Striving4Zen

There have been 3,813 fewer hospitalizations caused by heart attacks since a ban on smoking in bars and restaurants went into effect in New York, a state Health Department report revealed. Paul Pettinato, president of the Empire State Restaurant and Tavern Association, said that the ban has been tough on the state's taverns, however, driving some out of business.
The Ithaca Journal (N.Y.)

Labels: NYC, smoking ban

The word "mandala" is from the classical Indian language of Sanskrit. Loosely translated to mean "circle," a mandala is far more than a simple shape. It represents wholeness, and can be seen as a model for the organizational structure of life itself--a cosmic diagram that reminds us of our relation to the infinite, the world that extends both beyond and within our bodies and minds.
Describing both material and non-material realities, the mandala appears in all aspects of life: the celestial circles we call earth, sun, and moon, as well as conceptual circles of friends, family, and community.
"The integrated view of the world represented by the mandala, while long embraced by some Eastern religions, has now begun to emerge in Western religious and secular cultures. Awareness of the mandala may have the potential of changing how we see ourselves, our planet, and perhaps even our own life purpose."
(From Mandala: Journey to the Center, by Bailey Cunningham)

See more of these beautiful symbols

Labels: beauty, cool site, Mandala, symbol

How Is it Made?
People have been extracting vegetable oil from plant materials for thousands of years. The very earliest methods of pressing vegetable matter probably yielded at best 10% of the available oil. More modern methods involving chemical solvent extraction can extract all but 1% to 2% of the oil.
Some cooking oils, including olive, peanut, and some coconut and sunflower oils, are expeller-pressed, meaning that the plant part from which oil is derived is crushed and pressed to produce the oil. The oil is then left crude or refined. Crude oils may have a cloudy appearance and are more flavorful, but they have a shorter shelf life than refined products.
Some manufacturers label their products cold-pressed to indicate that the plant materials were not heated during oil extraction. However, this label term is largely unregulated and cannot always be relied on to mean that the oil was never exposed to high heat.
Most cooking oils are extracted from ground plant material with a chemical solvent. After extraction, the oil is cleaned, refined, and filtered and/or distilled. This process produces a bland, clear oil.

What Happens When You Heat It?
All cooking oils will oxidize and therefore hydrogenate to a small degree if repeatedly heated to a very high temperature, as is done in commercial frying. This means the fats become more saturated and start to contain some trans fat over time. However, it is almost impossible to oxidize fat to this degree in home cooking.
Cooking oils differ in their “smoke point,” or the temperature to which they can be heated before they smoke, discolor, and break down. At the smoke point, the oil not only smokes and begins to emit unpleasant odors, but it also imparts unsavory flavors onto the food. Reaching the smoke point means you are approaching the “flash point,” which is when the oil can erupt into flames.
Cooking oils with a high smoke point can be heated to high temperatures before burning. Knowing a cooking oil’s smoke point gives you some indication of whether it is good for cooking and frying. In general, the best oils for high-temperature cooking methods such as deep-fat frying are safflower, sunflower, peanut, soy, and canola oils.

Storing oils
All cooking oils, whether refined or unrefined, are sensitive to light, heat, and exposure to oxygen (air). Cooking oil that is spoiled (rancid) will have an unpleasant smell and taste. To prevent spoilage, store oils in the refrigerator or in a cool, dark place. Oils may thicken in the refrigerator, but they will return to liquid if left standing at room temperature. Refined oils that are high in monounsaturated fats will keep for up to a year. Cooking oils high in polyunsaturated fats such as soybean, corn, safflower, and canola spoil more quickly: If stored properly, these oils will keep for up to six months. Some manufacturers put “use by” dates on product labels.

Choosing An Oil
For heart health, select cooking oils with the lowest levels of saturated fat and the highest levels of monounsaturated and omega-3 fatty acids. Examples of heart-healthier oils include canola oil, olive oil, flaxseed oil, and walnut oil. If you are looking for an oil to add flavor to your cooked dishes or salad dressing, choose a nut oil, toasted sesame oil, or an unrefined olive oil.

About Some Common Oils

Oils high in monounsaturated fat:
Olive oil. The oils extracted from olives range from light amber to green in color and from bland to very strong and even spicy in flavor. Olive oil can be graded or classified as virgin, refined, or pure. Virgin or extra-virgin means the oil has been produced by the use of physical means (expeller-pressed) and there has been no chemical treatment during processing, resulting in a full-flavored oil. Extra-virgin oil is the highest grade and comes from the first pressing of the olives. Refined means the oil has been chemically treated to neutralize strong tastes and acids. Pure olive oil and products simply labeled “olive oil” may be a combination of virgin and refined oil. Unfiltered means the oil contains small particles of olive flesh. Light refers to flavorless or refined olive oil; it is not lower in calories. Olive oil blends are mixtures of olive oil and other, often less expensive, oils.

Canola oil. This oil is extracted from rapeseeds (a plant in the mustard family). It is versatile, neutral tasting, high in omega-3 fatty acids, and very low in saturated fat. It can be used in salad dressings or in cooking.

Sesame oil. This pressed oil is made from either untoasted sesame seeds, resulting in a light-colored oil, or toasted sesame seeds, for a dark-colored oil. Light sesame oil has a nutty flavor and is good for frying, while dark sesame oil has a strong flavor and is generally added to dishes in small quantities for flavor just before serving. Sesame oil has a high smoke point and is the least prone among oils to turn rancid. It is a good source of both monounsaturated fat and polyunsaturated fat.

Oils high in polyunsaturated fat
Corn oil. This tasteless oil is made from the germ of the corn kernel and is widely used in cooking because it is inexpensive and has a high smoke point. Corn oil is a common ingredient in margarine.

Cottonseed oil. This oil is extracted from the seeds of the cotton plant after the cotton lint has been removed. It is commonly used to make snack foods such as potato chips.

Flaxseed oil. This oil is made from the seeds of the flax plant and is often used as a dietary supplement rather than a cooking oil. It is high in omega-3 fatty acids and contains a group of chemicals called lignans that may play a role in cancer prevention.

