Chakrasana: Yoga Wheel Pose, 14 Ways

The most important pose in my personal asana practice is chakrasana, yoga wheel pose. Why is this deep backbend so important for you? Heals kyphosis, a.k.a. schlumping Corrects postural problems caused by excessive sitting Opens and balances all the chakras, increasing the flow of healing energy through your whole body Opens your heart and releases […]
Source: http://unlimitedenergynow.com/chakrasana-yoga-wheel-pose-14-ways/

source https://unlimitedenergynow.wordpress.com/2016/09/23/chakrasana-yoga-wheel-pose-14-ways/

6 Kombucha Health Benefits Your Gut Is Begging For

Well known as a good source of probiotics, kombucha is a sweet tea beverage fermented with yeast and bacteria. It is commonly called the “immortal health elixir” and it’s more popular now than ever before. In fact, the market is expected to grow at a healthy pace of approximately 25% per year until 2020. In addition to its strong, robust flavor, kombucha is an incredible tonic with many health-promoting properties. Let’s explore six ways kombucha supports gut health.

1. Kombucha Contains Probiotics

True kombucha contains a significant amount of live probiotic strains including Lactobacillus.^[1] Lactobacillus is a genus of friendly bacteria that encourage normal digestion, soothe the digestive tract, and promote easy bowel movements. If your gut needs to be tamed, probiotics of the Lactobacillus variety (and there are many species of Lactobacillus — Lactobacillus Rhamnosus, Lactobacillus Gasseri, Lactobacillus Brevis…) may help.^[2]

2. Kombucha Contains Antioxidants

The human body requires and uses oxygen to carry out its normal processes and metabolic byproducts like free radicals are unavoidable. Free radicals lead to oxidative stress and can damage cells.^[3]Antioxidants are like a fire extinguisher; they’re the body’s defense. Kombucha has demonstrated an ability to help defend against free radical damage.^[4]

3. Kombucha Supports the Immune System

The immune system is an integral component of the body’s ability to heal, defend, and maintain itself. Without complete, proper nutrition, or if toxin exposure becomes too great, the immune system may be stifled. There are a number of ways to support normal immune system function and, between its healthful probiotics and rich nutrient content, kombucha seems to be one of them.^[5]

4. Kombucha May Help Ulcers Heal

Although digestion is a complex series of events, it’s a process your body can and wants to carry out efficiently and without issue. In a perfect world, nobody would ever experience any sort of digestive upset. Unfortunately, we don’t live in a perfect world and peptic ulcers, also known as gastric ulcers, are a common problem experienced by many. They are sores in the lining of the digestive tract that are both painful and disruptive.^[6] Some studies suggest that kombucha may aid in healing ulcers.^[7]

5. Nutritional Support Against Cancer?

Cancer is the second leading cause of death in the U.S and almost 600,000 Americans die of cancer every year. Although there are over 100 different types of cancers, it can, in general, be described as a group of diseases involving abnormal cell growth with the potential to invade or spread to other parts of the body. We have to be clear that kombucha isn’t a treatment or preventative measure for cancer. But, some research has resulted in opinions that kombucha may have something to offer with respect to resistance against cancer.^[8] It’s an interesting concept and hopefully more research will yield more information.

6. Kombucha Supports Normal Body Weight

Maintaining a healthy body weight is one way to support overall wellness and good health. Unfortunately, many people struggle to stay at an ideal weight. In fact, approximately 70 percent of Americans are either overweight or obese. This leads to many health problems such as diabetes and heart disease. Kombucha isn’t a weight loss beverage but some research has shown that when it’s part of an overall strategy it may help promote a normal body weight.^[9]

The Microbiome at the Center of it All

The probiotic content of kombucha is responsible for many of its health benefits. To truly understand the full extent of kombucha’s health benefits, you have to understand the human microbiota and the microbiome — a complex network of symbiotic microbial cells in the gut.

They assist with digestion, support the immune system, and are necessary for countless other physiological functions. Hippocrates, commonly known as the Father of Modern Medicine, said, “All disease begins in the gut.” Conversely, health begins in the gut and kombucha can help.

One tip, when deciding which kombucha is right for you, remember that many store-bought brands add “extra” ingredients. They may be herbal, organic, and beneficial… or they might be extra sugars or artificial flavors. Always check the ingredients!

Are you a fan of kombucha? What has it done for you? Leave a comment below and share your experience with us.

