Flaxseed The Most Powerful Plant Food On The Planet

There are many benefits when it comes to consuming flax seeds. Flax seed is a very interesting product. It was cultivated in Babylon as early as 3000 BC by King Charlemagne. At one point he announced that he wanted every single one of the people that worked for him to eat it. This was a very long time ago. Charlemagne even believed that flax seeds contained magical properties. Scientists in recent times are now concurring with his beliefs of this amazing power food. There has been a number of products that are now listing flax, or flax seeds on their ingredients to get people to buy them to stay healthy. Scientists have found that Flax seeds can help people fight diabetes, heart attacks, strokes, breast cancer, and other forms of cancer. Lets talk about some of the things that flax seeds contain...

• They contain essential Omega-3 fatty acids, which is the same thing that is in fish oil. This is the good fat that is proven to be healthy for your heart.
• They also contain lignans which contain anti-oxidant properties and even plant estrogen. Flax seed contains more than 800 times more lignans than other plant based foods.
• Flax seed also contains both soluble and insoluble types of fiber. This is great for the digestive system and keeping you healthy also.

I recommend everyone enjoy flax seed. You can get it in bags at your local super market. If you can't find it there, I recommend going to a whole foods store and picking up a supply. They say the best way to consume it is pouring it in your favorite drink, I would say this isn't a good idea because the flax seeds do not dissolve in juices or water. The best way is to eat it with either pudding, yogurt, or even apple sauce. This way your gag reflex won't act up. Remember, flax seed is a great way to stay healthy and I recommend anyone that has had health problems to give it a shot. Please leave comments and let me know what you think.

Dangers and Benefits of Fluoride in Our Drinking Water

There is a growing amount of concern over the dangers of fluoride in our drinking water. I commonly have inquiries from parents who are overwhelmed by the amount of conflicting information about fluoride on the internet. Some sources present fluoride as a wonder cure for cavities, while others warn of its damaging effects on teeth and bone. In order to make an informed decision about fluoride, I’ve compiled answers to some commonly asked questions.

Are we getting too much fluoride in drinking water?
Department of Health and Human Services, (with support from the California Dental Association) has recently changed the recommended optimal ratio of fluoride to water in community water systems to 0.7 parts per million. The previous optimal ratio ranged from 0.7 to 1.2 ppm. The CDA states that the current levels are safe and beneficial, although with the increasing amount of dental products on the market, including fluoride toothpaste and mouth rinse, it is important to monitor your child’s fluoride intake. Over-fluoridation can lead to 'dental-fluorosis'.

Signs we are getting too much?
One sign of over-fluoridation is ‘dental fluorosis’ which appears as white spots or markings on the enamel of the tooth. ‘Dental fluorosis’ is most commonly merely a cosmetic issue and serves no harm to the actual tooth. In rare cases of severe over-fluoridation, teeth can appear mottled and brown. These cases are most often not caused by government monitored drinking water, but rather polluted water sources.

Is it safe for kids?
The consensus form the scientific and dental community is that water fluoridating at the recommended level is safe and provides oral health benefits. Simply by drinking water, children and adults can benefit from fluoridation's cavity protection. Fortifying water with fluoride is similar to fortifying milk with Vitamin D. Fluoride is a mineral that becomes incorporated into the tooth, thus strengthening it. Fluoride is a proven safe and effective way to prevent dental disease—reducing the amount of tooth decay in children by 20-40%.

For additional questions please contact Dr. Josh Berd at joshberd@gmail.com
Learn more about Dr. Josh Berd at www.JoshTheDentist.com

How To Make Healthy Vegetable Soup

Vegetable soup is a very easy way to cook a healthy meal for yourself or your whole family. I love making vegetable soup myself, so that I can include only the ingredients I feel like eating that day. You can only get canned vegetable soup in only so many ways. My favorite canned soup while we are on the topic, is Progresso brand. Progresso comes in many different flavors, and they also have the kind that has extra fiber. This is a very quick and easy way to change your diet and lose weight, without starving your taste buds. In this article I will be showing you how to make your own vegetable soup.

