The Top Apps Helping People Live Organically

In pursuing a healthy, grounded lifestyle, you might be tempted to distance yourself from the technology that is becoming so ubiquitous in our lives. Consider though that as much as a tablet or a smartphone can sap our energies and squander our time, they can also be as much a blessing as they are a curse. It’s all about finding balance. Use your technology thoughtfully and it can even become an instrument of positive change in your life and help you live more organically.

There are now scores of tablet and mobile device apps designed to help people live, eat, play and work more consciously. When it comes to living an organic life in particular there are so many amazing and mindful apps out there. Here are some of the best we’ve found:

Organic Life

organic life app

 

Finding shops and businesses that share your commitment to living organically isn’t always easy – especially when you’re new to an area or traveling. This app automatically pinpoints your location and creates a custom list of organic retailers and restaurants so you can shop and eat mindfully anywhere in the country. From there, you can get directions, download coupons, read and write reviews, and share your favorites with loved ones.

 

 

GoodGuide

goodguide app

Making wise decisions about how you live your life requires understanding what kind of environmental, health and social impact the products you use are making. The GoodGuide database features thought-provoking ratings of more than 170,000 products and companies, making it easy to be socially responsible and safe. Scan barcodes or search to instantly find out if what you’re buying is in line with your core values.

 

Fooducate

fooducate app

 

The food you eat should nourish not only your body, but also your mind, heart and soul. Fooducate lets you make more conscious decisions about how you nourish your whole self by helping you find foods that are cleanly and minimally processed, rich in macro and micro nutrients, and natural antioxidants. Each product you scan is given a score along with information about how that score was derived and when called for, healthy alternatives.

 

Locavore

locavore app

It’s been said that there’s nothing healthier for people or the earth than locally grown seasonal food. This app lets you take an organic, mindful approach to eating by locating the closest farmers’ markets and farms, listing what is in season in your area, and providing thousands of seasonally appropriate recipes. You can even inspire your tribe to eat locally by sharing your favorite farm finds on Facebook.

 

 

Organic Spa Magazine’s Skin Care Guide

organicspaskin

 

What you put on your body can be as important as what you put into your body, which is why Organic Spa Magazine developed an app that highlights the leading skin care and cosmetics companies devoted to helping people find natural, healthy, eco-friendly beauty solutions. Never forget you can look your best without sacrificing your values.

 

 

The Shopper’s Guide to Pesticides

dirty dozen app

 You’ve no doubt heard of the Dirty Dozen and the Clean Fifteen, but it’s often easy to forget what vegetables and fruits appear on which list. The Environmental Working Group has created a duo of apps that bring their definitive guides to uncontaminated eating to your tablet or smartphone. You’ll never again forget which produce should be on your ‘always buy organic’ list and which are okay when conventionally grown.

 

 

Organic Gardening Planting Planner

OG Planting Planner

Your dedication to organic living doesn’t end where your backyard begins, which is why Organic Gardening magazine created an app to make conscious garden management easier. Create an amazing biodynamic garden of flowers, herbs, or food by selecting what you want to grow. The app generates the best dates for seed starting and outdoor planting, as well as optimal harvesting, based on your GPS location.

Remember, there is nothing inherently out of balance about technology. It’s how we approach it that determines whether it becomes a distraction or empowers us to live more authentically and as watchful stewards of Mother Earth.

 

 




The SuperFood Power of Blueberries

Foods that have an incredible array of health benefits that go well beyond their nutrient value are considered Superfoods.  These foods are typically loaded with a combination of critical fatty acids, anti-oxidant phytonutrients, and essential amino acids.    Blueberries contain an extraordinary amount of unique phytonutrients and impressive anti-oxidant scores that make them a superfood.

Blueberries are a native plant to North America.  They grow in shrubs from from 8-10 inches tall  up to 5-6 feet tall.  Maine is considered the largest low bush blueberry producing country.  Michigan produces the most high bush growing blueberries.

This summer superfood is loaded with antioxidant phytonutrients called anthocyanidins.  These nutrients powerfully neutralize free radical damage to the collagen matrix of cells and tissues.  In addition, anthocyanins have been shown to improve capillary integrity and enhance the effects of Vitamin C.

