Garden update 6/5/15

 6/5/15 -  Garden update

  6/5/15 - Gold berry tomatoes, snap peas and ground cherry tomatoes

  6/5/15 - Gold Berry tomatoes...replaced the spindly chocolate cherry tomatoes

  6/5/15 - Lettuce growing in well...cucumbers, not so much!

  6/5/15 - Both zucchini seeds germinated very well...I only kept one

 6/5/15 - Both zucchini seeds germinated very well for second plant too...I only kept one

 6/5/15 -  1 large chocolate tomato, 1 Ananas Noire tomato, 2 Chinese 5 color pepper, 2 mini red bell pepper, 2 Giant Szegedi sweet pepper,  1 Tabasco Pepper

 6/5/15 -  1 Beefsteak tomato, 1 large chocolate tomato, 1 Ananas Noire tomato

 6/5/15 - Ox Heart, Gold Berries tomato, and Chocolate cherry

 6/5/15 - Chocolate large, chocolate cherry and Ox Heart tomatoes

 6/5/15 - Beef Steak and Cherokee Purple tomato

6/5/15 -Snap Peas

7 Early Symptoms of Liver Damage

(And 3 Amazing Liver Detox Recipes)

Keeping an eye open for any early signs of liver problems is an essential part of maintaining a holistic health lifestyle. Without a fully functioning liver, both your health and lifestyle will be compromised. Luckily your liver is capable of repairing itself, so providing that any problems are spotted early, and are not allowed to develop and worsen, your liver is likely to make a full recovery. So you need to be on the alert. Here are some symptoms of liver problems to be on the lookout for.

Liver damage can include anything from heredity (i.e., inherited from a family member), toxicity (i.e., due to chemicals or viruses) to a long-term disease (i.e., Cirrhosis) that can affect your liver for the rest of your life.
The liver helps the body digest food, absorb nutrients, and eliminate toxic substances. Without this abdominal organ you wouldn’t able to live.

Causes for liver damage
Liver problems usually occur gradually and over many years. The most common cause for liver problems is long term alcohol consumption. Other causes are:

Various viruses including many typee of hepatitis
Malnutrition
Reactions to certain medications
Overuse of certain medications
Exposure to harmful chemicals
Inherited disorders of iron and copper metabolism
Diseases like liver cancer and fatty liver caused by obesity
Diabetics have an increased risk of liver disease
Even smoking can dramatically increase the risk for not only lung cancer, but also liver cancer. Certain chemotherapy drugs can damage cells in the liver, and even too much of vitamin A can cause liver damage.

7 Early Symtomps of Liver Damage

Dark yellow urine
Due to increased levels of the bile pigment in the body that cannot be eliminated by the damaged liver. People may associate it with dehydration, but if they drink enough fluids, it should not happen.

Swollen Abdomen
Cirrhosis, the serious progression of liver disease, causes fluid build-up in the abdomen (a condition referred to as ascites), as levels of albumin and proteins in the blood and fluid are retained. This may actually make the patient appear pregnant. While ascites can be caused by numerous medical conditions, cirrhosis of the liver is the single most common. Sometimes, swelling can also take place in the ankles, as accumulated fluid is drawn down into the body by the forces of gravity.

Diarrhea, constipation or intestinal bleeding
There are noticeable changes in bowel movement. You may have periods of constipation or diarrhea or change in the stool color or traces of blood in it.

 
Acid Reflux
If you suffer from increasingly frequent attacks of acid reflux with indigestion, with or without vomiting, these are other warning signs that all is not well and needs investigating further.

Jaundice
This is the well known ‘yellowing’ of your skin. Your whole body including sometimes your fingernails and eyes take on a yellow hue. This is mainly due to the build up of ‘bilirubin’ which is a pigment in bile. Bile is made in our livers, and is essential in the digestion process. If your liver is having problems filtering the toxins that you ingest (whether through the digestive tract, the skin or the respiratory system) bilirubin will collect in the bloodstream thus turning your pallor yellow.

Nausea and vomiting
Due the interruption to the digestive system, you may suffer from heartburn, nausea and vomiting.

