Best Self Help

Natural Muscle Relief, Natural Joint Relief

Natural Cures for Aching Joints and Muscles

Are you experiencing pain in your joints and/or muscles? Before reaching for a bottle of pills, here are some natural ways to deal with your pain.

Natural Muscle Relief

Maybe you have just started working out again or have started a new job that is very physical. You may go home with sore, aching muscles. Those muscle aches can also be a result of the effects of aging.

Here are a few ways to get relief:

* Cold compress – Applying cold to a muscle numbs and dulls the pain. Nerve endings can’t send messages to the brain. It is a little startling at first but after about twenty minutes your muscle will calm down.

* Massage – It may be hard for you to knead your own muscles when they ache. Go to a professional massage therapist. Let your message therapist know where you are carrying your pain and they can recommend the proper massage technique. Sometimes the knot is deep in the muscle and requires special attention to get relief.

Here is a homeopathic cream for muscle relief and joint relief:

Life Extension Natural Relief 1222 OZ – 2 Cream – Muscle & Joint Health
Price: $28.0
Natural Relief 1222 OZ – 2 Cream

And a book for learning more:

Natural Solutions for Pain-Free Living: Lasting Relief for Flexible Joints, Strong Bones and Ache-Free Muscles
Price: $12.24
This book offers a sorely needed education for what ails many Americans-pain. After the pharmaceutical COX-2 controversy, many people are beginning to wake up and look for alternative treatments. Fortunately, these alternatives exist in natural medicines and supplements and this book offers an easy comprehension of them.

Natural Joint Relief

Each time you move there is a creaking sound. It is not the door but your joints. Here are some ways to stop the pain without medication.

* Non-weight bearing exercises – If the reason for your joint pain is weak muscles or ligaments surrounding the joint, some non weight bearing exercise may help. One exercise that is particularly good: swimming. The natural resistance of the water can help strengthen weaknesses without adding to your pain. Also, performing flexibility movements that target specific muscles and ligaments can stop the transfer of pain to the joints.

* Increase nutrition – Weaknesses can be due to a lack of nutrients in the diet. Increase levels of antioxidants and protein to nourish muscles and joints. Increasing omega-3 fatty acids can reduce incidents of inflammation in the body. Eating more cold water fish can also help.

* Acupuncture – This is an alternative therapy that can release pain in the joints by removing blockages that stop the flow of life-giving energy to the body. The procedure is virtually pain free and new sterile needles are used each time. Some clients feel less joint pain after only a few sessions.

Are you dealing with aching muscles or painful joints? Look for natural remedies to heal your pain.

Summer Nutrition

Are you ready to get revved up for the summer? Here are some tips to keep your body going, even in the heat.

Ways to Stay Healthy in the Heat this Summer

* Drink plenty of water – Water is your friend. Staying hydrated can ward off a multitude of heat-related illnesses. Get in the habit of taking a water bottle with you wherever you go. Sometimes, thirst is mistaken for hunger. With water right at hand, you can quench that thirst and save a few calories in the process.

* Eat cold – Cooking in the kitchen warms up the entire house. Keep things cool with lighter fare. Sandwiches, cold salads and raw foods are quick, easy and portable. Use leftover dinner meats to make sandwiches. Portion foods and keep in containers for quick grabs when you are in a hurry. There is nothing cooler than a fresh fruit salad to whet the appetite on a hot day.

* Eat berries – Fruits of the berry variety are filled with antioxidants. Add a handful to cold cereal in the morning and to yogurt, smoothies and fresh salads. Berries boost your immunity, increase your daily water intake and contain lots of nutrients.

* Gnaw on veggies – Make raw veggies accessible throughout the day. Try veggies in a new way that will have your kids wanting more. Put them on the grill. Slide them on skewers with pieces of fruit. Apply a bit of olive oil and some tasty spices and grill them to perfection. Instead of canned, use fresh veggies. They contain more nutrients and have a unique taste that many people are missing.

