People use acupuncture to balance out the ‘Chi’ flow of an ill person’s body or simply to stay at optimum health. However, research now shows you can send similar ‘shockwaves’ simply by tapping on your meridian points!

EFT have helped people with various health problems

• Intense bad memories
• Depression
• Uncontrolled anger
• Unrestrained sadness
• Obstructive thought habits
• Hatred for self & others
• Impatience
• Over-defensiveness
• Heart-racing nervousness
• Approach Anxiety
• Greed
• Traumas
• Guilt and insomnia
• Fear of public speaking, rejection, success and social anxieties
• Phobia for anything, e.g. heights, water, being alone, being in the dark, certain insects, reptiles or animals, etc.
• Stress
• Panic attack/Unfocused thoughts
• Procrastination
• Weight loss/Craving for food
• Headache
• Migraine
• Allergies
• Self sabotaging
• Constipation
• Physical Pain
• Fingernail biting
• Sexual abuse
• Addiction to smoking, drugs, coffee and alcohol (Alcoholism)
• Body embarrassment
• High blood pressure
• Diabetes
• Multiple sclerosis
• Cold
• Acne
• Asthma
• Stiffness
• Lower back pain

How to learn EFT

The best thing about it is that you can  easily learn EFT and perform on your own when ever you need.

This video will give you a short introduction to EFT and if you find it interesting, check out this EFT guide that will give you all the tools you need to get the health benefits of a free mind.

Does EFT work?

September 2003 Journal of Clinical Psychology presented research results from a study where about  5,000 patients diagnosed with an anxiety disorder were randomly assigned to an experimental group (tapping) or a control group (Cognitive Behavior Therapy/medication). The results showed that:

63% of the control group were judged as having improved.
90% of the experimental groups were judged as having improved.   [43% better than the control group]
51% of the control group were judged as being symptom free.
76% of the experimental group were judged as symptom free.          [49% better than the control group]

Sleep deprivation or sleep loss is very common. No only adults suffer from sleep loss but the problems is increasing in children. Sleep loss can have serious effects even if you only slept one hour less than you needed. It can not only make you feel tired but your social skills are affected and you’ll probably crave sugar and eat a lot more food. Sleep deprivation has been linked to obesity.

Here are 7 risks with sleep loss:

1. Irritation

Your brain needs sufficient sleep to function. Just one hour less sleep per night can have a negative effect on your social skills.

2. Sugar Cravings

Experts have found a connection between sugar cravings and lack of sleep. If you find yourself often reaching out for sugary foods to boost your energy levels this may be a sign of sleep deprivation.

3. Hunger!

Dr. Van Cauter at University of Chicago have found that short-term sleep restriction damaged the body’s ability to regulate eating by lowering levels of leptin, the hormone that tells the body when it has had enough. This can quickly lead to overeating.

4. Lack of energy and frequent colds

Experts have linked sleep to how well our immune system works. If you suffer from lack of energy or frequent colds it’s advisable to consider if you get enough sleep.

5. Walk and talk in your sleep

According to National Sleep Foundation (NSF) walking or talking in your sleep can be a sign of lack of sleep.

6. Trouble Multitasking

The ability to focus can be easily diminished if you have slept less than you need for a period of time. You might still easily perform a task you’ve done several times while new challenges may cause problems. Sleep loss can also give you trouble making decisions, especially if something unexpected happens.

7. Clumsiness

Did sleep well last night? Then you’re reactions will affected today and maybe even tomorrow. You simply can’t control you muscles as well if you’ve had sleep loss and you can also have trouble with pronunciation.

image by pedrosimoes7

Don’t meet spring outdoors with a runny nose this year.

Here is a natural program in three steps that will prepare your body to minimize the effects of the pollen season and then show you how to remove the allergic reactions with natural food instead of drugs.

What is Hay Fever?

Hay fever is an allergic reaction to pollen. The problem is usually hardly visible pollens of wind-pollinated trees, grasses and weeds.
Hay fever can cause headache, runny nose, itchy eyes, throat and nose, coughing, sneezing and even fever. The easiest way to avoid a reaction is to stay inside and keep the windows closed. This might be easy but very depressing and unhealthy in other ways.

Histamine
Histamine is an important protein involved in many allergic reactions. It is formed in the body from the essential amino acid histidine. Some people produces more histamine that others and typical those who suffer from hay fever produce a lot.
Antihistamine drugs are often used to lower the histamine release and thereby reduce the allergic reaction.

This 3 step process will help you survive the hay fever season without red eyes and runny nose.

Step 1 Cleanse Your Body

A body cleanse is a very good way to start a new season and help your body get rid of toxins in the body. There are so many ways to clean you body. Some people choose to do a full body cleanse of a weeks fast 1-3 times a year. Another method is to have a weekly fast-day or a monthly fast-weekend. If you don’t want to fast there are many cleanses that can be bought at the health food stores. If you a new to body cleanses a very easy way to do clean out toxins is to use a raw food diet. Start by eating raw food during one raw weekend.
Bottom line is doing a body cleanse is good but there is no right way. Choose what feels good for you, your body and your lifestyle.

