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EFT: Finding Core Issues

EFT: Finding Core Issues

How do you find core issues with EFT? Why is this important?

When EFT "doesn't work," it is usually NOT because it doesn't work. You have to find core issues.

Do you find it difficult to find core issues? If you do, the following might help...

Instead, the real reason for not seeing results is because the practitioner has not applied EFT properly. Perhaps the practitioner has not been specific enough or maybe emerging aspects are masking otherwise valid healing work. We have covered these possibilities earlier in this tutorial.

There is another important element of sophistication that we need to explore ... namely ... the discovery of Core Issues. Sometimes a client's "presenting problem" is nothing more than a symptom of a Core Issue--a much deeper, much more important underlying problem. Once the Core Issue is discovered, it can usually be broken down into specific events and handled routinely.

There are many live examples of Core Issues throughout the various EFT training tapes. Study, for example, the case of Nate's "fear of heights" on the From EFT to the Palace of Possibilities DVD set. Nate comes up on stage with other height phobics and makes only modest headway. After some detective work, however, it was discovered that the real Core Issue was the sense of ridicule he felt when he was teased and prodded to make a parachute jump from a helicopter (while in the armed services). Once we took care of that Core Issue, his fear of heights vanished. In addition, his eyesight improved and his elevated blood pressure dropped dramatically (without taking his medication).

Other live examples abound within our Steps toward becoming The Ultimate Therapist DVD set. Pay particular attention to the sessions with Craig (Bashful Bladder), David (Fear of Public Speaking), Martha (Being Reserved) and Jane (Accident).

Finding Core Issues is an art and it requires experience to do it expertly. Fortunately, there are some common sense questions that can help you get to Core Issues quickly. Here are some of them....

"What does this issue remind you of?"

"When was the first time you can remember feeling the same kind of feeling?"

"If there was a deeper emotion underlying this problem, what might it be?"

"If you could live your life over again, what person or event would you prefer to skip?"

Please be aware, however, that a favorite answer clients like to give to these questions is, "I don't know." When you hear this, be persistent. You can say, "Well, just guess for me." Their guesses are usually right on target.

For help, write to me (Craig) at: eftcyprus @ yahoo.com and I can set you up with a free 15 minute Skype session.

Traditional Psychotherapy vs. Emotional Freedom Techniques

Traditional Psychotherapy vs. Emotional Freedom Techniques

With traditional talk psychotherapies you gain insights into the causes of your emotional difficulties and the new behaviors you would like to have. However, you are left needing to use your will power to try to behave in these new healthier ways. You still feel the internal urges in your "gut" to behave in the old ways. The result is an ongoing internal struggle between your gut feelings and your will power. This is very hard and progress can be very slow, sometimes taking years or even never.


The EFT Tapping Therapy Advantage

EFT Tapping Therapy doesn't have this problem. After working through an issue using EFT, you come out feeling different and you actually are different. Your gut is no longer telling you to behave in the old unhealthy ways. New behaviors are now natural because there is no internal struggle—you have changed inside and are a different person around this issue. The struggle is over.

EFT is dramatically faster than other methods and is highly effective (see brief EFT research summary). EFT has been shown to only take weeks to months to get relief and experience deep healing, instead of months to years (or never) with traditional psychotherapy.

EFT has been effective in thousands of cases for emotional and physical healing by balancing the body's energy system (see the following examples):

EFT Tapping Therapy Is Helpful With the Following Emotional Challenges:

Stress and Distress
Anxiety & Panic Attacks
Trauma, Abuse & PTSD
Depression
Shame, Guilt, Low Self-Esteem
Grief & Bereavement
Love Pain
Fear of Rejection
Insomnia
Fear of Public Speaking
Phobias: fear of flying, mice, snakes, etc.
Addictions: alcohol, drugs, smoking, food, gambling, etc.
Weight Loss/Emotional Overeating
Eating Disorders: Anorexia & Bulimia

Are You Ready for Your Own Transformation?
Sign Up for a Complimentary 15 Min. Discovery Session

Let's have a chat about how you can get the deep healing and transformation you desire so you can have the life and success you want. Contact me at: eftcyprus @ yahoo.com and I can set up a free Skype session with you.

All the best,

Craig

Canned Food and Bottled Water Increase Your Abdominal Fat Through Hidden Chemicals

Canned Food and Bottled Water Increase Your Abdominal Fat Through Hidden Chemicals

You may have started hearing in the news about some of the hidden chemicals that might be lurking in your canned foods and bottled water and other drinks.  Some of them are known as xenoestrogens, which have the potential to cause serious health problems over time, as well as increase abdominal fat from the estrogenic effect.

Today, I want to share with you some important details about one of the MOST problematic chemicals that you're being exposed to specifically from canned foods and bottled drinks, etc...

It's called Bisphenol A (BPA).

BPA can be found as a component of some types of plastic bottles, and also in the lining inside of canned foods.

Since BPA is a known "xenoestrogen", it's been linked in animal studies (at surprisingly small doses) to all sorts of various health issues such as cancer, metabolic disorders, heart disease, diabetes, and fertility problems and birth defects or miscarriages... and of course, any xenoestrogens in large enough amounts can trigger your body to hold onto abdominal fat (aka - stubborn belly fat ).

The major offenders to look for are polycarbonate bottles (some plastics with the #7 symbol on the bottom are polycarbonate, but not all) and also canned foods, since the lining of most canned foods contains BPA, which can leach into food.  The longer that a can of food sits on a shelf and the higher the temperature, the more BPA can leach into your food. The same can be said for polycarbonate bottles that contain food or drinks.

According to the Environmental Working Group (EWG) , BPA was detected in the bodies of 95% of Americans in one CDC study (this is a worldwide issue though, not just limited to the US).  This is nothing to shrug off either... look at this scary finding...

The Environmental Working Group reports, "analysis of our tests reveals that for one of every five cans tested, and for one-third of all vegetables and pastas (ravioli and noodles with tomato sauce), a single serving would expose a pregnant woman to BPA at levels that fall within a factor of 5 of doses linked to birth defects — permanent damage of developing male reproductive organs ".

If that didn't get your attention, how about this...

The EWG also reports evidence of... "An investigation demonstrating that low doses of BPA spur both the formation and growth of fat cells , the two factors that drive obesity in humans (Masumo et al. 2002). "

This is not surprising, since as I mentioned at the beginning of this article, BPA is a known xenoestrogen, and any xenoestrogens can contribute to what's been referred to as "stubborn abdominal fat" as well as cancer and other health problems.

It's also important to note that any canned tomato products (canned ravioli, pastas, canned tomato pastes, tomato sauces, etc) are some of the biggest offenders with the highest BPA concentrations due to the acidic nature of tomatoes, which leaches more of the BPA.

So what steps can you take to minimize your exposure to BPA and it's negative effects on bodyfat and other health risks?

 1. Try to always avoid canned foods as much as possible and choose frozen or fresh foods instead.  Buy the ingredients yourself and prepare the meal the old fashioned way instead of resorting to canned foods.  Also, a better alternative to canned foods is products in glass containers.

 2.   If you do resort to using canned foods instead of fresh foods, try to find labels that say that the cans are free of BPA.

