The Benefits Of Wheat Germ

I vividly remember as a young kid, my mother would go into the fridge, pull out about 4 oranges, fresh squeeze them into a glass of juice and then add a heaping tablespoon of wheat germ to the mix. At first I just wanted to gag, but over time, I began to actually enjoy this concoction. And, my mother must have known what she was doing, because today she is over 80 and still going strong.

So just what are the benefits of wheat germ? Is there magic to this marvel of nature? Well, it kind of depends on who you ask. The doctors are all convinced that it's more myth than substance and the nutritionists swear by it. The truth is probably somewhere in between, but certainly closer to reality than myth.

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The one thing you have to be aware of is that not all wheat germ is the same. For example, wheat germ in its raw form will go bad within just a few days of being exposed to the air. So your best bet is to go with toasted wheat germ, which has a longer shelf life.

As to the benefits, wheat germ, in any form, is a great source of many vitamins, including vitamin E, most of the B vitamin group, folic acid, and a number of minerals such as iron, calcium, zinc. This list is by no means all inclusive. The vitamin E in wheat germ is a powerful antioxidant that is important for fighting cancer and heart problems.

Probably one of the best things about wheat germ, especially as you get older and your digestive system starts to slow down, is that it is an excellent source of fiber. Eating wheat germ on a regular basis, as well as eating other fiber rich foods, is an excellent way to stay regular and avoid things like constipation, or worse, a blocked colon.

Women especially benefit from taking wheat germ as it helps alleviate premenstrual symptoms and also menopausal symptoms. The minerals in wheat germ are also excellent for promoting healthy skin, nails and hair. Women also benefit from having stronger bones and teeth. Also, studies show that eating wheat germ helps prevent certain types of birth defects.

And, if all that isn't enough, a regular diet of wheat germ will also give you more strength and energy, keeps your cholesterol at normal levels and also helps prevent illness.

As I said, the camps are divided as to the benefits of wheat germ. But I keep looking at my 80 plus year old mother and can't help thinking to myself that she must be doing something right.

To YOUR Health,

Steve Wagner

The Benefits Of Wheat Germ

For natural treatments to a number of ailments, visit our website at http://www.natures-healing-remedies.com/ where you can get a free report on how the drug companies are killing us as well as get a 52 week series on a different ailment and treatment each week.

How to Make Your Own Organic Fungicide

Making your own organic fungicide is far easier than you might think and you've very likely got everything you need right at home. One of the reasons I like to make my own garden tonics is because I want to know just what I'm going to be eating later. Most organic treatments can be applied to plants right until the day of harvest without any harm to those eating the fruits or vegetables, even children. I know a lot of chemical products seem to be work faster and sometimes seems more effective than the organic variations, but if I can save myself a trip to the garden store while I keep my plants healthy AND have a little peace of mind, I'm going to go for it. Plus, organic fungicide  is just plain cheap to make!

When our tomatoes got late blight, this recipe saved a few of our plants when I thought there was absolutely no more hope. I also sprayed most of our other plants in the garden (especially watermelon, zucchini, eggplants and grapes)  that looked like they had powdery mildew or other fungus problems and they started looking better (and producing better) within a couple days. To get the best level of protection, you will need to reapply this solution about once a week and especially after it rains.  In fact, if you want to be certain that your plants will not get attacked with fungi, you should be spraying them routinely as soon as you put them in the ground BEFORE anything beings to attack them. If you are combating a very aggressive fungus problem (like blight) you should try to spray the plants daily. Spray plants in early morning or late day when the sun is least intense to prevent leaf burn. This homemade organic fungicide is also effective against anthrocnose, powdery mildew, early tomato blight, leaf blight and spots.

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Organic fungicide
Ingredients

• 1 gallon water
• 1 tablespoon baking soda
• 2 1/2 tablespoons vegetable oil

Directions

1. Pour ingredients into a large sprayer and shake well. Spray on affected plants (top and bottom of leaves). Continue to shake ingredients periodically to ensure it says well mixed.