References

1. Marsh AJ, O’Sullivan O, Hill C, Ross RP, Cotter PD. Sequence-based analysis of the bacterial and fungal compositions of multiple kombucha (tea fungus) samples. Food Microbiology 2014 Apr;38:171-8. doi: 10.1016/j.fm.2013.09.003. Epub 2013 Sep 25.
2. Lactobacillus. Medline Plus. 02/15/2015.
3. Aseervatham GS1, Sivasudha T, Jeyadevi R, Arul Ananth D. Environmental factors and unhealthy lifestyle influence oxidative stress in humans—an overview. Environmental Science and Pollution Research International. 2013 Jul;20(7):4356-69. doi: 10.1007/s11356-013-1748-0. Epub 2013 May 1.
4. Ola Ali Gharib. Effects of Kombucha on oxidative stress induced nephrotoxicity in rats. Chinese Medicine. 2009; 4: 23.
5. Vīna I1, Semjonovs P, Linde R, Deniņa I. Current evidence on physiological activity and expected health effects of kombucha fermented beverage. Journal of Medicinal Food. 2014 Feb;17(2):179-88. doi: 10.1089/jmf.2013.0031. Epub 2013 Nov 5.
6. Peptic Ulcers. Medline Plus.
7. Banerjee D1, Hassarajani SA, Maity B, Narayan G, Bandyopadhyay SK, Chattopadhyay S. Comparative healing property of kombucha tea and black tea against indomethacin-induced gastric ulceration in mice: possible mechanism of action. Food and Function. 2010 Dec;1(3):284-93. doi: 10.1039/c0fo00025f. Epub 2010 Nov 3.
8. Dufresne C, Farnworth E. Tea, kombucha health: a review. Food Res Int. 2000;336:409–421. doi: 10.1016/S0963-9969(00)00067-3.
9. Frank GW. Kombucha: Healthy Beverage and Natural Remedy from the Far East— Its Correct Preparation and Use. Steyr, Austria: Wilhem Ennsthaler; 1991. (Translation by A. Tyndale). A-4402.

The post 6 Kombucha Health Benefits Your Gut Is Begging For appeared first on Dr. Group's Natural Health & Organic Living Blog.

source http://www.globalhealingcenter.com/natural-health/kombucha-health-benefits/

Indian-Inspired Green Lentil Salad with Spiced Carrots

Carrots are rarely the star of any dish, but in this green lentil salad recipe from One Green Planet, the spiced carrots really shine. You can spiralize your carrots, but I recommend using a peeler to get thin, pretty ribbons for your salad. If you can find red, purple, or yellow carrots, give them a try!

The Health Benefits of Carrots

This humble root veggie is known for its eye-promoting properties, but did you know studies have linked a diet high in fruits and vegetables, like carrots, to a substantially reduced risk of some cancers, too?^{[1, 2, 3]}Falcarinol, the most bioactive flavonoid in carrots, may help stimulate the body’s cancer-fighting mechanisms. Carrot seeds may also offer wound-healing, cholesterol-lowering, antimicrobial, anti-inflammatory, cognitive, and fertility benefits.^[4]

Long before they were cultivated as food, carrots were used medicinally. The Ancient Greeks collected and crushed wild carrot seeds to use as a contraceptive. Ayurvedic medicine considered carrots an aphrodisiac, stimulant, and treatment for bladder and kidney conditions. In the Middle Ages, wild carrots were used as a purgative and antiparasitic, to treat edema and diabetes, soothe sores, and reduce swelling.^[5]

Why Are Carrots Orange?

The orange carrot we’re familiar with didn’t come around until the 15th and 16th centuries in Central Europe. The original, edible varieties were red, purple, white, and yellow. They each have different health benefits that are tied to their phytonutrient concentration. Red carrots are rich in lycopene, purple carrots in anthocyanins, and yellow carrots in lutein, which may help prevent macular degeneration.^[4]

The first edible carrots were purple and first cultivated in Afghanistan 5000 years ago. Fast forward a few thousand years, and carrot varieties spread to Asia, Europe, and the Americas. Orange carrots originated in Holland in the 17th century from Dutch varieties. At the time, the Dutch were considered the leaders in carrot development. Their “modern” orange carrot was especially rich in beta-carotene.^[6]

The story of why orange became the dominant color could be a political one. Dutch farmers in the city of Hoorn may have shown their silent support of a nobleman, William of Orange, who was fighting for Dutch independence by growing the orange tubers. Later, carrots were actually banned for their provocative orange hue.^[7] Unlike purple carrots, orange carrots don’t leech dark purple pigments into surrounding foods during the cooking process. This may explain why the orange carrot became the dominant color in Western supermarkets. Soups and stews look more appetizing when they’re not dyed brown.^[8]

The prep time for this recipe is about fifteen minutes and the recipe itself will yield three servings. To cook lentils quickly, soak them for at least four hours (overnight is better) and then boil until tender, about fifteen minutes. Alternatively, you can boil dry lentils until tender, about an hour.

