Mango has many health benefits.It’s rich in fat-soluble antioxidants called carotenoids, which are anti-inflammatory, anti-cancer, protect the brain and nervous system, guard skin against…Click here to read more…
http://www.sevafrica.com/HealthWellness/MangoProtein-Smoothie.shtml

Cooking doesn’t destroy much of olive oil’s healthy properties, according to registered dietitian Karen Collins in a recent guest post at CalorieLab.

I’ve been wondering about this since olive oil plays such a prominent role in the Advanced Mediterranean and Ketogenic Mediterranean Diets.  I use room-temperature olive oil on my salads and vegetables, but also use it  to sauté vegetables, eggs, and meat. 

Olive oil is the major fat in the traditional Mediterranean diet.  It has heart-healthy and perhaps anti-cancer action related to monounsaturated fat and phenolic compounds that have antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties.

Steve Parker, M.D.

During normal biological processes inside our bodies, unstable molecules – free radicals – are created. They attack every cell and damage the biological structures made of lipids, proteins and genetic material. Free radicals steal electrons from other molecules, in this process damaging them and creating new free radicals.

Free Radicals or oxidants (electron thieves) attack all cells, work against our various tissues, impact the immune system (our guardian against infections and cancer) and play a major role in the development of all chronic degenerative diseases

Antioxidants produced by the body and supplied by food have to act promptly to stop the harm inflicted by free radicals at all levels. Antioxidants donate electron-starved free radicals, thus rendering them tamed and stable.

Moringa contains antioxidants such as the carotenoids ( lutein, beta-carotene, xanthins ), vitamins (C, E and A), minerals (selenium) and other phytochemicals (quercettin, rutin and caffeoylquinic acids).

Complex mixtures of naturally occurring antioxidants from plants are the most effective and beneficial protectors against oxidation and aging of the tissues.

Diets including plenty of greens, vegetables, fruits and seeds have been linked with the serious health benefits and a much lower incidence of various diseases.

source- Miracle Tree Dr. Monica Marcu Pharm D., Ph.D.

Ever hear of teucrium polium? Neither have most of us, but do remember this name now that scientists at the University of Granada have identified this antioxidant compound found in foods such as walnuts, olive oil, and honey. OK, we all knew that these foods were good for us, but now that this compound has been discovered, we know for sure, and the findings of the scientists show that these properties actively help prevent the onset of certain diseases, such as diabetes, obesity, cardiovascular diseases, cancer, hypertension, and others.

Let’s focus on walnuts for a moment. A walnut looks like a little brain, a left and right hemisphere, upper cerebrums and lower cerebellums. Even the wrinkles or folds on the nut are just like the neo-cortex. We now know that walnuts help develop over 3 dozen neuron-transmitters for brain function, and with healthy functioning neuron-transmitters, your odds for Alzheimer’s is lower.

Olives assist the health and function of the ovaries, and olive oil is high in monounsatured fatty acids and contains high levels of antioxidant substances; one of them we now know is teucrium polium. Olive oil provides protection against heart disease by controlling LDL (the bad cholesterol) while raising HDL (the good stuff). Oh, and it tastes yummy, so get some extra-virgin, cold-pressed oil today and use it on your salads and to sauté garlic and onions for your dinner.

Honey is chock full of nutrients, including the newly discovered antioxidant, teucrium polium. It is, after all, what the Queen eats to survive and thrive. Honey has antibacterial and antimicrobial properties; honey can calm a cough, soothe a sore throat, and help digest food. Honey can aid with sleep, heal wounds, and beautify skin. Raw, unfiltered honey is best!

Your take-away? Take baby steps away from your current diet of processed foods and increase your intake of olive oil, walnuts, and honey. Here’s to your heath…and bon appetite!

You may think it’s impossible to get through the holidays without gaining weight. In fact, the average American gains 7 to 10 pounds over the holidays. For me, the solution is maintaining my nutritional cleansing program throughout the holidays. Besides that, here are a few simple tips for surviving the holidays and keeping your waistline in check.

Tip 1: The temptations all start at Halloween. If you can’t resist that piece of chocolate choose dark chocolate. Dark chocolate contains less sugar than milk chocolate and is rich in antioxidants that support healthy circulation and blood sugar. Some research suggests that dark chocolate may even reduce cravings for fatty and sugary foods.

Tip 2: This is the time of year for parties and most of us like to indulge with an alcoholic beverage or two. If you can’t resist, choose light beer or wine over cocktails because most cocktails contain high-sugar mixes. The best choice is red wine because it delivers a dose of the antioxidant resveratrol which has anti-cancer and anti-aging properties. If you prefer hard alcohol have vodka with soda water instead of tonic which contains 23 grams of sugar. Remember, calories from alcohol tend to be stored in the abdomen. Aim to consume no more than 15 grams of sugar a day.

Tip 3: Now, what party is complete without some snacks? First of all, don’t go to the party hungry. By eating some dietary protein beforehand it will help keep you satisfied for hours. At the party, the key is to make healthy choices. Some suggestions are whole grain crackers with cheese such as Brie, Gouda or Gorgonzola. You can also enjoy some olives and a handful of mixed nuts which contain good fats.

Five Foods to Avoid Over the Holidays:

1. Cranberry sauce. One serving has 21 grams of sugar. Limit to just 1 teaspoon.
2. Dried fruits. Apricots have 22 grams of sugar. Instead, snack on sliced cheese or string cheese.
3. Diet sodas. Diet sodas contain chemicals that are bad for your brain and nervous system. Give sparkling water with lemon a try.
4. Eggnog. It contains 21 grams of sugar. Enjoy a peppermint tea instead.
5. Margarine. It’s is filled with hydrogenated oils which advance cellular aging. Opt for butter instead.

Submitted By: Isagenix Independent Associate  Tamara Westberg www.cleansebenefits.com

Here’s one of my favorite green teas by the Stash Tea Company based in Portland, Oregon. If you’ve ever been around someone who sports a hefty mustache, you know that person exudes confidence, pretty much overflows with power, haha.

So this tea definitely packs a punch. It’s very fragrant, flavorful, and leaves a nice clean feeling. Some would argue that caffeinated drinks are not very Paleo and the caffeine spikes interrupt normal bodily cycles, but I’m not sure the cons outweigh the pros on this one.

