The body tries to maintain a state of balance called homeostasis. Part of this includes maintaining a normal, neutral pH factor. PH determines whether something is acidic, alkaline (base) or buffered. The scale runs from one to thirteen, with seven representing the middle or buffered state.

Acidic pHs are on the lower range, less than seven. Alkaline pHs are on the higher end, above seven. For optimum functioning, the body seeks to return to a level that is in the middle. The fluid in the body that runs over and through every cell and organ is the biological matrix.

When it is neutral, it is not reacting with other chemicals leading to dysfunction. It has been theorized that a body that is too acidic can lead to problems such as cancers, gastrointestinal issues, decreased immunity and a lack of overall well-being.

Going basic

The body can’t maintain its neutral pH without help. Part of the equation is the foods that we eat. Sometimes, the foods that we choose don’t seem like a big deal but they can dramatically change the make-up of our inner life.

When foods are broken down in the body and digested, they leave behind a residue called “ash.” That “ash” determines what type of effect those foods have on the body, whether alkaline or acidic. To return your body from acidic to a more neutral pH balance, more alkaline ash needs to be added to your body through your food.

Experts suggest that a diet that ensures a proper balance in the body needs to contain both alkaline and acidic foods. About 20 percent of the diet can be acidic while about 70 to 80 percent is alkaline foods.

So what are these foods and where can you get them? They are foods that we already eat except that we don’t always eat them in the proper proportions for optimum health. Here is an example of acidic foods: meats, dairy, saturated fats, alcohol and sweets.

Sweets or processed sugary foods are best eaten in moderation anyway. Alcohol is also best in moderation. Saturated fats are a contributor to high cholesterol and not the good kind either.

What about the alkaline side? Usually these are the foods that are healthier for you in the first place. Think of green leafy vegetables, most fruits, healthy oils (olive, flaxseed), onions, honey, syrup and herbal tea. Eating more of them tips the balance inside towards alkaline and a cleaner, detoxified body.

Are you looking to change how you feel inside and out? Try an alkaline ash diet.

PH

PH refers to the acid or alkaline level in the body. Think of an Alka-Seltzer. Its job is to neutralize the acid in your stomach. They work wonders when you get an upset stomach. Too much acid is churning up and a base (or alkaline substance) is what you need to neutralize that acid.

Well, the internal environment of your body loves to maintain a neutral state. It’s called homeostasis. But, sometimes, the foods that we eat can swing the pH level to the acidic or the alkaline side. To counteract that and the effects within the body (high blood pressure and the threat of illnesses like cancer) that same food can be used.

Acidic Ash

Foods are made up of all sorts of smaller substances: vitamins, minerals, chemical compounds and so on. It is some of this residue, or “ash,” that is left behind when the body digests food. That residue determines the pH of your body’s fluid matrix. Too many of one kind of food is not usually healthy.

Experts have talked about the benefit of an alkaline ash diet to help eliminate some illnesses and to also increase immunity and energy levels. So, why would you need an acidic ash diet?

Have you ever had a stone inside your body, maybe a kidney or a gallstone? They are calcified deposits that become lodged in an organ. Stones can also contain other minerals like phosphorus or magnesium. When they move, they can cause intense pain and damage.

Acidic ash diets may be just what the doctor ordered for people who have experienced stones in the past or who are susceptible to stones. Increasing your acidic intake means knowing the right types of foods to eat to lower the alkaline levels in your body.

Here are a few of the foods that you can eat: meats, dairy, yeast, grains, chocolate, sugar and some fruits. Remember to add to your diet in moderation. Too many acidic foods can lead to a condition called acidosis, where there is a lower than normal alkaline presence in the blood – which is not healthy. At each meal, add a bit of extra protein in the form of meat to increase your acidic load. If you aren’t keen on meat, you can add dairy products or another of the food items from the list above.

Food plays an even more important part in how your body runs than even you may have realized before. An acidic ash diet may be prescribed for those who have certain health problems (stones).

Giving and receiving flowers is an antiquated custom that shows no signs of stopping. But it’s more than that, too. The old adage about stopping and smelling the roses exists for a reason – flowers heal.

Fragrance

The smell of flowers can enliven, relax, or induce happiness. It can instantly call up memories. Smell is a very powerful sense, and it is said that it evokes memory more so than the other four senses. Roses can bring on a happy mood in one sniff. The scent of lavender induces sleep. Lilac flowers evoke sensations of antiquity. Within these generalities, flower scents can mean something different for each individual.

Color

There has been quite a bit of research into the therapeutic effects of color on the human mind and emotional state. Some colors are said to promote physical and mental healing. Give yellow flowers to someone with abdominal pain, as yellow is said to relieve cramps in that area of the body. Orange and red blooms can help with breathing difficulties. Lavender, blue, periwinkle, and purple flowers bring relaxation and calm.