Green Lentil Salad with Spiced Carrots Recipe

• Soak time: 4 hrs to overnight
• Prep time: 15 minutes
• Cook time: 15 minutes
• Total time: 4.5 hrs
• Serves: 3 people

Equipment

• Vegetable peeler
• Cutting board
• 2 mixing bowls, one large and one small
• Chef’s knife, large serrated knife for cutting lettuce

Ingredients for Green Lentil Salad With Spiced Carrots

Spiced Carrots

• 2 large carrots, peeled and turned and shaved into ribbons with vegetable peeler
• 2 tablespoons organic raisins, roughly chopped (optional)
• 3 tablespoons of organic lemon juice
• 1 ½ tablespoon of organic Dijon mustard
• 1 tablespoon of organic extra virgin olive oil
• 1 tablespoon of organic maple syrup
• 1/8 teaspoon of organic ground cumin
• 1/8 teaspoon of organic garam masala
• 1/8 teaspoon of Himalayan crystal salt or sea salt
• Freshly ground organic black pepper, to taste

Green Lentil Salad

• 4 small heads of organic Romaine lettuce, finely chopped
• 2 cups of organic baby spinach
• 1 cup of organic green lentils, soaked overnight and cooked until tender
• 2 stalks of organic spring onion, finely chopped
• 3 tablespoons fresh organic parsley
• 3 tablespoons fresh organic mint
• 3 tablespoons fresh organic cilantro (optional)

Instructions

Spiced Carrots

1. Shave your carrots into long, thin strips using a vegetable peeler. Add them to your mixing bowl.
2. On a cutting board, roughly chop the raisins and add to carrots.
3. In a glass jar or other sealed container, combine lemon juice, mustard, olive oil, maple syrup, cumin, garam masala, salt, and black pepper. Seal and shake well.
4. Pour mixture on top of the carrots and stir until well coated. Set aside to marinate while you prepare the salad.

Green Lentil Salad

1. Combine Romaine lettuce, baby spinach, green lentils, spring onion, parsley, mint, and cilantro in a large mixing bowl.
2. Add the spiced carrots, stir well, and enjoy!

A Word About Cilantro

The cilantro is entirely optional, but I think it’s a great addition and it pairs quite nicely with the spices in this recipe. I personally regard the amount of cilantro in this recipe as more of a “suggested minimum” and quadruple the amount for maximum taste and enjoyment.

References

1. Chan, M, Furong Wang, and Elizabeth A Holly. “Vegetable and Fruit Intake and Pancreatic Cancer in a Population-Based Case-Control Study in the San Francisco Bay Area.” Cancer Epidemiology Biomarkers & Prevention 14.9 (2005): 2093–2097. Web. 1 Aug. 2016.
2. Boggs, Deborah A, et al. “Fruit and Vegetable Intake in Relation to Risk of Breast Cancer in the Black Women’s Health Study.” American Journal of Epidemiology 172.11 (2010): 1268–1279. Web. 1 Aug. 2016.
3. Wilkens, Lynne R, et al. “Vegetables, Fruits, Legumes and Prostate Cancer: A Multiethnic Case-Control Study.” Cancer Epidemiology Biomarkers & Prevention 9.8 (2000): 795–804. Web. 1 Aug. 2016.
4. Publishing, Scientific Research. “Nutritional and Health Benefits of Carrots and Their Seed Extracts.” Food and Nutrition Sciences 05. (2014): 2147. Web. 1 Aug. 2016.
5. Foster, Steven, and Rebecca L Johnson. “National geographic” Desk Reference to Nature’s Medicine. Washington, D.C.: National Geographic Society, 2008. ebook.
6. ISHS. Chronica HORTICULTURAE. A PUBLICATION OF THE INTERNATIONAL SOCIETY FOR HORTICULTURAL SCIENCE. 2011. Web. 1 Aug. 2016.
7. “The Royal History of the… Carrot??” RNW Media, n.d. Web. 1 Aug. 2016.
8. Denker, Joel. “The Carrot Purple.” Food Passages. Food Passages, n.d. Web. 1 Aug. 2016.

The post Indian-Inspired Green Lentil Salad with Spiced Carrots appeared first on Dr. Group's Natural Health & Organic Living Blog.

source http://www.globalhealingcenter.com/natural-health/indian-inspired-green-lentil-salad-with-spiced-carrots/

LPN’s Long-Haul Flight Natural Essentials

If you’re following on Instagram, you may have noticed I’m on the road (or rather, in the sky) quite a bit. Taking long-haul flights has become a common occurrence for me over the years, given that I live a 15 hour flight from my family and  also travel quite a bit for work. And while I love, love, love travel, it can certainly take a toll on the body.

