8 Ways You May Be Eating Insects Without Knowing

Usually, it’s not such a bad thing to subscribe to the out of sight, out of mind notion. Unfortunately, that means you are eating insects without even knowing it.

I’m a big proponent of protein. Eggs for breakfast, grilled chicken for lunch, lightly seared filet of salmon for dinner—I can’t get enough. But even I have a limit, and that limit generally begins about the time I see exoskeletons, tentacles, pinchers, or stingers sticking out of my food.

I realize that in some parts of the world, eating insects is considered a reliable source of protein. But the people who eat those bugs do so willingly. It’s a normal part of their diet. Here in the United States, we’re pretty squeamish about eating insects on a china plate or stabbing our forks into larvae. And that’s why it might come as a shock to discover that, because of the FDA’s lax food-safety regulations, your food might very well be crawling with creepy, slimy, buzzing things of all sorts. In fact, it’s been estimated that eating insects accounts for a pound of ingested protein for humans a year. And I’m not talking about gummy worms here. I’m talking about real live (or formerly live) bugs.

With the help of Rodale.com writer Emily Main, we’ve identified a few of the more disgusting bugs you may be chomping on. Prepare to be grossed out: here are some common ways you might be eating insects. 

Eating Insects In Apple Butter: Thrips

bugs you eat
Fickr photo

At anywhere from 1/25 to 1/8 of an inch long, these tiny little winged parasites are legally allowed in apple butter, canned or frozen asparagus, frozen broccoli, and frozen Brussels sprouts. Another incredibly common, yet uber-disgusting, way of eating insects unknowingly. 

 Eating Insects in Frozen Veggies: Aphids 

Flickr photo

When it comes to eating insects, these same little green or black bugs that can destroy a bouquet of flowers can infiltrate your frozen veggies, particularly spinach, broccoli, and Brussels sprouts. And if you home-brew beer, you might consider growing your own hops: The FDA legally allows 2,500 aphids for every 10 grams of hops.

Eating Insects in Grains: Mites

the bugs you eat
flickr photo

These tiny white bugs are common in wheat and other grains that have been stored for a while, but one of the more common ways of eating insects in frozen vegetables. And if you have indoor allergies, that could be a problem. Storage and grain mites can cause the same type of allergic reaction as the dust mites common in homes.

Eating Insects in Canned Goods: Maggots

eating maggots
Flickr Photo

If you’ve ever eaten canned food, you’ve probably been eating insects (at least in a tiny amount) for some time. These disgusting little critters abound in things like canned mushrooms, canned tomatoes, tomato paste, and pizza sauces, as well as fresh or frozen Maraschino cherries. Mushrooms are by far the worst: 20 maggots are allowed for every 100 grams of drained mushrooms, compared with between 1 and 5 for every 500 grams of tomato products.

Eating Insects In Your Apples and Bananas: Fruit Flies

you eat bugs every day
Flickr photo

Buy a piece of fruit covered in fruit flies, and you can wash them off. Buy a can of citrus juice, and you’ll be swilling five fruit flies with every 8-ounce cup of juice. Grab an 8-ounce handful of raisins and you could be eating as many as 35 fruit-fly eggs.

Eating Insects In Your Corn: Corn Ear Worms

You can eat corn ear worms
Acorn Organic Photo

Corn is notoriously difficult to grow organically, because it’s prone to insect infestations. But in most cases, it’s easy to avoid eating the earworms that burrow into corncobs and eat the silk—just cut the kernels off the cob, and voilà! However, canned sweet corn will come with some extra crunch from all the larvae, skins, and skin fragments allowed by the FDA. 

Eating Insects in Black-Eyed Peas: Cowpea curculio

Photo from Clemson University

Love black-eyed peas? Buy them dried and cook them yourself, rather than buying them frozen or canned. A can of black-eyed peas, cowpeas, or field peas may contain an average of five or more cowpea curculio larvae, which will grow into dark brown, beetle-like weevils that infest all manner of peas and beans. 

