http://www.mindbodygreen.com/0-9095/9-ways-to-eat-for-energy.html

12 Magnificent Ways To Use Coconut Oil

Coconut oil is highly beneficial for health as it boosts your energy and endurance. Besides, it stimulates the metabolism, controls cravings, aids in digestion, facilitates nutrient absorption, and improves thyroid function.

Furthermore, it protects against heart disease, controls diabetes, and promotes weight loss. Hence, you can consume about three to four tablespoons of coconut oil per day. When consuming or using coconut oil for other purposes, it is best to opt for extra virgin coconut oil.

Here are some fabulous ways to use coconut oil.

1. It can be used as a toast spread. You may look for recipes for delicious yet healthy toast spreads that you can create using coconut oil.Besides, you can replace butter with coconut oil while baking brownies, cookies, muffins, etc. It also makes a healthy substitute for vegetable oil used for cooking. You may add a little coconut oil (molten) in your smoothies, too.
2. Coconut oil works as a fabulous eye makeup remover. For this, you just need to dab a little coconut oil on a cotton scab and use it to remove your makeup. In addition, you can use it to clean your mascara brush.
3. Application of coconut oil helps in getting rid of lice infestation. For this, you need to massage your hair and scalp with organic coconut oil and then, comb through the hair with a lice comb at least twice.Next, shampoo your hair. After drying your hair, again apply coconut oil liberally and leave overnight. Comb your hair in the morning. Finally, shampoo and condition your hair.
4. You can even feed organic coconut oil to your pet as it can improve your pet’s skin and hair coat. Plus, it controls fleas and fights fungal infectionsbecause it contains caprylic acid.Moreover, it relieves arthritis, and works as a natural internal deodorizer, thereby eliminating bad breath in dogs. Thus, you can add a teaspoon of coconut oil in your pet’s food or water.
5. You may also use coconut oil for preparing a variety of homemade productssuch as homemade soap, deodorant, insect repellent, lip balm, body scrub, and even toothpaste.
6. It can be used as an after shave to relieve razor burn and heal the skin. You can use it as a pre shave as well.
7. Coconut oil can be used as a sunscreen, especially for those with dark skin. It has an SPF of about 4 to 6.
8. It is excellent for managing frizzy and flyaway hair.
9. Interestingly, coconut oil works as a leather moisturizer. Hence, you can put a small amount of coconut oil on a clean cloth and work it into your leather shoes to moisturize and increase their shine.
10. You can rub a little coconut oil on the inside of your nostrils to prevent nosebleed due to dry, cracked skin on the inside of your nose.
11. Expectant mothers can regularly apply coconut oil on the abdominal area (from the seventh or eight month of pregnancy) to prevent and reduce stretch marks.The oil is great for newborns as well, because it works as a natural diaper cream that moisturizes the baby’s soft skin and fights bacteria.
12. Coconut oil can be used to remove chewing gum from hair, clothes, shoes, etc. You can leave it on the sticky area for about 30 minutes so that it becomes easier to remove the gum.

Read more about 12 Magnificent Ways To Use Coconut Oil at Speedyremedies.com

http://www.onegreenplanet.org/vegan-health/three-surprising-ways-to-curb-sugar-cravings/

http://www.mindbodygreen.com/0-5534/6-Powerful-Ways-to-Boost-Your-Magnesium-Levels.html

10 Ways Yoga & Meditation Will Make You Cool (Warning: Hilarious!)

http://www.mindbodygreen.com/0-5306/10-Ways-Yoga-Meditation-Will-Make-You-Cool-Warning-Hilarious.html

a short excerpt:

http://www.mindbodygreen.com/0-5332/6-Ways-to-Balance-Your-Sacral-Chakra.html

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/linda-durnell/joy-happiness_b_1613236.html?utm_hp_ref=mindfulness#slide=1128347

Think bigger and then bigger again.

You are powerful beyond your knowing, and when you dream, do not be surprised when it becomes a reality. Pay attention to how you feel when you think of your dreams coming true. Stay with that feeling — it is joy.

By Margarita Tartakovsky, M.S.
Associate Editor

Mindfulness has a way of sounding complicated. It’s anything but.

“Mindfulness is paying attention in a particular way: on purpose, in the present moment, non-judgmentally,” according to Marsha Lucas, Ph.D, psychologist and author of Rewire Your Brain for Love.

There are many simple ways you can be more mindful. Here are seven tips to incorporate into your daily life.

1. Practice mindfulness during routine activities. Try bringing awareness to the daily activities you usually do on autopilot, said Ed Halliwell, mindfulness teacher and co-author of the book The Mindful Manifesto.

For instance, pay more attention as you’re brushing your teeth, taking a shower, eating breakfast or walking to work, he said. Zero in on the sight, sound, smell, taste and feel of these activities. “You might find the routine activity is more interesting than you thought,” he said.