So, each time I travel, I have with me my “flight pack” to keep me feeling good and grounded, despite being 30,000 feet up. With that, I give you my top tips for staying well while flying long-haul.

Empty Water Bottle

… past security, that is. I try to avoid drinking out of plastic water bottles (not to mention how overpriced water is, especially at the airports), for this reason, I pack with me my 1L bkr water bottle, and then fill it up once I past security (if I’m traveling in a country that it makes sense to do that).

On flights over 12 hours, I will take my 1 L bottle plus purchase 2 more litres, and drink 3 litres on the flight. And while this keeps me hydrated, it’s important you have an aisle seat as you can imagine you’ll be heading to the lou often enough.

Yoga + Aisle Seats

If you’re not able to sit up in business, make sure to ask for an aisle seat. Not only will you be thankful for it with all the water you’re drinking, but it is important to get up and move. Every hour or so, I’ll get up and walk down the aisles, as well as stretch in the areas where there is a bit more space.

If everyone is sleeping, and it’s a bit more quiet, I’ll even do a small yoga practice in the galley where there is a bit more space.

If I have a long connection, I’ll also find an area to do a short yoga practice at the airport (some airports even have special yoga rooms!), but if you’re unable to find a yoga room, find a semi-private area and just roll out your mat! Your body will thank you <3

Greens on the Go

I always travel with a little baggie of my Greens powder. Often times I’ll blend pure spirulina and chlorella plus some barley and wheatgrass and just take it with me. When I get on the flight, I’ll ask for a glass of water, and just mix it myself. The greens are super high in antioxidants, and packed with nutrients, and the chlorella / spirulina help with protecting the body from in-flight radiation.

You can buy Amazing Grass Green Superfood in individual packets, which are very convenient for the traveler.

Facial Mist + Facial Oil 

Without fail, I travel with small versions of my favourite facial mist and facial oils. Every couple hours, I’ll apply oil, and spritz my face. The dry airplane air can really take a toll on the skin, especially after 12 hours straight, but I notice the hugest difference in the texture and tone of my skin if I’m consistent about caring for it while in flight.

As long as your bottles are under 100 ml, you should not have a problem. My favourite toners for long-hauls? Annamarie Skincare Neroli Toning mist (only 50 ml — perfect for planes!) and Heritage Products Rose Mist.

As for facial oil, I love chia seed oil – an extremely calming and hydrating oil. My favourites? One Love Organics Oh Mega chia oil and Maya Chia Supercritical Omega-3 Chia Oil! Both are lightweight, fast absorbing, packed with antioxidants, essential minerals, and skin-loving omega fatty acids these oils will leave your skin feeling deeply nourished and glowing – no matter how long you’ve been in the sky.

Organic Ginger Tea

Digestion tends to get quite slow on flights, so I try not to eat too heavy (although I do pack some healthy and high fibre snacks). In addition to that, I always pack with me a few bags of organic ginger tea. Not only is it soothing on the tummy, it is also help with nausea and decrease bloating.

Just pack your own tea bags, and ask your flight attendant for hot water a few times during your flight. Skip the dehydrating coffee and black tea, and opt for cleansing herbal tea. I love Yogi Tea’s Organic Ginger tea.

Healthy Snacks

An easy to pack travel snack is a little packet of chia seeds. I opt for taking 2 – 3 tbs and then just asking for water and a spoon when the trolley comes around. It’s an easy way to nourish the body and stay hydrated, as well as keep hunger (and the bloat) at bay.

I also will pack fresh fruits to eat on their own, and other nuts and seeds – and if there is a chance I’ll be wanting a meal on that flight, I’ll usually pack my own grain-based dish, like a healing kitcharee or quinoa salad.

Oil of Oregano 

Oregano oil is my final essential for long-haul flights (or any flights really). With the recirculated air, germs are abound. Oregano oil is an incredible immune boosting supplement. Oregano oil has antibacterial, antiviral, and anti-fungal properties, meaning it can actually prevent that oncoming cold. Take a few drops under the tongue during the flight – that’s all you need.

That’s my travel pack – all the little essentials that get me from A to B, naturally.

And with that, off I go again! Let’s connect on snapchat (snap.kate) so I can share with you where I end up this week.

X

K

The post LPN’s Long-Haul Flight Natural Essentials appeared first on Living Pretty, Naturally.

source http://livingprettynaturally.com/lpns-long-haul-flight-natural-essentials/