Oh, the Many Types of Vitamin C

We’ve all heard that Vitamin C is perhaps the most omnipotent, most widely curative vitamin known to man. In a world full of supplemental nutrients, naturopathic remedies, and daily vitamins, companies have naturally capitalized on the many versions of this powerful marvel that they are able to bottle and sell. It is no wonder then that the Vitamin C shelves at the health food store seem to be the most perplexing spot in the entire market. We have also all heard that we should eat our fair share of raw fruits and vegetables in order to take in as much C as we can, but an extra dose of this gem each day is equally a priority. So then, which Vitamin C should one choose?

There are many types of Vitamin C which adds to the confusion. Magnesium Ascorbic, Calcium Ascorbic, Ascorbic Acid, Ester C, Rose Hips and Flavonoids are all amongst the leading labels on the Vitamin C shelf. Then there are the many ingestible versions: capsules, time-release, chewable, liquid, powder, and even crystal forms of each of these C types. So what do they all mean to the average consumer simply looking to pack an extra punch of C into her diet?

To begin with, Ascorbic Acid is Vitamin C. This is the pure form of Vitamin C and has a sharp, tart taste giving a cheap and peppy form of C consumption. It is also the most apt to cause gastric irritation in children or adults with sensitive stomachs. Viewing labels that have “Ascorbic” printed adjacent to other words simply implies the pairing of Vitamin C with whatever other mineral or vitamin it is connected to; for example “Magnesium Ascorbic” or “Calcium Ascorbic.” Actually, these two particular types of Vitamin C have been synthesized to bind the Ascorbic Acid to the other element in order to prevent stomach upset caused by the acidity of pure Ascorbic Acid. Calcium Ascorbic is a gentle, non-acid form of Vitamin C that is easy to digest while also giving a supplemental dosage of Calcium. Magnesium Ascorbic is, as well, a non-acid form of Vitamin C that is also gentle on the stomach, and is highly absorbable. It also provides a supplemental form of magnesium. Both Calcium and Magnesium are needed to aid in the effectiveness of Vitamin C. Ester C is also non-acid and highly absorbable. It comes highly recommended for maximum, rapid absorption and is also a great choice to consider when dealing with large doses. Ester C happens to be the most expensive form of Vitamin C, other than certain brands that hike up prices on their own accord of an organic or all natural essence.

It is recommended to take Vitamin C numerous times a day as this vitamin only lasts in the body up to four hours. Smaller doses throughout the day ensure the minimization of excess traces being flushed away by bodily waste. Another tip discloses that tap water contains metals (copper and iron) that oxidize and make the vitamin useless; so be sure to take your supplement with filtered water or juice. Amounts in excess of 2,000 mg can lead to diarrhea, but some people take as much as 10,000-20,000 mg daily. The key to increasing your dosage is to gradually do so over a period of a few weeks. Another key essential is to remember that Vitamin C works best when being taken with other supplements so be sure to swallow a multi-vitamin each day. Maximizing the effects of Vitamin C will directly affect the amazing miracles it will perform on your body. An inexpensive Ascorbic Acid will do just as much as any of the other fancier kinds as long as it is being taken religiously, the correct way, and in amounts of at least 500-1,000 mg per day. Ultimately, Vitamin C can cure or at least fight against so many ailments. It is actually crucial in living a healthy life. They say an apple a day keeps the doctor away. Perhaps the apple should be modified to a couple of Vitamin C-rich oranges.

Intro To Refloxology

If you are interested in trying an ancient and traditional Chinese therapeutic methodology and want to explore the human body’s possible underlying circuitry to perhaps strengthen the flow of your internal electrical network, then this is likely an article you will truly appreciate. Reflexology is an ancient system of interconnectedness based on the ancient Chinese concept of the inner energetic meridian network. The same energetic network that is focused on in acupunctural methodology is also used to promote the healthy flow of energy, called Qi, in Reflexology. The human body has electrical circuitry for carrying electrical impulses by which the various parts of the body communicate. Science, however, does not specifically recognize the Chinese meridian system and it also does not specifically validate the concept of Qi. Both are likely talking about the same thing and possibly using different words to describe it. Do remember that science is not always up to speed. For instance, Honey Bee flight capability was only recently recognized by science as being possible. The Honey Bees were able to fly regardless of science and science eventually caught up. Let’s look at what makes Reflexology unique and how you can begin to try it out for yourself.

