SEASON GREETINGS

Dear Readers,
I want to wish you a Wonderful Christmas time if you celebrating Christmas or may your Holiday Season be Peaceful and full of Joy...

Love
Jaana

MOODY HUES...COLOUR YOUR LIFE...

              Colour has a profound effect on you psyche, so choose shades that revive and revitalize

   

In your surroundings

The atmosphere of your home and workplace can be powerfully influenced by colours. Use pink and peach for soothing effects, yellow for energy and stimulation and blue for calmness and concentration. Complementary colours can be blended to create balance, for instance red and blue, yellow and violet, orange and indigo, green and pink. 

On your Plate

To achieve full balance in your diet, include all colours from the vegetables and fruits on to your plate, red, orange, yellow, green, blue and purple...It will look good on your plate and you will get as much as possible of vitamins and minerals from your food. 

In your Wardrobe

Colour is powerful in matching your moods and needs. Many old cultures from Africa, Asia and Latin America has been using lots of colour on their everyday clothing. Some clothing even tells to what tribe you are belonging. But today we all have choice of colour and still so many just dresses in black and grey. For your emotional strength wear orange. Lilac and blues helps maintain calmness. Wear green to support your immune system. Pregnant women may favor orange and blue clothing, as orange is the colour corresponding to the area which the baby is growing, and blue enchants the quality of motherhood. 

YOUR SECOND SPRING VIDEO

TO HAVE AND HOLD

                  Hugging is a lovely way to show you care. It's also a proven stress-reliever. 

Revive your togetherness. If you have a particularly difficult day of deadlines and drama ahead of you, don't get worked up. Rather get up close and personal, because warm intense hug can greatly reduce the harmful physical effects of stress. According to studies conducted at the Touch Research Institute in America, wrapping your arms around your partner can lower your body's output of cortisol ( a dangerous stress hormone that drives up your heart rate and blood pressure) and create a surge of feel-good brain chemicals instead.

DINNER IS HERBED!

Kick-start your taste buds with fresh sprigs in your meals. You do not have to be a gourmet chef to increase your appreciation of the aroma and taste of herbs in food. All it takes is a little experimentation. Ensure your herbs don't overpower the dish. Start with the small quantities and add more if you so desire, and as your experience grows. Each herb has its own unique flavor and aroma that complements certain foods, and combines well with other particular herbs. Fresh herbs are almost invariably preferable to dried herbs, which lose a lot of volume and essential oils in the drying process.
Herbs can be used as "medicine". Fresh herbs have many good qualities to help your body system to cope against certain symptoms or it can help you to prevent illnesses. Herbs were used much more in a old day medicines. One of the most famous doctor that used nature to heal the body and prevent it to get sick was Alfred Vogel. We all know his Vogel products that many health shops and even chemist sell today. He said: " The nature, is the best doctor".

When you buy fresh herbs choose the ones that looks really fresh. You can mix herbs in your salads and here some advise how to use certain herbs easily in your food.

Basil
Fresh basil goes well any kind of dish with tomatoes. Sprinkle torn fresh basil leaves on your tomato salad or in your tomato soup. You can mix basil into a marinade of oil and garlic.

Mint
Mint leaves can be used for herbal teas: put few mint leaves on your mug and add hot water, let it cool down. This type of tea can be drink cool during the summer. After dinner it will help you digest. Mint goes well with Mediterranian food and same as other herbs you can add some torn leaves in your green salad. Fresh sauce for fish can be a yogurt/mint sauce.


Rosemary
Rosemary is very good for your blood circulation. It can be used in many vegetable dishes and with meat, fish and chicken. You can add rosemary in your soups and sauces as well.

Persil
This herb will help you kidneys to cleanse. Make persil tea same way than mint tea. drink this tea at least ones a day and it will help you to detox your kidneys.
Persil is excellent on top of the potato dishes and in soups. Always ad it at last don't let it boil, this will keep it fresh taste and as all the other herbs you can add some persil in your green salads. It contains a lot of vitamin A and C. It also contains vitamin B12 which is important for the red blood cell development.


Thyme
Thyme is excellent herb for cooking and it has calming effect on your digestive system. It can also be used in fresh salad.

Cumin, Coriander, Fennel, Anis and Aneth
Some of these herbs we can used the part of the plant and all of them have seeds that can be used in cooking. They are said to be warming seed spices that helps your digestive system. They also helps agains cold and infections. A mild fennel or anise tea helps the babies digestive problems.  Fennel tea has cleansing properties and it will help you for water retention, it has mild diuretic effect.

If possible make your own small herb garden at you home. In wintertime you can keep few pots next to your window and in summer you can plant your herbs in your garden or if you have a balcony. It is fun and you will always have some fresh herbs. Go and visit a garden center next to your home and ask the personal there to give you some  advise how to grow your own herbs. Growing your herbs at you home you will also have a nice fragrance in your kitchen. There are so many different herbs just try new ones and experiment them in your everyday cooking. And try to grow your own, it's fun for you and for your children too, you can teach them that some plants can be eaten and they are healthy too.

5 WAYS TO REVIVE YOUR SENSES

Enrich your awareness of everyday tastes, 

sights and sounds to enhance your enjoyment of life.

1. Open up to pleasure 

Sensuous living is about creating sensory moments that give you pleasure. Allow your senses to absorb to their fullest. You will find yourself completely in the moment, in the now -and that is the only time we are truly happy and in our natural state. Appreciating more of the world around us adds to the quality of our lives.

     2.  Practise the art

It may take time to build this new awareness into your life, so ones a week, set aside a few hours to be fully aware of your senses. As you walk into to work, acknowledge the colour of the sky. Feel the wind against your cheeks, notice the crunch of the gravel beneath your feet. At home, try something as simple as baking bread. Enjoy the eight of the dough as you knead, appreciate the smell of the freshly baked loaf when open the owen. Delight in the taste sensation of the hot buttered slice.