How to Make Your Own Organic Fungicide

Tiffany Muehlbauer has a 1000 square foot garden plus a small orchard to practice her organic gardening skills on. She has been working toward a more self-sufficient and natural lifestyle for the past 5 years. The addition of a daughter to her family about a year ago has greatly increased her desire to live more organically and to free her home and garden of chemicals. You can read more about this American's experiences living in an antique farmhouse in Germany on her blog http://www.NoOrdinaryHomestead.com Not only will you find more about organic gardening but you will also find information about home renovation, parenting, European travel and more.

Foods that Cause Bloating

Bloating is a very common symptom that people often experience after eating a meal. The bloating is usually felt in the lower part of the abdomen and sometimes in the upper section. Bloating usually feels as if there is pressure being applied from the inside and people often report that they can look up to six months pregnant. Bloating after eating is often different to the bloating experienced with menopause, pregnancy and PMS. Bloating after eating feels gassy and is usually relieved after passing wind or burping. This kind of bloating can be caused by certain foods. However, if it happens frequently, it can also indicate a digestive problem such as leaky gut syndrome, irritable bowel syndrome, candida overgrowth, intestinal parasites, celiac disease, Crohn's disease, ulcerative colitis and general food allergies and intolerances. Apart from bloating after eating, a common symptom of all of these conditions is chronic tiredness. This is because your digestive system is responsible for the breakdown and absorption of nutrients from the food you eat. If there is a digestive problem, its easy to become nutrient deficient and this commonly causes chronic tiredness.

So, how do you know if you are bloating because of foods that you are eating, or because you have a digestive problem? A person with a healthy digestive system will experience far less bloating, even with foods that commonly cause bloating. However, the list of foods below commonly causes bloating in many people.

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1. Raffinose - a sugar found in beans, cabbage, Brussels sprouts, broccoli, asparagus, other vegetables and whole grains. Eaten raw, these foods cause more bloating than when they are cooked.

2. Lactose - a natural sugar found mainly in milk and milk products, such as cheese, cream, yoghurt and ice cream. Lactose levels are much higher in milk and non-fat milk than in cheese and yogurt. Lactose is commonly associated with irritable bowel syndrome.

3. Fructose - a sugar found in fruits and honey. It's also used as a sweetener in some soft drinks, fruit drinks and processed foods. Fructose is also considered to be an important contributing factor to irritable bowel syndrome for many people.

4. Sorbitol - a sugar found naturally in fruits, including apples, pears, peaches, and prunes, and is also used as an artificial sweetener in many dietetic foods and sugar-free candies and gums.

5. Starches - most starches, including potatoes, corn, rice, bread, noodles and any products made from flour produce gas as they are broken down in the large intestine.

6. Wheat - in particular, wheat appears to be a major source of bloating and gas. Most people find that if they eliminate wheat and flour products, their bloating nearly always improves.

7. Soluble fibre - this type of fibre dissolves easily in water and takes on a soft, gel-like texture in the intestines. It's found in oat bran, beans, peas and most fruits.

8. Insoluble fiber - this type of fibre doesn't dissolve in water and passes unchanged through the intestines and therefore produces less gas than soluble fibre. It is found in wheat bran and most fruit and vegetable skins.

9. Legumes commonly cause bloating and gas due to their complex structure of starch and protein. Soaking and cooking legumes well helps to reduce bloating.

Please note: The information in this article is not intended to take the place of a personal relationship with a qualified health practitioner nor is it intended as medical advice.

Foods that Cause Bloating

Alison Cassar is a naturopathic practitioner and nutritionist and runs a busy clinic in Sydney, Australia. Her particular interest is chronic tiredness as it’s a very common presenting symptom in clinic. Her website and e-book http://whydoifeeltired.com/ explores the many causes of tiredness as well as solutions and prevention.

Must Have List Of Foods That Lower Cholesterol

Cholesterol is present in our bodies by one of two ways; our liver produces cholesterol and we eat foods containing cholesterol. High amounts of cholesterol, especially LDL cholesterol that is bad for us, can lead to many health complications and significantly increase your risk of heart diseases.