* Make smoothies – They are not just for breakfast. Add a dollop of low fat whipped cream to turn an ordinary smoothie into a tasty dessert. Play around with different fruit and/or vegetable combinations until you have a few that you like. Instead of ice cream use sherbet, low fat frozen yogurt, plain yogurt or ice and a hint of fruit juice to sweeten and thicken your creation. Here are 7 Easy Fruit Smoothie Recipes.

* Eat bananas – We already mentioned fruit, but bananas have a special place in our hearts: They are full of potassium. Potassium is an important electrolyte in the body. For active children and adults, lack of potassium can lead to bouts of fatigue, cramping during physical activity and heartbeat irregularities. Bananas are portable and easy to incorporate in your daily routine to boost your metabolism.

Here are some some summer cookbooks for your lazy summer days.

The Absolutely Most Delicious Summer Recipes Cookbook
Price: $4.98
Madison Parker, NOOK Book (eBook), English-language edition, Pub by Artistry House Publishing

Summer in the Country: The freshest recipes from the country and easy-
Price: $9.98
Gooseberry Gooseberry Patch, NOOKbook (eBook), English-language edition, Pub by Gooseberry Patch

The Big Summer Cookbook: 300 fresh, flavorful recipes for those lazy,
Price: $18.29
Celebrate the season’s bounty with these luscious summer recipes! Summer is the most delicious season, when markets burst with the sweetest fruits, the juiciest vegetables, and the freshest, most aromatic herbs. It’s also the season when we gather in parks and backyards for picnics and barbecues, armed with ready supplies of meat for the grill, summery salads and sides, refreshing ice-cold drinks, and delicious desserts. In The Big Summer Cookbook, Jeff Cox shares 300 simple, versatile recipes that range from classic American summertime staples to creative takes on the season’s best produce. Whether you’re hosting a big outdoor party or an intimate dinner on the porch, serving brunch to summer house guests or packing lunch for the beach or lake, you’ll find plenty of great ideas for turning every summer meal into a feast for the soul and the senses. Breakfast and brunch: Lemon Pancakes, Easy Tomato Tarts, and Zucchini QuicheSummer sandwiches and breads: Fish Tacos, Lobster Rolls, and Italian HoagiesFresh, cool salads: Grilled Corn Salad, Watermelon-Mango Salad, and Cole SlawMust-Have main dishes: Blue Cheese and Bacon Burgers, Southern Fried Chicken, and Mango ShrimpFlavorful vegetables and sides: Grill-Roasted Corn on the Cob and Quick Skillet SquashDesserts: Peach Delight, Summer Stone Fruit Cobbler, and Blueberry-Yogurt PopsiclesPlus: frozen drinks, finger foods, dips, dressings, marinades, and much more!

Calm your mind with the Aroma Diffuser Elite

Aroma Diffuser Elite with DVD

Where to buy: www.gaiam.com
Review by: ACHmom

The Aroma Diffuser Elite is a fantastic, mind-calming product. It is a device that not only relaxes your mind and body with the fragrance of 100% aromatherapy oil; the color sensor, if you chose to turn it on, adds gentle and warm light for even more tranquillity. To complete the relaxation, you can listen to beautiful nature sounds to take away the cares of your day. All you have to do is sit comfortably and close your eyes and feel the pressure lifting.

The diffuser comes with a handy remote control, a large LCD display on the front of the device as well as an auto turn-off. This is a safety feature which turns the diffuser off when the water levels are too low. The product also includes a stress relief DVD.

Overall, I think that this device is a great asset to any home. You could put it into your bedroom, and while listening to the nature sounds and breathing in the beautiful aroma of essential oils, fall asleep. The diffuser would equally be at home in a living room to create a calming and relaxing atmosphere for the whole family. It is a bit pricey on first glance, but I think it is worth every cent.