 3.   If you need tomato products, always avoid canned varieties and search for tomato sauces, pastes, etc in glass bottles instead (unless the can specifically states that it is BPA-free).  Or just make your own tomato dishes from scratch with fresh tomatoes.

 4.   If you use plastic wrap, plastic ziplock bags, plastic containers for food storage, etc, try to investigate on the label if the product is BPA-free or not.  Some brands packaging will label if their products are BPA-free.

 5.   If you for some reason choose to use a microwave with your food (which by the way, microwaved food is thought to have negative health effects ), then by all means, do not microwave the food in plastic containers as it can increase the leaching of chemicals including BPA.

 6.   If you drink bottled water, or water from reusable plastic bottles, make sure that it is not a polycarbonate bottle, or make sure that the label says BPA-free. Plastic that shows #7 on the bottom will sometimes contain BPA, but not always.  If a bottle shows "PC" on the bottom, it is made from polycarbonate, so it will contain BPA.  In addition, sometimes aluminum bottles will contain a lining that has BPA, so avoid these.

 7.   Avoid soda cans, as the EWG states analysis showed that 42% of soda cans contained BPA.  Of course, if you care about your health and your body, I'm sure you never drink soda anyway -- it's pure evil for your body... and yes, that includes unhealthy diet soda too , with it's dangerous artificial sweeteners.

 8.   Never use plastic cups for hot liquids such as hot tea or coffee, as this can accelerate leaching of BPA and other chemicals, depending on the type of plastic.

 9.   As much as you can try to avoid BPA and other xenoestrogens, you will most likely still be exposed to some levels of xenoestrogens from various chemicals in your foods (from pesticide/herbicide residues, packaging chemicals, etc), chemicals in your water supply, chemicals from cosmetics, lotions, etc.

However, you can help to protect yourself and counteract these harmful xenoestrogen chemicals in your body with certain powerful phytonutrients in foods like onions, garlic, chamomile and green teas, and cruciferious vegetables.  In fact, read this article to see how 3 specific veggies can help you to fight abdominal fat  by counteracting xenoestrogens.

If you stick to most of these guidelines, you can help to protect yourself and your family from the health dangers of bisphenol-A (BPA).  And you can also help protect yourself against the issue of "stubborn abdominal fat " that can be caused by the xenoestrogen effect of BPA exposure too... which I'm sure you'd rather avoid!

Please share this article with your friends and family to help them protect their health from BPA exposure.

Tips On How Not To Get Sick

Tips On How Not To Get Sick

Note: The tips in this article can work anytime of the year to keep you healthy, strengthen your immune system, and prevent you from getting sick...not just in the winter months!

First of all, let us clear up a HUGE misconception about why more people get sick in the winter compared to warmer times of the year.  Let's talk about cold temperatures first.  You should realize that there's no such thing as "catching a cold" from cold temperatures.   I can't believe how many people still have this huge misconception that cold temperatures can make you sick...

This is blatantly false... Cold temperatures do NOT make you sick!



 In fact, did you know that there are multiple studies that actually show that exposure to cold increases your immunity?  It's true!  One study I read recently even showed that cold therapy such as ice water baths or other cold water exposure (such as cold water swimming) stimulates an improvement in your immune system.  Other studies also show that cold water therapy can improve your immune system.
What about so-called "germs"?

So are there really more germs and cold & flu viruses floating around in the winter?  No, of course not!   In fact, some medical articles I've read have indicated that there might actually be a slightly larger amount of viruses all around us in the summer due to more favorable conditions for their survival on surfaces.

So then why do more people get sick in the winter?  Well, I'll give you a hint... it's not the temperature, but rather the strength of the suns rays, and how this affects your health ... In winter in the northern hemisphere (Canada, US, Europe, etc) sicknesses spike, but at the same time, it's summer in the southern hemisphere (South America, Australia, New Zealand, etc), and while sicknesses are spiking in the northern hemisphere, sicknesses are at their lowest point in the southern hemisphere since it's their summer.

And then when we're in summer in the northern hemisphere and most sicknesses go away, it's winter in the southern hemisphere, so colds, flu, and other sicknesses spike in the southern hemisphere in July and August.

So is it the warm temperatures that decreases sickness?  Nope... It's actually all about the strength of the sun's UVB rays, and how much vitamin D your body produces due to the UVB rays on your skin!

There are 2 theories that many people pass around as to why more colds, flu, and sickness occur in the winter depending on which part of the world you're in...

Theory 1.   It may have to do with people generally spending more time indoors in the winter and thereby being exposed to more germs in enclosed buildings.  It's a nice theory, but people are generally still in offices from 9-5 all week long whether it's summer or winter.  As you'll see, theory 2 is the REAL culprit!

Theory 2.   The reason people get sick more in the winter is mostly due to a drastic reduction in their body's level of Vitamin D , which is directly responsible for how strong their immune system is.

The suns rays are too weak in the winter generally (depending on the latitude that you live ), and therefore, Vitamin D levels in the body drop significantly, which reduces immunity. Most people don't realize how important sunlight and Vitamin D levels really are towards so many functions inside their body, including immune system and hormone production and balance.

Even for people that get outdoors in the winter often, if you live in the northern hemisphere to the North of an imaginary line from approximately Atlanta to Los Angeles , the suns rays (UVB rays) are not strong enough in the fall and winter months (approximately October through early March) because of the low sun angle in the sky to stimulate any significant Vitamin D production inside your body.  My blog post here describes how to figure out what time frame your "vitamin D winter" runs from at your exact latitude .

This aspect of lack of Vitamin D production and lowered immune strength in the winter months is what is actually the REAL reason why more sickness goes around in the winter.  So you can silently chuckle to yourself the next time that someone tells you to "bundle up" so you don't catch a cold.

So how can you boost your immune system so that your body fights off sickness before it takes hold of you?

So here is my little ritual that I have been using for a few years now and really seems to keep me from getting any colds, flu, or any sickness at all.

As a matter of fact, I can't remember the last time I was legitimately sick. I think it's been 15 years since I've actually been sick .  How many times have you and your family been sick in the last 10 or 15 years?  Most people seem to get sick at least once a month in the winters, every winter.  And some people even get sick in the summers too because of compromised immune systems.

Every time I feel a cold or something starting to come on, I do this ritual, strengthen my immune system, and my body always fights off the cold or sickness before I actually get full-blown sick.


Here are my 7 most powerful tips to boost your immune system:


1. Focus on Vitamin D (but NOT in "fortified" foods or synthetic forms in pills)

This is probably THE most important of all of these tips!

If you get your vitamin D levels tested, you generally want to be between 40-80 ng/ml. Once you get above 50 ng/ml, that's where the real benefits start to happen with a maximized immune system and balanced hormones.

You might be surprised to know that MOST people have low vitamin D levels (especially in the winter), and a lot of people are surprised to find that they could be dangerously low.  Some people I know who thought they were reasonably healthy actually had levels below 20 ng/ml (one friend's level was measured at a shockingly dangerous 11 ng/ml ), which is a range that could severely limit your immune system and hormone balance (and explains the frequent colds and hormone problems that they were having).

Personally, I found out that my winter levels a couple years ago were lower than I thought (around 35 ng/ml despite taking cod liver oil a couple times a week) and then after getting a few months of summer sun, my levels had jumped up to 52 ng/ml by the end of July, which is much healthier.  This was without any Vitamin D supplements as I wanted to get a good idea of where my levels stood from just food intake and sunshine as my sources.