Step 2 Support Your Liver

The liver is our most important detoxifying organ. It removes circulating histamine. Boost you liver function by eating food that supports the liver even before the pollen season starts. Vitamin-B such as biotin and inositol support the liver function. Vitamin B can be found in:

* Buckwheat
* Brown rice
* Lenses
* Sunflower seeds
* Oats
* Chicken
* Eggs

Another important way to support your liver is to minimize other substances which cause a burden on it such as fat food and alcohol.

Step 3 Lower Histamine Releases Naturally

Once the pollen season has started instead of taking antihistamine drugs eat natural foods that naturally will lower histamine release.
Natural antihistamines are:

* Vitamin C which for example can be found in citrus fruits, kiwi, black currant berries, rose hips, cauliflower and broccoli.
* Ginger
* Quercetin is a natural antihistamine that also helps reduce inflammation. It can be found in kelp, spirulina and red onion. Quercetin seems to work even better when used in conjunction with bromelain, a digestive enzyme found in pineapples.

You are now ready to go outside in the sunshine without a runny nose.

Image by Dawn Endico

Eucalyptus has very strong medicinal benefits. One popular use is to clear sinus infection. Sinus infection can be especially disturbing at night.

You can make a homemade rub that clears your sinuses and helps them keep clear. It is very effective and smells great.

Unless you live in Australia you might not have a eucalyptus tree in your backyard. So where do you find eucalyptus leaves?

•    Buy a branch at your florist
•    Buy in a crafts store
•    Buy a tree to keep indoors
•    Go outside and find a tree. Eucalyptus grows practically all over the world.

The leaves stay fresh for about 6 months. Find a leave with a strong scent. The smell comes from the chemical eucalyptol that that is the substance that gives the leave its medicinal benefit.
Use the leaves for this  natural remedy.

Homemade Natural Decongestant

ingredients

12 fresh eucalyptus leaves
10 g fresh ginger
Couple of twists of black pepper
200g Vaseline (petroleum jelly) or homemade moisturizing salve
20 drops of peppermint oil

1. Chop the leaves and the ginger put in a glass container with lid. Add salve or Vaseline and pepper and let simmer over a pan of water of about an hour. Keep the lid on to make sure the goodness of the leaves says in the oil!
2. With the help of the colander squeeze the now emerald green oil out of the leaves into the clean container that you would like to keep you rub in. Add the peppermint oil and let the salve set of a few minutes. The rub will keep for about one year.
3. Carefully massage some of the rub on your chest or temples to ensure a good night’s sleep. Use it once a day for 7 days.

Always check of allergies first. Add salve to a small part of the skin. If you have no reaction after 24 hours you can use the remedy.

More uses for eucalyptus leaves:

• They are a natural deodorizer, a prefect reason to get an indoor tree.
• They ward off inspects and bugs even flees and cockroaches.
• Put them in a chest drawer to add a scent to the clothes/ towels.
• Make tea (1/4 – 1/2 teaspoonful per cup hot water, steep for 10 min) to help decongestion and bad breath.
• Chop leaves and add to boiling water.  Inhale to clear sinuses.

Image by Svenstorm

Bad breath has been rated the most unattractive feature a person can have!

It is very embarrassing to have bad breath and it is very unpleasant to talk or, even worse, kiss a person with a smelly breath. However there are tons of home remedies to get rid of the problem.

Here are the best home remedies to cure bad breath:

1. Gargle baking soda dissolved in water.

2. Eat sugar-free yogurt.

3. Drink a lot of water throughout the day.

4. Check of fresh basil leaves and then rinse with water.

5. Drink green tea.

6. Eat citrus fruits.

7. Eat fresh parsley.

8. Drink tea from Fenugreek seeds

9. Chew on sunflower seeds and drink water after every meal

10. Chew on a clove after every meal.

11. Eat apples.

12. Drink pineapple juice.

13. Chew cardamom seeds.

14. Chew on mint leaves.

15. Use probiotics.

16.. Use tooth paste for dry mouth.

17. Brush your teeth twice a day.

18. Clean your tongue with your toothbrush, the edge of a spoon, or a tongue cleaner.

19. Wash your mouth with lukewarm salt water before going to bed.

20. Floss with tea tree oil. Fill up the dental floss container with tea tree oil so the whole spool of dental floss gets some tea tree oil on it.

21. Brush with tea tree oil. Add 2 drops of tea tree oil on your tooth brush with your tooth paste.

22. Eat avocado

If you really want to be sure to get rid of your bad breath. Check out this secret formula of common household ingredients that eliminated the bad breath problem 96 times out of 100!