Abdominal pain
Especially where the liver is located, in the upper right part of the belly under the ribs.

3 Liver Detox Recipes

1. Liver Boosting Beet Juice:
1 beet
1 carrot
1 lemon, peeled
1 handful parsley
 
Instructions: Run all ingredients through a juicer and enjoy.

2. Deep Green Liver Detox:
1/2 cucumber
2 cups kale
1 lime, peeled
1 cup swiss chard
1/2 lemon, peeled
 
Instructions: Run all ingredients through a juicer and enjoy.

3. Liver Detox Green Smoothie:
2 oranges, peeled
1/2 rib celery
1 lemon, peeled
1/2 cup dandelion greens (or other bitter green)
1/2 cup parsley
 
Instructions: Place all ingredients in a blender and blend until smooth.

Watermelon

It is also a good dietary source of both citrulline and lycopene, two very powerful plant compounds.
 
Eating watermelon or drinking watermelon juice may have several health benefits, including lower blood pressure, improved insulin sensitivity and reduced muscle soreness.

While watermelons are most commonly eaten fresh, they can also be made into juice or added to smoothies.

This is what a watermelon looks like:
Watermelons have a red or pink flesh, surrounded by a hard peel that is usually green with dark green stripes.

There are also varieties with white, yellow, orange and green flesh.
They generally contain numerous small seeds, but there are also seedless varieties.

 

Nutrition Facts

Watermelon consists mostly of water (91%) and carbs (7.5%). It contains almost no protein or fat, and is very low in calories.

The table below contains information on all the main nutrients in watermelon (1).

 

Watermelon – Nutrition Facts

• General
• Vitamins & minerals

General information

	Amount
Calories	30
Water	91 %
Protein	0.6 g
Carbs	7.6 g
Sugar	6.2 g
Fiber	0.4 g
Fat	0.2 g
Saturated	0.02 g
Monounsaturated	0.04 g
Polyunsaturated	0.05 g
Omega-3	0 g
Omega-6	0.05 g
Trans fat	~

More details

 

Carbs in Watermelon

Watermelon contains 7.5 grams of carbs in 100 grams, or 12 grams of carbs per cup.

The carbs are mostly simple sugars, such as glucose, fructose and sucrose. Watermelon also contains a small amount of fiber.

The glycemic index of watermelons ranges from 72-80, which is high (2). It is a measure of how quickly foods raise blood sugar levels after meals.

However, each serving of watermelon is relatively low in carbs, so eating it should not have a major effect on blood sugar levels.

 

Fibers

Watermelon is a poor source of fiber (0.4 grams per 100 grams).
However, it is considered high in fermentable short-chain carbohydrates, referred to as FODMAPs.

FODMAPs can cause unpleasant digestive symptoms in individuals who cannot digest them, such as those with irritable bowel syndrome.

Bottom line: Watermelon is low in calories and fiber and consists mostly of water and simple sugars. It also contains FODMAPs, which may cause digestive symptoms in sensitive individuals.

 

Vitamins and Minerals

Watermelon is a good source of vitamin C, and also a decent source of several other vitamins and minerals.

• Vitamin C: An antioxidant that is essential for skin health and immune function (3, 4).
• Potassium: A mineral that is important for blood pressure control and heart health (5).
• Copper: A mineral that is most abundant in plant foods, and often lacking in the Western diet (6).
• Vitamin B5: Also known as pantothenic acid. This vitamin is found in almost all foods to some extent.
• Vitamin A: Watermelon contains beta-carotene, which is transformed into vitamin A in the body.

Bottom line: Watermelon is a good source of vitamin C, and contains decent amounts of potassium, copper, vitamin B5 and vitamin A (from beta-carotene).

 

Other Plant Compounds

Watermelon is a poor source of antioxidants compared to other fruits (7).
However, it is a good source of the amino acid citrulline, and the antioxidant lycopene, which have numerous benefits for health (8).

 

Citrulline

Watermelon is the richest known dietary source of the amino acid citrulline. The highest amount is found in the white rind that surrounds the flesh (7, 9, 10).

In the body, citrulline is transformed into the essential amino acid arginine.