Eating Insects in Frozen Spinach: Caterpillars

ceterpillars in spinach
Flickr Photo

Fuzzy, ugly caterpillars are supposed to turn into beautiful butterflies for people to marvel at—not eat in a mouthful of frozen spinach. But along with the 50 or so aphids, mites, and thrips allowed in 100 grams of spinach, you may also find yourself munching on caterpillar larvae and larval fragments. Mmm . . . probably not what was giving Popeye all that strength. Source

If the list of bugs commonly found in your favorite veggies didn’t freak you out, why not consider eating bugs intentionally? After all, it does have its benefits.

At the London restaurant Archipelago, diners can order the $11 Baby Bee Brulee: a creamy custard topped with a crunchy little bee. In New York, the Mexican restaurant Toloache offers $11 chapulines tacos: two tacos stuffed with Oaxacan-style dried grasshoppers.

Could beetles, dragonfly larvae and water bug caviar be the meat of the future? As the global population booms and demand strains the world’s supply of meat, there’s a growing need for alternate animal proteins. Insects are high in protein, B vitamins and minerals like iron and zinc, and they’re low in fat. Insects are easier to raise than livestock, and they produce less waste. Insects are abundant. Of all the known animal species, 80% walk on six legs; over 1,000 edible species have been identified. And the taste? It’s often described as “nutty.”

The vast majority of the developing world already eats insects. In Laos and Thailand, weaver-ant pupae are a highly prized and nutritious delicacy. They are prepared with shallots, lettuce, chilies, lime and spices and served with sticky rice. Further back in history, the ancient Romans considered beetle larvae to be gourmet fare, and the Old Testament mentions eating crickets and grasshoppers. In the 20th century, the Japanese emperor Hirohito’s favorite meal was a mixture of cooked rice, canned wasps (including larvae, pupae and adults), soy sauce and sugar.

Over the past two years, three Dutch insect-raising companies, which normally produce feed for animals in zoos, have set up special production lines to raise locusts and mealworms for human consumption. Now those insects are sold, freeze-dried, in two dozen retail food outlets that cater to restaurants. A few restaurants in the Netherlands have already placed insects on the menu, with locusts and mealworms (beetle larvae) usually among the dishes.

Insects have a reputation for being dirty and carrying diseases—yet less than 0.5% of all known insect species are harmful to people, farm animals or crop plants. When raised under hygienic conditions—eating bugs straight out of the backyard generally isn’t recommended—many insects are perfectly safe to eat.

Meanwhile, our food needs are on the rise. The human population is expected to grow from six billion in 2000 to nine billion in 2050. Meat production is expected to double in the same period, as demand grows from rising wealth. Pastures and fodder already use up 70% of all agricultural land, so increasing livestock production would require expanding agricultural acreage at the expense of rain forests and other natural lands. Officials at the United Nations Food and Agriculture Organization recently predicted that beef could become an extreme luxury item by 2050, like caviar, due to rising production costs.

Raising insects for food would avoid many of the problems associated with livestock. For instance, swine and humans are similar enough that they can share many diseases. Such co-infection can yield new disease strains that are lethal to humans, as happened during a swine fever outbreak in the Netherlands in the late 1990s. Because insects are so different from us, such risks are accordingly lower.

What’s Behind the Natural Liver Cleanse Craze?

Your liver is tasked with cleansing all the junk you put in your body every day. That includes the grease from those fries you picked up at the drive through. It’s only natural your liver will need a cleanse every once in a while. Here are a few of the main benefits of doing a natural liver cleanse.Natural Liver Cleanse Craze

Increased Energy

According to the Holistic Health Tools website, liver dysfunction is often responsible for general fatigue and the effects of chronic fatigue syndrome. A periodic liver cleanse may help reduce the strain on your liver, promoting greater energy and vitality. A natural liver cleanse may also increase energy by allowing your digestive system to more efficiently process and utilize vitamins, minerals and fats from food.