Grapeseed oil. This light-tasting, medium-yellow oil is pressed from seeds of various varieties of grapes and is a by-product of wine making. It has a high smoke point and is typically used in salad dressings and marinades and for stir-frying.

Safflower oil. This oil made from the seeds of the safflower plant is almost flavorless and colorless. It is a favorite for salad dressing, because it does not solidify when chilled, and is also used in cooking. Safflower oil that is labeled “high-oleic” has a higher monounsaturated fat content than safflower oil that is not so labeled.

Soybean oil. This refined, mild oil is produced by cracking soybeans and chemically extracting the oil. Soybean oil is high in omega-3 fatty acids and is used extensively in commercially prepared foods but less often as a home cooking oil.

Sunflower oil. This light, odorless oil is pressed from sunflower seeds and is a good all-purpose oil. Like safflower oil, sunflower oil labeled “high-oleic” is higher in monounsaturated fat than sunflower oil not labeled with that term.

Oils high in saturated fats
Coconut oil. This oil, also known as coconut butter, is extracted from the inner flesh of coconuts. It has a longer shelf life than other vegetable oils and is highest in saturated fat of all cooking oils. Unrefined, or virgin, coconut oil is derived from fresh coconut. Refined coconut oil is derived from copra, the dried coconut meat.

Palm oil. Palm oil is obtained from the fruit of the palm tree. It is reddish in color because it contains high amounts of beta-carotene. It is also high in saturated fat and semisolid at room temperature. Palm oil is the most widely produced vegetable oil in the world and is used primarily in processed foods.

Palm kernel oil. Palm kernel oil is extracted from the seeds, or kernels, of the palm fruit. It is also high in saturated fat and is most widely used in processed foods.

More Info Here!

Labels: cooking oil, healthy cooking, healthy living, olive oil

At My Urban Sherpa, we would like you to enjoy New York as a New Yorker. Visit our great buildings and meet our people. Do this by walking through neighborhoods without notable landmarks, eating in restaurants run by their proprietors, and moving past the list of quintessential New York tourist destinations. Amble through the city making your own observations.
We list places we have stumbled upon and make sure to return to. Every day is better with healthful eating and exercise so our pages are full of recommendations for healthful eating and exercising. If you practice yoga at home, practice here--not in your hotel room, but at one of many wonderful studios throughout town. If you swim at home, swim here.
We share our favorite places with you, our love of New York, even though it means more people at our favorite restaurants, a little less availability at our favorite spa, or more swimmers in our lap lanes.

Labels: cool new site, healthy links, NYC

So those ubiquitous new iPod nano commercials with the ridiculously catchy Feist soundtrack almost have you convinced that you really do need video in your pocket?
But you also think that $1.99 for TV-show episodes you're only going to watch once is kind of a ripoff?
The smartly designed iRecord, from a company called Streaming Networks, lets you load up your iPod—or iPhone or Sony PSP—with video content, for free, directly from your TiVo, cable box, DVD player, or even a VCR.
In other words, no computer or external software is necessary. It comes with the required cables, and it's got only two buttons: for on/off and record. Ingenious—and insanely simple to use.

$199.99 at J&R.

Labels: great idea, innovative, iPod, iRecord, new product, NY Mag

In recent years, the natural product market has been growing roughly five times faster than the rest of the personal care industry, said Darrin Duber-Smith, the president of Green Marketing, a strategy company. One result is that many former mom-and-pop brands have become household names. Think Kiehl’s or Jason Natural products.
Another result? Many businesses are no longer run by mom and pop. A private equity firm owns the majority stake of Burt’s Bees. And Tom’s of Maine? More like Tom’s of Colgate-Palmolive.
But Egyptian Magic, which comes in nondescript plastic tubs, remains a decidedly low-key production, and it still has a pop at the helm. (A 4-ounce jar sells for $32 on Egyptianmagic.com.)
The story of Egyptian Magic begins in 1986 at a Chicago diner when an elderly man approaches Westley Howard.....The stranger’s name was Dr. Imas. He never revealed his first name or made it clear what kind of doctor he was. Over the next two years, Dr. Imas periodically visited Mr. Howard in Washington and showed him how to make a skin cream from olive oil, beeswax, bee pollen, royal jelly and bee propolis (a substance that seals hives).
Dr. Imas claimed it was the exact same formula for a cream found in ancient Egyptian tombs.
read more!

Labels: egyptian magic, natural products

"The truth is, it's normal to loose up to 100 hairs each day," says stylist Shin An of New York's Paul Labrecque Salon. If you notice bald spots or major clumps on the shower floor, it's time to visit your doctor.
In the meantime, help shun shedding with these tips:
* Don't avoid styling because you fear fall- out. Brushing actually stimulates and nourishes the hair follicles, promoting growth.
* Vent or metal brushes can snap the hair, so use a gentle, natural-bristle brush.
* When shampooing, don't pile hair on top of your head, causing tangling. Your goal is to clean the scalp -- let the suds trickle down your mane.
* Eat foods with copper and iron (eggs, chicken, green veggies) to promote strong, healthy hair.

Thanks!

Labels: haircare

While most might associate collagen with needles and pillowy lips, this soon to open Japanese eatery boasts collagen as the latest haute cuisine. Owner Himi Okajima will focus on a collagen-rich menu by utilizing tonsoku, a popular Japanese dish of pig’s feet favored by skin conscious women. Modeled after Himiyabi, his tonsoku restaurant in Japan, the menu will feature 40+ dishes including items such as spring rolls, pasta, and traditional Korean casseroles. It has become pretty clear that people will go to great lengths to boost their appearances, and adventurous eaters aside, we're willing to bet that there will be plenty of vain New Yorkers willing to give these little piggies a try.

Hakata TonTon
Mid-October launch
Undisclosed West Village location—so stay tuned!

