Today was the last of my 6 hour Chemistry lectures, I can't believe how quickly this semester has gone! Only 3 and half more years to go! Even though we learn't an enormous amount (can't promise I remember it all), below are just a few interesting facts I wanted to share.

1. 99 percent of our DNA is the same for all humans, it is the 1 percent that makes us all different.

2. We are all genetically designed to like sweet things as sweet things have energy and therefore survival. Note: we completely abuse this innate desire in today's society. The sugar this is referring to is back in the day when we were cavemen/women, walking for days on end and finally saw a few berries on a tree and had to climb up the tree to get them. Yep, slightly different to the average 20g we consume today. 

3. Cavemen/women walked on average 20 000 steps per day, we do around 5-10 000 and think about how much more food we are ingesting.

4. Stress is one of the main factors causing irritable bowel syndrome. 

5. Oxytocin is a hormone released when a mother and child look at each other for the first time and also during orgasms. Its purpose is to create a strong sense of bonding. 

6. In the first few days of breastfeeding, mothers milk referred to as colostrum, contains enhanced immune fighting vitamins and minerals to support the babies immune system. Incredible!

30 Day Challenge

Check out this 3 minute Ted talk and challenge yourself!... I am! 

9 Awesome Sugar Alternatives

I hope this article gives you better insight into the natural sugars that are actually good for you. I personally have been struggling to figure it out but I think I will concur with Jess and go for Raw Honey due to its taste and health benefits. The article below is written by health coach Jess Ainscough, visit her website and read about her miraculous recovery from cancer through Gerson Therapy. 

http://www.thewellnesswarrior.com.au/2012/03/9-awesome-sugar-alternatives/

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We all know that white sugar ain’t great. In fact, it’s kind of like the crack of the culinary world (if you want to be lenient enough to call it food). And as I pointed out last week, agave isn’t the holy grail of sweeteners that it is made out to be. So, to clear away those dark clouds looming over a potentially un-sweetened life, here is a list of awesome natural sweetener options.

1. Raw honey | Unless you’re a strict vegan, I would say that raw honey is the sweetener of choice. It’s definitely my favourite. Read all about the benefits of honey here. Superfoods expert David Wolfe says to look for wild honey because it is lower in free fructose and higher in trace mineral content.

2. Maple syrup | Maple syrup is my favourite sweetener if I’m baking cookies of oatmeal cake, and it is divine over baked fruit. It is also full of super beneficial minerals. However, be sure to buy authentic organic maple syrup. The conventional stuff is usually fake coloured sugar water and not at all healthy.

3. Brown rice syrup | Brown rice syrup offer a more subtle, mellow sweetness to your food. I use it in this brown rice pudding recipe, and it is delicious.  Sorry to tease! I have just read that brown rice syrup may contain high levels of arsenic. This is not cool. I’m going to continue to look into it, but this is the study that all of the health news reports are coming from.

4. Dates (or date paste) | Dates are very sweet, but they are great because they are packed with fibre. If using whole, the fresh Medjool dates are the best. If paste is required, buy organic date paste or make your own by blending or cooking them with a little water over low heat.

5. Stevia | If you’re diabetic, have candida or cancer, or you’re just worried about your blood sugar levels at all, stevia is the way to go. It won’t mess with your blood sugar levels at all. The green leaves are better than the white extract though. It’s super sweet, so you only need a small amount.

6. Yacon | Yacon (a relative to the Jerusalem artichoke) is commonly available as dehydrated chips and as a syrup. The syrup is rich in iron and only mildly glycemic. Just be sure to by certified organic.

7. Xylitol | Like stevia, xylitol does not feed candida or cancer. Originally isolated from birch syrup; it is now available as a white powder. Update: Xylitol is one I am not promoting any more. It is processed by man-made chemicals, which means it is not natural. And I’m not a fan of anything that is not natural! 

8. Coconut sugar | With a minimal effect on blood sugar levels, coconut sugar is emerging as a favourite among vegans and raw foodies. It isn’t technically raw though, being the boiled down sap harvested from unopened coconut blossoms.

9. Molasses | If you can handle its rich flavour, molasses is a super healthy addition to your diet. It’s rich in vitamins and minerals, but be sure to select unsulfured, organic sugarcane molasses. Read more here.

Note: Even though each of the above is a natural sweetener and they are healthy to consume, most of them are still technically sugar and should be enjoyed as treats rather than in bulk.

Listen

I came across these insightful points about listening which are actually from my psychology lecture and thought I would share them with you :) 

12 blocks to listening

How often do you find yourself doing these concepts?

1. Comparing – Trying to assess who is smarter, more competent, luckier, has suffered more, etc. 

2. Mind reading – Distrusting what people are saying, feeling that you know better and can figure out what is really going on in the other person. Often involves making assumptions. 

