1 - sunshinej
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Healthy tips for a healthier you
I am going to start on improving my health in general in the coming year. So I have been looking up nutritional and excercise information and thought I would post them here. If you have a favorite tip please feel free to share.
Most of this information I am getting through the internet, so I not 100% on it's truthfulness. Please take information with a grain of salt.
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- sunshinej
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Re: Healthy tips for a healthier you
I am a big fan of hot chocolate. Did you know that it could be good for you too?
1. The flavonoids in cocoa help your body process nitric oxide, which is why it can improve blood flow, help to lower your blood pressure and improve heart health.
2. Also the flavonoids in cocoa also help prevent platelets in your blood from coming together and forming clots.
3. According to the American Association for the Advancement of Science, drinking hot cocoa can help you think better by increasing the blood flow and oxygen to the brain.
4. The antioxidant concentration in hot cocoa is almost twice as strong as red wine - 2-3 times stronger than that of green tea and 4-5 times stronger than that of black tea according to a study done at Cornell University. More antioxidants are released when cocoa is heated up.
To improve the benefits of hot cocoa don't make it from a package but make your own.
1 cup milk
1/4 tsp vanilla extract
dash salt
2 tablespoons sugar
2-3 teaspoons Hershey's cocoa
Heat milk until hot. Gradually add hot milk to cocoa mixture in mug, stirring until well blended. Stir in vanilla. Makes 1 serving.
Note: I usually just put a dash of vanilla in without measuring it, but today when I made some I put in the 1/4 tsp. and found it to be too strong. 1/8 tsp vanilla extract tasted much better.
Last edited by sunshinej (December 31, 2013 2:35 pm)
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Thread Starter- sunshinej
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Re: Healthy tips for a healthier you
I just received this email from my doctor.
Healthy Holiday Drink...Hot Apple Cider with a Cinnamon Stick
Recent research done by Cornell University food scientists found that a nutrient in apples, called quercetin, acts as an antioxidant and protects brain cells from the type of damage that triggers certain diseases such as Alzhelmer's and Parkinson's. Other studies have found that phytochemicals in apples may protect against colon cancer, heart disease and diabetes. Cinnamon has been shown to improve glucose and cholesterol levels in the blood, which makes it a good choice with people who have type 2 diabetes or high cholesterol.
I want to try this I love apple cider and I love cinnamon.
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Thread Starter- sunshinej
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Re: Healthy tips for a healthier you
I have been making this bath mix for years now. It really feels good on the skin and the best part it is made with No artifical colors or chemicles.
It is called Aches & Itches Bath Salts
1/2 cup baking soda
1/2 cup dry milk
1 cup epsom salt
1 cup sea salt
Mix all ingredients together in a large ziploc bag. I usually double or triple the recipe.
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Thread Starter- oscar66
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Re: Healthy tips for a healthier you
How much do you put in your bath for any effect?
"There is no more perfect stillness than the solitude in the heart of a snowstorm." Diana Gabaldon
- sunshinej
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Re: Healthy tips for a healthier you
oscar...I put in at least 3/4 to 1 cup.
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Thread Starter- barregar
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Re: Healthy tips for a healthier you
sunshine, any remedy for flu? I've been sick since Boxing Day and it hasn't gone away. I haven't eaten much, just lie in bed most of the time, no strength to cook, not sure what I can eat. what I should not eat. Would appreciate any advice from anyone.
The Lord is my light and my salvation, whom shall I fear? The Lord is the strength of my life, of whom shall I be afraid? Psalm 27:1
- sunshinej
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Re: Healthy tips for a healthier you
So sorry you do not feel well Barre. The flu is such a nasty thing to go through.
Hopefully these suggestions will help.
Orange juice
low sodium vegetable juice
broth based soups - chicken noodle broth is good to thin mucus.
tea w/ honey
honey by the teaspoon which I find helpful to coat the throat when I have a cough
Gingerale or tea with ginger for upset tummy
toast
bananas
For sore throats I gargle with warm salt water. Just swish around in mouth and spit out. Do a few time stirring the water after each gargle since the salt sinks to the bottom of the cup. I use just warm tap water and a few shakes from the salt shaker to make.
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Thread Starter- barregar
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Re: Healthy tips for a healthier you
Thank you sunshine. I hope I'm well enough to go out and get some stuff.
All your other notes are also very interesting. I love apple cider with cinammon. Love your hot choc. tips too.
The Lord is my light and my salvation, whom shall I fear? The Lord is the strength of my life, of whom shall I be afraid? Psalm 27:1
- sunshinej
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Re: Healthy tips for a healthier you
Barre...I found this suggestion that may help with easing headache, fever and congestion.
Soak your feet in hot water and put some mustard powder in it. It supposed to unblock a stuffy head, help ease fever and sooth a headache by drawing the blood to your feet which eases the pressure on the blood vessels in your head, helps loosen congestion and increase circulation.
I have not tried this, but it may work.
i ♥ nirvana
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