Free 21 Day Meditation Challenge™ with Oprah and Deepak Chopra

We've all heard about the many physical, mental and emotional health benefits of meditation.

A regular meditation practice has been linked to reducing stress, losing weight, controlling pain, enhancing the immune system, lowering the risk of cardiovascular and other diseases, relaxing the nervous system, staving off premature aging, overcoming addiction and substance abuse, increasing memory, concentration and creativity, resolving anxiety, phobias and fears, improving self-confidence and relationships, and a host of other benefits.

In spite of so many well-known and excellent reasons to meditate on a regular basis, many people have a hard time starting and/or sustaining the practice.

Oprah and Deepak Chopra's free onlinee 21 Day Meditation Challenge™ can help you get started and make learning and adopting a meditation practice easy, fun and inspiring.  The free program includes daily streaming of teachings and meditations, inspirational messages, mantras and their meanings, reflection questions and a private online journal, interactive discussion forum and a daily email message.

Click here to learn more about the challenge, register and participate.

Click here to purchase Perfect Health, Creating Abundance, Free to Love, Mantras and Music Lifetime, On-Demand Access or CD Sets.

Related:
What is Mindfulness Meditation?
The Body on Meditation
Meditation Styles

Infographic: The Body on Meditation

Most of us are familiar with the many health benefits conferred by meditating, like reducing stress, anxiety and depression, lowering cholesterol and risks of heart disease, and strengthening the immune system.

But did you know a regular meditation practice can make structural changes to the brain?

This informative and interesting infographic entitled "The Body on Meditation" explains what actually happens inside the body during meditation and how meditating affects various bodily functions.

The infographic also summarizes the results of various studies involving meditation and stress, pain sensation, smoking addiction, cardiovascular disease, blood pressure and the immune system.

Related:

What is Mindfulness Meditation?

Meditation Styles

Free 21-Day Online Mediation Challenge with Oprah and Deepak Chopra


Infographic and Illustrations:  Troy Dunham
Source and for Full Page Version:  The Huffington Post

Work Out Like a Victoria's Secret Model!

This 10-minute fat-blasting circuit training video was created for FitSugar by Andrea Orbeck, who has trained many Victoria Secret models.  Its a high-intensity, full body workout that does not require any equipment or props and can be done in the comfort of your own home!

The New Sonoma Diet Plan and Foods

The New Sonoma Diet, inspired by a Coastal California healthy way of eating and an active lifestyle, promises a trimmer waist and more energy in just 10 days by indulging in meals that are all about celebration, not deprivation.

The diet recommends using the "right sized plate", i.e, smaller 7" to 9" plates instead of the standard 12" plate, filling the smaller plates according to instructions, and following meal plans that suggest what to eat for breakfast, lunch, dinner and snacks.  The meals are mainly built around 12 "power foods":

Infographic: Spring Detox Health Tips

Spring Detox Health Tips [Infographic]

Holistic health experts recommend cleansing the body of harmful toxins on a regular, daily basis, preferably with healthy food, herbs and activities like meditation, yoga and exercise.  This infographic entitled "Spring Detox Health Tips" illustrates six simple detoxification suggestions, including:

❤ Sleep - a good night's sleep reduces stress and boosts metabolism

❤ Stretch - a stretching break gives muscles a shot of oxygen for improved circulation

❤ Exercise - daily exercise helps the body detoxify naturally

❤ Exfoliation - gentle exfoliation keeps skin looking and feeling fresh

❤ Lemon Water - drinking lemon water in the morning cleanses the digestive system


Related:
Is Your Diet Toxic?
How Sleep Aids in Natural Weight Loss
Dry Skin Brushing (Skin Exfoliation Technique)
Health Benefits of Drinking Lemon Water
DIY Aromatherapy Detox Bath

Infographic Source: Institute for Integrative Nutrition

Ghrelin and Obesity

Obesity Research Breakthrough (via Planetsave)

Reposted from Examiner.com: Most of us have never heard of ghrelin (pronounced GRELL-in). The hormone has made headline news because a study published [this week] has explained how it interacts with FTO (fat mass and obesity-associated protein),…

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Infographic: Benefits of Coconut Oil

Open any health or beauty magazine or webpage today and you are almost sure to find an article praising coconut oil for its many benefits.  Indeed, coconut oil appears to have a wide range of both internal and external applications.