Interconnection is the primary aspect that makes the traditions based on the Chinese meridian system so unique. Basically, in Reflexology you have a microcosm of just about the entire body, if not all of it, in various parts within it. For instance the ear is seen as being an interface chart of the human body, in a sense, and thus if you apply pressure to an area on the ear, it is theoretically connected via circuitry to a corresponding organ or area of the body. Similarly the hands and feet are as a chart of the rest of the body also. They are much more easily manipulated with a Reflexologist’s bare hands and so you are much more likely to see charts depicting the various Reflexology regions in this way.

A person performing Reflexology basically applies pressure and/or massages these various points to stimulate an increased flow of energy through the corresponding organ or area of the body. Here are some of the various regions of the hand and their corresponding areas of the body so you can begin to try out Reflexology today. Everything listed is based on a palm facing up perspective.

1. Tip of ring and pinky fingers correspond to the head/brain/sinus regions.
2. Pad of the thumb corresponds to the pituitary gland.
3. Pad at the base of the pointer, middle, and ring finger corresponds to the lungs.
4. Second section of pinky finger corresponds to the neck.
5. Third section of pinky corresponds to the eye and ear.

That should be enough to get you started with understanding reflexology. In all honesty, just as any method of this kind, it is always best to study up quite a bit and seek the guidance of a skilled practitioner before using any of this on yourself or anyone else to any great extent or with any intensity. You may be able to feel the connections with what has been presented here but don’t go taking it too far without proper guidance.

Juggling for Fun and Exercise

Looking for an amazing way to have fun while learning a new performance art and honing your hand-eye coordination? What if I told you it has no monthly dues and no entrance fees to get started? If Juggling is an amazingly fun way to stay in good shape or get in good shape. It also provides you with excellent hand-eye coordination and even a backup career as a performer should you decide to join a circus someday. You may even use it as a way to bring in extra income on the weekends and holidays doing street performances and birthday parties. Regardless of just using it as a good fitness method, a path to stardom, or a new stream of income, juggling has something to offer just about anyone. Best of all, it is really fun!

Let’s explore some of the fun styles of juggling that might interest you in learning a new and fun fitness modality.

Balls (small roundish objects in general)

Yes, this is the way most people get started. It doesn’t have to be a ball in the traditional sense, but just something that is small enough to easily palm in the hand and has fairly even weight distribution throughout. Bean bags are a good way to start and are certainly easy to make and inexpensive to buy. You can really start with anything handy around as long as you have 2 or more of them in a similar size and weight. Oranges are one example, but fruit may not be the best for a beginner as it can be a little too squishy if it hits the ground. Tennis balls are actually a really good way to start. They are relatively inexpensive, available just about anywhere, and they come in cans of three. Three is a perfect amount to start with!

Clubs (elongated objects with unbalanced weight distribution)

Since most people don’t have a club around the house, it’s best to acquire a set of small juggling clubs made specifically for your intended purpose. Large wooden spoons or bottles are an alternative and someday you may work your way up to swords or something even more daring. The key is that you are looking for something with a handle on one end and most of the weight actually at the other end of the object. This makes it easier to control the flipping of a juggling club as you juggle.

Here is a quick overview of juggling balls to get you started:

To begin juggling balls you should start by juggling two balls rather than three. Hold one ball in each hand and toss one ball in an arc across to the other hand using a kind of scooping motion. When it is in mid-air, toss a ball from the other hand to the now empty hand using the same style of motion you used to toss the first ball. Now just make sure you catch the first ball with the hand you just tossed the second ball from. That’s it. Rinse and repeat.

Have fun and remember not to start juggling indoors where there are fragile and expensive objects around.

Spring Cleaning and Women's Health

Cleaning is no longer solely a woman’s job, but let’s face it, if you want it done right you have to do it yourself. A woman is the nucleus of every family and her habits are taught and picked up by the whole family, which makes it important to teach the whole household about non-harmful and non-toxic cleaning products to ensure everyone’s health. The same way we teach our children not to eat their crayons we also need to teach them to stay away from harmful chemicals.

