My friend Donna Gates over at TheBodyEcologyDiet.comwill explain some of the good things vinegar can do for the body. She has written a great book on the subject of vinegar and other raw foods. Please take the time to check her site out.

Apple Cider Vinegar and Body Ecology

For healing and detoxification, apple cider vinegar is a great addition to your Body Ecology lifestyle.
In addition to nourishing your inner ecosystem, apple cider vinegar can:

Restore your body’s natural pH balance – Your blood is supposed to be slightly alkaline, but just as poor diet and lifestyle habits harm your inner ecosystem, they also harm the pH balance of your blood. As your blood becomes acidic, the stage is set for illness. Apple cider vinegar helps restore your body’s pH.
For more information on the pH or acid/alkaline levels of your blood, please see: http://bodyecology.com/newsletters/06/11/30/drugs_make_blood_acidic.php

Aid digestion – Apple cider vinegar helps stimulate your stomach acid, aiding the digestion of protein and fats. Good digestion is essential for staying healthy and naturally slim.

Promote the growth of healthy microflora – apple cider vinegar is a prebiotic, which feeds probiotics (the healthy microflora in your inner ecosystem). For more, read: Why Prebiotics are Essential to Your Heart Health and Immune System.

Stop sugar cravings – use apple cider vinegar next time you have a craving for that bowl of ice cream or piece of chocolate cake. Here’s a quick remedy that may stop you from indulging: Add two teaspoons of raw apple cider vinegar to a 6 oz glass of filtered water, and drink it down.

Find out even more ways to use apple cider vinegar to heal and detoxify your body! Get your copy of The Body Ecology Diet today!

Over 150,000 copies of The Body Ecology Diet have been sold …mostly as a result of friends telling friends about it, not advertising. Why? It works!!

If you experience pain, discomfort, fatigue, or other symptoms that won’t go away no matter what you do or how many doctors you see, chances are you’re one of the 80 million Americans unknowingly suffering from candidiasis, the hidden invader. The result of an imbalance in the growth of a yeast naturally present in the body, candidiasis can be a key factor in:

Food allergies
Sensitivity to tobacco and odors
Digestive problems
Other immune-related disorders
Headaches
Depression
Cancer
AIDS
Skin rashes
Low sex drive
Joint and muscle pain
Menstrual irregularities

Today we talk about probiotics and how they can help the body. Probiotic food is beneficial for health and capable of boosting immunity. Lisa Antao of The Times of India will tells you more about its growing popularity.

Does your diet include probiiotics?

Did you know there are over 400 distinct species of microorganisms inhabit the various regions of the adult human digestive tract, making up nearly two kg of total body weight? Few of these bacteria, such as lactobacilli species and bifidobacteria, are beneficial to our health and are capable of boosting immunity. In recent years, there has been a lot of curiosity and interest in probiotic foods because of their ability to benefit one’s health. The term probiotic means ‘for life’. There are two types of bacteria, good bacteria and bad bacteria. Harmful bacteria are those microorganisms, like yeast, fungi and parasites, that cause diseases. Probiotics are organisms that contribute to the health and balance of the intestine tract and are commonly referred to as the good bacteria.

Meditation is the most important thing to do when your re-energizing your chi. The mind controls the body, so a strong mind will result in a stronger body. Improve your whole health with meditation.

Meditation has been practiced for thousands of years, and is used in some form by most religions as a way of tapping into divine knowledge. Even if you’re not seeking spiritual enlightenment but just a little peace, meditation is the quickest and most available way to do this.

Thoughts are constantly flowing through our minds – by some estimates up to 50,000 thoughts per day. The busier we get, the more our head is abuzz, making it harder to calm down. Our mind can even continue producing thoughts during sleep, so while the body is resting the mind doesn’t get a break.

Our friend at TheLifeCo.com have some information on how to prepare yourself for a better mind/body experience. Make sure you stop by their site for more tips on how to live a healthier life.

Meditation health benefits

Without a rest, our mind becomes more exhausted, affecting our ability to think clearly and make decisions. Meditation gives your mind a chance to slow down and rest. When you slow down your thoughts, you find that you are able to direct them towards more positive and productive outcomes. After meditating, you feel calmer and can think more clearly, while your mood and the ability to concentrate improve.