   3.  Appreciate beauty

Surround yourself with objects you find beautiful - a fragrant bunch of flowers, an exquisite shell, a delicate glass. Incorporate things that speak to you sensual self - textures, colours, music and scents. In the bathroom, use fluffy towels, scented candles and rose petals to transform your space into an uplifting haven. Shower with invigorating herbal shower gel, you can add some essential oils to you shower gel. In the bath you could share the pleasure with your partner. Step into the warm water with awareness. As you lather up, enjoy the tingling feeling on your skin, millimeter by millimeter. 

   4. Learn to listen

Pay attention to natural sounds around you, and don't neglect the sound of others. Each of us is a product of our upbringing, culture and life experiences. Even if aren't aware of it, this uniqueness can sometimes be an obstacle when it comes to being an effective listener. Try to remain open to what your daughter, friend or colleague is saying, and withhold evaluation or judgement. Become aware of what your triggers are in the communication process and what shuts your listening down.

  5. Feel healthier

Living sensually triggers endorphins, the natural hormones responsible for the physical sensations of pleasure. They also anesthetize pain and strengthen your immune system.

MEDIA BRAKE...

Detox your mind and soul by keeping a media brake. Most of us read the newspaper in the morning. On the way home from work, we likely to tune into a news bulletin on the radio too. Some people are listening the radio the whole day at work. So instead choose a nice music chanel. Given the often unsettling and tragic headlines we are fed. It's no wonder we feel anxious at times. Just for a week, try focusing only on the good news and nice soothing music that suites you. Cut your TV watching time in half and only watch positive programs, no news, no crime series, just funny and anything that you can maybe learn something new.
Tune out and made a date with your CD collection. The right piece of your favorite music in the evening makes you calmer and relaxes you. Soothing, calm music can have a profound and immediate effect on your stress levels. After a week you feel much better...

RELAXING BATH

Have a bath treatment at home...Your sense of smell is directly linked to the limbic system in your brain- the seat of emotion. this explains the extraordinary power fragrance has over your body and mind. indulge in a aromatic bath with some bath salts and aromatherapy oils and light few candles around you.

Cocoon your soul in the fragrant pleasure of a perfect bath... Close the door...Close your eyes. Breathe in the calming scents of essential oils and herbs. breath out stresses of the day. Relaxing in a warm bath relieves sore muscles and joints, reduces tress, and promotes a good night's sleep. Add soothing music, soft lighting and a bath with lavender and chamomile essential oils to calm your senses. You can create a real spa experience in the privacy of your own home.

There must be quite a few things that a hot bath won't cure,

but I don't know many of them

-sylvia plath

JUST IMAGINE...

...How wonderfully restful it would be to get a good night's sleep. If you find it difficult to drift off, try this once you have switched off the lights. Imagine yourself on an island at twilight. Feel the warm evening breeze against your skin, carrying with it the sweet perfume of delicate flowers. Look at the darkening water and listen to the rhythmic sound of the lapping waves. taste the faint traces of salt and sand on your skin. The more vivid your visualisation, and the more senses you involve, the more effective it will be.

6 WAYS TO RELAX YOUR BODY & MIND

Feeling tense, irritable and overstretched? Pause for a minute...And breath...Deeply...And then experiment with these slow-down ideas...

1. EXAMINE YOUR EVENING

Skimping on sleep affects your stress levels and immune system. Leaving you sluggish, forgetful and tense. Aim for at least seven hours of sleep every night, and if your schedule allows it, a 20 minute power nap in the afternoon too. Remember, rest and relaxation go hand in hand. Have an effective wind-down routine, which includes switching off the TV at least an hour before you climb in to your bed. And avoid heavy meals and alcohol shortly before turning in.

2. GO THE HERBAL ROUTE

Try a few drops of lavender essential oil on your pillow at night to encourage restful sleep. When you feel stressed during the day, inhale a few drops of basil, clary sage, lavender and sandalwood essential oils on a tissue. If your anxiety is also accompanied by a headache or muscular tension, add drops of marjoram and chamomile. A soothing soak in a scented bath with few drop of these oils in the bath water can also aid relaxation.

3. STROKE A CAT

Or hug a dog. Animal "therapy" is powerful medicine, and a wealth of research shows that close contact with a much-loved pet can greatly reduce your anxiety levels.

4. EXPRESS YOURSELF

When certain feelings are uncomfortable for you, pick up a pen. Putting things down on paper is a healthy way of releasing emotions you don't want to express physically. Writing is a way to rid yourself negativity and anger, but it's also therapeutic tool for self awareness. As you commit words to paper, you begin to observe your patterns and wrestle with your demons. Writing helps you to explore concepts like forgiveness, courage and authenticity.

5. MEDITATE

Find a comfortable spot and sit or lie on your back . Choose a specific word that has positive connotations for you - a mantra, of sorts- and close your eyes. Next start consciously relaxing your muscles. Begin with your toes. Feel them loosen up, work through your feet, legs and torso, and all the way up to your head. Breathe deeply and slowly, and repeat the chosen word on every exhalation. After five minutes you should be able to sense the tightness leaving your body.

6. REMEMBER TO BREATHE

Give yourself the gift of 10 minutes. Lie down on your bed, or on a towel on the floor, with your feet about 50 cm apart. Your head and your neck should be aligned with your back. Close your eyes and practise diaphragmatic breathing with your hand gently resting on your abdomen. Ensure your chest isn't doing all the work. Concentrate on the rhythm of your breathing, until it becomes smooth and regular.

LIFE IS A JOURNEY

  Life is a journey. An ongoing adventure of fresh insights, big challenges and daily discoveries. All of us     

seek   balance and harmony as we navigate our path. I will be posting about how to learn simple ways to relax, revive, restore and refresh your mind, body and soul.