According to an article written by Pina LoGiudice ND, LAc, Siobhan Bleakney, ND, and Peter Bongiorno ND, LAc Co-Medical Directors of Inner Source Health in New York  and  published on DoctorOz.com,  intake of coconut oil can:

❤ help our bodies mount resistance to both viruses and bacteria

❤ help fight off yeast, fungus and candida

❤ positively affect our hormones for thyroid and blood-sugar control

❤ boost metabolism, energy and endurance

❤ increase digestion and aid in absorption of fat-soluble vitamins

❤ help improve cholesterol ratio levels

❤ have a positive antioxidant action in the body

❤ help keep weight balanced

This infographic entitled "Benefits of Coconut Oil" illustrates some of these and other health and beauty benefits attributed to the use of coconut oil and gives a recommended daily intake amount based on an individual's weight.

It should be noted that pure virgin coconut oil contains saturated fat.  Consumption of saturated fat is associated with weight gain, obesity, diabetes, coronary heart disease and other medical conditions.  For this reason, coconut oil has received negative reviews from some healthcare professionals.

For more information about the saturated fat in coconut oil, read:  Coconut Oil and Heart Disease and other related articles at Coconut Research Center

Related:
Amazing Health Benefits of Coconut Water
17 Beauty Uses for Coconut Oil

Infographic Source:  Natural News

Infographic: Health Benefits of Mangosteen

Mangosteen has been gaining attention as possibly one of the superfruits that we should consider including in our diet.  It is a tropical fruit which grows mainly in the hot, humid climates of Southeast Asia and South America.

The rind of the fruit in particular has been used in Ayurvedic medicine and contains a variety of complex organic chemicals, including Xanthones and Tannic Acid (aka Tannin).

Recent studies on Xanthones-rich Mangosteen suggest that the fruit is an excellent source of antioxidants and may have anti-inflammatory, anti-viral, anti-bacterial and anti-parasitic properties.

This infographic lists some of the health benefits that are associated with Mangosteen and includes a recipe for an exotic smoothie made from the following healthy ingredients: mango, banana, coconut water and sun-dried Mangosteen powder smoothie.  Mangosteen powder is available in natural and health food stores and online.

Infographic source:  Oasis Advanced Wellness

Infographic: Guide to Greens

The nutrition experts agree:  a diet rich in leafy green vegetables (aka "greens") is essential to good health and is instrumental in preventing and reversing disease, including obesity.

Greens also play a key role in weight loss and healthy weight maintenance because they are:

❤ Low in calories
❤ High in dietary fiber
❤ Nutrient dense
❤ Have powerful cleansing and detoxification properties

Leafy greens are packed with essential vitamins, minerals and phytonutrients (aka phytochemicals) and provide many health benefits across all body systems.

Many leading dietitians and nutritionist recommend eating generous amounts of a wide variety of leafy greens on a daily basis.

This infographic entitled "Guide to Greens" provides an excellent reference on the nutritional composition and health benefits of the following 13 types of leafy green vegetables, including how to select, store and prepare them:

Arugula
Belgian Endive
Cabbage (Savoy, Red, Napa, Bok Choy)
Chards (Swiss and Rainbow)
Collards
Dandelion Greens
Escarole
Frisee
Kale (Lacinato and Curly)
Radicchio
Spinach
Turnip Greens
Watercress

Related:
The Benefits of Going Green
8 Produce Picks for Better Blood Pressure

Infographic Source:  Unknown - please contact us for credit

Infographic: 5 Colors of Phytonutrients

Phytonutrients (aka phytochemicals) are natural compounds or chemicals found in vegetables, fruits, beans, legumes, nuts, seeds, grains, tea and other plant foods.

Phytonutrients are thought to have powerful antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, cellular repair, detox and cleansing, and other health-promoting and disease-preventing properties.

Although it is estimated that there are 25,000 to 40,000 phytonutrients, scientists have only recently started to study them.  Thus far, mounting research suggests that they may be very effective in preventing and treating a wide range of medical conditions, including heart disease, cancer and diabetes.