Labels: collagen, healthy dining, innovative, skincare

Alpha-lipoic acid is an antioxidant that is manufactured in the human body. Antioxidants are substances that work by attacking "free radicals," waste products created when the body turns food into energy. There are also many sources of free radicals in the environment such as ultraviolet rays, radiation, and toxic chemicals in cigarette smoke, car exhaust, and pesticides. Free radicals cause harmful chemical reactions that can damage cells in the body, making it harder for the body to fight off infections. As a result a person becomes more susceptible to long term diseases such as diabetes and liver damage.

Alpha-lipoic acid works together with other antioxidants such as vitamins C and E. It is important for growth, helps to prevent cell damage, and helps the body rid itself of harmful substances.

Dietary Sources
Good food sources of alpha-lipoic acid include spinach, broccoli, beef, yeast (particularly Brewer's yeast), and certain organ meats (such as the kidney and heart).

Labels: alpha-lipoic acid, Anti-oxidant, free radicals, Vitamin C

Quite possibly the coolest bar on the Upper East Side (backhanded compliment, I know). Auction House is only a moderate secret, as it gets its share of doucherie by the mid-late hours. However, its relatively small… size, decadent arty decor, and spare seating keep turnover high. Best experienced early or very, very late. [link]
Auction House
300 E 89th St New York, NY 10128 (212) 427-4458

As per

Labels: cool spot, lounge, UES

Is registration of my mark required?
No. You can establish rights in a mark based on legitimate use of the mark. However, owning a federal trademark registration on the Principal Register provides several advantages, e.g.,
constructive notice to the public of the registrant's claim of ownership of the mark;
a legal presumption of the registrant's ownership of the mark and the registrant's exclusive right to use the mark nationwide on or in connection with the goods and/or services listed in the registration;
the ability to bring an action concerning the mark in federal court;
the use of the U.S registration as a basis to obtain registration in foreign countries; and
the ability to file the U.S. registration with the U.S. Customs Service to prevent importation of infringing foreign goods.

When can I use the trademark symbols TM, SM and ®?
Any time you claim rights in a mark, you may use the "TM" (trademark) or "SM" (service mark) designation to alert the public to your claim, regardless of whether you have filed an application with the USPTO. However, you may use the federal registration symbol "®" only after the USPTO actually registers a mark, and not while an application is pending. Also, you may use the registration symbol with the mark only on or in connection with the goods and/or services listed in the federal trademark registration.

Labels: trademark

Individuals who participate in excessive cardiovascular aerobic type activity, such as marathon running, who do not use optimal antioxidant protection will have very similar skin damage. I am particularly sensitive to this issue since I was one of the those who started exercising vigorously when it became popular in the late 1960s and have suffered some of the oxidative damage due to my ignorance of this issue.

Fortunately, God gave us bodies which do repair themselves. For those who do exercise vigorously, lipoic acid 200 mg, ascorbic acid 1000 mg, and glutamine 4000 mg taken 15 minutes prior to exercise will probably work for most people.

Labels: Alpha Lipoic Acid, Ascorbic Acid, exercise, Glutamine, wrinkles

Dry brush before the shower.
Use a soft, natural bristle brush to gently stroke the skin up towards the heart -- believed to increase circulation and energy.
Post shower, on damp skin, apply detoxifying and Vata balancing oils.
Don't skimp on breakfast. Add some almonds, honey and warming ginger to granola or oatmeal.
Replace coffee (dehydrates) with Vata tea packed with warming spices (great for digestion). Use the golden oil of ayurveda.
Try cooking with ghee -- a natural, salt- and lactose-free butter (minus the milk-solids) that's been "carrying" herbs and spices through bodies for thousands of years. (Olive oil works, too).

Labels: ayurveda, detox

http://nyc.gov/html/mvc/html/donate/want_donate.shtml

Labels: cleaning, donate, good deed

We live in a world of modern nutrition. Today, almost everyone is on one diet or another. People dwell on proteins, carbs, calories, fats, restrictions and lists of good and bad foods. Each day we are hit with a new discovery, proclaiming the health benefits of a certain food or the best way to lose 10 pounds in a week. Diet books are best sellers. News programs feature stories about America's growing health crisis or the new wonder drug.
It wasn't too long ago that humans existed without this media blitz, without expensive medications and without diet gurus telling them what to eat. People simply knew what to eat and how to prepare it. People naturally lived in harmony with the seasons and with their surroundings. They ate what was local and available and what gave them proper nutrients for their lives.
Modern nutrition theories are all missing a huge part of what nutrition is really about: the individual. Most nutrition books tell you what to eat without any reference to age, constitution, gender, size or lifestyle. I take what I like to call a postmodern approach to nutrition by recognizing this bio-individuality. No perfect way of eating works for everybody. The food that works for your unique body, age and lifestyle may make another person gain weight and feel lethargic. Similarly, no perfect way of eating will work for you all the time. You may eat different foods on days when you are working outside than on a relaxing day spent reading. Foods you loved two years ago may not agree with you today.
I invite you to pause for a moment and think about your own needs. Do you know the right fuel for your body today? As the seasons start changing, you can revisit your own routine. Health counselors need to shake it up sometimes too. Have you been partying too much and need to get back to basics? Or maybe you've been too rigid and need to be more experimental. Wherever you are, remember we are each responsible for our own health and happiness. Only you know what works best for your body.

Labels: Institute for Integrative Nutrition, Joshua Rosenthal, Wise Words

Known tea antioxidant powers aside, recent studies as reported on in Newsday, suggest that an amino acid known as theanine, found in green, black and red (oolong) teas, has dramatic physiologic effects and green tea compounds may prevent the development of lung cancer.

About seven years ago, tea took the number two slot behind carbonated soft drinks on the most consumed beverages in the country list. Times have changed … last year bottled water officially surpassed beer on this list after blowing past coffee and milk and took the number two position.
Still in the number one position? Soda.

So where this does leave tea? It’s hard to tell but maybe with the latest health benefits announced it’ll be elevated back to a win, place or show position on the list where it belongs.

