin while the jojoba beads effectively clean the skin. This combination leaves skin looking radiant and feeling soft. The 6 fl. oz bottle costs $10.00
5) The Figs and Leaves Soap by Lush Cosmetics is also very nourishing for the skin. The enticing scent of figs and spices is coupled with aloe vera to moisturize and exofoliate the skin. This soap is sulfate free and costs $7.60 for 3.5 fl oz.
Finding the best natural cosmetics can be a big chore. Follow along and learn about some of your best options. Most people are unaware what types of chemicals are in cosmetics. For example, the myth that there is lead in lipstick is true. Around 61% of the popular lipsticks on the market contain trace amounts of lead. But as the FDA has stated, no amount of lead is safe, no matter how small. This is because the lead bioaccumulates in the blood stream over time. Before buying any beauty product, make sure to do thorough research online about the quality of product you are buying.
Always look for cosmetics products that say “hypoallergenic,” “cruelty- free,” and “non-comedogenic.”
Here’s a list of the most important chemicals to AVOID:
Parabens- compound similar to estrogen, can disrupt the endocrine system and irritate skin
BHA- preservative, shown to be carcinogenic in animal studies
Fragrance- unknown blend of chemical unique to a product that could potentially cause allergic reactions or be carcinogenic
Petrochemicals- derived from fossil fuels, endocrine disruptor
1) Physicians Formula Organic Wear® Mascara. The eco-friendly plastic brush does a superb job of separating lashes, while still looking natural. It is excellent at lengthening the lashes, but not volumnizing. The non- clumping formula feels natural and light on the eyelashes, unlike many other products on the market. This mascara is safe for sensitive eyes and contact lens wearers and costs $9.50 for 1 tube.
2) Tarte Eight Dates a Week Lip gloss Set. This lip gloss set provides consumers many different color options and is a great portable size. Whatever the mood or occasion calls for, there will be a perfect color in this set. The unique formula blend is moisturizing while also delivering high- impact shine. The set of 8 lip glosses is $25.00
3) Bare Minerals Get Started Kit. This award winning mineral foundation has achieved cult status for a reason. The formula blend of is appropriate for all skin types, even sensitive and acne prone. After continual wear of Bare Minerals, the skin has actually been shown to improve over time, due to the anti-inflammatory properties of titanium dioxide. The lightweight texture and range of colors blends in to look natural, giving skin that beautiful “no-make up look.” This 8 piece set runs for $60.00.
4) Josie Maran Magic Marker Argan Liquid Eye Liner. Finding a user-friendly liquid eyeliner is difficult for any woman. This long-wear eye liner is waterproof and has a thin tip to draw the most precise lines. Containing argan oil, known to be naturally hydrating, this eye liner won’t damage the delicate skin around the eyes or cause wrinkles. The pen is $22.00.
5) Korres Monoi Oil Bronzing Powder. Forgoe looking like an orange oompa loompa when using this bronzer. This bronzing powder gives a believable sun-kissed glow and also a touch of light hydration. Unlike many other bronzers, the shimmer is subtle and does not look artificial. Using a bronzer is a great way to look tan without going tanning, which ages your skin. The compact runs for $28.00
Everyone wants to have healthy and lustrous hair, but few people realize that there are many harmful chemicals found in shampoo. We looked at three of the best choices for natural hair care products.
Commonly found in shampoos and soap, Sodium Lauryl Sulfate (SLS) is used to lather and foam up the hair and body while showering. Despite the misconception, lots of lather and foaming is not the best way to tell the quality of a shampoo. Ideally, the hair and scalp should be lubricated, not foamy, to clean the hair properly. Often when the hair is extremely sudsy, it means you are using too much shampoo and drying out your hair. Not only is SLS a known irritant, it is also a key ingredient in floor cleaners and engine degreasers. SLS dissolves a large amount of the naturally occurring oils on the body, causing the hair and skin to overdry. SLS also aggressively strips hair color off the strands, leaving the color looking dull and tired.
The best natural hair care products will be sulfate-free shampoos with gentle, non-drying ingredients in order to keep hair looking its best. And, of course, all of these products are cruelty-free as well.
1) Winning an Allure Editor’s Choice Award, Aveda’s Shampure™ Shampoo is free of any oil-stripping chemicals. The natural ingredients in this shampoo, such as lavender oil, brazil nuts, and wheat conditioners, are great for healing dry hair and brittle split ends while still thoroughly cleaning the hair. This shampoo is suitable for all hair- types (color treated included) and is $21.00 for 8.5 fl oz.