2. Practice right when you wake up. According to Lucas, “Mindfulness practice first thing in the morning helps set the ‘tone’ of your nervous system for the rest of the day, increasing the likelihood of other mindful moments.” If you find yourself dozing off, as Lucas does, just practice after having your coffee or tea. But “…don’t read the paper, turn on the TV, check your phone or email, etc. until after you’ve had your ‘sit,’” she said.

3. Let your mind wander. “Your mind and brain are natural wanderers – much like a crawling toddler or a puppy, Lucas said. And that’s a good thing. Having a “busy brain,” Lucas said, is actually an asset. “The beneficial brain changes seen in the neuroscience research on mindfulness are thought to be promoted in large part by the act of noticing that your mind has wandered, and then non-judgmentally – lovingly [and] gently— bringing it back,” she said.

4. Keep it short. Our brains respond better to bursts of mindfulness, Lucas said. So being mindful several times a day is more helpful than a lengthy session or even a weekend retreat. While 20 minutes seems to be the gold standard, starting at a few minutes a day is OK, too.

For instance, you can tune into your body, such as focusing “on how your shoes feel on your feet in that moment, or giving attention to how your jaw is doing [such as, is it] tight, loose or hanging open at the audacity of the person in front of you in the coffee line?” Lucas said.

5. Practice mindfulness while you wait. In our fast-paced lives, waiting is a big source of frustration – whether you’re waiting in line or stuck in traffic. But while it might seem like a nuisance, waiting is actually an opportunity for mindfulness, Halliwell said. When you’re waiting, he suggested bringing your attention to your breath. Focus on “the flow of the breath in and out of your body, from moment to moment and allow everything else to just be, even if what’s there is impatience or irritation.”

6. Pick a prompt to remind you to be mindful. Choose a cue that you encounter on a regular basis to shift your brain into mindful mode, Lucas said. For instance, you might pick a certain doorway or mirror or use drinking coffee or tea as a reminder, she said.

7. Learn to meditate. “The best way to cultivate mindfulness in everyday life is to formally train in meditation,” Halliwell said. He compared practicing mindfulness to learning a new language. “You can’t just decide to be fluent in Spanish – unless you already are – you have to learn the language first,” he said. “Practicing meditation is how to learn the language of mindfulness.” Meditation helps us tap into mindfulness with little effort, he said. He suggested finding a local teacher or trying out CDs.

Mindfulness isn’t a luxury, Lucas said, “it’s a practice that trains your brain to be more efficient and better integrated, with less distractibility and improved focus. It minimizes stress and even helps you become your best self.”

Lucas cited Richard Davidson’s research at the Laboratory for Affective Neuroscience at the University of Wisconsin, which shows that all of us have an emotional “set point.” “Some of us have more of a tendency toward withdrawal, avoidance, negative thinking and other depressive symptoms, [whereas] others have a greater tendency toward positive moods [such as, being] curious, tending to approach new things and positive thinking,” she said. Davidson has found that through mindfulness, we may be able to train our brains and shift our set points.

“Mindfulness practice now has an abundance of neuroscience research to support that it helps our brains be more integrated, so your everyday activities, thoughts, attitudes [and] perceptions…are more balanced [or] well-rounded,” Lucas said.

Margarita Tartakovsky, M.S. is an Associate Editor at Psych Central and blogs regularly about eating and self-image issues on her own blog,

Weightless

Ways to Strengthen Adrenals- http://www.ehow.com/way_5589318_ways-strengthen-adrenals.html
Herbal/Vitamin Therapy

Herbal therapy is holistic in nature. Many of the extracts found in tea can strengthen the adrenals by enhancing senses and strengthening your body. Gingko biloba is a common extract found in teas that will revitalize your adrenals and enhance your energy stores. Even the pill form of gingko biloba can help by improving you cerebral metabolism and fighting free radicals.

Another extract that can be used is ginseng, an energy booster and a stress reliever. Siberian ginseng has a powerful ability to help the body to resist stress and fatigue. By taking even small amounts of the extract through tea or pill form, you can avoid weakening your adrenal glands.

Pantothenic acid is important to the adrenal glands, and not having enough in the body could lead to adrenal atrophy which can take much longer to heal than simply weakened adrenals. Foods containing a good amount of pantothenic acid are whole grains, cauliflower, broccoli and salmon. Try to keep your pantothenic acid dosage around 100 milligrams a day in order to give the adrenals enough to maintain themselves.
Exercise and diet

Excessive exercise can lead to impairment of your adrenal glands, however the right amount can rejuvenate them. Doing trampoline exercises where you can include cardio will increase lymph circulation and help get rid of the waste and toxins building up in the body, for example.