While there are many foods that are high in LDL cholesterol, there are a lot, which can actually help to lower your LDL cholesterol levels and increase your HDL cholesterol or the good cholesterol. Here's a list of foods that lower cholesterol, which is a must have for anyone who is trying to reduce their LDL levels and increase their HDL levels.

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Apples: Everyone has heard of the saying, "An apple a day keeps the doctor away". Well, apples are also very good for lowering your LDL cholesterol levels. 2 full apples, or 12 ounces of apple juice, if taken everyday, can reduce your risk of heart diseases by as much as 50%.

Garlic: Garlic helps to lower LDL cholesterol and thins your blood naturally. This prevents clogging up of arteries and thus lowers your risk of heart diseases.

Onions: Eating just half a raw onion everyday can increase your HDL levels by 25% and lower your LDL as well.

Beans and Legumes: These contain soluble fiber which helps to increase your HDL cholesterol and reduce your LDL cholesterol. All kinds of beans and legumes such as pinto, kidney, black-eyed, lentils, pink beans, etc are good for your heart.

Unsaturated Fats: Contrary to the misconception that all kinds of fat are bad for you, unsaturated fats and omega 3 fatty acids can actually be good for your heart. Monounsaturated fats (olive oil, canola, peanut, and almond oil) and polyunsaturated fats (corn oil, soybean oil, sunflower oil etc) increase the HDL cholesterol and lower the LDL cholesterol and are thus good for your heart.

Other Cholesterol Lowering Foods: Oats, fenugreek, artichokes, turmeric, guggul, green tea, nuts, and black tea, are all known to lower LDL cholesterol in your body.

Of course, diet is no substitute for a doctor's care when you are ill. Diet and nutrition represent "the other side of the coin" and always inform your doctor whenever you make a dietary change, especially if you are on a pharmaceutical drug.

Must Have List Of Foods That Lower Cholesterol

Dave Saunders is a certified nutritional educator, wellness coach, member of the American International Association of Nutritional Education (AIANE) and author. He is also the host of a weekly, nation-wide telephone lecture on health and nutrition. For additional information, please visit http://www.glycoboy.com or http://www.glycowellness.com or email Dave at dave@glycoboy.com

How to Get Rid of Stretch Marks Naturally

If you are desperately seeking help on how to get rid of stretch marks then your kitchen cupboard may well provide what you are looking for. If not, a visit to your local grocery store, supermarket or health food store will likely solve the problem.

If you would like to reduce stretch marks without having the need for costly laser treatments and cosmetic surgery; distrust or perhaps cannot afford some of the costly lotions and creams available; are using ineffective makeup to try and cover up your stretch marks and long to wear the clothes you want to wear without feeling embarrassed about your stretch marks; and .. are sick of facing yourself in the mirror and seeing unsightly stretch marks...
then help is at hand by way of powerful home remedies you can start applying right now in the privacy of your own home.

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A good friend of mine well into the mid phase of pregnancy amazed me when she triumphantly bared her belly and declared "So what do you think of this?" Not a stretch mark to be seen!

I asked her if she would share her secret on how to get rid of stretch marks and she was only too happy to do this, explaining that she'd found a source of common natural everyday household products that did the trick perfectly .. by tackling the problem of stretch marks early before they had a chance to appear.

The results were nothing short of incredible and I pressed her to find out a bit more about where she'd acquired these remarkable products. It turns out she'd sourced a publication on the net providing a heap of home remedies and recipes for reducing the appearance of stretch marks using very inexpensive everyday ingredients. She went on to say that all of these stretch mark home remedies and recipes are completely natural and are easily obtained from your local grocery, supermarket, or health food store.

How to Get Rid of Stretch Marks Naturally

Dale Calder hails from Auckland, the City of Sails, New Zealand and all of his adult life he has had a strong interest in all aspects of holistic health, especially focusing on natural herbal remedies and recipes.