Removal of Toxins

Because the liver removes toxins and other types of waste from the bloodstream, it plays a vital role in overall health. One of the primary functions of the liver is to collect waste and carry it out of the body through the production of bile, according to the University of Maryland Medical Center. Most people absorb toxins into their bodies from the environment, foods, and chemicals such as alcohol or nicotine. A natural liver cleanse may help this organ more efficiently remove toxins and other types of waste, and flush them out of the body by secreting bile.

Immunity to Disease

In addition to aiding in digestion and flushing toxins out of the body, the liver is partially responsible for maintaining a healthy immune system. The liver helps to remove bacteria from the bloodstream, enhancing immunity to disease and infection, according to the University of Maryland Medical Center. A periodic natural liver cleanse may enhance overall liver function, allowing it to more effectively flush out bacteria and strengthen the immune system.

Liver Regeneration

The liver is the only organ in the body that can regenerate itself, according to Dr. Robert Balch, author of “Prescription for Nutritional Healing.” In cirrhosis and other liver disease, toxic buildup can scar liver cells, destroying portions of the liver. Flushing out toxic buildups through liver cleanses may give the liver an opportunity to regenerate healthy cells. – Source

 Interested in a natural liver cleanse? You can try a natural liver cleanse recipe at home. Here’s a video I found that seems to be pretty straightforward.

Can Natural Sleep Aids Cure Your Insomnia?

Natural slep aids that work
Photo courtesy of lampelina There are a few tried and true natural sleep aids out there

We’ve all been there: it’s 3 a.m. and your head is spinning with the next day’s work (as well as the leftover tasks from the day before). Those layovers of stress can wreak havoc on your sleep patterns and those over-the-counter or prescription options really only compound the problem for two reasons.

1. Risk of dependency

2. You’ll be groggy and unproductive the following day.

Basically, conventional sleeping medications will do much more harm than good. Luckily, there are plenty of natural sleep aids out there. Trysome of these natural sleep aids for yourself, and don’t let any naysayers talk you out of it. Your sleep depends on it.

Lavender for Insomnia

Lavender (Lavandula officinalis) is one of the most common natural sleep aids; you can use dried lavender buds in sachets or pillows or use the essential oil in a spritzer.

Lavender filled pillows and sachets are ideal to help babies and children in sleeping; in the past, dilly pillows (fragrant filled pillows of lavender and dill) were used to lull children to sleep in Europe. Today, you can use lavender filled sachets in much the same way, by slipping the sachet under baby’s pillow or leaving it on the nightstand. In addition, adults can heat up a lavender filled pillow and place it over the eyes to relax before going to sleep. You can also make up a water based spritzer with lavender essential oil (and chamomile) and spritz it lightly on your pillow before going to sleep as a simpler natural sleep aid. 

Chamomile as Natural Sleep Aids 

Chamomile (Chamaemelum nobile) is another well known herb that is often used as a sleep aid. Available in herbal format from health food stores, you can also take it as a tea or use it in essential oil format. If you are using it as an essential oil, blend it in a water based spritzer as discussed above. The essential oil is gentle enough to be used with children, if you administer it correctly and dilute it before use.
Chamomile is an ever-green perennial herb with daisy-like flowers; it has an apple-like scent. It has been used medicinally for thousands of years and was one of nine sacred herbs in use by the Saxons (source: The Aromatherapy Garden, Julia Lawless).

Valerian as Natural Sleep Aids 

Valerian is a herb that is often referred to as the “natural alternative” to the prescription drug valium. There is in fact no relation between the two commodities but it is believed that they both work in similar ways and are used for similar conditions and as natural sleep aids.

Valerian (Valeriana fauriei) is commonly used to treat anxiety, stress and insomnia. Some people may actually fall asleep faster with the use of valerian and have a better night’s sleep too. You can take it as a herbal supplement in capsule form, as a tea or in an alcohol (free) base as a tincture. It has a strong taste.
Valerian is a perennial herb with purple-white flowers and thick, gray colored roots that has been used since Medieval times; it is the root which has the odor and the part of the plant that is used medicinally. You can also use valerian as an essential oil.

