Author Archives: marie dimercurio

Make Life Very Sweet…Have a Honey of a Day!

Category : Allergies , Diseases , News , Sleep

We do know that Winnie the Pooh loves to eat honey, in fact, that’s all he eats. Who doesn’t like honey? It feeds the palate with a mild delicious sweetness. Sure, it’s sweet, but there is much more to honey than we realize. Honey has so many astounding health benefits. Everything from brain heath, to wound healing, to promoting gut health and it also has antibacterial effects. Now of course I am speaking of “RAW” honey. Many of these benefits I will cover in this article.

RAW honey helps with those pesky seasonal allergies as well as dust mites. There is a natural protectant against specific allergies because it’s a ‘vaccine’ itself that contains trace amounts of pollen. It has various anti-inflammatory characteristics that fight allergy symptoms. Purchase raw, local, and organic for best results.

RAW honey aids in intellectual development. Do you seem to forget basic things? Maybe trying to form clear thoughts? Honey might help by providing your brain with more energy to think and process thoughts. It has an ability to improve memory by helping your brain to recover faster. The antioxidant properties of honey help the brain cells to thrive and stay in shape.

RAW honey is used for dressing burns and wounds. In a randomized trial of burn victims. honey dressing worked better than silver sulfadiazine dressing. After one to two weeks the skin grew back faster, inflammation reduced quicker and there was better control of infection with the honey dressing.

RAW honey reduces the presence of infection causing bacteria in the gut, such as Escherichia coli, Salmonella enterocolitis, and others which are known to cause diarrhea; while acting to stimulate the growth of beneficial species of healthy gut bacteria.

RAW honey acts as a sleep aid. It can naturally induce sleep as well as improved sleep quality. Its rich content helps raise insulin levels which in turn release serotonin. This chemical converts to melatonin which is a critical component for creating sleep.

RAW honey creates healthy skin. Using it as a face mask, honey has binding capabilities to help reduce to signs of aging; also reduces blemishes, and fights acne and other bacterial issues.

For the best of nature’s health benefits choose the right RAW honey. First option, go to your local farmers market for your purchase. You want RAW, unpasteurized, (organic, if possible), read labels carefully…no added any ingredients. No markets? Options are health food stores and organic grocery stores that sell RAW honey. As a child I got to experience RAW honey directly from the hive; I was in heaven. So you will notice the difference.

Honey doesn’t replace fruit and vegetables in your diet, but can replace refined sugars as an alternative sweetener. Also be warned, those who have sugar issues, check with your doctor.

Have a sweet day,
Marie

Delicious Sugar Free Hot Cocoa

Category : Beverages , Desserts , Recipes , Snacks , Uncategorized

 

Delicious Sugar-Free Hot Cocoa

Makes: 2 2/3 cups beverage
Servings: 2-3
Prep and Cooking time:  8-10 minutes

Ingredients;
* 1 15oz can Organic Native Forest Coconut Milk
(unsweetened classic)
* 3/4 can filtered water (more or less,
depending on how frothy you like it)
* 2 Tbls. Organic Cacao Powder
* 1 tsp. Organic Vanilla (non-alcohol)
* 1/2 tsp. NOW Brand Organic liquid stevia
* Cinnamon sprinkle on top of cocoa (optional)

Making it:
1. Pour the coconut milk into saucepan, pour filtered
water into empty can and then pour that water into pan.
2. Add rest of ingredients to the pan, whisk over medium
heat just to barely heat it, but do not boil.
Pour into cups; if desired sprinkle with cinnamon, or
put on top non-dairy whipping cream.
Enjoy

What Is Nerve Energy? How Does It Affect Me?

Tags :

Category : News

What is the body’s primary need to increase your brain power? The greatest need is nerve energy. Although it is not the only need—it is the primary need. Without wellbeing nerve power is elusive. How then does one acquire nerve energy? I am glad you asked. Nerve energy is created by the brain and the nervous system for its own use. It is generated under the condition of sleep. It is low-grade electricity measured in millivolts. How the processes of sleep help the brain to generate nerve energy is still under study by scientists. There are not any definite answers as of yet, just intense research still going on. But we do know that adequate sleep and rest are gravely important to having adequate nerve energy.

Another factor—toxic materials must be very low in the bloodstream and the body before the brain can function at its maximum peak. Even the bloodstream burdened with the nutrients from a meal will cause the brain to preform less effectively than if one had fasted instead. It has been said that “a full stomach makes a dead head.”  Missing a meal or periodic fasting for brief periods has been proven to increase the brain’s thinking power.