Beauty

Just being surrounded by beautiful things heals the mind and heart. This is why some people feel so stressed in a messy, cluttered environment – they crave beauty and order. Flowers, being both symmetrical and softly natural, provide a balance between free form and order.

Touch

Touching flowers can also have a healing effect. This is called psychometry, and involves transmitting the life-energy of the flower into the mind of the person. Even if you don’t subscribe to psychometry, the soft and velvety petals of a flower feel lovely and enhance the experiences of the other senses.

Flowers for Seniors

It is interesting to note how flowers have been shown to have a special positive effect on seniors. This age group is prone to depression and memory loss, and the accompanying withdrawal from society these troubles bring.

A significant study and follow-up research in 2000 and 2001 indicated that flowers had a profound effect on these issues. Depression decreased significantly among those seniors in the study who received flowers. Amazingly, memory was also enhanced among the flower recipients – short-term and long-term.

Another astonishing find from this research was the increase in social companionship among the flower recipients. They actually expanded their social contacts and were more engaged with their community members.

See -  there are more reasons than just pretty smells to stop and smell the flowers!

But if we can cultivate a deep and abiding sense of inner peace, which holds even amid life’s ebbs and flows, we have come close to mastering the art of living.

Inner peace starts with cultivating a healthy perspective and acceptance of yourself.

Here are 13 tips to help you in be more at peace with yourself.

1. Don’t try to be somebody else. Recognize that you are uniquely designed for a specific purpose. You will only frustrate yourself trying to be like someone else. Besides, even that person you envy has his or her private struggles. It has been said that the only perfect people are the ones you don’t know.

2. Separate societal accolades from what really matters. Some of the people you may envy are idolized by society, but social standards are not the only ones. Character is what counts, and you may well have much more character than someone who is popular.

3. Nobody’s perfect. Internalize this truth and adjust your expectations of yourself accordingly.

4. Don’t focus on what you lack; be grateful for what you have received.

5. Appreciate nature. Look at the trees, plants, animals, starry skies, sunrises and sunsets as gifts to you.

6. Don’t feel like you have to be productive every moment of every day (and night!). Recognize the importance of “down time,” and don’t feel guilty about taking some.

7. Reduce mess and clutter in your home. You will feel more at peace in general if you do this.

8. Manage your time effectively. While you needn’t feel like you have to work every minute, a good schedule where you feel productive and that allows for leisure time can give you a great sense of peace.

9. Make lists so you don’t have to hold everything in your head at once. Nothing undermines peace like a bunch of jumbled thoughts! Your lists should include long-term projects and immediate to-dos.

10. Let things go that you can’t control. When it comes down to it, we really can’t control nearly as much as we would like to.

11. Keep a journal or scrapbook. For some, just the act of organizing their thoughts and keeping a record of their lives brings peace. For others, getting their thoughts out on paper is therapeutic in itself.

12. Let the past go; it can not be changed. Learn to embrace past experiences as learning opportunities. Share with others what you have learned from your mistakes. Your sense of peace will increase if you use your negative past to have a positive impact on your (or someone else’s) future.

13. Spend time with yourself. You can’t be at peace with someone you don’t know.

Before you reach for over-the-counter medications, try a soothing acupressure massage.

Accupressure is a form of ancient Chinese medicine that is used to heal the body of pain and discomfort.

Here in the Western world, many of us are discovering that this type of holistic healing can work with traditional medicine to deal with ailments without all of the harsh side effects of some treatments.

What is Acupressure?

Maybe you have heard about acupuncture. Acupressure is similar except instead of small needles, pressure is delivered via the fingertips to achieve the same kind of result.

Before we go further, here is some background on the technique. The belief behind acupressure is that the body is made up of energy. When the body is well, the energy flows unobstructed along certain channels called meridians. If the energy, or chi, is obstructed in some way, then we begin to feel ill in different areas of the body or the mind.

The body was created to heal itself. Acupressure is designed to help it do just that. By applying pressure at certain points according to touch and meridian maps, the chi can be freed and then the body will do the rest.

Benefits of Acupressure

Acupressure can be performed in a variety of positions: standing, sitting or lying down. For better comfort, lying down provides access to all areas that may be affected by blocked energy lines.

The massage therapist has been trained to feel and recognize when there is a blockage such as a tensed or knotted muscle. Here, blood flow may also be blocked. By kneading that area with the right amount of pressure, not only is the muscle restored to proper function, but toxins are also released to flow to the parts of the body where they are processed and excreted.

Some clients feel relief almost immediately, especially if the blocked area has been that way for some time. Massages last about fifteen minutes. You may be advised to drink lots of water to replenish the body after the removal of toxins. The first time there may also be some discomfort, but nothing should be painful to you.