Vinegar can be used in substitute for things like bleach and Clorox. A great recipe for an all purpose cleaner used for things like countertops, kitchen floors, windows, mirrors and to clean mold build up. Try mixing together 2 cups of distilled white vinegar, 2 cups of water, and 20-30 drops of your favorite essential oil. Eucalyptus, mint, and lemon oils have an extremely clean scent and are great to put in these cleaning recipes for an aromatic treat. Warming the mixture will also boost the cleaning power but only microwave in a glass container.

If you need something to scrub tiles, toilets and bath tubs then you would want to adopt this recipe. All you need is 2 cups of baking soda, ½ cup of liquid castile soap, 4 teaspoons of veggie glycerin which acts as a preservative, 5 drops of antibacterial oil like tea tree or lavender. Lemon and orange are great oils to add in cleaning products. This will have a creamy consistency and has a shelf life of 2 years if stored correctly in a glass jar. If you really want to get in to the hard cleaning jobs then spray the mess with the vinegar mix and then apply the scrub and dirt be gone! You can also make this mixture dry by just using baking soda and/or salt and mixing it with a few drops of essential oil. If you decide to use the castile soap then make sure that it contains no sodium lauryl sulfate or Diethanolamine which can have harmful side effects.

This furniture polish can replace Pledge. It’s a ¼ cup of olive oil, ¼ cup of white distilled vinegar and about 20 drops of more essential oil. Mix it all up and apply a small amount on a cloth. Pine oil can be an amazing smelling essential oil to use also. It has a super clean smell and will trick anyone in thinking it was a regular cleaning product but without the toxic effects. An asthmatic can now clean their house without having breathing problems. This is also good for anyone with irritated sinuses and allergies. These recipes are fool proof and are a great alternative for those adopting a healthy lifestyle.

Feminine Hygiene 101

Let’s face it. Our mother’s haven’t taught us everything there is to know about our flowers. They get stuck teaching us only to stay away from boys and not to get pregnant. Now, there are the brave mother’s that have taught their daughters the secrets of the vagina; but as for the rest of us, trial and error was our only teacher. Even if you’re abstinent, a matter of wiping wrong can make the vagina break out into a ruthless war against you! So let’s go over a few basic rules on how to maintain the vagina’s happy state of mind.

Rule #1- wipe from front to back. If you haven’t looked at your lady hump lately you may want to get a mirror and take a look. The vagina and the anus are very close neighbors. Any wrong move and you have millions of bacteria from the rectum multiply into a huge colony within minutes! The result? Infection. You will certainly know when you have an infection by your scent. The vagina always has a unique scent but when it gets infected you can compare it to a rather fishy or foul odor. Once it gets to that point the only thing that can clear it up is anti-biotics which can cause a yeast infection if you’re not careful. Extra medication is usually prescribed for the yeast infection along with the anti-biotics. Another possible infection from wiping wrong is a Urinary tract infection which is very painful and makes you feel like you have to urinate every 5 seconds only to discover a drop of urine followed by a very uncomfortable pain. So ladies, wipe front to back to avoid all of these complications. You can also wash your genital area after each restroom use to really prevent any infections.

Rule #2- No panties! Skin is supposed to breathe and the vulva needs to breathe even more because of it constant moist environment. If you have to wear panties then make sure you wear 100% cotton. Don’t wear panties when you sleep. Tight jeans and tight clothing may look cute but the vagina can’t stand it. When you keep the vagina closed in then it can create some bad odors and in bad conditions can cause infections. The same goes for wearing colored panties. The dye can cause some irritation and even though it won’t cause infection every time you wear them doesn’t mean you should risk it. All you need is one infection to be traumatically effected. It can get that bad! I wouldn’t wish a vaginal infection on my worst enemy!

Rule #3- You are what you eat! The less meat and meat products you consume means a better tasting and smelling vagina. The more fruits and vegetables you eat will keep your ph balanced. It has even been said that citrus fruits can sweeten you up in and out. Give it a try and note any changes that take place.

How to Get a Good Workout on a Treadmill

Treadmills are a real boon to exercisers. You can get a good workout without ever leaving home or you can do your workout at a health club just as easily. A treadmill also offers you a good workout – regardless of the weather – and gives you a safe place to walk without worrying about neighborhood conditions.