Ingredients

3 to 4 cups of chopped vegetables of your choice: carrots, zucchini, mushrooms, parsley, green beans, or onions.

One teaspoon of salt.

One teaspoon of thyme.

One teaspoon of Oregano.

8 cups of water.

One full can of diced tomatoes.

One can of beans.

One source of starch for example: noodles, or potatoes.

3 bouillon cubes.

1. Prepare your vegetables by chopping up all of the vegetables that you wish to include in the soup.
2. Sauté the vegetables in a stock pan, and make sure to put in the tablespoon of olive oil. Set this on a low heat. Make sure you cook them for about 3-4 minutes. Add mushrooms (if you are including them) and cook for another 2 minutes.
3. Add all of the water from the ingredients, all of the bullion cubes, your potatoes (if you have any), and all all of the spices. Bring the water to a boil. After the water is boiling you can go ahead and reduce the heat to low, and cover with the lid. You should boil everything until the potatoes are soft (or about 15 minutes). It is recommended that you add the parsley right before the potatoes are completely done, but this is not necessary.
4. Now it is time to add the final ingredients. Add the tomatoes, and don't forget to add the beans if you are adding any. Now you can bring the water back to a boil.
5. After the souped has boiled for about 1 minute your soup is ready! Server as-is, or you can add crackers, though that doesn't make it as healthy as eating the soup by itself. Crackers have a lot of sodium.

I hope you have enjoyed my recipe on making your very own vegetable soup. Mix and match whatever vegetables you like. Just because it is not listed here, doesn't mean its not possible and extremely tasty. This is fun to make because you can get real experimental with it! Don't be afraid to let your creative juices fly, you just might end up with a masterpiece. Cheers!

Kava Kava Is Another Great Natural Remedy for Insomnia and Anxiety

Kava has been used for thousands of years in the South Pacific Islands to treat both anxiety and Insomnia. Kava has been found to thin the blood much like alcohol. Make sure that you aren't taking blood thinners, or blood clotting medication, because Kava may interfere with your health. Kava is still a great natural way to combat insomnia and anxiety. You can buy Kava tea, or make it yourself from the leaves. There are many videos on YouTube about how to do this. Another common way people take Kava is in capsule form. You can buy these capsules anywhere like at a whole foods store, and even Walgreens. I have taken Kava Kava and I have found that it is a little more powerful that Valerian Root. I usually take about 6 valerian root every morning to combat my anxiety. I don't recommend you do this if you are just starting valerian root, but I do have anxiety problems. I have found that I can get the same effect by taking 4 Kava capsules. This is great! I recommend everyone try Kava that has an insomnia problem. I can deal with my anxiety much better by being on Kava. Just don't take too much, because you could want to fall asleep during the day.

Valerian Root Helps with Anxiety And Insomnia

Valerian root has been used for centuries by people that have had trouble sleeping. It can be traced as far back as the ancient Greeks. It is a great herbal remedy for not being able to sleep and anxiety. I am a person that is very anxious and remain anxious throughout the day. I have been prescribed different "benzos" like Xanax, Valium, and other variations with the same active chemicals. These drugs are highly addictive, and it can turn into a really nasty habit. I am so thankful that I was able to find a natural remedy that helps me tremendously. Many people like to drink valerian root in their tea, and others like to take it in capsules. I find valerian root tastes disgusting, and I would rather have it in capsule form so that I don't have to taste it. I take 6 of these pills 2 times a day. On the bottle it says to take only 2 however, I have found that valerian root from different brands, could not be as high quality as another. This is why I take so many of them. I have not had any bad side effects at this amount. This doesn't mean though, that side effects don't exist. Some people find themselves getting tired easily when taking this amount, but because of my high anxiety, and my tolerance to anti-anxiety drugs, I find that this amount is perfect for me. You should experiment and take as many as it takes to help you. I wouldn't go over 6 though without trying it. You don't want to be feeling like crap. If you have trouble sleeping take them before bed time. People with high anxiety will notice that it doesn't make them sleepy, it makes them feel good, and more importantly normal. This is how I feel. It is a blessing that I have found valerian root, and I hope you give it a shot. If you don't want to order online you don't have to. You get the best price when you order online and buy in bulk, however you can also buy these capsules at Wal-mart, and even Target. If you have problems with anxiety, or sleepless nights, then I recommend giving valerian root a try.