Both citrulline and arginine play an important role in the synthesis of nitric oxide (NO), which helps to lower blood pressure by dilating and relaxing our blood vessels (11).

Arginine is also important for many organs, such as the lungs, kidneys, liver, and the immune and reproductive systems, and has been shown to facilitate the healing of wounds (12, 13, 14).

Studies have shown that watermelon juice is a good source of citrulline, and is able to increase blood levels of both citrulline and arginine considerably (13, 15, 16).

Despite being one of the best dietary sources of citrulline, one would have to consume about 5 pounds (2.3 kg) of watermelons to meet the recommended daily intake for arginine (17).

 

Lycopene

Watermelon is the best known fresh source of lycopene, a powerful antioxidant responsible for its red color (18, 19, 20, 21).

Lycopene is used to some extent to form beta-carotene in the body, which is converted into vitamin A.

Lycopene is generally associated with tomatoes, but fresh watermelon is actually a better source of lycopene than fresh tomato (1).

Human studies have shown that fresh watermelon juice is effective at raising blood levels of both lycopene and beta-carotene (22).

Bottom Line: Watermelon is a good source of two beneficial plant compounds, the amino acid citrulline and the antioxidant lycopene.

 

Health Benefits of Watermelons

Watermelons and watermelon juice have been linked with several health benefits.

 

Improved Metabolic Health

High blood pressure and insulin resistance are two major risk factors for chronic disease and premature death (23, 24).

Watermelon is a good source of citrulline, which is converted into arginine in the body. Both of these amino acids help in the production of nitric oxide.

Nitric oxide is a gas molecule that causes the tiny muscles around the blood vessels to relax and dilate. This leads to a reduction in blood pressure (25).

Supplementation with watermelon or watermelon juice has been shown to reduce blood pressure in people with high blood pressure (26, 27, 28, 29).

Watermelon and arginine intake have also been linked to reduced fat mass and improved insulin sensitivity in obese individuals with type 2 diabetes (30, 31, 32).

 

Reduced Muscle Soreness After Exercise

Muscle soreness is a well known side effect of strenuous exercise.
One study showed that watermelon juice was effective in decreasing muscle soreness following exercise (33).

Several studies have also investigated the effect of watermelon juice or citrulline on exercise performance.

One study found no effect (34), and another study found improved performance in untrained, but not well-trained individuals (35).

Bottom line: Watermelon juice may reduce blood pressure, fat mass and insulin resistance in some people. It is also linked to reduced muscle soreness after exercise.

 

Adverse Effects

Watermelon is well tolerated by most people.
However, it may cause allergic reactions or digestive problems in some individuals.

 

Allergy

Allergy to watermelon is rare, but it may cause oral-allergy syndrome in individuals who are sensitive to pollen (36, 37).

The symptoms include itchy mouth and throat, swelling of the lips, mouth, tongue, throat, and sometimes ears (38).

 

FODMAPs

Watermelon contains FODMAPs, short-chain carbohydrates that some people cannot digest.

FODMAPs may cause unpleasant digestive symptoms, such as bloating, gas, stomach cramps, diarrhea or constipation.

Individuals who are sensitive to FODMAPs, such as those with irritable bowel syndrome, should consider avoiding watermelons.

Bottom Line: Watermelon may cause oral-allergy syndrome in individuals with pollen allergy. It also contains FODMAPs, which can cause unpleasant digestive symptoms in some people.

 

Take Home Message

Watermelon is an exceptionally healthy fruit.

It is loaded with citrulline and lycopene, two powerful plant compounds that have been linked to lower blood pressure, improved metabolic health and decreased muscle soreness after exercise.

It also has a sweet and delicious taste, and is packed with water, making it excellent for maintaining good hydration.

For the vast majority of people, watermelon is a perfect addition to a healthy diet.

It is particularly refreshing on a hot summer day, and may be considered the ultimate summer fruit.

