Editor’s Note: Ever wonder why chicken soup is the #1 most prescribed cold and flu folk remedy? Read today’s guest post by Leah Martins!

Before chicken soup was for the soul, it was used by mothers everywhere as the best course to treat physical maladies of all types (although it’s best known to remedy the common cold).  But what is it about chicken soup that makes it such a health-booster?

If it was snake oil, it would have gone out of fashion long ago, but it continues to be used generation after generation by concerned and conscientious caregivers. Every child has fond memories of being bundled in a mountain of blankets to sleep away the latest cold, with a steady diet of soup and crackers arriving periodically on a tray.

Is it just an old wives tale, or does chicken soup really have some magical healing properties to sooth and subjugate an array of ailments?

Well, it’s no magic potion in this day and age, but it may as well be. Chicken soup has several properties that make it useful in the treatment of certain illnesses:

• Cleansing. “Plenty of fluids” is often advised when you’re ill. A body full of attacking allergens (like a virus) and battling antibodies needs to be flushed in order to get healthy. To that effect, the abundant broth in chicken soup performs aptly.
• Disinfecting. Chicken soup is generally fairly salty (with lower-sodium versions), so that when it goes down your throat it acts in much the same way as gargling warm salt water. In other words, it removes bacteria in the throat, mouth, and tonsils.
• Clears sinuses. Much like other warm liquids (for example, tea), it can help to clear the sinuses with steam.
• Strengthening. The lean protein in chicken and nutrients from added vegetables work to bolster your strength when your body is feeling drained of energy.

These self-explanatory health benefits alone should convince anyone to suck down some chicken soup when they get the sniffles!

More Reasons Why Chicken Soup is Healthy

Studies have also shown that chicken soup affects you on a much deeper level.

For starters, it has been shown to inhibit the production of neutrophils, white blood cells that eat bacteria and cause inflammation and mucus production (i.e. stuffy nose, sore throat, phlegm, etc.). This is important because while neutrophils kill pathogens, their antimicrobial products damage host tissues.

Theoretically, chicken soup can also be used in this capacity in cases of asthma, emphysema, and even accidents where swelling occurs, to ease inflammation of targeted areas!

Further, each ingredient in chicken soup has its own special healing properties:

1. Chicken, while filling, is good for more than just a meal. It contains cysteine, an amino acid that is thought to help thin mucus in the lungs, making it easier to expel.
2. Carrots (which contain beta-carotene) and celery (which contains vitamin C), both of which help to bolster the immune system and fight infection.
3. Onions in your chicken soup provide the benefit of antioxidants that reduce inflammation and act as an anti-histamine.

Besides all of the physical benefits of ingesting chicken soup, there is an added psychological reason to take it. For many people, it is either administered by a caring relative or it brings with it fond and comforting memories of home.

Either scenario will allow a patient to relax and let the soup do its work to treat the symptoms. And really, we all know the best remedy is a good attitude and plenty of rest.

About the Author

Leah Martins is a writer for the popular self defense website Hertao, where you can find great tips and advice from the pros.

Depending on your ingredients (check this post for a chicken soup recipe), like additional veggies and herbs and spices, it would increase the already prominent health factor of this home remedy! What do you put in your homemade chicken soup?

This weekend is wonderfully warm in Toronto and I’ve got a hankerin’ for a healthy pina colada. If your looking for a nutritious spin on a yummy tropical cocktail, try this smoothie on for size!

Who doesn’t love pineapple and coconut all blended up into a delicious meal you can drink?

This smoothie was inspired by Bindu Grandhi’s last two guest posts about how to eat to beat the heat and the health benefits of coconut water.

I added cocoa powder, thinking of how tasty Mounds bars are, and I thought it turned out great! But if you’re iffy, try this smoothie recipe without the chocolate first, then try experimenting.

Cocoa Pina Colada Smoothie

Makes: 1 serving (18 oz approx.)

Ingredients

• 1 cup frozen pineapple chunks
• 1 tbsp raw coconut flakes
• 1tsp raw cocoa powder, unsweetened
• 1/2 cup coconut water
• 1/2 cup almond milk, original (or to desired consistency)

Preparation

Blend and enjoy!