MINDFULNESS MEDITATION

Mindfulness meditation is not about achieving bliss or tranquility. Rather, its aim is to see things as they really are more clearly. This meditation is a form of "mind training". It will help you to bring awareness to the thing or a moment. To really notice what's happening right now. For example: often when you are drinking coffee or tea... How much attention you bring to the beverage that you have in your cup? Most of the time you are busy doing other things and the cup is "just there", like my green tea cup right now next to my computer. I am drinking tea while typing but my mind is in the words and not in the aroma and the warmth of the tea... So next time you making for yourself a cup of tea or coffee, smell the aroma of your tea or coffee, hold the cup between your two hands and feel the warmth of it. Feel how you drink taste, enjoy it, enjoy the moment. Forget everything else. Just have a "relationship" with you cup. Your will get more out of your short coffee or tea brake. This next meditation will help you to find a way to be more in the moment and you will learn to observe with awareness and perceive more accurately what your experience really is.
Start with 5 minutes daily. Gradually add a few minutes to your session each day until you can sit for 20 minutes.

1. Sit in a comfortable position on a pillow, chair, couch or floor.
2. Listen to the sounds around you while you relax. Practice letting the sounds come and go without holding on to them or pushing them way.
3. As you inhale think "in" and as you exhale, think "out". Let this action be a kind of home base.
4. When your mind drifts and thoughts starts to wander, pay attention what comes up. You may be aware of a pain in your shoulder for intense, or think about the argument from the night before. Acknowledges this thought and feeling, spend a moment with it and then bring your awareness gently back in to your home base. Rather than rushing past the new sensations you experience, bring your full awareness to them.
5. If you find yourself getting stuck in an emotion or sensation, it may help to put a mental label on it, to identify it as "anger" or "pain". Then bring your awareness back to your breath.
6. The traditional way to end this meditation is to acknowledge the positive energy you have created and to dedicate it to yourself and others. Try to practice this meditation everyday.

BASIC BREATHING MEDITATION

Breathing is the cornerstone of all kind of meditation techniques, this practice centers on something we always do but rarely notice: good quality breathing. You do not need to do anything with your breath but observe it first. Eventually you can work on changing your breath, and sending it into new areas of you torso. But at first, just become aware of each inhalation and exhalation; let your mind track how the breath moved, mapping where it goes to develop an understanding of your own unique "breathing identity"

You can even try breathing while wearing earplugs to amplify the internal sound of your breath and to block any distracting noises.

This breathing meditation is easy to do anytime and anywhere and you will get centered easily. "you can retreat to your breath whenever you are feeling dull, tired or stressed out. You can start with few minutes first and build it up to twenty minutes. The best way to do it is to be in a place you can relax and have a open window or good air quality.

How to do it?

1. Sit your legs crossed or lie down on your back and keep your body straight. Have a firm pillow or rolled towel under your knees. Your arms should rest about 45 degrees from your torso.
2. Breath quietly in and out through your nose, feel each breath as it moves through your torso. Feel where in your body the breath is moving and where it is not.
3. Begin to notice how your breath changes as you focus on it, and how your awareness changes in turn. 
4. When your mind begin to drift, gently bring it back to your breath.
5. Begin to bring your breath to areas of you body that feel dull or "un-breathed". Imagine your torso as a container, and try actively sending breath into the places it's not reaching, such as your pelvis or bottom part of your stomach area. Don't force the breath, just allow it to follow your consciousness. 
6. At the end of the session, wiggle your fingers and your toes, then stretch your arms and legs, if you are lying down, roll over to one side and pose before pushing up to a seated position. Roll up slowly, leading up you torso and raising your head last.
7. Have a glass of room temperature water and drink it slowly.

This meditation exercise will help you to detoxify your lungs and oxygenate your blood stream. It will also calm you down and help you to prepare yourself for a good night sleep.

MEDITATION

Meditation made easy


What, you think you can't do it, yes you can!
You think you are too busy, intimidated to meditate?
You won't be, once you find the style that's right for you...

Meditation is an excellent way to calm your mind, meditation is also one of the best things you can do for your body. Medical experts have shown evidences about the benefits that you can gain by practicing meditation. It will help you to boost your immune system, improve circulation, lower you cholesterol levers, ease chronic pain, help for insomnia, relief stress and anxiety, it will also help you to listen your own body.

The goal of the most meditation practice is simple: bring your attention to one thing to order to deepen your awareness of the present moment. For multitasks, paying attention just to one thing can be a challenge. The trick is to find a practice style that is right for you. If sitting and breathing is not your thing, try walking meditation or a guided mediation with a music and a voice that will guide you while you can lay on your back in the comfort of your own bed for example.

So this coming week I will bring you 5 different ways to try meditation and with these simple exercises you can find which suites you the best. Meditation does not to last long, even few minutes meditation can bring you calm and serenity in your life. Short meditations are even good for children. You can makes children to visualize wonderful things that can help then to calm down and be more concentrated at the school work, and often kids find it very pleasant and even fun...

THE JOY OF LIFE

How and where to find it?


The joy in your life starts when you can be grateful of small things and what you have now. Many of us have lost the joy in their life partly or completely and we try to get it back in the artificial way by using alcohol, drugs and medications. The best way to get back the joy in your life is to let it "grow" with many small things that makes you happy. Negative attitude poisons your life. Most of the news in any kind of media are negative, all the positive ones only comes on the second position. It is useless to wait that you will get more joy in your life by winning a lottery. You have win in the lottery in many ways already, but you don't think it that way like I do and many other people too.
 I lived in south Africa for ten years and those years taught me a lot about life. Even after a holiday in the foreign country, we seem to see better how the things are at home and in many cases they are much better in our home country than somewhere else. I learned a lot about life and death during my years in South Africa. Many everyday life situations were much more difficult, but I found new dimension in my life. But you don't need to move to Africa to find this.