Other health benefits of tea according to research:
1. Helps you focus
2. Some teas synergistically work with caffeine to produce a calming effect
3. Protects against heart disease
4. Lowers blood pressure
5. Lowers blood sugar levels
6. May help prevent Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s
7. Lowers cholesterol levels
8. Possible allergy fighter
9. Reduces arthritis inflammation

Labels: green tea, healthy living, panacea, tea

The FDA, under pressure from the powerful sugar and artificial sweetener lobby, has issued a warning letter to Celestial Seasonings for using a popular natural sweetener in some of its teas. The letter indicates the FDA classifies the herb stevia as "unsafe", even though it is a main staple sweetener in countries like China and Japan and has been used without negative health effects by indigenous people for at least 400 years. In the FDA's letter to Celestial Seasonings, the agency aggressively condemns the use of the herb, noting that "enforcement action may include seizure of violative products".
The FDA claims no evidence has been provided to the agency regarding the herb's safety, but federal records reveal the FDA has received over a thousand scientific studies regarding stevia, and all but one of them verify the safety of the herb. In sharp contrast, nearly half of the studies provided to the FDA regarding the artificial sweetener aspartame, previously owned by Monsanto, indicate serious health concerns, yet it is one of the most commonly used (and one of the most profitable) sweeteners in the U.S. The OCA has also verified the FDA has strengthened enforcement of stevia imports at the borders. Last week, the agency updated a document that mandates detainment of imported food products containing stevia. Learn more: http://www.organicconsumers.org/articles/article_7140.cfm

Labels: artificial sweeteners, FDA, Stevia

Mercola answers:

Let’s get one thing straight, folks. There are certain metals that are toxic to humans; they are poison and most people do not understand this. They are NOT nutrients in small quantities -- if anything they are anti-nutrients.What are these commonly misunderstood toxins?
Mercury, fluoride, and aluminum.
You don’t need any of these poisons in your body, so remember to avoid them. Unfortunately, if you use antiperspirants, you are most likely exposing yourself to aluminum -- the heavy metal that’s been linked to Alzheimer’s disease and now possibly breast cancer. Aluminum salts can account for 25 percent of the volume of some antiperspirants. Antiperspirants work by clogging, closing, or blocking the pores that release sweat under your arms -- with the active ingredient being aluminum. Not only does this block one of your body’s routes for detoxification (releasing toxins via your underarm sweat), but it raises concerns about where these heavy metals are going once you roll them (or spray them) on. Given that antiperspirants are used on your armpits, the aluminum salt concentration is highest near your breast tissue. Further, when women shave under their arms it can result in a higher aluminum-salt absorption rate due to the damaged skin.
The aluminum in antiperspirants has been linked to breast cancer before. A 2006 study found that aluminum salts can mimic the hormone estrogen, and chemicals that imitate that hormone are known to increase breast cancer risk.
Fortunately, reducing your exposure is pretty simple -- simply ditch your antiperspirant and deodorant.It’s worth mentioning that deodorants are not the same thing as antiperspirants. They may actually be less problematic than antiperspirants, as they work by neutralizing the smell of your sweat and by antiseptic action against bacteria, but do not prevent sweating. However, many deodorants also contain aluminum, along with parabens, which have also been linked to breast cancer. So, you’re clearly better off avoiding both antiperspirants and deodorants.
Personally, I have not used any antiperspirants or deodorants for over 25 years. Simple soap and water has served me quite well, and I don't ever recall anyone telling me I had an offensive odor. When I stopped using them I noticed the stains I was getting on the underarms of my shirts stopped. It was clear that they were NOT related to my sweat but to the chemicals in the antiperspirant I was using. If you get stains in the armpit areas of your shirts you can virtually be guaranteed it is from the antiperspirant.
Please remember that most chemicals you put on your skin are absorbed quite nicely into your bloodstream. So if you wouldn’t eat something you would put on your skin, I would advise not using it. If you simply can’t imagine going without antiperspirant or deodorant, you can find aluminum-free varieties in your local health food store. (But I would encourage you to at least TRY going without before making your mind up.)

Labels: aluminum, antiperspirant, deodorant, toxins

“Salon quality” is a meaningless term on many levels, but primarily because salon hair-care products are not automatically superior or even preferred over drugstore brands. You can find both good and bad hair-care products at the salon and at the drugstore. Most significant for your hair and budget is that there are brilliant hair-care products at the drugstore and there isn’t a reason in the world to spend extravagantly on any shampoo, conditioner, or styling product. Quite often what you’re paying for in salon products is the status of the hairstylist who is selling the line, or some exotic ingredients that seem impressive but don’t affect hair in the least.

Stylists will elaborate the most serious explanations for the ways salon products are indeed better formulated than their inexpensive counterparts, but the truth is that most hairstylists have no idea what is in the hair-care products they use and what makes them work. They may know how to use the products to make hair look fantastic, but skill in that regard can go a long way toward masking a mediocre or even poor hair-care formula.

Labels: hair-care, on the cheap, salon

Water therapy is all the rage these days, with costly infused baths and water-based therapies popping up on spa menus from here to Helsinki. Now there’s an install-it-yourself way to get a mini spa treatment every time you shower.
Methven, the Kiwi (that’s New Zealand) purveyor of showerheads and faucets, makes its debut in the U.S. this week with the Satinjet Maia, a multifunctional shower head that not only dechlorinates but also infuses water with antioxidant vitamin C.
The shower head, which has won several design awards, uses twin jets to turn each normal-size droplet of water into thousands, delivering a luxe spray of 3,000 drops per second - ample shower power for the body but also gentle enough for facial massage.
The eco-conscious will be happy to know that the fixture meets the world’s strictest global water-conservation standards - it qualifies as a low-flow shower head even though it doesn’t feel like one.
And those who crave additional pampering will soon be able to purchase add-on infusion cartridges (currently in development) that will contain herbs, Epsom salts and aromatherapy. Satinjet Maia goes on sale this week for $395 exclusively at
Barneys New York.

