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One Clove A Day

It's cheap, it's easy, it's clovey-fresh! According to chiropractor Dr. Berg , chewing just one clove a day offers significant health benefits. It promises to help with inflammation, digestion, blood sugar regulation, and pain. Cloves have a compound called eugenol, a natural anesthetic that numbs pain and reduces inflammation. Eugenol has also been found to be a considerable natural MAO inhibitor. That means it has the potential to help with depression and mood! According to a Spanish study , cloves are the best antioxidant out of five tested due to their high levels of phenolic compounds. Additionally, they are a potent antibacterial and antifungal. In 1600s Europe, they were so precious they were worth more than their weight in gold. The benefits are long for this little flower bud!

Oats to Detox Chemicals

PFAs ( per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances) are a group of thousands of human-made chemicals, also known as forever chemicals because they persist in the environment in what seems like forever breaking down very slowly. Some can take a 1,000 years to completely disappear. Used in everything from cleaning products, cookware to carpeting, they've been found to accumulate in our bodies, including in our brains, and contribute to all types of issues. In fact, they were found in blood samples of 98% of people tested. Yikes! Exciting new research finds that oats can actually help excrete PFAs from our bodies due to a powerful substance they contain called beta-glucan s, also found in mushrooms, seaweed, and barley. Be sure to buy organic!

Study: Food + Attractiveness

Perhaps it's common knowledge that refined foods negatively change the body, organs, and appearance over time, and here's even more reason to go pure: New research shows that a reduction in attractiveness happens immediately (namely, two hours) after consuming a high-sugar meal! The study from The University of Montpellier, France, took 104 participants and gave half a high-glycemic breakfast (example: corn flakes or potatoes) and the other half a low-glycemic meal (example: steel cut oats or eggs) and had heterosexual participants, recruited carefully to minimize bias, randomly rate the facial attractiveness of the opposite-sex participants as captured in photos taken two hours after the provided meal. Statistical analysis showed that consuming the high-glycemic breakfast, which raises blood sugar, was associated with lower subsequent facial attractiveness ratings for both men and women. Beauty literally comes from within! “We were initially intrigued by the profound impac...

Chocolate Revs Up Stem Cells

If anyone needs an incentive to ingest more chocolate, here it is! A randomized, controlled study by USCF (funded by Mars, Inc, it should be noted) and published in the Journal of the American College of Cardiology (JACC) showed that the participants who enjoyed two cups of 70%+ chocolate a day had a two-fold increase in angiogenic cells . Angiogenesis is the formation of new blood vessels that help wound healing and supply oxygen to the body thereby reducing cardiovascular events. Stem cell formation is at the root of the process, promoting and making angiogenesis possible. Stem cells are neutral cells that can be turned into specialized cells in the body. They regenerate and repair tissue, reduce pain and inflammation, and combat disease. The benefit of chocolate on stem cell production was mainly attributed to its flavonol content. Amazing!

Psychologist Reveals the #1 Sign of Divorce

Dr. John Gottman , a renowned psychologist, can predict divorce with 93.6% accuracy. After studying thousands of couples, he reveals that a subtle facial cue is the number one predictor of divorce — a one-sided smirk — a sign of contempt. He calls contempt "sulfuric acid for love." He also notes three other negative communication patterns as predictors of divorce: criticism, defensiveness, and stonewalling. Together with contempt, he calls them the Four Horsemen of the Apocalypse . Contempt is a feeling of scorn, disrespect, or disdain for another person. Contempt comes from a place of superiority as if you are better than the other person. The face of contempt is characterized by a sneer and a slight raising of one lip corner. Just Google Ted Bundy, and bingo! The face of contempt. In his book " Why Marriages Succeed or Fail ," Dr. Gottman states: "When contempt begins to overwhelm your relationship, you tend to forget entirely your partner’s positive qual...

Can you Complete The Focus Challenge?

The New York Times has a challenge for you: Stare at Van Gogh's "Starry Night" for 10 interrupted minutes. No clicking or walking away. Ten minutes of undivided attention to the swirling clouds, shiny crescent moon, and the quaint tucked-away village. You'll discover things you didn't know were there, and you'll impress yourself with your focus! When the ten minutes are up, you'll learn more about the story of the painting. Challenge yourself here

Together Apart Forever

Commitment phobes rejoice! No, not really, but there's a movement gaining speed that lessens the weight for those who need their space and independence in relationships, and it is an effective method to increase the fulfillment and longevity of long-term, fully committed relationships. The relationship trend is called LAT, Living Apart Together, and it means exactly that: living separately from your partner yet maintaining a committed long-term relationship or marriage. The perks: Better mental health , greater sexual satisfaction , better sleep, greater autonomy and independence, and financial freedom. Think about it, it eliminates a few of the common reasons couples separate, including money and domestic disagreements, and it ensures that you don't take each other for granted. There are currently 3.8 million Americans in this type of spousal arrangement, as of 2023. LAT Reddit Group Book : Living Apart Together: A Unique Path to Marital Happiness, or The Joy of Sharing Liv...