Benefits:
Increased metabolism/weightloss (mainly from the caffeine)
Reduces risk of heart disease
Lowers chlorestoral
Kills bacteria that affect dental decay
Containes polyphenols/flavonoids (antioxidants) that aid in the prevention of cell damage

The Power

Le Meurice Hotel

Polyphenols and a Palace Hotel make for a remarkable therapeutic cocktail in Paris, France
Copyright © 2007 May Georgina DeLory A place to inspire the soul, rest awhile, and emerge anew; Le Meurice, since 1835, is just such a place — a palace hotel in the finest tradition on the rue de Rivoli and Tuileries Gardens. Recently, Le Meurice announced the winner of its first Contemporary Art Prize. Zoulikha Bouabdellah, born in Paris and who is represented by gallery LA B.A.N.K., was announced as the finalist in the 2008/2009 non-profit competition to allow for an up-and-coming French artist to continue creating art. The 2009/2010 winner is Renaud Auguste-Dormeuil, represented by gallery In Situ.  Winners jointly receive the Meurice Prize for Contemporary Art: € 10,000 for the artist and € 10,000 for his or her gallery. Le Meurice is between the Place de la Concorde and the Grand Louvre, fronting the famous Jardin des Tuileries. From Le Meurice, it is a short stroll to the Opera Garnier and the shopping areas of rue de la Paix and rue Saint-Honore where Hermes, Dior, Versace, Guy Laroche, Lanvin and Yves Saint-Laurent are displayed. The 1930s saw Coco Chanel give countless receptions at Le Meurice.  Charles Jouffre inspired private guest rooms Queen Victoria made Le Meurice her digs as did the Dukes and Duchesses of Windsor, Kent, York, and Marlborough. US President Franklin Delano Roosevelt stayed at Le Meurice; Russian composer Tchaikovsky was a guest after giving a concert. The King of Spain, Alphonse XIII, booked rooms at Le Meurice immediately after the completed 1905 – 1907 renovation that cost 8 million francs and offered individual private baths. The King brought with him his own furniture.  Le Meurice saw guests such as writers Rudyard Kipling and Walter Lippmann; and more recently renowned singer and actress Liza Minnelli and opera star Placido Domingo. As well, Orson Welles, writer, director and star of the 1941 feature film Citizen Kane, and Hollywood stars Ginger Rogers, Elizabeth Taylor, Richard Burton, and Eddie Fisher were devotees of the hotel. Surrealist painter Salvador Dali asked hotel staff to collect flies for him across from the hotel in the Tuileries Gardens at a cost of five francs per fly. Today, Le Meurice enjoys a vast cross-section of guests to reflect an international persona, from rock stars and industry kingpins to film actors and actresses. Le Meurice Foyer Le Meurice Restaurant Le Meurice is designated “palace” accommodation due to its architectural, cultural, and historical heritage. 1771 beginnings as a coach inn were modest, serving exhausted upper class British travelers in Calais on their way to Paris after crossing the Straits of Dover. A forward thinking postmaster, Charles-Augustin Meurice, used his coach inn for guests and arranged rides to Paris aboard his unique 36-hour coach service. He built a second inn in Paris in 1817 shortly before his death in 1820. In 1835 Le Meurice began anew in its present location overlooking the historic Tuileries Gardens.   By the 19th century British upper crust knew the hotel by the nickname “City of London” because the vast majority of Le Meurice staff spoke English and understood keenly the English love of brown beer, cognac and fellow countrymen nearby willing to listen to a story or two. Soon the hotel on rue de Rivoli overlooking acres of lovely formal gardens ideal for a leisurely morning or late afternoon stroll became known as the hotel of kings and queens due to the large number of royalty staying at the hotel. The hotel’s clientel has not changed much to this day, hosting the crème de la crème on all fronts of society.  Dogs get the Royal treatment too! A walk in the Tuileries Garden The first time I saw Paris I knew I was home. Why, I haven’t the foggiest idea. I suppose, in the beginning, it is the same for most visitors to the city of eternal light: magnificent buildings, museums, an exhilarating night-life that makes one want to kick up heels and never leave the city; and of course the many fresh flower stalls scattered throughout the city add to Paris’s colour, romance, glamour and earthiness. Use the Le Meurice bikeI had already seen the Eiffel Tower from its base having sailed the River Seine at full moon with my daughter. It's late September and our lazy afternoon stroll about the Tuileries Gardens, which amounted to a mere fraction of the more than 280,000 square metres (25 hectares), is well worth our time. The Tuileries run from the Louvre to Place de la concorde and were designed in 1564 for French royalty. Today, the gardens are public. The Eiffel Tower is seen in the distance, is less imposing, more friendly this way, as if to welcome the idea that its rising structure may be climbed at will by anyone truly in love with her. In warm months here at the Tuileries there are toy boats to rent and sail across a large garden pond to the excitement of children. Le Meurice caters to children The Tuileries Garden is designed to run parallel to the River Seine. Catherine de Medicis — after the death in 1559 of her father, Henry 11 of France, had the Tuileries Palace erected in 1564 after several tile factories on the site were demolished to make way for the palace. The palace had been under attack many times. In 1871 the Tuileries Palace was set on fire for the last time burning to the ground all but its exterior stone walls. Over the years various statues have been removed or destroyed but today statues by Coustou, Coysevox, Carpeaux, and Rodin as well as modern sculptors like Max Ernst, and Giacometti may be enjoyed in the gardens. After visiting the Tuileries Gardens we crossed the wide street to Le Meurice for my spa appointment with Caudalie Spa which would be followed by English Afternoon Tea within the hotel. Caudalie is a spa and fitness centre on the hotel mezzanine level that uses exclusively Caudalie treatments, products created by Mathilde and Bertrand Thomas, and trained masseuses from Les Sources de Caudalie in France. Caudalie is the world’s first “vinotherapie” spa, a spa that uses grape-seed extract serum with powerful antioxidant properties of oligomeric proanthocyanidins. I was looking forward to my treatment as I had a great deal of pain in one knee due to an accident. Paris may be a city of Light; but it is also a city that begs to be walked, and walked, and walked. And we did just this. Walk. So, off to the spa in hopes to make things right. Crushed grape-seed extract has antioxidants and polyphenols that block cell degenerating free radicals. Warm spring water taken from a depth of 540 meters is rich in minerals and is used in the treatments. The grape seeds have no scent and are as soft as the finest silk. Honey is mixed along with the seeds and this warm paste is spread gently over the nude body with relaxing massage strokes. A heated blanket is then wrapped around the client from chin to toe for twenty or so minutes. I found this an odd sensation: all bundled up like one giant white sausage. I almost refused this part of the treatment citing a near anxiety attack. There’s a lot to be said for just pushing onward through one’s fears. Spa Valmont, Le Meurice Swiss Treatments Left alone and in the dark in the treatment room and wondering how all this French pampering was going to play out in these old bones, I closed my eyes and thought of the meal I would not get to eat this time ‘round in Paris on the second level of the Eiffel Tower: No reservation had been secured three months’ in advance of our visit to Paris. I pacified myself with the knowledge that I myself along with my daughter would soon be upstairs of Le Meurice savouring fancy sandwiches, scones with clotted cream, exquisite jams, exotic teas with antioxidant qualities high in vitamin C we’d been informed, and a multitude of French pastry in a palace restaurant garden setting. In place of tea one could have champagne.  