2) Pravana Hydrating Shampoo is used in many elite salons because their hair care “formulas utilize both the power of nature and the strength of technology.” Jojoba seed extract and rosemary leaf extract couple up to fully hydrate each strand of hair. This unique shampoo is specifically formulated to help repair damaged hair. Just after 3 uses, you can notice that hair looks shinier and feels softer. This shampoo is suitable for all hair-types (color treated included) and is $30.00 for 33.7 fl oz.
3) Only using USDA certified organic products, Dr. Bronner’s Magic Soaps, are now also certified fair trade. This outstanding company has been creating all-natural products for the past 60 years. Dr. Bronner’s soap products can also be used as a shampoo because the citric acid thoroughly cleans the hair while the essential oils and olive oil moisturize. This shampoo is suitable for all hair-types but not recommended for color treated and is $9.99 for 16 fl oz.
Four months of scorching hot weather! Life in the Southern United States is almost unbearable… but there are ways to beat the Texas heat!
Here are the top tips how to keep cool during an unbelievably hot summer:
Focus on the windows– Make sure ALL blinds and curtains are closed to deflect sunlight. According to the US Department of Energy, this can potentially reduce the amount of heat that passes into your home by 45 percent. Always keep windows and doors shut whenever the temperature is above 77 degrees Fahrenheit. In addition, check for any air leaks and seal them up with caulk or expanding foam insulation immediately. Common places to look for leaks are attics, around doors and windows, and electrical conduits.
Dress for the weather– Lightweight and light colored cottons help people keep cool, but most of all, make sure the garment is loose. This helps sweat evaporate quicker, instead of sticking to the body. Also when spending long amounts of time outside, make sure to wear a wide-brimmed hat or visor to shade your face. By dressing accordingly for extreme heat, you will have a lesser chance of suffering a heat stroke.
Strategically use fans– Most fans only cost anywhere from 2 to 5 cents to run per hour, so it is a wise way to cut down on air conditioning bills. Ceiling fans can decrease your cooling bill by up to 15 percent. Always turn off a fan before leaving a room because fans don’t cool down a room, but they do cool people off by evaporating sweat.
Don’t forget to exercise– The extreme heat often leaves us feeling sluggish, so regular exercise is necessary to rejuvenate. Ice-skating, taking an invigorating swim, or working out in an indoor facility are great ways to get into shape during the summer months. If you do decide to exercise outside, make sure to immediately stop when you feel stress on your body. The hot air temperature increases the body’s temperature, so knowing your limitations prevents heat- related illnesses.
Engage your mind– Reading a book about wintry weather can help you escape to. Books such as Doctor Zhivago and A Winter’s Tale keep your mind off of the current heat wave and instead evoke memories of ice and snow. Although movies with snowy scenes, like It’s a Wonderful Life or Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone may seem out of place for the time of year, but it tricks you into forgetting about the scorching weather.
Stay hydrated– Definitely our most important tip. Drinking more water than your thirst indicates helps prevent heat exhaustion. When we perspire more, we must replenish our body to keep our water content in equilibrium. Avoid caffeinated, sugary, and alcoholic drinks because they are all dehydrating. Eating foods with a high water content, such as fruits and veggies are also a great way to staying hydrated.
Pandit Tigunait, a living link in the 5,000-year old lineage of
the Himalayan sages, shares in his lecture the techniques to:
Understand the source of fear — the source of fear and doubt can be known and understood.
Transform fear and self-demeaning habits by retraining your mind to hear and heed the voice of the heart.
Apply the science of self-transformation — for your personal growth, worldly success and lasting relationships.
The Biography of Pandit Tigunait
The spiritual head of the Himalayan Institute, Pandit Rajmani Tigunait, Ph.D. is the successor of Swami Rama of the Himalayas. Lecturing and teaching world-wide for more than 30 years, he is the author of fourteen books including his autobiography Touched by Fire – The Ongoing Journey of a Spiritual Speaker and the best-selling At the Eleventh Hour: The biography of Swami Rama, and is a regular contributor to Yoga International magazine.
