Powerful You! Women's Network

With so many people experiencing immobility and degenerative diseases, there is one outstanding treatment that is so very inexpensive; doctors probably would never tell you about it.   Apple cider vinegar relieves arthritic pain.  It contains  the following minerals: potassium, phosphorous, chlorine, sodium, magnesium, calcium, sulphur, iron & trace minerals. The claims are that apple cider vinegar is high in potassium and dissolves calcium deposits around the joints. Potassium also promotes the growth of cells and tissues. It is believed that the unique combination of high potassium and the other nutrients in apple cider vinegar can trigger healing.  The only effective apple cider vinegar is pure, organic, unpasteurized apple cider vinegar which is called "mother of vinegar."  No other vinegar is known to be a cure all.  

How to Take Apple Cider Vinegar for Relief of Arthritis:

 Apple cider vinegar has the necessary acid content to provide balance within the digestive system, thus avoiding this calcium build-up. Recommendations are for it to be taken three-times a day with honey and water but start out taking it once a day to begin with.

 One tablespoon of pure apple cider vinegar,  One tablespoon of honey (to be omitted in the case of diabetes) & mix in a large glass of warm water.

 Apple Cider Vinegar Folk Remedy for Osteoarthritis:

 When acid crystals build up in the body it is these acids that accumulate in the joints which can cause excruciating pain. Sometimes, it leads to deformity and decreased movement. Apparently it is the acid crystal build-up that causes osteoarthritis and eventually the apple cider will disperse them. Apple Cider Vinegar Treatment for Rheumatoid Arthritis:

Apple cider vinegar relieves the symptoms of rheumatoid arthritis, which is thought to be caused by a streptococcal infection. Results have shown that it helps balance the acid. Not only is apple cider vinegar a great treatment for arthritis, it is known to work for fatigue, acid reflux, heartburn, sore throats, gout and many other ailments. It’s basically been a folk remedy  that has been around and stood the test of time.

Are you a busy mom or busy professional opting for choices that are not the healthiest for you or your family? You can now sit down for dinner and have nourishing home cooked meals fully prepared in your home without the high calories and high sodium content. Every meal is stored in the fridge and awaits you. No more worries, no more stress on what am I going to have for dinner? Debbie’s Mobile Kitchen can help. Visit me @ http://debbiesmobilekitchen.wordpress.com.  or http://www.facebook.com/pages/Debbies-Mobile-Kitchen/132393246796408.

"Is it true that I should always sleep with my head in the North?"
"I heard you should always keep the bathroom door closed and the toilet lid down.  Is that correct?"   