As were were not staying overnight in the hotel we would not enjoy breakfast. Yannick Alleno, and Ladurée, world renowned Parisian cafe and pastry shop, put their heads together to come up with the ultimate Parisian all-chocolate breakfast: the Choc’Alleno. Le Meurice adores children When my therapist returned to the treatment room to see how I was doing I let out a low murmur to signify that I was absolutely perfect. On the therapist’s second round it was time for me to use the private shower in the treatment room to wash off the honey and grape seeds. Next a glorious massage is performed. Finally I was instructed to get up from the treatment table. I recall the ease with which I moved didn’t register immediately— not until I began to get dressed and found that I didn’t need to calculate each and every movement executed to ward off pain. My movements now were carefree. The spa is both elegant and restful designed in marble, wood, stone and glass, serving both men and women with separate change rooms with sauna, steam, showers and toilets. The spa is intimate, serving up to six clients. Lots of sample-size Caudalie products in the ladies bathroom to enjoy pre/post spa treatments. Dense with luxurious detail are the spa robes and individual spa slippers. Hint: come early for your treatment and enjoy the sauna and Jacuzzi to your heart’s content. There’s an Anti-ageing facial treatment using an exclusive Claudalie polyphenol serum that combines ultrasound, electro stimulation, and galvanic current. There’s a weight loss treatment, too; but I myself did not have time for more than the one massage. Quite new I learned is a molecule from vine stalks called Viniferine for anti-dark spot and skin correcting action. There is an entire skin and bodyline. Claudalie’s main spa is in Bordeaux. There are a few other locations — Spain and New York City. Pastry Chef, Camille Lesecq Le Dali Restaurant Le Meurice in 2000 was restored to its original status as a classic French Palace with the completion of an extensive two-year renovation. It’s main dining room, le Meurice, presided over by Chef Yannick Alleno whose restaurant was in 2007 presented the Michelin Guide’s highest honour for a third star, is a place to fully unwind and enjoy French gastronomy at its finest in a splendid Louis XVI environment. There are only a handful of Paris restaurants with Three Michelin Stars.  Second to the Michelin guide is the French gastronomic guide Gault and Millau created in 1969 by Henri Gault and Christian Millau. In contrast to the Michelin guide, Gault and Millau award Hats with one-to-five and five being tops. In 2009 Le Meurice restaurant received five hats from Gault and Millau, and the trendy Le Dali restaurant was awarded three hats. Ara Starck painted the 145 square meters ceiling on Le Dali. Camille Lesecq, head pastry chef, recently created a Detox Macaron as part of Afternoon Tea served in Le Dali March through summer from 3:30 to 6:30 – a green tea and candied pink grapefruit cream delight. Oscetra Royal Caviar is served with condiments. Le Bar 228 is a throw back on the Gentleman’s private club.  But don’t be fooled, Le Meurice is anything but stuffy and out of style. Live jazz is played 7:PM to Midnight. Those who know Paris well say that the best Club sandwiches are to found in Le Meurice. Fifty whiskies and malts are served. Anything hard to get is found here. Cocktails are a good idea.  Ask for the Starcky or The 228 among other fascinating concoctions. The main dining room, Le Meurice, is to the right behind magnificent closed doors once immediately inside the hotel’s front entrance. We arrived too early for dinner; but this didn’t keep us from admiring the Louis XVI period chandeliers that I took to be Baccarat crystal. Tall and narrow windows from inside the opulent dining room overlook the Tuileries Gardens. Window treatments are formal, heavy drapery in floral patterns of the softest shades of gold, salmon, yellow, and green. Landscape paintings on the walls and a ceiling painted with blue sky and delicate angels add to the room’s quiet elegance. Antique bevelled mirrors, ornate gilding, and marble fireplace accent the intimate space holding perhaps ten round dining tables and chairs with oval backs and straight legs looking very much like miniature columns of ancient Rome. At first I thought the mosaic pattern on the floor was of fine wool carpet. Once I stepped into the room my soft-soled shoes told me the floor was tile. Carpet had hidden the tile’s initial true beauty until recently.  The patterns on the floor precisely mimic those of the china commissioned by Limoges for the Meurice. I couldn’t help but think of Greta Garbo playing mistress to Charles Boyer’s Napoleon Bonaparte in the 1937 Hollywood film “Conquest”.  In late 2008 Le Meurice General Manager Franka Holtmann asked Charles Jouffre, a man responsible for creating drapes and sumptuous hangings in the Grand Foyer at the Opera Garnier, to imagine the hotel’s guest rooms a touch warmer in tone and feel –home à la française. To date, Le Meurice has won many awards, including the 2009 Conde Nast Traveller US - Gold List/World’s Best Places to Stay (2nd. place in Europe); and placed in Travel + Leisure - Top 50 Hotels in the World.  Fortune Magazine placed Le Meurice  sixth in the world  and the only hotel in France for the 2008 The Ten Best Business Hotels. Belle Etoile Royal Suite, Le Meurice Hotel Rushed for time, we still want to see Paris from the hotel’s rooftop terrace. On our way up in the hotel elevator I thought the city view would be fascinating; I wasn’t prepared for my senses to become momentarily startled by the historical significance of what lay before us. As soon as we reach Le Meurice’s rooftop Belle Etoile Royal Suite terrace the city is presented in a breathtaking 360-degree advantage to reaffirm Paris’s standing as a city of international acclaim. And in the near distance is the city’s moniker: Eiffel Tower. Note: My visit to Le Meurice was in 2007; it was a private holiday and my first visit to France. Le Meurice restaurants restyled in January 2008 by Philippe Starck, and in 2009 Charles Jouffre designed a eighteenth-century home  feel to the guest rooms. Le Meurice as of 1 January 2008 is graced with Valmont Spa for Le Meurice. Valmont is of Swiss origin with 33 spas spanning the world. Valmont has over twenty years’ experience in thalassotherapie treatments. The Caudalie Vinotherapie Spa moved after many years from Le Meurice in Paris to the newly renovated The Plaza Hotel in New York City, a Fairmont managed hotel. Reservations, please telephone 1-888-850-0909.  Or visit: http://www.theplaza.com/  The Caudalie Vinothérapie® Spa at The Plaza:  1 W. 58th Street, fourth floor, at Fifth Avenue. Grand Cru Chateau Smith Haut is served by the glass at Caudalie Vinotherapie Spa at The Plaza. Spa appointments please telephone at 212-265-3182  FYI: We left our cruise on the River Seine by Les Bateaux http://www.vedettesdupontneuf.com/  until the evening before we left Paris. We always seemed to be on the other side of Paris when the idea struck us that we should not leave the cruise until our last day in Paris. If you have seen the Hollywood feature film An American in Paris directed by Vincent Minnelli (husband to Judy Garland) with dance numbers by Gene Kelly and Leslie Caron you’ll know why no one should miss a cruise on the River Seine. Or an ice cream cone from a Paris street vendor. Le Meurice reservations available through The Leading Hotels of the World© Telephone (800) 223-6800 http://www.lemeurice.com/ J’ai publié 5 photos sur Facebook, dans l’album Discover our 2009 Christmas & New Year’s Eve Program! http://bit.ly/qyhaR http://www.meuricehotel.fr/shopping  http://www.dorchestercollection.com/ www.airtransat.com http://www.airfrance.com/ http://www.raileurope.ca/index.html www.bateauxparisiens.com  Dinner Cruise on River Seine www.chateauversailles.fr   The Hall Of Mirrors At Versailles serves as interior design inspiration www.museums-of-paris.com The Paris Swer Museum is one of the 50 most-visited sites in Paris ( Musee Des Egouts De Paris) www.operadeparis.fr  Palais Garnier & Opera Bastille Private and affordable city walking tours by Muguet Becharat (she speaks fluent English, French and several other languages). We learned so many secrets of the city from Muguet. http://www.parissweetparis.com/ Le Meurice’s emblem… a pair of Greyhounds due to a rescued Greyhound found during hotel renovations completed in 1907. Complementary dog walking in Tuileries Garden for Le Meurice guests. Six specially designed guest rooms for wheelchair access.