SOURCE

Labels: Anti-oxidant, innovative, shower

Berries, citrus and stone fruit have long hogged the media spotlight. These glamorous fruits are praised for their colour, antioxidant content and flavour. However, we seem to have forgotten, the humble apple is also a nutritional wonder. Along with a bit of vitamin C, apples are packed full of antioxidant phytochemicals - particularly if you eat the skin.
While consumers might be turning off apples, researchers have long been a little apple crazy, as highlighted by two recent studies:
Research published in the journal Thorax has suggested eating apples when pregnant may protect your baby from asthma.
While quercetin, an antioxidant found in apples, may protect against illness after intensive exercise or other activity (source) - although you would need to eat about 100 apples to get the right dose of quercetin.
It's all a good reminder that like clothes and music, "healthy foods" go through fads and fashions. When one food is trumpeted as the latest and greatest, remember there are always many, many others that are good for you as well.
Even apples have had their moment of diet-craze, however a healthy diet is all about balance and variety.
Food fashions and crazes can be interesting to follow, but don't let them turn you away from more modest foods, like the apple.

Labels: Apple, fruit, health food, quercetin

Some people have suggested that yoga exercises especially inverted asana postures help to cure dark circles. It is believed that the postures help to increase the blood circulation around the eyes and eventually reduce the dark circles. You can try doing the sarvangasana everyday.
To give you an brief idea how’s sarvangasana can be done, here I’ve included an article about sarvangasana from atoneyoga.

Sarvangasana is best done near the end a full practice. As an inversion it reverses the effects of gravity, decompresses the spine and helps re-align the arms with the shoulders. It also improves energy balance and metabolism by wringing out the thyroid and parathyroid glands in the throat.

A few cautions:
Remember that this is a SHOULDER stand and not a neck-stand. Do not turn the head from side to side in the posture. Many teachers highly recommend beginners use folded blankets under the shoulders with the back of the head on the floor to help preserve a curved space beneath the lower neck. Avoid this posture during menstruation or bouts of hypertension.

Posture Points
Elbows shoulder blade-width apart behind back. Use a blanket or maintain a thick pad of muscle and flesh below the shoulders.
Legs together with balls of feet extending straight to ceiling
Spine long and straight.
Triceps and shoulder blades as close together as possible.
Palms flat on kidneys, fingertips towards feet. Work heels of palms towards scapula.
Legs together, draw navel-point in and reach tailbone towards heels.
Always maintain a calm and even breath.

Sarvangasana: Two legs reach up as one, thighs and knees spiraling inward. Reach tailbone to heels.

Did you Know?
20% of the nerves affecting our vision travel through the neck and shoulders. Looking up at the feet in this posture excites the mind and senses and can even strain the neck. The recommnded “drishti” or gaze is down the nose into the chest, promoting a grounded calmness and effortless extension from your core.

Labels: dark circles, undereye, yoga

Something to think about the next time you order fish.
Fish farming is all the rage right now. We have almost endangered every fish in the ocean so getting natural, unfarmed fish in large quantities on a regular basis is out of the question. Since farming has become vastly popular the cost of fish meal (to satiate the fish) has gotten very expensive. In Idaho, scientists are working on feeding farmed trout a diet of manure and maggots instead of fish meal. Idaho has an unlimited suply of manure because the dairy industry reigns supreme. This unique diet is actually closer to what the trout would actually eat in the wild than in the fish meal we feed them. Hopefully this won’t affect the taste of the fish. [ABC News]

Labels: fish farming, fish oil, toxins

Snakes aren't the only ones who shed their skin. As it turns out, exfoliation is more than just a cosmetic process - it's one of the best things you can do to improve the appearance of your skin and keep it healthy. Exfoliation removes dead cells from the skin's surface to help in the natural renewal process, revealing younger and healthier-looking skin underneath.
It might be one of the most popular treatments to be offered at day spas now, but it's actually an ancient Asian tradition that dates back hundreds of years.
And when exfoliation is done well, it rejuvenates the skin, giving it a healthy glow.
"Ultraviolet radiation from the sun, air pollution, fatigue, stress and the natural aging process all affect our skin. Exfoliation helps counteract the effects of these damaging influences." A healthy diet, exercise, stress control and sunscreen also help our skin look its best.
Comite says periodic exfoliation helps rejuvenate the skin, but people shouldn't overdo it. If you're suddenly noticing redness, flaking and sensitive skin, it could be time to take a break.

THANKS!

Labels: exfoliate, skincare

"You want to make sure you're eating omega-3's with eicosapentaenoic acid, or EPA, and docosahexaenoic acid, DHA," she says.
"Because that is the most potent and beneficial form."
Foods that contain this type of fatty acids include wild salmon, herring, sardines and rainbow trout. They're packed to the - ahem - gills with omega-3 and guarantee you'll get the nutrients you need.
And for those who worry about the mercury in fish, there are options. Wild salmon, sardines and rainbow trout tend to have the lowest amounts of mercury.
"With fish, mercury is always concern," says nutritionist Steven Margolin. "But the benefit you get from eating the fish outweighs the exposure to mercury."
But fish aren't the only option for your omega-3 fix; there are plenty of other foods, including fortified eggs, yogurt and bread.
"I consider fortified eggs a secondary source of omega-3, right under fish," says Bauer, who adds that walnuts and soybeans are also a great source.
Margolin, who owns the Manhattan wellness center Longevity Health, likes flaxseed. "It's the purest form of omega-3 - when we eat flaxseed oil, the body changes it into EPA and DHA, which is what you get from fish." To get the benefit, flaxseed needs to be ground and added to food or used in the form of oil - "although that tastes kind of nasty."
And then there are the supplements.

Top 10 Food Sources:
1) Salmon
2) Herring
3) Mackerel
4) Sardines
5) Rainbow trout
6) Flaxseed, flaxseed oil
7) Fortified eggs
8) Fortified yogurt
9) Walnuts
10) Sunflower seeds

THANKS!