Nutrition Information

Calories 219.2

Total Fat 10.6 g
Saturated Fat 6.4 g
Polyunsaturated Fat 0.3 g
Monounsaturated Fat 0.6 g
Cholesterol 0.0 mg
Sodium 156.7 mg
Potassium 508.7 mg
Total Carbohydrate 33.2 g
Dietary Fiber 6.5 g
Sugars 24.3 g
Protein 3.3 g

Vitamin A 10.7 %
Vitamin B-12 0.0 %
Vitamin B-6 7.5 %
Vitamin C 40.9 %
Vitamin D 25.0 %
Vitamin E 51.6 %
Calcium 22.1 %
Copper 23.1 %
Folate 6.0 %
Iron 12.1 %
Magnesium 17.7 %
Manganese 153.2 %
Niacin 4.4 %
Pantothenic Acid     3.2 %
Phosphorus     17.3 %
Riboflavin 4.3 %
Selenium 5.3 %
Thiamin 10.7 %
Zinc 4.7 %

*Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet. Your daily values may be higher or lower depending on your calorie needs.

We’re always talking about healthy living for the body, mind and soul here on Live Lighter, but what about  the health of our possessions? In today’s post, we learn about what makes our computer sick and how to boost its immunity!

Just as there are dangerous viruses and bacteria floating around the world looking for a host to feed on, there are computer viruses and spyware lurking on the world wide web for a host to infect. Unfortunate but a fact of life, we must protect our computers from mischievous individuals using the web for selfish, harmful agendas.

Last week (shortly after I became ill and dreamed up the perfect healthcare system), my computer was hit with a trojan horse. This is a type of malicious software (a.k.a. malware) and as the name from Greek mythology suggests, appears to be helpful but actually allows unauthorized access to your computer.

As an analogy, this would be like you welcoming a thief disguised as a friend into your home and, on the sly, he opens a door or window to your place so his buddies can get in and rob you blind.

And the trojan horse doesn’t only allow hackers to access one’s personal computer! It also can access a website you upload content to from your computer (like a blog) and also to the server hosting it (posing a risk to other websites on the same server) where the hackers can then upload other types of malware!

As you can imagine, I was upset. But I had to remind myself things happen for a reason. Perhaps the Universe was telling me it’s time I found out for myself about maintaining a healthy computer, and share this info with other technologically-challenged people like me?

#1 Lesson for a Healthy Computer

Although my computer was secured, one little oversight allowed the trojan in: the automatic updates weren’t turned on in my security software! This trojan was new and without the updated version, my security software was unable to detect the threat. Doh!

The rest of the post explains the basic security you need to maintain the health of your computer, but please don’t forget this one lesson and turn on your automatic updates (as well as automatic scanning) on all the security software you install.

Boosting your Computer’s Immunity

Here’s an excellent article written specially for laymen by Erick Simpson (VP of MSP University), “Basic Computer Safety Tips” which covers protecting your computer as well as a few things you can do to ensure your safety when using the internet. Instead of reiterating Erick’s article, please read it before proceeding!

For everyday computer users who use the internet for communicating through email and social networks, and for information browsing, paying bills and some online shopping, this is the security software you’ll need for a healthy computer:

Firewall Software

According to some sources (my computer-savvy Honey for one), a firewall is the most important piece of security you’ll need to guard against malware.

Why? Because even if spyware and other information collecting malware find their way in to your computer, the firewall prevents the hacker from sending info out from your computer to the internet and into other computers.

A good firewall will ask your permission when sending or receiving any information to and from the internet. As with every tool, the firewall works best when the user knows how it works and uses it like it was meant to be used.

You “always allow” sites you trust, and when it pops up suddenly asking you to allow or deny an activity, really look at what you’re in the middle of and ask yourself, “Is there any reason why my computer would need to receive or send information?”

Also, before you allow or deny, look at the information your Firewall is providing you: do you recognize where the data is coming from or going out to? If you don’t know whether it’s good or bad, try Googling it and see what comes up.

Anti-Malware Software (Anti-virus & Anti-spyware)

Not only do these programs help protect your computer from infection, they also scan your system for threats, as well as disable and remove them before they cause harm.

The most popular anti-virus program out there is Norton Anti-Virus, but another good one on the market is CA Anti-Virus.