You can obtain further information addressing the ever-present problem of how to get rid of stretch marks in the term of pregnancy, at http://work-from-home.nzmkr.com/how-to-get-rid-of-stretch-marks-naturally

Natural Ways To Avoid Hormone Imbalance

Hormone imbalance is something that most everyone has heard about and is a big problem in our population as evidenced by all the pharmaceuticals out on the market to correct the imbalance. However, if you are leery of ingesting synthetic hormones it's good to know that you can probably correct your hormonal imbalance in a natural way.

Just like anything else in your body, your hormones will probably stay balanced if you lead a healthy lifestyle which includes eating a healthy diet. If you already have problems with your hormones try to change your diet and, in particular, avoid chemicals as these can interrupt the way your hormones work. Reduce the dairy products and meats that you eat. These foods can be very bad for your hormones because the animal fats store chemicals and once these chemicals get into your body they can wreak havoc with the way your hormones work. In fact, the risk of hormone related cancers such as prostate cancer increases with the amount of dairy and meat that is consumed.

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Another thing to do is be sure that you get enough of the omega-3 and omega 6 essential fatty acids. These will help you maintain good hormonal balance. The omega-3 fatty acids can be found in flax seeds, pumpkin seeds and sunflower seeds but you should make sure that you are getting 200 mg of omega-3 DHA and 300 mg of omega-3 EPA. The omega 6 is important to and you should try to get 100 mg of this - finally a good multi-nutrient that supplies these values can help to ensure that you're getting enough as it is hard to get that from your diet.

As well as eating less dairy foods and less meat you want to make sure that what you do eat is organic. Not just the fruits and vegetables but the breads and cereals to. Foods that are not organic can have pesticides, herbicides and chemicals that may cause a hormone imbalance or adversely affect the way your hormones work.

Phytoestrogens are another way to help balance out your hormones. You've probably heard about these, in particular is flavones, which are found in soy foods. When you eat phytoestrogens your body simply accepts them as regular estrogen and they bind to your estrogen receptors therefore taking up the space that less desirable estrogen that is tainted with chemicals might take. In this way your body won't ingest harmful estrogen and in fact isoflavones are linked to reduced risk of hormone related cancers such as breast cancer and prostate cancer. Tofu is a good source of isoflavones.

Hormone imbalance is not fun for anyone and can be associated with the unpleasant symptoms of menopause, PMS and andropause. If your hromones are not in balance you might find that you have hot flashes, anxiety, trouble sleeping, tiredness and irritability. Changing your eating habits is the best way towards a healthy body not only to keep your hormones in balance but also to boost your immune system and keep you looking and feeling young as well as help your body fight off disease.

Natural Ways To Avoid Hormone Imbalance

Lee Dobbins writes for Natural Health Buzz where you can learn more about getting healthy naturally and find out how to beat hormone imbalance.

Relieve Arthritis Pain With Blackstrap Molasses

First of all, let's look at the definition of blackstrap molasses - blackstrap is just one type of molasses which is the dark liquid byproduct of the process of refining sugar cane into table sugar, being made from the third boiling of the sugar syrup. It is the concentrated byproduct left over after the sugar's sucrose has been crystallized. It is an extremely rich source of vitamins and minerals. Blackstrap Molasses is found in good supermarkets and health food stores. Get the best quality available and make sure it's without sulphur. Store the bottle in the refrigerator once it's opened or a cool, dry place and it should keep for a good six months. Many people have been helped with their arthritis pain by taking one tablespoon of blackstrap molasses either by itself or dissolved in a cup of warm water. People start the day with this and maybe another dose either during the day, if necessary, or at night. Please remember this is a form of sugar and you should clean your teeth afterwards or risk tooth decay! Arthritis sufferers often take this natural remedy instead of a pain killer, and why not, if it works for you! You can experiment with this - if it isn't working well enough, then take two tablespoons instead of one, but one tablespoon seems to work for most people. Another tip about taking the molasses. If you have a hard time getting it down, then help yourself by adding orange or apple juice, even lemon juice. The main thing is that you take it so it's up to you to make it as pleasant as you can...

Another use is to dissolve a tablespoon in warm water and soak sore fingers, hands, wrists or feet to relief arthritis pain. People with fibromyalgia or carpal tunnel syndrome could also benefit from this.