Labels: fish oil, Omega-3s fish oil, salmon

In December 2006, Consumer Reports weighed in with their first-ever test concerning the efficacy of wrinkle creams. Their report found that the handful of products they tested made little to no difference in the skin's appearance and that there was no correlation between price and effectiveness.
The creams ranged from Olay Regenerist at the low end ($21 for 1.7 ounces) to La Prairie Cellular at the high end ($335 for 1.7 ounces). Ironically, La Prairie Cellular ended up with the least impressive results after 12 weeks; the creams with the best results (Olay and Lancome were the winners) showed only a 10% improvement in wrinkles. That's a far cry from the 85% and 90% improvement heralded in cosmetics advertisements.
My readers will know that the studies cited in advertising are hardly independent-but that is something many consumers often overlook. Though I would love to say I told you so, and despite the fact that I am a loyal Consumer Reports subscriber (and have been for years), their testing protocol left much to be desired. Each tester used one of the chosen test products on one side of the face and a standard moisturizer on the other side for comparison. But for some reason, the standard moisturizer they used contained sunscreen! Using a sunscreen at night makes no sense, and the active ingredients can cause irritation. But what was perhaps more confusing about the study was that during the day, the side of the face with the sunscreen would have been protected from sun damage and the other side wouldn't have been, which could have skewed the results. There was also no rhyme or reason given for selecting which moisturizers to test, other than to test the claims (all of which were anti-wrinkle). Formulation differences are important, and ignoring them makes it difficult to compare the results of such a study.

In addition, products in jar packaging are already problematic, because if there were beneficial ingredients that could have produced positive results, then they would have deteriorated well before the test period was over (and several products fell in this category). Without question there is insanity in cosmetics advertising, yet there are also skin-care routines that can make a huge difference in the appearance of your skin. Even so, depending on one product alone will never be the answer. In addition, cosmetics won't ever replace cosmetic surgery or medical cosmetic corrective procedures. However, there is a game plan for skin that makes sense, and there is plenty of objective research indicating that to be the case. Such a routine includes gentle skin-care products, effective sunscreens, gentle exfoliants, moisturizers loaded with antioxidants, and ingredients that have skin-identical components, along with a lifestyle with no tanning or smoking, but that's backed up with a diet filled with healthy oils (e.g., flax, salmon, olive) and lots of fruit and vegetables.
Now that would be worthy of a Consumer Reports test.

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Labels: Consumer Reports, skincare, wrinkles

Physiognomy, an ancient tradition, studies each feature of the face for insight into our digestive history. Just like pressure points in acupuncture correlate to different organs in our body, so do the areas of the face.

The forehead: Deep horizontal lines can be a result of excess sugar and fat. Vertical lines between the eyes mean too much animal foods or salt (the liver and pancreas are working too hard).
The mouth: Dry, cracked corners? You might be constipated. Constantly moist lips? You may have the runs. Cold sores? Too much fat in the diet.
The bottom line: Nutritionist Julie Lerner suggests drawing the line at sugary, salty, fatty foods. Add more leafy greens (like bok choy, arugula, kale and collard greens) and whole grains such as quinoa and brown rice.

Labels: healthy living, Physiognomy

Order Sushi
As mentioned, Gary Stoner is using seaweed to fight the Big C. When he fed the polyphenols from brown seaweed to mice that had been bombarded with UV rays, their incidence of skin tumors dropped 60 percent. And the polyphenols shrank existing tumors by 43 percent. Better still, the doses that produced these effects were the equivalent of only 1 or 2 tablespoons in a human being. "Seaweed is low in calories and fat, yet it provides heart-helping fiber, bone-building calcium, and iron," says nutrition consultant Molly Morgan, R.D., C.D.N., owner of Creative Nutrition Solutions, in Vestal, New York. "Dried, roasted seaweed sheets used in making sushi also provide vitamins A and C."

Use it: "Eat more sushi rolls," says Stoner. "It's not quite the same seaweed, but it has some of the same compounds." As a bonus, sushi itself is a great muscle food. A typical spicy tuna roll has only 290 calories but packs 24 grams of protein. Also, look for a Korean-made, seaweed-fortified drink called EntroPower (entropower.com), which should be hitting U.S. health-food stores soon.

Spend More Time Outside
Scientists have viewed vitamin D as a potent cancer fighter for decades, but there's never been a gold-standard trial -- until now. A Creighton University study published in the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition found that women who supplemented their diets with 1,000 international units of vitamin D every day had a 60 percent to 77 percent lower incidence of cancer over a 4-year period than did women taking a placebo. "I don't think the effect is limited to women," says Joan Lappe, Ph.D., the lead study author. "Vitamin D is necessary for the best functioning of the immune system -- it causes early death of cancer cells."

Use it: Nature intended us to make vitamin D from the sun, but depending on where you live, the time of year, and how much of an agoraphobe you are, you may not reach the optimal level of 80 nanomoles per liter of blood that way. A blood test can give you a baseline. From there, Lappe recommends supplementing with 1,100 to 2,000 IU of vitamin D in a stand-alone pill every day. Vitamin D is also in sardines, salmon, shiitake mushrooms, and reindeer meat -- which may explain Santa's longevity, despite the odd hours and jelly belly.

Drink Pomegranate Juice
Some say this luscious, lusty red fruit is Eve's original apple, but what the pomegranate truly banishes is cancer risk. The fruit's deep red juice contains polyphenols, isoflavones, and ellagic acid, elements researchers believe make up a potent anticancer combo. It's been shown to delay the growth of prostate cancer in mice, and it stabilizes PSA levels in men who've been treated for prostate cancer. And now University of Wisconsin at Madison researchers have learned that pomegranate may also inhibit lung-cancer growth. If you currently smoke, have smoked in the past, or hang around in smoky places (Cleveland, for instance), the juice of the fruit could bolster your defenses.

Use it: The mice in the Wisconsin study received the human equivalent of 16 ounces of juice per day, so quaff accordingly.

