Supernatural Botanicals

According to the Journal of Nutrition, eating a small square of dark chocolate a few times a week will reduce your risk of a heart attack.  According to the results of the research, 20 grams of dark chocolate per week, or 6.7 grams three times per week, is ideal.  Research subjects who ate this amount had significantly lower blood pressure levels of C-reactive protein.  Because of dark chocolate’s richness, you can satisfy your sweet tooth with much less chocolate than a milk or white chocolate, for example. 

Still waiting on the weight loss?  Turn up the weight loss mechanism within and hit the free weights.  Studies have proven that lifting weighs accelerates weight loss as opposed to an all cardio/aerobic workout routine.  Make sure you are strength training every other day.  Push those 2 and 3 pound dumbbells to the side and start lifting heavier.  Branch out into double digit pounds…10, 12, 15, even 20 pound weights!  Use the 20-pounders for areas like chest presses or one armed rows for your back.  Get used to heavier weights and keep increasing the weights as you get stronger.  Not only does strength training accelerate weight loss, but it also gives you defined muscle tone and a sexy body!

Are you using chives in your recipes?  Chives have been used throughout history for natural healing because they contain a substantial amount of vitamin C as well as essential minerals such as potassium, calcium, iron, and folic acid.  Chives are a member of the garlic and onion family.  In Chinese medicine they are used to clear stuffy noses, prevent bad breath (ironically enough, even though it’s a member of the garlic and onion family), ease stomach aches, strengthen the lower back, and improve poor circulation that gives you cold hands and feet.  Some serving suggestions? Chop up chives and add them to stir-fries or mix in with ground poultry to stuff ravioli or dumplings.  Also great on baked potatoes and pasta dishes.  Chives are super easy to grow, so plant your own and save some money. 

Aromatherapy Facts:

Grapefruit Essential Oil:  Aids in relief of nervous energy, depression, headache, performance stress, jet lag, and PMS.

Therapeutic Effect:  Uplifted, Euphoric, Feeling of Wellness, Natural Stress Reliever.

   Indoor air is three times more polluted than outdoor air, and according to the EPA, is considered one of the top five hazards to human health.  Paints and finishes are thought to be among the leading causes. 

Paints and finishes release low level toxic emissions into the air for years after application.  The source of these toxic emissions are from volatile organic compunds (VOCs).

VOCs have been known to cause mouth and nose irritation, headaches, loss of concentration, nausea, and damage to liver, kidneys and central nervous system.  Even cancers. 

Luckily, paint makers have rose to the challenge and are now producing paints that are VOC-free.  The next tine your purchase paint, make sure you are purchasing VOC-free paints for the health of your family. 

When you know better, you do better….Maya Angelou. 

I love my Bosu Ball and consider it to be one of my best pieces of equipment in my gym.  You haven’t felt squats the way you’ll feel them while on the Bosu.  I’ve learned a second technique in this clip….Bosu Ball Squats.  I’ve done lots of squats for my hamstrings, quads, and glues on the Bosu, but with the ball facing up.  They’ve flipped the ball, platform side up, and now it gives you even more core conditioning.  Love that!  

Try these moves on your Bosu.  Don’t have one yet?  You should look into that here. 

httpv://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jGJSmRZoJCI

See all that deliciousness?  Well, I’ve been keeping that recipe a secret for a long time.  I love when I start getting requests for holiday granola around October.  So I package up bags and bags of this delicious healthy mixture to impress and feed the granola lovers in my life.  I’ve also made a few non-granola lovers believers!  There’s something very therapeutic to me in making everyone happy and well-fed.  It’s time to pass on the knowledge so you, too, can make people in your life happy and well-fed.  It’s the right thing to do!  Want to make someone’s day?  Give them a bag of your homemade gourmet granola.  Want to make someone think you are a granola goddess?  Give them a bag of your homemade gourmet granola.  Want your dream man to immediately ask for your hand in marriage?  ….give it a try!  It certainly doesn’t hurt.

This is my basic recipe.  You can feel free to add or subtract ingredients to your taste.

Ingredients

• 3 cups rolled oats
• 1 cup slivered almonds
• 1 cup cashews
• 3/4 cup shredded sweet coconut
• 1/4 cup plus 2 tablespoons dark brown sugar
• 1/4 cup plus 2 tablespoons maple syrup
• 1/4 cup vegetable oil
• 3/4 teaspoon salt
• 1 cup raisins

Directions

Preheat oven to 250 degrees F.

In a large bowl, combine the oats, nuts, coconut, and brown sugar.

In a separate bowl, combine maple syrup, oil, and salt. Combine both mixtures and pour onto 2 sheet pans.  (I put my on a Silpat.)   Cook for 1 hour and 15 minutes, stirring every 15 minutes to achieve an even color.

Remove from oven and transfer into a large bowl. Add raisins and mix until evenly distributed.

Enter for your chance to win a Wellness Retreat at La Puerta.  One lucky winner and a guest will escape to this award-winning health and wellness resort for one week, including spa treatments, access to over 50 fitness classes and complimentary meals and beverages.  Great giveaway.  Go get on that now!   Good luck!

   Store your gear in style with this ultra cool 100% cotton backpack—perfect for those on the go.   Gaiam is one of my favorite companies for all things wellness and fitness.  This bag is perfect for the gym or yoga class…or even for that baby in Green training.   Love it?  Win it courtesy of Yoga Journal and Gaiam!  Click here for your chance to win!