Eating Naturally for Optimal Beauty

We've all heard the old adage, "You are what you eat." But what about the connection between your food and your face?

Most articles about nutrition focus on the role of your diet in maintaining optimum internal health and warding off disease. For example, many articles talk about how the antioxidants found in fruits and vegetables can fight free radical damage to your immune cells, your organs and your DNA.

Well guess what? The same phytochemicals, vitamins, nutrients and minerals that keep your insides in the pink are equally essential for clear skin, bright smiles, strong nails and clear eyes. If you want to look your absolute gorgeous best, keep these diet guidelines in mind:

* Antioxidants: Found in abundance in colorful fruits and vegetables, these nutrients help combat signs of aging caused by the oxidation - the rust, if you will, of our cells. Beauty foods that are potent sources of antioxidants include: pomegranates, prunes, concord grape juice, blueberries, blackberries, purple cabbage, kale, brussels sprouts, dried plums, kiwis, raspberries, strawberries, raw spinach, oranges, apples and watercress.

* Essential fatty acids: Certain polyunsaturated oils are called "essential" because they must be included in our diet. EFAs, like omega-3 and omega-6, may reduce inflammation that can clog skin and lead to wrinkles. Sources include seafood - such as salmon, sardines, trout and flounder - as well as almonds, walnuts and flaxseed.

* Avoid simple carbs: Some research suggests the insulin spike caused by simple carbohydrates, such as bread, pasta and sweets, may trigger a series of metabolic reactions that can lead to breakouts.

* Maximize water, moderate alcohol: Water, and lots of it, will help keep your skin hydrated, while alcohol in excess of one 4-ounce drink a day can dry it out. Also, some dermatologists say alcohol's dilation of fragile facial capillaries can cause and exacerbate rosacea.

* Healthy fat: While it's always important to minimize artery-clogging saturated fat, don't shy away from healthy monounsaturated fats, like olive oil and other liquid, plant-based oils that keep skin emulsified.

* Vitamin C: Make sure to also feed your face with vitamin C to help maintain collagen, the most important component of connective tissue contributing to the underlying foundation of your skin. The best sources of vitamin C includes citrus fruits and juices, broccoli, cauliflower, cantaloupe, strawberries, tomatoes, red peppers and green peas.

* Weight-loss bonus: Pound for pound, fruits and vegetables have fewer calories than other food groups. Plus, they have plenty of fiber, so they'll help you feel full. Such a fruit-and-vegetable-rich diet helps ward off cravings by ensuring the body gets the full spectrum of nutrients, minerals, vitamins and phytochemicals it needs to function.

Data from the National Weight Control Registry, which maintains records on more than 3,000 individuals who have had success keeping off a minimum of 30 pounds, suggests that the winning diet for long-term weight loss is a low-fat, complex-carb diet rich in fruits and vegetables.

This data was recently reinforced by an international study, conducted by Northwestern University, assessing the diets of more than 4,000 people in the United States, United Kingdom, Japan and China. The study found that, without exception, a diet high in complex carbohydrates, fiber and vegetable protein was associated with low body-mass index.

The bottom line is that there's nothing more beautiful than vibrant good health, and there's nothing healthier than a regime that includes plenty of exercise, rest, water, lean proteins, and an abundance of fruits and vegetables.

Jennifer Grossman is the director of the Dole Nutrition Institute. - NU

Harnessing the Power of Positivity with The Herban Yogi

We’re all on our own journeys of self-discovery. Each one of us may be called to do something different, but when I come across tools that I feel my readers can use, I always get excited to share them. The world is filled with amazing ideas, and some sources are just too good not to share!




This is certainly the case with The Herban Yogi and his podcast, The Mental Health Cypher. Powered by podcast app, Anchor, The Herban Yogi has taken his passion for self-improvement and merged it with his naturally positive personality to create a show like no other. This is more than a mere podcast; it can be a tool for exploration of your soul. Each episode is filled with tips and ideas to change your mindset, bring the magic of positivity into your life, yet grounded to keep you focused on those all-important goals. There are also fascinating interviews with awesomely inspiring people that share their own experiences to give the audience a brand new perspective.