#2 Lesson for a Healthy Computer

Something else important I gleaned from my experience last week was: if your computer does become infected and you use an anti-malware program to clean it up, there are program files for your operating system (typically Microsoft Windows) that viruses and other malware like to hide in – something like a closet.

To find them, you must run your malware scan in your operating system’s “safe mode.” To do this when using Microsoft Windows XP, start up your computer and in the middle of the boot-up process, press and hold the F8 key before Windows has had a chance to load. For other Windows users, check here.

Once you’re in the safe mode, it’ll look like a rougher version of your normal screen (your fonts and wallpaper image may be whacked). From here, just open your malware program(s) and run a scan here. If it fails to find a threat, you’re in the clear!

#3 Lesson for a Healthy Computer

Always question when your computer is acting funny in any way. For instance, last week I noticed something was wrong when I posted Tuesday’s post here on Live Lighter. When I signed out, my login page had a list of warning error scripts on it.

It’s never done anything like that before and while I noticed it, I just assumed it was a minor glitch. At that very moment, I could have called my techie or my hosting provider to ask them their opinion. Either one would have told me to scan my ‘puter for malware immediately.

It wasn’t until the next day when I experienced the same thing, that I off-handedly mentioned it to my techie. By then, it was tough to find and remove from my computer, it had accessed my blog AND the server. My hosting provider had to quarantine the file and after cleaning everything up, it was password changin’ time!

Putting it together for Computer Health

Like Erick Simpson pointed out in his article, for the less computer-savvy, it’s easier to install and manage a bundled version of these software applications that include firewall, anti-virus and anti-spyware software.

HOWEVER, you should be aware that vendors tend to specialize in one type of software, leaving security gaps in the other software programs they offer in their packaged deal.

For the best overall security, you might want to complicate your life a bit by purchasing separate software from different companies. But, when you do this, you run into compatibility issues! (I’m betting hackers count on these challenges for their success.)

My computer technician, who believes a firewall is the most important aspect of security, suggested ZoneAlarm – the best company he knows for firewall protection. At one time I had Norton running with ZoneAlarm, then I tried CA with ZoneAlarm, but alas, they don’t play nice with one another.

ZoneAlarm Extreme is what I’m using now which includes the all-important firewall, anti-virus and anti-spyware, browser security, email and identity protections AND parental controls!

While ZoneAlarm doesn’t have the best anti-virus and anti-spyware software out there, I’ll have the best firewall out there to prevent malware from reporting back to hackers. If it fails to wipe the offenders clean from my computer, I’ll download trial versions of either Norton or CA to finish the job.

Hopefully this post helps you keep your computer healthy, and saves you time, hassle and stress of removing malware after it’s attacked your computer.

Have you had a computer infection? How did you handle it and what malware programs are you using?

Editor’s Note: Live from Bangalore, India, Bindu Grandhi (flexitarian cookbook author and regular Live Lighter guest blogger) shares with us the health benefits and earthly pleasures of consuming fresh coconuts.

One of the greatest pleasures I seek every time I visit Bangalore is drinking fresh coconut water. Not only is it nature’s health remedy to just about every problem you can think of, its amazing taste is totally refreshing and cools you down.

The coconut vendors – mostly men with 50+ green coconuts strapped to their bikes – strategically position themselves on street corners, by the parks, basically where ever there are crowds.

So here I am at Rose Garden Park waiting for the vendor to select a coconut using a special technique of tapping and swirling. He then uses a “mochhu” (a small sickle) to chop off the top of the coconut, inserts a straw and I sip away!

After drinking the water, the vendor breaks open the coconut and scoops out the inner coconut flesh. (The younger the coconut the more thinner and tender the flesh, while mature coconuts have thick flesh which can be used in cooking.) It too is so delish and I hand the empty coconut shell to the vendor who throws it into a pile.

Those empty coconuts will be recycled into making hand bags, coir floor mats, rope, scrubbing pads (like brillo), stuffing for mattresses and a whole lot more. The entire process is so eco-friendly!

Coconut water is extracted from a coconut that is too young to have formed milk. Besides being so tasty, the water has loads of nutritional benefits. It is low in calories, fat free and packed with electrolytes and natural sugars unlike processed sugars found in juices.