Acupressure has been known to alleviate certain common symptoms we deal with everyday. The most obvious is muscle pain and joint pain. When the body is stressed, we can carry that in these two places. Gentle massage can release those muscles for improved circulation and pain relief. Releasing blockages in the area of the neck and shoulders can help reduce headache pain and other head problems like sinus trouble.

Other conditions that acupressure may be able to help you alleviate include:
* Menstrual cramps
* Morning sickness
* Fatigue
* Diarrhea and other bowel troubles
* Oral pain

Acupressure Books for Further Study and Accupressure Training:

Acupressure Potent Points: A Guide to Self Care for Common Ailments

The Acupressure Atlas

Menopause Acupressure: Natural, Safe & Easy Relief

Aromatherapy uses essential oils to create a variety of products that are used in healing techniques. Common substances known to provide therapeutic effects such as lavender, basil and lemon are subjected to an extraction process to basically remove their essence. It is these essences that are the basis of aromatherapy. The oils used in a massage or other healing process are in their purest form.

Before the oil can be used, it needs a carrier oil to dilute it. A small amount of the essential oil is added to the appropriate carrier such as walnut, sunflower and flaxseed oils. Now the essential oil is safe to use on the skin. Without the carrier oil, these substances are too strong to be used alone.

Essential oils are used in aromatherapy for a variety of reasons pertaining to their properties. They can be used to relieve headaches, improve mood, increase digestive health, stop morning sickness and alleviate respiratory ailments – to name a few.

Tips for working with essential oils

The oils can be purchased in their potent, pure form if you are not knowledgeable about creating them yourself. Applying them directly to the skin can cause burns. It is advised that they be stored in a cool, dry place out of reach of children. They may end up drinking the oils or spilling them on themselves if your supplies are kept down low at their level.

Wear gloves when mixing aromatherapy oils. Your skin can burn too if some spills on you. Also, these oils are absorbed into the skin and then the bloodstream. Handling them often without gloves can lead to a toxic level of exposure in your body. Even smelling them in excess can cause dizziness, fainting and headaches. Use a ventilated area for creating the oils and other products. This dissipates the smell so that you breathe easier.

Before using an aromatherapy oil, consult your doctor. Some natural and homeopathic products contain substances that can interfere with traditional medications you might be taking. He or she can check to see if any of the properties of your essential oils will cause a reaction.

Aromatherapy oils are created using essential oils and a carrier. While very little of the concentrated form is used, it is still important to handle them with care.

The various hair removal methods each have their own advantages and disadvantages. Here’s a quick breakdown of the types, how they work and their pros and cons.

* Shaving is by far the least expensive of all hair removal methods. Your costs would include the razor and desired shaving cream. In fact the low cost is the biggest benefit. The worst part is how temporary this method is. Most people will have to shave again every one to three days.

* Creams or depilatories are temporary methods of hair removal. The pros include being inexpensive and easy to do. They also work quickly. The cons are that some of the creams can be harsh on sensitive skin. They are also messy and the results don’t last more than two weeks before you have to repeat the process.

* Sugaring is another hair removal method which is inexpensive. While this does last longer than shaving and creams (up to six weeks at a time) it can be quite painful. The sugaring pastes are all-natural which is great for those concerned about the environment. The cost is approximately $10 for a small area like the upper lip and $75 per leg if you want them sugared.

* Waxing may be another hair removal choice if you’re concerned about cost. It is quick and inexpensive, which are positives for this method. However, some people have adverse reactions to the wax, it can be quite painful, and it only lasts three to six weeks before having to repeat. Costs are comparable to sugaring.

* Electrolysis is a permanent solution for the removal of hair. It is the process of passing a small electrical current through a needle and into the hair follicle. This benefit of this method is it kills the hair so it doesn’t grow back. Unfortunately, it is expensive if you have an area of any size to be treated. The process takes up to thirty half-hour visits which cost approximately $60 per visit. If it isn’t done by a professional, skin damage can occur.

* Laser hair removal is accomplished by a professional who uses a laser beam to target the hair follicle. The pro of this method is that it disables the hair follicle much like electrolysis. The cons include some skin discomfort at the site of the treatment and the expense associated with it. You will need five or six treatments which are spaced a month apart. Each session can cost $200 or more depending upon where you live.

Hair removal can be inexpensive or it can break the bank. By looking at the above methods, you can see that each one has their own advantages and disadvantages. With this information you can make a better informed decision about which method is the best choice for you.

It’s no wonder we can sometimes find ourselves out of shape. We don’t always have time to take care of ourselves.

Experts will tell you to of the advantages of taking care of yourself, however. Following are working mother’s fitness tips which can help you.