Probiotics and Prebiotics Influence Neuropsychological Conditions

6 Surprising Facts About Microbes In Your Gut

by Michelle Toole
Researchers have long suggested a link between the gut-brain axis and neuropsychiatric disorders such as autism, depression, and eating disorders. Using probiotics and prebiotics to alter the gut microbiota and influence the gut-brain axis may open up new ways of influencing neuropsychological conditions, says a new review. 

The majority of the science for probiotics has focused on gut health, but as the understanding of the gut and the microbiome increases, probiotics are increasing linked to a range of beneficial effects, from weight management to immune support and allergy response, and from oral health to cholesterol reduction.

The gut contains microorganisms that share a structural similarity with the neuropeptides involved in regulating behavior, mood, and emotion–a phenomenon known as molecular mimicry.

At the “forefront of current research” is work on the gut-brain axis – the two direction communication between the gut microbiota and the brain. Data from rodent studies has indicated that modification of the gut microbiota can alter signaling mechanisms, emotional behavior, and instinctive reflexes.

Researchers have long postulated that gut bacteria influence brain function. A century ago, Russian embryologist Elie Metchnikoff surmised that a healthy colonic microbial community could help combat senility and that the friendly bacterial strains found in sour milk and yogurt would increase a person’s longevity.

Researchers have shown that under certain conditions, some types of normal gut bacteria can trigger disease. Sarkis Mazmanian, a microbiologist at the California Institute of Technology, dubbed these elements “pathobionts”; the term “pathogens,” in contrast, refers to opportunistic microbes that are not normally part of the gut microbial community.

Communication
According to a new review in Neuropsychiatric Disease and Treatment by Linghong Zhou and Jane Foster from McMaster University in Canada, communication channels between the gut and the brain include sympathetic and parasympathetic nerves and the enteric nervous system (ENS).

“The role of the sympathetic nervous system in the gut-brain axis includes regulating motility, blood flow, barrier function, and immune system activation,” they said. “Bidirectional communication via the vagus nerve, a component of the parasympathetic nervous system, is a well-established pathway for gut-brain signaling and, in recent years, has emerged as an important microbiota to brain communication pathway.

“The ENS, sometimes referred to as “the second brain” comprises intrinsic primary afferent neurons, motor neurons, and glial cells contained within the myenteric plexus and the submucosal plexus that extends along the entire length of the gut. The ENS plays an essential role in normal intestinal function including motility and secretion.”


Gut-brain axis

The body can’t tell the difference between the structure of these mimics and its own cells, so antibodies could end up attacking both, potentially altering the physiology of the gut-brain axis.
The bacteria present in the gut affects the communication between belly and brain, they said, and the lack of healthy gut microbiota lead to dysfunction in the gut-brain axis, which in turn may lead to neuropsychological, metabolic, and gastrointestinal disorders.

Intervention trials with select strains of probiotics have revealed that supplementation may influence mood (Lactobacillus casei Shirota), and anxiety and depression (L. helveticus and B. longum).
There is also some data to support an effect with prebiotics, with improvements in stress hormone levels and attention in health volunteers taking oligosaccharides.

Neuropsychological disorders
The role of the gut microbiota in the development of neuropsychological disorders is also a focus for many researchers around the world, with data supporting an association between dysbiosis (microbial imbalance) in the gut and disorders including depression and autism spectrum disorder, metabolic disorders such as obesity, and gastrointestinal disorders including IBD and IBS.

“Fortunately, studies have also indicated that gut microbiota may be modulated with the use of probiotics, antibiotics, and fecal microbiota transplants as a prospect for therapy in microbiota-associated diseases,” wrote Zhou and Foster. “This modulation of gut microbiota is currently a growing area of research as it just might hold the key to treatment.”

The Power of Probiotics
Probiotics offset other intestinal bacteria that produce putrefactive and carcinogenic toxins. If harmful bacteria dominate the intestines, essential vitamins and enzymes are not produced and the level of harmful substances rises leading to cancer, liver and kidney disease, hypertension, arteriosclerosis and abnormal immunity. Harmful bacteria can proliferate under many different circumstances including peristalsis disorders, surgical operations of the stomach or small intestine, liver or kidney diseases, pernicious anaemia, cancer, radiation or antibiotic therapies, chemotherapy, immune disorders, emotional stress, poor diets and aging.

