SEASONED TO YOUR TASTE

One of the reaons our meals are unhealthy is the way in which we prepare our food. I am in a constant battle with my family concerning their use of salt, butter and fat meats to appeal to their conditioned taste buds. I use the word conditioned because if you did a test and went for a month without using table salt and switched to using herbs for seasoning, you would be surprise how your desire for that tast of salt would change. It is what we have been exposed and become accustomed to. You will find that seasoning your food with herbs will give it a more robust taste.
It doesn’t matter if you choose to grow your herbs in your own windowsill or patio garden or purchase them from you local grocery; herbs can transform the blandest of meal into a palate’s delight. It has also been reported that certain herbs have antioxidants that are believe to help protect against certain diseases.
If you are planning on an outside garden, the idea time to begin planting is right after the first frost. Starting the garden with a transplant is a little easier than with seeds and if you are a first time herb gardener you might want to consider this. Use caution in selecting your plants that they are herbs for cooking vs. those intended for ornamental purpose. Speak with the nursery staff for suggestions on a good layout design of your garden. There are certain herbs, mint for an example, which can quickly take over your garden so you want to be sure you allow adequate spacing of your containers. Some great herbs to begin introducing your family to are rosemary, basil, and thyme. There are many good online resources for information to guide you in this process from the planting to in your kitchen pots.
"An herb is the friend of physicians and the praise of cooks." - Charlemagne

Health: Sleep is Just What the Arteries Need

source: BET

Sleep is just what the arteries need. Those who get an extra hour sleep at night are less likely to get calcium deposits in their arteries, which stif… more

HOW TO KEEP THAT BODY MOVING

Have you, due to a physical ailement used one of these "I have a bad back" or "I have bad knees" so I just can't exercise...that is why I just can get the weight off me. Chair exercising is a way that anyone can get the exercise they need to burn off calories, strengthen their muscles and add tone and definition to their body. You might not believe it but chair exercising also has cardiovascular benefit.
The great thing about chair exercise is you don’t need special equipment to perform the exercises. As you become comfortable with your routine, you can add some light hand held weights, stretch bands or other portable small devices to add more resistance to your routine.
Before you start any new exercise program you want to consult your physician to be sure that your specific health condition do not require you to omit certain exercises for your safety. Now that you have the authorization to go let’s started.
You want to be sure you have a sturdy straight-back chair without arms on it and your favorite upbeat CD to get started. Begin by sitting facing forward with your feet on the floor and begin tapping your toes to the beat of the music. Once you have that marching movement going you want to begin to get your arms working, swinging them back and forth keeping in rhythm with your feet. You can do this for several minutes and then began to swing your arms up and down from side to side over your head, still keeping your feet moving to the beat of the music. You can raise your arms out to the sides and do circles first to the front and then to the back. After that move you might want to so some shoulder shrug rotations to loosen up any tightness in that area. Don’t forget to keep those feet moving, you can do toe taps as a switch from the marching movements. There are so many varieties of moves you can think of that before you know it 30 minutes have passed and you have had a decent workout.
If you want to follow a guided routine there are many different DVD’s on the market. One new one that I came across originated in California and was created by a professional dance/fitness expert named Jodi Stolove. Following an injury to her foot, she needed an alternate way to exercise. She came up with she her Chair Dancing DVD to not only continue her own program but to share it with others. Stolove’s routine includes jumping jacks, the cha-cha, the waltz and more.
There are many more, some include routines for chair yoga or even Thai chi. So the next time you think that you can’t get up to your feet…that’s OK…sit down take your seat and move your way to a healthier lifestyle.

Winter Remedies

Many dollars are spent annually on everything from A (Advil Cold) to Z (Zycam) for relief of symptoms brought on by ailments of the winter months. Not that I am opposed to conventional medicine but for those looking for an option aromatherapy can be a good complementary modality to try.
Conventional medicine is defined as one that employs the use of individuals who hold degrees such as a Medical Doctor, Doctor of Osteopathy or other allied health professionals. Complementary medicine is one that is used in addition to conventional medicine.
Aromatherapy has great benefits in the winter months. Winter essential oils can uplift your mood, freshen your closed home, and bring relief to some of the common problems associated with winter such as congestion, sinus problems and colds.
There are several oils that can be used during the winter months. Some oils useful for the winter months are Lavendar, Black Pepper, Litsea Cubeba, Bergamont, Lemon, Eucalyptus, Orange, Peppermint, and Rosemary. Blends and combination oils are excellent choice to try.
If you are having difficulty breathing and/or an elevated body temperature that does not respond to fever reducers, it is advised that you seek the advice of your primary care physician.