    These are frequently asked questions when people learn that I'm a feng shui practitioner.  My name is Eileen kelz and I am a professional feng shui consultant, educator and trainer.
     In upcoming posts I will answer some of those frequently asked questions and help to bring contemporary understanding of the ancient wisdom of feng shui.
    Feng shui, pronounced "fung schway", is the art of placement.  Translated it means "wind and water."  Althought the name is Chinese, feng shui has come to include similar traditions from  almost every culture around the world.  The intent is to create environments that support and enrich your life by balancing the energy in your space.
    Your home or workplace is a mirror of who you are. Your values, beliefs, health, passions, and challenges will be reflected there. The exciting news is that your space can also be a template for change.  You can create an environment  that supports your desire for better health, a new career, more business opportunities or any other value that you hold. 
   I came to understand the power of feng shui in a very practical way.  In 1997, my life-long dream of owning a beach house was about to come true. My husband and I flew from our home in  Wisconsin to the Outer Banks of North Carolina to look for property to purchase.  Our realtor patiently led us through 7 houses in one day but we fell in love with the first house we saw. We made an offer and that is when fear set in.  It can be scary when a life-long dream becomes reality.  
   Our offer was accepted and a month later we returned for closing and to prepare the house for upcoming rental season.  We walked into our dream and were so dissappointed!  I was in tears.  Being by the ocean has always been a heart-lifting experience for me, but we were feeling none of that joy.  The house felt dark and heavy.  We are not wealthy people so we feared we had squandered our life savings on this dream.
   Back in Wisconsin a friend gave me a book on feng shui and space clearing written by Denise Linn.  Linn combines the ancient practices of feng shui and space clearing in a system call Interior Alignment.  I learned how the energy in a space can become stagnant or take on the emotions of previous occupants and events.  It made sense to me!  Many renters had left their imprint and the house had been closed up for the Winter.
   The next trip to the Outer Banks I had the book in hand and brought some friends for a wild women's beach week.  As Linn suggested, we did a energy space clearing with drums and sage to cleanse and uplift the energy. It was a complicated ceremony but  
the results were immediate.  Colors seemed more vibrant.  The air felt lighter and infused with positive energy.  Best of all, that heart-lifting feeling returned.  I then went on to implement some feng shui changes.  Furniture was moved to encourage better "chi" flow,  We changed artwork, introduced different colors and boosted the "wealth" area, a section of the home designated in feng shui as a place of abuncance.  It was magic!  Following the clearing we did a house dedication and named our home, Aquinna....beautiful light by the sea.  The house was now truely ours.
   Not only did Aquinna feel better for us, our summer rentals improved dramatically.  Buildings have a consciousness and respond to the respect and love that we give to them. This is true whether that space is your home, a rental investment or your place of work. My hunband and I make sure that our renters know that Aquinna is a home and not just a rental machine.  They respond accordingly and care for it as their home.
   Since my initial exprerience I decided that I wanted to help others in the same way.  I went through extensive training with Linn throughout the last decade and am now an Advanced Practitioner and Master Teacher of Interior Alignment.  I now have the honor of training students from around the world to do what I do.  Those classes take place at Aquinna, the very place that gave me my start.
   Feng shui is not merely about how a place appears.  It is about the experience you have in that space and how it leads you forward through your life.  It is not a decorating trend  but a practical life-long tool to help you align your space to support your spirit and intentions.

   Eileen Kelz is a feng shui and space clearing consultant, educator and trainer. Through her business Dynamic Environments, she provides professional Interior Alignment certification training on the Outer Banks and in Wisconsin. Eileen is a passionate and fun-loving teacher.  She can be reached at 715-305-5359 or eileenkelz@gmail.com    To learn more, go to:  www.dynamic-environments.com

Don't be misled by the dangers of carbohydrates. They provide the body with fuel it needs for proper organ function.  They are an important part of a healthy diet and some carbohydrates are far better than others.

The best source of carbohydrates is whole grains (the less processed, the better).  You can add vegetables, fruits and beans, to your diet. They will promote good health and deliver vitamins, minerals, fiber, and a host of other important nutrients.  Normally we tend to eat the refined carbohydrates such as white bread, white rice, pastries, sodas and other highly processed foods.   These will contribute to weight gain, interfere with weight loss, and promote diabetes and heart disease.

Here are some ideas for adding good carbs to your diet:

1. Start the day with whole grains. Try a hot cereal, like steel cut oats, or a cold cereal that lists a whole grain first on the ingredient list. 

2. Use whole grain breads for lunch or snacks.  Look for bread that lists as the first ingredient whole wheat, whole rye, or some other whole grain.

3. Bag the potatoes. Instead, try brown rice, bulgur, wheat berries, whole wheat pasta, or another whole grain with your dinner. 

4. Choose whole fruit instead of juice.  An orange has two times as much fiber and half as much sugar as a 12-ounce glass of orange juice

5. Bring on the beans. Beans are an excellent source of slowly digested carbohydrates as well as a great source of protein.

Are you a busy mom or busy professional opting for choices that are not the healthiest for you or your family?  You can now sit down for dinner and have nourishing home cooked meals fully prepared in your home without the high calories and high sodium content. Every meal is stored in the fridge and awaits you. No more worries, no more stress on what am I going to have for dinner?  Debbie’s Mobile Kitchen can help. Visit me @ http://debbiesmobilekitchen.wordpress.com   or http://www.facebook.com/pages/Debbies-Mobile-Kitchen/132393246796408

I'm one of forty plus women selected by the Women's News Bureau to follow on LinkedIn today.  The Women’s News Bureau (womenpartner.org) has gathered over 40 women for you to network with today on LinkedIn to help you maximize your membership.  Read their news snippets and invite them to connect.  Then strike up a conversation about collaborating to introduce each other to your respective clients.

