Tip of the day for the rest of your days...

We've all heard the many benefits of green tea, but what can it do for your teeth? Green tea can save your smile!

According to researchers in Japan, green tea lowers risk of tooth loss by killing mouth bacteria which is associated with tooth decay and gum disease. The antioxidant called catechins in green tea kills the bacteria. Also, green tea may also promote periodontal health by interfering with the body's inflammatory response to periodontal bacteria, warding off further disease.

It is suggested that one drinks at least 1 cup of green tea a day to see the health benefits.

Tip of the day for the rest of your days...

Monday mornings suck. Especially if you have to go to school or work. And for many of us, we don't want to get out of bed. Here's a simple fix: As soon as you wake up, open your curtains and let the bright sunlight flow into your room. 

Researchers in the UK found that exposure to bright lights after a night of sleep increased cortisol levels in the body which boosted feelings of wakefulness. 

Although this may sound like common sense, sometimes getting out of bed can be so difficult we'll just sleep through classes or call in sick for work. Also, I'm sure many of us do turn on the lights to wake ourselves unconsciously. But instead, try to make a conscious effort to open up your blinds when you're really struggling to wake up. This simple solution will save you from future headaches and possibly your job too! 

Tip of the day for the rest of your days...

The holiday season is just around the corner and we have all got one thing in mind. Holiday shopping. Joyous yet chaotic. Exciting yet stressful. You're in the middle of a mall and you're about to blow your top. So what do you do? Simple: Give yourself an ear massage to relieve the stress!

The idea of ear massaging to relieve stress goes way way back from many parts of the world. The Inuit had a form of ear massage to calm their infants. In China, there's a whole system of massaging and healing with JUST the ears alone. But since I'm studying Chinese medicine and acupuncture I'll focus on the Chinese method and idea. According to traditional medicine and acupuncture, the ears alone have accupoints corresponding to parts of the rest of the body; the internal organs, extremities and the head. The earlobes represent the head of your body and thus we'll look into what to do with the lobes. In Western terms, massaging of the lobes moves the tentorium membrane in your head which relieves stress.

So what can you do to relieve stress quick time? A simple massage is to place your thumbs behind your ears starting at the top and with your index fingers in front, wipe down along the rim from the top of your ears and when your index and thumbs reaches your earlobes, gently pinch, pull down and let go of your earlobes. Do this several times. Then afterward pinch your earlobes and massage it in gentle circles. Do this until you feel you're ready to take on the long lines and hustle and bustle of holiday shopping! (Remember to keep your breathing steady, inhaling through the nose and exhaling through the mouth when performing your massage.)

Tip of the day for the rest of your days...

If you're still having a hard time sleeping at night, then it may be an underlying iron deficiency in the blood. Check with your doctor to see if you have an iron deficiency.

A lack of iron in the blood results in a lack of hemoglobin in the blood which carries oxygen to every part of the body. A lack of iron will result in disturbed sleep since the body isn't getting enough oxygen to function properly. Even in your sleep, your body needs a steady flow of oxygen to keep it in a state of relaxation. 

Blood needs a combination of iron, folic acid and vitamin B12 in order to function properly. A deficiency in any of these three will result in anemia. Some symptoms people will experience other than lack of sleep are:

- Lack of energy

- Pale skin

- Head rush from low blood pressure

- Headaches

- Immunity function decrease

So what can you do? Iron can be prescribed by your doctor or you can purchase it at a nutrition store. The others you can find at a nutrition store. Take iron before you go to bed and vitamin B12 in the morning. Remember to keep your dosages consistent and make sure to speak to your family doctor before starting any treatment. 

Tip of the day for the rest of your days...

Next time you're at the gym, check yourself out in the mirror while doing an exercise!

We all know exercise is supposed to relieve stress. But there are times when we don't feel that stress relief especially when we think exercising is too hard or it's not doing anything. Injury during exercise can also stress us out. 

Sports psychologist and professor Steve Edwards Ph.D. at Oklahoma State University says, "The psychological boost of adhering to a program that you enjoy doing is much greater than the reward you get from any single session." He also suggests looking at yourself in the mirror of your gym while doing your exercises. Not only will a mirror help you notice bad form but will also let you see what you can do well thus giving you a more profound appreciation of the capability of your body.

Whole Life Expo 2010

Time is moving so quickly, I nearly forgot the Whole Life Expo was this weekend starting Friday at 4pm. If anyone is interested in going, I've included a link to the website below. It's $8 for the whole weekend to see exhibits and stages and $15 for exhibits, stages and lectures. Check out the website for more information!

Tip of the day for the rest of your days...

Need another and effective way of detoxing your body plus more? Activated charcoal powder is great for detoxing and digestive problems such as excess gas or diarrhea. 

Activated charcoal works by adsorbing excess of toxins, gases, metals and other chemicals which may be harmful for the body. When activated charcoal is taken, it adsorbs excess as it passes through the body. This process renders any toxins harmless as it is attracted and held by the charcoal. 

Activated charcoal can also deodorize gases in the stomach as well as bad breathe. It also has anti-aging properties, reduces cholesterol and fights viruses and bacteria. 

Although activated charcoal has many benefits and almost no negative side effects it is best to seek advice from a medical professional first and take it in moderation. Large and constant dosages can interfere with other medications and cause constipation. 

Also, the prize for the draw arrived in the mail today. Here's a peek at what it is... (Macbook not included)

 

The prize pack includes: Rice Extract Body Milk, Rice Grain Charcoal Soap, Shiso and Green Tea Facial Cleanser, Rice Extract Lip Balm and Shiso and White Tea Facial Moisturizer/Sunscreen