C-Bomb Smoothie

This smoothie contains the powder made from the camu camu fruit, which is nothing short of a vitamin C bomb! Camu camu fruit grows on trees rooted in the lush rain-forest soil of the Amazon River Basin. The astonishing berry holds more vitamin C than any other known plant in the world. It has thirty times more vitamin C than an orange, ten times as much iron, three times the niacin, plus riboflavin, phosphorus, potassium, minerals, and amino acids. Claimed to have antiviral and antidepressant qualities, camu camu powder is a good replacement for synthetic vitamin C. Boost your mood, energy, and immune system with this tasty smoothie! 

C-Bomb Smoothie

Makes 2 servings

1/2 cup fresh squeezed orange juice
1/2 cup filtered water
2 tsp camu camu powder (readily available at health food stores and Whole Foods)
3/4 cup chopped fresh mango (or frozen if you can't find fresh)
1 cup frozen organic strawberries
1 banana, sliced

Combine the orange juice, water, and camu camu powder in a blender. Add the mango, strawberries, and banana. Blend until smooth and enjoy!

Healing Qualities of Rosmarinus Officinalis

Traditionally used to ward off evil, Rosemary (Rosmarinus Officinalis) was one of the first herbs to be used medicinally. Many consider this strong, distinctively scented oil one of the most valuable of all essential oils. Recent research is now revealing even more benefits attached to this remarkable herb, including its ability to help prevent cancer and age-related skin damage, boost the functioning of the liver and act as a mild diuretic to help reduce swelling.

Benefits

• Circulation stimulant
• Excellent for low blood pressure
• Fights muscle fatigue
• Relieves aches, pains and strains
• Tonifies the nervous system
• Antidepressant 
• Promotes mental clarity
• Relieves stress-related disorders and mental exhaustion 
• Tones the skin, liver, and gall bladder
• Antiseptic, antibacterial, and antifungal
• Protects against free radicals
• Acts as a diuretic
• Regulates digestion

You can find Rosemary oil capsules at your local health food store or Whole Foods. The recommended dosage is two 400mg rosemary capsules up to three times a day. Warning: Pregnant women should not take rosemary extract. In addition, you should not take rosemary supplements if you suffer from high blood pressure or epilepsy.

Muscle Relieving Shower Formula

Rosemary oil's stimulating effect on the circulatory system makes it an ideal remedy for muscle fatigue. Try this easy shower formula next time your muscles feel overworked:  Add 2 drops rosemary, 2 drops pine, and 4 drops lemon to a large dallop of a gentle, unscented shower gel. Step into a hot shower, lather up, and feel the stress and fatigue melt away ... ahhh!

Get Things Moving With This Yummy Seaweed Salad!

Need a little help getting things moving? Try adding seaweed to your diet. Gastrointestinal health is dependent upon several factors, including sufficient fluid and fiber intake, adequate enzyme production, good digestion, proper acidity, and healthy intestinal flora. Seaweed provides numerous gastrointestinal benefits that both prevent and heal. Seaweed aids in colon cleansing as well as digestion and absorption, resulting in the regulation of normal bowel function. Seaweed provides you with beneficial enzymes and promotes healthy intestinal flora. Additionally, the algin-containing brown seaweeds cleanse the bowel of toxins which can accumulate over time. The fiber in these seaweeds is only partially digested, which aids in the cleansing process.

Wakame Seaweed Salad 

Makes 4 servings 

1 ounce dried wakame

3 tbs salt-free tamari

3 tbs rice vinegar

2 tbs sesame oil

1/2 tsp agave nectar

1 tsp white miso

1 tbs sesame seeds

1 tbs chopped fine green onions (optional but yummy)

Crushed red pepper flakes to taste

Soak the wakame in cool water for 5 minutes. Bring a pot of water to a boil, add the wakame, and cook for 2 minutes. Drain and let cool, then cut the seaweed into 1/2-inch wide strips, removing the spine. Meanwhile, combine the soy sauce, vinegar, sesame oil, agave, and miso in a bowl, and mix well. Toast the sesame seeds lightly in a dry fry pan until they become aromatic, and add to the dressing. Toss and sprinkle with the green onion and red pepper flakes before serving.

 
Purchasing Seaweed

You can purchase a variety of reputable, ethically harvested and natural seaweeds from many health food stores and Whole Foods. Additionally, you can order online from the Mendocino Sea Vegetable Company www.seaweed.net or from BC Kelp at www.bckelp.com.

Juicing Remedies To Fight Inflammation

Inflammation is a natural healing mechanism employed by the body to help heal wounds and to deal with invading harmful microorganisms. In such cases, inflammation is only temporary and subsides once the problems it is meant to address are dealt with. When inflammation becomes chronic, however, it can set the stage for a wide variety of health problems, including serious illnesses such as heart disease and cancer. Poor diet, nutritional deficiencies, and lack of enzymes are some of the primary causes of chronic inflammation, as are diets that are rich in foods that create an overly acidic environment in the body once they are digested. Juicing helps to address all of these factors, making it an excellent way to prevent and reverse chronic inflammation. The following juices are particularly useful because of their anti-inflammatory properties.