Yesterday has gone, tomorrow is future, live in this moment now and live strong...

Many times we are not able to be grateful for small or even big things, we just thing that so many things around us belongs automatically for us and we take many things for granted.

Sit down for a while to think, what bring you joy in your life and for what you are grateful for at this moment. Make a list, and see if there is anything else that you could ad on that list. Be positive. Being negative brings you more negativity. Fear brings more fear.

My life haven't always been easy but in the serious and even dramatic situations, I have always try to find that tiny little spark of something positive. That spark that gives you energy to carry on.
I think everybody of us have lost a love one and we all know that sorrow and grief takes time to get over. In these situation if we give all our energy to the sorrow and grief and berry us in these feeling, it will blind us to see the positive things that still is happening all the time around us. We just drown our self in the sorrow and can't look over it to find a tiny positive spark that could lift us into a boat that helps to see even the sorrow in an other angle... Sorrow and grief are part of our life and sometimes we have to face it to get through it, but so many of us really get drown in to it.

Some of us have a habit to complain about everything, nothing seems to make these people happy. So many of us can be happy to be born in a democratic country, at home we have running water and it is potable. We have good hospitals and professional people that can take care of us when needed, our children have a good and free education. We have good social security system, and still people are not happy about it. Ok we pay taxes but we can have some services for free. Most of the time we feel safe and we can walk and drive where ever we want without feeling threatened. At night you feel safe in your own bed.
In this point it is good you to know why I am thinking like this: As I told you earlier, that I lived in South Africa for ten years. One of the highlight of my life time was the first "one man, one vote" and the democracy that follow that. This country has taught me a lesson of forgiveness with its "Truth and Reconciliation" program, looking forward for a better future, but not forgetting the past. This country taught me a lesson about the joy of giving, nothing is lost, there you find always somebody in need. I had to go through sad times by loosing colleges with aids or in a violence attacks. In these cases the only
way is remember them with love and cherish the time we had together. I was able to "enjoy" an excellent
health care, because I was able to pay a good health insurance. I paid taxes and the only thing I got out of it was a deductions of 12 Rand/ child each year which is equal of 1,2 euros. I have to pay for my children's education, no lunch or health care at school like I had in Europe.
At home we use to live most of the time behind lock doors and burglar bars and we had to be careful where to drive in the evening.

But with all this, South Africa game me so much, The Rainbow Nation, with is beauty of nature, culture, people, weather and spirituality. It gave me so much of joy of life. All the new experiences expanded my   way to see life and I found there so many new things that are important in my life today. I am grateful for those lessons.

Here is a list about things that I have grateful today and they adding more joy in to my life:

• a meditation in the morning
• warm shower with some good music
• a cup of coffee shared with my best friend on Skype (She lives in South Africa)
• a one hour chat with my daughter, who lives in Scotland ( really grateful for those people who invented Skype)
• the rain that makes the mushrooms to grow around my holiday house in Finland and I could dance on my terrace in the rain
• a phone call of a friend and our meeting for a coffee tomorrow
• the work that I can do
• about the good energy that I can also share with others
• family and friends that I love and they love me
• my dishwasher
• about the feeling that I can be myself at any time
• about the feeling that I am truthful for myself
• receiving a nice sms
• the music that makes me to dance
• the skills that I have
• the Finnish smoked fish
• I am even grateful about my digestive problems, because it makes me eat more healthier and I feel much better
• a nice view from my chalet 
• the smell of the moist forest after the rain

28 DAY SOUL COACHING PROGRAM

The Soul Loves The Truth

The 28-day Soul Coaching  program is about telling the truth to yourself about your life. When you tell the truth, your energy increases and when you don’t tell the truth, you become depleted. Many people are
exhausted and depleted because they are not being starkly honest with themselves. When you are
authentic, your soul thrives.
Telling the truth to yourself is different than telling it to others. For example, if you pass a mere
acquaintance on the sidewalk and they say, “How are you?” even if you have just had
a fight with your husband, found out that your child is on drugs, and are coming down with
a cold, it is still okay to say, “I’m fine, how are you?” But if you tell yourself that everything
is fine when deep inside you know that it is not fine, your soul suffers.

What Is the Soul?

Soul is a word we use to describe the central or integral part of something; it is the vital core. In its
most profound sense, it also describes the essence of every human being. It is that place within
each of us that is infinite, eternal, and universal.
The soul is a source, which gives rise to form; yet it is unknowable. It is illusive by its very nature,
but it must be nurtured and cared for. We can intuitively understand what its needs are, yet never
fathom its depths. It is the substance that links our body and spirit to the greater forces of the
universe.

What Is the 28-Day Soul Coaching Program?

The 28-Day Soul Coaching Program is a spiritual journey that is divided into four one-week
periods. Each week is dedicated to one of the Four Elements: Air, Water, Fire, and Earth.
I believe that our memories, beliefs, and emotions are tied in some mysterious and organic way to
the elements of nature. By activating these elements within us it seems that we also activate
quadrants of our souls.
For many years I worked as a practitioner using a system I developed that was based on the four
elements. I taught this modality to therapists to incorporate into their practices. The system was
based on the idea that the elements have an effect on the psyche. I found that when a client
immersed herself in images of the elements, each element evoked different emotional responses, as
well as different kinds of memories. The remarkable thing about this elemental approach to
therapy is the way that it reveals the emotional impact that the elements have on us.