Blueberries Boost Brain Function

The anti-oxidant power of blueberries has been shown to be particularly useful in stabilizing brain function and protecting the neural tissue from oxidative stress.   Studies have shown improvements in memory and learning while reducing symptoms of depression. Blueberries also contain other major phytonutrients including pterostilbene, resveratrol, flavonols and tannins.  All of these have been shown to inhibit the development of cancer cell growth.

The riper the berries the more anti-oxidant power they contain.  To assess the ripeness of the berries look at the color.  Riper berries are a darker blue.  Blueberry season is mid-late summer, June – August.  Most frozen berries are picked at maximal ripeness and frozen.

Very Important to Buy Organic Blueberries:

Purchase organic blueberries due to the high amount of petrochemical pesticides that are used on conventional varieties.  In June of 2011, the Environmental Working Group labeled non-organic blueberries a significant concern.  Blueberries grown in the US ranked 10 out of 53 of the most pesticide laden fruits and vegetables tested.  They have made the list of  the “Dirty Dozen” with this finding.

The term “wild” is considered a marketing term that producers of low bush blueberries have used to help sell their blueberries.  Wild blueberries may or may not be organic.  One should always check labeling and certifications.

Frozen blueberries are fantastic in shakes and smoothies.  Blueberry seeds are significantly smaller than that of other berries such as strawberries, raspberries and blackberries.  The small size makes them less challenging to digest and more palatable in a shake than other berry seeds.

Sources For This Article Include




Beat Alzheimer’s Disease Naturally

Alzheimer’s disease  is one of the fastest growing diseases in the industrial world.  It is characterized by massive degeneration of the brain that causes disruptions in memory, cognition, and personality. Ultimately, Alzheimer’s results in death.  Approximately, 5.4 million Americans have Alzheimer’s and that number is expected to go up to 15 million by the year 2050.  Take action now to prevent and reverse Alzheimer’s disease with natural strategies.

Alzheimer’s disease cripples the brain to the point where new memories cannot be formed. In end stage Alzheimer’s, those afflicted cannot take care of their most basic needs.  Most individuals survive for 5-10 years.

Alzheimer’s Disease Creates a Massive Economic Burden

These individuals need constant caregiving which creates a massive economic burden on the family.   New reports show there are more than 15 million Americans providing care for someone with Alzheimer’s.  This is a tremendous financial, physical, and emotional burden. The average caregiver taking care of someone with Alzheimer’s encounters over $50,000 in out of pocket expenses each year.

Research has shown that Alzheimer’s disease development and progression is highly influenced by lifestyle factors.  A recent study published in the Journal of Alzheimer’s Disease confirmed earlier reports that Alzheimer’s is characterized by chronic inflammation and insulin resistance in the brain.  Researchers have titled this pathophysiological pattern type-3 diabetes.

Poor Blood Sugar Signaling

These researchers found that as blood sugar signaling patterns are disrupted, it leads to elevated blood sugar and the formation of Advanced Glycolytic End Products (AGE’s).  AGEs are highly inflammatory and they cause massive destruction throughout the body and have an affinity for neurological tissue.  The AGEs destroy cell membrane function and damage insulin receptor activity creating a vicious cycle of elevated blood sugar and inflammatory stress.

The brain is primarily water, fat, and cholesterol.  These are all key building blocks for promoting healthy brain function and rebuilding a damaged brain.  The proper diet to beat Alzheimer’s is rich in phytonutrient dense vegetables, healthy fats, and clean protein sources.  Healthy fat sources such as coconut, avocados, olive oil, and sprouted nuts and seeds must take a central role in the diet to promote healthy brain function.

Clean Proteins and SuperFoods

Healthy proteins include wild-caught fish, grass-fed red meat and organic chicken, turkey, and eggs.  Grass-fed beef is loaded with long-chain omega 3 fatty acids, saturated fat, cholesterol, vitamin B12, and conjugated linoleic acid, which are all necessary for healthy neurological function. Additionally, grass-fed beef contains carnosine, wild salmon contains astaxanthin, and organic pasture-fed eggs have retinol, lutein, and zeaxanthin.  These fat-soluble anti-oxidants protect the brain and neurological tissue from AGEs and other damaging free radicals.