This show is more than just informative, it’s entertaining and engaging. It is filled with wise metaphysical insights for self-development. The conversations we enjoy are like those of old friends with wise advice and supportive encouragement. And there are plenty of laughs along the way, too! The Herban Yogi lays out his philosophies on life the way a professional chef sets a lavish meal; and we, the partygoers, are treated to a feast that nourishes the heart and soul. Whether you’re spiritual and seeking enlightenment, questioning your own beliefs, or just looking to be inspired, The Mental Health Cypher will fit the bill perfectly. Enjoy it!

Can Addictions Be Cured with Hypnosis?

An addiction can take control of a person's life. For example a successful man who is an alcoholic can lose everything including his business, family and reputation because of the devastating affects of his alcohol addiction. Alcohol is just one of many debilitating addictions that can affect our lives. Others include tobacco, prescription medication, food, recreational drugs or even sex. When a person is under the power of an addiction, that addiction controls their work relationships, personal relationships and so much more.

A person that is addicted to something is hindering and limiting their life. To live without addiction is to experience life as it should be, as we are born. There are several reasons why a person may become addicted to something. Some of the reasons include poor self esteem, a traumatic experience, stress or simple old bad judgment. If you are addicted to something, I am sure you have tried to regain control of your life and end the vicious cycle. For some people this is easy, but for many others, it's a desperate fight that seems to go on and on.


Hypnosis is an effective way to conquer addiction. The process of hypnosis is safe, gentle and extremely rewarding. Hypnosis works on a subconscious level. While a person is undergoing hypnosis they are induced into a deep state of relaxation. The subconscious mind is highly receptive to new perspectives and ideas during this sate of deep relation. The subconscious mind will receive positive suggestions that have an individual visualize a life without addiction. During the visualization process the individual is able to ìfeelî how great a life without addiction is and this can be extremely profound.

While an individual is in the process of hypnosis the individual is given encouragement, motivation, confidence building statements and a definite plant to conquer addiction. The positive suggestions that the subconscious mind receives causes the individual to change their negative behavior and thinking patterns. It is because of this change that a person is able to conquer their addiction.

Hypnosis alleviates both stress and anxiety, calming the nerves, the mind and the whole body. People who have undergone hypnosis have greater confidence and increased self esteem. If you want to conquer your addiction and turn your goals into reality I recommend, as a practicing hypnotherapist, that you seek out the services of a qualified hypnotherapist in your area. Hypnosis can help you to conquer your addiction and live a happier, healthier and more rewarding life.

Hypnosis: Fact or Fiction?

The Sleeping Prophet Edgar Cayce would command himself to engage in out-of-body experiences and near-death experiences through self-hypnosis.




Under a trance state, he would give readings and diagnoses to people he has never met. His followers documented almost 14,000 journeys unto the spirit realm, made through his subconscious mind or what Cayce referred to as the soul.




Sensational historian David Lewis revealed that Adolf Hitler was once hypnotized and this may have been the root of the kind of life he has led.




Lewis claimed that in 1918, Hitler believed he has gone completely blind despite diagnoses of doctors that nothing is wrong with his eyes. Through hypnosis, a doctor suggested to Hitler that indeed, he has lost his eyesight but through will power he can make himself see again. Thats because God made him an exceptional person, the good doctor added. Since then, Lewis said, the hypnosis marked Hitler so much that he took life believing he was exceptional, and the rest, as they say, is history.




Robert F. Kennedys assassin was under the influence of a mastermind through hypnotism during the assassination, and was said to have shown robotic, trance-like movements and repeated RFK must die over and over again during police interrogation.




Have you read about clairvoyants reaching into other dimensions to get rare or secret information? How about mediums meddling with the underworld and calling the dead? Hypnosis stories are they for real?




Yes and No.