Keep in mind though that I'm an avid hiker and mountain biker in the summer, and I live at high elevation (7500 feet above sea level), so I get a good deal of daily sun, which is why my levels jumped from 35-52 ng/ml after a couple months of daily summer sun.  For people that are in offices daily, you'll still most likely need supplemental Vitamin D3 to keep blood levels of vitamin D from dropping too low. 

(Note: it's VERY important to get ample vitamin K2 if you're taking vitamin D3.  The K2 is necessary to prevent inappropriate calcification of certain soft tissues in your body.  This is the vit D3/K2 mixture that I personally use  and think is the best quality)

When it comes to Vitamin D, you need to be careful about artificial forms of vitamin D in many vitamin pills, as artificial vitamin forms are almost always either ineffective or possibly even detrimental compared to natural forms.  Vitamin D2 is generally the artificial version in multi-vitamins, although natural D2 does exist in some foods like mushrooms.  Natural Vitamin D from either cod liver oil and/or an oil-based D3 supplement are the best options in my opinion for the times of the year you're not getting enough sun.

I alternate the oil-based D3 supplement I linked to above with a fermented cod liver oil throughout the winter, so that I get good natural vitamin D from various sources.

Keep in mind that it's best to get your vitamin D naturally from the sun if you can.  The sun is the absolute best source of vitamin D, and leads to a powerful strengthening of your immune system when your body can naturally produce Vitamin D from moderate sun exposure .  When the UVB rays (not UVA rays) from mid-day sun hit your skin, it reacts with oils in your skin to produce vitamin D that is slowly adbsorbed by your body.  Note that sunscreens block the ability of your body to produce vitamin D, and most sunscreens also contain carcinogenic chemicals that absorb into your blood stream.

Here is a previous article I did on how to get sun exposure in a healthy way without damaging your skin

I know not everybody can take a tropical vacation every winter, but if you can, it's best to try to take it right smack dab in the middle of the winter (when your vitamin D levels have dropped to their lowest)... getting even a few days to a week of good sun closer to the equator in the middle of winter can really help increase your vitamin D levels and strengthen your immune system for at least several weeks after the trip.

Remember that this does NOT mean getting burned in the sun... it means getting a moderate amount of sun on large portions of your body (not just your face) for approx 15-40 minutes per day WITHOUT sunscreen on (since sunscreen blocks the UV rays that directly stimulate the vitamin D production in your body).   Also, as a warning about sunscreens, see this article here about why sunscreens can possibly cause cancer and increase body fat .

Everybody is different based on their skin tone... very pale skin tones may only need 10-15 minutes or so in full sun in the middle of the day to get adequate vitamin D before any skin damage occurs, but darker skin tones may need a slightly longer time (sometimes 40-60 minutes) in the sun to produce adequate vitamin D.  To protect your skin, it's essential to get enough sun without sunscreen on, but NOT get burned. 

In general, the UVB rays are only strongest from about 10 am to 3 pm to trigger Vitamin D production in your body (depending on time of year, latitude, and altitude).  For example, in NY city, while you may be able to produce vitamin D in your skin between 9am to 4pm in June or July, that time frame when UVB rays are strong enough might have shrunk to only 11am to 1pm by the end of September... and by late October in NYC, according to charts of sun height in the sky, you can't produce any vitamin D even in mid-day sun as the sun is too low in the sky and UVB rays too weak.  (I explained this in more detail about UVB strength and its relation to your ability to produce vit D3 in this article about your vitamin D "winter" here )

With that said, I understand that a tropical vacation in the winter is not possible for everybody's schedule based on either work or finances, so...

Since you may not be going on a tropical vacation this winter, how can you still keep Vitamin D levels from falling dangerously low in your body?

Well, the best food sources of natural Vitamin D are egg yolks (from hens fed a healthy diet and allowed to get their own sunshine), fatty fish such as salmon and mackerel.

However, keep in mind that it's tough to get enough vitamin D in the winter from food sources alone.

But what I do to make sure I'm at least getting a decent amount of the best absorbed vitamin D is to take a moderate dose of fermented cod liver oil daily in the winter to make sure my vitamin D levels don't fall too low.  Make sure to take only small to moderate doses of cod liver oil, as large doses can possibly give you an overdose of Vitamin A. 

What I've done lately is to only take cod liver oil about 3 days per week, to prevent taking in too much vitamin A.  On the other 4 days per week (only in the winter), I take an oil-based vitamin D3 supplement. It's important to choose an oil-based D3 supplement as it's better utilized by your body.

I'm also a big fan of Prograde Nutrition's natural VGF-25 multi-vitamin , which derives it's vitamin D from natural fish liver oil instead of a synthetic form of vitamin D.  All of the other vitamins in VGF-25 (which stands for "25 veggies, greens, and fruits") are naturally derived too instead of most multi-vitamins that you find at your corner store that are synthetic.

By the way, fortified milk has added synthetic vitamin D, so it is NOT a good source.  In fact, I don't trust any "fortified" foods at all, including terribly unhealthy breakfast cereals which claim to be good sources of vitamin D... not so!  Also make sure to read this article, which explains how our food supply has been modified in recent decades and now lacks the vitamin D that it used to contain decades ago.

2. Garlic to strengthen your immune system!

Garlic is one of the most potent of all superfoods!  Not only does high dose garlic go back thousands of years for treatment of sickness, but recent studies back up the legendary claims for garlic boosting your immune system.

What's best though -- "aged" garlic pills, whole garlic in foods, capsules, etc?  I can't seem to find a consensus on this one, so what I simply try to do is use a variety of sources, including garlic powder on a lot of my foods, fresh chopped garlic in meals, and also a garlic capsule or two each day.

If I feel a possible cold or sickness coming on, I really start loading garlic into my foods heavily and I take a few extra garlic capsules that day too.


3. Kombucha tea, Kefir, Fermented foods (and other sources of probiotics) strengthen your immune system

Kombucha tea is a fermented tea (naturally effervescent) that contains billions of friendly gut organisms (probiotics) that help to strengthen your immune system by bolstering your levels of good organisms in your gut, which provides a first level of defense against pathogens from things you ingest.

Remember that 70% of your immune system lies in your gut flora and the health of the friendly organisms in there to protect you against pathogens and sickness.

You can find bottles of Kombucha tea or other probiotic drinks at health food stores such as Whole Foods.

Kefir is a cultured/fermented dairy drink that's been used for thousands of years as a health elixer in many parts of the world.  Kefir is an even better source of probiotics than Kombucha tea, but keep in mind that variety is best when it comes to probiotics, so use various sources for the best benefits to your digestive system and immune system.  Kefir is also the easiest form of dairy to digest due to the pre-digestion that's done by the probiotic microorganisms, and due to this, kefir is generally 99% lactose free.  Read this article to see why Kefir is a more powerful source of gut-friendly probiotics than yogurt .

When I feel any sickness coming on, I start loading up on Kombucha tea and Kefir, drinking them both throughout the day.  I've started seeing other probiotic drinks on the market recently too, so just make sure to look for one that has very minimal sugar per serving (3-6 grams per 8 oz serving is acceptable, but much more than that is too sugary).  Kevita is one brand of probiotic drink that is really delicious and has minimal sugar, while also containing around 8-10 Billion organisms per bottle I believe.