100% grass-fed raw, fermented dairy products such as amasai, kefir, cheese, and whey are packed full of brain building nutrients and they protect the gut and de-inflame the body.  Superfood herbs like turmeric, cinnamon, cloves, oregano, rosemary, thyme, ginger, basil, boswellia, etc. should be used as much as possible.

Regular Exercise & Vitamin D3

Regular exercise and sun exposure are extremely critical factors to boost oxygenation, anti-aging hormones, and vitamin D3 levels.  Vitamin D3 supplementation of 10,000 IU daily is often needed.  Whole food based multivitamins, extra B complex vitamins, zinc, and selenium as well as probiotics and purified omega 3 fatty acids should be used as well.

Individuals at risk for Alzheimer’s  have sleep challenges throughout their lives and have reduced melatonin signaling systems in their brain.  Establishing regular sleep cycles, going to bed early, and getting 8 full hours of sleep is essential.  Using certain teas with herbs like valerian root, chamomile, and passionflower can be especially useful.

Sources For This Article Include:




Health Benefits of Avocados

The Anti-Aging Power of Avocados

Foods that have an incredible array of health benefits that go well beyond just their nutrient value are considered superfoods.  These foods are typically loaded with a combination of critical fatty acids, anti-oxidant phytonutrients, and essential amino acids.  Avocados are one of the best anti-aging superfoods to consume.

Avocados are native to Central America and were a favorite food of the Aztec Indians.  The avocado plant is part of the flowering plant family Lauraceae, which includes camphor, bay laurel ,and cinnamon.  Avocados are considered a fruit.  They are cultivated in tropical climates throughout the world, including southern Florida and California.

Avocado’s Have a Long, Rich History

The oldest known evidence of avocado use as a food was found in a cave in Puebla, Mexico.  The dates of the writings are thought to be from around 10,000 BC.  The two major types of avocados are the Hass Avocado and Florida Avocado.  The Hass avocado was named after Rudolph Hass who developed an avocado farm and obtained a patent for the avocados he was growing.

The Florida avocados are significantly larger than the Hass avocado’s but are lower in overall fat and calories.  The Hass avocado is more dense in monounsaturated fatty acids than the Florida avocado.  The Hass avocado averages between 18-30% fatty acids while the Florida avocado has about 3-5% fats.  This equals out to the Florida avocados being about 25-50% of the total fat content found in the Hass avocados.

Avocados Rich in Healthy Fats & Anti-Oxidants

This amazing fruit is very high in healthy oleic acid.  This is a monounsaturated fat that helps increase fat metabolism.  It is also rich in the powerful carotenoid anti-oxidants lutein and zeaxanthin as well as Vitamin E (tocopherol).

These anti-oxidants decrease oxidative stress and allow for a healthier cellular environment.  Other critical components include ionic potassium and folate.  These elements are alkaline forming in the body, helping to buffer acidic wastes that accumulate within the human tissue and bloodstream.

Avocados Enhance Nutrient Assimilation

Avocados are a terrific complement to a vegetable based meal.  Most vegetables, particularly in their raw state, contain a high amount of carotenoid based anti-oxidants.  Studies have shown that these anti-oxidants are lipophilic (fat-loving) and are absorbed best in the body when combined with a healthy fat such as oleic acid.

A study published in the Journal of Nutrition in March 2005 showed that adding avocados to salads increased absorption of alpha-carotene, beta-carotene, and lutein 7.2, 15.3, and 5.1 times higher, respectively, than the average amount of these carotenoids absorbed when avocado-free salad was eaten.

Hass avocados have been found to be the most densely concentrated variety of the avocado fruit.  They contain the highest content of lutein and zeaxanthin and other fat-soluble nutrients.  Both types of avocados are terrific for the digestive system as they contain a good variety of both soluble and insoluble fibers.

Avocados’s Have Anti-Aging Nutrients

Avocados are one of the best anti-aging foods that prevent wrinkles and skin aging. The D-manno-heptulose sugar that is found in avocados has been shown to improve the skin’s epidermis by boosting collagen formation.  Avocados also contain specific amino acids and carotenoid anti-oxidants that reduce age spots, soothe inflammation, and heal scars and burns.