 Not so good products

#1: Aspartame

There's conflicting evidence regarding the safety of aspartame, a common chemical sweetener used in diet soda and other low-cal or low-sugar goods, but some people report headaches or generally feeling unwell after ingesting anything containing this chemical.  Studies have found that aspartame actually becomes toxic to brain cells. Making matters worse, aspartame is used in many diet sodas, and studies have found drinking diet soda may increase your risk of developing diabetes.  Also a concern with aspartame, researchers have found that one harmful breakdown product is formaldehyde.  

#2: Agave

While your health food store likely stocks agave sweeteners, it may be best to keep them out of your cart. Many agave nectars consist of 70 to 80 percent fructose. That is more than what's found in high-fructose corn syrup.   If you don't want to give up agave, look for types that contain no more than 30 to 40 percent fructose.   Agave is also very heavily processed in an extremely energy-intensive manner that's similar to the way corn is converted into high-fructose corn syrup.

#3: Sucralose

While sucralose, better known by its brand name, Splenda, may originate with sugar, the end product is anything but natural. It's processed using chlorine, and researchers are finding that the artificial sweetener is passing through our bodies and winding up in wastewater treatment plants, where it can't be broken down. Tests in Norway and Sweden found sucralose in surface water released downstream from treatment discharge sites. Scientists worry it could change organisms' feeding habits and interfere with photosynthesis, putting the entire food chain at risk.

 Good Guy #1: Stevia

"We need to be off of sugar, but we need good alternatives, and stevia seems to be the safest sweetener. All types of stevia are extracted from the leaves of the stevia plant. People tend to overuse powders, in which the sweetness is really concentrated, so if you've tried powders in the past and didn't like them, try liquid forms.  Stevia contains zero calories, but its one downfall is that it doesn't work well for baking. Expect to see more stevia on store shelves, as Coke and Pepsi got the green light to use Truvia (a sweetener made in part from stevia) starting later this year.

Good Guy #2: Sugar alcohols

Popular sugar alcohol sweeteners include xylitol, sorbitol, and erythritol, natural sweeteners made through a fermentation process of corn or sugar cane. They contain fewer calories than sweeteners like pure sugar and honey, but more than stevia. They also leave a cooling sensation in the mouth, and have been found to prevent cavities. Avoid excess though it can cause stomach distress.

Good Guy #3: Organic, raw local honey

While honey does boast higher fructose levels, it also contains a bounty of cancer-defending antioxidants, and local honey has been said to help alleviate allergy symptoms. Don't limit raw honey's use to your tea, either. Use it to speed healing on burns, and as a natural antiseptic on cuts and scrapes. Honey also has a low glycemic index, so adding it to your tea or yogurt won't lead to energy-busting blood sugar drops later in the day.

Good Guy #4: Blackstrap molasses

Although it is high in calories, blackstrap is rich in iron, potassium, and calcium, making it a healthier choice than the artificial sweeteners or even regular refined sugar, despite the fact that blackstrap and refined sugar both come from sugar cane.

Are you a busy mom or busy professional opting for choices that are not the healthiest for you or your family. You can now sit down for dinner and have nourishing home cooked meals fully prepared in your home without the high calories and high sodium content. Every meal is stored in the fridge and awaits you. No more worries, no more stress on what am I going to have for dinner?  Debbie’s Mobile Kitchen can help. Visit me @ http://debbiesmobilekitchen.wordpress.com   or http://www.facebook.com/pages/Debbies-Mobile-Kitchen/132393246796408

Different types of  foods can lower cholesterol in various ways. Some deliver soluble fiber, which binds cholesterol and its precursors in the digestive system and drags them out of the body before they get into circulation. Some give you polyunsaturated fats, which directly lower LDL. And some contain plant sterols and stanols, which block the body from absorbing cholesterol.

