November 3, 2009
Stress comes in all sorts of packages.
I have no idea what stresses you out when you get up in the morning or when you go to work.
Maybe its something that happens when you get home. Stress relief needs to be practical. Read more on Relax…
Filed under Barry's Blog, Health & Healing by on Nov 3rd, 2009. 
When it is one of those days when you feel bloated, have breast pain, gain weight, have acne, headaches, cramping and mood swings, you know it is one of those days that every woman dreads. A lot of women suffer from premenstrual symptoms (PMS) and it can cause a lot of inconvenience to the sufferer. There are a plenty of home-based treatments available for the PMS sufferers but it needs some experimentation to determine the right one for you.
The common treatments for PMS are:
ï Reduce your intake of saturated fats: When you consume a lot of fatty foods, your PMS symptoms and pain tend to worsen. Avoid fatty cuts of beef, lamb and pork and go in for fish and poultry. Replace butter, which has high content of saturated fats with flaxseeds, safflower and corn, which are rich in polyunsaturated fats.
ï Minimize salt intake: Excessive intake of salt leads to water retention. Many snack foods and some fast-foods have very high salt content. These foods will lead to bloating. Hence it is advisable to choose fresh fruits and vegetables over packaged and processed foods.
ï Take more of carbohydrates to minimize the cravings: It is common to crave for high carbohydrate foods like ice cream, chocolate and potato chips during PMS. But switching to complex carbohydrates like whole grains, pasta, cereal and bagel will effectively counter the food cravings experienced during PMS. Also, these foods are the excellent sources of fiber and thus remove the excess estrogen from the body. High-carbohydrate, low-sugar foods help in relieving the psychological symptoms of tension, anxiety and mood swings associated with PMS. Women who eat high-fiber foods are more alert and happier than those who donít.
ï Move your body: Exercise has been shown to reduce many physical and psychological symptoms associated with PMS. This is because exercise releases endorphins, the chemicals in the brain associated with easing pain and increasing the sense of well-being. It also reduces breast tenderness, food cravings, fluid retention and depression.
ï Eliminate caffeine: If you are sensitive to caffeine, it is best to avoid caffeine like tea, coffee, colas and chocolates. Studies have proved that women who consume two or more cups of caffeine a day are likely to suffer from PMS, since caffeine is a stimulant and can lead to anxiety and irritability. It also leads to breast tenderness.
ï Read labels on pain relievers: Some over-the-counter medicines contain caffeine. Hence, if you take them during PMS, they will aggravate the symptoms. Read the contents of the medicine carefully before taking them.
ï Skip alcohol: Alcohol is a depressant and a diuretic and can worsen PMS headaches and fatigue. It can increase depression. Hence, avoid taking any alcoholic beverages including wine or beer, if you have PMS.
ï Prevent menstrual acne with vitamins A and D: Vitamins A and D have been proved to suppress menstrual acne. Eat plenty of carrots, cooked spinach, cooked sweet potatoes and cantaloupe for vitamin A and plenty of sunshine or fortified milk for vitamin D.
ï Improve your mood with vitamin B6: Taking more of vitamin B6 has been shown to improve mood swings, fluid retention, breast tenderness, bloating, sugar craving and fatigue. You can take supplements of 25 to 100 milligrams a day or increase your intake of vitamin B6 by eating more of potatoes, bananas, fish, white meat in chicken and turkey.
ï Reduce stress and allergies by taking vitamin C: Vitamin C helps in alleviating the stress experienced during PMS. Being a natural antihistamine, it helps women whose allergies worsen during PMS. Take more of vegetables like broccoli, Brussels sprouts and raw peppers and fruits like cantaloupe, grapefruit, oranges, cranberry and citrus fruits.
ï Vitamin E helps: Vitamin E has been shown to have a powerful effect on the hormonal system, thus relieving painful breast symptoms, anxiety and depression. Cooking oils and salad dressings like olive oil, safflower oil and corn oil as well as some fruits like blackberries and apples contain vitamin E.