Eat Blueberries
Got pterostilbene? Rutgers University researchers say this compound -- found in blueberries -- has colon cancer-fighting properties. When rats with colon cancer were fed
a diet supplemented with pterostilbene, they had 57 percent fewer precancerous lesions after 8 weeks than rats not given the compound did. Eat blueberries and you'll also benefit from a big dose of vitamin C (14 milligrams per cup). In a study of 42,340 men, New England Research Institute scientists discovered that men with the highest dietary vitamin C intake (as opposed to supplements) were 50 percent less likely to develop premalignant oral lesions than men with the lowest intake were.

Use it: "About two servings daily is the human equivalent of what we fed the rats," says Bandaru Reddy, M.D., Ph.D., a chemical-biology professor at Rutgers. Load up at breakfast: A cup and a half of blueberries over cereal, plus 8 ounces of juice and half a grapefruit (for extra vitamin C), will do the trick. If that's too much to stomach at dawn, spread it out over the course of the day.

Relax a Little
Anxiety won't only make you soil your shorts. Purdue University researchers tracked 1,600 men over 12 years and found that half of those with increasing levels of worry died during the study period. Talk about flunking the exam. Only 20 percent of the optimists died before the 12-year study was completed. More anxiety-producing news: Thirty-four percent of the neurotic men died of some type of cancer. How neurotic are we talking? "Think of the biggest worrier you know -- someone who stresses out over everything," says psychologist Daniel Mroczek, Ph.D., who conducted the study. "That man is probably above the 95th percentile in neuroticism. Then think of the most cool, calm, collected man you know. He's probably below the fifth percentile."

Use it: To develop that critical, casual Jeff Spicoli vibe, learn to slow down your fast times: "The more time you spend in the present moment, the more relaxed you'll be, because most mental anguish occurs over stuff that's already happened or that may or may not happen in the future," says Claire Wheeler, M.D., Ph.D., the author of 10 Simple Solutions to Stress. "For the most part, right now is pretty damn good. If you practice being present while shaving, for example, eventually you'll also be more present when eating, making love, and working."

Pop Selenium
Selenium has long been thought of as a cancer fighter, but you can have too much of a good thing, says David J. Waters, Ph.D., D.V.M., director of the Gerald P. Murphy Cancer Foundation, in West Lafayette, Indiana. A study of almost 1,000 men, published in the Journal of the National Cancer Institute, found that when those with the lowest initial levels of selenium in their bodies received a daily supplement over a 4 1/2- year period, they cut their prostate-cancer risk by an impressive 92 percent. But men who started out with high selenium were rewarded with an 88 percent increase in total cancer risk when they took the supplements. Moral: It pays to get your selenium level right.

Use it: Selenium in the body is measured through toenail clippings. Send yours to the Murphy Foundation, and for less than $100 (price varies by state), they'll ship them to a lab and then inform you of your level 2 weeks later. If yours is out of range, the foundation will explain how to adjust your intake of Brazil nuts, tuna, meats, grains, and selenium supplements. Learn more at http://www.seleniumhealthtest.com/.

Clear Your Air
Secondhand smoke may be even worse for you than we thought. A recent American Journal of Public Health study reveals that nonsmokers working in smoky places had three times the amount of NNK, a carcinogen, in their urine than nonsmoking workers in smoke-free joints had. And their levels of NNK rose 6 percent for every hour worked. "There is no safe level of exposure to secondhand smoke, and the greater the exposure, the higher the risk," says the study's lead author, Michael Stark, Ph.D., principal investigator for the Multnomah County Health Department, in Portland, Oregon.

Use it: Nine states have banned smoking in all workplaces, bars, and restaurants: Arizona, Delaware, Hawaii, Massachusetts, New York, New Jersey, Ohio, Rhode Island, and Washington. So change locations, change professions, or change the laws. As you sip your pomegranate juice, sign up with Americans for Nonsmokers' Rights at no-smoke.org.

Invest a Little Sweat Equity
Study after study has pointed to the cancer-beating power of exercise. Now research from Norway has found that even a tiny dose of exercise has big benefits. A study of 29,110 men published last year in the International Journal of Cancer shows that men who exercised just once a week had a 30 percent lower risk of metastatic prostate cancer than did men who didn't work out at all. Increasing the frequency, duration, and intensity of the exercise correlated with a further, gradual reduction in risk.

Use it: Just one bout of weekend warriorism -- a company softball game, pickup basketball, racquetball with your crusty uncle -- might qualify you for inclusion in the cancer-free 30 percent.

SOURCE

Labels: cancer, healthy living, Holistic Health

If you study nutritional typing, you will understand that each of us have different optimal foods based on our unique biochemistry and genetics.
Although vegetables are typically one of the healthiest foods you can eat, certain vegetables may cause your blood pH to become more alkaline, but cause someone else's blood pH to become more acidic. Optimization of your blood pH is an important aspect of staying healthy, so it is important to understand which vegetables are best for you.
Another way you can determine if a specific vegetable is good for you is to listen to what your body tells you. If you just simply can't stand the taste of a particular vegetable, then that is probably a clue telling you it’s not good for you and should be avoided.
Also, remember to get organic vegetables whenever possible. However, it’s still better to eat non-organic vegetables than no vegetables at all. Another option is to look for locally grown produce. For great tips on where to find locally grown, organic produce see my previous article, “How to Get Inexpensive, Organic, Locally-Grown Vegetables.”
In the same vein, it’s also better to eat regular fresh vegetables than organic vegetables that are wilted and clearly past their prime -- even if they are sitting in a health food store.
The problem with vegetables is that they are so perishable, which is why you have to be careful. One trick to increase your cold-storage capacity is by removing most of the air from the plastic bag you store them in, and tying the bag securely so it resembles a vacuum-pack look. This can increase the shelf life of the vegetables by 200-300 percent.
"Eat your fruits and vegetables" is one of the tried-and-true recommendations for a healthy diet -- and for good reason.
Although all fruits and vegetables likely contribute to this benefit, green leafy vegetables such as lettuce, spinach, Swiss chard, mustard greens, and cruciferous vegetables such as broccoli, cauliflower, cabbage, Brussels sprouts, bok choy, and kale, appear to be exceptionally healthy as long as they are appropriate for you nutritional type.