Beet Blood

What's the perfect activity to participate in on this Valentine's Day? Exploring the relationship between beets and human blood, of course! A PhD student in Sweden, Nélida Leiva-Erikkson, and her team discovered that the roots, leaves, and flowers of sugar beets (20% of the world's sugar comes from this type of beet) are composed of hemoglobin almost identical to human blood, and they have hopes that in the future, it can be used as a blood substitute . Beets not only help anemia , blood disorders, and cardiovascular health, but they are also high in nitrites, which, when converted to nitric acid by our saliva, boosts exercise performance and how fitting for the day of love, sexual performance as well!

Hang On Tight

(2025)If you follow political news on the daily, you'll find yourself wide-eyed at the edge of your seat stuck on a roller coaster under a dramatic and dangerous regime. We have unofficial people, including teens, gaining access to our treasury department, trade wars, the dismantling of the constitution, proposals to seize control of the Gaza strip, plane crashes, bigotry, and basically the literal destruction of whole US government sectors, one by one, including the Department of Education. Our democratic constitutional republic potentially moving toward an autocracy or an oligarchy. It's alarming to think about what our country will resemble in a few months - a year - four years? Each hour of every day is filled to the brim with activity - issues that might be resolved within the week or ones that might reach a more critical point in that period. It's tough to gauge sometimes. One thing is for sure though, this political climate is leaving us all with our heads spinning. ...

"We're All Just Walking Each Other Home"

What a lovely sentiment by spiritual teacher Ram Dass . A simplistic summary of life. Time in this space is a shared experience that is made easier and more fulfilling if we walk together in warmth, love, and solidarity. Caring for each other is paramount on this collective journey, for every action we partake in influences and impacts every single other being. "Home" is our collective destination after we have laughed, loved, toiled, walked together, and home is peace. Perhaps then if we sit more, we will decelerate the speed of death. ;)

Nonviolent Alternatives

Shopping the other day, I witnessed a mother being physical with her young child. When many might resort to the idea that's how children must be handled, or others might judge but then look away, I chose not to. I felt compelled to be a voice for the child. For me, it was the right thing to do. I understand how imperfect and challenging parenting can be, and I recognize that we are all doing our best with the knowledge we have at this moment. So, let's continue to spread knowledge! The Studies : Being spanked is linked to an increase in mental health issues . (meta-analysis) The brain responds to spanking in the same way it responds to severe forms of abuse Hitting children leads to trauma, not better behavior . 30 countries have banned corporal punishment in school and at home. These countries have lower rates of teen fighting. Spanking increases aggression . Hitting Children Is Wrong Three Gentle Alternatives to Spanking: Determine the Need Behind almost all undesirable...

A Healthy Life -Vagus Style

You can acquire a large piece of that vitality pie by incorporating a simple daily practice: stimulating the vagus nerve . The vagus nerve is a key player in the parasympathetic nervous system, which manages the body's fight-or-flight response. This nerve runs from the brain to the abdomen and is crucial in regulating digestion, heart rate, mood, and the body’s inflammatory response. There are sophisticated ways to stimulate the nerve such as expensive devices and even implants. However, the most enjoyable (and free!) are activities like humming or singing in the shower! Other ways include: Slow, deep-belly breathing Massage Laughter Yoga Exercise Meditation Chanting Gargling Sex BOOK : Accessing the Healing Power of the Vagus Nerve

Pasta From Fruit

There's pasta made from beans (chickpeas), roots (cassava) - and of course, grains, but did you know they make pasta from fruit?! Recently, I visited Whole Foods and discovered a fusili made from green bananas . It cooks up dense and chewy with a slightly sweet taste. The company also offers green banana flour for baking. It turns out green bananas can aid in digestion, support immune system, and blood sugar. The small box of banana fusili contains 90% of the recommended daily value of iron ; 70% potassium and 15% of calcium! Sounds almost too good to be true, doesn't it? Next up: apple pasta!