The mind and body are intricately connected, and being able to quiet the mind brings relaxation to the body. By reducing stress, meditation helps the immune system work better, lowers blood pressure, reduces pain and the effects of allergies, and can improve anxiety and sleep disorders. By meditating for just a few minutes each day you can easily feel the positive effects on your well being.

How to meditate

The easiest way to start training your mind to meditate is to focus on your breathing. Breathing is something we all do, and by paying attention to the breath as it enters and exits your body and the rhythm it creates, you can easily get your mind to stay in one place.

1. Find a quiet space and get in a comfortable position by standing, sitting or lying down.
2. Close your eyes and take a moment to scan your body from head to toe. Notice what’s happening in your body. Relax or readjust any parts that are tense or uncomfortable.
3. Breathe deeply and slowly. Imagine your breath traveling down your spine as you inhale and back up as you exhale.
4. If your mind begins to wander to thoughts, sounds or feelings, gently bring your awareness back to your breath.
5. Continue for at least a couple minutes or longer if you wish.
6. Focus on how your body feels and slowly open your eyes.

If you find it hard to calm your mind at first, keep trying. Like most skills, meditation takes practice. Some days relaxation may be easier to achieve than others depending on your mood and energy levels – no matter how long you’ve been practicing. By making meditation part of your day, you are giving yourself a powerful skill to help relieve stress, improve concentration and mood.

Here are some tips from our friends at TheLifeCo.com on how to stay in shape. Make sure you stop by their site for more helpful tip on living.

Exercise and Flexibility

Our body is designed to move but our inactive modern lifestyle leads to many health problems. Discover how exercise and body therapies can improve your well-being.

Push Ups
Begin in push up position, on knees or toes. Perform 4 push ups, abs in and back straight. On the 5th push up, lower halfway down and hold for 4 counts. Push back up and repeat the series – 4 regular push ups and 1 halfway–5 or more times.

Pull Ups
The pull up exercise does require some basic equipment, or some creativity (go to a playground or find a low hanging tree branch, for example), but it’s a great, simple way to build upper body strength.

One-Leg Balance / Squat / Reach
Stand on one leg and hold it as long as you can. If this is too easy, add a slight squat motion. Still too easy? Place an object on the floor, several feet in front of you (a book, perhaps), and slowly squat down, and reach out with one arm and touch the object and slowly return to an upright position. Stay on one leg at all times. Repeat on the other leg after a minute or so.

Tuck Jump
The tuck jump exercise ranks near the top of the list for developing explosive power using only an athlete’s body weight.

Chair Dips
You’ll need two chairs, (or a bed and a chair or a counter, etc…) for this great tricep exercise. Place two chairs facing each other, about 3 feet apart. Sit on one chair with your hands palm down and gripping the edge of the chair. Place your heels on the edge of the other chair and hold yourself up using your triceps. Slide forward just far enough that your behind clears the edge of the chair and lower yourself so your elbows are at 90 degrees. Do as many repetitions as you can.

Our friend over at TheLifeCo.com has put together a list of healthy kitchen tips that we all can follow. Make sure you cruise by their site to get even more healthy information.

Healthy Kitchen Tips

Stock up on fresh fruits and vegetables
If you have fresh fruits and vegetables in your kitchen, you are more likely to prepare healthy meals. If available, buy organic produce as it has more nutrients than non-organic. Keep lettuce and other vegetables on hand to easily make a salad. Cucumbers, carrots and celery also make quick, delicious, satisfying snacks.

Fresh fruits and vegetables are an important part of a healthy diet. But why organic?

Buy local
The healthiest fruits and vegetables are grown locally and in season. Local produce is fresher and has more vitality than produce shipped from other areas. Buying fruits and vegetables in season means they will have grown and ripened naturally, ensuring better flavor, and more vitamins and minerals.

Riper tomatoes
Ripe tomatoes are high in lycopene, a powerful anti-oxidant. If your tomatoes are not as vibrant as you’d like, store them stem-side down in a basket or bowl on your kitchen counter or table. They will continue to ripen, improving their flavor and texture. Don’t refrigerate tomatoes until they’re fully ripe. Cold temperatures stop the ripening process and reduce the flavor.