You can also get beneficial probiotics from fermented foods such as sauerkraut (non-canned), yogurt, kimchi, and other fermented foods.  There are also plenty of probiotic supplements you can take, one of which is a delicious drink called Athletic Greens , which contains 7 Billion probiotics per serving among 76 other superfood ingredients.  I start off every morning with this superfoods drink mixed with fresh squeezed lemon and unsweetened iced tea... Great stuff!

Another probiotic product that I personally take is called Pro-x10 and is one of the most powerful probiotics I've come across yet, with the equivalent of 50 Billion probiotics, and a micro-encapsulation technology that gets more live probiotics to your intestines, so they don't die in your stomach.


4. Green tea, Chamomile Tea, and other teas

There is evidence that green tea and chamomile tea can help aid in strengthening the immune system.

Even if the effect is small, you can't go wrong because both are loaded with powerful antioxidants unique to each tea.

For that reason, I try to drink a couple cups of green tea with a small bit of raw honey early in the day, and then at night, I have a couple cups of chamomile or mint tea.

This isn't a bad idea even for a regular habit, but it's even more important when you feel a sickness possibly coming on.  I also drink a lot of other teas too such as Rooibos tea, which is thought to be even higher in antioxidants than green tea.


5. Loading up on antioxidants

We already know how important antioxidants are to overall health as well as immune system support.

For this reason, I make sure to really load up on antioxidant-rich fruits, berries, teas, red wine , unsweetened organic cocoa (in smoothies, etc), and veggies to help prevent sickness.

Sometimes I make what I call my "Superhuman smoothie", which I believe can really bolster your immune system, with loads of powerful antioxidant-rich berries, a few veggies, raw cacao, maca, spirulina, chia seeds, and any other superfoods I can think to throw in there.


6. Light exercise (yes - light exercise, not hard)



 When you feel a sickness coming on, a super-high intensity workout is not a good idea, as hard training forces the body to do a lot of recovery, this at a time when your body needs all of it's efforts on trying to fight off the oncoming sickness.
Although I usually recommend high intensity training most times... when sickness might be coming on, it's just a good idea to get some light exercise instead.

Personally, I like to get outside for some fresh air and go for a hike or go snowshoeing in the winter. These aren't very strenuous for me, so they won't cause my body to be forced to do a lot of recovery... but just getting out in the fresh air and getting the circulation going I feel is good to help the body fight off the sickness.


7. Avoid ALL processed foods, wheat-based foods, and sweetened soft drinks

If you're serious about your health and getting lean for life, this should be an everyday rule for you anyway (except maybe for cheat meals)...

However, when you might have a sickness coming on, this is no time to bombard your body with processed foods, inflammatory omega-6 oils (soybean oil, corn oil, etc), fried foods, high fructose corn syrup, refined sugars, wheat-based foods or chemical additives.

All of these force your body to do extra work to deal with all of this junk and the internal inflammation that they cause in your body.  And by the way, grain-based foods like bread, cereal, muffins, pasta, and bagels are a big culprit in causing internal inflammation and disrupting normal gut function, so avoid grains as much as possible.  In case you're new to the science of Paleolithic nutrition, humans don't actually need grains to survive...grains were never a part of the ancient human diet until agriculture came around only about ten thousand years ago. If you haven't seen this article yet, here are 11 reasons why whole wheat damages your body .

Instead, (especially when you might be getting sick) you need to give your body only wholesome unprocessed foods that are only 1 ingredient and that we were meant to digest most efficiently...fruits, berries, veggies, eggs, nuts, seeds, grass-fed meats , etc.

I also have a daily serving of immune system boosting Athletic Greens , which is surprisingly delicious, plus contains loads of probiotics and antioxidants, and other immune supporting superfoods (76 superfoods mixed into one delicious drink!).

These 7 tips will go a LONG way to helping to ward off that sickness that is trying to get a hold of you... Here's to a healthy strong body!

Note: I'm not a doctor, and none of these tips are prescriptions for any individual person... they are simply the steps I've personally used over the years to successfully fight off sickness pretty much every single time.  Again, I haven't been legitimately sick in at LEAST 9 years now that I use these steps!

Please feel free to share this page with your friends and family to keep them healthy and strong!

2 Pre-Meal Tricks to Control Your Blood Sugar Response

Improve Insulin Sensitivity & Stay in Fat-Burning Mode

These 2 unusual pre-meal tricks could even help diabetics control blood sugar, but can also help non-diabetics to balance hormones via blood sugar balancing - and burn stubborn fat.

by Mike Geary - Certified Nutrition Specialist
Author of best-sellers: The Fat Burning Kitchen & The Top 101 Foods that FIGHT Aging

Millions of people have diabetes and use a test kit to see what their blood level is. If you know someone that does, have them check out this article.

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For more information, Click Here!

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In several other articles, I've told you about some of the really cool experiments that Tim Ferriss has done in his new book that I read recently, "The 4-Hour Body ", and I wanted to show you this one today, because it's pretty cool, and also a simple thing to do...

You may have heard different websites or anecdotes in the past about these 3 substances and their possible effects on reducing the blood sugar response of a meal (taken either before or during a meal), which can, essentially help to keep insulin levels lower post-meal and keep the body from depositing extra body fat.  Maintaining lower and more stable blood sugar levels also helps to prevent cravings and slow the aging process by reducing formation of advanced glycation end products (AGEs) in your body .

These 3 substances that he tested pre-meal are:

vinegar
lemon juice
cinnamon
But do they actually work in controlling blood sugar response from a meal?

Well, that's what Tim decided to test out on himself as one of his experiments that he did in "The 4-Hour Body" .  Tim actually used a blood sugar meter (normally for diabetics) that attached probes into his abdomen to get constant measurements and graphs of his blood sugar and response to different foods and meals.

In his tests, he tested ingesting all 3 of these "substances" before meals in separate tests.

The results?

The pre-meal vinegar:

The vinegar failed!

Tim tested both white vinegar and balsamic vinegar and neither showed any lowering effect on his blood sugar in his tests.  He even drank 3 Tbsp+ of vinegar before meals as a last attempt to see if vinegar could have any blood sugar controlling effects.  But he found no effect.

Tim includes some theories in his book on why the vinegar didn't have any effect.

The pre-meal lemon juice:

Better news with the lemon juice!

In Tim's personal tests, he used 3 Tbsp of fresh-squeezed lemon juice (not store-bought stuff with preservatives and artificial additives) prior to his meals and this lowered his blood sugar response to meals (compared to his controls) by approximately 10%.

Remember that lowering the blood sugar response to a meal can help to control insulin levels and therefore keep your body in fat-burning mode for longer...and prevent cravings too!

The pre-meal cinnamon:

Yet another score!

If you've read my articles in the past, it's no secret that cinnamon can be powerful in terms of helping to blunt blood sugar response to a meal.  In fact, I regularly take 2 cinnamon capsules (approx 1 gram) if I know I'm going to eat a meal that contains moderate or high levels of carbohydrates.  Some studies show that cinnamon can reduce the glycemic response of a meal up to 29%!

But there are different types of cinnamon...so which is best?

Tim actually tested 3 types of cinnamon in how they affected his blood sugar response to meals.