Read more about Gaiam’s Aroma Diffuser Elite with DVD

The Breathing Box

The Breathing Box
Price: $20.00
Where to buy: Gaiam.com

Many of us don’t breathe properly. You might breathe through your mouth, even if your sinuses aren’t blocked. Or you might have shallow breathing, and move your neck and shoulders. Incorrect breathing can lead to an agitated mind and overactive emotions, it can lead to breathlessness or panic breathing, chest pains, feelings of fatigue or a shortage of oxygen supply in your blood.

The Breathing Box includes a DVD, a CD, a booklet as well as nine cards which show you, in easy-to-understand pictures, how to do the various exercises. Gay Hendricks, a well-known author, psychologist and health practitioner, will lead you through a set of breathing techniques to correct your breathing. The exercises, when done on a consistent basis, will increase your well-being. Your stress levels will be reduced, you will find that you sleep well through the night, you will notice your posture improving, you will gain in self-confidence, increase your energy levels and feel like a new person.

I like the fact that this set of techniques and exercises has been FDA-approved and I am certain that it will help everybody using this program to achieve a healthier lifestyle. I like this product and would certainly recommend it to anybody wanting to improve their breathing.

Buy The Breathing Box at Gaiam.com
Breath training has been FDA-proven as a recognized treatment for depression, chronic fatigue, anxiety, and more. Gay Hendricks (author of Conscious Breathing) guides a complete program of techniques that provide a sense of ease and flow, clear fatigue and mental fog, create bliss, expand consciousness, heal emotional trauma, reduce stress and increase energy levels. A complete set of life-changing techniques in a box! 90 minutes. Includes DVD (80 minutes), CD, 48-page book and nine cards. $20

Things we love – Over the Counter Natural Cures

Over the Counter Natural Cures: Take Charge of Your Health in 30 Days with 10 Lifesaving Supplements for under $10
Review by: APCTamara
Price: $7.98 at BarnesandNoble.com

Finding the right supplements for your needs can be a bit of a struggle. With aisles and aisles of different types and brands of supplements and ads, it is hard to find your way around this maze. The author of “Over the Counter Natural Cures: Take charge of Your Health in 30 Days with 10 Lifesaving Supplements for under $10″ is a breath of fresh air. Shane Ellison, the author, explains how to see beyond the slick labels and packaging to get the same supplement for much cheaper elsewhere.

The book is a guide to help you feel better, stronger and fitter with the right type of supplements that won’t cost the earth. A drug chemist by trade, he gives specific ideas of supplements to take to lower blood pressure, to get a glowing and younger-looking skin, reduce the risk of contracting cancer and diabetes, natural cures to reduce anxiety and depression and more. His own experience in how supplements can work to improve health and wellbeing, are reflected in this handy and informative book “Over the Counter Natural Cures”.

Overall, this book gives you lots of insight on how to tackle the supplement maze and how to take advantage of inexpensive supplements to naturally cure conditions that could potentially have a grave impact on your life.

Before taking any supplements, it is advisable to talk to your health care provider, especially if you are pregnant, breastfeeding or taking other medication.

Over the Counter Natural Cures: Take Charge of Your Health in 30 Days
Price: $7.98
Over-the-Counter Natural Cures is your insider guide to the inexpensive, easy ways to dramatically boost your health in less than 30 days. and stay fit and lean forever! Learn more about this title here.

Things We Love – Natural Health Magazine

Natural Health Magazine
Where to buy: http://www.magazines.com/product/natural-health
Review by: ACHMOM

People are increasingly aware of the importance of natural health and a healthy and active lifestyle. Natural Health magazine encourages a healthy lifestyle for the whole family and covers a wide range of health, fitness and active lifestyle issues.

Informative articles include bodywork, vitamins, natural remedies, healthy recipes, pregnancy, men’s fitness, product reviews and much more. Gardening topics, exercise and outdoor sports are also covered in great detail.