A proverb from India states that everyone is a house with four rooms—mental, emotional, physical,
and spiritual—but unless we go into every room every day we are not a complete person. The
elements are powerful tools for entering these inner rooms.
Throughout history, the elements have been associated with natural balance and wholeness.
Ancient native people knew that within each element were patterns of energy that permeated the
universe. They used this understanding to develop cosmological models to create a sense of
harmony in their lives.
From Native Americans, to ancient Greeks, Egyptians, Mayans, Aztecs, Persians, Celts, and
Hindus, the mysterious panorama of nature has been divided into separate parts that are designated
by the four elements. Egyptian sages fervently believed that reflection on the four elements
provided a profound understanding of life.
In the mystery schools of Mesopotamia, initiates underwent rigorous rites of Air, Water, Fire, and
Earth. Each elemental rite was said to test a particular aspect of the initiate’s nature. Hippocrates,
honored as the father of medicine, declared that a patient’s health depended upon a balance of the
four elements. The great Sufi poet, Rumi, wrote that the four elements were the foundation of life
and had a profound effect upon the human spirit.
To those ancient people, the symbolism of the four elements welded all separate pieces of reality
into a cohesive whole. Each one brought a gift that gave balance to the people. The Spirit of Air
gave the wind with its cooling breezes in the summer; the Spirit of Water brought refreshing rains;
the Spirit of Fire gave warmth from the sun; and the Spirit of Earth brought forth the hills,
mountains, trees, and plants on earth. The underlying energy of all the elements was the Creator,
the source of all life.
Although the natural world around us is an interwoven, interconnected universe, our forerunners
divided reality into separate components they called elements. They thought that the elements
represented different aspects of life. These wise predecessors understood that within each element
were patterns of energy that permeated the universe. They used this understanding to develop
cosmological models to orient themselves on earth and create a sense of balance in their lives.
In truth, nature is a melding of the elements—a vast cauldron of Air, Water, Fire, and Earth, and
none can exist without the other. When we divide nature into four elements, we must remember
that this is a symbolic system that can never encompass reality. Wholeness resides in harmonic
forces that exist outside the perception of our senses and are only symbolized by the elements.
However, through separating the aspects of nature into individual parts, which not only represent
the real air, water, fire, and earth, but also represent conditions of life, discernment and wisdom
occurs.

I believe that when you embark on this spiritual cleansing program, it is immensely valuable to do
it in the context of the cycles of nature. The energy of nature and its elements can help bring you
home to your spiritual roots.
Additionally, after you have finished the 28 days, you are encouraged to embark on an inward
journey much like a vision quest. It can be a few hours to a few days. After all the clearing you
have done in the previous 28 days, it is a time of stillness for the soul to reveal its sacred messages
to you.
The 28-Day Soul Coaching® Program Copyright © 2009 6 by Denise Linn

APPLE CIDER VINEGAR

Apple cider vinegar was initially used as a energizing tonic and a healing elixir in the early centuries. Even in the olden days it was used to cure many health conditions. I drink apple cider vinegar mix with water everyday to help my metabolism and my digestion and since I do that I have much less problems with my stomach. Underneath I have put you some information about this wonderful product made from fresh apples and many remedies as well. What comes to the weight loss, you should also have a good look at your eating habits and make sure that you eat healthy food and that you get enough exercise. 

What is Apple Cider Vinegar?

Apple Cider Vinegar (ACV) is an effective natural bacteria-fighting agent that contains many vital minerals and trace elements such as potassium, calcium, magnesium, phosphorous, chlorine, sodium, sulfur, copper, iron, silicon and fluorine that are vital for a healthy body.


Natural Apple Cider Vinegar is made by crushing fresh, organically grown apples and allowing them to mature in wooden barrels. This boosts the natural fermentation qualities of the crushed apples, which differs from the refined and distilled vinegars found in supermarkets. When the vinegar is mature, it contains a dark, cloudy, web-like bacterial foam called mother, which becomes visible when the rich brownish liquid is held to the light. The mother can be used to add to other vinegar to hasten maturity for making more Apple Cider Vinegar. Natural vinegars that contain the mother have enzymes and minerals that other vinegars in grocery stores may not have due to over-processing, over-heating, and filtration. For this reason, it is recommended that you purchase only Natural Apple Cider Vinegar, with an ideal acidity (pH) level of 5 to 7.

What are the Benefits of Apple Cider Vinegar?

Natural Apple Cider Vinegar is a wonderful natural cure for a number of ailments which usually require antibiotics and other medications that have a number of side effects. In particular, Apple Cider Vinegar has been known to:

• Reduce sinus infections and sore throats
• Balance high cholesterol
• Cure skin conditions such as acne
• Protect against food poisoning
• Fight allergies in both humans and animals
• Prevent muscle fatigue after exercise
• Strengthen the immune system
• Increase stamina
• Increase metabolism which promotes weight loss
• Improve digestion and cure constipation
• Alleviate symptoms of arthritis and gout
• Prevents bladder stones and urinary tract infections

Uses of Apple Cider Vinegar

Weight Loss

While it is not known why, many people claim that Apple Cider Vinegar promotes weight loss. Some theories suggest that ACV helps to speed up the metabolism, while others suggest that it burns calories. A number of nutritionists also believe that combining Vitamin B6 and Lecithin with Apple Cider Vinegar is highly effective for weight loss. A suggested remedy is to mix 2 teaspoons of ACV mixed with a glass of water and drink this before every meal or sip it slowly throughout the day 

Bad Breath

Due to its acidic properties, Apple Cider Vinegar makes a wonderful remedy for bad breath or halitosis. Simply add 1/2 tablespoon of ACV into a cup of water and gargle the mixture in your mouth for 10 seconds at a time until the cup is empty. 


Body Odor
Apple Cider Vinegar is an effective body odor remedy  since it can help adjust the skin's pH level which helps to eliminate odor-causing bacteria. For armpit odor, simply wipe them once each morning with undiluted apple cider vinegar (using a cotton ball). For foot odor, fill a pan with warm water and add 1/3 cup of ACV, then let your feet soak in this mixture for 15 minutes once per week. 