When looking to find a ripe avocado, it is best to feel the consistency rather than judge them off of their color.  Ripe avocados that are still good are typically firm but have slight give to them.  Any sort of mushy consistency is a warning sign that the inside meat is oxidized and rotten.

Refrigerating your avocados will increase their shelf life while putting them in a bag with an old banana peel will make them ripen faster.

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How to Detoxify Bad Estrogens

Aging and high levels of physical, chemical, and emotional stress are associated with the loss of progesterone in women and testosterone in men.  When these key hormones are depleted, it causes a state of estrogen dominance.  This state of estrogen dominance is one of the major factors associated with degenerative disease processes.

“As a species, we`re on a fast track to extinction,” says Ori Hofmekler, author of The Anti-Estrogenic Diet. “In the past few decades, men have lost 50% of their sperm count and within only one generation, the average man’s sperm count and testosterone have dropped by 20%. Women are no better. Staggering figures show that most women today are suffering from female disorders and three out of ten women between the ages of 35 to 60 will develop breast cancer.”

Xenoestrogenic Chemicals

Most conventional food products and modern lifestyle habits are estrogenic in nature. The over reliance on highly processed, chemically-laden industry based goods and products seems to be the major culprit.  Xenoestrogens are artificially made compounds produced by industry. These differ chemically from archiestrogens (naturally occurring) produced by living organisms.

Xenoestrogens mimic the effects of true estrogen and interact with cellular receptor sites. This process contributes to estrogen excess and blocks the effects of true estrogen. To make matters worse, these endocrine disruptors lodge in fat cells where they are resistant to breakdown. Many of these chemicals will act in a synergistic effect when combined with other endocrine disrupters. This synergistic process exponentially enhances their effects within the body causing major problems at the cellular level.

Overburdened Liver

This excessive bombardment of artificial hormones taxes the liver, which desperately tries to break down the excess to effectively eliminate it from the body.  Over time, the hormone is stored in fat cells.  Chronic liver stress causes severe problems with toxicity, digestion, metabolism, and inflammation among other things.  The symptoms of this include high cholesterol as well as lowered energy and immunity.

Poor liver function causes an inadequate breakdown of older hormones, allowing them back into the bloodstream in an even more toxic form than when they originally entered the liver.  The toxic form of estrogen dramatically increases the risk for breast cancer, endometriosis, ovarian cysts, cervical dysplasia, prostate issues, menopause, andropause (male menopause) and thyroiddisorders.

Estrogenic Foods & Environmental Sources

Certain foods are full of estrogenic molecules and chemicals.  These include conventional meat and dairy, which are loaded with hormones and antibiotics from animals that were also fed a diet rich in estrogenic grains.  Soy isoflavinoids are highly estrogenic as are sugars, additives, preservatives, and processed foods and beverages.  Grains and beer (fermented barley) are highly estrogenic as well.

Major environmental sources of estrogenic substances include plastics and canned goods.  Personal care products, oral contraceptives, pharmaceuticals, Styrofoam products, pesticides, and herbicides are highly estrogenic.  Be sure to avoid typical laundry and dishwashing detergents, household cleaners, and air fresheners which are all loaded with estrogenic chemicals.

Anti-Estrogenic Foods

There are many great foods that help the body detoxify estrogen.  Cruciferous vegetables such as broccoli, cauliflower, Brussel sprouts , and cabbage contain several powerful nutrients that detoxify bad estrogenic molecules.  These nutrients include Indole-3 Acetate, Indole-3 Carbonyl and Diindolylmethane.  These cruciferous veggies also include sulfur, containing nutrients such as Sulfuraphane and Phenyl Isothiocyanates that enhance liver detoxification processes and destroy cancer cell formation.

Anti-inflammatory foods that are rich in saturated and omega-3 fatty acids such as 100% organic, grass-fed beef and dairy, organic poultry, wild-caught salmon, and wild game are anti-estrogenic.  Plant based fats such as avocados, coconut oil, and olive oil are all powerful anti-estrogenic superfoods.  Raw nuts and seeds such as almonds, pecans, walnuts, chia, and hemp seeds are rich in anti-estrogenic plant sterols.