Intellectual pursuits use more nerve energy than physical labor. Thinking draws more current from our mental batteries than digging ditches. Mental labor is quite a bit more exhausting and wears one down, from mental tiredness to physical tiredness. Stress from overthinking is enough to short-circuit or deplete your reservoirs of nerve energy. Many have experienced deep emotional states and then collapse into depression—this is called enervation; meaning without nerve energy.

Periodic fasts are absolutely essential to the highest level of mindpower and health, no matter how good the rest of the life regime followed. Missing one meal occasionally will be of a great benefit. The body and the blood are cleansed of toxins, restful sleep will then occur, and health begins to increase, the brain once again functions effectively; thus, there is a great enhancement on nerve energy. So, you must turn yourselves around if you want to be mentally sharp all the time. It is now time to build and maintain a high level of nerve energy.   let’s keep your reserves high. Rejuvenation begins with you.

Feeding My Chocolate Addiction With Love!!

Tags :

Category : News

So, you just love chocolate…most people do! It can be our downfall, but if we choose right, it can be our blessing. Let me explain what I mean by that. Most of the time it isn’t the chocolate that causes the problem; it’s the other ingredients that create harm and it’s those ingredients that do feed our addictions.

The cacao bean which is what chocolate is derived from is high in heart-healthy flavanols and antioxidants. When you buy a milk chocolate version; it is less than 50 percent cacao and at least half the bar is sugar. Now, if you purchase a chocolate bar labeled 85 percent cacao or more; the sugar content will only be 15 percent or less. The health benefits speak for themselves. In fact, one study shows that the bars containing 70 percent or more cacao showed improved blood vessel flexibility.

The ingredients as with any food, less is better. High-end chocolate is made with only cacao beans, cocoa butter, and cane sugar. Speaking of sugar, watch it, that’s the addicting part. Aim for 8 grams or less per ounce. It’s best to look for options made with stevia as a sugar substitute.

Natural additions such as almonds or cacao nibs (they are pieces of cacao beans the material from which chocolate is made), can contribute to health benefits, but avoid concocted ingredients i.e. caramel, which is straight sugar.

I, for myself, have opted to consume the dark chocolate bars as Montezuma or Guittard bars without sugar. The only ingredients are the cacao beans. I never liked dark chocolate before because it always had a bitter after taste, but these are pure ingredients, taste good and non-addicting. so, of course, I eat less and am satisfied. That’s encouraging for a chocolate addict to be satisfied with 1-2 pieces of chocolate and not the entire bar.  There is caffeine in all chocolate so I eat mine after lunch as not to interfere with my sleep. The dark chocolate which is richer in the cacao feeds the brain as well as the heart and blood vessels There are health benefits when you choose wisely.

Do watch your portion size, especially those who still insist on eating the sugar bars. As tempting as it might be to devour an entire bar, the nutrition facts only apply to a couple of squares…so limit yourself to 1-2 ounces per day There is a great recipe above for making your own healthy candy.
Brain Healthy Dark Chocolate Candies

To your health!
Marie

Chronic Stress Shrinks Your Brain

Tags :

Category : News

Now is the time to motivate yourself to make the necessary changes to reduce and possibly eliminate stress from your daily life. Stress does affect the memory and the emotions by reducing the activity in your hippocampus or “memory center” of the brain; and at the same time increasing the amygdala (the “fear center”). While this is occurring, the stress hormone cortisol stops the production of new brain cells. Thus leading to early onset dementia or Alzheimer’s. Stress also reduces the development of dopamine and serotonin which leads to depression.

Serotonin’s important role of the brain function has to do with your mood, learning, appetite, control, and sleep. A deficiency with the serotonin can lead to depression, anxiety, ADHD, and alcoholism.

Dopamine’s role is one of pleasure and reward centers of the brain. Lack of dopamine leads to lethargy, decreased memory recall, anxiety, brain fog, lack of motivation, depression.

GABA, a neurotransmitter within the brain, blocks the impulses between nerve cells in the brain.  Deficiency in the GABA levels may be linked to anxiety or mood disorders, chronic stress, depression, muscle pain, headaches, as well as sleep issues and memory problems.