Photo credits: Le Meurice; Peter Hebeisen

Researchers have found that a high intake of Vitamin C and E is linked to muscle strength preservation as you age, Reuters reports. Muscle strength naturally begins to wane when you’re in your 40s, and it drops significantly after 60. The researchers studied more than 2,000 men and women in their 70s over two years.

They examined the participants long-term eating habits and measured their grip strength at the beginning and end of the two-year period. The findings show a strong positive correlation between Vitamin C and E intake and greater muscle strength, regardless of individual participant strength levels at the outset.

Check out more Here>>>

–Aileen Torres

Did you ever consider a plate of spaghetti with red sauce, a healthy source of antioxidants?  Interestly, the spice oregano, a predominate spice in spaghetti sauces, is an antioxidant and great source for calcium, and vitamins A & C too! 

Now you can also choose to use whole wheat spaghetti noodles, making a plate of spaghetti even better!  But don’t spoil a great dish using a premade sauce filled with msg and preservatives.  Look for all natural blends so that you can control the ingredients.  Round out your meal with a tossed salad and a slice of Italian bread. 

This is my favorite red sauce:     

  1 Tblsp Wildtree Hearty Spaghetti Blend                                                                                             1 Can Tomato Sauce 28 oz                                                                                                                                       1 Pkg of Whole Wheat Thin Spaghetti                                                                                                         1 Lb Ground Beef or Turkey                                                                                                                             Put sauce and spice blend in pan on medium heat.  Brown meat in skillet, drain and then add to the tomato sauce.  Boil water and add spaghetti; rinse and put in meat sauce.  Simmer meat sauce and spaghetti on low for 10 minutes.

My favorite salad dressing is as follows.   Moisten salad greens with red wine vinegar.  Stir greens and gently sprinkle Wildtree Garlic and Herb Blend over greens.  Grated Parmesan Cheese over the greens is optional.                                                         

Recently I was asked to answer an “ask the vet” question:

My 3 year old mini. schnauzer constantly licks his paws. I tell him to stop but he ignores me. He is always licking his paws, mainly the front 2, but at times the back paws as well. His fur around his paws have become discolored from the constant licking. He probably licks his paws 12 hours a day. I took him to the vet and they don’t really know. They gave him some topical cream which did not work. I put some bitter tasting lotion on his paws, but that didn’t deter him either. After every walk, I clean his paws off with water and unscented baby wipes. I try to play with him but at times he’ll stop playing and start licking his paws. I don’t want to continue bringing him to the vet as this could get very expensive. This problem started happening around the time my son was born. We take him to doggy day care occasionally to socialize with other dogs. I don’t know what the cause could be?  My dog is currently eating Canidae, dry food.

Laura

Here is the answer in all of its glory:

Allergic skin disease is the most common reason for dogs to visit my practice and foot licking is one of the most common symptoms of allergies in dogs.  While allergies in people typically manifest themselves as sneezing, watery eyes and sinus congestion, allergies in dogs cause itchiness.  Where on the body the itchiness is, depends upon the type of allergy that we are dealing with and there are 3 distinct allergies in dogs.