Pandit Tigunait holds two doctorates: one in Sanskrit from the University of Allahabad in India, and another in Oriental Studies from the University of Pennsylvania. Family tradition gave Pandit Tigunait access to a vast range of spiritual wisdom preserved in both the written and oral traditions. Before meeting his master, Pandit Tigunait studied Sanskrit, the language of the ancient scriptures of India ; Pali, the language of Buddhist scriptures; Prakrit, the language of Jaina scriptures; and Zend-Avesta, the language of the Zorastrian tradition. In 1976, Swami Rama ordained Pandit Tigunait into the 5,000-year-old lineage of the Himalayan masters.
“Mr X” is a repeat offender. He’s had a heart bypass, strokes, diabetic neuropathy, and he still doesn’t get it. “But why are you sending me to the endocrinologist? Can’t you help me?” he cries. “Of course I can, but you get in the way! Something I’m saying is not getting through. I’m here to help you help yourself. If I can’t get the message across, then I will find someone who can.”
Finally, looking him in the eye I said bluntly “you are your own worst enemy. You have got to get your head around this process.”
Give $30 at the door, we bill insurance and the cycle continues- the cycle of victim mentality. Welcome to American health care.
The burgeoning cost of health care is multifaceted to be sure. Frivolous lawsuits, duplicity of tests, high pharmacy costs, “hail Mary” medical practices (keeping people alive well beyond what their natural death should have been)– all keep the machine alive and gobble up our gross natural product.
After 16 years of practice, I’ve seen many triumphs and tragedies of Western medicine. Perhaps if we focused more upon the underlying malformed thought process within the patient’s mind, we could get more accomplished in the realm of helping our patients reach their goals of weight, blood pressure, etc.
“Oh, what’s that? Take responsibility for oneself? Yes, that’s what I said.” It’s high time we in the medical community address what has been called by many names, but here I will call it the “original cause of disease.”
Whether it is Starr Fuentes, Carolyn Myss, Joe Dispenza, DC or Louise Hay, they and countless others have discussed the mind-body connection. We are energetic beings even more than we are physical beings. There are days when we have energy and others when we feel depleted. People give us energy or they suck it from us. What directs energy within our flesh suitcase is our attention; attention is energy. What is meant by attention? Our thoughts—they create and they destroy.
When you think a thought of happiness, a cascade of chemical reactions that started in the brain goes on to affect the entire body. Relaxed states slow the heart. When we are at peace there is relaxed blood flow to the gut. Proper circulation to the gut allows for appropriate digestion of food. Good nutrition allows the body to repair itself.
Would you rather stay addicted to stress? The continued elevation of epinephrine and cortisol leads to elevated blood pressure, central fat deposition, increased blood sugar, and suppressed immune function along with a sundry of other maladies for which Big Pharma pills exists.
Our body listens to everything we say. How? Again our thoughts are chemicals, and those chemicals do not stay north of the collarbone; they enter the bloodstream, causing multiple cascades of other reactions.
What is even more fascinating is that we are not doomed by our genetics! Researchers are discovering that what unlocks genes—good and bad— is our thoughts! Wow! It is true “as a wo/man thinketh” so is s/he!
Here is an example of “Original Cause”. Patients with breast cancer tend to have two traits in common: poor boundaries and over-nurturing. Let’s say someone asks Mary if she can bake cookies for school. She’s tired, busy and not in the mood, but is worried how she will be perceived if she says “no”.
So she says “yes I can Sir” (can-cer).
The over-nurturing represents Mary not meeting her needs first. She pushes herself versus getting some much needed rest. When you are on an airplane they ask that you put your own oxygen mask on first before you assist others.
Tying thoughts to disease processes is fascinating and if you desire you can look into the resources named earlier or schedule a healing session with me. Moreover I would like to leave you, the reader, with two pieces of advice that just may change how you feel. Firstly, adopt an attitude of gratitude. Yes, your feet may hurt, but you can walk! Your job may not be pleasant, but it does pay the bills. Your kids may not be honor students, but they are honest and kind. Practicing gratitude is critical to one’s well being.
Secondly, stop viewing disease as a condition and take responsibility for your thoughts that are creating it by making it a verb. Instead of saying I have diabetes say I’m “diabetes-ing.” Come out to the School of Mystical Awakening (SOMA), and we can get into the original causes of diabetes. By making it a verb one recognizes their role in the process. If you have a part in it, then you have some control. Victims don’t have any control.
The world is beautiful. Be thankful. Connect with Spirit. Honor your Higher self by taking control of your thoughts and thereby your body and your future.