The best known of the probiotics are the Lactobacilli, a number of species of which (acidophilus, bulgaricus, casei and sporogenes) reside in the human intestine in a symbiotic relationship with each other and with other microorganisms (the friendly Streptococci, E. coli and Bifidobacteria). 

Lactobacilli are essential for maintaining gut microfloral health, but the overall balance of the various microorganisms in the gut is what is most important.

Another probiotic which has recently generated a great deal of interest is the friendly yeast known as Saccharomyces boulardii, an organism that belongs to the Brewer’s Yeast family, not the Candida albicans group. S. boulardii is not a permanent resident of the intestine but, taken orally, it produces lactic acid and some B vitamins, and has an overall immune enhancing effect. In fact, it has been used therapeutically to fight candida infections.

6 SURPRISING FACTS ABOUT MICROBES IN YOUR GUT
1. What’s in Your Gut May Affect the Size of Your Gut
Need to lose weight? Why not try a gut bacteria transplant?New research published in the journal Science suggests that the microbes in your gut may play a role in obesity.

2. Probiotics May Treat Anxiety and Depression
Scientists have been exploring the connection between gut bacteria and chemicals in the brain for years. New research adds more weight to the theory that researchers call “the microbiome–gut–brain axis.”Research published in Proceedings of the National Academy of Science shows that mice fed the bacterium Lactobacillus rhamnosus showed fewer symptoms of anxiety and depression. Researchers theorize that this is because L. rhamnosus acts on the central gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA) system, which helps regulate emotional behavior.
L. rhamnosus, which is available as a commercial probiotic supplement, has also been linked to the prevention of diarrhea, atopic dermatitis, and respiratory tract infections.

3. The More Bacteria the Better
While bacteria on the outside of your body can cause serious infections, the bacteria inside your body can protect against it. Studies have shown that animals without gut bacteria are more susceptible to serious infections.Bacteria found naturally inside your gut have a protective barrier effect against other living organisms that enter your body. They help the body prevent harmful bacteria from rapidly growing in your stomach, which could spell disaster for your bowels.
To do this, they develop a give-and-take relationship with your body.
“The host actively provides a nutrient that the bacterium needs, and the bacterium actively indicates how much it needs to the host,” according to research published in The Lancet.

4. Gut Bacteria Pass from Mother to Child in Breast Milk
It’s common knowledge that a mother’s milk can help beef up a baby’s immune system. New research indicates that the protective effects of gut bacteria can be transferred from mother to baby during breastfeeding.Work published in Environmental Microbiology shows that important gut bacteria travels from mother to child through breast milk to colonize a child’s own gut, helping his or her immune system to mature.

5. Lack of Gut Diversity Is Linked to Allergies
Too few bacteria in the gut can throw the immune system off balance and make it go haywire with hay fever.Researchers in Copenhagen reviewed the medical records and stool samples of 411 infants. They found that those who didn’t have diverse colonies of gut bacteria were more likely to develop allergies.
But before you throw your gut bacteria a proliferation party, know that they aren’t always beneficial.

6. Gut Bacteria Can Hurt Your Liver
Your liver gets 70 percent of its blood flow from your intestines, so it’s natural they would share more than just oxygenated blood.Italian researchers found that between 20 and 75 percent of patients with chronic fatty liver disease–the kind not associated with alcoholism–also had an overgrowth of gut bacteria. Some believe that the transfer of gut bacteria to the liver could be responsible for chronic liver disease.

7 Essential Oils that Promote A Balanced, Healthy Life

 

by Michelle Toole
Do you know there are lots of options when it comes to essential oils, but do you know why essential oils are so popular in the first place?

Essential oils are concentrated hydrophobic mixtures that are made from plant compounds. Now don’t be intimidated by the word “hydrophobic”. The word only means that the plant compounds in essential oils have been separated from any water that it was originally found with. 

The versatility and health benefits of essential oils are its most appealing characteristics. Whether you take the oils in a supplement, cook with them, put them in tea, or use them topically, essential oils will help you maintain a healthy lifestyle.

