“You gain strength, courage and confidence by every experience in which you really stop to look fear in the face. You are able to say to yourself, 'I have lived through this horror. I can take the next thing that comes along.' You must do the thing you think you cannot do.”      - Eleanor Roosevelt

 

 

 

                                                                   

✿´¯`*•.¸¸✿ Chains? What Chains? ✿´¯`*•.¸¸✿

 

                       Chains - "I hate when that happens

 

My family tells me that I don't see myself as others do. Others describe me in ways that are flattering and nice.  I often think 'are they really talking about me'  My chains come mostly from childhood. They are ingrained in my sisters and I.  We are all very intelligent strong women and we have all worked very hard to shake those chains.  Yes, they rear there ugly face when you least expect it.

 

My daughter has been my biggest "cheerleader"  She takes no prisoners but you will always hear the truth from her and when people lie to us to make us feel better that is not truly helping.  She will say to me "you can do this"  "you got this" and she is profoundly proud of my accomplishments. She tells me "don't ever let anyone tell you that you can do something, ever"  She is my hero and my inspiration.

 

I think all humans have their "demons" (though I HATE that word) to varying degrees.  Mine seems to be fear, fear or failing, fear of "bad things" happening to me.

 

I have found lately, a stronger woman appearing and getting closer to the surface to show people she is strong, creative, intelligent, kind, and yes, sometimes very sad. My daughter told me not too long ago.  "I like the person you are becoming"  It is that statement that helps me to have to confidence to pursue things in my life like she has (but never on her level-she is amazing).

 

Though I obsess about my weight, I have decided to put that aside as I am losing, doing Diamond Dallas Page Yoga which has been amazing for my mind and body.  It is time to let go of lack of confidence, doubt, fear and step out into the great wild world and.......

 

                                                     WRITE MY OWN STORY

 

 

 

 

 

I found something that works for me.  No more crash diets that trigger my thyroid disease.  No more gimmicks, no drugs.  I can do this without fear of failure in my own home at my own pace. His website (it's free) is very supportive.  I am proud of the progress I have made in my strength and flexibility.  Eating clean and healthy is also a must. 

 

                            YOU GO BIRDIE!  

 

 

We are not given a good life or a bad life.  We are given a life.  It is up to us to make it good or bad.

 

 

 

 

                                

 Seven Super Foods that Reverse Signs of Aging and Wrinkles

1. Wild Alaskan Salmon and other cold water fish (salmon, sardines, herring, trout, etc.) are great sources of protein which is necessary to maintain and repair the body-including the skin on a cellular level. Protein cannot be stored in our bodies. For optimum health and cellular repair we need to have a good source of quality protein at each meal.

If we are rating a food group either pro-inflammatory or anti-inflammatory, we will find that protein, on the whole, is neutral. However, some sources of protein, such as the fish listed above, provide powerful anti-inflammatory benefits for two reasons:

a. They are high anti-inflammatory omega 3 essential fatty acids which keeps skin radiant, supple and wrinkle free, moods upbeat and brain functioning at optimal levels

b. Wild salmon’s bright pink or deep red color, depending on variety, owes its pigment to the presence of astaxanthin, a super powerful carotenoid anti-oxidant with potent anti-inflammatory properties.

2. Green Foods. When we talk about “Green Foods” we’re referring to a group of foods that includes young cereal grasses like barley grass and wheat grass. Nutritionally, they are close cousins to dark leafy, green vegetables, but offer far greater levels of “nutrient density.” In other words, an ounce of these concentrated green foods contains much more of the beneficial phytonutrients found in an ounce of green vegetables. Green foods, such as Green MagmaTM help detoxify the body to keep skin clear and radiant.

The results of many experimental studies show that green foods have marked beneficial effects on cholesterol, blood pressure, immune response, and cancer prevention. These effects are attributed in part to their high concentrations of chlorophyll.

Chlorophyll, the phyto-chemical that gives leaves, plants, and algae their green hues, is the plant equivalent of the oxygen-carrying red pigment hemoglobin in red blood cells. Dietary chlorophyll inhibits disease bacteria and exerts therapeutic effects on bad breath and internal odors.