Melatonin as Natural Sleep Aids 

Melatonin is one of the most common kinds of natural sleep aids. Naturally produced by your body and helps to regulate your body clock,  a supplement of melatonin is required to help your body re-adjust to its natural rhythms and to help you get a better night’s sleep.

Melatonin produced by the body decreases with age Melatonin production is also affected by light and requires darkness to produce more effectively; a disruption to the body’s natural cycle, such as jet lag or night shift work, will affect melatonin production too. Melatonin is usually taken in capsule or tablet form to help with insomnia. – Source

Although melatonin is one of the most effective natural sleep aids, t’s important to remember that treating your insomnia naturally is only half of the solution. The decisions you make during the day will have a drastic impact on the shut-eye you get at night. Making healthy choices will be returned to you in the form of better sleep and more productive every during the day. Check out what Dr. Frank Lipman has to say about staying on top of your game during the day.

Recharge your batteries with an adaptogen

Try adding an adaptogen formula to your morning routine – but consult your doctor first to check for allergies or possible interactions with any medications you may be on. For centuries, Chinese and Ayurvedic medicine have used adaptogen botanicals as energizing herbal tonics to naturally support the body’s ability to cope with anxiety, fatigue and the aging process. They also rejuvenate and tone the adrenal system, which in turn promotes the healthy regulation of cortisol, the “stress hormone”. Armed with the unique ability to “adapt” their function to your body’s specific needs, Panax ginseng, Ashwagandha and Rhodiola are my favorite adaptogens. In fact, I’m such a fan of their rejuvenating, re-energizing effects, I’ve combined all three into my fatigue-fighting Be Well Adaptogen formula.

Green Drinks as Natural Sleep Aids 

When you’re fatigued, what you’re eating makes a massive difference in how quickly your body will recover its strength. To super-charge your diet and energy reserves, you can’t beat “green drinks” as natural sleep aids. Why? Because they deliver nourishing, high-octane, drinkable doses of phytonutrients, antioxidants and digestive enzymes to every system in the body, quickly, easily and efficiently. The effects? Nothing short of wonderful: Concentrated green powdered drinks boost immunity, aid digestion, sustain energy, promote mental clarity and enhance overall well-being. Add powdered greens to smoothies or just add water and swig ‘em on the way to work – you’ll arrive energized, alert and naturally powered-up, instead of amped and jittery from caffeine. I have made it convenient and delicious for people on the go with my single serving packets of Be Well Greens. It’s a simple and transportable way to keep your energy engine humming.



What Everyone Ought to Know About Aloe Vera

It seems like everyone has a pretty good idea about some of the basic uses for aloe vera, but there are plenty of things we don’t know. Perhaps one the best definitive breakdowns of this miracle plant was done by Mike Adams – AKA the Health Ranger. Here’s what he says everyone needs to know.

I’m truly excited to be bringing you information about the miraculous healing abilities of the spiky green plant and the uses for aloe vera. First off, in case you don’t know, let me emphasize that I don’t sell aloe vera products of any kind, I haven’t been paid to write this article, and I don’t earn any commissions from the sale of any products mentioned here. I am, however, an enthusiastic supporter of natural medicine, and I personally grow and eat aloe vera plants in Tucson, Arizona.

Discovering the Uses for Aloe Vera in My Own Backyard 

In fact, my yard is an aloe farm, and each day before I make my superfood breakfast smoothie, I walk out to my yard, slice off an aloe vera leaf, thank the plant for granting me its healing medicine, then I fillet the leaf and drop the aloe vera gel into my blender. A few minutes later, I’m enjoying the most impressive medicinal herb that nature has ever created. (Click here to see the new PhotoTour showing step-by-step pictures of how to fillet aloe vera and remove the inner gel). It’s really not surprising that I’ve become somewhat well-versed in the uses for aloe vera. 