3. Rehearsing – Using the time the other person is speaking to think about or rehearse what you want to say. Pretending to look interested at the same time. 

4. Filtering – Listening to some things and not others. Not hearing things you don’t want to hear. 

5. Judging – Writing the other person off. Hastily getting involved in your own knee jerk reaction. 

6. Dreaming – You are half listening until something the other person says triggers a chain of private associations. 

7. Identifying – Taking everything a person tells you and referring it to your own experience. Often requiring the conversation to revolve around you. 

8. Advising – Coming up with problem solving ideas before you have fully heard the other person’s story or pain. Coming up with suggestions so as not to have to be with the person’s pain. 

9. Sparring – Arguing and debating with what the other person says before fully listening. Quick to disagree before hearing the whole story. Often using the word “but”. 

10. Being right – You will go to any lengths to avoid being wrong. You have difficulty listening to criticism. 

11. Derailing – Changing the subject or joking away the situation. 

12. Placating – You want to be nice, pleasant. You often only half-listen. 

Damn straight!

15 Natural Ways To Maintain Beautiful, Youthful Skin

Article by Kristy Rao
http://www.mindbodygreen.com/0-8355/15-natural-ways-to-maintain-beautiful-youthful-skin.html

There may not be a fountain of youth, but the food we eat and how we treat ourselves can prevent or even reverse aging. Your body needs the right nutrients to fight off damage, and your skin is no different. Nutrients help the cells replicate and have more energy. Processed foods, stress, toxins and low-nutrient diets will accelerate aging. Protecting yourself from harmful chemicals while getting enough sleep, relaxation and exercise will all help you maintain a healthy glow. 

1. Drink plenty of water. 

Even with a small amount of dehydration, your body functions in a less optimal way. The instant you're dehydrated, it will take a toll on your skin, causing it to look dull, flaky, saggy and loose.

2. Eat foods with antioxidants. 

Antioxidants are the best resources your body has to fight disease and aging by reducing damage and inflammation. Inflammation is a leading cause of wrinkle formation. Some of the best sources of antioxidants include:

• Blueberries
• Pomegranates
• Acai berries
• Goji berries
• Spinach
• Raspberries
• Nuts
• Seeds 
• Purple grapes
• Dark chocolate (70% or higher of cocoa content)
• Organic green tea

3. Have a rainbow-colored plate of food. 

Free radicals form in our bodies and cause major damage to our cell structures. The different nutrient-rich foods we eat neutralize them. You need to consume the widest variety of antioxidants you can to fight off the different kinds of free radicals. Think about what colors you've missed throughout the day, and try to incorporate them into your next meal.

4. Eat organic foods. 

This curtails consumption of aging toxins. 

5. Limit your sun exposure. 

Small amounts of daily sun produce vitamin D and are beneficial, but too much sun will damage your skin. Don’t forget to wear your sunglasses, and use zinc or titanium dioxide sunscreen.

6. Opt for natural skin products. 

Many skincare products contain harsh chemicals. When choosing moisturizers or makeup, research the ingredients in them the best you can to confirm that they're safe. 

7. Use non-toxic cleaning products. 

It is imperative to limit exposure to toxic chemicals because the skin absorbs them.

8. Own a plant. 

Indoor pollution levels can be even higher than outdoor levels. A plant in your home or by your desk at work will act as an air filter.

9. Get enough vitamin C. 

A diet rich in vitamin C leads to fewer wrinkles. Researchers have found that skin exposed to vitamin C for long periods of time can produce up to eight times more collagen!

10. Avoid sugar. 

It leads to damaged collagen and elastin, which cause wrinkles. 

11. Eat healthy fats. 

Incorporating foods such as avocados, olive oil, flax seeds, nuts and fish into your diet is important. The fatty acids are crucial for your skin to look youthful.

12. Cleanse your body. 

A build up of toxins in the body due to the air, water and food causes damage to the body as well as aging. Detoxing by way of a juice cleanse is recommended for the body to be able to focus on energy production and eliminating toxins. Having a glass of water with squeezed lemon first thing in the mornings is also very cleansing.

13. Engage in activities that relieve stress. 

High levels of stress will compromise your skin. Consider yoga or meditating. Eliminate problematic people and activities from your life. Confide in your friends and openly talk to them about your worries and troubles. 

14. Sleep. 

You skin rejuvenates and repairs itself mostly while you are asleep. Make sure that you not only sleep for eight hours a night, but that it is quality sleep.

15. Exercise. 

It increases the circulation of oxygen and nutrients and releases toxins through sweat, which leads to clearer, firmer skin. Remember to smile. It’s the best exercise for your face.

8 Foods People Think Are Healthy (But Aren't)

http://www.mindbodygreen.com/0-9426/8-foods-people-think-are-healthy-but-arent.html

A Little Astronomy For Your Day

I love my nanas