Shanti and prem,
Jennifer
Jennifer Laing, MDDr. Jennifer Laing, MD, Board Certified Family Physician, Usui & Karuna Reiki Master, integrates complementary medicine on a daily basis into her practice. Visit www.schoolofmysticalawakening.com or call 903-821-4001. Come and hear Dr. Jennifer Laing speak at the Wellness Expo in Grapevine on Sunday, June 26th at 1:30pm and at the Wellness Expo in Addison on Sunday, October 16th at 1:30pm on “The Original Cause of Disease”.
I perceive Life as a Grand Adventure! With enthusiasm and a voracious appetite to experience a variety of things in life, I have joyously, and sometimes haphazardly, expanded myself in many areas of my life. However, before long, more commitments, obligations, and responsibilities resulted in more to “manage” and suddenly life lost much of its sparkle. Streamlining my life through more efficient processes became my focus. With that being my intent, the Universe guided me directly back to the 80/20 Principle through a gift I received from a dear friend.
You can transform your life with a simple understanding of, and by applying, the 80/20 Principle which has been extensively written about in a series of books by Richard Koch.
The 80/20 Principle essentially says that 80 percent of results come from only 20 percent of causes or effort.
As an entrepreneur, I first considered what applying this in business might look like. How would it increase my overall productivity, and ultimately my financial bottom line? Simply identify what we’re doing that falls in the 20% category that’s producing our best 80% of results and then spend more time doing those things – not a new idea. But as I played with this concept related to business, and because my businesses are all spirituality focused, it caused me to have an integrated view – both spiritual and business in nature. That caused me to see my business options from my spiritual center. And then to consider what effects this would have if I applied this principle in my life from a spiritual perspective.
How does this principle look if we apply it to our individual spirituality? What if we consider this in relation to the experiences we are having? To our perception of our experiences?! What an idea!
That caused me to ask myself “what if 80 percent of what I’m experiencing is from only 20% of applied or deliberate, conscious thought?” What if I spend more time responding deliberately and intentionally? How would I perceive life then? And what results might that create?!
As we continue to awaken to our human potential, many people now understand, and are beginning to own, our co-creative response—abilities in applying Free Will with deliberate thought or intent. We understand better than ever that we create our experiences from thought. And we are learning how to do so more everyday.
Each moment we experience offers us opportunities to demonstrate who we think we are, our grandest version in action, and express what we believe. Each moment offers us opportunities to deliberately choose to operate from our Highest Self or to respond unconsciously (by default).
How much time or what ratio of our living experience, is spent from a consciously aware space of the “Observer” or “Centered, Higher Self” versus from default or our unconscious and reactionary spaces? Perhaps we could ask ourselves “how is my time divided living from the Ego versus Higher Self?”
In asking myself these questions, I found the Universe very succinctly guided me to answers I had been seeking in several situations I have been intending change in! By applying this principle in a more spiritual than business manner in my life, I’ve recently discovered:
My intuition is far more “laser sharp” and flows with ease because I am staying in alignment for greater periods of time by being the Observer or Witness to my experiences. Decisions are easier because of this clarity.
More often, my actions are taken from an inspired, rather than a reactionary place, which is an aligned action. This is producing higher percentages of intended or desired results in my life!
I have discovered the areas I have been experiencing discord or challenge in are the areas that fall into my 80% or “waste of my energy” category! Here is where I have had the greatest opportunity for surrendering or letting go of wasted time and energy to allow a space for the intended or desired results.
I suggest playing with the 80/20 Principle in your life to see what else it could mean, such as: • What if 20% of what I think produces 80% of my experiences?! • Does 80% of what I experience derive from 20% of my efforts? • Am I spending 80% of my time noticing the 20% I dislike about my life? Or am I spending 20% of my time noticing the 80% I love?!
What would questions like this help you realize? What could it uncover, heal, and resolve in your life? Be light about it and play with this concept in various ways to really integrate its value into your everyday experience.
Life is rich and full of magic, wonder and joy. I’m certain that if we shift our focus from the 80 percentile to the 20, we’d discover that the magic, wonder and joy exist in the 20 percent! Shall we find out? I’d love to hear about your experiences.
I may be contacted at: 469-767-2727.
Cheryl is a Clairvoyant in private practice and owner of the Dallas Psychic Fair, which is held monthly in Dallas.
Come to Cheryl and Sandra Larson’s “Intuitive Gallery” at the Wellness Expo in Grapevine on Sunday, June 26th at 5pm and at the Wellness Expo in Addison on Saturday, October 15th at 5pm. Guided by spirit, they will share channelled messages for audience members.