The secret to juicier citrus
Citrus fruits such as lemons, limes and oranges are alkaline-forming, high in vitamin C and refreshing to drink. You can squeeze more juice out of warm fruit than cold, so take fruit out of the refrigerator a couple hours before juicing. Press lightly with your hand and roll the citrus fruit back and forth on a counter top to break up the pulp and release its juice prior to squeezing.

Storing fresh herbs
Fresh herbs are an excellent addition to dishes because they have more flavor and nutrients than dried herbs. To store fresh herbs, rinse, pat dry and store in damp towels. If you’re storing fresh herbs with roots and/or long stems, submerge the roots in fresh water and store on a counter top or in the refrigerator.

Our diet has the greatest impact on our well-being. Our friend at TheLifeCo.com are egar to help us discover delicious and simple things you can do to make your eating habits more vibrant. Make sure you stop by their site to get more heath facts to help with your re-energize plan.

It’s easy to make healthy nutrition habits part of your life. Incorporate these into your daily routine:

Nutritional Tips

Wonderful water
Water plays an important role in flushing impurities from our bodies, but most of us don’t drink enough. 2 liters per day is a good start, depending on the climate you live in and your activity level. Drink enough water to produce 8 to 10 copious urinations per day.

When possible, go organic
Choose organically grown and non-genetically modified produce, nuts and grains over conventionally grown food whenever possible. Organic food has more nutrients, fewer impurities and tastes better.

Avoid processed foods
Include more fresh fruits and vegetables in your diet and reduce the use of pre-packaged foods. Have a salad for lunch instead of a sandwich. Choose an apple or some carrots as a snack instead of cookies or a chocolate bar. Fruits and vegetables have more nutrients and fiber than processed foods.

Choose healthy oils
The purest, healthiest oils are cold-pressed, organic, extra virgin oils. Olive, flax, sesame, sunflower, assorted nut oils and hemp oil have more nutritional value than conventional cooking oils which are damaged from over-processing. They are known to improve skin tone as well as reduce the chance of heart disease. Heating any oil breaks down its structure and makes it rancid, so rather than cooking with them, enjoy these oils sprinkled over vegetables for added flavor.

Curb caffeine cravings
The caffeine in coffee or black tea may increase your energy, but soon afterward your blood sugar levels decrease, causing an energy crash. Begin to alternate these beverages with herbal teas and water. Drinking herbal teas or water instead can fulfill your emotional need to drink while helping cut your cravings for caffeine.

Thelifeco.com has contributed some more detox tips so you can plan your own detox and renewal.

Cleansing wastes is a part of your body’s daily maintenance, and is important for rejuvenation and maintaining good health. Simple things you can do every day to boost your body’s detox efforts:

Detox Tips

Lemon lift
Drink lemon juice first thing in the morning to give your liver a kick start and stimulate detoxification. Squeeze the juice from one lemon into a glass and dilute with water. This tangy alkalizing drink is also a great way to get your daily intake of vitamin C.

Brush away toxins
A skin brush or loofah doesn’t just exfoliate your skin – it also stimulates your lymphatic system, draining wastes as they are expelled from your cells. Brush without water and before you bathe. Always brush in a clockwise circular motion and towards your heart where the central drainage point is located.

Get your heart pumping
Exercise helps our body detox in many ways. By increasing circulation, oxygen and nutrient rich blood are delivered to tissues while wastes are removed. Aerobic exercise 2-3 times per week is a great way to support your body’s detoxing efforts.

Cleansing chlorophyll
Leafy green vegetables are the best source of chlorophyll, nature’s way of making oxygen which supports and stimulates detoxification and healing on all levels. They also contain magnesium which relaxes our nervous system – another important element that helps detoxing. Eat as many leafy greens as possible – at least one serving a day.

Sweep up with fiber
Fiber is an important element of detox. Insoluble fiber acts as a broom through our digestive tract, sweeping away residues and speeding transit time. Soluble fiber attracts water, helps balance blood sugar and lowers cholesterol levels. Vegetables and pectin-rich fruits are good sources of both. Eat plenty of these to support your body’s detox efforts.