Chronic stress, my dear friends shrinks your brain. The prefrontal cortex which controls decision making, and well as the controlling of impulse behavior shrinks with long term stress. The hippocampus also shrinks with chronic stress; affecting learning, emotional regulation and memory. Stress also affects the blood-brain-barrier, which is supposed to protect your brain from harmful.
If Our Body Isn’t Healing, It May Be Stuck in Stress Mode

I care for your healing,
Marie

Sugar Free Chocolate Cake

Category : Desserts , Recipes

Sugar Free Chocolate Cake

Sugar Free Chocolate Cake

Prep: 20 minutes / Cook: 15-20 minutes
Inactive:1 hour, 30 minutes.
Total Prep: approx. 2 hours
Serving Size: varies, 12-20 pieces

Ingredients for the cake:
5 free range eggs
1/2 cup melted coconut oil
1/2 cup melted 100% grass-fed butter
1/2 organic maple syrup
1 tbsp. non-alcoholic vanilla
1/2 tsp. Real Salt sea salt
1/2 cup coconut flour
1 tsp. aluminum-free baking powder
2 full squirts NOW brand organic stevia

Directions for making the cake:
*Whisk, eggs, oil/butter, maple syrup, stevia, vanilla,
and salt together.
*Whisk in flour and baking powder and mix well.
*Let it sit for 5-10 minutes until thickened.
*Pour into a parchment paper lined cake pan and
bake for 15-20 minutes at 350F.
*Cool in pan on wire racks.

Ingredients for chocolate topping:
Melt together 1 and 1/2 2 oz. bars of Guittard Chocolate
unsweetened baking bars, and 2 tsp. coconut oil, 2 tsp.
organic honey and 1 tsp vanilla.
Shredded coconut to sprinkle on top of cake.

Finishing putting together the cake:
*Place a plate over the cake still in the pan, and carefully
flip the pan (invert) so the cake will end up on the plate,
(and the pan on top, remove pan and paper).
*Pour and spread the melted chocolate over the top and
sides of the cake.
*Sprinkle the shredded coconut over the finished cake.
*Refrigerate at least a couple of hours before
serving.

***Adapted from Dr.Jockers recipe, use organic ingredients
for flavor as well as health.

ENJOY!
Marie

The Anatomy of a Headache

Tags :

Category : Allergies , Diseases , News , Sleep

​According to Oxford’s Dictionary a migraine headache is a “severe headache, often accompanied by nausea and blurred vision.” Mosby’s Medical Dictionary states, “Allergic reactions, excess carbohydrates, iodine-rich foods, alcohol, bright lights or loud noises may trigger attacks, which often occur during a period of relaxation after physical or psychic stress.” A headache is the body’s chief warning signal of the body toxicity. The toxic load in the body has increased so fast that poisons are circulating in the bloodstream and cause irritation to the brain and nerves.

Swelling of the intracranial blood vessels around the scalp causes most headaches. During an onset of a headache, especially a migraine; the blood vessels in the brain continue to restrict because of stress, chemicals, sugars, and improper diet, which also disrupt hormone levels within the brain and body. The toxic flow throughout the body continues to build. Sedentary lifestyles, lack of sleep, stress, and pain medications only compound the situation.

Pain halts the digestive and elimination processes; so, most people will seek treatments to ‘cure’ their pain, but this systematic approach does not make the headaches go away and stay away. Instead, the headaches always return more frequently and may become more intense because the root cause has not been eliminated. Mild headaches can develop into migraine headaches and more drugs are sought…it’s a squirrel cage effect.

Proteinosis, which is poisoning from excessive protein, can cause headaches and a general achy feeling. Experts claim that a high protein diet will eventually destroy the entire glandular system. It places too much burden on the liver, kidneys, and adrenal glands.

Allergy is defined as an abnormal sensitivity to substances that may be harmless to most people. Migraine headaches are also classified as an allergic phenomenon. Certain food additives and preservatives, as well as chemicals in colognes, cosmetics, perfumes and household cleaners affect headaches.

In fact, when your body is detoxifying of toxins, a headache may result; hard as it is to do I suggest to ride it out, or you will stop the detoxification pathways.

There are other avenues that the body will do when it is challenged with anatomical issues as it is trying to maintain homeostasis. When in doubt it can be the best suggestion is to seek medical advice to perform a scanning procedure to find the root cause and solution.

Keep a diary of your headaches…and start the process of elimination, you will be amazed with the results.  It’s a good thing the body is working as it should be.