Skin Problems and Infections 

Acne

Apple Cider Vinegar is a natural cure for acne. Please refer to our Acne Home Remedy page for more information on how to treat acne with Apple Cider Vinegar. 

Age Spots

Apple Cider Vinegar contains sulfur that fights the effects of aging, which makes it suitable for treating age spots. Visit our Home Remedy for Age Spots page to learn about an effective Apple Cider Vinegar and onion juice treatment for this condition. 

Cellulite

Many women have found that Apple Cider Vinegar can help reduce the appearance of cellulite. Our Cellulite Home Remedies page contains details on how ACV can be used to treat this problem. 

Stomach Problems

Constipation

Apple Cider Vinegar is frequently used as a natural cure for constipation. Please visit our Constipation Home Remedy page for more information on how drinking Apple Cider Vinegar can help cure this common digestive problem. 

Diarrhea

There are various causes for diarrhea, and although it should not be left untreated, it is often a natural way for the body to rid itself of harmful compounds and ingested materials. Apple Cider Vinegar is a fantastic natural remedy for diarrhea since the high pectin concentration acts as a protective coating which soothes the irritated lining of the colon. A suggestion is to add 2 tablespoons of Apple Cider Vinegar to a large glass of water, and drink this 3 times daily while the symptoms persist. 

Major Illnesses

Diabetes

Apple Cider Vinegar may help to control high blood sugar levels, which is why it is often used as a natural treatment for Diabetes. Visit our Diabetes Remedies page to learn more about how ACV can be used to treat this condition. 

What are the Side Effects of Apple Cider Vinegar?

There are no major known side effects of Apple Cider Vinegar when used in moderation. However, drinking vinegars, acids or even lemon juices on a regular basis can lead to a deterioration of dental enamel. This can give your teeth a yellowish look and make them more sensitive to heat and cold. To prevent this, the vinegar should always be diluted with water or a pinch of baking soda should be added in order to reduce the acidity level.

Where and How to Buy Apple Cider Vinegar

Apple Cider Vinegar can be found in almost any natural health or nutrition store, or from a variety of online retailers such as Amazon.com (see links below). Look for ACV with a pH level of 5 to 7. Apple Cider Vinegar can also be found in capsule form which help eliminate the strong sour taste associated with the liquid vinegar.


Source: homeremediesweb.com

ROOIBOS TEA

One of my favourite herbal tea is rooibos tea, South Africa's gift to the world. Our family has been drinking it since we moved to South Africa in '92 and ever since we always have few packet of rooibos tea back travelling in our suitcase where ever we go. It grows only in a certain area in South Africa and you can drink it all day long. It is a good evening drink before bed time, because it does not contain any caffeine and it has a calming effect.  You can buy rooibos tea bags or loose tea in many health shops but also in supermarkets.

Rooibos is a member of the legume family of plants. The rooibos shrub can grow up to 2 meter in height. The erects red coloured rooibos stems contain many dark green needle shaped leaves. The rooibos shrub produces small yellow flowers in spring through early summer. Each flower produces a one seeded small bean. Rooibos has a long tap root, sometimes up to 2 m in length, enabling the plant to survive periods of drought.


Parts used

Only the rooibos leaves and twigs are used. Rooibos leaves are harvested in summer, cut or chopped and are left to ferment. During the fermentation of the rooibos leaves, some chemicals are oxidized by enzymes resulting in the typical red colour and flavour of rooibos. Unfermented rooibos tea is also used and contains more antioxidants. Unfermented rooibos tea has a yellow color rather than the red colour of fermented rooibos.

Phytochemicals

Aspalathin, Nothofagin, Caffeic Acid, Chrysoeriol, Isoquercitrin, Orientin, Isoorientin, Luteolin, Vitexin, Isovitexin, Lutein, Rutin, Flavonoids, Quercetin, Polyphenols

Medicinal properties

Rooibos has anti-carcinogenic and antimutagenic effects. Rooibos tea is used for its anti-inflammatory and anti-allergic properties. Consumption of rooibos tea may relief fever, asthma, insomnia, colic in infants and skin disorders. Rooibos extracts are used in ointments against eczema. In South Africa it is very common to give rooibos tea to babies who suffer from stomach cramps (colics).

Rooibos is the only known source of the phytochemical aspalathin. In vitro and animal studies have indicated that quercetin and lutein help to prevent cardiovascular disease, some cancers and stroke. Rutin has been associated with the maintenance of blood vessels walls.

Because rooibos contains no caffeine, it is suited for babies and children. The low level of tannins in rooibos will prevent problems with iron absorption.


Sasaki YF et all (Mutat Res 1993;286:221-232) showed in their study ' The clastogenic-suppressing effects of green tea, Po-lei tea and Rooibos tea in CHO cells and mice' that fermented rooibos tea reduced cancer-associated changes in animal cells induced by the certain mutagens both in vitro and in vivo. Other researchers found that rooibos extracts from fermented rooibos leaves reduced cancerous transformation of mouse cells irradiation with x-rays. They found that extracts from unfermented green rooibos tea did not show this protective effect.

Other facts

Rooibos is grown only in the Cederberg area and around the villages Clanwilliam and Citrusdal, which are situated to the north of Cape Town in South Africa. Efforts to cultivate rooibos in other areas or countries with similar climates have failed. Apparently rooibos needs a very specific climate and soil to grow. Rooibos tea has always been very popular in South Africa. To make the popular rooibos tea, the dried rooibos leaves are boiled in water and is often consumed with milk. Rooibos tea is much appreciated because it does not contain caffeine and is low in tannins.

Other names:
Rooibos tea plant, red bush, red tea.

Source: http://www.phytochemicals-info.com/

DETOX AND WHY WE NEED IT...

How to support your liver and kidneys?