When I say the uses for aloe vera are some of the most impressive medicinal herb invented by nature, I don’t make that statement lightly. Of all the herbs I’ve ever studied — and I’ve written thousands of articles on nutrition and disease prevention — aloe vera is the most impressive herb of them all. (Garlic would be a close second.) There is nothing on this planet that offers the amazing variety of healing benefits granted by aloe vera. In a single plant, aloe vera offers potent, natural medicine that:

Various Uses for Aloe Vera
Discover the various uses for aloe vera and the aloe vera plant at AloeVera.com

Flickr Photo: carrotmadman6

Major Health and Beauty Uses for Aloe Vera 

• Halts the growth of cancer tumors.
• Lowers high cholesterol.
• Repairs “sludge blood” and reverses “sticky blood”.
• Boosts the oxygenation of your blood.
• Eases inflammation and soothes arthritis pain.
• Protects the body from oxidative stress.
• Prevents kidney stones and protects the body from oxalates in coffee and tea.
• Alkalizes the body, helping to balance overly acidic dietary habits.
• Cures ulcers, IBS, Crohn’s disease and other digestive disorders.
• Reduces high blood pressure natural, by treating the cause, not just the symptoms.
• Nourishes the body with minerals, vitamins, enzymes and glyconutrients.
• Accelerates healing from physical burns and radiation burns.
• Replaces dozens of first aid products, makes bandages and antibacterial sprays obsolete.
• Halts colon cancer, heals the intestines and lubricates the digestive tract.
• Ends constipation.
• Stabilizes blood sugar and reduces triglycerides in diabetics.
• Prevents and treats candida infections.
• Protects the kidneys from disease.
• Functions as nature’s own “sports drink” for electrolyte balance, making common sports drinks obsolete.
• Boosts cardiovascular performance and physical endurance.
• Speeds recovery from injury or physical exertion.
• Hydrates the skin, accelerates skin repair. – Source

You can grow, harvest, cut and eat your own aloe vera and reap some of the various uses for aloe vera. Here’s a quick guide to show you how it’s done. You can also purchase ready to eat aloe vera juice and gel. 

Although there are more than a few uses for aloe vera, be sure to consult a physician before embarking on a long-term treatment plan (especially when ingesting aloe vera orally). Although its a highly beneficial plant, it can come with a few side effects in a handful of individuals. 

The Secret to Eating Healthy on a Budget

Eating healthy on a budget is getting harder every day as the price gap between fresh produce and pre-packaged junk food continues to expand.  While it takes a little more planning and overall ingenuity, it is possible to eat well, stay on budget and feel better.

Flickr Photo: DC Central Kitchen

You can save money and still find ways of eating healthy on a budget. If you’ve been using cost as an excuse to eat junk, you can kiss that excuse goodbye! With a little organization and creativity, you can have the proverbial champagne when cooking on a beer budget. To start, here’s a quick review of basic tips of eating healthy on a budget: 

    •    Limit your intake of junk food and alcohol
    •    Drink lots of water (at least 8 cups a day)
    •    Limit salty and sugary foods
    •    Avoid eating many foods that are high in saturated fats
    •    Make “variety” the watchword of your eating

When it comes to eating healthy on a budget, set aside regular blocks of time for planning meals, making your grocery list, and shopping—tasks that are most often shortchanged in food prep. Include healthy snack ideas, as well as main menu items. Think about the time of day, day of week, and even week in the month that you shop. Generally, the grocery is the least busy early in the morning, in the middle of the week, and on any day but the first day or two of the month (when many people receive pension or paychecks).

Don’t be afraid to surf the internet for recipes regarding eating healthy on a budget that use specific ingredients (plug the ingredient in as a keyword of your search), since you can often get good buys on breads, meats, and other items marked for quick sale before they go bad.