You can get some more ideas on how to get rid of bad breath with home remedies in this video.

Image by ValtheKid

Today I have the pleasure of publishing a in-depth guest article about hypoglycemia or low blood sugar.  The Author – Su Rollins writes for hypoglycemia diet menu , her personal hobby blog focused on tips to prevent and cure hypoglycemia using the right diet and nutrition.

What is hypoglycemia?

Hypoglycemia, also called low blood glucose or low blood sugar, occurs when blood glucose drops below normal levels. Glucose, an important source of energy for the body, comes from food. Carbohydrates are the main dietary source of glucose. Rice, potatoes, bread, tortillas, cereal, milk,
fruit, and sweets are all carbohydrate-rich foods.

Hypoglycemia can happen suddenly. It is usually mild and can be treated quickly and easily by eating or drinking a small amount of glucose-rich food. If left untreated, hypoglycemia can get worse and cause confusion, clumsiness, or fainting. Severe hypoglycemia can lead to seizures, coma, and even death.

In adults and children older than 10 years, hypoglycemia is uncommon except as a side effect of diabetes treatment. Hypoglycemia can also result, however, from other medications or diseases, hormone or enzyme deficiencies, or tumors.

What effect does exercise have on glucose levels?

Did you know that you can easily manage your diabetes just by engaging in exercise? There are exercises that have a good effect on the glucose levels of those suffering from type 2 diabetes. When you engage in exercise, you expend a lot of energy from the glucose found in your muscles. At first, the body simply uses up the glucose which is traced from your muscles’ glycogen. It is in your bloodstream where this glucose is found. Engaging in exercise means your blood glucose levels will not get lower. Additionally, your body also releases additional glucagon and hormones. These are important because they break down your liver’s stored fats, turning it into more glucose you can expend. Engaging in exercise means your body improves; it develops a better sensitivity when it comes to insulin, as well as allowing you to be more in control of your glycemic index.
Why is the effect of exercise on glucose levels important to those with type 2 diabetes?

Exercise indeed has a good effect on a patient’s glucose level. This is good news for people who have type 2 diabetes. A lot of research indicates that patients of diabetes gain more control over their glycemic as soon as they get used to a regular exercise program. On the other hand, people who do not engage in exercise find no improvement on their glycemic control. Since exercise improves your insulin sensitivity, you will also need less medicines in order to control the levels of your blood sugar.
Should patients with type 2 diabetes exercise more often or differently than otherwise healthy people?
There are, of course, people who become at risk for hypoglycemia due to the combined effects of their diabetes and engaging in high stress exercise. This happens during exercise and after it, too. If you think about it though, people can also be at risk for hyperglycemia simply for having poor control over their diabetes. Therefore, the leaders in this field recommend engaging in moderate exercise for a minimum of 2 hours and 30 minutes, or 90 minutes if they want to do vigorous exercise.
What type of exercise is best for type 2 diabetes patients?
When it comes to exercise, the kind of exercise that is used is not as important compared to the frequency of the exercise. There are also some studies showing that if you participate in both weight training and aerobic activity, you get even more benefits as a result.
When should patients be discouraged from exercising?

Of course, sometimes patients should not engage in vigorous exercise especially when they have cardiac conditions or they are more prone to developing injuries as a result. It is better if they start of slow and get used to a light intensity program instead.
How might a patient be encouraged to exercise?

You can encourage patients to exercise slowly and surely until they adapt to it.

Image by  http://www.flickr.com/photos/dnorman/2711312845/sizes/sq/

“It sound like she has the flu but you know there is no cure for a virus.” That’s what the doctors office told me over the phone when my 2 year-old had over 104  a few weeks ago.

There is no cure for virus but that doesn’t mean that you are powerless against viruses like the swine flu. You can still boost your immune system to decrease your chances of falling ill.

This is from my ONEgroup newsletter about  how to protect yourself against virus.

What is a virus anyway?
Most people don’t really know what’s meant by the term ‘virus’. Generally, they believe it to be a ‘germ’ that sneaks into the bloodstream to make you unwell. But that’s not even close to the truth. Put VERY simply, a virus is not a living thing at all. It’s a tiny particle of inert genetic material.
Transferred by touch or through the air, this particle enters your body through the mouth, nose or eyes. Inside, it takes over a living cell, by instructing it to ‘clone’ the virus. When the overloaded cell finally bursts, it scatters the virus particles and they begin to multiply.
Natural antibodies, generated by your immune system, flood to defend their territory. It becomes a battle of speed and strength. That’s why it’s s vital to do all you can to strengthen your body’s natural guard against all viral invaders.
A good organic based diet, lots of fresh air, water and exercise, and certified organic probiotic superfoods like MiVitality In-Liven and Fast-Tract give your system the defence boost that can make all the difference.