Many phytochemicals are concentrated in the pigment of fruits, vegetables and other plants and are what gives these foods their fabulous color.  This is where terms like "colors of health", "eat your colors" and "rainbow of health" come from.

Although the USDA now recommends that half (or 50%) of the new "Chose My Plate" should consist of fruits and vegetables, studies show that only a small percentage of Americans eat the daily recommended amount of plant-based foods and, hence, are not getting the valuable health benefits of phytonutrients nor essential vitamins, minerals and dietary fiber.

This infographic entitled "5 Colors of Phytonutrients", illustrates many of the foods containing important  phytonutrients and briefly describes their health benefits for each color group.

Further Reading:
The Health Benefits of Phytochemicals
Phytochemicals:  The Cancer Fighters in the Foods We Eat
What is the Special Nutritional Power Found in Phytonutrients?


 Infographic Source: Natural Healthy Concepts

Infographic: 15 Foods That Cleanse Liver

The liver performs many vital functions, including purifying the blood and cleansing the body of harmful chemicals and environmental toxins.  ► Your Amazing Liver

A properly functioning liver is not only essential to good health, but also plays a key role in weight loss and ideal weight maintenance.  In turn, maintaining a healthy weight, especially around the stomach (i.e., keeping belly fat at bay) is the first line of defense in the prevention of obesity, diabetes, arthritis, coronary heart disease, strokes, certain cancers and a variety of other chronic medical conditions.

There are many liver detoxification and cleansing products on the market.  However, it is thought that detoxifying the liver should be done on a regular, daily basis.  This can be accomplished by eating foods.

This infographic entitled "15 Foods that Cleanse Liver" lists some of the best foods that detoxify the liver (and in many cases, the kidneys and other organs as well).

Whenever possible, organic versions of these foods should be consumed, since conventionally grown fruits, vegetables, grains and spices are usually contaminated with harmful insecticides, herbicides and pesticides and are nutritionally inferior.  ►  Know Your Food Labels - What Are You Eating?

More health information about these foods:
Apples
Arugula
Avocado
Beets
Broccoli
Cabbage
Carrots
Cauliflower
Garlic
Grapefruit
Green Tea
Lemons
Spinach
Turmeric
Walnuts

Related:
Top Foods that Chelate the Body of Heavy Metals
5 Herbs that Your Liver Will Love

Infogaphic Source:  Health, Fitness and Me

Infographic: Your Amazing Liver

This wonderful, informative infographic gives us a few key facts about one of our most important organs: the liver.

In understanding the many vital functions of the liver, it becomes clear why it is necessary to regularly cleanse and detoxify the liver in order to keep it functioning properly.

An impaired, sluggish or fatty liver can lead to or cause many serious medical conditions and health problems, including overweight and obesity.

Highlights from the infographic include:

What the Liver Does

❤ Provides immunity against infection
❤ Regulates blood clotting
❤ Produces and excretes bile
❤ Metabolizes fats, proteins and carbohydrates
❤ Activates enzymes
❤ Stores glycogen, vitamins and minerals
❤ Detoxifies and purifies the blood
❤ Excretes bilirubin, cholesterol, hormones and drugs

Symptoms of a Sluggish, Fatty or Impaired Liver

✔ Headaches
✔ Dark urine
✔ Loss of appetite
✔ Constipation or diarrhea and light colored stools
✔ Bruising easily
✔ Anxiety and depression
✔ Mental Confusion
✔ Hormone imbalance
✔ Exhaustion and fatigue
✔ Food allergies and chemical sensitivities

Support for the Liver

❤ Eating healthy, organically grown foods
          ►  Know Your Labels: What Are You Eating?
❤ Reducing protein consumption
          ►  Are You Eating Too Much Protein?
❤ Counting simple carbohydrates
          ►  Carbs and Your Diet
❤ Avoiding antibiotics and antacids
          ► Abuse of Antibiotics in Our Food
❤ Reducing or avoid alcohol and Acetaminophen
❤ Avoiding environmental toxins
          ►  Top Ten Ways to Reduce Exposure to Cancer Causing Agents
          ►  Environmental Health 101
❤ Cleansing (detoxing) regularly
          ►  5 Herbs Your Liver Will Love
          ►  15 Foods that Cleanse the Liver

Infographic Source:  The Alive Academy