When prepping for eating healthy on a budget, be sure to stock your fridge and cupboards with items that are quick and easy to cook (yet kind to your wallet):
    •    Beans and lentils, whether canned or dried, make nutritious, hearty soups, and can be a main course with the addition of fresh vegetables or rice.
    •    Brown Rice is a great addition to leftover meat and veggies. Although brown rice is slightly more expensive than white, the nutritional payoff is well worth it. Another inexpensive, easy-to-fix grain, millet, is best when bought fresh. Simply rinse and toast before using it in recipes.
    •    Pasta, likewise, is quick and easy to prepare, and can be paired with veggies, meat, or a fresh salad. Have fun adding your own embellishments (mushrooms, spices, and herbs.) Choose whole-wheat pasta whenever available.
    •    Soups can’t be beat for nutrition and convenience, especially since you can use canned or packet soups as your base, then add your own veggies and leftover meat. Again, try to experiment, adding your own herbs and spices.
    •    Fresh vegetables and fruit should be bought at least once or twice each week, preferably in season, to ensure optimal taste and nutrition. You can also rely on canned/frozen varieties as handy additions to last-minute meals. Veggies make great stir-fries and vegetable patties, while fruit is good for a quick nutritious snack. – Source

Eating Healthy on a Budget: Ready to Take it to the Next Level?

Once you’ve mastered eating healthy on a budget, you can go even further by opting to eat organic produce and ethically treated meat products. Granted, words like organic and free range are synonymous with huge price tags, you can take healthy eating to the next level while saving money.Here are a few tips from SimpleMom.

Eating Healthy on a Budget Tip #1: Eat less meat.

There is no way around it — purchasing grass-fed, organic, pastured, free-range, or hormone-free animal products cost more. The good news is that most Americans eat more meat than they need to. Buying higher cost, quality meats but eating less of them is an excellent way to balance the costs.

Eating Healthy on a Budget Tip #2: Emphasize grains and legumes.

Grains and legumes are inexpensive and pack a nutritional power punch. Plus, they add a heaviness to a meal that most people rely on meat for. If you are new to using grains and beans in your cooking, here are a few beginner tips to get you started:

•    All grains cook basically the same way. If you are used to cooking rice, you have all the know-how to try different grains and mix it up a bit. Great ones to branch out with are quinoa for a lighter texture, or barley for a heavier, meatier feel.

•    Soaking rice in cool water for at least seven hours helps remove the phytic acid (which can bind to important minerals during digestion). Also, rinsing quinoa is helpful to remove a natural pesticide that may taste bitter when cooked.

•    I often rely on canned beans in our household for the convenience. I like the Eden Organic brand as they cook their beans in kombu, which helps the digestibility.

Eating Healthy on a Budget Tip #3: Buy in bulk.

Buying bulk can save a lot of money. You can purchase grains, pastas, dried fruits, nuts and flours in the bulk isles of your grocery or natural foods store. You can choose the amount that works for your family (bulk doesn’t mean you need 25 pounds of rice at a time!), and bulk food sections give a lower price per quantity ratio while saving on packaging.

Eating Healthy on a Budget Tip #4: Make smart choices in organic produce: dirty dozen.

Remember these twelve fruits and veggies and prioritize purchasing them organically. The Environmental Working Group has tested fruits and veggies, and found these contain the highest levels and amount of pesticides:

    1.    Peaches
    2.    Apples
    3.    Sweet bell peppers
    4.    Celery
    5.    Nectarines
    6.    Strawberries
    7.    Cherries
    8.    Pears
    9.    Grapes
    10.    Imported spinach
    11.    Lettuce
    12.    Potatoes

Eating Healthy on a Budget Tip #5: Clean non-organic produce well with pesticide washes.

Although eating healthy on a budget is a priority, for most of us, it’s not realistic to eat all organic all the time — organic options aren’t always available, and sometimes the cost is prohibitive.
When I purchase conventional fruits and vegetables, I clean them well. A quick homemade soak is equal parts water and white vinegar, or you can use a veggie wash like Environne, which removes chemicals from the surface. – Source

Eating healthy on a budget is possible, even when you eat organic.

 

 Flickr Photo: USDAgov

5 Natural Health Remedies To Turn To Before Seeing a Pharmacist

There’s no shortage of chemical laden over-the-counter remedies aimed at providing relief to symptoms that, for hundreds of years, have been treated holistically.If you are like most natural remedy skeptics, your doubt is enforced (even created!) by the barrage of advertising you encounter every day courtesy of Tylenol, Advil, Pfizer and countless other mega-drug corporations that spend millions in an effort to keep you coming back for more. While there is merit to turning to a bottle for symptom alleviation, there’s also something to be said for turning to some of the earth’s most natural health remedies. 