Saigon cinnamon (aka Vietnamese cinnamon) was found in Tim's tests to be the most effective at controlling blood sugar .

Cassia cinnamon came in 2nd place in effectiveness

Ceylon cinnamon came in 3rd place in Tim's tests in effectiveness in controlling blood sugar response to a meal.

Tim did note however that all 3 types of cinnamon helped control blood sugar to some extent.  I personally like to use cinnamon in smoothies, in yogurt or oatmeal, with apples and almond butter, or in capsule form before any meals that are going to have more than 35 grams of carbohydrates.

Keep in mind that if you take medications, you need to consult with your doctor to make sure that cinnamon use does not interfere with the medications (especially with blood thinners).  He also warns that 4 grams per day (about 1.5 teaspoons) is probably the max amount of cinnamon that anyone should take.

So there you go!  Lemon juice and cinnamon are the 2 tricks that Tim revealed through his own blood sugar testing that helped to control blood sugar response, fight cravings, and therefore can help you to maintain lower blood sugar and insulin levels and stay in fat-burning mode longer!

And remember that yet another benefit of maintaining lower blood sugar levels is that you help to SLOW the aging process , since high blood sugar levels over time increase glycation in your body, which ages you faster. 

So what's next?

You just discovered a pretty cool nutrition trick, that’s also really easy, that can help control your blood sugar, which can help with weight loss, mood swings, energy swings, appetite control, etc.

Controlling your blood sugar not only helps with fat loss, but is very important for anyone who cares about their health.   If you want to control your mood and energy, boost fat loss, limit fat gain, or just be the healthiest person possible then you absolutely MUST control your blood sugar.

Which is why on the next page I want to share with you an amazing free report called, "The 4 BEST Foods to Eat Before Bed ."

If you're like most folks interested in fat loss, then you've probably been told countless times to NOT eat before bed because it can cause weight gain, but what you're about to discover in this free report flips that on its head and not only shares WHY you should be eating before bed if you want to burn more fat, but the BEST foods to eat on a regular basis that help BOOST your fat-burning engine.

This information is so simple and effective that you must check it out today... Click Here!

A Depressed Mind Equals A Depressed Head

A Depressed Mind Equals A Depressed Head

The words “mind over matter” are more than just three words randomly strung together to make something that sounds somewhat sensible. “Mind over matter” is more than just a myth, because there are times when a person's state of mind has considerable effects on matters of the flesh. Performance anxiety can make someone do a sub-par job on physical activities, like missing critical free throws and over-extending left jabs. Mental health can have an effect on a person's physical performance, with certain issues having more noticeable effects than others. As an example, there is the connection between depression and sexual impotence.

Impotence is one of those problems that an increasing number of men have difficulty coming to terms with. It takes a significant amount of courage to even consider talking to a physician about the possibility of a problem. It can even be harder to admit to others that the problem is there, whether they are undergoing treatment for it or not. Sexual impotence as seen as being highly damaging to the measure of a man, by modern socio-cultural standards. Fear of failure and extremely stressful situations can wear down a man's ability to “get it up,” but very few can make the problem as long-term as depression can.

In what might be the worst possible case of “mind over matter” than any red-blooded male can imagine, depression can effectively cripple a man's ability to function sexually. The emotional problems caused by depression can have serious effects on the hormones and biochemical transmitters that the body uses to signal or initiate an erection. Obviously, if a man can't attain a proper erection – or has difficulty maintaining it long enough to be of any importance – then he's going to be classified as impotent. Sadly, if the problem is left untreated long enough, there's a very good chance that the condition would just worsen.

Once a man begins to believe he has entered a state of sexual impotence, he may actually become even more depressed. This is because of a psychological loss of gender identity as dictated by socio-cultural factors. With equal rights and women's liberation, men have lost the part of “manliness” that involved being the sole provider for one's family and loved ones, forcing a socio-psychological focus to rest on that other aspect that supposedly defines masculinity. Essentially, society has made men think that to be classified as men, they have to be virile and sexually potent. Once they lose that critical part of their gender identity, then life just starts to go downhill that bit faster for them on a psychological level. This, in turn, not only worsens his relationships but also makes it harder for him to overcome his impotence.

There are drugs to help fight impotence, but those drugs are often best suited to treating men who have problems rooted in the body. Lack of proper circulation, damage to muscle tissue, and a variety of other physical ailments can also cause impotence. Implants and corrective surgery can fix those issues, but they are likely to do little for a man with problems deeply rooted in his own mind. For that, physical repairs may have some appreciable change, but they won't have the same impact that they normally do unless the mind is also given proper treatment and care.

Introduction to Emotional Freedom Technique

Depression of any kind is easily resolved with EFT. To get an idea of how this works, check out this video. For your free, 15 minute consultation, contact me at: eftcyprus @ yahoo.com and we can discuss whatever health issues you have.

All the best,
Craig
EFT Therapist

A Case on Emotional Eating

A Case on Emotional Eating

People normally eat more whenever celebrations arise, such as birthdays and the holidays. We tend to ear more whenever these kinds of events occur. In line with this, a new study found out that people who have the tendency to eat in response to external factors, such as holidays and celebrations, have lesser problems in dealing with their weight loss than those people who eat in response to their emotions (considering internal factors). The study also found out that emotional eating was associated with weight regain for people who lost weight.

Lead author Heather Niemeier of Miriam Hospital's Weight Control and Diabetes Research Center states that they have findings that the more people report eating to respond for thoughts and feelings such as when one is lonely, the less weight they lose in a behavioral weight loss program. The findings also showed that among those who have successfully lost their weight, those who report for emotional eating, were more likely to regain. The authors noted this as important, since one of the greatest challenges in facing the field of overweight and obesity treatment remains the problem of weight regain following the weight loss. According to Niemeier, participants in behavioral weight loss programs lose an average of ten percent of their body weight, and these losses are associated with significant health benefits. Unfortunately, the majority of participants return to their baseline weight within three to five years.

In this particular study, the researchers analyzed the individual's responses to a questionnaire that is widely used in overweight and obesity research called the Eating Inventory. The Eating Inventory is a tool designed to evaluate three aspects of eating behaviors in an individual such as cognitive restraint, hunger, and disinhibition. For a more specified research, Niemeier and her team only focused on the disinhibition aspect of the Eating Inventory. Although, past studies have suggested that disinhibition as a whole is an accurate predictor of weight loss, the scale itself includes multiple factors that could separately forecast outcomes. Niemeier said that the disinhibition scale will evaluate the impulse eating in response to emotional, cognitive, or social cues. Their goal was to examine and isolate the factors that make up the disinhibition scale, and then determine if these factors have a specific relationship with weight loss and regain.

Those included in the study are divided into two groups. The first group was composed of 286 overweight men and women who are currently participating in a behavioral weight loss program. The second group on the other hand included 3,345 members of the National Weight Control Registry (NWCR), an ongoing study of adults who have lost at least thirty pounds and kept it off for at least one year. According to the study, by examining these two different groups, they were able to evaluate the effect of disinhibition on individuals attempting to lose weight, as well as on those who are trying to maintain weight loss. Upon further examination, the researchers found that the components within the disinhibition scale was to be grouped in two distinct areas: external and internal disinhibition. External disinhibition describes experiences that are external to the individual, while internal refers to eating in response to thoughts and feelings, which includes emotional eating. Results showed that in both groups, internal disinhibition was a significant predictor of weight over time. For those people enrolled in weight loss programs, the higher level of internal disinhibition, the less weight is lost over time.