The Natural Health Magazine is published 10 times a year by well-known health and fitness publisher, Weider Publications. The magazine includes a consumer guide that gives in-depth information on one special topic with up-to-date research. Readers can send in any questions they might have and these are answered by health professionals in the “Ask the Experts” section of the magazine.

If you are looking for a magazine that covers important issues in natural health, this magazine is for you.

Read more about this title here >

How to Lose Your Sweet Tooth

Sugar is good. There is no other way to say it. Just one bite and we are hooked. But, you can tame it.

Sweets spike the blood sugar and give us a rush. If you are tired, eating sugar can not only taste good but also provide the needed energy – at least for about an hour or so. The downside is that to achieve the same high again you need more sugar.

The Facts

There are misconceptions about sugar. In the body, sugar is okay in moderation. In fact, all foods are okay in moderation. It’s when we eat too much sugar that we have a problem. If you are trying to lose weight, a sweet tooth can derail you.

Ways to Tame the Sweet Tooth

You can lose the sweet tooth without going cold turkey. In fact, cold turkey often increases our cravings for the thing that we are trying to avoid. Don’t think of it as avoiding sugar, but as trying to increase the presence of something else.

* Cut your sugar in half – If you are used to having a double scoop of ice cream, take a single scoop in a bowl instead of on a cone. Track your snacks. If you eat sugar more than once a day, cut back to once a day. It is a start.

* Introduce protein into your diet – It is a fact that protein cuts down on cravings. It also keeps the munchies at bay. Try a small bit at first if you are not used to it. Eat boiled eggs at breakfast or a slice of cheese. Include protein at each meal.

* Up your fiber intake – Fiber cleans out the digestive system and also keeps you feeling full. It is hard to crave sweets with a full belly. Try whole grain breads for sandwiches, oatmeal for breakfast, and add more vegetables.

* Opt for natural sugars – Eating fruits that are sweet not only gives you that sweet taste, but also nutrients like vitamin A and C. For a sweeter taste, try dried fruit where the effects are concentrated. Watch out for added sugar, though. You may want to invest in your own dehydrator.

* Eat before you go out – This is a trick that works. Eat a small snack or protein or a salad before going out to dinner with friends or to a party. It will cut down on grazing on sweet fare.

* Reward yourself without food – Sometimes we reward ourselves with food for promotions and celebrations. Instead, go shopping. A reward of a trinket won’t increase your sweet tooth or your waistline.

You can tame and even lose that sweet tooth. Instead of going cold turkey, take a little time and a few steps to get it done right.

Why you should learn more about Qigong

Are you looking for a relaxation technique that can change your health and your life? If so, you may be a candidate for qigong. This ancient Oriental practice has many benefits for the body.

The thing about yogic practice is that you are never too old to learn. You can begin right now and reap benefits that can improve the next twenty or thirty years of your life. Qigong is a Taoist yoga practice that combines the mind and body in harmony together.

In Oriental practice, qi is also called “chi” (pronounced “chee”). This refers to the life force that runs throughout the body. Each person has a life force that guides their life. It is this qi that keeps the body and mind in balance. For a healthy life, a balanced and unobstructed flow of qi is needed.

Qi flows through what are termed meridian lines. These run along the body and intersect at different points.

Physical Benefits

Qigong may involve movement of the body or movement of the mind. There are different forms of teaching here. With the body experiencing yoga movements, there are physical benefits that go along with it.

The body experiences a greater flexibility, stamina and balance. Muscles are more pliable which leads to greater balance and fewer injuries to the body during daily movements. For busy people, increased stamina is like a boost to the body to keep you moving.

Another physical benefit is total body health. Through movement, any obstructions in the energy flow results in a warm feeling throughout the body. This results in positive changes in the endocrine, cardiovascular, digestive and respiratory systems – to name a few.