Anti-Estrogenic Herbs

Onions, garlic, and scallions are rich in sulfur containing amino acids and the powerful anti-oxidant quercetin that both help the liver detoxify at a higher level and reduce the production of estrogen.  Herbs such as oregano, thyme, rosemary, sage, and turmeric are loaded with volatile oils that promote liver detoxification.  Turmeric has a potent ability to destroy estrogen receptor positive cancer cells which are the most commonly found cells in breast, uterine, ovarian, and prostate cancer.

Using organic acids is an advanced strategy for liver and gut health that enhances the body’s ability to remove these unwanted estrogenic molecules.  Squeeze fresh lemon, which is rich in citric acid, in water and on salads, veggies, meats, and other dishes.  Apple Cider Vinegar contains acetic acid; fermented raw dairy from grass-fed cows contains lactic acid.  There are other products that contain fermented superherbs in an organic acid base that are extraordinarily powerful for enhancing detoxification processes and neutralizing bad estrogen metabolites.

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The Health Benefits of Hawthorne Berry

Hawthorn berry is a grouping of tree plants in the rose family that is native to the temperate regions of Europe, Middle East, Asia, and North America.  Parts of the Middle East consider the plant sacred. Many historians believe it may have been the Crown of Thorns worn by Jesus during the Crucifixion.  This medicinal herb is known to be one of the greatest natural agents for improving cardiovascular function.

Hawthorn is endorsed as a cardiovascular aid by Commission E- an important branch of the German government that studies and approves natural therapies.  It is widely used in Europe to improve the circulatory system, treat angina, high blood pressure, cardiac arrhythmia, and congestive heart failure.  It is renowned for its ability to strengthen the heart and blood vessels and restore healthy muscular tone to the heart wall.

Powerful Anti-Oxidant Nutrients

Hawthorn berry is loaded with a wide array of powerful anti-oxidant nutrients.  Anti-oxidants neutralize free radicals and reduce oxidative stress and tissue damage in the body.  The unique blend of anti-oxidants found in hawthorn come from a group of phytonutrients.  These include tannins, flavonoids, proanthocyanidins, and phenolic acids.  The standardization of hawthorn products is based on the overall content of flavonoids (2.2%) and proanthocyanidins (18.75%).

Hawthorn has been well studied in individuals with congestive heart failure.  Five of the six major studies performed found dramatically improved symptoms (such as shortness of breath and fatigue).  One study showed that hawthorn (taken at 900mg/day) for 2 months was as effective as low doses of captopril (leading heart medication) in improving common symptoms associated with congestive heart failure.

Unique Anti-Oxidant Blend

The unique anti-oxidant blend within Hawthorn creates a powerful vasodilating effect.  It acts to improve blood vessel endothelial function to where the vessel is able to open with less resistance.  This allows greater blood flow in working tissues and improves oxygen utilization.  This is primarily due to the flavonoids rutin and vitexin along with the proanthocyanins.

Hawthorn improves heart cell metabolism and enhances the flow of electrolytes across the cardiac cells.  This prevents or corrects heart rhythm abnormalities and strongly encourages a healthy cardiac rhythm.

Hawthorne Improves Cardiovascular Function

Hawthorne contains flavones that enhance the function of certain cardiac enzymes.  This effect increases the heart’s contractile force, which effectively boosts stroke volume while increasing the heart’s tolerance to hypoxic conditions.  It also improves the heart’s ability to create energy through anaerobic metabolism which improves the heart’s ability to withstand stress.

Hawthorn also acts to inhibit angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE).  Elevated ACE causes an increase in angiotensin II and systemic vasoconstriction.  This process elevates blood pressure.  By modulating ACE levels, hawthorn helps to normalize blood pressure and reduce stress on the cardiovascular system.   The body usually takes two to four weeks to adapt to the hawthorn and have lasting effects on blood pressure.

Improves Tissue Collagen

Hawthorn also helps protect joints with its unique blend of antioxidants. These phytonutrients fend off specific classes of free radicals that are known to damage tissue collagen resulting in arthritic conditions.  Natural remedies that support healthy collagen improve the health of joints, skin, hair, and nails.

