Kindness Cards

Kindness Cards is a concept similar to that of the film 'Pay It Forward' for those of you that have seen the film. For those that haven't, it is based on the principle that you do something nice for someone else i.e tell the waitress that you will pay for the guy's coffee behind you and ask her to give him the kindness card in hope that he will do a similar action for another person. I think it also works best when it is anonymous. You can order them online from the link below for free (spreading the kindness), watch the video too :)

I can't wait to use these babies!

http://www.wakeupsydney.com.au/Free-Gifts.aspx

What Do Your Food Cravings Mean?

This is an excellent short article giving you insight into what your food cravings could mean and how to deal with them. 

Did someone say cheesecake?... I mean broccoli.

Why is it that on occasion, we find ourselves with an intense craving for specific foods? It might be caused by any number of things – hormones, stress, boredom…or simply a desire for something a little bit naughty. In this post we will be talking all about cravings. What do your cravings mean and how to keep them under control for good!

What are our bodies telling us?

The foods we eat can have an extraordinary effect on our bodies. Food cravings can be linked to low serotonin levels, the body’s happy hormone. When you consume foods like chocolate and other sugary snacks, the body releases its ‘happy hormones’. That sensation you get devouring a chocolate bar is your body producing endorphins and feel-good hormones triggered by the glucose rush – easy to see how you can become addicted to the sweet taste of lollies, chocolate and fizzy drinks.

This is just skimming the surface – cravings can be triggered simply watching TV! Don’t worry; you are not the only one who can’t watch Jamie Oliver’s incredible 15 minute creations without getting an urge to recreate it! And it’s not just that, the aroma of foods can set off our olfactory system into overdrive and trigger cravings.

Now I find this bit really interesting…cravings can even be triggered by common vitamin and mineral deficiencies.  It’s hard to imagine that with the myriad of food options on offer we still have trouble getting everything we need.

Cravings mostly consist of sugary, fatty immediate neurotransmitter satisfaction foods – not likely to be broccoli, beetroot or spinach, right?

The father of holistic health Bernard Jensen (PhD), with 70 years of experience in natural therapies and nutrition, released his research on food cravings in his book ‘Chemistry of Man’ in 2007. He discusses the following…(refer to the image above)

Some more tips to help cravings...

Keep healthy snacks like granola power bars, fruit or nuts on you at work or home so when and if cravings do arise, you have your weapon of choice sitting in your hand bag or pantry.

The last tip for staying on top of cravings is to foster a deep relationship with your body and naturally listen to what it is intuitively telling you. This can take a while to truly understand the whispers in which our body uses to communicate, but trust your body, it has always been there for you beating your heart and filling your lungs with air.

Getting to know your body is the first step in discovering how to stay healthy – after all, who knows their body better than you?

You can view the original article here:

 http://www.movenourishbelieve.com/nourish/what-do-your-cravings-mean/

'I Am' Documentary by Tom Shadyac

I watched a documentary titled 'I Am' the other day and I was truly blown away by it. Director Tom Shadyac speaks with intellectual and spiritual leaders about what's wrong with our world and how we can improve both it and the way we live in it. 

It talks a lot about human's natural state and the relationships between one another. It's great because the film shows perspectives from both the scientific and spiritual realms. Its on demand now so check it out if you can! 

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IhKmlIXE2Xs

Chlorophyll

I put chlorophyll in my water daily. Besides the great health benefits, I love the minty taste and find it very refreshing. You can buy chlorophyll from health food stores. 

Gratitude

Wow! What a reality check. I believe gratitude to be the most important component in finding happiness. Whenever you are having a bad day, just think about a few things that you can be grateful for, this really helps me feel better. 

Additionally, every morning when you wake up make a little gratitude list, write it down or say it in your head. You can be grateful for the smallest things such as your pillow, the birds chirping outside or the fact that you are able to open your eyes and see the world. Making this list will set a great mindset for the rest of your day, definitely give it a try! 

Do Microwaves Kill Your Food?

Ok, so I am going to be completely honest with you on this one. I was initially about to post an article that believed microwaves kill most of the vitamins and minerals in your food. However, upon doing some extra research, I came across another article that completely contradicted this view. After many years of reading health related articles and books, I have succumbed to the fact that many health topics are controversial and if someone wants to justify their belief, they will find a way to do so. 

It is so incredibly important to take everything you read with a grain of salt. Everything that people say, and yes I am talking about professionals with many qualifications after their name, is their opinion or interpretation of the subject matter. Even though two nutritionists may have the same qualifications they can both give completely different advice based on their personal beliefs and subjectivity. Thus, I have come to the realisation that the more information you know the better, there is always more to learn! With knowledge you can make informed decisions (in this instance, informed health decisions). Due to the abundance of conflicting information, it is vital that you listen to your body and do what you believe is best for your optimum health.  

Getting back to the purpose of this post, below are two articles, one which opposes microwaves and the other which in some ways promotes it. You'll have to read them to truly understand their perspectives. :)

1.http://www.naturalnews.com/039404_microwave_ovens_vitamins_nutrients.html#ixzz2PNNo38KZ

2. http://shine.yahoo.com/healthy-living/does-microwaving-veggies-kill-nutrients-190700707.html 

Ps. As I said you have to take this information and comprehend it in a way that you feel is most beneficial for you. I personally will side with the belief of opposing microwaves, for even if it may not be detrimental to your health, I don't think it could be good for your health. I often go back to nature when I am unsure of something and I don't recall microwaves growing off trees. I think its safer to avoid microwaves, yet I understand that some foods are better eaten cooked for greater absorption of vitamins and minerals.
Ahh the dilemmas of living a healthy life..

What do you guys think? do you microwave, are you a raw foodie or a bit of both?

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