Restoring the flow of qi can release toxins from the body to be eliminated via the lymphatic system. Removing toxins from the body results in better-looking skin and also deeper restorative sleep.

Mental Benefits

Some practices of qigong involve focusing the mind to improve that mind/body connection. To focus the energy, one can learn to concentrate on the breathing. This type of practice can result in greater mental clarity and an opening of the “third eye” which gives you insight into higher spiritual plains.

With a relaxed and enlightened mind, one can also achieve emotional peace. Those who practice forms of qigong have noticed that they experience deeper emotions of joy, satisfaction, and acceptance of themselves and others. When situations of loss and grief are experienced, the process of dealing with them is better handled.

For any form of yogic practice like qigong, practice makes perfect. It takes a measure of dedication to keep the flow of life energy moving through the body unobstructed. For more information and a trained teacher, check for local classes in your area.

Homemade Body Scrubs

Skin-smoothing or exfoliating body scrubs can sure be expensive, and there are concerns that they contain harmful chemicals such as dyes, colors and fragrances. Why not make your own? They may be a lot healthier, and they’re certainly cheaper. Here are some recipes for homemade skin-smoothing body scrubs.

1. From the Ground Up

Coffee grounds have a reputation for smoothing out cellulite-ridden areas of the skin. Their texture is also good for exfoliating, and you can’t beat the wonderful smell.

Ingredients:
* 1 cup coffee grounds (don’t get decaffeinated – it’s said that the caffeine helps the cellulite)
* 1/4 cup sea salt
* 1/2 tablespoon sweet almond oil

Simply mix these ingredients together. You can double the recipe if you like. Apply to damp skin with a circular motion, and rinse.

2. Chocolate-y Salt Scrub

Coarse kosher salt makes this a skin-smoothing scrub that gives skin a nice glow. The cocoa is supposed to have a smoothing action similar to the coffee grounds.

Ingredients:
* 2 cups kosher salt
* 1/2 cup oil, such as sweet almond or jojoba
* 1/4 cup apricot kernel oil
* 1/4 cup unsweetened cocoa powder
* 1 teaspoon vanilla

Combine all ingredients and apply to damp skin with a circular, massaging motion and rinse.

3. Sugar Scrub with Yogurt

Yogurt and milk have been known for centuries to be good for the skin. Here is a recipe for a sugar scrub with yogurt.

Ingredients:
* 1 cup coarse sugar, such as turbinado sugar
* 2 tablespoons sweet almond oil
* 1/4 cup coconut oil
* 1 tablespoon plain yogurt
* 1 tablespoon raw honey
* 3-4 drops essential oil of your choice (optional)

In an electric mixer, beat all the ingredients well until they are smooth and creamy. Apply as above.

Classical Pilates for Kids and Young Adults

Classical Pilates Kids and Young Adults DVD
Where to buy: www.amazon.com
Review by: ACHMom

Classical Pilates Kids and Young Adults DVD is a great DVD for your home to keep your family fit. Pilates offers many advantages to growing children. Doing it regularly will help them to develop a healthy alignment of the spine, and in turn their posture will be straight and strong. Other core muscles in their bodies will grow stronger and will improve their overall athletic performance in other sports as well. And let’s not forget that any type of physical exercise is helping your children/young adults to stay healthy and well.

The DVD covers different age groups, so is perfect for parents or teachers with differently aged children. You will find appropriate and safe exercise routines for age groups 5-7, 8 to 10, 10 to 12 and 12-17. The age-appropriate exercises help your kids to increase their focus and concentration, they improve your teen’s self-esteem and body image, help with weight management and increase strength and flexibility

Depending on their age, your kids will be introduced to light weight exercises, the advantage of stability ball routines, mat exercises and more. The DVD is designed to keep even the youngest kids’ interest through special effects and imaginary play.

Overall, I think that this DVD is well worth purchasing as it gives you, as a family, the opportunity to work out together and enjoy the many benefits of Pilates.

Read more about this title >