• Juice 1/2 cup currants with 1 cup black or red grapes. Makes 6 oz. 
• Juice 8 0z. pineapple with 1 medium papaya. Makes 10 oz.
• Juice 3 medium carrots, 1 medium cucumber, 3 celery stalks, and 2 garlic cloves. Makes 14-16 oz.

Healthy twist: consider adding cold-pressed flaxseed oil to your favorite vegetable juices!

Mad For Maca!

Maca, like the goji berry, reishi mushroom, AFA algae, and other superfoods, is a powerful adaptogen, which means it has the ability to balance and stabilize the body's glandular-hormonal system, nervous system, cardiovascular system, and musculature. Adaptogens are nontoxic, produce an adaptive response to stress, and improve homeostasis in the body. Rather than addressing a specific symptom, adaptogens improve the overall adaptability of the body to challenging situations and stress.

According to research, maca as an adaptogenic superfood increases energy, endurance, oxygen in the blood, physical strength, neurotransmitter production, and libido. Maca is also known to help improve the following conditions: anemia, chronic fatigue, depression, lack of libido, both menopausal and menstrual symptoms, poor memory and stress tension.

Maca is generally purchased as a dried, raw organic root powder. You may use a tablespoon or more of this powder is smoothies, teas, nut milks or coffee, or just about any natural beverage you can think of. Maca has a slightly malted flavor and tastes particularly good mixed with your favorite raw chocolate treat. I recently discovered the Righteously Raw Maca Bar and I'm totally hooked, it's addictive. Another excuse to eat chocolate, plus the potential for a sexed up libido? Count me in!

Maca Coconut Mango Madness 

1 cup coconut water

1 tbs shredded coconut

1/2 cup frozen mango

1/2 cup strawberries 

1 tbs maca powder

Blend in a high speed blender and enjoy!

Sprouting Tree Roots Visualization

Sometimes you just need something to get you out of your head and back into your body. This tree root visualization will help you do just that. It will relax you into your body, bringing your consciousness down from your mind into your feet. It is particularly helpful to practice this meditation when you feel anxious about an upcoming meeting or event.

Wuji Posture

In Qigong, Wuji posture is the foundation for all dynamic (moving) and quiescent (static) standing exercises. This posture maximizes relaxation and the flow of qi. You begin by standing with your feet flat, with your weight distributed evenly through your feet. Your legs are separated as wide as your shoulders' distance apart and your toes should point forward. Your toes should softly grasp the ground to keep your body firmly rooted yet relaxed. Rigid or tense feet disrupt the flow of qi from the earth into the body. Your knees should be slightly bent and facing the same direction as your feet. Never bend your knees past your toes. Try to align the knees directly over your feet, if possible and comfortable. Relaxing the knee joints increases the qi and blood flow through the legs.

Sprouting Tree  Roots

• Stand in Wuji posture.
• Breathe slowly and deeply. With each inhale, fill your belly with energy, and with each exhale, let the energy sink down your legs and into the ground. Practice this for a minute or two until your whole body begins to relax.
• Now focus on your feet. Visualize your feet sprouting roots that go through the floor deep into the ground. In your mind's eye, watch them growing deeper and deeper into the earth. Take  a full minute or even two to do this.
• On an inhale, visualize pulling the grounding, centering earth energy up your tree roots, up your legs and thighs to fill your belly. You can visualize this as a golden mist rising from the earth's core into your belly.
• Exhale, and visualize all your stress and worry exiting your body and melting deep into the ground through your tree roots.
• With each inhale, pull grounding energy up through your tree roots, into your legs, and fill your belly. With each exhale, let all your tension and stress sink down into the earth's core via your tree roots.
• Continue this meditation for as long as you wish.

Juicing Remedies To Alleviate Anxiety

Anxiety is a fairly common psychological condition characterized by a sense of dread, fear, or chronic worry over present or future life situations. Anxiety can also be a factor in other psychological conditions, such as obsessive-compulsive disorder, phobias, and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). In addition to psychological symptoms, anxiety can also result in a variety of physical symptoms such as breathing difficulties and/or shortness of breath, cold flashes, increased heart rate, perspiration, and skin flushing. Gastrointestinal problems such as diarrhea can also occur as a result of anxiety attacks, as can dizziness, dry mouth, fatigue, irritability, impaired mental function, and sleep disorders.

Although anxiety is considered to be primarily a psychological condition, dietary and nutritional imbalances and deficiencies can also be contributing factors. Restoring proper nutritional balance should always be considered as part of an overall treatment program for anxiety. Because of the rich supply of nutrients fresh juices supply, juicing can be helpful in this regard, and especially the following juice remedies.