To the body’s freedom,
Marie

Green Pea Salad

Category : Entrees , Recipes , Salads , Snacks

Green Pea Salad

Green Pea Salad

Servings: 3
Serving Size: approximate, 1 1/2 cups
Prep Time: 10 minutes
Extended Prep: 1 hour, for thawing

Ingredients:
2 cups frozen green peas (thawed)
1/3 cup celery, diced
1/3 cup bell pepper, diced
2 green onions, (or to taste)
chopped fine
3/4-1 cup Gouda Cheese (chop into
small cubes)
Sea salt and pepper (to taste)
1-2 Tbs. Soy-Free Vegenaise
(to taste)

Prep:
Thaw peas ahead of time. (In a hurry?
rinse in strainer with filtered water
til thawed.)

Making It:
1. Mix the first five ingredients together
in a bowl and add the vegenaise.
2. Add Sea Salt and pepper according
to your taste buds.
3. Mix well; refrigerate until ready to
serve.
Enjoy!

Are Your Household Products Safe To Use?

Tags :

Category : Allergies , Diseases , News

​We assume that the household products we purchase in the store are safe for our use, after all the stores wouldn’t sell anything harmful. Or would they? The air fresheners, multipurpose cleansers, detergents, bug sprays, and even beauty products have been created with toxic chemicals that can be detrimental to our wellbeing. According to Natural health experts, many of these products can cause birth defects, reproductive harm and certain cancers. The Environmental Protection Agency’s Office of Research and Development has reported that levels of common organic pollutants are two to five times higher inside the homes than outside. The easiest way to be safe is by taking preventative steps. The following common household products need to be avoided for you and your family’s safety.

Air Fresheners: These fragrances used to clean and scent the living space air have unfortunate side effects. According to the Natural Defense Council, air fresheners contain hazardous chemicals called phthalates, which can cause respiratory distress, reproductive issues, birth defects, and hormonal abnormalities. Use an open window policy as much as possible to allow fresh air into your home.

Cleaning Solutions: Your common window, kitchen and other all-purpose cleaners, don’t just eliminate dirt and soot; but will also jeopardize your liver, kidneys and lung function. Many of these cleaners according to experts are made with 2-butoxyethanol, a key ingredient that gives these products their fragrance. Inhaling these products can cause a sore throat, narcosis, pulmonary edema as well as liver and kidney damage. Even the smallest amount inhaled in a confined space can be extremely harmful. My own experience shows a detrimental challenge to my lungs. While doing laundry, I unintentionally inhaled a spray cleaner De Solv It, I thought I had enough ventilation, but I was using too much spray on a badly stained tablecloth and the cleaner seriously compromised my lungs. “We do need to learn from the mistakes of others, as we do not want to make them all ourselves”. Bug sprays contain pyrethrin, DDT, and other toxic chemicals which can produce severe breathing problems if inhaled. “If it can kill the bugs what will it do to you.”

Cosmetics: The chemicals in our health and beauty products (hair sprays, perfumes, and deodorants) are high in phthalates which are used to bind the color and the fragrance. Also, aluminum is found in some deodorants as well as lead in some lipsticks. The chemicals are quickly absorbed through the skin into your system and lead to the same issues as stated above.
The Solution: Use Natural Products.

To reduce your exposures and regain your health, do a thorough elimination of the products containing hazardous ingredients. Investigate on-line…go to your local health store and replace with non-toxic organic solutions free of abrasive volatile organic solvents. Create your own cleaners with natural ingredients. such as: vinegar, Borax, baking soda, and essential oils. Laundry cleaners, many that have plant-derived ingredients. I use LOC from Amway for most of my cleaning products and even for ant and fly spray (kills the insects dead instantly) one quart water with 3-4 Tbls. LOC. Dr Bonner’s in the bath and even toothpaste.Crystal stick deodorant is non allergic and aluminum free.  Check for more resources:
http://frombirthuntilsunset.com/about/

mariexray@webtv.net
Marie

Delicious Cilantro Salad Dressing

Category : Recipes , Salad Dressing , Salads

Cilantro Salad Dressing

Cilantro Salad dressing

Serving Size: approx. 2 cups
Servings: varies
Prep: 15 minutes

*I suggest all organic ingredients for
robust flavor and health.

Ingredients:
1 bunch of cilanto, washed and stemmed
1/2 cup fresh lemon juice
1 tsp. sea salt
1 tsp cumin
*(optinal: pinch of red or black pepper
if you like spicey)
2 cups extra virgin olive oil

Making It:
*In a blender thoroughly blend all the
ingredients and pour into a glass bottle.
*Keep refrigerated.
* For use on salads and other dishes
for that mexican flavor.

« Previous Page — Next Page »

Archives

Pages

© 2016 Enigma Theme|Theme Developed By Weblizar Themes