Oats. An easy first step to improving your cholesterol is having a bowl of oatmeal or cold oat-based cereal like Cheerios for breakfast. It gives you 1 to 2 grams of soluble fiber. Add a banana or some strawberries for another half-gram.

Barley and other whole grains. Like oats and oat bran, barley and other whole grains can help lower the risk of heart disease, mainly via the soluble fiber they deliver.

Beans. Beans are especially rich in soluble fiber. They also take awhile for the body to digest, meaning you feel full for longer after a meal. That's one reason beans are a useful food for folks trying to lose weight. With so many choices — from navy and kidney beans to lentils, garbanzos, black-eyed peas, and beyond — and so many ways to prepare them, beans are a very versatile food.

Eggplant, okra and cauliflower. All three vegetables are good sources of fiber.

Nuts.  Try eating almonds, walnuts, peanuts, and other nuts which are good for the heart. Eating 2 ounces of nuts a day can slightly lower LDL, Nuts have additional nutrients that protect the heart in other ways too.

Vegetable oils. Using liquid vegetable oils such as canola, sunflower, safflower, and others in place of butter, lard, or shortening when cooking or at the table helps lower LDL. Lots of recipe now include applesauce to replace oil in recipes.

Apples, grapes, strawberries, citrus fruits. These fruits are rich in pectin, a type of soluble fiber that lowers LDL.

Foods fortified with sterols and stanols. Sterols and stanols extracted from plants gum up the body's ability to absorb cholesterol from food. Companies are adding them to foods ranging from margarine and granola bars to orange juice and chocolate. They're also available as supplements. Getting 2 grams of plant sterols or stanols a day can lower LDL cholesterol by about 10%.

Fatty fish. Eating fish two or three times a week can lower LDL in two ways: by replacing meat, which has LDL-boosting saturated fats, and by delivering LDL-lowering omega-3 fats. Omega-3s reduce triglycerides in the bloodstream and also protect the heart by helping prevent the onset of abnormal heart rhythms.

 

Are you a busy mom or busy professional opting for choices that are not the healthiest for you or your family. You can now sit down for dinner and have nourishing home cooked meals fully prepared in your home without the high calories and high sodium content. Every meal is stored in the fridge and awaits you. No more worries, no more stress on what am I going to have for dinner?  Debbie’s Mobile Kitchen can help. Visit me @ http://debbiesmobilekitchen.wordpress.com   or http://www.facebook.com/pages/Debbies-Mobile-Kitchen/132393246796408

 

 

 

 Strokes can come without a warning.    This occurs when a blood vessel in or leading to the brain bursts or is blocked by a blood clot, it starves the brain cells of oxygen and nutrients.  After all, stroke is the number-three killer in the U.S., affecting more than 700,000 people each year. Here are some foods that cause the damage that leads to stroke.

1. Crackers, chips, and store-bought pastries and baked goods

Muffins, doughnuts, chips, crackers, and many other baked goods are high in trans fats. Hydrogenated oils  are popular with commercial bakeries because they stay solid at room temperature, so the products don't require refrigeration.  It is also listed on labels as "partially hydrogenated oil.  It can be found in all kinds of snack foods, frozen foods, and baked goods.  You may also find it in salad dressings, microwave popcorn, stuffing mixes, frozen tater tots and French fries, cake mixes, and whipped toppings. The worst offenders are fried fast foods such as onion rings, French fries, and fried chicken.

Why it's bad

For years scientists have known that  trans fats are dangerous artery-blockers, upping the bad cholesterol in the blood and lowering good cholesterol. Now we can add stroke  to the list of dangers. Studies have found that, in women, trans fats promoted inflammation and higher levels of C-reactive protein, which have been linked to an increased risk of diabetes, heart disease, and stroke.

What to do

Aim to limit trans fats to 1 or 2 grams a day or preferably none. Avoid fast-food French fries and other fried menu items and study packaged food labels closely. Even better, bake your own cookies, cakes, and other snacks. If you are looking for alternative snacks in stores, search for  Terra brand potato chips and traditional whole grain crackers such as those made by Finn, Wasa, AkMak, Ryvita, and Lavasch.