Labels: healthy living, Mercola, organic, vegetables

Next month, General Mills Inc. and Kellogg Co. will begin emblazoning their breakfast cereals with symbols that summarize complex nutritional information - part of the growing use of logos to steer shoppers toward healthier choices.
The proliferation of such symbols is a worldwide phenomenon, with government regulators in Britain, Sweden and elsewhere establishing nutrition logo systems.
The General Mills and Kellogg's versions will highlight fat, sugar, salt and other nutrient levels, officials said.

Labels: cereal, logo, nutrition

For some, the thought of abandoning antiperspirants gives them the cold sweats. For others, it's the thought of using them. Underarm antiperspirants guard against odor and wetness, but could the aluminum-based compounds that reduce sweat actually cause Alzheimer's disease and breast cancer?

The antiperspirant finger-pointing began more than 40 years ago with new discoveries about Alzheimer's, a progressive dementia that affects more than five million Americans. Antiperspirants use compounds—such as aluminum chloride, aluminum chlorohydrate and aluminum zirconium—to form a temporary sweat duct plug. Researchers back then found that exposure to aluminum caused rabbits' brains to develop nerve cell damage—thought to be a precursor to Alzheimer's at the time—and long-term dialysis patients with high levels of the metal developed dementia.

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Labels: aluminum, antiperspirant, toxins

Bill Maher yesterday delivered a letter to Sen. Tom Harkin, Agriculture Committee head, asking that the Senate reform the Farm Bill for the sake of America's children. "The Farm Bill provides billions of dollars in subsidies for unhealthy foods that contribute to childhood obesity and other diet-related diseases," Maher wrote.
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Labels: Bill Maher, Farm Bill, fight back

Aloe Soothing & cool to the skin, and stops pain & itching. High in AloeEctin B, which stimulates the immune system.
Avocado Hydrates dry skin; filled with natural fatty acids, protein, Vitamins A and C.
Apples High in AHA’s and antioxidants. Great for dissolving flaky skin.
Baking Soda Neutralizes the Ph of the skin and pulls out excess heat.
Banana Contains Vitamins A, B, and C. Soothing and healing. The most beneficial part of the banana is the inside of the skin.
Blueberry High in AHA’s and antioxidants. Great for revitalizing dull skin.
Chamomile Soothes irritated skin.
Egg White Full of protein, eggs whites act as a tightening agent and is great for oily skin.
Garlic Purifying and antibacterial properties. Great for acne. Beware if you are not a garlic lover!
Green Tea High in antioxidants. Stimulates circulation and has anti- inflammatory properties.
Honey High in Vitamins C, D, E and B complex. Honey has natural effects on the skin and is known to be an antiseptic salve.
Lemon Packed with Vitamin C and AHA’s. Great for oily skin and acts as a natural skin lightener.
Milk Full of proteins, Vitamins A, D, & E. Has strong soothing properties.
Oatmeal Contains healing properties. Oatmeal serves as both an exfoliator and moisturizer. This is great for dry/sensitive skin.
Olive Oil High in natural fatty acids. This emollient is a moisturizing ingredient similar to avocado.
Strawberry High in AHA’s, BHA’s, and Vitamin C. This acts as a cleansing astringent for oily skin. Helps to even skin tone.
Sugar This is a natural AHA in which Glycolic acid is derived from. This is a great exfoliator for the skin.
Tomato Contains Lycopene which is excellent for the skin. This ingredient is great for oily skin. It removes surface impurities, exfoliates, shrinks pores and regulates skin tone.
Wheat Flour Thickening agent for skin remedies.
Yogurt Contains enzymes which aid in removing dirt and dead skin cells from the skin.

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While there's no shortage of premium juice brands, Wild Bunch & Co. still caught our eye with its ultra premium approach.
The Singaporean company, which launched in January 2007, sells 100% organic juice in distinctive bottles and offers home delivery within Singapore.
Aimed primarily at busy and affluent professionals, Wild Bunch sells a convenient, natural source of nutrition. Its seasonal menus feature a variety of pure and mixed fruit and vegetable juices, ranging from Easy Peazy (carrots, peas and parsnip) to Pineapple Zinger (pineapple and ginger).
For SGD 300 (USD 195 / EUR 145) per month, customers get one 250 ml serving per day, made to order and delivered to their home or office, with bottles picked up for recycling.
Wild Bunch is also actively targeting bars, restaurants, event planners and spas. Restaurants are given suggested food pairings: "Try serving our range of green juices such as Iron Maiden and Cabbage Savage with sushi or better still sashimi." And spas and resorts can offer their customers a One Day Detox Menu by Wild Bunch, a selection of six juices aimed at flushing out toxins and boosting immunity.
As we like to point out, everything can be upgraded, even if it's been upgraded before. Just pick a niche, add a healthy dose of convenience, make it exclusive and price accordingly, and pay excessive attention to design and presentation. Need more inspiration from planet upgradia? Check out a few of the premium products and services we've covered in the past: supermarkets, public restrooms, an erotic boutique and chocolate.
THANKS!

Labels: innovative, juice, organic, upscale

Red Peppers: These are more mature than Green, Orange or Yellow Bell Peppers. They are rich in carotenoid phytonutrients and contain almost eleven times more beta-carotene than green Bell Peppers as well as one and a half times more vitamin C. Red Bell Peppers have a sweet, almost fruity taste. Pimento and paprika are both prepared from Red Bell Peppers.

Labels: health food, red peppers, vegetable

* Hats - sophisticated hats
* Wide belts - brazen
* Neckties
* Gloves
* Purses - bright colors or neutrals, and clutches
* Shoes - Patents, brights, and oxfords
* Shift Dresses
* Asymetical tops (one shoulder bare)
* Ivory Coats
* Textured Coats
* Menswear
* Pants are skinny, cropped, and ultra wide
* Plaid
* Pink

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Labels: Fall 2007, fashion, trends