How to Make Your Own Great Tasting Protein Shake

Ingredients

1 cup of water

20 grams of your favorite protein powder

6-8 cubes of ice

half a cup of oatmeal

Protein is essential for everyones body. Especially if you are working out regularly. First thing you need to do is fill up the blender with a cup of water. Next go ahead and add about 6 ice cubes, depending on the size of your ice cubes. If you have smaller ice cubes you might want to add more. The best thing to do is crush the ice first, this way it doesn't splash protein powder, and oatmeal everywhere which would make it harder to get your blender clean. Once the ice cubes are blended into the water, go ahead and add your 20 grams of protein powder, and your half a cup of oatmeal. Start your blender on the slow setting for about 15 seconds, and then increase the speed of your blender to the max setting slowly, and let it blend for 30 more seconds. This helps reduce the splashing of the ingredients everywhere. Now you have a great tasting protein shake that you can have anytime. The oatmeal is wonderful for the slow release of energy to you throughout your day. This is a great tasting protein shake that is great to have every morning. Enjoy!

Are 5 Hour Energy Shots Good For You?

I have had a lot of experience with different types of energy drinks and energy shots. The question is though are they good for you? Energy shots come in a lot of different brands now a days, and even Red Bull who only used to make energy drinks, has now diversified into the energy shot business. These energy shots are easier to slam down compared to the standard energy drink. Most energy drinks are carbonated which doesn't make drinking them any easier. This is why energy shots were born. Most energy shots contain about 200 milligrams of caffeine which is about as much as 2 cups of coffee, depending on the coffee. They also have 100 milligrams of taurine, which is an amino acid. They also have loads of B vitamins that are in the form of niacin. This causes a flushed feeling in a lot of people and might even make their faces turn red. Don't worry this is rare, and doesn't happen to everyone. Some energy shots might contain green tea, or gaurana as an added boost. Taking all of these in conjunction might not be wise, especially if done in excess. Some people even mix these drinks with alcohol hoping they will offset the drowsiness that comes with drinking alcohol so they can drink more. This is also a bad idea because of the side effects. It is also easy to forget how many shots of energy you have had while you are drinking, not to mention you might over do it on the alcohol. Either way you look at it this has the potential for disaster. Some of the side effects of drinking these energy shots is that you could have mood changes, nervousness, and insomnia with every single energy shot you take. I usually don't like to take an energy shot after 3pm because I am always afraid I won't be able to sleep. As long as you do that you should be fine. Any energy shot taken after 3pm has the possibility of making you not be able to sleep that night. I have known people though that can take 3 energy shots a day and never have trouble sleeping. I guess this depends on how your body handles all of these ingredients. Some people can handle it, other people get jittery and nervous. It is also proven that energy shots can make you have an irregular heart beat. This is scary enough for some people not to want to take it. You should know though that the irregular heart beat comes with being nervous. The more nervous you are, the more irregular your heart will beat. This I believe is obvious. Some people have also reported that they get nausea while taking these shots. If you can handle lots of caffeine and you know your body though, this could be avoided. Some people can handle caffeine better than others, and most of these side effects are a direct result of the caffeine amount. If you have high blood pressure, you might also notice a spike in your blood pressure reading. This however is pretty normal with caffeine in general. Something that is pretty serious though is if you have too much vitamin B6 (which is present in most of these shots) on a regular basis, you could be looking at nerve damage. This has been proven.

So are energy shots good for you? It depends on you. If you are pregnant it might not be a good idea. If you can't handle a lot of caffeine or have high blood pressure, you could also feel these side effects more than others. Me I love caffeine and this cuts the time of making coffee out of my morning, and it doesn't generate as much bad breathe like coffee. Just listen to your body, never take more than 1 shot of energy unless you know how your body is going to react to it. After you know, I wouldn't exceed 2 shots a day. Try to find other sources of energy because too much of this can't be a good thing. Green tea is still an excellent way to start your morning.