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As you have read above, blackstrap molasses is very rich in vitamins and minerals so it can help with many ailments - here are a few:

Canker sores: put it directly on the canker sore for almost immediate relief.

Constipation: Use a couple of tablespoons - it's a great laxative .

Energy: People report that they have much more energy and helps sugar cravings.

Acid Reflux: results are within days of first taking it.

Anemia: Blackstrap molasses is good as it contains so much iron - in fact it contains more iron than nine eggs!

Hair: Brings back the shine and apparently can even reverse graying hair.

From the above you can see that blackstrap molasses can be a great benefit for your health. It's easy to find in your supermarket or health food store and is a wonderful natural pain reliever especially for arthritis.

Relieve Arthritis Pain With Blackstrap Molasses

Sandra Fierling is an avid researcher of arthritis related articles, programs and products and runs a successful website dedicated to debunking various arthritis myths for the benefit of the consumer For great free arthritis tips, discount offers and more, see Sandra's website at http://www.arthritisreviews.com

Tetrasodium Can Aggravate Eczema Symptoms

Tetrasodium etidronate is a substance found in many personal care products that has the potential to cause adverse effects in people with eczema. Tetrasodium etidronates and disodium etidronate are chelating agents that are also used in water softeners and soaps.

Because tetrasodium can be an irritant to the skin and mucus membranes people with eczema should exercise caution before using products that contain it. One reason that tetrasodium etidronate is used in soaps is for its preservative properties. Commercial soaps are required to have no more than two percent of tetrasodium etidronate but even small amounts can trigger eczema symptoms.

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People who suffer from eczema should use only products that contain natural substances. Many soaps and other personal care products that are billed as "natural" actually contain tetrasodium etidronate. In fact, many of the soaps sold in health food stores contain tetrasodium etidronate. Always check ingredients before purchasing any personal care product. Check with your holistic practitioner to find out which soaps, if any, are safe for you to use.

Eczema suffers have to be very careful about the soaps they use. In fact, some medical doctors and holistic practitioners recommend that people with eczema don't use soap at all. They recommend that baths be taken in lukewarm water and excessive time in the bath is discouraged. People with eczema should apply moisturizers immediately after bathing. Moisturizers containing glycerin are highly recommended because glycerin helps the skin to retain moisture. During flare-up moisturizers should be used frequently throughout the day.

In addition to after bather moisturizers, people with eczema are advised to avoid sudden temperature changes. The type of forced air heat that is used during the winter can be very irritating and trigger symptoms. Dry, cracked skin is easily aggravated when the air lacks humidity. For that reason, eczema sufferers should sleep in rooms with humidifiers during the winter months when forced heat is being used.

Foods and substances that may irritate sensitive skin include soaps, bubble baths, perfumes, cosmetics, gasoline, turpentine, wool, pet fur, juices from meats and fruits, plants and jewelry. Personal care products that contain alcohol should also be avoided. Many people find that their eczema symptoms worsen during periods of stress. Some women have flare-ups a few days before menstruation begins. It is important to be self aware and understand what triggers your eczema attacks.

Because tetrasodium etidronate is used in many cleaning agents and laundry detergents, people with eczema should check the labels of these products before purchasing them. Sleeping on bed linens that have been laundered in a detergent containing tetrasodium etidroante can trigger an eczema attack. Work with your holistic practitioner to develop a list of natural products to treat your eczema that do not contain tetrasodium etidronate.

Glossary:

Tetrasodium etidronate: a substance that is used in soaps and other personal care products that can trigger eczema symptoms.

References:

Centers for Holistic Health
http://www.chh.org

American Dermatology Association
http://www.ada.org

Tetrasodium Can Aggravate Eczema Symptoms

You can also find more information at natural healing creams and adult eczema diet EczemaCureTreatment.com is a comprehensive resource to inform individuals suffering from ezcema about symptoms, prevention and treatment options.