When getting hawthorn, be sure to get the whole plant – leaves, flowers, and berry.  The berries contain more proanthocyanins while the flowers and leaves contain more vitexin.  The most effective way to consume hawthorn, if you are unable to get it fresh, is in a dried and ground form.

Put the fresh plant or dried form into shakes or teas and consume daily.  Due to its antioxidant and cardiovascular boosting effects it is great to use pre/post exercise.  This improves exercise recovery by improving oxygen flow and neutralizes scavenging free radicals from damaged tissues.

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Kill Parasites with Home Remedies

Parasites are living organisms that live off of a host organism.  Parasites take and utilize the host organisms nutrients and in so doing hurt the host organism.  Parasites take on a number of different forms and can thrive throughout the body.  They most often live within the human intestines.  It is estimated that about 50% of Americans have an abundance of parasitic organisms in their gut. Take action and cleanse your system of parasites naturally.

How do We Get Parasites?

Parasites enter the human body through the air we breathe, the food we eat, and the water we drink. In 3rd world countries the most common way to encounter parasites is through contaminated water.  Anyone traveling to a foreign country should be cautious about drinking the water. Poor sanitation and poor hygiene are the most common ways people encounter parasites.  In America, parasites are spread through pork products and shellfish as well as contaminated food and water.

There are thousands of different types of parasites that are common to humans.  Protozoa consist of a single cell and multiply in enormous numbers inside the human intestine. The most commonly found protozoic parasites are giardia, neospora, amoebae, toxoplasmosis, cryptosporidium, and sarcocystis.

Parasites and Worms

Another form of parasite is the Helminth worm.  This includes tapeworms, pinworms, hookworms, threadworms, roundworms and others.  Many individuals doing a parasite cleanse will see the worms in their stools as they are eliminated from the body.

The body’s immune system goes after the parasites once they are identified.  Often times the parasites are extremely strong and multiply too quickly for the immune system to keep them at bay.  Some of the most common symptoms associated with intestinal parasites include diarrhea, gas, bloating, flu-like symptoms, nausea, rashes, joint pain, chronic fatigue, and chronic sinusitis.

Destroy Parasites in Your Body

Parasites love sugar and everything that turns into sugar.  So the best way to starve the parasites is through using healthy fasting and cleansing strategies while eliminating as much sugar and grains as possible from the diet.

Several herbs and foods act as very strong antiparasitic agents.  Extra-virgin coconut oil is loaded with medium chain triglycerides that enhance the immune system in its battle against pathogens.  Raw garlic and onions provide sulfur containing amino acids that are antiparasitic.  Eat six tablespoons of raw, extra virgin coconut oil, one whole clove of garlic, and one large red onion daily to help parasite proof your body.

Dried oregano and especially essential oil of oregano are extremely volatile and antiparasitic.  Use 2-3 drops of oregano oil in water with fresh squeezed lemon and drink this 3x daily.  Clove works just as well so you could also substitute or use clove oil with oregano oil.  Ginger, wormwood, black walnut are also commonly used in antiparasitic strategies.

Fasting with fermented drinks such as fermented whey from grass-fed cows and fermented ginger, kombucha, coconut kefir, apple cider vinegar, etc. are powerful tools to help destroy parasites. Many holistic health coaches recommend a three to twenty-one day low calorie, liquid diet that is rich in fermented beverages, water and fresh squeezed lemon.  Probiotic supplements are highly recommended to help destroy parasites and re-innoculate the gut.

After the cleansing period, it is especially important to utilize high quality fermented raw dairy and vegetables.  Raw, grass-fed fermented dairy products like amasai & cheese and kimchi, sauerkraut, and fermented veggies should be used abundantly.  These foods are rich sources of L-glutamine, an amino acid that helps rebuild the gut.  These fermented foods also contain very powerful strains of good bacteria, organic acids, and enzymes that act to keep parasites out of the body.

If you are in the market for supplements to help speed along the process of ridding the body of parasites I recommend MicroDefense – Pure Encapsulations and Oil of Oregano, two powerful supplements for ridding the body of parasites.” – Michael Edwards

Sources For This Article Include:
http://www.drjockers.com/2012/11/beat-parasites-naturally/

http://www.buzzle.com/articles/intestinal-parasites-in-humans.html

http://www.naturalnews.com/032154_candida_solutions.html