Their research has suggested that attention should be given to eating that is triggered by thoughts and feelings, since they clearly play a significant role in weight loss. Internal disinhibition, however, predicted weight change over time above and beyond other psychological issues including depression, binge eating, and perceived stress. By further modification of treatments in order to address these triggers for unhealthy eating and at the same time help the patients learn alternative strategies could improve their ability to maintain weight loss behaviors, even in the face of affective and cognitive difficulties.

The Answer to Emotional Over Eating

The solution to emotional over eating is Emotional Freedom Technique (EFT). To find out more how EFT can stop you from over eating, contact me through this blog for a free no obligation consultation to be on your way to losing weight.

All the best,
Craig
eftcyprus @ yahoo.com

10 Top Healthy Foods To Keep You Fit

10 Top Healthy Foods To Keep You Fit

Healthy eating and physical fitness go together, but there are no magic foods that cause you to be one hundred percent healthy by just eating the one food. No, you need a variety of foods from each of these food groups each day. It's also important to watch the portion size so as not to overeat. Make your mealtimes pleasant and relaxed occasions and your healthy foods will work effectively with your healthy emotions to give you a healthy body.

Berries

You may like all types of berries or just one or two favorites, but you can never go wrong by adding a few fresh berries as a quick energy snack or frozen berries made into a luscious smoothie in place of calorie laden desserts. Berries are high in vitamin C across the board, but some are high in other nutrients as well. Choose ripe blueberries for vitamin C and heaps of anti-oxidants for the health of your circulatory system. Gogi berries are less well-known but are wonderfully rich in many of the nutrients your body needs to be nutritionally and physically fit.

Citrus

The foods of the citrus family are widely recognized as a valuable source of vitamin C. Choose fully ripe citrus fruits for the best nutritional value and choose citrus as near to the tree as possible. Tree ripened fruits picked at the peak of perfection and consumed with hours of picking give you the top nutritional rating. Try grapefruit for breakfast. Add a dash of fresh squeezed lime to your salad as a dressing and enjoy slices of orange with coconut in a light honey dressing for dessert.

Vegetables

The variety of vegetables is amazing. For people who are vegetarian or vegan, choosing vegetables to be part of a nutritionally sound diet is a way of life. Your vegetable group provides many of the minerals required in a good diet. For example, you may realize that potassium is necessary for healthy nutrition. Many people claim the benefits of potassium found in a single banana. But did you know, you can also get adequate potassium in your diet by eating a stalk of broccoli? Try a salad of fresh young spinach topped with pine nuts and stirred with lightly cooked penne'. Feta cheese and a light vinaigrette dressing to create the perfect light luncheon meal.

Whole Grains

Like many other of the best foods, choosing only one type of whole grain for your meals doesn't provide all the variety you need to be nutritionally sound. Often, mixing two or more whole grains together will give you complete proteins. For example, brown rice and wheat kernels with a spicy seasoning are a popular dish in many countries.

Salmon

Salmon is lean fish and nutritionally one of the best fish choices. It is rich in Omega-3 oils that are noted as helping improve the functioning of the brain. Salmon baked whole with just lemon or lime as a seasoning makes a fantastic main dish or a hearty luncheon featured menu item. Salmon is also commonly found in chilled seafood dishes.

Legumes

A legume is the name for a variety of fruits with a single dry seed. Legumes are sometimes called pods. Examples of edible legumes are soybeans, peas, dried beans and peanuts, among others. Legumes are rich in iron and high in fiber, making them excellent nutritional choices. Peanuts are a type of legume that have been used to make hundreds of different products some edible and others with various types of helpful uses.

Nuts and seeds

Nature has packed a lot of goodness into small packages. Most everyone has heard of walnuts and pecans which are very good nutritional products, but did you realize that flax seeds are brain food--containing critical non-meat sources of the Omega-3 oil.

Lean proteins

The keyword here is lean. Americans eat far too much protein compared to the rest of the world. Cut down of portion sizes--three ounces will provide all the needed protein needed for your day.  Also, trim all visible fat from your protein source. Alternatively, use non meat substitutes such as the complete proteins found in vegetable dishes like beans and brown rice.

Tea

Depending on the type of tea you prefer, you can get an energy boost from a cup of green tea, or the calming effect of chamomile tea. Get going with mint teas or start your day with Earl Grey Breakfast Tea. Herbal teas are soothing, tasty and good for you. Non herbal teas will help you to stay alert when you need help to function.

Olive oil

Olive oil is probably the healthiest substance you can use to keep fat in your diet. You can use it on your salad, mix it with a little vinegar to create your own, or fry other foods in the hot oil.  Just make sure that the temperature is not too hot so that the oil is broken down.

Live Where The Mediterranean Diet Flourishes

Live Where The Mediterranean Diet Flourishes

It only stands to reason to live where the Mediterranean diet flourishes, and that is Greece and Cyprus. Let's talk about Cyprus.

Living in Cyprus you are surrounded by English speaking people; even most of the natives speak English. Of course, Greek is spoken there, too.

In Cyprus, you'll see many expats who live there from England, Germany and Russia.

To help you in your quest for staying on a healthy diet, you have an abundance of local food there and you have a long growing season. Some of the local food that is grown there include:

cauliflower
broccoli
avocados
cucumbers
tomatoes
potatoes
grapefruit
oranges
tangerines
grapes
figs
dates
lemons

Not only are these foods plentiful, but they are also fresh, unlike the kind you get in the UK. In season, the food is cheap. And if you look around, you can get some of this food free. You see, many years ago there were small substance farmers that depended on the food that they grew, but since tourism has created many jobs there - with the explosion of hotels and restaurants - many locals are working in these industries.

My wife and I just happened to be driving through a farm area where there were plenty of orange trees but none of them were picked and there were thousands just lying on the ground. So, we took a small amount to eat for ourselves. In villages, you also see fruit trees in public areas where the fruit is there for the picking. In one town of Peyia, there are lemon trees right outside the little supermarket. So, why pay for lemons when you can get them for free!

You'll also find that food like cauliflower and broccoli grow huge when in season.

If you are looking for a place to retire, Cyprus would be ideal. It doesn't have the many problems that are associated with the US and the UK, including crime. It's easy to open a bank account and to live there as a permanent resident – even if you live outside of the EU. Flats can be rented short or long term and if you buy property the taxes are low.

If moving there is not your “cup of tea”, you can create your own private health retreat, where you'll be away from negative friends who say you can't heal yourself. You'll be in a warm climate with good local food and have all the peace and quite you need – provided you stay away from the tourist area.

Start your Mediterranean Diet Retreat today!

5 Healthy Benefits of Following a Mediterranean Diet Plan

5 Healthy Benefits of Following a Mediterranean Diet Plan

The Mediterranean diet has been around for centuries, but if you don't live in countries where this diet is prevalent such as Greece or Italy, you may not realize the many benefits of eating healthy foods "Mediterranean" style. According to studies, the Mediterranean diet encourages healthy weight loss and helps to reduce risks of many life-threatening diseases. Below are five of the top benefits of following this diet.