Our new friends over at TheLifeCo.com will be helping us learn how to cleanse and refresh our body and Chi through detox, nutrition, exercise and meditation. Make sure you take the time to visit their site to get even more heathy living tips.

Re-Energize Your Body For Spring.

Spring is a time for growth and renewal in nature, and this is also reflected in our body and chi. Whereas winter is a period of slowing down and resting, spring is the season to build up our energy again. To help our chi flow freely we need to focus on two things – removing toxins that make our system sluggish, and supporting our immune system through the seasonal change.

1. Detox to get energy flowing

Spring is an ideal time to cleanse our body. In Traditional Chinese Medicine, spring is associated with the liver energy and detoxing will help energy flow better throughout the body. Join a detox retreat or try detoxing at home by juice fasting or eating only seasonal vegetables and fruits for a few days. Massage or dry skin brushing will help stimulate your lymph system, increasing energy flow and removing toxins.

2. Enjoy the season’s abundance

Spring’s bitter greens and astringent fruits and vegetables help the body cleanse while boosting the immune system. The delicate leaves that are briefly in season this time of year such as dandelion greens are excellent liver cleansers. Vibrant strawberries, cherries and apricots are rich in antioxidants which help fight off illness.

3. Renew your New Year’s resolutions

It’s actually easier to start your New Year’s resolution to exercise at this time of year – not in January! The longer days and warmer weather are calling you outside to go walking or hiking. Gardening is a great way to get back in touch with nature and get moving. Doing stretching exercises, yoga or tai chi will improve flexibility and help get your energy flowing.

4. Control the root cause of allergies

Contrary to popular belief, the reason for spring allergies is not pollen. When your immune system is overworked and weak, it sees seemingly harmless things like pollen or dust as dangerous invaders. Your body launches an inflammatory immune response, releasing chemicals like histamines that cause sneezing, coughing and itching. If you feel wheezy this time of year, cut out foods that may be taxing your immune system such as dairy and wheat products, processed foods and saturated fats. Reduce stress in your life by making fewer commitments and exercising and meditating more often. Using a nasal cleansing pot daily also helps flush irritants out of your nasal passages before they enter your body.

5. Wake up with the sun

Awakening with the day is a beautiful way to start your morning. If you don’t have natural light in your room, set your alarm clock and gently begin your day close to a window or outdoors. Enjoy this quiet time by eating a wholesome breakfast, meditating or exercising. You will kick off the day full of energy and in a great mood!

6. Tune into nature

At this time of year renewal and transformation are literally springing up from the ground. Nature is being reborn and you can benefit from this energy by tuning into the changes around you. Witnessing this annual rebirth is a sort of meditation that is calming, energizing and reminds you that you are a part of nature.

1. Drink water. People often mistake thirst for hunger, so next time you feel like noshing, reach for water first. Drinking also helps you feel full. Some experts suggest sipping water (or iced tea) just before you sit down to a meal. Continue drinking as you eat to add volume and weight to your meal.

2. Set realistic goals. One or two pounds a week maximum is doable. Top weight-loss programs advocate stopping after the first 10 pounds and maintaining that loss for about six months before trying to lose any more.

3. Build in splurges. If you allow yourself to eat whatever you want for 2 meals out of every 21, you won’t inflict enough damage to subvert your weight loss. And you’ll feel less deprived.

4. Count to 10. Studies suggest that the average craving lasts only about 10 minutes. So before caving in to your urge, set your mental timer for a 10-minute time-out. Use the time to tackle an item on your to-do list; choose one that will give you a sense of accomplishment — and get you out of the kitchen.

5. Eat more often. People who have kept their weight off for more than a few years tend to eat an average of five times a day. Light, frequent meals curb your appetite, boost your energy, improve your mood and even speed your metabolism, since the process of digestion itself burns calories.

6. Make weekly resolutions. Don’t try to overhaul your diet overnight. If you make too many changes at once, chances are you’ll get frustrated and throw in the towel. Instead, make one change, such as eating at least one piece of fruit daily, every week.