ï Fight PMS with calcium and magnesium: Calcium prevents menstrual cramps and pain. Magnesium helps the body in absorbing calcium. Magnesium helps in controlling premenstrual food cravings and stabilizing moods. If you do not suffer from lactose intolerance, you can opt for skim milk as a source of calcium. Include green leafy vegetables, beans, peas, tofu and canned salmon for calcium and spinach, tofu, rice bran and some fish like halibut and mackerel for magnesium.
When it is one of those days when you feel bloated, have breast pain, gain weight, have acne, headaches, cramping and mood swings, you know it is one of those days that every woman dreads. A lot of women suffer from premenstrual symptoms (PMS) and it can cause a lot of inconvenience to the sufferer. There are a plenty of home-based treatments available Read more on 12 Ways to Fight PMS…
Filed under Health & Healing by on Nov 3rd, 2009. 1 Comment.
Okay ladies, we all want to look our best, feel our best, and be at our best and honestly at times that can be darn challenging! We work all day and then come home and work all night and then wonder why our complexion isn’t peaches and cream. We wonder why our skin is chapped and why our hair just never seems to look as great as the ladies in those shampoo commercials. Well ladies, here it is! Your ultimate beauty regimen custom made for you! By the way, it’s custom because you decide which essential oils to use.
Water sprays with a few drops of essential oils are handy for that quick pick-me-ups needed throughout the day. The sprays are easy to make and it’s a good idea to keep several different ones available for whatever need might arise. The rosemary mist is an invigorating post shower spray that you can apply after you’ve towel dried. Combine 6 drops of rosemary essential oil and a rosemary sprig with one teaspoon of olive in 5 ounces of water. You can also create other sprays using 6 drops of essential oil in 5 ounces water. The grapefruit essential oil is also known to promote feelings of happiness and peace and to combat feelings of fatigue and exhaustion.
At least once a month or whenever needed, make a bath mush and rejuvenate your skin. Use 1/4 cup aloe gel, 1/4 cup honey, 1/4 cup sea or rock salt, 1/4 cup heavy cream or powdered milk, 2 teaspoons jojoba oil and 5 drops of essential oil. Mix the ingredients right before using and pour it into your bath water. Your skin will thank you for it!
Keep a massage oil and lotion made using your favorite essential oil handy. Our bodies are sensitive to touch and massaging affected areas with the oils or lotions helps promote circulation. The massage oil and lotion not only helps our emotional well-being, but it can also help to keep our skin feeling it’s best. For an energizing massage oil blend, mix 6 drops grapefruit oil with 4 drops of ginger essential oil in 1 ounce of a carrier oil like sweet almond. Should you ever need it, here’s a great recipe for headaches. Mix 5 drops of lavender and 1 drop of peppermint essential oil into 1 tablespoon carrier oil.
One of the best things about this regimen is that the effects of the aromatherapy help to keep our emotions in a positive state. So not only do we have our skin and body cared for, we have our minds cared for too! We’ll not only look great, but feel great too! Keeping a positive mindset about the way we view ourselves is important part of looking great and feeling great.
It is also important to note that the use of essential oils vary from person to person. If we experience any type of redness or itching after the application of the essential oil, wash the area immediately. Also important is that aromatherapy does not replace proper medical treatment. Consult with your doctor or aromatherapy practitioner before starting any aromatherapy regimen.
Okay ladies, we all want to look our best, feel our best, and be at our best and honestly at times that can be darn challenging! We work all day and then come home and work all night and then wonder why our complexion isn’t peaches and cream. Read more on Ultimate Beauty Regimen…
Filed under Lifestyle by on Nov 3rd, 2009.
November 16, 2009
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Filed under Your book Store by on Nov 16th, 2009.
November 26, 2009
Does soy prevent breast cancer or increase the risk?
Sadly, soy is not the ticket to breast cancer prevention or reversal. Indeed, numerous studies suggest that it can cause, contribute to or accelerate the growth of cancer, Read more on SOY: IN THE PINK?…
Filed under Nutrition by on Nov 26th, 2009.