1. Fast Weight Loss

One of the key benefits of the Mediterranean diet is fast weight loss. This is not from the results of a diet pill or a crash starvation diet, but from healthy, portion-controlled eating. Weight loss rates will vary, but some have reported losing an average of 10 pounds per month. Delicious diet recipes are often provided when following the Mediterranean diet that help to speed up the weight loss process without depriving you of much needed vitamins and nutrients. Losing weight alone can offer many health benefits.

2. Good Heart Health

The delicious diet recipes provided while following a Mediterranean diet are all designed to promote good heart health. The Mediterranean diet consists of healthy doses of olive oil, fruits and vegetables, and oily fish. With some participants, a moderate amount of wine is consumed with meals. All these help to lower cholesterol and keep the blood flow to the heart at a normal level, thus, reducing the risk of heart disease tremendously.

3. Lower Cancer Risks

Having too many toxins in the body can cause some types of cancer, such as breast cancer. Eating the types of healthy foods promoted in the Mediterranean diet such as fruits and vegetables will lower the amount of toxins in the body because these foods are natural antioxidants.

4. Prevent Gallstones

Those who have fallen victim to gall stones realize how painful they can be. With around 639,000 people being hospitalized per year with gallstones, many studies are being conducted to help find a cause and cure. The Mediterranean diet is rich in nuts, vegetable oil, and fish. Though gallstones are not always diet-related, consuming these foods can help to reduce the risk of gall stones or eliminate them altogether for some according to recent studies.

5. Lower Blood Pressure

The healthy foods in a Mediterranean diet can also work to lower and regulate blood pressure. Blood cholesterol levels can return to normal when eating less fatty foods and salt, and more healthy vitamins and minerals. Cooking procedures on a Mediterranean diet usually involve roasting or grilling rather than frying, so more nutrients are retained in the food during preparation, and there is much less fat consumption.

These are only a few of the benefits. The Mediterranean diet also offers many other benefits such as reducing the risks of blood clotting, diabetes, Metabolic Syndrome, and other life-threatening diseases. Don't deprive yourself. Start eating delicious diet recipes on the Mediterranean diet for healthy weight loss today.

Kidney Disease Cure

Is There a Cure for Kidney Disease?

Click the banner to learn more...

New Treatment To Improve Kidney Function?

Are you struggling to feel well because your kidneys are not working properly?

Do you suffer from all or some of these symptoms?

Fatigue | Depression | High Urea, Creatinine & Potassium Levels | Loss of Appetite | Sore Lower Back | Itchy Skin | Difficulty Breathing | Anemia | Headaches | Sore Muscles

And did your doctor tell you that they are part of your condition and there’s not a lot you can do about it.

WELL … I can tell you for sure … that you can do something about these symptoms … and in 2 months (or less) you will feel like a new person … and have improved kidney function … and reverse kidney disease for good!!!

Here’s what some people are saying about this revolutionary treatment discovered by a leading naturopath in Australia …

“I was really shocked to find my kidney function down, and my sugar and cholesterol levels very high. I followed a very precise diet for 6 weeks taking into account your Kidney Solution references! My sugar levels have already come down and I have lost weight. Plus even my Doctor wants me to maintain this regime.” Ellen Fielder, Singapore

“I was thrilled to notice I began to feel better within a couple of days. I told the nephrologist about this, but he had never heard about anyone getting cured of ESRF, but he assured me that I would begin to feel much better immediately after fitting the dialysis catheter. He had never heard of anyone going off dialysis. So I told him that he should read up on what Naturopaths are doing. The bottom line is that I am getting set up for dialysis right away, but as soon as my blood work shows that my kidneys are up to par I am going to get the catheter removed. I am feeling considerably better today after only being on your course for only about ten days.” Stephen Pepler (81), Ottawa, Canada

“My kidney function was at 9% (stage 5) … I was dialyzing Monday, Wednesday and Friday, I didn’t want a kidney transplant … Within 7 weeks my kidney function went from 9% (stage 5) to 16% (stage 4) and … dialyze Tuesday and Saturday … [to] off dialysis [within months]!” Charbel (age 24), Sydney, Australia

“I was diagnosed with stage 4 chronic kidney disease with renal anemia secondary to hypertension. The feeling that there’s hope after all the advice that I will not be well was overwhelming. [Now] my Creatinine is down by 25 points and my RBC went up to 13 points. Aside from that I have lessened my skin dryness, improved my urine output and color, lessen urine bubbles, lessen lower back pains, and lessen the feeling of exhaustion. I increased my energy level; sometimes I still feel energized at night after hours of working and driving to and from the office.” Archie de Chavez, Manila, Philippines

Don’t settle for the life you are living right now … it can be better … find out right here what these people did to improve their kidney function and reverse their kidney disease against all the odds and advice from their doctors.

Get your life back, too.

Regards

Richard Swim

New Treatment To Improve Kidney Function?

New Treatment To Improve Kidney Function?

Are you struggling with impaired kidney function or kidney disease or even kidney dialysis?
It can come as a huge shock to you when the doctor says that your kidneys are not working properly … and even more shocking when they say that it isn’t possible to reverse kidney damage
You may have even been told that it is a downward slippery slide from here.
Thank Goodness … this is not TRUE!!!!

Duncan Capicchiano, 2nd generation Naturopath, Researcher and Author – was driven to find a solution to this problem when one of his close family members was diagnosed with severe impaired kidney function.

If you have experienced this … you, too, are probably hoping and praying that someone would find a real solution for you. ONE that delivers on its promises and you get the results of feeling better than you have for a long time.

Now, I hope you haven’t been given the dreaded news that it’s time to go onto dialysis … but in case you have … you need to read these inspirational stories of coming off dialysis. (And … yes, I have heard people say this isn’t possible! – but it is in some cases.)

“My kidney function was at 9% (stage 5) … I was dialyzing Monday, Wednesday and Friday, I didn’t want a kidney transplant … Within 7 weeks my kidney function went from 9% (stage 5) to 16% (stage 4) and … dialyze Tuesday and Saturday … [to] off dialysis [within months]!” Charbel – Sydney, Australia

“… guy told me I had “End Stage Renal Failure” (ESRF) and set me up for either a kidney transplant or dialysis. I declined this at first but finally, because I could hardly walk any more – let alone able to do any exercise, I consented.

This is when I came across your Kidney Disease Solution. I was excited when I came to your statement that one could take your treatment even when undergoing dialysis. So I immediately purchased your eBook.

I was thrilled to notice I began to feel better within a couple of days. The nephrologist had never heard of anyone going off dialysis. I am getting set up for dialysis right away, but as soon as my blood work shows that my kidneys are up to par I am going to get the catheter removed. I am feeling considerably better today after only being on your course for only about ten days.” Stephen Pepler, Ottawa, Canada

Take a chance today … and try this program … you won’t regret it when you reverse your kidney disease or impaired kidney function like Stephen and Charbel … and many other very happy people around the world.

Find out how to reverse your kidney disease here: PUT YOUR AFFILIATE LINK HERE.
Regards


Richard Swim

PS – Don’t worry … contrary to medical belief – kidney disease and impaired kidney function can be reversed … when you know how: PUT YOUR AFFILIATE LINK HERE

Allergies - The Peanut Butter Controversy

Allergies - The Peanut Butter Controversy

In this article we're doing to discuss one of the most dangerous allergies, especially to children who really enjoy their peanut butter and jelly and the arguments for giving or not giving peanut butter to young children in potentially high risk allergic groups.