Best of all, it is an excellent re-hydrator. It has more potassium than most of the sports and energy drinks out there, and is lower in sodium. According to the Food and Agriculture Organization, this drink contains the same five electrolytes found in human blood while Gatorade has only two.

They dubbed it “the fluid of life,” and rightly so – in medical emergencies, coconut water has been used intravenously when conventional hydration fluids were unavailable.

Advocates of coconut water maintain it can do everything from boost your immune system to reduce menstrual cramps, improve muscle performance, cleanse the endocrine system, aid in digestion, rid diarrhea and even lower the risk for cancer.

While there is no significant research to substantiate these claims, I will tell you my ancestors swear to its near magical potency. Coconut water has recently caught on as a sports drink among high profile athletes, a cure for a hangover among partiers and a healthy drink for those seeking optimal health and energy.

As you know I always believe fresh is best, so buy coconuts from your local or specialty grocery stores and crack it open for a taste of heaven.

But if you can’t find fresh, here are some brands that are popular – Zico, O.N.E., VitaCoco (a favorite of Madonna’s) and Nirvana Young Coconut Water. My friend has tried almost every brand out there and insists that Nirvana, which can be found in Whole Foods, is the best.

So here’s my takeaway, I’m going to start drinking coconut water for a post-workout energy boost or occasionally drink it in lieu of OJ for a little extra health and well-being…..Cheers!

Sources:

1. Coconut Water: A Natural Healthy Drink (She Radiance Magazine)
2. The New Hangover Cure and Sports Drink (Suite101.com)
3. Coconut Water: Nature’s Sweet, Low-Cal Hangover Relief (Time Magazine)

About the Author

Author of Spice Up Your Life, Bindu Grandhi is passionate about healthy and flavourful cooking, especially when it’s flexitarian. She shares her health knowledge with the world by providing practical, healthy and tasty recipes as The Flex Cook.

Do you think physical health is directly linked to emotional health? Would it be comforting or scary for you if you found out that most (if not all) of our physical aches and pains originate from negative thoughts and emotions?

This week we talked about some of the health benefits of fasting and dreamed up the perfect healthcare system with programs to help people manage daily stress (including the emotional kind). I’d like to wrap these two posts together in today’s post.

To help me do this, I’d like to share last Monday’s www.RenegadeHealthShow.com video where v-blogger, Kevin Gianni, just finished a 5-day water fast experiment at True North Health Center. He shares a fascinating interview with Dr. Michael Klaper who talks about the emotional/mental benefits of fasting:

While Dr. Klaper speaks specifically about the increased self-esteem one gets after successfully completing a challenge like a water fast, at the end of the interview, Kevin asks him about his thoughts on the psychological contribution to disease and illness.

Is it possible that a lot of our emotional stress is caused by negative beliefs we hold and the identities we create for ourselves?

Do you think negative beliefs (like low self-esteem) and reoccurring thoughts that perpetuate these beliefs might help create ill-health? Does this idea empower or depress you?

Who’s got a beef with their country’s healthcare system? If you do, read this post and help me dream up the perfect healthcare system!

Canada’s healthcare system is one of the best in the world and while I’m grateful for it, it leaves a sour taste in my mouth and a strong resistance to seeking health assistance (which I commented on in the post, “Healthcare? Or is it really Sickcare?“).

One day this week I became ill and not only was I in pain, the entire day was shot for fun and productivity. Poo.

On the positive side, I had some time to contemplate and imagine a healthcare system designed to promote health and well-being, rather than a reactive response to illness and disease.

Here are a few aspects of my healthcare nirvana:

1. More life skills, less algebra. Who really uses algebra in adulthood? Why spend precious hours in school learning reams of useless, impractical information when we could be learning how to cope with daily life? Illness and disease is directly related to stress so I say let’s start teaching younger generations things like: social skills, conflict resolution, money management, healthy living practices (nutrition & exercise) and healthy stress management techniques.
2. East meets West approach. The inherent wisdom of the East is severely lacking in contemporary medicine. I’d love to see the day where our entire healthcare system combines what works in western medicine with what works in natural medicine.
3. Replace General Practitioners (GPs) with Naturopathic Docs (NDs). This might be a little out-there for most people but what I mean is reserving the skills of Medical Doctors (MDs) for life-threatening instances, such as emergencies and surgeries, as well as illnesses and diseases that have gone too far. This would leave diagnosing the early stages of illness and disease, as well as treating core issues causing them, up to the skills and knowledge of Naturopathic Doctors.
4. More money towards public health education. It’s time healthcare systems become proactive. How? By providing people what they need to take responsibility for their own health. It begins with knowledge, though, so I picture a system where huge funds are directed towards the prevention of illness and disease by educating the entire population (not just kids in school, as in #1) about how to properly care for and maintain balance in our bodies. Where do we get the money for such a thing? Let’s start with capping CEO salaries to $100,000 and insist pharmaceutical companies give back to society.
5. Emotional alchemy. This one is aligned with #1 and #4 but I thought it deserved its own point. What causes stress? Emotional responses to perceptions of circumstances (reality). Negative thoughts and emotions are toxic energy. If they aren’t processed and released, they stay in the body. So let’s learn realistic optimism and transform those negative emotions into positive ones. Sandra Ingerman teaches some really easy practices for emotional alchemy in her new book, “How to Thrive in Changing Times” which I reviewed recently.
6. Trusted agency-regulated nutritional supplements. This is a topic that I’ll be covering in an upcoming post but suffice it to say, nutritional supplement industry standards are sub-par at best. There are many sold on the market today that go right through your body without any benefit whatsoever.
7. Social health insurance that includes natural medicine. Many insurance agencies out there cover natural medicine and alternative therapies, like acupuncture, massage therapy and chiropractic, in their health packages. In conjunction with #3, why doesn’t our healthcare system in Canada cover it? Anyone have ideas?
8. Items NOT covered under perfect social healthcare. Realistically, if our ideal healthcare system were to provide everything for free to the public, we’d be paying taxes through the nose! Let’s say the social health insurance would NOT cover: unnecessary surgeries (and there are more than you might realize when you read Dr. Null’s “Death By Medicine,” another book I recently reviewed); most pharmaceuticals (they usually cause more damage than help); and most natural health products (except for agency-regulated daily nutritional supplements).
9. Affordable healthy food & high-priced junk food. The price of cigarettes is astronomical in order to deter people from buying them but junk food is arguably JUST as addictive and harmful. (Stay tuned for my upcoming book review on Dr. Robert Pretlow’s “Overweight, What Kid’s Say: what’s really causing the childhood obesity epidemic?“) I understand why organic food is more expensive but what I don’t understand is why we even need organics! Isn’t it a no-brainer that chemicals are toxic, no matter how small the dosage, it builds up in the system over time. And don’t even get me started on how commercial farms treat animals – besides inhumane treatment, we consume their stress hormones! If you haven’t seen it, here’s a clip from the documentary, Food Inc.
10. High-priced pharmaceuticals. Just like cigarettes in Canada and junk food in our perfect healthcare system, we’d raise the prices on toxic pharmaceuticals. Sure, there might be a few out there that are useful but I doubt it. Perhaps someone with more pharmaceutical and alternative medical knowledge can help with this one?

Can you add to this list? Are there any points that need tweaking? Let’s hear what you think would make the perfect healthcare system!

Editor’s Note: Thinking about a fast? Before you tackle this challenge, please read this guest post by Carol Montrose as she shares some info and advice. She explains what fasting is and why you might want to try or avoid it.

Fasting has long been the providence of religious enthusiasts looking to reach a higher state of enlightenment through the denial of worldly pleasures (or purify, cleanse, and invite visions) as well as political activists looking to draw attention to their cause.

However, you don’t have to be a Siddhartha or Mahatma Gandhi to realize some of the benefits of depriving your body of food.

The concept of improving your health by denying yourself the very nutrition that keeps you alive is a strange one, to be sure. But when you consider all of the toxins that modern man ingests, whether from processed and refined foods or chemically treated produce, it only makes sense that flushing them out of your system will lead your body to feel and function better.

But what is fasting?

There is a fine line between a healthy fast and starvation or an eating disorder, so it pays to do a little research before you simply decide to stop eating.

A fast begins and ends with carbohydrates, which your body stores as fat. The carbs that you ingested most recently turn into glycogen, which is burned off pretty quickly if you have a high level of activity.

But in general, carbs become sugar, which is either eliminated as waste or transformed into the fat that your body stores to burn as energy in case of a lack of fuel (as when you fast). So, when your body begins to burn your fat stores (generally during the first day of food deprivation), your fast has technically begun.