To get a good workout on a treadmill, you can do a number of things. First, you can vary the intensity of the workout by changing the speed. Most treadmills will adjust in speed from a slow stroll to a flat out run. Start your workout by walking at a slow to moderate pace. Then, increase your speed. You can either workout at a higher speed for a longer period of time or work out in intervals – going faster then slower, then faster, then slower again.

Another way to get a good workout on a treadmill is to change the incline. The incline refers to whether the walking surface is parallel to the floor or angles upward as if you were climbing a hill. By raising the treadmill surface and increasing the incline and then lowering it, you can simulate walking up hills. If you have trouble walking at a fast pace, raising the incline is a good way to make your workout more intense without resorting to running.

For a really good workout, you can combine changes in speed with changes in incline. Generally, the steeper the incline, the slower you’ll want – or need – to go. Always end your walk with some time spend walking at a moderate to slow pace to allow your heart rate to return to normal.

When you’re choosing your speed and incline, make sure you choose speeds and inclines you can handle without needing to hold on to the handrails for support. You’ll get a better workout – even at a lower speed – if you control your own body. Outdoors walking on an uneven surface helps you develop the muscles that are involved in maintaining your balance. This doesn't happen as well on a treadmill surface, so be sure to let go of those handrails for maximum benefit.

If you want to increase your upper body workout, try using small hand weights while you walk. You can perform bicep curls as you’re walking or step off the treadmill for a few moments to perform some lateral raises before resuming walking.

In addition, many people like to distract themselves while they’re on a treadmill. The advantage of walking on a treadmill instead of walking outdoors is that you can distract yourself and still remain safe. You can listen to music, watch television or even read while you’re walking. Most people find that listening to their favorite music or music with a good, energizing beat helps prevent them from becoming bored.

After you’ve finished your treadmill workout, be sure to spend some time stretching your muscles. You’ll get the most benefit from your stretching if you do so while your muscles are warm.

Learn about CoQ10

CoQ10 is also known as ubiquinone. It is everywhere in the human body naturally. It is present in every cell in the body. The body naturally produces it but only if it’s on a balanced diet. Fatigue, muscle ache, heart failure, gum disease, cancer, high blood pressure, hyperthyroid, angina pectoris, heart muscles disease are all signs of a CoQ10 deficiency. Supplements can’t give you this important enzyme. Supplements can’t give you any type of nutrient. These nutrients and vitamins are only found in natural whole foods.

CoQ10 is an enzyme that serves as an anti-oxidant that processes energy and is present in every living cell in the body. The older you get, the less you will have in your body. CoQ10 is responsible for slowing down the aging process which the opposite occurs when there’s a deficiency. Your body tends to age faster and shows sings of slowing down which then causes serious illnesses. Free-radicals are also kept to a minimum when you have a healthy amount of enzymes. Broccoli, spinach, peanuts, and wheat germ are a great source for CoQ10. These enzymes are destroyed when veggies are cooked over 108 degrees. If you have to eat them warm then steam them for no more than 7 min to obtain the best results.

Benefits of eating raw veggies with these important enzymes include but not limited to a stronger heart, improving the circulation in your whole body. Your body will also produce healthier cells and increase your ability to absorb nutrients along with delivering enough oxygen for your blood. Most people feel like they have more energy resulting from the improvement of circulation. Some people also have doubled their amount of antibodies and increased their ability to bounce back from viruses. Most people don’t know it but they are often battling with Candida yeast overgrowth in their intestines, worms, parasites and other diseases which seem to diminish once they eat a raw whole food diet more often and increase the amount of CoQ10 in their body.

In addition to all of the benefits to the blood and organs it also shows to have a connection to gum health and can stop gingivitis. It is a great oral preventative and will help your teeth repair themselves. Dentin which is under the enamel has the ability of healing itself and growing back which will save you money from trips to the dentist. Fluoride will also cause your body to stop absorbing important nutrients and vitamins. It also has numerous toxicities. Fluoride is a poison and should be avoided all together. Medications will only treat and numb symptoms but your body is the only thing that can heal you. Make sure you treat it well with a diet rich in whole foods.