Diet is also a major factor as eating bad foods will put unneeded toxins into your body that will put extra stress on the adrenal glands. A diet rich in whole foods can help strengthen your adrenals. Eating potassium-rich foods and having only small amounts of refined carbs and sodium will strengthen the adrenals quickly and begin the repair immediately. The United States Department of Agriculture suggests in its Food Pyramid guide that you have a 5 to 1 ratio of potassium to sodium daily, and that you consume around 3 to 5 grams of potassium a day. Foods rich in potassium include kelp, sunflower seeds, nuts and beans.
Be Happy

Lastly, stress is a major factor of impairing your adrenals. Take the time to smile throughout the day, lay off the road rage and, lastly, don’t allow small scuffles or arguments bother you. Exhausting yourself can only do more harm than good so relax and your body will do the same.

Read more: Ways to Strengthen Adrenals | eHow.com http://www.ehow.com/way_5589318_ways-strengthen-adrenals.html#ixzz1qSZ3bF5M

http://www.onlinedegreeshub.com/blog/2011/10-natural-ways-to-avoid-mosquitoes-this-summer/

1. Oil of Lemon Eucalyptus: Oil of lemon eucalyptus is said to be one of the most effective natural mosquito repellents on the market and is recommended by the Centers for Disease Control. The active ingredient in oil of lemon eucalyptus is cineole, which has several antiseptic and insect repellent properties when applied to the skin. Oil of lemon eucalyptus also provides comparable protection to low concentrations of DEET.
2. Wear Light-Colored and Tightly-Woven Clothing: In the heat of summer, wearing light-colored clothing not only keeps you cooler, but it also repels mosquitoes. These bloodsucking insects are attracted to dark colors, and they can easily find you if you don’t dress accordingly. In addition to dressing lightly, be sure to pay attention to how much of your skin is exposed. If you’re going to be outdoors for a long period of time, you’ll want to wear long-sleeved shirts, long pants, shoes and socks that cover your skin. Another tip for blocking mosquitoes is to wear clothes made of tightly woven materials.
3. Oil of Citronella: The citronella oil that’s found in outdoor candles, torches and lanterns, and skin products provides a natural and fragrant way to keep skeeters away. Citronella oil is an essential oil that comes from citronella grass, which can be planted for extra mosquito-repelling power. According to the Environmental Protection Agency, oil of citronella poses little or no toxicity risks to humans, wildlife and the environment. However, there is a chance that citronella products can cause skin irritations in children and people with sensitive skin, especially if applied incorrectly.
4. Soybean Oil: Soybean oil is a vegetable oil that has been extracted from the seeds of a soybean. Although soybean oil is predominately used in cooking, it does have awesome mosquito-repelling powers. In a study conducted by The New England Journal of Medicine, soybean-oil-based repellents protected against mosquito bites for an average of 94.6 minutes, which was more than all other botanical repellents tested.
5. Go Fragrance-Free: Since mosquitoes are attracted to fragrances, it’s a good idea to avoid wearing perfumes and scented products while you’re outside. There’s nothing more natural than going fragrance-free and sporting your natural scent. Of course that doesn’t mean you can’t wear sunscreen, deodorant or use hair products – just make sure they are all fragrance-free. Also, be sure to watch your use of scented fabric softeners and dryer sheets, which can remain on your clothes well after laundering.
6. Lavender Oil: Not only does lavender oil smell simply wonderful, but this essential oil also provides effective mosquito-repelling power. Lavender oil can be found in a variety of products such as lotions, soaps, sprays and gels that are applied topically. Lavender oil can be mixed with other essential oils to boost its benefits or applied alone. After using this potent natural oil, you’ll never want to go back to the chemical stuff again.
7. Garlic: Garlic repels more than just vampires – it works on mosquitoes too! The pungent smell of garlic is the key to keeping mosquitoes away from you. It is believed that garlic is released through the pores and may change your scent, making it harder for mosquitoes to find you and less likely to stay on your skin if they do track you down. Test the mosquito-repelling power of mosquitoes by eating it regularly or rubbing raw garlic on your exposed skin.
8. Reduce Standing Water In and Around Your Home: The best way to avoid mosquitoes is not to attract them in the first place. This can be done by simply reducing the amount of standing water that they can use for breeding in and around your house. Be sure to repair failed septic systems, leaky water pipes and outside faucets, in addition to cutting your grass short and keeping drains, ditches and culverts free of debris so water can drain properly. Swimming pools should be cleaned and chlorinated regularly and change the water in bird baths, wading pools and any other water containers that might attract mosquitoes.
9. Plant Mosquito-Repelling Plants: An easy way to repel mosquitoes and spruce up your backyard is to plant bug-repelling plants. Tansies, marigolds, catnip, Thai lemon grass, citronella grass and garlic are excellent, natural mosquito repellents. These plants give off an odor that’s unpleasant to mosquitoes and will send them flying far away.
10. Build a Bat House: It might seem like you’re inviting more pests to your home by building a bat house, but it’s actually quite the contrary. Bats are natural predators to mosquitoes and they can eat up to 3,000 of the pesky insects every night. Building a bat house will attract bats to your backyard and hopefully keep your mosquito population down in the process.