2. Smoked and processed meats

Whether your weakness is pastrami, sausage, hot dogs, bacon, or a smoked turkey sandwich, all are placed on the bad list. I’m bummed because I love Pastrami and Corned Beef. It’s just part of our heritage.

Why it's bad

Smoked and processed meats are nasty contributors to stroke risk in two ways: The preserving processes leave them packed with sodium, but even worse are the preservatives used to keep processed meats from going bad. Sodium nitrate and nitrite have been shown by researchers to directly damage blood vessels, causing arteries to harden and narrow. And of course damaged, overly narrow blood vessels are exactly what you don't want if you fear stroke. A few years back,  my husband and I traveled to see his long lost relatives in the Ukraine.  Their tradition is to preserve meat and make it last longer, especially during hard times. The only problem with this is, mainly the men were dying at a much younger age than normal all due to heart disease and other related issues from too much sodium in the blood system.

Many studies have linked processed meats to coronary artery disease. Not only that but diabetes numerous types of cancer and leukemia.

What to do

If a smoked turkey or ham sandwich is your lunch of choice, try to vary your diet, switching to tuna, peanut butter, or other choices several days a week. Or cook turkey and chicken yourself and slice it thin for sandwiches.

3. Diet soda

Although replacing sugary drinks with diet soda seems like a smart solution for keeping weight down -- a heart-healthy goal -- it turns out diet soda is likely a major bad guy when it comes to stroke.

Why it's bad

People who drink a diet soda a day may up their stroke risk by 48 percent. The American Stroke Association followed 2,500 people whos ages were 40 years and older and found that daily diet soda drinkers had 60 percent more strokes, heart attacks, and coronary artery disease than those who didn't drink diet soda.

4. Red meat

Research is finding that red meat, is high in saturated fat and isn't healthy for those looking to prevent heart disease and stroke.

Why it's bad

The saturated fat in red meat raises the risk of stroke and heart disease by gradually clogging arteries with a buildup of protein plaques. Now it turns out that hemoglobin, the ingredient that gives red meat its high iron content, may pose a specific danger when it comes to stroke.

What to do

Aim to substitute more poultry, particularly white meat and fish,   Also, choose the heart-healthiest sources of protein whenever you can, especially beans, legumes, nuts, and nonfat dairy.

5. Canned soup and prepared foods

Whether it' is the canned soup, canned spaghetti, or healthy-sounding frozen dinners and prepared foods, it is the sodium that increases the flavor and make processed foods taste fresher. Canned soup is known to be a huge offender.   One can of chicken noodle soup contains more than 1,100 mg of sodium, while many other varieties, from clam chowder to simple tomato soup, have between 450 and 800 mg per serving. The American Heart and Stroke Association's recommend less than1,500 mg of sodium daily.

Why it's bad

Salt, or sodium directly affect stroke risk and people who consumed more than 4,000 mg of sodium daily had more than double the risk of stroke compared to those who ate 2,000 mg or less. As most Americans,  we eat close to 3,500 mg of sodium per day. Studies show that sodium raises blood pressure, the primary causative factor for stroke. Sodium wears many tricky disguises, so sodium and salt are one in the same.

 

Are you a busy mom or busy professional opting for choices that are not the healthiest for you or your family.  You can now sit down for dinner and have nourishing home cooked meals fully prepared in your home without the high calories and high sodium content. Every meal is stored in the fridge and awaits you. No more worries, no more stress on what am I going to have for dinner?  Debbie’s Mobile Kitchen can help. Visit me @ http://debbiesmobilekitchen.wordpress.com   or http://www.facebook.com/pages/Debbies-Mobile-Kitchen/132393246796408

There are some foods that can trigger migraines and other    headaches:

First the headache trigger foods, these are the ones you want to avoid

 Some top offenders are:

Cheese (except for cottage, farmer's, ricotta and cream cheese), Alcohol, especially red wine is a bad one. Watch out for extracts (vanilla, etc) these too contain alcohol.  Caffeine, chocolate, aged meats, liver and cold cuts.   You may also have to watch out for products with meat and hydrolyzed protein, which is in gravy and soup mixes.  Soy beans, Italian green beans, broad bean pods and many of us are aware that MSG is a really bad one.  Be careful with nuts (especially peanuts).   Yeast, (especially in homemade bread and sourdough) and sauerkraut.