The most common allergy by far in dogs is called flea allergy dermatitis.  Symptoms of this allergy which affects up to 90% of allergic dogs, are chewing at the tail base and thighs, licking the belly and scratching with the back legs on the flanks.  You can spot dogs with flea allergy a mile away by the classic symptoms of sudden itchiness on the back end that results with them chewing on themselves as if they were just bit by something.  That behavior is due to the allergy to the saliva of the flea that has been deposited under the skin when they were bitten by the little suckers.  Dogs that have an allergy to flea bites can be itchy for up to 3 weeks from one bite.  Many times it is difficult for people to come to grips that their dog has a flea allergy due to the fact that they do not see any fleas on their pet, in their house or on themselves.  Unfortunately, we live in one of the worst areas in the country for fleas due to the high number of wildlife animals and the lack of a significant freeze.

As a reminder from the last ”Ask The Vet” question, the most effective flea control is Comfortis, which is an oral tablet that can be given once monthly, has the fastest flea kill at under 30 minutes and is the only ”green” flea prescription.  Despite misinformation on the internet, this medication is extremely safe, but does cause vomiting in a very small number of patients.  Another option is to use Frontline or Advantage every 3 weeks but the downside to these topical chemicals is that they take several hours to kill fleas.  I am not impressed with the effectiveness of Revolution, Vectra, Promeris, Sentinel or Program for flea control.

Affecting at least 25% of allergic dogs, the next most common allergy in dogs is an environmental allergy.  This severe form of “hayfever” actually affects dogs in a very different way than people and causes them to be itchy on their feet, face and underbelly.  Notice that there is a distinct difference in the regions of itchiness with this allergy compared to flea allergy dermatitis.  The way that environmental allergies work is that the dogs come in direct contact with the offending allergen or breathe them in.  The allergens then get attacked by an immune system that believes that it needs to fight off the outside invaders, but this is a futile effort of course.  The result then is that the immune complexes (the antigen and the immune attackers combined) float around in the bloodstream and eventually land in areas of special skin in the dog and cause severe itchiness.  These areas of special skin are feet, muzzle and sometimes underbelly.  More uncommonly, itching will be seen around the eyes, nose and genitals.

The last type of allergy is food allergy.  While I do believe that grain is a significant problem for dogs to eat and can absolutely contribute to allergies, true food allergy (an allergy to the protein source) is extremely rare in dogs, only accounting for about 3% of allergic dogs.  The distribution of itchiness is very similar to the dogs with environmental allergies (feet, face and underbelly.)

As a brief aside, ear infections are exceedingly common with all skin allergies, especially environmental allergies.  It is one of the most frustrating conditions for owners to deal with due to the fact that sometimes veterinarians do not seek to identify the true source of the ear infections (allergies) and the ear infections just continue to come back time after time.

Treating environmental allergies also offers some distinct challenges.  The medications are either ineffective, have too many side effects or are expensive.  There really are only 5 options in dealing with allergies in dogs.

1. Holistic: Grain free food and Omega-3 supplementation.  I covered grain before and the old article can be viewed here: http://tinyurl.com/petudt. Omega 3 Fatty Acids are potent natural anti-inflammatories and decrease the allergy at the cellular level, before the cycle gets started.  There is a new product on the market that takes advantage of the much more potent source of omegas called the Green Lipped Mussel from New Zealand.  The product is called Moxxor and makes a huge difference managing these cases.  More information can be obtained here: www.omegas4pets.com.

2. Cortisone: Corticosteroids are the strongest anti-inflammatories around and are frequently used for allergy treatment in dogs.  The upside is that they work quickly to decrease the symptoms; the downside is that long term use causes too many side effects to list here.  This is not a long term option to consider.

3. Antihistamines: In my experience, antihistamines have a failure rate of about 80%.  If they help they must continue to be administered to give relief.  These medications are extremely safe and inexpensive.

4. Allergy testing and Immunotherapy: Lots of people want to know what their dog is allergic to.  I believe that these tests are an expensive exercise to satisfy owner curiosity. However, the information can be used to formulate injections to desensitize dogs to the allergens identified.  Unfortunately, the shots only work about 50% of the time and in varying amounts.  Additionally, they are really expensive and the owner must commit to trying them for a year prior to giving up.  I have not chosen to use this therapy since I started using the next option, Atopica.

5. Atopica (cyclosporin) is a an immune modulating medication that came to market about 5 years ago.  This medication blocks the T-helper cells, which is a small branch of the immune system.  This selective immune modulation is part of the reason why this medication is so effective and has minimal side effects.  Additionally, Atopica attains higher concentrations in the skin, which obviously creates a huge benefit when dealing with skin allergies.  Atopica has a success rate of at least 95% after two months but is extremely expensive.

More information on skin allergies in dogs can be obtained by viewing these two videos: http://tinyurl.com/kuq2sy.

So, in answer to the short question, you got another long answer.  Here is the short version: Foot licking in dogs is caused by environmental allergies about 95% of the time.  The remaining 5% is composed mostly of food allergy dogs and rarely those with obsessive compulsive disorders.

Dr. Matthew Wheaton

www.mypetsdr.com

Alicia Pet Care Center

25800 Jeronimo Rd. Ste 100

Mission Viejo, CA 92691

949.768.1313

Healthy Coffee: A Healthy Alternative To Your Favorite Cup Of Joe

By healthycupofcoffee

Are you the type of person who can’t start your day until you get that first cup of coffee ? Do you find yourself at Starbucks 2 or 3 times a day to feed your coffee addiction? Coffee is the most sought out beverage and is enjoyed by millions of people daily. Most coffee drinkers do not realize that their favorite cup of joe is actually bad for their health.

Most health professionals advise their patients to stay away from coffee for health reasons. The reason for this advice is because coffee is very acidic and dehydrates the body giving your body an acidic Ph level. An acidic Ph level is the breeding ground for most degenerative diseases. Do you know that it takes 17 glasses of water to neutralize the acid in 1 cup of coffee! It also takes 2 glasses of water to offset the dehydration that occurs from drinking  1 cup of coffee. Not too mention coffee has a large amount of caffeine giving you the “jitters”. I have stayed away from coffee for that mere reason because I am very sensitive to caffeine. Like cigarette smoking most people will continue to drink coffee even though it’s bad for their health because caffeine can be an addiction. Unfortunately for smokers there is no healthy cigarettes, but good news for coffee drinkers there is a healthy coffee available!