Growing Vegetables From Scraps

It's that time again! The buds are unfolding, the daffodils and dandelions are coloring the lawn, the air is cozy warm, and the veggies and herbs are aching to hug some worms. It's planting time! Here's a thrifty idea to consider: regrow your vegetable scraps . It's simple: after eating the top of the vegetable, take the base that you would normally throw away and place it in a container or pot with about a half an inch of water. Refresh the water daily. You can either let it continue to grow in the water, or plant it in soil, either outdoors or indoors. Try regrowing : Celery, Lettuce, Fennel, Pumpkin, Green Onions, Cilantro, Peppers, Avocado, Turnips, Basil, Garlic, Onion, Potato, Mushrooms, Ginger, Turmeric, Lettuce, Pineapple, Bell Peppers, and many others. Book : Regrow Your Veggies

Dolphins=Whales

Here's a quick tidbit of knowledge I recently learned and I'm passing on to my fellow nerds: dolphins are whales. What?! Many of us view dolphins and whales (like the humpback and blue) as separate groups of animals, but formally they're all in the same order called Cetacea , or Whale. So yes, dolphins are considered whales , but not all whales are dolphins. Within Cetacea, there are two suborders: Baleen Whales Toothed Whales Baleen whales include species such as the blue and the humpback whale. Toothed whales consist of smaller varieties of whales like dolphins, sperm whales, and porpoises. The killer whale, aka orca, is the largest type of dolphin. While you're here, take a moment to check out the uniquely adorable pink Amazon river dolphin . Yes, it really is bubblegum pink and chubby. However, it's critically endangered, so consider helping in a small way .

Eclipse Magic

On April 8th, 2024, many will witness an extraordinary total solar eclipse . This happens when the moon passes directly between the sun and the earth blocking the sun's happy face. Digging deeper, per usual, it's not quite as simple as that, but rather a complex and perfectly orchestrated process that invokes this stunning event! We're fortunate (or are we?) to live at a time where we can study, understand, and anticipate events like this without ever stepping outside. Many solar eclipses ago - in former times - an abrupt darkening of the sky would have created confusion and paranoia, but also sparked great curiosity, a larger appreciation for the mysteries of the skies, and a desire to question further. Today, even with all of our current knowledge, there remains an underlying mystery and enchantment surrounding celestial occurrences like this, and a humbling recognition of our insignificance and vulnerability to the will of the cosmic energies! Spiritually, the solar ecl...

Use This Instead of That

The other day, I left home, and came back with banana leaves. How random is that? Used as a natural, non-toxic alternative to plastic wrap and parchment paper, banana leaves can be purchased inexpensively at most international grocery stores. They're also available online . Commonly used in many Asian cultures, they are an excellent way to move closer to a waste-free kitchen! Get Creative With Uses: To-Go Wrapper Wrapper for cooking Parchment paper Cake liner Cookie sheet Tamale wrappers Plate How to Clean Banana Leaves

Little Plant Bodies

Have you ever noticed that walnuts resemble a little brain? Interestingly, they also serve as brain food because they are particularly rich in omega 3 fatty acids. Similarly, when chopped, carrots resemble eyes, and they provide a wealth of beta carotene and lutein, both antioxidants that are especially beneficial for vision and eye health . Is nature providing clues? Philosophers in the 1400s certainly thought so. They developed and popularized the idea that "nature marks each growth with it's curative benefits." (Paracelsus), and suggested that God marked objects with a sign, or "signature" for their intended purpose. This concept became known as the Doctrine of Signatures which posits that foods and herbs resemble the body parts in which they heal and nourish. There might not be exact truth or scientific backing to this idea, and it was not without criticism, but it is nonetheless a fascinating concept. It has the potential to guide our choices, foster a dee...

Simple Trick to Defuse Anger

You're standing at the crosswalk and every single driver that goes by looks over at you but doesn't stop, or perhaps you're scrolling through your news feed and you see his face (you know who). There's no need to worry now! Marsha Linehan , creator of Dialectical Behavior Therapy ( DBT ), has a simple and practical strategy to defuse anger immediately with just one effortless move. It's called Willing Hands . Watch the short 2-minute video below to find out how.

The Language Bridge

Seven years ago, while traveling for work, I stopped at a Walmart, and asked an employee for the location of an item. With a look of regret and defeat on his face, he pointed to his ears to indicate that he was deaf. Fortunately, I had taken a sign language class, and studied American Sign Language (ASL) and Deaf culture extensively. I even led a class for teens at a learning center, so I was able to spell out the item I needed, and thank him in sign language after he assisted me. As soon as he realized that I knew his language, his eyes lit up and conveyed relief, gratitude, and appreciation, and a broad smile spread across his face - mine, too! There's nothing quite like that infectious moment when you create a bridge between yourself and another person. If you're reading this and you're a hearing person, consider learning a few essential sign language/ASL words in order to create an environment of inclusion and understanding for those who may feel excluded outside of the...