The power of Essential oils are often associated with a human’s chakra, which is a complex 7 part spiritual system in your body. The belief that a well-balanced chakra leads to a healthy fruitful life is a practice used in ancient and modern day Hinduism, Buddhism and now, internationally through different yoga cultures.

 

Where to Use Your Essential Oils

 

1. Patchouli Oil

This perennial plant is in the same family as lavendar, mint, and sage. It has a rich, earthy smell that is sometimes even used in perfumes and other fragrances!

Patchouli oil, when used topically, can help alleviate inflammation, as well as mild breakouts, rashes, eczema or dry skin. 

According to chakra, patchouli oil will help you feel grounded and stable by relieving anxiety and insomnia. This component of the chakra is the “root”, which lies in your lower back and tailbone area.

 

2. Ylang Ylang

This plant has been proven to act as an aphrodisiac, which can enhance your libido and reproductive powers!

In chakra, these characteristics are spiritually located within your abdomen and are responsible for creativity and sexuality – using ylang ylang is thought to help enhance these elements.

 

3. Cinnamon Oil

Not just a tasty herb for French toast! Cinnamon oil is used all over the world to boost brain strength, memory, and other cognitive functions.

In chakra, using cinnamon on your upper abdomen is thought to boost confidence and trigger higher self-esteem.

4. Rose Oil

Extracted from one of the most beautiful flowers in the world, rose oil has been known to act as an antidepressant, laxative, antiseptic, antiviral, and aphrodisiac.

The beliefs of chakra suggest that rose oil is directly connected to romance and thus, when used topically over the heart, it has the ability to strengthen romantic relationships.

 

5. Eucalyptus Oil

It is often used to soothe the pain of coughs and sore throats due to its potent anti-inflammatory properties.

It is believed to be most effective when applied topically on the throat or taken orally with tea. Chakra believes that the throat is an element for self-expression and that Eucalyptus oil will strengthen its abilities.

 

6. Lavender Oil

When rubbed on your forehead, lavender oil can help ease migraine pain and create a stronger gateway to your intuition. Lavender also has a calming effect on the mind, allowing us to become in touch with your spiritual knowledge.

 

7. Frankincense

Used as a diuretic, sedative, astringent, and antiseptic, frankincense is one of the most potent and versatile oils. This oil promotes healthy cell regeneration and is thus used to help your body’s natural healing processes. It also improves your hair and gum strength.

It is also believed this oil will bring you mental peace and clarity. It is often applied on the top of the head during a calming bath or shower.

May Conscious Box 2015 - Gluten-Free

May Conscious Box 2015 - Gluten-Free

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Chatto Nature's Natural 6-Plus Hair Loss Recovery Leave-In Conditioner

Miracle Tree Moringa Organic Tea Lemon

Plum Organics Plum Vida - Cherry, Berry, Beet, Ginger

ENLIGHTENED The Good-For-You-Crisp - Wasabi

Natralia Heel Balm

Snap Infusion Super Candy - Sour gummy

Mighty Leaf! Mighty Leaf! Sample Trio

Nelson's Naturals Lemon RESCUE Pastilles

Thayer's Original Witchhazel Toner

Miracle Tree Moringa Organic Tea Strawberry

Palmetto Derma Collagen Boosting Serum

Vibrant Health Maximum Vibrance Chocolate

Garden update 5/31/15

 5/31/15 -  Snap peas

  5/31/15 - Red onions

  5/31/15 - Lettuce and Red onions

  5/31/15 - Red Russian kale

  5/31/15 - Pok Choy

  5/31/15 - Chinese Cabbage

  5/31/15 - Swiss Chard

  5/31/15 - Swiss Chard

  5/31/15 - Green onions and tomatoes

  5/31/15 - Garden update

  5/31/15 - Zucchini

  5/31/15 -  Curled Scotch kale

   5/31/15 -  Curled Scotch kale

   5/31/15 -  Lettuce

   5/31/15 -  Bok Choy and Dino kale

   5/31/15 -  Cucumbers...like all the tomatoes suffering from whitening leaves!

  5/31/15 -  Giant Szegedi sweet pepper