However, at some point your body is also going to start dipping into stores of protein, which means you will begin burning muscle instead of fat. At this point, your fast has ended and starvation has set in. The amount of time it takes to reach this point varies from person to person, so you may want to check with your doctor or nutritionist to find a safe window of time for practicing your fast.

In addition, you will need to consume plenty of fluids (generally water, but sometimes fruit and vegetable juices) to ensure that you don’t suffer from dehydration, which can quickly turn from merely unpleasant to deadly.

There are a couple of different reasons for why people fast:

Most people use it as a form of detoxification to enhance their body’s natural proclivity to filter out toxins and waste. In most cases, it merely speeds up a process that your body performs on its own, so in that respect, it is fairly safe when done under the supervision of a physician or other health-care professional.

The main benefit of fasting for detoxification is that environmental toxins are often stored in your fat reserves (think DDT), so when you begin to deplete them, these stored chemicals will be sloughed off through urine, feces and sweat, leaving you potentially much healthier than before.

The other reason people turn to fasting is as a dieting technique. There is something to be said for reducing your body fat in this way, but there are drawbacks to using fasting as both a short-term and long-term dieting regimen.

In the short term, fasting can help you to shed unwanted pounds quickly, but it may cause changes in your metabolism. Once you start eating again, you may gain weight (sometimes in excess of what you lost) if you return to an unhealthy lifestyle.

Longer fasts (from one week to one month), can become dangerous not only because of the amount of weight being lost, but the psychological process that accompanies rapid weight loss. It can become addictive and lead to severe eating disorders in some people who are predisposed to such tendencies, so be sure to monitor your progress and take your doctor’s advice concerning when to stop.

About the Author
Carol Montrose is a writer for MBA Online where you can browse top online MBA programs.

What do you think of this post, Readers? Do you fast and for what reasons? If you’re thinking about a fast, be sure to ask your doc’s advice first and check out, “When is fasting not a good idea?”

Would you like to help make the world a better place and become healthier in the process? What if you could learn how to do it with the power of your mind, heart and a little fun?

If you subscribe to the belief that perception creates reality, and you’d like to learn how to control your thoughts and feelings better, then “How to Thrive in Changing Times” may be the workbook for you. It’s chocked full of fun, practical exercises you can do by yourself or with others to increase awareness and energetic vibration!

About the book

“How to Thrive in Changing Times” is the new book by acclaimed author, teacher and shamanic researcher, Sandra Ingerman. Subtitled “simple tools to create true health, wealth, peace and joy for yourself and the earth,” Ingerman’s seventh book combines the ancient wisdom of shamanic ceremony with modern psychological practice.

An excerpt from the book, entitled “The Magic of Words,” is available at http://tinyurl.com/yh4zo7m. It discusses the power of words to manifest reality, such as the word “abracadabra,” which translates to “I create as I speak.”

The book shows how individual and group practice can manifest global transformation. As such, it is a call to action for those who feel powerless to change their own situation or heal the Earth.

Review

Written mainly for the spiritually-inclined, you must have an open mind and willingness to try new methods (and ancient ways) of changing to benefit from this book. And, as the author Sandra Ingerman warns, this spiritual work takes dedication and repetition as these changes are not fast or permanent.

Thank goodness she makes it fun! Some of the spiritual tools include working with nature, identifying your self-limiting beliefs and type of intuition, and what truly makes you happy. They also promise to replace self-defeating beliefs, teach us how to tap into our intuitive abilities and use our creative abilities to create a reality we want.

One of the best aspects of this book is that Ms. Ingerman isn’t all sunshine and rainbows. She stresses how important, how healthy, it is to acknowledge and experience our negative thoughts, feelings and observations about ourselves and the world, and to develop practices which help us transform these into positive energy.

For example, she speaks on the feeling of gratitude:

Being grateful does not mean we have to deny that suffering is in the world. But as we focus on the joy, the successes, the beauty of life, our energy and perceptions change. When we spend our time obsessing on what isn’t working, our energy feeds defeatist results, thus creating more suffering and hopelessness. When we focus on joy and beauty, the energy ripples throughout the web of life, creating the possibility of change.