Celery Juice Every Morning

Who wants to join me in drinking the salty juice extracted from celery stalks? It might sound unappetizing, but I've taken it to the test, and been drinking about a half bunch of celery juice every morning for the last two weeks, and I feel vibrant and refreshed! My skin is glowing, I sleep better, and my hydrogen breath test which was at 8 every day is now down to a 4. The power of green! Celery is high in a compound called apigenin which has potent anti-inflammatory health benefits, and is also a potential agent in the prevention and treatment of Alzheimer's Disease. If that's not enough to get you drinking, here's a little bit more encouragement. Celery juice benefits : Hydrating Heals the gut Provides electrolytes, minerals, and enzymes Stimulates hair growth Supports sleep Helps respiratory health Prevents high blood pressure and cholesterol Improves depression and anxiety Helps the liver and bile Helps blood sugar Fights infections And the list goes on ! Supplies...

Cats Make You Pretty

It turns out that the crazy cat lady is not only crazy but also sexy! According to a study, cat feces contains a parasite called Toxoplasma Gondii , which, when transferred to humans through the litter box, alters the human's brain ! The parasite manipulates the human host to increase its spread by producing changes to the host's appearance and behavior to make them more attractive and healthier -looking. I'm feeling conflicted about possible cat ownership now! Should I continue letting that neighborhood stray in the house? I think I'd give up my sanity for a parasite that makes me ravishingly beautiful. Wouldn't you? Each picture represents the average face of men and women with (left) and without (right) Toxoplasma infection. Since each picture was created by merging photos of 10 individuals for each category, the faces shown in the pictures are not real individuals.

73 Year Old Vegan Chef

When I discovered the fierce and radiant Chef Babette Davis, I was beyond inspired by her vibrancy, infectious positivity, dedication to healthy living, and toughness to overcome hardships like drug addiction! Also, she has boundless energy at 73, takes no medication, and leads with a whole lot of compassion in everything she does! A strength she says she inherited from her mom. Chef Babette is a health coach, motivational speaker, fitness enthusiast, vegan, author of the cookbook Cash in on Cashews , TV host of Peeled , and the owner of Stuff I Eat restaurant in California. Each and every one of us must determine what is truly important to us about the gift of life. Not just our own lives, but all life on this planet. Instagram Youtube

Cha Means Tea

Ready for a lil' tea education? The tea varieties include Green, White, Black, Oolong, Pu-erh, and Yellow, and they all come from the same plant, Camellia Sinensis. ( Herbal "teas" are not really tea but technically called tisanes or herbal infusions ) The difference lies in how they are grown, cultivated, and processed. For instance, green tea is a low or non-oxidized variety of the Camellia tea plant. On the other hand, Black tea is the fully oxidized version of the leaves. The magic of green tea can be attributed to its catechins (EGCG) which are the most abundant polyphenols found in the leaves. These polyphenols have beneficial effects on a wide range of disorders such as cancer , metabolic diseases, and inflammation. Benefuuki green tea has the highest EGCG content of all teas! The word "Cha" translates to "tea" from Japanese, Chinese, and Korean. "Chai" translates to "tea" from Hindi and Swahili. There are reportedly over 1,...

The Most Relaxing Song in the World. Science Says!

When I heard about a song that was scientifically proven to be the most relaxing in the world, I dashed off to listen to all 8 minutes of it. Sure enough, soon after listening to it, I became abnormally drowsy, and couldn't even keep my eyes open. The song is so effective at inducing sleep that people have been warned they shouldn't listen to it while driving! The song is called " Weightless " and was created by Marconi Union with the help of a team of sound therapists commissioned by the British Academy of Sound Therapy with the purpose to curb anxiety and induce a relaxed state. Dr. David Lewis-Hodgson's research with MindLab International has proven that it reduces stress, blood pressure, cortisol, and anxiety by 65% (after only three minutes of listening). It produced a greater state of relaxation than any other song tested by 11% and was even found to produce greater relaxation than a massage !

My One Week Without A Phone

Work, camera, social media, texting, finance, Google, apps - there's always a reason to stare at a smartphone - aka the little robot that controls you. We use them so often that they might as well be an extraneous piece of our body at this point. Soon to be embedded ?! 61% of Americans admit they're addicted to their screens, 84% of people couldn't go a single day without their cell, the average American checks their smartphone 352 times per day , 71% of people spend more time on their phones than with their romantic partner, and 26% of car accidents are caused by cell phones. Overall, the average American will spend an accumulated two months (65 days) on their phones in 2023. Not only that but there's a wide range of negative concerns connected to phone usage: physical & mental health implications , biological changes , diseases , work disruptions , children's usage , blue light exposure , sleep issues ....