Probiotics valuable in defeating disease
Did you know that 85% of your body’s immunity against flu and other seasonal ‘bugs’ lies in your gut? That’s especially important now that Swine Flu – a variant of the old Influenza A – has struck. Whether or not it takes hold in your family depends on how many ‘good’ bacteria you can summon to fight off the ‘bad’ invaders. Certified organic In-Liven probiotic superfood and Fast-Tract gluten-free probiotic liquid were developed over 25 years’ to help boost the body’s defences against seasonal viral diseases. And since that includes Swine Flu, can you really afford not to take them?

Most people feel the effect of In-Liven really fast, that’s one of the reasons it has become so popular. Today with nasty, new viruses spreading among us probiotics are just getting more important.

Food allergies are not always causing a immediate response like an itchy throat.

They may also cause, so called type two response, where your immune system overreact in ways that may seem completely unrelated like migraines, chronic headaches, arthritic pain, chronic fatigue, digestion problems and ADHD. A 25 year ongoing study shows that 95% of the population has what is known as a “type two” toxic reaction to common everyday foods that you eat regularly.

Watch this video and learn more about it.

But sometime you may cross the line between a couple of nights of poor sleep and insomnia. This is the line where it starts to effect your life and your health. When you cross this line it is time you treat your insomnia.

How to know if you suffer from insomnia?

Insomnia is when you have these 3 problems:

1. Experience poor sleep in general. (falling asleep, staying asleep, or poor-quality sleep)
2. Problems occurs despite having enough opportunity to sleep and a good sleep environment.
3. The poor sleep can results in problems when you are awake:
   • fatigue
   • sleepiness
   • aches and pains
   • mood disturbance
   • poor concentration
   • lack of energy or motivation
   • worry about sleep

If you believe that you are suffering from insomnia it is important to start treating it at soon as possible before it becomes sleep becomes a physiological problem.

A good way to start is to look into Natural Insomnia Treatments:

Sleep routine

Develop a healthy sleep routine where you go to bed at the same time each night and get up at the same time each morning. Make sure you plan your night for a good night sleep.

Herbs

Chamomile, lavender, passionflower and valerian can help you to relax and fall asleep. They are often used in a herbal tea.

Hot Bath

Take a long, hot bath one hour or two before bed time.
The method is called “passive body heating” and it alters your body temperature cycle and help some people fall asleep.

Acupuncture

Certain meridian points on legs, arms, wrist, scalp and ears are effective in treating insomnia.

Reconditioning

Many people with insomnia get frustrated tossing and turning in bed. This frustration gets associated with the bedroom which only makes matters worse. Richard Bootzin has created a method to break this vicious circle.  The method is called reconditioning but is also known as “stimulus control” and it has 6 steps:

1. Go to bed when you’re sleepy
2. Use the bed only for sleep and sex (no tv, books, food or worrying in bed)
3. If you are unable to sleep in about 20 min, get up and go to another room until you are sleepy
4. If you can’t fall asleep repeat step 3 as often as necessary
5. Set your alarm  and get up at the same time every morning, regardless of when you  went to bed the night before
6. Do not nap during the day

Sleep Restriction

The idea behind sleep restriction is to make sure that you get a full block of good undisturbed sleep. This helps you minimize the tossing and turning and the following frustration. Follow these 3 steps:

1. Estimate the number of hours that you sleep
2. Go to sleep the X amount of hours before you need to get up. No matter how tired you are don’t go to bed earlier.
3. When you have slept well for several nights add 30 min to you sleep and repeat the process.

For example: if you estimate that you get 5 hours of sleep each night and you need to  get up at 7 am then go to bed at 2 am. Do not sleep less than 5 hours a night. If you get less than 5 hours sleep at night and still have trouble falling asleep contact a doctor.

Relaxation Techniques

Insomnia that is causes by stress or a worried mind can often be resolved with relaxation. Try techniques such as:

1. Deep breathing
2. Meditation
3. Visualization
4. Progressive muscle relaxation
5. Biofeedback

On top of this there are also foods that you can eat to help you relax and fall asleep.

Image by ph0t0 {loves you too}.

Many people take prescription drugs to keep their blood pressure in control but there are so many natural alternatives.

One is the Dash diet. A natural diet proven to, in just 2 weeks, lowers you blood pressure as efficiently as prescription drugs.

Here are the daily basics of the Dash Diet plan:

1. 4-5 pieces of fruit
2. 4-5 servings of vegetables
3. 7-8 servings of whole grain products
4. 2-3 servings of low fat dairy products
5. Max 2 servings of lean meat, fish or poultry. Fish is preferred.

Try these Dash Diet Recipes.

Other natural ways to lower your blood pressure are:

1. Exercise
2. Lose weight
3. Use less salt
4. Use less alcohol
5. Get enough sleep
6. Stress less