Gano Brand Coffee has been in business for over 30 years offering a healthy alternative to regular coffee. Gano Brand Coffee has combined the great taste of Brazilian coffee with Gandoderma or “reishi” giving coffee drinkers a  delicious healthy cup of coffee. What makes Gano Brand Coffee healthy is the powerful herb  “resihi” which is used in every cup of coffee and has been used over 4000 years by the Chinese.  The Reishi herb is said to be more powerful than Ginseng with over 200 antioxidants,vitamins and minerals. This is also great for those decaf drinkers because with Gano Brand Coffee the powerful herb “reishi” offsets the caffeine in the coffee so no more caffeine jitters! Let’s look at some of the benefits of drinking healthy coffee than regular coffee.

Advantages of Healthy Coffee

• Improved Energy
• Increased Stamina
• Improved Sleep
• Better Sense Of Well Being
• Antioxidants,Vitamins,Minerals to Fight Degenerative Diseases
• No Caffeine “jitters”

Regular Unhealthy Coffee

• Acidic giving your body a high acidic Ph level
• Dehydration
• Caffeine “jitters”
  
• Insomnia
  
• Zero Health Benefits

The benefits of healthy coffee are overwhelming not only is it delicious and better tasting then regular coffee but it’s actually good for you! So why wouldn’t you get your coffee fix while improving your health? Most people think that healthy coffee is expensive but that’s not the case! How much did you spend at Starbucks in a week? For 2 cups of  unhealthy Starbucks coffee you could of bought 20 cups of Gano Brand healthy coffee! At $9.95 per box(20 servings) you can not only improve your health but you can save money!

If your still not convinced that healthy coffee exists then please take time to watch a short video done by my good friend Dr. Stuart Hoover (NHD). Dr. Hoover has been a homeopathic doctor for over a decade and has researched and tested thousands of  health products. He has given Gano Brand Coffee the highest marks in quality versus the so called other “healthy” coffee products. In his video he will explain why you should be drinking Gano Brand healthy coffee and how it can benefit you. Go to www.healthycupofcoffee.info to view this amazing video. Also shop around on our site to view our full line of healthy coffee,tea, and other Gano Brand products. Thank you for taking the time to read my blog and I hope it helped open your mind to a healthy alternative to your favorite cup of joe. And as always here’s to your health!

Women, listen up!

If you want to eat your chocolate, please do it in this manner.  For starters, when you get a bar of chocolate take one square set it on your now salivating tongue and allow the piece of chocolate to marinate in your mouth until it is fully dissolved.  At no time should the chocolate touch your teeth.  Allowing the chocolate to slowly dissolve in your mouth gives you the physical and emotional bang without the calorie bang that occurs with chewing chocolate like it is a piece of meat.  In short, you can get your daily chocolate and continue to wear the same size jeans.

As a caveat, let me preface the above and below comments on chocolate by saying that I am referring to chocolate that is dark (72% or greater).

While you are allowing the cube of dark chocolate to tantalize you taste buds, you can remind yourself of all the goodness that is dark chocolate.   Dark chocolate when consumed with antibiotics can potentate their effect and actually decrease bacterial resistance. This is just plain outstanding considering one of the major problems with current antibiotic overuse and misuse is that we are growing super bugs that the average antibiotic can’t touch.  This super-bug craziness will be spoken of in future blogs.

Now, let’s really get that chocolate smile going.   Cocoa is loaded with flavonols which prevent fat-like substances in the bloodstream from oxidizing and clogging up the arteries.   Oxidation within the blood vessels is what makes high cholesterol problematic.  Chocolate also can act like low-dose aspirin in that it promotes healthy blood flow by decreasing platelet adhesion, which can reduce a persons risk of stroke and heart attack.

Wow, you ladies are getting really excited!  Let us continue, a specific amino acid in chocolate called tryptophan decreases anxiety by producing the neurotransmitter serotonin.  Then of course there are the endorphins which chocolate causes the body to release, which give you that “ahhhh” feeling and decrease pain in people with chronic pain syndromes.

Now to make sure you get the best chocolate.  You need to look for dark chocolate that is at least 72% cocoa or greater and it must be ORGANIC.  Chocolate like coffee must be organic otherwise it is fully contaminated with all manner of pesticide.  To make this organic recommendation more convincing, think about the following.  Non-organic chocolate is laced with methyl bromide, pyrethrins, hydrogen cyanide, naled and glyphosate.  I mean, who really wants to put that stuff in their body.  These substances are related to cancer, kidney and liver damage, reproductive abnormalities, genetic damage and neurolgical impairment.

Yep, I think I will stick with one cube of organic, 72%+ dark chocolate marinated slowly on the tongue.

Phytochemicals are special substances found in plants, specifically in the pigments of plants where they are most significant. There is clear evidence that this substance can help you prevent degenerative diseases and help you live a long heathly life.    

Plants and vegetables have different Phytochemicals in them so it is important to eat a variety of them for you to get their full benefits.

Below is a list of foods rich in essential Phytochemicals .

• Grapes – grapes preferably Red ones contains a compound know as polyphenols which is an antioxidant . This is beneficial in improving your cholesterol, help prevent cancer and cardiovascular disease.
• Oranges – they contain limonoid which is found in that white stuff you see separating each section. Limonoid is known for its antiviral, antifungal and antibacterial capability.
• Blueberries – they contain anthocyanidins, an antioxidant that can battle free radicals in your body that can damage cells.
• Dark Green Leafy Vegetables – collard greens, mustard greens, watercress, swiss chard are among the best that contains powerful antioxidants. These greens have in them carotenoids such as lutein and zeaxanthin which benefits eye sight. Plus studies have shown people who consume foods rich in carotenoids live longer and less likely to die from diseases.
•  Apples – in addition to providing you with the fiber your body needs, they also contain flavanoids which is known for their antioxidant activity.
• Tomato – rich in lycopene which is also a carotenoid and lycopene is beneficial in protecting you from prostate and skin cancer.
•  Walnuts – contains lots of essential fatty acids and ellagic acid which can also be found in raspberries, strawberries, cranberries and pecans as well, is also known for its antioxidant capability.
•  Spices – cayanne, ginger, rosemary another great source of antioxidants.
• Mushrooms – shiitake, maitake and other Asian type mushroom contains Beta Glucan . This is special phytochemical that has been proven to help keep your immune system healthy and strong.