Even if you don’t think you have a lot of time, there’s still much you can do to get in better shape. In fact, some experts are saying that rather than spending hours working out, it is better to exercise twenty minutes three times a week. Do you have twenty minutes you can spare? If your day is full, making time for those twenty minutes could be the most important part of your day.

Before going any further, remember it’s important to take care of yourself. If you don’t take care of your own needs, including getting fit and healthy, you won’t feel well enough to do the things you need to do. Give yourself permission to do what’s best for you. Devoting time to your own health will benefit everyone involved: you, your family and your boss.

Make fitness a priority. Put your twenty minute exercise time on your calendar in the same way you would any other appointment. Instead of going to lunch three days a week with your friends or co-workers, take those days to walk during your lunch break. You can still eat a light lunch, spend twenty minutes walking, and then get back to work. Enlist your friends to join you and you could all feel better.

Get your family involved. Exercising as a family can do more than make you feel healthier. It can allow you time to reconnect when everyone has a busy schedule. Take a walk after dinner or ride bicycles. Does your family have a pool? Swimming is great exercise and can be so much fun.

It may have been a long time since you’ve done any exercising. Start out slow so you don’t injure yourself. Pace yourself and then work yourself up to twenty minutes of exercise. You can do some research to determine what your exercising heart rate should be to get the most benefit for the activity you’ve chosen.

Perhaps you are too busy even to take twenty minutes out of your day three times a week. Maybe your family is too busy as well. Why not sit down as a family and write down everything everyone does? Give everyone a color and create a calendar with everyone’s appointments or obligations for every day of the week. If you look at your calendar and there aren’t any down times except for when you sleep, it may be time to think about having everyone cut back a little.

Determine which activities are absolutely necessary. This would be going to school for children and going to work for working adults. Those are non-negotiable. You may also include regular religious services if your family attends them, medical and business appointments, as well as physically purchasing groceries so the family can eat.

Decide which activities can be cancelled so you can all take time to take care of yourselves, especially the working mom. If your family can cut out some activities, you might actually have twenty minutes three times a week to devote to getting fit.

The science behind “miraculous healings” is the focus of THE LIVING MATRIX, a new documentary featuring Marilyn Schiltz, Bruce Lipton, Dean Radin, Lynne Mc Taggart, Eric Pearl and Rubert Sheldrake.

This powerful film will change the way you view your ability to heal, and thanks to our friends at Spiritual Cinema Circle, you can receive The Living Matrix (plus a feature and two short films) for just the cost of shipping! To see the trailer and start your free trial, click here.

But these days, turning 40 doesn’t mean you’re “over the hill.” It can actually be the beginning of some of the greatest years of your life. Looking and feeling our best might require a little more effort than it did twenty years ago, but it’s certainly attainable. Here are ten tips to help you look great at 40 and beyond.

1. Make sure you’re getting enough sleep. Sleep is important no matter how old you are, but once you’ve passed up your thirties, a lack of sleep becomes more apparent. The right amount of sleep for one person isn’t necessarily the right amount for someone else, but most adults need somewhere between six and ten hours. Find the amount that leaves you feeling well rested and stick with it.

2. Stay hydrated. As we age, our skin and hair tend to dry out. You can moisturize them until the cows come home, but if you’re not hydrating them from the inside, it won’t do much good. For best results, drink eight glasses of water a day.

3. Eat a healthy, balanced diet. It becomes easier to gain weight as you age, so it’s especially important to avoid junk food, soda and other calorie-packed foods and drinks. Include plenty of fresh fruits and vegetables in your diet, and stick with lean meats.

4. Be careful what you put on your skin. There are tons of anti-aging treatments out there, but some work better than others. When trying something new, watch for signs of dryness or irritation. Your skin won’t bounce back as easily as it did ten years ago, so it’s important to catch warning signs early.

5. Stop smoking. Smoking accelerates aging in numerous ways, both inside and out. It’s best to never start in the first place, but quitting now will prove to be very beneficial.

6. Keep a good attitude. If you have a poor outlook on life, it will show, and it will make you appear older. Staying positive and wearing a smile will make you feel and look better.

7. Do cardio exercise regularly. Frequent physical activity keeps us looking and feeling young. It helps keep us toned, keeps our hearts healthier and helps our bodies fight off disease. There’s no time like the present to join a gym or start your own exercise routine.

8. Lift some weights. Weight-training provides special benefits for women over 40. It firms the muscles and keeps them from looking flabby. Getting toned also helps to prevent the development of osteoporosis in later years.

9. When drinking alcohol, practice moderation. Heavy drinking is yet another thing that can accelerate aging of the mind and body. Most experts agree that women of any age should have no more than one drink per day.

10. Protect yourself from the sun. A little sun each day is good for us, because it helps the body produce vitamin D. But too much sun causes wrinkles and increases the risk of skin cancer. So if you’re going to be outdoors for very long, slather on some sunscreen.