Yes, hypnotism really has been used as part of the treatment and therapy of various physical and psychological conditions. Through its ability to tap into the subconscious and to intensify focus and concentration, hypnosis can help you be more attuned with your intellectual and emotional capacity; thus helping you modify your habits and behaviors, or wield more control over the way you think and analyze.




But no, it is not the cure-all for your problems. It is not proven to be effective every time, as often claimed. The United States general surgeon reports there is insufficient evidence to support hypnosis as a treatment for smoking cessation. Again, the effectiveness of hypnotism depends on each and every different case it is being used for.




Indeed, it will not hurt to try hypnotism; but dont rely on it too much either. It may help you and may change your life forever. It may also work for you for an allotted period only. Or it may not and you may walk out of another hypnotism session unchanged and still be the same old self. Your results will depend on a lot of other factors aside from hypnosis, such as determination, motivation, and will power. Your destiny is still in your own hands.

Coping With Pain via NLP, the Alternative Therapy's Alternative.

Pain can be defined quite simply as a symptom of some physical hurt or disorder, an affliction or an emotional distress. Mild pain can be treated in many ways ... over the counter drugs and balms. But what if the pain is chronic and unbearable? Well we get prescription drugs. Most of the drugs work well, but for some people with severe or chronic pain, NLP and hypnosis works wonders.

What is NLP? It is neuro-linguistic programming. NLP uses a set of models and principles to describe the relationship between mind and language. Though initially dubious about the treatment of pain with hypnosis, the medical community are now of the opinion that hypnosis does indeed help in controlling pain.

Acute pain lasts for a short while chronic pain lasts for a long time, usually more than a month. Even mild low - level pain can be debilitating. Pain comes in many forms, jabbing, throbbing stabbing, nagging etc. Pain is also influenced by various factors like memory, emotions and physical condition of each individual. Another perplexing complication is that sometimes pain has no organic cause at all.

Pain has sometimes been described as past remembered pain, present pain experience and also anticipated pain in the future. The combination of these three often gives us the meaning of pain and this is one of the reasons why chronic pain is almost always so debilitating. What increases the pain is the expectation that the pain will be there the next day, and the day after and the day after and so on.

A few of the techniques that help us deal with pain are given below

Trance and Relaxation are the easiest things that one can do relax. The way to relax is simple. All you have to do is tell yourself in a deep and gentle tone take a deep breathe and relax. With each breath you must relax further. Tell yourself that as you count down from 5 to1 you will relax still further till you are in a trance.

Synesthesia is a technique that is best done in a light trance. In this technique you explore the pain as a sensation. What exactly is the pain? Where is it, is it a slow or a fast moving pain? Does it have any color and texture? How does it move? This might seem difficult but don't worry. The important thing is to try and put some meaning to your pain, give it shape so that it makes some sense to your unconscious mind. What you have to do next is to think that the pain is outside your body where it is easier to observe. Try and examine it a little away from you say at a distance of about two meters. Now what you can do is to change the quality of pain. Make it smaller or bigger or change the color and the sound. Change the way it moves. Now observe what happens when you cause changes in the pain. When you are finally satisfied with the changes that you have made in your pain you can send the whole pain to a far away place or you can even put it back into your own body but in a different location where the pain can be more manageable. Or even better, you can just turn your pain up side down and put it back in the same place so that it cancels out the original pain.
 
Increasing Your Energy
 
Pain can be very debilitating and saps us of our energy. But we can overcome this by practicing some very simple visualization exercises. Bring yourself to a point of total relaxation and focus on breathing. Imagine golden ball of light all around your body,
which you can hear, as well as feel vibrating. Then imagine that when you breathe in you are taking in energy. The golden light now becomes brighter and brighter, the harmonies get louder and the vibrations become stronger and stronger. As you breathe out imagine that all the tension and pain are expelled from your body. Now the vibrations and harmonies become a tool to help you relax further and you can feel the sensations massaging your body. With the help of the techniques mentioned above you can help yourself in taking control of your pain. But remember that they are not hypnosis or NLP techniques.