So how do you know that your liver and kidneys functions need help?
Our liver and kidneys warn us when things go wrong…

Typical liver warning signs include:

• Waking up between 2 and 3 a.m. for no reason
• Moodiness
• Tiredness
• Lightheadedness
• High cholesterol
• Weak resistance to illness
• Dry, itchy skin
• Red, itchy eyes
• Bitter taste in the mouth
• Excessive thirst
• Indigestion
• Constipation, piles
• Nausea
• Irritable bowel syndrome
• Inexplicable pain in the right side of the body

         - pain in the head
         - pain in the shoulder
         - pain in the elbow
         - pain in the hip
         - pain in the knee
         - pain in the big toe


The kidneys do give us warning signs of distress so we can take corrective action and they include:

• High blood pressure
• Sore joints and muscles
• Pain on the top of the head, behind the neck and along the spine
• Swollen eyes after sleep
• Swollen face, hands, legs and ankles
• Too little or slow urine flow
• Smelly, dark discolored urine, continuous urination
• Pain inside of the left leg
• Pain behind the knees
• Eczema, fungus on soles of the feet
• Burning, sweating, aching soles of feet
• Sore heels
• Athlete’s foot

Swiss Naturopath Alfred Vogel called liver the regulator of the body. Each and every chemical process in the blood starts with enzymes that emanate mostly from the liver. The liver not only cleans the blood, it also produces cholesterol, gall, hormones, enzymes and red blood cells. It also stores iron and glucose for future needs. Vitamins A, B ,D, E and K are stored in the liver; the liver transforms saturated fats into unsaturated fats as and when the body requires energy. It also breaks down hemoglobin and re-uses it in the body. Excess amino-acids are broken down and discarded as urea which is then excreted by the kidneys. You can see why your liver deserves attention and support!

The Kidneys work continuously with the liver to purify the blood of waste products and material that can be toxic. The kidneys also have to ensure that there is not too much water in the blood otherwise the volume of blood becomes too high for the small arteries and high blood pressure may result. In order to control the amount of water, the kidneys use a wonderful method of substituting salt, potassium and magnesium with each other inside the cells of the kidneys and in the blood. They have to calculate this very accurately to ensure that the perfect amount of these minerals is in the body and won’t be detrimental to the circulation.

The trained eye can look at the colour of urine and tell how well the kidneys are working - and how healthy the liver and the gallbladder are. Just think: urine consist of what was in your blood! The kidneys regulate the water and PH-balance (acid-alkaline levels) in the blood and this has a direct influence on the chemical landscape of the whole body. Few people know that the kidneys are responsible for new red blood cells produced in the bone marrow. The kidneys can also help to protect protein in the urine, thereby ensuring that we do no lose muscle mass.

Another important job for kidneys is to expel acid from the blood, which helps to regulate its acid/alkaline balance. Most people know these days that a constant acid state is not a friend to your body and can be detrimental to your general health. You have to drink water therefore to help the kidneys - enough to produce clean urine at least once a day. Most people do well with two to three litres of water per day. If one considers everything that the kidneys do for the body, you can understand how our health could be in dander if things started getting out of balance and the kidneys weaken or become sick.

BACK TO HEALTHY LIFESTYLE

YOU ARE WHAT YOU EAT! I am sure most of us have heard this before. It is a statement that is often used in health and food articles or programs. Many people are ignoring the nutritional value of the food that they eat and they just carry on eating junk food and ready made dishes that are easily found  in every supermarket. But even supermarkets have better choices for your daily meals, than these industrially ready made dishes with full of salt, sugar, fat or additives. Most of the supermarkets have sections of organic food, from fruit and vegetables to meat and milk products. Organic food is actually food the most of the people used to eat just 50 years ago... Seasonal vegetables and fruits that had grown in the real fields without any artificial fertilizers or toxic pest control products... Meat and milk came from the farms where animals were feeding themselves by walking outside on the fields. Fish came from sea and lakes without being farmed in a closed pools where the fish get fed by automatic feeders and their food contains antibiotic just in case that the fishes might catch a sickness. I know a person who is allergic to antibiotics and she can't eat farmed salmon because of the antibiotic that is stores in the salmon flesh.
There is an other eating habit problem that many people have today... That is over eating, many people just eat too much, what they really need for the daily requirement and when that food has no nutritional value, the person feels tired and have lots of digestive problems and which on the long term can cause diabetes, high blood presser, heart problems etc.
So many families don't have a shared meal anymore and in many families nobody really knows how to cook... Have we just become lazy, ignorant or what is it? Today there are so many sources that we can get information about good healthy food... Cooking a meal with your children can be a quality moment and they will learn from a early age how important is to cook your own meals.

I try to eat the healthiest possible way, but I am not a fanatic about the strict eating rules. I have suffered from Candida during many years when I was in my 20's and due to that had a terrible rush in my hands. If I don't control what I am eating the Candida comes back quite easily, so with my healthy eating habits I have manage to keep the Candida away. I enjoy good quality coffee and wines. I love my morning coffee and I just try to not have more than 3 cups of coffee per day... In the Mediterranean diet or way of eating, people have a glass of wine with their meal. Especially red wine can have some health benefits if you only drink a glass or two per day... The food that you eat should have nutritional value for your body but it also need to give you a moment of pleasure, a shared moment with family and friends and don't feel bad if you want to enjoy some wine with your meals... A moment of pleasure will be benefit for you and it will keep the stress levels down...
Your food choices will affect your body in good way or bad way...Most people who have a healthy lifestyle are less stressed and hardly ever catch a cold or flu, their immune system works much better and they have more energy.
Healthy food and lifestyle is not boring. Healthy food will teach you about new flavours and it will bring more colour to your plate. Most of the ready made dishes contains artificial colours and flavours...So many people especially children don't know about a real taste of food.
 Ones you shift your mind for a healthier lifestyle and start to eat food, that will be good for you and will give you the needed vitamins and minerals your desire for the junk food falls away. You begin to feel better so you begin to eat for life. Why so many of us only take this decision after they have fallen sick? So many diseases could be avoided by eating healthier from your childhood and young adulthood. Exercise is the second key to the good health. A regular exercise will keep your body fit and help you to maintain your cholesterol levels, it will also help you to cope with stress and by exercising you will keep your heart healthy and your digestive system and circulation working better.
We all have periods in life when we tent to eat and drink more, those periods can be short term like festive seasons, bit longer like holidays and then so many of us fall into bad eating and drinking habits when we are stressed or we have relationship or work problems in our life.
If you feel that you really need a change in your eating habits to get a better and healthier lifestyle you might want to start with a detox program that will help you to cleanse your body. It is not a diet or a fastening program, it is a detox cleansing program that takes 28-days, during those days you can eat different vegetables, fruits, nuts, some fish, non dairy products...By this program you will loose some weight but which is the most important thing is that you will cleanse your whole body system and you will gain energy, feel great, look good and get back to a healthier lifestyle.