Eat with caution:

Salad Dressing, dried fruits (including raisins), imitation crab, licorice, mushrooms, snails, salty foods, rhubarb, citrus fruits, avocados, bananas, yogurt and buttermilk.  Some other culprits can be fresh raspberries, plums, onions, and worcestershire or teriyaki sauce.  People don’t realize it but wheat can be a trigger too.

Headache Fighting Foods:

The best advice is simply to eat a well balanced diet with plenty of fresh, non-processed foods. That includes a variety of grains, fruits and vegetables. But here are a few specific foods that you may want to introduce into your diet. They may cut down on your pain:

Peppermint, cayenne pepper, ginger, fish and fish oil, Foods rich in calcium (such as spinach, broccoli and kale), Foods rich in magnesium, such as spinach, oatmeal and garlic.

There are also foods that may help raise your serotonin levels. When the serotonin levels drop this may be a major part of the migraine pain process. Remember, eat a balanced diet and also try to eat small amounts throughout the day. Skipping meals and fasting are triggers for many people, possibly because dropping blood sugar levels may contribute to migraine symptoms and other headaches.

 

If you are in need of mouth-watering meals or at least quick family dinners and don’t have the time to prepare the meals your family loves to eat, then we need to speak. Debbie’s Mobile Kitchen can help and will be at your doorstep. Visit me at  http://debbiesmobilekitchen.wordpress.com   or http://www.facebook.com/pages/Debbies-Mobile-Kitchen/132393246796408

We depend on our immune systems, especially this time of year to help fight off cold and flu germs.  Our immune systems depend on us to keep it adequately fueled, with the proper nutrients.

 

Here are some foods you can include in your diets to strengthen your immunity

 

Garlic

 Is a good source of Phytochemicasl, a naturally occurring protective chemical that is found in foods that are plant based. People who eat diets rich in phytochemicals have a lower incidence of heart disease, diabetes and certain types of cancer.
 Our body uses it for its antiviral, antifungal, antibacterial properties.

Shiitake mushrooms
Contain some B vitamins such as niacin and riboflavin.
Our body uses it to help boost production of white blood cells that release a protein into infected cells, causing them to self-destruct.

Green tea
Contains Polyphenols, a phytochemical that appears to play a role in cell growth and programmed cell death.
Our body uses it to help keep our cells healthy and soothe sore throats.

Oranges
We all know that oranges contain Vitamin C, a powerful antioxidant that can neutralize free radicals.
Our body uses it to stimulate the growth of antibodies to fight infection.

Blueberries
Are a good source of vitamins C and E, which produce potent antioxidant effects when working together.
Our body uses it to help prevent urinary tract infections, by increasing the acidity of urine, which helps destroy bacteria.

Sweet potatoes

Sweet potatoes contain carotene, which protects against heart disease; and also vitamin C. In addition to its antioxidant properties is essential for bone strength and the health of blood vessels, body growth, tissue repair and wound healing.

Lean beef
 Is a good source of Zinc, which plays a role in the production of white blood cells and can spur rapid cell division.
Our body uses it to speed cell division, replacing and repairing immune cells, which live only a short time and cannot divide or reproduce on their own.

Spinach
 Is a good source of Folate, which is important in the production of new cells. It also has 13 compounds that act as antioxidants, including quercetin that helps prevent many viruses from multiplying.
Our body uses it for absorbing iron, when spinach is eaten with a fruit or vegetable that contains vitamin C.

Yogurt
Is a good source of Lactobacillus acidophilus. It is considered a healthy bacteria that fights fungal infections.
Our body uses it to build protein called gamma interferon, which helps develop white blood cells.

If you are in need of mouth-watering meals or at least quick family dinners and don’t have the time to prepare the meals your family loves to eat, then we need to speak. Debbie’s Mobile Kitchen can help and will be at your doorstep. Visit me at  http://debbiesmobilekitchen.wordpress.com   or http://myoptinpage2.com/?pid=6445488