Many of us eat these foods already maybe with the exception of the dark green leafy vegetables but now that you know the benefits that they provide we need to be more conscious in incorporating these foods in our diet on a daily basis.

I don’t know about you but I plan to a centenarian. Don’t know what that is, look it up. Cheers.

Thanksgiving dinner will not be complete without the beloved cranberry sauce.

The peak season for cranberries is in the fall when the fruit takes on its distinctive deep red color.  They are cultivated mainly in Maine, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, New Jersey, Wisconsin, Washington, and Oregon.

Most cranberries are processed into products such as juice, sauce, and sweetened dried cranberries.  The berry is also used in baking muffins and scones but, unlike many other berries, is normally considered too tart to be eaten by itself.

Cranberries are a good source of vitamins A and C as well as dietary fiber.  They contain antioxidants that may help reduce the risk of cancer, heart disease and stroke.

Packed in plastic bags cranberries will keep in the refrigerator for up to two months. These berries can also be frozen and they’ll stay fresh for a year.

Classic Cranberry Sauce Made from Scratch

3/4 cup sugar
1 cup water
1 (12-ounce) package of fresh or frozen cranberries

Combine sugar and water in a medium saucepan.  Bring the sugar mixture to a boil and add the fresh or frozen cranberries. Return to a boil. Reduce heat and boil gently for 10 minutes, stirring occasionally. Cover and cool completely at room temperature. Refrigerate until serving time.

Yield: 8 servings (serving size: 1⁄4 cup)

Allowances: 1/2 allowance of fruits and 1 allowance of sugar

Calories 93 (0% from fat); Fat 0g (sat 0g); Protein 0.2g; Carb 24g; Fiber 2g; Chol 0mg; Sodium 1.7mg

Our approach to sharing is one of educating people about the importance of wellness from a wellness perspective, not about selling products. Therefore we see ourselves as educators, not sales people.

Cellular Wellness Plans are starter plans for a 5 month time frame to assess your wellness. People consider these plans to be the first few months of a lifetime of good nutrition and wellness.

The plans are built around the 4 vital nutrients consisting of:

Glyconutrients ( Immune System Support)

Phytosterals (Hormone Balance Support)

Antioxidants (Cell Protection Support)

Vitamins and Minerals (Cell Feed Support)

Experience shows that people must take enough vital nutrients long enough to notice tangible wellness benefits. Also, people with increased health challenges may require additional immune system support.

Why 5 Months?

Cells in your body regenerate over time; we believe that in 5 months, most cells will have benefited from the addition of the 4 vital nutrients to your daily diet.

The 5 month point is a good time to assess your body’s response to these nutrients and make any desired adjustments to your wellness support program.

Why Different Cellular Health Plans?

Each plan consists of a basic level of hormonal balance (Endocrine support), antioxidant (cell protection), cell feed support, immune system support and the plans differs mainly with increased levels of immune system support.

Plans seek to provide enough vital nutrients for long enough for you to see benefits to your health and wellness. The principal concept is that people with some perceived health challenges may benefit from increased amounts of immune system support.

About Results!

Many people make the commitment to take these wellness vital nutrients for a lifetime. Consider these plans as a starter program. During the 5 month period, be sure to take note of any perceived wellness benefits you receive by supplementing.

If you want to share these wellness plans with others you care about, you may wish to contact me to help direct them to the resources for information to help educate them.

These vital nutrients are not designed to diagnose, treat, cure, prevent or mitigate any disease, but that science has shown a connection between good health and wellness and good nutrition.

Cellular Wellness Plans

1. Basic Plus Endocrine System Regulation Plan

A plan comprised of vital nutrients designed for those who want to maintain and support the Endocrine System (Hormonal Balance)

2. Essential Plus Wellness System Regulation Plan

A plan comprised of vital nutrients designed for those on the go who want an advanced nutritional foundation for a healthy lifestyle with energy and vitality and help protect against nutritional deficiencies and oxidative stress.

3. Core 4 Basic Optimal Plus Wellness Plan

A plan comprised of vital nutrients for those who choose to be proactive in their optimal wellness.

4. Core 4 Essential Optimal Wellness Plan

A plan comprised of vital nutrients for those who have a perceived health challenge.

5. Core 4 Advanced Optimal Wellness Plan

A plan comprised of vital nutrients for those who have an intensive health challenge.

Choose Your Plan

Basic Plus Endocrine System Regulation Plan

Plus

Essential Plus Wellness System regulation Plan

Plus
Antioxidant
Vitamins and Minerals

Core 4 Basic Optimal Plus Wellness Plan

Glyconutrient Caplets
Plus

To assess your wellness, take the questionnaire in the attachment in this newsletter (Newsletter 11). If you have questions, Contact Us. We’re here to listen and help.

I hope you have enjoyed this newsletter and it has you thinking about being proactive about your health and wellness.

You won’t find these products in supermarkets, health food stores or on drug store shelves.

We are proud to share the concept of glyconutrients with you. Experience has shown that most people become interested after talking with other people who use these products. Sharing builds this kind of person – to – person trust, confidence and follow-up.

If you’d like to discuss your current options when it comes to supplementing your diet or Sharing this Gift with others, feel free to contact us at pluswellness4women@gmail.com.

I suggest that you become educated about the many elements in your lifestyle that affect hormonal balance. I have just scratched the surface with these vital nutrient articles.

For more wellness information Contact Us at pluswellness4women@gmail.com.

This is a great video about longevity, diet & health.

Oxidants cause many diseases, including heart attack.Oxidants can be avoided if deep frying is not resorted to in cooking. Recycling or using used oil again contains high level of Oxidants.Packaged snacks contain anti oxidants; but the they do not completely nullify the effect of oxidants in these products.Better avoid them.Most of the Chinese preparations have a higher quantity of oxidants.Ajonomoto used in these foods has higher level of sodium which is quite harmful
Less oil, preferably no oil in cooking is advisable and consumption of cleaned raw vegetables , especially leafy ones, are ideal for health.
ScienceDaily (Nov. 20, 2009) — Scientists at the University of Pennsylvania School of Medicine discovered that a dietary antioxidant found in such vegetables as broccoli and cauliflower protects cells from damage caused by chemicals generated during the body’s inflammatory response to infection and injury. The finding has implications for such inflammation-based disorders as cystic fibrosis (CF), diabetes, heart disease, and neuro degeneration.