3. Beans and lentils. Beans and lentils are a superfood for a number of reasons in addition to their high fiber content. When it comes to maintaining beautiful skin and keeping unwanted pounds at bay, beans and lentils are a body’s best friend. The reason is because they are very low-glycemic. This means they will not cause a rapid rise in blood sugar when eaten, the way sugary, starchy food do. Beans and lentils are anti-inflammatory foods, and will keep your blood sugar stable-key in preventing dull, dry, wrinkled sagging skin and hard to lose body fat.

4. Olives and extra virgin olive oil. We need a source of good fats in our diet, fats that will help us absorb nutrients from our vegetables and fruits, keep our cells supple, our skin glowing and wrinkle-free, our brains sharp and our mood upbeat. We also need dietary fat to burn fat. Extra virgin olive oil contains oleic acid, which helps us to absorb the omega-3s and other vitamins and nutrients from our foods. Oleic acid is vital in keeping the outer portion of the cell, known as the cell plasma membrane, supple, thereby allowing nutrients to enter the cell and wastes to exit.

5. Green Tea. Green tea contains compounds known as polyphenols which help to eliminate inflammation-producing free radicals. Recently, researchers have found that these polyphenols protect healthy cells from cancer causing DNA damage, while ushering cancer cells to their death.

Another remarkable finding is the power of green tea polyphenols known as EGCG to reactivate dying skin cells. In fact, researchers consider this amazing energizing of dying skin cells to potential benefit skin diseases such as psoriasis, ulcers, rosacea, wounds-and yes, even wrinkles.

6. Blueberries. Blueberries have some amazing qualities including the fact that are one of the greatest sources of antioxidants. They also have great anti-inflammatory properties-remember inflammation is not just linked to disease-it is a major cause of wrinkling and sagging in the skin. Blueberries also increase brain power, restore balance and improve memory.

Anything that is good for the brain is also excellent for the skin because of the brain/beauty connection. In embryology there are three layers of tissue that develop into every organ system in our bodies. The same layer of tissue that is responsible for the production of the brain also produces skin. As a medical student I recognized that when something is therapeutic for the brain the skin improved.

7. Sour Citrus Fruits. This includes citrus like lemons, limes, and grapefruit. All are rich in antioxidants known as limonoids and limonene’s which offer their own special benefits:

I. Protect lungs; alleviate chronic obstructive pulmonary disease.
II. Helps prevent cancer, by boosting the activity of detoxification enzymes in the liver.
III. Lower blood cholesterol levels.
IV. Inhibit cancer in human breast cells, skin, lung, stomach, mouth and colon cancer in laboratory animals.

Lemon bioflavonoids contain hesperidin as well as proanthocyanidins. Proanthocyandins are defined as a class of nutrients that belong to the flavonoid family. A study conducted for Bordeaux Médical found that proanthocyanidins (also found in teas, black currant, bilberry, cranberry, grape seed, and grape skin) have been shown to strengthen capillaries. They also play an important role in the maintenance of elastin and the stabilization of collagen-crucial for healthy, youthful skin.

Article credit to ->Nicholas Perricone, MD, FACN, CNS, is a board certified dermatologist, award-winning scientist, inventor and the author of multiple #1 New York Times bestselling books.

 

 

 

 

 

Researcher Brené Brown states, “We are the most in-debt, obese, addicted and medicated adult cohort in U.S. history.” Not surprising, is it? We are encouraged to do everything to excess and to frequently change jobs, homes, and partners, all in the name of seeking happiness. When we become exhausted from all this activity, some of us collapse on the couch or on a beach. Others force the body to carry on by using caffeine, sugar, chocolate, recreational and prescription drugs. Instead of pushing so hard and cutting ourselves off from the wellspring of life, let us move toward balance in the Water phase by beginning to make choices to enhance our vitality and long-term health.

 

Extolling the Virtues of Glutathione

       

We have all heard of antioxidants, but have we heard of the mother of all antioxidants? One that is the secret to prevent cancer, heart disease, aging, neurological issues and more? This single antioxidant has been studied in great depth yet most of us know nothing about it and  many doctors have no idea how to address the epidemic of its deficiency in humans.

We are of course talking about Glutathione (pronounced “gloota-thigh-own.”) This is a powerful detoxifier and immune booster and is crucial to a healthy life. Although the body does make some of its own Glutathione, poor food quality, pollution, toxic environments, stress, infections and radiation are all depleting out bodies glutathione.

What is Glutathione?

Glutathione is a simple molecule produced naturally in the body at all times. It’s a combination of three building blocks of protein or amino acids — cysteine, glycine and glutamine.