Here are a few natural health remedies you need to consider before opting for a chemical solution.

5 Natural Health remedies
Try natural health remedies before you turn to the pharmacist

Flickr Photo: mcfarlandmo

Natural Health Remedies to Alleviate Symptoms, Pain

1. The top herbal remedy, and one of the most well-known in modern society, is the use of aloe vera for burns, whether the minor burns occur as a result of sun exposure or a kitchen accident. The actual aloe vera leaf is the most effective, rather than store-bought products, and the potted plant is simple to maintain with water. The gel from the inside of the leaf eases the pain of the burn and expedites healing. Other very well-known remedies are cranberry juice for bladder infections, and echinacea is a commonly used as a preventative remedy for colds and the flu.

2. Menopause can be one of the roughest times in a woman’s life, but black cohosh has been proven, via a recent German study, that it is one of the most effective treatments for hot flashes. And for those who haven’t reached the menopausal stage but suffer from premenstrual pains, chaste tree has been shown to ease PMS after taken for at least three months.

3. Boswellia, also known as frankincense, is not one of the better known natural health remedies proven effective in treating arthritis pain and joint injuries and reducing swelling. Evening primrose oil is often used as an anti-inflammatory for rheumatoid arthritis, as well as the lowering of cholesterol levels. And for bone pain and degeneration that comes with osteoporosis, flaxseed can be a healthy alternative to hormone replacements. Feverfew is also a less commonly known herb but can be helpful in reducing the frequency of migraine headaches.

4. Then there are natural health remedies that are common drinks. Chamomile, most often used in tea, is known to assist digestion by smoothing muscles and calming stomach inflammation. Coffee, on the other hand, is often recognized for its caffeine and included in lists of items to remove from diets, but it can be helpful for quite a few conditions, such as pain relief (by blocking the perception of pain), and as a decongestants for colds, flu, and asthma (by opening bronchial tubes). In addition, the caffeine in coffee is good for athletic stamina, as shown by Korean researchers. – Source

5. Ginger tea and raw honey are another two examples of excellent natural health remedies. Both work effectively to break up chest congestion and loosen phlegm. It strengthens the immune system and acts as a natural antihistamine. – Source

A natural health remedy
Are all those over the counter treatments really making you feel better? Try a natural remedy next time.

Flickr Photo: Heatherbroster

Granted, you will always run into those who doubt natural health remedies, but the truth is – most of them already use natural remedies without knowing it. Anyone who drinks herbal tea or puts aloe vera on burns is taking advantage of nature’s healing power. Don’t let the skeptics get the best of you.

Looking to tackle those springtime allergies with natural health remedies? Take a look at this video to learn how natural remedies can improve your immune defense.

 

 

Great Green Juice Recipe (friendly for juicing beginners)

If you are looking for a great green juice recipe that is friendly for those just starting out with juicing check out this video by Andrea Cox.

First a few quick tips on Green juice juicing:

1. Always add coconut water to your green juice if possible.  

2. Never add more than 7 ingredients to your juice.  Too many ingredients make it difficult for your body to process.

Click the Play button below to watch the video.

For more info on Andrea Cox visit her site here.

Ingredients for this delicious Green Juice recipe are:

– Cilantro (great for chelating metals)
– Parsley (helps with water retention)
– Celery
– Baby Carrots
– Cucumber
– Beets
– Zucchini (tastes amazing juiced, promise)

The juicer used in this video is by Green Star.  You don’t need a Green Star juicer to make good juice but that is what we recommend. 

Get the best prices on the Green Star Juicer Below.

Green Star Juice Extractor GS-1000

What Are People Saying About this Green Juice Recipe?

This Green Juice Recipe has changed my life, rid me of heavy metals, and helped me lose 22 pounds http://t.co/U7Hplmgh

If you have been thinking about getting into juicing we highly recommend trying this Green Juice recipe.  We use it all the time and love how it makes us feel.