Let's face it, if you're a kid, or even a kid at heart, you love peanut butter and jelly.  Who doesn't?  Unfortunately, peanut butter doesn't love everybody as many are allergic to it and this is one allergy that can be downright deadly.  Recently a girl died just because she had kissed somebody who had eaten peanut butter.  That is a very scary thought. 

One of the biggest controversies these days is when to actually allow your child to start having peanut butter.  Years ago the only warning was not to give your child big chunks of peanut butter but to spread it thin.  This could be started at any age.  But today, with the alarming number of kids turning out to be allergic to peanut butter, it is recommended that a child not be given peanut butter until 2 or 3 years of age.  Even though allergies to peanut butter are not the most common, they are the most deadly and because of this it is believed extra care is needed.  Also, these allergies are the least likely to be outgrown. 

There are several determining factors in avoiding giving your child peanut butter.  The irst factor is if they have shown allergies or intolerances to other foods or even their baby formula.  Then there is whether or not they have other allergic type disorders such as eczema, allergic rhinitis, or asthma or if they have members in the family that have these conditions as allergies can be inherited.  Also, if they have other family members with food allergies, especially if another family member is allergic to peanut butter. 

It is actually recommended that for high risk children they not only avoid peanut butter until they are older but also cow's milk, citrus fruits and juices and wheat until they are at least 1 year old.  They should avoid eggs until age 2 and finally peanuts and shellfish until they are over 2 years of age. 

This is where the controversy heats up.  Some experts say that children who are not considered to be in a high risk group do not have to do these things.  Others say that because food allergies, especially peanuts, are so deadly that it just doesn't make sense not to err on the side of caution.  They say that even children not in a high risk group can still have allergies to peanuts and therefore the only way to avoid a reaction is to never allow them to eat peanut butter.  Some say that's extreme, others say that one reaction can be the last one. 

Ultimately, it comes down to the parent.  You have to weigh the risks of giving your child peanut butter against the benefits.  Yes, peanuts are high in protein and peanut butter and jelly is a very convenient and easy lunch to make, especially for bringing to school.  But if your child is severely allergic it only takes one bite of one sandwich.

How to overcome allergies

How to Overcome Allergies

Everything can be treated naturally, including allergies.

In this article we're going to focus on one of the most annoying types of allergies, especially to people who love to eat. 

You go out to the local pizza parlor, order two slices with extra cheese, sit down at the booth with your pizza in one hand and coke in the other and chow down.  A few hours later after you've arrived back home just in time to watch your favorite TV show, suddenly your stomach feels like it's about to erupt like a volcano.  You run like a madman to the bathroom just in time to experience what seems to be the complete emptying of your insides. 

Welcome to the world of food allergies and intolerances. 

In the case of the runs after eating a couple of slices of pizza most likely you're lactose intolerant which is just one type of food allergy.  Technically, you can be allergic to just about any kind of food but there are some that seem to be more common that others. 

Before we go any further let's define exactly what a food allergy is.  Food allergies can be broken down into 2 categories.  The first one is hypersensitivity.  This is an adverse reaction of the immune system itself and is unrelated to any actual physical effect of the food or food additive.  These reactions are caused by immunoglobulin E (IgE) antibodies. 

The second category is food intolerance.  This is actually caused by the food itself and is not a function of the immune system itself overreacting to the food or food additive.  The symptoms of an intolerance may be very similar to those of an actual immune symptom reaction but the causes are quite different. 

Of the two, actual immune system reactions are the more common, though it does appear that a trend to intolerances, such as lactose intolerance, is on the rise.  What actually happens with food allergies is that people with allergies produce IgE antibodies to specific epitopes in the food allergen.  These antibodies bind to IgE receptors on the mast cells of tissue that are on the skin, digestive tract and respiratory system.  The exposure of these antigens causes the release of histamines.  This ultimately results in mucus secretion and muscle contraction which then leads to a wide range of symptoms which can range from unpleasant to serious or even severe.  How severe?

Allergic reactions to food can be fatal almost immediately following the ingestion of food.  Probably one of the most prevalent and dangerous of these food allergies are people who are allergic to peanuts.  Just recently, as of this writing, a girl died simply from kissing someone who had recently eaten peanuts.  That is how dangerous these allergies can be. 

Less severe reactions to food allergies are oropharyngeal pruritus, angioedema, stridor, cough, dyspnea, wheezing, and dysphonia. 

Aside from peanuts, the most common foods that people are allergic to are tree nuts, and shellfish. 

Unfortunately the best way to avoid food allergies is to have a food allergy test done and then to avoid the foods that show positive on the test.

A Wake-Up Call From A Heart Attack

A Wake-Up Call From A Heart Attack

Unfortunately, it takes a heart attack for people to get a wake up call to have a healthy lifestyle. They think that since they never had a heart attack that they'll never get one, so they continue with their diet that is high in animal products including fat. The time to change your diet is NOW! You don't know what tomorrow will bring. By aiming to be healthy now, means you won't have to suffer in the future.


Frank Rella was teaching a high school music class when he had a wake-up call that changed his life. Frank felt pain in his chest and left work early.

When the pain got worse at home, he was rushed by ambulance to the hospital. Frank's greatest fear came true when the doctors said he had a heart attack.

"My heart attack was really a wake-up call," said Rella, a 42-year-old New Jersey resident who became a paramedic after his life-altering heart attack, so he could be on the frontlines of medical care. "I went through a lot of emotions and was worried about having a second attack. So now I make sure to take the right medications and work with my doctor to live a heart-healthy lifestyle."

Frank's story is not uncommon. A new survey of more than 500 heart attack survivors found that survivors see their attack as a wake-up call that gave them a second chance at life. However, most survivors also said their heart attack left them with feelings of depression and hopelessness. In fact, survivors said they feared another heart attack more than death. Even though survivors had these feelings, 40 percent said they were not doing everything they could to prevent another attack. This fact is troubling since one in five men and one in three women will have another heart attack within six years.

"I see these survey results come to life in my practice every day. While many of my patients who have suffered a heart attack are very aware and afraid of their increased risk of having another one, they are not doing everything they can to live a heart-healthy life. The good news is that if they take certain steps, they can prevent another attack. I tell my patients to eat healthy, exercise and take their medications. Those medications may include a beta-blocker, ACE inhibitor, statin and aspirin," said Dr. William Abraham, director of the Division of Cardiovascular Medicine at The Ohio State University Medical Center.

In the survey, 80 percent of heart attack survivors said they needed more information to learn about their heart health. As a result, Mended Hearts, a nationwide heart patient support group affiliated with the American Heart Association, started a program called "Heartfelt Wake-Up Call." This program offers education and support to heart attack survivors and their families. For tips on "Heartfelt Living" and "Heartfelt Support," such as information about local support groups, tip sheets, survivors' stories and heart-healthy recipes, visit www.mendedhearts.org.

GlaxoSmithKline provided funding and assistance in the development of "Heartfelt Wake-Up Call."

"I encourage patients to take their health to heart" said Abraham.