Through cell-culture studies and a synthesis of known antioxidant biochemistry, Zhe Lu, MD, PhD , Professor of Physiology, Yanping Xu , MD, PhD , Senior Research Investigator, and Szilvia Szép , PhD, postdoctoral researcher, showed that the antioxidant thiocyanate normally existing in the body protects lung cells from injuries caused by accumulations of hydrogen peroxide and hypochlorite, the active ingredient in household bleach. These potentially harmful chemicals are made by the body as a reaction to infection and injury. In addition, thiocyanate also protects cells from hypochlorite produced in reactions involving MPO, an enzyme released from germ-fighting white blood cells during inflammation.
http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/11/091116165741.htm

We were interested to read about an antioxidant therapy for Diabetic Peripheral Neuropathy (DPN). It includes alpha lipoic acid, which has been studied quite extensively for diabetes, as well as evening primrose oil (gamma linolenic acid being the active component) and Vitamin C:

…a recommendation for treatment of DPN by use of anti-oxidants, and is based on the research of Stan Angilley. It has been used successfully by many diabetics to reduce or even eliminate DPN. Before starting on this regimen, you should discuss it with your doctor, as you may have other medical issues which would contraindicate its use. It is likely that your doctor will have heard little or nothing about this approach, so we have provided citations to applicable literature below.

The DPN cocktail has three components: Alpha Lipoic Acid (ALA), Gamma Linolenic Acid (GLA) as contained in Evening Primrose Oil (EPO), and Vitamin C.

Read more at:

http://www.diabetes-support.org.uk/joomla/neuropathy-treatment

See www.newyorkbuyersclub.org for more on these supplements.

Sri Lankan-based Dilmah Tea, the world’s only global single-origin tea brand and the number one tea in 10 countries, is bringing a healthier and higher-grade product to tea drinkers in America for the first time. Sold in over 90 countries, Dilmah Tea is recognized as the global authority on tea trends and gourmet tastes and boasts twice the antioxidant content in their
Ceylon Green Tea as that of a well-known competitor.

The freshness of Dilmah’s tea with foil-sealed packaging and hand selected tea leaves from the distinctive Ceylon tea bush is a critical difference.  Many tea brands purchase their tea from multiple countries and import in bulk for packing long after the tea is harvested. Yet tea producers such as Dilmah own and manage their own fields and quickly package their products at origin. The result is a significantly healthier and more flavorful product when it gets to retail shelves.

I had the pleasure to taste a delectable assortment of Dilmah’s teas and let me tell you, I was incredibly impressed.  As a fan of green tea, I opted to try their Ceylon Green Variety Pack, which is pure Ceylon tea and I was blown away by the incredible flavors.  My favorite is the Green with Lemongrass Leaves, which was a perfect accompaniment to my morning breakfast.  Furthermore, I couldn’t wait to display the beautiful designer gourmet teas on my kitchen counter as each box is beautifully decorated and each delicate teabag is sealed within the container—very impressive as this is the perfect way to keep your tea fresh.  The Dilmah t-Series Ceylon Young Hyson Green Pure Ceylon Luxury Leaf Bags were incredible and the bags are beautifully crafted, perfect for when I have company at my new apartment!

According to a controlled comparative analysis of the antioxidant levels comparing best-selling specialty teas from Bigelow and Twinings, Dilmah’s teas had significantly higher levels than its competitors in both green and black teas. Dilmah’s Ceylon Green Tea contains twice the antioxidant content as compared with Bigelow Green Tea. The same study showed that Dilmah’s Earl Grey contained 50 percent more antioxidants as compared with Twinings Earl Grey. The independent study, conducted by Brunswick Labs, LLC, confirmed what earlier studies have shown ­ that single origin teas fresh-packed at source in foil-wrapped tea bags and quickly shipped soon after being picked in the fields provide consumers with an end product that contains the highest level of antioxidants.

I also tasted the Ceylon Silver Tips White Tea, which was another luxurious experience, in itself.  Now, I am a true tea connoisseur as my family, friends and past roommates can tell you…I’m known to have over 40 boxes of tea in my cabinets and usually consume close to 6 cups a day…I know what your thinking…how do I drink that much? Well, it’s easy when you are sipping on handpicked, sophisticated flavors as with each Dilmah tea.

The story and history of Dilmah teas is incredible and I recommend you to visit their website at Dilmah.com for an astounding story on the foundation of their 100% Pure Ceylon Teas, packaged in a sophisticated, fresh display…perfect for your morning cup, an evening sip and to offer to house guests during the holidays.  These tea bags are  beautiful to the eye; almost too beautiful to drink.  But the beauty of the unique packaging will not deceive your taste buds as the flavors are incredible; you will surely enjoy every sip and savor every moment of your Dilmah tea experience.

While most green teas throughout the world originate in China (or from the China variant of the tea bush), the bushes used to grow Dilmah’s green teas are a different type, which many tea experts believe have a higher level of antioxidants and produces a fuller bodied, better tasting green tea. At the same time, what many consumers don’t know is that from the day tea is harvested; its quality and antioxidant levels begin to decline. Because Dilmah Tea is from a single origin, Sri Lanka (formerly Ceylon, hence CeylonTea), which is considered the best source, they uniquely pack their tea within a few weeks after harvesting.

Grown in the best tea fields in Sri Lanka, this tea field-to-tea cup dedication results in tea that is not only a much higher quality, but also contains more antioxidants than other teas on the market.

You can purchase Dilmah’s selection of single origin pure Ceylon green teas, premium single origin pure Ceylon black teas and watte single estate teas at select Giant, Hy-Vee, Big Y, King Kullen, QFC, Earthfare and Harmons supermarkets as well as other supermarkets and retail outlets.

You can also order online at Dilmah.com, Amazon.com, Alice.com and Teadog.com. The green and black teas have a suggested retail price of $3.69 per box and the single estate watte tins have a suggested retail price of $7.99 per tin.

Have you had the luxurious experience of sipping on Dilmah Tea? If so, what is your favorite flavor?