Consume once daily: 

2 medium carrots

2 celery stalks

1/2 bunch parsley

1/2 head lettuce

Consume once or twice daily:

Juice 6 ounces cantaloupe

1/3 medium papaya

Add 1 tbs noni juice (available at your local health food store)

Consume once daily:

2 medium apples

juice 12 ounces cantaloupe

juice 4 ounces blueberries

Add 2 capsules or 1/2 dropper passion flower extract (available at your local health food store)

Top Healing Herbs

Herbs are packed full of nutrients, containing an abundance of  detoxifying, health giving properties. Try adding these top ten herbs to your diet and reap the benefits!

Mint: Cooling, calming, and refreshing, mint eases stomach and digestive problems, relaxes the mind and can ease headaches.

Parsley: Packed full of vitamin C, it's not only a natural breath freshener, but it's also a great way to support a detox. The flavonoids in parsley, such as luteolin, are powerful antioxidants that neutralize free radicals and help prevent damage to cells.

Basil: Smelling a few leaves of basil can help relieve a tension or migraine headache, and it also helps soothe menstrual symptoms. Adding basil to your meals can also help stomach cramps and alleviate bloating.

Bay: This dried leaf from the Bay Laurel tree is often used in spicy soups and curries, but its medicinal benefits are also plentiful. Bay leaves contain laurenolide, an energizing ingredient, so it's a good element to include if you are planning a detox. It is also used to promote regular menstruation, ease stomach upset and lessen the symptoms of rheumatism.

Garlic: Many people take garlic to ease cold and flu symptoms, but its benefits are even more far-reaching. It can improve circulation, enhancing the flow of nutrients and oxygen throughout the body. It's sulfurous compounds help the body to resist infections. These compounds also stimulate the liver and act as a detoxifer.

Cilantro: Cilantro has a number of medicinal uses. It's used as and antibacterial and a treatment for colic, neuralgia, and rheumatism. Cilantro also contains chlorophyll which helps neutralize free radicals that do damage to healthy cells.

Ginger: Ginger has long been used in the treatment of colds and flu. It is also ideal for stimulating the digestive system. Add it to your tea or cooking, particularly if you are feeling bloated or suffering from digestive problems. Ginger is a potent anti-inflammatory and a natural pain killer.

Dandelion: Dandelion extracts salt and water from the kidney, which is helpful if you have been suffering from water retention (squeeze your ankle bone to see if there's excess fluid around it as a quick test). It contains potassium, one of the best forms of diuretic.

Cucumber Mint Spa Water

1 gallon purified water 
1 medium cucumber
10 fresh mint leaves, rinsed

Thin slice the cucumber and place the slices into a pitcher. Then slightly muddle or cut the mint leaves to help release the flavor and add to your pitcher as well. Add water, stir the mixture and enjoy!

Detoxify Your Body and Your Mood With Liver Qi Massage

Our livers are responsible for detoxifying the pollutants that enter our body via air, food and drink. The liver filters the blood and produces the bile necessary for digestion. It also helps to regulate both hormones and blood sugar, making it the body's largest gland. Unfortunately, we are exposed to more pollutants today than ever before, and the liver bears the brunt of dealing with these toxins.

In Chinese medicine, the liver is the organ connected to stress, anger, irritability and depression. If you suffer from any of these on a chronic basis, Chinese medicine would say that the flow of your liver qi has become blocked, which then prevents you from easily returning to a good mood. This in turn impedes the liver's physiological functions and, over time, can weaken this essential organ. The good news is that the liver is amazingly good at regenerating itself when given the opportunity. Let's give it that opportunity now!

Liver Qi Massage

• Sit upright in a chair.
• Breathe slowly and deeply. Relax your mind and visualize your body melting into the ground on each exhale. Repeat until your whole body feels relaxed.
• Place one palm on the lower part of your right rib cage, toward the right side of your body. This is where your liver is located. Place your other hand on the top of your hand on your rib cage.
• Focus your mind on your liver, and visualize massaging it while moving your hands in 12 circular rotations clockwise to the left. Then do 12 circular rotations counterclockwise on the lower part of your right rib cage.
• As you circle clockwise and counterclockwise, focus your mind's intention on your liver, visualizing the energy of the liver circulating and flowing along with the movement of your hands, as if your hands were magnets.
• After circling, place your hands back to the starting position over your liver. Concentrate on your liver and try to visualize it in your mind's eye.
• As you inhale through your nose, visualize the breath entering and energizing your liver like a white mist, while lifting your hands one or two inches away from your body.
• Exhale through your nose while lightly pressing your right rib cage with your hands. Imagine your liver emitting a glowing green energy like a vibrant green light as you press.
• Inhale and lift your hands about an inch or two away from your liver as you visualize white energy flowing into your liver.
• Exhale and feel your liver glowing with bright green light as you press your hands on your right rib cage below your chest.
• Repeat for 18 to 36 breath cycles.
• Close this exercise by visualizing the energy in your liver melting down into your belly to fill your whole abdomen on your final exhale.

The practice of breathing slowly and deeply during this meditation relaxes the nerves, which in turn has a relaxing effect on the liver. Over time, you may notice that you have become less irritable or that some depression has started to lift. This is an indication that your liver function is improving, and that the liver qi is flowing freely and smoothly.