The best part of glutathione is that is contains sulfur chemical groups that work to trap all the bad things like free radicals and toxins such as mercury and heavy metals in our body then flush them out. This is especially important in our current world of heavy metal bombardment.

Where Can You Get Glutathione?

The body makes it, but it’s often not enough in our strenuous environment. Here are some food sources that either contain glutathione or its precursors to help the body produce more.

• Broccoli
• Brussels sprouts
• Cabbage
• Cauliflower
• Avocados
• Peaches
• Watermelon
• Cinnamon
• Cardamom
• Turmeric (Curcumin)
• Tomatoes
• Peas
• Garlic
• Onions
• Red peppers

Notice they are all healthy foods we often don’t get enough of? This is another big issue with our diets. We consume a lot of junk, meat, dairy and processed foods, items that clinically have been proven to be the number one causes of heart disease and illness yet we consume  them in huge quantities. The key is to limit these and eat a lot of fresh, lively foods that provide nutrients and don’t ask the body to perform a mega job to digest.

You can also increase your exercise as glutathione production increases when you exercise. Breathing and sweating are also great ways to get rid of toxins in the body.

Glutathione Protects Against Chronic Illness

What makes glutathione so important and powerful is that it recycles antioxidants. When your body is dealing with free radicals, it is essentially passing them from one molecule to another. They might go from vitamin C to vitamin E to lipoic acid and then to glutathione where they are cooled off. Antioxidants are recycled at this point and the body can now regenerate another glutathione molecule to go back at it again.

Glutathione is crucial for helping your immune system fight chronic illness as it acts as the carrier of toxins out of your body. Like a fly trap, toxins stick to glutathione and they are carried to the bile into the stools and out of the body. Glutathione is also powerful enough that it has been shown to help in the treatment of AIDS greatly. The body is going to get in touch with oxidants and toxins, the more we can deal with those the better our body will be at staying strong, this is why glutathione is so important.

9 Final Tips

Dr. Mark Hyman has given 9 tips to increase your Glutathione levels. Check them out!

 

1. Consume sulfur-rich foods. The main ones in the diet are garlic, onions and the cruciferous vegetables (broccoli, kale, collards, cabbage, cauliflower, watercress, etc.).

2. Try bioactive whey protein. This is great source of cysteine and the amino acid building blocks for glutathione synthesis. As you know, I am not a big fan of dairy, but this is an exception — with a few warnings. The whey protein MUST be bioactive and made from non-denatured proteins (“denaturing” refers to the breakdown of the normal protein structure). Choose non-pasteurized and non-industrially produced milk that contains no pesticides, hormones, or antibiotics. Immunocal is a prescription bioactive non-denatured whey protein that is even listed in the Physician’s Desk Reference.

3. Exercise boosts your glutathione levels and thereby helps boost your immune system, improve detoxification and enhance your body’s own antioxidant defenses. Start slow and build up to 30 minutes a day of vigorous aerobic exercise like walking or jogging, or play various sports. Strength training for 20 minutes 3 times a week is also helpful.

One would think it would be easy just to take glutathione as a pill, but the body digests protein — so you wouldn’t get the benefits if you did it this way. However, the production and recycling of glutathione in the body requires many different nutrients and you CAN take these. Here are the main supplements that need to be taken consistently to boost glutathione. Besides taking a multivitamin and fish oil, supporting my glutathione levels with these supplements is the most important thing I do every day for my personal health.

4. N-acetyl-cysteine. This has been used for years to help treat asthma and lung disease and to treat people with life-threatening liver failure from Tylenol overdose. In fact, I first learned about it in medical school while working in the emergency room. It is even given to prevent kidney damage from dyes used during x-ray studies.

5. Alpha lipoic acid. This is a close second to glutathione in importance in our cells and is involved in energy production, blood sugar control, brain health and detoxification. The body usually makes it, but given all the stresses we are under, we often become depleted.

6. Methylation nutrients (folate and vitamins B6 and B12). These are perhaps the most critical to keep the body producing glutathione. Methylation and the production and recycling of glutathione are the two most important biochemical functions in your body. Take folate (especially in the active form of 5 methyltetrahydrofolate), B6 (in active form of P5P) and B12 (in the active form of methylcobalamin).