Between the meditation practices and nature ceremonies, Ms. Ingerman shows us how we can be part of the healing rather than the bombardment of negative energy so rampant these days. Here’s a quote I feel really encapsulates the philosophy that permeates throughout book:

The key to good health is to flow with the river of life and to learn how to respond to changes with a good attitude and a maintained focus on our destination.

Now, doesn’t that sound right? How to Thrive in Changing Times is full of positive concepts and advice like this. Ms. Ingerman reminds us that we are powerful co-creators and through our thoughts and actions, we decide if we’ll limit or empower ourselves and those around us.

About the author

Sandra Ingerman, MA, is a teacher, shamanic researcher, licensed therapist and acclaimed author. She’s written numerous books including How to Heal Toxic Thoughts, Soul Retrieval, and Medicine for the Earth: How to Transform Personal and Environmental Toxins.

Conclusion

I’ve read this compact 5×7 handbook (167 pages) twice now and performed only about 5 exercises out of several dozen so far. I’m raring to do more but it’s heavy work, these spiritual practices! You really have to set aside some time to get your head out of the daily grind and into yourself (and the Universe).

This book was given to me in exchange for an honest review and while I’m personally getting a lot out of it, it might not be for everyone. However, if you’re fighting with negative thoughts, emotions and beliefs, then if nothing else, How to Thrive in Changing Times helps you look at the world in a positive light and just makes you feel good.

To find out more about Sandra Ingerman and read her blog, check her out at www.sandraingerman.com.

If there’s a quality difference found between foods based on source and processing, it’s safe to assume the same holds true for water. Jessica Ryan tells us what type of water is the healthiest for us in today’s guest post!

Everyone knows that water is essential to the human body. It hydrates us, protects our organs and provides our nutrients with a road to travel. These days just about everyone realizes the necessity of ample water intake.

With so many people reaching for healthier options, there are more choices than ever when choosing our H2O. Here is the lowdown on all the basic options available and their varied affects on our health:

Sparkling

While favored heavily in most of Europe and used throughout the bottling industry, this type of water is the least healthy. Sparkling water is still water but with a high concentration of carbon dioxide. The fizz and carbonation in sparkling water is the same acidic mixture used in sodas.

Long term use of sparkling water can present a health risk, particularly for dental health.

Distilled and Reverse Osmosis

This is 100% H2O, making distilled water (or deionized water) the purest option.

The drawback here is that there is no nutritional value. The extra minerals that come as part of the regular H2O package are not present due to the evaporation of the water which completely removes everything `heavy’ to become a gaseous state.

Water processed through reverse osmosis is also purified as minerals cannot escape through the processing. In addition to no nutritional value, water processed with these methods is also high on the acidic scale.

The consensus here is that distilled water is the least healthy of all water options due to the lack of mineral nutrition. That’s the only consensus in the water debate.

The battle between tap and bottled water rages on. The basic argument is that tap water can contain unwelcome contaminants. Bottled water on the other hand has been known to contain the same contaminants and some tests have shown higher levels of toxins like arsenic and excessive fluoride.

Tap

Natural tap water comes from many sources. Wells, surface water and deep water aquifers are all sources for tap water.

In the USA, tap water is under strict guidelines by the government and despite the occasional discoloring or funny taste, tap water here is very safe. Many larger cities have begun using advanced filtering techniques and the process of ozonation. This increased the filtering capabilities by further reducing the percentage of chemicals in the water.

Tap water is also rich in minerals which help many experts to argue that this reason alone makes tap water the healthiest choice. Many people also choose to filter their tap water in their home. This process maintains the mineral content but can help decrease everyday contaminants like lead or e. coli.

Filtered

There are many filters on the market. Some are better than others but the actual quality depends on the original quality of the drinking water.

A more contaminated water source calls for a heavier duty filtration system to remove the various toxins. Your basic decent tap water with just a hint of metal contamination from the pipes will be just fine with a cheap filtration system (on the faucet or water pitcher).

One negative hitch with filtration systems is that they get dirty. Maintenance is important if the filter is to continue working. Without the appropriate maintenance, bacteria and other collective gunk will start making its way into your water.

Bottled

Bottled water has the benefit of manufacturing. Some companies infuse the water with bonus minerals which actually enhances the health benefit of water.