SOUL COACHING

What Is Soul Coaching?

Do you know who you are and why you are here? Do you know what your mission in life is?
Are you aware of the daily guidance from your soul? No matter how great your outward success is, if you don’t know the answer to these questions, you might feel that there is something missing in your life.
The 28-Day Soul Coaching Program is a powerful program that anyone can do. It is a process that takes you to your spiritual source and helps you find meaning and sacredness in your everyday life.
It allows you to take an honest look at yourself and life, face fear, release old negative patterns, get motivated, and step boldly and joyfully into your future.

Once you have committed yourself to the program, life seems to unfold in a remarkable, almost magical, way. Declare that you are ready to discover your authentic self, and are willing to dedicate one month of your life to doing it, and loving forces of the universe will coalesce to propel you in the direction of your destiny. Synchronistic events and seeming “coincidences” begin to expand exponentially in your life.
I’m not quite sure why it happens, but once you commit to this program, it’s as if the universe has heard that declaration and amazing events seem to emerge within your life, all aimed at a deep soul cleansing and clearing. The events of your life are not an accident. If you are attracted to the Soul Coaching program, it is the right time for your soul detoxification.
The aim of Soul Coaching is to align your inner spiritual life with your outer life. It helps you to clear away mental and emotional clutter so you can hear the messages from within. It also helps you to discover your purpose so you can design a life that supports that purpose.

Regular life coaching usually focuses on the attainment of a goal or a dream. This differs from therapy, in which the intention is usually focused on emotional healing. Soul Coaching is different from these modalities, as its primary aim is to clear away inner debris in order to connect you with the wisdom of your soul.
The understanding of who you are can never be told by another. It is only when you reach into the wellspring of your being that the truth of the soul springs forth.

The 28-Day Soul Coaching® Program Copyright © 2009 5 by Denise Linn

FOUR SEASONS OF LIFE

A human life is like the four seasons of the year. From our birth, we start our first spring…Even we are very small, we have everything that a human body needs to carry on with this new life. We have a body, soul and mind… a newborn soul can be well traveled already but the new body and mind needs a lot of growing to attain a full adult size. A small body and mind needs lot of help to deal with life challenges. Our soul has been given us as a gift and it will guide us during our entire life, if only we knowledge it. Our soul is trying to tell us the truth about ourselves, but are we ready to listen to what it wants to say us… That is why we are not always happy about ourselves and who we have become as an adult.

From our childhood, our life moves from spring to summer and as most of us we want to stay in summer until to the end of our lives…Long warm days, carefree lifestyle, healthy, happy etc…

But most of us ends in autumn sooner or later some even very early in their adulthood and gets stuck in autumn in long period of time feeling unhealthy, having bad relationship patterns, building up stress at work and the life has really become more a challenge than something that we really enjoy everyday…

The winter does not always mean that we are at the end of our life cycle. Everybody can attain winter if they have not been taking care of their body, mind and soul. To be in good health a human being needs to be in balance with his/hers body, mind and soul, when one of these three will be in unbalanced this will affect the other parts and we get sick or depressed etc… All this is affecting who we really are and we do not enjoy life fully. Many people take health for granted and at the age of 40 they still might feel good even they don’t do sport, their eating habits are not the best including cigarettes, excess alcohol, and stress, all this is taking toll on their life. Many people accept too easily the warning signs of their body, mind and soul trying to tell them that all is not well in their system, but most of the people do not listen to themselves, because they do not know how…

This can have devastating consequences on us. Who would’t like to live full speed at 60 and be ache and pain free. Then having a wonderful old age, even your body ages and gets tired but that is normal process of aging.

You can help yourself by looking after yourself better when you are younger and stay in summer all your life and enjoy those beautiful days of it. However, frankly most of us are in a turning point that we feel more the autumn swinging our mind and getting us tired and even depressed at early age.

In this world, some of us have hit the jackpot of life to be born in a rich democratic country with health care system and freedom and still we often suffer the most unbalanced body, mind and soul… We might even look good, have enough money, a nice career but lacking the essence of life… Which is that we are not completely connected to our own soul. We do not really know ourselves, we are telling to ourselves and others that we are fine and everything is ok but at the same time a little voice inside tries to tell you that “ hey you are telling nonsense, you are not what you say you are, and you are lying to yourself.”

Once you start to care about your own well being it will help you to take better care of the people around you…When you learn how to love yourself, it will be easy to love people around you.

You can choose a new spring in your life even you thought that you will be stuck for the rest of your life in autumn or in a long winter with not much sun shine.
Your Second Spring program will help you to attain your well being. The balance of body, mind and soul.

All this you can do in 28-days program and I guarantee you will never be feeling the same way anymore. You will gain self confidence and courage, it will help you to attain your goals in life much easier and be a dreamer and make your dreams reality. You will get out of fear. You will be fear-less…