Good Things Come to Those Who Wait - And Back Off From Time to Time

Imagine that you've just purchased a new car. Your first "real" car, you're proud of the time you spent reading up, really doing your homework, and taking to find the right model in the right price range for you. Now, imagine that you've just picked up your friend for a ride in your new car, and before you've barely pulled out of her driveway, she proceeds to tell you about the car she thinks you should have purchased. She tells you how you could get better mileage if you'd just consider redesigning the engine, and how she's surprised you didn't get a car that was red, and on... and on she goes. In the meantime, you're ready to push her out the door... never mind the fact that you happen to be going 50 mph.

A far-fetched scenario? Hardly. Consider the number of times that any of us is given unsolicited advice, "helpful" opinions, or other ideas that we didn't ask for, didn't want, and quite frankly, aren't always so useful and helpful in the first place. Irritating, isn't it?

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Unfortunately, this type of scenario happens all the time in the workplace, and even more unfortunate, the unsolicited advice often comes from the New Professional. Consider the comments from one manager at a large accounting firm:

"Nothing is more annoying than when a new intern or hire out of college comes in... and immediately starts telling us about his 'great' ideas, or about how we can improve such-and-such a thing. Meanwhile, he's been working for a grand total of 4 months and really has no clue about how our business really operates. It's just plain arrogant."
Ouch! Does this mean that we shouldn't offer our ideas or suggestions for improvement? After all, isn't that why they hired us?

Well, actually, no, that probably wasn't why you were hired. In fact, you were probably hired to help the team run a few yards, rather than score the touchdown. You were hired to do your job, at least for the time being - not the job of your boss, the CEO, or anyone in-between. And when people try to do that, even when they have the best intentions, it bugs the folks at work.

This isn't to suggest that your efforts, initiative, and go-getter attitude aren't appreciated. In fact, New Professionals are hired precisely because organizations love their energy, enthusiasm, and fresh approach to work... but organizations also tend to reward humility, patience, and a respect for their process, no matter how slow, annoying, or just plain wrong you think their process might be.

How to demonstrate patience and humility? It all starts by admitting what you don't know. Inside the classroom, you're given ample opportunity to ask questions and get answers. In the working world, that's not always the case. Supervisors can be extremely busy and have deadlines of their own to manage, and may assign you work without giving you lots of guidance.

Rather than ask for clarification or help, new professionals can sometimes feel like their questions are excessive, or dumb, or that they are simply being a bother to their bosses, so they clam up, deciding to just figure it out on their own. Now, there's nothing wrong with being a problem-solver, but if you've got questions, and didn't get a chance to ask them, you owe it to yourself to get the help you need to get the job done right. Don't try to be a hero and do it all on your own if you're stuck. After all, you're new and you've probably never done this kind of work before, so give yourself a break. However, there is an art to asking questions:

o First, respect your supervisor's time, and make sure you've done your homework first and exhausted other channels (reading through company information online, asking less-swamped employees for help, etc.) before you approach him or her.

o Next, be organized with your question. Make it short, sweet, and get to the point. Long voice mails and wordy emails are unnecessary, time-consuming, and probably won't get read, anyway. Less is more.

o But finally (and most importantly), ask questions and offer solutions at the same time. Don't simply kick a ball into your supervisor's corner and expect them to do the thinking for you. It's up to you to show that you really have thought the issue through and done your thinking before approaching them

What else to do in the meantime as you wait for your ideas and initiative to really get noticed? Hang tight, trust that your good work (with a little self-promotion along the way) will get rewarded, and forge ahead.

Good Things Come to Those Who Wait - And Back Off From Time to Time

Elizabeth Freedman is an expert in career and workplace issues. She is the author of Work 101: Learning the Ropes of the Workplace without Hanging Yourself and The MBA Student's Job-Seeking Bible, and was a 2005 finalist for College Speaker of the Year, awarded by the Association for the Promotion of Campus Activities. Elizabeth runs a Boston-based career-development and coaching firm; clients include PricewaterhouseCoopers, Thomson Reuters and The Gillette Company. To bring Elizabeth to your next association event or workplace meeting, please visit http://www.elizabethfreedman.com.