Bottled water is increasingly being held to the same standards of control as tap water, but regulation still lags behind. Many tests have shown bottled water to possess more contaminants than tap water.

The trick here is that it all depends on where you get your water supply from and what brand of bottled water is used. Some tap water is extraordinary while others barely make a passing grade. The same distinctions apply with bottled varieties. This is why it’s impossible to determine one as healthier over the other.

Structured

Natural water from glaciers and deep artesian wells are typically known to be more “structured”. The actual molecular structure of the water reacts to the human body in the most natural way.

Water from many bottled waters and even distilled water are structured differently and may cause the body to process it differently; sometimes even treat it as a foreign body!

Structured water can be created at home through special systems. It is also beginning to carve a luxury niche in the bottled water market. Almost all experts agree that the molecular structure of this type of water is the most beneficial to the human body.

And the Winner Is?

The clear winner here is structured water. The science behind how its molecular structure boosts the human body’s performance is growing with every study.

Water is essential to the human body for hydration and the transportation of nutrients. With structured water this process is done cleanly and more efficiently. It is important to remember that most water is good water. Even water types with a potential to cause health risks are helpful and healthful to our bodies.

Sparkling water still has a large edge on soda when it comes to acidic quality. Even dodgy tap water can be filtered to healthy drinking levels. Bottled water is fabulous for an on-the-go healthy choice and choosing the right brand can provide extra health benefits.

So turn on the faucet, pour yourself a cold one and enjoy the incredible power of H2O.

About the Author

Jessica Ryan is a writer for Medical Assistant Schools where you can browse the top medical assistant programs.

What do you think, Readers? What water do you drink regularly and why?

If you’re looking for another great article about the healthiest water, as well as another one arguing that tap water is healthy, check out, “The healthiest water to drink” from CanadianLiving.com.

Summer is the best season to lose weight. We’re naturally more active because of increased daylight hours. Also, the heat of the sun helps us detox through our sweat glands, we’re more inclined to drink water and eat healthy foods to stay cool.

If you’re tired of salads and hurting for some variety in your light, summer meals, try a few of the many Live Lighter detox blender meals. They’re packed with vitamins and antioxidants from veggies, have nuts for protein (to make you feel fuller longer), and so easy to digest that they’re perfect for the hot weather.

Today’s green drink recipe was inspired by the fresh, green peppers growing my garden. It’s my first garden (thanks to our first home purchase) and you could knock me over with a feather because the plants are actually producing veggies! (You should see the prehistoric leaves on the zucchini plants!)

Have you ever noticed how fresh garden veggies taste? They explode in your mouth! That’s what you can expect with today’s green detox drink if you use veggies from your garden or a farmer’s market.

Sweet Pepper & Avocado Detox Drink

Makes: 1 serving (approx. 18 oz)

Ingredients

• 1/3 cup raw almonds, soaked overnight
• 1 & 1/2 cups fresh kale, washed & de-stemmed
• 1 small green bell pepper, de-stemmed & seeded
• 3 tbsp ripe avocado
• 1 small apple, seeded & quartered
• 1 cup filtered water, or until desired consistency

Preparation

1. Blend almonds.
2. Add remaining ingredients and blend together.
3. Pour and enjoy!

Nutritional Information

Total Fat 46.2 g
Saturated Fat 4.2 g
Polyunsaturated Fat 10.3 g
Monounsaturated Fat 28.6 g
Cholesterol 0.0 mg
Sodium 51.5 mg
Potassium 1,489.6 mg
Total Carbohydrate 50.7 g
Dietary Fiber 19.9 g
Sugars 8.3 g
Protein 20.8 g

Vitamin A 538.1 %
Vitamin B-12 0.0 %
Vitamin B-6 36.8 %
Vitamin C 236.1 %
Vitamin D 0.0 %
Vitamin E 108.9 %
Calcium 33.8 %
Copper 64.0 %
Folate 27.8 %
Iron 31.5 %
Magnesium 65.0 %
Manganese 141.4 %
Niacin 26.4 %
Pantothenic Acid     13.0 %
Phosphorus     44.3 %
Riboflavin 48.9 %
Selenium 8.1 %
Thiamin 25.1 %
Zinc 22.5 %

*Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet. Your daily values may be higher or lower depending on your calorie needs.