7. Start with 10%. People who start by focusing on achieving just 10% of their long-range weight-loss goal may have the best chance of ultimate success. Losing those first pounds yields the biggest health gains, too, since belly fat is usually the first to come off and is the most dangerous.

8. Spike your meals with salsa. This spicy condiment can stand in for mayo to deliver plenty of flavor without the fat. Mix it with a bit of low-fat yogurt to make tuna salad. Spread it on a veggie burger, or serve it with chicken or fish.

9. Take one-third off. When you eat dinner out, reduce the temptation to clean your plate by setting aside one-third of your meal. Ask the server for a doggie bag, and take it home for lunch the next day. Try serving yourself one-third less at home too. This simple tactic could subtract more than 500 calories a day.

10. Go easy on the alcohol. Remember that alcohol is a source of calories. A 12-ounce beer has 150 calories; a 3.5-ounce glass of wine, 85. A margarita packs a bigger caloric punch. Even worse offenders are creamy cocktails, such as brandy alexanders and mudslides — equivalent to drinking a rich dessert. The bottom line: If you’re trying to lose weight, stick with water.

11. Write notes to yourself. To help you stay on track, post notes to yourself on the fridge and the pantry. Put up a little stop sign or make tags with questions like “Do you want this food enough to wear it?” and “Are the calories worth the consequences?”

12. Stay away from sodas. Soft drinks are a major source of empty calories in the American diet. We drink twice as much soda as milk and nearly six times more soda than fruit juice. But fluids don’t satisfy your appetite as well as solids. A study at Purdue University found that when people were fed 450 calories daily as jelly beans or as soda, the soda drinkers gained a significant amount of weight, but the jelly-bean eaters compensated for the extra calories by cutting back on other food. So if you crave something sweet, you’re better off chewing it than gulping it. If you’re truly thirsty, reach for water or unsweetened iced tea instead of soda.

13. Don’t just eat — dine. Eating on the run or in front of the tube invites mindless munching. Instead, set the table every time you eat. Make a conscious choice to sit down and savor every bite. Placing a portion of chips on your best china helps focus your attention so you don’t eat the whole bag.

14. Up your protein (a little). Research suggests that protein prolongs the feeling of fullness better than carbohydrates or fats do. Studies in Scotland, Denmark, Sweden and England found that people who ate a high-protein breakfast or lunch were less hungry at their next meal. Protein also requires a few more calories to digest. Just don’t go overboard. Stick to low-fat protein sources like low-fat yogurt or cottage cheese, low-fat soy drinks or snacks, or thinly sliced turkey breast.

15. Learn how to measure. It’s easy to misjudge portion sizes. Pull out the measuring spoons and cups, especially for full-fat salad dressings, dairy foods and mayo.

16. Make smart substitutions. Look for nutritious low-calorie alternatives to sugary, high-fat treats. Try frozen grapes instead of candy. Use air-popped popcorn instead of oil-popped. Dip fresh strawberries in fat-free fudge sauce for a sensuous chocolaty treat.

17. Have a “party plan.” When attending a party, offer to bring a plate. Arriving armed with chopped fresh veggies and a low-fat dip — or any other low-calorie snack — ensures that you’ll have something to snack on without feeling guilty.

18. Think positively. Experts note that low self-esteem is a major cause of overeating. Train yourself to focus on your best points rather than your weak spots. Buy clothes that fit and flatter you at your current weight. Update your hairstyle and get a makeup consultation so you feel attractive today.

19. Give yourself a break. No one says you have to reach your goal without making mistakes along the way. Tell yourself you can succeed in losing weight by taking things one step at a time and starting fresh whenever you slip up. If you overeat one night, just get back on track in the morning by focusing on what’s worked for you in the past.

20. Relax! Some people binge when they’re stressed. A Yale University study found that women who secreted the most cortisol (a hormone released during stress) ate the most high-fat food after stress. The combination of cortisol and insulin prompts the body to store fat in preparation for possible starvation — just what you don’t need. If stress has a stronghold on your life, try learning yoga, meditation, or simple breathing exercises.