7. Selenium. This important mineral helps the body recycle and produce more glutathione.

8. A family of antioxidants including vitamins C and E (in the form of mixed tocopherols), work together to recycle glutathione.

9. Milk thistle (silymarin) has long been used in liver disease and helps boost glutathione levels.

Sources:

We live in a world designed to help us undo our own mistakes. That’s why we have spell-check, password retrieval systems, and "Are you sure you want to delete?" prompts. These reinforcements, though they sometimes complicate our lives (darn you, autocorrect!), help protect us when we’re vulnerable. So when it comes to diet, it also makes sense to have backups—a support system—that can help in your quest toward achieving your beach-body goals. If you’re already following these twelve principles of healthy eating from The Bikini Body Diet, these supplemental allies will enhance the effects of your diet plan to help you transform your body, gain confidence, and maintain your figure for good.

Magnesium

One major perk of this nutrient is its ability to relax muscles, keep you calm, and promote peaceful sleep, which in itself is a huge part of making any diet plan work. According to the National Institutes of Health, magnesium is needed for more than 300 chemical reactions in the body, including keeping the heart rhythm steady, regulating blood sugar levels, and helping lower blood pressure. Some research also suggests that a higher magnesium intake can reduce the risk of colon cancer, and many studies have shown that magnesium may help treat such conditions as osteoporosis, PMS, migraines, depression, and more. In addition to those health benefits, magnesium can also aid in weight loss and body shaping. A 2013 study in the Journal of Nutrition found that higher magnesium intake was associated with lower levels of fasting glucose and insulin (markers related to fat and weight gain), and one study from England found that a magnesium supplement may have some beneficial effects on reducing fluid retention during the menstrual cycle, helping to alleviate undesirable tummy bloat. The recommend amount of magnesium for women under 30 is 310 milligrams, and 320 for women over 30. You’ll find magnesium in many foods, including leafy green vegetables, beans, and nuts. Supplements in pill or powder form are also widely available at health food stores. Try drinking warm water with a tablespoon of magnesium powder every night before bed: This can help you sleep soundly and stay regular, reducing bloat and discomfort.

Vitamin D

Vitamin D has many benefits for your overall health and bikini body goals, yet most of us are deficient in it. (In fact, if you live north of Atlanta or Phoenix, studies show you’re almost certain to be D-deficient most of the year.) So a daily vitamin D pill may be a necessary supplement to add to your diet. There are studies suggesting that vitamin D aids in increasing muscle strength, while having low levels of it is linked to such things as heart disease and cancer. Some research shows that people with low levels of vitamin D catch more colds or the flu than those with the highest amounts. That’s a benefit itself, but think about the trickle effect too: The more you get sick, the less you feel like exercising and the more susceptible you are to reaching for so-called feel-good foods.

In terms of weight loss, vitamin D may play an even more promising role by helping regulate hunger and appetite. A 2012 Iranian study in Nutrition Journal found that supplementation with vitamin D was associated with a 7-percent decrease in fat, and a small study from the University of Minnesota found a relationship between higher levels of D and fat loss, especially in the belly area. Of course, that doesn’t mean that taking vitamin D is a one-pill-cure-all. But to supplement your good exercise and eating habits, make sure you get the recommended amount every day through diet, sunlight (get at least 15 minutes outdoors, especially during winter months), and supplementation if necessary. You can get vitamin D in a variety of foods, such as fish, eggs, and fortified dairy products; the daily recommended intake is 600 IU. Research shows you’ll get better absorption of a vitamin D supplement if you take it with your largest meal.

Bilberry

The dried fruit and leaves of this plant, related 
to the blueberry, may provide beneficial effects for weight loss due to its antioxidant properties. One 2011 study in the journal Diabeteologia found that a diet high in bilberry (as well as fatty fish and whole grains) improved function of the circulatory system. One of these effects included improved blood pressure and other circulatory issues that are associated with being overweight.

Probiotics

Mounting research is drawing a connection between gut-health aids like probiotics—the healthy bacteria that live in our intestines or gut—and weight control. The ingestion of probiotics, either from foods like yogurt or supplements, has been shown to be effective at everything from boosting the immune system and reducing gastrointestinal problems to treating cancer. Research from the Washington University School of Medicine has linked obesity to a lack of gut flora diversity. Add yogurt to your daily diet, and especially if you’re vegan or lactose-intolerant, be sure to look for probiotic supplements with at least 5 billion active cells.