Interior Home Projects

1. Change smoke detector batteries – This is the classic daylight savings time activity and many fire departments and other organizations around the country actually give away batteries this weekend just so people remember to do it. A simple smoke detector is one of the best ways you can keep your family safe in the event of a fire.

2. Change the batteries in your carbon monoxide detector – Many smoke detectors can also detect carbon monoxide, a deadly but odorless gas. My home actually has both right next to each other in one of my stairwells. And, yes, they both take AA batteries.

3. Change the batteries in your electronic thermostat – Don’t worry, this entire list isn’t going to be about changing batteries. An electronic thermostat can save you hundreds of dollars each year by automatically lowering your heat at the times of the day when you aren’t typically home. Most thermostats have low battery indicators but it’s a good idea to change them out before you’re stuck in that big snowstorm with no chance of running out to the store to get a fresh pair of batteries. Don’t have an electronic thermostat? Get one!

4. Check the pressure level on your fire extinguisher – You should always have at least a small fire extinguisher handy, especially in the kitchen. They’re relatively inexpensive and could save your home. But they don’t last forever and they do lose pressure over time.

5. Check and replace flashlight batteries – More battery checks! Find those emergency flashlights and replace the batteries before you need to stumble around for them in the dark. Even better, pick up a battery-free flashlight and never worry about having to spend money on flashlight batteries again!

6. Update your first aid kit – While you’re checking flashlights and fire extinguishers you might as well look at that old first aid kit you keep in the closet. Many medical items expire or dry out, so you’ll want to make sure everything is fresh and handy in case of an emergency. You might want to have more than one first aid kit in your home as well, just for easy access.

7. Child-proof everything again – Have children? Have a dozen different baby proof and child proof devises? Be sure to double-check them from time to time to make sure your little loved ones haven’t worn them out or broken them by playing with them constantly. Maybe your little ones can now reach or manipulate something they couldn’t before. Get down to their level and really give your house a once-over. I’ve had great luck using Tot Locks on our cabinets. You can often order Tot Locks online
for a lot less than they cost in some local stores.

8. Check or replace kitchen water filters – Whether you have a faucet water filter, a refrigerator water filter or simply a filter in a pitcher you keep in the fridge now might be a good time to check or replace them if needed.

9. Clean your oven and stove – The holiday trifecta is fast approaching and if there’s even a chance of you entertaining then you probably want a clean stove and oven when company comes over. Studies have shown that a clean stoves and ovens actually use slightly less energy because they are only heating your food and not all that extra “stuff.”

10. Install heavy drapes or curtains over large glass doors – I advocated using light-blocking curtains to save money on cooling costs, and a similar concept can be used for lowering heating costs. Curtains can be decorative, but in the winter time heavy curtains can also block drafts and keep a room much warmer by serving as a layer of insulation between the cold glass and warm room.

11. Reverse direction of your ceiling fans – Yes, most ceiling fans turn in two directions: one is for cooling the room and one is for warming the room by circulating warm are. Do you know which ceiling direction heats and which one cools?

12. Replace a few incandescent light bulbs with compact fluorescent light bulbs – A lot of people are still somewhat resistant to these new light bulbs that use so much less energy. With the dark days and nights of fall and winter you’ll be using a lot more interior lights. Compact fluorescent light bulbs (CFLs) are a little more expensive but last much longer and use so much less energy that they pay for themselves many times over. If you’re still not sure just try switching one or two light bulbs in your house to the CFLs and give it a try for a month.

13. Touch up the paint on your walls – Again, with the likelyhood of visitors stopping by this holiday season why not grab a brush and use some of that early November daylight to touch up the dings and scratches your walls may have accumulated over the years. If you’re really feeling industrious the mild weather of fall is a great time to paint indoors because you can open the windows and let in some fresh air without freezing or sweating yourself right out of your home. I have a two year old so I have a lot of applesauce stains to paint over.

14. Recaulk the shower and tub – Yes, this is a thankless completely messy and generally no-fun sort of job. But a single leak around the base of a shower can cause hundreds, if not thousands of dollars in damage if it isn’t properly treated. An hour of time and a $4.00 tube of caulk is worth it every so often.